bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The CGI121 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae demonstrates genetic linkage to increased lag time under enological conditions
Authors: Li Runze , Deed Rebecca C. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
In winemaking, it is standard practice to ferment white wines at low temperatures (10–18 ºC). However, low temperatures increase the fermentation duration and risk of problem ferments, which can lead to significant costs. The length of the lag period at fermentation initiation is one parameter that is heavily impacted by low temperatures. Therefore, the identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes with an impact on fermentation kinetics, such as lag time, is of interest for winemaking.
Results
We selected a set of 28 S. cerevisiae BY4743 single deletants based on a prior list of candidate open reading frames (ORFs) mapped to quantitative trait loci (QTLs) on chromosomes VII and XIII influencing the duration of fermentative lag time by bulk segregant analysis. Five out of 28 BY4743 deletants, Δapt1, Δcgi121, Δclb6, Δrps17a, and Δvma21, differed significantly in their fermentative lag phase duration compared to BY4743 in synthetic grape medium (SGM) at 15 ºC, over 72 h. Fermentation at 12.5 ºC for 528 h, to show a greater resolution of the lag times, identified the inability of BY4743 Δapt1 to initiate fermentation and confirmed the significantly longer lag times of the BY4743 Δcgi121, Δrps17a, and Δvma21 deletants. The three candidate ORFs were deleted in S. cerevisiae RM11-1a and S288C to perform single reciprocal hemizygosity analysis (RHA). RHA hybrids and single deletants of RM11-1a and S288C were fermented at 12.5 ºC in SGM. Lag time measurements confirmed genetic linkage of CGI121 on chromosome XIII, encoding a component of the EKC/KEOPS complex, to fermentative lag phase. Nucleotide sequences of RM11-1a and S288C CGI121 alleles differed by only one synonymous nucleotide suggesting that codon bias or positional effects might be responsible for the impact of this gene on lag phase duration.
Conclusion
This research demonstrates a new role of CGI121 in fermentative lag time in S. cerevisiae during fermentation and highlights the applicability of QTL analysis for investigating complex phenotypic traits in yeast, such as fermentation kinetics.
OKlahoma Nitrone-007: Novel Treatment for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
Authors: Thomas Lincy , Smith Nataliya , Saunders Debra , Zalles Michelle , Gulej Rafal , Lerner Megan , Fung Kar-Ming , Carcaboso Angel M. , Towner Rheal A. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is the most common brainstem cancer in childhood. This rapidly progressing brainstem glioma holds a very dismal prognosis with median survival of less than 1 year. Despite extensive research, no significant therapeutic advancements have been made to improve overall survival in DIPG patients. Methods: Here, we used an orthotopic xenograft pediatric DIPG (HSJD-DIPG-007) mouse model to monitor the effects of anti-cancer agent, OKlahoma Nitrone-007 (OKN-007), as an inhibitor of tumor growth after 28 days of treatment. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we confirmed the previously described efficacy of LDN-193189, a known activin A receptor, type I (ACVR1) inhibitor, in decreasing tumor burden and found that OKN-007 was equally efficacious. Results: After 28 days of treatment, the tumor volumes were significantly decreased in OKN-007 treated mice (p<0.01). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), as a measure of tissue structural alterations, was significantly decreased in OKN-007 treated tumor-bearing mice (p<0.0001). Histological analysis also showed a significant decrease in CD34 expression, essential for angiogenesis, of OKN-007 treated mice (p<0.05) compared to LDN-193189 treated mice. OKN-007-treated mice also significantly decreased protein expression of the human nuclear antigen (HNA) (p<0.001), ACVR1 (p<0.0001), and c-MET (p<0.05), as well as significantly increased expression of cleaved caspase 3 (p<0.001), compared to untreated mouse tumors.Conclusions: With the dismal prognosis and limited effective chemotherapy available for DIPG, there is significant room for continued research studies and OKN-007 merits further exploration as a therapeutic agent.
Autoencoder-Bank Based Design for Adaptive Channel-Blind Robust Transmission
Authors: Safi Hossein , Akbari Mohammad , Vaezpour Elahe , Parsaeefard Saeedeh , Shubair Raed M. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The idea of employing deep autoencoders (AEs) has been recently proposed to capture the end-to-end performance in the physical layer of communication systems. However, most of the current methods for applying AEs are developed based on the assumption that there is an explicit channel model for training that matches the actual channel model in the online transmission. Since the actual channel varies over time, this imposes a major limitation on employing AE-based systems. In this paper, without relying on an explicit channel model, we propose an adaptive scheme to increase the reliability of an AE-based communication system over diﬀerent channel conditions. More precisely, we divide the interval of random channel coeﬃcients into n sub-intervals. Subsequently, in the oﬄine training phase, we employ an AE bank consisting of n pairs of encoder and decoder and perform training over the sub-intervals. Then, in the online transmission phase, based on the actual channel conditions, the optimal pair of encoder and decoder is selected for data transmission in terms of satisfying an average block error rate (BLER) constraint imposed on the system. To monitor actual channel conditions for adopting the adaptive scheme, we assume a realistic scenario where the instantaneous channel gain is not known to Tx/Rx and it is blindly estimated at the RX, i.e., without using any pilot symbols. Our simulation results conﬁrms the superiority of the proposed adaptive scheme over a non-adaptive scenario in terms of average power consumption. For instance, when the target average BLER is equal to 10−4, our proposed algorithm with n = 5 can achieve a performance gain over 1.2 dB compared with a non-adaptive scheme.
The Role of a Virtual Avatar in Attention and Memory Tasks in Rett Syndrome
Authors: Fabio Rosa Angela , Pergolizzi Giorgia , Nucita Andrea , Iannizzotto Giancarlo , Tindara Caprì 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background: Since subjects with Rett syndrome (RTT) focus their attention mainly on the faces of people with whom they interact, in this study the role of a human-like avatar in enhancing cognitive processes was examined. More in depth, this study examined subjects with RTT performing attention and memory tasks with and without a virtual avatar.Method: Thirty-six girls with RTT participated in the study. They were matched for mental age and randomly submitted to two conditions (with and without virtual avatar) with two tasks (over-selectivity and memory paradigms). Results: The results indicated that the RTT group exposed to the virtual avatar condition, presented better attention and memory abilities than the matched RTT group without the avatar condition. Discussion: The results were discussed in light of the relationship between motivation, attention and memory in RTT.
First records of powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphales) on four medicinal plants in Taiwan
Authors: Yeh Yu-Wei , Chou Pei-Yi , Hou Hsin-Yu , Kirschner Roland 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
Production of medicinal plants in Taiwan is not only hampered by international market competition, but also lack of knowledge of their pathogens, such as powdery mildew fungi (Erysiphales, Ascomycota). Records of these fungi in Taiwan originate from few researchers for the last one hundred years and are still incomplete. Since powdery mildews in tropical/subtropical environments do not develop the sexual stages with morphologically diagnostic characteristics, internal transcribed spacer sequences (ITS) of the ribosomal RNA genes obtained from the asexual stages have become important modern tools for species identification.
Results
Powdery mildews on four medicinal plants from educational and ornamental plantations in Taiwan were identified based on the anamorph morphology and ITS sequences. Three powdery mildews on medicinal plants are new records for Taiwan, Arthrocladiella mougeotii on Lycium chinense, Erysiphe lespedezae on Uraria crinita, and E. lonicerae on Lonicera japonica. Eryngium foetidum is a new host for Erysiphe heraclei hitherto known on other host plants in Taiwan. Eryngium foetidum and Uraria crinita are new host plants for powdery mildews worldwide. Only specific field collection of the pathogens yielded the new records, not checking plant specimens in a phanerogam herbarium. The pathogens did not cause death of the host plants, but appeared to enhance stress by infection of mature leaves.
Conclusions
Taxonomic study of powdery mildews in Taiwan results into new host records of economically important medicinal plants in Taiwan with potential consequences for plant production and quarantine and also shows that host records are quite incomplete worldwide. Although ITS sequences were useful for species identification, the lack of data for several species on the same host genus on the one hand and the low variation between closely related species on the other indicate the need for further study.
Koala Retrovirus Diversity, Transmissibility, and Disease Associations
Authors: Zheng HaoQiang , Pan Yi , Tang Shaohua , Pye Geoffrey W. , Stadler Cynthia K , Vogelnest Larry , Herrin Kimberly Vinette , Rideout Bruce A , Switzer William M. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background Koalas are infected with the koala retrovirus (KoRV) that exists as exogenous or endogenous viruses. KoRV is genetically diverse with co-infection with up to ten envelope subtypes (A-J) possible; KoRV-A is the prototype endogenous form. KoRV-B, first found in a small number of koalas with an increased leukemia prevalence at one US zoo, has been associated with other cancers and increased chlamydial disease. To better understand the molecular epidemiology of KoRV variants and the effect of increased viral loads (VLs) on transmissibility and pathogenicity we developed subtype-specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays and tested blood and tissue samples from koalas at US zoos (n=78), two Australian zoos (n=27) and wild-caught (n=21) in Australia. We analyzed PCR results with available clinical, demographic, and pedigree data. Results All koalas were KoRV-A-infected. A small number of koalas (10.3%) at one US zoo were also infected with non-A subtypes, while a higher non-A subtype prevalence (59.3%) was found in koalas at Australian zoos. Wild koalas from one location were only infected with KoRV-A. We observed a significant association of infection and plasma VLs of non-A subtypes in koalas that died of leukemia/lymphoma and other neoplasias and report cancer diagnoses in KoRV-A-positive animals. Infection and VLs of non-A subtypes was not associated with age or sex. Transmission of non-A subtypes occurred from dam-to-offspring and likely following adult-to-adult contact, but associations with contact type were not evaluated. Brief antiretroviral treatment of one leukemic koala infected with high plasma levels of KoRV-A, -B, and -F did not affect VL or disease progression. Conclusions Our results show a significant association of non-A KoRV infection and plasma VLs with leukemia and other cancers. Although we confirm dam-to-offspring transmission of these variants, we also show other routes are possible. Our validated qPCR assays will be useful to further understand KoRV epidemiology and its zoonotic transmission potential for humans exposed to koalas because KoRV can infect human cells.
Geophilosophical Realness of Risk: A Case Study In National Housing Authority Resettlement Sites In Albay, Philippines
Authors: Abante Ana Marie Rico 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
The Geophilosophical realness of risk, as introduced in this study constitutes risk hotspots or coldspots information that are stored and sorted in hexagonal bins which represent geographical space. Using the binning technique, the author disclosed the 29,400 hectares in Albay Philippines are 99% significantly sited as risk hotspot physical space. Also, about 7,100 hectares, and 3,100 hectares have 95% and 90% significant risk hotspots, respectively. This study also presents resiliency being measured as a risk quantity, nearing a zero z-score that is enveloped by the fundamental geoinformation prerequisite to select safe, comfortable, and accessible space. The z-scores represent the risk hotspots and coldspots contained in hexagonal bins which mimic geographical aspects of the risk realness in Albay. The same z-scores were substituted for the 25 resettlement sites which provided answers to the query “what are the risk realities in NHA resettlement sites?” The results characterized the risk that are spreading at 14 resettlement’s sites in Albay are generally located within risk hotspot areas. This information is significant in preventing and mitigating risk receptively and responsively. The researcher concludes that DRRM entails interdisciplinary thinking to apply geospatial data science to risk governance. This dissertation revealed that government intervention may be ineffective when people are steadily allowed to occupy risk hotspots that weakens their capacity to defy the quantified risk as well as the accumulated and unbearable risk residuals caused by the unforeseen effects of changing climate such as volcanic eruptions, lahar, increasing flooding, and pandemics. The Metatheorems in this study posit that dependable preparedness is unlikely if the risk hotspots and coldspots of geographical locations are unknown or unclear, which would guide environmental planners, engineers, development managers, and decision makers to direct the people to suitably select safe space, comfortable sites, and accessible sites. Furthermore, this study presents that scientifically informed policy is a must-risk-reduction solution to restore stability (state of balance). Therefore, the practical implication of this study is providing a basis where a decision maker can picture when stability is unattainable the approach is to bring the development in the tri-nodal cities outside the risk trending areas in Albay.
Sexual Function, Mental Health, and Quality of Life Under Strain of COVID-19 Pandemic in Iranian Pregnant and Lactating Women: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Mirzaei Negin , Sadatmahalleh shahideh Jahanian , Khomami Mahnaz Bahri , Moini Ashraf , Kazemnejad Anoshirvan 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of pregnant and lactating women is unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on psychological health, sexual function, and quality of life (QoL) in Iranian pregnant and lactating women and compare the results with non-pregnant /lactating (as the control group).
Method:
This cross-sectional study was carried out on pregnant and lactating women as case groups, with non-pregnant /lactating women as control. Patients were asked to complete three questionnaires: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). One-way ANOVA was used to reveal the statistical differences between the three groups.
Result
The mean age of patients was 20.81 ± 5.92 years old. Evaluation of the three groups with regard to HADS and SF-12 showed that all mean values were lower in pregnant women than in other groups. Also, the differences in scores in the three groups were statistically significant (P˂0.001). The comparison of FSFI scores showed that the mean of all domain and total scores were significantly lower in pregnant women compared with other groups. The differences between the three groups were statistically significant during desire, arousal, orgasm, pain, and total score (P˂0.001).
Conclusion
The COVID-19 epidemic increases the risk of depression, anxiety, FSD, and lowers QoL in pregnant and lactating women, with the general population. This suggests the urgent need for psychological intervention in the maternal population during the epidemic.
The New Zealand Podiatry Profession – A Workforce in Crisis?
Authors: Carroll Matthew , Jepson Hannah , Molyneux Prue , Brenton-Rule Angela 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
BackgroundThis is the first study to explore workforce data from the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand. The study analysed data from an online survey, New Zealand podiatrists complete as part of their application for an Annual Practising Certificate.MethodsSurvey responses between 2015 and 2019 were analysed. Data was related to work setting, employment status, work hours, location, professional affiliations, and number of graduates entering practice. Survey data was downloaded by a second party who provide data security for the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand workforce data. All data supplied for analysis was deidentified and could not be re-linked to an individual practitioner.ResultsIn 2019 there were 430 podiatrists who held an Annual Practising Certificate. Eighty percent of New Zealand podiatrists work in private practice with 8% employed in the public health sector. Podiatrist’s work is a mix of general podiatry, diabetes care and sports medicine. The majority are self-employed (40%) or business owners (19%). Approximately 40% work between 31 to 40 hours per week and 46 to 50 weeks per year. The majority are female (67%) with most practising in the North Island (69%) and located in the Auckland region (33%). On average 76% of new graduates were issued an Annual Practising Certificate between 2015 and 2019.ConclusionThe New Zealand podiatry profession is small and growing at a slow rate, consequently there is evidence of a workforce shortage. To maintain a per-capita ratio of podiatrists approximate to Australia and the United Kingdom an additional 578 podiatrists are required in the New Zealand workforce. There are not enough new graduate practitioners entering the workforce and once practising, the majority enter private practice in the face of limited public health employment opportunities.
Mesenchymal stem cell enhances the function of MDSCs in experimental Sjögren syndrome mice
Authors: Tian Jie , Hong Yue , Zhu Qiugang , Zhou Huimin , Zhang Yidan , Shen Ziwei , Guo Hongye , Zhang Yue , Rui Ke , Xu Huaxi , Wang Shengjun 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Background

Primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltrates in exocrine glands. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been proved to be effective in the treatment of different autoimmune diseases. Although MSC transplantation has been demonstrated to be an effective therapeutic approach to treat SS, the underlying mechanisms are still elusive. Our previous study has identified the reduced suppressive capacity of MDSCs advanced the progression of experimental Sjögren’s syndrome (ESS).
Methods

The ESS mouse model was induced with murine salivary glands proteins emulsified in an equal volume of Freund’s adjuvant. Both frequency and phenotype of MDSCs during ESS development in mice were analyzed by flow cytometry. The suppressive capacity of MDSCs was examined by CD4+ T cell proliferation test, CFSE-labelled CD4+ T cell was analyzed by flow cytometry. Both phenotype and function of MDSCs upon MSCs treatment were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. The function of MSCs in modulating the suppressive function of MDSCs was further evaluated by silencing TGF-β in MSCs.
Results

In this study, we found that BM-MSCs significantly enhanced the suppressive function of MDSCs (PMN-MDSCs/M-MDSCs) with high levels of Arginase and NO, decreased the levels of CD40, CD80, CD86 and MHC-II expression on MDSCs, thus attenuating the disease progression in ESS mice. Furthermore, the enhanced suppressive function of MDSCs was mediated by BM-MSC-secreted TGF-β, and the therapeutic effect of BM-MSCs in inhibiting ESS was almost abolished after silencing TGF-β in BM-MSCs.
Conclusions

Taken together, our results demonstrated that BM-MSCs alleviated the ESS progression by up-regulating the immunosuppressive effect of MDSCs through TGF-β/Smad pathway, offering a novel mechanism for MSCs in the treatment of pSS.
Graphdiyne-Based Ultra-Responsive Artificial Synapse with Multi-Ion Diffusive Dynamics for Mimicking Efferent Nerves
Authors: Wei Huanhuan , Shi Rongchao , Sun Lin , Yu Haiyang , Gong Jiangdong , Liu Chao , Xu Zhipeng , Ni Yao , Xu Jialiang , Xu Wentao 
Published: August 2020

Abstract
Somatosensory nerves require synapses to respond efficiently and in parallel for receving and transmiting biological signals. The gap between biological systems and conventional electronics needs ionotronics to bridge. However, the exploration of new materials and the systematic construction of ionotronics still pose challenges. Graphdiyne, a highly π-extended two-dimensional (2D) carbon allotrope, has demonstrated potential applications in ionic peripheral systems for its inherent network holes that can be used for rapid and selective transmission of diverse ions. Here, a graphdiyne-based artificial synapse (GAS), exhibiting intrinsic short-term plasticity, has been proposed to mimic the biological signal transmission behaviors. An record-breaking impulse responsiveness (±5 mV) that is an order of magnitude exceeding biological level has been realized for ultra-sensitive and power-efficient brain-inspired applications, with the lowest femtowatt-level consumption (~16.7 fW). Most importantly, GAS is capable of parallelly processing signals transmitted from multiple preneurons and therefore realizing dynamic logics and spatiotemporal rules. In a proof-of-concept demonstration, our artificial efferent nerve, connecting GAS with artificial muscles, completes the information integration of preneurons and the information output of motor neurons, which is advantageous for coalescing multiple sensory feedbacks (e.g., visual and tactile) and reacting to these events. Our synaptic element has potential applications in bioinspired peripheral nervous systems of soft electronics and neurorobotics.