bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Back‐to‐Back Occurrence of Tropical Cyclones in the Arabian Sea During October–November 2015: Causes and Responses
Authors: Roy Chowdhury Riyanka , Prasanna Kumar S. , Narvekar Jayu , Chakraborty Arun
Published: May 2020

In the Arabian Sea, two extremely severe cyclonic storms occurred back to back during October–November 2015. Using a suite of ocean and atmospheric data, we examined the upper ocean responses of tropical cyclones Chapala and Megh, the latter originated immediately after the dissipation of the former. Cyclones Chapala and Megh cooled the sea surface by 1.5°C and 1.0°C, respectively, which was also captured by Bio‐Argo float in the vicinity of their tracks. The cyclone‐induced chlorophyll a enhancement was 6 and 2 times respectively from their precyclone value of 0.36 and 0.30 mg/m3, while the net primary productivity showed an increase of 5.8 and 1.7 times respectively from the precyclone values of 496.26 and 518.63 mg C/m2/day after the passage of Chapala and Megh. The CO2 flux showed a sixfold and twofold increase respectively compared to the precyclone value of 2.69–3.58 and 6.78 mmol/m2/day. We show that the anomalous co‐occurrence of the positive phase of Indian Ocean Dipole and the strong El Niño supported large‐scale warming in the western Arabian Sea. Subsequent altered Walker circulation played a decisive role in the preconditioning of both atmosphere and ocean, which led to a situation congenial for cyclogenesis. What triggered the formation of the cyclone Chapala was the arrival of eastward‐propagating atmospheric convection associated with the Madden‐Julian oscillation. The generation of the second cyclone Megh within 8 days appears to be associated with the oceanic Rossby wave that led to an increase in the upper ocean heat content by deepening the 26°C isotherm in the vicinity of the origin of cyclones.
Modeling the Seasonality and Controls of Nitrous Oxide Emissions on the Northwest European Continental Shelf
Authors: Lessin Gennadi , Polimene Luca , Artioli Yuri , Butenschön Momme , Clark Darren R. , Brown Ian , Rees Andrew P.
Published: May 2020

Estimates of oceanic emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) are surrounded by a considerable degree of uncertainty, particularly regarding the contribution of productive shelf regions, where assessments are based on limited observations. In this paper, we have applied a coupled hydrodynamic‐biogeochemical model resolving N2O dynamics to estimate N2O emissions within the northwest European continental shelf. Based on 10‐year average distributions (2006–2015), dominant seasonal patterns of N2O air‐sea exchange were identified. Within the southwest region of the shelf and deep parts of the North Sea, emissions are highest during winter. Peak emissions during late autumn are typical for the northwest part of the shelf and central North Sea, while in the western English Channel, Irish Sea and western North Sea peak outflux shifts toward early autumn. Within these regions, most N2O production occurs below the seasonal pycnocline, and duration and intensity of stratification defines the timing and rate of its subsequent release to the atmosphere. In contrast, within the southeast North Sea and most of the coastal areas, lack of stratification allows the excess N2O to outgas as soon as it is produced, driven by ammonium availability, resulting in peak emissions in summer. We estimate that N2O emissions from the northwest European shelf contribute 0.02224 Tg N to the atmosphere annually, that is, between 3.3–6.8% of total emissions from European shelves and estuaries.
Who Are Your Collaborators?
Authors: Wooden Paige
Published: May 2020

Analyzing how people collaborate in AGU’s meetings and publications according to gender, age, and ethnicity provides clear evidence for diversifying networks and collaborating with new people.
Geoscience Societies Commit to Tackling Global Challenges
Authors: Dacey James
Published: May 2020

As Europe’s premiere geoscience conference kicks off online, leading Earth and space societies restate their commitments in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Controlling the Chirping of Chorus Waves via Magnetic Field Inhomogeneity
Authors: Wu Yifan , Tao Xin , Zonca Fulvio , Chen Liu , Wang Shui
Published: May 2020

Whistler mode chorus waves are coherent electromagnetic emissions in planetary magnetospheres, characterized by rising‐tone or falling‐tone chirping elements. Understanding the cause of different chirping directions and their properties is an important step in resolving the long‐standing problem of nonlinear chorus generation. We report here, for the first time, particle‐in‐cell simulations of bidirectional chirping of whistler waves in a uniform magnetic field and falling‐tone‐only chirping in an inhomogeneous field. Combined with previous simulations of rising‐tone‐only emissions, we demonstrate that the background magnetic field inhomogeneity is not required for chirping of chorus, but it plays a key role in determining the chirping direction. The findings of the present work also unveil the critical role of the dipole geometry of Earth's magnetic field in causing the statistical predominance of rising‐tone chorus and the oblique propagation of falling‐tone chorus.
Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak on NO2 Pollution Assessed Using TROPOMI and OMI Observations
Authors: Bauwens M. , Compernolle S. , Stavrakou T. , Müller J.‐F. , van Gent J. , Eskes H. , Levelt P. F. , van der A R. , Veefkind J. P. , Vlietinck J. , Yu H. , Zehner C.
Published: May 2020

Spaceborne NO2 column observations from two high‐resolution instruments, Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) on board Sentinel‐5 Precursor and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on Aura, reveal unprecedented NO2 decreases over China, South Korea, western Europe, and the United States as a result of public health measures enforced to contain the coronavirus disease outbreak (Covid‐19) in January–April 2020. The average NO2 column drop over all Chinese cities amounts to −40% relative to the same period in 2019 and reaches up to a factor of ~2 at heavily hit cities, for example, Wuhan, Jinan, while the decreases in western Europe and the United States are also significant (−20% to −38%). In contrast with this, although Iran is also strongly affected by the disease, the observations do not show evidence of lower emissions, reflecting more limited health measures.
LncRNA Nron regulates osteoclastogenesis during orthodontic bone resorption
Authors: Zhang Ruilin , Li Junhui , Li Gongchen , Jin Fujun , Wang Zuolin , Yue Rui , Wang Yibin , Wang Xiaogang , Sun Yao
Published: May 2020

Activation of osteoclasts during orthodontic tooth treatment is a prerequisite for alveolar bone resorption and tooth movement. However, the key regulatory molecules involved in osteoclastogenesis during this process remain unclear. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a newly identified class of functional RNAs that regulate cellular processes, such as gene expression and translation regulation. Recently, lncRNAs have been reported to be involved in osteogenesis and bone formation. However, as the most abundant noncoding RNAs in vivo, the potential regulatory role of lncRNAs in osteoclast formation and bone resorption urgently needs to be clarified. We recently found that the lncRNA Nron (long noncoding RNA repressor of the nuclear factor of activated T cells) is highly expressed in osteoclast precursors. Nron is downregulated during osteoclastogenesis and bone ageing. To further determine whether Nron regulates osteoclast activity during orthodontic treatment, osteoclastic Nron transgenic (Nron cTG) and osteoclastic knockout (Nron CKO) mouse models were generated. When Nron was overexpressed, the orthodontic tooth movement rate was reduced. In addition, the number of osteoclasts decreased, and the activity of osteoclasts was inhibited. Mechanistically, Nron controlled the maturation of osteoclasts by regulating NFATc1 nuclear translocation. In contrast, by deleting Nron specifically in osteoclasts, tooth movement speed increased in Nron CKO mice. These results indicate that lncRNAs could be potential targets to regulate osteoclastogenesis and orthodontic tooth movement speed in the clinic in the future.
Characteristics of oral methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from dental plaque
Authors: Tang Boyu , Gong Tao , Cui Yujia , Wang Lingyun , He Chao , Lu Miao , Chen Jiamin , Jing Meiling , Zhang Anqi , Li Yuqing
Published: May 2020

The oral microbial community is widely regarded as a latent reservoir of antibiotic resistance genes. This study assessed the molecular epidemiology, susceptibility profile, and resistance mechanisms of 35 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE) strains isolated from the dental plaque of a healthy human population. Broth microdilution minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) revealed that all the isolates were nonsusceptible to oxacillin and penicillin G. Most of them were also resistant to trimethoprim (65.7%) and erythromycin (54.3%). The resistance to multiple antibiotics was found to be largely due to the acquisition of plasmid-borne genes. The mecA and dfrA genes were found in all the isolates, mostly dfrG (80%), aacA-aphD (20%), aadD (28.6%), aphA3 (22.9%), msrA (5.7%), and the ermC gene (14.3%). Classical mutational mechanisms found in these isolates were mainly efflux pumps such as qacA (31.4%), qacC (25.7%), tetK (17.1%), and norA (8.6%). Multilocus sequence type analysis revealed that sequence type 59 (ST59) strains comprised 71.43% of the typed isolates, and the eBURST algorithm clustered STs into the clonal complex 2-II(CC2-II). The staphyloccoccal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type results showed that 25 (71.43%) were assigned to type IV. Moreover, 88.66% of the isolates were found to harbor six or more biofilm-associated genes. The aap, atlE, embp, sdrF, and IS256 genes were detected in all 35 isolates. This research demonstrates that biofilm-positive multiple-antibiotic-resistant ST59-SCCmec IV S. epidermidis strains exist in the dental plaque of healthy people and may be a potential risk for the transmission of antibiotic resistance.
Abstract representations of events arise from mental errors in learning and memory
Authors: Lynn Christopher W. , Kahn Ari E. , Nyema Nathaniel , Bassett Danielle S.
Published: May 2020

Humans are adept at uncovering abstract associations in the world around them, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Intuitively, learning the higher-order structure of statistical relationships should involve complex mental processes. Here we propose an alternative perspective: that higher-order associations instead arise from natural errors in learning and memory. Using the free energy principle, which bridges information theory and Bayesian inference, we derive a maximum entropy model of people’s internal representations of the transitions between stimuli. Importantly, our model (i) affords a concise analytic form, (ii) qualitatively explains the effects of transition network structure on human expectations, and (iii) quantitatively predicts human reaction times in probabilistic sequential motor tasks. Together, these results suggest that mental errors influence our abstract representations of the world in significant and predictable ways, with direct implications for the study and design of optimally learnable information sources.
Epitaxial bulk acoustic wave resonators as highly coherent multi-phonon sources for quantum acoustodynamics
Authors: Gokhale Vikrant J. , Downey Brian P. , Katzer D. Scott , Nepal Neeraj , Lang Andrew C. , Stroud Rhonda M. , Meyer David J.
Published: May 2020

Solid-state quantum acoustodynamic (QAD) systems provide a compact platform for quantum information storage and processing by coupling acoustic phonon sources with superconducting or spin qubits. The multi-mode composite high-overtone bulk acoustic wave resonator (HBAR) is a popular phonon source well suited for QAD. However, scattering from defects, grain boundaries, and interfacial/surface roughness in the composite transducer severely limits the phonon relaxation time in sputter-deposited devices. Here, we grow an epitaxial-HBAR, consisting of a metallic NbN bottom electrode and a piezoelectric GaN film on a SiC substrate. The acoustic impedance-matched epi-HBAR has a power injection efficiency >99% from transducer to phonon cavity. The smooth interfaces and low defect density reduce phonon losses, yielding (f × Q) and phonon lifetimes up to 1.36 × 1017 Hz and 500 µs respectively. The GaN/NbN/SiC epi-HBAR is an electrically actuated, multi-mode phonon source that can be directly interfaced with NbN-based superconducting qubits or SiC-based spin qubits.
Atomic-like charge qubit in a carbon nanotube enabling electric and magnetic field nano-sensing
Authors: Khivrich I. , Ilani S.
Published: May 2020

Quantum sensing techniques have been successful in pushing the sensitivity limits in numerous fields, and hold promise for scanning probes that study nano-scale devices and materials. However, forming a nano-scale qubit that is simple and robust enough to be placed on a scanning tip, and sensitive enough to detect various physical observables, is still a great challenge. Here, we demonstrate, in a carbon nanotube, an implementation of a charge qubit that achieves these requirements. Our qubit’s basis states are formed from the natural electronic wavefunctions in a single quantum dot. Different magnetic moments and charge distributions of these wavefunctions make it sensitive to magnetic and electric fields, while difference in their electrical transport allows a simple transport-based readout mechanism. We demonstrate electric field sensitivity better than that of a single electron transistor, and DC magnetic field sensitivity comparable to that of NV centers. Due to its simplicity, this qubit can be fabricated using conventional techniques. These features make this atomic-like qubit a powerful tool, enabling a variety of imaging experiments.
Nucleation-controlled growth of superior lead-free perovskite Cs3Bi2I9 single-crystals for high-performance X-ray detection
Authors: Zhang Yunxia , Liu Yucheng , Xu Zhuo , Ye Haochen , Yang Zhou , You Jiaxue , Liu Ming , He Yihui , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Liu Shengzhong
Published: May 2020

The organic-inorganic hybrid lead halide perovskites have emerged as a series of star materials for solar cells, lasers and detectors. However, the issues raised by the toxic lead element and marginal stability due to the volatile organic components have severely limited their potential applications. In this work, we develop a nucleation-controlled solution method to grow large size high-quality Cs3Bi2I9 perovskite single crystals (PSCs). Using the technique, we harvest some centimeter-sized single crystals and achieved high device performance. We find that X-ray detectors based on PSCs exhibit high sensitivity of 1652.3 μC Gyair−1 cm−2 and very low detectable dose rate of 130 nGyair s−1, both desired in medical diagnostics. In addition, its outstanding thermal stability inspires us to develop a high temperature X-ray detector with stable response at up to 100 °C. Furthermore, PSCs exhibit high X-ray imaging capability thanks to its negligible signal drifting and extremely high stability.
A RUNX2 stabilization pathway mediates physiologic and pathologic bone formation
Authors: Kim Jung-Min , Yang Yeon-Suk , Park Kwang Hwan , Ge Xianpeng , Xu Ren , Li Na , Song Minkyung , Chun Hyunho , Bok Seoyeon , Charles Julia F. , Filhol-Cochet Odile , Boldyreff Brigitte , Dinter Teresa , Yu Paul B. , Kon Ning , Gu Wei , Takarada Takeshi , Greenblatt Matthew B. , Shim Jae-Hyuck
Published: May 2020

The osteoblast differentiation capacity of skeletal stem cells (SSCs) must be tightly regulated, as inadequate bone formation results in low bone mass and skeletal fragility, and over-exuberant osteogenesis results in heterotopic ossification (HO) of soft tissues. RUNX2 is essential for tuning this balance, but the mechanisms of posttranslational control of RUNX2 remain to be fully elucidated. Here, we identify that a CK2/HAUSP pathway is a key regulator of RUNX2 stability, as Casein kinase 2 (CK2) phosphorylates RUNX2, recruiting the deubiquitinase herpesvirus-associated ubiquitin-specific protease (HAUSP), which stabilizes RUNX2 by diverting it away from ubiquitin-dependent proteasomal degradation. This pathway is important for both the commitment of SSCs to osteoprogenitors and their subsequent maturation. This CK2/HAUSP/RUNX2 pathway is also necessary for HO, as its inhibition blocked HO in multiple models. Collectively, active deubiquitination of RUNX2 is required for bone formation and this CK2/HAUSP deubiquitination pathway offers therapeutic opportunities for disorders of inappropriate mineralization.
p85β regulates autophagic degradation of AXL to activate oncogenic signaling
Authors: Rao Ling , Mak Victor C. Y. , Zhou Yuan , Zhang Dong , Li Xinran , Fung Chloe C. Y. , Sharma Rakesh , Gu Chao , Lu Yiling , Tipoe George L. , Cheung Annie N. Y. , Mills Gordon B. , Cheung Lydia W. T.
Published: May 2020

PIK3R2 encodes the p85β regulatory subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and is frequently amplified in cancers. The signaling mechanism and therapeutic implication of p85β are poorly understood. Here we report that p85β upregulates the protein level of the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL to induce oncogenic signaling in ovarian cancer. p85β activates p110 activity and AKT-independent PDK1/SGK3 signaling to promote tumorigenic phenotypes, which are all abolished upon inhibition of AXL. At the molecular level, p85β alters the phosphorylation of TRIM2 (an E3 ligase) and optineurin (an autophagy receptor), which mediate the selective regulation of AXL by p85β, thereby disrupting the autophagic degradation of the AXL protein. Therapeutically, p85β expression renders ovarian cancer cells vulnerable to inhibitors of AXL, p110, or PDK1. Conversely, p85β-depleted cells are less sensitive to these inhibitors. Together, our findings provide a rationale for pharmacological blockade of the AXL signaling axis in PIK3R2-amplified ovarian cancer.
Evolution of cooperation on temporal networks
Authors: Li Aming , Zhou Lei , Su Qi , Cornelius Sean P. , Liu Yang-Yu , Wang Long , Levin Simon A.
Published: May 2020

Population structure is a key determinant in fostering cooperation among naturally self-interested individuals in microbial populations, social insect groups, and human societies. Traditional research has focused on static structures, and yet most real interactions are finite in duration and changing in time, forming a temporal network. This raises the question of whether cooperation can emerge and persist despite an intrinsically fragmented population structure. Here we develop a framework to study the evolution of cooperation on temporal networks. Surprisingly, we find that network temporality actually enhances the evolution of cooperation relative to comparable static networks, despite the fact that bursty interaction patterns generally impede cooperation. We resolve this tension by proposing a measure to quantify the amount of temporality in a network, revealing an intermediate level that maximally boosts cooperation. Our results open a new avenue for investigating the evolution of cooperation and other emergent behaviours in more realistic structured populations.
Backmapping triangulated surfaces to coarse-grained membrane models
Authors: Pezeshkian Weria , König Melanie , Wassenaar Tsjerk A. , Marrink Siewert J.
Published: May 2020

Many biological processes involve large-scale changes in membrane shape. Computer simulations of these processes are challenging since they occur across a wide range of spatiotemporal scales that cannot be investigated in full by any single current simulation technique. A potential solution is to combine different levels of resolution through a multiscale scheme. Here, we present a multiscale algorithm that backmaps a continuum membrane model represented as a dynamically triangulated surface (DTS) to its corresponding molecular model based on the coarse-grained (CG) Martini force field. Thus, we can use DTS simulations to equilibrate slow large-scale membrane conformational changes and then explore the local properties at CG resolution. We demonstrate the power of our method by backmapping a vesicular bud induced by binding of Shiga toxin and by transforming the membranes of an entire mitochondrion to near-atomic resolution. Our approach opens the way to whole cell simulations at molecular detail.
Multilayer hazes over Saturn’s hexagon from Cassini ISS limb images
Authors: Sánchez-Lavega A. , García-Muñoz A. , del Río-Gaztelurrutia T. , Pérez-Hoyos S. , Sanz-Requena J. F. , Hueso R. , Guerlet S. , Peralta J.
Published: May 2020

In June 2015, Cassini high-resolution images of Saturn’s limb southwards of the planet’s hexagonal wave revealed a system of at least six stacked haze layers above the upper cloud deck. Here, we characterize those haze layers and discuss their nature. Vertical thickness of layers ranged from 7 to 18 km, and they extended in altitude ∼130 km, from pressure level 0.5 bar to 0.01 bar. Above them, a thin but extended aerosol layer reached altitude ∼340 km (0.4 mbar). Radiative transfer modeling of spectral reflectivity shows that haze properties are consistent with particles of diameter 0.07–1.4 μm and number density 100–500 cm−3. The nature of the hazes is compatible with their formation by condensation of hydrocarbon ices, including acetylene and benzene at higher altitudes. Their vertical distribution could be due to upward propagating gravity waves generated by dynamical forcing by the hexagon and its associated eastward jet.
Valence-programmable nanoparticle architectures
Authors: Sun Sha , Yang Shize , Xin Huolin L. , Nykypanchuk Dmytro , Liu Mingzhao , Zhang Honghu , Gang Oleg
Published: May 2020

Nanoparticle-based clusters permit the harvesting of collective and emergent properties, with applications ranging from optics and sensing to information processing and catalysis. However, existing approaches to create such architectures are typically system-specific, which limits designability and fabrication. Our work addresses this challenge by demonstrating that cluster architectures can be rationally formed using components with programmable valence. We realize cluster assemblies by employing a three-dimensional (3D) DNA meshframe with high spatial symmetry as a site-programmable scaffold, which can be prescribed with desired valence modes and affinity types. Thus, this meshframe serves as a versatile platform for coordination of nanoparticles into desired cluster architectures. Using the same underlying frame, we show the realization of a variety of preprogrammed designed valence modes, which allows for assembling 3D clusters with complex architectures. The structures of assembled 3D clusters are verified by electron microcopy imaging, cryo-EM tomography and in-situ X-ray scattering methods. We also find a close agreement between structural and optical properties of designed chiral architectures.
Bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging reveals translationally active subpopulations of the cystic fibrosis lung microbiota
Authors: Valentini Talia D. , Lucas Sarah K. , Binder Kelsey A. , Cameron Lydia C. , Motl Jason A. , Dunitz Jordan M. , Hunter Ryan C.
Published: May 2020

Culture-independent studies of cystic fibrosis lung microbiota have provided few mechanistic insights into the polymicrobial basis of disease. Deciphering the specific contributions of individual taxa to CF pathogenesis requires comprehensive understanding of their ecophysiology at the site of infection. We hypothesize that only a subset of CF microbiota are translationally active and that these activities vary between subjects. Here, we apply bioorthogonal non-canonical amino acid tagging (BONCAT) to visualize and quantify bacterial translational activity in expectorated sputum. We report that the percentage of BONCAT-labeled (i.e. active) bacterial cells varies substantially between subjects (6-56%). We use fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and genomic sequencing to assign taxonomy to BONCAT-labeled cells. While many abundant taxa are indeed active, most bacterial species detected by conventional molecular profiling show a mixed population of both BONCAT-labeled and unlabeled cells, suggesting heterogeneous growth rates in sputum. Differentiating translationally active subpopulations adds to our evolving understanding of CF lung disease and may help guide antibiotic therapies targeting bacteria most likely to be susceptible.
Single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrates the molecular and cellular reprogramming of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kim Nayoung , Kim Hong Kwan , Lee Kyungjong , Hong Yourae , Cho Jong Ho , Choi Jung Won , Lee Jung-Il , Suh Yeon-Lim , Ku Bo Mi , Eum Hye Hyeon , Choi Soyean , Choi Yoon-La , Joung Je-Gun , Park Woong-Yang , Jung Hyun Ae , Sun Jong-Mu , Lee Se-Hoon , Ahn Jin Seok , Park Keunchil , Ahn Myung-Ju , Lee Hae-Ock
Published: May 2020

Advanced metastatic cancer poses utmost clinical challenges and may present molecular and cellular features distinct from an early-stage cancer. Herein, we present single-cell transcriptome profiling of metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, the most prevalent histological lung cancer type diagnosed at stage IV in over 40% of all cases. From 208,506 cells populating the normal tissues or early to metastatic stage cancer in 44 patients, we identify a cancer cell subtype deviating from the normal differentiation trajectory and dominating the metastatic stage. In all stages, the stromal and immune cell dynamics reveal ontological and functional changes that create a pro-tumoral and immunosuppressive microenvironment. Normal resident myeloid cell populations are gradually replaced with monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells, along with T-cell exhaustion. This extensive single-cell analysis enhances our understanding of molecular and cellular dynamics in metastatic lung cancer and reveals potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in cancer-microenvironment interactions.
A limbic circuitry involved in emotional stress-induced grooming
Authors: Mu Ming-Dao , Geng Hong-Yan , Rong Kang-Lin , Peng Rong-Chao , Wang Shu-Ting , Geng Lin-Ting , Qian Zhong-Ming , Yung Wing-Ho , Ke Ya
Published: May 2020

Prolonged exposure to negative stressors could be harmful if a subject cannot respond appropriately. Strategies evolved to respond to stress, including repetitive displacement behaviours, are important in maintaining behavioural homoeostasis. In rodents, self-grooming is a frequently observed repetitive behaviour believed to contribute to post-stress de-arousal with adaptive value. Here we identified a rat limbic di-synaptic circuit that regulates stress-induced self-grooming with positive affective valence. This circuit links hippocampal ventral subiculum to ventral lateral septum (LSv) and then lateral hypothalamus tuberal nucleus. Optogenetic activation of this circuit triggers delayed but robust excessive grooming with patterns closely resembling those evoked by emotional stress. Consistently, the neural activity of LSv reaches a peak before emotional stress-induced grooming while inhibition of this circuit significantly suppresses grooming triggered by emotional stress. Our results uncover a previously unknown limbic circuitry involved in regulating stress-induced self-grooming and pinpoint a critical role of LSv in this ethologically important behaviour.
A self-operating broadband spectrometer on a droplet
Authors: Malara P. , Giorgini A. , Avino S. , Di Sarno V. , Aiello R. , Maddaloni P. , De Natale P. , Gagliardi G.
Published: May 2020

Small-scale Fourier transform spectrometers are rapidly revolutionizing infrared spectro-chemical analysis, enabling on-site and remote sensing applications that were hardly imaginable just few years ago. While most devices reported to date rely on advanced photonic integration technologies, here we demonstrate a miniaturization strategy which harnesses unforced mechanisms, such as the evaporation of a liquid droplet on a partially reflective substrate. Based on this principle, we describe a self-operating optofluidic spectrometer and the analysis method to retrieve consistent spectral information in spite of the intrinsically non-reproducible droplet formation and evaporation dynamics. We experimentally realize the device on the tip of an optical fiber and demonstrate quantitative measurements of gas absorption with a 2.6 nm resolution, in a 100 s acquisition time, over the 250 nm span allowed by our setup’s components. A direct comparison with a commercial optical analyzer clearly points out that a simple evaporating droplet can be an efficient small-scale, inexpensive spectrometer, competitive with the most advanced integrated photonic devices.
Structural basis for impairment of DNA methylation by the DNMT3A R882H mutation
Authors: Anteneh Hiwot , Fang Jian , Song Jikui
Published: May 2020

DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A is essential for establishment of mammalian DNA methylation during development. The R882H DNMT3A is a hotspot mutation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) causing aberrant DNA methylation. However, how this mutation affects the structure and function of DNMT3A remains unclear. Here we report structural characterization of wild-type and R882H-mutated DNMT3A in complex with DNA substrates with different sequence contexts. A loop from the target recognition domain (TRD loop) recognizes the CpG dinucleotides in a +1 flanking site-dependent manner. The R882H mutation reduces the DNA binding at the homodimeric interface, as well as the molecular link between the homodimeric interface and TRD loop, leading to enhanced dynamics of TRD loop. Consistently, in vitro methylation analyses indicate that the R882H mutation compromises the enzymatic activity, CpG specificity and flanking sequence preference of DNMT3A. Together, this study uncovers multiple defects of DNMT3A caused by the R882H mutation in AML.
Tcf1+ cells are required to maintain the inflationary T cell pool upon MCMV infection
Authors: Welten Suzanne P. M. , Yermanos Alexander , Baumann Nicolas S. , Wagen Franziska , Oetiker Nathalie , Sandu Ioana , Pedrioli Alessandro , Oduro Jennifer D. , Reddy Sai T. , Cicin-Sain Luka , Held Werner , Oxenius Annette
Published: May 2020

Cytomegalovirus-based vaccine vectors offer interesting opportunities for T cell-based vaccination purposes as CMV infection induces large numbers of functional effector-like cells that accumulate in peripheral tissues, a process termed memory inflation. Maintenance of high numbers of peripheral CD8 T cells requires continuous replenishment of the inflationary T cell pool. Here, we show that the inflationary T cell population contains a small subset of cells expressing the transcription factor Tcf1. These Tcf1+ cells resemble central memory T cells and are proliferation competent. Upon sensing viral reactivation events, Tcf1+ cells feed into the pool of peripheral Tcf1− cells and depletion of Tcf1+ cells hampers memory inflation. TCR repertoires of Tcf1+ and Tcf1− populations largely overlap, with the Tcf1+ population showing higher clonal diversity. These data show that Tcf1+ cells are necessary for sustaining the inflationary T cell response, and upholding this subset is likely critical for the success of CMV-based vaccination approaches.
The scaffold protein p62 regulates adaptive thermogenesis through ATF2 nuclear target activation
Authors: Fischer Katrin , Fenzl Anna , Liu Dianxin , Dyar Kenneth A. , Kleinert Maximilian , Brielmeier Markus , Clemmensen Christoffer , Fedl Anna , Finan Brian , Gessner Andre , Jastroch Martin , Huang Jianfeng , Keipert Susanne , Klingenspor Martin , Brüning Jens C. , Kneilling Manfred , Maier Florian C. , Othman Ahmed E. , Pichler Bernd J. , Pramme-Steinwachs Ines , Sachs Stephan , Scheideler Angelika , Thaiss Wolfgang M. , Uhlenhaut Henriette , Ussar Siegfried , Woods Stephen C. , Zorn Julia , Stemmer Kerstin , Collins Sheila , Diaz-Meco Maria , Moscat Jorge , Tschöp Matthias H. , Müller Timo D.
Published: May 2020

During β-adrenergic stimulation of brown adipose tissue (BAT), p38 phosphorylates the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) which then translocates to the nucleus to activate the expression of Ucp1 and Pgc-1α. The mechanisms underlying ATF2 target activation are unknown. Here we demonstrate that p62 (Sqstm1) binds to ATF2 to orchestrate activation of the Ucp1 enhancer and Pgc-1α promoter. P62Δ69-251 mice show reduced expression of Ucp1 and Pgc-1α with impaired ATF2 genomic binding. Modulation of Ucp1 and Pgc-1α expression through p62 regulation of ATF2 signaling is demonstrated in vitro and in vivo in p62Δ69-251 mice, global p62−/− and Ucp1-Cre p62flx/flx mice. BAT dysfunction resulting from p62 deficiency is manifest after birth and obesity subsequently develops despite normal food intake, intestinal nutrient absorption and locomotor activity. In summary, our data identify p62 as a master regulator of BAT function in that it controls the Ucp1 pathway through regulation of ATF2 genomic binding.
Bifidobacteria shape host neural circuits during postnatal development by promoting synapse formation and microglial function
Authors: Luck Berkley , Engevik Melinda A. , Ganesh Bhanu Priya , Lackey Elizabeth P. , Lin Tao , Balderas Miriam , Major Angela , Runge Jessica , Luna Ruth Ann , Sillitoe Roy V. , Versalovic James
Published: May 2020

We hypothesized that early-life gut microbiota support the functional organization of neural circuitry in the brain via regulation of synaptic gene expression and modulation of microglial functionality. Germ-free mice were colonized as neonates with either a simplified human infant microbiota consortium consisting of fourBifidobacteriumspecies, or with a complex, conventional murine microbiota. We examined the cerebellum, cortex, and hippocampus of both groups of colonized mice in addition to germ-free control mice. At postnatal day 4 (P4), conventionalized mice andBifidobacterium-colonized mice exhibited decreased expression of synapse-promoting genes and increased markers indicative of reactive microglia in the cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus relative to germ-free mice. By P20, both conventional andBifidobacterium-treated mice exhibited normal synaptic density and neuronal activity as measured by density of VGLUT2+puncta and Purkinje cell firing rate respectively, in contrast to the increased synaptic density and decreased firing rate observed in germ-free mice. The conclusions from this study further reveal how bifidobacteria participate in establishing functional neural circuits. Collectively, these data indicate that neonatal microbial colonization of the gut elicits concomitant effects on the host CNS, which promote the homeostatic developmental balance of neural connections during the postnatal time period.
Strain modulation of TaO4 planarity in tantalates ultrathin films: surface states engineering
Authors: Portugal Guilherme Ribeiro , Arantes Jeverson Teodoro
Published: May 2020

Ultrathin films of perovskites have attracted considerable attention once they fit in numerous applications. Over the years, controlling and tuning their properties have been attainable when biaxial strain is applied. Throughab initioDFT calculations, (110) ultrathin (Na,K)TaO3films were submitted to biaxial tensile and compressive strain. Intrinsically, surface Ta shallow states emerge into the bandgap since the (110) cleavage breaks its octahedral symmetry to create TaO4units. Removal of ligands along thex-yplane stabilizesdx2-y2orbitals, which decrease in energy due to lower electrostatic repulsion. Such stabilization is maximized when biaxial tensile increases the TaO4planarity towards a square planar symmetry. Accordingly, the corresponding electronic levels move further into the bandgap. Conversely, compressive biaxial strain intensifies electrostatic repulsion, closing the TaO4tetrahedra, and surface states move to higher energy zones. The reported strain-driven modulation might be applied in different applications, as photocatalysis, ferroelectricity, and spintronics.
Non-destructive ZooMS identification reveals strategic bone tool raw material selection by Neandertals
Authors: Martisius Naomi L. , Welker Frido , Dogandžić Tamara , Grote Mark N. , Rendu William , Sinet-Mathiot Virginie , Wilcke Arndt , McPherron Shannon J. P. , Soressi Marie , Steele Teresa E.
Published: May 2020

Five nearly identical fragments of specialized bone tools, interpreted as lissoirs (French for “smoothers”), have been found at two Middle Paleolithic sites in southwest France. The finds span three separate archaeological deposits, suggesting continuity in the behavior of late Neandertals. Using standard morphological assessments, we determined that the lissoirs were produced on ribs of medium-sized ungulates. However, since these bones are highly fragmented and anthropogenically modified, species determinations were challenging. Also, conservative curation policy recommends minimizing destructive sampling of rare, fragile, or small artifacts for molecular identification methods. To better understand raw material selection for these five lissoirs, we reassess their taxonomy using a non-destructive ZooMS methodology based on triboelectric capture of collagen. We sampled four storage containers and obtained identifiable MALDI-TOF MS collagen fingerprints, all indicative of the same taxonomic clade, which includes aurochs and bison (Bos sp. and Bison sp.). The fifth specimen, which was stored in a plastic bag, provided no useful MALDI-TOF MS spectra. We show that the choice of large bovid ribs in an archaeological layer dominated by reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) demonstrates strategic selection by these Neandertals. Furthermore, our results highlight the value of a promising technique for the non-destructive analysis of bone artifacts.
Predicting coral-reef futures from El Niño and Pacific Decadal Oscillation events
Authors: Houk Peter , Yalon Anthony , Maxin Selino , Starsinic Christy , McInnis Andrew , Gouezo Marine , Golbuu Yimnang , van Woesik Robert
Published: May 2020

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events modulate oceanographic processes that control temperature and productivity in tropical waters, yet potential interactions with low frequency climate variability, such as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), are poorly understood. We show that ENSO and PDO together predicted (i) maximum sea-surface temperatures (SST), which were associated with coral bleaching and declines in coral cover, and (ii) maximum chlorophyll-a concentrations, which were associated with high densities of coral-predatory Acanthaster starfish, across the tropical north Pacific Ocean since 1980. Asynchrony between the positive PDO and negative ENSO (i.e., La Niña) was associated with peaks in annual SST. By contrast, synchrony between the positive PDO and positive ENSO (i.e., El Niño) was associated with peaks in chlorophyll-a. Both conditions led to ecological disturbances and significant loss of coral cover, however, spatial models revealed where impacts to reefs were expected under varying climate scenarios.  The 2015/17 ENSO event was coupled with a positive PDO and resulted in high SST and Acanthaster abundances in eastern Micronesia, while positive coral growth occurred in western Micronesia.  Our novel approach for forecasting coral growth into the future may be applicable to other oceanic regions with differing oceanographic modulators.
Deep learning enables automated localization of the metastatic lymph node for thyroid cancer on 131I post-ablation whole-body planar scans
Authors: Kavitha MuthuSubash , Lee Chang-Hee , Shibudas KattakkaliSubhashdas , Kurita Takio , Ahn Byeong-Cheol
Published: May 2020

The accurate detection of radioactive iodine-avid lymph node (LN) metastasis on 131I post-ablation whole-body planar scans (RxWBSs) is important in tracking the progression of the metastatic lymph nodes (mLNs) of patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, severe noise artifacts and the indiscernible location of the mLN from adjacent tissues with similar gray-scale values make clinical decisions extremely challenging. This study aims (i) to develop a multilayer fully connected deep network (MFDN) for the automatic recognition of mLNs from thyroid remnant tissue by utilizing the dataset of RxWBSs and (ii) to evaluate its diagnostic performance using post-ablation single-photon emission computed tomography. Image patches focused on the mLN and remnant tissues along with their variations of probability of pixel positions were fed as inputs to the network. With this efficient automatic approach, we achieved a high F1-score and outperformed the physician score (P < 0.001) in detecting mLNs. Competitive segmentation networks on RxWBS displayed moderate performance for the mLN but remained robust for the remnant tissue. Our results demonstrated that the generalization performance with the multiple layers by replicating signal transmission overcome the constraint of local minimum optimization, it can be suitable to localize the unstable location of mLN region on RxWBS and therefore MFDN can be useful in clinical decision-making to track mLN progression for PTC.
A Combined Study of Headspace Volatiles using Human Sensory, Mass Spectrometry and Chemometrics
Authors: McAdam K. G. , Tetteh J. , Bishop L. , Digard H. , Cote J. , Lubbe S. , Liu C.
Published: May 2020

Smokeless tobacco products (STPs) are widely used in certain parts of the world, yet there is limited understanding of how they are consumed, particularly the impact of chemosensory characteristics on their use. In order to develop an understanding of the drivers of STP use and product acceptability we conducted both human sensory panel testing and chemical analyses on a range of STPs. Free-sorting paired odour testing using sensory panellists identified similarities and clear differences between eleven different STPs. Headspace volatiles, analysed by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), identified 20 to 70 components depending upon the STP. Key differences in headspace volatiles were found between STPs. For example, the headspace of Skoal Bandits Wintergreen was dominated by methyl salicylate, while Marlboro Spice consists of a more complex profile including pinene, nicotine, eugenol and cymene. Chemometric Target Factor Analysis (TFA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) of chemistry and sensory data was used to deduce chemical drivers of sensory perceptions. The chemometric strategy used showed that headspace analysis is a complementary screening tool to sensory analysis in classification studies. This study is generic with applications across various product sectors that require routine human sensory panel evaluation.
Expansin-like Exl1 from Pectobacterium is a virulence factor required for host infection, and induces a defence plant response involving ROS, and jasmonate, ethylene and salicylic acid signalling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Narváez-Barragán Delia A. , Tovar-Herrera Omar E. , Torres Martha , Rodríguez Mabel , Humphris Sonia , Toth Ian K. , Segovia Lorenzo , Serrano Mario , Martínez-Anaya Claudia
Published: May 2020

Expansins are encoded by some phytopathogenic bacteria and evidence indicates that they act as virulence factors for host infection. Here we analysed the expression of exl1 by Pectobacterium brasiliense and Pectobacterium atrosepticum. In both, exl1 gene appears to be under quorum sensing control, and protein Exl1 can be observed in culture medium and during plant infection. Expression of exl1 correlates with pathogen virulence, where symptoms are reduced in a Δexl1 mutant strain of P. atrosepticum. As well as Δexl1 exhibiting less maceration of potato plants, fewer bacteria are observed at distance from the inoculation site. However, bacteria infiltrated into the plant tissue are as virulent as the wild type, suggesting that this is due to alterations in the initial invasion of the tissue. Additionally, swarming from colonies grown on MacConkey soft agar was delayed in the mutant in comparison to the wild type. We found that Exl1 acts on the plant tissue, probably by remodelling of a cell wall component or altering the barrier properties of the cell wall inducing a plant defence response, which results in the production of ROS and the induction of marker genes of the JA, ET and SA signalling pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. Exl1 inactive mutants fail to trigger such responses. This defence response is protective against Pectobacterium brasiliense and Botrytis cinerea in more than one plant species.
Anti-DFS70 antibodies detected by specific methods in patients with thrombosis or recurrent pregnancy loss: no evidence of an association
Authors: Bizzaro Nicola , Pesce Giampaola , Trevisan Maria Teresa , Marchiano Manuela , Cinquanta Luigi , Infantino Maria , Paura Giusy , Tampoia Marilina , Alessio Maria Grazia , Previtali Giulia , Marchese Magda , Zullo Clelia , Villalta Danilo , Brusca Ignazio , Laneve Mario , Castiglione Caterina , Carbone Teresa , Curcio Carmela , Invernizzi Laura , Montecucco Fabrizio , Saverino Daniele , Ferretti Fabio , Porcelli Brunetta
Published: May 2020

A dense fine speckled pattern (DFS) caused by antibodies to the DFS70 kDa nuclear protein is a relatively common finding while testing for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) on HEp-2 cells. However, despite many efforts and numerous studies, the clinical significance of anti-DFS70 antibodies is still unknown as they can be found in patients with various disorders and even in healthy subjects. In this study we aimed at verifying whether these antibodies are associated with thrombotic events or with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We studied 443 patients with venous or arterial thrombosis or RPL and 244 controls by IIF on HEp-2 cells and by a DFS70-specific chemiluminescent immunoassay (CIA). The DFS pattern was observed in IIF in 31/443 (7.0%) patients and in 6/244 (2.5%) controls (p = 0.01) while anti-DFS70 specific antibodies were detected by CIA in 11 (2.5%) patients and in one (0.4%) control (p = 0.06). Positive samples, either by IIF or by CIA, were then assayed by a second DFS70-specific line-immunoassay (LIA) method: 83.3% of the CIA positive samples were confirmed DFS70 positive versus only 29.7% of the IIF positive samples. These findings show that IIF overestimates anti-DFS70 antibody frequency and that results obtained by specific CIA and LIA assays do not indicate that venous or arterial thrombosis or RPL are linked to a higher prevalence of anti-DFS70 antibodies.
Development of a fourth-order compact finite difference scheme for simulation of simulated-moving-bed process
Authors: Yao Chuanyi , Zhang Yanjuan , Chen Jinliang , Ling Xueping , Jing Keju , Lu Yinghua , Fan Enguo
Published: May 2020

A fourth-order compact finite difference scheme was developed to solve the model equation of simulated moving bed, which has a boundary condition that is updated along the calculation process and cannot be described as an explicit function of time. Two different methods, direct method and pseudo grid point method, were proposed to deal with the boundary condition. The high accuracy of the two methods was confirmed by a case study of solving an advection-diffusion equation with exact solution. The developed compact finite difference scheme was then used to simulate the SMB processes for glucose-fructose separation and enantioseparation of 1,1′-bi-2-naphtol. It was found that the simulated results fit well with the experimental data. Furthermore, the developed method was further combined with the continuous prediction method to shorten the computational time and the results showed that, the computational time can be saved about 45%.