bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Amyloid Precursor Protein is a conserved Wnt receptor
Authors: Liu Tengyuan , Nicolas Maya , Zhang Tingting , Rice Heather , Soldano Alessia , Claeys Annelies , Petrova Iveta M. , Fradkin Lee G. , De Strooper Bart , Hassan Bassem A.
Published: January 2021

The Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and its homologues are transmembrane proteins required for various aspects of neuronal development and activity, whose molecular function is unknown. Specifically, it is unclear whether APP acts as a receptor, and if so what its ligand(s) may be. We show that APP binds the Wnt ligands Wnt3a and Wnt5a and that this binding regulates APP protein levels. Wnt3a binding promotes full length APP (flAPP) recycling and stability. In contrast, Wnt5a promotes APP targeting to lysosomal compartments and reduces flAPP levels. A conserved Cysteine Rich Domain (CRD) in the extracellular portion of APP is required for Wnt binding, and deletion of the CRD abrogates the effects of Wnts on flAPP levels and trafficking. Finally, loss of APP results in increased axonal and reduced dendritic growth of mouse embryonic primary cortical neurons. This phenotype can be cell-autonomously rescued by full length, but not CRD-deleted, APP.
Emergence of phenotypically distinct subpopulations is a factor in adaptation of recombinantSaccharomyces cerevisiaeunder glucose-limited conditions
Authors: Wright Naia Risager , Wulff Tune , Workman Christopher T. , Rønnest Nanna Petersen , Sonnenschein Nikolaus
Published: January 2021

Cells cultured in a nutrient-limited environment can undergo adaptation, which confers improved fitness under long-term energy limitation. We have previously shown how a recombinantS. cerevisiaestrain, producing a heterologous insulin product, under glucose-limited conditions adapts over time at the average population level.

In this paper, we investigated this adaptation at the single-cell level by application of FACS and showed that three apparent phenotypes underlie the adaptive response observed at the bulk level: (1) cells that drastically reduced insulin production (23 %), (2) cells with reduced enzymatic capacity in central carbon metabolism (46 %), (3) cells that exhibited pseudohyphal growth (31 %). We speculate that the phenotypic heterogeneity is a result of different mechanisms to increase fitness. Cells with reduced insulin productivity have increased fitness by reducing the burden of the heterologous insulin production and the populations with reduced enzymatic capacity of the central carbon metabolism and pseudohyphal growth have increased fitness towards the glucose-limited conditions.

The results highlight the importance of considering population heterogeneity when studying adaptation and evolution.
Short-term perceptual re-weighting in suprasegmental categorization
Authors: Jasmin Kyle , Tierney Adam , Obasih Chisom , Holt Lori
Published: January 2021

Segmental speech units such as phonemes are cued by multiple acoustic dimensions (e.g. F0 and duration), but dimensions do not carry equal perceptual weight. The relative perceptual weights of acoustic speech dimensions are not fixed but vary with context. For example, when speech is altered to create an ‘accent’ in which two acoustic dimensions are correlated in a manner opposite that of long-term experience, the dimension that carries less perceptual weight is down-weighted to contribute less in category decisions. It remains unclear, however, whether this short-term reweighting is limited to segmental categorization, or if it extends to categorization of suprasegmental features which span multiple phonemes, syllables, or words, which would suggest that such “dimension-based statistical learning” is a widespread phenomenon in speech perception. Here we investigated the relative contribution of two acoustic dimensions to word emphasis. Participants categorized instances of a two-word phrase pronounced with typical covariation of fundamental frequency (F0) and duration, and in the context of an artificial ‘accent’ in which F0 and duration (established in prior research on English speech as ‘primary’ and ‘secondary’ dimensions, respectively) covaried atypically. When categorizing ‘accented’ speech, listeners rapidly down-weighted the secondary dimension (duration) while continuing to rely on the primary dimension (F0). This result indicates that listeners continually track short-term regularities across speech input and dynamically adjust the weight of acoustic evidence for suprasegmental categories. Thus, dimension-based statistical learning appears to be a widespread phenomenon in speech perception extending to both segmental and suprasegmental categorization.
Fine-tuning the transcriptional regulatory model of adaptation response to phosphate stress in maize (Zea maysL.)
Authors: Yadava Pranjal , Dayaman Vikram , Agarwal Astha , Kumar Krishan , Singh Ishwar , Verma Rachana , Kaul Tanushri
Published: January 2021

The post green revolution agriculture is based on generous application of fertilizers and high-yielding genotypes that are suited for such high input regimes. Cereals, like maize (Zea maysL.) are capable of utilizing less than 20% of the applied inorganic phosphate (Pi) - a non-renewable fertilizer resource. A greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition, transportation and utilization of Pi may lead to strategies to enhance phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) in field crops. In this study, we selected 12 Pi responsive genes in maize and carried out their comparative transcriptional expression in root and leaf tissues of a hydroponically grown Pi stress tolerant maize inbred line HKI-163, under sufficient and deficient Pi conditions. Pi starvation led to significant increase in root length; marked proliferation of root hairs and lesser number of crown roots. Eleven genes were significantly up or down regulated in Pi deficient condition. The putative acid phosphatase,ZmACP5, expression was up regulated by 162.81 and 74.40 fold in root and leaf tissues, respectively. The RNase,ZmRNS1showed 115 fold up regulation in roots under Pi deprivation. Among the two putative high affinity Pi transportersZmPht1;4was found specific to root, whereasZmPht2was found to be up regulated in both root and leaf tissues. The genes involved in Pi homeostasis pathway (ZmSIZ1, SPX1andPho2) were up regulated in root and leaf. In light of the expression profiling of selected regulatory genes, an updated model of transcriptional regulation under Pi starvation in maize has been proposed.
Randomized controlled studies comparing traditional lectures versus online modules
Authors: Musunuru Kiran , Machanda Zarin P. , Qiao Lyon , Anderson William J.
Published: January 2021

We assessed the efficacy of traditional lectures versus online modules with respect to student learning in an undergraduate introductory biochemistry course in two successive years. In the first year, students had the options of attending live lectures by the course instructor and viewing online modules pre-recorded by the instructor, with the lectures and modules covering identical content; in addition, all students had a mandatory weekly application session. Utilizing pre-course and post-course tests as an instrument with which to measure learning during the course, we observed significantly increased learning (0.7 standard deviations) with attendance of traditional lectures and decreased learning with use of online modules, even after adjustment for grade point average. In the second year, the course had the same curriculum, but students were randomized to either live lectures or online modules for the first half of the course, crossing over to the other modality during the second half. With randomization, no difference in learning was observed between the two groups. Furthermore, we found that students self-reported greater engagement when viewing online modules than when attending lectures in person. These findings suggest some aspects of the lecture experience can be shifted to online modules in STEM courses without impacts on student learning so as to use classroom time more fully for application-based active learning interventions.
Three-dimensional synaptic organization of layer III of the human temporal neocortex
Authors: Cano-Astorga Nicolás , DeFelipe Javier , Alonso-Nanclares Lidia
Published: January 2021

In the present study, we have used Focused Ion Beam/Scanning Electron Microscopy (FIB/SEM) to perform a study of the synaptic organization of layer III of Brodmann’s area 21 in human tissue samples obtained from autopsies and biopsies. We analyzed the synaptic density, 3D spatial distribution, and type (asymmetric/symmetric), as well as the size and shape of each synaptic junction of 4945 synapses that were fully reconstructed in 3D. Significant differences in the mean synaptic density between autopsy and biopsy samples were found (0.49 and 0.66 synapses/μm3, respectively). However, in both types of samples (autopsy and biopsy), the asymmetric:symmetric ratio was similar (93:7) and most asymmetric synapses were established on dendritic spines (75%), while most symmetric synapses were established on dendritic shafts (85%). We also compared several electron microscopy methods and analysis tools to estimate the synaptic density in the same brain tissue. We have shown that FIB/SEM is much more reliable and robust than the majority of the other commonly used EM techniques. The present work constitutes a detailed description of the synaptic organization of cortical layer III. Further studies on the rest of the cortical layers are necessary to better understand the functional organization of this temporal cortical region.
CRISPR Del/Rei: A simple, flexible, and efficient pipeline for scarless genome editing
Authors: Wahbeh Marah H. , Feuer Kyra L. , Yovo Christian , Rabie Eman , Lam Anh-Thu N. , Abdollahi Sara , Young Lindsay J. , Rike Bailey , Umamageswaran Akul , Avramopoulos Dimitrios
Published: January 2021

Scarless genome editing of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is crucial for the precise modeling of genetic disease. Here we present CRISPR Del/Rei, a two-step deletion-reinsertion strategy with high editing efficiency and simple PCR-based screening that generates isogenic clones in ~2 months. We apply our strategy to edit iPSCs at 3 loci with only rare off target editing.
Devitrification reduces beam-induced movement in cryo-EM
Authors: Wieferig Jan-Philip , Mills Deryck J. , Kühlbrandt Werner
Published: January 2021

As cryo-EM approaches the physical resolution limits imposed by electron optics and radiation damage, it becomes increasingly urgent to address the issues that impede high-resolution structure determination of biological specimens. One of the persistent problems has been beam-induced movement, which occurs when the specimen is irradiated with high-energy electrons. Beam-induced movement results in image blurring and loss of high-resolution information. It is particularly severe for biological samples in unsupported thin films of vitreous water. By controlled devitrification of conventionally plunge-frozen samples, the suspended film of vitrified water was converted into cubic ice, a polycrystalline, mechanically stable solid. It is shown that compared with vitrified samples, devitrification reduces beam-induced movement in the first 5 e Å−2 of an exposure by a factor of ∼4, substantially enhancing the contribution of the initial, minimally damaged frames to a structure. A 3D apoferritin map reconstructed from the first frames of 20 000 particle images of devitrified samples resolved undamaged side chains. Devitrification of frozen-hydrated specimens helps to overcome beam-induced specimen motion in single-particle cryo-EM, as a further step towards realizing the full potential of cryo-EM for high-resolution structure determination.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of 2-methyl-3-nitro-N-[(E)-(5-nitrothiophen-2-yl)methylidene]aniline
Authors: Kansiz Sevgi , Dege Necmi , Ozturk Seyhan , Akdemir Nesuhi , Tarcan Erdoğan , Arslanhan Ali , Saif Eiad
Published: January 2021

The title compound, C12H9N3O4S, synthesized by condensation of 5-nitrothiophene-2-carbaldehyde and 2-methyl-3-nitroaniline, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121. In the molecule, the aromatic benzene and thiophene rings are twisted with respect to each other, making a dihedral angle of 23.16 (7)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains extending along the c-axis direction. Weak π–π stacking interactions along the a-axis direction provide additional stabilization of the crystal structure. The roles of the various intermolecular interactions were clarified by Hirshfeld surface analysis, which reveals that the crystal packing is dominated by O...H (39%) and H...H (21.3%) contacts. The crystal studied was refined as a two-component inversion twin.
Impact of microfinance programs in Thailand
Authors: Hemtanon Wittawat , Gan Christopher
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of microfinance programs on the income and food expenditure of farm and nonfarm households in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs secondary data from the Thai Socioeconomic Survey (cross-sectional data from 2017 and panel data from 2012 to 2017). The cross-sectional data (2017) include 43,210 households. Panel data from the 2012 and 2017 Socioeconomic surveys (SES surveys) include 4,406 households. The estimation methods include propensity score matching (PSM) and a fixed effect (FE) model.

Findings

The result shows that village funds (VFs) have a significant negative impact on income and food expenditure for both farm and nonfarm households. The empirical results reveal that the saving groups for production (SGPs) effects are positively significant in terms of income and food expenditure, but only for farm households. The FE model result also shows that while VFs have a negative impact on income they have a positive impact on food expenditure for farm households. In contrast, SPGs have no impact on both farm and nonfarm households' income and food expenditure.

Practical implications

Farm and nonfarm households require both welfare and microfinance programs. Microfinance programs can only help these households once they have the necessary education. The government should provide social programs and business skills for these households; completion of these courses should be a pre-requisite for accessing microfinance programs.

Originality/value

This study is unique because it reveals the microfinance impact between VFs and SGPs programs so that most low-income and poor people in Thailand can access basic financial services.
Predatory FDI during economic crises: insights from outbound FDI from China and host country responses
Authors: Das Arindam
Published: January 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze outbound investments from China at the time of economic crisis caused due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and how target valuation and the host country’s inbound investment policies influence the acquisition intents. As firms witness low valuations during an economic downturn, they become attractive targets for opportunistic buyers, who may be driven by motives beyond business and influenced by the home country’s political agenda. Such attempts are countered with the adoption of restrictive investment policies in host countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses secondary data on cross-border acquisitions from China over the past year and compares the characteristics of these acquisitions with cross-border acquisitions of acquirers from other large developed and developing economies.

Findings

Statistical analyzes show that there are significant differences in the way acquirers from China pursue strategic asset seeking, creeping and control seeking acquisitions during the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period. This paper also observes that reduced valuation of the target, due to economic downturn or otherwise, result in greater propensity in strategic asset seeking acquisitions by Chinese acquirers. At the same time, adverse policies at host nations negatively influence the strategic asset seeking propensity of these acquirers. In addition, the premium in the valuation of target assets during the pandemic does not drop significantly when compared with that of the pre-pandemic period.

Originality/value

With the outbreak of COVID-19 and its concomitant economic impact across the globe, the study brings forwards insights on predatory foreign direct investment (FDI) and explores how policy responses in host countries can be comprehensive rather than disembedded and unilateral.
Tracking temperate fish reveals their relevance for plant seed dispersal
Authors: Mulder Andrea J. E. , van Aalderen Roland , van Leeuwen Casper H. A.
Published: January 2021

Seed dispersal is a fundamental process for plant communities, especially now that our changing world demands rapid colonization of new habitats. Long‐distance dispersal is especially important for plant population persistence and range expansions.

The contribution of fishes to plant seed dispersal in aquatic ecosystems (ichthyochory) has long been overlooked. Although we know fish disperse seeds, it is largely unknown where, when and how far—especially in temperate regions. Here we studied the potential of fish to disperse seeds locally and over long distances, specifically hypothesizing that (a) dispersal by fish depends on the season, (b) individual fish contribute differently to seed dispersal and (c) water‐regulating structures (barriers) inhibit seed dispersal.

We tested our hypotheses by acoustically tracking 71 common carp Cyprinus carpio with 21 hydrophones in a 38‐km long study system for >2 years in the Netherlands. We calculated potential seed dispersal throughout this system by combining nearly 1.5 million location registrations with experimentally assessed retention times of seeds after ingestion (i.e. time between ingestion and egestion).

Seed dispersal on local scales was quantitatively most important during summer and autumn, with high dispersal potential in a range of 4  km from the location of seed ingestion. Long‐distance dispersal up to 16 km was possible at low probabilities in spring. In winter, most seeds were egested within two km. Maximum and median dispersal distances varied widely among individuals, emphasizing variation in effectiveness among individual fish for seed dispersal. Less than two per cent of all fish movements reached beyond sluices and weirs, indicating that anthropogenic barriers in freshwater systems strongly reduced the potential of common carp to disperse seeds to these areas.

This study shows that common carp can locally disperse plant seeds with high probabilities, and over distances up to 16 km with low probabilities throughout temperate ecosystems. This can contribute to restoration and maintenance of plant community diversity. However, this ecosystem function of fish to plants requires intact fish populations—because not all individual fish contribute equally to dispersal—and unrestricted connectivity throughout aquatic ecosystems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Beyond forest succession: A gap model to study ecosystem functioning and tree community composition under climate change
Authors: Morin Xavier , Bugmann Harald , de Coligny François , Martin‐StPaul Nicolas , Cailleret Maxime , Limousin Jean‐Marc , Ourcival Jean‐Marc , Prevosto Bernard , Simioni Guillaume , Toigo Maude , Vennetier Michel , Catteau Eugénie , Guillemot Joannès
Published: January 2021

Climate change impacts forest functioning and dynamics, and large uncertainties remain regarding the interactions between species composition, demographic processes and environmental drivers. There are few robust tools available to link these processes, which precludes accurate projections and recommendations for long‐term forest management. Forest gap models present a balance between complexity and generality and are widely used in predictive forest ecology. However, their relevance to tackle questions about the links between species composition, climate and forest functioning is unclear. In this regard, demonstrating the ability of gap models to predict the growth of forest stands at the annual parameterization scale resolution—representing a sensitive and integrated signal of tree functioning and mortality risk—appears as a fundamental step.

In this study, we aimed at assessing the ability of a gap model to accurately predict forest growth in the short term and potential community composition in the long term, across a wide range of species and environmental conditions. To do so, we present the gap model ForCEEPS, calibrated using an original parameterization procedure for the main tree species in France.

ForCEEPS was shown to satisfactorily predict forest annual growth (averaged over a few years) at the plot level from mountain to Mediterranean climates, regardless of the species. Such an accuracy was not gained at the cost of losing precision for long‐term predictions, as the model showed a strong ability to predict potential community compositions. The mechanistic relevance of ForCEEPS parameterization was explored by showing the congruence between the values of key model parameter and species functional traits.

We further showed that accounting for the spatial configuration of crowns within forest stands, the effects of climatic constraints and the variability of shade tolerances in the species community are all crucial to better predict short‐term productivity with gap models.

Synthesis. The dual ability of predicting short‐term functioning and long‐term community composition, as well as the balance between generality and realism (i.e. predicting accuracy) of the new generation of gap models may open great perspectives for the exploration of the biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships, species coexistence mechanisms and the impacts of climate change on forest ecosystems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Changes in ecosystem properties after post‐fire management strategies in wildfire‐affected Mediterranean forests
Authors: Lucas‐Borja Manuel E. , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Muñoz‐Rojas Miriam , Plaza‐Álvarez Pedro Antonio , Gómez‐Sanchez Maria E. , González‐Romero Javier , Peña‐Molina Esther , Moya Daniel , de las Heras Jorge
Published: January 2021

Forest are highly vulnerable to global change drivers, such as an increase in wildfire events. Learning more about how and why different post‐fire management strategies regulate the ability of forest ecosystem properties (e.g. plant diversity and function) to simultaneously recover after wildfire and provide multiple ecosystem functions is of critical importance.

This study aims to evaluate how unburned, burned managed and burned unmanaged plots regulate the responses of multiple forest ecosystem properties (e.g. plant diversity, nutrient cycling, soil carbon stocks, water regulation, decomposition and wood production) and overall multifunctionality to wildfires. In September 2017, we selected two post‐fire management strategies in a 3‐km2watershed previously affected by a wildfire in July 2012: contour‐felled log debris (CFD), log erosion barriers area (LEB), and also unburned and unmanaged plots (BNA). We randomly distributed 12 plots among the three post‐fire management strategies (three plots per treatment) and unburned.

The results showed that multiple forest ecosystem properties were significantly affected by wildfire and that specific post‐fire management treatment (e.g. LEB and CFD) can be used to efficiently support plant diversity and ecosystem functioning. Our results revealed that the general indicators of ecosystem functions decreased in Mediterranean forests after wildfires and post‐fire management strategies (LEB and CFD) significantly helped to recover the ecosystems’ short‐term community‐level properties and ecosystem functions (5 years after a wildfire event) to pre‐fire levels.

Synthesis and applications. These findings demonstrate that multiple ecosystem functions are affected by wildfires in Mediterranean forests and show that post‐fire management treatments can promote multifunctionality and plant diversity. Our results unfold the potential of log erosion barriers (LEB) and contour‐felled log debris (CFD) as effective strategies for recovering community‐level properties and forest functions in the short term.
Predicting bird‐window collisions with weather radar
Authors: Elmore Jared A. , Riding Corey S. , Horton Kyle G. , O'Connell Timothy J. , Farnsworth Andrew , Loss Scott R.
Published: January 2021

Up to 1 billion birds die annually in the U.S. from window collisions; most of these casualties represent migratory native species. Because this major mortality source likely contributes to the decline of the North American avifauna, mitigation tools are needed that accurately predict real‐time collision risk, allowing hazards to be minimized before fatalities occur.

We assessed the potential use of weather surveillance radar, an emerging tool increasingly used to study and to predict bird migration, as an early warning system to reduce numbers of bird‐window collisions.

Based on bird‐window collision monitoring in Oklahoma, USA, we show that radar‐derived migration variables are associated with nightly numbers of collisions. Across the entire night, numbers of collisions increased with higher migration traffic rate (i.e. numbers of birds crossing a fixed line perpendicular to migration direction), and migration variables for specific periods within the night were also related to nightly collisions.

Synthesis and applications. Our study suggests that radar can be an invaluable tool to predict bird‐window collisions and help refine mitigation efforts that reduce collisions such as reducing nighttime lighting emitted from and near buildings.
Fertilizer quantity and type alter mycorrhizae‐conferred growth and resistance to herbivores
Authors: Getman‐Pickering Zoe L. , Stack George M. , Thaler Jennifer S.
Published: January 2021

Plants face a constant struggle to acquire nutrients and defend themselves against herbivores. Mycorrhizae are fungal mutualists that provide nutrients that can increase plant growth and alter resistance to herbivores. The beneficial effects of mycorrhizae for nutrient acquisition can depend on the quantity and type of soil nutrients available, with plants usually benefiting more in terms of growth from mycorrhizae when nutrients are limited. However, it is unclear how the addition of different nutrients might shift mycorrhizal‐conferred resistance to herbivores by changing defensive secondary chemistry and nutrient availability.

We conducted two concurrent greenhouse experiments to test how three levels of fertilizers (low, medium and high) and three types of fertilizers (organic, organically derived and inorganic) altered mycorrhizae‐conferred resistance to herbivores in tomato plants. In addition, we looked at whether mycorrhizae‐conferred resistance was driven by plant secondary metabolites or the nutrient content of the leaves.

Association with mycorrhizae was associated with an increase in biomass at low levels of fertilization and decreased biomass at high levels of fertilization. Interestingly, mycorrhizae increased resistance to herbivores at medium levels of fertilization, but had no effect at low and high levels of fertilization. Mycorrhizae improved resistance most strongly when plants were fertilized with a phosphorus rich, organically derived fertilizer. In both experiments, increased resistance was correlated with changes in the plant's foliar nitrogen content.

Synthesis and applications. Our study supports the potential for mycorrhizae to improve either crop growth or pest resistance under lower fertilizer conditions. However, mycorrhizae did not provide both growth and resistance benefits under any treatment. While mycorrhizae have the potential to benefit crops in in lower input systems, it may be challenging to maximize both growth and resistance benefits.
Synergistic impacts of aggressive species on small birds in a fragmented landscape
Authors: Westgate Martin J. , Crane Mason , Florance Daniel , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: January 2021

Attempts to conserve threatened species in fragmented landscapes are often challenging because factors such as habitat loss, habitat degradation and dominant species interact to reduce threatened species’ capacity to survive and reproduce. Understanding how threatening and mitigating processes interact is critical if conservation measures are to be effective.

We used data from long‐term monitoring of bird populations and multivariate latent variable models to quantify how Australian woodland birds respond to the presence of the Noisy Miner, a despotic species known to exclude other bird species. We then investigated the extent to which the presence of other aggressive species exacerbates the impacts of the Noisy Miner, and to what extent these impacts can be mitigated by dense midstorey plantings.

We found strong synergies between the Noisy Miner and two other aggressive species (Grey Butcherbird and Pied Butcherbird), despite weak effects of butcherbirds in isolation.

The impacts of aggressive birds are most pronounced for small‐bodied species, but these impacts are lessened in the presence of high midstorey cover.

Synthesis and applications. Accounting for interactions reveals that revegetation may be capable of improving conservation outcomes even when the proximate cause of species declines (i.e. exclusion or predation by aggressive bird species) cannot be managed directly.
Effects of microplastics and drought on soil ecosystem functions and multifunctionality
Authors: Lozano Yudi M. , Aguilar‐Trigueros Carlos A. , Onandia Gabriela , Maaß Stefanie , Zhao Tingting , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: January 2021

Microplastics in soils have become an important threat for terrestrial systems as they may potentially alter the geochemical/biophysical soil environment and can interact with drought. As microplastics may affect soil water content, this could exacerbate the well‐known negative effects of drought on ecosystem functionality. Thus, functions including litter decomposition, soil aggregation or those related with nutrient cycling can be altered. Despite this potential interaction, we know relatively little about how microplastics, under different soil water conditions, affect ecosystem functions and multifunctionality.

To address this gap, we performed an experiment using grassland plant communities growing in microcosms. Microplastic fibres (absent, present) and soil water conditions (well‐watered, drought) were applied in a fully factorial design. At harvest, we measured soil ecosystem functions related to nutrient cycling (β‐glucosaminidase, β‐D‐cellobiosidase, phosphatase, β‐glucosidase enzymes), respiration, nutrient retention, pH, litter decomposition and soil aggregation (water stable aggregates). As terrestrial systems provide these functions simultaneously, we also assessed ecosystem multifunctionality, an index that encompasses the array of ecosystem functions measured here.

We found that the interaction between microplastic fibres and drought affected ecosystem functions and multifunctionality. Drought had negatively affected nutrient cycling by decreasing enzymatic activities by up to ~39%, while microplastics increased soil aggregation by ~18%, soil pH by ~4% and nutrient retention by up to ~70% by diminishing nutrient leaching. Microplastic fibres also impacted soil enzymes, respiration and ecosystem multifunctionality, but importantly, the direction of these effects depended on soil water status. That is, under well‐watered conditions, these functions decreased with microplastic fibres by up to ~34% while under drought they had similar values irrespective of the microplastic presence, or tended to increase with microplastics. Litter decomposition had a contrary pattern increasing with microplastics by ~6% under well‐watered conditions while decreasing to a similar percentage under drought.

Synthesis and applications. Single ecosystem functions can be positively or negatively affected by microplastics fibres depending on soil water status. However, our results suggest that microplastic fibres may cause negative effects on ecosystem soil multifunctionality of a similar magnitude as drought. Thus, strategies to counteract this new global change factor are necessary.
Competition for electrons favours N2O reduction in denitrifying Bradyrhizobium isolates
Authors: Gao Yuan , Mania Daniel , Mousavi Seyed Abdollah , Lycus Pawel , Arntzen Magnus Ø. , Woliy Kedir , Lindström Kristina , Shapleigh James P. , Bakken Lars R. , Frostegård Åsa
Published: January 2021

Bradyrhizobia are common members of soil microbiomes and known as N2‐fixing symbionts of economically important legumes. Many are also denitrifiers, which can act as sinks or sources for N2O. Inoculation with compatible rhizobia is often needed for optimal N2‐fixation, but the choice of inoculant may have consequences for N2O emission. Here, we determined the phylogeny and denitrification capacity of Bradyrhizobium strains, most of them isolated from peanut‐nodules. Analyses of genomes and denitrification end‐points showed that all were denitrifiers, but only ~1/3 could reduce N2O. The N2O‐reducing isolates had strong preference for N2O‐ over NO3−‐reduction. Such preference was also observed in a study of other bradyrhizobia and tentatively ascribed to competition between the electron pathways to Nap (periplasmic NO3− reductase) and Nos (N2O reductase). Another possible explanation is lower abundance of Nap than Nos. Here, proteomics revealed that Nap was instead more abundant than Nos, supporting the hypothesis that the electron pathway to Nos outcompetes that to Nap. In contrast, Paracoccus denitrificans, which has membrane‐bond NO3− reductase (Nar), reduced N2O and NO3− simultaneously. We propose that the control at the metabolic level, favouring N2O reduction over NO3− reduction, applies also to other denitrifiers carrying Nos and Nap but lacking Nar.
Developing a Structure of Essential Services for a Child and Adolescent Mental Health System
Authors: SCHOR EDWARD L.
Published: January 2021

Policy Points

That child and adolescent mental health services needs are frequently unmet has been known for many decades, yet few systemic solutions have been sought and fewer have been implemented at scale.

Key among the barriers to improving child and adolescent mental health services has been the lack of well‐organized primary mental health care. Such care is a mutual but uncoordinated responsibility of multiple disciplines and agencies.

Achieving consensus on the essential structures and processes of mental health services is a feasible first step toward creating an organized system.
In search of the Self à deux: the narcissistic collusion and impeded individuation
Authors: Nørby Karolina
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the question of why the pattern of narcissistic object‐relating (collusion) develops early in life and how it may impact the lifelong process of individuation. Narcissistic adult couple relationships are one of the arenas in which unresolved aspects of the past, alive in the present, are unconsciously brought and endlessly repeated with intensity. Adult relationships are often formed in the hope that both partners will wipe out their old wounds. However, despite apparent differences in overt social functioning, people unconsciously tend to select partners who are at the same basic level of personality differentiation, but who have opposite patterns of defensive organization. Primitive defences and projections, which are played out by the narcissistic couple, become a substitute for true identity. They can rigidify or disrupt the ego‐Self axis rendering it inflexible. These dynamics inhibit the ability of the ego to gain access to the unconscious, and the Self to get access to the ego, disrupting the possibility of emergence of a dialogical relationship. This process creates obstacles to growth and individuation, which leads this author to suggest the notion of ‘impeded individuation’ in narcissism.
Synergistic effect of hypocrellin B and curcumin on photodynamic inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Li Yali , Xu Yi , Liao Qiaoming , Xie Mengmeng , Tao Han , Wang Hui‐Li
Published: January 2021

Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) serves as a new approach to control the growth of foodborne bacteria. It remains elusive if the photodynamic efficacy of hypocrellin B (HB) can be potentiated by joint action with curcumin. In this study, we measured the survival rate of Staphylococcus aureus strains under the varying photodynamic conditions. According to our data, a maximum of 5–6 log10 decrease of bacterial survival can be achieved under the tested conditions (500 nM, 9 J cm‒2). Regarding the bactericidal mechanisms, HB‐based aPDI disrupted the membrane integrity of staphylococcal cells, probably owing to the stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, aPDI disrupted the enzymatic activities of bacterial antioxidant proteins and caused the leakage of multiple intracellular substances. The HB‐mediated photodynamic efficacy was potentiated by the addition of curcumin with a sublethal dose. This dual‐photon synergy arose from unique aPDI conditions (100 nM each and 9 J cm‒2). The synergistic action might be accounted for by the increased type I/type II ratio of ROS, as evidenced by the effect of different quenchers. Finally, the joint use of photosensitizers reduced the microbial contamination of the tested apple while maintaining its quality. In summary, photodynamic inactivation based on dual photons showed synergistic activity in controlling the growth of Staphylococcal aureus, which provided a novel approach to maintain food safety.
Evolutionary and terminological analysis of the flexor digitorum superficialis, interflexorii and palmaris longus muscles in kinkajou (Potos flavus) and crab‐eating racoon (Procyon cancrivorus)
Authors: Perdomo‐Cárdenas Valentina , Patiño‐Holguín Catalina , Vélez‐García Juan Fernando
Published: January 2021

The kinkajou (Potos flavus) and crab‐eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) are carnivores belonging to the family Procyonidae, but both species are characterized by different types of locomotion. Differences can be found in the adaptations that these two species present in the forearm muscles, such as the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), palmaris longus (PL) and interflexorii (IF), which have been described confusingly in previous studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe these muscles in both species together with their innervations to carry out an evolutionary and terminological analysis among carnivorans. Both thoracic limbs were dissected from five P. flavus and three P. cancrivorus that had died of natural causes in Wildlife Care Centers. Two PL muscles (m. palmaris longus lateralis, PLL, and m. palmaris longus medialis, PLM) were found in P. flavus, and the IF were the only superficial flexors of the digits, whereas P. cancrivorus presented the IF and two bellies homologous to the two PLs of P. flavus, where the homologous belly of the PLM sent tendons to digits II–IV. Therefore, it was considered as the FDS due to its similarity to other carnivorans, and the lateral belly is the only PL present in P. cancrivorus. The topology, attachments and innervation of these muscles in P. flavus and P. cancrivorus allowed homologies to be established, hypothesizing their evolutionary derivation from the FDS. It also allowed the differences among PL, FDS and IF muscles to be described, concluding that most carnivorans do not have a PL.
Testing the reliability of the Health Literacy Questionnaire with carers of older adults receiving hospital care
Authors: Burton Elissa , Toye Christine , Slatyer Susan , Ferrari Jacinto Alessandro , du Preez Janice , Bronson Mary , Hill Keith D
Published: January 2021

Objective

To determine the re‐test reliability of the Health Literacy Questionnaire (HLQ) with carers of older adults discharged from hospital or attending the outpatient clinic.

Methods

Carers completed the HLQ twice by telephone and rated the acceptability of completing the tool. Tool completion time was recorded. Correlations were calculated between the test occasions using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Fifty‐one carers of older patients participated. The HLQ showed good reliability (ICC = 0.75‐0.90) for seven of the nine scales and moderate reliability (0.50‐0.74) for the other two scales. Median completion time was 16.5 minutes (range 9‐50), and acceptability was rated as 9.5/10.

Conclusion

The HLQ is a reliable tool for use with carers of older adults attending hospital. However, the length of time for completion of the HLQ may limit its feasibility for use by hospital staff and carers, given the high stress and time pressures of acute care.
Exovent: a study of a new negative‐pressure ventilatory support device in healthy adults
Authors:   The Exovent Development Group
Published: January 2021

Negative‐pressure ventilation may have several advantages compared with positive‐pressure ventilation. Negative‐pressure ventilation simulates natural lung movements, does not require tracheal intubation and may reduce the incidence of barotrauma and adverse cardiovascular events. A group of engineers, doctors and nurses designed and bench‐tested the Exovent, a new, lightweight, torso‐only, negative‐pressure ventilatory support system. We aimed to test the comfort, nursing acceptability and ventilatory support capabilities of the Exovent in healthy adult volunteers. We measured the effect of continuous negative extra‐thoracic pressure on functional reserve capacity and the efficacy of ventilation produced by a combination of negative‐pressure ventilation and negative end‐expiratory pressure. Six members of the development team volunteered to test the device. The application of continuous negative extra‐thoracic pressure did not change tidal volumes from baseline levels; however, functional reserve capacity increased by a mean (SD) of 1.1 (0.05) ml.kg-1.cmH2O-1 (p = 0.0002). The combination of negative‐pressure ventilation and negative end−expiratory pressure produced effective ventilation, with the resting tidal volume being exceeded by the application of ‐4 cmH2O of extra‐thoracic negative pressure. All the volunteers found the experience comfortable and none had ventilator dysynchrony. The Exovent allowed good nursing and monitoring access and was comfortable in both the semi‐recumbent and prone positions. The Exovent delivered effective continuous negative extra‐thoracic pressure and negative‐pressure ventilation plus negative end‐expiratory pressure to healthy adults. Further trials are needed to investigate the clinical utility of the device.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: effectiveness of anti‐inflammatory therapy in immune checkpoint inhibitor‐induced enterocolitis
Authors: Ibraheim Hajir , Baillie Samantha , Samaan Mark A. , Abu‐Sbeih Hamzah , Wang Yinghong , Talley Nicholas J. , P. Jones Michael , Powell Nick
Published: January 2021

Background

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionised cancer treatment, but at the cost of off‐target immune‐mediated organ damage. This includes checkpoint inhibitor‐induced enterocolitis which frequently requires hospitalisation and may be life‐threatening. Empiric treatment typically includes corticosteroids and infliximab, although no large‐scale studies have confirmed their effectiveness.

Aim

To investigate the effectiveness of anti‐inflammatory therapy in checkpoint inhibitor‐induced enterocolitis

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis of studies reporting clinical outcomes of checkpoint inhibitor‐induced enterocolitis in adult cancer patients treated with anti‐inflammatory agents. We searched Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library through April and extracted the proportion of patients responding to anti‐inflammatory therapy. Variation in effect size was studied using a random‐effects meta‐regression analysis, with checkpoint inhibitor agent and tumour type as the variables.

Results

Data were pooled from 1210 treated patients across 39 studies. Corticosteroids were effective in 59% (95% CI 54‐ 65) of patients, with response significantly more favourable in patients treated with anti‐PD‐1/L1 monotherapy, compared with anti‐CTLA‐4 containing regimens (78%, 95% CI 69‐85 vs 56 %, 95% CI 49‐63, P = 0.003), and more favourable in lung cancer patients compared with melanoma patients (88%, 95% CI 62‐97 vs 55%, 95% CI 47‐63, P = 0.04). Infliximab was effective in 81% (95% CI 73‐87) of patients, and vedolizumab in 85% (95% CI 60‐96).

Conclusion

Corticosteroids, infliximab and vedolizumab, are effective in the treatment of checkpoint inhibitor‐induced enterocolitis. Checkpoint inhibitor regimen and cancer type were significant moderators in response to corticosteroid therapy.
Evaluation of non‐linear growth curve models in the Vietnamese indigenous Mia chicken
Authors: Nguyen Hoang Thinh , Do Huong T. T. , Bui Doan H. , Pham Dang K. , Hoang Tuan A. , Do Duy N.
Published: January 2021

Understanding of animal growth is important for the improvement of management and feeding practices; however, little is known about the growth curve in Vietnamese indigenous chicken. This study was performed to determine the most appropriate models for describing the growth curve of Vietnamese Mia chicken. The study evaluated the performances of the Logistic, Gompertz, Richards, and Bridges models of body weights in 224 Mia chickens. Models were fitted using minpack.lm package in R software and Akaike’s information criterion and Bayesian information criterion were used for model comparison. Based on these criteria, the Gompertz and Bridges were the best models for males and females, respectively. Estimated asymmetric weights (α) were ranged from 2,241.91 ± 14.74 (g) (Logistic) to 2,623.86 ± 30.23 (g) (Gompertz) for males and from 1,537.36 ± 10.97 (g) (Logistic) and 1,958.36 ± 72.92 (g) (Bridges) for females, respectively. The age at the inflection point was estimated from 9.32 to 10.5 weeks and from 8.51 to 9.86 weeks for males and females, respectively. In conclusion, the Gompertz model is the most suitable model for describing the growth curve of Mia chicken. The parameters obtained from growth models could help define feeding programs to meet nutritional needs from hatching to the age of maximum growth, reproduction programs, and marketing strategies.
Men have ability, women are lucky: A pre‐registered experiment examining gender bias in knowledge attribution
Authors: Disher Natalie G. , Guerra Antonio L. , Haeffel Gerald J.
Published: January 2021

The purpose of this experiment was to test the effect of gender on knowledge attribution using a Justified True Belief (JTB) framework. A 2 (gender: male, female) × 3 (knowledge case: knowledge control, Gettier, ignorance control) experimental design was used with a sample of 420 U.S. adults. Contrary to hypotheses, participants attributed similar levels of knowledge to male and female agents across all knowledge conditions; participants also rated males and females as equally likely to have the ‘right’ answer across knowledge conditions. However, knowledge was more likely to be attributed to luck (as opposed to ability) for female agents than it was for male agents across knowledge conditions and scenarios. This result suggests that while overt forms of gender bias may be fading, more covert forms still exist. Secondary analyses also showed that the JTB methodology was not robust to scenario type or knowledge condition. Comprehension was affected by both knowledge condition (knowledge vs. Gettier/ignorance) and the specific content of the hypothetical scenario presented (e.g., squirrel vs. jewelery). These confounds should be addressed in future JTB studies as it is possible that differences between knowledge and Gettier cases are due to misunderstanding the scenarios rather than beliefs about knowledge. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.