bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Silver thiosulfate and Benzyladenine in combination with pruning additively feminizes cassava flowers and modulates transcriptome
Authors: Deborah Oluwasanya , Olayemisi Esan , Peter Hyde , Peter Kulakow , Tim Setter 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCassava, a tropical storage-root crop, is a major source of food security for millions in the tropics. Cassava breeding however is hindered by the poor development of flowers and female flowers in particular, since flower development is strongly skewed towards male flowers. Our objectives were to test plant growth regulator and pruning treatments for their effectiveness in field conditions in improving flower production and fruit set in cassava. Pruning the fork type branches that arise at the shoot apex immediately below newly formed inflorescences stimulated inflorescence and floral development. The anti-ethylene silver thiosulfate (STS) also increased flower abundance. Both pruning and STS increased flower numbers without influencing sex ratios. In contrast, the cytokinin benzyladenine (BA) feminized flowers without increasing flower abundance. Combining pruning and STS treatments led to an additive increase in flower abundance; with the addition of BA, over 80% of flowers were females. This three-way treatment combination of pruning+STS+BA also led to an increase in fruit development. Transcriptomic analysis of gene expression in tissues of the apical region and developing inflorescence revealed that the enhancement of female flower development by STS+BA was accompanied by the downregulation in of several genes associated with repression of flowering, including Tempranillo 1 (TEM1), GA receptor GID1b, and ABA signaling genes ABI1 and PP2CA. We conclude that treatments with pruning, STS and BA create widespread changes on the network of hormone signaling and regulatory factors beyond ethylene and cytokinin.
A molecular toolkit for the green seaweedUlva mutabilis
Authors: Blomme Jonas , Liu Xiaojie , Jacobs Thomas B. , De Clerck Olivier 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe green seaweedUlvais an ecologically-important marine primary producer as well as a promising cash crop cultivated for multiple uses. Despite its importance, several molecular tools are still needed to better understand seaweed biology. Here, we report the development of a flexible and modular molecular cloning toolkit for the green seaweedUlva mutabilisbased on a Golden Gate cloning system. The toolkit presently contains 125 entry vectors, 26 destination vectors and 107 functionally validated expression vectors. We demonstrate the importance of endogenous regulatory sequences for transgene expression and characterize three endogenous promoters suitable to drive transgene expression. We describe two vector architectures to express transgenes via two expression cassettes or a bicistronic approach. The majority of selected transformants (50-80%) consistently give clear visual transgene expression. Furthermore, we made different marker lines for intracellular compartments after evaluating 13 transit peptides and 11 tagged endogenousUlvagenes. Our molecular toolkit enables the study ofUlvagain-of-function lines and paves the way for gene characterization and large-scale functional genomics studies in a green seaweed.One-sentence summaryMolecular cloning tools allow to generate gain-of-function seaweed lines that will help to study seaweed biology.
Ribosome profiling elucidates differential gene expression in bundle sheath and mesophyll cells in maize
Authors: Chotewutmontri Prakitchai , Barkan Alice 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe efficiencies offered by C4photosynthesis have motivated efforts to understand its biochemical, genetic and developmental basis. Reactions underlying C4traits in most C4plants are partitioned between two cell types, bundle sheath (BS) and mesophyll (M) cells. RNA-seq has been used to catalog differential gene expression in BS and M cells in maize and several other C4species. However, the contribution of translational control to maintaining the distinct proteomes of BS and M cells has not been addressed. In this study, we used ribosome profiling (ribo-seq) and RNA-seq to describe translatomes, translational efficiencies, and microRNA abundance in BS and M-enriched fractions of maize seedling leaves. A conservative interpretation of our data revealed 182 genes exhibiting cell-type dependent differences in translational efficiency, 31 of which encode proteins with core roles in C4photosynthesis. Our results suggest that non-AUG start codons are used preferentially in upstream open reading frames of BS cells, revealed mRNA sequence motifs that correlate with cell type-dependent translation, and identified potential translational regulators that are differentially expressed. In addition, our data expand the set of genes known to be differentially expressed in BS and M cells, including genes encoding transcription factors and microRNAs. These data add to the resources for understanding the evolutionary and developmental basis of C4photosynthesis and for its engineering into C3crops.
Evaluation of hemispherical photos extracted from smartphone spherical panorama images to estimate canopy structure and forest light environment
Authors: Arietta A. Z. Andis 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHemispherical photography (HP) is one of the most commonly employed methods to estimate forest canopy structure and understory light environments. Traditional methods require expensive, specialized equipment, are tedious to deploy, and are sensitive to exposure settings. In contrast, modern smartphone cameras are readily available and make use of ever-improving software to produce images with high dynamic range and clarity, but lack suitable hemispherical lenses. Thus, despite the fact that almost all ecologists and foresters carry a high-powered, image processing device in our pockets, we have yet to fully employ it for the purpose of data collection. As an alternative, hemispherical images can be extracted from spherical panoramas produced by many smartphone camera applications. I compared hemispherical photos captured with a digital single lens reflex camera and 180° lens to those extracted from smartphone spherical panoramas (SSP) for 72 sites representing a range of canopy types and densities. I estimated common canopy and light measures (canopy openness, leaf area index, and global site factor) as well as image quality measures (total gap area, number of gaps, and relative gap size) to compare methods. The SSP HP method leverages built-in features of current generation smartphones including exposure metering over restricted field-of-view, high dynamic range tonal correction, computational sharpening, high pixel density, and automatic leveling via the phone’s built-in gyroscope to yield an accurate alternative to traditional HP in canopy estimation. Although the process of stitching together multiple photos occasionally produces artifacts in the SSP HP images, estimates of canopy openness and global site factor are highly correlated with those of traditional methods (R2> 0.9) and are comparable to under- or over-exposing traditional HP by 1-1.5 stops. In addition to superior image quality, SSP HP requires no additional equipment or exposure settings and is likely to prove more robust to uneven lighting conditions by avoiding wide-angles lenses and exploiting HDR images.
Are digital technologies killing future innovation? The curvilinear relationship between digital technologies and firm's intellectual property
Authors: Orlando Beatrice , Mazzucchelli Alice , Usai Antonio , Nicotra Melita , Paoletti Francesco 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThe study aims to investigate the interplay among digital technologies, intellectual capital and innovation. Thus far, there have been scant research on such intricate bundle of interactions. Also, the findings of previous studies were rather inconclusive, because conflicting results emerged over time. Building on the existence of heterogeneous evidences, this study solved the detected criticism by suggesting a curvilinear relationship among digital technologies, digital skills of human capital and intellectual property. Specifically, we argue that the relationship between digital technologies and intellectual property is inverted u-shaped.Design/methodology/approachHypotheses are tested by applying a generalized linear model (GLM) regression analysis and a quadratic model for non-linear regression. The study analysed a large-scale sample of micro-data drawn from Eurostat. Such sample embraces the population of firms operating in all European member states.FindingsOverall, the results of the study confirm that digital technologies are curvilinearly related to intellectual property. Precisely, the curve is inverted u-shaped. Notably, results show that digital skills only matter when employees have very demanding duties to accomplish. In all other cases, digital skills do not affect intellectual property significantly.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is solely focused on firms' operating in the European Union. Future studies should extend the analysis to other geographies.Practical implicationsAt a real impact level, the study suggests that intellectual property is only partially fostered by digital skills and digital technologies. In this sense, digital skills might be overrated.Originality/valueDifferently from prior research, this study originally detangles the impact of digital technologies on firm's intellectual capital by suggesting the existence of an inverse u-shaped relationship between variables.
Becoming part of a temporary protest organization through embodied walking ethnography
Authors: Lubit Amanda J. , Gidley Devon 
Published: December 2020

PurposeThis paper explores the consequences of researching temporary protest organizations through embodied ethnography, paying attention to how, when and why a researcher takes sides.Design/methodology/approachThe authors employed embodied walking ethnography to study Lyra's Walk, a three-day, 68-mile protest walk held in May 2019 to advocate for peace in Northern Ireland. Data were primarily ethnographic, complemented by an analysis of social media, photos, videos and media coverage.FindingsFirst the authors argue that embodied walking ethnography can provide an inhabited understanding of organizing. The social, physical and emotional experiences of walking encourage researchers to identify more closely with participants and obtain a greater understanding of the phenomena studied. Second, the authors identify that methodological choice can have a greater impact on side-taking than either the conflict setting or organization researched.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper demonstrates the promise and consequences of using embodied walking ethnography to study a mobile organization. It further illustrates the nuances and challenges of conducting ethnography in a temporary protest organization.Originality/valueThe paper makes two contributions. The novel use of embodied walking ethnography to study temporary protest organizations can lead the research to become intertwined with the temporary organization during its process of organizational becoming. With the researcher's body acting as a research tool, their sensations and emotions impact data collection, interpretation and findings.
Human factors and maintenance in delivery transportation: drivers' work outside the cab in focus
Authors: Reiman Arto 
Published: December 2020

PurposeTo investigate safety at truck drivers' work outside the cab with a special focus on work environment and equipment maintenance to prevent occupational accidents.Design/methodology/approachTwo statistical databases on Finnish occupational accidents for truck drivers are analysed. Firstly, the national accident statistics database is examined to understand the broad context, and secondly a database on fatal accidents is analysed to better understand the root causes of the accidents and their relationship to human factors in maintenance. Based on the root cause analysis, four accident scenarios are created, and risk management measures are prioritized by occupational safety and health specialists (n = 7).FindingsThe study shows that there are a variety of accidents in truck drivers' work. Most of the accidents occur outside the cab while performing tasks other than driving. Further, in-depth analysis of the fatal accidents increases understanding of the possibilities of different risk management and maintenance actions in preventing such accidents.Research limitations/implicationsDatabases contain different limitations concerning the data.Practical implicationsTruck drivers' work environments are wide in nature. Efficient safety management requires broad participation from different stakeholders. In addition to safe work activities, work environment and equipment maintenance is highlighted as a key component for safe and fluent delivery transportation.Social implicationsRoad transportation forms a backbone of modern society. Accidents affect the efficiency of transportation and cause manifold costs reaching all the way to the societal level.Originality/valueThis study adds an important dimension of delivery transportation to a current scientific discussion on human factors and maintenance.
Long non‐coding RNA CCAT1 sponges miR‐490 to enhance cell proliferation and migration of non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Jingluan , Sun Nina , Han Weizhong , Tong Li , Xu Tao , Li Guo 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundNon‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of lung cancer which is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in China. Colon cancer associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) acts as an oncogene in enhancing tumor progression. However, the effects of CCAT1 in NSCLC remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of CCAT1 in NSCLC.MethodsWound healing and transwell assays were performed to measure cell migration. RT‐qPCR was employed to calculate the mRNA level of CCAT1 and miR‐490.ResultsHigh expression of CCAT1 was observed in NSCLC tissues and cells, with low expression of miR‐490. CCAT1 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of H1299 and A549 cells, while miR‐490 had the opposite effect. CCAT1 could specifically bind to miR‐490 and regulate its expression. MiR‐490 partially reversed the inhibitory effect of CCAT1 on cell proliferation and metastasis.ConclusionsThe CCAT1/miR‐490 molecular axis has been shown to be important for the treatment of NSCLC.
Renal failure in a pregnant mare
Authors: de Aguiar L. H. , Gomes V. C. L. , Paul L. J. , Andrews F. M. , Chaffin M. K. , Sones J. L. 
Published: December 2020

SummaryAlthough chronic renal disease is uncommon in horses, guidelines for management of the broodmare with kidney disease are needed to ensure successful foaling. Herein, we present a case report of a broodmare with chronic renal disease that produced a live foal, and parturition was predicted by monitoring pH and electrolytes in the milk. A 15‐year‐old pregnant mare presented with a history of poor body condition and weight loss despite an excellent appetite. At presentation, the mare was bright, alert and responsive, with severe pitting ventral oedema and vital parameters within normal limits. Plasma biochemistry revealed azotaemia, hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia. Based on clinical ultrasonographic and biochemical parameters, the mare was diagnosed with renal failure. Pregnancy was assessed by transabdominal ultrasound, and the fetal parameters were within normal limits; however, an increased combined thickness of the uterus and placenta and oedematous fetal membranes were found. Monitoring of mammary secretions accurately predicted the onset of foaling at 326 days of gestation. A healthy filly was delivered, and the fetal membranes were passed in a timely manner without complications. Physical examination and haematological parameters were within the normal limits for a neonate foal, except for a mild elevation in blood urea nitrogen. Two weeks later, the mare was subjected to euthanasia due to worsening of her condition. At necropsy and on histopathological examination, the findings were consistent with chronic renal disease. This case demonstrates that a pregnant horse with chronic renal disease can be managed with supportive care and produce a viable foal. Fetal well‐being and mare’s prefoaling milk electrolytes were similar to parameters measured in healthy pregnant mares, suggesting that the feto‐placental unit may be spared of the dam’s systemic disease. Prepartum physiological changes in the milk may be unaltered with concurrent maternal renal disease and still be useful for foaling prediction.
The media and CEO dominance
Authors: Huang Jiexiang , Roberts Helen , Tan Eric K. M. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study investigates the relation between the media and CEO dominance. Using CEO pay slice (CPS) as a measure of CEO dominance, we find that negative CEO media exposure, measured by the interaction effects of negative media tone and media coverage given to the CEO of a firm, is associated with a reduction in CEO dominance. Consistent with theoretical predictions, we find that this effect is driven by the response of the Top4 executives to the external challenges posed by the media and is more pronounced in firms with good internal governance. The findings indicate that the media plays an important role as an external monitor, moderating manager behavior through the dissemination of news.
Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Truth or dare?
Authors: Mocan Tudor , Nenu Iuliana , Crăciun Rareș , Spârchez Zeno 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe discovery of direct acting antivirals (DAA) with high rates of sustained virusological response is the biggest epoch‐making event in the history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. DAAs improve liver function, prevent hepatic decompensation, and might even reverse liver fibrosis. Although initial research pointed towards a potential drawback, it is now known beyond doubt that DAA treatment reduces hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence or recurrence after curative treatments. Unfortunately, the story has reached another plot twist, as several other issues have emerged: (i) Should we treat patients with early HCC and HCV before or after surgery/ablation? (ii) Should patients with HCC on the waiting list receive DAA before or after liver transplantation? (iii) Should we use interferon‐free in patients with intermediate stage HCC or in patients under systemic treatments? In this review, we aim to offer some evidence‐based answers to these changing clinical dilemmas where possible, or at least some educated guesses in cases were no or little data exists.
Trabeculectomy in patients with diabetes: subconjunctival Mitomycin C with or without intravitreal bevacizumab
Authors: Nilforushan Naveed , Es'haghi Acieh , Miraftabi Arezoo , Abolfathzadeh Navid , Banifatemi Mahammad 
Published: December 2020

Background/aimsTo evaluate the success of Mitomycin C (MMC) augmented trabeculectomy with or without intravitreal bevacizumab in patients with diabetes without neovascular glaucoma.MethodsFifty-six patients with diabetes who needed trabeculectomy were randomised to either combination of 2.5 mg intravitreal bevacizumab and subconjunctival MMC (group A, 28 eyes) or subconjunctival MMC alone (group B, 28 eyes). The main outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP), number of antiglaucoma medications, bleb morphology and success probability. Surgical success was defined as complete according to two levels of IOP (≤18 and <15 mm Hg) and at least 20% reduction from preoperative IOP without antiglaucoma medications and qualified as complete success but with antiglaucoma medications. Total success was the sum of complete and qualified success.ResultsThe mean age was 65.2±12.9 and 67.4±10.2 years in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.50). All patients completed at least 1 year of follow-up. The mean 1-year IOP decreased from 25.2±12.0 mm Hg to 10.1±2.8 in group A and from 26.4±11.6 mm Hg to 15.2±6.9 in group B (all p<0.001). Overall, postoperative IOP measurement was statistically significantly lower in group A at month 12 (p=0.001). The number of medications in groups A and B at month 12 was 0.3±0.8 and 1.0±1.2, respectively (p=0.02). The cumulative probability of success at month 12 was not statistically significant (89.3% group A, 78.6% group B; p=0.27).ConclusionIn patients with diabetes with primary trabeculectomy, combined administration of intravitreal bevacizumab and subconjunctival MMC resulted in lower IOP and number of antiglaucoma medication compared with subconjunctival MMC alone.
ХРОНІЧНА ПОСТТРАВМАТИЧНА ЕНЦЕФАЛОПАТІЯ. ПОГЛЯД НА ПРОБЛЕМУ
Authors: Salii Z. V. 
Published: December 2020

Резюме. Хронічна травматична енцефалопатія (ХТЕ) – унікальна нейродегенеративна таупатія – вперше описали в боксерів, а згодом, у спортсменів контактних видів спорту, військових ветеранів та цивільних, які піддавалися повторним легким черепно-мозковим травмам.
Мета дослідження – проаналізувати світовий досвід останнього десятиліття у дослідженні поширеності, факторів ризику, патогенезу та діагностики хронічної травматичної енцефалопатії.
Матеріали і методи. Здійснено аналіз доступних інформаційних ресурсів мережі «Internet», іноземних фахових видань, медичної бази даних MEDLINE/PubMed за останні десять років. Застосовано метод інформаційного пошуку та аналітико-порівняльний.
Результати. Експериментальні та клінічні роботи останнього десятиліття спрямовані на вирішення численних проблем, зокрема встановлення поширеності ХТЕ, факторів ризику, основних патогенетичних механізмів, удосконаленні морфологічних та клінічних критеріїв, спробах класифікувати ХТЕ, пошуку біомаркерів та специфічних нейровізуальних критеріїв. Клінічно для патології властиві прогресуючі когнітивні (пам’ять, виконавча дисфункція, візуально-просторова дисфункція) й поведінкові (збудливість, агресія) розлади, зміни настрою (депресія, суїцидальність) та рухові порушення (дисфагія, брадикінезія, тремор, ригідність, порушення ходи, падіння тощо). Триває пошук консенсусу щодо клінічної класифікації ХТЕ. Морфологічно ХТЕ характеризується процесами накопичення фосфорильованого тау (р-тау) у верхівках і навколосудинних ділянках, мікрогліозу та астроцитозу, що призводить до прогресуючої нейродегенерації. Ураження зазнають в основному лобна, скронева та потилична частки. Встановлено роль контактних видів спорту, віку, в якому було отримано першу черепно-мозкову травму (критично 9–12 років), тривалості спортивної кар’єри.
Висновки. Незважаючи на майже столітню історію вивчення ХТЕ, з часом кількість питань, які потребують вирішення, – зростає. Перспективним є пошук діагностичних критеріїв, які дозволять не лише прижиттєво підтвердити діагноз ХТЕ, але і встановити маркери (нейрональної, аксональної та астрогліальної травм), що прогнозуватимуть ризик розвитку нейродегенеративної патології після черепно-мозкової травми.