bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigenomic analysis of Parkinson’s disease neurons identifies Tet2 loss as neuroprotective
Authors: Lee Marshall , Bryan Killinger , Peipei Li , Elizabeth Ensink , Katie Li , Wei Cui , Noah Lubben , Matthew Weiland , Juozas Gordevicius , Gerhard A. Coetzee , Stefan Jovinge , Viviane Labrie
Published: September 2019

PD pathogenesis may involve the epigenetic control of enhancers that modify neuronal functions. Here, we comprehensively profile DNA methylation at enhancers, genome-wide, in neurons of 57 PD patients and 48 control individuals. We found a widespread increase in cytosine modifications at enhancers in PD neurons, which is partly explained by elevated hydroxymethylation levels. Epigenetic dysregulation of enhancers in PD converge on transcriptional abnormalities affecting neuronal signaling and immune activation pathways. In particular, PD patients exhibit an epigenetic and transcriptional upregulation of TET2, a master-regulator of cytosine modification status. TET2 inactivation in a neuronal cell line results in cytosine modification changes that are reciprocal to those observed in PD neurons. Furthermore, Tet2 inactivation in mice fully prevents dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra induced by prior inflammation. Tet2 loss in mice also attenuates transcriptional immune responses to an inflammatory trigger. Thus, widespread epigenetic dysregulation of enhancers in PD neurons may, in part, be mediated by increased TET2 expression. Decreased Tet2 activity is neuroprotective, in vivo, and may be a novel therapeutic target for PD.
Flaming as part of aseptic technique increases CO2 (g)and decreases pH in freshwater culture media
Authors: Zepernick Brittany N. , Krausfeldt Lauren E. , Wilhelm Steven W.
Published: September 2019

Aseptic technique has historically served as a fundamental practice in microbiology, helping maintain culture purity and integrity. This technique has been widely encouraged and employed for use with cultures of heterotrophic bacteria as well as freshwater and marine algae. Yet, recent observations have suggested these approaches may bring their own influences. We observed variations in growth amongst replicate experimental cyanobacterial cultures upon flaming of the culture tube opening during sample transfer and collection. Investigation revealed the pH of culture media had decreased from the initial pH established during media preparation. Flaming of sterile culture media alone confirmed a significant decrease, by as much as 1.7 pH units, and correlated with increased flaming events over time. We hypothesized that the causative factor was the introduction of carbon dioxide into the media. To test this hypothesis, qualitative and quantitative analyses were used to identify the primary driver of pH decline. We further assessed the direct effects of flaming and subsequent pH changes onMicrocystis aeruginosacultures, showing flame-driven pH changes and/or the introduction of carbon dioxide influenced experimental results. Our observations provide a cautionary tale of how classic and well-accepted approaches may not always provide the results promised, suggesting new approaches may be necessary in research areas assessing pH or carbon related-effects on microbial communities.
RNA interference of NADPH-Cytochrome P450 reductase increases susceptibilities to multiple acaricides inTetranychus urticae
Authors: Adesanya Adekunle W. , Cardenas Antonio , Lavine Mark D. , Walsh Doug B. , Lavine Laura C. , Zhu Fang
Published: September 2019

The two-spotted spider mite,Tetranychus urticae, is a polyphagous pest feeding on over 1,100 plant species, including numerous highly valued economic crops. The control ofT. urticaelargely depends on the use of acaricides, which leads to pervasive development of acaricide resistance. Cytochrome P450-mediated metabolic detoxification is one of the major mechanisms of acaricide resistance inT. urticae. NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) plays as a crucial co-factor protein that donates electron(s) to microsomal cytochrome P450s to complete their catalytic cycle. This study seeks to understand the involvement of CPR in acaricide resistance inurticae. The full-length cDNA sequence ofT. urticae’s CPR (TuCPR) was cloned and characterized.TuCPRwas ubiquitously transcribed in different life stages ofT. urticaeand the highest transcription was observed in the nymph and adult stages.TuCPRwas constitutively over-expressed in six acaricide resistant populations compared to a susceptible one.TuCPRtranscriptional expression was also induced by multiple acaricides in a time-dependent manner. Down-regulation ofTuCPRvia RNA interference (RNAi) inT. urticaeled to reduced enzymatic activities of TuCPR and cytochrome P450s, as well as a significant reduction of resistance to multiple acaricides, abamectin, bifenthrin, and fenpyroximate. The outcome of this study highlights CPR as a potential novel target for eco-friendly control ofT. urticaeand other related plant-feeding pests.

Highlights

Pipernoyl butoxide significantly reduced abamectin, bifenthrin, and fenpyroximate resistance inT. urticaepopulations

T. urticae’s cytochrome P450 reductase (TuCPR) was cloned, sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed

Abamectin, bifenthrin and fenpyroximate treatment induced TuCPR gene expression

Silencing ofTuCPRinT. urticaecaused a reduction in acaricide resistance
Intra-strain elicitation and suppression of plant immunity by Ralstonia solanacearum type-III effectors in Nicotiana benthamiana
Authors: Sang Yuying , Yu Wenjia , Zhuang Haiyan , Wei Yali , Derevnina Lida , Yu Gang , Luo Jiamin , Macho Alberto P.
Published: September 2019

Effector proteins delivered inside plant cells are powerful weapons for bacterial pathogens, but this exposes the pathogen to potential recognition by the plant immune system. Therefore, the effector repertoire of a given pathogen must be balanced for a successful infection. Ralstonia solanacearum is an aggressive pathogen with a large repertoire of secreted effectors. One of these effectors, RipE1, is conserved in most R. solanacearum strains sequenced to date. In this work, we found that RipE1 triggers immunity in N. benthamiana, which requires the immune regulator SGT1, but not EDS1 or NRCs. Interestingly, RipE1-triggered immunity induces the accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) and the overexpression of several genes encoding phenylalanine-ammonia lyases (PALs), suggesting that the unconventional PAL-mediated pathway is responsible for the observed SA biosynthesis. Surprisingly, RipE1 recognition also induces the expression of jasmonic acid (JA)-responsive genes and JA biosynthesis, suggesting that both SA and JA may act cooperatively in response to RipE1. Finally, we found that RipE1 expression leads to the accumulation of glutathione in plant cells, which precedes the activation of immune responses. R. solanacearum encodes another effector, RipAY, which is known to inhibit immune responses by degrading cellular glutathione. Accordingly, we show that RipAY inhibits RipE1-triggered immune responses. This work shows a strategy employed by R. solanacearum to counteract the perception of its effector proteins by the plant immune system.
Benchmarking Computational Methods for Estimating the Pathogenicity of Wilson’s Disease Mutations
Authors: Tang Ning , Sandahl Thomas , Ott Peter , Kepp Kasper P.
Published: September 2019

Genetic variations in the gene encoding the copper-transport protein ATP7B are the primary cause of Wilson’s disease. Controversially, clinical prevalence seems much smaller than prevalence estimated by genetic screening tools, causing fear that many people are undiagnosed although early diagnosis and treatment is essential. To address this issue, we benchmarked 16 state-of-the-art computational disease-prediction methods against established data of missense ATP7B mutations. Our results show that the quality of the methods vary widely. We show the importance of optimizing the threshold of the methods used to distinguish pathogenic from non-pathogenic mutations against data of clinically confirmed pathogenic and non-pathogenic mutations. We find that most methods use thresholds that predict too many ATP7B mutations to be pathogenic. Thus, our findings explain the current controversy on Wilson’s disease prevalence, because meta analysis and text search methods include many computational estimates that lead to higher disease prevalence than clinically observed. Since proteins differ widely, a one-size-fits-all threshold for all proteins cannot distinguish efficiently pathogenic and non-pathogenic mutations, as shown here. We also show that amino acid changes with small evolutionary substitution probability, mainly due to amino acid volume, are more associated with disease, implying a pathological effect on the conformational state of the protein, which could affect copper transport or ATP recognition and hydrolysis. These findings may be a first step towards a more quantitative genotype-phenotype relationship of Wilson’s disease.
A fuzzy encounter complex precedes formation of the fully-engaged TIR1-Aux/IAA auxin co-receptor system
Authors: Ramans Harborough Sigurd , Kalverda Arnout P. , Thompson Gary S. , Kieffer Martin , Kubes Martin , Quareshy Mussa , Uzunova Veselina , Prusinska Justyna M. , Hayashi Ken-ichiro , Napier Richard , Manfield Iain W. , Kepinski Stefan
Published: September 2019

The plant hormone auxin regulates almost every aspect of plant development via the TIR1/AFB-auxin-Aux/IAA auxin co-receptor complex. Within this ternary complex, auxin acts as a molecular glue to promote the binding of Aux/IAA transcriptional repressor proteins to SCFTIR1/AFB ubiquitin-ligase complexes, thereby catalysing their ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. A conspicuous feature of the crystal structure of the complex is a rare cis W-P bond within the Aux/IAA degron motif. To study receptor complex assembly, we have used NMR to determine the solution structure of the amino-terminal half of the Aux/IAA protein AXR3/IAA17, including the degron, both in isolation and in complex with TIR1 and auxin. We show that this region of AXR3 is intrinsically-disordered with only limited elements of structure and yet the critical degron W-P bond occurs with an unusually high (1:1) ratio of cis to trans isomers. We show that assembly of the co-receptor complex involves both auxin-dependent and -independent interaction events in which the disorder of the Aux/IAA is retained. Further, using the synthetic auxin molecule cvxIAA and by analysing specific Aux/IAA conformers, we show that a subset of auxin-dependent binding events occur away from the base of the canonical auxin binding pocket in TIR1. Our results reveal the existence of a fuzzy, topologically-distinct ternary encounter complex and thus that auxin perception is not limited to sequential, independent binding of auxin and then Aux/IAA to TIR1.
Selection-based model of prokaryote pangenomes
Authors: Domingo-Sananes Maria Rosa , McInerney James O.
Published: September 2019

The genomes of different individuals of the same prokaryote species can vary widely in gene content, displaying different proportions of core genes, which are present in all genomes, and accessory genes, whose presence varies between genomes. Together, these core and accessory genes make up a species’ pangenome. The reasons behind this extensive diversity in gene content remain elusive, and there is an ongoing debate about the contribution of accessory genes to fitness, that is, whether their presence is on average advantageous, neutral, or deleterious. In order to explore this issue, we developed a mathematical model to simulate the gene content of prokaryote genomes and pangenomes. Our model focuses on testing how the fitness effects of genes and their rates of gene gain and loss would affect the properties of pangenomes. We first show that pangenomes with large numbers of low-frequency genes can arise due to the gain and loss of neutral and nearly neutral genes in a population. However, pangenomes with large numbers of highly beneficial, low-frequency genes can arise as a consequence of genotype-by-environment interactions when multiple niches are available to a species. Finally, pangenomes can arise, irrespective of the fitness effect of the gained and lost genes, as long as gene gain and loss rates are high. We argue that in order to understand the contribution of different mechanisms to pangenome diversity, it is crucial to have empirical information on population structure, gene-by-environment interactions, the distributions of fitness effects and rates of gene gain and loss in different prokaryote groups.
Land tenure and agricultural investments in China: a meta-regression analysis
Authors: Li Jing
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors that lead to the controversy within the existing empirical literature on the relationship between land tenure and agricultural investments in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a meta-regression analysis (MRA) based on 265 samples from 29 selected studies. These studies are collected from different regions and populations; therefore, this study utilizes a random-effects meta-regression model to control between-study heterogeneity.

Findings

The empirical results show that the variable “land-related long-term investments” significantly affects the relationship between land tenure and agricultural investments. The variables: “ration land,” “land titling” and “land transfer rights” all have significant effects on this relationship, but at different levels. The study area (e.g. “western China,” “central/inland China,” “two regions contained”), “plot level,” “panel data,” “sample size,” “considered endogeneity” and “off-farm employment” variables all significantly influence the relationship. Additionally, the results show that the relationship is significantly affected by the survey time.

Practical implications

Policymakers should treat the existing research conclusions with caution and pay more attention to defining land tenure. The relationship between land tenure and agricultural investments also depends on regional resource availability. Therefore, land property rights policies should be region-specific in order to successfully encourage agricultural investments.

Originality/value

In this study, the author collectively examines existing empirical studies to investigate whether their inconsistent results are affected by research characteristics. To the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that analyzes land tenure and agricultural investments in China using MRA. Future research should refine the definition of land tenure, the selection of agricultural investment types, the research method and the method of data collection.
Market and internationalization knowledge in entrepreneurial internationalization processes
Authors: Galdino Katia M. , Rezende Sérgio Fernando Loureiro , Lamont Bruce T.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

By bringing together the IB and IE literatures, the purpose of this paper is to examine the internationalization process as an entrepreneurial process related to the development of international opportunities. It explicitly connects different types of knowledge (i.e. market and internationalization), international opportunities and the internationalization process comprising both new foreign market entry and sequential moves that happen after entry.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual paper that reviews the literature on knowledge, opportunities and the internationalization process. Moreover, the paper identifies the current gaps in the literature and builds new theory that sheds light into how these three concepts are related. The paper also presents a model and propositions that should guide future research.

Findings

The proposed model shows that market and internationalization knowledge combine to form the international knowledge stockpile of the firm, which moderates the relationship between the development of international opportunities and the internationalization process, comprising not only new foreign market entry but also sequential moves that happen after entry using either mode continuation or modal shift. Moreover, it shows that the development of opportunities only leads to modal shifts after a certain threshold is achieved.

Research limitations/implications

The propositions suggest that market and internationalization knowledge are positively related to international opportunities, which, in turn, are related to foreign market entry and sequential moves using mode continuation. International opportunities, however, are related to modal shifts only beyond a threshold. Moreover, the international knowledge stockpile of the firm moderates the relationship between international opportunities and the internationalization process. Because this is a conceptual paper, the propositions have not been tested and, therefore, lack empirical validation. Nonetheless, the model is a starting point to new research on internationalization distinguishing different types of knowledge as well as different sequential moves.

Originality/value

This study shows that the internationalization process is contingent on the different types of knowledge associated with it. It also introduces the idea of a threshold that shapes the internationalization process. The bulk of the research on internationalization suggests that such a process is gradual and incremental. This study offers a non-linear alternative.
Do men and women experience work engagement and job satisfaction to the same extent in collectivistic, patriarchal societies?
Authors: Ghosh Piyali , Jawahar I.M. , Rai Alka
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how cognitive and emotional job demands interact with job resources to influence work engagement, and whether work engagement mediates the association of job demands with job satisfaction. In collectivistic patriarchal societies women have fewer resources to devote to work; thus, based on Conservation of Resources theory, the authors have tested if job demands relate differently to work engagement for women than for men and if the mediation differs across genders.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data collected from 724 bank officers in India, the authors used the PROCESS macro developed for SPSS to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Gender interacted with job demands to influence work engagement, such that the relationship was stronger for men than for women. Moderated mediation analysis showed that men experience work engagement and through work engagement increased job satisfaction from challenging job demands, whereas these benefits do not accrue for women, and when they do, they are significantly less than for men.

Originality/value

Most models and theories of organizational behavior have been developed in the western world where, relatively speaking, men and women enjoy almost equal privileges at work and at home. In collectivistic patriarchal societies, women are responsible for the lion’s share of household chores (Rout et al., 1999) and thus have fewer resources to devote to work, affecting their work engagement and satisfaction. The results behoove researchers to consider gender as a study variable when designing studies on organizational phenomena.
Cause-related marketing
Authors: Liu Gordon , Wu Meng-Shan Sharon , Ko Wai Wai , Chen Cheng-Hao Steve , Chen Yantai
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Cause-related marketing (CRM) focuses on the use of marketing tools to publicize a firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. Drawing on legitimacy theory, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of CRM-led CSR in international business-to-business (B2B) markets. In particular, the authors examine the relationship between supplier CRM-led philanthropic CSR reputation and foreign customer business engagement in an international B2B setting. The authors also test how the foreign customer’s host-country sustainable development level moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect and analyze dyadic data from multiple sources including: dyadic data from a supplier and its 90 foreign customers; the supplier’s internal company records; and publically available data.

Findings

The authors find that supplier CRM-led philanthropic CSR reputation positively affects foreign customer business engagement. Furthermore, the authors find that this positive relationship is stronger when host-country environments are characterized by achieving higher level of environmental well-being development. In contrast, this positive relationship is weaker when the foreign customer host-country environment is characterized by achieving higher level of economic well-being development.

Originality/value

The authors examine that impacts of CRM-led CSR in international B2B markets and differentiate the contingent roles of foreign customer host-country sustainable development in moderating such impacts.
Innovative performance of Brazilian public higher educational institutions
Authors: Souza Thais Assis de , Antunes Luiz Guilherme Rodrigues , Azevedo Angélica da Silva , Angélico Giulia Oliveira , Zambalde Andre Luiz
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the compensation between research groups and companies that contribute the most for the innovative performance of Brazilian public higher educational institutions (PHEI), using as database the 2010’s tabular plan from CNPq’s Directory of Research Groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Descriptive and multivariate statistical techniques such as spearman correlation, cluster analysis, ANOVA and discriminant analysis were used.

Findings

Compensations that contribute the most for the updating of the PHEI are identified as transfer of financial resources from the partner to the group; providing grants for the group; transfer of material supplies to partner’s activities; temporary physical transfer of human resources from the group to the activities conducted by the partner; other forms of compensation that do not fit in the previous categories; and partnering with transfers of resources of any kind going in any direction.

Research limitations/implications

As a limitation, it is pointed out the discontinuity of the tabular plan, which presents 2010 as the last available data.

Practical implications

The results can contribute to programs and policies to encourage innovation within universities.

Originality/value

It may be inferred that the stimulus to specific compensations may expand the quantitative idea of interaction points between the university and companies, linking qualitative aspects, which leads to an understanding that such interactions may, in fact, contribute directly to the activity of generating and spreading knowledge and innovation.
Examining formal and relational governance in family small medium enterprises
Authors: Kussudyarsana Kussudyarsana , Soepatini Soepatini , Maimun Muhammad Halim , Vemuri Ram
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that influence the application of governance mechanism in family small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used multiple regression analysis to examine the hypothesis. For data collection, questionnaires were distributed to 337 owners and managers of SMEs around 7 districts in Java Island in Indonesia.

Findings

The result indicates that uncertainty influences the application of formal governance in family SMEs in Indonesia. Meanwhile, asset specificity has impact on both formal and relational governance in the context of firms. Financial and non-financial objectives did not impact both formal and relational governance.

Research limitations/implications

Though this research was carried out in a particular cultural context, this study was not specifically designed to examine the interaction between cultural variables and family corporate governance variables. In the future, there is need for a study that examines how culture can influence the practice of formal and relational governance in family business.

Practical implications

The study will give guidance to owners or managers of family business in terms of governance mechanism when uncertainty increases. This evidence suggests that family firms need to adopt formal governance within family firms when uncertainty exists.

Social implications

The research finding indicated that uncertainty influenced the application of formal governance in family SMEs in Indonesia. This research finding suggests that family firms need to adopt formal governance when uncertainty exists. The adoption of formal governance, however, may implicate to some others organizational areas in family firms such as leadership, recruitment and selection and corporate culture.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few on family SMEs, which applied the transaction cost theory. Most of the studies use agency theory for investigating governance mechanism in the family business. This study is one of the few on family SMEs, which applied the transaction cost. This study provides an explanation about a factor that influences a family firm to choose formal and relational governance within the firm.
Digital rights management (DRM) in libraries of public universities in Jordan
Authors: Abu Sirhan Afaf , Abdrabbo Khalid Mohamad , Ahmed Ali Al Tawalbeh Serhan , Hamdi Ahmed Mustafa , Ali Helalat Mohammad
Published: September 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate some methods to protect digital libraries using digital rights management (DRM) technologies and specifically the methods applied at the digital libraries of Jordan universities.

Design/methodology/approach

A descriptive research method has been used to examine the extent of DRM in digital libraries of universities in Jordan.

Findings

Majority of the universities in Jordan use different methods of protection including coding, identification, authenticity and digital watermark. However, methods including digital signature, digital fingerprint, copy detection systems and pay system have not been employed within Jordanian universities. The use of copyright management systems has been limited, which shows the weakness in the use of technological protection within the investigated libraries.

Originality/value

This study has shown contribution to the development of digital libraries that are based on the protection of new technology and are able to provide better services to users without concern about protecting publishers’ rights.
Selective laser melting of magnesium AZ31B alloy powder
Authors: Pawlak Andrzej , Szymczyk Patrycja E. , Kurzynowski Tomasz , Chlebus Edward
Published: September 2019

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the results of material tests conducted on specimens manufactured from AZ31 alloy powder by selective laser melting (SLM) technology. The manufactured specimens were then subjected to porosity assessment, microstructure analysis as well as to mechanical and corrosion tests.

Design/methodology/approach

SLM process was optimized using the design of experiments tools. Experiments aimed at selecting optimum process parameters were carried out in accordance with a five-level rotatable central composite design.

Findings

The porosity results showed very low values of <1 per cent, whereas mechanical properties were close to the values reported for the reference wrought AZ31 alloy in hot-rolled state. A fine-grained microstructure was observed with a large range of grain size, which enhanced the material’s mechanical properties. Corrosion characteristics of the SLM-manufactured material exceed those determined for the wrought material.

Originality/value

The results presented in this paper drive interest in magnesium alloys used in additive manufacturing processes. Low porosity, good mechanical properties, form of the microstructure and, most importantly, improved corrosion characteristics suggest that SLM provides great potential for the manufacture of ultralight structures, including resorbable metallic implants.
Millennials’ attitude toward advertising: an international exploratory study
Authors: Oumlil A. Ben , Balloun Joseph L.
Published: September 2019

Purpose

Researchers emphasized that only a small effort has addressed the beliefs and attitudes of millennials toward advertising. The purpose of this study is also to respond to researchers’ recognition of the dearth of cross-national advertising and globalization studies in emerging markets. To fill this theoretical gap in the literature, this study aims to assess attitudinal differences and similarities, as well as the underlying structures of the attitude toward advertising in general (AG), of millennial consumers from developed and emerging markets (USA, UK, France, Spain and Morocco).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were obtained from millennials through self-administered survey questionnaires. It drew from findings of previous research and theoretical development by Bauer and Greyser, Pollay and Mittal, Sandage and Leckenby, Muehling, Durvasula and Netemeyer, and Andrews, Lysonski and Durvasula. Various statistical analyses were used to explore differences and similarities in AG.

Findings

The paper concludes that the two-factor solution framework of AG is inadequate. Research results also indicated that millennials from each of the five different countries studied did not indicate overwhelmingly favorable or unfavorable AG. This study found eight factors/constructs (i.e. promote bad things as good, product information, social role and image, hedonism/pleasure, good for the economy, materialism, falsity and “not interpretable”) as descriptors of the millennials from the five nations’ AG.

Research limitations/implications

The differences in advertising beliefs and attitudes among samples in the five countries studied may be because of such factors as historical values, practices and regulations. Cultural values and dimension may influence millennials’ perceived AG and need to be taken into consideration.

Practical implications

Academicians and practitioners in the advertising field need to appreciate the country’s cultural peculiarities. In understanding the advertising preferences of millennial consumers in these five markets, marketing and advertising executives may have localized their advertising messages for each studied market, resulting in different responses from these millennial consumers.

Originality/value

Millennials need not be conceptualized as a single niche market. While the focus of most of research in the determinants of AG had been within the Western business/consumer construct, the goal is to include assessment of AG in a non-Western, emerging market. This paper addresses the dearth in determinants of AG research in North Africa and other emerging markets.
Body‐wave passive seismic interferometry revisited: mining exploration using the body waves of local microearthquakes
Authors: Polychronopoulou Katerina , Lois Athanasios , Draganov Deyan
Published: September 2019

As the global need for mineral resources is constantly rising and the exploitable concentrations of these resources tend to become increasingly complex to explore and exploit, the mining industry is in a constant quest for innovative and cost‐effective exploration solutions. In this context, and in the framework of the Smart Exploration action, an integrated passive seismic survey was launched in the Gerolekas bauxite mining site in Central Greece. A passive seismic network, consisting of 129 three‐component short‐period stations was installed and operated continuously for 4 months. The acquired data permitted detection of approximately 1000 microearthquakes of very small magnitude (duration magnitude ranging between –1.5 and 2.0), located within or at a very close distance from the study area. We use this microseismicity as input for the application of passive seismic interferometry for reflection retrieval, using the body waves (P‐ and S‐wave coda) of the located microearthquakes. We retrieve by autocorrelation zero‐offset virtual reflection responses, per component, below each of the recording stations. We process the acquired results using reflection processing techniques to obtain zero‐offset time and depth sections, both for P‐ and for S‐waves. In the context of the present work, we evaluate one of the acquired depth sections, using an existing seismic line passing through the Gerolekas passive seismic network, and we perform forward modelling to assess the quality and value of the acquired results. We confirm that passive seismic reflected‐wave interferometry could constitute a cost‐effective and environmentally friendly innovative exploration alternative, especially in cases of difficult exploration settings.
Beyond the boxes
Authors: SCOTT‐SMITH TOM
Published: September 2019

Humanitarian agencies often reach for new designs and technologies in order to meet basic human needs. In the field of emergency shelter, one of the most widely publicized new designs is the Ikea refugee shelter: a flat‐packed, mass‐produced structure that can be shipped and constructed wherever it is required. This shelter aspires to be a universal solution, but since its formal launch in 2013, it has met with criticism and many challenges in the field. Deployed in political contexts in which people have very different expectations of basic shelter, the Ikea shelter demonstrates the limitations of universal standards, the inequities of humanitarianism, and the entwinement of biopolitics and the politics of life. [humanitarianism,refugees,architecture,shelter,design,politics of life,Ikea,Sweden]
Diagnostic flowchart to estimate the morphology of left descending artery lesions by initial electrocardiogram in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Fujii Toshiharu , Hasegawa Misaki , Nakamura Norihito , Ikari Yuji
Published: September 2019

Background

ST‐segment deviations in an initial 12‐lead electrocardiogram provide anatomical information in ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). A diagnostic flowchart was formulated to estimate the anatomical characteristics of a culprit left anterior descending artery (LAD).

Methods

The present study analyzed 252 STEMI patients whose culprit lesions were confirmed to be LAD as an observational study. LAD morphology, wrapped (n = 26) or not (n = 226), and the positional relationship to first diagonal branch (n = 162 in proximal, n = 90 in distal lesions) were assessed. Their ST‐segment deviations and such anatomical characteristics were examined.

Results

Reciprocal ST depression in nonwrapped LAD was frequent in patients without diagonal branch flow (49.3%–18.8% in II, p < .01; 66.4%–36.3% in III, p < .01; 63.7%–30.0% in aVF, p < .01). ST elevation in inferior leads was the characteristics of wrapped LAD but was not the case in patients without diagonal flow (50%–0% in II, 60%–0% in III, and 60%–0% in aVF). ST elevation in lateral leads to the diagonal branch in nonwrapped LAD is more frequent for proximal than distal lesions (36.3% vs. 15.0% in I, p < .01; 50.7% vs. 16.3% in aVL, p < .01), but this was not observed for wrapped LAD (18.8% vs. 20.0% in I, p = .72; 31.3% vs. 10.0% in aVL, p = .21). Positive and negative predictive values for the diagnostic accuracy of suggested diagnostic flow based on the above results were 0.794 and 0.478, respectively.

Conclusions

Our suggested diagnostic flowchart provides enough diagnostic accuracy to estimate culprit morphology.
Structural insights into polysaccharide recognition by Flavobacterium johnsoniae dextranase, a member of glycoside hydrolase family 31
Authors: Tsutsumi Kenta , Gozu Yoshifumi , Nishikawa Atsushi , Tonozuka Takashi
Published: September 2019

Glycoside hydrolase family (GH) 31 contains a large variety of enzymes, but the major members are enzymes that act on relatively small oligosaccharides such as α‐glucosidase. Here, we determined the crystal structure of Flavobacterium johnsoniae dextranase (FjDex31A), an enzyme from F. johnsoniae that hydrolyzes a polysaccharide, dextran. FjDex31A is composed of four domains: an N‐terminal domain, a catalytic domain, a proximal C‐terminal domain, and a distal C‐terminal domain, as observed in typical GH31 enzymes. However, the architecture of active site residues in FjDex31A, other than subsite −1, is markedly different from that of other GH31 enzymes. The FjDex31A structure in complex with isomaltotriose shows that Gly273 and Tyr524, both of which interact with an α‐glucose residue at subsite −2, as well as Trp376 and Leu308‐cisGln309, are especially unique to FjDex31A. Site‐directed mutagenesis of Gly273 and Tyr524 resulted in a decrease in the hydrolysis of polysaccharides dextran and pullulan, as well as that of the disaccharide isomaltose. These results suggest that, regardless of the length of sugar chains of the substrates, binding of FjDex31A to the substrates at subsite −2 is likely to be important for its activity.

Database

Structural data are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 6JR6, 6JR7, and 6JR8.
Limitations of trait‐based approaches for stressor assessment: The case of freshwater invertebrates and climate drivers
Authors: Hamilton Anna T. , Schäfer Ralf B. , Pyne Matthew I. , Chessman Bruce , Kakouei Karan , Boersma Kate S. , Verdonschot Piet F. M. , Verdonschot Ralf C. M. , Mims Meryl , Khamis Kieran , Bierwagen Britta , Stamp Jen
Published: September 2019

The appeal of trait‐based approaches for assessing environmental vulnerabilities arises from the potential insight they provide into the mechanisms underlying the changes in populations and community structure. Traits can provide ecologically based explanations for observed responses to environmental changes, along with predictive power gained by developing relationships between traits and environmental variables. Despite these potential benefits, questions remain regarding the utility and limitations of these approaches, which we explore focusing on the following questions: (a) How reliable are predictions of biotic responses to changing conditions based on single trait–environment relationships? (b) What factors constrain detection of single trait–environment relationships, and how can they be addressed? (c) Can we use information on meta‐community processes to reveal conditions when assumptions underlying trait‐based studies are not met? We address these questions by reviewing published literature on aquatic invertebrate communities from stream ecosystems. Our findings help to define factors that influence the successful application of trait‐based approaches in addressing the complex, multifaceted effects of changing climate conditions on hydrologic and thermal regimes in stream ecosystems. Key conclusions are that observed relationships between traits and environmental stressors are often inconsistent with predefined hypotheses derived from current trait‐based thinking, particularly related to single trait–environment relationships. Factors that can influence findings of trait‐based assessments include intercorrelations of among traits and among environmental variables, spatial scale, strength of biotic interactions, intensity of habitat disturbance, degree of abiotic stress, and methods of trait characterization. Several recommendations are made for practice and further study to address these concerns, including using phylogenetic relatedness to address intercorrelation. With proper consideration of these issues, trait‐based assessment of organismal vulnerability to environmental changes can become a useful tool to conserve threatened populations into the future.
Using microphone arrays to investigate microhabitat selection by declining breeding birds
Authors: Ethier Jeffrey P. , Wilson David R.
Published: September 2019

Understanding the microhabitat preferences of animals can help managers to develop better conservation and recovery strategies but this is challenging. Traditional methods are limited by cost, accuracy and human resources. In this study, we investigated avian microhabitat preferences using microphone arrays that are capable of accurately locating vocalizing birds. Our objective was to identify the microhabitat associations of two common species in steep population decline, the Boreal Chickadee Poecile hudsonicus and the Cape May Warbler Setophaga tigrina. We deployed 68 eight‐channel arrays at random locations in Labrador, Canada, during the 2016 avian breeding season. We returned in 2017 to the 18 array locations where the target species had been detected the previous year and characterized the microhabitat at the exact locations where they had been detected. We also characterized the microhabitat at randomly determined control locations. Results show that Boreal Chickadees select trees with greater diameter‐at‐breast‐height that are surrounded by greater stem density. We did not find evidence that Cape May Warblers exhibit microhabitat selection during song production. The study shows that microphone arrays are an effective tool for identifying preferred microhabitat that could be incorporated into future conservation or recovery strategies.
The immune response to malaria in utero
Authors: Feeney Margaret E.
Published: September 2019

Malaria causes tremendous early childhood morbidity and mortality, providing an urgent impetus for the development of a vaccine that is effective in neonates. However, the infant immune response to malaria may be influenced by events that occur well before birth. Placental malaria infection complicates one quarter of all pregnancies in Africa and frequently results in exposure of the fetus to malaria antigens in utero, while the immune system is still developing. Some data suggest that in utero exposure to malaria may induce immunologic tolerance that interferes with the development of protective immunity during childhood. More recently, however, a growing body of evidence suggests that fetal malaria exposure can prime highly functional malaria‐specific T‐ and B‐cells, which may contribute to postnatal protection from malaria. In utero exposure to malaria also impacts the activation and maturation of fetal antigen presenting cells and innate lymphocytes, which could have implications for global immunity in the infant. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of how various components of the fetal immune system are altered by in utero exposure to malaria, discuss factors that may tilt the critical balance between tolerance and adaptive immunity, and consider the implications of these findings for malaria prevention strategies.
Exhaustion may not be in the human B cell vocabulary, at least not in malaria
Authors: Holla Prasida , Ambegaonkar Abhijit , Sohn Haewon , Pierce Susan K.
Published: September 2019

T cells exposed to persistent antigen in the inflammatory environment of chronic infections often show progressive loss of effector functions, high expression of inhibitory receptors and distinct transcriptional programs. T cells in this functional state are termed “exhausted” and T cell exhaustion is associated with inefficient control of infections. A remarkably similar scenario has been described for B cells during chronic infections in humans, including malaria, in which case a subpopulation of atypical memory B cells (MBCs) greatly expands and these MBCs show attenuation of B cell receptor signaling, loss of the B cell effector functions of antibody and cytokine production, high expression of inhibitory receptors and distinct transcriptional profiles. The expansion of these MBCs is also associated with inefficient control of infections. Despite the similarities with exhausted T cells we speculate that at least in malaria, atypical MBCs may not be exhausted but rather may be functional, possibly even beneficial. Our recent results suggest that we simply may not have known how to ask an atypical MBC to function. Thus, exhaustion may not be in the human B cell's vocabulary, at least not in malaria.
Individual and synergistic effects of male external genital traits in sexual selection
Authors: Rodriguez‐Exposito Eduardo , Garcia‐Gonzalez Francisco , Polak Michal
Published: September 2019

Male genital traits exhibit extraordinary interspecific phenotypic variation. This remarkable and general evolutionary trend is widely considered to be the result of sexual selection. However, we still do not have a good understanding of whether or how individual genital traits function in different competitive arenas (episodes of sexual selection), or how different genital traits may interact to influence competitive outcomes. Here, we use an experimental approach based on high‐precision laser phenotypic engineering to address these outstanding questions, focusing on three distinct sets of micron‐scale external (nonintromittent) genital spines in maleDrosophila kikkawaiBurla (Diptera: Drosophilidae). Elimination of the large pair of spines on the male secondary claspers sharply reduced male ability to copulate, yet elimination of the other sets of spines on the primary and secondary claspers had no significant effects on copulation probability. Intriguingly, both the large spines on the secondary claspers and the cluster of spines on the primary claspers were found to independently promote male competitive fertilization success. Moreover, when large and small secondary clasper spines were simultaneously shortened in individual males, these males suffered greater reductions in fertilization success relative to males whose traits were altered individually, providing evidence for synergistic effects of external genital traits on fertilization success. Overall, the results are significant in demonstrating that a given genital trait (the large spines on the secondary claspers) can function in different episodes of sexual selection, and distinct genital traits may interact in sexual selection. The results offer an important contribution to evolutionary biology by demonstrating an understudied selective mechanism, operating via subtle trait interactions in a post‐insemination context, by which genital traits may be co‐evolving.
Increased frequency of Demodex blepharitis in rosacea and facial demodicosis patients
Authors: Sarac Gulbahar , Cankaya Cem , Ozcan Kubra Nur , Cenk Hülya , Kapicioglu Yelda Karincaoglu
Published: September 2019

Background

Rosacea is an inflammatory disease with 50% of ocular involvement rate. Primary demodicosis is an eruption caused by Demodex mites, and there is no data about the rate of ocular involvement in primary demodicosis.

Aims

In this cross‐sectional study, it is aimed to reveal the frequency of Demodex blepharitis in rosacea and primary demodicosis patients.

Methods

In total, 58 rosacea, 33 primary demodicosis patients, and 31 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Four samples were obtained from eyelashes with a forceps and from facial skin by standardized skin surface biopsy. A positive result is described as detecting at least one Demodex mite on an eyelash or at five mites in the face. The patients were also examined by an ophthalmologist in terms of ocular involvement.

Results

Both rosacea and primary demodicosis patients had significantly more complaints like burning and stinging in the eyes compared to the control patients (P = .001). Primary demodicosis and papulopustular rosacea patients had the highest numbers of eyelash mites, respectively, and significantly a higher rate of blepharitis than the control group.

Conclusion

As a result, the Demodex count was significantly higher in the primary demodicosis and rosacea patients than the control group. We think that every Demodex‐positive patients should be evaluated for also eyelash mites to prevent a possible chronic blepharitis.