bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of calcium addition on phosphorus removal of the submerged plant for ecological environment protection
Authors: Wang Wenqin , Hu Yukai , Liu Xiao
Published: July 2021

Submerged plants can create a suitable microenvironment for calcium and phosphorus co-precipitation (CaCO3-P) to further enhance the removal of phosphorus from the water column. To investigate the effect of calcium addition on the phosphorus removal in water bodies of submerged plants, this paper used Elodea nuttallii as a research object and monitord the phosphorus content in water column, sediment, plants and water environmental factors. The results showed that the addition of calcium was more effective in removing phosphorus than the group without calcium, and the final phosphorus content was controlled at a lower level; the effect of the calcium group on the phosphorus content of sediment was greater, and the addition of calcium promoted the increase of calcium-phosphorus content in the sediment. Moreover, the phosphorus content in the plant of the calcium group was higher than the plant group. It is clear that the addition of calcium ions contributed to both the removal of phosphorus from the water column and the enrichment of phosphorus by the plants.
Analysis of carbon emission status under the carbon neutral target in China for Earth’s atmospheric balance
Authors: Zhou Mengge , Hu Tingting
Published: July 2021

On September 22, 2020, President Xi Jinping pointed out that “China’s carbon dioxide emissions will strive to reach a peak by 2030 and strive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.” at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly. It accelerates the process of reaching the peak of carbon emissions, and is also the only way to lead global climate governance. On the basis of expounding the international background, climate change, China ‘s carbon peak targets and challenges under the carbon peak targets, this paper also analyses the changing characteristics of carbon emissions under the influence of the epidemic in 2020, and then makes clear the outstanding current problems in China, such as the large amount of carbon emissions, the high proportion of coal consumption, the proportion of energy structure and so on. Lay the groundwork for China’s carbon peak in 2030.
Analysis of the Structure of Heat Losses from Buildings and Benefits of Thermal Insulation Systems
Authors: Macek D , Kosina M
Published: July 2021

The sources of energy are finite and are often found in unstable regions of the world, and we cannot assume at present that heat will be cheaper. Hence, and not only for these reasons, the issues of heat losses from buildings must be addressed. The paper investigates the issues of heat losses from buildings and analyses the benefits of thermal insulation of buildings. The thermal insulation of a building reduces the leakage of heat during the heating season and brings about savings in heat consumption amounting to tens of percent. In addition, when a building is insulated, the heating season may start later and end earlier. Typical thermal insulation technical modifications include the insulation of external walls, replacement of windows, roof insulation, insulation of the ceiling under the attic and above the cellar. Reducing the leakage of heat will reduce its consumption in heating and thus also cuts down air pollution with emissions produced by heating. The benefits of thermal insulation are in the economic, as well as technical sphere of building operation. The study compares the structure of heat losses and heat gains of apartment buildings from the 1970s, both in the insulated and uninsulated version, with houses complying with the current required standards and houses complying with the current recommended standards.
Building Envelope as to Improve Home Quality in Microhome Design Approaches
Authors: Diana R E , Oktarina F
Published: July 2021

The cities around the world face challenges with the shortage of land and increased demand for housing. Limit the land use for area development might resolve urban land scarcity problems. In this case, the efficiency of land use and microhome has seen as space-saving solutions. The research discusses home term on micro-scale through spatial concept design approaches. The study uses the qualitative method that interpreted by various schematic drawings. Each approach will affect the building envelopes as well as increase the home quality. The finding shows that the building envelope might be seen as inseparable attributes, consist of one or more elements; roof, wall and window, secondary skin or floor, functions as complementary attributes or a direct response to the context. This paper is an initial study to generate microhome spatial quality by using the building envelope.
Review on ZnO-based piezotronics and piezoelectric nanogenerators: aspects of piezopotential and screening effect
Authors: Pandey Rajiv Kumar , Dutta Jit , Brahma Sanjaya , Rao Bruno , Liu Chuan-Pu
Published: July 2021

Among various piezoelectric materials, ZnO has attracted a great deal of attention due to facile preparations and exceptional semiconductor characteristics compared to other conventional piezoceramics or organic piezoelectric materials. One of the issues hindering ZnO from progressing into applications is the screening effect, where the intrinsic piezopotential generated upon mechanical deformations is screened and becomes waned or even diminished by the presence of intrinsic free carriers in ZnO. Consequently, ZnO-based piezoelectric devices often suffer from low output voltages, resulting in low total output power generation even though the output current could be larger than those made of insulating piezoelectric materials, such as PZT, polyvinylidene fluoride, and barium titanate. It is therefore vital to fully understand the impact of the screening effect and produce strategies to handle this issue in the context of piezotronics and piezoelectric nanogenerators (PENG). Therefore, this article presents a comprehensive review of growth methodologies for various ZnO nanostructures, structure modifications, effects of free carriers on the screening effect and strategies for device applications, including strain-gated transistors, PENG and piezotronic sensors for gas, humidity and bio-molecules etc.
The scope of the All-Subjected Principle: On the logical structure of coercive laws
Authors: Abizadeh Arash
Published: July 2021

According to the democratic borders argument, the democratic legitimacy of a state's regime of border control requires granting foreigners a right to participate in the procedures determining it. This argument appeals to the All-Subjected Principle, which implies that democratic legitimacy requires that all those subject to political power have a right to participate in determining the laws governing its exercise. The scope objection claims that this argument presupposes an implausible account of subjection and hence of the All-Subjected Principle, which absurdly implies that all domestic laws subject foreigners to their requirements. I argue that this objection misconstrues the logical structure of the legal requirements enshrined in domestic laws: domestic laws typically enshrine narrow-scope, not wide-scope, legal requirements. To be sure, some state laws do subject foreigners to their requirements, and the All-Subjected Principle conditions democratic legitimacy on granting foreigners some say in determining them. But the best reading of the Principle does not have such general expansionary implications.
tsRNAsearch: a pipeline for the identification of tRNA and ncRNA fragments from small RNA-sequencing data
Authors: Donovan Paul D , McHale Natalie M , Venø Morten T , Prehn Jochen H M
Published: July 2021

Motivation

tRNAs were originally considered uni-functional RNA molecules involved in the delivery of amino acids to growing peptide chains on the ribosome. More recently, the liberation of tRNA fragments from tRNAs via specific enzyme cleavage has been characterized. Detection of tRNA fragments in sequencing data is difficult due to tRNA sequence redundancy and the short length of both tRNAs and their fragments.

Results

Here, we introduce tsRNAsearch, a Nextflow pipeline for the identification of differentially abundant tRNA fragments and other non-coding RNAs from small RNA-sequencing data. tsRNAsearch is intended for use when comparing two groups of datasets, such as control and treatment groups. tsRNAsearch comparatively searches for tRNAs and ncRNAs with irregular read distribution profiles (a proxy for RNA cleavage) using a combined score made up of four novel methods and a differential expression analysis, and reports the top ranked results in simple PDF and TEXT files. In this study, we used publicly available small RNA-seq data to replicate the identification of tsRNAs from chronic hepatitis-infected liver tissue data. In addition, we applied tsRNAsearch to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and matched healthy pancreatic tissue small RNA-sequencing data. Our results support the identification of miR135b from the original study as a potential biomarker of PDAC and identify other potentially stronger miRNA biomarkers of PDAC.

Availability and implementation

https://github.com/GiantSpaceRobot/tsRNAsearch.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Snapshots Quiz
Authors: Núñez S. M , Solís I. R , Morales L. N , Arteaga A. S , Ciuró F. P , Ruiz General J. P
Published: July 2021

A middle-aged man presents with a long history of rectal bleeding and intermittent constipation. What is shown in this intra-operative image?
Inter- and intra-specific variation in hair cortisol concentrations of Neotropical bats
Authors: Sandoval-Herrera Natalia I , Mastromonaco Gabriela F , Becker Daniel J , Simmons Nancy B , Welch Kenneth C
Published: July 2021

Quantifying hair cortisol has become popular in wildlife ecology for its practical advantages for evaluating stress. Before hair cortisol levels can be reliably interpreted, however, it is key to first understand the intrinsic factors explaining intra- and inter-specific variation. Bats are an ecologically diverse group of mammals that allow studying such variation. Given that many bat species are threatened or have declining populations in parts of their range, minimally invasive tools for monitoring colony health and identifying cryptic stressors are needed to efficiently direct conservation efforts. Here we describe intra- and inter-specific sources of variation in hair cortisol levels in 18 Neotropical bat species from Belize and Mexico. We found that fecundity is an important ecological trait explaining inter-specific variation in bat hair cortisol. Other ecological variables such as colony size, roost durability and basal metabolic rate did not explain hair cortisol variation among species. At the individual level, females exhibited higher hair cortisol levels than males and the effect of body mass varied among species. Overall, our findings help validate and accurately apply hair cortisol as a monitoring tool in free-ranging bats.
Open and closed surgical exposure of palatally displaced canines: a cost-minimization analysis of a multicentre, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Björksved Margitha , Ryen Linda , Lindsten Rune , Bazargani Farhan
Published: July 2021

Objective

To evaluate the costs of open and closed surgical exposure and subsequent orthodontic treatment for the correction of palatally displaced canines (PDCs).

Trial design

A multicentre, two-arm parallel group randomized controlled trial.

Methods

One hundred twenty adolescents between 9 and 16 years of age, from three orthodontic specialist centres, were randomized to one of the two surgical exposure interventions. The randomization was conducted according to a two-arm parallel group 1:1 allocation ratio, using computerized lists with block randomization. In both the surgical techniques, whole mucoperiosteal flaps were raised, and bone covering the PDCs was removed. In the open technique, glass ionomer was built up on the PDC crown – reaching above the mucosa through a hole punched in the flap – to allow the canine to erupt autonomously. After eruption, the canine was orthodontically moved above the mucosa. In the closed technique, an eyelet was bonded onto the PDC, the flap was repositioned and the canine was orthodontically moved beyond the mucosa. The trial ended when the PDC was successfully aligned in the dental arch.

Cost analysis was performed including costs for surgery, orthodontic treatment, emergency visits, and material, as well as costs for transports and time spent in connection with every appointment.

Blinding

Patients and caregivers could not be blinded due to obvious limitations of the clinical setting, while outcome assessors and data analysts were blinded.

Results

A cost-minimization analysis was performed since both exposure groups succeeded equally well in terms of treatment effects. The two different surgical exposures and following orthodontic treatments did not differ significantly in terms of costs.

Generalizability and limitations

Costs are estimated in the Swedish setting, which needs to be considered if applying the results in other settings. Calculations of total cost do not include finishing, debonding, retention, and follow-up.

Conclusion

There is no significant difference in costs between closed and open surgical exposure with following orthodontic treatments in PDCs.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02186548.
Development of a prebiotic blend to influence in vitro fermentation effects, with a focus on propionate, in the gut
Authors: Collins Sineaid M , Gibson Glenn R , Kennedy Orla B , Walton Gemma , Rowland Ian , Commane Daniel M
Published: July 2021

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) derived from the human gut microbiota, and in particular propionate, may beneficially influence metabolic processes such as appetite regulation. Development of prebiotics that induce high propionate levels during fermentation is desirable. A total of 11 candidate prebiotics were screened to investigate their fermentation characteristics, with a focus on propionate production in mixed anaerobic batch culture of faecal bacteria. Further to this, a continuous 3-stage colonic fermentation model (simulating the human colon) was used to evaluate changes in microbial ecology, lactate and SCFA production of three 50:50 blends, comprising both slow and rapidly fermented prebiotics. In mixed batch culture: xylo-oligosaccharide, polydextrose and α-gluco-oligosaccharide were associated with the greatest increase in propionate. Polydextrose, α-gluco-oligosaccharide, β-1,4 glucan and oat fibre induced the greatest reductions in the acetate to propionate ratio. The most bifidogenic prebiotics were the oligosaccharides. Fermentation of a 50:50 blend of inulin and arabinoxylan, through the continuous 3-stage colonic fermentation model, induced a substantial and sustained release of propionate. The sustained release of propionate through the colon, if replicable in vivo, could potentially influence blood glucose, blood lipids and appetite regulation, however, dietary intervention studies are needed. Bifidogenic effects were also observed for the inulin and arabinoxylan blend and an increase synthesis of butyrate and lactate, thus indicating wider prebiotic potential.
Genome-wide association studies of mineral and phytic acid concentrations in pea (Pisum sativum L.) to evaluate biofortification potential
Authors: Powers Sarah , Boatwright J Lucas , Thavarajah Dil
Published: July 2021

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an important cool season food legume for sustainable food production and human nutrition due to its nitrogen fixation capabilities and nutrient-dense seed. However, minimal breeding research has been conducted to improve the nutritional quality of the seed for biofortification, and most genomic-assisted breeding studies utilize small populations with few single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Genomic resources for pea have lagged behind those of other grain crops, but the recent release of the Pea Single Plant Plus Collection (PSPPC) and the pea reference genome provide new tools to study nutritional traits for biofortification. Calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, and phytic acid concentrations were measured in a study population of 299 different accessions grown under greenhouse conditions. Broad phenotypic variation was detected for all parameters except phytic acid. Calcium exhibited moderate broad-sense heritability (H2) estimates, at 50%, while all other minerals exhibited low heritability. Of the accessions used, 267 were previously genotyped in the PSPPC release by the USDA, and we mapped the genotyping data to the pea reference genome for the first time. This study generated 54,344 high-quality SNPs used to investigate the population structure of the PSPPC and perform a genome-wide association study to identify genomic loci associated with mineral concentrations in mature pea seed. Overall, we were able to identify multiple significant SNPs and candidate genes for iron, phosphorus, and zinc. These results can be used for genetic improvement in pea for nutritional traits and biofortification, and the candidate genes provide insight into mineral metabolism.
Regulation of Msh4-Msh5 association with meiotic chromosomes in budding yeast
Authors: Nandanan Krishnaprasad G , Salim Sagar , Pankajam Ajith V , Shinohara Miki , Lin Gen , Chakraborty Parijat , Farnaz Amamah , Steinmetz Lars M , Shinohara Akira , Nishant Koodali T
Published: July 2021

In the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, most of the meiotic crossovers are generated through a pathway involving the highly conserved mismatch repair related Msh4-Msh5 complex. To understand the role of Msh4-Msh5 in meiotic crossing over, we determined its genome wide in vivo binding sites in meiotic cells. We show that Msh5 specifically associates with DSB hotspots, chromosome axes, and centromeres on chromosomes. A basal level of Msh5 association with these chromosomal features is observed even in the absence of DSB formation (spo11Δ mutant) at the early stages of meiosis. But efficient binding to DSB hotspots and chromosome axes requires DSB formation and resection and is enhanced by double Holliday junction structures. Msh5 binding is also correlated to DSB frequency and enhanced on small chromosomes with higher DSB and crossover density. The axis protein Red1 is required for Msh5 association with the chromosome axes and DSB hotspots but not centromeres. Although binding sites of Msh5 and other pro-crossover factors like Zip3 show extensive overlap, Msh5 associates with centromeres independent of Zip3. These results on Msh5 localization in wild type and meiotic mutants have implications for how Msh4-Msh5 works with other pro-crossover factors to ensure crossover formation.
Functional characterization of the developmental genes asm2, asm3, and spt3 required for fruiting body formation in the filamentous ascomycete Sordaria macrospora
Authors: Lütkenhaus Ramona , Breuer Jan , Nowrousian Minou
Published: July 2021

The formation of fruiting bodies is one of the most complex developmental processes in filamentous ascomycetes. It requires the development of sexual structures that give rise to meiosporangia (asci) and meiotic spores (ascospores) as well as surrounding structures for protection and dispersal of the spores. Previous studies have shown that these developmental processes are accompanied by significant changes of the transcriptome, and comparative transcriptomics of different fungi as well as the analysis of transcriptome changes in developmental mutants have aided in the identification of differentially regulated genes that are themselves involved in regulating fruiting body development. In previous analyses, we used transcriptomics to identify the genes asm2 and spt3, which result in developmental phenotypes when deleted in Sordaria macrospora. In this study, we identified another gene, asm3, required for fruiting body formation, and performed transcriptomics analyses of Δasm2, Δasm3, and Δspt3. Deletion of spt3, which encodes a subunit of the SAGA complex, results in a block at an early stage of development and drastic changes in the transcriptome. Deletion mutants of asm2 and asm3 are able to form fruiting bodies, but have defects in ascospore maturation. Transcriptomics analysis of fruiting bodies revealed a large overlap in differentially regulated genes in Δasm2 and Δasm3 compared to the wild type. Analysis of nuclear distribution during ascus development showed that both mutants undergo meiosis and postmeiotic divisions, suggesting that the transcriptomic and morphological changes might be related to defects in the morphogenesis of structural features of the developing asci and ascospores.
Introduction to the Symposium: Effects of Light Pollution Across Diverse Natural Systems
Authors: Kernbach Meredith E , Miller Colleen , Alaasam Valentina , Ferguson Stephen , Francis Clinton D
Published: July 2021

Synopsis

Light pollution, or the presence of artificial light at night (ALAN), is among the fastest growing but least understood anthropogenic stressor on the planet. While historically light pollution has not received attention comparable to climate change or chemical pollution, research over the past several decades has revealed the plethora of negative effects on humans, animals, and supporting ecosystems. As light pollution continues to grow in spatial, spectral, and temporal extent, we recognize the urgent need to understand how this affects circadian physiology, organismal fitness, life history traits and tradeoffs, population trends, and community interactions. Here, we aim to highlight background and foundational evidence of the effects of light pollution to present context and the basis for early light pollution studies. Next, we touch on several understudied topics where research is underway to fill gaps in our knowledge and provide the basis for future research. Last, we focus on questions that are vital to understanding the effects of ALAN on diverse natural systems and discuss the barriers we face conducting research on light pollution.
Valve-sparing aortic root replacement in adult patients with congenital heart disease
Authors: Bobylev Dmitry , Avsar Murat , Sarikouch Samir , Cvitkovic Tomislav , Boethig Dietmar , Westhoff-Bleck Mechthild , Bertram Harald , Beerbaum Philipp , Haverich Axel , Horke Alexander
Published: July 2021

OBJECTIVES

Aortic root dilatation is frequently observed in patients with congenital heart defects (CHD), but has received little attention in terms of developing a best practice approach for treatment. In this study, we analysed our experience with aortic valve-sparing root replacement in patients following previous operations to repair CHD.

METHODS

In this study, we included 7 patients with a history of previous surgery for CHD who underwent aortic valve-sparing operations. The underlying initial defects were tetralogy of Fallot (n = 3), transposition of great arteries (n = 2), coarctation of the aorta (n = 1), and pulmonary atresia with ventricle septum defect (n = 1). The patients’ age ranged from 20 to 40 years (mean age 31 ± 6 years).

RESULTS

David reimplantation was performed in 6 patients and a Yacoub remodelling procedure was performed in 1 patient. Four patients underwent simultaneous pulmonary valve replacement. The mean interval between the corrective procedure for CHD and the aortic valve-sparing surgery was 26 ± 3 years. There was no operative or late mortality. The patient with transposition of great arteries following an arterial switch operation was re-operated 25 months after the valve-sparing procedure due to severe aortic regurgitation. In all other patients, the aortic valve regurgitation was mild or negligible at the latest follow-up (mean 8.7 years, range 2.1–15.1 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Valve-sparing aortic root replacement resulted in good aortic valve function during the first decade of observation in 6 of 7 patients. This approach can offer a viable alternative to root replacement with mechanical or biological prostheses in selected patients following CHD repair.
Characterization of local and peripheral immune system in pregnant and nonpregnant ewes
Authors: Quirke Laurel D , Maclean Paul H , Haack Neville A , Edwards Sara J , Heiser Axel , Juengel Jennifer L
Published: July 2021

Modulation of the immune system is known to be important for successful pregnancy but how immune function might differ between the lymph nodes draining the reproductive tract and peripheral lymph nodes is not well understood. Additionally, if immune system changes in response to the presence of an embryo during early pregnancy, and if this response differs in local versus peripheral immune tissue, has not been well characterized. To address these questions, we examined expression of genes important for immune function using NanoString technology in the ampulla and isthmus of the oviduct, endometrium, lymph nodes draining the reproductive tract (lumbo-aortic and medial iliac) as well as a peripheral lymph node (axillary), the spleen, and circulating immune cells from ewes on day 5 of the estrous cycle or pregnancy. Concentrations of estradiol and progesterone in plasma were also determined. Principal component analysis revealed separation of the local from the peripheral lymph nodes (MANOVA P = 3.245e-08, R2 = 0.3) as well as separation of tissues from pregnant and nonpregnant animals [lymph nodes (MANOVA P = 2.337e-09, R2 = 0.5), reproductive tissues (MANOVA P = 2.417e-14, R2 = 0.47)]. Nine genes were differentially (FDR < 0.10) expressed between lymph node types, with clear difference in expression of these genes between the lumbo-aortic and axillary lymph nodes. Expression of these genes in the medial iliac lymph node was not consistently different to either the axillary or the lumbo-aortic lymph node. Expression of IL10RB was increased (FDR < 0.05) by 24% in the reproductive tissue of the pregnant animals compared to nonpregnant animals. Analysis of gene categories revealed that expression of genes of the T-cell receptor pathway in reproductive tract tissues was associated (P < 0.05) with pregnancy status. In conclusion, assessment of gene expression of reproductive and immune tissue provides evidence for a specialization of the local immune system around the reproductive tract potentially important for successful establishment of pregnancy. Additionally, differences in gene expression patterns in reproductive tissue from pregnant and nonpregnant animals could be discerned as early as day 5 of pregnancy. This was found to be associated with expression of genes important for T-cell function and thus highlights the important role of these cells in early pregnancy.
First Report of Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Resistance to Lambda-Cyhalothrin in Montana
Authors: Rodbell Erika A , Wanner Kevin W
Published: July 2021

Forage alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. [Fabales: Fabacae]) is a major agronomic crop grown nationally and Montana ranks highly in acres harvested. The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica Gyllenhal [Coleoptera: Curculionidae]) is the primary defoliating pest that requires insecticide applications to prevent yield loss, particularly pyrethroid active ingredients (a.i.) that are both efficacious and cost-effective. Reports from commercial alfalfa producers in Big Horn County, MT, suggested local populations of alfalfa weevil had developed resistance to the pyrethroid a.i. lambda-cyhalothrin (type II pyrethroid). Chemical control is an important component of integrated pest management (IPM) of alfalfa weevil and the loss of pyrethroid a.i. as an effective tool would result in additional production costs. Two locations in southern Big Horn County and nine locations in four other Montana counties where resistance has not been reported were sampled and assayed for resistance to lambda-cyhalothrin. Populations from three counties were susceptible, the concentration causing 50% mortality (LC50) ranged from 0.02 to 0.10 µg/cm2. In contrast, populations from Big Horn County did not reach 50% mortality at the highest concentration of lambda-cyhalothrin tested (3.30 µg/cm2), indicating high levels of resistance have developed in these populations. A field trial in Big Horn County supported laboratory results of resistance; lambda-cyhalothrin at the highest label rate did not reduce alfalfa weevil populations. Additional bioassays suggest cross-resistance to zeta-cypermethrin (type II pyrethroid), but only partial cross-resistance to permethrin (type I pyrethroid).
Biology and Management of Peanut Burrower Bug (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) in Southeast U.S. Peanut
Authors: Aigner Benjamin L , Crossley Michael S , Abney Mark R
Published: July 2021

Peanut burrower bug, Pangaeus bilineatus (Say), is a piercing-sucking pest of peanut, Arachis hypogaea (L.), that is native to Central and North America. The insect spends most of its life below the soil surface and is not easily detected in the field. Although injury to peanut is sporadic in the Southern USA, the bug has become a serious economic pest for farmers in the region in recent years. During and after peanut seed formation, adult and immature bugs feed directly on seeds through the hull, reducing the quality and value of the crop. The value of peanut is reduced by approximately $209/MT when feeding injury is present on ≥3.5% of kernels by weight. Deep tillage prior to planting and application of granular chlorpyrifos during the growing season are the only tactics currently available for managing P. bilineatus in peanut in the United States. Relatively little research attention has been focused on P. bilineatus, and improved knowledge of the insect’s biology and ecology is needed to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy that significantly reduces financial losses caused by this insect. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the taxonomic history, biology, pest status, and management of P. bilineatus primarily as it relates to peanut production systems in the Southeast USA.
Identification and RNAi-Based Functional Analysis of Four Chitin Deacetylase Genes in Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Yang Xi-Bin , Zhou Cao , Gong Ming-Fu , Yang Hong , Long Gui-Yun , Jin Dao-Chao
Published: July 2021

Chitin deacetylases (CDAs) are chitin-degrading enzymes that play a key role in insect molting. In this study, we identified and characterized four full-length cDNAs of CDAs from Sogatella furcifera (Horváth). Developmental expression showed that SfCDA1 and SfCDA2 were expressed at all nymph developmental stages, SfCDA3 and SfCDA4 were mainly expressed in the third-instar to fifth-instar nymph stages, whereas tissue-specific analyses indicated that four CDA genes were mainly high expressed in the integument and head during the fifth-instar nymph. RNA interference (RNAi) results revealed that SfCDA1, SfCDA2, and SfCDA4 are associated with molting defect and high mortality with nymph–adult molting. Furthermore, transcripts of chitin synthase 1 variants (SfCHS1, SfCHS1a, and SfCHS1b) were significantly downregulated and causing significant changes in the expression levels of trehalases (TRE1 and TRE2) in the SfCDA1, SfCDA2, and SfCDA4 dsRNA treatment groups. By contrast, no significant phenotypic characteristics were observed after dsSfCDA3 injection. Taken together, our results suggest that SfCDA1, SfCDA2, and SfCDA4 play a vital role in nymph-adult transition, and these genes could regulate chitin biosynthesis expression levels.
Risk Assessment for the Establishment of Vespa mandarinia (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in the Pacific Northwest, United States
Authors: Norderud Erik D , Powell Scott L , Peterson Robert K D
Published: July 2021

The recent introduction of the Asian giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia Smith, in the United States in late 2019 has raised concerns about its establishment in the Pacific Northwest and its potential deleterious effects on honey bees, Apis spp., and their pollination services in the region. Therefore, we conducted a risk assessment of the establishment of V. mandarinia in Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Idaho on a county-by-county basis. Our highly conservative tier-1 qualitative and semiquantitative risk assessment relied on the biological requirements and ecological relationships of V. mandarinia in the environments of the Pacific Northwest. Our risk characterization was based on climate and habitat suitability estimates for V. mandarinia queens to overwinter and colonize nests, density and distribution of apiaries, and locations of major human-mediated introduction pathways that may increase establishment of the hornet in the counties. Our results suggest that 32 counties in the region could be at low risk, 120 at medium risk, and 23 at high risk of establishment. Many of the western counties in the region were estimated to be at the highest risk of establishment mainly because of their suitable climate for queens to overwinter, dense forest biomass for nest colonization, and proximity to major port and freight hubs in the region. By design, our tier-1 risk assessment most likely overestimates the risk of establishment, but considering its negative effects, these counties should be prioritized in ongoing monitoring and eradication efforts of V. mandarinia.
Fine-scale spatial distribution of soil organic carbon and its fractions after afforestation withPinus sylvestrisandSalix psammophilain a semiarid desert of China
Authors: Lan Zhilong , Zhang Shaolei , Sial Tanveer Ali , Wu Luyao , Chang Wenqian , Li Xiong , Zhang Jianguo , Fan Jinglong
Published: July 2021

Afforestation is helpful to improve soil functions and increase soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration in semiarid deserts. However, the fine-scale (around a single plant) spatial distribution of SOC and its liable organic carbon (LOC) fractions after afforestation in semiarid deserts are poorly understood. Pinus sylvestris and Salix psammophila afforested on shifting sandy land (Sland) were selected to quantify fine-scale (at 20, 80, 150 and 240 cm away from the trees) spatial distribution of SOC and its LOC fractions in the southeast edge of Mu Us Desert, China. The results showed that the afforested S. psammophila and P. sylvestris significantly increased SOC, total nitrogen, dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and readily oxidized organic carbon (ROOC). At 20 cm distance, SOC storage of P. sylvestris was 27.21% higher than S. psammophila in 0–100 cm soil layers, and SOC storage of S. psammophila at 80 and 150 cm distances was 5.50% and 5.66% higher than P. sylvestris, respectively. Compared with Sland, SOC storage under S. psammophila and P. sylvestris significantly increased by 94.90%, 39.50%, 27.10% and 18.50% at 20, 80, 150 and 240 cm distance, respectively. ROOC accounted for 14.09% and 18.93% of SOC under S. psammophila and P. sylvestris, respectively. Our results suggest that afforestation can promote SOC accumulation at different distances from the plants, and that P. sylvestris allocates more organic matter to the closer soil compared with S. psammophila (<80 cm from the tree).
Competition and abiotic stress affect the size of mangroves near their geographic range limit
Authors: Peng Dan , Guo Hongyu , Armitage Anna R , Pennings Steven C
Published: July 2021

Studies of competition in mangroves are mostly limited to seedlings and artificial settings like forestry projects. We conducted the first experimental study of intraspecific competition among adult mangroves in a natural mangrove forest to examine how important competition is in determining tree size compared with abiotic conditions. We conducted a study near Port Aransas, TX, USA, which is near the geographical limit of mangroves and dominated by monospecific stands of ‘scrub’ form black mangroves, Avicennia germinans. We thinned 10 plots to create a gradient of mangrove cover, and quantified the effects of mangrove cover on the growth of tagged mangroves from 2013 to 2019, and the mangrove canopy height in 2019. The relative growth rate of tagged mangroves declined as mangrove cover increased, and plants in the plot with 100% mangrove cover did not grow, indicating that they had attained their maximum size. In plots with reduced mangrove cover, plant height increased sharply, with plants in the plot with 11% mangrove cover growing ~52% taller over 6 years. Canopy height was ~30% taller in the plot fringe than in the interior, and canopy height in both fringe and interior declined as mangrove cover increased. Measures of leaf chlorophyll concentration and light interception suggested that plants were primarily limited by nitrogen. Our results showed that scrub mangroves compete strongly despite being limited by abiotic conditions, and that the importance of competition was greater in magnitude than that of abiotic differences between the fringe and interior.
Using a gene-based phenology model to identify optimal flowering periods of spring wheat in irrigated mega-environments
Authors: Hu Pengcheng , Chapman Scott C , Dreisigacker Susanne , Sukumaran Sivakumar , Reynolds Matthew , Zheng Bangyou
Published: July 2021

To maximize the grain yield of spring wheat, flowering needs to coincide with the optimal flowering period (OFP) by minimizing frost and heat stress on reproductive development. This global study conducted a comprehensive modelling analysis of genotype, environment, and management to identify the OFPs for sites in irrigated mega-environments of spring wheat where the crop matures during a period of increasing temperatures. We used a gene-based phenology model to conduct long-term simulation analysis with parameterized genotypes to identify OFPs and optimal sowing dates for sites in irrigated mega-environments, considering the impacts of frost and heat stress on yield. The validation results showed that the gene-based model accurately predicted wheat heading dates across global wheat environments. The long-term simulations indicated that frost and heat stress significantly advanced or delayed OFPs and shrank the durations of OFPs in irrigated mega-environments when compared with OFPs where the model excluded frost and heat stress impacts. The simulation results (incorporating frost and heat penalties on yield) also showed that earlier flowering generally resulted in higher yields, and early sowing dates and/or early flowering genotypes were suggested to achieve early flowering. These results provided an interpretation of the regulation of wheat flowering to the OFP by the selection of sowing date and cultivar to achieve higher yields in irrigated mega-environments.
Rapid parameter estimation of a two-component neutron star model with spin wandering using a Kalman filter
Authors: Meyers Patrick M , O’Neill Nicholas J , Melatos Andrew , Evans Robin J
Published: July 2021

The classic, two-component, crust-superfluid model of a neutron star can be formulated as a noise-driven, linear dynamical system, in which the angular velocities of the crust and superfluid are tracked using a Kalman filter applied to electromagnetic pulse timing data and gravitational wave data, when available. Here it is shown how to combine the marginal likelihood of the Kalman filter and nested sampling to estimate full posterior distributions of the six model parameters, extending previous analyses based on a maximum-likelihood approach. The method is tested across an astrophysically plausible parameter domain using Monte Carlo simulations. It recovers the injected parameters to ≲ 10 per cent for time series containing ∼103 samples, typical of long-term pulsar timing campaigns. It runs efficiently in $\mathcal {O}(1)$ CPU-hr for data sets of the above size. In a present-day observational scenario, when electromagnetic data are available only, the method accurately estimates three parameters: the relaxation time, the ensemble-averaged spin-down of the system, and the amplitude of the stochastic torques applied to the crust. In a future observational scenario, where gravitational wave data are also available, the method also estimates the ratio between the moments of inertia of the crust and the superfluid, the amplitude of the stochastic torque applied to the superfluid, and the crust-superfluid lag. These empirical results are consistent with a formal identifiability analysis of the linear dynamical system.
The impact of baryons on cosmological inference from weak lensing statistics
Authors: Lu Tianhuan , Haiman Zoltán
Published: July 2021

As weak lensing surveys are becoming deeper and cover larger areas, information will be available on small angular scales down to the arcmin level. To extract this extra information, accurate modelling of baryonic effects is necessary. In this work, we adopt a baryonic correction model, which includes gas both bound inside and ejected from dark matter (DM) haloes, a central galaxy, and changes in the DM profile induced by baryons. We use this model to incorporate baryons into a large suite of DM-only N-body simulations, covering a grid of 75 cosmologies in the Ωm–σ8 parameter space. We investigate how baryons affect Gaussian and non-Gaussian weak lensing statistics and the cosmological parameter inferences from these statistics. Our results show that marginalizing over baryonic parameters degrades the constraints in Ωm–σ8 space by a factor of 2–5 compared to those with baryonic parameters fixed. We also find that combining the lensing power spectrum and peak counts can break the degeneracy between cosmological and baryonic parameters and mitigate the impact of the uncertainty in baryonic physics.
Distinct neuron populations for simple and compound calls in the primary auditory cortex of awake marmosets
Authors: Zeng Huan-huan , Huang Jun-feng , Li Jun-ru , Shen Zhiming , Gong Neng , Wen Yun-qing , Wang Liping , Poo Mu-ming
Published: July 2021

Marmosets are highly social non-human primates that live in families. They exhibit rich vocalization, but the neural basis underlying this complex vocal communication is largely unknown. Here we report the existence of specific neuron populations in marmoset A1 that respond selectively to distinct simple or compound calls made by conspecific marmosets. These neurons were spatially dispersed within A1 but distinct from those responsive to pure tones. Call-selective responses were markedly diminished when individual domains of the call were deleted or the domain sequence was altered, indicating the importance of the global rather than local spectral-temporal properties of the sound. Compound call-selective responses also disappeared when the sequence of the two simple-call components was reversed or their interval was extended beyond 1 s. Light anesthesia largely abolished call-selective responses. Our findings demonstrate extensive inhibitory and facilitatory interactions among call-evoked responses, and provide the basis for further study of circuit mechanisms underlying vocal communication in awake non-human primates.
Relationship of Multiplex Molecular Pneumonia Panel Results With Hospital Outcomes and Clinical Variables
Authors: Rand K H , Beal S G , Cherabuddi K , Houck H , Lessard K , Tremblay E E , Couturier B , Lingenfelter B , Rindlisbacher C , Jones J
Published: July 2021

Background

Antibiotic treatment decisions in severely ill patients must often be made in the absence of microbiologic results. The recently Food and Drug Administration–cleared BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel (PN) detects 15 bacteria semiquantitatively, 3 atypical pneumonia bacteria, 8 viruses, and 7 antimicrobial resistance markers by multiplex PCR in ~1 hour in the laboratory. Previous reports have shown that the PN Panel bacterial detections are highly accurate, even when routine culture had no growth.

Methods

Consecutive bronchoalveolar lavage and endotracheal specimens submitted for culture between June and September 2018 from 270 patients with sufficient clinical and laboratory data were tested with the PN Panel. Patients were divided into 3 groups: (1) both culture and PN Panel positive, (2) PN Panel positive but culture uninformative (no growth or normal flora), and (3) patients with no PN Panel detections.

Results

Groups 1 and 2 had significantly higher maximum temperatures on the day of culture (P = .00036, analysis of variance [ANOVA] with Bonferroni correction), higher levels of an inflammatory response as measured by percent polymorphonuclear leukocytes in bronchoalveolar lavage (P = .00025, ANOVA with Bonferroni correction), and gram stain report of white blood cells, as previously reported [1].

Conclusions

Both group 1 (culture and PN Panel positive), and group 2 (PN Panel positive but culture uninformative) had higher levels of host response inflammatory responses compared with group 3, which had no targets detected, suggesting that PN Panel detections need to be interpreted in the clinical context, even if cultures are discordant. Depending on laboratory turnaround time, there could be opportunities for improved diagnosis and antibiotic stewardship.
Enhancing natural cycles in agro-ecosystems to boost plant carbon capture and soil storage
Authors: Buss Wolfram , Yeates Kirsty , Rohling Eelco J , Borevitz Justin
Published: July 2021

One of society’s greatest challenges is sequestering vast amounts of carbon to avoid dangerous climate change without driving competition for land and resources. Here we assess the potential of an integrated approach based on enhancement of natural biogeochemical cycles in agro-ecosystems that stimulate carbon capture and storage while increasing resilience and long-term productivity. The method integrates plant photosynthesis in the form of (cover) crops and agroforestry, which drives carbon capture. Belowground plant-carbon is efficiently stored as stable soil organic carbon. Aboveground crop and tree residues are pyrolyzed into biochar, which is applied to the soil reducing carbon release through decomposition. Enhanced weathering of basalt powder worked into the soil further captures and stores carbon, while releasing nutrients and alkalinity. The integrated system is regenerative, through enhanced virtuous cycles that lead to improved plant capture, biomass storage and crop yield, the prerequisites for large-scale carbon sequestration along with food security.
pH biosensing in the plant apoplast—a focus on root cell elongation
Authors: Moreau Hortense , Zimmermann Sabine D. , Gaillard Isabelle , Paris Nadine
Published: July 2021

The pH parameter of soil plays a key role for plant nutrition as it is affecting the availability of minerals and consequently determines plant growth. Although the mechanisms by which root perceive the external pH is still unknown, the impact of external pH on tissue growth has been widely studied especially in hypocotyl and root. Thanks to technological development of cell imaging and fluorescent sensors, we can now monitor pH in real time with at subcellular definition. In this focus, fluorescent dye-based, as well as genetically-encoded pH indicators are discussed especially with respect to their ability to monitor acidic pH in the context of primary root. The notion of apoplastic subdomains is discussed and suggestions are made to develop fluorescent indicators for pH values below 5.0.
Diagnosing giant cell arteritis: a comprehensive practical guide for the practicing rheumatologist
Authors: Andel Peter M , Chrysidis Stavros , Geiger Julia , Haaversen Anne C Bull , Haugeberg Glenn , Myklebust Geirmund , Nielsen Berit D , Diamantopoulos Andreas P
Published: July 2021

GCA is the most common large vessel vasculitis in the elderly population. In recent years, advanced imaging has changed the way GCA can be diagnosed in many locations. The GCA fast-track clinic approach combined with US examination allows prompt treatment and diagnosis with high certainty. Fast-track clinics have been shown to improve prognosis while being cost effective. However, all diagnostic modalities are highly operator dependent, and in many locations expertise in advanced imaging may not be available. In this paper, we review the current evidence on GCA diagnostics and propose a simple algorithm for diagnosing GCA for use by rheumatologists not working in specialist centres.