bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioinformatics analysis reveals novel hub gene pathways associated with IgA nephropathy
Authors: Jiang Xue , Xu Zhijie , Du Yuanyuan , Chen Hongyu
Published: September 2020

Background

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulopathy worldwide. However, the molecular events underlying IgAN remain to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to identify novel biomarkers of IgAN through bioinformatics analysis and elucidate the possible molecular mechanism.

Methods

Based on the microarray datasets GSE93798 and GSE37460 downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between IgAN samples and normal controls were identified. Using the DEGs, we further performed a series of functional enrichment analyses. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks of the DEGs were constructed using the STRING online search tool and were visualized using Cytoscape. Next, hub genes were identified and the most important module among the DEGs, Biological Networks Gene Ontology tool (BiNGO), was used to elucidate the molecular mechanism of IgAN.

Results

In total, 148 DEGs were identified, comprising 53 upregulated genes and 95 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that the DEGs for IgAN were mainly enriched in extracellular exosome, region and space, fibroblast growth factor stimulus, inflammatory response, and innate immunity. Module analysis showed that genes in the top 1 significant module of the PPI network were mainly associated with innate immune response, integrin-mediated signaling pathway and inflammatory response. The top 10 hub genes were constructed in the PPI network, which could well distinguish the IgAN and control group in monocyte and tissue samples. We finally identified the integrin subunit beta 2 (ITGB2) and Fc fragment of IgE receptor Ig (FCER1G) genes that may play important roles in the development of IgAN.

Conclusions

We identified key genes along with the pathways that were most closely related to IgAN initiation and progression. Our results provide a more detailed molecular mechanism for the development of IgAN and novel candidate gene targets of IgAN.
Effects of dietary replacement of soybean meal with dried distillers grains with solubles on the microbiota occupying different ecological niches in the rumen of growing Hu lambs
Authors: Shen Junshi , Li Zhipeng , Yu Zhongtang , Zhu Weiyun
Published: September 2020

Background

Diet has a profound impact on the rumen microbiota, and the impact can vary among the different rumen ecological niches (REN). This study investigated the effects of dietary replacement of soybean meal (SBM) with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on the rumen microbiota occupying different REN of growing Hu lambs. After a 9-week feeding trial, 6 lambs from each dietary treatment (SBM vs. DDGS-based diets) were slaughtered for sample collection. The microbiota of the rumen solid, liquid, and epithelium fractions was examined using amplicon sequencing analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene, functional prediction, and qPCR.

Results

No interaction of dietary protein source (PS) and REN were detected for virtually all the measurements made in this study. The DDGS substitution resulted in very limited influence on bacterial community structure. However, the metabolic pathways predicted from 16S rRNA gene sequences varied greatly between SBM- and DDGS-based diets. The populations of rumen total bacteria, fungi, sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), and methanogens were not influenced by DDGS substitution, but the population of protozoa was reduced. The bacterial communities in rumen solid (RS) and liquid (RL) were similar in taxonomic composition but were different in relative abundance of some taxa. In contrast, the bacterial composition and relative abundance of rumen epithelium (RE) were greatly distinct from those of the RS and the RL. In alignment with the bacterial relative abundance, the metabolic pathways predicted from 16S rRNA genes also varied greatly among the different REN. The populations of total bacteria, protozoa, and methanogens attached to the RE were smaller than those in the RS and RL, and the fungal population on the rumen epithelium was smaller than that in the RS but similar to that in the RL. On the contrary, the SRB population on the RE was greater than that in the RS and RL.

Conclusions

Substitution of SBM with DDGS had greater impact to the protozoa than to the other microbes, and the microbial community structure and functions at different REN are distinct and niche-adapted.
Generalized logistic distribution and its regression model
Authors: Aljarrah Mohammad A. , Famoye Felix , Lee Carl
Published: September 2020

A new generalized asymmetric logistic distribution is defined. In some cases, existing three parameter distributions provide poor fit to heavy tailed data sets. The proposed new distribution consists of only three parameters and is shown to fit a much wider range of heavy left and right tailed data when compared with various existing distributions. The new generalized distribution has logistic, maximum and minimum Gumbel distributions as sub-models. Some properties of the new distribution including mode, skewness, kurtosis, hazard function, and moments are studied. We propose the method of maximum likelihood to estimate the parameters and assess the finite sample size performance of the method. A generalized logistic regression model, based on the new distribution, is presented. Logistic-log-logistic regression, Weibull-extreme value regression and log-Fréchet regression are special cases of the generalized logistic regression model. The model is applied to fit failure time of a new insulation technique and the survival of a heart transplant study.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: September 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease primarily characterized by synovitis which is accompanied by extra-articular organ involvement, such as interstitial pneumonia, in addition to clinical symptoms including pain, swelling, stiffness of multiple joints, fever, and malaise. Joint destruction progresses soon after the onset, and once the affected joints are deformed, the development of irreversible physical dysfunction is noted. Thus, proper diagnosis and treatment are required from the early stages of the disease. Although palliative therapy with glucocorticoids and anti-inflammatory drugs had been used, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are currently used to suppress immune abnormalities and to control disease activity. DMARDs are classified into different groups, such as conventional synthetic DMARD, targeted synthetic DMARD, and biologic DMARD. The appropriate use of these drugs has allowed remission to be the therapeutic goal in all patients. By maintaining remission, these drugs have also been shown to prevent the progression of joint destruction and physical dysfunction over a long period. The advent of molecular-targeted therapies has allowed for the use of treatments based on pathological mechanisms, and such therapeutic strategies have also been applied to the treatment of various autoimmune inflammatory diseases. In the future, safer and more effective treatments, therapeutic strategies aimed at drug holidays or cure, and the introduction of precision medicine are expected.
Effects of alkali solution on the dissolution kinetics and optimization processes of iron from Akwuke ore
Authors: Ani Kingsley Amechi , Chukelu Chidubem Chukwuebuka
Published: September 2020

Background

The dissolution process kinetics and optimization of iron from Akwuke ore were investigated in this study. The effects of process parameters such as agitation rate and ore particle size on the dissolution process were also examined. The Akwuke ore was characterized employing the XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and UV-spectroscopy.

Results

The results from the rate constants indicated that the diffusion through the boundary layer process with R2 > 0.96 was the rate-determining mechanism. The maximum iron dissolution rate of 83.2% was obtained at 45-μm particle size while 81.2% and 72.6% iron dissolution rates were obtained at 490 and 390 rpm agitation rates, respectively. Silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, and iron oxide were present in Akwuke ore as indicated from the XRD analysis. The RSM predicted optimum value of the iron dissolution rate from the numerical optimization was experimentally validated to confirm the satisfactory performance of the quadratic model.

Conclusion

This study concludes and presents the potential extraction of iron from Akwuke ore, which will be of immense benefit in hydrometallurgical process.
Follistatin-like 1 as a Novel Adipomyokine Related to Insulin Resistance and Physical Activity
Authors: Xu Xiaohui , Zhang Tingran , Mokou Mani , Li Ling , Li Peng , Song Jinlin , Liu Hua , Zhu Zhiming , Liu Dongfang , Yang Mengliu , Yang Gangyi
Published: September 2020

Background and Aims

Follistatin-like protein-1 (FSTL-1) is considered to be an adipokine or myokine that could be a potential regulator of metabolism. Our purpose is to investigate the relationship between circulating FSTL-1 levels and insulin resistance (IR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to identify the regulatory factors.

Methods

FSTL-1 expression in C57BL/6J and db/db mice was examined by quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blots. Serum FSTL-1 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 298 T2DM patients and 202 healthy controls. Changes in the circulating FSTL-1 level were observed during the oral glucose tolerance test, EHC (euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp), lipid infusion, acute exercise, and cold-exposure test.

Results

We found that FSTL-1 protein expression in the adipose tissue of db/db mice was significantly higher than that of wild-type mice. Importantly, circulating FSTL-1 levels in T2DM and overweight/obese participants were higher than those in healthy and lean individuals, and was related to HOMA-IR, adiponectin, and obesity- and metabolism-related parameters. In the intervention study, 45 minutes of physical activity was found to significantly increase the circulating FSTL-1 concentration in young, healthy participants. Further, FSTL-1 protein expression in adipose tissue rose dramatically in response to physical activity in mice. Hyperinsulinemia during EHC and acute elevated FFA induced by lipid infusion resulted in a significant decrease in the circulating FSTL-1 levels. However, no change was found in the circulating FSTL-1 levels in response to the oral glucose challenge or cold-exposure test.

Conclusions

FSTL-1 may be an adipomyokine associated with insulin resistance and physical activity, and circulating FSTL-1 levels are increased in patients with T2DM.
Lung-to-ear sound transmission does not improve directional hearing in green treefrogs (Hyla cinerea)
Authors: Christensen-Dalsgaard Jakob , Lee Norman , Bee Mark A.
Published: September 2020

Amphibians are unique among extant vertebrates in having middle ear cavities that are internally coupled to each other and to the lungs. In frogs, the lung-to-ear sound transmission pathway can influence the tympanum's inherent directionality, but what role such effects might play in directional hearing remain unclear. In this study of the American green treefrog (Hyla cinerea), we tested the hypothesis that the lung-to-ear sound transmission pathway functions to improve directional hearing, particularly in the context of intraspecific sexual communication. Using laser vibrometry, we measured the tympanum's vibration amplitude in females in response to a frequency modulated sweep presented from 12 sound incidence angles in azimuth. Tympanum directionality was determined across three states of lung inflation (inflated, deflated, reinflated) both for a single tympanum in the form of the vibration amplitude difference (VAD) and for binaural comparisons in the form of the interaural vibration amplitude difference (IVAD). The state of lung inflation had negligible effects (typically less than 0.5 dB) on both VADs and IVADs at frequencies emphasized in the advertisement calls produced by conspecific males (834 Hz and 2730 Hz). Directionality at the peak resonance frequency of the lungs (1558 Hz) was improved by≅3 dB for a single tympanum when the lungs were inflated versus deflated, but IVADs were not impacted by the state of lung inflation. Based on these results, we reject the hypothesis that the lung-to-ear sound transmission pathway functions to improve directional hearing in frogs.
Malacofauna from soft bottoms in the Cerro Gordo marine cave (Alboran Sea): biodiversity and spatial distribution
Authors: PINO de la TORRE LIDIA , NAVARRO-BARRANCO CARLOS , GOFAS SERGE
Published: September 2020

The molluscan fauna of Cerro Gordo submarine cave, in the Spanish part of the Alboran Sea, is studied for the first time. The cave bottom spans from 16 m deep at its entrance to the sea level at its innermost section. Replicate soft bottom samples were collected from three different stations, along the horizontal gradient of the cave. Additional samples were collected on photophilous hard bottoms next to the cave entrance, in order to assess the origin of cave bioclasts. The cave sediments contained 158 species of molluscs (23 collected alive and 155 recorded only as shells), more than in Mediterranean cave sediments elsewhere. Species richness and abundance of molluscs decreased from the outermost to the innermost part of the cave. No cave-exclusive species were found, possibly due to the scarcity of caves in the Alboran Sea, but many of the recorded species are known from other Mediterranean caves. The lack of adult individuals for most of the living species inside the cave suggests that these do not constitute self-maintaining populations. Finally, our results suggest that bioclasts found in the sediment do not derive from the outside of the cave nor from the sediment itself, but mostly from the communities inhabiting the walls and ceiling of the cave.
Pinna nobilis in the Greek seas (NE Mediterranean): on the brink of extinction?
Authors: ZOTOU MARIA , GKRANTOUNIS PAVLOS , KARADIMOU ELPIDA , TSIRINTANIS KONSTANTINOS , SINI MARIA , POURSANIDIS DIMITRIS , AZZOLIN MARTA , DAILIANIS THANOS , KYTINOU ELENI , ISSARIS YIANNIS , GERAKARIS VASILIS , SALOMIDI MARIA , LARDI POLY , RAMFOS ALEXIS , AKRIVOS VASILIS , SPINOS EFTHIMIOS , DIMITRIADIS CHARALAMPOS , PAPAGEORGIOU DIMITRIS , LATTOS ATHANASIOS , GIANTSIS IOANNIS A. , MICHAELIDIS BASILE , VASSILOPOULOU VASILIKI , MILIOU ANASTASIA , KATSANEVAKIS STELIOS
Published: September 2020

The Mediterranean endemic fan mussel Pinna nobilis is suffering an ongoing basin-scale mass mortality event (MME) since 2016. As most Mediterranean populations have collapsed, the species has been declared as Critically Endangered in the IUCN Red List of threatened species. In an effort to track the progress of the MME and provide updated information on the status of the species in the Greek seas, we compiled data collected through dedicated surveys and opportunistic assessments during 2019 and 2020. A total of 14589 fan mussel individuals, of which 81.1% dead, were recorded in 258 site surveys. Of the remaining 2762 live individuals, 256 were juveniles. Two marine areas which still sustain living populations were identified, namely Kalloni Gulf (Lesvos Island), and Laganas Bay (Zakynthos Island). The inner part of Kalloni Gulf appears to maintain the largest surviving population of the species in the eastern Mediterranean, with an abundance estimate of 684000 individuals (95% confidence interval: 322000-1453000). Solitary, potentially resistant, scattered individuals were recorded in several sites. Other previously abundant populations that had been assessed in the past, specifically those of Lake Vouliagmeni (Korinthiakos Gulf), Souda Bay (Crete) and Gera Gulf (Lesvos Island), and which collectively summed up to ~350,000 individuals, have now been wiped out. Our results document the collapse of most P. nobilis populations throughout the Greek seas. The MME has substantially progressed between early 2019 and mid-2020, as indicated by the increase of mortality at sites consecutively monitored multiple times. This work highlights the urgent need for continuous monitoring of surviving populations and calls for the immediate implementation of an effective protection and management strategy that will ensure the persistence of surviving individuals and the production of resistant offspring.
Stage 2 Registered Report: Variation in neurodevelopmental outcomes in children with sex chromosome trisomies: testing the double hit hypothesis
Authors: Newbury Dianne F. , Simpson Nuala H. , Thompson Paul A. , Bishop Dorothy V. M.
Published: September 2020

Background: The presence of an extra sex chromosome is associated with an increased rate of neurodevelopmental difficulties involving language. The 'double hit' hypothesis proposes that the adverse impact of the extra sex chromosome is amplified when genes that are expressed from the sex chromosomes interact with autosomal variants that usually have only mild effects. We predicted that the impact of an additional sex chromosome on neurodevelopment would depend on common autosomal variants involved in synaptic functions.

 Methods: We analysed data from 130 children with sex chromosome trisomies (SCTs: 42 girls with trisomy X, 43 boys with Klinefelter syndrome, and 45 boys with XYY). Two comparison groups were formed from 370 children from a twin study. Three indicators of phenotype were: (i) Standard score on a test of nonword repetition; (ii). A language factor score derived from a test battery; (iii) A general scale of neurodevelopmental challenges based on all available information. Preselected regions of two genes, CNTNAP2 and NRXN1, were tested for association with neurodevelopmental outcomes using Generalised Structural Component Analysis.

Results: There was wide phenotypic variation in the SCT group, as well as overall impairment on all three phenotypic measures. There was no association of phenotype with CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 variants in either the SCT group or the comparison groups. Supplementary analyses found no indication of any impact of trisomy type on the results, and exploratory analyses of individual SNPs confirmed the lack of association.

Conclusions: We cannot rule out that a double hit may be implicated in the phenotypic variability in children with SCTs, but our analysis does not find any support for the idea that common variants in CNTNAP2 or NRXN1 are associated with the severity of language and neurodevelopmental impairments that often accompany an extra X or Y chromosome.

Stage 1 report: http://dx.doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.13828.2
Postoperative periprosthetic femoral fracture around total hip replacements: current concepts and clinical outcomes
Authors: Ramavath Ashoklal , Lamb Jonathan N. , Palan Jeya , Pandit Hemant G. , Jain Sameer
Published: September 2020

The rising incidence of postoperative periprosthetic femoral fracture (PFF) presents a significant clinical and economic burden. A detailed understanding of risk factors is required in order to guide preventative strategies. Different femoral stems have unique characteristics and management strategies must be tailored appropriately. Consensus regarding treatment of PFFs around well-fixed stems is lacking, but revision surgery may provide more predictable outcomes for unstable fracture patterns and fractures around polished taper-slip stems. Future research should focus on implant-related risk factors, treatment of concurrent metabolic bone disease and the use of large endoprostheses.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:558-567. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.200003
Short Communication: Ethnobotanical study of wild and cultivated vegetables in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Maroyi Alfred
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Maroyi A. 2020. Short Communication: Ethnobotanical study of wild and cultivated vegetables in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Biodiversitas 21: 3982-3988.  Vegetables are an important component of agricultural biodiversity required for providing a wide range of ecosystem goods and services. The current study was undertaken in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa to document wild and cultivated vegetables. Research data were collected by means of interviews and field surveys carried out in different seasons with one hundred and thirty-eight randomly selected participants. During the interviews, we documented information on names of edible vegetables, uses, plant parts consumed, and their preparation. A total of 32 species belonging to 26 genera and 15 families were recorded in the study area. The plant families with highest number of vegetable species were Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, and Solanaceae with at least four species each. The main uses of vegetables identified in the study area were leafy vegetables (59.4%), edible fruits and tubers (21.9% each), culinary herbs or spices (12.5%), edible seeds (9.4%) and edible stems (6.3%). The species which were categorized as important with relative frequency of citation (RFC) values >0.3 were Brassica oleracea, Solanum tuberosum, Cucurbita moschata, Spinacia oleracea, and Cucurbita maxima. Both vegetable species collected from the wild and conventional vegetables cultivated in home gardens are important to livelihoods needs of the local people.
Seed-borne pathogenic fungi on some soybean varieties
Authors: Soesanto Loekas , Hartono Annisa Rahmaddila Rizky , Mugiastuti Endang , Widarta Heri
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Soesanto L, Hartono ARR, Mugiastuti E, Widarta H. 2020. Seed-borne pathogenic fungi on some soybean varieties. Biodiversitas 21: 4010-4015. The present study was conducted to detect and identify seed-borne pathogenic fungi in some soybean varieties and their effect on seed germination. Experiment was performed in a completely random design with eight treatments and four replicates. Eight soybean varieties i.e., Malabar, Kaba, Dering, Detam I, Sinabung, Dena, Gepak Kuning, and Slamet were selected for the investigation. Seed borne fungi were isolated using blotter test and agar plate techniques. The variables observed were morphological/cultural characteristics, microscopic features of fungi, and percentage of seed germination. A total of eight fungi namely Aspergillus flavus Link, Aspergillus niger van Tieghem, Cladosporium oxysporum Berk. & M.A. Curtis, Colletotrichum dematium (Pers. et Fr.) Grove f.sp. truncate (Schw.) Arx, Curvularia pallescens Boedijn, Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc., Melanospora zamiae Corda, and Nigrospora sp. Mason were isolated from different varieties of soybean seeds. The highest seed germination was found to be 80.5% in Daring and Detam I varieties, respectively, and the lowest 53% was recorded in Dena variety.
Molecular characterization of eight horse breeds in Algeria using microsatellite markers
Authors: BENHAMADI MOHAMMED EL AMINE , BERBER NAIMA , BENYAROU MOHAMMED , AMEUR AMEUR ABDELKADER , HADDAM HADI YOUSSOUF , PIRO MOHAMMED , GAOUAR SEMIR BECHIR SUHEIL
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Amine BME, Naima B, Mohammed B, Abdelkader AA, Youssouf HH, Mohammed P, Suheill GSB. 2020. Molecular characterization of eight horse breeds in Algeria using microsatellite markers.  Biodiversitas 21: 4107-4115. The Algerian horse population Bar, Origin Barb unknown, Arabian-Barb, Arabian, Thoroughbred (Pur sang); French Trotter, Algerian saddle, and Saddle are under a significant loss of genetic variability. This should be evaluated before any breed conservation and management program. For this purpose, genetic analyzes of diversity and differentiation were carried out on eight breeds horses reared in Algeria with 17 microsatellites. All microsatellite markers were highly polymorphic in all Breeds. A total of 170 alleles from 17 microsatellite loci were detected in 279 horses. The average number of alleles per locus was highest in Arabian-Barb horses (7.88) and lowest in Saddle breed (4.94). The observed heterozygosity interbreeds ranged from 0.685 to 0.625 for Barb and Saddle, while the expected heterozygosity was ranged from 0.746 to 0.678 for Arabian-Barb and Algerian Saddle respectively, the Ho value is lower than that of  He value. Genetic diversity between breeds was significant, based on Fst. Three different approaches to assess genetic relationships have been applied; namely, genetic distances, factorial correspondence analysis, and admixture analysis have shown that a significant amount of genetic variation is maintained in populations of native horses and other breeds: the Barb, Arabian-Barb, Barb (Oi). Algerian Saddle and Saddle breeds appear to be the most genetically related and support that there are crosses between these two breeds.
Morphological and molecular identification of seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) from the coast of Sumatra Island, Indonesia
Authors: Hanifaturahmah Fadiyah , Perwitasari-Farajallah Dyah , Alias Butet Nurlisa , Nurilmala Mala , Oman Sudrajat Agus , Ochiai Yoshihiro
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Hanifaturahmah F, Perwitasari-Farajallah D, Butet NA, Nurilmala M, Sudrajat AO, Ochiai Y. 2020. Morphological and molecular identification of seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) from the coast of Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4116-4123. Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.) species are difficult to be identified based on their color, shape, and body size, especially for their juveniles. The purposes of this study were to identify seahorse species from Indonesian waters (Riau Islands and Lampung, Sumatra Island) based on the sequence variations in the 16S rRNA and COI genes and to analyze the kinship of these seahorses. The morphological identification was performed, followed by the validation of the identification based on a molecular approach. Both identification methods showed the one species from Riau Islands was H. kuda, while the others (n=2) were H. comes. All specimens from Lampung (n=3) were H. comes. The specimens of H. comes from Riau Islands and Lampung were the same haplotype based on the 16 S rRNA sequence. Based on the COI, H. comes from Riau Islands (n=2) were found to be one haplotype (haplotype 1; n=2), while those from Lampung (n=3) consisted of two haplotypes (haplotype 1; n=2 and haplotype 2; n=1). Phylogenetic analysis based on both genes revealed that H. comes from Riau Islands and Lampung belongs to the same clade, while H. kuda from Riau Islands (n=1) was included in the lineage B (Indian Ocean).
Effect of genotype, concentration and timing of salicylic acid application to Phalaenopsis against Dickeya dadantii infection
Authors: Sanjaya I Putu Wahyu , Sukma Dewi , Sudarsono Sudarsono , Chan Ming-Tsair
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Sanjaya IPW, Sukma D, Sudarsono, Chan MT. 2020. Effect of genotype, concentration and timing of salicylic acid application to Phalaenopsis against Dickeya dadantii infection. Biodiversitas 21: 4317-4323. Soft-rot because of Dickeya dadantii (Dd) infection is one of the most difficult to control, affecting the cultivation of Phalaenopsis in tropical regions. Salicylic acid (SA) is known as an inducer of resistance against pathogens in some plant species. The study aim to identify the effects of genotypes, concentrations, and timing of salicylic acid application to Phalaenopsis against D. dadantii inoculation. In experiment 1, eight Phalaenopsis genotypes were treated by SA at doses of 0 and 60 ppm and then inoculated with D. dadantii. At a dose of 60 ppm, SA did not increase the resistance to D. dadantii in any genotypes. In experiment 2, a representative of a very susceptible genotype (P. amabilis) was treated with high SA concentrations (60, 360, and 720 ppm). The results demonstrated that at SA concentrations of 360 and 720 ppm, slightly increase P. amabilis resistance to D. dadantii. In experiment 3, the most effective SA concentration (720 ppm) was used at 2, 3, 5, or 7 days after SA treatment. The timing of the SA application did not affect the resistance of P. amabilis to D. dadantii. The present study shows that SA concentrations up to 60 ppm did not inhibit D. dadantii infection. Nevertheless, such inhibition was observed at a high SA dose (720 ppm) for a short period.
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Pinus halepensis from Algeria
Authors: Ramdani Messaoud , HAICHOUR1 RIMA , LOGRADA TAKIA , CHALARD PIERRE , FIGUEREDO4 GILLES
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Haichour R, Lograda T, Ramdani M, Chalard P, Figueredo G. 2020. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Pinus halepensis from Algeria. Biodiversitas 21: 4345-4360. The chemical composition of Pinus halepensis essential oils and their antibacterial activities were investigated. Plant samples were collected in the flowering stage from the East locality of Algeria. The aerial parts of P. halepensis obtained from fifteen localities were subjected to a hydro-distillation, providing pale yellow viscous oils. The obtained yield average was 0.64 ± 0.37%. The analysis of the chemical composition of essential oils was performed by using GC and GC / MS. A total of thirty-seven compounds representing 99.4 ± 0.5% of the total oils were identified in P. halepensis. The hydrocarbon compounds were found to dominate essential oils in P. halepensis. In addition, the major compounds were caryophyllene-E (29.06 ± 8.5%), myrcene (19.14 ± 6.67%), a-pinene (16.86 ± 3.35%), phenyl ethyl 3-methyl butanoate (5.67 ± 2.47%), a-humulene (4.81 ± 1.43%), terpinolene (3.94 ± 1.6%) and sabinene (3.11 ± 1.84%). Based on their chemical composition, essential oil samples were clustered in five groups by UPGMA analysis. The first group includes the Tafrent essential oil population. It is characterized by the phenyl ethyl-3-methyl butanoate – Sabinene ‒ Δ3-carene chemotype. The second group was subdivided into two clusters. The first cluster or chemotype was characterized by the myrcene ‒ α-pinene ‒ caryophyllene-E. The second chemotype was characterized by caryophyllene-E ‒ α-humulene ‒ myrcene. The essential oil of P. halepensis is an effective antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus; Klebsiella pneumonia; Salmonella enteric spp arizonae; Listeria innocua; Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus cereus, and no effect on the E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Metabolic profiling and pathway analysis in red arillus of Salacca sumatrana demonstrate significant pyruvate, sulfur, and fatty acid metabolisms
Authors: Fendiyanto Miftahul Huda , SATRIO RIZKY DWI , DARMADI DIDI
Published: September 2020

Abstract. Fendiyanto MH, Satrio RD, Darmadi D. 2020. Metabolic profiling and pathway analysis in red arillus of Salacca sumatrana demonstrate significant pyruvate, sulfur, and fatty acid metabolisms. Biodiversitas 21: 4361-4368. Salak or snake fruit (Salacca Reinw.; Arecaceae) is a tropical fruit that has high biodiversity in a tropical country such as Indonesia. Several types of salak can be found in Indonesia, one of which is Salacca sumatrana (Becc.) Mogea. Research on profiling metabolites in S. sumatrana has not been conducted. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the metabolite profile and pathway analysis in S. sumatrana, especially in red arillus tissue. This research was conducted by the method of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and the study of bioinformatics through metabolomics approaches. The results showed that red arillus had metabolites consisting of groups of fatty acids, esters, alcohols, xylene, phenols, etc.. Significant metabolites found were isobutyl acetate, palmitic acid, formic acid, 2-pentanoic acid, ethylic acid, n-hexadecoic acid, hydroxypentanoic acid, etc. There was a tendency that metabolite ethylic acid, identified as C00033 accession, was a key metabolite in either the pyruvate metabolism pathway or sulfur metabolisms with relatively high impact values. Pathway analysis using bioinformatics studies using MetaboAnalyst shows that four of ten pathways detected had a high log-ratio (p)/pathway impact, i.e., pyruvate metabolism, sulfur metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids. Thus, pyruvate, sulfur, and fatty acid metabolisms are important pathways in the red arillus of S. sumatrana. This study can be used as a reference in early metabolomic studies on S. sumatrana using GC-MS and the metabolites identified as metabolite markers can be used for plant breeding and biologists to understand the metabolic mechanism of the red arillus tissues from S. sumatrana.
3D nanometrology of transparent objects by phase calibration of a basic bright-field microscope for multiple illumination apertures
Authors: Migliozzi D. , Zhao B. , Gijs M. A. M.
Published: September 2020

Optical retrieval of the structure of transparent objects at the nanoscale requires adapted techniques capable of probing their interaction with light. Here, we considered a method based on calibration of the defocusing with partially coherent illumination and explored its phase retrieval capability over a wide range of illumination angles. We imaged: (1) commercial dielectric nanospheres to assess the phase calibration when measured along the optical axis, (2) custom-made nano-steps micropatterned in a glass substrate to assess the phase calibration when measured along the transversal axis, and (3) human cancer cells deposited on a glass substrate to assess the results of the calibration on complex transparent 3-dimensional samples. We first verified the model prediction in the spatial frequency domain and subsequently obtained a consistent and linear phase-calibration for illumination numerical apertures ranging from 0.1 to 0.5. Finally, we studied the dependence of the phase retrieval of a complex nanostructured object on the illumination aperture.
Photonics-assisted frequency-coded signal receiver with ultra low minimum detectable power
Authors: He Qunsong , Zhang Zijing , Zhao Yuan
Published: September 2020

A receiver for weak frequency-coded microwave signal reception based on microring resonators array is proposed. This setup uses the nonlinear interaction of a microwave signal and an optical pump to generate an up-conversion signal to achieve the wideband signal reception. The minimum detectable power of this method reaches -93.2 dBm, which is suitable for the detection of weak signals. The results demonstrate a huge power conversion efficiency with η = 4.37×104, a wide conversion bandwidth of 2π×200 MHz, and a large 1-dB compressed dynamic range of 70.2 dB. The receiver can directly use the microwave signal received by the antenna that greatly reduces the volume and power consumption of the detection system. It is highly competitive in microwave photonics radar fields.
Deep learning-based detection scheme for visible light communication with generalized spatial modulation
Authors: Wang Tengjiao , Yang Fang , Song Jian
Published: September 2020

In this paper, a deep learning-based detection scheme is proposed for the visible light communication (VLC) systems using generalized spatial modulation (GenSM). In the proposed detection scheme, a deep neural network consisting of several neural layers is applied to detect the received signals. By integrating the signal processing modules of the conventional detection schemes into one deep neural network, the proposed scheme is able to extract the information bits from the received signals efficiently. After offline training, the proposed detection scheme can serve as a promising detection method for the VLC system with GenSM. Simulation results validate that the proposed detection scheme is capable of achieving superior detection error performance than conventional detection schemes at acceptable complexity.
Orillas/La Recoleta
Authors: Breuer Irene
Published: September 2020

Irene Breuer widmet sich den frühen Werken von Jorge Luis Borges. Hierzu diskutiert sie die Begriffe der Heterotopie und des terrain vague, die eine Zwittereinheit zweier Phänomene bilden: des Phänomens verlassener, identitätsloser, oft vergessener Räume in der Stadt (terrain vague) und des Phänomens repräsentativer und symbolischer Räume in der Stadt (Heterotopie), die sich uns mit ihrer radikalen Fremdheit entziehen. In den ausgewählten Texten entsteht eine Dialogizität zwischen den Vororten, »las orillas« und »arrabales«, die eine lyrische, fragile, melancholisch-romantische Natur heraufbeschwören, und der labyrinth-artigen Struktur der Stadt der »Unsterblichen«, des Friedhofs La Recoleta, der über einen monumentalen, pittoresken, fragmentarischen und unheimlichen Charakter verfügt. Dem Beitrag liegt die These zugrunde, dass beide Begriffe ein diakritisches System bilden, das von den Widersprüchen unserer alltäglichen Erfahrungen zeugt.
Matrix of Movement: Post-industrial Wetlands of the North West
Authors: Hill Tracy
Published: September 2020

Tracy Hill considers in her chapter »Matrix of Movement« how wetlands have long been represented as places of darkness, disease and death within Western culture. Despite increasing recognition for the need to readjust our perceptions and to acknowledge their environmental importance as living landscapes there is, as yet, little imagery to promote this new way of seeing. By challenging historic perceptions of wetlands through her artworks, Hill explores specifically how dislocation can be reconnected with our human multisensory response to place through emotion and memory. By adopting digital mapping technology as a basis for her imagery Hill offers a view beyond human visual capability which, when combined with the traditions of a hand created mark, results in a re-imagined vision linking technical and aesthetic, bringing a unique vision of journeys taken on foot through a post-industrial Northern landscape. Research projects »Matrix of Movement« and »Haecceity« propose new cross-disciplinary ideas, bringing together the worlds of fine Art, environmental sciences, conservation as well as Industrial and commercial surveying offering new ways of seeing unique northern wetlands.
Trends und Megatrends als Ansatz der modernen Zukunftsforschung
Authors: Göll Edgar
Published: September 2020

In dem Beitrag »Trends und Megatrends als Ansatz der modernen Zukunftsforschung. Entwicklung und Praxis« widmet sich Edgar Göll eingangs den frühen Formen des Befassens mit Zukunft und dessen Wandel im Laufe der historischen Epochen. Dies geht über in die Entstehung moderner Zukunftsforschung im Zuge der Industriualisierung und seither auch der zunehmenden Nutzung insbesondere sozialwissenschaftlicher Theorien und Methoden. Zentral ist die Erkenntnis, dass Zukunft nicht vorhersagbar ist, dass allerdings solides wissenschaftliches Zukunftswissen erarbeitet und genutzt werden kann. Ein weit verbreiteter Ansatz der Zukunftsforschung ist Trendforschung sowie die Arbeit mit Megatrends, was beispielhaft dargestellt wird. Schließlich wird das international proklamierte Leitbild nachhaltige Entwicklung mit seinen Umsetzungsversuchen als ein besonderer Typus von Megatrend erläutert, der zudem von besonderer Dringlichkeit ist und durch umfassende Transformation verwirklicht werden muss.
In Search of London's Independent Music Theatre Scenes
Authors: Andrewes Thom
Published: September 2020

Thom Andrewes attempts to survey London's highly fragmented new music theatre landscape as it developed through the first two decades of the 21st century. The author argues that, while the term »music theatre« lacks a strong disciplinary orbit in the UK, equivalent trends have nevertheless emerged across a number of discrete disciplinary terrains in response to the same socio-economic factors of austerity and neoliberalism. Surveying each disciplinary context in turn, the chapter outlines the collapse of mid-scale opera production and the rise of flexibility, transparency and immediacy as creative and aesthetic principles. The author draws on interviews with artists and producers associated with three key music theatre »nodes« - Tête à Tête Festival, Battersea Arts Centre and London Contemporary Music Festival - whose production practices and curatorial projects have helped determine the emergence of trends such as gig theatre, composer-performer collectives and gallery opera. Stressing the comparative centrality of pop music and Live Art to the UK's music and theatre discourses, the survey concludes by highlighting the importance of a context-specific understanding of »music theatre«.
Так ли страшен фейк? Ложные новости и их роль в современном мире
Authors: Казун Анастасия Дмитриевна
Published: September 2020

В статье представлен обзор ключевых зарубежных исследований фейковых новостей. Работы, посвященные фейковым новостям, зачатую противоречивы и приходят к противоположным выводам. В литературе отсутствует единое определение данного понятия. Оценки общественной опасности фейковых новостей, на которых сфокусирована эта статья, также неоднозначны. В числе поводов для тревоги выделяют спорную эффективность имеющихся методов противодействия ложной информации, политическую предвзятость такого контента, а также тот факт, что любой контент может при определенных условиях стать вирусным. Кроме того, увеличение числа фейковых новостей рассматривается как причина снижения доверия СМИ, которое, впрочем, наблюдалось задолго до того, как рассматриваемое явление возникло. Вместе с тем ряд исследований показывает, что реальная аудитория фейковых новостей не очень велика и достаточно специфична. Это должно несколько снизить потенциальные негативные эффекты ложной информации. Кроме того, есть возможности для противодействия дезинформирующим сайтам и группы людей, менее подверженные их влиянию. Таким образом, потенциальные последствия фейковых новостей неоднозначны. Хотя данный феномен обсуждается преимущественно в негативном ключе, существуют факторы, снижающие остроту проблемы.
Благодарность. Статья приготовлена при поддержке Российского научного фонда (РНФ), грант № 19-18-00206.
В поисках справедливости в университете: критика и оправдание практик академического мошенничества студентами
Authors: Дремова Оксана Викторовна , Малошонок Наталья Геннадьевна , Терентьев Евгений Андреевич
Published: September 2020

Во всем мире большинство университетов сталкиваются с проблемой массового использования студентами практик академического мошенничества. Несмотря на значительные усилия исследователей и практиков по выявлению причин и обстоятельств, способствующих академической нечестности студентов, а также по разработке мер борьбы с нечестным поведением, ситуация существенно не улучшается. В рамках данной статьи мы предлагаем возможные ответы на вопрос, почему применяемые методы борьбы с академической нечестностью показывают низкую эффективность. Для этого мы предлагаем обратить внимание на то, как студенты воспринимают нечестные практики, в каких случаях они оправдывают их и считают справедливыми, а в каких — критикуют. На основании положений социологии критической способности Л. Болтански и Л. Тевено, примененных к анализу 23 полуструктурированных интервью с российскими и британскими студентами, было определено шесть режимов критики и оправдания, в рамках которых студенты публично выражают свое отношение к академическому мошенничеству, а также предложены возможные меры по борьбе с академическим мошенничеством, которые учитывают принципы эквивалентности, используемые студентами при критике или оправдании нечестных практик.
Cold atom interferometry for inertial sensing in the field
Authors: Kumar Ravi , Rakonjac Ana
Published: September 2020

Atom interferometry is one of the most promising technologies for high precision measurements. It has the potential to revolutionise many different sectors, such as navigation and positioning, resource exploration, geophysical studies, and fundamental physics. After decades of research in the field of cold atoms, the technology has reached a stage where commercialisation of cold atom interferometers has become possible. This article describes recent developments, challenges, and prospects for quantum sensors for inertial sensing based on cold atom interferometry techniques.
Investigating electroencephalography signals of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using Higuchi Fractal Dimension
Authors: Radhakrishnan Menaka , Won Daehan , Manoharan Thanga Aarthy , Venkatachalam Varsha , Chavan Renuka Mahadev , Nalla Harathi Devi
Published: September 2020

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a deficit of social relationships, interaction, sense of imagination, and constrained interests. Early diagnosis of ASD will aid in devising appropriate training procedures and placing those children in the normal stream. The objective of this research is to analyze the brain response for auditory/visual stimuli in Typically Developing (TD) and children with autism through electroencephalography (EEG). Brain dynamics in the EEG signal can be analyzed well with the help of nonlinear feature primitives. Recent research reveals that, application of fractal-based techniques proves to be effective to estimate of degree of nonlinearity in a signal. This research attempts to analyze the effect of brain dynamics with Higuchi Fractal Dimension (HFD). Also, the performance of the fractal based techniques depends on the selection of proper hyper-parameters involved in it. One of the key parameters involved in computation of HFD is the time interval parameter ‘k’. Most of the researches arbitrarily fixes the value of ‘k’ in the range of all channels. This research proposes an algorithm to estimate the optimal value of the time parameter for each channel. Sub-band analysis was also carried out for the responding channels. Statistical analysis on the experimental reveals that a difference of 30% was observed between autistic and Typically Developing children.
Frequency of serological non-responders and false-negative RT-PCR results in SARS-CoV-2 testing: a population-based study
Authors: Baron Rita Christiane , Risch Lorenz , Weber Myriam , Thiel Sarah , Grossmann Kirsten , Wohlwend Nadia , Lung Thomas , Hillmann Dorothea , Ritzler Michael , Bigler Susanna , Egli Konrad , Ferrara Francesca , Bodmer Thomas , Imperiali Mauro , Heer Sonja , Renz Harald , Flatz Lukas , Kohler Philipp , Vernazza Pietro , Kahlert Christian R. , Paprotny Matthias , Risch Martin
Published: September 2020

Objectives

The sensitivity of molecular and serological methods for COVID-19 testing in an epidemiological setting is not well described. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of negative RT-PCR results at first clinical presentation as well as negative serological results after a follow-up of at least 3 weeks.

Methods

Among all patients seen for suspected COVID-19 in Liechtenstein (n=1921), we included initially RT-PCR positive index patients (n=85) as well as initially RT-PCR negative (n=66) for follow-up with SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing. Antibodies were detected with seven different commercially available immunoassays. Frequencies of negative RT-PCR and serology results in individuals with COVID-19 were determined and compared to those observed in a validation cohort of Swiss patients (n=211).

Results

Among COVID-19 patients in Liechtenstein, false-negative RT-PCR at initial presentation was seen in 18% (12/66), whereas negative serology in COVID-19 patients was 4% (3/85). The validation cohort showed similar frequencies: 2/66 (3%) for negative serology, and 16/155 (10%) for false negative RT-PCR. COVID-19 patients with negative follow-up serology tended to have a longer disease duration (p=0.05) and more clinical symptoms than other patients with COVID-19 (p<0.05). The antibody titer from quantitative immunoassays was positively associated with the number of disease symptoms and disease duration (p<0.001).

Conclusions

RT-PCR at initial presentation in patients with suspected COVID-19 can miss infected patients. Antibody titers of SARS-CoV-2 assays are linked to the number of disease symptoms and the duration of disease. One in 25 patients with RT-PCR-positive COVID-19 does not develop antibodies detectable with frequently employed and commercially available immunoassays.