bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epigenetic crosstalk in chronic infection with HIV-1
Authors: Lange Ulrike C , Verdikt Roxane , Ait-Ammar Amina , Van Lint Carine 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHuman immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) replicates through the integration of its viral DNA into the genome of human immune target cells. Chronically infected individuals thus carry a genomic burden of virus-derived sequences that persists through antiretroviral therapy. This burden consists of a small fraction of intact, but transcriptionally silenced, i.e. latent, viral genomes and a dominant fraction of defective sequences. Remarkably, all viral-derived sequences are subject to interaction with host cellular physiology at various levels. In this review, we focus on epigenetic aspects of this interaction. We provide a comprehensive overview of how epigenetic mechanisms contribute to establishment and maintenance of HIV-1 gene repression during latency. We furthermore summarize findings indicating that HIV-1 infection leads to changes in the epigenome of target and bystander immune cells. Finally, we discuss how an improved understanding of epigenetic features and mechanisms involved in HIV-1 infection could be exploited for clinical use.
Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of the auxin response factor (ARF) gene family during melon (Cucumis melo L.) fruit development
Authors: Wu Bei , Wang Lu , Pan Gaoyang , Li Ting , Li Xin , Hao Jinghong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractARFs in plants mediate auxin signaling transduction and regulate growth process. To determine genome-wide characterization of ARFs family in melon (Cucumis melo L.), ARFs were identified via analysis of information within the melon genomic database, and bioinformatic analyses were performed using various types of software. Based on different treatment methods involving dipping with the growth regulator Fengchanji No. 2 and artificial pollination, Jingmi No. 11 melon was used as the test material, and melon plants with unpollinated ovaries served as controls. The expression of ARFs during the early development of melon was analyzed via qRT-PCR. Seventeen genes that encode ARF proteins were identified in the melon genome for the first time. The expression of these ARFs differed in different tissues. The expression levels of CmARF2, CmARF16-like, CmARF18-like2, and CmARF19-like were especially high in melon fruits. The expression of ARFs during the early development of melon fruits differed in response to the different treatments, which suggested that CmARF9, CmARF16-like, CmARF19-like, CmARF19, CmARF1, CmARF2, CmARF3, and CmARF5 may be associated with melon fruit growth during early development. Interestingly, the increase in the transverse diameter of fruits treated with growth regulators was significantly greater than that of fruits resulting from artificial pollination, while the increase in the longitudinal diameter of the fruits resulting from artificial pollination was significantly greater.
Wolbachia and Cardinium infection found in threatened unionid species: a new concern for conservation of freshwater mussels?
Authors: Mioduchowska Monika , Katarzyna Zając , Tadeusz Zając , Jerzy Sell 
Published: February 2020

AbstractEndosymbiotic bacterial species that manipulate host biology, reproduction and mitochondrial genetic diversity have been identified in many metazoans, especially terrestrial arthropods. Until now, the hypothesis that Wolbachia or other bacterial endosymbiont might be absent in mollusks has remained unexplored. We present here preliminary data on bacterial communities in a freshwater mussel Unio crassus—species with doubly uniparental inheritance of mtDNA (DUI). Next generation sequencing of 16S rRNA bacterial gene fragment allowed to identify endosymbiotic Cardinium and sequences that were classified to the order Rickettsiales. Finally, we discovered Wolbachia and confirmed Cardinium infection of Unio crassus using bacterial species-specific primers. Discovering Wolbachia and Cardinium infections in Unio crassus opens new opportunities of further investigations in the second largest animal phylum on Earth, very diversified phylogenetically, widespread geographically and inhabiting many environs, including freshwater, inhabited by the most threatened molluscan species. Considering the problems caused by endosymbionts identified in arthropods, the presence of endosymbiotic factor implies possibility of their influence on taxonomy of threatened unionids, on the results of studies of genetic diversity and proper conservation planning.
Are infectious diseases risk factors for sarcoidosis or a result of reverse causation? Findings from a population-based nested case–control study
Authors: Rossides Marios , Kullberg Susanna , Askling Johan , Eklund Anders , Grunewald Johan , Di Giuseppe Daniela , Arkema Elizabeth V. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractFindings from molecular studies suggesting that several infectious agents cause sarcoidosis are intriguing yet conflicting and likely biased due to their cross-sectional design. As done in other inflammatory diseases to overcome this issue, prospectively-collected register data could be used, but reverse causation is a threat when the onset of disease is difficult to establish. We investigated the association between infectious diseases and sarcoidosis to understand if they are etiologically related. We conducted a nested case–control study (2009–2013) using incident sarcoidosis cases from the Swedish National Patient Register (n = 4075) and matched general population controls (n = 40,688). Infectious disease was defined using inpatient/outpatient visits and/or antimicrobial dispensations starting 3 years before diagnosis/matching. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of sarcoidosis were estimated using conditional logistic regression and tested for robustness assuming the presence of reverse causation bias. The aOR of sarcoidosis associated with history of infectious disease was 1.19 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09, 1.29; 21% vs. 16% exposed cases and controls, respectively). Upper respiratory and ocular infections conferred the highest OR. Findings were similar when we altered the infection definition or varied the infection-sarcoidosis latency period (1–7 years). In bias analyses assuming one in 10 infections occurred because of preclinical sarcoidosis, the observed association was completely attenuated (aOR 1.02; 95% CI 0.90, 1.15). Our findings, likely induced by reverse causation due to preclinical sarcoidosis, do not support the hypothesis that common symptomatic infectious diseases are etiologically linked to sarcoidosis. Caution for reverse causation bias is required when the real disease onset is unknown.
The one player guessing game: a diagnosis on the relationship between equilibrium play, beliefs, and best responses
Authors: Bosch-Rosa Ciril , Meissner Thomas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractExperiments involving games have two dimensions of difficulty for subjects in the laboratory. One is understanding the rules and structure of the game and the other is forming beliefs about the behavior of other players. Typically, these two dimensions cannot be disentangled as belief formation crucially depends on the understanding of the game. We present the one-player guessing game, a variation of the two-player guessing game (Grosskopf and Nagel 2008), which turns an otherwise strategic game into an individual decision-making task. The results show that a majority of subjects fail to understand the structure of the game. Moreover, subjects with a better understanding of the structure of the game form more accurate beliefs of other player’s choices, and also better-respond to these beliefs.
Current status and prospects of plant biotechnology in Kazakhstan
Authors: Zhambakin Kabyl , Zhapar Kuanysh 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBiotechnological methods are becoming an integral part of biological research. This review presents some of the most significant scientific results of Kazakhstan biologists in the field of plant biotechnology over the past 10 years. One of the recent important areas of application of biotechnological methods is the conservation and study of plant genetic resources and bioremediation. Studies on the flora lead to the identification of new sources of previously unknown biologically active materials, especially among wild plants growing in Kazakhstan. In addition, various biotechnological approaches are used to increase the efficiency of breeding practices for the production of new crop varieties.
“I am Primarily Paid for Publishing…”: The Narrative Framing of Societal Responsibilities in Academic Life Science Research
Authors: Sigl Lisa , Felt Ulrike , Fochler Maximilian 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBuilding on group discussions and interviews with life science researchers in Austria, this paper analyses the narratives that researchers use in describing what they feel responsible for, with a particular focus on how they perceive the societal responsibilities of their research. Our analysis shows that the core narratives used by the life scientists participating in this study continue to be informed by the linear model of innovation. This makes it challenging for more complex innovation models [such as responsible research and innovation (RRI)] to gain ground in how researchers make sense of and conduct their research. Furthermore, the paper shows that the life scientists were not easily able to imagine specific practices that would address broader societal concerns and thus found it hard to integrate the latter into their core responsibilities. Linked to this, researchers saw institutional reward structures (e.g. evaluations, contractual commitments) as strongly focused on scientific excellence (“I am primarily paid for publishing…”). Thus, they saw reward structures as competing with—rather than incentivising—broader notions of societal responsibility. This narrative framing of societal responsibilities is indicative of a structural marginalisation of responsibility practices and explains the claim, made by many researchers in our sample, that they cannot afford to spend time on such practices. The paper thus concludes that the core ideas of RRI stand in tension with predominant narrative and institutional infrastructures that researchers draw on to attribute meaning to their research practices. This suggests that scientific institutions (like universities, professional communities or funding institutions) still have a core role to play in providing new and context-specific narratives as well as new forms of valuing responsibility practices.
First-line endocrine therapy for postmenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Shimoi Tatsunori , Sagara Yasuaki , Hara Fumikata , Toyama Tatsuya , Iwata Hiroji 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundIn establishing the 2018 Breast Cancer Practice Guidelines of the Japan Breast Cancer Society, we explored the optimal first-line endocrine therapy for advanced postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.MethodsWe performed a systematic review of relevant reports from randomized-controlled studies published prior to November 2016 found using medical journal search engines. The main outcomes which we evaluated were progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (CBR), and toxicity.ResultsFour controlled trials comparing aromatase inhibitors (AI) and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)4/6 inhibitor combination therapy to AI monotherapy, and two controlled trials comparing anastrozole to fulvestrant 500 mg were analyzed. AI/CDK4/6 inhibitor combination therapy significantly improved PFS (Risk Ratio: 0.67, 95%CI 0.60–0.73), increased ORR (Risk Difference: 0.11, 95% CI 0.07–0.16), and increased CBR (Risk Difference: 0.11, 95% CI 0.07–0.15), compared with AI monotherapy. Patients who received this combination therapy had a higher grade ≥ 3 adverse event rate more than those who received AI monotherapy (Risk Difference: 43%, 95%CI: 0.39–0.47). Fulvestrant 500 mg alone significantly improved PFS (risk ratio: 0.85, 95%CI 0.72–0.98), but ORR and CBR were similar to those of anastrozole alone.ConclusionIn the first-line treatment for advanced postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, a combination therapy of CDK4/6 inhibitors and AI showed significant improvement of PFS, ORR, and CBR but with significant increased toxicities compared with AI alone. Fulvestrant 500 mg monotherapy significantly prolonged PFS compared with AI monotherapy. We must wait for the results of the studies with longer follow-up period.
Hydrochemical characteristics of the groundwater in Trans-Yamuna Alluvial aquifer, Palwal District, Haryana, India
Authors: Ahmad Sarfaraz , Singh Nepal , Mazhar Syeda Nigar 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHydrochemical processes have been evaluated for the groundwater regime in Trans-Yamuna alluvial aquifer, Palwal District, Haryana. The groundwater belongs to the Na+–Mg+2 and Cl−–SO4−2 facies, and solute acquisition processes indicated that the rock weathering/evaporation is a major mechanism that characterizes the hydrochemistry. It is also indicated that dissolution and reverse ion exchange processes are playing a major role in determining the groundwater chemistry in the study area. The varied climate in Ganga plains is responsible for the importance of different hydrogeochemical processes that impact on hydrochemistry of groundwater. Groundwater quality parameters were tested for drinking and irrigation purposes. Water quality index shows that 13%, 31%, 34% and 21% fall in good, poor, very poor and unsuitable water category, respectively, for drinking purposes. On the basis of SAR and Na%, the groundwater indicated that it is safe for irrigation purposes. But high TDS of few samples suggested the salinity hazard while using it for irrigation purposes for a longer period.
Formation mechanism and height calculation of the caved zone and water-conducting fracture zone in solid backfill mining
Authors: Li Lei , Li Fengming , Zhang Yong , Yang Daming , Liu Xue 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo study the heights of the caved zone and water-conducting fracture zone in backfill mining, the failure mechanism of strata during backfill mining was analyzed, and a method for determining the heights of the two zones was proposed based on key strata theory. The movement and failure regularity of the strata above the backfilling panel were revealed through numerical simulation. Considering the geologic conditions of the CT101 backfilling panel, the height of the fracture zone was determined using the proposed method along with empirical calculation, numerical simulation, and borehole detection. The results of the new calculation method were similar to in situ measurements. The traditional empirical formula, which is based on the equivalent mining height model, resulted in large errors during calculation. The findings indicate the reliability of the new method and demonstrate its significance for creating reference data for related studies.
The Fubini Product and Its Applications
Authors: Uuye Otgonbayar , Zacharias Joachim 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe Fubini product of operator spaces provides a powerful tool for analysing properties of tensor products. In this paper, we apply the theory of Fubini products to the problem of computing invariant parts of dynamical systems. In particular, we study the invariant translation approximation property of discrete groups.
Respiratory viruses in the patient environment
Authors: Phan Linh T. , Sweeney Dagmar M. , Maita Dayana , Moritz Donna C. , Bleasdale Susan C. , Jones Rachael M. ,   for the CDC Prevention Epicenters Program
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjective:To characterize the presence and magnitude of viruses in the air and on surfaces in the rooms of hospitalized patients with respiratory viral infections, and to explore the association between care activities and viral contamination.Design:Prospective observational study.Setting:Acute-care academic hospital.Participants:In total, 52 adult patients with a positive respiratory viral infection test within 3 days of observation participated. Healthcare workers (HCWs) were recruited in staff meetings and at the time of patient care, and 23 wore personal air-sampling devices.Methods:Viruses were measured in the air at a fixed location and in the personal breathing zone of HCWs. Predetermined environmental surfaces were sampled using premoistened Copan swabs at the beginning and at the end of the 3-hour observation period. Preamplification and quantitative real-time PCR methods were used to quantify viral pathogens.Results:Overall, 43% of stationary and 22% of personal air samples were positive for virus. Positive stationary air samples were associated with ≥5 HCW encounters during the observation period (odds ratio [OR], 5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–37.8). Viruses were frequently detected on all of the surfaces sampled. Virus concentrations on the IV pole hanger and telephone were positively correlated with the number of contacts made by HCWs on those surfaces. The distributions of influenza, rhinoviruses, and other viruses in the environment were similar.Conclusions:Healthcare workers are at risk of contracting respiratory virus infections when delivering routine care for patients infected with the viruses, and they are at risk of disseminating virus because they touch virus-contaminated fomites.
Urbanization, Citizenship, and Economic Growth in the Long Run
Authors: Goldstone Jack A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMaarten Prak argues that urban citizen associations remained vigorous in the West from the Middle Ages through the Industrial Revolution, and that their support for commercial activity helped bring about that Revolution. That is half correct. During the two thousand years from 300 BC to 1750 AD, numerous societies had similar peaks of urbanization, commercial activity, and per capita income (often approaching, but never exceeding, a “peak pre-industrial income” level of roughly $1,900 in 1990 international dollars.) Vigorous urban societies produced repeated episodes of comparably high incomes, not ever-escalating levels of GDP/capita. What produced the breakthrough of the Industrial Revolution was a particular manifestation of urban citizenship that occurred only in Great Britain – the victory of Parliament over royal authority creating exceptional religious and intellectual freedom and institutionalized pluralism. This was not common to urbanized, commercial societies except in rare periods; only in Britain did urban associations and culture blend with scientific culture, producing a broad surge of scientific and technical activity that overcame the prior limits on organic societies.
The mobilities of care in later life: exploring the relationship between caring and mobility in the lives of older people
Authors: Croucher Karen , Gilroy Rose , Bevan Mark , Attuyer Katia 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThere has been a renewed call for a revaluing of informal caring in order to counter the way that caring is undervalued, taken for granted and invisible. Travel is one area where a detailed critique of this issue has emerged with the concept of ‘mobility of care’, however, this concept has only been applied in relation to younger age groups, and our understanding of mobilities of care in later life remains underdeveloped. By ‘mobilities of care’ we mean journeys made for the purpose of giving and receiving informal care and support. This paper draws on the mobility narratives of 99 older people (aged 55 and above) living in three locations in the North of England who participated in a two-year qualitative longitudinal study that explored the inter-play between mobility, wellbeing and life transitions. We focused on the experience of managing life transitions rather than assume that chronology per se determines wellbeing. Narratives of ageing emphasise the importance of getting out and about, and being socially connected active citizens. Our study demonstrates that for many older people getting out and about is not for leisure or utility purposes but to give support and care. As such, these journeys have a particular significance in the lives of older people and in the construction of roles, meaning and identity in later life.
Improved Semi-Bit Differential Acquisition Method for Navigation Bit Sign Transition and Code Doppler Compensation in Weak Signal Environment
Authors: Nezhadshahbodaghi M. , Mosavi M. R. , Rahemi N. 
Published: February 2020

The presence of code Doppler and navigation bit sign transitions means that the acquisition of global positioning system (GPS) signals is difficult in weak signal environments where the output signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is significantly reduced. Post-correlation techniques are typically utilised to solve these problems. Despite the advantages of these techniques, the post-correlation techniques suffer from problems caused by the code Doppler and the navigation bit sign transitions. We present an improved semi-bit differential acquisition method which can improve the code Doppler and the bit sign transition issues in the post-correlation techniques. In order to overcome the phenomenon of navigation bit sign transitions, the proposed method utilises the properties of the navigation bit. Since each navigation bit takes as long as 20 ms, there would be 10 ms correlations duration integration time between the received signal and the local coarse/acquisition (C/A) code in which the navigation bit sign transitions will not occur. Consequently, this problem can be cancelled by performing 10 ms correlations in even and odd units separately. Compensation of the code Doppler is also accomplished by shifting the code phase of the correlation results. To validate the performance of our suggested method, simulations are performed based on three data sets. The results show that the quantity of required input SNR to detect at least four satellites in the proposed method is − 48·3 dB, compared with − 20 dB and − 9 dB, respectively, in traditional differential and non-coherent methods.
The Populist Pope?: Politics, Religion, and Pope Francis
Authors: McCormick William 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWhile religion and democracy have been intertwined since World War II, scholars have made little of the connections between religion and populism, largely conceptualizing religion as a tool of populism. In this paper, however, I argue that Pope Francis' deployment of Catholicism resists such instrumentalization by populist politics, and offers resources for political ills underlying populism. I show that Francis' focus on the people allows him to capitalize on populist currents in global politics, while also reforming those currents into something more constructive than populism. I further explore how his political theology and institutional autonomy render his thought and example relatively impervious to appropriation by political actors.
Ion‐Scale Flux Rope Observed inside a Hot Flow Anomaly
Authors: Bai Shi‐Chen , Shi Quanqi , Liu Terry Z. , Zhang Hui , Yue Chao , Sun Wei‐Jie , Tian Anmin , Degeling Alexander W. , Bortnik Jacob , Rae I. Jonathan , Wang Mengmeng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe report an earthward moving ion‐scale flux rope embedded within the trailing edge of a hot flow anomaly (HFA) observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale satellite constellation on 17 December 2016 upstream of Earth's quasi‐parallel bow shock. The driver of the HFA, a tangential discontinuity, was observed by the Wind spacecraft without flux rope signatures around it in the solar wind. This suggests that the earthward moving flux rope was generated inside the HFA. This ion‐scale flux rope is not a force free structure and expands due to a strong magnetic pressure gradient force. Solar wind ions are decelerated inside the flux rope by the static electric field likely caused by the charge separation of solar wind particles. Our observations imply that magnetic reconnection may have occurred inside the HFA. Reconnection and flux ropes may play a role in particle acceleration/heating inside foreshock transients.