bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telemedicine co‐design and value co‐creation in public health care
Authors: Leite Higor , Hodgkinson Ian R.
Published: March 2021

COVID‐19 has presented significant challenges for public healthcare systems across the globe. The critical challenge for public healthcare organisations is to provide effective health care to patients, while simultaneously keeping frontline staff safe. Telemedicine has emerged as a prominent service intervention to this end. Telemedicine integrates technologies into medical practices to alleviate the need for face‐to‐face interactions through video consultations. The study explores how physicians and patients can, together, co‐create service value both within the telemedicine ecosystem and under crisis. Secondary qualitative data from physicians and patients active on Twitter and from across multiple countries are used to this end. Thematic analysis reveals seven themes that inform a new integrative telemedicine value co‐creation framework, which provides a platform for inclusive, equitable, and sustainable telemedicine services. The study provides a new understanding of the service triad ‒ telemedicine co‐design, value co‐creation, and service improvement ‒ highlighting the roles of co‐design and value co‐creation for public health care under crises.
A comparison between the workplace cultures of Saudi Arabia's private and public education institutes
Authors: Bagadood Nizar H. , Sulaimani Mona F.
Published: March 2021

In Saudi Arabia, it is generally perceived that private special education institutes (SEIs) provide a higher quality education than their public counterparts. Parents tend to trust and invest in private rather than public institutes. This is principally attributed to the greater financial capacity of private special institutes, which ensures services can be provided more effectively. Investigating this perspective, this study seeks to bridge the gap often observed and commented upon between public and private SEIs, and to reflect critically on how the needs of all students with intellectual disabilities can be met within the public system. A comparative case study of two SEIs in Saudi Arabia for students with intellectual disabilities, one public and one private, was designed. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with parents, teachers and principals. A key finding of this study is that there is a major difference in the workplace cultures of public and private institutes. This results in several observable factors that were found to contribute to the quality of provision for learners.
Determining the chronological sequence of inks deposited with different writing and printing tools using ion beam analysis
Authors: Mathayan Vairavel , Sortica Mauricio , Primetzhofer Daniel
Published: March 2021

Determining the sequence of inks in a questioned document is important in forensic science. Conventional and micro beam‐based ion beam analysis using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and particle‐induced X‐ray emission were employed to study the depth distribution of chemical elements in plain paper and inks/toner deposited by different pens as well as inkjet and laser printers. Composition depth profiling with high lateral resolution was performed with focus on areas where two different coloring agents overlapped. We identify under which conditions the sequence of inks deposited can be reconstructed, analyzing the continuity of characteristic contributions to the obtained signals, with a focus on the depth‐resolved RBS data. The order of deposition was correctly determined for combinations of two different laser printers and in certain cases for pens. Results indicate a potential for analysis, depending on the composition of staining agent, that is, in particular if heavy species are present in sufficiently high concentration. In such cases, also characters obscured or modified by an agent of different composition can be revealed. Changing the probing depth by modifying the beam energy could yield additional information.
Distinguishing between recent balancing selection and incomplete sweep using deep neural networks
Authors: Isildak Ulas , Stella Alessandro , Fumagalli Matteo
Published: March 2021

Balancing selection is an important adaptive mechanism underpinning a wide range of phenotypes. Despite its relevance, the detection of recent balancing selection from genomic data is challenging as its signatures are qualitatively similar to those left by ongoing positive selection. In this study, we developed and implemented two deep neural networks and tested their performance to predict loci under recent selection, either due to balancing selection or incomplete sweep, from population genomic data. Specifically, we generated forward‐in‐time simulations to train and test an artificial neural network (ANN) and a convolutional neural network (CNN). ANN received as input multiple summary statistics calculated on the locus of interest, while CNN was applied directly on the matrix of haplotypes. We found that both architectures have high accuracy to identify loci under recent selection. CNN generally outperformed ANN to distinguish between signals of balancing selection and incomplete sweep and was less affected by incorrect training data. We deployed both trained networks on neutral genomic regions in European populations and demonstrated a lower false‐positive rate for CNN than ANN. We finally deployed CNN within the MEFV gene region and identified several common variants predicted to be under incomplete sweep in a European population. Notably, two of these variants are functional changes and could modulate susceptibility to familial Mediterranean fever, possibly as a consequence of past adaptation to pathogens. In conclusion, deep neural networks were able to characterize signals of selection on intermediate frequency variants, an analysis currently inaccessible by commonly used strategies.
A realist review to explore how midwifery continuity of care may influence preterm birth in pregnant women
Authors: Fernandez Turienzo Cristina , Rayment‐Jones Hannah , Roe Yvette , Silverio Sergio A. , Coxon Kirstie , Shennan Andrew H. , Sandall Jane
Published: March 2021

Background

Midwifery continuity of care models are the only health system intervention associated with both a reduction in preterm birth (PTB) and an improvement in perinatal survival; however, questions remain about the mechanisms by which such positive outcomes are achieved. We aimed to uncover theories of change by which we can postulate how and why continuity of midwifery care models might affect PTB.

Methods

We followed Pawson's guidance for conducting a realist review and performed a comprehensive search to identify existing literature exploring the impact of continuity models on PTB in all pregnant women. A realist methodology was used to uncover the context (C), mechanisms (M), and outcomes (O) and to develop a group of CMO configurations to illuminate middle‐range theories.

Results

Eleven papers were included from a wide variety of settings in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. The majority of study participants had low socioeconomic status or social risk factors and received diverse models of midwifery continuity of care. Three themes—woman‐midwife partnership, maternity pathways and processes, and system resources—encompassed ten CMO configurations. Building relationships, trust, confidence, and advocacy resulted in women feeling safer, less stressed, and more secure and respected, and encouraged them to access and engage in antenatal care with more opportunities for early prevention and diagnosis of complications, which facilitated effective management when compliance to guidelines was ensured. Organizational infrastructure, innovative partnerships, and robust community systems are crucial to overcome barriers, address women's complex needs, ensure quality of care, and reduce PTB risk.

Conclusions

Pregnant women living in different contexts in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States at low and mixed risk of complications and with low socioeconomic status or social risk factors experienced continuity models in similar ways, and similar underlying mechanisms may have influenced PTB outcomes. Further research is required to understand how continuity models may influence behavioral change, physiological stress levels, ethnic disparities in PTB and care coordination, and navigation of health services.
COVID‐19 impact on fruit and vegetable markets: One year later
Authors: Chenarides Lauren , Richards Timothy J. , Rickard Bradley
Published: March 2021

More than 1 year after the outbreak of COVID‐19, Canadian fruit and vegetable markets continue to adjust to the evolving landscape. In this article, we focus on three key measures of input and output market performance that serve as indicators of the stability of fruit and vegetable markets in Canada in the medium‐term, and offer some insight for how these markets will continue to adjust in the longer run. Specifically, we use data to highlight the most recent trends in (1) the production and aggregate movement for major fruit and vegetable crops in the United States and Canada, (2) labor supply and immigration visa patterns, and (3) U.S.–Canada trade patterns for fruits and vegetables. We provide evidence that the fresh produce supply chain in Canada, and for markets in their largest trade partner in the United States, has remained relatively robust.
Persistence of a reef fish metapopulation via network connectivity: theory and data
Authors: Dedrick Allison G. , Catalano Katrina A. , Stuart Michelle R. , White J. Wilson , Montes Humberto R. , Pinsky Malin L.
Published: March 2021

Determining metapopulation persistence requires understanding both demographic rates and patch connectivity. Persistence is well understood in theory but has proved challenging to test empirically for marine and other species with high connectivity that precludes classic colonisation–extinction dynamics. Here, we assessed persistence for a yellowtail anemonefish (Amphiprion clarkii) metapopulation using 7 years of annual sampling data along 30 km of coastline. We carefully accounted for uncertainty in demographic rates. Despite stable population abundances through time and sufficient production of surviving offspring for replacement, the pattern of connectivity made the metapopulation unlikely to persist in isolation and reliant on immigrants from outside habitat. To persist in isolation, the metapopulation would need higher fecundity or to retain essentially all recruits produced. This assessment of persistence in a marine metapopulation shows that stable abundance alone does not indicate persistence, emphasising the necessity of assessing both demographic and connectivity processes to understand metapopulation dynamics.
ATG16L1 functions in cell homeostasis beyond autophagy
Authors: Hamaoui Daniel , Subtil Agathe
Published: March 2021

Atg16‐like (ATG16L) proteins were identified in higher eukaryotes for their resemblance to Atg16, a yeast protein previously characterized as a subunit of the Atg12‐Atg5/Atg16 complex. In yeast, this complex catalyzes the lipidation of Atg8 on pre‐autophagosomal structures and is therefore required for the formation of autophagosomes. In higher eukaryotes, ATG16L1 is also almost exclusively present as part of an ATG12‐ATG5/ATG16L1 complex and has the same essential function in autophagy. However, ATG16L1 is three times bigger than Atg16. It displays, in particular, a carboxy‐terminal extension, including a WD40 domain, which provides a platform for interaction with a variety of proteins, and allows for the recruitment of the ATG12‐ATG5/ATG16L1 complex to membranes under different contexts. Furthermore, detailed analyses at the cellular level have revealed that some of the ATG16L1‐driven activities are independent of the lipidation reaction catalyzed by the ATG12‐ATG5/ATG16L1 complex. At the organ level, the use of mice that are hypomorphic for Atg16l1, or with cell‐specific ablation of its expression, revealed a large panel of consequences of ATG16L1 dysfunctions. In this review, we recapitulate the current knowledge on ATG16L1 expression and functions. We emphasize, in particular, how it broadly acts as a brake on inflammation, thereby contributing to maintaining cell homeostasis. We also report on independent studies that converge to show that ATG16L1 is an important player in the regulation of intracellular traffic. Overall, autophagy‐independent functions of ATG16L1 probably account for more of the phenotypes associated with ATG16L1 deficiencies than currently appreciated.
Stable isotope signatures in historic harbor seal bone link food web‐assimilated carbon and nitrogen resources to a century of environmental change
Authors: Feddern Megan L. , Holtgrieve Gordon W. , Ward Eric J.
Published: March 2021

Anthropogenic climate change will impact nutrient cycles, primary production, and ecosystem structure in the world's oceans, although considerable uncertainty exists regarding the magnitude and spatial variability of these changes. Understanding how regional‐scale ocean conditions control nutrient availability and ultimately nutrient assimilation into food webs will inform how marine resources will change in response to climate. To evaluate how ocean conditions influence the assimilation of nitrogen and carbon into coastal marine food webs, we applied a novel dimension reduction analysis to a century of newly acquired molecular isotope data derived from historic harbor seal bone specimens. By measuring bulk δ13C and δ15N values of source amino acids of these top predators from 1928 to 2014, we derive indices of primary production and nitrogen resources that are assimilated into food webs. We determined coastal food webs responded to climate regimes, coastal upwelling, and freshwater discharge, yet the strength of responses to individual drivers varied across the northeast Pacific. Indices of primary production and nitrogen availability in the Gulf of Alaska were dependent on regional climate indices (i.e., North Pacific Gyre Oscillation) and upwelling. In contrast, the coastal Washington and Salish Sea food webs were associated with local indices of freshwater discharge. For some regions (eastern Bering Sea, northern Gulf of Alaska) food web‐assimilated production was coupled with nitrogen sources; however, other regions demonstrated no production‐nitrogen coupling (Salish Sea). Temporal patterns of environmental indices and isotopic data from Washington state varied about the long‐term mean with no directional trend. Data from the Gulf of Alaska, however, showed below average harbor seal δ13C values and above average ocean conditions since 1975, indicating a change in primary production in recent decades. Altogether, these findings demonstrate stable isotope data can provide useful indices of nitrogen resources and phytoplankton dynamics specific to what is assimilated by food webs.
Vulnerability of bat–plant pollination interactions due to environmental change
Authors: Zamora‐Gutierrez Veronica , Rivera‐Villanueva A. Nayelli , Martínez Balvanera Santiago , Castro‐Castro Arturo , Aguirre‐Gutiérrez Jesús
Published: March 2021

Plant–pollinator interactions are highly relevant to society as many crops important for humans are animal pollinated. However, changes in climate and land use may put such interacting patterns at risk by disrupting the occurrences between pollinators and the plants they pollinate. Here, we analyse how the co‐occurrence patterns between bat pollinators and 126 plant species they pollinate may be disrupted given changes in climate and land use, and we forecast relevant changes of the current bat–plant co‐occurrence distribution patterns for the near future. We predict under RCP8.5 21% of the territory will experience a loss of bat species richness, plants with C3 metabolism are predicted to reduce their area of distribution by 6.5%, CAM species are predicted to increase their potential area of distribution up to 1% and phanerophytes are predicted to have a 14% reduction in their distribution. The potential bat–plant interactions are predicted to decrease from an average of 47.1 co‐occurring bat–plant pairs in the present to 34.1 in the pessimistic scenario. The overall changes in suitable environmental conditions for bats and the plant species they pollinate may disrupt the current bat–plant co‐occurrence network and will likely put at risk the pollination services bat species provide.
Management earnings forecasts disaggregation and audit fees: International evidence
Authors: Shan Liwei , San Ziyao , Tsang Albert
Published: March 2021

In this study, using a large sample of firms from 27 countries around the world, we examine the relationship between disaggregated earnings forecasts and audit fees. We find that the positive association between management earnings forecasts and audit fees in prior studies is primarily driven by firms issuing management forecasts that contain disaggregated performance measures. We further find that better developed country‐level institutions can weaken the positive relation between disaggregated earnings forecasts and audit fees. Taken together, our findings support the important role of disaggregated earnings forecasts in signalling the credibility of prospective financial information provided by firms and shed light on the debate over the positive association between management earnings forecasts and audit fees.
Molecular cloning and functional characterization of two insect chitin deacetylases from the American white moth, Hyphantriacunea
Authors: Zhao Dan , Wu Han , Yan Xiaoping , Guo Wei , Lu Xiujun , Guo Xiaochang , Liu Zhaorui , Li Yazi
Published: March 2021

Chitin deacetylases (CDAs) convert chitin into chitosan and play crucial roles in the insect biological processes, including growth and development. In this study, two CDA‐encoding genes, HcCDA1 and HcCDA4, were identified from Hyphantria cunea. Conserved Domain Database for HcCDA1 identified a chitin‐binding peritrophin‐A domain (ChBD), a low‐density lipoprotein receptor class A domain (LDLa), and a putative CDA‐like catalytic domain (CDA), whereas HcCDA4 lacked the LDLa domain. Phylogenetic comparison with other insect CDAs revealed that HcCDA1 belonged to the insect group I CDA and HcCDA4 belonged to group III. qRT‐PCR results showed that HcCDA1 and HcCDA4 were more highly expressed in newly moulted 5th‐instar larvae, and HcCDA1 was highly expressed in the integument, whereas HcCDA4 was abundantly transcribed in the integument and hindgut. Western blot revealed that the expression of HcCDA1 and HcCDA4 in translational levels were consistent with the transcription. Double‐stranded RNA injection of HcCDA1 and HcCDA4 into H. cunea larvae significantly reduced HcCDA transcript levels, resulted in larval–pupal moulting difficulty, and produced high larval mortality. These results demonstrate important contributions of HcCDA1 and HcCDA4 to insect moulting and development and provide potential new targets for designing effective double‐stranded RNA‐based pesticides to protect crops.
The relative number of anti‐takeover provisions and the market for corporate control
Authors: Obaydin Ivan , Zurbruegg Ralf , Brockman Paul , Richardson Grant
Published: March 2021

Using propensity score matching, we provide new evidence of a nonmonotonic relation between the number of anti‐takeover provisions (ATPs) a firm adopts, relative to peer‐matched firms, and takeover likelihood. Firms with either a relatively low or high number of ATPs are significantly less likely to be a takeover target. We argue that this outcome is a result of the expected benefits versus costs of targeting firms in the left and right tails of the peer‐matched ATP distribution. In particular, firms in the left tail with a relatively small number of ATPs tend to have high market valuations, indicative of management optimizing shareholder welfare and hence being less concerned about the threat of a takeover. Overall, our findings have important implications for both corporate and regulatory policy.
Potentially inappropriate medication prescribing by nurse practitioners and physicians
Authors: Chou Lin‐Na , Kuo Yong‐Fang , Raji Mukaila A. , Goodwin James S.
Published: March 2021

Background

Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use is a risk factor for hospitalization and mortality. However, there were few studies focusing on the impact of provider type on PIM use.

Objective

We aimed to estimate the initial and refill PIM prescribing rate for physician visits and nurse practitioner (NP) visits and the impact of provider type on PIM prescribing.

Research Design

We used 100% Texas Medicare data to define physician visits and NP visits in 2016. The rate of visits with a PIM prescription from the same provider was measured, distinguishing between initial and refill prescription to estimate the PIM rate and adjusted odds ratio (OR) by provider type.

Results

There were 24.1 per 1000 visits with a prescription for a PIM: 9.0 per 1000 visits for an initial PIM and 15.1 per 1000 visits for a refill PIM. A visit to an NP was less likely to result in an initial (OR = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.70–0.79) or refill (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.51–0.57) PIM. The association of lower odds of receiving a prescription for an initial PIM from an NP was substantially stronger among black enrollees than white enrollees (OR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.30–0.65 for blacks and OR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.68–0.78 for white enrollees). The association of an NP provider with lower odds of receiving a PIM refill was more pronounced in older patients and in those with more comorbidities.

Conclusions

NPs prescribed fewer initial PIMs and were less likely to refill a PIM after an outpatient visit than physicians. The lower odds of receiving PIMs during an NP visit varied by age, race/ethnicity, rurality, and number of comorbidities.
Parenting practices and oral impact on daily performance in southern Brazil
Authors: de Aquino Goulart Mariél , Vendrame Édina , de Aquino Goulart Janete T. , Celeste Roger Keller
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To explore the relationship between parents' practices and the oral health‐related quality of life of children according to the child's point of view.

Methods

It is a cross‐sectional study with all children (response rate 75.6 percent, n = 329) from fourth grade of Elementary School to the third grade of High School in 2016 in a small city of southern Brazil. Oral health related quality of life was measured using the oral impact on daily performances (OIDP) using the prevalence of any impact as outcome (OIDP score > 0). Seven parenting practices were evaluated by the inventory of parenting Styles for both father and mother. Logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the association of each parenting practice with OIDP score > 0, and adjusted by sex, age, family equivalent income, mother and father's educational level.

Results

About 55.3 percent of the children had at least one impact on daily performances. Respectively, the parenting practices with the highest and lowest percentage for both parents' risk behavior was physical abuse (28.8 percent) and negative monitoring (7.8 percent), while families in which both parents' risk behavior for negligence was 14.7 percent. In the adjusted models, families in which both parents' risk behavior on negligence [odds ratio (OR) = 2.74, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI): 11.27–6.23] and physical abuse (OR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.13–4.19) and (lack of) positive monitoring (OR = 2.99, 95%CI: 1.32–7.40) had a greater impact on daily life compared to those in which no parents' had risk behavior.

Conclusions

Having any impact on OIDP was associated with negligence, physical abuse, and lack of monitoring among children and adolescents.
Cryptofauna associated with rhodoliths: Diversity is species‐specific and influenced by habitat
Authors: Méndez Trejo María del Carmen , Neill Kate F. , Twist Brenton A. , Nelson Wendy A.
Published: March 2021

Rhodoliths are recognised as providing critical ecosystem services in nearshore systems through habitat provision. We tested the influence of rhodolith hosts and habitat on the diversity and composition of sessile and motile invertebrates found associated with two species of rhodolith. Investigations of cryptofauna were undertaken at three beds within the Bay of Islands, northern New Zealand. Lithothamnion crispatum, which was smaller in overall size, and had less free space and a smaller internal volume than Sporolithon sp., provided habitat for more species of distinct life forms, both motile and sessile species, than Sporolithon sp. Although there were few differences in the dimensions of L. crispatum found in the beds, there was significantly more free space available in Sporolithon sp. rhodoliths found in one of two beds where it occurred, and the associated cryptofaunal richness of both sessile and motile species was significantly higher in this population. This study revealed species‐specific differences in the rhodolith‐associated cryptofauna and a significant impact of rhodolith habitat on growth form and cryptofaunal assemblages at the sites investigated in one of the host species (Sporolithon sp.). Understanding interactions between species and habitats provided by rhodoliths is critical to understanding the nature of ecosystem services provided in these biogenic habitats.
Depth distribution of canopy‐forming algae of the order Fucales is related to their photosynthetic features
Authors: Sant Natàlia , Ballesteros Enric
Published: March 2021

Photosynthetic features and dark respiration of different species of dominant canopy‐forming algae of the Order Fucales (Phaeophyceae) consistently change with depth. Photosynthetic efficiency (α) and light at compensation (Ic) change according to the amount of light available at each depth, α increasing and Ic decreasing with depth. However, the values of light at saturation (Ik) do not show any depth pattern. Deep‐water species show higher photosynthesis at saturation (Pmax) and lower dark respiration (Rd) than shallow water ones. This result contrasts with the expected reduction of Pmax in low light environments shown by terrestrial plants but is consistent with other studies performed in macroalgae, suggesting that Pmax and α show the same trend of variation in the marine environment. The positive correlation between Pmax and α cannot be explained by differences in thickness as all tested species show an extremely high morphological similarity. The increase in Pmax with depth is also coupled to an increase of N and P content in branches, which points to nutrient‐limited photosynthesis in shallow water species.
The lunar Dhofar 1436 meteorite: 40Ar‐39Ar chronology and volatiles, revealed by stepwise combustion and crushing methods
Authors: Korochantseva Ekaterina V. , Buikin Alexei I. , Hopp Jens , Verchovsky Alexander B. , Korochantsev Alexander V. , Anand Mahesh , Trieloff Mario
Published: March 2021

The lunar meteorite Dhofar 1436 is dominated by solar wind type noble gases. Solar argon is equilibrated with “parentless” 40Ar commonly known as lunar orphan argon. Ar‐Ar isochron analyses determined the lunar trapped 40Ar/36Ar ratio to 2.51 ± 0.04, yielding a corrected plateau age of 4.1 ± 0.1 Ga, consistent with the lunar Late Heavy Bombardment period. Lunar trapped and radiogenic argon components are all released at high temperatures (1200–1400 °C). Surprisingly, solar noble gases and lunar trapped argon can largely be released by crushing. Initial crushing steps mainly release elementally fractionated solar wind gases, while in advanced crushing steps, cosmogenic components dominate. Cosmogenic noble gases indicate irradiation at the lunar surface; they are less fractionated than solar wind species. We favor a scenario in which both solar and a large fraction of cosmogenic gases were acquired before the 4.1 Ga event, which caused shock metamorphism and formation of the regolith breccia. Sintering and agglutination along grain boundaries resulted in mobilization of solar wind, reimplanted, radiogenic, and cosmogenic noble gases, and resulted in their partial homogenization, fractionation, and retrapping in voids and/or defects accessible by crushing. An alternative scenario would be complete reset of the K‐Ar system 4.1 Ga ago accompanied by loss of all previously accumulated solar and cosmogenic noble gases. Later, the precursor of Dhofar 1436 became lunar regolith and accumulated solar and cosmogenic noble gases and reimplanted 40Ar before its final formation of the polymict impact breccia. The C abundance of the step‐combusted Dhofar 1436 is 555.3 ppm, with δ13C of −28‰ to +11‰. Nitrogen contents released by crushing and combustion are 3.2 ppm and 20.8 ppm, respectively. The lightest nitrogen composition (δ15N = −79‰) is likely due to release from voids of shock metamorphic phases and is rather a result of the mobilization of nitrogen components that accumulated prior to the 4.1 Ga event.
Small kernel 501 (smk501) encodes the RUBylation activating enzyme E1 subunit ECR1 (E1 C‐TERMINAL RELATED 1) and is essential for multiple aspects of cellular events during kernel development in maize
Authors: Chen Quanquan , Zhang Jie , Wang Jie , Xie Yuxin , Cui Yu , Du Xuemei , Li Li , Fu Junjie , Liu Yunjun , Wang Jianhua , Wang Guoying , Gu Riliang
Published: March 2021

RUBylation plays essential roles in plant growth and development through regulating Cullin‐RING ubiquitin E3 ligase (CRL) activities and the CRL‐mediated protein degradations. However, the function of RUBylation in regulating kernel development remains unclear.

Through genetic and molecular analyses of a small kernel 501 (smk501) mutant in maize (Zea mays), we cloned the smk501 gene, revealed its molecular function, and defined its roles in RUBylation pathway and seed development.

Smk501 encodes a RUBylation activating enzyme E1 subunit ZmECR1 (E1 C‐TERMINAL RELATED 1) protein. Destruction in RUBylation by smk501 mutation resulted in less embryo and endosperm cell number and smaller kernel size. The transcriptome and proteome profiling, hormone evaluation and cell proliferation observation revealed that disturbing ZmECR1 expression mainly affects pathways on hormone signal transduction, cell cycle progression and starch accumulation during kernel development. In addition, mutant in zmaxr1 (Auxin resistant 1), another RUB E1 subunit, also showed similar defects in kernel development. Double mutation of zmecr1 and zmaxr1 lead to empty pericarp kernel phenotype.

RUBylation is a novel regulatory pathway affecting maize kernel development, majorly through its functions in modifying multiple cellular progresses.
Non‐coding RNA Identification in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Using Competitive Endogenous RNA Network Analysis
Authors: Han Ning , Li Zengchun
Published: March 2021

Objective

To investigate the regulatory network of long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).

Methods

The gene expression profile GSE74089 of ONFH and microRNA (miRNA) expression profile of GSE89587 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The GSE74089 contained four ONFH samples and four controls. The GSE89587 included 10 ONFH samples and 10 control samples. The differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE‐lncRNAs) and DE‐mRNAs between ONFH group and control group were identified from GSE74089 using the limma package based on criteria of adjusted P value <0.05 and |log fold change (FC)| ≥2. The DEmiRNAs between ONFH group and control group were screened from GSE89587 on the basis of adjusted P value <0.05. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway for DE‐mRNAs were analyzed using DAVID 6.7 and GSEA 3.0, respectively. Coexpressed lncRNA‐mRNA pairs were identified by corr.test method in R based on the criteria of adjusted P value <0.01 and |r| ≥ 0.9. A ceRNA network was constructed and visualized using cytoscape 3.7.0 by integrating the DE‐lncRNA, DE‐miRNA, and DEmRNA data. The key mRNAs and lncRNAs in the ceRNA network were further validated in an independent dataset of GSE123568.

Results

Based on our analysis, a total of 28 DE‐lncRNAs, 1403 DE‐mRNAs, and 134 DE‐miRNAs were identified, respectively. The DE‐mRNAs were significantly enriched in the function of “skeletal system development,” “collagen fibril organization,” “blood vessel development,” and “regulation of nervous system development.” Besides, 72 KEGG pathways, including eight active pathways and 64 suppressed pathways were identified, including which immune pathway was the most significantly activated one and which ribosome‐related function was the most suppressed. A co‐expression network including 161 DE‐mRNAs and 16 DE‐lncRNAs was built. Highly connected nodes were identified among lncRNAs such as H19, C20orf203, LINC00355, SFTA3, CRNDE, CASC2, LINC00494, C9orf163, C10orf91, and LINC00301. The ceRNA network indicated that lncRNA H19 functioned as a ceRNA of hsa‐miR‐519b‐3p and hsa‐miR‐296‐5p in ANKH and ECHDC1 regulation; lncRNA C9orf163 functioned as a ceRNA of hsa‐miR‐424‐5p in CCNT1 regulation. The expression trends of ANKH, CCNT1, and C9orf163 were successfully validated in independent dataset of GSE123568.

Conclusion

The ceRNAs of lncRNA H19‐ hsa‐miR‐519b‐3p/hsa‐miR‐296‐5p‐ANKH and lncRNA c9orf163‐ hsa‐miR‐424‐5p‐CCNT1 might play important roles in ONFH development. Our research provided an understanding of the important role of lncRNA–related ceRNAs in ONFH.
Primary school classmate characteristics and school nursing predicting graduation from high school
Authors: McKinley Yoder Claire , Cantrell Mary Ann , Hinkle Janice L.
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To examine how primary school context variables, such as total students in the school, students with disability, and aspects of school nurse workload, predict later educational outcomes of high school attendance, being on‐track to graduate, and graduation.

Methods

This secondary analysis of 3,782 student records from 2008 to 2018 was conducted using United States public‐school district data.

Results

Classmate attendance in fifth‐grade predicted being on‐track to graduate (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.42 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.27, 1.60]) and graduation (AOR = 1.14 [95% CI = 1.03, 1.26]). School nurse workload aspects affected being on‐track to graduate: (low‐income students per school nurse [AOR = 0.77 [95% CI = 0.70, 0.85]; total students per school nurse [AOR = 1.3 [1.18, 1.44]) and graduation (low‐income students per school nurse [AOR = 0.82 [95% CI = 0.75, 0.90]; total students per school nurse [AOR = 1.4 [1.26, 1.57]).

Conclusion

Characteristics of the school population such as classmate attendance and students with limited resources per school nurse are areas for future interventions as they affect student educational outcomes and lifelong health.
Incidence of major pome fruit tree viruses and viroids in commercial pear orchards in China and in Pyrus betulifolia seedlings
Authors: Ma Lei , Zeng Qi , Huang Wenting , Wang Shengyuan , Zhang Yi , Cheng Yuqin , Zhang Qiulei , Wang Shengnan , Hao Li , Xu Chaoran , Yu Yunfei , Wang Baoan , Li Tianzhong , Jiang Feng
Published: March 2021

Using reverse transcription (RT) PCR and quantitative RT‐PCR, we showed the presence of apple stem grooving virus (ASGV), apple stem pitting virus (ASPV), apple chlorotic leaf spot virus (ACLSV), and apple scar skin viroid (ASSVd) in all tested parts of pear plants from China. Relative RNA accumulation of ASGV, ASPV, and ASSVd in the annual branch phloem of different pear cultivars displayed different seasonal variations, but all showed relatively high RNA accumulation in October. Based on these results, 821 samples (annual branches) in October 2018 and 2019 were collected from major pear‐growing areas to evaluate the phytosanitary status of pear orchards in China by RT‐PCR‐based testing and sequencing. ASGV was found in 91.2% of the samples, followed by ASPV (74.8%) and ASSVd (46.9%); in contrast, ACLSV, pear blister canker viroid, and apple mosaic virus were rarely detected, if at all. About 79.5% of the samples showed mixed infections, the most common being of ASGV+ASPV+ASSVd. Two batches of Pyrus betulifolia seedlings were tested for the presence of the above viruses and viroids; one batch displayed 97.9% infection rate of ASSVd, including 14.1% of seedlings coinfected with ASGV; the other batch showed 0.9%, 1.3%, and 0.9% infection rates with ASGV, ASPV, and ACLSV, respectively. This is the first extensive report on the incidence of major pome fruit tree viruses and viroids in pear orchards in China, and also provides information on the occurrence of viruses and viroids in pear rootstock seedlings.
Salivary pH and oral health of Brazilian para‐athletes: Saliva and oral health of para‐athletes
Authors: Brancher João Armando , Morodome Fernanda , Madalena Isabela Ribeiro , Reis Caio Luiz Bittecourt , Von Held Rodrigo , Antunes Lívia Azeredo Alves , Winckler Ciro , Salgueirosa Fabiano , Neto Zair Candido Oliveira , Storrer Carmen Lucia Muller , Küchler Erika Calvano , Antunes Leonardo Santos
Published: March 2021

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the association of the salivary pH and parameters of oral health in Brazilian para‐athletes.

Methods and results

The sample was composed of 271 Brazilian para‐athletes (147 athletics, 61 powerlifting, and 63 swimming); mean age was 31.2 ± 11.7 years. Data collected during anamnesis, clinical examination, and saliva collection revealed that salivary pH was different among sports (p = .01) and tends to decrease as age and body mass index (BMI) increase (p = .026, .027, respectively). The mean decay missing filled teeth was 8.8 (±0.57), but there is no correlation with salivary pH (R2 = −0.0852; CI 95%, −0.215–0.047; p = .194) as habits of grinding, clenching teeth, or bruxism was not associated with salivary pH (p = .317, .932, and .444, respectively). Regarding breathing, para‐athletes that have buccal breathing had significantly higher salivary pH (p = .04). This data were confirmed by multiple logistic regression (p = .05). Open bite, lip seal, geographic or fissured tongue also were not associated with variation of salivary pH (p > .05).

Conclusions

This study provided evidence of an association between salivary pH with age, BMI, type of breathing, and type of sport practiced by the para‐athletes
Medial gastrocnemius muscle fascicles shorten throughout stance during sprint acceleration
Authors: Werkhausen Amelie , Willwacher Steffen , Albracht Kirsten
Published: March 2021

The compliant nature of distal limb muscle‐tendon units is traditionally considered suboptimal in explosive movements when positive joint work is required. However, during accelerative running, ankle joint net mechanical work is positive. Therefore, this study aims to investigate how plantar flexor muscle‐tendon behavior is modulated during fast accelerations. Eleven female sprinters performed maximum sprint accelerations from starting blocks, while gastrocnemius muscle fascicle lengths were estimated using ultrasonography. We combined motion analysis and ground reaction force measurements to assess lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics, and to estimate gastrocnemius muscle‐tendon unit length during the first two acceleration steps. Outcome variables were resampled to the stance phase and averaged across three to five trials. Relevant scalars were extracted and analyzed using one‐sample and two‐sample t‐tests, and vector trajectories were compared using statistical parametric mapping. We found that an uncoupling of muscle fascicle behavior from muscle‐tendon unit behavior is effectively used to produce net positive mechanical work at the joint during maximum sprint acceleration. Muscle fascicles shortened throughout the first and second steps, while shortening occurred earlier during the first step, where negative joint work was lower compared with the second step. Elastic strain energy may be stored during dorsiflexion after touchdown since fascicles did not lengthen at the same time to dissipate energy. Thus, net positive work generation is accommodated by the reuse of elastic strain energy along with positive gastrocnemius fascicle work. Our results show a mechanism of how muscles with high in‐series compliance can contribute to net positive joint work.
Does Legislative Institutionalization Impact Policy Adoption? New Evidence from the Colonial and Early State Legislatures 1757–1795
Authors: Dorssom Elizabeth I.
Published: March 2021

Objective. Using an original data set, I explore the impact of institutionalization on policy adoption using a case study of the use of sunset provisions across the 13 colonies and states from 1757 to 1795. This time frame allows for a thorough investigation of sunset provision use during the period in which the colonial legislatures were undergoing the institutionalization process, and had yet to develop standing committee systems. Methods. I employ a fractional logit regression to examine the effect of legislative institutionalization on the rate of sunset provision use. Results. As the colonial legislatures institutionalized, sunset provisions were less frequently used. Conclusion. Through exploring sunset provision use prior to partisanship and standing committee development, this study extends our understanding of the impact of institutionalization on policy adoption.
Practical Considerations for Use of Causation Entropy in Sparsity Identification
Authors: Elinger Jared , Rogers Jonathan
Published: March 2021

The selection of model structure is an important step in system identification for nonlinear systems in cases where the model form is not known a priori. This process, sometimes called covariate selection or sparsity identification, involves the selection of terms in the dynamic model and is performed prior to parameter estimation. Previous work has shown the applicability of an information theory quantity known as causation entropy in performing sparsity identification. While prior work established the overall feasibility of using causation entropy to eliminate extraneous terms in a model, key questions remained regarding practical implementation. This paper builds on previous work to explore key practical considerations of causation entropy sparsity identification. First, the effect of data size is explored through both analysis and simulation, and general guidance is provided on how much data is necessary to produce accurate causation entropy estimates. Second, the effects of measurement noise and model discretization error are investigated, showing that both cause degradation of the causation entropy estimation accuracy but in opposite ways. These practical effects and trends are illustrated on several example nonlinear systems. Overall, results show that the causation entropy approach is a practical technique for sparsity identification particularly in light of the guidelines presented here for data size selection and handling of error sources.
Static Response Analysis of a Dual Crane System Using Fuzzy Parameters
Authors: Zhou Bin , Zi Bin , Zhu Weidong
Published: March 2021

Static response analysis of a dual crane system (DCS) is conducted using fuzzy parameters. The fuzzy static equilibrium equation is established and two fuzzy perturbation methods, including the compound function/fuzzy perturbation method (CFFPM) and modified compound function/fuzzy perturbation method (MCFFPM), are presented. The CFFPM uses the level-cut technique to transform the fuzzy static equilibrium equation into several interval equations with different cut levels. The interval Jacobian matrix, the first and second interval virtual work vectors, and the inverse of interval Jacobian matrix are approximated by the first-order Taylor series and Neumann series. The fuzzy static response field for every cut level is obtained by a synthesis of the compound function technique, the interval perturbation method, and the fuzzy algorithm. In the MCFFPM, the fuzzy static response field for every cut level is derived based on the surface rail generation method, the modified Sherman–Morrison–Woodbury (SMW) formula, and the fuzzy theory. Compared with the Monte Carlo method (MCM), numerical examples demonstrate that the MCFFPM has a better accuracy than the CFFPM and both of them bring a higher efficiency than the MCM, especially when it comes to effects of fuzzy parameters on uncertainty quantification (UQ) of the static response of the DCS.
(tBuN)SiMe2NMe2—A new N,N′-κ2-monoanionic ligand for atomic layer deposition precursors
Authors: Griffiths Matthew B. E. , Zanders David , Land Michael A. , Masuda Jason D. , Devi Anjana , Barry Seán T.
Published: March 2021

Eight new atomic layer deposition (ALD) precursors were synthesized using a ligand that is new to the field of ALD: (tBuNH)SiMe2NMe2. Complexes containing Mg, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn were found to be tetrahedral, and Li complexes form more complex structures. These compounds performed exceptionally well by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All compounds except for one Li species and the Fe complex left residual masses below 5%, similar or better than the analogous amidinate complexes. In particular, the Co(II) complex is very thermally robust and performs very well during a TGA stress test, surpassing temperatures above 200 °C. These compounds are the first of a family of precursors containing this type of monoanionic N–Si–N ligand and are prime candidates for ALD process development.
Blue and near infrared luminescence degradation by electron beam irradiation in Y2O3:Tm3+ nanophosphors
Authors: Nagarasanakote Jayaramu Shivaramu , Coetsee Elizabeth , Swart Hendrik C.
Published: March 2021

Cathodoluminescence (CL) degradation measurements on Y2O3:Tm3+ nanoparticles were made to test for potential application as a blue phosphor in low-voltage field emission displays. The incorporation of Tm3+ into the Y3+ sites in the Y2O3 lattice was confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and CL spectra. The Y2O3:Tm3+ nanophosphor was investigated under vacuum and oxygen (O2) backfilled conditions in order to control surface chemical adsorption. The Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and the CL data collection were performed simultaneously when the nanophosphor was bombarded with a beam of electrons with a 3 μA beam current and an accelerated voltage of 2 keV in both atmospheres. The Y2O3:Tm3+ nanophosphor displayed strong blue (457 nm) and relatively weak near infrared (812 nm) emissions. The CL intensity decreased as a function of electron dose in vacuum, while in the O2 backfilled pressure it only started to decrease after an electron dose of ∼250 C/cm2 after removal of C from the surface. The CL emission’s intensity increased at an initial electron dose in the O2 backfilled pressure due to the desorption of C from the surface. The removal of C and other surface impurities from the surface was ascribed to be due to electron stimulated surface chemical reactions. The AES and the thermoluminescence (TL) data suggested that an O deficient layer was formed on the surface. TL glow curves confirmed that the electron beam induced deep traps at activation energies of 1.28, 1.37, and 1.42 eV in the Y2O3:Tm3+ nanophosphor that was attributed to oxygen vacancies. Mechanisms, where O deficiency leads to an improvement in the CL intensity, were also discussed.