bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conserved features of the MlaD domain aid the trafficking of hydrophobic molecules
Authors: Dutta Angshu , Chandravanshi Monika , Kanaujia Shankar Prasad
Published: July 2021

In Gram‐negative bacteria, the maintenance of lipid asymmetry (Mla) system is involved in the transport of phospholipids between the inner (IM) and outer membrane. The Mla system utilizes a unique IM‐associated periplasmic solute‐binding protein, MlaD, which possesses a conserved domain, MlaD domain. While proteins carrying the MlaD domain are known to be primarily involved in the trafficking of hydrophobic molecules, not much is known about this domain itself. Thus, in this study, the characterization of the MlaD domain employing bioinformatics analysis is reported. The profiling of the MlaD domain of different architectures reveals the abundance of glycine and hydrophobic residues and the lack of cysteine residues. The domain possesses a conserved N‐terminal region and a well‐preserved glycine residue that constitutes a consensus motif across different architectures. Phylogenetic analysis shows that the MlaD domain archetypes are evolutionarily closer and marked by the conservation of a functionally crucial pore loop located at the C‐terminal region. The study also establishes the critical role of the domain‐associated permeases and the driving forces governing the transport of hydrophobic molecules. This sheds sufficient light on the structure–function–evolutionary relationship of MlaD domain. The hexameric interface analysis reveals that the MlaD domain itself is not a sole player in the oligomerization of the proteins. Further, an operonic and interactome map analysis reveals that the Mla and the Mce systems are dependent on the structural homologs of the nuclear transport factor 2 superfamily.
High‐Pressure Growth and Magnetic and Electrical Properties of EuB6 Nanowires
Authors: Wang Zhen , Han Wei , Fan Qinghua , Zhao Yanming
Published: July 2021

Using an iodine‐assisted autoclave technique, europium hexaboride (EuB6) nanowires are successfully prepared. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirms that the obtained black powders are pure‐phase EuB6 crystals. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected‐area electron diffraction (SAED) images prove that the EuB6 nanowires are single crystals grown along the [001] direction. From the temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility results, EuB6 shows strong susceptibility at low temperature under 15 K, possessing a magnetic momentum of 6.0 μB. An Arrott plot analysis indicates that the Curie temperature TC of ferromagnetic ordering is about 10.1 K. Moreover, the saturated magnetic moment at 7 T and there being no clear hysteresis in the magnetic hysteresis loops suggest that EuB6 is a relatively soft ferromagnet. The electron transport measurements of the nanowire devices reveal that EuB6 nanowires have a lower output current and a higher resistance compared with bulk crystals, and may be useful for the future magnetic devices.
On designing a distributed event‐triggered output feedback consensus protocol for nonlinear multiagent systems
Authors: Li Hanfeng , Xia Shengxiang , Mu Rui , Zhang Xianfu
Published: July 2021

In this article, the leader–follower consensus problem is considered for a class of nonlinear multiagent systems with event‐triggered inputs. A novel time‐varying gain compensator is designed for each follower by only utilizing the output information of the follower and its neighbors. Based on a time‐varying threshold strategy and a directed communication topology, a distributed event‐triggered output feedback controller is designed for each follower. It is proved by the Lyapunov theory that the leader–follower consensus of the multiagent systems is achieved and the Zeno‐behavior is avoided. Compared with the existing results, it is the first time that a time‐varying gain control algorithm is proposed for the multiagent systems subject to event‐triggered inputs. The effectiveness of the proposed consensus protocol is validated by the chemical reactor systems.
Root‐dependent recovery of pore system functionality of compacted subsoil: A field case study with bio‐subsoilers in Denmark
Authors: Pulido‐Moncada Mansonia , Monnereau Clément , Munkholm Lars J.
Published: July 2021

Cover crop effects on soil properties are site specific, and their use as an alternative management strategy to create macropores for subsoil compaction mitigation has not been widely investigated. This study aims to evaluate the effects of bio‐subsoilers on gas and water transport of a compacted sandy loam subsoil. A field screening trial was conducted for 2 yr with spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as the control treatment and lupin (Lupinus luteus L.), chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), festulolium [×Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus], and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) as bio‐subsoiler treatments. Undisturbed samples of 100 cm3 were taken at 0.3‐ and 0.5‐m depth for measuring soil physical parameters. For chicory, lucerne, tall fescue, and spring barley, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity [K(h)] was measured at 0.3‐m depth and root pattern distribution was evaluated from 0‐ to 0.6‐m depth. Results showed a nonsignificant trend of larger air permeability (ka), gas diffusivity (Ds/Do), and ka/εa (where εa is air‐filled porosity) for lupin and lucerne, indicating enhanced pore continuity. Chicory and lucerne significantly increased the K(h) at −1‐cm matric potential at 0.3‐m depth in the second year of evaluation. Lucerne and tall fescue had a significantly larger root length and area than barley. We showed that under field conditions in a Danish sandy loam soil, lupin, chicory, and lucerne tended to increase gas and/or water transport on the compacted subsoil layer. The compaction mitigation potential of chicory and lucerne found in our previous soil column experiment with the same soil type was corroborated in our field screening trial.
Suspected pontine and extra‐pontine myelinolysis in a cat
Authors: Santifort Koen M. , Mandigers Paul J. J. , Bergknut Niklas , Pijnenburg Jeanette , Beukers Martijn
Published: July 2021

A 4.5‐year‐old neutered female domestic shorthair cat was presented with an acute onset of neurological signs suggestive of multifocal or diffuse intracranial lesions. MRI of the head revealed bilaterally symmetrical T2‐weighted hyperintensities in the pons and thalamus, suggestive of a metabolic or toxic aetiology. The pontine lesion on MRI resembled what in humans is known as the ‘trident sign’ reported in cases of pontine myelinolysis. Ancillary cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed albuminocytologic dissociation and suspected myelin debris. No specific cause was identified, but the cat recovered over the next few weeks with only supportive therapy.
Effects of flow velocity and bubble size distribution on oxygen mass transfer in bubble column reactors—A critical evaluation of the computational fluid dynamics‐population balance model
Authors: Khalil Ahmed , Rosso Diego , DeGroot Christopher T.
Published: July 2021

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to simulate a bubble column reactor operating in the bubbly (homogenous) regime. The Euler–Euler two‐fluid model, integrated with the population balance model (PBM), is adopted to compute the flow and bubble size distribution (BSD). The CFD‐PBM model is validated against published experimental data for BSD, global gas holdup, and oxygen mass transfer coefficient. The sensitivity of the model with respect to the specification of boundary conditions and the bubble coalescence/breakup models is assessed. The coalescence model of Prince and Blanch (1990) provides the best results, whereas the output is shown to be insensitive to the breakup model. The CFD‐PBM study demonstrates the importance of considering the BSD in order to correctly model mass transfer. Results show that the constant bubble size assumption results in a large error in the oxygen mass transfer coefficient, while giving acceptable results for gas holdup.

Practitioner points

Constant bubble size (CBS) and population balance model (PBM) are compared for a bubble column reactor.

Both PBM and CBS can predict gas holdup; however, PBM can correctly predict gas–liquid mass transfer whereas CBS cannot.

Best practices for selecting coalescence, breakup, and drag models are determined.
Comment on the paper “A new analytical approach for the research of thin‐film flow of magneto hydrodynamic fluid in the presence of thermal conductivity and variable viscosity, Liaqat Ali, Asifa Tassaddiq, Rohail Ali, Saeed Islam, Taza Gul, Poom Kumam, Safyan Mukhtar, Noor Saeed Khan, Phatiphat Thounthong, ZAMM, 2021;101:E201900292”
Authors: Pantokratoras Asterios
Published: July 2021

Some errors exist in the above paper.
Using Participatory Spatial Tools to Unravel Community Perceptions of Land-Use Dynamics in a Mine-Expanding Landscape in Ghana
Authors: Aggrey Jane J. , Ros-Tonen Mirjam A. F. , Asubonteng Kwabena O.
Published: July 2021

Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) in sub-Saharan Africa creates considerable dynamics in rural landscapes. Many studies addressed the adverse effects of mining, but few studies use participatory spatial tools to assess the effects on land use. Hence, this paper takes an actor perspective to analyze how communities in a mixed farming-mining area in Ghana’s Eastern Region perceive the spatial dynamics of ASM and its effects on land for farming and food production from past (1986) to present (2018) and toward the future (2035). Participatory maps show how participants visualize the transformation of food-crop areas into small- and large-scale mining, tree crops, and settlement in all the communities between 1986 and 2018 and foresee these trends to continue in the future (2035). Participants also observe how a mosaic landscape shifts toward a segregated landscape, with simultaneous fragmentation of their farming land due to ASM. Further segregation is expected in the future, with attribution to the expansion of settlements being an unexpected outcome. Although participants expect adverse effects on the future availability of food-crop land, no firm conclusions can be drawn about the anticipated effect on food availability. The paper argues that, if responsibly applied and used to reveal community perspectives and concerns about landscape dynamics, participatory mapping can help raise awareness of the need for collective action and contribute to more inclusive landscape governance. These findings contribute to debates on the operationalization of integrated and inclusive landscape approaches and governance, particularly in areas with pervasive impacts of ASM.
First detailed report on Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae virulence structure and Pg resistance genes effective in Poland
Authors: Sowa Sylwia , Toporowska Joanna , Koroluk Aneta , Paczos-Grzęda Edyta
Published: July 2021

Occurrence of stem rust, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. avenae, on oat fields in Europe may lead to significant yield losses. The last P. graminis virulence research in this region had been carried out in the years 1988 to 1996, therefore the aim of this study was the update of pathogen’s virulence structure as well as the evaluation of Pg race-specific resistance genes and their potential for use in practical breeding in central and eastern European growing conditions. To assess the pathotype structure of P. graminis in Poland and evaluate the potential of Pg resistance genes, 148 isolates were collected during 2017–2020. Their virulence structure was determined in laboratory conditions on 12 Pg differentials as well as oat lines ‘Pg-a’, ‘Alpha’, ‘Omega’ and ‘Wisconsin X-1588-2’. In total, 57 pathotypes were detected, of which the most dominant race was SSK. High frequency was also recorded for TSK, TKK and TTK. Puccinia graminis isolates were able to overcome from 5 to 11 Pg resistance genes with an average virulence complexity of 8.6. There was no isolate virulent to Pg12, ‘Pg-a’, ‘Alpha’ and ‘Omega’, hence these genes can be used in the breeding programmes. Gene Pg10 was also relatively effective, overcome by 33 out of 148 P. graminis isolates. The virulence profile observed may be representative of eastern Europe and beyond.
Inspection planning by defect prediction models and inspection strategy maps
Authors: Verna Elisa , Genta Gianfranco , Galetto Maurizio , Franceschini Fiorenzo
Published: July 2021

Designing appropriate quality-inspections in manufacturing processes has always been a challenge to maintain competitiveness in the market. Recent studies have been focused on the design of appropriate in-process inspection strategies for assembly processes based on probabilistic models. Despite this general interest, a practical tool allowing for the assessment of the adequacy of alternative inspection strategies is still lacking. This paper proposes a general framework to assess the effectiveness and cost of inspection strategies. In detail, defect probabilities obtained by prediction models and inspection variables are combined to define a pair of indicators for developing an inspection strategy map. Such a map acts as an analysis tool, enabling positioning assessment and benchmarking of the strategies adopted by manufacturing companies, but also as a design tool to achieve the desired targets. The approach can assist designers of manufacturing processes, and particularly low-volume productions, in the early stages of inspection planning.
Risk Assessment of Infection by Airborne Droplets and Aerosols at Different Levels of Cardiovascular Activity
Authors: Wedel Jana , Steinmann Paul , Štrakl Mitja , Hriberšek Matjaž , Ravnik Jure
Published: July 2021

Since end of 2019 the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, is threatening humanity. Despite the fact that various scientists across the globe try to shed a light on this new respiratory disease, it is not yet fully understood. Unlike many studies on the geographical spread of the pandemic, including the study of external transmission routes, this work focuses on droplet and aerosol transport and their deposition inside the human airways. For this purpose, a digital replica of the human airways is used and particle transport under various levels of cardiovascular activity in enclosed spaces is studied by means of computational fluid dynamics. The influence of the room size, where the activity takes place, and the aerosol concentration is studied. The contribution aims to assess the risk of various levels of exercising while inhaling infectious pathogens to gain further insights in the deposition behavior of aerosols in the human airways. The size distribution of the expiratory droplets or aerosols plays a crucial role for the disease onset and progression. As the size of the expiratory droplets and aerosols differs for various exhaling scenarios, reported experimental particle size distributions are taken into account when setting up the environmental conditions. To model the aerosol deposition we employ$$\text{OpenFOAM}$$OpenFOAM by using an Euler-Lagrangian frame including Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes resolved turbulent flow. Within this study, the effects of different exercise levels and thus breathing rates as well as particle size distributions and room sizes are investigated to enable new insights into the local particle deposition in the human airway and virus loads. A general observation can be made that exercising at higher levels of activity is increasing the risk to develop a severe cause of the COVID-19 disease due to the increased aerosolized volume that reaches into the lower airways, thus the knowledge of the inhaled particle dynamics in the human airways at various exercising levels provides valuable information for infection control strategies.
Does Treatment for Sexual Offending Work?
Authors: Tyler Nichola , Gannon Theresa A. , Olver Mark E.
Published: July 2021

Purpose of Review

We review and synthesize the literature on the effectiveness of offense-focused treatment for sexual offending. Specifically, we consider whether the extant literature suggests treatment is effective in reducing sexual reoffending and features of effective interventions. We also consider how the design of program evaluations may influence treatment outcomes.

Recent Findings

Recent research suggests that offense-focused psychological treatment for sexual offending shows some level of effectiveness in reducing both sexual and general reoffending. Further, there appear to be key program, individual, and study design features associated with treatment effectiveness.

Although recent findings paint an optimistic outlook for offense-focused psychological treatment for sexual offending, further high-quality differential studies are needed to fully understand the range of content, delivery, and individual factors associated with successful treatment outcomes so as to establish what works best for whom.
Externalizing and internalizing symptoms and coping strategies in young victims of abuse
Authors: Moreno-Manso Juan Manuel , García-Baamonde Mª. Elena , Guerrero-Barona Eloísa , Godoy-Merino Mª. José , Guerrero-Molina Mónica , Barbosa-Torres Carlos
Published: July 2021

This research analyses the internalizing and externalizing symptoms and the coping strategies of young victims of abuse. These young people are in residential care under protective measures due to abuse. The participants were 61 youths (32 male and 29 female) between 12 and 17 years of age. Different works of research stress the need for an early identification of the psychopathological symptomatology that these adolescents may present in order to provide an adequate psycho-educational intervention. The relationship between the adolescents’ psychopathological symptomatology and the coping strategies and styles they use to resolve problems is studied. It is also analyzed whether internalizing and externalizing problems predict the style and coping strategies of adolescents. Two tests were used: 1. Child and Adolescent Evaluation System (SENA); 2. Adolescent Coping Scales (ACS). The results indicate that young victims of abuse have internalizing and externalizing symptoms. These adolescents are characterized by an unproductive coping style, as well as by the use of coping strategies that are not very functional and ineffective for resolving conflicts. The psychopathological symptomatology is related to and predicts an unproductive coping style, badly adapted to solving daily problems (worrying, blaming oneself, not coping, ignoring the problem, or keeping it to oneself). This research has allowed us to identify the presence of several areas of vulnerability in these young persons which could be playing an important role in their psychosocial maladjustment. The research suggests the design of intervention strategies, for both groups and individuals, aimed at mitigating and modifying the sources of the problems in victims of child abuse.
Coupling of Complex Function Theory and Finite Element Method for Crack Propagation Through Energetic Formulation: Conformal Mapping Approach and Reduction to a Riemann–Hilbert Problem
Authors: Legatiuk Dmitrii , Weisz-Patrault Daniel
Published: July 2021

In this paper we present a theoretical background for a coupled analytical–numerical approach to model a crack propagation process in two-dimensional bounded domains. The goal of the coupled analytical–numerical approach is to obtain the correct solution behaviour near the crack tip by help of the analytical solution constructed by using tools of complex function theory and couple it continuously with the finite element solution in the region far from the singularity. In this way, crack propagation could be modelled without using remeshing. Possible directions of crack growth can be calculated through the minimization of the total energy composed of the potential energy and the dissipated energy based on the energy release rate. Within this setting, an analytical solution of a mixed boundary value problem based on complex analysis and conformal mapping techniques is presented in a circular region containing an arbitrary crack path. More precisely, the linear elastic problem is transformed into a Riemann–Hilbert problem in the unit disk for holomorphic functions. Utilising advantages of the analytical solution in the region near the crack tip, the total energy could be evaluated within short computation times for various crack kink angles and lengths leading to a potentially efficient way of computing the minimization procedure. To this end, the paper presents a general strategy of the new coupled approach for crack propagation modelling. Additionally, we also discuss obstacles in the way of practical realisation of this strategy.
CFD analysis of asymmetric mixing at different inlet configurations of a split-and-recombine micro mixer
Authors: Frey Torben , Schlütemann Rieke , Schwarz Sebastian , Biessey Philip , Hoffmann Marko , Grünewald Marcus , Schlüter Michael
Published: July 2021

In the scope of the ENPRO II initiative (Energy Efficiency and Process Intensification for the Chemical Industry), a major challenge of process intensification of polymer synthesis in continuous systems is fouling. Pre-mixing is a key aspect to prevent fouling and is achieved through milli and micro structured devices (Bayer et al. 1). While equal volume flow ratios are well investigated in milli and micro systems, asymmetric mixing tasks have received less attention. This paper investigates the dependency of mixing phenomena on different flow rate ratios and modified inlet geometries. A split-and-recombine (SAR) mixer is modified by means of an injection capillary to facilitate the asymmetric mixing task. Asymmetric volume flows of ratios between 1:15 and 1:60 are investigated; the velocity ratios range from 0.5 to 2. The setup is simulated with the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool ANSYS®;Fluent. The species equation is solved directly without the use of micro mixing models. The simulation is validated by means of a concentration field in a mixing Tee using Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) with a Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM). The three dimensional flow structures and the mixing quality are analyzed as a measure for micro mixing. The calculated concentration fields show good agreement with the experimental results and reveal the secondary flow structures and chaotic advection within the channel. The injection of the small feed stream is found to be very efficient when drawn into the secondary structures, increasing the potential of diffusive mixing. CFD simulations help to understand and locate such structures and improve the mixing performance.
Computational courtship understanding the evolution of online dating through large-scale data analysis
Authors: Dinh Rachel , Gildersleve Patrick , Blex Chris , Yasseri Taha
Published: July 2021

In this work, we examine the mate preferences and communication patterns of male and female users of the online dating site eharmony over a decade to identify how attitudes and behaviour have changed over this time period. While other studies have investigated disparities in user behaviour between male and female users, this study is unique in its longitudinal approach. We analyze how men and women differ in their preferences for certain traits in potential partners and how those preferences have changed over time. We report on the stronger yet declining emphasis that women put on income and education of their potential partners. We investigate to what extent physical attractiveness determines the rate of messages a user receives, and how this relationship varies between men and women; counterintuitively, the most self-reportedly physically attractive users are not the most popular ones. Third, we explore whether online dating practices between males and females have become more equal over time to find out biases and inequalities have indeed increased. Fourth, we study the behavioural traits in sending and replying to messages based on one’s own experience of receiving messages and being replied to and discover a robust positive relationship between attractiveness and selectivity. Finally, we found that similarity between profiles is not a predictor for success except for the number of children and smoking habits. This work has broader implications for shifting gender norms and social attitudes, reflected in online courtship rituals.
Le malattie autoimmuni di fegato nell’adulto
Authors: Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli Benedetta , De Gottardi Andrea , Vergani Diego , Mieli-Vergani Giorgina
Published: July 2021

Riassunto

L’epatite autoimmune è una infiammazione cronica del fegato che colpisce tutte le età, caratterizzata da transaminasi e immunoglobuline G elevate, presenza di autoanticorpi, epatite dell’interfaccia alla biopsia epatica, e ottima risposta alla terapia con steroidi. Se non trattata, ha una sopravvivenza a 5 anni del 50 %.

La colangite biliare primitiva è una patologia cronica colestatica autoimmune del fegato che colpisce i medi e piccoli dotti biliari, caratterizzata da preponderanza femminile, e positività dell’anticorpo anti-mitocondrio. La sopravvivenza media della malattia non trattata è 9‑10 anni. La terapia di scelta è l’acido ursodesossicolico, che ha un forte impatto sulla storia naturale della malattia.

La colangite sclerosante primitiva è la più rara e la più grave delle malattie autoimmuni di fegato. Si caratterizza da forte associazione alle malattie infiammatorie intestinali. I pazienti con PSC hanno un rischio elevato di colangiocarcinoma. Non esistono terapie medicamentose efficaci, e la malattia richiede una presa a carico specialistica multidisciplinare.

Questo articolo offre una panoramica per il clinico delle tre patologie nell’adulto.
Fintech Regulation in China
Authors: Huang Robin Hui
Published: July 2021

This is the first book-length treatment of the regulation of financial technology (Fintech) in China. Fintech brings about paradigm changes to the traditional financial system, presenting both challenges and opportunities. At the international level, there has been a fierce competition for the coveted title of global Fintech hub. One of the key enablers of success in this race is regulation. As the world's leader in Fintech, China's regulatory experience is of both academic and practical significance. This book presents a systematic and contextualized account of China's Fintech regulation, and in doing so, tries to identify and analyze relevant institutional factors contributing to the development of the Chinese law. It also takes a comparative approach to critically evaluating the Chinese experience. The book illustrates why and how China's Fintech regulation has been developed, if and how it differs from the rest of the world, and what can be learned from the Chinese experience.
Reciprocity, Evolution, and Decision Games in Network and Data Science
Authors: Chen Yan , Wang Chih-Yu , Jiang Chunxiao , Liu K.J. Ray
Published: July 2021

Learn how to analyse and manage evolutionary and sequential user behaviours in modern networks, and how to optimize network performance by using indirect reciprocity, evolutionary games, and sequential decision making. Understand the latest theory without the need to go through the details of traditional game theory. With practical management tools to regulate user behaviour, and simulations and experiments with real data sets, this is an ideal tool for graduate students and researchers working in networking, communications, and signal processing.
Aircraft Dispute, Wine, and the US–EU Trade War: Implications for US Consumers and Wine Suppliers
Authors: Zhang Lisha , Onel Gulcan , Seale James L.
Published: July 2021

This paper estimates changes in demand for imported wines by source country and resulting welfare effects due to Section 301 tariffs imposed on certain European wines in October 2019. A two-stage expenditure allocation scheme is used to estimate the import demand for red, white, and other wines in the first stage, and source-differentiated red wine and white wine demand in the second stage. From derived price elasticities measuring first and second stage interactions, welfare measures are simulated capturing effects of the new tariffs on both taxed and non-taxed exporters as well as the US importers of red and white wine.
How to avoid incorrect inferences (while gaining correct ones) in dynamic models
Authors: Philips Andrew Q.
Published: July 2021

A flurry of current interest in time series has focused on clarifying equation balance, fractional integration, and cointegration testing. Despite this, a number of recent suggestions may continue to lead scholars toward incorrect inferences. In this comment, I investigate the likelihood of drawing both correct and incorrect inferences under a variety of stationary and non-stationary data-generating processes. I extend previous work in this area by focusing on both short- and long-run effects using several popular model specifications. Given these findings, I conclude by offering a variety of recommendations to practitioners about how they can best specify their model.
Revising the Supernatural: Prospero Lambertini's Reconsideration of the Concept of Miracle
Authors: Laverda Alessandro
Published: July 2021

According to Thomas Aquinas, a miracle had to surpass the whole of the created nature, which meant the visible and corporeal, as well as the invisible and incorporeal nature. Prospero Lambertini (1675–1758), the future Pope Benedict XIV, when he was promoter of the faith, noticed that it was impossible to distinguish a cure that occurred beyond the boundaries of incorporeal and invisible nature (the whole nature) from one that exceeded just corporeal and visible nature. The issue was of utmost importance since it risked delegitimizing the whole system of miracle verification. Consequently, Lambertini, in the fourth book of his magnum opus De servorum Dei beatificatione et beatorum canonizatione (On the Beatification of the Servants of God and the Canonization of the Blessed, 1734–1738), developed a new classification of miracles, which included the works of angels, with the aim of solving the problem. Furthermore, to counteract Spinoza's denial of miracles, he claimed that miracles were not contrary to the laws of nature.
John Wyclif and the Eucharistic Words of Institution: Context and Aftermath
Authors: Levy Ian Christopher
Published: July 2021

In matters of eucharistic theology, John Wyclif (d. 1384) is best known for his rejection of the scholastic doctrine of transubstantiation. There were many reasons why Wyclif came to regard this doctrine as fundamentally untenable, such as the impossibility of substantial annihilation and the illogicality of accidents existing apart from subjects, but chief among them was his deep dissatisfaction with the prevailing interpretation of Christ's words, “Hoc est corpus meum,” the words of institution required to confect the sacrament in the Mass. Wyclif insisted that getting this proposition right was essential for a correct understanding of Christ's presence in the Eucharist. This article presents Wyclif's position on this matter within the context of later medieval scholastic discussions in an effort to lend clarity to his larger understanding of eucharistic presence. The article will then trace the reception of Wyclif's ideas to Bohemia at the turn of the fifteenth century, with special attention given to the Prague master Jakoubek of Stříbro. One finds that Wyclif, and then later Jakoubek, developed new and effective means of conceptualizing the conversion of the eucharistic elements, thereby expanding the ways in which one can affirm Christ's presence in the consecrated host and the salvific effects of that presence for faithful communicants.
Trading Places, Trading Platforms: The Geography of Trade Policy Realignment
Authors: Schonfeld Bryan
Published: July 2021

What motivates politicians and political parties to shift their positioning on an issue? Focusing on the case of trade policy in countries with advanced economies and plurality electoral systems, I argue that the relative positioning of parties on an existing issue can change even when the preferences of the key actors (voters and politicians) are held constant, and even when party leaders continue to represent the same constituencies. In advanced plurality countries, college-educated voters support free trade, and high-density constituencies are predominantly represented by Left incumbents. As college-educated workers migrate to high-density constituencies in pursuit of higher wages, Left incumbents increasingly embrace free trade, while Right incumbents take more protectionist positions. I provide empirical support for several observable implications of my theory.
Spatiotemporal dynamics of mangrove forest and association with strandings of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus) calves in Paraíba, Brazil
Authors: Medeiros Iara Dos Santos , Rebelo Vanessa Araújo , Santos Sebastião Silva Dos , Menezes Rafael , Almeida Nadjacleia Vilar , Messias Leonardo Tortoriello , Nascimento João Luiz Xavier Do , Luna Fábia De Oliveira , Marmontel Miriam , Borges João Carlos Gomes
Published: July 2021

Estuaries in Brazil are highly threatened environments and habitat loss is the main influential factor for the increase in the number of strandings of Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus) calves in the north-eastern region of the country. The aim of the present study was to analyse and quantify the spatiotemporal dynamics of mangroves in the state of Paraíba and the association with manatee calf stranding events. The study area encompassed 10 remaining mangroves along the coast of the state, four of which were located within protected areas. Information on the mangrove forests was obtained from satellite images from the last four decades. Data on stranded Antillean manatee calves were obtained from a databank with records from 1980 to 2019. The data were analysed using geoprocessing techniques and statistical analyses. The results demonstrated changes in the mangrove forest over time, with larger areas existing during the 1980s, reductions in the following periods but a slight increase in the last decade. The number of stranded Antillean manatee calves increased over the years, with stranding events concentrated mainly on the northern coast of the state. The smallest number of stranding events occurred in the 1980s, when the mangrove forests were larger. Our findings confirm that the integrity of mangroves is of extreme importance to the maintenance and sustainability of Antillean manatee populations.
Foundations of early literacy among Arabic-speaking pre-school children
Authors: Abu Ahmad Hanadi , Share David L.
Published: July 2021

The present study aimed to shed light on (i) the most accessible phonological unit and (ii) the nature of letter knowledge among native Arabic-speaking preschool children living in Israel. One hundred and sixty-seven children were assessed on phonological awareness with initial and final isolation tasks as well as knowledge of the standard names and sounds of Arabic letters. Children’s responses in these tasks were categorized in accordance with the phonological unit that the child supplied. Regarding phonological unit accessibility, the novel finding of this study was the prevalence of a tri-phonemic /ʔεC/ unit that begins with the prefix /ʔε-/ and ends with the target (consonantal) phoneme which we have termed the “demi-phoneme” (e.g., /ʔεs/ for the consonant /s/). Awareness of the consonant–vowel unit was the next most prevalent unit followed lastly by the “smallest unit” – the phoneme. It appears that the demi-phoneme functions as a psycholinguistic aid to facilitate phoneme perception and pronunciation (as proposed by the 8th-century scholar – Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi) and both phoneme and demi-phoneme responses are underpinned by the same knowledge. With regard to letter knowledge, the standard name for Arabic letters was the preferred response and letter sounds were retrieved as a demi-phoneme unit.
Impact of individual protected areas on deforestation and carbon emissions in Acre, Brazil
Authors: Koskimäki Teemu , Eklund Johanna , Moulatlet Gabriel M , Tuomisto Hanna
Published: July 2021

Protecting tropical forests from deforestation is important for mitigating both biodiversity loss and anthropogenic climate change. In Amazonia, a common approach to protected area (PA) impact studies has been to investigate differences among broad PA categories, such as strictly protected, sustainable use and indigenous areas, yet these may be insufficient for the management of PAs at local scales. We used a matching method to compare impacts and carbon emissions avoided during 2011–2016 of individual PAs in the state of Acre (Brazil). Although most PAs had a positive impact and effectively prevented forest loss, we observed substantial variation among them in terms of impacts, pressures and emissions during our study period. The impacts varied from 3.6% avoided to 15.6% induced forest loss compared to expected levels of deforestation estimated for each PA using the matching method. All but a few PAs helped avoid substantial amounts of emissions. Our results emphasize the need for more PA impact studies that compare multiple PAs at the individual level in Amazonia and beyond.
Advanced maternal age perturbs mouse embryo development and alters the phenotype of derived embryonic stem cells
Authors: Khurana Pooja , Smyth Neil R. , Sheth Bhavwanti , Velazquez Miguel A. , Eckert Judith J. , Fleming Tom P.
Published: July 2021

Advanced maternal age (AMA) is known to reduce fertility, increases aneuploidy in oocytes and early embryos and leads to adverse developmental consequences which may associate with offspring lifetime health risks. However, investigating underlying effects of AMA on embryo developmental potential is confounded by the inherent senescence present in maternal body systems further affecting reproductive success. Here, we describe a new model for the analysis of early developmental mechanisms underlying AMA by the derivation and characterisation of mouse embryonic stem cell (mESC-like) lines from naturally conceived embryos. Young (7–8 weeks) and Old (7–8 months) C57BL/6 female mice were mated with young males. Preimplantation embryos from Old dams displayed developmental retardation in blastocyst morphogenesis. mESC lines established from these blastocysts using conventional techniques revealed differences in genetic, cellular and molecular criteria conserved over several passages in the standardised medium. mESCs from embryos from AMA dams displayed increased incidence of aneuploidy following Giemsa karyotyping compared with those from Young dams. Moreover, AMA caused an altered pattern of expression of pluripotency markers (Sox2, OCT4) in mESCs. AMA further diminished mESC survival and proliferation and reduced the expression of cell proliferation marker, Ki-67. These changes coincided with altered expression of the epigenetic marker, Dnmt3a and other developmental regulators in a sex-dependent manner. Collectively, our data demonstrate the feasibility to utilise mESCs to reveal developmental mechanisms underlying AMA in the absence of maternal senescence and with reduced animal use.
Identification of a paraquat-resistant goosegrass (Eleusine indica) population from a central Alabama vegetable production field
Authors: McElroy J. Scott , Harris James R. , Price Andrew , Harkess Alex , Li Xiao
Published: July 2021

A goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] population uncontrolled by paraquat (R) in a vegetable production field in St. Clair County, AL, was collected in summer 2019. Research was conducted to assess the level of resistance of the suspected resistant population compared with three populations with no suspected paraquat resistance (S1, S2, and S3). Visual injury at all rating dates and biomass reduction at 28 d after treatment (DAT) of S populations occurred exponentially to increasing paraquat rates. S biotypes were injured more than R at 3 DAT, with biomass recovery at 28 DAT only occurring at rates <0.28 kg ha−1. Plant death or biomass reduction did not occur for any rate at any date for R. Paraquat rates that induced 50% or 90% injury or reduced biomass 50% or 90% compared with the non-treated (I50 or I90, respectively) ranged from 10 to 124 times higher I50 for R compared with S and 54 to 116 times higher I90 for R compared with S biotypes. These data confirm a paraquat-resistant E. indica biotype in Alabama, providing additional germplasm for study of resistance to photosystem I electron-diverting (PSI-ED) resistance mechanisms.
Mitigating Prediction Error of Deep Learning Streamflow Models in Large Data‐Sparse Regions With Ensemble Modeling and Soft Data
Authors: Feng Dapeng , Lawson Kathryn , Shen Chaopeng
Published: July 2021

Predicting discharge in contiguously data‐scarce or ungauged regions is needed for quantifying the global hydrologic cycle. We show that prediction in ungauged regions (PUR) has major, underrecognized uncertainty and is drastically more difficult than previous problems where basins can be represented by neighboring or similar basins (known as prediction in ungauged basins). While deep neural networks demonstrated stellar performance for streamflow predictions, performance nonetheless declined for PUR, benchmarked here with a new stringent region‐based holdout test on a US data set with 671 basins. We tested approaches to reduce such errors, leveraging deep network's flexibility to integrate “soft” data, such as satellite‐based soil moisture product, or daily flow distributions which improved low flow simulations. A novel input‐selection ensemble improved average performance and greatly reduced catastrophic failures. Despite challenges, deep networks showed stronger performance metrics for PUR than traditional hydrologic models. They appear competitive for geoscientific modeling even in data‐scarce settings.
Hyperoside promotes pollen tube growth by regulating the depolymerization effect of actin-depolymerizing factor 1 on microfilaments in okra
Authors: Dong Biying , Yang Qing , Song Zhihua , Niu Lili , Cao Hongyan , Liu Tengyue , Du Tingting , Yang Wanlong , Qi Meng , Chen Ting , Wang Mengying , Jin Haojie , Meng Dong , Fu Yujie
Published: July 2021

Mature pollen germinates rapidly on the stigma, extending its pollen tube to deliver sperm cells to the ovule for fertilization. The success of this process is an important factor that limits output. The flavonoid content increased significantly during pollen germination and pollen tube growth, which suggests it may play an important role in these processes. However, the specific mechanism of this involvement has been little researched. Our previous research found that hyperoside can prolong the flowering period of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra), but its specific mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the effect of hyperoside in regulating the actin-depolymerizing factor (ADF), which further affects the germination and growth of pollen. We found that hyperoside can prolong the effective pollination period of okra by 2–3-fold and promote the growth of pollen tubes in the style. Then, we used Nicotiana benthamiana cells as a research system and found that hyperoside accelerates the depolymerization of intercellular microfilaments. Hyperoside can promote pollen germination and pollen tube elongation in vitro. Moreover, AeADF1 was identified out of all AeADF genes as being highly expressed in pollen tubes in response to hyperoside. In addition, hyperoside promoted AeADF1-mediated microfilament dissipation according to microfilament severing experiments in vitro. In the pollen tube, the gene expression of AeADF1 was reduced to 1/5 by oligonucleotide transfection. The decrease in the expression level of AeADF1 partially reduced the promoting effect of hyperoside on pollen germination and pollen tube growth. This research provides new research directions for flavonoids in reproductive development.
An efficient papaya leaf distortion mosaic potyvirus vector for virus-induced gene silencing in papaya
Authors: Tuo Decai , Yan Pu , Zhao Guangyuan , Cui Hongguang , Zhu Guopeng , Liu Yang , Yang Xiukun , Wang He , Li Xiaoying , Shen Wentao , Zhou Peng
Published: July 2021

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is regarded as an excellent model for genomic studies of tropical trees because of its short generation time and its small genome that has been sequenced. However, functional genomic studies in papaya depend on laborious genetic transformations because no rapid tools exist for this species. Here, we developed a highly efficient virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) vector for use in papaya by modifying an artificially attenuated infectious clone of papaya leaf distortion mosaic virus (PLDMV; genus: Potyvirus), PLDMV-E, into a stable Nimble Cloning (NC)-based PLDMV vector, pPLDMV-NC, in Escherichia coli. The target fragments for gene silencing can easily be cloned into pPLDMV-NC without multiple digestion and ligation steps. Using this PLDMV VIGS system, we silenced and characterized five endogenous genes in papaya, including two common VIGS marker genes, namely, phytoene desaturase, Mg-chelatase H subunit, putative GIBBERELLIN (GA)-INSENSITIVE DWARF1A and 1B encoding GA receptors; and the cytochrome P450 gene CYP83B1, which encodes a key enzyme involved in benzylglucosinolate biosynthesis. The results demonstrate that our newly developed PLDMV VIGS vector is a rapid and convenient tool for functional genomic studies in papaya.
EjBZR1 represses fruit enlargement by binding to the EjCYP90 promoter in loquat
Authors: Su Wenbing , Shao Zikun , Wang Man , Gan Xiaoqing , Yang Xianghui , Lin Shunquan
Published: July 2021

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) is a subtropical tree that bears fruit that ripens during late spring. Fruit size is one of the dominant factors inhibiting the large-scale production of this fruit crop. To date, little is known about fruit size regulation. In this study, we first discovered that cell size is more important to fruit size than cell number in loquat and that the expression of the EjBZR1 gene is negatively correlated with cell and fruit size. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of EjBZR1 led to larger cells and fruits in loquat, while its overexpression reduced cell and plant size in Arabidopsis. Moreover, both the suppression and overexpression of EjBZR1 inhibited the expression of brassinosteroid (BR) biosynthesis genes, especially that of EjCYP90A. Further experiments indicated that EjCYP90A, a cytochrome P450 gene, is a fruit growth activator, while EjBZR1 binds to the BRRE (CGTGTG) motif of the EjCYP90A promoter to repress its expression and fruit cell enlargement. Overall, our results demonstrate a possible pathway by which EjBZR1 directly targets EjCYP90A and thereby affects BR biosynthesis, which influences cell expansion and, consequently, fruit size. These findings help to elucidate the molecular functions of BZR1 in fruit growth and thus highlight a useful genetic improvement that can lead to increased crop yields by repressing gene expression.
Glandular trichomes: new focus on horticultural crops
Authors: Feng Zhongxuan , Bartholomew Ezra S. , Liu Ziyu , Cui Yuanyuan , Dong Yuming , Li Sen , Wu Haoying , Ren Huazhong , Liu Xingwang
Published: July 2021

Plant glandular trichomes (GTs) are epidermal outgrowths with the capacity to biosynthesize and secrete specialized metabolites, that are of great scientific and practical significance. Our understanding of the developmental process of GTs is limited, and no single plant species serves as a unique model. Here, we review the genetic mechanisms of GT initiation and development and provide a summary of the biosynthetic pathways of GT-specialized metabolites in nonmodel plant species, especially horticultural crops. We discuss the morphology and classification of GT types. Moreover, we highlight technological advancements in methods employed for investigating GTs. Understanding the molecular basis of GT development and specialized metabolites not only offers useful avenues for research in plant breeding that will lead to the improved production of desirable metabolites, but also provides insights for plant epidermal development research.