bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Manipulations of the olfactory circuit highlight the role of sensory stimulation in regulating sleep amount
Authors: Hsu Cynthia T , Choi Juliana Tsz Yan , Sehgal Amita
Published: December 2020

Study Objectives

While wake duration is a major sleep driver, an important question is if wake quality also contributes to controlling sleep. In particular, we sought to determine whether changes in sensory stimulation affect sleep in Drosophila. As Drosophila rely heavily on their sense of smell, we focused on manipulating olfactory input and the olfactory sensory pathway.

Methods

Sensory deprivation was first performed by removing antennae or applying glue to antennae. We then measured sleep in response to neural activation, via expression of the thermally gated cation channel TRPA1, or inhibition, via expression of the inward rectifying potassium channel KIR2.1, of subpopulations of neurons in the olfactory pathway. Genetically restricting manipulations to adult animals prevented developmental effects.

Results

We find that olfactory deprivation reduces sleep, largely independently of mushroom bodies that integrate olfactory signals for memory consolidation and have previously been implicated in sleep. However, specific neurons in the lateral horn, the other third-order target of olfactory input, affect sleep. Also, activation of inhibitory second-order projection neurons increases sleep. No single neuronal population in the olfactory processing pathway was found to bidirectionally regulate sleep, and reduced sleep in response to olfactory deprivation may be masked by temperature changes.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate that Drosophila sleep is sensitive to sensory stimulation, and identify novel sleep-regulating neurons in the olfactory circuit. Scaling of signals across the circuit may explain the lack of bidirectional effects when neuronal activity is manipulated. We propose that olfactory inputs act through specific circuit components to modulate sleep in flies.
Isoform-specific regulation of rhythmic gene expression by alternative polyadenylation
Authors: Greenwell Ben J , Beytebiere Joshua R , Lamb Teresa M , Bell-Pedersen Deborah , Merlin Christine , Menet Jerome S
Published: December 2020

Alternative polyadenylation (APA) generates transcript isoforms with different 3’ ends. Differences in polyadenylation sites usage, which have been associated with diseases like cancer, regulate mRNA stability, subcellular localization, and translation. By characterizing APA across the 24-hour day in mouse liver, here we show that rhythmic gene expression occurs largely in an APA isoform-specific manner, and that hundreds of arrhythmically expressed genes surprisingly exhibit a rhythmic APA isoform. The underlying mechanisms comprise isoform-specific post-transcriptional regulation, transcription factor driven expression of specific isoform, co-transcriptional recruitment of RNA binding proteins that regulate mRNA cleavage and polyadenylation, and, to a lesser extent, cell subtype-specific expression. Remarkably, rhythmic expression of specific APA isoforms generates 24-hour rhythms in 3’ UTR length, with shorter UTRs in anticipation of the mouse active phase. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that cycling transcriptomes are regulated by APA, and suggest that APA strongly impacts the rhythmic regulation of biological functions.
Toward a universal model for spatially structured populations
Authors: Marrec Loïc , Lamberti Irene , Bitbol Anne-Florence
Published: December 2020

A key question in evolution is how likely a mutant is to take over. This depends on natural selection and on stochastic fluctuations. Population spatial structure can impact mutant fixation probabilities. We introduce a model for structured populations on graphs that generalizes previous ones by making migrations independent of birth and death. We demonstrate that by tuning migration asymmetry, the star graph transitions from amplifying to suppressing natural selection. Our results are universal in the sense that they do not hinge on a modeling choice of microscopic dynamics or update rules. Instead, they depend on migration asymmetry, which can be experimentally tuned and measured.
Prion-like C-terminal domain of TDP-43 and α-Synuclein interact synergistically to generate neurotoxic hybrid fibrils
Authors: Dhakal Shailendra , Wyant Courtney E. , George Hannah E. , Morgan Sarah E. , Rangachari Vijayaraghavan
Published: December 2020

Aberrant aggregation and amyloid formation of tar DNA binding protein (TDP-43) and α-synuclein (αS) underlie frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), respectively. Amyloid inclusions of TDP-43 and αS are also commonly co-observed in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer disease (AD). Emerging evidence from cellular and animal models show colocalization of the TDP-43 and αS aggregates, raising the possibility of direct interactions and co-aggregation between the two proteins. In this report, we set out to answer this question by investigating the interactions between αS and prion-like pathogenic C-terminal domain of TDP-43 (TDP-43 PrLD). PrLD is an aggregation-prone fragment generated both by alternative splicing as well as aberrant proteolytic cleavage of full length TDP-43. Our results indicate that two proteins interact in a synergistic manner to augment each others aggregation towards hybrid fibrils. While monomers, oligomers and sonicated fibrils of αS seed TDP-43 PrLD monomer aggregation, TDP-43 PrLD fibrils failed to seed αS monomers indicating selective interactions. Furthermore, αS modulates liquid droplets formed by TDP-43 PrLD and RNA to promote insoluble amyloid aggregates. Importantly, the cross-seeded hybrid aggregates show greater cytotoxicity as compared to the individual homotypic aggregates suggesting that the interactions between the two proteins have a discernable impact on cellular functions. Together, these results bring forth insights into TDP-43 PrLD – αS interactions that could help explain clinical and pathological presentations in patients with co-morbidities involving the two proteins.
Enhanced reflexive eye closure is mediated by ipRGC signals and is specific to migraine with visual aura
Authors: Kaiser Eric A , McAdams Harrison , Igdalova Aleksandra , Haggerty Edda B , Cucchiara Brett , Brainard David H , Aguirre Geoffrey K
Published: December 2020

Objective

To assess the contribution of the melanopsin-containing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) and the cones to reflexive eye closure as an implicit measure of interictal photophobia in migraine.

Methods

We studied twenty participants in each of three groups: headache-free (HAf) controls, migraine without aura (MwoA), and migraine with visual aura (MwA). Participants viewed spectral pulses that selectively targeted melanopsin, the cones, or their combination while we recorded orbicularis oculi electromyography (OO-EMG) and blinking rate.

Results

Time course analysis of OO-EMG demonstrated that reflexive eye closure was tightly coupled to the spectral pulses. Compared to both the MwoA and HAf control groups, the MwA group had enhanced OO-EMG and blinking activity in response to melanopsin and cone stimulation in combination and in isolation. This response scaled with the contrast of the stimulus.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that ipRGC signals, whether elicited by melanopsin stimulation or from presumed extrinsic cone input, provide the afferent input for light-induced reflexive eye closure in a photophobic state. Participants with migraine and visual aura had a distinctly different response to visual stimulation as compared to the other two groups. This is in contrast to prior findings in this same cohort in whom higher explicit ratings of visual discomfort were found for both MwA and MwoA as compared to controls. Such a dissociation suggests distinct pathophysiology in forms of migraine, interacting with separate neural pathways by which ipRGC signals elicit implicit and explicit signs of visual discomfort.
Gene family evolution underlies cell type diversification in the hypothalamus of teleosts
Authors: Shafer Maxwell E.R. , Sawh Ahilya N. , Schier Alexander F.
Published: December 2020

Hundreds of cell types form the vertebrate brain, but it is largely unknown how similar these cellular repertoires are between or within species, or how cell type diversity evolves. To examine cell type diversity across and within species, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing of ∼130,000 hypothalamic cells from zebrafish (Danio rerio) and surface- and cave-morphs of Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexicanus). We found that over 75% of cell types were shared between zebrafish and Mexican tetra, which last shared a common ancestor over 150 million years ago. Orthologous cell types displayed differential paralogue expression that was generated by sub-functionalization after genome duplication. Expression of terminal effector genes, such as neuropeptides, was more conserved than the expression of their associated transcriptional regulators. Species-specific cell types were enriched for the expression of species-specific genes, and characterized by the neo-functionalization of members of recently expanded or contracted gene families. Within species comparisons revealed differences in immune repertoires and transcriptional changes in neuropeptidergic cell types associated with genomic differences between surface- and cave-morphs. The single-cell atlases presented here are a powerful resource to explore hypothalamic cell types, and reveal how gene family evolution and the neo- and sub-functionalization of paralogs contribute to cellular diversity.
TheTomato brown rugose fruit virusmovement protein overcomesTm-22resistance while attenuating viral transport
Authors: Hak Hagit , Spiegelman Ziv
Published: December 2020

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus(ToBRFV) is a new virus of theTobamovirusgenus, causing substantial damage to tomato crops in the Middle East. Reports of recent ToBRFV outbreaks from around the world indicate an emerging global epidemic. ToBRFV overcomes all tobamovirus resistances in tomato, including the durableTm-22resistance gene. Here, we show that the ToBRFV movement protein (MPToBRFV) is the cause for overcomingTm-22resistance. Transient expression of MPToBRFVfailed to activate theTm-22resistance response. Replacement of the original MP sequences ofTomato mosaic virus(ToMV) with MPToBRFVenabled this recombinant virus to overcomeTm-22resistance. Hybrid protein analysis revealed that the resistance-breaking elements are located between MPToBRFVamino acids 1 and 216, and not the C terminus as previously assumed. Interestingly, replacement ofTobacco mosaic virus(TMV) and ToMV MPs with MPToBRFVcaused an attenuation of systemic infection of both viruses. Cell-to-cell movement analysis revealed that MPToBRFVmoves less effectively compared to the TMV MP (MPTMV). These findings suggest that overcomingTm-22is associated with attenuated MP function. This viral fitness cost may explain the high durability ofTm-22resistance, which had remained unbroken for over 60 years.
5-HT2Creceptor perturbation has bidirectional influence over instrumental vigour and restraint
Authors: Härmson Oliver , Grima Laura L. , Panayi Marios C. , Husain Masud , Walton Mark E.
Published: December 2020

The serotonin (5-HT) system, particularly the 5-HT2Creceptor, has consistently been implicated in behavioural control. However, while some studies have focused on the role 5-HT2Creceptors plays in regulating motivation to work for reward, others have highlighted its importance in response restraint. To date, it is unclear how 5-HT transmission at this receptor regulates the balance of response invigoration and restraint in anticipation of future reward. In addition, it remains to be established how 5-HT2Creceptors gate the influence of internal versus cue-driven processes over reward-guided actions. To elucidate these issues, we investigated the effects of administering the 5-HT2Creceptor antagonist SB242084, both systemically and directly into the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC), in rats performing a Go/No-Go task for small or large rewards. The results were compared to administration ofd-amphetamine into the NAcC, which has previously been shown to promote behavioural activation. Systemic perturbation of 5-HT2Creceptors – but crucially not intra-NAcC infusions – consistently boosted rats’ performance and instrumental vigour on Go trials when they were required to act. Concomitantly, systemic administration also reduced their ability to withhold responding for rewards on No-Go trials, particularly late in the holding period. Notably, these effects were often apparent only when the reward on offer was small. By contrast, inducing a hyperdopaminergic state in the NAcC withd-amphetamine strongly impaired response restraint on No-Go trials both early and late in the holding period, as well as speeding action initiation. Together, these findings suggest that 5-HT2Creceptor transmission, outside the NAcC, shapes the vigour of ongoing goal-directed action as well as the likelihood of responding as a function of expected reward.
A novel cell culture system modeling the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle
Authors: Ju Xiaohui , Zhu Yunkai , Wang Yuyan , Li Jingrui , Zhang Jiaxing , Gong Mingli , Ren Wenlin , Li Sai , Zhong Jin , Zhang Qiangfeng Cliff , Zhang Rong , Ding Qiang
Published: December 2020

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the global pandemic of COVID-19, and no effective antiviral agents and vaccines are available. SARS-CoV-2 is classified as a biosafety level-3 (BLS-3) agent, impeding the basic research into its biology and the development of effective antivirals. Here, we developed a biosafety level-2 (BSL-2) cell culture system for production of transcription and replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 virus-like-particles (trVLP). This trVLP expresses a reporter gene (GFP) replacing viral nucleocapsid gene (N), which is required for viral genome packaging and virion assembly (SARS-CoV-2-GFP/ΔN trVLP). The complete viral life cycle can be achieved and exclusively confined in the cells ectopically expressing SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2 N proteins, but not MERS-CoV N. Genetic recombination of N suppliedin transinto viral genome was not detected, as evidenced by sequence analysis after one-month serial passages in the N-expressing cells. Moreover, intein-mediated protein trans-splicing approach was utilized to split the viral N gene into two independent vectors, and the ligated viral N protein could functionin transto recapitulate entire viral life cycle, further securing the biosafety of this cell culture model. Based on this BSL-2 SARS-CoV-2 cell culture model, we developed a 96-well format high throughput screening for antivirals discovery. We identified salinomycin, tubeimoside I, monensin sodium, lycorine chloride and nigericin sodium as potent antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Collectively, we developed a convenient and efficient SARS-CoV-2 reverse genetics tool to dissect the virus life cycle under a BSL-2 condition. This powerful tool should accelerate our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 biology and its antiviral development.
Evaluation ofin vitroactivity of copper gluconate against SARS-CoV-2 using confocal microscopy-based high content screening
Authors: Rodriguez Killian , Josselin Rigaill , Audoux Estelle , Saunier Florian , Botelho-Nevers Elisabeth , Prier Amélie , Dickerscheit Yann , Pillet Sylvie , Pozzetto Bruno , Bourlet Thomas , Verhoeven Paul O.
Published: December 2020

Context

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged late in 2019 is the etiologic agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). There is an urgent need to develop curative and preventive therapeutics to limit the current pandemic and to prevent the re-emergence of Covid-19. This study aimed to assess thein vitroactivity of copper gluconate against SRAS-CoV-2.

Methods

Vero E6 cells were treated with copper gluconate 18 hours before infection. Cells were infected with a recombinant GFP expressing SARS-CoV-2. Infected cells were maintained in fresh medium containing copper gluconate for an additional 48-hour period. The infection level was measured by the confocal microscopy-based high content screening method. The cell viability in presence of copper gluconate was assessed by XTT assay.

Results

The viability of Vero E6 cells treated with copper gluconate up to 200 μM was found to be similar to that of untreated cells, but it dropped below 40% with 400 μM of this agent. The infection rate was 23.8%, 18.9%, 20.6%, 6.9%, 5.3%,5.2% in cells treated with 0, 2, 10, 25, 50 and 100 μM of copper gluconate respectively. As compared to untreated cells, the number of infected cells was reduced by 71%, 77%, and 78% with 25, 50, and 100 μM of copper gluconate respectively (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Copper gluconate was found to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 infection in Vero E6 cells. Furthers studies are needed to determine whether copper homeostasis could play a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Identification of four linear B-cell epitopes on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein able to elicit neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Li Lin , Zhao Zhongpeng , Yang Xiaolan , Li Wendong , Chen Shaolong , Sun Ting , Wang Lu , He Yufei , Liu Guang , Han Xiaohan , Wen Hao , Liu Yong , Chen Yifan , Wang Haoyu , Li Jing , Su Zhongyi , Du Chen , Wang Yiting , Li Xinyang , Yang Zeqian , Wang Jie , Li Min , Wang Tiecheng , Wang Ying , Fan Yubo , Wang Hui , Zhang Jing
Published: December 2020

SARS-CoV-2 unprecedentedly threatens the public health at worldwide level. There is an urgent need to develop an effective vaccine within a highly accelerated time. Here, we present the most comprehensive S-protein-based linear B-cell epitope candidate list by combining epitopes predicted by eight widely-used immune-informatics methods with the epitopes curated from literature published between Feb 6, 2020 and July 10, 2020. We find four top prioritized linear B-cell epitopes in the hotspot regions of S protein can specifically bind with serum antibodies from horse, mouse, and monkey inoculated with different SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates or a patient recovering from COVID-19. The four linear B-cell epitopes can induce neutralizing antibodies against both pseudo and live SARS-CoV-2 virus in immunized wild-type BALB/c mice. This study suggests that the four linear B-cell epitopes are potentially important candidates for serological assay or vaccine development.
Distributional changes in myelin-specific MRI markers uncover dynamics in the fornix following spatial navigation training
Authors: Anaby Debbie , Tendler Benjamin C. , Treder Matthias S. , Hametner Simon , Koeck Ulrike , Tax Chantal M.W. , Parker Greg D. , Barazany Daniel , Assaf Yaniv , Jones Derek K.
Published: December 2020

Increasing evidence implicates white matter (WM) dynamics supporting learning in the mature brain. Recent MRI studies, mostly using diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI), have demonstrated learning-induced WM changes at the microstructural level. However, while DT-MRI-derived measures have sensitivity to general WM microstructural changes, they lack compartmental specificity, making them difficult to relate to underlying cellular mechanisms, stymying deeper understanding of mechanisms supporting training-induced gains in performance. Gaining a deeper understanding demands a more detailed characterization of changes in specific WM sub-components. To this end, four microstructural MRI techniques were employed to study alterations in rat brains after 5-days of water maze training: DT-MRI; Composite Hindered and Restricted Model of Diffusion (CHARMED); magnetization transfer (MT) imaging; quantitative susceptibility mapping and R2*.

The hypothesis tested here was that microstructural changes would be: (i) observed in tracts supporting spatial navigation, i.e., fornix and corpus callosum (CC); and (ii) more pronounced in the myelin-specific measures.

Medians and distributions of microstructural parameters were derived along the fornix, CC and cingulum (as a comparison tract) using the ‘tractometry’ approach. Summary measures were derived from different metrics using unsupervised data reduction. Significant pre-vs-post training differences were found in the medians of two principal components loading on: (i) anisotropy indices; and (ii) MT ratio. The most striking effect, however, was seen in thedistributionsof pre-vs-post training MT ratio in the fornix, consistent with the primary hypothesis, and highlighting the value of this alternative to the standard approach (i.e., comparing means/medians of DT-MRI parameters) for studying neuroplasticityin vivo.

Significance statement

Recent MRI-studies have demonstrated that white matter (WM) dynamics support learning, even in the mature brain. However, most studies are based on diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) measures, which although providing sensitivity to WM microstructural changes, do not provide a direct translation to the underlying cellular mechanisms making interpretation difficult. Using alternative quantitative MRI approaches, this study provided more specific subcomponent microstructural insights into the brain’s WM response to water-maze training. We show that myelin-specific MR measures show more marked changes than axonal-specific and DT-MRI measures, in WM tracts responsible for spatial navigation. The results promote adoption of these alternative approaches to DT-MRI for studying neuroplasticityin vivo.
Uncovering novel mutational signatures byde novoextraction with SigProfilerExtractor
Authors: Islam S M Ashiqul , Díaz-Gay Marcos , Wu Yang , Barnes Mark , Vangara Raviteja , Bergstrom Erik N , He Yudou , Vella Mike , Wang Jingwei , Teague Jon W , Clapham Peter , Moody Sarah , Senkin Sergey , Li Yun Rose , Riva Laura , Zhang Tongwu , Gruber Andreas J , Steele Christopher D , Otlu Burçak , Khandekar Azhar , Abbasi Ammal , Humphreys Laura , Syulyukina Natalia , Brady Samuel W , Alexandrov Boian S , Pillay Nischalan , Zhang Jinghui , Adams David J , Martincorena Iñigo , Wedge David C , Landi Maria Teresa , Brennan Paul , Stratton Michael R , Rozen Steven G , Alexandrov Ludmil B
Published: December 2020

Mutational signature analysis is commonly performed in genomic studies surveying cancer and normal somatic tissues. Here we present SigProfilerExtractor, an automated tool for accuratede novoextraction of mutational signatures for all types of somatic mutations. Benchmarking with a total of 34 distinct scenarios encompassing 2,500 simulated signatures operative in more than 60,000 unique synthetic genomes and 20,000 synthetic exomes demonstrates that SigProfilerExtractor outperforms thirteen other tools across all datasets with and without noise. For genome simulations with 5% noise, reflecting high-quality genomic datasets, SigProfilerExtractor outperforms other approaches by elucidating between 20% and 50% more true positive signatures while yielding more than 5-fold less false positive signatures. Applying SigProfilerExtractor to 4,643 whole-genome sequenced and 19,184 whole-exome sequenced cancers reveals four previously missed mutational signatures. Two of the signatures are confirmed in independent cohorts with one of these signatures associating with tobacco smoking. In summary, this report provides a reference tool for analysis of mutational signatures, a comprehensive benchmarking of bioinformatics tools for extracting mutational signatures, and several novel mutational signatures including a signature putatively attributed to direct tobacco smoking mutagenesis in bladder cancer and in normal bladder epithelium.
Intraventricular hemodynamics in pediatric patients with single right ventricles reveal deteriorated washout and low vortex formation times: An in silico study
Authors: Grünwald Anna , Korte Jana , Wilmanns Nadja , Winkler Christian , Linden Katharina , Herberg Ulrike , Groß-Hardt Sascha , Steinseifer Ulrich , Neidlin Michael
Published: December 2020

The congenital heart disease univentricular heart (UVH) occurs with an incidence of 0.04-0.5% in newborns and is often treated with the Fontan procedure. In this intervention, the cardiac circulation is transformed into a singular circulation with only one ventricular chamber pumping.

Hemodynamics the singular ventricle is a major research topic in cardiology and there exists a relationship between fluid dynamical features and cardiac behavior in health and disease. By visualizing the flow using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, an option is created to investigate the flow in patient-specific geometries.

CFD simulation of the pathological single right ventricle in contrast to the healthy left ventricle is the research object of the present work. The aim is the numerical comparison of the intraventricular flow within the ventricles. Based on this, flow formation in different anatomies of the ventricles is investigated.

Patient-specific measurements of ventricles from three-dimensional real-time echocardiographic images served as the basis for the simulations with five single right ventricle (SRV) patients and two subjects with healthy left hearts (LV) investigated. Interpolation of these data reproduced the shape and continuous motion of the heart during a cardiac cycle. This motion was implemented into a CFD model with a moving mesh methodology. For comparison of the ventricles, the vortex formation as well as the occurring turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and washout were evaluated. Vortex formation was assessed using the dimensionless vortex formation time (VFT).

The results show significantly lower values for the VFT and the TKE in SRV patients than for the compared LV Patients. Furthermore, vortex formation does not progress to the apex in SRV patients. These findings were confirmed by a significantly lower washout in SRV patients.

Flow simulation within the moving ventricle provides the possibility of more detailed analysis of the ventricular function. Simulation results show altered vortex formation and reduced washout of SRV in comparison to healthy LV. This information could provide important information for the planning and treatment of Fontan patients.
“I was discriminated against because I was seen as PRC‐Chinese”: The negotiation between ethnicity and nationalism among Taiwanese migrants in Australia
Authors: Li Yao‐Tai
Published: December 2020

Research on race and ethnicity has focused on conditions under which solidarity will be developed to consolidate collective benefits. For example, facing racial discrimination can bring large‐scale affiliations (e.g., people of color, Latinos, or Asians) to fight against racial injustice. Focusing on the negotiation and struggle between ethnicity and nationalism among Taiwanese migrants in Australia—a politicizing context associated with a prior definition of Chinese category, despite inherent differences within it, this article shows the complexity of ethnicity when ethnic identity/solidarity intersects with nationalism and racial discrimination. I argue that Taiwanese migrants attach specific meanings to the ethnic (Chinese) category and constantly connect to and shift its boundaries in different contexts. Meanwhile, they also make a distinction between racial discrimination from white Australians and political hostility from PRC‐Chinese. This article proposes a procedural and contextual understanding of ethnic identity, solidarity, nationalism, and boundary making/unmaking within the Chinese category as it is enacted in Taiwanese migrants' everyday lives. It also examines situational variability in the salience of ethnic identifications, racialization of the ethnic category, and people's interpretation of ethnic and national identity when facing racial discrimination.
Non‐Pecuniary Rewards, Multiple Job‐Holding and the Labour Supply of Creative Workers: The Case of Book Authors*
Authors: Longden Thomas , Throsby David
Published: December 2020

Non‐pecuniary rewards to work, or psychic income, are a pervasive phenomenon in several labour markets, yet they have been little investigated either theoretically or empirically. Creative industries are a particular case where non‐monetary incentives are widely observed. These are also industries where moonlighting commonly occurs because artistic or creative activity is generally low paid, such that workers have to balance their chosen pursuit with another job to make ends meet. In this paper we propose a labour supply model that accounts for the psychic income derived from creative work, monetary remuneration and heterogeneity between occupations in a multiple job‐holding context. The model is estimated using three‐stage least squares, allowing us to control for simultaneity bias due to the constraint of time and the tendency for multiple job‐holdings. We estimate the model using data from a survey of Australian book authors. The use of a proxy for psychic income, measured as the disparity between an author’s monetary compensation and a shadow price of labour, enables us to gauge the effects of non‐pecuniary benefits on the labour supply decisions of this type of creative worker.
Tax Progressivity in Australia: Facts, Measurements and Estimates†
Authors: Tran Chung , Zakariyya Nabeeh
Published: December 2020

We study trends in progressivity of the Australian personal income tax system after the introduction of A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999. We employ two methodological approaches: one based on tax liability progression and one based on tax liability distribution. The latter shows a cycle of lesser and greater tax progressivity in Australia between 2000 and 2018. We identify two main drivers of the tax progressivity cycle: lack of automatic indexation and mismatch between the income tax code and the evolution of market income distribution. Active tax policy with frequent adjustments to income brackets, marginal rates and offset levels drive the progressivity level before 2010. Meanwhile, inactive tax policy induces lower levels of tax progressivity after 2010 as the income tax code fails to track the changes in market income distribution. Indexation to inflation can partially mitigate the decline in progressivity; however, it is not a full substitute for a proper tax indexation system with (annual) frequent adjustments. Furthermore, we separate the contributions of taxes and transfers to overall progressivity of the tax and transfer system. We find the redistributive role of transfers is more pronounced.
Avocado Production: Water Footprint and Socio‐economic Implications
Authors: Sommaruga Ruben , Eldridge Honor May
Published: December 2020

The market for avocados is among the fastest expanding markets worldwide, and consumption, particularly in North America and Europe, has increased during recent decades due largely to a combination of socio‐economic and marketing factors. Avocado production, however, is associated with significant water conflicts, stresses and hot spots, as well as with other negative environmental and socio‐economic impacts on local communities in the main production zones. In considering near‐future climatic change in tropical and subtropical areas where avocados are produced, an urgent road map is needed to avoid and mitigate negative effects of avocado production. This road map needs to bring authorities and policymakers together with large and small producers from areas with present and projected future water scarcity to evaluate the critical capacity and optimal levels of avocado production. The EU as one of the most important markets for this fruit could facilitate and support such a road map and at the same time critically promote imports from countries and regions where current and future severe water risk are not further threatened. Finally, consumer behaviour can contribute to minimising negative effects by making a conscious effort to engage in ethical consumption and environmental conservation, contributing to the sustainability of communities in producing areas.
Chromosome‐level genome assembly of the aphid parasitoid Aphidius gifuensis using Oxford Nanopore sequencing and Hi‐C technology
Authors: Li Bingyan , Du Zhenyong , Tian Li , Zhang Limeng , Huang Zhihua , Wei Shujun , Song Fan , Cai Wanzhi , Yu Yanbi , Yang Hailin , Li Hu
Published: December 2020

Aphidius gifuensis is a parasitoid wasp that has been commercially bred and released in large scale as a biocontrol agent for the management of aphid pests. As a highly efficient endoparasitoid, it is also an important model for exploring mechanisms of parasitism. Currently, artificially bred populations of this wasp are facing rapid decline with undetermined cause, and mechanisms underlying its parasitoid strategy remain poorly understood. Exploring the mechanism behind its population decline and the host–parasitoid relationship is impeded partly due to the lack of a comprehensive genome data for this species. In this study, we constructed a high‐quality reference genome of A. gifuensis using Oxford Nanopore sequencing and Hi‐C (proximity ligation chromatin conformation capture) technology. The final genomic assembly was 156.9 Mb, with a contig N50 length of 3.93 Mb, the longest contig length of 10.4 Mb and 28.89% repetitive sequences. 99.8% of genome sequences were anchored onto six linkage groups. A total of 11,535 genes were predicted, of which 90.53% were functionally annotated. Benchmarking Universal Single‐Copy Orthologs (BUSCO) analysis showed the completeness of assembled genome is 98.3%. We found significantly expanded gene families involved in metabolic processes, transmembrane transport, cell signal communication and oxidoreductase activity, in particular ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter, Cytochrome P450 and venom proteins. The olfactory receptors (ORs) showed significant contraction, which may be associated with the decrease in host recognition. Our study provides a solid foundation for future studies on the molecular mechanisms of population decline as well as host–parasitoid relationship for parasitoid wasps.
Adverse maternal and perinatal pregnancy outcomes related to very advanced maternal age in primigravida and multigravida in the Netherlands: A population‐based cohort
Authors: Rademaker Doortje , Hukkelhoven Chantal W. P. M. , van Pampus Maria G.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The age at which women give birth is rising steadily in the western world. Advanced maternal age has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We assessed the association between advanced maternal age and the risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcome in primigravid and multigravid women.

Material and methods

The study was a population‐based cohort study and included women giving birth between January 2000 and December 2018 using data from the Dutch perinatal registration of Perined. Women were divided into age groups. We compared outcomes between women of 40‐44, 45‐49, and over 50 years old (the study groups) with women of 25‐29 years old (reference group), stratified for parity. We employed multivariable regression to correct for possible confounders including methods of conception, multiple pregnancies, ethnicity, and socio‐economic status. Our primary outcomes were maternal and perinatal mortality. Secondary outcomes included common maternal and perinatal complications, as well as cesarean section rate.

Results

A cohort of 3 700 326 women gave birth during the study period. Of these women, 3.2% were above 40 years of age. Maternal mortality was rare in all groups, but significantly higher in multigravid women over 50 years old. Perinatal mortality was significantly higher in all pregnancies of women over 40 years old, but not for primigravida over 50 years old. The most notable results with the steepest increase were in maternal complications. Both primigravida and multigravida over 40 years old were at a two times higher risk of perinatal mortality, cesarean section, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, and a low Apgar score after 5 minutes. The risk for women over 45 was almost tripled for perinatal mortality and gestational diabetes and six times higher for cesarean section. Women over 50 years old had a seven times higher risk of cesarean section, a four times higher risk of gestational diabetes, postpartum hemorrhage, and neonatal intensive care unit admission, and a 10 times higher risk of hypertensive disorders.

Conclusions

The risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes for women over 40 years old surges as age increases. A novel aspect was the consistent increased risks not only for primigravid women but also for multigravida.
An increase in dietary lipid content from different forms of double‐low rapeseed reduces enteric methane emission in Datong yaks on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Qunying , Degen Allan , Hao Lizhuang , Huang Yayu , Niu Jianzhang , Wang Xun , Chai Shatuo , Liu Shujie
Published: December 2020

Enteric methane (CH4) emission in cattle generally decreases by approximately 1 g/g dry matter intake (DMI) with an increase in dietary lipids of 10 g/kg dry matter (DM). The effect of dietary lipids on CH4 emission in yaks has not been reported and is the subject of this study. Four Datong yaks were used in a 4 × 4 Latin‐square design in which the four treatments included restricted intakes of double‐low rapeseed differing in form and lipid (ether extract—EE) content: (a) rapeseed meal (EE 32.6 g/kg DM); (b) rapeseed meal and rapeseed cake (EE 45.8 g/kg DM); (c) rapeseed meal and whole cracked rapeseed (EE 54.5 g/kg DM) and (d) rapeseed meal and rapeseed oil (EE 62.7 g/kg DM). The digestibility of feed components did not differ among treatments. The ruminal total volatile fatty acids (p = .082) and acetic acid (p = .062) concentrations tended to be lowest in yaks consuming the diet with highest lipid content. In addition, CH4 production was lowest in this group (p = .004), and declined by 1.75 g/g DMI per 10 g/kg DM reduction in dietary lipid content, a rate substantially faster than in cattle.
Assessment of reproductive and growth performance of pigs on commercial swine farms in southern Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Sasaki Yosuke , Kawabata Tadahiro , Nakatake Shingo , Kohigashi Tomoya , Toya Ryohei , Uemura Ryoko , Sueyoshi Masuo
Published: December 2020

The objective of the present study was to assess the productivity of pigs to investigate the time‐dependent change in productivity and compare productivity according to breeding company group and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) status on commercial swine farms in southern Kyushu, Japan. Data used in the present study were 245 annual productivity records from 2014 to 2018 obtained from 72 farms. Average sow inventory was 481.2 sows. Mean numbers of pigs weaned per sow per year and market pigs sold per sow per year were 23.7 and 21.6, respectively. Pigs born alive per litter increased from 11.1 to 11.9 pigs from 2014 to 2018 (p < .05). Farms using domestic breeding companies had similar numbers in 2016 to those using international breeding companies, but fewer pigs in 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018 (p < .05). Farms with an unknown or unstable PRRS status had fewer pigs born alive per litter and pigs weaned per sow per year than those with stable or negative PRRS statuses (11.2 ± 0.06 vs. 11.8 ± 0.08 pigs and 22.6 ± 0.38 vs. 25.0 ± 0.22 pigs, respectively;p < .05). These results can be used to establish feasible targets and standards of performance to identify problem areas and improve production.
Exploring the effects of gamification pedagogy on children’s reading: A mixed‐method study on academic performance, reading‐related mentality and behaviors, and sustainability
Authors: Li Xiuhan , Chu Samuel Kai Wah
Published: December 2020

Gamification is becoming increasingly popular in primary education due to the widespread use of digital technology. However, gamified reading is new, and there is little empirical evidence regarding its effectiveness. The sustainability of the effects of gamification pedagogy is also in doubt as some scholars think that such effects are short‐term and not sustainable. This paper presents the results of three sub‐studies of examining the effects of an online gamified reading platform and the sustainability of these effects. Study 1 examined the change in students’ academic performance between two groups divided based on their different participation levels. Study 2 addressed the question of how students/parents/teachers perceive students’ motivation and gaining in the use of the gamified platform. Study 3 explored the sustainability of the effects of the gamified platform from a longitudinal perspective. Findings suggest that students’ deep engagement in the gamified e‐learning platform can help increase their reading motivation and improve their reading abilities. Such effects can be sustained for several semesters.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

Reading is very important for children’s development. However, the ubiquity of digital entertainment (eg, digital games & online videos) occupies children’s attention and energy, resulting in a decline in children’s reading motivation.

At present, gamification has been widely used in e‐learning to increase learners’ learning motivation and engagement.

Few studies have focused on children’s gamified reading supported by sufficient empirical evidence.

What this paper adds

This study proposes a gamification pedagogy with a gamified reading platform to facilitate primary students’ reading motivation and competence.

This study uses a mixed‐method approach to examine the effects of the proposed gamification pedagogy on students’ reading interest, motivation, habits and abilities.

This study explores the sustainability of the gamified platform effects and fills the research gap regarding the sustainability of gamification pedagogy.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Active users of the gamified reading platform benefit from it in reading interest, motivation, habits, and abilities.

The effects of gamification pedagogy can be sustainable when users’ intrinsic learning motivation is aroused.
Notes on attribution functions
Authors: Ge Xun , Lin Shou
Published: December 2020

Let be the knowledge space derived from an attribution function σ on Q. Under an assumption for σ, this paper gives some necessary and sufficient conditions such that is discriminative. It also discusses the resolubility of σ when Q is an infinite set. More precisely, this paper proves that σ is not resoluble if Q is uncountable, and gives a necessary and sufficient condition such that σ is resoluble when is ‐well‐graded. By way of applications of these results, discriminativeness and resolubility are discussed around the merge of skill multimaps and the meshing of the delineated knowledge spaces.
Progress on the role of extrachromosomal DNA in tumor pathogenesis and evolution
Authors: Xing Jichen , Ning Qian , Tang Diya , Mo Zhongcheng , Lei Xiaoyong , Tang Shengsong
Published: December 2020

The amplification of oncogenes on extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) provides a new mechanism for cancer cells to adapt to the changes in the tumor microenvironment and accelerate tumor evolution. These extrachromosomal elements contain oncogenes, and their chromatin structures are more open than linear chromosomes and therefore have stronger oncogene transcriptional activity. ecDNA always contains enhancer elements, and genes on ecDNA can be reintegrated into the linear genome to regulate the selective expression of genes. ecDNA lacks centromeres, and the inheritance from the parent cell to the daughter cell is uneven. This non‐Mendelian genetic mechanism results in the increase of tumor heterogeneity with daughter cells that can gain a competitive advantage through a large number of copies of oncogenes. ecDNA promotes tumor invasiveness and provides a mechanism for drug resistance associated with poorer survival outcomes. Recent studies have demonstrated that the overall proportion of ecDNA in tumors is approximately 40%. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of ecDNA in the field of tumorigenesis and development.
Biallelic mutations of CFAP58 are associated with multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella
Authors: Sha Yankun , Sha Yanwei , Liu Wensheng , Zhu Xingshen , Weng Mingxiang , Zhang Xinzong , Wang Yifeng , Zhou Huiliang
Published: December 2020

Multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) is a severe type of teratozoospermia. In this study, whole‐exome sequencing was conducted on 55 patients with MMAF, and biallelic mutations of CFAP58 were identified in two patients. The variants are rare and pathogenic, and CFAP58 was absent in the CFAP58‐mutated sperm. The F037/II:1 couple benefited from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This study further indicated that CFAP58 is a pathogenic gene associated with MMAF and ICSI is an effective treatment.
Are changes in binge drinking among European adolescents driven by changes in computer gaming?
Authors: Halkjelsvik Torleif , Brunborg Geir S. , Bye Elin K.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

There is currently no good explanation for the decline in adolescent drinking reported for many Western countries in recent years. As modern computer gaming is highly exciting and socially rewarding, it may function as a substitute for adolescent binge drinking. We hypothesized a negative correlation between country‐level changes in computer gaming and binge drinking.

Methods

We analysed within‐country changes based on data from 15–16 year‐old pupils (n = 517 794) participating in the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Drugs from 1995 to 2015. Binge drinking in the last 30 days (5+ units on one occasion) was regressed on frequency of computer gaming and three control variables measuring the frequency of engagement in other hobbies, reading books and going out (to a disco, cafe, etc.).

Results

Descriptive data showed no general decline in binge drinking across European countries. In contrast to our prediction, the association between binge drinking and computer gaming was not negative [b = 0.26, one‐sided 95% confidence interval (−∞, 0.47), P = 0.98, Bayes Factor = 0.21]. We found the same pattern of result in a secondary analysis on six Nordic countries that have experienced declines in adolescent drinking recent years. In analyses with covariates reflecting engagement in other activities, we only observed statistical evidence for an effect of going out.

Discussion and Conclusions

A substantial decline in adolescent binge drinking during the years 1995–2015 is only evident in some European countries, and it is likely not caused by increased computer gaming.
Intersectional vulnerability in post‐disaster contexts: lived experiences of Dalit women after the Nepal earthquake, 2015
Authors: Arora Shubhda
Published: December 2020

Through a narrative‐based ethnographic study of the Nepal earthquake of 2015, this study aims to comprehend Nepali women's experiences of relief and rehabilitation. It adopts an intersectional approach to vulnerability and privileges the voices of marginalised women in post‐disaster contexts. The paper draws out some troubling experiences, including stories of rampant alcoholism, drug abuse, illegal trafficking, prostitution, self‐harm, and suicide. These cases are more pronounced among Dalit women, who also face institutionalised violence in the form of unequal access to aid, dignity kits, and safe spaces, among other resources. Such discrimination makes Dalit women from poor socioeconomic backgrounds more vulnerable in post‐disaster settings. In the case of Nepal, relief and rehabilitation processes failed to understand and address intersectional vulnerability, and in some ways, became part of the problem. By examining the accounts of women from different castes and classes, this paper argues, therefore, for an intersectional approach to investigating vulnerability in the wake of disasters.
Cerebral palsy with autism and ADHD: time to pay attention
Authors: Gecz Jozef , Berry Jesia G
Published: December 2020

This commentary is on the original article by Påhlman et al. on pages 320–327 of this issue.