bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification through fine mapping and verification using CRISPR/Cas9-targeted mutagenesis for a minor QTL controlling grain weight in rice
Authors: Chan Aye Nyein , Wang Lin-Lin , Zhu Yu-Jun , Fan Ye-Yang , Zhuang Jie-Yun , Zhang Zhen-Hua 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Key message
A minor QTL for grain weight in rice, qTGW1.2b, was fine-mapped. Its casual gene OsVQ4 was confirmed through CRISPR/Cas9-targeted mutagenesis, exhibiting an effect that was larger than the original QTL effect.

Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas system exhibits a great potential for rice improvement, but the application was severely hindered due to insufficient target genes, especial the lack of validated genes underlying quantitative trait loci having small effects. In this study, a minor QTL for grain weight, qTGW1.2b, was fine-mapped into a 44.0 kb region using seven sets of near isogenic lines (NILs) developed from the indica rice cross (Zhenshan 97)3/Milyang 46, followed by validation of the causal gene using CRISPR/Cas9-targeted mutagenesis. In the NIL populations, 1000-grain weight of the Zhenshan 97 homozygous lines decreased by 0.9–2.0% compared with the Milyang 46 homozygous lines. A gene encoding VQ-motif protein, OsVQ4, was identified as the candidate gene based on parental sequence differences. The effect of OsVQ4 was confirmed by creating CRISPR/Cas9 knockout lines, whose 1000-grain weight decreased by 2.8–9.8% compared with the wild-type transgenic line and the recipient. These results indicate that applying genome editing system could create novel alleles with large phenotypic variation at minor QTLs, which is an effective way to validate causal genes of minor QTLs. Our study establishes a strategy for cloning minor QTLs, which could also be used to identify a large number of potential target genes for the application of CRISPR/Cas system.
Model-based analysis, control and dosing of electroplating electrolytes
Authors: Leiden Alexander , Kölle Stefan , Thiede Sebastian , Schmid Klaus , Metzner Martin , Herrmann Christoph 
Published: October 2020

AbstractControlling and dosing electrolytes is a key challenge in the operation of electroplating process chains. Electrolyte components are continuously degraded and dragged out during the production process. This process is influenced by a variety of internal and external factors such as process parameters, the electrolyte itself, anodes, the substrates and the production environment. The exact analytical measurement of the electrolyte composition requires extensive analytical equipment and typically cannot be completely realized within an industrial plating company. Therefore, this paper presents a model-based approach, integrated in a cyber-physical production system, for controlling and dosing electrolytes. A mathematical resource flow model is the basis for a dynamic agent-based simulation. This model uses available data from the manufacturing execution system and enterprise resource planning system to model the current composition of the electrolyte. The approach is successfully validated for two different electrolyte substances at an industrial acid zinc–nickel barrel plating process chain for automotive parts.
Competitive equilibria in a comonotone market
Authors: Boonen Tim J. , Liu Fangda , Wang Ruodu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe investigate competitive equilibria in a special type of incomplete markets, referred to as a comonotone market, where agents can only trade such that their risk allocation is comonotonic. The comonotone market is motivated by the no-sabotage condition. For instance, in a standard insurance market, the allocation of risk among the insured, the insurer and the reinsurers is assumed to be comonotonic a priori to the risk-exchange. Two popular classes of preferences in risk management and behavioral economics, dual utilities (DU) and rank-dependent expected utilities (RDU), are used to formulate agents’ objectives. We present various results on properties and characterization of competitive equilibria in this framework, and in particular their relation to complete markets. For DU-comonotone markets, we find the equilibrium in closed form and for RDU-comonotone markets, we find the equilibrium in closed form in special cases. The fundamental theorems of welfare economics are established in both the DU and RDU markets. We further propose an algorithm to numerically obtain competitive equilibria based on discretization, which works for both the DU-comonotone market and the RDU-comonotone market. Although the comonotone and complete markets are closely related, many of our findings are intriguing and in sharp contrast to results in the literature on complete markets in terms of existence, uniqueness, and closed-form solutions of the equilibria, and comonotonicity of the pricing kernel.
Quantitative T1 mapping of the normal brain from early infancy to adulthood
Authors: Gräfe Daniel , Frahm Jens , Merkenschlager Andreas , Voit Dirk , Hirsch Franz Wolfgang 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Quantitative mapping of MRI relaxation times is expected to uncover pathological processes in the brain more subtly than standard MRI techniques with weighted contrasts. So far, however, most mapping techniques suffer from a long measuring time, low spatial resolution or even sensitivity to magnetic field inhomogeneity.

Objective
To obtain T1 relaxation times of the normal brain from early infancy to adulthood using a novel technique for fast and accurate T1 mapping at high spatial resolution.

Materials and methods
We performed whole-brain T1 mapping within less than 3 min in 100 patients between 2 months and 18 years of age with normal brain at a field strength of 3 T. We analyzed T1 relaxation times in several gray-matter nuclei and white matter. Subsequently, we derived regression equations for mean value and confidence interval.

Results
T1 relaxation times of the pediatric brain rapidly decrease in all regions within the first 3 years of age, followed by a significantly weaker decrease until adulthood. These characteristics are more pronounced in white matter than in deep gray matter.

Conclusion
Regardless of age, quantitative T1 mapping of the pediatric brain is feasible in clinical practice. Normal age-dependent values should contribute to improved discrimination of subtle intracerebral alterations.
Diversity of bacterial symbionts associated with Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae: Aphidinae) revealed by 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing
Authors: Xu Shifen , Jiang Liyun , Qiao Gexia , Chen Jing 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAphids are known to be associated with a variety of symbiotic bacteria. To improve our knowledge of the bacterial diversity of polyphagous aphids, in the present study, we investigated the microbiota of the cosmopolitan agricultural pest Myzus persicae (Sulzer). Ninety-two aphid samples collected from different host plants in various regions of China were examined using high-throughput amplicon sequencing. We comprehensively characterized the symbiont diversity of M. persicae and assessed the variations in aphid-associated symbiont communities. We detected a higher diversity of symbionts than has been previously observed. M. persicae hosted the primary endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola and seven secondary symbionts, among which Wolbachia was the most prevalent and Rickettsia, Arsenophonus, and Spiroplasma were reported for the first time. Ordination analyses and statistical tests revealed that the symbiont flora associated with M. persicae did not change with respect to host plant or geography, which may be due to frequent migrations between different aphid populations. These findings will advance our knowledge of the microbiota of polyphagous insects and will enrich our understanding of assembly of host-microbiome systems.
Planktonic and Benthic Bacterial Communities of the Largest Central European Shallow Lake, Lake Balaton and Its Main Inflow Zala River
Authors: Farkas Milán , Kaszab Edit , Radó Júlia , Háhn Judit , Tóth Gergő , Harkai Péter , Ferincz Árpád , Lovász Zsófia , Táncsics András , Vörös Lajos , Kriszt Balázs , Szoboszlay Sándor 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLake Balaton is the largest European shallow lake, which underwent cultural eutrophication in the ‘70–80s. Therefore, strict pollution control measures were introduced and the water quality has become meso-eutrophic since the millennium. Due to the touristic significance and change in trophic levels of the lake, numerous ecological studies were carried out, but none of them was focused on both benthic and planktonic microbial communities at the same time. In our study, an attempt was made to reveal the spatial bacterial heterogeneity of the Lake Balaton and Zala River by 16S rDNA terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism fingerprinting and Illumina amplicon sequencing methods in the summer of 2017. According to the molecular biology results, mostly well-known freshwater microorganisms, adapted to nutrient-poor conditions were found in the pelagic water column. The LD12 subclade member Fonsibacter ubiquis, the cyanobacterial Synechococcus sp. and unknown Verrucomicrobia species were abundant in the less nutrient-dense basins, while the hgcI clade members showed various distribution. In the estuary and in the nutrient-dense western part of the lake, some eutrophic conditions preferring cyanobacteria (filamentous Anabaena and Aphanizomenon species) were also detectable. The benthic microbial community showed higher diversity, according to the observed appearance of microorganisms adapted to the deeper, less aerated layers (e.g. members of Desulfobacteraceae, Nitrosomonadaceae).
Six months vitamin K treatment does not affect systemic arterial calcification or bone mineral density in diabetes mellitus 2
Authors: Bartstra Jonas W. , Draaisma Fieke , Zwakenberg Sabine R. , Lessmann Nikolas , Wolterink Jelmer M. , van der Schouw Yvonne T. , de Jong Pim A. , Beulens Joline W. J. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Vitamin K-dependent proteins are involved in (patho)physiological calcification of the vasculature and the bones. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is associated with increased arterial calcification and increased fractures. This study investigates the effect of 6 months vitamin K2 supplementation on systemic arterial calcification and bone mineral density (BMD) in DM2 patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods
In this pre-specified, post hoc analysis of a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, patients with DM2 and CVD were randomized to a daily, oral dose of 360 µg vitamin K2 or placebo for 6 months. CT scans were made at baseline and follow-up. Arterial calcification mass was quantified in several large arterial beds and a total arterial calcification mass score was calculated. BMD was assessed in all non-fractured thoracic and lumbar vertebrae.

Results
68 participants were randomized, 35 to vitamin K2 (33 completed follow-up) and 33 to placebo (27 completed follow-up). The vitamin K group had higher arterial calcification mass at baseline [median (IQR): 1694 (812–3584) vs 1182 (235–2445)] for the total arterial calcification mass). Six months vitamin K supplementation did not reduce arterial calcification progression (β [95% CI]: − 0.02 [− 0.10; 0.06] for the total arterial calcification mass) or slow BMD decline (β [95% CI]: − 2.06 [− 11.26; 7.30] Hounsfield units for all vertebrae) when compared to placebo.

Conclusion
Six months vitamin K supplementation did not halt progression of arterial calcification or decline of BMD in patients with DM2 and CVD. Future clinical trials may want to pre-select patients with very low vitamin K status and longer follow-up time might be warranted. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02839044
Age and traumatic brain injury as prognostic factors for late-phase mortality in patients defined as polytrauma according to the New Berlin Definition: experiences from a level I trauma center
Authors: Weihs V. , Heel V. , Dedeyan M. , Lang N. W. , Frenzel S. , Hajdu S. , Heinz T. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
The rationale of this study was to identify independent prognostic factors influencing the late-phase survival of polytraumatized patients defined according to the New Berlin Definition.

Methods
Retrospective data analysis on 173 consecutively polytraumatized patients treated at a level I trauma center between January 2012 and December 2015. Patients were classified into two groups: severely injured patients (ISS > 16) and polytraumatized patients (patients who met the diagnostic criteria for the New Berlin Definition).

Results
Polytraumatized patients showed significantly lower late-phase and overall survival rates. The presence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and age > 55 years had a significant influence on the late-phase survival in polytraumatized patients but not in severely injured patients. Despite the percentage of severe TBI being nearly identical in both groups, severe TBI was identified as main cause of death in polytraumatized patients. Furthermore, severe TBI remains the main cause of death in polytraumatized patients > 55 years of age, whereas younger polytraumatized patients (< 55 years of age) tend to die more often due to the acute trauma.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that age beyond 55 years and concomitant (severe) TBI remain as most important influencing risk factor for the late-phase survival of polytraumatized patients but not in severely injured patients.

Level of evidence
Prognostic study, level III.
Neurogenic tachykinin mechanisms in experimental nephritis of rats
Authors: Rodionova Kristina , Hilgers Karl F. , Paulus Eva-Maria , Tiegs Gisa , Ott Christian , Schmieder Roland , Schiffer Mario , Amann Kerstin , Veelken Roland , Ditting Tilmann 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe demonstrated earlier that renal afferent pathways combine very likely “classical” neural signal transduction to the central nervous system and a substance P (SP)–dependent mechanism to control sympathetic activity. SP content of afferent sensory neurons is known to mediate neurogenic inflammation upon release. We tested the hypothesis that alterations in SP-dependent mechanisms of renal innervation contribute to experimental nephritis. Nephritis was induced by OX-7 antibodies in rats, 6 days later instrumented for recording of blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), drug administration, and intrarenal administration (IRA) of the TRPV1 agonist capsaicin to stimulate afferent renal nerve pathways containing SP and electrodes for renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). The presence of the SP receptor NK-1 on renal immune cells was assessed by FACS. IRA capsaicin decreased RSNA from 62.4 ± 5.1 to 21.6 ± 1.5 mV s (*p < 0.05) in controls, a response impaired in nephritis. Suppressed RSNA transiently but completely recovered after systemic administration of a neurokinin 1 (NK1-R) blocker. NK-1 receptors occurred mainly on CD11+ dendritic cells (DCs). An enhanced frequency of CD11c+NK1R+ cell, NK-1 receptor+ macrophages, and DCs was assessed in nephritis. Administration of the NK-1R antagonist aprepitant during nephritis reduced CD11c+NK1R+ cells, macrophage infiltration, renal expression of chemokines, and markers of sclerosis. Hence, SP promoted renal inflammation by weakening sympathoinhibitory mechanisms, while at the same time, substance SP released intrarenally from afferent nerve fibers aggravated immunological processes i.e. by the recruitment of DCs.
Communicating cystic fibrosis newborn screening results to parents
Authors: Seddon L. , Dick K. , Carr S. B. , Balfour-Lynn I. M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe way results of cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening are communicated to parents is critical yet is done differently across the globe. We surveyed parents of 101 children in our tertiary London paediatric centre with a 48% response rate. Parental responses were as follows: 40/42 (95%) said the information could not have been given over the phone and 39/43 (91%) said they wanted both partners present; 27/42 (64%) said it was helpful having the health visitor also present; and 37/40 (92%) felt it was acceptable to wait until the next day for the sweat test. We have reduced the time from first contact to arriving in the home to 2–3 h.Conclusion: We believe that this survey backs up our approach of a home visit by a CF nurse specialist with the family’s health visitor to break the news. This is challenging in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

What is Known:• Breaking bad news can have a lasting impact on parents when not done the right way.• Giving results of cystic fibrosis (CF) newborn screening is done differently within the UK and around the world.What is New:• Our parental survey revealed that the majority (92%) believed this should be done face to face and not over the telephone.• There was a mixed response to whether the parents should be told the genotype (assuming the CF centre knew), and thus the CF diagnosis before the confirmatory sweat test was carried out.
Numerical analysis of stress-state-dependent damage and failure behavior of ductile steel based on biaxial experiments
Authors: Brünig Michael , Schmidt Marco , Gerke Steffen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe paper deals with a numerical model to investigate the influence of stress state on damage and failure in the ductile steel X5CrNi18-10. The numerical analysis is based on an anisotropic continuum damage model taking into account yield and damage criteria as well as evolution equations for plastic and damage strain rate tensors. Results of numerical simulations of biaxial experiments with the X0- and the H-specimen presented. In the experiments, formation of strain fields are monitored by digital image correlation which can be compared with numerically predicted ones to validate the numerical model. Based on the numerical analysis the strain and stress quantities in selected parts of the specimens are predicted. Analysis of damage strain variables enables prediction of fracture lines observed in the tests. Stress measures are used to explain different stress-state-dependent damage and failure mechanisms on the micro-level visualized on fracture surfaces by scanning electron microscopy.
Isolated compression of the ulnar motor branch due to carpal joint ganglia: clinical series, surgical technique and postoperative outcomes
Authors: Saracco Michela , Panzera Rocco Maria , Merico Barbara , Madia Francesca , Pagliei Antonio , Rocchi Lorenzo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe entrapment of the ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal (GC) is a well-known wrist canalicular syndrome which is usually followed by a gradual combination of both sensitive and motor symptomatology. However, GC nerve compression could also cause a pure hand motor dysfunction. This condition, less frequent than the classic Guyon’s syndrome, can be difficult to diagnose. Authors report a case series of eight patients affected by isolated compression of the ulnar nerve motor branch, due to piso-triquetrum or triquetro-hamate joint ganglia. Surgical technique and postoperative outcomes are discussed in this paper. The isolated compression of the ulnar nerve motor branch is a very rare clinical condition which is often linked to several causes. The rarity of the pathology is probably due to lack of knowledge and therefore to the difficulty in formulating a correct diagnosis. Surgical treatment appears to be decisive in most cases, although late diagnosis often leads to incomplete functional recovery.
NMR Study of Spin Dynamics in V7Zn and V7Ni Molecular Rings
Authors: Adelnia F. , Arosio P. , Mariani M. , Orsini F. , Radaelli A. , Sangregorio C. , Borsa F. , Walsh J. P. S. , Winpenny R. , Timco G. , Lascialfari A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe present a 1H NMR investigation of spin dynamics in two finite integer spin molecular nanomagnetic rings, namely V7Zn and V7Ni. This study could be put in correlation with the problem of Haldane gap in infinite integer spin chains. While V7Zn is an approximation of a homometallic broken chain due to the presence of s = 0 Zn2+ ion uncoupled from nearest neighbor V2+s = 1 ions, the V7Ni compound constitutes an example of a closed periodical s = 1 heterometallic chain. From preliminary susceptibility measurements on single crystals and data analysis, the exchange coupling constant J/kB results in the order of few kelvin. At room temperature, the frequency behavior of the 1H NMR spin–lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 allowed to conclude that the spin–spin correlation function is similar to the one observed in semi-integer spin molecules, but with a smaller cutoff frequency. Thus, the high-T data can be interpreted in terms of, e.g., a Heisenberg model including spin diffusion. On the other hand, the behavior of 1/T1 vs temperature at different constant fields reveals a clear peak at temperature of the order of J/kB, qualitatively in agreement with the well-known Bloembergen–Purcell–Pound model and with previous results on semi-integer molecular spin systems. Consequently, one can suggest that for a small number N of interacting s = 1 ions (N = 8), the Haldane conjecture does not play a key role on spin dynamics, and the investigated rings still keep the quantum nature imposed mainly by the low number of magnetic centers, with no clear topological effect due to integer spins.
Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli W for isobutanol production on chemically defined medium and cheese whey as alternative raw material
Authors: Novak Katharina , Baar Juliane , Freitag Philipp , Pflügl Stefan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
The aim of this study was to establish isobutanol production on chemically defined medium in Escherichia coli. By individually expressing each gene of the pathway, we constructed a plasmid library for isobutanol production. Strain screening on chemically defined medium showed successful production in the robust E. coli W strain, and expression vector IB 4 was selected as the most promising construct due to its high isobutanol yields and efficient substrate uptake. The investigation of different aeration strategies in combination with strain improvement and the implementation of a pulsed fed-batch were key for the development of an efficient production process. E. coli W ΔldhA ΔadhE Δpta ΔfrdA enabled aerobic isobutanol production at 38% of the theoretical maximum. Use of cheese whey as raw material resulted in longer process stability, which allowed production of 20 g l−1 isobutanol. Demonstrating isobutanol production on both chemically defined medium and a residual waste stream, this study provides valuable information for further development of industrially relevant isobutanol production processes.