bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DESCRIPTION OF GROWTH AND OSCILLATION OF SOLUTIONS OF COMPLEX LDE’S
Authors: CHYZHYKOV IGOR , GRÖHN JANNE , HEITTOKANGAS JANNE , RÄTTYÄ JOUNI
Published: June 2022

It is known that, in the unit disc as well as in the whole complex plane, the growth of the analytic coefficients
$A_0,\dotsc ,A_{k-2}$
of
$$ \begin{align*} f^{(k)} + A_{k-2} f^{(k-2)} + \dotsb + A_1 f'+ A_0 f = 0, \quad k\geqslant 2, \end{align*} $$
determines, under certain growth restrictions, not only the growth but also the oscillation of the equation’s nontrivial solutions, and vice versa. A uniform treatment of this principle is given in the disc
$D(0,R)$
,
$0<R\leqslant \infty $
, by using several measures for growth that are more flexible than those in the existing literature, and therefore permit more detailed analysis. In particular, the results obtained are not restricted to cases where the solutions are of finite (iterated) order of growth in the classical sense. The new findings are based on an accurate integrated estimate for logarithmic derivatives of meromorphic functions, which preserves generality in terms of three free parameters.
Contrasting Hysteresis Behaviors of Northern Hemisphere Land Monsoon Precipitation to CO2 Pathways
Authors: Oh Hyoeun , An Soon‐Il , Shin Jongsoo , Yeh Sang‐Wook , Min Seung‐Ki , Son Seok‐Woo , Kug Jong‐Seong
Published: June 2022

Understanding precipitation changes over the Northern Hemisphere land monsoon (NHLM) region, where nearly 60% of the world's population resides, is fundamental for hydrological projections and adaptations against climate change. There are many studies on the hydrological cycle under various climate change scenarios. However, there is still a lack of research on the hydrological responses to CO2 removal as a global warming mitigation measure from a global perspective. This study demonstrates the distinguished hysteresis responses of mean NHLM precipitation based on idealized CO2 ramp‐up and ramp‐down experiments using the Community Earth System Model|Community Earth System model. The Indian and North African monsoons have time asymmetry in the mean precipitation changes under the CO2 increase and decrease pathways, while the North American monsoon does not. The zonal contrasting hysteresis is attributed to longitudinally contrasting changes in the intertropical convergence zone position driven by the inter‐hemispheric and land–sea thermal contrast. On the contrary, changes in extreme precipitation exhibit little temporal asymmetries over any of the NHLM domains. These results provide new insights into climate hysteresis of the hydrological cycle from regional and global perspectives.
Decrease of Annually Accumulated Tropical Cyclone‐Induced Sea Surface Cooling and Diapycnal Mixing in Recent Decades
Authors: Zhang Xueyang , Xu Fanghua , Zhang Jishi , Lin Yanluan
Published: June 2022

Tropical cyclones (TCs) are an important source of turbulent mixing for the upper ocean at low latitudes, causing sea surface cooling and subsurface warming. A new estimate of annually accumulated sea surface cooling and upper ocean diapycnal diffusivity induced by TCs is obtained by using quantified cold wake sizes, which were largely ignored by previous studies. Both the annually accumulated tropical cyclone‐induced sea surface cooling and upper ocean diffusivity on a global scale show a significant decreasing trend over the period of 1982–2016, at a rate of −0.09 ± 0.03 °C/decade and −0.03 ± 0.01 cm2/s/decade respectively. The strengthening of ocean stratification with global warming contributes to the decrease of sea surface cooling and mixing, while the changes of tropical cyclone characteristics (such as translation speed, intensity, number, lifetime and size) contribute differently in various ocean basins.
Seasonal and Semi‐Diurnal Variations in Cloud‐Phase Characteristics Over the Southern Himalayas and Adjacent Regions as Observed by the Himawari‐8 Satellite
Authors: Yu Lu , Fu Yunfei , Zhuge Xiaoyong , Yao Bin , Tang Fei , Chen Fengjiao , Pan Xiao
Published: June 2022

Investigated in this study are the seasonal and semi‐diurnal variations of the cloud‐phase climatology over the southern Himalayas and adjacent regions by using 5 years of Himawari‐8 cloud‐product data (2016–2020). The four selected regions from south to north are the Gangetic Plains (I), Himalayan foothills (II), southern slope of the Himalayas (III), and the Himalayan–Tibetan Plateau region (IV), respectively. Results showed that the cloud frequency of cloud gradually increases from region I via II to III, then sharply decreases as the altitude increases up to IV. Ice‐phase clouds occurs more frequently over regions I/II (III/IV) during boreal summer (winter), while water‐phase cloud has a higher frequency over region III/IV (I/II) in summer (winter), respectively. All of the different cloud phases have a clear seasonal cycle. Furthermore, the semi‐diurnal variation shows that water‐phase clouds tends to have an occurrence frequency peak around noon (in the later afternoon) over regions I/II/III in summer (winter), whereas over region IV it only occurs more in the morning in both seasons. Ice‐phase cloud generally occurs more in the late afternoon in both boreal summer and winter, especially over region IV. Further analysis showed that the differences in the cloud‐phase characteristics over the southern Himalayas and adjacent regions are likely related to the interactions of the synoptic‐scale circulation, the topography, and the water vapor transport.
Diversity of organohalide respiring bacteria and reductive dehalogenases that detoxify polybrominated diphenyl ethers in E-waste recycling sites
Authors: Zhao Siyan , Ding Chang , Xu Guofang , Rogers Matthew J , Ramaswamy Rajaganesan , He Jianzhong
Published: June 2022

Widespread polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) contamination poses risks to human health and ecosystems. Bioremediation is widely considered to be a less ecologically disruptive strategy for remediation of organohalide contamination, but bioremediation of PBDE-contaminated sites is limited by a lack of knowledge about PBDE-dehalogenating microbial populations. Here we report anaerobic PBDE debromination in microcosms established from geographically distinct e-waste recycling sites. Complete debromination of a penta-BDE mixture to diphenyl ether was detected in 16 of 24 investigated microcosms; further enrichment of these 16 microcosms implicated microbial populations belonging to the bacterial genera Dehalococcoides, Dehalogenimonas, and Dehalobacter in PBDE debromination. Debrominating microcosms tended to contain either both Dehalogenimonas and Dehalobacter or Dehalococcoides alone. Separately, complete debromination of a penta-BDE mixture was also observed by axenic cultures of Dehalococcoides mccartyi strains CG1, CG4, and 11a5, suggesting that this phenotype may be fairly common amongst Dehalococcoides. PBDE debromination in these isolates was mediated by four reductive dehalogenases not previously known to debrominate PBDEs. Debromination of an octa-BDE mixture was less prevalent and less complete in microcosms. The PBDE reductive dehalogenase homologous genes in Dehalococcoides genomes represent plausible molecular markers to predict PBDE debromination in microbial communities via their prevalence and transcriptions analysis.
Enduring disruption of reward and stress circuit activities by early-life adversity in male rats
Authors: Levis Sophia C. , Birnie Matthew T. , Bolton Jessica L. , Perrone Christina R. , Montesinos Johanna S. , Baram Tallie Z. , Mahler Stephen V.
Published: June 2022

In humans, early-life adversity (ELA) such as trauma, poverty, and chaotic environment is linked to increased risk of later-life emotional disorders including depression and substance abuse. These disorders involve underlying disruption of reward circuits and likely vary by sex. Accordingly, we previously found that ELA leads to anhedonia for natural rewards and cocaine in male rodents, whereas in females ELA instead increases vulnerability to addiction-like use of opioid drugs and palatable food. While these findings suggest that ELA-induced disruption of reward circuitry may differ between the sexes, the specific circuit nodes that are influenced by ELA in either sex remain poorly understood. Here, in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, we ask how ELA impacts opioid addiction-relevant behaviors that we previously tested after ELA in females. We probe potential circuit mechanisms in males by assessing opioid-associated neuronal activation in stress and reward circuit nodes including nucleus accumbens (NAc), amygdala, medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and paraventricular thalamus. We find that ELA diminishes opioid-seeking behaviors in males, and alters heroin-induced activation of NAc, PFC, and amygdala, suggesting a potential circuit-based mechanism. These studies demonstrate that ELA leads to behavioral and neurobiological disruptions consistent with anhedonia in male rodents, unlike the increased opioid seeking we previously saw in females. Our findings, taken together with our prior work, suggest that men and women could face qualitatively different mental health consequences of ELA, which may be essential for individually tailoring future intervention strategies.
A hexa-species transcriptome atlas of mammalian embryogenesis delineates metabolic regulation across three different implantation modes
Authors: Malkowska Anna , Penfold Christopher , Bergmann Sophie , Boroviak Thorsten E.
Published: June 2022

Mammalian embryogenesis relies on glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation to balance the generation of biomass with energy production. However, the dynamics of metabolic regulation in the postimplantation embryo in vivo have remained elusive due to the inaccessibility of the implanted conceptus for biochemical studies. To address this issue, we compiled single-cell embryo profiling data in six mammalian species and determined their metabolic dynamics through glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation associated gene expression. Strikingly, we identify a conserved switch from bivalent respiration in the late blastocyst towards a glycolytic metabolism in early gastrulation stages across species, which is independent of embryo implantation. Extraembryonic lineages followed the dynamics of the embryonic lineage, except visceral endoderm. Finally, we demonstrate that in vitro primate embryo culture substantially impacts metabolic gene regulation by comparison to in vivo samples. Our work reveals a conserved metabolic programme despite different implantation modes and highlights the need to optimise postimplantation embryo culture protocols.
Coordination chemogenetics for activation of GPCR-type glutamate receptors in brain tissue
Authors: Ojima Kento , Kakegawa Wataru , Yamasaki Tokiwa , Miura Yuta , Itoh Masayuki , Michibata Yukiko , Kubota Ryou , Doura Tomohiro , Miura Eriko , Nonaka Hiroshi , Mizuno Seiya , Takahashi Satoru , Yuzaki Michisuke , Hamachi Itaru , Kiyonaka Shigeki
Published: June 2022

Direct activation of cell-surface receptors is highly desirable for elucidating their physiological roles. A potential approach for cell-type-specific activation of a receptor subtype is chemogenetics, in which both point mutagenesis of the receptors and designed ligands are used. However, ligand-binding properties are affected in most cases. Here, we developed a chemogenetic method for direct activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1), which plays essential roles in cerebellar functions in the brain. Our screening identified a mGlu1 mutant, mGlu1(N264H), that was activated directly by palladium complexes. A palladium complex showing low cytotoxicity successfully activated mGlu1 in mGlu1(N264H) knock-in mice, revealing that activation of endogenous mGlu1 is sufficient to evoke the critical cellular mechanism of synaptic plasticity, a basis of motor learning in the cerebellum. Moreover, cell-type-specific activation of mGlu1 was demonstrated successfully using adeno-associated viruses in mice, which shows the potential utility of this chemogenetics for clarifying the physiological roles of mGlu1 in a cell-type-specific manner.
Disentangling the genetic basis of rhizosphere microbiome assembly in tomato
Authors: Oyserman Ben O. , Flores Stalin Sarango , Griffioen Thom , Pan Xinya , van der Wijk Elmar , Pronk Lotte , Lokhorst Wouter , Nurfikari Azkia , Paulson Joseph N. , Movassagh Mercedeh , Stopnisek Nejc , Kupczok Anne , Cordovez Viviane , Carrión Víctor J. , Ligterink Wilco , Snoek Basten L. , Medema Marnix H. , Raaijmakers Jos M.
Published: June 2022

Microbiomes play a pivotal role in plant growth and health, but the genetic factors involved in microbiome assembly remain largely elusive. Here, we map the molecular features of the rhizosphere microbiome as quantitative traits of a diverse hybrid population of wild and domesticated tomato. Gene content analysis of prioritized tomato quantitative trait loci suggests a genetic basis for differential recruitment of various rhizobacterial lineages, including a Streptomyces-associated 6.31 Mbp region harboring tomato domestication sweeps and encoding, among others, the iron regulator FIT and the water channel aquaporin SlTIP2.3. Within metagenome-assembled genomes of root-associated Streptomyces and Cellvibrio, we identify bacterial genes involved in metabolism of plant polysaccharides, iron, sulfur, trehalose, and vitamins, whose genetic variation associates with specific tomato QTLs. By integrating ‘microbiomics’ and quantitative plant genetics, we pinpoint putative plant and reciprocal rhizobacterial traits underlying microbiome assembly, thereby providing a first step towards plant-microbiome breeding programs.
Ly6D+Siglec-H+ precursors contribute to conventional dendritic cells via a Zbtb46+Ly6D+ intermediary stage
Authors: Lutz Konstantin , Musumeci Andrea , Sie Christopher , Dursun Ezgi , Winheim Elena , Bagnoli Johannes , Ziegenhain Christoph , Rausch Lisa , Bergen Volker , Luecken Malte D. , Oostendorp Robert A. J. , Schraml Barbara U. , Theis Fabian J. , Enard Wolfgang , Korn Thomas , Krug Anne B.
Published: June 2022

Plasmacytoid and conventional dendritic cells (pDC and cDC) are generated from progenitor cells in the bone marrow and commitment to pDCs or cDC subtypes may occur in earlier and later progenitor stages. Cells within the CD11c+MHCII−/loSiglec-H+CCR9lo DC precursor fraction of the mouse bone marrow generate both pDCs and cDCs. Here we investigate the heterogeneity and commitment of subsets in this compartment by single-cell transcriptomics and high-dimensional flow cytometry combined with cell fate analysis: Within the CD11c+MHCII−/loSiglec-H+CCR9lo DC precursor pool cells expressing high levels of Ly6D and lacking expression of transcription factor Zbtb46 contain CCR9loB220hi immediate pDC precursors and CCR9loB220lo (lo-lo) cells which still generate pDCs and cDCs in vitro and in vivo under steady state conditions. cDC-primed cells within the Ly6DhiZbtb46– lo-lo precursors rapidly upregulate Zbtb46 and pass through a Zbtb46+Ly6D+ intermediate stage before acquiring cDC phenotype after cell division. Type I IFN stimulation limits cDC and promotes pDC output from this precursor fraction by arresting cDC-primed cells in the Zbtb46+Ly6D+ stage preventing their expansion and differentiation into cDCs. Modulation of pDC versus cDC output from precursors by external factors may allow for adaptation of DC subset composition at later differentiation stages.
Statistical considerations of nonrandom treatment applications reveal region-wide benefits of widespread post-fire restoration action
Authors: Simler-Williamson Allison B. , Germino Matthew J.
Published: June 2022

Accurate predictions of ecological restoration outcomes are needed across the increasingly large landscapes requiring treatment following disturbances. However, observational studies often fail to account for nonrandom treatment application, which can result in invalid inference. Examining a spatiotemporally extensive management treatment involving post-fire seeding of declining sagebrush shrubs across semiarid areas of the western USA over two decades, we quantify drivers and consequences of selection biases in restoration using remotely sensed data. From following more than 1,500 wildfires, we find treatments were disproportionately applied in more stressful, degraded ecological conditions. Failure to incorporate unmeasured drivers of treatment allocation led to the conclusion that costly, widespread seedings were unsuccessful; however, after considering sources of bias, restoration positively affected sagebrush recovery. Treatment effects varied with climate, indicating prioritization criteria for interventions. Our findings revise the perspective that post-fire sagebrush seedings have been broadly unsuccessful and demonstrate how selection biases can pose substantive inferential hazards in observational studies of restoration efficacy and the development of restoration theory.
Therapeutic efficacy of combined active and passive immunization in ART-suppressed, SHIV-infected rhesus macaques
Authors: Walker-Sperling Victoria E. K. , Mercado Noe B. , Chandrashekar Abishek , Borducchi Erica N. , Liu Jinyan , Nkolola Joseph P. , Lewis Mark , Murry Jeffrey P. , Yang Yunling , Geleziunas Romas , Robb Merlin L. , Michael Nelson L. , Pau Maria G. , Wegmann Frank , Schuitemaker Hanneke , Fray Emily J. , Kumar Mithra R. , Siliciano Janet D. , Siliciano Robert F. , Barouch Dan H.
Published: June 2022

The latent viral reservoir is the critical barrier for developing an HIV-1 cure. Previous studies have shown that therapeutic vaccination or broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) administration, together with a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist, enhanced virologic control or delayed viral rebound, respectively, following discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in SIV- or SHIV-infected rhesus macaques. Here we show that the combination of active and passive immunization with vesatolimod may lead to higher rates of post-ART virologic control compared to either approach alone. Therapeutic Ad26/MVA vaccination and PGT121 administration together with TLR7 stimulation with vesatolimod resulted in 70% post-ART virologic control in SHIV-SF162P3-infected rhesus macaques. These data suggest the potential of combining active and passive immunization targeting different immunologic mechanisms as an HIV-1 cure strategy.
Unconventional excitonic states with phonon sidebands in layered silicon diphosphide
Authors: Zhou Ling , Huang Junwei , Windgaetter Lukas , Ong Chin Shen , Zhao Xiaoxu , Zhang Caorong , Tang Ming , Li Zeya , Qiu Caiyu , Latini Simone , Lu Yangfan , Wu Di , Gou Huiyang , Wee Andrew T. S. , Hosono Hideo , Louie Steven G. , Tang Peizhe , Rubio Angel , Yuan Hongtao
Published: June 2022

Complex correlated states emerging from many-body interactions between quasiparticles (electrons, excitons and phonons) are at the core of condensed matter physics and material science. In low-dimensional materials, quantum confinement affects the electronic, and subsequently, optical properties for these correlated states. Here, by combining photoluminescence, optical reflection measurements and ab initio theoretical calculations, we demonstrate an unconventional excitonic state and its bound phonon sideband in layered silicon diphosphide (SiP2), where the bound electron–hole pair is composed of electrons confined within one-dimensional phosphorus–phosphorus chains and holes extended in two-dimensional SiP2 layers. The excitonic state and emergent phonon sideband show linear dichroism and large energy redshifts with increasing temperature. Our ab initio many-body calculations confirm that the observed phonon sideband results from the correlated interaction between excitons and optical phonons. With these results, we propose layered SiP2 as a platform for the study of excitonic physics and many-particle effects.
The cohesin acetylation cycle controls chromatin loop length through a PDS5A brake mechanism
Authors: van Ruiten Marjon S. , van Gent Démi , Sedeño Cacciatore Ángela , Fauster Astrid , Willems Laureen , Hekkelman Maarten L. , Hoekman Liesbeth , Altelaar Maarten , Haarhuis Judith H. I. , Brummelkamp Thijn R. , de Wit Elzo , Rowland Benjamin D.
Published: June 2022

Cohesin structures the genome through the formation of chromatin loops and by holding together the sister chromatids. The acetylation of cohesin’s SMC3 subunit is a dynamic process that involves the acetyltransferase ESCO1 and deacetylase HDAC8. Here we show that this cohesin acetylation cycle controls the three-dimensional genome in human cells. ESCO1 restricts the length of chromatin loops, and of architectural stripes emanating from CTCF sites. HDAC8 conversely promotes the extension of such loops and stripes. This role in controlling loop length turns out to be distinct from the canonical role of cohesin acetylation that protects against WAPL-mediated DNA release. We reveal that acetylation controls the interaction of cohesin with PDS5A to restrict chromatin loop length. Our data support a model in which this PDS5A-bound state acts as a brake that enables the pausing and restart of loop enlargement. The cohesin acetylation cycle hereby provides punctuation in the process of genome folding.
Building regulatory landscapes reveals that an enhancer can recruit cohesin to create contact domains, engage CTCF sites and activate distant genes
Authors: Rinzema Niels J. , Sofiadis Konstantinos , Tjalsma Sjoerd J. D. , Verstegen Marjon J. A. M. , Oz Yuva , Valdes-Quezada Christian , Felder Anna-Karina , Filipovska Teodora , van der Elst Stefan , de Andrade dos Ramos Zaria , Han Ruiqi , Krijger Peter H. L. , de Laat Wouter
Published: June 2022

Developmental gene expression is often controlled by distal regulatory DNA elements called enhancers. Distant enhancer action is restricted to structural chromosomal domains that are flanked by CTCF-associated boundaries and formed through cohesin chromatin loop extrusion. To better understand how enhancers, genes and CTCF boundaries together form structural domains and control expression, we used a bottom-up approach, building series of active regulatory landscapes in inactive chromatin. We demonstrate here that gene transcription levels and activity over time reduce with increased enhancer distance. The enhancer recruits cohesin to stimulate domain formation and engage flanking CTCF sites in loop formation. It requires cohesin exclusively for the activation of distant genes, not of proximal genes, with nearby CTCF boundaries supporting efficient long-range enhancer action. Our work supports a dual activity model for enhancers: its classic role of stimulating transcription initiation and elongation from target gene promoters and a role of recruiting cohesin for the creation of chromosomal domains, the engagement of CTCF sites in chromatin looping and the activation of distal target genes.
Analysis of the fluid contents of simple bone cyst in the mandible
Authors: Choi So-Young , Boboeva Obida , Ham Ji Yeon , An Chang-Hyeon , Lee Sung-Tak , Kim Jin-Wook , An Seo-Young
Published: June 2022

Description of simple bone cyst (SBC) content has been controversial. This study aimed to assess and give a clearer picture of the SBC cavity contents. Between 2014 and 2016, 19 patients with SBC verified by histopathological examination were included in this study. SBC cavity content was investigated using clinical, radiographic, surgical, and laboratory findings. The difference in components among cavity fluid, blood, and serum was evaluated using a paired sample t-test for statistical analysis. All 19 SBC cases radiographically and surgically revealed a fluid-filled cavity. The patients’ average age was 21.3 ± 13.2 years, with no sex predominance found. SBCs were found mostly in the anterior mandible (n = 12, 63.2%). All lesions were filled with clear straw-colored or blood-colored floods with low concentration. Although the fluid components were similar to those in the blood and serum in the laboratory analysis, the statistical analysis revealed that the fluid components were not significantly different only for eosinophil (p = 0.43) and basophil (p = 0.06) counts as blood components and sodium (p = 0.76), potassium (p = 0.08), and chloride (p = 0.13) concentration as serum components. The results show that SBC is a fluid-filled cavity, with the cavity fluid being more likely similar to serum rather than blood regarding internal components.
Wireless muometric navigation system
Authors: Tanaka Hiroyuki K. M.
Published: June 2022

While satellite-based global navigation systems have become essential tools in our daily lives, their effectiveness is often hampered by the fact that the signals cannot be accessed in underground, indoor, or underwater environments. Recently, a novel navigation system has been invented to address this issue by utilizing the characteristics of the ubiquitous and highly penetrative cosmic-ray muons. This technique, muometric navigation, does not require active signal generation and enables positioning in the aforementioned environments within a reference coordinate defined by the three-dimensional positions of multiple detectors. In its first phase of development, these reference detectors had to be connected to the receivers via a wired configuration to guarantee precise time synchronization. This work describes more versatile, wireless muometric navigation system (MuWNS), which was designed in conjunction with a cost-effective, crystal-oscillator-based grandmaster clock and a performance evaluation is reported for shallow underground/indoor, deep underground and undersea environments. It was confirmed that MuWNS offers a navigation quality almost equivalent to aboveground GPS-based handheld navigation by determining the distance between the reference frame and the receivers within a precision range between 1 and 10 m.
Topological transitions in ac/dc﻿-driven superconductor nanotubes
Authors: Fomin Vladimir M. , Rezaev Roman O. , Dobrovolskiy Oleksandr V.
Published: June 2022

Extending of nanostructures into the third dimension has become a major research avenue in condensed-matter physics, because of geometry- and topology-induced phenomena. In this regard, superconductor 3D nanoarchitectures feature magnetic field inhomogeneity, non-trivial topology of Meissner currents and complex dynamics of topological defects. Here, we investigate theoretically topological transitions in the dynamics of vortices and slips of the phase of the order parameter in open superconductor nanotubes under a modulated transport current. Relying upon the time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau equation, we reveal two distinct voltage regimes when (i) a dominant part of the tube is in either the normal or superconducting state and (ii) a complex interplay between vortices, phase-slip regions and screening currents determines a rich FFT voltage spectrum. Our findings unveil novel dynamical states in superconductor open nanotubes, such as paraxial and azimuthal phase-slip regions, their branching and coexistence with vortices, and allow for control of these states by superimposed dc and ac current stimuli.
Amyloid-β impairs mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy in Alzheimer’s disease experimental models
Authors: de la Cueva Macarena , Antequera Desiree , Ordoñez-Gutierrez Lara , Wandosell Francisco , Camins Antonio , Carro Eva , Bartolome Fernando
Published: June 2022

The most accepted hypothesis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the amyloid cascade which establishes that Aβ accumulation may induce the disease development. This accumulation may occur years before the clinical symptoms but it has not been elucidated if this accumulation is the cause or the consequence of AD. It is however, clear that Aβ accumulation exerts toxic effects in the cerebral cells. It is important then to investigate all possible associated events that may help to design new therapeutic strategies to defeat or ameliorate the symptoms in AD. Alterations in the mitochondrial physiology have been found in AD but it is not still clear if they could be an early event in the disease progression associated to amyloidosis or other conditions. Using APP/PS1 mice, our results support published evidence and show imbalances in the mitochondrial dynamics in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of these mice representing very early events in the disease progression. We demonstrate in cellular models that these imbalances are consequence of Aβ accumulation that ultimately induce increased mitophagy, a mechanism which selectively removes damaged mitochondria by autophagy. Along with increased mitophagy, we also found that Aβ independently increases autophagy in APP/PS1 mice. Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction could be an early feature in AD, associated with amyloid overload.
Digital haptics improve speed of visual search performance in a dual-task setting
Authors: Tivadar Ruxandra I. , Arnold Rebecca C. , Turoman Nora , Knebel Jean-François , Murray Micah M.
Published: June 2022

Dashboard-mounted touchscreen tablets are now common in vehicles. Screen/phone use in cars likely shifts drivers’ attention away from the road and contributes to risk of accidents. Nevertheless, vision is subject to multisensory influences from other senses. Haptics may help maintain or even increase visual attention to the road, while still allowing for reliable dashboard control. Here, we provide a proof-of-concept for the effectiveness of digital haptic technologies (hereafter digital haptics), which use ultrasonic vibrations on a tablet screen to render haptic perceptions. Healthy human participants (N = 25) completed a divided-attention paradigm. The primary task was a centrally-presented visual conjunction search task, and the secondary task entailed control of laterally-presented sliders on the tablet. Sliders were presented visually, haptically, or visuo-haptically and were vertical, horizontal or circular. We reasoned that the primary task would be performed best when the secondary task was haptic-only. Reaction times (RTs) on the visual search task were fastest when the tablet task was haptic-only. This was not due to a speed-accuracy trade-off; there was no evidence for modulation of VST accuracy according to modality of the tablet task. These results provide the first quantitative support for introducing digital haptics into vehicle and similar contexts.
Improved polar-code-based efficient post-processing algorithm for quantum key distribution
Authors: Fang Junbin , Yi Zhengzhong , Li Jin , Liang Zhipeng , Wu Yulin , Lei Wen , Jiang Zoe Lin , Wang Xuan
Published: June 2022

Combined with one-time pad encryption scheme, quantum key distribution guarantees the unconditional security of communication in theory. However, error correction and privacy amplification in the post-processing phase of quantum key distribution result in high time delay, which limits the final secret key generation rate and the practicability of quantum key distribution systems. To alleviate this limitation, this paper proposes an efficient post-processing algorithm based on polar codes for quantum key distribution. In this algorithm, by analyzing the channel capacity of the main channel and the wiretap channel respectively under the Wyner’s wiretap channel model, we design a codeword structure of polar codes, so that the error correction and privacy amplification could be completed synchronously in a single step. Through combining error correction and privacy amplification into one single step, this efficient post-processing algorithm reduces complexity of the system and lower the post-processing delay. Besides, the reliable and secure communicaiton conditions for this algorithm has been given in this paper. Simulation results show that this post-processing algorithm satisfies the reliable and secure communication conditions well.
Investigation on pore structure regulation of activated carbon derived from sargassum and its application in supercapacitor
Authors: Li Shijie , Tan Xiaopeng , Li Hui , Gao Yan , Wang Qian , Li Guoning , Guo Min
Published: June 2022

In order to realize the effective regulation of the pore structure of activated carbon and optimize its pore structure properties as electrode material, the effects of activation temperature, activation time and impregnation ratio on the specific surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter of activated carbon prepared by sargassum are studied by orthogonal experiment. In addition, the electrochemical properties of sargassum-based activated carbon (SAC) and the relationship between the gravimetric capacitance and specific surface area of SAC are also studied. The SACs prepared under all conditions have high specific surface area (≥ 2227 m2 g−1) and developed pore structure, in which the pore diameter of micropores mainly concentrated in 0.4 ~ 0.8 nm, the pore diameter of mesopores mainly concentrated in 3 ~ 4 nm, and the number of micropores is far more than that of mesopores. In the activation process, the impregnation ratio has the greatest effect on the specific surface area of SAC, the activation temperature and impregnation ratio have significant effect on the total pore volume of SAC, and the regulation of the average pore diameter of SAC is mainly realized by adjusting the activation temperature. The SACs exhibit typical electric double layer capacitance performances on supercapacitors, delivering superior gravimetric capacitance of 237.3 F g−1in 6 mol L−1KOH electrolyte system at current density of 0.5 A g−1and excellent cycling stability of capacitance retention of 92% after 10,000 cycles. A good linear relationship between gravimetric capacitance and specific surface area of SAC is observed.
Patient and economic impact of implementing a paediatric sepsis pathway in emergency departments in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Blythe Robin , Lister Paula , Seaton Robert , Harley Amanda , Schlapbach Luregn J. , McPhail Steven , Venkatesh Bala , Irwin Adam , Raman Sainath ,   the Queensland State-wide Sepsis Collaborative, Schlapbach Luregn , Harley Amanda , Irwin Adam , Graham Nicolette , Thomson Fiona , Owen Kieran , Garrish Kirsten , Sampson Emma , Long Debbie , George Shane , Grimwood Keith , Bell Christa , Semple Bethany , Adams Claire , Brown Josea , Maloney Louise , Lister Paula , Schofield Scott , Thomas Clare , Dejong Liam , Bently Esther , Halkidis Lambros , Bird Cheryl , Smith Matthew , Alexander Pia , Davidson-West Laura , Adegbija Titiosibina Ebenezer , Brandt Alice , Walker Bree , McLucas Andrea , Michael Adam Philip , Hoole Samantha , Bauer Candice , Sutherland John , Thomas Douglas Gordon , Van der Walt David , Hulme Jessica , Burke Kerrie , Cooney Helena , Morel Doug , O’Riordan Louise , Fairless Samantha , Bool Megan , Choudary Nandini , Arora Shalini , Lawton Ben , Farrell Jo , Prasad Penelope , Prasad Rudesh , O’Connor Laura , Butters Timothy , Kennedy Peter , Pham Hanh , Aoude Maya , Blundell Sara , Willmett Natasha , McGrath Louise , Smith Karen , Weller Kate , Maturanec Trina , Rice Michael , Venkatesh Balasubramanian , Lane Paul , Seaton Robert , Mason Donna , Mehta Naitik , Kalke Vikrant , Jones Damien , Ames Mathew , Steele Mary , Wilkinson Amy , Gibbons Kristen , Gilholm Patricia , Ergetu Endrias , Treadwell Rachel , Van Raders Tahlia , Minogue Jessicah
Published: June 2022

We examined systems-level costs before and after the implementation of an emergency department paediatric sepsis screening, recognition and treatment pathway. Aggregated hospital admissions for all children aged < 18y with a diagnosis code of sepsis upon admission in Queensland, Australia were compared for 16 participating and 32 non-participating hospitals before and after pathway implementation. Monte Carlo simulation was used to generate uncertainty intervals. Policy impacts were estimated using difference-in-difference analysis comparing observed and expected results. We compared 1055 patient episodes before (77.6% in-pathway) and 1504 after (80.5% in-pathway) implementation. Reductions were likely for non-intensive length of stay (− 20.8 h [− 36.1, − 8.0]) but not intensive care (–9.4 h [− 24.4, 5.0]). Non-pathway utilisation was likely unchanged for interhospital transfers (+ 3.2% [− 5.0%, 11.4%]), non-intensive (− 4.5 h [− 19.0, 9.8]) and intensive (+ 7.7 h, [− 20.9, 37.7]) care length of stay. After difference-in-difference adjustment, estimated savings were 596 [277, 942] non-intensive and 172 [148, 222] intensive care days. The program was cost-saving in 63.4% of simulations, with a mean value of $97,019 [− $857,273, $1,654,925] over 24 months. A paediatric sepsis pathway in Queensland emergency departments was associated with potential reductions in hospital utilisation and costs.
Salivary, serological, and cellular immune response to the CoronaVac vaccine in health care workers with or without previous COVID-19
Authors: Ortega Marina Mazzilli , da Silva Laís Teodoro , Candido Érika Donizetti , Zheng Yingying , Tiyo Bruna Tiaki , Ferreira Arthur Eduardo Fernandes , Corrêa-Silva Simone , Scagion Guilherme Pereira , Leal Fabyano Bruno , Chalup Vanessa Nascimento , Valério Camila Araújo , Schmitz Gabriela Justamante Händel , Ceneviva Carina , Corá Aline Pivetta , de Almeida Alexandre , Durigon Edison Luiz , Oliveira Danielle Bruna Leal , Palmeira Patricia , da Silva Duarte Alberto José , Carneiro-Sampaio Magda , Oshiro Telma Miyuki
Published: June 2022

We investigated the anti-SARS-CoV-2 post-vaccine response through serum and salivary antibodies, serum antibody neutralizing activity and cellular immune response in samples from health care workers who were immunized with two doses of an inactivated virus-based vaccine (CoronaVac) who had or did not have COVID-19 previously. IgA and IgG antibodies directed at the spike protein were analysed in samples of saliva and/or serum by ELISA and/or chemiluminescence assays; the neutralizing activity of serum antibodies against reference strain B, Gamma and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants were evaluated using a virus neutralization test and SARS-CoV-2 reactive interferon-gamma T-cell were analysed by flow cytometry. CoronaVac was able to induce serum and salivary IgG anti-spike antibodies and IFN-γ producing T cells in most individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 and/or were vaccinated. Virus neutralizing activity was observed against the ancestral strain, with a reduced response against the variants. Vaccinated individuals who had previous COVID-19 presented higher responses than vaccinated individuals for all variables analysed. Our study provides evidence that the CoronaVac vaccine was able to induce the production of specific serum and saliva antibodies, serum virus neutralizing activity and cellular immune response, which were increased in previously COVID-19-infected individuals compared to uninfected individuals.
Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR regulates cytoskeleton remodeling and lipid storage capacity during adipogenesis
Authors: Potolitsyna Evdokiia , Hazell Pickering Sarah , Germier Thomas , Collas Philippe , Briand Nolwenn
Published: June 2022

The long non-coding RNA HOTAIR is the most differentially expressed gene between upper- and lower-body adipose tissue, yet its functional significance in adipogenesis is unclear. We report that HOTAIR expression is transiently induced during early adipogenic differentiation of gluteofemoral adipose progenitors and repressed in mature adipocytes. Upon adipogenic commitment, HOTAIR regulates protein synthesis pathways and cytoskeleton remodeling with a later impact on mature adipocyte lipid storage capacity. Our results support novel and important functions of HOTAIR in the physiological context of adipogenesis.
Low transcriptomic of PTPRCv1 and CD3E is an independent predictor of mortality in HIV and tuberculosis co-infected patient
Authors: Gebremicael Gebremedhin , Gebreegziabxier Atsbeha , Kassa Desta
Published: June 2022

A comprehensive assessment of immunological profiles during HIV-TB co-infection is essential to predict mortality, and facilitate the development of effective diagnostic assays, therapeutic agents, and vaccines. Expression levels of 105 immune-related genes were measured at enrolment and 6th month follow-up from 9 deceased HIV and TB coinfected patients who died between 3 and 7th months follow-up and at enrolment, 6th and 18th month from 18 survived matched controls groups for 2 years. Focused gene expression profiling was assessed from peripheral whole blood using a dual-color Reverse-Transcription Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification assay. Eleven of the 105 selected genes were differentially expressed between deceased individuals and survivor-matched controls at baseline. At baseline, IL4δ2 was significantly more highly expressed in the deceased group than survivor matched controls, whereas CD3E, IL7R, PTPRCv1, CCL4, GNLY, BCL2, CCL5, NOD1, TLR3, and NLRP13 had significantly lower expression levels in the deceased group compared to survivor matched controls. At baseline, a non-parametric receiver operator characteristic curve was conducted to determine the prediction of mortality of single genes identified CCL5, PTPRCv1, CD3E, and IL7R with Area under the Curve of 0.86, 0.86, 0.86, and 0.85 respectively. The expression of these genes in the survived control was increased at the end of TB treatment from that at baseline, while decreased in the deceased group. The expression of PTPRCv1, CD3E, CCL5, and IL7R host genes in peripheral blood of patients with TB-HIV coinfected can potentially be used as a predictor of mortality in the Ethiopian setting. Anti-TB treatment might be less likely to restore gene expression in the level expression of the deceased group. Therefore, other new therapeutics that can restore these genes (PTPRCv1, CD3E, IL7R, and CCL5) in the deceased groups at baseline might be needed to save lives.
Stria medullaris innervation follows the transcriptomic division of the habenula
Authors: Juárez-Leal Iris , Carretero-Rodríguez Estefanía , Almagro-García Francisca , Martínez Salvador , Echevarría Diego , Puelles Eduardo
Published: June 2022

The habenula is a complex neuronal population integrated in a pivotal functional position into the vertebrate limbic system. Its main afference is the stria medullaris and its main efference the fasciculus retroflexus. This neuronal complex is composed by two main components, the medial and lateral habenula. Transcriptomic and single cell RNAseq studies have unveiled the morphological complexity of both components. The aim of our work was to analyze the relation between the origin of the axonal fibers and their final distribution in the habenula. We analyzed 754 tracing experiments from Mouse Brain Connectivity Atlas, Allen Brain Map databases, and selected 12 neuronal populations projecting into the habenular territory. Our analysis demonstrated that the projections into the medial habenula discriminate between the different subnuclei and are generally originated in the septal territory. The innervation of the lateral habenula displayed instead a less restricted distribution from preoptic, terminal hypothalamic and peduncular nuclei. Only the lateral oval subnucleus of the lateral habenula presented a specific innervation from the dorsal entopeduncular nucleus. Our results unveiled the necessity of novel sorts of behavioral experiments to dissect the different functions associated with the habenular complex and their correlation with the distinct neuronal populations that generate them.
Image improvement of temporal focusing multiphoton microscopy via superior spatial modulation excitation and Hilbert–Huang transform decomposition
Authors: Hu Yvonne Yuling , Lin Chun-Yu , Chang Chia-Yuan , Lo Yuan-Long , Chen Shean-Jen
Published: June 2022

Temporal focusing-based multiphoton excitation microscopy (TFMPEM) just provides the advantage of widefield optical sectioning ability with axial resolution of several micrometers. However, under the plane excitation, the photons emitted from the molecules in turbid tissues undergo scattering, resulting in complicated background noise and an impaired widefield image quality. Accordingly, this study constructs a general and comprehensive numerical model of TFMPEM utilizing Fourier optics and performs simulations to determine the superior spatial frequency and orientation of the structured pattern which maximize the axial excitation confinement. It is shown experimentally that the optimized pattern minimizes the intensity of the out-of-focus signal, and hence improves the quality of the image reconstructed using the Hilbert transform (HT). However, the square-like reflection components on digital micromirror device leads to pattern residuals in the demodulated image when applying high spatial frequency of structured pattern. Accordingly, the HT is replaced with Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) in order to sift out the low-frequency background noise and pattern residuals in the demodulation process. The experimental results obtained using a kidney tissue sample show that the HHT yields a significant improvement in the TFMPEM image quality.
Single step calcium sulfate scale removal at high temperature using tetrapotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetate with potassium carbonate
Authors: Murtaza Mobeen , Alarifi Sulaiman A. , Rasm Mohammed Yousef , Kamal Muhammad Shahzad , Mahmoud Mohamed , Al-Ajmi Mohammed
Published: June 2022

Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) scale has been identified as one of the most common scales contributing to several serious operating problems in oil and gas wells and water injectors. Removing this scale is considered an economically feasible process in most cases as it enhances the productivity of wells and prevents potential severe equipment damage. In this study, a single-step method utilizing potassium carbonate and tetrapotassium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (K4-EDTA) at high temperature (200 °F) has been used to remove CaSO4 scale. The CaSO4 scale was converted to calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4) using a conversion agent, potassium carbonate (K2CO3), at a high temperature (200 °F) and under various pH conditions. Various parameters were investigated to obtain a dissolver composition at which the optimum dissolution efficiency is achieved including the effect of dissolver pH, soaking time, the concentration of K4-EDTA, the concentration of potassium carbonate (K2CO3), temperature impact and agitation effect. Fourier transform infrared, X-ray crystallography, ion chromatography, stability tests and corrosion tests were carried out to test the end product of the process and showcase the stability of the dissolver at high temperature conditions. A reaction product (K2SO4) was obtained in most of the tests with different quantities and was soluble in both water and HCl. It was observed that the dissolver solution was effective at low pH (7) and resulted in a negligible amount of reaction product with 3 wt% CaSO4 dissolution. The 10.5-pH dissolver was effective in most of the cases and provided highest dissolution efficiency. The reaction product has been characterized and showed it is not corrosive. Both 7-pH and 10.5-pH dissolvers showed high stability at high temperature and minimum corrosion rates. The single step dissolution process showed its effectiveness and could potentially save significant pumping time if implemented in operation.