bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Testing of an Interpretational Bias Measure of Dental Anxiety
Authors: Heaton Lisa J. , Leroux Brian G. , Ramsay Douglas S.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

We hypothesized that individuals with dental care-related anxiety and fear would interpret ambiguous dental situations more negatively than non-anxious individuals. The objectives of these studies were to develop and test a Measure of Dental Anxiety Interpretational Bias (MoDAIB).

Methods

In the development phase, participants completing an online survey provided qualitative and quantitative assessments of dental scenarios that could be interpreted in either positive or negative ways. Scenarios producing the greatest difference in visual analog (VAS) scores between individuals with high vs. low dental anxiety as measured by the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS) were included in the MoDAIB. In the testing phase, participants completed an online survey including the newly developed MoDAIB and dental anxiety measures.

Results

In the development phase, participants (N = 355; 65.6% female) high in dental anxiety (MDAS ≥ 19) gave significantly higher (i.e., more negative) VAS scores to all the dental scenarios than did those low in dental anxiety (p's < 0.05). In the testing phase, the MoDAIB was significantly and positively correlated with the MDAS (r = 0.68, p < 0.001), meaning that those who were high in dental anxiety selected negative interpretations of ambiguous dental scenarios significantly more often than did individuals low in dental anxiety (p's < 0.05). The MoDAIB showed good content validity and test-retest reliability.

Conclusions

Individuals high in dental anxiety interpret ambiguous dental situations more negatively than do less anxious individuals. Understanding individuals' interpretational styles may help dental providers avoid miscommunications. Interventions that train dentally anxious patients to consider more positive interpretations may reduce dental anxiety and should be investigated.
Stability Control of Slopes in Open-Pit Mines and Resilience Methods for Disaster Prevention in Urban Areas: A Case Study of Fushun West Open Pit Mine
Authors: Jiaxing Zhou , Fei Li , Jin-an Wang , Anqi Gao , Chengyuan He
Published: June 2022

During the century-long mining process of the Fushun west open pit, slope slippage and deformation caused varying degrees of horizontal deformation, uneven settlement, and ground cracks on the surface of the urban areas, which caused a certain degree of damage to buildings and infrastructure and affected the livings of residents in the surrounding communities. In this study, a set of building reinforcement and community resilience enhancement methods that can resist slope deformation was proposed to improve the ability of urban areas to cope with slope geological hazards and emergency response. The main research contents included: Firstly, this paper systematically analyzed the deformation mechanism of the dip sloping and the inverse dip sloping section of the open pit mine, which was based on the field measured data and simulation calculation results. In other words, the horizontal deformation of the stratum in the dip sloping section was dominant, while the stratum in the inverse dip sloping section was prone to ground cracks and uneven settlement. In view of this, three surface deformation characteristic subdivisions of the surrounding urban area were proposed. In addition, a study on the damage characteristics of buildings with different types of foundations and structures under the influence of side slope deformation were carried out, and the anti-deformation reinforcement measures for load-bearing members mainly based on steel fiber concrete, carbon fiber materials and profile steel were proposed. Finally, a three-level disaster emergency setting system for urban areas around open pit mine was established, and the disaster prevention and resilience enhancement strategy for build and unbuilt the communities around the side slopes was constructed. The study aims to provide technical support to the overall resilience and response of the urban communities adjacent to open-pit mine slopes against consequent geological hazards and emergencies, thereby promoting sustainable urban development.
Genetic Mechanism of Geothermal Anomaly in the Gaoyang Uplift of the Jizhong Depression
Authors: Miao Qingzhuang , Wang Guiling , Qi Shihua , Xing Linxiao , Xin Hailiang , Zhou Xiaoni
Published: June 2022

The Gaoyang uplift is rich in geothermal resources, but there are few studies on the regional geothermal genetic mechanism. A large number of geothermal wells fail in position calculation because of a shortage of basis. By using the methods of P-wave velocity structure imaging and magnetotelluric sounding, it draws the following conclusions: 1) The crustal thickness in the Gaoyang uplift area is relatively thin, about 32 km; 2) The cutting depth of the Gaoyang East fault exceeds 28 km and has reached the bottom of the lower crust. It is a large tensile fault that provides a channel for mantle heat flow into the shallow crust; 3) The Gaoyang uplift and its surrounding depressions form a concave-convex base fluctuation mode, which is conducive to the accumulation of heat flow to the uplift; 4) The deep carbonate thermal reservoir in the Gaoyang uplift is overlaid with Cenozoic sand and mudstone strata, with a thickness of more than 3000 m and low thermal conductivity, which is conducive to the preservation of thermal storage heat. Therefore, the shortening of the heat conduction path caused by regional crustal thinning, convective heat conduction of large faults, concave-convex structure, and thick Cenozoic caprock are the reasons why the heat reservoir temperature in the Gaoyang uplift is higher than that around, which provides a theoretical basis for geothermal development and utilization.
Triple-Porosity and Dual-Permeability Productivity Prediction Model of CBM Wells Considering Complex Flow Regimes
Authors: Xiao Qianhua , Wang Huailin , Yang Yanhui , Li Zhiqiang , Jiang Bocai , Li Jiahao , Xiang Zuping
Published: June 2022

The productivity evaluation of CBM wells can yield significant insights into exploring the patterns of CBM production, predicting the effectiveness of the CBM well and reservoir stimulation, optimizing the gas reservoir development program, and developing a reasonable production system, for the purpose of facilitating efficient development of CBM. In particular, to accurately evaluate CBM productivity, we should establish the corresponding mathematical model of fluid flow through porous media and productivity evaluation model based on a clear understanding of CBM occurrence states and mechanisms of its flow through porous media. After considering the effects of slip flow, Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion, stress sensitivity, and matrix shrinkage on fluid mass transfer, we have put forward a triple-porosity and dual-permeability mathematical model to predict CBM productivity that incorporates matrix gas desorption, complex flow in matrix pores, and gas–water two-phase flow in a cleat system. In combination with reservoir characteristic parameters, a case study of Ma-26 well in the Mabidong block in the south of the Qinshui Basin, we carried out a numerical simulation of the productivity of a fractured CBM well and analyzed the effects (on production performance) of occurrence states, cleat system permeability, complex flow regimes in the matrix, Langmuir pressure, and Langmuir volume on production are provided. The results show that 1) in the initial drainage and production stage of CBM wells, both free gas and adsorbed gas are produced simultaneously, while adsorbed gas dominates the production in later stages; 2) the peak output and cumulative output of CBM wells increase significantly with the rise in cleat system permeability; 3) the increase of Langmuir pressure, volume, and matrix porosity are conducive to the increase of CBM production. The research has considerable reference value for work on mechanisms of CBM flow in porous media and post fracturing productivity evaluation of CBM and also provides a theoretical basis for fieldwork in CBM development.
Experimental Research and Instrument Design of Seepage Measurement in Rock and Soil Based on Heat Transfer
Authors: Wu Xiushan , Cui Jiamin , Tong Renyuan , Li Qing
Published: June 2022

Seepage in the underground rock and soil is one of the main causes of geological disasters. Precursor information for geological disasters is provided by accurately measuring the seepage flow in rock and soil, so as to provide disaster warnings in time. This article analyzes the principle of seepage measurement in rock and soil based on heat transfer, deduces the relationship between the flow rate and temperature of the fluid with a seepage sensor, designs and manufactures an entire seepage measurement sensor, and designs a seepage measurement circuit. Finally, a set of portable geotechnical seepage measuring instruments is designed. An experimental platform is designed to realize seepage flow and temperature change experiments with the seepage sensor, it is proved that the sensor can effectively measure the seepage flow for different experimental samples, the measurement range is 0.06–0.160 ml/s. Based on the measured characteristic temperature of the seepage sensor, the calculated seepage flow is obtained, the relative error between the calculated value and the measured value is within 3%.
Linkage of Tanzania Short Rain Variability to Sea Surface Temperature Over the Southern Oceans
Authors: Makula Exavery Kisesa , Zhou Botao
Published: June 2022

This study presents the relationship between Tanzania short rain variability and the sea surface temperature (SST) over the Southern Oceans from 1950 to 2017. It is found that the warm SST anomalies to the east of Australia (EA-SST) and the southern Atlantic Ocean (SA-SST) are significantly negatively correlated with the OND rainfall throughout Tanzania, signifying that the warmer (cooler) than normal EA-SST and SA-SST tend to cause a suppressed (enhanced) OND rainfall in Tanzania. Further investigation indicates that the above-normal SA-SST anomalies are linked to the changes of Walker-type circulation over the Atlantic Ocean, with the low-level (upper-level) divergence (convergence) occurring over the study region, which suppresses the in-situ convection and hence decreases the rainfall over Tanzania. The above-normal SA-SST anomalies are associated with the upper-level wave patterns propagating from the southern Atlantic Ocean, resulting in the formation of cyclonic anomalies over the target region. The upper-level cyclonic anomalies formed favor the subsidence of airflows over Tanzania and hence reduce rainfall. The local moisture and dynamical conditions also support the atmospheric circulations observed, whereby warm EA-SST and SA-SST anomalies are associated with the westerly moisture flux over the Indian Ocean moving away from Tanzania and the descending motion over Tanzania. Hence, close monitoring of SST anomalies over these regions might be useful in updating OND rainfall seasonal forecasts in Tanzania.
Stability Analysis on the Steeply-Inclined Small-Angle Layered Surrounding Rock Masses at the Upstream High Sidewall of a Large-Span Cavern
Authors: Jian Chong-Lin , Xu Ding-Ping , Zhou Yang-Yi , Chen Dong-Fang , Zhou Shao-Wu , Hu Lian-Xing , Wu Chong , Jiang Sen-Lin
Published: June 2022

The underground powerhouse of China’s Wudongde hydropower station is one of the world’s underground powerhouses with the largest span and height. Because the underground powerhouse is all located in steeply-inclined layered rock masses, and the bedding plane strike of the rock mass has a small angle with the axis of the main caverns, there is a serious risk of high sidewall instability. According to the basic principles of the structurally-controlled concept, the mechanical properties of bedding planes and other discontinuities are largely attributed to this problem. A thorough investigation was conducted into the Wudongde underground powerhouse throughout the excavation process to clarify the possible mechanisms behind these failures and to realize the dynamic adjustment of construction. First, the geological conditions and mechanical properties of the rock masses in the study area were introduced in detail. The stability of the right bank underground powerhouse’s surrounding layered rock mass was then investigated using a discontinuum-based numerical method. Special attention was paid to the excavation-induced failure mechanisms of the steeply-inclined small-angle layered rock masses at the upstream high sidewall. The results show that the failure of steeply-inclined small-angle layered surrounding rock masses presents significant three-stage characteristics, i.e., 1) rock plate forms due to the unloading opening of the bedding plane; 2) rock plate cracks due to bending; and 3) rock plate buckles or slides due to crack penetration. Based on the understanding of the deformation and failure mechanisms of steeply-inclined small-angle layered rock masses, the excavation sequence needs to be optimized according to local geological conditions. In practice, it is vital to insist on the principles of excavation by thin layers and finish all the supports before the next-step excavation.
The Effective Thermal Conductivity of Unsaturated Porous Media Deduced by Pore-Scale SPH Simulation
Authors: Bai Bing , Wang Yan , Rao Dengyu , Bai Fan
Published: June 2022

The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method was employed to simulate the heat transfer process in porous media at the pore scale. The effective thermal conductivity of a porous medium can be predicted through a simulation experiment of SPH. The accuracy of the SPH simulation experiment was verified by comparing the predicted values with reference values for ideal homogeneous media and multiphase layered media. 3D simulation experiments were implemented in granular media generated by the PFC method. Based on the SPH framework, a concise method was proposed to produce unsaturated media by simulating the wetting process in dry media. This approach approximates the formation of liquid bridges and water films on granules. Through simulation experiments, the empirical formula of the variation in thermal conductivity with the degree of saturation was tested. The results showed that the reciprocal of the normalized thermal conductivity and the reciprocal of the saturation are linearly related, which is in line with the empirical formula proposed by Cote and Konrad.
Effects of Songs on Implicit Vocabulary Learning: Spoken-Form Recognition, Form-Meaning Connection, and Collocation Recognition of Iranian English as a Foreign Language Learners
Authors: Tilwani Shouket Ahmad , Amini MosaAbadi Fatemeh , Shafiee Sajad , Azizi Zeinab
Published: June 2022

This study explores the immediate and delayed impacts of songs on implicit vocabulary learning in terms of spoken-form recognition (SFR), form-meaning connection (FMC), and collocation recognition (CR) of Iranian intermediate female english as a foreign language (EFL) learners. For this purpose, a total of 150 female EFL learners, aged from 11 to 15, were selected from Iran Language Institute in Shahrekord City. The participants were randomly assigned into four experimental groups and two control groups. Two experimental groups and one control group took the pre-test, while for the other groups there was not any pre-test. Two experimental groups and one control group received immediate post-test whereas for the other groups there was not any immediate post-test. Nevertheless, all the groups took a delayed post-test. The data were obtained over five 90-min sessions. The control groups did not listen to any songs. Two experimental groups and one control group completed the immediate post-test. After 3 weeks, all the groups took the delayed post-test. The outcomes of a two-way ANOVA revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the experimental group which received both pre-test and the treatment and the experimental group which received treatment but no pre-test. Additionally, the outcomes of a three-way ANOVA indicated that the experimental groups outperformed the control groups, giving rise to the conclusion that the treatment had been positively influential in improving the learners’ vocabulary learning. Finally, the outcomes of a one-way MANOVA showed that experimental groups and control groups performed differently with respect to SFR, FMC, and CR. Based on the findings, some implications are presented for different stakeholders.
Sodium Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitor Protects Against Diabetic Neuropathy and Nephropathy in Modestly Controlled Type 2 Diabetes: Follow-Up Study
Authors: Ishibashi Fukashi , Kosaka Aiko , Tavakoli Mitra
Published: June 2022

Aims

This three-year follow-up study aimed to elucidate whether sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) have any protection against diabetic neuropathy and nephropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes via reducing variability in glycemia and extraglycemic factors or their averages.

Methods

Two type 2 diabetic cohorts of 40 and 73 patients treated with or without SGLT2i along with 60 control subjects were recruited. Two diabetic cohorts matched for HbA1c levels and oral hypoglycemic agents other than SGLT2is underwent glycemic control with or without SGLT2is more than two years. The urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) every 3 months and neuropathy outcome measures and mean Z-score of 8 neurophysiological tests were determined at the baseline and endpoint. Glycemic variability, evaluated by the coefficient of variation of monthly measured HbA1c levels and casual postprandial plasma glucose (CPPG), and coefficient of variation and average of extraglycemic parameters in diabetic cohorts were determined.

Results

The glycemic variability and variability of some extraglycemic factors in SGLT2i cohort were smaller than those in non-SGLT2i cohort. However, only smaller coefficient of variation of HbA1c improved some neuropathy outcome measures, and ameliorated eGFR decline. SGLT2i improved the Z-score of neurophysiological tests. The optimized changes in the blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol and uric acid by SGLT2i led to neurological and renal protection. SGLT2i decreased the prevalence of nephropathy significantly and the prevalence of neuropathy insignificantly.

Conclusion

Over 3 years period, SGLT2i significantly improved some neuropathy outcome measures, mean Z-score of 8 neurophysiological tests, and attenuated nephropathy in modestly controlled type 2 diabetes by reducing glycemic variability and mean nonglycemic factors of diabetic microvascular complication.
Machine Learning-Based Texture Analysis in the Characterization of Cortisol Secreting vs. Non-Secreting Adrenocortical Incidentalomas in CT Scan
Authors: Maggio Roberta , Messina Filippo , D’Arrigo Benedetta , Maccagno Giacomo , Lardo Pina , Palmisano Claudia , Poggi Maurizio , Monti Salvatore , Matarazzo Iolanda , Laghi Andrea , Pugliese Giuseppe , Stigliano Antonio
Published: June 2022

New radioimaging techniques, exploiting the quantitative variables of imaging, permit to identify an hypothetical pathological tissue. We have applied this potential in a series of 72 adrenal incidentalomas (AIs) followed at our center, subdivided in functioning and non-functioning using laboratory findings. Each AI was studied in the preliminary non-contrast phase with a specific software (Mazda), surrounding a region of interest within each lesion. A total of 314 features were extrapolated. Mean and standard deviations of features were obtained and the difference in means between the two groups was statistically analyzed. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify an optimal cutoff for each variable and a prediction model was constructed via multivariate logistic regression with backward and stepwise selection. A 11-variable prediction model was constructed, and a ROC curve was used to differentiate patients with high probability of functioning AI. Using a threshold value of >−275.147, we obtained a sensitivity of 93.75% and a specificity of 100% in diagnosing functioning AI. On the basis of these results, computed tomography (CT) texture analysis appears a promising tool in the diagnostic definition of AIs.
Series Arc Fault Diagnosis Based on Variational Mode Decomposition and Random Forest
Authors: Zhao Luyao , Chi Changchun , Zhao Qiangqiang , Mao Haifeng
Published: June 2022

In order to improve the accuracy of series arc fault detection and prevent fire accidents caused by series arc fault, a series arc fault simulation experiment circuit was built to obtain the low-frequency and high-frequency current waveform of series arc fault under different loads. The kurtosis, waveform factor, crest factor, pulse factor, and margin factor of low-frequency current waveform are extracted in the time domain. In the frequency domain, a method based on variational mode decomposition and energy entropy is proposed to extract the characteristic quantity of series arc faults. It was found that the energy entropy of the intrinsic mode function component with the largest variance contribution ratio will increase when a series of arc faults occur, and it was used as a characteristic quantity. Characteristic vectors were constructed based on time–frequency characteristic quantities, and the characteristic vector was trained based on the random forest algorithm to obtain the diagnosis model and analyze the series arc fault diagnosis. The analysis showed that the diagnostic accuracy of the model trained by the proposed method was above 97%, and the fault recognition effect was remarkable, which provides an important reference for the improvement of the series arc fault detection technology.
Analysis of Transient Characteristics of Submersible Tubular Pump During Runaway Transition
Authors: Sun Zhuangzhuang , Yu Jie , Tang Fangping , Ge Hengjun , Yuan Haixia
Published: June 2022

In order to study the transient characteristics of the submersible tubular pump in the process of power failure, the 6DOF model was used to carry out three unsteady numerical values for the whole flow channel of the pump. The results show that the calculation results of the 6DOF model based on the fourth-order multi-point Adams–Moulton formula are in better agreement with the experimental results than the first-order format to predict the impeller motion. When the unit is powered off, the speed and flow of the pump device decrease rapidly with time. At the maximum head 3.41 m, when the unit enters the runaway condition, the speed is about −1.88 times the initial speed and the flow rate is about −1.98 times the initial flow. The axial force and radial force of the impeller increase alternately, and compared with the normal operating condition, the radial force is significantly increased. In the process of the pump device changing from forward flow to reverse flow, the internal flow state of the pump device is relatively chaotic, and there are a large number of vortices in the flow channel, which is easy to cause structural vibration. Before reaching the runaway state, a large number of vortices also appear inside the impeller and guide vane, causing flow blockage, especially when the flow rate is zero. At the same time, the reverse flow impact causes the local pressure on the blade surface to increase, which threatens the stability of the blade structure. The pressure at the impeller inlet, impeller outlet, and guide vane outlet monitoring points is the largest near zero flow, and the smallest during runaway. The main frequency of the pressure pulsation in the pump device is the blade pass frequency (fBRF) and its harmonics (2fBRF, 3fBRF, 5fBRF, etc.), and the pressure pulsation intensity increases with the increase of the impeller speed. The results of this study provide a theoretical reference for the operation of the submersible tubular pump to ensure the safety and stability of the pumping station.
IoT-Based Low-Voltage Power Distribution System Management and Control Platform
Authors: Tong Li , Zhou Jinhui , Li Junyi
Published: June 2022

In order to improve the operational safety and market operation efficiency of the prosumer energy community, to achieve comprehensive monitoring of abnormalities, fault alarms, and intelligent control and maintenance, to reduce the risk of information security, and to address the many types of operational testing and metering equipment in the prosumer community, the duplication of functions and hardware composition was performed, resulting in the waste of resources of monitoring and metering equipment. In the meantime, we proposed an intelligent perception device-based IoT platform architecture for power distribution communities by integrating the software and hardware of the original operation monitoring and metering equipment of the prosumer-integrated communities. The intelligent perception device for community IoT sensing was first introduced, and then, the operation monitoring and metering equipment in the distribution station area was integrated and optimized to enhance the panoramic state sensing capability of the intelligent terminal; the expansion application direction of data-driven distribution IoT was proposed from the typical application scenario of the terminal.
The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Government Bond Yields
Authors: Zhou Yang , Teresienė Deimantė , Keliuotytė-Staniulėnienė Greta , Kanapickiene Rasa , Dong Rebecca Kechen , Kaab Omeir Ahmad
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic is a real shock to society and business and financial markets. The government bond market is an essential part of financial markets, especially in difficult times, because it is a source of government funding. The majority of existing ESG studies report positive impacts on corporate financial performance regarding environmental, social, and governance. Thus, understanding governments’ financial practices and their relevant ESG implications is insufficient. This research aims to value the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different government bond curve sectors. We try to identify the reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic in the government bond market and analyze separate tenors of government bond yields in different regions. We have chosen Germany and the United States government bond yields of 10, 5, and 3 years tenor for the analysis. As independent variables, we have chosen daily cases of COVID-19 and daily deaths from COVID-19 at the country and global levels. We used daily data from 02 January 2020–19 March 2021, and divided this period into three stages depending on the COVID-19 pandemic data. We employed the methods of correlation-regression analysis (ordinary least squares and least squares with breakpoints) and VAR-based impulse response functions to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on government bond yields both in the long and short run. Our analysis revealed the impact of the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic on government bond yields differs depending on the country and the assessment period. The short-term responses vary in direction, strength, and duration; the long-term response of Germany’s yields appeared to be more negative (indicating the decrease of the yields), while the response of the United States yields appeared to be more positive (i.e., increase of yields).
Effect of High-Tech Manufacturing Co-Agglomeration and Producer Service Industry on Regional Innovation Efficiency
Authors: Peng Cheng , Elahi Ehsan , Fan Bingbing , Li Zenghui
Published: June 2022

The study discusses the effect of co-agglomeration between the producer service industry and the high-tech manufacturing industry on regional innovation efficiency. Based on data from public companies of three urban agglomerations from 2011 to 2019, we used the Data Envelopment Approach (DEA)- Banker, Charnes, Cooper (BCC) model to estimate real innovation efficiency. Results found that the industrial co-agglomeration and regional innovation efficiency have an “inverted U-shaped” relationship. The industrial co-agglomeration in regions with a low level of co-agglomeration plays an important role in expediting regional innovation efficiency than that in high-level areas of co-agglomeration. Moreover, it is confirmed that the prefecture-level cities of the three urban agglomerations have low innovation efficiency types and low collaborative agglomeration types. Yangtze and Pearl river delta urban agglomeration can promote innovation efficiency through industrial co-agglomeration. While for the industrial co-agglomeration of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei, the urban agglomeration has not become the main way to promote innovation efficiency. The regression results of different industry collaborative agglomeration found that the co-agglomeration of information transmission, computer services, software industries, and the high-tech manufacturing industry plays a significant role to improve innovation efficiency. Moreover, the co-agglomeration of the transportation service industry and high-tech manufacturing industry plays a relatively weak role in regional innovation efficiency. Therefore, it is suggested to formulate more adaptive and heterogeneous market policies. The paper provides an important idea for improving innovation efficiency by optimizing industrial spatial layout.
Status, Change, and Futures of Zooplankton in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Johnston Nadine M. , Murphy Eugene J. , Atkinson Angus , Constable Andrew J. , Cotté Cédric , Cox Martin , Daly Kendra L. , Driscoll Ryan , Flores Hauke , Halfter Svenja , Henschke Natasha , Hill Simeon L. , Höfer Juan , Hunt Brian P. V. , Kawaguchi So , Lindsay Dhugal , Liszka Cecilia , Loeb Valerie , Manno Clara , Meyer Bettina , Pakhomov Evgeny A. , Pinkerton Matthew H. , Reiss Christian S. , Richerson Kate , Jr. Walker O. Smith , Steinberg Deborah K. , Swadling Kerrie M. , Tarling Geraint A. , Thorpe Sally E. , Veytia Devi , Ward Peter , Weldrick Christine K. , Yang Guang
Published: June 2022

In the Southern Ocean, several zooplankton taxonomic groups, euphausiids, copepods, salps and pteropods, are notable because of their biomass and abundance and their roles in maintaining food webs and ecosystem structure and function, including the provision of globally important ecosystem services. These groups are consumers of microbes, primary and secondary producers, and are prey for fishes, cephalopods, seabirds, and marine mammals. In providing the link between microbes, primary production, and higher trophic levels these taxa influence energy flows, biological production and biomass, biogeochemical cycles, carbon flux and food web interactions thereby modulating the structure and functioning of ecosystems. Additionally, Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) and various fish species are harvested by international fisheries. Global and local drivers of change are expected to affect the dynamics of key zooplankton species, which may have potentially profound and wide-ranging implications for Southern Ocean ecosystems and the services they provide. Here we assess the current understanding of the dominant metazoan zooplankton within the Southern Ocean, including Antarctic krill and other key euphausiid, copepod, salp and pteropod species. We provide a systematic overview of observed and potential future responses of these taxa to a changing Southern Ocean and the functional relationships by which drivers may impact them. To support future ecosystem assessments and conservation and management strategies, we also identify priorities for Southern Ocean zooplankton research.
Mummified Seed Cones of Pinus prehwangshanensis sp. nov. (Subgenus Pinus, Pinaceae) From the Upper Pleistocene of Guangdong, South China: Taxonomical Significance and Implication for Phytogeography and Ecology
Authors: Bazhenova Natalia V. , Wu Xin-Kai , Kodrul Tatiana M. , Maslova Natalia P. , Tekleva Maria V. , Xu Sheng-Lan , Jin Jian-Hua
Published: June 2022

Anatomical characters of Cenozoic pine seed cones are known mainly from North American fossils, while data on cone anatomy of Cenozoic species from Asia remain scarce. To date, only one seed cone of Pinus from the Miocene of eastern China has been studied using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). A new fossil-species, Pinus prehwangshanensis sp. nov., of mummified seed cones from the upper Pleistocene of South China is described using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and micro-CT. The new fossil-species combines a mosaic of seed cone morphological and anatomical characters observed in the group of closely related East Asian extant species of subgenus Pinus, section Pinus, subsection Pinus, comprising Pinus taiwanensis, Pinus hwangshanensis, Pinus luchuensis, Pinus thunbergii, and Pinus densiflora. The data obtained indicate that the characteristic anatomical features of this group were formed no later than the end of the Pleistocene. Based on the external seed cone morphology, the East Asian pine fossils confirm the existence of floristic exchange between continental Asia and the Japan archipelago prior to the formation of the Sea of Japan and later, in the middle Miocene to the late Pliocene, when the connection between the Japanese islands and Eurasian continent became re-established. Pollen grains associated with the new fossil-species are similar to those of some extant pine species related to P. thunbergii. A taxonomic and ecological analysis of the Pleistocene plant taxa from the Maoming Basin suggests that the regional climate was a humid subtropical monsoon with hot wet summers and cool dry winters, similar to the present-day climate of northeastern Vietnam.
Simultaneous Barcode Sequencing of Diverse Museum Collection Specimens Using a Mixed RNA Bait Set
Authors: Agne Stefanie , Preick Michaela , Straube Nicolas , Hofreiter Michael
Published: June 2022

A growing number of publications presenting results from sequencing natural history collection specimens reflect the importance of DNA sequence information from such samples. Ancient DNA extraction and library preparation methods in combination with target gene capture are a way of unlocking archival DNA, including from formalin-fixed wet-collection material. Here we report on an experiment, in which we used an RNA bait set containing baits from a wide taxonomic range of species for DNA hybridisation capture of nuclear and mitochondrial targets for analysing natural history collection specimens. The bait set used consists of 2,492 mitochondrial and 530 nuclear RNA baits and comprises specific barcode loci of diverse animal groups including both invertebrates and vertebrates. The baits allowed to capture DNA sequence information of target barcode loci from 84% of the 37 samples tested, with nuclear markers being captured more frequently and consensus sequences of these being more complete compared to mitochondrial markers. Samples from dry material had a higher rate of success than wet-collection specimens, although target sequence information could be captured from 50% of formalin-fixed samples. Our study illustrates how efforts to obtain barcode sequence information from natural history collection specimens may be combined and are a way of implementing barcoding inventories of scientific collection material.
Determination of the Hydrodynamic Characteristics of a Typical Inland Saline-Alkali Wetland in Northeast China
Authors: Liu Yan , Cui Geng , Tong Shouzheng , Wang Shan , Lu Xianguo
Published: June 2022

Hydrological connectivity in wetland ecosystems comprises a combination of hydrodynamic, hydrochemical, and biological characteristics. Hydrodynamic characteristics are important for the transmission of energy, matter, and information between surface water bodies and are critical for maintaining the health of wetland ecosystems. The hydrodynamic characteristics of wetlands are the temporal and spatial changes in the water level, flow direction, quantity, recharge, and discharge conditions of surface water and groundwater. Identifying wetland hydrodynamic characteristics is of great significance in revealing the hydrological patterns and biogeochemical phenomena of wetland ecosystems. The Momoge National Nature Reserve (MNNR) is a wetland located in the semi-arid region of northeast China, where the hydrodynamic characteristics are still unclear. In this study, water level monitoring of surface water and groundwater in MNNR was carried out, and wetland recharge and discharge were calculated according to a water balance analysis. The submerged wetland area was simulated based on an improved distributed hydrological model, SWAT-DSF, and compared with remote sensing data. The results showed that the dynamic characteristics of wetland surface water and groundwater are mostly affected by topography and recharge water sources. The water resources in the reserve are in a positive state of equilibrium in the wet season (September), with an equilibrium difference of 276.41 × 104 m3/day. However, it displays a negative equilibrium state in dry (November) and other (June) seasons, with an equilibrium difference of −12.84 × 104 m3/day and −9.11 × 104 m3/d, respectively. The difference between the submerged areas of the MNNR wetland during the wet and dry seasons was 250 km2.
Designing a Robust and Versatile System to Investigate Nutrient Exchange in, and Partitioning by, Mycorrhiza (Populus x canesces x Paxillus involutus) Under Axenic or Greenhouse Conditions
Authors: Schreider Katharina , Boy Jens , Sauheitl Leopold , Figueiredo Aline Fernandes , Andrino Alberto , Guggenberger Georg
Published: June 2022

Phosphorus (P) bioavailability affects plant nutrition. P can be present in soils in different chemical forms that are not available for direct plant uptake and have to be acquired by different mechanisms, representing different resource niches. These mechanisms, of which many seem to be attributed to mycorrhiza, likely influence the diversity and stability of plant communities in natural ecosystems, as they also might help to overcome a future shortage of P supply in agro-ecosystems. In order to understand the mechanisms of P acquisition, the associated carbon costs, and the resource partitioning by mycorrhizal fungi, the ecosystem situation has to be mimicked in smaller scaled experiments. Here, different experimental setups are evaluated using plantlets of Populus x canescens and its functional ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungus Paxillus involututs strain MAJ. To investigate resource partitioning involving mycorrhizae, the protocols of this study describe preparation of an in vitro and a rhizotrone culture systems for studies under axenic conditions as well as a mesocosm culture system for greenhouse conditions. We also describe the construction of separate compartments containing nutrients and excluding plant roots as well as the progress that has been made in in vitro propagation of plant and ECM fungal material. The practical experience made in our study shows that the in vitro culture system is prone to desiccation and its construction and maintenance are more time consuming and complicated. In contrast, with the axenic rhizotrone culture system and the mesocosms we have created more robust and very versatile systems that are also suitable for greenhouse conditions.
Mystifying Molecular Structure, Expression and Repertoire Diversity of IgM Heavy Chain Genes (Ighμ) in Clarias Catfish and Hybrids: Two Novel Transcripts in Vertebrates
Authors: Bunnoy Anurak , Na-Nakorn Uthairat , Srisapoome Prapansak
Published: June 2022

Two novel immunoglobulin heavy chain (Ighμ) transcripts encoding membrane-bound forms of IgM (mIgM) were discovered in bighead catfish, Clarias macrocephalus. The first transcript contains four constant and two transmembrane domains [Cμ1-Cμ2-Cμ3-Cμ4-TM1-TM2] that have never been reported in teleosts, and the second transcript is an unusual mIgM that has never been identified in any vertebrate [Cμ1-(Cδ2-Cδ3-Cδ4-Cδ5)-Cμ2-Cμ3-TM1-TM2]. Fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH) in bighead catfish, North African catfish (C. gariepinus) and hybrid catfish revealed a single copy ofIghμin individual parent catfish, while two gene copies were found in diploid hybrid catfish. Intensive sequence analysis demonstrated multiple distinct structural variabilities in the VH domain inClarias, and hybrid catfish were defined and used to generate diversity with various mechanisms. Expression analysis ofIghμinAeromonas hydrophilainfection of the head kidney, peripheral blood leukocytes and spleen revealed significantly higher levels in North African catfish and hybrid catfish than in bighead catfish.
Is Estrogen a Missing Culprit in Thyroid Eye Disease? Sex Steroid Hormone Homeostasis Is Key to Other Fibrogenic Autoimmune Diseases – Why Not This One?
Authors: FitzPatrick Amy M.
Published: June 2022

Sex bias in autoimmune disease (AID) prevalence is known, but the role of estrogen in disease progression is more complex. Estrogen can even be protective in some AIDs; but in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and systemic sclerosis (SSc), estrogen, its metabolites, and its receptors have been demonstrated to play critical, localized inflammatory roles. Estrogen is instrumental to the fibrosis seen in RA, SLE, SSc and other disease states, including breast cancer and uterine leiomyomas. Fibrotic diseases tend to share a common pattern in which lymphocyte–monocyte interactions generate cytokines which stimulate the deposition of fibrogenic connective tissue. RA, SLE, SSc and thyroid eye disease (TED) have very similar inflammatory and fibrotic patterns—from pathways to tissue type. The thorough investigations that demonstrated estrogen’s role in the pathology of RA, SLE, and SSc could, and possibly should, be carried out in TED. One might even expect to find an even greater role for estrogen, and sex steroid homeostasis in TED, given that TED is typically sequalae to Graves’ disease (GD), or Hashimoto’s disease (HD), and these are endocrine disorders that can create considerable sex steroid hormone dysregulation. This paper highlights the pathophysiology similarities in 4 AIDs, examines the evidence of sex steroid mediated pathology across 3 AIDs and offers a case study and speculation on how this may be germane to TED.
Complexity of Viral Epitope Surfaces as Evasive Targets for Vaccines and Therapeutic Antibodies
Authors: Miller Nathaniel L. , Raman Rahul , Clark Thomas , Sasisekharan Ram
Published: June 2022

The dynamic interplay between virus and host plays out across many interacting surfaces as virus and host evolve continually in response to one another. In particular, epitope-paratope interactions (EPIs) between viral antigen and host antibodies drive much of this evolutionary race. In this review, we describe a series of recent studies examining aspects of epitope complexity that go beyond two interacting protein surfaces as EPIs are typically understood. To structure our discussion, we present a framework for understanding epitope complexity as a spectrum along a series of axes, focusing primarily on 1) epitope biochemical complexity (e.g., epitopes involving N-glycans) and 2) antigen conformational/dynamic complexity (e.g., epitopes with differential properties depending on antigen state or fold-axis). We highlight additional epitope complexity factors including epitope tertiary/quaternary structure, which contribute to epistatic relationships between epitope residues within- or adjacent-to a given epitope, as well as epitope overlap resulting from polyclonal antibody responses, which is relevant when assessing antigenic pressure against a given epitope. Finally, we discuss how these different forms of epitope complexity can limit EPI analyses and therapeutic antibody development, as well as recent efforts to overcome these limitations.
Hypercholesterolemia Correlates With Glomerular Phospholipase A2 Receptor Deposit and Serum Anti-Phospholipase A2 Receptor Antibody and Predicts Proteinuria Outcome in Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy
Authors: Dong Lei , Li Yue-qiang , Guo Shui-ming , Xu Gang , Wei Wang , Han Min
Published: June 2022

Background

The anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody is a non-invasive diagnostic tool and prognosis predictor of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Baseline hypercholesterolemia independently predicts proteinuria outcomes in IMN patients. Thus, we investigated whether hyperlipidemia is correlated with anti-PLA2R and pathological indicators.

Methods

A total of 495 IMN patients identified by kidney biopsy in Wuhan Tongji Hospital, China, from January 2016 through December 2020 were enrolled in this study. Data on clinical features, pathology findings, and outcomes were collected.

Results

Total cholesterol (TC), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) were positively related to proteinuria, indicating damage to the renal glomerulus [Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = 0.432, 0.462, 0.315, and 0.289, respectively, P < 0.001 for all]. In univariate logistic regression, low HDL-C [odds ratio (OR): 0.856; 95% CI: 0.778–0.939; P = 0.001] and high TG [OR: 1.025; 95% CI: 1.006–1.044; P = 0.011] were correlated with tubular atrophy, suggesting lesions on tubules. Increased TC [adjusted OR: 1.285; 95% CI: 1.119–1.475; P < 0.001], non-HDL-C [adjusted OR: 1.284; 95% CI: 1.113–1.482; P = 0.001], and LDL-C [adjusted OR: 1.178; 95% CI: 1.009–1.376; P = 0.039] independently predicted glomerular PLA2R deposit; similar results were observed for lipids in predicting the seropositivity of anti-PLA2R antibodies. After treatment, increased HDL-C [adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 1.764; 95% CI: 1.241–2.507; P = 0.002] and decreased non-HDL-C [adjusted HR: 0.884; 95% CI: 0.795–0.983; P = 0.022] independently predicted proteinuria remission.

Conclusion

Hypercholesterolemia is a potentially useful biomarker for disease severity, serum anti-PLA2R antibody, glomerular PLA2R deposit, and proteinuria outcome of IMN.