bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens on the Enhancement of Drought Tolerance and Plant Growth in Tomato
Authors: Anbazhagan P. , Singh Ramji , Viswanath H. S. , Pandey Akash , Singh Ankit Kumar
Published: December 2020

In the present study, different isolates of Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens were evaluated for the induction ofdrought tolerance and growth promotion in tomato plants. Four isolates of Pseudomonas fluorescens viz Pf 2 Pf 4, Pf 6 and Pf 28 and three isolates of Trichoderma harzianum viz. TH 08, IRRI 1 and TH 26 were evaluated by using seed biopriming as well as seedling/transplanted root dip method against drought stress and for their effect onplant growth promotion. Parametersincludingdrought tolerance capacity, water requirement, shoot length, root length, plant height, and chlorophyll content were recorded inall the treatments of different isolates along with the untreated control.Among the two methods of bioinoculation, seed biopriming was found more effective to transplanted root dip in all the treatments of isolates of Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Among all the isolates, isolate IRRI 1 of Trichoderma harzianum was found highly effective in reducing the water stressbyincreasing thecumulative mean water stresstolerance duration of both methods of inoculation up to 14.83 days after the last irrigation with least mean water requirement of 13.92litres followed by isolate Pf28 of Pseudomonas fluorescens with mean water stress tolerance of 13.66 days and water requirement of 14.25 litres compared to the untreated control plants with least tolerance ofonly 10.66 days and highest water requirement of 16.25litres. Maximum cumulative mean shoot growth, root growth and chlorophyll content ofboth methods of inoculation of 76.25cm, 28.33cm and 41.20 SPAD units respectively were also recorded with IRRI 1 isolate followed by Pf 28 isolate with 67.17cm, 19cm, and 35.46 SPAD units respectively. Treatment with all other isolates of Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudomonas fluorescens also showed better water stress tolerance, less water consumption, increased shoot length, root length and chlorophyll content compared to the untreated control tomato plants.
Pedological Characteristics of Soils under Different Cultivation Periods in Harrad Center and Al-Kharj, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Harbi Meshal Abdullah Otian , Al-Sewailem Mohamed S. , Sallam Abdelazeem Sh.
Published: December 2020

A detailed pedological characterization of soils earmarked as benchmark soils of Harrad Center and Al-Kharj region, Saudi Arabia, was carried out to provide data required for planning and execution of soil fertility studies and transfer of technology in the regions. The present study aims to study the effect of cultivation periods on the morphological properties of soil profiles represented by a number of farms in the Haradh center and Al-Kharj governorate. The field morphology rating scale was used to compare adjacent horizons to calculate a relative profile development in soils. Soil samples representative of the benchmark soil profiles were described and analyzed for their pedological characteristics. The results indicated that, the relative horizon distinctness (RHD) values ​​of the Haradh center profiles showed the highest values (10-17) ​​in the surface layers only, and it decreased with soil depth, except for profile No.9. The results data did not show a uniform distribution of RHD values ​​in the deeper layers. The most morphological characteristics affected by soils cultivation and contributing to the RHD values ​​are color in dry and moist state followed by decaying organic matter, and soil consistence. Other morphological characteristics have a limited contribution on RHD values, such as structure and soil mottles, with various contributions to some other morphological properties such as textures and boundaries between layers in soil profiles. The boundaries between layers show converging contribution to RHD values ​​in Harrad and Al-Kharj profiles. The data obtained through this study presents a substantial base for sound land use planning and will facilitate transfer of technology from one area to another with similar ecological conditions.
Influence of Organic Manure and Bioagents on Growth, Yield and Quality of Okra under Assam Condition
Authors: Kachari Manisha , Gogoi Sailen
Published: December 2020

A field trial was conducted to assess the effect of organic inputs and bioagents on growth, yield, and quality of okra. Thirteen treatments in the experiment were laid out in Randomized Block Design with three replications. The results revealed that the yield parameters were best in conjoint application of organic and inorganic fertilizer whereas the physical and quality parameters showed a maximum in integrated application of organic amendments and bioagents. On the basis of the findings it may be concluded that FYM @ 20 t/ha + VAM + Pseudomonas + Trichoderma + Azotobacter resulted the highest B: C ratio (2.66) and can be recommended as substitute for the inorganic combination of FYM @ 10 t/ha + 50:50:50 kg NPK/ha for higher quality yield with remunerative return.
Determination of Increase in Yield of Tropical Grasses Inoculated with Spirillum lipoferum
Authors: Ngerebara N. N. , Amadi L. O. , Vincent G. C.
Published: December 2020

Increase in yield of tropical grasses viz. digit grass (Digitaria decumbens), guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and pearl millet (Penisetum americanum) inoculated with tropical nitrogen-fixing bacterium, Spirillum lipoferum was investigated. The study was carried out for three consecutive years (2016-2018). Dry matter yields and protein content of the three tropical grasses were used for the assessment. In 2017, pearl millet (Penisetum americanum) and guinea grass (Panicum maximum) produced significantly higher protein content and dry matter yields. Projected yields using regression analysis of both pearl millet and guinea grass indicated that about 40kgN ha-1 yr-1 were replaced by inoculation. Although, protein production of guinea grass was lower during 2018, dry matter yield responses were similar to those of 2017. This research has shown that inoculation with Spirillum lipoferum, a tropical nitrogen-fixing bacterium reduced acetylene and increased yields or reduced nitrogen fertilizer requirement of the tropical grasses as well as replacement of up to 40KgN ha-1. This amount is agro-economically important and suggests the viability and potential for grass-bacteria systems.
Microbiological Research of the Effects of EVODROP Silver Nanoparticle on Escherichia coli, Enterococci and Coliforms
Authors: Valcheva Nedyalka , Ignatov Ignat , Huether Fabio
Published: December 2020

The aim of the study was to analyze the microbiological effects of EVODROP Silver Nanoparticle. A comparative analysеs of the number of bacteria of a given species before and after influence wеre performed.

Nanoparticle Silver makes physical changes in the bacterial membrane, like the membrane damage, which can lead to cellular contents leakage and bacterial death [1,2,3]. There are effects of Nanoparticle Silver against SARS-CoV-2. The coronavirus gets replicated via copying of the genetic material using the enzyme RNA-dependent RNA polymerase [4,5].

The membranes of the cells of mammals don’t have peptidoglycans and Ag+ has not inhibiting effect [6]. In such a way it prevents the further alteration of the enzymes.

In Japanese study there are proofs that Nanoparticle Silver inhibiting extracellular SARS-CoV-2 at concentrations ranging between 1 and 10 ppm while cytotoxic effect was observed at concentrations of 20 ppm and above [7]. There is objective research of the effects of Nanoparticle Silver on the virus SARS-CoV-2 with Inhalation in Israel [8].

The author of the device EVOhygiene Fabio Huether performs liquid with concentration 20 ppm nano silver and size of nano particles 5 nm.

The virucidal activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) allows its wider application in the annihilation or amelioration of several viral infections such as Poliovirus type-1, Coxsackievirus B3, influenza A virus, SARS-CoV-2 etc. [9]

There is publication in Nature Nanotechnology for the effects of Silver Nanoparticles as disinfectant against SARS-CoV-2 [10].

The research show effects of EVODROP Silver Nanoparticle on the following bacteria Escherichia coli, Enterococci and Coliforms.
Frequency and Determinants of Erectile Dysfunction among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in a Tertiary Health Institution in Nigeria
Authors: Olamoyegun Michael A. , Ala Oluwabukola A. , Fagbemiro Emmanuel Y.
Published: December 2020

Background: Sexual dysfunction of which erectile dysfunction is one of the complications usually occurred in men with diabetes mellitus. Hence this study aimed to assess the prevalence and analyze risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 147 men with type 2 DM recruited from the diabetes clinic of a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. ED was assessed using an abridged version of international index of erectile function (IIEF–5). Sociodemographic data that included age, education, occupation, marital status were assessed and medical history including diabetes duration, smoking, alcohol intake, frequency and style of sexual intercourse obtained.

Results: The mean age of the study sample was 68.22±12.15 years. The prevalence of ED was 69.5%, of which 14.3%, 14.3%, 10.5% and 29.9% had mild, mild-moderate, moderate and severe dysfunctions respectively. The prevalence of ED increased with age, duration of diabetes and obesity but not with glycaemic control, consumption of alcohol or smoking.

Conclusions: ED was highly prevalent among men with DM in South-West Nigeria. Hence, efforts must be made to reduce the high prevalence by managing the factors responsible for its development. Also, health care practitioners must regularly inquire about this specifically as patients may not readily volunteer this information.
Selectivity and Sublethal Effects of Botanical Extracts to Pupae of Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Gladenucci Joanina , Marasca Indiamara , Filho José Carlos de Almeida Pernambuco , Bonfim Filipe Pereira Giardini , Freitas Bue Regiane Cristina Oliveira de
Published: December 2020

Aims: assess the effect of botanical extracts on pupae of the natural enemy Trichogramma pretiosum.

Study Design: evaluation of the selectivity and sublethal effect on T. pretiosum pupae.

Place and Duration of Study: Departamento de Proteção Vegetal e Horticultura da Faculdade de Ciências Agronômicas – Universidade Estadual Paulista ¨Júlio de Mesquita Filho¨ (FCA/UNESP) – Campus de Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, carried out between March 2016 and April 2017.

Methodology: the experiment was conducted in laboratory, with eleven treatments: Rosmarinus officinalis, Mikania glomerata, Varronia curassavica, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Vermonia polyanthes, Plectranthus amboinicus, Tetradenia riparia, Artemisia absinthium, Cymbopogon citratus, distilled water and chlorpyrifos, with the two last ones being the negative and positive controls, respectively. The plants were collected in the morning and had 100 g of each species separated and immersed in 300 ml of methyl alcohol for 24 hours in triple extraction. Posteriorly, the solvent was evaporated in rotavapor and the crude extract diluted in the proportion of 1000 mg to 250 mL of distilled water. The parasitism (%) was evaluated. The mortality of the parasitoids was classified in: class 1 – innocuous (E < 30%); class 2 – slightly harmful (30 ≤ E ≤ 79%); class 3 – moderately harmful (80 ≤ E ≤ 99%); class 4 – harmful (E > 99%); daily and accumulated parasitism, total of parasitized eggs and longevity were reported.

Results: Solely the extract of R. officinalis was selective to T. pretiosum pupae. Despite it, all tested extracts induced sublethal effects, with R. officinalis and C. citratus causing the highest damage. Although R. officinalis resulted in sublethal effects, it was the only extract which did not lead to the mortality of females of T. pretiosum.

Conclusion: the tested botanical extracts are innocuous (class 1) or slightly harmful (class 2) to pupae of T. pretiosum, resulting in some sublethal effect that might spoil its efficiency in the Integrated Pest Control.
Comparative Growth Performance of Papaya Hybrids and their Parents under Reciprocal Crossing System
Authors: Jena Suchismita , Ahlawat T. R. , Patel A. I. , Pandey A. K. , Patel Dharmishtha , Chaudhary Abhijit
Published: December 2020

Papaya is a very popular fruit in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world and has witnessed an increase in demand. This has fuelled an interest to develop region specific hybrids with desirable vegetative growth and vigour.  Hence a field experiment was carried out at College of horticulture and forestry, Navsari Agricultural University in Gujarat during 2018-2020 in randomized block design with three replications to know the mean performance of parents and hybrids for comparative growth performances of papaya. Wherein, thirty papaya hybrids were developed from six morphologically distinct parents through full diallel crossing technique and all the parents and hybrids were evaluated for their germination and growth parameters. The variability was distinct in all hybrids and parents for germination percentage, days taken to germination, periodical plant height and girth, number of leaves, petiole length and internodal distance. Amongst all the parents, Pusa Delicious, CO-8 and Lucknow Local exhibited improved germination, better vegetative growth and dwarf stature, respectively. Among the hybrids, Pusa Delicious x Lucknow Local was found to have dwarf stature with minimum internodal length however, the reciprocal cross: Lucknow Local x Pusa Delicious recorded maximum plant girth and number of leaves. Based on their mean performance, these parents can be used for further breeding programmes and hybrids could be exploited for cultivation.
The Effect of a Dynamic Lens Structure on the Open Circuit Voltage of a Concentrated Photovoltaic Model
Authors: Hennache Mamoun Lyes , Hennache Ali
Published: December 2020

The current concerns of energy shortage and global warming have brought the development of strategies to utilize renewable energy resources at the forefront of public interest. Solar power is one of renewable energy's most promising sources. Concentrated photovoltaics can significantly improve a photovoltaic (PV) system's electricity production. This paper presents a novel approach of a CPV unit with a dynamic lens structure. Design and Implementation of both electrical and mechanical design in order to move the lens to achieve a better voltage output. Experiments had been carried out and measurements were taken according to the light source which was the sun in one case and the artificial light in the other. Based on the experimental results the effect of the dynamic lens was studied and compared to the fixed lens. The results showed that the dynamic lens CPV model was more effective and efficient than the fixed one.
Lithofacies and Environmental Analysis of Reservoir Sandstones in the “ABOM” Oilfield of Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Jonathan O. Omoboh , Odigi Minapuye I.
Published: December 2020

Facies of part of the Coastal swamp depobelt was analyzed using well log. Electrofacies was defined based on well log signatures. The defined facies were inter-related to define a facies association. The facies association were related to deltaic depositional cycles. 10 of such facies association or deltaic cycles were seen in the interval studied. The facies association or deltaic cycles have a different composition of facies related to the level of preservation of the components of the association. The component of the facies association seen include marine clay facies, lower shoreface facies, upper shoreface facies, prograding mouth bar facies and fluvial facies. The marine clay facies underlie each facies association and the channel / prograding mouth bar cap the association where it is preserved. The lower shoreface facies, upper shorefacies, prograding mouth bar and fluvial facies form the Reservoir sandstones. The identified facies association was seen to be repeated in the interval studied though with different composition. This reflects different deltaic depositional cycles with different component of facies due to the prevailing depositional processes occurring at the period of deposition and those affecting the deposit of the cycles after deposition. The arrangements of the different components of the facies within the facies association will help in the prediction of reservoir sand bodies in any deltaic depositional cycle.
A cancer‐associated CDKN1B mutation induces p27 phosphorylation on a novel residue: a new mechanism for tumor suppressor loss‐of‐function
Authors: Bencivenga Debora , Stampone Emanuela , Aulitto Arianna , Tramontano Annunziata , Barone Clementina , Negri Aide , Roberti Domenico , Perrotta Silverio , Della Ragione Fulvio , Borriello Adriana
Published: December 2020

CDKN1B haploinsufficiency promotes the development of several human cancers. The gene encodes p27Kip1, a protein playing pivotal roles in the control of growth, differentiation, cytoskeleton dynamics, and cytokinesis. CDKN1B haploinsufficiency has been associated with chromosomal or gene aberrations. However, very few data exist on the mechanisms by which CDKN1B missense mutations facilitate carcinogenesis. Here, we report a functional study on a cancer‐associated germinal p27Kip1 variant, namely glycine9‐>arginine‐p27Kip1 (G9R‐p27Kip1) identified in a parathyroid adenoma. We unexpectedly found that G9R‐p27Kip1 lacks the major tumor suppressor activities of p27Kip1 including its antiproliferative and pro‐apoptotic functions. In addition, G9R‐p27Kip1 transfection in cell lines induces the formation of more numerous and larger spheres when compared to wild‐type p27Kip1‐transfected cells. We demonstrated that the mutation creates a consensus sequence for basophilic kinases causing a massive phosphorylation of G9R‐p27Kip1 on S12, a residue normally never found modified in p27Kip1. The novel S12 phosphorylation appears responsible for the loss of function of G9R‐p27Kip1 since S12AG9R‐p27Kip1 recovers most of the p27Kip1 tumor suppressor activities. In addition, the expression of the phosphomimetic S12D‐p27Kip1 recapitulates G9R‐p27Kip1 properties. Mechanistically, S12 phosphorylation enhances the nuclear localization of the mutant protein and also reduces its cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK)2/CDK1 inhibition activity. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of quantitative phosphorylation of a p27Kip1 variant on a physiologically unmodified residue associated with the loss of several tumor suppressor activities. In addition, our findings demonstrate that haploinsufficiency might be due to unpredictable post‐translational modifications due to generation of novel consensus sequences by cancer‐associated missense mutations.
Realization of Self‐Rotating Droplets Based on Liquid Metal
Authors: Wang Zhanlong , Wang Xiaohe , Miao Qing , Zhao Ya‐Pu
Published: December 2020

Owing to their fascinating characteristics, liquid metals (LMs) have attracted increasing attention from the scientific community, and are a potential material for various applications. A novel phenomenon is reported in which an acid droplet spontaneously rotates on the surface of an LM. The experimental results show that this phenomenon originates from the collective motion of bubbles generated by the chemical reactions between the droplet and the LM. The angular velocity of the droplet rotation is on the order of 101 rad s−1, which is much higher than that driven by other mechanisms. Under different conditions, the period of the droplet differs, and it increases with the pH and radius of the acid droplet. The theoretical results indicate the dominant factors and the characterized angular velocity, which agree well with the experimental data. This phenomenon demonstrate that the general particles can also induce special spatial–temporal patterns, and opens up a new field for the application of LMs.
Clinical and molecular characterization study of Chinese Kabuki syndrome in Hong Kong
Authors: So Po L. , Luk Ho M. , Yu Kris P. T. , Cheng Shirley S.W. , Hau Edgar W. L. , Ho Stephanie K. L. , Lam Stephen T. S. , Lo Ivan F. M.
Published: December 2020

Kabuki syndrome (OMIM #147920 and 300867) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a distinctive facial gestalt, intellectual disability and multiple congenital anomalies. We summarized the clinical features and molecular findings of the Kabuki syndrome (KS) patients diagnosed in Hong Kong between January 1991 and December 2019. There were 21 molecularly confirmed KS. Twenty of them were due to pathogenic KMT2D variants and one patient had KDM6A deletion. Nine KMT2D variants were novel. The clinical phenotype of our Chinese KS patients was largely comparable with that reported in patients of other ethnicities. This study expands the mutation spectrum but also provide important natural history information of Chinese KS in literature.
Mapping relationships between ADHD genetic liability, stressful life events, and ADHD symptoms in healthy adults
Authors: Li Ting , Franke Barbara , AriasVasquez Alejandro , Mota Nina Roth
Published: December 2020

Attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are continuously distributed in the general population, where both genetic and environmental factors play roles. Stressful life events (SLEs) have been associated with ADHD diagnosis, but the relationship between ADHD genetic liability, SLEs, and ADHD symptoms in healthy individuals is less clear. Using a sample of 1,531 healthy adults (average age 26.9 years; 55.8% female), we investigated relationships between ADHD polygenic risk scores (ADHD‐PRSs), SLEs, and ADHD symptoms in a general population sample. Confirming earlier findings in an overlapping sample, all SLE‐measures assessed (lifetime SLEs, recent SLEs, and childhood trauma (CT)) were significantly correlated with total ADHD, inattention (IA), and hyperactivity‐impulsivity (HI) scores (r2 range = .08–.15; all p < .005). ADHD‐PRSs was associated with HI (R2best‐fit = .37%), lifetime SLEs (R2best‐fit = .56%), and CT (R2best‐fit = .40%). Mediation analyses showed that lifetime SLEs partially mediated the association between ADHD‐PRSs and HI (indirect effect: β = 68.6, bias corrected accelerated 95% confident interval (BCa95%CI) [11.9, 131.0], p = .016, proportion mediated (PM) =19.5%), with strongest effects contributed by CT (β = 34.4, BCa95%CI [0.4, 76.5], p = .040, PM = 9.8%). On the other hand, HI partially mediated the association between the ADHD‐PRSs and lifetime SLEs (β = 42.9, BCa95%CI [7.3, 83.9], p = .014, PM = 18.8%). Our study observed a complex relationship of genetic and environmental risk factors contributing to ADHD symptoms in the healthy adult population.
The Latin American network for congenital malformation surveillance: ReLAMC
Authors: Orioli Iêda Maria , Dolk Helen , Lopez‐Camelo Jorge , Groisman Boris , Benavides‐Lara Adriana , Gimenez Lucas Gabriel , Correa Daniel Mattos , Ascurra Marta , de Aquino Bonilha Eliana , Canessa‐Tapia Maria Aurora , de França Giovanny Vinícius Araújo , Hurtado‐Villa Paula , Ibarra‐Ramírez Marisol , Pardo Rosa , Pastora Dania Maria , Zarante Ignacio , Soares Flávia Schneider , de Carvalho Flávia Martinez , Piola Mariana ,   ReLAMC Group
Published: December 2020

The early detection of congenital anomaly epidemics occurs when comparing current with previous frequencies in the same population. The success of epidemiologic surveillance depends on numerous factors, including the accuracy of the rates available in the base period, wide population coverage, and short periodicity of analysis. This study aims to describe the Latin American network of congenital malformation surveillance: ReLAMC, created to increase epidemiologic surveillance in Latin America. We describe the main steps, tasks, strategies used, and preliminary results. From 2017 to 2019, five national registries (Argentina [RENAC], Brazil [SINASC/SIM‐BRS], Chile [RENACH], Costa Rica [CREC], Paraguay [RENADECOPY‐PNPDC]), six regional registries (Bogotá [PVSDC‐Bogota], Cali [PVSDC‐Cali], Maule [RRMC SSM], Nicaragua [SVDC], Nuevo‐León [ReDeCon HU], São Paulo [SINASC/SIM‐MSP]) and the ECLAMC hospital network sent data to ReLAMC on a total population of 9,152,674 births, with a total of 101,749 malformed newborns (1.1%; 95% CI 1.10–1.12). Of the 9,000,651 births in countries covering both live and stillbirths, 88,881 were stillborn (0.99%; 95% CI 0.98–0.99), and among stillborns, 6,755 were malformed (7.61%; 95% CI 7.44–7.79). The microcephaly rate was 2.45 per 10,000 births (95% CI 2.35–2.55), hydrocephaly 3.03 (2.92–3.14), spina bifida 2.89 (2.78–3.00), congenital heart defects 15.53 (15.27–15.79), cleft lip 2.02 (1.93–2.11), cleft palate and lip 2.77 (2.66–2.88), talipes 2.56 (2.46–2.67), conjoined twins 0.16 (0.14–0.19), and Down syndrome 5.33 (5.18–5.48). Each congenital anomaly showed heterogeneity in prevalence rates among registries. The harmonization of data in relation to operational differences between registries is the next step in developing the common ReLAMC database.
Bismuth Amides Mediate Facile and Highly Selective Pn–Pn Radical‐Coupling Reactions (Pn=N, P, As)
Authors: Oberdorf Kai , Hanft Anna , Ramler Jacqueline , Krummenacher Ivo , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Poater Jordi , Lichtenberg Crispin
Published: December 2020

The controlled release of well‐defined radical species under mild conditions for subsequent use in selective reactions is an important and challenging task in synthetic chemistry. We show here that simple bismuth amide species [Bi(NAr2)3] readily release aminyl radicals [NAr2]. at ambient temperature in solution. These reactions yield the corresponding hydrazines, Ar2N−NAr2, as a result of highly selective N−N coupling. The exploitation of facile homolytic Bi−Pn bond cleavage for Pn−Pn bond formation was extended to higher homologues of the pnictogens (Pn=N–As): homoleptic bismuth amides mediate the highly selective dehydrocoupling of HPnR2 to give R2Pn−PnR2. Analyses by NMR and EPR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and DFT calculations reveal low Bi−N homolytic bond‐dissociation energies, suggest radical coupling in the coordination sphere of bismuth, and reveal electronic and steric parameters as effective tools to control these reactions.
Effects of low pH and high temperature on two Palythoa spp. and predator–prey interactions in the subtropical eastern Atlantic
Authors: López Cataixa , Bas‐Silvestre María , Rodríguez Adriana , Brito Alberto , Clemente Sabrina
Published: December 2020

In the current context of climate change, benthic cnidarians of the genus Palythoa have been suggested to be resistant owing to their intrinsic biological characteristics. In tropical regions, some species are currently proliferating in areas where environmental conditions are less suitable for other organisms, even replacing hard coral ecosystems.

Considering their tropical affinities, phase‐shifts towards Palythoa‐dominated areas could become more frequent in future climate change scenarios, leading to changes in ecosystem organization. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of climate change stressors in two common Palythoa spp. with different habitat affinities within a subtropical region, and the effect upon their predator–prey interactions.

The results of this experimental study demonstrated that colonies of P. aff. clavata and P. caribaeorum were significantly affected by exposure to temperature and pH conditions predicted for 2100 in the Canary Islands, during 62 days.

Despite zoantharians’ lack of carbonate in their body wall, Palythoa spp. were most affected in their growth rates by lowered pH, and colonies significantly decreased in weight and size. Although all colonies exhibited symptoms of bleaching at high temperature, a reduction in chlorophyll content was also observed at low pH.

Predation by Platypodiella picta crabs decreased on P. aff. clavata exposed to acidic conditions, which may compensate for the lowered ecological performance of the species in these climate change conditions. In contrast, P. picta was able to actively feed on P. caribaeorum colonies regardless of the experimental conditions.

Despite being suggested as winner species in a climate change scenario, our study demonstrated that low pH negatively impacted Palythoa spp. survival. If the species are not able to acclimatize to the new conditions, changes in their populations may be expected, although their magnitude could be ameliorated by means of a decrease in predation rates.
Sentinel lymph node biopsy in early stage cervical cancer: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Bao Bingting , Wang Sixue , Yi Mingyu , Jiang Li , Fang Xiaoling
Published: December 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to determine the specific side detection rate of the sentinel lymph node biopsy and the accuracy in predicting lymph node metastasis in early stage cervical cancer.

Methods

A systematic search of databases was performed from the inception of the databases to 27 June 2020. Studies of cervical cancer patients with FIGO stage FIGO ⅠA~ⅡB, evaluating the sentinel lymph node biopsy with blue dye, technetium 99, combined technique (blue dye with technetium 99) or indocyanine green with a reference standard of systematic pelvis lymph node dissection or clinical follow‐up were included. Stata12.0 and Meta‐Disc 1.4 were used for the meta‐analysis.

Results

Of 2825 articles found, 21 studies (2234 women) were eventually included. Out of 21 studies, 20 met the detection rate evaluation criteria and six were included for sensitivity meta‐analysis. Due to heterogeneity, it was inappropriate to pool all studies. The pooled specific side detection rates were 85% in tumors up to 2 cm, 67% in tumors over 2 cm, 75.2% for blue dye, 74.7% for technetium 99, 84% for combined technique, and 85.5% for indocyanine green. The sentinel lymph node biopsy had a pooled specific side sensitivity of 88%. Adverse effects of sentinel lymph node biopsy appear minimal for most patients and are mainly related to the injection of blue dye.

Conclusions

Sentinel lymph node biopsy using a tracer with a high detection rate and ultrastaging is highly accurate and reliable when limited to seriously selected patients, with satisfactory bilateral lymph node mapping and where enough cases for learning curve optimization exist. Indocyanine green sentinel lymph node mapping seems to be a superior sentinel lymph node mapping technique compared to other methods at present.
LiVOPO4‐Modified Lithium‐Rich Layered Composite Cathodes for High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Tongxin , Li Donglin , Zhang Wei , Kong Xiangze , Zhang Peiqi , Ren Xuqiang , Zhang Qingbo , Gao Jianhang , Fan Xiaoyong , Gou Lei
Published: December 2020

Li‐rich layered oxide Li1.2Ni0.13Co0.13Mn0.54O2 (LNCMO) is a promising cathode material for high‐energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, it suffers from severe capacity fading and voltage decay, especially at high voltage (>4.5 V). In this study, we successfully design an active LiVOPO4 (LVOP) coating on the LNCMO surface. The LNCMO/LVOP composites exhibit enhanced rate capability and largely improved cycling stability during long‐term cycling. Such superior performances can be attributed to the active LVOP coating layer, which can suppress the parasitic reactions between the LNCMO surface and the electrolyte. This work shows the potential for designing Li‐rich layered composite cathode materials by coating the active phase for high energy/power LIBs.
Varietal quality control in the nursery plant industry using computer vision and deep learning techniques
Authors: Borraz‐Martínez Sergio , Tarrés Francesc , Boqué Ricard , Mestre Mariàngela , Simó Joan , Gras Anna
Published: December 2020

Computer vision coupled to deep learning is a promising technique with multiple applications in the industry. In this work, the potential of this technique has been assessed in the classification of two varieties of almond trees (Prunus dulcis), Soleta and Pentacebas. For that, a convolutional neural network named VGG16 was used. The most appropriate configuration for model training was studied, which included the comparison between two different filling modes (reflect and nearest) in the data augmentation step, the evaluation of the batch size and the analysis of the image sizes. The robustness of the model was also checked, and information was obtained about how the model extracts the information from the images. The results showed that the reflect fill mode was more effective than the nearest one. The best results were obtained using batches with 30 and 40 images, with an image size of (224 × 224) pixels. The verification of the robustness proved the capability of the technique as a promising tool for plant varietal identification.
Communication‐efficient distributed large‐scale sparse multinomial logistic regression
Authors: Lei Dajiang , Huang Jie , Chen Hao , Li Jie , Wu Yu
Published: December 2020

Sparse multinomial logistic regression (SMLR) is widely used in image classification and text classification due to its feature selection and probabilistic output. However, the traditional SMLR algorithm cannot satisfy the memory and time needs of big data, which makes it necessary to propose a new distributed solution algorithm. The existing distributed SMLR algorithm has some shortcomings in network strategy and cannot make full use of the computing resources of the current high‐performance cluster. Therefore, we propose communication‐efficient sparse multinomial logistic regression (CESMLR), which adopts the efficient network strategy of each node to solve the SMLR subproblem and achieve a large number of data partitions, taking full advantage of the computing resources of the cluster to achieve an efficient SMLR solution. The big data experimental results show that the performance of our algorithm exceeds those of state‐of‐the‐art algorithms. CESMLR is suitable for processing tasks with high‐dimensional features and consumes less running time while maintaining high classification accuracy.
Catalytic Hydrogenation of Trivinyl Orthoacetate: Mechanisms Elucidated by Parahydrogen Induced Polarization
Authors: Pravdivtsev Andrey N. , Brahms Arne , Kienitz Stephan , Sönnichsen Frank D. , Hövener Jan‐Bernd , Herges Rainer
Published: December 2020

Parahydrogen (pH2) induced polarization (PHIP) is a unique method that is used in analytical chemistry to elucidate catalytic hydrogenation pathways and to increase the signal of small metabolites in MRI and NMR. PHIP is based on adding or exchanging at least one pH2 molecule with a target molecule. Thus, the spin order available for hyperpolarization is often limited to that of one pH2 molecule. To break this limit, we investigated the addition of multiple pH2 molecules to one precursor. We studied the feasibility of the simultaneous hydrogenation of three arms of trivinyl orthoacetate (TVOA) intending to obtain hyperpolarized acetate. It was found that semihydrogenated TVOA underwent a fast decomposition accompanied by several minor reactions including an exchange of geminal methylene protons of a vinyl ester with pH2. The study shows that multiple vinyl ester groups are not suitable for a fast and clean (without any side products) hydrogenation and hyperpolarization that is desired in biochemical applications.
A Comprehensive Experimental Guide to Studying Cross‐Presentation in Dendritic Cells In Vitro
Authors: Sadiq Barzan A. , Mantel Ian , Blander J. Magarian
Published: December 2020

Cross‐presentation was first observed serendipitously in the 1970s. The importance of it was quickly realized and subsequently attracted great attention from immunologists. Since then, our knowledge of the ability of certain antigen presenting cells to internalize, process, and load exogenous antigens onto MHC‐I molecules to cross‐prime CD8+ T cells has increased significantly. Dendritic cells (DCs) are exceptional cross‐presenters, thus making them a great tool to study cross‐presentation but the relative rarity of DCs in circulation and in tissues makes it challenging to isolate sufficient numbers of cells to study this process in vitro. In this paper, we describe in detail two methods to culture DCs from bone‐marrow progenitors and a method to expand the numbers of DCs present in vivo as a source of endogenous bona‐fide cross‐presenting DCs. We also describe methods to assess cross‐presentation by DCs using the activation of primary CD8+ T cells as a readout. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol 1: Isolation of bone marrow progenitor cells

Basic Protocol 2: In vitro differentiation of dendritic cells with GM‐CSF

Support Protocol 1: Preparation of conditioned medium from GM‐CSF producing J558L cells

Basic Protocol 3: In vitro differentiation of dendritic cells with Flt3L

Support Protocol 2: Preparation of Flt3L containing medium from B16‐Flt3L cells

Basic Protocol 4: Expansion of cDC1s in vivo for use in ex vivo experiments

Basic Protocol 5: Characterizing resting and activated dendritic cells

Basic Protocol 6: Dendritic cell stimulation, antigenic cargo, and fixation

Support Protocol 3: Preparation of model antigen coated microbeads

Support Protocol 4: Preparation of apoptotic cells

Support Protocol 5: Preparation of recombinant bacteria

Basic Protocol 7: Immunocytochemistry immunofluorescence (ICC/IF)

Support Protocol 6: Preparation of Alcian blue‐coated coverslips

Basic Protocol 8: CD8+ T cell activation to assess cross‐presentation

Support Protocol 7: Isolation and labeling of CD8+ T cells with CFSE
Fractional rider optimization algorithm for the optimal placement of the mobile sinks in wireless sensor networks
Authors: Aravind Arikrishnaperumal Ramaswamy , Chakravarthi Rekha
Published: December 2020

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) employ the mobile sinks to gather the information from the sensors deployed in the environment periodically, in such a way to avoid the energy‐crisis and hotspot issues. Delay in visiting all the nodes is addressed through the rendezvous points that collect the data from other nodes such that the nodes collect the data from this point rather than visiting all the nodes, which saves energy. However, the optimal placement of the mobile sinks to visit those rendezvous points is a need, which is addressed optimally using the proposed fractional rider optimization algorithm (FROA). The FROA is the modification of the rider optimization algorithm (ROA) with the fractional theory, and the ultimate goal of the proposed algorithm is to optimally place the mobile sink for which initially, the wireless sensor environment is split as uniform‐sized cells with the Voronoi partitions and clusters are formed using sparse fuzzy c‐means (sparse‐FCM) algorithm. The constraints for enabling the optimal sink placement are distance, delay, and energy of the nodes. The simulation analysis reveals that the proposed method outperformed the existing algorithms, with minimal distance of 132.2069 m, maximal network energy, alive nodes, and throughput of 21.4605, 56, and 62.3702, respectively.
Isomerization of Na‐Centered Alkyltin Keggin Clusters
Authors: Hutchison Danielle C. , Smith Rachelle M. , Nyman May
Published: December 2020

The Keggin cluster topology, discovered in tungsten polyoxometalates approximately a century ago, is now broadly represented across the periodic table. The alkyltin Keggin clusters are unique in that it is the only Keggin family that appears to favor the rarer β and γ rotational isomers, co‐crystallized as β,γ‐[(BuSn)12(NaO4)(OCH3)12(O)5(OH)7] (β,γ‐NaSn12). Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR; 1H, 119Sn) studies show lability and ready exchange between hydroxy‐methoxy ligands, accelerated by residual water in polar solvents. Room temperature and heated solutions of β,γ‐NaSn12 show five distinct 23Na NMR peaks, corresponding to all five of the Keggin rotational isomers simultaneously in solution. This is the only example of coexistence of all Keggin isomers simultaneously, providing more in‐depth insight into parameters influencing Keggin isomer stabilization, isolation, and exchange.
Generation of realistic synthetic catchments to explore fine continental surface processes
Authors: Bunel Raphaël , Lecoq Nicolas , Copard Yoann , Guérin Eric , Van de Wiel Marco , Massei Nicolas
Published: December 2020

Understanding, analysing, and predicting the erosion mechanisms and sedimentary flows produced by catchments plays a key role in environmental conservation and restoration management and policies. Numerical case‐testing studies are generally undertaken to analyse the sensitivity of flood and soil erosion processes to the physical characteristics of catchments. Most analyses are conducted on simple virtual catchments with physical characteristics that, unlike real catchments, are perfectly controlled. Virtual catchments generally correspond to V‐shaped valley catchments. However, although these catchments are suitable for methodical analysis of the results, they do not provide a realistic representation of the spatial structures of the landscape and field conditions. They can, therefore, lead to potential modelling errors and can make it difficult to extend or generalize their results. Our proposed method bridges the gap between real and traditional virtual catchments by creating realistic virtual catchments with perfectly controllable physical characteristics. Our approach represents a real alternative to traditional test case procedures and provides a new framework for geomorphological and hydrological communities. It combines a field procedural generation approach, geographic information system processing procedures, and the CAESAR‐Lisflood landscape evolution model. We illustrate how each of these components acts in the process of generating virtual catchments. Five physical parameters were adjusted and tested for each virtual catchment: drainage density, hypsometric integral, mean slope of the main channel, granulometry, and land use. One of our virtual catchments is compared with a real catchment and a virtual catchment produced by a standard method. This comparison indicates that our approach can produce more realistic virtual catchments than those produced by more traditional methods, while a high degree of controllability is maintained. This new method of generating virtual catchments therefore offers significant research potential to identify the impacts of the physical characteristics of catchments on hydro‐sedimentary dynamics and responses.
The spatial distribution of sedimentary compounds and their environmental implications in surface sediments of Lake Khar Nuur (Mongolian Altai)
Authors: Strobel P. , Struck J. , Zech R. , Bliedtner M.
Published: December 2020

Lake sediments are valuable natural archives to reconstruct paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental changes which consist of inorganic and organic sediment compounds of allochthonous origin from the catchment and of autochthonous production in the lake. However, for robust paleo‐reconstructions it is important to develop a better understanding about sedimentation processes, the origin of inorganic and organic sediment compounds and their distribution within the lake. In this context, modern process studies provide important insights, although environmental and anthropological changes can affect the spatial distribution of sediment compounds through time. Therefore, in this study the spatial distribution of grain size and geochemical proxies in 52 surface sediment samples from Lake Khar Nuur, a small high‐altitude lake in the Mongolian Altai with a small and anthropogenically used hydrological catchment, is investigated. The results show a distinct sediment focussing in the two deep basins of the lake, which therefore act as accumulation zones. In those accumulation zones, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (N) and their isotopic composition (δ13CTOC, δ15N) as well as n‐alkanes indicate that organic sediment compounds are a mixture of both allochthonous and autochthonous origin. While the recent catchment vegetation consists of grasses/herbs and the shrub Betula nana (L.) with distinct differences in their n‐alkane homologue patterns, those differences are not reflected in the sediment surface samples which rather indicates that grass‐derived n‐alkanes become preferentially incorporated in the lake. Extensive anthropogenic activity such as grazing and housing in the southern part of the catchment causes soil erosion which is well reflected by high TOC, N and sulphur (S) contents and 15N depleted δ15N values at the central southern shore, i.e. increased allochthonous sediment input by anthropogenically‐induced soil erosion. Overall, the surface sediments of Lake Khar Nuur origin from allochthonous and autochthonous sources and are focussed in the accumulation zones of the lake, while their distribution is both environmentally and anthropogenically driven.
Shocks to the equity capital ratio of financial intermediaries and the predictability of stock return volatility
Authors: He Feng , Yin Libo
Published: December 2020

This paper shows that shocks to the equity capital ratio of financial intermediaries (CRFI) have predictive ability for stock realized volatility, from both in‐sample and out‐of‐sample perspectives. The revealed predictability is also of economic significance, in that it examines the performance of portfolios constructed on the basis of CRFI forecasts of stock volatility. Robustness test results suggest that CRFI provides different information from traditional macro variables. Further analysis shows that simple linear regression is good enough in capturing predictive relationships between CRFI and stock volatility.
Analysis of financial development and foreign direct investment inflows nexus in ECOWAS countries: Least squares dummy variable approach
Authors: Shuaibu Salihu , Badayi Suleiman A. , Musa Balarabe A.
Published: December 2020

In the competitive world nowadays, financial development (FD) is recognized as one of the important drivers of economic growth via absorptive capacity. The link between FD and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in economic community of western african states (ECOWAS) economies is largely ignored in empirical studies. Using panel of 15 ECOWAS countries for the period 1999–2017, with bias corrected least squares dummy variable estimator this study explores the impact of FD on FDI inflows. The empirical findings from this study demonstrate that FD is significant predictor of FDI inflows. The results further suggest that human capital development and trade openness are relevant determinant of FDI influx in ECOWAS countries. The result is robust to alternative indicator of FD; broad money. Functional financial system in the host country is crucial and necessary in attracting foreign capital to the countries; hence FD architecture in the recipient economies should be strengthened.