bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of ERG11 Overexpression in Candida albicans isolates from environmental sources and clinical isolates treated with inhibitory and subinhibitory concentrations of fluconazole
Authors: Morais Vasconcelos Oliveira Josimary , Conceição Oliver Josidel , Latércia Tranches Dias Amanda , Barbosa Padovan Ana Carolina , Siqueira Caixeta Ester , Caixeta Franco Ariosa Marília 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundCandida species can cause serious infection in patients with changes in defence mechanisms and/or when anatomical barriers are compromised. Mutations and overexpression in the ERG11 gene are described as molecular mechanisms of azole resistance. Information is limited on these mechanisms in the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of fluconazole.ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the expression of ERG11 gene from Candida albicans isolates, from clinical and hospital environments, in the absence and presence of inhibitory and subinhibitory concentrations of fluconazole.MethodsThe American Type Culture Collection 10231 strain, five clinical isolates and three isolates from hospital environment colonisation were exposed to inhibitory and subinhibitory concentrations of fluconazole. Susceptibility tests were performed according to EUCAST 7.1 guidelines, and the relative expression analysis of ERG11 was performed by qPCR.ResultsDifferences in response to fluconazole concentrations were observed, with the exception only one clinical isolate when treated with 1/4 of the FLU‐minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). All the other isolates, regardless of the isolation source, had an increase in expression. The overexpression occurred in a very broad range, from 1.086 to 126.105 times. In general, treatment with the highest dose of fluconazole (MIC) was the one that most influenced the ERG11 expression, followed by treatments with 1/2 and 1/4 MIC.ConclusionsThe increased expression of ERG11 by C albicans in the presence of different concentrations of fluconazole is relevant, raising concerns in the care and cleaning of the hospital environment and the prophylactic use of fluconazole that could lead to the selection of potential azole‐resistant isolates.
The design and application of an automated microscope developed based on deep learning for fungal detection in dermatology
Authors: Gao Wenchao , Li Meirong , Wu Rong , Du Weian , Zhang Shanlin , Yin Songchao , Chen Zhirui , Huang Huaiqiu 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundLight microscopy to study the infection of fungi in skin specimens is time‐consuming and requires automation.ObjectiveWe aimed to design and explore the application of an automated microscope for fungal detection in skin specimens.MethodsAn automated microscope was designed, and a deep learning model was selected. Skin, nail and hair samples were collected. The sensitivity and the specificity of the automated microscope for fungal detection were calculated by taking the results of human inspectors as the gold standard.ResultsAn automated microscope was built, and an image processing model based on the ResNet‐50 was trained. A total of 292 samples were collected including 236 skin samples, 50 nail samples and six hair samples. The sensitivities of the automated microscope for fungal detection in skin, nails and hair were 99.5%, 95.2% and 60%, respectively, and the specificities were 91.4%, 100% and 100%, respectively.ConclusionThe automated microscope we developed is as skilful as human inspectors for fungal detection in skin and nail samples; however, its performance in hair samples needs to be improved.
A highly differentiated region of wheat chromosome 7AL encodes a Pm1a immune receptor that recognizes its corresponding AvrPm1a effector from Blumeria graminis
Authors: Hewitt Tim , Müller Marion C. , Molnár István , Mascher Martin , Holušová Kateřina , Šimková Hana , Kunz Lukas , Zhang Jianping , Li Jianbo , Bhatt Dhara , Sharma Raghvendra , Schudel Seraina , Yu Guotai , Steuernagel Burkhard , Periyannan Sambasivam , Wulff Brande , Ayliffe Mick , McIntosh Robert , Keller Beat , Lagudah Evans , Zhang Peng 
Published: November 2020

Summary

Pm1a, the first powdery mildew resistance gene described in wheat, is part of a complex resistance (R) gene cluster located in a distal region of chromosome 7AL that has suppressed genetic recombination.

A nucleotide‐binding, leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) immune receptor gene was isolated using mutagenesis and R gene enrichment sequencing (MutRenSeq). Stable transformation confirmed Pm1a identity which induced a strong resistance phenotype in transgenic plants upon challenge with avirulent Blumeria graminis (wheat powdery mildew) pathogens.

A high‐density genetic map of a B. graminis family segregating for Pm1a avirulence combined with pathogen genome resequencing and RNA sequencing (RNAseq) identified AvrPm1a effector gene candidates. In planta expression identified an effector, with an N terminal Y/FxC motif, that induced a strong hypersensitive response when co‐expressed with Pm1a in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Single chromosome enrichment sequencing (ChromSeq) and assembly of chromosome 7A suggested that suppressed recombination around the Pm1a region was due to a rearrangement involving chromosomes 7A, 7B and 7D. The cloning of Pm1a and its identification in a highly rearranged region of chromosome 7A provides insight into the role of chromosomal rearrangements in the evolution of this complex resistance cluster.
Polymorphisms in cis‐elements confer SAUR26 gene expression difference for thermo‐response natural variation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Zhixue , Yang Leiyun , Wu Dianxing , Zhang Ning , Hua Jian 
Published: November 2020

Summary

The SAUR26 subfamily genes play an important role in conferring variations of thermo‐responsiveness of growth architecture among natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana. The expression variations are critical for their activity variations, but how expression variations are generated is unknown.

We identified genetic loci for gene expression variations through expression genome‐wide association study (eGWAS) and investigated their mechanisms through molecular analyses.

We found that cis elements are the major determinants for expression variations of SAUR26, SAUR27, and SAUR28. Polymorphisms in the promoter region likely impact PIF4 regulation while those at the 3′UTR affect mRNA stability to generate variations in SAUR26 expression levels. These polymorphisms also differentially affect the mRNA stability of SAUR26 at two temperatures.

This study reveals two mechanisms involving cis elements in generating gene expression diversity, which is likely important for local adaptations in Arabidopsis natural accessions.
Modified SHI medium supports growth of a disease‐state subgingival polymicrobial community in vitro
Authors: Lamont Eleanor I. , Gadkari Archita , Kerns Kristopher A. , To Thao T. , Daubert Diane , Kotsakis Georgios , Bor Batbileg , He Xuesong , McLean Jeffrey S. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDeveloping a laboratory model of oral polymicrobial communities is essential for in vitro studies of the transition from healthy to diseased oral plaque. SHI medium is an enriched growth medium capable of supporting in vitro biofilms with similar diversity to healthy supragingival inocula; however, this medium does not maintain the diversity of gram‐negative bacteria more associated with subgingival plaque. Here, we systematically modified SHI medium components to investigate the impacts of varying nutrients and develop a medium capable of supporting a specific disease‐state subgingival community. A diseased subgingival plaque sample was inoculated in SHI medium with increasing concentrations of sucrose (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%), fetal bovine serum (FBS) (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 50%), and mucin (0.1, 2.5, 8.0 g/L) and grown for 48 hrs, then the 16S rRNA profiles of the resulting biofilms were examined. In total, these conditions were able to capture 89 of the 119 species and 43 of the 51 genera found in the subgingival inoculum. Interestingly, biofilms grown in high sucrose media, although dominated by acidogenic Firmicutes with a low final pH, contained several uncultured taxa from the genus Treponema, information that may aid culturing these periodontitis‐associated fastidious organisms. Biofilms grown in a modified medium (here named subSHI‐v1 medium) with 0.1% sucrose and 10% FBS had a high diversity closest to the inoculum and maintained greater proportions of many gram‐negative species of interest from the subgingival periodontal pocket (including members of the genera Prevotella and Treponema, and the Candidate Phyla Radiation phylum Saccharibacteria), and therefore best represented the disease community.
School‐based approach for parasitic disease control in Japan and Africa
Authors: Horikoshi Yuho , Ibrahim Usman Muhammad , Morris Shaun K. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractJapan has achieved significant improvements in the control and prevention of parasitic infections through a school‐based approach since the 1930s. The use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture, safe water and food, and improved sanitation and hygiene also contributed to the near eradication of endemic parasites. However, parasite infections continued to affect children mostly in resource‐limited countries. The African continent has one of the highest burdens of such infections. The application of school‐based approaches has several advantages where the structure of health‐care systems is not optimal. In Africa, soil‐transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis are frequently targets for school‐based public health intervention. Mass drug administration by teachers at school can reach targeted children effectively and safely. The limitations of this approach include missing unattended children and absentee of teachers. Initially, mass drug administration at school for parasitic infections was thought to improve health and even socioeconomic status of children in the community. However, more recently the socioeconomic impact has been questioned although the reduction of parasitic diseases is still apparent. Moreover, other basic public health measurements such as increased toilet use, assuring safe water access and avoiding the use of human excrement as an agricultural fertilizer, are equally important for control and prevention of parasitic diseases. Further global efforts should be continued to achieve equal health for every child in a sustainable way.
A preliminary study on the glycosylation of the reproductive tract in the Ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus)
Authors: Jones Carolyn J. P. , Aplin John D. , Ververs Cyriel , (Twink) Allen William R. , Burns Kate , Wilsher Sandra 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGlycosylation of the reproductive tract of an adult female red‐necked ostrich (Struthio camelus camelus) carrying a fully formed calcified egg in her uterus when accidently killed by a blow to the head was examined using lectin histochemistry on samples from the infundibulum, magnum, uterus and vagina. Glycans in the luminal epithelium and underlying glands were described after staining with 23 lectins after neuraminidase pre‐treatment in some cases. Ciliated and non‐ciliated cells were evident at all levels in the luminal epithelium, the latter full of richly glycosylated secretory granules. The ciliated cells also showed glycosylation and, in the magnum, these cells often stained more intensely than the non‐ciliated cells. High mannose and complex N‐glycans, α1,6‐linked fucosyl and sialic acid residues were present throughout the tract and there was a complete absence of GalNAcα1,3(LFucα1,2)Galß1,3/4GlcNAcß1‐ and rare terminal GalNAcα1‐ residues. Fucose in α1,2‐linkage as H2 antigen and Ley was also rare in the luminal epithelium and completely absent in glands. Terminal galactose was present in the luminal epithelium apart from in the infundibulum. Gland epithelium showed similar glycosylation to the luminal epithelium except in the magnum where there were significant differences and here the glands were packed full of large secretory granules, unlike the glands in the rest of the tract. Each section of the tract had its own specific pattern of glycosylation which could be related to the stage of egg formation.
Absorbable fixation straps for laparoscopic gastropexy in dogs
Authors: Lacitignola Luca , Fracassi Laura , Di Bella Caterina , Zizzo Nicola , Passantino Giuseppe , Tinelli Antonella , Crovace Alberto Maria , Staffieri Francesco 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic absorbable fixation straps (AFS) for laparoscopic gastropexy in dogs.Study designCadaveric and prospective clinical study.AnimalsFive dog cadavers for the cadaveric study; 12 dogs for the clinical study.MethodsThe pyloric antrum was affixed to the abdominal wall laparoscopically by applying a series of straps. The cadaveric study assessed potential challenges during the procedure and stomach mucosal penetration. For the clinical study, the total duration of surgery, time to complete the gastropexy, and the number of straps used were recorded. Ultrasound evidence of adhesion, complications, and weight were monitored at 7, 30, and 90 days after surgery. Owner satisfaction was evaluated at the 6‐month follow‐up.ResultsThe total duration of surgery was 25.8 minutes (range, 19‐39; SD, 6.7), and the time to complete the gastropexy was 10.1 minutes (range, 7‐19; SD, 3.9). The linear regression analysis revealed an inverse correlation between the time to complete the gastropexy and the order of the surgeries (r2 = 0.75, P < .05). No complications were recorded. Ultrasound examination was used to confirm gastropexy at all follow‐ups.ConclusionLaparoscopic gastropexy with AFS was performed in both cadavers and clinical animals with minimal complications. Persistent adhesion was demonstrated during ultrasound evaluations and in one postmortem evaluation.Clinical significanceThis novel laparoscopic technique can be employed safely, effectively, and reasonably quickly, and the learning curve is expected to be relatively short.
Age‐related electrophysiological changes in mouse taste receptor cells
Authors: Takeuchi Keita , Yoshii Kiyonori , Ohtubo Yoshitaka 
Published: November 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Loss of taste or inability to distinguish between different tastes progresses with age. The purpose was to evaluate the age‐dependent changes in taste by studying the electrophysiological properties of taste receptor cells.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Ageing decreased the voltage‐gated Na+ and K+ current densities of type III cells (sour and/or salt receptor cells) but did not affect the current densities in type II cells. At the peripheral levels, the excitability of type III cells was reduced due to ageing, which may affect the signal transduction to taste nerves.

AbstractThe loss of taste due to normal ageing in mammals is assumed to be caused by the ageing of taste receptor cells. We examined the electrophysiological properties of taste receptor cells in the fungiform taste buds of ∼20‐month‐old mice in situ and subsequently identified their cell types with immunological markers: the inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3) receptor (IP3R3) for type II cells and a SNARE protein, synaptosomal‐associated protein 25 (SNAP‐25), for type III cells. Other cells are referred to as non‐immunoreactive cells (non‐IRCs). Cell types of some cells that could not be identified using cell‐type markers were identified based on the electrophysiological feature of the respective cell types. All cell types generated action potentials and a variety of voltage‐gated currents. The type II cells mainly expressed tetraethylammonium (TEA)‐insensitive and slowly activating outwardly rectifying currents and generated tail currents in repolarization. In contrast, the type III cells expressed TEA‐sensitive and faster activating K+ currents and did not generate tail currents. These cell type‐specific characteristics of voltage‐gated currents in ∼20‐month‐old mice were similar to their respective cell types in ∼2‐month‐old mice. Also, we showed an age‐dependent decrease in Na+ and K+ current densities in type III cells and an age‐dependent increase in outwardly rectifying current density in non‐IRCs. Ageing did not affect the voltage‐gated current densities in type II cells. The decreased Na+ and K+ current densities, i.e. the decreased excitability of type III cells, due to ageing may affect the signal transduction to taste nerves.
Study on the Influence of Sand Erosion Process on the Wear and Damage of Heat-Treated U75V Rail Steel
Authors: Shu Kang , Wang Wen-Jian , Meli Enrico , Ding Hao-Hao , Han Zhen-Yu , Zou Ming , Liu Qi-Yue 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Usually, rail materials are exactly affected by the erosion of windblown sand in the desert environment. For this reason, the influence of impact angle, particle velocity, and particle size on the erosion wear behavior of the U75V heat-treated rail steel, a material frequently employed in Chinese railways, were studied in this work. The results showed that, with increasing impact angle, the erosion rate increased between 15 deg and 45 deg, decreased between 45 deg and 75 deg, and then increased again between 75 deg and 90 deg. The highest erosion rate occurred at about 45 deg. When the particle velocity increased, the erosion rate increased approximately in a quadratic way. As the sand particle size increased, the erosion rate presented a decreasing trend. During the initial stage of erosion, shear craters, indentation craters, and ploughing craters were the main surface damage features. The shear craters predominated at the impact angle of 45 deg whereas the indentation craters predominated at 90 deg. During the steady-state of erosion, the rail damage was mainly composed of craters, platelets, and cracks. Both the length and depth of craters increased almost linearly with increasing particle velocity, whereas the increased rate of length was significantly higher than that of depth. The length and depth of craters increased with increasing particle size at 90 deg, whereas only the length increased with increasing particle size at 45 deg. The microstructure evolution and the formation mechanism of platelet at low impact angles were different from those at high impact angles. Platelet formation was the main erosion wear mechanism.
Provision of Industrial Information Resources Through Hypermedia
Authors: Crowder Richard M. , Wills Gary , Hall Wendy 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
As information relating to manufacturing becomes more complex, it is inevitable that information overload will occur. When the information cannot be retrieved with ease, it is human nature to work without it.
This paper discusses the use of an open hypermedia system, to resolve this problem. To be viable the hypermedia resource base must operate factory wide, and not centered on a single piece of plant. However the scale of the problem introduces a wide range of problems. We present a number of methodologies that need to be implemented to ensure that the introduction of hypermedia on the factory floor is successful. By considering two industrial applications, it is shown that in all cases information is retrieved faster and to a higher quality than current practice.
Fast and Smooth NC Milling Animation Using Partial Redrawing Technique
Authors: Inui Masatomo , Takano Makoto 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Animation display of the NC milling process is helpful for detecting potential problems of a cutter path prior to actual machining. In the milling animation, machined shape of the workpiece is repeatedly computed and displayed after every short motion of the cutter. A single cutter motion usually removes very small portion of the workpiece, therefore most part of two successive pictures in the animation becomes the same. Based on this characteristic of the pictures, the authors develop “partial redrawing technique” for fast and smooth animation of the NC milling process. This method efficiently generates a new picture of the workpiece by properly modifying a limited part of the latest picture in the screen. The picture area to modify is determined based on the removed shape of the workpiece. An experimental system is implemented and some animations of complex milling processes are demonstrated.
Fuzzy Cell Mapping Applied to Autonomous Systems
Authors: Song Y. , Edwards D. , Manoranjan V. S. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Nonlinear systems appear in many scientific disciplines such as engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, economics, and demography. Therefore methods of analysis of nonlinear systems, which can provide a good understanding of their behavior have wide applications. Although there are several analytical methods (See Hsu [3] and references therein), determining the global behavior of strongly nonlinear systems is still a substantially difficult task. The direct approach of numerical integration is a viable method. However, such an approach is sometimes prohibitively time consuming even with the powerful present-day computers.
Particle Tracking in Combustion Chamber of Solid Rocket Motor
Authors: Xiao Yumin , Amano R. S. , Cai Timin , Li Jiang , He Guoqiang 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
It has been a challenge to investigate how to trace particles in a solid rocket motor (SRM) using aluminized composite solid propellant and submerged nozzle. In using CFD simulations, the boundary conditions for the ejecting particles constrain their trajectories, hence these affect the two-phase flow calculations, and thus significantly affect the evaluation of the slag accumulation. The RTR (X-ray Real-time Radiography) technique is a new method to detect the particles in a firing SRM. A method was developed to simulate the particle ejection from the propellant surface. The moving trajectories of metal particles in a firing combustion chamber were measured by using the RTR high-speed motion analyzer. Numerical simulations with different propellant-surface boundary conditions were performed to calculate particle trajectories. Through this study an appropriate surface velocity condition on the propellant surface was discovered. The method developed here can be used for the future CRM research.
Design Sensitivity Analysis for the Meshfree Shell Structure
Authors: Choi Kyung K. , Kim Nam H. , Botkin Mark E. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
A unified design sensitivity analysis method for a meshfree shell structure with respect to sizing, shape, and configuration design variables is presented in this paper. A shear deformable shell formulation is characterized by a CAD connection, thickness degeneration, meshfree discretization, and nodal integration. The design variable is selected from the CAD parameters, and a consistent design velocity field is then computed by perturbing the surface geometric matrix. The material derivative concept is used to obtain a design sensitivity equation in the parametric domain. Numerical examples show the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed design sensitivity analysis method compared to the analytical solution and the finite difference solution.
The Multiple Contributions of Jorgen Lund’s Ph.D. Dissertation, “Self-Excited, Stationary Whirl Orbits of a Journal in Sleeve Bearings,” RPI, 1966, Engineering Mechanics
Authors: Childs Dara W. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Lund set out to define the circumstances under which stable limit-cycle orbits could exist for the linearly unstable motion of a rigid rotor. He also undertook to examine the nature of these stable limit cycles when they are demonstrated to exist. He obviously succeeded in meeting both these objectives; however, Lund’s really remarkable and most useful contributions are covered “incidentally” in the course of developing his nonlinear analytical/computational solutions.