bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genetic and physical interactomes of theSaccharomyces cerevisiaeHrq1 helicase
Authors: Rogers Cody M. , Sanders Elsbeth , Nguyen Phoebe A. , Smith-Kinnaman Whitney , Mosley Amber L. , Bochman Matthew L.
Published: August 2020

The human genome encodes five RecQ helicases (RECQL1, BLM, WRN, RECQL4, and RECQL5) that participate in various processes underpinning genomic stability. Of these enzymes, the disease-associated RECQL4 is comparatively understudied due to a variety of technical challenges. However,Saccharomyces cerevisiaeencodes a functional homolog of RECQL4 called Hrq1, which is more amenable to experimentation and has recently been shown to be involved in DNA inter-strand crosslink (ICL) repair and telomere maintenance. To expand our understanding of Hrq1 and the RecQ4 subfamily of helicases in general, we took a multi-omics approach to define the Hrq1 interactome in yeast. Using synthetic genetic array analysis, we found that mutations of genes involved in processes such as DNA repair, chromosome segregation, and transcription synthetically interact with deletion ofHRQ1and the catalytically inactivehrq1-K318Aallele. Pull-down of tagged Hrq1 and mass spectrometry identification of interacting partners similarly underscored links to these processes and others. Focusing on transcription, we found thathrq1mutant cells are sensitive to caffeine and that mutation ofHRQ1alters the expression levels of hundreds of genes. In the case ofhrq1-K318A, several of the most highly upregulated genes encode proteins of unknown function whose expression levels are also increased by DNA ICL damage. Together, our results suggest a heretofore unrecognized role for Hrq1 in transcription, as well as novel members of the Hrq1 ICL repair pathway. These data expand our understanding of RecQ4 subfamily helicase biology and help to explain why mutations in human RECQL4 cause diseases of genomic instability.
The TrkA agonist gambogic amide augments skeletal adaptation to mechanical loading through actions on sensory nerves and osteoblasts
Authors: Fioravanti Gabriella , Hua Phuong Q. , Tomlinson Ryan E.
Published: August 2020

The periosteal and endosteal surfaces of mature bone are densely innervated by sensory nerves expressing TrkA, the high-affinity receptor for nerve growth factor (NGF). In previous work, we demonstrated that administration of exogenous NGF significantly increased load-induced bone formation through the activation of Wnt signaling. However, the translational potential of NGF is limited by the induction of substantial mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in mice and humans. Here, we tested the effect of gambogic amide (GA), a recently identified robust small molecule agonist for TrkA, on hyperalgesia and load-induced bone formation. Behavioral analysis was used to assess pain up to one week after axial forelimb compression. Contrary to our expectations, GA treatment was not associated with diminished use of the loaded forelimb or sensitivity to thermal stimulus. Furthermore, dynamic histomorphometry revealed a significant increase in relative periosteal bone formation rate as compared to vehicle treatment. Additionally, we found that GA treatment was associated with an increase in the number of osteoblasts per bone surface in loaded limbs as well as a significant upregulation ofWnt1, Wnt7b, andNgfin loaded bones. To determine if these effects were exclusively mediated by NGF-TrkA signaling in sensory nerves, we cultured MC3T3-E1 cells for 7 or 14 days in osteogenic differentiation media containing NGF (50 ng/mL), GA (5, 50, or 500 nM), or vehicle (DMSO). After 7 days of culture, we observed increases in osteoblastic differentiation markersRunx2, Bglap2, andSp7in response to GA, whereas treatment with NGF was not different than vehicle. Only cells treated with the highest dose of GA (500 nM) had significantly impaired cell proliferation. In conclusion, our study indicates GA may be useful for augmenting skeletal adaptation to mechanical forces without inducing hyperalgesia through actions on both sensory nerves and osteoblasts.
LPAandAPOEare associated with statin selection in the UK Biobank
Authors: Lavertu Adam , McInnes Gregory , Tanigawa Yosuke , Altman Russ B , Rivas Manuel A.
Published: August 2020

Genetics plays a key role in drug response, affecting efficacy and toxicity. Pharmacogenomics aims to understand how genetic variation influences drug response and develop clinical guidelines to aid clinicians in personalized treatment decisions informed by genetics. Although pharmacogenomics has not been broadly adopted into clinical practice, genetics influences treatment decisions regardless. Physicians adjust patient care based on observed response to medication, which may occur as a result of genetic variants harbored by the patient. Here we seek to understand the genetics of drug selection in statin therapy, a class of drugs widely used for high cholesterol treatment. Genetics are known to play an important role in statin efficacy and toxicity, leading to significant changes in patient outcome. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on statin selection among 59,198 participants in the UK Biobank and found that variants known to influence statin efficacy are significantly associated with statin selection. Specifically, we find that carriers of variants inAPOEandLPAthat are known to decrease efficacy of treatment are more likely to be on atorvastatin, a stronger statin. Additionally, carriers of theAPOEandLPAvariants are more likely to be on a higher intensity dose (a dose that reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by greater than 40%) of atorvastatin than non-carriers (APOE:p(high intensity)= 0.16, OR = 1.7,P= 1.64 × 10−4,LPA:p(high intensity)= 0.17, OR = 1.4,P= 1.14 × 10−2). These findings represent the largest genetic association study of statin selection and statin dose association to date and provide evidence for the role ofLPAandAPOEin statin response, furthering the possibility of personalized statin therapy.
Pathogenic Mechanisms Underlying Stargardt Macular Degeneration Linked to Mutations in the Transmembrane Domains of ABCA4
Authors: Garces Fabian A. , Scortecci Jessica F. , Molday Robert S.
Published: August 2020

ABCA4 is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter predominantly expressed in photoreceptors where it transports the substrate N-retinylidene-phosphatidylethanolamine across disc membranes thereby facilitating the clearance of retinal compounds from photoreceptor outer segments. Loss of function mutations in ABCA4 cause the accumulation of bisretinoids leading to Stargardt disease (STGD1) and other retinopathies. In this study, we examined the expression and functional properties of ABCA4 harboring disease-causing missense mutations in the two transmembrane domains (TMDs) of ABCA4. Our results indicate that these mutations lead to protein misfolding, loss in substrate binding, decreased ATPase activity or a combination of these properties. Additionally, we identified an arginine (R653) in transmembrane segment 2 of ABCA4 as a residue essential for substrate binding and substrate-stimulated ATPase activity. The expression and functional activity of the TMD variants correlate well with the severity of STGD1. Our studies provide a basis for developing and evaluating novel treatments for STGD1.
G-quadruplex-forming sequences as potential drivers of genetic diversity in primate protein coding genes
Authors: Jara-Espejo Manuel , Line Sergio Roberto Peres
Published: August 2020

While non-coding G-quadruplexes (G4s) act as conserved regulatory elements when located in gene promoter and splice sites, the G4 evolutionary conservation in protein coding regions have been low explored. To address the evolutionary dynamics acting on coding G4, we mapped and characterized potential G4-forming sequences across twenty-four primate’s gene orthologous. We found that potentially more stable G4 motifs exist in coding regions following a species-specific trend. Moreover, these motifs depicted the least conserved sites across primates at both the DNA and amino acid levels and are characterized by an indel-rich mutational pattern. This trend was not observed for less stable G4 motifs. A deeper analysis revealed that [G>=3N1]4motifs, depicting potentially most stable G4s, were associated with the lowest conservation and highest indel frequencies. This mutational pattern was more evident when G4-associated amino acid regions were analyzed. We discuss the possibility of an overall conservation of less/moderate stability G4, while more stable G4 may be preserved or arises in a species-specific manner, which may explain their low conservation. Since structure-prone motifs, including G4, have the potential to induce genomic instability, this evolutionary trend may contribute to avoid broad deleterious effects driven by stable G4 on protein function while promoting genetic diversity across close-related species.
Ontogeny and Vulnerabilities of Drug-Tolerant Persisters in HER2+ Breast Cancer
Authors: Chang Che-wei Anderson , Jen Jayu , Jiang Shaowen , Sayad Azin , Mer Arvind Singh , Brown Kevin R. , Nixon Allison , Dhabaria Avantika , Tang Kwan Ho , Venet David , Sotiriou Christos , Deng Jiehue , Wong Kwok-kin , Adams Sylvia , Meyn Peter , Heguy Adriana , Skok Jane , Tsirigos Aristotelis , Ueberheide Beatrix , Moffat Jason , Singh Abhyudai , Haibe-Kains Benjamin , Khodadadi-Jamayran Alireza , Neel Benjamin G.
Published: August 2020

Resistance to targeted therapies is an important clinical problem in HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. “Drug-tolerant persisters” (DTPs), a sub-population of cancer cells that survive via reversible, non-genetic mechanisms, are implicated in resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in other malignancies, but DTPs following HER2 TKI exposure have not been well characterized. We found that HER2 TKIs evoke DTPs with a luminal-like or a mesenchymal-like transcriptome. Lentiviral barcoding/single cell RNA-sequencing reveal that HER2+ breast cancer cells cycle stochastically through a “pre-DTP” state, characterized by a G0-like expression signature and enriched for diapause and/or senescence genes. Trajectory analysis/cell sorting show that pre-DTPs preferentially yield DTPs upon HER2 TKI exposure. Cells with similar transcriptomes are present in HER2+ breast tumors and are associated with poor TKI response. Finally, biochemical experiments indicate that luminal-like DTPs survive via estrogen receptor-dependent induction ofSGK3,leading to rewiring of the PI3K/AKT/mTORC1 pathway to enable AKT-independent mTORC1 activation.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

DTPs are implicated in resistance to TKIs, other targeted therapies, and chemotherapy, but their ontogeny and vulnerabilities remain unclear. We find that HER2 TKI-DTPs emerge from stochastically arising primed cells (“pre-DTPs”) that preferentially engage either of two distinct transcriptional programs upon TKI exposure. Our results provide new insights into DTP ontogeny and identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities.
The limits of Thai hospitality – perceived impact of tourism development on residents’ well-being in Chiang Mai
Authors: Koh Edward , Fakfare Pipatpong , Pongwat Arunotai
Published: August 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the various impacts of tourism development in Chiang Mai on the local populace’s sense of well-being. The moderating effect of employment in and affiliation with the tourism industry on perception of tourism development is also examined.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential explanatory mixed method design is adopted, beginning with the development of a conceptual model that links residents’ perceived impact of tourism development with their general and life domain-specific well-beings. The model is tested with a survey of 567 respondents who are long-term residents of Chiang Mai. The findings are subsequently used in the semi-structured in-depth interviews with selected tourism stakeholders to provide qualitative explanation and meaning to the data.

Findings

The results suggest a reciprocal relationship between perceived economic, cultural and environmental impact of tourism development and Chiang Mai residents’ general sense of well-being. It also revealed that community well-being and material well-being accounted the most and the least, respectively, on overall well-being for Chiang Mai residents. Another interesting observation was that Chiang Mai residents feel the same way about the various perceived impact of tourism development on overall sense of well-being, regardless of whether they are employed or affiliated with the tourism industry or otherwise.

Originality/value

With limited literature on the perceived impact of tourism development by residents in Asia, this research provides a Thai perspective of the said impact on general well-being. A sequential explanatory mixed method provides an added lens to induce insights and explain the results deduced from the earlier quantitative study.
Characteristics of Japanese patients with eosinophilic fasciitis: A brief multicenter study
Authors: Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Ito Takashi , Asano Yoshihide , Sato Shinichi , Motegi Sei‐ichiro , Ishikawa Osamu , Matsushita Takashi , Takehara Kazuhiko , Makino Takamitsu , Okiyama Naoko , Fujimoto Manabu , Jinnin Masatoshi , Ihn Hironobu
Published: August 2020

Eosinophilic fasciitis is a relatively rare cutaneous fibrotic condition affecting the deep fascia of the extremities, with or without peripheral blood eosinophilia. To examine the characteristics of Japanese patients with eosinophilic fasciitis, we conducted a brief, multicenter, retrospective survey at seven university hospitals. In total, 31 patients were identified as having eosinophilic fasciitis, among whom 30 patients fulfilled the Japanese diagnostic criteria. The male : female ratio was 2.3:1, and the mean age was 47.7 years. Three of the patients were under 20 years old. The possible triggering factors included muscle training, sports, walking or sitting for a long time, physical work, insect bite and drug. Co‐occurrence of morphea was observed in nine cases (29%), and malignancies were associated in three (two hematological malignancies and one internal malignancy). Immunological abnormalities in the serum showed positive antinuclear antibody, positive rheumatoid factor, increased aldolase levels and increased immunoglobulin G levels. The patients were treated with either monotherapy or combination therapy by oral prednisolone (20–80 mg/day), methotrexate (6–10 mg/week), cyclosporin (100–150 mg/day), mizoribine, infliximab and phototherapy. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was performed in six cases. By contrast, spontaneous improvement due to resting only was observed in two cases, and skin hardening was improved by withdrawal of the anticancer drug in one case. This study suggests several characteristics of Japanese patients with eosinophilic fasciitis, namely male predominance, rare pediatric occurrence, immunological abnormalities and coexistence with morphea. Systemic prednisolone is the first‐line therapy, but pulse therapy is occasionally required for severe cases. The triggering events of physical stress are not so frequent as have previously been reported, and various factors or even unknown factors may be associated with the induction of eosinophilic fasciitis.
Severe eczematoid and lichenoid eruption with full‐thickness epidermal necrosis developing from metastatic urothelial cancer treated with enfortumab vedotin
Authors: Sasaki Rui , Fujimura Taku , Lyu Chunbing , Aiba Setsuya
Published: August 2020

Enfortumab vedotin (EV) is a novel, fully humanized monoclonal antibody–drug conjugate composed of an anti‐Nectin‐4 antibody joined to monomethyl auristatin E. In this report, we described a case of a severe eczematoid and lichenoid eruption with full‐thickness epidermal necrosis developing in patients with metastatic urothelial cancer treated with EV. Because phase II and phase III clinical studies are ongoing, in the future, substantial amounts of EV are expected to be used for the treatment of metastatic urothelial cancer. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms of drug eruption caused by EV is important for oncologists as well as dermatologists.
A multidimensional approach to the expression of phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Morel‐Journel Thibaut , Thuillier Virginie , Pennekamp Frank , Laurent Estelle , Legrand Delphine , Chaine Alexis S. , Schtickzelle Nicolas
Published: August 2020

Phenotypic plasticity is increasingly recognized as a key element of eco‐evolutionary dynamics, but it remains challenging to assess because of its multidimensional nature. Indeed, organisms live in complex environments where numerous factors can impact the phenotypic expression of traits (inter‐environment axis), possess multiple traits that can influence each other's expression (inter‐trait axis) and differ in their genetic background (inter‐genotype axis), which can not only impact the traits' values but also their plasticity.

We addressed six questions related to phenotypic plasticity: (a) do different environmental gradients show similar effects on a given trait? (b) Are the effects of two environmental gradients on a trait additive? (c) Do different traits show similar plastic response to a given environmental gradient? (d) Do the (co)variances between traits vary across environmental gradients? (e) Do genotypes differ in their plastic response to a given environmental gradient? (f) Are some genotypes more plastic than others across all traits?

We designed a microcosm experiment using the protistTetrahymena thermophilaaimed at encompassing all these aspects of phenotypic plasticity. We exposed 15 distinct genotypes to 25 combinations of temperature and nutrient availability and assessed the plasticity of five phenotypic traits.

Our results show strong differences in the plastic response depending on the environmental gradient, not only regarding the shape of the reaction norm of the different traits tested, but also in the overall plasticity of the organisms. We did not find any covariance between traits that was consistent across all environments.

Overall, our results suggest independent impacts of the environmental dimension considered on the observed plastic response. These results underline potential difficulties in generalizing findings about plasticity to all environments and all traits.

A freePlain Language Summarycan be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Climate change and defoliation interact to affect root length across northern temperate grasslands
Authors: Ma Zilong , Chang Scott X. , Bork Edward W. , Steinaker Diego F. , Wilson Scott D. , White Shannon R. , Cahill James F.
Published: August 2020

Grassland plants, especially their root systems, are dynamic and can buffer changes resulting from exposure to multiple stressors; however, the interactive stressor effects on root dynamics and associated above‐ground growth are poorly understood.

Here, we examine the effects of changed precipitation and air temperature, and defoliation intensity on root length dynamics and above‐ground biomass using the third year data from a multifactor experiment conducted across three northern temperate grasslands.

We found that root length was more sensitive to the changes in environmental and management conditions than root mass, demonstrating the importance of root length as an indicator of rapid root system changes. Across all sites, warming, altered precipitation and defoliation intensity interacted to affect root length while above‐ground biomass was only affected by defoliation intensity, indicating that the root system was more responsive than above‐ground biomass when climatic conditions change. Overall, drought reduced root length, particularly under low defoliation intensity, as well as in combination with warming and heavy defoliation, highlighting the risk of additive effects of such environmental stresses. Across unclipped plots, above‐ground biomass was positively associated with total root length, the latter of which further interacted with precipitation, to affect above‐ground biomass. Compared to defoliated communities, non‐defoliated plant communities exhibited a greater ability to maintain above‐ground biomass under drought conditions via increases in root system efficiency (the amount of above‐ground biomass produced per unit of root length invested).

Our results highlight the rapid change of root length in the face of interactive stressors. We postulate that the degree of stability in above‐ground biomass is driven by the altered root system dynamics or species turnover. Future studies are warranted that more directly assess how root length responses under climate change impact other important plant traits in grasslands.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Convolutional neural networks for automated microseismic detection in downhole distributed acoustic sensing data and comparison to a surface geophone array
Authors: Binder Gary , Tura Ali
Published: August 2020

Distributed acoustic sensing is a growing technology that enables affordable downhole recording of strain wavefields from microseismic events with spatial sampling down to ∼1 m. Exploiting this high spatial information density motivates different detection approaches than typically used for downhole geophones. A new machine learning method using convolutional neural networks is described that operates on the full strain wavefield. The method is tested using data recorded in a horizontal observation well during hydraulic fracturing in the Eagle Ford Shale, Texas, and the results are compared to a surface geophone array that simultaneously recorded microseismic activity. The neural network was trained using synthetic microseismic events injected into real ambient noise, and it was applied to detect events in the remaining data. There were 535 detections found and no false positives. In general, the signal‐to‐noise ratio of events recorded by distributed acoustic sensing was lower than the surface array and 368 of 933 surface array events were found. Despite this, 167 new events were found in distributed acoustic sensing data that had no detected counterpart in the surface array. These differences can be attributed to the different detection threshold that depends on both magnitude and distance to the optical fibre. As distributed acoustic sensing data quality continues to improve, neural networks offer many advantages for automated, real‐time microseismic event detection, including low computational cost, minimal data pre‐processing, low false trigger rates and continuous performance improvement as more training data are acquired.
Adaptive differentiation of growth, energetics and behaviour between piscivore and insectivore juvenile rainbow trout along the Pace‐of‐Life continuum
Authors: Monnet Gauthier , Rosenfeld Jordan S. , Richards Jeffrey G.
Published: August 2020

Adaptive trade‐offs are fundamental mechanisms underlying phenotypic diversity, but the presence of generalizable patterns in multivariate adaptation and their mapping onto environmental gradients remain unclear.

To understand how life history affects multivariate trait associations, we examined relationships among growth, metabolism, anatomy and behaviour in rainbow trout juveniles from piscivore versus insectivore ecotypes along an experimental gradient of food availability. We hypothesized that (a) selection for larger size in piscivorous adults would select for higher juvenile growth at the cost of lower active metabolism; (b) elevated growth of piscivores would be supported by a greater productivity of their natal stream and more proactive foraging behaviours and (c) general patterns of multivariate trait associations would match the predictions of the Pace‐Of‐Life Syndrome.

Relative to insectivores, piscivorous fry showed a pattern of higher growth (+63%), maximum food intake (+33%), growth efficiency (+41%) and standard metabolic rate (SMR; +47%), but lower active metabolic capacity (maximum metabolic rate [MMR; −17%], aerobic scope [AS; −48%]), suggesting that faster piscivore growth is supported by greater food intake and digestive capacity but is traded‐off against lower scope for active metabolism. A similar trade‐off appeared among organ systems, with piscivorous fry exhibiting an 83% greater investment in average mass of organs associated with food consumption and processing (i.e. stomach and intestine), but an apparently smaller relative investment in organs involved in cardiovascular or cognitive activities (heart and brain, respectively). Higher invertebrate drift in their natal rearing habitat, quicker behavioural transition to a novel food source and lower anxiety after a frightening event in piscivorous fry suggest that faster growth requires both proactive foraging behaviours and higher prey availability in the environment. Finally, the sampling of replicate insectivore populations confirmed their lower juvenile growth (−73% on average) and reduced environmental productivity of their natal streams (−45% lower drift abundance) relative to the piscivore ecotype.

Our results suggest that selection for large adult body size influences selection on high juvenile growth, high basal metabolism and proactive behaviours, and that the intense phenotypic divergence between piscivorous and insectivorous rainbow trout may be constrained by environmental productivity.
The potential role of the gut microbiota in shaping host energetics and metabolic rate
Authors: Lindsay Elle C. , Metcalfe Neil B. , Llewellyn Martin S.
Published: August 2020

It is increasingly recognized that symbiotic microbiota (especially those present in the gut) have important influences on the functioning of their host. Here, we review the interplay between this microbial community and the growth, metabolic rate and nutritional energy harvest of the host.

We show how recent developments in experimental and analytical methods have allowed much easier characterization of the nature, and increasingly the functioning, of the gut microbiota. Manipulation studies that remove or augment gut microorganisms or transfer them between hosts have allowed unprecedented insights into their impact. Whilst much of the information to date has come from studies of laboratory model organisms, recent studies have used a more diverse range of host species, including those living in natural conditions, revealing their ecological relevance.

The gut microbiota can provide the host with dietary nutrients that would be otherwise unobtainable, as well as allow the host flexibility in its capacity to cope with changing environments. The composition of the gut microbial community of a species can vary seasonally or when the host moves between environments (e.g. fresh and sea water in the case of migratory fish). It can also change with host diet choice, metabolic rate (or demands) and life stage. These changes in gut microbial community composition enable the host to live within different environments, adapt to seasonal changes in diet and maintain performance throughout its entire life history, highlighting the ecological relevance of the gut microbiota.

Whilst it is evident that gut microbes can underpin host metabolic plasticity, the causal nature of associations between particular microorganisms and host performance is not always clear unless a manipulative approach has been used. Many studies have focussed on a correlative approach by characterizing microbial community composition, but there is now a need for more experimental studies in both wild and laboratory‐based environments, to reveal the true role of gut microbiota in influencing the functioning of their hosts, including its capacity to tolerate environmental change. We highlight areas where these would be particularly fruitful in the context of ecological energetics.
Keratin 18 induces proliferation, migration, and invasion in gastric cancer via the MAPK signalling pathway
Authors: Wang Peng‐Bin , Chen Yan , Ding Guang‐Rong , Du Hong‐Wei , Fan Hong‐Yan
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Keratin 18 (KRT18) is a cytoskeleton protein that plays a key role in multiple cancers. The present study aims to further investigate the roles of KRT18 in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and cells.

Methods

The KRT18 protein expression levels of GC tissues and cells were detected using immunohistochemistry and western blot. The relationship between KRT18 expression levels and the prognosis of GC patients was further analyzed. To explore this relationship, small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to inhibit the endogenous expression of KRT18 in GC cells. Furthermore, the effects of KRT18 on the proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis of GC cells were analyzed in vitro. In addition, the role of KRT18 in GC‐specific processes was investigated.

Results

Keratin 18 expression was shown to be up‐regulated in GC tissues and associated with poor prognosis. Following KRT18 silencing with siRNA, the proliferation, invasion, and migration ability of GC cells were significantly inhibited, while the apoptotic process was promoted. Furthermore, the activation of the MAPK signalling pathway was identified as the potential mechanism through which KRT18 influenced GC processes.

Conclusions

Keratin 18 plays a cancer‐promoting role and might be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of GC.
Affective Polarization in Multiparty Systems? Comparing Affective Polarization Towards Voters and Parties in Norway and the United States
Authors: Knudsen Erik
Published: August 2020

A growing body of comparative studies on partisan hostility – a phenomenon known as affective polarization – is providing evidence that partisan affective polarization is generally no greater in the United States than it is in many European multiparty systems. This article takes the comparative literature on affective polarization one step further by presenting the first comparative study on affective polarization that simultaneously uses, compares and combines a direct measure of affective polarization towards voters (using the inter‐party marriage measure) and an indirect measure of affective polarization towards parties (using the like/dislike of party measure) while accounting for the fact that multiparty systems have numerous political parties. This is done by comparing the levels of affective polarization in the United States and Norway. The results show greater affective polarization in the United States relating to parties, but the differences between these two countries are indistinguishable from chance when focusing on the affect relating to voters. This provides empirical evidence that comparative evidence of negative affect towards parties cannot necessarily be generalized to suggest that there is comparative evidence of negative affect towards voters. Yet the results also suggest that negative feelings towards out‐parties move to some extent to the personal level in terms of negative feelings towards voters of these out‐parties.
Environmental Ethics and Ontologies: Humanist or Posthumanist? The Case for Constrained Pluralism
Authors: Stables Andrew
Published: August 2020

This paper will evaluate a range of humanist and posthumanist ethical positions as useful bases for environmental education. It will conclude that a range of such positions can be seen as embracing respect for non-human nature. Therefore, environmental education can effectively embrace ethical pluralism to some extent. Embracing a degree of pluralism potentially makes it easier for teachers and students with a wide range of preconceptions to become more pro-environmental, while highly committed and exclusive approaches can prove divisive. However, some humanist and posthumanist positions are grounded in dismissive or reductive attitudes to non-human nature. In summary, there is no one suitable ethical basis for environmental education in the humanist and non-humanist traditions, but several. However, the key to the effectiveness of any of these is full acceptance that human and non-human flourishing are integrally related, and that non-human nature must therefore be both respected (that is, both admired and cared for), and not merely when this meets short-term instrumental human goals.
Beauty in the Darkness: Aesthetic Education in the Ecological Crisis
Authors: Affifi Ramsey
Published: August 2020

Engaging with beauty can orient mind, heart and action in this era of ecological destruction. First, I present a vision of beauty that acknowledges some of its common critiques while salvaging it from claims that it is merely subjective, or worse, destructive. I then focus on how the ecological crisis elicits and invites participation in actions towards vulnerable things and the beauty they invoke. I reflect on my life experiences and engagements with art to help understand the possibilities and power in the beauty of vulnerable things and of actions towards them. While I acknowledge and address some difficulties with beauty as the basis for action, I suggest it is better suited to engage the ecological crisis than appealing to emotions such as hope or relying on prevalent ethical approaches. I end the paper by considering the transformative role aesthetics should play in reimagining subject focus, interdisciplinarity and character development in school curricula and pedagogy aimed at sustainability.
Relationship of neighborhood social determinants of health on racial/ethnic mortality disparities in US veterans—Mediation and moderating effects
Authors: Wong Michelle S. , Steers W. Neil , Hoggatt Katherine J. , Ziaeian Boback , Washington Donna L.
Published: August 2020

Objective

To examine mediation and moderation of racial/ethnic all‐cause mortality disparities among Veteran Health Administration (VHA)‐users by neighborhood deprivation and residential segregation.

Data sources

Electronic medical records for 10/2008‐9/2009 VHA‐users linked to National Death Index, 2000 Area Deprivation Index, and 2006‐2009 US Census.

Study design

Racial/ethnic groups included American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN), Asian, non‐Hispanic black, Hispanic, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and non‐Hispanic white (reference). We measured neighborhood deprivation by Area Deprivation Index, calculated segregation for non‐Hispanic black, Hispanic, and AI/AN using the Isolation Index, evaluated mediation using inverse odds‐weighted Cox regression models and moderation using Cox regression models testing for neighborhood*race/ethnicity interactions.

Principal findings

Mortality disparities existed for AI/ANs (HR = 1.07, 95%CI:1.01‐1.10) but no other groups after covariate adjustment. Neighborhood deprivation and Hispanic segregation neither mediated nor moderated AI/AN disparities. Non‐Hispanic black segregation both mediated and moderated AI/AN disparities. The AI/AN vs. non‐Hispanic white disparity was attenuated for AI/ANs living in neighborhoods with greater non‐Hispanic black segregation (P = .047). Black segregation's mediating effect was limited to VHA‐users living in counties with low black segregation. AI/AN segregation also mediated AI/AN mortality disparities in counties that included or were near AI/AN reservations.

Conclusions

Neighborhood characteristics, particularly black and AI/AN residential segregation, may contribute to AI/AN mortality disparities among VHA‐users, particularly in communities that were rural, had greater black segregation, or were located on or near AI/AN reservations. This suggests the importance of neighborhood social determinants of health on racial/ethnic mortality disparities. Living near reservations may allow AI/AN VHA‐users to maintain cultural and tribal ties, while also providing them with access to economic and other resources. Future research should explore the experiences of AI/ANs living in black communities and underlying mechanisms to identify targets for intervention.
FEAR Index, city characteristics, and housing returns
Authors: Aroul Ramya Rajajagadeesan , Sabherwal Sanjiv , Saydometov Sergiy
Published: August 2020

We use Google search frequency to construct a measure of aggregate sentiment in housing markets—Financial, Economic, and Real Estate (FEAR) Index—and analyze its relationship to housing returns. We find that housing markets react inversely to changes in FEAR Index, which captures negative sentiment, and that market characteristics affect the strength of this relationship. More financially distressed markets, as measured by bankruptcy rates and mortgage default double trigger, are more responsive to changes in FEAR Index than less distressed markets, and cold markets (markets with slow price appreciation) are more responsive than hot markets (markets with rapid price appreciation). We also examine these characteristics jointly and find that cold markets with financial distress are the most responsive to negative sentiment. Finally, we show that home prices are more sensitive to negative sentiment during recessionary periods.
A comprehensive food safety short course (FSSC) improves food safety knowledge, behaviors, attitudes, and skills of Ukrainian participants
Authors: Ercan Oruc Duygu , Pokharel Siroj , Anantheswaran Ramaswamy C. , Bucknavage Martin W. , Gourama Hassan , Shanina Olga , Cutter Catherine N.
Published: August 2020

Understanding and enacting standardized food safety practices in a global economy is important. In 2018, a comprehensive food safety training program, including courses in sanitation, food microbiology and mycology, thermal processing, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, cereal quality, and food defense, was delivered to food industry professionals, students, and faculty members in Kyiv, Ukraine. The curriculum included lectures, hands‐on laboratories, as well as case studies and product development activities. Prior to the delivery of the curriculum, demographic data were collected (n = 33). Participants’ food safety knowledge, attitude, behavior, and skills were assessed prior to the program starting and after program completion (immediately and 6 months later). Food safety knowledge of participants immediately after the program and 6 months later was significantly higher (p < .05) than before the program started. Immediately after the delivery of the curriculum and 6 months later, the participants’ food safety attitude and behavior were positively enhanced, with long‐term, sustained changes in proper food safety practices, training requirements, and regulations. Additionally, handwashing skills were improved significantly because of the training program. Use of case studies and product development activities demonstrated positive impacts on participants’ food safety learning experience in terms of awareness of their knowledge, communication skills, and the ability to connect scientific concepts and real‐life examples. To our knowledge, little information exists on the use of these training tools with international audiences. This information may be useful to food industry professionals, researchers, and academics who are interested in finding ways to improve the global safety of the food supply through training and education.
Wax‐based delivery systems: Preparation, characterization, and food applications
Authors: Soleimanian Yasamin , Goli Sayed Amir Hossein , Shirvani Atefe , Elmizadeh Ameneh , Marangoni Alejandro G.
Published: August 2020

The development of lipid‐based delivery systems has attracted much attention over the last years and a wide variety of strategies and formulations are currently available to encapsulate, protect, and target delivery of bioactive and functional lipophilic constituents within the food and pharmaceutical industries. Waxes are crystalline lipid material, consisting of a complex mixture of long‐chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols, hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and ketones and show great promises as constituents of carrier systems. Most of waxes are classified under food‐grade category and show high availability at a low cost. This review article has provided a comprehensive summary of research on major carriers containing wax as one of the main constituents, including solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, oleogels, and Pickering emulsions, with a focus on their food applications. The physical and chemical nature of natural waxes are described in the first while the second part deals with the structure, formulation, main methods of preparation, characterization, and finally utilization of each type of wax‐based delivery system for specific food applications.
Fruiting‐body‐base flour from an Oyster mushroom waste in the development of antioxidative chicken patty
Authors: Wan‐Mohtar Wan Abd Al Qadr Imad , Halim‐Lim Sarina Abdul , Kamarudin Nurul Zahidah , Rukayadi Yaya , Abd Rahim Muhamad Hafiz , Jamaludin Adi Ainurzaman , Ilham Zul
Published: August 2020

In a commercial oyster mushroom farm, from 300 g of the total harvest, only the cap and stem of the fruiting body parts are harvested (200 g) while the unused lower section called fruiting‐body‐base (FBB) is discarded (50 g). A new antioxidative FBB flour (FBBF) conversion to mixed‐ratio chicken patty was recently developed which converts 16.67% of FBB into an edible flour. At the initial stage, pretreatments of FBBF were optimized at particle size (106 µm) and citric acid concentration (0.5 g/100 mL) to improve flour antioxidant responses. Such pretreatments boosted total phenolic content (2.31 ± 0.53 mg GAE/g) and DPPH (51.53 ± 1.51%) of pretreated FBBF. Mixed‐ratio chicken patty containing FBBF (10%, 20%, 30%) significantly (P < 0.05) influenced the hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, and chewiness of the patties. However, only the hardness and chewiness increased proportionally with the increase FBBF in concentration. Notably, 60 panellists considered that 10% FBBF‐chicken patty sensory attributes, including lightness, redness, and yellowness, is acceptable to consumers. This information could be used to market any type of commercial mushroom farm waste as alternative food products.

Practical Application

This study shows that unused harvested mushroom waste from a local farm can be used to make an antioxidative chicken patty that is acceptable to consumer panellists. The converted mushroom waste into flour suggests that smaller particles and citric acid pretreatment can increase its nutritional value. This information can be used for waste conversion into new product development from any type of mushroom farm.
Carboxymethyl chitosan‐decorated proliposomes as carriers for improved stability and sustained release of flaxseed oil
Authors: Song Fan‐fan , Tian Shao‐jun , Chen Fu‐sheng , Sun Xiao‐yang , Zhang Bei‐bei
Published: August 2020

A flaxseed oil carboxymethyl chitosan‐decorated proliposome system was fabricated in this research. The physicochemical characteristics, stability, and in vitro release behaviors of flaxseed oil were studied and compared with that of flaxseed oil‐loaded liposomes. The results of dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and oxidation stability indicated that the storage stability of proliposomes was better. After 28 days of storage, the peroxide value of flaxseed oil‐loaded liposomes (20.1 meq/kg) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of flaxseed oil‐loaded proliposomes (9.0 meq/kg); the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the former (0.53 mmol/kg) was also higher than that in the latter (0.27 mmol/kg). The in vitro release behavior of flaxseed oil indicated the proliposomes were more stable in the simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Therefore, the flaxseed oil‐loaded proliposome system could be a promising vehicle for delivery flaxseed oil in food industry.

Practical Application

A flaxseed oil‐loaded proliposome delivery system was fabricated in this research. Their physical and oxidation stability of flaxseed oil were improved, and the in vitro cumulative release of flaxseed oil was delayed compared with flaxseed oil liposomes. This system may provide an effective strategy for the flaxseed oil encapsulation in the food industry.
phyr: An r package for phylogenetic species‐distribution modelling in ecological communities
Authors: Li Daijiang , Dinnage Russell , Nell Lucas A. , Helmus Matthew R. , Ives Anthony R.
Published: August 2020

Model‐based approaches are increasingly popular in ecological studies. A good example of this trend is the use of joint species distribution models to ask questions about ecological communities. However, most current applications of model‐based methods do not include phylogenies despite the well‐known importance of phylogenetic relationships in shaping species distributions and community composition. In part, this is due to a lack of accessible tools allowing ecologists to fit phylogenetic species distribution models easily.

To fill this gap, the r package phyr (pronounced fire) implements a suite of metrics, comparative methods and mixed models that use phylogenies to understand and predict community composition and other ecological and evolutionary phenomena. The phyr workhorse functions are implemented in C++ making all calculations and model estimations fast.

phyr can fit a variety of models such as phylogenetic joint‐species distribution models, spatiotemporal‐phylogenetic autocorrelation models, and phylogenetic trait‐based bipartite network models. phyr also estimates phylogenetically independent trait correlations with measurement error to test for adaptive syndromes and performs fast calculations of common alpha and beta phylogenetic diversity metrics. All phyr methods are united under Brownian motion or Ornstein–Uhlenbeck models of evolution, and phylogenetic terms are modelled as phylogenetic covariance matrices.

The functions and model formula syntax we propose in phyr provide an easy‐to‐use collection of tools that we hope will ignite the use of phylogenies to address a variety of ecological questions.
DeepForest: A Python package for RGB deep learning tree crown delineation
Authors: Weinstein Ben G. , Marconi Sergio , Aubry‐Kientz Mélaine , Vincent Gregoire , Senyondo Henry , White Ethan P.
Published: August 2020

Remote sensing of forested landscapes can transform the speed, scale and cost of forest research. The delineation of individual trees in remote sensing images is an essential task in forest analysis. Here we introduce a new Python package, DeepForest that detects individual trees in high resolution RGB imagery using deep learning.

While deep learning has proven highly effective in a range of computer vision tasks, it requires large amounts of training data that are typically difficult to obtain in ecological studies. DeepForest overcomes this limitation by including a model pretrained on over 30 million algorithmically generated crowns from 22 forests and fine‐tuned using 10,000 hand‐labelled crowns from six forests.

The package supports the application of this general model to new data, fine tuning the model to new datasets with user labelled crowns, training new models and evaluating model predictions. This simplifies the process of using and retraining deep learning models for a range of forests, sensors and spatial resolutions.

We illustrate the workflow of DeepForest using data from the National Ecological Observatory Network, a tropical forest in French Guiana, and street trees from Portland, Oregon.