bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Munc18 − Munc13‐dependent pathway of SNARE complex assembly is resistant to NSF and α‐SNAP
Authors: Xu Yuanyuan , Zhu Le , Wang Shen , Ma Cong
Published: May 2022

Synaptic exocytosis requires efficient SNARE complex assembly that is precisely regulated by multiple regulatory proteins. Increasing evidence suggests that Munc18‐1 and Munc13‐1 protect SNARE complex assembly in a manner resistant to NSF and α‐SNAP. However, the protective mechanisms of Munc18‐1 and Munc13‐1 are not fully understood. Here, by analyzing two pathways of SNARE complex assembly (i.e., the Munc18 − Munc13‐dependent pathway and the Munc18 − Munc13‐independent pathway), we found that the Munc18 − Munc13‐dependent pathway of SNARE complex assembly is resistant to NSF − α‐SNAP. In this pathway, Munc18‐1 and Munc13‐1 each, independently, have protective effects. The protective effect of Munc18‐1 relies on the interaction with the C‐terminal part of Syb2 during the transition from the Munc18‐1/Syx1 complex to the SNARE complex. Moreover, the protective effect of Munc13‐1 is most likely attributed to its ability in templating the assembling SNAREs. In addition, we found that the Munc18 − Munc13‐dependent pathway opposes the association of α‐SNAP with the SNARE bundle, thus explaining how this pathway is resistant to NSF − α‐SNAP disassembly. Although the above results were derived from the studies on SNARE complex in solution or in cis‐configurations, instead of trans‐configurations residing on the opposite membrane, our data could still help to understand the protective mechanism of Munc18‐1 and Munc13‐1 in SNARE‐mediated synaptic exocytosis.
Broad‐scale wood degradation dynamics in the face of climate change: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Chagnon Catherine , Moreau Guillaume , Bombardier‐Cauffopé Christine , Barrette Julie , Havreljuk Filip , Achim Alexis
Published: May 2022

In the context of global change, a better understanding of the dynamics of wood degradation, and how they relate to tree attributes and climatic conditions, is necessary to improve broad‐scale assessments of the contributions of deadwood to various ecological processes, and ultimately, for the development of adaptive post‐disturbance management strategies. The objective of this meta‐analysis was to review the effects of tree attributes and local climatic conditions on the time since death of coarse woody debris ranging in decomposition states. Results from our meta‐analysis showed that projected warming will likely accelerate wood decomposition and significantly decrease the residence time in decay stages. By promoting such a decrease in residence time, further climate warming is very likely to alter the dynamics of deadwood, which in turn may affect saproxylic biodiversity by decreasing the temporal availability of specific habitats. Moreover, while coarse woody debris has been recognized as a key resource for bioenergy at the global scale, the acceleration of decay‐stages transition dynamics indicates that the temporal window during which dead trees are available as feedstock for value‐added products will shrink. Consequently, future planning and implementation of salvage harvesting will need to occur within a short period following disturbance, especially in warmer regions dominated by hardwood species. Another important contribution of this work was the development of a harmonized classification system that relies on the correspondence between the visual criteria used to characterize deadwood decomposition stages in locally developed systems the literature. This system could be used in future investigations to facilitate direct comparisons between studies. Our literature survey also highlights that most of the information on wood decay dynamics comes from temperate and boreal forests, whereas data from subtropical, equatorial and subarctic forests are scarce. Such data are urgently needed to allow broader‐scale conclusions on global wood degradation dynamics.
Effects of nitrogen addition on soil faunal abundance: A global meta‐analysis
Authors: Hu Junxi , Zhou Shixing , Tie Liehua , Liu Xiong , Liu Xing , Zhao Anjiu , Lai Jiaming , Xiao Lin , You Chengming , Huang Congde
Published: May 2022

Aim

Soil fauna has a wide range of ecosystem functions. Anthropogenic atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition affects the structure and function of soil fauna by changing the microenvironment and resources. Given that soil faunal responses can vary considerably among taxonomic groups, N deposition rate, and ecosystems, however, there is little consensus. We aimed to evaluate the effects of N deposition on different soil faunal taxa across different terrestrial ecosystems.

Location

Global.

Time period

1970–2021.

Major taxa studied

Soil fauna.

Methods

We conducted a meta‐analysis that yielded 264 observations from 43 publications. We evaluated the responses to N addition of soil faunal abundance for three different taxa (nematodes, mites, collembolans) in three ecosystem types (cropland, forest, and grassland).

Results

Our results showed an overall negative effect of N addition on soil fauna. However, the effect varied among soil faunal taxa. Specifically, N addition had no significant effects on the abundance of collembolans and mites in any ecosystem. On the other hand, N addition significantly reduced the abundance of all nematode trophic groups except bacterivores. The overall reduction of soil fauna is likely driven by the nematode response. The negative effects of N addition on nematode abundance were contingent on the N addition rate, N addition form, and ecosystem type. N addition decreased nematode abundance at N addition rates of more than 100 kg/ha/year. Inorganic N addition negatively affected nematode abundance. Finally, N addition had a greater adverse effect on nematodes in cropland and grassland compared to forest ecosystems.

Main conclusions

Our results demonstrate the overall negative effects of N addition on nematode abundance. Excessive N addition should be avoided in cropland and grassland management. Further, we suggest the application of organic fertilizer instead of inorganic fertilizer to minimize the N‐induced negative effects on soil nematodes.
Distinct racial and ethnic metabolic syndrome characteristics: A comparative assessment in low‐income children 7–10 years of age
Authors: Jeans Matthew R. , Ghaddar Reem , Vandyousefi Sarvenaz , Landry Matthew J. , Gray Megan J. , Leidy Heather J. , Whittaker Tiffany A. , Bray Molly S. , Davis Jaimie N.
Published: May 2022

Background

Pediatric MetS prevalence varies due to lack of consensus on evaluative criteria and associated thresholds, with most not recommending a diagnosis <10 years. However, MetS risk components are becoming evident earlier in life and affect races and ethnicities disproportionately.

Objectives

To compare the prevalence of MetS based on existing definitions and elucidate racial‐ and ethnic‐specific characteristics associated with MetS prevalence.

Methods

The baseline and follow‐up samples included 900 and 557 children 7–10 years, respectively. Waist circumference, BMI percentile, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), insulin, triglycerides, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) were measured. Agreement between MetS definitions was quantified via kappa statistics. MetS and risk factor prevalence and the predictability of metabolic parameters on MetS eight months later was evaluated via logistic regression. McFadden pseudo‐R2 was reported as a measure of predictive ability, and the Akaike information criterion evaluated fit of each model.

Results

The baseline sample was 55.0% male and 71.6% Hispanic, followed by non‐Hispanic White (NHW) (17.3%) and non‐Hispanic Black (NHB) (11.1%), with an average age of 9.2 years. MetS prevalence ranged from 7.6% to 21.4%, highest in Hispanic (9.0%–24.0%) and lowest in NHB children (4.0%–14.0%). Highest agreement was between Ford et al. and Cook et al. definitions (K = 0.88) and lowest agreements were consistently with the International Diabetes Federation criteria (K ≤ 0.57). Compared to NHW children, Hispanic children had higher odds for MetS (OR: 1.7; p = 0.03) and waist circumference, HDL‐C, and FPG risk factors (p < 0.05), while NHB children had higher odds for the FPG risk factor (p ≤ 0.007) and lower odds for the plasma triglycerides risk factor (p = 0.002), across multiple MetS definitions. In longitudinal analyses, HDL‐C was the strongest independent predictor of MetS in Hispanic and NHW children (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively), while plasma triglycerides was the strongest independent predictor of MetS in NHB children (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

MetS prevalence was high in children ≤10 years, and proposed criteria are susceptible to racial and ethnic bias, diagnosing some populations more than other populations with high cardiovascular risk. Earlier preventative measures should be imposed in clinical settings, accounting for racial and ethnic differences, to mitigate disease onset.
Three dimensions of long‐term care provision in middle‐income countries—A view across Africa, Latin America and Asia
Authors: Kraus Markus , Riedel Monika
Published: May 2022

This article identifies and assesses gaps and deficits in the provision of long‐term care (LTC) services in nine middle‐income countries (MIC) across Africa (Algeria, Nigeria, South Africa), Latin America (Brazil, Colombia, Mexico) and Asia (China, India, Turkey). Legislation and entitlement to, conditions for access to and availability of publicly financed or co‐financed LTC services for elderly persons are assessed.

Across the nine selected MIC, it is revealed that hardly any legal entitlements to specific LTC services exist for elderly persons. The most common conditions for access to institutional care are a minimum age and little or no income. With respect to availability, it can be concluded that institutional care facilities are usually concentrated in urban or wealthy areas. In many cases they exist in the capital region only, but even their capacities are limited. Home‐based care is hardly available at all.
Occupational and speech therapists' perceptions of their role in dental care for children with autism spectrum disorder: A qualitative exploration
Authors: Junnarkar Vrushali Sameer , Tong Huei Jinn , Hanna Kamal Maher Batra , Aishworiya Ramkumar , Duggal Monty
Published: May 2022

Background

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have challenges in home oral care, accessing a dentist and accepting dental treatment. Occupational therapists (OTs) and speech therapists (STs) are likely to be involved earlier in managing communication, behavioural and sensory processing issues.

Aim

To determine perceived issues, barriers and potential solutions to dental care for children with ASD in Singapore from the perspective of OTs and STs.

Design

Semi‐structured interviews and a focus group discussion involving OTs and STs who treat children with ASD were conducted. Audio recordings were transcribed and coded into themes using the NVivo 12 software.

Results

Emergent themes indicated that: (i) OTs and STs have important roles in recognition of issues with toothbrushing, oral pathology and harmful oral habits; (ii) OTs and STs were able to identify reasons for difficulties in oral home care for children with ASD and offer helpful strategies; and (iii) OTs and STs can play a role in pre‐dental visit preparations but lack a clear dental referral pathway.

Conclusions

OTs and STs exclusively assist in the early identification and referrals of children with ASD to the dentist. Interprofessional collaboration with dentists should be further explored to aid in the provision of preventive dental advice.
Effect of stem cell treatment on burn wounds: A systemic review and a meta‐analysis
Authors: Qiao Yating , Zhang Qingrong , Peng Ying , Qiao Xianming , Yan Jun , Wang Bolin , Zhu Zhihan , Li Zihan , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2022

A meta‐analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of stem cells treatment in managing burn wounds. A systematic literature search up to March 2022 incorporated 24 studies reported between 2013 and 2021 including 400 animals with burn wounds at the beginning of the study; 211 were using stem cells treatment, and 189 controlled. Statistical tools like the contentious method were used within a random or fixed‐influence model to establish the mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the influence of stem cells treatment in managing burn wounds. Stem cells treatment had a significantly higher burn wound healing rate (MD, 15.18; 95% CI, 11.29‐19.07, P < .001), higher blood vessel number (MD, 12.28; 95% CI, 10.06‐14.51, P < .001), higher vascular endothelial growth factor (MD, 10.24; 95% CI, 7.19‐13.29, P < .001), lower interleukin‐1 level (MD, −98.48; 95% CI, −155.33 to −41.63, P < .001), and lower tumour necrosis factor α level (MD, −28.71; 95% CI, −46.65 to −10.76, P < .002) compared with control in animals' models with burn wounds. Stem cells treatment had a significantly higher burn wound healing rate, higher blood vessel number, higher vascular endothelial growth factor, lower interleukin‐1 level, and lower tumour necrosis factor α level compared with control in animals' models with burn wounds. Further studies are required to validate these findings.
Sintering mode of a translucent Y‐TZP: Effects on its biaxial flexure fatigue strength, surface morphology and translucency
Authors: Madruga Camila Ferreira Leite , Dal Piva Amanda Maria de Oliveira , Pereira Gabriel Kalil Rocha , Caneppele Taciana Marco Ferraz , Valandro Luiz Felipe , Bottino Marco Antonio
Published: May 2022

Objective

This investigation evaluated the effect of two sintering modes of a translucent zirconia (Y‐TZP) on its surface roughness, topography, phase‐transformation (t → m), translucency and biaxial flexure fatigue strength.

Materials and Methods

To do so, 50 Y‐TZP discs (Ø = 15 mm; thickness = 1.2 mm; IPS e.max ZirCAD LT) were prepared and divided into two groups: Standard mode (SM) and Fast mode (FM). Staircase fatigue testing was performed (piston‐on‐three balls set‐up, ISO 6872:2015), as well as surface roughness, profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM‐FEG), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), phase transformation (t → m) using X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD), translucency parameter analysis (TP and TP00) and fractography.

Results

The results showed no statistical significant differences for roughness parameters (p > 0.05, SM: Ra = 0.13 ± 0.02, Rz = 1.21 ± 0.26 and RSm = 24.91 ± 2.19; FM: Ra = 0.14 ± 0.03, Rz = 1.32 ± 0.25 and RSm = 24.68 ± 2.16) or flexural fatigue strength (SM: 512 (464–560) MPa; FM: 542 (472–611) MPa) between the groups. In addition, similarity in surface morphological features (SEM and profilometry), composition and phases (EDX and XRD) was observed between the firing protocols. Fractography showed that the failure origin occurred on the tensile side. Sintering mode did not affect the TP (F = 0.001, p = 0.97) and TP00 (F = 0.12, p = 0.72).

Conclusions

Therefore, the fast‐sintering mode is suggested as a viable alternative to the standard mode since it does not influence the evaluated surface morphology, microstructure, fatigue strength and translucency of a translucent monolithic zirconia.

Clinical Significance

The fast sintering mode is a viable alternative for zirconia without compromising its topography, microstructure, mechanical performance or translucency.
Demography of the black grouper, Mycteroperca bonaci (Poey, 1860) (Teleostei: Epinephelidae) from the North Brazil Shelf
Authors: de Abreu Rodrigues Ponte Isabela , de Vasconcelos Filho Jonas Eloi , Feitosa Caroline Vieira , Ferreira Beatrice Padovani
Published: May 2022

Mycteroperca bonaci (black grouper) is one of the most sought species of grouper along its entire distribution, being a prime target for demersal line fisheries because of its high commercial value. Nonetheless, because of population declines the species is considered near threatened according to the IUCN red list. The present study aimed to determine the population parameters of M. bonaci, including growth, reproduction and mortality, and thus contributes to measures towards its conservation and management in the southwestern Atlantic. The sampling area is in the North Brazil Shelf, off Maranhão State, an area of intense fisheries development and yet poorly known. The large continental shelf harbours unique coral reef formations and has been declared an ecologically or biologically significant marine area (EBSA). Sampling on landing sites was carried out monthly between May 2017 and January 2019. A total of 137 black grouper specimens were sampled from commercial landings of artisanal fisheries. The size of the specimens ranged from 44 to 157 cm, and the weight varied from 0.976 to 54 kg. The length–weight was established: log(TW) = −11.26 + 3.01log(TL). Histological analysis of the gonads confirmed only the presence of female individuals, and the occurrence of individuals in the sexual transition was not recorded. Higher GSI values and higher frequency of spawning capable staged individuals occurred during the months of June to August, indicating spawning peaks. The estimated age of sexual maturity A50 for females was 4.62 years ( 93 cm−TL). The growth parameters for the Von Bertalanffy model were TL∞ (cm): 185.5, k: 0.04, t0 (year): −4.75 (t0 not fixed) and TL∞ (cm): 141, k: 0.11 (t0 = 0 fixed). The total estimated mortality rate (Z) according to catch length presented a Z value = 0.11, and the natural mortality was M = 0.04 year−1. This is the first study on the age and growth of M. bonaci in the SWA, a region where the species is considered as endangered according to Brazil's red list regional assessment. Only females were present in the samples, results that suggest either differential capturability of sexes because of distinct patterns of behaviour or distribution or an effect of selective mortality upon larger and older individuals, as the species is described as a protogynous hermaphrodite. This indicates the need to closely manage this population to avoid collapses. Recovery plans that have been planned by the Brazilian government but not yet implemented for the species must be put into practice to avoid progressive decline as fisheries target more remote areas.
Liquidity Requirements, Free‐Riding, and the Implications for Financial Stability Evidence from the Early 1900s
Authors: CARLSON MARK , JAREMSKI MATTHEW
Published: May 2022

Maintaining sufficient liquidity in the financial system is vital for its stability. However, since returns on liquid assets are typically low, individual financial institutions may seek to hold fewer such assets, especially if they believe they can rely on other institutions for liquidity support. We examine whether state banks in the early 1900s took advantage of relatively high cash balances maintained by national banks, due to reserve requirements, to hold less cash themselves. We find that state banks did hold less cash in places where both state legal requirements were lower and national banks were more prevalent.
The Social Backgrounds of Nazi Leaders: A Statistical Analysis of Political Elites in Weimar Germany, 1918–1933
Authors: Unger‐Alvi Simon
Published: May 2022

This article compares the social backgrounds of Nazi leaders and representatives of democratic parties in the Weimar Republic. It does not advance any overarching new narrative on Nazism’s social origins, but rather aims to present a nuanced statistical picture of Weimar’s political elites. The results of this analysis are derived from an index of German members of parliament and from a new dataset, which has recently been collected from the Neue Deutsche Biographie (NDB), Germany’s largest biographical encyclopaedia. Together, these two samples cover more than 2000 German politicians, industrialists, diplomats, political writers, academics, high state officials, and important journalists. This article reveals sociological differences between the politicians who led the Nazi party in parliament and those elites that promoted Nazism in the media, in academia, or within the German civil service. While Nazi politicians in the Reichstag were recruited from a variety of social classes, ranging from industrial workers to members of the aristocracy, National Socialist elites outside the parliament typically belonged to the Bildungsbürgertum and sociologically resembled the highly educated members of democratic and liberal parties. Overall, the picture of a generation of Nazi leaders emerges that was sociologically far more heterogeneous than is often recognized by historians.
Gender and deception: Evidence from survey data among adolescent gamblers
Authors: Guerra Alice , Randon Emanuela , Scorcu Antonello E.
Published: May 2022

We examine gender differences in adolescent gamblers' deception behavior towards their parents. The analysis is based on a unique cross‐sectional survey conducted in 2014 in Italy including high school students aged 13 to 22 years old. We consider a subset of adolescents who actively played gambling games in 2013 (5,435 observations). We find that females are less likely to deceive than males, but they do so to a greater extent, i.e., they are more likely to use full—rather than partial—deception than males. This result is robust to controlling over an extended set of personal and parental characteristics, including the frequencies of play of different gambling games, monetary expenditure, age, school performance, place of residence, living with parents, parents' education and occupational status. Further analyses reveal that gender differences are particularly pronounced for good school performance, at 15 and 18 years or older, in areas where gambling is not as widespread, and for certain types of games such as on‐site entertainment machines and luck games. Our findings reveal that females are not univocally more honest than males, and stress the importance of considering gender differences in deception for effective gambling prevention policies.
Hybrid enrichment of adaptive variation revealed by genotype–environment associations in montane sedges
Authors: Hodel Richard G. J. , Massatti Rob , Knowles L. Lacey
Published: May 2022

The role of hybridization in diversification is complex and may result in many possible outcomes. Not only can hybridization produce new lineages, but those lineages may contain unique combinations of adaptive genetic variation derived from parental taxa that allow hybrid‐origin lineages to occupy unique environmental space relative to one (or both) parent(s). We document such a case of hybridization between two sedge species, Carex nova and Carex nelsonii (Cyperaceae), that occupy partially overlapping environmental space in the southern Rocky Mountains, USA. In the region hypothesized to be the origin of the hybrid lineage, one parental taxon (C. nelsonii) is at the edge of its environmental tolerance. Hybrid‐origin individuals display mixed ancestry between the parental taxa—of nearly 7000 unlinked loci sampled, almost 30% showed evidence of excess ancestry from one parental lineage—approximately half displayed a genomic background skewed towards one parent, and half skewed towards the other. To test whether excess ancestry loci may have conferred an adaptive advantage to the hybrid‐origin lineage, we conducted genotype–environment association analyses on different combinations of loci—with and without excess ancestry—and with multiple contrasts between the hybrids and parental taxa. Loci with skewed ancestry showed significant environmental associations distinguishing the hybrid lineage from one parent (C. nelsonii), whereas loci with relatively equal representation of parental ancestries showed no such environmental associations. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of candidate adaptive loci with respect to environmental gradients also had excess ancestry from a parental lineage, implying these loci have facilitated the persistence of the hybrid lineage in an environment unsuitable to at least one parent.
Home‐rule versus non‐territorial autonomy? Western European national movements and their views on the minority question, 1919–1939
Authors: Núñez Seixas Xosé M.
Published: May 2022

The leading elites of the ethnonationalist movements that developed in the aftermath of World War I in Western Europe usually refused to see their nations and territories as ‘national minorities’. In their view, they were stateless nations or nationalities. However, in the aftermath of World War I, the prior international discussion on the nationality principle was increasingly replaced with the notion of ‘minority rights’, enhanced by the implementation of the Minorities Treaties by the League of Nations. Thus, the term ‘national minority’ emerged as a label that permitted ethnonationalist activist to present their claims on the international stage. This became evident in the participation of some Western European national movements in the activities of some transnational non‐governmental organisations, such as the Congress of European Nationalities (1925–1939). However, the general programme advocated by the most influential leaders of East‐Central ethnic minorities, based on the extension of the personal principle and the implementation of non‐territorial autonomy all over Europe, was hard to accept for ethnonationalist elites from Western Europe, which were interested in territorial home‐rule and believed that their homelands did not fit in the category of ‘minority’. This article explores the modalities and limits of that cultural and political dialogue.
Nations as justified substate authorities
Authors: Da Silva Michael
Published: May 2022

Many classic and contemporary works on the moral status of ‘nations’ examine whether nations have unique features that require providing them with a distinctive status. Yet identifying features that can ground distinct national rights to secession or co‐national partiality, for two prominent examples, remains exceedingly difficult. Many accordingly question whether there is anything morally ‘special’ about nations. This work seeks to address this concern by refocusing analysis of nations' role in political morality. It defends analysing nations' moral status by focusing on a more prosaic issue motivated by other nationalist demands, namely, whether substate nations can justifiably possess power(s) to make decisions about particular subjects for co‐nationals within an encompassing state unfettered by that state's direct involvement. It argues that nations are ‘special’ if they can justifiably possess such ‘substate authority’, even if nothing requires that nations possess it. It then identifies and motivates five criteria for justified substate national authority. These criteria explain how, when and why substate nations can hold particular, identifiable powers within states when other groups cannot. It thereby identifies an important role for nations in political morality. The work concludes by demonstrating how it helps further three ongoing debates about the moral status of nations.
Surviving severe COVID‐19: Interviews with patients, informal carers and health professionals
Authors: Gonçalves Ana‐Carolina , Williams Annabel , Koulouglioti Christina , Leckie Todd , Hunter Alexander , Fitzpatrick Daniel , Richardson Alan , Hardy Benjamin , Venn Richard , Hodgson Luke
Published: May 2022

Background

The COVID‐19 pandemic has been associated with an unprecedented number of critical care survivors. Their experiences through illness and recovery are likely to be complex, but little is known about how best to support them.

Aim

This study aimed to explore experiences of illness and recovery from the perspective of survivors, their relatives and professionals involved in their care.

Study design

In‐depth qualitative interviews were conducted with three stakeholder groups during the first wave of the pandemic. A total of 23 participants (12 professionals, 6 survivors and 5 relatives) were recruited from 5 acute hospitals in England and interviewed by telephone or video call. Data analysis followed the principles of Reflexive Thematic Analysis.

Findings

Three themes were generated from their interview data: (1) Deteriorating fast—a downhill journey from symptom onset to critical care; (2) Facing a new virus in a hospital—a remote place; and (3) Returning home as a survivor, maintaining normality and recovering slowly.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight challenges in accessing care and communication between patients, hospital staff and relatives. Following hospital discharge, patients adopted a reframed ‘survivor identity’ to cope with their experience of illness and slow recovery process. The concept of survivorship in this patient group may be beneficial to promote and explore further.

Relevance to clinical practice

All efforts should be made to continue to improve communication between patients, relatives and health professionals during critical care admissions, particularly while hospital visits are restricted. Adapting to life after critical illness may be more challenging while health services are restricted by the impacts of the pandemic. It may be beneficial to promote the concept of survivorship, following admission to critical care due to severe COVID‐19.
When less is more and more is less: the impact of sampling effort on species delineation
Authors: Guenser Pauline , Ginot Samuel , Escarguel Gilles , Goudemand Nicolas
Published: May 2022

Taxonomy is the very first step of most biodiversity studies, but how confident can we be in the taxa delineation? One may hypothesize that the more abundant the material, the more accurate the description of morphological variability and hence the better the taxonomic delineation. Yet, as we shall see, in the case of numerous transitional forms, this hypothesis may prove wrong. Similarly to rarefaction curves that assess the degree of knowledge on taxonomic diversity through sampling effort, we aim to test the impact of sampling effort on species delineation by subsampling a given assemblage. To do so, we use an abundant and morphologically diverse conodont fossil assemblage from the Smithian of Oman. We first recognize four well established morphospecies but about 80% of the specimens are transitional forms. We quantify the diagnostic characters in a sample of 159 P1 elements using geometric morphometrics and assess, via gradually subsampling the assemblage, the number of morphometric groups (i.e. morphospecies) using ordination and clustering analyses. Four morphospecies were detected when less than 20% of the specimens were considered. The number of detected clusters dropped to two when including more than 30% of the specimens. Such influence of sampling effort on species delineation highlights the complexity of taxonomic work, especially when transitional forms are more abundant than typical specimens. These results should encourage researchers to extensively illustrate, measure and quantitatively compare their material to better constrain the morphological variability and delineation of taxa.
CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated tetra‐allelic mutation of the ‘Green Revolution’ SEMIDWARF‐1 (SD‐1) gene confers lodging resistance in tef (Eragrostis tef)
Authors: Beyene Getu , Chauhan Raj Deepika , Villmer Justin , Husic Nada , Wang Ning , Gebre Endale , Girma Dejene , Chanyalew Solomon , Assefa Kebebew , Tabor Girma , Gehan Malia , McGrone Michael , Yang Meizhu , Lenderts Brian , Schwartz Chris , Gao Huirong , Gordon‐Kamm William , Taylor Nigel J. , MacKenzie Donald J.
Published: May 2022

Tef is a staple food and a valuable cash crop for millions of people in Ethiopia. Lodging is a major limitation to tef production, and for decades, the development of lodging resistant varieties proved difficult with conventional breeding approaches. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to introduce knockout mutations in the tef orthologue of the rice SEMIDWARF‐1 (SD‐1) gene to confer semidwarfism and ultimately lodging resistance. High frequency recovery of transgenic and SD‐1 edited tef lines was achieved in two tef cultivars by Agrobacterium‐mediated delivery into young leaf explants of gene editing reagents along with transformation and regeneration enhancing morphogenic genes, BABY BOOM (BBM) and WUSCHEL2 (WUS2). All of the 23 lines analyzed by next‐generation sequencing had at least two or more alleles of SD‐1 mutated. Of these, 83% had tetra‐allelic frameshift mutations in the SD‐1 gene in primary tef regenerants, which were inherited in subsequent generations. Phenotypic data generated on T1 and T2 generations revealed that the sd‐1 lines have reduced culm and internode lengths with no reduction in either panicle or peduncle lengths. These characteristics are comparable with rice sd‐1 plants. Measurements of lodging, in greenhouse‐grown plants, showed that sd‐1 lines have significantly higher resistance to lodging at the heading stage compared with the controls. This is the first demonstration of the feasibility of high frequency genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing in this highly valuable but neglected crop. The findings reported here highlight the potential of genome editing for the improvement of lodging resistance and other important traits in tef.
Persistent papules and plaques in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Tjahjono Leonardo , Czaja Rebecca , Lalor Leah , Hasse‐Rupp Brenda , Wanat Karolyn A.
Published: May 2022

A 6‐year‐old girl presented with nightly fever, persistent joint pain of the knees, ankles, lower back, and hip. Her skin lesions were evanescent salmon‐colored patches along with persistent pruritic light to dark pink papules and plaques on her face, post‐auricular scalp, trunk, thigh, and bilateral upper extremities. Skin biopsy supported the diagnosis of fixed papules and plaques of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). We report this case to highlight diagnostic features of this exceedingly rare cutaneous presentation of sJIA presenting with typical cutaneous salmon‐colored evanescent eruptions.
Showrooming, webrooming, and operational strategies for competitiveness
Authors: Jiao Chuanya , Hu Bin
Published: May 2022

Show/webrooming refers to a consumer inspecting a product at a brick‐and‐mortar (BM)/online retailer before purchasing it from a competing online/BM retailer. Despite retailers adopting price‐matching and free‐shipping policies, show/webrooming remains prevalent. We model different product value information that consumers can learn by visiting a BM retailer and researching an online retailer, and studying consumers' show/webrooming behavior in a unified model. We confirm that consumers can engage in show/webrooming for informational reasons, but webrooming may also be driven by a noninformational reason. We find that show/webrooming may, respectively, benefit BM and online retailers; in particular, there exist win‐win‐win outcomes where both retailers and the consumers benefit from show/webrooming. We propose in‐store research assistance for BM retailers and free sampling for online retailers and show that these operational strategies may improve the retailers' competitiveness in the presence of show/webrooming. Our results are found to be robust in several model extensions.
Operational hedging or financial hedging? Strategic risk management in commodity procurement
Authors: Xing Wei , Ma Shanshan , Zhao Xuan , Liu Liming
Published: May 2022

We study the risk management strategies of two manufacturers that procure a commodity from a supplier to produce a final product and compete in a downstream market. The manufacturers can adopt financial hedging to reduce profit variability or spot trading to mitigate the demand–supply mismatch risk, and they can also combine these two strategies or adopt neither of them. We characterize the equilibria of several representative games where two different risk management strategies are available, and find that financial hedging complements spot trading by protecting both contract procurement and spot trading from the demand uncertainty and spot price volatility. Hence, the combined strategy brings a synergy benefit and dominates spot trading; however, it cannot always outperform financial hedging because the price risk introduced by spot trading overwhelms its benefits. Interestingly, asymmetric risk management equilibria may arise between symmetric manufacturers because the sequential production competition under strategy differentiation allows them to better utilize their respective strategies. We further find that when all four strategies are simultaneously available, financial hedging should normally be adopted, whereas spot trading should not be used alone. Finally, we complement our theoretical analysis with a real‐data–calibrated numerical study to show which risk management strategy performs better in the soybean processing industry.
The potential role of Mucoromycotina ‘fine root endophytes’ in plant nitrogen nutrition
Authors: Howard Nathan , Pressel Silvia , Kaye Ryan S. , Daniell Tim J. , Field Katie J.
Published: May 2022

Mycorrhizal associations between fungi and plant roots have globally significant impacts on nutrient cycling. Mucoromycotina ‘fine root endophytes’ (MFRE) are a distinct and recently characterised group of mycorrhiza‐forming fungi that associate with the roots of a range of host plant species. Given their previous misidentification and assignment as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) of the Glomeromycotina, it is now important to untangle the specific form and function of MFRE symbioses. In particular, relatively little is known about the nature of MFRE colonisation and its role in N uptake and transfer to host plants. Even less is known about the mechanisms by which MFRE access and assimilate N, and how this N is processed and subsequently exchanged with host plants for photosynthates. Here, we summarise and contrast the structures formed by MFRE and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in host plants as well as compare the N source preference of each mycorrhizal fungal group with what is currently known for MFRE N uptake. We compare the mechanisms of N assimilation and transfer to host plants utilised by the main groups of mycorrhizal fungi and hypothesise potential mechanisms for MFRE N assimilation and transfer, outlining directions for future research.
Deflationism, truth, and desire
Authors: Asay Jamin
Published: May 2022

Deflationists about truth generally regard the contribution that “true” makes to utterances to be purely logical or expressive: it exists to facilitate communication, and remedy our expressive deficiencies that are due to ignorance or finitude. This paper presents a challenge to that view by considering alethic desires. Alethic desires are desires for one's beliefs to be true. Such desires, I argue, do not admit of any deflationarily acceptable analysis, and so challenge the deflationist's austere view about the semantic role of “true”. I consider a number of deflationist proposals for analyzing alethic desires, and find them all problematic.
The replacement of fresh egg yolk by lyophilized egg yolk in Tris‐base extender in cryopreserved Boer and Saanen semen
Authors: Intawicha Payungsuk , Moonmanee Tossapol , Saengwong Sureeporn , Lumsangkul Chompunut , Liao Yu‐Jing , Inyawilert Wilasinee
Published: May 2022

Egg yolk is a common cryoprotectant that can be used as a semen extender to protect the spermatozoa from damage during cryopreservation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of fresh and lyophilized egg yolk, as a Tris‐base extender, on the quality of cryopreserved goat semen. Semen from 10 rams of two different breeds (Boer and Saanen) was collected using an artificial vagina. Each ejaculate sample was divided into four equal aliquots, which contained 20% of the fresh egg yolk (a control group), and then 10%, 15%, and 20% of the lyophilized egg yolk as a Tris‐base extender. Sperm motility and kinetic parameters were determined using a computer‐assisted semen analyser. The results showed that the addition of 20% of the fresh egg yolk in Tris‐base extender exhibited significantly higher progressive motility, progressive fast motility, distance curve line, and beat‐cross frequency parameters in the post‐thaw Boer and Saanen goat sperm when compared with the addition of 10%, 15%, and 20% of the lyophilized egg yolk. The percentage of total motility and immotile parameters in the post‐thaw Boer and Saanen goat sperm were not significantly different between the control and 10%, 15% as well as 20% of the lyophilized egg yolk groups. Moreover, the percentage of viability parameter in the Boer and Saanen goat sperm was not significantly different between the control and 10% of the lyophilized egg yolk group but showed significant difference between the control group and 15% and 20% of the lyophilized egg yolk groups. Furthermore, the interaction between the two breeds was significantly different in terms of head activity and straightness parameter. In conclusion, the treatment with 20% of fresh egg yolk in Tris‐base extender is superior to the lyophilized egg yolk. However, an addition of 10% of the lyophilized egg yolk in Tris‐base extender presented the percentage of total motility and viability parameters showing no difference with 20% of fresh egg yolk. Therefore, 10% of the lyophilized egg yolk in Tris‐base extender provided detail of the lyophilized egg yolk protocol in cryopreserved goat semen as an example of an alternative extender to 20% of fresh egg yolk for situations where an animal's origin represents a microbiological risk.
Ubi pus, ibi evacua: Optimizing intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy in pleural infections
Authors: Beckert Lutz , de Koning Gans Johanna Margaretha , Maze Michael J.
Published: May 2022

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Apple SINA E3 ligase MdSINA3 negatively mediates JA‐triggered leaf senescence by ubiquitinating and degrading the MdBBX37 protein
Authors: An Jian‐Ping , Zhang Chun‐Ling , Li Hong‐Liang , Wang Gui‐Luan , You Chun‐Xiang
Published: May 2022

Jasmonic acid (JA) induces chlorophyll degradation and leaf senescence. B‐box (BBX) proteins play important roles in the modulation of leaf senescence, but the molecular mechanism of BBX protein‐mediated leaf senescence remains to be further studied. Here, we identified the BBX protein MdBBX37 as a positive regulator of JA‐induced leaf senescence in Malus domestica (apple). Further studies showed that MdBBX37 interacted with the senescence regulatory protein MdbHLH93 to enhance its transcriptional activation on the senescence‐associated gene MdSAG18, thereby promoting leaf senescence. Moreover, the JA signaling repressor MdJAZ2 interacted with MdBBX37 and interfered with the interaction between MdBBX37 and MdbHLH93, thereby negatively mediating MdBBX37‐promoted leaf senescence. In addition, the E3 ubiquitin ligase MdSINA3 delayed MdBBX37‐promoted leaf senescence through targeting MdBBX37 for degradation. The MdJAZ2‐MdBBX37‐MdbHLH93‐MdSAG18 and MdSINA3‐MdBBX37 modules realized the precise modulation of JA on leaf senescence. In parallel, our data demonstrate that MdBBX37 was involved in abscisic acid (ABA)‐ and ethylene‐mediated leaf senescence through interacting with the ABA signaling regulatory protein MdABI5 and ethylene signaling regulatory protein MdEIL1, respectively. Taken together, our results not only reveal the role of MdBBX37 as an integration node in JA‐, ABA‐ and ethylene‐mediated leaf senescence, but also provide new insights into the post‐translational modification of BBX proteins.
Coagulation testing in green iguanas (Iguana iguana) with development of prothrombin time assays using reptile and avian thromboplastin
Authors: Sladakovic Izidora , Brainard Benjamin M. , Divers Stephen J. , Brooks Marjory B.
Published: May 2022

Background

Captive reptiles often present with clinical signs suggestive of a clotting disorder or severe illness that can induce or exacerbate a coagulopathy. However, coagulopathies in reptiles are difficult to characterize due to lack of species‐appropriate reagents to perform coagulation tests. The objective of this study was to develop screening tests to evaluate the extrinsic and common pathways of coagulation in green iguanas (Iguana iguana).

Key Findings

Reptile and avian thromboplastin, extracted from reptile and avian brains, respectively, were used to initiate coagulation in prothrombin time (PT) assays and commercially available reagents were used to determine Russell's viper venom time, thrombin time, and fibrinogen using the Clauss method. Coagulation assays were performed on citrate‐anticoagulated plasma from 18 healthy green iguanas. Results were summarized as median (minimum–maximum): PT (reptile thromboplastin), 34.8 seconds (27.1–42.1 s), PT (avian thromboplastin), 78.5 seconds (51.6–114.23 s), Russell's viper venom time, 56.15 seconds (18.4–79.7 s), thrombin time, 10 seconds (7.0–36.5 s), and fibrinogen, 258 mg/dl (89–563.0) (2.58 [0.89–5.63 g/L]).

Significance

Commercial reagents can be used to evaluate the common pathway and fibrinogen; however, avian‐ or reptile‐sourced thromboplastin is preferred for a reliable coagulation trigger to perform the PT assay and evaluate the extrinsic pathway.
Purification of polluted surface water by sponge moving bed membrane bioreactor with short hydraulic retention time operation
Authors: Sang Davin , Chiemchaisri Chart , Chiemchaisri Wilai
Published: May 2022

A sponge moving bed membrane bioreactor (SMB‐MBR) was developed for high‐rate biological purification of polluted surface water for nonpotable utilization purposes. The SMB‐MBR contains polyurethane sponge cubes (10% v/v) and submerged hollow fibre membranes in a solid separation compartment and operated under a short hydraulic retention time of 1 h. High organic (96% biochemical oxygen demand [BOD], 85% soluble chemical oxygen demand [COD] and 84% COD) and nitrogen (99% ammonium nitrogen [NH4+], 98% total Kjeldahl nitrogen [TKN] and 87% total nitrogen [TN]) removals were achieved. In the SMB‐MBR, the suspended and attached biomass were allowed to develop under no sludge wastage operation. The co‐existence of heterotrophs, nitrifiers and denitrifiers in the biomass was confirmed under a high oxygen environment. Sustainable operation of SMB‐MBR could be achieved by maintaining stable membrane flux without chemical cleaning for 60 days. This research demonstrates the technical feasibility of applying the SMB‐MBR for clean water production when the polluted surface is the only raw water source.