bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards a future-proof climate database for European energy system studies
Authors: Dubus Laurent , Brayshaw David J , Huertas-Hernando Daniel , Radu David , Sharp Justin , Zappa William , Stoop Laurens P
Published: November 2022

In 2013, the European Network of Transmission System Operators (TSOs) for electricity (ENTSO-E) created the Pan-European Climate Database (PECD), a tool that has underpinned most studies conducted by TSOs ever since. So far, the different versions of the PECD have used so-called modern-era ‘reanalysis’ products that represent a gridded amalgamation of historical conditions from observations. However, scientific evidence suggests, and recent European regulation requires, that power system adequacy studies should take climate change into account when estimating the future potential of variable renewable resources, such as wind, solar and hydro, and the impact of temperature on electricity demand. This paper explains the need for future climate data in energy systems studies and provides high-level recommendations for building a future-proof reference climate dataset for TSOs, not just in Europe, but also globally.
Green synthesis of zero-valent iron nanoparticles by Cleistocalyx operculatus leaf extract using microfluidic device for degradation of the Rhodamine B dye
Authors: Van Hoang Nguyen , Nguyen-Thi Le , Kim Gyu Man , Dang Trung-Dung , Ngoc Toan Vu , La Duong Duc
Published: November 2022

Environmental pollution, in particular, the wastewater from the textile and dyeing production process is causing serious issues for the ecosystem and humans. It has been well-demonstrated that zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) are one of the most promising materials in the treatment of environmental pollutants. In this work, theCleistocalyx operculatusleaf extract was employed as a green reductant for the synthesis of the nZVIs nanoparticles from iron ions precursor. Notably, a microfluidic device was also used as micro-reactor for the synthesis process of the nanoparticles, making it easy to control and optimise the morphologies and sizes of nZVI. The morphology and crystallinity of nZVI were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The nZVIs prepared in a microfluidic reactor usingCleistocalyx operculatusleaf extract as reductant were in plate-like structure with the thickness of around 5 nm and the diameter in range of hundred nanometers. The removal efficiency of Rhodamin B (RhB) dye by the prepared nZVI was determined by ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. The results showed that the nZVI revealed high removal performance toward RhB with removal efficiency of higher than 90% after 30 min of treatment. The effects of dye’s concentration, time, and pH solution on the treatment performance of RhB were also studied.
Characterization and wear properties of plasma sprayed Cr3C2 and Stellite coatings on Inconel 625
Authors: S Satheesh Kumar , Meignanamoorthy M , Ravichandran M
Published: November 2022

Steam turbine blades are subjected to wear because of the continuous exposure to high pressure and temperature of the steam. Excessive wear in the blades adversely affects the power generation. Super alloys are commonly used to overcome these issues. Inconel 625 has been considered for analysis in the current work. To further enhance the wear resistance, Cr3C2 and Stellite were added. The wear behavior of Inconel 625 coated with Cr3C2 and Stellite at constant load and various temperatures are investigated. These coatings were deposited on the base metal by using the atmospheric plasma spray coating process. Fabricated sample pieces are characterized by Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Vicker’s microhardness tester. Pin on disc tribometer has been used to study the friction and wear behaviour of the fabricated samples. Impact of the coatings with respect to wear are investigated with the help of SEM and EDAX. At various temperature settings, wear caused by the sliding of Inconel 625 coated with Cr3C2 and Stellite against the EN-8 steel disc are discussed. Temperature variations has affected both the coating’s removal and elemental composition. Stellite at room temperature and Cr3C2 at 400 °C significantly reduced the wear rate of Inconel 625 subjected to 20 N load condition.
Understanding broadsheet newspaper attention to climate change objective facts in South Africa
Authors: Mulaudzi Rendani , Kioko Joseph
Published: November 2022

South Africa is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts and risks of climate change in Africa. News media outlets play an important role in communicating content relating to climate change. Newspaper attention devoted to climate change has been more prolific in the Global North. To understand the portrayal of climate change science in news media in South Africa, this study examined objective facts coverage in three leading broadsheet newspapers between 1996 and 2016. Overall, this study found that newspaper coverage of climate change was at the highest peak in 2011. The findings revealed that attention to objective facts (observed climate trends, climate change impacts, and climate change projections) was not significant over a 20-year period. We found that objective facts generally dominated coverage in 2006 and 2007. Our findings indicate that newspaper attention to objective facts significantly decreased over the years. We also found that climate politics was the most dominant topic in the news articles. This study concludes that there is a considerable disconnect between the print media and objectivity when reporting climate change news stories in South Africa.
On a structure-preserving numerical method for fractional Fokker-Planck equations
Authors: Ayi Nathalie , Herda Maxime , Hivert Hélène , Tristani Isabelle
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we introduce and analyse numerical schemes for the homogeneous and the kinetic Lévy-Fokker-Planck equation. The discretizations are designed to preserve the main features of the continuous model such as conservation of mass, heavy-tailed equilibrium and (hypo)coercivity properties. We perform a thorough analysis of the numerical scheme and show exponential stability and convergence of the scheme. Along the way, we introduce new tools of discrete functional analysis, such as discrete non-local Poincaré and interpolation inequalities adapted to fractional diffusion. Our theoretical findings are illustrated and complemented with numerical simulations.
An Examination of the Longitudinal Relationship Between Cognitive Function and Physical Activity Among Older Breast Cancer Survivors in the Thinking and Living With Cancer Study
Authors: Tometich Danielle B , Mosher Catherine E , Cyders Melissa , McDonald Brenna C , Saykin Andrew J , Small Brent J , Zhai Wanting , Zhou Xingtao , Jim Heather S L , Jacobsen Paul , Ahles Tim A , Root James C , Graham Deena , Patel Sunita K , Mandelblatt Jeanne
Published: November 2022

Background

Older cancer survivors are at risk for cognitive decline. Physical activity can improve cognition, and better cognitive function may facilitate greater physical activity.

Purpose

We examined the potential bidirectional relationship between cognitive function and physical activity in older breast cancer survivors and controls.

Methods

The sample included women with newly diagnosed, nonmetastatic breast cancer (n = 395) and women without cancer (n = 374) ages 60–98. Participants were recruited as part of a larger multisite study, assessed prior to systemic therapy, and followed yearly for 36 months. Attention, processing speed, and executive function was measured using six neuropsychological tests, self-reported cognitive function using the Perceived Cognitive Impairments subscale of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy—Cognitive Function , and physical activity using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Separate random intercepts cross-lagged panel models were used to examine the between- and within-person effects for survivors and controls, controlling for age, education, and study site.

Results

Survivors reported significantly less physical activity than controls at baseline (1,284.92 vs. 2,085.98 MET min/week, p < .05). When survivors reported higher activity, they simultaneously had better objective cognition at 12 months (β = 0.24, p = .04) and reported better perceived cognition at 12 and 24 months (β = 0.25, p = .03), but this relationship was not seen in controls. Cognition did not predict subsequent physical activity or vice versa in either group.

Conclusions

Cognition and physical activity are cross-sectionally associated in survivors, but the expected prospective relationships were not found.
Future-oriented Emotions and Decisions to Receive Genomic Testing Results Among U.S. Adults of African Ancestry
Authors: Gillman Arielle S , Iles Irina A , Klein William M P , Biesecker Barbara B , Lewis Katie L , Biesecker Leslie G , Ferrer Rebecca A
Published: November 2022

Background

Future-oriented emotions are associated with consequential health decision-making, including genomic testing decisions. However, little is known about the relative role of various future-oriented emotions in such decisions. Moreover, most research on predictors of decision making regarding genomic testing is conducted with white participants.

Purpose

This study examined the role of future-oriented emotions in decisions to receive genomic testing results in U.S. individuals of African descent.

Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from a genomic sequencing cohort (N = 408). All participants identified as African, African-American, or Afro-Caribbean (Mage = 56.3, 74.7% female). Participants completed measures assessing anticipatory affect (worry about genetic testing results), anticipated distress (feeling devastated if genetic testing showed an increased risk for fatal disease), and anticipated regret (regretting a decision not to learn results). Outcomes were intentions for learning actionable, nonactionable, and carrier results.

Results

Anticipated regret was robustly positively associated with intentions to receive actionable (b = 0.28, p < .001), nonactionable (b = 0.39, p < .001), and carrier (b = 0.30, p < .001) results. Anticipated distress was negatively associated with intentions to receive nonactionable results only (b = −0.16, p < .01). Anticipatory negative affect (worry) was not associated with intentions. At higher levels of anticipated regret, anticipated distress was less strongly associated with intentions to receive nonactionable results (b = 0.14, p = .02).

Conclusions

Our results highlight the role of future-oriented emotions in genomic testing among participants who are typically underrepresented in genomic testing studies and behavioral medicine broadly. Future work should examine whether interventions targeting future-oriented emotions such as anticipated regret may have clinically meaningful effects in genetic counseling in similar cohorts.
DREAMM: a web-based server for drugging protein-membrane interfaces as a novel workflow for targeted drug design
Authors: Chatzigoulas Alexios , Cournia Zoe
Published: November 2022

The allosteric modulation of peripheral membrane proteins (PMPs) by targeting protein-membrane interactions with drug-like molecules represents a new promising therapeutic strategy for proteins currently considered undruggable. However, the accessibility of protein-membrane interfaces by small molecules has been so far unexplored, possibly due to the complexity of the interface, the limited protein-membrane structural information and the lack of computational workflows to study it. Herein, we present a pipeline for drugging protein-membrane interfaces using the DREAMM (Drugging pRotein mEmbrAne Machine learning Method) web server. DREAMM works in the back end with a fast and robust ensemble machine learning algorithm for identifying protein-membrane interfaces of PMPs. Additionally, DREAMM also identifies binding pockets in the vicinity of the predicted membrane-penetrating amino acids in protein conformational ensembles provided by the user or generated within DREAMM.

Availability and implementation

DREAMM web server is accessible via https://dreamm.ni4os.eu.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Analytical Quality-by-Design-Based Systematic Optimization of RP-HPLC Method Conditions to Analyze Simultaneously Chloroquine Phosphate and Flavopiridol in Stress-Induced Combined Drug Solution and Pharmaceutical Emulsions
Authors: Pawde Datta Maroti , Rahman Syed Nazrin Ruhina , Ponneganti Srikanth , Goswami Abhinab , Borkar Roshan Murlidhar , Shunmugaperumal Tamilvanan
Published: November 2022

A design of experiments (DoE)-driven RP-HPLC method conditions was employed to analyze simultaneously chloroquine (CQ) phosphate and flavopiridol (FLAP) in emulsions and solution. After subjecting the various critical method attributes to preliminary risk assessment and screening by Pareto-chart-based fractional factorial design, the 17 runs were produced in Box–Behnken design for optimization. Analysis of variance, lack of fit, prediction equations, 3D response surface plots and contour plots were used to evaluate the critical analytical attributes such as retention time, tailing factor and theoretical plate count. The optimized RP-HPLC method conditions include 262 nm as detection wavelength, 37°C temperature for column, 20-μl injection volume, 1-ml/min flow rate and mobile phase mixture [70:30 ratio of 0.4% triethylamine in methanol&sodium phosphate buffer (11 mM, pH 3.0)]. The studied validation parameters were found within the ICH–prescribed limits. Exposing the combined drug solution at oxidative stress condition resulted to diminish the FLAP recovery value (53.39 ± 0.86) and arrival of an extra chromatographic peak. However, the % drug entrapment efficiency values of 96.22 ± 2.47 and 85.86 ± 3.66, respectively, were noticed for CQ phosphate and FLAP in emulsions. Thus, DoE-driven approach could be helpful for systematically optimizing RP-HPLC method conditions.
Improved assembly and annotation of the sesame genome
Authors: Wang Mingcheng , Huang Jianwei , Liu Song , Liu Xiaofeng , Li Rui , Luo Junjia , Fu Zhixi
Published: November 2022

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop that produces abundant seed oil and has a pleasant flavor and high nutritional value. To date, several Illumina-based genome assemblies corresponding to different sesame genotypes have been published and widely used in genetic and genomic studies of sesame. However, these assemblies consistently showed low continuity with numerous gaps. Here, we reported a high-quality, reference-level sesame genome assembly by integrating PacBio high-fidelity sequencing and Hi-C technology. Our updated sesame assembly was 309.35 Mb in size with a high chromosome anchoring rate (97.54%) and contig N50 size (13.48 Mb), which were better than previously published genomes. We identified 163.38 Mb repetitive elements and 24,345 high-confidence protein-coding genes in the updated sesame assembly. Comparative genomic analysis showed that sesame shared an ancient whole-genome duplication event with two Lamiales species. A total of 2,782 genes were tandemly duplicated. We also identified several genes that were likely involved in fatty acid and triacylglycerol biosynthesis. Our improved sesame assembly and annotation will facilitate future genetic studies and genomics-assisted breeding of sesame.
Soluble ST2 in plasma is associated with post-procedural no-or-slow reflow after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Søndergaard Frederik T , Beske Rasmus P , Frydland Martin , Møller Jacob Eifer , Helgestad Ole K L , Jensen Lisette Okkels , Holmvang Lene , Goetze Jens P , Engstrøm Thomas , Hassager Christian
Published: November 2022

Aim

The no-or-slow-reflow phenomenon after primary percutaneous coronary intervention is associated with more extensive myocardial injury in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Soluble suppression of tumourigenicity 2 (sST2) is released in acute myocardial response to injury, and an increase in plasma level in the initial phase of STEMI is associated with increased mortality and risk of heart failure. We have therefore explored the association of pre-intervention plasma sST2 with the post-procedural no-or-slow-reflow phenomenon in patients with STEMI.

Methods and results

We included consecutive patients with verified STEMI from two tertiary heart centres. Blood samples were collected at admission before angiography. Post-procedural coronary flow was assessed according to thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) classification for STEMI. Patients were divided into two groups: post-procedural TIMI 0–2 as no-or-slow reflow and TIMI 3 as normal reflow. The association between sST2 and TIMI flow was explored using multiple logistic regression. A total of 1607 patients with available TIMI flow classification were included in the analysis. Normal reflow was seen in 1520 (94.6%), while 87 (5.4%) had no-or-slow reflow. No-or-slow-reflow patients had higher all-cause 30-day mortality [10 (11%) vs. 65 (4.3%), P = 0.006]. Pre-procedural sST2 was higher in the no-or-slow-flow group [47 ng/mL, interquartile range (IQR, 33–83) vs. 39 ng/mL (IQR 29–55), P < 0.001] and was independently associated with post-procedural no-or-slow flow [two-fold sST2 increase: odds ratio 1.44 (1.15–1.78), P = 0.0012].

Conclusion

In patients with STEMI, the sST2 level at admission before coronary angiography is independently associated with the post-procedural no-or-slow-reflow phenomenon.
A giant and double-walled left atrial ball thrombus complicating a mitral stenosis: case report—a truck tire into the heart
Authors: Selimi Adelina , Ianni Umberto , Molisana Michela , Parato Vito Maurizio
Published: November 2022

Background

High thromboembolic risk associated with rheumatic mitral stenosis has been well established, especially in concomitant atrial fibrillation; however, the presence of left atrium ball thrombus is an uncommon finding.

Case Summary

A 75-year-old woman with a history of mild rheumatic mitral stenosis was admitted to Emergency Department with cardiogenic shock and high ventricular rate atrial fibrillation. Emergency electrical cardioversion was performed—before trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE)—due to haemodynamic deterioration which restored sinus rhythm.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed severe reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF: 15%), severe rheumatic mitral stenosis and a large, perfectly rounded mass, situated at the ostium of left upper pulmonary vein. Due to the persistence of haemodynamic instability and acute pulmonary oedema the patient was intubated and mechanically ventilated and treated with intravenous administration of inotropes and high doses of diuretics. During the stay in Intensive Care Unit, a TOE confirmed a spherical and double-walled mass suggesting a working diagnosis of left atrial ball thrombus (LABT). The case was discussed in Heart Team and considering the poor haemodynamic status in the contest of refractory cardiogenic shock with evidence of multi-organ failure, emergency surgical thrombectomy and mitral valve replacement was deemed prohibitive. Patient developed cardiac arrest and emergency TTE showed left atrial mass engaged into the mitral valve totally obstructing the left ventricle inflow tract. The autopsy and histologic examination confirmed the thrombotic nature of the mass.

Discussion

A free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium is an unusual occurrence in rheumatic mitral stenosis and it may cause fatal systemic embolization or acute left ventricular inflow obstruction, resulting in syncope, pulmonary congestion, and sudden cardiac death. When possible, emergency surgical thrombectomy and mitral valve replacement can be life-saving.
Prevalence and risk factors of cardiac thrombus prior to ventricular tachycardia catheter ablation in structural heart disease
Authors: Bonnin Thomas , Roumegou Pierre , Sridi Soumaya , Mahida Saagar , Bustin Aurélien , Duchateau Josselin , Tixier Romain , Derval Nicolas , Pambrun Thomas , Chniti Ghassen , Takagi Takamitsu , Kamakura Tsukasa , Krisai Philipp , Andre Clementine , Chauvel Rémi , Hocini Meleze , Haissaguerre Michel , Jais Pierre , Cochet Hubert , Sacher Frederic
Published: November 2022

Aims

Assess prevalence, risk factors, and management of patients with intra-cardiac thrombus referred for scar-related ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation.

Methods and results

Consecutive VT ablation referrals between January 2015 and December 2019 were reviewed (n = 618). Patients referred for de novo, scar-related VT ablation who underwent pre-procedure cardiac computed tomography (cCT) were included. We included 401 patients [61 ± 14 years; 364 male; left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 40 ± 13%]; 45 patients (11%) had cardiac thrombi on cCT at 49 sites [29 LV; eight left atrial appendage (LAA); eight right ventricle (RV); four right atrial appendage]. Nine patients had pulmonary emboli. Overall predictors of cardiac thrombus included LV aneurysm [odds ratio (OR): 6.6, 95%, confidence interval (CI): 3.1–14.3], LVEF < 40% (OR: 3.3, CI: 1.5–7.3), altered RV ejection fraction (OR: 2.3, CI: 1.1–4.6), and electrical storm (OR: 2.9, CI: 1.4–6.1). Thrombus location-specific analysis identified LV aneurysm (OR: 10.9, CI: 4.3–27.7) and LVEF < 40% (OR: 9.6, CI: 2.6–35.8) as predictors of LV thrombus and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (OR: 10.6, CI: 1.2–98.4) as a predictor for RV thrombus. Left atrial appendage thrombi exclusively occurred in patients with atrial fibrillation. Ventricular tachycardia ablation was finally performed in 363 including 7 (16%) patients with thrombus but refractory electrical storm. These seven patients had tailored ablation with no embolic complications. Only one (0.3%) ablation-related embolic event occurred in the entire cohort.

Conclusion

Cardiac thrombus can be identified in 11% of patients referred for scar-related VT ablation. These findings underscore the importance of systematic thrombus screening to minimize embolic risk.
The Ruling Group Survival: Why Pakistan and Hungary Move Away from the US-led Order?
Authors: Balcı Ali , Yolcu Furkan Halit
Published: November 2022

Why do some smaller states signal to move away from the US-led liberal order? We look at the ruling group survival in smaller allies to answer this pressing puzzle. Despite accepting the merit of systemic explanations, we simply argue that the ruling groups in smaller states engage with revisionist powers in the international system to sustain and enhance their privileged positions in the domestic policy setting. Hungary, a NATO member, and Pakistan, a traditional ally of the United States, have long been showing signs of shifting toward the China/Russia axis. We explain the behavior of Hungary and Pakistan during the 2010s by focusing on the survival strategies of key ruling groups in those countries. We simply argue that relations of competing great powers with the ruling group in smaller states determine the fate of asymmetric alliance.
To Tell or Not: Chinese Older Adults’ Preferences for Disclosing or Concealing Serious Illness Diagnoses
Authors: Lou Yifan , Liu Jinyu , Carr Deborah
Published: November 2022

Background and Objectives

Knowledge of one’s medical diagnosis is critical for end-of-life decision making. However, a patient’s right to know their diagnosis is neither guaranteed nor protected by law in China. Doctors typically inform family members of the patient’s illness diagnosis and prognosis and let the family decide whether to disclose this information to the patient. This study examines midlife and older Chinese adults’ preferences for disclosure of their own and significant others’ diagnoses, and the sociodemographic, economic, and cultural factors associated with these preferences.

Research Design and Methods

We surveyed 571 adults ages 50+ in Shanghai from 2021 to 2022. Our outcome measures are preferences for diagnosis disclosures, including whether and to whom diagnoses should be disclosed. We characterize preference types using latent class analysis, and estimate multinomial logistic regression to identify the covariates associated with each preference type.

Results

Three latent classes were identified. The transparent group (34%) believed patients, whether self or a significant other, should be informed of their own diagnoses. The contradictory group (50%) held conflicting attitudes; they preferred to know their own diagnosis but preferred that significant others not be informed of their diagnoses. The avoidant group (16%) preferred not to know their own diagnosis and similarly preferred not to disclose significant others’ diagnoses to them. Familism attitudes were positively associated with holding contradictory views. Experiences with hospitalization and medical decision making for family members were associated with holding transparent views.

Discussion and Implications

We discuss the importance of illness disclosure for honoring patients’ autonomous decision making.
Parametric spectral inversion of seismic source, path and site parameters: application to northeast Italy
Authors: Cataldi Laura , Poggi Valerio , Costa Giovanni , Parolai Stefano , Edwards Benjamin
Published: November 2022

Strong ground motion prediction is a fundamental topic in the field of engineering seismology, as it provides the input for seismic hazard studies as well as for vulnerability and risk assessment. The spectral modelling approach can provide a realistic representation of ground motion behaviour, possibly including its frequency variability, as the full ground motion spectrum is modelled analytically. In its parametric form, this approach requires a careful calibration of the model, starting from empirical observations and fitting the source, path and the site-specific response assuming a predefined physically constrained functional form. This study explores the use of spectral modelling for a study area in northeast Italy, at the border with Slovenia and Austria. It is based on the parametrization of seismic source and attenuation effects, and it also allows to estimate site effects, as a by-product. The main innovation with respect to standard spectral modelling is the inclusion of dedicated uncertainty estimators in the functional form. Parametric inversion of source and path attenuation is performed on a data set corresponding to 23 events recorded by 24 stations located within the target area. The modular inversion setup allows to properly include a priori constraints in the mathematical solution to reduce trade-off between variables. Spectral amplification at each site is defined with respect to the network average rock condition, and its frequency-dependent component is estimated from residual analysis after the inversion. Inverted source parameters are comparable with reference values for the region available from literature (with seismic moments between ${10}^{13}$ and ${10}^{15}$ N·m, and related stress drop values in the range $1.5 - 15.5\ {\rm{MPa}}$); the same is also true for average attenuation properties (e.g. apparent frequency-independent attenuation quality factor ${Q}_0$ of $1145$). For a selection of stations with available characterization based on different methods, a preliminary comparison of site-specific response functions shows that both the frequency value and amplitude of the main amplification peaks are well recovered. These encouraging results open to the possibility of subsequently using the calibrated model for forward modelling purposes.
A splice site mutation in theFvePHPgene is associated with leaf development and flowering time in woodland strawberry
Authors: Wang Baotian , Li Weijia , Xu Kexin , Lei Yingying , Zhao Di , Li Xue , Zhang Junxiang , Zhang Zhihong
Published: November 2022

Leaves and flowers are crucial for the growth and development of higher plants. In this study we identified a mutant with narrow leaflets and early flowering (nlef) in an ethyl methanesulfonate-mutagenized population of woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and aimed to identify the candidate gene. Genetic analysis revealed that a single recessive gene, nlef, controlled the mutant phenotype. We found that FvH4_1g25470, which encodes a putative DNA polymerase α with a polymerase and histidinol phosphatase domain (PHP), might be the candidate gene, using bulked segregant analysis with whole-genome sequencing, molecular markers, and cloning analyses. A splice donor site mutation (C to T) at the 5′ end of the second intron led to an erroneous splice event that reduced the expression level of the full-length transcript of FvePHP in mutant plants. FvePHP was localized in the nucleus and was highly expressed in leaves. Silencing of FvePHP using the virus-induced gene silencing method resulted in partial developmental defects in strawberry leaves. Overexpression of the FvePHP gene can largely restore the mutant phenotype. The expression levels of FveSEP1, FveSEP3, FveAP1, FveFUL, and FveFT were higher in the mutants than those in ‘Yellow Wonder’ plants, probably contributing to the early flowering phenotype in mutant plants. Our results indicate that mutation in FvePHP is associated with multiple developmental pathways. These results aid in understanding the role of DNA polymerase in strawberry development.
Molecular and Functional Characterization of Human Intestinal Organoids and Monolayers for Modeling Epithelial Barrier
Authors: Jelinsky Scott A , Derksen Merel , Bauman Eric , Verissimo Carla S , van Dooremalen Wies T M , Roos Jamie Lee , Higuera Barón Celia , Caballero-Franco Celia , Johnson Bryce G , Rooks Michelle G , Pott Johanna , Oldenburg Bas , Vries Robert G J , Boj Sylvia F , Kasaian Marion T , Pourfarzad Farzin , Rosadini Charles V
Published: November 2022

Background

Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models offer potential to transform drug discovery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but are limited by inconsistencies with differentiation and functional characterization. We profiled molecular and cellular features across a range of intestinal organoid models and examined differentiation and establishment of a functional epithelial barrier.

Methods

Patient-derived organoids or monolayers were generated from control or IBD patient–derived colon or ileum and were molecularly or functionally profiled. Biological or technical replicates were examined for transcriptional responses under conditions of expansion or differentiation. Cell-type composition was determined by deconvolution of cell-associated gene signatures and histological features. Differentiated control or IBD-derived monolayers were examined for establishment of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), loss of barrier integrity in response to a cocktail of interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and prevention of cytokine-induced barrier disruption by the JAK inhibitor, tofacitinib.

Results

In response to differentiation media, intestinal organoids and monolayers displayed gene expression patterns consistent with maturation of epithelial cell types found in the human gut. Upon differentiation, both colon- and ileum-derived monolayers formed functional barriers, with sustained TEER. Barrier integrity was compromised by inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and TNF-α, and damage was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by tofacitinib.

Conclusions

We describe the generation and characterization of human colonic or ileal organoid models capable of functional differentiation to mature epithelial cell types. In monolayer culture, these cells formed a robust epithelial barrier with sustained TEER and responses to pharmacological modulation. Our findings demonstrate that control and IBD patient-derived organoids possess consistent transcriptional and functional profiles that can enable development of epithelial-targeted therapies.
Optimising database searching in pharmacy education
Authors: Hope Denise L , Grant Gary D , Rogers Gary D , King Michelle A
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To determine the effectiveness of databases in a pharmacy education literature search.

Methods

Six databases (CINAHL, ERIC, Google Scholar, Ovid MEDLINE, Science Direct and Scopus) were compared for effectiveness in identifying pharmacy education literature. Articles were coded for database of retrieval and results cross-referenced. Sensitivity, precision and number of unique retrievals were calculated.

Key findings

Scopus yielded the highest sensitivity (65%) and precision (47%). The combination of three databases (Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar) identified 97% (n = 64) of 66 relevant articles.

Conclusions

Pharmacy education literature searches require more than one database, ideally Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar.
Subspecific Synonym ofMonochamus alternatus(Coleoptera: Cerambycidae): Population Genetics and Morphological Reassessment
Authors: Lee Seunghyun , Oh Dae-Ju , Lee Seunghwan , Chung Sang bae , Dong-soon Kim
Published: November 2022

Monochamus alternatus Hope, 1842, is a major forest pest that hosts the pathogenic pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner and Buhrer, 1934) Nickle 1970. Taxonomically, M. alternatus is currently divided into two subspecies, based on morphology and geography: Monochamus alternatus alternatus Hope, 1842 in China, Taiwan, Tibet, Vietnam, and Laos and Monochamus alternatus endai Makihara, 2004 in South Korea and Japan. Despite their economic importance, the subspecies taxonomy of M. alternatus has never been tested after the first description. In this study, we aimed to reassess the subspecies taxonomy of M. alternatus using molecular and morphological data. For morphological analysis, we examined three major morphological characters (pronotal longitudinal band, granulation on humeri, and elytral proximomedial spine) from 191 individuals from China, Korea, and Taiwan. Population genetic structures were examined using 85 de novo sequences and 82 public COI sequences from China, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and a few intercepted specimens from the United States. All the genetic data were aligned as three different multiple sequence alignments. Individuals from each subspecies were morphologically and genetically scattered, not clustered according to subspecies in any of the analyses. Therefore, a new synonymy is proposed: Monochamus alternatus Hope, 1842 = Monochamus alternatus endai, syn. n. This study suggests a more robust classification of M. alternatus for the first time and ultimately will pose a substantial impact on implementing quarantine or forestry policies.
A Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) Assay to Detect Phthorimaea absoluta (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Bulk Trap Samples
Authors: Zink Frida A , Tembrock Luke R , Timm Alicia E , Gilligan Todd M
Published: November 2022

The moth species Phthorimaea absoluta (Meyrick) (formerly Tuta absoluta) is serious threat to tomato and other Solanaceous crops worldwide and is invasive throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. While P. absoluta has not yet been found in the U.S. recent detections in the Caribbean have raised concerns that the species could be introduced to mainland North America. To improve detection capacity, a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was developed that employs a nondestructive bulk DNA extraction method able to detect one P. absoluta sample among 200 nontargets. Such high-throughput and sensitive molecular assays are essential to preventing introductions through early detection and response. This assay can also be used in areas where P. absoluta is established to monitor outbreaks and track migratory patterns.
Sublethal Effects of Thiamethoxam on Biological Traits and Detoxification Enzyme Activities in the Small Brown Planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén)
Authors: Cai Yubiao , Dou Tao , Gao Futao , Wang Guanghua , Dong Yachang , Song Nan , An Shiheng , Yin Xinming , Liu Xiangyang , Ren Yingdang
Published: November 2022

The small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén), Hemiptera: Delphacidae), is an important agricultural pest of rice, and neonicotinoid insecticides are commonly used for controlling L. striatellus. However, the sublethal effects of thiamethoxam on L. striatellus remain relatively unknown. In this study, an age-stage life table procedure was used to evaluate the sublethal effects of thiamethoxam on the biological parameters of L. striatellus. Additionally, activities of carboxylesterase, glutathione S-transferase, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase in the third instar nymphs were analyzed. The results indicated that the survival time of F0 adults and the fecundity of female adults decreased significantly after the third instar nymphs were treated with sublethal concentrations of thiamethoxam (LC15 0.428 mg/liter and LC30 0.820 mg/liter). The developmental duration, adult preoviposition period, total preoviposition period, and mean generation time of the F1 generation increased significantly, whereas the fecundity of the female adults, intrinsic rate of increase (ri), and finite rate of increase (λ) decreased significantly. The oviposition period was significantly shorter for the insects treated with LC30 than for the control insects. Neither sublethal concentrations had significant effects on the adult longevity, net reproduction rate (R0), or gross reproduction rate (GRR) of the F1 generation. The activities of carboxylesterase, glutathione-S-transferase, and cytochrome P450 monooxygenase increased significantly after the thiamethoxam treatments. These results indicate that sublethal concentrations of thiamethoxam can inhibit L. striatellus population growth and enhance detoxification enzyme activities.
The Dynamic Impact of Exporting on Firm R&D Investment
Authors: Maican Florin G , Orth Matilda , Roberts Mark J , Vuong Van Anh
Published: November 2022

This article estimates a dynamic structural model of firm R&D investment in twelve Swedish manufacturing industries and uses it to measure rates of return to R&D and to simulate the impact of trade restrictions on the investment incentives. Export market profits are a substantial source of the expected return to R&D. R&D spending is found to have a larger impact on firm productivity in the export market than in the domestic market. Counterfactual simulations show that trade restrictions lower both the expected return to R&D and R&D investment level, thus reducing an important source of the dynamic gains from trade. A 10% tariff on Swedish exports reduces the expected benefits of R&D for the median firm by 18.6% and lowers the amount of R&D spending by 7.6% in the high-tech industries. The corresponding reductions in the low-tech industries are 20.6% and 5.5%, respectively. R&D adjustments in response to export tariffs mainly occur on the intensive, rather than the extensive, margin.
Impact of Envenomation With Snake Venoms on Rabbit Carcass Decomposition and Differential Adult Dipteran Succession Patterns
Authors: Khalil Abdelwahab , Zidan Mahmoud. M M , Alajmi Reem , Ahmed Ashraf M
Published: November 2022

The current study investigates the postmortem successional patterns of necrophagous dipteran insects and the rabbit carcass decomposition rate upon envenomation with snake venom. In total, 15 rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus L. (Lagomorpha, Leporidae), were divided into 3 groups (5 rabbits each; n = 5); the first and second groups were injected with lethal doses of venoms from the Egyptian cobra, Naja haje L. (Squamata, Elapidae), and the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes L. (Squamata, viperidae), respectively. The third group (control) was injected with 0.85% physiological saline and euthanized with CO2. The carcass decomposition stages: fresh, bloating, decay, and dry were recorded and monitored. Data revealed that envenomation shortened the decomposition process by 3 d, 20% shorter than the control. The overall succession pattern of fly species revealed a lower abundance during the fresh stage, which peaked during the decay stage, and declined to the minimum number in the dry stage at the end of the 15-d experimental duration. A total of 2,488 individual flies, belonging to 21 species of 10 families, were collected from all experimental carcasses. The Calliphoridae, Muscidae, and Sarcophagidae were the most abundant and diverse families, whereas the other seven families were rare and least abundant. Although C. cerastes venom was significantly less lethal than N. haje, it showed a faster carcass decomposition process and a higher impact on fly abundance. These data showed that envenomation impacts insect succession and carcass decomposition, which should be taken into account when using insects in forensic investigations since envenomation with snake venoms is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
The orbital evolution of Atira asteroids
Authors: Lai H T , Ip W H
Published: November 2022

Asteroids having perihelion distance q < 1.3 AU are classified as near-Earth objects (NEOs), which are divided into different sub-groups: Vatira-class, Atira-class, Aten-class, Apollo-class, and Amor-class. 2020 AV2, the first Vatira (Orbiting totally inside Venus’ orbit) was discovered by the Twilight project of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) on 2020 January 4. Upon the discovery of 2020 AV2, a couple of orbital studies of the short-term orbital evolution of 2020 AV2 have been performed and published (e.g. de la Fuente Marcos & de la Fuente Marcos 2020; Greenstreet 2020). In this work, we performed an assessment of the long-term orbital evolution of known near-Earth objects and known Atiras under the Yarkovsky effect by using the Mercury6 N-body code. We considered not only planetary gravitational perturbation but also the non-gravitational Yarkovsky effect. Our calculation shows that the NEOs have generally two dynamical populations, one short-lived and the other long-lived. From our calculation, the transfer probabilities of Atira-class asteroids to Vatira-class asteroids for the first transition are ∼13.1 ± 0.400, ∼13.05 ± 0.005, and ∼13.25 ± 0.450 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for different values of the Yarkovsky force (i.e. obliquity of 0, 90, and 180 deg), respectively. It suggests that the radiation force may play some role in the long-term evolution of this asteroid population. Finally, our statistical study implicates that there should be 8.14 ± 0.133 Atira-class asteroids and 1.05 ± 0.075 Vatira-asteroids of the S-type taxonomy.
The main sequence of star-forming galaxies across cosmic times
Authors: Popesso P , Concas A , Cresci G , Belli S , Rodighiero G , Inami H , Dickinson M , Ilbert O , Pannella M , Elbaz D
Published: November 2022

By compiling a comprehensive census of literature studies, we investigate the evolution of the main sequence (MS) of star-forming galaxies (SFGs) in the widest range of redshift (0 < z < 6) and stellar mass (108.5–1011.5 M⊙) ever probed. We convert all observations to a common calibration and find a remarkable consensus on the variation of the MS shape and normalization across cosmic time. The relation exhibits a curvature towards the high stellar masses at all redshifts. The best functional form is governed by two parameters: the evolution of the normalization and the turnover mass (M0(t)), which both evolve as a power law of the Universe age. The turn-over mass determines the MS shape. It marginally evolves with time, making the MS slightly steeper towards z ∼ 4–6. At stellar masses below M0(t), SFGs have a constant specific SFR (sSFR), while above M0(t) the sSFR is suppressed. We find that the MS is dominated by central galaxies. This allows to turn M0(t) into the corresponding host halo mass. This evolves as the halo mass threshold between cold and hot accretion regimes, as predicted by the theory of accretion, where the central galaxy is fed or starved of cold gas supply, respectively. We, thus, argue that the progressive MS bending as a function of the Universe age is caused by the lower availability of cold gas in haloes entering the hot accretion phase, in addition to black hole feedback. We also find qualitatively the same trend in the largest sample of star-forming galaxies provided by the IllustrisTNG simulation. Nevertheless, we still note large quantitative discrepancies with respect to observations, in particular at the high-mass end. These can not be easily ascribed to biases or systematics in the observed SFRs and the derived MS.
Mapping the kinematic parameters of the Galaxy from the Gaia EDR3 red giants and sub-giants
Authors: Fedorov P N , Akhmetov V S , Velichko A B , Dmytrenko A M , Denyshchenko S I
Published: November 2022

We present the results of a kinematic analysis of red giants and sub-giants whose centroids are in the plane of our Galaxy. For this, the positions, parallaxes, proper motions, and radial velocities of these stars from the Gaia EDR3 catalogue were used. We applied two approaches to obtain kinematic parameters. The first approach – solving the equations of the Ogorodnikov–Milne model with respect to 12 unknowns – is generally accepted, but has a number of disadvantages. The second approach applied by us is to find the Galactocentric centroid velocity components and their partial derivatives with respect to coordinates from the solution of formal equations for the scalar stellar velocity field. To calculate the kinematic parameters by the methods mentioned above, same stellar samples were used. From these samples spherical regions with a radius of 1 kpc were selected, the centers of which were located strictly in the Galactic mid-plane at the nodes of the coordinate grid (xgal, ygal) of a rectangular Galactocentric coordinate system with step 100 pc. The investigated region of the Galaxy is located approximately in coordinate ranges 120° < θ < 240°, 0 kpc <R < 16 kpc, –1 kpc <z <1 kpc. We show the behaviour of kinematic parameters depending on the Galactocentric coordinates. The kinematic parameters as a function of Galactic coordinates were derived for the first time. Also, for the first time, the parameters ∂VR/∂θ and ∂Vθ/∂θ were derived.
A sparse regression approach for populating dark matter haloes and subhaloes with galaxies
Authors: Icaza-Lizaola M , Bower Richard G , Norberg Peder , Cole Shaun , Schaller Matthieu
Published: November 2022

We use sparse regression methods (SRMs) to build accurate and explainable models that predict the stellar mass of central and satellite galaxies as a function of properties of their host dark matter haloes. SRMs are machine learning algorithms that provide a framework for modelling the governing equations of a system from data. In contrast with other machine learning algorithms, the solutions of SRM methods are simple and depend on a relatively small set of adjustable parameters. We collect data from 35 459 galaxies from the EAGLE simulation using 19 redshift slices between z = 0 and z = 4 to parametrize the mass evolution of the host haloes. Using an appropriate formulation of input parameters, our methodology can model satellite and central haloes using a single predictive model that achieves the same accuracy as when predicted separately. This allows us to remove the somewhat arbitrary distinction between those two galaxy types and model them based only on their halo growth history. Our models can accurately reproduce the total galaxy stellar mass function and the stellar mass-dependent galaxy correlation functions (ξ(r)) of EAGLE. We show that our SRM model predictions of ξ(r) is competitive with those from subhalo abundance matching and might be comparable to results from extremely randomized trees. We suggest SRM as an encouraging approach for populating the haloes of dark matter only simulations with galaxies and for generating mock catalogues that can be used to explore galaxy evolution or analyse forthcoming large-scale structure surveys.