bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac responses in paediatric Pompe disease in the ADVANCE patient cohort
Authors: Byrne Barry J. , Colan Steven D. , Kishnani Priya S. , Foster Meredith C. , Sparks Susan E. , Gibson James B. , An Haack Kristina , Stockton David W. , Peña Loren D. M. , Hahn Si Houn , Johnson Judith , Tanpaiboon Pranoot X. , Leslie Nancy D. , Kronn David , Hillman Richard E. , Wang Raymond Y.
Published: August 2021

Pompe disease results from lysosomal acid α-glucosidase deficiency, which leads to cardiomyopathy in all infantile-onset and occasional late-onset patients. Cardiac assessment is important for its diagnosis and management. This article presents unpublished cardiac findings, concomitant medications, and cardiac efficacy and safety outcomes from the ADVANCE study; trajectories of patients with abnormal left ventricular mass z score at enrolment; and post hoc analyses of on-treatment left ventricular mass and systolic blood pressure z scores by disease phenotype,GAAgenotype, and “fraction of life” (defined as the fraction of life on pre-study 160 L production-scale alglucosidase alfa). ADVANCE evaluated 52 weeks’ treatment with 4000 L production-scale alglucosidase alfa in ≥1-year-old United States of America patients with Pompe disease previously receiving 160 L production-scale alglucosidase alfa. M-mode echocardiography and 12-lead electrocardiography were performed at enrolment and Week 52. Sixty-seven patients had complete left ventricular mass z scores, decreasing at Week 52 (infantile-onset patients, change −0.8 ± 1.83; 95% confidence interval −1.3 to −0.2; all patients, change −0.5 ± 1.71; 95% confidence interval −1.0 to −0.1). Patients with “fraction of life” <0.79 had left ventricular mass z score decreasing (enrolment: +0.1 ± 3.0; Week 52: −1.1 ± 2.0); those with “fraction of life” ≥0.79 remained stable (enrolment: −0.9 ± 1.5; Week 52: −0.9 ± 1.4). Systolic blood pressure z scores were stable from enrolment to Week 52, and no cohort developed systemic hypertension. Eight patients had Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome. Cardiac hypertrophy and dysrhythmia in ADVANCE patients at or before enrolment were typical of Pompe disease. Four-thousand L alglucosidase alfa therapy maintained fractional shortening, left ventricular posterior and septal end-diastolic thicknesses, and improved left ventricular mass z score.

Trial registry:ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01526785https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01526785.

Social Media Statement:Post hoc analyses of the ADVANCE study cohort of 113 children support ongoing cardiac monitoring and concomitant management of children with Pompe disease on long-term alglucosidase alfa to functionally improve cardiomyopathy and/or dysrhythmia.
The Party-Line Pandemic: A Closer Look at the Partisan Response to COVID-19
Authors: Camobreco John F. , He Zhaochen
Published: August 2021

The response to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States has shown that even a serious public health crisis cannot escape the lens of partisanship. The literature shows that most Republicans have viewed the coronavirus as less serious than their Democratic counterparts. This study demonstrates that this partisan gap extends to the real behavior of the public during, and after, the coronavirus state lockdowns. Using location data from mobile phones, we find that county-level partisanship predicts compliance with state shutdown orders, even when controlling for local COVID-19 intensity. Further, the magnitude of this effect is stronger than that of other explanatory variables, such as age, education, and population density. These results show that partisan beliefs can affect behavior regarding issues that are not overtly political, even behaviors that could put one or others at risk.
Inflammation, cognitive dysfunction, and suicidal ideation among patients with major depression
Authors: Huang Mao-Hsuan , Chen Mu-Hong , Hsu Ju-Wei , Huang Kai-Lin , Tsai Shih-Jen , Su Tung-Ping , Bai Ya-Mei
Published: August 2021

Background

Dysregulated proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to be associated with suicidal behavior. Cognitive deficits in working memory and inhibitory control have been demonstrated in depressed patients and people with suicidal ideation (SI). However, the association between proinflammatory cytokines, SI, and cognitive deficits in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) remains unclear.

Methods

A total of 77 patients with MDD and age-/sex-matched 60 healthy individuals were recruited. MDD patients were divided into two groups: with SI (n = 36) and no SI (n = 41). SI was defined by a score of ≥2 in item 3 of the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including soluble interleukin-6 receptor, soluble tumor necrosis factor-α receptor type 1, and C-reactive protein (CRP), were measured, and cognitive function was assessed using 2-back task and Go/No-Go task.

Results

Patients with SI had higher levels of CRP than those without SI and controls (P = .007). CRP was positively associated with SI (β = 0.21, P = .037), independent of cognitive function and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, SI was associated with cognitive deficits in working memory and inhibitory control after adjusting for confounding factors (P < .05).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that higher levels of serum CRP and deficits in working memory and inhibitory control may be associated with higher SI among patients with MDD.
The role of education and migration background in explaining differences in folic acid supplementation intake in pregnancy: results from a German birth cohort study
Authors: Miani Céline , Ludwig Angelique , Doyle Ina-Merle , Breckenkamp Jürgen , Hoeller-Holtrichter Chantal , Spallek Jacob , Razum Oliver
Published: August 2021

Objective:

Official German recommendations advise women to start taking folic acid supplementation (FAS) before conception and continue during the first pregnancy trimester to lower the risk of birth defects. Women from lower socio-economic background and ethnic minorities tend to be less likely to take FAS in other European countries. As little is known about the determinants of FAS in Germany, we aimed to investigate the association between FAS and formal education and migration background, adjusting for demographic factors.

Design:

We used data (2013–2016) on nutrition and socio-economic and migration background from the baseline questionnaire of the BaBi cohort study. We performed multivariate regressions and mediation analyses.

Setting:

Bielefeld, Germany.

Participants:

Nine-hundred forty-seven women (pregnant or who had given birth in the past 2 months).

Results:

16.7% of the participants (158/947) did not use FAS. Migration-related variables (e.g. language, length of stay) were not associated with FAS in the adjusted models. FAS was lower in women with lower level of formal education and in unplanned pregnancies. Reasons given by women for not taking FAS were unplanned pregnancy and lack of knowledge of FAS.

Conclusions:

Health practitioners may be inclined to see migrant women as an inherently at-risk group for failed intake of FAS. However, it is primarily women who did not plan their pregnancy, and women of lower formal education level, who are at risk. Different public health strategies to counter low supplementation rates should be supported, those addressing the social determinants of health (i.e. education) and those more focused on family planning.
PRICING TIMER OPTIONS: SECOND-ORDER MULTISCALE STOCHASTIC VOLATILITY ASYMPTOTICS
Authors: WANG XUHUI , WU SHENG-JHIH , YUE XINGYE
Published: August 2021

We study the pricing of timer options in a class of stochastic volatility models, where the volatility is driven by two diffusions—one fast mean-reverting and the other slowly varying. Employing singular and regular perturbation techniques, full second-order asymptotics of the option price are established. In addition, we investigate an implied volatility in terms of effective maturity for the timer options, and derive its second-order expansion based on our pricing asymptotics. A numerical experiment shows that the price approximation formula has a high level of accuracy, and the implied volatility in terms of its effective maturity is illustrated.
The Opportunities of Working in a Challenging Environment
Authors: Muluneh Ameha Atnafu
Published: August 2021

A few days after the American Geophysical Union announced that I am the recipient of the 2020 Africa Award for research excellence in Earth or Ocean Sciences, I received an email from Michael Wysession, editor‐in‐chief of Perspectives of Earth and Space Scientists, to write a story about my scientific experiences. I was filled with emotions. I never thought of sharing my experience with other people (except to my wife and children and close friends). I hope my story will inspire mainly marginal students, who may think that society will exclude them owing to western credentials, and believe that they cannot achieve a spot in science because of their grades. I strongly believe that scientific excellence is achieved by hard work (mostly in a subject area that you like), and a little bit of good luck.
Thallium Isotopic Compositions in Hawaiian Lavas: Evidence for Recycled Materials on the Kea Side of the Hawaiian Mantle Plume
Authors: Williamson Nicole M. B. , Weis Dominique , Prytulak Julie
Published: August 2021

Hawaiian volcanoes record 6 Ma of potentially deep mantle chemistry and form two parallel volcanic chains that are geochemically unique, named Loa and Kea. Loa volcanoes erupt lavas with isotopically enriched compositions thought to reflect the presence of recycled material in the deep mantle source of the Hawaiian plume. Variations in stable thallium (Tl) isotopes have been used to trace recycled pelagic ocean sediment from subduction to eruption in arc and intraplate lavas. Previous work attributed heavy Tl isotopic compositions in eight Loa samples to recycled sediments in their source. We reexamined this hypothesis using a large sample set (n = 34) of shield‐stage, tholeiitic basalt from 13 Hawaiian volcanoes representing the entire range of isotopically enriched and depleted compositions along the Hawaiian chain. Samples were acid‐leached prior to isotopic analysis to remove post‐eruption alteration and resulting ε205Tl values show statistical differences between Loa and Kea volcanoes. Corresponding isotopic data and re‐analyzed trace element concentrations suggest that the ε205Tl values are primary magmatic signatures. Possible co‐variations between heavy ε205Tl and oxygen isotopes in samples from Kea‐trend volcanoes could reflect the presence of ancient, recycled pelagic sediment on the Kea side of the Hawaiian plume, which samples the average deep Pacific mantle. As such, the deep mantle source of both Loa and Kea Hawaiian volcanoes may contain recycled materials of different natures and recycling histories, which supports work from both geophysical and geochemical studies suggesting that the Earth's lower mantle is chemically heterogeneous on multiple spatial scales.
The Transport History of Alluvial Fan Sediment Inferred From Multiple Geochronometers
Authors: Goehring Brent M. , Brown Nathan , Moon Seulgi , Blisniuk Kimberly
Published: August 2021

We present a multi‐chronometer approach to refine the age of an alluvial fan and to infer sediment transport and deposition history in the Anza Borrego Desert region of Southern California. We measure in situ produced cosmogenic carbon‐14 (14C) from boulders on the fan surface and infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) ages from single feldspar grains within the alluvium. Our new IRSL age [5.3 ± 0.5 ka (±1σ)] is in excellent agreement with existing uranium‐series [U‐series; 5.3 ± 0.2 (±2σ)] ages of pedogenic carbonates. The IRSL and U‐series ages show that in situ 14C measurements [6.6 ± 1.1 ka (±1σ)] from boulders contain inherited nuclides from prior exposure in the upstream catchment, much like measurements of the longer‐lived nuclide, beryllium‐10 (10Be). However, in situ 14C ages are closer to the preferred ages inferred from IRSL and U‐series and with less scatter than comparative 10Be ages. Our data demonstrate that a multi‐geochronometer approach will produce ages of alluvial fan surfaces with the greatest degree of confidence. We then apply the paired 14C and 10Be concentrations to infer the prior exposure and storage duration of the sampled boulders of 3.1 ± 3.2 and 4.6 ± 2.3 Kyr, respectively. A mixture model analysis of the single grain IRSL ages suggests bimodal storage durations prior to remobilization with peaks at ca. 2 and 10 Kyr. We demonstrate that cosmogenic nuclide inheritance and single grain IRSL equivalent dose distributions can provide additional information regarding sediment transport history prior to deposition on the alluvial fan.
Controls on Water Storage and Drainage in Crevasses on the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Chudley T. R. , Christoffersen P. , Doyle S. H. , Dowling T. P. F. , Law R. , Schoonman C. M. , Bougamont M. , Hubbard B.
Published: August 2021

Surface crevasses on the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) capture nearly half of the seasonal runoff, yet their role in transferring meltwater to the bed has received little attention relative to that of supraglacial lakes and moulins. Here, we present observations of crevasse ponding and investigate controls on their hydrological behavior at a fast‐moving, marine‐terminating sector of the GrIS. We map surface meltwater, crevasses, and surface‐parallel stress across a ∼2,700 km2 region using satellite data and contemporaneous uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) surveys. From 2017 to 2019 an average of 26% of the crevassed area exhibited ponding at locations that remained persistent between years despite rapid advection. We find that the spatial distribution of ponded crevasses does not relate to previously proposed controls on the distribution of supraglacial lakes (elevation and topography) or crevasses (von Mises stress thresholds), suggesting the operation of some other physical control(s). Ponded crevasse fields were preferentially located in regions of compressive surface‐parallel mean stress, which we interpret to result from the hydraulic isolation of these systems. This contrasts with unponded crevasse fields, which we suggest are readily able to transport meltwater into the wider supraglacial and englacial network. UAV observations show that ponded crevasses can drain episodically and rapidly, likely through hydrofracture. We therefore propose that the surface stress regime influences a spatially heterogeneous transfer of meltwater through crevasses to the bed of ice sheets, with consequences for processes, such as subglacial drainage and the heating of ice via latent heat release by refreezing meltwater.
Ultra-fast single-crystal polymerization of large-sized covalent organic frameworks
Authors: Peng Lan , Guo Qianying , Song Chaoyu , Ghosh Samrat , Xu Huoshu , Wang Liqian , Hu Dongdong , Shi Lei , Zhao Ling , Li Qiaowei , Sakurai Tsuneaki , Yan Hugen , Seki Shu , Liu Yunqi , Wei Dacheng
Published: August 2021

In principle, polymerization tends to produce amorphous or poorly crystalline materials. Efficiently producing high-quality single crystals by polymerization in solvent remains as an unsolved issue in chemistry, especially for covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with highly complex structures. To produce μm-sized single crystals, the growth time is prolonged to >15 days, far away from the requirements in practical applications. Here, we find supercritical CO2 (sc-CO2) accelerates single-crystal polymerization by 10,000,000 folds, and produces two-dimensional (2D) COF single crystals with size up to 0.2 mm within 2~5 min. Although it is the fastest single-crystal polymerization, the growth in sc-CO2 leads to not only the largest crystal size of 2D COFs, but also higher quality with improved photoconductivity performance. This work overcomes traditional concept on low efficiency of single-crystal polymerization, and holds great promise for future applications owing to its efficiency, industrial compatibility, environmental friendliness and universality for different crystalline structures and linkage bonds.
A stretchable and adhesive ionic conductor based on polyacrylic acid and deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Li Gang , Deng Zhihao , Cai Minkun , Huang Kaixi , Guo Mengxue , Zhang Ping , Hou Xingyu , Zhang Yuan , Wang Yueji , Wang Yan , Wu Xiang , Guo Chuan Fei
Published: August 2021

Hydrogels are a widely used ionic conductor in on-skin electronic and iontronic devices. However, hydrogels dehydrate in the open air and freeze at low temperatures, limiting their real applications when they are attached on skin or exposed to low temperatures. Polymer-ionic liquid gels can overcome these two obstacles, but synthetic ionic liquids are expensive and toxic. In this work, we present an ionic conductor based on polyacrylic acid (PAAc) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) that well addresses the aforementioned challenges. We polymerize acrylic acid in DESs to get the PAAc–DES gel, which exhibits excellent stretchability (> 1000%), high electrical conductivity (1.26 mS cm−1), high adhesion to the skin (~ 100 N m−1), as well as good anti-drying and anti-freezing properties. We also demonstrate that the PAAc-DES gel can be used as an on-skin electrode to record the surface electromyographic signal with high signal quality, or as a transparent stretchable electrode in iontronic devices that can work at –20 °C. We believe that the PAAc–DES gels are an ideal candidate as epidermal electrodes or transparent stretchable electrodes.
Observation of giant and tunable thermal diffusivity of a Dirac fluid at room temperature
Authors: Block Alexander , Principi Alessandro , Hesp Niels C. H. , Cummings Aron W. , Liebel Matz , Watanabe Kenji , Taniguchi Takashi , Roche Stephan , Koppens Frank H. L. , van Hulst Niek F. , Tielrooij Klaas-Jan
Published: August 2021

Conducting materials typically exhibit either diffusive or ballistic charge transport. When electron–electron interactions dominate, a hydrodynamic regime with viscous charge flow emerges1–13. More stringent conditions eventually yield a quantum-critical Dirac-fluid regime, where electronic heat can flow more efficiently than charge14–22. However, observing and controlling the flow of electronic heat in the hydrodynamic regime at room temperature has so far remained elusive. Here we observe heat transport in graphene in the diffusive and hydrodynamic regimes, and report a controllable transition to the Dirac-fluid regime at room temperature, using carrier temperature and carrier density as control knobs. We introduce the technique of spatiotemporal thermoelectric microscopy with femtosecond temporal and nanometre spatial resolution, which allows for tracking electronic heat spreading. In the diffusive regime, we find a thermal diffusivity of roughly 2,000 cm2 s−1, consistent with charge transport. Moreover, within the hydrodynamic time window before momentum relaxation, we observe heat spreading corresponding to a giant diffusivity up to 70,000 cm2 s−1, indicative of a Dirac fluid. Our results offer the possibility of further exploration of these interesting physical phenomena and their potential applications in nanoscale thermal management.
Cesium based phasing of macromolecules: a general easy to use approach for solving the phase problem
Authors: Koelmel Wolfgang , Kuper Jochen , Kisker Caroline
Published: August 2021

Over the last decades the phase problem in macromolecular x-ray crystallography has become more controllable as methods and approaches have diversified and improved. However, solving the phase problem is still one of the biggest obstacles on the way of successfully determining a crystal structure. To overcome this caveat, we have utilized the anomalous scattering properties of the heavy alkali metal cesium. We investigated the introduction of cesium in form of cesium chloride during the three major steps of protein treatment in crystallography: purification, crystallization, and cryo-protection. We derived a step-wise procedure encompassing a “quick-soak”-only approach and a combined approach of CsCl supplement during purification and cryo-protection. This procedure was successfully applied on two different proteins: (i) Lysozyme and (ii) as a proof of principle, a construct consisting of the PH domain of the TFIIH subunit p62 from Chaetomium thermophilum for de novo structure determination. Usage of CsCl thus provides a versatile, general, easy to use, and low cost phasing strategy.
Targeted knockout of the gene OsHOL1 removes methyl iodide emissions from rice plants
Authors: Carlessi Martina , Mariotti Lorenzo , Giaume Francesca , Fornara Fabio , Perata Pierdomenico , Gonzali Silvia
Published: August 2021

Iodine deficiency represents a public health problem worldwide. To increase the amount of iodine in the diet, biofortification strategies of plants have been tried. They rely on the exogenous administration of iodine to increase its absorption and accumulation. However, iodine is not stable in plants and can be volatilized as methyl iodide through the action of specific methyltransferases encoded by the HARMLESS TO OZONE LAYER (HOL) genes. The release of methyl iodide in the atmosphere represents a threat for the environment due to its ozone depletion potential. Rice paddies are among the strongest producers of methyl iodide. Thus, the agronomic approach of iodine biofortification is not appropriate for this crop, leading to further increases of iodine emissions. In this work, we used the genome editing CRISPR/Cas9 technology to knockout the rice HOL genes and investigate their function. OsHOL1 resulted a major player in methyl iodide production, since its knockout abolished the process. Moreover, its overexpression reinforced it. Conversely, knockout of OsHOL2 did not produce effects. Our experiments helped elucidating the function of the rice HOL genes, providing tools to develop new rice varieties with reduced iodine emissions and thus more suitable for biofortification programs without further impacting on the environment.
A real-world demonstration of machine learning generalizability in the detection of intracranial hemorrhage on head computerized tomography
Authors: Salehinejad Hojjat , Kitamura Jumpei , Ditkofsky Noah , Lin Amy , Bharatha Aditya , Suthiphosuwan Suradech , Lin Hui-Ming , Wilson Jefferson R. , Mamdani Muhammad , Colak Errol
Published: August 2021

Machine learning (ML) holds great promise in transforming healthcare. While published studies have shown the utility of ML models in interpreting medical imaging examinations, these are often evaluated under laboratory settings. The importance of real world evaluation is best illustrated by case studies that have documented successes and failures in the translation of these models into clinical environments. A key prerequisite for the clinical adoption of these technologies is demonstrating generalizable ML model performance under real world circumstances. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that ML model generalizability is achievable in medical imaging with the detection of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scans serving as the use case. An ML model was trained using 21,784 scans from the RSNA Intracranial Hemorrhage CT dataset while generalizability was evaluated using an external validation dataset obtained from our busy trauma and neurosurgical center. This real world external validation dataset consisted of every unenhanced head CT scan (n = 5965) performed in our emergency department in 2019 without exclusion. The model demonstrated an AUC of 98.4%, sensitivity of 98.8%, and specificity of 98.0%, on the test dataset. On external validation, the model demonstrated an AUC of 95.4%, sensitivity of 91.3%, and specificity of 94.1%. Evaluating the ML model using a real world external validation dataset that is temporally and geographically distinct from the training dataset indicates that ML generalizability is achievable in medical imaging applications.
The optical response of artificially twisted MoS$$_2$$ bilayers
Authors: Grzeszczyk M. , Szpakowski J. , Slobodeniuk A. O. , Kazimierczuk T. , Bhatnagar M. , Taniguchi T. , Watanabe K. , Kossacki P. , Potemski M. , Babiński A. , Molas M. R.
Published: August 2021

Two-dimensional layered materials offer the possibility to create artificial vertically stacked structures possessing an additional degree of freedom—theinterlayertwist. We present a comprehensive optical study of artificially stacked bilayers (BLs) MoS$$_2$$

2

encapsulated in hexagonal BN with interlayer twist angle ranging from 0$$^{\circ }$$

∘

to 60$$^{\circ }$$

∘

using Raman scattering and photoluminescence spectroscopies. It is found that the strength of the interlayer coupling in the studied BLs can be estimated using the energy dependence of indirect emission versus the A$$_\text {1g}$$

1g

–E$$_\text {2g}^1$$

2g
1

energy separation. Due to the hybridization of electronic states in the valence band, the emission line related to the interlayer exciton is apparent in both the natural (2H) and artificial (62$$^\circ $$

∘

) MoS$$_2$$

2

BLs, while it is absent in the structures with other twist angles. The interlayer coupling energy is estimated to be of about 50 meV. The effect of temperature on energies and intensities of the direct and indirect emission lines in MoS$$_2$$

2

BLs is also quantified.
A new nanomagnetic Pd-Co bimetallic alloy as catalyst in the Mizoroki–Heck and Buchwald–Hartwig amination reactions in aqueous media
Authors: Sobhani Sara , Zarei Hamed , Sansano José Miguel
Published: August 2021

A Pd-Co bimetallic alloy encapsulated in melamine-based dendrimer supported on magnetic nanoparticles denoted as γ-Fe2O3@MBD/Pd-Co was synthesized by a facile co-complexation-reduction method and characterized sufficiently. The catalytic evaluation of γ-Fe2O3@MBD/Pd-Co showed promising results in the Mizoroki–Heck and Buchwald–Hartwig amination reactions of various iodo-, bromo- and challenging chloroarenes in aqueous media. The synergetic cooperative effect of both Pd and Co and dispersion of the catalyst in water due to the encapsulation of γ-Fe2O3 by melamine-based dendrimer lead to high catalytic performance compared with the monometallic counterparts. The dispersion of the magnetic catalyst also facilitates the recovery and reuse of the catalyst by ten consecutive extraction and final magnetic isolation with no loss of catalytic activity, keeping its structure unaltered.
Structural investigation and application of Tween 80-choline chloride self-assemblies as osmotic agent for water desalination
Authors: Bide Yasamin , Fashapoyeh Marzieh Arab , Shokrollahzadeh Soheila
Published: August 2021

Forward osmosis (FO) process has been extensively considered as a potential technology that could minimize the problems of traditional water desalination processes. Finding an appropriate osmotic agent is an important concern in the FO process. For the first time, a nonionic surfactant-based draw solution was introduced using self-assemblies of Tween 80 and choline chloride. The addition of choline chloride to Tween 80 led to micelles formation with an average diameter of 11.03 nm. The 1H NMR spectra exhibited that all groups of Tween 80 were interacted with choline chloride by hydrogen bond and Van der Waals’ force. The influence of adding choline chloride to Tween 80 and the micellization on its osmotic activity was investigated. Despite the less activity of single components, the average water flux of 14.29 L m‒2 h‒1 was obtained using 0.15 M of Tween 80-choline chloride self-assembly as draw solution in the FO process with DI water feed solution. Moreover, various concentrations of NaCl aqueous solutions were examined as feed solution. This report proposed a possible preparation of nonionic surfactant-based draw solutions using choline chloride additive with enhanced osmotic activities that can establish an innovative field of study in water desalination by the FO process.
Age-related mushroom body expansion in male sweat bees and bumble bees
Authors: Hagadorn Mallory A. , Eck Karlee , Del Grosso Matthew , Haemmerle Xavier , Wcislo William T. , Kapheim Karen M.
Published: August 2021

A well-documented phenomenon among social insects is that brain changes occur prior to or at the onset of certain experiences, potentially serving to prime the brain for specific tasks. This insight comes almost exclusively from studies considering developmental maturation in females. As a result, it is unclear whether age-related brain plasticity is consistent across sexes, and to what extent developmental patterns differ. Using confocal microscopy and volumetric analyses, we investigated age-related brain changes coinciding with sexual maturation in the males of the facultatively eusocial sweat bee, Megalopta genalis, and the obligately eusocial bumble bee, Bombus impatiens. We compared volumetric measurements between newly eclosed and reproductively mature males kept isolated in the lab. We found expansion of the mushroom bodies—brain regions associated with learning and memory—with maturation, which were consistent across both species. This age-related plasticity may, therefore, play a functionally-relevant role in preparing male bees for mating, and suggests that developmentally-driven neural restructuring can occur in males, even in species where it is absent in females.
Comparison of multicolor scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography angiography for detection of microaneurysms in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Sakono Takato , Terasaki Hiroto , Sonoda Shozo , Funatsu Ryoh , Shiihara Hideki , Uchino Eisuke , Yamashita Toshifumi , Sakamoto Taiji
Published: August 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of multicolor (MC) scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (MC-SLO) in detecting microaneurysm (MA) in eyes with diabetic retinopathy (DR). This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Eyes with DR underwent fluorescein angiography (FA), MC-SLO, optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), and color fundus photography (CFP) were analyzed. The foveal region was cut in an 6 × 6 mm image and the number of MA in each image was counted by retina specialists to determine the sensitivity and positive predictive value. FA results were used as the ground standard. MAs were classified as those with early, late, or no dye leakage based on FA images. Fifty-four eyes of 35 patients with an average age of 64.5 ± 1.24 years were included. The sensitivity of MA detection was 37.3%, 15.3%, and 4.12% in MC-SLO, OCTA, and CFP, respectively (P < 0.01 in each pair).The positive predictive value was 66.4%, 46.4%, and 27.6% in MC, OCTA, and CFP, respectively (P < 0.01 in each pair). Sensitivity for MAs with early leakage was 36.4% in MC-SLO, which was significantly higher than 4.02% in OCTA. MC-SLO was more useful in detecting MA in eyes with DR than OCTA.
Examining cellular responses to reconstituted antibody protein liquids
Authors: Nelson M. Tyler , Slocik Joseph M. , Romer Eric J. , Mankus Cassandra I. , Agans Richard T. , Naik Rajesh R. , Hussain Saber M.
Published: August 2021

Protein ionic liquids (PIL) are a new class of biologic stabilizers designed to protect the functionality and extend the shelf-life of biotechnological and therapeutic agents making them more readily available, and resistant to austere environments. Protein biorecognition elements such as monoclonal antibodies are commonly utilized therapeutics that require the robust stabilization offered by PILs, but biocompatibility remains an important issue. This study has focused on characterizing the biocompatibility of an antibody based PIL by exposing multiple cells types to a cationized immunoglobulin suspended in an anionic liquid (IgG-IL). The IgG-IL caused no significant alterations in cellular health for all three cell types with treatments < 12.5 µg/mL. Concentrations ≥ 12.5 µg/mL resulted in significant necrotic cell death in A549 and HaCaT cells, and caspase associated cell death in HepG2 cells. In addition, all cells displayed evidence of oxidative stress and IL-8 induction in response to IgG-IL exposures. Therapeutic Ig can be utilized with a wide dose range that extends into concentrations we have found to exhibit cytotoxicity raising a toxicity concern and a need for more extensive understanding of the biocompatibility of IgG-ILs.
Liquid fuel oil produced from plastic based medical wastes by thermal cracking
Authors: Rasul Shahriar Bin , Som Uday , Hossain Md. Shameem , Rahman Md. Wasikur
Published: August 2021

The present work is an effort to produce liquid fuel oil from plastic based medical wastes through thermal cracking process under oxidizing conditions. The mixed plastics from medical wastes were considered as a feedstock, shredded into small pieces and heated at 773 ± 10 K for 40 min with a heating rate of 20 K/min in a batch reactor for thermal cracking process. The feedstock was characterized by proximate and ultimate analysis along with thermogravimetric investigation. Moreover, chemical compositions of the liquid fuel oil were examined by FTIR and GC–MS spectroscopy. The properties of liquid product were also examined and compared to the commercial fuel oil. The average yield of brownish and sticky liquid fuel was obtained to be 52 wt% and the gross calorific value of the liquid was found 41.32 MJ/kg which is comparable to that of commercial diesel. FTIR spectrum showed characteristic absorption bands of C–H and =CH2 groups indicating presence of alkane and alkene compounds. GC–MS study demonstrated the chemical constituents of the liquid product that is mostly aliphatic compounds of mainly alkanes (16.28%), alkenes (10.67%), alcohols (14.65%) and ester groups (10.38%) including iso-phthalate (40.02%) as a predominant product. This experiment concludes that the liquid oil derived from thermal cracking of mixed plastics comprised of a composite mixture of organic components. A significant amount of non-degraded constituents like plasticizers, precursors, etc. remained in the product having some economic values with human health and environmental impacts during burning has been addressed in the current issue.
Study of energetic properties of different tree organs in six Olea europaea L. cultivars
Authors: Sala G. , Caruso T. , Marra F. P. , Zafonte F. , Amico Roxas A. , Schiavo B. , Galia A. , Brunori A. , Dini F. , Regni L. , Proietti P. , La Mantia T.
Published: August 2021

Pruning is an important horticultural practice for the management of olive orchards (Olea europaeaL.) that generates a considerable amount of residues every year. Olive orchards are increasingly expanding beyond the Mediterranean Basin to new growing Countries (Australia, California, Argentina, Chile and Uruguay) and this will certainly lead to larger availability of pruning material. Currently, the interest in use of olive tree pruning residues for energy purposes is increasing but unfortunately, the information on the differences among organs of the tree, in terms of calorific value and ash content, is scarce. Another unknown aspect is the effect of cultivar vigour on dry matter partition among different tree organs, these are important traits to establish the energetic quality of pruning residues. The aim of this research was to study energetic aspects of six olive cultivars, largely grown in the Sicilian olive industry and characterized by different vigour. The trees taken into consideration in the study were selected in an experimental orchard to avoid any effect due to differences in environmental conditions and management. The energetic characteristics, calorific value and ash content, were evaluated for the various tree organs particularly shoots, leaves and branches; also root system was evaluated, although the roots can only be used once the trees are uprooted. Significant differences were observed in the calorific values among the different tree organs and the cultivars. Regarding the ash, shoots and leaves showed the highest content with respect to the other organs, thus causing a possible tendency in slagging with fouling and corrosion of boiler components.
Middle–Late Triassic sedimentary provenance of the southern Junggar Basin and its link with the post-orogenic tectonic evolution of Central Asia
Authors: Wang Jialin , Wu Chaodong , Jiao Yue , Yuan Bo
Published: August 2021

Due to the unknown Triassic volcanism in the Junggar Basin, the Middle–Late Triassic sedimentary provenance in the southern Junggar Basin (SJB) has long been controversial. Detrital zircon grains from 13 samples of the Middle–Upper Triassic Xiaoquangou Group in the SJB were analyzed using zircon U–Pb geochronology to constrain the provenance of Triassic sedimentary rocks and to further understand their source-to-sink system. Comparison of detrital zircon U–Pb age distributions for 13 samples reveals that the Triassic age populations predominate in sediments of the northern Bogda Mountains, with subordinate in the southern Bogda Mountains, and no or minimal in the North Tianshan (NTS). Coupled with sandstone petrological, sedimentary geochemical and paleocurrent data, the Triassic detrital zircon grains of the Xiaoquangou Group in the SJB were probably input from the Bogda Mountains. As Pennsylvanian and Mississippian zircon grains are mainly derived from the NTS and Central Tianshan (CTS), the provenance of the Xiaoquangou Group includes the NTS, CTS and Bogda Mountains. But the different samples in different sink areas have different provenances, originating from at least four source-to-sink systems. The supply of sediments from the Bogda Mountains started in the Late Triassic, suggesting initial uplift of the Bogda Mountains.
Association between probiotics and bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants
Authors: Qu Yangming , Guo Shijie , Liu Ying , Wang Guohua , Wu Hui
Published: August 2021

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia is a chronic pulmonary disease with a high incidence in premature infants, and there is still no effective treatment. The purpose of our study was to analyze the association between the use of probiotics and BPD in premature infants. We retrospectively collected clinical data of infants with gestational age < 32 weeks admitted to the NICU of The First Hospital of Jilin University from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2020. Demographic and clinicopathological data of the inclusion population were collected. The outcome was the incidence of BPD or death. The χ2 tests was used to compare the categorical variables. The t test and non-parametric Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare the continuous data. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the association between probiotics and BPD. A total of 318 newborns met the inclusion criteria, of which 94 received probiotics and 224 received no probiotics. There were 16 deaths and 115 newborns with BPD in the included population. The results of univariate analysis showed differences in the maternal diabetes, the proportion of systemic antibiotics given to mother within 24 h before birth, the receiving rate of invasive mechanical ventilation, the prevalence of BPD/death, PDA, RDS and Ivh between newborns with and without probiotics (p < 0.05); The results of unadjusted univariate logistic regression model showed that probiotic (OR 0.034, 95% CI 0.012–0.096) was the factor affecting BPD in preterm infants (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression result (OR 0.037, 95% CI 0.013–0.105) was consistent with univariate analysis (P < 0.001). Probiotics are associated with a reduced risk of BPD in preterm infants < 32 weeks of age. More prospective studies with large samples are still needed.
Effect of introducing biologics to patients with rheumatoid arthritis on the risk of venous thromboembolism: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Chen Chao-Ping , Kung Pei-Tseng , Chou Wen-Yu , Tsai Wen-Chen
Published: August 2021

In the United States, 100,000–300,000 patients die from venous thromboembolism (VTE) each year, with more than 500,000 people related hospitalizations. While in Europe, 500,000 people die from VTE each year. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis are at increased risk of VTE. The use of biologics in patients with rheumatoid arthritis may be associated with an increased risk of VTE. We identified all patients who had been newly approved for Catastrophic Illness Card of rheumatoid arthritis extracted the claims data from the National Health Insurance research database and Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patient Database from 2003 to 2016. VTE was defined as the presence of inpatient VTE diagnostic codes (including DVT or PE) according to the discharge diagnosis protocol. An analysis of VTE variables indicated that the incidence of VTE in the biologic group (14.33/10,000 person-years) was higher than that in the conventional drug group (12.61/10,000 person-years). As assessed by the Cox proportional hazards model, the relative HR for VTE in the biologic group (HR: 1.11; 95% CI 0.79–1.55) versus that in the conventional drug group did not reach a significant difference. In conclusion, this study found no significant differences in risk were observed between the use of conventional DMARDs and biologics.
Cochlear shape distinguishes southern African early hominin taxa with unique auditory ecologies
Authors: Braga J. , Samir C. , Fradi A. , Feunteun Y. , Jakata K. , Zimmer V. A. , Zipfel B. , Thackeray J. F. , Macé M. , Wood B. A. , Grine F. E.
Published: August 2021

Insights into potential differences among the bony labyrinths of Plio-Pleistocene hominins may inform their evolutionary histories and sensory ecologies. We use four recently-discovered bony labyrinths from the site of Kromdraai to significantly expand the sample for Paranthropus robustus. Diffeomorphometry, which provides detailed information about cochlear shape, reveals size-independent differences in cochlear shape between P. robustus and Australopithecus africanus that exceed those among modern humans and the African apes. The cochlea of P. robustus is distinctive and relatively invariant, whereas cochlear shape in A. africanus is more variable, resembles that of early Homo, and shows a degree of morphological polymorphism comparable to that evinced by modern species. The curvature of the P. robustus cochlea is uniquely derived and is consistent with enhanced sensitivity to low-frequency sounds. Combined with evidence for selection, our findings suggest that sound perception shaped distinct ecological adaptations among southern African early hominins.
Salvaging high-quality genomes of microbial species from a meromictic lake using a hybrid sequencing approach
Authors: Chen Yu-Hsiang , Chiang Pei-Wen , Rogozin Denis Yu , Degermendzhy Andrey G. , Chiu Hsiu-Hui , Tang Sen-Lin
Published: August 2021

Most of Earth’s bacteria have yet to be cultivated. The metabolic and functional potentials of these uncultivated microorganisms thus remain mysterious, and the metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) approach is the most robust method for uncovering these potentials. However, MAGs discovered by conventional metagenomic assembly and binning are usually highly fragmented genomes with heterogeneous sequence contamination. In this study, we combined Illumina and Nanopore data to develop a new workflow to reconstruct 233 MAGs—six novel bacterial orders, 20 families, 66 genera, and 154 species—from Lake Shunet, a secluded meromictic lake in Siberia. With our workflow, the average N50 of reconstructed MAGs greatly increased 10–40-fold compared to when the conventional Illumina assembly and binning method were used. More importantly, six complete MAGs were recovered from our datasets. The recovery of 154 novel species MAGs from a rarely explored lake greatly expands the current bacterial genome encyclopedia.
Interplay between population density and mobility in determining the spread of epidemics in cities
Authors: Hazarie Surendra , Soriano-Paños David , Arenas Alex , Gómez-Gardeñes Jesús , Ghoshal Gourab
Published: August 2021

The increasing agglomeration of people in dense urban areas coupled with the existence of efficient modes of transportation connecting such centers, make cities particularly vulnerable to the spread of epidemics. Here we develop a data-driven approach combines with a meta-population modeling to capture the interplay between population density, mobility and epidemic spreading. We study 163 cities, chosen from four different continents, and report a global trend where the epidemic risk induced by human mobility increases consistently in those cities where mobility flows are predominantly between high population density centers. We apply our framework to the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States, providing a plausible explanation for the observed heterogeneity in the spreading process across cities. Based on this insight, we propose realistic mitigation strategies (less severe than lockdowns), based on modifying the mobility in cities. Our results suggest that an optimal control strategy involves an asymmetric policy that restricts flows entering the most vulnerable areas but allowing residents to continue their usual mobility patterns.
Paleocene-Eocene volcanic segmentation of the Norwegian-Greenland seaway reorganized high-latitude ocean circulation
Authors: Hovikoski Jussi , Fyhn Michael B. W. , Nøhr-Hansen Henrik , Hopper John R. , Andrews Steven , Barham Milo , Nielsen Lars H. , Bjerager Morten , Bojesen-Koefoed Jørgen , Lode Stefanie , Sheldon Emma , Uchman Alfred , Skorstengaard Pia R. , Alsen Peter
Published: August 2021

The paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic development of the Norwegian–Greenland seaway remains poorly understood, despite its importance for the oceanographic and climatic conditions of the Paleocene–Eocene greenhouse world. Here we present analyses of the sedimentological and paleontological characteristics of Paleocene–Eocene deposits (between 63 and 47 million years old) in northeast Greenland, and investigate key unconformities and volcanic facies observed through seismic reflection imaging in offshore basins. We identify Paleocene–Eocene uplift that culminated in widespread regression, volcanism, and subaerial exposure during the Ypresian. We reconstruct the paleogeography of the northeast Atlantic–Arctic region and propose that this uplift led to fragmentation of the Norwegian–Greenland seaway during this period. We suggest that the seaway became severely restricted between about 56 and 53 million years ago, effectively isolating the Arctic from the Atlantic ocean during the Paleocene–Eocene thermal maximum and the early Eocene.
Tree diversity and soil chemical properties drive the linkages between soil microbial community and ecosystem functioning
Authors: Beugnon Rémy , Du Jianqing , Cesarz Simone , Jurburg Stephanie D , Pang Zhe , Singavarapu Bala , Wubet Tesfaye , Xue Kai , Wang Yanfen , Eisenhauer Nico
Published: August 2021

Microbial respiration is critical for soil carbon balance and ecosystem functioning. Previous studies suggest that plant diversity influences soil microbial communities and their respiration. Yet, the linkages between tree diversity, microbial biomass, microbial diversity, and microbial functioning have rarely been explored. In this study, we measured two microbial functions (microbial physiological potential, and microbial respiration), together with microbial biomass, microbial taxonomic and functional profiles, and soil chemical properties in a tree diversity experiment in South China, to disentangle how tree diversity affects microbial respiration through the modifications of the microbial community. Our analyses show a significant positive effect of tree diversity on microbial biomass (+25% from monocultures to 24-species plots), bacterial diversity (+12%), and physiological potential (+12%). In addition, microbial biomass and physiological potential, but not microbial diversity, were identified as the key drivers of microbial respiration. Although soil chemical properties strongly modulated soil microbial community, tree diversity increased soil microbial respiration by increasing microbial biomass rather than changing microbial taxonomic or functional diversity. Overall, our findings suggest a prevalence of microbial biomass over diversity in controlling soil carbon dynamics.