bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Building Merit: The Moral Economy of the Illegal Wildlife Trade in Rural, Post-Socialist Eastern Mongolia
Authors: Waters Hedwig A.
Published: March 2022

This article describes the development of themoral economy of meritamong the fishermen and rural poor of Dalai Village, Magtaalsoum, Mongolia. In 1971, the historian E. P. Thompson used the term “moral economy” to describe a popular consensus on what was considered right and wrong in economic behavior, arguing that its provocation motivated the eighteenth-century English poor to engage in crowd-based political action. In contemporary, post-socialist eastern Mongolia, the rural poor have constructed a pervasive local discourse on what is considered legitimate (“merit-making” orbuyantai) versus what is illegitimate in economic behavior that morally-condones their illegal wildlife procurement, selling, and smuggling activities. The political contexts of these case studies are compared in order to detail a similar political-economic progression: (1) the recent market liberalization of the commons, sparking moral outrage amongst those classes newly disadvantaged through this shift to the market; and (2) the formation of an anti-profiteering moral discourse among these classes, designed to limit the ability of others to economically capitalize off of these circumstances. Comparing the case studies, the moral economy is manifested as exchange practices involving commons-marked goods that distribute their benefits among the participants, envisioned as thereby promoting group wellbeing rather than the uneven accumulation by individuals.
Efficacy of a transdiagnostic, prevention-focused program for at-risk young adults: a waitlist-controlled trial
Authors: DeTore Nicole R. , Luther Lauren , Deng Wisteria , Zimmerman Jordan , Leathem Logan , Burke Anne S. , Nyer Maren B. , Holt Daphne J.
Published: March 2022

Background

Prevention programs that are ‘transdiagnostic’ may be more cost-effective and beneficial, in terms of reducing levels of psychopathology in the general population, than those focused on a specific disorder. This randomized controlled study evaluated the efficacy of one such intervention program called Resilience Training (RT).

Methods

College students who reported mildly elevated depressive or subclinical psychotic symptoms (‘psychotic experiences' (PEs)) (n = 107) were randomized to receiving RT (n = 54) or to a waitlist control condition (n = 53). RT consists of a four-session intervention focused on improving resilience through the acquisition of mindfulness, self-compassion, and mentalization skills. Measures of symptoms and these resilience-enhancing skills were collected before and after the 4-week RT/waitlist period, with a follow-up assessment 12-months later.

Results

Compared to the waitlist control group, RT participants reported significantly greater reductions in PEs, distress associated with PEs, depression, and anxiety, as well as significantly greater improvements in resilience, mindfulness, self-compassion, and positive affect, following the 4-week RT/waitlist period (all p < 0.03). Moreover, improvements in resilience-promoting skills were significantly correlated with symptom reductions (all p < 0.05). Lastly, the RT-related reductions in PEs and associated distress were maintained at the 12-month follow-up assessment.

Conclusions

RT is a brief, group-based intervention associated with improved resilience and reduced symptoms of psychopathology, with sustained effects on PEs, in transdiagnostically at-risk young adults. Follow-up studies can further assess the efficacy of RT relative to other interventions and test whether it can reduce the likelihood of developing a serious mental illness.
Governing refugees through disorientation: Fragmented knowledges and forced technological mediations
Authors: Tazzioli Martina
Published: March 2022

This article investigates the fragmented knowledges that migrants need to deal with in order to get access to asylum, and the related effects of disorientation it generates on them. The piece argues that disorientation is as a constitutive political technology of refugee governance and develops this argument by focusing on the Greek asylum system. It starts by drawing attention to the multiple technological steps and forced digital intermediations that asylum seekers in Greece need to navigate, focusing in particular on the Cash Assistance Programme, and it shows how asylum seekers need to deal with dispersed knowledges. The article moves on by analysing how the governing through disorientation underpin the asylum legal system in Greece and how this ends up in debilitating asylum seekers and hampering them from accessing rights and humanitarian support. The final section explores how asylum seekers are racialised and treated as deceitful subjects, and argues that not only their speech but also their conduct and behaviour are assumed to be deceptive, and therefore their knowledge turns out to be pointless. It concludes by challenging claims for more transparency and more knowledge as a response to the governing through disorientation.
Evidence of the effectiveness of conservation interventions from long-term aerial monitoring of three crane species in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: GALLOWAY-GRIESEL TAMSYN , ROXBURGH LIZANNE , SMITH TANYA , MCCANN KEVIN , COVERDALE BRENT , CRAIGIE JOHN , PRETORIUS MATTHEUNS , NICHOLSON SAMANTHA , MICHAEL MICHAEL , DURGAPERSAD KAAJIAL , CHETTY KISHAYLIN
Published: March 2022

Monitoring population trends is important for evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions. An annual aerial census of three crane species, the Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum, Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus and Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus, was performed in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa over the past 23 years. These crane species are listed as ‘Endangered’, ‘Vulnerable’, and ‘Vulnerable’, respectively, on the IUCN Red List. KwaZulu-Natal was chosen as a key site for monitoring as it covers an important region for cranes that has received concerted conservation effort since the 1980s. These annual surveys are conducted by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife, a provincial conservation agency, and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, a conservation non-profit organisation. We estimated crane population trends from data collected by means of standardised surveys conducted between 2003 and 2019. Results from the surveys show a steady and significant increase in the population size of all three crane species. Interventions including power line collision mitigation and engagement with landowners have been implemented in formal conservation programs to protect these cranes. Results from the annual census suggest that conservation interventions have been effective.
Tall trees drive the nest-site selection of wild Crested Ibis Nipponia nippon
Authors: HUANG YONGJIE , YE YUANXING , ZHANG YAZU , BARRAS ARNAUD GIAN , WANG CHAO , QING BAOPING , DING CHANGQING
Published: March 2022

Understanding how birds select breeding sites plays an important role in habitat protection, especially for the conservation of endangered species. With the increase in population size of the endangered Crested Ibis Nipponia nippon, its distribution range has expanded from mountain areas to plains located outside protected areas, representing a new challenge for conservation of the species. Identifying the current nesting habitat requirements is thus needed and can provide valuable information for the planning of new nature reserves. In this research, we surveyed a total of 117 nests across the whole distribution range from 2015 to 2019. We used generalized linear mixed-effects models to assess nesting preferences of the Crested Ibis in the wild. Results showed that in mountain areas, Masson pines Pinus massoniana were preferred (64.6%), whereas elms Ulmus pumila (44.9%) and aspens Populus davidiana (40.6%) were used more frequently lower down, probably because of their higher availability. In both mountain areas and plains the ibises selected tall nesting trees with larger diameter at breast height and preferred nesting rather high above ground, especially in plains where taller trees provided higher suitable nesting positions. The ibises also preferred nesting close to tree trunks, especially in mountain areas, probably for more safety from collapsing. Furthermore, in mountain areas, slope and distance to path had positive effects on nesting occurrence, and understorey coverage was avoided by nesting ibises, while these variables had little impact in plains. Our results indicate that, despite their range expansion, Crested Ibises rely on very specific habitat characteristics for nesting. We suggest relatively tall trees like elms and aspens should be preserved in plains. In addition, we highlight how selection patterns of Crested Ibises may vary, and that such variation should be addressed in conservation planning, especially in future reintroduction.
Nomadic Subjects: Sexual Difference in Ancient and Ethnographic Studies of Pastoral Mobility
Authors: Chang Claudia
Published: March 2022

This essay explores Braidotti's nomadic subject as the starting point for a posthumanist perspective for the interpretation of ethnographic and ancient pastoral societies. Why has women's labour and positionality in such societies tended to be ignored by archaeology? The author's autobiographical discussion of her earlier work on village and transhumant pastoralists in Greece frames her personal discovery of gender and power dynamics in mobile societies. The main case study, however, examines the household archaeology of Iron Age Saka (eastern variants of Scythians) and later pastoral groups in order to put forth hypotheses about gendered production in semi-sedentary societies. Haraway's concept of the cyborg and Braidotti's concept of the nomadic subject are examined. Material studies of ceramic serving dishes, household debris and house form at an Iron Age agropastoral settlement apply some of the concepts of new feminisms. A comparison is drawn between the philosophy of nomadology and the anthropological archaeology of pastoral nomads.
Visceral Data for Dance Histories
Authors: Bench Harmony , Elswit Kate
Published: March 2022

Between 1947 and 1960, choreographer Katherine Dunham spent over 5,000 days in hundreds of cities on six continents. During that time, almost 200 dancers, drummers, and singers traveled with her, performing 166 repertory pieces. Dunham’s expansive work lends itself to digital approaches that illuminate the complex ways history is iterated across bodies, and how the specific questions raised by dance history underpin a visceral approach to the digital humanities.
Performance, Colonialism, and Survivals
Authors: Vella Stephanie
Published: March 2022

German art historian Aby Warburg’s 1895–1896 trip through the southwestern US reexamined in the context of late 19th‐century colonialism interjects the ethical stakes of displacement and replacement into one of Warburg’s key theoretical terms, “survival.” Working through how power differentials in colonialism shape the way images and affects survive in performance, an unremarked‐upon Matachines dance is reinstated in this travel narrative.
A Radical Practice of Inclusion
Authors: Williams Alessandra Lebea
Published: March 2022

Ananya Dance Theatre directs our present‐day concern for racial and gender diversity toward a radical practice. Choreographer Ananya Chatterjea includes white and mixedrace women as well as black male‐presenting artists in her dances that place the global, social justice stories of black and brown women and femmes at their center.
The Froman Peace Campaign: Pluralism in Judeo-Islamic Theology and Politics
Authors: Schvarcz Benjamin , Billig Miriam
Published: March 2022

Despite intensive diplomatic efforts, achieving peace between the Palestinian and Israeli populations remains out of reach. This study investigates a recent campaign for religious peacebuilding, focusing on the political theology of Rabbi Menachem Froman and his fellow religious peacemakers, family members, and disciples. Froman's position is twofold: First, religion is necessary for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and second, Israeli settlements should not be considered an obstacle to peace, but rather “the fingers of Israel's outstretched hand for peace.” We argue that “the Froman peace campaign” advances pluralism in both Judeo-Islamic theology and politics. It constructs a synthetic theological view incorporating principles and rituals of both religions. Politically, it promotes a plan for two states in one united confederation. By comparing the peace campaign of Rabbi Froman with that of Rabbi Michael Melchior, another well-known peacemaker, this article contributes to a growing literature on the role of theology in religious peacebuilding
Simulated Twentieth‐Century Ocean Warming in the Amundsen Sea, West Antarctica
Authors: Naughten Kaitlin A. , Holland Paul R. , Dutrieux Pierre , Kimura Satoshi , Bett David T. , Jenkins Adrian
Published: March 2022

Rapid ice loss is occurring in the Amundsen Sea sector of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. This ice loss is assumed to be a long‐term response to oceanographic forcing, but ocean conditions in the Amundsen Sea are unknown prior to 1994. Here we present a modeling study of Amundsen Sea conditions from 1920 to 2013, using an ensemble of ice‐ocean simulations forced by climate model experiments. We find that during the early twentieth century, the Amundsen Sea likely experienced more sustained cool periods than at present. Warm periods become more dominant over the simulations (mean trend 0.33°C/century) causing an increase in ice shelf melting. The warming is likely driven by an eastward wind trend over the continental shelf break that is partly anthropogenically forced. Our simulations suggest that the Amundsen Sea responded to historical greenhouse gas forcing, and that future changes in emissions are also likely to affect the region.
Fungal Aerosol Diversity Over the Northern South China Sea: The Influence of Land and Ocean
Authors: Shi Yuting , Lai Senchao , Liu Ye , Gromov Sergey , Zhang Yingyi
Published: March 2022

Fungal aerosols are ubiquitous in the atmosphere and can directly and/or indirectly affect the atmospheric cloud formation process, which play an important role in global climate change and human health. In this study, we performed a comprehensive study on airborne fungi over the northern South China Sea (NSCS). Total suspended particle (TSP) samples were collected during a cruise campaign in the NSCS, and fungal community structure was obtained via high‐throughput sequencing method. The abundance of Ascomycota (AMC) was much higher than that of Basidiomycota (BMC) in the marine fungal aerosols over this region. We observed relatively high abundances of Nigrospora and Cladosporium, two genera belonging to AMC, in the near‐coast samples compared to those in the open‐ocean samples. Therefore, we proposed that they could be used as the potential terrestrial source indicators in this region. The richness of fungal diversity and composition of fungal community were found to be dependent on the distance to the Asian continental coast, suggesting the strong influence of terrestrial sources. Over the open ocean, terrestrial and marine contribution could significantly impact the diversity richness and community structure of the fungal aerosols. This study could improve the current understanding of fungal aerosols on their characteristics and influencing factors over the oceanic area.
Simultaneous Observations of Surface Layer Profiles of Humidity, Temperature, and Wind Using Scanning Lidar Instruments
Authors: Späth Florian , Behrendt Andreas , Brewer W. Alan , Lange Diego , Senff Christoph , Turner David D. , Wagner Timothy J. , Wulfmeyer Volker
Published: March 2022

We demonstrate the combination of three Doppler lidars (DLs), a water vapor differential absorption lidar and a temperature rotational Raman lidar for the investigation of the interactions between the land‐surface and the atmospheric boundary layer. This combination of scanning lidars was operated for the first time during the Land‐Atmosphere Feedback Experiment at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement program's Southern Great Plain site, Oklahoma, USA, in August 2017, and provided simultaneous surface layer profiles of horizontal wind, humidity and temperature. The horizontal wind profiles were determined using the dual‐Doppler method with two DLs. The scans were performed above four towers providing atmospheric variables and fluxes. These combined lidar data allowed for the estimation of the friction velocity as well as the surface latent and sensible heat fluxes. For this purpose, profiles calculated with Monin‐Obukhov similarity theory were fitted with the Levenberg‐Marquardt nonlinear least squares curve‐fitting method to the measured surface‐layer lidar profiles. We present case studies of three 50‐min periods to illustrate the new method. The measurements resulted in friction velocities of 0.31, 0.29, and 0.38 ms−1, sensible surface heat fluxes of 312.1, 234.1, and 183.3 Wm−2 and latent surface heat fluxes of 251.8, 227.3, and 274.4 Wm−2. These values were compared with the in‐situ measurements of the towers. Considering the sampling differences and the error analyses, the results agree within 25.1%, 42.5%, and 28.8%, respectively, demonstrating that this synergy of scanning active remote sensing systems can be used to derive surface fluxes with reasonable accuracy.
Highly Active Ice‐Nucleating Particles at the Summer North Pole
Authors: Porter Grace C. E. , Adams Michael P. , Brooks Ian M. , Ickes Luisa , Karlsson Linn , Leck Caroline , Salter Matthew E. , Schmale Julia , Siegel Karolina , Sikora Sebastien N. F. , Tarn Mark D. , Vüllers Jutta , Wernli Heini , Zieger Paul , Zinke Julika , Murray Benjamin J.
Published: March 2022

The amount of ice versus supercooled water in clouds is important for their radiative properties and role in climate feedbacks. Hence, knowledge of the concentration of ice‐nucleating particles (INPs) is needed. Generally, the concentrations of INPs are found to be very low in remote marine locations allowing cloud water to persist in a supercooled state. We had expected the concentrations of INPs at the North Pole to be very low given the distance from open ocean and terrestrial sources coupled with effective wet scavenging processes. Here we show that during summer 2018 (August and September) high concentrations of biological INPs (active at >−20°C) were sporadically present at the North Pole. In fact, INP concentrations were sometimes as high as those recorded at mid‐latitude locations strongly impacted by highly active biological INPs, in strong contrast to the Southern Ocean. Furthermore, using a balloon borne sampler we demonstrated that INP concentrations were often different at the surface versus higher in the boundary layer where clouds form. Back trajectory analysis suggests strong sources of INPs near the Russian coast, possibly associated with wind‐driven sea spray production, whereas the pack ice, open leads, and the marginal ice zone were not sources of highly active INPs. These findings suggest that primary ice production, and therefore Arctic climate, is sensitive to transport from locations such as the Russian coast that are already experiencing marked climate change.
Atmospheric Processing at the Sea‐Land Interface Over the South China Sea: Secondary Aerosol Formation, Aerosol Acidity, and Role of Sea Salts
Authors: Wang Guochen , Chen Jia , Xu Jian , Yun Long , Zhang Mingdi , Li Hao , Qin Xiaofei , Deng Congrui , Zheng Haitao , Gui Huaqiao , Liu Jianguo , Huang Kan
Published: March 2022

Sea salts act as an important medium for atmospheric processing. One intensive field campaign in the September–October period of 2019 was conducted at a subtropical coastal site over the South China Sea. Unexpected high concentrations of acidic gaseous precursors were observed, yielding high sulfate in PM2.5. Na+ ranked as the third highest inorganic species, about half of NH4+. Significant cation deficiency was found due to the ammonia‐poor environment. Diel patterns of most air pollutants from land breeze were stronger than that from marine breeze and presented pronounced unimodal distributions, which were ascribed to complex chemical processing mixed with regional transport. Thermodynamic equilibrium model (ISORROPIA II) simulation revealed sea salts could be internally mixed with fine particle secondary species and suggested evident multiphase reactions on sea salts. The simulated aerosol pH reached as low as 1.63 ± 0.50, which was related to high sulfate, insufficient alkaline species, and low aerosol liquid water content. During a continuous sea breeze episode, SO42− was underpredicted by 2.89 ± 3.85 μg m−3 if Na+ was not considered in ISORROPIA simulation. The retrieved Na+ ‐related ion pairs (NaCl, NaHSO4, and Na2SO4) accounted for about one‐fourth of the total inorganic aerosols. This study highlighted that intense atmospheric processing on sea salts occurred in fine particles and the mixing state between sea salts and other aerosol species should be considered in aerosol acidity prediction and secondary aerosol formation in coastal regions.
Sediment Records Shed Light on Drivers of Decadal Iron Concentration Increase in a Boreal Lake
Authors: Björnerås Caroline , Weyhenmeyer Gesa A. , Hammarlund Dan , Persson Per , Kritzberg Emma S.
Published: March 2022

Increasing iron (Fe) concentrations are found in lakes on a wide geographical scale but exact causes are still debated. The observed trends might result from increased Fe loading from the terrestrial catchment, but also from changes in how Fe distributes between the water column and the sediments. To get a better understanding of the causes we investigated whether there has been any change in the sediment formation of Fe sulfides (FeS) as an Fe sink in response to declining atmospheric sulfur (S) deposition during recent decades. For our study, we chose Lake Bolmen in southern Sweden, a lake for which we confirmed that Fe concentrations in the water column have strongly increased along with water color during 1966–2018. Our investigations showed that Fe accumulation and speciation varied independently of S accumulation patterns in the Lake Bolmen sediment record. Thus, we were not able to relate the positive trend in Fe concentrations to reduced FeS binding in the sediments. Furthermore, we found that Fe accumulation rates increased along with lake water Fe concentrations, indicating that increased catchment loading rather than a change in the distribution between the sediments and the water column has driven the increase in Fe concentrations. The increased loading may be due to land‐use change in the form of an extensive expansion of coniferous forest during the past century. Altered forest management practices and increased precipitation may have led to enhanced weathering and erosion of organic soil layers under aging coniferous forest.
Wnt signaling polarizes cortical actin polymerization to increase daughter cell asymmetry
Authors: Chai Yongping , Tian Dong , Zhu Zhiwen , Jiang Yuxiang , Huang Shanjin , Wu Dou , Ou Guangshuo , Li Wei
Published: March 2022

Asymmetric positioning of the mitotic spindle contributes to the generation of two daughter cells with distinct sizes and fates. Here, we investigated an asymmetric division in the Caenorhabditis elegans Q neuroblast lineage. In this division, beginning with an asymmetrically positioned spindle, the daughter-cell size differences continuously increased during cytokinesis, and the smaller daughter cell in the posterior eventually underwent apoptosis. We found that Arp2/3-dependent F-actin assembled in the anterior but not posterior cortex during division, suggesting that asymmetric expansion forces generated by actin polymerization may enlarge the anterior daughter cell. Consistent with this, inhibition of cortical actin polymerization or artificially equalizing actin assembly led to symmetric cell division. Furthermore, disruption of the Wnt gradient or its downstream components impaired asymmetric cortical actin assembly and caused symmetric division. Our results show that Wnt signaling establishes daughter cell asymmetry by polarizing cortical actin polymerization in a dividing cell.
Genome-wide linkage analysis combined with genome sequencing in large families with intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Bakker Mark K. , Cobyte Suze , Hennekam Frederic A. M. , Rinkel Gabriel J. E. , Veldink Jan H. , Ruigrok Ynte M.
Published: March 2022

Rupture of an intracranial aneurysm (IA) leads to aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (ASAH), a severe type of stroke. Some rare variants that cause IA in families have been identified, but still, the majority of genetic causes, as well as the biological mechanisms of IA development and rupture, remain unknown. We aimed to identify rare, damaging variants for IA in three large Dutch families with multiple affected members with IA (N = 9, 11, and 6). By combining linkage analysis and genome sequencing (GS), we identified six rare and damaging variants for which all cases within one of the families were heterozygous. These variants were p.Tyr87Cys in SYCP1, p.Phe1077Leu in FMNL2, p.Thr754Lys in TBC1D2, p.Arg321His in ZNF782, p.Arg979Trp in CCDC180, and p.Val125Met in NCBP1. None of the variants showed association with IA status in a large cohort of 937 patients from the general IA patient population and 1046 controls. Gene expression in IA and cerebral artery tissue further prioritized FMNL2 and TBC1D2 as potential important players in IA pathophysiology. Further studies are needed to characterize the functional consequences of the identified variants and their role in the biological mechanisms of IA.
LncRNA RP5-998N21.4 promotes immune defense through upregulation of IFIT2 and IFIT3 in schizophrenia
Authors: Guo Bo , Jiang Tingyun , Wu Fengchun , Ni Hongyu , Ye Junping , Wu Xiaohui , Ni Chaoying , Jiang Meijun , Ye Linyan , Li Zhongwei , Zheng Xianzhen , Li Shufen , Yang Qiong , Wang Zhongju , Huang Xingbing , Zhao Cunyou
Published: March 2022

Schizophrenia is a complex polygenic disease that is affected by genetic, developmental, and environmental factors. Accumulating evidence indicates that environmental factors such as maternal infection and excessive prenatal neuroinflammation may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia by affecting epigenetic modification. We recently identified a schizophrenia-associated upregulated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) RP5-998N21.4 by transcriptomic analysis of monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia. Importantly, we found that genes coexpressed with RP5-998N21.4 were enriched in immune defense-related biological processes in twin subjects and in RP5-998N21.4-overexpressing (OE) SK-N-SH cell lines. We then identified two genes encoding an interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeat (IFIT) 2 and 3, which play an important role in immune defense, as potential targets of RP5-998N21.4 by integrative analysis of RP5-998N21.4OE-induced differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in SK-N-SH cells and RP5-998N21.4-coexpressed schizophrenia-associated DEGs from twin subjects. We further demonstrated that RP5-998N21.4 positively regulates the transcription of IFIT2 and IFIT3 by binding to their promoter regions and affecting their histone modifications. In addition, as a general nuclear coactivator, RMB14 (encoding RNA binding motif protein 14) was identified to facilitate the regulatory role of RP5-998N21.4 in IFIT2 and IFIT3 transcription. Finally, we observed that RP5-998N21.4OE can enhance IFIT2- and IFIT3-mediated immune defense responses through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) signaling pathway in U251 astrocytoma cells under treatment with the viral mimetic polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I:C). Taken together, our findings suggest that lncRNA RP5-998N21.4 is a critical regulator of immune defense, providing etiological and therapeutic implications for schizophrenia.
Non-pharmacological interventions for schizophrenia—analysis of treatment guidelines and implementation in 12 Southeast European countries
Authors: Stevović Lidija Injac , Repišti Selman , Radojičić Tamara , Sartorius Norman , Tomori Sonila , Kulenović Alma Džubur , Popova Ana , Kuzman Martina Rojnić , Vlachos Ilias I. , Statovci Shukrije , Bandati Alexei , Novotni Antoni , Bajraktarov Stojan , Panfil Anca-Livia , Maric Nadja , Delić Mirjana , Jovanović Nikolina
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to analyze treatment guidelines of 12 SEE countries to identify non-pharmacological interventions recommended for schizophrenia, explore the evidence base supporting recommendations, and assess the implementation of recommended interventions. Desk and content analysis were employed to analyze the guidelines. Experts were surveyed across the 12 countries to assess availability of non-pharmacological treatments in leading mental health institutions, staff training, and inclusion in the official service price list. Most SEE countries have published treatment guidelines for schizophrenia focused on pharmacotherapy. Nine countries—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia—included non-pharmacological interventions. The remaining three countries—Kosovo (UN Resolution), Romania, and Slovenia—have not published such treatment guidelines, however they are on offer in leading institutions. The median number of recommended interventions was seven (range 5–11). Family therapy and psychoeducation were recommended in most treatment guidelines. The majority of recommended interventions have a negative or mixed randomized controlled trial evidence base. A small proportion of leading mental health institutions includes these interventions in their official service price list. The interventions recommended in the treatment guidelines seem to be rarely implemented within mental health services in the SEE countries.
Worldwide diversity of endophytic fungi and insects associated with dormant tree twigs
Authors: Franić Iva , Prospero Simone , Adamson Kalev , Allan Eric , Attorre Fabio , Auger-Rozenberg Marie Anne , Augustin Sylvie , Avtzis Dimitrios , Baert Wim , Barta Marek , Bauters Kenneth , Bellahirech Amani , Boroń Piotr , Bragança Helena , Brestovanská Tereza , Brurberg May Bente , Burgess Treena , Burokienė Daiva , Cleary Michelle , Corley Juan , Coyle David R. , Csóka György , Černý Karel , Davydenko Kateryna , de Groot Maarten , Diez Julio Javier , Doğmuş Lehtijärvi H. Tuğba , Drenkhan Rein , Edwards Jacqueline , Elsafy Mohammed , Eötvös Csaba Béla , Falko Roman , Fan Jianting , Feddern Nina , Fürjes-Mikó Ágnes , Gossner Martin M. , Grad Bartłomiej , Hartmann Martin , Havrdova Ludmila , Horáková Miriam Kádasi , Hrabětová Markéta , Justesen Mathias Just , Kacprzyk Magdalena , Kenis Marc , Kirichenko Natalia , Kovač Marta , Kramarets Volodymyr , Lacković Nikola , Lantschner Maria Victoria , Lazarević Jelena , Leskiv Marianna , Li Hongmei , Madsen Corrie Lynne , Malumphy Chris , Matošević Dinka , Matsiakh Iryna , May Tom W. , Meffert Johan , Migliorini Duccio , Nikolov Christo , O’Hanlon Richard , Oskay Funda , Paap Trudy , Parpan Taras , Piškur Barbara , Ravn Hans Peter , Richard John , Ronse Anne , Roques Alain , Ruffner Beat , Sivickis Karolis , Soliani Carolina , Talgø Venche , Tomoshevich Maria , Uimari Anne , Ulyshen Michael , Vettraino Anna Maria , Villari Caterina , Wang Yongjun , Witzell Johanna , Zlatković Milica , Eschen René
Published: March 2022

International trade in plants and climate change are two of the main factors causing damaging tree pests (i.e. fungi and insects) to spread into new areas. To mitigate these risks, a large-scale assessment of tree-associated fungi and insects is needed. We present records of endophytic fungi and insects in twigs of 17 angiosperm and gymnosperm genera, from 51 locations in 32 countries worldwide. Endophytic fungi were characterized by high-throughput sequencing of 352 samples from 145 tree species in 28 countries. Insects were reared from 227 samples of 109 tree species in 18 countries and sorted into taxonomic orders and feeding guilds. Herbivorous insects were grouped into morphospecies and were identified using molecular and morphological approaches. This dataset reveals the diversity of tree-associated taxa, as it contains 12,721 fungal Amplicon Sequence Variants and 208 herbivorous insect morphospecies, sampled across broad geographic and climatic gradients and for many tree species. This dataset will facilitate applied and fundamental studies on the distribution of fungal endophytes and insects in trees.
Strain-specific interspecies interactions between co-isolated pairs of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from patients with tracheobronchitis or bronchial colonization
Authors: Gomes-Fernandes Meissiner , Gomez Andromeda-Celeste , Bravo Marc , Huedo Pol , Coves Xavier , Prat-Aymerich Cristina , Gibert Isidre , Lacoma Alicia , Yero Daniel
Published: March 2022

Dual species interactions in co-isolated pairs of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from patients with tracheobronchitis or bronchial colonization were examined. The genetic and phenotypic diversity between the isolates was high making the interactions detected strain-specific. Despite this, and the clinical origin of the strains, some interactions were common between some co-isolated pairs. For most pairs, P. aeruginosa exoproducts affected biofilm formation and reduced growth in vitro in its S. aureus counterpart. Conversely, S. aureus did not impair biofilm formation and stimulated swarming motility in P. aeruginosa. Co-culture in a medium that mimics respiratory mucus promoted coexistence and favored mixed microcolony formation within biofilms. Under these conditions, key genes controlled by quorum sensing were differentially regulated in both species in an isolate-dependent manner. Finally, co-infection in the acute infection model in Galleria mellonella larvae showed an additive effect only in the co-isolated pair in which P. aeruginosa affected less S. aureus growth. This work contributes to understanding the complex interspecies interactions between P. aeruginosa and S. aureus by studying strains isolated during acute infection.
Analysis of factors affecting the technical inefficiency on Indonesian palm oil plantation
Authors: Abdul Irawati , Wulan Sari Dyah , Haryanto Tri , Win Thinzar
Published: March 2022

Indonesia’s palm oil plantation is dominated by three actors. Among three actors, the productivity of smallholder farmers has the lowest productivity. This study aims to analyze the value of technical efficiency and factors affecting the technical inefficiency of palm oil plantations in Indonesia by using the stochastic frontier analysis based on the translog production function. The data used in this study are taken from the Central Statistics Agency (Agricultural Business Household Income Survey) in 2013. The number of samples used was 14,367 farmers. The results revealed that the average value of technical efficiency (58.32%) is still far to reach its optimal, showing that there is still to increase in the efficiency of palm oil plantations in Indonesia. The production function suggests that increasing the number of trees can help to increase the number of outputs. To enhance the technical efficiency, education, age, planting system, seed quality, extension service, and plasma farmer are the significant factors.
Two meta-analyses of the association between atopic diseases and core symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Chuang Yu-Chieh , Wang Ching-Yun , Huang Wei-Lieh , Wang Liang-Jen , Kuo Ho-Chang , Chen Yang-Ching , Huang Yu-Jui
Published: March 2022

Studies in the field of neuroscience and psychology have hypothesized that a causal association exists between atopic diseases and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses have reported a higher risk of ADHD in children with atopic diseases; however, the relationship between ADHD symptoms and atopic diseases remains unclear. We systematically reviewed observational cross-sectional and longitudinal studies to investigate the relationship between atopic diseases and ADHD symptom severity (hyperactivity/impulsivity and inattention). The majority of studies showed a statistically significant association between atopic diseases and both ADHD symptoms, with substantial heterogeneity in the outcome of hyperactivity/impulsivity. Remarkably decreased heterogeneity and statistical significance were observed in the second meta-analysis of ADHD-related behavior symptoms in atopic patients without ADHD. Our study indicated that atopic diseases not only associated with ADHD but also ADHD symptoms severity. This association was even observed in children with subthreshold ADHD, indicating that atopic diseases may play a role in the spectrum of ADHD symptom severity. Trial registration: This study was registered on PROSPERO (registration ID: CRD42020213219).
Gamma-tocotrienol, a radiation countermeasure, reverses proteomic changes in serum following total-body gamma irradiation in mice
Authors: Rosen Elliot , Fatanmi Oluseyi O. , Wise Stephen Y. , Rao V. Ashutosh , Singh Vijay K.
Published: March 2022

Radiological incidents or terrorist attacks would likely expose civilians and military personnel to high doses of ionizing radiation, leading to the development of acute radiation syndrome. We examined the effectiveness of prophylactic administration of a developmental radiation countermeasure, γ-tocotrienol (GT3), in a total-body irradiation (TBI) mouse model. CD2F1 mice received GT3 24 h prior to 11 Gy cobalt-60 gamma-irradiation. This dose of radiation induces severe hematopoietic acute radiation syndrome and moderate gastrointestinal injury. GT3 provided 100% protection, while the vehicle control group had 100% mortality. Two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis was followed by mass spectrometry and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Analysis revealed a change in expression of 18 proteins in response to TBI, and these changes were reversed with prophylactic treatment of GT3. IPA revealed a network of associated proteins involved in cellular movement, immune cell trafficking, and inflammatory response. Of particular interest, significant expression changes in beta-2-glycoprotein 1, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1, alpha-2-macroglobulin, complement C3, mannose-binding protein C, and major urinary protein 6 were noted after TBI and reversed with GT3 treatment. This study reports the untargeted approach, the network, and specific serum proteins which could be translated as biomarkers of both radiation injury and protection by countermeasures.
TCP-WBQ: a backlog-queue-based congestion control mechanism for heterogeneous wireless networks
Authors: Tang Junyong , Jiang Yufei , Dai Xirong , Liang Xiangyang , Fu Yanfang
Published: March 2022

In heterogeneous wireless networks, random packet loss and high latency lead to conventional TCP variants performing unsatisfactorily in the case of competing communications. Especially on high-latency wireless links, conventional TCP variants are unable to estimate congestion degrees accurately for fine-grained congestion control because of the effects of random packet loss and delay oscillations. This paper proposes a TCP variant at the sender side to identify congestion degrees, namely TCP-WBQ, which quickly responses to the real congestion and effectively shields against random packet loss and oscillations of latency time. The proposed algorithm of congestion control firstly constructs a backlog-queue model based on the dynamics of the congestion window, and deduces the two bounds of the model which delimit oscillations of the backlog queue for non-congestion and random packet loss respectively. TCP-WBQ detects congestion degrees more accurately and thus implements the corresponding schemes of adjusting the congestion window, maintaining a tradeoff between high throughputs and congestion avoidance. The comprehensive simulations show that TCP-WBQ works efficiently in bandwidth utilization with single and multiple bottleneck scenarios, and achieves high performance and competitive fairness in heterogeneous wireless networks.
Leucistic plumage as a result of progressive greying in a cryptic nocturnal bird
Authors: Camacho Carlos , Sáez-Gómez Pedro , Hidalgo-Rodríguez Paula , Rabadán-González Julio , Molina Carlos , Negro Juan José
Published: March 2022

Leucism, broadly defined as the lack of melanin pigmentation, occurs in many animal species. Most studies on leucism and other colour aberrations are based on opportunistic observations or small cross-sectional samples, thus limiting our ability to produce reliable results and test theoretical predictions. This study combines cross-sectional and longitudinal data collected in 2016–2020 from a population of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis). The goals of the study are (i) to investigate sex and age effects on partial leucism, (ii) to separate within-subject effects (progressive greying) from between-subject effects (selective disappearance), and (iii) to examine differences in body mass, structural size, and life span between leucistic and non-leucistic individuals. The probability of leucism in nightjars increased from juveniles to adults at similar rates in males and females. Our longitudinal analysis and life-span comparisons indicated a minor contribution of selective disappearance to age-related changes in leucism, but rather suggested that the loss of melanin from feathers can be attributed to progressive greying in ageing adults. Body mass and size were consistently smaller (5% and 1.5%, respectively) in leucistic than in non-leucistic nightjars, although the reason for this difference remains unclear. Our study sheds light on the sources and mechanisms of variation in leucism in natural populations and its relationship with important life-history traits, such as life span.
Numerical analysis on the effects of microfluidic-based bioprinting parameters on the microfiber geometrical outcomes
Authors: Zaeri Ahmadreza , Zgeib Ralf , Cao Kai , Zhang Fucheng , Chang Robert C.
Published: March 2022

The application of microfluidics technology in additive manufacturing is an emerging approach that makes possible the fabrication of functional three-dimensional cell-laden structured biomaterials. A key challenge that needs to be addressed using a microfluidic-based printhead (MBP) is increasing the controllability over the properties of the fabricated microtissue. Herein, an MBP platform is numerically simulated for the fabrication of solid and hollow microfibers using a microfluidic channel system with high level of controllability over the microfiber geometrical outcomes. Specifically, the generation of microfibers is enabled by studying the effects of microfluidic-based bioprinting parameters that capture the different range of design, bioink material, and process parameter dependencies as numerically modeled as a multiphysics problem. Furthermore, the numerical model is verified and validated, exhibiting good agreement with literature-derived experimental data in terms of microfiber geometrical outcomes. Additionally, a predictive mathematical formula that correlates the dimensionless process parameters with dimensionless geometrical outcomes is presented to calculate the geometrical outcomes of the microfibers. This formula is expected to be applicable for bioinks within a prescribed range of the density and viscosity value. The MBP applications are highlighted towards precision fabrication of heterogeneous microstructures with functionally graded properties to be used in organ generation, disease modeling, and drug testing studies.
Multiple nutritional and gut microbial factors associated with allergic rhinitis: the Hitachi Health Study
Authors: Sahoyama Yukari , Hamazato Fumiaki , Shiozawa Manabu , Nakagawa Tohru , Suda Wataru , Ogata Yusuke , Hachiya Tsuyoshi , Kawakami Eiryo , Hattori Masahira
Published: March 2022

Several studies suggest the involvement of dietary habits and gut microbiome in allergic diseases. However, little is known about the nutritional and gut microbial factors associated with the risk of allergic rhinitis (AR). We recruited 186 participants with symptoms of AR and 106 control subjects without symptoms of AR at the Hitachi Health Care Center, Japan. The habitual consumption of 42 selected nutrients were examined using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Faecal samples were collected and subjected to amplicon sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene hypervariable regions. Association analysis revealed that four nutrients (retinol, vitamin A, cryptoxanthin, and copper) were negatively associated with AR. Among 40 genera examined, relative abundance of Prevotella and Escherichia were associated with AR. Furthermore, significant statistical interactions were observed between retinol and Prevotella. The age- and sex-adjusted odds of AR were 25-fold lower in subjects with high retinol intake and high Prevotella abundance compared to subjects with low retinol intake and low Prevotella abundance. Our data provide insights into complex interplay between dietary nutrients, gut microbiome, and the development of AR.
Exploring polygenic contributors to subgroups of comorbid conditions in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Klein Louis , D’Urso Shannon , Eapen Valsamma , Hwang Liang-Dar , Lin Ping-I
Published: March 2022

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have heterogeneous comorbid conditions. This study examined whether comorbid conditions in ASD are associated with polygenic risk scores (PRS) of ASD or PRS of comorbid conditions in non-ASD specific populations. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data were obtained from 1386 patients with ASD from the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (AGRE) study. After excluding individuals with missing clinical information concerning comorbid conditions, a total of 707 patients were included in the study. A total of 18 subgroups of comorbid conditions (‘topics’) were identified using a machine learning algorithm, topic modeling. PRS for ASD were computed using a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 18,381 cases and 27,969 controls. From these 18 topics, Topic 6 (over-represented by allergies) (p = 1.72 × 10−3) and Topic 17 (over-represented by sensory processing issues such as low pain tolerance) (p = 0.037) were associated with PRS of ASD. The associations between these two topics and the multi-locus contributors to their corresponding comorbid conditions based on non-ASD specific populations were further explored. The results suggest that these two topics were not associated with the PRS of allergies and chronic pain disorder, respectively. Note that characteristics of the present AGRE sample and those samples used in the original GWAS for ASD, allergies, and chronic pain disorder, may differ due to significant clinical heterogeneity that exists in the ASD population. Additionally, the AGRE sample may be underpowered and therefore insensitive to weak PRS associations due to a relatively small sample size. Findings imply that susceptibility genes of ASD may contribute more to the occurrence of allergies and sensory processing issues in individuals with ASD, compared with the susceptibility genes for their corresponding phenotypes in non-ASD individuals. Since these comorbid conditions (i.e., allergies and pain sensory issues) may not be attributable to the corresponding comorbidity-specific biological factors in non-ASD individuals, clinical management for these comorbid conditions may still depend on treatments for core symptoms of ASD.