bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tectonic and Climatic Impacts on Environmental Evolution in East Asia During the Palaeogene
Authors: Jiang H. , Zhang J. , Zhang S. , Zhong N. , Wan S. , Alsop G. I. , Xu H. , Guo Q. , Yan Z.
Published: January 2022

Palaeogene environmental evolution in East Asia remains ambiguous. Here we present integrative work including magnetostratigraphy, grain‐size, geochemistry, and clay mineralalogy from a 1609 m‐thick fluviolacustrine sequence in eastern China. The results reveal two periods of tectonic control alternating with three periods of climatic control on the sedimentary evolution. Tectonic activity in the study area, as revealed by particle coarsening and reduced weathering, occurred during 65.6–59 Ma and strengthened in Asia during 55–54 Ma in response to the India‐Eurasia collision. Weathering gradually enhanced in East Asia during 59–55 Ma, probably caused by global warming. Continuous global warming during 54–50.5 Ma is responsible for enhanced aridification in East Asia. From 50.5 to 37.6 Ma, global cooling weakened evapotranspiration and increased westerlies‐derived moisture. Both aspects increased effective moisture and chemical weathering in East Asia. These results shed light on how alternating tectonism and climate change impacted environmental evolution in Asia during the Palaeogene.
Spectral Evidence for Irradiated Sodium Chloride on the Surface of 1 Ceres
Authors: Bramble Michael S. , Hand Kevin P.
Published: January 2022

Bright spots on the surface of Ceres exhibit a mineralogy resulting from aqueous processes that hint at past elements of an aqueous world. Reports of hydrated sodium chloride (hydrohalite) at Occator crater suggested that the salts may result from deep brines that reached the surface recently or currently, but the spectral characteristics of alkali halides make their identification difficult. However, anhydrous sodium chloride (halite) develops readily identifiable absorption features when exposed to a radiation environment of high energy particles. We report on spectroscopic evidence, in the form of irradiation‐formed color centers, that suggests halite is a component of the bright surface features at Ceres. The spatial extent and inferred abundance are found to be greater than previously reported for hydrohalite. These findings imply that the emplacement of endogenic sodium chloride on the surface occurred via a suite of processes and that subsurface liquid water environments may have persisted through time.
Deep Coseismic Slip in the Cascadia Megathrust Can Be Consistent With Coastal Subsidence
Authors: Melgar Diego , Sahakian Valerie J. , Thomas Amanda M.
Published: January 2022

At subduction zones, the down‐dip limit of slip represents how deep an earthquake can rupture. For hazards it is important ‐ it controls the intensity of shaking and the pattern of coseismic uplift and subsidence. In the Cascadia Subduction Zone, because no large magnitude events have been observed in instrumental times, the limit is inferred from geological estimates of coastal subsidence during previous earthquakes; it is typically assumed to coincide approximately with the coastline. This is at odds with geodetic coupling models as it leaves residual slip deficits unaccommodated on a large swath of the megathrust. Here we will show that ruptures can penetrate deeper into the megathrust and still produce coastal subsidence provided slip decreases with depth. We will discuss the impacts of this on expected shaking intensities.
The Impact of Energetic Particles on the Martian Ionosphere During a Full Solar Cycle of Radar Observations: Radar Blackouts
Authors: Lester Mark , Sanchez‐Cano Beatriz , Potts Daniel , Lillis Rob , Cartacci Marco , Bernardini Fabrizio , Orosei Roberto , Perry Matthew , Putzig Nathaniel , Campbell Bruce , Blelly Pierre‐Louis , Milan Steve , Opgenoorth Hermann , Witasse Olivier , Redrojo Elena M. M. , Russell Aaron
Published: January 2022

We present the first long‐term characterization of ionization layers in the lower ionosphere of Mars (below ∼90 km), a region inaccessible to orbital in‐situ observations, based on an analysis of radar echo blackouts observed on Mars Express and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter from 2006 to 2017. A blackout occurs when the expected surface reflection is partly or totally attenuated for portions of an observation. Enhanced ionization at altitudes of 60–90 km, below the main ionospheric electron density peak, leads to increased absorption of the radar signal, resulting in the blackouts. We find that (a) MARSIS, operating at frequencies between 1.8 and 5 MHz, suffered more blackouts than SHARAD, which has a higher carrier frequency (20 MHz), (b) there is a clear correlation of blackout occurrence with solar cycle, (c) there is no apparent relationship between blackout occurrence and crustal magnetic fields, and (d) blackouts occur during both nightside and dayside observations, although the peak occurrence is deep on the nightside. Analysis of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN Solar Energetic Particle electron counts between 20 and 200 keV demonstrates that these electrons are likely responsible for attenuating the radar signals. We investigate the minimum SEP electron fluxes required to ionize the lower atmosphere and produce measurable attenuation. When both radars experience a blackout, the SEP electron fluxes are at their highest. Based on several case studies, we find that the average SEP spectrum responsible for a blackout is particularly enhanced at its higher energy end, that is, above 70 keV.
A Theoretical Framework of Chorus Wave Excitation
Authors: Zonca F. , Tao X. , Chen L.
Published: January 2022

We propose a self‐consistent theoretical framework of chorus wave excitation, which describes the evolution of the whistler fluctuation spectrum as well as the suprathermal electron distribution function. The renormalized hot electron response is cast in the form of a Dyson‐like equation, which then leads to evolution equations for nonlinear fluctuation growth and frequency shift. This approach allows us to analytically derive for the first time exactly the same expression for the chorus chirping rate originally proposed by Vomvoridis et al. (1982). Chorus chirping is shown to correspond to maximization of wave particle power exchange, where each individual wave belonging to the whistler wave packet is characterized by small nonlinear frequency shift. We also show that different interpretations of chorus chirping proposed in published literature have a consistent reconciliation within the present theoretical framework, which further illuminates the analogy with similar phenomena in fusion plasmas and free electron laser physics.
A Scheme to Suppress Spurious Convection by Assimilating the "Zero" Column Maximum Vertical Velocity
Authors: Gan Ruhui , Yang Yi , Qiu Xuexing , Liu Peng , Wang Xuesen , Gu Kaiqiang
Published: January 2022

Suppressing spurious precipitation is one of the key issues in numerical weather prediction. To thoroughly suppress spurious convection, it is necessary to both inhibit the development of convection in false convection areas and weaken the heat and momentum exchange between false convection areas and other surrounding regions. In this study, a scheme to suppress spurious convection through cyclically assimilating the "zero" column maximum vertical velocity (wmax) using the ensemble square root filter (EnSRF) method is proposed. The "zero" wmax is the average wmax over the no‐rain echo region in the background field which is normally close to 0 m s−1. Two convective events that exhibit different characteristics are studied. The results show that the assimilation of "zero" wmax can suppress the upward motion and reduce the water vapor and hydrometeors of the background field in the false convection region, which can effectively suppress the development of spurious convection. In addition, the scheme can reduce the water vapor transport from surrounding areas to the spurious convection region and weaken the cold pool on the ground, which is not conducive to the regeneration and maintenance of false convection. The forecasts of reflectivity and precipitation show that the assimilation of "zero" wmax can effectively suppress either the strong false convection band or the weak spurious convection surrounding the true rain band and can decrease the false alarm rate of reflectivity and precipitation.
Cold Air Outbreaks in Fram Strait: Climatology, Trends, and Observations During an Extreme Season in 2020
Authors: Dahlke Sandro , Solbès Amélie , Maturilli Marion
Published: January 2022

Fram Strait in the northern North Atlantic is a key region for marine cold air outbreaks (MCAOs), southward discharges of polar air under northerly air flow, which have a strong impact on air‐sea heat fluxes, boundary layer processes and severe weather. This study investigates climatologies and decadal trends of Fram Strait MCAOs of different intensity classes based on the ERA5 reanalysis product for 1979–2020. Among striking interannual variability, it is shown that the main MCAO season is December through March, when MCAOs occur around 2/3 of the time. We report on significant decadal MCAO decreases in December and January, and a significant increase in March. While the mid‐winter decrease is mainly related to the different paces of warming between the surface and the lower atmosphere, the increase in March can be related to changes in synoptic circulation patterns. As an explanation for the latter, a possible feedback between retreating Barents Sea sea ice, enhanced cyclonic activity and Fram Strait MCAOs is postulated. Exemplifying the trend toward stronger MCAOs during March, the study details the recordbreaking MCAO season in early 2020, and an observational case study of an extreme MCAO event in March 2020 is conducted. Thereby, radiosonde observations are combined with kinematic air back‐trajectories to provide rare observational evidence for the diabatic cooling and drying during the MCAO preconditioning phase.
The Effects of Seasonal Wind Regimes on the Evolution of Reversing Barchanoid Dunes
Authors: Chen Jie , Zhang Deguo , Yang Xiaoping , Lehmkuhl Frank , Jiang Wubin
Published: January 2022

Seasonal changes in wind regime have driven the formation and emergence of reversing dunes and crest reversal in the inland arid and coastal areas of Asia, but due to the strong prevailing winds, the reversing dunes or reversing crest can be flipped. Therefore, the transient reversing dunes or crest reversal will be ignored and unobserved. To investigate dune morphology and sedimentology concerning seasonal alternation of the wind regime, we reconstructed dune topographies using aerial drone photos and analyzed the grain‐size parameters and internal sedimentary structures of dunes. Morphological results show that wind‐blown sands from the lee side are transported and deposited on the upper stoss side because of the reversing winds. Then, the dune crestal area is flattened, surface sand compositions were reorganized from fining to coarsening at the dune crest. Combining these field surveys with numerical simulation results, we found that the internal sedimentary structures are composed of high‐angle cross‐strata and low‐angle bounding surfaces. The dip angles of the bounding surfaces gradually decrease from the bottom to the top because of the reversing wind erosion on the lee side. The increase in sand flux on the lee side plays a critical role in shaping the dip angle of the bounding surfaces due to the speed‐up effect.
A Dynamic, Network Scale Sediment (Dis)Connectivity Model to Reconstruct Historical Sediment Transfer and River Reach Sediment Budgets
Authors: Tangi Marco , Bizzi Simone , Fryirs Kirstie , Castelletti Andrea
Published: January 2022

Modeling network‐scale sediment (dis)connectivity and its response to anthropic pressures provides a baseline understanding of river processes and sediment dynamics that can be used to forecast future hydro‐morphological changes in river basins. However, this requires a solid understanding of how a system is currently operating, and how it operated in the past. We present the basin‐scale, dynamic sediment connectivity model D‐CASCADE, which combines concepts of network modeling with empirical sediment transport formulas to quantify spatiotemporal sediment (dis)connectivity in river networks. D‐CASCADE accounts for multiple factors affecting sediment transport, such as spatiotemporal variations in hydrological regime, different sediment grain sizes, sediment entrainment and deposition. Add‐ons are included in D‐CASCADE to model local changes in river geomorphology driven by sediment‐induced variations in features such as channel width. We apply D‐CASCADE to the well‐documented Bega River catchment, NSW, Australia, where significant geomorphic changes to rivers have occurred post European colonization (after 1850s), including widespread channel erosion and sediment mobilization. The Bega catchment provides a useful case study to test D‐CASCADE, as original source data on the historical sediment budget are available. By introducing historic drivers of change in the correct chronological sequence, the D‐CASCADE model successfully reproduced the timing and magnitude of major phases of sediment transport and associated channel adjustments over the last two centuries. With this confidence, we then ran the model to test how well it performs at estimating future trajectories of basin‐scale sediment transport and sediment budgets at the river reach scale.
Introducing the New Editor in Chief of Global Biogeochemical Cycles
Authors: Santos Isaac
Published: January 2022

Find out about the person taking the helm of Global Biogeochemical Cycles and his vision for the coming years.
Immunomodulatory functional foods and their molecular mechanisms
Authors: Kim Jae Hwan , Kim Da Hyun , Jo Seongin , Cho Min Je , Cho Ye Ryeong , Lee Yong Joon , Byun Sanguine
Published: January 2022

The immune system comprises a complex group of processes that provide defense against diverse pathogens. These defenses can be divided into innate and adaptive immunity, in which specific immune components converge to limit infections. In addition to genetic factors, aging, lifestyle, and environmental factors can influence immune function, potentially affecting the susceptibility of the host to disease-causing agents. Chemical compounds in certain foods have been shown to regulate signal transduction and cell phenotypes, ultimately impacting pathophysiology. Research has shown that the consumption of specific functional foods can stimulate the activity of immune cells, providing protection against cancer, viruses, and bacteria. Here, we review a number of functional foods reported to strengthen immunity, including ginseng, mushrooms, chlorella, and probiotics (Lactobacillus plantarum). We also discuss the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating the activity of various types of immune cells. Identifying immune-enhancing functional foods and understanding their mechanisms of action will support new approaches to maintain proper health and combat immunological diseases.
Phase-matching-induced near-chirp-free solitons in normal-dispersion fiber lasers
Authors: Mao Dong , He Zhiwen , Zhang Yusong , Du Yueqing , Zeng Chao , Yun Ling , Luo Zhichao , Li Tijian , Sun Zhipei , Zhao Jianlin
Published: January 2022

Direct generation of chirp-free solitons without external compression in normal-dispersion fiber lasers is a long-term challenge in ultrafast optics. We demonstrate near-chirp-free solitons with distinct spectral sidebands in normal-dispersion hybrid-structure fiber lasers containing a few meters of polarization-maintaining fiber. The bandwidth and duration of the typical mode-locked pulse are 0.74 nm and 1.95 ps, respectively, giving the time-bandwidth product of 0.41 and confirming the near-chirp-free property. Numerical results and theoretical analyses fully reproduce and interpret the experimental observations, and show that the fiber birefringence, normal-dispersion, and nonlinear effect follow a phase-matching principle, enabling the formation of the near-chirp-free soliton. Specifically, the phase-matching effect confines the spectrum broadened by self-phase modulation and the saturable absorption effect slims the pulse stretched by normal dispersion. Such pulse is termed as birefringence-managed soliton because its two orthogonal-polarized components propagate in an unsymmetrical “X” manner inside the polarization-maintaining fiber, partially compensating the group delay difference induced by the chromatic dispersion and resulting in the self-consistent evolution. The property and formation mechanism of birefringence-managed soliton fundamentally differ from other types of pulses in mode-locked fiber lasers, which will open new research branches in laser physics, soliton mathematics, and their related applications.
Rapid metabolism fosters microbial survival in the deep, hot subseafloor biosphere
Authors: Beulig F. , Schubert F. , Adhikari R. R. , Glombitza C. , Heuer V. B. , Hinrichs K.-U. , Homola K. L. , Inagaki F. , Jørgensen B. B. , Kallmeyer J. , Krause S. J. E. , Morono Y. , Sauvage J. , Spivack A. J. , Treude T.
Published: January 2022

A fourth of the global seabed sediment volume is buried at depths where temperatures exceed 80 °C, a previously proposed thermal barrier for life in the subsurface. Here, we demonstrate, utilizing an extensive suite of radiotracer experiments, the prevalence of active methanogenic and sulfate-reducing populations in deeply buried marine sediment from the Nankai Trough subduction zone, heated to extreme temperature (up to ~120 °C). The small microbial community subsisted with high potential cell-specific rates of energy metabolism, which approach the rates of active surface sediments and laboratory cultures. Our discovery is in stark contrast to the extremely low metabolic rates otherwise observed in the deep subseafloor. As cells appear to invest most of their energy to repair thermal cell damage in the hot sediment, they are forced to balance delicately between subsistence near the upper temperature limit for life and a rich supply of substrates and energy from thermally driven reactions of the sedimentary organic matter.
Structural insights into the BRAF monomer-to-dimer transition mediated by RAS binding
Authors: Martinez Fiesco Juliana A. , Durrant David E. , Morrison Deborah K. , Zhang Ping
Published: January 2022

RAF kinases are essential effectors of RAS, but how RAS binding initiates the conformational changes needed for autoinhibited RAF monomers to form active dimers has remained unclear. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of full-length BRAF complexes derived from mammalian cells: autoinhibited, monomeric BRAF:14-3-32:MEK and BRAF:14-3-32 complexes, and an inhibitor-bound, dimeric BRAF2:14-3-32 complex, at 3.7, 4.1, and 3.9 Å resolution, respectively. In both autoinhibited, monomeric structures, the RAS binding domain (RBD) of BRAF is resolved, revealing that the RBD forms an extensive contact interface with the 14-3-3 protomer bound to the BRAF C-terminal site and that key basic residues required for RBD-RAS binding are exposed. Moreover, through structure-guided mutational studies, our findings indicate that RAS-RAF binding is a dynamic process and that RBD residues at the center of the RBD:14-3-3 interface have a dual function, first contributing to RAF autoinhibition and then to the full spectrum of RAS-RBD interactions.
Selective translation of epigenetic modifiers affects the temporal pattern and differentiation of neural stem cells
Authors: Wu Quan , Shichino Yuichi , Abe Takaya , Suetsugu Taeko , Omori Ayaka , Kiyonari Hiroshi , Iwasaki Shintaro , Matsuzaki Fumio
Published: January 2022

The cerebral cortex is formed by diverse neurons generated sequentially from neural stem cells (NSCs). A clock mechanism has been suggested to underlie the temporal progression of NSCs, which is mainly defined by the transcriptome and the epigenetic state. However, what drives such a developmental clock remains elusive. We show that translational control of histone H3 trimethylation in Lys27 (H3K27me3) modifiers is part of this clock. We find that depletion ofFbl, an rRNA methyltransferase, reduces translation of both Ezh2 methyltransferase and Kdm6b demethylase of H3K27me3 and delays the progression of the NSC state. These defects are partially phenocopied by simultaneous inhibition of H3K27me3 methyltransferase and demethylase, indicating the role of Fbl in the genome-wide H3K27me3 pattern. Therefore, we propose that Fbl drives the intrinsic clock through the translational enhancement of the H3K27me3 modifiers that predominantly define the NSC state.
Large scale coherent magnetohydrodynamic oscillations in a sunspot
Authors: Stangalini M. , Verth G. , Fedun V. , Aldhafeeri A. A. , Jess D. B. , Jafarzadeh S. , Keys P. H. , Fleck B. , Terradas J. , Murabito M. , Ermolli I. , Soler R. , Giorgi F. , MacBride C. D.
Published: January 2022

Although theoretically predicted, the simultaneous excitation of several resonant modes in sunspots has not been observed. Like any harmonic oscillator, a solar magnetic flux tube can support a variety of resonances, which constitute the natural response of the system to external forcing. Apart from a few single low order eigenmodes in small scale magnetic structures, several simultaneous resonant modes were not found in extremely large sunspots. Here we report the detection of the largest-scale coherent oscillations observed in a sunspot, with a spectrum significantly different from the Sun’s global acoustic oscillations, incorporating a superposition of many resonant wave modes. Magnetohydrodynamic numerical modeling agrees with the observations. Our findings not only demonstrate the possible excitation of coherent oscillations over spatial scales as large as 30–40 Mm in extreme magnetic flux regions in the solar atmosphere, but also paves the way for their diagnostic applications in other astrophysical contexts.
Ion currents through Kir potassium channels are gated by anionic lipids
Authors: Jin Ruitao , He Sitong , Black Katrina A. , Clarke Oliver B. , Wu Di , Bolla Jani R. , Johnson Paul , Periasamy Agalya , Wardak Ahmad , Czabotar Peter , Colman Peter M. , Robinson Carol V. , Laver Derek , Smith Brian J. , Gulbis Jacqueline M.
Published: January 2022

Ion currents through potassium channels are gated. Constriction of the ion conduction pathway at the inner helix bundle, the textbook gate of Kir potassium channels, has been shown to be an ineffective permeation control, creating a rift in our understanding of how these channels are gated. Here we present evidence that anionic lipids act as interactive response elements sufficient to gate potassium conduction. We demonstrate the limiting barrier to K+ permeation lies within the ion conduction pathway and show that this gate is operated by the fatty acyl tails of lipids that infiltrate the conduction pathway via fenestrations in the walls of the pore. Acyl tails occupying a surface groove extending from the cytosolic interface to the conduction pathway provide a potential means of relaying cellular signals, mediated by anionic lipid head groups bound at the canonical lipid binding site, to the internal gate.
Tracking photocarrier-enhanced electron-phonon coupling in nonequilibrium
Authors: Hu Shi-Qi , Zhao Hui , Lian Chao , Liu Xin-Bao , Guan Meng-Xue , Meng Sheng
Published: January 2022

Light-modulated electron-phonon coupling (EPC) is significant in many intriguing phenomena including light-enhanced superconductivity, polaron formation, and hidden charge orders, which provides a powerful strategy to engineer materials’ functionalities on demand. Here we explore EPC in photoexcited graphene during the ultrafast photocarrier dynamics with a phonon bath. Via analysing energy transport between electrons and phonons, light-induced EPC enhancement by more than one order of magnitude is demonstrated, which originates from the dynamic distribution of photoexcited carriers out of equilibrium. Excellent agreements between theory and experiment have been achieved, justifying the validity of the present approach for extracting excited-state dynamic properties. Our result unravels a crucial impact of photoexcitation on EPC by modulating the density and distribution of photocarriers, and provides a useful strategy for tracking ultrafast EPC in real time.
A novel intelligent system based on adjustable classifier models for diagnosing heart sounds
Authors: Sun Shuping , Huang Tingting , Zhang Biqiang , He Peiguang , Yan Long , Fan Dongdong , Zhang Jiale , Chen Jinbo
Published: January 2022

A novel intelligent diagnostic system is proposed to diagnose heart sounds (HSs). The innovations of this system are primarily reflected in the automatic segmentation and extraction of the first complex sound $$({ CS }_{1})$$

(

CS

1

)

and second complex sound $$({ CS }_{2})$$

(

CS

2

)

; the automatic extraction of the secondary envelope-based diagnostic features $$\gamma _{_1}$$

γ

1

, $$\gamma _{_2}$$

γ

2

, and $$\gamma _{_3}$$

γ

3

from $${ CS }_{1}$$

CS

1

and $${ CS }_{2}$$

CS

2

; and the adjustable classifier models that correspond to the confidence bounds of the Chi-square ($$\chi ^{2}$$

χ
2

) distribution and are adjusted by the given confidence levels (denoted as $$\beta$$
β
). The three stages of the proposed system are summarized as follows. In stage 1, the short time modified Hilbert transform (STMHT)-based curve is used to segment and extract $${ CS }_{1}$$

CS

1

and $${ CS }_{2}$$

CS

2

. In stage 2, the envelopes $${ CS _{1}}_{\mathrm{F_{E}}}$$

C

S
1

F
E

and $${ CS _{2}}_{\mathrm{F_{E}}}$$

C

S
2

F
E

for periods $${ CS }_{1}$$

CS

1

and $${ CS }_{2}$$

CS

2

are obtained via a novel method, and the frequency features are automatically extracted from $${ CS _{1}}_{\mathrm{F_{E}}}$$

C

S
1

F
E

and $${ CS _{2}}_{\mathrm{F_{E}}}$$

C

S
2

F
E

by setting different threshold value ($$Thv$$

Thv

) lines. Finally, the first three principal components determined based on principal component analysis (PCA) are used as the diagnostic features. In stage 3, a Gaussian mixture model (GMM)-based component objective function $$f_{ et }(\mathbf{x })$$

f

et

(
x
)

is generated. Then, the $$\chi ^{2}$$

χ
2

distribution for component k is determined by calculating the Mahalanobis distance from $${\mathbf{x }}$$
x
to the class mean $$\mu _{_k}$$

μ

k

for component k, and the confidence region of component k is determined by adjusting the optimal confidence level $$\beta _{k}$$

β
k

and used as the criterion to diagnose HSs. The performance evaluation was validated by sounds from online HS databases and clinical heart databases. The accuracy of the proposed method was compared to the accuracies of other state-of-the-art methods, and the highest classification accuracies of $$99.43\%$$

99.43
%

, $$98.93\%$$

98.93
%

, $$99.13\%$$

99.13
%

, $$99.85\%$$

99.85
%

, $$98.62\%$$

98.62
%

, 99.67$$\%$$
%
and 99.91$$\%$$
%
in the detection of MR, MS, ASD, NM, AS, AR and VSD sounds were achieved by setting $$\beta _{k}(k=1, 2, \ldots , 7)$$

β
k

(
k
=
1
,
2
,
…
,
7
)

to 0.87,0.65,0.67,0.65,0.67,0.79 and 0.87, respectively.
Association and interaction between dietary patterns and gene polymorphisms in Liangshan residents with hyperuricemia
Authors: Li Tingting , Li Shuangjing , Tian Tian , Nie Zhichao , Xu Wangdong , Liu Longjian , Jia Hong
Published: January 2022

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is associated with dietary and genetic factors. However, studies on dietary patterns and their interaction effect with genes on the risk of HUA are limited. We aimed to explore the association between dietary patterns and HUA, and dietary patterns—gene interactions on the risk of HUA. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted in adults aged 18 and older in Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of China. Dietary consumption was collected using a standard Food Frequency Questionnaire. Vein blood samples were collected after overnight fasting, and DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Dietary patterns were derived using principal component and factor analysis. Of the 2646 participants, the prevalence of HUA was 26.8%. Three dietary patterns were classified. Of them, a dietary pattern with higher meat consumption (defined as meat-based) had the strongest association with HUA than a dietary pattern with plant-based or local special diet-based. A higher frequency of T allele at ABCG2 rs2231142 and SLC2A9 rs11722228 loci was observed in participants with HUA than those without HUA. An additive interaction of meat-based dietary pattern with rs2231142 locus was significantly associated with an increased risk of HUA. The relative excess risks of interaction, attributable proportion of interaction, and synergy index (S) were 0.482 (95% CI: 0.012–0.976), 0.203 (95% CI: 0.033–0.374), and 1.544 (95% CI: 1.012–2.355), respectively. In conclusion, a dietary pattern with meat-based was significantly associated with an increased risk of HUA. There was an additive interaction between a meat-based dietary pattern and the ABCG2 rs2231142 locus. Individuals with rs2231142 T allele were at higher risk of HUA than those with rs2231142 GG allele.
Factors associated with the surgical outcomes of Baerveldt glaucoma implant for open-angle glaucoma, an age-related eye disease
Authors: Iraha Satoshi , Takihara Yuji , Urahashi Yui , Watanabe Takahiro , Nakamura Kenichi , Urahashi Mai , Watanabe-Kitamura Fumika , Nakashima Kei-Ichi , Takahashi Eri , Kojima Sachi , Tanihara Hidenobu , Inoue Toshihiro
Published: January 2022

To identify the factors associated with the surgical outcomes of Baerveldt glaucoma implant (BGI) for open-angle glaucoma (OAG), the medical records of 51 consecutive OAG patients (age, 43–91 years) who underwent BGI were retrospectively reviewed (median follow-up, 21.7 months). Surgical success was defined as the following postoperative intraocular pressures (IOPs, mmHg): (A) 6 ≤ IOP ≤ 21; (B) 6 ≤ IOP ≤ 18; and (C) 6 ≤ IOP ≤ 15 without loss of light perception or additional glaucoma surgery. Univariate analysis showed that age (all criteria), glaucoma type (criterion C), and preoperative IOP (criteria A and B) were the candidate factors (P < 0.20). When the patients were divided into two groups according to median age (72 years), the success probability was higher in the older group for criteria B (P = 0.047) and C (P = 0.02), and the postoperative IOP was lower in the older group 1-year post-surgery (P = 0.002). Furthermore, the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that older age was independently associated with surgical success for criteria B (relative risk [RR], 0.94; P = 0.02) and C (RR, 0.94; P = 0.01). In conclusion, older age is a factor associated with the surgical success of BGI for OAG.
Analysis of force and displacement of anchor systems under the non-limit active state
Authors: Fang Guang-Wen , Zhu Yan-Peng , Ye Shuai-Hua , Huang An-Ping
Published: January 2022

This paper proposes a concept of soil shear strength exertion around an anchorage section to analyze and calculate the anchor’s force and displacement. First, based on the Mohr stress circle, the numerical relationship between the value of the internal friction angle exertion, the value of the cohesion exertion, and the displacement are established under the non-limit active state. According to the interaction mechanism between the anchorage section and the surrounding soil, this paper obtains the corresponding relationship between the value of the soil’s shear strength exertion and displacement under the non-limit active state. Then, according to the load transfer principle of the anchorage section, the basic differential equation is established. The differential equation of the relative displacement distribution along the length of the anchorage section under the non-limit active state is further derived. And the calculation and analysis formula of the shear stress and relative displacement in the anchorage section considering the process of the soil shear strength exertion is also obtained. Finally, this paper compares the calculation method with the hyperbolic model calculation method for the same example. The results verify the accuracy of the calculation method.
Longitudinal axial flow rice thresher feeding rate monitoring based on force sensing resistors
Authors: Abdeen Mohamed Anwer , Xie Gan , Salem Abouelnadar Elsayed , Fu Jianwei , Zhang Guozhong
Published: January 2022

The threshing unit is the main working unit of the combine harvester and plays an essential role in rice threshing efficiency, seed loss, and damage. Every thresher has its limitation for feeding, and when the feeding quantity exceeds the maximum rated amount, the thresher gets blocked, resulting in higher losses, low threshing efficiency, more power consumption, and combine overloading shutting down. This study constructed a longitudinal axial flow rice threshing platform, and a stress monitoring system for the threshing drum top cover was designed using force sensing resistors. The sensors were installed on the thresher top cover inner surface to detect the impact and extrusion forces caused by the threshing process and detect the feeding rate when it exceeds the suitable feeding. Three feeding rates (0.8, 1.1, and 1.4 kg/s) and three thresher speeds (1100, 1300, and 1500 rpm) were tested. The time of the testing process was calculated using high-speed photography. The obtained results revealed that the force signals collected by thin-film sensors significantly correlated with thresher rotating speed and feeding rate. The thresher top cover’s average stress, average strain, and average total deformation were simulated using ANSYS finite element analysis. This study provides a new method for threshing drum real-time feeding quantity monitoring and early warning of thresher blockage.
Ozone exposure upregulates the expression of host susceptibility protein TMPRSS2 to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Vo Thao , Paudel Kshitiz , Choudhary Ishita , Patial Sonika , Saini Yogesh
Published: January 2022

SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus and an etiologic agent for the current global health emergency, causes acute infection of the respiratory tract leading to severe disease and significant mortality. Ever since the start of SARS-CoV-2, also known as the COVID-19 pandemic, countless uncertainties have been revolving around the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. While air pollution has been shown to be strongly correlated to increased SARS-CoV-2 morbidity and mortality, whether environmental pollutants such as ground-level ozone affects the susceptibility of individuals to SARS-CoV-2 is not yet established. To investigate the impact of ozone inhalation on the expression levels of signatures associated with host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2, we analyzed lung tissues collected from mice that were sub-chronically exposed to air or 0.8 ppm ozone for three weeks (4 h/night, 5 nights/week), and analyzed the expression of signatures associated with host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 entry into the host cells is dependent on the binding of the virus to the host cellular receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), and its subsequent proteolytic priming by the host-derived protease, transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). The Ace2 transcripts were significantly elevated in the parenchyma, but not in the extrapulmonary airways and alveolar macrophages, from ozone-exposed mice. The TMPRSS2 protein and Tmprss2 transcripts were significantly elevated in the extrapulmonary airways, parenchyma, and alveolar macrophages from ozone-exposed mice. A significant proportion of additional known SARS-CoV-2 host susceptibility genes were upregulated in alveolar macrophages and parenchyma from ozone-exposed mice. Our data indicate that the unhealthy levels of ozone in the environment may predispose individuals to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. Given the severity of this pandemic and the challenges associated with direct testing of host-environment interactions in clinical settings, we believe that this ozone exposure-based study informs the scientific community of the potentially detrimental effects of the ambient ozone levels in determining the host susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2.
Full scale tests of various buried flexible structures under failure load
Authors: Wysokowski Adam
Published: January 2022

The aim of the tests described in the paper was conducting a displacement and stress analysis of four buried flexible structures made in different technologies under failure load. Generally, the laboratory tests carried out on in full scale confirms that all four culvert models of the work safely despite the reduction of the backfill layer over the structures to 0.3 m (less than according to standard recommendations) and increasing the load to 1960 -2000 kN (almost 4 times more than according to standards and recommendations). In the case of a PE plastic pipe, the main measured parameter was displacement and for other steel research models it was the stress. The obtained maximum values of these parameters were compared with the permissible standard values. Maximum displacement values were recorded in the crowns of the structures up to 12.57 mm for PE plastic pipe model. The maximum stresses for steel structures were 85.28 MPa (for corrugated steel pipe), 111.5 MPa (Box Culvert) and 447.9 MPa (Multi Plate non-circular structure). Despite the exceed stress in the case of Multi Plate structure, the steel structure did not lose its stability. The analyses carried out were aimed at determining database, which in its assumption, allows the verification of calculations performed by a numerical method such as FEM.
Gene-environment interactions between CREB1 and childhood maltreatment on aggression among male Chinese adolescents
Authors: Zhang Yanmei , Kang Chun , Yang Haijun , Yang Min , Wei Sha , Wang Yan , Huang Xing , Yu Yizhen
Published: January 2022

Both the genetic and environmental factors may affect aggression susceptibility. However, the conclusions of these associations remain discrepant. In addition, studies that explored the association between CREB1 and aggression were meager. The aim of our present study was to assess whether CREB1 polymorphisms were related to aggression and also to explore the interactive effects of CREB1 variants and childhood maltreatment on aggression. A total of 488 individuals with aggressive behavior and 488 controls were recruited. Aggression and childhood maltreatment were surveyed by standardized self-administered questionnaires. Buccal cells were also obtained and genotyping was conducted using SNPscan. Logistic regressions were applied to investigate both individual effects of CREB1 polymorphisms and the interactive influences with childhood maltreatment on aggression. We found that adolescents who carried the rs4675690 T allele in CREB1 showed a higher level of aggression compared with those who carried wildtype genotypes (CC) under the dominant model (OR = 1.67, 95% CI, 1.16–2.40) after controlling for age and childhood maltreatment. Moreover, we also found that rs4675690 T allele had a synergic additive interaction with childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect on aggression. The significant interactive effects of CREB1 polymorphisms and childhood maltreatment on aggression were reported for the first time.
Responses of birds and mammals to long-established wind farms in India
Authors: Kumara Honnavalli N. , Babu S. , Rao G. Babu , Mahato Santanu , Bhattacharya Malyasri , Rao Nitin Venkatesh Ranga , Tamiliniyan D. , Parengal Harif , Deepak D. , Balakrishnan Athira , Bilaskar Mahesh
Published: January 2022

Wind turbines have been recognised as an alternative and clean-energy source with a low environmental impact. The selection of sites for wind-farm often creates serious conservation concerns on biodiversity. Wind turbines have become a serious threat to migratory birds as they collide with the turbine blades in some regions across the globe, while the impact on terrestrial mammals is relatively less explored. In this context, we assessed the responses of birds and mammals to the wind turbines in central Karnataka, India from January 2016 to May 2018 using carcass searches to quantify animal collisions (i.e., birds and bats), fixed radius point count for bird population parameters, and an occupancy framework for assessing the factor that determines the spatial occurrence of terrestrial mammals. The mean annual animal fatality rate per wind turbine was 0.26/year. Species richness, abundance, and unique species of birds were relatively higher in control sites over wind turbine sites. Species and functional compositions of birds in control sites were different from wind turbine sites, explaining the varied patterns of bird assemblages of different feeding guilds. Blackbuck, Chinkara, Golden Jackal, and Jungle Cat were less likely to occupy sites with a high number of wind turbines. The study indicates that certain bird and mammal species avoided wind turbine-dominated sites, affecting their distribution pattern. This is of concern to the management of the forested areas with wind turbines. We raised conservation issues and mitigating measures to overcome the negative effects of wind turbines on animals.
Intranasal insulin modulates cerebrospinal fluid markers of neuroinflammation in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: a randomized trial
Authors: Kellar Derek , Register Thomas , Lockhart Samuel N. , Aisen Paul , Raman Rema , Rissman Robert A. , Brewer James , Craft Suzanne
Published: January 2022

Intranasal insulin (INI) has shown promise as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in pilot clinical trials. In a recent phase 2 trial, participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD who were treated with INI with one of two delivery devices showed improved cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) biomarker profiles and slower symptom progression compared with placebo. In the cohort which showed benefit, we measured changes in CSF markers of inflammation, immune function and vascular integrity and assessed their relationship with changes in cognition, brain volume, and CSF amyloid and tau concentrations. The insulin-treated group had increased CSF interferon-γ (p = 0.032) and eotaxin (p = 0.049), and reduced interleukin-6 (p = 0.048) over the 12 month trial compared to placebo. Trends were observed for increased CSF macrophage-derived chemokine for the placebo group (p = 0.083), and increased interleukin-2 in the insulin-treated group (p = 0.093). Insulin-treated and placebo groups showed strikingly different patterns of associations between changes in CSF immune/inflammatory/vascular markers and changes in cognition, brain volume, and amyloid and tau concentrations. In summary, INI treatment altered the typical progression of markers of inflammation and immune function seen in AD, suggesting that INI may promote a compensatory immune response associated with therapeutic benefit.
Studying the clinical, radiological, histological, microbiological, and immunological evolution during the different COVID-19 disease stages using minimal invasive autopsy
Authors: D’Onofrio Valentino , Keulen Lotte , Vandendriessche Annelore , Dubois Jasperina , Cartuyvels Reinoud , Vanden Abeele Marie-Elena , Fraussen Judith , Vandormael Patrick , Somers Veerle , Achten Ruth , Dendooven Amélie , Driessen Ann , Augsburg Lukasz , Hellings Niels , Lammens Martin , Vanrusselt Jan , Cox Janneke
Published: January 2022

The WHO defines different COVID-19 disease stages in which the pathophysiological mechanisms differ. We evaluated the characteristics of these COVID-19 disease stages. Forty-four PCR-confirmed COVID-19 patients were included in a prospective minimal invasive autopsy cohort. Patients were classified into mild-moderate (n = 4), severe-critical (n = 32) and post-acute disease (n = 8) and clinical, radiological, histological, microbiological and immunological data were compared. Classified according to Thoracic Society of America, patients with mild-moderate disease had no typical COVID-19 images on CT-Thorax versus 71.9% with typical images in severe-critical disease and 87.5% in post-acute disease (P < 0.001). Diffuse alveolar damage was absent in mild-moderate disease but present in 93.8% and 87.5% of patients with severe-critical and post-acute COVID-19 respectively (P = 0.002). Other organs with COVID-19 related histopathological changes were liver and heart. Interferon-γ levels were significantly higher in patients with severe-critical COVID-19 (P = 0.046). Anti-SARS CoV-2 IgG was positive in 66%, 40.6% and 87.5% of patients with mild-moderate, severe-critical and post-acute COVID-19 respectively (n.s.). Significant differences in histopathological and immunological characteristics between patients with mild-moderate disease compared to patients with severe-critical disease were found, whereas differences between patients with severe-critical disease and post-acute disease were limited. This emphasizes the need for tailored treatment of COVID-19 patients.
Non-cytopathic herpes simplex virus type-1 isolated from acyclovir-treated patients with recurrent infections
Authors: Roy Subrata , Sukla Soumi , De Abhishek , Biswas Subhajit
Published: January 2022

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) usually produces cytopathic effect (CPE) within 24-72 h post-infection (P.I.). Clinical isolates from recurrent HSV infections in patients on Acyclovir therapy were collected between 2016 and 2019 and tested in cell cultures for cytopathic effects and further in-depth characterization. Fourteen such isolates did not show any CPE in A549 or Vero cell lines even at 120 h P.I. However, these cultures remained positive for HSV-DNA after several passages. Sequence analysis revealed that the non-CPE isolates were all HSV-1. Analysis of the thymidine kinase gene from the isolates revealed several previously reported and two novel ACV-resistant mutations. Immunofluorescence and Western blot data revealed a low-level expression of the immediate early protein, ICP4. Late proteins like ICP5 or capsid protein, VP16 were almost undetectable in these isolates. AFM imaging revealed that the non-CPE viruses had structural deformities compared to wild-type HSV-1. Our findings suggest that these strains are manifesting an unusual phenomenon of being non-CPE herpesviruses with low level of virus protein expressions over several passages. Probably these HSV-1 isolates are evolving towards a more “cryptic” form to establish chronic infection in the host thereby unraveling yet another strategy of herpesviruses to evade the host immune system.