bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High throughput sequencing unravels tomato-pathogen interactions towards a sustainable plant breeding
Authors: Campos Maria Doroteia , Félix Maria do Rosário , Patanita Mariana , Materatski Patrick , Varanda Carla
Published: August 2021

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most economically important vegetables throughout the world. It is one of the best studied cultivated dicotyledonous plants, often used as a model system for plant research into classical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, and molecular biology. Tomato plants are affected by different pathogens such as viruses, viroids, fungi, oomycetes, bacteria, and nematodes, that reduce yield and affect product quality. The study of tomato as a plant-pathogen system helps to accelerate the discovery and understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying disease resistance and offers the opportunity of improving the yield and quality of their edible products. The use of functional genomics has contributed to this purpose through both traditional and recently developed techniques, that allow the identification of plant key functional genes in susceptible and resistant responses, and the understanding of the molecular basis of compatible interactions during pathogen attack. Next-generation sequencing technologies (NGS), which produce massive quantities of sequencing data, have greatly accelerated research in biological sciences and offer great opportunities to better understand the molecular networks of plant–pathogen interactions. In this review, we summarize important research that used high-throughput RNA-seq technology to obtain transcriptome changes in tomato plants in response to a wide range of pathogens such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, oomycetes, and nematodes. These findings will facilitate genetic engineering efforts to incorporate new sources of resistance in tomato for protection against pathogens and are of major importance for sustainable plant-disease management, namely the ones relying on the plant’s innate immune mechanisms in view of plant breeding.
MFCIS: an automatic leaf-based identification pipeline for plant cultivars using deep learning and persistent homology
Authors: Zhang Yanping , Peng Jing , Yuan Xiaohui , Zhang Lisi , Zhu Dongzi , Hong Po , Wang Jiawei , Liu Qingzhong , Liu Weizhen
Published: August 2021

Recognizing plant cultivars reliably and efficiently can benefit plant breeders in terms of property rights protection and innovation of germplasm resources. Although leaf image-based methods have been widely adopted in plant species identification, they seldom have been applied in cultivar identification due to the high similarity of leaves among cultivars. Here, we propose an automatic leaf image-based cultivar identification pipeline called MFCIS (Multi-feature CombinedCultivarIdentificationSystem), which combines multiple leaf morphological features collected by persistent homology and a convolutional neural network (CNN). Persistent homology, a multiscale and robust method, was employed to extract the topological signatures of leaf shape, texture, and venation details. A CNN-based algorithm, the Xception network, was fine-tuned for extracting high-level leaf image features. For fruit species, we benchmarked the MFCIS pipeline on a sweet cherry (Prunus aviumL.) leaf dataset with >5000 leaf images from 88 varieties or unreleased selections and achieved a mean accuracy of 83.52%. For annual crop species, we applied the MFCIS pipeline to a soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.) leaf dataset with 5000 leaf images of 100 cultivars or elite breeding lines collected at five growth periods. The identification models for each growth period were trained independently, and their results were combined using a score-level fusion strategy. The classification accuracy after score-level fusion was 91.4%, which is much higher than the accuracy when utilizing each growth period independently or mixing all growth periods. To facilitate the adoption of the proposed pipelines, we constructed a user-friendly web service, which is freely available athttp://www.mfcis.online.
Competition between anthocyanin and kaempferol glycosides biosynthesis affects pollen tube growth and seed set of Malus
Authors: Chen Weifeng , Xiao Zhengcao , Wang Yule , Wang Jinxiao , Zhai Rui , Lin-Wang Kui , Espley Richard , Ma Fengwang , Li Pengmin
Published: August 2021

Flavonoids play important roles in regulating plant growth and development. In this study, three kaempferol 3-O-glycosides were identified and mainly accumulated in flowers but not in leaves or fruits ofMalus. InMalus, flower petal color is normally white, but some genotypes have red flowers containing anthocyanin. Anthocyanin biosynthesis appears to be in competition with kaempferol 3-O-glycosides production and controlled by the biosynthetic genes. The white flowerMalusgenotypes had better-developed seeds than the red flower genotypes. In flowers, the overexpression ofMYB10inMalus domesticaenhanced the accumulation of anthocyanin, but decreased that of kaempferol 3-O-glycosides. After pollination the transgenic plants showed slower pollen tube growth and fewer developed seeds. Exogenous application of different flavonoid compounds suggested that kaempferol 3-O-glycosides, especially kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside, regulated pollen tube growth and seed set rather than cyanidin or quercetin 3-O-glycosides. It was found that kaempferol 3-O-rhamnoside might regulate pollen tube growth through effects on auxin, the Rho of plants (ROP) GTPases, calcium and the phosphoinositides signaling pathway. With the inhibition of auxin transport, the transcription levels of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) and ROP GTPases were downregulated while the levels were not changed or even enhanced when blocking calcium signaling, suggesting that HSPs and ROP GTPases were downstream of auxin signaling, but upstream of calcium signaling. In summary, kaempferol glycoside concentrations in pistils correlated with auxin transport, the transcription of HSPs and ROP GTPases, and calcium signaling in pollen tubes, culminating in changes to pollen tube growth and seed set.
Morphological, phenological, and transcriptional analyses provide insight into the diverse flowering traits of a mutant of the relic woody plant Liriodendron chinense
Authors: Sheng Yu , Hao Zhaodong , Peng Ye , Liu Siqin , Hu Lingfeng , Shen Yongbao , Shi Jisen , Chen Jinhui
Published: August 2021

Flowering is crucial to plant reproduction and controlled by multiple factors. However, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of flowering in perennial plants are still largely unknown. Here, we first report a super long blooming 1 (slb1) mutant of the relict tree Liriodendron chinense possessing a prolonged blooming period of more than 5 months, in contrast to the 1 month blooming period in the wild type (WT). Phenotypic characterization showed that earlier maturation of lateral shoots was caused by accelerated axillary bud fate, leading to the phenotype of continuous flowering in slb1 mutants. The transcriptional activity of genes related to hormone signaling (auxin, cytokinin, and strigolactone), nutrient availability, and oxidative stress relief further indicated active outgrowth of lateral buds in slb1 mutants. Interestingly, we discovered a unique FT splicing variant with intron retention specific to slb1 mutants, representing a potential causal mutation in the slb1 mutants. Surprisingly, most slb1 inbred offspring flowered precociously with shorter juvenility (~4 months) than that (usually 8–10 years) required in WT plants, indicating heritable variation underlying continuous flowering in slb1 mutants. This study reports an example of a perennial tree mutant that flowers continuously, providing a rare resource for both breeding and genetic research.
Illuminating the cells: transient transformation of citrus to study gene functions and organelle activities related to fruit quality
Authors: Gong Jinli , Tian Zhen , Qu Xiaolu , Meng Qiunan , Guan Yajie , Liu Ping , Chen Chuanwu , Deng Xiuxin , Guo Wenwu , Cheng Yunjiang , Wang Pengwei
Published: August 2021

Although multiple microscopic techniques have been applied to horticultural research, few studies of individual organelles in living fruit cells have been reported to date. In this paper, we established an efficient system for the transient transformation of citrus fruits using an Agrobacterium-mediated method. Kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia Swingle) was used; it exhibits higher transformation efficiency than all citrus fruits that have been tested and a prolonged-expression window. Fruits were transformed with fluorescent reporters, and confocal microscopy and live-cell imaging were used to study their localization and dynamics. Moreover, various pH sensors targeting different subcellular compartments were expressed, and the local pH environments in cells from different plant tissues were compared. The results indicated that vacuoles are most likely the main organelles that contribute to the low pH of citrus fruits. In summary, our method is effective for studying various membrane trafficking events, protein localization, and cell physiology in fruit and can provide new insight into fruit biology research.
An ancient whole-genome duplication event and its contribution to flavor compounds in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Wang Ya , Chen Fei , Ma Yuanchun , Zhang Taikui , Sun Pengchuan , Lan Meifang , Li Fang , Fang Wanping
Published: August 2021

Tea, coffee, and cocoa are the three most popular nonalcoholic beverages in the world and have extremely high economic and cultural value. The genomes of four tea plant varieties have recently been sequenced, but there is some debate regarding the characterization of a whole-genome duplication (WGD) event in tea plants. Whether the WGD in the tea plant is shared with other plants in order Ericales and how it contributed to tea plant evolution remained unanswered. Here we re-analyzed the tea plant genome and provided evidence that tea experienced only WGD event after the core-eudicot whole-genome triplication (WGT) event. This WGD was shared by the Polemonioids-Primuloids-Core Ericales (PPC) sections, encompassing at least 17 families in the order Ericales. In addition, our study identified eight pairs of duplicated genes in the catechins biosynthesis pathway, four pairs of duplicated genes in the theanine biosynthesis pathway, and one pair of genes in the caffeine biosynthesis pathway, which were expanded and retained following this WGD. Nearly all these gene pairs were expressed in tea plants, implying the contribution of the WGD. This study shows that in addition to the role of the recent tandem gene duplication in the accumulation of tea flavor-related genes, the WGD may have been another main factor driving the evolution of tea flavor.
The tea plant CsLHT1 and CsLHT6 transporters take up amino acids, as a nitrogen source, from the soil of organic tea plantations
Authors: Li Fang , Dong Chunxia , Yang Tianyuan , Bao Shilai , Fang Wanping , Lucas William J. , Zhang Zhaoliang
Published: August 2021

Organic tea is more popular than conventional tea that originates from fertilized plants. Amino acids inorganic soils constitute a substantial pool nitrogen (N) available for plants. However, the amino-acid contents in soils of tea plantations and how tea plants take up these amino acids remain largely unknown. In this study, we show that the amino-acid content in the soil of an organic tea plantation is significantly higher than that of a conventional tea plantation. Glutamate, alanine, valine, and leucine were the most abundant amino acids in the soil of this tea plantation. When 15N-glutamate was fed to tea plants, it was efficiently absorbed and significantly increased the contents of other amino acids in the roots. We cloned seven CsLHT genes encoding amino-acid transporters and found that the expression of CsLHT1, CsLHT2, and CsLHT6 in the roots significantly increased upon glutamate feeding. Moreover, the expression of CsLHT1 or CsLHT6 in a yeast amino-acid uptake-defective mutant, 22∆10α, enabled growth on media with amino acids constituting the sole N source. Amino-acid uptake assays indicated that CsLHT1 and CsLHT6 are H+-dependent high- and low-affinity amino-acid transporters, respectively. We further demonstrated that CsLHT1 and CsLHT6 are highly expressed in the roots and are localized to the plasma membrane. Moreover, overexpression of CsLHT1 and CsLHT6 in Arabidopsis significantly improved the uptake of exogenously supplied 15N-glutamate and 15N-glutamine. Taken together, our findings are consistent with the involvement of CsLHT1 and CsLHT6 in amino-acid uptake from the soil, which is particularly important for tea plants grown inorganic tea plantations.
An optimized protocol for stepwise optimization of real-time RT-PCR analysis
Authors: Zhao Fangzhou , Maren Nathan A. , Kosentka Pawel Z. , Liao Ying-Yu , Lu Hongyan , Duduit James R. , Huang Debao , Ashrafi Hamid , Zhao Tuanjie , Huerta Alejandra I. , Ranney Thomas G. , Liu Wusheng
Published: August 2021

Computational tool-assisted primer design for real-time reverse transcription (RT) PCR (qPCR) analysis largely ignores the sequence similarities between sequences of homologous genes in a plant genome. It can lead to false confidence in the quality of the designed primers, which sometimes results in skipping the optimization steps for qPCR. However, the optimization of qPCR parameters plays an essential role in the efficiency, specificity, and sensitivity of each gene’s primers. Here, we proposed an optimized approach to sequentially optimizing primer sequences, annealing temperatures, primer concentrations, and cDNA concentration range for each reference (and target) gene. Our approach started with a sequence-specific primer design that should be based on the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in all the homologous sequences for each of the reference (and target) genes under study. By combining the efficiency calibrated and standard curve methods with the 2−ΔΔCt method, the standard cDNA concentration curve with a logarithmic scale was obtained for each primer pair for each gene. As a result, an R2 ≥ 0.9999 and the efficiency (E) = 100 ± 5% should be achieved for the best primer pair of each gene, which serve as the prerequisite for using the 2−ΔΔCt method for data analysis. We applied our newly developed approach to identify the best reference genes in different tissues and at various inflorescence developmental stages of Tripidium ravennae, an ornamental and biomass grass, and validated their utility under varying abiotic stress conditions. We also applied this approach to test the expression stability of six reference genes in soybean under biotic stress treatment with Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines (Xag). Thus, these case studies demonstrated the effectiveness of our optimized protocol for qPCR analysis.
McMYB4 improves temperature adaptation by regulating phenylpropanoid metabolism and hormone signaling in apple
Authors: Hao Suxiao , Lu Yanfen , Peng Zhen , Wang Enying , Chao Linke , Zhong Silin , Yao Yuncong
Published: August 2021

Temperature changes affect apple development and production. Phenylpropanoid metabolism and hormone signaling play a crucial role in regulating apple growth and development in response to temperature changes. Here, we found that McMYB4 is induced by treatment at 28 °C and 18 °C, and McMYB4 overexpression results in flavonol and lignin accumulation in apple leaves. Yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) further revealed that McMYB4 targets the promoters of the flavonol biosynthesis genes CHS and FLS and the lignin biosynthesis genes CAD and F5H. McMYB4 expression resulted in higher levels of flavonol and lignin biosynthesis in apple during growth at 28 °C and 18 °C than during growth at 23 °C. At 28 °C and 18 °C, McMYB4 also binds to the AUX/ARF and BRI/BIN promoters to activate gene expression, resulting in acceleration of the auxin and brassinolide signaling pathways. Taken together, our results demonstrate that McMYB4 promotes flavonol biosynthesis and brassinolide signaling, which decreases ROS contents to improve plant resistance and promotes lignin biosynthesis and auxin signaling to regulate plant growth. This study suggests that McMYB4 participates in the abiotic resistance and growth of apple in response to temperature changes by regulating phenylpropanoid metabolism and hormone signaling.
Molecular characteristics of S-RNase alleles as the determinant of self-incompatibility in the style of Fragaria viridis
Authors: Du Jianke , Ge Chunfeng , Li Tingting , Wang Sanhong , Gao Zhihong , Sassa Hidenori , Qiao Yushan
Published: August 2021

Strawberry (Fragaria spp.) is a member of the Rosoideae subfamily in the family Rosaceae. The self-incompatibility (SI) of some diploid species is a key agronomic trait that acts as a basic pollination barrier; however, the genetic mechanism underlying SI control in strawberry remains unclear. Two candidate S-RNases (Sa- and Sb-RNase) identified in the transcriptome of the styles of the self-incompatible Fragaria viridis 42 were confirmed to be SI determinants at the S locus following genotype identification and intraspecific hybridization using selfing progenies. Whole-genome collinearity and RNase T2 family analysis revealed that only an S locus exists in Fragaria; however, none of the compatible species contained S-RNase. Although the results of interspecific hybridization experiments showed that F. viridis (SI) styles could accept pollen from F. mandshurica (self-compatible), the reciprocal cross was incompatible. Sa and Sb-RNase contain large introns, and their noncoding sequences (promotors and introns) can be transcribed into long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Overall, the genus Fragaria exhibits S-RNase-based gametophytic SI, and S-RNase loss occurs at the S locus of compatible germplasms. In addition, a type of SI-independent unilateral incompatibility exists between compatible and incompatible Fragaria species. Furthermore, the large introns and neighboring lncRNAs in S-RNase in Fragaria could offer clues about S-RNase expression strategies.
Plasma membrane-localized SlSWEET7a and SlSWEET14 regulate sugar transport and storage in tomato fruits
Authors: Zhang Xinsheng , Feng Chaoyang , Wang Manning , Li Tianlai , Liu Xin , Jiang Jing
Published: August 2021

Sugars, especially glucose and fructose, contribute to the taste and quality of tomato fruits. These compounds are translocated from the leaves to the fruits and then unloaded into the fruits by various sugar transporters at the plasma membrane. SWEETs, are sugar transporters that regulate sugar efflux independently of energy or pH. To date, the role of SWEETs in tomato has received very little attention. In this study, we performed functional analysis of SlSWEET7a and SlSWEET14 to gain insight into the regulation of sugar transport and storage in tomato fruits. SlSWEET7a and SlSWEET14 were mainly expressed in peduncles, vascular bundles, and seeds. Both SlSWEET7a and SlSWEET14 are plasma membrane-localized proteins that transport fructose, glucose, and sucrose. Apart from the resulting increase in mature fruit sugar content, silencing SlSWEET7a or SlSWEET14 resulted in taller plants and larger fruits (in SlSWEET7a-silenced lines). We also found that invertase activity and gene expression of some SlSWEET members increased, which was consistent with the increased availability of sucrose and hexose in the fruits. Overall, our results demonstrate that suppressing SlSWEET7a and SlSWEET14 could be a potential strategy for enhancing the sugar content of tomato fruits.
Postsystolic thickening is a potential new clinical sign of injured myocardium in marfan syndrome
Authors: Mas-Stachurska Aleksandra , Egea Gustavo , de Bruin-Bon Rianne , Rudenick Paula , Sanchis Laura , Bouma Berto J. , Mulder Barbara J. , Bijnens Bart , Sitges Marta
Published: August 2021

The mechanisms leading to cardiac remodeling in Marfan syndrome (MFS) are a matter of debate since it could be either due to structural dysfunction of the myocardial extracellular matrix or to increased afterload caused by the dilated aorta. We aim to characterize the presence of abnormal myocardial function in MFS and to investigate its potential association with increased afterload. Aorta, left ventricle (LV) and the postsystolic thickening (PST) were analyzed in echocardiography in Fbn1C1039G/+ mice and in patients with MFS in comparison with wild type (WT) mice and healthy humans. PST was more frequent in MFS than in WT mice (p < 0.05). MFS mice with PST showed larger aorta than those without PST. Patients with MFS showed larger aorta, poorer LV function and a higher prevalence of PST (56%) than did the healthy controls (23%); p = 0.003. Blood pressure was similar. The higher prevalence of PST in an experimental murine model and in MFS patients, regardless of systemic arterial pressure, suggests an increased afterload on the LV myocardium. This finding supports the use of PST as an indicator of myocardial damage and encourage searching for novel early preventive therapy.
Incidence and risk factors analysis for mortality after total knee arthroplasty based on a large national database in Korea
Authors: Choi Ho-Jun , Yoon Han-Kook , Oh Hyun-Cheol , Yoo Ju-Hyung , Choi Chong-Hyuk , Lee Jin-Ho , Park Sang-Hoon
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to analyze the rates and risk factors of postoperative mortality among 560,954 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in Korea. The National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening database was used to analyze 560,954 patients who underwent TKA between 2005 and 2018. In-hospital, ninety-day, and one-year postoperative mortality, and their association with patient’s demographic factors and various comorbidities (ie., cerebrovascular disease, congestive heart failure, and myocardial infarction) were assessed. In-hospital, ninety-day and one-year mortality rates after TKA were similar from 2005 to 2018. The risk of in-hospital mortality increased with comorbidities like cerebrovascular disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.401; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.064–1.844), congestive heart failure (HR = 2.004; 95% CI = 1.394 to 2.881), myocardial infarction (HR = 2.111; 95% CI = 1.115 to 3.998), and renal disease (HR = 2.641; 95% CI = 1.348–5.173). These co-morbidities were also independent predictors of ninety-day and one-year mortality. Male sex and old age were independent predictors for ninety-day and one-year mortality. And malignancy was risk factor for one-year mortality. The common preoperative risk factors for mortality in all periods were male sex, old age, cerebrovascular disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and renal disease. Malignancy was identified as risk factor for one-year mortality. Patients with these comorbidities should be provided better perioperative care.
N-Doped carbon dots for the fluorescence and colorimetry dual-mode detection of curcumin
Authors: Yan Yanan , Zhang Huilin , Du Fangfang , Meng Yating , Shuang Shaomin , Wang Ruibing , Song Shengmei , Dong Chuan
Published: August 2021

Nitrogen doped carbon dots (N-CDs) were synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal method with dopamine and ethylenediamine.
A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of apixaban in human plasma and its application to pharmacokinetics studies in the Indian population
Authors: Shaikh Khurshid , Mungantiwar Ashish , Halde Supriya , Pandita Nancy
Published: August 2021

Apixaban is a novel oral anticoagulant intended to treat and prevent blood clots and to prevent strokes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.
Copper-catalyzed radical ring-opening halogenation with HX
Authors: Liu Shuai , Bai Ming , Xu Peng-Fei , Sun Qing-Xin , Duan Xin-Hua , Guo Li-Na
Published: August 2021

An efficient copper-catalyzed radical ring-opening halogenation with HX (aq) is described. This protocol provides a practical access to distally chlorinated, brominated and iodinated alkyl ketones and alkyl nitriles with moderate to good yields.
Aggregation-induced negative differential resistance in graphene oxide quantum dots
Authors: Sharma Sonia , Cheng Chieh-An , Santiago Svette Reina Merden , Feria Denice N. , Yuan Chi-Tsu , Chang Sheng-Hsiung , Lin Tai-Yuan , Shen Ji-Lin
Published: August 2021

Negative differential resistance (NDR) devices have attracted considerable interest due to their potential applications in switches, memory devices, and analog-to-digital converters.
Tailoring the ultrafast and nonlinear photonics of MXenes through elemental replacement
Authors: Chen Hualong , Gao Lingfeng , Al-Hartomy Omar A. , Zhang Feng , Al-Ghamdi Ahmed , Guo Jia , Song Yufeng , Wang Zhenhong , Algarni H. , Wang Cong , Wageh Swelm , Xu Shixiang , Zhang Han
Published: August 2021

In this work, two kinds of MXenes with the same structure and different elemental compositions were prepared. The signals of transient absorption and nonlinear absorption transform from positive to negative via elemental replacement.
Experimental lipophilicity scale for coded and noncoded amino acid residues
Authors: Kubyshkin Vladimir
Published: August 2021

Log P values for amino acid derivatives were integrated on one scale allowing comparison between common amino acids and their chemical analogues.
In situ generation of exfoliated graphene layers on recycled graphite rods for enhanced capacitive performance of Ni–Co binary hydroxide
Authors: Abdelrahim Ahmed M. , Abd El-Moghny Muhammad G. , El-Deab Mohamed S.
Published: August 2021

A functionalized exfoliated graphite rod (FEGR), with a high surface area, is produced for use as a promising substrate for supercapacitors, via controlled oxidative treatment of a recycled graphite rod of exhausted zinc–carbon batteries.
Structural and compositional changes of whey protein and blueberry juice fermented using Lactobacillus plantarum or Lactobacillus casei during fermentation
Authors: Wen-qiong Wang , Jie-long Zhang , Qian Yu , Ji-yang Zhou , Mao-lin Lu , Rui-xia Gu , Yujun Huang
Published: August 2021

A possible schematic diagram to show how the secondary structure changes which the whey protein and blueberry juice interaction after Lactobacillus casei or Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation was inferred from the structural analysis results.
Evaporation behavior of 2LiF–BeF2–ZrF4 molten salt with irradiated nuclear fuel
Authors: Zhou Jinhao , Geng Junxia , Luo Yan , Cui Rongrong , Zhao Zhongqi , Fu Haiying , Dou Qiang , Wang Xiaohe , Li Wenxin , Chen Jingen , Li Qingnuan
Published: August 2021

The distribution and evaporation behavior of various components in FLiBe–ZrF4 containing irradiated ThF4 and UF4 molten salts was studied by low pressure distillation.
Design, synthesis and mechanistic study of new benzenesulfonamide derivatives as anticancer and antimicrobial agents via carbonic anhydrase IX inhibition
Authors: Nemr Mohamed T. M. , AboulMagd Asmaa M. , Hassan Hossam M. , Hamed Ahmed A. , Hamed Mohamed I. A. , Elsaadi Mohamed T.
Published: August 2021

New benzenesulfonamide derivatives as anticancer and antimicrobial agents via CA IX inhibition.
Catalytic pyrolysis of PVC and biomass using K2CO3 for HCl adsorption and upgrade of the bio-oil
Authors: Chen Zizhao , Chen Liang , Ji Mengxin , Wu Zhengshun
Published: August 2021

The effect of K2CO3 on the fast co-pyrolysis of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and wood powder (WP) was studied.
A critical analysis and optimization of the testing & validation activities inside an automotive partsfactory
Authors: Păvăloi Lucian-Petru , Negoescu Florin
Published: August 2021

The scope of this paper is to critically analyze and optimize the solutions available from a Lean Management point of view, for the testing & validation department of an automotive factory. The paper will start with an analysis of the basic principles of Lean Management and how this can be applied successfully, followed by a Value Stream Mapping critical analysis of the status at a given time and the action taken with the scope of optimizing the process, concluding with an updated analysis of the new Value Steam Map, showcasing the advantages and the improvements achieved.
Intellectual Capital Management Increase in Offshoring
Authors: Gal Marius , Lobonţ Lucian
Published: August 2021

Offshoring is a method for companies from automotive software development industry to have access to a larger pool of talents or to reduce the development costs. In order to have success, the management must be prepared for knowledge transfer process that will be different while compared to training a new employee at the headquarters. Many companies fail when this step is made and instead of reducing the costs, the loss can drag down the business even to the bankruptcy. In this paper, it is presented a solution for a systematic knowhow increase for the new offshore team, applicable to the processes of knowledge transfer. Complex trainings and various methods of solving the orders are not recommended immediately after the offshore branch was opened; rather the foundations must be very clear for every employee. The conclusions of this study are encouraging, supporting the companies in investing in the employee’s development and by increasing gradually the knowledge, the result will be solid and the offshoring can become a big success in the company’s development.
Exposure of Workers to Occupational Noxae
Authors: Sorin Simion , Călămar Angela , Simion Alexandru , Marius Kovacs , Lorand Toth
Published: August 2021

The discomfort caused by exposure in the work process to occupational hazards generates. In this regard, this paper examines how the nuisances generated by technological processes influence the activity of workers and the legislative framework for jobs in which these occupational hazards exceed the allowed limits. In order to monitor the exposure to occupational hazards, the team of the Toxicology Laboratory performed determinations for the main occupational hazards existing in the work environment to the beneficiaries, the method of determining exposure to toxins being the direct method with measuring devices with numerical display, in time respectively, taking samples and analyzing them in the laboratory. The methods of analysis are in accordance with the legal provisions in force, using devices (metrological verified) and certified methods of analysis. Following the determination of noxious substances, specific risk assessments, in accordance with the legislation in force applicable to the jobs, in order to assess their impact on the health status of the staff, respectively the employment in special / special / normal working conditions, s -drew the following conclusions: periodic determinations of occupational toxins must be widely used to confirm or refute their existence in the workplace, permanent medical monitoring performed by occupational medicine practices, in conjunction with determinations of toxins, to establish traceability of occupational diseases with exposure to the susceptibility to its occurrence.
Intercultural competences of students-strategic approaches
Authors: Mara Daniel
Published: August 2021

Intercultural education is a category of the „new education” and a desideratum of the European dimension of education. This study presents the results obtained from a research centred on the training and development of intercultural skills of students of „Lucian Blaga” University of Sibiu which are enrolled in various study programmes of the Socio-Human Sciences Faculty. The study was based on the general hypothesis that teaching in higher education in an intercultural context contributes to the formation and development of intercultural skills in students, as well as improving and streamlining the learning process, increasing interest in the cultural characteristics of other peoples. The research method used diagnose the intercultural component of the sociohuman sciences curriculum, was the survey method and the tool used on identifying students’ intercultural competencies was a questionnaire. Intercultural skills of students can be formed by teachers, who in turn have such skills and capitalize them in educational and professional contexts, so that teaching becomes a living laboratory in which democratic values are promoted based on acceptance of otherness, respect for other cultures and the confidence in the potential of every human being. Students with intercultural skills can contribute to the sustainability of a future society since they can integrate socially, culturally professionally without high costs and financial investments.
When does a molecule make up its mind?
Authors: Miller Johanna L.
Published: August 2021

Speedier laser measurements are unlocking long-sought secrets of chemical dynamics.
Europe’s experiment in funding graphene research is paying off
Authors: Kramer David
Published: August 2021

The outputs of the European Union’s eight-year-old Graphene Flagship include products, spinoffs, and “Spearheads.”
Submarines afford a view from below the Arctic
Authors: Feder Toni
Published: August 2021

Civilian–military cooperation builds understanding of the ocean, Earth, and climate change and benefits national security.
Intuitive or rational? Students and experts need to be both
Authors: Kryjevskaia Mila , Heron Paula R. L. , Heckler Andrew F.
Published: August 2021

Research into dual-process theories of reasoning from cognitive psychology suggests ways to improve classroom instruction in physics.
Microchip accelerators
Authors: England R. Joel , Hommelhoff Peter , Byer Robert L.
Published: August 2021

An international collaboration aims to couple ultrafast lasers with integrated photonics to create chip-scale devices.
Is the electric potential physical?
Authors: Vavagiakis Eve M. , Bachlechner Thomas C. , Kleban Matthew
Published: August 2021

In the yet-unmeasured electric Aharonov–Bohm effect, an electric potential influences the quantum mechanical wavefunction of charged matter—even in regions where the electric field vanishes.
Abundance of mixoplanktonic algae in relation to prey, light and nutrient limitation in a dystrophic lake: a mesocosm study
Authors: Gillette Jacob P. , Stewart Donald J. , Teece Mark A. , Schulz Kimberly L.
Published: August 2021

The role of mixoplanktonic algae is increasingly recognised as an important link between primary production and microbial loop processes, particularly in dystrophic systems where staining can both limit light and nutrient availability and increase bacterial productivity. We hypothesised that these three factors would affect the relative abundance of mixotrophs (RAmixotrophs), with increased light and nutrient availability decreasing RAmixotrophs and increased bacterial availability increasing RAmixotrophs. We employed a fully factorial design within near-shore mesocosms in a highly stained lake, with light intensity, bacterial abundance, and phosphorus concentration as treatment variables. Over the initial 3 days of the experiment, when changes were greatest, we found no significant three-way interaction effect among light, phosphorus and nutrients on the RAmixotrophs. We did find significant two-way interactions between phosphorus and light, and phosphorus and bacteria. RAmixotrophs was decreased by the addition of phosphorus whether light was added or not, but light only significantly deceased RAmixotrophs when phosphorus was not added. Phosphorus concentration was also found to decrease RAmixotrophs whether bacterial food was supplemented or not, but bacteria increased RAmixotrophs only in mesocosms without phosphorus additions. Collectively, our results indicated that phosphorus concentrations may be the primary driver of mixoplanktonic phytoplankton dynamics in dystrophic systems.
Why Does Influenza Hit the Poor More Than the Rich? A 1931 Social Epidemiology Article That Broke New Ground in the History of Confounding, Mediation, and Interaction
Authors: Morabia Alfredo
Published: August 2021

In 1931, Edgar Sydenstricker, the former statistician of the US Public Health Service, challenged the common belief that the 1918 influenza outbreak had affected “the rich and the poor alike.” Using data from 112,317 participants in a 1918 US national survey, he observed that, on the contrary, both morbidity and mortality from the flu had been higher among the poor than among the rich. To explain these differences, Sydenstricker stratified the analyses by 2 measures of affluence collected in the survey: “economic status” (from “very poor” to “well-to-do”) and household crowding (i.e., number of people per household room). Economic status was associated with influenza attack rates within categories of crowding, but not the opposite, suggesting that characteristics of poverty other than “household congestion” were the culprit of the poor’s higher influenza burden. Attack rate ratios for influenza in infants and older adults were greater for the poor or very poor. Sydenstricker reanalyzed an already 12-year-old data set in the context of the Great Depression to build the evidence base relating poverty to ill health. For this purpose he used a stratification approach to assess confounding, mediation, and interaction before the concepts were formally named.
Deletion of Gremlin-2 alters estrous cyclicity and disrupts female fertility in mice
Authors: Rydze Robert T , Patton Bethany K , Briley Shawn M , Salazar Torralba Hannia , Gipson Gregory , James Rebecca , Rajkovic Aleksandar , Thompson Thomas , Pangas Stephanie A
Published: August 2021

Members of the differential screening-selected gene aberrative in neuroblastoma (DAN) protein family are developmentally conserved extracellular binding proteins that antagonize bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. This protein family includes the Gremlin proteins, GREM1 and GREM2, which have key functions during embryogenesis and adult physiology. While BMPs play essential roles in ovarian follicle development, the role of the DAN family in female reproductive physiology is less understood. We generated mice null for Grem2 to determine its role in female reproduction in addition to screening patients with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) for variants in GREM2. Grem2−/− mice are viable, but female Grem2−/− mice have diminished fecundity and irregular estrous cycles. This is accompanied by significantly reduced production of ovarian anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) from small growing follicles, leading to a significant decrease in serum AMH. Surprisingly, as AMH is a well-established marker of the ovarian reserve, morphometric analysis of ovarian follicles showed maintenance of primordial follicles in Grem2−/− mice like wild-type (WT) littermates. While Grem2 mRNA transcripts were not detected in the pituitary, Grem2 is expressed in hypothalami of WT female mice, suggesting the potential for dysfunction in multiple tissues composing the hypothalamic–pituitary-ovarian axis that contribute to the subfertility phenotype. Additionally, screening 106 women with POI identified one individual with a heterozygous variant in GREM2 that lies within the predicted BMP-GREM2 interface. In total, these data suggest that Grem2 is necessary for female fecundity by playing a novel role in regulating the HPO axis and contributing to female reproductive disease.
The performance of solar cells using chlorophyll dye from Syzygium paniculatum
Authors: Wuryanti Sri
Published: August 2021

In this study, analysis was performed of the macro characterization of solar cells with chlorophyll dye from Syzygium paniculatum, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Solar cells based on titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanomaterial and chlorophyll dye from S. paniculatum can increase efficiency due to flavonoids and batulinic acid content. Photoanode TiO2 is one of the essential factors determining the photovoltaic properties of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and shade, which broadens the absorption spectrum. Furthermore, the method used in this research involved varying the colour of the S. paniculatum leaves, namely red (SP-Red), green (SP-Green) and a red–green mix (SP-Mix). From a macro analysis, SEM observations resulted in agglomerated and aggregated TiO2-polyethylene glycol (PEG)-dye layers with irregular shapes. EDX observation resulted in a peak in Ti at 5 keV and all constituents were detected with an O:Ti ratio of 3.47:1 for FTO-TiO2/PEG using SP-Green. Measurement of voltage-current (IV) using a digital multimeter indicated that the best occurred in the DSSC with SP-Green, resulting in a short-circuit current density (Isc) of 0.0047 mA/cm2, an open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.432 V, a charging factor (FF) of 0.749 and an efficiency (η) of 3.724%.
Reliable off-grid power supply utilizing green hydrogen
Authors: Borm Oliver , Harrison Stephen B
Published: August 2021

Green hydrogen produced from wind, solar or hydro power is a suitable electricity storage medium. Hydrogen is typically employed as mid- to long-term energy storage, whereas batteries cover short-term energy storage. Green hydrogen can be produced by any available electrolyser technology [alkaline electrolysis cell (AEC), polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), anion exchange membrane (AEM), solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC)] if the electrolysis is fed by renewable electricity. If the electrolysis operates under elevated pressure, the simplest way to store the gaseous hydrogen is to feed it directly into an ordinary pressure vessel without any external compression. The most efficient way to generate electricity from hydrogen is by utilizing a fuel cell. PEM fuel cells seem to be the most favourable way to do so. To increase the capacity factor of fuel cells and electrolysers, both functionalities can be integrated into one device by using the same stack. Within this article, different reversible technologies as well as their advantages and readiness levels are presented, and their potential limitations are also discussed.
Adherence to Inflammatory Bowel Disease Medications in Southern New Zealand
Authors: Aluzaite Kristina , Braund Rhiannon , Seeley Liam , Amiesimaka Obreniokibo Ibifubara , Schultz Michael
Published: August 2021

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) require continuous clinical management; poor medication adherence may result in worse disease outcomes and increased healthcare costs. This study investigated medication adherence and associated risk factors in IBD patients.

Methods

Otago (New Zealand) IBD patients were mailed questionnaires on demographics, medication-taking behavior, and a validated Probabilistic Medication Adherence Scale (ProMAS).

Results

The response rate was 29.7% (n = 174/590). The study sample was mean (SD) 50.5 (16.9) years old, 57.9% female, 49.4% had Crohn’s disease, and 43.9% ulcerative colitis, with median of 9.5 years (interquartile range: 5.0–22.0) of IBD duration. About 31.1% scored below medium adherence according to ProMAS. About 11.9%, 24.7%, and 23.1% reported failing to renew, purposely not taking, and stopping taking medications, respectively; 27.2% of those who reported having no issues taking medication scored below medium on the ProMAS. Older age was associated with higher ProMAS adherence score (Pearson’s r = .25; P = .0014). There were no differences in medication adherence between the types of IBDs (P = .87), disease activity status (P = .70), or gender (P = .27). There was no correlation between the number of medications and level of adherence (Pearson’s r = .09; P = .27). About 18.7%, 10.1%, and 5.0% of patients reported forgetting to take medications when traveling, when out of routine, and when busy, respectively. The most used strategies to remember medications included utilizing specific routines (40.1%) and keeping medications in specific locations (21.1%).

Conclusions

A third of IBD patients had below medium medication adherence. There were discrepancies between self-reported and tool-assessed medication adherence scores with over one-third of patients underestimating/overestimating their adherence.
Beyond Neutrality: Conceptualizing Platform Values
Authors: Hallinan Blake , Scharlach Rebecca , Shifman Limor
Published: August 2021

Social media platforms are prominent sites where values are expressed, contested, and diffused. In this article, we present a conceptual framework for studying the communication of values on and through social media composed of two dimensions: scale (from individual users to global infrastructures) and explicitness (from the most explicit to the invisible). Utilizing the model, we compare the communication of two values—engagement and authenticity—in user-generated content and policy documents on Twitter and Instagram. We find a split between how users and platforms frame these concepts and discuss the strategic role of ambiguity in value discourse, where idealistic meanings invoked by users positively charge the instrumental applications stressed by platforms. We also show how implicit and explicit articulations of the same value can contradict each other. Finally, we reflect upon tensions within the model, as well as the power relations between the personal, cultural, and infrastructural levels of platform values.
Flattening of the Phillips Curve with State-Dependent Prices and Wages
Authors: Costain James , Nakov Anton , Petit Borja
Published: August 2021

We study monetary transmission in a model of state-dependent prices and wages based on ‘control costs’. Stickiness arises because precise choice is costly: decision makers tolerate errors both in the timing of adjustments, and in the new level at which the price or wage is set. The model is calibrated to microdata on the size and frequency of price and wage changes. In our simulations, money shocks have less persistent real effects than in the Calvo framework; nonetheless, the model exhibits a substantial degree of non-neutrality, driven mainly by wage rigidity. State-dependent nominal stickiness implies a flatter Phillips curve as trend inflation declines, because price and wage adjustments become less frequent, making short-run inflation less reactive to shocks. Our model can explain almost half of the observed decline in the slope of the Phillips curve since 2000.