bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In search of female sterility causes in the tetraploid and pentaploid cytotype of Pilosella brzovecensis (Asteraceae)
Authors: Janas Agnieszka Barbara , Szeląg Zbigniew , Musiał Krystyna 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWithin the agamic Pilosella complex, apomixis (asexual reproduction through seed) involves apospory, parthenogenesis, and autonomous endosperm development. Observations of reproductive biology in P. brzovecensis throughout four growing seasons in the garden have shown that both tetraploid and pentaploid plants of this species do not produce viable seeds and reproduce exclusively vegetatively by underground stolons. The reasons for the seed development failure were unknown, therefore our research focused on the analysis of reproductive events in the ovules of this taxon. We found that apospory was initiated in the ovules of both cytotypes. Multiple aposporous initial (AI) cells differentiated in close proximity to the megaspore mother cell (MMC) and suppressed megasporogenesis at the stage of early prophase I. However, none of the AI cells was able to further develop into a multi-nucleate aposporous embryo sac (AES) due to the inhibition of mitotic divisions. It was unusual that callose was accumulated in the walls of AI cells and its synthesis was most likely associated with a response to the dysfunction of these cells. Callose is regarded as the isolating factor and its surprising deposition in the ovules of P. brzovecensis may signal disruption of reproductive processes that cause premature termination of the aposporous development pathway and ultimately lead to ovule sterility. The results of our embryological analysis may be the basis for undertaking advanced molecular studies aimed at fully understanding of the causes of female sterility in P. brzovecensis.
Universal Tensor Categories Generated by Dual Pairs
Authors: Chirvasitu Alexandru , Penkov Ivan 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLet$$V_*\otimes V\rightarrow {\mathbb {C}}$$V∗⊗V→Cbe a non-degenerate pairing of countable-dimensional complex vector spacesVand$$V_*$$V∗. The Mackey Lie algebra$${\mathfrak {g}}=\mathfrak {gl}^M(V,V_*)$$g=glM(V,V∗)corresponding to this pairing consists of all endomorphisms$$\varphi $$φofVfor which the space$$V_*$$V∗is stable under the dual endomorphism$$\varphi ^*: V^*\rightarrow V^*$$φ∗:V∗→V∗. We study the tensor Grothendieck category$${\mathbb {T}}$$Tgenerated by the$${\mathfrak {g}}$$g-modulesV,$$V_*$$V∗and their algebraic duals$$V^*$$V∗and$$V^*_*$$V∗∗. The category$${{\mathbb {T}}}$$Tis an analogue of categories considered in prior literature, the main difference being that the trivial module$${\mathbb {C}}$$Cis no longer injective in$${\mathbb {T}}$$T. We describe the injective hullIof$${\mathbb {C}}$$Cin$${\mathbb {T}}$$T, and show that the category$${\mathbb {T}}$$Tis Koszul. In addition, we prove thatIis endowed with a natural structure of commutative algebra. We then define another category$$_I{\mathbb {T}}$$ITof objects in$${\mathbb {T}}$$Twhich are free asI-modules. Our main result is that the category$${}_I{\mathbb {T}}$$ITis also Koszul, and moreover that$${}_I{\mathbb {T}}$$ITis universal among abelian$${\mathbb {C}}$$C-linear tensor categories generated by two objectsX,Ywith fixed subobjects$$X'\hookrightarrow X$$X′↪X,$$Y'\hookrightarrow Y$$Y′↪Yand a pairing$$X\otimes Y\rightarrow {\mathbf{1 }}$$X⊗Y→1where1is the monoidal unit. We conclude the paper by discussing the orthogonal and symplectic analogues of the categories$${\mathbb {T}}$$Tand$${}_I{\mathbb {T}}$$IT.
Ca2+ overload- and ROS-associated mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to δ-tocotrienol-mediated paraptosis in melanoma cells
Authors: Raimondi Michela , Fontana Fabrizio , Marzagalli Monica , Audano Matteo , Beretta Giangiacomo , Procacci Patrizia , Sartori Patrizia , Mitro Nico , Limonta Patrizia 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive tumor with still poor therapy outcomes. δ-tocotrienol (δ-TT) is a vitamin E derivative displaying potent anti-cancer properties. Previously, we demonstrated that δ-TT triggers apoptosis in human melanoma cells. Here, we investigated whether it might also activate paraptosis, a non-canonical programmed cell death. In accordance with the main paraptotic features, δ-TT was shown to promote cytoplasmic vacuolization, associated with endoplasmic reticulum/mitochondrial dilation and protein synthesis, as well as MAPK activation in A375 and BLM cell lines. Moreover, treated cells exhibited a significant reduced expression of OXPHOS complex I and a marked decrease in oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential, culminating in decreased ATP synthesis and AMPK phosphorylation. This mitochondrial dysfunction resulted in ROS overproduction, found to be responsible for paraptosis induction. Additionally, δ-TT caused Ca2+ homeostasis disruption, with endoplasmic reticulum-derived ions accumulating in mitochondria and activating the paraptotic signaling. Interestingly, by using both IP3R and VDAC inhibitors, a close cause-effect relationship between mitochondrial Ca2+ overload and ROS generation was evidenced. Collectively, these results provide novel insights into δ-TT anti-melanoma activity, highlighting its ability to induce mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated paraptosis.

Graphic Abstract
δ-tocotrienol induces paraptotic cell death in human melanoma cells, causing endoplasmic reticulum dilation and mitochondrial swelling. These alterations induce an impairment of mitochondrial function, ROS production and calcium overload.
Implementing Brazil’s Forest Code: a vital contribution to securing forests and conserving biodiversity
Authors: Brock Rebecca Catherine , Arnell Andy , Simonson Will , Soterroni Aline C. , Mosnier Aline , Ramos Fernando , Ywata de Carvalho Alexandre Xavier , Camara Gilberto , Pirker Johannes , Obersteiner Michael , Kapos Valerie 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMeeting Brazil’s ambitious national commitments on both climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation depends on securing its reserves of forest carbon and biodiversity. Brazil’s ‘Forest Code’ is a key tool to reconcile environmental preservation and agricultural production; it limits deforestation and requires forest restoration in illegally deforested areas. However, not all provisions of the law’s 2012 revision have yet been implemented and some are facing new challenges. Using modelled land use change projections for the whole of the country, we show that full implementation and enforcement of the law has the potential to contribute to conserving biodiversity. Biodiversity outcomes will be especially positive if (i) deforested areas are restored in ways that support recolonization by native species and (ii) additional measures are implemented to protect native vegetation in areas like Caatinga dry forests and Cerrado savannas, which may experience added pressure displaced from other regions by Forest Code implementation.
Posthuman Affirmative Business Ethics: Reimagining Human–Animal Relations Through Speculative Fiction
Authors: Sayers Janet , Martin Lydia , Bell Emma 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPosthuman affirmative ethics relies upon a fluid, nomadic conception of the ethical subject who develops affective, material and immaterial connections to multiple others. Our purpose in this paper is to consider what posthuman affirmative business ethics would look like, and to reflect on the shift in thinking and practice this would involve. The need for a revised understanding of human–animal relations in business ethics is amplified by crises such as climate change and pandemics that are related to ecologically destructive business practices such as factory farming. In this analysis, we use feminist speculative fiction as a resource for reimagination and posthuman ethical thinking. By focusing on three ethical movements experienced by a central character named Toby in Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, we show how she is continually becoming through affective, embodied encounters with human and nonhuman others. In the discussion, we consider the vulnerability that arises from openness to affect which engenders heightened response-ability to and with, rather than for, multiple others. This expanded concept of subjectivity enables a more relational understanding of equality that is urgently needed in order to respond affirmatively to posthuman futures.
A High-Fat Diet Increases Activation of the Glucagon-Like Peptide-1-Producing Neurons in the Nucleus Tractus Solitarii: an Effect that is Partially Reversed by Drugs Normalizing Glycemia
Authors: Lietzau Grazyna , Ntika Stelia , Pintana Hiranya , Tracy Linda , Klein Thomas , Nyström Thomas , Darsalia Vladimer , Patrone Cesare , Krizhanovskii Camilla 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGlucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is a peripheral incretin and centrally active peptide produced in the intestine and nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS), respectively. GLP-1 not only regulates metabolism but also improves cognition and is neuroprotective. While intestinal GLP-1-producing cells have been well characterized, less is known about GLP-1-producing neurons in NTS. We hypothesized that obesity-induced type 2 diabetes (T2D) impairs the function of NTS GLP-1-producing neurons and glycemia normalization counteracts this effect. We used immunohistochemistry/quantitative microscopy to investigate the number, potential atrophy, and activation (cFos-expression based) of NTS GLP-1-producing neurons, in non-diabetic versus obese/T2D mice (after 12 months of high-fat diet). NTS neuroinflammation was also assessed. The same parameters were quantified in obese/T2D mice treated from month 9 to 12 with two unrelated anti-hyperglycemic drugs: the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor linagliptin and the sulfonylurea glimepiride. We show no effect of T2D on the number and volume but increased activation of NTS GLP-1-producing neurons. This effect was partially normalized by both anti-diabetic treatments, concurrent with decreased neuroinflammation. Increased activation of NTS GLP-1-producing neurons could represent an aberrant metabolic demand in T2D/obesity, attenuated by glycemia normalization. Whether this effect represents a pathophysiological process preceding GLP-1 signaling impairment in the CNS, remains to be investigated.
Synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism in arsenic (+3) methyltransferase of the Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and its gene expression among field populations
Authors: Park Daesik , Propper Catherine R. , Wang Guangning , Salanga Matthew C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNaturally occurring arsenic is toxic at extremely low concentrations, yet some species persist even in high arsenic environments. We wanted to test if these species show evidence of evolution associated with arsenic exposure. To do this, we compared allelic variation across 872 coding nucleotides of arsenic (+3) methyltransferase (as3mt) and whole fish as3mt gene expression from three field populations of Gambusia affinis, from water sources containing low (1.9 ppb), medium-low (3.3 ppb), and high (15.7 ppb) levels of arsenic. The high arsenic site exceeds the US EPA’s Maximum Contamination Level for drinking water. Medium-low and high populations exhibited homozygosity, and no sequence variation across all animals sampled. Eleven of 24 fish examined (45.8%) in the low arsenic population harbored synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exons 4 and/or 10. SNP presence in the low arsenic population was not associated with differences in as3mt transcript levels compared to fish from the medium-low site, where SNPs were noted; however, as3mt expression in fish from the high arsenic concentration site was significantly lower than the other two sites. Low sequence variation in fish populations from sites with medium-low and high arsenic concentrations suggests greater selective pressure on this allele, while higher variation in the low population suggests a relaxed selection. Our results suggest gene regulation associated with arsenic detoxification may play a more crucial role in influencing responses to arsenic than polymorphic gene sequence. Understanding microevolutionary processes to various contaminants require the evaluation of multiple populations across a wide range of pollution exposures.
Socio-cognitive constraints and opportunities for sustainable intensification in South Asia: insights from fuzzy cognitive mapping in coastal Bangladesh
Authors: Aravindakshan Sreejith , Krupnik Timothy J. , Shahrin Sumona , Tittonell Pablo , Siddique Kadambot H. M. , Ditzler Lenora , Groot Jeroen C. J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAppreciating and dealing with the plurality of farmers’ perceptions and their contextual knowledge and perspectives of the functioning and performance of their agroecosystems—in other words, their ‘mental models’—is central for appropriate and sustainable agricultural development. In this respect, the sustainable development goals (SDGs) aim to eradicate poverty and food insecurity by 2030 by envisioning social inclusivity that incorporates the preferences and knowledge of key stakeholders, including farmers. Agricultural development interventions and policies directed at sustainable intensification (SI), however, do not sufficiently account for farmers’ perceptions, beliefs, priorities, or interests. Considering two contrasting agroecological systems in coastal Bangladesh, we used a fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM)-based simulation and sensitivity analysis of mental models of respondents of different farm types from 240 farm households. The employed FCM mental models were able to (1) capture farmers’ perception of farming system concepts and relationships for each farm type and (2) assess the impact of external interventions (drivers) on cropping intensification and food security. We decomposed the FCM models’ variance into the first-order sensitivity index (SVI) and total sensitivity index (TSI) using a winding stairs algorithm. Both within and outside polder areas, the highest TSIs (35–68%) were observed for effects of agricultural extension on changes in other concepts in the map, particularly food security and income (SI indicators), indicating the importance of extension programs for SI. Outside polders, drainage and micro-credit were also influential; within polders, the availability of micro-credit appears to affect farmer perceptions of SI indicators more than drainage. This study demonstrated the importance of reflection on the differing perspectives of farmers both within and outside polders to identify entry points for development interventions. In addition, the study underscores the need for micro-farming systems-level research to assess the context-based feasibility of introduced interventions as perceived by farmers of different farm types.
Recovery agenda for sustainable development post COVID-19 at the country level: developing a fuzzy action priority surface
Authors: Ranjbari Meisam , Shams Esfandabadi Zahra , Scagnelli Simone Domenico , Siebers Peer-Olaf , Quatraro Francesco 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs a response to the urgent call for recovery actions against the COVID-19 crisis, this research aims to identify action priority areas post COVID-19 toward achieving the targets of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development launched by the United Nations (UN). This paper applies a mixed-method approach to map the post-COVID-19 SDGs targets on a fuzzy action priority surface at the country level in Iran, as a developing country, by taking the following four main steps: (1) using a modified Delphi method to make a list of the SDGs targets influenced by COVID-19; (2) using the best–worst method, as a multi-criteria decision-making tool, to weight the COVID-19 effects on the SDGs targets achievement; also (3) to weight the impact of the SDGs targets on the sustainable development implementation; and finally (4) designing a fuzzy inference system to calculate the action priority scores of the SDGs targets. As a result, reduction of poor people proportion by half (SDG 1.2), development-oriented policies for supporting creativity and job creation (SDG 8.3), end the pandemics and other epidemics (SDG 3.3), reduction of deaths and economic loss caused by disasters (SDG 11.5), and financial support for small-scale enterprises (SDG 9.3) were identified as the highest priorities for action, respectively, in the recovery agenda for sustainable development post COVID-19. The provided fuzzy action priority surface supports the UN’s SDGs achievement and implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Iran. It also serves as a guideline to help the government, stakeholders, and policy-makers better analyze the long-term effects of the pandemic on the SDGs and their associated targets and mitigate its adverse economic, social, and environmental consequences.
Graphical abstract
Constitutional 2p16.3 deletion including MSH6 and FBXO11 in a boy with developmental delay and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: van Engelen N. , van Dijk F. , Waanders E. , Buijs A. , Vermeulen M. A. , Loeffen J. L. C. , Kuiper R. P. , Jongmans M. C. J. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe describe a case of a boy with neurodevelopmental delay and a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in whom we discovered a germline de novo 2p16.3 deletion including MSH6 and part of the FBXO11 gene. A causative role for MSH6 in cancer development was excluded based on tumor characteristics. The constitutional FBXO11 deletion explains the neurodevelopmental delay in the patient. The FBXO11 protein is involved in BCL-6 ubiquitination and BCL-6 is required for the germinal center reaction resulting in B cell differentiation. Somatic loss of function alterations of FBXO11 result in BCL-6 overexpression which is a known driver in DLBCL. We therefore consider that a causative relationship between the germline FBXO11 deletion and the development of DLBCL in this boy is conceivable.
Relational Analysis of the Frauchiger–Renner Paradox and Interaction-Free Detection of Records from the Past
Authors: Waaijer Marijn , Neerven Jan van 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe present an analysis of the Frauchiger–Renner Gedankenexperiment from the point of view of the relational interpretation of quantum mechanics. Our analysis shows that the paradox obtained by Frauchiger and Renner disappears if one rejects promoting one agent’s certainty to another agent’s certainty when it cannot be validated by records from the past. A by-product of our analysis is an interaction-free detection scheme for the existence of such records.
Verb movement and the lack of verb-doubling VP-topicalization in Germanic
Authors: Hein Johannes 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn the absence of a stranded auxiliary or modal, VP-topicalization in most Germanic languages gives rise to the presence of a dummy verb meaning ‘do’. Cross-linguistically, this is a rather uncommon strategy as comparable VP-fronting constructions in other languages, e.g. Hebrew, Polish, and Portuguese, among many others, exhibit verb doubling. A comparison of several recent approaches to verb doubling in VP-fronting reveals that it is the consequence of VP-evacuating head movement of the verb to some higher functional head, which saves the (low copy of the) verb from undergoing copy deletion as part of the low VP copy in the VP-topicalization dependency. Given that almost all Germanic languages have such V-salvaging head movement, namely V-to-C movement, but do not show verb doubling, this paper suggests that V-raising is exceptionally impossible in VP-topicalization clauses and addresses the question of why it is blocked. After discussing and rejecting some conceivable explanations for the lack of verb doubling, I propose that the blocking effect arises from a bleeding interaction between V-to-C movement and VP-to-SpecCP movement. As both operations are triggered by the same head, i.e. C, the VP is always encountered first by a downward search algorithm. Movement of VP then freezes it and its lower copies for subextraction precluding subsequent V-raising. Crucially, this implies that there is no V-to-T raising in most Germanic languages. V2 languages with V-to-T raising, e.g. Yiddish, are correctly predicted to not exhibit the blocking effect.
Integrating landscape ecology into landscape practice in Central African Rainforests
Authors: Walters G. , Sayer J. , Boedhihartono A. K. , Endamana D. , Angu Angu K. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Context
We describe how large landscape-scale conservation initiatives involving local communities, NGOs and resource managers have engaged with landscape scientists with the goal of achieving landscape sustainability. We focus on two landscapes where local people, practitioners and landscape ecologists have co-produced knowledge to design conservation interventions.

Objective
We seek to understand how landscape ecology can engage with practical landscape management to contribute to managing landscapes sustainably.

Methods
We focus on two large tropical landscapes: the Sangha Tri-National landscape (Cameroon, Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic) and the Batéké-Léfini Landscape (Gabon and Republic of Congo). We evaluate (1) a participatory method used in the Sangha Tri-National landscape that embeds interdisciplinary researchers and practitioners within a landscape to apply transdisciplinary learning to landscape conservation and (2) a participatory landscape zoning method where interdisciplinary teams of conservation practitioners analyse local land and resource use in the Batéké-Léfini landscape.

Results
We find that landscape ecology’s tradition of understanding the historical context of resource use can inform landscape conservation practice and natural resource mapping. We also find that the Sangha Group provides an example for landscape ecology on how to integrate local people and their knowledge to better understand and influence landscape processes.

Conclusions
Place-based engagement as well as the uptake of co-produced knowledge by policy makers are key in enabling sustainable landscapes. Success occurs when researchers, local communities and resource managers engage directly with landscape processes.
Pathogen infection influences a distinct microbial community composition in sorghum RILs
Authors: Masenya K. , Thompson G. D. , Tekere M. , Makhalanyane T. P. , Pierneef R. E. , Rees D. J. G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAimsThe rhizosphere microbiome substantially affects plant health, yet comparatively little is known regarding the foliar community dynamics. Here, we examine the relationship between the microbiota and their response to natural infection by pathogens.MethodsWe established an experimental system using a set of sorghum recombinant inbred lines (RILS). These RILS included four models denoted as resistant, moderately resistant, susceptible and highly susceptible. A combination of 16S rRNA and ITS gene amplicon approaches was used to assess bacteria and fungi, respectively, in foliar samples.ResultsWe show that the foliar microbiome differs substantially in asymptomatic and symptomatic RILs subsequent to natural infection by pathogens. A significant association was found between plant health and microbial community structure. Our analyses revealed several distinct fungal and bacterial pathogens. These pathogens includedGibberellaandPantoeagenera, which were associated with the highly susceptible group. In addition to these pathogens, we also found signatures forAscochyta, a known plant pathogenic genus. Members of the bacterial genusMethylorubrumand the fungal genusHannaella,both known to exhibit plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, were associated with the resistant and moderately resistant groups. These data also reveal numerous highly diverse fungal and bacterial taxa in RILs that did not show symptoms. We also found taxonomic differences between the microbiota hosted by the symptomatic and asymptomatic RILs.ConclusionsTogether, these data suggest that pathogen infection may result in distinct microbiota. These results suggest that highly diverse microbiome may promote the plants ability to resist the effects of pathogens potentially contributing to plant health.