bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Optimization of Ti Gradient Porous Structure Involves the Finite Element Simulation Analysis
Authors: Liu Bowen , Xu Wei , Lu Xin , Tamaddon Maryam , Chen Mingying , Dong Jiaqi , Liu Yitong , Guo Lijia , Zhang Jiazhen , Qu Xuanhui , He Xinbo , Liu Chaozong
Published: June 2021

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are attracting special attention in the field of dentistry and orthopedic bioengineering because of their mechanical adaptability and biological compatibility with the natural bone. The dental implant is subjected to masticatory forces in the oral environment and transfers these forces to the surrounding bone tissue. Therefore, by simulating the mechanical behavior of implants and surrounding bone tissue we can assess the effects of implants on bone growth quite accurately. In this study, dental implants with different gradient pore structures that consisted of simple cubic (structure a), body centered cubic (structure b) and side centered cubic (structure c) were designed, respectively. The strength of the designed gradient porous implant in the oral environment was simulated by three-dimensional finite element simulation technique to assess the mechanical adaptation by the stress-strain distribution within the surrounding bone tissue and by examining the fretting of the implant-bone interface. The results show that the maximum equivalent stress and strain in the surrounding bone tissue increase with the increase of porosity. The stress distribution of the gradient implant with a smaller difference between outer and inner pore structure is more uniform. So, a-b type porous implant exhibited less stress concentration. For a-b structure, when the porosity is between 40 and 47%, the stress and strain of bone tissue are in the range of normal growth. When subject to lingual and buccal stresses, an implant with higher porosity can achieve more uniform stress distribution in the surrounding cancellous bone than that of low porosity implant. Based on the simulated results, to achieve an improved mechanical fixation of the implant, the optimum gradient porous structure parameters should be: average porosity 46% with an inner porosity of 13% (b structure) and outer porosity of 59% (a structure), and outer pore sized 500 μm. With this optimized structure, the bone can achieve optimal ingrowth into the gradient porous structure, thus provide stable mechanical fixation of the implant. The maximum equivalent stress achieved 99 MPa, which is far below the simulation yield strength of 299 MPa.
Conversion of a High-Altitude Temperate Forest for Agriculture Reduced Alpha and Beta Diversity of the Soil Fungal Communities as Revealed by a Metabarcoding Analysis
Authors: Navarro-Noya Yendi E. , Montoya-Ciriaco Nina , Muñoz-Arenas Ligia C. , Hereira-Pacheco Stephanie , Estrada-Torres Arturo , Dendooven Luc
Published: June 2021

Land-use change is one of the most important drivers of change in biodiversity. Deforestation for grazing or agriculture has transformed large areas of temperate forest in the central highlands of Mexico, but its impact on soil fungal communities is still largely unknown. In this study, we determined how deforestation of a high-altitude temperate forest for cultivation of maize (Zea mays L.) or husbandry altered the taxonomic, phylogenetic, functional, and beta diversity of soil fungal communities using a 18S rRNA metabarcoding analysis. The true taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity at order q = 1, i.e., considering frequent operational taxonomic units, decreased significantly in the arable, but not in the pasture soil. The beta diversity decreased in the order forest > pasture > arable soil. The ordination analysis showed a clear effect of intensity of land-use as the forest soil clustered closer to pasture than to the arable soil. The most abundant fungal phyla in the studied soils were Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Mucoromycota. Deforestation more than halved the relative abundance of Basidiomycota; mostly Agaricomycetes, such as Lactarius and Inocybe. The relative abundance of Glomeromycota decreased in the order pasture > forest > arable soil. Symbiotrophs, especially ectomycorrhizal fungi, were negatively affected by deforestation while pathotrophs, especially animal pathogens, were enriched in the pasture and arable soil. Ectomycorrhizal fungi were more abundant in the forest soil as they are usually associated with conifers. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were more abundant in the pasture than in the arable soil as the higher plant diversity provided more suitable hosts. Changes in fungal communities resulting from land-use change can provide important information for soil management and the assessment of the environmental impact of deforestation and conversion of vulnerable ecosystems such as high-altitude temperate forests.
Gut Bacteria Associated With Monochamus saltuarius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) and Their Possible Roles in Host Plant Adaptations
Authors: Ge Si-Xun , Shi Feng-Ming , Pei Jia-He , Hou Ze-Hai , Zong Shi-Xiang , Ren Li-Li
Published: June 2021

Monochamus saltuarius (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is an important native pest in the pine forests of northeast China and a dispersing vector of an invasive species Bursaphelenchus xylophilus. To investigate the bacterial gut diversity of M. saltuarius larvae in different host species, and infer the role of symbiotic bacteria in host adaptation, we used 16S rRNA gene Illumina sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolomics processing to obtain and compare the composition of the bacterial community and metabolites in the midguts of larvae feeding on three host tree species: Pinus koraiensis, Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica, and Pinus tabuliformis. Metabolomics in xylem samples from the three aforementioned hosts were also performed. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the predominant bacterial phyla in the larval gut. At the genus level, Klebsiella, unclassified_f__Enterobacteriaceae, Lactococcus, and Burkholderia–Caballeronia–Paraburkholderia were most dominant in P. koraiensis and P. sylvestris var. mongolica feeders, while Burkholderia–Caballeronia–Paraburkholderia, Dyella, Pseudoxanthomonas, and Mycobacterium were most dominant in P. tabuliformis feeders. Bacterial communities were similar in diversity in P. koraiensis and P. sylvestris var. mongolica feeders, while communities were highly diverse in P. tabuliformis feeders. Compared with the other two tree species, P. tabuliformis xylems had more diverse and abundant secondary metabolites, while larvae feeding on these trees had a stronger metabolic capacity for secondary metabolites than the other two host feeders. Correlation analysis of the association of microorganisms with metabolic features showed that dominant bacterial genera in P. tabuliformis feeders were more negatively correlated with plant secondary metabolites than those of other host tree feeders.
Development of a PacBio Long-Read Sequencing Assay for High Throughput Detection of Fungicide Resistance in Zymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Samils Berit , Andersson Björn , Edin Eva , Elfstrand Malin , Rönneburg Tilman , Bucur Diana , Hutton Fiona , Heick Thies M. , Hellin Pierre , Kildea Steven
Published: June 2021

Fungicide resistance has become a challenging problem in management of Septoria tritici blotch (STB), caused by Zymoseptoria tritici, the most destructive disease of winter wheat throughout western and northern Europe. To ensure the continued effectiveness of those fungicides currently used, it is essential to monitor the development and spread of such resistance in field populations of the pathogen. Since resistance to the key families of fungicides used for STB control (demethyalation inhibitors or azoles, succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors or SDHIs and Quinone outside Inhibitors or QoIs) is conferred through target-site mutations, the potential exists to monitor resistance through the molecular detection of alterations in the target site genes. As more efficient fungicides were developed and applied, the pathogen has continuously adapted through accumulating multiple target-site alterations. In order to accurately monitor these changes in field populations, it is therefore becoming increasingly important to completely sequence the targeted genes. Here we report the development of a PacBio assay that facilitates the multiplex amplification and long-read sequencing of the target gene(s) for the azole (CYP51), SDHI (Sdh B, C, and D), and QoI (cytochrome b) fungicides. The assay was developed and optimised using three Irish Z. tritici collections established in spring 2017, which capture the range of fungicide resistance present in modern European populations of Z. tritici. The sequences obtained through the PacBio assay were validated using traditional Sanger sequencing and in vitro sensitivity screenings. To further exploit the long-read and high throughput potential of PacBio sequencing, an additional nine housekeeping genes (act, BTUB, cal, cyp, EF1, GAPDH, hsp80-1, PKC, TFC1) were sequenced and used to provide comprehensive Z. tritici strain genotyping.
Altered Grooming Syntax and Amphetamine-Induced Dopamine Release in EAAT3 Overexpressing Mice
Authors: Escobar Angélica P. , Martínez-Pinto Jonathan , Silva-Olivares Francisco , Sotomayor-Zárate Ramón , Moya Pablo R.
Published: June 2021

The excitatory amino acid transporter EAAT3 plays an important role in the neuronal uptake of glutamate regulating the activation of glutamate receptors. Polymorphisms in the gene-encoding EAAT3 have been associated with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), although the mechanisms underlying this relationship are still unknown. We recently reported that mice with increased EAAT3 expression in forebrain neurons (EAAT3glo/CMKII) display behavioral and synaptic features relevant to OCD, including increased grooming, higher anxiety-like behavior and altered cortico-striatal synaptic function. The dopamine neurotransmitter system is implicated in ritualistic behaviors. Indeed, dopaminergic neurons express EAAT3, and mice lacking EAAT3 exhibit decreased dopamine release and decreased expression of the dopamine D1 receptor. Moreover, EAAT3 plays a role on the effect of the psychostimulant amphetamine. As such, we sought to determine if the OCD-like behavior in EAAT3glo/CMKII mice is accompanied by altered nigro-striatal dopaminergic transmission. The aim of this study was to analyze dopamine transmission both in basal conditions and after an acute challenge of amphetamine, using behavioral, neurochemical, molecular, and cellular approaches. We found that in basal conditions, EAAT3glo/CMKII mice performed more grooming events and that they remained in phase 1 of the grooming chain syntax compared with control littermates. Administration of amphetamine increased the number of grooming events in control mice, while EAAT3glo/CMKII mice remain unaffected. Interestingly, the grooming syntax of amphetamine-control mice resembled that of EAAT3glo/CMKII mice in basal conditions. Using in vivo microdialysis, we found decreased basal dopamine levels in EAAT3glo/CMKII compared with control mice. Unexpectedly, we found that after acute amphetamine, EAAT3glo/CMKII mice had a higher release of dopamine compared with that of control mice, suggesting that EAAT3 overexpression leads to increased dopamine releasability. To determine postsynaptic effect of EAAT3 overexpression over dopamine transmission, we performed Western blot analysis of dopaminergic proteins and found that EAAT3glo/CMKII mice have higher expression of D2 receptors, suggesting a higher inhibition of the indirect striatal pathway. Together, the data indicate that EAAT3 overexpression impacts on dopamine transmission, making dopamine neurons more sensitive to the effect of amphetamine and leading to a disbalance between the direct and indirect striatal pathways that favors the performance of repetitive behaviors.
HTsort: Enabling Fast and Accurate Spike Sorting on Multi-Electrode Arrays
Authors: Chen Keming , Jiang Yangtao , Wu Zhanxiong , Zheng Nenggan , Wang Haochuan , Hong Hui
Published: June 2021

Spike sorting is used to classify the spikes (action potentials acquired by physiological electrodes), aiming to identify their respective firing units. Now it has been developed to classify the spikes recorded by multi-electrode arrays (MEAs), with the improvement of micro-electrode technology. However, how to improve classification accuracy and maintain low time complexity simultaneously becomes a difficulty. A fast and accurate spike sorting approach named HTsort is proposed for high-density multi-electrode arrays in this paper. Several improvements have been introduced to the traditional pipeline that is composed of threshold detection and clustering method. First, the divide-and-conquer method is employed to utilize electrode spatial information to achieve pre-clustering. Second, the clustering method HDBSCAN (hierarchical density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise) is used to classify spikes and detect overlapping events (multiple spikes firing simultaneously). Third, the template merging method is used to merge redundant exported templates according to the template similarity and the spatial distribution of electrodes. Finally, the template matching method is used to resolve overlapping events. Our approach is validated on simulation data constructed by ourselves and publicly available data and compared to other state-of-the-art spike sorters. We found that the proposed HTsort has a more favorable trade-off between accuracy and time consumption. Compared with MountainSort and SpykingCircus, the time consumption is reduced by at least 40% when the number of electrodes is 64 and below. Compared with HerdingSpikes, the classification accuracy can typically improve by more than 10%. Meanwhile, HTsort exhibits stronger robustness against background noise than other sorters. Our more sophisticated spike sorter would facilitate neurophysiologists to complete spike sorting more quickly and accurately.
General and Specific Effects of Stereo Learning
Authors: Xi Jie , Wang Ge-Tong , Zhao Jin , Huang Chang-Bing
Published: June 2021

Technological advancements in virtual reality challenge the human vision, especially stereopsis, a function, which characterizes how two eyes coordinate to form a unified three-dimensional (3D) representation of the external world and is found to be deficient in 30% of the normal population. Although a few previous studies have consistently found that the perceptual learning of stereopsis significantly improved stereoacuity, an underlying mechanism of stereo learning remains heavily debated. Here, we trained subjects with normal stereo vision (assessed with the FLY Stereo Acuity Test) to judge stereopsis containing three types of binocular disparity orders (i.e., zero-, first-, and second-order), aiming to systematically examine the characteristics and plasticity of stereo learning. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned to the three training groups (each for the zero-, first-, or second-order disparity separately). The disparity thresholds were measured before and after training. The disparity threshold was measured in 10 additional control subjects only at the pre- and post-training phase. Stereoscopic images were displayed through a shutter goggle, which is synchronized to a monitor. We found that the training significantly improved the zero-, first-, and second-order disparity threshold by 52.42, 36.28, and 14.9% in the zero-order training condition; 30.44, 63.74, and 21.07% in the first-order training condition; and 30.77, 25.19, and 75.12% in the second-order training condition, respectively. There was no significant improvement in the control group. Interestingly, the greatest improvements in the first- and second-order disparity threshold were found in the corresponding disparity training group; on the contrary, the improvements in the zero-order disparity threshold were comparable across all the three disparity training groups. Our findings demonstrated both general (related to the zero-order disparity) and specific improvements (related to the first- and second-order disparity) in stereo learning, suggesting that stereo training occurs at different visual processing stages and its effects might depend on the specific training sites.
Impairment and Compensation in Dexterous Upper-Limb Function After Stroke. From the Direct Consequences of Pyramidal Tract Lesions to Behavioral Involvement of Both Upper-Limbs in Daily Activities
Authors: Roby-Brami Agnès , Jarrassé Nathanaël , Parry Ross
Published: June 2021

Impairments in dexterous upper limb function are a significant cause of disability following stroke. While the physiological basis of movement deficits consequent to a lesion in the pyramidal tract is well demonstrated, specific mechanisms contributing to optimal recovery are less apparent. Various upper limb interventions (motor learning methods, neurostimulation techniques, robotics, virtual reality, and serious games) are associated with improvements in motor performance, but many patients continue to experience significant limitations with object handling in everyday activities. Exactly how we go about consolidating adaptive motor behaviors through the rehabilitation process thus remains a considerable challenge. An important part of this problem is the ability to successfully distinguish the extent to which a given gesture is determined by the neuromotor impairment and that which is determined by a compensatory mechanism. This question is particularly complicated in tasks involving manual dexterity where prehensile movements are contingent upon the task (individual digit movement, grasping, and manipulation…) and its objective (placing, two step actions…), as well as personal factors (motivation, acquired skills, and life habits…) and contextual cues related to the environment (presence of tools or assistive devices…). Presently, there remains a lack of integrative studies which differentiate processes related to structural changes associated with the neurological lesion and those related to behavioral change in response to situational constraints. In this text, we shall question the link between impairments, motor strategies and individual performance in object handling tasks. This scoping review will be based on clinical studies, and discussed in relation to more general findings about hand and upper limb function (manipulation of objects, tool use in daily life activity). We shall discuss how further quantitative studies on human manipulation in ecological contexts may provide greater insight into compensatory motor behavior in patients with a neurological impairment of dexterous upper-limb function.
Evaluating the Performance of qVFM in Mapping the Visual Field of Simulated Observers With Eye Diseases
Authors: Xu Pengjing , Lesmes Luis Andres , Yu Deyue , Lu Zhong-Lin
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Recently, we developed a novel active learning framework, qVFM, to map visual functions in the visual field. The method has been implemented and validated in measuring light sensitivity and contrast sensitivity visual field maps (VFMs) of normal observers. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the qVFM method in mapping the light sensitivity VFM of simulated patients with peripheral scotoma, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and cataract.

Methods

For each simulated patient, we sampled 100 locations (60 × 60 degrees) of the visual field and compared the performance of the qVFM method with a procedure that tests each location independently (the qYN method) in a cued Yes/No task. Two different switch modules, the distribution sampling method (DSM) and parameter delivering method (PDM), were implemented in the qVFM method. Simulated runs of 1,200 trials were used to compare the accuracy and precision of the qVFM-DSM, qVFM-PDM and qYN methods.

Results

The qVFM method with both switch modules can provide accurate, precise, and efficient assessments of the light sensitivity VFM for the simulated patients, with the qVFM-PDM method better at detecting VFM deficits in the simulated glaucoma.

Conclusions

The qVFM method can be used to characterize residual vision of simulated ophthalmic patients. The study sets the stage for further investigation with real patients and potential translation of the method into clinical practice.
Effect of Ulinastatin on Early Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients Undergoing Surgery: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Duan Mei , Liu Fangyan , Fu Huiqun , Feng Shuai , Wang Xue , Wang Tianlong
Published: June 2021

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is associated with neuroinflammation by triggering the systemic inflammatory responses. Related studies have demonstrated that ulinastatin, which is a urinary trypsin inhibitor, inhibited the release of inflammatory mediators and improved postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing major surgery. However, there are controversial results put forwarded by some studies. This systemic review aimed to evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on POCD in elderly patients undergoing surgery.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Ovid to find relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of ulinastatin on POCD in elderly patients undergoing surgery. The primary outcomes included the incidence of POCD and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. The secondary outcome was the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, S100β, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10. RevMan 5.3 was used to conduct the meta-analysis.

Results: Ten RCTs were included finally. Compared with controls, ulinastatin significantly reduced the incidence of POCD [risk ratio (RR) = 0.29, 95% CI 0.21–0.41, test of RR = 1: Z = 7.05, p < 0.00001]. In addition, patients in the ulinastatin group have lower levels of TNF-α, S100β, CRP, and IL-6 and higher level of IL-10 in serum following surgery.

Conclusion: These findings suggested that ulinastatin can be used as an anti-inflammatory drug for POCD prevention in elderly patients undergoing surgery.

Systematic Review Registration Number: CRD42019137449.
Association of Cerebral Ischemia With Corneal Nerve Loss and Brain Atrophy in MCI and Dementia
Authors: Ponirakis Georgios , Elsotouhy Ahmed , Al Hamad Hanadi , Vattoth Surjith , Petropoulos Ioannis N. , Khan Adnan , Gad Hoda , Al-Khayat Fatima , Chandran Mani , Ramadan Marwan , Elorrabi Marwa , Gadelseed Masharig , Tosino Rhia , Gawhale Priya V. , Alobaidi Maryam , Khan Shafi , Manikoth Pravija , Abdelrahim Yasmin H. M. , Thodi Noushad , Almuhannadi Hamad , Al-Mohannadi Salma , AlMarri Fatema , Qazi Murtaza , Own Ahmed , Mahfoud Ziyad R. , Shuaib Ashfaq , Malik Rayaz A.
Published: June 2021

Introduction

This study assessed the association of cerebral ischemia with neurodegeneration in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Methods

Subjects with MCI, dementia and controls underwent assessment of cognitive function, severity of brain ischemia, MRI brain volumetry and corneal confocal microscopy.

Results

Of 63 subjects with MCI (n = 44) and dementia (n = 19), 11 had no ischemia, 32 had subcortical ischemia and 20 had both subcortical and cortical ischemia. Brain volume and corneal nerve measures were comparable between subjects with subcortical ischemia and no ischemia. However, subjects with subcortical and cortical ischemia had a lower hippocampal volume (P < 0.01), corneal nerve fiber length (P < 0.05) and larger ventricular volume (P < 0.05) compared to those with subcortical ischemia and lower corneal nerve fiber density (P < 0.05) compared to those without ischemia.

Discussion

Cerebral ischemia was associated with cognitive impairment, brain atrophy and corneal nerve loss in MCI and dementia.
Overview of Viral Pneumonia Associated With Influenza Virus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and Coronavirus, and Therapeutics Based on Natural Products of Medicinal Plants
Authors: Hu Ziwei , Lin Jinhong , Chen Jintao , Cai Tengxi , Xia Lixin , Liu Ying , Song Xun , He Zhendan
Published: June 2021

Viral pneumonia has been a serious threat to global health, especially now we have dramatic challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately six million cases of community-acquired pneumonia occur every year, and over 20% of which need hospital admission. Influenza virus, respiratory virus, and coronavirus are the noteworthy causative agents to be investigated based on recent clinical research. Currently, anaphylactic reaction and inflammation induced by antiviral immunity can be incriminated as causative factors for clinicopathological symptoms of viral pneumonia. In this article, we illustrate the structure and related infection mechanisms of these viruses and the current status of antiviral therapies. Owing to a set of antiviral regiments with unsatisfactory clinical effects resulting from side effects, genetic mutation, and growing incidence of resistance, much attention has been paid on medicinal plants as a natural source of antiviral agents. Previous research mainly referred to herbal medicines and plant extracts with curative effects on viral infection models of influenza virus, respiratory virus, and coronavirus. This review summarizes the results of antiviral activities of various medicinal plants and their isolated substances, exclusively focusing on natural products for the treatment of the three types of pathogens that elicit pneumonia. Furthermore, we have introduced several useful screening tools to develop antiviral lead compounds.
Mechanisms and Therapeutic Prospects of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through the Inflammatory Response
Authors: Kaur Namrita , Guan Yingshu , Raja Rida , Ruiz-Velasco Andrea , Liu Wei
Published: June 2021

The incidence of heart failure (HF) continues to increase rapidly in patients with diabetes. It is marked by myocardial remodeling, including fibrosis, hypertrophy, and cell death, leading to diastolic dysfunction with or without systolic dysfunction. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a distinct myocardial disease in the absence of coronary artery disease. DCM is partially induced by chronic systemic inflammation, underpinned by a hostile environment due to hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance. The detrimental role of leukocytes, cytokines, and chemokines is evident in the diabetic heart, yet the precise role of inflammation as a cause or consequence of DCM remains incompletely understood. Here, we provide a concise review of the inflammatory signaling mechanisms contributing to the clinical complications of diabetes-associated HF. Overall, the impact of inflammation on the onset and development of DCM suggests the potential benefits of targeting inflammatory cascades to prevent DCM. This review is tailored to outline the known effects of the current anti-diabetic drugs, anti-inflammatory therapies, and natural compounds on inflammation, which mitigate HF progression in diabetic populations.
Genetic Gains for Yield and Virus Disease Resistance of Cassava Varieties Developed Over the Last Eight Decades in Uganda
Authors: Manze Francis , Rubaihayo Patrick , Ozimati Alfred , Gibson Paul , Esuma Williams , Bua Anton , Alicai Titus , Omongo Chris , Kawuki Robert S.
Published: June 2021

Achieving food security for an ever-increasing human population requires faster development of improved varieties. To this end, assessment of genetic gain for key traits is important to inform breeding processes. Despite the improvements made to increase production and productivity of cassava in Uganda at research level, there has been limited effort to quantify associated genetic gains. Accordingly, a study was conducted in Uganda to assess whether or not genetic improvement was evident in selected cassava traits using cassava varieties that were released from 1940 to 2019. Thirty-two varieties developed during this period, were evaluated simultaneously in three major cassava production zones; central (Namulonge), eastern (Serere), and northern (Loro). Best linear unbiased predictors (BLUPs) of the genotypic value for each clone were obtained across environments and regressed on order of release year to estimate annual genetic gains. We observed that genetic trends were mostly quadratic. On average, cassava mosaic disease (CMD) resistance increased by 1.9% per year, while annual genetic improvements in harvest index (0.0%) and fresh root yield (−5 kg per ha or −0.03% per ha) were non-substantial. For cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) resistance breeding which was only initiated in 2003, average annual genetic gains for CBSD foliar and CBSD root necrosis resistances were 2.3% and 1.5%, respectively. It’s evident that cassava breeding has largely focused on protecting yield against diseases. This underpins the need for simultaneous improvement of cassava for disease resistance and high yield for the crop to meet its current and futuristic demands for food and industry.
Effect of Salt Stress on Growth, Physiological Parameters, and Ionic Concentration of Water Dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) Cultivars
Authors: Kumar Sunjeet , Li Gaojie , Yang Jingjing , Huang Xinfang , Ji Qun , Liu Zhengwei , Ke Weidong , Hou Hongwei
Published: June 2021

Salt stress is an important environmental limiting factor. Water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) is an important vegetable in East Asia; however, its phenotypic and physiological response is poorly explored. For this purpose, 48 cultivars of water dropwort were grown hydroponically and treated with 0, 50, 100, and 200 mm NaCl for 14 days. Than their phenotypic responses were evaluated, afterward, physiological studies were carried out in selected sensitive and tolerant cultivars. In the present study, the potential tolerant (V11E0022) and sensitive (V11E0135) cultivars were selected by screening 48 cultivars based on their phenotype under four different levels of salt concentrations (0, 50, 100, and 200 mm). The results depicted that plant height, number of branches and leaves were less effected in V11E0022, and most severe reduction was observed in V11E0135 in comparison with others. Than the changes in biomass, ion contents, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and activities of antioxidant enzymes and non-enzymatic antioxidants were determined in the leaves and roots of the selected cultivars. The potential tolerant cultivar (V11E0022) showed less reduction of water content and demonstrated low levels of Na+ uptake, malondialdehyde, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in both leaves and roots. Moreover, the tolerant cultivar (V11E0022) showed high antioxidant activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX), superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), and high accumulation of proline and soluble sugars compared to the sensitive cultivar (V11E0135). These results suggest the potential tolerance of V11E0022 cultivar against salt stress with low detrimental effects and a good antioxidant defense system. The observations also suggest good antioxidant capacity of water dropwort against salt stress. The findings of the present study also suggest that the number of branches and leaves, GSH, proline, soluble sugars, APX, and CAT could serve as the efficient markers for understanding the defense mechanisms of water dropwort under the conditions of salt stress.
Roles of Endogenous Melatonin in Resistance to Botrytis cinerea Infection in an Arabidopsis Model
Authors: Zhu Ying , Guo Miao-Jie , Song Jian-Bo , Zhang Shu-Yuan , Guo Rui , Hou Dai-Ru , Hao Cheng-Ying , An Hong-Li , Huang Xuan
Published: June 2021

Melatonin is an important bioactive molecule in plants. Two synthetases, N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) and serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) are involved in the final two steps of melatonin synthesis. Melatonin participates in responses to a variety of biotic and abiotic stresses in plants, but few studies have addressed the roles of endogenous melatonin in pathogen resistance. We investigated the role of endogenous melatonin in resistance to Botrytis cinerea infection in an Arabidopsis thaliana model system. Plant lines that overexpressed ASMT or SNAT through genetic manipulation showed upregulated expression of resistance genes PR1 and PR5, transcription factor gene WRKY33, and jasmonic acid (JA) defense pathway marker gene PDF1.2, and downregulated transcription factor gene MYC2 in JA signaling pathway. Higher melatonin content also enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD), increased JA content, reduced plant disease symptoms, and reduced lesion size in leaves. These findings indicate that endogenous melatonin enhances plant resistance to B. cinerea infection. In contrast, ASMT and SNAT gene silencing lines showed opposite results and were more susceptible to B. cinerea. Thus, it can be demonstrated that melatonin functions as an effective regulator of plant stress resistance at the genetic level. A schematic model is presented for its role in resistance to B. cinerea infection. Our findings also helped to elucidate the associated signal transduction pathways and interactions between melatonin and other plant hormones.
Recognizing the Needs of Others: Municipal Candidates’ Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivations to Support Immigrants and Religious Minorities
Authors: Scott Colin , Medeiros Mike
Published: June 2021

This research examines the influence of political candidates’ personality dispositions and constituency characteristics on their assessments of the needs of immigrants and religious minorities. Previous research, drawing on data from citizens, links personality differences to attitudes toward diversity and support for minority communities. Extending this research to candidates during an ongoing election campaign, this study examines the interaction between constituency diversity and politicians’ intrinsic motivations to recognize the interests of immigrants and religious minorities. Using data from a unique candidate survey during the 2018 municipal elections in two large Canadian provinces (N = 1,073), results show that personality traits provide an intrinsic motivation, independent of candidates’ descriptive characteristics or the level of diversity in their constituency, to recognize a higher level of support needed by members of these diverse communities. More agreeable candidates are consistently more likely to acknowledge that more should be done for immigrants and religious minorities whereas the negative influence of conscientiousness on minority recognition is suppressed in highly diverse constituencies. The results extend previous research on personality and intergroup dynamics and situate candidates’ recognition of the needs of others as an important antecedent to political representation.
Interindividual Variation Refuses to Go Away: A Bayesian Computer Model of Language Change in Communicative Networks
Authors: Josserand Mathilde , Allassonnière-Tang Marc , Pellegrino François , Dediu Dan
Published: June 2021

Treating the speech communities as homogeneous entities is not an accurate representation of reality, as it misses some of the complexities of linguistic interactions. Inter-individual variation and multiple types of biases are ubiquitous in speech communities, regardless of their size. This variation is often neglected due to the assumption that “majority rules,” and that the emerging language of the community will override any such biases by forcing the individuals to overcome their own biases, or risk having their use of language being treated as “idiosyncratic” or outright “pathological.” In this paper, we use computer simulations of Bayesian linguistic agents embedded in communicative networks to investigate how biased individuals, representing a minority of the population, interact with the unbiased majority, how a shared language emerges, and the dynamics of these biases across time. We tested different network sizes (from very small to very large) and types (random, scale-free, and small-world), along with different strengths and types of bias (modeled through the Bayesian prior distribution of the agents and the mechanism used for generating utterances: either sampling from the posterior distribution [“sampler”] or picking the value with the maximum probability [“MAP”]). The results show that, while the biased agents, even when being in the minority, do adapt their language by going against their a priori preferences, they are far from being swamped by the majority, and instead the emergent shared language of the whole community is influenced by their bias.
A Study of Young Chinese Intentions to Purchase “Online Paid Knowledge”: An Extended Technological Acceptance Model
Authors: Xu Aiting , Li Wei , Chen Zhiyu , Zeng Shouzhen , Carlos Llopis-Albert , Zhu Yuhan
Published: June 2021

Under the catalysis of knowledge anxiety and cognitive surplus, knowledge sharing platforms has experienced rapid growth, which has accelerated the integration of knowledge resources online. As with all new successful and sustainable business products, the consumers will play an important role in the future development of online paid knowledge. Therefore, we constructed an extended technological acceptance model by examining factors that influence young Chinese people's willingness to pay for online paid knowledge. The study surveyed 405 young Chinese participants, in which the extended technological acceptance model was tested by using structural equation modeling. Findings indicate that perceived ease of use is positively associated with perceived usefulness and associated attitudes, whereas perceived usefulness and attitude is positively associated with purchase intention. Perceived risk and group conformity are found to indirectly affect consumers' willingness to pay. The study advances the current body of knowledge by empirically testing the impact of perceived risk and the role of cultural influence (group conformity) on purchasing intention. Finally, theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Lamotrigine Reduces Stress Symptoms of Chronic Anxiety in the Times of the Covid-19 Natural Catastrophe-A Case Report
Authors: Pham Thuylinh L. , Chrousos George P. , Merkenschlager Andreas , Petrowski Katja , Ullmann Enrico
Published: June 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been a worldwide chronic, stress-inducing natural catastrophe associated with increased emotional challenging. Patients with Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), self-injury behavior, and obesity are predisposed to aggravation of their symptoms at this time, requiring new therapeutic approaches to balance their disrupted neuro-hormonal stress axis. Here we present our observations of an off-label treatment with lamotrigine in an adolescent girl with PTSD, self-injury behavior, and obesity. Lamotrigine was an efficacious pharmaceutical intervention that helped the patient deal with chronic stress and associated anxiety. The results are discussed based on our previous basic research outcomes in animals and humans that focused on the glutamate-cortisol circuits within the limbic brain.
Digital Twin for Accelerating Sustainability in Positive Energy District: A Review of Simulation Tools and Applications
Authors: Zhang Xingxing , Shen Jingchun , Saini Puneet Kumar , Lovati Marco , Han Mengjie , Huang Pei , Huang Zhihua
Published: June 2021

A digital twin is regarded as a potential solution to optimize positive energy districts (PED). This paper presents a compact review about digital twins for PED from aspects of concepts, working principles, tools/platforms, and applications, in order to address the issues of both how a digital PED twin is made and what tools can be used for a digital PED twin. Four key components of digital PED twin are identified, i.e., a virtual model, sensor network integration, data analytics, and a stakeholder layer. Very few available tools now have full functions for digital PED twin, while most tools either have a focus on industrial applications or are designed for data collection, communication and visualization based on building information models (BIM) or geographical information system (GIS). Several observations gained from successful application are that current digital PED twins can be categorized into three tiers: (1) an enhanced version of BIM model only, (2) semantic platforms for data flow, and (3) big data analysis and feedback operation. Further challenges and opportunities are found in areas of data analysis and semantic interoperability, business models, data security, and management. The outcome of the review is expected to provide useful information for further development of digital PED twins and optimizing its sustainability.
‘The Devil’s Company’: A Grounded Theory Study on Aging, Loneliness and Social Change Among ‘Older Adult Children’ in Rural Indonesia
Authors: Schröders Julia , Nichter Mark , San Sebastian Miguel , Nilsson Maria , Dewi Fatwa Sari Tetra
Published: June 2021

Introduction:As a consequence of rising life expectancies, many families are no longer made up of one, but two simultaneously aging generations. This elderly parent–older adult child (OAC) dyad has emerged as a newly overserved yet little explored demographic phenomenon. Studies on this intergenerational aging dyad and the possible ramifications of when caregivers are simultaneously aging with care-receivers are scarce, especially in low and middle-income countries. This study explored the process by which rural Indonesian OACs experience their own aging, thereby gaining insights into how this newly evolving reality impacts the traditional ways of old-age care provision.

Methods:This study has a qualitative design and draws on eight focus group discussions with 48 community-dwelling OACs (23 men, 25 women; mean age 64 years) in four rural villages in the Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. The theoretical framework was largely inspired by symbolic interactionism aided by the sensitizing concepts of social network deficits, interpersonal emotions, and the social construction of risks. Data were analyzed using Grounded Theory as outlined by Corbin and Strauss.

Results:Respondents’ accounts reflected four categories: 1) aging in a welt of chronic insecurity; 2) OACs: a generation “betwixt and between” expected demands and unmet expectations; 3) landscapes of loneliness; and 4) compromising against conventions. As depicted in a conceptual model, these categories interrelated with each other and were linked by a core category, “bargaining for a sense of security”, which collectively summarized a process by which OACs’ experienced their own course of aging.

Conclusion:Our study provided insights into how and why loneliness emerged amidst the challenges of social and demographic transformations and how in response to this unconventional compromises were made, which affect both the networks of caretakers and the places of old-age care. It is doing so by including the perspectives of rural Indonesian OACs. The results showed how multiple intersecting negative experiences constrained the aging experiences of OACs and produced precarious aging trajectories. Our findings highlight the importance of old-age loneliness as an emerging public health and social problem by discussing how intrinsically this emotion was interwoven with social life.
Disentangling Challenges to Scaling Alternate Wetting and Drying Technology for Rice Cultivation: Distilling Lessons From 20 Years of Experience in the Philippines
Authors: Enriquez Yuji , Yadav Sudhir , Evangelista Gio Karlo , Villanueva Donald , Burac Mary Ann , Pede Valerien
Published: June 2021

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) is a low-cost innovation that enables farmers to adapt to increasingly water scarcity conditions (such as drought), increase overall farm production efficiency, and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It is seen as a pathway for transforming agri-food systems into more resilient, productive, biologically diverse, and equitable forms, ensuring our commitments to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper uses scaling up and innovation uncertainty frameworks to review the success and challenges of AWD's 20-year scaling trajectory in the Philippines and explain the key factors that have influenced its outcomes. The framework adapted for this study is also used to examine the fitness between the scaling context and requirements, organizational mission, and corresponding capabilities. Findings show the innovation platform that vertically integrated key actors and locally adapted AWD has helped foster essential breakthroughs in creating an enabling environment that took AWD to national policy adoption in the Philippines. However, the dominant focus on technology transfer, product focus, and preference for controlled environments in the scaling practice has neglected many important contextual factors, allowing mismatches in enabling policy incentives, institutions, and scale to diminish the impacts of AWD in gravity-based systems. Our findings suggest that rethinking and re-envisioning the ways in which the impact can be scaled in irrigation rice systems using AWD is critical to sustaining food security and making the agriculture sector more resilient to climate change.
Low-Intensity, High-Frequency Grazing Positively Affects Defoliating Behavior, Nutrient Intake and Blood Indicators of Nutrition and Stress in Sheep
Authors: Zubieta Angel S. , Marín Alejandra , Savian Jean V. , Soares Bolzan Anderson M. , Rossetto Jusiane , Barreto Mariana T. , Bindelle Jéromê , Bremm Carolina , Quishpe Laura V. , Valle Stella de Faria , Decruyenaere Virginie , de F. Carvalho Paulo C.
Published: June 2021

The intensity and frequency of grazing affect the defoliating strategy of ruminants, their daily nutrient intake, thus nutrition and physiological status. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumLam.) pastures were grazed by sheep either under a low-intensity/high-frequency grazing strategy (Rotatinuous stocking; RN) with nominal pre- and post-grazing sward heights of 18 and 11 cm, respectively, or under a high-intensity/low-frequency strategy (traditional rotational stocking; RT) with nominal pre- and post-grazing sward heights of 25 and 5 cm, respectively. Treatments were arranged under a complete randomized design and evaluated over two periods, in different years. In 2017, the aim was to depict the type of bites that sheep perform during the grazing-down and associate them to the grazing management strategy according to their relative contribution to the diet ingested. In 2018 we estimated the total nutrient intake and evaluated blood indicators of the nutritional status and immune response to stress of sheep. The bite types accounting the most for the diet ingested by RN sheep were those performed on the “top stratum” of plants with around 20, 15, and 25 cm, whereas the type of bites accounting the most for the diet of RT sheep were those performed on “grazed plants” with around 10, 5, and ≤ 3 cm. In 2018, the RN sheep increased by 18% the total organic matter (OM) intake and by 20–25% the intake of soluble nutrients (i.e., crude protein, total soluble sugars, crude fat), digestible OM and of metabolizable energy, and had 17.5, 18, and 6.1% greater blood concentration of glucose, urea nitrogen (BUN) and albumin, respectively, but 17% lower blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (N:L) ratio. Sheep grazing vegetative Italian ryegrass pastures under the low-intensity/high-frequency grazing strategy (RN) ingested a diet of better quality from bites allocated on the top stratum of plants, had greater intake of soluble nutrients and blood parameters positively associated with nutritional status and immune response to stress.