bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Austrian students’ experiences of supportive relationships with teachers, peers, and parents and the mediating effect of school belonging in the context of their academic and non-academic outcomes
Authors: Hagenauer Gerda , Wallner-Paschon Christina , Kuhn Clara
Published: May 2021

Based on the assumption that people are driven by an innate need for relatedness, the present study explores the interrelations between students’ perceptions regarding supportive relationships, their sense of belonging at school, and academic and non-academic outcomes. More concretely, we hypothesise that students who experience high teacher support (as indicated by teacher fairness), high emotional support from parents, and low bullying in class exhibit a higher sense of school belonging, which, in turn, is positively related to life satisfaction and achievement and negatively related to school absenteeism. Differences in gender and differences concerning migration background were also explored as well as possible differences in the structural relations across groups. The results of our analysis, which is based on the PISA 2015 dataset for Austrian students, mainly confirm the hypothesised associations and also confirm the function of students’ sense of school belonging as a mediator. Regarding group differences, female students and students without a migration background tended to report higher values regarding perceived supportive relationships and school belonging. However, life satisfaction of female students was lower than that of male students. Overall, the results suggest that supportive relationships between students and their teachers, classmates, and parents should be fostered, as such supportive relationships are directly and indirectly correlated with important student outcomes.
Tractor Ambulance: An Initiative of Emergency Medical Services Response to the Flood of Golestan, Iran in 2019
Authors: Sarani Moslem , Safi-Keykaleh Meysam , Safarpour Hamid , Honarvar Mohammad Reza , Kalteh Ehsan , Jahangiri Katayoun
Published: May 2021

Heavy rains in March 2019 led to severe floods in large parts of Iran, with severe financial and physical casualties (in the Golestan province, 11 districts were trapped in water). An increase in the EMS missions while serving a big portion of the needed population was a big problem for the health system during the flood; Therefore, a new solution was needed to overcome this problem. Using a farm tractor for transporting the patients and injured people was the first relief experience ever documented in the whole country. In the present report, despite the limitations and challenges, the tractor has been shown to be a proper and effective disaster relief vehicle. This report could help other similar countries face disasters, especially floods.
Pathways to Power in Authoritarian Regimes: Civil Service, Multipartyism and Legislative Selection in Cameroon
Authors: Morse Yonatan L.
Published: May 2021

Legislatures are key institutions that stabilize authoritarian rule. However, less is said about the individuals who populate these institutions or the pathways that take them to power. This is an oversight, since how autocrats recruit reflects upon their institutional capacities and adaptation to changing circumstances. Specifically, recruitment is challenging when regimes lack robust ruling parties to cultivate partisan loyalists and during periods of multiparty elections when candidates must provide a higher degree of self-financing. This article examines these dynamics across the lifespan of Cameroon's authoritarian regime and introduces an original biographical data set of over 900 legislators between 1973 and 2019. The data show there is an increased proportion of businesspeople in the legislature, but also a possible emerging preference for former civil servants. The article argues that civil service recruitment pipelines substitute for the monitoring functions a party might serve, while simultaneously preparing candidates for the unique financing needs of elections.
Dissecting the heterogeneity of posttraumatic stress disorder: differences in polygenic risk, stress exposures, and course of PTSD subtypes
Authors: Campbell-Sills Laura , Sun Xiaoying , Choi Karmel W. , He Feng , Ursano Robert J. , Kessler Ronald C. , Levey Daniel F. , Smoller Jordan W. , Gelernter Joel , Jain Sonia , Stein Murray B.
Published: May 2021

Background

Definition of disorder subtypes may facilitate precision treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). We aimed to identify PTSD subtypes and evaluate their associations with genetic risk factors, types of stress exposures, comorbidity, and course of PTSD.

Methods

Data came from a prospective study of three U.S. Army Brigade Combat Teams that deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. Soldiers with probable PTSD (PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Fifth Edition ≥31) at three months postdeployment comprised the sample (N = 423) for latent profile analysis using Gaussian mixture modeling and PTSD symptom ratings as indicators. PTSD profiles were compared on polygenic risk scores (derived from external genomewide association study summary statistics), experiences during deployment, comorbidity at three months postdeployment, and persistence of PTSD at nine months postdeployment.

Results

Latent profile analysis revealed profiles characterized by prominent intrusions, avoidance, and hyperarousal (threat-reactivity profile; n = 129), anhedonia and negative affect (dysphoric profile; n = 195), and high levels of all PTSD symptoms (high-symptom profile; n = 99). The threat-reactivity profile had the most combat exposure and the least comorbidity. The dysphoric profile had the highest polygenic risk for major depression, and more personal life stress and co-occurring major depression than the threat-reactivity profile. The high-symptom profile had the highest rates of concurrent mental disorders and persistence of PTSD.

Conclusions

Genetic and trauma-related factors likely contribute to PTSD heterogeneity, which can be parsed into subtypes that differ in symptom expression, comorbidity, and course. Future studies should evaluate whether PTSD typology modifies treatment response and should clarify distinctions between the dysphoric profile and depressive disorders.
Ed Zigler's developmental approach to intellectual disabilities: Past, present, and future contributions
Authors: Hodapp Robert M.
Published: May 2021

Comprising two parts, Ed Zigler's developmental approach has greatly influenced how one conceptualizes children with intellectual disabilities (ID). In part one, Zigler championed a “two-group approach” concerning the cause of children's ID. He distinguished persons with a clear, organic cause of their ID from those displaying no clear cause. Members of this “organic” group often displayed IQs below 50 and co-occurring physical–medical conditions. The second, “cultural–familial” group, mostly showed IQs of 50–70, did not possess co-occurring physical or health problems, and often came from families of lower IQs and lower socioeconomic status. While the presence of these two groups has been supported, recent advances have also further differentiated the organic group, mostly in relation to behavioral phenotypes of persons with several genetic etiologies. In part two, Zigler championed the child with ID as a “whole person.” Originally focused on the child's reactions to social deprivation and failure, recent studies directly examine parent–child, within-family, and wider system interactions throughout the life span. For decades a force within the ID field, Zigler's developmental approach to children with ID continues to influence researchers, interventionists, and policymakers.
Tonal Variation and Change in Dalarna Swedish
Authors: Kristoffersen Gjert
Published: May 2021

This article questions the prevalent account of North Germanic tonogenesis, which proposes that at the outset, Accent 2 was characterized by a double-peaked melody close to the one found in central Swedish today (Riad 1998, Kingston 2011). The spreading patterns observed in the data analyzed here are difficult to reconcile with this hypothesis. My analysis instead offers support in favor of the alternative hypothesis that the phonetic roots of the accentual contrast are to be found in a difference in timing between single peaks, specifically, peak delay in plurisyllabic domains, but not in mono-syllables due to lack of space. The variation observed in the single peak Dalarna varieties today, from robust timing differences in the south to absence or only partial implementation of the tonal contrast in the north, strongly suggests that the accentual contrast has been spreading northwards through incremental peak delay in Accent 2 words. I argue that this situation mirrors the initial stages in the development that, through additional peak delay, eventually resulted in a double-peaked Accent 2 melody in central Scandinavia. At the same time, the older single peak patterns are still retained in Dalarna and scattered around the geographical margins of Norway and Sweden.*
The Acquisition of Grammatical Gender of Determiners in Danish Monolingual and Bilingual Children: An Experimental Study
Authors: Gregersen Frans , Cornips Leonie , Thomsen Ditte Boeg
Published: May 2021

This paper examines the acquisition of grammatical gender of indefinite and definite DPs in Danish. It investigates which grammatical contexts further acquisition and which slow it down, and whether distinguishing between monolinguals and bilinguals makes a difference. Danish has a two-way gender distinction (common and neuter), fusing gender with definiteness in the DP. In order to answer our research questions, we tested monolingual and bilingual Danish-speaking children (n=72) from different age groups using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, a Picture Description Task, and a Story Task. A generalized linear mixed effects regression analysis of the results showed that i) the children produced the Standard Danish determiner significantly more often with common than with neuter nouns; ii) the children produced significantly more Standard Danish gender marking in simple DPs than in complex DPs; iii) the children produced significantly more expressions with definite determiners realized as suffixes than with indefinite determiners expressed as prenominal articles in accordance with conventional norms; and iv) bilingual children produced significantly less Standard Danish gender marking than their monolingual peers, but ceiling effects in the monolingual group made it impossible to examine interactions between group and grammatical context.*
Moralische Emotionsattributionen im Jugendalter
Authors: Schön Sara-Marie , Daseking Monika
Published: May 2021

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Moralische Emotionen bieten einen vielversprechenden Ansatz für Prävention und Intervention, da sie mit moralischer Motivation und Handlungsregulation assoziiert sind. Fragestellung: Insgesamt N = 163 Jugendliche ( MAlter= 15.27, SD = 1.03, n = 87 weiblich) nahmen an einer Studie teil, in der Zusammenhänge zwischen moralischen Emotionen und einem delinquenten sozialen Umfeld sowie Empathie untersucht wurden. Methode: Moralische Emotionen wurden als Intensität moralischer Emotionsattributionen (MEA) operationalisiert. Ergebnisse: Jugendliche mit einem delinquenten sozialen Umfeld weisen sowohl bei einer selbstlosen (kleine Effekte) als auch einer selbstsüchtigen Entscheidung (mittlere bis starke Effekte) eine signifikant niedrigere Intensität von MEA auf als Jugendliche ohne ein delinquentes soziales Umfeld. MEA bei einer selbstsüchtigen Entscheidung werden zu 33 % durch ein delinquentes soziales Umfeld und affektive Empathie erklärt. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Die Ergebnisse werden im Hinblick auf wissenschaftliche und praktische Relevanz diskutiert.
Flight Operation Officers
Authors: Herzog Merle V. , Stelling Dirk
Published: May 2021

Abstract. Flight operation officers (FOOs) can be considered the wallflowers in the aviation business. No results from analyses of job requirements have been published for this profession, even though this is recommended as a helpful basis for personnel selection. In this study, 32 active and retired FOOs acted as experts assessing the job requirements for the function of FOO by scoring the Fleishman Job Analysis Survey. The results showed competencies in the cognitive, interactive-social, and sensory domains as the most important ones. The results of the requirements analysis can be translated into selection procedures, in which multiple task tests, attention tests, personality tests, and assessment centers with group tasks are particularly relevant.
A Statistical Study of Lower Hybrid Waves in the Earth's Magnetosphere by Van Allen Probes
Authors: Liu Xu , Chen Lunjin , Ma Qianli
Published: May 2021

The lower hybrid (LH) waves are electrostatic emissions near the LH resonant frequency. They propagate perpendicularly with a small wavelength comparable to Larmor radius of thermal particles and can be capable of heating both ions and electrons. In this study, we statistically study the global distribution of LH waves in the inner magnetosphere by using Van Allen Probes observation from 2012 to 2018. We find that (a) LH waves are commonly observed in the inner magnetosphere. Most LH waves are confined near the magnetic equator with typical amplitudes of 0.02–0.2 mV/m and occurrence rates up to 10%. (b) LH waves extend to inner L regions with increasing wave amplitudes as AE* increases. (c) Weak LH waves occur at the nightside inside the plasmapause. Moderate and strong LH waves occur at the nightside and noon inside the plasmapause. As AE* increases, they extend to all magnetic local times inside the plasmapause and dawnside outside the plasmapause.
Integrase-derived peptides together with CD24-targeted lentiviral particles inhibit the growth of CD24 expressing cancer cells
Authors: Shapira Shiran , Finkelshtein Eynat , Kazanov Dina , Naftali Esmira , Stepansky Irena , Loyter Abraham , Elbirt Daniel , Hay-Levy Mori , Brazowski Eli , Bedny Faina , Dekel Roy , Hershkovitz Dov , Blachar Arye , Wolf Ido , Arber Nadir
Published: May 2021

The integration of viral DNA into the host genome is mediated by viral integrase, resulting in the accumulation of double-strand breaks. Integrase-derived peptides (INS and INR) increase the number of integration events, leading to escalated genomic instability that induces apoptosis. CD24 is a surface protein expressed mostly in cancer cells and is very rarely found in normal cells. Here, we propose a novel targeted cancer therapeutic platform based on the lentiviral integrase, stimulated by integrase-derived peptides, that are specifically delivered to cancerous cells via CD24 antigen-antibody targeting. INS and INR were synthesized and humanized and anti-CD24 antibodies were fused to the lentivirus envelope. The activity, permeability, stability, solubility, and toxicity of these components were analyzed. Cell death was measured by fluorescent microscopy and enzymatic assays and potency were tested in vitro and in vivo. Lentivirus particles, containing non-functional DNA led to massive cell death (40–70%). Raltegravir, an antiretroviral drug, inhibited the induction of apoptosis. In vivo, single and repeated administrations of INS/INR were well tolerated without any adverse effects. Tumor development in nude mice was significantly inhibited (by 50%) as compared to the vehicle arm. In summary, a novel and generic therapeutic platform for selective cancer cell eradication with excellent efficacy and safety are presented.
Infant formula containing bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides supports age-appropriate growth and improves stooling pattern
Authors: Estorninos E. , Lawenko R. B. , Palestroque E. , Lebumfacil J. , Marko M. , Cercamondi C. I.
Published: May 2021

Background

Adding bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides (MOS) enhances the oligosaccharide profile of infant formula. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a MOS-supplemented infant formula.

Methods

In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, healthy infants 21–26 days old were either assigned to bovine milk-based, alpha-lactalbumin, and sn-2 palmitate enriched infant formula (control, n = 115) or the same formula with 7.2 g MOS/L (test, n = 115) until aged 6 months. Co-primary endpoints were weight gain through 4 months and stool consistency (validated scale: 1 = watery to 5 = hard). Secondary endpoints included parent-reported GI tolerance, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and adverse events (AEs).

Results

Weight gain was similar (p = 0.695); the difference between test and control (mean; 95% CI: 0.29; −1.15, 1.73 g/day) was above the non-inferiority margin (−3 g/day). Test had softer stools than control (mean difference in stool consistency score: −0.31; 95% CI: −0.42, −0.21; P < 0.0001); fewer parental reports of harder stools (OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.20, 0.49; P < 0.0001) and less difficulties in passing stool (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.65; P = 0.005). Parent-reported GI tolerance and HRQoL were similar between groups as were the overall low AEs.

Conclusions

MOS-supplemented infant formula is safe and well-tolerated while supporting normal infant growth and promotes softer stooling pattern without increasing parent-reported and physician-confirmed adverse health concerns.

Impact

This is the first study investigating the addition of bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides to an infant formula enriched with alpha-lactalbumin and elevated levels of sn-2 palmitate, providing safety and efficacy data for such a formula.

Term infant formula supplemented with 7.2 g bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides per liter supported normal infant growth, was well-tolerated and safe.

Addition of bovine milk-derived oligosaccharides to term infant formula promoted softer stooling pattern and reduced difficulties in passing stool.

The study shows that bovine milk-derived oligosaccharide supplemented infant formula is a safe and effective option for healthy term infants who are formula-fed.
MTA2 silencing attenuates the metastatic potential of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting AP1-mediated MMP12 expression via the ASK1/MEK3/p38/YB1 axis
Authors: Lin Chia-Liang , Ying Tsung-Ho , Yang Shun-Fa , Chiou Hui-Ling , Chen Yong-Syuan , Kao Shao-Hsuan , Hsieh Yi-Hsien
Published: May 2021

Metastasis-associated protein 2 (MTA2) is a transcription factor that is highly associated with matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12). Thus, we hypothesized that MTA2 may regulate MMP12 expression and is involved in cervical cancer metastasis. Results showed that MTA2 and MMP12 were highly expressed in cervical cancer cells, and MTA2 knockdown reduced MMP12 expression and inhibited the metastasis of cervical cancer cells in xenograft mice. MMP12 knockdown did not influence the viability of cervical cancer cells but clearly inhibited cell migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. MMP12 was highly expressed in cervical tumor tissues and correlated with the poor survival rate of patients with cervical cancer. Further investigations revealed that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 3 (MEK3), and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) were involved in MMP12 downregulation in response to MTA2 knockdown. Results also demonstrated that p38-mediated Y-box binding protein1 (YB1) phosphorylation disrupted the binding of AP1 (c-Fos/c-Jun) to the MMP12 promoter, thereby inhibiting MMP12 expression and the metastatic potential of cervical cancer cells. Collectively, targeting both MTA2 and MMP12 may be a promising strategy for the treatment of cervical cancer.
Comprehensive molecular dissection of TIFY Transcription factors reveal their dynamic responses to biotic and abiotic stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Singh Poonam , Mukhopadhyay Kunal
Published: May 2021

The plant specific TIFY (previously known as ZIM) transcription factor (TF) family plays crucial roles in cross talk between Jasmonic Acid and other phytohormones like gibberellins, salicylic acid, abscisic acid, auxin, and ethylene signaling pathways. Wheat yield is severely affected by rust diseases and many abiotic stresses, where different phytohormone signaling pathways are involved. TIFYs have been studied in many plants yet reports describing their molecular structure and function in wheat are lacking. In the present study, we have identified 23 novel TIFY genes in wheat genome using in silico approaches. The identified proteins were characterized based on their conserved domains and phylogenetically classified into nine subfamilies. Chromosomal localization of the identified TIFY genes showed arbitrary distribution. Forty cis-acting elements including phytohormone, stress and light receptive elements were detected in the upstream regions of TIFY genes. Seventeen wheat microRNAs targeted the identified wheat TIFY genes. Gene ontological studies revealed their major contribution in defense response and phytohormone signaling. Secondary structure of TIFY proteins displayed the characteristic alpha–alpha–beta fold. Synteny analyses indicated all wheat TIFY genes had orthologous sequences in sorghum, rice, maize, barley and Brachypodium indicating presence of similar TIFY domains in monocot plants. Six TIFY genes had been cloned from wheat genomic and cDNA. Sequence characterization revealed similar characteristics as the in silico identified novel TIFY genes. Tertiary structures predicted the active sites in these proteins to play critical roles in DNA binding. Expression profiling of TIFY genes showed their contribution during incompatible and compatible leaf rust infestation. TIFY genes were also highly expressed during the initial hours of phytohormone induced stress. This study furnishes fundamental information on characterization and putative functions of TIFY genes in wheat.
Hydrological projections in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River Basin from 2020 to 2050
Authors: Huang Ya , Xiao Weihua , Hou Baodeng , Zhou Yuyan , Hou Guibing , Yi Ling , Cui Hao
Published: May 2021

Understanding the impact of climate change on runoff is essential for effective water resource management and planning. In this study, the regional climate model (RCM) RegCM4.5 was used to dynamically downscale near-future climate projections from two global climate models to a 50-km horizontal resolution over the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (UYRB). Based on the bias-corrected climate projection results, the impacts of climate change on mid-twenty-first century precipitation and temperature in the UYRB were assessed. Then, through the coupling of a large-scale hydrological model with RegCM4.5, the impacts of climate change on river flows at the outlets of the UYRB were assessed. According to the projections, the eastern UYRB will tend to be warm-dry in the near-future relative to the reference period, whereas the western UYRB will tend to be warm-humid. Precipitation will decreases at a rate of 19.05–19.25 mm/10 a, and the multiyear average annual precipitation will vary between − 0.5 and 0.5 mm/day. Temperature is projected to increases significantly at a rate of 0.38–0.52 °C/10 a, and the projected multiyear average air temperature increase is approximately 1.3–1.5 ℃. The contribution of snowmelt runoff to the annual runoff in the UYBR is only approximately 4%, whereas that to the spring runoff is approximately 9.2%. Affected by climate warming, the annual average snowmelt runoff in the basin will be reduced by 36–39%, whereas the total annual runoff will be reduced by 4.1–5%, and the extreme runoff will be slightly reduced. Areas of projected decreased runoff depth are mainly concentrated in the southeast region of the basin. The decrease in precipitation is driving this decrease in the southeast, whereas the decreased runoff depth in the northwest is mainly driven by the increase in evaporation.
The paradoxical role of emotional intensity in the perception of vocal affect
Authors: Holz N. , Larrouy-Maestri P. , Poeppel D.
Published: May 2021

Vocalizations including laughter, cries, moans, or screams constitute a potent source of information about the affective states of others. It is typically conjectured that the higher the intensity of the expressed emotion, the better the classification of affective information. However, attempts to map the relation between affective intensity and inferred meaning are controversial. Based on a newly developed stimulus database of carefully validated non-speech expressions ranging across the entire intensity spectrum from low to peak, we show that the intuition is false. Based on three experiments (N = 90), we demonstrate that intensity in fact has a paradoxical role. Participants were asked to rate and classify the authenticity, intensity and emotion, as well as valence and arousal of the wide range of vocalizations. Listeners are clearly able to infer expressed intensity and arousal; in contrast, and surprisingly, emotion category and valence have a perceptual sweet spot: moderate and strong emotions are clearly categorized, but peak emotions are maximally ambiguous. This finding, which converges with related observations from visual experiments, raises interesting theoretical challenges for the emotion communication literature.
Steroid hormone bioavailability is controlled by the lymphatic system
Authors: Klossner Rahel , Groessl Michael , Schumacher Nadine , Fux Michaela , Escher Geneviève , Verouti Sophia , Jamin Heidi , Vogt Bruno , Mohaupt Markus G. , Gennari-Moser Carine
Published: May 2021

The steroid hormone progesterone accounts for immune tolerance in pregnancy. Enhanced progesterone metabolism to 6α-OH-pregnanolone occurs in complicated pregnancies such as in preeclampsia with preterm delivery or intrauterine growth restriction, and in cancer. As lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) promote tumor immunity, we hypothesized that human LECs modify progesterone bioavailability. Primary human LECs and mice lymph nodes were incubated with progesterone and progesterone metabolism was analyzed by thin layer chromatography and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Expression of steroidogenic enzymes, down-stream signal and steroid hormone receptors was assessed by Real-time PCR. The placental cell line HTR-8/SV neo was used as reference. The impact of the progesterone metabolites of interest was investigated on the immune system by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. LECs metabolize progesterone to 6α-OH-pregnanolone and reactivate progesterone from a precursor. LECs highly express 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 and are therefore antiandrogenic and antiestrogenic. LECs express several steroid hormone receptors and PIBF1. Progesterone and its metabolites reduced TNF-α and IFN-γ production in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. LECs modify progesterone bioavailability and are a target of steroid hormones. Given the global area represented by LECs, they might have a critical immunomodulatory control in pregnancy and cancer.
Study on effects of sweating treatment and different drying methods on the quality of Gentianae macrophyllae Radix
Authors: Chen Qianliang , Shi Zhangyan , Wang Yedan , Zhang Run , Hu Hehe
Published: May 2021

To provide basis for improving the quality of Gentianae macrophyllae Radix and optimising the field processing method. Gentianae macrophyllae Radix samples were collected from Long County. Five main active iridoids were determined by using HPLC. The HPLC fingerprints were measured and analysed by the traditional Chinese medicine chromatographic fingerprint similarity evaluation system. Water, total ash, acid insoluble ash and ethanol extract contents were determined in accordance with Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015). Colour of the surface and powdered samples were determined by using a colorimeter. Data were analysed by SPSS11.0. Notable differences were found among samples from different sweating and drying processes, in spite of the relatively consistent overall chemical characteristics. Sweating and drying methods influenced the contents of some active ingredients and colour very significantly; moreover, they also showed significant effects on the water, ash, and ethanol extract contents. The necessity of sweating treatment in the field processing of Gentianae macrophyllae Radix may be insufficient. Drying in the shade and oven drying are more profitable for preserving the active constituents. Gentianae macrophyllae Radix should be dried directly without sweating, and drying in the shade and oven drying should be adopted preferentially to improve the quality.
Spatiotemporal slope stability analytics for failure estimation (SSSAFE): linking radar data to the fundamental dynamics of granular failure
Authors: Tordesillas Antoinette , Kahagalage Sanath , Campbell Lachlan , Bellett Pat , Intrieri Emanuele , Batterham Robin
Published: May 2021

Impending catastrophic failure of granular earth slopes manifests distinct kinematic patterns in space and time. While risk assessments of slope failure hazards have routinely relied on the monitoring of ground motion, such precursory failure patterns remain poorly understood. A key challenge is the multiplicity of spatiotemporal scales and dynamical regimes. In particular, there exist a precursory failure regime where two mesoscale mechanisms coevolve, namely, the preferred transmission paths for force and damage. Despite extensive studies, a formulation which can address their coevolution not just in laboratory tests but also in large, uncontrolled field environments has proved elusive. Here we address this problem by developing a slope stability analytics framework which uses network flow theory and mesoscience to model this coevolution and predict emergent kinematic clusters solely from surface ground motion data. We test this framework on four data sets: one at the laboratory scale using individual grain displacement data; three at the field scale using line-of-sight displacement of a slope surface, from ground-based radar in two mines and from space-borne radar for the 2017 Xinmo landslide. The dynamics of the kinematic clusters deliver an early prediction of the geometry, location and time of failure.
Structural and mechanistic insights into the bifunctional HISN2 enzyme catalyzing the second and third steps of histidine biosynthesis in plants
Authors: Witek Wojciech , Sliwiak Joanna , Ruszkowski Milosz
Published: May 2021

The second and third steps of the histidine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) in plants are catalyzed by a bifunctional enzyme–HISN2. The enzyme consists of two distinct domains, active respectively as a phosphoribosyl-AMP cyclohydrolase (PRA-CH) and phosphoribosyl-ATP pyrophosphatase (PRA-PH). The domains are analogous to single-domain enzymes encoded by bacterial hisI and hisE genes, respectively. The calculated sequence similarity networks between HISN2 analogs from prokaryotes and eukaryotes suggest that the plant enzymes are closest relatives of those in the class of Deltaproteobacteria. In this work, we obtained crystal structures of HISN2 enzyme from Medicago truncatula (MtHISN2) and described its architecture and interactions with AMP. The AMP molecule bound to the PRA-PH domain shows positioning of the N1-phosphoribosyl relevant to catalysis. AMP bound to the PRA-CH domain mimics a part of the substrate, giving insights into the reaction mechanism. The latter interaction also arises as a possible second-tier regulatory mechanism of the HBP flux, as indicated by inhibition assays and isothermal titration calorimetry.
Endogenous PCSK9 may influence circulating CD45neg/CD34bright and CD45neg/CD34bright/CD146neg cells in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tripaldi Romina , Lanuti Paola , Simeone Paola Giustina , Liani Rossella , Bologna Giuseppina , Ciotti Sonia , Simeone Pasquale , Di Castelnuovo Augusto , Marchisio Marco , Cipollone Francesco , Santilli Francesca
Published: May 2021

Protease proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a regulator of LDL cholesterol clearance and has been associated with cardiovascular risk. PCSK9 inhibitors increase in vivo circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), a subtype of immature cells involved in ongoing endothelial repair. We hypothesized that the effect of PCSK9 on vascular homeostasis may be mediated by EPCs in patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Eighty-two patients (45 with, 37 without T2DM) at high cardiovascular risk were enrolled in this observational study. Statin treatment was associated with higher circulating levels of PCSK9 in patients with and without T2DM (p < 0.001 and p = 0.036) and with reduced CD45neg/CD34bright (total EPC compartment) (p = 0.016) and CD45neg/CD34bright/CD146neg (early EPC) (p = 0.040) only among patients with T2DM. In the whole group of patients, statin treatment was the only independent predictor of low number of CD45neg/CD34bright (β = − 0.230; p = 0.038, adjusted R2 = 0.041). Among T2DM patients, PCSK9 circulating levels were inversely related and predicted both the number of CD45neg/CD34bright (β = − 0.438; p = 0.003, adjusted R2 = 0.173), and CD45neg/CD34bright/CD146neg (β = − 0.458; p = 0.002, adjusted R2 = 0.191) independently of age, gender, BMI and statin treatment. In high-risk T2DM patients, high endogenous levels of PCSK9 may have a detrimental effect on EPCs by reducing the endothelial repair and worsening the progression of atherothrombosis.
Endothelial angiogenic activity and adipose angiogenesis is controlled by extracellular matrix protein TGFBI
Authors: Lee Seul Gi , Kim Jin Soo , Kim Ha-Jeong , Schlaepfer David D. , Kim In-San , Nam Ju-Ock
Published: May 2021

Several studies have suggested that extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and the microenvironment are tightly associated with adipogenesis and adipose angiogenesis. In the present study, we demonstrated that transforming growth factor-beta induced (TGFBI) suppresses angiogenesis stimulated by adipocyte-conditioned medium (Ad-CM), both in vitro and in vivo. TGFBI knockout (KO) mice exhibited increased numbers of blood vessels in adipose tissue, and blood vessels from these mice showed enhanced infiltration into Matrigel containing Ad-CM. The treatment of Ad-CM-stimulated SVEC-10 endothelial cells with TGFBI protein reduced migration and tube-forming activity. TGFBI protein suppressed the activation of the Src and extracellular signaling-related kinase signaling pathways of these SVEC-10 endothelial cells. Our findings indicated that TGFBI inhibited adipose angiogenesis by suppressing the activation of Src and ERK signaling pathways, possibly because of the stimulation of the angiogenic activity of endothelial cells.
Hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome increases the long-term risk of pneumonia: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Kim Joonghee , Park Sang Jun , Choi Sangbum , Seo Won-woo , Lee Yeon Joo
Published: May 2021

It is well established that the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) increases after respiratory infection. However, the reverse association has not been evaluated. We tested the hypothesis that the long-term risk of pneumonia is increased after a new ACS event. A matched-cohort study was conducted using a nationally representative dataset. We identified patients with admission for ACS between 2004 and 2014, without a previous history of ACS or pneumonia. Incidence density sampling was used to match patients, on the basis of age and sex, to 3 controls who were also free from both ACS and pneumonia. We examined the incidence of pneumonia after ACS until the end of the cohort observation (Dec 31, 2014). The analysis cohort consisted of 5469 ACS cases and 16,392 controls (median age, 64 years; 68.3% men). The incidence rate ratios of the first and the total pneumonia episodes in the ACS group relative to the control group was 1.25 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.11–1.41) and 1.23(95% CI 1.11–1.36), respectively. A significant ACS-related increase in the incidence of pneumonia was observed in the Cox-regression, shared frailty, and joint frailty model analyses, with hazard ratios of 1.25 (95% CI 1.09–1.42), 1.35 (95% CI 1.15–1.58), and 1.24 (95% CI 1.10–1.39), respectively. In this population-based cohort of patients who were initially free from both ACS and pneumonia, we found that hospitalization for ACS substantially increased the long term risk of pneumonia. This should be considered when formulating post-discharge care plans and preventive vaccination strategies in patients with ACS.
An integrative network analysis framework for identifying molecular functions in complex disorders examining major depressive disorder as a test case
Authors: Oommen Anup Mammen , Cunningham Stephen , O’Súilleabháin Páraic S. , Hughes Brian M. , Joshi Lokesh
Published: May 2021

In addition to the psychological depressive phenotype, major depressive disorder (MDD) patients are also associated with underlying immune dysregulation that correlates with metabolic syndrome prevalent in depressive patients. A robust integrative analysis of biological pathways underlying the dysregulated neural connectivity and systemic inflammatory response will provide implications in the development of effective strategies for the diagnosis, management and the alleviation of associated comorbidities. In the current study, focusing on MDD, we explored an integrative network analysis methodology to analyze transcriptomic data combined with the meta-analysis of biomarker data available throughout public databases and published scientific peer-reviewed articles. Detailed gene set enrichment analysis and complex protein–protein, gene regulatory and biochemical pathway analysis has been undertaken to identify the functional significance and potential biomarker utility of differentially regulated genes, proteins and metabolite markers. This integrative analysis method provides insights into the molecular mechanisms along with key glycosylation dysregulation underlying altered neutrophil-platelet activation and dysregulated neuronal survival maintenance and synaptic functioning. Highlighting the significant gap that exists in the current literature, the network analysis framework proposed reduces the impact of data gaps and permits the identification of key molecular signatures underlying complex disorders with multiple etiologies such as within MDD and presents multiple treatment options to address their molecular dysfunction.
The effects of exercise training on Kinesin and GAP-43 expression in skeletal muscle fibers of STZ-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Rahmati Masoud , Taherabadi Seyed Jalal
Published: May 2021

Kinesin-1 and Growth Associated Protein 43 (GAP-43) localization in muscle fiber are crucial for proper skeletal muscle hypertrophy. To evaluate this assumption, we investigated the beneficial effects of endurance training on GAP-43 and Kinesin Family Member 5B (KIF5B) expression in gastrocnemius muscle of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Fifty-two male rats were randomly divided into four groups: healthy control (C), healthy trained (T), diabetic control (DC) and diabetic trained (DT). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg). The rats in DT and T groups were subjected to treadmill running for 5 days a week over 6 weeks. The results indicated that the GAP-43 and KIF5B protein levels in the DC group were significantly lower than those in the C group. Additionally, chronic treadmill running in diabetic rats was accompanied by significant increase of GAP-43 and KIF5B protein expression, compared to DC group. Furthermore, the endurance training in healthy rats was associated with a significant increase of GAP-43 and KIF5B protein levels. In addition, we found positive correlation between GAP-43 and KIF5B protein levels and myonuclear number per fiber and average gastrocnemius cross-sectional area (CSA). GAP43 and KIF5B protein levels were decreased in skeletal muscles of diabetic rats, and exercise training had beneficial effects and could restore their abnormal expression. Moreover, there is a strong relationship between muscle hypertrophy and GAP-43 and KIF5B protein levels.
Effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on the psychomotor, cognitive, and motor performances of power athletes
Authors: Grosprêtre Sidney , Grandperrin Yohan , Nicolier Magali , Gimenez Philippe , Vidal Chrystelle , Tio Gregory , Haffen Emmanuel , Bennabi Djamila
Published: May 2021

In sports science, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has many unknown effects on neuromuscular, psychomotor and cognitive aspects. Particularly, its impact on power performances remains poorly investigated. Eighteen healthy young males, all trained in a jumping sport (parkour) performed three experimental sessions: anodal tDCS applied either on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC, cathode in supraorbital area) or on the primary motor cortex (M1, cathode on contralateral shoulder), and a placebo condition (SHAM), each applied for 20 min at 2 mA. Pre and post, maximal vertical and horizontal jumps were performed, associated to leg neuromuscular assessment through electromyography and peripheral nerve stimulations. Actual and imagined pointing tasks were also performed to evaluate fine motor skills, and a full battery of cognitive and psychomotor tests was administered. M1 tDCS improved jump performance accompanied by an increase in supraspinal and spinal excitabilities. dlPFC stimulation only impacted the pointing tasks. No effect on cognitive tests was found for any of the tDCS conditions. To conclude, the type of performance (maximal versus accurate) affected depended upon the tDCS montage. Finally, athletes responded well to tDCS for motor performance while results to cognitive tests seemed unaffected, at least when implemented with the present rationale.
Sensory gene identification in the transcriptome of the ectoparasitoid Quadrastichus mendeli
Authors: Huang Zong-You , Wang Xiao-Yun , Lu Wen , Zheng Xia-Lin
Published: May 2021

Sensory genes play a key role in the host location of parasitoids. To date, the sensory genes that regulate parasitoids to locate gall-inducing insects have not been uncovered. An obligate ectoparasitoid, Quadrastichus mendeli Kim & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae: Tetrastichinae), is one of the most important parasitoids of Leptocybe invasa, which is a global gall-making pest in eucalyptus plantations. Interestingly, Q. mendeli can precisely locate the larva of L. invasa, which induces tumor-like growth on the eucalyptus leaves and stems. Therefore, Q. mendeli–L. invasa provides an ideal system to study the way that parasitoids use sensory genes in gall-making pests. In this study, we present the transcriptome of Q. mendeli using high-throughput sequencing. In total, 31,820 transcripts were obtained and assembled into 26,925 unigenes in Q. mendeli. Then, the major sensory genes were identified, and phylogenetic analyses were performed with these genes from Q. mendeli and other model insect species. Three chemosensory proteins (CSPs), 10 gustatory receptors (GRs), 21 ionotropic receptors (IRs), 58 odorant binding proteins (OBPs), 30 odorant receptors (ORs) and 2 sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs) were identified in Q. mendeli by bioinformatics analysis. Our report is the first to obtain abundant biological information on the transcriptome of Q. mendeli that provided valuable information regarding the molecular basis of Q. mendeli perception, and it may help to understand the host location of parasitoids of gall-making pests.
Self-assembly of carbohydrate-based small amphiphiles and their applications in pathogen inhibition and drug delivery: a review
Authors: Mittal Ayushi , Krishna  , Aarti  , Prasad Suchita , Mishra Prashant Kumar , Sharma Sunil K. , Parshad Badri
Published: May 2021

Carbohydrate-based amphiphiles: self-assembled nanostructures of defined size and shape for various biomedical applications.
The biofunctionalization of titanium nanotube with chitosan/genipin heparin hydrogel and the controlled release of IL-4 for anti-coagulation and anti-thrombus through accelerating endothelialization
Authors: Yu Wen Peng , Gong Yi , Wang Ziyao , Lu Chao , Ding Jing Li , Liu Xin Liang , Zhu Guo Dong , Lin Feng , Xu Jian Jun , Zhou Jian Liang
Published: May 2021

The valve replacement is the main treatment of heart valve disease.
Operando systems chemistry reaction catalysis (OSCR-Cat) for visible light driven CO2 conversion
Authors: Das Kousik , De Ratnadip , Verpoort Francis , Roy Soumyajit
Published: May 2021

A systems chemistry approach is taken for compartmentalization of a continuous reaction medium (water and CO2) with induced creation of micro-heterogeneity in the medium by using a SOM (soft-oxometalate) catalyst.
Polyacetylene derivatives in perovskite solar cells: from defect passivation to moisture endurance
Authors: Jiang Jiexuan , Lang Xianhua , Zeng Qiugui , Faheem M. Bilal , Rong Shanshan , Zhao Hui , Li Yanbo
Published: May 2021

Polyacetylene derivatives as additives in perovskite films not only improve the efficiency but also the moisture endurance of perovskite solar cells.
Development of a RPLC-UV method for monitoring uncleaved HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein
Authors: Schneck Nicole A. , Vinitsky Alison L. , Ivleva Vera B. , Wang Xiangchun , Gowetski Daniel B. , Lei Q. Paula
Published: May 2021

We demonstrate a quantitative and sensitive RPLC-UV strategy coupled with reduction to routinely monitor furin cleavage efficiency of recombinant envelope glycoprotein constructs during HIV-1 vaccine development and manufacturing.
Determining the geographical origin of milk by multivariate analysis based on stable isotope ratios, elements and fatty acids
Authors: Xu Siyan , Zhao Chaomin , Deng Xiaojun , Zhang Runhe , Qu Li , Wang Min , Ren Shuo , Wu Hao , Yue Zhenfeng , Niu Bing
Published: May 2021

Based on three types of variables (stable isotope ratios, elements and fatty acids), a robust OPLS-DA model that is capable of classifying origin countries of milk samples could be built.
Sulfur doped MoO2 hollow nanospheres as a highly sensitive SERS substrate for multiple detections of organic pollutants
Authors: Zhou Xiaoyu , Zhao Xiaoli , Gu Shuo , Xie Fazhi , Wang Xiufang , Tang Zhi
Published: May 2021

Sulfur doped MoO2 nanospheres with a hollow structure were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal synthesis method. Profiting from the S atom doping, MoO2 manifests high SERS sensitivity to organic pollutants.
Selectivity controlled transformation of carbon dioxide into a versatile bi-functional multi-carbon oxygenate using a physically mixed ruthenium–iridium catalyst
Authors: Chatterjee Maya , Chatterjee Abhijit , Kitta Mitsunori , Kawanami Hajime
Published: May 2021

The efficiency of supercritical CO2(scCO2) as a reactant was successfully unfolded in the synthesis of a high-value C2+oxygenateviahydrogenation and C–C bond formation under comparatively mild conditions.
Cu2O hydrides promote the selective semihydrogenation of alkynes on Pd–Cu2O/TiO2 under mild conditions
Authors: Zhao Jing , Zhang Hucheng , Yan Fangfang , Jia Huanli , Li Ze , Wang Jianji
Published: May 2021

High activity, chemoselectivity and stereoselectivity were unveiled by the synergy of the p–n heterojunctions with Pd0 in a novel Pd–Cu2O/TiO2 catalyst for spillover semihydrogenations.
Leaf extract fromVitis viniferaL. reduces high fat diet-induced obesity in mice
Authors: Meng Li , Jiao Yuehua , Zhou Xiaohong , Liang Cong , Yan Kexin , Zhao Ye , Deng Xiujie , Han Xue , Yang Yanyan , Liu Hanmin , Gong Pimin , Zhang Lanwei
Published: May 2021

Despite the health benefits ofVitis viniferaL. leaves, its anti-obesity potential has not been fully explored.
The absorption of glycosaminoglycans of different molecular weight obtained from Apostichopus japonicus: an in vitro and in situ study
Authors: Ma Mengjie , Wang Han , Yuan Yongkai , Wang Yuanhong , Yang Shuang , Lv Zhihua
Published: May 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the absorption and transport of glycosaminoglycan from Apostichopus japonicus (AHG) and its depolymerized derivatives (DAHG-1, DAHG-2, DAHG-3).