bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic power of anaerobic threshold parameters in patients with transposition of the great arteries and systemic right ventricle
Authors: Gonçalves António V. , Mano Tânia , Agapito Ana , Rosa Sílvia A. , de Sousa Lídia , Rio Pedro , Alberto José , Monteiro André , da Silva Tiago P. , Moreira Rita I. , Soares Rui , Pinto Fátima , Ferreira Rui C.
Published: October 2019

Introduction:

Both transposition of the great arteries (TGA) previously submitted to a Senning/Mustard procedure and congenitally corrected TGA (cc-TGA) have the systemic circulation supported by the morphological right ventricle, thereby rendering these patients to heart failure events risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters for stratifying the risk of heart failure events in TGA patients.

Methods:

Retrospective evaluation of adult TGA patients with systemic circulation supported by the morphological right ventricle submitted to cardiopulmonary exercise test in a tertiary centre. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year for the primary endpoint of cardiac death or heart failure hospitalisation. Several cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters were analysed as potential predictors of the combined endpoint and their predictive power were compared (area under the curve).

Results:

Cardiopulmonary exercise test was performed in 44 TGA patients (8 cc-TGA), with a mean age of 35.1 ± 8.4 years. The primary endpoint was reached by 10 (22.7%) patients, with a mean follow-up of 36.7 ± 26.8 months. Heart rate at anaerobic threshold had the highest area under the curve value (0.864), followed by peak oxygen consumption (pVO2) (0.838). Heart rate at anaerobic threshold ≤95 bpm and pVO2 ≤20 ml/kg/min had a sensitivity of 87.5 and 80.0% and a specificity of 82.4 and 76.5%, respectively, for the primary outcome.

Conclusion:

Heart rate at anaerobic threshold ≤95 bpm had the highest predictive power of all cardiopulmonary exercise test parameters analysed for heart failure events in TGA patients with systemic circulation supported by the morphological right ventricle.
The cost of presidential impeachment to politically connected firms
Authors: Lee Ha Na , Song B. K.
Published: October 2019

This study examines the ways political events can affect the stock prices of politically connected firms by studying one of the biggest corruption scandals in modern South Korean history, which led to the first-ever impeachment of a sitting president. We analyzed the stock returns of firms that donated money to foundations allegedly controlled by the president's confidante. We found that the abnormal stock returns of politically connected firms decreased when the president was removed from office. Using tick-by-tick stock price data, we were able to pinpoint the exact moments when the stock prices of firms that donated money fluctuated, as the president's fate was determined by the justices of the Constitutional Court.
Does Visual Aesthetics of the Workplace Matter? Analyzing the Assessment of Visual Aesthetics as Antecedent of Affective Commitment and Job Crafting
Authors: González-Suhr Carolina , Salgado Sergio , Elgueta Herman , Alcover Carlos-María
Published: October 2019

In this work, two objectives were addressed. First, the visual aesthetics assessment of the workplace was explored for the first time as a potential antecedent of the proactive behaviors of job crafting. Second, the potential mediating role of the affective organizational commitment in this relationship was analyzed. To address these purposes, a field study was conducted with a sample of 428 workers. Following a set of hypotheses, the results of the measurement model, χ2(df) = 494.288 (215);CFI= .920;TLI= .906;RMSEA= .066, showed that the visual aesthetics assessment of the workplace was significantly correlated with three of the four dimensions of job crafting (r= .19 with ISO-JR,r= .15 with IC-JD and;r= .17 with IST-JR;p< .001) and with affective organizational commitment (r= .27,p< .001). In addition, through a structural equation model, χ2(df) = 494.895 (219);CFI= .921;TLI= .909;RMSEA= .065, positive and significant indirect effects were found from the visual aesthetic assessment of the workplace to the same three dimensions of job crafting, all through the affective organizational commitment: .17 with ISO-JR, .25 with IC-JD and, .23 with IST-JR; 95%CI[.097, .276], [.161, .361] and [.161, .361], respectively. The results obtained provide useful evidence for researchers and managers about the value of providing an aesthetically satisfactory workplace, which would enhance the affective commitment of employees and, consequently, positively affect the proactive behaviors of job crafting.
Vitamin D pathway related polymorphisms and vitamin D receptor expression in breast cancer
Authors: Francis Issam , AlAbdali Noora , Kapila Kusum , John Bency , Al-Temaimi Rabeah Abbas
Published: October 2019

Abstract. Vitamin D deficiency is an emerging risk factor for breast cancer suggesting its role in breast cancer pathogenesis. Recent evidence suggests vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression is a prognosis predictor in breast cancer. We set out to determine the status of VDR expression in histologically characterized breast cancers, and whether common genetic variants modify VDR expression in breast cancer. One-hundred and twenty Kuwaiti female breast cancer fixed tissues were assessed for VDR expression to identify the level and location of its expression by immunohistochemistry. VDR variants (rs731236, rs2228570), and vitamin D binding protein ( VDBP) variants (rs4588, rs7041) genotypes were ascertained in breast cancer specimens using Taqman genotyping assays. VDR nuclear expression correlated with low grade tumors (p = 0.01), whereas cytoplasmic expression correlated with lymph node positive tumors (p = 0.03). Absence of VDR expression was a marker for high-grade dedifferentiated tumors (p = 0.01). VDBP rs7041 associated with breast cancer risk (OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.34 – 2.73; p = 0.0004), and VDR rs2228570 correlated with increased VDR cytoplasmic expression (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, VDR expression is altered in breast cancer confirming its involvement in breast cancer progression. Genetic factors appear to play a role in breast cancer risk, and may modify tumor sensitization to vitamin D.
What Inflates the Solar Bubble? Voyagers Count What’s Missing
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: October 2019

The first in situ measurement of the pressure at the edge of the solar system reveals that there’s still a lot we don’t know about what sets the size of the heliosphere.
Hot, volatile‐poor, and oxidized magmatism above the stagnant Pacific plate in Eastern China in the Cenozoic
Authors: Erdmann S. , Chen L.‐H. , Liu J.‐Q. , Xue X.‐Q. , Wang X.‐J.
Published: October 2019

Eastern China has experienced widespread and voluminous, basaltic to andesitic intraplate magmatism in the Cenozoic. Seismic tomography and kinematic reconstructions show that magmas have erupted above the stagnant Pacific plate, which currently extends within the mantle transition zone for >1500 km beyond the active arc. Seismic studies also show in intriguing detail that low‐velocity wave anomalies reach from the mantle transition zone or below to major volcanic centers, suggesting an intimate relation between the magmatism and components derived from the mantle‐transition zone and possibly from deeper levels. Here, we provide new petrological, mineral chemical, and whole‐rock geochemical data showing that Cenozoic basaltic andesitic and andesitic magmas that have erupted above the present‐day edge of the subducted Pacific plate are largely unfractionated, ≥1130‐1160±15‐50 °C hot, mantle‐derived melts that were volatile‐poor (undegassed melt CO2and H2O of ~2400‐3100±500 ppm and ~0.5‐0.6±0.4‐1.1 wt%), and relatively oxidized (~FMQ to ~FMQ+1.3±1.0). We further infer that the magmas were derived by partial melting of oxidized, H2O‐ and CO2‐poor eclogite‐rich sources (~FMQ‐1.0 to ~FMQ). We use this to suggest that the low‐velocity seismic anomalies below Eastern China largely reflect the presence of oxidized and enriched, hot and not necessarily particularly hydrous mantle domains as common interpretation has suggested. This is crucial information for quantifying material flow above and around the subducted Pacific plate and for constraining residence times of subducted components in Eastern Asia and globally.
Progressive Changes in Magma Transport at the Active Serreta Ridge, Azores
Authors: Romer R.H.W. , Beier C. , Haase K.M. , Klügel A. , Hamelin C.
Published: October 2019

Volcanism in the Eastern Azores Plateau occurs at large central volcanoes and along subaerial and submarine fissure zones, resulting from a mantle melting anomaly combined with transtensional stresses. Volcanic structures are aligned WNW‐ESE and NW‐SE, reflecting two tectonic stress fields that control the direction of lateral melt transport. Terceira Island is influenced by both stress fields, dividing the island into an eastern and western part. Several submarine volcanic ridges with variable orientations are located west of Santa Bárbara, the youngest central volcano on Terceira. Major, trace element and Sr‐Nd‐Pb‐Hf isotope compositions from submarine lavas and glasses, in part associated with the 1998–2001 Serreta Ridge eruption, vary between different lava suites, suggesting a formation from different mantle sources. Submarine lavas are more primitive than those from Santa Bárbara volcano, indicating that they are not laterally connected with the shallow magma reservoir located in 2‐ to 5‐km depth beneath the central volcano. Mineral thermobarometric data suggest that the older Serreta magmas were laterally transported at depths >5 km from Santa Bárbara predominantly in WNW direction. We propose that lithospheric extension controls magma transport from the central volcano to Serreta Ridge. The youngest Serreta lavas differ from Santa Bárbara and other submarine ridges in having less radiogenic Pb and higher Hf isotope ratios representing a new magma pulse ascending from the mantle. We conclude that lateral magma transport and the morphology of volcanic ridges are controlled by tectonic stresses in the lithosphere, whereas vertical melt transport is initiated by processes in the mantle.
Hydrate‐filled Fracture Formation at Keathley Canyon 151, Gulf of Mexico, and Implications for Non‐vent Sites
Authors: Oti Emma A. , Cook Ann E. , Welch Susan A. , Sheets Julia M. , Crandall Dustin , Rose Kelly , Daigle Hugh
Published: October 2019

Near‐vertical hydrate‐filled fractures are found in subseafloor marine muds, at both advective methane vent sites and at sites without obvious methane and fluid advection (non‐vent sites). At non‐vent sites, the mechanisms that transport methane to the fractures and control how hydrate‐filled fractures form are not well understood. However, these mechanisms are important to establish, as most of Earth's natural gas hydrate is likely bound in marine mud systems. Herein, we focus on understanding the origin of hydrate and how fracture form at non‐vent sites by examining previously hydrate‐bearing fractures in conventional cores taken from Keathley Canyon 151, U.S. northern Gulf of Mexico, drilled by the Gas Hydrate Joint Industry Project in 2005. We combine information from well logs, sediment cores, and science party results and add new X‐ray computed tomography of archival sections and scanning electron microcopy of core samples to develop a conceptual model. We propose that locally generated microbial methane is transported via diffusion from small pores in marine mud into biomineralized burrows with larger pore size in a process called short‐range migration. Hydrate forms in burrows once the methane diffuses into them and the dissolved methane concentration exceeds the solubility threshold. When hydrate fills a burrow, heave from additional hydrate growth places stress on the burrow edges, expands the fracture, and creates additional void space in which methane can diffuse and continue forming hydrate. Fractures slowly propagate in the direction of maximum principal stress.
Monitoring Tree Sway as an Indicator of Water Stress
Authors: Ciruzzi Dominick M. , Loheide Steven P.
Published: October 2019

Understanding and predicting future consequences of increasingly frequent and intense droughts requires improved monitoring of forest response. Over the course of a day, tree mass and stiffness respond dynamically to changing atmospheric and hydraulic conditions. By conducting a 24‐hr experiment, we sought to disentangle the effects of changing mass and stiffness on tree sway period. We observed that tree mass and stiffness are influenced by changes in tree water content and that diurnal changes in tree sway period are chiefly driven by the loss and recovery of tree stiffness. Over a season‐long time series in twoQuercus rubra(red oak) trees, we observed more pronounced and substantially higher midday increases (+7%) in sway period during days with the driest soil moisture (<0.09) as compared to days when soils were wetter. These findings suggest that continuously monitoring tree sway period offers an innovative approach to detecting water stress in trees.
Transient Brittle‐Ductile Transition Depth Induced by Moderate‐Large Earthquakes in Southern and Baja California
Authors: Cheng Yifang , Ben‐Zion Yehuda
Published: October 2019

We analyze space‐time variations in the depth distribution of seismicity in Southern and Baja California, focusing on transients following four M ≥ 6.7 mainshocks. The regular brittle‐ductile transition depth is estimated at different locations as the local bottom of 99,636 background events and is compared with the bottom of events within earthquake clusters. The four M ≥ 6.7 mainshock‐aftershock sequences exhibit early aftershocks with depths up to 5 km below the regular brittle‐ductile transition depth and epicentral distances up to 15 km from the mainshock ruptures. The maximum aftershock depth increases abruptly following the mainshocks and recovers to the background level after several years. The wide‐spread deeper‐than‐usual early aftershocks favor classical brittle‐ductile transition over change from unstable to stable frictional response as the mechanism governing the base of the seismogenic zone. Episodic transient deepening of the brittle‐ductile transition following major earthquakes can have important long‐term effects on the lower crust.
Long‐Lasting Latitudinal Four‐Peak Structure in the Nighttime Ionosphere Observed by the Swarm Constellation
Authors: Xiong Chao , Lühr Hermann , Sun Longchang , Luo Weihua , Park Jaeheung , Hong Yu
Published: October 2019

In this study, we provide for the first time observation of the latitudinal four‐peak structure of F region electron density in the nightside ionosphere. The special configuration of Swarm satellites, Swarm B having the chance to resample the regions of Swarm A/C with successively increasing time differences, provides an unprecedented opportunity to check the evolution of these nightside electron density peaks. Overall, the latitudinal four‐peak structures have very low occurrence rates, only 4% of the Swarm orbits. The two mid‐latitude peaks prefer to appear close to ±40° magnetic latitude, while the two low‐latitude peaks appear within ±20° magnetic latitude. Such latitudinal four‐peak structures can persist throughout the night until sunrise hours. No clear seasonal dependence is found for the two mid‐latitude peaks, while the two low‐latitude peaks are almost symmetric about the magnetic equator during equinoxes but are located at slightly higher latitudes in the summer hemisphere around solstices. The two low‐latitude peaks at late‐night hours are believed not to be remnants of the dusk‐side equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crests, as (a) example shows that Swarm A/C observe the development of shoulders at the flanks of the two EIA crests after sunset hours, and the shoulders become peaks 3 h later when Swarm B resamples the same region; (b) statistic results reveal that the two low‐latitude peaks during post‐midnight hours do not propagate towards the magnetic equator, as expected for EIA crests, but move slowly poleward. We suggest that the enhanced meridional wind at postmidnight hours is one possible driver for causing such latitudinal four‐peak structure of F region electron density. In addition, the simultaneous magnetic measurements from Swarm satellites are also analyzed, but they show no obvious diamagnetic effect that could help to maintain pressure balance within these electron density peaks.
Clinical significance of TP53 variants as possible secondary findings in tumor-only next-generation sequencing
Authors: Yamamoto Yoshihiro , Kanai Masashi , Kou Tadayuki , Sugiyama Aiko , Nakamura Eijiro , Miyake Hidehiko , Yamada Takahiro , Nishigaki Masakazu , Kondo Tomohiro , Murakami Hiromi , Torishima Masako , Matsumoto Shigemi , Kosugi Shinji , Muto Manabu
Published: October 2019

In tumor-only next-generation sequencing (NGS), identified variants have the potential to be secondary findings (SFs), but they require verification through additional germline testing. In the present study, 194 patients with advanced cancer who underwent tumor-only NGS between April 2015 and March 2018 were enrolled, and the incidences of possible and true SFs were evaluated. Among them, 120 patients (61.9%) harbored at least one possible SF. TP53 was the most frequent gene in which 97 variants were found in 91 patients (49.5%). Nine patients provided informed consent to undergo additional germline testing, and a total of 14 variants (BRCA1, n = 1; BRCA2, n = 2; PTEN, n = 2; RB1, n = 1; SMAD4, n = 1; STK11, n = 1; TP53, n = 6) were analyzed. Three variants (BRCA1, n = 1; BRCA2, n = 2) were confirmed to be SFs, whereas TP53 variants were confirmed to be somatic variants. To confirm the low prevalence of SFs in TP53, we analyzed 24 patients with TP53 variants who underwent a paired tumor–normal NGS assay. As expected, all TP53 variants were confirmed to be somatic variants. A total of 30 patients were tested for germline variants in TP53, but none of them resulted in true SFs, suggesting the low prevalence of SFs in this gene. Therefore, the significance of additional germline testing for TP53 variants appears to be relatively low in daily clinical practice using a tumor-only NGS assay, unless patients have any relevant medical or family history.
How we use venetoclax with hypomethylating agents for the treatment of newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Jonas Brian A. , Pollyea Daniel A.
Published: October 2019

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with poor outcomes, especially in older patients in whom the disease is most common. B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) is an antiapoptotic protein involved in the survival and maintenance of AML, and it is overexpressed in the leukemia stem cell population. Venetoclax is an oral BCL-2 protein inhibitor recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in combination with a hypomethylating agent (HMA) (azacitidine or decitabine) or low-dose cytarabine for front-line treatment of AML in older patients or those unfit for induction chemotherapy. Given that its mechanism of action is unique, it is not surprising that this widely effective therapy presents unique challenges, including but not limited to the rapidity of responses, the rate and depth of cytopenias, and issues related to drug–drug interactions. With the recent FDA approval and increasingly widespread use, we aim here to summarize, based on evidence and experience, emerging management strategies for the combination of HMAs and venetoclax in the treatment of AML.
Narrowing down the region responsible for 1q23.3q24.1 microdeletion by identifying the smallest deletion
Authors: Hoshina Takao , Seto Toshiyuki , Shimono Taro , Sakamoto Hiroaki , Okuyama Torayuki , Hamazaki Takashi , Yamamoto Toshiyuki
Published: October 2019

Interstitial deletions of 1q23.3q24.1 are rare. Here, chromosomal microarray testing identified a de novo microdeletion of arr[GRCh37]1q23.3q24.1(164816055_165696996) × 1 in a patient with moderate developmental delay, hearing loss, cryptorchidism, and other distinctive features. The clinical features were common to those previously reported in patients with overlapping deletions. The patient’s deletion size was 881 kb—the smallest yet reported. This therefore narrowed down the deletion responsible for the common clinical features. The deleted region included seven genes; deletion of LMX1A, RXRG, and ALDH9A1 may have caused our patient’s neurodevelopmental delay.
Ultrahigh β-phase content poly(vinylidene fluoride) with relaxor-like ferroelectricity for high energy density capacitors
Authors: Meng Nan , Ren Xintong , Santagiuliana Giovanni , Ventura Leonardo , Zhang Han , Wu Jiyue , Yan Haixue , Reece Michael J , Bilotti Emiliano
Published: October 2019

Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-based dielectric materials are prospective candidates for high power density electric storage applications because of their ferroelectric nature, high dielectric breakdown strength and superior processability. However, obtaining a polar phase with relaxor-like behavior in poly(vinylidene fluoride), as required for high energy storage density, is a major challenge. To date, this has been achieved using complex and expensive synthesis of copolymers and terpolymers or via irradiation with high-energy electron-beam or γ-ray radiations. Herein, a facile process of pressing-and-folding is proposed to produce β-poly(vinylidene fluoride) (β-phase content: ~98%) with relaxor-like behavior observed in poly(vinylidene fluoride) with high molecular weight > 534 kg mol−1, without the need of any hazardous gases, solvents, electrical or chemical treatments. An ultra-high energy density (35 J cm−3) with a high efficiency (74%) is achieved in a pressed-and-folded poly(vinylidene fluoride) (670-700 kg mol−1), which is higher than that of other reported polymer-based dielectric capacitors to the best of our knowledge.
Rapid multiple-quantum three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy disentangles quantum pathways
Authors: Mueller Stefan , Lüttig Julian , Malý Pavel , Ji Lei , Han Jie , Moos Michael , Marder Todd B. , Bunz Uwe H. F. , Dreuw Andreas , Lambert Christoph , Brixner Tobias
Published: October 2019

Coherent two-dimensional spectroscopy is a powerful tool for probing ultrafast quantum dynamics in complex systems. Several variants offer different types of information but typically require distinct beam geometries. Here we introduce population-based three-dimensional (3D) electronic spectroscopy and demonstrate the extraction of all fourth- and multiple sixth-order nonlinear signal contributions by employing 125-fold (1⨯5⨯5⨯5) phase cycling of a four-pulse sequence. Utilizing fluorescence detection and shot-to-shot pulse shaping in single-beam geometry, we obtain various 3D spectra of the dianion of TIPS-tetraazapentacene, a fluorophore with limited stability at ambient conditions. From this, we recover previously unknown characteristics of its electronic two-photon state. Rephasing and nonrephasing sixth-order contributions are measured without additional phasing that hampered previous attempts using noncollinear geometries. We systematically resolve all nonlinear signals from the same dataset that can be acquired in 8 min. The approach is generalizable to other incoherent observables such as external photoelectrons, photocurrents, or photoions.
Sialic acid mediated mechanical activation of β2 adrenergic receptors by bacterial pili
Authors: Virion Zoe , Doly Stéphane , Saha Kusumika , Lambert Mireille , Guillonneau François , Bied Camille , Duke Rebecca M. , Rudd Pauline M. , Robbe-Masselot Catherine , Nassif Xavier , Coureuil Mathieu , Marullo Stefano
Published: October 2019

Meningococcus utilizes β-arrestin selective activation of endothelial cell β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) to cause meningitis in humans. Molecular mechanisms of receptor activation by the pathogen and of its species selectivity remained elusive. We report that β2AR activation requires two asparagine-branched glycan chains with terminally exposed N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (sialic acid, Neu5Ac) residues located at a specific distance in its N-terminus, while being independent of surrounding amino-acid residues. Meningococcus triggers receptor signaling by exerting direct and hemodynamic-promoted traction forces on β2AR glycans. Similar activation is recapitulated with beads coated with Neu5Ac-binding lectins, submitted to mechanical stimulation. This previously unknown glycan-dependent mode of allosteric mechanical activation of a G protein-coupled receptor contributes to meningococcal species selectivity, since Neu5Ac is only abundant in humans due to the loss of CMAH, the enzyme converting Neu5Ac into N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid in other mammals. It represents an additional mechanism of evolutionary adaptation of a pathogen to its host.
Core-level nonlinear spectroscopy triggered by stochastic X-ray pulses
Authors: Kayser Yves , Milne Chris , Juranić Pavle , Sala Leonardo , Czapla-Masztafiak Joanna , Follath Rolf , Kavčič Matjaž , Knopp Gregor , Rehanek Jens , Błachucki Wojciech , Delcey Mickaël G. , Lundberg Marcus , Tyrała Krzysztof , Zhu Diling , Alonso-Mori Roberto , Abela Rafael , Sá Jacinto , Szlachetko Jakub
Published: October 2019

Stochastic processes are highly relevant in research fields as different as neuroscience, economy, ecology, chemistry, and fundamental physics. However, due to their intrinsic unpredictability, stochastic mechanisms are very challenging for any kind of investigations and practical applications. Here we report the deliberate use of stochastic X-ray pulses in two-dimensional spectroscopy to the simultaneous mapping of unoccupied and occupied electronic states of atoms in a regime where the opacity and transparency properties of matter are subject to the incident intensity and photon energy. A readily transferable matrix formalism is presented to extract the electronic states from a dataset measured with the monitored input from a stochastic excitation source. The presented formalism enables investigations of the response of the electronic structure to irradiation with intense X-ray pulses while the time structure of the incident pulses is preserved.
Site-selective remote C(sp3)–H heteroarylation of amides via organic photoredox catalysis
Authors: Chen Hui , Fan Wenjing , Yuan Xiang-Ai , Yu Shouyun
Published: October 2019

Radical translocation processes triggered by nitrogen-centered radicals (NCRs), such as 1,5-hydrogen atom transfers (1,5-HAT), demonstrated by the well-established Hofmann-Löffler-Freytag (HLF) reaction, provide an attractive approach for the controllable and selective functionalization of remote inert C(sp3)–H bonds. Here we report an amidyl radical-triggered site-selective remote C(sp3)–H heteroarylation of amides under organic photoredox conditions. This approach provides a mild and highly regioselective reaction affording remote C(sp3)–H heteroarylated amides at room temperature under transition-metal free, weakly basic, and redox-neutral conditions. Non-prefunctionalized heteroarenes, such as purines, thiazolopyridines, benzoxazole, benzothiazoles, benzothiophene, benzofuran, thiazoles and quinoxalines, can be alkylated directly. Sequential and orthogonal C–H functionalization of different heteroarenes by taking advantage pH value or polarity of radicals has also been achieved. DFT calculations explain and can predict the site-selectivity and reactivity of this reaction. This strategy expands the scope of the Minisci reaction and serves as its alternative and potential complement.
Schools of skyrmions with electrically tunable elastic interactions
Authors: Sohn Hayley R. O. , Liu Changda D. , Smalyukh Ivan I.
Published: October 2019

Coexistence of order and fluidity in soft matter often mimics that in biology, allowing for complex dynamics and applications-like displays. In active soft matter, emergent order can arise because of such dynamics. Powered by local energy conversion, this behavior resembles motions in living systems, like schooling of fish. Similar dynamics at cellular levels drive biological processes and generate macroscopic work. Inanimate particles capable of such emergent behavior could power nanomachines, but most active systems have biological origins. Here we show that thousands-to-millions of topological solitons, dubbed “skyrmions”, while each converting macroscopically-supplied electric energy, exhibit collective motions along spontaneously-chosen directions uncorrelated with the direction of electric field. Within these “schools” of skyrmions, we uncover polar ordering, reconfigurable multi-skyrmion clustering and large-scale cohesion mediated by out-of-equilibrium elastic interactions. Remarkably, this behavior arises under conditions similar to those in liquid crystal displays and may enable dynamic materials with strong emergent electro-optic responses.
Puma genomes from North and South America provide insights into the genomic consequences of inbreeding
Authors: Saremi Nedda F. , Supple Megan A. , Byrne Ashley , Cahill James A. , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Dalén Love , Figueiró Henrique V. , Johnson Warren E. , Milne Heather J. , O’Brien Stephen J. , O’Connell Brendan , Onorato David P. , Riley Seth P. D. , Sikich Jeff A. , Stahler Daniel R. , Villela Priscilla Marqui Schmidt , Vollmers Christopher , Wayne Robert K. , Eizirik Eduardo , Corbett-Detig Russell B. , Green Richard E. , Wilmers Christopher C. , Shapiro Beth
Published: October 2019

Pumas are the most widely distributed felid in the Western Hemisphere. Increasingly, however, human persecution and habitat loss are isolating puma populations. To explore the genomic consequences of this isolation, we assemble a draft puma genome and a geographically broad panel of resequenced individuals. We estimate that the lineage leading to present-day North American pumas diverged from South American lineages 300–100 thousand years ago. We find signatures of close inbreeding in geographically isolated North American populations, but also that tracts of homozygosity are rarely shared among these populations, suggesting that assisted gene flow would restore local genetic diversity. The genome of a Florida panther descended from translocated Central American individuals has long tracts of homozygosity despite recent outbreeding. This suggests that while translocations may introduce diversity, sustaining diversity in small and isolated populations will require either repeated translocations or restoration of landscape connectivity. Our approach provides a framework for genome-wide analyses that can be applied to the management of similarly small and isolated populations.
Drosulfakinin signaling in fruitless circuitry antagonizes P1 neurons to regulate sexual arousal in Drosophila
Authors: Wu Shunfan , Guo Chao , Zhao Huan , Sun Mengshi , Chen Jie , Han Caihong , Peng Qionglin , Qiao Huanhuan , Peng Ping , Liu Yan , Luo Shengzhan D. , Pan Yufeng
Published: October 2019

Animals perform or terminate particular behaviors by integrating external cues and internal states through neural circuits. Identifying neural substrates and their molecular modulators promoting or inhibiting animal behaviors are key steps to understand how neural circuits control behaviors. Here, we identify the Cholecystokinin-like peptide Drosulfakinin (DSK) that functions at single-neuron resolution to suppress male sexual behavior in Drosophila. We found that Dsk neurons physiologically interact with male-specific P1 neurons, part of a command center for male sexual behaviors, and function oppositely to regulate multiple arousal-related behaviors including sex, sleep and spontaneous walking. We further found that the DSK-2 peptide functions through its receptor CCKLR-17D3 to suppress sexual behaviors in flies. Such a neuropeptide circuit largely overlaps with the fruitless-expressing neural circuit that governs most aspects of male sexual behaviors. Thus DSK/CCKLR signaling in the sex circuitry functions antagonistically with P1 neurons to balance arousal levels and modulate sexual behaviors.
Size-dependent diffusion controls natural aging in aluminium alloys
Authors: Dumitraschkewitz Phillip , Uggowitzer Peter J. , Gerstl Stephan S. A. , Löffler Jörg F. , Pogatscher Stefan
Published: October 2019

A key question in materials science is how fast properties evolve, which relates to the kinetics of phase transformations. In metals, kinetics is primarily connected to diffusion, which for substitutional elements is enabled via mobile atomic-lattice vacancies. In fact, non-equilibrium vacancies are often required for structural changes. Rapid quenching of various important alloys, such as Al- or Mg-alloys, results for example in natural aging, i.e. slight movements of solute atoms in the material, which significantly alter the material properties. In this study we demonstrate a size effect of natural aging in an AlMgSi alloy via atom probe tomography with near-atomic image resolution. We show that non-equilibrium vacancy diffusional processes are generally stopped when the sample size reaches the nanometer scale. This precludes clustering and natural aging in samples below a certain size and has implications towards the study of non-equilibrium diffusion and microstructural changes via microscopy techniques.
Safety and efficacy of ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine against Rift Valley fever in pregnant sheep and goats
Authors: Stedman Anna , Wright Daniel , Wichgers Schreur Paul J. , Clark Madeleine H. A. , Hill Adrian V. S. , Gilbert Sarah C. , Francis Michael J. , van Keulen Lucien , Kortekaas Jeroen , Charleston Bryan , Warimwe George M.
Published: October 2019

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne virus that was first discovered in Kenya in 1930 and has since spread to become endemic in much of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Rift Valley fever (RVF) causes recurrent outbreaks of febrile illness associated with high levels of mortality and poor outcomes during pregnancy—including foetal malformations, spontaneous abortion and stillbirths—in livestock, and associated with miscarriage in humans. No vaccines are available for human use and those licensed for veterinary use have potential drawbacks, including residual virulence that may contraindicate their use in pregnancy. To address this gap, we previously developed a simian adenovirus vectored vaccine, ChAdOx1 RVF, that encodes RVFV envelope glycoproteins. ChAdOx1 RVF is fully protective against RVF in non-pregnant livestock and is also under development for human use. Here, we now demonstrate that when administered to pregnant sheep and goats, ChAdOx1 RVF is safe, elicits high titre RVFV neutralizing antibody, and provides protection against viraemia and foetal loss, although this protection is not as robust for the goats. In addition, we provide a description of RVFV challenge in pregnant goats and contrast this to the pathology observed in pregnant sheep. Together, our data further support the ongoing development of ChAdOx1 RVF vaccine for use in livestock and humans.
Changes in extreme temperature over China when global warming stabilized at 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C
Authors: Sun Cenxiao , Jiang Zhihong , Li Wei , Hou Qiyao , Li Laurent
Published: October 2019

The 1.5 °C global warming target proposed by the Paris Agreement has raised worldwide attention and inspired numerous studies to assess corresponding climate changes for different regions of the world. But CMIP5 models based on Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) are ‘transient simulations’ and cannot reflect the response of climate warming stabilized at 1.5 °C. The current work presents an assessment of extreme temperature changes in China with simulations from ‘Half a degree Additional warming, Prognosis and Projected Impacts’ (HAPPI) project specially conceived for global warming levels stabilized at 1.5 °C and 2.0 °C. When global warming stabilizes at 1.5 °C/2.0 °C, the areal-mean temperature for whole China increases by about 0.94 °C/1.59 °C (relative to present period, taken from 2006–2015). Notable increase regions are mainly found in Northwest and Northeast-North China, but warm spell duration increases mostly in Southeast China. The effect of the additional 0.5 °C warming is particularly investigated and compared between the transient and stabilized simulations. Changes of mean and extreme temperature are larger in transient simulations than in stabilized simulations. The uncertainty range is also narrower in stabilized simulations. Under stabilized global warming scenario, extreme hot event with return period of 100 years in the present climate becomes event occurring every 4.79 (1.5 °C warming level) and 1.56 years (2.0 °C warming level), extreme cold event with return period of 10 years becomes event occurring every 67 years under 1.5 °C warming and is unlikely to occur under 2.0 °C warming. For geographic distribution, the occurrence probabilities of extreme (hot and cold) events mainly change in the Tibetan Plateau, and the extreme cold events also change in Northeast and Southeast China.
Predictors for malignancy risk in subcentimeter thyroid nodules categorized as atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance by fine needle aspiration
Authors: Ding Jinhua , Jiang Li , Fang Jianjiang , Jiang Yan , Zhu Ye , Hua Tebo , Yuan Yijie , Wu Weizhu
Published: October 2019

Little work has been done on the prediction of malignancy risk in patients with subcentimeter thyroid nodule (TN) categorized as atypia/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS). We performed a retrospective analysis on the medical records of subcentimeter TNs whose initial fine-needle aspiration (FNA) diagnosis was AUS/FLUS at our center between November 2013 and August 2018. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to select independent factors associated with malignancy. Of the 324 patients who were classified as AUS/FLUS on initial FNA, 153 patients underwent surgical procedures and showed an associated malignancy rate of 45.10% (69/153). The malignancy rates in AUS/FLUS settings with and without repeat FNA were 38.30% (18/47), and 48.11% (51/106), respectively, p = 0.260. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age < 55 (OR 3.015, 95% CI 1.196–7.596), microcalcification (OR 9.162, 95% CI 3.332–25.916) and taller than wide shape (OR 10.785, 95% CI 4.108–28.319) were three independent predictors for malignancy. The malignancy rates in the patients with one or none of predictor and patients with two or three above predictors were 20.5% (17/83) and 74.3% (52/70), respectively, p < 0.001 (OR 11.216, 95% CI 5.266–23.885). In conclusion, our study showed that for subcentimeter TNs with AUS/FLUS category, patient’s age, taller than wide shape and microcalcification were three independent predictive factors for malignancy, which was helpful for decision-making of surgery or observation in such patient population.
Author Correction: Illumina sequencing of clinical samples for virus detection in a public health laboratory
Authors: Huang Bixing , Jennison Amy , Whiley David , McMahon Jamie , Hewitson Glen , Graham Rikki , De Jong Amanda , Warrilow David
Published: October 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
This is for you: Social modulations of proximal vs. distal space in collaborative interaction
Authors: Rocca Roberta , Wallentin Mikkel , Vesper Cordula , Tylén Kristian
Published: October 2019

Human spatial representations are shaped by affordances for action offered by the environment. A prototypical example is the organization of space into peripersonal (within reach) and extrapersonal (outside reach) regions, mirrored by proximal (this/here) and distal (that/there) linguistic expressions. The peri-/extrapersonal distinction has been widely investigated in individual contexts, but little is known about how spatial representations are modulated by interaction with other people. Is near/far coding of space dynamically adapted to the position of a partner when space, objects, and action goals are shared? Over two preregistered experiments based on a novel interactive paradigm, we show that, in individual and social contexts involving no direct collaboration, linguistic coding of locations as proximal or distal depends on their distance from the speaker’s hand. In contrast, in the context of collaborative interactions involving turn-taking and role reversal, proximal space is shifted towards the partner, and linguistic coding of near space (‘this’ / ‘here’) is remapped onto the partner’s action space.
Ecosystem-bedrock interaction changes nutrient compartmentalization during early oxidative weathering
Authors: Zaharescu Dragos G. , Burghelea Carmen I. , Dontsova Katerina , Presler Jennifer K. , Hunt Edward A. , Domanik Kenneth J. , Amistadi Mary K. , Sandhaus Shana , Munoz Elise N. , Gaddis Emily E. , Galey Miranda , Vaquera-Ibarra María O. , Palacios-Menendez Maria A. , Castrejón-Martinez Ricardo , Roldán-Nicolau Estefanía C. , Li Kexin , Maier Raina M. , Reinhard Christopher T. , Chorover Jon
Published: October 2019

Ecosystem-bedrock interactions power the biogeochemical cycles of Earth’s shallow crust, supporting life, stimulating substrate transformation, and spurring evolutionary innovation. While oxidative processes have dominated half of terrestrial history, the relative contribution of the biosphere and its chemical fingerprints on Earth’s developing regolith are still poorly constrained. Here, we report results from a two-year incipient weathering experiment. We found that the mass release and compartmentalization of major elements during weathering of granite, rhyolite, schist and basalt was rock-specific and regulated by ecosystem components. A tight interplay between physiological needs of different biota, mineral dissolution rates, and substrate nutrient availability resulted in intricate elemental distribution patterns. Biota accelerated CO2mineralization over abiotic controls as ecosystem complexity increased, and significantly modified the stoichiometry of mobilized elements. Microbial and fungal components inhibited element leaching (23.4% and 7%), while plants increased leaching and biomass retention by 63.4%. All biota left comparable biosignatures in the dissolved weathering products. Nevertheless, the magnitude and allocation of weathered fractions under abiotic and biotic treatments provide quantitative evidence for the role of major biosphere components in the evolution of upper continental crust, presenting critical information for large-scale biogeochemical models and for the search for stablein situbiosignatures beyond Earth.
In-hospital recurrence in a Chinese large cohort with acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Yu Fan , Liu Xiaolu , Yang Qiong , Fu Yu , Fan Dongsheng
Published: October 2019

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has a high risk of recurrence, particularly in the early stage. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and risk factors of in-hospital recurrence in patients with AIS in China. A retrospective analysis was performed of all of the patients with new-onset AIS who were hospitalized in the past three years. Recurrence was defined as a new stroke event, with an interval between the primary and recurrent events greater than 24 hours; other potential causes of neurological deterioration were excluded. The risk factors for recurrence were analyzed using univariate and logistic regression analyses. A total of 1,021 patients were included in this study with a median length of stay of 14 days (interquartile range,11–18). In-hospital recurrence occurred in 58 cases (5.68%), primarily during the first five days of hospitalization. In-hospital recurrence significantly prolonged the hospital stay (P < 0.001), and the in-hospital mortality was also significantly increased (P = 0.006). The independent risk factors for in-hospital recurrence included large artery atherosclerosis, urinary or respiratory infection and abnormal blood glucose, whereas recurrence was less likely to occur in the patients with aphasia. Our study showed that the patients with AIS had a high rate of in-hospital recurrence, and the recurrence mainly occurred in the first five days of the hospital stay. In-hospital recurrence resulted in a prolonged hospital stay and a higher in-hospital mortality rate.
Habitat use and social mixing between groups of resident and augmented bighorn sheep
Authors: Robinson Rusty W. , Whiting Jericho C. , Shannon Justin M. , Olson Daniel D. , Flinders Jerran T. , Smith Tom S. , Bowyer R. Terry
Published: October 2019

Monitoring dispersal, habitat use, and social mixing of released ungulates is crucial for successful translocation and species conservation. We monitored 127 female bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) released in three populations from 2000 to 2009 to investigate if augmented bighorns expanded and shifted seasonal ranges, used different habitat compared with resident females, and if animals mixed socially. Augmented bighorns in all populations expanded range use compared with residents by shifting utilization distributions. Size of utilization distributions, however, were smaller for augmented females compared with residents in all areas except one. Overlap of seasonal utilization distributions between augmented and resident bighorns and use of slope and elevation differed across populations. In two populations, differences in size and overlap of seasonal utilization distributions and use of slope and elevation supported the hypothesis that habitat use of bighorns in their source area influenced their habitat use after release. Mixing between resident and augmented adult females occurred on average during only 21% of sightings and was similar across populations. Our results clarify how augmented bighorns mix with resident animals and how habitat use is modified following augmentations. Such information is needed to improve bighorn sheep augmentations and can be applied to augmentations of other ungulates.
The Influence of Dimethyl Sulfoxide as Electrolyte Additive on Anodic Dissolution of Alkaline Zinc-Air Flow Battery
Authors: Hosseini Soraya , Abbasi Ali , Uginet Luc-Olivier , Haustraete Nicolas , Praserthdam Supareak , Yonezawa Tetsu , Kheawhom Soorathep
Published: October 2019

The present work describes the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in KOH aqueous electrolyte on the performance of a zinc-air flow battery. Aqueous electrolytes containing 7 M KOH and (0 to 20)% v/v DMSO were studied revealing a critical role of DMSO on the dissolution and deposition of zinc. The anodic zinc dissolution process was studied via cyclic voltammetry, Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The presence of DMSO showed improved zinc dissolution performance with the highest peak of zinc dissolution being the electrolyte containing 5% v/v DMSO. Tafel analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in polarization resistance and an increase in corrosion rate due to the introduction of DMSO to the electrolyte. This suggests that DMSO has the ability to suspend zinc oxide in the electrolyte, thus preventing passivation of the zinc surface. EIS results revealed that by adding DMSO to the electrolyte, charge transfer resistance increased. This is attributed to the formation of passive layers having arisen from DMSO adsorption, the formation of zincate ions in the vicinity of the zinc surface, and the deposition of discharged products. A difference in Nyquist plots was observed for 20% v/v DMSO/KOH and 0% v/v DMSO/KOH electrolytes implying non-Debye relaxation behavior taking place due to the surface effects. The electrolytes were implemented in a zinc-air flow battery. Maximum power densities of 130 mW/cm2 (5% v/v DMSO) and 125 mW/cm2 (20% v/v DMSO) were obtained and were observed to be about 43% and 28% higher than that of the DMSO-free electrolyte. Results indicated that when 20% v/v DMSO was added to KOH solution, there was 67% zinc utilization efficiency (550 mAh/g) which provided 20% improvement in discharge capacity. Further, the battery with 20% v/v DMSO demonstrated excellent cyclability. Overall, DMSO shows great promise for enhancement of zinc dissolution/deposition in zinc-air batteries.