bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
QDtbn1, an F‐box gene affecting maize tassel branch number by a dominant model
Authors: Qin Xiner , Tian Shike , Zhang Wenliang , Dong Xue , Ma Chengxin , Wang Yi , Yan Jianbing , Yue Bing 
Published: December 2020

SummaryTassel branch number (TBN) is one of the important agronomic traits that directly contribute to grain yield in maize (Zea mays L.), and identification of genes precisely regulating TBN in the parental lines is important for maize hybrid breeding. In this study, a quantitative trait nucleotide (QTN), QDtbn1, related to tassel branch number was identified using a testcrossing association mapping population through association mapping with the Indels/SNPs in the 5′‐UTR (untranslated region) of Zm00001d053358, which encodes a Kelch repeat‐containing F‐box protein. QDtbn1 was further confirmed to be associated with TBN by a dominant model using an F2 population, and over‐expressing of the candidate gene resulted in a decreasing of TBN, implying that QDtbn1 was governed by the candidate gene with a negative model. This makes QDtbn1 very useful in maize hybrid breeding. QDtbn1 could interact with a maize Skp1‐like protein and a SnRK1 protein, and the SnRK1 could also interact with a SnRK2.8 protein. In addition, quantitative real‐time PCR assay showed that five substrates of SnRK2 were down‐regulated in the over‐expressed plants. These imply that the SCF (Skp1/Cul1/F‐box protein/Roc1) complex and ABA signal pathway might be involved in the modulation of TBN in maize.
Regional changes in muscle activity do not underlie the repeated bout effect in the human gastrocnemius muscle
Authors: Pincheira Patricio A. , Martinez‐Valdes Eduardo , Guzman‐Venegas Rodrigo , Falla Deborah , Garrido Marta I. , Cresswell Andrew G. , Lichtwark Glen A. 
Published: December 2020

The repeated bout effect (RBE) confers protection following exercise‐induced muscle damage. Typical signs of this protective effect are significantly less muscle soreness and faster recovery of strength after the second bout. The aim of this study was to compare regional changes in medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle activity and mechanical hyperalgesia after repeated bouts of eccentric exercise. Twelve healthy male participants performed two bouts of eccentric heel drop exercise (separated by 7 days) while wearing a vest equivalent to 20% of their body weight. High‐density MG electromyographic amplitude maps and topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps were created before, two hours (2H), and two days (2D) after both exercise bouts. Statistical parametric mapping was used to identify RBE effects on muscle activity and mechanical hyperalgesia, using pixel‐level statistics when comparing maps. The results revealed a RBE, as a lower strength loss (17% less; P < .01) and less soreness (50% less; P < .01) were found after the second bout. However, different muscle regions were activated 2H and 2D after the initial bout but not following the repeated bout. Further, no overall changes in EMG distribution or mechanical hyperalgesia were found between bouts. These results indicate that muscle activation is unevenly distributed during the initial bout, possibly to maintain muscle function during localized mechanical fatigue. However, this does not reflect a strategy to confer protection during the repeated bout by activating undamaged/non‐fatigued muscle areas.
Neutral States as Peace Mediators: Favoured or Restrained by Norms?
Authors: Goetschel Laurent 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNeutral states have traditionally been seen as particularly well suited to function as international mediators. This assessment was based on the fact that both concepts – neutrality and mediation – have their roots in attempts to contain violent conflicts and thereby combine realist and idealistic dimensions of international relations. While due to these normative commonalities, the increased influence of norms in mediation might be deemed to favour the role of neutral states as mediators, a more nuanced analysis reveals a mixed impact: The new norms made mediation enter into policy fields to which neutrality does not apply. But they also increased the complexities of mediation processes which in turn could open up new opportunities for neutral states.
Poverty and the Incidence of Material Hardship, Revisited
Authors: Iceland John , Kovach Claire , Creamer John 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveWe examine trends in seven types of material hardship, such as food and housing hardships, and how their incidence by poverty status changed over the 1992–2011 period.MethodWe use data from multiple panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation and logistic regressions to examine these relationships.ResultsWe find declines in four of the seven hardships, with little change or moderate increases for the others. Declines were larger for hardships more dependent on longer term income flows, while those more sensitive to short‐term income fluctuations declined by less (or increased). Notably, declines in hardship were most evident among the lowest income groups over the period.ConclusionThat short‐term hardships did not decline suggests that income volatility poses an important challenge for many households. Larger declines in hardship among the lowest income groups suggest a greater underreporting of income over time and the presence of family resources not comprehensively counted in the official poverty measure.
About the energy and age of the plate tectonics
Authors: Varga Peter , Fodor Csilla 
Published: December 2020

AbstractRecently, a number of research findings have come to light about the age of plate tectonics, and energies are needed to operate it. The aim of present study is to investigate whether the energy of plate tectonics process was different during the Phanerozoic (Pz) and in earlier eons, and if there is such a discrepancy, whether it can be justified by changes in the processes that able to move the plates. The study will track temporal changes in important components of plate tectonics such as length of mid‐ocean ridges, subduction zones and relative oceanic crust coverage during Phanerozoic. Next, it will be examined how the knowledge gained in this way can be reconciled with the results of studies of previous eons. It was found that the temporal variation in kinetic energy of axial rotation due to changes in length of day (LOD) can be assumed as a determining energy which acts on the tectonic plates as in the Phanerozoic as earlier in Archean (Arch) and Proterozoic (Ptz).
Detecting statistically significant geographical anomalous regions from spatial sampling points by coupling Gaussian function and multidirectional optimization
Authors: Yang Xuexi , Deng Min , Shi Yan , Tang Jianbo , Huang Zhou , Liu Yu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAn anomalous geographical region refers to a collection of spatially aggregated objects whose non‐spatial attribute values are significantly inconsistent with those of their spatial neighbors. The detection of anomalous regions plays an important role in spatial data mining. However, the requirement of user‐specified parameters for spatial neighborhood construction and anomalous region discovery will inevitably result in the omission or misjudgment of spatial anomalies; it is still challenging to detect arbitrarily shaped anomalous regions in an objective way. Inspired by the data field theory, this study models spatial anomaly degree by considering the distance decay effect and develops an approach for the objective detection of significantly anomalous regions from spatial sampling points. First, constrained Delaunay triangulation is employed to construct reasonable and stable spatial neighborhoods by quantifying the spatial distribution characteristics of sampling points. On this basis, a Gaussian function is adopted for the measurement of spatial anomaly degree considering both distance decay effect and non‐spatial attribute value differences, based upon which anomalous objects can be captured. Finally, treating each anomalous object as a seed, a multidirectional optimization method is developed to identify arbitrarily shaped anomalous regions, and a Monte Carlo simulation is employed to further test the statistical significance of anomalous regions. Experiments on both simulated and real‐world datasets demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms existing methods in terms of both accuracy and sufficiency for anomalous region detection.
Current ocular microbiome investigations limit reproducibility and reliability: Critical review and opportunities
Authors: Scott Erin M. , Lewin Andrew C. , Leis Marina L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEnthusiasm for research describing microbial communities using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) has outpaced efforts to standardize methodology. Without consistency in the way research is carried out in this field, the comparison of data between studies is near impossible and the utility of results remains limited. This holds true for bacterial microbiome research of the ocular surface, and other sites, in both humans and animals. In addition, the ocular surface remains under‐explored when compared to other mucosal sites. Low bacterial biomass samples from the ocular surface lead to further technical challenges. Taken together, two major problems were identified: (1) Normalization of the workflow in studies utilizing NGS to investigate the ocular surface bacteriome is necessary in order to propel the field forward and improve research impact through cross‐study comparisons. (2) Current microbiome profiling technology was developed for high bacterial biomass samples (such as feces or soil), posing a challenge for analyses of samples with low bacterial load such as the ocular surface. This article reviews the challenges and limitations currently facing ocular microbiome research and provides recommendations for minimum reporting standards for veterinary ophthalmologists and clinician scientists to limit inter‐study variation, improve reproducibility, and ultimately render results from these studies more impactful. The move toward normalization of methodology will expedite and maximize the potential for microbiome research to translate into meaningful discovery and tangible clinical applications.
Animal petting zoos as sources of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella and extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Isler Meret , Wissmann Ramona , Morach Marina , Zurfluh Katrin , Stephan Roger , Nüesch‐Inderbinen Magdalena 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAnimal petting zoos and farm fairs provide the opportunity for children and adults to interact with animals, but contact with animals carries a risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens and antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella, extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL)‐producing Enterobacteriaceae and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in animal faeces from six animal petting zoos and one farm fair in Switzerland. Furthermore, hygiene facilities on the venues were evaluated. Of 163 faecal samples, 75 contained stx1, stx2 or stx1/stx2 genes, indicating the presence of STEC. Samples included faeces from sika deer (100%), sheep (92%), goats (88%), mouflons (80%), camels (62%), llamas (50%), yaks (50%), pigs (29%) and donkeys (6%), whereas no stx genes were isolated from faeces of calves, guinea pigs, hens, ostriches, ponies, zebras or zebus. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Stourbridge (S. Stourbridge) was detected in faecal samples from camels. A total of four ESBL‐producing E. coli strains were isolated from faeces of goats, camels and pigs. PCR and sequencing identified the presence of blaCTX‐M‐15 in three and blaCTX‐M‐65 in one E. coli. Antimicrobial resistance profiling using the disk diffusion method revealed two multidrug‐resistant (MDR) E. coli with resistance to ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and azithromycin, all of which are critically important drugs for human medicine. Multilocus sequence typing identified E. coli ST162, E. coli ST2179, extraintestinal high‐risk E. coli ST410 and E. coli ST4553, which belongs to the emerging extraintestinal clonal complex (CC) 648. No MRSA was detected. On all animal petting venues, there were inadequacies with regard to access to hygiene information and handwashing hygiene facilities. This study provides data that underscore the importance of hygiene measures to minimize the risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens and MDR, ESBL‐producing E. coli to visitors of animal petting venues.
Towards One Health clinical management of zoonoses: A parallel survey of Australian general medical practitioners and veterinarians
Authors: Steele Sandra G. , Booy Robert , Manocha Ramesh , Mor Siobhan M. , Toribio Jenny‐Ann L. M. L. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGeneral medical practitioners (GPs) and veterinarians have different but complementary knowledge and skills, with potential to enhance clinical management of zoonoses in human and animal patients through taking a One Health approach that promotes cross‐professional collaboration. Ability and willingness to engage within this framework is contingent on knowledge of endemic zoonoses and an understanding of the diversity of professional roles; however, previous research suggests that this is lacking. A unique parallel survey of Australian GPs and veterinarians was implemented to ascertain clinician experience, concern, confidence and current practices regarding zoonoses management as well as willingness to engage in cross‐professional collaboration where it is beneficial to overall health outcomes. Responses from 528 GPs and 605 veterinarians were analysed. Veterinarians in clinical practice were found to more frequently diagnose zoonoses; have greater concern about zoonoses; be more confident in diagnosing, managing and giving advice about the prevention of zoonoses; more likely to give advice about managing the risk of zoonoses; and more likely to initiate cross‐professional referral compared to GPs (p < .001 in all areas, adjusted for other factors). The findings of this study indicate a need for change in both clinical and continuing professional education, especially for GPs, in order to better equip them in the area of zoonoses management. Exploration of pathways to encourage and facilitate cross‐professional referral and collaboration will further improve clinical outcomes for both human and animal patients.
Aerosol invigoration of atmospheric convection through increases in humidity
Authors: Abbott Tristan H. , Cronin Timothy W. 
Published: December 2020

Aerosols give clouds a lift
It has been observed that atmospheric aerosols can strengthen updrafts in deep convective clouds such as those that form in thunderstorms. Past work has linked such invigoration with the latent heat released by water condensation or freezing in chains of processes that depend on aerosol concentrations. Abbott and Cronin suggest a third possibility in which updrafts intensify because high aerosol concentrations increase environmental humidity by mixing more condensed water into the surrounding air, which in turn favors stronger updrafts.

Science
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Cheese, ketchup and grapes: a 10-step protocol on how to teach medical students and junior doctors cataract surgery in a simulated environment using household items
Authors: Norbury Christopher 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide, yet many medical students and doctors remain uncertain as to what a cataract is or what the operation involves. This protocol provides a simple 10-step approach on how to teach medical students and non-specialist doctors the stages involved in cataract surgery, in a low cost wet lab-based environment, without the need for expensive surgical simulators or operating microscopes.
Trace dynamics, and a ground state in spontaneous quantum gravity
Authors: Roy Abhinash Kumar , Sahu Anmol , Singh Tejinder P. 
Published: December 2020

We have recently proposed a Lagrangian in trace dynamics to describe a possible unification of gravity, Yang–Mills fields, and fermions, at the Planck scale. This Lagrangian for the unified entity — called the aikyon — is invariant under global unitary transformations, and as a result possesses a novel conserved charge, known as the Adler–Millard charge. In this paper, we derive an eigenvalue equation, analogous to the time-independent Schrödinger equation, for the Hamiltonian of the theory. We show that in the emergent quantum theory, the energy eigenvalues of the aikyon are characterized in terms of a fundamental frequency times Planck’s constant. The eigenvalues of this equation can, in principle, determine the values of the parameters of the standard model. We also report a ground state, in this theory of spontaneous quantum gravity, which could characterize a non-singular initial epoch in quantum cosmology.
Journey to the Center of the Point Set
Authors: Har-Peled Sariel , Jones Mitchell 
Published: December 2020

Let
P
be a set of
n
points in R

d

. For a parameter α ∈ (0,1), an α-centerpoint of
P
is a point
p
∈ R

d

such that all closed halfspaces containing
P
also contain at least α
n
points of
P
. We revisit an algorithm of Clarkson et al. [1996] that computes (roughly) a 1/(4
d
2
)-centerpoint in Õ(
d
9
) randomized time, where Õ hides polylogarithmic terms. We present an improved algorithm that can compute centerpoints with quality arbitrarily close to 1/
d
2
and runs in randomized time Õ(
d
7
). While the improvements are (arguably) mild, it is the first refinement of the algorithm by Clarkson et al. [1996] in over 20 years. The new algorithm is simpler, and the running time bound follows by a simple random walk argument, which we believe to be of independent interest. We also present several new applications of the improved centerpoint algorithm.
“Eu sou surda, tenho a minha voz”: leituras sobre autoria feminina surda
Authors: Tonani Paulo 
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo busca traçar uma análise crítica de textos de autoria de mulheres surdas com o objetivo de discutir os modos de autorrepresentação da diferença surda, colocando em foco a heterogeneidade de tal experiência. O referencial teórico adotado para dar materialidade ao objetivo traçado parte primeiro da interrogação acerca da emergência deste novo perfil autoral que interpela o estatuto do literário ao produzir discursos que rompem com a ideia de homogeneidade e instauram o discurso da diferença enquanto recurso identitário. Além disso, devido a heterogeneidade do corpus que compõe o objeto de nossa análise, que reúne narrativas autobiográficas e performances poéticas em língua de sinais, é igualmente acionado um referencial teórico que dialoga com pesquisas sobre a escrita de si e performances em Slam.
“Dá pra falar belo assim?”: Ana Cristina Cesar, embates e figurações do corpo na escrita
Authors: Morse Fernanda 
Published: December 2020

O presente artigo visa investigar os usos do corpo na obra de Ana Cristina Cesar através da análise de três poemas presentes na recolha da Pasta Rosa (2008): “25 de maio de 1976”; “era noite e uma luva de angústia…” e “idispiando”. Para tanto, lançamos mão tanto de textos que nos situam nas discussões lançadas pelos próprios poemas, quanto daqueles que tangenciam o período de sua produção. Buscamos entender certo percurso de inserção do corpo nas manifestações artísticas brasileiras com o apoio do trabalho Corpos Pagãos (2015) de Mário Cámara, assim como o contexto literário em que a produção de Ana C. se insere, partindo de textos de Heloisa Buarque de Hollanda, Glauco Mattoso e Viviana Bosi. Por fim, compreendemos que esses poemas deixados “à sombra” podem iluminar a leitura daqueles publicados em vida pela autora, em uma relação complementar e esclarecedora para aqueles que se aventuram entre as elipses de Ana C.
Palavras-chave: Ana Cristina Cesar; corpo; provocação; projeto político-literário; escrita feminina
Rosas en rebétiKo, una opera aperta: construcción de subjetividades de género en Oasis (2020) de Daniel Melingo
Authors: Abarza Cynthia Carggiolis 
Published: December 2020

El presente trabajo analiza la construcción de las subjetividades de género heteronormativas arrastradas por una red construida a través de la identidad cultural del Linyera (2014) y de la tripulación marítima intermedial e -textual propuestas en las letras de Oasis (2020) de Daniel Melingo. Desde la imagen del navío y de las subjetividades de género se avistan irradiaciones de figuras (des)mitificadas cuyos textos y personajes se ven amarrados a la leyenda porteña de El Linyera. En su función poética transmite diversas sonoridades y redes textuales orales que configuran una ópera en rebétiKo, en las profundidades laberínticas del tango como manifestación poético-cultural con características oceánicas.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Oasis, tango-rebétiko, navegantes, subjetividades de género.
viagem como método de estudo (O mundo falava árabe: A civilização árabeislâmica clássica através da obra de Ibn Khaldun e Ibn Battuta, de Beatriz Bissio)
Authors: Carvalho Paula Carolina de Andrade 
Published: December 2020

O mundo falava árabe: A civilização árabe-islâmica clássica através da obra de Ibn Khaldun e Ibn Battuta, de Beatriz Bissio, surgiu a partir da sua tese de doutorado defendida em 2008 no Programa de Pós-Graduação em História da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF). Bissio resolveu se debruçar sobre os escritos de dois grandes viajantes do mundo islâmico medieval: a Muqaddimah (Os prolegômenos da história universal), do historiador Ibn Khaldun (1332-1406), e Através do Islã, as memórias de viagem pelos domínios muçulmanos de Ibn Battuta (1304-1368). Dividido em duas partes, o livro apresenta em cada um dos sete capítulos características importantes da história mais geral da civilização islâmica de modo claro e sintético, entremeando-as a situações particulares presentes tanto na obra de Ibn Khaldun quanto na de Ibn Battuta. É viajando através dos livros desses dois autores muçulmanos que se descobrem os impérios árabe-islâmicos em toda sua complexidade.
História das formigas e as formigas na história: etologia e cultura
Authors: Carmo Daniele Victoratti do 
Published: December 2020

A forma como as diferentes espécies de formigas ocupam os mais diversos habitats no globo terrestre não passou despercebido pelas diferentes civilizações humanas. Como consequência, influenciaram de diferentes maneiras na construção cultural dessas civilizações. Dentro deste contexto, este trabalho se propõem a apresentar os comportamentos das formigas descritos em registros históricos ao longo dos séculos e em diferentes civilizações. E ainda, mostrar como estes fizeram e fazem parte da construção cultural e, por fim, desvelar como esses traços culturais acabaram por impactar a ciência do estudo do comportamento: a etologia.