bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Putting thesystemback into training and firm performance research: A review and research agenda
Authors: Garavan Thomas N. , McCarthy Alma , Lai Yanqing , Clarke Nicholas , Carbery Ronan , Gubbins Claire , Sheehan Maura , Saunders Mark N.K.
Published: March 2021

Research investigating training and firm performance is currently at an inflection point; capable of recognising previous achievements but also having a focus on the future. Based on our review of 207 quantitative papers over a 40‐year period, we find that the field has converged in terms of theory and methods. Important insights have been generated yet there is scope to better understand the complex, interrelated and dynamic nature of the relationship between training and firm performance. We propose that open systems theory (OST) provides the potential to move the field forward and encourage researchers to investigate interactions and linkages between training and performance components, the role of temporal dynamics in inputs and processes, reverse causality and to broaden conceptualisations of firm performance. We consider six principles of OST, highlight productive avenues for future research and identify methodological challenges and implications.
From crafting what you do to building resilience for career commitment in the gig economy
Authors: Wong Sut I , Kost Dominique , Fieseler Christian
Published: March 2021

The present study investigates how individual and collaborative job crafting may help digital labourers to build resilience and career commitment in the gig economy. Results based on a time‐lagged survey from 334 digital labourers indicate that those who engaged in higher individual job crafting reported subsequently higher resilience at the outset. Moreover, high collaborative job crafting compensated for low individual crafting efforts in reaching higher resilience and subsequently higher career commitment in the gig economy. Theoretical and practical implications for sustainable careers in the gig economy are discussed.
Rock phosphate solubilization by abiotic and fungal‐produced oxalic acid: reaction parameters and bioleaching potential
Authors: Mendes Gilberto de Oliveira , Dyer Thomas , Csetenyi Laszlo , Gadd Geoffrey Michael
Published: March 2021

Oxalic acid‐producing fungi play an important role in biogeochemical transformations of rocks and minerals and possess biotechnological potential for extraction of valuable elements from primary or waste ores and other solid matrices. This research investigates the extraction of phosphate from rock phosphate (RP) by oxalic acid. Reaction parameters were derived using pure oxalic acid solutions to solubilize RP. It was found that the oxalic acid concentration was the main factor driving reaction kinetics. Excess oxalic acid could retard the reaction due to calcium oxalate encrustation on RP surfaces. However, complete P extraction was reached at stoichiometric proportions of apatite and oxalic acid. This reaction reached completion after 168 h, although most of the P (up to 75%) was released in less than 1 h. Most of the Ca released from the apatite formed sparingly soluble calcium oxalate minerals, with a predominance of whewellite over weddellite. Bioleaching of RP employing biomass‐free spent culture filtrates containing oxalic acid (100 mM) produced by Aspergillus niger extracted ~ 74% of the P contained in the RP. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the reaction between apatite and oxalic acid and provide insights for potential applications of this process for biotechnological production of phosphate fertilizer.
A High‐Resolution Land Data Assimilation System Optimized for the Western United States
Authors: Erlingis Jessica M. , Rodell Matthew , Peters‐Lidard Christa D. , Li Bailing , Kumar Sujay V. , Famiglietti James S. , Granger Stephanie L. , Hurley John V. , Liu Pang‐Wei , Mocko David M.
Published: March 2021

The Western Land Data Assimilation System (WLDAS) is a custom instance of the NASA Land Information System that combines land surface parameters, meteorological forcing data, and satellite products within a land surface model to produce daily estimates of the water and energy budget variables for the western United States. WLDAS was configured through discussions with partners, with the goal of groundwater sustainability planning for the state of California in mind. The publicly available output dataset has a 1‐km grid resolution and spans 1979–present, which makes it suitable for water resources assessments. The data are also able to contextualize the recent drought events in California. Assimilation of Leaf Area Index, which is demonstrated herein to improve simulation over agricultural areas in California, specifically in terms of evapotranspiration in irrigation regions, will be included along with other data assimilation in subsequent releases of WLDAS.
Associations between parity, pregnancy loss, and breastfeeding duration and risk of maternal type 2 diabetes: An observational cohort study
Authors: Huo Yanan , Cheng Lihong , Wang Chenxiu , Deng Ying , Hu Ruying , Shi Lixin , Wan Qin , Chen Lulu , Zeng Tianshu , Yu Xuefeng , Tang Xulei , Yan Li , Qin Guijun , Chen Gang , Gao Zhengnan , Wang Guixia , Shen Feixia , Luo Zuojie , Qin Yingfen , Chen Li , Li Qiang , Ye Zhen , Zhang Yinfei , Bi Yufang , Lu Jieli , Li Mian , Xu Min , Xu Yu , Wang Tiange , Zhao Zhiyun , Chen Yuhong , Qi Hongyan , Zhu Yuanyue , Hu Chunyan , Su Qing , Liu Chao , Wang Youmin , Wu Shengli , Yang Tao , Deng Huacong , Zhao Jiajun , Mu Yiming , Ning Guang , Wang Weiqing , Lin Anhua ,   for the REACTION Group
Published: March 2021

Background

Parity, pregnancy loss, and breastfeeding duration were found to be associated with diabetes. However, the results are inconsistent. Also, no epidemiological studies have examined the association of these reproductive factors with diabetes in the same large population. We aim to investigate the associations between parity, pregnancy loss, breastfeeding duration, and the risk of maternal diabetes in middle‐aged and elderly Chinese females.

Methods

We included 131 174 females aged ≥40 years from the REACTION study (Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals: A Longitudinal Study). Multivariable linear regression and logistic regression were used to assess the association between parity, pregnancy loss, and breastfeeding duration and type 2 diabetes.

Results

The number of parities and breastfeeding duration were positively related to fasting plasma glucose, 2‐hour postload glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance. Compared with those with one birth, nulliparous women or women with 2 or ≥3 births had a significantly increased risk of diabetes. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were 1.27 (1.10‐1.48), 1.17 (1.12‐1.22), and 1.28 (1.21‐1.35), respectively. Compared with women without pregnancy loss, those who underwent 2 (OR 1.09; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.14) or ≥3 pregnancy losses (OR 1.11; 95% CI, 1.04‐1.18) had an increased risk of diabetes. Moreover, women with a breastfeeding duration ≥0 to 6 months (OR 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75‐0.90) and ≥6 to 12 months (OR 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89‐0.99) had a significantly lower risk of diabetes.

Conclusions

Nulliparous women or women with multiparity or more than one pregnancy loss have an increased risk of diabetes in later life, while women who breastfeed more than 0 to 12 months have a lower risk of diabetes.
Genome assembly and methylome analysis of the white wax scale insect provides insight into sexual differentiation of metamorphosis in hexapods
Authors: Chen Hang , Lu Qin , Chen Xiaoming , Ling Xiaofei , Liu Pengfei , Liu Ni , Wang Weiwei , Zhang Jinwen , Qi Qian , Ding Weifeng , Zhang Xin , Feng Ying , Zhang Yurong , Chen Ming‐Shun , King‐Jones Kirst
Published: March 2021

Scale insects are hemimetabolous, showing “incomplete” metamorphosis and no true pupal stage. Ericerus pela, commonly known as the white wax scale insect (hereafter, WWS), is a wax‐producing insect found in Asia and Europe. WWS displays dramatic sexual dimorphism, with notably different metamorphic fates in males and females. Males develop into winged adults, while females are neotenic and maintain a nymph‐like appearance, which are flightless and remain stationary. Here, we report the de novo assembly of the WWS genome with a size of 638.30 Mbp (69.68 Mbp for scaffold N50) by PacBio sequencing and Hi‐C. These data allowed us to perform a robust phylogenetic analysis comprising 24,923 gene orthogroups from 16 representative insect genomes. This analysis indicated that holometabola evolved from insects with incomplete metamorphosis in the Late Carboniferous, about 50 million years earlier than previously thought. To study the distinct developmental fates of males and females, we analysed the methylome landscape in either sex. Surprisingly, WWS displayed high methylation levels (4.42% for males) when compared to other insects. We observed differential methylation patterns in males and females for genes involved in steroid and sesquiterpenoid production as well as genes acting in fatty acid metabolism pathways. We measured titre profiles for ecdysone, the principal insect steroid hormone, and juvenile hormone (a sesquiterpenoid) in both males and females, which suggested that these hormones are the primary drivers of sexually dimorphic development. Our results provide a comprehensive genomic and epigenomic resource of scale insects that provide new insights into the evolution of metamorphosis and sexual dimorphism in insects.
Quercetin induces pro‐apoptotic autophagy via SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway in human lung cancer cell lines A549 and H1299 in vitro
Authors: Guo Hengjuan , Ding Hui , Tang Xin , Liang Maoli , Li Shuo , Zhang Jing , Cao Jie
Published: March 2021

Background

Quercetin, a natural flavonoid compound, is a potent cancer therapeutic agent widely found in fruit and vegetables. It has been reported to induce growth inhibition and apoptosis in both A549 and H1299 human lung cancer cells. However, the effect of quercetin‐induced autophagy on apoptosis and the possible autophagy mechanism in A549 and H1299 cells have not yet been critically examined.

Methods

A549 and H1299 cells were treated with different concentrations of quercetin for 24 hours. Cell growth was measured by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) assay, whereas apoptosis was assessed by western blotting analysis of apoptotic proteins. The levels of proteins and genes involved in autophagy were determined by western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), respectively. Autophagosomes were also observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and LC3 immunofluorescence.

Results

Quercetin inhibited cell viability and induced mitochondria‐dependent apoptosis in both A549 and H1299 cells in a dose‐dependent. Moreover, quercetin also promoted the expression of LC3‐II and beclin 1 and suppressed the expression of p62. The mRNA levels of LC3‐II, beclin 1, Atg5, Atg7, and Atg12 were upregulated by quercetin treatment. Autophagy inhibition with 3‐methyladenine could effectively inhibit quercetin‐induced apoptosis. In addition, quercetin dose‐dependently elevated the levels of SIRT1 protein and the pAMPK–AMPK ratio. Quercetin‐induced autophagy was attenuated by SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 and SirT1 knockdown by small interfering RNA (siRNA).

Conclusions

Quercetin‐induced autophagy contributes to apoptosis in A549 and H1299 lung cancer cells, which involved the SIRT1/AMPK signaling pathway.
Activity of tarloxotinib‐E in cells with EGFR exon‐20 insertion mutations and mechanisms of acquired resistance
Authors: Nishino Masaya , Suda Kenichi , Koga Takamasa , Ohara Shuta , Fujino Toshio , Soh Junichi , Tirunagaru Vijaya , Vellanki Avanish , Doebele Robert C. , Mitsudomi Tetsuya
Published: March 2021

Background

Approximately 10% of non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) that harbor epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations have in‐frame insertions in exon 20 of the EGFR gene. These tumors do not usually respond to currently available EGFR‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Tarloxotinib is a novel hypoxia‐activated prodrug that releases a potent, irreversible pan‐ERBB TKI (tarloxotinib‐E) under solid tumor hypoxia.

Methods

We examined the efficacy of tarloxotinib‐E against several types of Ba/F3 cells with introduced EGFR exon 20 mutations (EGFR A763insFQEA, V769insASV, D770insSVD, H773insH and H773insNPH mutations). We assayed growth inhibition for tarloxotinib (prodrug), tarloxotinib‐E (active form), poziotinib, afatinib, and osimertinib in Ba/F3 cells with each EGFR exon 20 mutation. We also explored acquired resistance mechanisms to tarloxotinib‐E by establishing cells with resistance to tarloxotinib‐E via chronic drug exposure after N‐ethyl‐N‐nitrosourea mutagenesis treatment.

Results

Among all tested Ba/F3 cell lines, IC50 was ≥72.1 times higher for tarloxotinib than for tarloxotinib‐E, which implies a wide therapeutic window with this prodrug strategy. Tarloxotinib‐E was efficacious against all tested Ba/F3 cells except for H773insH, which was less sensitive to all tested EGFR‐TKIs. As acquired resistance mechanisms to tarloxotinib‐E, we identified either T790M or C797S secondary mutations, depending on the original EGFR exon 20 mutation.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that tarloxotinib‐E could be effective for NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 mutations. Our results also show that T790M or C797S mutations can confer acquired resistance to tarloxotinib‐E; and suggest that resistance mechanisms are influenced by the baseline EGFR exon 20 mutations.
Stand density of co‐existing species regulates above‐ground biomass along a local‐scale elevational gradient in tropical forests
Authors: Kunwar Suwash , Wang Li‐Qiu , Chaudhary Rajeev , Joshi Puspa Raj , Ali Arshad
Published: March 2021

Questions

(1) Do stand density, species diversity and individual tree size variation jointly increase above‐ground biomass (AGB) along an elevational gradient? (2) How does the local‐scale elevational gradient explain the variation in AGB directly and indirectly via stand density, species diversity facet and individual tree size variation? (3) What are the main ecological mechanisms explaining variation in AGB through joint effects of stand density, species diversity and individual tree size variation along an elevational gradient in tropical forests? We hypothesized that higher stand packing, and diverse and complex stand structure drive higher AGB along a local‐scale elevational gradient in tropical forests.

Location

Western Nepal.

Methods

We analyzed biophysical tree data from 101 tropical forest plots along an elevational gradient ranging from 218 to 1,850 m above sea level. Structural equation models were applied to test the relationships among elevation, stand density, species diversity facet (either species richness, evenness, Shannon diversity or Simpson’s dominance), tree diameter and height variation, and AGB.

Results

Stand density increased but species diversity declined AGB, whereas tree diameter and height variation did not strongly influence AGB. The indirect effects of stand density, species diversity facet, and tree diameter and height variation on AGB via each other were non‐significant. Elevation reduced stand density, species richness and AGB but increased tree height variation, and hence, the indirect effects of elevation on AGB were variable. These results suggest that competitive exclusion or selection or environmental filtering effects are shaping the species diversity, structural complexity and AGB of the studied tropical forests.

Conclusions

We argue that compact stand density, rather than diversity and individual tree size variation, of co‐existing species is important for higher AGB but higher species diversity and stand structural complexity may need to be considered in the context of biodiversity conservation and forest management.
On the profitability of self‐sabotage
Authors: Brown David P. , Sappington David E. M.
Published: March 2021

We demonstrate how a supplier can enhance his expected profit by intentionally increasing his expected production costs or limiting his ability to reduce these costs. Such self‐sabotage benefits the supplier when it induces a buyer to implement a more favourable procurement policy, i.e., one that motivates the supplier to deliver cost‐reducing effort systematically rather than selectively. We also demonstrate how the seemingly inefficient persistent implementation of a procurement contract that does not change as the prevailing environment changes can reduce procurement costs by deterring self‐sabotage.
Self‐Supervised Learning of Part Mobility from Point Cloud Sequence
Authors: Shi Yahao , Cao Xinyu , Zhou Bin
Published: March 2021

Part mobility analysis is a significant aspect required to achieve a functional understanding of 3D objects. It would be natural to obtain part mobility from the continuous part motion of 3D objects. In this study, we introduce a self‐supervised method for segmenting motion parts and predicting their motion attributes from a point cloud sequence representing a dynamic object. To sufficiently utilize spatiotemporal information from the point cloud sequence, we generate trajectories by using correlations among successive frames of the sequence instead of directly processing the point clouds. We propose a novel neural network architecture called PointRNN to learn feature representations of trajectories along with their part rigid motions. We evaluate our method on various tasks including motion part segmentation, motion axis prediction and motion range estimation. The results demon strate that our method outperforms previous techniques on both synthetic and real datasets. Moreover, our method has the ability to generalize to new and unseen objects. It is important to emphasize that it is not required to know any prior shape structure, prior shape category information or shape orientation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on deep learning to extract part mobility from point cloud sequence of a dynamic object.
On the NH and CH acidities of toluidine isomers: theoretical description and practical consequences for the synthesis of certain aniline dyes
Authors: Lukeš Vladimír , Hartmann Horst
Published: March 2021

For the toluidine isomers, amino group acidity represents a characteristic feature of these compounds in their electric neutral state. As demonstrated by theoretical calculations based on the quantum chemistry composite G4 method and density functional theory, the CH acidity of the methyl group is hidden under NH acidity. The transformation of toluidines into their mono‐ and bi‐oxidised states significantly increases the acidity of the methyl group. This study indicates that the presence or absence of these deprotonated species in reaction mixtures will determine the CN or CC coupling toluidine products. In agreement with published synthetic approaches for aniline dyes, such as mauveine and fuchsine, the results obtained explain the alternative reaction pathways occurring during the oxidation of toluidine isomers.
Hereditäre Ichthyose und Pilzinfektion: aktuelle Daten zu Pathogenese und Behandlungsstrategien
Authors: Miao Huilei , Dong Ruijia , Zhang Shiyu , Yang Lu , Liu Yuehua , Wang Tao
Published: March 2021

Hereditäre Ichthyosen sind eine Gruppe von Genodermatosen, die entweder als nichtsyndromal oder syndromal klassifiziert werden. Nichtsyndromale Ichthyosen und das Keratitis‐Ichthyosis‐Taubheitssyndrom (keratitis, ichthyosis and deafness syndrome, KID‐Syndrom) prädisponieren für Pilzinfektionen. Diagnostik und Behandlung von Pilzinfektionen bei Ichthyosen sind herausfordernd. In dieser Übersicht fassen wir publizierte Ichthyose‐Fälle mit Pilzinfektion aus den letzten 50 Jahren zusammen. Bei Patienten mit Ichthyose in Kombination mit Pilzinfektion traten atypische Manifestationen wie Alopezie, Papeln und brüchige Nägel auf. Verschiedene Pathomechanismen wurden vorgeschlagen, darunter Mutationen Ichthyose‐relevanter Gene, die über verschiedene Signalwege zur Störung der Hautbarriere führen. Erkrankungen des Immunsystems, wie Atopie oder Störungen der angeborenen Immunität, tragen ebenfalls zur Anfälligkeit bei. Bestimmte Pilze können die Immunabwehr umgehen. Ausgedehnte und wiederkehrende Pilzinfektionen sind bei Ichthyose‐Patienten nicht selten, was die Heilung erschwert und systemische antimykotische Therapien erfordert. Etablierte und neue Ichthyosebehandlungen zielen darauf ab, die Barrierefunktion der Haut zur Vermeidung von Pilzinfektionen zu verbessern. Daher ist der enge Zusammenhang zwischen Ichthyose und Pilzinfektionen in der klinischen Praxis von entscheidender Bedeutung und erfordert ärztlicherseits mehr Aufmerksamkeit. Weitere Studien sind erforderlich, um beteiligte Mechanismen und sinnvolle Behandlungsstrategien zu erforschen.
Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors for the prevention of cardiorenal outcomes in type 2 diabetes: An updated meta‐analysis
Authors: Giugliano Dario , Longo Miriam , Caruso Paola , Maiorino Maria Ida , Bellastella Giuseppe , Esposito Katherine
Published: March 2021

A meta‐analysis of cardiorenal outcomes of sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2is) available in Europe or the United States in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is presented. An electronic search up to 6 January 2021 was conducted to determine eligible trials. A total of eight cardiorenal outcomes trials of SGLT‐2is (empagliflozin, canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, ertugliflozin and sotagliflozin) were identified, with 65,587 patients. Data were analysed using a random effects model. Overall, SGLT‐2is were associated with a 12% reduced risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE; HR = 0.88; 95% CI, 0.83–0.93; Q statistic, p = .19), with no significant heterogeneity (p for interaction = .465) between subgroups of patients with or without cardiovascular disease (CVD). The risk of the composite renal outcome was significantly reduced by treatment with SGLT‐2is (HR = 0.61, 95% CI, 0.54–0.70), with no significant heterogeneity of associations with outcome (I2 = 37%, p = .11), and no difference in the risk between patients with or without CVD (p for interaction = .665). SGLT‐2is have moderate benefits on MACE and major benefits on the progression of diabetic kidney disease.
Clinical and echocardiographic predictors of decompensation in acute severe aortic regurgitation due to infective endocarditis
Authors: Chasapi Athina , Mbonye Kamatamu A. , Bajomo Omotomilola , Young William J. , Primus Christopher , Ambekar Shirish , Wong Kit , Uppal Rakesh , Davies Lewis Ceri , Khanji Mohammed Y. , Woldman Simon , Lloyd Guy , Bhattacharyya Sanjeev
Published: March 2021

Background

Patients with acute severe aortic regurgitation (AR) due to infective endocarditis can progress rapidly from the hemodynamically stable patient to pulmonary edema and cardiogenic shock. We sought to identify patients at risk of decompensation where emergent surgery should be undertaken.

Methods

We identified 90 patients with acute severe AR from the echocardiography laboratory database. Baseline clinical, hemodynamic (heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP)), and echocardiographic data including mitral filling, premature mitral valve closure (PMVC), and diastolic mitral regurgitation (DMR) were identified. The primary endpoint was subsequent development of pulmonary edema or severe hemodynamic instability.

Results

Patients who met the primary endpoint had a higher HR (98.5 bpm vs 80.5 bpm), lower diastolic BP (54 mm Hg vs 61.5 mm Hg), higher mitral E‐wave velocity (113 cm/s vs 83 cm/s), higher E/e′ ratio (12.4 vs 8), higher proportion of DMR (27.8% vs 7.4%), and PMVC (25% vs 9.3%) than patients who did not meet the endpoint. The proportion of patients with the primary endpoint increased as HR increased ((≤81 bpm) 3/30 (10%), (81–94 bpm) 11/31 (35.5%), (≥94 bpm) 22/29 (75.9%), P < .0001) and as the diastolic BP reduced ((≤54 mm Hg) 19/31 (61.3%), (54–63 mm Hg) 12/31 (38.7%), (≥63 mm Hg) 5/28 (17.9%), P = .003). Independent predictors were a higher HR (OR 1.08 (95% CI 1.04–1.13) P = .0003) and DMR (OR 4.71 (95% CI 1.23–18.09), P = .02).

Conclusion

Decompensation in acute severe AR is common. Independent predictors of decompensation are increasing HR(≥94 bpm) and the presence of DMR. Those with these adverse markers should be considered for emergent surgery.
New targets for drug design: importance of nsp14/nsp10 complex formation for the 3’‐5’ exoribonucleolytic activity on SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Saramago Margarida , Bárria Cátia , Costa Vanessa G. , Souza Caio S. , Viegas Sandra C. , Domingues Susana , Lousa Diana , Soares Cláudio M. , Arraiano Cecília M. , Matos Rute G.
Published: March 2021

SARS‐CoV‐2 virus has triggered a global pandemic with devastating consequences. The understanding of fundamental aspects of this virus is of extreme importance. In this work, we studied the viral ribonuclease nsp14, one of the most interferon antagonists from SARS‐CoV‐2. Nsp14 is a multifunctional protein with two distinct activities, an N‐terminal 3’‐to‐5’ exoribonuclease (ExoN) and a C‐terminal N7‐methyltransferase (N7‐MTase), both critical for coronaviruses life cycle, indicating nsp14 as a prominent target for the development of antiviral drugs. In coronaviruses, nsp14 ExoN activity is stimulated through the interaction with the nsp10 protein. We have performed a biochemical characterization of nsp14‐nsp10 complex from SARS‐CoV‐2. We confirm the 3’‐5’ exoribonuclease and MTase activities of nsp14 and the critical role of nsp10 in upregulating the nsp14 ExoN activity. Furthermore, we demonstrate that SARS‐CoV‐2 nsp14 N7‐MTase activity is functionally independent of the ExoN activity and nsp10. A model from SARS‐CoV‐2 nsp14‐nsp10 complex allowed mapping key nsp10 residues involved in this interaction. Our results show that a stable interaction between nsp10 and nsp14 is required for the nsp14‐mediated ExoN activity of SARS‐CoV‐2. We studied the role of conserved DEDD catalytic residues of SARS‐CoV‐2 nsp14 ExoN. Our results show that motif I of ExoN domain is essential for the nsp14 function, contrasting to the functionality of these residues in other coronaviruses, which can have important implications regarding the specific pathogenesis of SARS‐CoV‐2. This work unraveled a basis for discovering inhibitors targeting specific amino acids in order to disrupt the assembly of this complex and interfere with coronaviruses replication.
Biological traits of seabirds predict extinction risk and vulnerability to anthropogenic threats
Authors: Richards Cerren , Cooke Robert S. C. , Bates Amanda E.
Published: March 2021

Aim

Seabirds are heavily threatened by anthropogenic activities, and their conservation status is deteriorating rapidly. Nonetheless, these pressures are unlikely to impact all species uniformly. It remains an open question whether seabirds with similar ecological roles are responding similarly to human pressures. Our aims were as follows: (a) to test whether threatened versus non‐threatened seabirds are separated in trait space; (b) to quantify the similarity of species' roles (redundancy) per IUCN Red List Category; and (c) to identify traits that render species vulnerable to anthropogenic threats.

Location

Global.

Time period

Contemporary.

Major taxa studied

Seabirds.

Methods

We compile and impute eight traits that relate to species' vulnerabilities and ecosystem functioning across 341 seabird species. Using these traits, we build a mixed‐data principal component analysis of species' trait space. We quantify trait redundancy using the unique trait combinations (UTCs) approach. Finally, we undertake a similarity of percentages analysis to identify which traits explain the greatest difference between threat groups.

Results

We find that seabirds segregate in trait space based on IUCN threat status, indicating that anthropogenic impacts are selectively removing large, long‐lived, pelagic surface feeders with narrow habitat breadths. We also find that threatened species have higher trait redundancy, whereas non‐threatened species have relatively limited redundancy. Finally, we find that species with narrow habitat breadths, fast reproductive speeds and varied diets are more likely to be threatened by habitat‐modifying processes (e.g., pollution and natural system modifications), whereas pelagic specialists with slow reproductive speeds and varied diets are vulnerable to threats that directly impact survival and fecundity (e.g., invasive species and biological resource use) and climate change. Species with no threats are non‐pelagic specialists with invertebrate diets and fast reproductive speeds.

Main conclusions

Our results suggest that both threatened and non‐threatened species contribute unique ecological strategies. Consequently, conserving both threat groups, but importantly with contrasting approaches, might avoid potential changes in ecosystem functioning and stability.
Sustaining a career in general practice: Embodied work, inequality regimes, and turnover intentions of women working in general practice
Authors: Mayson Susan , Bardoel Anne
Published: March 2021

The medical workforce in Australia is rapidly feminizing, with general practice (GP) seen as an attractive career choice for female doctors looking for greater work flexibility. However, there is evidence of increased female GP turnover, particularly among younger GPs. Drawing on interviews with a sample of 26 Australian female GPs, this study explores how the embodied nature of GP work and gendered organizational processes create inequality regimes founded on gendered normative expectations of GP work, leading to turnover intentions. Then, considering the literature on job crafting, we problematize the notion of employees proactively optimizing their work environment to show how some female GPs work within gender constraints to craft a sustainable medical career, with others failing. These findings contribute to our understanding of the embodied nature of work and as such may better inform both individual decisions and workforce planning policy to reduce GP turnover and sustain Australia's medical workforce.
Limited understanding of bushfire impacts on Australian invertebrates
Authors: Saunders Manu E. , Barton Philip S. , Bickerstaff James R. M. , Frost Lindsey , Latty Tanya , Lessard Bryan D. , Lowe Elizabeth C. , Rodriguez Juanita , White Thomas E. , Umbers Kate D. L.
Published: March 2021

Understanding how increasing risk of frequent and severe fires affects biodiversity and ecosystem function is important for effective conservation and recovery, but large knowledge gaps exist for many taxa in many parts of the world, especially invertebrates.

After Australia's 2019–2020 catastrophic bushfire disaster, estimates of biodiversity loss and government priorities for post‐fire conservation activities were focused on vertebrates and plants because of lack of knowledge about invertebrates.

Our synthesis of published evidence reveals a fragmented and ambiguous body of literature on invertebrate responses to fire in Australian ecosystems, limiting the capacity of evidence to inform effective conservation policy in response to extreme fire events. Peer‐reviewed studies are available for only six of the more than 30 invertebrate phyla and 88% were on arthropods, predominantly ants.

Nearly all studies (94%) were conducted in terrestrial habitats, with only four studies measuring impacts in freshwater habitats and no studies of impacts on marine invertebrates. The high variation in study designs and treatment categories, as well as the absence of key methodological details in many older observational studies, means that there is substantial opportunity to improve our approach to collating meaningful estimates of general fire effects.

To understand the full ecological effects of catastrophic fire events, and design effective policies that support recovery of ecosystems now and in future, it is critical that we improve understanding of how fire regimes affect invertebrates. We list key priorities for research and policy to support invertebrate conservation and ecosystem recovery in the face of increasing fire risk.
Diverse bacterial profile in extraradicular biofilms and periradicular lesions associated with persistent apical periodontitis
Authors: Zhang C. , Yang Z. , Hou B.
Published: March 2021

Aim

To characterize the bacterial community present in the extraradicular biofilm and periradicular lesions associated with persistent apical periodontitis.

Methodology

Eighteen adult patients who presented with persistent periradicular lesions after root canal treatment and scheduled for endodontic surgery were selected. During surgery, extraradicular samples of biofilms and periradicular lesions were collected. Ten pairs of periradicular lesions and extraradicular biofilm samples were randomly selected for ribosomal 16S rRNA cloning and sequencing. A Wilcoxon’s rank‐sum test was used to compare total bacterial counts and the levels of individual genera and species between the two groups (P < 0.05).

Results

Overall, seventy‐three phylotypes belonging to six different phyla were identified from 1000 sequenced clones. Mogibacterium timidum, Streptococcus intermedius and Enterococcus faecalis predominated in both extraradicular biofilm and periapical lesions. Propionibacterium propionicus, Abiotrophia adiacens, Peptostreptococcus prevotii, Campylobacter gracilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were found in significantly higher levels in the extraradicular biofilm than periapical lesions, whilst Parvimonas micra and Atopobium rimae were more abundant in periapical lesions (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The microbial profile of extraradicular biofilms differed from periapical lesions, indicating the presence of diverse bacterial populations in these regions. Several genera and species were significantly associated with the formation of extraradicular biofilms.
Establishment of a long‐term hypertrophic scar model by injection of anhydrous alcohol: A rabbit model
Authors: Zu Wenxuan , Jiang Banghong , Liu Hongwei
Published: March 2021

The processes of hypertrophic scar formation are extremely complex, and current animal models have limitations in terms of the complete characterization of lesions. An ideal animal model is indispensable for exploring the complex progression of scar formation to elucidate its pathophysiology and to perform therapeutic testing. This study aimed to establish a long‐term, consistent and easily testable animal model by injecting anhydrous alcohol into the dorsal trunk dermis of rabbits. The rabbits were injected with different amounts of anhydrous alcohol. Anhydrous alcohol was infiltrated into the subcutaneous and superficial fascia. The optimal amount of anhydrous alcohol was determined by measuring the area and thickness of the scar. The typical model was established by determining the optimum dosage, and then we analysed the histological characteristics and fibrosis‐associated protein expression. The dermal scar was generated by treating with 2 ml/kg anhydrous alcohol and displayed histopathologic features that characterize human hypertrophic scarring, including a parallel collagen fibre orientation, dermal and epidermal thickening, broad collagen deposition and the loss of dermal adnexal structures. The expression of fibrotic pan‐markers was also enhanced. Moreover, the scar features and duration were compared between the anhydrous alcohol model and the rabbit ear model. Our results show that injecting anhydrous alcohol in the rabbit model thickened the dermal tissue, stimulated dermal fibroproliferation and resulted in hypertrophic scars with protein and histologic features similar to those seen in humans. Taken together, the findings from this study show that our model could be a feasible and useful tool for further research on the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scars.
Allergic contact dermatitis: a significant environmental and occupational skin disease
Authors: Olusegun Olufunmilayo A. , Martincigh Bice S.
Published: March 2021

This review article seeks to provide an overview of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) as a significant environmental and occupational skin disease, the phases of ACD, its causes from the occupational and environmental perspectives, its detection, the effects of ACD with respect to the social, psychological, occupational, and financial perspectives, and its cure and/or prevention. Human skin is very sensitive and as the largest organ in the body, it is highly prone to direct and indirect contact with the substances from its environment. The skin reacts to these substances (xenobiotics) differently depending on the individual’s tolerance level or threshold. Allergic contact dermatitis is a significant environmental and occupational skin disease that should not be ignored in our society because it can affect the quality of life of an affected individual. There are multiple causes of ACD, and these causes of ACD have been discussed from two perspectives: environmental and occupational. The effects of ACD can be psychological, social, financial, and occupational. There is need for more public enlightenment on the effects of ACD as well as a precise understanding that it is not a contagious disease so as to significantly reduce the psychological and social effects of ACD on these patients.
One‐ versus two‐surgeon active stone retrieval procedures for flexible ureteroscopy: An off‐site simulator comparative study
Authors: Okada Shinsuke , Hamamoto Shuzo , Inoue Takaaki , Minagawa Shingo , Morikawa Hirofumi , Matsuda Tadashi , Miura Hiroyasu ,   the SMART Study Group
Published: March 2021

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of the one‐surgeon basketing technique compared to the conventional two‐surgeon method for flexible ureteroscopy.

Methods

Seven urologists (three trained and four less‐trained surgeons) extracted three renal stones using each technique with an off‐site simulator. We analyzed the task completion time, the number of times the basket forceps were opened and closed, and unexpected events during stone‐catching, for both techniques.

Results

There was no significant difference in the total task completion time between the one‐surgeon (102.0 [interquartile range 63.5–164.0] s) and two‐surgeon (99.5 [interquartile range 75.0–145.3] s) techniques. However, the time it took the trained surgeons to extract all stones was significantly shorter with the one‐surgeon than with the two‐surgeon technique (19.0 [interquartile range 18.0–20.0] s vs 34.0 [interquartile range 25.0–40.0] s; P = 0.049). Among the less‐trained surgeons, the opposite effect was observed, but this difference was not statistically significant (96.5 [interquartile range 61.0–134.5] s vs 64.0 [interquartile range 51.5–77.0] s; P = 0.489). The number of times the forceps were opened and closed during stone‐catching was significantly lower with the one‐surgeon technique than with the two‐surgeon technique (5.0 [interquartile range 4.0–5.0] times vs 9.0 [interquartile range 6.0–14.5] times; P = 0.018).

Conclusions

The one‐surgeon technique can offer comparable efficacy to the two‐surgeon technique. If surgeons are sufficiently trained, a one‐surgeon basketing technique for performing flexible ureteroscopy might become a new technical modality for extracting renal stones.
BCG‐induced protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection: Evidence, mechanisms, and implications for next‐generation vaccines
Authors: Foster Mitchell , Hill Philip C. , Setiabudiawan Todia Pediatama , Koeken Valerie A. C. M. , Alisjahbana Bachti , van Crevel Reinout
Published: March 2021

The tuberculosis (TB) vaccine Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) was introduced 100 years ago, but as it provides insufficient protection against TB disease, especially in adults, new vaccines are being developed and evaluated. The discovery that BCG protects humans from becoming infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and not just from progressing to TB disease provides justification for considering Mtb infection as an endpoint in vaccine trials. Such trials would require fewer participants than those with disease as an endpoint. In this review, we first define Mtb infection and disease phenotypes that can be used for mechanistic studies and/or endpoints for vaccine trials. Secondly, we review the evidence for BCG‐induced protection against Mtb infection from observational and BCG re‐vaccination studies, and discuss limitations and variation of this protection. Thirdly, we review possible underlying mechanisms for BCG efficacy against Mtb infection, including alternative T cell responses, antibody‐mediated protection, and innate immune mechanisms, with a specific focus on BCG‐induced trained immunity, which involves epigenetic and metabolic reprogramming of innate immune cells. Finally, we discuss the implications for further studies of BCG efficacy against Mtb infection, including for mechanistic research, and their relevance to the design and evaluation of new TB vaccines.
Comparing the socio‐economic implications of the 1918 Spanish flu and the COVID‐19 pandemic in India: A systematic review of literature
Authors: Sharma Aadya , Ghosh Dibyashree , Divekar Neha , Gore Manisha , Gochhait Saikat , Shireshi S.S.
Published: March 2021

The focus of the present study is to compare and assess the socio‐economic implications of the 1918 influenza pandemic and the COVID‐19 pandemic in India. Both pandemics are similar in the nature of their disease and spread, and have had a far‐reaching impact on society and economies worldwide. To achieve their objective, the researchers adopted the method of systematic literature review (SLR). The findings of the review have been categorised in four subsections: comparison of 1918 influenza and COVID‐19 pandemics in a global context; economic consequences of a pandemic in India; social consequences of a pandemic in India; and the pandemic mitigation measures adopted by India. The findings suggest there are similarities in the socio‐economic implications of the two pandemics and also indicate that developing countries face more severe implications of such pandemics as compared to developed countries. The research findings from the review of literature are followed by the recommendations made by the researchers.
Mobile learning applications to improve invertebrate zoology online teaching
Authors: Verdes Aida , Navarro Carlos , Álvarez‐Campos Patricia
Published: March 2021

The use of new technologies including personal mobile devices has become an indispensable tool in our daily lives, and thus its presence in education is becoming ever more ubiquitous. In the current scenario imposed by the COVID‐19 pandemic, in which in‐person presence in classrooms has been enormously reduced at all educational levels, the use of mobile learning and cutting‐edge methods can greatly improve the way students learn and enhance their online‐learning experience. Mobile applications, combined with extended reality technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), are powerful tools that connect real and virtual environments and allow higher interaction for the user. We have leveraged the advantages of mobile learning and extended reality technologies to develop a series of mobile applications and associated educational activities for university‐level courses involving invertebrate zoology field work. In particular, we have developed (a) a VR SCUBA diving video to explore the diversity of a marine protected area; (b) an AR mobile app to visualize 3D models of marine invertebrates; and (c) a mobile‐based catalogue to explore the terrestrial biodiversity of one of the most diverse regions of Spain. Here we provide detailed information describing the design and creation of these tools, as well as their application in class, to facilitate and encourage their use in higher education. Despite the relatively recent application of these technologies in education, they have an enormous potential: they improve student motivation and learning, can be adapted to different learning styles, reduce social inequalities, and facilitate inclusiveness and diversity practices in the classroom.
Of mudsnails, terrapins, and flukes: Use of trematodes as a field‐based project in parasitology research
Authors: Eugene Adriana , Burke Russell L. , Williams Jason D.
Published: March 2021

We present an exercise for counting trematode cysts on mudsnails that can be implemented as a field‐based project in course work by students or by volunteers. The exercise involves the digenetic trematodePleurogonius malaclemys, which infects diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) as its definitive host, and eastern mudsnails (Tritia obsoleta) as its intermediate host. The trematode forms macroscopic metacercarial cysts on the shells and opercula of the mudsnails, and the life cycle is completed when terrapins ingest the intermediate hosts with cysts. Previous research has suggested that quantifying cysts on mudsnails can be a relatively simple method to estimate terrapin population sizes where terrapins co‐occur with mudsnails. Three non‐professional scientist groups (including students and volunteers) were tested in their estimates of prevalence and intensity data compared to verified cyst counts. Prevalence data were relatively accurate (~76–78%) and reliable (68–89%) across the groups. The intensity of cysts (on shells and opercula of mudsnails) were mostly within 12% of the verified counts (total mean intensity of 1.81–2.97 cysts/parasitized mudsnail) but varied significantly in two cases due to false positives (likely due to sand grains or debris scored as cysts) or negatives (likely due to missed cysts behind the operculum). The exercise can be completed as a lab or series of labs in courses, and data from such projects could be used in terrapin conservation efforts, particularly in helping scientists determine where terrapins occur. We discuss modification of the exercise for other trematode species in regions around the world and hope this expands recognition by the public of the important role of parasites in ecosystems.
Structural characterization and magnetic properties of single‐crystalline (La0.6Pr0.4)0.67Ca0.33MnO3 nanowires
Authors: Xia Weiren , Leng Kai , Tang Qingkai , Yang Li , Xie Yuting , Wu Zhiwei , Yi Kang , Zhu Xinhua
Published: March 2021

Herein, structural and magnetic properties of single‐crystalline (La0.6Pr0.4)0.67Ca0.33MnO3 nanowires synthesized via a hydrothermal process are reported. The nanowires are crystallized in an orthorhombic structure (Pnma space group). Their lattice parameters follow the relationship a ≈ c ≈ b/√2 These nanowires exhibited a clean and smooth surface with diameters of 60‐120 nm and an average length of approximately 2.0 μm. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy images confirmed the single‐crystalline nature of the nanowires growing along the [100] direction. The nanowires demonstrated magnetic hysteresis loops at low temperatures and a weak exchange bias (EB) effect. Paramagnetic (PM)–ferromagnetic (FM) phase transition occurred at a Curie temperature (TC) of 224 K, and strong irreversibility between zero‐field‐cooled (ZFC) and field‐cooled (FC) magnetization (MZFC and MFC, respectively) curves was observed at 273 K. The MZFC curve exhibited a significantly broad peak with a maximum at a freezing temperature (Tf) of 134 K. Relative difference between MFC and MZFC in the nanowires [(MFC − MZFC)/MFC] rapidly increased below Tf and reached approximately 50% below 35 K. The effective magnetic moment deduced from the Curie constant is larger than the theoretical value, indicating short‐range FM interactions in the nanowires. A positive PM TC (θp) implies dominant FM interactions in the nanowires, and θp > TC observed herein indicates the existence of short‐range ordered states above TC.