bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deficiency in alcohol dehydrogenase 2 reduces arsenic in rice grains by suppressing silicate transporters
Authors: Hayashi Shimpei , Kuramata Masato , Abe Tadashi , Yamaguchi Noriko , Takagi Hiroki , Tanikawa Hachidai , Iino Manaka , Sugimoto Kazuhiko , Ishikawa Satoru 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Paddy fields are anaerobic and facilitate arsenite (As(III)) elution from the soil. Paddy-field rice accumulates arsenic (As) in its grains because silicate transporters actively assimilate As(III) during the reproductive stage. Reducing the As level in rice grains is an important challenge for agriculture. Using a forward genetic approach, we isolated a rice (Oryza sativa) mutant, low arsenic line 3 (las3), whose As levels were decreased in aerial tissues, including grains. The low-As phenotype was not observed in young plants before heading (emergence of the panicle). Genetic analyses revealed that a deficiency in alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) 2 by mutation is responsible for the phenotype. Among the three rice ADH paralogues, ADH2 was the most efficiently produced in root tissue under anaerobic conditions. In wild-type (WT), silicon and As concentrations in aerial tissues increased with growth. However, the increase was suppressed in las3 during the reproductive stage. Accordingly, the gene expression of two silicate transporters, Lsi1 and Lsi2, was increased in WT around the time of heading, whereas the increase was suppressed in las3. These results indicate that the low-As phenotype in las3 is due to silicate transporter suppression. Measurement of intracellular pH by 31P-nuclear magnetic resonance revealed intracellular acidification of las3 roots under hypoxia, suggesting that silicate transporter suppression in las3 might arise from an intracellular pH decrease, which is known to be facilitated by a deficiency in ADH activity under anaerobic conditions. This study provides valuable insight into reducing As levels in rice grains.
Structure of double pionic atoms
Authors: Tani Akari , Ikeno Natsumi , Jido Daisuke , Nagahiro Hideko , Fujioka Hiroyuki , Itahashi Kenta , Hirenzaki Satoru 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We study theoretically the structure of double pionic atoms, in which two negatively charged pions ($\pi^-$) are bound in the atomic orbits. The double pionic atom is considered to be an interesting system from the point of view of the multi-bosonic systems. In addition, it could be possible to deduce valuable information on the isospin $I = 2$$\pi\pi$ interaction and the pion–nucleus strong interaction. In this paper, we take into account the $\pi\pi$ strong and electromagnetic interactions, and evaluate the effects on the binding energies by perturbation theory for the double pionic atoms in heavy nuclei. We investigate several combinations of two pionic states and find that the order of magnitude of the energy shifts due to the $\pi\pi$ interaction is around 10 keV for the strong interaction and around 100 keV for the electromagnetic interaction for the ground states.
Sleep health and cognitive function among people with and without HIV: the use of different machine learning approaches
Authors: De Francesco Davide , Sabin Caroline A , Winston Alan , Rueschman Michael N , Doyle Nicki D , Anderson Jane , Vera Jaime H , Boffito Marta , Sachikonye Memory , Mallon Patrick W G , Haddow Lewis , Post Frank A , Redline Susan , Kunisaki Ken M 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Study Objectives
We investigated associations between actigraphy-assessed sleep measures and cognitive function in people with and without HIV using different analytical approaches to better understand these associations and highlight differences in results obtained by these approaches.

Methods
Cognitive and 7-day/night actigraphy data were collected from people with HIV (PWH) and lifestyle-similar HIV-negative individuals from HIV and sexual health clinics in the United Kingdom/Ireland. A global cognitive T-score was obtained averaging the standardized individual cognitive test scores accounting for sociodemographics. Average and SD of 11 sleep measures over 7 days/nights were obtained. Rank regression, partial least-squares (PLS) regression, random forest, sleep dimension construct, and latent class analysis (LCA) were applied to evaluate associations between global T-scores and sleep measures.

Results
In 344 PWH (median age 57 years, 86% males), average sleep duration, efficiency, and wake after sleep onset were not associated with global T-scores according to rank regression (p = 0.51, p = 0.09, p = 0.16, respectively). In contrast, global T-scores were associated with average and SD of length of nocturnal awakenings, SD of maintenance efficiency, and average out-of-bed time when analyzed by PLS regression and random forest. No associations were found when using sleep dimensions or LCA. Overall, findings observed in PWH were similar to those seen in HIV-negative individuals (median age 61 years, 67% males).

Conclusions
Using multivariable analytical approaches, measures of sleep continuity, timing, and regularity were associated with cognitive performance in PWH, supporting the utility of newer methods of incorporating multiple standard and novel measures of sleep-wake patterns in the assessment of health and functioning.
On the classic paradox of infinity and a related function
Authors: Wijeratne Chanakya , Zazkis Rina 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In this study we consider a classic paradox of infinity and its variations and suggest how the sources of misleading intuition can be analysed using the concept of uniform convergence of functions. We then examine how six mathematics honour students engage with a variation of the paradox. Despite their advanced mathematical training, the participants experienced considerable difficulty in addressing the presented paradoxical situation. Drawing on data from written responses and individual interviews, we describe the students’ approaches in an attempt to reconcile their intuitive perceptions with their mathematical computations.
Hydroquinone exposure accumulates neutral lipid by the activation of CDP-DAG pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Raj Abhishek , Nachiappan Vasanthi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Benzene metabolites (HQ and BQ) are toxic compounds and their presence in human cause alteration in cellular respiration and kidney damage. In the current study, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been used as a model organism and acute exposure of hydroquinone (HQ) decreased cell growth and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). The expression of apoptosis regulatory genes (YCA1, NUC1, YSP1 and AIF1) were increased with HQ exposure in the wild-type cells. HQ exposure in the wild-type cells altered both the phospholipid and neutral lipid levels. Phosphatidylcholine is a vital membrane lipid that has a vital role in membrane biogenesis and was increased significantly with HQ. The neutral lipid results were supported with lipid droplets data and mRNA expression study. The phospholipid knockouts (Kennedy pathway) accumulated neutral lipids via the CDP-DAG (cytidine-diphosphate-diacylglycerol) pathway genes both in the presence and absence of HQ.
Preferences and patterns of response to public health advice during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Nov Oded , Dove Graham , Balestra Martina , Lawrence Katharine , Mann Devin , Wiesenfeld Batia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWith recurring waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, a dilemma facing public health leadership is whether to provide public advice that is medically optimal (e.g., most protective against infection if followed), but unlikely to be adhered to, or advice that is less protective but is more likely to be followed. To provide insight about this dilemma, we examined and quantified public perceptions about the tradeoff between (a) the stand-alone value of health behavior advice, and (b) the advice’s adherence likelihood. In a series of studies about preference for public health leadership advice, we asked 1,061 participants to choose between (1) strict advice that is medically optimal if adhered to but which is less likely to be broadly followed, and (2) relaxed advice, which is less medically effective but more likely to gain adherence - given varying infection expectancies. Participants’ preference was consistent with risk aversion. Offering an informed choice alternative that shifts volition to advice recipients only strengthened risk aversion, but also demonstrated that informed choice was preferred as much or more than the risk-averse strict advice.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) modulates functional connectivity and enhances inhibitory safety learning in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Authors: Adams Thomas G. , Cisler Josh M. , Kelmendi Benjamin , George Jamilah R. , Kichuk Stephen A. , Averill Christopher L. , Anticevic Alan , Abdallah Chadi G. , Pittenger Christopher 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundPsychotherapy based on fear extinction is a mainstay of treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The default mode network (DMN) is important to safety signal processing, fear extinction, and exposure-based therapies. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is an anchor of the DMN. Neuromodulation targeting the mPFC might augment therapeutic learning and thereby enhance response to exposure-based therapies.MethodsTo characterize the effects of mPFC neuromodulation, 17 community volunteers completed resting-state fMRI scans before and after receiving 20 minutes of frontopolar multifocal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). To examine the effects of tDCS on therapeutic learning, 24 patients with OCD were randomly assigned (double-blind, 50:50) to receive active or sham tDCS immediately before completing a two-day exposure and response prevention (ERP) challenge.ResultsAfter tDCS, frontal pole functional connectivity with regions in the anterior insula and basal ganglia decreased, while connectivity in the middle and superior frontal gyri increased (ps<.001, corrected). Functional connectivity between DMN and salience network (SN) increased after tDCS (ps<.001). OCD patients who received active tDCS exhibited more rapid within- and between-trial therapeutic extinction learning (ps<.05) during the ERP challenge compared to those who received sham tDCS.ConclusiontDCS targeting the mPFC may modulate SN and DMN functional connectivity and can accelerate therapeutic learning. Though limited by small samples, these promising findings motivate further exploration of the effects of tDCS on neural and behavioral targets associated with exposure-based treatments for OCD and for other anxiety and related disorders.
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 in autolysed samples from an exhumed decomposed body: Implications to virus survival, genome stability and spatial distribution in tissues
Authors: Prasad Mahadeshwara , Nachappa Somanna Ajjamada , Anand Niveditha , Rudresh Deepika Udayawara , Singh Yashika , Gangani Surabhi P. , Bhansali Forum K. , Sharma Basista Rabina , Senathipathi Deep Nithun , Byrappa Shashidhar H. , Halami Prakash M. , Veeranna Ravindra P. ,   CSIR,   CFTRI
Published: February 2021

AbstractHere we report for the first time the SARS-CoV-2 detection in autolysed samples from an exhumed decomposed body post-thirty six days after death. Both naso-oropharyngeal swabs and visceral samples from the lung, intestine, liver, and kidney were collected from the body exhumed post-fifteen days after burial, stored in viral transport medium and in saturated salt solution respectively. Naso-oropharyngeal swabs showed the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 genome as identified by the amplification of viral E, N, RdRP, or ORF1ab genes by RT-PCR. Subsequent examination of tissues reveal the detection of the virus genome in the intestine and liver, while no detection in the kidney and lung. These results signify the genome stability and implicate the virus survival in decomposed swab samples and in tissues and thereafter in storage solution. Further results also indicate spatial distribution of the virus in tissues during the early stage of infection in the subject with no respiratory distress. Considering the presence of cool, humid, and moist location of the exhumation, the presence of virus genome might also indicate that SARS-CoV-2 can persist for more than seven days on the surface of dead bodies similar to the Ebola virus, confirming that transmission from deceased subjects is possible for an extended period after death. These results further reaffirm the robustness of the RT-PCR aiding in the detection of viruses or their genome in decomposed samples when other methods of detection could not be useful.
Homologous and heterologous serological response to the N-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Lv Huibin , Tsang Owen Tak-Yin , So Ray T. Y. , Wang Yiquan , Yuan Meng , Liu Hejun , Yip Garrick K. , Teo Qi Wen , Lin Yihan , Liang Weiwen , Wang Jinlin , Ng Wilson W. , Wilson Ian A. , Peiris J. S. Malik , Wu Nicholas C. , Mok Chris K. P. 
Published: February 2021

SUMMARYThe increasing numbers of infected cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) poses serious threats to public health and the global economy. Most SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies target the receptor binding domain (RBD) and some the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the spike protein, which is the major antigen of SARS-CoV-2. While the antibody response to RBD has been extensively characterized, the antigenicity and immunogenicity of the NTD protein are less well studied. Using 227 plasma samples from COVID-19 patients, we showed that SARS-CoV-2 NTD-specific antibodies could be induced during infection. As compared to the serological response to SARS-CoV-2 RBD, the SARS-CoV-2 NTD response is less cross-reactive with SARS-CoV. Furthermore, neutralizing antibodies are rarely elicited in a mice model when NTD is used as an immunogen. We subsequently demonstrate that NTD has an altered antigenicity when expressed alone. Overall, our results suggest that while NTD offers an alternative strategy for serology testing, it may not be suitable as an immunogen for vaccine development.
Physiological and ecological consequences of the water optical properties degradation on reef corals
Authors: López-Londoño Tomás , Galindo-Martínez Claudia T. , Gómez-Campo Kelly , González-Guerrero Luis A. , Roitman Sofia , Pollock F. Joseph , Pizarro Valeria , López-Victoria Mateo , Medina Mónica , Iglesias-Prieto Roberto 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDegradation of water optical properties due to anthropogenic disturbances is a common phenomenon in coastal waters globally. Although this condition is associated with multiple drivers that affect corals health in multiple ways, its effect on light availability and photosynthetic energy acquisition has been largely neglected. Here, we describe how declining the water optical quality in a coastal reef exposed to a turbid plume of water originating from a man-made channel compromise the functionality of the keystone coral speciesOrbicella faveolata. We found highly variable water optical conditions with significant effects on the light quantity and quality available for corals. Reduction of light penetration into the water column elicits the development of low-light phenotypes close to theoretical limits of photoacclimation despite their occurrence at shallow depths. Predicted photosynthetic energy depletion with increasing depth is associated with patterns of colony mortality and contraction of the habitable space for the population. A numerical model illustrates the potential effect the progressive degradation of water optical properties on the gradual mortality and population decline ofO. faveolata. Our findings suggest that preserving the water optical properties seeking to maximize light penetration into the water column may have an extraordinary impact on coral reefs conservation, mostly toward the deeper portions of reefs.
China investment policy – ensuring the mice will be caught
Authors: Lewis Ian K. , Zhou Mirror , Wang Elfie J.Y. 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
This article analyses China’s attempts at economic revival, which, starting with the Foreign Investment Law, were under way before COVID-19 but which were given extra impetus by the onset of the pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach
The thought is that the Foreign Investment Law lacks detail, so this article looks at the three ideas with which the State Council is seeking to underpin it: key Industries, promoting investment and equal treatment. It also considers Shanghai’s experience as the first major municipality to implement the State Council’s guidance.

Findings
China is committed to more transparency and to opening more of its economy to foreign investors, even if it will continue to be selective about which industries it wishes to encourage. The central government wants other regional and local jurisdictions to follow Shanghai’s lead and implement its guidance, as well as bring forward more measures to make the environment more favorable for foreign investment. At the same time, the article notes that China faces some hostility from other nations and groupings, such as the US, UK and the EU, from which it would expect to receive investment.

Practical implications
Investors can expect more specific reforms in the different areas of the economy that China wishes to develop while recognizing that it needs foreign expertise to do so.

Originality/value
Insight from experienced corporate lawyers who are resident in China and have first-hand experience of the measures aimed at economic recovery.
Reflections on the theme issue outcomes: tourism sustainability in natural, residential and mountain locations: What are the current issues and questions?
Authors: Teare Richard 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Profiles the WHATT theme issue: “Tourism sustainability in natural, residential and mountain locations: What are the current issues and questions?” with reference to the experiences of the theme editors and writing team.

Design/methodology/approach
The author has used structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point, the selection of the writing team and material and the editorial process.

Findings
This paper identifies some of the key challenge for sustainable tourism in natural spaces and mountain areas with reference to the issues that impede sustainability and possible solutions.

Practical implications
The theme issue outcomes provide indicators and action points for tourism industry stakeholders and for teaching and research in sustainable tourism development.

Originality/value
This paper draws on discussion and applies research to identify and assess the scope and scale of action needed to address tourism sustainability in a diverse range of locations, with particular reference to Europe. Taken together, the theme issue collection of articles provides a rich picture of the changes that are needed and key actions for the future.
Self-determination and financial well-being: mediating role of financial attitude among retirees in Nigeria
Authors: Soepding Benard Alkali , Munene John C. , Orobia Laura 
Published: February 2021

Purpose
Little is known about how self-determination and financial attitude are linked to retirees’ financial well-being in Nigerian context. Drawing from the theory of reasoned action, the purpose of this paper is to examine the connection of self-determination, financial attitude and financial well-being. Also, this paper examines the mediating role of financial attitude between self-determination and financial well-being.

Design/methodology/approach
A cross-sectional study was used in collecting quantitative data from 399 retirees drawn from North Central Nigeria. Hypotheses are tested through structural equation modelling using the Analysis of Moments of Structures (AMOS) software, version 23.

Findings
Results from the research indicate that financial attitude serves as a trajectory through which self-determination leads to financial well-being. Therefore, self-determination and financial attitude significantly contribute to the financial well-being of retirees.

Research limitations/implications
The use of a cross-sectional design may undermine the causal conclusions of the findings. This study adds to existing research on financial well-being by showing that financial attitude is significant in attaining financial well-being and how self-determination variable impact financial well-being.

Originality/value
This study contributes to literature by establishing the mediating role of financial attitude in the relationship between self-determination and financial well-being. Thus, instead of concentrating on only the direct effects of self-determination and financial well-being, the indirect effect of financial attitude is tested.
Choosing Wisely in radiation therapy for breast cancer: Time lag in adoption of hypofractionated radiation therapy in Victoria
Authors: Ong Wee Loon , Khor Richard , Chao Michael , Milne Roger L , Millar Jeremy , Foroudi Farshad 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIntroductionTo evaluate the adoption of hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) for breast cancer (BC) in Victoria, Australia.MethodsThis is a population‐based cohort of women with BC who had breast RT as captured in the Victorian Radiotherapy Minimum Data Set between 2012 and 2017. We defined HFRT as < 25 fractions of RT. The pattern of HFRT use over time was evaluated with the Cochrane–Armitage test for trend. Factors associated with HFRT were identified using multivariable logistic regression.Results12,717 women were included in the study. Overall, 6,653 (52%) patients had HFRT. HFRT use increased from 35% in 2012 to 66% in 2017 (P‐trend < 0.001). Older women were more likely to have HFRT (74% for women aged ≥ 70 years vs. 27% for women aged < 50 years; P < 0.001). Women who had nodal irradiation were less likely to have HFRT compared with those who did not (13% vs. 57%; P < 0.001). HFRT use was more common in public than private institutions (57% vs. 46%, P < 0.001), and in metropolitan than regional centres (54% vs. 46%, P < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, the progressive increase in HFRT use over time was independent of other covariates – women treated in 2017 were 7.3 times (95% CI = 6.3–8.6, P < 0.001) more likely to be treated with HFRT than in 2012. Age at RT, nodal irradiation, area of residence and institutional type and locations were all independently associated with HFRT use.ConclusionThis large Australian contemporary population‐based study demonstrates increasing use of HFRT for BC. However, large sociodemographic and institutional provider‐related variations in practice still exist.