bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-target impacts of fungicide disturbance on phyllosphere yeasts in different crop species and management systems
Authors: Noel Zachary A. , Longley Reid , Niccolò Benucci Gian Maria , Trail Frances , Chilvers Martin I. , Bonito Gregory 
Published: September 2021

SummaryFungicides reduce fungal pathogen populations and are essential to food security. Fungicide disturbance of plant microbiomes has received limited attention. Understanding the impacts of fungicides on crop microbiomes in different cropping systems is vital to minimizing unintended consequences while maintaining their use for plant protection.We used amplicon sequencing of fungi and prokaryotes in maize and soybean microbiomes before and after foliar fungicide application in leaves and roots from plots under long-term no-till and conventional tillage managements. We examine fungicide disturbance and microbiome resilience across these treatments.Foliar fungicides directly affected phyllosphere fungal communities, but not root fungal communities or prokaryote communities. Impacts on fungal phyllosphere composition and resiliency were management-dependent and lasted more than thirty days. Fungicides lowered pathogen abundance in maize and soybean and decreased the abundance of Tremellomycetes yeasts, especially the Bulleribacidiaceae, including core microbiome members.Fungicide application reduced network complexity in the soybean phyllosphere. Bulleribacidiaceae often co-occurred with Sphingomonas and Hymenobacter in control plots, but co-occurrences were altered in fungicide plots. Results indicate that foliar fungicides lower pathogen and non-target fungal abundance and may impact prokaryotes indirectly. No-till management was more resilient following fungicide disturbance and recovery.
Prior Covid-19 and high RBD-IgG levels correlate with protection against VOC-δ SARS-CoV-2 infection in vaccinated nursing home residents
Authors: Blain Hubert , Tuaillon Edouard , Pisoni Amandine , Soriteau Laure , Million Elodie , Léglise Marie-Suzanne , Bussereau Isabelle , Miot Stéphanie , Rolland Yves , Picot Marie-Christine , Bousquet Jean 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundNursing Home (NH) residents are at high risk of serious illness and death from coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), especially with the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concerns (VOC). It is unknown as to whether a history of Covid-19 prior to the vaccine and post-vaccine RBD-IgG levels are predictors of BNT162b2 vaccine effectiveness against VOC–δ in nursing home residents.MethodsWe analyzed the data from two NHs that faced a VOC-δ outbreak in July-August 2021. These NHs had suffered prior Covid-19 outbreaks in 2020 and 2021. In many of the residents, RBD-IgG levels were measured 6 weeks after the second vaccine dose, i.e. 3 to 5 months before the VOC-δ outbreak onset, and again during the outbreak (SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay, Abbott Diagnostics). We compared residents with vs without prior Covid-19 for (i) VOC-δ incidence, (ii) the correlation between post-vaccine RBD-IgG levels and VOC-δ incidence, and (iii) the time-related change in RBD-IgG levels.ResultsAmong the 140 analyzed residents (58 to 101 years; 94 females, 46 men, mean age: 84.6 yr ± 9.5 yr), one resident among the 44 with prior Covid-19 before vaccination developed a VOC-δ infection during the outbreak (1.3%) vs 55 of the 96 without Covid-19 prior to vaccination (57.3 %)(p<0.0001). The median value for RBD-IgG 6 weeks after the vaccine and during the outbreak was higher in residents with prior Covid-19 (31,553 AU/mL and 22,880 AU/mL) than in those without (1,050 AU/mL and 260 AU/mL)(p<0.0001). In residents without Covid-19 prior to vaccination, post-vaccination RDB-IgG levels did not predict protection against VOC-δ infection.ConclusionsIn contrary to residents with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, those without a history of Covid-19 before two BNT162b2 doses are not protected against VOC-δ infection and their RBD-Ig-G levels are low 3 to 5 months after vaccination. This suggests that a booster vaccine dose should be considered in this group of residents for a better protection against VOC-δ infection.
Virological and Serological Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 Infections Diagnosed After mRNA BNT162b2 Vaccination
Authors: Colavita Francesca , Meschi Silvia , Maria Gruber Cesare Ernesto , Rueca Martina , Vairo Francesco , Matusali Giulia , Lapa Daniele , Giombini Emanuela , Carli Gabriella De , Spaziante Martina , Messina Francesco , Bonfiglio Giulia , Carletti Fabrizio , Lalle Eleonora , Fabeni Lavinia , Berno Giulia , Puro Vincenzo , Caro Antonino Di , Bartolini Barbara , Ippolito Giuseppe , Capobianchi Maria Rosaria , Castilletti Concetta 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are proving to be very effective in preventing severe illness; however, although rare, post-vaccine infections have been reported. The present study describes 94 infections (47.9% symptomatic, 52.1% asymptomatic), occurred in Lazio Region (Central Italy) in the first trimester 2021, after first or second dose of mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Median viral load at diagnosis was independent from number and time of vaccine dose administration, despite the higher proportion of samples with low viral load observed in fully vaccinated individuals. More importantly, infectious virus was cultured from NPS collected from both asymptomatic and symptomatic vaccinated individuals, suggesting that, at least in principle, they can transmit the infection to susceptible people. The majority of the post-vaccine infections here reported, showed pauci/asymptomatic clinical course, confirming the impact of vaccination on COVID-19 disease. Most cases (78%) showed infection in presence of neutralizing antibodies at the time of infection diagnosis, presumably attributable to vaccination, due to the concomitant absence of anti-N IgG in most cases. The proportion of post-vaccine infections attributed either to Alpha and Gamma VOCs was similar to the proportion observed in the contemporary unvaccinated population in Lazio region. In addition, mutational analysis did not suggest enrichment of a defined set of Spike protein substitutions depending on the vaccination status. Characterization of host and virus factors associated with vaccine breakthrough, coupled with intensive and continuous monitoring of involved viral strains, is crucial to adopt informed vaccination strategies.
Locally adapted oak populations along an elevation gradient display different molecular strategies to regulate bud phenology
Authors: Provost Gregoire Le , Lalanne Céline , Lesur Isabelle , Louvet Jean-Marc , Delzon Sylvain , Kremer Antoine , Labadie Karine , Aury Jean-Marc , Silva Corinne Da , Plomion Christophe 
Published: September 2021

AbstractResearch conductedWith the ongoing global warming, there are serious concerns about the persistence of locally adapted populations. Indeed, with the raising of temperature, the phenological cycle of tree species may be strongly affected since higher winter temperatures may have a negative impact on endodormancy release if chilling requirements are not fulfilled during winter and late frost in spring may expose trees if buds flush too early. Thus, Environmental gradients (showing continuous variations of environmental conditions) constitute a design of choice to analyze the effect of winter dormancy in locally adapted population.MethodsIn the present study, we used an elevation gradient in the Pyrenees to explore the gene expression network involved in dormancy regulation in natural populations of sessile oak locally adapted to temperature. Terminal buds were harvested during dormancy induction and release at different elevations. Then, gene expression was quantified using RNAseq and we used a likelihood ratio test to identify genes displaying significant dormancy, elevation or dormancy-by-elevation interaction effects.Key resultsOur results highlight molecular processes in locally adapted populations along this elevation cline, and made it possible to identify key dormancy-by-elevation responsive genes revealing that locally adapted populations have evolved distinct molecular strategies to adapt their bud phenology in response to environmental variation (i.e. temperature).
A novel mechanism for the loss of mRNA activity in lipid nanoparticle delivery systems
Authors: Packer Meredith , Gyawali Dipendra , Yerabolu Ravikiran , Schariter Joseph , White Phil 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTLipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated mRNA vaccines were rapidly developed and deployed in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Due to the labile nature of mRNA, identifying impurities that could affect product stability and efficacy is crucial to the long-term use of nucleic-acid based medicines. Herein reversed phase ion pair high performance liquid chromatography (RP-IP HPLC) was used to identify a class of impurity formed through lipid:mRNA reactions; such reactions are typically undetectable by traditional mRNA purity analytical techniques. The identified modifications render the mRNA untranslatable, leading to loss of protein expression. Specifically, an electrophilic impurity derived from the ionizable cationic lipid component is shown to be responsible. Mechanisms implicated in the formation of reactive species include oxidation and subsequent hydrolysis of the tertiary amine. It thus remains critical to ensure robust analytical methods and stringent manufacturing control to ensure mRNA stability and high activity in LNP delivery systems.
Structure of the Shaker Kv channel and mechanism of slow C-type inactivation
Authors: Tan Xiao-Feng , Bae Chanhyung , Stix Robyn , Fernández-Mariño Ana I. , Huffer Kate , Chang Tsg-Hui , Jiang Jiansen , Faraldo-Gómez José D. , Swartz Kenton J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractVoltage-activated potassium (Kv) channels open upon membrane depolarization and proceed to spontaneously inactivate. Inactivation controls neuronal firing rates and serves as a form of short-term memory, and is implicated in various human neurological disorders. Here, we use high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy and computer simulations to determine one of the molecular mechanisms underlying this physiologically crucial process. Structures of the activated Shaker Kv channel and of its W434F mutant in lipid bilayers demonstrate that C-type inactivation entails the dilation of the ion selectivity filter, and the repositioning of neighboring residues known to be functionally critical. Microsecond-scale molecular dynamics trajectories confirm these changes inhibit rapid ion permeation through the channel. This long-sought breakthrough establishes how eukaryotic K+ channels self-regulate their functional state through the plasticity of their selectivity filters.One-Sentence SummaryStructures of the Shaker Kv channel reveal the mechanism of slow C-type inactivation involves dilation of the selectivity filter.
Biomass accumulation and physiological responses of tomato plants to magnetically–treated water in hydroponic conditions
Authors: Ospina-Salazar Daniel I. , Rachmilevitch Shimon , Cuervo-Jurado Santiago , Zúñiga-Escobar Orlando 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMagnetically-treated water (MTW) has been reported to enhance biomass accumulation in plants. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, and the existing reports only deal with soil-grown plants. Thus, the purpose of this experiment was to assess whether or not MTW affects main physiological processes (gas exchange, biomass accumulation and water potential) in tomato plants whose water supply was only MTW. Two experiments were done in hydroponic semi-controlled conditions, consisting of a loop system with permanent recirculation of water through a non-uniform magnet. The plants grown under MTW showed a significant increase in chlorophyll content, photosynthesis and transpiration at high light irradiances, although the increase in stomatal conductance was less significant. MTW also increased fruit fresh biomass, number of fruits and root dry biomass in 61.7 %, 85.3 % and 30.3 % respectively, but this was only achieved at natural sunlight conditions. Moreover, treated plants showed higher root hydraulic conductance and leaf water potential, which is thought to be related with a lower surface tension of MTW, an effect that is consistent with previous studies. The higher biomass accumulation in tomato plants under MTW is likely explained because of a faster water transport from the roots to the leaves via xylem, which in turn increases H2O efflux and CO2 assimilation in the leaves, thanks to a higher stomatal conductance.
Identification of HLA-A*24:02-restricted CTL candidate epitopes derived from the non-structural polyprotein 1a of SARS-CoV-2 and analysis of their conservation using the mutation database of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Takagi Akira , Matsui Masanori 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCOVID-19 vaccines are currently being administrated worldwide and playing a critical role in controlling the pandemic. They have been designed to elicit neutralizing antibodies against Spike protein of the original SARS-CoV-2, and hence they are less effective against SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutated Spike than the original virus. It is possible that novel variants with abilities of enhanced transmissibility and/or immunoevasion will appear in the near future and perfectly escape from vaccine-elicited immunity. Therefore, the current vaccines may need to be improved to compensate for the viral evolution. For this purpose, it may be beneficial to take advantage of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Several lines of evidence suggest the contribution of CTLs on the viral control in COVID-19, and CTLs target a wide range of proteins involving comparatively conserved non-structural proteins. Here, we identified twenty-two HLA-A*24:02-restricted CTL candidate epitopes derived from the non-structural polyprotein 1a (pp1a) of SARS-CoV-2 using computational algorithms, HLA-A*24:02 transgenic mice and the peptide-encapsulated liposomes. We focused on pp1a and HLA-A*24:02 because pp1a is relatively conserved and HLA-A*24:02 is predominant in East Asians such as Japanese. The conservation analysis revealed that the amino acid sequences of 7 out of the 22 epitopes were hardly affected by a number of mutations in the Sequence Read Archive database of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The information of such conserved epitopes might be useful for designing the next-generation COVID-19 vaccine that is universally effective against any SARS-CoV-2 variants by the induction of both anti-Spike neutralizing antibodies and CTLs specific for conserved epitopes.ImportanceCOVID-19 vaccines have been designed to elicit neutralizing antibodies against the Spike protein of the original SARS-CoV-2, and hence they are less effective against variants. It is possible that novel variants will appear and escape from vaccine-elicited immunity. Therefore, the current vaccines may need to be improved to compensate for the viral evolution. For this purpose, it may be beneficial to take advantage of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Here, we identified twenty-two HLA-A*24:02-restricted CTL candidate epitopes derived from the non-structural polyprotein 1a (pp1a) of SARS-CoV-2. We focused on pp1a and HLA-A*24:02 because pp1a is conserved and HLA-A*24:02 is predominant in East Asians. The conservation analysis revealed that the amino acid sequences of 7 out of the 22 epitopes were hardly affected by mutations in the database of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The information might be useful for designing the next-generation COVID-19 vaccine that is universally effective against any variants.
Numerical analysis of supersonic co-flow jet with varying lip thickness
Authors: K Sathish Kumar , R Naren Shankar , K Anusindhiya , B.R. Senthil Kumar 
Published: September 2021

Purpose
This study aims to present the numerical study on supersonic jet mixing characteristics of the co-flow jet by varying lip thickness (LT). The LT chosen for the study is 2 mm, 7.75 mm and 15 mm.

Design/methodology/approach
The primary nozzle is designed for delivering Mach 2.0 jet, whereas the secondary nozzle is designed for delivering Mach 1.6 jet. The Nozzle pressure ratio chosen for the study is 3 and 5. To study the mixing characteristics of the co-flow jet, total pressure and Mach number measurements were taken along and normal to the jet axis. To validate the numerical results, the numerical total pressure values were also compared with the experimental result and it is proven to have a good agreement.

Findings
The results exhibit that, the 2 mm lip is shear dominant. The 7.75 mm and 15 mm lip is wake dominant. The jet interaction along the jet axis was also studied using the contours of total pressure, Mach number, turbulent kinetic energy and density gradient. The radial Mach number contours at the various axial location of the jet was also studied.

Practical implications
The effect of varying LT in exhaust nozzle plays a vital role in supersonic turbofan aircraft.

Originality/value
Supersonic co-flowing jet mixing effectiveness by varying the LT between the primary supersonic nozzle and the secondary supersonic nozzle has not been analyzed in the past.
Supply chain resilience during the COVID-19: empirical evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Queiroz Maciel M. , Fosso Wamba Samuel , Branski Regina M. 
Published: September 2021

PurposeAlthough the advances in the supply chain resilience (SCR) literature, there is a critical gap concerning this understanding in a high disruption context, such as in the case of the COVID-19. This paper aims to investigate some dimensions (agility, robustness, disruption orientation and resource reconfiguration) of the SCR during this unprecedented disruption in the Brazilian supply chain context.Design/methodology/approachSupported by the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities and the SCR literature, we developed a model, which in turn was analyzed and validated by partial least squares structural equation modelling.FindingsThe results revealed that while resource reconfiguration and supply chain disruption orientation positively affect SCR, we found a non-significant effect of supply chain robustness and agility.Practical implicationsThe findings suggest that in a considerable disruption scenario, managers with their supply chain operations in emerging economies should prioritize the development of resources to support the disruption orientation and manage the scarce resources adequately by reconfiguring them.Originality/valueOur study is one of the first that reported the dynamics of the SCR dimensions in an emerging economy during the COVID-19.
Ethical leadership and quality of leader-subordinate relationship among women working in multinational enterprises in Malaysia, moderating role of employee psychological empowerment
Authors: Muniandi Jeevita , Richardson Christopher , Salamzadeh Yashar 
Published: September 2021

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between ethical leadership and the quality of the manager-subordinate relationship, as well as the moderating effect of female employees’ psychological empowerment on this relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis is quantitative research in which an online questionnaire was distributed to female subordinates from multinational enterprises in Malaysia (n= 120). A partial least square is used for analysis in this research.FindingsThe findings confirm a strong positive correlation between all the seven ethical leadership dimensions and the quality of manager-subordinate relationship (leader member exchange). However, the moderating effect of psychological empowerment was found to be insignificant for two of the seven dimensions of ethical leadership.Originality/valueThis study contributes to highlighting new perspectives of women empowerment. Moreover, it also uncovers psychological factor that influences manager-subordinate relationship using cognitive evaluation theory. The seven dimensions of ethical leadership have not been tested in the past studies (only identified, not tested separately).
Numerical investigations of endwall film cooling design of a turbine vane using four-holes pattern
Authors: Liu Jian , Xu Mengyao , Xi Wenxiong , Song Jiawen , Luo Shibin , Sunden Bengt Ake 
Published: September 2021

Purpose
Endwall film cooling protects vane endwall by coolant coverage, especially at the leading edge (LE) region and vane-pressure side (PS) junction region. Strong flow impingement and complex vortexaa structures on the vane endwall cause difficulties for coolant flows to cover properly. This work aims at a full-scale arrangement of film cooling holes on the endwall which improves coolant efficiency in the LE region and vane-PS junction region.

Design/methodology/approach
The endwall film holes are grouped in four-holes constructal patterns. Three ways of arranging the groups are studied: based on the pressure field, the streamlines or the heat transfer field. The computational analysis is done with the k-ω SST model after validating the turbulence model properly.

Findings
By clustering the film cooling holes in four-holes patterns, the ejection of the coolant flow is stronger. The four-holes constructal patterns also improve the local coolant coverage in the “tough” regions, such as the junction region of the PS and the endwall. The arrangement based on streamlines distribution can effectively improve the coolant coverage and the arrangement based on the heat transfer distribution (HTD) has benefits by reducing high-temperature regions on the endwall.

Originality/value
A full-scale endwall film cooling design is presented considering interactions of different film cooling holes. A comprehensive model validation and mesh independence study are provided. The cooling holes pattern on the endwall is designed as four-holes constructal patterns combined with several arrangement choices, i.e. by pressure, by heat transfer and by streamline distributions.
Impact of knowledge sharing at work place on individual work performance of nurses in Pakistan
Authors: Rafique Ghulam Murtaza , Mahmood Khalid 
Published: September 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of knowledge sharing (KS) at work place on the individual work performance (IWP) of nurses.

Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional quantitative approach based on a survey questionnaire was used to collect data from currently working 256 nurses in 6 general public sector hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Equal sized convenient sampling technique was used to select the sample from the intended population. Multiple regression was applied to test the research hypotheses.

Findings
The results indicated that the elements of IWP (task and contextual performance) were positively correlated with and influenced by two facets of KS (KS propensity and KS behavior). A cohesive sharing culture among nurses must be established at their respective work places to foster the delivery of quality care services and to improve their performance.

Practical implications
The study findings suggest that health-care institutes must consider the importance of KS to boost up the sharing culture among all levels (s) of employees by establishing an interconnected learning environment for improved work performance.

Originality/value
KS plays a vital role in the learning and development of employees by enhancing their work performance. The extant literature showed that there was a dearth of studies that determined the impact of KS at work place on the IWP of nurses. As KS has unique and challenging factors in Pakistan, therefore, the investigation of its impact on nurses’ work performance would be worthy.