bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting Epistemic Injustice in the Context of Agency
Authors: Radoilska Lubomira
Published: October 2020

What makes an injustice epistemic rather than ethical or political? How does the former, more recent category relate to the latter, better-known forms of injustice? To address these questions, the papers of this Special Issue investigate epistemic injustice in close connection to different conceptions of agency, both epistemic and practical.
Reliance on Biological Nitrogen Fixation Depletes Soil Phosphorus and Potassium Reserves
Authors: Reimer Marie , Hartmann Tobias Edward , Oelofse Myles , Magid Jakob , Bünemann Else K. , Möller Kurt
Published: October 2020

Limited nutrient availability is one of the major challenges in organic farming. Little is known about nutrient budgets of organic farms, the underlying factors or effects on soil fertility. We therefore assessed farm gate nutrient budgets for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S) of 20 organic farms in Germany and analyzed their soil nutri-ent status. In average, the budgets showed a surplus of N (19 kg ha−1), K (5 kg ha−1), S (12 kg ha−1), and Mg (7 kg ha−1), and a deficit of P (−3 kg ha−1). There was, however, high variability between farms (e.g. standard deviation up to ± 36 kg N ha−1), which was mainly explained by different degrees of reliance on biological N fixation (BNF) as N source. When farms obtained more than 60% of their N input through BNF, they had deficits of P (mean −8 kg P ha−1) and K (mean −18 kg K ha−1). Nutrient status of most soils was within the ad-vised corridor, but for P, K and Mg, 10–15% of fields were lower and 45–63% were higher than advised. Extractable soil nutrient contents did not correlate with the nutrient budgets, inputs or outputs. Only extractable soil P increased with increasing P inputs and outputs. Fur-thermore, a decrease in extractable soil P was detected with a prolonged history of organic farming, indicating a risk of soil P mining in organic farming systems. In conclusion, the study revealed nutrient imbalances in organic farming and pointed to P and K scarcity as a major challenge for organic farms with high reliance on BNF in the long term.
From biased coin to any discrete distribution
Authors: Gryszka Karol
Published: October 2020

In this note we construct an algorithm generating any discrete distribution with an arbitrary coin (and, as a result, with arbitrary initial distribution). The coin need not be fair and the target distribution can be supported on a countable set.
An Optimization Principle for Computing Stationary MHD Equilibria with Solar Wind Flow
Authors: Wiegelmann Thomas , Neukirch Thomas , Nickeler Dieter H. , Chifu Iulia
Published: October 2020

In this work we describe a numerical optimization method for computing stationary MHD equilibria. The newly developed code is based on a nonlinear force-free optimization principle. We apply our code to model the solar corona using synoptic vector magnetograms as boundary condition. Below about two solar radii the plasma $\beta $
β
and Alfvén Mach number $M_{A}$

M
A

are small and the magnetic field configuration of stationary MHD is basically identical to a nonlinear force-free field, whereas higher up in the corona (where $\beta $
β
and $M_{A}$

M
A

are above unity) plasma and flow effects become important and stationary MHD and force-free configuration deviate significantly. The new method allows for the reconstruction of the coronal magnetic field further outwards than with potential field, nonlinear force-free or magnetostatic models. This way the model might help to provide the magnetic connectivity for joint observations of remote sensing and in-situ instruments on Solar Orbiter and Parker Solar Probe.
Municipalities’ Decision to Care: At Home or in a Nursing Home
Authors: Theisen Theis
Published: October 2020

An almost ideal demand system for long-term care is estimated using data from Norway, where the split of long-term care between home care and care in nursing homes is determined by municipalities. Previous literature has barely addressed what determines municipalities’ or other organizations’ allocations of resources to the sub-sectors of long-term care. The results show that home care is a luxury, while nursing home care is a necessity with respect to total expenditures on long-term care. Municipalities respond to high unit costs for home care by reducing that type of care. Municipalities are highly responsive to variations in the need for the two types of care and seem to provide a well-functioning insurance mechanism for long-term care. In the previous empirical literature, municipalities’ role as providers of insurance against the consequences of disabilities and frailty has received scant attention.
Predicting N-Strain Coexistence from Co-colonization Interactions: Epidemiology Meets Ecology and the Replicator Equation
Authors: Madec Sten , Gjini Erida
Published: October 2020

Multi-type infection processes are ubiquitous in ecology, epidemiology and social systems, but remain hard to analyze and to understand on a fundamental level. Here, we study a multi-strain susceptible-infected-susceptible model with coinfection. A host already colonized by one strain can become more or less vulnerable to co-colonization by a second strain, as a result of facilitating or competitive interactions between the two. Fitness differences between N strains are mediated through $$N^2$$

N
2

altered susceptibilities to secondary infection that depend on colonizer-cocolonizer identities ($$K_{ij}$$

K

ij

). By assuming strain similarity in such pairwise traits, we derive a model reduction for the endemic system using separation of timescales. This ‘quasi-neutrality’ in trait space sets a fast timescale where all strains interact neutrally, and a slow timescale where selective dynamics unfold. We find that these slow dynamics are governed by the replicator equation for N strains. Our framework allows to build the community dynamics bottom-up from only pairwise invasion fitnesses between members. We highlight that mean fitness of the multi-strain network, changes with their individual dynamics, acts equally upon each type, and is a key indicator of system resistance to invasion. By uncovering the link between N-strain epidemiological coexistence and the replicator equation, we show that the ecology of co-colonization relates to Fisher’s fundamental theorem and to Lotka-Volterra systems. Besides efficient computation and complexity reduction for any system size, these results open new perspectives into high-dimensional community ecology, detection of species interactions, and evolution of biodiversity.
Herausforderung Abstinenz – Fallbericht und Übersicht zur Therapie von Alkoholabhängigkeit bei Schwangerschaft
Authors: Listabarth Stephan , König Daniel , Wippel Andreas , Pruckner Nathalie , Castillo Deirdre Maria , Vyssoki Sandra , Gmeiner Andrea
Published: October 2020

Die potenziell teratogenen Effekte von Alkoholkonsum in der Schwangerschaft stellen wichtige medizinische sowie sozio-ökonomische Faktoren dar. Die Einhaltung einer strikten Alkoholkarenz während der Schwangerschaft, stellt allerdings besonders für Frauen, welche an einer Alkoholabhängigkeit leiden, eine große Herausforderung dar. Eine optimale psychopharmakologische Behandlung der werdenden Mütter ist auf Grund unzureichender Studienlage oder bekannter Teratogenität selten möglich. Die aktuell zugelassenen Substanzen zur Anticraving- sowie Rückfallsprophylaxe bei Alkoholabhängigkeit sind in der Schwangerschaft kontraindiziert. Die off-label Verwendung von Ondansetron (5-HT3-Rezeptor-Antagonist) als Rückfallsprophylaxe ist eine mögliche therapeutische Option. Im hier dargestellten Fall erhielt eine schwangere Patientin eine psychopharmakologische Behandlung mit Sertralin, Quetiapin sowie Ondansetron. Unter dieser Therapie konnte während der Schwangerschaft eine durchgehende Abstinenz bei der Patientin erreicht werden.
Fabrication of MoS2-deposited TiO2 hollow microspheres and their enhanced photocatalytic application in the generation of hydrogen
Authors: Chimmikuttanda Sajan Ponnappa , Akple Maxwell Selase , Naik Amol , Rajegowda Ravi Hethegowdanahally
Published: October 2020

MoS2-deposited TiO2 hollow spheres were synthesized successfully under mild temperature and autogenous pressure. The hydrothermal technique was adopted for the synthesis of the TiO2 hollow microsphere, followed by a photodeposition technique for the deposition of MoS2. The physical and chemical nature of the samples was characterized using X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, XPS and UV–vis spectroscopy. In an aqueous medium under the influence of light, the characterized samples were used in the production of hydrogen via photocatalysis. The increase in the formation of hydrogen content during photocatalysis confirms the successful generation and the benefits of the photogenerated carriers. With an increase in the MoS2 content, there is an incredible change in the photocatalytic performance. The resultant is due to the free moment of the holes and electrons and lessening in charge recombination centres formed as a result of the nano-heterojunction linking between MoS2 and TiO2. A more significant photocatalytic production of hydrogen was achieved using 50 MST sample i.e. 106 μmol−1 g−1 beyond which it tends to decrease with an increase in MoS2 content.

Graphic abstract
Empirical Fiscal Federalism
Authors: Revelli Federico , Bracco Emanuele
Published: October 2020

Fiscal federalism has long been an important topic of inquiry in applied public economics, and interest in the functioning of intergovernmental fiscal relationships in multi-tiered public sector structures does not seem to be fading. Rather, the recent economic downturn and sovereign debt crisis have brought the analysis of multi-level fiscal governance to the forefront of academic discourse and stimulated the search for tax assignments that ease coordination between authorities at different tiers while preserving local fiscal autonomy and minimizing the harmful effects of taxation on the prospects of economic recovery. This Element examines the recent empirical work in this area and discusses the most critical issues that future research will need to address in order to push further the frontier of econometric analysis in fiscal federalism.
Governing through Expertise
Authors: Littoz-Monnet Annabelle
Published: October 2020

Littoz-Monnet provides a fresh analysis of the enmeshment of expert knowledge with politics in global governance, through a unique investigation of bioethical expertise, an intriguing form of 'expert knowledge' which claims authority in the ethical analysis of issues that arise in relation to biomedicine, the life sciences and new fields of technological innovation. She makes the case that the mobilisation of ethics experts does not always arise from a motivation to rationalise governance. Instead, mobilising ethics experts - who are endowed with a unique double-edged authority, both 'democratic' and 'epistemic' - can help policy-makers manoeuvre policy conflicts on scientific and technological innovations and make their pro-science and innovation agendas possible. Bioethical expertise is indeed shaped in a political and iterative space between experts and those who do policy. The book reveals the mechanisms through which certain global governance narratives, as well as the types of expertise they rely on, remain stable even when they are contested.
A critical analysis of ecological sustainability ideology in award-winning early children’s literature
Authors: White Peta J. , Auld Glenn , Wells Muriel
Published: October 2020

A framework to critically consider the ecological sustainability messaging in children’s literature is presented to authors, illustrators and editors, as well as teachers, parents and students/children. We have applied this framework to three books from the Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) 2015 Notables list using critical discourse analysis (CDA). Findings suggest that there are themes and images in these award-winning texts that do not support ecological sustainability and we argue that children’s literature should be judged with criteria including ecological sustainability. Our hope is that ecological sustainability principles and practices lead to changes in social discourse through intergenerational storytelling.
Increasing Participation and Access to Economic Associations and Their Services
Authors: Frey Elaine F. , Caviglia-Harris Jill L. , Walsh Patrick
Published: October 2020

Discussions about increasing diversity in economics have ignored the role that associations play in the engagement of underrepresented economists. We continue work on diversity and inclusion in the Northeastern Agriculture and Resource Economics Association (NAREA) and other associations by analyzing membership and meeting attendance to promote diversity in economics. We estimate a vector error correction model (VECM) to identify the determinants of membership and meeting attendance and use member survey data to model membership and meeting attendance behavior. We find inequalities across gender, income, and professional status. Recommendations include locating meetings in accessible cities, increasing networking opportunities, and providing more services supporting underrepresented groups.
Thinking about Values in Science: Ethical versus Political Approaches
Authors: Schroeder S. Andrew
Published: October 2020

Philosophers of science now broadly agree that doing good science involves making non-epistemic value judgments. I call attention to two very different normative standards which can be used to evaluate such judgments: standards grounded inethicsand standards grounded inpolitical philosophy. Though this distinction has not previously been highlighted, I show that the values in science literature contain arguments of each type. I conclude by explaining why this distinction is important. Seeking to determine whether some value-laden determination meets substantive ethical standards is a very different endeavor from seeking to determine if it is politically legitimate.
Review of Portable Basic Life Support Equipment
Authors: Ma Shuai , Fan Bin , Fan Haojun , Hou Shike
Published: October 2020

In this article, the development course and current research status of physiological information monitoring equipment are briefly reviewed and analyzed. The research progress of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) equipment at home and abroad, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of existing CPR equipment, are the main points of discussion. This article discusses the design feasibility and technical points of the portable integrated basic life support machine, based on existing equipment and technology, and summarizes possible interesting future research directions.
Evaluation of extracellular vesicles and gDNA from culture medium as a possible indicator of developmental competence in human embryos
Authors: Veraguas Daniel , Aguilera Constanza , Henriquez Carlos , Velasquez Alejandra E. , Melo-Baez Barbara , Silva-Ibañez Pedro , Castro Fidel O. , Rodriguez-Alvarez Lleretny
Published: October 2020

Human embryos generated in vitro have a high incidence of chromosomal abnormalities that negatively affect pregnancy rate. Embryos generated in vitro secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) into the culture medium that could be used potentially as indicators of embryo competence. This research aimed to evaluate the concentration and size of EVs and their gDNA content as an indicator of developmental competence in human embryos. Human embryos generated by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were classified morphologically as of either TOP, FAIR or POOR quality. Culture medium and developmentally arrested embryos (which were not able to be used for embryo transfer) were collected. Microvesicles, exosomes (MV/Exo) and apoptotic bodies (ABs) were isolated from culture medium. Nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis were performed to evaluate EVs and their gDNA content. From NTA, the diameter (mean) of MVs/Exo from TOP quality embryos was higher (112.17 nm) compared with that of FAIR (108.02) and POOR quality embryos (102.78 nm) (P < 0.05). aCGH analysis indicated that MVs/Exo and ABs carried gDNA with the presence of 23 chromosome pairs. However, when arrested embryos were compared with their respective MVs/Exo and ABs, the latter had an increased rate of chromosomal abnormalities (24.9%) compared with embryos (8.7%) (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the size of EVs from culture medium might be an alternative for evaluating competence of human embryos, however more studies are needed to validate the use of gDNA from EVs as an indicator of embryo competence.
Fairness and annuity divisors for notional defined contribution pension schemes
Authors: Boado-Penas María del Carmen , Haberman Steven , Naka Poontavika
Published: October 2020

The use of a gender-neutral annuity divisor introduces an intra-generational redistribution from short-lived towards long-lived individuals; this entails a transfer of wealth from males to females and from low socioeconomic groups to high socioeconomic groups. With some subpopulations consisting of females from low socioeconomic groups (or males from high groups), the net effect of the redistribution is unclear. The study aims to quantify the lifetime income redistribution of a generic NDC system using two types of divisor – the demographic and the economic – to compute the amount of an initial pension. With this in mind, the redistribution (actuarial fairness) among subpopulations is assessed through the ratio between the present value of expected pensions received and contributions paid. We find that all subgroups of women and men with high educational attainment benefit from the use of the unisex demographic divisor. This paper also shows that the value of the economic divisor depends markedly on population composition. When mortality differentials by gender and level of education are considered, economic divisors are mostly driven by the longevity effect corresponding to gender.
Hypercalcemia due to methadone-induced adrenal insufficiency in a case of oral cancer
Authors: Sharma Ankit , Subhash Mahajan Jitendra , Pandit Anuja , Bhan Swati , Bhatnagar Sushma
Published: October 2020

A 31-year-old patient of post-surgical recurrent buccal carcinoma (post-chemo and radiotherapy) on multimodal analgesia with methadone, paracetamol and gabapentin presented to pain clinic with occasional bleeding from tumor area and incidental hypercalcemia. The hypercalcemia was attributed to adrenal insufficiency due to methadone, with no other obvious reasons identified for hypercalcemia or adrenal insufficiency. The patient was managed with the change of opioid, regular aseptic wound dressings and management of hypercalcemia with hydration, calcitonin and steroid therapy. Hypercalcemia in a cancer patient can have multiple other causes like hypercalcemia of malignancy and primary or secondary parathyroid carcinoma. A strong clinical suspicion and appropriate battery of tests may be required to arrive at the diagnosis. Prompt management, including identification and management of the primary pathology along with aggressive hydration with hormonal therapy, may prove to be life-saving.
Gender and Family Ties in Latin American Legislatures
Authors: Schwindt-Bayer Leslie A. , Vallejo Agustín , Cantú Francisco
Published: October 2020

Are women disproportionately more likely than men to have family ties in politics? We study this question in Latin America, where legacies have been historically common, and we focus specifically on legislatures, where women's representation has increased dramatically in many countries. We hypothesize that, counter to conventional wisdom, women should be no more likely than men to have ties to political families. However, this may vary across legislatures with and without gender quotas. Our empirical analysis uses data from the Parliamentary Elites of Latin America survey. We find more gender similarities than differences in legislators’ patterns of family ties both today and over the past 20 years. We also find that women are more likely to have family ties than men in legislatures without gender quotas, whereas this difference disappears in legislatures with quotas.
Influence of prenatal stress on metabolic abnormalities induced by postnatal intake of a high-fat diet in BALB/c mice
Authors: Juárez Yamila Raquel , Quiroga Sofía , Prochnik Andrés , Wald Miriam , Tellechea Mariana Lorena , Genaro Ana María , Burgueño Adriana Laura
Published: October 2020

Prenatal insults during fetal development result in increased likelihood of developing chronic disease. Obesity, the biggest risk factor for the development of metabolic disease, is affected by several genetic and environmental factors. High-fat diet (HFD) consumption is usually linked with the development of obesity. The main goal of this study was to analyze the impact of the exposure to a HFD in prenatally stressed animals. For this purpose, we subjected pregnant BALB/c mice to restraint stress for 2 h a day between gestational day (GD) 14 and GD 21. Prenatally stressed and control offspring of both sexes were postnatally exposed to a HFD for 24 weeks. We found that prenatal stress (PS) per se produced disturbances in males such as increased total blood cholesterol and triglycerides, with a decrease in mRNA expression of sirtuin-1. When these animals were fed a HFD, we observed a rise in glucose and insulin levels and an increase in visceral adipose tissue gene expression of leptin, resistin, and interleukin-1 beta. Although females proved to be more resilient to PS consequences, when they were fed a HFD, they showed significant metabolic impairment. In addition to the changes observed in males, females also presented an increase in body weight and adiposity and a rise in cholesterol levels.
New Results Concerning Solar Wind Entry Into the Magnetosphere
Authors: Sibeck D. , Zong Quigang , Escoubet Philippe , Le Guan , Zhang Hui
Published: October 2020

A new book describes recent results defining the many pathways and foreshock, bow shock, magnetosheath, and magnetopause phenomena connecting the solar wind to the dayside magnetosphere.
Persistence of the Long‐Duration Daytime TEC Enhancements at Different Longitudinal Sectors During the August 2018 Geomagnetic Storm
Authors: Li Qiaoling , Huang Fuqing , Zhong Jiahao , Zhang Ruilong , Kuai Jiawei , Lei Jiuhou , Liu Libo , Ren Dexin , Ma Han , Yoshikawa Akimasa , Hu Lianhuan , Guo Jiapeng , Li Wenbo , Zhou Xu , Cui Jun
Published: October 2020

In this study, the ionospheric responses in the Asian‐Australian, American, and African sectors during the August 2018 geomagnetic storm were investigated based on the Beidou geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Madrigal total electron contents (TECs), combined with measurements from ionosondes, magnetometers, and Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI). The middle‐ and low‐latitude TECs were dominated by positive responses over the three longitudinal sectors during the storm on 26–29 August. It is unique that daytime TECs at the Asian‐Australian, American, and African sectors displayed large enhancements larger than 10 TEC units (TECu) on 27–29 August, during the recovery phase, when the ionosphere is usually dominated by plasma depletions due to the ionospheric disturbance dynamo and/or disturbed thermospheric compositions. The combination and competition of the disturbed vertical plasma drifts through the solar wind‐magnetosphere‐ionosphere (SW‐M‐I) coupling and disturbed neutral compositions contribute significantly to the daytime TEC responses at different longitudinal sectors on 26 August during the main and early recovery phases. The eastward equatorial electrojet and O/N2 during the recovery phase on 27–29 August are larger than the quiet reference, which suggest that the enhanced upward vertical plasma drifts combining with higher O/N2 make an important contribution on the daytime positive ionospheric storm during the recovery phase. The enhanced vertical plasma drifts could not be driven by the SW‐M‐I coupling or ionospheric disturbance dynamo associated with the geomagnetic storm. Further studies should be untaken to explore the dominant sources for the enhanced upward vertical drifts during the recovery phase.
Mechanisms of Exchange Flow in an Estuary With a Narrow, Deep Channel and Wide, Shallow Shoals
Authors: Geyer W. Rockwell , Ralston David K. , Chen Jia‐Lin
Published: October 2020

Delaware Bay is a large estuary with a deep, relatively narrow channel and wide, shallow banks, providing a clear example of a “channel‐shoal” estuary. This numerical modeling study addresses the exchange flow in this channel‐shoal estuary, specifically to examine how the lateral geometry affects the strength and mechanisms of exchange flow. We find that the exchange flow is exclusively confined to the channel region during spring tides, when stratification is weak, and it broadens laterally over the shoals during the more stratified neap tides but still occupies a small fraction of the total width of the estuary. Exchange flow is relatively weak during spring tides, resulting from oscillatory shear dispersion in the channel augmented by weak Eulerian exchange flow. During neap tides, stratification and shear increase markedly, resulting in a strong Eulerian residual shear flow driven mainly by the along‐estuary density gradient, with a net exchange flow roughly 5 times that of the spring tide. During both spring and neap tides, lateral salinity gradients generated by differential advection at the edge of the channel drive a tidally oscillating cross‐channel flow, which strongly influences the stratification, along‐estuary salt balance, and momentum balance. The lateral flow also causes the phase variation in salinity that results in oscillatory shear dispersion and is an advective momentum source contributing to the residual circulation. Whereas the shoals make a negligible direct contribution to the exchange flow, they have an indirect influence due to the salinity gradients between the channel and the shoal.
Igneous or Mud Volcanism on Mars? The Case Study of Hephaestus Fossae
Authors: Dapremont Angela M. , Wray James J.
Published: October 2020

Hephaestus Fossae are a system of northwest trending troughs west of the Elysium Mons volcanic construct on Mars. Pitted cones present in the fossae region have previously been interpreted as both igneous and mud volcanism products based on morphometry and morphology observations. We take advantage of multiple orbital remote sensing datasets to assess the validity of these hypotheses. Newly examined visible and near‐infrared spectroscopy observations from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars provide the strongest line of evidence for an igneous origin for fossae cones based on the presence of olivine signatures on cone rims. We report an expanded set of morphometric parameter values for 253 cones. Morphometry data from High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment and Context Camera (CTX) digital terrain models reveal that fossae cones appear most similar to terrestrial and putative Martian rootless cones but also exhibit similarities with mud volcanoes on Earth and Mars. Nine hundred and twenty‐six mapped cones in our study region exhibit a clustering pattern, as revealed by newly incorporated geospatial analysis, indicating that a nonrandom process controlled feature distribution and individual cones formed near preexisting cones. Cone‐fossae relationship constraints are revealed by CTX images, which show individual fossae cutting across preexisting cones. Fossae region cones lack associated flows that characterize mud volcanoes on Earth and Mars. The study region physiographic setting also does not support a sedimentary depocenter mud volcanism formation scenario. Our analysis of cones in the Hephaestus Fossae region adds to the studied diversity of pitted cones on Mars.
A general-purpose machine-learning force field for bulk and nanostructured phosphorus
Authors: Deringer Volker L. , Caro Miguel A. , Csányi Gábor
Published: October 2020

Elemental phosphorus is attracting growing interest across fundamental and applied fields of research. However, atomistic simulations of phosphorus have remained an outstanding challenge. Here, we show that a universally applicable force field for phosphorus can be created by machine learning (ML) from a suitably chosen ensemble of quantum-mechanical results. Our model is fitted to density-functional theory plus many-body dispersion (DFT + MBD) data; its accuracy is demonstrated for the exfoliation of black and violet phosphorus (yielding monolayers of “phosphorene” and “hittorfene”); its transferability is shown for the transition between the molecular and network liquid phases. An application to a phosphorene nanoribbon on an experimentally relevant length scale exemplifies the power of accurate and flexible ML-driven force fields for next-generation materials modelling. The methodology promises new insights into phosphorus as well as other structurally complex, e.g., layered solids that are relevant in diverse areas of chemistry, physics, and materials science.
Intellectual disability-associated factor Zbtb11 cooperates with NRF-2/GABP to control mitochondrial function
Authors: Wilson Brooke C. , Boehme Lena , Annibali Ambra , Hodgkinson Alan , Carroll Thomas S. , Oakey Rebecca J. , Seitan Vlad C.
Published: October 2020

Zbtb11 is a conserved transcription factor mutated in families with hereditary intellectual disability. Its precise molecular and cellular functions are currently unknown, precluding our understanding of the aetiology of this disease. Using a combination of functional genomics, genetic and biochemical approaches, here we show that Zbtb11 plays essential roles in maintaining the homeostasis of mitochondrial function. Mechanistically, we find Zbtb11 facilitates the recruitment of nuclear respiratory factor 2 (NRF-2) to its target promoters, activating a subset of nuclear genes with roles in the biogenesis of respiratory complex I and the mitoribosome. Genetic inactivation of Zbtb11 resulted in a severe complex I assembly defect, impaired mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial depolarisation, and ultimately proliferation arrest and cell death. Experimental modelling of the pathogenic human mutations showed these have a destabilising effect on the protein, resulting in reduced Zbtb11 dosage, downregulation of its target genes, and impaired complex I biogenesis. Our study establishes Zbtb11 as an essential mitochondrial regulator, improves our understanding of the transcriptional mechanisms of nuclear control over mitochondria, and may help to understand the aetiology of Zbtb11-associated intellectual disability.
Multiple imputation for analysis of incomplete data in distributed health data networks
Authors: Chang Changgee , Deng Yi , Jiang Xiaoqian , Long Qi
Published: October 2020

Distributed health data networks (DHDNs) leverage data from multiple sources or sites such as electronic health records (EHRs) from multiple healthcare systems and have drawn increasing interests in recent years, as they do not require sharing of subject-level data and hence lower the hurdles for collaboration between institutions considerably. However, DHDNs face a number of challenges in data analysis, particularly in the presence of missing data. The current state-of-the-art methods for handling incomplete data require pooling data into a central repository before analysis, which is not feasible in DHDNs. In this paper, we address the missing data problem in distributed environments such as DHDNs that has not been investigated previously. We develop communication-efficient distributed multiple imputation methods for incomplete data that are horizontally partitioned. Since subject-level data are not shared or transferred outside of each site in the proposed methods, they enhance protection of patient privacy and have the potential to strengthen public trust in analysis of sensitive health data. We investigate, through extensive simulation studies, the performance of these methods. Our methods are applied to the analysis of an acute stroke dataset collected from multiple hospitals, mimicking a DHDN where health data are horizontally partitioned across hospitals and subject-level data cannot be shared or sent to a central data repository.
Topological metastability supported by thermal fluctuation upon formation of chiral soliton lattice in $$\hbox {CrNb}_3\hbox {S}_6$$
Authors: Honda T. , Yamasaki Y. , Nakao H. , Murakami Y. , Ogura T. , Kousaka Y. , Akimitsu J.
Published: October 2020

Topological magnetic structure possesses topological stability characteristics that make it robust against disturbances which are a big advantage for data processing or storage devices of spintronics; nonetheless, such characteristics have been rarely clarified. This paper focused on the formation of chiral soliton lattice (CSL), a one-dimensional topological magnetic structure, and provides a discussion of its topological stability and influence of thermal fluctuation. Herein, CSL responses against change of temperature and applied magnetic field were investigated via small-angle resonant soft X-ray scattering in chromium niobium sulfide ($$\hbox {CrNb}_3\hbox {S}_6$$

CrNb
3

S
6

). CSL transformation relative to the applied magnetic field demonstrated a clear agreement with the theoretical prediction of the sine-Gordon model. Further, there were apparent differences in the process of chiral soliton creation and annihilation, discussed from the viewpoint of competing between thermal fluctuation and the topological metastability.
Unravelling the gut bacteriome of Ips (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae): identifying core bacterial assemblage and their ecological relevance
Authors: Chakraborty Amrita , Ashraf Muhammad Zubair , Modlinger Roman , Synek Jiří , Schlyter Fredrik , Roy Amit
Published: October 2020

Bark beetles often serve as forest damaging agents, causing landscape-level mortality. Understanding the biology and ecology of beetles are important for both, gathering knowledge about important forest insects and forest protection. Knowledge about the bark beetle gut-associated bacteria is one of the crucial yet surprisingly neglected areas of research with European tree-killing bark beetles. Hence, in this study, we survey the gut bacteriome from five Ips and one non-Ips bark beetles from Scolytinae. Results reveal 69 core bacterial genera among five Ips beetles that may perform conserved functions within the bark beetle holobiont. The most abundant bacterial genera from different bark beetle gut include Erwinia, Sodalis, Serratia, Tyzzerella, Raoultella, Rahnella, Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, Vibrio, and Pseudoxanthomonas. Notable differences in gut-associated bacterial community richness and diversity among the beetle species are observed. Furthermore, the impact of sampling location on the overall bark beetle gut bacterial community assemblage is also documented, which warrants further investigations. Nevertheless, our data expanded the current knowledge about core gut bacterial communities in Ips bark beetles and their putative function such as cellulose degradation, nitrogen fixation, detoxification of defensive plant compounds, and inhibition of pathogens, which could serve as a basis for further metatranscriptomics and metaproteomics investigations.
Ex-vivo mechanical sealing properties and toxicity of a bioadhesive patch as sealing system for fetal membrane iatrogenic defects
Authors: Micheletti Talita , Eixarch Elisenda , Berdun Sergio , Febas Germán , Mazza Edoardo , Borrós Salvador , Gratacos Eduard
Published: October 2020

Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) is the most frequent complication of fetal surgery. Strategies to seal the membrane defect created by fetoscopy aiming to reduce the occurrence of PPROM have been attempted with little success. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ex-vivo mechanical sealing properties and toxicity of four different bioadhesives integrated in semi-rigid patches for fetal membranes. We performed and ex-vivo study using term human fetal membranes to compare the four integrated patches composed of silicone or silicone-polyurethane combined with dopaminated-hyaluronic acid or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). For mechanical sealing properties, membranes were mounted in a multiaxial inflation device with saline, perforated and sealed with the 4 combinations. We measured bursting pressure and maximum pressure free of leakage (n = 8). For toxicity, an organ culture of membranes sealed with the patches was used to measure pyknotic index (PI) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentration (n = 5). All bioadhesives achieved appropriate bursting pressures, but only HPMC forms achieved high maximum pressures free of leakage. Concerning toxicity, bioadhesives showed low PI and LDH levels, suggesting no cell toxicity. We conclude that a semi-rigid patch coated with HPMC achieved ex-vivo sealing of iatrogenic defects in fetal membranes with no signs of cell toxicity. These results warrant further research addressing long-term adhesiveness and feasibility as a sealing system for fetoscopy.
Dissemination of Verona Integron-encoded Metallo-β-lactamase among clinical and environmental Enterobacteriaceae isolates in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Kohler Philipp , Tijet Nathalie , Kim Hyunjin C. , Johnstone Jennie , Edge Tom , Patel Samir N. , Seah Christine , Willey Barbara , Coleman Brenda , Green Karen , Armstrong Irene , Katz Kevin , Muller Matthew P. , Powis Jeff , Poutanen Susan M. , Richardson David , Sarabia Alicia , Simor Andrew , McGeer Allison , Melano Roberto G. ,   The Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network (TIBDN), Plevneshi Agron , Rudnick Wallis , Jamieson Frances , Yaffe Barbara , Matukas Larissa , Downey James , Gold Wayne , Walmsley Sharon , Baqi Mahin , Vearncombe Mary , Belhaj Abdelbaset , Kitai Ian , Chen Danny , de Villa Eileen , Dick Hani , Farshait Nataly , Lee King S. , Krajden Sigmund , Lingley Michael , Lovinsky Reena , Rose David , O’Grady Sharon , Opavsky Anne , Ostrowska Krystyna , Petrich Astrid , Richardson Susan , Rau Neil , Ricciuto Daniel , Sales Valerie , Yamamura Deborah
Published: October 2020

Surveillance data from Southern Ontario show that a majority of Verona Integron-encoded Metallo-β-lactamase (VIM)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are locally acquired. To better understand the local epidemiology, we analysed clinical and environmental blaVIM-positive Enterobacteriaceae from the area. Clinical samples were collected within the Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network (2010–2016); environmental water samples were collected in 2015. We gathered patient information on place of residence and hospital admissions prior to the diagnosis. Patients with and without plausible source of acquisition were compared regarding risk exposures. Microbiological isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing (WGS); blaVIM carrying plasmids were characterized. We identified 15 patients, thereof 11 with blaVIM-1-positive Enterobacter hormaechei within two genetic clusters based on WGS. Whereas no obvious epidemiologic link was identified among cluster I patients, those in cluster II were connected to a hospital outbreak. Except for patients with probable acquisition abroad, we did not identify any further risk exposures. Two blaVIM-1-positive E. hormaechei from environmental waters matched with the clinical clusters; plasmid sequencing suggested a common ancestor plasmid for the two clusters. These data show that both clonal spread and horizontal gene transfer are drivers of the dissemination of blaVIM-1-carrying Enterobacter hormaechei in hospitals and the aquatic environment in Southern Ontario, Canada.
Intuitive decision-making promotes rewarding prosocial others independent of the personality trait Honesty-Humility
Authors: Nockur Laila , Pfattheicher Stefan
Published: October 2020

Although past research has convincingly shown that rewarding prosocial individuals helps to establish high levels of cooperation, research investigating factors that promote rewarding others has been surprisingly rare. The present research addresses this gap and examines two factors that were shown in past research to play a role in prosocial behaviour. In a well-powered study (totalN = 1003), we tested the impact of (a) a basic prosocial personality trait (the Honesty-Humility dimension from the HEXACO personality model) and (b) intuitive decision-making, as well as (c) their interaction, in rewarding prosocial individuals. We found that (1) intuition promotes rewarding prosocial others; (2) Honesty-Humility was not significantly related to rewarding prosocial others; and (3) that Honesty-Humility did not significantly moderate the effect of intuition on reward. Implications for the understanding of reciprocating others’ prosocial behaviour are discussed.
An extreme-phenotype genome‐wide association study identifies candidate cannabinoid pathway genes in Cannabis
Authors: Welling Matthew T. , Liu Lei , Kretzschmar Tobias , Mauleon Ramil , Ansari Omid , King Graham J.
Published: October 2020

Cannabis produces a class of isoprenylated resorcinyl polyketides known as cannabinoids, a subset of which are medically important and exclusive to this plant. The cannabinoid alkyl group is a critical structural feature that governs therapeutic activity. Genetic enhancement of the alkyl side-chain could lead to the development of novel chemical phenotypes (chemotypes) for pharmaceutical end-use. However, the genetic determinants underlying in planta variation of cannabinoid alkyl side-chain length remain uncharacterised. Using a diversity panel derived from the Ecofibre Cannabis germplasm collection, an extreme-phenotype genome-wide association study (XP-GWAS) was used to enrich for alkyl cannabinoid polymorphic regions. Resequencing of chemotypically extreme pools revealed a known cannabinoid synthesis pathway locus as well as a series of chemotype-associated genomic regions. One of these regions contained a candidate gene encoding a β-keto acyl carrier protein (ACP) reductase (BKR) putatively associated with polyketide fatty acid starter unit synthesis and alkyl side-chain length. Association analysis revealed twenty-two polymorphic variants spanning the length of this gene, including two nonsynonymous substitutions. The success of this first reported application of XP-GWAS for an obligate outcrossing and highly heterozygote plant genus suggests that this approach may have generic application for other plant species.
Retraction Note: Novel life history strategy in a deep sea fish challenges assumptions about reproduction in extreme environments
Authors: Singer Randal A. , Moore Jon A. , Stanley Edward L.
Published: October 2020

Editor's Note: this Article has been retracted; the Retraction Note is available at https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-75408-8
Decompressive craniectomy of post-traumatic brain injury: an in silico modelling approach for intracranial hypertension management
Authors: Lambride Chryso , Christodoulou Nicolas , Michail Anna , Vavourakis Vasileios , Stylianopoulos Triantafyllos
Published: October 2020

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes brain edema that induces increased intracranial pressure and decreased cerebral perfusion. Decompressive craniectomy has been recommended as a surgical procedure for the management of swollen brain and intracranial hypertension. Proper location and size of a decompressive craniectomy, however, remain controversial and no clinical guidelines are available. Mathematical and computational (in silico) models can predict the optimum geometric conditions and provide insights for the brain mechanical response following a decompressive craniectomy. In this work, we present a finite element model of post-traumatic brain injury and decompressive craniectomy that incorporates a biphasic, nonlinear biomechanical model of the brain. A homogenous pressure is applied in the brain to represent the intracranial pressure loading caused by the tissue swelling and the models calculate the deformations and stresses in the brain as well as the herniated volume of the brain tissue that exits the skull following craniectomy. Simulations for different craniectomy geometries (unilateral, bifrontal and bifrontal with midline bar) and sizes are employed to identify optimal clinical conditions of decompressive craniectomy. The reported results for the herniated volume of the brain tissue as a function of the intracranial pressure loading under a specific geometry and size of craniectomy are exceptionally relevant for decompressive craniectomy planning.
A rigorous assessment and comparison of enumeration methods for environmental viruses
Authors: Kaletta Judith , Pickl Carolin , Griebler Christian , Klingl Andreas , Kurmayer Rainer , Deng Li
Published: October 2020

Determining exact viral titers in a given sample is essential for many environmental and clinical applications, e.g., for studying viral ecology or application of bacteriophages for food safety. However, virus quantification is not a simple task, especially for complex environmental samples. While clonal viral isolates can be quantified with relative high accuracy using virus-specific methods, i.e., plaque assay or quantitative real-time PCR, these methods are not valid for complex and diverse environmental samples. Moreover, it is not yet known how precisely laser-based methods, i.e., epifluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and nanoparticle tracking analysis, quantify environmental viruses. In the present study, we compared five state-of-the-art viral quantification methods by enumerating four model viral isolates of different genome and size characteristics as well as four different environmental water samples. Although Nanoparticle tracking analysis combined with gentle staining at 30 °C could be confirmed by this study to be a reliable quantification technique for tested environmental samples, environmental samples still lack an universally applicable and accurate quantification method. Special attention has to be put on optimal sample concentrations as well as optimized sample preparations, which are specific for each method. As our results show the inefficiency when enumerating small, or single-stranded DNA or RNA viruses, the global population of viruses is presumably higher than expected.
Microglial response to experimental periodontitis in a murine model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Kantarci Alpdogan , Tognoni Christina M. , Yaghmoor Wael , Marghalani Amin , Stephens Danielle , Ahn Jae-Yong , Carreras Isabel , Dedeoglu Alpaslan
Published: October 2020

Periodontal disease (PD) has been suggested to be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We tested the impact of ligature-induced PD on 5xFAD mice and WT littermates. At baseline, 5xFAD mice presented significant alveolar bone loss compared to WT mice. After the induction of PD, both WT and 5xFAD mice experienced alveolar bone loss. PD increased the level of Iba1-immunostained microglia in WT mice. In 5xFAD mice, PD increased the level of insoluble Aβ42. The increased level in Iba1 immunostaining that parallels the accumulation of Aβ in 5xFAD mice was not affected by PD except for a decrease in the dentate gyrus. Analysis of double-label fluorescent images showed a decline in Iba1 in the proximity of Aβ plaques in 5xFAD mice with PD compared to those without PD suggesting a PD-induced decrease in plaque-associated microglia (PAM). PD reduced IL-6, MCP-1, GM-CSF, and IFN-γ in brains of WT mice and reduced IL-10 in 5xFAD mice. The data demonstrated that PD increases neuroinflammation in WT mice and disrupts the neuroinflammatory response in 5xFAD mice and suggest that microglia is central to the association between PD and AD.