bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mutation of a RING E3 ligase, OsDIRH2, enhances drought tolerance in rice with low stomata density
Authors: Kim Jong Ho , Cho A Young , Lim Sung Don , Jang Cheol Seong 
Published: October 2024

AbstractDrought is a major environmental stress factor that negatively affects rice growth and yield. From a forward genetic perspective, we selected a drought‐insensitive TILLING line (ditl4) from a gamma‐ray‐induced core mutant population (M10). Under drought conditions, ditl4 exhibited greater fresh weight, survival rate, chlorophyll, proline, and soluble sugar contents, and lower H2O2 and MDA levels than wild‐type (WT). In addition, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase, were higher in ditl4 than in the WT. In the relative water loss assay, dilt4 showed significantly decreased leaf curling and water loss compared to WT. Also, the ratio of “closed” stomata aperture was increased in ditl4 under drought stress, suggesting reduced transpiration to prevent water loss. The ditl4 mutant showed decreased stomatal conductance, transpiration, and CO2 assimilation and increased water use efficiency due to the low density of stomata. Whole‐genome resequencing analysis of dilt4 identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in OsDIRH2 (LOC_Os11g39640), annotated as a RING‐H2 type E3 ligase, resulting in a premature stop codon. CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated knock‐out mutants (OsDIRH2a and OsDIRH2b) enhanced drought tolerance by lowering stomatal density compared to empty vector control plants. These findings suggested that ditl4 with low stomatal density would be useful as a genetic resource for a drought‐tolerant breeding program to improve water‐use efficiency.
Heartfelt choices: The influence of cardiac phase on free‐choice actions
Authors: Mussini Elena , Perrucci Mauro Gianni , Costantini Marcello , Ferri Francesca 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe influence of cardiac phases on cognitive and sensorimotor functions is noteworthy. Specifically, during systole, as opposed to diastole, there is an observed enhancement in tasks demanding the suppression of instructed responses. This suggests that systole contributes to inhibitory control in motor functions. However, the extent to which systolic inhibition is significant in volitional free‐choice actions, such as choosing to execute or refrain from a cue‐initiated response, remains to be clarified. To fill this gap in the current literature, the purpose of this study was to test whether during the systole phase, compared with the diastole phase, the tendency to enact volitional actions decreased due to the systolic inhibitory effect. We used a modified version of the Go/No‐Go task with an added condition for volitional free‐choice actions, where participants could decide whether to respond or not, to test whether systolic inhibition could affect the volitional decision to act. The results showed that participants' responses were less frequent in systole than in diastole in the volitional action condition. Then, to test the robustness of the cardiac effect on volitional actions, we used two established manipulations: the Straw Breathing Manipulation and the Cold Pressor Test, which were able to induce anxiety and increase the heart rate, respectively. Results showed that the systole/diastole difference in the number of volitional action trials in which participants decided to respond tended to remain the same despite all manipulations. Overall, our results provide convergent evidence for the effect of the heart on the decision to act, an effect that appears independent of manipulations of both the physiological and psychological state of the individual.
Implications of Microalgal–Bacterial Interactions in Modern Aquaculture Practices: A Review of the Current Knowledge
Authors: Ali Sardar , Waqas Waqas , Bakky Md. Akibul Hasan , Zada Sahib , Saif Uddin Md , Hasan Md Tawheed , Shafiq Muhammad , Dildar Tariq , Hui Wang 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTMicroalgae play a crucial role in aquaculture due to their nutritional value and antimicrobial properties, yet harvesting them can be energy intensive. To address this, microalgal–bacterial interactions have emerged as a sustainable approach, enhancing growth rates and wastewater treatment efficiency but also significantly improve nutrient cycling, particularly through the removal of ammonia and phosphorus. These interactions range from mutualism to antagonism, influencing nutrient exchange and ecological niche formation. Despite their potential, the integration of bacterial–microalgal consortia remains limited in aquaculture. This review aims to expand understanding of these interactions, their benefits, and their role in optimizing aquaculture systems. Various aspects of microalgae–bacterial interactions, including mutualistic and commensal relationships, antibiotics production by algae, and the algicidal role of bacteria, are discussed. Factors influencing these interactions, such as nutrient availability, the physical environment, chemical signaling, and microbial community composition, are also explored. The potential effects of microalgae–bacterial interactions on aquaculture, including enhanced revenue, efficiency, and ecological sustainability, are highlighted. Further research is needed to identify bacterial groups' influence on microalgal output and their potential for enhancing productivity in commercial aquaculture systems. Understanding and leveraging these microbial interactions could significantly improve aquaculture practices.
Fire triggers reestablishment of invasive grasses in a neotropical savanna under restoration
Authors: Giles André L. , Silva Mateus C. , Mazzochini Guilherme G. , Flores Bernardo M. , Rowland Lucy , de Britto Costa Patrícia , Cure Marcio B. , Monge Marcelo , Schmidt Isabel B. , Abrahão Anna , Sampaio Alexandre B. , de Almeira Côrtes Claudomiro , Oliveira Rafael S. 
Published: October 2024

Excluding invasive grasses is a significant challenge for neotropical savanna restoration. Invasive grasses alter fire regimes with feedbacks on soil nutrient pools, favoring their own dominance over native species. Here we combine remote sensing with an opportunistic experiment to monitor a savanna under restoration before and after a large natural fire. We measured vegetation and soil fertility in a 4‐year‐old restoration area in Central Brazil, which was subsequently hit by a lightning fire. The restoration area was originally utilized as pasture, dominated by invasive grasses. Over the restoration period, native fast‐growing grasses replaced the invasive species. Within the first year after the fire, we found that the fire had reduced aboveground biomass, species diversity, and abundance of native species with acquisitive resource‐use strategies. Soil phosphorus and pH increased after the fire and favored the re‐invasion of exotic grass species. Our findings suggest that fire occurrence early in the restoration process may trigger exotic grass re‐invasion driven by soil nutrient enrichment. To diminish the re‐invasion risk from exotic grasses in savannas undergoing restoration, managers should beware of the early fire or manage soil fertility after fire events. Successful restoration may also benefit by incorporating native species with high post‐fire recovery capacity.
From agents of the people to agents of authority? How illiberal populism impacts interactions between regulatory agencies and external stakeholders
Authors: Dobbins Michael , Labanino Rafael 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe decline in democratic quality and the increasing electoral popularity of illiberal populist parties are among the most notable global phenomena in the past 20 years. This article builds a bridge between the growing body of political science literature addressing how democratic backsliding impacts linkages between governments and organized interests and the public administration literature exploring how illiberal populists reshape the bureaucracy. Focusing on regulatory agencies in four post‐communist countries that have recently experienced varying degrees of democrating backsliding, we explore whether and how interactions between bureaucrats and interest groups have changed amid democratic decline. We find that even in the context of backsliding, professionalization (i.e. internal organizational development) and expertise provision are strong positive predictors of interest groups' access to regulators. However, our analysis unequivocally shows that exclusion by illiberal populist incumbent parties has a profound and negative effect on organizations' ability to reach bureaucracies. We draw on a new survey dataset, which grasps relationships between organized interests and political institutions (i.e. governments, parties, regulatory agencies, parliaments) in the region.
Multisource information fusion for safety risk assessment in complex projects considering dependence and uncertainty
Authors: Guo Kai , Zhang Limao 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe success of tunneling projects is crucial for infrastructure development. However, the potential leakage risk is particularly challenging due to the inherent uncertainties and fuzziness involved. To address this demanding challenge, a hybrid approach integrating the copula theory, cloud model, and risk matrix, is proposed. The dependence of multiple risk‐related influential factors is explored by the construct of the copula‐cloud model, and the diverse information is fused by applying the risk matrix to gain a crisp risk result. A case study is performed to test the applicability of the proposed approach, in which a risk index system consisting of nine critical factors is developed and Sobol‐enabled global sensitivity analysis (GSA) is incorporated to investigate the contributions of different factors to the risk magnitude. Key findings are as follows: (1) Risk statuses of the studied three tunnel sections are perceived as under grade I (safe), II (low‐risk), and III (medium‐risk), respectively, and the waterproof material aspect is found prone to deteriorating the tunnel sections. Furthermore, the proposed approach allows for a better understanding of the trends in the risk statuses of the tunnel sections. (2) Strong interactions between influential factors exist and exert impacts on the final risk results, proving the necessity of studying the factor dependence. (3) The developed neutral risk matrix presents a strong robustness and displays a higher recognition capacity in risk assessment. The novelty of this research lies in the consideration of the dependence and uncertainty in multisource information fusion with a hybrid copula‐cloud model, enabling to perform a robust risk assessment under different risk matrices with varying degrees of risk tolerance.
The Mind Hidden in Our Hands
Authors: Goldin‐Meadow Susan 
Published: October 2024

AbstractOur hands are always with us and are used for communication all over the world. When children do not have an established language model to learn from, they use their hands to gesture, and these gestures take on the forms of language. In this role, the hands reveal the fundamental properties of the mind that give shape to language. When children do learn an established language, they again use their hands to gesture. These gestures do not look like language but form an integrated system with language. In this role, the hands can convey ideas not found in the language they accompany. In both contexts, gesture provides a clear view of the mind hidden in our hands.
Relative Tumour Volume in Canine Oral Melanoma Staging and Prognosis
Authors: Silva Marta L. , Martinho Inês , Rocha Margarida , Martano Marina , Spindler Kevin P. , Buracco Paolo , Giacobino Davide , Florindo Helena F. , Mestrinho Lisa A. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACTMelanoma is one of the most common canine oral malignant tumours and is highly aggressive and metastatic, even at the early stages of development. Surgery relies on wide excision of the primary tumour and regional lymphadenectomy, with or without adjuvant therapy. Tumour location and size are important when considering staging, which ultimately affects the curative intent of surgery. Nevertheless, absolute tumour volume (TV) is not related to the vast phenotypic variability within canine breeds. This study aimed to determine the cutoff values of two ratios—tumour‐to‐head volume (THR) and tumour‐to‐body volume (TBR)—and assess whether they could be associated with the odds of finding metastasis at presentation and/or the likelihood of achieving tumour‐free excision margins. A retrospective case series involving 51 dogs was used to evaluate the preoperative head/neck and chest computed tomography and histopathology of the primary mass and excised lymph nodes. Higher TV, THR% and TBR% values were associated with bone lysis and mitotic count (MC). The Ki67 index was significantly associated with local and distant metastases at presentation, whereas MC was associated with local metastasis alone. Tumour‐infiltrated surgical margins were associated with caudally located tumours, regardless of the tumour size. Dogs with lymph node metastasis at presentation were seven times more prone to have local relapse. TV, THR% and TBR% values were positively associated with local lymph node metastasis at presentation. Cutoff values for both TV and TBR% were proposed to predict lymph node metastasis at presentation (TV = 6.423 cm3 and TBR% = 0.043), being supported by post‐surgical survival analysis.
Experiences of clinical nurses with medication interruption: A systematic review and qualitative meta‐synthesis
Authors: Wang Qing , Ding Xiaotong , Zhu Mingyue , Chen Hongli , Yang Yanli , Wang Yanhong , Gan Zixuan , Chung Yuetfoon , Li Zheng 
Published: October 2024

AbstractBackgroundManaging medication interruptions is considered one of the biggest dilemmas for nurses in clinical settings. To improve medication safety, it was imperative to conduct a systematic review to get a deeper understanding of nurses' experiences with medication interruptions.AimsA systematic review and qualitative meta‐synthesis aimed to explore clinical nurses' experiences of interruption during medication in hospitals.MethodsSystematic searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Ovid Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library from inception to January 2024. The search strategy included four groups of keywords: (1) qualitative research, (2) nurses, (3) medication interruption, and (4) experience. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used to assess the quality of the studies. Meta‐ethnography was utilized to synthesize the findings of the included studies.ResultsNine articles published between 2012 and 2023 were included; the number of participants varied from 5 to 40, aged 20–68 years, and the majority were female. Four synthesized findings were identified as follows: (1) an inevitable part of the routine, (2) a decision‐making process, (3) working in a minefield, and (4) coping with interruption.Linking Evidence to ActionNurses embraced interruptions as an inherent component of clinical care. Previous experience and nursing culture, encompassing personal and professional aspects, significantly influence nurses' attitudes toward medication interruptions. It is crucial to incorporate the distinctive work experiences of nurses into techniques aimed at efficiently handling interruptions in future research. The registration number in PROSPERO is CRD42023470276.
Colouring versus density in integers and Hales–Jewett cubes
Authors: Reiher Christian , Rödl Vojtěch , Sales Marcelo 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWe construct for every integer and every real a set of integers which, when coloured with finitely many colours, contains a monochromatic ‐term arithmetic progression, whilst every finite has a subset of size that is free of arithmetic progressions of length . This answers a question of Erdős, Nešetřil and the second author. Moreover, we obtain an analogous multidimensional statement and a Hales–Jewett version of this result.
Reduced K+ build‐up in t‐tubules contributes to resistance of the diaphragm to myotonia
Authors: Myers Jessica H. , Denman Kirsten , Dupont Chris , Foy Brent D. , Rich Mark M. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractPatients with myotonia congenita suffer from slowed muscle relaxation caused by hyperexcitability. The diaphragm is only mildly affected in myotonia congenita; discovery of the mechanism underlying its resistance to myotonia could identify novel therapeutic targets. Intracellular recordings from two mouse models of myotonia congenita revealed the diaphragm had less myotonia than either the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) or the soleus muscles. A mechanism contributing to resistance of the diaphragm to myotonia was reduced depolarization of the interspike membrane potential during repetitive firing of action potentials, a process driven by build‐up of K+ in small invaginations of muscle membrane known as t‐tubules. We explored differences between diaphragm and EDL that might underlie reduction of K+ build‐up in diaphragm t‐tubules. Smaller size of diaphragm fibres, which promotes diffusion of K+ out of t‐tubules, was identified as a contributor. Intracellular recording revealed slower repolarization of action potentials in diaphragm suggesting reduced Kv conductance. Higher resting membrane conductance was identified suggesting increased Kir conductance. Computer simulation found that a reduction of Kv conductance had little effect on K+ build‐up whereas increased Kir conductance lessened build‐up, although the effect was modest. Our data and computer simulation suggest opening of K+ channels during action potentials has little effect on K+ build‐up whereas opening of K+ channels during the interspike interval slightly lessens K+ build‐up. We conclude that activation of K+ channels may lessen myotonia by opposing depolarization to action potential threshold without worsening K+ build‐up in t‐tubules.
imageKey points
In mouse models of the muscle disease myotonia congenita, the diaphragm has much less myotonia (muscle stiffness) than the extensor digitorum longus or soleus muscles.
Identifying why the diaphragm is resistant to myotonia may help in developing novel therapy.
We found the reason the diaphragm has less myotonia is that it is less prone to depolarization caused by K+ build‐up in t‐tubules during repetitive firing of action potentials.
Smaller fibre size contributes to resistance to K+ build‐up with differences in K+ currents playing little role.
Our data suggest drugs that open K+ channels may be effective in treating myotonia as they may lessen excitability without worsening K+ build‐up in t‐tubules.
Effect of Pulse Current on Friction Coefficient of 7075-T6 Aluminum Alloy and Microstructure Analysis
Authors: Dou Shasha , Zhou Kang , Qian Haixu , Shi Haojie , Xia Jiansheng 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
A study on friction is necessary to improve the forming quality of stamped parts. It has been found that pulsed current can improve the forming properties of aluminum alloys, mainly in terms of Joule heat and electroplasticity. Thus, this article revolves around the effect of different current densities on the friction and wear of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy sheets. The change rule of friction coefficient under different current densities is derived through a friction test, and the variable friction simulation model is established. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) are used to analyze the micromorphology and elemental composition of the wear surface. The diffraction peaks of Al are analyzed by XRD, and grain size and dislocation density are calculated. Finally, the actual stamping results are compared with the simulation results. The results show that the friction coefficient decreases with the increase of current density when the current density is less than 10 A/mm2, and the wear mechanism is mainly abrasive wear. When the current density is greater than 10 A/mm2, the friction coefficient increases with the increase of current density and the wear mechanism is mainly adhesive and electrical wear. The grain size and dislocation density mainly depend on the electrical plasticity. The variable friction model's simulated thickness distribution and rebound results align more with the situation.
Micromechanical and Tribological Characterization of Fabricated Ti–6Al–4V Alloy Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion
Authors: Marichamy M. , Chockalingam K. , Arunachalam N. 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
In the dynamic era of advanced manufacturing technology, laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) have gained popularity in different domains due to its capability to build parts from bulk to miniature size with higher efficiency and precision. Ti–6Al–4V, a bio-inert metal alloy, possesses a unique blend of profound mechanical and biocompatibility attributes, making it highly suitable for implant applications. This study reports the fabrication of Ti–6Al–4V alloy for implant application via the L-PBF process. The objective is to enhance the micromechanical and tribological properties of the fabricated Ti–6Al–4V component by identifying the optimal processing conditions. The fabricated component exhibited a maximum hardness of 395.26 HV and a minimum frictional coefficient of 0.3193 at 195 W laser power, 900 mm/s scanning speed, and 70 μm hatching distance. The wear-rate and absorbed wear volume were measured as 1.265 × 10−5 mm3 N−1 min−1 and 0.3162 mm3, respectively, under sliding conditions. At optimal processing state, the printed surface displayed an alpha-phase morphology with homogeneous microstructural features due to uniform melting of powder particles that improved bond strength and minimized defects. This study offers an experimental insight into operational attributes, paving the way for accelerated production of Ti–6Al–4V alloy components using the L-PBF method and tailoring tribological properties to meet specific functional requirements.
Mechanisms regulating host cell death during
Leishmania
infection
Authors: Fernandes Juliane C. R. , Zamboni Dario S. 
Published: October 2024

ABSTRACT

Parasites from the
Leishmania
genus are the causative agents of leishmaniasis and primarily reside within macrophages during mammalian infection. Their ability to establish intracellular infection provides a secure niche for proliferation while evading detection. However, successful multiplication within mammalian cells requires the orchestration of multiple mechanisms that control host cell viability. In contrast, innate immune cells, such as macrophages, can undergo different forms of cell death in response to pathogenic intracellular microbes. Thus, modulation of these different forms of host cell death is crucial for Leishmaniasis development. The regulation of host cell apoptosis, a form of programmed cell death, is crucial for sustaining parasites within viable host cells. Accordingly, several studies have demonstrated evasion of apoptosis induced by dermotropic and viscerotropic
Leishmania
species. Conversely, the prevention of pyroptosis, an inflammatory form of cell death, ensures the establishment of infection by silencing the release of mediators that could trigger massive proinflammatory responses. This manuscript explores how
Leishmania
regulates various host cell death pathways and overviews seminal studies on regulating host cell apoptosis by different
Leishmania
species.