bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supporters of India's BJP: Distinctly Populist and Nativist
Authors: Ammassari Sofia , Fossati Diego , McDonnell Duncan
Published: June 2022

While India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has become recognized as a populist radical right (PRR) party under the leadership of Narendra Modi, we do not know whether this PRR supply is matched yet by PRR attitudes among its supporters. Using an original survey, we therefore investigate: Do BJP supporters display PRR attitudes? We find that those who feel close to the BJP have stronger populist and nativist attitudes than other Indian citizens. However, authoritarianism is not a distinguishing feature of BJP supporters. We argue that the similarities between the drivers of support for European PRR parties and for the BJP reinforce the idea that radical right populism is a coherent global phenomenon both in terms of supply and demand. Finally, we discuss how our study shows that party support in India is more ideologically rooted than has previously been thought.
“Is a Cushite Made in the Image of God?”: Christian Visions of Race in Late Antiquity
Authors: Bantu Vince L.
Published: June 2022

There has been an increasing interest in classical and late antique studies on the existence of something approximating the modern concept of race in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Scholars of early Christianity have also debated the presence of prejudice based on skin color. The following study seeks to broaden this conversation by including late antique contexts outside of the Roman Empire as well as marginal language communities within the Roman Empire. This paper will demonstrate that anti-Black prejudice—or racism—did indeed exist in the late antique Roman world and that such racism was more pronounced in Roman literature written in Greek and Latin.
Ireland, the Basques and the Spanish Civil War
Authors: McCreanor Kyle
Published: June 2022

In late 1936, two Irishmen arrived in the Spanish Basque Country. One was General Eoin O'Duffy, signing the terms of agreement for an Irish Brigade to support the military uprising against the Second Spanish Republic. Meanwhile, socialist republican George Gilmore journeyed across the Pyrenees in search of a Basque nationalist priest he had met four years earlier. While O'Duffy was drawn into the conflict by traditionalist monarchists from Navarre, his leftist opponents in Ireland mounted a pro-republic propaganda campaign focused on the war effort of the rival Basque nationalists. In effect, a civil war between Basques became entangled with the legacy of the Irish Civil War, as old rivals such as O'Duffy and Gilmore constructed alliances on opposite sides of the conflict as it played out in this small corner of Spain. This article places a new emphasis on the Basque dimension of Ireland's engagement with the Spanish Civil War and illustrates how it was shaped by earlier Basque-Irish relations.
Ageing impairs protective immunity and promotes susceptibility to murine visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Loureiro Salgado Caio , Mendéz Corea Andrés Felipe , Covre Luciana Polaco , De Matos Guedes Herbet Leonel , Falqueto Aloisio , Gomes Daniel Cláudio Oliviera
Published: June 2022

It is well accepted that the impact of diseases is generally more detrimental in elderly individuals than in younger ones. Changes in the immune system due to ageing can directly affect the ability to respond effectively to infections and may contribute to the higher morbidities and mortalities in the elderly population. Leishmaniasis is a complex of clinically unique diseases caused by obligate intracellular protozoa belonging to genusLeishmania, wherein visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe form and is fatal if left untreated. In this study, aged mice (72 weeks old) presented increased susceptibility toL. infantuminfection compared to younger mice (4–6-week-old), with notable parasitism in both the spleen and liver, as well as exhibiting hepatosplenomegaly. A pronounced inflammatory profile was observed in the aged-infected mice, with excessive production of TNF-αand nitrite, along with diminished IFN-γproduction and reduced proliferative capacity of T cells (assessed by expression of the Ki67 marker). Additionally, both CD4+and CD8+T cells from the aged-infected mice presented increased expression of the inhibitory receptors PD-1 and KLRG1 that strongly correlated with the parasitism found in the liver and spleen of this group. Overall, the data reported in this study suggests for the first time that ageing may negatively impact the VL outcome and provides a perspective for new therapeutic strategies involving manipulation of immunosenescence features againstLeishmaniainfection.
Judicial Power and the Shifting Purpose of Article V
Authors: Stohler Stephan , Bateman David , Woodward-Burns Robinson
Published: June 2022

Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes the formal amendment procedure, sets perhaps the highest bar to reform of any national constitution, discouraging amendment. But despite these challenges, members of Congress have proposed nearly twelve thousand constitutional amendments, with most introduced after the New Deal, raising questions about why members engage in such seemingly futile efforts. We argue that the rise of judicial power following the New Deal substantially decreased the importance of Article V as a tool for constitutional reform. But, by largely abandoning this purpose, members of Congress have repurposed Article V as a mechanism for constitutional position-taking, even though—indeed, perhaps precisely because—their efforts at formal constitutional revision have little chance for success. Through a mixed-methods approach, we first document the shifting purpose of Article V at an aggregate level by coding all 11,969 proposed constitutional amendments throughout American history. We then substantiate the shifting purpose of Article V through a series of in-depth case studies focused on polygamy, women's suffrage, Equal Rights Amendments, and Federal Marriage Amendments. Taken together, this evidence helps us understand Article V as a repurposed institution and suggests that textually static constitutional provisions nonetheless may be open to reinvention at the behavioral level in subtle but important ways.
Hurricane Ida Emergency Medicine Resident Disaster Response
Authors: Fenton Ronald , Flitter Ben , Kessler Raymond , Herbert Kyle , Maslanka Meghan
Published: June 2022

This report describes the medical response, action plan, and after-action summary adopted by the Louisiana State University (LSU) New Orleans - Emergency Medicine (EM) Residency Program in response to Hurricane Ida which occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana (USA) late August through early September 2021. New Orleans has an estimated 385,000 people within the 350 square miles surrounding the metropolitan area, with greater than one million residents in all of Louisiana. In the two-week time span during and following the event, residents, nurses, attendings, ancillary staff, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) managed a substantial intensification in daily EM activities due to a substantial lack of resources (ie, food, electricity, water, housing, medications, oxygen, and primary care). This report outlines the redistribution of emergency department (ED) residents within the primary clinical site, University Medical Center New Orleans (UMCNO); describes the daily communication flow from the chief residents and program director; describes the daily EM response; describes the pre- and post-action plans based on those efforts during hurricane operations; and summarizes the obtained information.
Hydrologic Export of Soil Organic Carbon: Continental Variation and Implications
Authors: Hararuk O. , Jones S. E. , Solomon C. T.
Published: June 2022

Soil is the largest terrestrial carbon (C) reservoir and a large potential source or sink of atmospheric CO₂. Soil C models have usually focused on refining representations of microbe‐mediated C turnover, whereas lateral hydrologic C fluxes have largely been ignored at regional and global scales. Here, we provide large‐scale estimates of hydrologic export of soil organic carbon (SOC) and its effects on bulk soil C turnover rates. Hydrologic export of SOC ranged from nearly 0 to 12 g C m−2yr−1 amongst catchments across the conterminous United States, and total export across this region was 14 (95% CI 4‐41) Tg C/yr. The proportion of soil C turnover attributed to hydrologic export ranged from <1% to 20%, and averaged 0.97% (weighted by catchment area; 95% CI 0.3%–2.6%), with the lowest values in arid catchments. Ignoring hydrologic export in C cycle models might lead to overestimation of SOC stocks by 0.3–2.6 Pg C for the conterminous United States. High uncertainty in hydrologic C export fluxes and potentially substantial effects on soil C turnover illustrate the need for research aimed at improving our mechanistic understanding of the processes regulating hydrologic C export.
Models of Injection‐Induced Aseismic Slip on Height‐Bounded Faults in the Delaware Basin Constrain Fault‐Zone Pore Pressure Changes and Permeability
Authors: Dvory Noam Z. , Yang Yuyun , Dunham Eric M.
Published: June 2022

Inversions of InSAR ground deformation in the Delaware Basin have revealed an aseismic slip on semi‐optimally oriented normal faults located close to disposal wells. The slip, occurring over 3–5 years, extends approximately 1 km down‐dip, over 10 km along strike, and reaches 25 cm. We develop and calibrate 2D and pseudo‐3D coupled pore pressure diffusion and rate‐state models with velocity‐strengthening friction tailored to this unique height‐bounded fault geometry. Pressure diffusion is limited to a high‐permeability fault damage zone, and the net influx of fluid is adjusted to match the observed slip. A 1–2 MPa pressure increase initiates slip, with ∼5 MPa additional pressure increase required to produce ∼20 cm slip. Most slip occurs at approximately constant friction. Fault zone permeability must exceed ∼10−13 m2 to match the along‐strike extent of slip. Models of the type developed here can be used to operationally manage injection‐induced aseismic slip.
Local and Remote Forcing of Interannual Sea‐Level Variability at Nantucket Island
Authors: Wang Ou , Lee Tong , Piecuch Christopher G. , Fukumori Ichiro , Fenty Ian , Frederikse Thomas , Menemenlis Dimitris , Ponte Rui M. , Zhang Hong
Published: June 2022

The relative contributions of local and remote wind stress and air‐sea buoyancy forcing to sea‐level variations along the East Coast of the United States are not well quantified, hindering the understanding of sea‐level predictability there. Here, we use an adjoint sensitivity analysis together with an Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean (ECCO) ocean state estimate to establish the causality of interannual variations in Nantucket dynamic sea level. Wind forcing explains 67% of the Nantucket interannual sea‐level variance, while wind and buoyancy forcing together explain 97% of the variance. Wind stress contribution is near‐local, primarily from the New England shelf northeast of Nantucket. We disprove a previous hypothesis about Labrador Sea wind stress being an important driver of Nantucket sea‐level variations. Buoyancy forcing, as important as wind stress in some years, includes local contributions as well as remote contributions from the subpolar North Atlantic that influence Nantucket sea level a few years later. Our rigorous adjoint‐based analysis corroborates previous correlation‐based studies indicating that sea‐level variations in the subpolar gyre and along the United States northeast coast can both be influenced by subpolar buoyancy forcing. Forward perturbation experiments further indicate remote buoyancy forcing affects Nantucket sea level mostly through slow advective processes, although coastally trapped waves can cause rapid Nantucket sea level response within a few weeks.
Stability and Asymmetry of Tide‐Influenced River Bifurcations
Authors: Iwantoro A. P. , van der Vegt M. , Kleinhans M. G.
Published: June 2022

Bifurcations are important geomorphological features in tide‐influenced deltas. At bifurcations, river flow and tides distribute sediment over the channel network and determine the morphodynamic evolution of the entire delta. Using a one‐dimensional numerical model, we study the effects of tides on the morphological evolution of bifurcations from river‐dominated to tide‐dominated systems. In accordance with previous studies, bifurcations with small tidal influence, in which the flood flow hardly drives morphological change, have a larger range of Shields stress and width‐to‐depth ratio conditions for which symmetric bifurcations are stable to depth perturbations, compared to their river‐dominated counterparts. We extended the existing studies to tide‐dominated conditions. When bifurcations become increasingly tide‐dominated, the range of conditions under which balance discharge partition (symmetric morphology) can exist, shrinks. Under these conditions, the bed can also change during the flood phase and growth of the bed asymmetry is larger than the decay during ebb. However, the bed asymmetry in equilibrium becomes less pronounced with increasing tidal dominance. We conclude that tides reduce the tendency of closure and abandonment of one of the downstream channels compared to river‐dominated bifurcations, either by inhibiting the instability or by reducing asymmetry.
Organic Molecular Signatures of the Congo River and Comparison to the Amazon
Authors: Kurek Martin R. , Stubbins Aron , Drake Travis W. , Dittmar Thorsten , M. S. Moura José , Holmes R. Max , Osterholz Helena , Six Johan , Wabakanghanzi José N. , Dinga Bienvenu , Mitsuya Miyuki , Spencer Robert G. M.
Published: June 2022

The Congo and Amazon are the two largest rivers on Earth and serve as major sources of dissolved organic carbon to the ocean. We compared the dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition of both rivers using Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to investigate seasonal and regional differences in DOM composition exported to the ocean. We found that over a 15‐month observational period in the Congo River, molecular aromaticity and oxygenation between the wet and dry periods varied slightly, but most of the relative abundance of DOM formulae (∼90%) were present in all samples, suggesting that Congo River DOM quality is stable across different hydrological conditions. In contrast, the multi‐year DOM composition in the Amazon River was highly susceptible to changes in hydrology, with clear differences in molecular aromaticity, oxygenation, and heteroatom (N, S, P) content between the wet and dry seasons. Overall, the DOM composition of the Congo River was more terrestrial than Amazon River DOM, which was more characteristic of aquatic DOM. Finally, we compared the relative contribution of island of stability (IOS) formulae between the rivers and found that both rivers export similar amounts of these formulae annually, more than several major rivers combined, and that the Congo is more than twice as efficient in exporting these IOS formulae. With changing precipitation and land use, the quantity and composition of exported DOM will likely reflect the mobilization of additional terrestrial and anthropogenic sources that will also be subjected to downstream land‐to‐ocean cycling.
Deceleration of Madden–Julian Oscillation Speed in NICAM AMIP‐Type Simulation Associated With Biases in the Walker Circulation Strength
Authors: Suematsu Tamaki , Miura Hiroaki , Kodama Chihiro , Takasuka Daisuke
Published: June 2022

The eastward movement speed of Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) events simulated in a 30‐year simulation on a global cloud resolving model, nonhydrostatic icosahedral atmospheric model, following the atmospheric model intercomparison project protocol with a slab ocean was analyzed and compared with the observation. The simulation reproduced the observed tendency of the MJO to decelerate when it is embedded within the stronger Walker circulation, intensified by background sea surface temperature states with larger zonal gradients between the warmer western Pacific and the cooler Indian Ocean and eastern Pacific. However, the simulated MJO events occurred disproportionately during El Niño events and displayed a slow bias. These biases were associated with an overestimation of the western Walker circulation cell strength, which was partially counteracted during El Niño events. Our results highlight the importance of accurately reproducing the mean atmospheric circulation for the realistic reproduction of the MJO in long term simulations.
Radar Characterization of Ice Crystal Orientation Fabric and Anisotropic Viscosity Within an Antarctic Ice Stream
Authors: Jordan T. M. , Martín C. , Brisbourne A. M. , Schroeder D. M. , Smith A. M.
Published: June 2022

We use polarimetric radar sounding to investigate ice crystal orientation fabric and its impact on ice viscosity within the near surface of Rutford Ice Stream, West Antarctica. The technique retrieves lateral and depth variations in the horizontal components of ice fabric but no direct information on the vertical fabric component. In the shallowest ice (depths 40–100 m), the fabric is consistent with flow‐induced development and correlates with the surface compression direction. Notably, toward the ice‐stream margin, the horizontal compression angle and azimuthal fabric orientation tend toward 45° relative to ice flow which is consistent with the early stages of flow‐induced fabric under simple shear. The fabric orientation in deeper ice (depths 100–300 m) is, in places, significantly misaligned with shallower ice and the surface compression direction due to sharp depth transitions in orientation. We then use a rheological model to bound effective anisotropic viscosities (directional hardness) of ice that are consistent with the radar measurements. Toward the shear margin, we show that the shallow‐ice fabric does not appreciably soften the ice to lateral shear although this may happen in deeper ice. In the center of the ice stream, we show that lateral and depth variations in the fabric alignment relative to ice flow result in corresponding changes in uniaxial ice viscosities relative to ice flow. Our results indicate that spatial variability in the fabric translates to variability in viscosity that widely used isotropic ice‐flow models are unable to consider.
Traumatic brain injury-induced submissive behavior in rats: link to depression and anxiety
Authors: Boyko Matthew , Gruenbaum Benjamin F. , Shelef Ilan , Zvenigorodsky Vladislav , Severynovska Olena , Binyamin Yair , Knyazer Boris , Frenkel Amit , Frank Dmitry , Zlotnik Alexander
Published: June 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions of people worldwide, many of whom are affected with post-TBI mood disorders or behavioral changes, including aggression or social withdrawal. Diminished functionality can persist for decades after TBI and delay rehabilitation and resumption of employment. It has been established that there is a relationship between these mental disorders and brain injury. However, the etiology and causal relationships behind these conditions are poorly understood. Rodent models provide a helpful tool for researching mood disorders and social impairment due to their natural tendencies to form social hierarchies. Here, we present a rat model of mental complications after TBI using a suite of behavioral tests to examine the causal relationships between changes in social behavior, including aggressive, hierarchical, depressive, and anxious behavior. For this purpose, we used multivariate analysis to identify causal relationships between the above post-TBI psychiatric sequelae. We performed statistical analysis using principal component analysis, discriminant analysis, and correlation analysis, and built a model to predict dominant-submissive behavior based on the behavioral tests. This model displayed a predictive accuracy of 93.3% for determining dominant-submissive behavior in experimental groups. Machine learning algorithms determined that in rats, aggression is not a principal prognostic factor for dominant-submissive behavior. Alternatively, dominant-submissive behavior is determined solely by the rats’ depressive-anxious state and exploratory activity. We expect the causal approach used in this study will guide future studies into mood conditions and behavioral changes following TBI.
Liquid crystals of neat boron nitride nanotubes and their assembly into ordered macroscopic materials
Authors: Simonsen Ginestra Cedric J. , Martínez-Jiménez Cecilia , Matatyaho Ya’akobi Asia , Dewey Oliver S. , Smith McWilliams Ashleigh D. , Headrick Robert J. , Acapulco Jesus A. , Scammell Lyndsey R. , Smith Michael W. , Kosynkin Dmitry V. , Marincel Daniel M. , Park Cheol , Chu Sang-Hyon , Talmon Yeshayahu , Martí Angel A. , Pasquali Matteo
Published: June 2022

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have attracted attention for their predicted extraordinary properties; yet, challenges in synthesis and processing have stifled progress on macroscopic materials. Recent advances have led to the production of highly pure BNNTs. Here we report that neat BNNTs dissolve in chlorosulfonic acid (CSA) and form birefringent liquid crystal domains at concentrations above 170 ppmw. These tactoidal domains merge into millimeter-sized regions upon light sonication in capillaries. Cryogenic electron microscopy directly shows nematic alignment of BNNTs in solution. BNNT liquid crystals can be processed into aligned films and extruded into neat BNNT fibers. This study of nematic liquid crystals of BNNTs demonstrates their ability to form macroscopic materials to be used in high-performance applications.
JMJD3 intrinsically disordered region links the 3D-genome structure to TGFβ-dependent transcription activation
Authors: Vicioso-Mantis Marta , Fueyo Raquel , Navarro Claudia , Cruz-Molina Sara , van Ijcken Wilfred F. J. , Rebollo Elena , Rada-Iglesias Álvaro , Martínez-Balbás Marian A.
Published: June 2022

Enhancers are key regulatory elements that govern gene expression programs in response to developmental signals. However, how multiple enhancers arrange in the 3D-space to control the activation of a specific promoter remains unclear. To address this question, we exploited our previously characterized TGFβ-response model, the neural stem cells, focusing on a ~374 kb locus where enhancers abound. Our 4C-seq experiments reveal that the TGFβ pathway drives the assembly of an enhancer-cluster and precise gene activation. We discover that the TGFβ pathway coactivator JMJD3 is essential to maintain these structures. Using live-cell imaging techniques, we demonstrate that an intrinsically disordered region contained in JMJD3 is involved in the formation of phase-separated biomolecular condensates, which are found in the enhancer-cluster. Overall, in this work we uncover novel functions for the coactivator JMJD3, and we shed light on the relationships between the 3D-conformation of the chromatin and the TGFβ-driven response during mammalian neurogenesis.
Low level of anthropization linked to harsh vertebrate biodiversity declines in Amazonia
Authors: Cantera Isabel , Coutant Opale , Jézéquel Céline , Decotte Jean-Baptiste , Dejean Tony , Iribar Amaia , Vigouroux Régis , Valentini Alice , Murienne Jérôme , Brosse Sébastien
Published: June 2022

Assessing the impact of human activity on ecosystems often links local biodiversity to disturbances measured within the same locality. However, remote disturbances may also affect local biodiversity. Here, we used environmental DNA metabarcoding to evaluate the relationships between vertebrate biodiversity (fish and mammals) and disturbance intensity in two Amazonian rivers. Measurements of anthropic disturbance -here forest cover losses- were made from the immediate vicinity of the biodiversity sampling sites to up to 90 km upstream. The findings suggest that anthropization had a spatially extended impact on biodiversity. Forest cover losses of <11% in areas up to 30 km upstream from the biodiversity sampling sites were linked to reductions of >22% in taxonomic and functional richness of both terrestrial and aquatic fauna. This underscores the vulnerability of Amazonian biodiversity even to low anthropization levels. The similar responses of aquatic and terrestrial fauna to remote disturbances indicate the need for cross-ecosystem conservation plans that consider the spatially extended effects of anthropization.
Pathway to a land-neutral expansion of Brazilian renewable fuel production
Authors: Ramirez Camargo Luis , Castro Gabriel , Gruber Katharina , Jewell Jessica , Klingler Michael , Turkovska Olga , Wetterlund Elisabeth , Schmidt Johannes
Published: June 2022

Biofuels are currently the only available bulk renewable fuel. They have, however, limited expansion potential due to high land requirements and associated risks for biodiversity, food security, and land conflicts. We therefore propose to increase output from ethanol refineries in a land-neutral methanol pathway: surplus CO2-streams from fermentation are combined with H2 from renewably powered electrolysis to synthesize methanol. We illustrate this pathway with the Brazilian sugarcane ethanol industry using a spatio-temporal model. The fuel output of existing ethanol generation facilities can be increased by 43%–49% or ~100 TWh without using additional land. This amount is sufficient to cover projected growth in Brazilian biofuel demand in 2030. We identify a trade-off between renewable energy generation technologies: wind power requires the least amount of land whereas a mix of wind and solar costs the least. In the cheapest scenario, green methanol is competitive to fossil methanol at an average carbon price of 95€ tCO2−1.
Fibrous hydrogels under biaxial confinement
Authors: Li Yang , Li Yunfeng , Prince Elisabeth , Weitz Jeffrey I. , Panyukov Sergey , Ramachandran Arun , Rubinstein Michael , Kumacheva Eugenia
Published: June 2022

Confinement of fibrous hydrogels in narrow capillaries is of great importance in biological and biomedical systems. Stretching and uniaxial compression of fibrous hydrogels have been extensively studied; however, their response to biaxial confinement in capillaries remains unexplored. Here, we show experimentally and theoretically that due to the asymmetry in the mechanical properties of the constituent filaments that are soft upon compression and stiff upon extension, filamentous gels respond to confinement in a qualitatively different manner than flexible-strand gels. Under strong confinement, fibrous gels exhibit a weak elongation and an asymptotic decrease to zero of their biaxial Poisson’s ratio, which results in strong gel densification and a weak flux of liquid through the gel. These results shed light on the resistance of strained occlusive clots to lysis with therapeutic agents and stimulate the development of effective endovascular plugs from gels with fibrous structures for stopping vascular bleeding or suppressing blood supply to tumors.
DAT and TH expression marks human Parkinson’s disease in peripheral immune cells
Authors: Gopinath Adithya , Mackie Phillip , Hashimi Basil , Buchanan Anna Marie , Smith Aidan R. , Bouchard Rachel , Shaw Gerry , Badov Martin , Saadatpour Leila , Gittis Aryn , Ramirez-Zamora Adolfo , Okun Michael S. , Streit Wolfgang J. , Hashemi Parastoo , Khoshbouei Habibeh
Published: June 2022

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is marked by a loss of dopamine neurons, decreased dopamine transporter (DAT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression. However, this validation approach cannot be used for diagnostic, drug effectiveness or investigational purposes in human patients because midbrain tissue is accessible postmortem. PD pathology affects both the central nervous and peripheral immune systems. Therefore, we immunophenotyped blood samples of PD patients for the presence of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and discovered that DAT+/TH+monocytic MDSCs, but not granulocytic MDSCs are increased, suggesting a targeted immune response to PD. Because in peripheral immune cells DAT activity underlies an immune suppressive mechanism, we investigated whether expression levels of DAT and TH in the peripheral immune cells marks PD. We found drug naïve PD patients exhibit differential DAT+/TH+expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) compared to aged/sex matched healthy subjects. While total PBMCs are not different between the groups, the percentage of DAT+/TH+PBMCs was significantly higher in drug naïve PD patients compared to healthy controls irrespective of age, gender, disease duration, disease severity or treatment type. Importantly, treatment for PD negatively modulates DAT+/TH+expressing PBMCs. Neither total nor the percentage of DAT+/TH+PBMCs were altered in the Alzheimer’s disease cohort. The mechanistic underpinning of this discovery in human PD was revealed when these findings were recapitulated in animal models of PD. The reverse translational experimental strategy revealed that alterations in dopaminergic markers in peripheral immune cells are due to the disease associated changes in the CNS. Our study demonstrates that the dopaminergic machinery on peripheral immune cells displays an association with human PD, with exciting implications in facilitating diagnosis and investigation of human PD pathophysiology.
The International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean Version 2
Authors: Dorschel Boris , Hehemann Laura , Viquerat Sacha , Warnke Fynn , Dreutter Simon , Tenberge Yvonne Schulze , Accettella Daniela , An Lu , Barrios Felipe , Bazhenova Evgenia , Black Jenny , Bohoyo Fernando , Davey Craig , De Santis Laura , Dotti Carlota Escutia , Fremand Alice C. , Fretwell Peter T. , Gales Jenny A. , Gao Jinyao , Gasperini Luca , Greenbaum Jamin S. , Jencks Jennifer Henderson , Hogan Kelly , Hong Jong Kuk , Jakobsson Martin , Jensen Laura , Kool Johnathan , Larin Sergei , Larter Robert D. , Leitchenkov German , Loubrieu Benoît , Mackay Kevin , Mayer Larry , Millan Romain , Morlighem Mathieu , Navidad Francisco , Nitsche Frank O. , Nogi Yoshifumi , Pertuisot Cécile , Post Alexandra L. , Pritchard Hamish D. , Purser Autun , Rebesco Michele , Rignot Eric , Roberts Jason L. , Rovere Marzia , Ryzhov Ivan , Sauli Chiara , Schmitt Thierry , Silvano Alessandro , Smith Jodie , Snaith Helen , Tate Alex J. , Tinto Kirsty , Vandenbossche Philippe , Weatherall Pauline , Wintersteller Paul , Yang Chunguo , Zhang Tao , Arndt Jan Erik
Published: June 2022

The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is a region that is key to a range of climatic and oceanographic processes with worldwide effects, and is characterised by high biological productivity and biodiversity. Since 2013, the International Bathymetric Chart of the Southern Ocean (IBCSO) has represented the most comprehensive compilation of bathymetry for the Southern Ocean south of 60°S. Recently, the IBCSO Project has combined its efforts with the Nippon Foundation – GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project supporting the goal of mapping the world’s oceans by 2030. New datasets initiated a second version of IBCSO (IBCSO v2). This version extends to 50°S (covering approximately 2.4 times the area of seafloor of the previous version) including the gateways of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current and the Antarctic circumpolar frontal systems. Due to increased (multibeam) data coverage, IBCSO v2 significantly improves the overall representation of the Southern Ocean seafloor and resolves many submarine landforms in more detail. This makes IBCSO v2 the most authoritative seafloor map of the area south of 50°S.
A global dataset to parametrize critical nitrogen dilution curves for major crop species
Authors: Ciampitti Ignacio , van Versendaal Emmanuela , Rybecky Juan Francisco , Lacasa Josefina , Fernandez Javier , Makowski David , Lemaire Gilles
Published: June 2022

Precise management of crop nitrogen nutrition is essential to maximize yields while limiting pollution risks. For several decades, the critical nitrogen (N) dilution curve - relating plant biomass (W) to N concentration (%N) - has become a key tool for diagnosing plant nutritional status. Increasing number of studies are being conducted to parameterize critical N dilution curves of a wide range of crop species in different environments and N-fertilized conditions. A global synthesis of the resulting data is lacking on this topic. Here, we conduct a systematic review of the experimental data collected worldwide to parametrize critical N dilution curves. The dataset consists of 36 papers containing a total of 4454 observations for 19 major crop species distributed in 16 countries. The key variables of this dataset are the W and %N collected at three or more sampling times, containing three or more fertilizer N rate levels. This dataset can guide the development of generic critical N dilution curves, helps scientists to identify factors influencing plant N status, and leads to the formulation of more robust N recommendations for a broad range of environmental conditions.
Quantifying biomarkers of axonal degeneration in early glaucoma to find the disc at risk
Authors: Bartlett R. L. , Frost B. E. , Mortlock K. E. , Fergusson J. R. , White N. , Morgan J. E. , North R. V. , Albon J.
Published: June 2022

To evaluate regional axonal-related parameters as a function of disease stage in primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and visual field (VF) sensitivity. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to acquire 20° scans of POAG (n = 117) or healthy control (n = 52) human optic nerve heads (ONHs). Region specific and mean nerve fibre layer (NFL) thicknesses, border NFL and peripapillary NFL, minimum rim width (MRW)/ area (MRA) and prelamina thickness; and volume were compared across POAG disease stages and with visual field sensitivity. Differences identified between early glaucoma (EG), preperimetric glaucoma (PG) and control (C) ONHs included thinner PG prelamina regions than in controls (p < 0.05). Mean border NFL was thinner in EG (p < 0.001) and PG (p = 0.049) compared to control eyes; and EG mean, and inferior and ST, border NFL was thinner than in PG (p < 0.01). Mean, superior and inferior PG peripapillary NFL were thinner than in controls (p < 0.05), and EG ST peripapillary NFL was thinner than in PG (p = 0.023). MRW differences included: PG SN and inferior less than in controls (p < 0.05); thinner EG mean regional, inferior, nasal, and ST MRW versus PG MRW (p < 0.05). Regional border NFL, peripapillary NFL, MRW, MRA, prelamina thickness (except centre, p = 0.127) and prelamina volume (p < 0.05) were significantly associated with VF mean deviation (MD). Novel axon-derived indices hold potential as biomarkers to detect early glaucoma and identify ONHs at risk.
Linked-read sequencing for detecting short tandem repeat expansions
Authors: Chiu Readman , Rajan-Babu Indhu-Shree , Birol Inanc , Friedman Jan M.
Published: June 2022

Detection of short tandem repeat (STR) expansions with standard short-read sequencing is challenging due to the difficulty in mapping multicopy repeat sequences. In this study, we explored how the long-range sequence information of barcode linked-read sequencing (BLRS) can be leveraged to improve repeat-read detection. We also devised a novel algorithm using BLRS barcodes for distance estimation and evaluated its application for STR genotyping. Both approaches were designed for genotyping large expansions (> 1 kb) that cannot be sized accurately by existing methods. Using simulated and experimental data of genomes with STR expansions from multiple BLRS platforms, we validated the utility of barcode and phasing information in attaining better STR genotypes compared to standard short-read sequencing. Although the coverage bias of extremely GC-rich STRs is an important limitation of BLRS, BLRS is an effective strategy for genotyping many other STR loci.
Clinical exome sequencing for inherited retinal degenerations at a tertiary care center
Authors: Ganapathi Mythily , Thomas-Wilson Amanda , Buchovecky Christie , Dharmadhikari Avinash , Barua Subit , Lee Winston , Ruan Merry Z. C. , Soucy Megan , Ragi Sara , Tanaka Joy , Clark Lorraine N. , Naini Ali B. , Liao Jun , Mansukhani Mahesh , Tsang Stephen , Jobanputra Vaidehi
Published: June 2022

Inherited retinal degenerations are clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive deterioration of vision. This study aimed at assessing the diagnostic yield of exome sequencing (ES) for an unselected cohort of individuals with hereditary retinal disorders. It is a retrospective study of 357 unrelated affected individuals, diagnosed with retinal disorders who underwent clinical ES. Variants from ES were filtered, prioritized, and classified using the ACMG recommendations. Clinical diagnosis of the individuals included rod-cone dystrophy (60%), macular dystrophy (20%), cone-rod dystrophy (9%), cone dystrophy (4%) and other phenotypes (7%). Majority of the cases (74%) were singletons and 6% were trios. A confirmed molecular diagnosis was obtained in 24% of cases. In 6% of cases, two pathogenic variants were identified with phase unknown, bringing the potential molecular diagnostic rate to ~ 30%. Including the variants of uncertain significance (VUS), potentially significant findings were reported in 57% of cases. Among cases with a confirmed molecular diagnosis, variants inEYS, ABCA4, USH2A, KIZ, CERKL, DHDDS, PROM1, NR2E3, CNGB1, ABCC6, PRPH2, RHO, PRPF31, PRPF8, SNRNP200, RP1, CHM, RPGRwere identified in more than one affected individual. Our results support the utility of clinical ES in the diagnosis of genetically heterogeneous retinal disorders.
Relationship between renal and liver function with diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a study based on cross-sectional data
Authors: Yao Xi , Pei Xiaoting , Fan Shuoning , Yang Xueke , Yang Yingrui , Li Zhijie
Published: June 2022

This study aims to explore the relationship between abnormal renal- and liver-function and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 994 T2DM patients who received inpatient treatment in the Endocrinology Department of Henan Province People’s Hospital were included in the study. Logistic regression was performed to identify the relationship between abnormal renal and liver function with DR. Receiver operator characteristic analysis was performed to explore the efficacy of risk factors in predicting DR. Higher urine albumin [OR(95%CI) = 3.344(1.921–5.822), P < 0.001] and urine albumin/creatinine ratio [OR (95%CI) = 2.901(1.911–5.822), P < 0.001] were closely related to the occurrence of DR. People with low TP had a 1.624-times higher risk (95%CI: 1.008–2.617) of developing DR than those with normal total protein (P = 0.046). The more risk factors that are present, the greater the risk of DR. For every one-point incremental increase in the risk-factor score, the risk of DR increased by 31.0% (P < 0.001). The area under receiver operating curve of risk-factor score was 0.839 (0.812, 0.866), with a sensitivity of 81.9% and a specificity of 74.8%. The risk of developing DR increased with an increased risk-factor score. These findings are potentially valuable for DR screening and early diagnosis in patients with T2DM.
First ovum-in-ovo pathological titanosaurid egg throws light on the reproductive biology of sauropod dinosaurs
Authors: Dhiman Harsha , Verma Vishal , Prasad Guntupalli V. R.
Published: June 2022

Pathologic eggs have been documented in the amniote eggs of birds, turtles, and dinosaurs. These eggs occur either in the form of one egg within another egg, a condition known as ovum-in-ovo or multi-shelled eggs showing additional pathological eggshell layer/s besides the primary shell layer. Though multi-shelled eggs and eggshells were previously recorded only  in reptiles and ovum-in-ovo eggs in birds, now it has been shown that multi-shelled egg pathology occurs in birds as well. However, no ovum-in-ovo egg has been reported  in dinosaurs or for that matter  in other reptiles. Here we describe an ovum-in-ovo pathological egg from a titanosaurid dinosaur nest from the Upper Cretaceous Lameta Formation of western Central India which makes it the first report of this pathology in dinosaurs. Birds possess a specialized uterus while other amniotes have a generalized uterus. However, alligators and crocodiles retain a specialized uterus like birds along with a reptilian mode of egg-laying. The discovery of ovum-in-ovo egg from a titanosaurid dinosaur nest suggests that their oviduct morphology was similar to that of birds opening up the possibility for sequential laying of eggs in this group of sauropod dinosaurs. This new find underscores that the ovum-in-ovo pathology is not unique to birds and sauropods share a reproductive behavior very similar to that of other archosaurs.
Rewritable acidochromic papers based on oxazolidine for anticounterfeiting and photosensing of polarity and pH of aqueous media
Authors: Razavi Bahareh , Roghani-Mamaqani Hossein , Salami-Kalajahi Mehdi
Published: June 2022

Oxazolidine is a new category of stimuli-chromic organic compounds with unique characteristics in response to polarity, pH changes, water, light, and metal ions that were well-known as solvatochromism, acidochromism, hydrochromism, photochromism, and ionochromism, respectively. Therefore, oxazolidine derivatives have been developed for their potential applications in chemosensors, anticounterfeiting, and rewritable hydrochromic papers. In this study, various oxazolidine derivatives containing hydroxyl and naphthalene substituted groups were synthesized by using two different indolenine compounds. The synthesized oxazolidine derivatives were used for investigation of solvatochromism in different solvents, and also acidochromism in various pHs by using UV–Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. In addition, the oxazolidine derivatives were coated on cellulosic papers using a layer-by-layer strategy to develop rewritable acidochromic papers for printing of security tags on cellulosic papers by using acidic and alkaline solutions as water-based inks. Therefore, the developed rewritable acidochromic papers could be used as security papers.
Complete chloroplast genome of Lilium ledebourii (Baker) Boiss and its comparative analysis: lights into selective pressure and adaptive evolution
Authors: Sheikh-Assadi Morteza , Naderi Roohangiz , Kafi Mohsen , Fatahi Reza , Salami Seyed Alireza , Shariati Vahid
Published: June 2022

Lilium ledebourii (Baker) Boiss is a rare species, which exhibits valuable traits. However, before its genetic diversity and evolutionary were uncovered, its wild resources were jeopardized. Moreover, some ambiguities in phylogenetic relationships of this genus remain unresolved. Therefore, obtaining the whole chloroplast sequences of L. ledebourii and its comparative analysis along with other Lilium species is crucial and pivotal to understanding the evolution of this genus as well as the genetic populations. A multi-scale genome-level analysis, especially selection pressure, was conducted. Detailed third‑generation sequencing and analysis revealed a whole chloroplast genome of 151,884 bp, with an ordinary quadripartite and protected structure comprising 37.0% GC. Overall, 113 different genes were recognized in the chloroplast genome, consisting of 30 distinct tRNA genes, four distinct ribosomal RNAs genes, and 79 unique protein-encoding genes. Here, 3234 SSRs and 2053 complex repeats were identified, and a comprehensive analysis was performed for IR expansion and contraction, and codon usage bias. Moreover, genome-wide sliding window analysis revealed the variability of rpl32-trnL-ccsA, petD-rpoA, ycf1, psbI-trnS-trnG, rps15-ycf1, trnR, trnT-trnL, and trnP-psaJ-rpl33 were higher among the 48 Lilium cp genomes, displaying higher variability of nucleotide in SC regions. Following 1128 pairwise comparisons, ndhB, psbJ, psbZ, and ycf2 exhibit zero synonymous substitution, revealing divergence or genetic restriction. Furthermore, out of 78 protein-coding genes, we found that accD and rpl36 under positive selection: however, at the entire-chloroplast protein scale, the Lilium species have gone through a purifying selection. Also, a new phylogenetic tree for Lilium was rebuilt, and we believe that the Lilium classification is clearer than before. The genetic resources provided here will aid future studies in species identification, population genetics, and Lilium conservation.
Epidemiological investigation of swine Japanese encephalitis virus based on RT-RAA detection method
Authors: Nie Mincai , Zhou Yuancheng , Li Fengqin , Deng Huidan , Zhao Mengxi , Huang Yao , Jiang Chaoyuan , Sun Xiangang , Xu Zhiwen , Zhu Ling
Published: June 2022

JEV is one of the zoonotic pathogens that cause serious diseases in humans. JEV infection can cause abortion, mummified foetus and stillbirth in sows, orchitis and semen quality decline in boars, causing huge economic losses to pig industry. In order to investigate the epidemiology of JEV in pigs in Sichuan province, a rapid and efficient fluorescent Reverse transcription recombinase-aided amplification (RT-RAA) detection method was established. Aborted fetuses and testicular swollen boar samples were detected by RT-RAA in pigs in the mountain areas around Sichuan Basin, and the detection rate of JEV was 6.49%. The positive samples were identified as JEV GI strain and GIIIstrain by sequencing analysis. We analyzed the whole gene sequence of a positive sample for the GI virus. The Envelope Protein (E protein) phylogenetic tree analysis was far related to the Chinese vaccine strain SA14-14-2, and was most closely related to the JEV GI strains SH17M-07 and SD0810 isolated from China. The results showed that we established an efficient, accurate and sensitive method for clinical detection of JEV, and JEV GI strains were prevalent in Sichuan area. It provides reference for the prevention and control of JEV in Sichuan.
Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidilactici deteriorate Enterobacteriaceae-induced depression and colitis in mice
Authors: Jang Hyo-Min , Kim Jeon-Kyung , Joo Min-Kyung , Shin Yoon-Jung , Lee Kyung-Eon , Lee Chang Kyun , Kim Hyo-Jong , Kim Dong-Hyun
Published: June 2022

Gut dysbiosis is closely associated with the outbreak of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and psychiatric disorder. The Enterobacteriaceae population was higher in the feces of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD-F) than in those of healthy control volunteers (HC-F). The Enterococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae populations were higher in the feces of IBD patients with depression (IBD/D+-F) vs. the feces of IBD patients without depression (IBD/D−-F). Therefore, we examined the effects of Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, Cronobacter sakazakii, Enterococcus faecium, and Pediococcus acidolactici overpopulated in IBD/D+-F and their byproducts LPS and exopolysaccharide (EPS) on the occurrence of depression and colitis in mice. Oral gavages of Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, and Cronobacter sakazakii belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, singly or together, caused dose-dependently colitis and depression-like behaviors in germ-free and specific-pathogen-free mice. Although Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidolactici did not significantly cause colitis and depression-like behaviors, they significantly deteriorated Klebsiella oxytoca- or Escherichia coli-induced colitis, neuroinflammation, and anxiety/depression-like behaviors and increased blood LPS, corticosterone, and IL-6 levels. The EPSs from Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidolactici also worsened Klebsiella oxytoca LPS-induced colitis, neuroinflammation, and depression-like behaviors in mice and increased the translocation of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated LPS into the hippocampus. However, Bifidobacterium longum, which was lower in IBD/D+-F vs. IBD/D−-F, or its EPS suppressed them. In conclusion, Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus acidolactici, known as a probiotic strain, and their EPSs may be a risk factor for the outbreak of depression and IBD.