bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemoreceptors in Sinorhizobium meliloti require minimal pentapeptide tethers to provide adaptational assistance
Authors: Agbekudzi Alfred , Scharf Birgit E. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSensory adaptation in bacterial chemotaxis is mediated by posttranslational modifications of methyl‐accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs). In Escherichia coli, the adaptation proteins CheR and CheB tether to a conserved C‐terminal receptor pentapeptide. Here,we investigated the function of the pentapeptide motif (N/D)WE(E/N)F in Sinorhizobium meliloti chemotaxis. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed stronger affinity of the pentapeptides to CheR and activated CheB relative to unmodified CheB. Strains with mutations of the conserved tryptophan in one or all four MCP pentapeptides resulted in a significant decrease or loss of chemotaxis to glycine betaine, lysine, and acetate, chemoattractants sensed by pentapeptide‐bearing McpX and pentapeptide‐lacking McpU and McpV, respectively. Importantly, we discovered that the pentapeptide mediates chemotaxis when fused to the C‐terminus of pentapeptide‐lacking chemoreceptors via a flexible linker. We propose that adaptational assistance and a threshold number of available sites enable the efficient docking of adaptation proteins to the chemosensory array. Altogether, these results demonstrate that S. meliloti effectively utilizes a pentapeptide‐dependent adaptation system with a minimal number of tethering units to assist pentapeptide‐lacking chemoreceptors and hypothesize that the higher abundance of CheR and CheB in S. meliloti compared to E. coli allows for ample recruitment of adaptation proteins to the chemosensory array.
Ecological niche modelling of Culicoides imicola and future range shifts under climate change scenarios in Italy
Authors: Del Lesto Irene , Magliano Adele , Casini Riccardo , Ermenegildi Arianna , Rombolà Pasquale , De Liberato Claudio , Romiti Federico 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCulicoides imicola is the main vector of viral diseases of livestock in Europe such as bluetongue (BT), African horse sickness and epizootic haemorrhagic disease. Climatic factors are the main drivers of C. imicola occurrence and its distribution might be subject to rapid shifts due to climate change. Entomological data, collected during BT surveillance, and climatic/environmental variables were used to analyse ecological niche and to model C. imicola distribution and possible future range shifts in Italy. An ensemble technique was used to weigh the performance of machine learning, linear and profile methods. Updated future climate projections from the latest phase of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project were used to generate future distributions for the next three 20‐year periods, according to combinations of general circulation models and shared socioeconomic pathways and considering different climate change scenarios. Results indicated the minimum temperature of the coldest month (BIO 6) and precipitation of the driest‐warmest months (BIO 14) as the main limiting climatic factors. Indeed, BIO 6 and BIO 14 reported the two highest values of variable importance, respectively, 9.16% (confidence interval [CI] = 7.99%–10.32%), and 2.01% (CI = 1.57%–2.44%). Under the worst‐case scenario of climate change, C. imicola range is expected to expand northward and shift away from the coasts of central Italy, while in some areas of southern Italy, environmental suitability will decrease. Our results provide predictions of C. imicola distribution according to the most up‐to‐date future climate projections and should be of great use to surveillance management at regional and national scales.
The promise and peril of interpersonal political communication
Authors: Settle Jaime E. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAt present, the field of political psychology lacks an effective framework to conceptually organize the findings from the voluminous literature assessing whether interpersonal political interaction makes democracy better or worse. Historically, the scholarship examining various styles of interactions has remained siloed; scholars have not designed their studies to facilitate comparisons across different styles, so the accumulation of knowledge about one style often fails to influence how knowledge is accumulated about other styles. Moreover, the approaches used to study interpersonal political interaction bundle together constituent facets of discussion in a way that makes it difficult to unpack the relationship between the structural features and attitudinal outcomes of that interaction. In this review, I seek to develop a conceptual framework with two goals: (1) to encourage research design that intentionally examines why and how particular features of interpersonal interactions are linked to particular kinds of attitudinal outcomes, regardless of the style of interaction and (2) to facilitate communication between academic researchers and practitioners in order to strengthen the theory‐to‐practice pipeline for interpersonal political interaction research.
Understanding the role of boron in plant adaptation to soil salinity
Authors: Qu Mei , Huang Xin , García‐Caparrós Pedro , Shabala Lana , Fuglsang Anja Thoe , Yu Min , Shabala Sergey 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSoil salinity is a major environmental constraint affecting the sustainability and profitability of agricultural production systems. Salinity stress tolerance has been present in wild crop relatives but then lost, or significantly weakened, during their domestication. Given the genetic and physiological complexity of salinity tolerance traits, agronomical solutions may be a suitable alternative to crop breeding for improved salinity stress tolerance. One of them is optimizing fertilization practices to assist plants in dealing with elevated salt levels in the soil. In this review, we analyse the causal relationship between the availability of boron (an essential metalloid micronutrient) and plant's adaptive responses to salinity stress at the whole‐plant, cellular, and molecular levels, and a possibility of using boron for salt stress mitigation. The topics covered include the impact of salinity and the role of boron in cell wall remodelling, plasma membrane integrity, hormonal signalling, and operation of various membrane transporters mediating plant ionic and water homeostasis. Of specific interest is the role of boron in the regulation of H+‐ATPase activity whose operation is essential for the control of a broad range of voltage‐gated ion channels. The complex relationship between boron availability and expression patterns and the operation of aquaporins is also discussed.
Exploring the limits of collaboration and the fragility of its outcomes: The case of community policing
Authors: Headley Andrea M. , Kalesnikaite Vaiva 
Published: May 2024

AbstractUnderstanding collaboration between the government and community leaders or organizations is essential for effectively delivering services and creating public value. Interorganizational collaboration is particularly salient in communities of color when considering how historic exclusions of marginalized voices have inhibited equity. This study draws upon 88 in‐depth, semistructured interviews on collaboration (and its limits) between the police and community in Hartford, Connecticut, US. Using this context, the findings highlight the limits of collaborative community policing with regard to resources, reach, expectations, implementation, and power balances. Moreover, even after overcoming challenges, the translation of collaborative actions (e.g., community policing) into social outcomes (e.g., police–community relations) is fragile. For instance, leadership or critical incidents can influence whether community policing activities actually lead to gains in police–community relations. Taken as a whole, this study demonstrates how collaboration unfolds with community organizations, how it impacts police–community relations in communities of color, and the limitations thereof.
MicroRNA‐2285f regulates milk fat metabolism by targeting MAP2K2 in bovine mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Zhang Di , Wang HuiJun , Chen YaFei , Cai ZhengYun , Yu BaoJun , Liu JiaMin , Feng XiaoFang , Wang ChuanChuan , Gu YaLing , Zhang Juan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this study, Holstein dairy cows raised in Ningxia were selected as the research object. Mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) were extracted from the milk of eight Holstein cows with significantly different milk fat expression rates and transcribed for sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis was used to analyse the correlation of fat milk percentage, and the critical miR‐2285f regulating milk fat was screened out. The target gene binding sites were predicted, and 293T cells and mammary epithelial cells were used as miRNA and target gene models for functional verification in vitro. The tissue difference of miR‐2285f Holstein cows was quantitatively analysed by transfecting miR‐2285f mimic and inhibitor. Assay (dual luciferase reporter gene assay) and quantitative real‐time PCR (quantitative real‐time PCR, qRT‐PCR), triglyceride (TAG) detection, oil red O detection of lipid droplets, Western Blot assay, Edu and Flow cytometry, The molecular regulatory effects of miR‐2285f and target gene MAP2K2 on milk fat metabolism of Holstein dairy cows were studied. The wild‐type vector and mutant vector of map2k2‐3′utr were constructed, and double luciferase reporting experiments were conducted to verify that MAP2K2 was one of the target genes of miR‐2285f. According to qRT‐PCR and Western Blot analysis, miR‐2285f mainly regulates the expression of MAP2K2 protein in BMECs at the translation level. Bta‐miR‐2285f can promote cell proliferation and slow cell apoptosis by regulating MAP2K2. Bta‐miR‐2285f can promote triglyceride (TAG) and lipid droplet accumulation in mammary epithelial cells by targeting MAP2K2. Bta‐miR‐2285f can regulate protein levels of fat milk marker gene PPARG by targeting MAP2K2. In conclusion, miR‐2285f can target the expression of the MAP2K2 gene, promote the proliferation of dairy mammary epithelial cells, inhibit cell apoptosis and regulate the milk fat metabolism in dairy mammary epithelial cells. The results of this study revealed the function of miR‐2285f in regulating the differential expression of fat milk in Holstein dairy cows at the cellular level. They provided a theoretical and experimental basis for analysing the regulation network of milk fat synthesis of Holstein dairy cows and the molecular breeding of dairy cows.
Minimal varieties of graded PI‐algebras over abelian groups
Authors: Argenti Sebastiano , Vincenzo Onofrio Mario Di 
Published: May 2024

AbstractLet be a field of characteristic zero and a finite abelian group. In this paper, we prove that an affine variety of ‐graded PI‐algebras is minimal if and only if it is generated by a graded algebra of upper block triangular matrices where are finite‐dimensional ‐simple algebras.
Inferring Human Control Intent Using Inverse Linear Quadratic Regulator With Output Penalty Versus Gain Penalty: Better Fit but Similar Intent
Authors: Yu Heejin , Ramadan Ahmed , Cholewicki Jacek , Popovich John M. , Reeves N. Peter , You Joshua (Sung) H. , Choi Jongeun 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
To identify the underlying mechanisms of human motor control, parametric models are utilized. One approach of employing these models is the inferring the control intent (estimating motor control strategy). A well-accepted assumption is that human motor control is optimal; thus, the intent is inferred by solving an inverse optimal control (IOC) problem. Linear quadratic regulator (LQR) is a well-established optimal controller, and its inverse LQR (ILQR) problem has been used in the literature to infer the control intent of one subject. This implementation used a cost function with gain penalty, minimizing the error between LQR gain and a preliminary estimated gain. We hypothesize that relying on an estimated gain may limit ILQR optimization capability. In this study, we derive an ILQR optimization with output penalty, minimizing the error between the model output and the measured output. We conducted the test on 30 healthy subjects who sat on a robotic seat capable of rotation. The task utilized a physical human–robot interaction with a perturbation torque as input and lower and upper body angles as output. Our method significantly improved the goodness of fit compared to the gain-penalty ILQR. Moreover, the dominant inferred intent was not statistically different between the two methods. To our knowledge, this work is the first that infers motor control intent for a sample of healthy subjects. This is a step closer to investigating control intent differences between healthy subjects and subjects with altered motor control, e.g., low back pain.
Topology Optimization for the Design of Manufacturable Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters Using Dual-Moving Morphable Component Method
Authors: Zhang Weisheng , Lai Qi , Guo Xu , Youn Sung-Kie 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
This paper presents a new topology optimization scheme for the manufacturable piezoelectric energy harvesters (PEHs). Most of the existing topology optimization schemes for the design of PEHs are difficult to cope with manufacturing constraints producing design results that pose serious challenges for the local poling of the piezoelectric materials. In this work, dual-moving morphable component (dual-MMC) scheme for explicit topology optimization for the design of PEHs is presented. In dual-MMC scheme, two independent sets of MMC are employed to describe the structural topology of the PEH and polarization profile in piezoelectric material in an explicit manner. With the use of the scheme, the shape of electrodes and the opposite polarization directions in the local poling process can be effectively treated as a constraint making the realization of the PEH an easy task. Several examples of the design of cantilever-type PEH are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Furthermore, a designed PEH actually manufactured for demonstration of the production process.
The role of
cis
-zeatin in enhancing high-temperature resistance and fucoxanthin biosynthesis in
Phaeodactylum tricornutum
Authors: Fan Sizhe , Li Yixuan , Wang Qi , Jin Mengjie , Yu Mange , Zhao Hejing , Zhou Chengxu , Xu Jilin , Li Bing , Li Xiaohui 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Phaeodactylum tricornutum
a prominent source of industrial fucoxanthin production, faces challenges in its application due to its tolerance to high-temperature environments. This study investigates the physiological responses of
P. tricornutum
to high-temperature stress and its impact on fucoxanthin content, with a specific focus on the role of
cis
-zeatin. The results reveal that high-temperature stress inhibits
P. tricornutum
’s growth and photosynthetic activity, leading to a decrease in fucoxanthin content. Transcriptome analysis shows that high temperature suppresses the expression of genes related to photosynthesis (e.g.,
psbO
,
psbQ
, and
OEC
) and fucoxanthin biosynthesis (e.g.,
PYS
,
PDS1
, and
PSD2
), underscoring the negative effects of high temperature on
P. tricornutum
. Interestingly, genes associated with
cis
-zeatin biosynthesis and cytokinesis signaling pathways exhibited increased expression under high-temperature conditions, indicating a potential role of
cis
-zeatin signaling in response to elevated temperatures. Content measurements confirm that high temperature enhances
cis
-zeatin content. Furthermore, the exogenous addition of cytokinesis mimetics or inhibitors significantly affected
P. tricornutum
’s high-temperature resistance. Overexpression of the
cis-zeatin
biosynthetic enzyme gene
tRNA DMATase
enhanced
P. tricornutum
’s resistance to high-temperature stress, while genetic knockout of
tRNA DMATas
e reduced its resistance to high temperatures. Therefore, this research not only uncovers a novel mechanism for high-temperature resistance in
P. tricornutum
but also offers a possible alga species that can withstand high temperatures for the industrial production of fucoxanthin, offering valuable insights for practical utilization.

IMPORTANCE

This study delves into
Phaeodactylum tricornutum
’s response to high-temperature stress, specifically focusing on
cis
-zeatin. We uncover inhibited growth, reduced fucoxanthin, and significant
cis
-zeatin-related gene expression under high temperatures, highlighting potential signaling mechanisms. Crucially, genetic engineering and exogenous addition experiments confirm that the change in
cis
-zeatin levels could influence
P. tricornutum
’s resistance to high-temperature stress. This breakthrough deepens our understanding of microalgae adaptation to high temperatures and offers an innovative angle for industrial fucoxanthin production. This research is a pivotal step toward developing heat-resistant microalgae for industrial use.
Clinical features and 1-year outcomes of variable obstruction in participants with preserved spirometry: results from the ECOPD study in China
Authors: Wu Fan , Li Haiqing , Deng Zhishan , Yang Huajing , Zheng Youlan , Zhao Ningning , Dai Cuiqiong , Peng Jieqi , Lu Lifei , Wang Zihui , Wen Xiang , Xiao Shan , Zhou Kunning , Wu Xiaohui , Tang Gaoying , Wan Qi , Sun Ruiting , Cui Jiangyu , Yang Changli , Chen Shengtang , Huang Jianhui , Yu Shuqing , Zhou Yumin , Ran Pixin 
Published: May 2024

BackgroundThere are limited data on the clinical features and longitudinal prognosis of variable obstruction, particularly among never smokers and different variable obstruction types. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of the participants with variable obstruction and determine the relationship between variable obstruction and the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the decline of lung function in a community-dwelling study of Chinese, especially among never smokers and different variable obstruction subtypes.MethodsParticipants with preserved spirometry (postbronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ≥0.70) at baseline from the Early COPD cohort were included in our analysis. Participants with variable obstruction (prebronchodilator FEV1/FVC <0.70) were compared with those without variable obstruction (prebronchodilator FEV1/FVC ≥0.70). We performed subgroup analyses in never smokers, former and current smokers, and different variable obstruction types (postbronchodilator FVC <prebronchodilator FVC or postbronchodilator FVC ≥prebronchodilator FVC).ResultsThe final analysis included 1140 participants with preserved spirometry (169 in the variable obstruction group) at baseline. Participants with variable obstruction were older, had lower lung function and had greater severe emphysema and computed tomography-defined air trapping than participants without variable obstruction. Participants with variable obstruction had a significantly increased risk of incident spirometry-defined COPD (relative risk: 3.22, 95% confidence interval 2.23 to 4.64, p <0.001) than those without variable obstruction after adjustment for covariates. These findings remained consistent among both former and current smokers, never smokers, and different variable obstruction types. Additionally, participants with variable obstruction had a faster decline in postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC (2.3±0.5%/year vs 0.9±0.4%/year, mean difference: 1.4 (95% confidence interval 0.5 to 2.3), p=0.002) than participants without variable obstruction after adjustment for covariates.ConclusionsThe results of our study revealed that variable obstruction can identify individuals who are at risk for the development of COPD and accelerated postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC decline in preserved spirometry.
Global, regional and national burdens of occupational injuries, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
Authors: Lai Jianqiang , Li Xianmin , Liu Wei , Liufu Qian , Zhong Chengfan 
Published: May 2024

ObjectivesOccupational injuries pose a significant challenge to global health and development. This study aimed to quantify the international and regional burdens of occupational injuries from 1990 to 2019, stratified by specific causes.MethodsWe analysed global trends in deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), age-standardised mortality rates (ASMR) and age-standardised DALY rates (ASDR) related to occupational injuries. Specific injuries, including animal contact, drowning, mechanical forces, falls, fire, heat, hot substances, foreign bodies, poisoning and road injuries, were evaluated. Age-stratified and regional analyses were also performed.ResultsGlobally, the number of deaths, DALYs, ASMR and ASDR related to occupational injuries declined from 1990 to 2019. The middle Socio-demographic Index (SDI) region exhibited the highest burden, whereas the high SDI region showed the least burden. China and India had the highest occupational injury-related death rates in 2019. Males, particularly those aged 25–44 years, were found to be more vulnerable. Road injuries were the leading cause of death in all age groups. Compared with 1990, mortality numbers and rates decreased significantly by 2019, with the highest burdens experienced in East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia.ConclusionThe global decline in occupational injuries is promising; however, certain regions and demographics remain disproportionately affected. Targeted interventions in high-burden areas are crucial to further reduce the impact of occupational injuries.
Interactions between ENDS and cigarette use: evidence from a 2022 national telephone survey in South Africa
Authors: van der Zee Kirsten , Van Walbeek Corné 
Published: May 2024

IntroductionElectronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) may serve as a cessation tool for people who smoke cigarettes. However, for people who do not smoke, ENDS may be a gateway to nicotine addiction and cigarette use. This paper aims to quantify these behaviours in South Africa.MethodsWe analysed a nationally representative telephone survey of 21 263 South Africans living in urban areas. For those respondents who had used both products (N=771), we developed a typology that describes the sequence in which cigarette and ENDS initiation occurred. ‘On-rampers’ describe people who used ENDS first and later initiated cigarette smoking. ‘Off-rampers’ describe people who used cigarettes first, took up ENDS and later quit cigarettes while still using ENDS. ‘Failed off-rampers’ describe people who started using ENDS while smoking cigarettes but later quit using ENDS. ‘Continuing dual consumers’ describe people still using both products at the time of the interview.ResultsOf the overall sample (N=21 263), 1.7% used or had used ENDS but had no history of using cigarettes. Of dual consumers (N=771), 8.8% were classified as ‘on-rampers’, 13.9% as ‘off-rampers’, 20.9% as ‘failed off-rampers’ and 56.4% as ‘continuing dual consumers’. Roughly half of those classified as off-rampers, failed off-rampers or continuing dual consumers stated that they started using ENDS to help them quit cigarettes.ConclusionsThe typology reveals a multifaceted relationship between ENDS and cigarette use in South Africa. Policy interventions should aim to minimise on-ramping and maximise off-ramping. Given the high prevalence of continued dual use and failed off-ramping, targeted cessation support should be provided for people who use ENDS and are trying to quit cigarettes.