bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fuzzy rule-based Fuzzy Inferior Ratio method with reliability factor
Authors: Zailani Nur Alia Mohd , Ahmad Sharifah Aniza Sayed , Mohamad Daud
Published: August 2021

Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) is a branch of decision-making method which able to deal with complex and conflicting decision problems. Besides, Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (FMCDM) method is later introduced to deal with vague and uncertain information in decision-making problems that imitates human perception in the evaluation process. Recently, Fuzzy Inferior Ratio (FIR) is developed as one of the effective FMCDM methods as it includes the compromise solution in which both distances to the Fuzzy Positive Ideal Solution (FPIS) and the Fuzzy Negative Ideal Solution (FNIS) are considered simultaneously. Nevertheless, in FIR, there is no consideration on the reliability of the information in the evaluation process. In this paper, an improvised FIR with reliability factor is introduced where the reliability factor is represented by Z-numbers. Furthermore, the lack of capability of providing systematic evaluation and consistent output raises a concern in most FMCDM methods including FIR. Hence, a decision-making procedure of Fuzzy Rule-Based FIR with reliability factor is also been proposed. A numerical example is given using the proposed procedure and a consistency analysis is carried out using the Spearman’s Rho Correlation to evaluate its effectiveness. It is found out that the proposed procedure gives a more comprehensive and systematic evaluation with the inclusion of reliability factor and the Fuzzy Rule-Based evaluation in FIR.
Optimization number of car rental to fulfil the demand using simulation technique: A case study of ABC Car Rental Company
Authors: Rani Ruzanita Mat , Kamarudin Norbaizura , Azmi Nur Atasya , Ibrahim Nursafirahanis , Mansur Nur Ardani Aminah
Published: August 2021

This study involves the car rental system of ABC Car Rental Company in Shah Alam. The car rental company faces challenges to meet customer demand. They always face shortage or too many vehicles unused on certain days on weekdays, but they are fully booked on the weekend. So, they need a guideline to manage their car rental to meet their customer demand. This company also faces a problem such as a customer returned the car late as it will affect the next customer. When this problem happens regularly, it affects the company. To find a solution to this problem, simulation model is built using Excel spreadsheet. The simulation model is ran for ten 30-day to generate the result. The result of simulation contains customer not served, total sales and average number of the unused car. From this simulation model, 20 alternatives are identified. Then scoring model will be used to find the optimal number of car rental. The findings from this study will serve as a guideline for the car rental company to manage their number of cars for their business. The car rental owner needs to optimize their car rental fleet so that they can increase their business operations performance and managed their inventory of cars prudently.
Seidel energy for Cayley graphs associated to dihedral group
Authors: Sarmin Nor Haniza , Fadzil Amira Fadina Ahmad , Erfanian Ahmad
Published: August 2021

The studies on the energy of a graph have been actively studied since 1978 and there have been various types of energy of graphs proposed and studied by mathematicians all over the world. One of the many types of energy being studied is Seidel energy, where it is defined as the summation of the absolute values of the eigenvalues of the Seidel matrix of a graph. This research combines the study on three important branches in mathematics, i.e. energy of graph in linear algebra, Cayley graph in graph theory and dihedral group in group theory. The aim of this research is to present some values of Seidel energy of Cayley graphs associated to dihedral groups with respect to certain subsets of the group, namely the subsets of order one and the subsets of order two; {a, a

n–1} for n ≥ 3 and {a
2, a

n–2} for n ≥ 5. The results are proven by using some properties of special graphs such as complete graph, cycle graph and complete bipartite graph, including some relations between the eigenvalues of a graph, with the Seidel eigenvalues of a graph.
On the solvability of a mixed problem for partial differential equations of parabolic type with involution
Authors: Turmetov B H , Ahmedov A A , Orazov I
Published: August 2021

Mixed partial differential equation of parabolic type with involution is considered. The sufficient conditions of the existence and uniqueness of the solution for the parabolic type equations with involution is obtained. The Fourier method is used to find a classical solution of the mixed problem for the transformed parabolic type equation with involution.
Predicting Extreme Returns of Bitcoin: Extreme Value Theory Approach
Authors: Hussain Saiful Izzuan , Masseran Nurulkamal , Ruza Nadiah , Safari Muhammad Aslam Mohd
Published: August 2021

Extreme value theory(EVT) has been used to study the frequency and probability related to extreme situations in finance. This approach focuses on the extreme values and able to provide a better estimation for risk models. In this study, Generalized Pareto Distribution (GPD) is employed to model daily extreme returns in the Bitcoin market from 2017 to 2019. These periods have witnessed three phases of extreme volatility for the cryptocurrency market. The returns level for the Bitcoin range between 17.011 and 18.746. The results demonstrate heavy tail and finite tail distribution characteristics for the tails. The findings provide a better understanding of the tails’ behaviour in the cryptocurrency market and help investors to make a financial decision.
New two-sided group chain acceptance sampling plan for Marshall-Olkin extended exponential distribution
Authors: Aziz Nazrina , Zain Zakiyah , Rifa’at Nurul Ikhlas Md , Radzi Nurul Anis Jannati Mohd
Published: August 2021

Acceptance sampling remains as a popular method of quality assurance in many industries. The primary goal is to reach an accurate decision whether to accept or reject a lot based on the results from sample inspection at a minimal cost. In this study, a new two-sided group chain acceptance sampling plan (NTSGChSP) using the Marshall-Olkin Extended Exponential (MOEE) distribution is introduced. This plan emphasizes customer’s protection by considering the consumer’s risk in its development. The findings suggest that the NTSGChSP could potentially offer minimal inspection cost by selection a small sample size for lot inspection. Such advantage should render it as a preferred sampling plan for products with lifetime that follows MOEE distribution.
SARIMA and Exponential Smoothing model for forecasting ecotourism demand: A case study in National Park Kuala Tahan, Pahang
Authors: Abu Noratikah , Syahidah Wan Nur , Afif Megat Muhammad , Nordin Syarifah Zyurina
Published: August 2021

Tourism forecasting can lead to an important element in tourism industry to ensure that each investment by individuals, companies and government is profitable. From economy perspective, eco-tourism is a growing business, and it is an important indicator to the tourism industry. It also generates income revenue to the owner and surrounding communities. This research aims to forecast the eco-tourism demand based on number of tourist arrival for both local and foreign tourist at National Park Kuala Tahan, Pahang. The forecasting models used are seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and exponential smoothing. Both forecasting models are compared and assessed using mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). The result demonstrated that SARIMA (1,0,0)(1,0,1)12 the best model to forecast the number of tourist arrival in National Park Kuala Tahan, Pahang is which give the smallest forecast evaluation values. Hence, the exponential smoothing is not as good as the SARIMA model in forecasting tourist arrival for the data used. In future study, SARIMA model can be used to compare the local and foreign tourist arrival for eco-tourism destination.
Balance as bias, resolute on the retreat? Updates & analyses of newspaper coverage in the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia and Canada over the past 15 years
Authors: McAllister Lucy , Daly Meaghan , Chandler Patrick , McNatt Marisa , Benham Andrew , Boykoff Maxwell
Published: August 2021

Through this research, we systematically updated and expanded understanding of how the print media represent evidence of human contributions to climate change. We built on previous research that examined how the journalistic norm of balanced reporting contributed to informationally biased print media coverage in the United States (U.S.) context. We conducted a content analysis of coverage across 4856 newspaper articles over 15 years (2005–2019) and expanded previous research beyond U.S. borders by analyzing 17 sources in five countries: the United Kingdom (U.K.), Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the U.S. We found that across all the years of analysis, 90% of the sample accurately represented climate change. In addition, our data suggests that scientifically accurate coverage of climate change is improving over time. We also found that media coverage was significantly less accurate in 2010 and significantly more accurate in 2015, in comparison to the sample average. Additionally, Canada’s National Post, Australia’s Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph, and the U.K.’s Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday (all historically conservative outlets) had significantly less accurate coverage of climate change over this time period than their counterparts.
Anthropogenic climate change contribution to wildfire-prone weather conditions in the Cerrado and Arc of deforestation
Authors: Li Sihan , Sparrow Sarah N , Otto Friederike E L , Rifai Sami W , Oliveras Imma , Krikken Folmer , Anderson Liana O , Malhi Yadvinder , Wallom David
Published: August 2021

2015 saw the strongest El Niño event in the historical record, resulting in extreme drought conditions in Brazil. As drought conditions may also lead to greater fire danger, this study uses the 2015 fire in Brazil as a case study to examine whether and to what extent human-induced climate change has contributed to the fire weather conditions in the Cerrado and the southern Amazonia transitional forests known as the Arc of deforestation. Our results show that anthropogenic climate change is indeed a driver of meteorological conditions conducive to strong fire weather in these two regions, measured by fire weather index (FWI), especially on shorter timescales of daily and weekly. The anthropogenic climate change signal of FWI on short timescales corresponds to a similar order of increase in the FWI sub-indices (initial spread index and fine fuel moisture code) that can rapidly change due to the influence of the instantaneous weather conditions. For both regions the changes in fire weather in response to anthropogenic climate change are dominated by the combination of temperature and relative humidity responses. High FWI is more likely to occur under El Niño conditions, less likely under La Niña conditions, although the impacts of El Niño vs La Niña conditions are not symmetric when compared with El Niño Southern Oscillation neutral states. To summarize, both human-induced climate change and the presence of El Niño increased the likelihood of occurrence for the strong fire weather condition in 2015. Our results suggest that local and regional adaptation measures, such as improved drought monitoring and warning systems, could help with effective planning of fire prevention, firefighting actions, and disaster preparedness.
Evaluation of Insecticidal Properties of Four Essential Oils from Illicium verum, Curcuma longa, Foeniculum valgare, and Ocimum tenuiflorum against Spodoptera exigua.
Authors: Passara Hataichanok , Insung Ammorn
Published: August 2021

Four plant essential oils from Illicium verum (Star anise), Curcuma longa (Tumeric), Foeniculum vulgare (Sweet funnel), and Ocimum tenuiflorum (Holy basil) were tested against the 2nd instar larvae of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua in order to evaluate their killing efficiency, and antifeedant activity by using leaf dipping bioassay. The results revealed that the essential oils from Illicium verum and Curcuma longa were the highest effective essential oils in having killing, and antifeedant property against the insect. At 24 hours, they caused 100% mortality with only 0.750% (v/v) concentration and showed the LC50 of 0.438 and 0.413%, respectively. Both essential oils at 0.500% concentration expressed the antifeedant property at 100% within 24 hours. So that, the essential oils of Illicium verum and Curcuma longa have a potential to be applied as botanical insecticide for Spodoptera exigua control management.
Sustainability indicators for rubber plantations in Thailand: Environmental integrity dimension
Authors: Phoungthong Khamphe , Sinutok Sutinee , Suttinun Oramas , Palamae Suriya , Mungkalasiri Jitti , Suksatit Prakaytham , Musikavong Charongpun
Published: August 2021

The natural rubber industry has played a vital role in Thailand’s economic, environmental, and social contexts. Therefore, sustainable rubber production is a significant concern. At present, a wide variety of international tools has been developed to assess the agricultural sector’s sustainability performance. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations developed the Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems ( SAFA) in 2013. Environmental integrity is one of the dimensions of sustainability in SAFA. SAFA is applied to assess the impact of agriculture operations on the environment. This research aims to assess suitable environmental integrity indicators in compliance with SAFA for rubber plantations in Thailand. The system boundary is set to cover rubber plantations, harvesting of fresh latex, and rubber tree felling. This work conducted focus group discussions, using the SAFA, guidelines, indicators, and tools for rubber plantations, the review process by rubber plantation experts, representatives of rubber associations, SAFA researchers, and environmental scholars, and site visits to interview rubber farmers in the south, northeast, and north of Thailand. Environmental themes, including the atmosphere, water, land, biodiversity, and material and energy were included in assessing the environmental integrity of a rubber plantation. Animal welfare was not included.
Disentangling water sources in a gypsum plant community. Gypsum crystallization water is a key source of water for shallow-rooted plants
Authors: de la Puente Laura , Pedro Ferrio Juan , Palacio Sara
Published: August 2021

Background and Aims

Gypsum drylands are widespread worldwide. In these arid ecosystems, the ability of different species to access different water sources during drought is a key determining factor of the composition of plant communities. Gypsum crystallization water could be a relevant source of water for shallow-rooted plants, but the segregation in the use of this source of water among plants remains unexplored. We analysed the principal water sources used by 20 species living in a gypsum hilltop, the effect of rooting depth and gypsum affinity, and the interaction of the plants with the soil beneath them.

Methods

We characterized the water stable isotope composition, δ 2H and δ 18O, of plant xylem water and related it to the free and gypsum crystallization water extracted from different depths throughout the soil profile and the groundwater, in both spring and summer. Bayesian isotope mixing models were used to estimate the contribution of water sources to plant xylem sap.

Key Results

In spring, all species used free water from the top soil as the main source. In summer, there was segregation in water sources used by different species depending on their rooting depth, but not on their gypsum affinity. Gypsum crystallization water was the main source for most shallow-rooted species, whereas free water from 50 to 100 cm depth was the main source for deep-rooted species. We detected plant–soil interactions in spring, and indirect evidence of possible hydraulic lift by deep-rooted species in summer.

Conclusions

Plants coexisting in gypsum communities segregate their hydrological niches according to their rooting depth. Crystallization water of gypsum represents an unaccounted for, vital source for most of the shallow-rooted species growing on gypsum drylands. Thus, crystallization water helps shallow-rooted species to endure arid conditions, which eventually accounts for the maintenance of high biodiversity in these specialized ecosystems.
Phylogeography of the smooth greensnake, Opheodrys vernalis (Squamata: Colubridae): divergent lineages and variable demographics in a widely distributed yet enigmatic species
Authors: Blais Brian R , Smith Brian E , Placyk John S , Casper Gary S , Spellman Garth M
Published: August 2021

Phylogeographic studies can uncover robust details about the population structure, demographics, and diversity of species. The smooth greensnake, Opheodrys vernalis, is a small, cryptic snake occupying mesic grassland and sparsely wooded habitats. Although O. vernalis has a wide geographical range, many metapopulations are patchy and some are declining. We used mitochondrial DNA and double digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing to construct the first phylogeographic assessment of O. vernalis. Genomic analysis of 119 individuals (mitochondrial DNA) and a subset of another 45 smooth greensnakes (nuclear DNA; N = 3031 single nucleotide polymorphisms) strongly supports two longitudinally separated lineages, with admixture in the Great Lakes region. Post-Pleistocene secondary contact best explains admixture from populations advancing northwards. Overall, populations expressed low heterozygosity, variable inbreeding rates, and moderate to high differentiation. Disjunct populations in the Rocky Mountains and central Great Plains regions might be contracting relicts, whereas northerly populations in more continuous mesic habitats (e.g., Prairie Pothole region, southern Canada) had signals of population expansion. Broadly, conservation management efforts should be focused on local populations, because habitat connectivity may facilitate gene flow and genetic diversity.
Prolonging photoperiod promotes testosterone synthesis of Leydig cells by directly targeting local melatonin system in rooster testes
Authors: Xu Gaoqing , Yuan Zhiyu , Hou Jiani , Zhao Jing , Liu Hongyu , Lu Wenfa , Wang Jun
Published: August 2021

The study investigated the effects of prolonging photoperiod on the synthesis of testosterone and melatonin in roosters, and the effect of melatonin on testosterone synthesis in rooster Leydig cells as well as its molecular mechanisms. We randomly divided one hundred and twenty 20-week-old roosters into three groups and provided 6, 12.5 and 16 h light, respectively. The results showed that prolonging photoperiod promoted testosterone synthesis, decreased melatonin production, and inhibited the expression of melatonin membrane receptors MEL1A, MEL1B, MEL1C, and aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) in rooster testes. Subsequently, rooster Leydig cells were isolated and treated with 0, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL melatonin for 36 h. The results suggested that melatonin inhibited testosterone synthesis in rooster Leydig cells, and silencing MEL1A and MEL1B relieved the inhibition of melatonin on testosterone synthesis. Additionally, melatonin reduced the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level and the phosphorylation level of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), and CREB overexpression alleviated the inhibition of melatonin on testosterone synthesis. Furthermore, pretreatment with cAMP activator forskolin or protein kinase A (PKA) activator 8-bromo-cAMP blocked the inhibition of melatonin on CREB phosphorylation and testosterone synthesis. These results indicated that prolonging photoperiod promoted testosterone synthesis associated with the decrease in melatonin production and membrane receptors and biosynthetic enzyme of melatonin in rooster testes, and melatonin inhibited testosterone synthesis of rooster Leydig cells by inhibiting the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway via MEL1A and MEL1B. This may be evidence that prolonging photoperiod could promote testosterone synthesis through the inhibition of the local melatonin pathway in rooster testes.
Coding for Life: Designing a Platform for Projecting and Protecting Global Biodiversity
Authors: Urban Mark C , Travis Justin M J , Zurell Damaris , Thompson Patrick L , Synes Nicholas W , Scarpa Alice , Peres-Neto Pedro R , Malchow Anne-Kathleen , James Patrick M A , Gravel Dominique , De Meester Luc , Brown Calum , Bocedi Greta , Albert Cécile H , Gonzalez Andrew , Hendry Andrew P
Published: August 2021

Time is running out to limit further devastating losses of biodiversity and nature's contributions to humans. Addressing this crisis requires accurate predictions about which species and ecosystems are most at risk to ensure efficient use of limited conservation and management resources. We review existing biodiversity projection models and discover problematic gaps. Current models usually cannot easily be reconfigured for other species or systems, omit key biological processes, and cannot accommodate feedbacks with Earth system dynamics. To fill these gaps, we envision an adaptable, accessible, and universal biodiversity modeling platform that can project essential biodiversity variables, explore the implications of divergent socioeconomic scenarios, and compare conservation and management strategies. We design a roadmap for implementing this vision and demonstrate that building this biodiversity forecasting platform is possible and practical.
Life History, Biology, and Distribution ofPterostichus melanarius(Coleoptera: Carabidae) in North America
Authors: Busch Anna K , Wham Briana E , Tooker John F
Published: August 2021

Pterostichus melanarius (Illiger, 1798) is a Palearctic generalist predator native to Europe. It was unintentionally introduced to North America at least twice in the mid 1920s and has since become widespread in Canada and the United States. Although P. melanarius is a valuable natural enemy in many different agricultural systems, we are not aware of any effort to compile in one publication details of its life history, diet, distribution, and factors that influence its populations. Some studies in North America have investigated the effects of P. melanarius on pest species and native carabid assemblages. Moreover, given that it is an exotic species whose range appears to still be expanding, it will be valuable to predict its potential distribution in North America. Therefore, the goals of this paper are to: 1) compile information on the life history and biology of P. melanarius, 2) review the effects of various agricultural practices on this species, and 3) use ecological niche modeling to determine the potential range of P. melanarius in the United States and which climate variables are most important for range expansion. Our review revealed that P. melanarius appears to provide benefits most consistently in diverse agricultural systems managed with no-till or reduced till methods, whereas our modeling revealed that P. melanarius likely occupies, or will occupy, more of the northern U.S. than is currently recognized, particularly in the Appalachian and Rocky Mountain regions.
Adverse right ventricular remodelling, function, and stress responses in obesity: insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance
Authors: Lewis Andrew J M , Abdesselam Ines , Rayner Jennifer J , Byrne James , Borlaug Barry A , Neubauer Stefan , Rider Oliver J
Published: August 2021

Aims

We aimed to determine the effect of increasing body weight upon right ventricular (RV) volumes, energetics, systolic function, and stress responses using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods and results

We first determined the effects of World Health Organization class III obesity [body mass index (BMI) > 40 kg/m2, n = 54] vs. healthy weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2, n = 49) upon RV volumes, energetics and systolic function using CMR. In less severe obesity (BMI 35 ± 5 kg/m2, n = 18) and healthy weight controls (BMI 21 ± 1 kg/m2, n = 9), we next performed CMR before and during dobutamine to evaluate RV stress response. A subgroup undergoing bariatric surgery (n = 37) were rescanned at median 1 year to determine the effects of weight loss. When compared with healthy weight, class III obesity was associated with adverse RV remodelling (17% RV end-diastolic volume increase, P < 0.0001), impaired cardiac energetics (19% phosphocreatine to adenosine triphosphate ratio reduction, P < 0.001), and reduction in RV ejection fraction (by 3%, P = 0.01), which was related to impaired energetics (R = 0.3, P = 0.04). Participants with less severe obesity had impaired RV diastolic filling at rest and blunted RV systolic and diastolic responses to dobutamine compared with healthy weight. Surgical weight loss (34 ± 15 kg weight loss) was associated with improvement in RV end-diastolic volume (by 8%, P = 0.006) and systolic function (by 2%, P = 0.03).

Conclusion

Increasing body weight is associated with significant alterations in RV volumes, energetic, systolic function, and stress responses. Adverse RV modelling is mitigated with weight loss. Randomized trials are needed to determine whether intentional weight loss improves symptoms and outcomes in patients with obesity and heart failure.
Impact of activity trackers on secondary prevention in patients with coronary artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kaihara Toshiki , Intan-Goey Valent , Scherrenberg Martijn , Falter Maarten , Frederix Ines , Dendale Paul
Published: August 2021

Aims

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is related to high rates of morbidity and mortality among cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Activity trackers have been used in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in the last years. However, their effectiveness to influence outcomes after CAD is debated. This review summarizes the latest data of impact of activity trackers on CVD risk and outcomes: peak oxygen consumption (VO2), major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), quality of life (QoL), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C).

Methods and results

Articles from 1986 to 2020 in English were searched by electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase). Inclusion criteria were: randomized controlled trials of CAD secondary prevention using an activity tracker which include at least peak VO2, MACE, QoL, or LDL-C as outcomes. Meta-analysis was performed. After removing duplicates, 604 articles were included and the screening identified a total of 11 articles. Compared to control groups, intervention groups with activity trackers significantly increased peak VO2 [mean difference 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.50–2.57); P = 0.004] and decreased MACE [risk ratio 0.51; 95% CI (0.31–0.86); P = 0.01]. Heterogeneity was low (I2 = 0%) for MACE and high (I2 = 51%) for peak VO2. Intervention with an activity tracker also has positive impact on QoL. There was no between-group difference in LDL-C.

Conclusion

CR using activity trackers has a positive and multi-faceted effect on peak VO2, MACE, and QoL in patients with CAD.
A dense linkage map for a large repetitive genome: discovery of the sex-determining region in hybridizing fire-bellied toads (Bombina bombinaandBombina variegata)
Authors: Nürnberger Beate , Baird Stuart J E , Čížková Dagmar , Bryjová Anna , Mudd Austin B , Blaxter Mark L , Szymura Jacek M
Published: August 2021

Genomic analysis of hybrid zones offers unique insights into emerging reproductive isolation and the dynamics of introgression. Because hybrid genomes consist of blocks inherited from one or the other parental taxon, linkage information is essential. In most cases, the spectrum of local ancestry tracts can be efficiently uncovered from dense linkage maps. Here, we report the development of such a map for the hybridizing toads, Bombina bombina and Bombina variegata (Anura: Bombinatoridae). Faced with the challenge of a large (7–10 Gb), repetitive genome, we set out to identify a large number of Mendelian markers in the nonrepetitive portion of the genome that report B. bombina vs B. variegata ancestry with appropriately quantified statistical support. Bait sequences for targeted enrichment were selected from a draft genome assembly, after filtering highly repetitive sequences. We developed a novel approach to infer the most likely diplotype per sample and locus from the raw read mapping data, which is robust to over-merging and obviates arbitrary filtering thresholds. Validation of the resulting map with 4755 markers underscored the large-scale synteny between Bombina and Xenopus tropicalis. By assessing the sex of late-stage F2 tadpoles from histological sections, we identified the sex-determining region in the Bombina genome to 7 cM on LG5, which is homologous to X. tropicalis chromosome 5, and inferred male heterogamety. Interestingly, chromosome 5 has been repeatedly recruited as a sex chromosome in anurans with XY sex determination.
Anisotropic velocity models for (3-D) seismic imaging of the Lower Seve Nappe in Jämtland, Sweden
Authors: Kästner Felix , Klaeschen Dirk , Berndt Christian , Pierdominici Simona , Hedin Peter
Published: August 2021

Strong anisotropy of seismic velocity in the Earth's crust poses serious challenges for seismic imaging. Where in situ seismic properties are not available, the anisotropy can be determined from velocity analysis of surface and borehole seismic profiles. This is well established for dense, long-offset reflection seismic data. However, it is unknown how applicable this approach is for sparse seismic reflection data with low fold and short offsets in anisotropic metamorphic rocks. Here, we show that anisotropy parameters can be determined from a sparse 3-D data set at the COSC-1 borehole site in the Swedish Caledonides and that the results agree well with the seismic anisotropy parameters determined from seismic laboratory measurements on core samples. Applying these anisotropy parameters during 3-D seismic imaging improves the seismic image of the high-amplitude reflections especially in the vicinity of the lower part of the borehole. Strong reflections in the resulting seismic data show good correlation with the borehole-derived lithology. Our results aid the interpretation and extrapolation of the seismic stratigraphy of the Lower Seve Nappe in Jämtland and other parts in the Caledonides.
The Understanding of Patent Exploitation Permission in Art. 866 of the Chinese Civil Code
Authors: Yi Zhang
Published: August 2021

According to Chinese civil law, the licensor’s permission to exploit a patent is clearly to be regarded as enabling the use of the patent. However, under certain circumstances, this seemingly correct understanding sounds somehow oversimplified, especially when it intersects with Chinese patent law. And this understanding may, in the absence of a clear explicit agreement, cause several problems (such as the subjective impossibility of performance) under the Chinese legal framework. Although the concept of a negative patent license is not in conformity with the legislative intent of the Chinese Civil Code, it could be a solution to these problems.
An Introduction to Ethical Questions Around Animal Research
Authors: Shriver Adam J , Hutchison Eric
Published: August 2021

The principal investigator is an expert on the topic under investigation. The veterinarian is an expert in the health and wellness of an animal. But what, exactly, can ethicists add to discussions about animal research? This special issue of the ILAR Journal considers how contemporary ethics scholarship can be relevant to animal research. The articles were selected to highlight how clear thinking about values and the implications of those values can inform which research is conducted and how it is conducted.
Analysis of Metformin and Five Gliptins in Counterfeit Herbal Products: Designs of Experiment Screening and Optimization
Authors: Salem Wadhah Atef , Elkady Ehab Farouk , Fouad Marwa Ahmed , Abdul-Azim Mohammad Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Background

Drug counterfeiting is a rising problem due to difficulties with identifying counterfeit drugs and the lack of regulations and legislation in developing countries.

Objective

This study aims to develop a robust and economic reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (LC) method for simultaneously determining metformin HCl, vildagliptin, saxagliptin, alogliptin benzoate, sitagliptin phosphate monohydrate, and linagliptin to target counterfeiting.

Methods

Plackett-Burman (PB) and Box-Behnken (BB) designs were used to screen and optimize the mobile phase composition. Chromatographic separation was carried out on an Inertsil® ODS-3 C18 column with isocratic elution mode and the mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile–methanol–ammonium formate buffer, pH 3.5 (25:10:65, v/v/v). This method was applied to analyze synthetic drugs in three traditional Chinese and Indian herbal medicines. To identify the adulterants, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectrometry (MS) were used on counterfeit herbal medicines.

Results

The developed method is sensitive, simple, rapid, economical, accurate, and highly robust. Student's t-test and variance ratio (F-test at P < 0.05) were used to compare the results statistically with the reference methods.

Conclusion

The study found that the analyzed herbal medicines were adulterated with metformin and the quantification of anti-diabetic counterfeits was therefore applied.

Highlights

This study determined counterfeited anti-diabetic drugs in Indian and Chinese traditional herbal medicines(THMs). Design-of-experiment, PB, and BB designs were used. Method validation was also performed in accordance with the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines.
Effects of dietary inclusion of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract on lamb muscle metabolomics and physicochemical properties in meat
Authors: Lobo Richard R , Correia Banny S B , Peña-Bermúdez Yuli A , Vincenzi Rafaela , da Silva Caroline M , Panosso Leticia L , Ceribeli Caroline , Colnago Luiz A , Cardoso Daniel R , Berndt Alexandre , Pinheiro Rafael S B , Bueno Ives C da S , Faciola Antonio P
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract (YME) on muscle metabolomics and physicochemical properties of lamb meat. Thirty-six uncastrated male lambs (90 d old) were fed experimental diets, which treatments consisted of 0%, 1%, 2%, and 4% inclusion of YME. Animals were fed for 50 d before slaughter. Muscle and meat samples were collected for metabolomics and meat quality analysis, respectively. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design and analyzed using orthogonal contrasts. There was a quadratic effect of YME inclusion in tenderness (P < 0.05) and a positive linear effect on meat lightness (P < 0.05). No qualitative changes (P > 0.05) on individual metabolites were observed; however, changes in the quantitative metabolic profile were observed, showing that animals fed 1% and 2% of YME have a greater concentration of desirable endogenous muscle antioxidants, with direct impact on metabolic pathways related to beta-alanine metabolism and glutathione metabolism. Therefore, YME dietary supplementation up to 2% of the diet to lambs had little to no effects on the majority of meat quality traits evaluated; moreover, 4% of YME inclusion negatively affected feed intake and meat quality traits.
Executive Functioning Predicts Adaptive Functioning and Self-Care Independence in Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Jones Kelly E , Nyman Tristin M , Daly Brian P , Jacobson Lisa A , Tarazi Reem A
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study examined the impact of executive functioning (EF) on adaptive functioning and self-care independence in pre-transition youth with sickle cell disease (SCD).

Methods

Thirty-four youth with SCD (ages 12–18 years) completed a brief neuropsychological battery and their caregivers completed questionnaires assessing adaptive functioning, EF behaviors, and independence in completing self-care tasks, including disease management. Hierarchical linear regression analyses were utilized to investigate if EF predicted significantly more variability in adaptive functioning and self-care independence than what is accounted for by socioeconomic status (SES), disease knowledge, and estimated intellectual functioning.

Results

Mean performance on standardized measures assessing working memory, processing speed, and EF skills fell in the low average range. Performance-based EF and caregiver-reported EF behaviors predicted variance in adaptive functioning and self-care independence above and beyond that accounted for by SES, disease knowledge, and intelligence, with moderate to large effect sizes.

Conclusions

EF skills may support the ability of youth with SCD to adequately achieve independence in self-care, including medical self-care, and other adaptive skills, which may increase the likelihood of successful transition to young adulthood. These findings provide support for the role of neuropsychological screening and individualized intervention in interdisciplinary transition programs.
Pharmacokinetics and brain distribution studies of 6-hydroxykynurenic acid and its structural modified compounds
Authors: Shen Zhuowei , Hu Haihong , Pan Jie , Xu Mingcheng , Ou Fengting , He Kaifeng , Zeng Kui , Yao Jianbiao , Wang Ruwei , Lou Yan , Zeng Su
Published: August 2021

Objectives

6-Hydroxykynurenic acid (6-HKA) is an organic acid component in extracts of Ginkgo biloba leaves and acts as a major contributor to neurorestorative effects, while its oral bioavailability was low. Therefore, using prodrug method to improve the bioavailability and brain content of 6-HKA is significant.

Methods

Three structural modified compounds of 6-HKA were synthesized, and ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry methods for quantification of these structural modified compounds in rat plasma and rat brain homogenate were established and comprehensively validated. The methods were effectively applied to investigate the effects of structural modification on apparent permeability coefficients in cells, the pharmacokinetics and the brain distribution in rats.

Key findings

The results illustrated that esterification can greatly improve the apparent permeability coefficient and bioavailability of 6-HKA. Comparing with direct oral administration of 6-HKA, the bioavailability of isopropyl ester was greatly improved (from 3.96 ± 1.45% to 41.8 ± 15.3%), and the contents of 6-HKA in rat brains (49.7 ± 9.2 ng/g brain) were significantly higher after oral administration.

Conclusions

The bioavailability and the brain content of 6-HKA can be improved by the prodrug method. Among three structural modified compounds, isopropyl-esterified 6-HKA was the most promising treatment.
Anticancer potential of (−)-epicatechin in a triple-negative mammary gland model
Authors: Almaguer Georgina , Ortiz-Vilchis Pilar , Cordero Paola , Martinez-Vega Rocío , Perez-Durán Javier , Meaney Eduardo , Villarreal Francisco , Ceballos Guillermo , Nájera Nayelli
Published: August 2021

Objectives

The main aim of this work was to analyse the potential tumour growth inhibition effects of (−)-epicatechin (EC). Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an invasive form of cancer characterized by the absence of progesterone receptor, estrogen receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2. Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used for its anti-tumour activity. EC belongs to the flavanol subfamily and is a candidate molecule for the adjuvant treatment of cancer due to its antiproliferative activities.

Methods

Evaluation of EC effects and pathways involved in a model of TNBC.

Key findings

EC inhibited tumour growth as efficiently as DOX (inhibition rates of 74% and 79% for EC and DOX, respectively). The evaluation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt phosphorylation and mTOR expression indicates that EC modulates these pathways, resulting in the inhibition of cell proliferation. Additionally, we found an increase in the survival of EC-treated animals compared with control-treated animals. This effect was similar to the effects induced by DOX (survival rates of 44% and 30% for EC and DOX, respectively).

Conclusion

EC has antiproliferative properties and increases survival in a model of TNBC. These effects may occur through the modulation of deregulated AMPK and Akt/mTOR signalling pathways.
Stellar feedback in a clumpy galaxy at z ∼ 3.4
Authors: Iani E , Zanella A , Vernet J , Richard J , Gronke M , Harrison C M , Arrigoni-Battaia F , Rodighiero G , Burkert A , Behrendt M , Chen Chian-Chou , Emsellem E , Fensch J , Hibon P , Hilker M , Le Floc’h E , Mainieri V , Swinbank A M , Valentino F , Vanzella E , Zwaan M A
Published: August 2021

Giant star-forming regions (clumps) are widespread features of galaxies at z ≈ 1−4. Theory predicts that they can play a crucial role in galaxy evolution, if they survive to stellar feedback for >50 Myr. Numerical simulations show that clumps’ survival depends on the stellar feedback recipes that are adopted. Up to date, observational constraints on both clumps’ outflows strength and gas removal time-scale are still uncertain. In this context, we study a line-emitting galaxy at redshift z ≃ 3.4 lensed by the foreground galaxy cluster Abell 2895. Four compact clumps with sizes ≲280 pc and representative of the low-mass end of clumps’ mass distribution (stellar masses ≲2 × 108 M⊙) dominate the galaxy morphology. The clumps are likely forming stars in a starbursting mode and have a young stellar population (∼10 Myr). The properties of the Lyman-α (Lyα) emission and nebular far-ultraviolet absorption lines indicate the presence of ejected material with global outflowing velocities of ∼200–300 km s−1. Assuming that the detected outflows are the consequence of star formation feedback, we infer an average mass loading factor (η) for the clumps of ∼1.8–2.4 consistent with results obtained from hydrodynamical simulations of clumpy galaxies that assume relatively strong stellar feedback. Assuming no gas inflows (semiclosed box model), the estimates of η suggest that the time-scale over which the outflows expel the molecular gas reservoir (≃7 × 108 M⊙) of the four detected low-mass clumps is ≲50 Myr.
Recovery of Deleted Deep Sequencing Data Sheds More Light on the Early Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic
Authors: Bloom Jesse D
Published: August 2021

The origin and early spread of SARS-CoV-2 remains shrouded in mystery. Here, I identify a data set containing SARS-CoV-2 sequences from early in the Wuhan epidemic that has been deleted from the NIH’s Sequence Read Archive. I recover the deleted files from the Google Cloud and reconstruct partial sequences of 13 early epidemic viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences in the context of carefully annotated existing data further supports the idea that the Huanan Seafood Market sequences are not fully representative of the viruses in Wuhan early in the epidemic. Instead, the progenitor of currently known SARS-CoV-2 sequences likely contained three mutations relative to the market viruses that made it more similar to SARS-CoV-2’s bat coronavirus relatives.
Leukaemia inhibitory factor modulates the differentiation of granulosa cells during sheep in vitro preantral to antral follicle development and improves oocyte meiotic competence
Authors: Cadoret V , Jarrier-Gaillard P , Papillier P , Monniaux D , Guérif F , Dalbies-Tran R
Published: August 2021

In vitro follicle development from cryopreserved ovarian tissue could become an invaluable assisted reproduction technology for women with early ovarian failure. The challenge lies in producing, from small follicles present in the ovarian cortex, high-quality mature oocytes able to sustain embryo development. In vivo, an optimal combination of hormones and other factors coordinates the development of follicles and their enclosed oocyte. We have investigated the effect of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) cytokine, alone or in combination with FSH, on sheep in vitro follicle development from the preantral stage onwards. LIF did not alter follicle growth or antrum formation, but it modulated the differentiation of granulosa cells, as revealed by decreased production of anti-Müllerian hormone and abolished FSH-induced stimulation of oestradiol secretion. This modulatory role was also reflected in the abundance of mRNA from 35 genes, analysed by reverse-transcription coupled to microfluidic quantitative PCR. LIF stimulated or at least maintained the expression of genes involved in the dialogue between the oocyte and granulosa cells, through gap junctions (GJA4 encoding connexin 37) or paracrine signalling (Bone morphogenetic protein 15, KIT ligand and their receptors). Finally, the presence of both LIF and FSH during follicle growth strongly improved oocyte meiotic competence: most oocytes (56%) underwent subsequent nuclear maturation, a significant increase compared with their counterparts from follicles of similar size (550–900 µm) cultured with FSH only (28%) or developed in vivo (9%). Their ability to sustain embryo development remains to be evaluated. Combined supplementation with FSH and LIF certainly merits investigation with human follicles.
Epigenetic remodelling of enhancers in response to estrogen deprivation and re-stimulation
Authors: Sklias Athena , Halaburkova Andrea , Vanzan Ludovica , Jimenez Nora Fernandez , Cuenin Cyrille , Bouaoun Liacine , Cahais Vincent , Ythier Victor , Sallé Aurélie , Renard Claire , Durand Geoffroy , Le Calvez-Kelm Florence , Khoueiry Rita , Murr Rabih , Herceg Zdenko
Published: August 2021

Estrogen hormones are implicated in a majority of breast cancers and estrogen receptor alpha (ER), the main nuclear factor mediating estrogen signaling, orchestrates a complex molecular circuitry that is not yet fully elucidated. Here, we investigated genome-wide DNA methylation, histone acetylation and transcription after estradiol (E2) deprivation and re-stimulation to better characterize the ability of ER to coordinate gene regulation. We found that E2 deprivation mostly resulted in DNA hypermethylation and histone deacetylation in enhancers. Transcriptome analysis revealed that E2 deprivation leads to a global down-regulation in gene expression, and more specifically of TET2 demethylase that may be involved in the DNA hypermethylation following short-term E2 deprivation. Further enrichment analysis of transcription factor (TF) binding and motif occurrence highlights the importance of ER connection mainly with two partner TF families, AP-1 and FOX. These interactions take place in the proximity of E2 deprivation-mediated differentially methylated and histone acetylated enhancers. Finally, while most deprivation-dependent epigenetic changes were reversed following E2 re-stimulation, DNA hypermethylation and H3K27 deacetylation at certain enhancers were partially retained. Overall, these results show that inactivation of ER mediates rapid and mostly reversible epigenetic changes at enhancers, and bring new insight into early events, which may ultimately lead to endocrine resistance.