Showing papers by "University of Konstanz published in 2021"
National Institutes of Health1, University of Cambridge2, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute3, Rockefeller University4, University of California, Davis5, Leibniz Association6, Seoul National University7, University of Southern California8, European Bioinformatics Institute9, Dresden University of Technology10, Max Planck Society11, University of St Andrews12, Radboud University Nijmegen13, University of Massachusetts Amherst14, University of Adelaide15, University of Missouri16, East Carolina University17, University of Queensland18, Clemson University19, University of Otago20, University of Arizona21, Natural History Museum22, Bangor University23, University of Konstanz24, Harvard University25, Northeastern University26, University of Antwerp27, National Museum of Natural History28, University of Graz29, University of Florida30, University of Basel31, University of California, Santa Cruz32, Zoological Society of San Diego33, Pacific Biosciences34, Pompeu Fabra University35, University of Maryland, College Park36, Harbin Institute of Technology37, University of Chicago38, Oregon Health & Science University39, Qatar Airways40, Monash University Malaysia Campus41, University of Milan42, Goethe University Frankfurt43, Pennsylvania State University44, University of Los Andes45, Norwegian University of Science and Technology46, University of Copenhagen47, Agency for Science, Technology and Research48, Royal Ontario Museum49, Smithsonian Institution50, Howard Hughes Medical Institute51, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research52, University of East Anglia53, University College Dublin54, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign55, La Trobe University56, University of California, San Diego57, Nova Southeastern University58
TL;DR: The Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP) as mentioned in this paper is an international effort to generate high quality, complete reference genomes for all of the roughly 70,000 extant vertebrate species and to help to enable a new era of discovery across the life sciences.
Abstract: High-quality and complete reference genome assemblies are fundamental for the application of genomics to biology, disease, and biodiversity conservation. However, such assemblies are available for only a few non-microbial species1-4. To address this issue, the international Genome 10K (G10K) consortium5,6 has worked over a five-year period to evaluate and develop cost-effective methods for assembling highly accurate and nearly complete reference genomes. Here we present lessons learned from generating assemblies for 16 species that represent six major vertebrate lineages. We confirm that long-read sequencing technologies are essential for maximizing genome quality, and that unresolved complex repeats and haplotype heterozygosity are major sources of assembly error when not handled correctly. Our assemblies correct substantial errors, add missing sequence in some of the best historical reference genomes, and reveal biological discoveries. These include the identification of many false gene duplications, increases in gene sizes, chromosome rearrangements that are specific to lineages, a repeated independent chromosome breakpoint in bat genomes, and a canonical GC-rich pattern in protein-coding genes and their regulatory regions. Adopting these lessons, we have embarked on the Vertebrate Genomes Project (VGP), an international effort to generate high-quality, complete reference genomes for all of the roughly 70,000 extant vertebrate species and to help to enable a new era of discovery across the life sciences.
647 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss 10 of the most relevant research and practice topics in the field of industrial and organizational psychology that will likely be strongly influenced by COVID-19, including occupational health and safety, work family issues, telecommuting, virtual teamwork, job insecurity, precarious work, leadership, human resources policy, the aging workforce, and careers.
Abstract: Pandemics have historically shaped the world of work in various ways. With COVID-19 presenting as a global pandemic, there is much speculation about the implications of this crisis for the future of work and for people working in organizations. In this article, we discuss 10 of the most relevant research and practice topics in the field of industrial and organizational psychology that will likely be strongly influenced by COVID-19. For each of these topics, the pandemic crisis is creating new work-related challenges, but it is also presenting various opportunities. The topics discussed herein include occupational health and safety, work–family issues, telecommuting, virtual teamwork, job insecurity, precarious work, leadership, human resources policy, the aging workforce, and careers. This article sets the stage for further discussion of various ways in which I-O psychology research and practice can address the issues that COVID-19 creates for work and organizational processes that are affecting workers now and will shape the future of work and organizations in both the short and long term. This article concludes by inviting I-O psychology researchers and practitioners to address the challenges and opportunities of COVID-19 head-on by proactively adapting the work that we do in support of workers, organizations, and society as a whole.
263 citations
University of Fribourg1, Stellenbosch University2, University College London3, Zoological Society of London4, University of Lisbon5, Durham University6, University of Vienna7, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources8, Lincoln University (New Zealand)9, University of Konstanz10, Taizhou University11, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ12, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg13, Free University of Berlin14, Leibniz Association15, United States Forest Service16, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague17, Newcastle University18, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic19, Charles University in Prague20
TL;DR: These projections are the first quantitative projections of future trajectories of alien species numbers for seven major taxonomic groups in eight continents, accounting for variation in sampling intensity and uncertainty in projections.
Abstract: Biological invasions have steadily increased over recent centuries. However, we still lack a clear expectation about future trends in alien species numbers. In particular, we do not know whether alien species will continue to accumulate in regional floras and faunas, or whether the pace of accumulation will decrease due to the depletion of native source pools. Here, we apply a new model to simulate future numbers of alien species based on estimated sizes of source pools and dynamics of historical invasions, assuming a continuation of processes in the future as observed in the past (a business-as-usual scenario). We first validated performance of different model versions by conducting a back-casting approach, therefore fitting the model to alien species numbers until 1950 and validating predictions on trends from 1950 to 2005. In a second step, we selected the best performing model that provided the most robust predictions to project trajectories of alien species numbers until 2050. Altogether, this resulted in 3,790 stochastic simulation runs for 38 taxon-continent combinations. We provide the first quantitative projections of future trajectories of alien species numbers for seven major taxonomic groups in eight continents, accounting for variation in sampling intensity and uncertainty in projections. Overall, established alien species numbers per continent were predicted to increase from 2005 to 2050 by 36%. Particularly, strong increases were projected for Europe in absolute (+2,543 ± 237 alien species) and relative terms, followed by Temperate Asia (+1,597 ± 197), Northern America (1,484 ± 74) and Southern America (1,391 ± 258). Among individual taxonomic groups, especially strong increases were projected for invertebrates globally. Declining (but still positive) rates were projected only for Australasia. Our projections provide a first baseline for the assessment of future developments of biological invasions, which will help to inform policies to contain the spread of alien species.
250 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors showed that polyethylene-like materials with a low density of in-chain functional groups as break points can be recycled chemically by solvolysis with a recovery rate of more than 96 per cent.
Abstract: Plastics are key components of almost any technology today. Although their production consumes substantial feedstock resources, plastics are largely disposed of after their service life. In terms of a circular economy1–8, reuse of post-consumer sorted polymers (‘mechanical recycling’) is hampered by deterioration of materials performance9,10. Chemical recycling1,11 via depolymerization to monomer offers an alternative that retains high-performance properties. The linear hydrocarbon chains of polyethylene12 enable crystalline packing and provide excellent materials properties13. Their inert nature hinders chemical recycling, however, necessitating temperatures above 600 degrees Celsius and recovering ethylene with a yield of less than 10 per cent3,11,14. Here we show that renewable polycarbonates and polyesters with a low density of in-chain functional groups as break points in a polyethylene chain can be recycled chemically by solvolysis with a recovery rate of more than 96 per cent. At the same time, the break points do not disturb the crystalline polyethylene structure, and the desirable materials properties (like those of high-density polyethylene) are fully retained upon recycling. Processing can be performed by common injection moulding and the materials are well-suited for additive manufacturing, such as 3D printing. Selective removal from model polymer waste streams is possible. In our approach, the initial polymers result from polycondensation of long-chain building blocks, derived by state-of-the-art catalytic schemes from common plant oil feedstocks, or microalgae oils15. This allows closed-loop recycling of polyethylene-like materials. Polycarbonates and polyesters with materials properties like those of high-density polyethylene can be recycled chemically by depolymerization to their constituent monomers, re-polymerization yielding material with uncompromised processing and materials properties.
232 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the nutrient fluxes and physiological as well as molecular responses of the widespread coral Stylophora pistillata to heat stress prior to the onset of bleaching to identify processes involved in the breakdown of the coral-algal symbiosis.
Abstract: Recurrent mass bleaching events are pushing coral reefs worldwide to the brink of ecological collapse. While the symptoms and consequences of this breakdown of the coral-algal symbiosis have been extensively characterized, our understanding of the underlying causes remains incomplete. Here, we investigated the nutrient fluxes and the physiological as well as molecular responses of the widespread coral Stylophora pistillata to heat stress prior to the onset of bleaching to identify processes involved in the breakdown of the coral-algal symbiosis. We show that altered nutrient cycling during heat stress is a primary driver of the functional breakdown of the symbiosis. Heat stress increased the metabolic energy demand of the coral host, which was compensated by the catabolic degradation of amino acids. The resulting shift from net uptake to release of ammonium by the coral holobiont subsequently promoted the growth of algal symbionts and retention of photosynthates. Together, these processes form a feedback loop that will gradually lead to the decoupling of carbon translocation from the symbiont to the host. Energy limitation and altered symbiotic nutrient cycling are thus key factors in the early heat stress response, directly contributing to the breakdown of the coral-algal symbiosis. Interpreting the stability of the coral holobiont in light of its metabolic interactions provides a missing link in our understanding of the environmental drivers of bleaching and may ultimately help uncover fundamental processes underpinning the functioning of endosymbioses in general.
131 citations
Daphne Donis1, Evanthia Mantzouki1, Daniel Frank Mcginnis1, Dominic Vachon1 +199 more•Institutions (65)
TL;DR: In this article, Verspagen, van Herk and van Wijk present a collection of essays with the same authors, including a discussion of the role of gender in the relationship between women and women's empowerment.
Abstract: Output Status: Forthcoming/Available Online Additional co-authors: Jolanda Verspagen, Maria van Herk, Maria G. Antoniou, Nikoletta Tsiarta, Valerie McCarthy, Victor C. Perello, Danielle Machado-Vieira, Alinne Gurjao de Oliveira, Dubravka Spoljaric Maronic, Filip Stevic, Tanja Žuna Pfeiffer, Itana Bokan Vucelic, Petar Žutinic, Marija Gligora Udovic, Anđelka Plenkovic-Moraj, Ludek Blaha, Rodan Geris, Marketa Frankova, Kirsten Seestern Christoffersen, Trine Perlt Warming, Tonu Feldmann, Alo Laas, Kristel Panksep, Lea Tuvikene, Kersti Kangro, Judita Koreiviene, Jurate Karosiene, Jurate Kasperoviciene, Ksenija Savadova-Ratkus, Irma Vitonyte, Kerstin Haggqvist, Pauliina Salmi, Lauri Arvola, Karl Rothhaupt, Christos Avagianos, Triantafyllos Kaloudis, Spyros Gkelis, Manthos Panou, Theodoros Triantis, Sevasti-Kiriaki Zervou, Anastasia Hiskia, Ulrike Obertegger, Adriano Boscaini, Giovanna Flaim, Nico Salmaso, Leonardo Cerasino, Sigrid Haande, Birger Skjelbred, Magdalena Grabowska, Maciej Karpowicz, Damian Chmura, Lidia Nawrocka, Justyna Kobos, Hanna Mazur-Marzec, Pablo Alcaraz-Parraga, Elzbieta Wilk-Wozniak, Wojciech Krzton, Edward Walusiak, Ilona Gagala-Borowska, Joana Mankiewicz-Boczek, Magdalena Toporowska, Barbara Pawlik-Skowronska, Michal Niedzwiecki, Wojciech Peczula, Agnieszka Napiorkowska-Krzebietke, Julita Dunalska, Justyna Sienska, Daniel Szymanski, Marek Kruk, Agnieszka Budzynska, Ryszard Goldyn, Anna Kozak, Joanna Rosinska, Elzbieta Szeląg-Wasielewska, Piotr Domek, Natalia Jakubowska-Krepska, Kinga Kwasizur, Beata Messyasz, Aleksandra Pelechata, Mariusz Pelechaty, Mikolaj Kokocinski, Beata Madrecka-Witkowska, Iwona Kostrzewska-Szlakowska, Magdalena Frąk, Agnieszka Bankowska-Sobczak, Michal Wasilewicz, Agnieszka Ochocka, Agnieszka Pasztaleniec, Iwona Jasser, Ana M. Antao-Geraldes, Manel Leira, Vitor Vasconcelos, Joao Morais, Micaela Vale, Pedro M. Raposeiro, Vitor Goncalves, Boris Aleksovski, Svetislav Krstic, Hana Nemova, Iveta Drastichova, Lucia Chomova, Spela Remec-Rekar, Tina Elersek, Lars-Anders Hansson, Pablo Urrutia-Cordero, Andrea G. Bravo, Moritz Buck, William Colom-Montero, Kristiina Mustonen, Don Pierson, Yang Yang, Christine Edwards, Hannah Cromie, Jordi Delgado-Martin, David Garcia, Jose Luis Cereijo, Joan Goma, Mari Carmen Trapote, Teresa Vegas-Vilarrubia, Biel Obrador, Ana Garcia-Murcia, Monserrat Real, Elvira Romans, Jordi Noguero-Ribes, David Parreno Duque, Elisabeth Fernandez-Moran, Barbara Ubeda, Jose Angel Galvez, Nuria Catalan, Carmen Perez-Martinez, Eloisa Ramos-Rodriguez, Carmen Cillero-Castro, Enrique Moreno-Ostos, Jose Maria Blanco, Valeriano Rodriguez, Jorge Juan Montes-Perez, Roberto L. Palomino, Estela Rodriguez-Perez, Armand Hernandez, Rafael Carballeira, Antonio Camacho, Antonio Picazo, Carlos Rochera, Anna C. Santamans, Carmen Ferriol, Susana Romo, Juan Miguel Soria, Arda Ozen, Tunay Karan, Nilsun Demir, Meryem Beklioglu, Nur Filiz, Eti Levi, Ugur Iskin, Gizem Bezirci, Ulku Nihan Tavsanoglu, Kemal Celik, Koray Ozhan, Nusret Karakaya, Mehmet Ali Turan Kocer, Mete Yilmaz, Faruk Maras¸lioglu, Ozden Fakioglu, Elif Neyran Soylu, Meral Apaydin Yagci, Sakir Cinar, Kadir Capkin, Abdulkadir Yagci, Mehmet Cesur, Fuat Bilgin, Cafer Bulut, Rahmi Uysal, Koker Latife, Reyhan Akcaalan, Meric Albay, Mehmet Tahir Alp, Korhan Ozkan, Tugba Ongun Sevindik, Hatice Tunca, Burcin Onem, Hans Paerl, Cayelan C. Carey, Bastiaan W. Ibelings
125 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors combine an online panel survey with mobile tracking data to measure the actual usage of Germany's official contact tracing app and reveal higher uptake rates among respondents with an increased risk of severe illness, but lower rates among those with a heightened risk of exposure to COVID-19 pandemic.
Abstract: Digital contact tracing apps have been introduced globally as an instrument to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, privacy by design impedes both the evaluation of these tools and the deployment of evidence-based interventions to stimulate uptake. We combine an online panel survey with mobile tracking data to measure the actual usage of Germany's official contact tracing app and reveal higher uptake rates among respondents with an increased risk of severe illness, but lower rates among those with a heightened risk of exposure to COVID-19. Using a randomized intervention, we show that informative and motivational video messages have very limited effect on uptake. However, findings from a second intervention suggest that even small monetary incentives can strongly increase uptake and help make digital contact tracing a more effective tool.
118 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the adjustment of local labor markets to industrial robots in Germany is studied, and it is shown that robot exposure is associated with displacement effects in manufacturing, but those are fully offset by new jobs in services.
Abstract:
We use detailed administrative data to study the adjustment of local labor markets to industrial robots in Germany. Robot exposure, as predicted by a shift-share variable, is associated with displacement effects in manufacturing, but those are fully offset by new jobs in services. The incidence mostly falls on young workers just entering the labor force. Automation is related to more stable employment within firms for incumbents, and this is driven by workers taking over new tasks in their original plants. Several measures indicate that those new jobs are of higher quality than the previous ones. Young workers also adapt their educational choices, and substitute away from vocational training towards colleges and universities. Finally, industrial robots have benefited workers in occupations with complementary tasks, such as managers or technical scientists.
113 citations
TL;DR: A meta-analysis of 384 studies that measured allelopathic effects of one species on another species or itself reveals that allelopathy could contribute to success of alien plants and the negative relationship between phylogenetic distance and allelelopathy indicates that alle lopathy might contribute to coexistence of closely related species or dominance of single species.
Abstract: Allelopathy (i.e. chemical interactions between plants) is known to affect individual performance, community structure and plant invasions. Yet, a quantitative synthesis is lacking. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of 384 studies that measured allelopathic effects of one species (allelopathy plant) on another species or itself (test plant). Overall, allelopathy reduced plant performance by 25%, but the variation in allelopathy was high. The type of method affected the allelopathic effect: compared to leachates, allelopathy was more negative when residues of allelopathy plants were applied, and less negative when soil conditioned by allelopathy plants was applied. The negative effects of allelopathy diminished with study duration, and increased with concentrations of leachates or residues. Although allelopathy was not significantly related to lifespan, life form or domestication of the interacting plants, it became more negative with increasing phylogenetic distance. Moreover, native plants suffered more from leachates of naturalised alien plants than from leachates of other native plants. Our synthesis reveals that allelopathy could contribute to success of alien plants. The negative relationship between phylogenetic distance and allelopathy indicates that allelopathy might contribute to coexistence of closely related species (i.e. convergence) or dominance of single species.
109 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in supercapacitors is presented, specifically three-dimensional MOFs as a platform for utilization in super-capacitor.
102 citations
TL;DR: The lungfish Neoceratodus fosteri has the largest genome of any vertebrate as discussed by the authors, which is attributed mostly to huge intergenic regions and introns with high repeat content (around 90%).
Abstract: Lungfishes belong to lobe-fined fish (Sarcopterygii) that, in the Devonian period, ‘conquered’ the land and ultimately gave rise to all land vertebrates, including humans1–3. Here we determine the chromosome-quality genome of the Australian lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri), which is known to have the largest genome of any animal. The vast size of this genome, which is about 14× larger than that of humans, is attributable mostly to huge intergenic regions and introns with high repeat content (around 90%), the components of which resemble those of tetrapods (comprising mainly long interspersed nuclear elements) more than they do those of ray-finned fish. The lungfish genome continues to expand independently (its transposable elements are still active), through mechanisms different to those of the enormous genomes of salamanders. The 17 fully assembled lungfish macrochromosomes maintain synteny to other vertebrate chromosomes, and all microchromosomes maintain conserved ancient homology with the ancestral vertebrate karyotype. Our phylogenomic analyses confirm previous reports that lungfish occupy a key evolutionary position as the closest living relatives to tetrapods4,5, underscoring the importance of lungfish for understanding innovations associated with terrestrialization. Lungfish preadaptations to living on land include the gain of limb-like expression in developmental genes such as hoxc13 and sall1 in their lobed fins. Increased rates of evolution and the duplication of genes associated with obligate air-breathing, such as lung surfactants and the expansion of odorant receptor gene families (which encode proteins involved in detecting airborne odours), contribute to the tetrapod-like biology of lungfishes. These findings advance our understanding of this major transition during vertebrate evolution. A chromosome-quality genome of the lungfish Neoceratodus fosteri sheds light on the development of obligate air-breathing and the gain of limb-like gene expression in lobed fins, providing insights into the water-to-land transition in vertebrate evolution.
RWTH Aachen University1, University of Oxford2, University of Zurich3, University of California, San Francisco4, University of Debrecen5, Oregon Health & Science University6, National Research Council7, Centre national de la recherche scientifique8, University of California, San Diego9, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine10, Uppsala University11, University of Kansas12, Leiden University13, Laval University14, Institute of Cancer Research15, University of São Paulo16, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center17, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich18, University of Oulu19, Johns Hopkins University20, University of Konstanz21, University of Cologne22, Max Planck Society23, University of Oslo24, Pennsylvania State University25, National Institutes of Health26, European Institute of Oncology27, University of Copenhagen28, Eppendorf (Germany)29, Université de Montréal30, University of Virginia31, New York University32, MTA Biological Research Centre33, University of Jena34, Westlake University35, University of Bergen36
TL;DR: In this paper, an updated and broadly supported nomenclature for mammalian ADP-ribosyltransferases was proposed, which will facilitate future discussions when addressing the biochemistry and biology of ADP.
Abstract: ADP-ribosylation, a modification of proteins, nucleic acids and metabolites, confers broad functions, including roles in stress responses elicited for example by DNA damage and viral infection and is involved in intra- and extracellular signaling, chromatin and transcriptional regulation, protein biosynthesis and cell death. ADP-ribosylation is catalyzed by ADP-ribosyltransferases, which transfer ADP-ribose from NAD+ onto substrates. The modification, which occurs as mono- or poly-ADP-ribosylation, is reversible due to the action of different ADP-ribosylhydrolases. Importantly, inhibitors of ADP-ribosyltransferases are approved or are being developed for clinical use. Moreover, ADP-ribosylhydrolases are being assessed as therapeutic targets, foremost as anti-viral drugs and for oncological indications. Due to the development of novel reagents and major technological advances that allow the study of ADP-ribosylation in unprecedented detail, an increasing number of cellular processes and pathways are being identified that are regulated by ADP-ribosylation. In addition, characterization of biochemical and structural aspects of the ADP-ribosyltransferases and their catalytic activities have expanded our understanding of this protein family. This increased knowledge requires that a common nomenclature be used to describe the relevant enzymes. Therefore, in this viewpoint, we propose an updated and broadly supported nomenclature for mammalian ADP-ribosyltransferases that will facilitate future discussions when addressing the biochemistry and biology of ADP-ribosylation. This is combined with a brief description of the main functions of mammalian ADP-ribosyltransferases to illustrate the increasing diversity of mono- and poly-ADP-ribose mediated cellular processes.
TL;DR: TRex as discussed by the authors is a fast and easy-to-use solution for tracking a large number of individuals simultaneously using background subtraction with real-time (60 Hz) tracking performance for up to approximately 256 individuals and estimates 2D visual-fields, outlines, and head/rear of bilateral animals, both in open and closed-loop contexts.
Abstract: Automated visual tracking of animals is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for the study of behavior. It offers a quantitative methodology by which organisms' sensing and decision-making can be studied in a wide range of ecological contexts. Despite this, existing solutions tend to be challenging to deploy in practice, especially when considering long and/or high-resolution video-streams. Here, we present TRex, a fast and easy-to-use solution for tracking a large number of individuals simultaneously using background-subtraction with real-time (60 Hz) tracking performance for up to approximately 256 individuals and estimates 2D visual-fields, outlines, and head/rear of bilateral animals, both in open and closed-loop contexts. Additionally, TRex offers highly accurate, deep-learning-based visual identification of up to approximately 100 unmarked individuals, where it is between 2.5 and 46.7 times faster, and requires 2-10 times less memory, than comparable software (with relative performance increasing for more organisms/longer videos) and provides interactive data-exploration within an intuitive, platform-independent graphical user-interface.
Umeå University1, University of Copenhagen2, Uppsala University3, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich4, University of Geneva5, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences6, University of Southampton7, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research8, University of Milan9, Concordia University10, McGill University11, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research12, University of Potsdam13, University of Konstanz14, University of Tartu15, Queen Mary University of London16, University of Toledo17, University of Cambridge18, Curtin University19, Sapienza University of Rome20
TL;DR: In this article, the authors synthesize the state-of-the-art analytical procedures for effective sampling, extraction, amplification, quantification and/or generation of DNA inventories from sedimentary ancient DNA via high-throughput sequencing technologies.
Abstract: The use of lake sedimentary DNA to track the long-term changes in both terrestrial and aquatic biota is a rapidly advancing field in paleoecological research. Although largely applied nowadays, knowledge gaps remain in this field and there is therefore still research to be conducted to ensure the reliability of the sedimentary DNA signal. Building on the most recent literature and seven original case studies, we synthesize the state-of-the-art analytical procedures for effective sampling, extraction, amplification, quantification and/or generation of DNA inventories from sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) via high-throughput sequencing technologies. We provide recommendations based on current knowledge and best practises.
University of Washington1, Delft University of Technology2, Australian Catholic University3, University of Tübingen4, Princeton University5, University of Konstanz6, Max Planck Society7, Stockholm University8, Santa Fe Institute9, New York University10, Humboldt University of Berlin11, City University of New York12
TL;DR: Collective behavior provides a framework for understanding how the actions and properties of groups emerge from the way individuals generate and share information as mentioned in this paper, and the study of collective behavior must rise to a crisis discipline just as medicine, conservation, and climate science have.
Abstract: Collective behavior provides a framework for understanding how the actions and properties of groups emerge from the way individuals generate and share information. In humans, information flows were initially shaped by natural selection yet are increasingly structured by emerging communication technologies. Our larger, more complex social networks now transfer high-fidelity information over vast distances at low cost. The digital age and the rise of social media have accelerated changes to our social systems, with poorly understood functional consequences. This gap in our knowledge represents a principal challenge to scientific progress, democracy, and actions to address global crises. We argue that the study of collective behavior must rise to a “crisis discipline” just as medicine, conservation, and climate science have, with a focus on providing actionable insight to policymakers and regulators for the stewardship of social systems.
TL;DR: The current proposed BMC approach is reviewed and the studies that have proven its potential to increase coral resilience to stress are outlined and the list of putative beneficial microorganisms associated with corals and their proposed mechanisms that facilitate improved host performance are revisited.
Abstract: The use of Beneficial Microorganisms for Corals (BMCs) has been proposed recently as a tool for the improvement of coral health, with knowledge in this research topic advancing rapidly. BMCs are defined as consortia of microorganisms that contribute to coral health through mechanisms that include (a) promoting coral nutrition and growth, (b) mitigating stress and impacts of toxic compounds, (c) deterring pathogens, and (d) benefiting early life-stage development. Here, we review the current proposed BMC approach and outline the studies that have proven its potential to increase coral resilience to stress. We revisit and expand the list of putative beneficial microorganisms associated with corals and their proposed mechanismsthat facilitate improved host performance. Further, we discuss the caveats and bottlenecks affecting the efficacy of BMCs and close by focusing on the next steps to facilitate application at larger scales that can improve outcomes for corals and reefs globally.
TL;DR: A survey conducted with 4,799 respondents toward the end of the first lockdown in Germany suggests that a substantial share of the population will support measures more under voluntary than under enforced implementation as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Effective states govern by some combination of enforcement and voluntary compliance. To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, a critical decision is the extent to which policy makers rely on voluntary as opposed to enforced compliance, and nations vary along this dimension. While enforcement may secure higher compliance, there is experimental and other evidence that it may also crowd out voluntary motivation. How does enforcement affect citizens' support for anti-COVID-19 policies? A survey conducted with 4,799 respondents toward the end of the first lockdown in Germany suggests that a substantial share of the population will support measures more under voluntary than under enforced implementation. Negative responses to enforcement-termed control aversion-vary across the nature of the policy intervention (e.g., they are rare for masks and frequent for vaccination and a cell-phone tracing app). Control aversion is less common among those with greater trust in the government and the information it provides, and among those who were brought up under the coercive regime of East Germany. Taking account of the likely effectiveness of enforcement and the extent to which near-universal compliance is crucial, the differing degrees of opposition to enforcement across policies suggest that for some anti-COVID-19 policies an enforced mandate would be unwise, while for others it would be essential. Similar reasoning may also be relevant for policies to address future pandemics and other societal challenges like climate change.
University of Konstanz1, University of Würzburg2, University of Cologne3, University of Duisburg-Essen4, TUM Institute for Advanced Study5, University of Oxford6, University of Tübingen7, Dresden University of Technology8, University of Regensburg9, Technische Universität München10, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin11, University of Oldenburg12, University of Stuttgart13, University of Luxembourg14, University of Potsdam15, Fraunhofer Society16, University of Freiburg17, University of Bayreuth18, Technische Universität Darmstadt19, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg20, Technical University of Berlin21, University of Wuppertal22, Max Planck Society23, Princeton University24, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich25, University of Rome Tor Vergata26, National University of Science and Technology27, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society28, Humboldt University of Berlin29
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive overview of perovskite semiconductors is presented and an informed perspective of where this field is heading and what challenges we have to overcome to get to successful commercialization.
Abstract: Metal halide perovskites are the first solution processed semiconductors that can compete in their functionality with conventional semiconductors, such as silicon. Over the past several years, perovskite semiconductors have reported breakthroughs in various optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells, photodetectors, light emitting and memory devices, and so on. Until now, perovskite semiconductors face challenges regarding their stability, reproducibility, and toxicity. In this Roadmap, we combine the expertise of chemistry, physics, and device engineering from leading experts in the perovskite research community to focus on the fundamental material properties, the fabrication methods, characterization and photophysical properties, perovskite devices, and current challenges in this field. We develop a comprehensive overview of the current state-of-the-art and offer readers an informed perspective of where this field is heading and what challenges we have to overcome to get to successful commercialization.
TL;DR: In this article, a meta-analysis of experimental effects of stressors on marine organisms shows that hypoxia could harm crustaceans, mollusks and fish to a larger extent than warming and acidification.
Abstract: Over the past decades, three major challenges to marine life have emerged as a consequence of anthropogenic emissions: ocean warming, acidification and oxygen loss. While most experimental research has targeted the first two stressors, the last remains comparatively neglected. Here, we implemented sequential hierarchical mixed-model meta-analyses (721 control–treatment comparisons) to compare the impacts of oxygen conditions associated with the current and continuously intensifying hypoxic events (1–3.5 O2 mg l−1) with those experimentally yielded by ocean warming (+4 °C) and acidification (−0.4 units) conditions on the basis of IPCC projections (RCP 8.5) for 2100. In contrast to warming and acidification, hypoxic events elicited consistent negative effects relative to control biological performance—survival (–33%), abundance (–65%), development (–51%), metabolism (–33%), growth (–24%) and reproduction (–39%)—across the taxonomic groups (mollusks, crustaceans and fish), ontogenetic stages and climate regions studied. Our findings call for a refocus of global change experimental studies, integrating oxygen concentration drivers as a key factor of ocean change. Given potential combined effects, multistressor designs including gradual and extreme changes are further warranted to fully disclose the future impacts of ocean oxygen loss, warming and acidification. A meta-analysis of experimental effects of stressors on marine organisms shows that hypoxia could harm crustaceans, mollusks and fish to a larger extent than warming and acidification.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of increased alcohol consumption and the most important consequences on the health of the population during the social isolation and lockdown during current COVID-19 pandemic were discussed.
Abstract: Alcohol consumption is associated with multiple diseases and might contribute to vulnerability to SARS-CoV-2 infection. It can also catalyze exacerbations of mental and organic illnesses and predispose to behaviors with an increased risk of infection, severity of disease but also independently of sociopathic behavior and violence. Globally, millions of premature deaths from excessive alcohol consumption occur each year. This paper discusses the effects of increased alcohol consumption and the most important consequences on the health of the population during the social isolation and lockdown during current COVID-19 pandemic.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors conducted omics analyses on the coral Mussismilia hispida exposed to bleaching conditions in a long-term mesocosm experiment and inoculated with a selected BMC consortium or a saline solution placebo.
Abstract: Beneficial microorganisms for corals (BMCs) ameliorate environmental stress, but whether they can prevent mortality and the underlying host response mechanisms remains elusive. Here, we conducted omics analyses on the coral Mussismilia hispida exposed to bleaching conditions in a long-term mesocosm experiment and inoculated with a selected BMC consortium or a saline solution placebo. All corals were affected by heat stress, but the observed "post-heat stress disorder" was mitigated by BMCs, signified by patterns of dimethylsulfoniopropionate degradation, lipid maintenance, and coral host transcriptional reprogramming of cellular restructuration, repair, stress protection, and immune genes, concomitant with a 40% survival rate increase and stable photosynthetic performance by the endosymbiotic algae. This study provides insights into the responses that underlie probiotic host manipulation. We demonstrate that BMCs trigger a dynamic microbiome restructuring process that instigates genetic and metabolic alterations in the coral host that eventually mitigate coral bleaching and mortality.
TL;DR: In this article, a summary of recent advances in the near-infrared light-emitting diodes that are fabricated by solution-processed means, with coverage of devices based on organic semiconductors, halide perovskites and colloidal quantum dots.
Abstract: Near-infrared light-emitting diodes based on solution-processed semiconductors, such as organics, halide perovskites and colloidal quantum dots, have emerged as a viable technological platform for biomedical applications, night vision, surveillance and optical communications. The recently gained increased understanding of the relationship between materials structure and photophysical properties has enabled the design of efficient emitters leading to devices with external quantum efficiencies exceeding 20%. Despite considerable strides made, challenges remain in achieving high radiance, reducing efficiency roll-off and extending operating lifetime. This Review summarizes recent advances on emissive materials synthetic methods and device key attributes that collectively contribute to improved performance of the fabricated light-emitting devices. A summary of recent advances in the near-infrared light-emitting diodes that are fabricated by solution-processed means, with coverage of devices based on organic semiconductors, halide perovskites and colloidal quantum dots.
TL;DR: This paper focuses on the most widely used single‐board computer, the Raspberry Pi, and review its broad applications and uses across the biological domain, and provides detailed guidelines, recommendations and considerations to help accelerate the uptake of the Pi by the scientific community.
Abstract: Handling Editor: Chloe Robinson Abstract 1. The field of biology has seen tremendous technological progress in recent years, fuelled by the exponential growth in processing power and highlevel computing, and the rise of global information sharing. Lowcost singleboard computers are predicted to be one of the key technological advancements to further revolutionise this field. 2. So far, an overview of current uptake of these devices and a general guide to help researchers integrate them in their work has been missing. In this paper I focus on the most widely used singleboard computer, the Raspberry Pi, and review its broad applications and uses across the biological domain. 3. Since its release in 2012, the Raspberry Pi has been increasingly taken up by biologists, in the laboratory, the field and in the classroom, and across a wide range of disciplines. A hugely diverse range of applications exists that ranges from simple solutions to dedicated custombuild devices, including nestbox monitoring, wildlife camera trapping, highthroughput behavioural recording, largescale plant phenotyping, underwater video surveillance, closedloop operant learning experiments and autonomous ecosystem monitoring. Despite the breadth of its implementations, the depth of uptake of the Raspberry Pi by the scientific community is still limited. 4. The broad capabilities of the Raspberry Pi, combined with its low cost, ease of use and large user community make it a great research tool for almost any project. To help accelerate the uptake of the Raspberry Pi by the scientific community, I provide detailed guidelines, recommendations and considerations, and 30+ stepbystep guides on a dedicated accompanying website (http://raspb erryp iguide.github.io). I hope this paper will help generate more awareness about the Raspberry Pi among scientists and thereby both fuel the democratisation of science and ultimately help advance our understanding of biology, from the microto the macroscale.
20 Jun 2021
TL;DR: The BABEL dataset as discussed by the authors is a large dataset with language labels describing the actions being performed in mocap sequences, which can be leveraged for tasks like action recognition, temporal localization, motion synthesis, etc.
Abstract: Understanding the semantics of human movement – the what, how and why of the movement – is an important problem that requires datasets of human actions with semantic labels. Existing datasets take one of two approaches. Large-scale video datasets contain many action labels but do not contain ground-truth 3D human motion. Alternatively, motion-capture (mocap) datasets have precise body motions but are limited to a small number of actions. To address this, we present BABEL, a large dataset with language labels describing the actions being performed in mocap sequences. BABEL consists of language labels for over 43 hours of mocap sequences from AMASS, containing over 250 unique actions. Each action label in BABEL is precisely aligned with the duration of the corresponding action in the mocap sequence. BABELalso allows overlap of multiple actions, that may each span different durations. This results in a total of over 66000 action segments. The dense annotations can be leveraged for tasks like action recognition, temporal localization, motion synthesis, etc. To demonstrate the value of BABEL as a benchmark, we evaluate the performance of models on 3D action recognition. We demonstrate that BABEL poses interesting learning challenges that are applicable to real-world scenarios, and can serve as a useful benchmark for progress in 3D action recognition. The dataset, baseline methods, and evaluation code are available and supported for academic research purposes at https://babel.is.tue.mpg.de/.
TL;DR: An increase in basic understanding of key ecological topics such as plant-soil interactions and plant invasion dynamics will be obtained, while also increasing the insights and potential biotic repertoire to be applicable in sustainable plant management.
Laboratory of Molecular Biology1, University of the West2, University of Patras3, University of Thessaly4, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki5, Georgia Institute of Technology6, University of Paris7, King's College London8, University of Catania9, University of Utah10, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University11, University of Konstanz12, Johns Hopkins University13, University of Aberdeen14, University of Porto15, Rovira i Virgili University16, University of Crete17
TL;DR: Recommendations for measures that will reinstate primary and community care at the forefront in managing the current public health crisis by protecting hospitals from unnecessary admissions, providing primary and secondary prevention services in relation to CO VID-19 and maintaining population health through treatment of non-COVID-19 conditions are provided.
Abstract: COVID-19 pandemic mitigation strategies are mainly based on social distancing measures and healthcare system reinforcement. However, many countries in Europe and elsewhere implemented strict, horizontal lockdowns because of extensive viral spread in the community which challenges the capacity of the healthcare systems. However, strict lockdowns have various untintended adverse social, economic and health effects, which have yet to be fully elucidated, and have not been considered in models examining the effects of various mitigation measures. Unlike commonly suggested, the dilemma is not about health vs wealth because the economic devastation of long-lasting lockdowns will definitely have adverse health effects in the population. Furthermore, they cannot provide a lasting solution in pandemic containment, potentially resulting in a vicious cycle of consecutive lockdowns with in-between breaks. Hospital preparedness has been the main strategy used by governments. However, a major characteristic of the COVID-19 pandemic is the rapid viral transmission in populations with no immunity. Thus, even the best hospital system could not cope with the demand. Primary, community and home care are the only viable strategies that could achieve the goal of pandemic mitigation. We present the case example of Greece, a country which followed a strategy focused on hospital preparedness but failed to reinforce primary and community care. This, along with strategic mistakes in epidemiological surveillance, resulted in Greece implementing a second strict, horizontal lockdown and having one of the highest COVID-19 death rates in Europe during the second wave. We provide recommendations for measures that will reinstate primary and community care at the forefront in managing the current public health crisis by protecting hospitals from unnecessary admissions, providing primary and secondary prevention services in relation to COVID-19 and maintaining population health through treatment of non-COVID-19 conditions. This, together with more selective social distancing measures (instead of horizontal lockdowns), represents the only viable and realistic long-term strategy for COVID-19 pandemic mitigation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that linear multilevel models are unbiased in linear multi-level models and demonstrate how inferential problems can be overcome by using restricted maximum-likelihood estimators for variance parameters and a t-distribution with appropriate degrees of freedom for statistical inference.
Abstract: Quantitative comparative social scientists have long worried about the performance of multilevel models when the number of upper-level units is small. Adding to these concerns, an influential Monte Carlo study by Stegmueller (2013) suggests that standard maximum-likelihood (ML) methods yield biased point estimates and severely anti-conservative inference with few upper-level units. In this article, the authors seek to rectify this negative assessment. First, they show that ML estimators of coefficients are unbiased in linear multilevel models. The apparent bias in coefficient estimates found by Stegmueller can be attributed to Monte Carlo Error and a flaw in the design of his simulation study. Secondly, they demonstrate how inferential problems can be overcome by using restricted ML estimators for variance parameters and a t-distribution with appropriate degrees of freedom for statistical inference. Thus, accurate multilevel analysis is possible within the framework that most practitioners are familiar with, even if there are only a few upper-level units.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors introduce the modern agile movement, reflect on how it can benefit public administrators, and describe several challenges that managers will face when they are expected to make their organizations more flexible and responsive.
Abstract: The evolving concept of “agile” has fundamentally changed core aspects of software design, project management, and business operations. The agile approach could also reshape government, public management, and governance in general. In this Viewpoint essay, the authors introduce the modern agile movement, reflect on how it can benefit public administrators, and describe several challenges that managers will face when they are expected to make their organizations more flexible and responsive. Government agencies are creating policies for agile government and introducing new practices and playbooks (e.g., GAO 2012; HUD 2018). For instance, digital service teams such as the U.S. Digital Service, the United Kingdom’s Government Digital Service, and the Canadian Digital Service have paved the way for working in an “agile way.” State and local governments have adopted agile and related practices through innovation labs and civic service design teams (e.g., Georgia Technology Authority, New York City). In these specific cases, “agile” is a paradigm for better software development and project management to avoid large-scale project failures at the end of the project and funding period (e.g., Mergel 2016; Project Management Institute 2017). Agile is usefully contrasted with the traditional “waterfall” method, in which each project phase has to be carried out in sequence (see, e.g., Whitford 2020). Government software projects are designed and built to last for a long time. Planning and building often takes years—and working software is often outdated when it is finally released. Agile project management values and techniques allow project teams to work on smaller increments, review their work often, and include feedback right away to avoid costly failures. A quiet government transformation is already underway among practitioners who are investing heavily in working in agile environments and applying agile approaches to software development and other types of government problems. Traditionally, major changes in the way government works are introduced either through policy changes or through public management reforms. Agencies are now changing their project management techniques and even procurement practices, incorporating new values and methods that are foreign to classically “bureaucratic” organizations. Historically, only emergency managers typically had to deal with crisis situations in an agile way to respond to shifting realities on the ground. In both practice and academic settings, people often use “agility” interchangeably with more familiar terms such as “responsiveness” or “adaptive governance”—highlighting momentary change from the standard operating procedures and leading to a conflation of the terms (e.g., Janssen and van der Voort 2016; Wise 2006). Moreover, the canonical public administration literature has largely neglected agile and the more fundamental changes it introduces to hierarchical and bureaucratic organizations. For instance, our search in Web of Science for the topic “agile” revealed 26 research articles in “public administration,” most of which were not related to the agile concept. Based on years of collective experience interviewing practitioners and documenting these changes, this Viewpoint essay aims to introduce the agile concept to the public administration community, bringing clarity to the use of the concept and integrating it with other more established concepts in public administration such as responsiveness, resilience, and adaptability (in contrast with more monumental public management reforms such as New Public Management) (e.g., Greve et al. 2019). For clarity, academics can think of agile as a new package of routines and processes embedded within formal work groups and structures—as a pathway for “nudging” organizational behavior toward higher-valued outcomes. We proceed by describing its roots in the field of software design. We then highlight key advantages and challenges of an agile working environment in government beyond its origins in software development. What Agile Is and Why It Matters Agile is such a recent phenomenon that most governments are still learning how to apply it when Ines Mergel Sukumar Ganapati Andrew B. Whitford University of Konstanz Florida International University University of Georgia Andrew B. Whitford is Alexander M. Crenshaw Professor of Public Policy in the School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Georgia. He is also a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. His research concentrates on strategy and innovation in public policy and organization studies. Email: aw@uga.edu Sukumar Ganapati is associate professor and former director of the PhD program in public affairs at Florida International University. His research focuses on the use of information technology in the public sector. His research projects have been supported by the National Science Foundation and the IBM Center for the Business of Government. Email: ganapati@fiu.edu Ines Mergel is professor of public administration at the University of Konstanz, Germany, and a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. She conducts research on digital service transformation in the public sector, the use of nontraditional technologies, and innovative forms of collaboration with public sector stakeholders. Email: ines.mergel@uni-konstanz.de Viewpoint Article
University of Bonn1, University of St Andrews2, University of Konstanz3, Goethe University Frankfurt4, Cornell University5, Ruhr University Bochum6, Weizmann Institute of Science7, Vanderbilt University8, University of Southampton9, Max Planck Society10, Bar-Ilan University11, University of Pittsburgh12, University of Washington13, University of Oxford14, University of Padua15
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors define quality standards for sample preparation and characterization, for measurements of distributed dipole-dipole couplings between paramagnetic labels, for conversion of the primary time-domain data into distance distributions, for interpreting these distributions, and for reporting results.
Abstract: Distance distribution information obtained by pulsed dipolar EPR spectroscopy provides an important contribution to many studies in structural biology. Increasingly, such information is used in integrative structural modeling, where it delivers unique restraints on the width of conformational ensembles. In order to ensure reliability of the structural models and of biological conclusions, we herein define quality standards for sample preparation and characterization, for measurements of distributed dipole-dipole couplings between paramagnetic labels, for conversion of the primary time-domain data into distance distributions, for interpreting these distributions, and for reporting results. These guidelines are substantiated by a multi-laboratory benchmark study and by analysis of data sets with known distance distribution ground truth. The study and the guidelines focus on proteins labeled with nitroxides and on double electron-electron resonance (DEER aka PELDOR) measurements and provide suggestions on how to proceed analogously in other cases.
University of Konstanz1, University of Technology, Sydney2, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro3, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology4, University of South Florida5, Australian Institute of Marine Science6, University of Miami7, University of Derby8, Mote Marine Laboratory9, Old Dominion University10, James Cook University11
TL;DR: The work of as mentioned in this paper was supported by the Mote Eminent Scholarship and the National Science Foundation (NSF) (OCE-1452538) and was published in the journal Scientific World Journal (SJW).
Abstract: C.R.V. acknowledges funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) (grants 433042944 and 458901010). R.S.P. acknowledges funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (grant FCC/1/1973-51-01). J.E.P. acknowledges funding from the University of South Florida Research & Innovation Internal Awards Program (grant 0142687). K.M.Q. acknowledges funding from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). E.M.M. was supported by the Mote Eminent Scholarship and the National Science Foundation (NSF) (OCE-1452538). M.A. acknowledges funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (grant FCC/1/1973-36-01).