bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Character displacement drives trait divergence in a continental fauna
Authors: Anderson Sean A. S. , Weir Jason T.
Published: May 2021

Significance

A foundational concept in evolutionary ecology is that resource competition and other costly interactions drive trait divergence between closely related species—a process known as “character displacement.” Consistent with this hypothesis is the observation that trait disparity is generally greater between co-occurring (sympatric) versus nonoverlapping lineage pairs. However, it is challenging to determine whether this disparity is the consequence of, or prerequisite for, the establishment of sympatry. Here, we develop statistical models that allow us to distinguish support for these alternatives and find that character displacement drives bill shape divergence in pairs of New World terrestrial birds. Our results support the classic hypothesis of character displacement as a powerful and important driver of trait evolution in nature.
Low nitrogen conditions accelerate flowering by modulating the phosphorylation state of FLOWERING BHLH 4 in
Arabidopsis
Authors: Sanagi Miho , Aoyama Shoki , Kubo Akio , Lu Yu , Sato Yasutake , Ito Shogo , Abe Mitsutomo , Mitsuda Nobutaka , Ohme-Takagi Masaru , Kiba Takatoshi , Nakagami Hirofumi , Rolland Filip , Yamaguchi Junji , Imaizumi Takato , Sato Takeo
Published: May 2021

Significance

Nitrogen availability has a large impact on plant biomass and crop production. Both depletion and excessive application of nitrogen affect crop yields and quality and disturb important ecosystems. Thus, understanding the mechanisms by which nitrogen regulates developmental transitions affecting reproduction, such as flowering, is important to sustainably improve crop yields. Our study identified FBH4 as a key transcription factor mediating nitrogen-responsive flowering in
Arabidopsis
. Nitrogen levels control the FBH4 phosphorylation state that modulates transcriptional activity as a molecular switch to induce flowering. The cellular fuel sensor SnRK1 catalyzes FBH4 phosphorylation and negatively regulates florigen levels in high nitrogen conditions. These findings will enable new molecular breeding strategies to achieve better crop yields through optimized flowering time under different nitrogen conditions.
Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. medicaginis (Fusarium wilt of alfalfa).
Authors: Samac Deborah A.
Published: May 2021

Fusarium oxysporum is a common soil inhabitant around the world. It is regarded as a species complex that includes non-pathogenic, plant pathogenic, and human pathogenic strains. The plant pathogens cause wilt diseases on most crop plants. F. oxysporum f.sp. medicaginis causes a fatal wilt disease on Medicago sativa, M. truncatula, and Vicia sativa. It is found throughout the USA and in Alberta, Canada. The limited reports of Fusarium wilt of alfalfa outside of these areas suggests that the pathogen is native to North America. The pathogen is potentially invasive through movement of infested soil; it is not seedborne. Infected alfalfa plants usually die several months after infection and can lead to significant stand and yield losses. Nearly all modern commercial cultivars are highly resistant or resistant to Fusarium wilt. F. oxysporum f.sp. medicaginis is not on an alert list nor is it a regulated pathogen.
Non-relativistic geometry and the equivalence principle
Authors: Kapustin Anton , Touraev Marc
Published: May 2021

We describe a geometric and symmetry-based formulation of the equivalence principle in non-relativistic physics. It applies both on the classical and quantum levels and states that the Newtonian potential can be eliminated in favor of a curved and time-dependent spatial metric. It is this requirement that forces the gravitational mass to be equal to the inertial mass. We identify the symmetry responsible for the equivalence principle as the remnant of time-reparameterization symmetry of the relativistic theory. We also clarify the transformation properties of the Schrödinger wave-function under arbitrary frame changes.
Atomic layer deposited nanolaminates of zirconium oxide and manganese oxide from manganese(III)acetylacetonate and ozone
Authors: Kalam Kristjan , Rammula Raul , Ritslaid Peeter , Käämbre Tanel , Link Joosep , Stern Raivo , Vinuesa Guillermo , Dueñas Salvador , Castán Helena , Tamm Aile , Kukli Kaupo
Published: May 2021

Atomic layer deposition method was used to grow thin films consisting of ZrO2 and MnO
x
layers. Magnetic and electric properties were studied of films deposited at 300 °C. Some deposition characteristics of the manganese(III)acetylacetonate and ozone process were investigated, such as the dependence of growth rate on the deposition temperature and film crystallinity. All films were partly crystalline in their as-deposited state. Zirconium oxide contained cubic and tetragonal phases of ZrO2, while the manganese oxide was shown to consist of cubic Mn2O3 and tetragonal Mn3O4 phases. All the films exhibited nonlinear saturative magnetization with hysteresis, as well as resistive switching characteristics.
Corrigendum: Generation of high-quality GeV-class electron beams utilizing attosecond ionization injection (2021 New J. Phys.
23 043016)
Authors: Lécz Zsolt , Andreev Alexander , Kamperidis C , Hafz Nasr
Published: May 2021

Acceleration of electrons in laser-driven plasma wakefields has been extended up to the ∼8 GeV energy within a distance of tens of centimeters. However, in applications, requiring small energy spread within the electron bunch, only a small portion of the bunch can be used and often the low-energy electrons represent undesired background in the spectrum. We present a compact and tunable scheme providing clean and mono-energetic electron bunches with less than one percent energy spread and with central energy on the GeV level. It is a two-step process consisting of ionization injection with attosecond pulses and acceleration in a capillary plasma wave-guide. Semi-analytical theory and particle-in-cell simulations are used to accurately model the injection and acceleration steps.
Primordial non-Gaussianity from biased tracers: likelihood analysis of real-space power spectrum and bispectrum
Authors: Moradinezhad Dizgah Azadeh , Biagetti Matteo , Sefusatti Emiliano , Desjacques Vincent , Noreña Jorge
Published: May 2021

Upcoming galaxy redshift surveys promise to significantly improve current limits on primordial non-Gaussianity (PNG) through measurements of 2- and 3-point correlation functions in Fourier space. However, realizing the full potential of this dataset is contingent upon having both accurate theoretical models and optimized analysis methods. Focusing on the local model of PNG, parameterized by f
NL, we perform a Monte-Carlo Markov Chain analysis to confront perturbation theory predictions of the halo power spectrum and bispectrum in real space against a suite of N-body simulations. We model the halo bispectrum at tree-level, including all contributions linear and quadratic in f
NL, and the halo power spectrum at 1-loop, including tree-level terms up to quadratic order in f
NL, and all loops induced by local PNG linear in f
NL. Keeping the cosmological parameters fixed, we examine the effect of informative priors on the linear non-Gaussian bias parameter on the statistical inference of f
NL. A conservative analysis of the combined power spectrum and bispectrum, in which only loose priors are imposed and all parameters are marginalized over, can improve the constraint on by more than a factor of 5 relative to the power spectrum-only measurement. Imposing a strong prior on b
ϕ, or assuming bias relations for both b
ϕ and b
ϕδ (motivated by a universal mass function assumption), improves the constraints further by a factor of few. In this case, however, we find a significant systematic shift in the inferred value of f
NL if the same range of wavenumber is used. Likewise, a Poisson noise assumption can lead to significant systematics, and it is thus essential to leave all the stochastic amplitudes free.
Joint strategic energy and river basin planning to reduce dam impacts on rivers in Myanmar
Authors: Schmitt Rafael J P , Kittner Noah , Kondolf G Mathias , Kammen Daniel M
Published: May 2021

Tackling climate change and human development challenges will require major global investments in renewable energy systems, including possibly into large hydropower. Despite well-known impacts of hydropower dams, most renewable energy assessments neither account for externalities of hydropower nor evaluate possible strategic alternatives. Here we demonstrate how integrating energy systems modeling and strategic hydropower planning can resolve conflicts between renewable energy and dam impacts on rivers. We apply these tools to Myanmar, whose rivers are the last free-flowing rivers of Asia, and where business-as-usual (BAU) plans call for up to 40 GW of new hydropower. We present alternative energy futures that rely more on scalable wind and solar, and less on hydropower (6.7–10.3 GW) than the BAU. Reduced reliance on hydropower allows us to use river basin models to strategically design dam portfolios for minimized impact. Thus, our alternative futures result in greatly reduced impacts on rivers in terms of sediment trapping and habitat fragmentation, and result in lower system costs ($8.4 billion compared to $11.7 billion for the BAU). Our results highlight specific opportunities for Myanmar but also demonstrate global techno-ecological synergies between climate action, equitable human development and conservation of riparian ecosystems and livelihoods.
Design of high-strength threshing rack for variable-diameter cylinders
Authors: Su Zhan , Li Yaoming , Liu Yanbin
Published: May 2021

In order to solve the problems of deformation caused by traditional threshing rack applied to the variable-diameter cylinder, two high-strength threshing racks (truss-type threshing rack, reinforced plate-type threshing rack) were designed. Through statics quantitative analysis on the basis of theoretical analysis and finite element analysis and calculation conducted on the rigidity and strength characteristics of traditional threshing racks, truss threshing racks and reinforced plate threshing racks, it shows that the reinforced plate threshing rack with higher strength, simpler structure and lighter weight is more suitable for the operation requirements of variable diameter cylinders.
Steady-State Stability Analysis of Synchronization Loops in Weak-Grid-Connected Microgrid
Authors: Rong Shuang , Ma Jiancheng , Chen Xiaoguang , Guan Wanlin , Hao Wenbo , Cui Jiapeng , Gu Bowen
Published: May 2021

The Microgrid (MG) is a flexible system composed of paralleled inverters. When the MG runs in grid-connected mode, the first step is to synchronize with the grid stably. However, the weak grid may interact with the synchronization loops and result in instability issues, where the steady-state instability of the MG coming from the loss of equilibrium points remains to be studied. Concretely, the synchronization loop of each inverter determines the equilibrium point. While, when the paralleled inverters work together, interactions among synchronization loops complicate the steady-state analysis. To recognize the synchronization mechanism and steady-state stability of the MG, a kind of hybrid quasi-static models of synchronization loops in the MG is developed in this paper. Studies show that the stable grid-injected currents of current-controlled inverters (CCIs) in a MG are greatly increased, while the allowed grid-injected power of the voltage-controlled inverter (VCI) are decreased obviously and it is closely dependent on the operating currents of the CCIs. Therefore, it is essential to recognize the operating points of each inverter in a MG considering the steady-state stability. Finally, the simulations are carried out to verify the analysis.
Analysis of the Knowledge Map and Knowledge Modelling Based on CSSCI: A Case of China’s Drug Problem Study
Authors: Xu Haokang , Ding Meng , Zhu Ai’nan , Wu Changming
Published: May 2021

In this paper, CiteSpace software is used to quantitatively analyze 568 related literature in CSSCI database from 2009 to 2019, and draw the knowledge map of research keywords. Despite of a simple data or information flow diagrams, we also used the mathematical modelling to make a more comprehensive analysis. On this basis, the development history and research focus of drug research are summarized. The results show that: at present, the research on drug problem has expanded from drug problem itself to drug-related problem, mainly focusing on law and history; the research field has been refined, and quantitative research methods have been increased.
Analysis of Telecommunication Fraud Cases Based on TF-IDF Algorithm
Authors: Yang Hulin , Zhu Ai’nan
Published: May 2021

[Purpose/Meaning] In the fast-developing information age, the “Internet +” model has deeply affected every bit of daily life. This has also created a lot of information and data for criminals who commit telecom fraud, leading to telecom fraud Become a new type of “non-contact” high-incidence crime. [Methods/Process] This study uses text analysis, using python crawler, Jieba word segmentation, TF-IDF algorithm and other tools to analyze and calculate the obtained text, using SPSS modeler to mine its data. [Result/Conclusion]Analysis of the content of the text obtained, found that as long as strangers on the phone there is a 40% probability; women become victims than twice as much as men; telecommunications fraud crime brush orders, fake customer service friends are still commonly used criminal means.
Effect of amendments (lime–zeolite–biochar) on the immobilization of Cd and Pb in a contaminated acidic soil
Authors: Zhang Di , Li Ting , Wu XiaoXia , Wang YuTing
Published: May 2021

An incubation experiment was carried out to study the remediation effect of lime, zeolite and biochar under different ratios on cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) contaminated soil. Soil pH, organic carbon (SOC), bioavailability and mobility of Cd and Pb were investigated. The results indicated that combined application of lime, zeolite and biochar can significantly increase soil pH, the increment was from 0.15 to 0.76. Compared to the control treatment, the concentrations of CaCl2-, TCLP-Cd and Pb significantly decreased in all amended treatments. Considering the soil environmental quality and immobilization efficiency, the ratio of lime, zeolite and biochar was determined to be 1:2:2. The application rate of combined amendment (lime:zeolite:biochar=1:2:2) had obvious effect on soil pH, SOC and removal efficiency of Cd and Pb, promoting the acid soluble fractions of Cd and Pb to residual fractions, especially in higher application rate (5.0% and 10.0%). However, there was no significant difference when the application rate exceeded 5.0%. Therefore, it was suggested that the application rate of combined amendment (lime:zeolite:biochar=1:2:2) could be 5.0% in short-term soil remediation.
Study on the Evolution of Guangxi Traditional Pile-Dwelling Architecture —— Take Baise, Guangxi as an example
Authors: Lu Cong , Zhang Wen
Published: May 2021

With the development of history and the transformation and renewal of production methods, human construction activities will reflect the content of production activities at that time to a certain extent. Guangxi is located on the southeastern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the second step in the topography of the country. Guangxi is located in the western part of the hills of Guangdong, Guangxi. The mountain area is vast, and it is a zone of communication between regions, ethnic groups, and countries. It has rich ethnic and regional cultural characteristics, and various architectural phenomena are splendid. Pile-Dwelling architecture is a traditional dwelling form of the Baiyue people, belonging to a “native” type of regional architecture. It has the innate advantages of using topography and striving for space, and is widely used in the mountainous areas of Guangxi. This paper will take Guangxi traditional dry fence architecture as the research object, and will conduct research on Guangxi’s traditional vernacular architectural culture. Through combing and researching the development of dry fence architecture in China, it will summarize the evolution law of Guangxi traditional Pile-Dwelling architecture, in order to protect Guangxi Zhuang’s architectural cultural heritage and providing a basis for regional architectural creation in Guangxi. It will be of great significance for achieving ecological harmony and promoting the construction of new towns.
Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Behavior of Assembled SRC Beam-CFST Column Composite Frame
Authors: Zhang Wen , Lu Cong , Liang Peng , Huang Rongxing , Wang Jie , Zhou Wanguan
Published: May 2021

Prefabricated buildings have the advantages of good component quality, fast construction speed and less construction waste, which is an important measure to implement ecological civilization, save resources, protect the environment and reduce pollution. The composite structure of section steel and concrete gives full play to the advantages of light weight, high strength, assembling construction and high recovery rate of steel. However, the construction method of assembly is still in the research stage. In order to explore the key problems in engineering application, such as mechanical performance, material behavior, failure phenomenon, connection design etc. of SRC beam-CFST column composite frame (hereinafter referred to as “composite frame”). On the basis of the experimental results of exterior joints in the early stage, the whole process mechanical behavior of composite frames under vertical load and horizontal low cyclic load is studied by using ABAQUS finite element analysis software. The research shows that the assembled connection mode has better static and seismic performance, and the material performance is fully utilized. The mechanical performance of the full welded and bolt-welded hybrid connection is similar. Increasing the thickness of the ring plate and the height of the beam section can improve the bearing capacity and energy dissipation capacity.
An Empirical Research on Contribution of Agricultural Mechanization to Ecological Protection and Restoration in Rural of China
Authors: Liu Yaqiong
Published: May 2021

[Purpose/significance] In order to explore the supporting mechanism and influence relationship of agricultural mechanization on rural ecological restoration and then put forward the improvement strategy of rural ecological restoration in combination with the development of agricultural mechanization, the structural equation model was built based on a number of related indexes of 31 provinces and cities from 2005 to 2017. [Results/conclusion] The results show that the direct effect of ecological construction and protection investment on agricultural mechanization is 1.126, while the direct effect of agricultural mechanization on ecological construction and protection investment is -3.060. In terms of the impact of various variables on ecological protection and construction investment, the direct impact of agricultural mechanization is the most significant, with the largest degree of effect, followed by the area of water-logging removal, soil and water loss control ranked third, and machine tillage rate ranked fourth. Empirical evidence shows that agricultural mechanization development is a powerful means to promote the efficiency of rural ecological protection and restoration, so we should further promote the development of agricultural mechanization, optimize the structural level of various measures in the development of agricultural mechanization, and strengthen the combined effect of direct impact and indirect impact to vigorously develop ecological conservation and restoration in rural areas.
Research on the Project-Centric Social Work Practice Base Construction Mode
Authors: Li Xue , Le Shen , Liu Jiu
Published: May 2021

Social work is a practical discipline with practical and operational orientation. Practical teaching is of great importance in cultivating full-time masters of social work. Therefore, the demand for the construction of high-quality social work practice base has become increasingly prominent. It has been found that the traditional social work practice base has disadvantages, such as “administration of practice content”, “hollowing off-campus supervision” and “insufficient funds restricting the function of the base”, which compresses the professional growth space of students in the practice base, resulting in the weakening of practice and even the inertia of students’ professional growth. This paper attempts to propose a project-centric social work practice base to make up for the disadvantages of the traditional social work practice base, that is, taking the community construction project purchased by a foundation as an example, this article explores the 1+2+3+4+5 operation mode of the practice base, and realizes the maximization of the interests of both parties in the construction of the practice base and the compound function of the base.
Scalings for diffraction-decorated caustics in gravitational lensing
Authors: Berry M V
Published: May 2021

In the astronomically natural transitional approximations for waves near caustics in gravitational lensing, the familiar wavelength scalings associated with short-wave asymptotics are accompanied by a variety of dependences on disparate astronomical lengths, such as the Schwarzschild radius, separation of binary stars, and distance to the lens. These dependences are calculated analytically for spacings of interference fringes and the corresponding intensity amplifications, for two much-studied models: lensing of a distant source by an isolated star and near the fold and cusp caustics from a binary star lens. If the aperture of a telescope looking in the direction of the source is modelled by Gaussian apodization, the image is a complexification of the wave in the observation plane.
Influence of thermal annealing on the morphology and magnetic domain structure of Co thin films
Authors: Li Muchan , Tian Zhongzheng , Yu Xuemin , Yu Dachen , Ren Liming , Fu Yunyi
Published: May 2021

Centimeter scale cobalt films with various thicknesses (8 nm ∼ 100 nm) were deposited by electron beam evaporation (EBE) and then annealed in a gas mixture of Ar and H2 at temperatures ranging from 200 °C to 500 °C. Advanced characterization techniques (e.g., XRD, SEM, AFM and MFM) were employed to investigate the influence of annealing on the morphology, crystal structures and magnetic domain structures of Co thin films. The results of SEM and AFM suggest that there is no obvious change in the morphology of Co film before and after annealing especially for thicker films and the root-mean-square roughness of Co film surface is slightly reduced after annealing. The influence of thermal annealing on the magnetic domain structure of EBE Co thin films was investigated by magnetic force microscopy (MFM) for the first time. It is found that even if there is no clear domain structure in the as-deposited films, it is possible to obtain periodic stripe domains with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) by thermal annealing owing to the development of HCP Co phase, which was confirmed by XRD analysis. The correlations between the film morphology, thickness and magnetic domain structure are discussed qualitatively. Based on the periodic stripe magnetic domains, the domain-wall energy density of annealed cobalt films is calculated and this study found that the annealing has almost no effect on the energy density of the domain-wall. This work provides an effective way to obtain the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) for practical applications.
Emotions in Music: Hanslick and His False Follower
Authors: Guczalski Krzysztof
Published: May 2021

Nick Zangwill (2004, 2007) appears to be acquiring the status of repudiator-in-chief of emotion in music. He is invoked in this role by such authors as Kraut (2007, p. 67), Bonds (2014, p. 5), Robinson (2014), Young (2014, pp. vii, 1, 3–4, 151), Davies (2017) and Kania (2017). His ‘manifesto’ paper (2004) was recently reprinted in Lamarque and Olsen (2018, pp. 574–582). This development is unfortunate, because Zangwill, for all his radical-sounding theses, actually argues against views that hardly anyone holds. What is more, some of his arguments in favour of the obvious seem confused and defective. But as for his really radical thesis that ‘Music, in itself, has nothing to do with emotion’, he provides hardly any justification. What is more, contrary to what Zangwill believes, such justification is not to be found in Hanslick, who in fact sees emotional content as a relatively important element of music.
Redox-related gene expression and sugar accumulation patterns are altered in the edible inflorescence produced by the cultivated form of pacaya palm (Chamaedorea tepejilote)
Authors: Hosni Hanene , Diallo Abdoulaye , Morcillo Fabienne , Vaissayre Virginie , Collin Myriam , Tranchant-Dubreuil Christine , Dussert Stéphane , Joët Thierry , Castaño Felipe , Marquínez Xavier , Stauffer Fred W , Hodel Donald R , Castillo Mont Juan Jose , Adam Hélène , Jouannic Stefan , Tregear James W
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims

The pacaya palm is a dioecious neotropical palm species that is exploited in Latin America for its male inflorescence, which is edible when immature. It is cultivated, in a non-intensive manner, in Guatemala, where a morphotype occurs that produces much larger, more highly branched inflorescences compared with wild palms. We sought to identify molecular factors underlying this phenotypic divergence, which is likely to be a product of domestication.

Methods

We performed RNA-seq-based studies on immature pacaya palm male inflorescences in order to identify genes that might be directly or indirectly affected in their expression in relation to domestication. We also measured the accumulation of a range of soluble sugar molecules to provide information on the biochemical status of the two different types of material.

Key Results

A total of 408 genes were found to display significantly different expression levels between the wild and cultivated morphotypes. Three different functional categories were found to be enriched in the gene set that was upregulated in the cultivated morphotype: redox balance; secondary metabolism; and transport. Several sugars were found to accumulate at higher levels in inflorescences of the cultivated morphotype, in particular myo-inositol, fructose and glucose.

Conclusions

The observed upregulation of redox-related genes in the cultivated morphotype is corroborated by the observation of higher myo-inositol accumulation, which has been shown to be associated with enhanced scavenging of reactive oxygen species in other plants and which may affect meristem activity.
The Impact of Learning and Memory on Performance Validity Tests in a Mixed Clinical Pediatric Population
Authors: Nayar Kritika , Ventura Lea M , DeDios-Stern Samantha , Oh Alison , Soble Jason R
Published: May 2021

Objective

This study examined the degree to which verbal and visuospatial memory abilities influence performance validity test (PVT) performance in a mixed clinical pediatric sample.

Method

Data from 252 consecutive clinical pediatric cases (Mage=11.23 years, SD=4.02; 61.9% male) seen for outpatient neuropsychological assessment were collected. Measures of learning and memory (e.g., The California Verbal Learning Test-Children’s Version; Child and Adolescent Memory Profile [ChAMP]), performance validity (Test of Memory Malingering Trial 1 [TOMM T1]; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth Edition [WISC-V] or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition Digit Span indices; ChAMP Overall Validity Index), and intellectual abilities (e.g., WISC-V) were included.

Results

Learning/memory abilities were not significantly correlated with TOMM T1 and accounted for relatively little variance in overall TOMM T1 performance (i.e., ≤6%). Conversely, ChAMP Validity Index scores were significantly correlated with verbal and visual learning/memory abilities, and learning/memory accounted for significant variance in PVT performance (12%–26%). Verbal learning/memory performance accounted for 5%–16% of the variance across the Digit Span PVTs. No significant differences in TOMM T1 and Digit Span PVT scores emerged between verbal/visual learning/memory impairment groups. ChAMP validity scores were lower for the visual learning/memory impairment group relative to the nonimpaired group.

Conclusions

Findings highlight the utility of including PVTs as standard practice for pediatric populations, particularly when memory is a concern. Consistent with the adult literature, TOMM T1 outperformed other PVTs in its utility even among the diverse clinical sample with/without learning/memory impairment. In contrast, use of Digit Span indices appear to be best suited in the presence of visuospatial (but not verbal) learning/memory concerns. Finally, the ChAMP’s embedded validity measure was most strongly impacted by learning/memory performance.
Novel Clitoral Reconstruction and Coverage With Sensate Labial Flaps: Potential Remedy for Female Genital Mutilation
Authors: Wilson Adel M , Zaki Amr A
Published: May 2021

Background

Complications caused by female genital mutilation (FGM), such as clitoral pain, reduced sensation, and diminished sexual function, can be alleviated by clitoral reconstruction, which can also improve the aesthetics and restore the anatomy of the genitalia.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to create sensate labial flaps to cover the neoclitoris and assess the outcome of the procedure.

Methods

Between December 2018 and July 2020, 40 patients with FGM underwent clitoral reconstruction and coverage with sensate labial flaps donated by the remnant of the labia minora and were followed prospectively. Flaps were mapped on the less-mutilated labia minora according to recent descriptions of arterial anatomy and innervation. Before the surgery, the patients’ clitoral sensation was assessed on a 6-point scale and they were also given the Female Sexual Functional Index (FSFI) questionnaire to complete. Eight and 24 weeks postoperatively, the same assessment was repeated and the data compared.

Results

The mean Female Sexual Functional Index score increased significantly from 11.64 (range, 2.8-25.6) preoperatively to 29.14 (range, 12.8-35.4) postoperatively. Similarly, clitoral sensation increased significantly from 2.35 (range, 1-4) before the surgery to 4.9 (range, 2-6) after the surgery. In total, 95% of patients benefited from the surgery.

Conclusions

Clitoral reconstruction with sensate labial flaps after FGM resulted in significant improvements in sexual function, clitoral sensation, genital aesthetics, and self-esteem.

Level of Evidence: 4
PSSP-MVIRT: peptide secondary structure prediction based on a multi-view deep learning architecture
Authors: Cao Xiao , He Wenjia , Chen Zitan , Li Yifan , Wang Kexin , Zhang Hongbo , Wei Lesong , Cui Lizhen , Su Ran , Wei Leyi
Published: May 2021

The prediction of peptide secondary structures is fundamentally important to reveal the functional mechanisms of peptides with potential applications as therapeutic molecules. In this study, we propose a multi-view deep learning method named Peptide Secondary Structure Prediction based on Multi-View Information, Restriction and Transfer learning (PSSP-MVIRT) for peptide secondary structure prediction. To sufficiently exploit discriminative information, we introduce a multi-view fusion strategy to integrate different information from multiple perspectives, including sequential information, evolutionary information and hidden state information, respectively, and generate a unified feature space. Moreover, we construct a hybrid network architecture of Convolutional Neural Network and Bi-directional Gated Recurrent Unit to extract global and local features of peptides. Furthermore, we utilize transfer learning to effectively alleviate the lack of training samples (peptides with experimentally validated structures). Comparative results on independent tests demonstrate that our proposed method significantly outperforms state-of-the-art methods. In particular, our method exhibits better performance at the segment level, suggesting the strong ability of our model in capturing local discriminative information. The case study also shows that our PSSP-MVIRT achieves promising and robust performance in the prediction of new peptide secondary structures. Importantly, we establish a webserver to implement the proposed method, which is currently accessible via http://server.malab.cn/PSSP-MVIRT. We expect it can be a useful tool for the researchers of interest, facilitating the wide use of our method.
SREBP2 gene therapy targeting striatal astrocytes ameliorates Huntington’s disease phenotypes
Authors: Birolini Giulia , Verlengia Gianluca , Talpo Francesca , Maniezzi Claudia , Zentilin Lorena , Giacca Mauro , Conforti Paola , Cordiglieri Chiara , Caccia Claudio , Leoni Valerio , Taroni Franco , Biella Gerardo , Simonato Michele , Cattaneo Elena , Valenza Marta
Published: May 2021

Brain cholesterol is produced mainly by astrocytes and is important for neuronal function. Its biosynthesis is severely reduced in mouse models of Huntington’s disease. One possible mechanism is a diminished nuclear translocation of the transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2) and, consequently, reduced activation of SREBP2-controlled genes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.

Here we evaluated the efficacy of a gene therapy based on the unilateral intra-striatal injection of a recombinant adeno-associated virus 2/5 (AAV2/5) targeting astrocytes specifically and carrying the transcriptionally active N-terminal fragment of human SREBP2 (hSREBP2).

Robust hSREBP2 expression in striatal glial cells in R6/2 Huntington’s disease mice activated the transcription of cholesterol biosynthesis pathway genes, restored synaptic transmission, reversed dopamine receptor D2 (Drd2) transcript levels decline, cleared mutant huntingtin aggregates and attenuated behavioural deficits. We conclude that glial SREBP2 participates in Huntington’s disease brain pathogenesis in vivo and that AAV-based delivery of SREBP2 to astrocytes counteracts key features of the disease.
Brain Knows Who Is on the Same Wavelength: Resting-State Connectivity Can Predict Compatibility of a Female–Male Relationship
Authors: Kajimura Shogo , Ito Ayahito , Izuma Keise
Published: May 2021

Prediction of the initial compatibility of heterosexual individuals based on self-reported traits and preferences has not been successful, even with significantly developed information technology. To overcome the limitations of self-reported measures and predict compatibility, we used functional connectivity profiles from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data that carry rich individual-specific information sufficient to predict psychological constructs and activation patterns during social cognitive tasks. Several days after collecting data from resting-state fMRIs, participants undertook a speed-dating experiment in which they had a 3-min speed date with every other opposite-sex participant. Our machine learning algorithm successfully predicted whether pairs in the experiment were compatible or not using (dis)similarity of functional connectivity profiles obtained before the experiment. The similarity and dissimilarity of functional connectivity between individuals and these multivariate relationships contributed to the prediction, hence suggesting the importance of complementarity (observed as dissimilarity) as well as the similarity between an individual and a potential partner during the initial attraction phase. The result indicates that the salience network, limbic areas, and cerebellum are especially important for the feeling of compatibility. This research emphasizes the utility of neural information to predict complex phenomena in a social environment that behavioral measures alone cannot predict.
Active vitamin D increases the risk of hypercalcaemia in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Cozzolino Mario , Bernard Laurence , Csomor Philipp A
Published: May 2021

Background

This study evaluates the effects of active (1α-hydroxylated) vitamin D (AVD) therapy on hypercalcaemia in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT).

Methods

A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases (up to 14 May 2020) was performed to identify randomized, placebo-controlled trials of single-agent, oral AVD therapies in adults with ND-CKD and SHPT. Only studies with ≥30 participants per arm and ≥6 weeks in duration were eligible. The outcome of interest was the number of subjects with an episode of hypercalcaemia. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 3.0).

Results

Six studies (five evaluating paricalcitol, one evaluating alfacalcidol) involving 799 patients were identified. Treatment durations ranged from 16 weeks to 2 years. The weekly doses of paricalcitol administered were 7 (three studies) and 14 µg (two studies); the weekly dose of alfacalcidol was 1.75–7.0 µg. Across all studies, rates of hypercalcaemia were 1.1–43.3% with AVD versus 0–3.4% with placebo. Meta-analysis of the six studies showed that AVD was associated with a 6.6-fold greater probability of hypercalcaemia versus placebo (odds ratio: 6.63, 95% confidence interval: 2.37, 18.55; P < 0.001). Two separate sensitivity analyses (one excluded a study identified as having a high risk of bias; the second excluded two studies that accounted for a large proportion of observed hypercalcaemia events) indicated the primary meta-analysis findings were robust.

Conclusions

Compared with placebo, AVD significantly increased the risk of hypercalcaemia among ND-CKD patients with SHPT.
A Novel Decision-Making Process for COVID-19 Fighting Based on Association Rules and Bayesian Methods
Authors: El Khediri Salim , Thaljaoui Adel , Alfayez Fayez
Published: May 2021

Since recording the first case in Wuhan in November 2020, COVID-19 is still spreading widely and rapidly affecting the health of millions all over the globe. For fighting against this pandemic, numerous strategies have been made, where the early isolation is considered among the most effective ones. Proposing useful methods to screen and diagnose the patient’s situation for the purpose of specifying the adequate clinical management represents a significant challenge in diminishing the rates of mortality. Inspired from this current global health situation, we introduce a new autonomous process of decision-making that consists of two modules. The first module is the data analysis based on Bayesian network that is employed to indicate the coronavirus symptoms severity and then classify COVID-19 cases as severe, moderate or mild. The second module represents the decision-making based on association rules method that generates autonomously the adequate decision. To construct the model of Bayesian network, we used an effective method-oriented data for the sake of learning its structure. As a result, the algorithm accuracy in making the correct decision is 30% and in making the adequate decision is 70%. These experimental results demonstrate the importance of the suggested methods for decision-making.
CNP regulates cardiac contractility and increases cGMP near both SERCA and TnI: difference from BNP visualized by targeted cGMP biosensors
Authors: Manfra Ornella , Calamera Gaia , Froese Alexander , Arunthavarajah Dulasi , Surdo Nicoletta C , Meier Silja , Melleby Arne Olav , Aasrum Monica , Aronsen Jan Magnus , Nikolaev Viacheslav O , Zaccolo Manuela , Moltzau Lise Román , Levy Finn Olav , Andressen Kjetil Wessel
Published: May 2021

Aims

Guanylyl cyclase-B (GC-B; natriuretic peptide receptor-B, NPR-B) stimulation by C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) increases cGMP and causes a lusitropic and negative inotropic response in adult myocardium. These effects are not mimicked by NPR-A (GC-A) stimulation by brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), despite similar cGMP increase. More refined methods are needed to better understand the mechanisms of the differential cGMP signalling and compartmentation. The aim of this work was to measure cGMP near proteins involved in regulating contractility to understand compartmentation of cGMP signalling in adult cardiomyocytes.

Methods and results

We constructed several fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors for cGMP subcellularly targeted to phospholamban (PLB) and troponin I (TnI). CNP stimulation of adult rat cardiomyocytes increased cGMP near PLB and TnI, whereas BNP stimulation increased cGMP near PLB, but not TnI. The phosphodiesterases PDE2 and PDE3 constrained cGMP in both compartments. Local receptor stimulation aided by scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) combined with FRET revealed that CNP stimulation both in the t-tubules and on the cell crest increases cGMP similarly near both TnI and PLB. In ventricular strips, CNP stimulation, but not BNP, induced a lusitropic response, enhanced by inhibition of either PDE2 or PDE3, and a negative inotropic response. In cardiomyocytes from heart failure rats, CNP increased cGMP near PLB and TnI more pronounced than in cells from sham-operated animals.

Conclusion

These targeted biosensors demonstrate that CNP, but not BNP, increases cGMP near TnI in addition to PLB, explaining how CNP, but not BNP, is able to induce lusitropic and negative inotropic responses.
Relative Performance Feedback in Education: Evidence from a Randomised Controlled Trial*
Authors: Dobrescu L I , Faravelli M , Megalokonomou R , Motta A
Published: May 2021

In a one-year randomised controlled trial involving thousands of university students, we provide real-time private feedback on relative performance in a semester-long online assignment. Within this set-up, our experimental design cleanly identifies the behavioural response to rank incentives (i.e., incentives stemming from an inherent preference for high rank). We find that rank incentives boost performance in the related course assignment, but also the average course exams grade by 0.21 SDs. These beneficial effects remain sizeable across all quantiles and extend beyond the intervention period. Furthermore, rank feedback stimulates social learning, i.e., rank incentives make students engage more in peer interactions.
The impact of co-sleeping less than 6 months on children’s anxiety, oral habits, and malocclusion in a Spanish sample between 2 and 5 years old: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Carrillo-Díaz María , Ortega-Martínez Ana Raquel , Ruiz-Guillén Ana , Romero-Maroto Martín , González-Olmo María José
Published: May 2021

Objectives

Families often use co-sleeping to mitigate potential physiological and emotional effects on infants. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the early termination of co-sleeping is associated with high levels of anxiety, non-nutritive sucking habits for self-comfort, and increased malocclusion.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was performed on the parents of 215 children [aged 2–5 years (3.94 ± 0.89)], who were divided according to the duration of co-sleeping (≤6 months or >6 months). The parents completed a questionnaire about co-sleeping, sucking, breastfeeding habits, and anxiety. Finally, a clinical examination was carried out to diagnose malocclusion according to the World Health Organization (WHO) index, and the aesthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN-AC) was recorded.

Results

Children that co-slept for 6 months or less had an increased incidence of pacifier use (P < 0.05), finger sucking (P < 0.01), and atypical swallowing (P < 0.05). Lower anxiety levels were found in the group with a longer duration of co-sleeping (P < 0.01). In the assessment of malocclusions, the group that co-slept for ≤6 months had higher IOTN scores (P < 0.01) and WHO indices (P < 0.05); in addition, there were differences in anterior open bite (P < 0.05), posterior crossbite (P < 0.01), skeletal Class II (P < 0.01), canine Class II (P < 0.05), and overjet (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

A co-sleeping duration of >6 months appears to be a protective factor associated with less anxiety, fewer negative sucking habits, and a decreased incidence of malocclusions in co-sleeping children.
Effectiveness of removable appliances with temperature sensors in orthodontic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Moreno-Fernández Antonio , Iranzo-Cortés José Enrique , Paredes-Gallardo Vanessa , García-Sanz Verónica , Tarazona-Álvarez Beatriz , Almerich-Silla José Manuel , Bellot-Arcís Carlos , Montiel-Company José María
Published: May 2021

Background/objective

Patient compliance during orthodontic treatment is one of the factors that most affects success in the final result. The use of removable appliances is frequent at an early age and the monitoring of its use is essential to assess the collaboration of the patient. The aim of this study was to establish the effectiveness of microsensors included in removable appliances during orthodontic treatment or in the retention phase to enable a reliable and individualized follow-up of the patient.

Search methods

The article search was carried out in various electronic databases and journals without any language restrictions.

Selection criteria

Studies using microsensors into removable appliances were selected with the key selection criterion of a minimum follow-up of 4 weeks.

Data collection and analysis

The quality of the studies included was evaluated using the Cochrane scale for the randomized controlled trials and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale for control–case, cohort, and transversal studies. The mean of the differences with a 95% confidence interval was expressed for the continuous data.

Results

Twenty-nine full-text articles were analysed and included in the qualitative synthesis. In general, the mean daily wear time of removable appliances measured objectively was less than the time that the professional had predetermined.

Conclusions

The use of microsensors as an objective measurement method enhances communication and boosts confidence in the orthodontist–patient relationship. More random clinical studies with temperature sensors are needed to establish to what extent they influence the orthodontic outcome.

Registration

PROSPERO (CRD42019120525).