Author: "Research Foundation - Flanders" / Publication Type: Electronic Resources - Searchworks@Jio Institute Digital Library Search Results

Your search keyword '"Research Foundation - Flanders"' showing total 386 results

Start Over Author "Research Foundation - Flanders" Publication Type Electronic Resources

386 results on '"Research Foundation - Flanders"'

1. Group Self‐Interest vs. Equity: Explaining Support for Horizontal Redistribution in (Former) Competitive Clientelist States

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Kuppens, Line, Leopold, Lucas, Langer, Arnim, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Kuppens, Line, Leopold, Lucas, and Langer, Arnim
Abstract: Extant literature links intergroup disparities, or horizontal inequalities, in Sub‐Saharan Africa to the unequal representation of ethnic groups in central power, who accumulate wealth at the expense of politically marginalized groups. Over time, these politically‐induced inequalities have trapped some ethnic groups in positions of relative disadvantage. Group‐based, or horizontal, redistribution can help redress these inequalities yet require popular support if they are not to contribute to intergroup tensions. In this article, we examine how people’s experiences of political exclusion, on the one hand, and their attributional beliefs about the causes of political exclusion, on the other, condition support for government policies aimed at eradicating economic inequalities between different ethnic groups. We argue that people are more likely to be supportive of horizontal redistribution either when (H1a) they belong to ethnic groups that have not had access to central power, and/or (H1b) feel that their ethnic group is politically marginalized (and thus stands to gain); or when (H2) they attribute the political exclusion of the politically marginalized group(s) that stand(s) to benefit from these policies to the legacies of colonialism and clientelism (thus seeking to foster equity). To test our hypotheses, we examine these issues in the context of Kenya, a society with politically salient ethnic cleavages and a history of clientelism. Based on a unique online survey involving 2,286 Kenyans, we show that, notwithstanding group self‐interest being at play, there is strong support for horizontal redistribution across groups.
Published: 2024

2. Group Self‐Interest vs. Equity: Explaining Support for Horizontal Redistribution in (Former) Competitive Clientelist States

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Kuppens, Line, Leopold, Lucas, Langer, Arnim, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Kuppens, Line, Leopold, Lucas, and Langer, Arnim
Abstract: Extant literature links intergroup disparities, or horizontal inequalities, in Sub‐Saharan Africa to the unequal representation of ethnic groups in central power, who accumulate wealth at the expense of politically marginalized groups. Over time, these politically‐induced inequalities have trapped some ethnic groups in positions of relative disadvantage. Group‐based, or horizontal, redistribution can help redress these inequalities yet require popular support if they are not to contribute to intergroup tensions. In this article, we examine how people’s experiences of political exclusion, on the one hand, and their attributional beliefs about the causes of political exclusion, on the other, condition support for government policies aimed at eradicating economic inequalities between different ethnic groups. We argue that people are more likely to be supportive of horizontal redistribution either when (H1a) they belong to ethnic groups that have not had access to central power, and/or (H1b) feel that their ethnic group is politically marginalized (and thus stands to gain); or when (H2) they attribute the political exclusion of the politically marginalized group(s) that stand(s) to benefit from these policies to the legacies of colonialism and clientelism (thus seeking to foster equity). To test our hypotheses, we examine these issues in the context of Kenya, a society with politically salient ethnic cleavages and a history of clientelism. Based on a unique online survey involving 2,286 Kenyans, we show that, notwithstanding group self‐interest being at play, there is strong support for horizontal redistribution across groups.
Published: 2024

3. Plasticity and associated epigenetic mechanisms play a role in thermal evolution during range expansion

Author: Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Zoología, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT). México, Swaegers, Janne, De Cupere, Simon, Gaens, Noah, Lancaster, Lesley T., Carbonell Hernández, José Antonio, Sánchez Guillén, Rosa A., Stoks, Robby, Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Zoología, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT). México, Swaegers, Janne, De Cupere, Simon, Gaens, Noah, Lancaster, Lesley T., Carbonell Hernández, José Antonio, Sánchez Guillén, Rosa A., and Stoks, Robby
Abstract: Due to global change, many species are shifting their distribution and are thereby confronted with novel thermal conditions at the moving range edges. Especially during the initial phases of exposure to a new environment, it has been hypothesized that plasticity and associated epigenetic mechanisms enable species to cope with environmental change. We tested this idea by capitalizing on the well-documented southward range expansion of the damselfly Ischnura elegans from France into Spain where the species invaded warmer regions in the 1950s in eastern Spain (old edge region) and in the 2010s in central Spain (new edge region). Using a common garden experiment at rearing temperatures matching the ancestral and invaded thermal regimes, we tested for evolutionary changes in (thermal plasticity in) larval life history and heat tolerance in these expansion zones. Through the use of de- and hypermethylating agents, we tested whether epigenetic mechanisms play a role in enabling heat tolerance during expansion. We used the phenotype of the native sister species in Spain, I. graellsii, as proxy for the locally adapted phenotype. New edge populations converged toward the phenotype of the native species through plastic thermal responses in life history and heat tolerance while old edge populations (partly) constitutively evolved a faster life history and higher heat tolerance than the core populations, thereby matching the native species. Only the heat tolerance of new edge populations increased significantly when exposed to the hypermethylating agent. This suggests that the DNA methylation machinery is more amenable to perturbation at the new edge and shows it is able to play a role in achieving a higher heat tolerance. Our results show that both (evolved) plasticity as well as associated epigenetic mechanisms are initially important when facing new thermal regimes but that their importance diminishes with time.
Published: 2024

4. Who Deserves To Be Supported? Analysing Attitudes Towards Horizontal Redistribution in Nigeria

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Langer, Arnim, Leopold, Lucas, Meuleman, Bart, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Langer, Arnim, Leopold, Lucas, and Meuleman, Bart
Abstract: Despite the widespread recognition of the risk that group‐based inequalities, or so‐called horizontal inequalities (HIs), pose for the political stability and social cohesion of multi‐ethnic societies, extremely little research has been conducted on how people perceive these inequalities and how these perceptions, in turn, are associated with people’s attitudes towards group‐based or horizontal redistribution. In this article, we systematically analyse how people’s perceptions of prevailing socio‐economic HIs shape their attitudes towards horizontal redistribution in Nigeria, a country confronted with sharp and persistent inequalities between different ethnic groups. We develop a set of hypotheses for explaining differences in support for horizontal redistribution policies and test these hypotheses empirically with the help of a unique survey panel of about 2300 Nigerians.
Published: 2024

5. Who Deserves To Be Supported? Analysing Attitudes Towards Horizontal Redistribution in Nigeria

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Langer, Arnim, Leopold, Lucas, Meuleman, Bart, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Langer, Arnim, Leopold, Lucas, and Meuleman, Bart
Abstract: Despite the widespread recognition of the risk that group‐based inequalities, or so‐called horizontal inequalities (HIs), pose for the political stability and social cohesion of multi‐ethnic societies, extremely little research has been conducted on how people perceive these inequalities and how these perceptions, in turn, are associated with people’s attitudes towards group‐based or horizontal redistribution. In this article, we systematically analyse how people’s perceptions of prevailing socio‐economic HIs shape their attitudes towards horizontal redistribution in Nigeria, a country confronted with sharp and persistent inequalities between different ethnic groups. We develop a set of hypotheses for explaining differences in support for horizontal redistribution policies and test these hypotheses empirically with the help of a unique survey panel of about 2300 Nigerians.
Published: 2024

6. Combining isotopic and elemental tracers for enhanced sediment source partitioning in complex catchments

Author: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Research Foundation - Flanders, Latorrre Garcés, Borja [0000-0002-6720-3326], Gaspar Ferrer, Leticia [0000-0002-3473-7110], Navas Izquierdo, Ana [0000-0002-4724-7532], Lizaga Villuendas, Iván, Latorre Garcés, Borja, Bodé, Samuel, Gaspar Ferrer, Leticia, Boeckx, Pascal, Navas Izquierdo, Ana, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Research Foundation - Flanders, Latorrre Garcés, Borja [0000-0002-6720-3326], Gaspar Ferrer, Leticia [0000-0002-3473-7110], Navas Izquierdo, Ana [0000-0002-4724-7532], Lizaga Villuendas, Iván, Latorre Garcés, Borja, Bodé, Samuel, Gaspar Ferrer, Leticia, Boeckx, Pascal, and Navas Izquierdo, Ana
Abstract: Sediment fingerprinting quantifies soil erosion processes by tracing sediment origins in water bodies. In this regard, several types of tracers have been used to discriminate different sediment sources. Stable isotopic composition of fatty acids is associated with land use/vegetation cover, while elemental composition is related to different mineralogy. Isotopic tracers are characterised by their isotopic ratio and total content, requiring specific fingerprinting models. Consequently, this has led to few studies combining elemental and isotopic tracers. In this context, our analysis explores merging isotopic and elemental tracers to identify sediment sources in an ungauged Mediterranean mountain catchment. This catchment features consistent lithology, seasonal streams, and a history of land use changes, shifting from rangelands to croplands for increased agricultural production and later reverting to natural revegetation due to mid-20th-century land abandonment. Achieving effective source discrimination in these intricate landscapes remains a significant challenge, emphasising the need for diverse tracer integration. To explore this possibility, we collected composite source samples from three distinct land uses: cropland, Mediterranean forest, and pine forest, as well as two geomorphic features: highly disturbed areas such as exposed subsoil and channel banks. By considering these diverse sampling locations, we aim to capture the variability in sediment sources within the catchment. Our dataset spans one full hydrological year, allowing us to analyse sediment dynamics throughout different seasons and hydrological events. First, the Conservative Balance (CB) method was applied to integrate isotopic ratio and total content of each fatty acid into a single weighted tracer. Combining the weighted fatty acid (WFA) with elemental composition tracers significantly enhanced source discrimination, underlining the utility of employing diverse tracers for challenging source d
Published: 2024

7. Factors affecting mobility/export of particle-bound stable elements after erosive rainfalls in agroforestry Mediterranean catchments of Aragón (Spain)

Author: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Research Foundation - Flanders, Gaspar Ferrer, Leticia [0000-0002-3473-7110], Navas Izquierdo, Ana [0000-0002-4724-7532], Ramos, María Concepción, Lizaga Villuendas, Iván, Gaspar Ferrer, Leticia, Catalá, Arturo, Navas Izquierdo, Ana, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Research Foundation - Flanders, Gaspar Ferrer, Leticia [0000-0002-3473-7110], Navas Izquierdo, Ana [0000-0002-4724-7532], Ramos, María Concepción, Lizaga Villuendas, Iván, Gaspar Ferrer, Leticia, Catalá, Arturo, and Navas Izquierdo, Ana
Abstract: The composition of sediment fluxes caused by erosion can vary greatly both spatially and temporally, causing different impacts on water bodies. The erosion process is mainly driven by soil and rainfall characteristics as well as land use. The aim of this research is to evaluate the combined effect of these factors in a mountain agroforestry system, analysing the relationship of the sediment composition generated after flooding events with soil and rainfall characteristics and the impact of land use. The analyses were based on data recorded in three catchments with Mediterranean climate. The sediments were collected after 21 seasonal campaigns and their characteristics were assessed taking into account rainfall characteristics and the main land uses in each catchment. The results confirm the differences in soil particle mobilization after high and low intensity events and the higher impact of croplands compared to other dominant land uses. The amount of sediments trapped in the catchment with the largest area of cropland almost doubled sediment collected in the other catchments. Clay and soil organic carbon in the sediments were lower than in the original sources, likely due to the lower content in the soils more susceptible to erosion and the washing out of the finer material by runoff under high amount/intensity precipitation. Differences were observed between catchments and between rainfall events in the export of stable elements, with a general sediment enrichment in Al, Be, B, Cu, Mn, S, Sr and Zn, reaching the highest values for Be, Sr and Zn. The elemental enrichment differed according to rainfall characteristics thus Cu, Zn or Mn were higher after low intensity events, while other elements like Be were enriched after high intensity events. These variable patterns evidence the complex interplay of involved factors and the key role of elemental bounds to particle sizes and organic matter.
Published: 2024

8. Taking sides? Aspect has limited influence on soil environment or litter decomposition in pan-European study of roadside verges

Author: Plymouth University, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Research Foundation - Flanders, Gómez Aparicio, Lorena [0000-0001-5122-3579], Graae, B. J. [0000-0002-5568-4759], Vangansbeke, Pieter [0000-0002-6356-2858], Amstutz, A., Firth, Louise, Spicer, John I., De Frenne, Pieter, Gómez Aparicio, Lorena, Graae, B. J., Kuś, S., Lindmo, S., Orczewska, A., Rodríguez-Sánchez, Francisco, Vangansbeke, Pieter, Vanneste, Thomas, Hanley, Mick E., Plymouth University, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Research Foundation - Flanders, Gómez Aparicio, Lorena [0000-0001-5122-3579], Graae, B. J. [0000-0002-5568-4759], Vangansbeke, Pieter [0000-0002-6356-2858], Amstutz, A., Firth, Louise, Spicer, John I., De Frenne, Pieter, Gómez Aparicio, Lorena, Graae, B. J., Kuś, S., Lindmo, S., Orczewska, A., Rodríguez-Sánchez, Francisco, Vangansbeke, Pieter, Vanneste, Thomas, and Hanley, Mick E.
Abstract: In addition to well-known effects on species ecophysiology, phenology, and distributions, climate change is widely predicted to impact essential ecosystem services such as decomposition and nutrient cycling. While temperature and soil moisture are thought to influence litter decomposition, elucidating consistent soil process responses to observed or predicted shifts in climate have proven difficult to evidence. Here we investigated how aspect (i.e., north-south orientation), a natural model for variation in soil temperature, influenced soil physico-chemical conditions and decomposition of two standardised litter types (Green tea and Rooibos teabags) in Pole-facing (PF) and Equator-facing (EF) roadside verges spanning a 3000 km and 27° latitudinal gradient across Europe. Despite average daily temperatures being 1.5 - 3.0 °C warmer on EF than PF slopes, there were only minor region-specific differences in initial soil physico-chemical conditions and short-term variation in litter decomposition (i.e., litter mass loss was higher in EF-verges for the first month of deployment only) associated with aspect. We conclude that previously observed differences in soil environments and the decomposition process associated with slope orientation, is largely litter or environment specific, although medium-term soil-decomposition in semi-natural grassland ecosystems may also be insensitive to the magnitude of temperature variation within the range predicted by the IPCC SSP1–2.6 emissions scenario. Nonetheless, consistent average and extreme temperature differences between adjacent PF- and EF-aspects along roadside verges provides a model system to explore exactly how resilient the soil environment and the micro-organisms responsible for decomposition, are to temperature variation.
Published: 2024

9. Dispersal history of SARS-CoV-2 in Galicia, Spain

Author: Banco Santander, Conferencia de Rectores de las Universidades Españolas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Xunta de Galicia, European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Wellcome Trust, National Institutes of Health (US), Foundation for Science and Technology, Gallego-García, Pilar, Estévez-Gómez, Nuria, De Chiara, Loretta, Alvariño, Pilar, Juiz-González, Pedro M., Torres-Beceiro, Isabel, Poza, Margarita, Vallejo, Juan A., Rumbo-Feal, Soraya, Conde-Pérez, Kelly, Aja-Macaya, Pablo, Ladra, Susana, Moreno-Flores, Antonio, Gude-González, María J., Coira, Amparo, Aguilera, Antonio, Costa-Alcalde, José J., Trastoy, Rocío, Barbeito-Castiñeiras, Gema, García-Souto, Daniel, Tubio, José M. C., Trigo-Daporta, Matilde, Camacho-Zamora, Pablo, García Costa, Juan, González-Domínguez, María, Luis Canoura-Fernández, Glez-Peña, Daniel, Pérez-Castro, Sonia, Cabrera, Jorge J., Daviña-Núñez, Carlos, Godoy-Diz, Montserrat, Treinta-Álvarez, Ana Belén, Veiga, Maria Isabel, Sousa, João Carlos, Osório, Nuno S., Comas, Iñaki, González-Candelas, Fernando, Hong, Samuel L., Bollen, Nena, Dellicour, Simon, Baele, Guy, Suchard, Marc A., Lemey, Philippe, Andrés Agulla, Bou, Germán, Alonso-García, Pilar, Pérez-del-Molino, María Luisa, García-Campello, Marta, Paz-Vidal, Isabel, Regueiro, Benito, Posada, David, Banco Santander, Conferencia de Rectores de las Universidades Españolas, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (España), Xunta de Galicia, European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Wellcome Trust, National Institutes of Health (US), Foundation for Science and Technology, Gallego-García, Pilar, Estévez-Gómez, Nuria, De Chiara, Loretta, Alvariño, Pilar, Juiz-González, Pedro M., Torres-Beceiro, Isabel, Poza, Margarita, Vallejo, Juan A., Rumbo-Feal, Soraya, Conde-Pérez, Kelly, Aja-Macaya, Pablo, Ladra, Susana, Moreno-Flores, Antonio, Gude-González, María J., Coira, Amparo, Aguilera, Antonio, Costa-Alcalde, José J., Trastoy, Rocío, Barbeito-Castiñeiras, Gema, García-Souto, Daniel, Tubio, José M. C., Trigo-Daporta, Matilde, Camacho-Zamora, Pablo, García Costa, Juan, González-Domínguez, María, Luis Canoura-Fernández, Glez-Peña, Daniel, Pérez-Castro, Sonia, Cabrera, Jorge J., Daviña-Núñez, Carlos, Godoy-Diz, Montserrat, Treinta-Álvarez, Ana Belén, Veiga, Maria Isabel, Sousa, João Carlos, Osório, Nuno S., Comas, Iñaki, González-Candelas, Fernando, Hong, Samuel L., Bollen, Nena, Dellicour, Simon, Baele, Guy, Suchard, Marc A., Lemey, Philippe, Andrés Agulla, Bou, Germán, Alonso-García, Pilar, Pérez-del-Molino, María Luisa, García-Campello, Marta, Paz-Vidal, Isabel, Regueiro, Benito, and Posada, David
Abstract: The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission are influenced by a variety of factors, including social restrictions and the emergence of distinct variants. In this study, we delve into the origins and dissemination of the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants of concern in Galicia, northwest Spain. For this, we leveraged genomic data collected by the EPICOVIGAL Consortium and from the GISAID database, along with mobility information from other Spanish regions and foreign countries. Our analysis indicates that initial introductions during the Alpha phase were predominantly from other Spanish regions and France. However, as the pandemic progressed, introductions from Portugal and the USA became increasingly significant. Notably, Galicia’s major coastal cities emerged as critical hubs for viral transmission, highlighting their role in sustaining and spreading the virus. This research emphasizes the critical role of regional connectivity in the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and offers essential insights for enhancing public health strategies and surveillance measures.
Published: 2024

10. Electronic tagging and tracking aquatic animals to understand a world increasingly shaped by a changing climate and extreme weather events

Author: Alter, European Commission, Azorean Regional Fund for Science and Technology, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Cooperation in Science and Technology, Norwegian Research Council, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Aspillaga, Eneko [0000-0002-8888-8731], Villegas-Ríos, David [0000-0001-5660-5322], Lennox, Robert, Afonso, Pedro, Birnie-Gauvin, Kim, Dahlmo, Lotte S., Nilsen, Cecilie Iden, Arlinghaus, Robert, Cooke, Steven J., Souza, Allan T., Jarić, Ivan, Prchalová, Marie, Říha, Milan, Westrelin, Samuel, Twardek, William, Aspillaga, Eneko, Kraft, Sebastian, Šmejkal, Marek, Baktoft, Henrik, Brodin, Tomas, Hellström, Gustav, Villegas-Ríos, David, Vollset, Knut Wiik, Adam, Timo, Sortland, Lene K., Bertram, Michael G., Crossa, Marcelo, Vogel, Emma F., Gillies, Natasha, Reubens, Jan, Alter, European Commission, Azorean Regional Fund for Science and Technology, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Cooperation in Science and Technology, Norwegian Research Council, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Aspillaga, Eneko [0000-0002-8888-8731], Villegas-Ríos, David [0000-0001-5660-5322], Lennox, Robert, Afonso, Pedro, Birnie-Gauvin, Kim, Dahlmo, Lotte S., Nilsen, Cecilie Iden, Arlinghaus, Robert, Cooke, Steven J., Souza, Allan T., Jarić, Ivan, Prchalová, Marie, Říha, Milan, Westrelin, Samuel, Twardek, William, Aspillaga, Eneko, Kraft, Sebastian, Šmejkal, Marek, Baktoft, Henrik, Brodin, Tomas, Hellström, Gustav, Villegas-Ríos, David, Vollset, Knut Wiik, Adam, Timo, Sortland, Lene K., Bertram, Michael G., Crossa, Marcelo, Vogel, Emma F., Gillies, Natasha, and Reubens, Jan
Abstract: Despite great promise for understanding the impacts and extent of climate change and extreme weather events on aquatic animals, their species, and ecological communities, it is surprising that electronic tagging and tracking tools, like biotelemetry and biologging, have not been extensively used to understand climate change or develop and evaluate potential interventions that may help adapt to its impacts. In this review, we provide an overview of methodologies and study designs that leverage available electronic tracking tools to investigate aspects of climate change and extreme weather events in aquatic ecosystems. Key interventions to protect aquatic life from the impacts of climate change, including habitat restoration, protected areas, conservation translocations, mitigations against interactive effects of climate change, and simulation of future scenarios, can all be greatly facilitated by using electronic tagging and tracking. We anticipate that adopting animal tracking to identify phenotypes, species, or ecosystems that are vulnerable or resilient to climate change will help in applying management interventions such as fisheries management, habitat restoration, invasive species control, or enhancement measures that prevent extinction and strengthen the resilience of communities against the most damaging effects of climate change. Given the scalability and increasing accessibility of animal tracking tools for researchers, tracking individual organisms will hopefully also facilitate research into effective solutions and interventions against the most extreme and acute impacts on species, populations, and ecosystems.
Published: 2024

11. Plasticity and associated epigenetic mechanisms play a role in thermal evolution during range expansion

Author: Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Zoología, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT). México, Swaegers, Janne, De Cupere, Simon, Gaens, Noah, Lancaster, Lesley T., Carbonell Hernández, José Antonio, Sánchez Guillén, Rosa A., Stoks, Robby, Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Zoología, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Katholieke Universiteit te Leuven, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT). México, Swaegers, Janne, De Cupere, Simon, Gaens, Noah, Lancaster, Lesley T., Carbonell Hernández, José Antonio, Sánchez Guillén, Rosa A., and Stoks, Robby
Abstract: Due to global change, many species are shifting their distribution and are thereby confronted with novel thermal conditions at the moving range edges. Especially during the initial phases of exposure to a new environment, it has been hypothesized that plasticity and associated epigenetic mechanisms enable species to cope with environmental change. We tested this idea by capitalizing on the well-documented southward range expansion of the damselfly Ischnura elegans from France into Spain where the species invaded warmer regions in the 1950s in eastern Spain (old edge region) and in the 2010s in central Spain (new edge region). Using a common garden experiment at rearing temperatures matching the ancestral and invaded thermal regimes, we tested for evolutionary changes in (thermal plasticity in) larval life history and heat tolerance in these expansion zones. Through the use of de- and hypermethylating agents, we tested whether epigenetic mechanisms play a role in enabling heat tolerance during expansion. We used the phenotype of the native sister species in Spain, I. graellsii, as proxy for the locally adapted phenotype. New edge populations converged toward the phenotype of the native species through plastic thermal responses in life history and heat tolerance while old edge populations (partly) constitutively evolved a faster life history and higher heat tolerance than the core populations, thereby matching the native species. Only the heat tolerance of new edge populations increased significantly when exposed to the hypermethylating agent. This suggests that the DNA methylation machinery is more amenable to perturbation at the new edge and shows it is able to play a role in achieving a higher heat tolerance. Our results show that both (evolved) plasticity as well as associated epigenetic mechanisms are initially important when facing new thermal regimes but that their importance diminishes with time.
Published: 2024

12. Who Deserves To Be Supported? Analysing Attitudes Towards Horizontal Redistribution in Nigeria

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Langer, Arnim, Leopold, Lucas, Meuleman, Bart, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Langer, Arnim, Leopold, Lucas, and Meuleman, Bart
Abstract: Despite the widespread recognition of the risk that group‐based inequalities, or so‐called horizontal inequalities (HIs), pose for the political stability and social cohesion of multi‐ethnic societies, extremely little research has been conducted on how people perceive these inequalities and how these perceptions, in turn, are associated with people’s attitudes towards group‐based or horizontal redistribution. In this article, we systematically analyse how people’s perceptions of prevailing socio‐economic HIs shape their attitudes towards horizontal redistribution in Nigeria, a country confronted with sharp and persistent inequalities between different ethnic groups. We develop a set of hypotheses for explaining differences in support for horizontal redistribution policies and test these hypotheses empirically with the help of a unique survey panel of about 2300 Nigerians.
Published: 2024

13. Group Self‐Interest vs. Equity: Explaining Support for Horizontal Redistribution in (Former) Competitive Clientelist States

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Kuppens, Line, Leopold, Lucas, Langer, Arnim, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Kuppens, Line, Leopold, Lucas, and Langer, Arnim
Abstract: Extant literature links intergroup disparities, or horizontal inequalities, in Sub‐Saharan Africa to the unequal representation of ethnic groups in central power, who accumulate wealth at the expense of politically marginalized groups. Over time, these politically‐induced inequalities have trapped some ethnic groups in positions of relative disadvantage. Group‐based, or horizontal, redistribution can help redress these inequalities yet require popular support if they are not to contribute to intergroup tensions. In this article, we examine how people’s experiences of political exclusion, on the one hand, and their attributional beliefs about the causes of political exclusion, on the other, condition support for government policies aimed at eradicating economic inequalities between different ethnic groups. We argue that people are more likely to be supportive of horizontal redistribution either when (H1a) they belong to ethnic groups that have not had access to central power, and/or (H1b) feel that their ethnic group is politically marginalized (and thus stands to gain); or when (H2) they attribute the political exclusion of the politically marginalized group(s) that stand(s) to benefit from these policies to the legacies of colonialism and clientelism (thus seeking to foster equity). To test our hypotheses, we examine these issues in the context of Kenya, a society with politically salient ethnic cleavages and a history of clientelism. Based on a unique online survey involving 2,286 Kenyans, we show that, notwithstanding group self‐interest being at play, there is strong support for horizontal redistribution across groups.
Published: 2024

14. Microneedle Array-based Electrochemical Sensor Functionalized with SWCNTs for the Highly Sensitive Monitoring of MDMA in Interstitial Fluid

Author: Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, European Union (UE). H2020, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España, Drăgan, Ana Maria, Parrilla, Marc, Cambré, Sofie, Domínguez Robles, Juan, Detamornrat, Usanee, Donnelly, Ryan F., Oprean, Radu, Cristea, Cecilia, De Wael, Karolien, Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, European Union (UE). H2020, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España, Drăgan, Ana Maria, Parrilla, Marc, Cambré, Sofie, Domínguez Robles, Juan, Detamornrat, Usanee, Donnelly, Ryan F., Oprean, Radu, Cristea, Cecilia, and De Wael, Karolien
Abstract: Illicit drug consumption constitutes a great concern worldwide due to its increased spread and abuse, and the negative consequences exerted on society. For instance, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic amphetamine-type substance, was abused by 20 million people worldwide in 2020. This psychoactive substance exerts a myriad of effects on the human body being dangerous for the consumer’s health. Besides, MDMA has been used in the treatment of some psychiatric conditions. Therefore, the development of wearable devices for MDMA sensing in biological fluids is of great importance for forensic toxicology (e.g., monitoring of patients with suspected or known MDMA consumption) as well as for therapeutic management of patients. Herein, we report the development of a wearable electrochemical platform based on a hollow microneedle (MN) array sensor for the monitoring of MDMA in the interstitial fluid by square-wave voltammetry. First, the holes of the MN array were modified with conductive pastes to devise a MN patch with a three-electrode system. Subsequently, the functionalization of the working electrode with nanomaterials enhanced MDMA detection. Thereafter, analytical parameters were evaluated exhibiting a slope of 0.05 µA µM−1 within a linear range from 1 to 50 µM and a limit of detection of 0.75 µM in artificial interstitial fluid. Importantly, critical parameters such as selectivity, piercing capability, temperature, reversibility and stability were assessed. Overall, the obtained MN sensor exhibited excellent analytical performance, making it a promising tool for MDMA tracking in interstitial fluid for individuals on probation or under therapeutic treatment.
Published: 2023

15. Microneedle Array-based Electrochemical Sensor Functionalized with SWCNTs for the Highly Sensitive Monitoring of MDMA in Interstitial Fluid

Author: Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, European Union (UE). H2020, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España, Drăgan, Ana Maria, Parrilla, Marc, Cambré, Sofie, Domínguez Robles, Juan, Detamornrat, Usanee, Donnelly, Ryan F., Oprean, Radu, Cristea, Cecilia, De Wael, Karolien, Universidad de Sevilla. Departamento de Farmacia y Tecnología Farmacéutica, European Union (UE). H2020, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MICIN). España, Drăgan, Ana Maria, Parrilla, Marc, Cambré, Sofie, Domínguez Robles, Juan, Detamornrat, Usanee, Donnelly, Ryan F., Oprean, Radu, Cristea, Cecilia, and De Wael, Karolien
Abstract: Illicit drug consumption constitutes a great concern worldwide due to its increased spread and abuse, and the negative consequences exerted on society. For instance, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic amphetamine-type substance, was abused by 20 million people worldwide in 2020. This psychoactive substance exerts a myriad of effects on the human body being dangerous for the consumer’s health. Besides, MDMA has been used in the treatment of some psychiatric conditions. Therefore, the development of wearable devices for MDMA sensing in biological fluids is of great importance for forensic toxicology (e.g., monitoring of patients with suspected or known MDMA consumption) as well as for therapeutic management of patients. Herein, we report the development of a wearable electrochemical platform based on a hollow microneedle (MN) array sensor for the monitoring of MDMA in the interstitial fluid by square-wave voltammetry. First, the holes of the MN array were modified with conductive pastes to devise a MN patch with a three-electrode system. Subsequently, the functionalization of the working electrode with nanomaterials enhanced MDMA detection. Thereafter, analytical parameters were evaluated exhibiting a slope of 0.05 µA µM−1 within a linear range from 1 to 50 µM and a limit of detection of 0.75 µM in artificial interstitial fluid. Importantly, critical parameters such as selectivity, piercing capability, temperature, reversibility and stability were assessed. Overall, the obtained MN sensor exhibited excellent analytical performance, making it a promising tool for MDMA tracking in interstitial fluid for individuals on probation or under therapeutic treatment.
Published: 2023

16. Catching the Digital Train on Time: Older Adults, Continuity, and Digital Inclusion

Author: The Research Foundation—Flanders FWO, van Leeuwen, Cora, Jacobs, An, Mariën, Ilse, The Research Foundation—Flanders FWO, van Leeuwen, Cora, Jacobs, An, and Mariën, Ilse
Abstract: As society has become more reliant on digital technology, it has changed the perception of the ageing experience to now include a digital component. However, not every older adult perceives digital technology as essential to their way of ageing. In this article, we asked 76 older adults with different patterns of digital technology use how they experience and perceive the role of digital technology in the context of their ageing. The thematic analysis results point to a more nuanced understanding of the importance of familial support, the role of personal history or continuity in older adults’ digital inclusion, and how they see the role of age in relation to digital technology. Furthermore, our findings show that ageism is both a barrier and a motivational factor for older adults. When ageism is based on the level of digital inclusion, it can cause a different ageing experience, one that is perceived as superior by those using digital technology. This leads to a precarious situation: It becomes essential to maintain digital skills to avoid the non‐digital ageing experience even as it becomes more difficult to maintain their skills due to the evolution of technology. Prior to the study, we created a conceptual framework to understand ageing in a more digitalised world. We used the findings of this study to test the conceptual framework and we conclude that the framework can clarify the role (or lack) of digital technology in the ageing experience of older adults.
Published: 2023

17. Catching the Digital Train on Time: Older Adults, Continuity, and Digital Inclusion

Author: The Research Foundation—Flanders FWO, van Leeuwen, Cora, Jacobs, An, Mariën, Ilse, The Research Foundation—Flanders FWO, van Leeuwen, Cora, Jacobs, An, and Mariën, Ilse
Abstract: As society has become more reliant on digital technology, it has changed the perception of the ageing experience to now include a digital component. However, not every older adult perceives digital technology as essential to their way of ageing. In this article, we asked 76 older adults with different patterns of digital technology use how they experience and perceive the role of digital technology in the context of their ageing. The thematic analysis results point to a more nuanced understanding of the importance of familial support, the role of personal history or continuity in older adults’ digital inclusion, and how they see the role of age in relation to digital technology. Furthermore, our findings show that ageism is both a barrier and a motivational factor for older adults. When ageism is based on the level of digital inclusion, it can cause a different ageing experience, one that is perceived as superior by those using digital technology. This leads to a precarious situation: It becomes essential to maintain digital skills to avoid the non‐digital ageing experience even as it becomes more difficult to maintain their skills due to the evolution of technology. Prior to the study, we created a conceptual framework to understand ageing in a more digitalised world. We used the findings of this study to test the conceptual framework and we conclude that the framework can clarify the role (or lack) of digital technology in the ageing experience of older adults.
Published: 2023

18. Catching the Digital Train on Time: Older Adults, Continuity, and Digital Inclusion

Author: The Research Foundation—Flanders FWO, van Leeuwen, Cora, Jacobs, An, Mariën, Ilse, The Research Foundation—Flanders FWO, van Leeuwen, Cora, Jacobs, An, and Mariën, Ilse
Abstract: As society has become more reliant on digital technology, it has changed the perception of the ageing experience to now include a digital component. However, not every older adult perceives digital technology as essential to their way of ageing. In this article, we asked 76 older adults with different patterns of digital technology use how they experience and perceive the role of digital technology in the context of their ageing. The thematic analysis results point to a more nuanced understanding of the importance of familial support, the role of personal history or continuity in older adults’ digital inclusion, and how they see the role of age in relation to digital technology. Furthermore, our findings show that ageism is both a barrier and a motivational factor for older adults. When ageism is based on the level of digital inclusion, it can cause a different ageing experience, one that is perceived as superior by those using digital technology. This leads to a precarious situation: It becomes essential to maintain digital skills to avoid the non‐digital ageing experience even as it becomes more difficult to maintain their skills due to the evolution of technology. Prior to the study, we created a conceptual framework to understand ageing in a more digitalised world. We used the findings of this study to test the conceptual framework and we conclude that the framework can clarify the role (or lack) of digital technology in the ageing experience of older adults.
Published: 2023

19. Catching the Digital Train on Time: Older Adults, Continuity, and Digital Inclusion

Author: The Research Foundation—Flanders FWO, van Leeuwen, Cora, Jacobs, An, Mariën, Ilse, The Research Foundation—Flanders FWO, van Leeuwen, Cora, Jacobs, An, and Mariën, Ilse
Abstract: As society has become more reliant on digital technology, it has changed the perception of the ageing experience to now include a digital component. However, not every older adult perceives digital technology as essential to their way of ageing. In this article, we asked 76 older adults with different patterns of digital technology use how they experience and perceive the role of digital technology in the context of their ageing. The thematic analysis results point to a more nuanced understanding of the importance of familial support, the role of personal history or continuity in older adults’ digital inclusion, and how they see the role of age in relation to digital technology. Furthermore, our findings show that ageism is both a barrier and a motivational factor for older adults. When ageism is based on the level of digital inclusion, it can cause a different ageing experience, one that is perceived as superior by those using digital technology. This leads to a precarious situation: It becomes essential to maintain digital skills to avoid the non‐digital ageing experience even as it becomes more difficult to maintain their skills due to the evolution of technology. Prior to the study, we created a conceptual framework to understand ageing in a more digitalised world. We used the findings of this study to test the conceptual framework and we conclude that the framework can clarify the role (or lack) of digital technology in the ageing experience of older adults.
Published: 2023

20. Connecting the multiple dimensions of global soil fungal diversity

Author: Estonian Science Foundation, Estonian Research Council, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Baltic Research Cooperation Programme, King Saud University, European Commission, British Ecological Society, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Generalitat Valenciana, Swedish Research Council, Ghent University, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (Chile), Academy of Finland, National Science Foundation (US), Czech Science Foundation, Carlsberg Foundation, Qatar Petroleum, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina), Yunnan Province, Leopold III-Fonds, Research Foundation - Flanders, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Higher Education Commission (Pakistan), Mikryukov, Vladimir [0000-0003-2786-2690], Dulya, Olesya [0000-0002-7185-8659], Zizka, Alexander [0000-0002-1680-9192], Bahram, Mohammad [0000-0002-9539-3307], Hagh-Doust, Niloufar [0000-0003-0616-5829], Anslan, Sten [0000-0002-2299-454X], Prylutskyi, Oleh [0000-0001-5730-517X], Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel [0000-0002-6499-576X], Maestre, Fernando T. [0000-0002-7434-4856], Nilsson, Henrik [0000-0002-8052-0107], Pärn, Jaan [0000-0001-6507-8894], Öpik, Maarja [0000-0001-8025-7460], Moora, Mari [0000-0002-4819-7506], Zobel, Martin [0000-0001-7957-6704], Espenberg, Mikk [0000-0003-0469-6394], Mander, Ülo [0000-0003-2340-6989], Khalid, Abdul Nasir [0000-0002-5635-8031], Corrales, Adriana [0000-0001-9885-4634], Agan, Ahto [0000-0001-9010-8944], Vasco-Palacios, Aída-M. [0000-0003-0539-9711], Rinaldi, Andrea [0000-0002-9352-1037], Verbeken, A. [0000-0002-6266-3091], Sulistyo, Bobby [0000-0002-5203-4822], Furneaux, Brendan [0000-0003-3522-7363], Duarte Ritter, Camila [0000-0002-3371-7425], Nyamukondiwa, Casper [0000-0002-0395-4980], Sharp, Cathy [0009-0003-4985-1543], Marín, César [0000-0002-2529-8929], Gohar, Daniyal [0000-0003-0312-1142], Klavina, Darta [0000-0002-1455-9062], Dai, Dong Qin [0000-0001-8935-8807], Nouhra, Eduardo [0000-0002-7080-8211], Machteld Biersma, Elisabeth [0000-0002-9877-2177], Rähn, Elisabeth [0009-0005-5521-4772], Cameron, Erin [0000-0002-3374-9830], Crop, Eske de [0000-0002-9067-6981], Otsing. Eveli [0000-0001-7416-257X], Albornoz, Felipe [0000-0001-9526-0945], Brearley, Francis [0000-0001-5053-5693], Buegger, Franz [0000-0003-3526-4711], Zahn, Geoffrey [0000-0002-8691-692X], Bonito, Gregory [0000-0002-7262-8978], Hiiesalu, Inga [0000-0002-5457-2376], Barrio, Isabel [0000-0002-8120-5248], Heilmann-Clausen, Jacob [0000-0003-4713-6004], Doležal, Jiří [0000-0002-5829-4051], Kupagme, John [0000-0002-9981-050X], Maciá-Vicente, José [0000-0002-7174-7270], Geml, József [0000-0001-8745-0423], Alatalo, Juha [0000-0001-5084-850X], Álvarez-Manjarrez, Julieta [0000-0002-5581-7443], Põldmaa, Kadri [0000-0002-7936-2455], Runnel, Kadrid [0000-0002-7308-3623], Bråthen, Kari Anne [0000-0003-0942-1074], Pritsch, Karin [0000-0001-6384-2473], Newsham, Kevin K. [0000-0002-9108-0936], Panksep, Kristel [0000-0003-4743-6111], Lateef, Adebola A. [0000-0002-0510-7996], Lamit, Louis J. [0000-0002-0385-6010], Saba, M. [0000-0001-7673-2345], Tuomi, Maria [0000-0002-7154-5177], Gryzenhout, M. [0000-0002-9224-4277], Bauters, Marijn [0000-0003-0978-6639], Wijayawardene, Nalin N. [0000-0003-0522-5498], Yorou, Nourou [0000-0001-6997-811X], Kurina, Olavi [0000-0002-4858-4629], Mortimer, Peter [0000-0003-3188-9327], Kohout, Petr [0000-0002-3985-2310], Puusepp, Rasmus [0000-0002-0617-3776], Garibay-Orijel, Roberto [0000-0002-6977-7550], Godoy, Roberto [0000-0002-3719-3091], Alkahtani, Saad [0000-0001-7381-5110], Rahimlou, Saleh [0000-0003-0427-1329], Dudov, Sergey [0000-0003-1512-0956], Ghosh, Soumya [0000-0002-4945-3516], Mundra, Sunil [0000-0002-0535-118X], Ahmed, Talaat [0000-0001-8022-1855], Netherway, Tarquin [0000-0002-9049-9225], Henkel, Terry [0000-0001-9760-8837], Roslin, Tomas [0000-0002-2957-4791], Nteziryayo, Vincent [0000-0002-0176-5780], Fedosov, V. [0000-0002-5331-6346], Lim, Young Woon [0000-0003-2864-3449], Van Nuland, Michael [0000-0002-3333-0212], Soudzilovskaia, Nadejda A. [0000-0002-9584-2109], Antonelli, Alexandre [0000-0003-1842-9297], Kõljalg, Urmas [0000-0002-5171-1668], Abarenkov, K. [0000-0001-5526-4845, Tedersoo, Leho [0000-0002-1635-1249], Mikryukov, Vladimir, Dulya, Olesya, Zizka, Alexander, Bahram, Mohammad, Hagh-Doust, Niloufar, Anslan, Sten, Prylutskyi, Oleh, Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel, Maestre, Fernando T., Nilsson, Henrik, Pärn, Jaan, Ahmed, Talaat, Netherway, Tarquin, Henkel, Terry, Roslin, Tomas, Nteziryayo, Vincent, Fedosov, V., Onipchenko, Vladimir, Yasanthika, W. A. Erand, Lim, Young Woon, Van Nuland, Michael, Soudzilovskaia, Nadejda A., Antonelli, Alexandre, Kõljalg, Urmas, Abarenkov, K., Tedersoo, Leho, Öpik, Maarja, Moora, Mari, Zobel, Martin, Espenberg, Mikk, Mander, Ülo, Khalid, Abdul Nasir, Corrales, Adriana, Agan, Ahto, Vasco-Palacios, Aída-M., Saitta, A., Rinaldi, Andrea, Verbeken, A., Sulistyo, Bobby, Tamgnoue, Boris, Furneaux, Brendan, Duarte Ritter, Camila, Nyamukondiwa, Casper, Sharp, Cathy, Marín, César, Gohar, Daniyal, Klavina, Darta, Sharmah, Dipon, Dai, Dong Qin, Nouhra, Eduardo, Machteld Biersma, Elisabeth, Rähn, Elisabeth, Cameron, Erin, Crop, Eske de, Otsing. Eveli, Albornoz, Felipe, Brearley, Francis, Buegger, Franz, Zahn, Geoffrey, Bonito, Gregory, Hiiesalu, Inga, Barrio, Isabel, Heilmann-Clausen, Jacob, Ankuda, Jelena, Doležal, Jiří, Kupagme, John, Maciá-Vicente, José, Djeugap Fovo, Joseph, Geml, József, Alatalo, Juha M., Álvarez-Manjarrez, Julieta, Põldmaa, Kadri, Runnel, Kadrid, Adamson, Kalev, Bråthen, Kari Anne, Pritsch, Karin, Tchan, Kassim I., Armolaitis, Kęstutis, Hyde, K.D., Newsham, Kevin K., Panksep, Kristel, Lateef, Adebola A., Hansson, Linda, Lamit, Louis J., Saba, M., Tuomi, Maria, Gryzenhout, M., Bauters, Marijn, Piepenbring, M., Wijayawardene, Nalin N., Yorou, Nourou, Kurina, Olavi, Mortimer, Peter, Meidl, Peter, Kohout, Petr, Puusepp, Rasmus, Drenkhan, Rein, Garibay-Orijel, Roberto, Godoy, Roberto, Alkahtani, Saad, Rahimlou, Saleh, Dudov, Sergey, Polme, Sergei, Ghosh, Soumya, Mundra, Sunil, Estonian Science Foundation, Estonian Research Council, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Baltic Research Cooperation Programme, King Saud University, European Commission, British Ecological Society, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Generalitat Valenciana, Swedish Research Council, Ghent University, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnológico (Chile), Academy of Finland, National Science Foundation (US), Czech Science Foundation, Carlsberg Foundation, Qatar Petroleum, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (Argentina), Yunnan Province, Leopold III-Fonds, Research Foundation - Flanders, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Higher Education Commission (Pakistan), Mikryukov, Vladimir [0000-0003-2786-2690], Dulya, Olesya [0000-0002-7185-8659], Zizka, Alexander [0000-0002-1680-9192], Bahram, Mohammad [0000-0002-9539-3307], Hagh-Doust, Niloufar [0000-0003-0616-5829], Anslan, Sten [0000-0002-2299-454X], Prylutskyi, Oleh [0000-0001-5730-517X], Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel [0000-0002-6499-576X], Maestre, Fernando T. [0000-0002-7434-4856], Nilsson, Henrik [0000-0002-8052-0107], Pärn, Jaan [0000-0001-6507-8894], Öpik, Maarja [0000-0001-8025-7460], Moora, Mari [0000-0002-4819-7506], Zobel, Martin [0000-0001-7957-6704], Espenberg, Mikk [0000-0003-0469-6394], Mander, Ülo [0000-0003-2340-6989], Khalid, Abdul Nasir [0000-0002-5635-8031], Corrales, Adriana [0000-0001-9885-4634], Agan, Ahto [0000-0001-9010-8944], Vasco-Palacios, Aída-M. [0000-0003-0539-9711], Rinaldi, Andrea [0000-0002-9352-1037], Verbeken, A. [0000-0002-6266-3091], Sulistyo, Bobby [0000-0002-5203-4822], Furneaux, Brendan [0000-0003-3522-7363], Duarte Ritter, Camila [0000-0002-3371-7425], Nyamukondiwa, Casper [0000-0002-0395-4980], Sharp, Cathy [0009-0003-4985-1543], Marín, César [0000-0002-2529-8929], Gohar, Daniyal [0000-0003-0312-1142], Klavina, Darta [0000-0002-1455-9062], Dai, Dong Qin [0000-0001-8935-8807], Nouhra, Eduardo [0000-0002-7080-8211], Machteld Biersma, Elisabeth [0000-0002-9877-2177], Rähn, Elisabeth [0009-0005-5521-4772], Cameron, Erin [0000-0002-3374-9830], Crop, Eske de [0000-0002-9067-6981], Otsing. Eveli [0000-0001-7416-257X], Albornoz, Felipe [0000-0001-9526-0945], Brearley, Francis [0000-0001-5053-5693], Buegger, Franz [0000-0003-3526-4711], Zahn, Geoffrey [0000-0002-8691-692X], Bonito, Gregory [0000-0002-7262-8978], Hiiesalu, Inga [0000-0002-5457-2376], Barrio, Isabel [0000-0002-8120-5248], Heilmann-Clausen, Jacob [0000-0003-4713-6004], Doležal, Jiří [0000-0002-5829-4051], Kupagme, John [0000-0002-9981-050X], Maciá-Vicente, José [0000-0002-7174-7270], Geml, József [0000-0001-8745-0423], Alatalo, Juha [0000-0001-5084-850X], Álvarez-Manjarrez, Julieta [0000-0002-5581-7443], Põldmaa, Kadri [0000-0002-7936-2455], Runnel, Kadrid [0000-0002-7308-3623], Bråthen, Kari Anne [0000-0003-0942-1074], Pritsch, Karin [0000-0001-6384-2473], Newsham, Kevin K. [0000-0002-9108-0936], Panksep, Kristel [0000-0003-4743-6111], Lateef, Adebola A. [0000-0002-0510-7996], Lamit, Louis J. [0000-0002-0385-6010], Saba, M. [0000-0001-7673-2345], Tuomi, Maria [0000-0002-7154-5177], Gryzenhout, M. [0000-0002-9224-4277], Bauters, Marijn [0000-0003-0978-6639], Wijayawardene, Nalin N. [0000-0003-0522-5498], Yorou, Nourou [0000-0001-6997-811X], Kurina, Olavi [0000-0002-4858-4629], Mortimer, Peter [0000-0003-3188-9327], Kohout, Petr [0000-0002-3985-2310], Puusepp, Rasmus [0000-0002-0617-3776], Garibay-Orijel, Roberto [0000-0002-6977-7550], Godoy, Roberto [0000-0002-3719-3091], Alkahtani, Saad [0000-0001-7381-5110], Rahimlou, Saleh [0000-0003-0427-1329], Dudov, Sergey [0000-0003-1512-0956], Ghosh, Soumya [0000-0002-4945-3516], Mundra, Sunil [0000-0002-0535-118X], Ahmed, Talaat [0000-0001-8022-1855], Netherway, Tarquin [0000-0002-9049-9225], Henkel, Terry [0000-0001-9760-8837], Roslin, Tomas [0000-0002-2957-4791], Nteziryayo, Vincent [0000-0002-0176-5780], Fedosov, V. [0000-0002-5331-6346], Lim, Young Woon [0000-0003-2864-3449], Van Nuland, Michael [0000-0002-3333-0212], Soudzilovskaia, Nadejda A. [0000-0002-9584-2109], Antonelli, Alexandre [0000-0003-1842-9297], Kõljalg, Urmas [0000-0002-5171-1668], Abarenkov, K. [0000-0001-5526-4845, Tedersoo, Leho [0000-0002-1635-1249], Mikryukov, Vladimir, Dulya, Olesya, Zizka, Alexander, Bahram, Mohammad, Hagh-Doust, Niloufar, Anslan, Sten, Prylutskyi, Oleh, Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel, Maestre, Fernando T., Nilsson, Henrik, Pärn, Jaan, Ahmed, Talaat, Netherway, Tarquin, Henkel, Terry, Roslin, Tomas, Nteziryayo, Vincent, Fedosov, V., Onipchenko, Vladimir, Yasanthika, W. A. Erand, Lim, Young Woon, Van Nuland, Michael, Soudzilovskaia, Nadejda A., Antonelli, Alexandre, Kõljalg, Urmas, Abarenkov, K., Tedersoo, Leho, Öpik, Maarja, Moora, Mari, Zobel, Martin, Espenberg, Mikk, Mander, Ülo, Khalid, Abdul Nasir, Corrales, Adriana, Agan, Ahto, Vasco-Palacios, Aída-M., Saitta, A., Rinaldi, Andrea, Verbeken, A., Sulistyo, Bobby, Tamgnoue, Boris, Furneaux, Brendan, Duarte Ritter, Camila, Nyamukondiwa, Casper, Sharp, Cathy, Marín, César, Gohar, Daniyal, Klavina, Darta, Sharmah, Dipon, Dai, Dong Qin, Nouhra, Eduardo, Machteld Biersma, Elisabeth, Rähn, Elisabeth, Cameron, Erin, Crop, Eske de, Otsing. Eveli, Albornoz, Felipe, Brearley, Francis, Buegger, Franz, Zahn, Geoffrey, Bonito, Gregory, Hiiesalu, Inga, Barrio, Isabel, Heilmann-Clausen, Jacob, Ankuda, Jelena, Doležal, Jiří, Kupagme, John, Maciá-Vicente, José, Djeugap Fovo, Joseph, Geml, József, Alatalo, Juha M., Álvarez-Manjarrez, Julieta, Põldmaa, Kadri, Runnel, Kadrid, Adamson, Kalev, Bråthen, Kari Anne, Pritsch, Karin, Tchan, Kassim I., Armolaitis, Kęstutis, Hyde, K.D., Newsham, Kevin K., Panksep, Kristel, Lateef, Adebola A., Hansson, Linda, Lamit, Louis J., Saba, M., Tuomi, Maria, Gryzenhout, M., Bauters, Marijn, Piepenbring, M., Wijayawardene, Nalin N., Yorou, Nourou, Kurina, Olavi, Mortimer, Peter, Meidl, Peter, Kohout, Petr, Puusepp, Rasmus, Drenkhan, Rein, Garibay-Orijel, Roberto, Godoy, Roberto, Alkahtani, Saad, Rahimlou, Saleh, Dudov, Sergey, Polme, Sergei, Ghosh, Soumya, and Mundra, Sunil
Abstract: How the multiple facets of soil fungal diversity vary worldwide remains virtually unknown, hindering the management of this essential species-rich group. By sequencing high-resolution DNA markers in over 4000 topsoil samples from natural and human-altered ecosystems across all continents, we illustrate the distributions and drivers of different levels of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of fungi and their ecological groups. We show the impact of precipitation and temperature interactions on local fungal species richness (alpha diversity) across different climates. Our findings reveal how temperature drives fungal compositional turnover (beta diversity) and phylogenetic diversity, linking them with regional species richness (gamma diversity). We integrate fungi into the principles of global biodiversity distribution and present detailed maps for biodiversity conservation and modeling of global ecological processes.
Published: 2023

21. Spatially resolved stellar populations of 0.3 < z < 6.0 Galaxies in WHL 0137–08 and MACS 0647+70 clusters as revealed by JWST: How do galaxies grow and quench over cosmic time?

Author: Danish National Research Foundation, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Commission, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, National Science Foundation (US), United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Swedish Research Council, Abdurro'uf, Coe, Dan, Jung, Intae, Ferguson, Henry C., Brammer, Gabriel, Iyer, Kartheik G., Bradley, Larry, Dayal, Pratika, Windhorst, Rogier A., Zitrin, Adi, Meena, Ashish K., Oguri, Masamune, Diego, José María, Kokorev, Vasily, Dimauro, Paola, Adamo, Angela, Conselice, Christopher J., Welch, Brian, Vanzella, Eros, Hsiao, Tiger Yu-Yang, Xu, Xinfeng, Roy, Namrata, Mulcahey, Celia R., Danish National Research Foundation, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Commission, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, National Science Foundation (US), United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Swedish Research Council, Abdurro'uf, Coe, Dan, Jung, Intae, Ferguson, Henry C., Brammer, Gabriel, Iyer, Kartheik G., Bradley, Larry, Dayal, Pratika, Windhorst, Rogier A., Zitrin, Adi, Meena, Ashish K., Oguri, Masamune, Diego, José María, Kokorev, Vasily, Dimauro, Paola, Adamo, Angela, Conselice, Christopher J., Welch, Brian, Vanzella, Eros, Hsiao, Tiger Yu-Yang, Xu, Xinfeng, Roy, Namrata, and Mulcahey, Celia R.
Abstract: We study the spatially resolved stellar populations of 444 galaxies at 0.3 < z < 6.0 in two clusters (WHL 0137–08 and MACS 0647+70) and a blank field, combining imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope and JWST to perform spatially resolved spectral energy distribution (SED) modeling using piXedfit. The high spatial resolution of the imaging data combined with magnification from gravitational lensing in the cluster fields allows us to resolve a large fraction of our galaxies (109) to subkiloparsec scales. At redshifts around cosmic noon and higher (2.5 ≲ z ≲ 6.0), we find mass-doubling times to be independent of radius, inferred from flat specific star formation rate (sSFR) radial profiles and similarities between the half-mass and half-SFR radii. At lower redshifts (1.5 ≲ z ≲ 2.5), a significant fraction of our star-forming galaxies shows evidence for nuclear starbursts, inferred from a centrally elevated sSFR and a much smaller half-SFR radius compared to the half-mass radius. At later epochs, we find more galaxies suppress star formation in their centers but are still actively forming stars in the disk. Overall, these trends point toward a picture of inside-out galaxy growth consistent with theoretical models and simulations. We also observe a tight relationship between the central mass surface density and global stellar mass with ∼0.38 dex scatter. Our analysis demonstrates the potential of spatially resolved SED analysis with JWST data. Future analysis with larger samples will be able to further explore the assembly of galaxy mass and the growth of their structures.
Published: 2023

22. Quantum tunneling rotor as a sensitive atomistic probe of guests in a metal-organic framework

Author: European Commission, European Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Department of Energy (US), Research Foundation - Flanders, Eusko Jaurlaritza, Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science, Titov, Kirill, Ryder, Matthew R., Lamaire, Aran, Zeng, Zhixin, Chaudhari, Abhijeet K., Taylor, James, Mahdi, E. M., Rogge, Sven M. J., Mukhopadhyay, Sanghamitra, Rudić, Svemir, Van Speybroeck, Veronique, Fernández-Alonso, Félix, Tan, Jin-Chong, European Commission, European Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (UK), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Department of Energy (US), Research Foundation - Flanders, Eusko Jaurlaritza, Ikerbasque Basque Foundation for Science, Titov, Kirill, Ryder, Matthew R., Lamaire, Aran, Zeng, Zhixin, Chaudhari, Abhijeet K., Taylor, James, Mahdi, E. M., Rogge, Sven M. J., Mukhopadhyay, Sanghamitra, Rudić, Svemir, Van Speybroeck, Veronique, Fernández-Alonso, Félix, and Tan, Jin-Chong
Abstract: Quantum tunneling rotors in a zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-8 can provide insights into local gas adsorption sites and local dynamics of porous structure, which are inaccessible to standard physisorption or x-ray diffraction sensitive primarily to long-range order. Using in situ high-resolution inelastic neutron scattering at 3 K, we follow the evolution of methyl tunneling with respect to the number of dosed gas molecules. While nitrogen adsorption decreases the energy of the tunneling peak, and ultimately hinders it completely (0.33 meV to zero), argon substantially increases the energy to 0.42 meV. Ab initio calculations of the rotational barrier of ZIF-8 show an exception to the reported adsorption sites hierarchy, resulting in anomalous adsorption behavior and linker dynamics at subatmospheric pressure. The findings reveal quantum tunneling rotors in metal-organic frameworks as a sensitive atomistic probe of local physicochemical phenomena.
Published: 2023

23. Magnitude, Trends, and Variability of the Global Ocean Carbon Sink From 1985 to 2018

Author: National Science Foundation (US), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US), European Commission, Helmholtz Association, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Research Foundation - Flanders, German Research Foundation, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Research Council of Norway, Swiss National Science Foundation, Royal Society (UK), Devries, Timothy, Yamamoto, Kama, Wanninkhof, Rik, Gruber, Nicolas, Hauck, Judith, Müller, Jens Daniel, Bopp, Laurent, Carroll, Dustin, Carter, Brendan R., Chau, Thi-Tuyet-Trang, Doney, Scott C., Gehlen, Marion, Gloege, Lucas, Gregor, Luke, Henson, Stephanie, Kim, Ji Hyun, Iida, Yosuke, Ilyina, Tatiana, Landschützer, Peter, Le Quéré, Corinne, Munro, David R., Nissen, Cara, Patara, Lavinia, Pérez, Fiz F., Resplandy, Laure, Rodgers, Keith B., Schwinger, Jörg, Séférian, Roland, Sicardi, Valentina, Terhaar, Jens, Triñanes, Joaquin, Tsujino, Hiroyuki, Watson, Andrew J., Yasunaka, Sayaka, Zeng, Jiye, National Science Foundation (US), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US), European Commission, Helmholtz Association, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Research Foundation - Flanders, German Research Foundation, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Research Council of Norway, Swiss National Science Foundation, Royal Society (UK), Devries, Timothy, Yamamoto, Kama, Wanninkhof, Rik, Gruber, Nicolas, Hauck, Judith, Müller, Jens Daniel, Bopp, Laurent, Carroll, Dustin, Carter, Brendan R., Chau, Thi-Tuyet-Trang, Doney, Scott C., Gehlen, Marion, Gloege, Lucas, Gregor, Luke, Henson, Stephanie, Kim, Ji Hyun, Iida, Yosuke, Ilyina, Tatiana, Landschützer, Peter, Le Quéré, Corinne, Munro, David R., Nissen, Cara, Patara, Lavinia, Pérez, Fiz F., Resplandy, Laure, Rodgers, Keith B., Schwinger, Jörg, Séférian, Roland, Sicardi, Valentina, Terhaar, Jens, Triñanes, Joaquin, Tsujino, Hiroyuki, Watson, Andrew J., Yasunaka, Sayaka, and Zeng, Jiye
Abstract: This contribution to the RECCAP2 (REgional Carbon Cycle Assessment and Processes) assessment analyzes the processes that determine the global ocean carbon sink, and its trends and variability over the period 1985–2018, using a combination of models and observation-based products. The mean sea-air CO2 flux from 1985 to 2018 is −1.6 ± 0.2 PgC yr−1 based on an ensemble of reconstructions of the history of sea surface pCO2 (pCO2 products). Models indicate that the dominant component of this flux is the net oceanic uptake of anthropogenic CO2, which is estimated at −2.1 ± 0.3 PgC yr−1 by an ensemble of ocean biogeochemical models, and −2.4 ± 0.1 PgC yr−1 by two ocean circulation inverse models. The ocean also degasses about 0.65 ± 0.3 PgC yr−1 of terrestrially derived CO2, but this process is not fully resolved by any of the models used here. From 2001 to 2018, the pCO2 products reconstruct a trend in the ocean carbon sink of −0.61 ± 0.12 PgC yr−1 decade−1, while biogeochemical models and inverse models diagnose an anthropogenic CO2-driven trend of −0.34 ± 0.06 and −0.41 ± 0.03 PgC yr−1 decade−1, respectively. This implies a climate-forced acceleration of the ocean carbon sink in recent decades, but there are still large uncertainties on the magnitude and cause of this trend. The interannual to decadal variability of the global carbon sink is mainly driven by climate variability, with the climate-driven variability exceeding the CO2-forced variability by 2–3 times. These results suggest that anthropogenic CO2 dominates the ocean CO2 sink, while climate-driven variability is potentially large but highly uncertain and not consistently captured across different methods
Published: 2023

24. Positioning aquatic animals with acoustic transmitters

Author: European Cooperation in Science and Technology, European Commission, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Norwegian Research Council, Research Foundation - Flanders, Lennox, Robert [0000-0003-1010-0577], Aarestrup, Kim [0000-0001-8521-6270], Alós, Josep [0000-0003-4385-9539], Arlinghaus, Robert [0000-0003-2861-527X], Birnie-Gauvin, Kim [0000-0001-9242-0560], Cooke, Steven J. [0000-0002-5407-0659], Gjelland, Karl Ø. [0000-0003-4036-4207], Monk, Christopher [0000-0002-1647-4740], Říha, Milan [0000-0002-3930-420X], Villegas-Ríos, David [0000-0001-5660-5322], Vollset, Knut Wiik [0000-0003-0210-4316], Baktoft, Henrik [0000-0002-3644-4960], Lennox, Robert, Aarestrup, Kim, Alós, Josep, Arlinghaus, Robert, Aspillaga, Eneko, Bertram, Michael G., Birnie-Gauvin, Kim, Brodin, Tomas, Cooke, Steven J., Dahlmo, Lotte S., Dhellemmes, Félicie, Gjelland, Karl Ø., Hellström, Gustav, Hershey, Henry, Holbrook, Christopher, Klefoth, Thomas, Lowerre-Barbieri, Susan, Monk, Christopher, Nilsen, Cecilie Iden, Pauwels, Ine, Pickholtz, Renanel, Prchalová, Marie, Reubens, Jan, Říha, Milan, Villegas-Ríos, David, Vollset, Knut Wiik, Westrelin, Samuel, Baktoft, Henrik, European Cooperation in Science and Technology, European Commission, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Norwegian Research Council, Research Foundation - Flanders, Lennox, Robert [0000-0003-1010-0577], Aarestrup, Kim [0000-0001-8521-6270], Alós, Josep [0000-0003-4385-9539], Arlinghaus, Robert [0000-0003-2861-527X], Birnie-Gauvin, Kim [0000-0001-9242-0560], Cooke, Steven J. [0000-0002-5407-0659], Gjelland, Karl Ø. [0000-0003-4036-4207], Monk, Christopher [0000-0002-1647-4740], Říha, Milan [0000-0002-3930-420X], Villegas-Ríos, David [0000-0001-5660-5322], Vollset, Knut Wiik [0000-0003-0210-4316], Baktoft, Henrik [0000-0002-3644-4960], Lennox, Robert, Aarestrup, Kim, Alós, Josep, Arlinghaus, Robert, Aspillaga, Eneko, Bertram, Michael G., Birnie-Gauvin, Kim, Brodin, Tomas, Cooke, Steven J., Dahlmo, Lotte S., Dhellemmes, Félicie, Gjelland, Karl Ø., Hellström, Gustav, Hershey, Henry, Holbrook, Christopher, Klefoth, Thomas, Lowerre-Barbieri, Susan, Monk, Christopher, Nilsen, Cecilie Iden, Pauwels, Ine, Pickholtz, Renanel, Prchalová, Marie, Reubens, Jan, Říha, Milan, Villegas-Ríos, David, Vollset, Knut Wiik, Westrelin, Samuel, and Baktoft, Henrik
Abstract: Geolocating aquatic animals with acoustic tags has been ongoing for decades, relying on the detection of acoustic signals at multiple receivers with known positions to calculate a 2D or 3D position, and ultimately recreate the path of an aquatic animal from detections at fixed stations. This method of underwater geolocation is evolving with new software and hardware options available to help investigators design studies and calculate positions using solvers based predominantly on time-difference-of-arrival and time-of-arrival. We provide an overview of the considerations necessary to implement positioning in aquatic acoustic telemetry studies, including how to design arrays of receivers, test performance, synchronize receiver clocks and calculate positions from the detection data. We additionally present some common positioning algorithms, including both the free open-source solvers and the ‘black-box’ methods provided by some manufacturers for calculating positions. This paper is the first to provide a comprehensive overview of methods and considerations for designing and implementing better positioning studies that will support users, and encourage further knowledge advances in aquatic systems
Published: 2023

25. Interactome of Arabidopsis ATG5 Suggests Functions beyond Autophagy

Author: Swedish Research Council, Carl Tryggers Foundation, Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Junta de Andalucía, Research Foundation - Flanders, Elander, Pernilla H., Holla, Sanjana, Sabljić, Igor, Gutierrez-Beltran, Emilio, Willems, Patrick, Bozhkov, Peter V., Minina, Elena A., Swedish Research Council, Carl Tryggers Foundation, Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Junta de Andalucía, Research Foundation - Flanders, Elander, Pernilla H., Holla, Sanjana, Sabljić, Igor, Gutierrez-Beltran, Emilio, Willems, Patrick, Bozhkov, Peter V., and Minina, Elena A.
Abstract: Autophagy is a catabolic pathway capable of degrading cellular components ranging from individual molecules to organelles. Autophagy helps cells cope with stress by removing superfluous or hazardous material. In a previous work, we demonstrated that transcriptional upregulation of two autophagy-related genes, ATG5 and ATG7, in Arabidopsis thaliana positively affected agronomically important traits: biomass, seed yield, tolerance to pathogens and oxidative stress. Although the occurrence of these traits correlated with enhanced autophagic activity, it is possible that autophagy-independent roles of ATG5 and ATG7 also contributed to the phenotypes. In this study, we employed affinity purification and LC-MS/MS to identify the interactome of wild-type ATG5 and its autophagy-inactive substitution mutant, ATG5K128R Here we present the first interactome of plant ATG5, encompassing not only known autophagy regulators but also stress-response factors, components of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, proteins involved in endomembrane trafficking, and potential partners of the nuclear fraction of ATG5. Furthermore, we discovered post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and acetylation present on ATG5 complex components that are likely to play regulatory functions. These results strongly indicate that plant ATG5 complex proteins have roles beyond autophagy itself, opening avenues for further investigations on the complex roles of autophagy in plant growth and stress responses.
Published: 2023

26. Sexual Selection and Proteinaceous Diversity in the Femoral Gland Secretions of Lacertid Lizards

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders, Mangiacotti, Marco, Baeckens, Simon, Fumagalli, M., Martín, José, Scali, Stefano, Sacchi, Roberto, Research Foundation - Flanders, Mangiacotti, Marco, Baeckens, Simon, Fumagalli, M., Martín, José, Scali, Stefano, and Sacchi, Roberto
Abstract: Sexual selection contributes to the diversity of chemical signals in various animal groups. Lizards are good model species to study how sexual selection shapes signal diversity, as they are a chemically oriented taxonomic group with different levels of social interactions. Many lizard species bear epidermal glands secreting a waxy mixture of lipids and proteins, which are used in intraspecific communication. Previous among-species comparative analyses failed to find a relationship between the strength of sexual selection with the composition of the lipid blend in lizards. Here, we extend the investigation to the proteinaceous fraction. By using a phylogenetically informed approach, we correlated the average electrophoretic profiles of the protein from the femoral glands of 36 lacertid lizard species with the level of sexual dimorphism in size and shape, which are proxies for the strength of sexual selection. We found that as sexual size dimorphism advances, five distinct molecular weight regions in the protein profile increased their expression. Using tandem mass spectrometry, we successfully identified one of these five proteins: a carbonic anhydrase—an enzyme catalyzing the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide. Our findings suggest that proteins may be the target of sexual selection, as an active semiochemicals or as a dynamic support to other molecules: sexual selection may act indirectly on semiochemicals (namely lipids) by modifying the matrix (namely proteins).
Published: 2023

27. Partial quenching of electronic Raman scattering in double-wall carbon nanotubes by interlayer coupling

Author: Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Research Foundation - Flanders, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), European Commission, Gobierno de Aragón, Diputación General de Aragón, Bulgarian National Science Fund, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France), University of Antwerp, Levshov, Dmitry I., Avramenko, Marina V., Erkens, Maksiem, Tran, Huy Nam, Cao, Thi Thanh, Nguyen, Van Chuc, Flahaut, Emmanuel, Popov, Valentin N., Zahab, Ahmed Azmi, Sauvajol, Jean Louis, Arenal, Raúl, Wenseleers, Wim, Cambré, Sofie, Paillet, Matthieu, Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Research Foundation - Flanders, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), European Commission, Gobierno de Aragón, Diputación General de Aragón, Bulgarian National Science Fund, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France), University of Antwerp, Levshov, Dmitry I., Avramenko, Marina V., Erkens, Maksiem, Tran, Huy Nam, Cao, Thi Thanh, Nguyen, Van Chuc, Flahaut, Emmanuel, Popov, Valentin N., Zahab, Ahmed Azmi, Sauvajol, Jean Louis, Arenal, Raúl, Wenseleers, Wim, Cambré, Sofie, and Paillet, Matthieu
Abstract: Measuring electronic Raman scattering (ERS) has become an efficient method for structural characterization of metallic single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT). However, applying this method to other types of SWCNT-based structures, e.g., those with strong van der Waals (VDW) coupling, is currently not well studied. In this work, we combine electron diffraction, Rayleigh and Raman spectroscopies to investigate the ERS process near 36 metallic transitions in 21 individual double-wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) with all types of electronic configurations. We observe the partial suppression of ERS intensity in DWCNTs compared to SWCNTs and mainly attribute it to the effect of dielectric screening of Coulomb interactions. We probe ultra-pure macroscopic multi-chirality DWCNT solutions and identify the role of inhomogeneous broadening in observing ERS peaks in Raman spectra. Based on the experimental findings, we propose an adapted method for the structural identification of DWCNT samples from the ERS data. The obtained results can be generalized to the characterization of the emerging 1D VDW heterostructures based on metallic SWCNTs.
Published: 2023

28. Bioavailability of Macro and Micronutrients Across Global Topsoils: Main Drivers and Global Change Impacts

Author: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Universidades (España), European Commission, Junta de Andalucía, Fundación Biodiversidad, Belgian American Educational Foundation, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Czech Science Foundation, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, National Science Foundation (US), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (US), DePaul University, Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation, Ochoa-Hueso, Raúl [0000-0002-1839-6926], Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel [0000-0002-6499-576X], Britton, A.J. [0000-0002-0603-7432], Camarero, Jesús Julio [0000-0003-2436-2922], Earl, Stevan [0000-0002-4465-452X], Epstein, Howard [0000-0003-2817-4486], Felton, Andrew [0000-0002-1533-6071], Halde, Caroline [0000-0002-4974-1411], Hanslin, Hans M. [0000-0002-3224-2368], Harris, Lorna I. [0000-0002-2637-4030], Hartsock, Jeremy [0000-0002-0468-2630], Hovstad, Knut Anders [0000-0002-7108-0787], Khalsa, Sat Darshan S. [0000-0003-1995-2469], LaMontagne, Jalene M. [0000-0001-7713-8591], Lavergne, Stéphanie [0000-0002-7197-107X], Littke, Kim [0000-0002-0187-1663], Licht, Mark A. [0000-0001-6640-7856], McDaniel, Marshall D. [0000-0001-6267-7293], McIntosh, Anne C. S. [0000-0002-7802-2205], Miesel, Jessica R. [0000-0001-7446-464X], Moreno, Gerardo [0000-0001-8053-2696], Pakeman, Robin J. [0000-0001-6248-4133], Pinno, Bradley D., Piñeiro, Juan [0000-0002-0825-4174], Rolo, Víctor [0000-0001-5854-9512], Rutherford, P. Michael [0000-0002-5065-7700], Sayer, Emma J. [0000-0002-3322-4487], Van Sundert, Kevin [0000-0001-6180-3075], Vitkova, Michaela [0000-0002-2848-7725], Weigel, R. [0000-0001-9685-6783], Wilton, Meaghan [0000-0003-2915-3863], Ochoa-Hueso, Raúl, Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel, Risch, Anita C., Ashton, Louise, Augustine, David, Bélanger, Nicolas, Bridgham, Scott, Britton, A.J., Bruckman, Viktor J., Camarero, Jesús Julio, Cornelissen, Gerard, Crawford John A., Dijkstra, Feike A., Diochon, Amanda, Earl, Stevan, Edgerley, James, Epstein, Howard, Felton, Andrew, Fortier, Julien, Gagnon, Daniel, Greer, Ken, Griffiths, Hannah M, Halde, Caroline, Hanslin, Hans M., Harris, Lorna I., Hartsock, Jeremy, Hendrickson, Paul, Hovstad, Knut Anders, Hu, Jia, Jani. Arun D., Kent, Kelcy, Kerdraon-Byrne, Deirdre, Khalsa, Sat Darshan S., Lai, Derrick Y. F., Lambert, France, LaMontagne, Jalene M., Lavergne, Stéphanie, Lawrence. Beth A., Littke, Kim, Leeper, Abigail C., Licht, Mark A., Liebig, Mark A., Lynn, Joshua S., Maclean, Janet E., Martinsen, Vegard, McDaniel, Marshall D., McIntosh, Anne C. S., Miesel, Jessica R., Miller, Jim, Mulvaney, Michael J., Moreno, Gerardo, Newstead, Laura, Pakeman, Robin J., Pergl, Jan, Piñeiro, Juan, Quigley, Kathleen, Radtke, Troy M., Reed, Paul, Rolo, Víctor, Rudgers, Jennifer, Rutherford, P. Michael, Sayer, Emma J., Serrano-Grijalva, Lilia, Strack, Maria, Sukdeo, Nicole, Taylor, Andy F. S., Truax, Benoit, Tsuji, Leonard J. S., Van Gestel, Natasja, Vaness, Brenda M., Van Sundert, Kevin, Vitkova, Michaela, Weigel, R., Wilton, Meaghan, Yano, Yuriko, Teen, Ewing, Bremer, Eric, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Universidades (España), European Commission, Junta de Andalucía, Fundación Biodiversidad, Belgian American Educational Foundation, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, Czech Science Foundation, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, National Science Foundation (US), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (US), DePaul University, Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation, Ochoa-Hueso, Raúl [0000-0002-1839-6926], Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel [0000-0002-6499-576X], Britton, A.J. [0000-0002-0603-7432], Camarero, Jesús Julio [0000-0003-2436-2922], Earl, Stevan [0000-0002-4465-452X], Epstein, Howard [0000-0003-2817-4486], Felton, Andrew [0000-0002-1533-6071], Halde, Caroline [0000-0002-4974-1411], Hanslin, Hans M. [0000-0002-3224-2368], Harris, Lorna I. [0000-0002-2637-4030], Hartsock, Jeremy [0000-0002-0468-2630], Hovstad, Knut Anders [0000-0002-7108-0787], Khalsa, Sat Darshan S. [0000-0003-1995-2469], LaMontagne, Jalene M. [0000-0001-7713-8591], Lavergne, Stéphanie [0000-0002-7197-107X], Littke, Kim [0000-0002-0187-1663], Licht, Mark A. [0000-0001-6640-7856], McDaniel, Marshall D. [0000-0001-6267-7293], McIntosh, Anne C. S. [0000-0002-7802-2205], Miesel, Jessica R. [0000-0001-7446-464X], Moreno, Gerardo [0000-0001-8053-2696], Pakeman, Robin J. [0000-0001-6248-4133], Pinno, Bradley D., Piñeiro, Juan [0000-0002-0825-4174], Rolo, Víctor [0000-0001-5854-9512], Rutherford, P. Michael [0000-0002-5065-7700], Sayer, Emma J. [0000-0002-3322-4487], Van Sundert, Kevin [0000-0001-6180-3075], Vitkova, Michaela [0000-0002-2848-7725], Weigel, R. [0000-0001-9685-6783], Wilton, Meaghan [0000-0003-2915-3863], Ochoa-Hueso, Raúl, Delgado-Baquerizo, Manuel, Risch, Anita C., Ashton, Louise, Augustine, David, Bélanger, Nicolas, Bridgham, Scott, Britton, A.J., Bruckman, Viktor J., Camarero, Jesús Julio, Cornelissen, Gerard, Crawford John A., Dijkstra, Feike A., Diochon, Amanda, Earl, Stevan, Edgerley, James, Epstein, Howard, Felton, Andrew, Fortier, Julien, Gagnon, Daniel, Greer, Ken, Griffiths, Hannah M, Halde, Caroline, Hanslin, Hans M., Harris, Lorna I., Hartsock, Jeremy, Hendrickson, Paul, Hovstad, Knut Anders, Hu, Jia, Jani. Arun D., Kent, Kelcy, Kerdraon-Byrne, Deirdre, Khalsa, Sat Darshan S., Lai, Derrick Y. F., Lambert, France, LaMontagne, Jalene M., Lavergne, Stéphanie, Lawrence. Beth A., Littke, Kim, Leeper, Abigail C., Licht, Mark A., Liebig, Mark A., Lynn, Joshua S., Maclean, Janet E., Martinsen, Vegard, McDaniel, Marshall D., McIntosh, Anne C. S., Miesel, Jessica R., Miller, Jim, Mulvaney, Michael J., Moreno, Gerardo, Newstead, Laura, Pakeman, Robin J., Pergl, Jan, Piñeiro, Juan, Quigley, Kathleen, Radtke, Troy M., Reed, Paul, Rolo, Víctor, Rudgers, Jennifer, Rutherford, P. Michael, Sayer, Emma J., Serrano-Grijalva, Lilia, Strack, Maria, Sukdeo, Nicole, Taylor, Andy F. S., Truax, Benoit, Tsuji, Leonard J. S., Van Gestel, Natasja, Vaness, Brenda M., Van Sundert, Kevin, Vitkova, Michaela, Weigel, R., Wilton, Meaghan, Yano, Yuriko, Teen, Ewing, and Bremer, Eric
Abstract: Understanding the chemical composition of our planet's crust was one of the biggest questions of the 20th century. More than 100 years later, we are still far from understanding the global patterns in the bioavailability and spatial coupling of elements in topsoils worldwide, despite their importance for the productivity and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we measured the bioavailability and coupling of thirteen macro- and micronutrients and phytotoxic elements in topsoils (3–8 cm) from a range of terrestrial ecosystems across all continents (∼10,000 observations) and in response to global change manipulations (∼5,000 observations). For this, we incubated between 1 and 4 pairs of anionic and cationic exchange membranes per site for a mean period of 53 days. The most bioavailable elements (Ca, Mg, and K) were also amongst the most abundant in the crust. Patterns of bioavailability were biome-dependent and controlled by soil properties such as pH, organic matter content and texture, plant cover, and climate. However, global change simulations resulted in important alterations in the bioavailability of elements. Elements were highly coupled, and coupling was predictable by the atomic properties of elements, particularly mass, mass to charge ratio, and second ionization energy. Deviations from the predictable coupling-atomic mass relationship were attributed to global change and agriculture. Our work illustrates the tight links between the bioavailability and coupling of topsoil elements and environmental context, human activities, and atomic properties of elements, thus deeply enhancing our integrated understanding of the biogeochemical connections that underlie the productivity and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems in a changing world.
Published: 2023

29. A redundant transcription factor network steers spatiotemporal Arabidopsis triterpene synthesis

Author: European Commission, Ghent University, Flemish Government, Research Foundation - Flanders, Swiss National Science Foundation, China Scholarship Council, John Innes Foundation, Nguyen, Trang Hieu [0000-0003-1051-8068], Thiers, Louis [0000-0002-8650-508X], Van Moerkercke, Alex [0000-0002-6393-4754], Bai, Yuechen [0000-0002-2314-8660], Fernández-Calvo, Patricia [0000-0002-1576-9651], Minne, Max [0000-0003-3089-2284], Depuydt, Thomas [0000-0001-5889-3962], Colinas, Maite [0000-0001-7053-2983], Verstaen, Kevin [0000-0003-3582-0298], Van Isterdael, Gert [0000-0001-6626-1316], Nützmann, Hans-Wilhelm [0000-0002-6855-7556], Osbourn, Anne [0000-0003-2195-5810], Saeys, Yvan [0000-0002-0415-1506], De Rybel, Bert [0000-0002-9551-042X], Vandepoele, Klaas [0000-0003-4790-2725], Ritter, Andrés [0000-0001-7011-6824], Goossens, Alain [0000-0002-1599-551X], Nguyen, Trang Hieu, Thiers, Louis, Van Moerkercke, Alex, Bai, Yuechen, Fernández-Calvo, Patricia, Minne, Max, Depuydt, Thomas, Colinas, Maite, Verstaen, Kevin, Van Isterdael, Gert, Nützmann, Hans-Wilhelm, Osbourn, Anne, Saeys, Yvan, De Rybel, Bert, Vandepoele, Klaas, Ritter, Andrés, Goossens, Alain, European Commission, Ghent University, Flemish Government, Research Foundation - Flanders, Swiss National Science Foundation, China Scholarship Council, John Innes Foundation, Nguyen, Trang Hieu [0000-0003-1051-8068], Thiers, Louis [0000-0002-8650-508X], Van Moerkercke, Alex [0000-0002-6393-4754], Bai, Yuechen [0000-0002-2314-8660], Fernández-Calvo, Patricia [0000-0002-1576-9651], Minne, Max [0000-0003-3089-2284], Depuydt, Thomas [0000-0001-5889-3962], Colinas, Maite [0000-0001-7053-2983], Verstaen, Kevin [0000-0003-3582-0298], Van Isterdael, Gert [0000-0001-6626-1316], Nützmann, Hans-Wilhelm [0000-0002-6855-7556], Osbourn, Anne [0000-0003-2195-5810], Saeys, Yvan [0000-0002-0415-1506], De Rybel, Bert [0000-0002-9551-042X], Vandepoele, Klaas [0000-0003-4790-2725], Ritter, Andrés [0000-0001-7011-6824], Goossens, Alain [0000-0002-1599-551X], Nguyen, Trang Hieu, Thiers, Louis, Van Moerkercke, Alex, Bai, Yuechen, Fernández-Calvo, Patricia, Minne, Max, Depuydt, Thomas, Colinas, Maite, Verstaen, Kevin, Van Isterdael, Gert, Nützmann, Hans-Wilhelm, Osbourn, Anne, Saeys, Yvan, De Rybel, Bert, Vandepoele, Klaas, Ritter, Andrés, and Goossens, Alain
Abstract: Plant specialized metabolites modulate developmental and ecological functions and comprise many therapeutic and other high-value compounds. However, the mechanisms determining their cell-specific expression remain unknown. Here we describe the transcriptional regulatory network that underlies cell-specific biosynthesis of triterpenes in Arabidopsis thaliana root tips. Expression of thalianol and marneral biosynthesis pathway genes depends on the phytohormone jasmonate and is limited to outer tissues. We show that this is promoted by the activity of redundant bHLH-type transcription factors from two distinct clades and coactivated by homeodomain factors. Conversely, the DOF-type transcription factor DAG1 and other regulators prevent expression of the triterpene pathway genes in inner tissues. We thus show how precise expression of triterpene biosynthesis genes is determined by a robust network of transactivators, coactivators and counteracting repressors.
Published: 2023

30. The effect of the ambient solar wind medium on a CME-driven shock and the associated gradual solar energetic particle event

Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Research Foundation - Flanders, Science and Technology Facilities Council (UK), European Commission, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), European Space Agency, Wijsen, Nicolas, Lario, David, Sánchez-Cano, Beatriz, Jebaraj, Immanuel C., Dresing, Nina, Richardson, Ian, Aran, Angels, Kouloumvakos, Athanasios, Ding, Zhejie, Niemela, Antonio, Palmerio, Erika, Carcaboso, Fernando, Vainio, Rami, Afanasiev, Alexandr, Pinto, Marco, Pacheco, Daniel, Poedts, Stefaan, Heyner, Daniel, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Research Foundation - Flanders, Science and Technology Facilities Council (UK), European Commission, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), European Space Agency, Wijsen, Nicolas, Lario, David, Sánchez-Cano, Beatriz, Jebaraj, Immanuel C., Dresing, Nina, Richardson, Ian, Aran, Angels, Kouloumvakos, Athanasios, Ding, Zhejie, Niemela, Antonio, Palmerio, Erika, Carcaboso, Fernando, Vainio, Rami, Afanasiev, Alexandr, Pinto, Marco, Pacheco, Daniel, Poedts, Stefaan, and Heyner, Daniel
Abstract: We present simulation results of a gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) event detected on 2021 October 9 by multiple spacecraft, including BepiColombo (Bepi) and near-Earth spacecraft such as the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE). A peculiarity of this event is that the presence of a high-speed stream (HSS) affected the low-energy ion component (≲5 MeV) of the gradual SEP event at both Bepi and ACE, despite the HSS having only a modest solar wind speed increase. Using the EUHFORIA (European Heliospheric FORecasting Information Asset) magnetohydrodynamic model, we replicate the solar wind during the event and the coronal mass ejection (CME) that generated it. We then combine these results with the energetic particle transport model PARADISE (PArticle Radiation Asset Directed at Interplanetary Space Exploration). We find that the structure of the CME-driven shock was affected by the nonuniform solar wind, especially near the HSS, resulting in a shock wave front with strong variations in its properties such as its compression ratio and obliquity. By scaling the emission of energetic particles from the shock to the solar wind compression at the shock, an excellent match between the PARADISE simulation and in situ measurements of ≲5 MeV ions is obtained. Our modeling shows that the intricate intensity variations observed at both ACE and Bepi were influenced by the nonuniform emission of energetic particles from the deformed shock wave and demonstrates the influence of even modest background solar wind structures on the development of SEP events.
Published: 2023

31. Molecular Layer Deposition of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Films

Author: European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Smets, Jorid [0000-0003-4719-7368], Cruz, Alexander John [0000-0002-5123-1162], Rubio-Giménez, Víctor [0000-0003-1269-5885], Tietze, Max L. [0000-0002-9018-3829], Kravchenko, Dmitry E. [0000-0001-6404-2486], Wauteraerts, Nathalie [0000-0003-1344-7429], Tu, Min [0000-0003-4751-3877], Marcoen, Kristof [0000-0003-2831-483X], Imaz, Inhar [0000-0002-0278-1141], Maspoch, Daniel [0000-0003-1325-9161], Vereecken, Philippe M. [0000-0003-4115-0075], De Feyter, Steven [0000-0002-0909-9292], Ameloot, Rob [0000-0003-3178-5480], Smets, Jorid, Cruz, Alexander John, Rubio-Giménez, Víctor, Tietze, Max L., Kravchenko, Dmitry E., Arnauts, Giel, Matavž, Aleksander, Wauteraerts, Nathalie, Tu, Min, Marcoen, Kristof, Imaz, Inhar, Maspoch, Daniel, Korytov, Maxim, Vereecken, Philippe M., De Feyter, Steven, Hauffman, Tom, Ameloot, Rob, European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Smets, Jorid [0000-0003-4719-7368], Cruz, Alexander John [0000-0002-5123-1162], Rubio-Giménez, Víctor [0000-0003-1269-5885], Tietze, Max L. [0000-0002-9018-3829], Kravchenko, Dmitry E. [0000-0001-6404-2486], Wauteraerts, Nathalie [0000-0003-1344-7429], Tu, Min [0000-0003-4751-3877], Marcoen, Kristof [0000-0003-2831-483X], Imaz, Inhar [0000-0002-0278-1141], Maspoch, Daniel [0000-0003-1325-9161], Vereecken, Philippe M. [0000-0003-4115-0075], De Feyter, Steven [0000-0002-0909-9292], Ameloot, Rob [0000-0003-3178-5480], Smets, Jorid, Cruz, Alexander John, Rubio-Giménez, Víctor, Tietze, Max L., Kravchenko, Dmitry E., Arnauts, Giel, Matavž, Aleksander, Wauteraerts, Nathalie, Tu, Min, Marcoen, Kristof, Imaz, Inhar, Maspoch, Daniel, Korytov, Maxim, Vereecken, Philippe M., De Feyter, Steven, Hauffman, Tom, and Ameloot, Rob
Abstract: Vapor-phase film deposition of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) would facilitate the integration of these materials into electronic devices. We studied the vapor-phase layer-by-layer deposition of zeolitic imidazolate framework 8 (ZIF-8) by consecutive, self-saturating reactions of diethyl zinc, water, and 2-methylimidazole on a substrate. Two approaches were compared: (1) Direct ZIF-8 “molecular layer deposition” (MLD), which enables a nanometer-resolution thickness control and employs only self-saturating reactions, resulting in smooth films that are crystalline as-deposited, and (2) two-step ZIF-8 MLD, in which crystallization occurs during a postdeposition treatment with additional linker vapor. The latter approach resulted in a reduced deposition time and an improved MOF quality, i.e., increased crystallinity and probe molecule uptake, although the smoothness and thickness control were partially lost. Both approaches were developed in a modified atomic layer deposition reactor to ensure cleanroom compatibility.
Published: 2023

32. High-energy (>40 MeV) proton intensity enhancements associated with the passage of interplanetary shocks at 1 au

Author: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Lario, David, Richardson, Ian, Aran, Angels, Wijsen, Nicolas, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Lario, David, Richardson, Ian, Aran, Angels, and Wijsen, Nicolas
Abstract: We analyze periods with elevated >40 MeV proton intensities observed near Earth over a time span of 43 yr (1973–2016) that coincide with the passage of interplanetary (IP) shocks. Typically, elevated proton intensities result from large solar energetic particle (SEP) events. The IP shocks observed during these elevated-intensity periods may or may not be related to the origin of the SEP events. By choosing those cases when the shocks can be confidently associated with the solar eruption that generated the SEP event, we analyze the components of these SEP events that are localized in the vicinity of the shock (so-called "energetic storm particles", ESPs), focusing on those events where the ESP component exceeds 40 MeV. We examine the interdependence of these high-energy ESPs with (i) the properties of the solar eruptions that generated the shocks and the SEP events, and (ii) the parameters of the shocks at their arrival at 1 au. The solar eruptions at the origin of the shocks producing >40 MeV proton ESP intensity enhancements are within ±50° longitude of central meridian and are associated with fast coronal mass ejections (plane-of-sky speeds ≳1000 km s−1). The ESP events with the largest >40 MeV proton intensity increases tend to occur when there are structures such as intervening IP coronal mass ejections and other unrelated shocks present in the solar wind through which the shock is propagating. Among the various local shock parameters considered, only the shock speed shows a certain degree of correlation with the observed ESP intensity increase.
Published: 2023

33. Cost-effective sequence analysis of 113 genes in 1,192 probands with retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis

Author: Novartis, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Ghent University, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Commission, Panneman, Daan M., Hitti-Malin, Rebekkah J., Holtes, Lara K., Bruijn, Suzanne E. de, Reurink, Janine, Boonen, Erica G. M., Khan, Muhammad Imran, Ali, Manir, Andréasson, Sten, De Baere, Elfride, Banfi, Sandro, Bauwens, Miriam, Ben-Yosef, Tamar, Bocquet, Béatrice, De Bruyne, Marieke, Cerda, Berta de la, Coppieters, Frauke, Farinelli, Pietro, Guignard, Thomas, Inglehearn, Chris F., Karali, Marianthi, Kjellström, Ulrika, Koenekoop, Robert, Koning, Bart de, Leroy, Bart P., McKibbin, Martin, Meunier, Isabelle, Nikopoulos, Konstantinos, Nishiguchi, Koji M., Poulter, James A., Rivolta, Carlo, Rodríguez de la Rúa, Enrique, Saunders, Patrick, Simonelli, Francesca, Tatour, Yasmin, Testa, Francesco, Thiadens, Alberta A. H. J., Toomes, Carmel, Tracewska, Anna M., Tran, Hoai Viet, Ushida, Hiroaki, Vaclavik, Veronika, Verhoeven, Virginie J. M., Vorst, Maartje van de, Gilissen, Christian, Hoischen, Alexander, Cremers, Frans P. M., Roosing, Susanne, Novartis, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Ghent University, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Commission, Panneman, Daan M., Hitti-Malin, Rebekkah J., Holtes, Lara K., Bruijn, Suzanne E. de, Reurink, Janine, Boonen, Erica G. M., Khan, Muhammad Imran, Ali, Manir, Andréasson, Sten, De Baere, Elfride, Banfi, Sandro, Bauwens, Miriam, Ben-Yosef, Tamar, Bocquet, Béatrice, De Bruyne, Marieke, Cerda, Berta de la, Coppieters, Frauke, Farinelli, Pietro, Guignard, Thomas, Inglehearn, Chris F., Karali, Marianthi, Kjellström, Ulrika, Koenekoop, Robert, Koning, Bart de, Leroy, Bart P., McKibbin, Martin, Meunier, Isabelle, Nikopoulos, Konstantinos, Nishiguchi, Koji M., Poulter, James A., Rivolta, Carlo, Rodríguez de la Rúa, Enrique, Saunders, Patrick, Simonelli, Francesca, Tatour, Yasmin, Testa, Francesco, Thiadens, Alberta A. H. J., Toomes, Carmel, Tracewska, Anna M., Tran, Hoai Viet, Ushida, Hiroaki, Vaclavik, Veronika, Verhoeven, Virginie J. M., Vorst, Maartje van de, Gilissen, Christian, Hoischen, Alexander, Cremers, Frans P. M., and Roosing, Susanne
Abstract: Introduction: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) are two groups of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) where the rod photoreceptors degenerate followed by the cone photoreceptors of the retina. A genetic diagnosis for IRDs is challenging since >280 genes are associated with these conditions. While whole exome sequencing (WES) is commonly used by diagnostic facilities, the costs and required infrastructure prevent its global applicability. Previous studies have shown the cost-effectiveness of sequence analysis using single molecule Molecular Inversion Probes (smMIPs) in a cohort of patients diagnosed with Stargardt disease and other maculopathies. Methods: Here, we introduce a smMIPs panel that targets the exons and splice sites of all currently known genes associated with RP and LCA, the entire RPE65 gene, known causative deep-intronic variants leading to pseudo-exons, and part of the RP17 region associated with autosomal dominant RP, by using a total of 16,812 smMIPs. The RP-LCA smMIPs panel was used to screen 1,192 probands from an international cohort of predominantly RP and LCA cases. Results and discussion: After genetic analysis, a diagnostic yield of 56% was obtained which is on par with results from WES analysis. The effectiveness and the reduced costs compared to WES renders the RP-LCA smMIPs panel a competitive approach to provide IRD patients with a genetic diagnosis, especially in countries with restricted access to genetic testing.
Published: 2023

34. A pioneer morphological and genetic study of the intertidal fauna of the Gerlache Strait (Antarctic Peninsula)

Author: Belgian Science Policy Office, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, National Fund for Scientific Research (Belgium), Research Foundation - Flanders, Leopold III-Fonds, Royal Belgian Zoological Society, Belgian American Educational Foundation, European Commission, Generalitat de Catalunya, Natural Environment Research Council (UK), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Jossart, Quentin, Bauman, David, Moreau, Camille V.E., Saucède, Thomas, Christiansen, Henrik, Brasier, Madeleine J., Convey, Peter, Downey, Rachel, Figuerola, Blanca, Martin, Patrick, Norenburg, Jon L., Rosenfeld, Sebastián, Verheye, Marie, Danis, Bruno, Belgian Science Policy Office, Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, National Fund for Scientific Research (Belgium), Research Foundation - Flanders, Leopold III-Fonds, Royal Belgian Zoological Society, Belgian American Educational Foundation, European Commission, Generalitat de Catalunya, Natural Environment Research Council (UK), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Jossart, Quentin, Bauman, David, Moreau, Camille V.E., Saucède, Thomas, Christiansen, Henrik, Brasier, Madeleine J., Convey, Peter, Downey, Rachel, Figuerola, Blanca, Martin, Patrick, Norenburg, Jon L., Rosenfeld, Sebastián, Verheye, Marie, and Danis, Bruno
Abstract: The underexplored intertidal ecosystems of Antarctica are facing rapid changes in important environmental factors. Associated with temperature increase, reduction in coastal ice will soon expose new ice-free areas that will be colonized by local or distant biota. To enable detection of future changes in faunal composition, a biodiversity baseline is urgently required. Here, we evaluated intertidal faunal diversity at 13 locations around the Gerlache Strait (western Antarctic Peninsula), using a combination of a quadrat approach, morphological identification and genetic characterization. Our data highlight a community structure comprising four generally distributed and highly abundant species (the flatworm Obrimoposthia wandeli, the bivalve Kidderia subquadrata, and the gastropods Laevilitorina umbilicata and Laevilitorina caliginosa) as well as 79 rarer and less widely encountered species. The most abundant species thrive in the intertidal zone due to their ability to either survive overwinter in situ or to rapidly colonize this zone when conditions allow. In addition, we confirmed the presence of multiple trophic levels at nearly all locations, suggesting that complex inter-specific interactions occur within these communities. Diversity indices contrasted between sampling locations (from 3 to 32 species) and multivariate approaches identified three main groups. This confirms the importance of environmental heterogeneity in shaping diversity patterns within the investigated area. Finally, we provide the first genetic and photographic baseline of the Antarctic intertidal fauna (106 sequences, 137 macrophotographs), as well as preliminary insights on the biogeography of several species. Taken together, these results provide a timely catalyst to assess the diversity and to inform studies of the potential resilience of these intertidal communities
Published: 2023

35. The World Amphipoda Database: History and Progress

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders, Flanders Marine Institute, Natural Environment Research Council (UK), Slovenian Research Agency, Horton, Tammy, De Broyer, Claude, Bellan-Santini, Denise, Coleman, Charles Oliver, Copilaș-Ciocianu, Denis, Corbari, Laure, Daneliya, Mikhail E., Dauvin, Jean Claude, Decock, Wim, Fanini, Lucia, Fišer, Cene, Gasca, Rebeca, Grabowski, Michal, Guerra-García, José M., Hendrycks, Ed A., Hughes, Lauren Elizabeth, Jaume, Damia, Kim, Young Hyo, King, Rachael A., Brutto, Sabrina Lo, Lörz, Anne Nina, Mamos, Tomasz, Serejo, Cristiana S., Senna, André R., Souza-Filho, Jesser F., Tandberg, Anne Helene S., Thurston, Michael H., Vader, Wim, Väinölä, Risto, Domedel, Georgina Valls, Vandepitte, Leen, Vanhoorne, Bart, Vonk, Ronald, White, Kristine N., Zeidler, Wolfgang, Research Foundation - Flanders, Flanders Marine Institute, Natural Environment Research Council (UK), Slovenian Research Agency, Horton, Tammy, De Broyer, Claude, Bellan-Santini, Denise, Coleman, Charles Oliver, Copilaș-Ciocianu, Denis, Corbari, Laure, Daneliya, Mikhail E., Dauvin, Jean Claude, Decock, Wim, Fanini, Lucia, Fišer, Cene, Gasca, Rebeca, Grabowski, Michal, Guerra-García, José M., Hendrycks, Ed A., Hughes, Lauren Elizabeth, Jaume, Damia, Kim, Young Hyo, King, Rachael A., Brutto, Sabrina Lo, Lörz, Anne Nina, Mamos, Tomasz, Serejo, Cristiana S., Senna, André R., Souza-Filho, Jesser F., Tandberg, Anne Helene S., Thurston, Michael H., Vader, Wim, Väinölä, Risto, Domedel, Georgina Valls, Vandepitte, Leen, Vanhoorne, Bart, Vonk, Ronald, White, Kristine N., and Zeidler, Wolfgang
Abstract: We provide an overview of the World Amphipoda Database (WAD), a global species database that is part of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). Launched in 2013, the database contains entries for over 10,500 accepted species names. Edited currently by 31 amphipod taxonomists, following WoRMS priorities, the WAD has at least one editor per major group. All accepted species are checked by the editors, as is the authorship available for all of the names. The higher classification is documented for every species and a type species is recorded for every genus name. This constitutes five of the 13 priorities for completion, set by WoRMS. In 2015, five LifeWatch grants were allocated for WAD activities. These included a general training workshop in 2016, together with data input for the superfamily Lysianassoidea and for a number of non-marine groups. Philanthropy grants in 2019 and 2021 covered more important gaps across the whole group. Further work remains to complete the linking of unaccepted names, original descriptions, and environmental information. Once these tasks are completed, the database will be considered complete for 8 of the 13 priorities, and efforts will continue to input new taxa annually and focus on the remaining priorities, particularly the input of type localities. We give an overview of the current status of the order Amphipoda, providing counts of the number of genera and species within each family belonging to the six suborders currently recognized.
Published: 2023

36. A study of step defects on NiAl(110) using a curved single crystal surface

Author: Dutch Research Council, Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, Research Foundation - Flanders, Piñeiros-Bastidas, Jessika M., Auras, Sabine V., Juurlink, Ludo B.F., Dutch Research Council, Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, Research Foundation - Flanders, Piñeiros-Bastidas, Jessika M., Auras, Sabine V., and Juurlink, Ludo B.F.
Abstract: In contrast to common flat single crystal surfaces, curved surfaces provide the opportunity to study a large range of vicinals using only one single crystal. Here, we employ a curved NiAl single crystal surface to study step defects on the (110) plane using scanning tunneling microscopy under UHV conditions and at room temperature. The direction of curvature is chosen to align with the alternating Al and Ni atom rows, and we image the surface at various positions along its curvature. With very few exceptions, we find only monoatomic step heights to occur with local step densities consistent with the expected values along the macroscopically curved surface. We use our home-built Python-based analysis script to analyze STM images and obtain statistical information on step and kink distributions, a.o. it allows us to determine the kink formation energy.
Published: 2023

37. Pollination supply models from a local to global scale

Author: Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Eusko Jaurlaritza, Comunidad de Madrid, European Commission, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Research Foundation - Flanders, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Ministerio de Universidades (España), Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Brasil), Department of Agriculture (US), German Research Foundation, Irish Research Council, Swedish Research Council, Giménez-García, Ángel, Allen-Perkins, Alfonso, Bartomeus, Ignasi, Balbi, Stefano, Knapp, Jessica L., Hevia, Violeta, Woodcock, Ben Alex, Smagghe, Guy, Miñarro, Marcos, Eeraerts, Maxime, Colville, Jonathan F., Hipólito, Juliana, Cavigliasso, Pablo, Nates-Parra, Guiomar, Herrera, José M., Cusser, Sarah, Simmons, Benno I., Wolters, Volkmar, Jha, Shalene, Freitas, Breno M., Horgan, Finbarr G., Artz, Derek R., Sidhu, C. Sheena, Otieno, Mark, Boreux, Virginie, Biddinger, David J., Klein, Alexandra Maria, Joshi, Neelendra K., Stewart, Rebecca I.A., Albrecht, Matthias, Nicholson, Charlie C., O'Reilly, Alison D., Crowder, David William, Burns, Katherine L.W., Nabaes Jodar, Diego Nicolás, Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro, Sutter, Louis, Dupont, Yoko L., Dalsgaard, Bo, Da Encarnação Coutinho, Jeferson Gabriel, Lázaro, Amparo, Andersson, Georg K. S., Raine, Nigel E., Krishnan, Smitha, Dainese, Matteo, Van Der Werf, Wopke, Smith, Henrik G., Magrach, Ainhoa, Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Eusko Jaurlaritza, Comunidad de Madrid, European Commission, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Research Foundation - Flanders, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Ministerio de Universidades (España), Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (Brasil), Department of Agriculture (US), German Research Foundation, Irish Research Council, Swedish Research Council, Giménez-García, Ángel, Allen-Perkins, Alfonso, Bartomeus, Ignasi, Balbi, Stefano, Knapp, Jessica L., Hevia, Violeta, Woodcock, Ben Alex, Smagghe, Guy, Miñarro, Marcos, Eeraerts, Maxime, Colville, Jonathan F., Hipólito, Juliana, Cavigliasso, Pablo, Nates-Parra, Guiomar, Herrera, José M., Cusser, Sarah, Simmons, Benno I., Wolters, Volkmar, Jha, Shalene, Freitas, Breno M., Horgan, Finbarr G., Artz, Derek R., Sidhu, C. Sheena, Otieno, Mark, Boreux, Virginie, Biddinger, David J., Klein, Alexandra Maria, Joshi, Neelendra K., Stewart, Rebecca I.A., Albrecht, Matthias, Nicholson, Charlie C., O'Reilly, Alison D., Crowder, David William, Burns, Katherine L.W., Nabaes Jodar, Diego Nicolás, Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro, Sutter, Louis, Dupont, Yoko L., Dalsgaard, Bo, Da Encarnação Coutinho, Jeferson Gabriel, Lázaro, Amparo, Andersson, Georg K. S., Raine, Nigel E., Krishnan, Smitha, Dainese, Matteo, Van Der Werf, Wopke, Smith, Henrik G., and Magrach, Ainhoa
Abstract: Ecological intensification has been embraced with great interest by the academic sector but is still rarely taken up by farmers because monitoring the state of different ecological functions is not straightforward. Modelling tools can represent a more accessible alternative of measuring ecological functions, which could help promote their use amongst farmers and other decision-makers. In the case of crop pollination, modelling has traditionally followed either a mechanistic or a data-driven approach. Mechanistic models simulate the habitat preferences and foraging behaviour of pollinators, while data-driven models associate georeferenced variables with real observations. Here, we test these two approaches to predict pollination supply and validate these predictions using data from a newly released global dataset on pollinator visitation rates to different crops. We use one of the most extensively used models for the mechanistic approach, while for the data-driven approach, we select from among a comprehensive set of state-of-The-Art machine-learning models. Moreover, we explore a mixed approach, where data-derived inputs, rather than expert assessment, inform the mechanistic model. We find that, at a global scale, machine-learning models work best, offering a rank correlation coefficient between predictions and observations of pollinator visitation rates of 0.56. In turn, the mechanistic model works moderately well at a global scale for wild bees other than bumblebees. Biomes characterized by temperate or Mediterranean forests show a better agreement between mechanistic model predictions and observations, probably due to more comprehensive ecological knowledge and therefore better parameterization of input variables for these biomes. This study highlights the challenges of transferring input variables across multiple biomes, as expected given the different composition of species in different biomes. Our results provide clear guidance on which pollination supply mode
Published: 2023

38. Assessing trends in population size of three unmarked species: A comparison of a multi-species N-mixture model and random encounter models

Author: Hasselt University, Research Foundation - Flanders, Flemish Government, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Università di Torino, KU Leuven, Bollen, Martijn, Palencia, Pablo, Vicente, Joaquín, Acevedo, Pelayo, Río, Lucía del, Neyens, Thomas, Beenaerts, Natalie, Casaer, Jim, Hasselt University, Research Foundation - Flanders, Flemish Government, Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España), Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Università di Torino, KU Leuven, Bollen, Martijn, Palencia, Pablo, Vicente, Joaquín, Acevedo, Pelayo, Río, Lucía del, Neyens, Thomas, Beenaerts, Natalie, and Casaer, Jim
Abstract: Estimation of changes in abundances and densities is essential for the research, management, and conservation of animal populations. Recently, technological advances have facilitated the surveillance of animal populations through the adoption of passive sensors, such as camera traps (CT). Several methods, including the random encounter model (REM), have been developed for estimating densities of unmarked populations but require additional information. Hierarchical abundance models, such as the N-mixture model (NMM), can estimate abundances without performing additional fieldwork but do not explicitly estimate the area effectively sampled. This obscures the interpretation of its densities and requires its users to focus on relative measures of abundance instead. Hence, the main objective of our study is to evaluate if REM and NMM yield consistent results qualitatively. Therefore, we compare relative trends: (i) between species, (ii) between years and (iii) across years obtained from annual density/abundance estimates of three species (fox, wild boar and red deer) in central Spain monitored by a camera trapping network for five consecutive winter periods. We reveal that NMM and REM provided density estimates in the same order of magnitude for wild boar, but not for foxes and red deer. Assuming a Poisson detection process in the NMM was important to control for inflation of abundance estimates for frequently detected species. Both methods consistently ranked density/abundance across species (between species trend), but did not always agree on relative ranks of yearly estimates within a single population (between years trend), nor on its linear population trends across years (across years trend). Our results suggest that relative trends are generally consistent when the range of variability is large, but can become inconsistent when the range of variability is smaller.
Published: 2023

39. Resistance of Omicron subvariants BA.2.75.2, BA.4.6, and BQ.1.1 to neutralizing antibodies

Author: KU Leuven, Institut Pasteur, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France), European Commission, Région Ile-de-France, National Institutes of Health (US), Research Foundation - Flanders, Planas, Delphine, Bruel, Timothee, Staropoli, Isabelle, Guivel-Benhassine, Florence, Porrot, Francoise, Maes, Piet, Grzelak, Ludivine, Prot, Matthieu, Mougari, Said, Planchais, Cyril, Puech, Julien, Saliba, Madelina, Sahraoui, Riwan, Femy, Florent, Morel, Nathalie, Dufloo, Jeremy, Sanjuán, Rafael, Mouquet, Hugo, Andre, Emmanuel, Hocqueloux, Laurent, Simon-Loriere, Etienne, Veyer, David, Prazuck, Thierry, Péré, Hélène, Schwartz, Olivier, KU Leuven, Institut Pasteur, Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale, Agence Nationale de la Recherche (France), European Commission, Région Ile-de-France, National Institutes of Health (US), Research Foundation - Flanders, Planas, Delphine, Bruel, Timothee, Staropoli, Isabelle, Guivel-Benhassine, Florence, Porrot, Francoise, Maes, Piet, Grzelak, Ludivine, Prot, Matthieu, Mougari, Said, Planchais, Cyril, Puech, Julien, Saliba, Madelina, Sahraoui, Riwan, Femy, Florent, Morel, Nathalie, Dufloo, Jeremy, Sanjuán, Rafael, Mouquet, Hugo, Andre, Emmanuel, Hocqueloux, Laurent, Simon-Loriere, Etienne, Veyer, David, Prazuck, Thierry, Péré, Hélène, and Schwartz, Olivier
Abstract: Convergent evolution of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 lineages has led to the emergence of several new subvariants, including BA.2.75.2, BA.4.6. and BQ.1.1. The subvariant BQ.1.1 became predominant in many countries in December 2022. The subvariants carry an additional and often redundant set of mutations in the spike, likely responsible for increased transmissibility and immune evasion. Here, we established a viral amplification procedure to easily isolate Omicron strains. We examined their sensitivity to 6 therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and to 72 sera from Pfizer BNT162b2-vaccinated individuals, with or without BA.1/BA.2 or BA.5 breakthrough infection. Ronapreve (Casirivimab and Imdevimab) and Evusheld (Cilgavimab and Tixagevimab) lose antiviral efficacy against BA.2.75.2 and BQ.1.1, whereas Xevudy (Sotrovimab) remaine weakly active. BQ.1.1 is also resistant to Bebtelovimab. Neutralizing titers in triply vaccinated individuals are low to undetectable against BQ.1.1 and BA.2.75.2, 4 months after boosting. A BA.1/BA.2 breakthrough infection increases these titers, which remains about 18-fold lower against BA.2.75.2 and BQ.1.1, than against BA.1. Reciprocally, a BA.5 breakthrough infection increases more efficiently neutralization against BA.5 and BQ.1.1 than against BA.2.75.2. Thus, the evolution trajectory of novel Omicron subvariants facilitates their spread in immunized populations and raises concerns about the efficacy of most available mAbs.
Published: 2023

40. Responsiveness of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia and Natural History in 884 Recessive and Early Onset Ataxia Patients

Author: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), German Research Foundation, University of Tübingen, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Commission, Ministero della Salute, Ministry of Innovation and Technology (Hungary), University of Szeged, Traschütz, Andreas, Adarmes Gómez, A. D., Anheim, Mathieu, Baets, Jonathan, Brais, Bernard, Gagnon, Cynthia, Gburek-Augustat, Janina, Doss, Sarah, Hanagasi, Hasmet, Kamm, Christoph, Klivenyi, Peter, Klockgether, Thomas, Klopstock, Thomas, Minnerop, Martina, Münchau, Alexander, Renaud, Mathilde, Santorelli, Filippo M., Schöls, Ludger, Thieme, Andreas, Vielhaber, Stefan, Warrenburg, Bart van de, Zanni, Ginevra, Hilgers, Ralf-Dieter, PREPARE Consortium, Synofzik, Matthis, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), German Research Foundation, University of Tübingen, Research Foundation - Flanders, European Commission, Ministero della Salute, Ministry of Innovation and Technology (Hungary), University of Szeged, Traschütz, Andreas, Adarmes Gómez, A. D., Anheim, Mathieu, Baets, Jonathan, Brais, Bernard, Gagnon, Cynthia, Gburek-Augustat, Janina, Doss, Sarah, Hanagasi, Hasmet, Kamm, Christoph, Klivenyi, Peter, Klockgether, Thomas, Klopstock, Thomas, Minnerop, Martina, Münchau, Alexander, Renaud, Mathilde, Santorelli, Filippo M., Schöls, Ludger, Thieme, Andreas, Vielhaber, Stefan, Warrenburg, Bart van de, Zanni, Ginevra, Hilgers, Ralf-Dieter, PREPARE Consortium, and Synofzik, Matthis
Abstract: [Objective] The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) is the most widely applied clinical outcome assessment (COA) for genetic ataxias, but presents metrological and regulatory challenges. To facilitate trial planning, we characterize its responsiveness (including subitem-level relations to ataxia severity and patient-focused outcomes) across a large number of ataxias, and provide first natural history data for several of them., [Methods] Subitem-level correlation and distribution-based analysis of 1,637 SARA assessments in 884 patients with autosomal recessive/early onset ataxia (370 with 2–8 longitudinal assessments) were complemented by linear mixed effects modeling to estimate progression and sample sizes., [Results] Although SARA subitem responsiveness varied between ataxia severities, gait/stance showed a robust granular linear scaling across the broadest range (SARA < 25). Responsiveness was diminished by incomplete subscale use at intermediate or upper levels, nontransitions (“static periods”), and fluctuating decreases/increases. All subitems except nose-finger showed moderate-to-strong correlations to activities of daily living, indicating that metric properties—not content validity—limit SARA responsiveness. SARA captured mild-to-moderate progression in many genotypes (eg, SYNE1-ataxia: 0.55 points/yr, ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2: 1.14 points/yr, POLG-ataxia: 1.56 points/yr), but no change in others (autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay, COQ8A-ataxia). Whereas sensitivity to change was optimal in mild ataxia (SARA < 10), it substantially deteriorated in advanced ataxia (SARA > 25; 2.7-fold sample size). Use of a novel rank-optimized SARA without subitems finger-chase and nose-finger reduces sample sizes by 20 to 25%., [Interpretation] This study comprehensively characterizes COA properties and annualized changes of the SARA across and within a large number of ataxias. It suggests specific approaches for optimizing its responsiveness that might facilitate regulatory qualification and trial design. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:470–485
Published: 2023

41. Machine learning algorithm improves the detection of NASH (NAS-based) and at-risk NASH: A development and validation study

Author: Innovative Medicines Initiative, European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Lee, Jenny, Westphal, Max, Vali, Yasaman, Boursier, Jerome, Petta, Salvatorre, Ostroff, Rachel, Alexander, Leigh, Chen, Yu, Fournier, Celine, Geier, Andreas, Francque, Sven, Wonders, Kristy, Tiniakos, Dina, Bedossa, Pierre, Allison, Mike, Papatheodoridis, Georgios, Cortez-Pinto, Helena, Pais, Raluca, Dufour, Jean-François, Leeming, Diana Julie, Harrison, Stephen, Cobbold, Jeremy, Holleboom, Adriaan G., Yki-Järvinen, Hannele, Crespo, Javier, Ekstedt, Mattias, Aithal, Guruprasad P., Bugianesi, Elisabetta, Romero-Gómez, Manuel, Torstenson, Richard, Karsdal, Morten, Yunis, Carla27, Schattenberg, Jörn M., Schuppan, Detlef, Ratziu, Vlad, Brass, Clifford, Duffin, Kevin, Zwinderman, Koos, Pavlides, Michael, Anstee, Quentin M., Bossuyt, Patrick M., LITMUS investigators, Innovative Medicines Initiative, European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Lee, Jenny, Westphal, Max, Vali, Yasaman, Boursier, Jerome, Petta, Salvatorre, Ostroff, Rachel, Alexander, Leigh, Chen, Yu, Fournier, Celine, Geier, Andreas, Francque, Sven, Wonders, Kristy, Tiniakos, Dina, Bedossa, Pierre, Allison, Mike, Papatheodoridis, Georgios, Cortez-Pinto, Helena, Pais, Raluca, Dufour, Jean-François, Leeming, Diana Julie, Harrison, Stephen, Cobbold, Jeremy, Holleboom, Adriaan G., Yki-Järvinen, Hannele, Crespo, Javier, Ekstedt, Mattias, Aithal, Guruprasad P., Bugianesi, Elisabetta, Romero-Gómez, Manuel, Torstenson, Richard, Karsdal, Morten, Yunis, Carla27, Schattenberg, Jörn M., Schuppan, Detlef, Ratziu, Vlad, Brass, Clifford, Duffin, Kevin, Zwinderman, Koos, Pavlides, Michael, Anstee, Quentin M., Bossuyt, Patrick M., and LITMUS investigators
Abstract: [Background and Aims] Detecting NASH remains challenging, while at-risk NASH (steatohepatitis and F≥ 2) tends to progress and is of interest for drug development and clinical application. We developed prediction models by supervised machine learning techniques, with clinical data and biomarkers to stage and grade patients with NAFLD., [Approach and Results] Learning data were collected in the Liver Investigation: Testing Marker Utility in Steatohepatitis metacohort (966 biopsy-proven NAFLD adults), staged and graded according to NASH CRN. Conditions of interest were the clinical trial definition of NASH (NAS ≥ 4;53%), at-risk NASH (NASH with F ≥ 2;35%), significant (F ≥ 2;47%), and advanced fibrosis (F ≥ 3;28%). Thirty-five predictors were included. Missing data were handled by multiple imputations. Data were randomly split into training/validation (75/25) sets. A gradient boosting machine was applied to develop 2 models for each condition: clinical versus extended (clinical and biomarkers). Two variants of the NASH and at-risk NASH models were constructed: direct and composite models. Clinical gradient boosting machine models for steatosis/inflammation/ballooning had AUCs of 0.94/0.79/0.72. There were no improvements when biomarkers were included. The direct NASH model produced AUCs (clinical/extended) of 0.61/0.65. The composite NASH model performed significantly better (0.71) for both variants. The composite at-risk NASH model had an AUC of 0.83 (clinical and extended), an improvement over the direct model. Significant fibrosis models had AUCs (clinical/extended) of 0.76/0.78. The extended advanced fibrosis model (0.86) performed significantly better than the clinical version (0.82)., [Conclusions] Detection of NASH and at-risk NASH can be improved by constructing independent machine learning models for each component, using only clinical predictors. Adding biomarkers only improved the accuracy of fibrosis.
Published: 2023

42. LATE-NC staging in routine neuropathologic diagnosis: an update

Author: National Institutes of Health (US), California Department of Public Health, California Department of Finance, Academy of Finland, Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation, Rossy Foundation, Nomis Foundation, Alzheimer Forschung Initiative, Medical Research Council (UK), Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, Life and Health Foundation, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer Society, National Institute for Health Research (UK), Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Research Foundation - Flanders, KU Leuven, BrightFocus Foundation, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Commission, Nelson, Peter T., Lee, Edward B., Cykowski, Matthew D., Alafuzoff, Irina, Arfanakis, Konstantinos, Attems, Johannes, Brayne, Carol, Corrada, Maria M., Dugger, Brittany N., Flanagan, Margaret E., Ghetti, Bernardino, Grinberg, Lea T., Grossman, Murray, Grothe, Michel J., Halliday, Glenda M., Hasegawa, Masato, Hokkanen, Suvi R. K., Hunter, Sally, Jellinger, Kurt, Kawas, Claudia H., Keene, C. Dirk, Kouri, Naomi, Kovacs, Gabor G., Leverenz, James B., Latimer, Caitlin S., Mackenzie, Ian R., Mao, Qinwen, McAleese, Kirsty E., Merrick, Richard, Montine, Thomas J., Murray, Melissa E., Myllykangas, Liisa, Nag, Sukriti, Neltner, Janna H., Newell, Kathy L., Rissman, Robert A., Saito, Yuko, Sajjadi, S. Ahmad, Schwetye, Katherine E., Teich, Andrew F., Thal, Dietmar R., Tomé, Sandra O., Troncoso, Juan C., Wang, Shih-Hsiu J., White III, Charles L., Wisniewski, Thomas, Yang, Hyun-Sik, Schneider, Julie A., Dickson, Dennis W., Neumann, Manuela, National Institutes of Health (US), California Department of Public Health, California Department of Finance, Academy of Finland, Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation, Rossy Foundation, Nomis Foundation, Alzheimer Forschung Initiative, Medical Research Council (UK), Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust, Life and Health Foundation, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, Alzheimer's Research UK, Alzheimer Society, National Institute for Health Research (UK), Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Research Foundation - Flanders, KU Leuven, BrightFocus Foundation, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, European Commission, Nelson, Peter T., Lee, Edward B., Cykowski, Matthew D., Alafuzoff, Irina, Arfanakis, Konstantinos, Attems, Johannes, Brayne, Carol, Corrada, Maria M., Dugger, Brittany N., Flanagan, Margaret E., Ghetti, Bernardino, Grinberg, Lea T., Grossman, Murray, Grothe, Michel J., Halliday, Glenda M., Hasegawa, Masato, Hokkanen, Suvi R. K., Hunter, Sally, Jellinger, Kurt, Kawas, Claudia H., Keene, C. Dirk, Kouri, Naomi, Kovacs, Gabor G., Leverenz, James B., Latimer, Caitlin S., Mackenzie, Ian R., Mao, Qinwen, McAleese, Kirsty E., Merrick, Richard, Montine, Thomas J., Murray, Melissa E., Myllykangas, Liisa, Nag, Sukriti, Neltner, Janna H., Newell, Kathy L., Rissman, Robert A., Saito, Yuko, Sajjadi, S. Ahmad, Schwetye, Katherine E., Teich, Andrew F., Thal, Dietmar R., Tomé, Sandra O., Troncoso, Juan C., Wang, Shih-Hsiu J., White III, Charles L., Wisniewski, Thomas, Yang, Hyun-Sik, Schneider, Julie A., Dickson, Dennis W., and Neumann, Manuela
Abstract: An international consensus report in 2019 recommended a classification system for limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy neuropathologic changes (LATE-NC). The suggested neuropathologic staging system and nomenclature have proven useful for autopsy practice and dementia research. However, some issues remain unresolved, such as cases with unusual features that do not fit with current diagnostic categories. The goal of this report is to update the neuropathologic criteria for the diagnosis and staging of LATE-NC, based primarily on published data. We provide practical suggestions about how to integrate available genetic information and comorbid pathologies [e.g., Alzheimer’s disease neuropathologic changes (ADNC) and Lewy body disease]. We also describe recent research findings that have enabled more precise guidance on how to differentiate LATE-NC from other subtypes of TDP-43 pathology [e.g., frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)], and how to render diagnoses in unusual situations in which TDP-43 pathology does not follow the staging scheme proposed in 2019. Specific recommendations are also made on when not to apply this diagnostic term based on current knowledge. Neuroanatomical regions of interest in LATE-NC are described in detail and the implications for TDP-43 immunohistochemical results are specified more precisely. We also highlight questions that remain unresolved and areas needing additional study. In summary, the current work lays out a number of recommendations to improve the precision of LATE-NC staging based on published reports and diagnostic experience.
Published: 2023

43. Distinct mode of action of a highly stable, engineered phage lysin killing Gram-negative bacteria

Author: Research Foundation - Flanders, Ghent University, Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (Egypt), Gerstmans, Hans, Duyvejonck, Lisa, Vázquez, Roberto, Staes, Ines, Borloo, Jimmy, Abdelkader, Karim, Leroy, Jeroen, Cremelie, Emma, Gutiérrez, Diana, Tamés, Hector, Ruas-Madiedo, Patricia, Rodríguez, Ana, Aertsen, Abram, Lammertyn, Jeroen, Lavigne, Rob, Briers, Yves, Research Foundation - Flanders, Ghent University, Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (Egypt), Gerstmans, Hans, Duyvejonck, Lisa, Vázquez, Roberto, Staes, Ines, Borloo, Jimmy, Abdelkader, Karim, Leroy, Jeroen, Cremelie, Emma, Gutiérrez, Diana, Tamés, Hector, Ruas-Madiedo, Patricia, Rodríguez, Ana, Aertsen, Abram, Lammertyn, Jeroen, Lavigne, Rob, and Briers, Yves
Abstract: Engineered lysins are considered as highly promising alternatives for antibiotics. Our previous screening study using VersaTile technology identified 1D10 as a possible lead compound with activity against Acinetobacter baumannii strains under elevated human serum concentrations. In this manuscript, we reveal an unexpected mode of action and exceptional thermoresistance for lysin 1D10. Our findings shed new light on the development of engineered lysins, providing valuable insights for future research in this field.
Published: 2023

44. Autosomal Recessive Cerebellar Ataxias in Europe: Frequency, Onset, and Severity in 677 Patients

Author: European Commission, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), ZonMw, Dutch Research Council, Brain Foundation (The Netherlands), Jacques and Gloria Gossweiler Foundation, Radboud University, University of Tübingen, University of Szeged, Ministry of Innovation and Technology (Hungary), Research Foundation - Flanders, Ministero della Salute, Projekt DEAL, Traschütz, Andreas, Adarmes Gómez, A. D., Anheim, Mathieu, Baets, Jonathan, Falkenburger, Björn H., Gburek-Augustat, Janina, Doss, Sarah, Kamm, Christoph, Klivenyi, Peter, Grobe-Einsler, Marcus, Klopstock, Thomas, Minnerop, Martina, Münchau, Alexander, Pane, Chiara, Renaud, Mathilde, Santorelli, Filippo M., Schöls, Ludger, Timmann, Dagmar, Vielhaber, Stefan, Haack, Tobias B., Warrenburg, Bart van de, Zanni, Ginevra, Synofzik, Matthis, European Commission, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), ZonMw, Dutch Research Council, Brain Foundation (The Netherlands), Jacques and Gloria Gossweiler Foundation, Radboud University, University of Tübingen, University of Szeged, Ministry of Innovation and Technology (Hungary), Research Foundation - Flanders, Ministero della Salute, Projekt DEAL, Traschütz, Andreas, Adarmes Gómez, A. D., Anheim, Mathieu, Baets, Jonathan, Falkenburger, Björn H., Gburek-Augustat, Janina, Doss, Sarah, Kamm, Christoph, Klivenyi, Peter, Grobe-Einsler, Marcus, Klopstock, Thomas, Minnerop, Martina, Münchau, Alexander, Pane, Chiara, Renaud, Mathilde, Santorelli, Filippo M., Schöls, Ludger, Timmann, Dagmar, Vielhaber, Stefan, Haack, Tobias B., Warrenburg, Bart van de, Zanni, Ginevra, and Synofzik, Matthis
Published: 2023

45. Temperature synchronizes temporal variation in laying dates across European hole-nesting passerines

Author: Norwegian Research Council, University of Antwerp, Research Foundation - Flanders, Norwegian Environment Agency, Max Planck Society, Fundación Agencia Aragonesa para la Investigación y el Desarrollo, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Swedish Research Council, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France), National Science Centre (Poland), Observatoire de Recherche Montpelliérain de l'Environnement (France), Russian Science Foundation, Camacho, Carlos [0000-0002-9704-5816], Canal, David [0000-0003-2875-2987], Martínez-Padilla, Jesús [0000-0003-2956-5163], Vriend, Stefan J. G., Grøtan, Vidar, Gamelon, Marlène, Adriaensen, Frank, Ahola, Markus P., Álvarez, Elena, Bailey, Liam D., Barba, Emilio, Bouvier, Jean-Charles, Burgess, Malcolm D., Bushuev, Andrey, Camacho, Carlos, Canal, David, Charmantier, Anne, Cole, Ella F., Cusimano, Camillo, Doligez, Blandine F., Drobniak, Szymon M., Dubiec, Anna, Eens, Marcel, Eeva, Tapio, Erikstad, Kjell Einar, Ferns, Peter N., Goodenough, Anne E., Hartley, Ian R., Hinsley, Shelley A., Ivankina, Elena, Juškaitis, Rimvydas, Kempenaers, Bart, Kerimov, Anvar B., Kålås, John Atle, Lavigne, Claire, Leivits, Agu, Mainwaring, Mark C., Martínez-Padilla, Jesús, Matthysen, Erik, Oers, Kees van, Orell, Markku, Pinxten, Rianne, Reiertsen, Tone Kristin, Rytkönen, Seppo, Senar, Juan Carlos, Sheldon, Ben C., Sorace, Alberto, Török, János, Vatka, Emma, Visser, Marcel E., Sæther, Bernt-Erik, Norwegian Research Council, University of Antwerp, Research Foundation - Flanders, Norwegian Environment Agency, Max Planck Society, Fundación Agencia Aragonesa para la Investigación y el Desarrollo, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Swedish Research Council, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (France), National Science Centre (Poland), Observatoire de Recherche Montpelliérain de l'Environnement (France), Russian Science Foundation, Camacho, Carlos [0000-0002-9704-5816], Canal, David [0000-0003-2875-2987], Martínez-Padilla, Jesús [0000-0003-2956-5163], Vriend, Stefan J. G., Grøtan, Vidar, Gamelon, Marlène, Adriaensen, Frank, Ahola, Markus P., Álvarez, Elena, Bailey, Liam D., Barba, Emilio, Bouvier, Jean-Charles, Burgess, Malcolm D., Bushuev, Andrey, Camacho, Carlos, Canal, David, Charmantier, Anne, Cole, Ella F., Cusimano, Camillo, Doligez, Blandine F., Drobniak, Szymon M., Dubiec, Anna, Eens, Marcel, Eeva, Tapio, Erikstad, Kjell Einar, Ferns, Peter N., Goodenough, Anne E., Hartley, Ian R., Hinsley, Shelley A., Ivankina, Elena, Juškaitis, Rimvydas, Kempenaers, Bart, Kerimov, Anvar B., Kålås, John Atle, Lavigne, Claire, Leivits, Agu, Mainwaring, Mark C., Martínez-Padilla, Jesús, Matthysen, Erik, Oers, Kees van, Orell, Markku, Pinxten, Rianne, Reiertsen, Tone Kristin, Rytkönen, Seppo, Senar, Juan Carlos, Sheldon, Ben C., Sorace, Alberto, Török, János, Vatka, Emma, Visser, Marcel E., and Sæther, Bernt-Erik
Abstract: Identifying the environmental drivers of variation in fitness-related traits is a central objective in ecology and evolutionary biology. Temporal fluctuations of these environmental drivers are often synchronized at large spatial scales. Yet, whether synchronous environmental conditions can generate spatial synchrony in fitness-related trait values (i.e., correlated temporal trait fluctuations across populations) is poorly understood. Using data from long-term monitored populations of blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus, n = 31), great tits (Parus major, n = 35), and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca, n = 20) across Europe, we assessed the influence of two local climatic variables (mean temperature and mean precipitation in February–May) on spatial synchrony in three fitness-related traits: laying date, clutch size, and fledgling number. We found a high degree of spatial synchrony in laying date but a lower degree in clutch size and fledgling number for each species. Temperature strongly influenced spatial synchrony in laying date for resident blue tits and great tits but not for migratory pied flycatchers. This is a relevant finding in the context of environmental impacts on populations because spatial synchrony in fitness-related trait values among populations may influence fluctuations in vital rates or population abundances. If environmentally induced spatial synchrony in fitness-related traits increases the spatial synchrony in vital rates or population abundances, this will ultimately increase the risk of extinction for populations and species. Assessing how environmental conditions influence spatiotemporal variation in trait values improves our mechanistic understanding of environmental impacts on populations.
Published: 2023

46. Effect of electron number densities on the radio signal propagation in an inductively coupled plasma facility

Author: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal), Research Foundation - Flanders, European Commission, Luís, Diana, Giangaspero, Vincent, Viladegut, Alan, Lani, Andrea, Camps, Adriano, Chazot, Olivier, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portugal), Research Foundation - Flanders, European Commission, Luís, Diana, Giangaspero, Vincent, Viladegut, Alan, Lani, Andrea, Camps, Adriano, and Chazot, Olivier
Abstract: Spacecraft entering a planetary atmosphere are surrounded by a plasma layer containing high levels of ionization, due to the extreme temperatures in the shock layer. The high electron number densities cause attenuation of the electromagnetic waves emitted by the on-board antennas, leading to communication blackout for several minutes. This work presents experimental measurements of signal propagation through an ionized plasma flow. The measurements are conducted at the VKI plasma wind tunnel (Plasmatron) using conical horn antennas transmitting in the Ka-band, between 33 and 40 GHz. Testing conditions at 15, 50 and 100 mbar, and powers between 100 and 600 kW cover a broad range of the testing envelope of the Plasmatron as well as a broad range of atmospheric entry conditions. The transmitting antenna is characterized at the UPC anechoic chamber, obtaining the radiation patterns, beamwidth, and gain at the boresight direction; and an optical ray tracing technique is used to describe the electromagnetic waves propagation in the plasma flowfield inside of the Plasmatron chamber. The signal propagation measurements show clear attenuation when the signal is propagating through the plasma, varying between 2 and 15 dB depending on the testing conditions. This attenuation increases with electron number densities, which are driven by the Plasmatron power and pressure settings. Preliminary evidence of Faraday rotation effects caused by the plasma is also observed.
Published: 2023

47. Dynamics in the outskirts of four Milky Way globular clusters: it's the tides that dominate

Author: National Natural Science Foundation of China, University of Sydney, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Research Foundation - Flanders, Wan, Zhen, Gieles, Mark, National Natural Science Foundation of China, University of Sydney, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Research Foundation - Flanders, Wan, Zhen, and Gieles, Mark
Abstract: We present the results of a spectroscopic survey of the outskirts of four globular – 1261, NGC 4590, NGC 1904, and NGC 1851 – covering targets within 1° from the cluster centres, with 2dF/AAOmega on the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) and FLAMES on the very large telescope (VLT). We extracted chemo-dynamical information for individual stars, from which we estimated the velocity dispersion profile and the rotation of each cluster. The observations are compared to direct N-body simulations and appropriate LIMEPY/SPES models for each cluster to interpret the results. In NGC 1851, the detected internal rotation agrees with existing literature, and NGC 1261 shows some rotation signal beyond the truncation radius, likely coming from the escaped stars. We find that the dispersion profiles for both the observations and the simulations for NGC 1261, NGC 1851, and NGC 1904 do not decrease as the LIMEPY/SPES models predict beyond the truncation radius, where the N-body simulations show that escaped stars dominate; the dispersion profile of NGC 4590 follows the predictions of the LIMEPY/SPES models, though the data do not effectively extend beyond the truncation radius. The increasing/flat dispersion profiles in the outskirts of NGC 1261, NGC 1851, and NGC 1904, are reproduced by the simulations. Hence, the increasing/flat dispersion profiles of the clusters in question can be explained by the tidal interaction with the galaxy without introducing dark matter.
Published: 2023

48. Advancing interplanetary magnetohydrodynamic models through solar energetic particle modelling: Insights from the 2013 March 15 SEP event

Author: KU Leuven, University of Helsinki, European Commission, European Space Agency, Research Foundation - Flanders, Belgian Science Policy Office, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Flemish Government, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Niemela, Antonio, Wijsen, Nicolas, Aran, Angels, Rodriguez, Luciano, Magdalenic, J., Poedts, Stefaan, KU Leuven, University of Helsinki, European Commission, European Space Agency, Research Foundation - Flanders, Belgian Science Policy Office, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Flemish Government, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Niemela, Antonio, Wijsen, Nicolas, Aran, Angels, Rodriguez, Luciano, Magdalenic, J., and Poedts, Stefaan
Abstract: [Aims] This study utilises a modelling approach to investigate the impact of perturbed solar wind conditions caused by multiple interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) on the evolution of solar energetic particle (SEP) distributions. Furthermore, we demonstrate the utility of SEP models in evaluating the performance of solar wind and coronal mass ejection (CME) models. To illustrate these concepts, we focussed on modelling the gradual SEP event that occurred on 2023 March 15., [Methods] We utilised the 3D magnetohydrodynamic model EUHFORIA (EUropean Heliospheric FORecasting Information Asset) to simulate the various ICMEs that caused the highly perturbed solar wind conditions observed during the March 15 event. We conducted three separate EUHFORIA simulations, employing both non-magnetised and magnetised models for these ICMEs. To analyse the behaviour of energetic particles in the simulated solar wind environments, we employed the energetic particle transport and acceleration model PARADISE (PArticle Radiation Asset Directed at Interplanetary Space Exploration)., [Results] In the vicinity of Earth, the three EUHFORIA simulations exhibit strong similarities and closely match the observed in situ data. Nevertheless, when incorporating these distinct solar wind configurations into PARADISE, notable disparities emerge in the simulated SEP intensities. This discrepancy can be attributed to the different magnetic enhancements and closed magnetic structures introduced by the different CME models within the EUHFORIA simulations. These variations strongly impact the transport mechanisms of SEPs, leading to significant deviations in the particle intensities simulated by PARADISE. Furthermore, our findings highlight the significance of cross-field diffusion even in scenarios with reduced perpendicular mean free path. This effect becomes particularly prominent when SEPs are trapped within the inner heliosphere due to the presence of ICMEs. In these scenarios, the extended duration of confinement allows the slower cross-field diffusion process to become more pronounced and exert a greater influence on the spatial distribution of SEPs, especially near and within the boundaries of ICMEs., [Conclusions] Solar energetic particle models enable us to indirectly validate the accuracy of the underlying solar wind and CME models across significant portions of the heliosphere, rather than solely relying on discrete points where spacecraft are situated. This broader validation provides valuable insights into the reliability and effectiveness of the CME models on a global scale.
Published: 2023

49. Human iPSCs as model systems for BMP-related rare diseases

Author: Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Fundació La Marató de TV3, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Research Foundation - Flanders, Sánchez-Duffhues, Gonzalo, Hiepen, Christian, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Fundació La Marató de TV3, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (España), Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Research Foundation - Flanders, Sánchez-Duffhues, Gonzalo, and Hiepen, Christian
Abstract: Disturbances in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling contribute to onset and development of a number of rare genetic diseases, including Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and Hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). After decades of animal research to build a solid foundation in understanding the underlying molecular mechanisms, the progressive implementation of iPSC-based patient-derived models will improve drug development by addressing drug efficacy, specificity, and toxicity in a complex humanized environment. We will review the current state of literature on iPSC-derived model systems in this field, with special emphasis on the access to patient source material and the complications that may come with it. Given the essential role of BMPs during embryonic development and stem cell differentiation, gain- or loss-of-function mutations in the BMP signalling pathway may compromise iPSC generation, maintenance, and differentiation procedures. This review highlights the need for careful optimization of the protocols used. Finally, we will discuss recent developments towards complex in vitro culture models aiming to resemble specific tissue microenvironments with multi-faceted cellular inputs, such as cell mechanics and ECM together with organoids, organ-on-chip, and microfluidic technologies.
Published: 2023

50. Coulomb excitation of Zn 74,76

Author: European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Poland), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), National Science Centre (Poland), RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, Illana, A. [0000-0003-0274-3388], Zielińska, M. [0000-0001-5622-6349], Van Duppen, P. [0000-0002-5053-7370], Wrzosek-Lipska, K. [0000-0003-0046-1387], Lenzi, S. M. [0000-0002-4666-8431], Nowacki, F. [0000-0002-7854-8717], Dao, D. D. [0000-0001-9884-4591], Otsuka, T. [0000-0002-1593-5322], Tsunoda, Y. [0000-0002-0398-1639], Illana, A., Zielińska, M., Huyse, M., Rapisarda, E., Van Duppen, P., Wrzosek-Lipska, K., Lenzi, S. M., Nowacki, F., Dao, D. D., Otsuka, T., Tsunoda, Y., Arnswald, K., García Borge, María José, Cederkäll, J., Chrysalidis, K., Cortés, M. L., Cox, D. M., Day Goodacre, T., De Witte, H., Doherty, D. T., Fedosseev, V., Gaffney, L. P., Hadyńska-Klek, K., Hess, H., Henrich, C., Hlebowicz, M., Komorowska, M., Korten, W., Kröll, Th, Lozano Benito, M. L., Lutter, R., Marsh, B., Martikainen, L., Matejska-Minda, M., Molkanov, P. L., Nacher, Enrique, Nannini, A., Napiorkowski, P. J., Pakarinen, J., Papadakis, P., Queiser, M., Reiter, P., Rocchini, M., Rodriguez, J. A., Rolke, T., Rosiak, D., Rothe, S., Seidlitz, M., Seiffert, C., Siebeck, B., Siesling, E., Snäll, J., Srebrny, J., Thiel, S., Warr, N., Wenander, F., European Commission, Research Foundation - Flanders, Federal Ministry of Education and Research (Germany), Ministry of Science and Higher Education (Poland), Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España), National Science Centre (Poland), RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science, Illana, A. [0000-0003-0274-3388], Zielińska, M. [0000-0001-5622-6349], Van Duppen, P. [0000-0002-5053-7370], Wrzosek-Lipska, K. [0000-0003-0046-1387], Lenzi, S. M. [0000-0002-4666-8431], Nowacki, F. [0000-0002-7854-8717], Dao, D. D. [0000-0001-9884-4591], Otsuka, T. [0000-0002-1593-5322], Tsunoda, Y. [0000-0002-0398-1639], Illana, A., Zielińska, M., Huyse, M., Rapisarda, E., Van Duppen, P., Wrzosek-Lipska, K., Lenzi, S. M., Nowacki, F., Dao, D. D., Otsuka, T., Tsunoda, Y., Arnswald, K., García Borge, María José, Cederkäll, J., Chrysalidis, K., Cortés, M. L., Cox, D. M., Day Goodacre, T., De Witte, H., Doherty, D. T., Fedosseev, V., Gaffney, L. P., Hadyńska-Klek, K., Hess, H., Henrich, C., Hlebowicz, M., Komorowska, M., Korten, W., Kröll, Th, Lozano Benito, M. L., Lutter, R., Marsh, B., Martikainen, L., Matejska-Minda, M., Molkanov, P. L., Nacher, Enrique, Nannini, A., Napiorkowski, P. J., Pakarinen, J., Papadakis, P., Queiser, M., Reiter, P., Rocchini, M., Rodriguez, J. A., Rolke, T., Rosiak, D., Rothe, S., Seidlitz, M., Seiffert, C., Siebeck, B., Siesling, E., Snäll, J., Srebrny, J., Thiel, S., Warr, N., and Wenander, F.
Abstract: The first experiment using radioactive beams post-accelerated by the HIE-ISOLDE facility has enabled to obtain a precise set of B(E2) transition probabilities in neutron-rich 74,76Zn isotopes. The resulting B(E2; 21+ → 01+) values are consistent with those determined in earlier REX-ISOLDE measurements. While the B(E2; 41+ → 21+) transition probability in 76Zn is also in agreement with earlier Coulomb-excitation results, the value obtained for 74Zn is considerably lower. For the first time, a spectroscopic quadrupole moment of the 21+ state was measured for an exotic nucleus in this mass region. A detailed comparison is presented with large-scale shell-model and Monte Carlo shell-model calculations.
Published: 2023

Catalog

Books, media, physical & digital resources

See catalog results

Searchworks

Select search scope, currently: Articles Catalog books, media & more in Jio Institute collections Articles journal articles & other e-resources

Search

Search Constraints

Refine your results

Search Limiters

Publication Year Range

Publication Type

Database

Publisher

386 results on '"Research Foundation - Flanders"'

Search Results

Catalog

Select search scope, currently: Articles

Catalog

books, media & more in Jio Institute collections

Articles

journal articles & other e-resources