bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Vibrio sp. strain AB15 and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain NB14 from the biofloc of shrimp culture ponds capable of high ammonia and nitrite removal efficiency
Authors: Dou Le , Chen Wenbin , Pan Luqing , Huang Fei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe development of intensive aquaculture industry has aggravated the dangers of ammonia and nitrite in aquatic ecosystems. Probiotics have been widely used to maintain and improve water quality by removal of ammonia and nitrite in aquaculture. In this study, two facultative anaerobic strains AB15 and NB14, capable of efficient ammonia and nitrite removal, were isolated from biofloc, which acts as a natural micro‐flora storeroom in shrimp culture ponds, and were identified as Vibrio sp. and Pseudomonas fluorescens, respectively. The removal efficiency of ammonia and nitrite by AB15 and NB14 was 96.8 and 89.6%, respectively. The optimum conditions of AB15 and NB14 were as follows: temperature (25°C vs. 30°C), salinity (25‰ both), initial pH (7.5 vs. 8.0), C/N ratio (15 vs. 10). The two strains had great performance on inhibiting the common pathogens (Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio splendidus, Vibrio anguillarum) in aquaculture at concentrations of 105–108 CFU/mL. Biosecurity assessment indicated that both AB15 and NB14 were harmless for survival and could be beneficial for the growth and immune enhancement of Litopenaeus vannamei. All results demonstrate that the two isolated strains have high promise for future applications of removing ammonia and nitrite and maintaining biosecurity in shrimp culture ponds.
Collusion, political connection, and tax avoidance in China
Authors: Tsai Pi‐Han , Liu Yongzheng , Liu Xin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOur paper is the first to examine the impact of government‐firm collusion on firm tax avoidance in China by applying an instrumental variable approach. We take political turnover of local leaders as an external shock to the existing collusion and investigate firms' tax avoidance activities during local leadership transition. By using data on political turnover of prefectural leaders and listed firms from 2007 to 2014, we find that political turnover leads to the instability of existing collusion, and consequently a decrease in firm tax avoidance. This provides evidence of the pre‐existing collusion between government and firms. We then rule out the possibility that such change is driven by the effect of political uncertainty or tax competition by considering the heterogeneous effect of firms and cities. Finally, we show that firms' political connections, captured by political ties and ownership of firms, stabilize the existing collusion and help firms maintain their advantage while facing external political shocks.
Using digital storytelling as a turn‐around pedagogy
Authors: Schmier Stephanie Anne 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDigital storytelling is the process of telling stories in a multimedia platform while foregrounding meaning making, collaboration and the amplification of marginalised narratives. Grounded in a theory of “turn‐around pedagogies,” this research article aims to expand discussions of digital storytelling to include providing opportunities for primary students labelled “struggling readers” to tell their own literacy stories multimodally. Data were drawn from a 2‐year long research project using digital storytelling with preservice teachers and primary students to document shared learning during a reading collaboration programme. Specifically, this article centres two of 21 digital storytelling collaborations as case studies to represent themes that emerged through multimodal analysis in order to address the research question “in what ways are preservice teachers and primary students making meaning of their individual and shared learning multimodally through the process of digital storytelling?” Findings highlight how allowing primary students to use digital tools to tell their stories opened up new spaces for students to represent their literate identities and literacy learning on their own terms, which supported preservice teachers in planning for meaningful reading instruction. Strategies for planning to use digital storytelling in the primary school classroom as a turn‐around pedagogy are shared and areas for consideration are raised.
Saunders Lewis, “Prayer at the End” (Gweddi’ ’r Terfyn): A Translation and a Commentary
Authors: Thomas John Heywood 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHaving spent my professional career in England I am more familiar with English poetry than with Welsh and so one of my great pleasures now is reading Welsh poetry. A book I have read and re-read more than once is The Poems of Saunders Lewis. There the poem that has gripped me and still does is this great poem. Apparently, it received much attention when it was published - three articles by D. Z. Phillips with a reply and a note by the poet commenting on the background influences. Without returning to that, I want to note the importance of the influence. Simple though the language may be, the poem is full of philosophical and theological ideas together with a keen awareness of Biblical study.
Dissection of both limbs of a fenestrated vertebral artery: Case report and review of literatures
Authors: Mori Kentaro , Iida Yu , Kawahara Yosuke , Fukui Issei , Abe Katsuya , Takeda Mutsuki , Nakano Tatsu , Koh Eikan , Nomura Motohiro 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundDissection of a fenestration of the vertebral artery is extremely rare.CASE REPORTSA 55‐year‐old man presented with severe headache. Radiological examinations revealed a fenestration of the intracranial vertebral artery, and both limbs of the fenestration showed stenosis and dilatation. Three‐dimensional‐T1 fat suppression‐weighted images of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramural thrombus. These findings indicated that dissection occurred in both limbs of the fenestrated vertebral artery. Since no hemorrhage or infarction was observed, the patient was conservatively treated with an anti‐hypertensive drug. His symptom gradually improved and finally disappeared. Follow‐up MRI in the 2nd month showed a decreased intramural thrombus and smoothened vertebral artery.DiscussionDetection of an intramural thrombus on MRI is useful for the diagnosis of dissection of a vertebral artery fenestration. Treatment of this rare condition might be the same as that for a non‐fenestrated vertebral artery.
Aldoximes are precursors of auxins in Arabidopsis and maize
Authors: Perez Veronica C. , Dai Ru , Bai Bing , Tomiczek Breanna , Askey Bryce C. , Zhang Yi , Rubin Garret M. , Ding Yousong , Grenning Alexander , Block Anna K. , Kim Jeongim 
Published: May 2021

Summary

Two natural auxins, phenylacetic acid (PAA) and indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA), play crucial roles in plant growth and development. One route of IAA biosynthesis uses the glucosinolate intermediate indole‐3‐acetaldoxime (IAOx) as a precursor, which is thought to occur only in glucosinolate‐producing plants in Brassicales. A recent study showed that overproducing phenylacetaldoxime (PAOx) in Arabidopsis increases PAA production. However, it remains unknown whether this increased PAA resulted from hydrolysis of PAOx‐derived benzyl glucosinolate or, like IAOx‐derived IAA, is directly converted from PAOx. If glucosinolate hydrolysis is not required, aldoxime‐derived auxin biosynthesis may occur beyond Brassicales.

To better understand aldoxime‐derived auxin biosynthesis, we conducted an isotope‐labelled aldoxime feeding assay using an Arabidopsis glucosinolate‐deficient mutant sur1 and maize, and transcriptomics analysis.

Our study demonstrated that the conversion of PAOx to PAA does not require glucosinolates in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, maize produces PAA and IAA from PAOx and IAOx, respectively, indicating that aldoxime‐derived auxin biosynthesis also occurs in maize.

Considering that aldoxime production occurs widely in the plant kingdom, aldoxime‐derived auxin biosynthesis is likely to be more widespread than originally believed. A genome‐wide transcriptomics study using PAOx‐overproduction plants identified complex metabolic networks among IAA, PAA, phenylpropanoid and tryptophan metabolism.
Interacting brains coming in sync through their minds: an interbrain neurofeedback study
Authors: Müller Viktor , Perdikis Dionysios , Mende Melinda A. , Lindenberger Ulman 
Published: May 2021

AbstractNeurophysiological evidence shows that interpersonal action coordination is accompanied by interbrain synchronization (IBS). However, the functional significance of this association remains unclear. Using two experimental designs, we explored whether IBS is amenable to neurofeedback (NFB). Feedback was provided either as two balls approaching each other (so‐calledballdesign), or as two pendula, each reflecting the oscillatory activity of one of the two participants (so‐calledpendulumdesign). The NFB was provided at delta (i.e., 2.5 Hz) and theta (i.e., 5 Hz) electroencephalography frequencies, and manipulated by enhanced and inverse feedback. We showed that the participants were able to increase IBS by using NFB, especially when it was fed back at the theta frequency. Apart from intra‐ and interbrain coupling, other oscillatory activities (e.g., power spectral density, peak amplitude, and peak frequency) also changed during the task compared with the rest. Moreover, all the measures showed specific correlations with the subjective postsurvey item scores, reflecting subjective feeling and appraisal. We conclude that the use of IBS for NFB might help in specifying the contribution of IBS to interpersonal action coordination and in providing important information about the neural mechanisms of social interaction and the causal dimension of IBS.
Effect of exercise training on psychological outcomes in adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Carraça Eliana V. , Encantado Jorge , Battista Francesca , Beaulieu Kristine , Blundell John E. , Busetto Luca , van Baak Marleen , Dicker Dror , Ermolao Andrea , Farpour‐Lambert Nathalie , Pramono Adryan , Woodward Euan , Bellicha Alice , Oppert Jean‐Michel 
Published: May 2021

SummaryThis study systematically identified the effects of exercise on multiple psychological outcomes among adults with overweight/obesity, also assessing whether these effects differed across exercise types, genders, age, and body mass index (BMI) categories. Pubmed, Web of Science, PsychInfo, and SportDiscus were searched up to October 2019 for peer‐reviewed papers assessing exercise training effects on psychosocial outcomes in adults with overweight/obesity. Thirty‐six articles, 32 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were included in this review. Most interventions were supervised (65%), ranging between 6 and 76 weeks (median = 12). Sixteen psychological outcomes were studied. Exercise induced positive changes in quality of life but did not reduce depression. Large effect sizes were observed on quality of life's physical component, but exercise was also able to improve vitality and mental health. Most psychological outcomes (e.g., body image, anxiety, and perceived stress) are poorly studied, evidencing either conflicting or null exercise effects. Exercise self‐efficacy and autonomous motivations were also consistently improved. Exercise types and gender seem to moderate exercise psychological effects. Exercise training programs might lead to positive changes in some psychological outcomes, especially in quality of life, in adults with overweight and obesity, but more studies, with greater systematization in program characteristics, and longer follow‐ups are still required to allow more solid conclusions.
OPEC at 60: the world with and without OPEC
Authors: Economou Andreas , Fattouh Bassam 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis paper provides a historical perspective from 1990 to 2018 of the functioning of the world oil market with and without OPEC. The analysis builds on a new methodology simulating counterfactual (i.e. what‐if) outcomes in the rich context of state‐of‐the‐art structural VAR models of the world oil market to empirically assess OPEC's contribution to oil markets and the global economy by quantifying the impact of OPEC's balancing role via its spare capacity cushion on the historical evolution of oil production, oil prices and price volatility, the joint evolution of the supply and demand elasticities and global welfare. A counterfactual scenario is constructed of how global oil production would have evolved if OPEC had been producing at maximum capacity, held no spare capacity and did not play any balancing role since 1990. The analysis also employs a general equilibrium approach to determine the global welfare implications of a world without OPEC spare capacity across oil‐exporting and oil‐importing regions. The welfare effects are calculated based on regional GDP gains and losses following changes in oil production patterns globally. The methodology to determine the impact on GDP is based on a computable general equilibrium (CGE) framework which offers a high level of detail regarding the world economy in terms of economic sectors and regional interdependencies.
Establishment of anAgrobacterium‐mediated genetic transformation and CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated targeted mutagenesis in Hemp (Cannabis SativaL.)
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Xu Gencheng , Cheng Chaohua , Lei Lei , Sun Jian , Xu Ying , Deng Canhui , Dai Zhigang , Yang Zemao , Chen Xiaojun , Liu Chan , Tang Qing , Su Jianguang 
Published: May 2021

SummaryHemp (CannabissativaL.) is an annual and typically dioecious crop. Due to the therapeutic potential for human diseases, phytocannabinoids as a medical therapy is getting more attention recently. Several candidate genes involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis have been elucidated using omics analysis. However, the gene function was not fully validated due to few reports of stable transformation for Cannabis tissues. In this study, we firstly report the successful generation of gene‐edited plants using anAgrobacterium‐mediated transformation method inC.sativa. DMG278 achieved the highest shoot induction rate, which was selected as the model strain for transformation. By overexpressing the cannabis developmental regulator chimera in the embryo hypocotyls of immature grains, the shoot regeneration efficiency was substantially increased. We used CRISPR/Cas9 technology to edit the phytoene desaturase gene and finally generated four edited cannabis seedlings with albino phenotype. Moreover, we propagated the transgenic plants and validated the stable integration of T‐DNA in cannabis genome.
Geometric calibration of satellite laser altimeters based on waveform matching
Authors: Li Shaoning , Li Chaokui , Zhang Guo , Wang Yanan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study proposes a new geometric calibration method for satellite laser altimeters based on waveform matching to solve the problems of poor initial pointing accuracy and a lack of control data. This non‐real‐time method obtains ground control points without a fixed calibration field. First, a large area with stepped surfaces is chosen from the laser altimetry coverage. Then, the laser echo waveforms are simulated using digital surface model (DSM) data of the stepped features. The real echo waveform attempts to match the simulated echo waveforms through a waveform matching model using a global constraint. Next, the control points of the laser altimeter are obtained through waveform matching. Finally, a geometric calibration model for laser altimeters is proposed to compensate for laser pointing and ranging errors. Two experiments were conducted to verify the calibration method using ICESat/GLAS data and airborne large‐footprint laser data. Experimental results confirm that the method is feasible and results in an improvement in the elevation accuracy for the airborne altimeter from 2 to 0.5 m.
Transcriptional profiling of Microtus fortis responses to S. japonicum: New sight into Mf‐Hsp90α resistance mechanism
Authors: Xiong Dehui , Luo Saiqun , Wu Kunlu , Yu Yuanjing , Sun Jiameng , Wang Yanpeng , Hu Jingping , Hu Weixin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimsSchistosomiasis is a parasitic disease with a chronic debilitating character caused by parasitic flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. The main disease‐causing species of Schistosoma in China is S. japonicum. M fortis has been proved to be a nonpermissive host of S. japonicum. Mf‐HSP90α (Microtus fortis heat shock protein 90alpha), the homologue of HSP90α, display anti‐schistosome effect in vitro and in vivo. In the current study, in order to investigate the mechanism of anti‐schistosome effect of Mf‐HSP90α, we conducted RNA‐Seq to obtain the transcriptome profile of M. fortis liver infected with S. japonicum at different time points.Methods and ResultsBy mapping the differential expressed genes (DEGs) to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), we found that the JAK2/STAT1 pathway was highly enriched with an elevated level of IL‐10 and HSP90α. We then checked the IL‐10‐JAK2/STAT1‐HSP90α pathway, and found that this pathway was activated in the infected mice with S. japonicum. The expression of the molecules in this pathway was elevated on the 10th day after infection and gradually decreased on the 20th day.ConclusionsThe IL‐10‐JAK2/STAT1‐HSP90α axis was associated with the anti‐schistosome effect of Mf‐HSP90α, and targeting IL‐10‐JAK2/STAT1‐HSP90α axis might be a novel therapeutic strategy for developing resistance to S. japonicum infection.
Revisiting Pension Reform in Sweden: The Role of Corporatism (and Why it Matters)
Authors: Jakee Keith , Stacy Keith 
Published: May 2021

Defying a trend across the industrialized world, Sweden is one of the few countries to fundamentally restructure its public pension system. This reform has spurred interest in explaining how the Swedish political system accomplished a feat that has eluded so many other nations. Anderson claims it was largely due to politically powerful unions and industrial groups supporting government efforts, while Feltenius counters that Anderson underestimates the influence of smaller, issue‐oriented pressure groups, the pensioners' organizations. The Anderson‐Feltenius dispute reflects disagreement over Pierson's theory of welfare state development and retrenchment, as well as the persistence and influence of corporatism. We re‐examine, in detail, the argument proffered by Feltenius and suggest, as a theoretical matter, both he and Pierson neglect the importance of informal rules in political decision making. We also present additional evidence, ignored by Feltenius, that unions—and by inference corporatism—remained influential during Sweden's reform. We thus argue Sweden's experience is unlikely to be valuable for noncorporatist countries.Related ArticlesAngelaki, Marina, and Leandro N. Carrera. 2015. “Radical Pension Reforms after the Crisis: A Comparative Analysis of Argentina and Greece.”Politics & Policy43 (3): 378‐400.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12117König, Pascal D. 2015. “Moral Societal Renewal or Getting the Country Back to Work: Welfare State Culture as a Resource and a Constraint for Policy Discourse.”Politics & Policy43 (5): 647‐678.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12130Pierson, Chris, and Louise Humpage. 2016. “Coming Together or Drifting Apart? Income Maintenance in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.”Politics & Policy44 (2): 261‐293.https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12150
Early childhood weight gain: Latent patterns and body composition outcomes
Authors: Norris Tom , Mansukoski Liina , Gilthorpe Mark S. , Hamer Mark , Hardy Rebecca , Howe Laura D. , Li Leah , Ong Ken K. , Ploubidis George B. , Viner Russell M. , Johnson William 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundDespite early childhood weight gain being a key indicator of obesity risk, we do not have a good understanding of the different patterns that exist.ObjectivesTo identify and characterise distinct groups of children displaying similar early‐life weight trajectories.MethodsA growth mixture model captured heterogeneity in weight trajectories between 0 and 60 months in 1390 children in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Differences between the classes in characteristics and body size/composition at 9 years were investigated.ResultsThe best model had five classes. The “Normal” (45%) and “Normal after initial catch‐down” (24%) classes were close to the 50th centile of a growth standard between 24 and 60 months. The “High‐decreasing” (21%) and “Stable‐high” (7%) classes peaked at the ~91st centile at 12‐18 months, but while the former declined to the ~75th centile and comprised constitutionally big children, the latter did not. The “Rapidly increasing” (3%) class gained weight from below the 50th centile at 4 months to above the 91st centile at 60 months. By 9 years, their mean body mass index (BMI) placed them at the 98th centile. This class was characterised by the highest maternal BMI; highest parity; highest levels of gestational hypertension and diabetes; and the lowest socio‐economic position. At 9 years, the “Rapidly increasing” class was estimated to have 68.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 48.3, 88.1) more fat mass than the “Normal” class, but only 14.0% (95% CI 9.1, 18.9) more lean mass.ConclusionsCriteria used in growth monitoring practice are unlikely to consistently distinguish between the different patterns of weight gain reported here.
Current status of microRNA‐mediated regulation of drought stress responses in cereals
Authors: Singroha Garima , Sharma Pradeep , Sunkur Ramanjulu 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDrought is one of the most important abiotic stress factors impeding crop productivity. With the uncovering of their role as potential regulators of gene expression, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as new targets for developing stress resistance. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs whose abundance is significantly altered under stress conditions. Interestingly, plant miRNAs predominantly targets transcription factors (TFs), and some of which are also the most critical drought‐responsive genes that in turn could regulate the expression of numerous loci with drought‐adaptive potential. The phytohormone ABA plays important roles in regulating stomatal conductance and in initiating an adaptive response to drought stress. miRNAs are implicated in regulating ABA‐(abscisic acid) and non‐ABA‐mediated drought resistance pathways. For instance, miR159‐MYB module and miR169–NFYA module participates in an ABA‐dependent pathway, whereas several other ABA‐independent miRNA‐target modules (miR156–SPL; miR393–TIR1; miR160–ARF10, ARF16, ARF17; miR167–ARF6 and ARF8; miR390/TAS3siRNA–ARF2, ARF3, ARF4) collectively regulate drought responses in plants. Overall, miRNA‐mediated drought response manifests diverse molecular, biochemical and physiological processes. Because of their immense role in controlling gene expression, miRNA manipulation has significant potential to augment plant tolerance to drought stress. This review compiles the current understanding of drought‐responsive miRNAs in major cereals. Also, potential miRNA manipulation strategies currently in use along with the challenges and future perspectives are discussed.