bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungi associated with the blighted leaf symptoms of Hevea brasiliensis in Malaysia
Authors: Sharifah Aliya Syed Sagaff , Nusaibah Syd Ali
Published: April 2021

This article describes the fungi isolated from the blighted leaf of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) tree in Malaysia. Previously, Neofusicoccum ribis (Family Botryosphaeriaceae) was reported as the causal agent of rubber leaf blight in Malaysia. To date, there are limited studies on this particular disease in Malaysia and worldwide. The current study was carried out on rubber leaves displaying leaf blight symptoms caused by N. ribis from different locations to discover the fungi that reside in the blighted leaves. Rubber leaf samples with blight symptoms were collected from two different locations in Malaysia. The fungal isolates were isolated following the agar plate method and subjected to cultural and morphological characterization. Based on the cultural and morphological characterization, eight fungal isolates were further subjected to molecular identification. Five fungal isolates namely SBI, SB2, SB3, SB6 and SPKT1 were identified as N. ribis, one fungus (SB4) as Diaporthe drenthii, and another two fungi namely SB5 and SPKT2 were identified as Lasiodiplodia pseudotheobromae. Based on the morphological and molecular identification, all the N. ribis isolates demonstrated similar characteristics of the rubber leaf blight pathogen as documented in a previous study.
From history of science to history of knowledge? Themes and perspectives in colonial Australasia
Authors: Beattie James , Morgan Ruth A.
Published: April 2021

This overview article presents some of the main approaches to histories of colonial science in Australasia as well as suggesting future areas of research. Given the plurality of knowledge systems in the colonial period, we argue that a framework defined by history of knowledge, rather than history of science, better reflects the realities of colonial Australasia and opens up opportunities for fresh and innovative scholarship. A ‘history of knowledge systems’ approach, we contend, has the potential to free the study of non‐Western knowledge systems from normative approaches that define other systems only in relation to Western science. A history of knowledge approach, we believe, enables scholars to explore the complex ways in which knowledge‐making in colonial Australasia arose from both Indigenous and non‐Indigenous traditions, perspectives and practices.
Genome editing efficiency of four Drosophila suzukii endogenous U6 promoters
Authors: Ni X.‐y. , Lu W.‐j. , Qiao X. , Huang J.
Published: April 2021

The invasive spotted‐wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) has caused serious economic losses to the fruit industry. The conventional control methods have many limitations and genetic engineering technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated gene drive are promising approaches. In the CRISPR/Cas9 system, the transcriptional regulatory elements play an important role in the activities of gRNA. Thus, in order to improve the genome editing efficiency of the CRISPR/Cas9 system in D. suzukii, we cloned and tested four endogenous U6 promoters to drive mutagenesis of the white gene. Our results showed that all the four promoters could be used with variable efficiency. The promoter DsU6‐3 had the highest genome editing efficiency among the four DsU6 promoters. Compared with the DsU6‐3 promoter, the DmU6:3 promoter showed lower efficiency to drive mutagenesis in D. suzukii. These findings expand the range of promoters available to express gRNAs in D. suzukii, facilitating the basic and applied research on this important pest.
Black Lives Matter: A perspective from three Black information systems scholars
Authors: Payton Fay Cobb , Yarger Lynette , Mbarika Victor
Published: April 2021

Professional computing organisations, including the ACM, IEEE and INFORMS published statements supporting Black Lives Matter during the 2020 racial unrest in the United States. While the voices of these professional organisations are echoed from positions of power, the concerns of Black IS professors are silenced. In this opinion piece, we centre on the voices of Black professors who seek to thrive in an IS field where they are woefully underrepresented, tokenized, isolated, marginalised and excluded from positions of power. Building on the Black Lives Matter movement's momentum, we offer critical insights about our lived experiences and examine pertinent issues. These issues include systemic racism in the ivory tower and the performative nature of diversity work in the academy. In direct response to the Help the Association of Information Systems (AIS) Build a System that Provides Equality for All, we offer an inclusive framework for promoting transparency, justification, compliance and enforcement of the AIS's action plan for widening participation in IS.
The selective closure of feline carotid arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) by GR43175
Authors: Perren Marion J , Feniuk Wasyl , Humphrey Patrick Pa
Published: April 2021

The haemodynamic effects of the selective 5-HT1-like agonist GR43175 have been compared with that of ergotamine in anaesthetized cats. Both GR43175 (30–1000 μg/kg intravenously) and ergotamine (0.3–30 μg/kg intravenously) caused a dose-dependent reduction in the proportion of cardiac output passing through arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs). However, unlike GR43175, the effect of ergotamine (30 μg/kg intravenously) was associated with marked increases in diastolic blood pressure and total peripheral resistance. In further studies, the effect of GR43175 on the distribution of blood flow within the carotid bed has been examined. GR43175 caused a reduction in total carotid arterial blood flow which was entirely due to a reduction in flow through carotid AVAs. These results demonstrate that GR43175, unlike ergotamine, has a highly selective vasoconstrictor action on AVAs within the cranial circulation of anaesthetized cats. Such a mechanism may be important in its antimigraine activity.
Melanocytic lesions with peripheral globules: still a pitfall in the differential diagnosis of melanoma
Authors: Lazaridou E. , Fotiadou C. , Apalla Z.
Published: April 2021

Linked article: A. Pampín–Franco et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35: 1133–1142. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17105.
Unveiling melanomagenesis through the dermatoscope
Authors: Navarrete‐Dechent C. , Jaimes N. , Marchetti M.A.
Published: April 2021

Linked article: O. Reiter et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35: 1111–1118. https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.17133.
A matter of size: the population structure of the smallest known living shark, Etmopterus perryi (Springer & Burgess, 1985), from deep waters off the Colombian Caribbean coast
Authors: Paramo Jorge , Wiff Rodrigo , González Rina
Published: April 2021

The dwarf lanternshark (Etmopterus perryi) is the smallest known described shark, and practically no information has been available on this species since first described in the mid‐1980s. Therefore, the aim of this work is to describe, for the first time, the population structure regarding dwarf lanternshark in the Colombian Caribbean Sea. During deep‐water research surveys conducted along the Colombian Caribbean coast, 87 stations were sampled using the swept area method. A total of 153 dwarf lanternshark individuals were caught in depths ranging from 230 to 530 m. This information was used to describe the size structures, morphological measurements including length‐at‐weight relationship, length at maturity in females and the spatial distribution of mean length and biomass of the species. The lengths of individuals ranged from 78.02 to 289.00 mm total length (TL), which is a new record of maximum length for this species. The spatial distribution of mean lengths and biomass distributions show high abundances and high relative mean lengths in the northeast area off Santa Marta and the area northwest of Riohacha. The mean biomass density in the whole prospected area was 5.52 kg km−2. Length at 50% maturity in females was estimated in 203 mm TL (95% C.I.: 190–214 mm). Deep‐water elasmobranch species, such as the dwarf lantern shark, are expected to show extremely low resilience to fishing exploitation, even when they are not targeted by commercial fishing. Therefore, the information reported in this study can serve as a baseline upon which management measurements can be proposed for the conservation of this shark species.
Production of green banana powder using foam‐mat drying as influenced by drying air temperature: Experimental and 3D numerical study
Authors: Kamali Reza , Dadashi Saeed , Dehghannya Jalal , Ghaffari Hossein
Published: April 2021

Theoretical modeling helps predict a drying system's behavior to analyze mass and heat transfer in actual drying conditions. This research sought to simulate transfer phenomena during foam‐mat drying of unripe banana pulp. The impact of drying air temperature were investigated on some physicochemical features of the final powder. An increase in the temperature raised the drying rate, water‐solubility index, and total color difference. The results showed that the distribution of moisture in the foam dried at 60°C was more uniform compared to 50 and 70°C. The uniform distributions of moisture and temperature in the process improved the final powder quality. The powder morphology analyzed with the field emission scanning electron microscopy showed that increasing the temperature resulted in a smoother surface and lower wrinkling in the powders. The glass transition temperature was maximized at 62.62°C at drying air temperature of 60°C.

Practical Applications

Foam‐mat drying could be used to dry a wide range of foods, including vegetables, milk, fruits, and juices. Unripe banana (UB) powder produced by this method, which contains high resistant starch can be used as a fiber source with prebiotic capacity in bakery and confectionery industry to make functional products such as functional cake. Products produced or enriched with UB flour has shown suitable starch digestion properties, and therefore, could be considered a nutritional alternative for people with obesity and diabetes problems. Moreover, resistant starch, due to its therapeutic effects on the large intestine can be useful for various gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, for example, constipation.
Hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy using transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: The role of multichannel abdominal PORT and vaginal support ring
Authors: Zhang Junji , Dai Yi , Leng Jinhua , Zhu Lan , Lang Jinghe , Sun Dawei
Published: April 2021

Background

Although transvaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is gaining importance, knowledge on transvaginal NOTES procedures in gynecologic practice is limited.

Objective

We aimed at evaluating the feasibility and safety of performing hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy (or bilateral salpingectomy) via transvaginal NOTES using a self‐developed multichannel abdominal port and vaginal support ring.

Study Design

A prospective, single‐center, cohort pilot study was conducted from May to December 2017 in patients with benign uterine diseases or endometrial atypical hyperplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (n = 30) scheduled for laparoscopic hysterectomy. The procedure was performed using a self‐developed five‐channel port and a vaginal support ring.

Results

Hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy (or bilateral salpingectomy) in all 30 cases (mean age: 51.43 ± 4.60 years and body mass index: 23.42 ± 1.45 kg/m2) were successfully performed completely under transvaginal NOTES. Mean operation time was 95.90 ± 14.60 minutes and mean blood loss during the procedure was 52.50 ± 19.20 mL. Average weight of specimen was 79.97 ± 35.48 g. Only one complication of bladder injury was noted and was rectified accordingly. Visual Analog Score (VAS) at first day after operation was 2.70 ± 0.72. After follow‐up for 4.50 ± 1.85 months, all the patients' vaginal stump healed well without scar formation.

Conclusion

Our study showed that use of multichannel abdominal port could make laparoscopic instruments easier to fix and operate wherein the vaginal support ring reduces the leakage of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum. There was no scar on the abdomen and VAS was much lower. This study also demonstrated cosmetic benefits and rapid postoperative recovery.
Clinical management of chemotherapy for elderly gynecological cancer patients
Authors: Yoshida Yoshio , Inoue Daisuke
Published: April 2021

Aim

Since there are no established guidelines for the treatment of gynecological cancer in the elderly, medical treatment policy is currently decided by discussion with patients and their families based on doctors' experiences, referring to data from nonelderly patients and healthy elderly patients. The aim of this review was to clarify the current position of chemotherapy for elderly gynecological cancer patients and discuss the problems to be addressed in the future.

Methods

Little evidence has been accumulated for anticancer drug treatment in elderly individuals with gynecological cancer. This review presents outlines and representative papers on general cancer chemotherapy for the elderly, and problems that need to be solved in gynecological cancer fields in the future are identified.

Results

In 2018, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) published guidelines for “Practical Assessment and Management of Vulnerabilities in Older Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: ASCO Guideline for Geriatric Oncology Summary”. This guideline emphasizes that, when administering chemotherapy to patients over 65 years of age, vulnerabilities should be identified using geriatric assessment (GA). However, there have been no reports of clinical studies using GA in patients with cervical or uterine cancers, and only a few clinical studies using GA have been reported in patients with ovarian cancer.

Conclusions

Scoring systems suitable for elderly Japanese patients remain lacking. A Japanese gynecological GA needs to be developed in cooperation with other disciplines.
First report of bacterial canker of fig trees caused byBrenneria nigrifluens
Authors: Basavand Esmaeil , Khodaygan Pejman , Rahimian Heshmat , Doonan James M. , Pakdin‐Parizi Ali
Published: April 2021

Common fig (Ficus carica) is an important food crop worldwide. A canker disease was observed on common fig trees in the Kerman province, Iran, during 2016–2019. Symptoms included weak trees, brown to black lesions and canker formation on the trunks accompanied by exudation of black sap. A putative pathogen was isolated from infected tissues and characterized using a combination of phenotypic and biochemical tests, pathogenicity assays and molecular tests. On the basis of the colony morphology, biochemical features, molecular data obtained from specific primers and sequence analysis of five genes (16S rRNA,rpoB,gyrB,atpd,andinfB), the putative pathogen was identified asBrenneria nigrifluens. Pathogenicity of the bacterial isolates was tested by inoculating one‐year‐old fig seedlings with a bacterial suspension containing 107 CFU/ml under greenhouse condition. Thirty days after inoculation, no external cankers were observed on inoculated seedlings, but small necrotic lesions appeared on the bark around the inoculation sites, as well as brown necrotic streaks in internal wood. To fulfil Koch's postulates, the pathogen was re‐isolated from lesions on inoculated fig seedlings and confirmed asB. nigrifluens. Bacterial canker caused byPectobacteriaceaemembers such asBrenneriahas led to major economic losses in different trees including walnut, artichoke and Japanese plum around the world. To our knowledge, this is the first report ofB. nigrifluenson common fig globally.
State health disparities research in Rural America: Gaps and future directions in an era of COVID‐19
Authors: Cacari Stone Lisa , Roary Mary C. , Diana Augusto , Grady Patricia A.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

In an era of the COVID‐19 pandemic, improving health outcomes for diverse rural communities requires collective and sustained actions across transdisciplinary researchers, intersectoral partners, multilevel government action, and authentic engagement with those who carry the burden—rural communities.

Methods

Drawing from an analysis of transcriptions and documents from a national workshop on the “State of Rural Health Disparities: Research Gaps and Recommendations,” this brief report underscores the gaps and priorities for future strategies for tackling persistent rural health inequities.

Findings

Four overarching recommendations were provided by national thought leaders in rural health: (1) create mechanisms to allow the rural research community time to build sustainable community‐based participatory relationships; (2) support innovative research designs and approaches relevant to rural settings; (3) sustain effective interventions relevant to unique challenges in rural areas; and (4) recognize and identify the diversity within and across rural populations and adapt culturally and language‐appropriate approaches.

Conclusion

The COVID‐19 public health crisis has exacerbated disparities for rural communities and underscored the need for diverse community‐centered approaches in health research and dedicated funding to rural service agencies and populations.
Common dolphins form unexpected strong social bonds: insights into social plasticity of delphinids
Authors: Mason Suzanne , Salgado Kent Chandra , Bilgmann Kerstin
Published: April 2021

When a social species inhabits disparate environments with different requirements, it presents an ideal study framework for investigating plasticity in social structure. Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are wide‐ranging offshore delphinids that generally form societies with fission‐fusion dynamics within large schools and exhibit weak social bonds. In Port Phillip, southeastern Australia, common dolphins of the same species are, against expectations, resident to an embayment. Residency in this species provides a unique opportunity to investigate whether their social structure resembles that of their offshore conspecifics with weak social bonds, or whether bay living leads to stronger social bonds. We investigated the social structure of 12 resident adult common dolphins, between 2007 and 2014, in Port Phillip. Network analyses revealed nonrandom associations and several strong bonds, a social structure unusual for this species. The study shows that the social structure of a wide‐ranging gregarious species in Port Phillip reflects the requirements of a confined environment with limited but predictable resources. Their social structure in the bay resembles that of inshore delphinids, rather than of its own species. Our study highlights the extreme plasticity in social structure that common dolphins are capable of and the importance of the environment for social bonds.
Role of head‐of‐bed elevation in preventing ventilator‐associated pneumonia bed elevation and pneumonia
Authors: Güner Canan Kaş , Kutlutürkan Sevinç
Published: April 2021

Background

Elevating the head of bed (HOB) to 30° to 45° is an evidence‐based recommendation to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP). However, the available scientific data are inconclusive regarding the optimal degree of HOB elevation which is safe and effective for mechanically ventilated patients.

Aims and objectives

To investigate the impact a of semirecumbent position at 30° and 45°on the development of VAP as compared with aHOB elevation to <30°.

Methods

A 5‐day, single centre, prospective, randomized, controlled, parallel group, three‐arm study was conducted in adult patients on mechanical ventilation staying in the intensive care unit. Patients were randomly placed in <30°, 30°, or 45° HOB elevation position on the day of intubation and followed up for 5 days. They were assessed in terms of the development of microbiologically confirmed VAP (by the culture of endotracheal aspirate) over the study period.

Results

Sixty patients (20 in each arm) completed the study. VAP occurred in 55%, 25%, and 20% of patients in the HOB elevation to <30°, 30°, and 45°study arms, respectively. The frequency of VAP was significantly lower in the 45° compared with the <30° study arm (P = .022); there were no significant differences between the <30° and 30° as well as the 45° and 30° study groups. Unlike the frequency of VAP, the timing of the VAP (early or late) was not dependent on the degree of HOB elevation (P = .703).

Conclusions

Keeping the mechanically ventilated patients in a semirecumbent position as close to 45°as possible should be the goal to prevent the development of VAP. The backrest elevation <30° should be avoided unless medically indicated.

Relevance to clinical practice

The study results reaffirm the crucial role of patient positioning, an essential nursing care intervention, in preventing VAP. Intensive care nurses can contribute to improving the VAP rates and outcomes by placing and keeping the patients in the correct position.
The double gender bias in parental kidney donation among Muslim Arab patients
Authors: Tarabeih Mahdi , Bokek‐Cohen Ya'arit
Published: April 2021

Previous studies showed that it is usually the mother who agrees to donate her kidney to a child with an end‐stage renal disease, while the fathers tend much less to donate. The present study sought to explore decision‐making regarding which parent would donate a kidney to their child. Interviews were conducted with twenty‐five mothers and six fathers who donated a kidney to their child. Analysis of the narratives reveals unwillingness to donate a kidney to a sick daughter and five reasons why mothers are more willing to donate than fathers. Our study shows that parents’ patterns of kidney donation to their children powerfully demonstrate gender relations in Arab society and that culturally related matters have a significant impact on human organ transplantation, hence on quality of life and the chances of survival of nephrological pediatric patients. We recommend that the nursing staff enlist the help of Muslim clerics to increase the willingness of fathers to donate a kidney, for sons as well as for daughters. We call for designing education campaigns aimed at raising awareness and encouraging changes in the attitudes of the families of pediatric ESRD patients as well as of physicians.
Transparent teamwork: The practice of supervision and delegation within the multi‐tiered nursing team
Authors: Walker Felicity Ann , Ball Madeleine , Cleary Sonja , Pisani Heather
Published: April 2021

Supervision and delegation are important leadership skills that nurses require when practising within the multi‐tiered nursing team. In response to increasing demands globally on healthcare systems, Nursing Assistants are becoming more prevalent members of the nursing workforce in the acute care setting. An exploratory descriptive research design was used to examine supervision and delegation of Nursing Assistants in an acute hospital setting in Victoria, Australia. It was found that supervision and delegation in the context of a multi‐tier nursing team required a complex assessment and decision‐making process which was influenced by multiple factors. This research promotes developing transparent nursing practices and mutual understanding in the multi‐tier nursing team to facilitate effective supervision and delegation based on informed decision‐making and culture of openness and trust. Pre‐registration education and continuing education and support for nurses are important to build transparent supervision and delegation practices and teamwork, empowering the nursing team to practice to their full scope of practice to provide high‐quality patient care.
Genetic analysis of multiple primary melanomas arising within the boundaries of congenital nevi depigmentosa
Authors: Fuiten Allison M. , Fankhauser Reilly G. , Smit Darren J. , Stark Mitchell S. , Enright Trevor F. , Wood Mary A. , DePatie Nicholas A. , Pivik Karla , Sturm Richard A. , Berry Elizabeth G. , Kulkarni Rajan P.
Published: April 2021

Here, we present a rare case of a patient who developed multiple primary melanomas within the boundaries of two nevi depigmentosa. The melanomas were excised, and as a preventive measure, the remainder of the nevi depigmentosa were removed. We performed whole‐exome sequencing on excised tissue from the nevus depigmentosus, adjacent normal skin, and saliva to explain this intriguing phenomenon. We also performed a GeneTrails Comprehensive Solid Tumor Panel analysis on one of the melanoma tissues. Genetic analysis revealed germline MC1R V92M and TYR R402Q polymorphisms and a MET E168D germline mutation that may have increased the risk of melanoma development. This genetic predisposition, combined with a patient‐reported history of substantial sun exposure and sunburns, which were more severe within the boundaries of the nevi depigmentosa due to the lack of photoprotective melanin, produced numerous somatic mutations in the melanocytes of the nevi depigmentosa. Fitting with this paradigm for melanoma development in chronically sun‐damaged skin, the patient's melanomas harbored somatic mutations in CDKN2A (splice site), NF1, and ATRX and had a tumor mutation burden in the 90–95th percentile for melanoma.
Priority Monism and Junk
Authors: Taylor Jamie
Published: April 2021

Priority Monism—the position that what is fundamental is one object, the Cosmos—has recently been brought to the fore by Jonathan Schaffer, who has put forward a variety of arguments in its favour. However, Priority Monism has been criticised on the grounds that junk—where for some structure to be junky is for every object in it to be a proper part of another object in the structure—is metaphysically possible. The aim of this paper is to investigate how the monist can deal with this problem. I argue they can successfully argue against junk's possibility, but their response leaves a new problem for monism (the problem of the possibility ofweak junk). To address this problem, they need to develop a new version of Priority Monism, on which the Cosmos isidenticalto all its parts taken collectively. I denote this version of monism asWeak Priority Monism. Contra Schaffer, I think a Priority Monist can and should hold to the thesis that CompositionisIdentity.
Assessing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) tolerance to salinity at seedling stage and screening of the salinity tolerance traits
Authors: Yu R. , Wang G. , Yu X. , Li L. , Li C. , Song Y. , Xu Z. , Zhang J. , Guan C.
Published: April 2021

Salt is among the most harmful agents that negatively influences crop yield. Alfalfa is an important perennial forage crop that exhibits wide cultivar variations in salt tolerance. Developing salt‐tolerant alfalfa plants is a promising way to utilize salinized land.

A comprehensive method was developed to achieve reliable and effective evaluation of alfalfa salt resistance. This included principal components, membership functions and cluster and stepwise regression analyses. These were used to analyse the salt tolerance coefficients of 14 traits and to evaluate 20 diverse alfalfa cultivars at the seedling stage. The various morphological root parameters of six alfalfa cultivars with contrasting salt tolerance were also tested by a scanning apparatus.

According to the comprehensive evaluation value (D value), one highly salt‐tolerant, two salt‐tolerant, four moderately salt‐tolerant and 13 salt‐sensitive alfalfa cultivars were screened. A mathematical equation for the evaluation of alfalfa salt tolerance was established: D′ = −0.126 + 0.667SFW + 0.377SDW + 1.089K+/Na+ + 0.172SFW/RFW (R2 = 0.988; average forecast accuracy of 96.95%), where four indices were closely related to the salt tolerance: shoot fresh weight, ratio of shoot fresh weight to root fresh weight, shoot dry weight and ratio of K+ to Na+ in the shoot. We also found that SSA correlated strongly with SFW, SDW, K+/Na+, D values, while SRV correlated obviously with SFW, SFW/RFW and D values after 150 mm NaCl treatment.

In conclusion, the SFW, K+/Na+, SDW, SFW/RFW, SSA and SRV could be used as indicators of salt tolerance in alfalfa seedlings grown under 150 mm NaCl treatment.
TaWRKY10 transcription factor is a novel jasmonic acid signalling regulator involved in immunity against Septoria tritici blotch disease in wheat
Authors: Campanaro Alberto , Srivastava Anjil K. , Zhang Cunjin , Lee Jack , Millyard Linda , Gatehouse Angharad M. R. , Byrne Ed , Sadanandom Ari
Published: April 2021

Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by the fungus Zymoseptoria tritici, is currently the main threat to worldwide wheat production in temperate climates. Understanding the genetic mechanisms that underpin the Z. tritici–wheat interaction will be crucial for generating new control strategies against STB. Plant hormones are essential regulators of growth and immunity. In particular, jasmonic acid (JA) plays a central role in defence against necrotrophic plant pathogens, but its role in mediating immunity against Z. tritici is largely unknown. Here we identify the transcription factor TaWRKY10 that is taxonomically restricted to the grass subfamily Pooideae as a novel regulator of JA responses in wheat. We demonstrate by using virus‐induced gene silencing that silencing TaWRKY10 leads to increased resistance against Z. tritici with an earlier onset of necrotic symptoms, but with reduced pathogen sporulation. Wheat plants silenced for TaWRKY10 show an up‐regulated JA response. Transcriptional profiling of TaWRKY10 knock‐down plants indicates that it is a negative regulator of the JA receptor TaCOI1 gene expression. Our data indicate that TaWRKY10 down‐regulates JA responses, contributing to the susceptibility of wheat to Z. tritici. We postulate that manipulating TaWRKY10 may provide a strategy to boost STB resistance in wheat.
The 2020 Presidential Election Verdict
Authors: Burden Barry C.
Published: April 2021

President Donald Trump entered the 2020 campaign with liabilities that made his reelection bid daunting. Despite an enthusiastic support base, Trump was soundly defeated in both the popular vote and the Electoral College. Trump's perceived mismanagement of the coronavirus pandemic and uprisings over racial inequality prevented him from altering the trajectory of the campaign that had been set in his first election. A unified Democratic Party rallied behind former Vice President Joseph Biden as the candidate most likely to defeat Trump and restore normalcy. Although Republicans fared reasonably well in subpresidential races, the verdict of voters resulted in the rare removal of an incumbent party after just 4 years in the White House.
Segregation Now, Segregation Tomorrow, Segregation Forever? Racial and Economic Isolation and Dissimilarity in Rural Black Belt Schools in Alabama*
Authors: Mann Bryan , Rogers Annah
Published: April 2021

School racial and economic segregation trends in the United States have increased since the high point of school integration in the 1980s. Current scholarship rarely examines segregation trends in rural areas, especially in the rural Black Belt region of the southern United States. The Black Belt was the location of the leading events of the Civil Rights Movement and where white residents exhibited overt and violent resistance toBrown v. Board of Education. This landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case prohibited legally mandated racial segregation in schools. Our study examines patterns of racial and economic isolation and dissimilarity in the Alabama Black Belt to determine the contemporary nature of school and neighborhood segregation in the region. We use a Critical Race Spatial Analysis framework to conceptualize the study, and we show that segregation patterns have continued and, in some cases, worsened in the last three decades. The forces driving these patterns are different from in the past, stemming from student population changes rather than students' distribution within school districts. Based on these findings, we explain solutions that include implementing school enrollment policy changes alongside policies that incentivize population growth and economic development.
The Boko Haram pluriverse
Authors: Iocchi Alessio
Published: April 2021

This review essay provides an analysis of three very different publications about one of the deadliest and most complex jihadi‐Salafi organizations in the world today: Nigeria‐based Boko Haram. The essay discusses how the debate around the origins, appeal, and doctrine of Boko Haram and its internal and external structure – a debate dominated by visions rooted in US counter‐terrorism paradigms – will be greatly refreshed by the significant amount of new data and interesting reflections proposed and examined in the three books. Finally, the essay proposes that academics and analysts who focus on Boko Haram should aim to overcome disciplinary boundaries and research compartmentalization in order to develop an effective and all‐encompassing level of knowledge about this organization and the related insurgency.
Countering Democratic Backsliding by EU Member States: Constitutional Pluralism and ‘Value’ Differentiated Integration
Authors: Bellamy Richard , Kröger Sandra
Published: April 2021

Constitutional pluralism (CP) and differentiated integration (DI) have been criticised as potentially legitimising democratic backsliding within the EU. Critics contend that effective measures require strengthening the legal authority of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the political authority of the European Commission. We dispute this criticism, which rests on a federal conception of the EU at odds with its confederal features. We argue that the value of democracy for the EU derives from pluralism between as well as within states, thereby justifying CP and DI. While both prove incompatible with democratic backsliding, they challenge the legitimacy of the strong assertions of federal authority some advocate to tackle it. Drawing on CP, we propose four criteria for EU action against backsliding regimes, and suggest processes and penalties that meet them. We liken the latter to ‘value’ DI, whereby backsliding states can be excluded from EU funding and voting rights.
Sources and prevention of graft infection during long‐term ex situ liver perfusion
Authors: Eshmuminov Dilmurodjon , Mueller Matteo , Brugger Silvio D. , Bautista Borrego Lucia , Becker Dustin , Hefti Max , Hagedorn Catherine , Duskabilova Muhayyo , Tibbitt Mark W. , Dutkowski Philipp , Rudolf von Rohr Philipp , Schuler Martin J. , Mueller Nicolas J. , Clavien Pierre‐Alain
Published: April 2021

Introduction

The use of normothermic liver machine perfusion to repair injured grafts ex situ is an emerging topic of clinical importance. However, a major concern is the possibility of microbial contamination in the absence of a fully functional immune system. Here, we report a standardized approach to maintain sterility during normothermic liver machine perfusion of porcine livers for one week.

Methods

Porcine livers (n = 42) were procured and perfused with blood at 34°C following aseptic technique and standard operating procedures. The antimicrobial prophylaxis was adapted and improved in a step‐wise manner taking into account the pathogens that were detected during the development phase. Piperacillin‐Tazobactam was applied as a single dose initially and modified to continuous application in the final protocol. In addition, the perfusion machine was improved to recapitulate partially the host's defense system. The final protocol was tested for infection prevention during one week of perfusion.

Results

During the development phase, microbial contamination occurred in 27 out of 39 (69%) livers with a mean occurrence of growth on 4 ± 1.6 perfusion days. The recovered microorganisms suggested an exogenous source of microbial contamination. The antimicrobial agents (piperacillin/tazobactam) could be maintained above the targeted minimal inhibitory concentration (8‐16 mg/L) only with continuous application. In addition to continuous application of piperacillin/tazobactam, partial recapitulation of the host immune system ex situ accompanied by strict preventive measures for contact and air contamination maintained sterility during one week of perfusion.

Conclusion

The work demonstrates feasibility of sterility maintenance for one week during ex situ normothermic liver perfusion.
Ferroportin 3 is a dual‐targeted mitochondrial/chloroplast iron exporter necessary for iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kim Leah J. , Tsuyuki Kaitlyn M. , Hu Fengling , Park Emily Y. , Zhang Jingwen , Iraheta Jennifer G. , Chia Ju‐Chen , Huang Rong , Tucker Avery E. , Clyne Madeline , Castellano Claire , Kim Angie , Chung Daniel D. , DaVeiga Christopher T. , Parsons Elizabeth M. , Vatamaniuk Olena K. , Jeong Jeeyon
Published: April 2021

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are organelles with high iron demand that are particularly susceptible to iron‐induced oxidative stress. Despite the necessity of strict iron regulation in these organelles, much remains unknown about mitochondrial and chloroplast iron transport in plants. Here, we propose that Arabidopsis ferroportin 3 (FPN3) is an iron exporter that is dual‐targeted to mitochondria and chloroplasts. FPN3 is expressed in shoots, regardless of iron conditions, but its transcripts accumulate under iron deficiency in roots. fpn3 mutants cannot grow as well as the wild type under iron‐deficient conditions and their shoot iron levels are lower compared with the wild type. Analyses of iron homeostasis gene expression in fpn3 mutants and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) measurements show that iron levels in the mitochondria and chloroplasts are increased relative to the wild type, consistent with the proposed role of FPN3 as a mitochondrial/plastid iron exporter. In iron‐deficient fpn3 mutants, abnormal mitochondrial ultrastructure was observed, whereas chloroplast ultrastructure was not affected, implying that FPN3 plays a critical role in the mitochondria. Overall, our study suggests that FPN3 is essential for optimal iron homeostasis.
Immunological selection and monitoring of patients undergoing pig kidney transplantation
Authors: Lucander Aaron C.K. , Nguyen Huy , Foote Jeremy B. , Cooper David K.C. , Hara Hidetaka
Published: April 2021

Pig kidney xenotransplantation has the potential to alleviate the current shortage of deceased and living human organs and provide patients with end‐stage renal disease with a greater opportunity for long‐term survival and a better quality of life. In recent decades, advances in the genetic engineering of pigs and in immunosuppressive therapy have permitted the resolution of many historical obstacles to the success of pig kidney transplantation in nonhuman primates. Pig kidney xenotransplantation may soon be translated to the clinic.

Given the potential risks of kidney xenotransplantation, particularly of immunologic rejection of the graft, potential patients must be carefully screened for inclusion in the initial clinical trials and immunologically monitored diligently post‐transplantation. We provide an overview of the immunological methods we believe should be used to (i) screen potential patients for the first clinical trials to exclude those with a higher risk of rejection, and (ii) monitor patients with a pig kidney graft to determine their immunological response to the graft.
Assessment of Methods for Calculating Liquefied Natural Gas Pump Tower Loads
Authors: Thome Michael , Neugebauer Jens , Moctar Ould el , Schellin Thomas E.
Published: April 2021

This paper presents a comparative numerical study on liquefied natural gas (LNG) pump tower loads, while focusing on two aspects. First, are impact loads relevant for the structural design of LNG pump towers and, second, in which way does fluid–structure interaction influence these loads? Numerical simulations of the multiphase problem were conducted using viscous field methods. First, unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) equations, extended by the volume of fluid (VoF) approach, were used to simulate, at model scale, the flow inside a three-dimensional LNG tank without the tower structure. Then, these results were used to validate the numerical method against model test measurements. Afterward, motion periods and amplitudes were systematically varied in the flow simulations. Flow velocities and accelerations along the positions of the main structural members of the pump tower were extracted and used as input data for load approximations based on the Morison equation. Finally, these load approximations were compared with loads determined from solving the delayed detached eddy simulation (DDES). Time histories as well as statistical measures of global loads acting on the entire and the simplified tower structure were of the same order of magnitude. However, their time evolution differed, especially at their peaks, and this was considered significant for structural design.
Automotive Occupant Dynamics Optimization
Authors: Bennett J. A. , Park G. J.
Published: April 2021

One of the more difficult optimal design tasks occurs when the data describing the system to be optimized is either highly nonlinear or noisy or both. This situation arises when trying to design restraint systems for automotive crashworthiness using the traditional lumped parameter analysis methods. The nonlinearities in the response can come from either abrupt changes in the occupants interaction with the interior or from relatively minor fluctuation in the response due to the interactions of two restraint systems such as belts and airbags. In addition the calculated response measures are usually highly nonlinear functions of the accelerations. Two approaches using an approximate problem formulation strategy are proposed. One approach uses a first order approximation based on finite difference derivatives with a non local step size. The second and more effective approach uses the second order curve fitting strategy as proposed by Vanderplaats. Successful example problems of up to 16 design variables are demonstrated. A conservative design strategy using a derivative based constraint padding is also discussed. The approach proves effective because analytical expressions are available for the second order terms.
Design for Manufacturability: Cost Analysis of Electronic Circuit Board Assembly
Authors: Heng Charlie A. S. , Gay Robert K. L.
Published: April 2021

This paper discusses a methodology to predict the cost of assembling printed circuit boards (PCB). It is formulated using the flexible assembly system in the Experimental Printed Circuit Board Assembly Facility (EPCBAF) of the GINTIC Institute of CIM. The concept of Boothroyd and Dewhurst is applied in this work. The assembly cost accounts for insertion, test and rework costs only. Although focusing on the specific configuration of the system in EPCBAF, the discussion is directed towards broad applications, enabling a wide variety of assembly systems to be simulated.
Representing Tolerance and Assembly Information in a Feature-Based Design Environment
Authors: Sodhi Rajneet , Turner Joshua U.
Published: April 2021

This paper describes a strategy for representing tolerance information and assembly information in a feature-based design environment. The concept of designing with features is extended to incorporate the specification of tolerance information. This allows appropriate tolerancing strategies to be provided within the feature definitions themselves. Thus a closer connection is formed between features and the functional intent implicit in their use. The concept of designing with features is also extended to incorporate the specification of assembly information, through the use of assembly features which provide a high-level user interface for the creation and modeling of assemblies, and which handle the identification and creation of mating relations between components. Several examples of component and assembly design using this extended feature-based approach are presented.
Parameter Identification for Nonlinear Dynamic Systems Using Optimization Techniques
Authors: Deng Yih-Charng , Lust Robert V.
Published: April 2021

Models of mechanical systems often contain unknown system parameters which cannot be determined directly from component tests. System identification techniques are methods which determine the unknown parameters based on the overall system behavior under prescribed dynamic loading. In this work a methodology was developed for identifying the unknown parameters in a nonlinear mechanical system model which produces a high degree of correlation between the model response and the test data. This technique uses numerical optimization algorithms to minimize differences between the model response and the test data. Two algorithms are used: the BFGS quasi-Newton method and the zero-th order POLYTOPE method. Several example problems are solved which demonstrate our methodology. Both methods accurately identify the unknown parameters in simple mass-spring-damper systems. For more complex nonlinear systems, such as the occupant simulation models, the gradient-based BFGS method is unable to identify the correct parameters in two test cases. This is due to the fact that the objective function contains many local minima for these systems. The POLYTOPE method gives satisfactory results for identifying complex nonlinear systems in all three test cases investigated in this study. For complex nonlinear systems the form of the objective function can affect the final solution. Best results will be achieved when the objective function is highly sensitive to the changes of the unknown parameters.
Automated Design of Optimum Belt Drives
Authors: Sinha Dipendra K. , McDonald Michael T.
Published: April 2021

The paper describes a belt design package which works from within a commercial Computer Aided Design and Drafting package (AutoCAD) environment and utilizes FORTRAN programs for design and selection of lowest weight components for the drive system. The components used in the process are available as stock items in U.S.A. The relevant information on these products is stored in commercial database management systems such as EXCEL and LOTUS 1-2-3. Output from the package consists of scaled drawing and tabular specifications.
Speech intelligibility in a realistic virtual sound environment
Authors: Mansour Naim , Marschall Marton , May Tobias , Westermann Adam , Dau Torsten
Published: April 2021

In the present study, speech intelligibility was evaluated in realistic, controlled conditions. “Critical sound scenarios” were defined as acoustic scenes that hearing aid users considered important, difficult, and common through ecological momentary assessment. These sound scenarios were acquired in the real world using a spherical microphone array and reproduced inside a loudspeaker-based virtual sound environment (VSE) using Ambisonics. Speech reception thresholds (SRT) were measured for normal-hearing (NH) and hearing-impaired (HI) listeners, using sentences from the Danish hearing in noise test, spatially embedded in the acoustic background of an office meeting sound scenario. In addition, speech recognition scores (SRS) were obtained at a fixed signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of −2.5 dB, corresponding to the median conversational SNR in the office meeting. SRTs measured in the realistic VSE-reproduced background were significantly higher for NH and HI listeners than those obtained with artificial noise presented over headphones, presumably due to an increased amount of modulation masking and a larger cognitive effort required to separate the target speech from the intelligible interferers in the realistic background. SRSs obtained at the fixed SNR in the realistic background could be used to relate the listeners' SI to the potential challenges they experience in the real world.