bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast cancer patients presenting at an academic radiotherapy oncology centre in Ghana
Authors: Anim-Sampong A. M. , Vanderpuye V. , Botwe B. O. , Anim-Sampong S.
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

Mastectomy is a treatment option for patients diagnosed with breast cancer. There is very limited research into the psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast cancer patients, especially in the sub-Saharan African setting which has unique cultural norms. The study aimed at assessing the psychosocial impact of mastectomy on female breast cancer patients attending a radiotherapy/oncology centre in Ghana.

Methods:

A cross-sectional design was used to undertake this study. A total of 80 female mastectomy breast cancer patients participated in this study. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection over a 5-month period, January to May 2018. The data collected were analysed with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.

Results:

Most of the participants were adversely affected psychologically and emotionally by mastectomy. In particular, many (56·7%) agreed that they felt less feminine, and 71% reported they experienced psychological distress as a result of their mastectomy, while 63% of them reported loss of self-confidence. A large proportion of them (51, 63·8%) agreed that their lifestyles had changed following mastectomy, while 58% of them admitted that they felt treated as outcasts by society, and 75% resorted to the use of breast prostheses to reduce attention.

Conclusion:

The study revealed that mastectomy for breast cancer patients had a negative impact on their psychological, emotional and social well-being. The availability of affordable breast prostheses, involvement of clinical psychologists in the care of post-mastectomy women, provision of emotional, psychological and even financial support could alleviate the psychosocial impact of affected women.
Water Mass Properties Derived From Satellite Observations in the Barents Sea
Authors: Barton Benjamin I. , Lique Camille , Lenn Yueng‐Djern
Published: June 2020

The Barents Sea is a region of deep water formation where Atlantic Water is converted into cooler, fresher Barents Sea Water. Barents Sea Water properties exhibit variability at seasonal, interannual, and decadal timescales. This variability is transferred to Arctic Intermediate Water, which eventually contributes to the deeper branch of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. Variations in Barents Sea Water properties are reflected in steric height (contribution of density to sea‐level variations) that depends on heat and freshwater contents and is a quantity usually derived from in situ observations of water temperature, salinity, and pressure that remain sparse during winter in the Barents Sea. This analysis explores the utility of satellite observations for representing Barents Sea Water properties and identifying trends and sources of variability through novel methods. We present our methods for combining satellite observations of eustatic height (the contribution of mass to sea‐level variations), sea surface height, and sea surface temperature, validated by in situ temperature and salinity profiles, to estimate steric height. We show that sea surface temperature is a good proxy for heat content in the upper part of the water column in the southeastern Barents Sea and that freshwater content can be reconstructed from satellite data. Our analysis indicates that most of the seasonality in Barents Sea Water properties arises from the balance between ocean heat transport and atmospheric heat flux, while its interannual variability is driven by heat and freshwater advection.
Urban Land Could Increase Sixfold by 2100
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: June 2020

Experts agree that as urbanization continues through the 21st century, cities need to focus on sustainable development to meet climate goals.
Prosocial Preferences Condition Decision Effort and Ingroup Biased Generosity in Intergroup Decision-Making
Authors: Rahal Rima-Maria , Fiedler Susann , De Dreu Carsten K. W.
Published: June 2020

Ingroup favoritism and discrimination against outgroups are pervasive in social interactions. To uncover the cognitive processes underlying generosity towards in- and outgroup members, we employ eye-tracking in two pre registered studies. We replicate the well-established ingroup favoritism effect and uncover that ingroup compared to outgroup decision settings are characterized by systematic differences in information search effort (i.e., increased response times and number of fixations, more inspected information) and attention distribution. Surprisingly, these results showed a stronger dependency on the in- vs. out-group setting for more individualistic compared to prosocial participants: Whereas individualistic decision makers invested relatively less effort into information search when decisions involved out-group members, prosocial decision makers’ effort differed less between in- and outgroup decisions. Therein, choice and processing findings showed differences, indicating that inferences about the decision process from choices alone can be misleading. Implications for intergroup research and the regulation of intergroup conflict are discussed.
Differential color tuning of the mesolimbic reward system
Authors: Hu Kesong , De Rosa Eve , Anderson Adam K.
Published: June 2020

Visual wavelengths are not only associated with the subjective experience of color but also have long been thought to regulate affect. Here we examined the attracting rewarding properties of opposite ends of the wavelength spectrum, as well as their individual variation. As reward is multifaceted, we sought convergent evidence from subjective and objective behavioral and attentional indices, as well as its neural reward system bases. On average, short (blue) relative to long (red) wavelengths were judged subjectively more pleasant and had objectively greater behavioral and attentional salience, regulating speed of simple color discriminations and perception of temporal order. Consistent with reward, these color effects were magnified following monetary reinforcement. Pronounced individual differences in color effects were related to reward but not punishment sensitivity, with blue relative to red preference associated with high relative to low reward sensitivity. An fMRI study revealed these individual differences were supported by color-dependent functional coupling between the visual cortices and mesolimbic reward circuitry. Our findings reveal the reward bases of color, demonstrating color is a potent regulator of perception, action, and neural dynamics.
Focal white matter disruptions along the cingulum tract explain cognitive decline in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI)
Authors: Gozdas Elveda , Fingerhut Hannah , Chromik Lindsay C. , O’Hara Ruth , Reiss Allan L. , Hosseini S. M. Hadi
Published: June 2020

White matter abnormalities of the human brain are implicated in typical aging and neurodegenerative diseases. However, our understanding of how fine-grained changes in microstructural properties along white matter tracts are associated with memory and cognitive decline in normal aging and mild cognitive impairment remains elusive. We quantified tract profiles with a newer method that can reliably measure fine-grained changes in white matter properties along the tracts using advanced multi-shell diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in 25 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and 23 matched healthy controls (HC). While the changes in tract profiles were parallel across aMCI and HC, we found a significant focal shift in the profile at specific locations along major tracts sub-serving memory in aMCI. Particularly, our findings depict white matter alterations at specific locations on the right cingulum cingulate, the right cingulum hippocampus and anterior corpus callosum (CC) in aMCI compared to HC. Notably, focal changes in white matter tract properties along the cingulum tract predicted memory and cognitive functioning in aMCI. The results suggest that white matter disruptions at specific locations of the cingulum bundle may be a hallmark for the early prediction of Alzheimer’s disease and a predictor of cognitive decline in aMCI.
Spatiotemporal distribution patterns of immature Australasian white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias)
Authors: Spaet Julia L. Y. , Patterson Toby A. , Bradford Russell W. , Butcher Paul A.
Published: June 2020

In Australian and New Zealand waters, current knowledge on white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) movement ecology is based on individual tracking studies using relatively small numbers of tags. These studies describe a species that occupies highly variable and complex habitats. However, uncertainty remains as to whether the proposed movement patterns are representative of the wider population. Here, we tagged 103 immature Australasian white sharks (147–350 cm fork length) with both acoustic and satellite transmitters to expand our current knowledge of population linkages, spatiotemporal dynamics and coastal habitats. Eighty-three sharks provided useable data. Based on individual tracking periods of up to 5 years and a total of 2,865 days of tracking data, we were able to characterise complex movement patterns over ~45° of latitude and ~72° of longitude and distinguish regular/recurrent patterns from occasional/exceptional migration events. Shark movements ranged from Papua New Guinea to sub-Antarctic waters and to Western Australia, highlighting connectivity across their entire Australasian range. Results over the 12-year study period yielded a comprehensive characterisation of the movement ecology of immature Australasian white sharks across multiple spatial scales and substantially expanded the body of knowledge available for population assessment and management.
Outcomes associated with anaesthetic techniques for caesarean section in low- and middle-income countries: a secondary analysis of WHO surveys
Authors: Lumbiganon Pisake , Moe Hla , Kamsa-ard Siriporn , Rattanakanokchai Siwanon , Laopaiboon Malinee , Kietpeerakool Chumnan , Jampathong Nampet , Somjit Monsicha , Cecatti José Guilherme , Vogel Joshua P. , Betran Ana Pilar , Mittal Suneeta , Torloni Maria Regina
Published: June 2020

Associations between anaesthetic techniques and pregnancy outcomes were assessed among 129,742 pregnancies delivered by caesarean section (CS) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) using two WHO databases. Anaesthesia was categorized as general anaesthesia (GA) and neuraxial anaesthesia (NA). Outcomes included maternal death (MD), maternal near miss (MNM), severe maternal outcome (SMO), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, early neonatal death (END), neonatal near miss (NNM), severe neonatal outcome (SNO), Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, and neonatal ICU (NICU) admission. A two‐stage approach of individual participant data meta‐analysis was used to combine the results. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented. Compared to GA, NA were associated with decreased odds of MD (pooled OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.10, 0.78), MNM (pooled OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.21, 0.31), SMO (pooled OR 0.24; 95% CI 0.20,0.28), ICU admission (pooled OR 0.17; 95% CI 0.13, 0.22), NNM (pooled OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.55, 0.73), SNO (pooled OR 0.55; 95% CI 0.48, 0.63), Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes (pooled OR 0.35; 95% CI 0.29, 0.43), and NICU admission (pooled OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.45, 0.62). NA therefore was associated with decreased odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes in LMICs.
Identification and age-dependence of pteridines in bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) and bat bugs (C. pipistrelli) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Křemenová Jana , Balvín Ondřej , Otti Oliver , Pavonič Michal , Reinhardt Klaus , Šimek Zdeněk , Bartonička Tomáš
Published: June 2020

Determining the age of free-living insects, particularly of blood-sucking species, is important for human health because such knowledge critically influences the estimates of biting frequency and vectoring ability. Genetic age determination is currently not available. Pteridines gradually accumulate in the eyes of insects and their concentrations is the prevailing method. Despite of their stability, published extractions differ considerably, including for standards, for mixtures of pteridines and even for light conditions. This methodological inconsistency among studies is likely to influence age estimates severely and to hamper their comparability. Therefore we reviewed methodological steps across 106 studies to identify methodological denominators and results across studies. Second, we experimentally test how different pteridines vary in their age calibration curves in, common bed (Cimex lectularius) and bat bugs (C. pipistrelli). Here we show that the accumulation of particular pteridines varied between a) different populations and b) rearing temperatures but not c) with the impact of light conditions during extraction or d) the type of blood consumed by the bugs. To optimize the extraction of pteridines and measuring concentrations, we recommend the simultaneous measurement of more than one standard and subsequently to select those that show consistent changes over time to differentiate among age cohorts.
Comparison of differential accessibility analysis strategies for ATAC-seq data
Authors: Gontarz Paul , Fu Shuhua , Xing Xiaoyun , Liu Shaopeng , Miao Benpeng , Bazylianska Viktoriia , Sharma Akhil , Madden Pamela , Cates Kitra , Yoo Andrew , Moszczynska Anna , Wang Ting , Zhang Bo
Published: June 2020

ATAC-seq is widely used to measure chromatin accessibility and identify open chromatin regions (OCRs). OCRs usually indicate active regulatory elements in the genome and are directly associated with the gene regulatory network. The identification of differential accessibility regions (DARs) between different biological conditions is critical in determining the differential activity of regulatory elements. Differential analysis of ATAC-seq shares many similarities with differential expression analysis of RNA-seq data. However, the distribution of ATAC-seq signal intensity is different from that of RNA-seq data, and higher sensitivity is required for DARs identification. Many different tools can be used to perform differential analysis of ATAC-seq data, but a comprehensive comparison and benchmarking of these methods is still lacking. Here, we used simulated datasets to systematically measure the sensitivity and specificity of six different methods. We further discussed the statistical and signal density cut-offs in the differential analysis of ATAC-seq by applying them to real data. Batch effects are very common in high-throughput sequencing experiments. We illustrated that batch-effect correction can dramatically improve sensitivity in the differential analysis of ATAC-seq data. Finally, we developed a user-friendly package, BeCorrect, to perform batch effect correction and visualization of corrected ATAC-seq signals in a genome browser.
Ambulatory searching task reveals importance of somatosensation for lower-limb amputees
Authors: Christie Breanne P. , Charkhkar Hamid , Shell Courtney E. , Burant Christopher J. , Tyler Dustin J. , Triolo Ronald J.
Published: June 2020

The contribution of somatosensation to locomotor deficits in below-knee amputees (BKAs) has not been fully explored. Unilateral disruption of plantar sensation causes able-bodied individuals to adopt locomotor characteristics that resemble those of unilateral BKAs, suggesting that restoring somatosensation may improve locomotion for amputees. In prior studies, we demonstrated that electrically stimulating the residual nerves of amputees elicited somatosensory percepts that were felt as occurring in the missing foot. Subsequently, we developed a sensory neuroprosthesis that modulated stimulation-evoked sensation in response to interactions between the prosthesis and the environment. To characterize the impact of the sensory neuroprosthesis on locomotion, we created a novel ambulatory searching task. The task involved walking on a horizontal ladder while blindfolded, which engaged plantar sensation while minimizing visual compensation. We first compared the performance of six BKAs to 14 able-bodied controls. Able-bodied individuals demonstrated higher foot placement accuracy than BKAs, indicating that the ladder test was sensitive enough to detect locomotor deficits. When three of the original six BKAs used the sensory neuroprosthesis, the tradeoff between speed and accuracy significantly improved for two of them. This study advanced our understanding of how cutaneous plantar sensation can be used to acquire action-related information during challenging locomotor tasks.
Short-term exposure to air pollution (PM2.5) induces hypothalamic inflammation, and long-term leads to leptin resistance and obesity via Tlr4/Ikbke in mice
Authors: Campolim Clara Machado , Weissmann Lais , Ferreira Clílton Kraüss de Oliveira , Zordão Olivia Pizetta , Dornellas Ana Paula Segantine , de Castro Gisele , Zanotto Tamires Marques , Boico Vitor Ferreira , Quaresma Paula Gabriele Fernandes , Lima Raquel Patrícia Ataíde , Donato Jose , Veras Mariana Matera , Saldiva Paulo Hilário Nascimento , Kim Young-Bum , Prada Patricia Oliveira
Published: June 2020

A previous study demonstrated that a high-fat diet (HFD), administered for one-three-days, induces hypothalamic inflammation before obesity’s established, and the long term affects leptin signaling/action due to inflammation. We investigate whether exposure to particulate matter of a diameter of ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) in mice fed with a chow diet leads to similar metabolic effects caused by high-fat feeding. Compared to the filtered air group (FA), one-day-exposure-PM2.5 did not affect adiposity. However, five-days-exposure-PM2.5 increased hypothalamic microglia density, toll-like-receptor-4 (Tlr4), and the inhibitor-NF-kappa-B-kinase-epsilon (Ikbke) expression. Concurrently, fat mass, food intake (FI), and ucp1 expression in brown adipose tissue were also increased. Besides, decreased hypothalamic STAT3-phosphorylation and Pomc expression were found after twelve-weeks-exposure-PM2.5. These were accompanied by increased FI and lower energy expenditure (EE), leading to obesity, along with increased leptin and insulin levels and HOMA. Mechanistically, the deletion of Tlr4 or knockdown of the Ikbke gene in the hypothalamus was sufficient to reverse the metabolic outcomes of twelve-weeks-exposure-PM2.5. These data demonstrated that short-term exposure-PM2.5 increases hypothalamic inflammation, similar to a HFD. Long-term exposure-PM2.5 is even worse, leading to leptin resistance, hyperphagia, and decreased EE. These effects are most likely due to chronic hypothalamic inflammation, which is regulated by Tlr4 and Ikbke signaling.
Publisher Correction: Long noncoding RNAs in the model species Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: De Quattro Concetta , Pè Mario Enrico , Bertolini Edoardo
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Allele-specific expression is widespread in Bos indicus muscle and affects meat quality candidate genes
Authors: de Souza Marcela Maria , Zerlotini Adhemar , Rocha Marina Ibelli Pereira , Bruscadin Jennifer Jessica , Diniz Wellison Jarles da Silva , Cardoso Tainã Figueiredo , Cesar Aline Silva Mello , Afonso Juliana , Andrade Bruno Gabriel Nascimento , Mudadu Mauricio de Alvarenga , Mokry Fabiana Barichello , Tizioto Polyana Cristine , de Oliveira Priscila Silva Neubern , Niciura Simone Cristina Méo , Coutinho Luiz Lehmann , Regitano Luciana Correia de Almeida
Published: June 2020

Differences between the expression of the two alleles of a gene are known as allele-specific expression (ASE), a common event in the transcriptome of mammals. Despite ASE being a source of phenotypic variation, its occurrence and effects on genetic prediction of economically relevant traits are still unexplored in bovines. Furthermore, as ASE events are likely driven by cis-regulatory mutations, scanning them throughout the bovine genome represents a significant step to elucidate the mechanisms underlying gene expression regulation. To address this question in a Bos indicus population, we built the ASE profile of the skeletal muscle tissue of 190 Nelore steers, using RNA sequencing data and SNPs genotypes from the Illumina BovineHD BeadChip (770 K bp). After quality control, 820 SNPs showed at least one sample with ASE. These SNPs were widespread among all autosomal chromosomes, being 32.01% found in 3′UTR and 31.41% in coding regions. We observed a considerable variation of ASE profile among individuals, which highlighted the need for biological replicates in ASE studies. Functional analysis revealed that ASE genes play critical biological functions in the development and maintenance of muscle tissue. Additionally, some of these genes were previously reported as associated with beef production and quality traits in livestock, thus indicating a possible source of bias on genomic predictions for these traits.
Melatonin induces a stimulatory action on the scrotal skin components of Soay ram in the non-breeding season
Authors: Mustafa Fatma El-Zahraa A. , Abdel-maksoud Fatma M. , Hassan A. H. S. , Mokhtar Doaa M.
Published: June 2020

Fifteen adult Soay rams were employed in this study to investigate the effect of melatonin on the scrotal skin using histological, histochemical, and morphometrical analysis. The results revealed that the melatonin treated group showed a significant increase in the thickness of the epidermis, the cross-sectional area of blood capillaries and nerve fibers compared with the control one. In addition, obvious hypertrophy and hyperplasia were detected in the sebaceous glands in association with a significant increase in the number and diameter of apocrine sweat glands with well-developed secretory activity. S100 protein and cytokeratin-19 strongly stained the basal cells of sebaceous glands in the melatonin treated group incomparable to the control group. Moreover, the nerve fibers were intensively immunoreacted for S100 and cytokeratin proteins in the melatonin treated group in contrast to the control one. A high number of telocytes (TCs) could be identified in the treated group around the nerve fibers and blood vessels in the dermis. The number of Langerhans cells showed a significant increase in the melatonin groups that were identified by MHC II and PGP 9.5 within the epidermal layer. Furthermore, a significant increase in the number of dendritic cells was identified in the melatonin group, which were distributed within the dermis, around hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands and were strongly expressed PGP-9.5, MHC-II, VAMP, SNAP, keratin-5, and cytokeratin-19 immunoreactivity. Notably, Merkel cells showed a significant increase in the number in the melatonin group that could be stained against nestin, SNAP, and VAMP. On the other hand, the secretory granules in sweat glands were exhibited a strong positive reactivity for synaptophysin in melatonin group. The current study showed that the administration of melatonin induced a stimulatory effect on keratinocytes, non-keratinocytes, sebaceous and sweat glands, hair follicles, as well as the vascular, neuronal, and cellular constituents of the dermis.
Monolayered Platinum Nanoparticles as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Mass Production of Electrolyzed Hydrogen Water
Authors: Wang Yanqing , Fugetsu Bunshi , Sakata Ichiro , Fujisue Chika , Kabayama Shigeru , Tahara Norio , Morisawa Shinkatsu
Published: June 2020

High-performance/low-cost platinum (Pt)-based electrocatalysts have been established by top-coating both sides of a titanium plate with Pt nanoparticles. The average diameter of the Pt nanoparticles used in this study is approximately 100 nm. Three types of Pt top-coated Pt/Ti electrocatalysts, each having different top-coated Pt layer thicknesses, are prepared. Type I is a monolayered Pt top-coated type, in which the thickness of the top-coated Pt layer is approximately 100 nm; Type II is a few-layered type with a top-coated Pt layer thickness of approximately 200 nm, and Type III is a multilayered type with a top-coated Pt layer thickness of approximately 750 nm. The mass loading of Pt is 0.0215 mg cm−2 for Type I, 0.043 mg cm−2 for Type II, and 0.161 mg cm−2 for Type III. The electrocatalytic activities of each type of Pt/Ti electrocatalyst are evaluated through the electrolysis of acidic water and tap water. Type I gives the highest electrocatalytic efficiencies, which are comparable or even better than the electrocatalytic efficiencies of the state-of-the-art commercially available Pt/C electrode and other metal-/carbon-based HER catalysts. For example, in the case of the electrolysis of acidic water at an overpotential of 0.15 V, Type I shows a Tafel slope of 29 mV dec−1 and a current density of 27.5 mA cm−2. Even in the case of the electrolysis of tap water, Type I gives an HER Faradaic efficiency of 92%. A model of water (H2O), hydronium ions (H3O+), and hydroxyl ions (OH−) properly adsorbing on the Pt (111) facet is proposed to explain the electrocatalytic mechanism. New insights into the distinguishing properties of the resultant electrolyzed hydrogen water (EHW), namely, the healthy beneficial effects of EHW, are also described, and a new concept of storing and carrying reductive hydrogen (H*) by free Pt nanoparticles is proposed.
An optimized test bolus for computed tomography pulmonary angiography and its application at 80 kV with 10 ml contrast agent
Authors: Wu Huiming , Chen Xiao , Zhou Hao , Qin Bin , Cao Jian , Pan Zhaochun , Wang Zhongqiu
Published: June 2020

Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is usually used for pulmonary embolism (PE) detection. However, the determination of scan timing remains a challenge due to the short scan duration of CTPA. We aimed to develop an optimized test bolus to determine scan delay in CTPA. The time-enhancement curves were obtained by measuring the enhancement within a region of interest in the main pulmonary artery and vein. A total of 70 patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 35 each): the control group underwent CTPA using the test bolus approach and the test group underwent CTPA using the biphasic time-enhancement curves approach. Tube voltages of 100 kVp and 80 kVp and 20 ml and 10 ml contrast agent were adopted in the control and test groups, respectively. The CT numbers, image quality, PE detection was evaluated. There was a point of intersection between the pulmonary artery and vein test bolus enhancement curves. The scan delay time (TDELAY) was obtained based on the time at intersection (TCROSS) and the scan duration (TSD): TDELAY = TCROSS − TSD. The mean CT numbers for pulmonary vein in the control were higher than those in the test group (all p < 0.001). The image quality for the pulmonary arteries in the test group was better than that in the control group (p < 0.01), with artifact reduction in the superior vena cava. Segmental PE could be detected using the optimized protocol. The radiation dose and iodine load in the test group were all lower than those in the control (p < 0.01). We established an approach to calculate the scan delay of CTPA, and this approach could be used for CTPA at 80 kVp with 10 ml contrast agent.
Cardiac MRI in common marmosets revealing age-dependency of cardiac function
Authors: Moussavi Amir , Mietsch Matthias , Drummer Charis , Behr Rüdiger , Mylius Judith , Boretius Susann
Published: June 2020

The aim of this study was to establish a feasible and robust magnetic resonance imaging protocol for the quantitative assessment of cardiac function in marmosets and to present normal values of cardiac function across different ages from young adult, middle-aged, to very old clinically healthy animals. Cardiac MRI of 33 anesthetized marmosets at the age of 2–15 years was performed at 9.4 T using IntraGate-FLASH that operates without any ECG-triggering and breath holding. Normalized to post-mortem heart weight, the left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LV-EDV) was significantly reduced in older marmosets. The LV end-systolic volume (LV-ESV) and the LV stroke volume (LV-SV) showed a similar trend while the LV ejection fraction (LV-EF) and wall thickening remained unchanged. Similar observations were made for the right ventricle. Moreover, the total ventricular myocardial volume was lower in older monkeys while no significant difference in heart weight was found. In conclusion, IntraGate-FLASH allowed for quantification of left ventricular cardiac function but seems to underestimate the volumes of the right ventricle. Although less strong and without significant sex differences, the observed age related changes were similar to previously reported findings in humans supporting marmosets as a model system for age related cardiovascular human diseases.
Publisher Correction: CNspector: a web-based tool for visualisation and clinical diagnosis of copy number variation from next generation sequencing
Authors: Markham John F. , Yerneni Satwica , Ryland Georgina L. , Leong Huei San , Fellowes Andrew , Thompson Ella R. , De Silva Wasanthi , Kumar Amit , Lupat Richard , Li Jason , Ellul Jason , Fox Stephen , Dickinson Michael , Papenfuss Anthony T. , Blombery Piers
Published: June 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Quantitative Analysis of the Cerebral Vasculature on Magnetic Resonance Angiography
Authors: Goswami Pulak , Markey Mia K. , Warach Steven J. , Dula Adrienne N.
Published: June 2020

The arterial connections in the Circle of Willis are a central source of collateral blood flow and play an important role in pathologies such as stroke and mental illness. Analysis of the Circle of Willis and its variants can shed light on optimal methods of diagnosis, treatment planning, surgery, and quantification of outcomes. We developed an automated, standardized, objective, and high-throughput approach for categorizing and quantifying the Circle of Willis vascular anatomy using magnetic resonance angiography images. This automated algorithm for processing of MRA images isolates and automatically identifies key features of the cerebral vasculature such as branching of the internal intracranial internal carotid artery and the basilar artery. Subsequently, physical features of the segments of the anterior cerebral artery were acquired on a sample and intra-patient comparisons were made. We demonstrate the feasibility of using our approach to automatically classify important structures of the Circle of Willis and extract biomarkers from cerebrovasculature. Automated image analysis can provide clinically-relevant vascular features such as aplastic arteries, stenosis, aneurysms, and vessel caliper for endovascular procedures. The developed algorithm could facilitate clinical studies by supporting high-throughput automated analysis of the cerebral vasculature.
Pervasive Hydrothermal Events Associated with Large Igneous Provinces Documented by the Columbia River Basaltic Province
Authors: Bindeman I. N , Greber N. D. , Melnik O. E. , Artyomova A. S. , Utkin I. S. , Karlstrom L. , Colón D. P.
Published: June 2020

The degree and extent of crustal hydrothermal alteration related to the eruption of large igneous provinces is poorly known and not easily recognizable in the field. We here report a new δ18O dataset for dikes and lavas from the Columbia River Basalt Group (16–15 Ma) in the western USA, and document that dikes on average are 1–2‰ more depleted in δ18O than basalt flows. We show that this observation is best explained with the involvement of heated meteoric  waters during their cooling in the crust. The largest 6–8‰ depletion is found around and inside a 10 m-thick feeder dike that intruded the 125 Ma Wallowa tonalitic batholith. This dike likely operated as a magma conduit for 4–7 years, based on the extent of heating and melting its host rocks. We show that this dike also created a hydrothermal system around its contacts extending up to 100 m into the surrounding bedrock. A model that considers (a) hydrothermal circulation around the dike, (b) magma flow and (c) oxygen isotope exchange rates, suggests that the hydrothermal system operated for ~150 years after the cessation of magma flow. In agreement with a previously published (U-Th)/He thermochronology profile, our model shows that rocks 100 m away from such a dike can be hydrothermally altered. Collectively, our sample set is the first documentation of the widespread hydrothermal alteration of the shallow crust caused by the intrusion of dikes and sills of the Columbia River Basalt Province. It is estimated that heating and hydrothermal alteration of sediments rich in organic matter and carbonates around the dikes and sills releases 18 Gt of greenhouse gases (CH4 and CO2). Furthermore, hydrothermal δ18O depletion of rocks around dikes covers 500–600 km3, which, when scaled to the total CRB province constitutes 31,000 km3 of low-δ18O rocks. These volumes of crust depleted in δ18O are sufficient to explain the abundant low-δ18O magmas in eastern Oregon and western Idaho. This work also demonstrates that the width and magnitude of δ18O depletion around dikes can identify them as feeders. Given this, we here interpret Paleoproterozoic dikes in Karelia with the world’s lowest δ18O depletions (−27.8‰) as feeders to the coeval large igneous province aged 2.2–2.4 Ga that operated under the Snowball Earth glaciation conditions.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase family genes in moso bamboo and functional analysis of PeUGDH4 in hemicellulose synthesis
Authors: Yang Ying , Kang Lan , Wu Ruihua , Chen Yuzhen , Lu Cunfu
Published: June 2020

Uridine diphosphate glucose dehydrogenases (UGDHs) are critical for synthesizing many nucleotide sugars and help promote the carbohydrate metabolism related to cell wall synthesis. In plants, UGDHs are encoded by a small gene family. Genome-wide analyses of these genes have been conducted in Glycine max and Arabidopsis thaliana, however, the UGDH gene family has not been comprehensively and systematically investigated in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), which is a special woody grass monocotyledonous species. In this study, we identified nine putative PeUGDH genes. Furthermore, analysis of gene duplication events and divergences revealed that the expansion of the PeUGDH family was mainly due to segmental and tandem duplications approximately 4.76–83.16 million years ago. An examination of tissue-specific PeUGDH expression indicated that more than 77% of the genes were predominantly expressed in the stem. Based on relative expression levels among PeUGDH members in different tissues in moso bamboo, PeUGDH4 was selected for detailed analysis. The results of subcellular localization indicated that PeUGDH4-GFP fusion proteins was observed to be localized in the cytoplasm. The ectopic overexpression of PeUGDH4 in Arabidopsis significantly increased the contents of hemicellulose and soluble sugar, suggesting that PeUGDH4 acts as a key enzyme involved in bamboo cell wall synthesis.
High yield of protein-rich forage rice achieved by soil amendment with composted sewage sludge and topdressing with treated wastewater
Authors: Phung Luc Duc , Ichikawa Megumi , Pham Dung Viet , Sasaki Atsushi , Watanabe Toru
Published: June 2020

Aiming to promote low-cost production of protein-rich forage rice and resource recycling from wastewater treatment plants, a pot experiment was conducted to assess the possibility to substitute mineral fertilizers with composted sewage sludge (CSS) with/without top-dressing with treated municipal wastewater (TWW). Results indicated that a basal application of CSS at 2.6 g N pot−1 replaced conventional mineral fertilization of 1.3 g N pot−1 to produce comparable yields with the same rice protein content, although there might be a risk of increased As concentration in rice grains. Interestingly, CSS application at a reasonable dose of 1.3 g N pot−1, followed by a topdressing with TWW resulted in 27% higher yield and 25% superior rice protein content relative to the mineral fertilization, with no risk of heavy metal(loid) accumulation in grains and in paddy soils. Here we demonstrated an appealing fertilization practice with zero use of mineral fertilizers in paddy rice cultivation, expectedly contributing towards sustainable rice farming and animal husbandry in Japan.
The origin of sheep settlement in Western Mediterranean
Authors: Kandoussi Asmae , Boujenane Ismaïl , Auger Clément , Serranito Bruno , Germot Agnès , Piro Mohammed , Maftah Abderrahman , Badaoui Bouabid , Petit Daniel
Published: June 2020

The arrival of Neolithic culture in North Africa, especially domestic animals has been essentially documented from archaeological records. As the data relative to sheep are scarce, we studied the genetic relationship between Moroccan sheep breeds and Mediterranean ones using the sequencing of 628 bp of the mitochondrial DNA control region in 193 Moroccan individuals, belonging to six breeds, and 652 sequences from other breeds in Europe and Middle East. Through Network analysis and an original phylogenetically derived method, the connection proportions of each Moroccan breed to foreign ones were estimated, highlighting the strong links between Moroccan and Iberian breeds. The first founders of Moroccan sheep population were issued at 79% from Iberia and 21% from a territory between Middle East and Africa. Their calculated expansion times were respectively 7,100 and 8,600 years B.P. This suggests that Neolithization was introduced by a double influence, from Iberia and from another route, maybe Oriental or Sub-Saharan. The consequence of the environmental changes encountered by founders from Iberia was tested using different neutrality tests. There are significant selection signatures at the level of Moroccan and European breeds settled in elevated altitudes, and an erosion of nucleotide diversity in Moroccan breeds living in arid areas.
Neuronal On- and Off-type heterogeneities improve population coding of envelope signals in the presence of stimulus-induced noise
Authors: Hofmann Volker , Chacron Maurice J.
Published: June 2020

Understanding the mechanisms by which neuronal population activity gives rise to perception and behavior remains a central question in systems neuroscience. Such understanding is complicated by the fact that natural stimuli often have complex structure. Here we investigated how heterogeneities within a sensory neuron population influence the coding of a noisy stimulus waveform (i.e., the noise) and its behaviorally relevant envelope signal (i.e., the signal). We found that On- and Off-type neurons displayed more heterogeneities in their responses to the noise than in their responses to the signal. These differences in heterogeneities had important consequences when quantifying response similarity between pairs of neurons. Indeed, the larger response heterogeneity displayed by On- and Off-type neurons made their pairwise responses to the noise on average more independent than when instead considering pairs of On-type or Off-type neurons. Such relative independence allowed for better averaging out of the noise response when pooling neural activities in a mixed-type (i.e., On- and Off-type) than for same-type (i.e., only On-type or only Off-type), thereby leading to greater information transmission about the signal. Our results thus reveal a function for the combined activities of On- and Off-type neurons towards improving information transmission of envelope stimuli at the population level. Our results will likely generalize because natural stimuli across modalities are characterized by a stimulus waveform whose envelope varies independently as well as because On- and Off-type neurons are observed across systems and species.
Monolayer WSe2 induced giant enhancement in the spin Hall efficiency of Tantalum
Authors: Debashis Punyashloka , Hung Terry Y. T. , Chen Zhihong
Published: June 2020

Spin Orbit Torque Magnetic RAM (SOT-MRAM) is emerging as a promising memory technology owing to its high endurance, reliability and speed. A critical factor for its success is the development of materials that exhibit efficient conversion of charge current to spin current, characterized by their spin Hall efficiency. In this work, it is experimentally demonstrated that the spin Hall efficiency of the industrially relevant ultra-thin Ta can be enhanced by more than 25× when a monolayer (ML) WSe2 is inserted as an underlayer. The enhancement is attributed to spin absorption at the Ta/WSe2 interface, suggested by harmonic Hall measurements. The presented hybrid spin Hall stack with a 2D WSe2 underlayer has a total body thickness of less than 2 nm and exhibits greatly enhanced spin Hall efficiency, which makes this hybrid a promising candidate for energy efficient SOT-MRAM.
The iron–sulphur cluster in human DNA2 is required for all biochemical activities of DNA2
Authors: Mariotti Laura , Wild Sebastian , Brunoldi Giulia , Piceni Alessandra , Ceppi Ilaria , Kummer Sandra , Lutz Richard E. , Cejka Petr , Gari Kerstin
Published: June 2020

The nuclease/helicase DNA2 plays important roles in DNA replication, repair and processing of stalled replication forks. DNA2 contains an iron-sulphur (FeS) cluster, conserved in eukaryotes and in a related bacterial nuclease. FeS clusters in DNA maintenance proteins are required for structural integrity and/or act as redox-sensors. Here, we demonstrate that loss of the FeS cluster affects binding of human DNA2 to specific DNA substrates, likely through a conformational change that distorts the central DNA binding tunnel. Moreover, we show that the FeS cluster is required for DNA2’s nuclease, helicase and ATPase activities. Our data also establish that oxidation of DNA2 impairs DNA binding in vitro, an effect that is reversible upon reduction. Unexpectedly, though, this redox-regulation is independent of the presence of the FeS cluster. Together, our study establishes an important structural role for the FeS cluster in human DNA2 and discovers a redox-regulatory mechanism to control DNA binding.
TiO2 as an interfacial-charge-transfer-bridge to construct eosin Y-mediated direct Z-scheme electron transfer over a Co9S8 quantum dot/TiO2 photocatalyst
Authors: Hao Xuqiang , Guo Qingjie , Li Mei , Jin Zhiliang , Wang Ying
Published: June 2020

A novel eosin Y-mediated Z-scheme Co9S8 QDs/TiO2 photocatalytic system was constructed and a high AQE of 37.4% is obtained at 470 nm for 20%Co9S8/TiO2 heterojunction.
cis-Specific ring opening metathesis polymerisation (ROMP) of cyclic olefins using (pentafluorophenylimido)vanadium(v)-alkylidene, V(CHSiMe3)(NC6F5)[OC(CF3)3](PMe3)2
Authors: Nomura Kotohiro , Chaimongkolkunasin Sapanna
Published: June 2020

Highlycis-specific (Zselective) ring opening metathesis polymerisation of cycloheptene has been demonstrated using V(CHSiMe3)(NC6F5)[OC(CF3)3](PMe3)2.
Aluminum nanoparticle preparation via catalytic decomposition of alane adducts – influence of reaction parameters on nanoparticle size, morphology and reactivity
Authors: Klein Thomas , Kickelbick Guido
Published: June 2020

Al nanoparticles have been prepared via catalytic decomposition. The influence of various reaction parameters on their size and morphology was studied. The reaction was optimized towards short reaction times, small particle sizes, and mild conditions.
An efficient way of increasing the total entropy of mixing in high-entropy-alloy compounds: a case of NaCl-type (Ag,In,Pb,Bi)Te1−xSex (x = 0.0, 0.25, 0.5) superconductors
Authors: Yamashita Aichi , Jha Rajveer , Goto Yosuke , Matsuda Tatsuma D. , Aoki Yuji , Mizuguchi Yoshikazu
Published: June 2020

To investigate the multi-site alloying effect on the entropy of mixing (ΔSmix) for the examined samples, the total ΔSmix for two crystallographic sites was calculated.
Toxicity of exhaust particulates and gaseous emissions from gasohol (ethanol blended gasoline)-fuelled spark ignition engines
Authors: Agarwal Avinash Kumar , Singh Akhilendra Pratap , Gupta Tarun , Agarwal Rashmi Avinash , Sharma Nikhil , Pandey Swaroop Kumar , Ateeq Bushra
Published: June 2020

Blending of oxygenated additives with gasoline has been advocated to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to reduce hazardous health effects of gaseous emissions and particulate matter (PM) emitted by internal combustion (IC) engines in the transport sector worldwide.
Glass surface evolution following gas adsorption and particle deposition from indoor cooking events as probed by microspectroscopic analysis
Authors: Or Victor W. , Wade Michael , Patel Sameer , Alves Michael R. , Kim Deborah , Schwab Sarah , Przelomski Hannah , O'Brien Rachel , Rim Donghyun , Corsi Richard L. , Vance Marina E. , Farmer Delphine K. , Grassian Vicki H.
Published: June 2020

Microspectroscopic analyses of glass surfaces following a single day of cooking events reveal organic depositions that can be traced back to emission sources and airborne distributions.
Ecotoxicological effects of disinfected wastewater effluents: a short review of in vivo toxicity bioassays on aquatic organisms
Authors: Luan Xinmiao , Liu Xiaoyu , Fang Chao , Chu Wenhai , Xu Zuxin
Published: June 2020

This review focuses on the in vivo bioassays of disinfected wastewater effluents with respect to aquatic organisms in order to provide an insight into further studies on the ecotoxicological effects.
A novel near-infrared fluorescent probe with an improved Stokes shift for specific detection of Hg2+ in mitochondria
Authors: Gong Jin , Liu Chang , Jiao Xiaojie , He Song , Zhao Liancheng , Zeng Xianshun
Published: June 2020

A novel mitochondrial targeting Hg2+ probe JRQNS with NIR emission (691 nm) and a large Stokes shift (78 nm) was developed by enhancing the electron donating ability of amine groups.
Influence of cyclic and acyclic cucurbiturils on the degradation pathways of the chemical warfare agent VX
Authors: Andrae Beatrice , Bauer Daniel , Gaß Patrick , Koller Marianne , Worek Franz , Kubik Stefan
Published: June 2020

Cucurbit[7]uril and an acyclic cucurbituril cause the chemical warfare agent VX to preferentially decompose in basic aqueous solution under C–S bond cleavage rather than by the normally preferred hydrolysis of the P–O and P–S bonds.
Effects of core titanium crystal dimension and crystal phase on ROS generation and tumour accumulation of transferrin coated titanium dioxide nanoaggregates
Authors: Lane Daniel D. , Black Kvar C. L. , Raliya Ramesh , Reed Nathan , Kotagiri Nalinikanth , Gilson Rebecca , Tang Rui , Biswas Pratim , Achilefu Samuel
Published: June 2020

Radionuclide-stimulated therapy (RaST), which is enhanced by Cherenkov radiation, has enabled deep tissue stimulation of UV photosensitizers, providing a new path for cancer treatment.
Preparation of high-performance toluene adsorbents by sugarcane bagasse carbonization combined with surface modification
Authors: Wang Yu , Chen Wangsheng , Zhao Bo , Wang Huaqin , Qin Linbo , Han Jun
Published: June 2020

A series of activated carbons were prepared by carbonizing sugarcane bagasse combined with surface modification, which showed an excellent performance of adsorbing toluene (522 mg g−1 at 30 °C).
Enhancing the nitrogen removal from swine wastewater digested liquid in a trickling biofilter with a soil layer
Authors: Zhao Bowei , Xie Fei , Zhang Xiao , Yue Xiuping
Published: June 2020

Trickling biofilters (TFs) allow for a simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) process, and offer a favorable solution for the treatment of swine-wastewater digested liquid due to their simple operation and low cost.
Synthesis and characterization of methoxy- or cyano-substituted thiophene/phenylene co-oligomers for lasing application
Authors: Matsuo Takumi , Rössiger Carina , Herr Jasmin , Göttlich Richard , Schlettwein Derck , Mizuno Hitoshi , Sasaki Fumio , Yanagi Hisao
Published: June 2020

As new candidates of thiophene/phenylene co-oligomer (TPCO) species, methoxy- or cyano-substituted compounds were synthesized for lasing applications.
Direct write printing of a self-encapsulating liquid metal–silicone composite
Authors: Neumann Taylor V. , Facchine Emily G. , Leonardo Brian , Khan Saad , Dickey Michael D.
Published: June 2020

Silicone composites featuring inclusions of liquid metal particles are soft and stretchable materials with useful electric, dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties.