bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationship Between Vocabulary Knowledge and Reading Comprehension in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
Authors: Zhao Ying , Wu Xinchun , Sun Peng , Chen Hongjun 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students face great challenges in becoming proficient readers. Vocabulary knowledge is consistently considered to be an important factor affecting DHH students’ reading ability. However, the mechanism that underlies the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension in DHH students remains unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the roles of word segmentation and reading fluency in the contribution of vocabulary knowledge to Chinese DHH students’ reading comprehension. A battery of tasks were administered to 116 Chinese DHH students from Grades 4 to 6 (mean age = 14.66 years). The results showed that vocabulary knowledge contributed to reading comprehension significantly in Chinese DHH students, and word segmentation and reading fluency played mediating roles in this relationship. Besides, the chain mediation effect of word segmentation and reading fluency was also significant. Revealing these mechanisms, which underlie the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension, is helpful to tailor remediation for DHH students.
Haemoptysis: just another case of endocarditis? A case report
Authors: Huynh Ronald , Morgan Lucy , Yiannikas John 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background
Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVM) are rare, and most cases are congenital. They require prompt recognition and management particularly in patients presenting with hypoxia and haemoptysis. We describe a unique case of recurrent endocarditis causing pulmonary artery aneurysms (PAAs) and formation of PAVM.

Case summary
A 60-year-old woman presented with dyspnoea, haemoptysis, and severe hypoxia. Her background was significant for previous pacemaker lead infection, refractory heart failure secondary to severe tricuspid valve distortion by her pacemaker lead, tricuspid and mitral valve replacements complicated by recurrent endocarditis over several years. Two years prior to her current presentation computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed new small PAAs thought possibly to be mycotic in origin. After her current presentation, prompt high-resolution CT scanning of her chest with contrast revealed significant pulmonary haemorrhage and new clusters of PAVM. Urgent pulmonary angiography confirmed PAVM and was successfully treated with coil embolization. Her dyspnoea, pulmonary haemorrhage, and hypoxia resolved.

Discussion
Acquired causes account for a very small percentage of PAVM and the mechanism of their development is unknown. As she had recurrent right-sided endocarditis and her PAAs developed following this, with new PAVM developing 2 years later; we hypothesize that they were causally related. We believe this is the first case of recurrent left- and right-sided endocarditis leading to formation of PAAs and development of PAVM presenting with significant hypoxia and haemoptysis requiring prompt intervention.
Development of an accessible 10-year Digital CArdioVAscular (DiCAVA) risk assessment: a UK Biobank study
Authors: Dolezalova Nikola , Reed Angus B , Despotovic Aleksa , Obika Bernard Dillon , Morelli Davide , Aral Mert , Plans David 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Aims
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Predictive scores providing personalized risk of developing CVD are increasingly used in clinical practice. Most scores, however, utilize a homogenous set of features and require the presence of a physician. The aim was to develop a new risk model (DiCAVA) using statistical and machine learning techniques that could be applied in a remote setting. A secondary goal was to identify new patient-centric variables that could be incorporated into CVD risk assessments.

Methods and results
Across 466 052 participants, Cox proportional hazards (CPH) and DeepSurv models were trained using 608 variables derived from the UK Biobank to investigate the 10-year risk of developing a CVD. Data-driven feature selection reduced the number of features to 47, after which reduced models were trained. Both models were compared to the Framingham score. The reduced CPH model achieved a c-index of 0.7443, whereas DeepSurv achieved a c-index of 0.7446. Both CPH and DeepSurv were superior in determining the CVD risk compared to Framingham score. Minimal difference was observed when cholesterol and blood pressure were excluded from the models (CPH: 0.741, DeepSurv: 0.739). The models show very good calibration and discrimination on the test data.

Conclusion
We developed a cardiovascular risk model that has very good predictive capacity and encompasses new variables. The score could be incorporated into clinical practice and utilized in a remote setting, without the need of including cholesterol. Future studies will focus on external validation across heterogeneous samples.
Metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of Oceancaulis alexandrii NP7 isolated from Mediterranean Sea polluted marine sediments and its bioremediation potential
Authors: Dell’Anno Filippo , van Zyl Leonardo Joaquim , Trindade Marla , Brunet Christophe , Dell’Anno Antonio , Ianora Adrianna , Sansone Clementina 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Oceanicaulis alexandrii strain NP7 is a marine bacterium which belongs to the Hyphomonadaceae family and was isolated from sediments highly contaminated with metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons released for decades by industrial activities in the Gulf of Naples (Mediterranean Sea). Here, we report the partial genome sequence and annotation of O. alexandrii strain NP7 that contains a chromosome of 2,954,327 bp and encodes for 2914 predicted coding sequences (CDSs) and 44 RNA-encoding genes. Although the presence of some CDSs for genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation processes (e.g., alkB) have already been described in the literature associated with the Oceanicaulis, this is the first time that more than 100 genes involved in metal detoxification processes and hydrocarbon degradation are reported belonging to this genus. The presence of a heterogeneous set of genes involved in stress response, hydrocarbon degradation, heavy metal resistance, and detoxification suggests a possible role for O. alexandrii NP7 in the bioremediation of these highly contaminated marine sediments.
Unexpected Discovery of Hypermutator Phenotype Sounds the Alarm for Quality Control Strains
Authors: Wu Kun , Cheng Zhou-Hua , Williams Emily , Turner Nathan T , Ran Dapeng , Li Haichao , Zhou Xia , Guo Huilin , Sung Way , Liu Dong-Feng , Lynch Michael , Long Hongan 
Published: June 2021

AbstractMicrobial strains with high genomic stability are particularly sought after for testing the quality of commercial microbiological products, such as biological media and antibiotics. Yet, using mutation–accumulation experiments and de novo assembled complete genomes based on Nanopore long-read sequencing, we find that the widely used quality-control strain Shewanella putrefaciens ATCC-8071, also a facultative pathogen, is a hypermutator, with a base-pair substitution mutation rate of 2.42 × 10−8 per nucleotide site per cell division, ∼146-fold greater than that of the wild-type strain CGMCC-1.6515. Using complementation experiments, we confirm that mutL dysfunction, which was a recent evolutionary event, is the cause for the high mutation rate of ATCC-8071. Further analyses also give insight into possible relationships between mutation and genome evolution in this important bacterium. This discovery of a well-known strain being a hypermutator necessitates screening the mutation rate of bacterial strains before any quality control or experiments.
Quantitative trait loci controlling agronomic and biochemical traits inCannabis sativa
Authors: Woods Patrick , Campbell Brian J , Nicodemus Timothy J , Cahoon Edgar B , Mullen Jack L , McKay John K 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the genetic basis of complex traits is a fundamental goal of evolutionary genetics. Yet, the genetics controlling complex traits in many important species such as hemp (Cannabis sativa) remain poorly investigated. Because hemp’s change in legal status with the 2014 and 2018 U.S. Federal Farm Bills, interest in the genetics controlling its numerous agriculturally important traits has steadily increased. To better understand the genetics of agriculturally important traits in hemp, we developed an F2 population by crossing two phenotypically distinct hemp cultivars (Carmagnola and USO31). Using whole-genome sequencing, we mapped quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with variation in numerous agronomic and biochemical traits. A total of 69 loci associated with agronomic (34) and biochemical (35) trait variation were identified. We found that most QTL co-localized, suggesting that the phenotypic distinctions between Carmagnola and USO31 are largely controlled by a small number of loci. We identified TINY and olivetol synthase as candidate genes underlying co-localized QTL clusters for agronomic and biochemical traits, respectively. We functionally validated the olivetol synthase candidate by expressing the alleles in yeast. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry assays of extracts from these yeast colonies suggest that the USO31 olivetol synthase is functionally less active and potentially explains why USO31 produces lower cannabinoids compared to Carmagnola. Overall, our results help modernize the genomic understanding of complex traits in hemp.
Isoform-specific roles of the Drosophila filamin-type protein Jitterbug (Jbug) during development
Authors: Chung SeYeon , Le Thao Phuong , Vishwakarma Vishakha , Cheng Yim Ling , Andrew Deborah J 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Filamins are highly conserved actin-crosslinking proteins that regulate organization of the actin cytoskeleton. As key components of versatile signaling scaffolds, filamins are implicated in developmental anomalies and cancer. Multiple isoforms of filamins exist, raising the possibility of distinct functions for each isoform during development and in disease. Here, we provide an initial characterization of jitterbug (jbug), which encodes one of the two filamin-type proteins in Drosophila. We generate Jbug antiserum that recognizes all of the spliced forms and reveals differential expression of different Jbug isoforms during development, and a significant maternal contribution of Jbug protein. To reveal the function of Jbug isoforms, we create new genetic tools, including a null allele that deletes all isoforms, hypomorphic alleles that affect only a subset, and UAS lines for Gal4-driven expression of the major isoforms. Using these tools, we demonstrate that Jbug is required for viability and that specific isoforms are required in the formation of actin-rich protrusions including thoracic bristles in adults and ventral denticles in the embryo. We also show that specific isoforms of Jbug show differential localization within epithelia and that maternal and zygotic loss of jbug disrupts Crumbs (Crb) localization in several epithelial cell types.
Frequency conversion control of photovoltaic grid-connected inverter based on LCL filtering
Authors: Xiao Dongyue 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Aiming at the problem that the filtering effect of inductor capacitance inductor (LCL) filter becomes worse when the Photovoltaic (PV) system works at low power, this paper presents a control strategy to change the switching frequency according to the instantaneous output power of the inverter. By analyzing the design method of each parameter of LCL filter, a single-stage PV grid-connected inverter structure is used to establish the frequency loop based on grid voltage-oriented vector control to determine the optimal switching frequency under the current power state. The design methods of power detector, frequency calculation and frequency hysteresis comparator are analyzed in detail. Finally, the waveforms of grid-connected current before and after frequency conversion are contrasted by MATLAB simulation to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the inverter control strategy.
Sunflower expellers have greater ileal digestibility of amino acids than sunflower meal, but there are only minor variations among different sources of sunflower meal when fed to growing pigs
Authors: Ibagon Jimena A , Lee Su A , Stein Hans H 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The objective was to test the hypothesis that there is no effect of origin or processing procedure on the standardized ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acids (AA) and crude protein (CP) in sunflower co-products. Six sources of sunflower meal (SFM) and 1 source of sunflower expellers (SFE) were obtained from Ukraine, Italy, Hungary, and the U.S. Each source of SFM or SFE was the only source of CP and AA in 1 diet and an N-free diet was also used for a total of 8 diets. Eight barrows (body weight: 28.5 ± 2.4 kg) had a T-cannula installed in the distal ileum and were allotted to 1 of the 8 diets using an 8 × 8 Latin square design with 8 periods. The Lys:CP ratio in the 6 sources of SFM ranged from 3.10 to 3.96% with CP concentrations ranging from 27.34 to 36.75%. Crude protein in SFE was 26.87% and the Lys:CP ratio was 3.51%. Concentrations of acid hydrolyzed ether extract in the 6 sources of SFM ranged from 0.60 to 3.11%, but SFE contained 8.77%. Results indicated that the SID of CP was lower (P &lt; 0.05) in SFM from Hungary compared with all other sources of SFM except for 1 of the sources from Ukraine. There were no differences in the SID of Lys, Met, and Trp among sources of SFM, but for most of the remaining indispensable AA, the SFM from Hungary had less (P &lt; 0.05) SID than the other sources. However, only few differences in SID of indispensable AA were observed among the other sources of SFM, but the SID of CP and all AA except Trp was greater (P &lt; 0.05) in SFE compared with SFM. In conclusion, there were only few differences in the SID of the first limiting AA among SFM obtained from Ukraine, Hungary, Italy, and the U.S., but the SID of CP and AA was greater in SFE than in SFM indicating that processing of sunflower seeds influence the nutritional value.
Impact of Syrian Refugees on Turkish Prices
Authors: Genc Ismail H , Naufal George , Gahramanov Emin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractBecause of the civil war in Syria, refugees immigrated into Turkey between May 2011 and December 2012. We analyse the impact of this phenomenon on prices by searching for endogenous structural breaks. Our method differs from difference-in-differences models where an a priori explicit break date is imposed. Although immigration could lead to higher demand, thus higher prices, at least initially, in immigration regions, it results in arbitrage between regions, eliminating the initial price impact. Our findings suggest that the impact of Syrian immigration on Turkish prices is moderate and does not display a substantial difference between control and treatment regions.
Immediate one-stage breast reconstruction for an 85-year-old breast cancer patient using deep inferior epigastric perforator flap surgery
Authors: Matsui Koshi , Satake Toshihiko , Araki Misato , Kanaya Emi , Igarashi Takamichi , Okamoto Maki , Miwa Takeshi , Hirano Katsuhisa , Watanabe Toru , Sekine Shinichi , Shibuya Kazuto , Hashimoto Isaya , Hojo Shozo , Yoshioka Isaku , Okumura Tomoyuki , Fujii Tsutomu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is widely recognized as safe for use as a first-choice option in autologous tissue breast reconstruction; however, DIEP is often not performed for breast reconstruction in the elderly. We report a case of an 85-year-old woman who underwent DIEP flap reconstruction. Immediate reconstruction was performed after mastectomy. The patient successfully underwent DIEP flap reconstruction with no complications. Other options for reconstruction include a latissimus dorsi flap, a transverse rectus abdominis flap and implant-based reconstruction. DIEP flap reconstruction was performed, which does not cause muscle damage and provides sufficient volume. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report DIEP breast reconstruction in a patient over 85 years of age. This case demonstrates the usefulness of DIEP flap reconstruction for elderly patients.
Timing of meristem initiation and maintenance determines the morphology of fern gametophytes
Authors: Wu Xiao , Yan An , McAdam Scott A M , Banks Jo Ann , Zhang Shaoling , Zhou Yun 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The alternation of generations in land plants occurs between the sporophyte phase and the gametophyte phase. The sporophytes of seed plants develop self-maintained, multicellular meristems, and these meristems determine plant architecture. The gametophytes of seed plants lack meristems and are heterotrophic. In contrast, the gametophytes of seed-free vascular plants, including ferns, are autotrophic and free-living, developing meristems to sustain their independent growth and proliferation. Compared with meristems in the sporophytes of seed plants, the cellular mechanisms underlying meristem development in fern gametophytes remain largely unknown. Here, using confocal time-lapse live imaging and computational segmentation and quantification, we determined different patterns of cell divisions associated with the initiation and proliferation of two distinct types of meristems in gametophytes of two closely related Pteridaceae ferns, Pteris vittata and Ceratopteris richardii. Our results reveal how the simple timing of a switch between two meristems has considerable consequences for the divergent gametophyte morphologies of the two ferns. They further provide evolutionary insight into the function and regulation of gametophyte meristems in seed-free vascular plants.
Two citrus KNAT-like genes, CsKN1 and CsKN2, are involved in the regulation of spring shoot development in sweet orange
Authors: Zeng Ren-Fang , Zhou Huan , Fu Li-Ming , Yan Zhen , Ye Li-Xia , Hu Si-Fan , Gan Zhi-Meng , Ai Xiao-Yan , Hu Chun-Gen , Zhang Jin-Zhi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Shoot-tip abortion is a very common phenomenon in some perennial woody plants and it affects the height, architecture, and branch orientation of trees; however, little is currently known about the underlying mechanisms. In this study, we identified a gene in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) encoding a KNAT-like protein (CsKN1) and found high expression in the shoot apical meristem (SAM). Overexpression of CsKN1 in transgenic plants prolonged the vegetative growth of SAMs, whilst silencing resulted in either the loss or inhibition of SAMs. Yeast two-hybrid analysis revealed that CsKN1 interacted with another citrus KNAT-like protein (CsKN2), and overexpression of CsKN2 in lemon and tobacco caused an extreme multiple-meristem phenotype. Overexpression of CsKN1 and CsKN2 in transgenic plants resulted in the differential expression of numerous genes related to hormone biosynthesis and signaling. Yeast one-hybrid analysis revealed that the CsKN1-CsKN2 complex can bind to the promoter of citrus floral meristem gene LEAFY (CsLFY) and inhibit its expression. These results indicated that CsKN1 might prolong the vegetative growth period of SAMs by delaying flowering. In addition, an ethylene-responsive factor (CsERF) was found to bind to the CsKN1 promoter and suppresses its transcription. Overexpression of CsERF in Arabidopsis increased the contents of ethylene and reactive oxygen species, which might induce the occurrence of shoot-tip abscission. On the basis of our results, we conclude that CsKN1 and CsKN2 might work cooperatively to regulate the shoot-tip abscission process in spring shoots of sweet orange.
High photosynthesis rate in two wild rice species is driven by leaf anatomy mediating high Rubisco activity and electron transport rate
Authors: Mathan Jyotirmaya , Singh Anuradha , Jathar Vikram , Ranjan Aashish 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The importance of increasing photosynthetic efficiency for sustainable crop yield increases to feed the growing world population is well recognized. The natural genetic variation in leaf photosynthesis in crop plants is largely unexploited for increasing yield potential. The genus Oryza, including cultivated rice and wild relatives, offers tremendous genetic variability to explore photosynthetic differences and underlying biochemical, photochemical, and developmental traits. We quantified leaf photosynthesis and related physiological parameters for six cultivated and three wild rice genotypes, and identified photosynthetically efficient wild rice accessions. Fitting A/Ci curves and biochemical analyses showed that leaf photosynthesis in cultivated rice varieties IR 64 and Nipponbare was limited due to leaf nitrogen content, Rubisco activity, and electron transport rate compared with photosynthetically efficient wild rice accessions Oryza australiensis and Oryza latifolia. The selected wild rice accessions with high leaf photosynthesis per unit area had anatomical features such as larger mesophyll cells with more chloroplasts, fewer mesophyll cells between two adjacent veins, and higher mesophyll cell and chloroplast surface area exposed to intercellular space. Our results show the existence of desirable variations in Rubisco activity, electron transport rate, and leaf anatomical features that could be targeted for increasing the photosynthetic efficiency of cultivated rice varieties.
Anterior Nucleus of the Thalamus Deep Brain Stimulation with Concomitant Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Parisi Veronica , Lundstrom Brian Nils , Kerezoudis Panagiotis , Alcala Zermeno Juan Luis , Worrell Gregory A , Van Gompel Jamie J 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The Food and Drug Administration approved the deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT-DBS) as an adjunctive therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in the United States in 2018. The DBS Therapy for Epilepsy Post-Approval Study is further evaluating the safety and effectiveness of ANT-DBS among different patients’ groups. For this study, devices for vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) must be removed prior to enrolment.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the outcomes of concomitant ANT-DBS and VNS treatment for DRE.

METHODS
A retrospective analysis was performed for 33 patients who underwent ANT-DBS using previous VNS to define distinct subgroups: standard ANT-DBS (9 subjects), ANT-DBS with functional VNS (12 subjects), and ANT-DBS with the VNS implantable pulse generator explanted or turned off at the time of the DBS (12 subjects). Effectiveness and safety data were analyzed across the whole population and among subgroups.

RESULTS
A mean decrease in seizure frequency of 55% was observed after a mean follow-up of 25.5 mo. Approximately 67% of patients experienced ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency. Seizure reduction percentage was not significantly different among groups. Approximately 50% of subjects with no appreciable improvement and 75% of those who showed benefit after VNS (including improvement in seizure frequency, seizure severity, and seizure duration or quality of life) achieved a seizure reduction ≥50% after ANT-DBS surgery. There were no complications related to concomitant VNS and ANT-DBS.

CONCLUSION
ANT-DBS for DRE provides excellent results despite previous and ongoing VNS therapy. Removal of VNS does not appear to be necessary before ANT-DBS.