bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimal labor and capital utilization by financial firms: evidence from the German property and casualty insurance industry
Authors: Eling Martin , Lehmann Martin , Schaper Philipp
Published: November 2021

Motivated by discussions whether financial firms use too much equity capital and labor, we analyze the input utilization in the German property and casualty (p/c) insurance industry in a newly constructed sample of firm-level data in the period 1956–2019. An earlier study for the U.S. (Cummins and Nini, J Financial Serv Res 21(1–2):15–53, 2002) finds that p/c insurers over-utilize capital. Compared to this study, our large historical dataset exhibits less heterogeneity and thus allows a cleaner identification of the impact of firm characteristics on input factor utilization. We show that German p/c insurers have substantial cost savings potential and that labor input is the main driver of inefficiency. We also document severe differences in firm characteristics driving the utilization of labor. Our results contribute to both the academic discussion on productivity and efficiency in financial services as well as to the political discussion on the future of work and capital regulation in this sector.
The Advent and Fall of a Vocabulary Learning Bias from Communicative Efficiency
Authors: Carrera-Casado David , Ferrer-i-Cancho Ramon
Published: November 2021

Biosemiosis is a process of choice-making between simultaneously alternative options. It is well-known that, when sufficiently young children encounter a new word, they tend to interpret it as pointing to a meaning that does not have a word yet in their lexicon rather than to a meaning that already has a word attached. In previous research, the strategy was shown to be optimal from an information theoretic standpoint. In that framework, interpretation is hypothesized to be driven by the minimization of a cost function: the option of least communication cost is chosen. However, the information theoretic model employed in that research neither explains the weakening of that vocabulary learning bias in older children or polylinguals nor reproduces Zipf’s meaning-frequency law, namely the non-linear relationship between the number of meanings of a word and its frequency. Here we consider a generalization of the model that is channeled to reproduce that law. The analysis of the new model reveals regions of the phase space where the bias disappears consistently with the weakening or loss of the bias in older children or polylinguals. The model is abstract enough to support future research on other levels of life that are relevant to biosemiotics. In the deep learning era, the model is a transparent low-dimensional tool for future experimental research and illustrates the predictive power of a theoretical framework originally designed to shed light on the origins of Zipf’s rank-frequency law.
In silico Methods for Identification of Potential Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Zhang Xuting , Wu Fengxu , Yang Nan , Zhan Xiaohui , Liao Jianbo , Mai Shangkang , Huang Zunnan
Published: November 2021

At the initial stage of drug discovery, identifying novel targets with maximal efficacy and minimal side effects can improve the success rate and portfolio value of drug discovery projects while simultaneously reducing cycle time and cost. However, harnessing the full potential of big data to narrow the range of plausible targets through existing computational methods remains a key issue in this field. This paper reviews two categories of in silico methods—comparative genomics and network-based methods—for finding potential therapeutic targets among cellular functions based on understanding their related biological processes. In addition to describing the principles, databases, software, and applications, we discuss some recent studies and prospects of the methods. While comparative genomics is mostly applied to infectious diseases, network-based methods can be applied to infectious and non-infectious diseases. Nonetheless, the methods often complement each other in their advantages and disadvantages. The information reported here guides toward improving the application of big data-driven computational methods for therapeutic target discovery.

Graphical abstract
Wavelength, dose, skin type and skin model related radical formation in skin
Authors: Meinke M. C. , Busch L. , Lohan S. B.
Published: November 2021

The exposure to sun radiation is indispensable to our health; however, a long-term and high exposure could lead to cell damage, erythema, premature skin aging, and promotion of skin tumors. An underlying pathomechanism is the formation of free radicals which may induce oxidative stress at elevated concentrations. Different skin models, such as porcine-, murine-, human- ex vivo skin, reconstructed human skin (RHS) and human skin in vivo, were investigated during and after irradiation using X- and L-band EPR spectroscopy within different spectral regions (UVC to NIR). The amount of radical formation was quantified with the spin probe PCA and the radical types were measured ex vivo with the spin trap DMPO. The radiation dose influences the types of radicals formed in the skin. While reactive oxygen species (ROS) are always pronounced at low doses, there is an increase in lipid oxygen species (LOS) at high doses. Furthermore, the radical types arise independent from the irradiation wavelength, whereas the general amount of radical formation differs with the irradiation wavelength. Heat pre-stressed porcine skin already starts with higher LOS values. Thus, the radical type ratio might be an indicator of stress and the reversal of ROS/LOS constitutes the point where positive stress turns into negative stress.Compared to light skin types, darker types produce less radicals in the ultraviolet, similar amounts in the visible and higher ones in the infrared spectral region, rendering skin type-specific sun protection a necessity.
The societal impact of electronic sport: a scoping review
Authors: Riatti Paolo , Thiel Ansgar
Published: November 2021

Competitive computer gaming, known as electronic sport or esport, is growing and professionalizing profoundly during the past years with experts struggling to allocate it in society. This scoping review explores existing evidence and identifies potential societal impact of esport by applying the Mapping Elite Sports Societal Impact Model. Main findings included insights on the motivation of passive and active esport consumption, beneficial socializing, pedagogical or educational aspects, hegemonial clinical pictures in esport, differing popularity regarding demographics and games, and potential interference of the esport economy in traditional sports. The findings implicate a paradigm shift in the world of sport. It can be stated that esport affects society in a positive and a negative way, although the fragmented body of research has only given superficial evidence so far. Future research needs to go into detail regarding the peculiarities and find approaches of isolating the positive aspects, while reducing the negative spin-offs and allow a well-regulated handling of esport on a broad societal level.
A trim problem formulation for maximum control authority using the Attainable Moment Set geometry
Authors: Varriale Carmine , Voskuijl Mark
Published: November 2021

This paper presents a generic trim problem formulation, in the form of a constrained optimization problem, which employs forces and moments due to the aircraft control surfaces as decision variables. The geometry of the Attainable Moment Set (AMS), i.e. the set of all control forces and moments attainable by the control surfaces, is used to define linear equality and inequality constraints for the control forces decision variables. Trim control forces and moments are mapped to control surface deflections at every solver iteration through a linear programming formulation of the direct Control Allocation algorithm. The methodology is applied to an innovative box-wing aircraft configuration with redundant control surfaces, which can partially decouple lift and pitch control, and allow direct lift control. Novel trim applications are presented to maximize control authority about the lift and pitch axes, and a “balanced” control authority. The latter can be intended as equivalent to the classic concept of minimum control effort. Control authority is defined on the basis of control forces and moments, and interpreted geometrically as a distance within the AMS. Results show that the method is able to capitalize on the angle of attack or the throttle setting to obtain the control surfaces deflections which maximize control authority in the assigned direction. More conventional trim applications for minimum total drag and for assigned angle of elevation are also explored.
Overview of the testing and assessment of effects of microbial pesticides on bees: strengths, challenges and perspectives
Authors: Borges Shannon , Alkassab Abdulrahim T. , Collison Elizabeth , Hinarejos Silvia , Jones Ben , McVey Emily , Roessink Ivo , Steeger Thomas , Sultan Maryam , Wassenberg Jacoba
Published: November 2021

Currently, there is a growing interest in developing biopesticides and increasing their share in the plant protection market as sustainable tools in integrated pest management (IPM). Therefore, it is important that regulatory requirements are consistent and thorough in consideration of biopesticides’ unique properties. While microbial pesticides generally have a lower risk profile, they present special challenges in non-target organism testing and risk assessment since, in contrast to chemical pesticides, their modes of action include infectivity and pathogenicity rather than toxicity alone. For this reason, non-target organism testing guidelines designed for conventional chemical pesticides are not necessarily directly applicable to microbial pesticides. Many stakeholders have recognised the need for improvements in the guidance available for testing microbial pesticides with honey bees, particularly given the increasing interest in development and registration of microbial pesticides and concerns over risks to pollinators. This paper provides an overview of the challenges with testing and assessment of the effects of microbial pesticides on honey bees (Apis mellifera), which have served as a surrogate for both Apis and non-Apis bees, and provides a foundation toward developing improved testing methods.
Rationalismus und Mystifikation: Zur formalen Pathetik des Dagegenseins
Authors: Schäfer Robert , Frei Nadine
Published: November 2021

Der Beitrag stellt die Ergebnisse der Interpretation qualitativer Interviews mit Corona-Kritiker:innen dar. Gefragt wurde nach den Formen der Gesellschaftskritik, die sich in den Interviews manifestieren. Die Analysen zeigen (1), dass die Kritik auf einem rationalistischen Verständnis von Krisenlösung beruht. Die Tatsache, dass die Corona-Krise aus dieser Sicht nicht rational bearbeitet wird, wird als Indiz dafür gesehen, dass damit grundsätzlich etwas nicht stimmen kann. Auf dieses Problem reagiert die conspirituality der Kritiker:innen, eine Kombination verschwörungstheoretischer und esoterischer Vorstellungen, deren Einheit im Interesse am Geheimnisvollen gründet. Die Analysen erlauben es, (2) den spezifischen Stil der Maßnahmenkritik als formale Pathetik zu bestimmen: Substanziell bleibt sie relativ leer, wird aber umso leidenschaftlicher vorgetragen. Die rhetorischen Mittel sind dafür das Ziehen möglichst drastischer Vergleiche, die Romantik des heroischen Widerstandskampfs sowie der Anspruch, sich für das Wohl der Kinder zu engagieren. Schließlich wird (3) eine gesellschaftstheoretische Einbettung der Maßnahmenkritik angeboten, die mit Eisenstadt davon ausgeht, dass die moderne Gesellschaft von einer Erosion der Grundlagen aller Gewissheit geprägt ist, was zu einem grundsätzlichen Glaubwürdigkeitsproblem führt, das sich im Verlust des Vertrauens in zentrale gesellschaftliche Institutionen (Politik, Wissenschaft, Medizin, Medien) ausdrückt. In geradezu idealtypischer Weise kommt dies in der Maßnahmenkritik zum Ausdruck.
One-sided violence aus handlungstheoretischer Perspektive – Eine Reflexion der Motive für Gewalt
Authors: Hanzel Michael
Published: November 2021

One-sided violence hat sich in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten zur dominierenden Gewaltform in bewaffneten Konflikten weltweit entwickelt. Dabei blieb jedoch die Frage nach den Motiven für solches Verhalten bisher weitgehend unbelichtet. Im Rahmen dieses Artikels soll deshalb der Versuch unternommen werden, eine Typologie potenzieller Motive für Akte von one-sided violence zu entwickeln, mit dem Ziel der Schaffung einer theoretischen Basis für die handlungstheoretische Erschließung des Phänomens, als auch einer konzeptuellen Grundlage für weitere empirische Forschung auf diesem Gebiet. Dies geschieht dabei unter Bezugnahme auf die bereits in der Literatur existierenden, theoretischen Positionen zu Motivlagen von one-sided violence, als auch Max Webers „Bestimmungsgründe sozialen Handelns“. Im Rahmen des Artikels soll dabei versucht werden, beide Perspektiven gewinnbringend miteinander zu verbinden. Ziel des Artikels ist es den Möglichkeitsraum der Motive für Akte von one-sided violence handlungstheoretisch zu erschließen, sowie für zukünftige empirische Forschung theoretisch vorzustrukturieren.
Quality of FDM 3D Printed Medicines for Pediatrics: Considerations for Formulation Development, Filament Extrusion, Printing Process and Printer Design
Authors: Quodbach Julian , Bogdahn Malte , Breitkreutz Jörg , Chamberlain Rebecca , Eggenreich Karin , Elia Alessandro Giuseppe , Gottschalk Nadine , Gunkel-Grabole Gesine , Hoffmann Lena , Kapote Dnyaneshwar , Kipping Thomas , Klinken Stefan , Loose Fabian , Marquetant Tristan , Windolf Hellen , Geißler Simon , Spitz Tilmann
Published: November 2021

3d printing is capable of providing dose individualization for pediatric medicines and translating the precision medicine approach into practical application. In pediatrics, dose individualization and preparation of small dosage forms is a requirement for successful therapy, which is frequently not possible due to the lack of suitable dosage forms. For precision medicine, individual characteristics of patients are considered for the selection of the best possible API in the most suitable dose with the most effective release profile to improve therapeutic outcome. 3d printing is inherently suitable for manufacturing of individualized medicines with varying dosages, sizes, release profiles and drug combinations in small batch sizes, which cannot be manufactured with traditional technologies. However, understanding of critical quality attributes and process parameters still needs to be significantly improved for this new technology. To ensure health and safety of patients, cleaning and process validation needs to be established. Additionally, adequate analytical methods for the in-process control of intermediates, regarding their printability as well as control of the final 3d printed tablets considering any risk of this new technology will be required. The PolyPrint consortium is actively working on developing novel polymers for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3d printing, filament formulation and manufacturing development as well as optimization of the printing process, and the design of a GMP-capable FDM 3d printer. In this manuscript, the consortium shares its views on quality aspects and measures for 3d printing from drug-loaded filaments, including formulation development, the printing process, and the printed dosage forms. Additionally, engineering approaches for quality assurance during the printing process and for the final dosage form will be presented together with considerations for a GMP-capable printer design.
Abjektion und existenzielle Krise
Authors: Schramm Tobias
Published: November 2021

Julia Kristevas Konzept der Abjektion, das sie in ihrer MonografiePowers of Horror. An Essay on Abjection(1982) vorstellt, wird in der Rezeption nicht selten mit Prozessen des Ausschlusses und der Exklusion gleichgesetzt – sei es auf innerpsychischer oder sozialer Ebene. Das ist zunächst nicht verwunderlich, spielt doch die Grenze und Grenzziehung in ihrem Werk eine entscheidende Rolle: Die Abjektion ist die Grundlage der Konstitution des Subjektes und damit auch der kulturellen Ordnung, die Subjekte hervorbringt. Nur durch die Grenzziehung, als Produkt der Abjektion, können Subjekte eine stabile Psyche und eine kulturelle Identität überhaupt erst entwickeln.

Diese Lesart verkennt jedoch die grundlegende theoretische Anlage des Konzeptes bzw. wendet den Begriff bereits auf psychische, aber auch soziale Prozesse an, für welche die Abjektion zunächst erst einmal die Grundlage bildet: Bei der Abjektion, so meine Lesart des Begriffs, handelt es sich primär um dieHerstellungeiner Grenze. Erst die Herstellung einer Grenze bildet schließlich die Grundlage für Prozesse des Ausschlusses, und zwar sowohl in der frühkindlichen Subjektbildung als auch in der Etablierung kultureller Grenzziehungen und damit der Konstitution sozialer Ordnung. Das Erleben des Abjekten ist, so argumentiere ich in diesem Beitrag, im Grunde gleichzusetzen mit einer existenziellen Krise: Durch die Irritation ontologischer Grenzen findet sich das Subjekt in einem Zustand existenzieller Angst wieder.

So bieten zahlreiche Ansätze wie etwa Kant, Kierkegaard oder Heidegger in ihren Begriffsinstrumentarien differenzierte Konzepte der ‚existenziellen Angst‘ bzw. einer existenziellen Krise an, die es ermöglichen, den speziellen psychologischen Zustand, den Kristeva mit dem Begriff des Abjekts adressiert, als existenzielle Angst oder Krise (bzw. als existenzielle Ungewissheit) zu verstehen.
Control of shock-induced vortex breakdown on a delta-wing-body configuration in the transonic regime
Authors: Kurade Rajan B. , Venkatakrishnan L. , Jagadeesh G.
Published: November 2021

Shock-induced vortex breakdown, which occurs on the delta wings at transonic speed, causes a sudden and significant change in the aerodynamic coefficients at a moderate angle-of-attack. Wind-tunnel tests show a sudden jump in the aerodynamic coefficients such as lift force, pitching moment and centre of pressure which affect the longitudinal stability and controllability of the vehicle. A pneumatic jet operated at sonic condition blown spanwise and along the vortex core over a 60° swept delta-wing-body configuration is found to be effective in postponing this phenomenon by energising the vortical structure, pushing the vortex breakdown location downstream. The study reports that a modest level of spanwise blowing enhances the lift by about 6 to 9% and lift-to-drag ratio by about 4 to 9%, depending on the free-stream transonic Mach number, and extends the usable angle-of-attack range by 2°. The blowing is found to reduce the magnitude of unsteady pressure fluctuations by 8% to 20% in the aft portion of the wing, depending upon the method of blowing. Detailed investigations carried out on the location of blowing reveal that the blowing close to the apex of the wing maximises the benefits.
A survey of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)–positive healthcare providers: Household prevention measures and stress early in the pandemic
Authors: Otero Sebastian , Mithal Leena B. , Khan Anum I. , Willnow Antonia S. , Patel Ami B. , Arshad Mehreen
Published: November 2021

Measures to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread to household members was assessed by surveying COVID-19–positive physicians and advanced practice providers. Showering and changing were more common than physical distancing. Half of respondents reported a symptomatic household member. Most reported increased stress, worsening of mental health, and concerns about illness and impact on family.
Benefit-Cost Analysis for Climate Action
Authors: Bureau Dominique , Quinet Alain , Schubert Katheline
Published: November 2021

Although a carbon value has often been integrated in the frameworks established to guide public decision-making, benefit-cost analysis (BCA) has played no more than a minor role in the design of climate policies. It is urgently necessary to promote BCA in this area, and there is currently a unique opportunity for doing so. Major countries are designing new packages in order to meet their commitments, as illustrated by the European Green Deal, recent decisions on the part of the Biden Administration, and the creation of a Chinese national carbon market. These constructive processes must be based on BCA. BCA is absolutely necessary in order to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 at a reasonable cost. Indeed, abatement costs across and within sectors, and across and within countries, are extremely heterogeneous, and many of the policy instruments in use (subsidies, feed-in tariffs, technical standards, etc.) overlap inefficiently. The instrumental debate between carbon pricing and other instruments is sterile if it merely remains at the level of stating principles. BCA can help on this point too, by specifying comparisons between alternatives, identifying complementarities, and selecting the most relevant combinations of instruments. Its scope should therefore range from setting benchmarks for carbon pricing to assessing, e.g., green investments or measures to enhance carbon sinks. When applied to decarbonization policies, BCA requires firstly the selection of a carbon value, in order to monetize the climate benefits of investments and policies. However, the whole assessment framework must be updated, including the time horizon, the discount rate, the cobenefits of climate mitigation actions, and the pricing of climate risks. We show that such an updated framework leads to an upward revision in the assessment of the climate benefits of mitigation actions, and that combining the valuation of damages and cost-effectiveness approaches is necessary in order to meet the needs of policy assessment. Finally, there is a need to extend analysis beyond the efficiency criterion in order to deal with other dimensions of climate policies, particularly their distributive impacts. This requires specific analyses, which should be articulated with BCA and carried out at an early stage for a better implementation of climate policies than we have seen to date.
Collapse of transitional wall turbulence captured using a rare events algorithm
Authors: Rolland Joran
Published: November 2021

This text presents one of the first successful applications of a rare events sampling method for the study of multistability in a turbulent flow without stochastic energy injection. The trajectories of collapse of turbulence in plane Couette flow, and their probability and rate of occurrence are systematically computed using adaptive multilevel splitting (AMS). The AMS computations are performed in a system of size$L_x\times L_z=24\times 18$at Reynolds number$R=370$with an acceleration by a factor${O}(10)$with respect to direct numerical simulations (DNS) and in a system of size$L_x\times L_z=36\times 27$at Reynolds number$R=377$with an acceleration by a factor${O}(10^3)$. The AMS results are validated by a comparison with DNS in the smaller system. Visualisations indicate that turbulence collapses because the self-sustaining process of turbulence fails locally. The streamwise vortices decay first in streamwise elongated holes, leaving streamwise invariant streamwise velocity tubes that experience viscous decay. These holes then extend in the spanwise direction. The examination of more than a thousand trajectories in the$(E_{k,x}=\int u_x^2/2\,\textrm {d}^3\boldsymbol {x},E_{k,y-z}=\int (u_y^2/2+u_z^2/2)\,\textrm {d}^3\boldsymbol {x})$plane in the smaller system confirms the faster decay of streamwise vortices and shows concentration of trajectories. This hints at an instanton phenomenology in the large size limit. The computation of turning point states, beyond which laminarisation is certain, confirms the hole formation scenario and shows that it is more pronounced in larger systems. Finally, the examination of non-reactive trajectories indicates that both the vortices and the streaks reform concomitantly when the laminar holes close.
Magnetoconvection in a horizontal duct flow at very high Hartmann and Grashof numbers
Authors: Akhmedagaev R. , Zikanov O. , Listratov Y.
Published: November 2021

Direct numerical simulations and linear stability analysis are carried out to study mixed convection in a horizontal duct with constant-rate heating applied at the bottom and an imposed transverse horizontal magnetic field. A two-dimensional approximation corresponding to the asymptotic limit of a very strong magnetic field effect is validated and applied, together with full three-dimensional analysis, to investigate the flow's behaviour in the previously unexplored range of control parameters corresponding to typical conditions of a liquid metal blanket of a nuclear fusion reactor (Hartmann numbers up to

$10^4$

and Grashof numbers up to

$10^{10}$

). It is found that the instability to quasi-two-dimensional rolls parallel to the magnetic field discovered at smaller Hartmann and Grashof numbers in earlier studies also occurs in this parameter range. Transport of the rolls by the mean flow leads to magnetoconvective temperature fluctuations of exceptionally high amplitudes. It is also demonstrated that quasi-two-dimensional structure of flows at very high Hartmann numbers does not guarantee accuracy of the classical two-dimensional approximation. The accuracy deteriorates at the highest Grashof numbers considered in the study.
Removing non-physical structure in fitted Faraday rotated signals: Non-parametric QU-fitting
Authors: Pratley Luke , Johnston-Hollitt Melanie , Gaensler Bryan M.
Published: November 2021

Next-generation spectro-polarimetric broadband surveys will probe cosmic magnetic fields in unprecedented detail, using the magneto-optical effect known as Faraday rotation. However, non-parametric methods such as RMCLEAN can introduce non-observable linearly polarised flux into a fitted model at negative wavelengths squared. This leads to Faraday rotation structures that are consistent with the observed data, but would be impossible or difficult to measure. We construct a convex non-parametric QU-fitting algorithm to constrain the flux at negative wavelengths squared to be zero. This allows the algorithm to recover structures that are limited in complexity to the observable region in wavelength squared. We verify this approach on simulated broadband data sets where we show that it has a lower root mean square error and that it can change the scientific conclusions for real observations. We advise using this prior in next-generation broadband surveys that aim to uncover complex Faraday depth structures. We provide a public Python implementation of the algorithm at https://github.com/Luke-Pratley/Faraday-Dreams.
How to manage cultural space: An agonistic analysis of artistic moral rights
Authors: Crommelin Feyoena , Tans Olaf
Published: November 2021

This article analyzes the debate between the proponents and opponents of artistic moral rights and, more specifically, the right of integrity as recognized in the Berne Convention, with the aid of agonistic political theory. Envisaging art as a site of antagonistic struggle, the right of integrity is conceived of as a state-backed mandate to claim an inviolable place for artistic work, founded on a Romantic notion of authorship. The plea against the entrenchment of this right is considered a counter-hegemonic response that challenges this notion in favor of an unfettered development of art and its surrounding discourse. As such, this debate seems to revolve around a conflict of alleged interests – those of artists, of art’s public, and of art itself. It is argued that insights into the discursive behavior of rights, and, by extension, into the effect of rights discourses on antagonistic struggle, are needed to foster this debate.
Science, objectivity, and academic freedom in the twenty-first century
Authors: Joyce Rosemary A.
Published: November 2021

The publication of a book in 2020 that argues against repatriation, on the grounds that it is incompatible with the necessary objectivity required for the production of scientific knowledge, raises issues that most scholars consider long settled. Rather than engage in a detailed review, this commentary revisits the reasons why claims of contributing to universal knowledge are insufficient to justify exploitation of the physical remains, and cultural property, of people who object to specific lines of research and reminds readers that academic freedom is a mitigated freedom that is rooted in responsibilities and norms agreed on within disciplines, all of which today accept repatriation as part of the necessary redress of legacies of exploitation.
Magnetic Domain State and Anisotropy in Hematite (α‐Fe2O3) From First‐Order Reversal Curve Diagrams
Authors: Roberts Andrew P. , Zhao Xiang , Hu Pengxiang , Abrajevitch Alexandra , Chen Yen‐Hua , Harrison Richard J. , Heslop David , Jiang Zhaoxia , Li Jinhua , Liu Qingsong , Muxworthy Adrian R. , Oda Hirokuni , O’Neill Hugh St. C. , Pillans Brad J. , Sato Tetsuro
Published: November 2021

Hematite carries magnetic signals of interest in tectonic, paleoclimatic, paleomagnetic, and planetary studies. First‐order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams have become an important tool for assessing the domain state of, and magnetostatic interactions among, magnetic particles in such studies. We present here FORC diagrams for diverse hematite samples, which provide a catalog for comparison with other studies and explain key features observed for hematite. Ridge‐type signatures typical of uniaxial single‐domain particle assemblages and “kidney‐shaped” FORC signatures, and combinations of these responses, occur commonly in natural and synthetic hematite. Asymmetric features that arise from the triaxial basal plane anisotropy of hematite contribute to vertical spreading in kidney‐shaped FORC distributions and are intrinsic responses even for magnetostatically noninteracting particles. The dominant FORC distribution type in a sample (ridge, kidney‐shaped, or mixture) depends on the balance between uniaxial/triaxial switching. The identified signals explain magnetization switching and anisotropy features that are intrinsic to the magnetic properties of hematite and other materials with multiaxial magnetic anisotropy.
Reciprocal regulation of LOXL2 and HIF1α drives the Warburg effect to support pancreatic cancer aggressiveness
Authors: Li Rongkun , Li Hengchao , Zhu Lili , Zhang Xiaoxin , Liu Dejun , Li Qing , Ni Bo , Hu Lipeng , Zhang Zhigang , Zhang Yanli , Wang Xu , Jiang Shu-Heng
Published: November 2021

Hypoxic microenvironment is common in solid tumors, particularly in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The Warburg effect is known to facilitate cancer aggressiveness and has long been linked to hypoxia, yet the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we identify that lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) is a hypoxia-responsive gene and is essential for the Warburg effect in PDAC. LOXL2 stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) from prolyl hydroxylase (PHD)-dependent hydroxylation via hydrogen peroxide generation, thereby facilitating the transcription of multiple glycolytic genes. Therefore, a positive feedback loop exists between LOXL2 and HIF1α that facilitates glycolytic metabolism under hypoxia. Moreover, LOXL2 couples the Warburg effect to tumor growth and metastasis in PDAC. Hijacking glycolysis largely compromises LOXL2-induced oncogenic activities. Collectively, our results identify a hitherto unknown hypoxia-LOXL2-HIF1α axis in regulating the Warburg effect and provide an intriguing drug target for PDAC therapy.
An atlas of protein turnover rates in mouse tissues
Authors: Rolfs Zach , Frey Brian L. , Shi Xudong , Kawai Yoshitaka , Smith Lloyd M. , Welham Nathan V.
Published: November 2021

Protein turnover is critical to cellular physiology as well as to the growth and maintenance of tissues. The unique synthesis and degradation rates of each protein help to define tissue phenotype, and knowledge of tissue- and protein-specific half-lives is directly relevant to protein-related drug development as well as the administration of medical therapies. Using stable isotope labeling and mass spectrometry, we determine the in vivo turnover rates of thousands of proteins—including those of the extracellular matrix—in a set of biologically important mouse tissues. We additionally develop a data visualization platform, named ApplE Turnover, that enables facile searching for any protein of interest in a tissue of interest and then displays its half-life, confidence interval, and supporting measurements. This extensive dataset and the corresponding visualization software provide a reference to guide future studies of mammalian protein turnover in response to physiologic perturbation, disease, or therapeutic intervention.
Chloranthus genome provides insights into the early diversification of angiosperms
Authors: Guo Xing , Fang Dongming , Sahu Sunil Kumar , Yang Shuai , Guang Xuanmin , Folk Ryan , Smith Stephen A. , Chanderbali Andre S. , Chen Sisi , Liu Min , Yang Ting , Zhang Shouzhou , Liu Xin , Xu Xun , Soltis Pamela S. , Soltis Douglas E. , Liu Huan
Published: November 2021

Chloranthales remain the last major mesangiosperm lineage without a nuclear genome assembly. We therefore assemble a high-quality chromosome-level genome of Chloranthus spicatus to resolve enigmatic evolutionary relationships, as well as explore patterns of genome evolution among the major lineages of mesangiosperms (eudicots, monocots, magnoliids, Chloranthales, and Ceratophyllales). We find that synteny is highly conserved between genomic regions of Amborella, Vitis, and Chloranthus. We identify an ancient single whole-genome duplication (WGD) (κ) prior to the divergence of extant Chloranthales. Phylogenetic inference shows Chloranthales as sister to magnoliids. Furthermore, our analyses indicate that ancient hybridization may account for the incongruent phylogenetic placement of Chloranthales + magnoliids relative to monocots and eudicots in nuclear and chloroplast trees. Long genes and long introns are found to be prevalent in both Chloranthales and magnoliids compared to other angiosperms. Overall, our findings provide an improved context for understanding mesangiosperm relationships and evolution and contribute a valuable genomic resource for future investigations.
A 41,500 year-old decorated ivory pendant from Stajnia Cave (Poland)
Authors: Talamo Sahra , Nowaczewska Wioletta , Picin Andrea , Vazzana Antonino , Binkowski Marcin , Bosch Marjolein D. , Cercatillo Silvia , Diakowski Marcin , Fewlass Helen , Marciszak Adrian , Paleček Dragana , Richards Michael P. , Ryder Christina M. , Sinet-Mathiot Virginie , Smith Geoff M. , Socha Paweł , Sponheimer Matt , Stefaniak Krzysztof , Welker Frido , Winter Hanna , Wiśniewski Andrzej , Żarski Marcin , Benazzi Stefano , Nadachowski Adam , Hublin Jean-Jacques
Published: November 2021

Evidence of mobiliary art and body augmentation are associated with the cultural innovations introduced by Homo sapiens at the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic. Here, we report the discovery of the oldest known human-modified punctate ornament, a decorated ivory pendant from the Paleolithic layers at Stajnia Cave in Poland. We describe the features of this unique piece, as well as the stratigraphic context and the details of its chronometric dating. The Stajnia Cave plate is a personal 'jewellery' object that was created 41,500 calendar years ago (directly radiocarbon dated). It is the oldest known of its kind in Eurasia and it establishes a new starting date for a tradition directly connected to the spread of modern Homo sapiens in Europe.
An innovative network based on double receptive field and Recursive Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory
Authors: Meng Pengfei , Jia Shuangcheng , Li Qian
Published: November 2021

Sequence recognition of natural scene images has always been an important research topic in the field of computer vision. CRNN has been proven to be a popular end-to-end character sequence recognition network. However, the problem of wide characters is not considered under the setting of CRNN. The CRNN is less effective in recognizing long dense small characters. Aiming at the shortcomings of CRNN, we proposed an improved CRNN network, named CRNN-RES, based on BiLSTM and multiple receptive fields. Specifically, on the one hand, the CRNN-RES uses a dual pooling core to enhance the CNN network’s ability to extract features. On the other hand, by improving the last RNN layer, the BiLSTM is changed to a shared parameter BiLSTM network using recursive residuals, which reduces the number of network parameters and improves the accuracy. In addition, we designed a structure that can flexibly configure the length of the input data sequence in the RNN layer, called the CRFC layer. Comparing the CRNN-RES network proposed in this paper with the original CRNN network, the extensive experiments show that when recognizing English characters and numbers, the parameters of CRNN-RES is 8197549, which decreased 133,752 parameters compare with CRNN. In the public dataset ICDAR 2003 (IC03), ICDAR 2013 (IC13), IIIT 5k-word (IIIT5k), and Street View Text (SVT), the CRNN-RES obtain the accuracy of 96.90%, 89.85%, 83.63%, and 82.96%, which higher than CRNN by 1.40%, 3.15%, 5.43%, and 2.16% respectively.
Help-seeking behavior of individuals with schizophrenia in the general population of Hunan, China
Authors: Hu Jiawen , Zheng Qiongjuan , Zhang Yun , Liu Chunyu , Tian Xuefei , Liu Xuejun , Wang Dongxin , Ma Jing
Published: November 2021

This study aims to know the seeking help behavior of individuals with SZ (Schizophrenia) in Hunan province of China. Individuals (age > 15) with schizophrenia were recruited in the study after a two-stage diagnosis procedure (including questionnaire screening and face-to-face SCID interview by psychiatrists) in Hunan province. A self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate their help-seeking behavior. (1) Of the 367 participants, 68.9% (253/367) sought help; of those, 64.6% (n = 163) pursued professional psychiatric services and 30.8% (n = 78) pursued non-medical options (i.e., relatives, praying to Buddha) as the most common first choices. (2) Family history of mental disorders is significantly related to whether or not the individual with SZ seeks help, and the first choice of help is significantly related to education level. (P < 0.05). (3) Frequent reasons behind not seeking help include fear of stigmatization (72.9%), poor mental health literacy (64.5%), concerns over cost (50.6%), and limited access to medical services (47.0%). About one-third of the individuals do not seek help. Individuals with SZ tend to choose psychiatric hospitals and relatives as their first choice. Among the factors we investigated, family history of mental disorders is the most influential factor associated with help-seeking behavior. Individuals with more education tend to seek professional help first. The primary reasons for not seeking help include fear of stigmatization, lack of awareness about mental illness, concerns over cost, etc.
Housing and personality effects on judgement and attention biases in dairy cows
Authors: Kremer Louise , Bus Jacinta D. , Webb Laura E. , Bokkers Eddie A. M. , Engel Bas , van der Werf Jozef T. N. , Schnabel Sabine K. , van Reenen Cornelis G.
Published: November 2021

Affective states can be inferred from responses to ambiguous and threatening stimuli, using Judgement Bias Tasks (JBTs) and Attention Bias Tasks (ABTs). We investigated the separate and interactive effects of personality and housing conditions on dairy cattle affective states. We assessed personality in 48 heifers using Open-Field, Novel-Object and Runway tests. Personality effects on responses to the JBT and to the ABT were examined when heifers were housed under reference conditions. Heifers were subsequently housed under positive or negative conditions, and housing effects on animal responses in both tasks were investigated while controlling for personality. A Principal Component Analysis revealed three personality traits labelled Activity, Fearfulness and Sociability. Under reference conditions, personality influenced heifers’ responses to the JBT and to the ABT, therefore questioning the tasks’ generalizability across individuals. Against expectations, housing did not influence responses to the  JBT and heifers in the negative conditions looked at the threat later than heifers in the positive or reference conditions. More research is warranted to confirm the validity and the repeatability of the JBT and of the ABT as appropriate measures of affective states in dairy cows.
Urbanization favors the proliferation of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus in urban areas of Miami-Dade County, Florida
Authors: Wilke André B. B. , Vasquez Chalmers , Carvajal Augusto , Moreno Maday , Fuller Douglas O. , Cardenas Gabriel , Petrie William D. , Beier John C.
Published: November 2021

Urbanization processes are increasing globally. Anthropogenic alterations in the environment have profound effects on biodiversity. Decreased biodiversity due to biotic homogenization processes as a consequence of urbanization often result in increased levels of mosquito vector species and vector-borne pathogen transmission. Understanding how anthropogenic alterations in the environment will affect the abundance, richness, and composition of vector mosquito species is crucial for the implementation of effective and targeted mosquito control strategies. We hypothesized that anthropogenic alterations in the environment are responsible for increasing the abundance of mosquito species that are adapted to urban environments such asAedesaegyptiandCulexquinquefasciatus. Therefore, our objective was to survey mosquito relative abundance, richness, and community composition in Miami-Dade County, Florida, in areas with different levels of urbanization. We selected 24 areas, 16 remote areas comprised of natural and rural areas, and 8 urban areas comprised of residential and touristic areas in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Mosquitoes were collected weekly in each area for 24 h for 5 consecutive weeks from August to October 2020 using BG-Sentinel traps baited with dry ice. A total of 36,645 mosquitoes were collected, from which 34,048 were collected in the remote areas and 2,597 in the urban areas. Our results show a clear and well-defined pattern of abundance, richness, and community composition according to anthropogenic modifications in land use and land cover. The more urbanized a given area the fewer species were found and those were primary vectors of arboviruses,Ae.aegyptiandCx.quinquefasciatus.
Observing the climate impact of large wildfires on stratospheric temperature
Authors: Stocker Matthias , Ladstädter Florian , Steiner Andrea K.
Published: November 2021

Wildfires are expected to become more frequent and intense in the future. They not only pose a serious threat to humans and ecosystems, but also affect Earth’s atmosphere. Wildfire plumes can reach into the stratosphere, but little is known about their climate impact. Here, we reveal observational evidence that major wildfires can have a severe impact on the atmospheric temperature structure and short-term climate in the stratosphere. Using advanced satellite observation, we find substantial warming of up to 10 K of the lower stratosphere within the wildfire plumes during their early development. The short-term climate signal in the lower stratosphere lasts several months and amounts to 1 K for the Northern American wildfires in 2017, and up to striking 3.5 K for the Australian wildfires in 2020. This is stronger than any signal from recent volcanic eruptions. Such extreme events affect atmospheric composition and climate trends, underpinning their importance for future climate.
Environmental optima for an ecosystem engineer: a multidisciplinary trait-based approach
Authors: Curd Amelia , Boyé Aurélien , Cordier Céline , Pernet Fabrice , Firth Louise B. , Bush Laura E. , Davies Andrew J. , Lima Fernando P. , Meneghesso Claudia , Quéré Claudie , Seabra Rui , Vasquez Mickaël , Dubois Stanislas F.
Published: November 2021

A complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors underpins the distribution of species and operates across different levels of biological organization and life history stages. Understanding ecosystem engineer reproductive traits is critical for comprehending and managing the biodiversity-rich habitats they create. Little is known about how the reproduction of the reef-forming worm,Sabellaria alveolata, varies across environmental gradients. By integrating broad-scale environmental data with in-situ physiological data in the form of biochemical traits, we identified and ranked the drivers of intraspecific reproductive trait variability (ITV). ITV was highest in locations with variable environmental conditions, subjected to fluctuating temperature and hydrodynamic conditions. Our trait selection pointed to poleward sites being the most physiologically stressful, with low numbers of irregularly shaped eggs suggesting potentially reduced reproductive success. Centre-range individuals allocated the most energy to reproduction, with the highest number of intermediate-sized eggs, whilst equatorward sites were the least physiologically stressful, thus confirming the warm-adapted nature of our model organism. Variation in total egg diameter and relative fecundity were influenced by a combination of environmental conditions, which changed depending on the trait and sampling period. An integrated approach involving biochemical and reproductive traits is essential for understanding macro-scale patterns in the face of anthropogenic-induced climate change across environmental and latitudinal gradients.
Two divergent haplogroups of a sacsin-like gene in Acropora corals
Authors: Takahashi-Kariyazono Shiho , Terai Yohey
Published: November 2021

Reef-building corals are declining due to environmental changes. Sacsin is a member of the heat shock proteins and has been reported as a candidate protein associated with the stress response inAcroporacorals. Recently, high nucleotide diversity and the persistence of two divergent haplogroups of sacsin-like genes inAcropora milleporahave been reported. While it was not clear when the two haplogroups have split and whether the haplogroups have persisted in onlyA. milleporaor the other lineages in the genusAcropora. In this study, we analyzed a genomic region containing a sacsin-like gene fromAcroporaandMontiporaspecies. Higher nucleotide diversity in the sacsin-like gene compared with that of surrounding regions was also observed inA. digitifera. This nucleotide diversity is derived from two divergent haplogroups of a sacsin-like gene, which are present in at least threeAcroporaspecies. The origin of these two haplogroups can be traced back before the divergence ofAcroporaandMontipora(119 Ma). Although the link between exceptionally high genetic variation in sacsin-like genes and functional differences in sacsin-like proteins is not clear, the divergent haplogroups may respond differently to envionmental stressors and serve in the adaptive phsiological ecology of these keystone species.