bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gratian and His Book: How a Medieval Teacher Changed European Law and Religion
Authors: Winroth Anders 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Gratian of Bologna, later bishop of Chiusi (died c. 1145), was a remarkably influential lawyer, who is undeservedly little known today. He was a legal expert who specialized in the rules and regulations of the Western Christian church. In around 1140, he put together a law book known as the Decretum, which became a great success, remaining foundational for medieval and modern law. The article focuses on three legal areas: tithes, marriage, and natural law. It discusses how Gratian used scholastic methods and classroom exercises to come to grips with the many contradictions that existed in the more than ten centuries of law that he strove to collect and synthesize. It highlights how Gratian’s innovations in marriage law, natural law, and procedural law still influence modern law. Gratian left Bologna before he had finished the course, and the article reflects on the differences in his later fate and that of his book.
Interannual climate variation influences nest initiation date and nest productivity of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker at the northwestern edge of its range
Authors: Fullerton Matthew R , Walters Jeffrey R , Will Rodney E , Loss Scott R 
Published: March 2021

AbstractClimate change, including directional shifts in weather averages and extremes and increased interannual weather variation, is influencing demography and distributions for many bird species. The Ouachita Mountains ecoregion in southeast Oklahoma and west-central Arkansas contains 2 populations of the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis, RCW), a federally endangered, cooperatively breeding species. Since this region is at the RCW’s northwestern range periphery, ecological thresholds likely are limiting for the species. Therefore, populations in this region may be more sensitive to climate change-associated weather variation and unpredictability. We used 26 years of nesting data (1991–2016) from the 2 RCW populations to determine if interannual weather variation has affected nesting phenology and productivity. For each population, we used daily temperature and precipitation data for 3 periods (30 and 60 days before nesting; 40 days overlapping the nesting period) to determine how weather influences median nesting date and average clutch size and numbers of fledglings. In a separate analysis, we used shorter time windows with individual nests as replicates to determine how discrete weather events (e.g., minimum and maximum temperatures and intense precipitation events) affect nest success and partial brood loss. For both Oklahoma and Arkansas populations, warmer early spring temperatures generally advanced nesting and increased clutch size and fledgling number. However, the effects of average precipitation varied depending on the amount and duration of precipitation in different time periods. At the nest level, most variables reflecting discrete temperature and precipitation events were unrelated to nest success and brood loss, suggesting that factors other than weather (e.g., habitat quality and predation) more strongly influenced the nesting output of individual RCW broods. Our results indicate RCWs are responding to interannual weather variation in complex and variable ways. However, warming trends may generally be having positive effects on the species at the northwestern edge of its range.
Climate variation drives dynamics and productivity of a subalpine breeding bird community
Authors: DeSante David F , Saracco James F 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Effects of global climate change on local climate and dynamics of animal populations can be extreme at high latitudes and high elevation. Here, we investigated climate variation and its effects on the diversity and dynamics of a subalpine bird community in California’s Sierra Nevada over 32 years (1978–2009). For the first 16 years, we also assessed the effects of climate on fledging timing, fledging success, and fledgling numbers. We considered 4 climate variables: snowmelt timing, spring mean temperature, summer minimum temperature, and summer precipitation. Climate metrics were highly variable among years and exhibited evidence of temporal pattern. Cooler years with late-melting snowpack were less common in later years, and summer temperature increased, while summer precipitation tended to decrease, over the study period. Years of early snowmelt were associated with higher species richness, more breeding territories, population increases, earlier fledging, and fewer fledglings/successful breeding territory. After accounting for snowmelt timing, spring temperature was positively associated with population change and, although variable among species, negatively associated with fledging date and productivity metrics. Summers with higher minimum temperatures were associated with higher fledging success and (although variable among species) more fledglings. Three species showed evidence of population trend: Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata; increasing), Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana; declining), and Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina; declining). We suggest that enhanced diversity and population growth in mild springs were driven primarily by the recruitment of young first-time breeders, which may also help explain lower productivity in those years. Spring and summer temperatures may have also affected productivity through effects on predator activity or on dynamics of moisture, vegetation, and food availability. Finally, summer precipitation was largely accumulated through summer storms, which were observed to cause occasional deaths to eggs and nestlings. Our results highlight the value of long-term single-site multispecies data in understanding population and community dynamics at an environmental extreme with high annual variability.
The Polarization of Legislative Party Votes: Comparative Illustrations from Denmark and Portugal
Authors: Christiansen Flemming Juul 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
This article introduces and demonstrate the use of a ‘legislative polarisation index’. This extends a current measure of party system polarisation, as developed by Dalton (2008), and makes it possible to include legislative behaviour in the form of roll call votes into the assessment of polarisation. The article selects Denmark and Portugal to illustrate how the index works. The cases show that increased fragmentation and increased polarisation of the party system may become more moderate when parties on the political extremes become included in the legislative process.
Secularism and American Political Behavior
Authors: Layman Geoffrey C , Campbell David E , Green John C , Sumaktoyo Nathanael Gratias 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The recent growth of the secular population in the United States has implications for American politics. However, our understanding of these implications has been hindered by oversimplified concepts and measures that equate secularism with non-religion. We separate the two concepts, distinguishing “non-religiosity,” or the absence of religion, from “secularism,” or a positive embrace of secular beliefs and identities. Using original national-sample cross-sectional and panel surveys, we introduce new measures of secularism, evaluate their properties, and assess their connection to political attitudes and behavior. We find a clear distinction between secularism and non-religiosity in the American public and show that secularism is more closely related than non-religiosity to political attitudes, identifications, and engagement. In fact, while secularism is related to changes over time in political orientations, non-religiosity is not.
Years of life lost associated with COVID-19 deaths in the USA during the first year of the pandemic
Authors: Quast Troy , Andel Ross , Gregory Sean , Storch Eric A 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Background
Years of Life Lost (YLLs) measure the shortfall in life expectancy due to a medical condition and have been used in multiple contexts. Previously it was estimated that there were 1.2 million YLLs associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) deaths in the USA through 11 July 2020. The aim of this study is to update YLL estimates for the first full year of the pandemic.

Methods
We employed data regarding COVID-19 deaths in the USA through 31 January 2021 by jurisdiction, gender and age group. We used actuarial life expectancy tables by gender and age to estimate YLLs.

Results
We estimated roughly 3.9 million YLLs due to COVID-19 deaths, which correspond to roughly 9.2 YLLs per death. We observed a large range across states in YLLs per 10 000 capita, with New York City at 298 and Vermont at 12. Nationally, the YLLs per 10 000 capita were greater for males than females (136.3 versus 102.3), but there was significant variation in the differences across states.

Conclusions
Our estimates provide further insight into the mortality effects of COVID-19. The observed differences across states and genders demonstrate the need for disaggregated analyses of the pandemic’s effects.
Infinite-Dimensional Degree Theory and Ramer’S Finite Co-Dimensional Differential Forms
Authors: Elworthy K. D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractInfinite-dimensional degree theory, especially for Fredholm maps with positive index as developed with Tromba, is combined with Ramer’s unpublished thesis work on finite co-dimensional differential forms. As an illustrative example, the approach of Nicolaescu and Savale to the Gauss–Bonnet–Chern theorem for vector bundles is reworked in this framework. Other examples mentioned are Kokarev and Kuksin’s approach to periodic differential equations and to forced harmonic maps. A discussion about how such forms and their constructions and cohomology relate to constructions for diffusion measures on path and loop spaces is also included.
How far does an emphasis on stakeholder engagement and co-production in research present a threat to academic identity and autonomy? A prospective study across five European countries
Authors: Boaz Annette , Borst Robert , Kok Maarten , O’Shea Alison 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
There is a growing recognition that needs more to be done to ensure that research contributes to better health services and patient outcomes. Stakeholder engagement in research, including co-production, has been identified as a promising mechanism for improving the value, relevance and utilization of research. This article presents findings from a prospective study which explored the impact of stakeholder engagement in a 3-year European tobacco control research project. That research project aimed to engage stakeholders in the development, testing and dissemination of a return-on-investment tool across five EU countries (the Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, Germany and the UK). The prospective study comprised interviews, observations and document review. The analysis focused on the extent to which the project team recognized, conceptualized and operationalized stakeholder engagement over the course of the research project. Stakeholder engagement in the European research project was conceptualized as a key feature of pre-designated spaces within their work programme. Over the course of the project, however, the tool development work and stakeholder engagement activities decoupled. While the modelling and tool development became more secluded, stakeholder engagement activities subtly transformed from co-production, to consultation, to something more recognizable as research participation. The contribution of this article is not to argue against the potential contribution of stakeholder engagement and co-production, but to show how even well-planned engagement activities can be diverted within the existing research funding and research production systems where non-research stakeholders remain at the margins and can even be seen as a threat to academic identify and autonomy.
Are Women Discriminated Against in Countries with Extensive Family Policies? A Piece of the “Welfare State Paradox” Puzzle from Sweden
Authors: Bygren Magnus , Gähler Michael 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
A common assumption in comparative family policy studies is that employers statistically discriminate against women in countries with dual-earner family policy models. The empirical evidence cited in support of this assumption has exclusively been observational data, which should not be relied on to identify employer discrimination. In contrast, we investigate whether employers discriminate against women in Sweden—frequently viewed as epitomizing the dual-earner family policy model—using field experiment data. We find no evidence supporting the notion that Swedish employers statistically discriminate against women.
Insights into Detoxification of Tolaasins, the Toxins Behind Mushroom Bacterial Blotch, by Microbacterium foliorum NBRC 103072T
Authors: Tomita Shun , Kajikawa Akinobu , Igimi Shizunobu , Shinohara Hirosuke , Yokota Kenji 
Published: March 2021

Tolaasins are lipodepsipeptides secreted by Pseudomonas tolaasii, the causal agent of brown blotch disease of mushroom, and are the toxins that cause the brown spots. We previously reported that Microbacterium foliorum NBRC 103072T is an effective tolaasin-detoxifying bacterium. In this study, we aimed to characterize the tolaasin-detoxification process of M. foliorum NBRC 103072T. The tolaasin detoxification by M. foliorum NBRC 103072T was carried out by hydrolyzation of tolaasins at two specific sites in the peptide moiety of tolaasins by its cells, and the resulting fragments were released from bacterial cells. The tolaasin-hydrolyzing activity can be extracted by a neutral detergent solution from M. foliorum NBRC 103072T cells. Moreover, tolaasin adsorption to the bacterial cells occurred prior to hydrolyzation of tolaasins, which might contribute to the effective tolaasin detoxification by M. foliorum NBRC 103072T. It is notable that the tolaasin-degradation process by M. foliorum NBRC 103072T is carried out by hydrolyzation at specific sites in the peptide moiety of lipopeptide by bacterial cells as a novel biological degradation process of cyclic lipopeptides. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Self-Reported Risk Factors for Financial Distress and Attitudes Regarding Cost Discussions in Cancer Care: A Single-Institution Cross-Sectional Pilot Study of Breast Reconstruction Recipients
Authors: Asaad Malke , Bailey Chad , Boukovalas Stefanos , Liu Jun , Clemens Mark W. , Selber Jesse , Butler Charles E. , Offodile Anaeze C. 
Published: March 2021

Background:
High treatment costs associated with breast cancer are a substantial burden to patients and society. Despite mounting awareness, patient perspectives about the value of cost discussions in breast reconstruction and risk factors for financial distress are unknown.

Methods:
The authors performed a single-institution, cross-sectional survey of all women who underwent breast reconstruction following mastectomy or lumpectomy for breast cancer or risk reduction. Questions were derived from previously published survey items, and the authors leveraged regression analysis to identify patient-level risk factors for major financial distress.

Results:
A total of 647 of 2293 patients returned the survey questionnaires (28.2 percent response rate). From the 647 respondents, 399 (62 percent) underwent breast reconstruction, and of these, 140 (35 percent) reported that total treatment expenses were higher than expected. One hundred twenty-nine breast reconstruction patients (32 percent) paid over $5000 in out-of-pocket costs. Two hundred eighty-four (71 percent) felt that surgeons should explain the estimated out-of-pocket costs when choosing a type of breast reconstruction and 205 (51 percent) believed that a financial consultation should be scheduled with every new cancer diagnosis. However, only 52 patients (13 percent) reported having had cost discussions with the treatment team. The incidence of major financial distress was n = 70 (18 percent), and following regression analysis, higher credit score and annual income were associated with a 66 percent and 69 percent risk reduction, respectively.

Conclusions:
Recipients of breast reconstruction demonstrate unanticipated and unplanned financial strain related to out-of-pocket expenses and believe that cost-consciousness should impact treatment decisions. Lower income and credit score are associated with financial distress. Cost discussions may optimize decision-making in preference sensitive conditions.
The new SARS-CoV-2 variant and reinfection in the resurgence of COVID-19 outbreaks in Manaus, Brazil
Authors: He Daihai , Fan Guihong , Wang Xueying , Li Yingke , Peng Zhihang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractManaus, a city of 2.2 million population, the capital of Amazonas state of Brazil was hit badly by two waves of COVID-19 with more than 10,000 severe acute respiratory syndrome deaths by the end of February 2021. It was estimated that the first wave infected over three quarters of the population in Manaus based on routine blood donor data, and the second wave was largely due to reinfection with a new variant named P1 strain. In this work, we revisit these claims, and discuss biological constraints. In particular, we model the two waves with a two-strain model without a significant proportion of reinfections.
On the association between SARS-COV-2 variants and COVID-19 mortality during the second wave of the pandemic in Europe
Authors: Jabłońska Katarzyna , Aballéa Samuel , Auquier Pascal , Toumi Mondher 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDPreliminary clinical evidence suggests an increased COVID-19 mortality associated with the variant of concern 20I/501Y.V1. The evidence outside the UK and a real-world comparison of variants spread and mortality is sparse. This study aims at investigating the association between COVID-19 mortality and SARS-COV-2 variants spread during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.METHODSFor 38 European countries, publicly available data were collected on numbers of COVID-19 deaths, SARS-COV-2 variants spread through time using Nextstrain classification and countries’ demographic and health characteristics. The cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths and the height of COVID-19 daily deaths peak during the second wave of the pandemic were considered as outcomes. Pearson correlations and multivariate generalized linear models with selection algorithms were used.FINDINGSThe average proportion of 20I/501Y.V1 variant (B.1.1.7) was found to be a significant predictor of cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths within two months before the deaths peak and between 1 January – 25 February 2021, as well as of the deaths’ peak height when calculating the proportion during the second wave and the pre-peak period. The average proportion of 20A.EU2 variant (S:477N) was a significant predictor of cumulative COVID-19 deaths in the pre-peak period.INTERPRETATIONOur findings suggest that the spread of a new variant of concern 20I/501Y.V1 had a significant impact on the mortality during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and that proportions of 20A.EU2 and 20I/501Y.V1 variants were associated with increased mortality in the initial phase of that wave.Research in contextEvidence before this studyEmerging evidence suggests that the new variant of concern 20I/501Y.V1 (B.1.1.7) may be associated with an increased risk of death. The 20A.EU2 variant (S:447N), observed firstly in July 2020 in western Europe, was found to be capable of increasing SARS-COV-2 infectivity. The evidence outside the UK is still sparse, same as a real-world comparison of distinct variants spread and mortality through time.Added value of this studyIn this study we investigated whether the change of the proportion of any SARS-COV-2 variant, including 20I/501Y.V1 and 11 other variants identified by Nextstrain up to 25 February 2021, has an association with COVID-19 cumulative mortality or with the height of the second wave COVID-19 mortality peak.Implications of all the available evidenceOur findings shed light on the causes of the increased COVID-19 mortality during the second wave of the pandemic in Europe. It shows the need for early containment strategies when the variant 20I/501Y.V1 emerges. These findings also support the need for systematic SARS-CoV-2 regular genome sequencing to control the COVID-19 pandemic.
Genetic analysis of blood molecular phenotypes reveals regulatory networks affecting complex traits: a DIRECT study
Authors: Viñuela Ana , Brown Andrew A. , Fernandez Juan , Hong Mun-Gwan , Brorsson Caroline A. , Koivula Robert W. , Davtian David , Dupuis Théo , Forgie Ian M. , Adam Jonathan , Allin Kristine H. , Caiazzo Robert , Cederberg Henna , De Masi Federico , Elders Petra J.M. , Giordano Giuseppe N. , Haid Mark , Hansen Torben , Hansen Tue , Hattersley Andrew T. , Heggie Alison J. , Howald Cédric , Jones Angus G. , Kokkola Tarja , Laakso Markku , Mahajan Anubha , Mari Andrea , McDonald Timothy J. , McEvoy Donna , Mourby Miranda , Musholt Petra , Nilsson Birgitte , Pattou François , Penet Deborah , Raverdy Violeta , Ridderstrale Martin , Romano Luciana , Rutters Femke , Sharma Sapna , Teare Harriet , T’Hart Leen M , Tsirigos Kostas , Vangipurapu Jagadish , Vestergaard Henrik , Brunak Søren , Franks Paul W. , Frost Gary , Grallert Harald , Jablonka Bernd , McCarthy Mark I. , Pavo Imre , Pedersen Oluf , Ruetten Hartmut , Walker Mark ,   the DIRECT consortium, Adamski Jerzy , Schwenk Jochen M. , Pearson Ewan R. , Dermitzakis Emmanouil T. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGenetic variants identified by genome-wide association studies can contribute to disease risk by altering the production and abundance of mRNA, proteins and other molecules. However, the interplay between molecular intermediaries that define the pathway from genetic variation to disease is not well understood. Here, we evaluated the shared genetic regulation of mRNA molecules, proteins and metabolites derived from whole blood from 3,029 human donors. We find abundant allelic heterogeneity, where multiple variants regulate a particular molecular phenotype, and pleiotropy, where a single variant was associated with multiple molecular phenotypes over multiple genomic regions. We find varying proportions of shared genetic regulation across phenotypes, highest between expression and proteins (66.6%). We were able to recapitulate a substantial proportion of gene expression genetic regulation in a diverse set of 44 tissues, with a median of 88% shared associations for blood expression and 22.3% for plasma proteins. Finally, the genetic and molecular associations were represented in networks including 2,828 known GWAS variants. One sub-network shows the trans relationship between rs149007767 and RTEN, and identifies GRB10 and IKZF1 as candidates mediating genes. Our work provides a roadmap to understanding molecular networks and deriving the underlying mechanism of action of GWAS variants across different molecular phenotypes.