bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel anatomical description of the esophagus: the supracarinal mesoesophagus
Authors: Cuesta Miguel A. , van Jaarsveld Romy C. , Mingol Fernando , Bleys Ronald L. A. W. , van Hillegersberg Richard , Padules Carmen , Bruna Marcos , Ruurda Jelle P.
Published: June 2023

Background

During thoracoscopic esophageal resection, while performing the supracarinal lymphadenectomy along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve (LRLN) from the aortic arch to the thoracic apex, we observed a not previously described bilayered fascia-like structure, serving as prolongation of the already known mesoesophagus.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 70 consecutively unedited videos of thoracoscopic interventions on esophageal resections for cancer, in order to determine the validity of this finding and to describe its utility for performing a systematic and more accurate dissection of the LRLN and its adequate lymphadenectomy.

Results

After mobilization of the upper esophagus from the trachea and tilting the esophagus by means of two ribbons, a bilayered fascia was observed between the esophagus and the left subclavian artery in 63 of the 70 patients included in this study. By opening the right layer, the left recurrent nerve became visualized and could be dissected free in its whole trajectory. Vessels and branches of the LRLN were divided between miniclips. Mobilizing the esophagus to the right, the base of this fascia could be found at the left subclavian artery. After dissecting and clipping the thoracic duct, complete lymphadenectomy of 2 and 4L stations could be performed. Mobilizing the esophagus in distal direction, the fascia continued at the level of the aortic arch, where it had to be divided in order to mobilize the esophagus from the left bronchus. Here, a lymphadenectomy of the aorta-pulmonary window lymph nodes (station 8) can be performed. It seems that from there the fascia continued without interruption with the previously described mesoesophagus between the thoracic aorta and the esophagus.

Conclusions

Here we described the concept of the supracarinal mesoesophagus on the left side. Applying the description of the mesoesophagus will create a better understanding of the supracarinal anatomy, leading to a more adequate and reproducible surgery.
Clinical course and management of children with IgA vasculitis with nephritis
Authors: Stone Hillarey K. , Mitsnefes Mark , Dickinson Kimberley , Burrows Evanette K. , Razzaghi Hanieh , Luna Ingrid Y. , Gluck Caroline A. , Dixon Bradley P. , Dharnidharka Vikas R. , Smoyer William E. , Somers Michael J. , Flynn Joseph T. , Furth Susan L. , Bailey Charles , Forrest Christopher B. , Denburg Michelle , Nehus Edward
Published: June 2023

Background

IgA vasculitis is the most common vasculitis in children and is often complicated by acute nephritis (IgAVN). Risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among children with IgAVN remains unknown. This study aimed to describe the clinical management and kidney outcomes in a large cohort of children with IgAVN.

Methods

This observational cohort study used the PEDSnet database to identify children diagnosed with IgAV between January 1, 2009, and February 29, 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared among children with and without kidney involvement. For children followed by nephrology, clinical course, and management patterns were described. Patients were divided into four categories based on treatment: observation, renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade, corticosteroids, and other immunosuppression, and outcomes were compared among these groups.

Results

A total of 6802 children had a diagnosis of IgAV, of whom 1139 (16.7%) were followed by nephrology for at least 2 visits over a median follow-up period of 1.7 years [0.4,4.2]. Conservative management was the most predominant practice pattern, consisting of observation in 57% and RAAS blockade in 6%. Steroid monotherapy was used in 29% and other immunosuppression regimens in 8%. Children receiving immunosuppression had higher rates of proteinuria and hypertension compared to those managed with observation (p < 0.001). At the end of follow-up, 2.6 and 0.5% developed CKD and kidney failure, respectively.

Conclusions

Kidney outcomes over a limited follow-up period were favorable in a large cohort of children with IgAV. Immunosuppressive medications were used in those with more severe presentations and may have contributed to improved outcomes.

Graphical abstract
Subcutaneous abatacept for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in routine clinical practice in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland: 2-year retention and efficacy by treatment line and serostatus
Authors: Alten Rieke , Tony Hans-Peter , Bannert Bettina , Nüßlein Hubert , Rauch Christiane , Connolly Sean E. , Chartier Melanie , Lozenski Karissa , Hackl Roland , Forster Adrian , Peichl Peter
Published: June 2023

Introduction/objectives

The ASCORE study on treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) showed better retention and clinical response rates for abatacept as first-line versus later-line therapy. This post hoc analysis of ASCORE assessed 2-year retention, efficacy, and safety of subcutaneous (SC) abatacept in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Methods

Adults with RA who initiated SC abatacept 125 mg once weekly were assessed. Primary endpoint was abatacept retention rate at 2 years. Secondary endpoints: proportions of patients with low disease activity (LDA)/remission per Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (≤ 3.2), Simplified Disease Activity Index (≤ 11), and Clinical Disease Activity Index (≤ 10). Outcomes were analyzed by treatment line and serostatus.

Results

For the pooled cohort, the 2-year abatacept retention rate was 47.6%; retention was highest in biologic-naïve patients (50.5% [95% confidence interval 44.9, 55.9]). Patients seropositive for both anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF; + / +) at baseline had a higher 2-year abatacept retention rate than patients with single seropositivity for either APCA or RF or double-seronegativity (− / −), irrespective of treatment line. At 2 years, a higher proportion of patients who were biologic-naïve were in LDA/remission than patients with one or ≥ two prior biologics.

Conclusion

A higher proportion of patients with + / + RA (compared with − / − RA) had abatacept retention after 2 years. Early identification of patients with seropositive RA may facilitate a precision-medicine approach to RA treatment, leading to a higher proportion of patients in LDA/remission.

Trial registration number

NCT02090556; date registered: March 18, 2014 (retrospectively registered).

Key Points• This post hoc analysis of a German-speaking subset of European patients with RA from the global ASCORE study (NCT02090556) showed that retention of SC abatacept within this subset was 47.6%, with good clinical outcomes after 2 years.• Patients with double-seropositive RA (ACPA and RF positive) had higher retention of abatacept than patients with double-seronegative RA (ACPA and RF negative). Retention and clinical responses were highest for patients who were biologic-naïve compared with patients who had one or ≥ two prior biologic treatments.• These real-world data may be useful for clinicians in informing individualized treatment pathways for patients with RA, and fostering superior disease control and clinical outcomes.
Object use in communication of semi-wild chimpanzees
Authors: Gibson Violet , Boysen Sarah T. , Hobaiter Catherine , Davila-Ross Marina
Published: June 2023

Object interactions play an important role in human communication but the extent to which nonhuman primates incorporate objects in their social interactions remains unknown. To better understand the evolution of object use, this study explored how objects are used in social interactions in semi-wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). We used an observational approach focusing on naturally occurring object actions where we examined their use and tested whether the production of object actions was influenced by the recipients’ visual attention as well as by colony membership. The results show that chimpanzees adjusted both the type of object used, and the modality of object actions to match the visual attention of the recipient, as well as colony differences in the use of targeted object actions. These results provide empirical evidence highlighting that chimpanzees use objects in diverse ways to communicate with conspecifics and that their use may be shaped by social factors, contributing to our understanding of the evolution of human nonverbal communication, language, and tool use.
Enabling QALY estimation in mental health trials and care settings: mapping from the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 to the ReQoL-UI or EQ-5D-5L using mixture models
Authors: Franklin Matthew , Hernández Alava Monica
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly collected in trials and some care settings, but preference-based PROMs required for economic evaluation are often missing. For these situations, mapping models are needed to predict preference-based (aka utility) scores. Our objective is to develop a series of mapping models to predict preference-based scores from two mental health PROMs: Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; depression) and Generalised Anxiety Questionnaire-7 (GAD-7; anxiety). We focus on preference-based scores for the more physical-health-focussed EQ-5D (five-level England and US value set, and three-level UK cross-walk) and more mental-health-focussed Recovering Quality-of-Life Utility Index (ReQoL-UI).

Methods

We used trial data from the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) mental health services (now called NHS Talking Therapies), England, with a focus on people with depression and/or anxiety caseness. We estimated adjusted limited dependent variable or beta mixture models (ALDVMMs or Betamix, respectively) using GAD-7, PHQ-9, age, and sex as covariates. We followed ISPOR mapping guidance, including assessing model fit using statistical and graphical techniques.

Results

Over six data collection time-points between baseline and 12-months, 1340 observed values (N ≤ 353) were available for analysis. The best fitting ALDVMMs had 4-components with covariates of PHQ-9, GAD-7, sex, and age; age was not a probability variable for the final ReQoL-UI mapping model. Betamix had practical benefits over ALDVMMs only when mapping to the US value set.

Conclusion

Our mapping functions can predict EQ-5D-5L or ReQoL-UI related utility scores for QALY estimation as a function of variables routinely collected within mental health services or trials, such as the PHQ-9 and/or GAD-7.
The Impact of Education and Culture on Poverty Reduction: Evidence from Panel Data of European Countries
Authors: Spada A. , Fiore M. , Galati A.
Published: June 2023

The 2030 Agenda has among its key objectives the poverty eradication through increasing the level of education. A good level of education and investment in culture of a country is in fact necessary to guarantee a sustainable economy, in which coexists satisfactory levels of quality of life and an equitable distribution of income. There is a lack of studies in particular on the relations between some significant dimensions, such as education, culture and poverty, considering time lags for the measurement of impacts. Therefore, this study aims to fill this gap by focusing on the relationship between education, culture and poverty based on a panel of data from 34 European countries, over a 5-year period, 2015–2019. For this purpose, after applying principal component analysis to avoid multicollinearity problems, the authors applied three different approaches: pooled-ordinary least squares model, fixed effect model and random effect model. Fixed-effects estimator was selected as the optimal and most appropriate model. The results highlight that increasing education and culture levels in these countries reduce poverty. This opens space to new research paths and policy strategies that can start from this connection to implement concrete actions aimed at widening and improving educational and cultural offer.
Deconstructing heterogeneity of replicative senescence in human mesenchymal stem cells at single cell resolution
Authors: Taherian Fard Atefeh , Leeson Hannah C. , Aguado Julio , Pietrogrande Giovanni , Power Dominique , Gómez-Inclán Cecilia , Zheng Huiwen , Nelson Christopher B. , Soheilmoghaddam Farhad , Glass Nick , Dharmaratne Malindrie , Watson Ebony R. , Lu Jennifer , Martin Sally , Pickett Hilda A. , Cooper-White Justin , Wolvetang Ernst J. , Mar Jessica C.
Published: June 2023

Following prolonged cell division, mesenchymal stem cells enter replicative senescence, a state of permanent cell cycle arrest that constrains the use of this cell type in regenerative medicine applications and that in vivo substantially contributes to organismal ageing. Multiple cellular processes such as telomere dysfunction, DNA damage and oncogene activation are implicated in promoting replicative senescence, but whether mesenchymal stem cells enter different pre-senescent and senescent states has remained unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we subjected serially passaged human ESC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (esMSCs) to single cell profiling and single cell RNA-sequencing during their progressive entry into replicative senescence. We found that esMSC transitioned through newly identified pre-senescent cell states before entering into three different senescent cell states. By deconstructing this heterogeneity and temporally ordering these pre-senescent and senescent esMSC subpopulations into developmental trajectories, we identified markers and predicted drivers of these cell states. Regulatory networks that capture connections between genes at each timepoint demonstrated a loss of connectivity, and specific genes altered their gene expression distributions as cells entered senescence. Collectively, this data reconciles previous observations that identified different senescence programs within an individual cell type and should enable the design of novel senotherapeutic regimes that can overcome in vitro MSC expansion constraints or that can perhaps slow organismal ageing.
The semiproximal SVM approach for multiple instance learning: a kernel-based computational study
Authors: Avolio Matteo , Fuduli Antonio
Published: June 2023

The semiproximal Support Vector Machine technique is a recent approach for Multiple Instance Learning (MIL) problems. It exploits the benefits exhibited in the supervised learning by the Support Vector Machine technique, in terms of generalization capability, and by the Proximal Support Vector Machine approach in terms of efficiency. We investigate the possibility of embedding the kernel transformations into the semiproximal framework to further improve the testing accuracy. Numerical results on benchmark MIL data sets show the effectiveness of our proposal.
Thermodynamics of Learning Physical Phenomena
Authors: Cueto Elias , Chinesta Francisco
Published: June 2023

Thermodynamics could be seen as an expression of physics at a high epistemic level. As such, its potential as an inductive bias to help machine learning procedures attain accurate and credible predictions has been recently realized in many fields. We review how thermodynamics provides helpful insights in the learning process. At the same time, we study the influence of aspects such as the scale at which a given phenomenon is to be described, the choice of relevant variables for this description or the different techniques available for the learning process.
Composition, raw material provenance, and manufacture of a unique late Roman silver folding stand (quadripus) from Kőszárhegy, Hungary
Authors: Mozgai Viktória , Bajnóczi Bernadett , Pernicka Ernst , Mráv Zsolt
Published: June 2023

The late Roman silverquadripusfrom Kőszárhegy (Fejér County, Hungary) is the only known silver folding stand from the Late Roman Imperial Age, dated to the fourth century AD. Archaeological evidence indicates that thequadripusis closely related to the Seuso Treasure. Elemental composition and lead isotope analyses of samples taken from the various parts of the folding stand were performed by using LA-QICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS methods in order to determine the provenance of raw material used and the production technology. The silverquadripusconsists of rather pure silver (92.5–96.5%) intentionally alloyed with copper. The different trace element composition (Bi, Au, Pb) of the various parts (base, lower part, griffin, upper part, finial, cross bands) indicates the use of different silver batches implying that the various parts were made separately, and then soldered together with hard solders. The same parts of the two original feet are very similar regarding their elemental composition and lead isotope ratios suggesting series production. The nearly constant gold and lead contents of the object indicate that not re-used or re-melted, but primary, cupelled silver was used for manufacturing. The lead isotope ratios of thequadripuscover a quite narrow range (206Pb/204Pb = 18.514–18.717;207Pb/204Pb = 15.645–15.667;208Pb/204Pb = 38.592–38.817). Comparing our results to the lead isotope data of the European lead-silver ores, and taking into consideration the archaeological evidences, the silver used for manufacturing thequadripuscould come from the Balkan region.
Laboratory evaluation of the broad-spectrum antibacterial efficacy of a low-irradiance visible 405-nm light system for surface-simulated decontamination
Authors: Sinclair Lucy G , Dougall Laura R , Ilieva Zornitsa , McKenzie Karen , Anderson John G , MacGregor Scott J , Maclean Michelle
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Lighting systems which use visible light blended with antimicrobial 405-nm violet-blue light have recently been developed for safe continuous decontamination of occupied healthcare environments. This paper characterises the optical output and antibacterial efficacy of a low irradiance 405-nm light system designed for environmental decontamination applications, under controlled laboratory conditions.

Methods

In the current study, the irradiance output of a ceiling-mounted 405-nm light source was profiled within a 3×3×2 m (18 m3) test area; with values ranging from 0.001-2.016 mWcm-2. To evaluate antibacterial efficacy of the light source for environmental surface decontamination, irradiance levels within this range (0.021-1 mWcm-2) at various angular ($$\Delta$$
Δ
ϴ=0-51.3) and linear (∆s=1.6-2.56 m) displacements from the source were used to generate inactivation kinetics, using the model organism, Staphylococcus aureus. Additionally, twelve bacterial species were surface-seeded and light-exposed at a fixed displacement below the source (1.5 m; 0.5 mWcm-2) to demonstrate broad-spectrum efficacy at heights typical of high touch surfaces within occupied settings.

Results

Results demonstrate that significant (P≤0.05) inactivation was successfully achieved at all irradiance values investigated, with spatial positioning from the source affecting inactivation, with greater times required for inactivation as irradiance decreased. Complete/near-complete (≥93.28%) inactivation of all bacteria was achieved following exposure to 0.5 mWcm-2 within exposure times realistic of those utilised practically for whole-room decontamination (2-16 h).

Conclusion

This study provides fundamental evidence of the efficacy, and energy efficiency, of low irradiance 405-nm light for bacterial inactivation within a controlled laboratory setting, further justifying its benefits for practical infection control applications.
Empowering and disempowering climate and experiences of psychological violence in artistic gymnastics
Authors: Greither Teresa , Ohlert Jeannine
Published: June 2023

In light of the continuing debate about coach-perpetrated violence and the maltreatment of athletes in the elite sports context, empowering and ethical approaches to coaching need to be investigated and proposed as evidence-based effective alternatives. This study aims to investigate the associations between motivational coaching climates and athletes’ experiences of psychological violence, as well as their effects on well-being. Using an anonymous cross-sectional online survey, artistic gymnasts’ perceptions of empowering and disempowering coach-created motivational climates, experiences of psychological violence in sport, well-being, and depressive symptoms were recorded quantitatively. Results indicate that a more disempowering climate predicts psychological violence, while an empowering climate was not a significant predictor. Regarding mental health outcomes, an effect of psychological violence on depressive symptoms and well-being was found, but no effect was found for the disempowering climate. Explorative analysis suggested that psychological violence mediates the relationship between disempowering coaching and mental health outcomes. Based on these findings, coach education should focus on prevention of psychological violence and minimization of disempowering climates. Further research should investigate the relations and effects of psychological violence and coaching climates more thoroughly, including the role of an empowering climate as a potential beneficiary alternative coaching method.
Deterministic random walk model in NetLogo and the identification of asymmetric saturation time in random graph
Authors: Chatterjee Ayan , Cao Qingtao , Sajadi Amirhossein , Ravandi Babak
Published: June 2023

Interactive programming environments are powerful tools for promoting innovative network thinking, teaching science of complexity, and exploring emergent phenomena. This paper reports on our recent development of the deterministic random walk model in NetLogo, a leading platform for computational thinking, eco-system thinking, and multi-agent cross-platform programming environment. The deterministic random walk is foundational to modeling dynamical processes on complex networks. Inspired by the temporal visualizations offered in NetLogo, we investigated the relationship between network topology and diffusion saturation time for the deterministic random walk model. Our analysis uncovers that in Erdős–Rényi graphs, the saturation time exhibits an asymmetric pattern with a considerable probability of occurrence. This behavior occurs when the hubs, defined as nodes with relatively higher number of connections, emerge in Erdős–Rényi graphs. Yet, our analysis yields that the hubs in Barabási–Albert model stabilize the the convergence time of the deterministic random walk model. These findings strongly suggest that depending on the dynamical process running on complex networks, complementing characteristics other than the degree need to be taken into account for considering a node as a hub. We have made our development open-source, available to the public at no cost athttps://github.com/bravandi/NetLogo-Dynamical-Processes.
Ntuple Wizard: An Application to Access Large-Scale Open Data from LHCb
Authors: Aidala Christine A. , Burr Christopher , Cattaneo Marco , Fitzgerald Dillon S. , Morris Adam , Neubert Sebastian , Tropmann Donijor
Published: June 2023

Making the large data sets collected at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accessible to the world is a considerable challenge because of both the complexity and the volume of data. This paper presents the Ntuple Wizard, an application that leverages the existing computing infrastructure available to the LHCb collaboration in order to enable third-party users to request specific data. An intuitive web interface allows the discovery of accessible data sets and guides the user through the process of specifying a configuration-based request. The application allows for fine-grained control of the level of access granted to the public.
Enhanced adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system using genetic algorithm: a case study in predicting electricity consumption
Authors: Oladipo Stephen , Sun Yanxia
Published: June 2023

Energy forecasting is crucial for efficient energy management and planning for future energy needs. Previous studies have employed hybrid modeling techniques, but insufficient attention has been given to hyper-parameter tuning and parameter selection. In this study, we present a hybrid model, which combines fuzzy c-means clustered adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and genetic algorithm (GA), named GA–ANFIS–FCM, to model electricity consumption in Lagos districts, Nigeria. The model is simulated using the algorithms’ control settings, and the best model is identified after assessing their performance using renowned statistical indicators. To further narrow down the best viable model, the impact of the core parameter of the GA on the GA–ANFIS–FCM optimal model is examined by varying the crossover percentage in the range of 0.2–0.6. Firstly, the results reveal the better performance of the hybridized ANFIS model than the standalone ANFIS model. Additionally, the best model is obtained with the GA–ANFIS–FCM model with four clusters at a crossover percentage of 0.4, with mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), mean absolute error (MAE), coefficient of root mean square error (CVRMSE), root mean square error (RMSE) values of 7.6345 (signifying a forecast accuracy of 92.4%), 706.0547, 9.4913, and 918.6518 during the testing phase, respectively. The study demonstrates the potential of the proposed model as a reliable tool for energy forecasting.
Diversity for Access? Legislative Diversity, Identity Group Mobilization, and Lobbying
Authors: Strickland James M. , Tarr Nathan
Published: June 2023

We examine the historical effects of ethnic and racial diversification among legislators on identity group mobilization and the hiring of nonwhite lobbyists. We propose that diversification among legislators encouraged identity groups to lobby, that these groups hired lobbyists who reflected their members’ identities, and that all interests also hired lobbyists who reflected the identities of new legislative targets. We apply a Bayesian estimation approach to infer the identities of lobbyists who were active in the American states over several decades. We find that the election of African Americans to state legislatures encouraged black identity groups to lobby, that all identity groups, including those representing Hispanics or Latinos, generally hired lobbyists who reflected their members’ identities, and that the election of Asian Americans to state legislatures encouraged interests generally to hire Asian-American lobbyists. Hispanic or Latino lobbyists gained clients in response to diversification in more Democratic legislatures.
Toward an Ever Looser Union? Investigating Diverging Trends in Public Opinion in Three Divided Societies
Authors: Stiers Dieter , Hooghe Marc
Published: June 2023

The stability of divided societies is an important and recurring concern in political science research. It has been suggested that distinctive socialization processes in the different regions of divided societies will lead to diverging trends in public opinion. Therefore, we investigate trends in public opinion on key political issues and attitudes in three divided societies: Canada (Quebec), the United Kingdom (Scotland) and Spain (Catalonia). Using over two decades of survey data, we show that these distinct communities indeed have a particular ideological profile but also that there is no indication these differences become larger over time. In other words, we do not observe any evidence for an increasing lack of public opinion coherence in these divided societies. We conclude with some observations on why divergence could not be observed at the level of public opinion but might still be present at the level of party elites.
Life-course generational placements and health and wellbeing in later life
Authors: Hünteler Bettina , Hank Karsten
Published: June 2023

Previous research has demonstrated that family transitions, specifically births and deaths of preceding and following generations within families, are associated with individuals’ later-life wellbeing and health. However, lifecourse, family systems and role theories suggest that this relationship might be complex because, as individuals age, they can experience multiple such events and their effects might be interconnected. Therefore, this study asks whether and how transitions into and out of multiple intergenerational family roles are associated with later-life wellbeing and health. We account for the occurrence, timing and ordering of the parents’ death and the birth of the first child and grandchild. To this end, we use the concept of ‘generational placement trajectories’. They capture the vertical position of individuals in their intergenerational family over age and reflect the changing family roles and kinship reservoir of individuals across their lifecourse. Applying sequence, cluster and regression analyses to data from the German Ageing Survey (N = 3,617), we investigate associations between generational placement trajectories from birth to age 60 and four dimensions of later-life wellbeing and health, namely life satisfaction, depressiveness, functional limitations and physical health problems. Results support, first, the notion of salutary effects of a larger kinship reservoir and multiple social roles in the family and, second, indicate that ‘off-time’ transitions are associated negatively with various later-life wellbeing and health outcomes. Importantly, the effect of temporal deviations from the ‘normative’ family lifecourse might be affected by individual socio-economic differences. We enhance previous research by demonstrating that the occurrence, timing and ordering of transitions into and out of multiple kin relations and family roles across the lifecourse relate to individuals’ later-life wellbeing and health.
No taxation without state-assigned property rights: formalization of individual property rights on land and taxation in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Nistotskaya Marina , D'Arcy Michelle
Published: June 2023

The arguments that property rights and taxation positively affect development are well established in separate literatures, but the link between property rights and taxation is under-studied. To address this gap, we theorize, in the fiscal contract tradition, that property rights assigned and upheld by the state, as opposed to other political authorities, increase individual assent to taxation. We apply this argument to property rights on land in sub-Saharan-Africa, where the majority of land is governed by traditional authorities. Empirically we examine (1) the link between the state-assinged property rights on land and assent to taxation using individual-level data from Afrobarometer, and (2) the effect of state-led formalization, measured through novel data on state-produced cadastral records, and revenue from taxes on individuals in a panel of 37 sub-Saharan African countries across 35 years. We find support for our argument that there is no taxation without state-assigned property rights.
Migration, Kinship and Child Mortality in Early Twentieth-Century North America
Authors: Harton Marie-Ève , Hacker J. David , Gauvreau Danielle
Published: June 2023

This article appraises kin availability and migration timing on French-Canadian child mortality in an early twentieth-century North American industrial city. The analysis is based on the exploitation of an original dataset constructed by linking the 1910 census data (IPUMS-Full Count) for Manchester, New Hampshire to Quebec Catholic marriage records (BALSAC) and geocoding census data at the household level (Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps). Our results suggest that the presence of maternal and paternal grandmothers in the city living in different households were associated with reduced child mortality and that French-Canadian women who arrived in the United States as children or young adults experienced higher child mortality compared to second-generation French Canadians and those who migrated at a later age.
Mounds of Ancient Ocean Floor May Be Hiding Deep in Earth
Authors: Hornyak Tim
Published: June 2023

A mysterious seismic feature at the bottom of Earth’s mantle is more widespread than previously thought.
Climate Projections Very Likely Underestimate Future Volcanic Forcing and Its Climatic Effects
Authors: Chim Man Mei , Aubry Thomas J. , Abraham Nathan Luke , Marshall Lauren , Mulcahy Jane , Walton Jeremy , Schmidt Anja
Published: June 2023

Standard climate projections represent future volcanic eruptions by a constant forcing inferred from 1850 to 2014 volcanic forcing. Using the latest ice‐core and satellite records to design stochastic eruption scenarios, we show that there is a 95% probability that explosive eruptions could emit more sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the stratosphere over 2015–2100 than current standard climate projections (i.e., ScenarioMIP). Our simulations using the UK Earth System Model with interactive stratospheric aerosols show that for a median future eruption scenario, the 2015–2100 average global‐mean stratospheric aerosol optical depth (SAOD) is double that used in ScenarioMIP, with small‐magnitude eruptions (<3 Tg of SO2) contributing 50% to SAOD perturbations. We show that volcanic effects on large‐scale climate indicators, including global surface temperature, sea level and sea ice extent, are underestimated in ScenarioMIP because current climate projections do not fully account for the recurrent frequency of volcanic eruptions of different magnitudes.
Impact of Seasonal Snow‐Cover Change on the Observed and Simulated State of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer in a High‐Altitude Mountain Valley
Authors: Adler Bianca , Wilczak James M. , Bianco Laura , Bariteau Ludovic , Cox Christopher J. , de Boer Gijs , Djalalova Irina V. , Gallagher Michael R. , Intrieri Janet M. , Meyers Tilden P. , Myers Timothy A. , Olson Joseph B. , Pezoa Sergio , Sedlar Joseph , Smith Elizabeth , Turner David D. , White Allen B.
Published: June 2023

The structure and evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) under clear‐sky fair weather conditions over mountainous terrain is dominated by the diurnal cycle of the surface energy balance and thus strongly depends on surface snow cover. We use data from three passive ground‐based infrared spectrometers deployed in the East River Valley in Colorado's Rocky Mountains to investigate the response of the thermal ABL structure to changes in surface energy balance during the seasonal transition from low to high snow cover. Temperature profiles were retrieved from the infrared radiances using the optimal estimation physical retrieval Tropospheric Remotely Observed Profiling via Optimal Estimation. A nocturnal surface inversion formed in the valley during clear‐sky days, which was subsequently mixed out during daytime with the development of a convective boundary layer when snow cover was low. Over high snow cover, a very shallow convective boundary layer formed, above which the inversion persisted through the daytime hours. We compare these observations to NOAA's operational High‐Resolution‐Rapid‐Refresh model and find large warm biases on clear‐sky days resulting from the model's inability to form strong nocturnal inversions and to maintain the stable stratification in the valley during daytime when there was snow on the ground. We suggest several factors contributing to the large model errors. These are (a) the inability of the model to represent well‐developed thermally driven flows likely due to the too coarse horizontal grid spacing (3 km), (b) too much convective mixing during daytime, and (c) too strong vertical coupling between the valley atmosphere and the free troposphere.
Melting domain size and recrystallization dynamics of ice revealed by time-resolved x-ray scattering
Authors: Yang Cheolhee , Ladd-Parada Marjorie , Nam Kyeongmin , Jeong Sangmin , You Seonju , Späh Alexander , Pathak Harshad , Eklund Tobias , Lane Thomas J. , Lee Jae Hyuk , Eom Intae , Kim Minseok , Amann-Winkel Katrin , Perakis Fivos , Nilsson Anders , Kim Kyung Hwan
Published: June 2023

The phase transition between water and ice is ubiquitous and one of the most important phenomena in nature. Here, we performed time-resolved x-ray scattering experiments capturing the melting and recrystallization dynamics of ice. The ultrafast heating of ice I is induced by an IR laser pulse and probed with an intense x-ray pulse which provided us with direct structural information on different length scales. From the wide-angle x-ray scattering (WAXS) patterns, the molten fraction, as well as the corresponding temperature at each delay, were determined. The small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) patterns, together with the information extracted from the WAXS analysis, provided the time-dependent change of the size and the number of liquid domains. The results show partial melting (~13%) and superheating of ice occurring at around 20 ns. After 100 ns, the average size of the liquid domains grows from about 2.5 nm to 4.5 nm by the coalescence of approximately six adjacent domains. Subsequently, we capture the recrystallization of the liquid domains, which occurs on microsecond timescales due to the cooling by heat dissipation and results to a decrease of the average liquid domain size.
A highly sensitive strategy for monitoring real-time proliferation of targeted cell types in vivo
Authors: Sugawara Hiroto , Imai Junta , Yamamoto Junpei , Izumi Tomohito , Kawana Yohei , Endo Akira , Kohata Masato , Seike Junro , Kubo Haremaru , Komamura Hiroshi , Munakata Yuichiro , Asai Yoichiro , Hosaka Shinichiro , Sawada Shojiro , Kodama Shinjiro , Takahashi Kei , Kaneko Keizo , Katagiri Hideki
Published: June 2023

Cell proliferation processes play pivotal roles in timely adaptation to many biological situations. Herein, we establish a highly sensitive and simple strategy by which time-series showing the proliferation of a targeted cell type can be quantitatively monitored in vivo in the same individuals. We generate mice expressing a secreted type of luciferase only in cells producing Cre under the control of the Ki67 promoter. Crossing these with tissue-specific Cre-expressing mice allows us to monitor the proliferation time course of pancreatic β-cells, which are few in number and weakly proliferative, by measuring plasma luciferase activity. Physiological time courses, during obesity development, pregnancy and juvenile growth, as well as diurnal variation, of β-cell proliferation, are clearly detected. Moreover, this strategy can be utilized for highly sensitive ex vivo screening for proliferative factors for targeted cells. Thus, these technologies may contribute to advancements in broad areas of biological and medical research.
A global genomic analysis of Salmonella Concord reveals lineages with high antimicrobial resistance in Ethiopia
Authors: Cuypers Wim L. , Meysman Pieter , Weill François-Xavier , Hendriksen Rene S. , Beyene Getenet , Wain John , Nair Satheesh , Chattaway Marie A. , Perez-Sepulveda Blanca M. , Ceyssens Pieter-Jan , de Block Tessa , Lee Winnie W. Y. , Pardos de la Gandara Maria , Kornschober Christian , Moran-Gilad Jacob , Veldman Kees T. , Cormican Martin , Torpdahl Mia , Fields Patricia I. , Černý Tomáš , Hardy Liselotte , Tack Bieke , Mellor Kate C. , Thomson Nicholas , Dougan Gordon , Deborggraeve Stijn , Jacobs Jan , Laukens Kris , Van Puyvelde Sandra
Published: June 2023

Antimicrobial resistant Salmonella enterica serovar Concord (S. Concord) is known to cause severe gastrointestinal and bloodstream infections in patients from Ethiopia and Ethiopian adoptees, and occasional records exist of S. Concord linked to other countries. The evolution and geographical distribution of S. Concord remained unclear. Here, we provide a genomic overview of the population structure and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of S. Concord by analysing genomes from 284 historical and contemporary isolates obtained between 1944 and 2022 across the globe. We demonstrate that S. Concord is a polyphyletic serovar distributed among three Salmonella super-lineages. Super-lineage A is composed of eight S. Concord lineages, of which four are associated with multiple countries and low levels of AMR. Other lineages are restricted to Ethiopia and horizontally acquired resistance to most antimicrobials used for treating invasive Salmonella infections in low- and middle-income countries. By reconstructing complete genomes for 10 representative strains, we demonstrate the presence of AMR markers integrated in structurally diverse IncHI2 and IncA/C2 plasmids, and/or the chromosome. Molecular surveillance of pathogens such as S. Concord supports the understanding of AMR and the multi-sector response to the global AMR threat. This study provides a comprehensive baseline data set essential for future molecular surveillance.
Enabling liquid crystal elastomers with tunable actuation temperature
Authors: Yao Yanjin , He Enjian , Xu Hongtu , Liu Yawen , Yang Zhijun , Wei Yen , Ji Yan
Published: June 2023

Liquid crystalline elastomers are regarded as a kind of desirable soft actuator material for soft robotics and other high-tech areas. The isotropization temperature (Ti) plays an important role as it determines the actuation temperature and other properties, which in turn has a great effect on their applications. In the past, the common physical methods (e.g. annealing) to tune Ti is not applicable to tune the actuation temperature. The new Ti obtained by annealing immediately goes back to the old one once it is heated to a temperature above Ti, while actuation needs a temperature higher than Ti. For a fully cross-linked LCE material, once it is synthesized, the actuation temperature is fixed. Accordingly, the actuation temperature can not be tuned unless the chemical structure is changed, which usually needs to start from the very beginning of the molecular design and material synthesis. Here, we found that different Ti achieved by annealing can be preserved by reversible reactions of dynamic covalent bonds in covalently adaptable LC networks including LC vitrimers. Thus, a variety of soft actuators with different actuation temperatures can be obtained from the same fully cross-linked LCE material. As the tuning of Ti is also reversible, the same actuator can be adjusted for applications with different actuation temperature requirements. Such tuning will also expand the application of LCEs.
Arylcarboxylation of unactivated alkenes with CO2 via visible-light photoredox catalysis
Authors: Zhang Wei , Chen Zhen , Jiang Yuan-Xu , Liao Li-Li , Wang Wei , Ye Jian-Heng , Yu Da-Gang
Published: June 2023

Photocatalytic carboxylation of alkenes with CO2is a promising and sustainable strategy to synthesize high value-added carboxylic acids. However, it is challenging and rarely investigated for unactivated alkenes due to their low reactivities. Herein, we report a visible-light photoredox-catalyzed arylcarboxylation of unactivated alkenes with CO2, delivering a variety of tetrahydronaphthalen-1-ylacetic acids, indan-1-ylacetic acids, indolin-3-ylacetic acids, chroman-4-ylacetic acids and thiochroman-4-ylacetic acids in moderate-to-good yields. This reaction features high chemo- and regio-selectivities, mild reaction conditions (1 atm, room temperature), broad substrate scope, good functional group compatibility, easy scalability and facile derivatization of products. Mechanistic studies indicate that in situ generation of carbon dioxide radical anion and following radical addition to unactivated alkenes might be involved in the process.
Timing of antibiotic administration determines the spread of plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance during microbial range expansion
Authors: Ma Yinyin , Ramoneda Josep , Johnson David R.
Published: June 2023

Plasmids are the main vector by which antibiotic resistance is transferred between bacterial cells within surface-associated communities. In this study, we ask whether there is an optimal time to administer antibiotics to minimize plasmid spread in new bacterial genotypes during community expansion across surfaces. We address this question using consortia of Pseudomonas stutzeri strains, where one is an antibiotic resistance-encoding plasmid donor and the other a potential recipient. We allowed the strains to co-expand across a surface and administered antibiotics at different times. We find that plasmid transfer and transconjugant proliferation have unimodal relationships with the timing of antibiotic administration, where they reach maxima at intermediate times. These unimodal relationships result from the interplay between the probabilities of plasmid transfer and loss. Our study provides mechanistic insights into the transfer and proliferation of antibiotic resistance-encoding plasmids within microbial communities and identifies the timing of antibiotic administration as an important determinant.
Water usability as a descriptive parameter of thermodynamic properties and water mobility in food solids
Authors: Cui Tingting , Wu Xukai , Mou Tian , Fan Fanghui
Published: June 2023

A classic problem in preservation is the microbes can grow in low-moisture foods. In this paper, the water sorption, and thermodynamic properties of glucose/WPI solid matrices were measured, while their molecular mobility was analyzed and associated with the microbial growth of D. Hansenii at various aw and 30 °C. Although the sorption isotherms, Tg, and relaxation processes of studied matrices were affected by aw and WPI, the microbial growth showed highly dependent on water mobility rather than aw. Hence, we introduced water usability (Uw), derived from the mobility difference between system-involved water and liquid pure water explicating from the classical thermodynamic viewpoint, to describe the dynamic changes of water mobility in glucose/WPI matrices. Despite to aw, the yeast growth rate was enhanced at high Uw matrices concomitantly with a rapid cell doubling time. Therefore, the proposed Uw provides a better understanding of the water relationships of microorganisms in food preservation.
Detection of phosphates originating from Enceladus’s ocean
Authors: Postberg Frank , Sekine Yasuhito , Klenner Fabian , Glein Christopher R. , Zou Zenghui , Abel Bernd , Furuya Kento , Hillier Jon K. , Khawaja Nozair , Kempf Sascha , Noelle Lenz , Saito Takuya , Schmidt Juergen , Shibuya Takazo , Srama Ralf , Tan Shuya
Published: June 2023

Saturn’s moon Enceladus harbours a global1ice-covered water ocean2,3. The Cassini spacecraft investigated the composition of the ocean by analysis of material ejected into space by the moon’s cryovolcanic plume4–9. The analysis of salt-rich ice grains by Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer10enabled inference of major solutes in the ocean water (Na+, K+, Cl–, HCO3–, CO32–) and its alkaline pH3,11. Phosphorus, the least abundant of the bio-essential elements12–14, has not yet been detected in an ocean beyond Earth. Earlier geochemical modelling studies suggest that phosphate might be scarce in the ocean of Enceladus and other icy ocean worlds15,16. However, more recent modelling of mineral solubilities in Enceladus’s ocean indicates that phosphate could be relatively abundant17. Here we present Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer mass spectra of ice grains emitted by Enceladus that show the presence of sodium phosphates. Our observational results, together with laboratory analogue experiments, suggest that phosphorus is readily available in Enceladus’s ocean in the form of orthophosphates, with phosphorus concentrations at least 100-fold higher in the moon’s plume-forming ocean waters than in Earth’s oceans. Furthermore, geochemical experiments and modelling demonstrate that such high phosphate abundances could be achieved in Enceladus and possibly in other icy ocean worlds beyond the primordial CO2snowline, either at the cold seafloor or in hydrothermal environments with moderate temperatures. In both cases the main driver is probably the higher solubility of calcium phosphate minerals compared with calcium carbonate in moderately alkaline solutions rich in carbonate or bicarbonate ions.