bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Q-turn: changing paradigms in quantum science
Authors: Sainz Ana Belén
Published: July 2022

Quantum information is a rapidly-growing interdisciplinary field at the intersection of information science, computer science, mathematics, philosophy, and quantum science. This fruitful field of research is at the core of our developments of quantum technologies, while widening the frontiers of our fundamental knowledge, and has achieved remarkable progress in the last few decades. Regardless of its scientific success, quantum information is not exempt from the intrinsic features that come from the fact that scientists are humans and members of society: both the good and the bad of our social practices leak into the scientific activity. In our scientific community, diversity and equal opportunity problems are particularly difficult to observe due to social, economic, or cultural barriers, often remaining invisible. How can our lack of awareness negatively influence the progress of science in the long term? How can our community grow into a better version of itself? This article reflects on how research events—such as conferences—can contribute to a shift in our culture. This reflection draws on what we learn from Q-turn: an initiative triggered by postdoctoral researchers to discuss these questions, and by doing so raise awareness about diversity issues and equal opportunities in quantum science. In addition to the high calibre of science, one of Q-turn’s main missions is to foster an inclusive community and highlight outstanding research that may be under-appreciated in other high-impact venues due to systemic biases. As well as a scientific programme, Q-turn features talks and discussions on issues that affect the quantum information community, ranging from diversity and inclusion, health and mental health, to workers’ rights. In this perspective article, we will consider Q-turn as an example of how a research community can work to tackle systematic biases, review the successes, and identify further points for development.
On singularities of Ericksen-Leslie system in dimension three
Authors: Huang Tao , Wang Peiyong
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we consider the initial and boundary value problem of Ericksen-Leslie system modeling nematic liquid crystal flows in dimension three. Two examples of singularity at finite time are constructed. The first example is constructed in a special axisymmetric class with suitable axisymmetric initial and boundary data, while the second example is constructed for initial data with small energy but nontrivial topology. A counter example of maximum principle to the system is constructed by utilizing the Poiseuille flow in dimension one.
Subconvexity of Shintani’s zeta function
Authors: Hough Robert , Lee Eun Hye
Published: July 2022

Enumerating integral orbits in prehomogeneous vector spaces plays an important role in arithmetic statistics. We describe a method of proving subconvexity of the zeta function enumerating the integral orbits, illustrated by proving a subconvex estimate for the Shintani

ζ
\zeta

function enumerating class numbers of binary cubic forms.
The Oxford Encyclopedia of Public Administration
Authors: Peters B. Guy , Thynne Ian
Published: July 2022

91 entries

Public administration is a sprawling, diverse field that contains elements of political science, economics, law, sociology, ethics, and many other disciplines while also comprising issues and approaches distinctive to public administration. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Public Administration comprehensively examines the full range of concerns surrounding the core question of governance through administration. It provides significant theoretical perspectives, along with comprehensive assessments of the alignments of people, systems, and action, capturing the rich interconnectedness of public administration, policy, and governance. Contributors have been selected to reflect the diverse international community of scholars in this field, providing a wide range of insights into public administration as the enduring basis on which public affairs are arranged and managed.

The 90 essays in this Encyclopedia fall into four main categories: Theoretical Approaches & Research; People in Public Administration; Systems & Instruments of Public Administration; and Public Administration in Action. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Public Administration is a critical resource for scholars, professionals, and students involved in the study, research, or practice of public administration.
The charge of the spheres
Authors: Aplin Karen
Published: July 2022

Karen Aplin received the 2021 James Dungey Lecture for her contributions to planetary atmospheric electricity. Here she briefly summarizes this research area, focusing on the scientific background and recent findings.
Bidirectionally connected cores in a mouse connectome: towards extracting the brain subnetworks essential for consciousness
Authors: Kitazono Jun , Aoki Yuma , Oizumi Masafumi
Published: July 2022

Where in the brain consciousness resides remains unclear. It has been suggested that the subnetworks supporting consciousness should be bidirectionally (recurrently) connected because both feed-forward and feedback processing are necessary for conscious experience. Accordingly, evaluating which subnetworks are bidirectionally connected and the strength of these connections would likely aid the identification of regions essential to consciousness. Here, we propose a method for hierarchically decomposing a network into cores with different strengths of bidirectional connection, as a means of revealing the structure of the complex brain network. We applied the method to a whole-brain mouse connectome. We found that cores with strong bidirectional connections consisted of regions presumably essential to consciousness (e.g. the isocortical and thalamic regions, and claustrum) and did not include regions presumably irrelevant to consciousness (e.g. cerebellum). Contrarily, we could not find such correspondence between cores and consciousness when we applied other simple methods that ignored bidirectionality. These findings suggest that our method provides a novel insight into the relation between bidirectional brain network structures and consciousness.
Steady-state responses to concurrent melodies: source distribution, top-down, and bottom-up attention
Authors: Manting Cassia Low , Gulyas Balazs , Ullén Fredrik , Lundqvist Daniel
Published: July 2022

Humans can direct attentional resources to a single sound occurring simultaneously among others to extract the most behaviourally relevant information present. To investigate this cognitive phenomenon in a precise manner, we used frequency-tagging to separate neural auditory steady-state responses (ASSRs) that can be traced back to each auditory stimulus, from the neural mix elicited by multiple simultaneous sounds. Using a mixture of 2 frequency-tagged melody streams, we instructed participants to selectively attend to one stream or the other while following the development of the pitch contour. Bottom-up attention towards either stream was also manipulated with salient changes in pitch. Distributed source analyses of magnetoencephalography measurements showed that the effect of ASSR enhancement from top-down driven attention was strongest at the left frontal cortex, while that of bottom-up driven attention was dominant at the right temporal cortex. Furthermore, the degree of ASSR suppression from simultaneous stimuli varied across cortical lobes and hemisphere. The ASSR source distribution changes from temporal-dominance during single-stream perception, to proportionally more activity in the frontal and centro-parietal cortical regions when listening to simultaneous streams. These findings are a step forward to studying cognition in more complex and naturalistic soundscapes using frequency-tagging.
Convergent and divergent oscillatory aberrations during visuospatial processing in HIV-related cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Meehan Chloe E , Embury Christine M , Wiesman Alex I , Schantell Mikki , Wolfson Sara L , O’Neill Jennifer , Swindells Susan , Johnson Craig M , May Pamela E , Murman Daniel L , Wilson Tony W
Published: July 2022

Adults with HIV frequently develop a form of mild cognitive impairment known as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), but presumably cognitive decline in older persons with HIV could also be attributable to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, distinguishing these two conditions in individual patients is exceedingly difficult, as the distinct neural and neuropsychological features are poorly understood and most studies to date have only investigated HAND or AD spectrum (ADS) disorders in isolation. The current study examined the neural dynamics underlying visuospatial processing using magnetoencephalography (MEG) in 31 biomarker-confirmed patients on the ADS, 26 older participants who met criteria for HAND, and 31 older cognitively normal controls. MEG data were examined in the time–frequency domain, and a data-driven approach was utilized to identify the neural dynamics underlying visuospatial processing. Both clinical groups (ADS/HAND) were significantly less accurate than controls on the task and exhibited stronger prefrontal theta oscillations compared to controls. Regarding disease-specific alterations, those with HAND exhibited stronger alpha oscillations than those on the ADS in frontoparietal and temporal cortices. These results indicate both common and unique neurophysiological alterations among those with ADS disorders and HAND in regions serving visuospatial processing and suggest the underlying neuropathological features are at least partially distinct.
Identifying a core symptom set triggering radiological and endoscopic investigations for suspected recurrent esophago-gastric cancer: a modified Delphi consensus process
Authors: Chidambaram Swathikan , Patel Nikhil M , Sounderajah Viknesh , Alfieri Rita , Bonavina Luigi , Cheong Edward , Cockbain Andy , D’Journo Xavier Benoit , Ferri Lorenzo , Griffiths Ewen A , Grimminger Peter , Gronnier Caroline , Gutschow Christian , Hedberg Jakob , Kauppila Joonas H , Lagarde Sjoerd , Low Donald , Nafteux Philippe , Nieuwenhuijzen Grard , Nilsson Magnus , Rosati Riccardo , Schroeder Wolfgang , Smithers B Mark , van Berge Henegouwen Mark I , van Hillegesberg Richard , Watson David I , Vohra Ravinder , Maynard Nick , Markar Sheraz R
Published: July 2022

Background: There is currently a lack of evidence-based guidelines regarding surveillance for recurrence after esophageal and gastric (OG) cancer surgical resection, and which symptoms should prompt endoscopic or radiological investigations for recurrence. The aim of this study was to develop a core symptom set using a modified Delphi consensus process that should guide clinicians to carry out investigations to look for suspected recurrent OG cancer in previously asymptomatic patients. Methods: A web-based survey of 42 questions was sent to surgeons performing OG cancer resections at high volume centers. The first section evaluated the structure of follow-up and the second, determinants of follow-up. Two rounds of a modified Delphi consensus process and a further consensus workshop were used to determine symptoms warranting further investigations. Symptoms with a 75% consensus agreement as suggestive of recurrent cancer were included in the core symptom set. Results: 27 surgeons completed the questionnaires. A total of 70.3% of centers reported standardized surveillance protocols, whereas 3.7% of surgeons did not undertake any surveillance in asymptomatic patients after OG cancer resection. In asymptomatic patients, 40.1% and 25.9% of centers performed routine imaging and endoscopy, respectively. The core set that reached consensus, consisted of eight symptoms that warranted further investigations included; dysphagia to solid food, dysphagia to liquids, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, regurgitation of foods, unexpected weight loss and progressive hoarseness of voice. Conclusion: There is global variation in monitoring patients after OG cancer resection. Eight symptoms were identified by the consensus process as important in prompting radiological or endoscopic investigation for suspected recurrent malignancy. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to link surveillance strategies to survival outcomes and evaluate prognostic value.
California Native Perennials Attract Greater Native Pollinator Abundance and Diversity Than Nonnative, Commercially Available Ornamentals in Southern California
Authors: Nabors Annika , Hung Keng-Lou James , Corkidi Lea , Bethke James A
Published: July 2022

While many factors have been implicated in global pollinator decline, habitat loss is a key driver of wild pollinator decline in both abundance and species richness. An increase in and diversification of pollinator habitat, even in urban settings, can assist in the conservation of pollinator populations. In Southern California, a highly fragmented and urbanized landscape with a rich yet threatened native pollinator fauna, the availability of food resources for native pollinators hinges largely upon the selection of ornamental plants grown in the urban landscape. To examine the pollinator attractiveness of ornamental plants in a Southern California context, we installed an experimental garden with common California native and nonnative ornamental perennials and observed floral visitation and visitor community composition for 3 yr. Our study demonstrates that while native pollinators visited common ornamental perennials native to California at a higher rate than they visited nonnative ornamentals, introduced honey bees showed no significant preference for either native or nonnative species. Native plants also received a greater diversity of visitor taxa, including a richer suite of native bees. Plant species differed dramatically in attractiveness, by as much as a factor of 12, even within the native status group. Our results suggest that including a data-driven selection of both native and non-native ornamental perennials in the urban landscape can diversify the assemblage of native pollinators, provide critical floral resources throughout the year, and reduce the impact of honey bee landscape foraging dominance by providing plants highly attractive to native pollinators and less so to honey bees.
Jura Novit Curia and the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Möschel Mathias
Published: July 2022

This article provides the first in-depth analysis of the European Court of Human Rights’ treatment of the jura novit curia principle. It explains how and why it has been used more frequently over the past 10 years, provides a classification of the case law and critically analyses the existing legal issues and debates that have emerged from the jurisprudence and doctrine. In particular, the 2018 Grand Chamber judgment Radomilja v. Croatia has brought jura novit curia and its potentially controversial role in the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights to light. Overall, this article demonstrates that this seemingly anodyne and previously understudied principle reveals conflicting views regarding the functions and purposes of the European Court of Human Rights’ human rights jurisprudence. I argue that the Strasbourg judges should be careful to use the principle consistently and refrain from overusing it, especially in the later stages of proceedings and in order to reduce its case docket.
Craniofacial structures, occlusal features, and TMD symptoms in juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Huhtanen Mia , Mikola Katriina , Kiukkonen Anu , Palotie Tuula
Published: July 2022

Background

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which temporomandibular joint (TMJ) arthritis commonly occurs. It may be asymptomatic and could cause problems in the growing joints. Our aim was to evaluate the craniofacial structures, occlusal features and temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) symptoms of patients with JIA.

Methods

The study consisted of 195 JIA patients treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases, Helsinki University Hospital (HUH), Finland between 2015 and 2019. We retrospectively screened their medical and dental records and classified them according to age at JIA diagnosis (<7 and ≥7 years).

Results

Most of the patients had Angle Class I occlusion in both sides. Among all the patients, the mean overjet, and overbite were 3.3 mm and 2.4 mm, respectively. There were more open bite patients in the ≥7 years old group than in the <7 years old group (P = 0.010). Of all patients, 47% reported at least one TMD symptom. The TMD symptoms were more common in participants ≥7 years old than those <7 years old (P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Occlusal features and the incidence of malocclusions seem to have similar tendency among the JIA patients with systematic visits in rheumatologist and orthodontist as in the healthy population, except for open bite that is more common with JIA patients. While treating JIA patients, a well-functioning collaboration between paediatric rheumatologists and orthodontists is essential, as well as a clear screening protocol to detect potentially asymptomatic TMJ arthritis. Particular attention should be paid to children with JIA under school age.
Sex-specific associations between potassium intake, blood pressure, and cardiovascular outcomes: the EPIC-Norfolk study
Authors: Wouda Rosa D , Boekholdt S Matthijs , Khaw Kay Tee , Wareham Nicholas J , de Borst Martin H , Hoorn Ewout J , Rotmans Joris I , Vogt Liffert
Published: July 2022

Aims

A potassium replete diet is associated with lower blood pressure (BP) and lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Whether these associations differ between men and women and whether they depend on daily sodium intake is unknown.

Methods and results

An analysis was performed in 11 267 men and 13 696 women from the EPIC-Norfolk cohort. Twenty-four hour excretion of sodium and potassium, reflecting intake, was estimated from sodium and potassium concentration in spot urine samples using the Kawasaki formula. Linear and Cox regression were used to explore the association between potassium intake, systolic BP (SBP), and CVD events (defined as hospitalization or death due to CVD). After adjustment for confounders, interaction by sex was found for the association between potassium intake and SBP (P < 0.001). In women, but not in men, the inverse slope between potassium intake and SBP was steeper in those within the highest tertile of sodium intake compared with those within the lowest tertile of sodium intake (P < 0.001 for interaction by sodium intake). Both in men and women, higher potassium intake was associated with a lower risk of CVD events, but the hazard ratio (HR) associated with higher potassium intake was lower in women than in men [highest vs. lowest potassium intake tertile: men: HR 0.93, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87–1.00; women: HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83–0.95, P = 0.033 for interaction by sex].

Conclusion

The association between potassium intake, SBP, and CVD events is sex specific. The data suggest that women with a high sodium intake in particular benefit most from a higher potassium intake with regard to SBP.
A randomized control trial of a Canadian-based school food program on the home food environment
Authors: Reagan Rebecca , Woodruff Sarah J , Seabrook Jamie A , Gilliland Jason
Published: July 2022

Research provides evidence of take-home effects in school-based nutrition interventions, citing children as important influencers of family nutrition, acting as agents of change in the household and potentially influencing family food consumption. Therefore, the purpose of this randomized control trial was to examine whether implementation of a centrally procured school food program would produce changes in children’s home food environment, including fruit and/or vegetable availability and parental modelling of fruit and/or vegetable consumption. A secondary objective was to investigate whether children’s fruit and/or vegetable intake predicted their parent’s fruit and/or vegetable intake. A total of 60 schools participated in the evaluation, including 2443 students (and their parents) in grades 5–8. Findings indicated that the intervention did not produce take-home effects on children’s home availability of fruit (p = 0.52) and vegetables (p = 0.67) or parental modelling of fruit (p = 0.26) and vegetable consumption (p = 0.78), which may be related to the fact that only food provisions were given. However, children’s fruit and vegetable consumption predicted parents’ fruit and vegetable consumption (p < 0.001), thereby indicating that children may possess the capacity to influence home nutrition. Future school-based nutrition interventions are recommended to be multi-component (e.g. experiential learning, parent involvement) and that encourage nutrition leadership opportunities for children in the home context.
Periareolar endoscopic minimally invasive cardiac surgery: postoperative scar assessment analysis
Authors: Van Praet Karel M , Kofler Markus , Akansel Serdar , Montagner Matteo , Meyer Alexander , Sündermann Simon H , Falk Volkmar , Kempfert Jörg
Published: July 2022

OBJECTIVES

The standard approach for minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) for repair of the atrioventricular valves is a right lateral minithoracotomy. In this study, we report our experience with a periareolar endoscopic approach, which aims at an optimal cosmetic outcome while preserving optimal clinical outcomes.

METHODS

All patients underwent periareolar endoscopic MICS using high-definition three-dimensional endoscopic visualization without additional rib-spreading. Patients presented with degenerative and/or functional mitral regurgitation. Patients undergoing concomitant tricuspid valve surgery, cryo-ablation, patent foramen ovale closure, left atrial appendage occlusion and/or left atrial myxoma extirpation were included. This descriptive article analysed the aesthetic and functional outcome of the periareolar scar using 5 most common and clinimetrically sound scar assessment scales. For statistical analysis of the scar assessment grading scales, box and whisker plots were calculated depicting median, interquartile range and high and low range data points.

RESULTS

Median scar assessment scale scores for n = 100 male patients (response rate 100/109; 91.7%) were 2 [1, 4], 7.5 [6, 9], 11 [8, 14], 3 [2, 3] and 10 [9, 11] for the Vancouver scar scale, Manchester scar scale, patient scar assessment scale, Stony brook scar evaluation scale and Dermatology Quality of Life Index scale, respectively. Ninety-seven patients received mitral valve repair, 7 mitral valve replacement, whereas 5 had left atrial myxoma extirpation. Concomitant tricuspid annuloplasty, cryo-ablation, left atrial appendage occlusion and patent foramen ovale closure surgery were performed in 12, 29, 5 and 8 patients, respectively. Median procedure, cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamp times were 169.5 [154.3, 189.3], 111.5 [97, 127], and 68.5 [58.8, 81] min, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Periareolar endoscopic MICS is safe and cosmetically appealing. It is feasible and allows for complex mitral valve repair, mitral valve replacement and concomitant surgery. Data from 5 scar assessment scales suggest that this technique delivers patient-satisfying results regarding functional and cosmetic outcomes.
Bongartz Completion via c-Vectors
Authors: Cao Peigen , Gyoda Yasuaki , Yurikusa Toshiya
Published: July 2022

In the present paper, we first give a characterization for Bongartz completion in $\tau $-tilting theory via $c$-vectors. Motivated by this characterization, we give the definition of Bongartz completion in cluster algebras using $c$-vectors. Then we prove the existence and uniqueness of Bongartz completion in cluster algebras. We also prove that Bongartz completion admits certain commutativity. We give two applications for Bongartz completion in cluster algebras. As the first application, we prove the full subquiver of the exchange quiver (or known as oriented exchange graph) of a cluster algebra $\mathcal A$ whose vertices consist of the seeds of $\mathcal A$ containing particular cluster variables is isomorphic to the exchange quiver of another cluster algebra. As the second application, we prove that in a $Y$-pattern over a universal semifield, each $Y$-seed (up to a $Y$-seed equivalence) is uniquely determined by the negative $y$-variables in this $Y$-seed.
Molecular ecology and risk factors for third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli carriage by dogs living in urban and nearby rural settings
Authors: Sealey Jordan E , Hammond Ashley , Mounsey Oliver , Gould Virginia C , Reyher Kristen K , Avison Matthew B
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To compare faecal third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Escherichia coli isolates from dogs living in a city and in a rural area ∼30 km away; to compare isolates from dogs, cattle and humans in these regions; and to determine risk factors associated with 3GC-R E. coli carriage in these two cohorts of dogs.

Methods

Six hundred dogs were included, with faecal samples processed to recover 3GC-R E. coli using 2 mg/L cefotaxime. WGS was by Illumina and risk factor analyses were by multivariable linear regression using the results of an owner-completed survey.

Results

3GC-R E. coli were excreted by 20/303 rural and 31/297 urban dogs. The dominant canine 3GC-R ST was ST963 (blaCMY-2), which also accounted for 25% of CMY-2-producing E. coli in humans. Phylogenetic overlap between cattle and rural dog CTX-M-14-producing E. coli ST117 was observed as well as acquisition of pMOO-32-positive E. coli ST10 by a rural dog, a plasmid common on cattle farms in the area. Feeding raw meat was associated with carrying 3GC-R E. coli in rural dogs, but not in urban dogs, where swimming in rivers was a weak risk factor.

Conclusions

Given clear zoonotic potential for resistant canine E. coli, our work suggests interventions that may reduce this threat. In rural dogs, carriage of 3GC-R E. coli, particularly CTX-M producers, was phylogenetically associated with interaction with local cattle and epidemiologically associated with feeding raw meat. In urban dogs, sources of 3GC-R E. coli appear to be more varied and include environments such as rivers.
Success rate of acquiring informed consent and barriers to participation in a randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic versus open surgery for non-curative stage IV colon cancer in Japan (JCOG1107)
Authors: Akagi Tomonori , Suzuki Kosuke , Kono Yohei , Ninomiya Shigeo , Shibata Tomotaka , Ueda Yoshitake , Shiroshita Hidefumi , Etoh Tsuyoshi , Shiomi Akio , Ito Masaaki , Watanabe Jun , Murata Kohei , Hirano Yasumitsu , Shimomura Manabu , Tsukamoto Shunsuke , Kanemitsu Yukihide , Inomata Masafumi ,   the Colorectal Cancer Study Group of Japan Clinical Oncology Group
Published: July 2022

Background

Successful achievement of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is dependent on the acquisition of informed consent (IC) from patients. The aim of this study was to prospectively calculate the proportion of participation in a surgical RCT and to identify the reasons for failed acquisition of IC.

Methods

A 50-insitution RCT was conducted to evaluate oncological outcomes of open and laparoscopic surgery for stage IV colon cancer (JCOG1107: UMIN-CTR 000000105). The success rate of obtaining IC was evaluated in eight periods between January 2013 and January 2021. In addition, reasons for failed acquisition of IC were identified from questionnaires.

Results

In total, 391 patients were informed of their eligibility for the trial, and 168 (42%) were randomly assigned to either the laparoscopic surgery group (n = 84) or open surgery group (n = 84). The success rate of IC acquisition ranged from 33 to 58% in three periods. The most common reasons for failed IC acquisition were the patients’ preference for one approach of surgery based on recommendations from referring doctors and family members, and anxiety/unhappiness about randomization.

Conclusions

The success rate of acquiring IC from patients for an RCT of laparoscopic versus open surgery for stage IV colon cancer was lower than the expected rate planned in the protocol. To obtain the planned rate, investigators should make efforts to inform patients and their families about the medical contributions a surgical RCT can make and recognize that the period in equipoise may be limited.
Distinct Brain Proteomic Signatures in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Rat Models of Hypertension and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy
Authors: Schrader Joseph M , Stanisavljevic Aleksandra , Xu Feng , Van Nostrand William E
Published: July 2022

Cerebral small vessel diseases (CSVDs) are prominent contributors to vascular cognitive impairment and dementia and can arise from a range of etiologies. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and hypertension (HTN), both prevalent in the elderly population, lead to cerebral microhemorrhages, macrohemorrhages, and white matter damage. However, their respective underlying mechanisms and molecular events are poorly understood. Here, we show that the transgenic rat model of CAA type 1 (rTg-DI) exhibits perivascular inflammation that is lacking in the spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone (SHR-SP) rat model of HTN. Alternatively, SHR-SP rats display notable dilation of arteriolar perivascular spaces. Comparative proteomics analysis revealed few shared altered proteins, with key proteins such as ANXA3, H2A, and HTRA1 unique to rTg-DI rats, and Nt5e, Flot-1 and Flot-2 unique to SHR-SP rats. Immunolabeling confirmed that upregulation of ANXA3, HTRA1, and neutrophil extracellular trap proteins were distinctly associated with rTg-DI rats. Pathway analysis predicted activation of TGF-β1 and TNFα in rTg-DI rat brain, while insulin signaling was reduced in the SHR-SP rat brain. Thus, we report divergent protein signatures associated with distinct cerebral vessel pathologies in the SHR-SP and rTg-DI rat models and provide new mechanistic insight into these different forms of CSVD.
The United Nations Security Council and Human Rights: Who Ends Up in the Spotlight?
Authors: Allen Susan Hannah , Bell Sam R
Published: July 2022

At the end of the Cold War, the United Nations Security Council broadened its view on what constitutes a “threat to international peace and security.” With the rise of the concept of human security and increased focus on human rights, the Council has been more willing to act in response to domestic political issues such as human rights abuses. Despite an increased commitment to human security, the Council's attention on these issues has been uneven. What determines whose rights capture the Council's attention? What role do efforts by NGOs to “name and shame” play in the setting of the Council's agenda? We find that human rights abuses lead to countries being placed on the Council's agenda, but human rights organization naming and shaming results in more action by the Council—in terms of both meetings held and resolutions passed.
Shared Positions on Divisive Beliefs Explain Interorganizational Collaboration: Evidence from Climate Change Policy Subsystems in 11 Countries
Authors: Karimo Aasa , Wagner Paul M , Delicado Ana , Goodman James , Gronow Antti , Lahsen Myanna , Lin Tze-Luen , Ocelík Petr , Schneider Volker , Satoh Keiichi , Schmidt Luisa , Yun Sun-Jin , Ylä-Anttila Tuomas
Published: July 2022

Collaboration between public administration organizations and various stakeholders is often prescribed as a potential solution to the current complex problems of governance, such as climate change. According to the Advocacy Coalition Framework, shared beliefs are one of the most important drivers of collaboration. However, studies investigating the role of beliefs in collaboration show mixed results. Some argue that similarity of general normative and empirical policy beliefs elicits collaboration, while others focus on beliefs concerning policy instruments. Proposing a new divisive beliefs hypothesis, we suggest that agreeing on those beliefs over which there is substantial disagreement in the policy subsystem is what matters for collaboration. Testing our hypotheses using policy network analysis and data on climate policy subsystems in 11 countries (Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Sweden, and Taiwan), we find belief similarity to be a stronger predictor of collaboration when the focus is divisive beliefs rather than normative and empirical policy beliefs or beliefs concerning policy instruments. This knowledge can be useful for managing collaborative governance networks because it helps to identify potential competing coalitions and to broker compromises between them.
Heteromeric interactions of ripening-related ethylene receptors in tomato fruit
Authors: Kamiyoshihara Yusuke , Achiha Yuki , Ishikawa Shin , Mizuno Shinji , Mori Hitoshi , Tateishi Akira , Huber Donald J , Klee Harry J
Published: July 2022

Ripening of climacteric fruits is initiated when the gaseous plant hormone ethylene is perceived by the cell. Ethylene binding to membrane-associated ethylene receptors (ETRs) triggers a series of biochemical events through multiple components, resulting in the induction of numerous ripening-related genes. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), there are seven members of the ETR family, which each contribute to the regulation of fruit ripening. However, the relative contribution of each individual receptor to ethylene signaling remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated the formation of heteromeric receptor complexes across the two ETR subfamilies in tomato fruit. Immunoprecipitation of subfamily II SlETR4 resulted in co-purification of subfamily I (SlETR1, SlETR2, and SlETR3), but not subfamily II members (SlETR5, SlETR6, and SlETR7). Such biased interactions were verified in yeast two-hybrid assays, and in transgenic Arabidopsis plants, in which heterologous SlETR4 interacts with subfamily I ETRs. Our analysis also revealed that the receptor complexes engage the Raf-like protein kinases SlCTR1 and SlCTR3, which are potential regulators of signaling. Here, we suggest that tomato receptor members form heteromeric complexes to fine-tune signal output to the downstream pathway, which is similar to that of the Arabidopsis system but appears to be partially diverged.
Forbush decreases associated with coronal mass ejections from active and non-active regions: statistical comparison
Authors: Melkumyan A A , Belov A V , Abunina M A , Abunin A A , Shlyk N S , Oleneva V A , Yanke V G
Published: July 2022

In this paper, Forbush decreases (FDs) from 1997 to 2020 associated with coronal mass ejections from active and non-active regions are compared between themselves and to FDs caused by high-speed streams from coronal holes. The two types of sporadic FDs are also compared when corresponding solar wind (SW) disturbances contain, or do not contain, magnetic clouds (MCs) near Earth. Cosmic ray density and anisotropy variations, SW speed, interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) strength, and geomagnetic indices have been examined using statistical methods. The results reveal that these parameters are larger for FDs associated with active region (AR) ejections and have highly skewed distributions for both types of sporadic events. In the same ranges of SW parameters, FD magnitude is larger for flare-associated events; more efficient modulation occurs in FDs associated with AR ejections. Differences between FDs associated with AR and non-AR ejections are more pronounced when an MC is registered. For IMF strength and geomagnetic indices, differences between the distributions depend more upon MC presence or absence than on the type of solar source. Correlation of IMF strength and SW speed differs slightly between FDs caused by AR and non-AR ejections regardless of the presence or absence of an MC, akin to the partial correlation between FD magnitude and IMF strength. Difference between the speeds of disturbed and background SW is larger for FDs associated with AR ejections especially when an MC is registered; the interaction region of different-speed SW streams occurs more frequently in interplanetary disturbances induced by AR ejections.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Smoking Cessation Interventions With Behavioral Support: A Study Based on the Benefits of Smoking Cessation on Outcomes (BENESCO) Model
Authors: Park Sun-Kyeong , Kang Dong-Won , Lee Eui-Kyung
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Few studies have compared cost-effectiveness of different smoking cessation interventions (SCIs) that include behavioral support, considering smoking-related diseases. Therefore, we compare the cost-effectiveness of SCIs with behavioral support in South Korea using the Benefits of Smoking Cessation on Outcomes (BENESCO) model.

Aims and Methods

We used the BENESCO model to estimate the cost and utility of the SCIs with behavioral support, including pharmacist counseling with nicotine replacement therapy (pharmacist+NRT), expert counseling with NRT (expert+NRT), and expert counseling with varenicline (expert+varenicline). The target population was adult smokers who wanted to cease smoking within 1 month. We applied transitional probabilities and epidemiological data from the literature. Medical costs and utilities were calculated using claims and national survey data, respectively. Cost-effectiveness was evaluated within the threshold (17 926 USD per quality-adjusted life years [QALYs]) by incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER).

Results

The model cohort included 1 219 390 male and 298 511 female smokers. The pharmacist+NRT group had 32 842 more QALYs gained and 26 689 958 USD less expended than the expert+NRT group. The ICER for the expert+varenicline group versus the pharmacist+NRT and expert+NRT groups was 27 247 and 4074 USD per QALY, respectively. The robustness of the results was confirmed by sensitivity analyses, except for the discount rate and cost of the expert+varenicline group.

Conclusions

In Korea, pharmacist counseling with NRT showed higher QALY gains and lower costs than expert counseling with NRT. Expert counseling with varenicline was more effective for smoking cessation and more cost-effective than expert counseling with NRT but was not cost-effective compared with pharmacist counseling with NRT.

Implications

This study provides evidence for decision-making on smoking cessation programs by evaluating the cost-effectiveness of SCIs. Furthermore, we attempted to use the BENESCO model to compare and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of SCIs with behavioral support. It is meaningful because this study showed the availability of using the BENESCO model in the future cost-effectiveness analysis of various SCIs.
Interannual consistency of migration phenology is season- and breeding region-specific in North American Golden Eagles
Authors: Maynard Laurie D , Therrien Jean-François , Lemaître Jérôme , Booms Travis , Miller Tricia A , Katzner Todd , Somershoe Scott , Cooper Jeff , Sargent Robert , Lecomte Nicolas
Published: July 2022

Interannual consistency (an indicator of the strength of adjustments) in migration phenology of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) in North America is most strongly associated with the breeding region, the season, and with late-season temperature on breeding and wintering grounds. Consistency was greatest in boreal spring migration and the breeding regions of eastern Canada. Using multi-year GPS tracks of 83 adults breeding in 3 spatially distant regions (Alaska, northeast Canada, and southeast Canada), we quantified the interannual consistency of migration phenology and wintering latitude within and among individuals tracked across multiple years and the repeatability (r) by breeding regions and seasons. By comparing regions and seasons, we found that consistency was highest (r > 0.85) for boreal spring migration in eastern Canada while Alaska had the lowest value (r < 0.15). Because seasonal consistency of migration phenology was only detected in eastern Canada, we conclude that seasonal features are not a primary constraint. While regional differences in consistency were not related to differences in migratory distances, they could be the result of genetic or habitat differences. We also found that temperatures warmer than the decadal average at the region of departure delayed the start of boreal spring migration by ~10 days and advanced boreal autumn migration by ~20 days. These results suggest that warmer temperatures would reduce residence time on breeding grounds, contrary to expectations and trends found in other studies. Wide variations in migratory strategies across a species distribution can add to the list of challenges for conservation but may give migrants the capacity to acclimate to environmental changes.
ANDICAM I- and J-band monitoring of bright inner Galactic late-type stars
Authors: Messineo Maria
Published: July 2022

Time-series photometry in the I and J bands of 57 inner Galactic late-type stars, highly probable red supergiant (RSG) stars, is presented here. 38% of the sample presents significant photometric variations. The variations in the I and J bands appear to be correlated, with ΔI ∝ ΔJ × 2.2, ΔI variations ranging from 0.04–1.08 mag, and ΔJ variations from 0.03–0.52 mag. New short periods (<1000 d) could be estimated for eight stars and range from 167–433 d. This work confirms that the sample is not contaminated by large-amplitude asymptotic giant branch stars. Furthermore, despite the large errors in distance, the period–luminosity diagram suggests that the sample is populating the same sequence as the known Galactic RSGs.
A secreted fungal subtilase interferes with rice immunity via degradation of SUPPRESSOR OF G2 ALLELE OF skp1
Authors: Chen Xiaoyang , Li Xiabing , Duan Yuhang , Pei Zhangxin , Liu Hao , Yin Weixiao , Huang Junbin , Luo Chaoxi , Chen Xiaolin , Li Guotian , Xie Kabin , Hsiang Tom , Zheng Lu
Published: July 2022

Serine protease subtilase, found widely in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes, participates in various biological processes. However, how fungal subtilase regulates plant immunity is a major concern. Here, we identified a secreted fungal subtilase, UvPr1a, from the rice false smut (RFS) fungus Ustilaginoidea virens. We characterized UvPr1a as a virulence effector localized to the plant cytoplasm that inhibits plant cell death induced by Bax. Heterologous expression of UvPr1a in rice (Oryza sativa) enhanced plant susceptibility to rice pathogens. UvPr1a interacted with the important rice protein SUPPRESSOR OF G2 ALLELE OF skp1 (OsSGT1), a positive regulator of innate immunity against multiple rice pathogens, degrading OsSGT1 in a protease activity-dependent manner. Furthermore, host-induced gene silencing of UvPr1a compromised disease resistance of rice plants. Our work reveals a previously uncharacterized fungal virulence strategy in which a fungal pathogen secretes a subtilase to interfere with rice immunity through degradation of OsSGT1, thereby promoting infection. These genetic resources provide tools for introducing RFS resistance and further our understanding of plant–pathogen interactions.
Association between psoriatic disease and lifestyle factors and comorbidities: cross-sectional analysis and Mendelian randomization
Authors: Zhao Sizheng Steven , Bellou Eftychia , Verstappen Suzanne M M , Cook Michael J , Sergeant Jamie C , Warren Richard B , Barton Anne , Bowes John
Published: July 2022

Objectives

To examine associations between PsA and psoriasis vs lifestyle factors and comorbidities by triangulating observational and genetic evidence.

Methods

We analysed cross-sectional data from the UK Biobank (1836 PsA, 8995 psoriasis, 36 000 controls) to describe the association between psoriatic disease and lifestyle factors (including BMI and smoking) and 15 comorbidities [including diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD)] using logistic models adjusted for age, sex and lifestyle factors. We applied bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to genome-wide association data (3609 PsA and 7804 psoriasis cases, up to 1.2 million individuals for lifestyle factors and 757 601 for comorbidities) to examine causal direction, using the inverse-variance weighted method.

Results

BMI was cross-sectionally associated with risk of PsA (OR 1.31 per 5 kg/m2 increase; 95% CI 1.26, 1.37) and psoriasis (OR 1.23; 1.20, 1.26), with consistent MR estimates (PsA OR 1.38; 1.14, 1.67; psoriasis OR 1.36; 1.18, 1.58). In both designs, smoking was more strongly associated with psoriasis than PsA. PsA and psoriasis were cross-sectionally associated with diabetes (OR 1.35 and 1.39, respectively) and CAD (OR 1.56 and 1.38, respective). Genetically predicted glycated haemoglobin (surrogate for diabetes) increased PsA risk (OR 1.18 per 6.7 mmol/mol increase; 1.02, 1.36) but not psoriasis. Genetic liability to PsA (OR 1.05; 1.003, 1.09) and psoriasis (OR 1.03; 1.001, 1.06) were associated with increased risk of CAD.

Conclusion

Observational and genetic evidence converge to suggest that BMI and glycaemic control are associated with increased psoriatic disease risk, while psoriatic disease is associated with increased CAD risk. Further research is needed to understand the mechanism of these associations.
Macrophages as determinants and regulators of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Al-Adwi Yehya , Westra Johanna , van Goor Harry , Burgess Janette K , Denton Christopher P , Mulder Douwe J
Published: July 2022

SSc is a multiphase autoimmune disease with a well-known triad of clinical manifestations including vasculopathy, inflammation and fibrosis. Although a plethora of drugs has been suggested as potential candidates to halt SSc progression, nothing has proven clinically efficient. In SSc, both innate and adaptive immune systems are abnormally activated fuelling fibrosis of the skin and other vital organs. Macrophages have been implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc and are thought to be a major source of immune dysregulation. Due to their plasticity, macrophages can initiate and sustain chronic inflammation when classically activated while, simultaneously or parallelly, when alternatively activated they are also capable of secreting fibrotic factors. Here, we briefly explain the polarization process of macrophages. Subsequently, we link the activation of macrophages and monocytes to the molecular pathology of SSc, and illustrate the interplay between macrophages and fibroblasts. Finally, we present recent/near-future clinical trials and discuss novel targets related to macrophages/monocytes activation in SSc.
The Privilege to Work: Syrian Refugees in Jordan, Technical and Vocational Education Training, and the Remote Work Loophole
Authors: Bastaki Jinan , Charles Lorraine
Published: July 2022

Jordan is the second biggest host of Syrian refugees per capita in the world, yet, initially, refugees were not given the legal right to work. Investment in Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) was seen as a way to equip refugees and host communities to find employment, and with the 2016 Jordan Compact, a formal pathway for employment was created for Syrians refugees in Jordan. It appears that, despite some avenues for formal work and the significant investment in TVET programmes, many refugees still prefer to work in the informal sector. Through interviews with TVET providers in Jordan, this article assesses the role of TVET and explores the reasons for the preference for informal work among Syrian refugees in Jordan. The research shows that the most successful TVET programmes include digital skills training, as this enables refugees to work remotely, and informally, circumventing local laws that limit their participation in the local labour market. Yet, while digital skills appear to be the most promising in terms of actually helping refugees acquire work, there are still significant challenges.