bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dietary influences on head and neck ranges of motion in neotropical bats
Authors: Grider‐Potter N. , Rummel A.
Published: August 2022

The primary functions of the tetrapod neck are to maintain head stability and facilitate head mobility. Both stability and mobility should be especially important during foraging. Head stability facilitates the function of the vestibulocochlear, auditory, and visual organs while mobility allows for the motion of that visual field as well as the mouth for food capture and processing. Species that rely on different resources should be under different selective pressures with regard to range of motion of the head and neck and the musculoskeletal morphologies that sustain them. Bats are useful model species to investigate these pressures because they display a wide variety of foraging behaviors. This study tests the hypothesis that dietary regime influences maximum ranges of motion found in the head and neck. To test this hypothesis, a dietarily diverse group of bats were caught in the field and their active ranges of head–neck motion were measured via photographs. Diet information was taken from the literature. Additionally, gross neck dimensions (mediolateral neck width and craniocaudal neck length) were measured using calipers. Phylogenetic statistical methods support the hypothesis and demonstrate that frugivorous species have much smaller ranges of head and neck motion. The results indicate that frugivorous species may require stiffness in their cervical spine in order to carry heavy fruits and maintain head stability simultaneously. Future work should investigate the anatomical differences in the head and neck among bats that influence this stiffness as well as other dietary behaviors that could be shaping the form and function of the head and neck.
Isolation, purification and structural elucidation of Mellein from endophytic fungus Lasiodiplodia theobromae strain (SJF-1) and its broad-spectrum antimicrobial and pharmacological properties
Authors: Saraswathi M. , Meshram S.H. , Siva B. , Misra S. , Suresh Babu K.
Published: August 2022

In an on-going investigation of bioactive metabolites producing potential endophytic fungi, the strain Lasiodiplodia theobromae (SJF-1) was isolated from a medicinal plant Syzygium cumini. The cultural, morphological and molecular identification was done with the SJF-1 strain. The obtained gene sequence was deposited in NCBI with accession number MG 938644. The methanolic extract of SJF-1 strain possessed one major bioactive fraction, and it was purified by column chromatography. Further, it was identified as Mellein by various spectroscopic studies (1H, 13C, DEPT-135°, FT-IR, ESI-HR-MS and 2D NMR). Biologically, Mellein showed potent anti-Xanthomonas activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 1·9 to 62·5 μg ml−1 against 11 Xanthomonas strains, a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity with MIC 7·8–31·25 μg ml−1 and 1·9–31·25 μg ml−1 towards both bacterial and fungal strains, respectively. The scanning electron microscope analysis proved the antimicrobial efficacy of a Mellein by rupturing the cell walls of Xanthomonas sp. Molecular docking studies further supported that the Mellein showed good binding interactions with the proteins of Xanthomonas sp. to reduce pathogenicity. Further, in silico pharmacological studies showed that this metabolite exhibited high gastrointestinal absorption properties and promising oral drug bioavailability. We report, anti-Xanthomonas, in silico docking and pharmacological studies of Mellein from (SJF-1) strain for the first time.
Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of thiolated methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl) chitosan as a new derivative of chitosan
Authors: Dehdari S. , Rastegari A. , Samadi N. , Mohammadi Z.
Published: August 2022

Despite chitosan, a natural cationic polysaccharide derived from chitin, being applied as an antimicrobial agent, many studies are being performed for enhancing its capability to fight against pathogens. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effect of thiolated methylated N-(4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzyl) chitosan (TTMAC) polymer and its nanoparticles as a novel derivation of chitosan. The polymer derivative was synthetized and characterized via 1H NMR, Fourier transform infrared and the Elman test. The nanoparticles with different N/P ratios were prepared by the ionic gelation method and were characterized by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. The cellular toxicity of polymer and nanoparticles at different concentrations were evaluated on human MCF-7 cell line. Antimicrobial assay was performed on Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) as Gram-negative, Gram-positive and yeast pathogens, respectively. The obtained results have shown the TTMAC polymer has a higher inhibition activity against microbial pathogens and also lower cellular toxicity in comparison with chitosan polymer. Furthermore, chitosan nanoparticles in comparison with TTMAC nanoparticles have lower size and highest zeta potential in different ratio and chitosan nanoparticles have more inhibitory effects against microbial pathogens. In conclusion, TTMAC derivative in polymeric form can be a promising tool against microbial pathogens.
Campylobacter jejuni and other emerging Campylobacteraceae in retail beef liver – an underestimated potential source?
Authors: Lopez-Cantillo M. , Opazo-Capurro A. , Lopez-Joven C. , Vidal-Veuthey B. , Collado L.
Published: August 2022

Bovine by-products, such as liver, could be an underestimated source of Campylobacter jejuni. Therefore, our aims were to evaluate the occurrence of C. jejuni and other Campylobacteraceae in retail beef liver and characterize their antibiotic resistance (ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, erythromycin and gentamicin) and potential genetic relationship by flagellin gene restriction fragment length polymorphism (flaA-RFLP) and multilocus sequence typing with clinical strains. Seventy-six out of 206 samples (36·9%) were positive for Campylobacter and related organisms. Arcobacter butzleri was the most frequently isolated species (21·8%), followed by C. jejuni (9·7%), C. fetus (7·8%) and C. coli (1%). The C. jejuni strains showed resistance to tetracycline (17·2%) or ciprofloxacin (6·9%), with only one strain resistant to both antibiotics. Meanwhile, 8·3% of ciprofloxacin resistance was observed in C. fetus. The other species showed no resistance. Most of the clonal complexes (CC) in which the C. jejuni genotypes were grouped (CC-21, 42, 48 and 52), coincided with genotypes of clinical strains previously reported in Chile. As such, this study provides evidence that beef liver could be an underestimated route for resistant C. jejuni to humans. Further studies should assess whether this food could play a role in the transmission of other emerging Campylobacteraceae such as those reported here.
Synergistic effects of a functional bacterial consortium on enhancing phenanthrene biodegradation and counteracting rare earth biotoxicity in liquid and slurry systems
Authors: Wang M. , Liu C. , Zhang J. , Xiao K. , Pan T.
Published: August 2022

The biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by micro-organisms in the environment is often inhibited by coexisting metal ions. The aim of this work is to study a bacterial consortium for enhancing phenanthrene biodegradation under the inhibition effect of the rare earth (RE) ions Ce3+ and Y3+. This bacterial consortium was composed of two bacteria, namely, the RE-adsorbing Bacillus subtilis MSP117 and the phenanthrene-degrading Moraxella osloensis CFP312. Ce3+ and Y3+ at the concentration of 1·15 mmol l−1 inhibited CFP312 from degrading phenanthrene but not glucose. Using glucose as a co-substrate could promote the proliferation of CFP312 but decreased phenanthrene degradation. Adsorption experiments and electron microscopy imaging showed that CFP312 had no RE ions adsorption capacity for RE ions and that RE elements could not be observed on its cell surfaces. MSP117 could adsorb 0·14 and 0·12 mmol g−1 wet cells of Ce3+ and Y3+ in aqueous solution, respectively, thus demonstrating considerable adsorption capacity. The MSP117 cell surface immobilized part of the free RE ions and reduced their bioaccessibility, thereby alleviating their biotoxic effect on phenanthrene degradation by CFP312. In liquid and slurry systems, glucose, which was used as the co-substrate of the bacterial consortium, must be kept at a low level to avoid the catabolism repression of phenanthrene degradation by CFP312.
Molecular mechanisms and clonal lineages of colistin-resistant bacteria across the African continent: a scoping review
Authors: Hassen B. , Hammami S. , Hassen A. , Abbassi M.S.
Published: August 2022

Colistin (also known as polymyxin E), a polymyxin antibiotic discovered in the late 1940s, has recently reemerged as a last-line treatment option for multidrug-resistant infections. However, in recent years, colistin-resistant pathogenic bacteria have been increasingly reported worldwide. Accordingly, the presented review was undertaken to identify, integrate and synthesize current information regarding the detection and transmission of colistin-resistant bacteria across the African continent, in addition to elucidating their molecular mechanisms of resistance. PubMed, Google Scholar and Science Direct were employed for study identification, screening and extraction. Overall, based on the developed literature review protocol and associated inclusion/exclusion criteria, 80 studies published between 2000 and 2021 were included comprising varying bacterial species and hosts. Numerous mechanisms of colistin resistance were reported, including chromosomal mutation(s) and transferable plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (encoded by mcr genes). Perhaps unexpectedly, mcr-variants have exhibited rapid emergence and spread across most African regions. The genetic variant mcr-1 is predominant in humans, animals and the natural environment, and is primarily carried by IncHI2- type plasmid. The highest number of studies reporting the dissemination of colistin-resistant Gram-negative bacteria were conducted in the North African region.
Shock degree and graphite geothermometry in ureilites NWA 6871 and NWA 3140
Authors: Christ Oliver , Barbaro Anna , Brenker Frank E. , Nimis Paolo , Novella Davide , Domeneghetti M. Chiara , Nestola Fabrizio
Published: August 2022

Carbon aggregates from two differently shocked ureilites were analyzed to gain insight into the shock transformation of graphite to diamond in ureilites, which happened when the ureilite parent body (UPB) was most likely destroyed by massive impact events. We present data for carbon aggregates from the highly shocked (U‐S6) Northwest Africa (NWA) 6871 and the medium shocked (U‐S3) NWA 3140. Both samples contain abundant carbon aggregates which were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction and micro‐Raman spectroscopy revealing the presence of close associations of (compressed) nanographite, micro‐ and nanodiamond, as well as Fe‐rich phases. Graphite and diamond in NWA 6871 show shock indicators that are absent in NWA 3140. Based on Raman geothermometry on graphite, we calculated mean temperatures of 1368 ± 120 °C and 1370 ± 120 °C for NWA 3140 and NWA 6871, respectively. For comparison, a geothermometer based on the partitioning of Cr between olivine and low‐Ca pyroxene was applied on NWA 3140, which yielded a temperature of only 1215 ± 16 °C. The graphite‐based temperatures are the highest reported for graphite in ureilites so far and exceed calculated magmatic temperatures for ureilites from silicate‐ and chromite‐based geothermometers. Graphite temperatures fall into the temperature field of catalytic diamond synthesis, which supports the hypothesis of direct transformation from graphite to diamond upon shock. Although the temperatures estimated seem to be independent of the shock degree, they can be ascribed to the shock event that destroyed the UPB.
Cracking open the witch's spell book: the witchweed genome provides clues to plant parasitism
Authors: Westwood James H.
Published: August 2022

This article is a Commentary on Qiu et al. (2022), 236: 622–638.
Clinical Outcomes of Arthroscopy‐Assisted Modified Triple Endobutton Plate Fixation in Rockwood Type III Acute Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Jiang Hantao , Tong Jingling , Shen Liping , Jin Gang , Zhu Rangteng
Published: August 2022

Objective

The common triple Endobutton plate (CTEP) fixation is a lengthy procedure that is associated with high failure rates. Therefore, we used arthroscopy to improve the Endobutton fixation method by shortening the duration of surgery and reducing operative complications. This study explored the safety and effectiveness of arthroscopy‐assisted modified triple Endobutton plate (MTEP) fixation in Rockwood type III managing acute acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocation.

Methods

This was a retrospective single‐center study involving 73 patients with Rockwood type III acute ACJ dislocation treated between January 2016 and January 2021. The 73 patients were classified into three groups, the acromioclavicular hook plate (ACHP) group (22 cases), CTEP group (24 cases) and MTEP group (27 cases), based on the type of surgical treatment they received. Clinical outcome data from the patient records, including the Constant–Murley score (CMS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES) and University of California at Los Angeles shoulder rating scale score (UCLA), were retrospectively reviewed. The scores were assessed before surgery and at the third and twelfth month after surgery. The clavicle‐coracoid (CC) distance on the affected side was estimated from imaging scans taken before surgery, on the second day after surgery, and within the third and twelfth month after surgery. The student's t‐test was used to compare normally distributed data for independent samples, while homogeneity of variance test was used to compare normally distributed data among multiple groups. Non‐normally distributed data were compared using Mann–Whitney rank‐sum tests.

Results

There were no differences in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), dislocated side, trauma etiology, and duration of follow‐up among the three groups. There was also no significant difference in the duration of surgery between the ACHP and MTEP groups, although the duration in the two groups was shorter than in the CTEP group (P < 0.05). The duration of hospitalization for the MTEP group was significantly shorter than for the CTEP group which was in turn shorter than for the ACHP group (both P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative CMS, ASES, and UCLA scores between the CTEP and MTEP groups but the score for the two groups differed significantly from those of the ACHP group (all Ps < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in CC distance among the three groups after surgery (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Arthroscopic reconstruction of the coracoclavicular ligament using MTEP fixation to manage acute Rockwood type III ACJ dislocation is minimally invasive, and is associated with rapid functional recovery, few complications and satisfactory early clinical results.
Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Scaphoid Fracture Nonunion: A Hospital‐Based Study in Beijing, China
Authors: Yin Yaobin , Xu Ke , Zhang Nan , Yi Zhe , Liu Bo , Chen Shanlin
Published: August 2022

Objective

Studies exploring the epidemiological characteristics of scaphoid fracture nonunion are important to understand the causes and lead to effective prevention strategy. However, such knowledge is limited especially in China. This study aims to reveal the clinical and epidemiological features of scaphoid fracture nonunion in Chinese patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective study, which was based on patients with scaphoid fracture nonunion treated in a Chinese national orthopedic referral center from 1 August 2009 to 1 August 2020. The basic demographic and clinical characteristics, including gender, age at diagnosis of scaphoid fracture nonunion, dominant hand, the location of fracture, the side, the causes of the injury, age of the injury, age of the treatment for scaphoid fracture nonunion, and the delay period, were retrieved from the medical records. The patients were divided into a non‐delay group and a delay group based on whether they had visited the doctor within 1 month after the injury. Scaphoid fracture was classified into the proximal, waist, and distal fractures according to the location. The t‐test or Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the difference between groups when the dependent variable is continuous, while a chi‐square test was used when the dependent variable is categorical.

Results

A total of 363 patients were included in this study. The mean age at the diagnosis of scaphoid fracture nonunion was 32 (ranging from 14 to 78). Waist fracture nonunion (76.5%) was most common. Among the 169 patients who sought medical care within 1 month after the injury (non‐delay group), more than half (90 cases) were misdiagnosed. 23 cases could not recall the injury, so the time of delay could not be determined. Among the 171 patients who did not seek medical care for acute injury (delay group), the average time was 52 months between the initial injury and the treatment. The proportion of waist nonunions was higher among patients in the delay group than that in the non‐delay group.

Conclusions

Nonunion of scaphoid fracture is caused mainly by delayed treatment and misdiagnosis in China, suggesting that timely treatment and improved diagnosis could lower the prevalence. The fracture location may be a factor contributing to the delaying of seeking medical care.
Fictional Characters and Characterisations
Authors: Connolly Niall
Published: August 2022

Realists about fictional characters posit a certain theoretical role and a candidate to fill this role. I will delineate the role realists take fictional characters like Emma Woodhouse to fill, and I will argue that it is better filled by what I will call ‘characterisations’. In explaining what I mean by ‘characterisations’, I will show that the existence of these entities is comparatively uncontroversial. Realists should acknowledge their existence, but doing so, I will argue, obviates the need to acknowledge the existence of Emma and other fictional individuals.
Defining compassion: A Delphi study of compassion therapists’ experiences when introducing patients to the term ‘compassion’
Authors: McEwan Kirsten , Minou Lina
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Compassion‐focused therapy (CFT) is shown to be an effective psychological intervention; however, patients can experience resistance to CFT due to preconceptions regarding the term ‘compassion’. This study aims to obtain guidance from therapists in how to overcome these resistances

Design

This is the first study using the Delphi methodology to ask CFT therapists about how their patients understanding of the term compassion might act as a barrier to engaging with an otherwise beneficial therapy.

Methods

Two rounds of interview questions were posed to 15 expert CFT therapists.

Results

The results provide verification that there is resistance to CFT due to preconceptions around ‘compassion’, specifically its association with ‘pity’, ‘weakness’ and low‐rank social positions. Further, this appears to be pronounced in patients who value competitiveness.

Conclusions

The results have practical implications such as the need for therapists to acknowledge the potential for resistance and the need for experiential strategies and illustrative examples of compassion to facilitate successful engagement with CFT.
Integrated multi‐omics analysis uncovers roles of mdm‐miR164b‐MdORE1 in strigolactone‐mediated inhibition of adventitious root formation in apple
Authors: Fan Xingqiang , Li Hui , Guo Yushuang , Sun Haochen , Wang Shiyao , Qi Qi , Jiang Xiangning , Wang Yi , Xu Xuefeng , Qiu Changpeng , Li Wei , Han Zhenhai
Published: August 2022

Apple is one of the most important fruit crops in temperate regions and largely relies on cutting propagation. Adventitious root formation is crucial for the success of cutting propagation. Strigolactones have been reported to function in rooting of woody plants. In this study, we determined that strigolactones have inhibitory effects on adventitious root formation in apple. Transcriptome analysis identified 12 051 differentially expressed genes over the course of adventitious root initiation, with functions related to organogenesis, cell wall biogenesis or plant development. Further analysis indicated that strigolactones might inhibit adventitious root formation through repressing two core hub genes, MdLAC3 and MdORE1. Combining small RNA and degradome sequencing, as well as dual‐luciferase sensor assays, we identified and validated three negatively correlated miRNA–mRNA pairs, including mdm‐miR397–MdLAC3 and mdm‐miR164a/b–MdORE1. Overexpression of mdm‐miR164b and silencing MdORE1 exhibited enhanced adventitious root formation in tobacco and apple, respectively. Finally, we verified the role of mdm‐miR164b–MdORE1 in strigolactone‐mediated repression of rooting ability. Overall, the identified comprehensive regulatory network in apple not only provides insight into strigolactone‐mediated adventitious root formation in other woody plants, but also points to a potential strategy for genetic improvement of rooting capacity in woody plants.
Identifying institutional configurations for policy outcomes: A comparison of ecosystem services delivery
Authors: Bazzan Giulia , Candel Jeroen , Daugbjerg Carsten , Pecurul Mireia
Published: August 2022

This paper employs the Institutional Analysis and Development framework across six ecosystem delivery measures in the European Union to develop a configurational explanation of (un)successful outcomes. By undertaking comparative institutional analysis, we systematically examine the effect of variation across rule types and generate insights on how different institutional configurations result in varying degrees of successful implementation of ecosystem delivery measures. We apply explanatory typology methods to identify the institutional features that best explain variation in implementation success across a number of cases. We argue that institutional rules shape outcomes in conjunction rather than in isolation. The findings show that differences in implementation success across cases can be explained by the interplay of differences in knowledge exchange, flexibility in implementation, and participation in the policy design process.
Seismonomics: Listening to the Heartbeat of the Economy
Authors: Tiozzo Pezzoli Luca , Tosetti Elisa
Published: August 2022

Seismometers continuously record a wide range of ground vibrations that are not necessarily related to earthquake activity, but are rather caused by human activity such as industrial processes and traffic. We isolate the human-made imprints from a huge data set made of nearly 20 years of continuously recorded seismic data in Beijing, China, and construct a new daily indicator, the Vibration Index, to forecast regional industrial production. We find that our indicator closely tracks business cycle fluctuations particularly during economic crises. Our results provide policymakers with a new tool to monitor the economy at a highly granular level.
Combined assessment of Epstein–Barr virus viral capsid antigen and Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen‐1 serology for post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder risk stratification in adult solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Heldman Madeleine R. , Edlefsen Kerstin L. , Pepper Gregory , Kapnadak Siddhartha G. , Rakita Robert M. , Fisher Cynthia E. , Limaye Ajit P.
Published: August 2022

Background

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) seronegative solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are at increased risk for post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Assays for EBV serostatus assess antibody to both EBV viral capsid antigen (VCA) and Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen‐1 (EBNA‐1), but PTLD risk among SOT recipients with discordant VCA and EBNA‐1 results is unknown.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, single‐center cohort study to determine the risk of PTLD among adult (≥ 18 years) SOTRs with discordant pre‐transplant VCA and EBNA‐1 IgG compared to that of SOTRs with concordantly negative or concordantly positive serology using univariable and multivariable Cox‐proportional hazards models.

Results

Of 4106 SOTRs, the number (%) who were concordantly positive, concordantly negative, and discordant was 3787 (92.2%), 149 (3.6%), and 170 (4.2%), respectively. The adjusted hazard of PTLD was significantly higher among discordant SOTRs compared to concordantly positive SOTRs (aHR 2.6, 95% CI 1.04–6.6, p =.04) and lower compared to concordantly negative SOTRs (aHR 0.27, 95% CI 0.10–0.76, p <.001). The adjusted hazard of EBV+ PTLD among those with discordant serology was also significantly higher compared to the concordantly positive cohort (aHR 3.53, 95% CI 1.04–12.0, p =.04) and significantly lower compared to the concordantly negative cohort (aHR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06–0.82, p =.02).

Conclusions

Risk of PTLD among SOTRs with discordant VCA and EBNA‐1 may be intermediate between those with concordantly positive and negative serology. If confirmed in future studies, revision of national EBV serology reporting to include both VCA and EBNA results may be needed to optimize PTLD risk stratification.

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Defining Resilience Index Based on Gaussian Distribution
Authors: Da Silva Iara Rosa , Barbosa Renata Jordani , De Souza Mariana Aranha , De Araújo Ceres Alves , Dos Santos Carlos Alberto Moreira
Published: August 2022

This study intends to know whether the Resilience Index established in the Resiliency Scales for Children and Adolescents (RSCA) can be redefined based on Gaussian distribution. Based on quali and quantitative analyses, the study was performed using two sets of data obtained with 1268 students, between 9 and 18 years old, enrolled in four schools. The results were discussed statically with the Gaussian distribution. The results provide a precise way to classify the group of students in five different levels of resilience, which are established based on the standard deviation. The results show that the low and high Resilience Index levels represent groups of approximately 16% of the studied population. The possible correlation between the average Resilience Index of a particular school with the Human Development Index, where the school is located, is also discussed.
THE ALLIANCE OF DOUBT WITH CERTAINTY
Authors: Cassella Antonio
Published: August 2022

Hitler assaulted the USSR in June 1941. The Russian resistance in Stalingrad/Volgograd, Moscow, and Leningrad/Saint-Petersburg, together with the American factories of vehicles and ammunitions, won WW2. The West forgot the heroism of Russians when refusing to approve about thirty years ago a Marshall-like Plan to redistribute the assets of the communist state, thus firming the hand of the Oligarchs who bought major properties in Russia with few and cheap legal pieces of paper. America and Europe forgot then that the Soviets had half the deaths of WW2, with 40% Ukrainians. Today most people forget that Russia and Ukraine can help us avoid now WW3 and a possible avalanche of global warming, an action more vital than the war between two Slav nations coined in the Rus’ of Kiev 1000 years ago.
Redundant Manipulator Kinematics and Dynamics on Differentiable Manifolds
Authors: Haug Edward J. , Peidro Adrian
Published: August 2022

A recently published treatment of nonredundant manipulator kinematics and dynamics on differentiable manifolds is extended to kinematically redundant manipulators. Analysis at the configuration level shows that forward kinematics and dynamics of redundant manipulators are identical to that for nonredundant manipulators. The manifold-based inverse kinematics formulation that is presented for redundant manipulators, in contrast, yields parameterizations of set-valued inverse kinematic mappings at the configuration level, where sharper results are obtained than those presented in the literature using velocity formulations. Explicit expressions are derived for set-valued inverse kinematic mappings for both serial and nonserial (called compound) kinematically redundant manipulators, as functions of vectors of arbitrary parameters. Parameterizations are presented for both manipulator regular configuration manifolds and self-motion manifolds, the latter comprised of sets of inputs that map into the same output. It is shown that kinematically redundant configuration manifolds and self-motion differentiable manifolds are distinctly different and play complementary roles in redundant manipulator kinematics. Computational methods are presented for evaluation of set-valued inverse kinematic mappings, without problem-dependent ad hoc analytical manipulations. Redundant serial and compound manipulator examples are presented to illustrate computation of set-valued inverse kinematic mappings and the use of self-motion manifold mappings in obstacle avoidance applications. Differentiation of configuration level inverse mappings yields inverse velocity and acceleration mappings as functions of time-dependent arbitrary parameters that play a central role in manipulator dynamics and control.
Research history and progress of six vector chigger species of scrub typhus in China
Authors: Xiang Rong , Ren Tian-Guang , Guo Xian-Guo
Published: August 2022

Scrub typhus (tsutsugamushi disease) is caused by the causative agent, Orientia tsutsugamushi, and it is a widespread zoonosis and vector-borne disease. Chigger mites (trombiculid mites) are the exclusive vectors of this disease. To date, more than 500 species of chigger mites have been documented in China, and six of them have been proved to be the main effective vector species of scrub typhus: Leptotrombidium deliense, L. scutellare, L. rubellum, L. sialkotense, L. wenense and L. insulare. The present paper reviewed the research history and progress of the six vector chigger species in China, which covered their history of nomenclature, vector roles, morphological identification, life cycle, distribution, host selection and seasonal fluctuation, etc.
The first description of the larva of Hirstithrombium Oudemans (Trombidiformes, Prostigmata, Johnstonianidae), with redescription of Hirstithrombium noemiae Feider, based on all active life instars
Authors: Buğa Evren , Sevsay Sevgi , Mąkol Joanna
Published: August 2022

Hirstithrombium noemiae Feider, 1955, representing one of the eight genera currently assigned to Johnstonianinae, is redescribed based on field-collected adults, deutonymphs and larvae, and also larvae obtained at the laboratory from field-born females. The species is associated with hygric habitats located at higher altitudes. A successful rearing allowed the first matching of heteromorphic instars within the genus known hitherto exclusively from active postlarval forms. A comparison of genera of Johnstonianinae, including species known from larvae and/or active postlarval forms is provided, species presently assigned to subfamily are listed and the key characters used in species diagnosing are discussed. A female of Hirstithrombium noemiae Feider, 1955 collected in Turkey is designated as neotype.
Influence of the cattle body weight estimation for drug dosing on the pharmacokinetic and efficacy of ivermectin against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus
Authors: Victoria Miró María , Sarli Macarena , Rossner María Victoria , Gómez Viviana , Toffaletti José , Lifschitz Adrián , Nava Santiago
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to evaluate how the method of body weight estimation of a herd (average vs individual) for drug dosing may affect the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of ivermectin 3.15% against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. The trial was performed in two populations of R. (B.) microplus with different levels of susceptibility to ivermectin: San Martín (SM) (incipient resistance) and Colonia Benítez (CB) (susceptible). Twenty-one (SM) and forty-two (CB) 12-month-old Braford heifers, naturally infested with R. (B.) microplus, were individually weighed and divided into three groups (G). G1 and G2 were treated with a dose of ivermectin 3.15% (IVOMEC GOLD®) at a dose rate of 630 μg/kg of body weight (1 mL/50 kg). G1 received a uniform dose of ivermectin calculated according to the average of the individual body weights. G2 received a dose of ivermectin calculated according to the exact body weight of each animal. G3 were the control group. Ivermectin concentrations were measured from blood samples from day 1 to day 21 post-treatment. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by counting female ticks. In both populations the differences in the doses of ivermectin administered did not affect the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of the drug. Nevertheless, it is necessary to avoid the sub-dosage of cattle to reduce the selection pressure for resistance on the tick populations.
Source separation with an acoustic vector sensor for terrestrial bioacoustics
Authors: Tolkova Irina , Klinck Holger
Published: August 2022

Passive acoustic monitoring is emerging as a low-cost, non-invasive methodology for automated species-level population surveys. However, systems for automating the detection and classification of vocalizations in complex soundscapes are significantly hindered by the overlap of calls and environmental noise. We propose addressing this challenge by utilizing an acoustic vector sensor to separate contributions from different sound sources. More specifically, we describe and implement an analytical pipeline consisting of (1) calculating direction-of-arrival, (2) decomposing the azimuth estimates into angular distributions for individual sources, and (3) numerically reconstructing source signals. Using both simulation and experimental recordings, we evaluate the accuracy of direction-of-arrival estimation through the active intensity method (AIM) against the baselines of white noise gain constraint beamforming (WNC) and multiple signal classification (MUSIC). Additionally, we demonstrate and compare source signal reconstruction with simple angular thresholding and a wrapped Gaussian mixture model. Overall, we show that AIM achieves higher performance than WNC and MUSIC, with a mean angular error of about 5°, robustness to environmental noise, flexible representation of multiple sources, and high fidelity in source signal reconstructions.
Transcription factor–nucleosome dynamics from plasma cfDNA identifies ER-driven states in breast cancer
Authors: Rao Satyanarayan , Han Amy L. , Zukowski Alexis , Kopin Etana , Sartorius Carol A. , Kabos Peter , Ramachandran Srinivas
Published: August 2022

Genome-wide binding profiles of estrogen receptor (ER) and FOXA1 reflect cancer state in ER
+
breast cancer. However, routine profiling of tumor transcription factor (TF) binding is impractical in the clinic. Here, we show that plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) contains high-resolution ER and FOXA1 tumor binding profiles for breast cancer. Enrichment of TF footprints in plasma reflects the binding strength of the TF in originating tissue. We defined pure in vivo tumor TF signatures in plasma using ER
+
breast cancer xenografts, which can distinguish xenografts with distinct ER states. Furthermore, state-specific ER-binding signatures can partition human breast tumors into groups with significantly different ER expression and mortality. Last, TF footprints in human plasma samples can identify the presence of ER
+
breast cancer. Thus, plasma TF footprints enable minimally invasive mapping of the regulatory landscape of breast cancer in humans and open vast possibilities for clinical applications across multiple tumor types.
Femtomolar detection of SARS-CoV-2 via peptide beacons integrated on a miniaturized TIRF microscope
Authors: Tripathy Soumya P. , Ponnapati Manvitha , Bhat Suhaas , Jacobson Joseph , Chatterjee Pranam
Published: August 2022

The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) continues to pose a substantial global health threat. Along with vaccines and targeted therapeutics, there is a critical need for rapid diagnostic solutions. In this work, we use computational protein modeling tools to suggest molecular beacon architectures that function as conformational switches for high-sensitivity detection of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (S-RBD). Integrating these beacons on a miniaturized total internal reflection fluorescence (mini-TIRF) microscope, we detect the S-RBD and pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 with limits of detection in the femtomolar range. We envision that our designed mini-TIRF platform will serve as a robust platform for point-of-care diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 and future emergent viral threats.
Mechanistic insights into intramembrane proteolysis by
E. coli
site-2 protease homolog RseP
Authors: Imaizumi Yuki , Takanuki Kazunori , Miyake Takuya , Takemoto Mizuki , Hirata Kunio , Hirose Mika , Oi Rika , Kobayashi Tatsuya , Miyoshi Kenichi , Aruga Rie , Yokoyama Tatsuhiko , Katagiri Shizuka , Matsuura Hiroaki , Iwasaki Kenji , Kato Takayuki , Kaneko Mika K. , Kato Yukinari , Tajiri Michiko , Akashi Satoko , Nureki Osamu , Hizukuri Yohei , Akiyama Yoshinori , Nogi Terukazu
Published: August 2022

Site-2 proteases are a conserved family of intramembrane proteases that cleave transmembrane substrates to regulate signal transduction and maintain proteostasis. Here, we elucidated crystal structures of inhibitor-bound forms of bacterial site-2 proteases including
Escherichia coli
RseP. Structure-based chemical modification and cross-linking experiments indicated that the RseP domains surrounding the active center undergo conformational changes to expose the substrate-binding site, suggesting that RseP has a gating mechanism to regulate substrate entry. Furthermore, mutational analysis suggests that a conserved electrostatic linkage between the transmembrane and peripheral membrane-associated domains mediates the conformational changes. In vivo cleavage assays also support that the substrate transmembrane helix is unwound by strand addition to the intramembrane β sheet of RseP and is clamped by a conserved asparagine residue at the active center for efficient cleavage. This mechanism underlying the substrate binding, i.e., unwinding and clamping, appears common across distinct families of intramembrane proteases that cleave transmembrane segments.
MiGriBot: A miniature parallel robot with integrated gripping for high-throughput micromanipulation
Authors: Leveziel Maxence , Haouas Wissem , Laurent Guillaume J. , Gauthier Michaël , Dahmouche Redwan
Published: August 2022

Although robotic micromanipulation using microtweezers has been widely explored, the current manipulation throughput hardly exceeds one operation per second. Increasing the manipulation throughput is thus a key factor for the emergence of robotized microassembly industries. This article presents MiGriBot (Millimeter Gripper Robot), a miniaturized parallel robot with a configurable platform and soft joints, designed to perform pick-and-place operations at the microscale. MiGriBot combines in a single robot the benefits of a parallel kinematic architecture with a configurable platform and the use of soft joints at the millimeter scale. The configurable platform of the robot provides an internal degree of freedom that can be used to actuate microtweezers using piezoelectric bending actuators located at the base of the robot, which notably reduces the robot’s inertia. The soft joints make it possible to miniaturize the mechanism and to avoid friction. These benefits enable MiGriBot to reach a throughput of 10 pick-and-place cycles per second of micrometer-sized objects, with a precision of 1 micrometer.
Identification and Mutation Analysis of Nonconserved Residues on the TIM-Barrel Surface of GH5_5 Cellulases for Catalytic Efficiency and Stability Improvement
Authors: Zheng Jie , Liu Han-qing , Qin Xing , Yang Kun , Tian Jian , Wang Xiao-lu , Wang Ya-ru , Wang Yuan , Yao Bin , Luo Hui-ying , Huang Huo-qing
Published: August 2022

A comprehensive understanding of the residues on the α-helices of the GH5_5 cellulases is important for catalytic efficiency and stability improvement. The main objective of this study was to use the evolutionary conservation and plasticity of the TIM-barrel fold to probe the relationship between nonconserved residues on the outer side of the α-helices and the catalytic efficiency of GH5_5 cellulases by conducting structure-guided protein engineering.
Rnf and Fix Have Specific Roles during Aerobic Nitrogen Fixation in Azotobacter vinelandii
Authors: Alleman Alexander B. , Garcia Costas Amaya , Mus Florence , Peters John W.
Published: August 2022

The availability of fixed nitrogen is critical for life in many ecosystems, from extreme environments to agriculture. Due to the energy demands of biological nitrogen fixation, organisms must tailor their metabolism during diazotrophic growth to deliver the energy requirements to nitrogenase in the form of ATP and low potential electrons.
Orchestrated Biosynthesis of the Secondary Metabolite Cocktails Enables the Producing Fungus to Combat Diverse Bacteria
Authors: Sun Yanlei , Chen Bo , Li Xinlin , Yin Ying , Wang Chengshu
Published: August 2022

Fungal chemical ecology is largely mediated by the metabolite(s) produced by individual biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) with antibiotic activities. We report a supercluster containing three BGCs that are jointly controlled by an embedded master regulator in the insect pathogen
Metarhizium
robertsii
.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Utilizes Host Histamine Receptor H1 to Modulate Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Phagosome Maturation via the p38MAPK-NOX2 Axis
Authors: Mo Siwei , Guo Jiubiao , Ye Taosheng , Zhang Ximeng , Zeng Jiang , Xu Yuzhong , Peng Bin , Dai Youchao , Xiao Wei , Zhang Peize , Deng Guofang , Xu Dechang , Long Xiaoru , Cai Yi , Chen Xinchun
Published: August 2022

Once engulfed in macrophage phagosomes,
M. tuberculosis
adopts various strategies to take advantage of the host environment for its intracellular survival. Histamine is an organic nitrogen-containing compound that mediates a plethora of cellular processes via different receptors, but the crosstalk mechanism between
M. tuberculosis
and HRH1 in macrophages is not clear.
Protein Kinase C Inhibitors Reduce SARS-CoV-2 Replication in Cultured Cells
Authors: Huang Changbai , Feng Fei , Shi Yongxia , Li Wenhui , Wang Ziqiao , Zhu Yunkai , Yuan Shuai , Hu Dandan , Dai Jun , Jiang Qiqi , Zhang Rong , Liu Chao , Zhang Ping
Published: August 2022

There is an urgent need for effective therapeutic drugs to control the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We found that several inhibitors of protein kinases C (PKCs) dramatically decrease the replication of SARS-CoV-2 in cultured cells.
Estimated Roles of the Carrier and the Bacterial Strain When Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Decolonization Fails: a Case-Control Study
Authors: Holm Mona Katrine Alberthe , Jørgensen Kristina Melbardis , Bagge Kristian , Worning Peder , Pedersen Michael , Westh Henrik , Monk Jonathan M. , Bartels Mette Damkjær
Published: August 2022

Carriage of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and other multiresistant bacteria is a prerequisite for infection and transmission. Successful decolonization treatment removes these risks.
Emergence and Transmission of Plasmid-Mediated Mobile Colistin Resistance Gene
mcr-10
in Humans and Companion Animals
Authors: Yin Yi , Qiu Lihao , Wang Guizhen , Guo Zhimin , Wang Zhiqiang , Qiu Jiazhang , Li Ruichao
Published: August 2022

Colistin was considered as the last-resort drug against severe clinical infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Mobile colistin resistance (
mcr
) genes and its variants carried by plasmids have been reported in diverse niches in recent years, and yet few studies reported carriage of
mcr-10
in ECC strains of companion animal origin.
Detection of a Novel African Swine Fever Virus with Three Large-Fragment Deletions in Genome, China
Authors: Sun Yankuo , Xu Zhiying , Gao Han , Xu Sijia , Liu Jing , Xing Jiabao , Kuang Qiyuan , Chen Yang , Wang Heng , Zhang Guihong
Published: August 2022

African swine fever virus (ASFV) has been circulating in China for 5 years, and low virulent strains with changes in the genome have been reported. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of knowledge about the epidemic strains at the whole-genome level. This study reported a novel strain and further analyzed its genomic and biological characteristics. In addition, our study also suggests that whole-genome sequencing plays a key role in the epidemiology investigation of ASFV variations.
Revised Version of the New Catalogue of Suspected Variable Stars, NSV Release 2
Authors: Kazarovets E. V. , Samus N. N. , Durlevich O. V.
Published: August 2022

We present NSV Release 2, an electronic version of the “New Catalogue of Suspected Variable Stars”. A detailed file-by-file description of the new catalogue version is given. By its structure, we preserve the catalogue as a historical document, but the information it contains has been considerably renewed compared to its first electronic version. Accuracy of coordinates has been drastically improved for the objects in the catalogue; for most of them, we revised photometric and spectroscopic data. Remarks have been renewed. In the cases when there were no finding charts, we recovered variability of 2800 stars of the catalogue, despite large errors of the coordinates earlier published for them. Using photometric data from several sky surveys, we studied and transferred to the General Catalogue of Variable Stars about 5000 NSV stars.