bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Root trait variation of seed plants from China and the primary drivers
Authors: An Nannan , Lu Nan , Fu Bojie , Chen Weiliang , Keyimu Maierdang , Wang Mengyu
Published: July 2021

Aim

Root traits play important roles in plant growth and ecosystem processes. Clarifying the primary drivers of variation in root traits is indispensable for understanding and predicting ecosystem responses to environmental changes.

Location

China.

Taxon

Seed plant species.

Methods

We compiled six key first‐order root traits of 437 seed plant species from different biomes, phylogenetic affiliations, plant growth forms and mycorrhizal types in China. The six root traits included root diameter (RD), root tissue density (RTD), specific root length (SRL), root C content (RCC), root N content (RNC) and root C:N ratio (RCN), which are highly relevant for plant growth rate and resource acquisition. The phylogenetic linear mixed model was employed to examine the effects of climate and soil variables on root traits and to quantify the relative contributions of environment, phylogeny, plant growth form and mycorrhizal type to root trait variation.

Results

Environment explained most of the variations in RTD and RCC (37.4% and 24.2%, respectively). Mean precipitation of the wettest quarter and mean diurnal temperature range were the main climate drivers of RTD and RCC, respectively. Phylogeny contributed the most to the variation in RD, RNC and RCN (27.0%–52.3%). SRL showed strong links to both environment and phylogeny (35.0% and 27.8%, respectively). However, plant growth form and mycorrhizal type had little effect on root trait variation (<6.0%).

Main conclusions

Our study revealed the primary drivers of variations in different root traits of seed plants in China. Climate variability and seasonality variables were more important factors driving root trait variation than the annual averages of temperature and precipitation. Incorporating the different responses of root traits to changing environments and phylogenetic affiliations observed in the present study into terrestrial ecosystem models will improve our ability to predict future vegetation distribution and ecosystem functions under global change.
IRF1 as a potential biomarker in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Authors: Wu Liwei , Cheng Qiliang , Wen Zilu , Song Yanzheng , Zhu Yijun , Wang Lin
Published: July 2021

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a major global public health problem. The purpose of this study was to find biomarkers that can be used to diagnose tuberculosis. We used four NCBI GEO data sets to conduct analysis. Among the four data sets, GSE139825 is lung tissue microarray, and GSE83456, GSE19491 and GSE50834 are blood microarray. The differential genes of GSE139825 and GSE83456 were 68 and 226, and intersection genes were 11. Gene ontology (GO) analyses of 11 intersection genes revealed that the changes were mostly enriched in regulation of leucocyte cell‐cell adhesion and regulation of T‐cell activation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed that the host response in TB strongly involves cytokine‐cytokine receptor interactions and folate biosynthesis. In order to further narrow the range of biomarkers, we used protein‐protein interaction to establish a hub gene network of two data sets and a network of 11 candidate genes. Eventually, IRF1 was selected as a biomarker. As validation, IRF1 levels were shown to be up‐regulated in patients with TB relative to healthy controls in data sets GSE19491 and GSE50834. Additionally, IRF1 levels were measured in the new patient samples using ELISA. IRF1 was seen to be significantly up‐regulated in patients with TB compared with healthy controls with an AUC of 0.801. These results collectively indicate that IRF1 could serve as a new biomarker for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Engineering Tools for Regulating Hypoxia in Tumour Models
Authors: Kim Min Hee , Green Steven D. , Lin Chien‐Chi , Konig Heiko
Published: July 2021

Major advances in the field of genomic technologies have led to an improvement in cancer diagnosis, classification and prognostication. However, many cancers remain incurable due to the development of drug resistance, minimal residual disease (MRD) and disease relapse, highlighting an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying these processes. In recent years, the impact of non‐genetic factors on neoplastic transformations has increasingly been acknowledged, and growing evidence suggests that low oxygen (O2) levels (ie hypoxia) in the tumour microenvironment play a critical role in the development and treatment of cancer. As a result, there is a growing need to develop research tools capable of reproducing physiologically relevant O2 conditions encountered by cancer cells in their natural environments in order to gain in‐depth insight into tumour cell metabolism and function. In this review, the authors highlight the importance of hypoxia in the pathogenesis of malignant diseases and provide an overview of novel engineering tools that have the potential to further drive this evolving, yet technically challenging, field of cancer research.
Drivers of phenotypic variation in cartilage: Circadian clock genes
Authors: Song Xiaopeng , Bai Hui , Meng Xinghua , Xiao Jianhua , Gao Li
Published: July 2021

Endogenous homeostasis and peripheral tissue metabolism are disrupted by irregular fluctuations in activation, movement, feeding and temperature, which can accelerate negative biological processes and lead to immune reactions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). This review summarizes abnormal phenotypes in articular joint components such as cartilage, bone and the synovium, attributed to the deletion or overexpression of clock genes in cartilage or chondrocytes. Understanding the functional mechanisms of different genes, the differentiation of mouse phenotypes and the prevention of joint ageing and disease will facilitate future research.
N4BP2L1 interacts with dynactin and contributes to GLUT4 trafficking and glucose uptake in adipocytes
Authors: Watanabe Kazuhisa , Matsumoto Ayumi , Tsuda Hidetoshi , Iwamoto Sadahiko
Published: July 2021

Aims/Introduction

It was reported previously that N4bp2l1 expression increases in 3T3‐L1 cells in a differentiation‐dependent manner and N4bp2l1 knockdown suppresses adipocyte differentiation. However, the physiological function of N4BP2L1 in adipocytes remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate the physiological mechanism of N4bp2l1 expression and the role of N4BP2L1 in the physiological function of adipocytes.

Materials and Methods

Analysis of gene expression levels of N4bp2l1 in adipose tissue during feeding in mice was conducted. Identification of transcription factors that regulate N4bp2l1 expression was conducted using a reporter assay. Investigation of N4BP2L1‐interacting proteins was carried out using immunoprecipitation. A GLUT4 translocation assay and a glucose uptake assay in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes were performed using N4bp2l1 overexpression and knockdown adenovirus.

Results

The results indicated that N4bp2l1 is a novel FoxO1 target gene and its expression is controlled by the insulin‐mediated regulation of FoxO1. N4BP2L1 interacts with dynactin, which binds to the microtubule motor dynein, indicating that N4BP2L1 is involved in GLUT4 trafficking and glucose uptake in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that N4BP2L1 is involved in adipocyte homeostasis by interacting with dynein–dynactin and affecting GLUT4‐mediated glucose uptake and the insulin signaling pathway.
Caregiver‐reported executive functioning and associated adaptive and challenging behaviour in children with histories of developmental delay
Authors: Barton H. , McIntyre L. L.
Published: July 2021

Background

Deficits in executive functioning (EF) have been measured in individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, through the use of behaviour rating scales and performance‐based assessment. Associations between EF and variables such as challenging and adaptive behaviour have been observed; however, limited research exists on EF profiles in children with heterogeneous developmental delay or with intellectual disability (ID) or the impact of EF on adaptive and challenging behaviour with this population.

Methods

The present study sought to examine the EF profile of 93 children (75 male and 18 female) previously identified with developmental delay in early childhood. EF was assessed using the Behaviour Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Second Edition (BRIEF‐2). Children were categorised into an ID group (n = 14) or no ID group (n = 79) based on scores from cognitive and adaptive behaviour assessments. EF profiles were investigated and compared by group. In addition, the impact of EF on both adaptive behaviour and challenging behaviour was measured using hierarchical linear regressions.

Results

Statistically significant differences in caregiver‐reported EF were not observed between groups; however, both the ID and the no ID group scores were elevated as reported by their caregivers. For the overall sample, caregiver‐EF accounted for significant variance in both adaptive (22%) and challenging (68%) behaviour after accounting for child age and sex.

Conclusions

Results indicated deficits in EF for children with and without ID. The significance of EF was accounted for in both adaptive and challenging behaviour for all children in the sample. Future research could elucidate the role of adaptive and challenging behaviour in understanding EF variability among children with histories of developmental delay.
The psychodermatological role of cosmetic dermatologists and beauticians in addressing charismaphobia and related mental disorders
Authors: Husain Waqar , Zahid Neha , Jehanzeb Areej , Mehmood Momina
Published: July 2021

Background

Psychodermatology is an emerging field that relates cosmetic dermatology with several mental abnormalities associated with appearance and attraction. Being a latest field, psychodermatology lacks research in several fundamental aspects. The current study intended to analyze the prevalent role of cosmetic dermatologists and beauticians in handling the psychological issues of their clients, and to educate them on the relevant mental conditions associated with cosmetic dermatology, beauty, and attraction.

Method

The first aspect of the study involved interviewing cosmetic dermatologists (n = 30) and beauticians (n = 73) to analyze their psychodermatological role with their clients. The second aspect of the study intended to educate cosmetic dermatologists and beauticians on the relevant psychopathology which would possibly be present among their clients.

Results

The findings revealed that the cosmetic dermatologists and beauticians were aware of several psychopathological issues of their clients. However, they were unable to identify and label the appropriate clinical diagnoses in this regard. Their clients did possess tendencies toward social anxiety disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, charismaphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, histrionic personality disorder, gerascophobia, and narcissistic personality disorder. The study also confirmed a significant rise in their clientele due to the psychopathological issues faced by their clients. The study also found cosmetic dermatologists and beauticians involved in providing psychological counseling to their clients while being untrained.

Conclusion

The current paper is a valuable contribution to the under‐researched field of psychodermatology. It analyzed the existing psychodermatological role of cosmetic dermatologists and beauticians and facilitated them to practice in a more educated way.
Fractional versus full ablative CO2 laser in recipient site of non‐cultured melanocytes and keratinocyte transplantation in treatment of vitiligo
Authors: Jamal‐edine Alzahraa Mohammed , El‐Barbary Rasha Aly , Moftah Nayera Hassan
Published: July 2021

Background

Melanocyte‐keratinocyte transplant procedure (MKTP) or non‐cultured epidermal cell suspension transplantation is a very popular surgical modality for treating stable vitiligo. The recipient‐site preparation is one potential determinant in the repigmentation outcomes.

Aim

To assess the efficacy of fractional CO2 (FCO2) laser in recipient‐site preparation before MKTP and comparing it to the frequently used full surface laser ablation.

Methods

This randomized comparative trial included 19 patients with 40 stable vitiligo lesions. In each patient, the treated sites were randomly categorized into two groups according to the recipient‐site ablation (either fractional or full ablative CO2 laser). Assessment of repigmentation was performed six months after the procedure.

Results

Both modalities achieved successful repigmentation of a median of 80% and 77.5% for fractional and full ablation groups, respectively, with a non‐statistically significant difference between them. The median of VASI change percent was −73% and −71% with fractional and full surface ablation, respectively.

Conclusions

FCO2 laser ablation is effective for recipient‐site preparation before cell suspension transplantation as well as the full ablative CO2 laser.
Evaluation of serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1, insulin, glucose levels in patients with adolescent and post‐adolescent acne
Authors: Akpinar Kara Yesim
Published: July 2021

Objectives

There are many endogenous and exogenous factors that cause acne formation. This study aimed to determine whether the acne severity in patients with various age ranges is associated with serum insulin‐like growth factor, insulin, and glucose and to identify how much they affect the acne severity.

Materials and Methods

In this case‐control prospective study, 44 patients with acne vulgaris and 44 age‐ and gender‐matched control subjects without acne were evaluated. Patients and the control group were divided into two age‐groups as adolescence and post‐adolescence. According to the Global Acne Scoring System (GASS) of the acne group, the acne score grades between 0 and 44 were calculated. The correlations between the IGF‐1, insulin, glucose levels, and acne grades were calculated in each group.

Results

In our study, the acne scores and serum IGF‐1 levels were found to be significantly higher in patients under the age of 21 than patients over the age of 21. There was a statistically significant difference in acne score between the two groups. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the serum IGF‐1, insulin, and glucose levels of the acne group and the control group.

Conclusion

In this study, it has been revealed that IGF‐1 is effective at the pathogenesis of acne in adolescence.
Effect of CAD/CAM Bur Deterioration on the Surface Roughness of Ceramic Crowns
Authors: Al Hamad Khaled Q. , Al Quran Firas A. , Jwaied Sawsan Z. , Al‐Dwairi Ziad N , Al‐Rashdan Bashar A. , Baba Nadim Z.
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of repetitive milling on the surface roughness of ceramic crowns.

Materials and Methods

Twenty feldspathic ceramic crowns (VITABLOCS Mark II; Vita Zahnfabrik, Bad Säckingen, Germany) milled with hard milling protocol, and 20 zirconia crowns (5Y‐TZP, inCoris TZI; Dentsply Sirona, York, PA) milled with soft milling protocol, using a 5‐axis milling machine (inLab MC X5; Dentsply Sirona) were investigated. Atomic force microscopy (SPM SmartSPM™‐1000) was used for surface roughness measurements (Ra, RMS). Pearson correlation between bur deterioration percentage as provided by the software of the milling machine and surface roughness was performed with an (r) range between 1 and –1. Trend analysis between the 2‐half and among the 4‐quarter bur lifetime was performed with linear contrast analysis and partial eta squared (η) for estimate of effect size. Analysis of mean variance between the zirconia and feldspathic ceramic groups was performed with a t‐test, with α = 0.05.

Results

Correlation analysis showed small correlation for Ra, RMS (r = –0.02, –0.16 for the feldspathic ceramic crowns and r = 0.044, 0.034 for the zirconia crowns), and no significant differences for the 2‐half and 4‐quarter groups (p > 0.05) for both crown types. Estimate of effect size was rated as medium for the 2‐half groups (Ra = 0.420, RMS = 0.395) and large for the 4‐quarter groups (RA = 0.22, F = 1.48, RMS = 0.19, F = 1.26) for the feldspathic ceramic crowns, and small effect size for the 2‐half groups (Ra = 0.18, RMS = 0.20) and the 4‐quarter groups (Ra = 0.035, RMS = 0.037) for the zirconia crowns. There was no significant difference (p = 0.178, F = 0.016. p = 0.088, F = 0.002) between the feldspathic ceramic and zirconia crowns with medium and large effect size (0.45, 0.57) for RA and RMS.

Conclusions

Milling zirconia and feldspathic ceramic crowns had small correlation between bur deterioration and surface roughness when the burs were used within their recommended lifetime. However, hard milled feldspathic ceramic crowns had higher surface roughness than the soft milled zirconia crowns. Bur deterioration had a larger effect on the surface roughness of the feldspathic ceramic crowns than the zirconia crowns.
Contrasting early successional dynamics of bacterial and fungal communities in recently deglaciated soils of the maritime Antarctic
Authors: Gyeong Hyeryeon , Hyun Chang‐Uk , Kim Seok Cheol , Tripathi Binu Mani , Yun Jeongeun , Kim Jinhyun , Kang Hojeong , Kim Ji Hee , Kim Sanghee , Kim Mincheol
Published: July 2021

Although microorganisms are the very first colonizers of recently deglaciated soils even prior to plant colonization, the drivers and patterns of microbial community succession at early‐successional stages remain poorly understood. The successional dynamics and assembly processes of bacterial and fungal communities were compared on a glacier foreland in the maritime Antarctic across the ~10‐year soil‐age gradient from bare soil to sparsely vegetated area. Bacterial communities shifted more rapidly than fungal communities in response to glacial retreat; species turnover (primarily the transition from glacier‐ to soil‐favouring taxa) contributed greatly to bacterial beta diversity, but this pattern was less clear in fungi. Bacterial communities underwent more predictable (more deterministic) changes along the soil‐age gradient, with compositional changes paralleling the direction of changes in soil physicochemical properties following deglaciation. In contrast, the compositional shift in fungal communities was less associated with changes in deglaciation‐induced changes in soil geochemistry and most fungal taxa displayed mosaic abundance distribution across the landscape, suggesting that the successional dynamics of fungal communities are largely governed by stochastic processes. A co‐occurrence network analysis revealed that biotic interactions between bacteria and fungi are very weak in early succession. Taken together, these results collectively suggest that bacterial and fungal communities in recently deglaciated soils are largely decoupled from each other during succession and exert very divergent trajectories of succession and assembly under different selective forces.
Simulation of mixed traffic with cooperative lane changes
Authors: Li Qianwen , Li Xiaopeng , Huang Zhitong , Halkias John , McHale Gene , James Rachel
Published: July 2021

This study proposes a mixed traffic simulation framework that integrates vehicle car‐following (CF) and lane‐changing (LC) with connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) of different cooperation behaviors. This framework is centered at a CAV LC model incorporated with CF dynamics in mixed traffic. The model was calibrated and validated using data collected from small‐scale field experiments in a previous study. To demonstrate a large‐scale application of this framework, PTV Vissim was used to implement the framework on a segment of Interstate 75 highway. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to investigate the impacts of key parameters on traffic mobility and stability performance. The results show that traffic performance degraded as the traffic demand and vehicle diverging rate increased. As the CAV penetration rate increased, traffic performance fluctuated when CAVs were more conservative. As the CAV cooperation rate, incentive criterion threshold, and incentive criterion bias increased, mobility and stability performance first improved and then degraded. When CAV platooning was considered, traffic performance was enhanced. These findings shed light on mixed traffic management from the perspectives of both transportation operators (e.g., facilities and policies to promote vehicle cooperation) and automakers (e.g., tuning parameters in their LC models) to achieve the best traffic performance.
The future of antibiotics begins with discovering new combinations
Authors: Zhu Meilin , Tse Megan W. , Weller Juliane , Chen Julie , Blainey Paul C.
Published: July 2021

Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide and growing clinical problem. With limited drug development in the antibacterial space, combination therapy has emerged as a promising strategy to combat multidrug‐resistant bacteria. Antibacterial combinations can improve antibiotic efficacy and suppress antibacterial resistance through independent, synergistic, or even antagonistic activities. Combination therapies are famously used to treat viral and mycobacterial infections and cancer. However, antibacterial combinations are only now emerging as a common treatment strategy for other bacterial infections owing to challenges in their discovery, development, regulatory approval, and commercial/clinical deployment. Here, we focus on discovery—where the sheer scale of combinatorial chemical spaces represents a significant challenge—and discuss how combination therapy can impact the treatment of bacterial infections. Despite these challenges, recent advancements, including new in silico methods, theoretical frameworks, and microfluidic platforms, are poised to identify the new and efficacious antibacterial combinations needed to revitalize the antibacterial drug pipeline.
OsNBL3, a mitochondrion‐localized pentatricopeptide repeat protein, is involved in splicing nad5 intron 4 and its disruption causes lesion mimic phenotype with enhanced resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses
Authors: Qiu Tiancheng , Zhao Xiaosheng , Feng Huijing , Qi Linlu , Yang Jun , Peng You‐Liang , Zhao Wensheng
Published: July 2021

Lesion mimic mutants are used to elucidate mechanisms controlling plant responses to pathogen attacks and environmental stresses. Although dozens of genes had been functionally demonstrated to be involved in lesion mimic phenotype in several plant species, the molecular mechanisms underlying the hypersensitive response are largely unknown. Here, a rice (Oryza sativa) lesion mimic mutant natural blight leaf 3 (nbl3) was identified from T‐DNA insertion lines. The causative gene, OsNBL3, encodes a mitochondrion‐localized pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) protein. The nbl3 mutant exhibited spontaneous cell death response and H2O2 accumulation, and displayed enhanced resistance to the fungal and bacterial pathogens Magnaporthe oryzae and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae. This resistance was consistent with the up‐regulation of several defence‐related genes; thus, defence responses were induced in nbl3. RNA interference lines of OsNBL3 exhibited enhanced disease resistance similar to that of nbl3, while the disease resistance in overexpression lines did not differ from that of the wild type. In addition, nbl3 displayed improved tolerance to salt, accompanied by up‐regulation of several salt‐associated marker genes. OsNBL3 was found to mainly participate in the splicing of mitochondrial gene nad5 intron 4. Disruption of OsNBL3 leads to the reduction in complex I activity, the elevation of alternative respiratory pathways and the destruction of mitochondrial morphology. Overall, the results demonstrated that the PPR protein‐coding gene OsNBL3 is essential for mitochondrial development and functions, and its disruption causes the lesion mimic phenotype and enhances disease resistance and tolerance to salt in rice.
Convergent evolution of gene regulatory networks underlying plant adaptations to dry environments
Authors: Artur Mariana A. S. , Kajala Kaisa
Published: July 2021

Plants transitioned from an aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle during their evolution. On land, fluctuations on water availability in the environment became one of the major problems they encountered. The appearance of morpho‐physiological adaptations to cope with and tolerate water loss from the cells was undeniably useful to survive on dry land. Some of these adaptations, such as carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs), desiccation tolerance (DT) and root impermeabilization, appeared in multiple plant lineages. Despite being crucial for evolution on land, it has been unclear how these adaptations convergently evolved in the various plant lineages. Recent advances on whole genome and transcriptome sequencing are revealing that co‐option of genes and gene regulatory networks (GRNs) is a common feature underlying the convergent evolution of these adaptations. In this review, we address how the study of CCMs and DT has provided insight into convergent evolution of GRNs underlying plant adaptation to dry environments, and how these insights could be applied to currently emerging understanding of evolution of root impermeabilization through different barrier cell types. We discuss examples of co‐option, conservation and innovation of genes and GRNs at the cell, tissue and organ levels revealed by recent phylogenomic (comparative genomic) and comparative transcriptomic studies.
Lr21 diversity unveils footprints of wheat evolution and its new role in broad‐spectrum leaf rust resistance
Authors: Naz Ali A. , Bungartz Annemarie , Serfling Albrecht , Kamruzzaman Mohammad , Schneider Michael , Wulff Brande B. H. , Pillen Klaus , Ballvora Agim , Oerke Erich‐Christian , Ordon Frank , Léon Jens
Published: July 2021

Aegilops tauschii, the progenitor of the wheat D genome, contains extensive diversity for biotic and abiotic resistance. Lr21 is a leaf rust resistance gene, which did not enter the initial gene flow from Ae. tauschii into hexaploid wheat due to restrictive hybridization events. Here, we used population genetics and high‐resolution comparative genomics to study evolutionary and functional divergence of Lr21 in diploid and hexaploid wheats. Population genetics identified the original Lr21, lr21‐1 and lr21‐2 alleles and their evolutionary history among Ae. tauschii accessions. Comparative genetics of Lr21 variants between Ae. tauschii and cultivated genotypes suggested at least two independent polyploidization events in bread wheat evolution. Further, a recent re‐birth of a unique Lr21‐tbk allele and its neofunctionalization was discovered in the hexaploid wheat cv. Tobak. Altogether, four independent alleles were investigated and validated for leaf rust resistance in diploid, synthetic hexaploid and cultivated wheat backgrounds. Besides seedling resistance, we uncover a new role of the Lr21 gene in conferring an adult plant field resistance. Seedling and adult plant resistance turned out to be correlated with developmentally dependent variation in Lr21 expression. Our results contribute to understand Lr21 evolution and its role in establishing a broad‐spectrum leaf rust resistance in wheat.
Reflections on “Risk Transmission Across Supply Chains”
Authors: Ritchken Peter
Published: July 2021

This commentary provides my own reflections on “Risk Transmission Across Supply Chains” by Sheridan Titman.
Turning to international litigation to protect the Amazon?
Authors: Bendel Justine , Stephens Tim
Published: July 2021

Safeguarding the Amazon biome remains a critical priority, not only for the eight Amazon River basin States but also for the world at large given the ecosystem’s planetary importance. There is now a new sense of urgency surrounding Amazon protection given the substantial increase in rates of deforestation and fires in the region. Accordingly, new options to advance Amazon protection are beginning to be explored, including proceedings in international courts and tribunals. This article provides a critical assessment of the potential for such litigation, examining the possible claims that could be advanced, the risks associated with each of these and which are more likely to be successful. It argues that the litigation landscape is complex, and there are jurisdictional, normative and evidentiary hurdles in the way of a clear‐cut judgment requiring Amazon States to take the urgent and direct measures needed to bring the ecosystem back from the brink.
The mirage of universalism in international nuclear liability law: A critical assessment 10 years after Fukushima
Authors: Handrlica Jakub
Published: July 2021

The desire for a universal (global) regime for nuclear liability has, since the early beginnings of peaceful uses of nuclear energy, represented one of the pillars of international nuclear law. This desire reflects concerns over potential transboundary impacts of a nuclear accident, which can cause damage in regions located thousands of miles from the scene of the accident. A decade ago, such an accident occurred because of an earthquake and a subsequent tsunami at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan. This article aims to address the impact of the Fukushima accident on the development of international conventions governing nuclear liability. By analysing the developments in the post‐Fukushima period, this article questions whether these developments show evidence of a development towards such a universal regime or whether the emergence of several regional liability regimes represents a more probable option for the future.
Welfare Resilience at the Onset of the COVID‐19 Pandemic in a Selection of European Countries: Impact on Public Finance and Household Incomes
Authors: Cantó Olga , Figari Francesco , Fiorio Carlo V. , Kuypers Sarah , Marchal Sarah , Romaguera‐de‐la‐Cruz Marina , Tasseva Iva V. , Verbist Gerlinde
Published: July 2021

This paper assesses the impact on household incomes of the COVID‐19 pandemic and governments’ policy responses in April 2020 in four large and severely hit EU countries: Belgium, Italy, Spain and the UK. We provide comparative evidence on the level of relative and absolute welfare resilience at the onset of the pandemic, by creating counterfactual scenarios using the European tax‐benefit model EUROMOD combined with COVID‐19‐related household surveys and timely labor market data. We find that income poverty increased in all countries due to the pandemic while inequality remained broadly the same. Differences in the impact of policies across countries arose from four main sources: the asymmetric dimension of the shock by country, the different protection offered by each tax‐benefit system, the diverse design of discretionary measures and differences in the household level circumstances and living arrangements of individuals at risk of income loss in each country.
Early Miocene carbonate ramp development in a warm ocean, North West Shelf, Australia
Authors: Riera Rosine , Bourget Julien , Allan Tony , Håkansson Eckart , Wilson Moyra E. J.
Published: July 2021

Although carbonate ramps are widely described from the geological record, there is still a debate on the relative influence of water temperature, trophic conditions and type of carbonate factories on their development. The ca 2400 km long Australian North West Shelf is among the largest Cenozoic carbonate provinces worldwide, and records a transition from an early Miocene ramp to a middle Miocene rimmed platform. This change is observable on publicly available seismic data, giving the opportunity to investigate environmental influences on platform evolution. This study combines macroscopic and petrographic descriptions of early Miocene strata cropping out in the Cape Range Anticline (North West Cape, southern end of the North West Shelf) and of time‐equivalent well cuttings from the adjacent, offshore Exmouth Sub‐basin. Particular emphasis is placed on the identification of larger benthic foraminifera at a broad generic level, because differing taxa have a limited range of habitable conditions that serve as environmental proxies. The results show that early Miocene strata are dominantly composed of larger benthic foraminifera with minor coralline algae in the proximal platform, grading to micropackstones in the more distal platform. A ramp margin is inferred from the lithological data on the basis of the lack of framework builders and the presence of open oceanic indicators. Facies shallow upward through individual outcrops, with a proximal to distal trend towards the north‐west. These trends along outcrops are consistent with the seismic interpretations. Identification of taxa with warm, oligotrophic water affinity suggests that the ramp was formed in an oligotrophic and warm ocean, despite the absence of coral reefs. Changes of carbonate facies with depth do not seem to be associated with changes in ramp morphology, and the latter may have been controlled by physical oceanic parameters, such as offshore currents and waves.
Social closeness and support are associated with lower risk of suicide among U.S. Army soldiers
Authors: Dempsey Catherine L. , Benedek David M. , Nock Matthew K. , Zuromski Kelly L. , Brent David A. , Ao Jingning , Aliaga Pablo A. , Heeringa Steven G. , Kessler Ronald C. , Stein Murray B. , Ursano Robert J.
Published: July 2021

Objective

We tested the aspects of social support, unit cohesion, and religiosity hypothesized to be protective factors for suicide among U.S. service members.

Methods

This case–control study compared U.S. Army soldiers who died by suicide while on active duty (n = 135) to controls of two types: those propensity score‐matched on known sociodemographic risk factors (n = 128); and those controls who had thought about, but not died by, suicide in the past year (n = 108). Data included structured interviews of next of kin (NOK) and Army supervisors (SUP) for each case and control soldier. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine predictors of suicide.

Results

Perceived social closeness and seeking help from others were associated with decreased odds of suicide, as reported by SUP (OR = 0.2 [95% CI = 0.1, 0.5]) and NOK (OR = 0.4 [95% CI = 0.2, 0.8]). Novel reports by SUP informants of high levels of unit cohesion/morale decreased odds of suicide (OR = 0.1 [95% CI = 0.0, 0.2]). Contrary to study hypotheses, no religious affiliation was associated with lower odds of suicide (OR = 0.3 [95% CI = 0.2, 0.6]).

Conclusions

Perceived social closeness and unit/group cohesion are associated with lower odds of suicide. These results point toward social intervention strategies as testable components of suicide prevention programs.
Identification of the novel HLA‐C*14:02:01:22 allele in an Indian individual
Authors: D'Silva Selma Z. , Tambe Manisha , Rajak Jyoti , Phuntsok Tenzin , Singh Meenakshi
Published: July 2021

The novel HLA‐C*14:02:01:22 allele differs from HLA‐C*14:02:01:01 by a nucleotide change at gDNA ‐156 C → T.
Investigation of patient factors associated with the number of transfusions required during chemotherapy for high‐risk neuroblastoma
Authors: Konno Saori , Yanagisawa Ryu , Kubota Noriko , Ogiso Yoshifumi , Nishimura Noriyuki , Sakashita Kazuo , Tozuka Minoru
Published: July 2021

Background

Blood transfusion is an important supportive care for high‐risk neuroblastoma. When the number of transfusions increases, transfusion‐associated adverse reactions may be more problematic. However, the factors determining the degree of myelosuppression and the number of transfusions during chemotherapy for high‐risk neuroblastoma remain unclear.

Materials and Methods

We investigated patient factors determining the number of required transfusions in 15 high‐risk neuroblastoma patients who received five courses of chemotherapy. Clinical data, cytokine profile and colony‐forming assay with bone marrow samples at diagnosis were analysed.

Results

The required number of transfusions of both platelets and erythrocytes decreased once in the second course and then increased as the course progressed. The variability among cases increased as the chemotherapy course progressed. In cases of low peripheral blood platelet count and lower fibrinogen level at diagnosis, the number of platelet transfusions was higher during chemotherapy. In contrast, there was a negative correlation between the forming ability of granulocyte–macrophage or erythroid colonies and the number of erythrocyte transfusions in the latter period.

Conclusion

In the early stages of chemotherapy, bone marrow infiltration in neuroblastoma and/or coagulopathy complication may cause thrombocytopenia and requirement of platelet transfusion; conversely, in the later stages, the number of erythrocyte transfusions may be defined by the patient's inherent hematopoietic ability. These factors may be useful in predicting the required number of transfusions.
Evidence‐Based Competency Training Program for Blood Product Administration
Authors: Jumpp Savannah
Published: July 2021

Background

Health care in deployed military environments requires robust clinical nursing skills to care for patients with traumatic injuries. Blood product administration is a critical skill in which nurses should be competent. However, in non‐deployed environments, blood transfusions are performed less frequently, resulting in skill competency loss.

Aims

Our clinical inquiry focused on maintaining competency for infrequently performed nursing skills, specifically blood product administration.

Methods

A literature review and critical appraisal were executed, followed by an evidence‐based practice change. A knowledge test, objective and subjective assessment, and training satisfaction evaluation were performed to measure the practice change outcomes. Both inpatient and outpatient nurses were included.

Results

Sixteen articles were identified and appraised. The evidence recommended a blended education approach, that is, lecture plus hands‐on practice. Thus, a classroom lecture and simulation scenario were put into practice with an existing computer‐based training for blood administration. The nurses met knowledge test standards (≥ 90%) before and after implementation, while skill performance improved by 13% and improved self‐competence scores by 7%. Nurses in outpatient settings improved performance scores by 18.4% compared to inpatient nurses, whose scores improved by 9.4%. The simulation scenario completion time decreased by 8.3 minutes post‐implementation, and the training program earned a 90% satisfactory rating.

Linking Evidence to Action

A blended education program improves clinical skill performance and enhances confidence in performing critical interventions. Blended education provides a safe learning environment for nurses to be prepared for the management of low‐volume patient care emergencies.
Mechanical work as a (key) determinant of energy cost in human locomotion: recent findings and future directions
Authors: Peyré‐Tartaruga Leonardo A. , Dewolf Arthur H. , di Prampero Pietro E. , Fábrica Gabriel , Malatesta Davide , Minetti Alberto E. , Monte Andrea , Pavei Gaspare , Silva‐Pereyra Valentina , Willems Patrick A. , Zamparo Paola
Published: July 2021

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

This narrative review explores past and recent findings on the mechanical determinants of energy cost during human locomotion, obtained by using a mechanical approach based on König's theorem (Fenn's approach).

What advances does it highlight?

Developments in analytical methods and their applications allow a better understanding of the mechanical–bioenergetic interaction. Recent advances include the determination of ‘frictional’ internal work; the association between tendon work and apparent efficiency; a better understanding of the role of energy recovery and internal work in pathological gait (amputees, stroke and obesity); and a comprehensive analysis of human locomotion in (simulated) low gravity conditions.

During locomotion, muscles use metabolic energy to produce mechanical work (in a more or less efficient way), and energetics and mechanics can be considered as two sides of the same coin, the latter being investigated to understand the former. A mechanical approach based on König's theorem (Fenn's approach) has proved to be a useful tool to elucidate the determinants of the energy cost of locomotion (e.g., the pendulum‐like model of walking and the bouncing model of running) and has resulted in many advances in this field. During the past 60 years, this approach has been refined and applied to explore the determinants of energy cost and efficiency in a variety of conditions (e.g., low gravity, unsteady speed). This narrative review aims to summarize current knowledge of the role that mechanical work has played in our understanding of energy cost to date, and to underline how recent developments in analytical methods and their applications in specific locomotion modalities (on a gradient, at low gravity and in unsteady conditions) and in pathological gaits (asymmetric gait pathologies, obese subjects and in the elderly) could continue to push this understanding further. The recent in vivo quantification of new aspects that should be included in the assessment of mechanical work (e.g., frictional internal work and elastic contribution) deserves future research that would improve our knowledge of the mechanical–bioenergetic interaction during human locomotion, as well as in sport science and space exploration.
Generalidades, aspectos clínicos y de prevención sobre COVID-19: México y Latinoamérica
Authors: Morales Fernández José Antonio , Wong Chew Rosa María
Published: July 2021

El virus SARS-CoV-2 es un coronavirus, identificado por primera vez a finales del 2019 en Wuhan, China en personas con neumonía severa, el cual se propagó alrededor del mundo ocasionando la pandemia por la COVID-19 y 2, 530, 712 fallecimientos alrededor del mundo, posicionando a México en el tercer lugar de decesos. La infección puede generar una gran variedad de manifestaciones clínicas debido a la presencia de su receptor, ACE2, en las células del sistema respiratorio, intestinal, cardiovascular, renal, hepático y testicular del hospedero; ocasionando una respuesta inmunitaria inicial que al no ser controlada genera una tormenta de citocinas, un deterioro inflamatorio sistémico y, en algunos casos, una falla orgánica múltiple; convirtiéndola en una enfermedad de gran complejidad. La prueba diagnóstica es la RT-PCR, aunque también son de utilidad la serología y la prueba rápida de antígenos. El tratamiento médico se realizará dependiendo la gravedad de la enfermedad y el estado clínico del paciente. Las medidas de protección personal son necesarias para el control de la pandemia; así mismo la elaboración de vacunas eficaces continúa en proceso de desarrollo y algunas de ellas ya han sido aprobadas para su utilización en situación de emergencia sanitaria.
High-strength nanocrystalline intermetallics with room temperature deformability enabled by nanometer thick grain boundaries
Authors: Su Ruizhe , Neffati Dajla , Cho Jaehun , Shang Zhongxia , Zhang Yifan , Ding Jie , Li Qiang , Xue Sichuang , Wang Haiyan , Kulkarni Yashashree , Zhang Xinghang
Published: July 2021

Nanometer thick grain boundaries enable room temperature deformability in conventional brittle intermetallics.
On-chip transporting arresting and characterizing individual nano-objects in biological ionic liquids
Authors: Höller Christian , Schnoering Gabriel , Eghlidi Hadi , Suomalainen Maarit , Greber Urs F. , Poulikakos Dimos
Published: July 2021

This article reports a method for on-chip property measurements of individual nano-objects, including viruses, in liquids.
Changes in global terrestrial live biomass over the 21st century
Authors: Xu Liang , Saatchi Sassan S. , Yang Yan , Yu Yifan , Pongratz Julia , Bloom A. Anthony , Bowman Kevin , Worden John , Liu Junjie , Yin Yi , Domke Grant , McRoberts Ronald E. , Woodall Christopher , Nabuurs Gert-Jan , de-Miguel Sergio , Keller Michael , Harris Nancy , Maxwell Sean , Schimel David
Published: July 2021

Live woody vegetation is the largest reservoir of biomass carbon, with its restoration considered one of the most effective natural climate solutions. However, terrestrial carbon fluxes remain the largest uncertainty in the global carbon cycle. Here, we develop spatially explicit estimates of carbon stock changes of live woody biomass from 2000 to 2019 using measurements from ground, air, and space. We show that live biomass has removed 4.9 to 5.5 PgC year−1 from the atmosphere, offsetting 4.6 ± 0.1 PgC year−1 of gross emissions from disturbances and adding substantially (0.23 to 0.88 PgC year−1) to the global carbon stocks. Gross emissions and removals in the tropics were four times larger than temperate and boreal ecosystems combined. Although live biomass is responsible for more than 80% of gross terrestrial fluxes, soil, dead organic matter, and lateral transport may play important roles in terrestrial carbon sink.
Single-cell damagenome profiling unveils vulnerable genes and functional pathways in human genome toward DNA damage
Authors: Zhu Qiangyuan , Niu Yichi , Gundry Michael , Zong Chenghang
Published: July 2021

A new single-cell whole-genome amplification method allows the genome-wide characterization of DNA damage and gene vulnerability.
Systematic dissection of transcriptional regulatory networks by genome-scale and single-cell CRISPR screens
Authors: Lopes Rui , Sprouffske Kathleen , Sheng Caibin , Uijttewaal Esther C. H. , Wesdorp Adriana Emma , Dahinden Jan , Wengert Simon , Diaz-Miyar Juan , Yildiz Umut , Bleu Melusine , Apfel Verena , Mermet-Meillon Fanny , Krese Rok , Eder Mathias , Olsen André Vidas , Hoppe Philipp , Knehr Judith , Carbone Walter , Cuttat Rachel , Waldt Annick , Altorfer Marc , Naumann Ulrike , Weischenfeldt Joachim , deWeck Antoine , Kauffmann Audrey , Roma Guglielmo , Schübeler Dirk , Galli Giorgio G.
Published: July 2021

Combination of functional epigenomics and single-cell CRISPR screens reveals that ER exerts its oncogenic role via downstream TFs.
Synthetic auxotrophy remains stable after continuous evolution and in coculture with mammalian cells
Authors: Kunjapur Aditya M. , Napolitano Michael G. , Hysolli Eriona , Noguera Karen , Appleton Evan M. , Schubert Max G. , Jones Michaela A. , Iyer Siddharth , Mandell Daniel J. , Church George M.
Published: July 2021

A synthetic auxotroph does not escape from biocontainment after evolution, demonstrating that life does not always find a way.
The mitochondrial single-stranded DNA binding protein is essential for initiation of mtDNA replication
Authors: Jiang Min , Xie Xie , Zhu Xuefeng , Jiang Shan , Milenkovic Dusanka , Misic Jelena , Shi Yonghong , Tandukar Nirwan , Li Xinping , Atanassov Ilian , Jenninger Louise , Hoberg Emily , Albarran-Gutierrez Sara , Szilagyi Zsolt , Macao Bertil , Siira Stefan J. , Carelli Valerio , Griffith Jack D. , Gustafsson Claes M. , Nicholls Thomas J. , Filipovska Aleksandra , Larsson Nils-Göran , Falkenberg Maria
Published: July 2021

The mitochondrial single-stranded DNA binding protein is required for initiation of DNA synthesis in mammalian cells.
ACTN3
genotype influences skeletal muscle mass regulation and response to dexamethasone
Authors: Seto Jane T. , Roeszler Kelly N. , Meehan Lyra R. , Wood Harrison D. , Tiong Chrystal , Bek Lucinda , Lee Siaw F. , Shah Manan , Quinlan Kate G. R. , Gregorevic Paul , Houweling Peter J. , North Kathryn N.
Published: July 2021

α-Actinin-3 deficiency alters muscle mass regulation and protects against dexamethasone-induced muscle wasting.
Syntrophic interspecies electron transfer drives carbon fixation and growth by
Rhodopseudomonas palustris
under dark, anoxic conditions
Authors: Liu Xing , Huang Lingyan , Rensing Christopher , Ye Jie , Nealson Kenneth H. , Zhou Shungui
Published: July 2021

Electrosyntrophy drives anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria to fix CO
2
in the dark.