Diversity Elements Research Articles

Can Agroecology Provide a Panacea for Sustaining the Adoption of Soil Erosion Control Measures? A Case of Smallholder Coffea arabica Production in the Rwenzori Mountain Region, Uganda

Agroecological approaches can provide context-specific and sustainable solutions to issues confronting farming communities, by enabling consorting of the socioeconomic and ecological constraints on the farm. This study is the first attempt to test this argument, based on the challenge of sustaining the adoption of soil erosion control measures among smallholder farmers producing Coffea arabica on the Rwenzori Mountain in Uganda. Here, the adoption of soil erosion control measures remains a challenge, despite the efforts of conventional agricultural advisory services in local governments. Using a qualitative research approach, we contrasted the elements of agroecology with the local discourses, to identify if they would provide a panacea for sustaining the adoption of soil erosion control measures. The results indicated that, generally, the agroecology elements harmonized with the local-context discourses on soil erosion control, in contrast to the conventional approach promoted through the agricultural advisory services. For example, the local discourse on a participatory process in developing soil erosion control measures linked with the Co-creation and Knowledge-Sharing element of agroecology; the discourse on concurrent and joint implementation of soil erosion control measures matched with the Synergy and Diversity elements of agroecology; and the argument for sustaining soil erosion control adoption through rewarding adopters and penalizing non-adopters, in line with the Responsible Governance and the Circular and Solidarity Economy elements of agroecology. Drawing conclusions on the implications of these findings, we argue that consideration of the Agroecology Elements at all stages in the process of soil erosion control would foster the sustained adoption of soil erosion control measures.

Genomic Characterization of Salmonella Typhimurium Isolated from Guinea Pigs with Salmonellosis in Lima, Peru.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is one of the most important foodborne pathogens that infect humans globally. The gastrointestinal tracts of animals like pigs, poultry or cattle are the main reservoirs of Salmonella serotypes. Guinea pig meat is an important protein source for Andean countries, but this animal is commonly infected by S. Typhimurium, producing high mortality rates and generating economic losses. Despite its impact on human health, food security, and economy, there is no genomic information about the S. Typhimurium responsible for the guinea pig infections in Peru. Here, we sequence and characterize 11 S. Typhimurium genomes isolated from guinea pigs from four farms in Lima-Peru. We were able to identify two genetic clusters (HC100_9460 and HC100_9757) distinguishable at the H100 level of the Hierarchical Clustering of Core Genome Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (HierCC-cgMLST) scheme with an average of 608 SNPs of distance. All sequences belonged to sequence type 19 (ST19) and HC100_9460 isolates were typed in silico as monophasic variants (1,4,[5],12:i:-) lacking the fljA and fljB genes. Phylogenomic analysis showed that human isolates from Peru were located within the same genetic clusters as guinea pig isolates, suggesting that these lineages can infect both hosts. We identified a genetic antimicrobial resistance cassette carrying the ant(3)-Ia, dfrA15, qacE, and sul1 genes associated with transposons TnAs3 and IS21 within an IncI1 plasmid in one guinea pig isolate, while antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) for β-lactam (blaCTX-M-65) and colistin (mcr-1) resistance were detected in Peruvian human-derived isolates. The presence of a virulence plasmid highly similar to the pSLT plasmid (LT2 reference strain) containing the spvRABCD operon was found in all guinea pig isolates. Finally, seven phage sequences (STGP_Φ1 to STGP_Φ7) were identified in guinea pig isolates, distributed according to the genetic lineage (H50 clusters level) and forming part of the specific gene content of each cluster. This study presents, for the first time, the genomic characteristics of S. Typhimurium isolated from guinea pigs in South America, showing particular diversity and genetic elements (plasmids and prophages) that require special attention and also broader studies in different periods of time and locations to determine their impact on human health.

Research trends in biodiversity loss: a bibliometric analysis.

Although increased attempts to preserve biodiversity ecosystems have been widely publicized, bibliometric research of biodiversity loss remains limited. Using VOSviewer, we hope to provide a bibliometric assessment of global research trends on biodiversity loss from 1990 to 2021. Document type, language, publication trend, countries, institutions, Author Keywords, and Keywords Plus were all examined. This study recorded a total of 6599 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection database. According to the findings, biodiversity loss research is expected to rise dramatically in the near future. However, the role of social sciences and economics in biodiversity loss studies has received little attention. The USA made the most significant contribution in this field. Biological Conservation was the most productive journal, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America was the most influential journal in biodiversity loss literature. Eisenhauer, N was the most prolific author, and Collen, B was the most referenced. Biodiversity, biodiversity loss mechanisms, biodiversity loss drivers, conservation, and climate change have been the topic of previous research. Possible future research hotspots may include species diversity and many elements of biodiversity. Lastly, the outcomes of this study suggest that existing socio-economic concerns can be integrated into decision-making processes to improve biodiversity conservation.

14. Characterizing Diversity Features in Plastic Surgery Residency Program Websites

Background: There continues to be an increased commitment in recruiting residency and faculty applicants from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine (URMs). These applicants have been shown to be more likely to attend programs where they perceive higher diversity. Because applicants rely most heavily on websites for program information, general surgery literature has identified 8 website elements used by programs to demonstrate diversity and inclusion. No study has examined how plastic surgery residency programs feature diversity and inclusion on their websites. This study aims to characterize how these programs’ websites demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion, and assess whether trends vary by geographic region or rank. Methods: All 82 accredited integrated plastic surgery residencies were reviewed. Website diversity elements were defined by prior general surgery literature and initial review of 10 plastic surgery websites. These elements included 1) non-discrimination statement, 2) diversity and inclusion message, 3) community demographics, 4) biographies of faculty and 5) residents, 6) photographs of faculty and 7) residents, 8) list of resources for trainees, 9) gender identity or pronouns of faculty and 10) residents, and 11) scholarships for underrepresented visiting medical students. We evaluated the impact of Doximity rank and geographic location per U.S. Census Bureau definitions on the diversity elements. Results: Websites had a mean of 3.75 1.71 elements. Most programs had 0 - 4 elements (n = 54, 67.5%), some had 5 - 8 elements (n = 26.5, 32.5%), and none had greater than nine. Chi-squared test revealed no association with either rank (p = 0.40) or U.S. region (p = 0.458). The most common elements were resident photos (n = 73, 91.3%), pictures of faculty (n = 63, 78.8%), and extended faculty bios (n = 50, 62.5%). The least commonly included elements were gender identity or pronouns of residents (n = 0) and faculty (n = 3, 3.8%). Conclusion: Most plastic surgery websites include very few elements related to diversity and inclusion. This research highlights opportunities through which plastic surgery residency program websites can further demonstrate their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Recent Bioinformatic Progress to Identify Epigenetic Changes Associated to Transposable Elements.

Transposable elements (TEs) are recognized for their great impact on the functioning and evolution of their host genomes. They are associated to various deleterious effects, which has led to the evolution of regulatory epigenetic mechanisms to control their activity. Despite these negative effects, TEs are also important actors in the evolution of genomes by promoting genetic diversity and new regulatory elements. Consequently, it is important to study the epigenetic modifications associated to TEs especially at a locus-specific level to determine their individual influence on gene functioning. To this aim, this short review presents the current bioinformatic tools to achieve this task.

How do orthopaedic surgery residency program websites feature diversity? An analysis of 187 orthopaedic surgery programs in the United States.

The orthopaedic surgery residency program website represents a recruitment tool that can be used to demonstrate a program's commitment to diversity and inclusion to prospective applicants. The authors assessed how orthopaedic surgery residency programs demonstrated diversity and inclusion on their program websites and whether this varied based on National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, top-40 medical school affiliation, university affiliation, program size, or geographic region. The authors evaluated 187 orthopaedic surgery residency program websites for the presence of 12 elements that represented program commitment to diversity and inclusion values, based on prior work and ACGME recommendations. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess whether NIH funding and other program characteristics were associated with commitment to diversity and inclusion on affiliated residency websites. Orthopaedic surgery residency websites included a mean of 4.9 ± 2.1 diversity and inclusion elements, with 21% (40/187) featuring a majority (7+) of elements. Top 40 NIH funded programs (5.4 ± 2.0) did not have significantly higher website diversity scores when compared with nontop-40 programs (4.8 ± 2.1) (P = 0.250). University-based or affiliated programs (5.2 ± 2.0) had higher diversity scores when compared with community-based programs (3.6 ± 2.2) (P = 0.003). Most orthopaedic surgery residency websites contained fewer than half of the diversity and inclusion elements studied, suggesting opportunities for further commitment to diversity and inclusion. Inclusion of diversity initiatives on program websites may attract more diverse applicants and help address gender and racial or ethnic disparities in orthopaedic surgery. Level V.

Population genomics of the food-borne pathogen Vibrio fluvialis reveals lineage associated pathogenicity-related genetic elements.

Vibrio fluvialis is a food-borne pathogen with epidemic potential that causes cholera-like acute gastroenteritis and sometimes extraintestinal infections in humans. However, research on its genetic diversity and pathogenicity-related genetic elements based on whole genome sequences is lacking. In this study, we collected and sequenced 130 strains of V. fluvialis from 14 provinces of China, and also determined the susceptibility of 35 of the strains to 30 different antibiotics. Combined with 52 publicly available V. fluvialis genomes, we inferred the population structure and investigated the characteristics of pathogenicity-related factors. The V. fluvialis strains exhibited high levels of homologous recombination and were assigned to two major populations, VflPop1 and VflPop2, according to the different compositions of their gene pools. VflPop2 was subdivided into groups 2.1 and 2.2. Except for VflPop2.2, which consisted only of Asian strains, the strains in VflPop1 and VflPop2.1 were distributed in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Analysis of the pathogenicity potential of V. fluvialis showed that most of the identified virulence-related genes or gene clusters showed high prevalence in V. fluvialis , except for three mobile genetic elements: pBD146, ICEVflInd1 and MGIVflInd1, which were scattered in only a few strains. A total of 21 antimicrobial resistance genes were identified in the genomes of the 182 strains analysed in this study, and 19 (90%) of them were exclusively present in VflPop2. Notably, the tetracycline resistance-related gene tet(35) was present in 150 (95%) of the strains in VflPop2, and in only one (4%) strain in VflPop1, indicating it was population-specific. In total, 91% of the 35 selected strains showed resistance to cefazolin, indicating V. fluvialis has a high resistance rate to cefazolin. Among the 15 genomes that carried the previously reported drug resistance-related plasmid pBD146, 11 (73%) showed resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which we inferred was related to the presence of the dfr6 gene in the plasmid. On the basis of the population genomics analysis, the genetic diversity, population structure and distribution of pathogenicity-related factors of V. fluvialis were delineated in this study. The results will provide further clues regarding the evolution and pathogenic mechanisms of V. fluvialis , and improve our knowledge for the prevention and control of this pathogen.

An Analysis of the Diversity and Inclusion Content Featured on Ophthalmology Residency Program Web Sites

Abstract Introduction Ophthalmology departments have been stated to be among the least diverse clinical departments at United States medical schools. Improvement requires recruiting a pipeline of diverse trainees. Residency program Web sites represent a potential diversity and inclusion recruitment tool. This study assesses how ophthalmology residency program Web sites demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion. Methods We analyzed the diversity and inclusion content of 116 ophthalmology residency program Web sites in April 2021. Main outcome measures were the presence of 12 diversity and inclusion elements on program Web sites, based on prior work and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education guidelines: nondiscrimination statement, diversity and inclusion message, community resources, extended faculty or resident biographies (including hobbies, etc.), faculty photos, resident photos, additional financial resources for trainees, wellness resources, mental health resources, health disparities/community engagement, and diversity council. We used Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests to assess whether residency program characteristics such as rank, size, university affiliation, and geographic location were associated with commitment to diversity and inclusion on affiliated residency Web sites. Results Ophthalmology residency program Web sites included a mean of 4.4 ± 2.1 diversity elements. Sixteen percent of programs featured more than half (7 + ) of the evaluated diversity elements. The most featured common diversity elements included resident photos (85.3%), faculty photos (78.4%), and community resources (64.3%). Extended faculty biographies (2.6%), mental health resources (9.5%), and diversity council information (11.2%) were less commonly showcased. Top-ranked programs (7.6 ± 1.8, p < 0.0001) and university-based/-affiliated programs (4.7 ± 2.8, p = 0.0039) displayed more diversity elements than lower-ranked (4.1 ± 1.8) and community-based programs (2.8 ± 1.7). Conclusion Most ophthalmology residency program Web sites feature less than half of the 12 diversity and inclusion elements included in this study, suggesting room for improvement. By drawing attention to program diversity and inclusion efforts, Web sites offer a potential tool for residency programs to consider in their recruitment efforts for diverse trainees. Incorporating the diversity and inclusion elements analyzed in this study represents a low-burden way to signal a greater commitment to diversity that could help programs recruit diverse applicants.

Editorial Board Memberships: A Report on the Status of the Leading Information Systems Journals

Research journals play a significant role in the generation, dissemination, and sharing of knowledge in an academic discipline. To a great extent, the editorial board members of these research journals manage and control the generation, dissemination, and sharing of knowledge. They also act as policymakers, gatekeepers, and trendsetters. In their latter roles, editorial board members can influence several factors in a discipline; namely, the research topics, the research methods, the research scope, and whose articles are published. The primary goal of this study is to investigate and report on the status of the editorial boards memberships in a set of 14 leading Information Systems (IS) journals. The study does this along the following three main diversity elements namely titles, gender, academic institution, and the geographical location of the editorial boards’ members. The set of 14 journals include the IS basket of 8 journal list. Of the 14 reviewed journals, 7 are domiciled in the US and 7 in Europe. Results reveal a lack of common editorial board classification criteria whereby members of the editorial boards were categorized into different groups and referred to using various titles such as senior editors, associate editors, editorial board members, editorial review board members, and board of editors. Also, the results show that, as of June 2020, the 14 IS journals’ editorial boards had 1214 instances (988 unique occurrences) of editorial board members who came from 44 unique countries. Of those 988 editorial board members, 253 (26%) were females while 736 (74%) were males. In addition, out of the 988 editorial board members, 48% were from US and Canada, 26% were from Europe, and 26% were from the rest of the world. The results also reveal the schools and faculty with the highest number of editorial board memberships. Having a significant number of editorial board members from US and Europe (74%) fits with what Kubota (2019) called epistemological racism; a practice in which the Western world has an upper hand in determining and controlling knowledge and academic practices. Given the roles of the editorial boards in the review process and setting the research agenda for a journal, a more diverse editorial board might publish a more diverse research output. Furthermore, a more diverse editorial board is likely to have a repertoire of internal reviewers who speed up and lower the review process costs, which are challenges inherent in a less diverse editorial board.

Macroinvertebrate and diatom community responses to thermal alterations below water supply reservoirs

AbstractRiver impoundments have transformed river ecosystems globally due to the modification of various abiotic and biotic factors. This study provides rare evidence quantifying how water supply reservoirs alter water temperature regimes and its effects on macroinvertebrate and diatom communities over a 4‐year period. We obtained near‐continuous water temperature measurements upstream and downstream of three reservoirs and analysed thermal variables in association with macroinvertebrate and diatom community indices (including taxonomic richness, proportion of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera taxa [%EPT] and diatom ecological guilds). Reservoirs typically decreased downstream thermal variability, with reduced summer temperatures and increased winter temperatures, and a delayed timing of annual temperature extremes. Marked differences in thermal regime modifications between reservoirs were observed, including evidence of inter‐annual variation associated with inter‐basin water transfers downstream of one reservoir. Biomonitoring indices showed associations with thermal indices that differed between site types (regulated versus non‐regulated) and seasons (spring vs. autumn). Various macroinvertebrate and diatom indices capturing community diversity elements and sensitivities to different environmental pressures were associated with higher maximum summer temperatures and lower minimum winter temperatures, suggesting ecological effects of reduced thermal variation downstream of reservoirs. Different ecological responses to thermal indices were observed between seasons, likely due to organism life‐cycle effects and intra‐annual thermal variations. Contrasting macroinvertebrate and diatom communities were observed between regulated and non‐regulated sites, which may be driven by differences in the thermal regime and other abiotic factors at regulated sites, including nutrient, sediment and flow regimes. Long‐term continuous water temperature monitoring of both multiple regulated and non‐regulated river systems is necessary to better understand the environmental and ecological effects of river impoundments. Given the extent to which river impoundment has modified stream temperatures globally, the inclusion of thermal regime data in environmental flow studies alongside hydrological information may guide the implementation of mitigation measures on impounded waterbodies.

Characterization, Pathogenicity, Phylogeny, and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Pseudomonas tolaasii Strains Isolated from Various Mushrooms in China.

Since 2016, devastating bacterial blotch affecting the fruiting bodies of Agaricus bisporus, Cordyceps militaris, Flammulina filiformis, and Pleurotus ostreatus in China has caused severe economic losses. We isolated 102 bacterial strains and characterized them polyphasically. We identified the causal agent as Pseudomonas tolaasii and confirmed the pathogenicity of the strains. A host range test further confirmed the pathogen's ability to infect multiple hosts. This is the first report in China of bacterial blotch in C. militaris caused by P. tolaasii. Whole-genome sequences were generated for three strains: Pt11 (6.48 Mb), Pt51 (6.63 Mb), and Pt53 (6.80 Mb), and pangenome analysis was performed with 13 other publicly accessible P. tolaasii genomes to determine their genetic diversity, virulence, antibiotic resistance, and mobile genetic elements. The pangenome of P. tolaasii is open, and many more gene families are likely to emerge with further genome sequencing. Multilocus sequence analysis using the sequences of four common housekeeping genes (glns, gyrB, rpoB, and rpoD) showed high genetic variability among the P. tolaasii strains, with 115 strains clustered into a monophyletic group. The P. tolaasii strains possess various genes for secretion systems, virulence factors, carbohydrate-active enzymes, toxins, secondary metabolites, and antimicrobial resistance genes that are associated with pathogenesis and adapted to different environments. The myriad of insertion sequences, integrons, prophages, and genome islands encoded in the strains may contribute to genome plasticity, virulence, and antibiotic resistance. These findings advance understanding of the determinants of virulence, which can be targeted for the effective control of bacterial blotch disease.

Diversity Elements on Maternal Fetal Medicine Fellowship Websites: Opportunity for Improvement in Recruitment and Representation

To analyze Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) fellowship websites for presence of diversity elements important to underrepresented minorities in medicine (URIM).[1] [1] Underrepresented in medicine definition. AAMC. https://www.aamc.org/what-we-do/equity-diversity-inclusion/underrepresented-in-medicine. Accessed August 1, 2021. Fellowship websites (Society for MFM) were accessed summer of 2021. We identified 12 website elements that demonstrate commitment to diversity: 1) nondiscrimination statement; 2) diversity and inclusion message; 3) diversity specific language; 4) resources for trainees; 5) community demographics; 6-7) personalized biographies of faculty or fellows; 8-9) individual photographs of faculty or fellows; 10) photos or biographies of alumni; 11) diversity publications and; 12) department statistics. Program size, region, and location were collected. Self-reported URIM data on obstetrics programs was extracted from the National GME Survey 2019. Programs were dichotomized into 6+ diversity elements. Nonparametric, chi-square and Fisher’s exact were used. MFM fellowship programs (excluded military/fetal surgery) were analyzed (n = 91/94). Websites included a mean of 4.1± 2.5 diversity elements. Most (n =75, 82.4%) featured < 6 elements. When dichotomized to 6+ diversity elements, larger faculty size was the only significant factor (p=0.01). The majority had < 12 faculty listed (n=54, 59.3%). For programs with 12+ faculty, 68.8% (n=11/16) demonstrated 6+ diversity elements. Faculty photos, fellow photos, and diversity publications were the most common (92.4%, 68.1%, 49.5% respectively). Mean rate of URIM was 18.8% ± 11.3 and no significant associations were noted. There was a trend for more diversity elements in the Western United States, with a mean of 5.3 ± 2.2, compared to 3.7 ± 2.0 in the South (p=0.24, see Figure). Fellowship websites convey information for trainees, especially in an era of virtual recruitment. This study highlights opportunities for directed improvements to increase recruitment of URIM.

Design and analysis of compact 8-port dual-element MIMO antenna for wireless applications utilizing classical electromagnetic CMA approach

A compact 8-port antenna of size 0.64λ0× 0.64λ0× 0.01λ0 (λ0 is lowest operating wavelength at 3.2 GHz) with dual-element MIMO configuration is proposed in this study. The integrated multi-port system has 4 × different antenna configurations, assisting discrete operating modes (Ant-On as odd numbered antennas, Ant-En as even numbered antennas, where n = 1, 2, 3,….., 8) and are investigated through electromagnetic modal analysis using CMA approach. The Ant-On elements has an inverted L-shaped monopole with broadened feed and narrowed at junctions. To improve impedance matching,4-nested CSRR loops are loaded as magnetically coupled induced resonator. The 4 × Ant-On operates from (3.35–4.08) GHz of IBW ≈ 20%. Similarly, the Ant-En elements has an linear monopole element with electrically coupled two L-shaped resonating stubs assisting wideband performance. The 4 × Ant-En operates from (3.2–5.32) GHz of IBW ≈ 40%. There is no decoupling network and the coupling coefficient is > 15 dB, by splitting the grounds of each antenna elements with L-shaped and stepped ground topologies. To invoke pattern diversity, Ant-On and Ant-En elements are placed side-by-side and are sorted orthogonally to mimic radiation diversity. The ECCFar-field(ρ1n)< 0.13 with (4–5.4) dBi as realized gain and radiation efficiency > 60% in the operating spectrum. A prototype antenna was fabricated and measured with good results to be potentially explored in wireless applications.

Sequential Knoevenagel [4+1] Cycloaddition-Condensation-Aza-Friedel-Crafts Intramolecular Cyclization: A 4-Center-3-Component Reaction Toward Tunable Fluorescent Indolizine Tetracycles.

A two-step multicomponent reaction oxidation protocol is reported herein, which affords novel tunable fluorescent tetracyclic indolizines. The procedure involves a novel 4-center-3-component reaction, which proceeds via a sequential Knoevenagel condensation, [4+1] cycloaddition, and imine condensation to afford imino-indolizines. Products then undergo cyclization and are oxidized in situ to afford fluorescent tetracycles, which are readily tunable through modification of diversity elements.

Population genomics study of Vibrio alginolyticus.

Vibrio alginolyticus is a Gram-negative bacillus that causes vibriosis to human and aquatic products, including fish, shrimp and shellfish. It poses a threat to public health and causes enormous economic losses to the aquaculture industry. However, research on genetic diversity and pathogenicity-related genetic elements based on whole genome is still lacking. In this study, sixty-eight strains of V. alginolyticus were collected from four provinces of China and the whole genome sequences were obtained. Combined with 113 publicly available genome sequences downloaded from NCBI, we inferred the population structure of V. alginolyticus by using fineSTRUCTURE software, and identified the virulence and antibiotic resistance factors using the VFDB, CARD and ResFinder database. The results indicated that V. alginolyticus included two main lineages, named Lineage 1 and Lineage 2. Both lineages distributed in America and Asia, but all the European genomes were classified into Lineage 1. A single cross-ocean transmission event was inferred from one of the 12 identified clonal groups in our dataset. V. alginolyticus genome contains a variety of virulence factors, such as tlh, OmpU, and IlpA, etc. The distribution of virulence factors revealed no lineage-specificity, but some of which revealed differences in their geographical distribution. A lower frequency of VP1611, vcrD, vopD, fleR/flrC and a higher frequency of IlpA were observed in genomes of Europe than other continents. In China, a lower frequency of fleR/flrC, and no IlpA were observed in genomes from Guangxi province. Among the identified antibiotic resistance genes, TxR and fos are significantly enriched in Lineage 2. In addition, TxR is more common in genomes from Asia, compared with the American and European genomes. But in China, the frequency of TxR in Sichuan genomes is much lower than in other provinces. We also found that large fragments of plasmids or ICEs that carried multiple drug resistance genes were present in five V. alginolyticus genomes (VA24, VA28, 2014V-1011, ZJ-T and Vb1833). Based on population genomics analysis, our study delineated the population structure, distribution of virulence and antibiotic resistance related factors of V. alginolyticus, which lays a foundation for future study of genetic characters and pathogenesis mechanism of this pathogen and will improve the works on monitoring, prevention and control of this pathogen.

Codes of conduct in Open Source Software—for warm and fuzzy feelings or equality in community?

This paper focuses on codes of conduct (CoC) of Free and Open Source Software (F/OSS) and their role in improving women’s participation in online communities of OSS. We investigated 355 F/OSS software package websites for the presence of codes of conduct and then analyzed these for diversity elements. Qualitative content analysis of the websites shows that less than 10% (28) of the analyzed websites had some type of community rules such as CoC. In-depth analysis of the CoCs demonstrated many discrepancies in the terminology, length, enforcement, and adoption of codes of conduct. To investigate the usage of these CoCs, we investigate five women-focused OSS discussion forums. This analysis shows the value of creating/adopting a CoC and the impact CoC can have on the participation of women. We also present the challenges in the usage and enforcement of CoCs as discussed by women of these forums. We conclude with recommendations for better enforcement of CoC and reflection on the ethical underpinnings of CoC as a tool to improve diversity and inclusion in OSS.

Bacterial diversity in tea plant (Camellia sinensis) rhizosphere soil from Qinling Mountains and its relationship with environmental elements

The bacterial diversity in rhizosphere soil is closely associated with its environmental factors, such as, pH, moisture and organic contents. The aims of this study were to understand the bacterial diversity in tea plant Camellia sinensis rhizosphere soils and explore its relationship with major organic elements, water, and pH in tea plant rhizosphere soil. The tea plant rhizosphere soils were randomly collected from five locations at the south side of Qinling Mountains. The bacterial diversity in the soil was determined by high-throughput amplicon sequencing technology. The organic elements, pH and moisture in the soil were measured using traditional analysis methods. The correlations between bacterial diversity and environmental elements were analyzed by using the General Linear Model (GLM), Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients methods. Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Gemmatimonadetes, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia were the dominant phyla in the soil samples. Water content, pH, organic carbon and total nitrogen were the environmental elements that had the greatest correlation with the bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere soil samples. Nitrogen had the greatest effect on the bacterial diversity at genus level. Carbon, potassium, water and pH were positively correlated with Pedobacter and Mucilaginibacter genera. The bacterial diversity in tea plant rhizosphere is closely associated with its environmental elements. The soil elements in tea plant rhizosphere could also be adjusted through the change of rhizobacteria diversity besides chemical fertilization.

5-Endo Trig Oxidative Radical Cyclizations of Ugi-3CR Products toward 1,4-Imidazolidinones.

A 5-endo trig oxidative radical cyclization of benzylamine-derived Ugi three-component reaction products rapidly affords imidazolidinones with three diversity elements. This adaptation of our previously described multicomponent reaction-oxidation methodology further showcases manipulation of the diversity elements in multicomponent reaction products via oxidative radical cyclizations, which generates highly decorated privileged heterocycles.

Multiple Chemical Features Impact Biological Performance Diversity of a Highly Active Natural Product-Inspired Library.

A systematic, diversity-oriented synthesis approach was employed to access a natural product-inspired flavonoid library with diverse chemical features, including chemical properties, scaffold, stereochemistry, and appendages. Using Cell Painting, the effects of these diversity elements were evaluated, and multiple chemical features that predict biological performance diversity were identified. Scaffold identity appears to be the dominant predictor of performance diversity, but stereochemistry and appendages also contribute to a lesser degree. In addition, the diversity of chemical properties contributed to performance diversity, and the driving chemical property was dependent on the scaffold. These results highlight the importance of key chemical features that may inform the creation of small-molecule, performance-diverse libraries to improve the efficiency and success of high-throughput screening campaigns.

Corporate Governance in the Digital world

Abstract Modeling a process of digitized recruitment and selection of the future members of the Board of Directors of Public Enterprises, where several models of software programs secured and adapted to the needs of the Public Administration, such as be DM Software (decision making software), oriented towards Corporate Governance with a view to transparent and decentralize the recruitment and selection process will be developed. At the international level, there is a tendency of intense digitization, affecting the area of recruitment beyond the initial stage, reaching the development of specialized recruitment software through algorithms to determine the best solutions and eliminate the human factor from the process. The best way to select the right software is to set up a digital recruitment process that tests new solutions based technologies in order to implement innovative services.Adding a new selection way, in order to elaborate an optimal composition of the governing bodies, a well-known method of selection is the RACI matrix method, offering diversity elements and strategic requirements, for the members of the Board, introducing the electronic selection and applying the criteria for an algorithm which will obtain the best score. This innovation brought to light, is not only limited to the digitization of the recruitment of the future members of the Boards of Public Enterprises, instead we want to bring profound changes in the application of the framework of corporate governance until the end, introducing a new initial stage in the process. The proposal in this direction provides for a new initial stage in the recruitment process, namely the Waiting List. In the romanian public administration, the recent progress has contributed to the improvement of the legal and regulatory framework against abuse, which is why I proposed to bring to the fore the importance of studying this area, adding value, by studying the possibility of adopting new tools for the public sector in Romania, support mechanisms, simple, uncompromising, completing the digitalization process in public sector. Is this transposition in the digital environment of a service outsourced by the state in order to fight corruption? Is this methodology ultimately effective? In the simplest way, digitization involves transforming any information from analog to digital. Digitalization is inevitable, we are witnessing a change in society, and the world we know today, over the next few years, it will not look the same. In this way, we get to wonder: we embrace digitalization and try to get as many benefits from the process or reject it, leaving us overwhelmed by this tendency.The transition from the classical methods of recruiting and selection process, to the digitalization of the entire processes regarding corporate governance, is bringing the actual transformation of the system, of recruitment of the future members of the Boards of the public enterprises, such a revolution of the public authorities, which are currently in charge of this endeavor, has as a consequence the shaping of the future of public administration, a model that is almost completely different from the one we know today.