bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study on the heterogeneity of China’s agricultural economic growth in the context of temperature shocks
Authors: Yuan Bin , Cui Yuhu , Wang Xueye , Xu Hanxiao 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUnder the background of the new development concept, compared with the absolute impacts, the relative impacts of climate change on agricultural growth deserve more attention. Based on the data from China for years 1991 and 2018, this paper uses historical fluctuations in temperature within cities to identify the heterogeneous effects on aggregate agricultural outcomes during farming and fallow periods. The results show that: first, as temperature rises reduce the economic growth rate of each agricultural sector, and the areas that are relatively vulnerable (i.e., areas where disposable income of farm households is below the sample mean) are more significantly affected by the negative impact of temperature rise; second, the impact of temperature rise on agricultural economic growth is mainly concentrated in the farming period, while the marginal damage of temperature rise is on a decreasing trend; third, the heterogeneous impact of temperature rise on agricultural economic growth during the agricultural fallow period is also not negligible. At the same time, its impact on agricultural economy is still in the primary stage, that is, its marginal damage tends to increase with the increase in temperature fluctuation. These results inform identifying the climate’s role in agricultural development and provide a theoretical and operational perspective for further optimizing the adaptive policy systems. With wide coverage of adaptive technology, we should pay more attention to the even distribution of technological dividends and continuously improve the coping ability of vulnerable groups.
Incongruences between morphology and molecular phylogeny provide an insight into the diversification of the Crocidura poensis species complex
Authors: Voet Inessa , Denys Christiane , Colyn Marc , Lalis Aude , Konečný Adam , Delapré Arnaud , Nicolas Violaine , Cornette Raphaël 
Published: June 2022

AbstractUntangling the factors of morphological evolution has long held a central role in the study of evolutionary biology. Extant speciose clades that have only recently diverged are ideal study subjects, as they allow the examination of rapid morphological variation in a phylogenetic context, providing insights into a clade’s evolution. Here, we focus on skull morphological variability in a widely distributed shrew species complex, the Crocidura poensis species complex. The relative effects of taxonomy, size, geography, climate and habitat on skull form were tested, as well as the presence of a phylogenetic signal. Taxonomy was the best predictor of skull size and shape, but surprisingly both size and shape exhibited no significant phylogenetic signal. This paper describes one of the few cases within a mammal clade where morphological evolution does not match the phylogeny. The second strongest predictor for shape variation was size, emphasizing that allometry can represent an easily accessed source of morphological variability within complexes of cryptic species. Taking into account species relatedness, habitat preferences, geographical distribution and differences in skull form, our results lean in favor of a parapatric speciation model within this complex of species, where divergence occurred along an ecological gradient, rather than a geographic barrier.
Modeling synergistic effects by using general Hill-type response surfaces describing drug interactions
Authors: Schindler Michael 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe classification of effects caused by mixtures of agents as synergistic, antagonistic or additive depends critically on the reference model of ’null interaction’. Two main approaches to describe co-operative effects are currently in use, the Additive Dose (ADM) or concentration addition (CA) and the Multiplicative Survival (MSM) or independent action (IA) models. Recently we proposed an approach which describes ’zero-interaction’ surfaces based on the only requirement that simultaneous administration of different drugs leads to Hill-type response surfaces, which are solutions of the underlying logistic differential equations. No further assumptions, neither on mechanisms of action nor on limitations of parameter combinations are required. This defines—and limits—the application range of our approach. Resting on the same principle, we extend this ansatz in the present paper in order to describe deviations from the reference surface by generalized Hill-type functions. To this end we introduce two types of parameters, perturbations of the pure drug Hill-parameters and interaction parameters that account for n-tuple interactions between all components of a mixture. The resulting ‘full-interaction’ response surface is a valid solution of the basic partial differential equation (PDE), satisfying appropriate boundary conditions. This is true irrespective of its actual functional form, as within our framework the number of parameters is not fixed. We start by fitting the experimental data to the ‘full-interaction’ model with the maximum possible number of parameters. Guided by the fit-statistics, we then gradually remove insignificant parameters until the optimum response surface model is obtained. The ’full-interaction’ Hill response surface ansatz can be applied to mixtures of n compounds with arbitrary Hill parameters including those describing baseline effects. Synergy surfaces, i.e., differences between full- and null-interaction models, are used to identify dose-combinations showing peak synergies. We apply our approach to binary and ternary examples from the literature, which range from mixtures behaving according to the null-interaction model to those showing strong synergistic or antagonistic effects. By comparing ’null-’ and ’full-response’ surfaces we identify those dose-combinations that lead to maximum synergistic or antagonistic effects. In one example we identify both synergistic and antagonistic effects simlutaneously, depending on the dose-ratio of the components. In addition we show that often the number of parameters necessary to describe the response can be reduced without significantly affecting the accuracy. This facilitates an analysis of the synergistic effects by focussing on the main factors causing the deviations from ’null-interaction’.
SIN-3 functions through multi-protein interaction to regulate apoptosis, autophagy, and longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Konwar Chandrika , Maini Jayant , Kohli Surbhi , Brahmachari Vani , Saluja Daman 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSIN3/HDAC is a multi-protein complex that acts as a regulatory unit and functions as a co-repressor/co-activator and a general transcription factor. SIN3 acts as a scaffold in the complex, binding directly to HDAC1/2 and other proteins and plays crucial roles in regulating apoptosis, differentiation, cell proliferation, development, and cell cycle. However, its exact mechanism of action remains elusive. Using the Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model, we can surpass the challenges posed by the functional redundancy of SIN3 isoforms. In this regard, we have previously demonstrated the role of SIN-3 in uncoupling autophagy and longevity in C. elegans. In order to understand the mechanism of action of SIN3 in these processes, we carried out a comparative analysis of the SIN3 protein interactome from model organisms of different phyla. We identified conserved, expanded, and contracted gene classes. The C. elegans SIN-3 interactome -revealed the presence of well-known proteins, such as DAF-16, SIR-2.1, SGK-1, and AKT-1/2, involved in autophagy, apoptosis, and longevity. Overall, our analyses propose potential mechanisms by which SIN3 participates in multiple biological processes and their conservation across species and identifies candidate genes for further experimental analysis.
Sampling a gradient of red snow algae bloom density reveals novel connections between microbial communities and environmental features
Authors: Tucker Avery E. , Brown Shawn P. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSnow algae blooms and associated microbial communities play large roles in snow ecosystem processes. Patterns and mechanisms underpinning snow algae bloom spatial distribution and associated microbial community assembly dynamics are poorly understood. Here we examine associations of microbial communities and environmental measures between/within snow algae blooms. Snows from the Cascade Mountains and the Rocky Mountains (USA) were collected from medial (M), peripheral (P), and adjacent (A) zones of red snow algae blooms. Medial snow shows increased levels of pollen, lower oxidation–reduction potential, decreased algal and increased bacterial richness, and increased levels of potassium when compared to A and P within the same bloom. Between the Cascade and Rocky Mountains, fungal communities are distinct but bacterial and algal communities show little differentiation. A weighted OTU co-expression analysis (WOCNA) explores OTU modules and their differential correlation with environmental features, suggesting certain subcommunities may be altered by ecological patterns. Individual OTU interaction networks (fungi and bacteria) show high levels of connectivity compared to networks based on the red snow algaSanguina nivaloides, which underscores associative differences between algal dominated networks and other taxa.
HDAC6 is a prognostic biomarker that mediates IL-13 expression to regulate macrophage polarization through AP-1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tseng Chung-Chih , Huang Shi-Ying , Tsai Hung-Pei , Wu Chia-Wei , Hsieh Tsung-Hua 
Published: June 2022

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwide that is characterized by abnormal lesions or malignant hyperplasia of soft and hard tissues in the oral cavity. Previous research has found that HDAC6 may be a potential therapeutic target for cancer patients and has the ability to regulate immune cells. However, the mechanism of HDAC6 in OSCC pathogenesis is unclear. We collected clinical samples and analyzed the level of HDAC6 in OSCC patients. The results showed that in the high HDAC6 expression group, HDAC6 expression was positively correlated with the grade of OSCC (R = 0.182, P = 0.036) and that this group had a 3.248-fold increase in the mortality risk compared with the low HDAC6 expression group (P = 0.003). Survival analysis also identified a correlation between the expression of HDAC6 and overall survival in OSCC patients, and it was found that the expression of HDAC6 was inversely correlated with survival (P ≤ 0.001). In addition, we found that HDAC6 induced IL-13 expression through AP-1, resulting in M2 polarization of macrophages. Together, these results demonstrate that the level of HDAC6 may be a useful prognostic biomarker and offer a novel immune cell-related therapeutic strategy of targeting IL-13 in OSCC.
Participatory mapping identifies risk areas and environmental predictors of endemic anthrax in rural Africa
Authors: Aminu Olubunmi R. , Forde Taya L. , Ekwem Divine , Johnson Paul , Nelli Luca , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Mshanga Deogratius , Shand Mike , Shirima Gabriel , Walsh Markus , Zadoks Ruth N. , Biek Roman , Lembo Tiziana 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDisease mapping reveals geographical variability in incidence, which can help to prioritise control efforts. However, in areas where this is most needed, resources to generate the required data are often lacking. Participatory mapping, which makes use of indigenous knowledge, is a potential approach to identify risk areas for endemic diseases in low- and middle-income countries. Here we combine this method with Geographical Information System-based analyses of environmental variables as a novel approach to study endemic anthrax, caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, in rural Africa. Our aims were to: (1) identify high-risk anthrax areas using community knowledge; (2) enhance our understanding of the environmental characteristics associated with these areas; and (3) make spatial predictions of anthrax risk. Community members from the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), northern Tanzania, where anthrax is highly prevalent in both animals and humans, were asked to draw areas they perceived to pose anthrax risks to their livestock on geo-referenced maps. After digitisation, random points were generated within and outside the defined areas to represent high- and low-risk areas, respectively. Regression analyses were used to identify environmental variables that may predict anthrax risk. Results were combined to predict how the probability of being a high-risk area for anthrax varies across space. Participatory mapping identified fourteen discrete high-risk areas ranging from 0.2 to 212.9 km2 in size and occupying 8.4% of the NCA. Areas that pose a high risk of anthrax were positively associated with factors that increase contact with Bacillus anthracis spores rather than those associated with the pathogen’s survival: close proximity to inland water bodies, where wildlife and livestock congregate, and low organic carbon content, which may indicate an increased likelihood of animals grazing close to soil surface and ingesting spores. Predicted high-risk areas were located in the centre of the NCA, which is likely to be encountered by most herds during movements in search for resources. We demonstrate that participatory mapping combined with spatial analyses can provide novel insights into the geography of disease risk. This approach can be used to prioritise areas for control in low-resource settings, especially for diseases with environmental transmission.
Energy harvesting from sonic noises by phononic crystal fibers
Authors: Motaei Farzaneh , Bahrami Ali 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn this investigation, a phononic crystal-based fiber is proposed for energy harvesting application in metalworking factories. Phononic crystal plays the role of cladding in elastic fiber structure. Each of single-core fibers includes a tungsten hollow cylinder in central region which its internal radius is different in three single-core fibers. Incident waves with central frequency from 25 to 40 kHz of 1/3 octave band are confined in the core region of proposed elastic fibers and transmitted to desired distance. High confinement and transmission ability without significant longitudinal loss make this structure distinct from the other phononic crystals-based energy harvesters. By utilizing of a piezoelectric film at the end of fiber cores, mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy. As proposed elastic fibers confine the applied waves with high quality, the obtained output power is enhanced up to 800 times in comparison with the bare case. Maximum value of extinction ratio between all single core fibers is equal to − 23 dB. Also, longitudinal loss is almost equal to 0.9 dB/km.
Investigating microbial dynamics and potential advantages of anaerobic co-digestion of cheese whey and poultry slaughterhouse wastewaters
Authors: Abdallah M. , Greige S. , Beyenal H. , Harb M. , Wazne M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractResource recovery and prevention of environmental pollution are key goals for sustainable development. It is widely reported that agro-industrial activities are responsible for the discharge of billions of liters of wastewater to the environment. Anaerobic digestion of these energy rich agro-industrial wastewaters can simultaneously mitigate environmental pollution and recover embedded energy as methane gas. In this study, an assessment of mono- and co-digestion of cheese whey wastewater (CWW) and poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) was conducted in 2.25-L lab-scale anaerobic digesters. Treatment combinations evaluated included CWW (R1), PSW (R2), 75:25 CWW:PSW (R3), 25:75 CWW:PSW (R4), and 50:50 CWW:PSW (R5). The digestion efficiencies of the mixed wastewaters were compared to the weighted efficiencies of the corresponding combined mono-digested samples. R4, with a mixture of 25% CWW and 75% PSW, achieved the greatest treatment efficiency. This corresponded with an average biodegradability of 84%, which was greater than for R1 and R2 at 68.5 and 71.9%, respectively. Similarly, R4 produced the highest average cumulative methane value compared to R1 and R2 at 1.22× and 1.39× for similar COD loading, respectively. The modified Gompertz model provided the best fit for the obtained methane production data, with lag time decreasing over progressive treatment cycles. PCoA and heatmap analysis of relative microbial abundances indicated a divergence of microbial communities based on feed type over the treatment cycles. Microbial community analysis showed that genus Petrimonas attained the highest relative abundance (RA) at up to 38.9% in the first two cycles, then subsequently decreased to near 0% for all reactors. Syntrophomonas was highly abundant in PSW reactors, reaching up to 36% RA. Acinetobacter was present mostly in CWW reactors with a RA reaching 56.5%. The methanogenic community was dominated by Methanothrix (84.3–99.9% of archaea). The presence of phosphate and Acinetobacter in CWW feed appeared to reduce the treatment efficiency of associated reactors. Despite Acinetobacter being strictly aerobic, previous and current results indicate its survival under anaerobic conditions, with the storage of phosphate likely playing a key role in its ability to scavenge acetate during the digestion process.
South American precipitation dipole forced by interhemispheric temperature gradient
Authors: Campos Marília C. , Chiessi Cristiano M. , Novello Valdir F. , Crivellari Stefano , Campos José L. P. S. , Albuquerque Ana Luiza S. , Venancio Igor M. , Santos Thiago P. , Melo Dayane B. , Cruz Francisco W. , Sawakuchi André O. , Mendes Vinícius R. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTropical South American hydroclimate sustains the world’s highest biodiversity and hundreds of millions of people. Whitin this region, Amazonia and northeastern Brazil have attracted much attention due to their high biological and social vulnerabilities to climate change (i.e. considered climate change hotspots). Still, their future response to climate change remains uncertain. On precession timescale, it has been suggested that periods of decreased western Amazonian precipitation were accompanied by increased northeastern Brazilian precipitation and vice-versa, setting an east–west tropical South American precipitation dipole. However, the very existence of this precession-driven precipitation dipole remains unsettled given the scarcity of long and appropriate northeastern Brazilian records. Here we show that the precession-driven South American precipitation dipole has persisted over the last 113 ka as revealed by a northern northeastern Brazilian precipitation record obtained from quartz thermoluminescence sensitivity measured in marine sediment cores. Precession-induced austral summer insolation changes drove the precipitation dipole through the interhemispheric temperature gradient control over the regional Walker circulation and the Intertropical Convergence Zone seasonal migration range. Since modern global warming affects the interhemispheric temperature gradient, our study provides insights about possible future tropical South American hydroclimate responses.
Tumor endothelial marker 1 is upregulated in heart after cardiac injury and participates in cardiac remodeling
Authors: Chen Po-Sheng , Feng Wen-Han , Tsai Tzu-Hsien , Hong Yi-Kai , Lee An-Sheng , Chang Kuan-Cheng , Chung Hsing-Chun , Liu Yen-Wen , Hsieh Chih-Cheng , Fang Yi-Hsian , Yang Pei-Jung , Luo Chawn-Yau , Liu Ping-Yen , Cheng Tsung-Lin , Li Yi-Heng 
Published: June 2022

AbstractTumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that appears on mesenchymal lineage-derived cells during embryogenesis, but its expression greatly reduces after birth. Re-upregulation of TEM1 is found in tumor angiogenesis, organ fibrosis and wound healing indicating its potential role in tissue remodeling and repair. The expression level and function of TEM1 in adult heart are unknown. In explanted hearts from heart failure (HF) patients received cardiac transplantation, immunofluorescence staining showed TEM1 was expressed in cardiomyocytes (CMs) and cardiac fibroblasts. Bioinformatics analysis showed TEM1 upregulation in mouse heart after coronary ligation. Cardiac TEM1 expression was reconfirmed in mouse HF induced by coronary ligation or doxorubicin injection. TEM1 expression increased in cultured CMs stimulated with mechanical stretch, doxorubicin and hypoxia. Further studies showed recombinant TEM1 (rTEM1) was a functional protein that influenced cell behaviors of CMs. It directly activated Erk and Akt through interaction with PDGF receptor. TEM1lacZ/lacZ mice had less collagen deposition and worse cardiac function than wild type mice. These results indicate that TEM1 expression increases in the heart after cardiac injury and works as a functional protein that participates in cardiac remodeling.
Identification of large offspring syndrome during pregnancy through ultrasonography and maternal blood transcriptome analyses
Authors: Rivera Rocío Melissa , Goldkamp Anna Katherine , Patel Bhaumik Narendrabhai , Hagen Darren Erich , Soto-Moreno Edgar Joel , Li Yahan , Kim Chris Nayoon , Miller Cliff , Williams Fred , Jannaman Elizabeth , Xiao Yao , Tribulo Paula , Estrada-Cortés Eliab , Brau-Rodríguez Astrid Roshealy , Hansen Peter James , Wu Zhoulin , Spinka Christine Marie , Martin Neal , Elsik Christine G. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn vitro production (IVP) of embryos in cattle can result in large/abnormal offspring syndrome (LOS/AOS) which is characterized by macrosomia. LOS can cause dystocia and lead to the death of dam and calf. Currently, no test exists to identify LOS pregnancies. We hypothesized that fetal ultrasonography and/or maternal blood markers are useful to identify LOS. Bovine fetuses were generated by artificial insemination (control) or IVP. Fetal ultrasonographies were taken on gestation D55 (D55) and fetal collections performed on D56 or D105 (gestation in cattle ≈ D280). IVP fetuses weighing ≥ 97 percentile of the control weight were considered LOS. Ultrasonography results show that the product of six D55 measurements can be used to identify extreme cases of LOS. To determine whether maternal blood can be used to identify LOS, leukocyte mRNA from 23 females was sequenced. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering grouped the transcriptomes of the two females carrying the two largest LOS fetuses. Comparison of the leukocyte transcriptomes of these two females to the transcriptome of all other females identified several misregulated transcripts on gestation D55 and D105 with LOC783838 and PCDH1 being misregulated at both time-points. Together our data suggest that LOS is identifiable during pregnancy in cattle.
Successful outcomes of second hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for graft failure in pediatric patients with severe aplastic anemia
Authors: He Meijie , Gui Ruirui , Zu Yingling , Li Zhen , Wang Dao , Mao Yanna , Wang Xianjing , Wang Huili , Song Yongping , Zhou Jian 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSevere aplastic anemia (SAA) is a life-threatening hematological disorder. The major therapies include matched sibling donor (MSD)- hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), matched unrelated donor (MUD)-HSCT and immunosuppressive therapy (IST). However, there are many problems that can occur after HSCT, and graft failure (GF) is one of the most serious complications. To find an effective treatment, we analyzed 10 cases of second HSCT to treat SAA pediatric patients who suffered from GF and concluded that second haploidentical family donors HSCT is an effective treatment. Moreover, adding a small dose of busulfan or 2 ~ 3 Gy total body irradiation (TBI) in nonmyeloablative regimens (NMAs) can promote the engraftment. Although the study also showed that PBSCs, as a source of stem cells, can promote the implantation of neutrophil cells, due to small sample size, more research is still needed.