bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TET1 Directs Chondrogenic Differentiation by Regulating SOX9 Dependent Activation of Col2a1 and Acan In Vitro
Authors: Smeriglio Piera , Grandi Fiorella Carla , Taylor Sarah Elizabeth Brook , Zalc Antoine , Bhutani Nidhi
Published: June 2020

Skeletal development is a tightly orchestrated process in which cartilage and bone differentiation are intricately intertwined. Recent studies have highlighted the contribution of epigenetic modifications and their writers to skeletal development. Methylated cytosine (5mC) can be oxidized to 5‐hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) by the Ten‐eleven‐translocation (TET) enzymes leading to demethylation. We have previously demonstrated that 5hmC is stably accumulated on lineage‐specific genes that are activated during in vitro chondrogenesis in the ATDC5 chondroprogenitors. Knockdown (KD) of Tet1 via short‐hairpin RNAs blocked ATDC5 chondrogenic differentiation. Here, we aimed to provide the mechanistic basis for TET1 function during ATDC5 differentiation. Transcriptomic analysis of Tet1 KD cells demonstrated that 54% of downregulated genes were SOX9 targets, suggesting a role for TET1 in mediating activation of a subset of the SOX9 target genes. Using genome‐wide mapping of 5hmC during ATDC5 differentiation, we found that 5hmC is preferentially accumulated at chondrocyte‐specific class II binding sites for SOX9, as compared with the tissue‐agnostic class I sites. Specifically, we find that SOX9 is unable to bind to Col2a1 and Acan after Tet1 KD, despite no changes in SOX9 levels. Finally, we compared this KD scenario with the genetic loss of TET1 in the growth plate using Tet1−/− embryos, which are approximately 10% smaller than their WT counterparts. In E17.5 Tet1−/− embryos, loss of SOX9 target gene expression is more modest than upon Tet1 KD in vitro. Overall, our data suggest a role for TET1‐mediated 5hmC deposition in partly shaping an epigenome conducive for SOX9 function. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Macroprolactinemia Attenuates the Impact of Levothyroxine on Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Thyroid Axis Activity and Thyroid Autoimmunity in Women With Autoimmune Hypothyroidism
Authors: Krysiak Robert , Kowalcze Karolina , Okopień Bogusław
Published: June 2020

Because of contradictory results, clinical significance of elevated levels of macroprolactin (macroprolactinemia) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether macroprolactinemia determines levothyroxine action on hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis activity and thyroid antibody titers in women with autoimmune hypothyroidism. The study population included 2 age‐, body mass index–, hormone‐, and thyroid antibody–matched groups of premenopausal women with untreated autoimmune subclinical hypothyroidism: 15 subjects with coexisting macroprolactinemia and 29 individuals with prolactin levels within the reference range. All included patients were then treated with levothyroxine for 6 months. Serum levels of thyrotropin, free thyroid hormones, prolactin and 25‐hydroxyvitamin D, titers of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies, as well as macroprolactin content were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the study. Except for 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels and macroprolactin content, there were no significant differences between both study arms in the investigated markers. All participants completed the study. In both treatment arms, levothyroxine treatment decreased thyrotropin levels, increased free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine levels, as well as reduced thyroid peroxidase titers, but this effect was less pronounced in women with macroprolactinemia. In women with normal prolactin levels, levothyroxine reduced also thyroglobulin antibody titers and increased 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels. In this group of patients, treatment‐induced changes in hormone levels and thyroid antibody titers correlated with treatment‐induced changes in 25‐hydroxyvitamin D levels. The obtained results suggest that macroprolactin excess attenuates the impact of levothyroxine on hypothalamic‐pituitary‐thyroid axis activity and thyroid autoimmunity.
Thermoregulation and thermal performance of crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus) suggest an extended optimality hypothesis for the evolution of thermoregulatory set‐points
Authors: Aparicio Ramirez Andrea , Perez Karina , Telemeco Rory S.
Published: June 2020

Crested geckos (Correlophus ciliatus, formerly Rhacodactylus ciliatus) were rediscovered in New Caledonia 25 years ago and despite being common in the pet trade, there is no published information on their physiology. We measured thermoregulation (preferred body temperature, thermal set‐point range, and voluntary limits) and performance (thermal performance curves [TPC] for 25 cm sprint speed and 1 m running speed) of adult and juvenile crested geckos in the laboratory to describe their thermal tolerances, differences among life stages, correlations between behavior and performance, and correlations with natural temperatures. Despite lacking special lighting or heating requirements in captivity, crested geckos displayed typical thermal biology for a lizard with no difference among life stages. They thermoregulated to a narrow set‐point range (TSET, 24–28°C), that broadly overlaps natural air temperatures in New Caledonia, during activity. Somewhat surprisingly, the optimal temperature for performance (TOPT, 32°C) was substantially above preferred body temperatures and approximated the average maximum temperature voluntarily experienced (VTMAX, 33°C). Preferred body temperatures, by contrast, corresponded to the lower threshold temperature (Td) where the TPC deviated from exponential, which we suggest is the temperature where performance is optimized after accounting for the costs of metabolic demand and overheating risk. Our results demonstrate that despite their lack of specific requirements when housed in human dwellings, crested geckos actively thermoregulate to temperatures that facilitate performance, and have thermal biology typical of other nocturnal or shade‐dwelling species. Additionally, crested geckos appear at little risk of direct climate change‐induced decline because increased temperatures should allow increased activity.
Transcriptome analysis of ovarian maturation in a chondrostei Chinese sturgeonAcipenser sinensis
Authors: He Shan , Du Hao , Ren Ping , Leng Xiao‐Qian , Tan Qing‐Song , Li Chuang‐Ju , Liang Xu‐Fang , Wei Qi‐Wei
Published: June 2020

Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis) with an evolutionary history of over 200 million years, has a long lifespan, and an extremely late and asynchronous sexual maturation (8–18 years for males and 14–26 years for females), resulting in the difficulty of mature adult culture. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of the transition among ovarian maturation stages in the Chinese sturgeon. We performed de novo transcriptome sequencing of the Chinese sturgeon at different ovarian maturation stages (FII, FIII, and FIV). The number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between FII and FIII/FIV (33,517/34,217) was more than that between FIII and FIV (22,123), suggesting that the transition from FII to FIII/FIV is more important than that from FIII to FIV for ovarian maturation. The number of upregulated genes was more than that of the downregulated genes, suggesting that increased gene expression was involved in the transition from FII to FIII/FIV. The representative pathways of DEGs were steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid elongation, glycerolipid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid, and α‐linolenic acid metabolism. The differential expressions from the transcriptome sequencing were validated with real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction. We also found 13 genes in sexual development, female sex determination, gonadal development, ovarian maturation, ovarian follicle development, and oocyte development pathways, which were differently expressed among fish at FII, FIII, and FIV. We suggest that enhanced synthesis of steroid, unsaturated fatty acid, and α‐linolenic acid may contribute to ovarian maturation of the Chinese sturgeon. These potential determinants provide a glimpse of the molecular architecture of ovary development in sturgeons.
Clearance and persistence of SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA in patients with COVID‐19
Authors: Carmo Anália , Pereira‐Vaz João , Mota Vanda , Mendes Alexandra , Morais Célia , da Silva Andreia Coelho , Camilo Elisabete , Pinto Catarina Silva , Cunha Elizabete , Pereira Janet , Coucelo Margarida , Martinho Patrícia , Correia Lurdes , Marques Gilberto , Araújo Lucília , Rodrigues Fernando
Published: June 2020

Patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 may be discharged based on clinical resolution of symptoms, and evidence for viral RNA clearance from the upper respiratory tract. Understanding the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) viral clearance profile is crucial to establish a re‐testing plan on discharge and ending isolation of patients. We aimed to evaluate the number of days that a patient needed to achieve undetectable levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 in upper respiratory tract specimens (nasopharyngeal swab and/or an oropharyngeal swab). The clearance and persistence of viral RNA was evaluated in two groups of positive patients: those who achieved two negative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) tests and those who kept testing positive. Patients were organized thereafter in two subgroups, mild illness patients discharged home and inpatients who had moderate to severe illness. Results from RT‐PCR tests were then correlated with results from the evaluation of the immune response. The study evidenced that most patients tested positive for more than 2 weeks and that persistence of viral RNA is not necessarily associated with severe disease but may result from a weaker immune response instead.
Structural, physicochemical and emulsifying properties of sweet potato pectin treated by high hydrostatic pressure and/or pectinase: a comparative study
Authors: Arachchige Melani Purnika Mudugamuwa , Mu Taihua , Ma Mengmei
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) is the sixth most important food crop in the world, and China is the largest producer. Large amounts of sweet potato residues are generated during starch extraction, leading to environmental pollution and resource waste. However, these residues can be used as a viable source for pectin extraction. As a natural biopolymer with high molecular weight and complex structure, the usefulness of pectin has been limited, and it needs to be modified in order to improve its physicochemical properties, thus expanding its applications in the food industry. Therefore, the reported study was conducted to modify sweet potato pectin (SPP) using high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) and/or pectinase treatment, and to determine the effects of such treatment on structural, physicochemical and emulsifying properties.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated that the molecular weight of SPP decreased following HHP and pectinase treatment, which was evidenced using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The degree of esterification was also decreased, confirmed by decreased intensity of the peak at 1739 cm−1 in the Fourier transform infrared spectrum and decreased peaks at 3.6 and 3.8 ppm in the 1H NMR spectrum. Moreover, the content of monosaccharides and uronic acids increased and emulsifying properties improved after HHP and pectinase treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

HHP‐assisted pectinase treatment could be used as novel technique for the modification of pectin to give better emulsifying properties with great potential for application in the food industry. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Differences between oculomotor and perceptual artifacts for temporally limited head mounted displays
Authors: Goettker Alexander , MacKenzie Kevin J. , Murdison T. Scott
Published: June 2020

We used perceptual and oculomotor measures to understand the negative impacts of low (phantom array) and high (motion blur) duty cycles with a high‐speed, AR‐likehead‐mounted display prototype. We observed large intersubject variability for the detection of phantom array artifacts but a highly consistent and systematic effect on saccadic eye movement targeting during low duty cycle presentations. This adverse effect on saccade endpoints was also related to an increased error rate in a perceptual discrimination task, showing a direct effect of display duty cycle on the perceptual quality. For high duty cycles, the probability of detecting motion blur increased during head movements, and this effect was elevated at lower refresh rates. We did not find an impact of the temporal display characteristics on compensatory eye movements during head motion (e.g., VOR). Together, our results allow us to quantify the tradeoff of different negative spatiotemporal impacts of user movements and make subsequent recommendations for optimized temporal HMD parameters.
Comparison of sublobar resection and lobectomy for patients with small (≤2cm) second primary non–small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Chen Donglai , Wu Xuejie , Wen Junmiao , Xue Yuhang , Wang Wenjia , Wang Yifei , Xue Tao , Chen Chang , Chen Yongbing , Yang Wentao
Published: June 2020

Background

This study aimed to investigate whether sublobar resection (SR) is equivalent to lobectomy for small (≤ 2 cm) second primary lung cancer (SPLC).

Methods

We identified 834 patients with T1aN0M0 SPLC from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database during 2000‐2016. Overall survival (OS) was compared between lobectomy and SR after propensity‐score matching. A total of 228 patients with SPLC were identified from three institutions in China as the validation set.

Results

SR was an independent risk factor for patients with 1 to 2 cm SPLC (SR vs Lob: hazard ratio [HR], 1.593; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.186‐2.141; P = .002) but not for patients with SPLC ≤ 1 cm (SR vs Lob: HR, 1.206; 95% CI, 0.790‐1.841; P = .385). Subgroup analysis on the SEER data indicated that OS favored lobectomy compared with SR for contralateral SPLC ≤ 2 cm but not for ipsilateral ones (ipsilateral: P = .692; contralateral: P = .030). Our multi‐institutional data also revealed that SR was equivalent to lobectomy for patients with ≤2 cm ipsilateral SPLC.

Conclusions

SR is equivalent to lobectomy for SPLC ≤ 1 cm but not for SPLC > 1 to 2 cm. SR might be recommended for patients with ipsilateral small SPLC considering the difficulty in reoperations.
Preshearing is an in situ setting modification method for inorganic bone cements
Authors: Şahin Erdem , Kalyon Dilhan M.
Published: June 2020

The flow behaviour and injectability of calcium phosphate cements are outcomes of the complex interplay between time‐dependent processes of dissolution, nucleation and crystal growth. Their dependence on shear strains, frequencies and rates has been revealed by rheological investigation of the setting processes of a brushite cement under torsional flow. Various oscillatory torsional strain amplitudes and frequencies were seen to promote dissolution or delay crystal intergrowth compared to quiescently set cement samples. Oscillatory torsional strain amplitudes higher than the linear viscoelastic strain limit resulted in a pronounced lag in crystal intergrowth. Dissolution was enhanced and setting was promoted with increasing frequency and strain amplitude within the linear viscoelastic strain range. Changing the preshearing mode to steady torsion increased energy spent to microstructural deformation, counteracting the beneficial vibratory effect on cement setting kinetics, and produced a net retardation by the disruption of the crystal network structure. Such deformation history can be created in the cement suspension prior to injection during clinical practice by precise adjustment of the preshearing modes and parameters to enable the orthopaedic surgeon tailor the setting time, flow behaviour and injectability of calcium phosphate cements in situ without altering the cement chemistry, hence bioactivity.
Using the Semiempirical Quantum Mechanics in Improving the Molecular Docking: A Case Study with CDK2
Authors: Bagheri Saleh , Behnejad Hassan , Firouzi Rohoullah , Karimi‐Jafari Mohammad Hossein
Published: June 2020

In this study, we use some modified semiempirical quantum mechanics (SQM) methods for improving the molecular docking process. To this end, the three popular SQM Hamiltonians, PM6, PM6‐D3H4X, and PM7 are employed for geometry optimization of some binding modes of ligands docked into the human cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) by two widely used docking tools, AutoDock and AutoDock Vina. The results were analyzed with two different evaluation metrics: the symmetry‐corrected heavy‐atom RMSD and the fraction of recovered ligand‐protein contacts. It is shown that the evaluation of the fraction of recovered contacts is more useful to measure the similarity between two structures when interacting with a protein. It was also found that AutoDock is more successful than AutoDock Vina in producing the correct ligand poses (RMSD≤2.0 Å) and ranking of the poses. It is also demonstrated that the ligand optimization at the SQM level improves the docking results and the SQM structures have a significantly better fit to the observed crystal structures. Finally, the SQM optimizations reduce the number of close contacts in the docking poses and successfully remove most of the clash or bad contacts between ligand and protein.
Accounting for capacity: A real‐time optimization approach to managing observation unit utilization
Authors: Dwyer‐Matzky Keely , Pachamanova Dessislava , Tilson Vera
Published: June 2020

Hospital observation units (OUs) are meant to host patients for relatively short periods of time, during which healthcare providers can observe a patient (usually following an emergency department encounter) and assess the need for an inpatient hospital admission. The initial placement of a patient in a unit (inpatient or observation) can have consequences for the care the patient receives and the patient's length of stay in the hospital, as well as financial implications for both the patient and the hospital. We propose a practical real‐time optimization algorithm that balances the need to place a patient in the OU with considerations for available capacity. Through computational experiments with inputs derived from real data, we study the benefit of using the algorithm for placing the right type of patients in the OU. We discuss the role of data‐driven decision support tools like the proposed algorithm for anchoring the decision‐making process in a hospital setting and for incorporating the viewpoints of multiple stakeholders by defining appropriate “rewards” for available alternatives.
A robust and efficient numerical finite element method for cables
Authors: Bertrand C. , Acary V. , Lamarque C.‐H. , Ture Savadkoohi A.
Published: June 2020

Numerical simulation of cable systems remain delicate due to their geometrical nonlinearity and also to their intrinsic unilateral constitutive law. Indeed Finite Element approaches (if not implemented carefully) fail to predict accurate equilibrium for cable structures. The major issue to be addressed is the ill‐conditioning, starting configuration and wrong choice of descent direction during iterative methods. An iterative scheme based on Finite Element Method is presented to overcome this issue, even with large number of elements.
Quasi‐Newton waveform iteration for partitioned surface‐coupled multiphysics applications
Authors: Rüth Benjamin , Uekermann Benjamin , Mehl Miriam , Birken Philipp , Monge Azahar , Bungartz Hans‐Joachim
Published: June 2020

We present novel coupling schemes for partitioned multiphysics simulation that combine four important aspects for strongly coupled problems: implicit coupling per time step, fast and robust acceleration of the corresponding iterative coupling, support for multirate time stepping, and higher‐order convergence in time. To achieve this, we combine waveform relaxation—a known method to achieve higher‐order in applications with split time stepping based on continuous representations of coupling variables in time— with interface quasi‐Newton coupling, which has been developed throughout the last decade and is generally accepted as a very robust iterative coupling method even for gluing together black‐box simulation codes. We show convergence results (in terms of convergence of the iterative solver and in terms of approximation order in time) for two academic testcases—a heat transfer scenario and a fluid‐structure interaction simulation. We show that we achieve the expected approximation order and that our iterative method is competitive in terms of iteration counts with those designed for simpler first‐order‐in‐time coupling.
Implementation of the Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response guidelines: Lessons from annual health system strengthening interventions in the Rwenzori Sub‐Region, Western Uganda
Authors: Masereka Enos Mirembe , Naturinda Amelia , Tumusiime Alex , Munguiko Clement
Published: June 2020

Aim

To determine the health facility‐based perinatal mortality rate, its causes and avoidable factors using the perinatal mortality surveillance and response guidelines.

Design

This was an action study conducted in one of the districts in Western Uganda from 1 January–31 December 2019.

Methods

A total of 20 perinatal death cases were recruited consecutively. Data were collected using a Ministry of Health Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (PDSR) questionnaire containing questions on pregnancy, delivery and immediate postnatal care. We used descriptive statistics to describe key data elements.

Results

We found a health facility‐based perinatal mortality rate of 17.3 deaths per 1,000 live births. Birth asphyxia was the most common cause of perinatal deaths. Seven, three and ten mothers delayed seeking, reaching and receiving appropriate health care, respectively.
Structure of Supramers Formed by the Amphiphile Biotin‐CMG‐DOPE
Authors: Zalygin Anton , Solovyeva Daria , Vaskan Ivan , Henry Stephen , Schaefer Marcel , Volynsky Pavel , Tuzikov Alexander , Korchagina Elena , Ryzhov Ivan , Nizovtsev Alexey , Mochalov Konstantin , Efremov Roman , Shtykova Eleonora , Oleinikov Vladimir , Bovin Nicolai
Published: June 2020

Invited for this month's cover is the group of Prof. Nicolai Bovin from the Russian Academy of Sciences. The cover picture shows how a biotin residue initially hidden in a monolayer formed on the surface of a material by biot‐CMG‐DOPE (see top left) is pulled out of the layer by the streptavidin molecule (Str) that has come close to it (see below). This can be considered as a model of certain events (in particular, cis protein‐ligand interactions) occurring on the surface of a living cell when it is necessary to hide the ligand from undesirable interactions, but leave the possibility of its recognition by a high‐affinity protein. The picture is inspired by the legendary Yellow Submarine cartoon. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/open.201900276.
Impact of bilayer structures on the surface passivation quality of high‐rate‐sputtered hydrogenated amorphous silicon for silicon heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Bin Mohd Zulkifly Faris Akira , Shiratori Yuta , Nakada Kazuyoshi , Miyajima Shinsuke
Published: June 2020

Crystalline silicon surface passivation effect of intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon (i‐a‐Si:H) films deposited by radio‐frequency facing target sputtering (RF‐FTS) using a two‐step deposition technique was investigated. In the two‐step deposition technique, an i‐a‐Si:H layer was deposited at a high sputtering power condition after the deposition of i‐a‐Si:H at a low sputtering power condition. The two‐step deposition technique drastically improved the passivation quality of i‐a‐Si:H compared with a conventional single‐step deposition technique. Only 0.5‐nm‐thick i‐a‐Si:H deposited at a low sputtering power suppresses the initial sputtering damage to the crystalline silicon surface. A high average deposition rate of 14.1 nm/min was also achieved. A non‐textured silicon heterojunction solar cell using an i‐a‐Si:H passivation layer deposited by the two‐step method shows a conversion efficiency of 17.4% (Voc = 0.679 V, Jsc = 35.0 mA/cm2, FF = 0.732).
High‐throughput screen identifies 5‐HT receptor as a modulator of AR and a therapeutic target for prostate cancer
Authors: Itsumi Momoe , Shiota Masaki , Sekino Yohei , Ushijima Miho , Kashiwagi Eiji , Takeuchi Ario , Inokuchi Junichi , Kajioka Shunichi , Uchiumi Takeshi , Eto Masatoshi
Published: June 2020

Background

Eradication of persistent androgen receptor (AR) activity in castration‐resistant prostate cancer may be a promising strategy to overcome castration resistance. We aimed to identify novel compounds that inhibit AR activity and could be potential therapeutic agents for prostate cancer.

Methods

A high‐throughput screening system involving cell lines stably expressing AR protein and AR‐responsive luciferase was employed for the 1260 compound library. Molecular and antitumor effects on candidate pathways that interacted with AR signaling were examined in prostate cancer cells expressing AR.

Results

The high‐throughput screening identified various potential compounds that interfered with AR signaling through known and novel pathways. Among them, a 5‐hydroxytryptamine 5A (5‐HT5A) receptor antagonist suppressed AR activity through protein kinase A signaling, which was confirmed by 5‐HT5A receptor knockdown. Consistently, 5‐HT5A receptor inhibitors showed cytotoxic effects toward prostate cancer cells.

Conclusions

Taken together, this study identifies 5‐HT5A receptor as a promising therapeutic target for prostate cancer via its interaction with AR signaling.
Performance of human and server prediction in CAPRI rounds 38‐45
Authors: Duan Rui , Qiu Liming , Xu Xianjin , Ma Zhiwei , Merideth Benjamin Ryan , Shyu Chi‐Ren , Zou Xiaoqin
Published: June 2020

CAPRI challenges offer a variety of blind tests for protein‐protein interaction prediction. In CAPRI Rounds 38‐45, we generated a set of putative binding modes for each target with an FFT‐based docking algorithm, and then scored and ranked these binding modes with a proprietary scoring function, ITScorePP. We have also developed a novel web server, Rebipp. The algorithm utilizes information retrieval to identify relevant biological information to significantly reduce the search space for a particular protein. In parallel, we have also constructed a GPU‐based docking server, MDockPP, for protein‐protein complex structure prediction. Here, the performance of our protocol in CAPRI rounds 38‐45 is reported, which include 16 docking and scoring targets. Among them, three targets contain multiple interfaces: Targets 124, 125, and 136 have 2, 4, and 3 interfaces, respectively. In the predictor experiments, we predicted correct binding modes for nine targets, including one high‐accuracy interface, six medium‐accuracy binding modes, and six acceptable‐accuracy binding modes. For the docking server prediction experiments, we predicted correct binding modes for eight targets, including one high‐accuracy, three medium‐accuracy, and five acceptable‐accuracy binding modes.
Exploration of resistance to Phelipanche aegyptiaca in tomato
Authors: Bai Jinrui , Wei Qiang , Shu Jinshuai , Gan Zhongxiang , Li Beijin , Yan Delin , Huang Zejun , Guo Yanmei , Wang Xiaoxuan , Zhang Luxia , Cui Yanan , Lu Xiaoxiao , Lu Jinghua , Pan Chunyang , Hu Junling , Du Yongchen , Liu Lei , Li Junming
Published: June 2020

BACKGROUND

Cultivated tomatoes are highly susceptible to the destructive parasite Phelipanche aegyptiaca. Wild relatives show the potential resistance for genetic improvement. However, their genetic and molecular mechanisms are still unknown.

RESULTS

Among 50 wild tomato accessions were evaluated for resistance to P. aegyptiaca, most of the wild relatives exhibited varying degrees of resistance compared to the cultivars. Solanum pennellii LA0716 performed the most promising and solid resistance with very low infection by the broomrape. The resistance involved in LA0716 was further confirmed by cytological analysis, and explored by employing a permanent introgression line (IL) population. Thirteen putative quantitative trait loci (QTLs) conferring the different resistance traits were identified. They are located on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9. The most attractive QTLs are positioned in IL6‐2 and overlap with IL6‐3. Specially, IL6‐2 showed the highest and most consistent resistance for multiple traits and explained the major phenotypic variation of LA0716. Analysis of candidate genes involved in these regions showed that Beta (Solyc06g074240) and P450 (Solyc06g073570, Solyc06g074180 and Solyc06g074420) genes are substantially related to the strigolactone (SL) pathway. Transcript analysis further demonstrated that both Solyc06g073570 and Solyc06g074180 might play an important role in the reduction of P. aegyptiaca infection.

CONCLUSION

Germplasms resistant to P. aegyptiaca were found in wild tomato species. QTLs conferring P. aegyptiaca tolerance in LA0716 were identified. IL6‐2 is identified as a prospective line possessing the major QTLs. The candidate genes would provide the availability to assist the introgression of the resistance in future breeding programmes. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Development and characterisation of gelatine/palm wax/lemongrass essential oil (GPL)‐coated paper for active food packaging
Authors: Nurul Syahida Sahid , Ainun Zuriyati M.A. , Ismail‐Fitry Mohammad R. , Nur Hanani Zainal A.
Published: June 2020

This research focused on the enhancement of paper through the incorporation of a biodegradable and hydrophobic film coating with antioxidant properties. The effects of different lemongrass essential oil (LEO) concentrations (0–12%) on the physical, mechanical, microstructural, water‐resistance, antioxidant and biodegradable properties of gelatine/palm wax/lemongrass essential oil (GPL)‐coated paper were analysed. Uncoated paper was used as a control. The GPL‐coated papers were heat sealable and had significantly (p < 0.05) higher tensile strength and stretchability but lower stiffness than those of the control paper. The GPL‐coated paper incorporated with higher LEO concentrations showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the initial contact angle while also demonstrating significant (p < 0.05) reductions in the Cobb value and water vapour permeability. The GC–MS analysis revealed that LEO was highly dominated by monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their oxygenated derivatives, supporting that all GPL‐coated papers have a good amount of total phenolic compounds and free radical scavenging activities, which improved significantly (p < 0.05) with higher LEO concentrations. In conclusion, the GPL film coating was capable of improving the physical, mechanical and functional properties of Kraft paper and has the potential to be applied for food products.
Theoretical Methods for Ultrastrong Light–Matter Interactions
Authors: Le Boité Alexandre
Published: June 2020

This article reviews theoretical methods developed in the last decade to understand cavity quantum electrodynamics in the ultrastrong‐coupling regime, where the strength of the light–matter interaction becomes comparable to the photon frequency. Along with profound modifications of fundamental quantum optical effects giving rise to a rich phenomenology, this regime introduces significant theoretical challenges. One of the most important is the break‐down of the rotating‐wave approximation which neglects all non‐resonant terms in light–matter interaction Hamiltonians. Consequently, a large part of the quantum optical theoretical framework has to be revisited in order to accurately account for all interaction terms in this regime. In this article, a broad overview of the recent progress is given, ranging from analytical estimates of ground‐state properties to proper derivations of master equations and computation of photodetection signals. For each aspect of the theory, the basic principles of the methods are illustrated on paradigmatic models such as quantum Rabi and spin‐boson models. The validity of effective Hamiltonians for the different experimental platforms is discussed in the last part of the article, addressing recent debates on fundamental issues related to gauge invariance in the ultrastrong‐coupling regime.
A Quantum Computer Architecture Based on Silicon Donor Qubits Coupled by Photons
Authors: Yan Xiruo , Asavanant Warit , Kamakari Hirsh , Wu Jingda , Young Jeff F. , Raussendorf Robert
Published: June 2020

A comprehensive circuit architecture and a protocol for realizing 3D cluster states through photonic‐measurement‐based donor‐spin‐qubit entanglement and readout are described. The basic building blocks and protocol are chosen to be compatible with a fully integrated photonic circuit implementation, using Se+ as the photonically coupled matter qubit. The basic operational building blocks of this universal quantum computing machine are local measurements and unitaries, plus an entangling measurement of non‐local Pauli operators. By analyzing several sources of error, a theoretical fault‐tolerant threshold value is estimated on the order of 1%. Considering the literature where required components have already been realized in integrated silicon circuits, albeit not all on the same chip, this suggests the threshold is within reach.
Complete occlusion of right pulmonary artery in Behçet disease
Authors: Korogi Yohei , Tanaka Nozomi , Yoshifuji Hajime , Tazaki Junichi , Kubo Takeshi , Tanizawa Kiminobu
Published: June 2020

Key message

When a patient with Behçet disease presents with haemoptysis, pulmonary vascular involvement should be considered.
Development of an automated two pronuclei detection system on time‐lapse embryo images using deep learning techniques
Authors: Fukunaga Noritaka , Sanami Sho , Kitasaka Hiroya , Tsuzuki Yuji , Watanabe Hiroyuki , Kida Yuta , Takeda Seiji , Asada Yoshimasa
Published: June 2020

Purpose

To establish an automated pronuclei determination system by analysis using deep learning technology which is able to effectively learn with limited amount of supervised data.

Methods

An algorithm was developed by explicitly incorporating human observation where the outline around pronuclei is being observed in determining the number of pronuclei. Supervised data were selected from the time‐lapse images of 300 pronuclear stage embryos per class (total 900 embryos) clearly classified by embryologists as 0PN, 1PN, and 2PN. One‐hundred embryos per class (a total of 300 embryos) were used for verification data. The verification data were evaluated for the performance of detection in the number of pronuclei by regarding the results consistent with the judgment of the embryologists as correct answers.

Results

The sensitivity rates of 0PN, 1PN, and 2PN were 99%, 82%, and 99%, respectively, and the overlapping 2PN being difficult to determine by microscopic observation alone could also be appropriately assessed.

Conclusions

This study enabled the establishment of the automated pronuclei determination system with the precision almost equivalent to highly skilled embryologists.
Weighted k‐nearest neighbor based data complexity metrics for imbalanced datasets
Authors: Singh Deepika , Gosain Anjana , Saha Anju
Published: June 2020

Empirical behavior of a classifier depends strongly on the characteristics of the underlying imbalanced dataset; therefore, an analysis of intrinsic data complexity would appear to be vital in order to choose classifiers suitable for particular problems. Data complexity metrics (CMs), a fairly recent proposal, identify dataset features which imply some difficulty for the classification task and identify relationships with classifier accuracy. In this paper, we introduce two CMs for imbalanced datasets, which help in explaining the factors responsible for the deterioration in classifier performance. These metrics are based on the weighted k‐nearest neighbors approach. The experiments are performed in MATLAB software using 48 simulated datasets and 22 real‐world datasets for different choices of neighborhood size k considered as 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. The results help to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed metrics.
Reversible Electrochemical Reaction of a Fluoride Shuttle Battery with a Bismuth(III) Fluoride Electrode and Electrolyte Containing Triphenylboroxine as an Anion Acceptor
Authors: Konishi Hiroaki , Minato Taketoshi , Abe Takeshi , Ogumi Zempachi
Published: June 2020

We previously developed a fluoride shuttle battery containing a bismuth(III) fluoride (BiF3) electrode; however, the battery exhibited several drawbacks including poor cycling performance and low practical capacity. In this research, to obtain a BiF3 electrode with high cycling performance and practical capacity, an electrolyte containing triphenylboroxine as an anion acceptor was used, as previously reported. Moreover, BiF3 was pulverized and adhered with conductive material using a planetary ball mill. The experimental results indicated that adhesion to the conductive material effectively increased the practical capacity of the BiF3 electrode. To increase adhesion of the conductive material with BiF3 particles, the rotation speed of the ball mill was increased. The resulting BiF3 electrode exhibited high practical capacity in the first cycle, which was maintained in the following cycle. X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis results supported the progress of the reversible electrochemical reaction of the BiF3 electrode during the cycling.
Oxidative Cross‐Coupling of Alcohols and Amines Catalyzed by TEMPO under Transition‐Metal‐Free Condition
Authors: Chandrasekaran Revathi , Carlose Elgin , Muthu Ajun E. , Suresh Athira , Chinnusamy Tamilselvi
Published: June 2020

The transition‐metal‐free catalytic system TEMPO (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl)/NaOCl promotes an efficient oxidative cross‐coupling of alcohols and amines to imines 4 as well as 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroquniazolines 6. A wide variety of alcohols and amines were well tolerated in the catalytic condition. This protocol was operationally very simple, efficiently scaled up to 100 mmol with as low as 0.5 mol% of catalyst loading and applied to the synthesis of biologically important diuretic drug molecule thiabutazide 9 in 98% yield. The recyclable TEMPO catalyst was showed similar reactivity. Moreover, it was reused upto five runs without much drop in the activity. The green chemistry metrics of the estabilished method (E‐factor value 17.80, Atom economy 90.7%, Carbon efficiency 98% and Overall efficiency 97.95%) proved to be efficient to the existing methods.
Industry competition and firm conduct: Joint determinants of risk–return relations
Authors: Christensen Michael , Knudsen Thorbjørn , Nash Ulrik W. , Stieglitz Nils
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

In this study, we offer a novel approach, establishing how firm conduct and competitive interactions among firms jointly provide microfoundations of risk–return relations. Firms influence each other, and the way they reciprocate these influences to cause mutual adjustments is a core feature of industry dynamics. This core feature fundamentally influences risk–return relations. Based on our approach, we develop models that allow us to trace how, at the microlevel, firm conduct in conjunction with competitive interactions generate risk–return relations, and how these are associated with macrolevel measures of industry concentration. That translates into an approach that affords fine‐grained predictions of risk–return relations based on the nature of competition in an industry—for example, Cournot or Bertrand—and observations of the industry's competitive intensity and concentration.

Managerial Summary

The risk‐return trade‐off is of critical importance for strategic management. Yet, the relation between industry conditions and the shape of risk‐return relations is often unclear. We develop a framework that allows managers to understand how industry conditions generate risk‐return relations, and how these can be inferred from macro‐level measures of industry concentration. At the micro‐level, we show that low variation in operational implementation of strategies may, under some conditions, be associated with high variation as well as high means in financial returns. Our primary insight is that the risk‐return trade‐off changes with competitive intensity: Starting from industries with two or three firms, we show that increasing competitive intensity – higher number of firms, higher entry and exit barriers – gives rise to a predictable sequence of risk‐return relations that change over the life‐cycle of industries. Overall, we contribute a framework that allows managers to infer the risk‐return trade‐off for the industry that their business units are located in.
Changes in persistence of performance over time
Authors: Bennett Victor Manuel
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

I revisit a research tradition laying out trends in persistence of performance, to create shared facts to inform theory development. I build on prior work in Strategy by: (a) bringing together two distinct measures of persistence of performance and explaining how they complement each other and help distinguish theories, (b) extending the time series from those prior studies and applying modern statistical improvements to demonstrate new patterns. Specifically, while I find ordinal persistence increased monotonically since the 1980s, autocorrelation of performance was not monotonic and is now approaching lows from the mid‐1990s. These patterns are inconsistent with mechanisms raised in the debate about declining competition. I suggest that these facts can inspire Strategy theory, which would contribute to that debate.

Managerial Summary

A central concern of managers is how precarious is their position, or for new ventures, whether they will be able to displace current leading firms. Even within the same year, management writing and the media might claim that it is both: a) a time of faster‐than‐ever turnover, b) or that large firms have become unassailable. This manuscript tracks two measures of performance persistence over time. I find that persistence of rank has increased roughly steadily since the 1980s. How associated are performance measures year‐to‐year was actually at its peak in the mid 1980s, potentially explaining the debate. The final patterns are consistent with top firms separating from followers in performance so much that increasing volatility in their performance does not lead to changes in rank.
Binned scatterplots: A simple tool to make research easier and better
Authors: Starr Evan , Goldfarb Brent
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

We seek to diffuse a graphical tool—binned scatterplots—which we argue can dramatically improve the quality and speed of research in strategic management. In contrast to the current practice of showing plots of predicted values, binned scatterplots graph the nonparametric relationship between two variables, either unconditionally or conditional on a set of controls, for multiple subgroups. This allows researchers to quickly detect the shape of that relationship, examine outliers, and assess which part of the support may be driving a relationship. We propose that the adoption of binned scatterplots will lead to the identification of new and interesting phenomena, raise the credibility of empirical research, and help create richer theories.

Managerial Summary

Regression analysis often assumes linear or quadratic relationship forms between two variables. We seek to diffuse a graphical tool—binned scatterplots—that allow the researcher and reader to evaluate whether such assumptions are maintained throughout the data. For example, binned scatterplots may clarify that a regression relationship is nonlinear, or driven by an exceptional firm or a small set of firms. We propose that using binned scatterplots will improve the transparency and quality of empirical work, as well as aid in the development of new phenomena and enhance theory development.
How incumbents respond to competition from innovative disruptors in the sharing economy—The impact of Airbnb on hotel performance
Authors: Chang Hung‐Hao , Sokol D. Daniel
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

This article investigates the impacts of Airbnb on hotel demand and the price and nonprice response strategies of incumbent hotels to Airbnb. We constructed a unique dataset of tourist hotels and Airbnb listings before and after the entry of Airbnb in Taiwan. We found that the entry of Airbnb makes the hotel industry more heterogeneous. Low quality hotels compete on price with Airbnb after Airbnb's entry. In contrast, prices and the investment in service quality increase for high quality hotels. These findings suggest that high quality hotels reposition themselves in the higher end of the lodging market as a response strategy to the entry of Airbnb.

Managerial Summary

Incumbent hotels can use a number of strategies to respond to Airbnb's entry. Using a unique dataset of Taiwanese data from before and after Airbnb's entry, we found that hotels' responses differ across the value chain. Low quality hotels compete on price with Airbnb after Airbnb's entry. In contrast, prices and the investment in service quality increase for high quality hotels. The increase of investment in service quality allows high quality hotels to reposition themselves in the higher end of the lodging market.
Prediction of compressive strength and ultrasonic pulse velocity of admixtured concrete using tree model M5P
Authors: Kocamaz Adnan Fatih , Ayaz Yaşar , Karakoç Mehmet Burhan , Türkmen İbrahim , Demirboğa Ramazan
Published: June 2020

The quality of concrete was assessed based on measurements of ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) and compressive strength. Portland cement (PC) was substituted with silica fume (SF), fly ash (FA) and blast furnace slag (BFS) as mineral admixtures. The compressive strength and UPV of concrete mixtures were estimated with classifiers alongside the tree model M5P in the data mining field. The compressive strength and UPV were modeled as a function of five input variables: day, cement, SF, FA, and BFS. It was found that UPV and compressive strength had an exponential correlation with SF, FA, BFS, SF + FA, SF + BFS and FA + BFS. However, additive‐free admixture and PC‐free substitution levels had a different constant in empirical work. According to the results obtained, both compressive strength and UPV of concrete mixtures could be reliably anticipated with the tree model M5P in a proportion of 97%. Hence, this model could be a potential new method for modeling mineral admixture concrete.
Content area teachers’ challenges writing language objectives: A document analysis
Authors: Balconi Alexandra , Spitzman Emily
Published: June 2020

Teachers of English learners (ELs) often have solid knowledge in education theory and methodology but are challenged with identifying appropriate language demands in the content that they teach and creating language objectives (LOs) that focus on such demands. The document analysis study reported in this article examined the effectiveness of LOs from 60 lesson plans created by teachers enrolled in sheltered English immersion endorsement courses at a university in the northeastern United States to explore their ability to meet ELs’ language needs. The data analysis demonstrated an overemphasis on productive skills, a limited scope of the language target or lack thereof, deficiencies related to language functions, and a tendency to view LOs as lesson activities. Following a discussion of these themes, the authors suggest practical recommendations for teacher educators and teachers to support ELs’ language development and content learning.