bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein reference material
Authors: Stocks Bradley B. , Thibeault Marie-Pier , Schrag Joseph D. , Melanson Jeremy E.
Published: March 2022

Development of diagnostic testing capability has advanced with unprecedented pace in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. An undesirable effect of such speed is a lack of standardization, often leading to unreliable test results. To assist the research community surmount this challenge, the National Research Council Canada has prepared a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein reference material, SMT1-1, as a buffered solution. Value assignment was achieved by amino acid analysis (AAA) by double isotope dilution liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ID-MS/MS) following acid hydrolysis of the protein, in combination with ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis) based on tryptophan and tyrosine absorbance at 280 nm. Homogeneity of the material was established through spectrophotometric absorbance readings at 280 nm. Transportation and long-term storage stabilities were assessed by monitoring relative changes in oligomeric state by size-exclusion liquid chromatography (LC-SEC) with UV detection. The molar concentration of the spike protein in SMT1-1 was 5.68 ± 0.22 µmol L−1 (k = 2, 95% CI), with the native trimeric form accounting for ~ 94% of the relative abundance. Reference mass concentration and mass fraction values were calculated using the protein molecular weight and density of the SMT1-1 solution. The spike protein is highly glycosylated which leads to analyte ambiguity when reporting the more commonly used mass concentration. After glycoprotein molar mass determination by LC-SEC with multi-angle light scattering detection, we thus reported mass concentration values for both the protein-only portion and intact glycoprotein as 0.813 ± 0.030 and 1.050 ± 0.068 mg mL−1 (k = 2), respectively.
Cumulative occupational exposure to inorganic dust and fumes and invasive pneumococcal disease with pneumonia
Authors: Torén Kjell , Blanc Paul D. , Naidoo Rajen , Murgia Nicola , Stockfelt Leo , Schiöler Linus
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Occupational exposure to inorganic dust and fumes in the year preceding disease has been associated with increased pneumococcal pneumonia risk, but the impact of prior cumulative exposure has not been characterized.

Methods

We studied 3184 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease with pneumonia. The case index date was the day the infection was diagnosed. We selected six controls for each case from the Swedish population registry; each control was assigned the index date of their corresponding case. We linked job histories to a job-exposure matrix to calculate a cumulative exposure index, intensity-years, by multiplying the duration (maximum 5 years) of each exposure with the level of exposure (0 for unexposed, 1 for low and 4 for high). We used conditional logistic analyses to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of invasive pneumococcal disease with pneumonia adjusted for comorbidities, educational level, income and other occupational exposures.

Results

Taking other occupational exposures into account, greater than 5 intensity-years of exposure to silica dust or to fumes was each associated with increased odds for invasive pneumococcal disease with pneumonia (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.49–4.32) and (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.41–3.55), respectively. Five intensity-years or less of exposure to silica dust or fumes manifested lower odds (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.20–1.76) and (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.94–1.16), respectively.

Conclusion

This study adds evidence that the risk of pneumococcal pneumonia increases with increasing cumulative exposure to dust and fumes, indicating the importance of cumulative exposure.
Active vs. passive recovery during an aerobic interval training session in well-trained runners
Authors: Sánchez-Otero Tania , Tuimil José Luis , Boullosa Daniel , Varela-Sanz Adrián , Iglesias-Soler Eliseo
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To compare cardio-metabolic, perceptual and neuromuscular responses to an aerobic interval training (AIT) running session, with active (AR) vs. passive recovery (PR).

Methods

Eleven well-trained male distance runners (36.63 ± 6.93 years, 59.26 ± 5.27 mL·kg−1·min−1, ⁓ 35 min in 10 km) completed the University of Montréal Track Test (UMTT) and 2 AIT sessions on track in random order, which consisted of 4 × 2 min at 100% of the maximum aerobic speed (MAS), with 2 min of AR at 80% of the velocity associated to the second ventilatory threshold (vVT2), or no exercise (i.e., PR). During sessions, oxygen consumption (V̇O2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate [La], rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and countermovement jump (CMJ) were continuously monitored.

Results

There were no differences in time spent in the “red zone” (i.e. > 90% V̇O2max) between sessions (222 ± 73 s AR vs. 230 ± 104 s PR, p = 0.588), although the PR exhibited a greater time spent at peak V̇O2 close to significance (117 ± 114 vs. 158 ± 109 s, p = 0.056). However, the AR elicited a higher mean V̇O2 (49.62 ± 5.91 vs. 47.46 ± 4.20 mL·kg−1·min−1, p = 0.021). The AR favored a lower [La] after sessions (6.93 ± 2.22 vs. 6.24 ± 1.93 mmol·L−1, p = 0.016) and a higher RPE during sessions (15 ± 0.45 vs. 14 ± 0.47, p = 0.045). Meanwhile, the CMJ was significantly potentiated during both sessions.

Conclusion

Considering that PR elicited lower perceptual loading for a similar cardiorespiratory response, its use would be preferable, at least, for this type of AIT running sessions.
Sustainability of agricultural practices in Germany: a literature review along multiple environmental domains
Authors: Baaken Marieke Cornelia
Published: March 2022

Promoting and increasing the uptake of sustainable agricultural practices poses a major challenge for European agricultural policy. The scientific evidence for potentially relevant and environmentally beneficial practices, however, is scattered among numerous sources. This article examines the state of knowledge regarding agri-environmental practices and their impact on various domains of the environment (climate change, soil, water and biodiversity). The selection was restricted to practices applicable to German farmers. Ninety-eight literature reviews and meta-analyses assessing the environmental impacts of agri-environmental practices in the German context were found in a systematic review of the academic literature from 2011 onwards. A total of 144 agricultural management practices were identified that contribute toward achieving certain environmental objectives. The practices were clustered in eight categories: (1) Fertilizer strategies, (2) Cultivation, (3) Planting: vegetation, landscape elements & other, (4) Grazing strategies, (5) Feeding strategies, (6) Stable management, (7) Other, (8) Combined practices & bundles. The findings of this study suggest that some general patterns can be observed regarding the environmental benefits of different practices. While it is possible to derive recommendations for specific practices in terms of individual environmental objectives, their relevance is likely to be context-dependent. Moreover, this study reveals that bundles of practices can have positive synergistic impacts on the environment. Notably, only few reviews and meta-analyses considered the implementation and opportunity costs of environmentally beneficial practices. Agri-environmental policies need to consider the broad range of practices that have been shown to impact the environment positively, including their costs, and provide context-specific incentives for farmers to adopt them.
Modelling the future: climate change research in Russia during the late Cold War and beyond, 1970s–2000
Authors: Doose Katja
Published: March 2022

Climate models are what governments, experts and societies base their decisions on future climate action on. To show how different models were used to explain climatic changes and to project future climates before the emergence of a global consensus on the validity of general circulation models, this article focuses on the attempt of Soviet climatologists and their government to push for their climate model to be acknowledged by the international climate science community. It argues that Soviet climate sciences as well as their interpretations of the climate of the twenty-first century were products of the Cold War, and that the systematic lack of access to high-speed computers forced Soviet climatologists to use simpler climate reconstructions as analogues, with far-reaching consequences for climate sciences in post-Soviet Russia. By juxtaposing the history of Soviet climate modelling with the early history of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change, which rejected the Soviet model, the article sheds light on the relationship of science and politics. The findings are based on archival and print material as well as on interviews.
Nurturing Socioculturally and Medically Appropriate Palliative Care Delivery: Lessons Learned by Israeli Medical Faculty
Authors: Paal Piret , Müller Anne , Gil Woukelyne , Goldzweig Gil , Elsner Frank
Published: March 2022

Israel is one of the few countries worldwide with a national policy and defined standards of palliative care (PC); its culture is highly diverse and more traditionally oriented in comparison with Western countries. This study describes the current state of PC in Israel through examination of: (1) its current status, self-image and structural factors; (2) its relation to cultural and political characteristics; and (3) the chances, goals and obstacles of advancing PC in Israel. Face-to-face interviews were conducted at all five public medical faculties in Israel from November 2017 to February 2018. The following findings are reported: (1) definition of palliative care, (2) multidisciplinary approach, (3) special role of nurses, (4) personal perceptions of death, (5) understanding the role of medicine, (6) specialty palliative medicine, (7) religious, spiritual and cultural aspects, (8) political and economic aspects, (9) obstacles and weaknesses, and (10) prospects and goals of palliative care. Participants perceive PC as an integrative healthcare service that should be available to all patients, including children and their families, at any stage of illness. They internalize that PC principles apply regardless of ethnic, cultural, and religious background. Utilizing nurses’ leadership, enhancing multidisciplinary teamwork, and person-centered approach, supports better PC to more people.
Predicting Viable Skin Concentration: Modelling the Subpapillary Plexus
Authors: Calcutt Joshua J. , Roberts Michael S. , Anissimov Yuri G.
Published: March 2022

The skin concentration of a substance after a topical application or exposure determines both local treatment outcomes and the dermal toxicity assessment of various products. However, quantifying the time course of those concentrations at skin effect sites, such as the viable epidermal, superficial dermis and appendages in humans is especially problematic in vivo, making physiologically based mathematical modelling an essential tool to meet this need. This work further develops our published physiologically based pharmacokinetic and COMSOL based dermal transport modelling by considering the impact of the superficial subpapillary dermal plexus, which we represent as two well stirred compartments. The work also studied the impact on dermal concentrations of subpapillary plexus size, depth, blood velocity and density of subpapillary plexus vessels. Sensitivity analyses are used to define the most important transport determinants of skin concentrations after topical application of a substance, with previously published results used to validate the resulting analyses. This resulting model describes the available experimental data better than previous models, especially at deeper dermal depths.
The paradox paradox
Authors: Brock Stuart , Glasgow Joshua
Published: March 2022

In this paper we argue that our conception of and intuitions about paradoxes are themselves paradoxical. Specifically, we argue that our commitment to the existence and nature of paradoxes is inconsistent with a norm of rationality—which is a paradox.
Novel hybrid models to enhance the efficiency of groundwater potentiality model
Authors: Talukdar Swapan , Mallick Javed , Sarkar Showmitra Kumar , Roy Sujit Kumar , Islam Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul , Praveen Bushra , Naikoo Mohd Waseem , Rahman Atiqur , Sobnam Mohoua
Published: March 2022

The present study aimed to create novel hybrid models to produce groundwater potentiality models (GWP) in the Teesta River basin of Bangladesh. Six ensemble machine learning (EML) algorithms, such as random forest (RF), random subspace, dagging, bagging, naïve Bayes tree (NBT), and stacking, coupled with fuzzy logic (FL) models and a ROC-based weighting approach have been used for creating hybrid models integrated GWP. The GWP was then verified using both parametric and nonparametric receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), such as the empirical ROC (eROC) and the binormal ROC curve (bROC). We conducted an RF-based sensitivity analysis to compute the relevancy of the conditioning variables for GWP modeling. The very high and high groundwater potential regions were predicted as 831–1200 km2 and 521–680 km2 areas based on six EML models. Based on the area under the curve of the ROC, the NBT (eROC: 0.892; bROC: 0.928) model outperforms rest of the models. Six GPMs were considered variables for the next step and turned into crisp fuzzy layers using the fuzzy membership function, and the ROC-based weighting approach. Subsequently four fuzzy logic operators were used to assimilate the crisp fuzzy layers, including AND, OR, GAMMA0.8, and GAMMA 0.9, as well as GAMMA0.9. Thus, we created four hybrid models using FL model. The results of the eROC and bROC curve showed that GAMMA 0.9 operator outperformed other fuzzy operators-based GPMs in terms of accuracy. According to the validation outcomes, four hybrid models outperformed six EML models in terms of performance. The present study will aid in enhancing the efficiency of GPMs in preparing viable planning for groundwater management.
Groundwater hydrochemistry and consumption patterns in Chandwara community development block of Jharkhand state in India
Authors: Pramanik Arun Kumar , Majumdar Deepanjan , Chatterjee Abhik
Published: March 2022

Groundwater quality in rural Chandwara block in Jharkhand State in India is crucial to human livelihood in the region. A study undertaken to examine groundwater quality and consumption patterns in the region revealed that average water consumption per family and per capita were 200–517 and 19.7–47 L per day, respectively, while per capita potable water consumption was 1.2‒4.37 L per day. Groundwater samples were collected primarily from tube-wells and a few from dug-wells (n = 143) in the block during post-monsoon season of 2018–2019 (October 2018 to March 2019). Water quality parameters like Fe, TDS, Total hardness, Ca and turbidity were above the permissible limits of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and WHO in 68%, 36%, 39%, 58% and 15.4% of groundwater samples, respectively. Most of the samples (67.9%) belonged to Ca–Mg–HCO3 class while a few (28.6%) were Ca-Mg-SO4-Cl type and the rest (3.6%) were in Ca–Mg–Cl class. As per Gibbs Plot, most samples belonged to the rock weathering region, implying contribution of rock forming minerals to groundwater chemistry. Factor analysis revealed that water quality was controlled by four principal factors to the extents of 43.3, 13.5, 10.9 and 7.3%, respectively, making a cumulative contribution of about 75%. Parameter loading in Factor 1 strongly indicated to various salts dissolving in groundwater from the rocks while Factor 2 was loaded by Fe coming from Fe-bearing rocks and turbidity that is positively influenced by the former. Factor 3 is loaded by pH and alkalinity, pointing to the role of carbonates contributed by the rocks while factor 4, which is loaded by F− and Na, indicates to F−incorporation in water from NaF-bearing rocks.
Arylated analogues of cypronazole: fungicidal effect and activity on human fibroblasts. Docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Herrera Cano Natividad , Andujar Sebastian A. , Theoduloz Cristina , Wunderlin Daniel A. , Santiago Ana N. , Schmeda-Hirschmann Guillermo , Enriz Ricardo D. , Feresin Gabriela E.
Published: March 2022

Triadimefon (TDM) and cyproconazole (CPZ) are two triazoles widely used as fungicides. Several azoles were synthesised starting from commercial TDM and CPZ. The compounds were evaluated against phytopathogenic filamentous fungi, includingAspergillus fumigatus(AF),A. niger(AN),A. ustus (AU), A. japonicus(AJ),A. terreus (AT), Fusarium oxysporumandBotrytis cinereaisolated from grapevine in the province of San Juan, Argentina. Three of the synthesised compounds (1-(Biphenyl-4-yloxy)-3,3-dimethyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-one,1; 2-(Biphenyl-4-yl)-3-cyclopropyl-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butan-2-ol,3; 3-Cyclopropyl-2-(4’-fluorobiphenyl-4-yl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol1-yl)butan-2-ol,4) presented remarkable in vitro fungicidal properties,with better effects than TDM and CPZ on some of the target fungi. Cytotoxicity was assessed using human lung fibroblasts MRC5. Derivative1, with IC50values of 389.4 µM, was less toxic towards MRC-5 human lung fibroblasts than commercial TDM (248.5 µM) and CPZ (267.4 µM). Docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the compounds present the same interaction in the binding pocket of the CYP51B enzyme and with the same amino acids as CPZ. The derivatives investigated could be considered broad-spectrum but with some selectivity towards imperfect fungi.

Graphical abstract
Ipertrigliceridemia: fisiopatologia e significato clinico
Authors: Olivieri Chiara , Pisati Davide , Sironi Francesca , Roversi Tecla , Magni Paolo
Published: March 2022

Sommario

L’ipertrigliceridemia è una condizione patologica identificata da una concentrazione plasmatica di trigliceridi superiore a 150 mg/dL. Le ipertrigliceridemie primarie hanno alla base mutazioni genetiche, mentre le forme secondarie hanno un’origine multifattoriale, spesso in un contesto poligenico predisponente. L’ipertrigliceridemia è un fattore di rischio per patologie cardiovascolari aterotrombotiche e pancreatite acuta. Le terapie volte a migliorare questa condizione comprendono sia l’adozione di un corretto stile di vita, sia trattamenti farmacologici per ridurre i livelli circolanti di trigliceridi.
‘I Know What It's Like’: Epistemic Arrogance, Disability, and Race
Authors: LIEBOW NABINA , ADES RACHEL LEVIT
Published: March 2022

Understanding and empathy on the part of those in privileged positions are often cited as powerful tools in the fight against oppression. Too often, however, those in positions of power assume they know what it is like to be less well off when, in actuality, they do not. This kind of assumption represents a thinking vice we dub synecdoche epistemic arrogance. In instances of synecdoche epistemic arrogance, a person who has privilege wrongly assumes, based on limited experiences, that she can know what it is like to experience a particular form of oppression. We argue two main points. First, synecdoche epistemic arrogance can lead to a variety of moral harms. Second, synecdoche epistemic arrogance is often tied to other troubling epistemic patterns, which we discuss in the context of disability and race simulations. Overall, the essay helps demonstrate how synecdoche epistemic arrogance can contribute to injustice.
Fluid Mechanics: the quintessential complex system
Authors: Pierrehumbert Raymond T.
Published: March 2022

The 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics recognizes advances in the understanding of complex systems, and underscores that ‘complex’ does not mean ‘imponderable’.
Making Food Standard: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Standards of Identity, 1930s–1960s
Authors: Frohlich Xaq
Published: March 2022

This article looks at the implementation of food standards of identity by the U.S Food and Drug Administration from the 1930s to the 1960s, a period in the FDA’s history wedged between the “era of adulteration” of the early twentieth century and the agency’s turn to “informational regulation” starting in the 1970s. The article describes the origin of food standards in the early twentieth century and outlines the political economy of government-mandated food standards in the 1930s. While consumer advocates believed government standards would be important to consumer empowerment because they would simplify choices at the grocery store, many in the food industry believed government standards would clash with private brands. The FDA faced challenges in defining what were “customary” standards for foods in an increasingly industrial food economy, and new diet-food marketing campaigns in the 1950s and 1960s ultimately led to the food standards system's undoing. The article concludes by looking at how FDA food standards came to be framed cynically, even though voluntary food standardization continued and the system of informative labeling that replaced FDA standards led to precisely the problem government standards were intended to solve.
SCIENTIFIC FRAUD Part II: From Past to Present, Facts and Analyses
Authors: Carafoli Ernesto , Bucci Enrico
Published: March 2022

Scientific fraud has increased dramatically in recent times. The main reason has been the exponential increase of the number of researchers, that has greatly exceeded the increase in available resources. This has generated a situation of extreme competition that has dramatically increased the tendency to commit FFP acts. In comparison with the situation in the (distant) past, described in the accompanying contribution (Part I), in which scientific misconduct as a rule concerned research on themes of great significance, today the misconduct generally concerns petty fraudulent acts meant to give the fraudster personal advantages that are frequently illusory. Other factors, more technical in nature, are also having roles in today’s great increase of misconduct cases. Important among them are the ease with which they are now discovered thanks to impressive technological advances in their detection, and the appearance and rapid proliferation of open access predatory journals which do not follow the established peer review publication rules. Cases that deal with themes of great general significance do still occur, and some are examined in this article. At variance with those analysed in Part I they are now rapidly solved by the technical resources available today.
Why Do Clientelist Brokers Go Rogue? Parties, Politicians, and Intermediaries in Mexico
Authors: Langston Joy , Castro Cornejo Rodrigo
Published: March 2022

Political scientists working on clientelism have become interested in the relationships between brokers and the politicians and parties for whom they work. In most of this research, brokers are seen as inherently disloyal and normally act against the interests of their patrons, unless monitoring efforts are enacted. In contrast, we argue that territorial brokers have strong incentives to construct long-term, dependent relationships with their patrons, which diminishes the likelihood of cheating, while their patrons also wish to maintain durable ties with brokers to hold an assured voter base. We argue that politicians prefer brokers who have a good reputation for providing their voters with goods and assuring their votes. Still, sometimes brokers go rogue and cheat on their bosses. This study, which is based on more than fifty in-depth interviews with both local politicians and brokers in Mexico City, examines the conditions under which brokers remain loyal and those that promote cheating. We identify two factors that explain this variation—electoral competitiveness and the level of resource autonomy between brokers and politicians. Non-autonomous brokers working under conditions of low competition tend to have high probabilities of remaining loyal, while independent brokers working under high competitiveness will often resort to cheating.
Spatial‐Temporal Behaviors of Large‐Scale Ionospheric Perturbations During Severe Geomagnetic Storms on September 7–8 2017 Using the GNSS, SWARM and TIE‐GCM Techniques
Authors: Li Wang , Zhao Dongsheng , He Changyong , Hancock Craig M. , Shen Yi , Zhang Kefei
Published: March 2022

Geomagnetic storms on 7–8 September 2017 triggered severe ionospheric disturbances that had a serious effect on satellite navigation and radio communication. Multiple observations derived from Global Navigation Satellite System receivers, Earth's Magnetic Field and Environment Explorers (SWARM) and the Thermosphere‐Ionosphere ‐Electrodynamics General Circulation Model's simulations are utilized to investigate the spatial‐temporal ionospheric behaviors under storm conditions. The results indicate that the electron density in the Asia‐Australia, Europe‐Africa and America sectors suddenly changed with the Bz southward excursion, and the ionosphere over low‐middle latitudes under the sunlit hemisphere is easily affected by the disturbed magnetic field. The SWARM observations verified the remarkable double‐peak structure of plasma enhancements over the equator and middle latitudes. The physical mechanism of low‐middle plasma disturbances can be explained by a combination effect of equatorial electrojets, vertical E × B drifts, meridional wind and thermospheric O/N2 change. Besides, the severe storms triggered strong Polar plasma disturbances on both dayside and nightside hemispheres, and the Polar disturbances had a latitudinal excursion associated with the offset of geomagnetic field. Remarkable plasma enhancements at the altitudes of 100–160 km were also observed in the auroral zone and middle latitudes (>47.5°N/S). The topside polar ionospheric plasma enhancements were dominated by the O+ ions. Furthermore, the TIE‐GCM's simulations indicate that the enhanced vertical E × B drifts, cross polar cap potential and Joule heating play an important role in generating the topside plasma perturbations.
Deformation of Post‐Spinel Under the Lower Mantle Conditions
Authors: Xu F. , Yamazaki D. , Hunt S. A. , Tsujino N. , Higo Y. , Tange Y. , Ohara K. , Dobson D. P.
Published: March 2022

To study the viscosity of bridgmanite and ferropericlase aggregate, uniaxial compression deformation experiments on pre‐synthesized post‐spinel phase and bridgmanite two‐layered samples were conducted under top lower mantle pressure and 1773 K utilizing DT‐Cup apparatus. Up to the strain of 0.25 ± 0.05, the observed comparable strain of the bridgmanite and post‐spinel samples suggests the bridgmanite dominates the bulk viscosity of the post‐spinel without strain localization in periclase. The microstructures of the deformed post‐spinel samples show evidence of a similar strain of periclase with the bulk strain without strain partitioning. Texture analyses of bridgmanite indicate a dominant slip plane (100), with a steady state fabric strength achieved within the strain of 0.12 ± 0.01. The current experiment has provided no evidence about an onset of strain localization of ∼30 vol.% periclase at 0.25 strain. Our observations provide direct experimental verification of bridgmanite controlled rheology under low strain magnitude, which should be considered in geodynamical models which include mantle compositional and rheological evolution in the lower mantle.
Vegetal Undercurrents—Obscured Riverine Dynamics of Plant Debris
Authors: Schwab Melissa S. , Hilton Robert G. , Haghipour Negar , Baronas J. Jotautas , Eglinton Timothy I.
Published: March 2022

Much attention has been focused on fine‐grained sediments carried as suspended load in rivers due to their potential to transport, disperse, and preserve organic carbon (OC), while the transfer and fate of OC associated with coarser‐grained sediments in fluvial systems have been less extensively studied. Here, sedimentological, geochemical, and biomolecular characteristics of sediments from river depth profiles reveal distinct hydrodynamic behavior for different pools of OC within the Mackenzie River system. Higher radiocarbon (14C) contents, low N/OC ratios, and elevated plant‐derived biomarker loadings suggest a systematic transport of submerged vascular plant debris above the active riverbed in large channels both upstream of and within the delta. Subzero temperatures hinder OC degradation promoting the accumulation and waterlogging of plant detritus within the watershed. Once entrained into a channel, sustained flow strength and buoyancy prevent plant debris from settling and keep it suspended in the water column above the riverbed. Helical flow motions within meandering river segments concentrate lithogenic and organic debris near the inner river bends forming a sediment‐laden plume. Moving offshore, we observe a lack of discrete, particulate OC in continental shelf sediments, suggesting preferential trapping of coarse debris within deltaic and neritic environments. The delivery of waterlogged plant detritus transport and high sediment loads during the spring flood may reduce oxygen exposure times and microbial decomposition, leading to enhanced sequestration of biospheric OC. Undercurrents enriched in coarse, relatively fresh plant fragments appear to be reoccurring features, highlighting a poorly understood yet significant mechanism operating within the terrestrial carbon cycle.
Fast-decaying plant litter enhances soil carbon in temperate forests but not through microbial physiological traits
Authors: Craig Matthew E. , Geyer Kevin M. , Beidler Katilyn V. , Brzostek Edward R. , Frey Serita D. , Stuart Grandy A. , Liang Chao , Phillips Richard P.
Published: March 2022

Conceptual and empirical advances in soil biogeochemistry have challenged long-held assumptions about the role of soil micro-organisms in soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics; yet, rigorous tests of emerging concepts remain sparse. Recent hypotheses suggest that microbial necromass production links plant inputs to SOC accumulation, with high-quality (i.e., rapidly decomposing) plant litter promoting microbial carbon use efficiency, growth, and turnover leading to more mineral stabilization of necromass. We test this hypothesis experimentally and with observations across six eastern US forests, using stable isotopes to measure microbial traits and SOC dynamics. Here we show, in both studies, that microbial growth, efficiency, and turnover are negatively (not positively) related to mineral-associated SOC. In the experiment, stimulation of microbial growth by high-quality litter enhances SOC decomposition, offsetting the positive effect of litter quality on SOC stabilization. We suggest that microbial necromass production is not the primary driver of SOC persistence in temperate forests. Factors such as microbial necromass origin, alternative SOC formation pathways, priming effects, and soil abiotic properties can strongly decouple microbial growth, efficiency, and turnover from mineral-associated SOC.
First-in-human immunoPET imaging of HIV-1 infection using 89Zr-labeled VRC01 broadly neutralizing antibody
Authors: Beckford-Vera Denis R. , Flavell Robert R. , Seo Youngho , Martinez-Ortiz Enrique , Aslam Maya , Thanh Cassandra , Fehrman Emily , Pardons Marion , Kumar Shreya , Deitchman Amelia N. , Ravanfar Vahid , Schulte Brailee , Wu I-Wei Katherine , Pan Tony , Reeves Jacqueline D. , Nixon Christopher C. , Iyer Nikita S. , Torres Leonel , Munter Sadie E. , Hyunh Tony , Petropoulos Christos J. , Hoh Rebecca , Franc Benjamin L. , Gama Lucio , Koup Richard A. , Mascola John R. , Chomont Nicolas , Deeks Steven G. , VanBrocklin Henry F. , Henrich Timothy J.
Published: March 2022

A major obstacle to achieving long-term antiretroviral (ART) free remission or functional cure of HIV infection is the presence of persistently infected cells that establish a long-lived viral reservoir. HIV largely resides in anatomical regions that are inaccessible to routine sampling, however, and non-invasive methods to understand the longitudinal tissue-wide burden of HIV persistence are urgently needed. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is a promising strategy to identify and characterize the tissue-wide burden of HIV. Here, we assess the efficacy of using immunoPET imaging to characterize HIV reservoirs and identify anatomical foci of persistent viral transcriptional activity using a radiolabeled HIV Env-specific broadly neutralizing antibody, 89Zr-VRC01, in HIV-infected individuals with detectable viremia and on suppressive ART compared to uninfected controls (NCT03729752). We also assess the relationship between PET tracer uptake in tissues and timing of ART initiation and direct HIV protein expression in CD4 T cells obtained from lymph node biopsies. We observe significant increases in 89Zr-VRC01 uptake in various tissues (including lymph nodes and gut) in HIV-infected individuals with detectable viremia (N = 5) and on suppressive ART (N = 5) compared to uninfected controls (N = 5). Importantly, PET tracer uptake in inguinal lymph nodes in viremic and ART-suppressed participants significantly and positively correlates with HIV protein expression measured directly in tissue. Our strategy may allow non-invasive longitudinal characterization of residual HIV infection and lays the framework for the development of immunoPET imaging in a variety of other infectious diseases.
Restoring nuclear entry of Sirtuin 2 in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells promotes remyelination during ageing
Authors: Ma Xiao-Ru , Zhu Xudong , Xiao Yujie , Gu Hui-Min , Zheng Shuang-Shuang , Li Liang , Wang Fan , Dong Zhao-Jun , Wang Di-Xian , Wu Yang , Yang Chenyu , Jiang Wenhong , Yao Ke , Yin Yue , Zhang Yang , Peng Chao , Gao Lixia , Meng Zhuoxian , Hu Zeping , Liu Chong , Li Li , Chen Hou-Zao , Shu Yousheng , Ju Zhenyu , Zhao Jing-Wei
Published: March 2022

The age-dependent decline in remyelination potential of the central nervous system during ageing is associated with a declined differentiation capacity of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). The molecular players that can enhance OPC differentiation or rejuvenate OPCs are unclear. Here we show that, in mouse OPCs, nuclear entry of SIRT2 is impaired and NAD+ levels are reduced during ageing. When we supplement β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (β-NMN), an NAD+ precursor, nuclear entry of SIRT2 in OPCs, OPC differentiation, and remyelination were rescued in aged animals. We show that the effects on myelination are mediated via the NAD+-SIRT2-H3K18Ac-ID4 axis, and SIRT2 is required for rejuvenating OPCs. Our results show that SIRT2 and NAD+ levels rescue the aged OPC differentiation potential to levels comparable to young age, providing potential targets to enhance remyelination during ageing.
The YΦ motif defines the structure-activity relationships of human 20S proteasome activators
Authors: Opoku-Nsiah Kwadwo A. , de la Pena Andres H. , Williams Sarah K. , Chopra Nikita , Sali Andrej , Lander Gabriel C. , Gestwicki Jason E.
Published: March 2022

The 20S proteasome (20S) facilitates turnover of most eukaryotic proteins. Substrate entry into the 20S first requires opening of gating loops through binding of HbYX motifs that are present at the C-termini of certain proteasome activators (PAs). The HbYX motif has been predominantly characterized in the archaeal 20S, whereas little is known about the sequence preferences of the human 20S (h20S). Here, we synthesize and screen ~120 HbYX-like peptides, revealing unexpected differences from the archaeal system and defining the h20S recognition sequence as the Y-F/Y (YФ) motif. To gain further insight, we create a functional chimera of the optimized sequence, NLSYYT, fused to the model activator, PA26E102A. A cryo-EM structure of PA26E102A-h20S is used to identify key interactions, including non-canonical contacts and gate-opening mechanisms. Finally, we demonstrate that the YФ sequence preferences are tuned by valency, allowing multivalent PAs to sample greater sequence space. These results expand the model for termini-mediated gating and provide a template for the design of h20S activators.
Autoantibodies targeting GPCRs and RAS-related molecules associate with COVID-19 severity
Authors: Cabral-Marques Otavio , Halpert Gilad , Schimke Lena F. , Ostrinski Yuri , Vojdani Aristo , Baiocchi Gabriela Crispim , Freire Paula Paccielli , Filgueiras Igor Salerno , Zyskind Israel , Lattin Miriam T. , Tran Florian , Schreiber Stefan , Marques Alexandre H. C. , Plaça Desirée Rodrigues , Fonseca Dennyson Leandro M. , Humrich Jens Y. , Müller Antje , Giil Lasse M. , Graßhoff Hanna , Schumann Anja , Hackel Alexander , Junker Juliane , Meyer Carlotta , Ochs Hans D. , Lavi Yael Bublil , Scheibenbogen Carmen , Dechend Ralf , Jurisica Igor , Schulze-Forster Kai , Silverberg Jonathan I. , Amital Howard , Zimmerman Jason , Heidecke Harry , Rosenberg Avi Z. , Riemekasten Gabriela , Shoenfeld Yehuda
Published: March 2022

COVID-19 shares the feature of autoantibody production with systemic autoimmune diseases. In order to understand the role of these immune globulins in the pathogenesis of the disease, it is important to explore the autoantibody spectra. Here we show, by a cross-sectional study of 246 individuals, that autoantibodies targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) and RAS-related molecules associate with the clinical severity of COVID-19. Patients with moderate and severe disease are characterized by higher autoantibody levels than healthy controls and those with mild COVID-19 disease. Among the anti-GPCR autoantibodies, machine learning classification identifies the chemokine receptor CXCR3 and the RAS-related molecule AGTR1 as targets for antibodies with the strongest association to disease severity. Besides antibody levels, autoantibody network signatures are also changing in patients with intermediate or high disease severity. Although our current and previous studies identify anti-GPCR antibodies as natural components of human biology, their production is deregulated in COVID-19 and their level and pattern alterations might predict COVID-19 disease severity.
Hygroscopic holey graphene aerogel fibers enable highly efficient moisture capture, heat allocation and microwave absorption
Authors: Hou Yinglai , Sheng Zhizhi , Fu Chen , Kong Jie , Zhang Xuetong
Published: March 2022

Aerogel fibers have been recognized as the rising star in the fields of thermal insulation and wearable textiles. Yet, the lack of functionalization in aerogel fibers limits their applications. Herein, we report hygroscopic holey graphene aerogel fibers (LiCl@HGAFs) with integrated functionalities of highly efficient moisture capture, heat allocation, and microwave absorption. LiCl@HGAFs realize the water sorption capacity over 4.15 g g−1, due to the high surface area and high water uptake kinetics. Moreover, the sorbent can be regenerated through both photo-thermal and electro-thermal approaches. Along with the water sorption and desorption, LiCl@HGAFs experience an efficient heat transfer process, with a heat storage capacity of 6.93 kJ g−1. The coefficient of performance in the heating and cooling mode can reach 1.72 and 0.70, respectively. Notably, with the entrapped water, LiCl@HGAFs exhibit broad microwave absorption with a bandwidth of 9.69 GHz, good impedance matching, and a high attenuation constant of 585. In light of these findings, the multifunctional LiCl@HGAFs open an avenue for applications in water harvest, heat allocation, and microwave absorption. This strategy also suggests the possibility to functionalize aerogel fibers towards even broader applications.
Artificial fast-adapting mechanoreceptor based on carbon nanotube percolating network
Authors: Bounakoff Cyril , Hayward Vincent , Genest Jonathan , Michaud François , Beauvais Jacques
Published: March 2022

Most biological sensors preferentially encode changes in a stimulus rather than the steady components. However, intrinsically phasic artificial mechanoreceptors have not yet been described. We constructed a phasic mechanoreceptor by encapsulating carbon nanotube film in a viscoelastic matrix supported by a rigid substrate. When stimulated by a spherical indenter the sensor response resembled the response of fast-adapting mammalian mechanoreceptors. We modelled these sensors from the properties of percolating conductive networks combined with nonlinear contact mechanics and discussed the implications of this finding.
Thermal decomposition of propylene oxide with different activation energy and Reynolds number in a multicomponent tubular reactor containing a cooling jacket
Authors: Memon Abid A. , Memon M. Asif , Bhatti Kaleemullah , khan Ilyas , Alshammari Nawa , Al-Johani Amnah S. , Hamadneh Nawaf N. , Andualem Mulugeta
Published: March 2022

In this article, we are focusing on heat and mass transfer through a Multicomponent tubular reactor containing a cooling jacket by thermal decomposition of propylene oxide in water. The chemical reaction is an irreversible, 1st order reaction and an exothermic reaction that yields propylene glycol with enthalpy = −84,666 J/mol. The constant rate of the reaction is followed by the Arrhenius equation in which the activation energy is taken on a trial basis in the range from 75,000 to 80,000 J/mol with a fixed frequency factor. For the fluid to flow, the Reynolds number is kept in the range from 100 to 1000. The three partial differential equations of mass, momentum, and energy are coupled to study heat and mass transfer in a tubular reactor by using the chemistry interface in COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4. The initial concentration of propylene oxide is tested in the range from 2 to 3% and the thermal conductivity of the mixture is tested in the range 0.599–0.799. It was found that the amount deactivated of the compound decreases with an increase in Reynolds number. Propylene oxide is decomposed at about 99.8% at Re = 100 at lower activation energy and gives the total maximum enthalpy change in the tubular reactor. Observing the relationship between Sherwood numbers to Nusselt numbers, it was deducted that the convective heat transfer is opposite to convective mass transfer for high Reynolds numbers.
Emulation of synaptic functions with low voltage organic memtransistor for hardware oriented neuromorphic computing
Authors: Sagar Srikrishna , Udaya Mohanan Kannan , Cho Seongjae , Majewski Leszek A. , Das Bikas C.
Published: March 2022

Here, various synaptic functions and neural network simulation based pattern-recognition using novel, solution-processed organic memtransistors (memTs) with an unconventional redox-gating mechanism are demonstrated. Our synaptic memT device using conjugated polymer thin-film and redox-active solid electrolyte as the gate dielectric can be routinely operated at gate voltages (VGS) below − 1.5 V, subthreshold-swings (S) smaller than 120 mV/dec, and ON/OFF current ratio larger than 108. Large hysteresis in transfer curves depicts the signature of non-volatile resistive switching (RS) property with ON/OFF ratio as high as 105. In addition, our memT device also shows many synaptic functions, including the availability of many conducting-states (> 500) that are used for efficient pattern recognition using the simplest neural network simulation model with training and test accuracy higher than 90%. Overall, the presented approach opens a new and promising way to fabricate high-performance artificial synapses and their arrays for the implementation of hardware-oriented neural network.
Effect of morpholine and charge distribution of cyanine dyes on cell internalization and cytotoxicity
Authors: Wangngae Sirilak , Chansaenpak Kantapat , Weeranantanapan Oratai , Piyanuch Pornthip , Sumphanapai Thitima , Yamabhai Montarop , Noisa Parinya , Lai Rung-Yi , Kamkaew Anyanee
Published: March 2022

To improve the potency of Heptamethine cyanines (Hcyanines) in cancer research, we designed and synthesized two novel Hcyanines based theranostic probes, IR794-Morph and IR794-Morph-Mpip, to enhance cancer cell internalization and targeting. In acidic conditions that resemble to tumour environment, both IR794 derivatives exhibited broad NIR absorption band (704‒794 nm) and fluorescence emission (798‒828 nm) that is suitable for deep seated tumour imaging. Moreover, in vitro study revealed that IR794-Morph-Mpip exhibited better cancer targetability towards various cancer cell lines under physiological and slightly acidic conditions compared to normal cells. IR794-Morph-Mpip was fast internalized into the cancer cells within the first 5 min and mostly localized in lysosomes and mitochondria. In addition, the internalized signal was brighter when the cells were in the hypoxic environment. Furthermore, cellular uptake mechanism of both IR794 dyes, investigated via flow cytometry, revealed that endocytosis through OATPs receptors and clathrin-mediated endocytosis were the main routes. Moreover, IR794-Morph-Mpip, displayed anti-cancer activity towards all tested cancer cell types with IC50 below 7 μM (at 6 h incubation), which is approximately three times lower than that of the normal cells. Therefore, increasing protonated cites in tumour environment of Hcyanines together with incorporating morpholine in the molecule can enhance structure-inherent targeting of these dyes.
Lossy compression of statistical data using quantum annealer
Authors: Yoon Boram , Nguyen Nga T. T. , Chang Chia Cheng , Rrapaj Ermal
Published: March 2022

We present a new lossy compression algorithm for statistical floating-point data through a representation learning with binary variables. The algorithm finds a set of basis vectors and their binary coefficients that precisely reconstruct the original data. The optimization for the basis vectors is performed classically, while binary coefficients are retrieved through both simulated and quantum annealing for comparison. A bias correction procedure is also presented to estimate and eliminate the error and bias introduced from the inexact reconstruction of the lossy compression for statistical data analyses. The compression algorithm is demonstrated on two different datasets of lattice quantum chromodynamics simulations. The results obtained using simulated annealing show 3–3.5 times better compression performance than the algorithm based on neural-network autoencoder. Calculations using quantum annealing also show promising results, but performance is limited by the integrated control error of the quantum processing unit, which yields large uncertainties in the biases and coupling parameters. Hardware comparison is further studied between the previous generation D-Wave 2000Q and the current D-Wave Advantage system. Our study shows that the Advantage system is more likely to obtain low-energy solutions for the problems than the 2000Q.