bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primordial capsid and spooled ssDNA genome structures penetrate ancestral events of eukaryotic viruses
Authors: Munke Anna , Kimura Kei , Tomaru Yuji , Wang Han , Yoshida Kazuhiro , Mito Seiya , Hongo Yuki , Okamoto Kenta
Published: March 2021

Marine algae viruses are important for controlling microorganism communities in the marine ecosystem and played fundamental roles during the early events of viral evolution. Here, we have focused on one major group of marine algae viruses, the ssDNA viruses from theBacilladnaviridaefamily. We present the capsid structure of the bacilladnavirus,Chaetoceros tenuissimusDNA virus type II (CtenDNAV-II), determined at 2.3 Å resolution. A structure-based phylogenetic analysis supported the previous theory that bacilladnaviruses have acquired their capsid protein via horizontal gene transfer from a ssRNA virus. The capsid protein contains the widespread virus jelly-roll fold, but has additional unique features; a third β-sheet and a long C-terminal tail. Further, low-resolution reconstructions of the CtenDNAV-II genome revealed a partially spooled structure, an arrangement previously only described for dsRNA and dsDNA viruses. Together, these results exemplify the importance of genetic recombination for the emergence and evolution of ssDNA viruses and provide important insights into the underlying mechanisms that dictate genome organisation.
Rational engineering of low temperature activity in thermoalkalophilicGeobacillus thermocatenulatuslipase
Authors: Wang Weigao , Dasetty Siva , Sarupria Sapna , Blenner Mark
Published: March 2021

While thermophilic enzymes have thermostability desired for broad industrial applications, they can lose activity at ambient temperatures far from their optimal. Engineering cold activity into thermophilic enzymes has the potential to broaden the range of temperatures resulting in significant activity (i.e., decreasing the temperature dependence of kcat). Even though it has been widely suggested that cold temperature enzyme activity results from active flexibility that is at odds with the rigidity necessary for thermostable enzymes; however, directed evolution experiments have shown us these properties are not mutually exclusive. In this study, rational protein engineering was used to introduce flexibility inducing mutations around the active sites ofGeobacillus thermocatenulatuslipase (GTL). Two mutants were found to have enhanced specific activity compared to wild-type at temperatures between 283 K to 363 K with p-nitrophenol butyrate but not with larger substrates. Kinetics assay revealed both mutations resulted in psychrophilic traits, such as lower activation enthalpy and more negative entropy values compared to wild type in all substrates. Furthermore, the mutants had significantly improved thermostability compared to wild type enzyme, which proves that it is feasible to improve the cold activity without trade-off. Our study provides insight into the enzyme cold adaptation mechanism and design principles for engineering cold activity into thermostable enzymes.
A mechanistic model captures the emergence and implications of non-genetic heterogeneity and reversible drug resistance in ER+ breast cancer cells
Authors: Sahoo Sarthak , Mishra Ashutosh , Kaur Harsimran , Hari Kishore , Muralidharan Srinath , Mandal Susmita , Jolly Mohit Kumar
Published: March 2021

Resistance to anti-estrogen therapy is an unsolved clinical challenge in successfully treating ER+ breast cancer patients. Acquisition of mutations can confer heritable resistance to cancer cells, enabling their clonal selection to establish a drug-resistant population. Recent studies have demonstrated that cells can tolerate drug treatment without any genetic alterations too; however, the mechanisms and dynamics of such non-genetic adaptation remain elusive. Here, we investigate coupled dynamics of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer cells and emergence of reversible drug resistance. Our mechanism-based model for the underlying regulatory network reveals that these two axes can drive one another, thus conferring bidirectional plasticity. This network can also enable non-genetic heterogeneity in a population of cells by allowing for six co-existing phenotypes: epithelial-sensitive, mesenchymal-resistant, hybrid E/M-sensitive, hybrid E/M-resistant, mesenchymal-sensitive and epithelial-resistant, with the first two ones being most dominant. Next, in a population dynamics framework, we exemplify the implications of phenotypic plasticity (both drug-induced and intrinsic stochastic switching) and/or non-genetic heterogeneity in promoting population survival in a mixture of sensitive and resistant cells, even in the absence of any cell-cell cooperation. Finally, we propose the potential therapeutic use of MET (mesenchymal-epithelial transition) inducers besides canonical anti-estrogen therapy to limit the emergence of reversible drug resistance. Our results offer mechanistic insights into empirical observations on EMT and drug resistance and illustrate how such dynamical insights can be exploited for better therapeutic designs.
Evaluation of the OsTIR1 and AtAFB2 AID systems for chromatin protein degradation in mammalian cells
Authors: Yunusova Anastasia , Smirnov Alexander , Shnaider Tatiana , Afonnikova Svetlana , Battulin Nariman
Published: March 2021

Auxin-inducible degron (AID) system is a promising tool for dynamic protein degradation. In mammalian cells, this approach has become indispensable to study fundamental molecular functions, such as replication, chromatin dynamics or transcription, that are otherwise difficult to dissect. We present evaluation of the two prominent AID systems based on OsTIR1 and AtAFB2 auxin receptor F-box proteins (AFBs). We analyzed degradation dynamics of cohesin/condensin complexes subunits in mouse embryonic stem cells (mRad21, mSMC2, mCapH, mCapH2) and human haploid HAP1 line (hRad21, hSMC2). Double antibiotic selection helped to achieve high homozygous AID targeting efficiency for all genes, ranging from 11 to 77%. We found that the main challenge for successful protein degradation is obtaining cell clones with high and stable AFB expression levels due to mosaic expression of AFBs, which also tends to decline with passages in the absence of constant puromycin selection, even at the AAVS1 safe-harbor locus. Comparing two AFBs, we found that OsTIR1 system showed weak dynamics of protein degradation. At the same time, AtAFB2 approach was very efficient even in random integration. Other factors such as degradation dynamics and low basal depletion were also in favor of AtAFB2 system. Our main conclusion is that repeated addition of puromycin to culture medium prevents AtAFB2 silencing and restores auxin sensitivity, facilitating robust protein degradation. We hope that our report will be useful for researchers that plan to establish AID method in their lab.
Sound-location specific alpha power modulation in the visual cortex in absence of visual input
Authors: Popov Tzvetan , Langer Nicolas , Gips Bart , Weisz Nathan , Jensen Ole
Published: March 2021

The existence of a cortical “attentional filter” in the form of spatially selective modulation of alpha power (8-14 Hz) is a dominating hypothesis in electrophysiological studies. During auditory spatial attention hemipsheric lateralized posterior alpha modulations have been reported leading to the generalization of this hypothesis. Typically, this pattern is interpreted as reflecting a top-down endogenous mechanism for suppressing distracting input from unattended directions of sound origin. The present study on auditory spatial attention rejects this interpretation by demonstrating that alpha power modulation is closely linked to oculomotor action. Towards this end, we designed an auditory paradigm in which participants were required to attend to upcoming sounds from one of 24 loudspeakers arranged in a horizontal circular array around the head. Maintaining the location of an auditory cue was associated with a topographically modulated distribution of posterior alpha power resembling the findings known from visual attention. Multivariate analyses allowed the prediction of the sound location in the horizontal plane. Importantly, this prediction was also possible, when derived from signals capturing saccadic activity. Using eye tracking, two control experiments on visual (N=122) and auditory (N=10) spatial working memory confirmed that, in absence of any visual/auditory input, lateralization of alpha power is linked to lateralized gaze direction (± 3° visual angle). Attending to an auditory stimulus engages oculomotor and visual circuits in a topographic manner akin to the retinotopic organization in vision. We conclude that allocation of spatial attention is not sufficient to account for alpha lateralization without consideration of gaze control.
Epigenetic inheritance mediates phenotypic diversity in natural populations
Authors: Shahzad Zaigham , Moore Jonathan D. , Choi Jaemyung , Cassin-Ross Gaëlle , Rouached Hatem , Zilberman Daniel
Published: March 2021

Genetic variation is regarded as a prerequisite for evolution. In principle, epigenetic information inherited independently of DNA sequence can also enable evolution, but whether this occurs in natural populations is unknown. Here we show that natural epigenetic DNA methylation polymorphism inArabidopsis thalianagene bodies regulates gene expression and influences the variation of complex traits: fitness under heat and drought, flowering time, and accumulation of diverse minerals. The phenotypic effects of DNA methylation and local DNA sequence polymorphism are comparable, but they operate through largely distinct gene sets. Our epigenetic association analyses directly identify the relevant gene more frequently than genetic associations, likely due to reduced linkage disequilibrium. We identify numerous associations between methylation epialleles and diverse environmental conditions in native habitats, suggesting that intragenic methylation facilitates adaptation to fluctuating environments. Overall, our results demonstrate that epigenetic methylation variation fundamentally shapes phenotypic diversity in natural populations.
Improved redox homeostasis owing to the up-regulation of one-carbon metabolism and related pathways is crucial for yeast heterosis at high temperature
Authors: Song Liang , Shi Jun-Yan , Duan Shou-Fu , Han Da-Yong , Li Kuan , Zhang Ri-Peng , He Peng-Yu , Han Pei-Jie , Wang Qi-Ming , Bai Feng-Yan
Published: March 2021

Heterosis or hybrid vigor is a common phenomenon in plants and animals; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying heterosis remain elusive, despite extensive studies on the phenomenon for more than a century. Here we constructed a large collection of F1 hybrids of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by spore-to-spore mating between homozygous wild strains of the species with different genetic distances and compared growth performance of the F1 hybrids with their parents. We found that heterosis was prevalent in the F1 hybrids at 40°C. A hump-shaped relationship between heterosis and parental genetic distance was observed. We then analyzed transcriptomes of selected heterotic and depressed F1 hybrids and their parents growing at 40°C and found that genes associated with one-carbon metabolism and related pathways were generally up-regulated in the heterotic F1 hybrids, leading to improved cellular redox homeostasis at high temperature. Consistently, genes related with DNA repair, stress responses, and ion homeostasis were generally down-regulated in the heterotic F1 hybrids. Furthermore, genes associated with protein quality control systems were also generally down-regulated in the heterotic F1 hybrids, suggesting a lower level of protein turnover and thus higher energy use efficiency in these strains. In contrast, the depressed F1 hybrids, which were limited in number and mostly shared a common aneuploid parental strain, showed a largely opposite gene expression pattern to the heterotic F1 hybrids. We provide new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying heterosis and thermotolerance of yeast and new clues for a better understanding of the molecular basis of heterosis in plants and animals.
ZNF91 deletion in human embryonic stem cells leads to ectopic activation of SVA retrotransposons and up-regulation of KRAB zinc finger gene clusters
Authors: Haring Nina L. , van Bree Elisabeth J. , Jordaan Whitney S. , Roels Judith R.E. , Sotomayor Gonzalo Congrains , Hey Tiziana M. , White Fred T.G. , Galland Marc D. , Smidt Marten P. , Jacobs Frank M.J.
Published: March 2021

Transposable element (TE) invasions have shaped vertebrate genomes over the course of evolution. They have contributed an extra layer of species-specific gene regulation by providing novel transcription factor binding sites. In humans, SINE-VNTR-Alu (SVA) elements are one of three still active TE families; approximately 2800 SVA insertions exist in the human genome, half of which are human-specific. TEs are often silenced by KRAB zinc finger (KZNF) proteins recruiting corepressor proteins that establish a repressive chromatin state. A number of KZNFs have been reported to bind SVAs, but their individual contribution to repressing SVAs and their roles in suppressing SVA-mediated gene-regulatory effects remains elusive. We analyzed the genome-wide binding profile for ZNF91 in human cells and found that ZNF91 interacts with the VNTR region of SVAs. Through CRISPR-Cas9-mediated deletion of ZNF91 in human embryonic stem cells, we established that loss of ZNF91 results in increased transcriptional activity of SVAs. In contrast, SVA activation was not observed upon genetic deletion of the ZNF611 gene encoding another strong SVA interactor. Epigenetic profiling confirmed the loss of SVA repression in the absence of ZNF91 and revealed that mainly evolutionary young SVAs gain gene activation-associated epigenetic modifications. Genes close to activated SVAs showed a mild up-regulation, indicating SVAs adopt properties of cis-regulatory elements in the absence of repression. Notably, genome-wide derepression of SVAs elicited the communal up-regulation of KZNFs that reside in KZNF clusters. This phenomenon may provide new insights into the potential mechanisms used by the host genome to sense and counteract TE invasions.
Correcting signal biases and detecting regulatory elements in STARR-seq data
Authors: Kim Young-Sook , Johnson Graham D. , Seo Jungkyun , Barrera Alejandro , Cowart Thomas N. , Majoros William H. , Ochoa Alejandro , Allen Andrew S. , Reddy Timothy E.
Published: March 2021

High-throughput reporter assays such as self-transcribing active regulatory region sequencing (STARR-seq) have made it possible to measure regulatory element activity across the entire human genome at once. The resulting data, however, present substantial analytical challenges. Here, we identify technical biases that explain most of the variance in STARR-seq data. We then develop a statistical model to correct those biases and to improve detection of regulatory elements. This approach substantially improves precision and recall over current methods, improves detection of both activating and repressive regulatory elements, and controls for false discoveries despite strong local correlations in signal.
Disruptions in effort-based decision-making following acute optogenetic stimulation of ventral tegmental area dopamine cells
Authors: Fry Benjamin R. , Pence Nathan T. , McLocklin Andrew , Johnson Alexander W.
Published: March 2021

The dopamine system has been implicated in decision-making particularly when associated with effortful behavior. We examined acute optogenetic stimulation of dopamine cells in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) as mice engaged in an effort-based decision-making task. Tyrosine hydroxylase-Cre mice were injected with Cre-dependent ChR2 or eYFP control virus in the VTA. While eYFP control mice showed effortful discounting, stimulation of dopamine cells in ChR2 mice disrupted effort-based decision-making by reducing choice toward the lever associated with a preferred outcome and greater effort. Surprisingly, disruptions in effortful discounting were observed in subsequent test sessions conducted in the absence of optogenetic stimulation, however during these sessions ChR2 mice displayed enhanced high choice responding across trial blocks. These findings suggest increases in VTA dopamine cell activity can disrupt effort-based decision-making in distinct ways dependent on the timing of optogenetic stimulation.
High-accuracy computation of hard X-ray focusing and imaging for refractive optics
Authors: Wojda P. , Kshevetskii S. , Lyatun I.
Published: March 2021

A mathematical apparatus for solving problems of X-ray wave propagation through complex optical systems, when the lens thickness can change with jumps, is developed and presented. The developed method is based on the use of the superposition of oriented Gaussian beams, which satisfy the Helmholtz equation with high accuracy. The wave propagation in air and through kinoform and ordinary lenses is considered. Focusing and imaging properties are compared for both types of X-ray optics. The diffraction effects arising due to thickness jumps in the kinoform lenses and the influence of these jumps on the X-ray focusing and imaging are investigated. The prospect of using the developed theory for X-ray optics applications is discussed.
I22: SAXS/WAXS beamline at Diamond Light Source – an overview of 10 years operation
Authors: Smith A. J. , Alcock S. G. , Davidson L. S. , Emmins J. H. , Hiller Bardsley J. C. , Holloway P. , Malfois M. , Marshall A. R. , Pizzey C. L. , Rogers S. E. , Shebanova O. , Snow T. , Sutter J. P. , Williams E. P. , Terrill N. J.
Published: March 2021

Beamline I22 at Diamond Light Source is dedicated to the study of soft-matter systems from both biological and materials science. The beamline can operate in the range 3.7 keV to 22 keV for transmission SAXS and 14 keV to 20 keV for microfocus SAXS with beam sizes of 240 µm × 60 µm [full width half-maximum (FWHM) horizontal (H) × vertical (V)] at the sample for the main beamline, and approximately 10 µm × 10 µm for the dedicated microfocusing platform. There is a versatile sample platform for accommodating a range of facilities and user-developed sample environments. The high brilliance of the insertion device source on I22 allows structural investigation of materials under extreme environments (for example, fluid flow at high pressures and temperatures). I22 provides reliable access to millisecond data acquisition timescales, essential to understanding kinetic processes such as protein folding or structural evolution in polymers and colloids.
The strategy of Islamic economic colleges to prepare their graduates to work in Islamic banks
Authors: Zakiy Muhammad
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Academic achievement is not a determinant of college graduates' work readiness, but it requires adequate knowledge and skills to be accepted to work in companies. The purpose of this study is to describe the phenomenon of recruitment in Islamic banking, the obstacles faced by applicants and recommendations for Islamic economics universities to adjust their curriculum to the needs of the labor market so that the absorption of alumni from Islamic economic universities can be maximized.

Design/methodology/approach

The informants of this research were the study program management, lecturers of Islamic economic, students, student organizations, graduates, Islamic banking management and Islamic bank customers with purposive and snowball sampling techniques through FGDs and deep interviews. The research data were analyzed by data reduction, content analysis and drawing conclusions. In addition, researchers also used triangulation methods and in-depth observations to find the validity of the data by being directly involved in the FGD discussion.

Findings

The results of this study answered the problem regarding the low absorption of alumni from Islamic economic institutions which consisted of individual internal factors, university environmental factors and university external environmental factors.

Originality/value

Researchers succeeded in providing information on strategies for increasing competency of Sharia economics graduates by optimizing the role of academic advisors, increasing hard skills and soft skills and synchronizing programs and curricula implemented by Islamic economics colleges and Islamic banks.
Research on target recognition and mobile job control of humanoid robot based on KM34Z256 for industrial applications
Authors: Wang Dunhai , Sharma Amit
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Humanoid robot has similar shape and action characteristics as humans, and it can complete some basic tasks instead of humans without changing the human environment, which makes humanoid robot become the best structure and help form for robot to provide services for human beings.

Design/methodology/approach

The mobile operation control of humanoid robot is generated by the walking movement of humanoid robot's feet, and the robot's hand and arm complete grasping and other operations together.

Findings

On the basis of humanoid robot, the integrated system of software and hardware based on the KM34Z256 humanoid robot is described first, and a series of kinematics discussion on its mobile operation is carried out.

Originality/value

The research based on this project shows that the target recognition and positioning method is not only accurate and of high energy but also can realize the mobile operation of humanoid robot.
Exploring digital servitization trajectories within product–service–software space
Authors: Hsuan Juliana , Jovanovic Marin , Clemente Diego Honorato
Published: March 2021

Purpose

This study shows various pathways manufacturers can take when embarking on digital servitization (DS) journeys. It builds on the DS and modularity literature to map the strategic trajectories of product–service–software (PSSw) configurations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is exploratory and based on the inductive theory building method. The empirical data were gathered through a workshop with focus groups of 15 servitization manufacturers (with 22 respondents), an on-site workshop (in-depth case study), semi-structured interviews, observations and document study of archival data.

Findings

The DS trajectories are idiosyncratic and dependent on design architectures of PSSw modules, balancing choices between standardization and innovation. The adoption of software systems depends on the maturity of the industry-specific digital ecosystem. Decomposition and integration of PSSw modules facilitate DS transition through business model modularity. Seven testable propositions are presented.

Research limitations/implications

With the small sample size from different industries and one in-depth case study, generalizing the findings was not possible.

Practical implications

The mapping exercise is powerful when top management from different functional departments can participate together to share their expertise and achieve consensus. It logs the “states” that the manufacturer undergoes over time.

Originality/value

The Digital Servitization Cube serves as a conceptual framework for manufacturers to systematically map and categorize their current and future PSSw strategies. It bridges the cross-disciplinary theoretical discussion in DS.
Exploring the intellectual cores of the blockchain–Internet of Things (BIoT)
Authors: Tsang Y.P. , Wu C.H. , Ip W.H. , Shiau Wen-Lung
Published: March 2021

Purpose

Due to the rapid growth of blockchain technology in recent years, the fusion of blockchain and the Internet of Things (BIoT) has drawn considerable attention from researchers and industrial practitioners and is regarded as a future trend in technological development. Although several authors have conducted literature reviews on the topic, none have examined the development of the knowledge structure of BIoT, resulting in scattered research and development (R&D) efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the intellectual core of BIoT through a co-citation proximity analysis–based systematic review (CPASR) of the correlations between 44 highly influential articles out of 473 relevant research studies. Subsequently, we apply a series of statistical analyses, including exploratory factor analysis (EFA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), k-means clustering (KMC) and multidimensional scaling (MDS) to establish the intellectual core.

Findings

Our findings indicate that there are nine categories in the intellectual core of BIoT: (1) data privacy and security for BIoT systems, (2) models and applications of BIoT, (3) system security theories for BIoT, (4) frameworks for BIoT deployment, (5) the fusion of BIoT with emerging methods and technologies, (6) applied security strategies for using blockchain with the IoT, (7) the design and development of industrial BIoT, (8) establishing trust through BIoT and (9) the BIoT ecosystem.

Originality/value

We use the CPASR method to examine the intellectual core of BIoT, which is an under-researched and topical area. The paper also provides a structural framework for investigating BIoT research that may be applicable to other knowledge domains.
Quit rates and predictors of smoking abstinence in Thai Buddhist monks with noncommunicable diseases
Authors: Laochai Wiwat , Preechawong Sunida
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to calculate the smoking quit rate and to examine the factors influencing smoking abstinence among Thai Buddhist monks with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

Design/methodology/approach

This was a cross-sectional study of 136 Buddhist monks with NCDs purposively sampled from the Priest Hospital. The participants were between 20 and 59 years of age, smoked at least one cigarette a day and received cessation advice from nurses or other health professionals. The dependent variable was self-reported 7-day point-prevalence smoking abstinence assessment at a three-month follow-up. Independent variables were age, schooling level, nicotine dependence, intention to quit, physical activity and perceived self-efficacy in quitting cessation. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors influencing smoking cessation.

Findings

50 of the 136 Thai Buddhist monks (36.8%) reported the 7-day point prevalence abstinence at a three-month follow-up. About two-thirds of the participants indicated health concern as the motivation to quit smoking. Perceived self-efficacy of abstinence (odds ratio 1.04; 95% confidence interval 1.014–1.074) and intention to quit smoking (odds ratio 1.34; 95% confidence interval 1.129–1.599) were significant predictors of abstinence.

Originality/value

This is the first study of its kind to investigate the predictors of smoking cessation in Thai Buddhist monks with NCDs. The findings will be of help to healthcare counselors seeking to motivate monks to quit smoking.
Everyone must help: performance implications of CEO and top management team human capital and corporate political activity
Authors: Harris Christopher M. , Brown Lee Warren
Published: March 2021

Purpose

While research has shown that multiple actors, both internal and external to the organization, influence performance, oftentimes, these actors are studied in isolation. This paper aims to examine the performance implications of both top management team (TMT) and chief executive officer (CEO) human capital. In addition, the authors consider external actors' influence on performance by examining corporate political activity (CPA).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use a sample of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football teams, examining human capital data on the head coaches and the assistant coaches, combined with the schools' participation in NCAA football committees.

Findings

The study findings indicate that organizations engage in various market and nonmarket strategies in concert, and that different strategies result in performance outcome differences. Specifically, we examine how the use of CEO and TMT human capital and CPA interact and influence performance.

Practical implications

The authors examine the moderating effects of political activity on the human capital–performance relationship for both top leaders and TMTs. Organizations benefit from investing in the human capital of their leaders internally and CPA externally.

Originality/value

While organizations engage in market and nonmarket actions in concert, management research has generally studied these concepts in isolation. This paper suggests that both market and nonmarket activities can influence performance.
A pathway for citizen science data to inform policy: A case study using eBird data for defining low‐risk collision areas for wind energy development
Authors: Ruiz‐Gutierrez Viviana , Bjerre Emily R. , Otto Mark C. , Zimmerman Guthrie S. , Millsap Brian A. , Fink Daniel , Stuber Erica F. , Strimas‐Mackey Matthew , Robinson Orin J.
Published: March 2021

The research and conservation community has successfully harnessed the wealth of ecological knowledge found in unprecedented volumes of citizen science (CS) data world‐wide. However, few examples exist of the use of CS data to directly inform policy.

Current examples of applications of CS data mainly stem from programs that are restricted in scope (e.g. defined protocols, restricted sampling time frame), and the potential use of unrestricted CS data to inform policy remains largely untapped.

Here, we make a call for moving beyond questioning the reliability of CS data and present a case study of how the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) used information from an unrestricted CS program (eBird) to inform levels of exposure to collision risk for wind energy development.

Policy implications. The USFWS made the technical recommendation to use eBird abundance estimates for the bald eagle as the only source of information to define low‐risk collision areas as part of the agency's wind energy permitting process. Our study contributes a clear pathway of how to realize the potential of unrestricted CS programs for generating the evidence base needed to inform policy decisions.
Non‐human matter, health disparities and a thousand tiny dis/advantages
Authors: J Fox Nick , Powell Katie
Published: March 2021

The materialist thread within health sociology has observed a clear gradient linking inequalities in health with measures of social class and poverty. More recently, Bourdieu's approach to social class complemented the ‘economic capital’ of Marxist analysis with ‘symbolic’ capitals such as ‘social’ and ‘cultural’. However, efforts to assess how symbolic capital interacts with health disparities reveal complex or contradictory effects. In this paper, we re‐materialise the study of health and social position via a new materialist focus on the interactions between humans and non‐human matter (NHM). We analyse empirical data to disclose the range of human/NHM interactions in daily life, and how these affect people's health status. These interactions establish physical, psychological and social opportunities and constraints on what human bodies can do, contributing to relative advantages and disadvantages. We argue for a revised materialist understanding of sociomaterial position as constituted by a ‘thousand tiny dis/advantages’, and suggest that health and wellbeing are inextricably linked to dis/advantage.
Introduction: Towards an anthropology of data
Authors: Douglas‐Jones Rachel , Walford Antonia , Seaver Nick
Published: March 2021

The world is talking ‘data’. The early cross‐disciplinary, business‐orientated hype around the potential of ‘big’ data, with its promises of unprecedented insight into social life, has given way. Data now motivates a sweep of dystopian visions, from rampant commodification to the invasion of privacy, political manipulation, and shadowy data doubles. Yet anthropologists have been cautious in taking data itself as their object, even as the social life of data practices becomes manifest in our ethnographies. In this introduction, we argue for an anthropology of data that is ethnographically specific and theoretically ambitious, putting forward a case for why anthropological engagements with the data moment might be not only politically important but also conceptually generative.
Hacking anthropology
Authors: Knox Hannah
Published: March 2021

This essay outlines how the ‘hack’ might offer a model for anthropological research in the face of the distributed relations evidenced by digital data. The argument builds on fieldwork with citizens and activists and looks at their attempts to understand and make use of the data produced by energy sensors and monitors. Drawing on their experiences, I suggest that ‘the hack’ emerges as an important form of practice that helps people navigate the place of data in social relations. Taking the hack not just as ethnographic observation but also as a methodological proposition, I use my ethnographic material on the practice of the hack to reconsider the anthropological challenge of doing ethnography of processes that are only perceptible through numerical or digital data. To explore the value of the hack for anthropology, I introduce an example of an attempt to do ethnography in the mode of the hack. The essay ends with reflections on how the hack might provide us with new ways of getting to grips with the anthropological implications of systemic and emergent relations that are both brought to light and remade through data.
Formation of furan in baby food products: Identification and technical challenges
Authors: Javed Farah , Shahbaz Hafiz Muhammad , Nawaz Asad , Olaimat Amin N. , Stratakos Alexandros Ch. , Wahyono Agung , Munir Sadia , Mueen‐ud‐din Ghulam , Ali Zeshan , Park Jiyong
Published: March 2021

Furan is generally produced during thermal processing of various foods including baked, fried, and roasted food items such as cereal products, coffee, canned, and jarred prepared foods as well as in baby foods. Furan is a toxic and carcinogenic compound to humans and may be a vital hazard to infants and babies. Furan could be formed in foods through thermal degradation of carbohydrates, dissociation of amino acids, and oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The detection of furan in food products is difficult due to its high volatility and low molecular weight. Headspace solid‐phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) is generally used for analysis of furan in food samples. The risk assessment of furan can be characterized using margin of exposure approach (MOE). Conventional strategies including cooking in open vessels, reheating of commercially processed foods with stirring, and physical removal using vacuum treatment have remained unsuccessful for the removal of furan due to the complex production mechanisms and possible precursors of furan. The innovative food‐processing technologies such as high‐pressure processing (HPP), high‐pressure thermal sterilization (HPTS), and Ohmic heating have been adapted for the reduction of furan levels in baby foods. But in recent years, only HPP has gained interest due to successful reduction of furan because of its nonthermal mechanism. HPP‐treated baby food products are commercially available from different food companies. This review summarizes the mechanism involved in the formation of furan in foods, its toxicity, and identification in infant foods and presents a solution for limiting its formation, occurrence, and retention using novel strategies.
De novo assembly and SSR loci analysis in Gasterophilus nasalis (Diptera: Oestridae)
Authors: Zhang Tiange , Zhang Ke , Zhou Tong , Zhou Ran , Ge Yan , Wang Zhenbiao , Shao Huimin , Zhang Dong , Li Kai
Published: March 2021

Gasterophilus nasalis, an obligate parasite of equids, is distributed worldwide and causes severe damage when abundant in the host's digestive tract. However, detailed genomic information is lacking for this pathogen. In this study, we generated 27.47 Gb of clean data on G. nasalis using the Illumina Hiseq™ 4000 sequencing platform. De novo analysis of sequencing reads revealed 37,289 unigenes obtained from G. nasalis, with an average length of 1,335 bp and N50 length of 1,808 bp. All unigenes were searched against the non‐redundant (NR) databases using BlastX and were primarily annotated to the NCBI nr database (13 396, 35.92%), exhibiting highest homology with sequences from Lucilia cuprina. Further, a total of 9255 unigenes were annotated to three functional categories and 54 subclasses under the Gene Ontology (GO) database. Meanwhile, 6817 unigenes were assigned to 43 biochemical pathways under KEGG database, of which the signal transduction pathway was the most enriched. Moreover, 28 250 simple sequence repeats were found to be located in 16 538 unigenes, and A/T was the dominant repeat in 275 repeated motif types. The results of this study will lay a theoretical foundation for the development of biological control strategies for G. nasalis.
Attenuator LRR – a regulatory tool for modulating gene expression in Gram‐positive bacteria
Authors: Cai Xia , Wang Qian , Fang Yu , Yao Die , Zhan Yunda , An Baoju , Yan Bing , Cai Jun
Published: March 2021

With the rapid development of synthetic biology in recent years, particular attention has been paid to RNA devices, especially riboswitches, because of their significant and diverse regulatory roles in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Due to the limited performance and context‐dependence of riboswitches, only a few of them (such as theophylline, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin riboswitches) have been utilized as regulatory tools in biotechnology. In the present study, we demonstrated that a ribosome‐dependent ribo‐regulator, LRR, discovered in our previous work, exhibits an attractive regulatory performance. Specifically, it offers a 60‐fold change in expression in the presence of retapamulin and a low level of leaky expression of about 1–2% without antibiotics. Moreover, LRR can be combined with different promoters and performs well in Bacillus thuringiensis, B. cereus, B. amyloliquefaciens, and B. subtilis. Additionally, LRR also functions in the Gram‐negative bacterium Escherichia coli. Furthermore, we demonstrate its ability to control melanin metabolism in B. thuringiensis BMB171. Our results show that LRR can be applied to regulate gene expression, construct genetic circuits and tune metabolic pathways, and has great potential for many applications in synthetic biology.
CT‐guided iodine‐125 brachytherapy as salvage therapy for recurrent mediastinal lymph node metastasis
Authors: Dong Hong , Li Lin , Xing Dianjin , Li Yuliang , Wang Wujie
Published: March 2021

Background

The treatment of recurrent mediastinal lymph node metastasis (MLNMs) is challenging. We conducted this study to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of computed tomography (CT)‐guided percutaneous iodine‐125 brachytherapy for MLNMs.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 33 patients with recurrent MLNMs treated with CT‐guided interstitial implantation of iodine‐125 seeds. Regular contrast‐enhanced CT was conducted to evaluate the tumor response. Follow‐up survival, quality of life, and adverse events were analyzed.

Results

The number of implanted seeds was 16–85 (median, 40). The matched peripheral dose was 110–160 Gy. The patients were followed up for 5–24 months (median, 14 months). At the last follow‐up or death, complete response to therapy was achieved in 11 patients (33.3%) and partial response in 18 patients (54.5%). The median survival time of this cohort was 15.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.9–20.5 months); the estimated one‐ and two‐year survival rates were 68.6% and 31.1%, respectively. The Karnofsky performance score increased significantly after the procedure (p = 0.007). Pneumothorax with pulmonary compression of 30% to 40% occurred in five (15.2%) patients and was cured after drainage. No severe complications occurred.

Conclusions

CT‐guided iodine‐125 brachytherapy provided a safe and effective choice for recurrent mediastinal lymph node metastasis with significant local therapeutic effects and minor complications, especially for patients who were not eligible for surgical resection and had failed to benefit from systemic therapy.
At‐risk acquirers: survival strategy or last‐ditch effort?
Authors: Coyne Joshua , Kim Kevin H. , Talakai Jayson
Published: March 2021

Managers of at‐risk firms have incentives to prolong the life of the company or to extract personal wealth prior to firm liquidation, and they can pursue a number of activities in order to achieve these goals. Prior studies have investigated the consequences of managers becoming targets for acquisition. In this study, we examine the consequences of at‐risk firms doing the opposite: buying other firms (i.e., becoming at‐risk acquirers). We find two positive consequences of becoming at‐risk acquirers. At‐risk acquirers (1) avoid delisting due to poor performance and (2) leave at‐risk status in the year following the acquisition. We also find that these benefits are only temporary and come at a cost. Specifically, at‐risk acquirers are less likely to become subsequent targets, and they quickly return to at‐risk status. These results indicate that the decision of the manager of an at‐risk firm to become an at‐risk acquirer buys the manager more time but does not help the firm.
Body temperature fatigue behaviour of reciprocating and rotary glide path instruments in sodium hypochlorite solutions alone or combined with etidronate
Authors: Perez‐Villalba Dario , Macorra José C. , Perez‐Higueras Juan J. , Peters Ove A. , Arias Ana
Published: March 2021

The aim of the study was to compare cyclic fatigue (CF) resistance of reciprocating and rotary glide path instruments in the presence of irrigation solutions at body temperature. CF resistance of 100 instruments (50 ProGlider and 50 WaveOne Gold Glider) was tested in sodium hypochlorite solutions alone (NaOCl) or in combination with etidronate (NaOCl/HEBP). The CF platform with a simulated canal (curvature = 60°/radius = 3 mm) was submerged in a temperature‐controlled bath with the solutions kept at 37 ± 1°C controlled by a precision mercury glass thermometer. Instruments were actioned following manufacturer guidelines, and time to failure was recorded and compared among groups with Weibull analysis. Reciprocating glide path preparation instruments were more resistant to CF than rotary instruments in both irrigation solutions. The irrigation solution did not affect the mean life of ProGlider, but reciprocating instruments lasted significantly longer used in presence of NaOCl compared to NaOCl/HEBP.
An integrated scalp and blood biomarker approach suggests the systemic nature of alopecia areata
Authors: Glickman Jacob W. , Dubin Celina , Dahabreh Dante , Han Joseph , Del Duca Ester , Estrada Yeriel D. , Zhang Ning , Kimmel Grace W. , Singer Giselle , Krueger James G. , Pavel Ana B. , Guttman‐Yassky Emma
Published: March 2021

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is characterized by immune dysregulation in both scalp and blood, but a large‐scale approach establishing biomarkers of AA incorporating both scalp tissue and serum compartments is lacking. We aimed to characterize the transcriptomic signature of AA lesional and nonlesional scalp compared to healthy scalp and determine its relationship with the blood proteome in the same individuals, with comparative correlations to clinical AA disease severity.

Methods

We evaluated lesional and nonlesional scalp tissues and serum from patients with moderate‐to‐severe AA (n = 18) and healthy individuals (n = 8). We assessed 33,118 genes in AA scalp tissue using RNAseq transcriptomic evaluation and 340 inflammatory proteins in serum using OLINK high‐throughput proteomics. Univariate and multivariate approaches were used to correlate disease biomarkers with Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT).

Results

A total of 608 inflammatory genes were differentially expressed in lesional AA scalp (fold change/FCH>1.5, false discovery rate/FDR<0.05) including Th1 (IFNG/IL12B/CXCL11), Th2 (IL13/CCL18), and T‐cell activation‐related (ICOS) products. Th1/Th2‐related markers were significantly correlated with AA clinical severity in lesional/nonlesional tissue, while keratins (KRT35/KRT83/KRT81) were significantly downregulated in lesional compared to healthy scalp (p < .05). Expression of cardiovascular/atherosclerosis‐related markers (MMP9/CCL2/IL1RL1/IL33R/ST2/AGER) in lesional scalp correlated with their corresponding serum expression (p < .05). AA scalp demonstrated significantly greater biomarker dysregulation compared to blood. An integrated multivariate approach combining scalp and serum biomarkers improved correlations with disease severity/SALT.

Conclusion

This study contributes a unique understanding of the phenotype of moderate‐to‐severe AA with an integrated scalp and serum biomarker model suggesting the systemic nature of the disease, advocating for the need for immune‐based systemic treatment.
Role of intraretinal and subretinal fluid on clinical and anatomical outcomes in patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration treated with bimonthly, treat‐and‐extend and as‐needed ranibizumab in the In‐Eye study
Authors: Saenz‐de‐Viteri Manuel , Recalde Sergio , Fernandez‐Robredo Patricia , López Gálvez María Isabel , Arias Barquet Lluís , Figueroa Marta S. , García‐Arumí José , García‐Layana Alfredo ,   The In‐Eye Study Group
Published: March 2021

Purpose

To assess the effect of fluid status at baseline (BL) and at the end of the loading phase (LP) of three different ranibizumab regimens: treat‐and‐extend (T&E), fixed bimonthly (FBM) injections and pro re nata (PRN), in patients with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Design

Post hoc analysis of the In‐Eye study (phase IV clinical trial).

Methods

Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to the three study arms and were treated accordingly. The presence and type of fluid, intraretinal fluid (IRF) or subretinal fluid (SRF) and the anatomical and visual outcomes were analysed.

Main outcome measures

Best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the mean change from baseline BCVA (BL BCVA), and the proportion of eyes gaining more than 15 letters or losing more than five letters were analysed. Morphological characteristics including the subtype of choroidal neovascular membrane and the development of atrophy and fibrosis were also evaluated.

Results

Patients with SRF at LP had better visual outcomes than patients with IRF. The persistence of SRF did not affect the mean change from BL BCVA among the three treatment regimens. However, in patients with IRF mean change from BL BCVA was significantly lower in the FBM group. The presence of IRF at BL and at the end of the loading phase was associated with the development of fibrosis at the end of the study; this result was contrary to that observed for patients with SRF.

Conclusions

While SRF is compatible with good visual and anatomical outcomes, IRF leads to worse results in patients with nAMD; our results suggest that patients with IRF have better outcomes when individualized treatment regimens are used (PRN or T&E) in contrast with a FBM regimen.