bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial metabolomics using imaging mass spectrometry to identify the localization of asparaptine inAsparagus officinalis
Authors: Nakabayashi Ryo , Hashimoto Kei , Mori Tetsuya , Toyooka Kiminori , Sudo Hiroshi , Saito Kazuki
Published: January 2021

Spatial metabolomics uses imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to localize metabolites within tissue section. Here, we performed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance-IMS (MALDI-FTICR-IMS) to identify the localization of asparaptine, a naturally occurring inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme, in green spears of asparagus (Asparagus officinalis). Spatial metabolome data were acquired with an untargeted manner. Segmentation analysis using the data characterized tissue-type-dependent and - independent distribution patterns in cross-sections of asparagus spears. Moreover, asparaptine accumulated at high levels in developing lateral shoot tissues. Quantification of asparaptine in lateral shoots using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) validated the IMS analysis. These results provide valuable information for understanding the function of asparaptine in asparagus, and identify the lateral shoot as a potential region of interest for multiomic studies to examine gene-to-metabolite associations in asparaptine biosynthesis.
The dynamic trophic architecture of open-ocean protist communities revealed through machine-guided metatranscriptomics
Authors: Lambert B.S. , Groussman R.D. , Schatz M.J. , Coesel S.N. , Durham B.P. , Alverson A.J. , White A.E. , Armbrust E.V.
Published: January 2021

Intricate networks of single-celled eukaryotes (protists) dominate carbon flow in the ocean. Their growth, demise, and interactions with other microorganisms drive the fluxes of biogeochemical elements through marine ecosystems. Mixotrophic protists are capable of both photosynthesis and ingestion of prey and are dominant components of open-ocean planktonic communities. Yet, the role of mixotrophs in elemental cycling is obscured by their capacity to act as primary producers or heterotrophic consumers depending on factors that remain largely uncharacterized. Here we introduce a machine learning model that can predict thein situnutritional mode of aquatic protists based on their patterns of gene expression. This approach leverages a public collection of protist transcriptomes as a training set to identify a subset of gene families whose transcriptional profiles predict trophic status. We applied our model to nearly 100 metatranscriptomes obtained during two oceanographic cruises in the North Pacific and found community-level and population-specific evidence that abundant open-ocean mixotrophic populations shift their predominant mode of nutrient and carbon acquisition in response to natural gradients in nutrient supply and sea surface temperature. In addition, metatranscriptomic data from ship-board incubation experiments revealed that abundant mixotrophic prymnesiophytes from the oligotrophic North Pacific subtropical gyre rapidly remodelled their transcriptome to enhance photosynthesis when supplied with limiting nutrients. Coupling the technique introduced here with experiments designed to reveal the mechanisms driving mixotroph physiology is a promising approach for understanding the ecology of mixotrophic populations in the natural environment.

Significance statement

Mixotrophy is a ubiquitous nutritional strategy in marine ecosystems. Although our understanding of the distribution and abundance of mixotrophic plankton has improved significantly, the functional roles of mixotrophs are difficult to pinpoint, as mixotroph nutritional strategies are flexible and form a continuum between heterotrophy and phototrophy. We employ a machine learning-driven metatranscriptomic technique to assess the nutritional strategies of abundant planktonic populationsin situand demonstrate that mixotrophic populations play varying functional roles along physico-chemical gradients in the North Pacific Ocean, revealing a degree of physiological plasticity unique to aquatic mixotrophs. Our results highlight mechanisms that may dictate the flow of biogeochemical elements and the ecology of the North Pacific Ocean, one of the largest biogeographical provinces on Earth.
DNA-based copy number analysis confirms genomic evolution of PDX models
Authors: Hoge Anna C. H. , Getz Michal , Beroukhim Rameen , Golub Todd R. , Ha Gavin , Ben-David Uri
Published: January 2021

We previously reported the genomic evolution of the copy number (CN) landscapes of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) during their engraftment and passaging1. Woo et al. argue that the CN profiles of PDXs are highly conserved, and that the main conclusions of our paper are invalid due to our use of expression-based CN profiles2. Here, we reassess genomic evolution of PDXs using the DNA-based CN profiles reported by Woo et al. We find that the degree of genomic evolution in the DNA-based dataset of Woo et al. is similar to that which we had previously reported. While the overall Pearson’s correlation of CN profiles between primary tumors (PTs) and their derived PDXs is high (as reported in our original paper as well), a median of ~10% of the genome is differentially altered between PTs and PDXs across cohorts (range, 0% to 73% across all models). In 24% of the matched PT-PDX samples, over a quarter of the genome is differentially affected by CN alterations. Moreover, in matched analyses of PTs and their derived PDXs at multiple passages, later-passage PDXs are significantly less similar to their parental PTs than earlier-passage PDXs, indicative of genomic divergence. We conclude that genomic evolution of PDX models during model generation and propagation should not be dismissed, and that the phenotypic consequences of this evolution ought to be assessed in order to optimize the application of these valuable cancer models.
Fractal triads efficiently sample ecological diversity and processes across spatial scales
Authors: Simpson Elizabeth G. , Pearse William D.
Published: January 2021

The relative influence of ecological assembly processes, such as environmental filtering, competition, and dispersal, vary across spatial scales. Changes in phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity across environments provide insight into these processes, however, it is challenging to assess the effect of spatial scale on these metrics. Here, we outline a nested sampling design that fractally spaces sampling locations to concentrate statistical power across spatial scales in a study area. We test this design in northeast Utah, at a study site with distinct vegetation types (including sagebrush steppe and mixed conifer forest), that vary across environmental gradients. We demonstrate the power of this design to detect changes in community phylogenetic diversity across environmental gradients and assess the spatial scale at which the sampling design captures the most variation in empirical data. We find clear evidence of broad-scale changes in multiple features of phylogenetic and taxonomic diversity across aspect. At finer scales, we find additional variation in phylo-diversity, highlighting the power of our fractal sampling design to efficiently detect patterns across multiple spatial scales. Thus, our fractal sampling design and analysis effectively identify important environmental gradients and spatial scales that drive community phylogenetic structure. We discuss the insights this gives us into the ecological assembly processes that differentiate plant communities found in northeast Utah.
Cross-tissue single-cell transcriptomics reveals organizing principles of fibroblasts in health and disease
Authors: Buechler Matthew B. , Pradhan Rachana N. , Calviello Aslihan Karabacak , Muller Soren , Bourgon Richard , Turley Shannon. J.
Published: January 2021

Fibroblasts are non-hematopoietic structural cells that define the architecture of organs, support the homeostasis of tissue-resident cells and play key roles in fibrosis, cancer, autoimmunity and wound healing. Recent studies have described fibroblast heterogeneity within individual tissues. However, the field lacks a definition of fibroblasts at single-cell resolution across tissues in healthy and diseased organs. Here, we integrated single-cell RNA transcriptomic data from ~150,000 fibroblast cells derived from 16 steady- and 11 perturbed-state mouse organs into fibroblast atlases. These data revealed two universal fibroblast cell subtypes, marked by expression of Pi16 or Col15a1, in all tissues; it also revealed discrete subsets of five specialized fibroblast subtypes in steady-state tissues and three activated fibroblast subtypes in perturbed or diseased tissues. These subsets were transcriptionally shaped by microenvironmental context rather than tissue-type alone. Inference of fibroblast lineage structure from the murine steady-state and perturbed-state fibroblast atlases suggested that specialized and activated subtypes are developmentally related to universal tissue-resident fibroblasts. Analysis of human samples revealed that fibroblast subtypes found in mice are conserved between species, including universal fibroblasts and activated phenotypes associated with pathogenicity in human cancer, fibrosis, arthritis and inflammation. In sum, a cross-species and pan-tissue approach to transcriptomics at single-cell resolution enabled us to define the organizing principles of the fibroblast lineage in health and disease.
Membrane contact probability: an essential and predictive character for the structural and functional studies of membrane proteins
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhang Jiangguo , Wang Dali , Song Chen
Published: January 2021

One of the unique traits of membrane proteins is that a significant fraction of their hydrophobic amino acids is exposed to the hydrophobic core of lipid bilayers rather than being embedded in the protein interior, which is often not explicitly considered in the protein structure and function predictions. Here, we propose a characteristic and predictive quantity, the membrane contact probability (MCP), to describe the likelihood of the amino acids of a given sequence being in direct contact with the acyl chains of lipid molecules. We show that MCP is complementary to solvent accessibility in characterizing the outer surface of membrane proteins, and it can be predicted for any given sequence with a machine learning-based method by utilizing a training dataset extracted from MemProtMD, a database generated from molecular dynamics simulations for the membrane proteins with a known structure. As the first of many potential applications, we demonstrate that MCP can be used to systematically improve the prediction precision of the protein contact maps and structures.
Molecular basis of ligand recognition and activation of human V2 vasopressin receptor
Authors: Zhou Fulai , Ye Chenyu , Ma Xiaomin , Yin Wanchao , Zhou Qingtong , He Xinheng , Zhang Xiaokang , Croll Tristan I. , Yang Dehua , Wang Peiyi , Xu H. Eric , Wang Ming-Wei , Jiang Yi
Published: January 2021

The V2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) is a class A G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) and plays a vital role in controlling water homeostasis upon stimulation by the natural peptide arginine vasopressin (AVP). Thus, V2R has attracted intense interest as a drug target for diabetes insipidus, nocturia, and hyponatremia. However, how AVP recognizes and activates V2R remains elusive. Here, we report the 2.6 Å resolution structure of V2R bound to AVP and the stimulatory G protein Gs, determined by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). In this complex, AVP presents a unique cyclic conformation formed by an intramolecular disulfide bond and engages the orthosteric binding pocket of V2R in a ligand-specific mode. Comparison of the AVP–V2R–Gscomplex to previously reported Gs-coupled class A GPCRs reveals distinct structural features, including a smaller outward movement of TM5 and TM6 and the concomitant shift of Gsprotein. Our detailed structural analysis provides a framework for understanding AVP recognition and V2R activation, thereby offering a structural template for drug design targeting V2R.
Manganese(II) complexes derived from acyclic ligands having flexible alcohol arms: structural chracterization and SOD and catalase mimetic studies
Authors: McKee Vickie , Kose Muhammet
Published: January 2021

In this work, a series of seven MnII complexes of noncyclic flexible ligands derived from 2,6-diformylpyridine and ethanolamine or alkyl-substituted ethanolamines were prepared and characterized, six structurally by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complexes are dichlorido{2,2′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diethanol}manganese(II), [MnCl2(C11H15N3O2)] or [MnCl2(L1)], (2), bis{μ-2,2′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diethanol}bis[dithiocyanatomanganese(II)], [Mn2(NCS)4(C11H15N3O2)2] or [Mn2(NCS)4(L1)2], (3), chlorido{1,1′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(propan-2-ol)}manganese(II) chloride monohydrate, [MnCl(C13H19N3O2)(H2O)]Cl·H2O or [MnCl(L2)(H2O)]Cl·H2O, (4), {1,1′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(propan-2-ol)}dithiocyanatomanganese(II), [Mn(NCS)2(C13H19N3O2)] or [Mn(NCS)2(L2)], (5), aquadichlorido{2,2′-dimethyl-2,2′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(propan-1-ol)}manganese(II) 0.3-hydrate, [MnCl2(C15H23N3O2)(H2O)]·0.3H2O or [MnCl2(L3)(H2O)]·0.3H2O, (6), (dimethylformamide){2,2′-dimethyl-2,2′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(propan-1-ol)}dithiocyanatomanganese(II), [Mn(NCS)2(C15H23N3O2)(C3H7NO)] or [Mn(NCS)2(L3)(DMF)], (7), and (dimethylformamide){2,2′-[(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(nitrilomethanylylidene)]bis(butan-1-ol)}dithiocyanatomanganese(II) dimethylformamide monosolvate, [Mn(NCS)2(C15H23N3O2)(C3H7NO)]·C3H7NO or [Mn(NCS)2(L4)(DMF)]·DMF, (8). The crystal structure of ligand L1 is also reported, but that of (5) is not. All four ligands (L1–L4) have five potential donor atoms in an N3O2 donor set, i.e. three N (pyridine/diimine donors) and two alcohol O atoms, to coordinate the MnII centre. The N3O2 donor set coordinates to the metal centre in a pentagonal planar arrangement; seven-coordinated MnII complexes were obtained via coordination of two auxiliary ligands (anions or water molecules) at the axial positions. However, in some cases, the alcohol O-atom donors remain uncoordinated, resulting in five- or six-coordinated MnII complexes. The structurally characterized complexes were tested for their catalytic scavenging of superoxide and peroxide. The results indicated that the complexes with coordinated exogenous water or chloride ligands showed higher SOD activity than those with exogenous thiocyanate ligands.
The adaptive sliding mode control using improved genetic algorithm tuning PID controller for the planetary rover
Authors: Yuan Tiger , Guo Guanyou , Du Baiyu , Zhao Zhiping , Xu Weikai
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to resolve the problem of the dynamic response performance of the driving control system for a six-wheeled planetary rover. An adaptive sliding mode controller based on an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) to tune PID sliding surface parameters was used in the driving control system of the planetary rover.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the mathematical model of planetary rover driving control is established. Second, according to sliding mode variable structure control, an equivalent controller and a disturbance controller are constructed to solve the problem of a multi-disturbance nonlinear driving control system of planetary rovers and an IGA is used to tune PID parameters.

Findings

Simulation results show that the proposed control algorithm improves the accuracy of the driving control system and optimizes the smoothness of rover motion control.

Practical implications

The controller based on the IGA to tune PID sliding surface parameters has good self-adaptability and real-time controllability for the control object which is difficult to present a precise mathematical model.

Originality/value

The advanced control method is adopted to solve the uncertainty and external interference of planetary rovers in a complex environment. The mathematical model of the six-wheeled rover is established as the control object and the uncertainty and external disturbance of the model are considered. The controller based on IGA has good adaptability and real-time performance and the control algorithm can be used to drive robots in complex environments.
Formal credit usage and gender income gap: the case of farmers in Cambodia
Authors: Sam Vichet
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to analyze the factors that drive gender income differences among farmers in Cambodia with a focus on the role of formal credit.

Design/methodology/approach

To decompose the gender income gap, this article employs the Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition technique, while a two-stage least square (2SLS) regression is also employed to check the causal effect of formal credit usage on earnings.

Findings

Results show a positive effect of formal credit on farmers' earnings and the gender gap in formal credit usage is not found. Despite that, formal credit still contributes to the gender earnings gap with a higher return to credit usage for male farmers. This can be due to the difference in the level of education, financial literacy and other dimensions in favor of men, allowing them to use credit more effectively than women.

Research limitations/implications

The findings underline the importance of boosting general and financial education among female farmers in Cambodia. Meanwhile, the expansion of access to financial services for women must be accompanied by policies addressing gender gaps in other economic and social dimensions, so that women are able to reap the potential benefit of using those financial services.

Originality/value

Lack of research focuses on the link between the gender gap in the use of financial services and the gender income gap. The significant gender gap in returns to formal credit usage found in this study demonstrates that the benefits of gender equity in access to and usage of financial services also depend on the effects of other indicators that policymakers must be aware of.
The apprentice experience: the role of interpersonal attributes and people-related generic skills
Authors: Pagnoccolo Joe , Bertone Santina
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This research explores the training experiences of Australian apprentices in the workplace with a focus on workplace relationships and their link to interpersonal attributes and people-related generic skills among apprentices.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research is conducted, and the authors analysed interview data from 20 apprentices (17 men, three women; average age 25 years) who came from a range of industries and trade sectors.

Findings

These findings revealed common themes around the importance of communication, emotional direct cognition, self-awareness and teamwork during training on the job. This suggests that interpersonal attributes are central to apprentices' practices within their training experiences.

Research limitations/implications

The findings indicate a need for greater emphasis on the development of interpersonal attributes in training both on the job and within training packages.

Practical implications

The paper extends the literature on the role of interpersonal skills in the apprentice experience, presents information about young people's challenges in training and points to further investigations needed to explore this phenomenon.

Originality/value

An authentic detailed account is presented of apprentices' interpersonal attributes and people-related generic skills in their training experiences.
The role of brand love on bank customers' perceptions of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Amegbe Hayford , Dzandu Michael D. , Hanu Charles
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The lovemarks theory (love and respect) is fairly new to the marketing literature and is now gaining much attention among marketing scholars. The study examined how brand love and brand respect moderate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR), trust (TRUS), satisfaction (SAT) and loyalty (LOY) among bank customers in an emerging/and or a developing country's context.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey approach was used. Data from a total of 769 banking customers, containing demographic and psychographic measures were used.

Findings

This study tested six (6) hypotheses. The results confirmed the moderating role of brand respect on the relationship between CSR and TRUS in the banking sector. Also, our results reveal that BLOV moderates the relationship between SAT and LOY. The rest of our hypotheses did not confirm any significant relationship between them.

Research limitations/implications

Like any academic exercise, this study also has some limitations. The hypotheses tested for brand love on bank customers' perceptions of CSR were based on a country study. The implication of brand love for CSR may be the same or vary in different country contexts.

Practical implications

The study provides managers of banks and managers of financial institutions a better understanding of how love and respect could play a role in their loyalty program and how to incorporate these new constructs into the already known constructs such as satisfaction, trust and loyalty.

Originality/value

This study is unique because it quantitatively examined the relationships between well-researched constructs corporate social responsibility (CSR), trust (TRUS), satisfaction (SAT) on loyalty (LOY) as well as examining these constructs with a fairly new constructs brand love (BLOV) and respect (BRES) in a single study.
DLC-coated spur gears – part I: friction reduction
Authors: Schwarz Andreas , Ebner Martin , Lohner Thomas , Stahl Karsten , Bobzin Kirsten , Brögelmann Tobias , Kalscheuer Christian , Thiex Matthias
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to address the influence of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings on the frictional power loss of spur gears. It shows potentials for friction and bulk temperature reduction in industrial use. From a scientific point of view, the thermal insulation effect on fluid friction is addressed, which lowers viscosity in the gear contact due to increasing contact temperature.

Design/methodology/approach

Thermal insulation effect is analyzed in detail by means of the heat balance and micro thermal network of thermal elastohydrodynamic lubrication contacts. Preliminary results at a twin-disk test rig are summarized to categorize friction and bulk temperature reduction by DLC coatings. Based on experiments at a gear efficiency test rig, the frictional power losses and bulk temperatures of DLC-coated gears are investigated, whereby load, speed, oil temperature and coatings are varied.

Findings

Experimental investigations at the gear efficiency test rig showed friction and bulk temperature reduction for all operating conditions of DLC-coated gears compared to uncoated gears. This effect was most pronounced for high load and high speed. A reduction of the mean gear coefficient of friction on average 25% and maximum 55% was found. A maximum reduction of bulk temperature of 15% was observed.

Practical implications

DLC-coated gears show a high potential for reducing friction and improving load-carrying capacity. However, the industrial implementation is restrained by the limited durability of coatings on gear flanks. Therefore, a further and overall consideration of key durability factors such as substrate material, pretreatment, coating parameters and gear geometry is necessary.

Originality/value

Thermal insulation effect of DLC coatings was shown by theoretical analyses and experimental investigations at model test rigs. Although trial tests on gears were conducted in literature, this study proves the friction reduction by DLC-coated gears for the first time systematically in terms of various operating conditions and coatings.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-07-2020-0257/
The mura’ah al-khilaf and ma’alat method in fatwa decisions: its application for fatwa coordination related to conditional hibah in Malaysia
Authors: Asni Fathullah , Sulong Jasni
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the differences in fatwa amongst official fatwa institutions in Malaysia comprising the State Mufti’s Departments (SMDs), the National Fatwa Committee Muzakarah (NFCM) and the National Bank Shariah Advisory Council (NBSAC) regarding the conditional gift issue and to propose a uniformed fatwa by taking an approach of celebrating views of all the official fatwa institutions involved.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used for this study is qualitative; data was collectedthrough library research and field studies.[AQ1] The library research was accomplished by examining books, statutes and related circulars, while field studies were conducted through unstructured interviews with eight Shariah (Sharia) officers and two academicians from SMDs, NFCM, NBSAC and public universities.

Findings

The findings of the study found that the conditional hibah (ruqba and 'umra) is valid as far as gifting is concerned, while the conditions pertaining to it are null and void. The findings also found that the concept of mura’ah al-khilaf and ma’alat al-af’al can be practised by applying conditional hibah to maintain maslahah, as provided under the concept of maqasid al-Shariah. Hence, this study proposed that formal fatwa institutions consisting of SMDs, NFCM and NBSAC issue a comprehensive guideline in contracting conditional hibah by providing an explicit provision on the recognised and different opinions about the said hibah.

Originality/value

The study analyses the differences of opinions of the official fatwa on conditional hibah issued by SMDs, NFCM and NBSAC based on the discipline of usul al-fiqh. It is found that conditional hibah is not allowed in Islamic law. It also found that conditional hibah granted by the NBSAC is not in adherence to the strict permission granted by Islamic law. Therefore, taking into consideration all the fatwas issued by the fatwa bodies, the researchers proposed to celebrate all official fatwas using the method of mura'ah al-khilaf and ma’alat al-af'al.
Willingness to share personal health information: impact of attitudes, trust and control
Authors: Juga Jari , Juntunen Jouni , Koivumäki Timo
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study aims to explicate the behavioral factors that determine willingness to share personal health data for secondary uses.

Design/methodology/approach

A theoretical model is developed and tested with structural equation modeling using survey data from Finland.

Findings

It is shown that attitude toward information sharing is the strongest factor contributing to the willingness to share personal health information (PHI). Trust and control serve as mediating factors between the attitude and willingness to share PHI.

Research limitations/implications

The measures of the model need further refinement to cover the various aspects of the behavioral concepts.

Practical implications

The model provides useful insights into the factors that affect the willingness for information sharing in health care and in other areas where personal information is distributed.

Social implications

Sharing of PHI for secondary purposes can offer social benefits through improvements in health-care performance.

Originality/value

A broad-scale empirical data gives a unique view of attitudes toward sharing of PHI in one national setting.
A moderated mediation model of the association between coworker social undermining and knowledge hiding
Authors: Ahmad Bashir , Shafique Imran , Kalyar Masood Nawaz
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This study aims to test the relationship between perceived coworker social undermining and knowledge hiding behavior among Pakistani doctors working in hospitals. This study further investigates the mediating role of employee cynicism (EC) and the moderating role of family social support between the association of family social support and knowledge hiding.

Design/methodology/approach

Time lagged approach was used to collect the data from 391 trainee doctors working in large hospitals in Pakistan.

Findings

The findings suggest that coworker social undermining is significantly related to EC and knowledge hiding behaviors. EC mediates the relationship between EC and knowledge hiding. Furthermore, family social support was found to play a buffer role such that the indirect effect of social undermining on knowledge hiding through cynicism was weak for those who received high family social support and vice versa.

Originality/value

Knowledge hiding is deleterious to effective organizational functioning. This study adds to knowledge about the relationship between coworker social undermining and knowledge hiding behavior. This research extends the existing research streams of social undermining and knowledge hiding research to one of the underrepresented South Asian context, Pakistan.
Optimization of laser-assisted jet electrochemical machining parameters by grey relational analysis and fuzzy logic
Authors: Malik Anup , Sanghvi Neel
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to optimize the laser-assisted jet electrochemical machining parameters, namely, supply voltage, inter-electrode gap, duty cycle and electrolyte concentration during machining of WC-Co composite using grey relational analysis and fuzzy logic.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, experiments were carried out as per the Taguchi methodology and an L16 orthogonal array was used to study the influence of various combinations of process parameters on material removal rate, hole taper angle and surface roughness height. As a dynamic approach, the multiple response optimization was carried out using grey relational analysis and fuzzy logic.

Findings

The process parameters were optimized using grey relational analysis and fuzzy logic for different machining conditions such as balanced manufacturing, high-speed manufacturing and high-quality manufacturing. The research documented in this paper can be scaled up for case studies regarding industrial applications to compare optimization methods for manufacturing processes that are already being carried out.

Originality/value

An attempt to optimize material removal rate, hole taper angle and surface roughness height together by a combined approach of grey relational analysis and fuzzy logic has not been previously done.
Effects of Solanum undatum extract (SR‐T100) on photocarcinogenesis and photoaging of actinic keratosis
Authors: Yang Chao‐Chun , Wu Chin‐Han , Wong Tak‐Wah , Lai Feng‐Jie , Wei Kai‐Che , Lin Tzu‐Kai , Lin Chrang‐Shi , Zhao Juemin , Xiang Leihong , Kao Chao‐Hsing , Wang Ying‐Jan , Lan Cheng‐Che Eric , Sheu Hamm‐Ming
Published: January 2021

SR‐T100 gel, containing solamargine extracted from Solanum undatum (synonym: Solanum incanum), had good therapeutic effects on actinic keratosis (AK) in human and ultraviolet B‐induced papilloma in mice. This study aimed to investigate the immunohistochemical changes in the human skin after SR‐T100 treatment. An immunohistochemical study was performed and the changes in photocarcinogenesis and photoaging markers after 16‐week SR‐T100 gel treatment were documented. SR‐T100 gel treatment for 16 weeks resulted in complete remission in nine AK lesions and partial remission in four AK lesions. SR‐T100 gel abolished the expression of mutant p53 and SOX2 and restored the expression of NOTCH1. Additionally, SR‐T100 gel improved wrinkling in human skin, while restoring the expression of lamin B1 and increasing synthesis of new elastic fibers. SR‐T100 gel had therapeutic effects on photocarcinogenesis and photoaging of photodamaged skin with AK.
Multitrophic richness enhances ecosystem multifunctionality of tropical shallow lakes
Authors: Moi Dieison A. , Romero Gustavo Q. , Antiqueira Pablo A. P. , Mormul Roger P. , Teixeira de Mello Franco , Bonecker Claudia C.
Published: January 2021

The role of multitrophic diversity in sustaining multiple functions simultaneously (multifunctionality) is still poorly understood in natural communities, especially in highly diverse aquatic ecosystems. Existing studies have focused on the effect of single trophic group on ecosystem function and on individual ecosystem functions, neglecting the fact that multiple trophic groups are needed to maintain ecosystem multifunctionality.

Here, using a 16‐year database from tropical shallow lakes, we combined species richness of nine single trophic group into a unique measurement of multitrophic richness. We then investigated the influence of the richness within separate single trophic group and in a multitrophic context on ecosystem multifunctionality. We also investigated how removal of any single trophic group influence the effect of the multitrophic richness on multifunctionality; and how the interactions among multiple single trophic group affect multifunctionality.

We showed that the multitrophic richness had a stronger positive effect on multifunctionality than the richness of single trophic group. The removal of each single trophic group decreased the effect of the multitrophic richness on multifunctionality. The larger predatory vertebrates and primary producers had stronger positive effects on multifunctionality, but the richness of basal trophic groups fuelled the large‐sized predators, thus indirectly contributing to increase multifunctionality.

Our study highlights the need for preserving multiple trophic groups to sustain multifunctionality in highly diverse aquatic ecosystems; thus, trophic degradation of the ecosystems should strongly impair their functioning.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Coexistence and bush encroachment in African savannas: The role of the regeneration niche
Authors: Lewis Joel R. , Verboom George A. , February Edmund C.
Published: January 2021

Globally there is increasing concern over the biodiversity and economic losses associated with bush encroachment. The dominant species responsible for bush encroachment in Africa belong to the mimosoid genera Senegalia and Vachellia, with previous research identifying Vachellia as the more aggressive invader. We asked whether these genera have evolved different traits to enable germination and establishment among competitively superior grasses. We hypothesised that these traits enable coexistence at local scales and underpin differences in invasiveness.

We conducted a large greenhouse pot experiment to quantify functional trait differences between the two genera during seedling establishment both in the presence and absence of grasses. We also examined differences in seed morphology and tested whether co‐occurrence of the two genera at the plot scale is greater than expected by chance.

Our results showed that Vachellia grew faster and taller than Senegalia in the absence of competition from grasses. In the presence of grasses, however, Senegalia increased root tissue density while Vachellia did not. The seed coats of Vachellia species were thicker than those of Senegalia, and their seeds were spherical while those of Senegalia were discoid. The two genera coexist at a local (plot) scale.

We speculated that the thicker seed coat and spherical seed shape of Vachellia reflect its primarily endozoochorous dispersal mode, while the thinner seed coat and more discoid seeds of Senegalia reflect its use of wind dispersal. Since animal dispersal is directed, promoting the movement of seed into sites frequented by animals, and in which competition from grasses and fire has been removed, animal dispersal may contribute to the greater invasiveness of Vachellia. Once established in such sites, coexistence at the local scale is facilitated by differences in root tissue density with low‐density root tissue allowing for rapid resource acquisition and growth in Vachellia, and high‐density root tissue enabling slower but more persistent growth in Senegalia.

Where previous research has focussed on environmental filtering, competition, predation or facilitation as explanations of plot‐scale phylogenetic overdispersion, our work suggests a potential role for regeneration niche in structuring local co‐occurrence.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Implementing a pandemic roster in a specialty emergency department: Challenges and benefits
Authors: Au Benjamin WY , Tranquilino Ramil , Apswoude Geraldine , Crock Carmel
Published: January 2021

Objective

To create a roster that eliminated unnecessary cross‐staff exposure to ensure the hospital had sufficient staff to run the ED in the event that a group of staff are affected by COVID‐19. This roster was aimed at providing staff with ‘manageable shift lengths, down‐time between shifts, regular breaks and access to refreshments’ as dictated by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

Methods

Creating six fixed teams in our ED. Teams work blocks of three consecutive days of 12 h shifts, each block alternates between day and night shifts.

Results

We managed to completely eliminate unnecessary crossover of staff thus reducing risk of having a large part of our workforce incapacitated should any member be affected by COVID.

Conclusion

A pandemic roster plan to minimise staff exposure from other colleagues during a pandemic was possible. This helps to ensure an adequate workforce in the unfortunate event a staff contracts the disease leading to other close contact staff requiring isolation or succumbing to the same illness.
Distribution and mitochondrial DNA tracing of the invasive Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) in South Korea
Authors: Park Sang‐Hyun , Ha Young‐Ho , Kim Dong Eon , Kim Chang‐Jun , Choi Moon Bo
Published: January 2021

Argentine ants (Linepithema humile) are one of the world's most invasive species and were first reported in South Korea, near Busan Port in 2019. The distribution of their initial spread was investigated here from April to July 2020. In the invasion area, numerous nests and individuals were identified, indicating that they had settled and successfully invaded the habitat. To track the invasion of the Argentine ants we conducted haplotype analysis using COI, COII, and Cytb sequences of their mitochondrial DNA. The invasive ants had the same mitochondrial haplotype (H3) as Argentine ants from America (Chile, Ecuador, Bermuda) and East Asia (Japan). When comparing the import trade volumes at Busan port with the Argentine ant haplotypes from other countries, it was determined that the invasive ants may have originated from the United States or Japan. Numerous ecological and economic impacts due to their invasion and spread in other countries has previously been reported. Therefore, prompt control measures for the Argentine ants found at Busan port, at this relatively early stage of settlement, is required.
Analysing landscape effects on dispersal networks and gene flow with genetic graphs
Authors: Savary Paul , Foltête Jean‐Christophe , Moal Hervé , Vuidel Gilles , Garnier Stéphane
Published: January 2021

Graph‐theoretic approaches have relevant applications in landscape genetic analyses. When species form populations in discrete habitat patches, genetic graphs can be used (a) to identify direct dispersal paths followed by propagules or (b) to quantify landscape effects on multi‐generational gene flow. However, the influence of their construction parameters remains to be explored. Using a simulation approach, we constructed genetic graphs using several pruning methods (geographical distance thresholds, topological constraints, statistical inference) and genetic distances to weight graph links (FST, DPS, Euclidean genetic distances). We then compared the capacity of these different graphs to (a) identify the precise topology of the dispersal network and (b) to infer landscape resistance to gene flow from the relationship between cost‐distances and genetic distances. Although not always clear‐cut, our results showed that methods based on geographical distance thresholds seem to better identify dispersal networks in most cases. More interestingly, our study demonstrates that a sub‐selection of pairwise distances through graph pruning (thereby reducing the number of data points) can counter‐intuitively lead to improved inferences of landscape effects on dispersal. Finally, we showed that genetic distances such as the DPS or Euclidean genetic distances should be preferred over the FST for landscape effect inference as they respond faster to landscape changes.
Effect of mannose‐binding lectin gene polymorphisms on the risk of rheumatoid arthritis: Evidence from a meta‐analysis
Authors: Xu Jinjian , Chen Gang , Yan Zhen , Qiu Mochang , Tong Wentao , Zhang Xiaobin , Zhang Li , Zhu Yimin , Liu Keqi
Published: January 2021

Background

The effect of mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) gene polymorphisms on susceptibility of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were evaluated in ethnically different populations, whereas the results were always inconsistent.

Materials and methods

Fourteen articles involving 36 datasets were recruited to evaluate the association between MBL gene polymorphisms and rheumatoid arthritis in a meta‐analysis. The random or fixed effect models were used to evaluate the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Stratified analysis by ethnicities was conducted and the result revealed that rs1800450 (T vs C, OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04‐1.67, P < .05) and MBL‐A/O (T vs C, OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.08‐1.34, P < .001) were strongly associated with RA in Brazilian populations. In addition, the significant relationship between rs11003125 (T vs C, OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.26, P < .05) with RA were also observed in East Asian populations. Meanwhile, the inverse associations between rs5030737 with RA in East Asians and rs1800450 with RA in Indians were acquired. However, no association between any MBL polymorphism with RA susceptibility was confirmed in Caucasians.

Conclusions

The structural polymorphisms in exon 1 of MBL gene may significantly contribute to susceptibility and development of RA in Brazilian and Indian populations, whereas the functional polymorphisms in the promoter region were more likely to associate with RA in East Asians.
Long‐term remission of small cell lung cancer after reactivation of tuberculosis following immune‐checkpoint blockade: A case report
Authors: Sirgiovanni Mattia , Hinterleitner Clemens , Horger Marius , Atique Naushad Bijoy , Lauer Ulrich M. , Zender Lars , Hinterleitner Martina
Published: January 2021

Immune‐checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) provide a promising treatment option for advanced tumors including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Nevertheless, in addition to immune‐related adverse events (irAEs), an increased risk of infection including tuberculosis has been previously described. Here, we report a case of long‐term remission of a patient with SCLC after reactivation of lung tuberculosis following ICI therapy. Our case illustrates the complexity of ICI‐associated immune modulation in tuberculosis. Since new lesions in lung cancer patients are commonly associated with tumor progression, infections with mycobacterial tuberculosis may be underdiagnosed in lung cancer.
MEDI: Macronutrient Extraction and Determination from invertebrates, a rapid, cheap and streamlined protocol
Authors: Cuff Jordan P. , Wilder Shawn M. , Tercel Maximillian P. T. G. , Hunt Rhiannon , Oluwaseun Somoye , Morley Paige S. , Badell‐Grau Rafael A. , Vaughan Ian P. , Bell James R. , Orozco‐terWengel Pablo , Symondson William O. C. , Müller Carsten T.
Published: January 2021

Macronutrients, comprising carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, underpin many ecological processes, but their quantification in ecological studies is often inaccurate and laborious, requiring large investments of time and bulk samples, which make individual‐level studies impossible. This study presents Macronutrient Extraction and Determination from Invertebrates (MEDI), a protocol for the direct, rapid and relatively low‐cost determination of macronutrient content from single small macroinvertebrates.

Macronutrients were extracted by a sequential process of soaking in 1:12 chloroform:methanol solution to remove lipid and then solubilising tissue in 0.1 M NaOH. Proteins, carbohydrates and lipids were determined by colorimetric assays from the same individual specimens.

The limits of detection of MEDI with the equipment and conditions used were 0.067, 0.065 and 0.006 mg/ml for proteins, carbohydrates and lipids respectively. Adjusting the volume of reagents used for extraction and determination can broaden the range of concentrations that can be detected. MEDI successfully identified taxonomic differences in macronutrient content between five insect species.

Macronutrient Extraction and Determination from Invertebrates can directly and rapidly determine macronutrient content in tiny (dry mass ~3 mg) and much larger individual invertebrates. Using MEDI, the total macronutrient content of over 50 macroinvertebrates can be determined within around 3 days of collection at a cost of ~$1.35 per sample.
Calibration chain transformation improves the comparability of organic hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope data
Authors: Magozzi Sarah , Bataille Clement P. , Hobson Keith A. , Wunder Michael B. , Howa John D. , Contina Andrea , Vander Zanden Hannah B. , Bowen Gabriel J.
Published: January 2021

Stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions (δ2H and δ18O, respectively) of animal tissues have been used to infer geographical origin or mobility based on the premise that the isotopic composition of tissue is systematically related to that of local water sources. Isotopic data for known‐origin samples are required to quantify these tissue–environment relationships. Although many of such data have been published and could be reused by researchers, differences in the standards used for calibration and analytical procedures for different datasets limit the comparability of these data.

We develop an algorithm that uses results from comparative analysis of secondary standards to transform data among reference scales and estimate the uncertainty inherent in these transformations. We apply the algorithm to a compilation of known‐origin keratin data published over the past ~20 years.

We show that transformation improves the comparability of data from different laboratories, and that the transformed data suggest ecophysiologically meaningful differences in keratin–water relationships among different animal groups and taxa.

The compiled data and algorithms are freely available in the ASSIGNR r‐package to support geographical provenance research, and more generally offer a methodology overcoming several challenges in geochemical data integration and reuse.