bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The endo‐beta mannase MAN7 contributes to cadmium tolerance by modulating root cell wall binding capacity in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Wu Qi , Meng Yu Ting , Feng Zhi Hang , Shen Ren Fang , Zhu Xiao Fang 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACTThe heavy metal cadmium (Cd) is detrimental to crop growth and threatens human health through the food chain. To cope with Cd toxicity, plants employ multiple strategies to decrease Cd uptake and its root‐to‐shoot translocation. However, genes that participate in the Cd‐induced transcriptional regulatory network, including those encoding transcription factors, remain largely unidentified. In this study, we demonstrate that ENDO‐BETA‐MANNASE 7 (MAN7) is necessary for the response of Arabidopsis thaliana to toxic Cd levels. We show that MAN7 is responsible for mannase activity and modulates mannose content in the cell wall, which plays a role in Cd compartmentalization in the cell wall under Cd toxicity conditions. Additionally, the repression of root growth by Cd was partially reversed via exogenous application of mannose, suggesting that MAN7‐mediated cell wall Cd redistribution depends on the mannose pathway. Notably, we identified a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, bZIP44, that acts upstream of MAN7 in response to Cd toxicity. Transient dual‐luciferase assays indicated that bZIP44 directly binds to the MAN7 promoter region and activates its transcription. Loss of bZIP44 function was associated with greater sensitivity to Cd treatment and higher accumulation of the heavy metal in roots and shoots. Moreover, MAN7 overexpression relieved the inhibition of root elongation seen in the bzip44 mutant under Cd toxicity conditions. This study thus reveals a pathway showing that MAN7‐associated Cd tolerance in Arabidopsis is controlled by bZIP44 upon Cd exposure.
Changes in family functioning among primary family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Hsiao Chiu‐Yueh , Hsieh Ming‐Hong , Chung Feng‐Chin , Chiu Shu‐Chuan , Chang Chi‐Wen , Tsai Yun‐Fang 
Published: March 2023

AbstractIntroductionFamily functioning, particularly among primary family caregivers for patients with schizophrenia, is a global concern that poses unprecedented challenges. The family unit is a pivotal agent for the preservation of the integrity of individual members. Little attention has been paid to the changes in family functioning and their predictors in primary family caregivers. This study aimed to examine the changes in and the correlates of family functioning in primary family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia over a 6‐month post‐discharge period.DesignA prospective, longitudinal study was conducted.MethodsA total of 58 primary family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were recruited from two psychiatric hospitals in Taiwan. Data were collected four times, including 1 week before hospital discharge and at 1‐, 3‐, and 6‐month intervals post‐discharge. Demographic and clinical questionnaires, the Affiliate Stigma Scale, the Family Empowerment Scale, and the General Functioning subscale were used to collect data. Generalized Estimating Equations were applied for data analysis.ResultsApproximately 59.6%–77.6% of primary family caregivers presented unhealthy family functioning during the 6‐month post‐discharge period. Significant reductions in family functioning of primary family caregivers were noted in the group with unhealthy family functioning; however, family functioning of primary family caregivers remained unchanged in the group with healthy family functioning over 6 months. Affiliate stigma and family empowerment significantly accounted for the changes in family functioning of primary family caregivers in the groups with unhealthy and healthy family functioning, respectively.ConclusionThis study highlights affiliate stigma and family empowerment as long‐term predictors of changes in family functioning for primary family caregivers and as pivotal targets of mental health care.Clinical RelevanceFamily‐centered interventions with a focus on ameliorating affiliate stigma and enhancing family empowerment are recommended to improve family functioning for primary family caregivers of patients with schizophrenia at different periods after hospital discharge.
Colonial Scholars and Anti‐Colonial Agents: Politics of Academic Knowledge Production Between the West Indies and London in the Mid‐20thCentury
Authors: Cramer Meta 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThis paper analyses the socio‐spatial entanglement of West Indian anti‐colonial knowledge production in the mid‐20thcentury existingbetweenLondon and the Caribbean. This is interpreted as a case of the paradoxical politics of academic knowledge production in that British imperial policies that were constraining knowledge production in the West Indies were also seen as facilitating anti‐colonial awareness and work in London by West Indian actors. Research demonstrating the importance of the metropole as a meeting place for global anti‐colonial actors is complemented by shifting the focus to the entangled spacebetweenLondon and the West Indies. This article comparatively analyses the academic politics of the British Colonial Office – a spatial dislocation of knowledge production away from the West Indies – and its perception and challenge by Caribbean intellectuals who were temporarily based in London. The analysis builds on contributions by C.L.R. James and S. Wynter and their reflections on the institutionalisation of research in the West Indies and their experiences in London. Overall, I emphasise a relational and symmetrising analysis of knowledge production in imperial contexts that accounts for the entanglement of imperial politics in the metropole and the colonies, and the perception and potential use of these political entanglements by actors in and from colonial contexts.
Profile of prosthodontics program directors in North America
Authors: Tjiptowidjojo Fransiskus Andrianto , Yuan Judy Chia‐Chun , Yadav Sangeeta , Reshan Adam , Sukotjo Cortino , Wee Alvin G. 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPurposeTo develop a current profile of prosthodontics program directors (PPDs) in United States dental schools and describe the current challenges and responsibilities of those serving in the position and assess the professional needs of the program directors (PDs) to better support them in their roles.Materials and methodsA survey was sent to 51 participants who were identified as PPDs in North America via Qualtrics in 2019 to assess the professional needs of PDs to better support their roles. The survey consisted of 29 items organized into six sections: (1) demographic information; (2) hours and time spent in various areas of the job; (3) greatest challenges; (4) perceived importance of specific competencies; (5) opinions on the greatest rewards of the position; (6) their needs for support from the American College of Prosthodontists and advice for the future PD.ResultsThe response rate for this survey was 88.3%. Of the 45 respondents, the majority were white/non‐Hispanic, followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders. The two largest and equal numbers of participants who worked for more than 10 years and between 1 and 3 years were observed with approximately 29% each, and PDs who worked less than a year occupied the least amount. Overall, 34% of PDs are on the tenure track and 80% of those are tenured. Teaching and clinical services took away the greatest time with approximately 42% and 22.1%, respectively. Thirty‐five (78%) PDs listed the greatest challenge they encountered was the workload of the role. Skills listed in leadership and personnel competencies were all rated more important than most of the skills listed in management.ConclusionsThere is a wide gender gap and a lack of racial diversity among the PPDs. The biggest challenge faced by them is the amount of workload followed by budget and fiscal constraints. And for their improved efficiency, they gave emphasis on learning time management and continuous clinical training of newer advances.
Harvesting the benefits of nutritional research to address global challenges in the 21st century
Authors: Glencross Brett , Fracalossi Débora Machado , Hua Katheline , Izquierdo Marisol , Mai Kangsen , Øverland Margareth , Robb David , Roubach Rodrigo , Schrama Johan , Small Brian , Tacon Albert , Valente Luisa M. P. , Viana Maria‐Teresa , Xie Shouqi , Yakupityage Amararatne 
Published: March 2023

AbstractOver the past 20 years, substantial progress has been made in improving feeds and feeding technologies for most aquaculture species. Notable improvements in feed conversion efficiency (through a better understanding of requirements and improved feed management) and ingredient sustainability (through increased capability to use a wider range of ingredients) have been achieved. While advances have been made in understanding the requirements of many of the main aquaculture species, there is still much to be done in defining requirements, especially for many of the species being farmed in the developing world. Gains in the efficiency of feeds are slowing for developed species, but potential gains are still appreciable for less developed species. There is a growing need to more precisely prescribe the required levels of essential nutrients and various additives in the diet based on age, genotype, environment, and immune status to deliver a “precision nutrition” approach to farming aquaculture species. There is still further need to diversify our ingredient options to provide greater resilience, as the sustainability of different feed ingredient sources, including possible climate change impacts, is becoming a growing issue. There is a growing demand for biocircularity in our feed ingredient supply chains. Ultimately, what is needed to sustain future feed ingredient needs are sustainable sources of cost‐effective protein, some essential amino acid additives, some omega‐3 fatty acid resources, and various minerals and vitamin additives. The increasing use of new and varied resources will ensure that food safety remains an important issue throughout the world. Feed manufacturing has evolved from a simplistic exercise to a highly complex science with state‐of‐the‐art engineering, but its application is not consistent across all sectors, as there is still widespread use of pelleting, mash, and trash fish feeding in the developing world. Similarly, feed management has also dichotomized between the developed and developing world, with a high reliance on manual skilled labor in the developing world, whereas more advanced aquaculture systems are becoming increasingly reliant on automated computer‐controlled feeding systems.
Petrographic studies and mineralogical characterization of the Dellen impactites
Authors: Hietala Satu , Henkel Herbert , Plado Jüri 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe impact origin of the Early Cretaceous (140.82 ± 0.51 Ma) 20‐km diameter Dellen structure was proven in the late 60s based on the discovery of planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz grains. Although decades have passed, impactites found from the crater have not received much attention. Thus, this study provides a detailed petrological and mineralogical description of impactites from Dellen. Impactites were classified based on mineralogical observations using the latest recommendations of nomenclature. The studied samples include impact melt rocks (clast rich, clast poor, and clast free), suevitic impact breccias, shocked and unshocked granite, and a shatter cone. Altogether, 16 samples with different lithologies were studied using a polarization microscope. Selected samples were studied with an energy dispersive spectroscopy detector attached to the scanning electron microscopy. PDFs were indexed using a four‐axis universal stage from seven samples. Selected samples for PDF studies consisted of clast‐rich impact melt rocks (DEL10, DEL13, D99), suevitic impact breccias (DEL14, DEL16, DEL24), and shocked granite target rock (DEL17). A total of 197 PDF sets in 113 quartz grains were studied, and 186 sets resulted in rational crystallographic orientations. Common orientations include π{101̅2}, ω{101̅3}, z{101̅1}, ξ{112̅2}, and {101̅4}. In suevitic impact breccias and impact melt rocks, ballen silica and plagioclase with checkerboard texture were abundant. The petrographic results in Dellen impactites indicate a range of shock pressures from at least 2 to over 60 GPa, based on diagnostic shock metamorphic features in minerals and the occurrence of impact melt rock.
The contrasting effects of fluctuating temperature on bacterial diversity and performances in temperate and subtropical soils
Authors: Zhao Xin‐Feng , Li Bo‐Hui , Shu Wen‐Sheng , Hao Yi‐Qi 
Published: March 2023

AbstractThe extremely high species diversity of soil bacterial community has fascinated and puzzled community ecologists. Although theory predicts that fluctuations in environments can facilitate diversity maintenance, the effects of fluctuating temperature on species diversity have rarely been investigated in species‐rich microbial communities. Here, we examined whether fluctuating temperature had positive effects on species diversity relative to constant temperatures in soil bacterial communities, and investigated the effects of fluctuating temperature on bacterial performances (changes in relative abundance). We performed a temperature manipulation experiment with soils collected from temperate and subtropical zones, where the soils were subjected to constant high, low or fluctuating temperatures. We found that fluctuating temperatures showed significant positive effects on species diversity. The time‐averaged effect of fluctuating temperatures (i.e., averaging out the differences between species in their environment‐dependent performances) appeared to delay species loss in both the temperate and the subtropical communities. In addition, we found that the performances of temperature‐responsive species at fluctuating temperatures significantly deviated from their time‐weighted average performances at constant high and low temperatures, which was defined as fluctuation‐dependent effects in our study. Intriguingly, fluctuation‐dependent effects beyond time‐averaged effect led to an opposite trend: differences in temperature‐responsive species' performances decreased in the temperate communities, but increased in the subtropical communities. Our findings provide new insights into diversity maintenance in soil bacterial communities, and imply that the effects of fluctuating temperature on species diversity in soil bacterial community might vary across latitude.
Humpback whale song variations in La Reunion Island from 2016 to 2018 and in Madagascar in 2018
Authors: Vieira Sara 
Published: March 2023

AbstractMale Megaptera novaeangliae produce complex and structured songs which are shared at the population level. Song patterns are culturally transmitted and evolve progressively through time, both over the breeding season and among years. The songs also undergo periods of relatively rapid change, termed “revolutions.” Acoustic monitoring was conducted from 2016 to 2018 in Reunion and throughout 2018 in Madagascar to assess spatiotemporal variation in song structures and population connectivity. A total of 46 high‐quality song samples were selected, representing 2,760 min of recordings in Reunion. In Madagascar, 12 samples representing 240 min of recordings were analyzed. Analysis of songs revealed 11 phrases and their variants. Low levels of temporal variations were observed over the breeding season. Songs recorded in June were very similar to those recorded in September. Greater variation was observed between years, and some phrases identified in 2018 may have evolved from phrases recorded in 2017. More variants were described for each phrase type in 2018 compared to 2016. All themes recorded in Reunion were shared with Madagascar, suggesting a high degree of population connectivity during the breeding season.
Social conformity is associated with inter‐trial electroencephalogram variability
Authors: Zhang Haoming , Zhang Kunkun , Zhang Ziqi , Zhao Mingqi , Liu Quanying , Luo Wenbo , Wu Haiyan 
Published: March 2023

AbstractHuman society encompasses diverse social influences, and people experience events differently and may behave differently under such influence, including in forming an impression of others. However, little is known about the underlying neural relevance of individual differences in following others’ opinions or social norms. In the present study, we designed a series of tasks centered on social influence to investigate the underlying relevance between an individual's degree of social conformity and their neural variability. We found that individual differences under the social influence are associated with the amount of inter‐trial electroencephalogram (EEG) variability over multiple stages in a conformity task (making face judgments and receiving social influence). This association was robust in the alpha band over the frontal and occipital electrodes for negative social influence. We also found that inter‐trial EEG variability is a very stable, participant‐driven internal state measurement and could be interpreted as mindset instability. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that higher inter‐trial EEG variability may be related to higher mindset instability, which makes participants more vulnerable to exposed external social influence. The present study provides a novel approach that considers the stability of one's endogenous neural signal during tasks and links it to human social behaviors.
Intratumoral platelet microthrombi in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A marker of lymph node metastasis
Authors: Duan Wan , Wu Zhangxia , Mei Xueying , Li Jingyuan , Lu Huanzi , Liang Yujie , Lao Xiaomei , Liao Guiqing 
Published: March 2023

AbstractObjectiveA hypercoagulable state exists in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), but the role of platelets in the tumour microenvironment has not been explored. This study revealed the status of intratumoral plateletmicrothrombi (PLT‐MT) and their clinicopathological relevance and predictive value in OSCC.Study DesignThis study retrospectively evaluated 106 OSCC patients. Tumour and tumour‐adjacent tissue specimens were used to stain PLT‐MT. Clinicopathological information, patient follow‐ups and outcomes and preoperative coagulation and inflammatory hematologic indicators were collected, and their correlation with PLT‐MT was analysed.ResultsIntratumoral PLT‐MT was present in 35 of 106 patients with OSCC who had higher preoperative D‐dimer, CRP, FIB and PT levels and lower TT levels. PLT‐MT was an independent correlative factor of lymph node metastasis and suggested worse OS in N0 patients.ConclusionsIntratumoral PLT‐MT was found in OSCC and was correlated with a hypercoagulable inflammatory state. PLT‐MT was an independent marker of lymph node metastasis and showed potential in prognosis prediction.
Visualising structural and functional characteristics distinguishing between newly diagnosed high‐tension and low‐tension glaucoma patients
Authors: Rafla Daniel , Khuu Sieu K. , Kashyap Sahana , Kalloniatis Michael , Phu Jack 
Published: March 2023

AbstractPurposeTo determine whether there are quantifiable structural or functional differences that can distinguish between high‐tension glaucoma (HTG; intraocular pressure [IOP] > 21 mm Hg) and low‐tension glaucoma (LTG; IOP ≤ 21 mm Hg) at diagnosis.MethodThis was a retrospective, cross‐sectional study. Clinical results of one eye from 90 newly diagnosed HTG and 319 newly diagnosed LTG patients (117 with very‐low‐tension glaucoma [vLTG; ≤15 mm Hg] and 202 with middling LTG [mLTG; >15 mm Hg, ≤21 mm Hg]) were extracted, which included relevant demographic covariates of glaucoma, quantitative optical coherence tomography (including the optic nerve head, retinal nerve fibre layer and ganglion cell‐inner plexiform layer) measurements and standard automated perimetry global metrics. We used binary logistic regression analysis to identify statistically significant clinical parameters distinguishing between phenotypic groups for inclusion in principal component (PC) (factor) analysis (PCA). The separability between each centroid for each cohort was calculated using the Euclidean distance (d(x,y)).ResultsThe binary logistic regression comparing HTG and all LTG identified eight statistically significant clinical parameters. Subsequent PCA results included three PCs with an eigenvalue >1. PCs 1 and 2 accounted for 21.2% and 20.2% of the model, respectively, with a d(x,y) = 0.468, indicating low separability between HTG and LTG. The analysis comparing vLTG, mLTG and HTG identified 15 significant clinical parameters, which were subsequently grouped into five PCs. PCs 1 and 2 accounted for 24.1% and 17.8%, respectively. The largest separation was observed between vLTG and HTG (d(x,y) = 0.581), followed by vLTG and mLTG (d(x,y) = 0.435) and lastly mLTG and HTG (d(x,y) = 0.210).ConclusionConventional quantitative structural or functional parameters could not distinguish between pressure‐defined glaucoma phenotypes at the point of diagnosis and are therefore not contributory to separating cohorts. The overlap in findings highlights the heterogeneity of the primary open‐angle glaucoma clinical presentations among pressure‐defined groups at the cohort level.
Multiplex CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated mutagenesis of alfalfa FLOWERING LOCUS Ta1 (MsFTa1) leads to delayed flowering time with improved forage biomass yield and quality
Authors: Wolabu Tezera W. , Mahmood Kashif , Jerez Ivone Torres , Cong Lili , Yun Jianfei , Udvardi Michael , Tadege Million , Wang Zengyu , Wen Jiangqi 
Published: March 2023

SummaryAlfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a perennial flowering plant in the legume family that is widely cultivated as a forage crop for its high yield, forage quality and related agricultural and economic benefits. Alfalfa is a photoperiod sensitive long‐day (LD) plant that can accomplish its vegetative and reproductive phases in a short period of time. However, rapid flowering can compromise forage biomass yield and quality. Here, we attempted to delay flowering in alfalfa using multiplex CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated mutagenesis of FLOWERING LOCUS Ta1 (MsFTa1), a key floral integrator and activator gene. Four guide RNAs (gRNAs) were designed and clustered in a polycistronic tRNA–gRNA system and introduced into alfalfa by Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation. Ninety‐six putative mutant lines were identified by gene sequencing and characterized for delayed flowering time and related desirable agronomic traits. Phenotype assessment of flowering time under LD conditions identified 22 independent mutant lines with delayed flowering compared to the control. Six independent Msfta1 lines containing mutations in all four copies of MsFTa1 accumulated significantly higher forage biomass yield, with increases of up to 78% in fresh weight and 76% in dry weight compared to controls. Depending on the harvesting schemes, many of these lines also had reduced lignin, acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) content and significantly higher crude protein (CP) and mineral contents compared to control plants, especially in the stems. These CRISPR/Cas9‐edited Msfta1 mutants could be introduced in alfalfa breeding programmes to generate elite transgene‐free alfalfa cultivars with improved forage biomass yield and quality.