bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural basis for energy transfer in a huge diatom PSI-FCPI supercomplex
Authors: Xu Caizhe , Pi Xiong , Huang Yawen , Han Guangye , Chen Xiaobo , Qin Xiaochun , Huang Guoqiang , Zhao Songhao , Yang Yanyan , Kuang Tingyun , Wang Wenda , Sui Sen-Fang , Shen Jian-Ren
Published: October 2020

Diatom is an important group of marine algae and contributes to around 20% of the global photosynthetic carbon fixation. Photosystem I (PSI) of diatoms is associated with a large number of fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c proteins (FCPIs). We report the structure of PSI-FCPI from a diatom Chaetoceros gracilis at 2.38 Å resolution by single-particle cryo-electron microscopy. PSI-FCPI is a monomeric supercomplex consisting of 12 core and 24 antenna subunits (FCPIs), and 326 chlorophylls a, 34 chlorophylls c, 102 fucoxanthins, 35 diadinoxanthins, 18 β-carotenes and some electron transfer cofactors. Two subunits designated PsaR and PsaS were found in the core, whereas several subunits were lost. The large number of pigments constitute a unique and huge network ensuring efficient energy harvesting, transfer and dissipation. These results provide a firm structural basis for unraveling the mechanisms of light-energy harvesting, transfer and quenching in the diatom PSI-FCPI, and also important clues to evolutionary changes of PSI-LHCI.
In vivo CRISPR/Cas9 targeting of fusion oncogenes for selective elimination of cancer cells
Authors: Martinez-Lage M. , Torres-Ruiz R. , Puig-Serra P. , Moreno-Gaona P. , Martin M. C. , Moya F. J. , Quintana-Bustamante O. , Garcia-Silva S. , Carcaboso A. M. , Petazzi P. , Bueno C. , Mora J. , Peinado H. , Segovia J. C. , Menendez P. , Rodriguez-Perales S.
Published: October 2020

Fusion oncogenes (FOs) are common in many cancer types and are powerful drivers of tumor development. Because their expression is exclusive to cancer cells and their elimination induces cell apoptosis in FO-driven cancers, FOs are attractive therapeutic targets. However, specifically targeting the resulting chimeric products is challenging. Based on CRISPR/Cas9 technology, here we devise a simple, efficient and non-patient-specific gene-editing strategy through targeting of two introns of the genes involved in the rearrangement, allowing for robust disruption of the FO specifically in cancer cells. As a proof-of-concept of its potential, we demonstrate the efficacy of intron-based targeting of transcription factors or tyrosine kinase FOs in reducing tumor burden/mortality in in vivo models. The FO targeting approach presented here might open new horizons for the selective elimination of cancer cells.
Significant increase of global anomalous moisture uptake feeding landfalling Atmospheric Rivers
Authors: Algarra Iago , Nieto Raquel , Ramos Alexandre M. , Eiras-Barca Jorge , Trigo Ricardo M. , Gimeno Luis
Published: October 2020

One of the most robust signals of climate change is the relentless rise in global mean surface temperature, which is linked closely with the water-holding capacity of the atmosphere. A more humid atmosphere will lead to enhanced moisture transport due to, among other factors, an intensification of atmospheric rivers (ARs) activity, which are an important mechanism of moisture advection from subtropical to extra-tropical regions. Here we show an enhanced evapotranspiration rates in association with landfalling atmospheric river events. These anomalous moisture uptake (AMU) locations are identified on a global scale. The interannual variability of AMU displays a significant increase over the period 1980-2017, close to the Clausius-Clapeyron (CC) scaling, at 7 % per degree of surface temperature rise. These findings are consistent with an intensification of AR predicted by future projections. Our results also reveal generalized significant increases in AMU at the regional scale and an asymmetric supply of oceanic moisture, in which the maximum values are located over the region known as the Western Hemisphere Warm Pool (WHWP) centred on the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
Author Correction: Time-restricted feeding alters lipid and amino acid metabolite rhythmicity without perturbing clock gene expression
Authors: Lundell Leonidas S. , Parr Evelyn B. , Devlin Brooke L. , Ingerslev Lars R. , Altıntaş Ali , Sato Shogo , Sassone-Corsi Paolo , Barrès Romain , Zierath Juleen R. , Hawley John A.
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Al2O3-modified PS-PVD 7YSZ thermal barrier coatings for advanced gas-turbine engines
Authors: Zhang Xiaofeng , Deng Ziqian , Li Hong , Mao Jie , Deng Chunming , Deng Changguang , Niu Shaopeng , Chen Wenlong , Song Jinbing , Fan Jiafeng , Liu Min , Zhou Kesong
Published: October 2020

Plasma spray-physical vapor deposition (PS-PVD), called the third-generation method for thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) fabrication, has great potential for their using in gas-turbine engines. Compared to atmospheric plasma spray (APS), called the first-generation TBCs, and electron beam-PVD (EB-PVD), called the second generation, PS-PVD has many interesting features, including non-line sight deposition, high deposition rate, and microstructural flexibility, among others. Such advantages make them a promising approach to prepare thermal barrier coatings for advanced gas-turbine engines. Using PS-PVD, feather-like columnar TBCs with good strain tolerance and low thermal conductivity can be fabricated. However, prior to their application in gas-turbine engines, some disadvantages, such as CMAS (CaO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2, etc.) corrosion and oxidation resistance, need to be addressed. In this work, a method to develop Al2O3-modified PS-PVD 7YSZ TBCs was proposed. The experimental results demonstrate that the Al2O3-modification process is an effective approach to address the aforementioned weaknesses of traditional PS-PVD 7YSZ TBCs.
Synergy of pandemics-social isolation is associated with worsened Parkinson severity and quality of life
Authors: Subramanian Indu , Farahnik Joshua , Mischley Laurie K.
Published: October 2020

Social isolation and its deleterious effects on health increases with age in the general population. People with Parkinson’s Disease (PWP) are no exception. Social isolation is a risk factor for worsened health outcomes and increased mortality. Symptoms such as depression and sleep dysfunction are adversely affected by loneliness. There is a paucity of research on social isolation in Parkinson’s disease (PD), which is all the more critical now in the setting of social distancing due to COVID-19. The goal of this study was to survey individuals with PD to evaluate whether social isolation is associated with PD symptom severity and quality of life. Only individuals reporting a diagnosis of idiopathic PD were included in this analysis. The primary outcome measures were the Patient-Reported Outcomes in PD (PRO-PD) and questions from PROMIS Global related to social health. PRO-PD scores increased as social performance and social satisfaction scores diminished. Individuals who reported being lonely experienced a 55% greater symptom severity than those who were not lonely (P < 0.01). Individuals who documented having a lot of friends had 21% fewer symptoms than those with few or no friends (P < 0.01). Social isolation was associated with greater patient-reported PD severity and lower quality of life, although it is unclear whether this is the cause and/or a consequence of the disease. In essence, the Parkinson pandemic and the pandemic of social isolation have been further compounded by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The results emphasize the need to keep PWP socially connected and prevent loneliness in this time of social distancing. Proactive use of virtual modalities for support groups and social prescribing should be explored.
Discovery of four new B-cell protective epitopes for malaria using Q beta virus-like particle as platform
Authors: Atcheson Erwan , Cabral-Miranda Gustavo , Salman Ahmed M. , Reyes-Sandoval Arturo
Published: October 2020

Malaria remains one of the world’s most urgent global health problems, with almost half a million deaths and hundreds of millions of clinical cases each year. Existing interventions by themselves will not be enough to tackle infection in high-transmission areas. The best new intervention would be an effective vaccine; but the leading P. falciparum and P. vivax vaccine candidates, RTS,S and VMP001, show only modest to low field efficacy. New antigens and improved ways for screening antigens for protective efficacy will be required. This study exploits the potential of Virus-Like Particles (VLP) to enhance immune responses to antigens, the ease of coupling peptides to the Q beta (Qβ) VLP and the existing murine malaria challenge to screen B-cell epitopes for protective efficacy. We screened P. vivax TRAP (PvTRAP) immune sera against individual 20-mer PvTRAP peptides. The most immunogenic peptides associated with protection were loaded onto Qβ VLPs to assess protective efficacy in a malaria sporozoite challenge. A second approach focused on identifying conserved regions within known sporozoite invasion proteins and assessing them as part of the Qβ. Using this VLP as a peptide scaffold, four new protective B-cell epitopes were discovered: three from the disordered region of PvTRAP and one from Thrombospondin-related sporozoite protein (TRSP). Antigenic interference between these and other B-cell epitopes was also explored using the virus-like particle/peptide platform. This approach demonstrates the utility of VLPs to help identifying new B-cell epitopes for inclusion in next-generation malaria vaccines.
Targeting fibroblast CD248 attenuates CCL17-expressing macrophages and tissue fibrosis
Authors: Pai Chen-Hsueh , Lin Shu-Rung , Liu Chia-Hao , Pan Szu-Yu , Hsu Hao , Chen Yi-Ting , Yen Ching-Tzu , Yu I-Shing , Wu Hua-Lin , Lin Shuei-Liong , Lin Shu-Wha
Published: October 2020

The role of fibroblasts in tissue fibrosis has been extensively studied. Activated fibroblasts, namely myofibroblasts, produce pathological extracellular matrix. CD248, a type I transmembrane glycoprotein, is expressed in fibroblasts after birth. In human chronic kidney disease, upregulated CD248 in myofibroblasts is linked to poor renal survival. In this study, we demonstrated a novel interaction between CD248 and macrophages to be a key step in mediating tissue fibrosis. CD248 was upregulated in myofibroblasts in murine models of renal and peritoneal fibrosis. Cd248 knockout (Cd248–/–) could attenuate both renal and peritoneal fibrosis. By parabiosis of GFP reporter mice and Cd248–/– mice, we showed that attenuation of renal fibrosis was associated with a decrease of macrophage infiltration in Cd248–/– mice. Moreover, decrease of chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 17 and Ccl22 was found in macrophages isolated from the fibrotic kidneys of Cd248–/– mice. Because galectin-3-deficient macrophages showed decreased Ccl17 and Ccl22 in fibrotic kidneys, we further demonstrated that CD248 interacted specifically with galectin-3 of macrophages who then expressed CCL17 to activate collagen production in myofibroblasts. Mice with DNA vaccination targeting CD248 showed decreased fibrosis. We thus propose that CD248 targeting should be studied in the clinical tissue fibrosis setting.
Plasmid diversity among genetically related Klebsiella pneumoniae blaKPC-2 and blaKPC-3 isolates collected in the Dutch national surveillance
Authors: Hendrickx Antoni P. A. , Landman Fabian , de Haan Angela , Borst Dyogo , Witteveen Sandra , van Santen-Verheuvel Marga G. , van der Heide Han G. J. , Schouls Leo M. ,   The Dutch CPE surveillance Study Group, Halaby T. , Steingrover R. , Cohen Stuart J. W. T. , Melles D. C. , van Dijk K. , Spijkerman I. J. B. , Notermans D. W. , Oudbier J. H. , van Ogtrop M. L. , van Dam A. , den Reijer M. , Kluytmans J. A. J. W. , van der Linden M. P. M. , Mattsson E. E. , van der Vusse M. , de Jong E. , Maijer-Reuwer A. , van Trijp M. , van Griethuysen A. J. , Ott A. , Bathoorn E. , Sinnige J. C. , Heikens E. , de Brauwer E. I. G. B. , Stals F. S. , Silvis W. , Dorigo-Zetsma J. W. , Waar K. , van Mens S. P. , Roescher N. , Voss A. , Wertheim H. , Slingerland B. C. G. C. , Frenay H. M. E. , Schulin T. , Diederen B. M. W. , Bode L. , van Rijn M. , Dinant S. , Damen M. , de Man P. , Leversteijn-van Hall M. A. , van Elzakker E. P. M. , Muller A. E. , Schneeberger P. , van Dam D. W. , Buiting A. G. M. , Vlek A. L. M. , Stam A. , Troelstra A. , Overdevest I. T. M. A. , Bosboom R. W. , Trienekens T. A. M. , Wolfhagen M. J. H. M. , Paltansing S.
Published: October 2020

Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae emerged as a nosocomial pathogen causing morbidity and mortality in patients. For infection prevention it is important to track the spread of K. pneumoniae and its plasmids between patients. Therefore, the major aim was to recapitulate the contents and diversity of the plasmids of genetically related K. pneumoniae strains harboring the beta-lactamase gene blaKPC-2 or blaKPC-3 to determine their dissemination in the Netherlands and the former Dutch Caribbean islands from 2014 to 2019. Next-generation sequencing was combined with long-read third-generation sequencing to reconstruct 22 plasmids. wgMLST revealed five genetic clusters comprised of K. pneumoniae blaKPC-2 isolates and four clusters consisted of blaKPC-3 isolates. KpnCluster-019 blaKPC-2 isolates were found both in the Netherlands and the Caribbean islands, while blaKPC-3 cluster isolates only in the Netherlands. Each K. pneumoniae blaKPC-2 or blaKPC-3 cluster was characterized by a distinct resistome and plasmidome. However, the large and medium plasmids contained a variety of antibiotic resistance genes, conjugation machinery, cation transport systems, transposons, toxin/antitoxins, insertion sequences and prophage-related elements. The small plasmids carried genes implicated in virulence. Thus, implementing long-read plasmid sequencing analysis for K. pneumoniae surveillance provided important insights in the transmission of a KpnCluster-019 blaKPC-2 strain between the Netherlands and the Caribbean.
Author Correction: Behaviour reactions of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) to multirotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
Authors: Fettermann Ticiana , Fiori Lorenzo , Bader Martin , Doshi Ashray , Breen Dan , Stockin Karen A. , Bollard Barbara
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Two ways to overcome the three social dilemmas of indirect reciprocity
Authors: Okada Isamu
Published: October 2020

Indirect reciprocity is one of the main principles of evolving cooperation in a social dilemma situation. In reciprocity, a positive score is given to cooperative behaviour while a negative score is given to non-cooperative behaviour, and the dilemma is resolved by selectively cooperating only with those with positive scores. However, many studies have shown that non-cooperation with those who have not cooperated also downgrades one's reputation; they have called this situation the scoring dilemma. To address this dilemma, the notion of justified punishments has been considered. The notion of justified punishment allows good individuals who defect against bad co-players to keep their standing. Despite numerous studies on justified punishment, it is unknown whether this solution leads to a new type of dilemma because reputations may be downgraded when the intent of punishment is not correctly communicated. The dilemma of punishment has so far been rarely analysed, and thus, the complete solution of the mechanism for evolving cooperation using the principle of indirect reciprocity has not been found yet. Here, we identify sufficient conditions to overcome each of the three dilemmas including the dilemma of punishment to maintain stable cooperation by using the framework of evolutionary game theory. This condition includes the principle of detecting free riders, which resolves the social dilemma, the principle of justification, which resolves the scoring dilemma, and the principle of generosity, which resolves the dilemma of punishment. A norm that satisfies these principles can stably maintain social cooperation. Our insights may offer a general assessment principle that applies to a wide range of subjects, from individual actions to national decisions.
Data mining and model-predicting a global disease reservoir for low-pathogenic Avian Influenza (AI) in the wider pacific rim using big data sets
Authors: Gulyaeva Marina , Huettmann Falk , Shestopalov Alexander , Okamatsu Masatoshi , Matsuno Keita , Chu Duc-Huy , Sakoda Yoshihiro , Glushchenko Alexandra , Milton Elaina , Bortz Eric
Published: October 2020

Avian Influenza (AI) is a complex but still poorly understood disease; specifically when it comes to reservoirs, co-infections, connectedness and wider landscape perspectives. Low pathogenic (Low-path LP) AI in chickens caused by less virulent strains of AI viruses (AIVs)—when compared with highly pathogenic AIVs (HPAIVs)—are not even well-described yet or known how they contribute to wider AI and immune system issues. Co-circulation of LPAIVs with HPAIVs suggests their interactions in their ecological aspects. Here we show for the Pacific Rim an international approach how to data mine and model-predict LP AI and its ecological niche with machine learning and open access data sets and geographic information systems (GIS) on a 5 km pixel size for best-possible inference. This is based on the best-available data on the issue (~ 40,827 records of lab-analyzed field data from Japan, Russia, Vietnam, Mongolia, Alaska and Influenza Research Database (IRD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) database sets, as well as 19 GIS data layers). We sampled 157 hosts and 110 low-path AIVs with 32 species as drivers. The prevalence across low-path AIV subtypes is dominated by Muscovy ducks, Mallards, Whistling Swans and gulls also emphasizing industrial impacts for the human-dominated wildlife contact zone. This investigation sets a good precedent for the study of reservoirs, big data mining, predictions and subsequent outbreaks of HPAI and other pandemics.
Hydrojet-based delivery of footprint-free iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes into porcine myocardium
Authors: Weber Marbod , Fech Andreas , Jäger Luise , Steinle Heidrun , Bühler Louisa , Perl Regine Mariette , Martirosian Petros , Mehling Roman , Sonanini Dominik , Aicher Wilhelm K. , Nikolaou Konstantin , Schlensak Christian , Enderle Markus D. , Wendel Hans Peter , Linzenbold Walter , Avci-Adali Meltem
Published: October 2020

The reprogramming of patient´s somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and the consecutive differentiation into cardiomyocytes enables new options for the treatment of infarcted myocardium. In this study, the applicability of a hydrojet-based method to deliver footprint-free iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes into the myocardium was analyzed. A new hydrojet system enabling a rapid and accurate change between high tissue penetration pressures and low cell injection pressures was developed. Iron oxide-coated microparticles were ex vivo injected into porcine hearts to establish the application parameters and the distribution was analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging. The influence of different hydrojet pressure settings on the viability of cardiomyocytes was analyzed. Subsequently, cardiomyocytes were delivered into the porcine myocardium and analyzed by an in vivo imaging system. The delivery of microparticles or cardiomyocytes into porcine myocardium resulted in a widespread three-dimensional distribution. In vitro, 7 days post-injection, only cardiomyocytes applied with a hydrojet pressure setting of E20 (79.57 ± 1.44%) showed a significantly reduced cell viability in comparison to the cells applied with 27G needle (98.35 ± 5.15%). Furthermore, significantly less undesired distribution of the cells via blood vessels was detected compared to 27G needle injection. This study demonstrated the applicability of the hydrojet-based method for the intramyocardial delivery of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes. The efficient delivery of cardiomyocytes into infarcted myocardium could significantly improve the regeneration.
Numerical treatment of radiative Nickel–Zinc ferrite-Ethylene glycol nanofluid flow past a curved surface with thermal stratification and slip conditions
Authors: Ramzan Muhammad , Gul Nosheen , Chung Jae Dong , Kadry Seifedine , Chu Yu-Ming
Published: October 2020

The inadequate cooling capacity of the customary fluids forced the scientists to look for some alternatives that could fulfill the industry requirements. The inception of nanofluids has revolutionized the modern industry-oriented finished products. Nanofluids are the amalgamation of metallic nanoparticles and the usual fluids that possess a high heat transfer rate. Thus, meeting the cooling requirements of the engineering and industrial processes. Having such amazing traits of nanofluids in mind our aim here is to discuss the flow of nanofluid comprising Nickel–Zinc Ferrite and Ethylene glycol over a curved surface with heat transfer analysis. The heat equation contains nonlinear thermal radiation and heat generation/absorption effects. The envisioned mathematical model is supported by the slip and the thermal stratification boundary conditions. Apposite transformations are betrothed to obtain the system of ordinary differential equations from the governing system in curvilinear coordinates. A numerical solution is found by applying MATLAB build-in function bvp4c. The authentication of the proposed model is substantiated by comparing the results with published articles in limiting case. An excellent concurrence is seen in this case. The impacts of numerous physical parameters on Skin friction and Nusselt number and, on velocity and temperature are shown graphically. It is observed that heat generation/absorption has a significant impact on the heat transfer rate. It is also comprehended that velocity and temperature distributions have varied behaviors near and far away from the curve when the curvature is enhanced.
Serogroups of Dichelobacter nodosus, the cause of footrot in sheep, are randomly distributed across England
Authors: Prosser Naomi S. , Monaghan Emma M. , Green Laura E. , Purdy Kevin J.
Published: October 2020

We present the largest and most representative study of the serological diversity ofDichelobacter nodosusin England.D. nodosuscauses footrot and is one of the top five globally important diseases of sheep. The commercial vaccine, containing nine serogroups, has low efficacy compared with bivalent vaccines. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of serogroups ofD. nodosusin England to elucidate whether a bivalent vaccine could protect the national flock. Farmers from 164 flocks submitted eight interdigital swabs from eight, preferably diseased, sheep. All serogroups, A–I, were detected by PCR in 687/1150D. nodosuspositive swabs, with a prevalence of 2.6–69.3% of positive swabs per serogroup. There was a median of two serogroups per flock (range 0–6). Serogroups were randomly distributed between, but clustered within, flocks, with 50 combinations of serogroups across flocks. H and B were the most prevalent serogroups, present in > 60% of flocks separately but in only 27% flocks together. Consequently, a bivalent vaccine targeting these two serogroups would protect 27% of flocks fully (if only H and B present) and partially, if more serogroups were present in the flock. We conclude that one bivalent vaccine would not protect the national flock against footrot and, with 50 combinations of serogroups in flocks, flock-specific vaccines are necessary.
Evidence for and against deformed wing virus spillover from honey bees to bumble bees: a reverse genetic analysis
Authors: Gusachenko Olesya N. , Woodford Luke , Balbirnie-Cumming Katharin , Ryabov Eugene V. , Evans David J.
Published: October 2020

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a persistent pathogen of European honey bees and the major contributor to overwintering colony losses. The prevalence of DWV in honey bees has led to significant concerns about spillover of the virus to other pollinating species. Bumble bees are both a major group of wild and commercially-reared pollinators. Several studies have reported pathogen spillover of DWV from honey bees to bumble bees, but evidence of a sustained viral infection characterized by virus replication and accumulation has yet to be demonstrated. Here we investigate the infectivity and transmission of DWV in bumble bees using the buff-tailed bumble bee Bombus terrestris as a model. We apply a reverse genetics approach combined with controlled laboratory conditions to detect and monitor DWV infection. A novel reverse genetics system for three representative DWV variants, including the two master variants of DWV—type A and B—was used. Our results directly confirm DWV replication in bumble bees but also demonstrate striking resistance to infection by certain transmission routes. Bumble bees may support DWV replication but it is not clear how infection could occur under natural environmental conditions.
ROCK inhibitor combined with Ca2+ controls the myosin II activation and optimizes human nasal epithelial cell sheets
Authors: Kasai Yoshiyuki , Morino Tsunetaro , Mori Eri , Yamamoto Kazuhisa , Kojima Hiromi
Published: October 2020

The proliferation and differentiation of cultured epithelial cells may be modified by Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibition and extracellular Ca2+ concentration. However, it was not known whether a combination would influence the behavior of cultured epithelial cells through changes in the phosphorylation of non-muscle myosin light chain II (MLC). Here we show that the combination of ROCK inhibition with Ca2+ elevation regulated the phosphorylation of MLC and improved both cell expansion and cell–cell adhesion during the culture of human nasal mucosal epithelial cell sheets. During explant culture, Ca2+ enhanced the adhesion of nasal mucosal tissue, while ROCK inhibition downregulated MLC phosphorylation and promoted cell proliferation. During cell sheet culture, an elevation of extracellular Ca2+ promoted MLC phosphorylation and formation of cell–cell junctions, allowing the harvesting of cell sheets without collapse. Moreover, an in vitro grafting assay revealed that ROCK inhibition increased the expansion of cell sheets three-fold (an effect maintained when Ca2+ was also elevated), implying better wound healing potential. We suggest that combining ROCK inhibition with elevation of Ca2+ could facilitate the fabrication of many types of cell graft.
Multi-wave-mixing-induced nonlinear modulation of diffraction peaks in an opto-atomic grating
Authors: Dutta Bibhas Kumar , Panchadhyayee Pradipta , Bayal Indranil , Mahapatra Prasanta Kumar , Das Nityananda
Published: October 2020

We propose an atomic model in close-loop configuration, which exhibits controllable symmetric and asymmetric evolution of significantly enhanced diffraction peaks of the weak probe beam in an opto-atomic grating at far-field regime. Such results are obtained by the linear and nonlinear modulation of the intensities of the diffraction peaks as a result of multi-wave-mixing-induced modification of spatially modulated coherence in a closed four-level atomic system. Novelty of the results lies in predicting the diffraction pattern with uniform peak height due to the dominance of the amplitude part of the grating-transfer-function at the condition of exact atom-field resonance, which is unique to the present model. Efficacy of the present scheme is to apply it in producing nonlinear light generated by four-wave-mixing-induced control of spatially modulated coherence effect. The work also finds its importance for its applicability in the field of all-optical devices.
Enhanced emotional and motor responses to live versus videotaped dynamic facial expressions
Authors: Hsu Chun-Ting , Sato Wataru , Yoshikawa Sakiko
Published: October 2020

Facial expression is an integral aspect of non-verbal communication of affective information. Earlier psychological studies have reported that the presentation of prerecorded photographs or videos of emotional facial expressions automatically elicits divergent responses, such as emotions and facial mimicry. However, such highly controlled experimental procedures may lack the vividness of real-life social interactions. This study incorporated a live image relay system that delivered models’ real-time performance of positive (smiling) and negative (frowning) dynamic facial expressions or their prerecorded videos to participants. We measured subjective ratings of valence and arousal and facial electromyography (EMG) activity in the zygomaticus major and corrugator supercilii muscles. Subjective ratings showed that the live facial expressions were rated to elicit higher valence and more arousing than the corresponding videos for positive emotion conditions. Facial EMG data showed that compared with the video, live facial expressions more effectively elicited facial muscular activity congruent with the models’ positive facial expressions. The findings indicate that emotional facial expressions in live social interactions are more evocative of emotional reactions and facial mimicry than earlier experimental data have suggested.
Hot electron energy relaxation time in vanadium nitride superconducting film structures under THz and IR radiation
Authors: Pentin Ivan , Vakhtomin Yury , Seleznev Vitaly , Smirnov Konstantin
Published: October 2020

The paper presents the experimental results of studying the dynamics of electron energy relaxation in structures made of thin (d ≈ 6 nm) disordered superconducting vanadium nitride (VN) films converted to a resistive state by high-frequency radiation and transport current. Under conditions of quasi-equilibrium superconductivity and temperature range close to critical (~ Tc), a direct measurement of the energy relaxation time of electrons by the beats method arising from two monochromatic sources with close frequencies radiation in sub-THz region (ω ≈ 0.140 THz) and sources in the IR region (ω ≈ 193 THz) was conducted. The measured time of energy relaxation of electrons in the studied VN structures upon heating of THz and IR radiation completely coincided and amounted to (2.6–2.7) ns. The studied response of VN structures to IR (ω ≈ 193 THz) picosecond laser pulses also allowed us to estimate the energy relaxation time in VN structures, which was ~ 2.8 ns and is in good agreement with the result obtained by the mixing method. Also, we present the experimentally measured volt-watt responsivity (S~) within the frequency range ω ≈ (0.3–6) THz VN HEB detector. The estimated values of noise equivalent power (NEP) for VN HEB and its minimum energy level (δE) reached NEP@1MHz ≈ 6.3 × 10–14 W/√Hz and δE ≈ 8.1 × 10–18 J, respectively.
Anisotropic transport induced by DC electrical current bias near the critical current
Authors: Shin Junghyun , Park Sungyu , Kim Eunseong
Published: October 2020

We investigated the transport characteristics of a square shape superconducting Ta thin film under DC electrical current bias along the diagonal direction. The resistance parallel (R∥) and perpendicular (R⊥) to the DC current, IDC, is measured with various magnetic fields. R∥ and R⊥ show contrasting dependence on IDC. First, the critical current of R∥ is smaller than that of R⊥. Second, R⊥ shows an unexpected reduction at current bias where R∥ shows a rapid increase near the transition from a flux flow state to a normal state. The intriguing anisotropic transport characteristics can be understood by the inhomogeneous current density profile over the square sample. Diagonal DC current induces an anisotropic current density profile where the current density is high near the biasing electrode and low at the center of the sample. Accordingly, the electrical transport in the perpendicular direction could remain less affected even near the critical current of R∥, which leads to the higher critical current in R⊥. Complicated conduction profile may also allow the anomalous reduction in the R⊥ before finally shifting to the normal state.
Aqueous ionic effect on electrochemical breakdown of Si-dielectric–electrolyte interface
Authors: Yun Jeongse , Lee Jae Gyeong , Oh Kyungbae , Kang Kisuk , Chung Taek Dong
Published: October 2020

The breakdown of thin dielectric films (SiO2, Si3N4, HfO2) immersed in aqueous electrolyte was investigated. The current and the kinetics of dielectric breakdown caused by large cathodic electric field applied across the dielectric layer reveal the electrochemical nature of dielectric materials. Electrolytes play a huge role in the established dielectric-electrolyte interface with respect to the overall electrical behavior of the system. Although aqueous cations are considered as spectator ions in most electrochemical systems, in dielectric interfaces the current–potential characteristics depend on the type of cation. Computer simulation based on density functional theory and molecular dynamics showed cations affect the dielectric strength. The responses of various dielectric films to solution components provide invaluable information for dielectric-incorporated electrochemical systems.
Neutral sphingomyelinase 2 regulates inflammatory responses in monocytes/macrophages induced by TNF-α
Authors: Al-Rashed Fatema , Ahmad Zunair , Thomas Reeby , Melhem Motasem , Snider Ashley J. , Obeid Lina M. , Al-Mulla Fahd , Hannun Yusuf A. , Ahmad Rasheed
Published: October 2020

Obesity is associated with elevated levels of TNF-α and proinflammatory CD11c monocytes/macrophages. TNF-α mediated dysregulation in the plasticity of monocytes/macrophages is concomitant with pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases, including metabolic syndrome, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Since neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (nSMase2: SMPD3) is a key enzyme for ceramide production involved in inflammation, we investigated whether nSMase2 contributed to the inflammatory changes in the monocytes/macrophages induced by TNF-α. In this study, we demonstrate that the disruption of nSMase activity in monocytes/macrophages either by chemical inhibitor GW4869 or small interfering RNA (siRNA) against SMPD3 results in defects in the TNF-α mediated expression of CD11c. Furthermore, blockage of nSMase in monocytes/macrophages inhibited the secretion of inflammatory mediators IL-1β and MCP-1. In contrast, inhibition of acid SMase (aSMase) activity did not attenuate CD11c expression or secretion of IL-1β and MCP-1. TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of JNK, p38 and NF-κB was also attenuated by the inhibition of nSMase2. Moreover, NF-kB/AP-1 activity was blocked by the inhibition of nSMase2. SMPD3 was elevated in PBMCs from obese individuals and positively corelated with TNF-α gene expression. These findings indicate that nSMase2 acts, at least in part, as a master switch in the TNF-α mediated inflammatory responses in monocytes/macrophages.
Design and bio-inspired optimization of direct contact membrane distillation for desalination based on constructal law
Authors: Keshavarzzadeh Amir H.
Published: October 2020

At the present study, a one-dimensional model for the flat sheet direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) for desalination purposes is proposed. Flows and membrane properties have been estimated by appropriate temperature-dependent correlations. Results show that the numerical model is in a very good agreement with experimental data at various feed temperatures, flow rates and concentrations. A constructal design is investigated for DCMD to assess how constructal law can improve the DCMD performance. With the same thermal efficiency of 93.5%, constructal design improves the water mass flux by 37.5% in comparison with the conventional DCMD design. Also, an evolutionary-based optimization algorithm is employed to increase the efficiency of the constructal and conventional design. The Pareto frontier of the constructal and conventional design is compared with each other and the correlations between design variables are investigated. Overall, the present study demonstrates how constructal law can increase the performance of energy systems with a simple modification.
Steered molecular dynamic simulations reveal Marfan syndrome mutations disrupt fibrillin-1 cbEGF domain mechanosensitive calcium binding
Authors: Haller Stephen J. , Roitberg Adrian E. , Dudley Andrew T.
Published: October 2020

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a highly variable genetic connective tissue disorder caused by mutations in the calcium binding extracellular matrix glycoprotein fibrillin-1. Patients with the most severe form of MFS (neonatal MFS; nMFS) tend to have mutations that cluster in an internal region of fibrillin-1 called the neonatal region. This region is predominantly composed of eight calcium-binding epidermal growth factor-like (cbEGF) domains, each of which binds one calcium ion and is stabilized by three highly conserved disulfide bonds. Crucially, calcium plays a fundamental role in stabilizing cbEGF domains. Perturbed calcium binding caused by cbEGF domain mutations is thus thought to be a central driver of MFS pathophysiology. Using steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations, we demonstrate that cbEGF domain calcium binding decreases under mechanical stress (i.e. cbEGF domains are mechanosensitive). We further demonstrate the disulfide bonds in cbEGF domains uniquely orchestrate protein unfolding by showing that MFS disulfide bond mutations markedly disrupt normal mechanosensitive calcium binding dynamics. These results point to a potential mechanosensitive mechanism for fibrillin-1 in regulating extracellular transforming growth factor beta (TGFB) bioavailability and microfibril integrity. Such mechanosensitive “smart” features may represent novel mechanisms for mechanical hemostasis regulation in extracellular matrix that are pathologically activated in MFS.
Widespread Torix Rickettsia in New Zealand amphipods and the use of blocking primers to rescue host COI sequences
Authors: Park Eunji , Poulin Robert
Published: October 2020

Endosymbionts and intracellular parasites are common in arthropod hosts. As a consequence, (co)amplification of untargeted bacterial sequences has been occasionally reported as a common problem in DNA barcoding. While identifying amphipod species with universal COI primers, we unexpectedly detected rickettsial endosymbionts belonging to the Torix group. To map the distribution and diversity of Rickettsia species among amphipod hosts, we conducted a nationwide molecular screening of seven families of New Zealand freshwater amphipods. In addition to uncovering a diversity of Torix Rickettsia species across multiple amphipod populations from three different families, our research indicates that: (1) detecting Torix Rickettsia with universal primers is not uncommon, (2) obtaining ‘Rickettsia COI sequences’ from many host individuals is highly likely when a population is infected, and (3) obtaining ‘host COI’ may not be possible with a conventional PCR if an individual is infected. Because Rickettsia COI is highly conserved across diverse host taxa, we were able to design blocking primers that can be used in a wide range of host species infected with Torix Rickettsia. We propose the use of blocking primers to circumvent problems caused by unwanted amplification of Rickettsia and to obtain targeted host COI sequences for DNA barcoding, population genetics, and phylogeographic studies.
Rab35 and its effectors promote formation of tunneling nanotubes in neuronal cells
Authors: Bhat Shaarvari , Ljubojevic Nina , Zhu Seng , Fukuda Mitsunori , Echard Arnaud , Zurzolo Chiara
Published: October 2020

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) are F-actin rich structures that connect distant cells, allowing the transport of many cellular components, including vesicles, organelles and molecules. Rab GTPases are the major regulators of vesicle trafficking and also participate in actin cytoskeleton remodelling, therefore, we examined their role in TNTs. Rab35 functions with several proteins that are involved in vesicle trafficking such as ACAP2, MICAL-L1, ARF6 and EHD1, which are known to be involved in neurite outgrowth. Here we show that Rab35 promotes TNT formation and TNT-mediated vesicle transfer in a neuronal cell line. Furthermore, our data indicates that Rab35-GTP, ACAP2, ARF6-GDP and EHD1 act in a cascade mechanism to promote TNT formation. Interestingly, MICAL-L1 overexpression, shown to be necessary for the action of Rab35 on neurite outgrowth, showed no effect on TNTs, indicating that TNT formation and neurite outgrowth may be processed through similar but not identical pathways, further supporting the unique identity of these cellular protrusions.
Numerical simulation of the dynamic distribution characteristics of the stress, strain and energy of coal mass under impact loads
Authors: Zhu Hongqing , Fang Shuhao , Zhang Yilong , Wu Yan , Guo Jinlin , Li Feng
Published: October 2020

To research the dynamic response characteristics of coal mass under impact loads, based on LS-DYNA software, rigid body bars are simulated to impact coal mass under different speed conditions, and the dynamic distribution characteristics of the stress, strain and energy of coal mass are analyzed. The results demonstrate that (1) the peaks of the axial and radial stresses and strain on the central axis and the radial line obey the power function distribution; at the same position, the axial and the radial stress peaks are close, and the axial strain peak is from much larger than the radial strain peak to close to. (2) The axial and radial stresses generate tensile stresses in the axial and radial propagation directions, respectively, and the coal mass is prone to damage under tensile stress. (3) When the speed is large, the axial stress–strain curve is similar to that of the dynamic load experiment. The axial stress peak, axial strain peak, critical effective stress, critical time and secant modulus have a linear relationship with the velocity. (4) When the dynamic load is large, most of the energy is in the form of kinetic energy, and the total energy loss also increases.
Carbon nanotube embedded adhesives for real-time monitoring of adhesion failure in high performance adhesively bonded joints
Authors: Bregar Tadej , An Donglan , Gharavian Somayeh , Burda Marek , Durazo-Cardenas Isidro , Thakur Vijay Kumar , Ayre David , Słoma Marcin , Hardiman Mark , McCarthy Conor , Yazdani Nezhad Hamed
Published: October 2020

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) embedded polymers are of increasing interest to scientific and industrial communities for multi-functional applications. In this article, CNTs have been introduced to high-strength epoxy adhesive for enabling in-situ strain sensing in adhesively bonded aluminium-to-aluminium single-lap joints to accurately indicate the onset and propagation of adhesion failure to the evolution of piezo-resistivity in varying mechanical loads. The CNT modified adhesive in bonded joints and the CNT modified adhesive alone have been tested under monothonic and cyclic tensile loads up to ultimate failure. The changes in the piezo-resistivity induced by the CNTs have been monitored in situ with respect to loading. A novel interpretation method has been developed for progressive, instantaneous adhesion failure estimation under cyclic tensile stresses from a resistivity baseline. The method indicates that the in-situ resistivity changes and the rate of the changes with strain, i.e. sensitivity, strongly correlate with the adhesion failure progression, irrespective of the CNT dispersion quality. Moreover, the effect of bond thickness on the evolution of piezo-resistivity and adhesion failure have been studied. It was observed that relatively thin adhesive bonds (0.18 mm thickness), possessing higher CNT contact points than thick bonds (0.43 mm thickness), provide 100 times higher sensitivity to varying cyclic loads.
Genetic analysis of the molecular regulation of electric fields-guided glia migration
Authors: Yao Li , Shippy Teresa , Li Yongchao
Published: October 2020

In a developing nervous system, endogenous electric field (EF) influence embryonic growth. We reported the EF-directed migration of both rat Schwann cells (SCs) and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) and explored the molecular mechanism using RNA-sequencing assay. However, previous studies revealed the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with EF-guided migration of SCs or OPCs alone. In this study, we performed joint differential expression analysis on the RNA-sequencing data from both cell types. We report a number of significantly enriched gene ontology (GO) terms that are related to the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, and cell migration. Of the DEGs associated with these terms, nine up-regulated DEGs and 32 down-regulated DEGs showed the same direction of effect in both SCs and OPCs stimulated with EFs, while the remaining DEGs responded differently. Thus, our study reveals the similarities and differences in gene expression and cell migration regulation of different glial cell types in response to EF stimulation.
Author Correction: Molecular Simulations of Adsorption and Energy Storage of R1234yf, R1234ze(z), R134a, R32, and their Mixtures in M-MOF-74 (M = Mg, Ni) Nanoparticles
Authors: Cai Shouyin , Tian Sen , Lu Yiyu , Wang Guangjin , Pu Yu , Peng Kang
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Deep learning for automated sleep staging using instantaneous heart rate
Authors: Sridhar Niranjan , Shoeb Ali , Stephens Philip , Kharbouch Alaa , Shimol David Ben , Burkart Joshua , Ghoreyshi Atiyeh , Myers Lance
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Genetic alterations in the 3q26.31-32 locus confer an aggressive prostate cancer phenotype
Authors: Simpson Benjamin S. , Camacho Niedzica , Luxton Hayley J. , Pye Hayley , Finn Ron , Heavey Susan , Pitt Jason , Moore Caroline M. , Whitaker Hayley C.
Published: October 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Post-merger chirps from binary black holes as probes of the final black-hole horizon
Authors: Calderon Bustillo Juan , Evans Christopher , Clark James A. , Kim Grace , Laguna Pablo , Shoemaker Deirdre
Published: October 2020

The merger of a binary black hole gives birth to a highly distorted final black hole. The gravitational radiation emitted as this black hole relaxes presents us with the unique opportunity to probe extreme gravity and its connection with the dynamics of the black hole horizon. Using numerical relativity simulations, we demonstrate a connection between a concrete observable feature in the gravitational waves and geometrical features on the dynamical apparent horizon of the final black hole. Specifically, we show how the line-of-sight passage of a “cusp”-like defect on the horizon of the final black hole correlates with “chirp”-like frequency peaks in the post-merger gravitational-waves. These post-merger chirps should be observed and analyzed as the sensitivity of LIGO and Virgo increase and as future generation detectors, such as LISA and the Einstein Telescope, become operational.
Sensitive detection of microRNA using QCM biosensors: sandwich hybridization and signal amplification by TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Lim Ji Yoon , Lee Soo Suk
Published: October 2020

A QCM biosensor for the detection of miR-21 has been demonstrated along with sandwich hybridization and TiO2 nanoparticle-based photocatalytic signal amplification technique.
Research on the distribution of neonicotinoid and fipronil pollution in the Yangtze River by high-performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Pan Xin , Wang Zhangjun , Chen Chao , Li Hui , Li Xianxin , Zhang Quanfeng , Wang Xiufen , Zhang Yanan
Published: October 2020

Neonicotinoids and fipronil pesticides in the water environment of the Yangtze River Estuary was detected by SDB-RPS solid-phase extraction membranes and high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry..
Immunopharmacotherapeutic advancements in addressing methamphetamine abuse
Authors: Lee Jinny Claire , Janda Kim D.
Published: October 2020

Methamphetamine can be peripherally sequestered through immunopharmacotherapy, in which advancements have been made regarding hapten chemistry, carrier proteins, and adjuvants.