bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catenary optics: a perspective of applications and challenges
Authors: Luo Xiangang , Zhang Fei , Pu Mingbo , Xu Mingfeng
Published: July 2022

Catenary optics is an emerging direction of subwavelength optics, which is indispensable in describing the electric fields and dispersion property of coupled metallic subwavelength structures, and designing broadband high-efficiency geometric-phase metasurfaces. It involves catenary optical fields and catenary structures, in which both ordinary and equal-length catenary functions play important roles. In recent years, catenary optics has realized a variety of exotic phenomena and optical applications, including broadband photonic spin-Hall effect, super-resolution lithography, broadband absorbers, and extreme-angle imaging. Here, we discuss developments of catenary optics, including a brief history, physical concept and properties, applications, and future perspectives.
Phase transition of DNA knotting in spherical space
Authors: Nie Xiaolin , Xiong Caiyun , Zhou Xun , Liu Yanhui
Published: July 2022

Knots have been discovered in various biological systems, such as DNA. The knotting probability of DNA in free space depends non-monotonically on its bending rigidity and has a prominent peak. The current work aims to understand the underlying mechanism of the non-monotonic dependence of DNA knotting probability on bending rigidity. Monte Carlo simulations are performed on a closed DNA molecule confined in spherical space described by a worm-like chain model and a flexible kink model, respectively. The closed DNA’s contour length and the spherical space radius both increase knotting probability, but also alter the unimodal dependence of knotting probability on bending rigidity. This is generalized using universal phase diagrams based on the two models. Under the flexible kink model, the total knotting probability of closed DNA is obviously increased at a relatively high excited energy. This supports the expectation that the entropy effect of knot size favours knot formation at a relatively low bending rigidity. In a given spherical space, the increasing contour length of closed DNA described by the worm-like chain model results in a visible shift in the knotting probability distribution. At the same time, the gyration radius of non-trivial closed DNA becomes comparable to that of trivial closed DNA, so that their ratio is not anti-correlated with average knot length. For closed DNA of various contour lengths, the relationship between average knot length and bending rigidity has a universal behaviour: the average knot length decreases to a local minimum at a bending rigidity of ∼5 and then gradually increases to a constant value. The existence of the local minimum is determined by the cut-off distance in repulsive Lennard–Jones potential. The bending rigidity corresponding to the beginning of the constant average knot length is consistent with that at the peak in the knotting distribution. At this point, the knot-size effect balances with the fragment free-energy effect and, at an even greater bending rigidity, knot length breathes around the average knot length value.
Non-linear Hall effect in multi-Weyl semimetals
Authors: Roy Saswata , Narayan Awadhesh
Published: July 2022

In the presence of time reversal symmetry, a non-linear Hall effect can occur in systems without an inversion symmetry. One of the prominent candidates for detection of such Hall signals are Weyl semimetals. In this article, we investigate the Berry curvature induced second and third order Hall effect in multi-Weyl semimetals with topological chargesn=1,2,3. We use low energy effective models to obtain general analytical expressions and discover the presence of a large Berry curvature dipole (BCD) in multi-Weyl semimetals, compared to usual (n = 1) Weyl semimetals. We also study the BCD in a realistic tight-binding lattice model and observe two different kinds of variation with increasing topological charge—these can be attributed to different underlying Berry curvature components. We provide estimates of the signatures of second harmonic of Hall signal in multi-Weyl semimetals, which can be detected experimentally. Furthermore, we predict the existence of a third order Hall signal in multi-Weyl semimetals. We derive the analytical expressions of Berry connection polarizability tensor, which is responsible for third order effects, using a low energy model and estimate the measurable conductivity. Our work can help guide experimental discovery of Berry curvature multipole physics in multi-Weyl semimetals.
Multimetallic transition metal phosphide nanostructures for supercapacitors and electrochemical water splitting
Authors: Zhang Nan , Amorim Isilda , Liu Lifeng
Published: July 2022

Transition metal phosphides (TMPs) have recently emerged as an important class of functional materials and been demonstrated to be outstanding supercapacitor electrode materials and catalysts for electrochemical water splitting. While extensive investigations have been devoted to monometallic TMPs, multimetallic TMPs have lately proved to show enhanced electrochemical performance compared to their monometallic counterparts, thanks to the synergistic effect between different transition metal species. This topical review summarizes recent advance in the synthesis of new multimetallic TMP nanostructures, with particular focus on their applications in supercapacitors and electrochemical water splitting. Both experimental reports and theoretical understanding of the synergy between transition metal species are comprehensively reviewed, and perspectives of future research on TMP-based materials for these specific applications are outlined.
Streamer-to-spark transitions in deionized water: unsymmetrical structure and two-stage model
Authors: Li Yuan , Wen Jia-ye , Huang Yi-fan , Zhang Guan-jun
Published: July 2022

This letter focuses on the streamer-to-spark transitions generated by microsecond pulsed discharges (±20 kV of amplitude, 150 μs of pulse width) in deionized water to provide a quantitative insight into the underwater breakdown process. The discharge channel during underwater electrical breakdown is generally considered as a homogenous blackbody radiator by the arc model. However, we report an unsymmetrical structure of negative breakdown channel in water which shows great discrepancy from the frequently observed uniform structure. An improved two-stage analytical model is proposed to quantitatively estimate the parameter variations of the discharge channels, e.g. radius, temperature, pressure. The calculated results show that the discrepancy in parameters of different parts of negative discharge channel is tremendous. Specifically, during negative electrical breakdown, the region of discharge channel near ground electrode owns greatest values in characteristic parameters (e.g. T
max = 22 300 K, P
max = 0.145 GPa and v
max = 219 m s−1), which are far above the counterparts of main body of channel. By introducing field ionization and impact ionization mechanisms during the propagation of the streamer, we explain the rapid expansion of positive discharge channel and the regions of negative channel near the needle tip as well as the ground electrode. Besides, the deposited homocharges at the gas–liquid interface weaken the ionizations in main body of negative breakdown channel, and hence causing the formation of the unsymmetrical structure.
Low power degradation of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in water using a nanosecond pulsed atmospheric pressure plasma
Authors: Johnson M J , Maza W A , Breslin V M , Boris D R , Petrova T B , Walton S G
Published: July 2022

The prevalence and persistence of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has led to significant concerns over the damage they can have on human health and the environment, particularly when they contaminate bodies of water. In this work, a plasma driven with high-voltage (20 kV) pulses of varying duration (50–400 ns) and frequency (0.5–10 kHz) is investigated for degrading perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in water. The concentration of PFOS in solution decreased with repeated passes through the reactor. Increasing the power consumption of the plasma, either by increasing the pulse width or the frequency, improved the rate of PFOS loss but decreased the energy efficiency. For instance, reducing the frequency of the pulse from 10 kHz to 500 Hz decreased the power consumption by over an order of magnitude while requiring about twice as much time to reduce 50% of the PFOS signal. Time-averaged emission spectroscopy showed that increasing the frequency decreased the average electron density of the plasma while infrared measurements indicate only a modest increase to the temperature of the reactor. In contrast, increasing the pulse width from 50 ns to 400 ns did not have a significant impact on the average electron density or the reactor temperature. Spectroscopy revealed the presence of photons with energies >5 eV which could contribute to PFOS loss. This work shows that the main factor determining PFOS loss is the contact time between the plasma reactor and the solution, which implies the most energy efficient operating parameters for PFOS degradation comes from minimizing the duration and frequency of the high-voltage pulses to reduce power consumption.
Vertical gate cavity bulk-planar junctionless FET-based biosensor for label-free detection of biomolecules
Authors: Singh Deepika , Patil Ganesh C
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we propose a vertical gate bulk-planar junctionless field-effect transistor (VGC-BPJLFET)-based biosensor for the label-free detection of neutral and charged target biomolecules. The vertical gate structure exhibits better performance due to high gate controlability in the channel region, which improves the drain current of the device. The enhancement in drain current significantly increases the sensing capability of the biosensor. To sense the neutral (APTES, biotin, streptavidin, protein, etc) and charged (deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)) target biomolecules, the VGC-BPJLFET biosensor includes a vertical nanogap cavity in between the gate electrodes of the device in which HfO2 behaves as the functionalization layer. However, for the detection of both neutral and charged biomolecules, the two electric parameters (dielectric constant (K) and the charge density (ρ)) are considered in the etched nanogap cavity. Furthermore, to see the potentiality of the VGC-BPJLFET biosensor, the proposed biosensor has been compared to the lateral gate cavity BPJLFET biosensor in terms of drain current, sensitivity, linearity and signal-to-noise ratio characteristics. From the comparison, it has been observed that the proposed device has a higher sensitivity of ∼104 and ∼103 with the conjugation of neutral (APTES (K = 3.57)) and charged (DNA (ρ = −1 × 1011 cm−2)) biomolecules, respectively. The VGC-BPJLFET biosensor also carries the better sensing capability to sense the target biomolecules with the presence of unwanted (air) biomolecules in the etched nanogap cavity.
On the role of mechanosensitive binding dynamics in the pattern formation of active surfaces
Authors: Bonati M , Wittwer L D , Aland S , Fischer-Friedrich E
Published: July 2022

The actin cortex of an animal cell is a thin polymeric layer attached to the inner side of the plasma membrane. It plays a key role in shape regulation and pattern formation on the cellular and tissue scale and, in particular, generates the contractile ring during cell division. Experimental studies showed that the cortex is fluid-like but highly viscous on long time scales with a mechanics that is sensitively regulated by active and passive cross-linker molecules that tune active stress and shear viscosity. Here, we use an established minimal model of active surface dynamics of the cell cortex supplemented with the experimentally motivated feature of mechanosensitivity in cross-linker binding dynamics. Performing linear stability analysis and computer simulations, we show that cross-linker mechanosensitivity significantly enhances the versatility of pattern formation and enables self-organized formation of contractile rings. Furthermore, we address the scenario of concentration-dependent shear viscosities as a way to stabilize ring-like patterns and constriction in the mid-plane of the active surface.
Generating multiple resonances in ultrathin silicon for highly selective THz biosensing
Authors: Khan Mohd Salman , Giri Pushpa , Varshney Gaurav
Published: July 2022

A technique is implemented for achieving the multiband terahertz (THz) absorption with high-quality factor in an absorber containing an ultrathin silicon resonator. The symmetrical perturbation is done in the silicon layer for obtaining the multiple multi-order electric and magnetic resonances. The proposed absorber structure provides the polarization insensitive absorption spectrum with ten absorption peaks out of which seven remain with the level of more than 90%. The ultranarrow absorption spectrum can be utilized in THz biosensing applications specially for the detection of breast cancer, malaria in blood and glucose in water. It offers highest sensitivity as 0.416 THz/thickness unit (TU) and 1.02 THz/refractive index unit (RIU) during analyte thickness and refractive index sensing, respectively. The proposed absorber can provide the high value of quality factor along with all other improved parameters like sensitivity and figure of merit. Moreover, graphene nano-rings can also be utilized for obtaining the controllability in the frequency response of the absorber.
First wall power flux management during plasma current ramp-up on ITER
Authors: Pitts R.A. , Gribov Y. , Coburn J. , Fuentes F.J. , Severino G. , Vayakis G. , Amoskov V. , Brank M. , Carpentier S. , D’Amico G. , Dubrov M.L. , Fernández-Marina F. , Jong C. , Kavin A.A. , Khayrutdinov R. , Kocan M. , Lamzin E. , Loarte A. , Kos L. , Lukash V.E. , Mitchell N. , Raffray A.R. , Simič G. , Stangeby P.C. , Sytchevsky S.
Published: July 2022

On ITER, plasma start-up will be performed in limiter configuration on the inboard equatorial beryllium first wall panels (FWP). In contrast to most present tokamaks, however, this ramp-up phase will be comparatively long (∼10 s) and the use of actively cooled components means that power flux management is key if FWP lifetime is not to be compromised. Shaping of the FWPs is mandatory to ensure that leading edges do not appear between neighbouring units. For the ITER inboard panels, this has been optimized to account for the discovery in recent years on current devices of narrow scrape-off layer power flux channels for inner wall limited plasmas. However, the shaping results in power densities which are particularly sensitive to the overall ‘longwave’ (LW) alignment of the central column FWP ring with the structure of the toroidal magnetic field (TF), placing tight constraints on the target alignment. This target is currently based on a pure n = 1 LW alignment, but simulations of TF coil (TFC) locking upon energization show that, depending on the initial configuration of the gaps between the TFC inner legs, the field structure can be more complex. Although the TFC manufacture and machine assembly strategy is to make every effort possible to approach the ideal TF structure, an NMR sensor-based TF mapping diagnostic will be implemented to measure the field structure during the first plasma and engineering operation phase. An analytic framework has been developed and verified against numerical simulations to assess the capability for measurements from a set of discrete sensors located on the vacuum vessel inner column to be used to reconstruct the field structure at the FWP locations, a further ∼60 cm radially inward. In parallel with the alignment optimization and TF mapping strategies, modified ramp-up scenarios are also being designed which may be used to reduce inner wall limiter power fluxes if this proves to be necessary during operation.
Effect of graphene oxide on strength and interfacial transition zone of recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Qidong Wang , Changshun Zhou , Xudong Wang , Zixuan An , Yeke Luo
Published: July 2022

This paper studies the effect of graphene oxide (GO) on the strength and interface transition zone of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The results show that the addition of GO enhances the RAC strength, and the compressive strength of the sample containing GO is improved by 7% ∼20.6% at 28 days, compared with the reference group. Meanwhile, with the addition of GO, the total porosity and the number of harmful pores (> 100 nm) of RAC samples decreased by 8.1% ∼35.7% and 3% ∼39.1%, respectively. It is observed from the nano scale characteristics that the addition of GO can significantly reduce pore phase and unhydrated phase content in the matrix, and increase the volume fraction of C–S–H phase, especially the high-density C–S–H phase. In addition, the width of the interface transition zone between old mortar and new mortar containing GO sample is relatively reduced by 25%, but there is no obvious change in the interface transition zone of old aggregate mortar. The strengthening effect of GO on RAC strength is due to the nucleation of GO and the filling effect of micro-aggregate, improving the pore structure and interface transition zone of RAC.
Remarks on the Navier-Stokes equations in space dimension 𝑛≥3
Authors: Fan Jishan , Ozawa Tohru
Published: July 2022

In this paper, we prove some new

L
p

L^p

-estimates of the velocity by the technique of

L
p

L^p

-energy method.
Exact sequences on Worsey–Farin splits
Authors: Guzmán Johnny , Lischke Anna , Neilan Michael
Published: July 2022

We construct several smooth finite element spaces defined on three-dimensional Worsey–Farin splits. In particular, we construct

C
1

C^1

,

H
1

(
curl
)

H^1(\operatorname {curl})

, and

H
1

H^1

-conforming finite element spaces and show the discrete spaces satisfy local exactness properties. A feature of the spaces is their low polynomial degree and lack of extrinsic supersmoothness at subsimplices of the mesh. In the lowest order case, the last two spaces in the sequence consist of piecewise linear and piecewise constant spaces, and are suitable for the discretization of the (Navier-)Stokes equation.
Avoiding C-hacking when evaluating survival distribution predictions with discrimination measures
Authors: Sonabend Raphael , Bender Andreas , Vollmer Sebastian
Published: July 2022

Motivation

In this article, we consider how to evaluate survival distribution predictions with measures of discrimination. This is non-trivial as discrimination measures are the most commonly used in survival analysis and yet there is no clear method to derive a risk prediction from a distribution prediction. We survey methods proposed in literature and software and consider their respective advantages and disadvantages.

Results

Whilst distributions are frequently evaluated by discrimination measures, we find that the method for doing so is rarely described in the literature and often leads to unfair comparisons or ‘C-hacking’. We demonstrate by example how simple it can be to manipulate results and use this to argue for better reporting guidelines and transparency in the literature. We recommend that machine learning survival analysis software implements clear transformations between distribution and risk predictions in order to allow more transparent and accessible model evaluation.

Availability and implementation

The code used in the final experiment is available at https://github.com/RaphaelS1/distribution_discrimination.
Spatial control of astrogenesis progression by cortical arealization genes
Authors: Santo Manuela , Rigoldi Laura , Falcone Carmen , Tuccillo Mariacarmine , Calabrese Michela , Martínez-Cerdeño Verónica , Mallamaci Antonello
Published: July 2022

Sizes of neuronal, astroglial and oligodendroglial complements forming the neonatal cerebral cortex largely depend on rates at which pallial stem cells give rise to lineage-committed progenitors and the latter ones progress to mature cell types. Here, we investigated the spatial articulation of pallial stem cells’ (SCs) commitment to astrogenesis as well as the progression of committed astroglial progenitors (APs) to differentiated astrocytes, by clonal and kinetic profiling of pallial precursors. We found that caudal-medial (CM) SCs are more prone to astrogenesis than rostro-lateral (RL) ones, while RL-committed APs are more keen to proliferate than CM ones. Next, we assessed the control of these phenomena by 2 key transcription factor genes mastering regionalization of the early cortical primordium, Emx2 and Foxg1, via lentiviral somatic transgenesis, epistasis assays, and ad hoc rescue assays. We demonstrated that preferential CM SCs progression to astrogenesis is promoted by Emx2, mainly via Couptf1, Nfia, and Sox9 upregulation, while Foxg1 antagonizes such progression to some extent, likely via repression of Zbtb20. Finally, we showed that Foxg1 and Emx2 may be implicated—asymmetrically and antithetically—in shaping distinctive proliferative/differentiative behaviors displayed by APs in hippocampus and neocortex.
Resistance-Guided Therapy for Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Authors: Allan-Blitz Lao-Tzu , Adamson Paul C , Klausner Jeffrey D
Published: July 2022

Antimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are a threat to public health. Novel strategies for combating such resistance include the development of molecular assays to facilitate real-time prediction of antimicrobial susceptibility. Resistance to ciprofloxacin is determined by the presence of a single mutation at codon 91 of the gyrase A gene; molecular assays to guide therapy are commercially available. Resistance to cefixime is conferred via 1 of 6 critical mutations in either the mosaic penA gene or specific loci in the nonmosaic region. Resistance to ceftriaxone is conferred through mutations in 1 of 4 genes: penA, ponA, penB, and mtr; however, the ability to predict reduced susceptibility based on those genes varies by geographic region. Here, we highlight the work done toward the development of 3 such assays for ciprofloxacin, cefixime, and ceftriaxone, discuss the status of our current understanding and ongoing challenges, and suggest future directions.
DEB-IBM for predicting climate change and anthropogenic impacts on population dynamics of hairtail Trichiurus lepturus in the East China Sea
Authors: Yang Tao , Han Qingpeng , Gorfine Harry , Shan Xiujuan , Ren Jeffrey S
Published: July 2022

The hairtail Trichiurus lepturus supports the largest fisheries in the East China Sea. The stock has fluctuated in the past few decades and this variation has been attributed to human pressures and climate change. To investigate energetics of individuals and population dynamics of the species in responses to environmental variations and fishing efforts, we have developed a DEB-IBM by coupling a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model to an individual-based model (IBM). The parameter estimation of DEB model shows an acceptable goodness of fit. The DEB-IBM was validated with histological data for a period of 38 years. High fishing pressure was largely responsible for the dramatic decline of the stock in middle 1980s. The stock recovered from early 1990s, which coincided with introduction of fishing moratorium on spawning stocks in inshore waters and substantial decrease of fishing efforts from large fisheries companies. In addition, the population average age showed a trend of slight decrease. The model successfully reproduced these observations of interannual variations in the population dynamics. The model was then implemented to simulate the effect of climate change on the population performance under greenhouse gas emission scenarios projected for 2100. It was also used to explore population responses to changing fishing mortalities. These scenario simulations have shown that the population biomass under SSP1-1.9, SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 would decline by 7.5%, 16.6% and 30.1%, respectively, in 2100. The model predicts that increasing fishing mortality by 10% will cause 5.3% decline of the population biomass, whereas decrease of fishing mortality by 10% will result in 6.8% increase of the biomass. The development of the DEB-IBM provides a predictive tool to inform management decisions for sustainable exploitation of the hairtail stock in the East China Sea.
Prediction of occult atrial fibrillation in patients after cryptogenic stroke and transient ischaemic attack: PROACTIA
Authors: Skrebelyte-Strøm Loreta , Rønning Ole Morten , Dahl Fredrik A , Steine Kjetil , Kjekshus Harald
Published: July 2022

Aims

Studies with implantable cardiac monitors (ICMs) show that one-third of patients with cryptogenic stroke/transient ischaemic attack (TIA) have episodes of subclinical atrial fibrillation (SCAF) and benefit switching from antiplatelet- to anticoagulant therapy. However, ICMs are costly and resource demanding. We aimed to build a score based on participant’s baseline characteristics that could assess individual risk of SCAF.

Methods and results

In a prospective study, 236 eligible patients with a final diagnosis of cryptogenic stroke/TIA had an ICM implantated during the index hospitalization. Pre-specified evaluated variables were: CHA2DS2-VASc, P-wave duration, P-wave morphology, premature atrial beats (PAC)/24 h, supraventricular tachycardia/24 h, left atrial end-systolic volume index (LAVI), Troponin-T, NT-proBNP, and D-dimer. SCAF was detected in 84 patients (36%). All pre-specified variables were significantly associated with SCAF detection in univariate analysis. P-wave duration, followed by PAC/24 h, NT-proBNP, and LAVI, had the largest ratio of SCAF prevalence between its upper and lower quartiles (3.3, vs. 3.2, vs. 3.1 vs. 2.8, respectively). However, in a multivariate analysis, only PAC/24t, P-wave duration, P-wave morphology, and LAVIs remained significant predictors and were included in the PROACTIA score. Subclinical atrial fibrillation prevalence was 75% in the highest vs. 10% in the lowest quartile of the PROACTIA score with a 10-fold higher number of patients with an atrial fibrillation burden >6 h in the highest vs. the lowest quartile.

Conclusion

The PROACTIA score can identify patients with cryptogenic stroke/TIA at risk of subsequent SCAF detection. The large difference in SCAF prevalence between groups may provide a basis for future tailored therapy.

Clinical trial registration

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT02725944.
Geometric Nature of Relations on Plabic Graphs and Totally Non-negative Grassmannians
Authors: Abenda Simonetta , Grinevich Petr G
Published: July 2022

The standard parametrization of totally non-negative Grassmannians was obtained by A. Postnikov [45] introducing the boundary measurement map in terms of discrete path integration on planar bicoloured (plabic) graphs in the disc. An alternative parametrization was proposed by T. Lam [38] introducing systems of relations at the vertices of such graphs, depending on some signatures defined on their edges. The problem of characterizing the signatures corresponding to the totally non-negative cells was left open in [38]. In our paper we provide an explicit construction of such signatures, satisfying both the full rank condition and the total non-negativity property on the full positroid cell. If each edge in a graph $\mathcal G$ belongs to some oriented path from the boundary to the boundary, then such signature is unique up to a vertex gauge transformation. Such signature is uniquely identified by geometric indices (local winding and intersection number) ruled by the orientation $\mathcal O$ and the gauge ray direction $\mathfrak l$ on $\mathcal G$. Moreover, we provide a combinatorial representation of the geometric signatures by showing that the total signature of every finite face just depends on the number of white vertices on it. The latter characterization is a Kasteleyn-type property in the case of bipartite graphs [1, 7], and has a different statistical mechanical interpretation otherwise [6]. An explicit connection between the solution of Lam’s system of relations and the value of Postnikov’s boundary measurement map is established using the generalization of Talaska’s formula [51] obtained in [6]. In particular, the components of the edge vectors are rational in the edge weights with subtraction-free denominators. Finally, we provide explicit formulas for the transformations of the signatures under Postnikov’s moves and reductions and amalgamations of networks.
The prognostic value of S-100 protein and Ki-67 index in olfactory neuroblastoma
Authors: Wang Jie , Wang Weifang , Wang Li , Tang Tianci , Hu Chunyan , Song Xinmao
Published: July 2022

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic value of S-100 protein and Ki-67 labeling index in olfactory neuroblastomas.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 85 patients with olfactory neuroblastomas. The immunohistochemical expression of S-100 and Ki-67 was assessed, and the predictive value of S-100 and Ki-67 was further evaluated. The optimal cutoff value of Ki-67 labeling index was determined using time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Overall survival and progression-free survival were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

A cut-off Ki-67 labeling index value of 67.5% was determined for prognosis in patients with olfactory neuroblastomas. There was a significant correlation between Ki-67 expression and cervical lymph node metastasis (P = 0.049). Compared with S-100 (+), S-100 (−) was associated with a higher rate of lymph node metastasis and a higher level of Ki-67 (P = 0.007, < 0.001, respectively), as well as an advanced Kadish stage (P = 0.037). Survival analyses showed that patients with S-100 (+) had better 5-year overall survival than those with S-100 (−) (P = 0.028), and patients with both S-100 (+) and Ki-67 (<67.5%) had superior 5-year overall survival compared with all the other patients (P = 0.0225).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that S-100 combined with Ki-67 labeling index are reliable prognostic factors in patients with olfactory neuroblastomas.
Dexmedetomidine Inhibits NF-κB-Transcriptional Activity in Neurons Undergoing Ischemia-Reperfusion by Regulating O-GlcNAcylation of SNW1
Authors: She Chang , Zhu Jiahua , Liu An , Xu Yangting , Jiang Zhengqian , Peng Ya
Published: July 2022

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is neuroprotective in ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) by suppressing inflammation but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not known. SNW domain-containing protein 1 (SNW1) is a coactivator of the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB p65. Because SNW1 is regulated by O-GlcNAcylation, we aimed to determine whether this modification influences NF-κB transcriptional activity in neurons undergoing I/R and how Dex may affect the O-GlcNAcylation of SNW1. SH-SY5Y and PC12 cells under hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) conditions were treated with Dex and with inhibitors of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT). O-GlcNAc levels in SNW1 and effects of SNW1 on NF-κB p65 were determined by immunoprecipitation. H/R increased SNW1 protein levels but inhibited O-GlcNAcylation of SNW1. A Luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that increased SNW1 levels led to increased NF-κB p65 activity and increased secretion of neuron-derived inflammatory factors demonstrated by ELISA. Dex reversed the H/R-induced increase of SNW1 protein by upregulating OGT and enhancing O-GlcNAcylation of SNW1. Dex suppression of the SNW1/NF-κB complex resulted in neuroprotection in vitro and in a middle cerebral artery occlusion model in vivo. PKA and ERK1/2 inhibitors abolished the effect of Dex on OGT protein. Taken together, these data indicate that Dex inhibits NF-κB-transcriptional activity in neurons undergoing I/R by regulating O-GlcNAcylation of SNW1.
Trajectories of Marital Satisfaction among Parents of Youth with Spina Bifida
Authors: Kritikos Tessa K , Winning Adrien M , Smith Zoe R , Holmbeck Grayson N
Published: July 2022

Objective

This study examined marital satisfaction among parents of youth with spina bifida (SB) over an 8-year period and investigated the usefulness of the double ABCX model for understanding factors that predict change in marital satisfaction across child age.

Methods

Data from five time points of a longitudinal investigation of psychosocial outcomes in youth with SB were included. Mothers and fathers of children with SB (aged 8–17) reported on marital satisfaction and components of the double ABCX model. Change in marital satisfaction was examined across child age with components of the double ABCX model, as well as interactions between components, as predictors.

Results

Marital satisfaction was significantly higher in the present sample than in a normative sample of married couples. Although there were no significant changes in marital satisfaction for either parent as a function of child age, there was significant variability for the intercept and slope of maternal and paternal marital satisfaction within the sample. Family support predicted a higher intercept, and mental health symptoms predicted a lower intercept, for maternal and paternal marital satisfaction. More stressors and SB-related family stress predicted a lower intercept for paternal marital satisfaction. Family support and family stress attributed to SB moderated the relationship between child vulnerability and maternal marital satisfaction. Observed family cohesion and child psychosocial quality of life moderated the relationship between family stressors and paternal marital satisfaction.

Conclusion

Findings demonstrate the usefulness of the double ABCX model for this population.
Propensity score-based analysis of stereotactic body radiotherapy, lobectomy and sublobar resection for stage I non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kishi Noriko , Matsuo Yukinori , Menju Toshi , Hamaji Masatsugu , Nakakura Akiyoshi , Hanazawa Hideki , Takehana Keiichi , Date Hiroshi , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: July 2022

We applied two propensity score-based analyses to simultaneously compare three treatment modalities—stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), lobectomy, or sublobar resection (SLR)—for stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with the aim of clarifying the average treatment effect (ATE) and formulating a risk-adapted approach to treatment selection. A retrospective review of 823 patients aged ≥65 years who underwent SBRT, lobectomy, or SLR for stage I NSCLC was conducted. The following two analyses using machine learning-based propensity scores were performed: (i) propensity score weighting (PSW) to assess the ATE in the entire cohort, and (ii) propensity score subclassification (PSS) to evaluate treatment effects of subgroups. PSW showed no significant difference in the 5-year overall survival (OS) between SBRT and SLR (60.0% vs 61.2%; P = 0.70) and significant difference between SBRT and lobectomy (60.0% vs 77.6%; P = 0.026). Local (LR) and distant recurrence (DR) rates were significantly lower in lobectomy than in SBRT, whereas there was no significant difference between SBRT and SLR. PSS identified four subgroups with different patient characteristics: lobectomy-oriented (5-year cumulative incidences of non-lung cancer death, 7.5%), SLR-oriented (14.2%), SBRT-oriented (23.8%) and treatment-neutral subgroups (16.1%). Each subgroup showed different survival trends regarding the three treatments. The ATE of SBRT was not significantly different from that of SLR, but it was inferior to lobectomy. Four subgroups with different risks of non-lung cancer death and different survival trends for each treatment were identified. These would help decision-making for patients with stage I NSCLC.
Momentum and energy injection by a wind-blown bubble into an inhomogeneous interstellar medium
Authors: Pittard J M
Published: July 2022

We investigate the effect of mass-loading from embedded clouds on the evolution of wind-blown bubbles. We use 1D hydrodynamical calculations and assume that the clouds are numerous enough that they can be treated in the continuous limit, and that rapid mixing occurs so that the injected mass quickly merges with the global flow. The destruction of embedded clouds adds mass into the bubble, increasing its density. Mass-loading increases the temperature of the unshocked stellar wind due to the frictional drag, and reduces the temperature of the hot shocked gas as the available thermal energy is shared between more particles. Mass-loading may increase or decrease the volume-averaged bubble pressure. Mass-loaded bubbles are smaller, have less retained energy and lower radial momentum, but in all cases examined are still able to do significant PdV work on the swept-up gas. In this latter respect, the bubbles more closely resemble energy-conserving bubbles than the momentum-conserving-like behaviour of ‘quenched’ bubbles.
Cryo neutron crystallography demonstrates influence of RNA 2′-OH orientation on conformation, sugar pucker and water structure
Authors: Harp Joel M , Lybrand Terry P , Pallan Pradeep S , Coates Leighton , Sullivan Brendan , Egli Martin
Published: July 2022

The ribose 2′-hydroxyl is the key chemical difference between RNA and DNA and primary source of their divergent structural and functional characteristics. Macromolecular X-ray diffraction experiments typically do not reveal the positions of hydrogen atoms. Thus, standard crystallography cannot determine 2′-OH orientation (H2′-C2′-O2′-HO2′ torsion angle) and its potential roles in sculpting the RNA backbone and the expansive fold space. Here, we report the first neutron crystal structure of an RNA, the Escherichia coli rRNA Sarcin-Ricin Loop (SRL). 2′-OD orientations were established for all 27 residues and revealed O-D bonds pointing toward backbone (O3′, 13 observations), nucleobase (11) or sugar (3). Most riboses in the SRL stem region show a 2′-OD backbone-orientation. GAGA-tetraloop riboses display a 2′-OD base-orientation. An atypical C2′-endo sugar pucker is strictly correlated with a 2′-OD sugar-orientation. Neutrons reveal the strong preference of the 2′-OH to donate in H-bonds and that 2′-OH orientation affects both backbone geometry and ribose pucker. We discuss 2′-OH and water molecule orientations in the SRL neutron structure and compare with results from a solution phase 10 μs MD simulation. We demonstrate that joint cryo-neutron/X-ray crystallography offers an all-in-one approach to determine the complete structural properties of RNA, i.e. geometry, conformation, protonation state and hydration structure.
In vitro reconstitution reveals a key role of human mitochondrial EXOG in RNA primer processing
Authors: Karlowicz Anna , Dubiel Andrzej B , Czerwinska Jolanta , Bledea Adela , Purzycki Piotr , Grzelewska Marta , McAuley Ryan J , Szczesny Roman J , Brzuska Gabriela , Krol Ewelina , Szczesny Bartosz , Szymanski Michal R
Published: July 2022

The removal of RNA primers is essential for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication. Several nucleases have been implicated in RNA primer removal in human mitochondria, however, no conclusive mechanism has been elucidated. Here, we reconstituted minimal in vitro system capable of processing RNA primers into ligatable DNA ends. We show that human 5′-3′ exonuclease, EXOG, plays a fundamental role in removal of the RNA primer. EXOG cleaves short and long RNA-containing flaps but also in cooperation with RNase H1, processes non-flap RNA-containing intermediates. Our data indicate that the enzymatic activity of both enzymes is necessary to process non-flap RNA-containing intermediates and that regardless of the pathway, EXOG-mediated RNA cleavage is necessary prior to ligation by DNA Ligase III. We also show that upregulation of EXOG levels in mitochondria increases ligation efficiency of RNA-containing substrates and discover physical interactions, both in vitro and in cellulo, between RNase H1 and EXOG, Pol γA, Pol γB and Lig III but not FEN1, which we demonstrate to be absent from mitochondria of human lung epithelial cells. Together, using human mtDNA replication enzymes, we reconstitute for the first time RNA primer removal reaction and propose a novel model for RNA primer processing in human mitochondria.
Induction of senescence upon loss of the Ash2l core subunit of H3K4 methyltransferase complexes
Authors: Bochyńska Agnieszka , Stenzel Alexander T , Sayadi Boroujeni Roksaneh , Kuo Chao-Chung , Barsoum Mirna , Liang Weili , Bussmann Philip , Costa Ivan G , Lüscher-Firzlaff Juliane , Lüscher Bernhard
Published: July 2022

Gene expression is controlled in part by post-translational modifications of core histones. Methylation of lysine 4 of histone H3 (H3K4), associated with open chromatin and gene transcription, is catalyzed by type 2 lysine methyltransferase complexes that require WDR5, RBBP5, ASH2L and DPY30 as core subunits. Ash2l is essential during embryogenesis and for maintaining adult tissues. To expand on the mechanistic understanding of Ash2l, we generated mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) with conditional Ash2l alleles. Upon loss of Ash2l, methylation of H3K4 and gene expression were downregulated, which correlated with inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle progression. Moreover, we observed induction of senescence concomitant with a set of downregulated signature genes but independent of SASP. Many of the signature genes are FoxM1 responsive. Indeed, exogenous FOXM1 was sufficient to delay senescence. Thus, although the loss of Ash2l in MEFs has broad and complex consequences, a distinct set of downregulated genes promotes senescence.
The silencing of ets-4 mRNA relies on the functional cooperation between REGE-1/Regnase-1 and RLE-1/Roquin-1
Authors: Sobańska Daria , Komur Alicja A , Chabowska-Kita Agnieszka , Gumna Julita , Kumari Pooja , Pachulska-Wieczorek Katarzyna , Ciosk Rafal
Published: July 2022

Regnase-1 is an evolutionarily conserved endoribonuclease. It degrades diverse mRNAs important for many biological processes including immune homeostasis, development and cancer. There are two competing models of Regnase-1-mediated mRNA silencing. One model postulates that Regnase-1 works together with another RNA-binding protein, Roquin-1, which recruits Regnase-1 to specific mRNAs. The other model proposes that the two proteins function separately. Studying REGE-1, the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog of Regnase-1, we have uncovered its functional relationship with RLE-1, the nematode counterpart of Roquin-1. While both proteins are essential for mRNA silencing, REGE-1 and RLE-1 appear to associate with target mRNA independently of each other. Thus, although the functional interdependence between REGE-1/Regnase-1 and RLE-1/Roquin-1 is conserved, the underlying mechanisms may display species-specific variation, providing a rare perspective on the evolution of this important post-transcriptional regulatory mechanism.
Video observations of tiny near-Earth objects with Tomo-e Gozen
Authors: Beniyama Jin , Sako Shigeyuki , Ohsawa Ryou , Takita Satoshi , Kobayashi Naoto , Okumura Shin-ichiro , Urakawa Seitaro , Yoshikawa Makoto , Usui Fumihiko , Yoshida Fumi , Doi Mamoru , Niino Yuu , Shigeyama Toshikazu , Tanaka Masaomi , Tominaga Nozomu , Aoki Tsutomu , Arima Noriaki , Arimatsu Ko , Kasuga Toshihiro , Kondo Sohei , Mori Yuki , Takahashi Hidenori , Watanabe Jun-ichi
Published: July 2022

We report the results of video observations of tiny (diameter less than 100 m) near-Earth objects (NEOs) with Tomo-e Gozen on the Kiso 105 cm Schmidt telescope. The rotational period of a tiny asteroid reflects its dynamical history and physical properties since smaller objects are sensitive to the Yarkovsky–O’Keefe–Radzievskii–Paddack (YORP) effect. We carried out video observations of 60 tiny NEOs at 2 fps from 2018 to 2021 and successfully derived the rotational periods and axial ratios of 32 NEOs including 13 fast rotators with rotational periods less than 60 s. The fastest rotator found during our survey is 2020 HS$_\mathsf {7}$ with a rotational period of 2.99 s. We statistically confirmed that there is a certain number of tiny fast rotators in the NEO population, which have been missed with all previous surveys. We have discovered that the distribution of the tiny NEOs in a diameter and rotational period (D–P) diagram is truncated around a period of 10 s. The truncation with a flat-top shape is not explained well by either a realistic tensile strength of NEOs or the suppression of YORP by meteoroid impacts. We propose that the dependence of the tangential YORP effect on the rotational period potentially explains the observed pattern in the D–P diagram.
Rates of Loosening, Failure, and Revision of Iliac Fixation in Adult Deformity Surgery
Authors: Eastlack Robert K. , Soroceanu Alex , Mundis Gregory M. , Daniels Alan H. , Smith Justin S. , Line Breton , Passias Peter , Nunley Pierce D. , Okonkwo David O. , Than Khoi D. , Uribe Juan , Mummaneni Praveen V. , Chou Dean , Shaffrey Christopher I. , Bess Shay ,   the International Spine Study Group
Published: July 2022

Study Design.

Retrospective cohort review of a prospective multicenter database.

Objective.

Identify rates and variations in lumbopelvic fixation failure after adult spinal deformity (ASD) correction.

Summary of Background Data.

Traditional iliac (IS) and S2-alar-iliac (S2AI) pelvic fixation methods have unique technical characteristics for their application, and result in varied bio-mechanical and anatomic impact. These differences may lead to variance in lumbopelvic fixation failure types/rates.

Methods.

ASD patients undergoing correction with more than five level fusion and pelvic fixation, separated by pelvic fixation type (IS vs. S2AI). Fixation fracture or loosening assessed radiographically (Figure 1). Multivariate logistic regression, accounting for significant confounders, was used to examine differences between the two groups for screw loosening/fracture, rod fracture, and revision surgery. Level of significance set at P< 0.05.

Results.

Four hundred eighteen of 1422 patients were included (IS = 287, S2AI = 131). The groups had similar age, body mass index (BMI), baseline comorbidities, number of levels fused (P>0.05), baseline health related quality of life measures (HRQLs) (short form survey-36, Oswestry Disability Index [ODI], Scoliosis Research Society [SRS-22], numeric rating scale [NRS] leg and back, P>0.05) and deformity (pelvic tilt [PT], pelvic incidence-lumbar lordosis [PI-LL], and sagittal vertical axis [SVA], P> 0.05). The IS group had more unilateral fixation versus S2AI (12.9% vs. 6%; P = 0.02). The overall lumbopelvic fixation failure rate was 23.74%. Pelvic fixation (13.4%) and S1 screw (2.9%) loosening was more likely with S2AI (odds ratio [OR] 2.63, P = 0.001; OR 6.05, P = 0.022). Pelvic screw (2.3%) and rod fracture (14.1%) rates similar between groups but trended toward less occurrence with S2AI (OR 0.47, P= 0.06). Revision surgery occurred in 22.7%, and in 8.5% for iliac fixation specifically, but with no differences between fixation types (P = 0.55 and P = 0.365). Pelvic fixation failure conferred worse HRQL scores (physical component score [PCS] 36.23 vs. 39.37, P= 0.04; ODI 33.81 vs. 27.93, P = 0.036), and less 2 years improvement (PCS 7.69 vs. 10.46, P = 0.028; SRS 0.83 vs. 1.03, P = 0.019; ODI 12.91 vs. 19.77, P = 0.0016).

Conclusion.

Lumbopelvic fixation failure rates were high following ASD correction, and associated with lesser clinical improvements. S2AI screws were more likely to demonstrate loosening, but less commonly associated with rod fractures at the lumbopelvic region.