bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transboundary Cooperative Governance Toward Energy Transition in East Asia
Authors: Otsuka Kenji
Published: March 2022

The last decade has witnessed several events that had a serious impact on people’s attitudes toward environmental sustainability regionally and globally. This chapter depicts how transboundary cooperative initiatives by states and nonstate actors tackle transboundary air pollution and climate change in East Asia. It also examines the opportunities and challenges we face in the very recent landscape shift toward carbon neutrality and the deepening concerns for climate emergencies. Multilateral cooperative institutions in East Asia have focused on the monitoring of air pollutants and information sharing of related policies and measures among member countries. It should also be noted that there are some transboundary coalitions of independent scholars and research-type NGOs in Northeast Asia who conduct joint research on the decarbonization of energy systems and disseminate up-to-date knowledge and information on decentralized nature-based renewable energy. For further development of transboundary cooperation in East Asia, opportunities exist as an increasing potential for multilateral policy dialogue beyond the borders and broadening partnerships for local and transboundary coalitions with global alliances on the one hand; and challenges in just and safe transition, decarbonization of overseas financing, and seeking energy resilience on the other.
Conway subgroup symmetric compactifications redux
Authors: Baykara Zihni Kaan , Harvey Jeffrey A.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We extend the investigation in [1] of special toroidal compactifications of heterotic string theory for which the half-BPS states provide representations of subgroups of the Conway group. We also explore dual descriptions of these theories and find that they are all linked to either F-theory or type IIA string theory on K3 surfaces with symplectic automorphism groups that are the same Conway subgroups as those of the heterotic dual. The matching with type IIA K3 dual theories includes both the matching of symmetry groups and a comparison between the Narain lattice on the heterotic side and the cohomology lattice on the type IIA side. We present twelve examples where we can identify a type IIA dual K3 orbifold theory as the dual description of the heterotic theory. In addition, we include a supplementary Mathematica package that performs most of the computations required for these comparisons.
Host plant resistance for fall armyworm management in maize: relevance, status and prospects in Africa and Asia
Authors: Prasanna Boddupalli M. , Bruce Anani , Beyene Yoseph , Makumbi Dan , Gowda Manje , Asim Muhammad , Martinelli Samuel , Head Graham P. , Parimi Srinivas
Published: March 2022

Key message

Sustainable control of fall armyworm (FAW) requires implementation of effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, with host plant resistance as a key component. Significant opportunities exist for developing and deploying elite maize cultivars with native genetic resistance and/or transgenic resistance for FAW control in both Africa and Asia.

The fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith); FAW] has emerged as a serious pest since 2016 in Africa, and since 2018 in Asia, affecting the food security and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers, especially those growing maize. Sustainable control of FAW requires implementation of integrated pest management strategies, in which host plant resistance is one of the key components. Significant strides have been made in breeding elite maize lines and hybrids with native genetic resistance to FAW in Africa, based on the strong foundation of insect-resistant tropical germplasm developed at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Mexico. These efforts are further intensified to develop and deploy elite maize cultivars with native FAW tolerance/resistance and farmer-preferred traits suitable for diverse agro-ecologies in Africa and Asia. Independently, genetically modified Bt maize with resistance to FAW is already commercialized in South Africa, and in a few countries in Asia (Philippines and Vietnam), while efforts are being made to commercialize Bt maize events in additional countries in both Africa and Asia. In countries where Bt maize is commercialized, it is important to implement a robust insect resistance management strategy. Combinations of native genetic resistance and Bt maize also need to be explored as a path to more effective and sustainable host plant resistance options. We also highlight the critical gaps and priorities for host plant resistance research and development in maize, particularly in the context of sustainable FAW management in Africa and Asia.
First Integrals and Symmetries of Nonholonomic Systems
Authors: Balseiro Paula , Sansonetto Nicola
Published: March 2022

In nonholonomic mechanics, the presence of constraints in the velocities breaks the well-understood link between symmetries and first integrals of holonomic systems, expressed by Noether’s Theorem. However, there is a known special class of first integrals of nonholonomic systems generated by vector fields tangential to the group orbits, called horizontal gauge momenta, that suggests that some version of this link still holds. In this paper we prove that, under certain conditions on the symmetry group and the system, the (nonholonomic) momentum map is conserved along the nonholonomic dynamics, thus extending Noether’s Theorem to the nonholonomic framework. Our analysis leads to a constructive method, with fundamental consequences to the integrability of some nonholonomic systems as well as their hamiltonization. We apply our results to three paradigmatic examples: the snakeboard, a solid of revolution rolling without sliding on a plane, and a heavy homogeneous ball that rolls without sliding inside a convex surface of revolution.
Determination of the protein content of complex samples by aromatic amino acid analysis, liquid chromatography-UV absorbance, and colorimetry
Authors: Reinmuth-Selzle Kathrin , Tchipilov Teodor , Backes Anna T. , Tscheuschner Georg , Tang Kai , Ziegler Kira , Lucas Kurt , Pöschl Ulrich , Fröhlich-Nowoisky Janine , Weller Michael G.
Published: March 2022

Fast and accurate determination of the protein content of a sample is an important and non-trivial task of many biochemical, biomedical, food chemical, pharmaceutical, and environmental research activities. Different methods of total protein determination are used for a wide range of proteins with highly variable properties in complex matrices. These methods usually work reasonably well for proteins under controlled conditions, but the results for non-standard and complex samples are often questionable. Here, we compare new and well-established methods, including traditional amino acid analysis (AAA), aromatic amino acid analysis (AAAA) based on the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine, reversed-phase liquid chromatography of intact proteins with UV absorbance measurements at 220 and 280 nm (LC-220, LC-280), and colorimetric assays like Coomassie Blue G-250 dye-binding assay (Bradford) and bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. We investigated different samples, including proteins with challenging properties, chemical modifications, mixtures, and complex matrices like air particulate matter and pollen extracts. All methods yielded accurate and precise results for the protein and matrix used for calibration. AAA, AAAA with fluorescence detection, and the LC-220 method yielded robust results even under more challenging conditions (variable analytes and matrices). These methods turned out to be well-suited for reliable determination of the protein content in a wide range of samples, such as air particulate matter and pollen.
TAVI in patients with low-flow low-gradient aortic stenosis–short-term and long-term outcomes
Authors: Steffen Julius , Reißig Nikolas , Andreae David , Beckmann Markus , Haum Magda , Fischer Julius , Theiss Hans , Braun Daniel , Orban Martin , Rizas Konstantinos , Sadoni Sebastian , Näbauer Michael , Peterss Sven , Hausleiter Jörg , Massberg Steffen , Deseive Simon
Published: March 2022

Objectives

The study objective was to characterize different groups of low-flow low-gradient (LFLG) aortic stenosis (AS) and determine short-term outcomes and long-term mortality according to Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 (VARC-3) endpoint definitions.

Background

Characteristics and outcomes of patients with LFLG AS undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) are poorly understood.

Methods

All patients undergoing TAVI at our center between 2013 and 2019 were screened. Patients were divided into three groups according to mean pressure gradient (dPmean), ejection fraction (LVEF), and stroke volume index (SVi): high gradient (HG) AS (dPmean ≥ 40 mmHg), classical LFLG (cLFLG) AS (dPmean < 40 mmHg, LVEF < 50%), and paradoxical LFLG (pLFLG) AS (dPmean < 40 mmHg, LVEF ≥ 50%, SVi ≤ 35 ml/m2).

Results

We included 1776 patients (956 HG, 447 cLFLG, and 373 pLFLG patients). Most baseline characteristics differed significantly. Median Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score was highest in cLFLG, followed by pLFLG and HG patients (5.0, 3.9 and 3.0, respectively, p < 0.01). Compared to HG patients, odds ratios for the short-term VARC-3 composite endpoints, technical failure (cLFLG, 0.76 [95% confidence interval, 0.40–1.36], pLFLG, 1.37 [0.79–2.31]) and device failure (cLFLG, 1.06 [0.74–1.49], pLFLG, 0.97 [0.66–1.41]) were similar, without relevant differences within LFLG patients. NYHA classes improved equally in all groups. Compared to HG, LFLG patients had a higher 3-year all-cause mortality (STS score-adjusted hazard ratios, cLFLG 2.16 [1.77–2.64], pLFLG 1.53 [1.22–193]), as well as cardiovascular mortality (cLFLG, 2.88 [2.15–3.84], pLFLG, 2.08 [1.50–2.87]).

Conclusions

While 3-year mortality remains high after TAVI in LFLG compared to HG patients, symptoms improve in all subsets after TAVI.

Graphical abstract
Quantitative comparison of the mean–return-time phase and the stochastic asymptotic phase for noisy oscillators
Authors: Pérez-Cervera Alberto , Lindner Benjamin , Thomas Peter J.
Published: March 2022

Seminal work by A. Winfree and J. Guckenheimer showed that a deterministic phase variable can be defined either in terms of Poincaré sections or in terms of the asymptotic (long-time) behaviour of trajectories approaching a stable limit cycle. However, this equivalence between the deterministic notions of phase is broken in the presence of noise. Different notions of phase reduction for a stochastic oscillator can be defined either in terms of mean–return-time sections or as the argument of the slowest decaying complex eigenfunction of the Kolmogorov backwards operator. Although both notions of phase enjoy a solid theoretical foundation, their relationship remains unexplored. Here, we quantitatively compare both notions of stochastic phase. We derive an expression relating both notions of phase and use it to discuss differences (and similarities) between both definitions of stochastic phase for (i) a spiral sink motivated by stochastic models for electroencephalograms, (ii) noisy limit-cycle systems-neuroscience models, and (iii) a stochastic heteroclinic oscillator inspired by a simple motor-control system.
A meta-analysis of the long-term outcomes following surgery or endoscopic therapy for chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Hughes Daniel Ll , Hughes Ioan , Silva Michael A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Refractory abdominal pain is a cardinal symptom of chronic pancreatitis (CP). Management strategies revolve around pain mitigation and resolution. Emerging evidence from observational studies highlights that surgery may result in superior pain relief when compared to endoscopic therapy; however, its impact on long-term quality of life or functional outcome has yet to be determined.

Methods

A search through MEDLINE, PubMed and Web of Science was performed for RCTs that compared endoscopic treatment with surgery for the management of CP. The main outcome measure was the impact on pain control. Secondary outcome measures were the effect on quality of life and the incidence rate of new onset exocrine and endocrine failure. Data was pooled for analysis using either an odds ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with a random effects model.

Results

Three RCTs were included with a total of 267 patients. Meta-analysis demonstrated that operative treatment was associated with a significantly higher rate of complete pain control (37%) when compared to endoscopic therapy (17%) [OR (95% confidence interval (CI)) 2.79 (1.53–5.08), p = 0.0008]. No difference was noted in the incidence of new onset endocrine or exocrine failure between treatment strategies.

Conclusion

Surgical management of CP results in a greater extent of complete pain relief during long-term follow-up. Further research is required to evaluate the impact of the time interval between diagnosis and intervention on exocrine function, combined with the effect of early up-front islet auto-transplantation in order to determine whether long-term endocrine function can be achieved.
High CO2 content in magmas of the explosive andesitic Enco eruption of Mocho-Choshuenco volcano (Chile)
Authors: Feignon Jean-Guillaume , Cluzel Nicolas , Schiavi Federica , Moune Séverine , Roche Olivier , Clavero Jorge , Schiano Pierre , Auxerre Marion
Published: March 2022

Mocho-Choshuenco volcano has produced several highly explosive eruptions during its history, which make it one of the most hazardous volcanoes in the southern volcanic zone of Chile, although it is still relatively little studied to date. We present a geochemical study of the products of the sub-Plinian, andesitic, Enco eruption that occurred about 1600 years ago. We determined the major and trace elements compositions, as well as the volatile (H2O, CO2, Cl, and S) contents of melt inclusions trapped in minerals (olivine, plagioclase, and pyroxene) using electron microprobe, ion microprobe (SIMS), and 3D confocal Raman mapping. Though the whole-rock composition of the Enco magma is andesitic (60.2 ± 1.1 wt.% SiO2), the melt inclusions have SiO2 contents ranging from 50.3 to 67.3 wt.%, following the magmatic series of Mocho-Choshuenco, and the compositions of the most mafic melt inclusions are close to those of the most mafic erupted magmas. Geochemical modeling indicates that mixing occurred between a mafic magma and an andesitic-to-dacitic magma. Glass analysis revealed typical parental arc magma values for H2O (2.6–3.8 wt.%), S (116–1936 ppm), and Cl (620–1439 ppm). However, CO2 contents are very high in some melt inclusions with concentrations above 4000 ppm (measured in the glass), suggesting trapping depths >  ~ 17–22 km. Presence of solid carbonates inside inclusion-hosted bubbles clearly indicates that the CO2 contents measured in the glass phase were minimum values. We conclude that a CO2-rich basaltic magma ascended and mixed with a shallower andesitic magma. The magma cooled and exsolved high amounts of CO2, which may have dramatically increased the pressure and triggered the highly explosive Enco eruption.
PCB motors for sub-fractional HP auxiliary fan drives: a feasibility study
Authors: Auer David , Leitner Stefan , Muetze Annette
Published: March 2022

This paper investigates the use of PCB motors for sub-fractional HP auxiliary fan drives. First, the basic idea of PCB motors as well as the main advantages and disadvantages are discussed, followed by the description of the design process for a PCB motor for a small automotive fan application. Three different stator designs have been implemented, each on a 4-layer PCB. Finally, the paper gives an overview of the measurements performed and the results obtained for the prototypes of the manufactured PCB motors and suggests design improvements.
Intercostal lung herniation; a rare complication after mini-transthoracic approach (TTA) for thoracic disc herniation. Two case reports and review of literature
Authors: De Vries Suzanne E N , Arts Mark P , Van Huijstee Pieter J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Lung herniation is a rare condition, most often due to thoracic injury, but has also been described as a complication following cardiothoracic surgery. Here, we report two cases of post-surgical lung herniation following a neurosurgical mini-transthoracic (mini-TTA) for treatment of thoracic herniated discs. With this report we aim to make surgeons aware of this rare complication, review existing literature on surgical repairs and describe our novel correction technique using video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and a combination of mesh covering the muscle defect internally and nitinol rib plates for rib approximation on the outside of the thoracic cavity.

Case description

Patient A was an 85-year-old man who presented with a subcutaneous swelling at the site of surgery following a left sided mini-TTA. Computed tomography (CT) revealed pulmonary tissue herniation. He underwent VATS guided reconstruction. Using two Ventralex meshes covering the defect on the inside and a NiTi-rib H-plate for rib approximation.

Patient B was a 73-year-old woman who developed pulmonary complaints with a soft mass at the surgery site after a left sided mini-TTA. She also underwent VATS guided reconstruction. A large Sempramesh composite mesh and two NiTi-Rib H-plates were used. Recovery was uncomplicated and follow-up revealed no recurrence in both cases.

Conclusion

These cases should make surgeons aware of the possibility of post-surgical development of lung herniation and describe successful correction using a combination of mesh material and NiTi-Rib H-plates through a VATS technique.
A propensity-score matched analysis of ventral-TAPP vs. laparoscopic IPOM for small and mid-sized ventral hernias. Comparison of perioperative data, surgical outcome and cost-effectiveness
Authors: Megas I.-F. , Benzing C. , Winter A. , Raakow J. , Chopra S. , Pratschke J. , Fikatas P.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Laparoscopic techniques have been used and refined in hernia surgery for several years. The aim of this study was to compare an established method such as laparoscopic intra-peritoneal onlay mesh repair (lap. IPOM) with ventral Transabdominal Preperitoneal Patch Plasty (ventral-TAPP) in abdominal wall hernia repair.

Methods

Patient-related data of 180 laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs between June 2014 and August 2020 were extracted from our prospectively maintained database. Of these patients, 34 underwent ventral-TAPP and 146 lap. IPOM. After excluding hernias with a defect size > 5 cm and obtaining balanced groups with propensity-score matching, a comparative analysis was performed in terms perioperative data, surgical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Results

Propensity-score matching suggested 27 patients in each of the two cohorts. The statistical evaluation showed that intake of opiates was significantly higher in the lap. IPOM group compared to ventral-TAPP patients (p = 0.001). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score after lap. IPOM repair was significantly higher at movement (p = 0.008) and at rest (p = 0.023). Also, maximum subjective pain during hospital stay was significantly higher in the lap. IPOM group compared to ventral-TAPP patients (p = 0.004). No hernia recurrence was detected in either group. The material costs of ventral-TAPP procedure (34.37 ± 0.47 €) were significantly lower than those of the lap. IPOM group (742.57 ± 128.44 € p = 0.001). The mean operation time was 65.19 ± 26.43 min in the lap. IPOM group and 58.65 ± 18.43 min in the ventral-TAPP cohort. Additionally, the length of hospital stay in the lap. IPOM cohort was significantly longer (p = 0.043).

Conclusion

Ventral-TAPP procedures represent an alternative technique to lap. IPOM repair to reduce the risk of complications related to intra-peritoneal position of mesh and fixating devices. In addition, our study showed that postoperative pain level, material costs and hospital stay of the ventral-TAPP cohort are significantly lower compared to lap. IPOM patients.
Predictors of unemployment status in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis: a single center experience
Authors: Guerra Tommaso , Pipoli Antonella , Viterbo Rosa Gemma , Manghisi Nicola , Paolicelli Damiano , Iaffaldano Pietro , Di Lorenzo Luigi
Published: March 2022

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of nontraumatic chronic neurological disability affecting young adults during their crucial employment years.

Objectives

To evaluate patients and disease related factors associated to unemployment in a cohort of relapsing–remitting (RR) MS patients.

Methods

We included RRMS patients with a follow-up of at least 1 year. We collected data about years of school education and employment status. Patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation using the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis (BICAMS). Demographic and clinical predictors of unemployment were assessed through a multivariable stepwise logistic regression model.

Results

We evaluated 260 consecutive RRMS patients. Employed patients were less frequently female (68.4% vs 83.3%, p = 0.006), less disabled (median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score: 2.0 (0–7.0) vs 2.5 (0–7.5), p < 0.001), with more years of school education (mean ± standard deviation (SD), years: 13.74 ± 0.30 vs 10.86 ± 3.47, p < 0.001). Female sex and a higher EDSS score resulted associated with a greater risk of unemployment (OR 3.510, 95% CI 1.654–7.448, p = 0.001; OR 1.366, 95% CI 1.074–1.737, p = 0.011, respectively), whereas a greater number of years of schooling and current disease-modifying therapy exposure resulted protective factors (OR 0.788, 95% CI 0.723–0.858, p < 0,001; OR 0.414, 95% CI 0.217–0.790, p = 0.008, respectively).

Conclusions

Understanding work is pervasively influenced by consequences of MS, we confirmed the impact of demographic, physical, and cognitive factors on employment status in RRMS patients.
On basis constructions in finite element exterior calculus
Authors: Licht Martin W.
Published: March 2022

We give a systematic self-contained exposition of how to construct geometrically decomposed bases and degrees of freedom in finite element exterior calculus. In particular, we elaborate upon a previously overlooked basis for one of the families of finite element spaces, which is of interest for implementations. Moreover, we give details for the construction of isomorphisms and duality pairings between finite element spaces. These structural results show, for example, how to transfer linear dependencies between canonical spanning sets, or how to derive the degrees of freedom.
Core-stability over networks with widespread externalities
Authors: Kóczy László Á.
Published: March 2022

The Covid-19 epidemic highlighted the significance of externalities: contacts with other people affect the chances of getting infected for our entire network. We study endogenous network formation where not only players or pairs but larger coalitions can, cooperatively change the network. We introduce a model for coalitional network stability for networks with widespread externalities. The network function form generalises the partition function form of cooperative games in allowing the network to be taken into account. The recursive core for network function form games generalises the recursive core for such environments. We present two simple examples to illustrate positive and negative externalities. The first is of a favour network and show that the core is nonempty when players must pay transfers to intermediaries; this simple setting also models economic situations such as airline networks. The second models social contacts during an epidemic and finds social bubbles as the solution.
Highly sensitive environmental DNA detection of topmouth gudgeon, Pseudorasbora parva: a comparison of qPCR and microfluidic qdPCR
Authors: Manfrin Chiara , Mirimin Luca , Zanetti Massimo , Pizzul Elisabetta , Giulianini Piero G. , Pallavicini Alberto
Published: March 2022

Topmouth gudgeon is a freshwater fish species native to East Asia. Nowadays, P. parva is spread throughout Europe which is of concern because besides being considered one of the worst aquatic Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Europe it is also a known vector of Spherotecum destruens, the rosette-like parasite lethal to other fish species. The present study describes the development and validation of a new species-specific assay based on hydrolysis probe chemistry to detect P. parva environmental DNA (eDNA) in water samples collected in a northern region of Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia). Water samples were collected from 55 sites in an area where partial information on the occurrence of the species is available. eDNA was isolated from all samples and the presence of P. parva eDNA was tested by means of qPCR (quantitative PCR) and microfluidic qdPCR (quantitative digital PCR) techniques. Field results for both qPCR and qdPCR were largely in agreement in terms of detection (presence/absence). Thus, we judged the presence/absence by combining the results from the two methods and found that nine sites showed “strong positive” signal of P. parva eDNA (at least 2 positive replicates), 3 showed “suspected” (only 1 positive replicate), and 42 showed “absent”. The current study shows the strong potential of the newly developed eDNA approach to be a valuable addition to the monitoring of the highly invasive topmouth gudgeon in freshwater ecosystems.
Functional traits explain non-native plant species richness and occupancy on northern New Zealand islands
Authors: Mologni Fabio , Bellingham Peter J. , Cameron Ewen K. , Dinh Khoi , Wright Anthony E. , Burns Kevin C.
Published: March 2022

Plant functional traits can greatly influence invasion success on islands. However, interrelationships between traits and invasion success are rarely integrated with the island biogeography theory. Here, we explored relations between functional traits and plant distributions to assess which traits are associated with invasion success (i.e. high island occupancy), test whether non-native richness and seed mass of species with distinct growth forms and dispersal modes vary differently with island characteristics (e.g. area, isolation, exposure to ocean-borne disturbances, distance from the nearest urban area, and whether islands were managed for conservation), and whether results differ from native species. We assembled a database of 264 northern New Zealand offshore islands, amalgamating species lists from field surveys and previously published data, and comprising 822 native and 855 non-native species. Non-native graminoids occurred on islands more frequently than forbs and woody species, and long-distance dispersal modes (wind, animal, unspecialized) more than species with short-distance dispersal modes. Most differences among trait categories of non-native species were associated with human-related variables (i.e. distance from the nearest urban area, and whether islands were conservation areas). Non-native plant species with high island occupancy were less commonly associated with human-related variables than non-native species with low island occupancy. Instead, they were more similar in their distributional patterns to native species within the same trait category, suggesting comparable processes regulate both sets of species. Our results illustrate that integrating trait-based approaches in the island biogeography framework can be a useful tool in understanding and predicting plant invasions.
Many cameras make light work: opportunistic photographs of rare species in iNaturalist complement structured surveys of reef fish to better understand species richness
Authors: Roberts Christopher J. , Vergés Adriana , Callaghan Corey T. , Poore Alistair G. B.
Published: March 2022

Citizen science is on the rise, with growing numbers of initiatives, participants and increasing interest from the broader scientific community. iNaturalist is an example of a successful citizen science platform that enables users to opportunistically capture and share biodiversity observations. Understanding how data from such opportunistic citizen science platforms compare with and complement data from structured surveys will improve their use in future biodiversity research. We compared the opportunistic fish photographs from iNaturalist to those obtained from structured surveys at eight study reefs in Sydney, Australia over twelve years. iNaturalist recorded 1.2 to 5.5 times more fish species than structured surveys resulting in significantly greater annual species richness at half of the reefs, with the remainder showing no significant difference. iNaturalist likely recorded more species due to having simple methods, which allowed for broad participation with substantially more iNaturalist observation events (e.g., dives) than structured surveys over the same period. These results demonstrate the value of opportunistic citizen science platforms for documenting fish species richness, particularly where access and use of the marine environment is common and communities have the time and resources for expensive recreational activities (i.e., underwater photography). The datasets also recorded different species composition with iNaturalist recording many rare, less abundant, or cryptic species while the structured surveys captured many common and abundant species. These results suggest that integrating data from both opportunistic and structured data sources is likely to have the best outcome for future biodiversity monitoring and conservation activities.
Climate change-related changes in cephalopod biodiversity on the North East Atlantic Shelf
Authors: Oesterwind Daniel , Barrett Christopher J. , Sell Anne F. , Núñez-Riboni Ismael , Kloppmann Matthias , Piatkowski Uwe , Wieland Kai , Laptikhovsky Vladimir
Published: March 2022

Global studies imply that cephalopods have benefited from climate change. However, in most areas, species-specific long-term cephalopod data sets do not exist to support this implication and to analyse the response of cephalopods to environmental changes. Our results illustrate that historical studies, in combination with recent data sets, can fill this gap, enabling descriptions of ecological changes over a long time. We show substantial changes in the cephalopod biodiversity of the North Sea at species level over the past 100 years. Some species, which seemed to migrate into the North Sea only for spawning or foraging in the nineteenth century, occur permanently in the North Sea nowadays. This applies, for example, to the loliginids Loligo forbesii and Alloteuthis subulata. The ommastrephids Todaropsis eblanae and Illex coindetii, now constantly present as well, had been described only as accidental migrants 100 years ago.
Seasonal and interannual variation in high-latitude estuarine fish community structure along a glacial to non-glacial watershed gradient in Southeast Alaska
Authors: Beaudreau Anne H. , Bergstrom Carolyn A. , Whitney Emily J. , Duncan Douglas H. , Lundstrom Nina C.
Published: March 2022

Along the Gulf ofAlaska, rapid glacier retreat has driven changes in transport of freshwater, sediments, and nutrients to estuary habitats. Over the coming decades, deglaciation will lead to a temporary increase, followed by a long-term decline of glacial influence on estuaries. Therefore, quantifying the current variability in estuarine fish community structure in regions predicted to be most affected by glacier loss is necessary to anticipate future impacts. We analyzed fish community data collected monthly (April through September) over 7 years (2013–2019) from glacially influenced estuaries along the southeastern Gulf of Alaska. River delta sites within estuaries were sampled along a natural gradient of glacial to non-glacial watersheds to characterize variation in fish communities exposed to varying degrees of glacial influence. Differences in seasonal patterns of taxa richness and abundance between the most and least glacially influenced sites suggest that hydrological drivers influence the structure of delta fish communities. The most glacially influenced sites had lower richness but higher abundance overall compared to those with least glacial influence; however, differences among sites were small compared to differences across months. Two dominant species—Pacific staghorn sculpin and starry flounder—contributed most to spatial and temporal variation in community composition; however, given only small interannual differences in richness and abundance over the period of the study, we conclude that year-to-year variation at these sites is relatively low at present. Our study provides an important benchmark against which to compare shifts in fish communities as watersheds and downstream estuaries continue to transform in the coming decades.
Who Opts Out? The Customisation of Marriage in the German Matrimonial Property Regime
Authors: Nutz Theresa , Nelles Anika , Lersch Philipp M.
Published: March 2022

This study examines the prevalence of marital contracts across marriage cohorts (1990–2019) in Germany. We further investigate the characteristics of spouses who signed a marital contract. Using cross-sectional data from the German Family Panel (pairfam, 2018/19), we employ complementary log–log and multinomial logistic regression models to predict the prevalence and the type of marital contracts. The results show that 5% of all married couples opt out of the default matrimonial property regime by signing a contract in Germany. Differentiating between contract types, most couples either specify a separation of property (40%) or modify the default community of accrued gains (31%). We find an increase in the prevalence of marital contracts across marriage cohorts. The decision to opt out of the default is strongly positively associated with self-employment that often requires the customisation of asset ownership structures within marriage. Married individuals with prior divorce experiences are more likely to opt for the separation of property, indicating that the awareness of the economic consequences of divorce promotes the individualisation of marriage. Our results are in line with the cross-national trend towards customised marriages, although the trend in Germany is less pronounced than in other countries.
Revealing good deeds: disclosure of social responsibility in competitive markets
Authors: Harrs Sören , Rockenbach Bettina , Wenner Lukas M.
Published: March 2022

We experimentally study competitive markets with socially responsible production. Our main focus is on the producers’ decision whether or not to reveal the degree of social responsibility of their product. Compared to two benchmark cases where either full transparency is enforced or no disclosure is possible, we show that voluntary and costless disclosure comes close to the full transparency benchmark. However, when the informational content of disclosure is imperfect, social responsibility in the market is significantly lower than under full transparency. Our results highlight an important role for transparent and standardized information about social externalities.
Finding fixed-length circuits and cycles in undirected edge-weighted graphs: an application with street networks
Authors: Lewis R. , Corcoran P.
Published: March 2022

This paper proposes two heuristic algorithms for finding fixed-length circuits and cycles in undirected edge-weighted graphs. It focusses particularly on a largely unresearched practical application where we are seeking attractive round trips for pedestrians and joggers in urban street networks. Our first method is based on identifying suitable pairs of paths that are combined to form a solution; our second is based on local search techniques. Both algorithms display high levels of accuracy, producing solutions within just a few meters of the target. Run times for the local search algorithm are also short, with solutions in large cities often being found in less than one second.
Exploring the Influence of Object Similarity and Desirability on Children’s Ownership Identification and Preferences in Autism and Typical Development
Authors: Hartley Calum , Bird Laura-Ashleigh
Published: March 2022

This study investigated how ownership identification accuracy and object preferences in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are influenced by visual distinctiveness and relative desirability. Unlike typically developing (TD) children matched on receptive language (M age equivalents: 58.8–59.9 months), children with ASD had difficulty identifying another person’s property when object discriminability was low and identifying their own relatively undesirable objects. Children with ASD identified novel objects designated to them with no greater accuracy than objects designated to others, and associating objects with the self did not bias their preferences. We propose that, due to differences in development of the psychological self, ownership does not increase the attentional or preferential salience of objects for children with ASD.
Mutations in RNU7-1 Weaken Secondary RNA Structure, Induce MCP-1 and CXCL10 in CSF, and Result in Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome with Severe End-Organ Involvement
Authors: Naesens Leslie , Nemegeer Josephine , Roelens Filip , Vallaeys Lore , Meuwissen Marije , Janssens Katrien , Verloo Patrick , Ogunjimi Benson , Hemelsoet Dimitri ,   Program for Undiagnosed Rare Diseases (UD-PrOZA), Callens Steven , Dermaut Bart , Terryn Wim , Schuermans Nika , Poppe Bruce , Hoste Levi , Roels Lisa , De Bruyne Marieke , De Baere Elfride , Van Dorpe Jo , Dendooven Amélie , Sieben Anne , Rice Gillian I. , Kerre Tessa , Beyaert Rudi , Uggenti Carolina , Crow Yanick J. , Tavernier Simon J. , Maelfait Jonathan , Haerynck Filomeen
Published: March 2022

Background

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a type I interferonopathy usually characterized by early-onset neurologic regression. Biallelic mutations in LSM11 and RNU7-1, components of the U7 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complex, have been identified in a limited number of genetically unexplained AGS cases. Impairment of U7 snRNP function results in misprocessing of replication-dependent histone (RDH) pre-mRNA and disturbance of histone occupancy of nuclear DNA, ultimately driving cGAS-dependent type I interferon (IFN-I) release.

Objective

We performed a clinical, genetic, and immunological workup of 3 unrelated patients with uncharacterized AGS.

Methods

Whole exome sequencing (WES) and targeted Sanger sequencing of RNU7-1 were performed. Primary fibroblasts were used for mechanistic studies. IFN-I signature and STAT1/2 phosphorylation were assessed in peripheral blood. Cytokines were profiled on serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Histopathology was examined on brain and kidney tissue.

Results

Sequencing revealed compound heterozygous RNU7-1 mutations, resulting in impaired RDH pre-mRNA processing. The 3′ stem-loop mutations reduced stability of the secondary U7 snRNA structure. A discrete IFN-I signature in peripheral blood was paralleled by MCP-1 (CCL2) and CXCL10 upregulation in CSF. Histopathological analysis of the kidney showed thrombotic microangiopathy. We observed dysregulated STAT phosphorylation upon cytokine stimulation. Clinical overview of all reported patients with RNU7-1-related disease revealed high mortality and high incidence of organ involvement compared to other AGS genotypes.

Conclusions

Targeted RNU7-1 sequencing is recommended in genetically unexplained AGS cases. CSF cytokine profiling represents an additional diagnostic tool to identify aberrant IFN-I signaling. Clinical follow-up of RNU7-1-mutated patients should include screening for severe end-organ involvement including liver disease and nephropathy.
Planning for potential: efficient safe reinforcement learning
Authors: den Hengst Floris , François-Lavet Vincent , Hoogendoorn Mark , van Harmelen Frank
Published: March 2022

Deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has shown remarkable success in artificial domains and in some real-world applications. However, substantial challenges remain such as learning efficiently under safety constraints. Adherence to safety constraints is a hard requirement in many high-impact application domains such as healthcare and finance. These constraints are preferably represented symbolically to ensure clear semantics at a suitable level of abstraction. Existing approaches to safe DRL assume that being unsafe leads to low rewards. We show that this is a special case of symbolically constrained RL and analyze a generic setting in which total reward and being safe may or may not be correlated. We analyze the impact of symbolic constraints and identify a connection between expected future reward and distance towards a goal in an automaton representation of the constraints. We use this connection in an algorithm for learning complex behaviors safely and efficiently. This algorithm relies on symbolic reasoning over safety constraints to improve the efficiency of a subsymbolic learner with a symbolically obtained measure of progress. We measure sample efficiency on a grid world and a conversational product recommender with real-world constraints. The so-called Planning for Potential algorithm converges quickly and significantly outperforms all baselines. Specifically, we find that symbolic reasoning is necessary for safety during and after learning and can be effectively used to guide a neural learner towards promising areas of the solution space. We conclude that RL can be applied both safely and efficiently when combined with symbolic reasoning.
Sylvie, or the End of Romanticism
Authors: Solé Roger Navas
Published: March 2022

This article attempts to explain the special place that Sylvie occupies in both Nerval’s œuvre and the general context of nineteenth-century French prose. The structure of the nouvelle is examined through a close reading of two key motifs: vines intertwined with roses, and flowing water. The different iterations of these motifs are interpreted as expressing the impossibility of recovering the symbolical and sentimental values that the author-narrator cherished in the past. This structure is identified as one of the factors that allowed Sylvie to be well received in neoclassical circles. It is suggested that this construction is also what caused Proust’s fascination with, and scepticism towards, the nouvelle. The article concludes that Sylvie should be considered a unique text which opens the way for a new type of writing, whilst also closing it down. The nouvelle’s referential logic is different from that of Romantic, neoclassical or realist works. Indeed, the reason why it cannot be taken as a model is that it presents the reader with a particular kind of réel, which is inseparable from the crisis of Romanticism.
Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training Ameliorates Motoneuronal Hyperexcitability by Increasing GAD-65/67 and KCC2 Expression via TrkB Signaling in Rats with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Li Xiangzhe , Song Xinjian , Fang Lu , Ding Jie , Qi Longju , Wang Qinghua , Dong Chuanming , Wang Sheng , Wu Jiahuan , Wang Tong , Wu Qinfeng
Published: March 2022

Spasticity is a typical consequence after spinal cord injury (SCI). The critical reasons are reducing the synthesis of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), glycine and potassium chloride co-transporter 2 (KCC2) inside the distal spinal cord. The current work aimed to test whether exercise training could increase the expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65/67 (GAD-65/67, the key enzymes in GABA synthesis) and KCC2 in the distal spinal cord via tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) signaling. The experimental rats were randomly assigned to the following five groups: Sham, SCI/phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), SCI-treadmill training (TT)/PBS, SCI/TrkB-IgG, and SCI-TT/TrkB-IgG. After that, the model of T10 contusion SCI was used, then TrkB-IgG was used to prevent TrkB activity at 7 days post-SCI. Body weight-supported treadmill training started on the 8th day post-SCI for four weeks. The Hmax/Mmax ratio and the rate-dependent depression of H-reflex were used to assess the excitability of spinal motoneuronal networks. Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry techniques were utilized for measuring the expression of GAD-65, GAD-67, and KCC2. The findings revealed that exercise training could reduce motoneuronal excitability and boost GAD-65, GAD-67, and KCC2 production in the distal region of the spinal cord after SCI. The effects of exercise training were decreased after the TrkB signaling was inhibited. The present exploration demonstrated that exercise training increases GAD-65, GAD-67, and KCC2 expression in the spinal cord via TrkB signaling and that this method could also improve rats with motoneuronal hyperexcitability and spasticity induced by incomplete SCI.
Human capital effects on fundraising for necessity- and opportunity-based entrepreneurs
Authors: Naiki Eriko , Ogane Yuta
Published: March 2022

This paper examines the effects of human capital on fundraising problems for necessity- and opportunity-based entrepreneurs by using a survey of 3974 new firms in Japan. The major findings of this paper are as follows. First, necessity-based entrepreneurs are more likely to have fundraising problems than opportunity-based entrepreneurs. Second, industry-specific experience contributes to solving fundraising problems for both necessity- and opportunity-based entrepreneurs. Third, necessity-based entrepreneurs with industry-specific experience are less likely to have fundraising problems than opportunity-based entrepreneurs without such experience.
Reach for the stars: disentangling quantity and quality of inventors’ productivity in a multifaceted latent variable model
Authors: Caviggioli Federico , Forthmann Boris
Published: March 2022

Star inventors generate superior innovation outcomes. Their capacity to invent high-quality patents might be decisive beyond mere productivity. However, the relationship between quantitative and qualitative dimensions has not been exhaustively investigated. The equal odds baseline (EOB) framework can explicitly model this relationship. This work combines a theoretical model for creative production with recent calls in the patentometrics literature for multifaceted measurement of the ability to create high-quality patents. The EOB is extended and analyzed through structural equation modeling. Specifically, we compared a multifaceted EOB model with a single latent variable for quality, and a two-dimensional model that distinguishes between technological complexity and value of invention portfolios. The two-dimensional model had better fit but weaker factor scores (for the “value” latent variable) than the unidimensional model. These findings suggest that both the uni- and the two-dimensional approaches can be directly used for extending research on star inventors, while for practical high-stakes assessments the two-dimensional model would require further improvements.
Accounting for Oneself in Teaching: Trust, Parrhesia, and Bad Faith
Authors: Brady Alison M.
Published: March 2022

This paper seeks to reconceptualise the basis for trusting teachers in current educational discourses. It proposes moving away from trust based on ‘absolute accuracy’ to trust as encapsulated in the practice of parrhesia. On the surface, parrhesia appears to be the opposite of Sartre’s concept of ‘bad faith’. Paradoxically, however, our attempts to be sincere in our accounts are inevitably tainted by this. This paradox is especially evident in autobiographical writing, an activity that is both parrhesiastic in nature and susceptible to bad faith. This does not mean that we should abandon trust in these ways of accounting for oneself, however. Rather, parrhesiastic practices in autobiographical writing can offer a different understanding of how we account for ourselves and our practices, one that does not pertain to a narrow definition of truth as accuracy, but instead leads to a form of self-criticism where one situates oneself in relation to the ‘truth’ of their accounts in new ways. Towards the end of the paper, I explore three ‘parrhesiastic techniques’ and their relationship to accounting for oneself as a teacher, to reimagine these techniques from technicist to existential ways of relating to our practices.