bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The potential for cleaner fish‐driven evolution in the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis: Genetic or environmental control of pigmentation?
Authors: Hamre Lars Are , Oldham Tina , Oppedal Frode , Nilsen Frank , Glover Kevin Alan
Published: May 2021

The parasitic salmon louse represents one of the biggest challenges to environmentally sustainable salmonid aquaculture across the globe. This species also displays a high evolutionary potential, as demonstrated by its rapid development of resistance to delousing chemicals. In response, farms now use a range of non‐chemical delousing methods, including cleaner fish that eat lice from salmon. Anecdotal reports suggest that in regions where cleaner fish are extensively used on farms, lice have begun to appear less pigmented and therefore putatively less visible to cleaner fish. However, it remains an open question whether these observations reflect a plastic (environmental) or adaptive (genetic) response. To investigate this, we developed a pigment scoring system and conducted complimentary experiments which collectively demonstrate that, a) louse pigmentation is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, most likely light, and b) the presence of modest but significant differences in pigmentation between two strains of lice reared under identical conditions. Based on these data, we conclude that pigmentation in the salmon louse is strongly influenced by environmental conditions, yet there are also indications of underlying genetic control. Therefore, lice could display both plastic and adaptive responses to extensive cleaner fish usage where visual appearance is likely to influence survival of lice.
Recording fine‐scale movement of ground beetles by two methods: Potentials and methodological pitfalls
Authors: Růžičková Jana , Elek Zoltán
Published: May 2021

Movement trajectories are usually recorded as a sequence of discrete movement events described by two parameters: step length (distance) and turning angle (bearing). One of the most widespread methods to record the geocoordinates of each step is by a GPS device. Such devices have limited suitability for recording fine movements of species with low dispersal ability including flightless carabid beetles at small spatio‐temporal scales. As an alternative, the distance‐bearing approach can avoid the measurement error of GPS units since it uses directly measured distances and compass azimuths. As no quantification of measurement error between distance‐bearing and GPS approaches exists so far, we generated artificial fine‐scale trajectories and in addition radio‐tracked living carabids in a temperate forest and recorded each movement step by both methods. Trajectories obtained from distance‐bearing were compared to those obtained by a GPS device in terms of movement parameters. Consequently, both types of trajectories were segmented by state‐switching modeling into two distinct movement stages typical for carabids: random walk and directed movement. We found that the measurement error of GPS compared to distance‐bearing was 1.878 m (SEM = 0.181 m) for distances and 31.330° (SEM = 2.066°) for bearings. Moreover, these errors increased under dense forest canopy and rainy weather. Distance error did not change with increasing distance recorded by distance‐bearing but bearings were significantly more sensitive to error at short distances. State‐switching models showed only slight, not significant, differences in movement states between the two methods in favor of the random walk in the distance‐bearing approach. However, the shape of the GPS‐measured trajectories considerably differed from those recorded by distance‐bearing caused especially by bearing error at short distances. Our study showed that distance‐bearing could be more appropriate for recording movement steps not only of ground‐dwelling beetles but also other small animals at fine spatio‐temporal scales.
Connectivity: insights from the U.S. Long Term Ecological Research Network
Authors: Iwaniec David M. , Gooseff Michael , Suding Katharine N. , Samuel Johnson David , Reed Daniel C. , Peters Debra P. C. , Adams Byron , Barrett John E. , Bestelmeyer Brandon T. , Castorani Max C. N. , Cook Elizabeth M. , Davidson Melissa J. , Groffman Peter M. , Hanan Niall P. , Huenneke Laura F. , Johnson Pieter T. J. , McKnight Diane M. , Miller Robert J. , Okin Gregory S. , Preston Daniel L. , Rassweiler Andrew , Ray Chris , Sala Osvaldo E. , Schooley Robert L. , Seastedt Timothy , Spasojevic Marko J. , Vivoni Enrique R.
Published: May 2021

Ecosystems across the United States are changing in complex and surprising ways. Ongoing demand for critical ecosystem services requires an understanding of the populations and communities in these ecosystems in the future. This paper represents a synthesis effort of the U.S. National Science Foundation‐funded Long‐Term Ecological Research (LTER) network addressing the core research area of “populations and communities.” The objective of this effort was to show the importance of long‐term data collection and experiments for addressing the hardest questions in scientific ecology that have significant implications for environmental policy and management. Each LTER site developed at least one compelling case study about what their site could look like in 50–100 yr as human and environmental drivers influencing specific ecosystems change. As the case studies were prepared, five themes emerged, and the studies were grouped into papers in this LTER Futures Special Feature addressing state change, connectivity, resilience, time lags, and cascading effects. This paper addresses the “connectivity” theme and has examples from the Phoenix (urban), Niwot Ridge (alpine tundra), McMurdo Dry Valleys (polar desert), Plum Island (coastal), Santa Barbara Coastal (coastal), and Jornada (arid grassland and shrubland) sites. Connectivity has multiple dimensions, ranging from multi‐scalar interactions in space to complex interactions over time that govern the transport of materials and the distribution and movement of organisms. The case studies presented here range widely, showing how land‐use legacies interact with climate to alter the structure and function of arid ecosystems and flows of resources and organisms in Antarctic polar desert, alpine, urban, and coastal marine ecosystems. Long‐term ecological research demonstrates that connectivity can, in some circumstances, sustain valuable ecosystem functions, such as the persistence of foundation species and their associated biodiversity or, it can be an agent of state change, as when it increases wind and water erosion. Increased connectivity due to warming can also lead to species range expansions or contractions and the introduction of undesirable species. Continued long‐term studies are essential for addressing the complexities of connectivity. The diversity of ecosystems within the LTER network is a strong platform for these studies.
Rice paddy irrigation seasonally impacts stream benthic macroinvertebrate diversity at the catchment level
Authors: Ko Chia‐Ying , Asano Satoshi , Lin Meng‐Ju , Ikeya Tohru , Peralta Elfritzson M. , Triño Ellis Mika C. , Uehara Yoshitoshi , Ishida Takuya , Iwata Tomoya , Tayasu Ichiro , Okuda Noboru
Published: May 2021

Agriculture is one of the most critical anthropogenic disturbances to freshwater ecosystems globally. In monsoon Asia, rice paddies provide habitats for aquatic species, but how their associated irrigation systems can affect downstream ecosystems is poorly understood. Here, we used structural equation modeling (SEM) to estimate seasonal variations in benthic macroinvertebrate diversity and environments and quantified indirect effects of land use, especially of rice paddy areas, on benthic macroinvertebrate diversity through local environmental alteration. Our study site was the Yasu River tributary of Lake Biwa, Japan, and we performed our investigation during both irrigation and nonirrigation periods, representing different seasons. Seasonal variations in physical and chemical variables and diversity were observed. Seasonal particulate phosphorus concentrations to a large extent determined the abundance and community composition of benthic macroinvertebrates. SEM revealed that the proportions of forest, urban, and rice paddy areas in the catchment had significant indirect effects on biodiversity indices of local benthic macroinvertebrate communities. The proportion of forest area had robust negative effects on water temperature, but the overall indirect effects on the macroinvertebrate diversity contrasted between the two seasonal periods. The proportion of rice paddy area had a strongly negative indirect effect on the diversity through increased particulate phosphorous loading during the irrigation period, while the proportion of urban area had a significantly negative indirect effect during the nonirrigation period only. The seasonal negative impacts of rice paddy irrigation on benthic macroinvertebrate communities were possibly due to siltation arising from rice paddy soils. Our results have implications for environmental restoration and biodiversity conservation in catchment management.
Borealization and its discontents: drivers of regional variation in plant diversity across scales in interior Alaska
Authors: Roland Carl , Schmidt Joshua H. , Stehn Sarah E. , Hampton‐Miller Celia J. , Nicklen E. Fleur
Published: May 2021

Quantitative studies of regional variation in plant diversity across eastern Beringia (northern Alaska and adjacent areas) are lacking due to an absence of datasets of sufficient scale and scope. We interrogated a landscape‐scale plant diversity dataset collected across two regions of interior Alaska with different disturbance, topographic, and climate attributes to investigate hypotheses regarding drivers of plant species richness. Our approach integrated a multi‐scale sampling design with an analytical framework focused on quantifying how components of plant diversity (growth forms, biogeographic groups, and dominant species) respond to site factors that vary along landscape gradients. Our results revealed essential similarities in both the composition of the overall floras and the influences on local and meso‐scale species richness across both regions. However, these continuities at smaller scales contrasted with differences in landscape‐level distribution of plant diversity patterns along elevation gradients. Our findings suggest that local drivers of richness and occupancy interacted with differing macro‐scale attributes (e.g., relative continentality) to produce distinctive landscape‐level diversity patterns. Our results confirm that high levels of local and meso‐scale plant richness in interior Alaska depend on conditions that foster richness of herbaceous and northerly distributed species groups. However, we found that important differences in landscape‐level richness patterns were driven by regional differences in climate, topoedaphic variables, and disturbance. In the warmer region, woody species and boreal plant communities extended to higher elevations and common species occupancy showed marginally greater influence of fire. Overall richness was relatively low in alpine areas of the warmer region but heterogeneous edaphic and topographic circumstances stimulated higher species turnover in lower elevations there, increasing landscape‐level richness. In contrast, in the cooler region, woody species showed restricted distribution across the elevation gradient while site attributes associated with increased species richness aligned with the elevation gradient and thus peak richness occurred in the alpine zone. Our results show how total and growth‐form richness, as well as community composition, vary regionally in relation to important drivers (including growing season warmth) across interior Alaska. Consequently, our study provides new insights into the potential trajectories of future change in biodiversity patterns in this rapidly warming region.
Shifts in amphibian population dynamics in response to a change in the predator community
Authors: Schmidt Benedikt R. , Băncilă Raluca I. , Hartel Tibor , Grossenbacher Kurt , Schaub Michael
Published: May 2021

Predation can affect prey behavior, demography, abundance, and distribution, particularly in lentic freshwater ecosystems. Fish are predators known to reduce the abundance of their prey and to restrict the distribution of species. Using time series which spanned 43 and 22 yr, respectively, we analyzed the effect of a change in the fish predator community on the dynamics of two pond‐breeding amphibian populations (Rana temporaria and Rana dalmatina). Specifically, we used a state‐space time series model which allows for density dependence and observation error, to ask whether the change in predation risk affects population growth rate and the return point around which the populations fluctuate. The results showed that the type of observation error assumed did not affect the biological parameters. We found evidence for density dependence in both populations. The effect of the change in fish predation on population growth rate and the return point was strong in the population where fish invaded a previously fish‐free pond. The effect was weaker in the population where the change was from cyprinid fish to pike. The results showed that fish predation can have strong effects on amphibian population dynamics. The observed population dynamical pattern is phenomenologically similar to alternative stable states.
Size‐, species‐, and site‐specific tree growth responses to climate variability in old‐growth subalpine forests
Authors: Campbell Elizabeth M. , Magnussen Steen , Antos Joseph A. , Parish Roberta
Published: May 2021

Tree‐ring data have become widely used to model tree growth responses to climate variability and gain insight about the potential effects of global warming on forests. We capitalized on a rare opportunity to develop growth–climate models using tree‐ring data collected from all trees (>4 cm in diameter at breast height) within 50 × 50 m plots established in subalpine old‐growth forests of western Canada. Our objective was to determine how tree growth responses to climate vary among tree size classes, species, and sites. We modeled relationships between times series of annual basal area increment (ΔBA) and yearly climate variables for individual trees; this approach obviated key statistical criticisms of “traditional” tree‐ring analysis methods. Time series of annual basal area increment were detrended a priori for size, age, legacy, and competition effects. We found that the overall climate signal in our time series of ΔBA was weak; <6% of the interannual variance was explained by climate variables. Nevertheless, there were clear patterns in climate–growth relationships related to tree size and species. Relationships between ΔBA and five climate variables increased in strength with tree size class; large trees were most sensitive to annual climate fluctuations and accounted for ~71% of the overall climate effect on growth across all trees and sites. In all stands, ΔBA variance explained by climate variables was stable over the 20th century for large trees but decreased in the 1940s for small trees, indicating a temporal reduction in sensitivity to annual fluctuations in five climate variables. In coastal forests, relationships between ΔBA and climate for Callitropsis nootkatensis were significantly different in direction and magnitude than those of co‐occurring Pinaceae species. The effect of climate on tree growth was idiosyncratic among stands and could not be discriminated by forest type (coastal vs. interior). Our individual‐tree modeling approach adds to a growing body of research providing novel insights about the complexities of tree growth responses to climate variability and the challenges associated with predicting future tree growth and forest productivity using tree‐ring data.
Double Side Interfacial Optimization for Low‐Temperature Stable CsPbI2Br Perovskite Solar Cells with High Efficiency Beyond 16%
Authors: Ma Jing , Su Jie , Lin Zhenhua , He Jian , Zhou Long , Li Tao , Zhang Jincheng , Liu Shengzhong , Chang Jingjing , Hao Yue
Published: May 2021

CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells have achieved rapid development owing to their exceptional optoelectronic properties and relatively outstanding stability. However, open‐circuit voltage (Voc) loss caused by band mismatch and charge recombination between perovskite and charge transporting layer is one of the crucial obstacles to further improve the device performance. Here, we proposed a bilayer electron transport layer ZnO(bottom)/SnO2(top) to reduce the Voc loss (Eloss) and promote device Voc by ZnO insert layer thickness modulation, which could improve the efficiency of charge carrier extraction/transfer and suppress the charge carrier recombination. In addition, guanidinium iodide top surface treatment is used to further reduce the trap density, stabilize the perovskite film and align the energy levels, which promotes the fill factor, short‐circuit current density (Jsc), and stability of the device. As a result, the champion cell of double‐side optimized CsPbI2Br perovskite solar cells exhibits an extraordinary efficiency of 16.25% with the best Voc as high as 1.27 V and excellent thermal and storage stability.
Can Particulate Matter and Nano Metal Oxide Particles Affect the Redox Cycling of Nitrosylcobalamin in Weakly Acidic Aqueous Solution?
Authors: Polaczek Justyna , Stochel Grażyna , van Eldik Rudi
Published: May 2021

Since air pollution is one of the most serious environmental problems, the study of the effects of particulate matter (PM) on physiological processes remains to be an important challenge for scientific communities. The presented studies form part of the project ‘Air Pollution versus Autoimmunity: Role of multiphase aqueous Inorganic Chemistry’. In these studies we examined the effect of Standard Reference Material 1648a, supplied by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and its inorganic constituents on the formation of nitrosylcobalamin (CblNO) in the reaction between nitrocobalamin (CblNO2) and ascorbic acid in a weakly acidic medium. We monitored the reaction in the presence of urban NIST PM (SRM 1648a), plasma treated NIST PM (LAP) and a number of metal oxide nanoparticles, including redox active metal oxides. The obtained results clearly demonstrated that the presence of these different nanoparticles affected the rate of formation of CblNO but did not affect the nature of the final product. Special attention was given to systematic studies on the role of inorganic nanoparticles as a part of the selected PM in the reaction between CblNO2 and ascorbic acid.
Eco‐Friendly Alternative to Brining for Sustainable Storage of Table‐Olives Based on the Analyses Done with the Extracted Oil
Authors: Ozilgen Sibel , Aral Selen , Ozilgen Mustafa
Published: May 2021

Degree of quality changes in coated and uncoated reference table olives are assed based on the analyses done with the extracted oil at different storage temperatures. The results reveal that storing the table olives after coating with chitosan reduces the product and embeds energy waste. Kinetic studies show that coating delays and slows down the lipid oxidation and decreases the maximum peroxide values attained. At all storage temperatures, the amounts of phenolics retained in the olives are significantly higher in the coated samples when compared with the uncoated references. The results show that coating may also raise the tolerable storage temperature by 14 °C. Coating 10% of the total global table oil production with chitosan may lead to up to 6720 MJ of storage energy savings and 546 t of less CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

Practical Applications: Coating olives with chitosan may improve the quality of the stored oils and reduce the energy requirement of the storage process and consequently reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere compared to in‐brine storage method.
How to Efficiently Remove tert‐butylhydroquinone from Commercial Soybean Oils to Obtain Stripped Oils: Eliminating tert‐butylhydroquinone's Influence on Oxidative Stabilities of Model Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions
Authors: Chen Jiaxin , Li Xin , Kong Baohua , Ma Jinglin , Liu Meiyue , Liu Chengguo , Liu Qian
Published: May 2021

The present study proposes an efficient method to effectively strip tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) from commercial soybean oils. Ethanol, a typically common and relatively safe organic solvent, can successfully strip TBHQ by employing a liquid‐liquid extraction strategy. The results show that the volume ratio of ethanol to oil is a key factor for stripping efficiency (SE), and 4:1 (v/v) is considered the optimal parameter. When compared with traditional stripping methods via adsorbing materials (such as activated charcoal or alumina powder), the proposed ethanol extraction method can more effectively strip TBHQ from commercial oils with lower adsorption loss and higher SE. Moreover, the model O/W emulsion systems prepared using ethanol stripped oils showed the highest degree of lipid oxidation. The method can completely strip TBHQ from commercial soybean oils, thereby eliminating its influence on oxidative stabilities of model oil‐in‐water emulsions.

Practical Applications: The ethanol stripping method can be applied as a pretreatment method to completely strip TBHQ from commercial soybean oils, and subsequently eliminate the influence of TBHQ on lipid oxidation in model O/W emulsion systems during storage.
International student enrollment predictions: Don't count the U.S. out yet
Authors: Dennis Marguerite J.
Published: May 2021

There has been no shortage of dire predictions about the state of future international student enrollment in the U.S. Several international deans and recruiters, myself included, predicted that the impact of the pandemic would only exacerbate what had been declining international student enrollment for several years.
Try these 6 tips to grow your organic social media
Authors: Pavlik Amelia
Published: May 2021

Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, WeChat. The ever‐evolving landscape of social media platforms is challenging enough for full‐time social media managers to keep up with. So when you don't even know the difference between a tweet and a story, where do you start?
Spreading the word about state tuition programs helps students reach their educational goals
Authors: Bannister Mary
Published: May 2021

“I've always been connected to the Monroe County community,” said Ryan Rafko, Director of Admissions and Guidance Services at Monroe County Community College. Rafko is a lifetime resident of Monroe County and earned his associate degree at MCCC. After working in financial aid at several Michigan universities for over 14 years, including five years at MCCC, Rafko transitioned to his current role in admissions in September 2020. Rafko has seen the MCCC campus and community grow over the years and is working to further connect Monroe County residents to the county's only higher education institution.
Cerebroprotein hydrolysate‐I protects senescence‐induced by D‐galactose in PC12 cells and mice
Authors: Zhu Lin , Liu Yingjuan , Wu Xiaolin , Ren Yuqian , Zhang Qinghua , Ren Leiming , Guo Yunliang
Published: May 2021

Cerebroprotein hydrolysate‐I (CH‐I)，a mixture of peptides extracted from porcine brain tissue，has shown a neuroprotective effect, but its role in brain senescence is unclear. In the present study, we established a senescence model of PC12 cells and mice to investigate the effect of CH‐I on brain senescence via JAK2/STAT3 pathway. The results showed that CH‐I could improve cell viability, inhibit the apoptosis of cells, and reduce the senescence‐positive cells induced by D‐galactose. In vivo, CH‐I improved the learning ability and memory of aging mice, reduced neuronal damage in mice hippocampus. Mechanism studies showed that CH‐I could adjust BDNF protein expressions, activate JAK2/STAT3 pathway, and finally enhance telomerase activity. All these findings indicated that CH‐I showed a neuroprotective effect against brain senescence. These results might provide further reference and support for the application of CH‐I in delaying aging.
Smart Siting and Energy Infrastructure Development: A Challenge to Decarbonization
Authors: DeCotis Paul A. , Cartwright Echo D.
Published: May 2021

Changing climate conditions will continue to impact investment choices in energy production and generation and the infrastructure used to deliver energy to customers. Although significant gains in efficiency continue to be made, new sources of power will be required to meet growing demand and support a national clean energy strategy. Industry participants and customers have more technology choices and service options available to them than ever before. With the proliferation of distributed energy resources (DER) located at or close to loads, including demand management and DER aggregation, customers are meeting some of their own energy needs and retail energy providers are supplying energy to customers previously served by utilities.
Adapting Regulation to Market Realities
Authors: DeCotis Paul A.
Published: May 2021

Issues and debate around the responsibilities of electric utilities often arise when some external event calls into question the legitimacy of utilities having franchise rights in their respective jurisdictions and being the “provider of last resort” (POLR). Provider of last resort designation requires the provider to provide default or back‐up electricity service in the event the primary supplier is unable to fulfill its obligations. Whether it be catastrophic storms causing widespread service outages, wildfires, or negligence in the industry's supply chain causing shortages of materials and supplies or of the energy itself, regulators, policy makers, and customers question the role and responsibilities of their local utility provider. Such issues also arise organically as the industry changes and evolves, supported in part by changes in regulatory and public policy and the widespread penetration of emerging technologies, enabling customers to generate their own electricity. As competition to utility service provision grows from technology providers and energy service companies selling directly to customers, regulators are rethinking the obligation of franchise utilities as the POLR.
High rates of postoperative radiotherapy delay in head and neck cancer before and after Medicaid expansion
Authors: Pang John , Faraji Farhoud , Risa Erik , Mell Loren K. , Houlton Jeffrey J. , Califano Joseph A.
Published: May 2021

Background

The objective is to study the effect of Medicaid expansion on postoperative radiation therapy (PORT) delay in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

Patients from the National Cancer Database with HNSCC undergoing curative‐intent surgery in the 2 years before and after Medicaid expansion were analyzed (n = 11 717) using the difference‐in‐differences technique to study the effect on PORT delay.

Results

The rate of PORT delay before and after expansion was 66.0% and 66.9%, respectively. Medicaid patients had more frequent PORT delay than privately insured patients (pre‐expansion 77.2% vs. 59.4%, p < 0.001; post‐expansion 76.5% vs. 60.9%, p < 0.001). Medicaid expansion had no effect on PORT delay [hazard ratio 0.95, 95% confidence interval 0.81–1.12]. Supplemental analyses revealed that pathologic stage, number of treating facilities, and comorbidities were among several factors associated with PORT delay in the cohort.

Conclusion

PORT delay is unacceptably frequent. Improvement in timely adjuvant therapy requires more than Medicaid expansion.
T‐Cell Immunoglobulin and Mucin Domain‐Containing Protein‐4 Is Critical for Kupffer Cell Homeostatic Function in the Activation and Resolution of Liver Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Ni Ming , Zhang Jing , Sosa Rebecca , Zhang Hanwen , Wang Han , Jin Dan , Crowley Kaitlyn , Naini Bita , Reed F. Elaine , Busuttil Ronald W. , Kupiec‐Weglinski Jerzy W. , Wang Xuehao , Zhai Yuan
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims

Liver ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) remains an unresolved clinical problem. This study dissected roles of liver‐resident macrophage Kupffer cells (KCs), with a functional focus on efferocytosis receptor T‐cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain‐containing protein‐4 (TIM‐4), in both the activation and resolution of IRI in a murine liver partial warm ischemia model.

Approach and Results

Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting results showed that TIM‐4 was expressed exclusively by KCs, but not infiltrating macrophages (iMФs), in IR livers. Anti‐TIM‐4 antibody depleted TIM‐4+ macrophages in vivo, resulting in either alleviation or deterioration of liver IRI, which was determined by the repopulation kinetics of the KC niche with CD11b+ macrophages. To determine the KC‐specific function of TIM‐4, we reconstituted clodronate‐liposome–treated mice with exogenous wild‐type or TIM‐4‐deficient KCs at either 0 hour or 24 hours postreperfusion. TIM‐4 deficiency in KCs resulted in not only increases in the severity of liver IRI (at 6 hours postreperfusion), but also impairment of the inflammation resolution (at 7 days postreperfusion). In vitro analysis revealed that TIM‐4 promoted KC efferocytosis to regulate their Toll‐like receptor response by up‐regulating IL‐10 and down‐regulating TNF‐α productions.

Conclusions

TIM‐4 is critical for KC homeostatic function in both the activation and resolution of liver IRI by efferocytosis.
BiasCorrector: Fast and accurate correction of all types of experimental biases in quantitative DNA methylation data derived by different technologies
Authors: Kapsner Lorenz A. , Zavgorodnij Mikhail G. , Majorova Svetlana P. , Hotz‐Wagenblatt Agnes , Kolychev Oleg V. , Lebedev Igor N. , Hoheisel Jörg D. , Hartmann Arndt , Bauer Andrea , Mate Sebastian , Prokosch Hans‐Ulrich , Haller Florian , Moskalev Evgeny A.
Published: May 2021

Quantification of DNA methylation in neoplastic cells is crucial both from mechanistic and diagnostic perspectives. However, such measurements are prone to different experimental biases. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) bias results in an unequal recovery of methylated and unmethylated alleles at the sample preparation step. Post‐PCR biases get introduced additionally by the readout processes. Correcting the biases is more practicable than optimising experimental conditions, as demonstrated previously. However, utilisation of our earlier developed algorithm strongly necessitates automation. Here, we present two R packages: rBiasCorrection, the core algorithms to correct biases; and BiasCorrector, its web‐based graphical user interface frontend. The software detects and analyses experimental biases in calibration DNA samples at a single base resolution by using cubic polynomial and hyperbolic regression. The correction coefficients from the best regression type are employed to compensate for the bias. Three common technologies—bisulphite pyrosequencing, next‐generation sequencing and oligonucleotide microarrays—were used to comprehensively test BiasCorrector. We demonstrate the accuracy of BiasCorrector's performance and reveal technology‐specific PCR‐ and post‐PCR biases. BiasCorrector effectively eliminates biases regardless of their nature, locus, the number of interrogated methylation sites and the detection method, thus representing a user‐friendly tool for producing accurate epigenetic results.
Identification of calmodulin‐like protein 5 as tumor‐suppressor gene silenced during early stage of carcinogenesis in squamous cell carcinoma of uterine cervix
Authors: Kitazawa Sohei , Takaoka Yuki , Ueda Yasuo , Kitazawa Riko
Published: May 2021

In the course of identifying the molecular mechanism that is related to strong cell‐cell adhesion in stratified structures of the squamous epithelium, calmodulin‐like protein 5 (CALML5) was identified as a spinous structure‐associated protein by producing monoclonal antibodies with the use of the crude intercellular portion of squamous tissue as an immunogen and by subsequent morphologic screening. By electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and a series of mutagenesis studies, two transcription factors, ZNF750 and KLF4, by binding in line to the CALML5 gene promoter, were found to play a central role in CALML5 transcription. Knockdown of CALML5 by siRNA in the A431 cell line that expresses high levels of CALML5 resulted in the acceleration of wound confluence in a scratch assay, indicating that CALML5 functions as a tumor‐suppressor in uterine cervical cancer. Immunohistochemical evaluation of squamous intraepithelial lesions, carcinoma in situ (CIS) and invasive uterine cancer, revealed a reduction in CALML5 expression during the stages of CIS through various molecular pathways including the blockage of the nuclear translocation of KLF4. Conversely, restoration of the nuclear translocation of KLF4 by inhibiting ERK‐signaling reactivated CALML5 expression in ME180 cells expressing low levels of CALML5. Thus, alteration of the p63‐ZNF750‐KLF4 axis may result in critical functional loss of CALM‐related genes during cancer progression. Although the morphological association of CALML5 with the spiny‐structure in relation to cell motility is not clear, evaluation of CALML5 expression provides a useful diagnostic indicator of differentiating dysplasia, preinvasive and invasive cervical cancers.
NTEP‐DB 1.0: A relational database for the national turfgrass evaluation program
Authors: Xie Yiqun , Farhadloo Majid , Guo Ning , Shekhar Shashi , Watkins Eric , Kne Len , Bao Han , Patton Aaron J. , Morris Kevin
Published: May 2021

Given field experiment data collected by the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP), we aim to design and create a relational database to store the data and support efficient queries. As one of the most widely‐known turfgrass research programs in the world, NTEP has generated large volumes of data on turfgrass cultivars and experimental germplasm since the early 1980s, providing invaluable information for a variety of user groups (e.g., homeowners, seed companies, golf course managers, retailers, turfgrass researchers) to select cultivars that best fit their needs (e.g., winter survival, pest tolerance, turf quality). The datasets have historically been stored in large sets of text files and spreadsheets. Currently, NTEP data are delivered to users through a website (www.ntep.org) as summary reports and it can be extremely tedious (e.g., hundreds of clicks, data merging, jargon) to perform a simple query (e.g., best cultivar selection with typical conditions). This significantly limits the use of NTEP data and hides its value from the public. To address these limitations, we carried out an interdisciplinary effort with horticulture and computer science researchers to design and create the first NTEP database – NTEP‐DB 1.0 – to reduce the manual efforts and expert knowledge currently required to extract meaningful information from the data. Experiments confirm that the query results are correct, and that the database can greatly reduce manual efforts. Anticipating next‐generation advances, we also recommend incorporating spatial data types and analytical techniques into future designs of the database.
Fast denoising and lossless spectrum extraction in stimulated Raman scattering microscopy
Authors: Li Yanping , Shen Binglin , Zou Gengjin , Wang Shiqi , Qu Junle , Hu Rui , Liu Liwei
Published: May 2021

Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy is a nonlinear optical imaging method for visualizing chemical content based on molecular vibrational bonds. However, the imaging speed and sensitivity are currently limited by the noise of the light beam probing the Raman process. In this paper, we present a fast non‐average denoising and high‐precision Raman shift extraction method, based on a self‐reinforcing signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) enhancement algorithm, for SRS spectroscopy and microscopy. We compare the results of this method with the filtering methods and the reported experimental methods to demonstrate its high efficiency and high precision in spectral denoising, Raman peak extraction and image quality improvement. We demonstrate a maximum SNR enhancement of 10.3 dB in fixed tissue imaging and 11.9 dB in vivo imaging. This method reduces the cost and complexity of the SRS system and allows for high‐quality SRS imaging without use of special laser, complicated system design and Raman tags.
The impact of community care: Burden and quality of life of the informal caregivers of patients with severe mental disorder
Authors: Estrada‐Fernández María Eugenia , Gil‐Lacruz Marta , Gil‐Lacruz Ana I. , Viñas‐López Antonio
Published: May 2021

This study analyzes the dimensions and consequences of the burden of caregivers of patients with SMD (Severe Mental Disorder) and the repercussions that this role has on their quality of life and health in the physical, psychic and social spheres. This is a descriptive cross‐sectional study and inferential observational study which explores caregivers of patients with SMD admitted to Psychiatry Day Hospital (Huesca, Spain). The technique of consecutive cases was used as a technique for sampling and sample selection. An individualized interview was arranged, where sociodemographic data were collected and scales and instruments were administered. 52 caregivers met the inclusion criteria. The female sex predominates (67%), being the patient's mother (48%). The average age of caregivers is 60 years old. Almost 60% of the sample presents intense burden and alterations of general mental health, 77% reveal anxiety and depression, and 46% little social support. Burden is associated with hospitalization within the last year, anxiety, or total social support received. It is appreciated how the diagnosis of a chronic disease constitutes an important challenge for the patient and their family, due to the burden of the disease and the impact of the new routines imposed by the continuous treatment.
Assessing readiness to manage medical emergencies among dental students at four dental schools
Authors: Solanki Charmi , Geisinger Maria L. , Luepke Paul G. , Al‐Bitar Kinan , Palomo Leena , Lee Wangsoo , Blanchard Steven , Shin Daniel , Maupome Gerardo , Eckert George J. , John Vanchit
Published: May 2021

Background and Purpose

Dentists treat a wide range of patients, including patients with compromised health conditions. While rendering treatment, various medical emergencies can and do occur. To help increase the knowledge required to manage such emergencies, dental students must be trained while in dental school. This study aims to assess the level of medical emergency preparedness and knowledge among dental students at four dental schools.

Material and Methods

The participating dental schools were IUSD, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Marquette University School of Dentistry, and the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. Groups were designed to include 20 dental students from Years 1 to 4. Students were asked to fill out a survey and were then tested on 10 clinical medical emergency scenarios.

Results

A total of 331 dental students participated in the study. The scores based on 10 case scenarios presented with a range of 4.35–8.02. There was no statistically significant difference in the level of preparedness when dental schools were compared. However, Year 1 and Year 2 dental students had significantly lower total scores than those of Years 3 and 4. The students in Years 1 and 2 demonstrated less confidence in their current knowledge to manage medical emergencies. Satisfaction with the training received ranged from 38% to 84%.

Conclusion

The results from this study indicate that students’ preparedness to manage medical emergencies at these four dental schools is statistically similar. Additional yearly training could enhance students’ preparedness in the management of medical emergencies in the dental setting.
Trends in oral and maxillofacial radiology career: A survey
Authors: Pacheco‐Pereira Camila , Diogenes Anibal R. , Moore Willian , Katkar Rujuta , Noujeim Ziad E. F. , Flores‐Mir Carlos , Geha Hassem
Published: May 2021

Purpose/Objectives

To understand the professional aspirations of oral and maxillofacial radiologists (OMRs) by exploring their career choices and their association with educational background, engagement in professional activities, professional values, and overall level of career satisfaction.

Methods

This prospective cross‐sectional study surveyed board‐certified OMRs in the United States and Canada from September to December 2019. A web‐based questionnaire was created comprising 37 multiple‐choice questions and an open‐ended question focusing on their opinions regarding the profession's future. A thematic approach qualitatively explored open questions.

Results

Of the 86 OMRs, 68, 10, and eight were board certified in the United States, Canada, and both countries, respectively. Activities considered "rewarding" included teaching and mentoring (65%) and radiologic reporting (55%). The majority spent approximately 20–30 h/week writing radiographic reports and less than 10 h in research. On an average, OMRs produced 21.9 (SD 12.8) reports per day. Activities considered less rewarding included administrative work (11%) and productivity pressure in institutions. OMRs working in academia reported higher incomes (p < 0.05). Finally, the majority of the OMRs were pleased with their career choices (79%).

Conclusions

There is an association between the contemporary OMRs' satisfaction feeling, teaching/mentoring, and the future challenges of participating in multidisciplinary teams. Overall, diverse career choices lead OMRs to be proud of their profession and significantly satisfied.
Quantity and Morphology of Perivascular Spaces: Associations With Vascular Risk Factors and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease
Authors: Wang Shuyue , Huang Peiyu , Zhang Ruiting , Hong Hui , Jiaerken Yeerfan , Lian Chunfeng , Yu Xinfeng , Luo Xiao , Li Kaicheng , Zeng Qingze , Xu Xiaopei , Yu Wenke , Wu Xiao , Zhang Minming
Published: May 2021

Background

Perivascular spaces (PVSs) are important component of the brain glymphatic system. While visual rating has been widely used to assess PVS, computational measures may have higher sensitivity for capturing PVS characteristics under disease conditions.

Purpose

To compute quantitative and morphological PVS features and to assess their associations with vascular risk factors and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).

Study Type

Prospective.

Population

One hundred sixty‐one middle‐aged/later middle‐aged subjects (age = 60.4 ± 7.3).

Sequence

3D T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted and T2‐FLAIR sequences, and susceptibility‐weighted multiecho gradient‐echo sequence on a 3 T scanner.

Assessment

Automated PVS segmentation was performed on sub‐millimeter T2‐weighted images. Quantitative and morphological PVS features were calculated in white matter (WM) and basal ganglia (BG) regions, including volume, count, size, length (Lmaj), width (Lmin), and linearity. Visual PVS scores were also acquired for comparison.

Statistical Tests

Simple and multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the associations among variables.

Results

WM‐PVS visual score and count were associated with hypertension (β = 0.161, P < 0.05; β = 0.193, P < 0.05), as were BG‐PVS rating score, volume, count and Lmin (β = 0.197, P < 0.05; β = 0.170, P < 0.05; β = 0.200, P < 0.05; β = 0.172, P < 0.05). WM‐PVS size was associated with diabetes (β = 0.165, P < 0.05). WM‐PVS and BG‐PVS were associated with CSVD markers, especially white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) (P < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that WM/BG‐PVS quantitative measures were widely associated with vascular risk factors and CSVD markers (P < 0.05). Morphological measures were associated with WMH severity in WM region and also associated with lacunes and microbleeds (P < 0.05) in BG region.

Data Conclusion

These novel PVS measures may capture mild PVS alterations driven by different pathologies.

Evidence Level

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 2
A robust predictive feedback FPID controller using elephant herd virtual inertia optimization control algorithm in Islanded microgrid
Authors: Bose R. Bibin , Auxillia D. Jeraldin
Published: May 2021

Due to load shedding, circumvent equipment damage, and possible power outages in the electric power system. The continuity of power supply under the Islanded mode of operation in microgrid creates shrink in the power of the tie‐line, and frequency oscillation in the event of small load perturbations. Hence, there needs a sufficient capacity of distributed energy resources, proper power management, and a grid dynamic behavior to satisfy the load demand. Therefore, in this paper, an intelligent predictive feedback fuzzy controller (PFF) together with a conventional proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controller (PFFPID) using hybrid elephant herd virtual inertia (EVI) control optimization algorithm is proposed. The proposed controller is designed to optimize the operation based on considering the uncertainties of the grid situation in terms of weather conditions, energy backup capacity, and load profile. The three inputs provided to PFF are renewable power, battery power, and load power, as a membership function in different forms to find the power variation in terms of voltage, frequency, and current. Then to estimate the gain of each output power, the PID controller is used. The purpose of the EVI algorithm is used as a controller optimization algorithm to tune the PFFPID controller to compensate the load based on generated power to meet the load demand. Finally, the simulation is performed with several existing controllers and the result indicates that the proposed controller is robust with respect to random load perturbations and change in the parameter.
Commentaries on “The Lenses of Lean”
Authors: Cusumano Michael A. , Holweg Matthias , Howell Josh , Netland Torbjørn , Shah Rachna , Shook John , Ward Peter , Womack James
Published: May 2021

The phenomenon of the Toyota Production System (TPS) and the term “Lean” have received much attention from researchers and especially practitioners over the past 40 years. As scholarly perspectives on these topics continue to evolve, we invited Wally Hopp and Mark Spearman to contribute an essay to the JOM Forum that became “The Lenses of Lean,” and we invited several other prominent authors affiliated with Lean to react to that article and share their perspectives on Lean. We are delighted to have received four such contributions, which we have assembled here with the hope of furthering this important conversation (Note: For consistency of exposition, we have capitalized the term “Lean” throughout these commentaries when it is used in the phenomenological sense). —Tyson Browning and Suzanne de Treville