bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cotton GhNAC4 promotes drought tolerance by regulating secondary cell wall biosynthesis and ribosomal protein homeostasis
Authors: Jin Xuanxiang , Chai Qichao , Liu Chuchu , Niu Xin , Li Weixi , Shang Xiaoguang , Gu Aixing , Zhang Dayong , Guo Wangzhen 
Published: November 2023

SUMMARYDrought has a severe impact on the quality and yield of cotton. Deciphering the key genes related to drought tolerance is important for understanding the regulation mechanism of drought stress and breeding drought‐tolerant cotton cultivars. Several studies have demonstrated that NAC transcription factors are crucial in the regulation of drought stress, however, the related functional mechanisms are still largely unexplored. Here, we identified that NAC transcription factor GhNAC4 positively regulated drought stress tolerance in cotton. The expression of GhNAC4 was significantly induced by abiotic stress and plant hormones. Silencing of GhNAC4 distinctly impaired the resistance to drought stress and overexpressing GhNAC4 in cotton significantly enhanced the stress tolerance. RNA‐seq analysis revealed that overexpression of GhNAC4 enriched the expression of genes associated with the biosynthesis of secondary cell walls and ribosomal proteins. We confirmed that GhNAC4 positively activated the expressions of GhNST1, a master regulator reported previously in secondary cell wall formation, and two ribosomal protein‐encoding genes GhRPL12 and GhRPL18p, by directly binding to their promoter regions. Overexpression of GhNAC4 promoted the expression of downstream genes associated with the secondary wall biosynthesis, resulting in enhancing secondary wall deposition in the roots, and silencing of GhRPL12 and GhRPL18p significantly impaired the resistance to drought stress. Taken together, our study reveals a novel pathway mediated by GhNAC4 that promotes secondary cell wall biosynthesis to strengthen secondary wall development and regulates the expression of ribosomal protein‐encoding genes to maintain translation stability, which ultimately enhances drought tolerance in cotton.
Influence of antiseptic lavage during tibial plateau leveling osteotomies on surgical site infection in 1422 dogs
Authors: Sanders Brittany D. , McDonald‐Lynch Mischa , Kruse Meghan A. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the influence of preclosure antiseptic versus saline lavage on surgical site infections (SSI) in dogs following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).Study designA multicenter retrospective study.Sample populationDogs treated with TPLO (n = 1422) between December 2019 and October 2021.MethodsThe medical records of dogs treated with TPLO were reviewed for preclosure antiseptic lavage or saline irrigation. Additional collected data included signalment, unilateral or bilateral TPLO, postoperative administration of antimicrobial medications, antibiotic agent, surgeon, and development of SSI within 90 postoperative days. Eleven factors were analyzed for association with SSI using univariate and multivariate analysis.ResultsData were collected from the records of 519 dogs treated with antiseptic lavage and 903 dogs treated with saline lavage during TPLO. Surgical site infections were diagnosed more frequently in dogs that received preclosure antiseptic lavage (77/519, 14.84%) than those with saline irrigation (80/903, 8.86%) (p = .001). Single session bilateral TPLO increased the odds of SSI by 2.5x (p = .004). The odds of SSI increased by 11% (p = .001) for every 5 kg increase in bodyweight. Postoperative administration of antimicrobials decreased the risk of SSI (p = .008).ConclusionThe preclosure antiseptic lavage tested here did not decrease the incidence of SSI after TPLO.Clinical significanceThe results of this study do not provide evidence to support preclosure antiseptic lavage during TPLOs.
Prospects for dog rabies elimination in Nigeria by 2030
Authors: Abubakar Ahmed Tijani , Al‐Mustapha Ahmad Ibrahim , Oyewo Muftau , Ibrahim Ahmed , Abdulrahim Ibrahim , Yakub Jimoh Muhammad , Elelu Nusirat , Nguku Patrick , Balogun Muhammad Shakir , Awosanya Emmanuel Jolaoluwa , Kia Grace Sabo Nok , Kwaga Jacob K. P. , Okoli Ihekerenma , Bolajoko Muhammad Bashir , Alimi Yewande , Mbilo Celine , Dacheux Laurent 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe attainment of the global target of zero dog‐mediated human rabies by 2030 depends on functional rabies programmes. Nigeria, a rabies‐endemic country, and the most populous country in Africa has a very poor rabies control strategy with a score of 1.5 out of 5 based on the Stepwise Approach towards Rabies Elimination (SARE). In this article, we report a scoping review that we conducted to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats as well as situational analysis of rabies control in Nigeria and suggest a timeline for key activities that are needed to ensure zero by 30. Our findings reveal that rabies is grossly under‐reported as only 998 human and 273 dog‐suspected rabies cases were reported across Nigeria between 2017 and 2022. Our literature review also demonstrates a paucity of information on rabies in both human and animal health sectors. A total of 49 studies on dog rabies in Nigeria, with a predominance of reports from the North Central geopolitical region (48%, n = 23) were therefore included in this study. Currently, only 16.2% (n = 6/37) of Nigerian states have available data related to the estimated dog populations, the dog ownership rates, the vaccination status of dogs or the incidence of dog bites. Based on a dog‐to‐human ratio of 1:16.3, we estimated that the dog population in Nigeria was 12,969,368 (95% CI: 12,320,900‐13,617,836). Thus, to attain herd immunity and dog rabies control in Nigeria, at least 9.1 million dogs must be vaccinated annually. Our review reveals that, despite the strengths and available opportunities to achieve rabies control in Nigeria by 2030, the weaknesses and challenges will make the attainment of zero by 30 very difficult or impossible. Nigeria's best‐case scenario by the year 2030 is SARE stage 3–4 (control–elimination) out of 5. Otherwise, the rabies control programme might not surpass SARE stages 2–3. To attain zero by 30, Nigeria must re‐strategize its current rabies control programme by funding and implementing the national strategic plan for rabies control, creating a rabies desk office in the 37 states (FCT inclusive), rigorously conducting mass vaccination campaigns, providing post‐exposure prophylaxis, prioritizing mass enlightenment with a focus on responsible pet ownership and conduct baseline national rabies surveillance in the animal and human health sectors.
Torsion and twists of abelian varieties
Authors: Melistas Mentzelos 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this article, we investigate the possible torsion subgroups of twists of abelian varieties with good reduction. As an application, we prove a theorem concerning ramified primes over any quadratic extension where odd‐order torsion growth is achieved. In particular, we show that for every rational elliptic curve and every imaginary quadratic field not equal to satisfying the Heegner hypothesis, no odd‐order torsion growth can occur.
The potassium–glycogen interaction on force and excitability in mouse skeletal muscle: implications for fatigue
Authors: Cairns Simeon P. , Renaud Jean‐Marc 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA reduced muscle glycogen content and potassium (K+) disturbances across muscle membranes occur concomitantly during repeated intense exercise and together may contribute to skeletal muscle fatigue. Therefore, we examined whether raised extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]o) (4 to 11 mM) interacts with lowered glycogen to reduce force production. Isometric contractions were evoked in isolated mouse soleus muscles (37°C) using direct supramaximal field stimulation. (1) Glycogen declined markedly in non‐fatigued muscle with >2 h exposure in glucose‐free physiological saline compared with control solutions (11 mM glucose), i.e. to <45% control. (2) Severe glycogen depletion was associated with increased 5′‐AMP‐activated protein kinase activity, indicative of metabolic stress. (3) The decline of peak tetanic force at 11 mM [K+]o was exacerbated from 67% initial at normal glycogen to 22% initial at lowered glycogen. This was due to a higher percentage of inexcitable fibres (71% vs. 43%), yet without greater sarcolemmal depolarisation or smaller amplitude action potentials. (4) Returning glucose while at 11 mM [K+]o increased both glycogen and force. (5) Exposure to 4 mM [K+]o glucose‐free solutions (15 min) did not increase fatiguability during repeated tetani; however, after recovery there was a greater force decline at 11 mM [K+]o at lower than normal glycogen. (6) An important exponential relationship was established between relative peak tetanic force at 11 mM [K+]o and muscle glycogen content. These findings provide direct evidence of a synergistic interaction between raised [K+]o and lowered muscle glycogen as the latter shifts the peak tetanic force–resting EM relationship towards more negative resting EM due to lowered sarcolemmal excitability, which hence may contribute to muscle fatigue.
imageKey points
Diminished muscle glycogen levels and raised extracellular potassium concentrations ([K+]o) occur simultaneously during intense exercise and together may contribute to muscle fatigue.
Prolonged exposure of isolated non‐fatigued soleus muscles of mice to glucose‐free physiological saline solutions markedly lowered muscle glycogen levels, as does fatigue then recovery in glucose‐free solutions. For both approaches, the subsequent decline of maximal force at 11 mM [K+]o, which mimics interstitial [K+] levels during intense exercise, was exacerbated at lowered compared with normal glycogen. This was mainly due to many more muscle fibres becoming inexcitable.
We established an important relationship that provides evidence of a synergistic interaction between raised [K+]o and lowered glycogen content to reduce force production.
This paper indicates that partially lowered muscle glycogen (and/or metabolic stress) together with elevated interstitial [K+] interactively lowers muscle force, and hence may diminish performance especially during repeated high‐intensity exercise.
Energy Contribution Study of Blade Cavitation Control by Obstacles in a Waterjet Pump Based on mPOD and EEMD
Authors: Zhao Guoshou , Liang Ning , Li Qianqian , Dong Wei , Cao Linlin , Wu Dazhuan 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
It has been confirmed that the passive obstacles would substantially depress the leading-edge cavitation in a waterjet pump. Combined with the experiments and numerical simulations, this work revisits blade cavitation evolutions to demonstrate the stabilizing effects of obstacles on cavitation unsteadiness. The multiscale proper orthogonal decomposition (mPOD) and ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) are adopted to study the energy contributions regarding the cavitation-induced loading and thrust. The mPOD modes illuminate that the leading-edge loading oscillations of the obstacle blade are consequently eliminated where the cavitation is completely depressed and the obstacle cavitation wakes greatly contribute to loading excitation. The thrust statistics demonstrate that the thrust extremes and standard deviation in some revolutions can be well reduced as the large-scale leading-edge cavity depression. The adaptive spectra obtained by EEMD further illuminate that both the tonal and broadband components of blade thrust would be reasonably degraded to some degree. The pump with only one obstacle implementation, as an improvement strategy, is comparatively studied and indicates that single obstacle configuration presents positive effects on the leading-edge cavity depression owing to the pressure-raising effects and can reduce the un-necessary energy loss compared with two obstacles.
Numerical Studies on the Oil Film Thickness in the Case of Stratified Flow With Different Oil–Water Flow Combinations Through Sudden Contraction Tube
Authors: Momin Mushtaque , Mahindar Soham , Rahmani Faisal , Sharma Mukesh 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Most of the oil transportation industries deal with liquid–liquid flow considering the adiabatic situation. In such applications, film thickness measurement plays a very significant role in understanding the flow characteristics. The distribution of phases for efficient wall treatment and to understand the phase distribution, measurement of film thickness is very important. Among different flow patterns, stratified flow is most common for low and medium viscous oil–water flow. At lower oil velocities, stratified flow is observed downstream of singularity whereas in the upstream section, stratified flow is observed for low to medium oil velocities and high-water superficial velocity. Variation of oil film thickness for stratified flow has been analyzed in this study. Results show that oil film thickness decreases with the increase in the superficial velocity of water (Us-Water) for a constant oil superficial velocity (Us-Oil). With the increase in the volume fraction of one phase, the film thickness of that phase increases. As Us-Oil increases, the film thickness of oil also increases for a constant Us-Water. Oil film thickness is directly proportional to the viscosity of oils. This means, the more the viscosity of the oil, the more will be the oil film thickness.
Transfer Learning for Predictive Quality in Laser-Induced Plasma Micro-Machining
Authors: Chen Mengfei , Malhotra Rajiv , Guo Weihong “Grace” 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
In laser-induced plasma micromachining (LIPMM), a focused, ultrashort pulsed laser beam creates a highly localized plasma zone within a transparent liquid dielectric. When the beam intensity is greater than the breakdown threshold in the dielectric media, plasma is formed, which is then used to ablate the workpiece. This paper aims to facilitate in situ process monitoring and quality prediction for LIPMM by developing a deep learning model to (1) understand the relationship between acoustic emission data and quality of micromachining with LIPMM, (2) transfer such understanding across different process parameters, and (3) predict quality accurately by fine-tuning models with a smaller dataset. Experiments and results show that the relationship learned from one process parameter can be transferred to other parameters, requiring lesser data and lesser computational time for training the model. We investigate the feasibility of transfer learning and compare the performance of various transfer learning models: different input features, different convolutional neural network (CNN) structures, and the same structure with different fine-tuned layers. The findings provide insights into how to design effective transfer learning models for manufacturing applications.
Experimental Investigations on the Development of Hybrid Metal Matrix Composite of Al7075 on Microstructural, Mechanical, and Dry Sliding Aspects
Authors: Lovevanshi Bhagwan Singh , Soni P. K. , Dixit Savita 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This research work aims to synthesize a hybrid Al7075 metal matrix composite reinforced with sustainable and synthetic reinforcement. With the employment of an ultrasonic transducer, two-stage stir casting is used to synthesize composite materials. The prepared samples were machined and polished for mechanical, tribological, and microstructural characterization. Optical microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy with elemental mapping were used to analyze the microstructure of the composite material. The microstructural examination revealed the homogeneous dispersion of reinforcement particles throughout the matrix. With the incorporation of reinforcement, the synthesized composite's compressive strength and micro-hardness were both increased, and the highest values were found to be 569.172 MPa and 178.86 HV, respectively, in one of the samples (B3 sample) as compared to as-cast Al7075 alloy. Tribological examination of composite samples shows that wear-rate enhances with an increase in the content of reinforcement. The wear resistance of sample B3 is highest among all prepared composite samples. Wear debris, grooves, micro-cracks, and small pits were observed on the worn-out surfaces of the samples by field emission scanning electron microscope analysis.
Chatbot responses suggest that hypothetical biology questions are harder than realistic ones
Authors: Crowther Gregory J. , Sankar Usha , Knight Leena S. , Myers Deborah L. , Patton Kevin T. , Jenkins Lekelia D. , Knight Thomas A. 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT
The biology education literature includes compelling assertions that unfamiliar problems are especially useful for revealing students’ true understanding of biology. However, there is only limited evidence that such novel problems have different cognitive requirements than more familiar problems. Here, we sought additional evidence by using chatbots based on large language models as models of biology students. For human physiology and cell biology, we developed sets of realistic and hypothetical problems matched to the same lesson learning objectives (LLOs). Problems were considered hypothetical if (i) known biological entities (molecules and organs) were given atypical or counterfactual properties (redefinition) or (ii) fictitious biological entities were introduced (invention). Several chatbots scored significantly worse on hypothetical problems than on realistic problems, with scores declining by an average of 13%. Among hypothetical questions, redefinition questions appeared especially difficult, with many chatbots scoring as if guessing randomly. These results suggest that, for a given LLO, hypothetical problems may have different cognitive demands than realistic problems and may more accurately reveal students’ ability to apply biology core concepts to diverse contexts. The Test Question Templates (TQT) framework, which explicitly connects LLOs with examples of assessment questions, can help educators generate problems that are challenging (due to their novelty), yet fair (due to their alignment with pre-specified LLOs). Finally, ChatGPT’s rapid improvement toward expert-level answers suggests that future educators cannot reasonably expect to ignore or outwit chatbots but must do what we can to make assessments fair and equitable.
The Rfg1 and Bcr1 transcription factors regulate acidic pH–induced filamentous growth in
Candida albicans
Authors: Guan Guobo , Li Shuaihu , Bing Jian , Liu Ling , Tao Li 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACT

The human fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
colonizes and infects various host sites with diverse environmental pH. Adaptation to these diverse pH conditions plays a crucial role in its success as a commensal and pathogen. The conserved Rim101 pH sensing pathway is responsible for neutral–alkaline pH responses in
C. albicans
. In this study, we identified a novel Rfg1-Bcr1 regulatory pathway that governs acidic pH responses and regulates filamentation in
C. albicans
. A null mutant library was screened, and we have identified Rfg1 and Bcr1 as key regulators of filamentation under acidic pH conditions. Rfg1 directly binds to the promoter region of Bcr1 to regulate its transcriptional expression, which in turn suppresses the filamentation of
C. albicans
.
PHR1
, an alkaline pH response gene, is significantly activated by the absence of Rfg1, indicating that Rfg1 regulates acidic pH response through the Rim101-Phr1 pathway. Moreover, the cAMP signaling pathway, transcription factors Efg1 and Flo8, and the hyphal-specific G1 cyclin Hgc1 play critical roles in the regulation. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying the acidic pH response of
C. albicans,
which reflects its elaborate regulatory control of environmental adaptation.

IMPORTANCE

Candida albicans
is a human commensal and frequent pathogen that encounters a wide range of pH stresses. The ability of
C. albicans
to adapt to changes in extracellular pH is crucial for its success in colonization and pathogenesis. The Rim101 pH sensing pathway is well known to govern neutral–alkaline pH responses in this pathogen. Here, we report a novel Rfg1-Bcr1 regulatory pathway that governs acidic pH responses and regulates filamentous growth in
C. albicans
. In addition, the Rim101-Phr1 pathway, cAMP signaling pathway, transcription factors Efg1 and Flo8, and hyphal-specific G1 cyclin Hgc1 cooperate with this regulation. Our findings provide new insights into the regulatory mechanism of acidic pH response in
C. albicans
.
A combination of annual and nonannual forces drive respiratory disease in the tropics
Authors: Yang Fuhan , Servadio Joseph L , Thanh Nguyen Thi Le , Lam Ha Minh , Choisy Marc , Thai Pham Quang , Thao Tran Thi Nhu , Vy Nguyen Ha Thao , Phuong Huynh Thi , Nguyen Tran Dang , Tam Dong Thi Hoai , Hanks Ephraim M , Vinh Ha , Bjornstad Ottar N , Chau Nguyen Van Vinh , Boni Maciej F 
Published: November 2023

IntroductionIt is well known that influenza and other respiratory viruses are wintertime-seasonal in temperate regions. However, respiratory disease seasonality in the tropics is less well understood. In this study, we aimed to characterise the seasonality of influenza-like illness (ILI) and influenza virus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.MethodsWe monitored the daily number of ILI patients in 89 outpatient clinics from January 2010 to December 2019. We collected nasal swabs and tested for influenza from a subset of clinics from May 2012 to December 2019. We used spectral analysis to describe the periodic signals in the system. We evaluated the contribution of these periodic signals to predicting ILI and influenza patterns through lognormal and gamma hurdle models.ResultsDuring 10 years of community surveillance, 66 799 ILI reports were collected covering 2.9 million patient visits; 2604 nasal swabs were collected, 559 of which were PCR-positive for influenza virus. Both annual and nonannual cycles were detected in the ILI time series, with the annual cycle showing 8.9% lower ILI activity (95% CI 8.8% to 9.0%) from February 24 to May 15. Nonannual cycles had substantial explanatory power for ILI trends (ΔAIC=183) compared with all annual covariates (ΔAIC=263) in lognormal regression. Near-annual signals were observed for PCR-confirmed influenza but were not consistent over time or across influenza (sub)types. The explanatory power of climate factors for ILI and influenza virus trends was weak.ConclusionOur study reveals a unique pattern of respiratory disease dynamics in a tropical setting influenced by both annual and nonannual drivers, with influenza dynamics showing near-annual periodicities. Timing of vaccination campaigns and hospital capacity planning may require a complex forecasting approach.