bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Most Denounced, the Least Punished: Ruling Elites, Illegalisms, and Anti-Money Laundering
Authors: Amicelle Anthony , Chaudieu Killian
Published: June 2022

This article contributes empirically and conceptually to the literature on finance and security in the light of anti-money laundering and to discussions on international crime control and social order. It draws on unique data in Switzerland to question the chain of security through which the main global policy against crime is produced in concreto. What and who is denounced by financial institutions for suspicious activities? What and who is ultimately punished by criminal justice institutions? Is the fight against illicit finance nothing more than a “broken enforcement system,” or a universal punitive instrument, regardless targeted actors? What does it mean for the general social order at the time of financial capitalism? The article revisits Foucault's lost in translation concept of illegalism to shift the questioning of international crime control to the issue of power relationships’ recomposition and social, class differentiation. As a global policy against criminality at large, anti-money laundering represents a critical entry point to question the general economy of illegalisms from an international perspective. The article makes explicit that economic and financial illegalisms are less punished than others, and they are even less so when practiced by ruling elites, even if they are the most denounced at first.
Perceiving and Controlling Maritime Flows. Technology, Kinopolitics, and the Governmentalization of Vision
Authors: Glouftsios Georgios , Loukinas Panagiotis
Published: June 2022

This article speaks to debates in international political sociology that critically interrogate the ongoing digitization of border controls through the deployment of surveillance technologies that render mobility intelligible and governable. Our contribution to these debates is both empirical and conceptual. Empirically, we explore not only how surveillance is enacted but also how it is contested and fails to meet its stated objectives. We do so by focusing on two technologies that support the visibilization of maritime borderzones and mobilities: satellites and drones. Conceptually, our contribution revolves around the kinopolitical character of maritime surveillance and the productive power of technologically mediated vision. We synthesize Nail's work on kinopolitics with ideas inspired by Foucauldian studies on governmentality to develop the following argument: satellites and drones are technologies of power embedded within a kinopolitical regime of maritime surveillance, which strategizes vision in attempts to govern subjects and objects on the move—attempts that challenge any clear-cut distinction between security controls and humanitarian interventions in the field of border management.
Rethinking Low, Middle, and High Art
Authors: Lau Ting Cho
Published: June 2022

What distinguishes middle, low, and high art? In this article, I give an ameliorative analysis of these concepts. On what I call the Capacity View, the distinction between low, middle, and high art depends on the relation between an artwork’s perceiver (specifically her aesthetic responsive capacities) and the perceived artwork. Though the Capacity View may not align perfectly with folk usage, the view is worth our attention due to three attractive upshots. First, it explains how an artwork’s status level can be elevated or lowered over time and why biases can lead to mistaken judgments about such statuses. Second, it sheds light on the idea of cultural inheritance and why certain forms of aesthetic deference may be justified. Finally, it explains how high, middle, and low art each make distinctive contributions to the good life.
Mitigating Matrix Effects in LC–ESI–MS-MS Analysis of a Urinary Biomarker of Xylenes Exposure
Authors: Bowman Brett A , A. Ejzak Elizabeth , Reese Christopher M , Blount Benjamin C , Bhandari Deepak
Published: June 2022

Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–ESI–MS-MS) with stable isotope-labeled internal standards (SIL-ISs) is the gold standard for quantitative analysis of drugs and metabolites in complex biological samples. Significant isotopic effects associated with deuterium labeling often cause the deuterated IS to elute at a different retention time from the target analyte, diminishing its capability to compensate for matrix effects. In this study, we systematically compared the analytical performance of deuterated (2H) SIL-IS to non-deuterated (13C and 15N) SIL-ISs for quantifying urinary 2-methylhippuric acid (2MHA) and 4-methylhippuric acid (4MHA), biomarkers of xylenes exposure, with an LC–ESI–MS-MS assay. Analytical method comparison between ISs demonstrated a quantitative bias for urinary 2MHA results, with concentrations generated with 2MHA-[2H7] on average 59.2% lower than concentrations generated with 2MHA-[13C6]. Spike accuracy, measured by quantifying the analyte-spiked urine matrix and comparing the result to the known spike concentration, determined that 2MHA-[2H7] generated negatively biased urinary results of −38.4%, whereas no significant bias was observed for 2MHA-[13C6]. Post-column infusion demonstrated that ion suppression experienced by 2MHA and 2MHA-[13C6] was not equally experienced by 2MHA-[2H7], explaining the negatively biased 2MHA results. The quantitation of urinary 4MHA results between ISs exhibited no significant quantitative bias. These results underscore the importance of the careful selection of ISs for targeted quantitative analysis in complex biological samples.
Demographic Characteristics and Population Simulation of Newly Invasive Fall Armyworm on Arachis hypogaea (Fabales: Fabaceae) and Dominant Green Manure Plant in Taiwan
Authors: Lee Pei-An , Scotty Yang Chin-Cheng , Saska Pavel , Tang Cheng-Kang , Güncan Ali , Lin Ya-Ying , Tuan Shu-Jen
Published: June 2022

Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) is a severe and fast-spreading pest of numerous agro-economic crops, including miscellaneous, vegetables, and green manure crops. Understanding pest ecology represents a core component in integrated pest management decision-making. In Taiwan, peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important miscellaneous crop, whereas sesbania (Sesbania roxburghii Merr.) is the most frequently used green manure crop. To improve the S. frugiperda management in Taiwan, the demographic characteristics and population simulation of this pest reared on peanut and sesbania leaves were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table theory. The intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and net reproductive rate of S. frugiperda were higher when reared on peanut (0.1625 d−1, 1.1764 d−1, 264.9 offspring) than on sesbania (0.0951 d−1, 1.0997 d−1, and 30.3 offspring). Population projection of S. frugiperda on peanut demonstrated that this crop is a more suitable host plant than sesbania. Yet, this suboptimal host still assures an increasing trend of more than 357-fold individuals in 75 d, from the initial cohort of 10 eggs. Our data suggest that green manure plants in fallowing fields may support the pest’s survival all year round, and may be responsible for a successful establishment and unexpected outbreaks of this invasive pest on the neighboring crops in Taiwan. Our study thus highlights the importance of assessing the population dynamics and areawide pest management of an invasive polyphagous pest on a noneconomic crop to mitigate the potential risk of reinfestation and thus outbreaks.
Belowground Herbivory to Sweetpotato by Sweetpotato Weevil (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Alters Population Dynamics and Probing Behavior of Aboveground Herbivores
Authors: Chen J , Chen X , Stout M J , Davis J A
Published: June 2022

Aboveground and belowground herbivory can alter host quality and trophic interactions. However, little research has explored the impacts of belowground herbivory on plant virus epidemiology. To understand this interaction in sweetpotato, Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam), we studied the impact of herbivory by sweetpotato weevil, Cylas formicarius elegantulus (Summers), to storage roots on vector herbivore, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), the green peach aphid, and Aphis gossypii Glover, the cotton aphid, feeding behavior (M. persicae and A. gossypii) and population dynamics (M. persicae only as A. gossypii does not colonize sweetpotato). In addition, a nonvector herbivore, Chrysodeixis includens (Walker), the soybean looper, weight gain was included for comparison. Infestations of sweetpotato weevil in storage roots reduced C. includens weight gain and M. persicae intrinsic rate of increase (rm), net reproductive rate (Ro), and finite rate of increase (λ) on aboveground portions of the plant. In probing behaviors related to nonpersistent virus spread (30 min trials), M. persicae probed less often, took longer to reach the first pd (potential drop), had shorter II-3 (intracellular subphase sap ingestion) durations, and had fewer archlets on plants infested with C. formicarius elegantulus. Total phloem duration did not differ between treatments, indicating that the lowered performance of M. persicae on infested plants was not due to discrepancies in probing duration. Results were less clear for A. gossypii. Thus, in sweetpotato, belowground herbivory can alter plant virus vector abundance and behavior. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these changes in behavior could improve plant virus vector integrated pest management.
Common envelope evolution in born-again planetary nebulae – Shaping the H-deficient ejecta of A 30
Authors: Rodríguez-González J B , Santamaría E , Toalá J A , Guerrero M A , Montoro-Molina B , Rubio G , Tafoya D , Chu Y-H , Ramos-Larios G , Sabin L
Published: June 2022

Born-again planetary nebulae (PNe) are extremely rare cases in the evolution of solar-like stars. It is commonly accepted that their central stars (CSPN) experienced a very late thermal pulse (VLTP), ejecting H-deficient material inside the evolved H-rich PN. Given the short duration of this event and the fast subsequent evolution of the CSPN, details of the mass ejection are unknown. We present the first morphokinematic model of the H-deficient material surrounding a born-again PN, namely A 30. New San Pedro Mártir observations with the Manchester Echelle Spectrograph were recently obtained to map the inner region of A 30 which are interpreted by means of the software shape in conjunction with HST WFC3 images. The shape morphokinematic model that best reproduces the observations is composed by a disrupted disc tilted 37° with respect to the line of sight and a pair of orthogonal opposite bipolar ejections. We confirm previous suggestions that the structures closer to the CSPN present the highest expansion velocities, that is, the disrupted disc expands faster than the farther bipolar features. We propose that the current physical structure and abundance discrepancy of the H-deficient clumps around the CSPN of A 30 can be explained by a common envelope phase following the VLTP event. Our proposed scenario is also compared with other known born-again PNe (A 58, A 78, HuBi 1, and the Sakurai’s Object).
WISE-PS1-STRM: neural network source classification and photometric redshifts for WISE×PS1
Authors: Beck Róbert , Dodds S Curt , Szapudi István
Published: June 2022

We cross-match between the WISE All-Sky and PS1 3π DR2 source catalogues. The resulting catalogue has 354 590 570 objects, significantly fewer than the parent PS1 catalogue, but its combination of optical and infrared colours facilitate both better source classification and photometric redshift estimation. We perform a neural network-based classification of the objects into galaxies, quasars, and stars, then run neural network-based photometric redshift estimation for the galaxies. The star sample purity and quasar sample completeness measures improve substantially, and the resulting photo-z’s are significantly more accurate in terms of statistical scatter and bias than those calculated from PS1 properties alone. The catalogue will be a basis for future large-scale structure studies, and will be made available as a high-level science product via the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes.
Deep forest: neural network reconstruction of intergalactic medium temperature
Authors: Wang Runxuan , Croft Rupert A C , Shaw Patrick
Published: June 2022

We explore the use of deep learning to infer the temperature of the intergalactic medium from the transmitted flux in the high-redshift Ly α forest. We train neural networks on sets of simulated spectra from redshift z = 2–3 outputs of cosmological hydrodynamic simulations, including high-temperature regions added in post-processing to approximate bubbles heated by He ii reionization. We evaluate how well the trained networks are able to reconstruct the temperature from the effect of Doppler broadening in the simulated input Ly α forest absorption spectra. We find that for spectra with high resolution (10 $\, {\rm km}\, {\rm s}^{-1}$ pixel) and moderate signal-to-noise ratio (20–50), the neural network is able to reconstruct the intergalactic medium temperature smoothed on scales of $\sim 6 \, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}$ quite well. Concentrating on discontinuities, we find that high-temperature regions of width $25 \, h^{-1}\, {\rm Mpc}$ and temperature $20\, 000$ K can be fairly easily detected and characterized. We show an example where multiple sightlines are combined to yield tomographic images of hot bubbles. Deep learning techniques may be useful in this way to help us understand the complex temperature structure of the intergalactic medium around the time of helium reionization.
Towards an understanding of long gamma-ray burst environments through circumstellar medium population synthesis predictions
Authors: Chrimes A A , Gompertz B P , Kann D A , van Marle A J , Eldridge J J , Groot P J , Laskar T , Levan A J , Nicholl M , Stanway E R , Wiersema K
Published: June 2022

The temporal and spectral evolution of gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows can be used to infer the density and density profile of the medium through which the shock is propagating. In long-duration (core-collapse) GRBs, the circumstellar medium (CSM) is expected to resemble a wind-blown bubble, with a termination shock, separating the stellar wind and the interstellar medium (ISM). A long standing problem is that flat density profiles, indicative of the ISM, are often found at lower radii than expected for a massive star progenitor. Furthermore, the presence of both wind-like environments at high radii and ISM-like environments at low radii remains a mystery. In this paper, we perform a ‘CSM population synthesis’ with long GRB progenitor stellar evolution models. Analytic results for the evolution of wind blown bubbles are adjusted through comparison with a grid of 2D hydrodynamical simulations. Predictions for the emission radii, ratio of ISM to wind-like environments, wind, and ISM densities are compared with the largest sample of afterglow derived parameters yet compiled, which we make available for the community. We find that high ISM densities of n ∼ 1000 cm−3 best reproduce observations. If long GRBs instead occur in typical ISM densities of n ∼ 1 cm−3, then the discrepancy between theory and observations is shown to persist at a population level. We discuss possible explanations for the origin of variety in long GRB afterglows, and for the overall trend of CSM modelling to over-predict the termination shock radius.
Orbital parameters and activity of ZZ Tau – a low-mass young binary with circumbinary disc
Authors: Belinski A , Burlak M , Dodin A , Emelyanov N , Ikonnikova N , Lamzin S , Safonov B , Tatarnikov A
Published: June 2022

We present the results of our new observations of the young binary ZZ Tau with a circumbinary disc. The system was found to consist of two coeval (age < 2 Myr) classical T Tauri stars with the total mass 0.86 ± 0.09 M⊙, orbital period 46.8 ± 0.8 yr, semimajor axis 88.2 ± 2.1 mas, eccentricity 0.58 ± 0.02, and the orbital inclination 123${_{.}^{\circ}}$8 ± 1${_{.}^{\circ}}$0. The accretion rate of ZZ Tau A and ZZ Tau B is approximately 7 × 10−10 and 2 × 10−10 M⊙ yr−1, respectively. No correlation was found between the long-term photometric variability of ZZ Tau and orbital position of its components. The periodic light variations with P = 4.171 ± 0.002 d were observed in the BVRI bands presumably connected with an accretion (hot) spot on the surface of the primary (ZZ Tau A). At the same time, no periodicity was observed in the U band nor in the emission line profile variations probably, due to the significant contribution of ZZ Tau B’s emission, which dominates shortward of λ ≈ 0.4 $\mu$m. We argue that the extinction in the direction to the primary is noticeably larger than that to the secondary. It appeared that the rotation axis of the primary is inclined to the line of sight by ≈31° ± 4°. We also concluded that ZZ Tau is the source of a CO molecular outflow; however, ZZ Tau IRS rather than ZZ Tau is the source of the Herbig–Haro object HH393.
Comparing NED and SIMBAD classifications across the contents of nearby galaxies
Authors: Kuhn L , Shubat M , Barmby P
Published: June 2022

Cataloguing and classifying celestial objects is one of the fundamental activities of observational astrophysics. In this work, we compare the contents of two comprehensive data bases, the NASA Extragalactic Database (NED) and Set of Identifications, Measurements and Bibliography for Astronomical Data (SIMBAD) in the vicinity of nearby galaxies. These two data bases employ different classification schemes – one flat and one hierarchical – and our goal was to determine the compatibility of classifications for objects in common. Searching both data bases for objects within the respective isophotal radius of each of the ∼1300 individual galaxies in the Local Volume Galaxy sample, we found that, on average, NED contains about 10 times as many entries as SIMBAD and about two-thirds of SIMBAD objects are matched by position to a NED object, at 5 arcsec tolerance. These quantities do not depend strongly on the properties of the parent galaxies. We developed an algorithm to compare individual object classifications between the two data bases and found that 88 per cent of the classifications agree; we conclude that NED and SIMBAD contain consistent information for sources in common in the vicinity of nearby galaxies. Because many galaxies have numerous sources contained only in one of NED or SIMBAD, researchers seeking the most complete picture of an individual galaxy’s contents are best served by using both data bases.
Mergers prompted by dynamics in compact, multiple-star systems: a stellar-reduction case for the massive triple TIC 470710327
Authors: Vigna-Gómez Alejandro , Liu Bin , Aguilera-Dena David R , Grishin Evgeni , Ramirez-Ruiz Enrico , Soares-Furtado Melinda
Published: June 2022

TIC 470710327, a massive compact hierarchical triple-star system, was recently identified by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. TIC 470710327 is comprised of a compact (1.10 d) circular eclipsing binary, with total mass $\approx 10.9\!-\!13.2\, \rm {M_{\odot }}$, and a more massive $\approx 14\!-\!17\, \rm {M_{\odot }}$ eccentric non-eclipsing tertiary in a 52.04 d orbit. Here, we present a progenitor scenario for TIC 470710327 in which ‘2 + 2’ quadruple dynamics result in Zeipel–Lidov–Kozai oscillations that lead to a contact phase of the more massive binary. In this scenario, the two binary systems should form in a very similar manner, and dynamics trigger the merger of the more massive binary either during late phases of star formation or several Myr after the zero-age main sequence, when the stars begin to expand. Any evidence that the tertiary is a highly magnetized (∼1–10 kG), slowly rotating blue main-sequence star would hint towards a quadruple origin. Finally, our scenario suggests that the population of inclined compact multiple-stellar systems is reduced into coplanar systems, via mergers, late during star formation or early in the main sequence. The elucidation of the origin of TIC 470710327 is crucial in our understanding of multiple massive star formation and evolution.
A multiplexed, three-dimensional pooling and next-generation sequencing strategy for creating barcoded mutant arrays: construction of a Schizosaccharomyces pombe transposon insertion library
Authors: Li Yanhui , Molyneaux Neil , Zhang Haitao , Zhou Gang , Kerr Carly , Adams Mark D , Berkner Kathleen L , Runge Kurt W
Published: June 2022

Arrayed libraries of defined mutants have been used to elucidate gene function in the post-genomic era. Yeast haploid gene deletion libraries have pioneered this effort, but are costly to construct, do not reveal phenotypes that may occur with partial gene function and lack essential genes required for growth. We therefore devised an efficient method to construct a library of barcoded insertion mutants with a wider range of phenotypes that can be generalized to other organisms or collections of DNA samples. We developed a novel but simple three-dimensional pooling and multiplexed sequencing approach that leveraged sequence information to reduce the number of required sequencing reactions by orders of magnitude, and were able to identify the barcode sequences and DNA insertion sites of 4391 Schizosaccharomyces pombe insertion mutations with only 40 sequencing preparations. The insertion mutations are in the genes and untranslated regions of nonessential, essential and noncoding RNA genes, and produced a wider range of phenotypes compared to the cognate deletion mutants, including novel phenotypes. This mutant library represents both a proof of principle for an efficient method to produce novel mutant libraries and a valuable resource for the S. pombe research community.
Structural basis for the inability of chloramphenicol to inhibit peptide bond formation in the presence of A-site glycine
Authors: Syroegin Egor A , Aleksandrova Elena V , Polikanov Yury S
Published: June 2022

Ribosome serves as a universal molecular machine capable of synthesis of all the proteins in a cell. Small-molecule inhibitors, such as ribosome-targeting antibiotics, can compromise the catalytic versatility of the ribosome in a context-dependent fashion, preventing transpeptidation only between particular combinations of substrates. Classic peptidyl transferase center inhibitor chloramphenicol (CHL) fails to inhibit transpeptidation reaction when the incoming A site acceptor substrate is glycine, and the molecular basis for this phenomenon is unknown. Here, we present a set of high-resolution X-ray crystal structures that explain why CHL is unable to inhibit peptide bond formation between the incoming glycyl-tRNA and a nascent peptide that otherwise is conducive to the drug action. Our structures reveal that fully accommodated glycine residue can co-exist in the A site with the ribosome-bound CHL. Moreover, binding of CHL to a ribosome complex carrying glycyl-tRNA does not affect the positions of the reacting substrates, leaving the peptide bond formation reaction unperturbed. These data exemplify how small-molecule inhibitors can reshape the A-site amino acid binding pocket rendering it permissive only for specific amino acid residues and rejective for the other substrates extending our detailed understanding of the modes of action of ribosomal antibiotics.
Loosely-packed dynamical structures with partially-melted surface being the key for thermophilic argonaute proteins achieving high DNA-cleavage activity
Authors: Zheng Lirong , Lu Hui , Zan Bing , Li Song , Liu Hao , Liu Zhuo , Huang Juan , Liu Yongjia , Jiang Fan , Liu Qian , Feng Yan , Hong Liang
Published: June 2022

Prokaryotic Argonaute proteins (pAgos) widely participate in hosts to defend against the invasion of nucleic acids. Compared with the CRISPR-Cas system, which requires a specific motif on the target and can only use RNA as guide, pAgos exhibit precise endonuclease activity on any arbitrary target sequence and can use both RNA and DNA as guide, thus rendering great potential for genome editing applications. Hitherto, most in-depth studies on the structure-function relationship of pAgos were conducted on thermophilic ones, functioning at ∼60 to 100°C, whose structures were, however, determined experimentally at much lower temperatures (20–33°C). It remains unclear whether these low-temperature structures can represent the true conformations of the thermophilic pAgos under their physiological conditions. The present work studied three pAgos, PfAgo, TtAgo and CbAgo, whose physiological temperatures differ significantly (95, 75 and 37°C). By conducting thorough experimental and simulation studies, we found that thermophilic pAgos (PfAgo and TtAgo) adopt a loosely-packed structure with a partially-melted surface at the physiological temperatures, largely different from the compact crystalline structures determined at moderate temperatures. In contrast, the mesophilic pAgo (CbAgo) assumes a compact crystalline structure at its optimal function temperature. Such a partially-disrupted structure endows thermophilic pAgos with great flexibility both globally and locally at the catalytic sites, which is crucial for them to achieve high DNA-cleavage activity. To further prove this, we incubated thermophilic pAgos with urea to purposely disrupt their structures, and the resulting cleavage activity was significantly enhanced below the physiological temperature, even at human body temperature. Further testing of many thermophilic Agos present in various thermophilic prokaryotes demonstrated that their structures are generally disrupted under physiological conditions. Therefore, our findings suggest that the highly dynamical structure with a partially-melted surface, distinct from the low-temperature crystalline structure, could be a general strategy assumed by thermophilic pAgos to achieve the high DNA-cleavage activity.
Definition, diagnosis and clinical management of non-obstructive kidney dysplasia: a consensus statement by the ERKNet Working Group on Kidney Malformations
Authors: Kohl Stefan , Avni Fred E , Boor Peter , Capone Valentina , Clapp William L , De Palma Diego , Harris Tess , Heidet Laurence , Hilger Alina C , Liapis Helen , Lilien Marc , Manzoni Gianantonio , Montini Giovanni , Negrisolo Susanna , Pierrat Marie-Jeanne , Raes Ann , Reutter Heiko , Schreuder Michiel F , Weber Stefanie , Winyard Paul J D , Woolf Adrian S , Schaefer Franz , Liebau Max C
Published: June 2022

Kidney dysplasia is one of the most frequent causes of chronic kidney failure in children. While dysplasia is a histological diagnosis, the term ‘kidney dysplasia’ is frequently used in daily clinical life without histopathological confirmation. Clinical parameters of kidney dysplasia have not been clearly defined, leading to imprecise communication amongst healthcare professionals and patients. This lack of consensus hampers precise disease understanding and the development of specific therapies. Based on a structured literature search, we here suggest a common basis for clinical, imaging, genetic, pathological and basic science aspects of non-obstructive kidney dysplasia associated with functional kidney impairment. We propose to accept hallmark sonographic findings as surrogate parameters defining a clinical diagnosis of dysplastic kidneys. We suggest differentiated clinical follow-up plans for children with kidney dysplasia and summarize established monogenic causes for non-obstructive kidney dysplasia. Finally, we point out and discuss research gaps in the field.
Outcome and effect of vaccination in SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection in hemodialysis patients: a cohort study
Authors: Ashby Damien R , Caplin Ben , Corbett Richard W , Asgari Elham , Kumar Nicola , Sarnowski Alexander , Hull Richard , Makanjuola David , Cole Nicholas , Chen Jian , Nyberg Sofia , Forbes Suzanne , McCafferty Kieran , Zaman Faryal , Cairns Hugh , Sharpe Claire , Bramham Kate , Motallebzadeh Reza , Anwari Kashif , Roper Tayeba , Salama Alan D , Banerjee Debasish ,   The pan-London Covid-19 renal audit groups, Ali Omer , Antonelou Marilina , Bennet-Richards Katy , Blunden Mark , Booth John , Charif Rawya , Chaudhury Saurabh , Cove-Smith Andrea , Dobbie Hamish , Dodd Phillippa , Dreyer Gavin , Duncan Neill , Goodlad Catriona , Griffith Megan , Hassan Sevda , Hemmilla Ulla , Hendra Heidy , Hill Peter , James Ajith , Jones Daniel , Laurence Anila , Loucaidou Marina , Lucisano Gaetano , Mahalingasivam Viyaasan , Manson Bethia , McGuiness Daniel , McLean Adam , Montero Rosa , Muthuppalaniappan Vasantha , Oates Tom , Palmer Andrew , Rajakariar Ravi , Salisbury Emma , Samad Nasreen , Sandhu Eleanor , Stern Edward , Tandaric Damir , Tomlinson James , Vajgel Gisele , Webster Phil , White William , Wiles Kate , Wright David , Yousef Sajeda
Published: June 2022

Background

Hemodialysis patients are at high risk of Covid-19, though vaccination has significant efficacy in preventing and reducing the severity of infection. Little information is available on disease severity and vaccine efficacy since the dissemination of the Omicron variant.

Methods

In a multi-center study, during a period of the epidemic driven by the Omicron variant, all hemodialysis patients positive for SARS-CoV-2 were identified. Outcomes were analyzed according to predictor variables including vaccination status. Risk of infection was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results

SARS-CoV-2 infection was identified in 1126 patients including 200 (18%) unvaccinated, 56 (5%) post first dose, 433 (38%) post second dose, and 437 (39%) at least 7 days beyond their third dose. The majority of patients had a mild course but 160 (14%) were hospitalized and 28 (2%) died. In regression models adjusted for age and comorbidity, two-dose vaccination was associated with a 39% (95%CI: 2%–62%) reduction in admissions, but third doses provided additional protection, with a 51% (95%CI: 25%–69%) further reduction in admissions. Among 1265 patients at risk at the start of the observation period, SARS-CoV-2 infection was observed in 211 (17%). Two-dose vaccination was associated with a 41% (95%CI: 3%–64%) reduction in the incidence of infection, with no clear additional effect provided by third doses.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate lower incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection after vaccination in dialysis patients during an Omicron dominant period of the epidemic. Among those developing infection, severe illness was less common with prior vaccination, particularly after third vaccine doses.
Structural Characterization of L-Galactose Dehydrogenase: An Essential Enzyme for Vitamin C Biosynthesis
Authors: Vargas Jhon A , Leonardo Diego A , D’Muniz Pereira Humberto , Lopes Adriana R , Rodriguez Hicler N , Cobos Marianela , Marapara Jorge L , Castro Juan C , Garratt Richard C
Published: June 2022

In plants, it is well-known that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can be synthesized via multiple metabolic pathways but there is still much to be learned concerning their integration and control mechanisms. Furthermore, the structural biology of the component enzymes has been poorly exploited. Here we describe the first crystal structure for an L-galactose dehydrogenase [Spinacia oleracea GDH (SoGDH) from spinach], from the D-mannose/L-galactose (Smirnoff–Wheeler) pathway which converts L-galactose into L-galactono-1,4-lactone. The kinetic parameters for the enzyme are similar to those from its homolog from camu camu, a super-accumulator of vitamin C found in the Peruvian Amazon. Both enzymes are monomers in solution and have a pH optimum of 7, and their activity is largely unaffected by high concentrations of ascorbic acid, suggesting the absence of a feedback mechanism acting via GDH. Previous reports may have been influenced by changes of the pH of the reaction medium as a function of ascorbic acid concentration. The structure of SoGDH is dominated by a (β/α)8 barrel closely related to aldehyde-keto reductases (AKRs). The structure bound to NAD+ shows that the lack of Arg279 justifies its preference for NAD+ over NADP+, as employed by many AKRs. This favors the oxidation reaction that ultimately leads to ascorbic acid accumulation. When compared with other AKRs, residue substitutions at the C-terminal end of the barrel (Tyr185, Tyr61, Ser59 and Asp128) can be identified to be likely determinants of substrate specificity. The present work contributes toward a more comprehensive understanding of structure–function relationships in the enzymes involved in vitamin C synthesis.
WOX family transcriptional regulators modulate cytokinin homeostasis during leaf blade development in Medicago truncatula and Nicotiana sylvestris
Authors: Wang Hui , Li Xue , Wolabu Tezera , Wang Ziyao , Liu Ye , Tadesse Dimiru , Chen Naichong , Xu Aijiao , Bi Xiaojing , Zhang Yunwei , Chen Jianghua , Tadege Million
Published: June 2022

The plant-specific family of WUSCHEL (WUS)-related homeobox (WOX) transcription factors is key regulators of embryogenesis, meristem maintenance, and lateral organ development in flowering plants. The modern/WUS clade transcriptional repressor STENOFOLIA/LAMINA1(LAM1), and the intermediate/WOX9 clade transcriptional activator MtWOX9/NsWOX9 antagonistically regulate leaf blade expansion, but the molecular mechanism is unknown. Using transcriptome profiling and biochemical methods, we determined that NsCKX3 is the common target of LAM1 and NsWOX9 in Nicotiana sylvestris. LAM1 and NsWOX9 directly recognize and bind to the same cis-elements in the NsCKX3 promoter to repress and activate its expression, respectively, thus controlling the levels of active cytokinins in vivo. Disruption of NsCKX3 in the lam1 background yielded a phenotype similar to the knockdown of NsWOX9 in lam1, while overexpressing NsCKX3 resulted in narrower and shorter lam1 leaf blades reminiscent of NsWOX9 overexpression in the lam1 mutant. Moreover, we established that LAM1 physically interacts with NsWOX9, and this interaction is required to regulate NsCKX3 transcription. Taken together, our results indicate that repressor and activator WOX members oppositely regulate a common downstream target to function in leaf blade outgrowth, offering a novel insight into the role of local cytokinins in balancing cell proliferation and differentiation during lateral organ development.
AP1/2β-mediated exocytosis of tapetum-specific transporters is required for pollen development in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Liu Chan , Li Zhimin , Tian Dan , Xu Mei , Pan Jianwei , Wu Haijun , Wang Chao , Otegui Marisa S
Published: June 2022

AP-1 and AP-2 adaptor protein (AP) complexes mediate clathrin-dependent trafficking at the trans-Golgi network (TGN) and the plasma membrane, respectively. Whereas AP-1 is required for trafficking to plasma membrane and vacuoles, AP-2 mediates endocytosis. These AP complexes consist of four subunits (adaptins): two large subunits (β1 and γ for AP-1 and β2 and α for AP-2), a medium subunit μ, and a small subunit σ. In general, adaptins are unique to each AP complex, with the exception of β subunits that are shared by AP-1 and AP-2 in some invertebrates. Here, we show that the two putative Arabidopsis thaliana AP1/2β adaptins co-assemble with both AP-1 and AP-2 subunits and regulate exocytosis and endocytosis in root cells, consistent with their dual localization at the TGN and plasma membrane. Deletion of both β adaptins is lethal in plants. We identified a critical role of β adaptins in pollen wall formation and reproduction, involving the regulation of membrane trafficking in the tapetum and pollen germination. In tapetal cells, β adaptins localize almost exclusively to the TGN and mediate exocytosis of the plasma membrane transporters such as ATP-binding cassette (ABC)G9 and ABCG16. This study highlights the essential role of AP1/2β adaptins in plants and their specialized roles in specific cell types.
Rapid growth of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis): Cellular roadmaps, transcriptome dynamics, and environmental factors
Authors: Chen Ming , Guo Lin , Ramakrishnan Muthusamy , Fei Zhangjun , Vinod Kunnummal K , Ding Yulong , Jiao Chen , Gao Zhipeng , Zha Ruofei , Wang Chunyue , Gao Zhimin , Yu Fen , Ren Guodong , Wei Qiang
Published: June 2022

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) shows remarkably rapid growth (114.5 cm/day), but the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. After examining more than 12,750 internodes from more than 510 culms from 17 Moso populations, we identified internode 18 as a representative internode for rapid growth. This internode includes a 2-cm cell division zone (DZ), a cell elongation zone up to 12 cm, and a secondary cell wall (SCW) thickening zone. These zones elongated 11.8 cm, produced approximately 570,000,000 cells, and deposited ∼28 mg g−1 dry weight (DW) lignin and ∼44 mg g−1 DW cellulose daily, far exceeding vegetative growth observed in other plants. We used anatomical, mathematical, physiological, and genomic data to characterize development and transcriptional networks during rapid growth in internode 18. Our results suggest that (1) gibberellin may directly trigger the rapid growth of Moso shoots, (2) decreased cytokinin and increased auxin accumulation may trigger cell DZ elongation, and (3) abscisic acid and mechanical pressure may stimulate rapid SCW thickening via MYB83L. We conclude that internode length involves a possible tradeoff mediated by mechanical pressure caused by rapid growth, possibly influenced by environmental temperature and regulated by genes related to cell division and elongation. Our results provide insight into the rapid growth of Moso bamboo.
Heterosis of fitness and phenotypic variance in the evolution of a diploid gene regulatory network
Authors: Okubo Kenji , Kaneko Kunihiko
Published: June 2022

Heterosis describes the phenomenon, whereby a hybrid population has higher fitness than an inbred population, which has previously been explained by either Mendelian dominance or overdominance under the general assumption of a simple genotype–phenotype relationship. However, recent studies have demonstrated that genes interact through a complex gene regulatory network (GRN). Furthermore, phenotypic variance is reportedly lower for heterozygotes, and the origin of such variance-related heterosis remains elusive. Therefore, a theoretical analysis linking heterosis to GRN evolution and stochastic gene expression dynamics is required. Here, we investigated heterosis related to fitness and phenotypic variance in a system with interacting genes by numerically evolving diploid GRNs. According to the results, the heterozygote population exhibited higher fitness than the homozygote population, indicating fitness-related heterosis resulting from evolution. In addition, the heterozygote population exhibited lower noise-related phenotypic variance in expression levels than the homozygous population, implying that the heterozygote population is more robust to noise. Furthermore, the distribution of the ratio of heterozygote phenotypic variance to homozygote phenotypic variance exhibited quantitative similarity with previous experimental results. By applying dominance and differential gene expression rather than only a single gene expression model, we confirmed the correlation between heterosis and differential gene expression. We explain our results by proposing that the convex high-fitness region is evolutionarily shaped in the genetic space to gain noise robustness under genetic mixing through sexual reproduction. These results provide new insights into the effects of GRNs on variance-related heterosis and differential gene expression.
Embracing heterogeneity: Why plural understandings strengthen interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity
Authors: Vienni-Baptista Bianca , Fletcher Isabel , Lyall Catherine , Pohl Christian
Published: June 2022

Interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity are seen as promising ways to address societies’ grand challenges and so have become important topics in academic and policy discourses, particularly as part of discussions about mission-oriented knowledge production and research funding processes. However, there is an important disconnect between the way these terms are defined and used in the academic literature and the way they are defined and used in the policy literature. Academic writing on interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity offers plural understandings of both terms, whereas policy documents argue for concrete and simplified definitions. In this paper, we analyse the implications of these differences for research and funding. On the basis of an extensive literature review, we argue that the heterogeneity of understandings in interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity constitutes an asset. We advocate for the plurality of understandings to be used constructively in order to strengthen and promote effective research and research funding.
Complement activation mainly mediates the association of heart rate variability and cognitive impairment in adults with obstructive sleep apnea without dementia
Authors: Xue Song , Li Meng-Fan , Leng Bing , Yao Ran , Sun Zhuoran , Yang Yanyan , Gao Yan-ling , Liu Xiaoxiao , Sun Hai-rong , Li Zhenguang , Zhang Jinbiao
Published: June 2022

Study Objectives

The relationship between autonomic nervous system dysfunction measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and cognitive impairment in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients is complex and still not well understood. We aimed to analyze the role of complement activation, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers, and white matter hyperintensity (WMH) in modulating the association of HRV with cognitive performance.

Methods

There were 199 subjects without dementia, including 42 healthy controls, 80 OSA patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 77 OSA patients without cognitive impairment. All participants who completed polysomnography, cognition, WMH volume, and 5-min HRV analysis were recorded during wakefulness and sleep periods. Neuron-derived exosome and astrocyte-derived exosome proteins were measured by ELISA kits.

Results

The OSA with MCI group were associated with a lower mean of standard deviations of R-R intervals for 5-min intervals (SDANN index) during wakefulness, standard deviation of the R-R interval (SDNN) during sleep stage and percentage of adjacent R-R intervals differing by more than 50 ms (PNN50) in each stage compared with OSA without MCI. The influence of HRV on cognition was partially mediated by complement activation (C5b-9 mediated a maximum of 51.21%), AD biomarkers, and WMH.

Conclusions

Lower SDANN index and PNN50 during wakefulness and SDNN and PNN50 during sleep periods were found in OSA patients with MCI, suggesting potential vulnerability to autonomic and parasympathetic dysfunction. Complement activation, AD biomarkers, and WMH might partially mediate and interact with the influence of HRV on cognitive impairment in OSA patients.

Clinical Trial Registration

ChiCTR1900021544.
Endometrial Carcinoma Molecular Subtype Correlates With the Presence of Lymph Node Metastases
Authors: Jamieson Amy , Thompson Emily F. , Huvila Jutta , Leung Samuel , Lum Amy , Morin Chantale , Ennour-Idrissi Kaoutar , Sebastianelli Alexandra , Renaud Marie-Claude , Gregoire Jean , Huntsman David G. , Gilks C. Blake , Plante Marie , Grondin Katherine , McAlpine Jessica N.
Published: June 2022

(Abstracted from Gynecol Oncol 2022;165:376–384)

Endometrial cancer (EC) continues to increase in incidence and mortality globally and represents the most common gynecologic cancer in North America. Approximately 22% of patients with stage 1 EC have extrauterine disease, most commonly in pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph nodes.
Diagnostic Yield of Next-Generation Sequencing in Fetuses With Isolated Increased Nuchal Translucency: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Pauta M. , Martinez-Portilla R. J. , Borrell A.
Published: June 2022

(Abstracted from Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2022;59:26–32)

The ultrasound assessment of subcutaneous fetal neck fluid accumulation, or nuchal translucency (NT), has been demonstrated to be a marker of aneuploidy, cardiac and other structural defects, and adverse pregnancy outcome. Routinely measured around 11 to 13 weeks' gestation, it is used together with biochemical markers in the first-trimester combined screening to establish risks for trisomies 21, 18, and 13.
Is Delaying Urogynecologic Surgery for Patients With Elevated Hemoglobin A1C High-Value Care?
Authors: Wang Rui , Harvie Heidi S.
Published: June 2022

(Abstracted from Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg 2022;28:e34–e38)

An increased rate of complications in surgical patients with poor glycemic control has an impact on the use of health care resources and costs for the health care system. A higher rate of surgical complications has also been reported in patients who undergo female pelvic reconstructive surgery (FPRS) and have elevated hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) levels >8%.
Dunning-Kruger Effect Between Self-Peer Ratings of Surgical Performance During a MASCAL Event and Pre-Event Assessed Trauma Procedural Capabilities
Authors: Andreatta Pamela B. , Patel Jigarkumar A. , Buzzelli Mark D. , Nelson Kenneth J. , Graybill John Christopher , Jensen Shane D. , Remick Kyle N. , Bowyer Mark W. , Gurney Jennifer M.
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

The research question asked to what extent do self-rated performance scores of individual surgeons correspond to assessed procedural performance abilities and to peer ratings of procedural performance during a mass casualty (MASCAL) event?

Background:

Self-assessment using performance rating scales is ubiquitous in surgical education as a proxy for direct measurement of competence. The validity and reliability of self-ratings as competency measures are susceptible to cognitive biases such as Dunning-Kruger effects, which describe how individuals over/underestimate their own performance compared to assessments from independent sources. The ability of surgeons to accurately self-assess their procedural performance remains undetermined.

Methods:

A purposive sample of military surgeons (N = 13) who collectively cared for trauma patients during a MASCAL event participated in the study. Pre-event performance assessment scores for 32 trauma procedures were compared with post-event self and peer performance ratings using F tests (P < 0.05) and effect sizes (Cohen’s d).

Results:

There were no significant differences between peer ratings and performance assessment scores. There were significant differences between self-ratings and both peer ratings (P < 0.001) and performance assessment scores (P < 0.001). Effect sizes were very large for self to peer rating comparison (Cohen’s d = 2.34) and self to performance assessment comparison (Cohen’s d = 2.77).

Conclusions:

The outcomes demonstrate that self-ratings were significantly lower than the independently determined assessment scores for each surgeon, revealing a Dunning-Kruger effect for highly skilled individuals underestimating their abilities. These outcomes underscore the limitations of self-assessment for measuring competence.