bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The diurnal activity budgets of extralimital giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) in the Western Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Paulse Jamie , Couldridge Vanessa , Cupido Clement , Deacon Francois
Published: March 2023

Despite being an extralimital species in the region, South African giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa, Schreber 1784) are continuously being introduced into the Albany Thicket Biome of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This study aimed to determine the diurnal activity budgets of two extralimital giraffe populations in the Western Cape of South Africa. Diurnal activity budgets are important to provide baseline information on the adaptability of species in newly introduced areas and for more detailed ecological studies such as those relating to habitat suitability, animal–plant interactions and interactions with other resident animals.
Management of a stingray barb laceration and suspect envenomation in a dog
Authors: Milne JM , Morris CAD
Published: March 2023

This case report describes the successful management of a stingray laceration and suspected envenomation using a combination of opioid analgesia, heat compression, antimicrobial therapy, surgical debridement and closure. Stingray envenomation in the dog is a rare clinical presentation and is yet to be documented in the Australian veterinary literature. Envenomation can be markedly painful and may cause swelling and local tissue necrosis. No consensus on treatment guidelines has been published. Diagnostics and treatments performed are outlined with recommendations on a management plan for future cases.
Impact of asparaginase discontinuation on outcomes of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia receiving the Japan Association of Childhood Leukaemia Study ALL‐02 protocol
Authors: Ishida Hisashi , Imamura Toshihiko , Tatebe Yasuhisa , Ishihara Takashi , Sakaguchi Kimiyoshi , Suenobu Souichi , Sato Atsushi , Hashii Yoshiko , Deguchi Takao , Takahashi Yoshihiro , Hasegawa Daiichiro , Miyamura Takako , Iguchi Akihiro , Kato Koji , Saito‐Moriya Akiko , Hara Junichi , Horibe Keizo
Published: March 2023

Asparaginase is an essential drug for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treatment, but has several side effects, and its discontinuation often compromises patient outcomes. In the prospective Japan Association of Childhood Leukaemia Study ALL‐02 protocol, two major changes were made: (1) additional chemotherapies to compensate for the reduction of treatment intensity when asparaginase was discontinued and (2) more intensive concomitant corticosteroid administration, relative to our previous ALL‐97 protocol. In ALL‐02 study, 1192 patients were included and L‐asparaginase was discontinued for 88 (7.4%). Discontinuation due to allergy was markedly decreased relative to the ALL‐97 protocol (2.3% vs 15.4%). Event‐free survival (EFS) among patients with T‐ALL was compromised when L‐asparaginase was discontinued, as well as among patients with high‐risk B‐cell ALL, especially when discontinued before maintenance therapy. Moreover, multivariate analysis identified discontinuation of L‐asparaginase as an independent poor prognostic factor for EFS. In the current study, additional chemotherapies failed to fully compensate for L‐asparaginase discontinuation, illustrating the difficulty of replacing asparaginase with other classes of drugs, although this study was not designed to evaluate the effect of these modifications. Concomitant intensive corticosteroid treatment may help to reduce allergy to asparaginase. These results will assist in further optimization of asparaginase use.
Two paths towards job instability: Comparing changes in the distribution of job tenure duration in the United Kingdom and Germany, 1984–2014
Authors: St‐Denis Xavier , Hollister Matissa
Published: March 2023

This study provides novel evidence on trends in job stability in the United Kingdom and Germany, two capitalist economies with distinct sets of institutions and labour market reform trajectories. While we find evidence of an increase in short‐term jobs for men in both countries, we also find important differences in the overall patterns of change in the distribution of job tenure duration. The United Kingdom follows a masked instability pattern with opposite job stability trends for men and women. On the other hand, we find evidence of a polarization of the job tenure distribution among men and women in Germany. These findings are partly consistent with expectations from the dualization literature, emphasizing a growing segmentation of the labour market between insiders and outsiders. More generally, this study highlights the existence of multiple paths towards increased job instability that appear to be rooted in institutional differences.
LRRC75A‐AS1 delivered by M2 macrophage exosomes promotes cervical cancer progression via enhancing SIX1 expression
Authors: Sui Hong‐Ying , Cui Xiu‐Ying , Shi Cai‐Xia , Yan Zhi‐Peng , Li Hu‐Cheng , Wang Fang
Published: March 2023

We aimed to investigate potential roles of LRRC75A‐AS1 delivered by M2 macrophage exosomes in inducing cervical cancer progression. We demonstrated LRRC75A‐AS1 was highly expressed in exosomes from M2 macrophages which could be absorbed by Hela cells. M2 macrophage‐derived exosomes promoted Hela cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT process by delivering LRRC75A‐AS1. LRRC75A‐AS1 directly targeted and suppressed miR‐429 in Hela cells. The regulation of cell functions by exosomes from LRRC75A‐AS1‐overexpressing M2 macrophages was abrogated by miR‐429 mimics. miR‐429 directly targeted and repressed SIX1 expression. SIX1 overexpression alleviated the modulation of cellular functions and STAT3/MMP‐9 signaling by miR‐429 mimics. Also, miR‐429 overexpression or SIX1 silence repressed tumor formation and metastasis in nude mice, which was mitigated by exosomes from LRRC75A‐AS1‐overexpressing M2 macrophages. In conclusion, LRRC75A‐AS1 delivered by M2 macrophage exosomes repressed miR‐429 to elevate SIX1 expression and promote cervical cancer progression through activating the STAT3/MMP‐9 axis.
β‐Glucan attenuates cognitive impairment of APP/PS1 mice via regulating intestinal flora and its metabolites
Authors: Zhang Qiwei , Zhao Wei , Hou Yue , Song Xinxin , Yu Haiyang , Tan Jinghe , Zhou Yanmeng , Zhang Han‐Ting
Published: March 2023

Background

The intestinal flora has been shown to be involved in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and can be improved by β‐glucan, a polysaccharide derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which affects cognitive function through the intestinal flora. However, it is not known if this effect of β‐glucan is involved in AD.

Method

This study used behavioral testing to measure cognitive function. After that, high‐throughput 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and GC–MS were used to analyze the intestinal microbiota and metabolite SCFAs of AD model mice, and further explore the relationship between intestinal flora and neuroinflammation. Finally, the expressions of inflammatory factors in the mouse brain were detected by Western blot and Elisa methods.

Results

We found that appropriate supplementation of β‐glucan during the progression of AD can improve cognitive impairment and reduce A β plaque deposition. In addition, supplementation of β‐glucan can also promote changes in the composition of the intestinal flora, thereby changing the flora metabolites in the intestinal content and reduce the activation of inflammatory factors and microglia in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus through the brain‐gut axis. While reducing the expression of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, thereby controlling neuroinflammation.

Conclusion

The imbalance of the gut microbiota and metabolites plays a role in the progression of AD; β‐glucan blocks the development of AD by improving the gut microbiota and its metabolites and reducing neuroinflammation. β‐Glucan is a potential strategy for the treatment of AD by reshaping the gut microbiota and improving its metabolites.
Modulation effects of different treatments on periaqueductal gray resting state functional connectivity in knee osteoarthritis knee pain patients
Authors: Zhou Jun , Zeng Fang , Cheng Shirui , Dong Xiaohui , Jiang Nannan , Zhang Xinyue , Tang Chenjian , He Wenhua , Chen Yang , Sun Ning , Zhou Yuanfang , Li Xinling , Hu Shengjie , Sun Ruirui , Wintermark Max , Yang Weihua , Liang Fanrong , Li Zhengjie
Published: March 2023

Background

The analgesic effect of acupuncture is widely recognized, but the mechanical characteristics of acupuncture for pain relief, compared to non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory (NSAIDs) and placebo medication, remain unknown.

Aims

To compare the modulation effects of acupuncture treatment with NSAIDs and placebo medication on descending pain modulation system (DPMS) in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients.

Methods

This study recruited 180 KOA patients with knee pain and 41 healthy controls (HCs). Individuals with KOA knee pain were divided randomly into groups of verum acupuncture (VA), sham acupuncture (SA), celecoxib (SC), placebo (PB), and waiting list (WT), with 36 patients in each group. VA and SA groups included ten sessions of puncturing acupoints or puncturing non‐acupoints acupuncture treatment for two successive weeks. Celecoxib capsules were continuously given orally to patients in the SC group at a dosage of 200 mg daily for 2 weeks. In the PB group, patients received a placebo capsule once a day for 2 weeks at the same dosage as celecoxib capsules. In the WL group, patients did not receive any treatment. Patients underwent a resting‐state BOLD‐fMRI scan pre‐ and post‐receiving the therapy, whereas HCs only underwent a baseline scan. Seed (ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, vlPAG, a key node in DPMS) based resting‐state functional connectivity (rs‐FC) was applied in the data analysis.

Results

All groups demonstrated improved knee pain scores relative to the initial state. There was no statistical difference between the VA and SA groups in all clinical outcomes, and vlPAG rs‐FC alterations. KOA knee pain individuals reported higher vlPAG rs‐FC in the bilateral thalamus than HCs. KOA knee pain patients in the acupuncture group (verum + sham, AG) exhibited increased vlPAG rs‐FC with the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and the right angular, which is associated with knee pain improvement. In contrast with the SC and PB group, the AG exhibited significantly increased vlPAG rs‐FC with the right DLPFC and angular. Contrary to the WT group, the AG showed greater vlPAG rs‐FC with the right DLPFC and precuneus.

Conclusions

Acupuncture treatment, celecoxib, and placebo medication have different modulation effects on vlPAG DPMS in KOA knee pain patients. Acupuncture could modulate vlPAG rs‐FC with brain regions associated with cognitive control, attention, and reappraisal for knee pain relief in KOA patients, compared with celecoxib and placebo medication.
Leveraging private lands to meet 2030 biodiversity targets in the United States
Authors: Chapman Melissa , Boettiger Carl , Brashares Justin S.
Published: March 2023

Coincident with international movements to protect 30% of land and sea over the next decade (“30×30”), the United States has committed to more than doubling its current protected land area by 2030. While publicly owned and managed protected areas have been the cornerstone of area‐based conservation over the past century, such lands are costly to establish and have limited capacity to protect areas of the highest value for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Here we examine the current and potential contributions of private land for reaching 30×30 conservation targets at both federal and state scales in the United States. We find that compared to publicly owned and managed protected lands, protected private lands (conservation easements) are more often in areas designated as high conservation priority, hold significantly higher mean species richness, and sequester more vulnerable land‐based carbon per unit area. These and related findings highlight the necessity of mechanisms that engage private landholders in enduring conservation partnerships.
Colchicine – Renaissance of an “ancient” drug
Authors: Huber Stephanie Marie , Navarini Alexander , Brandt Oliver , Müller Simon
Published: March 2023

Colchicine, which was already used by the ancient Egyptians, has recently experienced a renaissance in various medical disciplines, including dermatology. However, due to the potentially significant side effects of systemic use, many clinicians are cautious in their use of colchicine. This review provides a practical overview of the data on the established and emerging use of systemic and topical colchicine in dermatologic diseases.
Functional symptoms in children may be much more common than previously believed
Authors: Waugh Jeff L.
Published: March 2023

This commentary is on the original article by Yong et al. on pages 1238–1246 of this issue.
Moderate precipitation reduction enhances nitrogen cycling and soil nitrous oxide emissions in a semi‐arid grassland
Authors: Zhang Kangcheng , Qiu Yunpeng , Zhao Yunfeng , Wang Shuhong , Deng Jun , Chen Mengfei , Xu Xinyu , Wang Hao , Bai Tongshuo , He Tangqing , Zhang Yi , Chen Huaihai , Wang Yi , Hu Shuijin
Published: March 2023

The ongoing climate change is predicted to induce more weather extremes such as frequent drought and high‐intensity precipitation events, causing more severe drying‐rewetting cycles in soil. However, it remains largely unknown how these changes will affect soil nitrogen (N)‐cycling microbes and the emissions of potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). Utilizing a field precipitation manipulation in a semi‐arid grassland on the Loess Plateau, we examined how precipitation reduction (ca. −30%) influenced soil N2O and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in field, and in a complementary lab‐incubation with simulated drying‐rewetting cycles. Results obtained showed that precipitation reduction stimulated plant root turnover and N‐cycling processes, enhancing soil N2O and CO2 emissions in field, particularly after each rainfall event. Also, high‐resolution isotopic analyses revealed that field soil N2O emissions primarily originated from nitrification process. The incubation experiment further showed that in field soils under precipitation reduction, drying‐rewetting stimulated N mineralization and ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria in favor of genera Nitrosospira and Nitrosovibrio, increasing nitrification and N2O emissions. These findings suggest that moderate precipitation reduction, accompanied with changes in drying‐rewetting cycles under future precipitation scenarios, may enhance N cycling processes and soil N2O emissions in semi‐arid ecosystems, feeding positively back to the ongoing climate change.
What do we know about consumers' ontological security in disaster scenarios?
Authors: Fawaz Rayan S. , Bourliataux‐Lajoinie Stéphane , Roessner Anna , Okazaki Shintaro
Published: March 2023

While prior consumer studies have adopted various theoretical perspectives to explain individuals' reactions to disasters, scant attention has been paid to the role of ontological security in shaping those responses. This study attempts to fill this knowledge gap by qualitatively exploring ontological security in two contexts: man‐made and natural disasters. To this end, we conducted 35 focus groups in the UK, Germany, and France to address how people reacted to terrorist attacks and the COVID‐19 pandemic respectively. Through thematic analysis, three themes emerged: fear versus anxiety, oneself versus others, and materialistic versus experiential purchases. Man‐made disasters appear to elicit fear, concern for self, and a preference for materialistic purchases, whereas natural disasters seem to trigger anxiety, concern for others, and a preference for experiential purchases. Both types of disasters seem to evoke a desire to escape from reality. In closing, we discuss both transitory and prolonged threats to ontological security and how they shape individuals' behaviours while restoring their security.
Microbial and metabolic features in renal transplant recipients with post‐transplantation diabetes mellitus
Authors: He Jiayang , Yang Mengchang , Quan Xiangming , Wen Jingyu , Lan Yang , Yang Hongji , Zhao Gaoping , Hou Yifu , Lu Jun , Xu Linfeng , Wei Liang
Published: March 2023

Objective

Post‐transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a common complication in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). Gut microbiome plays important roles in a variety of chronic metabolic diseases, but its association with the occurrence and development of PTDM is still unknown. The present study integrates the analysis of gut microbiome and metabolites to further identify the characteristics of PTDM.

Methods

A total of 100 RTRs fecal samples were collected in our study. Among them, 55 samples were submitted to Hiseq sequencing, and 100 samples were used for non‐targeted metabolomics analysis. The gut microbiome and metabolomics of RTRs were comprehensively characterized.

Results

The species Dialister invisus was significantly associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG). The functions of tryptophan and phenylalanine biosynthesis were enhanced in RTRs with PTDM, while the functions of fructose and butyric acid metabolism were reduced. Fecal metabolome analysis indicated that RTRs with PTDM had unique metabolite distribution characteristics, and two differentially expressed specific metabolites were significantly correlated with FPG. The correlation analysis of gut microbiome and metabolites showed that gut microbiome had an obvious effect on the metabolic characteristics of RTRs with PTDM. Moreover, the relative abundance of microbial function is associated with the expression of several specific gut microbiome and metabolites.

Conclusions

Our study identified the characteristics of gut microbiome and fecal metabolites in RTRs with PTDM, and we also found two important metabolites and a bacterium were significantly associated with PTDM, which might be used as novel targets in the research field of PTDM.
SERS‐based immunomagnetic bead for rapid detection of H5N1 influenza virus
Authors: Wang Xiwen , Li Song , Qu Han , Hao Liangyu , Shao Ting , Wang Kai , Xia Zhiping , Li Zhiping , Li Qianxue
Published: March 2023

The surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has recently drawn attention in the detection of respiratory viruses, but there have been few reports of the direct detection of viruses. In this study, a sandwich immunomagnetic bead SERS was established for the rapid diagnosis of the H5N1 influenza virus. The detection limit was estimated to be 5.0 × 10−6 TCID50/ml. The method showed excellent specificity with no cross‐reaction with H1N1, H5N6 or H9N2. The H5N1 influenza virus detection accuracy of the SERS method was 100% in chicken embryos. The results hold great promise for the utilization of SERS as an innovative approach in the diagnosis of influenza virus.
Dislocation toughening in single‐crystal KNbO3
Authors: Preuß Oliver , Bruder Enrico , Lu Wenjun , Zhuo Fangping , Minnert Christian , Zhang Jiawen , Rödel Jürgen , Fang Xufei
Published: March 2023

The growing research interest in dislocation‐tuned functionality in ceramics is evident, with the most recent proofs‐of‐concept for enhanced ferroelectric properties, electrical conductivity, and superconductivity via dislocations. In this work, we focus on dislocation‐tuned mechanical properties and demonstrate that, by engineering high dislocation densities (up to 1014 m−2) into KNbO3 at room temperature, the fracture toughness can be improved by a factor of 2.8. The microstructures, including dislocations and domain walls, are examined by optical microscopy, electron channeling contrast imaging, piezo‐response force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy methods to shed light on the toughening mechanisms. In addition, high‐temperature (above the Curie temperature of KNbO3) indentation tests were performed to exclude the influence of ferroelastic toughening, such that the origin of the toughening effect is pinpointed to be dislocations.
Neuro‐fuzzy interface and mathematical modeling of rehydration kinetics and dynamic vapor sorption behavior of novel no‐cooking rice
Authors: Kumari Sonam , Chakraborty Sourav , Choudhary Arun Kumar , Boiragi Arpita , Das Olympica , Hazarika Manuj Kumar
Published: March 2023

A novel no‐cooking rice was developed from a low‐amylose paddy using instant controlled pressure drop (ICPD) assisted novel parboiling method with an improvisation of the traditional method of production of the no‐cooking rice named as “komal chawal.” Autoclaving and ICPD treatments were employed for the preparation of no‐cooking rice. Autoclaving involved the treatment of rice at 1 atm(g) pressure for the preparation of pressure‐parboiled rice, while ICPD treatment with instant decompression was carried out within an experimental setup at treatment pressures (TP) of .2–.4 MPa(g) to produce ICPD treated rice. The step of soaking was omitted for the samples parboiled by the ICPD treatment. Effects of ICPD treatment pressure were assessed for obtaining better milling yield, color, texture, microstructure, and other properties. Paddy treated at .4 MPa(g) with instant decompression yielded the best quality rice in terms of those quality parameters. The rehydration behavior of the optimized rice samples was analyzed by applying the neuro‐fuzzy interface and mathematical modeling. In addition, dynamic vapor sorption‐based isotherm kinetics was investigated using the enthalpy–entropy compensation theory, demonstrating adequate sigmoid isotherm behavior of the rice.

Practical Applications

Application of instant control pressure drop (ICPD) has shown improvement in the rehydration properties of komal chawal with an increased head rice yield as compared to similar product produced by conventional parboiling. When freshly harvested low amylose paddy with relatively high moisture are used, the ICPD treatment permitted komal chawal production without the initial paddy soaking step, which is otherwise essential in a conventional parboiling process of komal chawal production. Hence, ICPD treatment as a novel technological intervention has the potential to shorten the komal chawal production process, and yield products with better rehydration and better chances of acceptance in market.
Students' consumption of high and low nutrition foods and reduced plate waste by schools' wellness‐related policies and garden program participation
Authors: Richardson Andrea S. , Nugroho Alvin , Dubowitz Tamara , Schultz Dana , Martin Corby K.
Published: March 2023

Background

Participation in school‐based programs that may support children's nutritious dietary behaviours varies across schools. We examined school participation in wellness‐related policies, school‐based garden programs and students' dietary behaviours.

Methods

Among matching schools who did and did not participate in school‐based garden programs, we analysed the lunches of 80 Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) students in 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th grades during Autumn 2019 using digital food photography. We also acquired school wellness policy data. Using cross‐sectional linear regression, we estimated the association between school‐based garden programming, wellness‐related policies and dietary outcomes, adjusting for grade.

Results

School's implementation of nutrition services policies was negatively associated with energy wasted from lunch (). The number of semesters the students' school had participated in the garden program was positively associated with students' whole grain consumption ().

Conclusions

Cross‐sectional associations suggest that schools that are more engaged in wellness policies and garden programs may provide environments that are more supportive of students' nutrition than in other schools.
Facial fat necrosis after autologous fat transfer possibly associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine
Authors: Brau‐Javier Cristina N. , Caro‐Muniz Andrea Paola , Canizares Orlando
Published: March 2023

A 52‐year‐old female patient developed facial fat necrosis presenting with cutaneous induration three weeks after minimal access cranial suspension (MACS) lift with autologous fat grafting from the abdomen. Given that the patient received the Moderna SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine one week after surgery, we hypothesize that the former predisposed her to tissue ischemia leading to fat necrosis. Histological findings after biopsy were consistent with fat necrosis, which included marked dermal fibrosis with areas of focal fat necrosis, lipophages, multinucleated giant cells, and siderophages. It is our hope that documenting this rare development in literature may serve as encouragement for adverse effect reporting after the SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine administration and may boost inspection and monitoring of other health consequences by regulating agencies.
A pilot investigation on the effect of induced saliva flow on digestive parameters in sheep, and a comparison with cattle
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Li Yang , Terranova Melissa , Ortmann Sylvia , Kehraus Saskia , Gerspach Christian , Kreuzer Michael , Clauss Marcus , Hummel Jürgen
Published: March 2023

Sheep with a relatively low methane yield were observed to have shorter fluid and particle mean retention times (MRT). Because the application of pilocarpine, a saliva stimulant, was successful in reducing retention times in ruminants in previous studies, we applied this substance to sheep, expecting a reduction in MRT and methane yield. Three non‐pregnant sheep (74 ± 10 kg) were fed a hay‐only diet in a 3 × 3 Latin square design with oral doses of 0, 2.5 and 5 mg pilocarpine/kg body weight and day. Measurements included feed and water intake, MRT of liquid and particulate phases in the reticulorumen (RR) and total gastrointestinal tract (GIT), ruminal microbial yield (via urinary purine bases and metabolic faecal nitrogen), total tract methane emission, apparent nutrient digestibility and rumen fluid parameters. Data were investigated for linear and quadratic effects using orthogonal polynomial contrasts. The MRT of liquid and small particles in the RR and total GIT, and the short‐chain fatty acid concentration in rumen fluid, linearly declined with increasing pilocarpine dosage, while no quadratic relationship was detected. Intake of feed DM and water, apparent nutrient digestibility, methane yield and microbial yield were not affected by pilocarpine. When combining the sheep data with that of a similar experiment in cattle, we found that the MRT of the liquid phase was positively associated with estimated NDF digestibility and with methane production per digested NDF, but was not associated with microbial yield or the ratio of acetate to propionate. The ratio between MRT of the particulate and the liquid phase was smaller for sheep than that for cattle, and was not affected by treatment. Differences in this ratio might explain why species reacted differently to the saliva‐inducing agent, which might help to explain the discrepancy between species in the effect of induced saliva flow on digestive parameters.
Leveraging Play for Learning and Development: Incorporating Cultural‐Evolutionary Insights into Early Educational Practices
Authors: Samuelsson Robin
Published: March 2023

There is a renewed scientific interest in the role of childhood in human evolution, pointing to the explorative phase of a human's life history that shapes how children learn and develop. This study presents a synthesis from evolutionary sciences that considers biases in childhood learning through activities in play, exploration, and social interactions. The study argues that childhood education based on this framework diverges from formal education. This framework explains why common misconceptions about childhood learning arise and how to resolve them. Finally, we propose how childhood education can be changed to take advantage of biological biases in learning.
Studying lysine acetylation of citric acid cycle enzymes by genetic code expansion
Authors: Fatema Nour , Fan Chenguang
Published: March 2023

Lysine acetylation is one of the most abundant post‐translational modifications in nature, affecting many key biological pathways in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It has not been long since technological advances led to understanding of the roles of acetylation in biological processes. Most of those studies were based on proteomic analyses, which have identified thousands of acetylation sites in a wide range of proteins. However, the specific role of individual acetylation event remains largely unclear, mostly due to the existence of multiple acetylation and dynamic changes of acetylation levels. To solve these problems, the genetic code expansion technique has been applied in protein acetylation studies, facilitating the incorporation of acetyllysine into a specific lysine position to generate a site‐specifically acetylated protein. By this method, the effects of acetylation at a specific lysine residue can be characterized with minimal interferences. Here, we summarized the development of the genetic code expansion technique for lysine acetylation and recent studies on lysine acetylation of citrate acid cycle enzymes in bacteria by this approach, providing a practical application of the genetic code expansion technique in protein acetylation studies.
Variations and patterns of C and N stoichiometry in the first five root branch orders across 218 woody plant species
Authors: You Chengming , Li Jihong , Yang Kaijun , Tan Bo , Yin Rui , Li Han , Zhang Li , Cui Xinglei , Liu Sining , Wang Lixia , Liu Yang , Chen Lianghua , Yuan Yaling , Li Jiao , Sardans Jordi , Zhang Jian , Xu Zhenfeng , Peñuelas Josep
Published: March 2023

Despite the vital role in carbon (C) sequestration and nutrient retention, variations and patterns in root C and nitrogen (N) stoichiometry of the first five root orders across woody plant species remains unclear.

We compiled a dataset to explore variations and patterns of root C and N stoichiometry in the first five orders of 218 woody plant species.

Across the five orders, root N concentrations were greater in deciduous, broadleaf, and arbuscular mycorrhizal species than in evergreen, coniferous species, and ectomycorrhizal association species, respectively. Contrasting trends were found for root C : N ratios. Most root branch orders showed clear latitudinal and altitudinal trends in root C and N stoichiometry. There were opposite patterns in N concentrations between latitude and altitude. Such variations were mainly driven by plant species, and climatic factors together.

Our results indicate divergent C and N use strategies among plant types and convergence and divergence in the patterns of C and N stoichiometry between latitude and altitude across the first five root orders. These findings provide important data on the root economics spectrum and biogeochemical models to improve understanding and prediction of climate change effects on C and nutrient dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems.
Baseline metrics that may predict future myopia in young children
Authors: Vera‐Diaz Fuensanta A. , Jnawali Ashutosh , Panorgias Athanasios , Bex Peter J. , Kerber Kristen L.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

We used baseline data from the PICNIC longitudinal study to investigate structural, functional, behavioural and heritable metrics that may predict future myopia in young children.

Methods

Cycloplegic refractive error (M) and optical biometry were obtained in 97 young children with functional emmetropia. Children were classified as high risk (HR) or low risk (LR) for myopia based on parental myopia and M. Other metrics included axial length (AXL), axial length/corneal radius (AXL/CR) and refractive centile curves.

Results

Based on the PICNIC criteria, 46 children (26 female) were classified as HR (M = +0.62 ± 0.44 D, AXL = 22.80 ± 0.64 mm) and 51 (27 female) as LR (M = +1.26 ± 0.44 D, AXL = 22.77 ± 0.77 mm). Based on centiles, 49 children were HR, with moderate agreement compared with the PICNIC classification (k = 0.65, p < 0.01). ANCOVA with age as a covariate showed a significant effect for AXL (p < 0.01), with longer AXL and deeper anterior chamber depth (ACD) (p = 0.01) in those at HR (differences AXL = 0.16 mm, ACD = 0.13 mm). Linear regression models showed that central corneal thickness (CCT), ACD, posterior vitreous depth (PVD) (=AXL – CCT – ACD‐lens thickness (LT)), corneal radius (CR) and age significantly predicted M (R = 0.64, p < 0.01). Each 1.00 D decrease in hyperopia was associated with a 0.97 mm elongation in PVD and 0.43 mm increase in CR. The ratio AXL/CR significantly predicted M (R = −0.45, p < 0.01), as did AXL (R = −0.25, p = 0.01), although to a lesser extent.

Conclusions

Although M and AXL were highly correlated, the classification of pre‐myopic children into HR or LR was significantly different when using each parameter, with AXL/CR being the most predictive metric. At the end of the longitudinal study, we will be able to assess the predictability of each metric.
Identification of the rice Rc gene as a main regulator of seed survival under dry storage conditions
Authors: Prasad C. T. Manjunath , Kodde Jan , Angenent Gerco C. , Hay Fiona R. , McNally Kenneth L. , Groot Steven P. C.
Published: March 2023

Seed deterioration during storage results in poor germination, reduced vigour, and non‐uniform seedling emergence. The aging rate depends on storage conditions and genetic factors. This study aims to identify these genetic factors determining the longevity of rice (Oryza sativa L.) seeds stored under experimental aging conditions mimicking long‐term dry storage. Genetic variation for tolerance to aging was studied in 300 Indica rice accessions by storing dry seeds under an elevated partial pressure of oxygen (EPPO) condition. A genome‐wide association analysis identified 11 unique genomic regions for all measured germination parameters after aging, differing from those previously identified in rice under humid experimental aging conditions. The significant single nucleotide polymorphism in the most prominent region was located within the Rc gene, encoding a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor. Storage experiments using near‐isogenic rice lines (SD7‐1D (Rc) and SD7‐1d (rc) with the same allelic variation confirmed the role of the wildtype Rc gene, providing stronger tolerance to dry EPPO aging. In the seed pericarp, a functional Rc gene results in accumulation of proanthocyanidins, an important sub‐class of flavonoids having strong antioxidant activity, which may explain the variation in tolerance to dry EPPO aging.
On being a lonely brain‐in‐a‐vat: Structuralism, solipsism, and the threat from external world skepticism
Authors: Helton Grace
Published: March 2023

David Chalmers has recently developed a novel strategy of refuting external world skepticism, one he dubs the structuralist solution. In this paper, I make three primary claims: First, structuralism does not vindicate knowledge of other minds, even if it is combined with a functionalist approach to the metaphysics of minds. Second, because structuralism does not vindicate knowledge of other minds, the structuralist solution vindicates far less worldly knowledge than we would hope for from a solution to skepticism. For, solipsism threatens surprisingly vast swathes of worldly knowledge across multiple domains, including at least some knowledge about: political affairs, religious practices, artistic movements, historical events, and cultural trends. Third, the significance of these results exceeds their implications for the structuralist solution; these results suggest that no solution to external world skepticism which does not also solve the problem of other minds will ultimately yield the kind of solution we might have hoped for. Relatedly, these results suggest that the problem of external world skepticism should perhaps be construed as two different problems, since the problem might turn out to require two substantively different solutions, one for knowledge of the kind that is not dependent on other minds and one for knowledge that is.
Analyzing the association of policy narratives with problem tractability in the implementation of EU decisions: Evidence from the phytosanitary policy area
Authors: Schito Marco
Published: March 2023

The Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) suggests that narratives can be employed to define and contest policy problems. Yet, few NPF studies have explicitly addressed the narrative portrayal of problem intractability. What role do narratives play in a situation of uncertainty about the causes and solutions of the problem, when strong divergences regarding the values and interests of the policy actors exist? The article anchors the NPF to the literatures on problem definition and implementation to advance two propositions about (a) how differences in the use of narrative elements can be suggestive of the degree of problem (in‐)tractability; and (b) whether other elements of tractability, namely the presence of a valid causal theory, are associated with the usage of narrative strategies. I test the propositions by analyzing media commentaries surrounding the implementation of European decisions to tackle a tree‐killing epidemic in Italy. The findings suggest that narratives can helpfully illustrate the intractability inherent in the policy debate. However, narratives can also develop independently of factors that the implementation literature understands as conducive to lowering intractability, namely knowledge accumulation. The NPF may represent a promising alternative to understand policy implementation processes.
Multicomponent Painlevé ODEs and related nonautonomous KdV stationary hierarchies
Authors: Błaszak Maciej
Published: March 2023

First, starting from two hierarchies of autonomous Stäckel ordinary differential equations (ODEs), we reconstruct the hierarchy of Korteweg de Vries (KdV) stationary systems. Next, we deform considered autonomous Stäckel systems to nonautonomous Painlevé hierarchies of ODEs. Finally, we reconstruct the related nonautonomous KdV stationary hierarchies from respective Painlevé systems.
Prediction of the sarcopenia in peritoneal dialysis using simple clinical information: A machine learning‐based model
Authors: Wu Jiaying , Lin Shuangxiang , Guan Jichao , Wu Xiujuan , Ding Miaojia , Shen Shuijuan
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Sarcopenia is associated with significant cardiovascular risk, and death in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Three tools are used for diagnosing sarcopenia. The evaluation of muscle mass requires dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) or computed tomography (CT), which is labor‐intensive and relatively expensive. This study aimed to use simple clinical information to develop a machine learning (ML)‐based prediction model of PD sarcopenia.

Methods

According to the newly revised Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS2019), patients were subjected to complete sarcopenia screening, including appendicular skeletal muscle mass, grip strength, and five‐time chair stand time test. Simple clinical information such as general information, dialysis‐related indices, irisin and other laboratory indices, and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) data were collected. All data were randomly split into training (70%) and testing (30%) sets. Difference, correlation, univariate, and multivariate analyses were used to identify core features significantly associated with PD sarcopenia.

Result

12 core features (C), namely, grip strength, body mass index (BMI), total body water value, irisin, extracellular water/total body water, fat‐free mass index, phase angle, albumin/globulin, blood phosphorus, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and prealbumin were excavated for model construction. Two ML models, the neural network (NN), and support vector machine (SVM) were selected with tenfold cross‐validation to determine the optimal parameter. The C‐SVM model showed a higher area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67–1.00), with a highest specificity of 0.96, sensitivity of 0.91, positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.96, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.91.

Conclusion

The ML model effectively predicted PD sarcopenia and has clinical potential to be used as a convenient sarcopenia screening tool.
What's wrong with rating scales? Psychology's replication and confidence crisis cannot be solved without transparency in data generation
Authors: Uher Jana
Published: March 2023

Quantitative explorations of behaviour, psyche and society are common in psychology. This requires methods that justify the attribution of results to the measurands (the entities to be measured, e.g., in individuals) and that make the results' quantitative meaning publicly interpretable (e.g., for decision making). Do rating scales—psychology's primary methods to generate numerical data—meet these criteria? This article summarises selected epistemological and methodological problems of rating scales that arise, amongst others, from the intricacies of language‐based methods and from psychologists' challenges to distinguish their study phenomena from their means of exploring these phenomena. Failure to make this logical distinction entails that disparate scientific activities are conflated, thereby distorting scientific concepts and procedures. Rating scales promote such conflations because they serve both as description of the empirical study system (e.g., behaviours) and as symbolic study system (e.g., data variables), leaving the interpretation of each system and the mapping relations between them to raters' intuitive decisions. Verbal scales, however, have broad semantic fields of meanings, which are context‐sensitive and therefore interpreted differently, and which cannot logically match the quantitative meaning commonly ascribed to the numerical scores derived from them. The ease of using verbal descriptions as means of exploration drew psychologists' attention to the conceptual‐interpretive level, away from their actual study phenomena. This also led them to overlook key elements of data generation and measurement. The pragmatic necessity to analyse rating scores through between‐individual comparisons entailed the erroneous assumption that psychometrics and sample‐level statistics could enable measurement. Improving data analyses, as currently discussed, is therefore insufficient for overcoming psychology's crises of replication, confidence, validity and generalizability. Data generation methods are necessary that make the entire process—from the empirical study phenomena up to the results—fully transparent and traceable. This rigorous analysis of rating scales highlights important steps for future directions.
Plant terpene specialized metabolism: complex networks or simple linear pathways?
Authors: Lanier Emily R. , Andersen Trine Bundgaard , Hamberger Björn
Published: March 2023

From the perspectives of pathway evolution, discovery and engineering of plant specialized metabolism, the nature of the biosynthetic routes represents a critical aspect. Classical models depict biosynthesis typically from an end‐point angle and as linear, for example, connecting central and specialized metabolism. As the number of functionally elucidated routes increased, the enzymatic foundation of complex plant chemistries became increasingly well understood. The perception of linear pathway models has been severely challenged. With a focus on plant terpenoid specialized metabolism, we review here illustrative examples supporting that plants have evolved complex networks driving chemical diversification. The completion of several diterpene, sesquiterpene and monoterpene routes shows complex formation of scaffolds and their subsequent functionalization. These networks show that branch points, including multiple sub‐routes, mean that metabolic grids are the rule rather than the exception. This concept presents significant implications for biotechnological production.
Facebook's Role in Spreading Electronic Harassment in Jordan
Authors: Al-Tahat Othman Mansour
Published: March 2023

The study aimed to identify the degree of exposure of students in the Faculty of Mass Communication at Zarqa University to Facebook and its role in the spread of the phenomenon of electronic harassment. This study is classified as descriptive research, and the study relied on the media audience survey method. A questionnaire was used as a data collection tool to achieve the objectives of the study. The students of the Faculty of Mass Communication at the University of Zarqa, Jordan, are exposed to Facebook to a high degree, with an arithmetic average of 2.42, and the study showed that women are one of the most prominent groups exposed to harassment through Facebook from the point of view of the study sample, with an average of 3.76. The study revealed that the most prominent form of harassment is (threat and blackmail), which came in first place with an arithmetic average of 4.44, and the study showed that the most prominent goal of harassment is (sexual desires), where the arithmetic average of it reached 432.
Journalists' Perceptions Towards Digital Media Training in Jordanian Media Organizations
Authors: Abokhoza Reneh , Abdallah Rania Abdel-Qader
Published: March 2023

The study aimed to reveal the perceptions of Journalists' Perceptions toward digital media Training in Jordanian Media organizations. The study sample consisted of journalists working in Jordanian media organizations. The study used the descriptive exploratory approach and concluded that there is an effect of applying digital media tools according to the perceptions of journalists, and they focused on the reasons why most Jordanian media organizations are not ready to employ digital media techniques. In addition, the study indicated that there were Jordan journalists possessed various skills in digital media, including using social networks for research, writing, publishing news stories, and editing content.
Tonal context influences tone-duration interaction: Evidence from Cantonese
Authors: Yu Alan C. L.
Published: March 2023

Phonetic typological studies suggest that syllable duration is inversely correlated with the accompanying tone's approximate average f0, and tones with dynamic f0 movement tend to be in longer syllables rather than shorter ones. Systematic instrumental investigations on tone-duration interaction remain scant, however; existing studies might be confounded as tonal context may impact duration realization due to phonetic constraints on tonal movement. This study investigates the effect of tonal environment on the durational realization of tones in Cantonese, showing that tone-dependent duration variation is governed by the tonal context. Implications of these findings for existing phonetic typology concerning tone-duration interaction are discussed.
The Cystic Fibrosis Upper and Lower Airway Metagenome
Authors: Pienkowska Katarzyna , Pust Marie-Madlen , Gessner Margaux , Gaedcke Svenja , Thavarasa Ajith , Rosenboom Ilona , Morán Losada Patricia , Minso Rebecca , Arnold Christin , Hedtfeld Silke , Dorda Marie , Wiehlmann Lutz , Mainz Jochen G. , Klockgether Jens , Tümmler Burkhard
Published: March 2023

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common life-limiting monogenetic disease in European populations and is caused by mutations in the
CFTR
gene. Chronic airway infections with opportunistic pathogens are the major morbidity that determines prognosis and quality of life in most people with CF.