bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide association analysis and validation with KASP markers for nut and shell traits in almond (Prunus dulcis [Mill.] D.A.Webb)
Authors: Sideli Gina M. , Mather Diane , Wirthensohn Michelle , Dicenta Federico , Goonetilleke Shashi N. , Martínez-García Pedro José , Gradziel Thomas M.
Published: February 2023

Almond shell hardness is an economically important quality trait that protects the integrity of the kernel. It is directly related with shelling or crack-out percent. In the U.S. and Australian markets, soft to semi-hard shells varieties have been used in the industry, while in the European market, hard shells are dominantly sold and distributed. The origin of a hard shell is from wild almond species. Soft shells in the USA and Australia have been selected for a higher crack-out percent or larger kernel and ease of processing. Here, we examined breeding populations totaling 264 trees that were genotyped with genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) where shell hardness was measured with a texture analyzer, and shell weight, in-shell weights and shell thickness were measured and crack-out percent was calculated. In a genome-wide association, seven genetic loci were found to be associated with shell hardness, crack-out percent, shell thickness and shell weight. Of these seven, one was shared between multiple traits. Kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) assays were developed and tested in unrelated breeding lines from Australia, Spain, France and Italy. One KASP assay was found to be highly predictive of shell hardness in this diverse panel and can be applied for use in marker-assisted breeding.
iPSC-Derived Pancreatic Progenitors Lacking FOXA2 Reveal Alterations in miRNA Expression Targeting Key Pancreatic Genes
Authors: Aldous Noura , Elsayed Ahmed K. , Alajez Nehad M. , Abdelalim Essam M.
Published: February 2023

Recently, we reported that forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) is required for the development of human pancreatic α- and β-cells. However, whether miRNAs play a role in regulating pancreatic genes during pancreatic development in the absence of FOXA2 expression is largely unknown. Here, we aimed to capture the dysregulated miRNAs and to identify their pancreatic-specific gene targets in pancreatic progenitors (PPs) derived from wild-type induced pluripotent stem cells (WT-iPSCs) and from iPSCs lacking FOXA2 (FOXA2–/–iPSCs). To identify differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs), and genes (DEGs), two different FOXA2–/–iPSC lines were differentiated into PPs. FOXA2–/– PPs showed a significant reduction in the expression of the main PP transcription factors (TFs) in comparison to WT-PPs. RNA sequencing analysis demonstrated significant reduction in the mRNA expression of genes involved in the development and function of exocrine and endocrine pancreas. Furthermore, miRNA profiling identified 107 downregulated and 111 upregulated DEmiRs in FOXA2–/– PPs compared to WT-PPs. Target prediction analysis between DEmiRs and DEGs identified 92 upregulated miRNAs, predicted to target 1498 downregulated genes in FOXA2–/– PPs. Several important pancreatic TFs essential for pancreatic development were targeted by multiple DEmiRs. Selected DEmiRs and DEGs were further validated using RT-qPCR. Our findings revealed that FOXA2 expression is crucial for pancreatic development through regulating the expression of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine genes targeted by a set of miRNAs at the pancreatic progenitor stage. These data provide novel insights of the effect of FOXA2 deficiency on miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks controlling pancreatic development and differentiation.

Graphical Abstract
The Role of PGK1 in Promoting Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury-Induced Microglial M1 Polarization and Inflammation by Regulating Glycolysis
Authors: Cao Wei , Feng Zhengzhe , Zhu Deyuan , Li Suya , Du Meng , Ye Shifei , Qi Dayong , Li Peng , Chen Yan , Fang Yibin
Published: February 2023

Stroke is a leading cause of death, with a continuously increasing incidence. As a metabolic process that catabolizes glucose pyruvate and provides adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glycolysis plays a crucial role in different diseases. Phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) facilitates energy production with biosynthesis in many diseases, including stroke. However, the exact role of PGK1/glycolysis in stroke remains to be elucidated. A rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was used to mimic ischemia/reperfusion injuries. Oxygen glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation (OGD/R) was used to induce injury to highly aggressively proliferating immortalized (HAPI) rat microglial cells. The extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) was determined using an XFe24 Extracellular Flux Analyzer. ATP, lactate dehydrogenase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 levels were measured using commercial kits. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was performed to examine the interaction between H3K27ac or p300 and the PGK1 promoter region. PGK1 was either knocked down or overexpressed by lentivirus. Thus, to examine its role in stroke, real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting were used to measure gene expression. The expression of PGK1 was increased and associated with M1 polarization and glycolysis in MCAO rat models. OGD/R promoted M1 polarization and HAPI microglial cell inflammation by regulating glycolysis. Silencing PGK1 reduced OGD/R-increased M1 polarization, inflammation, and glycolysis. Conversely, the overexpression of PGK1 promoted HAPI microglial cell inflammation by regulating glycolysis. The mechanism showed that histone acetyltransferase p300 promoted PGK1 expression through H3K27 acetylation. Finally, data indicated that silencing PGK1 inhibited microglia M1 polarization, inflammation, and glycolysis in MCAO rat models. PGK1 could promote ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced microglial M1 polarization and inflammation by regulating glycolysis, which might provide a novel direction in developing new therapeutic medications for preventing or treating stroke.
Unpacking the political-criminal nexus in state-cybercrimes: a macro-level typology
Authors: Lavorgna Anita
Published: February 2023

Criminological literature on crime and deviance in cyberspace has boomed in recent years with most studies focusing on computer integrity crimes, computer content crimes and financial cybercrimes, also discussing the opportunity to consider some of these crimes as profit-driven forms of organised crime. The existing literature, however, has not addressed extensively yet the impact of the emergence and proliferation of cyber affordances on forms of state-organized crime – a conceptualization that since the late ‘80 s proved successful in shedding light, among other things, on the relationships among social structures and criminality. Seeking to address this gap, this conceptual contribution focuses on state-cybercrimes, where illegal, harmful or unjust cyber activities are committed for the benefit of a state or its agencies, offering a macro-typology to shed light on how cyber affordances are influencing and transforming the state-crime relations.
Absence of Belemnites in the Post-Cenomanian Marine Successions of Cauvery Basin, India: Role of Sea Level, Paleogeography, and Belemnite Paleoecology
Authors: Mondal Subhronil , Hazra Shreyasi , Chakraborty Nivedita
Published: February 2023

Belemnites were important Mesozoic marine organisms, and Cretaceous belemnite rostra are found worldwide, including the Cauvery Basin, south-eastern India. However, in the Cauvery Basin, belemnites of the families Belemnopseidae and Dimitobelidae are found only from the Albian-Cenomanian rocks but are absent in the overlying Turonian-Maastrichtian rocks. Although Belemnopseidae became globally extinct in the Cenomanian, Dimitobelidae was still thriving in the nearby Austral regions, so it is not clear why belemnites suddenly suffered local extinction. Moreover, in the post-Cenomanian interval, the newly evolved family Belemnitellidae was thriving globally but is absent in India. To understand the causes of this local extinction as well as the causes of the complete absence in the younger rocks, an analysis of different paleoecological-paleoenvironmental conditions was carried out of all Albian to Maastrichtian formations of the Cauvery Basin against the background of the global belemnite paleobiogeography and evolutionary patterns. The study reveals, during the end Cenomanian, shallowing of the basin caused the local extinction of the shelf-living Belemnopseidae and Dimitobelidae in this basin. In the younger intervals, since India was migrating towards the equator, the stenothermal Dimitobelidae did not survive the warmer water surrounding India and only thieved in the cooler Austral water. Perhaps for the same reason, Dimitobelidae never invaded India, even during the Late Cretaceous transgression. Moreover, during its northern voyage, India was surrounded by deep ocean, acting as a physical barrier for the shelf-dwelling Belemnitellidae of the Boreal Realm to invade India.
Unravelling Source Area Composition for the Paleoproterozoic Basal Conglomerate (Vindhyan Supergroup) around Dalla, Sonbhadra District, Central India
Authors: Singh Ankita A. , Singh B. P. , Prakash D. , Singh C. K.
Published: February 2023

The present investigation reveals that the Basal Conglomerate is ~ 2-3 m thick forming basal part of the Vindhyan Supergroup in the Sonbhadra district, central India. The Basal Conglomerate consists of fragments of different rock types supported by the sandy matrix. It contains pebble-sized clasts of quartzite, jasper, phyllite and slate dominated by the quartzite clasts.The matrix is composed of sandy material that is rich in quartz, chert and iron oxides. The occurrence of quartzite clasts suggests its derivation from the Chhotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex (CGGC) and the phyllite, slate and jasper suggest their derivation from the Mahakoshal Group. The presence of polycrystalline and monocrystalline quartz suggests their derivation from Chhotanagpur Granite Gneiss Complex and the presence of chert suggests its derivation from the Mahakoshal Group. The iron oxides were produced as a result of leaching of iron during chemical weathering. The X-ray diffractometry of the matrix suggest ubiquitous presence of quarz, muscovite and kaolinite. The kaolinite has formed due to alteration of feldspars under warm and humid conditions. This is also supported by the presence of ferruginous matter in the matrix.
Dynamics of Meander Geometry and Formation of Neck Cutoff of River Raidak-I within Himalayan Foreland Basin, India
Authors: Ghosh Supriya , Mandal Prasanta , Bera Biswajit
Published: February 2023

Tectonic activities and catastrophic flood events significantly assist to the process of channel avulsion and formation of river cutoffs on alluvial floodplain. The principal objectives of this research are (i) to examine the mechanism and causes of neck cutoff formation of river Raidak-1, India applying geospatial techniques, old maps and bank facies (1955-2019) and (ii) to investigate the dynamics of meander channel geometry using fluvio-hydrological techniques. Geospatial techniques and field based bank facies analysis have been used in this study. The result showed that the river channel has been significantly shifted (during the time span 1955-2019) owing to lateral channel migration resulting into formation of several neck cutoffs on the floodplain. Meander geometry study revealed that radius of curvature, meander wavelength, meander amplitude and meander belt width have been fluctuated during the entire study periods. The threshold value (less than 5°) of apex angle of two tangents at meander loop and neck distance (less than 1 km) helps to form regular neck cutoffs. The results show that high sinuosity, threshold value of meander loops; major flood events, high discharge and non-cohesive bank materials are responsible for the development of neck cutoffs. Moreover, probable sites of future cutoff formation have also been identified. Therefore, this study would give proper insights for river management approach particularly on dynamic Himalayan foreland basin, India.
Facies Variations of Felsic Volcanic Rocks around Mundiyawas-Khera Copper Deposit, Alwar Basin, North Delhi Fold Belt, Western India
Authors: Sahoo Janmejaya , Sahoo Prabodha Ranjan , Khan Israil , Venkatesh Akella Satya
Published: February 2023

Felsic volcanic rocks of rhyolite to dacite composition, hosting copper mineralization, are exposed near Mundiyawas-Khera area within the Alwar basin of Proterozoic North Delhi Fold Belt. Distinct variations in grain size, mineralogical composition, texture, sulfide mineral associations, structure, and outcrop patterns of the felsic volcanic rocks are observed in the field. In this study, litho-facies analysis of felsic volcanic rocks around Mundiyawas-Khera copper deposit has been attempted for the first time to understand their spatial distributions and bearing on copper mineralization. Signatures of five distinct facies variations in felsic volcanic rocks are recorded based on the field and laboratory studies. These facies variations recorded in the study area are (a) vitrophyric felsic volcanics; (b) fine grained felsitic fiamme bearing tuff; (c) fiamme-bearing welded ash flow tuff; (d) poorly welded ash flow tuff; and (e) volcanic ash. Presence of glass shards in the study area indicates phreato-magmatic eruptions in an aqueous to sub-aqueous environment. Occurrences of massive sulfide associated with the felsic volcanic unit can also correlate with well-known volcanic hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposit and is taken as an additional evidence of felsic volcanic rock occurrences at a submarine environment.
Late Holocene Sedimentary Record from Chhari Dhandh, Kachchh, Western India
Authors: Singh Abhishek Kumar , Tandon Aashna , Bhatt N. Y.
Published: February 2023

The Chhari Dhandh (lake), located at the periphery of Banni plains, is a lacustrine archive in the hyper arid regime of Kachchh in western India. In the present study, the geochemical proxy approach has been made to reconstruct the signals from the past climate conditions on the core retrieved from the Chhari lake, which is supported by the radiocarbon and optical dating methods. The research identifies five significant climatic events of alternate humid (warm) and dry (cold) climatic conditions spanning the last ~2400 cal yr BP. The signatures of the Roman Warm Period, Cold Dark Ages and Medieval Warm Period suggest the strong archiving potential of this landscape for past climatic signatures. The top part of the sedimentary record also reports climatic conditions resembling the global event of Little Ice Age, but this information is speculative due to a lack of chronological support. The study again highlights the Kachchh landscape as a robust and unique natural laboratory to assess climate and tectonic processes.
Development and structure of the anterior nervous system and sense organs in the holopelagic annelid Tomopteris spp. (Phyllodocida, Errantia)
Authors: Purschke Günter , Helm Conrad
Published: February 2023

Tomopteridae are transparent, predatory Annelida inhabiting pelagic ocean zones. Despite being well-known for their fast metachronal swimming and species-specific bioluminescence, our knowledge of morphological adaptations in these fascinating holopelagic worms remains extremely limited. In particular, the evolutionary scenarios and adaptive changes related to the transition from putative benthic ancestors to recent free-swimming groups remain poorly investigated and understood. Therefore, we investigated different taxa and developmental stages within the holopelagic Tomopteridae. We used a comparative morphological approach, including a range of microscopic methods, in our investigations focused on the anterior nervous system and prominent sensory structures, such as nuchal organs and tentacular cirri, in early developmental and adult stages of four tomopterid species. Our data show that Tomopteridae undergo heterochronic, lecithotrophic development with early visibility of adult-like features, which is consistent with earlier investigations. Furthermore, our ultrastructural examinations of the tomopterid nuchal organ highlight the conservativism in the fine structure and development of this prominent polychaete chemosensory organ. Nevertheless, our data indicate ultrastructural differences, such as an extraordinary number of supporting cell types and a bipartite olfactory chamber, potentially related to their pelagic lifestyle. In contrast to previous assumptions, it is shown that the supporting structures in the cirrus-like appendages of the first chaetiger contain prominent intracellular skeletal elements rather than annelid chaetae. These findings highlight the need for further investigations to understand Annelida’s immense morphological diversity of organ systems. Furthermore, our data demonstrate the necessity of functional analyses to understand Annelida’s adaptive radiation of sensory and neuronal structures.
Residents’ Preferences for Rural Housing Disaster Insurance Attributes in Central and Western Tibet
Authors: Yang Tingting , Li Zitong , Bai Yuan , Liu Xinli , Ye Tao
Published: February 2023

Understanding the heterogeneous preferences of individuals for disaster insurance attributes is critical for product improvement and policy design. In an era of global environmental change, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a hotspot of natural hazards. Improving the capability of rural housing disaster insurance to foster local residents’ disaster resilience is of great significance but remains under addressed. We used a discrete choice experiment approach to provide the first estimates of rural residents’ preferences for rural housing disaster insurance attributes in central and western Tibet. We estimated residents’ preferences and willingness-to-pay for the sum insured, subsidy rate, insured object, and perils covered. The potential impacts of increasing the sum insured, expanding the insured object, and lowering subsidy rates were evaluated. Our results suggest that residents prefer products with a high sum insured, high subsidy rate, and a complete list of insured objects. Residents who have experienced specific hazards tend to prefer the corresponding perils covered. Females and residents who have a closer social network are more likely to purchase insurance. Product improvement and policy simulation results suggest that, while lowering the subsidy rate, increasing the sum insured and expanding the insured object could promote participation and improve residents’ welfare. Our results could improve the understanding of the preferences of households in remote regions and support policy implementations.
Analysis of the Rotational Motion of a Solid Body in the Presence of External Moments
Authors: Farag A. M.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

In this work, the vibrating motion of a dynamically symmetric solid body with an elastic string, around a fixed point, as a new model, is investigated.

Hypotheses

The body spins as a result of external moments along the body’s principal axes, such as perturbing, restoring, and gyrostatic moments. It has been supposed that this body has a rapid angular velocity at the beginning of motion in the direction of its symmetry dynamic axis.

Methods

The averaging approach is employed to transform the governing system of motion into another appropriate averaging one to gain the asymptotic solutions of this system.

Conclusion

These solutions are graphed and discussed in different plots depending on the numerical values of the body’s physical properties. The positive effects of the gyrostatic moment vector on the motion are examined in some cases. Furthermore, the obtained results generalize the previously related studies.

Applications

The importance of the investigated dynamical system is due to its applications in a variety of domains, including physics and engineering.
Design, fabrication, and testing of an undergraduate hall effect thruster
Authors: Oh Braden , Countryman Albert , Regassa Mahderekal , Clowes Avery , Miner Grant , Kemp Simon , McAneney S. C. “Mack” , Klein Marissa , Lee Christopher
Published: February 2023

A multi-institutional team of undergraduate students conducted an independent study in which they designed, fabricated, and tested a small Hall effect thruster. The study was motivated by student desire to engage in a hands-on, multidisciplinary project in the field of space propulsion. This paper represents the outcome of this educational experiment. It describes the educational framework followed; the fundamental physics behind Hall thruster operation (at an early undergraduate level); the design process followed to develop and construct the thruster including a novel additively-manufactured propellant diffuser; and testing results. The thruster did not successfully ignite during testing. The cathode/plasma source was identified as the likely point of failure; rather than design flaws in the thruster itself, thereby introducing next steps for a future study following a similar framework. The educational program presented serves as a case study for a small-team undergraduate space propulsion project with limited resources and prior knowledge as well as a technical reference and knowledge base for future teams attempting a project of similar scope.
Corporate Moral Credit
Authors: Rozeboom Grant J.
Published: February 2023

When do companies deserve moral credit for doing what is right? This question concerns the positive side of corporate moral responsibility, the negative side of which is the more commonly discussed issue of when companies are blameworthy for doing what is wrong. I offer a broadly functionalist account of how companies can act from morally creditworthy motives, which defuses the following Strawsonian challenge to the claim that they can: morally creditworthy motivation involves being guided by attitudes of “goodwill” for others, and these attitudes involve affect and/or phenomenal consciousness, which corporate agents cannot maintain. In response, I show that what matters about being guided by attitudes of goodwill is being directly concerned for others in one’s practical deliberation. Companies can achieve this direct concern through their decision-making procedures without affect or phenomenal consciousness. I also explore how a company’s moral creditworthiness, or lack thereof, should shape stakeholders’ relationship with it.
Win–win interactions: Results and implications of a user needs assessment of clinical and translational scientists
Authors: Casey Shannon , Siebert-Evenstone Amanda , Brasier Allan R.
Published: February 2023

Introduction:

This study describes a needs assessment of clinical and translational research (CTR) scientists at a large, distributed, School of Medicine within a public university and affiliated clinics.

Method:

We performed an Exploratory Conversion Mixed-Methods analysis using a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews with CTR scientists across the training continuum, from early-career scholars, mid-career mentors, and senior administrators at the University of Wisconsin and Marshfield Clinics. Qualitative findings were confirmed using epistemic network analysis (ENA). A survey was distributed to CTR scientists in training.

Results:

Analyses supported that early-career and senior-career scientists have unique needs. Scientists who identified as non-White or female reported needs that differed from White male scientists. Scientists expressed the needs for educational training in CTR, for institutional support of career development, and trainings for building stronger relationships with community stakeholders. The tension between meeting tenure clocks and building deep community connections was particularly meaningful for scholars who identified as under-represented, including based on race, gender, and discipline.

Conclusions:

This study yielded clear differences in support needs between scientists based upon their years in research and diversity of identities. The validation of qualitative findings, through quantification with ENA, enables robust identification of unique needs of CTR investigators. It is critically important to the future of CTR that scientists are provided with supports throughout the career. Delivery of that support in efficient and timely ways improves scientific outcomes. Advocacy at the level of the institution for under-represented scientists is of utmost importance.
Composition of resolvents enhanced by random sweeping for large-scale structures in turbulent channel flows
Authors: Wu Ting , He Guowei
Published: February 2023

Composite sweeping-enhanced resolvents, referred to as the

${\boldsymbol {R}}_s^2$

model, are proposed to predict the space–time statistics of large-scale structures in turbulent channel flows. This model incorporates two key mechanisms: (i) eddy damping is introduced to represent random sweeping decorrelation caused by nonlinear forcing, leading to a sweeping-enhanced resolvent

${{\boldsymbol {R}}_s}$

; and (ii) the sweeping-enhanced resolvent

${{\boldsymbol {R}}_s}$

is composited into its iterations

${\boldsymbol {R}}_s^2$

to yield non-zero Taylor time microscales. The resulting

${\boldsymbol {R}}_s^2$

model can correctly predict the frequency spectra and two-point cross-spectra of large-scale structures. This model is compared numerically with eddy-viscosity-enhanced resolvent models. The latter are designed to represent energy transfer instead for time decorrelation, and thus underpredict the characteristic decay time scales. The

${\boldsymbol {R}}_s^2$

model correctly yields the characteristic decay time scales in turbulent channel flows.
New marine warm-temperate molluscan assemblage demonstrates warm conditions during the Middle Pleistocene of the North Sea Basin
Authors: Wesselingh Frank P. , Meijer Tom , Harting Ronald , Bakker Marcel , Busschers Freek S.
Published: February 2023

We report a marine Middle Pleistocene mollusc fauna from a borehole near Luxwoude (Friesland, northern Netherlands). The fauna contains several species, including Bittium species, Acanthocardia paucicostata and Polititapes senescens, that hitherto have been used as indicative for warm (lusitanian) conditions in the southern North Sea Basin during the Late Pleistocene Eemian (MIS5e) interglacial. However, the stratigraphic context of the Luxwoude marine fauna indicates a MIS11 or older age for this new fauna. This thermophilous fauna demonstrates very warm-temperate conditions and probably an open marine connection through the Dover Strait towards the south, during this Middle Pleistocene interglacial. In the North Sea basin, this distinctive lusitanian fauna with Bittium-dominated assemblages can therefore no longer be presumed to be of Eemian age without additional evidence.
Serum levels of n-3 PUFA and colorectal cancer risk in Chinese population
Authors: Shi Dan-Dan , Fang Yu-Jing , Jiang Yi-Ling , Dong Ting , Zhang Zhuo-Lin , Ma Ting , Zhou Ruo-Lin , Ou Qing-Jian , Zhang Cai-Xia
Published: February 2023

Circulating n-3 PUFA, which integrate endogenous and exogenous n-3 PUFA, can be better used to investigate the relationship between n-3 PUFA and disease. However, studies examining the associations between circulating n-3 PUFA and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk were limited, and the results remained inconclusive. This case–control study aimed to examine the association between serum n-3 PUFA and CRC risk in Chinese population. A total of 680 CRC cases and 680 sex- and age-matched (5-year interval) controls were included. Fatty acids were assayed by GC. OR and 95 % CI were calculated using multivariable logistic regression after adjustment for potential confounders. Higher level of serum α-linolenic acid (ALA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), DHA, long-chain n-3 PUFA and total n-3 PUFA were associated with lower odds of CRC. The adjusted OR and 95 % CI were 0·34 (0·24, 0·49, Pfor trend < 0·001) for ALA, 0·57 (0·40, 0·80, Pfor trend < 0·001) for DPA, 0·48 (0·34, 0·68, Pfor trend < 0·001) for DHA, 0·39 (0·27, 0·56, Pfor trend < 0·001) for long-chain n-3 PUFA and 0·31 (0·22, 0·45, Pfor trend < 0·001) for total n-3 PUFA comparing the highest with the lowest quartile. However, there was no statistically significant association between EPA and odds of CRC. Analysis stratified by sex showed that ALA, DHA, long-chain n-3 PUFA and total n-3 PUFA were inversely associated with odds of CRC in both sexes. This study indicated that serum ALA, DPA, DHA, long-chain n-3 PUFA and total n-3 PUFA were inversely associated with odds of having CRC in Chinese population.
Introduction to the Special Issue: Multispecies security and personhood
Authors: Leep Matthew
Published: February 2023

The contributions to this Special Issue examine multispecies perspectives on the political dynamics of international life. Building on this theme, I consider the complex and manifold ways in which the subject of security can be understood in terms of more-than-human personhood. First, by thinking of more-than-human animals as phenomenally conscious persons, we might better appreciate the multispecies complexity of security as an agentic and affective experience. Second, attending to the spiritual character of certain indigenous articulations of personhood presses us to decipher how spiritual claims might inform moral and legal dimensions of multispecies security-seeking behaviour. To illustrate the significance of these moves, I first draw on more-than-human experiences of war, pathogenic viruses, and the global factory farm. I then explore conceptions of spiritual personhood in the context of Ojibwe responsibilities to protect wolves. These perspectives on personhood demonstrate possibilities for cultivating greater interest in the multispecies experience of security.
The Merkel Court: Judicial Populism since the Lisbon Treaty
Authors: Meinel Florian
Published: February 2023

The German Federal Constitutional Court’s recent case law in context – A systematic account of the Federal Constitutional Court’s changing constitutional imagination – The constitutional footprint of the grand coalitions during Angela Merkel’s 16-year term as German Chancellor – The changing architecture of parliamentary government in the Federal Republic and the role of the Court – The supermajoritarian structure of the German political system – Majority rule and veto players – Legislation and parliamentary oversight – Executive autonomy and parliamentary control – Political representation and counter-representation by the Court – The constitutional nature of cabinet and ministerial responsibility – constitutional limits of political speech in government office – The normative model of administrative constitutionalism – The pouvoir neutre in the German constitution – The constitutionalisation of distributive justice
How can research on past urban adaptations be made useful for sustainability science?
Authors: Smith Michael E.
Published: February 2023

Non-technical summary

Cities in the distant past – as documented by archaeologists and historians – provide an extensive record of urban successes and failures, yet this information has had little impact on the field of sustainability science. I explore two reasons for this situation. First, these scholars have often failed to synthesize their data scientifically, and, second, they have not approached the transfer of past knowledge to present research in a rigorous manner. I organize discussion of these issues around three arguments for the present value of past cities: the urban trajectory argument, the sample size argument, and the laboratory argument.

Technical summary

I explore the different ways historical and archaeological data can be deployed to contribute to research on urban sustainability science, emphasizing issues of argumentation and epistemology. I organize the discussion around three types of argument. The urban trajectory argument exploits the long time series of early cities and urban regions to examine change at a long time scale. The sample size argument views the role of early cities as adding to the known sample of settlements to increase understanding of urban similarities and differences. The laboratory argument uses data from past cities to explicitly test models derived from contemporary cities. Each argument is examined for three contrasting epistemological approaches: heuristic analogs, case studies, and quantitative studies. These approaches form a continuum leading from lesser to greater scientific rigor and from qualitative to quantitative frameworks. Much past-to-present argumentation requires inductive logic, also called reasoning by analogy. Sustainability scientists have confused this general form of argument with its weakest version, known as heuristic analogs. I stress ways to improve methods of argumentation, particularly by moving research along the continuum from weaker to stronger arguments.

Social media summary

Better methods of argument allow the past record of urban success and failure to contribute to urban sustainability science.
Harm Reduction und Cannabis: Was ändert sich durch die Legalisierung?
Authors: Manthey Jakob
Published: February 2023

Zusammenfassung: Durch die Legalisierung ergeben sich zahlreiche Chancen, aber auch Unsicherheiten in Bezug auf Schadensminderung. Die Chancen liegen unter anderem in der verbesserten Aufklärung über gesundheitliche Risiken und in der Früherkennung von riskantem Cannabiskonsum. Weiterhin können die durch die Repression verursachten, umfangreichen Schäden durch die Legalisierung zu einem großen Teil reduziert bzw. verhindert werden. Schließlich sollten Instrumente wie THC-Mindestpreis und THC-gekoppelte Besteuerung, sowie Beschränkungen der Verkaufslizenzen und der Verkaufszeiten und -orte genutzt werden, um den Konsum zu steuern und Schäden zu minimieren. Größere Unsicherheiten bestehen insbesondere im Zusammenhang mit der Kommerzialisierung der Märkte sowie in der Regulierung des Eigenanbaus. Zusammenfassend ist zu erwarten, dass durch eine sorgfältige Regulierung die individuellen und gesellschaftlichen cannabisbedingten Schäden reduziert werden können.
Hilfe, sie kommen!
Authors: Tossmann Peter , Gantner Andreas
Published: February 2023

Zusammenfassung: Unter aktuell Cannabiskonsumierenden weisen etwa 15 % ein problematisches Konsumverhalten auf. Der Anteil der Klient_innen mit einer cannabisbezogenen Störung ist in den vergangenen Jahren, sowohl in der Suchthilfe, als auch in der psychiatrischen Versorgung deutlich gestiegen. International ist eine Vielzahl von Interventionsprogrammen für die Beratung und Behandlung Cannabisabhängiger entwickelt worden. Studien konnten zeigen, dass intensivere Interventionen bessere Effekte zeigten als Kurzinterventionen. Dabei erwiesen sich die Motivierende Gesprächsführung und verhaltenstherapeutische Interventionen als besonders wirksam. Bei jugendlichem Cannabiskonsum gelten familientherapeutische Ansätze als am wirkungsvollsten. In Deutschland wurden ab den 2000er Jahren mehrere Beratungs- und Behandlungsprogramme entwickelt, evaluiert und in die Fläche implementiert. Dennoch nehmen Cannabisklient_innen noch immer zu spät professionelle Hilfen in Anspruch. Insbesondere familienorientierte Beratungs- und Therapieangebote sollten ausgebaut werden, die Eltern bzw. Familien cannabiskonsumierender Jugendlicher in die Hilfen einbeziehen.
Die Medienkampagne „Deine Chance“
Authors: Kotz Daniel , Acar Zeynep , Kastaun Sabrina , Klosterhalfen Stephanie
Published: February 2023

Zusammenfassung: Zielsetzung: In 2021 wurde die bundesweite Medienkampagne „Deine Chance“ der damaligen Beauftragten der Bundesregierung für Sucht- und Drogenfragen und des Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit durchgeführt, um Raucherinnen und Raucher zu motivieren, mit dem Rauchen aufzuhören. Ziel unserer Studie war, die Wahrnehmung der Kampagne und ihre Effekte auf Rauchstoppmotivation und Rauchstoppversuche zu untersuchen. Methodik: Im Rahmen der repräsentativen Deutschen Befragung zum Rauchverhalten (DEBRA) wurden 1550 Raucher_innen im Zeitraum vor der Kampagne (18.02. bis 30.05.2021) und 2330 während der Kampagne (31.05. bis 14.11.2021) befragt. Spezifische Fragen bezogen sich auf die Wahrnehmung der Kampagne und davon ausgehende Impulse zur Änderung des Rauchverhaltens. Mögliche Effekte wurden anhand der Motivation zum Rauchstopp Skala sowie dem Anteil der Raucher_innen mit mindestens einem Rauchstoppversuch gemessen. Ergebnisse: 14.6 % (95%KI=13.2-16.1) der Raucher_innen nahm die Kampagne wahr. Hinsichtlich der Altersgruppen wurde die Kampagne am häufigsten von 14-24-Jährigen wahrgenommen (19.1 %, 95%KI=14.9-24.0). Raucher_innen mit niedriger Schulbildung nahmen die Kampagne seltener wahr als Raucher_innen mit hoher Schulbildung (OR=0.65, 95%KI=0.46-0.93). Unter den Raucher_innen, welche die Kampagne wahrgenommen hatten, informierten sich 6.4 % (95%KI=3.0-11.9) über die Kampagne, und 13.6 % (95%KI=9.1-19.0) wurden angeregt, über einen Rauchstopp nachzudenken. Im Vergleich zum Zeitraum vor der Kampagne gab es bei den Raucher_innen während der Kampagne keinen Unterschied in der Rauchstoppmotivation (OR=0.96, 95%KI=0.85-1.08) oder in durchgeführten Rauchstoppversuchen (OR=0.96, 95%KI=0.69-1.35). Schlussfolgerungen: Die Medienkampagne „Deine Chance“ hatte vermutlich keine nennenswerten Effekte auf die Rauchstoppmotivation und Rauchstoppversuche der Raucher_innen in Deutschland. Effektivere tabakkontrollpolitische Maßnahmen sind dringend notwendig, um das langfristige Ziel einer rauchfreien Gesellschaft zu erreichen.
Modeling the Sea Level Response of the Northern East China Sea to Different Types of Extratropical Cyclones
Authors: Mo Dongxue , Li Jian , Hou Yijun , Hu Po
Published: February 2023

Sea level response to extratropical cyclones, one of the most disastrous weather systems, varies depending on cyclone types and tracks. This study presents a systematic modeling assessment of storm surge induced by extratropical cyclones in the northern East China Sea using an ocean‐wave coupled model, based on the Coupled Ocean‐Atmosphere‐Wave‐Sediment Transport (COAWST) model system. We identified the type of extratropical cyclone most likely to cause disasters and the areas likely to suffer the worst effects. We conducted sensitivity experiments to analyze the driving mechanisms (such as wind, air pressure, tide, and wave) and influencing mechanisms (such as local and remote meteorological effect and Ekman effect) of storm surge. During strong winds, positive and negative storm surges were consistent with the wind direction, and formed source of coastal trapped waves. When an abnormally high water level occurred in a semi‐enclosed sea area, it propagated mainly along the cyclone direction. The energy of coastal trapped waves was easy to dissipate in case of caps and other locations with large topographic changes. Tide‐surge‐wave interaction and propagation were also greatly affected by coastal trapped waves.
Ocean Waves in Large‐Scale Air‐Sea Weather and Climate Systems
Authors: Babanin Alexander V.
Published: February 2023

In spite of massive efforts directed to development of climate models over recent decades, accurate climate simulations and prediction remain a grand challenge. Large sea surface temperature model bias is one of the key indicators of the problem, among others. Qiao and his team suggested the concept of surface wave‐induced turbulence and elaborated the way for such coupling, through turbulent processes at both sides of the air‐ocean interface. These are the wave mixing in the ocean and wave modulation of air‐sea fluxes. This wave‐ocean coupled approach led to essential improvements of performance of ocean circulation and climate models, essentially introducing the next generation of large‐scale air‐sea interaction models. This Commentary reviews three recent JGR publications where the Qiao theory was implemented. The first paper (Huang & Qiao, 2021; https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JC016839) reported that the momentum gain by the ocean could be larger than the wind stress input, due to the ocean waves. The second paper (Chen et al., 2022; https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JC018360) demonstrated that, also due to waves, the drag coefficients in the atmospheric boundary layer have a spatial asymmetry during tropical cyclones. The third paper (Zhao et al., 2022; https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JC019015), based on combination of wave‐coupled effects on both sides of air‐sea interface, demonstrates their impact on simulation of tropical cyclone intensity. All papers are based on unique in situ measurements and their data analysis. The Commentary is further used as an opportunity to outline and review the current state of the small‐large scale coupling topic with respect to ocean, weather and climate modeling.
RRP15 deficiency induces ribosome stress to inhibit colorectal cancer proliferation and metastasis via LZTS2-mediated β-catenin suppression
Authors: Dong Zhixiong , Li Jinhai , Dai Wenqing , Yu Dongbo , Zhao Youjuan , Liu Shuanghui , Li Xuanwen , Zhang Zhengzheng , Zhang Rui , Liang Xue , Kong Qingran , Jin Shengnan , Jiang Hao , Jiang Wei , Ding Chunming
Published: February 2023

Ribosome biogenesis (RiBi) plays a pivotal role in carcinogenesis by regulating protein translation and stress response. Here, we find that RRP15, a nucleolar protein critical for RiBi and checkpoint control, is frequently upregulated in primary CRCs and higher RRP15 expression positively correlated with TNM stage (P < 0.0001) and poor survival of CRC patients (P = 0.0011). Functionally, silencing RRP15 induces ribosome stress, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis, resulting in suppression of cell proliferation and metastasis. Overexpression of RRP15 promotes cell proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, ribosome stress induced by RRP15 deficiency facilitates translation of TOP mRNA LZTS2 (Leucine zipper tumor suppressor 2), leading to the nuclear export and degradation of β-catenin to suppress Wnt/β-catenin signaling in CRC. In conclusion, ribosome stress induced by RRP15 deficiency inhibits CRC cell proliferation and metastasis via suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, suggesting a potential new target in high-RiBi CRC patients.
Glacial lake outburst floods threaten millions globally
Authors: Taylor Caroline , Robinson Tom R. , Dunning Stuart , Rachel Carr J. , Westoby Matthew
Published: February 2023

Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) represent a major hazard and can result in significant loss of life. Globally, since 1990, the number and size of glacial lakes has grown rapidly along with downstream population, while socio-economic vulnerability has decreased. Nevertheless, contemporary exposure and vulnerability to GLOFs at the global scale has never been quantified. Here we show that 15 million people globally are exposed to impacts from potential GLOFs. Populations in High Mountains Asia (HMA) are the most exposed and on average live closest to glacial lakes with ~1 million people living within 10 km of a glacial lake. More than half of the globally exposed population are found in just four countries: India, Pakistan, Peru, and China. While HMA has the highest potential for GLOF impacts, we highlight the Andes as a region of concern, with similar potential for GLOF impacts to HMA but comparatively few published research studies.
Archaeal DNA-import apparatus is homologous to bacterial conjugation machinery
Authors: Beltran Leticia C. , Cvirkaite-Krupovic Virginija , Miller Jessalyn , Wang Fengbin , Kreutzberger Mark A. B. , Patkowski Jonasz B. , Costa Tiago R. D. , Schouten Stefan , Levental Ilya , Conticello Vincent P. , Egelman Edward H. , Krupovic Mart
Published: February 2023

Conjugation is a major mechanism of horizontal gene transfer promoting the spread of antibiotic resistance among human pathogens. It involves establishing a junction between a donor and a recipient cell via an extracellular appendage known as the mating pilus. In bacteria, the conjugation machinery is encoded by plasmids or transposons and typically mediates the transfer of cognate mobile genetic elements. Much less is known about conjugation in archaea. Here, we determine atomic structures by cryo-electron microscopy of three conjugative pili, two from hyperthermophilic archaea (Aeropyrum pernixandPyrobaculum calidifontis) and one encoded by the Ti plasmid of the bacteriumAgrobacterium tumefaciens, and show that the archaeal pili are homologous to bacterial mating pili. However, the archaeal conjugation machinery, known as Ced, has been ‘domesticated’, that is, the genes for the conjugation machinery are encoded on the chromosome rather than on mobile genetic elements, and mediates the transfer of cellular DNA.
Complex plasma research under microgravity conditions
Authors: Thoma Markus. H. , Thomas Hubertus M. , Knapek Christina A. , Melzer Andre , Konopka Uwe
Published: February 2023

The future of complex plasma research under microgravity condition, in particular on the International Space Station ISS, is discussed. First, the importance of this research and the benefit of microgravity investigations are summarized. Next, the key knowledge gaps, which could be topics of future microgravity research are identified. Here not only fundamental aspects are proposed but also important applications for lunar exploration as well as artificial intelligence technology are discussed. Finally, short, middle and long-term recommendations for complex plasma research under microgravity are given.
Using optimal controlled singlet spin order to accurately target molecular signal in MRI and MRS
Authors: Xin Jia-Xiang , Yang Guang , Zhang Huojun , Li Jianqi , Fu Caixia , Wang Jiachen , Tong Rui , Ren Yan , Wei Da-Xiu , Yao Ye-Feng
Published: February 2023

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) have made great successes in clinical diagnosis, medical research, and neurological science. MRI provides high resolution anatomical images of tissues/organs, and MRS provides information of the functional molecules related to a specific tissue/organ. However, it is difficult for classic MRI/MRS to selectively image/probe a specific metabolite molecule other than the water or fat in tissues/organs. This greatly limits their applications on the study of the molecular mechanism(s) of metabolism and disease. Herein, we report a series of molecularly targeted MRI/MRS methods to target specific molecules. The optimal control method was used to efficiently prepare the singlet spin orders of varied multi-spin systems and in turn greatly expand the choice of the targeted molecules in the molecularly targeted MRI/MRS. Several molecules, such as N-acetyl-l-aspartic acid (NAA), dopamine (DA), and a tripeptide (alanine-glycine-glycine, AGG), have been used as targeted molecules for molecularly targeted MRI and MRS. We show in vivo NAA-targeted 1H MRS spectrum of a human brain. The high-resolution signal of NAA suggests a promising way to study important issues in molecular biology at the molecular level, e.g., measuring the local pH value of tissue in vivo, demonstrating the high potential of such methods in medicine.