bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of desk-based audits using Google Street View® to monitor the obesogenic potential of neighbourhoods in a pediatric sample: a pilot study in the QUALITY cohort
Authors: Roberge Jean-Baptiste , Contreras Gisèle , Kakinami Lisa , Van Hulst Andraea , Henderson Mélanie , Barnett Tracie A.
Published: March 2022

Background

The suitability of geospatial services for auditing neighbourhood features relevant to pediatric obesity remains largely unexplored. Our objectives were to (i) establish the measurement properties of a desk-based audit instrument that uses Google Street View ® to assess street- and neighbourhood-level features relevant to pediatric obesity (QUALITY-NHOOD tool, the test method) and (ii) comment on its capacity to detect changes in the built environment over an 8-year period. In order to do so, we compared this tool with an on-site auditing instrument (the reference method).

Methods

On-site audits of 55 street- and neighbourhood-level features were completed in 2008 in 512 neighbourhoods from the QUALITY cohort study. In 2015, both repeat on-site and desk-based audits were completed in a random sample of 30 of these neighbourhoods.

Results

Agreement between both methods was excellent for almost all street segment items (range 91.9–99.7%), except for road type (81.0%), ads/commercial billboards (81.7%), road-sidewalk buffer zone (76.1%), and road-bicycle path buffer zone (53.3%). It was fair to poor for perceived quality, safety and aesthetics items (range 59.9–87.6%), as well as for general impression items (range 40.0–86.7%). The desk-based method over-detected commercial billboards and road-sidewalk buffer zone, and generally rated neighbourhoods as less safe, requiring more effort to get around, and having less aesthetic appeal. Change detected over the 8-year period was generally similar for both methods, except that the desk-based method appeared to amplify the increase in the number of segments with signs of social disorder.

Conclusions

The QUALITY-NHOOD tool is deemed adequate for evaluating and monitoring changes in pedestrian- and traffic-related features applicable to pediatric populations. Applications for monitoring the obesogenic nature of neighbourhoods appear warranted.
Cultural consensus and intracultural diversity in ethnotaxonomy: lessons from a fishing community in Northeast Brazil
Authors: Renck Vítor , Apgaua Deborah M. G. , Tng David Y. P. , Bollettin Paride , Ludwig David , El-Hani Charbel N.
Published: March 2022

Background

Traditional fishing communities are strongholds of ethnobiological knowledge but establishing to what degree they harbor cultural consensus about different aspects of this knowledge has been a challenge in many ethnobiological studies.

Methods

We conducted an ethnobiological study in an artisanal fishing community in northeast Brazil, where we interviewed 91 community members (49 men and 42 women) with different type of activities (fishers and non-fishers), in order to obtain free lists and salience indices of the fish they know. To establish whether there is cultural consensus in their traditional knowledge on fish, we engaged a smaller subset of 45 participants in triad tasks where they chose the most different fish out of 30 triads. We used the similarity matrices generated from the task results to detect if there is cultural consensus in the way fish were classified by them.

Results

The findings show how large is the community’s knowledge of fish, with 197 ethnospecies registered, of which 33 species were detected as salient or important to the community. In general, men cited more fish than women. We also found that there was no cultural consensus in the ways fish were classified.

Conclusions

Both free-listing and triad task methods revealed little cultural consensus in the way knowledge is structured and how fish were classified by community members. Our results suggest that it is prudent not to make assumptions that a given local community has a single cultural consensus model in classifying the organisms in their environment.
Barriers of linkage to HCV viremia testing among people who inject drugs in Georgia
Authors: Butsashvili Maia , Abzianidze Tinatin , Kamkamidze George , Gulbiani Lasha , Gvinjilia Lia , Kuchuloria Tinatin , Tskhomelidze Irina , Gogia Maka , Tsereteli Maia , Miollany Veronique , Kikvidze Tamar , Shadaker Shaun , Nasrullah Muazzam , Averhoff Francisco
Published: March 2022

Background

People who inject drugs (PWID) in Georgia have a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV). Access to care among PWID could be prioritized to meet the country’s hepatitis C elimination goals. This study assesses barriers of linkage to HCV viremia testing among PWID in Georgia.

Methods

Study participants were enrolled from 13 harm reduction (HR) centers throughout Georgia. Anti-HCV positive PWID who were tested for viremia (complete diagnosis [CD]), were compared to those not tested for viremia within 90 days of screening anti-HCV positive (not complete diagnosis [NCD]). Convenience samples of CD and NCD individuals recorded at HR centers using beneficiaries’ national ID were drawn from the National HCV Elimination Program database. Participants were interviewed about potential barriers to seeking care.

Results

A total of 500 PWID were enrolled, 245 CD and 255 NCD. CD and NCD were similar with respect to gender, age, employment status, education, knowledge of anti-HCV status, and confidence/trust in the elimination program (p > 0.05). More NCD (13.0%) than CD (7.4%) stated they were not sufficiently informed what to do after screening anti-HCV positive (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, HCV viremia testing was associated with perceived affordability of the elimination program (adjusted prevalence ratio = 8.53; 95% confidence interval: 4.14–17.62).

Conclusions

Post testing counselling and making hepatitis C services affordable could help increase HCV viremia testing among PWID in Georgia.
Hsa_circ_0001017 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion in osteosarcoma by sponging miR-145-5p
Authors: Yang Qinglei , Yu Hongying , Hu Konghe
Published: March 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have displayed important roles in the development and progression of various cancers. However, the functions of the majority of circRNAs in osteosarcoma (OS) remain unknown.

Methods

Circular RNA microarray analysis was performed in three OS cell lines (Saos-2, U2OS and MG63) and normal vascular endothelial cells. The co-differentially expressed circRNAs (CDECs) were identified in OS cell lines with the criterion of FDR (false discovery rate) < 0.05 and |fold change (FC)|> 2. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to validate the expression levels of selected CDECs. A series of functional assays, including MTT assay, flow cytometry and transwell assay were conducted in OS cells. The interaction between circRNA and miRNAs was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay.

Results

A total of 241 CDECs, including 75 upregulated and 166 downregulated CDECs, were identified in three OS cell lines compared with normal vascular endothelial cells. PCR validation showed that hsa_circ_0000704, hsa_circ_0001017 and hsa_circ_0005035 were all highly expression in the three OS cell lines, compared with osteoblast cell lines (HECC, hFOB1.19 and HFF-1). Functionally, overexpression of circ_0001017 significantly promoted the cell proliferation, migration and invasion and decreased apoptosis in U2OS cells. Knockdown of circ_0001017 obtained the opposite results. Circ_0001017 may downregulate miR-145-5p through direct binding. Furthermore, the expression of miR-145-5p was negatively regulated by circ_0001017 in OS cells. In addition, further functional studies indicated that miR-145-5p inhibitor eliminated the effects caused by si-circ_0001017 in OS cells.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our study suggested that circ_0001017 may be a novel oncogenic factor during the progression and development of OS by targeting miR-145-5p.
The use of joints of meat as phantoms for ultrasound-guided needling skills: a prospective blinded study
Authors: Samuel Jasmine , Kerr Euan , Young David , Watson Malcolm , Raj Diana
Published: March 2022

Background

Needle visualisation during ultrasound-guided procedures is a skill that can be difficult to practise, with commercially available phantoms being expensive and often unrealistic. Our aim was to find an inexpensive, reproducible model that could be used to assist in developing this skill.

Methods

Pork shoulder, beef brisket, and lamb shoulder joints were compared to a standard blue ultrasound phantom. Five ‘chunky’ yarn pieces were twisted together and threaded through each joint to simulate hyperechoic nerves. Participants were instructed to ultrasound each specimen and insert a needle close to a nerve like structure. Using a visual analogue scale, specimens were scored based on realism of appearances of ultrasound images and ‘feel’ of needling.

Results

38 people participated. All specimens of meat scored significantly higher than the blue phantom (p = 0.01). There was no significant difference between the different types of meat.

Conclusions

Pork, beef and lamb joints are an effective model to use for simulation training for needling skills. They have limited lifespan, but due to its relatively low cost, it is feasible to discard the meat after each training workshop. We hope the use of inexpensive meat products will make ultrasound simulation training simpler to organise and more effective.
Research on deep correlation filter tracking based on channel importance
Authors: Yang Guosheng , Li Chunting , Chen Honglin
Published: March 2022

Correlation filter tracking requires little prior knowledge of the tracking target (e.g., the shape, and the posture) but has a fast-tracking speed. The deep features extracted by the deep convolutional neural network have strong representation ability, so the tracking method based on the combination of correlation filter and deep convolutional neural network, named as deep correlation filter tracking, is a hot issue in the field of target tracking at present. However, the deep convolutional neural network largely restricts the real-time performance of the deep correlation filter tracking because of its complex network structure and heavy computation burden. To balance the contradiction between tracking speed and tracking accuracy, a new channel importance is defined and the channel importance based method of how to select the important channels is given in this paper. And then, a deep correlation filter tracking method based on channel importance is proposed to lighten the feature network, reduce the computation load and improve the tracking speed under the premise of ensuring the tracking accuracy. In the process of tracking, the structural similarity index measurement (SSIM) of the predicted tracking target in two consecutive frames is calculated in real-time. Based on the SSIM, determine whether the feature network needs to be updated, and decide whether the tracking fails. If the feature network needs to be updated, the feature network will be updated online while the tracking is on. If the tracking fails, the target will be searched again, and the tracking is recovered from the failure. The tracking algorithm proposed in this paper is tested on the OTB2013 data set, and the experiment shows that the tracking algorithm designed in this paper can improve the real-time performance while meeting the requirement of tracking accuracy. The online update of the feature network can make the network adapt to the complex background and target changes to improve tracking accuracy; In the case of tracking failure, the re-tracking module can search for the target again and resume tracking given that the target is always present.
A method for assessing the vitality potential of urban areas. The case study of the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, Italy
Authors: Garau Chiara , Annunziata Alfonso
Published: March 2022

Vitality and Urbanity emerge as key goals of strategies for urban sustainable development as necessary prerequisites for varied and prosperous cities. Vitality and urbanity are characteristics that emerge from the diversity of urban public spaces activities and have an impact on a people's sense of place. The proposed research examines the built environment components that impact urbanity and vitality and develops an analytic method for quantifying the potential of urban form to promote urbanity and vitality. The research investigates four aspects: (i) the conceptualization of urbanity and vitality; (ii) the identification of factors affecting urbanity and vitality; (iii) the definition of indicators and protocols; (iv) the application of the proposed analytic method for measuring the vitality potential of the Metropolitan City of Cagliari (MCC), in Sardinia, Italy. This study underlines the relevance of combining space syntax and spatial analysis techniques in order to address four issues concerning sustainable urban development: quantitative description of urban-friendly conditions, identification of spatial manifestations of social and economic processes, understanding of criticalities, and formulation of policies and strategies for reinforcing vibrant urban spaces. Thus, the proposed analytic method contributes to the application of the Geodesign paradigm to the urban realm by supporting the understanding of the conditions affecting the vitality and urbanity of the built environment.
Identifying mutations in sd1, Pi54 and Pi-ta, and positively selected genes of TN1, the first semidwarf rice in Green Revolution
Authors: Panibe Jerome P. , Wang Long , Lee Yi-Chen , Wang Chang-Sheng , Li Wen-Hsiung
Published: March 2022

Background

Taichung Native 1 (TN1) is the first semidwarf rice cultivar that initiated the Green Revolution. As TN1 is a direct descendant of the Dee-geo-woo-gen cultivar, the source of the sd1 semidwarf gene, the sd1 gene can be defined through TN1. Also, TN1 is susceptible to the blast disease and is described as being drought-tolerant. However, genes related to these characteristics of TN1 are unknown. Our aim was to identify and characterize TN1 genes related to these traits.

Results

Aligning the sd1 of TN1 to Nipponbare sd1, we found a 382-bp deletion including a frameshift mutation. Sanger sequencing validated this deleted region in sd1, and we proposed a model of the sd1 gene that corrects errors in the literature. We also predicted the blast disease resistant (R) genes of TN1. Orthologues of the R genes in Tetep, a well-known resistant cultivar that is commonly used as a donor for breeding new blast resistant cultivars, were then sought in TN1, and if they were present, we looked for mutations. The absence of Pi54, a well-known R gene, in TN1 partially explains why TN1 is more susceptible to blast than Tetep. We also scanned the TN1 genome using the PosiGene software and identified 11 genes deemed to have undergone positive selection. Some of them are associated with drought-resistance and stress response.

Conclusions

We have redefined the deletion of the sd1 gene in TN1, a direct descendant of the Dee-geo-woo-gen cultivar, and have corrected some literature errors. Moreover, we have identified blast resistant genes and positively selected genes, including genes that characterize TN1’s blast susceptibility and abiotic stress response. These new findings increase the potential of using TN1 to breed new rice cultivars.
A scalable association rule learning and recommendation algorithm for large-scale microarray datasets
Authors: Li Haosong , Sheu Phillip C.-Y.
Published: March 2022

Association rule learning algorithms have been applied to microarray datasets to find association rules among genes. With the development of microarray technology, larger datasets have been generated recently that challenge the current association rule learning algorithms. Specifically, the large number of items per transaction significantly increases the running time and memory consumption of such tasks. In this paper, we propose the Scalable Association Rule Learning (SARL) heuristic that efficiently learns gene-disease association rules and gene–gene association rules from large-scale microarray datasets. The rules are ranked based on their importance. Our experiments show the SARL algorithm outperforms the Apriori algorithm by one to three orders of magnitude.
Degradation insight of organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos through novel intermediate 2,6-dihydroxypyridine by Arthrobacter sp. HM01
Authors: Mali Himanshu , Shah Chandni , Patel Darshan H. , Trivedi Ujjval , Subramanian R. B.
Published: March 2022

Organophosphates (OPs) are hazardous pesticides, but an indispensable part of modern agriculture; collaterally contaminating agricultural soil and surrounding water. They have raised serious food safety and environmental toxicity that adversely affect the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and therefore, it become essential to develop a rapid bioremediation technique for restoring the pristine environment. A newly OPs degrading Arthrobacter sp. HM01 was isolated from pesticide-contaminated soil and identified by a ribotyping (16S rRNA) method. Genus Arthrobacter has not been previously reported in chlorpyrifos (CP) degradation, which shows 99% CP (100 mg L−1) degradation within 10 h in mMSM medium and also shows tolerance to a high concentration (1000 mg L−1) of CP. HM01 utilized a broad range of OPs pesticides and other aromatic pollutants including intermediates of CP degradation as sole carbon sources. The maximum CP degradation was obtained at pH 7 and 32 °C. During the degradation, a newly identified intermediate 2,6-dihydroxypyridine was detected through TLC/HPLC/LCMS analysis and a putative pathway was proposed for its degradation. The study also revealed that the organophosphate hydrolase (opdH) gene was responsible for CP degradation, and the opdH-enzyme was located intracellularly. The opdH enzyme was characterized from cell free extract for its optimum pH and temperature requirement, which was 7.0 and 50 °C, respectively. Thus, the results revealed the true potential of HM01 for OPs-bioremediation. Moreover, the strain HM01 showed the fastest rate of CP degradation, among the reported Arthrobacter sp.

Graphical Abstract
tiRNA-Val promotes angiogenesis via Sirt1–Hif-1α axis in mice with diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Xu Yan , Zou Haidong , Ding Qi , Zou Yuelan , Tang Chun , Lu Yuyu , Xu Xun
Published: March 2022

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a specific microvascular complication arising from diabetes, and its pathogenesis is not completely understood. tRNA-derived stress-induced RNAs (tiRNAs), a new type of small noncoding RNA generated by specific cleavage of tRNAs, has become a promising target for several diseases. However, the regulatory function of tiRNAs in DR and its detailed mechanism remain unknown.

Results

Here, we analyzed the tiRNA profiles of normal and DR retinal tissues. The expression level of tiRNA-Val was significantly upregulated in DR retinal tissues. Consistently, tiRNA-Val was upregulated in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) under high glucose conditions. The overexpression of tiRNA-Val enhanced cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis in HRMECs, but the knockdown of tiRNA-Val decreased cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, tiRNA-Val, derived from mature tRNA-Val with Ang cleavage, decreased Sirt1 expression level by interacting with sirt1 3'UTR, leading to the accumulation of Hif-1α, a key target for DR. In addition, subretinal injection of adeno-associated virus to knock down tiRNA-Val in DR mice ameliorated the symptoms of DR.

Conclusion

tiRNA-Val enhance cell proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis via Sirt1/Hif-1α pathway in HRMECs of DR retinal tissues.
A pilot single-blind parallel randomised controlled trial comparing kinesiology tape to compression in the management of subacute hand oedema after trauma
Authors: Miller Leanne , Jerosch-Herold Christina , Shepstone Lee
Published: March 2022

Background

Hand oedema is a common consequence of hand trauma or surgery. There are numerous methods to reduce hand oedema but lack high-quality evidence to support best practice. The primary objective of this pilot trial was to assess study feasibility when comparing treatments for subacute hand oedema after trauma.

Methods

A parallel two-arm pilot randomised controlled trial was conducted in the hand therapy department at a regional hospital in Norfolk between October 2017 and July 2018. Patients were eligible if 18 years or over, referred to hand therapy with subacute hand oedema. Randomisation was on a 1:1 basis to treatment as usual (TAU) (compression, elevation and massage) or trial treatment (TT) (kinesiology tape, elevation and massage). One blinded assessor completed all assessments (prior to randomisation, 4 and 12 weeks later). Data on study feasibility, adherence and acceptability of treatments were collected. The primary outcome measure was hand volume (volumetry). Patient-rated severity (0–5 Likert scale), hand health profile of the Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM) and quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) were also recorded.

Results

Forty-five patients were screened for eligibility and 26 consented and were randomised with 13 patients in each treatment arm. Twelve participants were lost to follow-up leaving 7 participants in each group included in the analysis. Assessor blinding was maintained in 64% of participants (9/14). Total mean acceptability scores, out of 100, were higher for TAU (87.9) than TT (76.1). Health resource use results showed TT was marginally cheaper (~£2 per patient) than TAU.

Individual adherence ranged between 39 and 100%, with higher levels of overall adherence seen in the TAU group. Four participants (28%) reported adverse effects (TT group n = 3, TAU group n = 1).

Conclusion

This pilot trial has identified that modifications are required in order to make a full-scale trial feasible. They include a formal assessment of treatment fidelity, research staff assisting with screening and recruitment of participants and multiple blinded assessors at each study site. Whilst not designed as an efficacy trial, it should be acknowledged that the small sample size and high loss to follow-up meant very small numbers were included in the final analysis resulting in wide confidence intervals and therefore low precision in parameter estimates.

Trial registration

International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number: 94083271. Date of registration 16th August 2017.

Trial funding

National Institute for Health Research Trainees Co-ordinating Centre (TCC); Grant Codes: CDRF-2014-05-064
Can programmatic inputs improve adolescent mothers’ access to maternal care in rural Bangladesh? Nine years of evidence from a cohort study
Authors: Rahman Aminur , Begum Tahmina , Austin Anne , Hasan Md. , Alam Nurul , Anwar Iqbal , Taneepanichskul Surasak
Published: March 2022

Background

Adolescent mothers (Girls aged 15–19) constitute 8% of annual global births, but account for 10% of annual maternal deaths. WHO recommended 4–8 Antenatal Care (ANC) visits, in addition to quality care and facility-based deliveries, are well-documented interventions to reduce maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Determinants of maternal and child health care in Bangladesh have received considerable attention, but less attention has been focused on adolescent mothers. This study explores the factors associated with 4 or more (4 +) ANC visits and facility-based delivery among adolescent mothers in one rural area of Bangladesh.

Methods

This study uses Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) data. We conducted a comparative study on trends in 4 + ANC visits and facility-based deliveries among adolescent mothers (10–19 years) residing in an intervention area (icddr,b service area, ISA) against a comparison area (government service areas, GSA) of HDSS between 2007 and 2015. Totally, 4,996 adolescent mothers were included in the final analysis. Binary logistic regression was used to document the statistical difference on outcome indicators in the two study areas.

Results

Trends in 4 + ANC visits and facility-based deliveries were higher in the ISA relative to the GSA. The adjusted odds of an adolescent mother accessing 4 + ANC visits in the GSA, relative to ISA, were 0.57 (95% CI 0.49–0.66, p value < 0.05); the adjusted odds of an adolescent mother accessing facility-based delivery in the ISA, relative to GSA, were 6.63 (95% CI: 5.85–7.52, p value < 0.05). Increasing numbers of ANC visits were associated with increases in facility-based births in both the ISA and GSA.

Conclusion

This study documented that both 4 + ANC visits and facility delivery rates among adolescent mothers are much higher in the ISA than GSA. Increasing 4 + ANC visits and facility deliveries over the years, particularly in the ISA, coincide with programmatic efforts to improve the quality and availability of maternal and newborn health services. Learning from existing interventions in ISA and applying them to other areas will strengthen Bangladesh’s efforts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes and achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3).
Bioaccumulation of heavy metals in silver catfish (Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus) and tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus) from the brackish and freshwater in South-West, Nigeria
Authors: Abidemi-Iromini Atilola O. , Bello-Olusoji Oluayo. A. , Adebayo Isaac A.
Published: March 2022

Background

Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (CN) and Oreochromis niloticus (ON) health status were investigated in Asejire Reservoir (AR) and Lagos Lagoon (LL), South-west Nigeria. Fish samples collected were separated into sexes. Growth pattern {length (cm); weight (g), Isometric index, condition factor (K)} were measured. Heavy metals (lead (Pb), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and chromium (Cr) in ppm concentrations were determined in Lagos Lagoon and Asejire reservoir.

Results

Fish samples ranged at one male to one or two females. No significant difference in length and weight of O. niloticus between locations. Significant difference in weight occurred in C. nigrodigitatus between locations; highest condition factor was recorded in Asejire Reservoir O. niloticus, (ARON); lowest condition factor was observed in Asejire Reservoir C. nigrodigitatus (ARCN) as this indicated a negative allometric value, normal in Bagridae species. Male species possessed higher condition (K)—factor than female species within locations, between locations, between species, and within species, female C. nigrodigitatus having higher condition factor than male ARCN. Highest isometric value occurred in ARON and lowest in Lagos Lagoon C. nigrodigitatus (LLCN). Male ARON had highest isometric value, and O. niloticus species had higher isometric value (b ≤ 3) and positive allometric (b > 3); and C. nigrodigitatus has negative allometric (b < 3). Heavy metals Zn had highest value, while Cr ranked lowest value for ARON. Lagos Lagoon O. niloticus (LLON) Zn had highest value while Pb had lowest value. LLCN heavy metals determined revealed Zn had highest value, while Cr had lowest value; and ARCN heavy metals determined revealed Zn had highest value, and Cr had lowest. In all, Zinc (Zn) was top-ranked.

Conclusion

Results indicate niche response and performance as species specific; while environmental influence and stressors, food availability and reproduction factors contribute to well-being of fish. The heavy metals influence on the fish species is of public concern to man to avoid food poisoning.
Evaluation of bacterial formulations as potential biocontrol agents against the southern root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Rani Priyanka , Singh Mohinder , Prashad Hema , Sharma Monika
Published: March 2022

Background

Bacterial bioagents, Pseudomonas fluorescens, P. putida, Bacillus amyloliquifaciens, and B. megaterium, have management potential against root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne incognita, in bottle gourd.

Results

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of bacterial bioagents Bacillus megaterium 1% WP (2 × 106 CFU/g), B. amyloliquifaciens 1% WP (2 × 108 CFU/g), Pseudomonas putida 1% WP (2 × 108 CFU/g), P. fluorescens 1% WP (2 × 109 CFU/g) on egg hatching and juvenile mortality of root-knot nematode, M. incognita. All the bacterial species inhibited the egg hatching in M. incognita and caused juvenile mortality. The lowest mean egg hatching in 120 h. after treatment was observed in P. putida (20.9% mean egg hatching), followed by P. fluorescens (21.1%), B. amyloliquifaciens (23.7%), and B. megaterium (24.7%) at 4% concentration of the formulated product against (47%) egg hatching in control. The juvenile mortality was found highest (57.1% mean mortality) in P. fluorescens in 120 h. of exposure, followed by P. putida (56.13%), B. megaterium (54.46%), and B. amyloliquifaciens (53.13%) at 4% concentration against 0.46 mean juvenile mortality in control, where distilled water was used. Under field conditions, the bottle gourd seeds that were treated either with B. amyloliquefaciens, B. megaterium, P. fluorescens, or P. putida at 10 g/kg seed along with the application of neem cake (1t/ha) significantly resulted in reduced root gall index and the number of nematode juveniles in soil and roots than the non-treated control.

Conclusion

This study revealed that the tested bacterial bioagents, namely B. amyloquefaciens, B. megaterium, P. fluorescens, and P. putida, showed the potential for controlling of root knot nematode (RKN) in the laboratory as well as in field conditions in bottle gourd.
Making Land and Water Meet: The Cycling of Nutrients between Fields and Ponds in Pre-Modern Europe
Authors: HOFFMANN RICHARD C. , WINIWARTER VERENA
Published: March 2022

Medieval and early modern records show certain practices were common in traditional European aquaculture. These, combined with advice in coeval treatises on agricultural management, demonstrate how European agroecosystems linked terrestrial and aquatic operations to pursue a net energy gain in their outputs. Critical reading of three distinct bodies of sources: early modern European agricultural manuals, literature on fish culture compiled in western Latin Christendom, and managerial records of fourteenth-through seventeenth-century fish culture enterprises establishes two new understandings. First, land manages took self-conscious measures to integrate their arable and pond cultures with the aim of conserving and recycling essential nutrients. Second, agricultural handbooks from this period both reflected traditional practices of illiterate peasant farmers (and hence their "traditional ecological knowledge") and informed certain managerial decisions.
Inertial biometry from commercial 3D body meshes
Authors: Minetti Alberto E. , Ruggiero Luca
Published: March 2022

Body segments inertial parameters (or, more generally encompassing humans and animal species, inertial biometry), often necessary in kinetics calculations, have been obtained in the past from cadavers, medical 3D imaging, 3D scanning, or geometric approximations. This restricted the inertial archives to a few species. The methodology presented here uses commercial 3D meshes of human and animal bodies, which can be further re-shaped and ‘posed’, according to an underlying skeletal structure, before processing. The sequence of steps from virtually chopping the mesh to the estimation of inertial parameters of body segments is described. The accuracy of the method is tested by comparing the estimated results to real data published for humans (male and female), horses, and domestic cats. The proposed procedure opens the possibility of remarkably expanding biomechanics research when body size and shape change, or when external tools, such as prosthesis and sport material, take part in biological movement.
Rectified random cell motility as a mechanism for embryo elongation
Authors: Regev Ido , Guevorkian Karine , Gupta Anupam , Pourquié Olivier , Mahadevan L.
Published: March 2022

The body of vertebrate embryos forms by posterior elongation from a terminal growth zone called the tail bud. The tail bud is a source of highly motile cells that eventually constitute the presomitic mesoderm (PSM), a tissue that plays an important role in elongation movements. PSM cells establish an anterior-posterior cell motility gradient that parallels a gradient associated with the degradation of a specific cellular signal (FGF) known to be implicated in cell motility. Here, we combine the electroporation of fluorescent reporters in the PSM with time-lapse imaging in the chicken embryo to quantify cell diffusive movements along the motility gradient. We show that a simple microscopic model for random cell motility induced by FGF activity along with geometric confinement leads to rectified tissue elongation consistent with our observations. A continuum analog of the microscopic model leads to a macroscopic mechano-chemical model for tissue extension that couples FGF activity-induced cell motility and tissue rheology, and is consistent with the experimentally observed speed and extent of elongation. Together, our experimental observations and theoretical models explain how the continuous addition of cells at the tail bud combined with lateral confinement can be converted into oriented movement and drive body elongation.
Phosphorylated paxillin and phosphorylated FAK constitute subregions within focal adhesions
Authors: Bachmann Michael , Skripka Artiom , Weißenbruch Kai , Wehrle-Haller Bernhard , Bastmeyer Martin
Published: March 2022

Integrin-mediated adhesions are convergence points for multiple signaling pathways. Their inner structure and diverse functions can be studied with super-resolution microscopy. Here, we examined the spatial organization within focal adhesions by analyzing several adhesion proteins with structured illumination microscopy (SIM). Paxillin (Pax) serves as a scaffold protein and signaling hub in focal adhesions, and focal adhesion kinase (FAK, also known as PTK2) regulates the dynamics of adhesions. We found that their phosphorylated forms, pPax and pFAK, form spot-like, spatially defined clusters within adhesions in several cell lines and confirmed these findings with additional super-resolution techniques. These clusters showed a more regular separation from each other compared with more randomly distributed signals for FAK or paxillin. Mutational analysis indicated that the active (open) FAK conformation is a prerequisite for the pattern formation of pFAK. Live-cell super-resolution imaging revealed that organization in clusters is preserved over time for FAK constructs; however, distance between clusters is dynamic for FAK, while paxillin is more stable. Combined, these data introduce spatial clusters of pPax and pFAK as substructures in adhesions and highlight the relevance of paxillin–FAK binding for establishing a regular substructure in focal adhesions.
Reciprocal regulation of p21 and Chk1 controls the cyclin D1-RB pathway to mediate senescence onset after G2 arrest
Authors: Lossaint Gérald , Horvat Anđela , Gire Véronique , Bačević Katarina , Mrouj Karim , Charrier-Savournin Fabienne , Georget Virginie , Fisher Daniel , Dulić Vjekoslav
Published: March 2022

Senescence is an irreversible withdrawal from cell proliferation that can be initiated after DNA damage-induced cell cycle arrest in G2 phase to prevent genomic instability. Senescence onset in G2 requires p53 (also known as TP53) and retinoblastoma protein (RB, also known as RB1) family tumour suppressors, but how they are regulated to convert a temporary cell cycle arrest into a permanent one remains unknown. Here, we show that a previously unrecognised balance between the cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 and the checkpoint kinase Chk1 controls cyclin D–CDK activity during G2 arrest. In non-transformed cells, p21 activates RB in G2 by inhibiting cyclin D1 complexed with CDK2 or CDK4. The resulting G2 exit, which precedes the appearance of senescence markers, is associated with a mitotic bypass, Chk1 downregulation and reduction in the number of DNA damage foci. In p53/RB-proficient cancer cells, a compromised G2 exit correlates with sustained Chk1 activity, delayed p21 induction, untimely cyclin E1 re-expression and genome reduplication. Conversely, Chk1 depletion promotes senescence by inducing p21 binding to cyclin D1– and cyclin E1–CDK complexes and downregulating CDK6, whereas knockdown of the checkpoint kinase Chk2 enables RB phosphorylation and delays G2 exit. In conclusion, p21 and Chk2 oppose Chk1 to maintain RB activity, thus promoting the onset of senescence induced by DNA damage in G2.
Flexor digitorum brevis utilizes elastic strain energy to contribute to both work generation and energy absorption at the foot
Authors: Smith Ross E. , Lichtwark Glen A. , Kelly Luke A.
Published: March 2022

The central nervous system utilizes tendon compliance of the intrinsic foot muscles to aid the foot's arch spring, storing and returning energy in its tendinous tissues. Recently, the intrinsic foot muscles have been shown to adapt their energetic contributions during a variety of locomotor tasks to fulfil centre of mass work demands. However, the mechanism by which the small intrinsic foot muscles are able to make versatile energetic contributions remains unknown. Therefore, we examined the muscle–tendon dynamics of the flexor digitorum brevis during stepping, jumping and landing tasks to see whether the central nervous system regulates muscle activation magnitude and timing to enable energy storage and return to enhance energetic contributions. In step-ups and jumps, energy was stored in the tendinous tissue during arch compression; during arch recoil, the fascicles shortened at a slower rate than the tendinous tissues while the foot generated energy. In step-downs and landings, the tendinous tissues elongated more and at greater rates than the fascicles during arch compression while the foot absorbed energy. These results indicate that the central nervous system utilizes arch compression to store elastic energy in the tendinous tissues of the intrinsic foot muscles to add or remove mechanical energy when the body accelerates or decelerates. This study provides evidence for an adaptive mechanism to enable the foot's energetic versatility and further indicates the value of tendon compliance in distal lower limb muscle–tendon units in locomotion.
Specialists, Generalists, or Both? Founders’ Multidimensional Breadth of Experience and Entrepreneurial Ventures’ Fundraising at IPO
Authors: Souitaris Vangelis , Peng Bo , Zerbinati Stefania , Shepherd Dean A.
Published: March 2022

Different streams of research have led to contradictory conclusions about the venture performance implications of founders’ breadth of experience. Although extant empirical studies have explored the performance implications of founders’ breadth of experience at the start-up stage, we focus on the later stage of the initial public offering (IPO). We theorize that investors categorize venture founders based on two salient dimensions—their industry and functional background—and we relate this categorization to resource acquisition at IPO. To test our model, we use a hand-collected data set of 175 entrepreneurial IPOs in the Alternative Investment Market in London (2002–2013) and two randomized experiments. We theorize and find that compared with entrepreneurial ventures with a lead founder specializing in one industry or one function, investors generally devalue those with a category-spanning lead founder (a generalist). However, devaluation is less severe when a lead founder is a generalist in one dimension (e.g., industry) but a specialist in the other dimension (e.g., function). We also theorize and empirically test trust as a mechanism for the generalist penalty. Specifically, audience members (investors) have low trust in a generalist producer (founder) in contexts where the two parties consider entering into a partnership (equity investment at IPO), and so that generalist producer is devalued. Finally, we show that an external expert endorsement—in our case, from intensive venture capital affiliations—offsets the generalist penalty, especially when category spanning occurs in multiple category dimensions.

Funding: This work was supported by the University of St. Gallen and the Natural Science of China [Grant 71832012].

Supplemental Material: The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2022.1581 .
Biomimetic navigation system using a polarization sensor and a binocular camera
Authors: Li Jinshan , Chu Jinkui , Zhang Ran , Hu Hanpei , Tong Kun , Li Jin
Published: March 2022

With the vigorous development of vision techniques, simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) has shown the capability of navigating autonomous robots in global-navigation-satellite-system-denied environments. However, the long-term robust navigation of lightweight autonomous robots in outdoor environments with complex interferences, such as illumination change, dynamic objects, and electromagnetic interference, is still a great challenge. In this paper, a polarization sensor-aided SLAM (POL-SLAM) that can provide absolute heading constraints for pure SLAM is proposed. POL-SLAM is a lightweight, tightly coupled system consisting of a polarization sensor and binocular camera. By means of an initialization that uses a polarization sensor, an absolute heading angle for the entire map is designed. Additionally, an algorithm to eliminate mismatching points using the matching point vector is proposed. The objective function of bundle adjustment is then deduced according to the re-projection error and polarization sensor. The vehicle test shows that the yaw and trajectory accuracies of POL-SLAM are significantly improved compared to pure SLAM. The yaw and trajectory accuracies are increased by 43.1% and 36.6%, respectively. These results indicate that the proposed POL-SLAM can improve the reliability and robustness of pure SLAM and can be used in lightweight autonomous robots in outdoor environments.
Photonic integrated circuit with sampled grating lasers fabricated on a generic foundry platform for broadband terahertz generation
Authors: Lee Moon-Hyeok , Nellen Simon , Soares Francisco , Moehrle Martin , Rehbein Wolfgang , Baier Moritz , Globisch Bjoern , Schell Martin
Published: March 2022

We demonstrate a monolithically integrated photonic integrated circuit (PIC) for terahertz spectroscopy with wide spectral bandwidth. The PIC includes two widely tunable sampled grating DBR (SG DBR) lasers, semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), and passive components to combine signals. The SG DBR lasers cover 22 nm and 24 nm tuning range, respectively, with 4 nm overlap in the C band. The side mode suppression ratio (SMSR) exceeds 37 dB with a linewidth below 4.3 MHz. We used the PIC to generate THz radiation with a state-of-the-art photodiode emitter. The measured THz power spectrum between 0.03 and 1 THz compares well with the spectrum generated with commercial tunable laser sources. This demonstrates the suitability of our PIC for future miniaturized continuous wave (cw) THz systems.
Triaxially strained suspended graphene for large-area pseudo-magnetic fields
Authors: Luo Manlin , Sun Hao , Qi Zhipeng , Lu Kunze , Chen Melvina , Kang Dongho , Kim Youngmin , Burt Daniel , Yu Xuechao , Wang Chongwu , Kim Young Duck , Wang Hong , Wang Qi Jie , Nam Donguk
Published: March 2022

Strain-engineered graphene has garnered much attention recently owing to the possibilities of creating substantial energy gaps enabled by pseudo-magnetic fields (PMFs). While theoretical works proposed the possibility of creating large-area PMFs by straining monolayer graphene along three crystallographic directions, clear experimental demonstration of such promising devices remains elusive. Herein, we experimentally demonstrate a triaxially strained suspended graphene structure that has the potential to possess large-scale and quasi-uniform PMFs. Our structure employs uniquely designed metal electrodes that function both as stressors and metal contacts for current injection. Raman characterization and tight-binding simulations suggest the possibility of achieving PMFs over a micrometer-scale area. Current–voltage measurements confirm an efficient current injection into graphene, showing the potential of our devices for a new class of optoelectronic applications. We also theoretically propose a photonic crystal-based laser structure that obtains strongly localized optical fields overlapping with the spatial area under uniform PMFs, thus presenting a practical route toward the realization of graphene lasers.
Electrode-free photonic electric field sensor on thin film lithium niobate with high sensitivity
Authors: Xue Yu , Ruan Ziliang , Liu Liu
Published: March 2022

A high-sensitivity electrode-free photonic electric field (E-field) sensor is introduced on a thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) platform. An integrated Michelson interferometer, constructed by low-loss etched lithium niobite (LN) waveguide structures, is implemented as the sensing element. The sensing arms are designed in a spiral shape, which facilities a long interaction length with the external E-field in a small chip area. A minimal detectable E-field amplitude of 8.43 mV/m/Hz1/2 is experimentally obtained. The metal-electrode-free design of the proposed device avoids affecting the E-field to be measured and enables a vectorial response with a measured extinction ratio (ER) of 38 dB.
How the storage effect and the number of temporal niches affect biodiversity in stochastic and seasonal environments
Authors: Meyer Immanuel , Steinmetz Bnaya , Shnerb Nadav M.
Published: March 2022

Temporal environmental variations affect diversity in communities of competing populations. In particular, the covariance between competition and environment is known to facilitate invasions of rare species via the storage effect. Here we present a quantitative study of the effects of temporal variations in two-species and in diverse communities. Four scenarios are compared: environmental variations may be either periodic (seasonal) or stochastic, and the dynamics may support the storage effect (global competition) or not (local competition). In two-species communities, coexistence is quantified via the mean time to absorption, and we show that stochastic variations yield shorter persistence time because they allow for rare sequences of bad years. In diverse communities, where the steady-state reflects a colonization-extinction equilibrium, the actual number of temporal niches is shown to play a crucial role. When this number is large, the same trends hold: storage effect and periodic variations increase both species richness and the evenness of the community. Surprisingly, when the number of temporal niches is small global competition acts to decrease species richness and evenness, as it focuses the competition to specific periods, thus increasing the effective fitness differences.