bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preaching Politics: How Politicization Undermines Religious Authority in the Middle East
Authors: Williamson Scott , Yildirim A. Kadir , Grewal Sharan , Kuenkler Mirjam
Published: July 2022

A growing body of research demonstrates that political involvement by Christian religious leaders can undermine the religion's social influence. Do these negative consequences of politicization also extend to Islam? Contrary to scholarly and popular accounts that describe Islam as inherently political, we argue that Muslim religious leaders will weaken their religious authority when they engage with politics. We test this argument with a conjoint experiment implemented on a survey of more than 12,000 Sunni Muslim respondents in eleven Middle Eastern countries. The results show that connections to political issues or politically active religious movements decrease the perceived religious authority of Muslim clerics, including among respondents who approve of the clerics' political views. The article's findings shed light on how Muslims in the Middle East understand the relationship between religion and politics, and they contribute more broadly to understanding of how politicized religious leaders can have negative repercussions for religion.
Suitability of monotypic and mixed diets for development, population growth and predation capacity of Typhlodromus bagdasarjani (Acari: Phytoseiidae)
Authors: Mortazavi Nasimeh , Fathipour Yaghoub , Talebi Ali Asghar , Riahi Elham
Published: July 2022

We quantified the life table parameters and predation capacity of a generalist predatory mite, Typhlodromus bagdasarjani Wainstein and Arutunjan on five monotypic diets, including Tetranychus urticae Koch (TSSM) eggs in the presence (SW) and absence (SN) of webs, Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood (GHWF) eggs (G), honeydew (H), and maize pollen (M) as well as three mixed diets, including SN + M, SN + G, and G + M. Our results showed that the individuals fed on the mixed diets had a considerably shorter developmental time and pre-oviposition period (APOP), higher oviposition days, higher fecundity and population growth rate than those raised on the monotypic diets. Furthermore, we found that the mixed diet of TSSM and GHWF eggs was the most favorable diet, resulted in the highest fecundity and population growth rate, shortest developmental time and APOP. While TSSM eggs alone in the presence of webs and honeydew were the worst diets resulted in the longest developmental time, lower oviposition day, higher fecundity and population growth rate. Our data determined that TSSM has more nutritional benefits than GHWF for T. bagdasarjani. We observed the positive effects of pollen addition to prey on the predatory mite's immature and adult life-history characters; however, it reduced the predation rate. Overall, maize pollen could enhance ecosystem services provided against spider mites and whiteflies by positively impacting the increase of T. bagdasarjani population. This predator may be more effective when two prey species are available than when only one species is present.
Estimating productivity and nutritive value of Marandu palisadegrass using a proximal canopy reflectance sensor
Authors: Pezzopane José Ricardo Macedo , de Campos Bernardi Alberto Carlos , Bosi Cristiam , Sengling Orlando , Bonani Willian Lucas , Brunetti Henrique Bauab , Santos Patricia Menezes
Published: July 2022

In intensive livestock production systems, estimating forage production and its nutritive value can assist farmers in optimizing pasture management, stocking rate, and feed supplementation to animals. In this study, we aimed to use vegetation indices, determined using a proximal canopy reflectance sensor, to estimate the forage mass, crude protein content, and nitrogen in live forage of Marandu palisadegrass (Urochloa brizantha). Pasture canopy reflectance was measured at three wavelengths (670, 720, and 760 nm) using a Crop Circle device equipped with an ACS-430 sensor. Total forage mass, plant-part composition, leaf area index (LAI), and crude protein content were assessed during 14 growth cycles in a pasture under four management regimes, comprising different combinations of two N fertilization rates and two irrigation schedules. For each forage assessment, pasture canopy reflectance data were used to calculate the following vegetation indices: normalized difference vegetation index, normalized difference red edge, simple ratio index (SRI), modified simple ratio, and chlorophyll index. In addition, we also performed analyses of the linear and exponential regressions between vegetation indices and total forage mass, leaf + stem mass, leaf mass, LAI, crude protein content, and nitrogen in live forage. The best estimates were achieved for total forage mass, leaf + stem mass, leaf mass, and nitrogen in live forage using SRI (R2 values between 0.72 and 0.79). When estimating pasture productive variables (total forage mass, leaf + stem mass, leaf mass, and LAI) from SRI, the equations showed R2 values between 0.69 (leaf mass) and 0.74 (LAI) and relative errors ranging from 19% to 21%. For each of the water and nitrogen supply conditions evaluated, this index facilitated the monitoring of forage mass time series and nitrogen in live forage and the extraction of this nutrient by the pasture.
Predicting incidence of hepatitis E using machine learning in Jiangsu Province, China
Authors: Cheng Xiaoqing , Liu Wendong , Zhang Xuefeng , Wang Minghao , Bao Changjun , Wu Tianxing
Published: July 2022

Hepatitis E is an increasingly serious worldwide public health problem that has attracted extensive attention. It is necessary to accurately predict the incidence of hepatitis E to better plan ahead for future medical care. In this study, we developed a Bi-LSTM model that incorporated meteorological factors to predict the prevalence of hepatitis E. The hepatitis E data used in this study are collected from January 2005 to March 2017 by Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention. ARIMA, GBDT, SVM, LSTM and Bi-LSTM models are adopted in this study. The data from January 2009 to September 2014 are used as the training set to fit models, and data from October 2014 to March 2017 are used as the testing set to evaluate the predicting accuracy of different models. Selecting models and evaluating the effectiveness of the models are based on mean absolute per cent error (MAPE), root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). A total of 44 923 cases of hepatitis E are detected in Jiangsu Province from January 2005 to March 2017. The average monthly incidence rate is 0.35 per 100 000 persons in Jiangsu Province. Incorporating meteorological factors of temperature, water vapour pressure, and rainfall as a combination into the Bi-LSTM Model achieved the state-of-the-art performance in predicting the monthly incidence of hepatitis E, in which RMSE is 0.044, MAPE is 11.88%, and MAE is 0.0377. The Bi-LSTM model with the meteorological factors of temperature, water vapour pressure, and rainfall can fully extract the linear and non-linear information in the hepatitis E incidence data, and has significantly improved the interpretability, learning ability, generalisability and prediction accuracy.
In Response to “Myths about Political Science”
Authors: Strakes Jason E.
Published: July 2022

Kim Quaile Hill (PS: Political Science and Politics, July 2004) makes a
somewhat nuanced contribution to the appraisal of epistemic controversies in the discipline
of political science. His primary concern is for the manner in which erroneous presumptions
about the nature of the scientific method in fields such as chemistry or physics have
encumbered the effort to instill students with the habit of applying similar approaches in
the study of politics. At first, the argument seems directed at uninformed students who do
not recognize the social sciences as legitimately “scientific.” Upon further reading, it
quickly becomes clear in her elaboration of five common “myths” about science that the more
implicit intention of this piece is to challenge the assertion of some in the field that the
abstract, variant qualities of political phenomena make these applications somehow
inappropriate. The point that he proffers—that the physical sciences are hardly as rigid,
finite or objective as some may assume—is certainly a valid one.
The Jobs Model Forecast: Well Done in 2004
Authors: Lewis-Beck Michael S. , Tien Charles
Published: July 2022

The Jobs Model of presidential election forecasting predicted well in 2004. The model,
based on data available in August 2004, generated an error of only 1.3 percentage points
when forecasting the incumbent share of the two-party popular vote (Lewis-Beck and Tien
2004). In contrast, the median forecast from seven teams of statistical modelers was off 2.6
percentage points (Campbell 2004, 734). We believe that the Jobs Model was more accurate
because it broadened measurement of economic performance, a conceptual variable lying at the
core of most of these efforts. Take, as a representative example, the Growth Model in Table
1, Column 1. Its forecast for George W. Bush was 54.0% (almost exactly at the median for the
above-mentioned group of forecasters). This model was earlier reported by us, but rejected
on grounds of specification error (Lewis-Beck and Tien 2004, 754). We argued that the
changing nature of the American economy required attention to a hitherto neglected
variable—job creation. When this variable, new jobs over the presidential term, is added to
the Growth Model, the fit statistics improve dramatically (see Table 1, Column 2,).
G. James Fleming
Authors: Jackson Alice M.
Published: July 2022

G. James Fleming was a quiet, unassuming man who lived an exemplary life, made a big
difference in society, and impacted on many lives across the country and abroad. A search of
the archives reveals that very little written record on this impressive individual is
readily available. In discussions with many that knew him, they had only kind words to say,
but nothing in writing that could be shared. It is hoped that this paper will add to the
written record and further memorialize a pioneer.
Merze Tate
Authors: Woodard Maurice C.
Published: July 2022

The Homestead Act of 1862 enabled the great grandparents of Merze Tate (Harris 1981) to
migrate from the east in Ohio into central Michigan. Many other blacks, whites, and
immigrants from northern Europe also migrated to central Michigan. The Homestead Act
provided 160 acres of unoccupied public land to each homesteader for a nominal fee after
five years of residence.
Faculty Development in a Private University Environment
Authors: Brehm John
Published: July 2022

Declining revenue bases affects the private graduate and undergraduate school environments
in exceptionally similar ways. The University of Chicago draws its revenue for the most part
from a rolling calculation from its endowment (unlike, say, state revenue contributions).
While there is no question that well-endowed institutions have special advantages, the
climate of resource constraint and threat is nevertheless ubiquitous.
Participation by Women in the 2004 APSA Meeting
Authors: Gruberg Martin
Published: July 2022

This is the thirty-third year that I have been monitoring participation by women at our
Annual Meeting. These PS reports have documented the ascent of women in our
profession.
Report of the Editor of the American Political Science
Review, 2003–2004
Authors: Sigelman Lee
Published: July 2022

This is the third annual report that I have submitted since assuming the editorship of the
APSR in September of 2001. In my initial report, I characterized 2001–2002
as a start-up year for the new editorial office, greatly complicated by the September 11
attacks and the disruption of mail service by the anthrax threat, but highlighted by major
procedural and outreach initiatives and by a massive upsurge in submissions. My second
report described a year of beginning to settle in to a more “normal” operating mode, of
undergoing an intensive internal review and instituting new procedural refinements as a
consequence, and of experiencing a further, and unexpected, increase in submissions. The
main theme of my third report is one of stability—continuity with, rather than major
departures from, the situation described in last year's report. I think it is accurate to
say that during the past year we functioned in normal operating mode rather than making it
up as we went along, as often seemed to be the case during the early going.
Update on International Programs and Activities in 2004
Authors: Rajaee Bahram
Published: July 2022

2004 was a busy and rewarding year on the international front. Existing programs continued
to thrive, while new initiatives were formulated and are in the process of being refined. At
the end of 2004, APSA records showed 1,839 members residing overseas, approximately 12.2% of
the overall membership. A detailed breakdown of this number is available later in this
section.
APSA-PSA (UK) Collaborate over French Politics
Authors: Mazur Amy
Published: July 2022

Since 2000, the French Politics Groups of APSA and PSA have been working in close
collaboration, thanks to PSA/APSA financial support and the leadership of Robert Elgie
(Dublin City University), Andrew Appleton (Washington State University), and Amy Mazur
(Washington State University). The major goal of this collaboration is to strengthen the
study of French Politics by bringing together research communities on both sides of the
Atlantic.
The 2006 IPSA World Congress Fukuoka: a Walk through the New
Japan
Authors: Kabashima Ikuo , Komoriya Mai
Published: July 2022

The people of Fukuoka are open, unpretentious, and unlike the stereotypical image of the
meticulous Japanese, happy to let loose. The moment you arrive in Fukuoka to attend the 2006
IPSA World Congress in early July, the city will sweep you up in the excitement of its most
famous festival, Hakata Gion Yamakasa. The city has welcomed the arrival of
summer for the last 760 years with this 15-day long festival, which culminates on July 15th
in the powerful portable shrine race. The race begins at daybreak, as hundreds of men rush
with beautifully decorated floats each weighing over a ton on their shoulders, with all of
Fukuoka cheering them on by throwing water on the racers' hot bodies. This bustling
celebration of summer epitomizes what has long been considered the Fukuoka spirit.
Aggregate elasticity of substitution between skills: estimates from a macroeconomic approach
Authors: Jerzmanowski Michał , Tamura Robert
Published: July 2022

We estimate the elasticity of substitution between high-skill and low-skill workers using panel data from 32 countries during 1970–2015. Most existing estimates, which are based only on US microdata, find a value close to 1.6. We bring international data together with a theory-informed macro-approach to provide new evidence on this important macroeconomic parameter. Using the macro-approach, we find that the elasticity of substitution between tertiary-educated workers and those with lower education levels falls between 1.7 and 2.6, which is higher than previous estimates but within a plausible range. In some specifications, estimated elasticity is above the value required for strong skill-bias of technology, suggesting strong skill-bias is possible.
The denial of humanitarian assistance as a crime under international law
Authors: Rottensteiner Christa
Published: July 2022

Le droit international humanitaire interdit le recours à la famine contre la population civile en temps de conflit armé. En même temps, les Conventions de Genève et les Protocoles additionnels obligent les parties au conflit à s'assurer que les personnes civiles reçoivent l'assistance dont elles ont besoin. Le présent article examine dans quelles circonstances le refus d'accorder cette assistance humanitaire devient un crime en droit international. L'auteur approche la question sous trois angles différents : crime de guerre, crime contre l'humanité et crime de génocide. Cette étude se base sur une analyse du droit conventionel et des règles coutumières, complétée par l'examen du Statut de la Cour pénale internationale et de la jurisprudence des Tribunaux pénaux intemationaux pour l'ex-Yougoslavie et pour le Rwanda. Toutes les voies pour traduire en justice ceux qui refusent d'accorder une assistance humanitaire aux victimes de la guerre sont ainsi passées en revue.
Police and security forces
Authors: de Rover Cees
Published: July 2022

Promouvoir l'enseignement du droit international humanitaire auprès des
membres des forces armées a toujours été l'une des tâches prioritaires du
CICR. Aujourd'hui cependant, les forces de police ou d'autres unités
chargées de tâches similaires sont de plus en plus souvent engagées
directement dans des opérations de maintien de l'ordre et de la sécurité,
notamment dans des situations de troubles intérieurs, voire de conflit
interne. Il est devenu important de s'assurer que les membres de ces unités
connaissent quelques règies fondamentales en matière de protection de
l'individu dans ces circonstances, et que leur comportement respecte la
dignité humaine. Le CICR a mis en route un programme pour assister les
autorités nationales compétentes dans l'organisation d'un tel
enseignement.
Arms availability and violations of international humanitarian
law
Authors: Egeland Jan
Published: July 2022

The massive influx of weapons into already unstable regions, where they
are sometimes sold for a pittance, justifies grave doubts about respect for
humanitarian standards. Such proliferation sets in motion a vicious circle
in which people arm themselves out of fear for their safety, thus further
destabilizing the situation, which is soon governed by the law of the
jungle. At that point, any and all standards are ignored. The result:
tension, unrest, violence, even armed conflict, all of which is extremely
detrimental to any effort to foster respect for international humanitarian
law. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which monitors
compliance with that law, cannot stand idly by. Its President therefore
voiced the organization's concern to the 26th International Conference of
the Red Cross and Red Crescent, held in 1995, and reminded governments of
their responsibilities.
« L'intervention d'humanité » de l'OTAN au Kosovo et la règle du
non-recours à la force
Authors: Momtaz Djamchid
Published: July 2022

After a careful analysis of the law regarding the use of force in
international relations and the practice of States since 1945, the author
concludes that the United Nations Charter leaves no room for a “humanitarian
intervention” in the internal affairs of a State. In his opinion NATO's
armed intervention in the Balkans in the spring of 1999 therefore has no
legal basis under the UN Charter. He goes on to say, however, that the
question whether NATO's action against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
may not be justified by an existing or an emerging rule of customary law
should be examined. Such a discussion should take into account, on the one
hand, the magnitude of the humanitarian disaster to be averted, and on the
other hand the absence of objections by the Security Council or (with rare
exceptions) by States. The author concludes with an appeal to the permanent
members of the Security Council not to use their veto when deciding on
action to be taken in the event of humanitarian disasters.
Même la guerre a des limites…
Authors: Sommaruga Cornelio
Published: July 2022

Au moment où ce siècle de grands cataclysmes s'achève, où la plupart de
nos repères se font flous, il est nécessaire de réaffirmer la priorité de
l'être humain et de sa dignité. Nous — les humanitaires —, nous le faisons
quotidiennement aux côtés des victimes et des plus vulnérables, mais nous
devons aussi pouvoir le faire avec les acteurs de la communauté des
États.
Superior orders and the International Criminal Court: Justice delivered
or justice denied
Authors: Garraway Charles
Published: July 2022

Sous le titre «Ordre hiérarchique et ordre de la loi», l'article 33 du
Statut de la Cour pénale internationale règle la réponse à donner à celui
qui, ayant commis un aime de guene, invoque un ordre de son supérieur comme
défense:

«1. Le fait qu'un crime relevant de la compétence de la Cour a été
commis sur ordre d'un gouvernement ou d'un supérieur, militaire ou civil,
n'exonère pas la personne qui l'a commis de sa responsabilité pénale, à
moins que:

a) Cette personne n'ait eu l'obligation légale d'obéir aux ordres du
gouvernement ou du supérieur en question;

b) Cette personne n'ait pas su que l'ordre était illégal; et

c) L'ordre n'ait pas été manifestement illégal.»

2. Aux fins du présent article, l'ordre de commettre un génocide ou un
crime contre l'humanité est manifestement illégal.»

L'auteurfait la démonstration que la solution du Statut de Rome est tout
à fait compatible avec le droit international en vigueur et, notamment, avec
la jurisprudence établie par le Tribunal de Nuremberg. Après avoir examiné
le développement de la notion à travers l'histoire, l'article étudie de plus
près les débats qui ont abouti à l'adoption de l'article 33 du Statut tel
qu'il se présente aujourd'hui. De l'avis de l'auteur, cette solution est
suffisamment restrictive pour permettre au juge de trancher d'une maniere
qui sera perçue comme juste et équitable.
The ICRC and civil-military relations in armed conflict
Authors: Studer Meinrad
Published: July 2022

Dans un nombre croissant de conflits les forces armées et les
organisations humanitaires sont appelées à agir parallèlement. Leur
objectifs sont toutefois distincts: contribuer à la résolution politique et
militaire du conflit, d'une part, et alléger les conséquences du conflit sur
les populations victimes, d'autre part. En conséquence, l'action humanitaire
du CICR est régie par les principes d'impartialité, de neutralité et
d'indépendance. Il doit mener ses activités indépendamment de tout objectif
et considération politique ou militaire, avec pour seul critère les besoins
des victimes. Les forces armées de leur côté demeurent soumises au pouvoir
politique qui fixe le cadre de leur mission et les objectifs à atteindre, y
inclus le recours à la force. — L'auteur arrive aux trois conclusions
suivantes:

• L'objet premier des opérations militaires doit être d'instaurer et de
préserver la paix et la sécurité, et de contribuer ainsi à un règlement
politique du conflit.

• L'action humanitaire n'a pas pour objet de régler le conflit, mais
bien de protéger la dignité humaine et de sauver des vies. Elle devrait se
dérouler parallèlement à un processus politique qui, en prenant en compte
les causes sous-jacentes du conflit, cherche à déboucher sur un règlement
politique.

• Les organisations humanitaires doivent préserver leur indépendance de
décision et d'action, tout en maintenant une consultation étroite avec les
forces armées.
The ICRC in Asia: Special challenges?
Authors: Monod Jean-Michel
Published: July 2022

L'Asie est un continent immense, d'une diversité étonnante, qui ne
permet pas de généralisation superficielle. Toutefois, l'action humanitaire
du CICR dans les différentes régions de l'Asie a rencontré des réactions et
des obstacles semblables, tant pendant la guerre froide que depuis la fin de
celle-ci. L'auteur (qui dirige les activités opérationnelles du CICR en
Asie) passe en revue les différentes situations de conflit qui ont nécessité
des opérations de protection et d'assistance du CICR — de la guerre de Corée
au conflit à Timor-Est. Il conclut que le respect du droit international
humanitaire dans les conflits en Asie n'est ni meilleur ni pire qu'ailleurs
dans le monde. En revanche, un sentiment de souveraineté exacerbé et une
méfiance instinctive vis-à-vis d'une organisation humanitaire telle que le
CICR — perçue comme appartenant au monde occidental — ne facilitent pas le
contact. L'auteur en appelle aux humanitaires pour qu'ils fassent preuve
d'une meilleure écoute et d'une empathie pour les différentes civilisations
et cultures d'Asie, afin d'être mieux acceptés, le moment venu.
Teaching international humanitarian law in academic institutions in South
Asia: An overview of an ICRC dissemination programme
Authors: Kadam Umesh
Published: July 2022

The 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols require
States Parties to disseminate the content of these humanitarian treaties as
widely as possible in their respective countries. Of course, their inclusion
in military instruction is indispensable to ensure their implementation in
time of armed conflict. But it is equally important to promote knowledge of
humanitarian law among those whom it is intended to protect — the civilian
population — as well as among those who have to apply it — public officials
of various ministries. At the same time, political leaders and
decision-makers must also be familiar with that law, so that they are aware
of its relevance, realism and mode of operation if and when a conflict
should break out. Therefore, to ensure respect for it — and also to promote
its development — it is an essential task to include international
humanitarian law in higher education. The ICRC has taken a number of steps
to achieve just that in the South Asian region.
Foreword by the President of the International Committee of the Red
Cross
Authors: Kellenberger Jakob
Published: July 2022

It is rare in the field of humanitarian action for anniversaries to be
celebrated. Yet some achievements in history cannot fail to be remembered
and serve as inspiration. The adoption of the 1951 Convention relating to
the Status of Refugees, which remains the fundamental instrument for refugee
protection, is one such achievement. On the occasion of its 50th
anniversary, I would like to reiterate the ICRC's strong support for the
1951 Convention and the principles set out therein. I would also like to
take the opportunity to commend the vital role played by UNHCR in providing
help for refugees in so many places around the world.
Refugee law and international humanitarian law: parallels, lessons and
looking ahead: A non-governmental organization's view
Authors: Brett Rachel , Lester Eve
Published: July 2022

Un parallèle conceptuel existe entre le droit international des réfugiés
et le droit international humanitaire. Tous deux ont pour origine la
nécessité d'assurer une protection aux individus se trouvant sur le
territoire d'un État dont ils ne sont pas des ressortissants. Tous deux sont
en outre dotés d'une institution qui a pour mandat d'assurer protection et
assistance aux personnes relevant de leur champ d'application. De plus en
plus, des réfugiés et d'autres groupes sont déplacés en raison de conflits
internes ou de troubles civils. Pourtant, la relation qui existe entre les
deux domaines du droit international et la capacité du droit international
humanitaire de compléter, renforcer et favoriser le développement ou
l'interprétation du droit des réfugiés n'ont pas évolué de manière à
répondre aux situations sur le terrain. Le moment est venu d'engager un
réexamen approfondi.
Globalization and the future of humanitarian action. New priorities for
the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement?
Authors: Ali Ali Said
Published: July 2022

We are all aware that we are passing through a phase characterized by
rapid changes involving concepts that transcend cultures and utilize
mechanisms that some societies may be unable to understand. Since the end of
the Cold War, which had troubled international relations for more than fifty
years, the parameters of contemporary international relations have evolved
within the framework of the concept of globalization.

I do not think that anyone questions the political, economic, social or
cultural impact of globalization. The present differences of opinion concern
assessment of the extent of the adverse consequences of this impact on human
society, and especially on communities in the Third World, many of which are
still living in backward conditions.
Satellite Images Reveal a New View of Ancient Earth’s Rivers
Authors: Goldberg Joel
Published: July 2022

A new method shows a key relationship between the width and makeup of Earth’s river channels over time. The technique could be applied to other terrestrial bodies, such as Mars.
Impact of Climate on River Chemistry Across the United States
Authors: Derouin Sarah
Published: July 2022

Findings of a new study have implications for water quality, aquatic ecosystem health, and water treatment and management as the world warms.
Heteronanostructural metal oxide-based gas microsensors
Authors: Liu Lin , Wang Yingyi , Liu Yinhang , Wang Shuqi , Li Tie , Feng Simin , Qin Sujie , Zhang Ting
Published: July 2022

The development of high-performance, portable and miniaturized gas sensors has aroused increasing interest in the fields of environmental monitoring, security, medical diagnosis, and agriculture. Among different detection tools, metal oxide semiconductor (MOS)-based chemiresistive gas sensors are the most popular choice in commercial applications and have the advantages of high stability, low cost, and high sensitivity. One of the most important ways to further enhance the sensor performance is to construct MOS-based nanoscale heterojunctions (heteronanostructural MOSs) from MOS nanomaterials. However, the sensing mechanism of heteronanostructural MOS-based sensors is different from that of single MOS-based gas sensors in that it is fairly complex. The performance of the sensors is influenced by various parameters, including the physical and chemical properties of the sensing materials (e.g., grain size, density of defects, and oxygen vacancies of materials), working temperatures, and device structures. This review introduces several concepts in the design of high-performance gas sensors by analyzing the sensing mechanism of heteronanostructural MOS-based sensors. In addition, the influence of the geometric device structure determined by the interconnection between the sensing materials and the working electrodes is discussed. To systematically investigate the sensing behavior of the sensor, the general sensing mechanism of three typical types of geometric device structures based on different heteronanostructural materials are introduced and discussed in this review. This review will provide guidelines for readers studying the sensing mechanism of gas sensors and designing high-performance gas sensors in the future.
The hexokinase “HKDC1” interaction with the mitochondria is essential for liver cancer progression
Authors: Khan Md. Wasim , Terry Alexander R. , Priyadarshini Medha , Ilievski Vladimir , Farooq Zeenat , Guzman Grace , Cordoba-Chacon Jose , Ben-Sahra Issam , Wicksteed Barton , Layden Brian T.
Published: July 2022

Liver cancer (LC) is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer malignancies. Recently, a putative fifth hexokinase, hexokinase domain containing 1 (HKDC1), was shown to have significant overexpression in LC compared to healthy liver tissue. Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo tools, we examined the role of HKDC1 in LC development and progression. Importantly, HKDC1 ablation stops LC development and progression via its action at the mitochondria by promoting metabolic reprogramming and a shift of glucose flux away from the TCA cycle. HKDC1 ablation leads to mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in less cellular energy, which cannot be compensated by enhanced glucose uptake. Moreover, we show that the interaction of HKDC1 with the mitochondria is essential for its role in LC progression, and without this interaction, mitochondrial dysfunction occurs. As HKDC1 is highly expressed in LC cells, but only to a minimal degree in hepatocytes under normal conditions, targeting HKDC1, specifically its interaction with the mitochondria, may represent a highly selective approach to target cancer cells in LC.
PAK6 promotes homologous-recombination to enhance chemoresistance to oxaliplatin through ATR/CHK1 signaling in gastric cancer
Authors: Huang Weicai , Han Zhen , Sun Zepang , Feng Hao , Zhao Liying , Yuan Qingyu , Chen Chuanli , Yu Shitong , Hu Yanfeng , Yu Jiang , Liu Hao , Li Guoxin , Jiang Yuming
Published: July 2022

Chemoresistance remains the primary challenge of clinical treatment of gastric cancer (GC), making the biomarkers of chemoresistance crucial for treatment decision. Our previous study has reported that p21-actived kinase 6 (PAK6) is a prognostic factor for selecting which patients with GC are resistant to 5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin chemotherapy. However, the mechanistic role of PAK6 in chemosensitivity remains unknown. The present study identified PAK6 as an important modulator of the DNA damage response (DDR) and chemosensitivity in GC. Analysis of specimens from patients revealed significant associations between the expression of PAK6 and poorer stages, deeper invasion, more lymph node metastases, higher recurrence rates, and resistance to oxaliplatin. Cells exhibited chemosensitivity to oxaliplatin after knockdown of PAK6, but showed more resistant to oxaliplatin when overexpressing PAK6. Functionally, PAK6 mediates cancer chemoresistance by enhancing homologous recombination (HR) to facilitate the DNA double-strand break repair. Mechanistically, PAK6 moves into nucleus to promote the activation of ATR, thereby further activating downstream repair protein CHK1 and recruiting RAD51 from cytoplasm to the DNA damaged site to repair the broken DNA in GC. Activation of ATR is the necessary step for PAK6 mediated HR repair to protect GC cells from oxaliplatin-induced apoptosis, and ATR inhibitor (AZD6738) could block the PAK6-mediated HR repair, thereby reversing the resistance to oxaliplatin and even promoting the sensitivity to oxaliplatin regardless of high expression of PAK6. In conclusion, these findings indicate a novel regulatory mechanism of PAK6 in modulating the DDR and chemoresistance in GC and provide a reversal suggestion in clinical decision.
A modular spring-loaded actuator for mechanical activation of membrane proteins
Authors: Mills A. , Aissaoui N. , Maurel D. , Elezgaray J. , Morvan F. , Vasseur J. J. , Margeat E. , Quast R. B. , Lai Kee-Him J. , Saint N. , Benistant C. , Nord A. , Pedaci F. , Bellot G.
Published: July 2022

How cells respond to mechanical forces by converting them into biological signals underlie crucial cellular processes. Our understanding of mechanotransduction has been hindered by technical barriers, including limitations in our ability to effectively apply low range piconewton forces to specific mechanoreceptors on cell membranes without laborious and repetitive trials. To overcome these challenges we introduce the Nano-winch, a robust, easily assembled, programmable DNA origami-based molecular actuator. The Nano-winch is designed to manipulate multiple mechanoreceptors in parallel by exerting fine-tuned, low- piconewton forces in autonomous and remotely activated modes via adjustable single- and double-stranded DNA linkages, respectively. Nano-winches in autonomous mode can land and operate on the cell surface. Targeting the device to integrin stimulated detectable downstream phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, an indication that Nano-winches can be applied to study cellular mechanical processes. Remote activation mode allowed finer extension control and greater force exertion. We united remotely activated Nano-winches with single-channel bilayer experiments to directly observe the opening of a channel by mechanical force in the force responsive gated channel protein, BtuB. This customizable origami provides an instrument-free approach that can be applied to control and explore a diversity of mechanotransduction circuits on living cells.
Rates and drivers of aboveground carbon accumulation in global monoculture plantation forests
Authors: Bukoski Jacob J. , Cook-Patton Susan C. , Melikov Cyril , Ban Hongyi , Chen Jessica L. , Goldman Elizabeth D. , Harris Nancy L. , Potts Matthew D.
Published: July 2022

Restoring forest cover is a key action for mitigating climate change. Although monoculture plantations dominate existing commitments to restore forest cover, we lack a synthetic view of how carbon accumulates in these systems. Here, we assemble a global database of 4756 field-plot measurements from monoculture plantations across all forested continents. With these data, we model carbon accumulation in aboveground live tree biomass and examine the biological, environmental, and human drivers that influence this growth. Our results identify four-fold variation in carbon accumulation rates across tree genera, plant functional types, and biomes, as well as the key mediators (e.g., genus of tree, endemism of species, prior land use) of variation in these rates. Our nonlinear growth models advance our understanding of carbon accumulation in forests relative to mean annual rates, particularly during the next few decades that are critical for mitigating climate change.
Confinement anisotropy drives polar organization of two DNA molecules interacting in a nanoscale cavity
Authors: Liu Zezhou , Capaldi Xavier , Zeng Lili , Zhang Yuning , Reyes-Lamothe Rodrigo , Reisner Walter
Published: July 2022

There is growing appreciation for the role phase transition based phenomena play in biological systems. In particular, self-avoiding polymer chains are predicted to undergo a unique confinement dependent demixing transition as the anisotropy of the confined space is increased. This phenomenon may be relevant for understanding how interactions between multiple dsDNA molecules can induce self-organized structure in prokaryotes. While recent in vivo experiments and Monte Carlo simulations have delivered essential insights into this phenomenon and its relation to bacteria, there are fundamental questions remaining concerning how segregated polymer states arise, the role of confinement anisotropy and the nature of the dynamics in the segregated states. To address these questions, we introduce an artificial nanofluidic model to quantify the interactions of multiple dsDNA molecules in cavities with controlled anisotropy. We find that two dsDNA molecules of equal size confined in an elliptical cavity will spontaneously demix and orient along the cavity poles as cavity eccentricity is increased; the two chains will then swap pole positions with a frequency that decreases with increasing cavity eccentricity. In addition, we explore a system consisting of a large dsDNA molecule and a plasmid molecule. We find that the plasmid is excluded from the larger molecule and will exhibit a preference for the ellipse poles, giving rise to a non-uniform spatial distribution in the cavity that may help explain the non-uniform plasmid distribution observed during in vivo imaging of high-copy number plasmids in bacteria.
De novo determination of mosquitocidal Cry11Aa and Cry11Ba structures from naturally-occurring nanocrystals
Authors: Tetreau Guillaume , Sawaya Michael R. , De Zitter Elke , Andreeva Elena A. , Banneville Anne-Sophie , Schibrowsky Natalie A. , Coquelle Nicolas , Brewster Aaron S. , Grünbein Marie Luise , Kovacs Gabriela Nass , Hunter Mark S. , Kloos Marco , Sierra Raymond G. , Schiro Giorgio , Qiao Pei , Stricker Myriam , Bideshi Dennis , Young Iris D. , Zala Ninon , Engilberge Sylvain , Gorel Alexander , Signor Luca , Teulon Jean-Marie , Hilpert Mario , Foucar Lutz , Bielecki Johan , Bean Richard , de Wijn Raphael , Sato Tokushi , Kirkwood Henry , Letrun Romain , Batyuk Alexander , Snigireva Irina , Fenel Daphna , Schubert Robin , Canfield Ethan J. , Alba Mario M. , Laporte Frédéric , Després Laurence , Bacia Maria , Roux Amandine , Chapelle Christian , Riobé François , Maury Olivier , Ling Wai Li , Boutet Sébastien , Mancuso Adrian , Gutsche Irina , Girard Eric , Barends Thomas R. M. , Pellequer Jean-Luc , Park Hyun-Woo , Laganowsky Arthur D. , Rodriguez Jose , Burghammer Manfred , Shoeman Robert L. , Doak R. Bruce , Weik Martin , Sauter Nicholas K. , Federici Brian , Cascio Duilio , Schlichting Ilme , Colletier Jacques-Philippe
Published: July 2022

Cry11Aa and Cry11Ba are the two most potent toxins produced by mosquitocidalBacillus thuringiensissubsp.israelensisandjegathesan, respectively. The toxins naturally crystallize within the host; however, the crystals are too small for structure determination at synchrotron sources. Therefore, we applied serial femtosecond crystallography at X-ray free electron lasers to in vivo-grown nanocrystals of these toxins. The structure of Cry11Aa was determinedde novousing the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion method, which in turn enabled the determination of the Cry11Ba structure by molecular replacement. The two structures reveal a new pattern for in vivo crystallization of Cry toxins, whereby each of their three domains packs with a symmetrically identical domain, and a cleavable crystal packing motif is located within the protoxin rather than at the termini. The diversity of in vivo crystallization patterns suggests explanations for their varied levels of toxicity and rational approaches to improve these toxins for mosquito control.
Protein secondary structure in spider silk nanofibrils
Authors: Wang Qijue , McArdle Patrick , Wang Stephanie L. , Wilmington Ryan L. , Xing Zhen , Greenwood Alexander , Cotten Myriam L. , Qazilbash M. Mumtaz , Schniepp Hannes C.
Published: July 2022

Nanofibrils play a pivotal role in spider silk and are responsible for many of the impressive properties of this unique natural material. However, little is known about the internal structure of these protein fibrils. We carry out polarized Raman and polarized Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies on native spider silk nanofibrils and determine the concentrations of six distinct protein secondary structures, including β-sheets, and two types of helical structures, for which we also determine orientation distributions. Our advancements in peak assignments are in full agreement with the published silk vibrational spectroscopy literature. We further corroborate our findings with X-ray diffraction and magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance experiments. Based on the latter and on polypeptide Raman spectra, we assess the role of key amino acids in different secondary structures. For the recluse spider we develop a highly detailed structural model, featuring seven levels of structural hierarchy. The approaches we develop are directly applicable to other proteinaceous materials.
Simulating hyperbolic space on a circuit board
Authors: Lenggenhager Patrick M. , Stegmaier Alexander , Upreti Lavi K. , Hofmann Tobias , Helbig Tobias , Vollhardt Achim , Greiter Martin , Lee Ching Hua , Imhof Stefan , Brand Hauke , Kießling Tobias , Boettcher Igor , Neupert Titus , Thomale Ronny , Bzdušek Tomáš
Published: July 2022

The Laplace operator encodes the behavior of physical systems at vastly different scales, describing heat flow, fluids, as well as electric, gravitational, and quantum fields. A key input for the Laplace equation is the curvature of space. Here we discuss and experimentally demonstrate that the spectral ordering of Laplacian eigenstates for hyperbolic (negatively curved) and flat two-dimensional spaces has a universally different structure. We use a lattice regularization of hyperbolic space in an electric-circuit network to measure the eigenstates of a ‘hyperbolic drum’, and in a time-resolved experiment we verify signal propagation along the curved geodesics. Our experiments showcase both a versatile platform to emulate hyperbolic lattices in tabletop experiments, and a set of methods to verify the effective hyperbolic metric in this and other platforms. The presented techniques can be utilized to explore novel aspects of both classical and quantum dynamics in negatively curved spaces, and to realise the emerging models of topological hyperbolic matter.
A density-based enrichment measure for assessing colocalization in single-molecule localization microscopy data
Authors: Ejdrup Aske L. , Lycas Matthew D. , Lorenzen Niels , Konomi Ainoa , Herborg Freja , Madsen Kenneth L. , Gether Ulrik
Published: July 2022

Dual-color single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) provides unprecedented possibilities for detailed studies of colocalization of different molecular species in a cell. However, the informational richness of the data is not fully exploited by current analysis tools that often reduce colocalization to a single value. Here, we describe a tool specifically designed for determination of co-localization in both 2D and 3D from SMLM data. The approach uses a function that describes the relative enrichment of one molecular species on the density distribution of a reference species. The function reframes the question of colocalization by providing a density-context relevant to multiple biological questions. Moreover, the function visualize enrichment (i.e. colocalization) directly in the images for easy interpretation. We demonstrate the approach’s functionality on both simulated data and cultured neurons, and compare it to current alternative measures. The method is available in a Python function for easy and parameter-free implementation.
Protein shape sampled by ion mobility mass spectrometry consistently improves protein structure prediction
Authors: Turzo SM Bargeen Alam , Seffernick Justin T. , Rolland Amber D. , Donor Micah T. , Heinze Sten , Prell James S. , Wysocki Vicki H. , Lindert Steffen
Published: July 2022

Ion mobility (IM) mass spectrometry provides structural information about protein shape and size in the form of an orientationally-averaged collision cross-section (CCSIM). While IM data have been used with various computational methods, they have not yet been utilized to predict monomeric protein structure from sequence. Here, we show that IM data can significantly improve protein structure determination using the modelling suite Rosetta. We develop the Rosetta Projection Approximation using Rough Circular Shapes (PARCS) algorithm that allows for fast and accurate prediction of CCSIM from structure. Following successful testing of the PARCS algorithm, we use an integrative modelling approach to utilize IM data for protein structure prediction. Additionally, we propose a confidence metric that identifies near native models in the absence of a known structure. The results of this study demonstrate the ability of IM data to consistently improve protein structure prediction.
Dynamics of competing SARS-CoV-2 variants during the Omicron epidemic in England
Authors: Eales Oliver , de Oliveira Martins Leonardo , Page Andrew J. , Wang Haowei , Bodinier Barbara , Tang David , Haw David , Jonnerby Jakob , Atchison Christina , Ashby Deborah , Barclay Wendy , Taylor Graham , Cooke Graham , Ward Helen , Darzi Ara , Riley Steven , Elliott Paul , Donnelly Christl A. , Chadeau-Hyam Marc
Published: July 2022

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been characterised by the regular emergence of genomic variants. With natural and vaccine-induced population immunity at high levels, evolutionary pressure favours variants better able to evade SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibodies. The Omicron variant (first detected in November 2021) exhibited a high degree of immune evasion, leading to increased infection rates worldwide. However, estimates of the magnitude of this Omicron wave have often relied on routine testing data, which are prone to several biases. Using data from the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission-1 (REACT-1) study, a series of cross-sectional surveys assessing prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in England, we estimated the dynamics of England’s Omicron wave (from 9 September 2021 to 1 March 2022). We estimate an initial peak in national Omicron prevalence of 6.89% (5.34%, 10.61%) during January 2022, followed by a resurgence in SARS-CoV-2 infections as the more transmissible Omicron sub-lineage, BA.2 replaced BA.1 and BA.1.1. Assuming the emergence of further distinct variants, intermittent epidemics of similar magnitudes may become the ‘new normal’.