bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogenetics ofPaepalanthus(Eriocaulaceae), a diverse Neotropical monocot lineage
Authors: Andrino Caroline O , Sano Paulo T , Inglis Peter W , Hensold Nancy , Costa Fabiane N , Simon Marcelo F 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPaepalanthus is a diverse monocot genus with remarkable diversity distributed in the Neotropical highlands of South America. The genus comprises 410 species arranged in subgenera, sections, subsections and series. Added to this complex classification, Paepalanthus shows considerable morphological heterogeneity and includes three other genera in it, Actinocephalus (Körn.) Sano, Lachnocaulon Kunth and Tonina Aubl. A broadly sampled phylogenetic inference for the genus is still missing, precluding a better understanding of its delimitation and further studies in the group. Here we present the most comprehensive phylogenetic study for Paepalanthus to date, as well as morphological survey of characters that delimit the main lineages found. We assembled a morphologically and geographically representative sampling of Paepalanthus and associated genera comprising 356 accessions in a combined dataset of plastid (trnL-F, psbA-trnH) and nuclear (ITS, ETS) regions. Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood methods were used for phylogenetic reconstruction. We found that Paepalanthus and 16 of its 28 infrageneric categories are not monophyletic, as well as the closely related genus Actinocephalus. Thirty-six well-supported clades are recognized. Morphological characters show high levels of homoplasy, and concepts traditionally used in the classification of Paepalanthus were found to be inconsistent. We confirmed that Paepalanthus as currently circumscribed is not monophyletic and revealed several new relationships in Eriocaulaceae. To make Paepalanthus monophyletic, the genus must be re-circumscribed. These results also provide a foundation for future investigations of the diversification and evolution of flora of the Neotropical highlands of South America.
Microbiome in the setting of burn patients: implications for infections and clinical outcomes
Authors: Corcione Silvia , Lupia Tommaso , De Rosa Francesco G ,   Host and Microbiota Interaction Study Group (ESGHAMI) of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID)
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Burn damage can lead to a state of immune dysregulation that facilitates the development of infections in patients. The most deleterious impact of this dysfunction is the loss of the skin’s natural protective barrier. Furthermore, the risk of infection is exacerbated by protracted hospitalization, urinary catheters, endotracheal intubation, inhalation injury, arterial lines and central venous access, among other mainstays of burn care. Currently, infections comprise the leading cause of mortality after major burn injuries, which highlights the improvements observed over the last 50 years in the care provided to burn victims. The need to implement the empirical selection of antibiotic therapy to treat multidrug-resistant bacteria may concomitantly lead to an overall pervasiveness of difficult-to-treat pathogens in burn centres, as well as the propagation of antimicrobial resistance and the ultimate dysregulation of a healthy microbiome. While preliminary studies are examining the variability and evolution of human and mice microbiota, both during the early and late phase burn injury, one must consider that abnormal microbiome conditions could influence the systemic inflammatory response. A better understanding of the changes in the post-burn microbiome might be useful to interpret the provenance and subsequent development of infections, as well as to come up with inferences on the prognosis of burn patients. This review aims to summarise the current findings describing the microbiological changes in different organs and systems of burn patients and how these alterations affect the risks of infections, complications, and, ultimately, healing.
Hypoxia response and acute lung and kidney injury: possible implications for therapy of COVID-19
Authors: Del Vecchio Lucia , Locatelli Francesco 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic of unprecedented severity affecting millions of people around the world and causing several hundred thousands of deaths. The presentation of the disease ranges from asymptomatic manifestations through to acute respiratory distress syndrome with the necessity of mechanical ventilation. Cytokine storm and maladaptive responses to the viral spread in the body could be responsible for the severity of disease. Many patients develop acute kidney injury (AKI) during the course of their disease, especially in more severe cases. Many factors could cause kidney damage during infection from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. It is still unclear whether direct viral damage or the overexpression of cytokines and inflammatory factors are preeminent. According to autoptic studies, in most of the cases, AKI is due proximal tubular damage. However, cases of collapsing focal segmental glomerulosclerosis were reported as well in the absence of signs of direct viral infection of the kidney. Considering that severe hypoxia is a hallmark of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, the involvement of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) system is very likely, possibly influencing the inflammatory response and outcome in both the lungs and kidneys. Several bodies of evidence have shown a possible role of the HIF pathway during AKI in various kidney disease models. Similar observations were made in the setting of acute lung injury. In both organs, HIF activation by means of inhibition of the prolyl-hydroxylases domain (PHD) could be protective. Considering these promising experimental data, we hypothesize that PHD inhibitors could be considered as a possible new therapy against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Improved Tactile Perception of 3D Geometric Bumps Using Coupled Electrovibration and Mechanical Vibration Stimuli
Authors: Sun Xiaoying , Zhang Chen , Liu Guohong 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
At present, the tactile perception of 3D geometric bumps (such as sinusoidal bumps, Gaussian bumps, triangular bumps, etc.) on touchscreens is mainly realized by mapping the local gradients of rendered virtual surfaces to lateral electrostatic friction, while maintaining the constant normal feedback force. The latest study has shown that the recognition rate of 3D visual objects with electrovibration is lower by 27$\%$ than that using force-feedback devices. Based on the custom-designed tactile display coupling with electrovibration and mechanical vibration stimuli, this paper proposes a novel tactile rendering algorithm of 3D geometric bumps, which simultaneously generates the lateral and the normal perceptual dimensions. Specifically, a mapping relationship with the electrostatic friction proportional to the gradient of 3D geometric bumps is firstly established. Then, resorting to the angle between the lateral friction force and the normal feedback force, a rendering model of the normal feedback force using mechanical vibration is further determined. Compared to the previous works with electrovibration, objective evaluations with 12 participants showed that the novel version significantly improved recognition rates of 3D bumps on touchscreens.
Diet-induced dyslipidemia induces metabolic and migratory adaptations in regulatory T cells
Authors: Amersfoort Jacob , Schaftenaar Frank H , Douna Hidde , van Santbrink Peter J , van Puijvelde Gijs H M , Slütter Bram , Foks Amanda C , Harms Amy , Moreno-Gordaliza Estefania , Wang Yanyan , Hankemeier Thomas , Bot Ilze , Chi Hongbo , Kuiper Johan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Aims
A hallmark of advanced atherosclerosis is inadequate immunosuppression by regulatory T (Treg) cells inside atherosclerotic lesions. Dyslipidemia has been suggested to alter Treg cell migration by affecting the expression of specific membrane proteins, thereby decreasing Treg cell migration towards atherosclerotic lesions. Besides membrane proteins, cellular metabolism has been shown to be a crucial factor in Treg cell migration. We aimed to determine whether dyslipidemia contributes to altered migration of Treg cells, in part, by affecting cellular metabolism.

Methods and results
Dyslipidemia was induced by feeding Ldlr−/− mice a western-type diet for 16–20 weeks and intrinsic changes in Treg cells affecting their migration and metabolism were examined. Dyslipidemia was associated with altered mTORC2 signalling in Treg cells, decreased expression of membrane proteins involved in migration, including CD62L, CCR7, and S1Pr1, and decreased Treg cell migration towards lymph nodes. Furthermore, we discovered that diet-induced dyslipidemia inhibited mTORC1 signalling, induced PPARδ activation and increased fatty acid (FA) oxidation in Treg cells. Moreover, mass-spectrometry analysis of serum from Ldlr−/− mice with normolipidemia or dyslipidemia showed increases in multiple PPARδ ligands during dyslipidemia. Treatment with a synthetic PPARδ agonist increased the migratory capacity of Treg cells in vitro and in vivo in an FA oxidation-dependent manner. Furthermore, diet-induced dyslipidemia actually enhanced Treg cell migration into the inflamed peritoneum and into atherosclerotic lesions in vitro.

Conclusion
Altogether, our findings implicate that dyslipidemia does not contribute to atherosclerosis by impairing Treg cell migration as dyslipidemia associated with an effector-like migratory phenotype in Treg cells.
From Inefficient Behind-the-Border Policies to Inefficient Trade Agreements: A Two-Tier Asymmetric Information Model
Authors: Bouët Antoine , Laborde David , Martimort David 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe consider a general equilibrium model of international trade with two layers of informational asymmetries. Private information of Home producers on costs affects the design of ‘behind-the-border’ policies reflecting the political influence of inefficient producers. Home's supply is contracted, causing trade, and motivating the use of tariffs. Eliminating those instruments by means of a trade agreement may become impossible once Home has also private information on its redistributive concerns. Home, when subject to strong influence by inefficient producers, might be reluctant to adopt free trade, which may lead to limited tariff cuts and give a role for export subsidies.
Participation of two general stress response proteins from Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri in environmental stress adaptation and virulence
Authors: Barcarolo María Victoria , Gottig Natalia , Ottado Jorgelina , Garavaglia Betiana S 
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT
Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) is the bacteria responsible for citrus canker. During its life cycle Xcc is found on leaves as epiphyte, where desiccation conditions may occur. In this work, two Xcc genes, XAC0100 and XAC4007, predicted in silico to be involved in general stress response, were studied under salt, osmotic, desiccation, oxidative and freezing stress, and during plant-pathogen interaction. Expression of XAC0100 and XAC4007 genes was induced under these stress conditions. Disruption of both genes in Xcc caused decreased bacterial culturability under desiccation, freezing, osmotic and oxidative stress. Importantly, the lack of these genes impaired Xcc epiphytic fitness. Both Xac0100 and Xac4007 recombinant proteins showed protective effects on Xanthomonas cells subjected to drought stress. Also, Escherichia coli overexpressing Xac4007 showed a better performance under standard culture, saline and osmotic stress and were more tolerant to freezing and oxidative stress than wild type E. coli. Moreover, both Xac0100 and Xac4007 recombinant proteins were able to prevent the freeze-thaw-induced inactivation of L-Lactate dehydrogenase. In conclusion, Xac0100 and Xac4007 have a relevant role as bacteria and protein protectors; and these proteins are crucial to bacterial pathogens that must face environmental stressful conditions that compromise the accomplishment of the complete virulence process.
Modelling variation in wood stiffness ofPinus ponderosausing static bending and acoustic measurements
Authors: Vaughan Damon , Auty David , Dahlen Joseph , Sánchez Meador Andrew J , Mackes Kurt H 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWood removed in Southwestern US forest restoration treatments currently has limited markets and thus low value. One important property of wood in structural products is its stiffness (measured as modulus of elasticity), which is known to vary systematically within trees. Directly measuring wood stiffness is expensive, time consuming and destructive. Therefore, we tested samples of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum Engelm.) from northern Arizona destructively in bending and also non-destructively using acoustic velocity (AV) methods. In total, we tested multiple pith-to-bark small clear (2.54 × 2.54 × 40.64 cm) samples from up to four heights in 103 trees. We first measured the standing-tree AV of sample trees, then the AV of small clear samples, and finally measured wood stiffness using three point static bending tests. We found that a Michaelis–Menten curve was a good fit to the radial profile of wood stiffness, with a steep increase outward from the pith that approached an asymptote. The AV of small clear samples, coupled with measured volumetric density values, approximated the static modulus of elasticity values with high accuracy (r2 = 0.86). At the stand level, a model predicting standing tree AV from tree morphology fit the data well (r2 = 0.77). Results indicate that southwestern ponderosa pine contains outerwood with relatively high stiffness that could be suitable for structural products. However, when assessed using wood stiffness, the trees take a long time to reach maturity (~50 years) and thus the corewood proportion is large. AV measurements are a good way to assess variability within and among stands and thus could be employed to segregate the resource by expected stiffness values. Segregation could help identify stands not suitable for structural uses and direct them toward more appropriate products.
The Genome of the Softshell Clam Mya arenaria and the Evolution of Apoptosis
Authors: Plachetzki David C , Pankey M Sabrina , MacManes Matthew D , Lesser Michael P , Walker Charles W 
Published: July 2020

AbstractApoptosis is a fundamental feature of multicellular animals and is best understood in mammals, flies, and nematodes, with the invertebrate models being thought to represent a condition of ancestral simplicity. However, the existence of a leukemia-like cancer in the softshell clam Mya arenaria provides an opportunity to re-evaluate the evolution of the genetic machinery of apoptosis. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence for M. arenaria which we leverage with existing data to test evolutionary hypotheses on the origins of apoptosis in animals. We show that the ancestral bilaterian p53 locus, a master regulator of apoptosis, possessed a complex domain structure, in contrast to that of extant ecdysozoan p53s. Further, ecdysozoan taxa, but not chordates or lophotrochozoans like M. arenaria, show a widespread reduction in apoptosis gene copy number. Finally, phylogenetic exploration of apoptosis gene copy number reveals a striking linkage with p53 domain complexity across species. Our results challenge the current understanding of the evolution of apoptosis and highlight the ancestral complexity of the bilaterian apoptotic tool kit and its subsequent dismantlement during the ecdysozoan radiation.
Genomic Analysis of the Only Blind Cichlid Reveals Extensive Inactivation in Eye and Pigment Formation Genes
Authors: Aardema Matthew L , Stiassny Melanie L J , Alter S Elizabeth 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTrait loss represents an intriguing evolutionary problem, particularly when it occurs across independent lineages. Fishes in light-poor environments often evolve “troglomorphic” traits, including reduction or loss of both pigment and eyes. Here, we investigate the genomic basis of trait loss in a blind and depigmented African cichlid, Lamprologus lethops, and explore evolutionary forces (selection and drift) that may have contributed to these losses. This species, the only known blind cichlid, is endemic to the lower Congo River. Available evidence suggests that it inhabits deep, low-light habitats. Using genome sequencing, we show that genes related to eye formation and pigmentation, as well as other traits associated with troglomorphism, accumulated inactivating mutations rapidly after speciation. A number of the genes affected in L. lethops are also implicated in troglomorphic phenotypes in Mexican cavefish (Astyanax mexicanus) and other species. Analysis of heterozygosity patterns across the genome indicates that L. lethops underwent a significant population bottleneck roughly 1 Ma, after which effective population sizes remained low. Branch-length tests on a subset of genes with inactivating mutations show little evidence of directional selection; however, low overall heterozygosity may reduce statistical power to detect such signals. Overall, genome-wide patterns suggest that accelerated genetic drift from a severe bottleneck, perhaps aided by directional selection for the loss of physiologically expensive traits, caused inactivating mutations to fix rapidly in this species.
Functional annotation of genomic variation: DNA methylation episignatures in neurodevelopmental Mendelian disorders
Authors: Sadikovic Bekim , Levy Michael A , Aref-Eshghi Erfan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The breadth and complexity of genetic testing in patients with suspected Mendelian neurodevelopmental disorders has rapidly expanded in the past two decades. However, in spite of advances in genomic technologies, genetic diagnosis remains elusive in more than half of these patients. Epigenomics, and in particular genomic DNA methylation profiles, are now known to be associated with the underpinning genetic defects in a growing number of Mendelian disorders. These often highly specific and sensitive molecular biomarkers have been used to screen these patient populations, resolve ambiguous clinical cases and interpret genetic variants of unknown clinical significance. Increasing the diagnostic yield beyond genomic sequencing technologies has rapidly propelled epigenomics to clinical utilization, with recent introduction of DNA methylation ‘EpiSign’ analysis in clinical diagnostic laboratories. This review provides an overview of the principles, applications and limitations of DNA methylation episignature analysis in patients with neurodevelopmental Mendelian disorders, and discusses clinical implications of this emerging diagnostic technology.
The Essence of Slavery: Exploitation in Human Rights Law
Authors: Jovanovic Marija 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
The modern slavery discourse has brought attention to the idea of ‘human exploitation’, which underpins a range of practices comprised by this popular umbrella term. Despite its extensive use, the concept of exploitation has never been defined in international law. This article articulates the necessary and sufficient conditions for the notion of exploitation in the context of the human rights prohibition against slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. This is done by examining international legislation, jurisprudence and the philosophical discussions of this concept. Articulating the parameters of exploitation sets firm boundaries of this right while leaving enough room for its further refinement in light of the new and emerging forms of modern slavery. Such analysis is a pioneering effort at elucidating the theoretical foundations of the prohibition of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.
Hamas and Hezbollah: hybrid actors between resistance and governance
Authors: Lecocq Sharon 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
This analytical review essay discusses five recent books on Hamas and Hezbollah, which see the groups as peculiar yet increasingly important actors in the Middle East and in international relations more broadly. The books illustrate a growing attention to these actors, not merely as armed spoilers, but as legitimate incumbents in national elections and providers of local governance. They also highlight the challenges this approach creates for traditional International Relations (IR) frameworks, in which such actors are not easily situated. Together, the books provide a rich actor-centred perspective on these cases and display various complementary social scientific theories, methods and data with which they can be approached. This review aims to tease out the novel insights these works and cases have to offer for recent debates on norm contestation in IR. Rather than evaluating these actors' discourse and behaviour against western normative frameworks in IR and international politics, the books contribute by exposing a wealth of different norms, and different approaches to interpreting and applying norms, beyond those frameworks.
Vector Fields and Automorphism Groups of Danielewski Surfaces
Authors: Leuenberger Matthias , Regeta Andriy 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this paper, we study the Lie algebra of vector fields ${\operatorname{Vec}}(\textrm{D}_p)$ of a smooth Danielewski surface $\textrm{D}_p$. We prove that the Lie subalgebra $\langle{\operatorname{LNV}}(\textrm{D}_p) \rangle$ of ${\operatorname{Vec}}(\textrm{D}_p)$ generated by locally nilpotent vector fields is simple. Moreover, if the two Lie algebras $\langle{\operatorname{LNV}}(\textrm{D}_p) \rangle$ and $\langle{\operatorname{LNV}}(\textrm{D}_q) \rangle$ of two Danielewski surfaces $\textrm{D}_p$ and $\textrm{D}_q$ are isomorphic, then the surfaces $\textrm{D}_p$ and $\textrm{D}_q$ are isomorphic. As an application we prove that the ind-groups ${\operatorname{Aut}}(\textrm{D}_p)$ and ${\operatorname{Aut}}(\textrm{D}_q)$ are isomorphic if and only if $\textrm{D}_p \simeq \textrm{D}_q$ as a variety. We also show that any automorphism of the ind-group ${\operatorname{Aut}}^\circ (\textrm{D}_p)$ is inner.
A Female Policy Premium? Agency Context and Women’s Leadership in the U.S. Federal Bureaucracy
Authors: Potter Rachel Augustine , Volden Craig 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Although there are descriptive and substantive benefits associated with women serving in leadership posts in the bureaucracy, we ask whether there is a policy benefit associated with women’s leadership. Simply put, is there a policy premium to having women as bureaucratic leaders? We focus on agency rulemaking, a policymaking activity conducted by nearly all federal agencies. Across three presidential administrations, we find no evidence of an across-the-board premium associated with women’s leadership. However, our results are consistent with a conditional policy premium—wherein women leaders are particularly effective in advancing ambitious rules and in shepherding rules through to finalization—in agencies that have a working environment that is supportive of women and, to some extent, in agencies that focus on women’s issues. One key implication is that, rather than working to tear down “glass walls,” reformers would be better served by improving the workplace climate for women within agencies.