bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
UV‐C irradiation as a management tool for Tetranychus urticae on strawberries
Authors: Short Brent D , Janisiewicz Wojciech , Takeda Fumiomi , Leskey Tracy C 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDTetranychus urticae Koch, the two‐spotted spider mite, is a highly polyphagous and worldwide pest of many agricultural crops, including fruit, vegetables, and ornamentals. Typical methods of control include applications of acaricides and biological control agents. Here, we present a non‐chemical technology for management of T. urticae on strawberry plants through the use of a nightly short‐duration ultraviolet‐C (UV‐C) irradiation treatment.RESULTSPotted strawberry plants infested with T. urticae that received a nightly 60‐s exposure of UV‐C irradiation had significantly fewer live mites per mid‐canopy leaflet (fewer than five) than untreated control plants (> 175). Furthermore, none of the UV‐C irradiated strawberry plants had any spider mite webbing; whereas, 65% of untreated plants were webbed. Tetranychus urticae feeding on untreated plants caused significant yellowing of the leaves compared with UV‐C‐treated plants.CONCLUSIONThe UV‐C irradiation treatment maintained mite populations below the accepted economic threshold of five mites per mid‐canopy leaflet. No phytotoxic effects were visible on plants exposed to the short‐duration nightly UV‐C irradiation treatments. Further discussion is provided on the potential benefits of UV‐C irradiation for mite management. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Narrow windrow burning canola (Brassica napus L.) residue for Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary sclerotia destruction
Authors: Brooks Kyran D , Bennett Sarita J , Hodgson Leon M , Ashworth Michael B 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDSince the introduction of herbicide‐tolerant varieties of canola (Brassica napus L.) in 1993, global plantings have increased resulting in an increased incidence of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary infections. Developments in narrow windrow burning techniques to destroy the seed of multiple herbicide‐resistant weeds provide an opportunity to also intercept and heat‐treat the S. sclerotiorum inoculum source, termed sclerotia, before it re‐enters the soil to infect susceptible crop species in successive years.RESULTSPreliminary kiln studies determined that a temperature of 264 °C for 10 s was needed to destroy S. sclerotiorum sclerotia viability (LT99) of sclerotia < 3 mm in diameter, whereas temperatures of 353 and 362 °C for the same duration were required to kill sclerotia (LT99) of 3–4 and > 4 mm in diameter respectively. In the field, temperatures > 500 °C were maintained in the centre of burning narrow windrows of canola residue for > 450 s and 300 °C was maintained consistently at either edge of the windrows for the same duration. The temperatures achieved when burning canola narrow windrows were sufficient to kill all sclerotia concentrated into the narrow windrow.CONCLUSIONAs a technique, narrow windrow burning of canola residue provides the temperature and temperature durations required to kill S. sclerotiorum sclerotia, thus providing a non‐fungicidal control option as part of a wider integrated disease management approach. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Cardiac Progenitor Cells: The Matrix Has You
Authors: Castaldo Clotilde , Chimenti Isotta 
Published: April 2018

Summary
Components of the cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) are synthesized by residing cells and are continuously remodeled by them. Conversely, residing cells (including primitive cells) receive constant biochemical and mechanical signals from the ECM that modulate their biology. The pathological progression of heart failure affects all residing cells, inevitably causing profound changes in ECM composition and architecture that, in turn, impact on cell phenotypes. Any regenerative medicine approach must aim at sustaining microenvironment conditions that favor cardiogenic commitment of therapeutic cells and minimize pro-fibrotic signals, while conversely boosting the capacity of therapeutic cells to counteract adverse remodeling of the ECM. In this Perspective article, we discuss multiple issues about the features of an optimal scaffold for supporting cardiac tissue engineering strategies with cardiac progenitor cells, and, conversely, about the possible antifibrotic mechanisms induced by cell therapy.
Facile Preparation of High‐Performance Stretchable Fiber‐Like Electrodes and Supercapacitors
Authors: Ren Danyang , Dong Liubing , Wang Jinjie , Ma Xinpei , Xu Chengjun , Kang Feiyu 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA facile preparation method was proposed to fabricate core‐sheath structured elastic cord/carbon nanotube (CNT)/polyaniline (PANI) composite fibers with excellent electrochemical performance and good mechanical stretchability. Specifically, we developed a “surface melting for stable attachment” strategy to combine CNT/PANI composite film tightly with elastic cord fiber. The fabricated fiber‐like elastic cord/CNT/PANI composite electrode displays a large gravimetric capacitance of 394 F g−1(corresponds to a linear specific capacitance of 15.4 mF cm−1) and superior rate capability. The electrode capacitance has no obvious decrease when the electrode was stretched from original state to a large stretch ratio of 100%, and the capacitance maintains 98% after 100 stretch‐release cycles; besides, the electrode at stretching state possesses almost same cycling stability and rate capability as it at original state. These results indicate robust micro‐structure and outstanding stretchability of our fiber‐like elastic cord/CNT/PANI composite electrode. Consequently, all‐solid‐state supercapacitors assembled based on the fiber‐like electrode also exhibit impressive stretchability. Overall, the proposed facile method for producing stretchable fiber‐like electrodes/supercapacitors is believed to further boost the practical application of stretchable and wearable energy storage devices.
Winglet optimization for a model‐scale wind turbine
Authors: Hansen Thomas H. , Mühle Franz 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA winglet optimization method is developed and tested for a model‐scale wind turbine. The best‐performing winglet shape is obtained by constructing a Kriging surrogate model, which is refined using an infill criterion based on expected improvement. The turbine performance is simulated by solving the incompressible Navier‐Stokes equations, and the turbulent flow is predicted using the Spalart‐Allmaras turbulence model. To validate the simulated performance, experiments are performed in the Norwegian University of Science and Technology wind tunnel. According to the simulations, the optimized winglet increases the turbine power and thrust by 7.8% and 6.3%, respectively. The wind tunnel experiments show that the turbine power increases by 8.9%, while the thrust increases by 7.4%. When introducing more turbulence in the wind tunnel to reduce laminar separation, the turbine power and thrust due to the winglet increases by 10.3% and 14.9%, respectively.
Russia: The Institutional Landscape of Russian Higher Education
Authors: Platonova Daria , Semyonov Dmitry 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this chapter we explore the higher education institutional landscape taking the case of the largest post-Soviet higher education system: Russia. In the Post-Soviet period, Russian higher education has tremendously expanded. The dramatic growth of the number of students and institutions has been facilitated by the introduction of tuition fees in public and a new private sector. The shifts in social and economic demand for professional fields affected the disciplinary and organisational structure of higher educational institutions.The external forces (economic, political, social conditions) and higher education policy have been changing during the last decades. In the first part of the transitional period, the state provided limited regulation of the higher education system. In the 2000s, it has returned to its role of the main agent of change of the higher education system design. The diversity of institutional types that evolved in Russian higher education illustrate the consequences of massification and marketisation, such as new “broad access” segments and institutional programme drift. Also, the governmental role in shaping institutional diversity can be seen through attempts to increase vertical diversity (excellence initiatives), on the one hand, and to restrain it by closing down bottom-tier institutions, on the other.
Higher Education in Tajikistan: Institutional Landscape and Key Policy Developments
Authors: DeYoung Alan J. , Kataeva Zumrad , Jonbekova Dilrabo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHigher education in Tajikistan has undergone substantial changes over the past 25 years as a result of both its internal crises and those social and economic transition challenges seen throughout the Newly Independent States (NIS). HEIs in the country have also shown eagerness to change and grow as they move toward world education space. In this chapter, we examine the evolution of the Tajik system of higher education from the Soviet time through independence (1991–2015) in terms of growth, emerging landscape and diversification, and key policy developments and issues. We analyze these changes in the context of relevant economic, social and political factors, and rely on a comparative analysis in understanding the commonalities and differences in higher educational landscapes between Tajikistan and others in the NIS. Institutional diversity has occurred in the country along several dimensions. Among these is a geometric expansion of the number of HEIs: Those transformed from preexisting Soviet institutes as well as the establishment of many new ones. This has been fueled partly by the mass creation of new programs that reflect the needs of an emerging knowledge-based economy but also the result of parental craving for higher education for their children—regardless of market demands. Specific features of the massification of higher education in Tajikistan are further explained by internationalization according to the Bologna Process and other globalization agendas; the establishment of international HEIs under bilateral government agreements (with Russia), and significantly increasing HEI programs and enrolments in far-flung regions of the country—especially in programs related to industry and technology. Our analyses are based on a variety of official statistical sources; educational laws, institutional documents and reports published by international organizations; accounts from the English-language press; and open-ended interviews conducted by the authors in Tajikistan between 2011 and 2014.
Ukraine: Higher Education Reforms and Dynamics of the Institutional Landscape
Authors: Rumyantseva Nataliya L. , Logvynenko Olena I. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe chapter explores the developmental trajectory of Ukraine’s higher education system since the middle ages. Starting with just a few comprehensive universities in the western parts at first and later Eastern parts of the country, the system gradually evolved into a diverse and differentiated institutional landscape. The variety and scope of HEIs reflects the internal logic of the system’s own development as well as outside factors, including changes of the ruling governments, fluctuations in the demographic trends, shifts in political alliances and cultural and language oscillations, which have been characteristic of the Ukrainian history. The authors elaborate on several policy rationales that came to underpin some of the changes since the collapse of the Soviet Union as well as policy discussions and policy silences (lack of dialog amongst various stakeholders) that have taken a lot of energy and yet have not lead to any noticeable changes in the institutional scene. The chapter also discusses the most recent changes in the legislation and practical implementations leaving space for future research to draw conclusions as to their effectiveness.
Higher Education Transformation, Institutional Diversity and Typology of Higher Education Institutions in Azerbaijan
Authors: Isakhanli Hamlet , Pashayeva Aytaj 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe development of higher education system of Azerbaijan reflects the country’s historical transformations. The system started developing with the foundation of the first higher education institution before the establishment of the Soviet Union, expanded during the Soviets and grew into current systems of 52 institutions since independence. Institutions changed in number and nature with the entrance of private universities into the higher education market and increase in number of state universities. Three-cycle higher education was introduced and institutions utilising Western university practices of management and teaching emerged. Despite the changes, the system still reflects much of the Soviet period. The typology of higher education institutions (HEIs) in Azerbaijan was built based on their educational, research, internationalisation activities and financial capacity. Institutions were classified as leading state and private higher education institutions, which excel in research and rank high in country ranking lists. The second group of institutions are known for good quality education but do not give a heavy weight on research. The last type of higher education institutions serve the purpose of preparing teachers and other public sector employees.
Metabolic syndrome and vaspin in patients with bipolar disorder
Authors: Ertekin Hulya , Sahin Basak , Caliskan Ali Metehan , Inanli Ikbal , Ertekin Yusuf Haydar 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMetabolic disorders and abnormal levels of circulating adipokines have been reported in patients with bipolar disorder (BD). The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the correlations of vaspin plasma levels and metabolic parameters between two groups: patients with BD and mentally healthy persons. We measured plasma levels of vaspin, metabolic parameters, and metabolic syndrome (MS) in 101 patients with BD and 90 healthy control (HC) subjects. Patients with BD were evaluated with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) to assess manic symptoms and the Hamilton Depression Scale (HDS) to assess depressive symptoms. The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) was used to evaluate the general functions of the patients. Body mass index (BMI), weight, waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose, and triglyceride levels of the study group were statistically higher than those of the healthy controls (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.027, and p = 0.001 respectively). Plasma levels of vaspin were 0.978 ng/ml in patients with BD and 0.292 in the HC group (p < 0.001). Our study revealed associations between metabolic parameters/metabolic syndrome and vaspin plasma concentrations in patients with BD. Vaspin can play a specific role in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders in these subjects and can be a specific indicator substance in BD.
Pancreatic β cells overexpressing hIAPP impaired mitophagy and unbalanced mitochondrial dynamics
Authors: Hernández Miriam García , Aguilar Ana García , Burillo Jesús , Oca Raquel Gómez , Manca Maria Antonietta , Novials Ana , Alcarraz-Vizan Gema , Guillén Carlos , Benito Manuel 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHuman islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), or amylin, has the tendency to aggregate into insoluble amyloid fibrils, a typical feature of islets from type 2 diabetes individuals. Thus, we investigated comparatively the impact of hIAPP on key pathways involved in pancreatic beta survival. INS1E-hIAPP cells present a hyperactivation of MTORC1 and an inhibition of autophagy signaling, those cells showing an increase in cell size. Resveratrol, a MTORC1 inhibitor, can reverse TSC2 degradation that occurs in INS1E-hIAPP cells and diminished MTORC1 hyperactivation with concomitant autophagy stimulation. At the same time, a blockade in mitophagy was found in INS1E-hIAPP cells, as compared with control or INS1E-rIAPP cells. Consistently, human amylin overexpression generates a basal induction of nitrotyrosine levels and polyubiquitinated aggregates. Failure of the protein degradation machinery finally results in an accumulation of damaged and fissioned mitochondria, ROS production, and increased susceptibility to endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress-induced apoptosis. Overall, hIAPP overexpression in INS1E cells induced MTORC1 activation and mitophagy inhibition, favoring a pro-fission scenario of damaged mitochondria, these cells turn out to be more susceptible to the ER-stress-induced apoptosis and malfunction.
Oxygen minimum zone cryptic sulfur cycling sustained by offshore transport of key sulfur oxidizing bacteria
Authors: Callbeck Cameron M. , Lavik Gaute , Ferdelman Timothy G. , Fuchs Bernhard , Gruber-Vodicka Harald R. , Hach Philipp F. , Littmann Sten , Schoffelen Niels J. , Kalvelage Tim , Thomsen Sören , Schunck Harald , Löscher Carolin R. , Schmitz Ruth A. , Kuypers Marcel M. M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMembers of the gammaproteobacterial clade SUP05 couple water column sulfide oxidation to nitrate reduction in sulfidic oxygen minimum zones (OMZs). Their abundance in offshore OMZ waters devoid of detectable sulfide has led to the suggestion that local sulfate reduction fuels SUP05-mediated sulfide oxidation in a so-called “cryptic sulfur cycle”. We examined the distribution and metabolic capacity of SUP05 in Peru Upwelling waters, using a combination of oceanographic, molecular, biogeochemical and single-cell techniques. A single SUP05 species,
U
Thioglobus perditus, was found to be abundant and active in both sulfidic shelf and sulfide-free offshore OMZ waters. Our combined data indicated that mesoscale eddy-driven transport led to the dispersal of
U
T. perditus and elemental sulfur from the sulfidic shelf waters into the offshore OMZ region. This offshore transport of shelf waters provides an alternative explanation for the abundance and activity of sulfide-oxidizing denitrifying bacteria in sulfide-poor offshore OMZ waters.
Native mass spectrometry combined with enzymatic dissection unravels glycoform heterogeneity of biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Wohlschlager Therese , Scheffler Kai , Forstenlehner Ines C. , Skala Wolfgang , Senn Stefan , Damoc Eugen , Holzmann Johann , Huber Christian G. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRobust manufacturing processes resulting in consistent glycosylation are critical for the efficacy and safety of biopharmaceuticals. Information on glycosylation can be obtained by conventional bottom–up methods but is often limited to the glycan or glycopeptide level. Here, we apply high-resolution native mass spectrometry (MS) for the characterization of the therapeutic fusion protein Etanercept to unravel glycoform heterogeneity in conditions of hitherto unmatched mass spectral complexity. Higher spatial resolution at lower charge states, an inherent characteristic of native MS, represents a key component for the successful revelation of glycan heterogeneity. Combined with enzymatic dissection using a set of proteases and glycosidases, assignment of specific glycoforms is achieved by transferring information from subunit to whole protein level. The application of native mass spectrometric analysis of intact Etanercept as a fingerprinting tool for the assessment of batch-to-batch variability is exemplified and may be extended to demonstrate comparability after changes in the biologic manufacturing process.
Theoretical principles of transcription factor traffic on folded chromatin
Authors: Cortini Ruggero , Filion Guillaume J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAll organisms regulate transcription of their genes. To understand this process, a complete understanding of how transcription factors find their targets in cellular nuclei is essential. The DNA sequence and other variables are known to influence this binding, but the distribution of transcription factor binding patterns remains mostly unexplained in metazoan genomes. Here, we investigate the role of chromosome conformation in the trajectories of transcription factors. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we uncover the principles of their diffusion on chromatin. Chromosome contacts play a conflicting role: at low density they enhance transcription factor traffic, but at high density they lower it by volume exclusion. Consistently, we observe that in human cells, highly occupied targets, where protein binding is promiscuous, are found at sites engaged in chromosome loops within uncompacted chromatin. In summary, we provide a framework for understanding the search trajectories of transcription factors, highlighting the key contribution of genome conformation.
Linear mitochondrial DNA is rapidly degraded by components of the replication machinery
Authors: Peeva Viktoriya , Blei Daniel , Trombly Genevieve , Corsi Sarah , Szukszto Maciej J. , Rebelo-Guiomar Pedro , Gammage Payam A. , Kudin Alexei P. , Becker Christian , Altmüller Janine , Minczuk Michal , Zsurka Gábor , Kunz Wolfram S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEmerging gene therapy approaches that aim to eliminate pathogenic mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) rely on efficient degradation of linearized mtDNA, but the enzymatic machinery performing this task is presently unknown. Here, we show that, in cellular models of restriction endonuclease-induced mtDNA double-strand breaks, linear mtDNA is eliminated within hours by exonucleolytic activities. Inactivation of the mitochondrial 5′-3′exonuclease MGME1, elimination of the 3′-5′exonuclease activity of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase POLG by introducing the p.D274A mutation, or knockdown of the mitochondrial DNA helicase TWNK leads to severe impediment of mtDNA degradation. We do not observe similar effects when inactivating other known mitochondrial nucleases (EXOG, APEX2, ENDOG, FEN1, DNA2, MRE11, or RBBP8). Our data suggest that rapid degradation of linearized mtDNA is performed by the same machinery that is responsible for mtDNA replication, thus proposing novel roles for the participating enzymes POLG, TWNK, and MGME1.
An effector from the Huanglongbing-associated pathogen targets citrus proteases
Authors: Clark Kelley , Franco Jessica Yvette , Schwizer Simon , Pang Zhiqian , Hawara Eva , Liebrand Thomas W. H. , Pagliaccia Deborah , Zeng Liping , Gurung Fatta B. , Wang Pengcheng , Shi Jinxia , Wang Yinsheng , Ancona Veronica , van der Hoorn Renier A. L. , Wang Nian , Coaker Gitta , Ma Wenbo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe citrus industry is facing an unprecedented challenge from Huanglongbing (HLB). All cultivars can be affected by the HLB-associated bacterium ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’ (CLas) and there is no known resistance. Insight into HLB pathogenesis is urgently needed in order to develop effective management strategies. Here, we use Sec-delivered effector 1 (SDE1), which is conserved in all CLas isolates, as a molecular probe to understand CLas virulence. We show that SDE1 directly interacts with citrus papain-like cysteine proteases (PLCPs) and inhibits protease activity. PLCPs are defense-inducible and exhibit increased protein accumulation in CLas-infected trees, suggesting a role in citrus defense responses. We analyzed PLCP activity in field samples, revealing specific members that increase in abundance but remain unchanged in activity during infection. SDE1-expressing transgenic citrus also exhibit reduced PLCP activity. These data demonstrate that SDE1 inhibits citrus PLCPs, which are immune-related proteases that enhance defense responses in plants.