bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composite structure and enhanced photocatalytic activity in Mn–Co–Ni–O/LaMnO3 microparticles
Authors: Ma Chao
Published: May 2020

A series of Mn–Co–Ni–O/LaMnO3 composite materials were synthesized through the sol-gel method. The structure of these powders changed from the spinel to a spinel–perovskite mixed phase as the content of LaMnO3 increased from 0 to 50%. Meanwhile, some grains of composite material were refined to form many small particles and distributed among the porous microparticles. According to the absorption spectra of composite samples, the strong absorption structures appeared in visible ranges, especially between 400 and 730 nm. The photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under the visible light irradiation indicated that the percentage of LaMnO3 at 50% exhibited the highest degradation rate (70.2%) in 150 min. Its high photocatalytic activity was mainly due to the large surface area, strong visible light absorption and increased ratio of Mn3+/Mn4+ ions. These new micro-structured photocatalysts were expected to show considerable potential applications in the water treatment.
Prediction of the evolution of the stress field of polycrystals undergoing elastic-plastic deformation with a hybrid neural network model
Authors: Frankel Ari , Tachida Kousuke , Jones Reese
Published: May 2020

Crystal plasticity theory is often employed to predict the mesoscopic states of polycrystalline metals, and is well-known to be costly to simulate. Using a neural network with convolutional layers encoding correlations in time and space, we were able to predict the evolution of the dominant component of the stress field given only the initial microstructure and external loading. In comparison to our recent work, we were able to predict not only the spatial average of the stress response but the evolution of the field itself. We show that the stress fields and their rates are in good agreement with the two dimensional crystal plasticity data and have no visible artifacts. Furthermore the distribution of stress throughout the elastic to fully plastic transition match the truth provided by held out crystal plasticity data. Lastly we demonstrate the efficacy of the trained model in material characterization and optimization tasks.
2-representations of small quotients of Soergel bimodules in infinite types
Authors: Ko Hankyung , Mazorchuk Volodymyr
Published: May 2020

We determine for which Coxeter types the associated small quotient of the

2
2

-category of Soergel bimodules is finitary and, for such a small quotient, classify the simple transitive

2
2

-representations (sometimes under the additional assumption of gradability). We also describe the underlying categories of the simple transitive

2
2

-representations. For the small quotients of general Coxeter types, we give a description for the cell

2
2

-representations.
Effective virtual and residual properties of some arithmetic hyperbolic 3–manifolds
Authors: DeBlois Jason , Miller Nicholas , Patel Priyam
Published: May 2020

We give an effective upper bound, for certain arithmetic hyperbolic 3-manifold groups obtained from a quadratic form construction, on the minimal index of a subgroup that embeds in a fixed 6-dimensional right-angled reflection group, stabilizing a totally geodesic subspace. In particular, for manifold groups in any fixed commensurability class we show that the index of such a subgroup is asymptotically smaller than any fractional power of the volume of the manifold. We also give effective bounds on the geodesic residual finiteness growths of closed hyperbolic manifolds that totally geodesically immerse in non-compact right-angled reflection orbifolds, extending work of the third author from the compact case. The first result gives examples to which the second applies, and for these we give explicit bounds on geodesic residual finiteness growth.
The use of micro RNA in the early detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Wittenborn Julia , Weikert Leonore , Hangarter Birgit , Stickeler Elmar , Maurer Jochen
Published: May 2020

An important issue in current oncological research is prevention as well as early detection of cancer. This includes also the difficulty to predict the progression of early or pre-cancerous lesions to invasive cancer. In this context, the characterization and categorization of pre-neoplastic lesions of squamous cell carcinoma [cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)] are an important task with major clinical impact. Screening programs are worldwide established with the aim to detect and eradicate such lesions with the potential to develop untreated into cervical cancer. From the literature it is known that around 5% of CIN 2 and 12% of CIN 3 cases will progress to cancer. The use of molecular markers extracted from cervical mucus might help to identify these high-risk cases and to exclude unnecessary biopsies or surgical treatment. Here we can show that micro RNA (miRNA) analysis from cervical mucus of 49 patients allowed us to distinguish between healthy patients and patients with CIN 3. The miRNA panel used in combination allowed for highly significant testing (P < 0.0001) of CIN 3 status. In parallel, the human papillomavirus status of the patients, the most important factor for the development of cervical cancer, significantly correlated with the miRNA markers hsa-miR-26b-5p, hsa-miR-191-5p and hsa-miR-143-3p, a subpanel of the original six miRNAs. We provide here a proof-of-concept for cervical mucus-based testing for pre-neoplastic stages of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.
Fatal case of hospital-acquired hypernatraemia in a neonate: lessons learned from a tragic error
Authors: Overgaard-Steensen Christian , Poorisrisak Porntiva , Heiring Christian , Schmidt Lisbeth Samsø , Voldby Anders , Høi-Hansen Christina , Langkilde Annika , Sterns Richard H
Published: May 2020

A 3-week-old boy with viral gastroenteritis was by error given 200 mL 1 mmol/mL hypertonic saline intravenously instead of isotonic saline. His plasma sodium concentration (PNa) increased from 136 to 206 mmol/L. Extreme brain shrinkage and universal hypoperfusion despite arterial hypertension resulted. Treatment with glucose infusion induced severe hyperglycaemia. Acute haemodialysis decreased the PNa to 160 mmol/L with an episode of hypoperfusion. The infant developed intractable seizures, severe brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging and died. The most important lesson is to avoid recurrence of this tragic error. The case is unique because a known amount of sodium was given intravenously to a well-monitored infant. Therefore the findings give us valuable data on the effect of fluid shifts on the PNa, the circulation and the brain’s response to salt intoxication and the role of dialysis in managing it. The acute salt intoxication increased PNa to a level predicted by the Edelman equation with no evidence of osmotic inactivation of sodium. Treatment with glucose in water caused severe hypervolaemia and hyperglycaemia; the resulting increase in urine volume exacerbated hypernatraemia despite the high urine sodium concentration, because electrolyte-free water clearance was positive. When applying dialysis, caution regarding circulatory instability is imperative and a treatment algorithm is proposed.
Persistent indefinite for dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus is a risk factor for dysplastic progression to low-grade dysplasia
Authors: Henn Andrew J , Song Kevin Y , Gravely Amy A , Mesa Hector , Sultan Shahnaz , Shaheen Nicholas J , Shaukat Aasma , Hanson Brian J
Published: May 2020

Patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE) are at increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). The risk is largely based on the degree of dysplasia. Dysplasia cannot always be differentiated from inflammatory changes, and therefore may be classified as indefinite for dysplasia (IND). The risk of progressive dysplasia in patients with IND is unclear. Our aim is to characterize the risk of progression in US veterans with BE-IND. We performed a single-center retrospective cohort study of patients with BE-IND between 2006 and 2016. All IND was diagnosed by consensus conference with an expert gastrointestinal (GI) pathologist or review by an expert GI pathologist and persistence was defined as IND present on subsequent endoscopic biopsy. The primary outcome was the incidence rate of high-grade dysplasia (HGD)/EAC. Secondary outcomes included any progression including incident low-grade dysplasia (LGD), any prevalent dysplasia and risk factors for dysplastic progression, namely persistent IND. Risk factors for progression were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis with logistic regression. Among 107 patients with BE-IND, there were no incident cases of HGD/EAC. Twenty patients (18.7%) developed incident LGD during a median follow-up of 2.39 years (interquartile range, 1.13–5.17). The annual rate of progression to LGD was 5.95 per 100 patient-years (95% CI, 3.73–9.02). Prevalent dysplasia was common (9.3%). Eight patients had prevalent LGD, one patient had prevalent HGD and one patient had prevalent EAC. Twenty-eight patients (30.1%) were found to have persistent IND. Among those with persistent IND, 10 (36%) patients progressed to LGD (none to HGD/EAC). The progression rate to LGD for patients with persistent IND was 7.86 (95% CI, 3.99–14.02) cases per 100 patient-years versus 4.78 (95% CI, 2.48–8.52) for nonpersistent IND (P = 0.036). The odds ratio for progression to LGD in persistent IND was 3.06 (95% CI, 1.08–8.64). In multivariate analysis adjusting for age, smoking history, presence of hiatal hernia and BMI > 30, persistent IND remained significant (OR 3.23; 95% CI, 1.04–9.98). Regression to nondysplastic BE was very common. Seventy-one (61%) patients developed complete and sustained regression of all dysplastic changes at last follow-up. Persistent IND, present in one-third of patients with IND, is an independent risk factor for progression to LGD. Although no patients in this cohort developed HGD/EAC, prevalent dysplasia was common (9.3%). Taken together, patients with IND should receive close surveillance for both prevalent and incident dysplasia especially if IND is persistent.
Intra-population strain variation in phosphorus storage strategies of the freshwater cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis raciborskii
Authors: Xiao Man , Hamilton David P , Chuang Ann , Burford Michele A
Published: May 2020

Several cyanobacteria, including diazotrophic Raphidiopsis raciborskii, can form harmful blooms when dissolved inorganic phosphorus concentrations are very low. We hypothesized that R. raciborskii strains would vary in phosphorus (P) allocations to cell growth and storage, providing resilience of populations to continuously low or variable P supplies. We tested this hypothesis using six toxic strains (producing cylindrospermopsins) isolated from a field population using batch monocultures with and without P and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). Treatments replete with DIN, irrespective of P addition, had similar exponential growth rates for individual strains. P storage capacity varied 4-fold among strains and was significantly higher in DIN-free treatments than in replete treatments. P was stored by all R. raciborskii strains, in preference to allocation to increase growth rates. P stores decreased with increased growth rate across strains, but weeere not related to the time to P starvation in P-free treatments. The storage capacity of R. raciborskii, combined with strategies to efficiently uptake P, means that P controls may not control R. raciborskii populations in the short term. Intra-population strain variation in P storage capacity will need to be reflected in process-based models to predict blooms of R. raciborskii and other cyanobacteria adapted to low-P conditions.
Androgen receptor variants: RNA-based mechanisms and therapeutic targets
Authors: Tietz Kiel T , Dehm Scott M
Published: May 2020

Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of male cancer death in the United States. The androgen receptor (AR) transcription factor is a master regulator of normal glandular homeostasis in the prostate, as well as growth and survival of prostate cancer cells. Therefore, AR-targeted therapies are effective for improving overall survival of patients with advanced prostate cancer that is incurable by surgery or radiation. However, prostate cancer will inevitably progress on AR-targeted therapies to a castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) phenotype that accounts for virtually all prostate cancer-specific death. mRNA transcript variants of the AR gene are expressed in CRPC cells and can be translated to produce AR variant (AR-V) proteins that function as ligand-independent, constitutively active transcription factors. AR-Vs are able to support growth of CRPC cells by promoting expression of AR target genes that are normally suppressed by AR-targeted therapies. Knowledge of mechanisms that govern expression of AR-Vs is incomplete. Studies have shown genomic rearrangements of the AR gene underlie expression of diverse AR-Vs in certain CRPC tumors, but post-transcriptional processes represent a broader regulatory mechanism for expression of AR-Vs in CRPC. This review focuses on alternative splicing, 3′ end processing, miRNA-mediated mRNA repression, of AR and AR-V expression and the potential these mechanisms hold as therapeutic targets for CRPC.
On a Search for a Neurogenomics of Cognitive Processes Supporting Avian Migration and Navigation
Authors: Bingman Verner P , Ewry Emily M
Published: May 2020

Synopsis

The migratory behavioral profile of birds is characterized by considerable variation in migratory phenotype, and a number of distinct orientation and navigational mechanisms supports avian migration and homing. As such, bird navigation potentially offers a unique opportunity to investigate the neurogenomics of an often spectacular, naturally occurring spatial cognition. However, a number of factors may impede realization of this potential. First, aspects of the migratory behavior displayed by birds, including some navigational-support mechanisms, are under innate/genetic influence as, for example, young birds on their first migration display appropriate migratory orientation and timing without any prior experience and even when held in captivity from the time of birth. Second, many of the genes with an allelic variation that co-varies with migratory phenotype are genes that regulate processes unrelated to cognition. Where cognition and navigation clearly converge is in the familiar landmark/landscape navigation best studied in homing pigeons and known to be dependent on the hippocampus. Encouraging here are differences in the hippocampal organization among different breeds of domestic pigeons and a different allelic profile in the LRP8 gene of homing pigeons. A focus on the hippocampus also suggests that differences in developmentally active genes that promote hippocampal differentiation might also be genes where allelic or epigenetic variation could explain the control of or comparison-group differences in a cognition of navigation. Sobering, however, is just how little has been learned about the neurogenomics of cognition (“intelligence”) in humans despite the vast resources and research activity invested; resources that would be unimaginable for any avian study investigating bird navigation.
Recurrent left ventricular pseudoaneurysm with an ominous presentation
Authors: Seabra Daniel , Moreno Nuno , Pissarra Diana , Amorim Mário
Published: May 2020

We present a case of a 58-year-old male with a recurrent left ventricular pseudoaneurysm. Two years before, the patient underwent repair of an apical aneurysm with a thrombus, which was very likely infected and complicated by huge pseudoaneurysm. The dramatic presentation of the recurrent pseudoaneurysm, as it invaded the left chest wall tissue and protruded into the skin through an intercostal space, and the complexity of the procedures are well documented by surgical and accompanying technical images.
The role of overweight in the association between the Mediterranean diet and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a mediation analysis among 21 585 UK biobank participants
Authors: André Perrine , Proctor Gordon , Driollet Bénédicte , Garcia-Esquinas Esther , Lopez-Garcia Esther , Gomez-Cabrero David , Neyraud Eric , Rodriguez-Artalejo Fernando , Morzel Martine , Féart Catherine
Published: May 2020

Background

There is growing evidence that the Mediterranean (Medi) diet may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Whether this association is due to the Medi diet by itself or is mediated by a diet-associated lower rate of overweight is uncertain. Our aim was to disentangle these relationships among UK adults.

Methods

Based on 21 585 participants from the UK Biobank cohort, the adherence to the Medi diet (high fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, fish, olive oil; low meat, dairy products; and intermediate alcohol intakes) was assessed (range 0–18). Data on diabetes were self-reported, and overweight was defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m². A mediation analysis was implemented to disentangle the role of overweight in the Medi diet-T2DM relationship.

Results

The average baseline Medi diet score was 8.8 [standard deviation (SD) 2.6]. During a mean follow-up of 6.1 years, 473 individuals developed T2DM. A higher adherence to a Medi diet (+1 point) was associated with 14% decreased risk of T2DM [hazard ratio (HR): 0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.82–0.90]. This association split into an indirect effect of 10%, mediated by lower odds of overweight (HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.87–0.92), and a direct effect of the Medi diet of 4% (HR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.93–0.99), regardless of the effect mediated by overweight.

Conclusions

Considered as a single mediator, reduced overweight mainly contributes to the association between greater Medi diet adherence and lower risk of T2DM on this British subsample. However, the direct effect of the diet on the risk of T2DM, even weaker, should not be overlooked.
Fourier Frames for Surface-Carried Measures
Authors: Iosevich Alex , Lai Chun-Kit , Liu Bochen , Wyman Emmett
Published: May 2020

In this paper, we show that the surface measure on the boundary of a convex body of everywhere positive Gaussian curvature does not admit a Fourier frame. This answers a question proposed by Lev and provides the 1st example of a uniformly distributed measure supported on a set of Lebesgue measure zero that does not admit a Fourier frame. In contrast, we show that the surface measure on the boundary of a polytope always admits a Fourier frame. We also explore orthogonal bases and frames adopted to sets under consideration. More precisely, given a compact manifold $M$ without a boundary and $D \subset M$, we ask whether $L^2(D)$ possesses an orthogonal basis of eigenfunctions. The non-abelian nature of this problem, in general, puts it outside the realm of the previously explored questions about the existence of bases of characters for subsets of locally compact abelian groups. This paper is dedicated to Alexander Olevskii on the occasion of his birthday. Olevskii’s mathematical depth and personal kindness serve as a major source of inspiration for us and many others in the field of mathematics.
The Domestic Impact of International Standards
Authors: Perlman Rebecca L
Published: May 2020

Regulation is no longer purely a domestic affair. International standards now exist across a broad range of regulatory arenas, touching on issues that may be central to domestic values, such as the regulation of health, safety, and the environment. Although a number of studies have looked at the domestic impact of globalization more generally, few scholars have evaluated the effects of international standards, specifically. This paper investigates that issue, with an empirical focus on agrochemicals. Using original data on changes to US agrochemical regulations between 1996 and 2015, I evaluate whether and how domestic rules have changed in response to international standards. Contrary to common fears, I find little evidence that international standards primarily act as a ceiling, thereby undermining domestic regulations. Instead, international standards seem to serve as focal points, pulling nations toward leniency as well as toward stringency. These findings not only contribute to the broader literature on the domestic effects of globalization, but they also allay concerns that international standards could act as a regulatory cap, encouraging nations to sacrifice caution for economic gain.
Current status and prospects of cryopreservation in aquatic crustaceans and other invertebrates
Authors: Guo Jun-Ho , Weng Ching-Feng
Published: May 2020

The response of crustaceans and other aquatic invertebrates to low temperatures and the application on cryopreservation has been extensively studied experimentally, which has resulted in the development of techniques that have proven to be valuable. This review addresses cryopreservation protocols for cells such as the general freezing damage caused by pre-treatment, freezing, and thawing as well as important factors that affect the preservation of sperm and embryos of aquatic invertebrates. This review also addresses the short- and long-term effects of low temperature resulting from cryopreservation, as well as a review of the relevant literature on the subject. We discuss specific issues related to the effect of ice crystal formation and freezing time on the survival rates of aquatic species: freezing and thawing rates, toxicity of cryoprotectant concentrations on embryos, osmotic pressure effects on cells, the formation of ice crystals inside and outside of cells, the effects of cryopreservation on development, and the effects of different concentrations of antifreeze protectants.
Responsive and Adaptive Survey Design: Use of Bias Propensity During Data Collection to Reduce Nonresponse Bias
Authors: Peytchev Andy , Pratt Daniel , Duprey Michael
Published: May 2020

Reduction in nonresponse bias has been a key focus in responsive and adaptive survey designs, through multiple phases of data collection, each defined by a different protocol, and targeting interventions to a subset of sample elements. Key in this approach is the identification of nonrespondents who, if interviewed, can reduce nonresponse bias in survey estimates. From a design perspective, we need to identify an appropriate model to select targeted cases, in addition to an effective intervention (change in protocol). From an evaluation perspective, we need to compare estimates to a control condition that is often omitted from study designs, in addition to the need for benchmark estimates for key survey measures to provide estimates of nonresponse bias. We introduced a bias propensity approach for the selection of sample members to reduce nonresponse bias. Unlike a response propensity approach in which the objective is to maximize the prediction of nonresponse, this new approach deliberately excludes strong predictors of nonresponse that are uncorrelated with survey measures and uses covariates that are of substantive interest to the study. We also devised an analytic approach to simulate which sample members would have responded in a control condition. This study also provided a rare opportunity to estimate nonresponse bias, using rich sampling frame information, prior round survey data, and data from extensive nonresponse follow-up. The bias propensity model yielded reasonable fit despite the exclusion of the strongest predictors of nonresponse. The intervention was found to be effective in increasing participation among identified sample members. On average, the responsive and adaptive survey design reduced nonresponse bias by more than one-quarter—almost one percentage point—regardless of the choice of benchmark estimates. Effort under the control condition did not reduce nonresponse bias. While results are strongly encouraging, we argue for replication with varied populations and methods.
Integrating N signals and root growth: the role of nitrate transceptor NRT1.1 in auxin-mediated lateral root development
Authors: Lay-Pruitt Katerina S , Takahashi Hideki
Published: May 2020

This article comments on:

Maghiaoui A, Bouguyon E, Cuesta C, Perrine-Walker F, Alcon C, Krouk G, Benková E, Nacry P, Gojon A and Bach L. 2020. The Arabidopsis NRT1.1 transceptor coordinately controls auxin biosynthesis and transport to regulate root branching in response to nitrate. Journal of Experimental Botany 71, 4480–4494.
CReSCENT: CanceR Single Cell ExpressioN Toolkit
Authors: Mohanraj Suluxan , Díaz-Mejía J Javier , Pham Martin D , Elrick Hillary , Husić Mia , Rashid Shaikh , Luo Ping , Bal Prabnur , Lu Kevin , Patel Samarth , Mahalanabis Alaina , Naidas Alaine , Christensen Erik , Croucher Danielle , Richards Laura M , Shooshtari Parisa , Brudno Michael , Ramani Arun K , Pugh Trevor J
Published: May 2020

CReSCENT: CanceR Single Cell ExpressioN Toolkit (https://crescent.cloud), is an intuitive and scalable web portal incorporating a containerized pipeline execution engine for standardized analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. While scRNA-seq data for tumour specimens are readily generated, subsequent analysis requires high-performance computing infrastructure and user expertise to build analysis pipelines and tailor interpretation for cancer biology. CReSCENT uses public data sets and preconfigured pipelines that are accessible to computational biology non-experts and are user-editable to allow optimization, comparison, and reanalysis for specific experiments. Users can also upload their own scRNA-seq data for analysis and results can be kept private or shared with other users.
Survival After Surgery for Renal Cell Carcinoma Metastatic to the Spine: Impact of Modern Systemic Therapies on Outcomes
Authors: Shankar Ganesh M , Van Beaver Laura A , Choi Bryan D , Hadzipasic Muhamed , Sivaganesan Ahilan , Karhade Aditya V , Ferrone Marco L , Harris Mitchel B , Schoenfeld Andrew J , Sadow Peter M , Oh Kevin , Schwab Joseph H , Saylor Philip J , Shin John H
Published: May 2020

BACKGROUND

Modern medical management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) includes therapies targeting tyrosine kinases, growth pathways (mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)), and immune checkpoints.

OBJECTIVE

To test our hypothesis that patients with spinal metastases would benefit from postoperative systemic therapy despite presenting with disease that, in many cases, was resistant to prior systemic therapy.

METHODS

This is an Institutional Review Board-approved clinical retrospective cohort analysis. A sample of adult patients with RCC metastatic to the spine who underwent operative intervention between January 2010 and December 2017 at 2 large academic medical centers was used in this study.

RESULTS

We identified 78 patients with metastatic RCC in whom instrumented stabilization was performed in 79% and postoperative stereotactic radiosurgery was performed in 41% of patients. Of patients presenting with weakness or myelopathy, 93% noted postoperative improvement and 78% reported improvement in radicular and axial paraspinal pain severity. Increased overall survival (OS) (913 d (95% CI: 633-1975 d, n = 49) vs 222 d (95% CI: 143-1005 d, n = 29), P = .003) following surgery was noted in patients who received postoperative systemic therapy a median of 80 d (interquartile range 48-227 d) following the surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative outcomes and palliation of symptoms for metastatic RCC without targeted therapies in this cohort are similar to those reported in earlier series prior to the adoption of these systemic therapies. We observed a significantly longer OS among patients who received modern systemic therapies postoperatively. These findings have implications for the preoperative evaluation of patients with systemic disease who may have been deemed poor surgical candidates prior to the availability of these systemic therapies.
Quantifying the Gap Between Equilibrium and Optimum under Monopolistic Competition*
Authors: Behrens Kristian , Mion Giordano , Murata Yasusada , Suedekum Jens
Published: May 2020

Equilibria and optima generally differ in imperfectly competitive markets. Although this is well understood theoretically, it is unclear how large the welfare distortions are in the aggregate economy. Do they matter quantitatively? To answer this question, we develop a multisector monopolistic competition model with endogenous firm entry and selection, productivity, and markups. Using French and UK data, we quantify the gap between the equilibrium and optimal allocations. We find that inefficiencies in the labor allocation and entry between sectors, as well as inefficient selection and output per firm within sectors, generate welfare losses of about 6%–10% of GDP.
The GARDpotency Assay for Potency-Associated Subclassification of Chemical Skin Sensitizers—Rationale, Method Development, and Ring Trial Results of Predictive Performance and Reproducibility
Authors: Gradin Robin , Johansson Angelica , Forreryd Andy , Aaltonen Emil , Jerre Anders , Larne Olivia , Mattson Ulrika , Johansson Henrik
Published: May 2020

Proactive identification and characterization of hazards attributable to chemicals are central aspects of risk assessments. Current legislations and trends in predictive toxicology advocate a transition from in vivo methods to nonanimal alternatives. For skin sensitization assessment, several OECD validated alternatives exist for hazard identification, but nonanimal methods capable of accurately characterizing the risks associated with sensitizing potency are still lacking. The GARD (Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection) platform utilizes exposure-induced gene expression profiles of a dendritic-like cell line in combination with machine learning to provide hazard classifications for different immunotoxicity endpoints. Recently, a novel genomic biomarker signature displaying promising potency-associated discrimination between weak and strong skin sensitizers was proposed. Here, we present the adaptation of the defined biomarker signature on a gene expression analysis platform suited for routine acquisition, confirm the validity of the proposed biomarkers, and define the GARDpotency assay for prediction of skin sensitizer potency. The performance of GARDpotency was validated in a blinded ring trial, in accordance with OECD guidance documents. The cumulative accuracy was estimated to 88.0% across 3 laboratories and 9 independent experiments. The within-laboratory reproducibility measures ranged between 62.5% and 88.9%, and the between-laboratory reproducibility was estimated to 61.1%. Currently, no direct or systematic cause for the observed inconsistencies between the laboratories has been identified. Further investigations into the sources of introduced variability will potentially allow for increased reproducibility. In conclusion, the in vitro GARDpotency assay constitutes a step forward for development of nonanimal alternatives for hazard characterization of skin sensitizers.
Tooth-shape adaptations in aglyphous colubrid snakes inferred from three-dimensional geometric morphometrics and finite element analysis
Authors: Rajabizadeh Mahdi , Van Wassenbergh Sam , Mallet Christophe , Rücklin Martin , Herrel Anthony
Published: May 2020

To date there are few quantitative studies investigating the evolution of tooth shape and function in aglyphous snakes in relation to diet. A considerable evolutionary decrease in body size is observed in whip snakes of the genus Dolichophis and their sister-group Eirenis. This was coupled with a considerable shift in diet from a regime consisting mainly of prey with endoskeleton to prey bearing a hard exoskeleton. Three-dimensional (3D) geometric morphometrics revealed that the maxillary and palatine teeth of E. persicus are blunt and conical in shape, while the same teeth are sharp and elongated in E. punctatolineatus and D. schmidti. Blunt and conically shaped teeth, as observed in E. persicus, seem to be more adapted for biting hard-bodied, arthropod prey. In contrast, the sharp and elongated teeth in Dolichophis and E. punctatolineatus, are likely specialized for puncturing prey with an endoskeleton. The results of a finite element analysis confirms that during the biting of a hard-bodied prey, the generated stresses in E. persicus teeth are well below the von Mises yield criterion, while in D. schmidti the value is roughly two to three times higher, indicating that E. persicus teeth are better suited for biting hard-bodied prey such as arthropods.
Biological Characteristics and Genetic Diversity ofPhomopsis asparagi, Causal Agent of Asparagus Stem Blight
Authors: Yang Y. Q. , Sun Q. , Li C. M. , Chen H. F. , Zhao F. , Huang J. H. , Zhou J. S. , Li X. M. , Lan B.
Published: May 2020

Asparagus stem blight is a regional disease. In the present study, we compared strains of Phomopsis asparagi from six different provinces to determine their biological characteristics and genetic diversity, differences in the pycnidium and conidium production, pathogenicity, and growth rate. Considerable differences were established in the pycnidium and conidium production among the P. asparagi strains from the six studied provinces. The largest pycnidium and conidium production had the strains from Fujian, followed by those from Hainan. The virulence of P. asparagi strains was significantly different but without a correlation with the geographical source of the strain. FJ2 had the highest virulence, followed by HN2, SD4, and SD5, whereas SD5 had the lowest virulence. The colony diameter and dry weight of the strains of asparagus stem blight fungus from the six provinces were substantially different. The colonies of HN1-5 had the largest diameters, whereas those of XT1-5, LT1-3, FJ1-5, and SX6 had smaller diameters. Four primers with good repeatability and strong specificity were selected from 100 intersimple sequence repeat (ISSR) primers. ISSR-PCR amplification was performed on 36 strains of asparagus stem blight fungus, and a large number of repeatable DNA fingerprints were obtained. Most of the amplified fragments were within 300 to 500 bp. In all, 69 total points, 64 multiple points, and 92.75% polymorphism points were established. The number of ISSR gene sites detected by four primers ranged from 14 to 20, with an average of 16 multiple sites. The copolymerization was divided into three groups: XT1-5, LT1-3, and FJ1-5, which were clustered into the first group; SD1-6, SX1-6, and HB1-6, clustered into the second group; and HN1-5 in the third group. The results of the cluster analysis revealed that the strains of the neighboring provinces had a nearer phylogenetic relationship than that between distant ones. Therefore, the system evolution of P. asparagi is related to the geographical distribution of its strains.
Effects of Soil Conditions on Root Rot of Soybean Caused by Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Cruz D. R. , Leandro L. F. S. , Mayfield D. A. , Meng Y. , Munkvold G. P.
Published: May 2020

Fusarium graminearum is an important soybean pathogen that causes seedling disease, root rot, and pre- and postemergence damping-off. However, effects of soil conditions on the disease are not well understood. The objective of this greenhouse study was to determine the impacts of soil texture, pH, and soil moisture on seedling root rot symptoms and detrimental effects on seedling development caused by F. graminearum. F. graminearum-infested millet was added (10%, vol/vol) to soil with four different textures (sand, loamy sand, sandy loam, and loam). Soil moisture was maintained at saturation, field capacity or permanent wilting point at soil pH levels of 6 or 8. Seedlings were evaluated 4 weeks after planting for root rot, root length, root and shoot dry weights, leaf area, and F. graminearum colonization (by qPCR). There was a significant interaction between soil moisture and soil texture for root rot assessed visually (P < 0.0001). Highest severity (67%) and amount of F. graminearum DNA were observed at pH 6 and permanent wilting point in sandy loam soils. Pot saturation resulted in the lowest levels of disease in sandy loam and loam soils (11.6 and 10.8%, respectively). Reductions in seedling growth parameters, including root length, foliar area, shoot and root dry weights, and root tips, relative to the noninfested control, were significantly greater in sandy loam soils. In contrast, there were no significant growth reductions in sand. This study showed that levels of root rot increased under moisture-limiting conditions, producing detrimental effects on plant development.
Construction and forensic application of 20 highly polymorphic microhaplotypes
Authors: Kureshi Aliye , Li Jienan , Wen Dan , Sun Shule , Yang Zedeng , Zha Lagabaiyila
Published: May 2020

Microhaplotype markers have become an important research focus in forensic genetics. However, many reported microhaplotype markers have limited polymorphisms. In this study, we developed a set of highly polymorphic microhaplotype markers based on tri-allelic single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Eleven newly discovered microhaplotypes along with nine previously identified in our laboratory were studied. The microhaplotype genotypes of unrelated individuals and familial samples were generated on the MiSeq PE300 platform. These 20 loci have an average greater than 3.5 effective number of alleles. Over the whole set, the cumulative power of discrimination was 1–3.3 × 10−18, the cumulative power of exclusion was 1–1.928 × 10−7and the theoretical probability of detecting a mixture was 1–1.427 × 10−6. Differentiation comparisons of 26 populations from the 1000 Genomes Project distinguished among East Asian, South Asian, African and European populations. Overall, these markers enrich the current microhaplotype marker databases and can be applied for individual identification, paternity testing and biogeographic ancestry distinction.
Evidence of links between haematological condition and foraging behaviour in northern gannets (
Morus bassanus
)
Authors: Malvat Z. , Lynch S. A. , Bennison A. , Jessopp M.
Published: May 2020

Haematological analyses can reveal the physiological condition of birds, which are known to efficiently disguise symptoms of stress and disease. However, the interpretation of such analyses requires species-specific baseline data, which are lacking for most free-living seabird species. We provide baseline reference data for several haematological parameters in northern gannets (
Morus bassanus
) and combine this with telemetry and dietary data to understand the links between haematological condition and foraging behaviour. Blood samples were collected from breeding northern gannets in July 2017 (
n
= 15) and 2018 (
n
= 28), which were also equipped with GPS tags. Smears were prepared for performing blood cell counts, including immature erythrocyte and microcyte percentages, total and differential leucocyte counts, heterophil : lymphocyte (H : L) ratio and total thrombocyte count; the remaining blood was used for stable isotope analysis and foraging behaviours were inferred from the recovered tag data. Blood cell counts revealed that the sampled birds were highly stressed and some showed an immune response, evident from the abnormal leucocyte counts and the H : L ratio. There were no sex-related differences in haematological parameters or diet, in contrast to foraging parameters where females undertook longer trips than males and spent proportionately more time in search behaviours. The percentage time spent actively foraging was weakly negatively correlated with the percentage of eosinophils. While there was no direct link between haematological condition and diet, one bird feeding at a relatively low trophic level undertook exceptionally short foraging trips and showed abnormal blood cell counts. This suggests a link between haematological condition and foraging ecology that can be employed in assessing seabird health.
Interference-contrast optical activity: a new technique for probing the chirality of anisotropic samples and more
Authors: Cameron R. P. , Vogl U. , Trautmann N.
Published: May 2020

We introduce interference-contrast optical activity (ICOA) as a new technique for probing the chirality of anisotropic samples and more. ICOA could underpin a new class of ‘chiral microscopes’, with potential applications spanning the range of chirality and beyond. Two possible versions of ICOA are described explicitly; one designed to probe the optical rotation of a transparent sample
regardless
of the sample’s linear birefringence (ICOA-OR) and another designed to probe
gradients
in the optical rotation of a transparent sample (ICOA-GOR). Simulated results for
α
-quartz lead us to suggest that ICOA-GOR might be applied to help monitor the growth of chiral crystals in the pharmaceutical industry. Possible directions for future research are highlighted.
A cross-cultural investigation of young children's spontaneous invention of tool use behaviours
Authors: Neldner Karri , Reindl Eva , Tennie Claudio , Grant Julie , Tomaselli Keyan , Nielsen Mark
Published: May 2020

Through the mechanisms of observation, imitation and teaching, young children readily pick up the tool using behaviours of their culture. However, little is known about the baseline abilities of children's tool use: what they might be capable of inventing on their own in the absence of socially provided information. It has been shown that children can spontaneously invent 11 of 12 candidate tool using behaviours observed within the foraging behaviours of wild non-human apes (Reindlet al. 2016Proc. R. Soc. B283, 20152402. (doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.2402)). However, no investigations to date have examined how tool use invention in children might vary across cultural contexts. The current study investigated the levels of spontaneous tool use invention in 2- to 5-year-old children from San Bushmen communities in South Africa and children in a large city in Australia on the same 12 candidate problem-solving tasks. Children in both cultural contexts correctly invented all 12 candidate tool using behaviours, suggesting that these behaviours are within the general cognitive and physical capacities of human children and can be produced in the absence of direct social learning mechanisms such as teaching or observation. Children in both cultures were more likely to invent those tool behaviours more frequently observed in great ape populations than those less frequently observed, suggesting there is similarity in the level of difficulty of invention across these behaviours for all great ape species. However, children in the Australian sample invented tool behaviours and succeeded on the tasks more often than did the Bushmen children, highlighting that aspects of a child's social or cultural environment may influence the rates of their tool use invention on such task sets, even when direct social information is absent.
Continuous flow vortex fluidic-mediated exfoliation and fragmentation of two-dimensional MXene
Authors: Mohammed Al-antaki Ahmed Hussein , Kellici Suela , Power Nicholas P. , Lawrance Warren D. , Raston Colin L.
Published: May 2020

MXene (Ti
2
CT

x

) is exfoliated in a vortex fluidic device (VFD), as a thin film microfluidic platform, under continuous flow conditions, down to
ca
3 nm thin multi-layered two-dimensional (2D) material, as determined using AFM. The optimized process, under an inert atmosphere of nitrogen to avoid oxidation of the material, was established by systematically exploring the operating parameters of the VFD, along with the concentration of the dispersed starting material and the choice of solvent, which was a 1 : 1 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water. There is also some fragmentation of the 2D material into nanoparticles
ca
68 nm in diameter.
Large-bodied sabre-toothed anchovies reveal unanticipated ecological diversity in early Palaeogene teleosts
Authors: Capobianco Alessio , Beckett Hermione T. , Steurbaut Etienne , Gingerich Philip D. , Carnevale Giorgio , Friedman Matt
Published: May 2020

Many modern groups of marine fishes first appear in the fossil record during the early Palaeogene (66–40 Ma), including iconic predatory lineages of spiny-rayed fishes that appear to have originated in response to ecological roles left empty after the Cretaceous/Palaeogene extinction. The hypothesis of extinction-mediated ecological release likewise predicts that other fish groups have adopted novel predatory ecologies. Here, we report remarkable trophic innovation in early Palaeogene clupeiforms (herrings and allies), a group whose modern representatives are generally small-bodied planktivores. Two forms, the early Eocene (Ypresian) †Clupeopsisfrom Belgium and a new genus from the middle Eocene (Lutetian) of Pakistan, bear conspicuous features indicative of predatory ecology, including large size, long gapes and caniniform dentition. Most remarkable is the presence of a single, massive vomerine fang offset from the midline in both. Numerous features of the neurocranium, suspensorium and branchial skeleton place these taxa on the engraulid (anchovy) stem as the earliest known representatives of the clade. The identification of large-bodied, piscivorous anchovies contributes to an emerging picture of a phylogenetically diverse guild of predatory ray-finned fishes in early Palaeogene marine settings, which include completely extinct lineages alongside members of modern marine groups and taxa that are today restricted to freshwater or deep-sea environments.
β-Elemene derivatives produced from SeO
2
-mediated oxidation reaction
Authors: He Xingrui , Zhuo Xiao-Tao , Gao Yuan , Bai Renren , Ye Xiang-Yang , Xie Tian
Published: May 2020

Herein, we report the first access of β-elemene derivatives through the SeO
2
-mediated oxidation reaction. Several new compounds were isolated through such a one-step reaction, and their structures were elucidated using various 2D-NMR techniques. This method provides easy access to multiple oxidative β-elemene derivatives in one single step and represents the first modifications on cyclohexyl ring of β-elemene. It is expected to open up the opportunity for future derivatization on cyclohexyl ring of β-elemene. The new compounds obtained above showed better anti-proliferation activities than β-elemene itself on several cancer cell lines. Among them, compound
17
shows the best activity in antiproliferation assays of A549 and U-87MG cell lines.
Motivation and preference in isolation: a test of their different influences on responses to self-isolation during the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Weinstein Netta , Nguyen Thuy-Vy
Published: May 2020

This multi-wave study examined the extent that both preference and motivation for time alone shapes ill-being during self-isolation. Individuals in the USA and the UK are self-isolating in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Different motivations may drive their self-isolation: some might see value in it (understood as the identified form of autonomous motivation), while others might feel forced into it by authorities or close others (family, friends, neighbourhoods, doctors; the external form of controlled motivation). People who typically prefer company will find themselves spending more time alone, and may experience ill-being uniformly, or as a function of their identified or external motivations for self-isolation. Self-isolation, therefore, offers a unique opportunity to distinguish two constructs coming from disparate literatures. This project examined preference and motivation (identified and external) for solitude, and tested their independent and interacting contributions to ill-being (loneliness, depression and anxiety during the time spent alone) across two weeks. Confirmatory hypotheses regarding preference and motivation were not supported by the data. A statistically significant effect of controlled motivation on change in ill-being was observed one week later, and preference predicted ill-being across two weeks. However, effect sizes for both were below our minimum threshold of interest.