bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Newly imported proteins in mitochondria are particularly sensitive to aggregation
Authors: Vazquez‐Calvo Carmela , Kohler Verena , Höög Johanna L. , Büttner Sabrina , Ott Martin
Published: May 2023

Aim

A functional proteome is essential for life and maintained by protein quality control (PQC) systems in the cytosol and organelles. Protein aggregation is an indicator of a decline of PQC linked to aging and disease. Mitochondrial PQC is critical to maintain mitochondrial function and thus cellular fitness. How mitochondria handle aggregated proteins is not well understood. Here we tested how the metabolic status impacts on formation and clearance of aggregates within yeast mitochondria and assessed which proteins are particularly sensitive to denaturation.

Methods

Confocal microscopy, electron microscopy, immunoblotting and genetics were applied to assess mitochondrial aggregate handling in response to heat shock and ethanol using the mitochondrial disaggregase Hsp78 as a marker for protein aggregates.

Results

We show that aggregates formed upon heat or ethanol stress with different dynamics depending on the metabolic state. While fermenting cells displayed numerous small aggregates that coalesced into one large foci that was resistant to clearance, respiring cells showed less aggregates and cleared these aggregates more efficiently. Acute inhibition of mitochondrial translation had no effect, while preventing protein import into mitochondria by inhibition of cytosolic translation prevented aggregate formation.

Conclusion

Collectively, our data show that the metabolic state of the cells impacts the dynamics of aggregate formation and clearance, and that mainly newly imported and not yet assembled proteins are prone to form aggregates. Because mitochondrial functionality is crucial for cellular metabolism, these results highlight the importance of efficient protein biogenesis to maintain the mitochondrial proteome operational during metabolic adaptations and cellular stress.
Adventurous play in schools: The parent perspective
Authors: Nesbit Rachel J. , Harvey Kate , Parveen Sajida , Dodd Helen F.
Published: May 2023

Adventurous play (play that is exciting and thrilling, where children take age‐appropriate risks, for example climbing trees and jumping from rocks) is increasingly being recognised as beneficial for child health and development. Despite this, children's opportunities for and engagement in this type of play have declined in recent decades. Break times in schools may provide an ideal opportunity to provide adventurous play opportunities for all children. Recent work has identified myriad factors that help and hinder schools in offering adventurous play opportunities, but parent perspectives have largely been absent. Through one‐to‐one semistructured qualitative interviews, this study aimed at capture parents' perspectives on adventurous play happening in schools and what they perceive as the key barriers to and facilitators of adventurous play in schools. The findings were analysed using reflective thematic analysis. Five themes were identified: Needs, Schools as Gatekeepers, Risks and Benefits, Societal Constraints and Individual Differences. Findings are discussed with reference to parental support for adventurous play, as well as parent and school level needs that should be addressed if barriers that may hinder adventurous play opportunities in school are to be overcome.
How gender mainstreaming plays out in Tanzania's climate‐smart agricultural policy: Isomorphic mimicry of international discourse
Authors: Smith Ruth , Mdee Anna , Sallu Susannah
Published: May 2023

Motivation

Gender mainstreaming is often promoted internationally as the vehicle of choice to achieve gender equality. Concepts of mainstreaming are commonly seen in climate‐smart agriculture (CSA), where it is proposed that they can bridge gender gaps in agricultural input use and productivity. The rhetoric of mainstreaming, however, often relies upon and perpetuates gender myths and assumptions.

Purpose

We investigate how gender mainstreaming has spread into Tanzania's agricultural policies. We ask whether the government has the capacity to put these concepts into practice to address gender inequality. We explore this in the context of CSA, an increasingly important aspect of agricultural policy.

Methods and approach

Using the literature on policy transfer and isomorphism, we critically analyse gendered discourse in Tanzania's CSA policies to explore how gender is problematised and governed within policy. We use NVivo 12 to inductively code policy documents. We support these insights with the observations of key informants.

Findings

We find little evidence that gender has been effectively mainstreamed in Tanzania's CSA policies. We see a gap between the normative goal of gender mainstreaming and the practices intended to address gender (and intersectional) inequalities. The gap is made all the wider by limited recognition within government‐from national to local—of how such inequalities affect agriculture. Not only are policies detached from local contexts leading to infeasible plans, but also local government lacks both resources and capacity to implement them.

Policy implications

Our study calls into question much of the global discourse on gender mainstreaming, especially the myths that support it. It shows how representing the problem in a particular way can lead to dysfunctional policy.

A better approach would be to start with understanding the various inequalities seen in agriculture in Tanzania, inequalities of gender but also of class. It would take into account the capacity to implement policy in the field. A more practical approach, tailored to the realities of rural Tanzania, would benefit the people of Tanzania more than just imitating questionable international discourse.
High‐commitment HRM practices during the financial crisis in Portugal: Employees' and HR perspectives
Authors: Dello Russo Silvia , Mayrhofer Wolfgang , Caetano Antonio , Passos Ana
Published: May 2023

Over the recent decades, organizations have had to face a number of major external shocks and crises. Acquiring a better understanding of how human resources are managed under such critical conditions constitutes the main purpose of this study. We conducted a study triangulating different sources (employees, HR managers, and secondary data) and types of data (quantitative and qualitative) to explore how employees in Portuguese organizations perceived the HR practices' implementation during the years of the financial crisis (2011–2014) and how HR managers explained it. Longitudinal evidence from 53 organizations attests to perceived decreasing trends, particularly in training and development and performance management. HR managers legitimize these trends, embracing conventions and revealing the impact of coercive and normative pressures. Our findings highlight the need for renewed attention to be paid to the contextual pressures on HR managers' decision‐making and actions that could severely endanger their role as strategic partners and their embrace of sustainable HRM.
Deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease with valosin‐containing protein gene mutation
Authors: Kim Yoon Seob , Park Don Gueu , Kim Min Seung , Yoon Jung Han
Published: May 2023

Background and purpose

Mutations in the gene encoding valosin‐containing protein (VCP) are related to myriad medical conditions, including familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, inclusion body myopathy, and frontotemporal dementia. There are several reports of a link between these mutations and early onset Parkinson disease (PD).

Case description

We report a 53‐year‐old PD patient with VCP mutation who later developed motor complications, thus receiving subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (DBS) at the age of 56 years. However, myopathy emerged 1.5 years after surgery.

Conclusions

With the phenotype variability of VCP, DBS should be carefully evaluated, considering the possible unfavorable long‐term outcomes due to other symptoms of this mutation.
Effect of collagen sponge and flowable resin composite on pain management after free gingival graft harvesting: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Meza‐Mauricio Jonathan , Mourão Elisa Ribeiro Sá Tscherbakowski , Oliveira Marinho Kelson , Vergara‐Buenaventura Andrea , Mendoza‐Azpur Gerardo , Muniz Francisco Wilker Mustafa Gomes , Santamaria Mauro Pedrine , Faveri Marcelo
Published: May 2023

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the application of a flowable resin composite coating, over a collagen sponge stabilized with suture, on postoperative pain after free gingival graft harvesting. Thirty‐two free gingival grafts were harvested from the palate in 32 patients, who were subsequently randomized to have only a collagen sponge stabilized with sutures applied to the palatal wound (control), or to have the collagen sponge coated with a flowable resin composite (test). Patients were observed for 14 days, and the pain level was evaluated by using a numerical rating scale. The consumption of analgesics during the postoperative period and the characteristic of the graft were also analyzed. The patients in the test group reported having experienced significantly less pain statistically than the patients in the control group throughout the study. The consumption of analgesics was lower in the test group. The dimensions of harvested grafts in the control and test groups showed no significant differences in height, width, and thickness. In conclusion, the addition of flowable resin composite coating to the hemostatic collagen sponge on the palatal wound following free gingival graft harvesting helped to minimize postoperative pain.
The perks of being in good conditions: How does female parasitism affect male mate choice in an orb‐web spider?
Authors: da Silva Amanda Vieira , Almeida João Gabriel Lacerda de
Published: May 2023

It is assumed that males increase their reproductive performance by mating with the highest number of females. However, in some species males are reproductively constrained, being able to mate only a few times. In these cases, it is expected that males choose the highest quality females available. One factor that can change female quality is parasitism, however, many empirical studies fail to find conclusive support for a non‐parasitized female preference. This might be due to the fact that behavioral tests in many studies are made in a controlled environment or use indirect measures of mate choice. Using a natural‐environment approach, we tested whether the mate choice of the golden orb‐web spiderTrichonephila clavipesmale is affected by the presence of the parasite in the female. We hypothesize that males will prefer to establish on webs of non‐parasitized females and will attempt to mate and copulate more with non‐parasitized females over parasitized ones. For this, we conducted field observations for 76 h. We found that males prefer to establish on non‐parasitized female webs than on parasitized ones. However, there was no difference between the number of attempts to mate and copulations of parasitized and non‐parasitized females. It seems that males can distinguish between parasitized and non‐parasitized females, but once they establish on a female web, they are resistant to leave. One possible explanation is that some males stay on a parasitized female web to avoid competition with other males. Therefore, it is possible that mating with parasitized females represents a “making the best of a bad job” mating tactic inT. clavipes.
Life history and stock synthesis assessment of Prionotus punctatus (Teleostei, Triglidae) in southern Brazil
Authors: Rodriguez Andrea Renata , Haimovici Manuel , Kikuchi Eidi , Sant'Ana Rodrigo , Mourato Bruno L. , Alvarez Perez Jose Angel , Cardoso Luís Gustavo
Published: May 2023

Age, growth, and maturity of the bluewing searobin Prionotus punctatus were studied to assess its stock status in southern Brazil. Total length compositions, weight, sex, and maturity stage were recorded from commercial landings, and ages were estimated from transverse sections of the sagittal otolith. The oldest observed specimen was a 12‐year‐old female. Females grew to a larger asymptotic length (L∞ = 384.4 mm) than males (L∞ = 311.7 mm) but at a slower instantaneous rate (kfemales = 0.41 year−1, kmales = 0.75 year−1). Reproduction occurred from spring to early fall. Females size‐ and age‐at‐maturity was estimated at 246.8 mm and 1.66 years, while males were at 237.2 mm and 1.38 years. Based on a statistical catch‐at‐age stock assessment, the spawning biomass declined 84% from 1976 to 2000 being classified as overfished and suffering from overfishing (B/Bmsy = 0.62; F/Fmsy >1). P. punctatus was regularly discarded by industrial fisheries before 2000 but suffered from high exploitation in the last decades. These results highlight the need for the species to be included in Brazil's fishery management plans.
Sedimentary ancient DNA of rotifers reveals responses to 200 years of climate change in two Kenyan crater lakes
Authors: Kyalo‐Omamo Margaret , Junginger Annett , Krueger Johanna , Epp Laura S. , Stoof‐Leichsenring Kathleen R. , Rohland Stefanie , Trauth Martin H. , Tiedemann Ralph
Published: May 2023

Sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) has proven to be a useful tool for palaeoenvironmental studies, but only a handful of studies exist so far for tropical regions. In this study we used sedaDNA to study the temporal succession of Brachionus spp. rotifer mitochondrial DNA haplotypes using two sediment cores from two climatically different alkaline‐saline crater lakes from the Kenyan Rift Valley.

Data were retrieved from a sediment core (dating back to AD 1800) from Lake Kageinya, located in the remote, hot and hyper‐arid Suguta Valley. sedaDNA was used to study the temporal succession of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes of Brachionus spp. rotifers. The results were compared to previously published data from Lake Sonachi, a well‐studied lake in the humid and colder mountainous region of Kenya near the town of Naivasha, now supported by a 210Pb age chronology.

Both records extend back before the onset of substantial anthropogenic impact in these regions. The results revealed that climate—rather than anthropogenic impact—was most strongly correlated with haplotype changes in both lakes. During prolonged dry periods (such as from AD 1910 to the late AD 1960s), certain haplotypes persisted. Sudden changes and the emergence of alter native haplotypes were observed when climate became more humid or during episodes of highly variable climate (before AD 1910 and from AD 1960s onwards).

Progressive changes in prevailing haplotypes during periods with variable climate could reflect local adaptation and/or be the result of immigration of new haplotypes after the eradication of previous populations during extreme environmental conditions (high temperatures, UV irradiation, pH and salinity).

The results indicate that, despite adverse chemical conditions, sedaDNA in tropical lake sediments is preserved for at least a few hundred years. Therefore, its analysis provides a useful complementary palaeoenvironmental proxy for palaeolimnological reconstructions and novel insights on changes in rotifer populations through time.
Imagery and argumentation in apologetics: a case study
Authors: Pickering David
Published: May 2023

This essay explores aspects of the relationship between imagery and thought in the work of the English apologist G.K. Chesterton (1874‐1936), focusing on the language and imagery of energy and of vision in his work. It attempts to assess both the strengths and the weaknesses of the ways in which imagery and other aspects of this writer's use of language relate to his argumentation. It also explores the possibility that Chesterton's work can shed light on one of the philosophical dimensions of apologetics, namely, apologists’ attempts to present concepts that cannot be explicitly stated, as part of a defence of Christianity. In considering this issue, it brings Chesterton's use of imagery into dialogue with certain images in the work of the philosopher Mary Midgley and the apologist C.S. Lewis. Finally, it draws certain tentative conclusions concerning the role of imagery in relation to argumentation, within the field of apologetics.
Immunohistochemical evaluation of cyclooxygenase‐2 and mast cell density in periapical lesions
Authors: Malik Shashibala , Kamboj Mala , Narwal Anjali , Devi Anju
Published: May 2023

Aim

Periapical granuloma (PG) and cyst (PC) are formed as a protective response consequent to pulpal infection leaching through the apical foramen and lateral canals. Various inflammatory mediators like mast cells and cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2 are involved in this intricate process. This pilot study aimed to evaluate and compare the immunoexpression of tryptase and COX‐2 in periapical granuloma and periapical cyst, and also correlate them with intensity of inflammatory infiltrate and thickness of cystic epithelial lining.

Methodology

An observational and cross‐sectional study was conducted on paraffin‐embedded tissue sections of 50 PGs and 50 PCs submitted for morphological and immunohistochemical analysis using anti‐tryptase and anti‐COX‐2 antibodies. The mean number of mast cells (total, granulated and degranulated), mean COX‐2 expression and inflammatory score was calculated. The data obtained were analysed using Mann Whitney U, Student's T, Chi‐square and Spearman correlation test (p < .05).

Results

The inflammatory score, total mast cells and COX‐2 expression were similar in PGs and PCs (p = .352, .339 and .352) however, the degranulated mast cells were highly significant in PC while granulated mast cells were highly significant in PG respectively (p < .001 in both). Although a non‐significant correlation existed between COX‐2 and total mast cells in both groups but, total mast cells were significantly correlated with epithelial thickness in PC (p = .029).

Conclusions

Mast cells and cyclooxygenase‐2 proved to be independent inflammatory markers in periapical lesions. Further studies should be planned on mast cell and COX‐2 inhibitors as treatment modalities of periapical lesions.
Compatibility of digital and analog methods in assessment of gingival zeniths
Authors: Karaduman Burcu , Sarp Semih , Yilmaz Mustafa
Published: May 2023

Objective

The compatibility of digital and analog methods assessing the positions of gingival zenith (GZ) points has not been evaluated before. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy of a digital scanner and a three‐dimensional (3D) measuring tool in specifying positions of GZs by comparing it to the conventional method, an analog plaster cast and a caliper.

Materials and Methods

Both analog and digital impressions were obtained from 32 individuals. Following measurements were conducted in the anterior maxillary region from canine to canine on both the plaster casts and 3D images: (1) The distance from GZ to the corresponding vertical midline in each tooth (GZVM), (2) The distance from GZ of lateral incisor to the corresponding tangent that connects GZs of central incisor and canine (GZLI).

Results

The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of GZVM in each tooth varied between 0.366 and 0.755, demonstrating moderate to good compatibility between the two methods. The ICC of analog and digital GZLI for the right and left lateral incisors was 0.788 and 0.395, respectively.

Conclusion

The digital and analog methods used in this study are compatible in determining the positions of GZs. Therefore, within the limitations of the present study, the choice of method can be based on the available equipment, time, comfort, and personal preference of the researcher.

Clinical Significance

Both digital and analog methods have the capability of determining the positions of GZs in compatible way.
Physiological effects of temperature on Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides shows high vulnerability of Arctic stenotherms to global warming
Authors: Ruth Andreas , Svendsen Morten Bo Søndergaard , Nygaard Rasmus , Christensen Emil Aputsiaq Flindt , Bushnell Peter G. , Steffensen John Fleng
Published: May 2023

Global warming affects the metabolism of ectothermic aquatic breathers forcing them to migrate and undergo high‐latitudinal distribution shifts to circumvent the temperature‐induced mismatch between increased metabolic demand and reduced water oxygen availability. Here the authors examined the effects of temperature on oxygen consumption rates in an Arctic stenotherm, the Greenland halibut Reinhardtius hippoglossoides, and calculated the optimal temperature for maximum aerobic scope, AS(Topt,AS), which was found to be 2.44°C. They also investigated cardiac performance as limiting the oxygen transport chain at high temperatures by measuring maximum heart rate (fHmax) over acute temperature increases and found various metrics related to fHmax to be at least 3.2°C higher than Topt,AS. The authors’ measured Topt,AS closely reflected in situ temperature occurrences of Greenland halibut from long‐term tagging studies, showing that AS of the species is adapted to its habitat temperature, and is thus a good proxy for the species' sensitivity to environmental warming. The authors did not find a close connection between fHmax and Topt,AS, suggesting that cardiac performance is not limiting for the oxygen transport chain at high temperatures in this particular Arctic stenotherm. The authors’ estimate of the thermal envelope for AS of Greenland halibut was from −1.89 to 8.07°C, which is exceptionally narrow compared to most other species of fish. As ocean temperatures increase most rapidly in the Arctic in response to climate change, and species in these areas have limited possibility for further poleward‐range shifts, these results suggest potential severe effects of global warming on Arctic stenotherms, such as the Greenland halibut. The considerable economic importance of the species raises concerns for future fisheries and species conservation of Arctic stenotherms in the Northern Hemisphere.
Structural and functional analysis of the cerato‐platanin‐like protein Cpl1 suggests diverging functions in smut fungi
Authors: Weiland Paul , Dempwolff Felix , Steinchen Wieland , Freibert Sven‐Andreas , Tian Hui , Glatter Timo , Martin Roman , Thomma Bart P. H. J. , Bange Gert , Altegoer Florian
Published: May 2023

Plant‐pathogenic fungi are causative agents of the majority of plant diseases and can lead to severe crop loss in infected populations. Fungal colonization is achieved by combining different strategies, such as avoiding and counteracting the plant immune system and manipulating the host metabolome. Of major importance are virulence factors secreted by fungi, which fulfil diverse functions to support the infection process. Most of these proteins are highly specialized, with structural and biochemical information often absent. Here, we present the atomic structures of the cerato‐platanin‐like protein Cpl1 from Ustilago maydis and its homologue Uvi2 from Ustilago hordei. Both proteins adopt a double‐Ψβ‐barrel architecture reminiscent of cerato‐platanin proteins, a class so far not described in smut fungi. Our structure–function analysis shows that Cpl1 binds to soluble chitin fragments via two extended grooves at the dimer interface of the two monomer molecules. This carbohydrate‐binding mode has not been observed previously and expands the repertoire of chitin‐binding proteins. Cpl1 localizes to the cell wall of U. maydis and might synergize with cell wall‐degrading and decorating proteins during maize infection. The architecture of Cpl1 harbouring four surface‐exposed loop regions supports the idea that it might play a role in the spatial coordination of these proteins. While deletion of cpl1 has only mild effects on the virulence of U. maydis, a recent study showed that deletion of uvi2 strongly impairs U. hordei virulence. Our structural comparison between Cpl1 and Uvi2 reveals sequence variations in the loop regions that might explain a diverging function.
Verticillium longisporum phospholipase VlsPLA2 is a virulence factor that targets host nuclei and modulates plant immunity
Authors: Rafiei Vahideh , Vélëz Heriberto , Piombo Edoardo , Dubey Mukesh , Tzelepis Georgios
Published: May 2023

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a lipolytic enzyme that hydrolyses phospholipids in the cell membrane. In the present study, we investigated the role of secreted PLA2 (VlsPLA2) in Verticillium longisporum, a fungal phytopathogen that mostly infects plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family, causing severe annual yield loss worldwide. Expression of the VlsPLA2 gene, which encodes active PLA2, is highly induced during the interaction of the fungus with the host plant Brassica napus. Heterologous expression of VlsPLA2 in Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in increased synthesis of certain phospholipids compared to plants in which enzymatically inactive PLA2 was expressed (VlsPLA2ΔCD). Moreover, VlsPLA2 suppresses the hypersensitive response triggered by the Cf4/Avr4 complex, thereby suppressing the chitin‐induced reactive oxygen species burst. VlsPLA2‐overexpressing V. longisporum strains showed increased virulence in Arabidopsis plants, and transcriptomic analysis of this fungal strain revealed that the induction of the gene contributed to increased virulence. VlsPLA2 was initially localized to the host nucleus and then translocated to the chloroplasts at later time points. In addition, VlsPLA2 bound to the vesicle‐associated membrane protein A (VAMPA) and was transported to the nuclear membrane. In the nucleus, VlsPLA2 caused major alterations in the expression levels of genes encoding transcription factors and subtilisin‐like proteases, which play a role in plant immunity. In conclusion, our study showed that VlsPLA2 acts as a virulence factor, possibly by hydrolysing host nuclear envelope phospholipids, which, through a signal transduction cascade, may suppress basal plant immune responses.
A neurocognitive theory of flexible emotion control: The role of the lateral frontal pole in emotion regulation
Authors: Roelofs Karin , Bramson Bob , Toni Ivan
Published: May 2023

Emotion regulation is essential to survive in a world full of challenges with rapidly changing contextual demands. The ability to flexibly shift between different emotional control strategies is critical to successfully deal with these demands. Recently, decision neuroscience has shown the importance of monitoring alternative control strategies. However, this insight has not been incorporated into current neurocognitive models of emotional control. Here, we integrate insights from decision and affective sciences into a novel viewpoint on emotion control, the Flexible Emotion Control Theory (FECT). This theory explains how an individual can flexibly change emotion‐regulatory behavior to adapt to varying goals and contextual demands. Crucially, FECT proposes that rapid switching between alternative emotional control strategies requires concurrent evaluation of current as well as alternative (unchosen) options. The neural implementation of FECT relies on the involvement of distinct prefrontal structures, including the lateral frontal pole (FPl) and its connections with other cortical (prefrontal, parietal, motor) and subcortical systems. This novel account of emotion control integrates insights from decision sciences, clinical research, as well as meta‐analytic evidence for the consistent FPl involvement during emotional control when monitoring of alternative emotional control strategies is required. Moreover, it provides novel, neurocognitively grounded starting points for interventions to improve emotion control in affective disorders, such as anxiety and aggression.
Interspecific variation in plant abundance can contribute to the diversity and evolutionary assembly of floral communities
Authors: Rivest Sébastien
Published: May 2023

Angiosperms show remarkable floral diversity in pollinator use. However, how this diversity evolves in a community context remains poorly understood. In this article I propose that different plant species abundances promote adaptation to different pollinators and different degrees of specialization. In this view, interspecific variation in species abundance can foster floral diversity. I develop a mathematical model of pollen transfer considering the interaction of several pollination processes – pollen removal and carryover, intra‐ and interspecific competition for pollinator visitation, and interspecific pollen transfer – that are linked to floral abundance. I integrate the model to an adaptive dynamic framework to simulate the evolutionary assembly of pollination networks. The model demonstrates that different pollinator attributes and degrees of generalization are favored at different plant relative abundances. Within communities, interspecific variation in plant abundance increased diversity in pollinator use and degree of generalization while also promoting the evolution of pollination networks with higher nestedness and lower connectance, leading to networks more consistent with natural pollination networks. The model helps understand the evolutionary assembly of flower communities and suggests a new mechanism by which floral diversity can be generated, contributing to our understanding of floral evolution and diversification.
“Don't be our daddy”: Feminist labor on the political left in Armenia
Authors: Sargsyan Nelli
Published: May 2023

The ongoing feminist struggle in post‐Soviet Armenia to imagine a world without patriarchal social arrangements, militarization, and capitalism is multidirectional, involving intimate relations at home, with fellow leftists, and in public political life. Instead of divesting from afforded systemic privileges, both material and representational, leftist men often extend patriarchal power relations to their political work, creating what I call civic patriarchy, an extension of patriarchal power relations leftist men‐comrades practice within feminine‐designated civic work. To the extent that leftist men are invested in patriarchal sociopolitical arrangements, they remain in stronger solidarity with those upholding the existing social order than with their leftist feminist comrades committed to upending it. Drawing on a collaborative project on leftist activism in Armenia today, I examine the work feminists do on the political left to resist their erasure as political actors and to orient the political consciousness of their leftist men‐comrades away from civic patriarchy and toward a more equitable collective life. I argue that a nonhierarchical politics of cultivating relationality that not only sustains our embodied lives in all their materiality but also attunes us to each other with collective life‐sustaining care is key to building broad feminist coalitions across differences.
Spatial patterns of flower colour variation in native and introduced ranges ofConvolvulus arvensis(Convolvulaceae) revealed by citizen‐science data and machine learning
Authors: Surmacz B.
Published: May 2023

Flower colour polymorphism refers to the presence of multiple colour variants in plant populations. Investigation of this phenomenon led to multiple discoveries, including the principles of heredity and the foundations of population genetics. I examined flower colour variation across native and introduced ranges ofConvolvulus arvensis, which exhibits flower colour polymorphism (individuals have white or pink petals).

To study flower colour variation of this species throughout large geographic scale, I used observations gathered from the iNaturalist platform. To handle a large amount of data, I trained a neural network to classify the plants' morphs based on photographs. After which I performed spatial analyses to examine the patterns of the colour frequency, also in relation to environmental factors.

The results show that flower colours are polymorphic across the whole species range, but the frequency of pinkversuswhite flowers varies. In the Palearctic, I observed geographic clines of colour morph frequencies: a higher frequency of the pink morph in populations from Northwest Europe, whereas in South and East Europe, towards the eastern edge of the range, the white morph was dominant. In contrast, pattern of colour distribution in North America (where the species is invasive) seems random, but the model indicates a link between higher proportions of pink morphs in mild and humid climates.

The mechanisms behind the observed patterns remain largely unknown, as changes in a morphs' frequency are not strongly linked to abiotic factors. To understand the spatial pattern, a detailed investigation, accounting for the species' phylogeography is needed. This study provides another example of how the general public may collect data relevant to ecological studies, even when the data are not collected for a specific project.
The effects of miRNA‐27a‐3p on human epidermal melanocytes
Authors: Li Yue , Wang Suqin , Ning Jing , Mao Xiaoqian , Ge Kang , Zhang Ruzhi
Published: May 2023

Objective

To characterize the effects of miRNA‐27a‐3p on the biological properties of human epidermal melanocytes (MCs).

Methods

MCs were obtained from human foreskins and transfected with miRNA‐27a‐3p mimic (induces the overexpression of miRNA‐27a‐3p), mimic‐NC (the negative control group), miRNA‐27a‐3p inhibitor, or inhibitor‐NC. After transfection, the proliferation of MCs in each group was evaluated by cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days. Twenty‐four hours later, the MCs were transferred onto a living cell imaging platform and cultured for another 12 h to detect their trajectories and velocities. On days 3, 4, and 5 after transfection, the expression of melanogenesis‐related mRNAs, protein levels, and melanin contents were measured using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), Western blotting, and NaOH solubilization, respectively.

Results

The RT‐PCR results showed that miRNA‐27a‐3p was successfully transfected into MCs. The proliferation of MCs was restrained by miRNA‐27a‐3p. There were no significant differences in the movement trajectories of MCs in the four transfected groups, but the cell movement velocity in the mimic group was slightly lower; that is, the overexpression of miRNA‐27a‐3p inhibited the speed of MCs. The expression levels of melanogenesis‐related mRNAs and proteins were decreased in the mimic group and were increased in the inhibitor group. Melanin content in the mimic group was lower than that in the other three groups.

Conclusions

Overexpression of miRNA‐27a‐3p inhibits the expression of melanogenesis‐related mRNAs and proteins, reduces the melanin content of human epidermal MCs, and slightly impacts their movement speed.
Phylogenetic relationships and divergence dating of Mantodea using mitochondrial phylogenomics
Authors: Ma Yue , Zhang Le‐Ping , Lin Yi‐Jie , Yu Dan‐Na , Storey Kenneth B. , Zhang Jia‐Yong
Published: May 2023

Mantodea is a predatory insect group, its members occupying a diverse array of widely distributed habitats. Praying mantis species utilize hunting strategies including remarkable mimicry and unique camouflage for hiding from natural enemies while catching their prey. The emergence of a “cyclopean ear” in mantises is thought to be a morphological innovation of the group, and an “arms race” with echolocating bats is one of the hypotheses put forward to account for the emergence of the mantis ear from a coevolutionary perspective. However, this hypothesis has not been rigorously tested because of a lack of robust higher‐level phylogeny and a detailed chronogram of Mantodea. Previous phylogenetic studies found an incongruence between traditional classification and molecular phylogenetics due to the convergent evolution of various ecomorphic strategies of the lineage. Here, we performed a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Mantodea based on data from 61 mitogenomes. Our analyses showed that the monophyly of Acanthopidae, Haaniidae, Nanomantidae, Miomantidae and Mantidea was supported. The newly updated Gonypetidae were paraphyletic, whereas Eremiaphilidae, Deroplatyidae and Toxoderidae were polyphyletic. Our molecular dating analyses inferred that Spinomantodea originated at ca. 149 Ma (Late Jurassic), whereas the origin of hearing mantises (Cernomantodea) was inferred as Early Cretaceous (119 Ma, 95% CI: 110–129 Ma). The molecular dating results indicated that the hearing organ in mantises did not arise in response to bat predation. Our study provides a robust framework for further evolutionary comparative studies of mantises.
Awareness and Knowledge of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition
Authors: Chen Tiffany J. , Whitfield Geoffrey P. , Watson Kathleen B. , Fulton Janet E. , Ussery Emily N. , Hyde Eric T. , Rose Ken
Published: May 2023

Background: Assessing awareness and knowledge of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition (Guidelines), released in 2018, is important for monitoring factors that contribute to increasing physical activity. Methods: We estimated prevalence of awareness and knowledge of the adult aerobic guideline (≥150 min/wk of moderate-intensity equivalent aerobic physical activity preferably spread out over a week) among adults (n = 3471) and of the youth aerobic guideline (≥60 min/d of mostly moderate- to vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity) among a subset of parents (n = 744) from a nationwide sample of US adults in the 2019 FallStyles survey. We estimated odds ratios using logistic regression, adjusting for demographic and other characteristics. Results: Approximately 1 in 10 US adults and parents reported being aware of the Guidelines. Only 3% of adults knew the correct adult aerobic guideline. The most common responses were “don’t know/not sure” (44%) and “30 minutes a day, 5 or more days a week” (28%). Among parents, 15% knew the youth aerobic guideline. Awareness and knowledge tended to be lower with lower education and income. Conclusions: Limited awareness and knowledge of the Guidelines suggest communication about the Guidelines could be strengthened, especially among adults with low income or education.
Analysis of volume and topography of adipose tissue in the trunk: Results of MRI of 11,141 participants in the German National Cohort
Authors: Haueise Tobias , Schick Fritz , Stefan Norbert , Schlett Christopher L. , Weiss Jakob B. , Nattenmüller Johanna , Göbel-Guéniot Katharina , Norajitra Tobias , Nonnenmacher Tobias , Kauczor Hans-Ulrich , Maier-Hein Klaus H. , Niendorf Thoralf , Pischon Tobias , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Umutlu Lale , Peters Annette , Rospleszcz Susanne , Kröncke Thomas , Hosten Norbert , Völzke Henry , Krist Lilian , Willich Stefan N. , Bamberg Fabian , Machann Juergen
Published: May 2023

This research addresses the assessment of adipose tissue (AT) and spatial distribution of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous fat (SAT) in the trunk from standardized magnetic resonance imaging at 3 T, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of deep learning (DL)–based image segmentation in a large population-based cohort in Germany (five sites). Volume and distribution of AT play an essential role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance, a risk factor of developing metabolic/cardiovascular diseases. Cross-validated training of the DL-segmentation model led to a mean Dice similarity coefficient of >0.94, corresponding to a mean absolute volume deviation of about 22 ml. SAT is significantly increased in women compared to men, whereas VAT is increased in males. Spatial distribution shows age- and body mass index–related displacements. DL-based image segmentation provides robust and fast quantification of AT (≈15 s per dataset versus 3 to 4 hours for manual processing) and assessment of its spatial distribution from magnetic resonance images in large cohort studies.
Supplemental Material: Molybdenum isotope signature of microbial nitrogen utilization in siboglinid tubeworms
Authors: Wang Xudong , Feng Dong , al. et
Published: May 2023

Materials and methods, Tables S1–S5, Figure S1, and references.  
Haemodynamic assessment and management of hypotension in the preterm
Authors: Mullaly Rachel , El-Khuffash Afif Faisal
Published: May 2023

The management of low blood flow states in premature neonates is fraught with many challenges. We remain over-reliant on regimented stepwise protocols that use mean blood pressure as a threshold for intervention to guide treatment, without giving due consideration to the underlying pathophysiology. The current available evidence does not reflect the need to concentrate on the unique pathophysiology of the preterm infant and thus leads to widespread misuse of vasoactive agents that often do not provide the desired clinical effect. Therefore, understanding the underlying pathophysiological underpinnings of haemodynamic compromise may better guide choice of agent and assess physiological response to the selected intervention.
Pore-pressure coefficients for unsaturated soils: generalized effective stress approach
Authors: Tuttolomondo Angelica , Ferrari Alessio , Laloui Lyesse
Published: May 2023

Geotechnical problems with total stress changes occurring rapidly relative to the soil consolidation time can be conveniently addressed using an effective stress-based approach. For saturated states, analytical formulations of pore-pressure coefficients adopting coherent effective stress concepts exist. These formulations allow the induced pore water pressure variations and the corresponding effective stress changes to be determined. For unsaturated states, there are no analytical formulations of pore-pressure coefficients that adopt a suitable effective stress concept. This paper presents analytical derivations of pore-pressure coefficients for unsaturated elastic isotropic soils using the generalized effective stress (valid for saturated and unsaturated states) for different total stress changes. The model performance is described, and flowcharts to be adopted in engineering practice are provided. Compared with an existing approach that is not based on the effective stress, the proposed one requires fewer constitutive parameters (one of which, conveniently, is the soil bulk modulus), allows to analytically obtain the existing expressions for saturated states when the degree of saturation is 1 and to readily determine the retention curve under undrained conditions. Existing experimental data were analysed, and satisfactory interpretations and predictions of the experimental results were obtained. The proposed framework is a valuable tool for undrained mechanical analyses of unsaturated soils under different practical applications.
Modelling biogeochemical clogging affecting piezometers in acid sulfate soil terrain
Authors: Athuraliya Senura , Indraratna Buddhima , Medawela Subhani , Rowe R. Kerry , Thamwattana Natalie
Published: May 2023

This study offers an analytical solution for radial consolidation that captures the biogeochemical clogging effect in acid sulfate soils. Field sites and personal communication with industry practitioners have provided evidence of piezometers exhibiting retarded pore pressure readings that do not follow conventional soil consolidation and seepage principles when installed in coastal acidic floodplains. This retarded response together with a variation in pH, ion concentrations, and piezometric heads provided evidence of clogging at and around the piezometers. This paper uses the proposed biogeochemical clogging model, which is an analytically derived system of equations to estimate the excess pore water pressure dissipation of piezometers installed in clogging-prone acid sulfate soils. The inclusion of the total porosity reduction attributed to biological and geochemical clogging improves the predictions of the retarded dissipation of excess pore pressure, especially after about 1 year. This method is validated for two previously identified acidic field sites in coastal Australia, where piezometers measured a very slow rate of dissipation. It is concluded that this model has potential to accurately monitor the performance of critical infrastructure, such as dams and embankment foundations built on acidic terrain.
Simulation and experiment on obstacle avoidance control of concrete pump truck boom based on improved danger field and gradient projection method
Authors: Huang Yi , Hu Yong , Liu Jianwu , Islam S.M. Tarikul
Published: May 2023

Aiming at the shortcomings of the traditional robot obstacle avoidance algorithm applied directly to the leader–follower task transformation of concrete pump truck boom, an algorithm combined with improved danger field and improved gradient projection method for obstacle avoidance control of the boom is proposed. In the method, a joint limit avoidance function is used to avoid the angle overrun of the boom joints. And the danger field expression is modified to improve its engineering suitability. Moreover, a smoothing adjustment factor is introduced to improve the smoothness of the leader–follower task transformation of the boom. The influence of key control parameters on the safety and accuracy of boom movement is discussed through the simulation, and the reasonable ranges of the parameters are given. Furthermore, experiments are carried out to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm. The method provides a solution for obstacle avoidance control of construction machinery with multijoint series boom.
Study on the influence of 3D modification on dynamic characteristics of a herringbone gear transmission system
Authors: Li Zhibin , Wang Sanmin
Published: May 2023

The 3D modification is an advanced technology that comprehensively considers tooth profile modification and axial modification to reduce vibration and noise. Therefore, this paper combines 3D modification technology with contact characteristics and dynamic properties to study the influence of 3D modification on the dynamic performance of a herringbone gear system. This paper employs a parabolic tooth profile instead of the cutter's straight tooth profile to achieve 3D-modified tooth surface and deduces the tooth surface equation. Then, tooth contact analysis (TCA) and loaded tooth contact analysis (LTCA) are used to simulate the meshing process of teeth. And the dynamic model of the herringbone gear system under three internal excitations is established. Finally, 3D modification, TCA, LTCA technology, and gear dynamic characteristics are combined to study the influence of 3D modification on the system's dynamic behavior. The results show that, compared with tooth profile modification and axial modification, the 3D modification can effectively compensate for the influence of errors on the gear system and have a very good damping effect. The relative vibration displacements on the left and right meshing lines of the gear pair are reduced by 47.60% and 51.20%, and the root mean square values are decreased by 30.50% and 36.10% before and after modification, respectively.
Late Paleozoic igneous rocks at Clarke Head, Nova Scotia: magmatism at an arc to back-arc transition
Authors: Pe-Piper Georgia , Piper David J. W.
Published: May 2023

This study re-examines a reported mylonitic ‘metabasic granulite’ block in a megabreccia that is the most outboard igneous rock outcrop in the Avalon terrane, near the Meguma–Avalon terrane boundary in the northern Appalachians. The block of foliated gabbro is one of several igneous rock blocks in a largely dissolved salt wall and in style of deformation, mineralogy, lithogeochemistry and Sm/Nd isotopes resembles foliated and locally mylonitized late Devonian–early Carboniferous gabbro plutons along the Cobequid Shear Zone to the north. Garnet porphyroclasts in the foliated gabbro are exceptional, with a distinctive composition of Alm
55
Pyr
25
Grs
13
And
4
Sps
3
. Inclusions of pyroxene, andesine and ilmenite, lack of zoning and corroded rims suggest the garnets are antecrysts. Elsewhere in the world, garnets of similar composition in arc-related andesites are interpreted to be from disintegration of comagmatic cumulate material at 0.8–1.0 GPa under hydrous conditions. The Clarke Head foliated gabbro has two mafic components, one resembling arc-related hydrous magma and the other with tholeiitic back-arc character, similar to coeval rocks in the Cobequid Highlands. The gabbro is a product of complex mixing in crustal magma chambers and rapid rise of magma containing lower crustal antecrysts along strike-slip faults.