bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topographically Trapped Waves Around South America With Periods Between 40 and 130 Days in a Global Ocean Reanalysis
Authors: Poli Léa , Artana Camila , Provost Christine
Published: February 2022

The South American continental slope hosts a variety of topographic waves. We use a 27‐year‐long global ocean reanalysis (1/12° Spatial resolution) to examine trapped waves (TWs) around South America at periods ranging from 40 to 130 days. The waves propagate from the Equatorial Pacific to the Tropical Atlantic (22°S) with phase velocities between 1.8 and 7 m/s according to the local background characteristics, such as stratification, slope steepness, latitude, mean flow and shelf width. The Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) plays a key role in forcing the TWs in two ways (a) through an oceanic connection implying equatorial Kelvin waves reaching the western American Coast and (b) through an atmospheric teleconnection enhancing southerly winds in the south‐east Pacific. Furthermore, local winds, not necessarily linked with the MJO, modulate and trigger waves in specific locations, such as the Brazil‐Malvinas Confluence. Trapped waves impact the along‐shore currents: during the positive phase of the waves the near‐surface flow is enhanced by about 0.1 m/s.
Soil Respiration Phenology Improves Modeled Phase of Terrestrial net Ecosystem Exchange in Northern Hemisphere
Authors: Endsley K. Arthur , Kimball John S. , Reichle Rolf H.
Published: February 2022

In the northern hemisphere, terrestrial ecosystems transition from net sources of CO2 to the atmosphere in winter to net ecosystem carbon sinks during spring. The timing (or phase) of this transition, determined by the balance between ecosystem respiration (RECO) and primary production, is key to estimating the amplitude of the terrestrial carbon sink. We diagnose an apparent phase bias in the RECO and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) seasonal cycles estimated by the terrestrial carbon flux (TCF) model framework and investigate its link to soil respiration mechanisms. Satellite observations of vegetation canopy conditions, surface meteorology, and soil moisture from the NASA SMAP Level 4 Soil Moisture product are used to model a daily carbon budget for a global network of eddy covariance flux towers. Proposed modifications to TCF include: the inhibition of foliar respiration in the light (the Kok effect); a seasonally varying litterfall phenology; an O2 diffusion limitation on heterotrophic respiration (RH); and a vertically resolved soil decomposition model. We find that RECO phase bias can result from bias in RECO magnitude and that mechanisms which reduce northern spring RECO, like substrate and O2 diffusion limitations, can mitigate the phase bias. A vertically resolved soil decomposition model mitigates this bias by temporally segmenting and lagging RH. Applying these model enhancements at continuous soil respiration (COSORE) sites verifies their improvement of RECO and NEE skill compared to in situ observations (up to ΔRMSE = −0.76 g C m−2 d−1). Ultimately, these mechanisms can improve prior estimates of NEE for atmospheric inversion studies.
Lack of germline transmission in male mice following a single intravenous administration of AAV5-hFVIII-SQ gene therapy
Authors: Fonck Carlos , Su Cheng , Arens Jeremy , Koziol Elli , Srimani Jaydeep , Henshaw Joshua , Van Tuyl Andrea , Chandra Sundeep , Vettermann Christian , O’Neill Charles A.
Published: February 2022

Valoctocogene roxaparvovec (AAV5-hFVIII-SQ) is an adeno-associated virus serotype five gene therapy under investigation for the treatment of hemophilia A. Herein, we assessed the potential for germline transmission of AAV5-hFVIII-SQ in mice. Male B6.129S6-Rag2tm1Fwa N12 mice received a single intravenous dose of vehicle or 6 × 1013 vg/kg AAV5-hFVIII-SQ. Vehicle and AAV5-hFVIII-SQ-treated mice were mated with naïve females 4 days after dosing, when the concentration of vector genomes was expected to be at its peak in semen, and 37 days after dosing, when a full spermatogenesis cycle was estimated to be complete. Quantitative PCR was used to evaluate the presence of transgene DNA in liver and testes from F0 males dosed with AAV5-hFVIII-SQ and liver tissue of F1 offspring. Transgene DNA was detected in liver and testes of all F0 males dosed with AAV5-hFVIII-SQ, confirming successful transduction. Importantly, no transgene DNA was detected in any tested F1 offspring derived from F0 males dosed with AAV5-hFVIII-SQ. Using a novel 2-stage statistical model that takes into account the number of males dosed with AAV5-hFVIII-SQ and the number of offspring sired by these males, we estimate that the risk of germline transmission is <5% with a 99.2% confidence level.
Reconstituting the complete biosynthesis of D-lysergic acid in yeast
Authors: Wong Garrett , Lim Li Rong , Tan Yong Quan , Go Maybelle Kho , Bell David J. , Freemont Paul S. , Yew Wen Shan
Published: February 2022

The ergot alkaloids are a class of natural products known for their pharmacologically privileged molecular structure that are used in the treatment of neurological ailments, such as Parkinsonism and dementia. Their synthesis via chemical and biological routes are therefore of industrial relevance, but suffer from several challenges. Current chemical synthesis methods involve long, multi-step reactions with harsh conditions and are not enantioselective; biological methods utilizing ergot fungi, produce an assortment of products that complicate product recovery, and are susceptible to strain degradation. Reconstituting the ergot alkaloid pathway in a strain strongly amenable for liquid fermentation, could potentially resolve these issues. In this work, we report the production of the main ergoline therapeutic precursor, D-lysergic acid, to a titre of 1.7 mg L−1 in a 1 L bioreactor. Our work demonstrates the proof-of-concept for the biological production of ergoline-derived compounds from sugar in an engineered yeast chassis.
Coat proteins of necroviruses target 14-3-3a to subvert MAPKKKα-mediated antiviral immunity in plants
Authors: Gao Zongyu , Zhang Dingliang , Wang Xiaoling , Zhang Xin , Wen Zhiyan , Zhang Qianshen , Li Dawei , Dinesh-Kumar Savithramma P. , Zhang Yongliang
Published: February 2022

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play an important role in innate immunity against various pathogens in plants and animals. However, we know very little about the importance of MAPK cascades in plant defense against viral pathogens. Here, we used a positive-strand RNA necrovirus, beet black scorch virus (BBSV), as a model to investigate the relationship between MAPK signaling and virus infection. Our findings showed that BBSV infection activates MAPK signaling, whereas viral coat protein (CP) counteracts MAPKKKα-mediated antiviral defense. CP does not directly target MAPKKKα, instead it competitively interferes with the binding of 14-3-3a to MAPKKKα in a dose-dependent manner. This results in the instability of MAPKKKα and subversion of MAPKKKα-mediated antiviral defense. Considering the conservation of 14-3-3-binding sites in the CPs of diverse plant viruses, we provide evidence that 14-3-3-MAPKKKα defense signaling module is a target of viral effectors in the ongoing arms race of defense and viral counter-defense.
CTCFL regulates the PI3K-Akt pathway and it is a target for personalized ovarian cancer therapy
Authors: Salgado-Albarrán Marisol , Späth Julian , González-Barrios Rodrigo , Baumbach Jan , Soto-Reyes Ernesto
Published: February 2022

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy due to the lack of reliable biomarkers, effective treatment, and chemoresistance. Improving the diagnosis and the development of targeted therapies is still needed. The molecular pathomechanisms driving HGSC progression are not fully understood though crucial for effective diagnosis and identification of novel targeted therapy options. The oncogene CTCFL (BORIS), the paralog of CTCF, is a transcriptional factor highly expressed in ovarian cancer (but in rarely any other tissue in females) with cancer-specific characteristics and therapeutic potential. In this work, we seek to understand the regulatory functions of CTCFL to unravel new target genes with clinical relevance. We used in vitro models to evaluate the transcriptional changes due to the presence of CTCFL, followed by a selection of gene candidates using de novo network enrichment analysis. The resulting mechanistic candidates were further assessed regarding their prognostic potential and druggability. We show that CTCFL-driven genes are involved in cytoplasmic membrane functions; in particular, the PI3K-Akt initiators EGFR1 and VEGFA, as well as ITGB3 and ITGB6 are potential drug targets. Finally, we identified the CTCFL targets ACTBL2, MALT1 and PCDH7 as mechanistic biomarkers to predict survival in HGSC. Finally, we elucidated the value of CTCFL in combination with its targets as a prognostic marker profile for HGSC progression and as putative drug targets.
Epigenetic study of early breast cancer (EBC) based on DNA methylation and gene integration analysis
Authors: Zhang Wenshan , Wang Haoqi , Qi Yixin , Li Sainan , Geng Cuizhi
Published: February 2022

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women. The purpose of this study is to identify key molecular markers related to the diagnosis and prognosis of early breast cancer (EBC). The data of mRNA, lncRNA and DNA methylation were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset for identification of differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and DNA methylation analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyzes were used to identify the biological functions of DEmRNAs. The correlation analysis between DNA methylation and DEmRNAs was carried out. Then, diagnostic analysis and prognostic analysis of identified DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs were also performed in the TCGA database. Subsequently, methylation state verification for identified DEmRNAs was performed in the GSE32393 dataset. In addition, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in vitro verification of genes was performed. Finally, AC093110.1 was overexpressed in human BC cell line MCF-7 to verify cell proliferation and migration. In this study, a total of 1633 DEmRNAs, 750 DElncRNAs and 8042 differentially methylated sites were obtained, respectively. In the Venn analysis, 11 keys DEmRNAs (ALDH1L1, SPTBN1, MRGPRF, CAV2, HSPB6, PITX1, WDR86, PENK, CACNA1H, ALDH1A2 and MME) were we found. ALDH1A2, ALDH1L1, HSPB6, MME, MRGPRF, PENK, PITX1, SPTBN1, WDR86 and CAV2 may be considered as potential diagnostic gene biomarkers in EBC. Strikingly, CAV2, MME, AC093110.1 and AC120498.6 were significantly actively correlated with survival. Methylation state of identified DEmRNAs in GSE32393 dataset was consistent with the result in TCGA. AC093110.1 can affect the proliferation and migration of MCF-7. ALDH1A2, ALDH1L1, HSPB6, MME, MRGPRF, PENK, PITX1, SPTBN1, WDR86 and CAV2 may be potential diagnostic gene biomarkers of EBC. Strikingly, CAV2, MME, AC093110.1 and AC120498.6 were significantly actively correlated with survival. The identification of these genes can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of EBC. In addition, AC093110.1 can regulate SPTBN1 expression and play an important role in cell proliferation and migration, which provides clues to clarify the regulatory mechanism of EBC.
Thin films of the $$\alpha$$-quartz $$Si_xGe_{1-x}O_2$$ solid solution
Authors: Zhou Silang , Antoja-Lleonart Jordi , Ocelík Václav , Noheda Beatriz
Published: February 2022

$$SiO_2$$SiO2with the$$\alpha$$α-quartz structure is one of the most popular piezoelectrics. It is widely used in crystal oscillators, bulk acoustic wave (BAW) devices, surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices, and so on.$$GeO_2$$GeO2can also be crystallized into the$$\alpha$$α-quartz structure and it has better piezoelectric properties, with higher piezoelectric coefficient and electromechanical coupling coefficients, than$$SiO_2$$SiO2. Experiments on bulk crystals and theoretical studies have shown that these properties can be tuned by varying the Si/Ge ratio in the$$Si_xGe_{1-x}O_2$$SixGe1-xO2solid solution. However, to the best of our knowledge, thin films of$$Si_xGe_{1-x}O_2$$SixGe1-xO2quartz have never been reported. Here we present the successful crystallization of$$Si_xGe_{1-x}O_2$$SixGe1-xO2thin films in the$$\alpha$$α-quartz phase on quartz substrates ($$SiO_2$$SiO2) with x up to 0.75. Generally, the films grow semi-epitaxially, with the same orientation as the substrates. Interestingly, the$$Si_{0.75}Ge_{0.25}O_2$$Si0.75Ge0.25O2composition grows fully strained by the quartz substrates and this leads to the formation of circular quartz domains with an ordered Dauphiné twin structure. These studies represent a first step towards the optimization of piezoelectric quartz thin films for high frequency (> 5 GHz) applications.
Increased nodular P level induced by intercropping stimulated nodulation in soybean under phosphorus deficiency
Authors: Qin Xiaomin , Pan Haonan , Xiao Jingxiu , Tang Li , Zheng Yi
Published: February 2022

Low P availability is a vital constraint for nodulation and efficient N2 fixation of legume, including soybean. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in nodule adaption to low P availability under legume/cereal intercropping systems, two experiments consisting of three cropping patterns (monocropped soybean, monocropped maize, soybean/maize intercropping) were studied under both sufficient- and deficient-P levels. Our results demonstrated that intercropped soybean with maize showed a higher nodulation and N2 fixation efficiency under low P availability than monocropped soybean as evidenced by improvement in the number, dry weight and nitrogenase activity of nodules. These differences might be attributed to increase in P level in intercropping-induced nodules under low P supply, which was caused by the elevated activities of phytase and acid phosphatases in intercropping-induced nodules. Additionally, the enhanced expression of phytase gene in nodules supplied with deficient P level coincided with an increase in phytase and acid phosphatase activities. Our results revealed a mechanism for how intercropped maize stimulated nodulation and N2 fixation of soybean under P deficient environments, where enhanced synthesis of phytase and acid phosphatases in intercropping-induced nodules, and stimulated nodulation and N2 fixation.
A pilot study for the prediction of liver function related scores using breath biomarkers and machine learning
Authors: Patnaik Rakesh Kumar , Lin Yu-Chen , Agarwal Ashish , Ho Ming-Chih , Yeh J. Andrew
Published: February 2022

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in exhaled breath can help in analysing biochemical processes in the human body. Liver diseases can be traced using VOCs as biomarkers for physiological and pathophysiological conditions. In this work, we propose non-invasive and quick breath monitoring approach for early detection and progress monitoring of liver diseases using Isoprene, Limonene, and Dimethyl sulphide (DMS) as potential biomarkers. A pilot study is performed to design a dataset that includes the biomarkers concentration analysed from the breath sample before and after study subjects performed an exercise. A machine learning approach is applied for the prediction of scores for liver function diagnosis. Four regression methods are performed to predict the clinical scores using breath biomarkers data as features set by the machine learning techniques. A significant difference was observed for isoprene concentration (p < 0.01) and for DMS concentration (p < 0.0001) between liver patients and healthy subject’s breath sample. The R-square value between actual clinical score and predicted clinical score is found to be 0.78, 0.82, and 0.85 for CTP score, APRI score, and MELD score, respectively. Our results have shown a promising result with significant different breath profiles between liver patients and healthy volunteers. The use of machine learning for the prediction of scores is found very promising for use of breath biomarkers for liver function diagnosis.
Parent–offspring conflict and its outcome under uni-and biparental care
Authors: Sahm Jacqueline , Prang Madlen A. , Steiger Sandra
Published: February 2022

Conflicts over parental investment are predicted to be common among family members, especially between parents and their offspring. Parent–offspring conflict has been studied in many brood-caring organisms, but whether its outcome is closer to the parental or offspring optimum is usually unknown, as is whether the presence of a second parent, a caring male partner, can affect the outcome. Here, we manipulated the initial brood size of single and paired female burying beetles to examine how many offspring are necessary to maintain parental care in the current brood. We found that mothers continued to invest in small broods even if their reproductive output would have been higher if they had discontinued their care and produced a second brood instead. Consequently, our data suggests that the offspring have the upper hand in the conflict. However, our results further show that paired females laid a second egg clutch more often and produced more offspring than single females, suggesting that the presence of a male partner shifts the conflict outcome towards the parental optimum. This latter result not only is a novel aspect of parent–offspring theory, but also represents an additional factor that might explain the evolution of biparental care.
Changes in the acoustic activity of beaked whales and sperm whales recorded during a naval training exercise off eastern Canada
Authors: Stanistreet Joy E. , Beslin Wilfried A. M. , Kowarski Katie , Martin S. Bruce , Westell Annabel , Moors-Murphy Hilary B.
Published: February 2022

Experimental research has shown that beaked whales exhibit strong avoidance reactions to naval active sonars used during antisubmarine warfare training exercises, including cessation of echolocation and foraging activity. Behavioural responses to sonar have also been linked to strandings and mortality. Much of the research on the responses of beaked whales and other cetaceans to naval active sonar has occurred on or near U.S. naval training ranges, and the impacts of sonar in other regions remain poorly understood, particularly as these impacts, including mortality, are likely to go unobserved in offshore areas. In September 2016 the multinational naval exercise ‘CUTLASS FURY 2016’ (CF16) was conducted off eastern Canada. We used passive acoustic recordings collected in the region to quantify the occurrence and characteristics of sonar signals, measure ambient noise levels, and assess changes in the acoustic activity of beaked and sperm whales. The number of hours per day with echolocation clicks from Cuvier’s beaked whales and sperm whales were significantly reduced during CF16, compared to the pre-exercise period in 2016 (sperm whales) and to control data from 2015 (both species). Clicks from an unidentified Mesoplodont beaked whale species, sporadically detected prior to CF16, were absent during the exercise and for 7 days afterward. These results suggest that beaked and sperm whales ceased foraging in the vicinity of CF16 and likely avoided the affected area. Such disturbance may have energetic, health, and fitness consequences.
Insulin-like growth factor 2 and autophagy gene expression alteration arise as potential biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Sepúlveda Denisse , Grunenwald Felipe , Vidal Alvaro , Troncoso-Escudero Paulina , Cisternas-Olmedo Marisol , Villagra Roque , Vergara Pedro , Aguilera Carlos , Nassif Melissa , Vidal Rene L.
Published: February 2022

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and autophagy-related genes have been proposed as biomolecules of interest related to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). The objective of this study was to determine the IGF2 and IGF1 levels in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with moderately advanced PD and explore the potential correlation with autophagy-related genes in the same blood samples. IGF1 and IGF2 levels in patients' plasma were measured by ELISA, and the IGF2 expression levels were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot in PBMCs. The expression of autophagy-related genes was evaluated by real-time PCR. The results show a significant decrease in IGF2 plasma levels in PD patients compared with a healthy control group. We also report a dramatic decrease in IGF2 mRNA and protein levels in PBMCs from PD patients. In addition, we observed a downregulation of key components of the initial stages of the autophagy process. Although IGF2 levels were not directly correlated with disease severity, we found a correlation between its levels and autophagy gene profile expression in a sex-dependent pattern from the same samples. To further explore this correlation, we treated mice macrophages cell culture with α-synuclein and IGF2. While α-synuclein treatment decreased levels Atg5, IGF2 treatment reverted these effects, increasing Atg5 and Beclin1 levels. Our results suggest a relationship between IGF2 levels and the autophagy process in PD and their potential application as multi-biomarkers to determine PD patients' stages of the disease.
Estimating the population at risk with soil transmitted helminthiasis and annual drug requirements for preventive chemotherapy in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Mogaji Hammed Oladeji , Johnson Olatunji Olugoke , Adigun Abbas Bolaji , Adekunle Oladunni Nimota , Bankole Samuel , Dedeke Gabriel Adewunmi , Bada Babatunde Saheed , Ekpo Uwem Friday
Published: February 2022

Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infections are among the most common human infections worldwide with over 1 billion people affected. Many estimates of STH infection are often based on school-aged children (SAC). This study produced predictive risk-maps of STH on a more finite scale, estimated the number of people infected, and the amount of drug required for preventive chemotherapy (PC) in Ogun state, Nigeria. Georeferenced STH infection data obtained from a cross-sectional survey at 33 locations between July 2016 and November 2018, together with remotely-sensed environmental and socio-economic data were analyzed using Bayesian geostatistical modelling. Stepwise variable selection procedure was employed to select a parsimonious set of predictors to predict risk and spatial distribution of STH infections. The number of persons (pre-school ages children, SAC and adults) infected with STH were estimated, with the amount of tablets needed for preventive chemotherapy. An overall prevalence of 17.2% (95% CI 14.9, 19.5) was recorded for any STH infection. Ascaris lumbricoides infections was the most predominant, with an overall prevalence of 13.6% (95% CI 11.5, 15.7), while Hookworm and Trichuris trichiura had overall prevalence of 4.6% (95% CI 3.3, 5.9) and 1.7% (95% CI 0.9, 2.4), respectively. The model-based prevalence predictions ranged from 5.0 to 23.8% for Ascaris lumbricoides, from 2.0 to 14.5% for hookworms, and from 0.1 to 5.7% for Trichuris trichiura across the implementation units. The predictive maps revealed a spatial pattern of high risk in the central, western and on the border of Republic of Benin. The model identified soil pH, soil moisture and elevation as the main predictors of infection for A. lumbricoides, Hookworms and T. trichiura respectively. About 50% (10/20) of the implementation units require biannual rounds of mass drug administration. Approximately, a total of 1.1 million persons were infected and require 7.8 million doses. However, a sub-total of 375,374 SAC were estimated to be infected, requiring 2.7 million doses. Our predictive risk maps and estimated PC needs provide useful information for the elimination of STH, either for resource acquisition or identifying priority areas for delivery of interventions in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Calibr improves spectral library search for spectrum-centric analysis of data independent acquisition proteomics
Authors: Wang Jen-Hung , Choong Wai-Kok , Chen Ching-Tai , Sung Ting-Yi
Published: February 2022

Identifying peptides and proteins from mass spectrometry (MS) data, spectral library searching has emerged as a complementary approach to the conventional database searching. However, for the spectrum-centric analysis of data-independent acquisition (DIA) data, spectral library searching has not been widely exploited because existing spectral library search tools are mainly designed and optimized for the analysis of data-dependent acquisition (DDA) data. We present Calibr, a spectral library search tool for spectrum-centric DIA data analysis. Calibr optimizes spectrum preprocessing for pseudo MS2 spectra, generating an 8.11% increase in spectrum–spectrum match (SSM) number and a 7.49% increase in peptide number over the traditional preprocessing approach. When searching against the DDA-based spectral library, Calibr improves SSM number by 17.6–26.65% and peptide number by 18.45–37.31% over two state-of-the-art tools on three different data sets. Searching against the public spectral library from MassIVE, Calibr improves state-of-the-art tools in SSM and peptide numbers by more than 31.49% and 25.24%, respectively, for two data sets. Our analyses indicate higher sensitivity of Calibr results from the use of various spectral similarity measures and statistical scores, coupled with machine learning-based statistical validation for FDR control. Calibr executable files including a graphical user-interface application are available at https://ms.iis.sinica.edu.tw/COmics/Software_CalibrWizard.html and https://sourceforge.net/projects/comics-calibr.
Integrating population genetics and species distribution modelling to guide conservation of the noble crayfish, Astacus astacus, in Croatia
Authors: Lovrenčić Leona , Temunović Martina , Gross Riho , Grgurev Marin , Maguire Ivana
Published: February 2022

The noble crayfish,Astacus astacus,is an indigenous European freshwater species. Its populations show significant declines caused by anthropogenic pressure on its habitats, climate change and the spread of invasive species. Diminishing populations’ trends and loss of genetic diversity highlight the need for effective conservation that will ensure their long-term survival. We combined population genetics and species distribution modelling (SDM) to reveal the impact of climate change and invasive species on the noble crayfish, and to guide future conservation programs of current populations. Our study showed that Croatian populations ofA. astacusharbour an important part of species genetic diversity and represent significant genetic reservoir at the European level. The SDM results predicted substantial reductions of suitable habitats forA. astacusby the 2070; only 13% of its current potential distribution is projected to remain stable under pessimistic Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP 8.5) emission scenario. Moreover, most of the populations with high genetic diversity are located in the areas predicted to become unsuitable, and consequently have a high probability of being lost in the future. Further, SDM results also indicated considerable decrease of future habitat suitability for invasive crayfish species in Croatia, suggesting that climate change poses a major threat to already endangeredA. astacus. The obtained results help in the identification of populations and areas with the highest conservation value which should be given the highest priority for protection. In order to preserve present diversity in areas that are predicted as suitable, we propose assisted migration and repopulation approaches, for enhancing populations’ size and saving maximum genetic variability. The result of our research emphasizes once again the benefits of multidisciplinary approach in the modern biodiversity conservation.
Mathematical modelling to determine the greatest height of trees
Authors: Kanahama Tohya , Sato Motohiro
Published: February 2022

This study aimed to analyse the critical height of a column whose weight varies vertically in order to obtain a simple scaling law for a tree where the weight distribution considered. We modelled trees as cantilevers that were fixed to the ground and formulated a self-buckling problem for various weight distributions. A formula for calculating the critical height was derived in a simple form that did not include special functions. We obtained a theoretical clarification of the effect of the weight distribution of heavy columns on the buckling behaviour. A widely applicable scaling law for trees was obtained. We found that an actual tree manages to distribute the weight of its trunk and branches along its vertical extent in a manner that adequately secures its critical height. The method and findings of this study are applicable to a wide range of fields, such as the simplification of complicated buckling problems and the study of tree shape quantification.
Two-dimensional biocompatible plasmonic contact lenses for color blindness correction
Authors: Roostaei N. , Hamidi S. M.
Published: February 2022

Color blindness, or color vision deficiency (CVD), is an ocular disease that suppresses the recognition of different colors. Recently, tinted glasses and lenses have been studied as hopeful devices for color blindness correction. In this study, 2D biocompatible and flexible plasmonic contact lenses were fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and a low-cost, and simple design based on the soft nano-lithography method and investigated for correction of red–green (deuteranomaly) color blindness. In addition, the stability test of the fabricated plasmonic contact lenses was investigated into the phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and the proposed lens offers an excellent stability into the PBS solution. The plasmonic contact lens proposed herein is based on the plasmonic surface lattice resonance (SLR) phenomenon and offers a good color filter for color blindness correction. The biocompatibility, low cost, stability, and simple fabrication of these contact lenses can offer new insights for applications of color blindness correction.
Night shift work characteristics are associated with several elevated metabolic risk factors and immune cell counts in a cross-sectional study
Authors: Streng Astrid A. , Loef Bette , Dollé Martijn E. T. , van der Horst Gijsbertus T. J. , Chaves Inês , Proper Karin I. , van Kerkhof Linda W. M.
Published: February 2022

Night shift work is associated with increased health risks. Here we examined the association of metabolic risk factors and immune cell counts, with both night shift work and particular characteristics thereof: frequency, duration and consecutive night shifts. We performed a cross-sectional study using data from 10,201 non-shift workers and 1062 night shift workers of the Lifelines Cohort study. Linear regression analyses, adjusted for demographic, lifestyle and occupational factors, were used to study associations of night shift work characteristics with metabolic risk factors and immune cell counts. Night shift workers had an increased BMI, waist circumference and immune cell counts compared to non-shift workers. This was especially seen in night shift workers who had a higher frequency of night shifts per month (≥ 5: BMI: B = 0.81 kg/m2 (95%-CI = 0.43–1.10); waist circumference: B = 1.58 cm (95%-Cl = 0.34–1.71; leukocytes: B = 0.19 × 109 cells/L (95%-CI = 0.04–0.34 × 109)) and worked more consecutive night shifts (> 3: BMI: B = 0.92 kg/m2 (95%-CI = 0.41–1.43); waist circumference: B = 1.85 cm (95%-Cl = 0.45–3.24); leukocytes: B = 0.32 × 109 cells/L (95%-CI = 0.09–0.55 × 109)). This association was less pronounced in long-term night shift workers (≥ 20 years). Our findings provide evidence for the association between night shift work characteristics and BMI, waist circumference and leukocytes (including, monocytes, lymphocytes, and basophil granulocytes).
Impurity incorporation in solution crystallization: diagnosis, prevention, and control
Authors: Capellades Gerard , Bonsu Jacob O. , Myerson Allan S.
Published: February 2022

This work highlights recent advances in the diagnosis, prevention, and control of impurity incorporation during solution crystallization.
Machine learning platform for determining experimental lipid phase behaviour from small angle X-ray scattering patterns by pre-training on synthetic data
Authors: Abdel Aty Hisham , Strutt Robert , Mcintyre Niall , Allen Matthew , Barlow Nathan E. , Páez-Pérez Miguel , Seddon John M. , Brooks Nick , Ces Oscar , Gould Ian R.
Published: February 2022

Lipid membranes are vital in a wide range of biological and biotechnical systems; underpinning functions from modulation of protein activity to drug uptake and delivery. Rapid in situ determination of phase behaviour is a key experimental objective.
A review of the impact of testing conditions on the performance and quality control of locally manufactured, point-of-use ceramic water filters
Authors: Shepard Zachary , Oyanedel-Craver Vinka
Published: February 2022

This review critically analyzes the most recent literature on parameters affecting the performance of ceramic water filters and compares proposed standardization testing as quality control tools.
Realization of the dehydrogenation pathway of formic acid oxidation by ultra-small core–shell Au–Pt nanoparticles with discrete Pt shells
Authors: Cao Yi , Zhang Xiang , Yue Xinru , Zhang Mengmeng , Du Wei , Xia Haibing
Published: February 2022

Ultra-small core–shell structured Au–Pt nanoparticles with discrete Pt shells can realize the oxidation of formic acid in the dehydrogenation pathway.
Hierarchically porous 2D carbon from bio-waste: a sustainable, rapid, and efficient oxidase mimic for the colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid
Authors: Verma Chandra Jeet , Singh Priya , Ojha Ravi Prakash , Prakash Rajiv
Published: February 2022

Biowaste derived porous 2D carbon as sustainable, rapid, and efficient oxidase mimic for ascorbic acid (A.A.) detection.
Synergetic contribution of enriched selenium vacancies and out-of-plane ferroelectric polarization in AB-stacked MoSe2 nanosheets as efficient piezocatalysts for TC degradation
Authors: Ma Wei , Yao Binghua , Yang Qian , Zhang Ting , Tian Kecong , Zhang Wen , Niu Jinfen , Yu Yan , Chang Zheng , He Yangqing
Published: February 2022

Novel MoSe2 piezocatalysts with surface selenium vacancies and out-of-plane ferroelectric polarization exhibit ultrafast degradation of the antibiotic tetracycline.
Advances and challenges in ginseng research from 2011 to 2020: the phytochemistry, quality control, metabolism, and biosynthesis
Authors: Li Xue , Liu Jie , Zuo Tian-tian , Hu Ying , Li Zheng , Wang Hong-da , Xu Xiao-yan , Yang Wen-zhi , Guo De-an
Published: February 2022

This review focuses on the advances and challenges in the phytochemistry, quality control, metabolism, and biosynthesis pathway of ginseng from 2011 to 2020.
Precise measurement of trapping and manipulation properties of focused fractional vortex beams
Authors: Gao Binjie , Wen Jisen , Zhu Guiyuan , Ye Linhua , Wang Li-Gang
Published: February 2022

Optical trapping and manipulation properties of focused fractional vortex beams are precisely measured and a clear picture of their trapping and rotation effects is presented.
Mechanoresistive single-molecule junctions
Authors: Vezzoli Andrea
Published: February 2022

Mechanoresistive molecular junctions are nanoelectronic devices which electrical properties are influenced by mechanical stress. This review presents the multiple ways in which such functionality is imparted and characterised.
Electrochemical reaction behavior of MnS in aqueous zinc ion battery
Authors: Xu Shujun , Fan Siwei , Ma Wenqing , Fan Jiabao , Li Guangda
Published: February 2022

MnS/C nanosheets were prepared via the sulfidation of the Mn-based organometallic precursor. When served as the zinc ion battery cathode material, MnS/C shows high ion diffusion kinetics and cyclability.
Analysis of the n-GaN electrochemical etching process and its mechanism in oxalic acid
Authors: Shushanian Artem , Iida Daisuke , Zhuang Zhe , Han Yu , Ohkawa Kazuhiro
Published: February 2022

We studied the mechanism of wet electrochemical etching of n-GaN films in oxalic acid.
Production of aromatics from butanol over Ga-promoted HZSM5 catalysts: tuning of benzene–toluene–xylene and ethylbenzene (BTEX) selectivity
Authors: Kella Tatinaidu , Shee Debaprasad
Published: February 2022

The present investigation demonstrates the conversion of n-butanol to aromatics (BTA) including building block aromatics over Ga modified HZSM5 catalysts in a fixed bed reactor under varying process parameters (temperature, pressure, and WHSV).
Distinctive features and challenges in catenane chemistry
Authors: Au-Yeung Ho Yu , Deng Yulin
Published: February 2022

Catenane chemistry is closely associated with that of rotaxane and knot, and this perspective highlights their similarities and differences in various aspects including synthesis, structure and properties.
Synergistic effects of morphological control and enhanced charge collection enable efficient and stable lead-free CsBi3I10 thin film solar cells
Authors: Deng Jidong , Yang Li , Zhang Xiaoli , Wei Kun , Du Guozheng , Zhu Guojie , Zhang Jinbao
Published: February 2022

A fabrication technique and additive approach to modulate CsBi3I10 morphology and increase charge collection yield is reported. New insights into the crystallization mechanism are provided, and the developed strategies are applicable towards lead-free solar cells.
Organic–inorganic hybrid metallic conductors based on bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene cations and antiferromagnetic oxalate-bridged copper(ii) dinuclear anions
Authors: Zhang Bin , Zhang Yan , Wang Zheming , Wang Dongwei , Yang Deliang , Gao Zengqiang , Chang Guangcai , Guo Yanjun , Mori Takehiko , Zhao Zhijuan , Liu Fen , Li Qiaolian , Zhu Daoben
Published: February 2022

In (BEDT-TTF)3[Cu2(μ-C2O4)(C2O4)2(CH3OH)(H2O)], BEDT-TTF stacks in β′′ mode and shows metallic conductivity. Hydrogen bonds between antiferromagnetic oxalate-bridged binuclear anions form a square lattice. No long range order observed to 2 K.
Defect modulation and luminescence improvement of Mn4+-activated La(Mg, Nb)O3 phosphor with improved stability for plant cultivation
Authors: Liu Quan , Chen Zhuo , Chen Xinhe , Chen Pengyu , Zhu Yi , Liu Shuo , Yang Kai , Wei Bo , Liu Zhenyu , Wong Ka-Leung
Published: February 2022

The use of Mn4+-activated deep-red phosphors has continued to increase in plant growth lighting.
Online Discussions About Tinnitus: What Can We Learn From Natural Language Processing of Reddit Posts?
Authors: Manchaiah Vinaya , Londero Alain , Deshpande Aniruddha K. , Revel Manon , Palacios Guillaume , Boyd Ryan L. , Ratinaud Pierre
Published: February 2022

Background:

This study was aimed at identifying key topics in online discussions about tinnitus by examining a large data set extracted from Reddit social media using a natural language processing technique.

Method:

A corpus of 113,215 posts about tinnitus was extracted from Reddit's application programming interface. After cleaning the data for duplications and posts without any text information, the sample was reduced to 101,905 posts, which was subjected to cluster analysis using the open-source IRaMuTeQ software to identify main topics based on the co-occurrence of texts. These clusters were named by a panel of tinnitus experts (
n
= 9) by reading typical text segments within each cluster.

Results:

The cluster analysis identified 16 unique clusters that belong to two topics, which were named “tinnitus causes and consequences” and “tinnitus management and coping.” Based on their characteristics, the clusters were named: tinnitus timeline (10%), tinnitus perception (9.7%), medical triggers and modulators (8.8%), hearing research (8.8%), attention and silence (8.6%), social media posts about tinnitus (7.4%), hearing protection (7.3%), interaction with hearing health care providers (6.7%), mental health and coping (5.8%), music listening (5.7%), hope for a cure (5.6%), interactions with people without tinnitus (5.4%), dietary supplements and alternative therapies (3.2%), sleep (3.9%), dietary effects (1.7%), and writing about tinnitus and being thankful to online community (1.4%).

Conclusions:

Despite some limitations, tinnitus posts on Reddit provide rich real-world data to identify various issues and complaints that tinnitus patients and their significant others discuss in online communities. Some of the clusters identified here are novel (e.g., tinnitus timeline, interactions with people without tinnitus) and have not been much discussed in the tinnitus literature. The results suggest that individuals with tinnitus relay on social media for support and highlight the service delivery needs in providing social support through other means (e.g., support groups).
Detecting Developmental Language Disorder in Monolingual and Bilingual Children: Comparison of Language-Specific and Crosslinguistic Nonword Repetition Tasks in French and Portuguese
Authors: Schwob Salomé , Skoruppa Katrin
Published: February 2022

Purpose:

Over the last decades, many studies have documented the clinical potential of nonword repetition (NWR) tasks for detecting developmental language disorder in mono- (MON) and bilingual (BIL) children by unveiling their difficulties in short-term memory and phonological accuracy. However, the precise nature of the nonwords to be used and the best scoring methods remain under debate. Some authors (e.g., Gutiérrez-Clellen & Simon-Cereijido, 2010) support the use of “language-specific” nonwords designed for a given test language in standardized tests. Other authors (e.g., Chiat, 2015) advocate the use of “crosslinguistic” stimuli, thus allowing assessment independently of the languages spoken by the child.

Method:

This research note compares two language-specific tasks (French vs. Portuguese) and a crosslinguistic NWR task in a population of 5- to 7-year-old MON and BIL children. Group comparisons (children with vs. without developmental language disorder; MON vs. BIL children), an error analysis, sensitivity and specificity calculations (assessed according to the recommendations of Plante and Vance, 1994, and Youden, 1950) are reported.

Results:

All three tasks significantly differentiate children with and without developmental language disorder with large effect sizes but did not show an effect for bilingualism, which is encouraging for the BIL assessment. As expected, an influence of children's age and length and complexity of the stimuli was also found. The language-specific French task was found to be the most sensitive (max. 88%) and specific (max. 92%); the crosslinguistic task also reached good accuracy percentages for the BIL group (max. 82% sensitivity and 84% specificity).

Conclusion:

This research note adds to the evidence that NWR tasks are promising tolls for the identification of MON and BIL children with developmental language disorder.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.19111628
Hydrophilic polymer‐coated PVC surface for reduced cell and bacterial adhesions
Authors: Almousa Rashed , Wen Xin , Na Sungsoo , Anderson Gregory , Xie Dong
Published: February 2022

Hydrophilic polymers are very useful in biomedical applications. In this study, biocompatible polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers end‐capped with succinimidyl groups were either modified or synthesised and attached to polyvinylchloride surfaces. The modified surfaces were evaluated with cell adhesion and bacterial adhesion. 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells and three bacteria species were used to evaluate surface adhesion activity. Results showed that the modified surface exhibited significantly reduced 3T3 cell adhesion with a 50%–69% decrease for PEG and a 64%–81% for PVP, as compared to unmodified polyvinylchloride. The modified surface also showed significantly reduced bacterial attachment with 22%–78%, 18%–76% and 20%–75% decrease for PEG and 22%–76%, 18%–76% and 20%–73% for PVP to Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, as compared to unmodified polyvinylchloride. It seems that an appropriate chain length or molecular weight (neither the longest nor the shortest chain length) determines the lowest cell and bacterial adhesion in terms of PEG. On the other hand, a mixture of polymers with different chain lengths exhibited the lowest cell and bacterial adhesion in terms of PVP.
Research on trajectory planning and control system of general mobile platform for Mountain Orchard
Authors: Bao Xiulan , Mao Jincheng , Dai Peng , Gong Zheng , Li Shanjun , Chen Hong
Published: February 2022

To solve the problems of agricultural machinery simplification, lack of universality and uneven land in mountain orchards, a light self‐propelled universal mobile platform for mountain orchards is studied in this paper. A light crawler chassis, an electric drive system and a multi‐sensor control system are designed. Through the kinematics and dynamics modelling of the general platform, the prediction model of the motion system of the general mobile platform is determined. Then the observation model of the system motion is determined based on the multi‐sensor fusion, and the multi‐sensor fusion navigation control system is established. Based on the energy consumption model of mobile platform, the energy consumption optimal trajectory planning is carried out. The energy consumption optimal trajectory radius is 2.5 m and the deflection angle is 36.9°, and the optimal trajectory radius of energy consumption is 1.9 m. Orchard experiments show that the maximum lateral displacement deviation of the universal mobile platform is less than 0.1 m, which can basically achieve the expected trajectory autonomous walking function.