bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oligosaccharides production by enzymatic hydrolysis of banana pseudostem pulp
Authors: Díaz Sara , Ortega Zaida , Benítez Antonio N. , Marrero María D. , Carvalheiro Florbela , Duarte Luís C. , Matsakas Leonidas , Krikigianni Eleni , Rova Ulrika , Christakopoulos Paul , Fernandes Maria C.
Published: October 2021

Banana production generates significant amounts of agricultural wastes, being fiber extraction one of the most relevant alternatives for their valorization. This process produces banana’s pseudostem pulp (BPP) as a byproduct, which shows an interesting composition for the biorefinery’s biochemical platform, with high polysaccharides (68%) and low lignin contents. This work deals with the enzymatic hydrolysis (EH) of raw and hydrothermally pre-treated BPP, focusing on the production of oligosaccharides (OS). Raw BPP hydrolysis with cellulase at different dosages rendered only 3.2% OS yields (OSY). Pectinase addition has not affected EH performance. On the other hand, EH of hydrothermally pre-treated BPP at 150 °C and 170 °C (P150 and P170) allowed to increase OSY up to 28% (P150, 1 FPU of cellulase/g dry biomass, 12 h), being 72% of the solubilized sugars in the form of cello-oligosaccharides. This last condition was subjected to a multi-stage EH strategy without improvements in OSY. An endo-glucanase was also tested, but obtained OSY were lower than cellulase results. Finally, obtained OS demonstrated to stimulate the growth of two Lactobacilli strains. The results show that BPP pre-treated under mild operational conditions is a good candidate for cello-oligosaccharides production by EH using 1 FPU/g DB of cellulase with a simple strategy.

Graphical abstract
Examining adolescent daughters' and their parents’ academic‐gender stereotypes: Predicting academic attitudes, ability, and STEM intentions
Authors: Lapytskaia Aidy Christina , Steele Jennifer R. , Williams Amanda , Lipman Corey , Wong Octavia , Mastragostino Emily
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Women continue to be underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and research suggests that academic‐gender stereotypes can be a contributing factor. In the present research, we examined whether adolescent daughters' and their parents' gender stereotypes about math and liberal arts would predict the academic orientation of daughters at a critical time of career related decision‐making. Methods: Participants included girls in late adolescence (N = 185, Mage = 17) and at least one parent (N = 230, Mage = 49), resulting in 147 mother‐daughter dyads and 83 father‐daughter dyads. Implicit academic‐gender stereotypes were measured using an Implicit Association Test (IAT) and explicit stereotypes, academic attitudes, academic ability, and daughters' intentions to pursue a degree in STEM were measured using self‐reports. Results: Neither mothers' nor fathers' implicit or explicit academic‐gender stereotypes predicted adolescent daughters' implicit stereotypes; however, fathers' explicit stereotypes predicted daughters' explicit stereotypes. In addition, daughters' academic orientation, a latent variable composed of adolescent girls' academic attitudes, academic ability, and intentions to pursue a degree in STEM, was predicted by daughters' own implicit and explicit stereotypes. This was the case for relative orientation toward math versus liberal arts, as well as math (but not liberal arts) orientation. Conclusions: These findings suggest the importance of challenging academic‐gender stereotypes during adolescence and suggest that at this stage in development, mothers' and fathers' academic stereotypes might have limited relation to daughters’ own implicit associations with academic domains.
Artificial Economics
Authors: Mercado Ruben
Published: October 2021

This introductory overview explores the methods, models and interdisciplinary links of artificial economics, a new way of doing economics in which the interactions of artificial economic agents are computationally simulated to study their individual and group behavior patterns. Conceptually and intuitively, and with simple examples, Mercado addresses the differences between the basic assumptions and methods of artificial economics and those of mainstream economics. He goes on to explore various disciplines from which the concepts and methods of artificial economics originate; for example cognitive science, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, evolutionary science and complexity science. Introductory discussions on several controversial issues are offered, such as the application of the concepts of evolution and complexity in economics and the relationship between artificial intelligence and the philosophies of mind. This is one of the first books to fully address artificial economics, emphasizing its interdisciplinary links and presenting in a balanced way its occasionally controversial aspects.
Impact of data accuracy on the evaluation of COVID-19 mitigation policies
Authors: Starnini Michele , Aleta Alberto , Tizzoni Michele , Moreno Yamir
Published: October 2021

Evaluating the effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial to maximize the epidemic containment while minimizing the social and economic impact of these measures. However, this endeavor crucially relies on surveillance data publicly released by health authorities that can hide several limitations. In this article, we quantify the impact of inaccurate data on the estimation of the time-varying reproduction number$ R(t) $, a pivotal quantity to gauge the variation of the transmissibility originated by the implementation of different NPIs. We focus on Italy and Spain, two European countries among the most severely hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. For these two countries, we highlight several biases of case-based surveillance data and temporal and spatial limitations in the data regarding the implementation of NPIs. We also demonstrate that a nonbiased estimation of$ R(t) $could have had direct consequences on the decisions taken by the Spanish and Italian governments during the first wave of the pandemic. Our study shows that extreme care should be taken when evaluating intervention policies through publicly available epidemiological data and call for an improvement in the process of COVID-19 data collection, management, storage, and release. Better data policies will allow a more precise evaluation of the effects of containment measures, empowering public health authorities to take more informed decisions.
Huangyan Taizhou
Authors: van de Weijer Jeroen , Sloos Marjoleine , Ran Yunyun
Published: October 2021

Huangyan dialect (, local name: [wɔ̤ɲjɛ˜̤wa̤]) is a variety of Taizhou dialect () as spoken in Zhejiang Province in China1(see Figure 1).2Huangyan District had a population of 616,000 people in 2019.3The Zhejiang Taizhou dialect belongs to the Wu dialect group, which forms the second largest dialect group in China (after Mandarin). The language genealogy of Huangyan is presented in Figure 2. Wu dialects are spoken in the city of Shanghai, Zhejiang Province, southern Jiangsu Province and bordering areas (see Figure 3), an area with an estimated population of 80 million people in 2013 (Lewis 2009). The Wu dialects are not mutually intelligible with (Standard) Mandarin and often not even with each other (Norman 2003, Wang 2014).
Inter-regime conversations: What barriers persist for individuals in international law?
Authors: Diamond Nicholas J. , Duggal Kabir A. N.
Published: October 2021

Individuals have long occupied a precarious position within international law. Historically, conceived as the relation between states, international law rarely saw a need to consider individual claims; it was, instead, the role of states to bring claims on behalf of their nationals. As international law has become increasingly fragmented, however, globalization has thrust the individual onto the international legal plane.

Within this landscape, we briefly consider individuals’ claims across three separate international regimes: (i) the International Court of Justice, (ii) investment treaties, and (iii) the World Trade Organization. We find that barriers for individuals’ recognition as rights holders persist across each. First, jurisdictional barriers remain fundamentally problematic for recognizing individuals’ claims. Second, the longstanding focus on treaty interpretation techniques has yielded little, if any, demonstrable impact on recognizing individuals’ rights. Third, mere reliance on reflecting human rights values, rather than specific and concrete structural reforms, has proven incompatible with realizing individuals’ rights within these three systems.

Individuals qua rights holders have, rather acutely, recently experienced deeply troubling human rights violations on several fronts. Fundamentally, international law must protect human rights. This moment invites us to consider the systems on the international legal plane for individuals to seek such remedy and what barriers must be addressed to further such efforts.
Coronavirus disease 2019 convalescent children: outcomes after congenital heart surgery
Authors: Joshi Shreedhar S. , Keshava Manaswini , Murthy Keshava S. , Sambandamoorthy Ganesh , Shetty Riyan , Shanmugasundaram Balasubramanian , Prabhu Sudesh , Hegde Rajesh , Richard Vijay S.
Published: October 2021

Background:

Children with exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 in recent times (asymptomatic or symptomatic infection) approaching congenital heart surgery programme are in increasing numbers. Understanding outcomes of such children will help risk-stratify and guide optimisation prior to congenital heart surgery.

Objective:

The objective of the present study was to determine whether convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 children undergoing congenital heart surgery have any worse mortality or post-operative outcomes.

Design:

Consecutive children undergoing congenital heart surgery from Oct 2020 to May 2021 were enrolled after testing for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen test and immunoglobulin G antibody prior to surgery. Convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 was defined in any asymptomatic patient positive for immunoglobulin G antibodies and negative for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or rapid antigen test anytime 6 weeks prior to surgery. Control patients were negative for any of the three tests. Mortality and post-operative outcomes were compared among the groups.

Results:

One thousand one hundred and twenty-nine consecutive congenital heart surgeries were stratified as convalescence and control. Coronavirus disease 2019 Convalescent (n = 349) and coronavirus disease 2019 control (n = 780) groups were comparable for all demographic and clinical factors except younger and smaller kids in control. Convalescent children had no higher mortality, ventilation duration, ICU and hospital stay, no higher support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, high flow nasal cannula, no higher need for re-intubations, re-admissions, and no higher infections as central line-associated bloodstream infection, sternal site infection, and ventilator-associated pneumonia on comparison with coronavirus disease 2019 control children.

Conclusions:

Convalescent coronavirus disease 2019 does not have any unfavourable outcomes as compared to coronavirus disease 2019 control children. Positive immunoglobulin G antibody screening prior to surgery is suggestive of convalescence and supports comparable outcomes on par with control peers.
Exploring behavioural factors affecting nutritional supplement use among children in Honduras
Authors: Long Kevin , Salter Cynthia , Good Chester , Caughey Carly , Fischer Kaitlin , Meyer Mark
Published: October 2021

Objective:

This study explored social and behavioural factors associated with a home fortification of complementary foods program among families of undernourished children in 14 rural communities in Honduras.

Design:

We collected and analysed survey data from a convenience sample of 196 households participating in a nutritional program using home fortification of complementary foods in 2017. The program supplied families with a soy-based atole powder fortified with micronutrients. A research team completed a face-to-face survey exploring social and behavioural factors associated with nutritional supplement use. Anthropometric measurements for participating children were abstracted from health clinic records of previous quarterly appointments.

Setting:

The study took place in San Jose del Negrito, Honduras.

Participants:

Participants were parents or guardians of children enrolled in the nutrition program.

Results:

Nearly half of participant families shared the nutritional supplement with other family members besides the index child, while 10 % reported using the supplement as a meal replacement for the child. Low education level of mothers was associated with improper use of the supplement (P= 0·005). Poorer families were more likely to share the supplement (P= 0·013).

Conclusions:

These results highlight the challenges of programs using home fortification of complementary foods in the context of food scarcity. Findings highlight the importance of increasing rural children’s overall caloric intake, perhaps by increasing access to locally available protein sources. Results also suggest transitioning nutritional programs to family-based interventions to increase overall intended compliance to nutrition programming.
Conservation agriculture's effect on smallholder farmer wellbeing in Mozambique
Authors: Daihawe Danielle Larissa , Lambert Dayton M. , Mulungu Kelvin , Eash Neal S.
Published: October 2021

Conservation agriculture (CA) is an important technology in many developing countries for increasing smallholder agricultural productivity and conserving arable soils. This study focuses on the effect of CA on smallholder household wellbeing including productive assets, livestock and housing material quality. The study uses a survey of CA adopters and non-adopters in the Tete and Barue districts of Mozambique. Propensity score matching was used to develop two counterfactual groups; (1) non-adopters in the communities that had received technical assistance on implementing CA, and (2) non-adopting households in communities that had not received CA instruction. Results suggest that CA adopters realized higher levels of farm production assets and better quality housing materials. CA adoption had no association with livestock ownership. The findings are encouraging with respect to demonstrating the relationship between CA adoption and improvements in smallholder household wellbeing.
A qualitative systematic review of Early Intervention in Psychosis service user perspectives regarding valued aspects of treatment with a focus on cognitive behavioural therapy
Authors: Cox Lauren , Miller Colette
Published: October 2021

Background:

Despite the increasing evidence base and focus given to Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) services, qualitative literature remains sparse, particularly in relation to the ‘At Risk Mental State’ (ARMS) group. Although research has looked to service user experience within EIP, data have not been collated to understand valued aspects of treatment across both EIP groups: first episode psychosis (FEP) and ARMS, particularly regarding cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Aims:

To conduct a systematic review of qualitative literature to examine service user perspectives on support provided in EIP treatment with a focus on CBT.

Method:

This was a thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Nine studies were included in the analysis identified through a systematic database search and citation tracking. Studies were critically appraised using the critical appraisal skills programme tool.

Results:

Nine studies were identified for inclusion. Six analytical themes and 20 descriptive categories were identified.

Conclusions:

User perspectives confirm previous findings highlighting importance of therapeutic relationships for treatment success. Normalisation, learning and understanding were valued across both groups, which increased coping, and can be facilitated throughout the EIP journey. Harnessing the support of those involved in users’ care and understanding these relationships further enhances interventions utilised. Understanding the stage the individual is at regarding their experiences is essential in relation to targeting support. Transdiagnostic aspects of CBT were valued across both groups. ARMS referred to more specific strategies and there were some differences regarding coping styles and flexibility preferences; however, this may be due to group differences in problem trajectory and care provision.
The significance of maternal asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy on long-term offspring infectious hospitalizations
Authors: Nae Bluma , Wainstock Tamar , Sheiner Eyal
Published: October 2021

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is a well-acknowledged infectious entity during pregnancy; yet its long-term implications are not well investigated. The present study aimed to test the association between maternal ASB during pregnancy and long-term offspring infectious hospitalizations. A population-based cohort analysis was conducted, comparing the incidence of long-term infectious-related hospitalizations of offspring born to mothers who were diagnosed with ASB during pregnancy, and those who did not have ASB. The study was conducted at a tertiary medical center and included all singleton deliveries between the years 1991 and 2014. Infectious morbidities were based on a predefined set of International Classification of Disease-9 codes. A Kaplan−Meier survival curve compared cumulative infectious hospitalization incidence between the groups, and a Cox regression model was used to adjust for confounding variables. During the study period, 212,984 deliveries met inclusion criteria. Of them, 5378 (2.5%) were diagnosed with ASB. As compared to offspring of non-ASB mothers, total long-term infectious hospitalizations were significantly higher among children to mothers who were diagnosed with ASB (13.1% vs. 11.1%, OR = 1.2, 95% CI 1.11–1.30, P ≤ 0.001). Likewise, a Kaplan−Meier curve demonstrated higher cumulative incidence of infectious hospitalizations among children born to mothers with ASB (log rank, P = 0.006). In the Cox regression model, while controlling for maternal age, diabetes mellitus, ethnicity, hypertensive disorders, and gestational age, maternal ASB was noted as an independent risk factor for long-term infectious morbidity in the offspring (adjusted HR = 1.1, 95% CI 1.01–1.17, P = 0.042). ASB during pregnancy increases offspring susceptibility to long-term infectious hospitalizations.
Configuration and Validation of an Oceanic Physical and Biogeochemical Model to Investigate Coastal Eutrophication in the Southern California Bight
Authors: Kessouri Fayçal , McLaughlin Karen , Sutula Martha , Bianchi Daniele , Ho Minna , McWilliams James C. , Renault Lionel , Molemaker Jeroen , Deutsch Curtis , Leinweber Anita
Published: October 2021

The Southern California Bight (SCB), an eastern boundary upwelling system, is impacted by global warming, acidification, and oxygen loss and receives anthropogenic nutrients from a coastal population of 20 million people. We describe the configuration, forcing, and validation of a realistic, submesoscale‐resolving ocean model as a tool to investigate coastal eutrophication. This modeling system represents an important achievement because it strikes a balance of capturing the forcing by U.S. Pacific Coast‐wide phenomena, while representing the bathymetric features and submesoscale circulation that affect the transport of nutrients from natural and human sources. Moreover, the model allows simulations at time scales that approach the interannual frequencies of ocean variability. The model simulation is evaluated against a broad suite of observational data throughout the SCB, showing realistic depiction of the mean state and its variability with satellite and in situ measurements of state variables and biogeochemical rates. The simulation reproduces the main structure of the seasonal upwelling front, the mean current patterns, the dispersion of wastewater plumes, as well as their seasonal variability. Furthermore, it reproduces the mean distributions of key biogeochemical and ecosystem properties and their variability. Biogeochemical rates reproduced by the model, such as primary production and nitrification, are also consistent with measured rates. This validation exercise demonstrates the utility of using fine‐scale resolution modeling and local observations to identify, investigate, and communicate uncertainty to stakeholders to support management decisions on local anthropogenic nutrient discharges to coastal zones.
Flow Field Fitting Method and Acoustic Doppler Velocity Measurement: A New Approach for Detecting Leakage Pathways in Concrete‐Face Rockfill Dams
Authors: Zhao Xiang , Zhang Hongbing , Wei Kuiye , Wang Ping , Ren Quan , Zhang Dailu
Published: October 2021

In this study, we aimed to detect the leakage inlets and determine the leakage pathways through a dam, and ensure that the amounts of leakage upstream and downstream are consistent and that there is no leakage around the concrete‐face rockfill dam. The injection of a pseudo‐random current in the water between two aluminum sheets A and B generates a current field that can be measured in water with sensitive current sensors. When the current is channeled along the leakage pathways, the flow field fitting (FFF) method can be used to detect their inlets. We first review the background equations for the seepage and current fields in the FFF method. Then we use the index‐velocity method to calculate the discharge and ensure consistency between the upstream and downstream leakage based on the Doppler effect. Moreover, to illustrate how the FFF method works, we used a numerical simulation to verify the feasibility of the FFF method. Finally, we proceed with a case study in which the FFF method and measured acoustic Doppler velocity are used to identify and map potential leakage pathways bypassing upstream into the downstream flow‐measurement weir. The proposed methodology successfully detected three leakage areas and obtained the discharge in a case study; our results provide engineering geology information for optimizing the layout of grouting holes.
Novel Along‐Track Processing of GRACE Follow‐On Laser Ranging Measurements Found Abrupt Water Storage Increase and Land Subsidence During the 2021 March Australian Flooding
Authors: Han Shin‐Chan , Yeo In‐Young , Khaki Mehdi , McCullough Christopher M. , Lee Eunjee , Sauber Jeanne
Published: October 2021

Following extreme drought during the 2019–2020 bushfire summer, the eastern part of Australia suffered from a week‐long intense rainfall and extensive flooding in March 2021. Understanding how much water storage changes in response to these climate extremes is critical for developing timely water management strategies. To quantify prompt water storage changes associated with the 2021 March flooding, we processed the low‐latency (1–3 days), high‐precision intersatellite laser ranging measurements from GRACE Follow‐On spacecraft and determined instantaneous gravity changes along spacecraft orbital passes. Such new data processing detected an abrupt surge of water storage approaching 60–70 trillion liters (km3 of water) over a week in the region, which concurrently caused land subsidence of ∼5 mm measured by a network of ground GPS stations. This was the highest speed of ground water recharge ever recorded in the region over the last two decades. Compared to the condition in February 2020, the amount of recharged water was similar but the recharge speed was much faster in March 2021. While these two events together replenished the region up to ∼80% of the maximum storage over the last two decades, the wet antecedent condition of soils in 2021 was distinctly different from the dry conditions in 2020 and led to generating extensive runoff and flooding in 2021.
Climatological Statistics of Extreme Geomagnetic Fluctuations With Periods From 1 s to 60 min
Authors: Rogers N. C. , Wild J. A. , Eastoe E. F. , Hübert J.
Published: October 2021

Using a global database of 125 magnetometers covering several decades, we present occurrence statistics for fluctuations of the horizontal geomagnetic field (dBh/dt) exceeding the 99.97th percentile (P99.97) for both ramp changes (Rn) and the root‐mean‐square (Sn) of fluctuations over periods,τ, from 1 to 60 min and describe their variation with geomagnetic latitude and magnetic local time (MLT). Rates of exceedance are explained by reference to the magneto‐ionospheric processes dominant in different latitude and MLT sectors, including ULF waves, interplanetary shocks, auroral substorm currents, and traveling convection vortices. By fitting generalized Pareto tail distributions aboveP99.97, we predict return levels (RLs) forRnandSnover return periods of between 5 and 500 years. P99.97and RLs increase monotonically with frequency (1/τ) (with a few exceptions at auroral latitudes) and this is well modeled by quadratic functions whose coefficients vary smoothly with latitude. For UK magnetometers providing 1‐s cadence measurements, the analysis is extended to cover periods from 1 to 60 s and empirical Magnetotelluric Transfer functions are used to predict percentiles and return levels of the geoelectric field over a wide frequency range (2 × 10−4to 4 × 10−2 Hz) assuming a sinusoidal field fluctuation. These results help identify the principal causes of field fluctuations leading to extreme geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) in ground infrastructure over a range of timescales and they inform the choice of frequency dependence to use withdBh/dtas a GIC proxy.
Three-dimensional coherent X-ray diffraction imaging via deep convolutional neural networks
Authors: Wu Longlong , Yoo Shinjae , Suzana Ana F. , Assefa Tadesse A. , Diao Jiecheng , Harder Ross J. , Cha Wonsuk , Robinson Ian K.
Published: October 2021

As a critical component of coherent X-ray diffraction imaging (CDI), phase retrieval has been extensively applied in X-ray structural science to recover the 3D morphological information inside measured particles. Despite meeting all the oversampling requirements of Sayre and Shannon, current phase retrieval approaches still have trouble achieving a unique inversion of experimental data in the presence of noise. Here, we propose to overcome this limitation by incorporating a 3D Machine Learning (ML) model combining (optional) supervised learning with transfer learning. The trained ML model can rapidly provide an immediate result with high accuracy which could benefit real-time experiments, and the predicted result can be further refined with transfer learning. More significantly, the proposed ML model can be used without any prior training to learn the missing phases of an image based on minimization of an appropriate ‘loss function’ alone. We demonstrate significantly improved performance with experimental Bragg CDI data over traditional iterative phase retrieval algorithms.
Fluvial organic carbon cycling regulated by sediment transit time and mineral protection
Authors: Repasch Marisa , Scheingross Joel S. , Hovius Niels , Lupker Maarten , Wittmann Hella , Haghipour Negar , Gröcke Darren R. , Orfeo Oscar , Eglinton Timothy I. , Sachse Dirk
Published: October 2021

Rivers transfer terrestrial organic carbon (OC) from mountains to ocean basins, playing a key role in the global carbon cycle. During fluvial transit, OC may be oxidized and emitted to the atmosphere as CO2or preserved and transported to downstream depositional sinks. The balance between oxidation and preservation determines the amount of particulate OC (POC) that can be buried long term, but the factors regulating this balance are poorly constrained. Here, we quantify the effects of fluvial transit on POC fluxes along an ~1,300 km lowland channel with no tributaries. We show that sediment transit time and mineral protection regulate the magnitude and rate of POC oxidation, respectively. Using a simple turnover model, we estimate that annual POC oxidation is a small percentage of the POC delivered to the river. Modelling shows that lateral erosion into POC-rich floodplains can increase POC fluxes to downstream basins, thereby offsetting POC oxidation. Consequently, rivers with high channel mobility can enhance CO2drawdown while management practices that stabilize river channels may reduce the potential for CO2drawdown.
The normalised Sentinel-1 Global Backscatter Model, mapping Earth’s land surface with C-band microwaves
Authors: Bauer-Marschallinger Bernhard , Cao Senmao , Navacchi Claudio , Freeman Vahid , Reuß Felix , Geudtner Dirk , Rommen Björn , Vega Francisco Ceba , Snoeij Paul , Attema Evert , Reimer Christoph , Wagner Wolfgang
Published: October 2021

We present a new perspective on Earth’s land surface, providing a normalised microwave backscatter map from spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) observations. The Sentinel-1 Global Backscatter Model (S1GBM) describes Earth for the period 2016–17 by the mean C-band radar cross section in VV- and VH-polarisation at a 10 m sampling. We processed 0.5 million Sentinel-1 scenes totalling 1.1 PB and performed semi-automatic quality curation and backscatter harmonisation related to orbit geometry effects. The overall mosaic quality excels (the few) existing datasets, with minimised imprinting from orbit discontinuities and successful angle normalisation in large parts of the world. Regions covered by only one or two Sentinel-1 orbits remain challenging, owing to insufficient angular variation and not yet perfect sub-swath thermal noise correction. Supporting the design and verification of upcoming radar sensors, the obtained S1GBM data potentially also serve land cover classification and determination of vegetation and soil states. Here, we demonstrate, as an example of its potential use, the mapping of permanent water bodies and evaluate against the Global Surface Water benchmark.
Transcriptomic analysis of loss of Gli1 in neural stem cells responding to demyelination in the mouse brain
Authors: Samanta Jayshree , Silva Hernandez Moura , Lafaille Juan J. , Salzer James L.
Published: October 2021

In the adult mammalian brain, Gli1 expressing neural stem cells reside in the subventricular zone and their progeny are recruited to sites of demyelination in the white matter where they generate new oligodendrocytes, the myelin forming cells. Remarkably, genetic loss or pharmacologic inhibition of Gli1 enhances the efficacy of remyelination by these neural stem cells. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of this Gli1-pool of neural stem cells. We compared murine NSCs with either intact or deficient Gli1 expression from adult mice on a control diet or on a cuprizone diet which induces widespread demyelination. These data will be a valuable resource for identifying therapeutic targets for enhancing remyelination in demyelinating diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Segmentation of vestibular schwannoma from MRI, an open annotated dataset and baseline algorithm
Authors: Shapey Jonathan , Kujawa Aaron , Dorent Reuben , Wang Guotai , Dimitriadis Alexis , Grishchuk Diana , Paddick Ian , Kitchen Neil , Bradford Robert , Saeed Shakeel R. , Bisdas Sotirios , Ourselin Sébastien , Vercauteren Tom
Published: October 2021

Automatic segmentation of vestibular schwannomas (VS) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could significantly improve clinical workflow and assist patient management. We have previously developed a novel artificial intelligence framework based on a 2.5D convolutional neural network achieving excellent results equivalent to those achieved by an independent human annotator. Here, we provide the first publicly-available annotated imaging dataset of VS by releasing the data and annotations used in our prior work. This collection contains a labelled dataset of 484 MR images collected on 242 consecutive patients with a VS undergoing Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery at a single institution. Data includes all segmentations and contours used in treatment planning and details of the administered dose. Implementation of our automated segmentation algorithm uses MONAI, a freely-available open-source framework for deep learning in healthcare imaging. These data will facilitate the development and validation of automated segmentation frameworks for VS and may also be used to develop other multi-modal algorithmic models.
A new, fluorescence-based method for visualizing the pseudopupil and assessing optical acuity in the dark compound eyes of honeybees and other insects
Authors: Rigosi Elisa , Warrant Eric J. , O’Carroll David C.
Published: October 2021

Recent interest in applying novel imaging techniques to infer optical resolution in compound eyes underscores the difficulty of obtaining direct measures of acuity. A widely used technique exploits the principal pseudopupil, a dark spot on the eye surface representing the ommatidial gaze direction and the number of detector units (ommatidia) viewing that gaze direction. However, dark-pigmented eyes, like those of honeybees, lack a visible pseudopupil. Attempts over almost a century to estimate optical acuity in this species are still debated. Here, we developed a method to visualize a stable, reliable pseudopupil by staining the photoreceptors with fluorescent dyes. We validated this method in several species and found it to outperform the dark pseudopupil for this purpose, even in pale eyes, allowing more precise location of the gaze centre. We then applied this method to estimate the sampling resolution in the frontal part of the eye of the honeybee forager. We found a broad frontal acute zone with interommatidial angles below 2° and a minimum interommatidial angle of 1.3°, a broader, sharper frontal acute zone than previously reported. Our study provides a new method to directly measure the sampling resolution in most compound eyes of living animals.
Age-related changes to triceps surae muscle-subtendon interaction dynamics during walking
Authors: Clark William H. , Franz Jason R.
Published: October 2021

Push-off intensity is largely governed by the forces generated by the triceps surae (TS) muscles (gastrocnemius-GAS, soleus-SOL). During walking, the TS muscles undergo different fascicle kinematics and contribute differently to biomechanical subtasks. These differences may be facilitated by the Achilles tendon (AT), which is comprised of subtendons that originate from the TS muscles. We and others have revealed non-uniform displacement patterns within the AT—evidence for sliding between subtendons that may facilitate independent muscle actuation. However, in older adults, we have observed more uniform AT tissue displacements that correlate with reduced push-off intensity. Here, we employed dual-probe ultrasound imaging to investigate TS muscle length change heterogeneity (GAS–SOL) as a determinant of reduced push-off intensity in older adults. Compared to young, older adults walked with more uniform AT tissue displacements and reduced TS muscle length change heterogeneity. These muscle-level differences appeared to negatively impact push-off intensity—evidenced by between-group differences in the extent to which TS muscle length change heterogeneity correlates with mechanical output across walking tasks. Our findings suggest that the capacity for sliding between subtendons may facilitate independent TS muscle actuation in young adults but may restrict that actuation in older adults, likely contributing to reduced push-off intensity.
Contribution of historical herbarium small RNAs to the reconstruction of a cassava mosaic geminivirus evolutionary history
Authors: Rieux Adrien , Campos Paola , Duvermy Arnaud , Scussel Sarah , Martin Darren , Gaudeul Myriam , Lefeuvre Pierre , Becker Nathalie , Lett Jean-Michel
Published: October 2021

Emerging viral diseases of plants are recognised as a growing threat to global food security. However, little is known about the evolutionary processes and ecological factors underlying the emergence and success of viruses that have caused past epidemics. With technological advances in the field of ancient genomics, it is now possible to sequence historical genomes to provide a better understanding of viral plant disease emergence and pathogen evolutionary history. In this context, herbarium specimens represent a valuable source of dated and preserved material. We report here the first historical genome of a crop pathogen DNA virus, a 90-year-old African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), reconstructed from small RNA sequences bearing hallmarks of small interfering RNAs. Relative to tip-calibrated dating inferences using only modern data, those performed with the historical genome yielded both molecular evolution rate estimates that were significantly lower, and lineage divergence times that were significantly older. Crucially, divergence times estimated without the historical genome appeared in discordance with both historical disease reports and the existence of the historical genome itself. In conclusion, our study reports an updated time-frame for the history and evolution of ACMV and illustrates how the study of crop viral diseases could benefit from natural history collections.
TKGWV2: an ancient DNA relatedness pipeline for ultra-low coverage whole genome shotgun data
Authors: Fernandes Daniel M. , Cheronet Olivia , Gelabert Pere , Pinhasi Ron
Published: October 2021

Estimation of genetically related individuals is playing an increasingly important role in the ancient DNA field. In recent years, the numbers of sequenced individuals from single sites have been increasing, reflecting a growing interest in understanding the familial and social organisation of ancient populations. Although a few different methods have been specifically developed for ancient DNA, namely to tackle issues such as low-coverage homozygous data, they require a 0.1–1× minimum average genomic coverage per analysed pair of individuals. Here we present an updated version of a method that enables estimates of 1st and 2nd-degrees of relatedness with as little as 0.026× average coverage, or around 18,000 SNPs from 1.3 million aligned reads per sample with average length of 62 bp—four times less data than 0.1× coverage at similar read lengths. By using simulated data to estimate false positive error rates, we further show that a threshold even as low as 0.012×, or around 4000 SNPs from 600,000 reads, will always show 1st-degree relationships as related. Lastly, by applying this method to published data, we are able to identify previously undocumented relationships using individuals that had been excluded from prior kinship analysis due to their very low coverage. This methodological improvement has the potential to enable relatedness estimation on ancient whole genome shotgun data during routine low-coverage screening, and therefore improve project management when decisions need to be made on which individuals are to be further sequenced.
Co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus causes more severe and prolonged pneumonia in hamsters
Authors: Kinoshita Takaaki , Watanabe Kenichi , Sakurai Yasuteru , Nishi Kodai , Yoshikawa Rokusuke , Yasuda Jiro
Published: October 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is currently a serious public health concern worldwide. Notably, co-infection with other pathogens may worsen the severity of COVID-19 symptoms and increase fatality. Here, we show that co-infection with influenza A virus (IAV) causes more severe body weight loss and more severe and prolonged pneumonia in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters. Each virus can efficiently spread in the lungs without interference by the other. However, in immunohistochemical analyses, SARS-CoV-2 and IAV were not detected at the same sites in the respiratory organs of co-infected hamsters, suggesting that either the two viruses may have different cell tropisms in vivo or each virus may inhibit the infection and/or growth of the other within a cell or adjacent areas in the organs. Furthermore, a significant increase in IL-6 was detected in the sera of hamsters co-infected with SARS-CoV-2 and IAV at 7 and 10 days post-infection, suggesting that IL-6 may be involved in the increased severity of pneumonia. Our results strongly suggest that IAV co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 can have serious health risks and increased caution should be applied in such cases.
Strange invaders increase disturbance and promote generalists in an evolving food web
Authors: Morris Jonathan R. , Allhoff Korinna T. , Valdovinos Fernanda S.
Published: October 2021

The patterns of diet specialization in food webs determine community structure, stability, and function. While specialists are often thought to evolve due to greater efficiency, generalists should have an advantage in systems with high levels of variability. Here we test the generalist-disturbance hypothesis using a dynamic, evolutionary food web model. Species occur along a body size axis with three traits (body size, feeding center, feeding range) that evolve independently and determine interaction strengths. Communities are assembled via ecological and evolutionary processes, where species biomass and persistence are driven by a bioenergetics model. New species are introduced either as mutants similar to parent species in the community or as invaders, with dissimilar traits. We introduced variation into communities by increasing the dissimilarity of invading species across simulations. We found that strange invaders increased the variability of communities which increased both the degree of generalism and the relative persistence of generalist species, indicating that invasion disturbance promotes the evolution of generalist species in food webs.
Worker-dependent gut symbiosis in an ant
Authors: Shimoji Hiroyuki , Itoh Hideomi , Matsuura Yu , Yamashita Rio , Hori Tomoyuki , Hojo Masaru K , Kikuchi Yoshitomo
Published: October 2021

The hallmark of eusocial insects, honeybees, ants, and termites, is division of labor between reproductive and non-reproductive worker castes. In addition, environmental adaption and ecological dominance are also underpinned by symbiotic associations with beneficial microorganisms. Microbial symbionts are generally considered to be maintained in an insect colony in two alternative ways: shared among all colony members or inherited only by a specific caste. Especially in ants, the reproductive caste plays a crucial role in transmission of the symbionts shared among colony members over generations. Here, we report an exceptional case, the worker-dependent microbiota in an ant, Diacamma cf. indicum from Japan. By collecting almost all the individuals from 22 colonies in the field, we revealed that microbiota of workers is characterized by a single dominant bacterium localized at the hindgut. The bacterium belonging to an unclassified member within the phylum Firmicutes, which is scarce or mostly absent in the reproductive castes. Furthermore, we show that the gut symbiont is acquired at the adult stage. Collectively, our findings strongly suggest that the specific symbiont is maintained by only workers, demonstrating a novel pattern of ant-associated bacterial symbiosis, and thus further our understanding of host-microbe interactions in the light of sociobiology.
Synthesis and properties of the anticodon stem-loop of human mitochondrial tRNAMet containing the disease-related G or m1G nucleosides at position 37
Authors: Podskoczyj Karolina , Kulik Katarzyna , Wasko Joanna , Nawrot Barbara , Suzuki Tsutomu , Leszczynska Grazyna
Published: October 2021

Disease-related G and m1G from 37 position of human mitochondrial tRNAMet induce changes in the stability and conformation of the anticodon arm domain.
Correction: RuCo alloy trifunctional electrocatalysts with ratio-dependent activity for Zn–air batteries and self-powered water splitting
Authors: Pei Yu , He Wangtao , Wang Minmin , Wang Jin , Sun Tongming , Hu Lanping , Zhu Jinli , Tang Yanfeng , Wang Jiacheng
Published: October 2021

Correction for ‘RuCo alloy trifunctional electrocatalysts with ratio-dependent activity for Zn–air batteries and self-powered water splitting’ by Yu Pei et al., Chem. Commun., 2021, 57, 1498–1501, DOI: 10.1039/D0CC07565E.
Exploring cyclohexane/piperazine-urea motifs for spherical halide (X = Cl−/Br−) recognition: effects on anion coordination, photoluminescence, and morphological tunability
Authors: Basak Megha , Das Asesh , Das Gopal
Published: October 2021

Two bis-urea receptors bearing aromatic meta-substituted electron-withdrawing groups demonstrated  halide-coordination-triggered self-assemblies with contrasting coordination numbers and variation in morphology.
Polymorph control of 5-fluorouracil during a ball milling process
Authors: Chen Fenghua , Fan Jie , Chen Xiuzhi , Li Yanping , Liang Chengfeng , Ren Shizhao , Xue Rongrong
Published: October 2021

Polymorph control of 5-fluorouracil was achieved by ball milling. Forms II and III were prepared separately through ball milling with different amounts of ethanol as an additive at the same period without influencing each other.
Constructing a bacterial cellulose-based bacterial sensor platform by enhancing cell affinity via a surface-exposed carbohydrate binding module
Authors: Long Lingfeng , Hu Yun , Xie Le , Sun Fubao , Xu Zhenghong , Hu Jinguang
Published: October 2021

This study sheds light on designing an environmentally friendly biosensing platform with sustainable cellulose materials.
Correction: Efficient transformation of CO2 to cyclic carbonates using bifunctional protic ionic liquids under mild conditions
Authors: Meng Xianglei , Ju Zhaoyang , Zhang Suojiang , Liang Xiaodong , von Solms Nicolas , Zhang Xiaochun , Zhang Xiangping
Published: October 2021

Correction for ‘Efficient transformation of CO2 to cyclic carbonates using bifunctional protic ionic liquids under mild conditions’ by Xianglei Meng et al., Green Chem., 2019, 21, 3456–3463, DOI: 10.1039/C9GC01165J.
van der Waals solid solution crystals for highly efficient in-air photon upconversion under subsolar irradiance
Authors: Enomoto Riku , Hoshi Megumi , Oyama Hironaga , Agata Hideki , Kurokawa Shinichi , Kuma Hitoshi , Uekusa Hidehiro , Murakami Yoichi
Published: October 2021

The concept of van der Waals solid solutions has been demonstrated to yield photon upconversion (UC) organic crystals with extraordinary performance, opening a domain of versatile dispersion-force-based systems in the quest for superior UC solids.
Active P species in P-doped graphite carriers improving the electrocatalytic performance of supported Pt towards the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Li Zekun , Han Fei , Liu Ziwu , Peng Qiancheng , Wang Quan-De , Sun Maomao , Kang Guo-Jun
Published: October 2021

Experiments demonstrate that the prepared Pt@PDGs with ca. 6 wt% Pt display higher area and mass specific activities than 20 wt% Pt/C. Calculations reveal that the C–O–P with a pentagon defect improves the HER activity of loaded Pt dominantly.
Zn-alloyed MAPbBr3 crystals with improved thermoelectric and photocatalytic properties
Authors: Zhou Zhanwei , Xu Jiuyuan , Liu Yuxuan , Wei Chen , Zhang Hengyang , Wang Qun
Published: October 2021

Zn–MAPbBr3 crystals exhibited an improved absorption capacity and better photocatalytic degradation performance toward RhB dye and higher electrical conductivity and a more positive Seebeck coefficient, compared with a pristine MAPbBr3 sample.
Investigation of the individual human sulfatome in plasma and urine samples reveals an age-dependency
Authors: Correia Mário S. P. , Thapa Bhawana , Vujasinovic Miroslav , Löhr J.-Matthias , Globisch Daniel
Published: October 2021

Profile of the human core sulfatome in urine and plasma samples.
Designing conductive networks of hybrid carbon enables stable and long-lifespan cotton-fiber-based lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Wu Yue , Wang Cheng , Yang Zewen , Song Depeng , Ohsaka Takeo , Matsumoto Futoshi , Sun Xiaolin , Wu Jianfei
Published: October 2021

A flexible, “dead weight”-free lithium–sulfur battery substrate was prepared, and batteries using these substrates showed great electrochemical performance.