bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative error estimates for the large friction limit of Vlasov equation with nonlocal forces
Authors: Carrillo José A. , Choi Young-Pil
Published: March 2020

We study an asymptotic limit of Vlasov type equation with nonlocal interaction forces where the friction terms are dominant. We provide a quantitative estimate of this large friction limit from the kinetic equation to a continuity type equation with a nonlocal velocity field, the so-called aggregation equation, by employing 2-Wasserstein distance. By introducing an intermediate system, given by the pressureless Euler equations with nonlocal forces, we can quantify the error between the spatial densities of the kinetic equation and the pressureless Euler system by means of relative entropy type arguments combined with the 2-Wasserstein distance. This together with the quantitative error estimate between the pressureless Euler system and the aggregation equation in 2-Wasserstein distance in [Commun. Math. Phys, 365, (2019), 329–361] establishes the quantitative bounds on the error between the kinetic equation and the aggregation equation.
How a minimal surface leaves a thin obstacle
Authors: Focardi Matteo , Spadaro Emanuele
Published: March 2020

We prove the optimal regularity and a detailed analysis of the free boundary of the solutions to the thin obstacle problem for nonparametric minimal surfaces with flat obstacles.
Fractional Piola identity and polyconvexity in fractional spaces
Authors: Bellido José C. , Cueto Javier , Mora-Corral Carlos
Published: March 2020

In this paper we address nonlocal vector variational principles obtained by substitution of the classical gradient by the Riesz fractional gradient. We show the existence of minimizers in Bessel fractional spaces under the main assumption of polyconvexity of the energy density, and, as a consequence, the existence of solutions to the associated Euler–Lagrange system of nonlinear fractional PDE. The main ingredient is the fractional Piola identity, which establishes that the fractional divergence of the cofactor matrix of the fractional gradient vanishes. This identity implies the weak convergence of the determinant of the fractional gradient, and, in turn, the existence of minimizers of the nonlocal energy. Contrary to local problems in nonlinear elasticity, this existence result is compatible with solutions presenting discontinuities at points and along hypersurfaces.
The Formation of a Technology-Based Fashion System, 1945–1990: The Sources of the Lost Competitiveness of Japanese Apparel Companies
Authors: DONZÉ PIERRE-YVES , FUJIOKA RIKA
Published: March 2020

Over the past two decades, the Japanese apparel industry has lost its competitiveness after experiencing a period of fast growth from the postwar years to the early 1990s. In international literature in social sciences, most scholars offer ethnic-based explanations of fashion in Japan, stressing some specificities such as street fashion or star designers in Paris. This article, however, argues that such views are biased and cannot explain the current lack of competitiveness of the Japanese apparel industry. Using the concept of the “fashion system” and following a business history-oriented approach, we offer a new interpretation of the emergence of Western clothing and fashion in Japan during the second part of the twentieth century. This interpretation demonstrates that the characteristics of the Japanese fashion system lie in a focus on the issues of production and technology, both of which led both to an extreme segmentation of the domestic market and to weaker brands.
MULTIPLICATIVE PARAMETRIZED HOMOTOPY THEORY VIA SYMMETRIC SPECTRA IN RETRACTIVE SPACES
Authors: HEBESTREIT FABIAN , SAGAVE STEFFEN , SCHLICHTKRULL CHRISTIAN
Published: March 2020

In order to treat multiplicative phenomena in twisted (co)homology, we introduce a new point-set-level framework for parametrized homotopy theory. We provide a convolution smash product that descends to the corresponding$\infty$-categorical product and allows for convenient constructions of commutative parametrized ring spectra. As an immediate application, we compare various models for generalized Thom spectra. In a companion paper, this approach is used to compare homotopical and operator algebraic models for twisted$K$-theory.
THE MAKING OF A NEW RACE IN THE EARLY TWENTIETH CENTURY IMPERIAL IMAGINARY
Authors: QUICK TOM
Published: March 2020

This article contends that understandings of race and practices of racial differentiation underwent a significant epistemological shift around the first decades of the twentieth century. It reaches this conclusion via consideration of a dog breeding programme conducted by the statistician and hereditarian theorist Karl Pearson. In 1913, Pearson proclaimed that he, along with his collaborators Edward Nettleship and Charles Usher, had created a ‘new race’ of dog. Notable for its complete absence of hair pigmentation, this race appeared to demonstrate the potential that experimental animal breeding had for imperial policy-making. In differentiating his dogs from the Pekingese spaniels from which they had been produced, Pearson sought to show that ‘foreign’ animals could be made to approximate British racial standards. In Pearson's wake, animal breeding became an increasingly persuasive means by which scientists sought to legitimate racial contentions. By the 1920s, established anthropocentric approaches to human differentiation had begun to be replaced by new, animal-centred techniques and practices. Whereas nineteenth-century conceptions of race had primarily been articulated in relation to the study of human bodies, in the new race of the twentieth century, differentiation would involve study of and experimentation with bodies of all kinds – animal and human.
Conceptualising trust in aged care
Authors: Gilbert Andrew Simon
Published: March 2020

This article calls for a sociological understanding of the importance of trust to aged care. It connects existing theories of trust to empirical evidence from gerontology and nursing research. Trust is defined as a response to and management of social vulnerability. It is argued this makes trust a fundamental concept for understanding human service and social care institutions, including aged care. In light of Australia's Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, as well as generational shifts in consumer expectations and care ethics, the article highlights four distinct yet interrelated forms of trust: interpersonal, institutional, organisational and public trust. All of these forms are shown to be critical in conceptualising and evaluating the perceived trust deficit facing contemporary aged-care systems, and existing evidence shows how these forms of trust can reinforce, conflict and misalign with each other. Efforts to rebuild trust in aged care at an organisational and institutional level should ensure mechanisms facilitate rather than hinder the formation of interpersonal trust relations between individual service users, their families and aged care staff. Broader social policy reforms must also consider and address the way cultural understandings of ageing, and media representations of aged care, have diminished the public's trust in the sector, and how the cycle of scandals, reviews and piecemeal reforms contributes to this.
A taste for knottiness: skaldic art at Cnut’s court
Authors: Frank Roberta
Published: March 2020

During Cnut’s two decades on the throne, his English court was the most vibrant centre in the North for the production and performance of skaldic praise poetry. Icelandic poets composing for earlier Anglo-Saxon kings had focused on the predictive power of royal ‘speaking’ names: for example, Æthelstan (‘Noble-Rock’) and Æthelred (‘Noble-Counsel’). The name Cnut presented problems, vulnerable as it was to cross-linguistic gaffes and embarrassing associations. This article reviews the difficulties faced by Cnut’s skalds when referring in verse to their patron and the solutions they devised. Similar techniques were used when naming other figures in the king’s vicinity. The article concludes with a look at two cruces in an anonymous praise poem celebrating Cnut’s victory in battle in 1016/17 against the English. Both onomastic allusions — to a famed local hero and a female onlooker — seem to poke fun at the ‘colonial’ pronunciation of Danish names in Anglo-Scandinavian England. Norse court poetry was nothing if not a combative game.
The potential distribution of wintering and breeding populations of Asian HoubaraChlamydotis macqueeniiin Iran
Authors: PAKNIAT DAVOOD , HEMAMI MAHMOUD-REZA , SHAHNASERI GILDA , MALEKI SAEIDEH , ADIBI MOHAMMAD-ALI , BESMELI MOHAMMAD REZA , SEHATISABET MOHAMMAD EBRAHIM , ABBASIAN HOSSEIN , AKBARI HOSSEIN , TOHIDI MAHBOOBEH
Published: March 2020

Asian HoubaraChlamydotis macqueeniiis a vulnerable flagship species specific to steppe, desert and semi-desert habitats of the Middle East and Central Asia. Iran provides a critical corridor in the middle of Asian Houbara’s migratory route and also hosts a relatively large proportion of wintering and breeding populations. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and habitat suitability of both wintering and breeding populations of Asian Houbara in Iran and evaluate the effectiveness of the existing protected area network for long-term protection of the species. For this purpose, 644 occurrence points for wintering and 216 points for breeding birds were collected from 17 Iranian provinces during 2015 to 2017. We then used a consensus species distribution modelling (SDM) approach using 11 uncorrelated environmental variables to explore the distribution of Asian Houbara habitats. Results showed that climatic and topographic variations have the most significant influence on the regional-scale distribution of Asian Houbara. Of the suitable habitats recognised for the wintering and breeding populations, 40.6% and 29.6% respectively overlapped with the extent of the protected network. A high level of spatial niche similarity (78%) was observed between wintering and breeding populations. The central, eastern and south-central Iranian semi-arid regions and desert landscapes hosted the majority of both wintering and breeding houbara occurrences. Results of this study could be used for adopting direct management planning and raising the protection level of important no-hunting areas.
Evaluation of measurement equivalence of the Family Satisfaction with the End-of-Life Care (FAMCARE): Tests of differential item functioning between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White caregivers
Authors: Teresi Jeanne A. , Ocepek-Welikson Katja , Ramirez Mildred , Kleinman Marjorie , Ornstein Katherine , Siu Albert , Luchsinger Jose
Published: March 2020

Objective

Although the psychometric properties of the Family Satisfaction with End-of-Life Care measure have been examined in diverse settings internationally; little evidence exists regarding measurement equivalence in Hispanic caregivers. The aim was to examine the psychometric properties of a short-form of the FAMCARE in Hispanics using latent variable models and place information on differential item functioning (DIF) in an existing family satisfaction item bank.

Method

The graded form of the item response theory model was used for the analyses of DIF; sensitivity analyses were performed using a latent variable logistic regression approach. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to examine dimensionality were performed within each subgroup studied. The sample included 1,834 respondents: 317 Hispanic and 1,517 non-Hispanic White caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease and cancer, respectively.

Results

There was strong support for essential unidimensionality for both Hispanic and non-Hispanic White subgroups. Modest DIF of low magnitude and impact was observed; flagged items related to information sharing. Only 1 item was flagged with significant DIF by both a primary and sensitivity method after correction for multiple comparisons: “The way the family is included in treatment and care decisions.” This item was more discriminating for the non-Hispanic, White responders than for the Hispanic subsample, and was also a more severe indicator at some levels of the trait; the Hispanic respondents located at higher satisfaction levels were more likely than White non-Hispanic respondents to report satisfaction.

Significance of results

The magnitude of DIF was below the salience threshold for all items. Evidence supported the measurement equivalence and use for cross-cultural comparisons of the short-form FAMCARE among Hispanic caregivers, including those interviewed in Spanish.
Long‐Term Storage and Age‐Biased Export of Fluvial Organic Carbon: Field Evidence From West Iceland
Authors: Torres Mark A. , Kemeny Preston C. , Lamb Michael P. , Cole Trevor L. , Fischer Woodward W.
Published: March 2020

Terrestrial organic carbon (OC) plays an important role in the carbon cycle, but questions remain regarding the controls and timescale(s) over which atmospheric CO2 remains sequestered as particulate OC (POC). Motivated by observations that terrestrial POC is physically stored within soils and other shallow sedimentary deposits, we examined the role that sediment storage plays in the terrestrial OC cycle. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that sediment storage impacts the age of terrestrial POC. We focused on the Efri Haukadalsá River catchment in Iceland as it lacks ancient sedimentary bedrock that would otherwise bias radiocarbon‐based determinations of POC storage duration by supplying pre‐aged “petrogenic” POC.

Our radiocarbon measurements of riverine suspended sediments and deposits implicated millennial‐scale storage times. Comparison between the sample types (suspended and deposits) suggested an age offset between transported (suspended sediments) and stored (deposits) POC at the time of sampling, which is predicted by theory for the sediment age distribution in floodplains. We also observed that POC in suspended sediments is younger than the predicted mean storage duration generated from independent geomorphological data, which suggested an additional role for OC cycling. Consistent with this, we observed interparticle heterogeneity in the composition of POC by imaging our samples at the microscale using X‐ray absorption spectroscopy. Specifically, we found that particles within individual samples differed in their sulfur oxidation state, which is indicative of multiple origins and/or diagenetic histories. Altogether, our results support recent coupled sediment storage and OC cycling models and indicate that the physical drivers of sediment storage are important factors controlling the cadence of carbon cycling.
Tajik Basin and Southwestern Tian Shan, Northwestern India‐Asia Collision Zone: 2. Timing of Basin Inversion, Tian Shan Mountain Building, and Relation to Pamir‐Plateau Advance and Deep India‐Asia Indentation
Authors: Abdulhameed Sanaa , Ratschbacher Lothar , Jonckheere Raymond , Gągała Łukasz , Enkelmann Eva , Käßner Alexandra , Kars Myriam A. C. , Szulc Adam , Kufner Sofia‐Katerina , Schurr Bernd , Ringenbach Jean‐Claude , Nakapelyukh Mykhaylo , Khan Jahanzeb , Gadoev Mustafo , Oimahmadov Ilhomjon
Published: March 2020

The Tajik basin and southwestern Tian Shan constitute the northwestern tip of the India‐Asia collision zone. Basin inversion formed the thin‐skinned Tajik fold‐thrust belt, outlined by westward convex fold trains, underlain by a décollement in Jurassic evaporites. The belt's leading edge—the Uzbek Gissar—and its transpressional northern lateral margin—the Tajik Gissar—constitute the thick‐skinned foreland buttresses. Apatite fission‐track data indicate ~40‐ to 15‐Ma reheating by sediment burial in the Tian Shan. In the Gissar and the Tajik fold‐thrust belt, apatite fission‐track and (U,Th)/He ages date the major phase of shortening/erosion between ~12 and 1 Ma, with exhumation to 2‐ to 3‐km crustal depths within a few Myr after onset of shortening. Shortening spread immediately across the fold‐thrust belt, typical for belts floored by a detachment in ductile rocks, and into the foreland buttresses. Reactivation concentrated in the internal (eastern) fold‐thrust belt with the thickest evaporates. The youngest ages (~6.6–1.6 Ma) occur along the Vakhsh thrust, the active erosional front of the fold‐thrust belt in the northeastern Tajik basin, where it narrows between the converging Tian Shan and Pamir. Our study links major events in the Pamir hinterland with the Tajik basin and Tian Shan foreland. In the late Eocene–early Miocene, the advancing Pamir‐plateau crust loaded the foreland, inducing subsidence, reheating, and early shortening. Basin inversion and major shortening/transpression in the foreland buttresses from ~12 Ma onward were synchronous with the subcrustal indentation of Indian lithosphere into the Tajik‐Tarim basin lithosphere and the onset of its rollback beneath the Pamir.
Tajik Basin and Southwestern Tian Shan, Northwestern India‐Asia Collision Zone: 3. Preorogenic to Synorogenic Retro‐foreland Basin Evolution in the Eastern Tajik Depression and Linkage to the Pamir Hinterland
Authors: Dedow Ralf , Franz Matthias , Szulc Adam , Schneider Jörg W. , Brückner Jan , Ratschbacher Lothar , Gągała Łukasz , Ringenbach Jean‐Claude , Rajabov Negmat , Gadoev Mustafo , Oimahmadov Ilhomjon
Published: March 2020

The Tajik basin archives the orogenic evolution of the Pamir hinterland. Stratigraphic‐sedimentologic observations from Cretaceous‐Pliocene strata along its eastern margin describe the depositional environment and basin‐formation stages in reaction to hinterland exhumation and basin inversion. During the Late Cretaceous‐Eocene (preorogenic stage: ~100–34 Ma), a shallow‐marine to terrestrial basin extended throughout Central Asia. An alluvial plain with influx of conglomerate bodies (Baljuvon Formation) indicates a first pulse of hinterland erosion and foreland‐basin formation in the late Oligocene‐early Miocene (synorogenic stage Ia: ~34–23 Ma). Further hinterland exhumation deposited massive alluvial conglomerates (Khingou Formation) in the early‐middle Miocene (synorogenic stage Ib: ~23–15 Ma). Westward thickening growth strata suggest transformation of the Tajik basin into the Tajik fold‐thrust belt in the middle‐late Miocene (synorogenic stage IIa: ~15–5 Ma). Increased water supply led to the formation of fluvial mega‐fans (Tavildara Formation). Latest Miocene‐Pliocene shortening constructed basin morphology that blocked sediment bypass into the central basin from the east (Karanak Formation), triggering drainage‐system reorganization from transverse to longitudinal sediment transport (synorogenic stage IIb: < ~5 Ma). Accelerated shortening (~27–20 Ma) and foreland‐directed collapse (~23–12 Ma) of Pamir‐plateau crust loaded the foreland and induced synorogenic stages Ia and Ib. Coupling of Indian and Asian cratonic lithospheres and onset of northward and westward delamination/rollback of Asian lithosphere (i.e., lithosphere of the Tajik basin) beneath the Pamir at ~12–11 Ma transformed the Tajik basin into the Tajik fold‐thrust belt (synorogenic stage IIa). The timing of the sedimentologically derived basin reconfiguration matches the thermochronologically derived onset of Tajik‐basin inversion at ~12 Ma.
Controls on Continental Strain Partitioning Above an Oblique Subduction Zone, Northern Andes
Authors: Schütt J. M. , Whipp D. M.
Published: March 2020

Strain partitioning onto margin‐parallel thrust and strike‐slip faults is a common process at obliquely convergent plate margins, leading to the formation and migration of crustal slivers. The degree of strain partitioning and rate of sliver migration can be linked to several factors including the angle of convergence obliquity, the dip angle of subduction, frictional coupling between the plates and the strength of the upper plate, among others. Although these factors are known to be important, their relative influence on strain partitioning is unclear, particularly at natural margins where the factors often vary along strike. Here we use a 3‐D mechanical finite‐element model to investigate the relationship between continental crustal strength, the convergence obliquity angle, the subduction angle, and strain partitioning in the Northern Volcanic Zone (NVZ) of the Andes (5°N–3°S). In the NVZ the subduction dip and obliquity angles both vary along strike, weaknesses in the continental crust may be present in suture zones or regions of arc volcanism, and strain partitioning is only observed in some regions. Thus, it is an ideal location to gain insight in which of the factors have the largest influence on deformation and sliver formation in the upper plate. Our numerical experiments confirm that a moderately high obliquity angle is needed for partitioning and that a continental crustal weakness is also required for movement of a coherent continental sliver at rates similar to geodetic observations from the NVZ. In contrast, the subduction dip angle is only of secondary importance in controlling strain partitioning behavior.
Thank You Earth's Future Reviewers in 2019
Authors: van der Pluijm Ben , AghaKouchak Amir , Ellis Michael , Grimm Nancy , Liao Hong , Mari Céline H. , Romero‐Lankao Patricia
Published: March 2020

AGU's open‐access transdisciplinary science journal Earth's Future continued to grow in size and stature in 2019, with ~40% acceptance rate for ~280 new submissions that were evaluated by a similar number of external reviewers; their names are listed here.
A Mechanism for the STEVE Continuum Emission
Authors: Harding Brian J. , Mende Stephen B. , Triplett Colin C. , Wu Yen‐Jung Joanne
Published: March 2020

We describe a mechanism to explain the subauroral emission feature called STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), with a focus on its continuum spectrum. Spacecraft observations show that emissions co‐occur with typically invisible plasma flows known as subauroral ion drifts. If these flows are fast enough, nitrogen molecules are vibrationally excited by collisions with ions, overcoming the activation energy of the N2+O→NO+N reaction. The resulting NO combines with ambient O, producing NO2 and spectrally broad light. Importantly, this mechanism also produces N, which reduces the lifetime of NO from hours to seconds and thus explains why the emission is confined to a discrete arc. The predicted emission altitude (
130 km) and occurrence conditions (
4‐km/s flows) match well with observations. We simulate this mechanism using a simple photochemical model to demonstrate its validity. This mechanism is initiated by fast ion flows and is thus distinct from auroral and airglow processes.
Application of an antibody chip for screening differentially expressed proteins during peach ripening and identification of a metabolon in the SAM cycle to generate a peach ethylene biosynthesis model
Authors: Zeng Wenfang , Niu Liang , Wang Zhaohui , Wang Xiaobei , Wang Yan , Pan Lei , Lu Zhenhua , Cui Guochao , Weng Weining , Wang Mingqiao , Meng Xun , Wang Zhiqiang
Published: March 2020

Peach (Prunus persica) is a typical climacteric fruit that produces ethylene rapidly during ripening, and its fruit softens quickly. Stony hard peach cultivars, however, do not produce large amounts of ethylene, and the fruit remains firm until fully ripe, thus differing from melting flesh peach cultivars. To identify the key proteins involved in peach fruit ripening, an antibody-based proteomic analysis was conducted. A mega-monoclonal antibody (mAb) library was generated and arrayed on a chip (mAbArray) at a high density, covering ~4950 different proteins of peach. Through the screening of peach fruit proteins with the mAbArray chip, differentially expressed proteins recognized by 1587 mAbs were identified, and 33 corresponding antigens were ultimately identified by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. These proteins included not only important enzymes involved in ethylene biosynthesis, such as ACO1, SAHH, SAMS, and MetE, but also novel factors such as NUDT2. Furthermore, protein–protein interaction analysis identified a metabolon containing SAHH and MetE. By combining the antibody-based proteomic data with the transcriptomic and metabolic data, a mathematical model of ethylene biosynthesis in peach was constructed. Simulation results showed that MetE is an important regulator during peach ripening, partially through interaction with SAHH.
Gynoecy instability in cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is due to unequal crossover at the copy number variation-dependent Femaleness (F) locus
Authors: Li Zheng , Han Yonghua , Niu Huanhuan , Wang Yuhui , Jiang Biao , Weng Yiqun
Published: March 2020

Cucumber,Cucumis sativusis an important vegetable crop, and gynoecy has played a critical role in yield increase of hybrid cucumber production. Cucumber has a unique genetic system for gynoecious sex expression, which is determined by the copy number variation (CNV)-based, dominant, and dosage-dependentfemaleness(F) locus. However, this gynoecy expression system seems unstable since monecious plants could often be found inF-dependent gynoecious cucumber inbreds. We hypothesized that gynoecy instability (gynoecy loss) may be due to unequal crossing over (UCO) during meiosis among repeat units of the CNV. In this study, using high throughput genome resequencing, fiber-FISH and genomic qPCR analyses, we first confirmed and refined the structure of theFlocus, which was a CNV of a 30.2-kb tandem repeat. Gynoecious plants contained three genes:CsACS1,CsACS1G, andCsMYB, of whichCsACS1Gis a duplication ofCsACS1but with a recombinant distal promoter that may contribute to gynoecy sex expression. In two large populations from self-pollinated gynoecious inbred lines, ‘gynoecy loss’ mutants were identified with similar mutation rates (~0.12%). We show that these monecious mutants have lostCsACS1G. In addition, we identified gynoecious lines in natural populations that carry two copies ofCSACS1G. We proposed a model to explain gynoecy instability inF-dependent cucumbers, which is caused by UCO amongCSACS1/Gunits during meiosis. The findings present a convincing case that the phenotypic variation of an economically important trait is associated with the dynamic changes of copy numbers at theFlocus. This work also has important implications in cucumber breeding.
A roadmap for research in octoploid strawberry
Authors: Whitaker Vance M. , Knapp Steven J. , Hardigan Michael A. , Edger Patrick P. , Slovin Janet P. , Bassil Nahla V. , Hytönen Timo , Mackenzie Kathryn K. , Lee Seonghee , Jung Sook , Main Dorrie , Barbey Christopher R. , Verma Sujeet
Published: March 2020

The cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is an allo-octoploid species, originating nearly 300 years ago from wild progenitors from the Americas. Since that time the strawberry has become the most widely cultivated fruit crop in the world, universally appealing due to its sensory qualities and health benefits. The recent publication of the first high-quality chromosome-scale octoploid strawberry genome (cv. Camarosa) is enabling rapid advances in genetics, stimulating scientific debate and provoking new research questions. In this forward-looking review we propose avenues of research toward new biological insights and applications to agriculture. Among these are the origins of the genome, characterization of genetic variants, and big data approaches to breeding. Key areas of research in molecular biology will include the control of flowering, fruit development, fruit quality, and plant–pathogen interactions. In order to realize this potential as a global community, investments in genome resources must be continually augmented.
PyWRKY26 and PybHLH3 cotargeted the PyMYB114 promoter to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis and transport in red-skinned pears
Authors: Li Chuang , Wu Jun , Hu Kang-Di , Wei Shu-Wei , Sun Hong-Ye , Hu Lan-Ying , Han Zhuo , Yao Gai-Fang , Zhang Hua
Published: March 2020

Red pear is favored because of its bright appearance and abundant anthocyanins. Anthocyanin biosynthesis is controlled by transcription factors (TFs) forming regulatory complexes. In red-skinned pears, the WRKY TFs have a significant relationship with anthocyanin biosynthesis, but the molecular mechanism of the WRKY TFs involved in regulating color formation in red-skinned pear is unclear. In this study, the TFs PyWRKY31 and PyWRKY26 were screened as candidate genes for controlling anthocyanin biosynthesis by transcriptome data and bioinformatics analysis. The effect of anthocyanin accumulations after cotransformation of PyWRKY31 or PyWRKY26 with its partners PyMYB10, PyMYB114, and PybHLH3 was verified in tobacco leaves and strawberry receptacles by a transient expression system. RT-qPCR analysis and a dual-luciferase reporter system further confirmed that this cotransformation activated the expression of PyDFR, PyANS, and PyUFGT in anthocyanin biosynthesis and PyGST in anthocyanin transport instead of the PyABC transporter and PyAVP. Furthermore, the cotransformed PyWRKY26 and PybHLH3 could bind to the PyMYB114 promoter, and PyWRKY26 directly activated the transcription of PyMYB114. In addition, the TF PyWRKY26 could interact with PybHLH3, as confirmed by firefly luciferase complementation and yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assays. These results showed that the interaction of PyWRKY26 and PybHLH3 could cotarget the PyMYB114 promoter, which resulted in anthocyanin accumulation in red-skinned pear. This study further strengthened the understanding of the regulatory mechanism of anthocyanin accumulation and contributed to improving the appearance of red-skinned pears.
Portal of Juglandaceae: A comprehensive platform for Juglandaceae study
Authors: Guo Wenlei , Chen Junhao , Li Jian , Huang Jianqin , Wang Zhengjia , Lim Kean-Jin
Published: March 2020

Juglandaceae species are plants of great economic value and have been cultivated, domesticated, and utilized by human society for a long time. Their edible, nutrient-rich nuts and tough, durable wood have attracted the attention of botanists and breeders. With the advent of the genomics era, genome sequencing of the Juglandaceae family has been greatly accelerated, and a large amount of data has been generated. In this paper, we introduce the Portal of Juglandaceae (PJU), a tool to bring all these data together. The PJU contains genomes, gene-coding sequences, protein sequences, various types of annotation information, expression data, and miRNA data, which are configured with BLAST, JBrowse, and our self-developed synteny analysis tool. The PJU has a user-friendly and straightforward interface that performs a variety of query tasks with a few simple operations. In the future, we hope that the PJU will serve as a hub for the study of the Juglandaceae family.
An update on the arsenal: mining resistance genes for disease management of Brassica crops in the genomic era
Authors: Lv Honghao , Fang Zhiyuan , Yang Limei , Zhang Yangyong , Wang Yong
Published: March 2020

Brassicaspecies include many economically important crops that provide nutrition and health-promoting substances to humans worldwide. However, as with all crops, their production is constantly threatened by emerging viral, bacterial, and fungal diseases, whose incidence has increased in recent years. Traditional methods of control are often costly, present limited effectiveness, and cause environmental damage; instead, the ideal approach is to mine and utilize the resistance genes of theBrassicacrop hosts themselves. Fortunately, the development of genomics, molecular genetics, and biological techniques enables us to rapidly discover and apply resistance (R) genes. Herein, the R genes identified inBrassicacrops are summarized, including their mapping and cloning, possible molecular mechanisms, and application in resistance breeding. Future perspectives concerning how to accurately discover additional R gene resources and efficiently utilize these genes in the genomic era are also discussed.
Perspectives of CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-engineering in horticulture: unlocking the neglected potential for crop improvement
Authors: Li Qiang , Sapkota Manoj , van der Knaap Esther
Published: March 2020

Directed breeding of horticultural crops is essential for increasing yield, nutritional content, and consumer-valued characteristics such as shape and color of the produce. However, limited genetic diversity restricts the amount of crop improvement that can be achieved through conventional breeding approaches. Natural genetic changes in cis-regulatory regions of genes play important roles in shaping phenotypic diversity by altering their expression. Utilization of CRISPR/Cas editing in crop species can accelerate crop improvement through the introduction of genetic variation in a targeted manner. The advent of CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-regulatory region engineering (cis-engineering) provides a more refined method for modulating gene expression and creating phenotypic diversity to benefit crop improvement. Here, we focus on the current applications of CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-engineering in horticultural crops. We describe strategies and limitations for its use in crop improvement, including de novo cis-regulatory element (CRE) discovery, precise genome editing, and transgene-free genome editing. In addition, we discuss the challenges and prospects regarding current technologies and achievements. CRISPR/Cas-mediated cis-engineering is a critical tool for generating horticultural crops that are better able to adapt to climate change and providing food for an increasing world population.
Identification of Key Components in Colon Adenocarcinoma Using Transcriptome to Interactome Multilayer Framework
Authors: Pournoor Ehsan , Mousavian Zaynab , Dalini Abbas Nowzari , Masoudi-Nejad Ali
Published: March 2020

Complexity of cascading interrelations between molecular cell components at different levels from genome to metabolome ordains a massive difficulty in comprehending biological happenings. However, considering these complications in the systematic modelings will result in realistic and reliable outputs. The multilayer networks approach is a relatively innovative concept that could be applied for multiple omics datasets as an integrative methodology to overcome heterogeneity difficulties. Herein, we employed the multilayer framework to rehabilitate colon adenocarcinoma network by observing co-expression correlations, regulatory relations, and physical binding interactions. Hub nodes in this three-layer network were selected using a heterogeneous random walk with random jump procedure. We exploited local composite modules around the hub nodes having high overlay with cancer-specific pathways, and investigated their genes showing a different expressional pattern in the tumor progression. These genes were examined for survival effects on the patient’s lifespan, and those with significant impacts were selected as potential candidate biomarkers. Results suggest that identified genes indicate noteworthy importance in the carcinogenesis of the colon.
Quasi-Static Pull-in: an Instability in Electrostatic Actuators
Authors: Al-Ghamdi M. S. , Khater M. E. , Abdel-Rahman E. M. , Nepomuceno E. G.
Published: March 2020

We identify a new instability in electrostatic actuators dubbed quasi-static pull-in. We report experimental evidence of the instability and study its characteristics in two types of micro actuators operating in ambient air. We found that the underlying mechanism is a fast-slow dynamic interaction between slowly-varying electrostatic excitation and fast resonator response that instigate large non-resonant oscillatory orbits and eventually disappears in a global Shilnikov bifurcation. Based on these findings, we formulate and present a new taxonomy of pull-in instabilities in electrostatic actuators.
Author Correction: Butterfly-shaped magnetoresistance in triangular-lattice antiferromagnet Ag2CrO2
Authors: Taniguchi Hiroki , Watanabe Mori , Tokuda Masashi , Suzuki Shota , Imada Eria , Ibe Takashi , Arakawa Tomonori , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Ishizuka Hiroaki , Kobayashi Kensuke , Niimi Yasuhiro
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Futile complete recanalization: patients characteristics and its time course
Authors: Kitano Takaya , Todo Kenichi , Yoshimura Shinichi , Uchida Kazutaka , Yamagami Hiroshi , Sakai Nobuyuki , Sakaguchi Manabu , Nakamura Hajime , Kishima Haruhiko , Mochizuki Hideki , Ezura Masayuki , Okada Yasushi , Kitagawa Kazuo , Kimura Kazumi , Sasaki Makoto , Tanahashi Norio , Toyoda Kazunori , Furui Eisuke , Matsumaru Yuji , Minematsu Kazuo , Morimoto Takeshi
Published: March 2020

As the goal of mechanical thrombectomy is shifting toward mTICI-3 rather than mTICI-2b, we sought to clarify the limitation of the effect of mTICI-3. A post-hoc analysis of a registry of large-vessel occlusion stroke from 46 centers was conducted. Among 2,420 registered patients, 725 patients with anterior circulation occlusion who achieved successful reperfusion were analyzed. We compared outcomes between patients with mTICI-3 and mTICI-2b, and investigated how the effect of mTICI-3 changed according to baseline characteristics and time course. The proportion of patients with favorable outcomes (mRS 0–2 at day 90) was higher among patients with mTICI-3 compared to those with mTICI-2b (adjusted OR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.49–2.97). There was no heterogeneity in the effect of mTICI-3 with respect to age, neurological deficit, alteplase use, occluded vessels, or infarct size. mTICI-3 was associated with favorable outcomes when the puncture-to-reperfusion time was <80 minutes (adjusted OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.52–3.41), but not when the puncture-to-reperfusion time was ≥80 minutes. A significant heterogeneity was found in the effect of mTICI-3 reperfusion across the puncture-to-reperfusion time subgroups (P for interaction = 0.025). Until when operators should continue the procedure after mTICI-2b has been achieved, needs to be studied.
A Painless and Time-Saving Modified Technique for Simple Renal Cyst Treatment with Single-session Ethanol Sclerotherapy
Authors: Zhang Hao , Xiong Shi-hua , Jiang Xu-jing , Li Lin , Zhang Ya-yun , Lyu Fa-jin
Published: March 2020

Percutaneous puncture ethanol sclerotherapy is a simple, effective, minimally invasive, and inexpensive procedure to manage symptomatic simple renal cysts. We modified specific technical aspects to balance certain potential intraprocedural factors for ensuring minimal procedural pain and duration as well as maximal clinical therapeutic effects and evaluated the safety and efficacy of this modified technique. A total of 84 eligible patients underwent computed tomography-guided single-session ethanol sclerotherapy using the conventional (group A) or modified (group B) technique. In group B, the puncture route was modified from tansparenchymal to direct for reducing renal injury, and preinjection of low-dose intracystic lidocaine was used to control distending pain caused by ethanol injections; therefore, greater ethanol volumes could be injected for improving the resistance and contact of ethanol with the cyst wall, precluding the need for patient repositioning multiple times to decrease procedural duration. Visual analog scale score for pain and procedural time were significantly higher in group A than in group B. The complication rate was slightly higher in group A than in group B, but the success rate was comparable between the two groups. These results suggest that the modified technique is painless, time-saving, and injury-reducing and can thus improve medical care.
Publisher Correction: Interaction of the hydrogen molecule with the environment: stability of the system and the $${\mathscr{P}}{\mathscr{T}}$$ symmetry breaking
Authors: Wrona I. A. , Jarosik M. W. , Szczȩśniak R. , Szewczyk K. A. , Stala M. K. , Leoński W.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Theory of relaxor-ferroelectricity
Authors: Zhang Li-Li , Huang Yi-Neng
Published: March 2020

Relaxor-ferroelectrics are fascinating and useful materials, but the mechanism of relaxor-ferroelectricity has been puzzling the scientific community for more than 65 years. Here, a theory of relaxor-ferroelectricity is presented based on 3-dimensional-extended-random-site-Ising-model along with Glauber-dynamics of pseudospins. We propose a new mean-field of pseudospin-strings to solve this kinetic model. The theoretical results show that, with decreasing pseudospin concentration, there are evolutions from normal-ferroelectrics to relaxor-ferroelectrics to paraelectrics, especially indicating by the crossovers from, (a) the sharp to diffuse change at the phase-transition temperature to disappearance in the whole temperature range of order-parameter, and (b) the power-law to Vogel-Fulcher-law to Arrhenius-relation of the average relaxation time. Particularly, the calculated local-order-parameter of the relaxor-ferroelectrics gives the polar-nano-regions appearing far above the diffuse-phase-transition and shows the quasi-fractal characteristic near and below the transition temperature. We also provide a new mechanism of Burns-transformation which stems from not only the polar-nano-regions but also the correlation-function between pseudospins, and put forward a definition of the canonical relaxor-ferroelectrics. The theory accounts for the main facts of relaxor-ferroelectricity, and in addition gives a good quantitative agreement with the experimental results of the order-parameter, specific-heat, high-frequency permittivity, and Burns-transformation of lead magnesium niobate, the canonical relaxor-ferroelectric.
Double-Stranded DNA and NETs Components in Relation to Clinical Outcome After ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Langseth Miriam Sjåstad , Helseth Ragnhild , Ritschel Vibeke , Hansen Charlotte Holst , Andersen Geir Øystein , Eritsland Jan , Halvorsen Sigrun , Fagerland Morten Wang , Solheim Svein , Arnesen Harald , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Opstad Trine Baur
Published: March 2020

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been implicated in atherothrombosis; however, their potential role as markers of risk is unclear. We investigated whether circulating NETs-related components associated with clinical outcome and hypercoagulability in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In this observational cohort study, STEMI patients admitted for PCI (n = 956) were followed for median 4.6 years, recording 190 events (reinfarction, unscheduled revascularization, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, or death). Serum drawn median 18 hours post-PCI was used to quantify double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and the more specific NETs markers myeloperoxidase-DNA and citrullinated histone 3. Levels of the NETs markers did not differ significantly between groups with/without a primary composite endpoint. However, patients who died (n = 76) had higher dsDNA compared to survivors (p < 0.001). Above-median dsDNA was associated with an increased number of deaths (54 vs. 22, p < 0.001). dsDNA in the upper quartiles (Q) was associated with increased mortality (Q3 vs. Q1 + 2 adjusted HR: 1.89 [95% CI 1.03 to 3.49], p = 0.041 and Q4 vs. Q1 + 2 adjusted HR: 2.28 [95% CI 1.19 to 4.36], p = 0.013). dsDNA was weakly correlated with D-dimer (rs = 0.17, p < 0.001). dsDNA levels associated with increased all-cause mortality, yet weakly with hypercoagulability in STEMI patients. The prognostic significance of potentially NETs-related markers requires further exploration.
Synergy of combined free nitrous acid and Fenton technology in enhancing anaerobic digestion of actual sewage waste activated sludge
Authors: Karimi Razieh , Hallaji Seyed Mostafa , Siami Salar , Torabian Ali , Aminzadeh Behnoush , Eshtiaghi Nicky , Zahedi Soraya
Published: March 2020

In this study, actual swage waste activated sludge in batch reactors was employed to assess the synergistic effect of free nitrous acid and Fenton pre-treatments on enhancing methane production in the anaerobic digestion process. In addition to methane enhancement, the mechanisms driving the enhancement were also investigated via measuring enzymes activity and solubilisation of organic matter. This study revealed that the combined pre-treatments solubilised organic matter significantly more than the bioreactors pre-treated with individual FNA and Fenton. For understanding the influence of pre-treatments on solubilisation of organic matter, soluble protein, soluble polysaccharide and soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) were measured before and after the treatments and it was shown that they respectively increased by 973%, 33% and 353% after the treatments. Protease and cellulase activity, as the key constituents of the microbial community in activated sludge, decreased considerably after the combined pre-treatments 42% and 32% respectively, which resulted in considerable methane enhancement. The results corroborate the synergy of the combined FNA and Fenton pre-treatment in degrading the organic and microbial constituents in waste activated sludge, paving the way for the big-scale implementation of these technologies.
Automatic optic nerve head localization and cup-to-disc ratio detection using state-of-the-art deep-learning architectures
Authors: Park Keunheung , Kim Jinmi , Lee Jiwoong
Published: March 2020

Computer vision has greatly advanced recently. Since AlexNet was first introduced, many modified deep learning architectures have been developed and they are still evolving. However, there are few studies comparing these architectures in the field of ophthalmology. This study compared the performance of various state-of-the-art deep-learning architectures for detecting the optic nerve head and vertical cup-to-disc ratio in fundus images. Three different architectures were compared: YOLO V3, ResNet, and DenseNet. We compared various aspects of performance, which were not confined to the accuracy of detection but included, as well, the processing time, diagnostic performance, effect of the graphic processing unit (GPU), and image resolution. In general, as the input image resolution increased, the classification accuracy, localization error, and diagnostic performance all improved, but the optimal architecture differed depending on the resolution. The processing time was significantly accelerated with GPU assistance; even at the high resolution of 832 × 832, it was approximately 170 ms, which was at least 26 times slower without GPU. The choice of architecture may depend on the researcher’s purpose when balancing between speed and accuracy. This study provides a guideline to determine deep learning architecture, optimal image resolution, and the appropriate hardware.
Seeking minimum entropy production for a tree-like flow-field in a fuel cell
Authors: Sauermoser Marco , Kjelstrup Signe , Kizilova Natalya , Pollet Bruno G. , Flekkøy Eirik G.
Published: March 2020

We show how we can improve bio-inspired flow field patterns for use in PEMFCs by deviating from Murray's law.
Inducing secondary structural interplays between scallop muscle proteins and soy proteins to form soluble composites
Authors: Wu Chao , Wang Jiamei , Na Xiaokang , Wang Zhenyu , Xu Xianbing , Wang Tao
Published: March 2020

Scallop muscle proteins and soya proteins were packed into a composite with tunable internal, molecular arrangements of the secondary structures.
Copillar[5]arene-rhodamine conjugate as a selective sensor for Hg2+ ions
Authors: Roy Saswati Ghosh , Mondal Subhendu , Ghosh Kumaresh
Published: March 2020

A new copillar[5]arene-coupled rhodamine probe 1 shows selective sensing of Hg2+ ions over a series of metal ions in CH3CN by exhibiting color change of the solution as well as turn on fluorescence. It also shows interaction with Cu2+ by exhibiting different color and spectral change. Tetrabutylammonium iodide distinguishes between Hg2+ and Cu2+ ions.
Investigation of the cathodic interfacial stability of a nitrile electrolyte and its performance with a high-voltage LiCoO2 cathode
Authors: Xian Fang , Li Jiedong , Hu Zhenglin , Zhou Qian , Wang Chen , Lu Chenglong , Zhang Zhongyi , Dong Shanmu , Mou Chunbo , Cui Guanglei
Published: March 2020

We adopted a SN based deep eutectic electrolyte with the SN as the only solvent and found that the high-state Co ion could be reduced by the SN solvent on the interface of the LiCoO2 electrode, causing a reverse phase change of the LiCoO2.