bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Ozone Formation Sensitivities in Different Height Layers via MAX‐DOAS Observations in Guangzhou
Authors: Lin Hua , Xing Chengzhi , Hong Qianqian , Liu Cheng , Ji Xiangguang , Liu Ting , Lin Jinan , Lu Chuan , Tan Wei , Li Qihua , Liu Haoran
Published: August 2022

Diagnosing the vertical distributions of ozone formation sensitivities within the boundary layers is the prerequisite for formulating proper ozone control strategies. From 1 January 2020, to 20 August 2021, a multi‐function MAX‐DOAS instrument was set up in Guangzhou to detect the NO2 and HCHO vertical profiles. The ozone formation sensitivities in different height layers were diagnosed using the FNRsec, which was defined as the ratio of secondary HCHO to NO2 VMRs (HCHOsec/NO2). The secondary sources in ambient HCHO participate in the photochemical reactions directly, and the FNRsec can indicate the ozone formation sensitivities more accurately. Therefore, the secondary source was separated from ambient HCHO via a multi‐linear regression method, and its relative contribution was approximately 66.9 ± 6.3%. The sensitivity thresholds of ozone formation were determined by the slope of the linear regression analysis for O3 versus the normalized secondary HCHO or NO2 mixing ratios for different FNRsec ranges, which were 0.22 and 0.36. For the ground layer, the VOC‐limited, transitional, and NOx‐limited regimes accounted for 40.66%, 32.42%, and 26.92%, respectively. Diurnally, the ground layer was usually in the VOC‐limited regime in morning, but in the transitional regime in noon and afternoon. Vertically, the ozone formation sensitivity changed with altitude from VOC‐limited (0.02–0.22 km) to transitional (0.22–0.42 km) to NOx‐limited (0.42–2.02 km). These findings can help formulate proper ozone control strategies in time according to the varying local conditions.
Hydroclimatology and Hydrometeorology of Flooding Over the Eastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yang Long , Ma Jie , Wang Xianyan , Tian Fuqiang
Published: August 2022

The hydroclimatology and hydrometeorology of flooding over the Third Pole region is poorly understood, despite its societal and environmental significance. Here we examine extreme rainfall and flooding over the eastern Tibetan Plateau (TP) based on empirical analyses of long‐term, in‐situ rainfall and stream gaging observations as well as the ECMWF Reanalysis fields. We develop a flood catalog that consists of 168 extreme rainfall‐runoff floods over the eastern TP, and characterize the synoptic conditions for flood‐producing storms based on the principal component analysis. We show the transitional pattern form Asian summer monsoons to midlatitude systems as the most frequent synoptic conditions for flooding over the eastern TP. The interplay between complex terrains and moisture transport determines the contrasting flood characteristics (in terms of intensity and spatial pattern) under different synoptic environments. We carry out high‐resolution Weather Research and Forecasting modeling analysis for four flood‐producing storms over the eastern TP. We highlight the interaction of complex terrains and nocturnal low level jets as the key mesoscale ingredients in dictating a pronounced diurnal cycle of extreme rainfall over the southeastern portion of TP. Our results establish the link between large‐scale synoptic environment, mesoscale process, and regional flood hydrology over the eastern TP, and therefore contribute to improved flood risk management practices over the Third Pole region under a changing climate.
Do Nudging Tendencies Depend on the Nudging Timescale Chosen in Atmospheric Models?
Authors: Kruse Christopher G. , Bacmeister Julio T. , Zarzycki Colin M. , Larson Vincent E. , Thayer‐Calder Katherine
Published: August 2022

Nudging is a ubiquitous capability of numerical weather and climate models that is widely used in a variety of applications (e.g., crude data assimilation, “intelligent” interpolation between analysis times, constraining flow in tracer advection/diffusion simulations). Here, the focus is on the momentum nudging tendencies themselves, rather than the atmospheric state that results from application of the method. The initial intent was to interpret these tendencies as a quantitative estimate of model error (net parameterization error in particular). However, it was found that nudging tendencies depend strongly on the nudging time scale chosen, which is the primary result presented here. Reducing the nudging time scale reduces the difference between the model state and the target state, but much less so than the reduction in the nudging time scale, resulting in increased nudging tendencies. The dynamical core, in particular, appears to increasingly oppose nudging tendencies as the nudging time scale is reduced. A heuristic analysis suggests such a result should be expected as long as the state the model is trying to achieve differs from the target state, regardless of the type of target state (e.g., a reanalysis, another model). These results suggest nudging tendencies cannot be quantitatively interpreted as model error. Still, two experiments aimed at seeing how nudging can identify a withheld parameterization suggest nudging tendencies do contain some information on model errors and/or missing physical processes and still might be useful in model development and tuning, even if only qualitatively.
Length of biliopancreatic limb in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and its impact on post-operative outcomes in metabolic and obesity surgery—systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Kamocka Anna , Chidambaram Swathikan , Erridge Simon , Vithlani Gauri , Miras Alexander Dimitri , Purkayastha Sanjay
Published: August 2022

Background

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a gold-standard procedure for treatment of obesity and associated comorbidities. No consensus on the optimal design of this operation has been achieved, with various lengths of bypassed small bowel limb lengths being used by bariatric surgeons. This aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine whether biliopancreatic limb (BPL) length in RYGB affects postoperative outcomes including superior reduction in weight, body mass index (BMI), and resolution of metabolic comorbidities associated with obesity.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature was conducted up until 1st June 2021. Meta-analysis of primary outcomes was performed utilising a random-effects model. Statistical significance was determined by p value < 0.05.

Results

Ten randomised controlled trials were included in the final quantitative analysis. No difference in outcomes following short versus long BLP in RYGB was identified at 12–72 months post-operatively, namely in BMI reduction, remission or improvement of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and complications (p > 0.05). Even though results of four studies showed superior total body weight loss in the long BPL cohorts at 24 months post-operatively (pooled mean difference −6.92, 95% CI –12.37, −1.48, p = 0.01), this outcome was not observed at any other timepoint.

Conclusion

Based on the outcomes of the present study, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that alteration of the BPL affects the quantity of weight loss or resolution of co-existent metabolic comorbidities associated with obesity.
CRMP2 derived from cancer associated fibroblasts facilitates progression of ovarian cancer via HIF-1α-glycolysis signaling pathway
Authors: Jin Yunfeng , Bian Saiyan , Wang Hui , Mo Jiahang , Fei He , Li Li , Chen Tong , Jiang Hua
Published: August 2022

As the predominant stroma cells of tumor microenvironment (TME), cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are robust tumor player of different malignancies. However, less is known about the regulatory mechanism of CAFs on promoting progression of ovarian cancer (OvCA). In the present study, the conditioned medium of primary CAFs (CAF-CM) from OvCA was used to culture cell lines of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and showed a potent role in promoting proliferation, migration and invasion of cancer cells. Mass spectrum (MS) analysis identified that Collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2), a microtubule-associated protein involved in diverse malignancies, derived from CAFs was a key regulator responsible for mediating these cell events of OvCA. In vitro study using recombinant CRMP2 (r-CRMP2) revealed that the protein promoted proliferation, invasion, and migration of OvCA cells through activation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α-glycolysis signaling pathway. The CRMP2 was abundantly expressed in OvCA, with a well correlation with metastasis and poor prognosis, as analyzed from 118 patients’ samples. Inhibition of the CRMP2 derived from CAFs by neutralizing antibodies significantly attenuated the tumor size, weights, and metastatic foci numbers of mice in vivo. Our finding has provided a novel therapeutic clue for OvCA based on TME.
A 12-month weight loss intervention in adults with obstructive sleep apnoea: is timing important? A step wedge randomised trial
Authors: Truby Helen , Edwards Bradley A. , Day Kaitlin , O’Driscoll Denise M. , Young Alan , Ghazi Ladan , Bristow Claire , Roem Kerryn , Bonham Maxine P. , Murgia Chiara , Haines Terry P. , Hamilton Garun S.
Published: August 2022

Background/Objectives

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) concomitant with weight loss is a recommended treatment approach for adults with moderate-severe obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and obesity. This requires multiple synchronous behaviour changes. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a 6-month lifestyle intervention and to determine whether the timing of starting a weight loss attempt affects weight change and trajectory after 12 months in adults newly diagnosed with moderate-severe OSA and treated at home with overnight CPAP.

Methods

Using a stepped-wedge design, participants were randomised to commence a six-month lifestyle intervention between one and six-months post-enrolment, with a 12-month overall follow-up. Adults (n = 60, 75% males, mean age 49.4 SD 10.74 years) newly diagnosed with moderate-severe OSA and above a healthy weight (mean BMI 34.1 SD 4.8) were recruited.

Results

After 12 months, exposure to the intervention (CPAP and lifestyle) resulted in a 3.7 (95% CI: 2.6 to 4.8, p < 0.001) kg loss of weight compared to the control condition (CPAP alone). Timing of the weight loss attempt made no difference to outcomes at 12 months. When exposed to CPAP only (control period) there was no change in body weight (Coef, [95% CI] 0.03, [−0.3 to 0.36], p = 0.86).

Conclusions

The lifestyle intervention resulted in a modest reduction in body weight, while timing of commencement did not impact the degree of weight loss at 12 months. These findings support the recommendation of adjunctive weight-loss interventions within six-months of starting CPAP.
The effect of multistrain probiotics on functional constipation in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Šola Katarina Fehir , Vladimir-Knežević Sanda , Hrabač Pero , Mucalo Iva , Saso Luciano , Verbanac Donatella
Published: August 2022

Background and objectives

Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions, particularly among older individuals. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of selected multistrain probiotics on functional constipation and laboratory blood parameters in the elderly living in a nursing home.

Subjects and methods

Sixty participants (42 females and 18 males) aged 77.9 ± 8.84 years with functional constipation, who met the eligibility criteria, completed the study. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, each participant was randomized to receive either the selected probiotic mixture (N = 28) or placebo (N = 32) for 12 weeks as an adjunct to their usual diet and medications. The liquid probiotic formulation containing Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BLC1, Lactobacillus acidophilus LA3 and Lactobacillus casei BGP93 was tested for the first time.

Results

Supplementation of selected probiotics resulted in a slight but nonsignificant increase in cumulative stool frequency compared with placebo. However, after the 71st day of the treatment, the cumulative number of stools was significantly higher in the probiotic group (P < 0.05) when the influence of laxative was excluded. The trend towards an increase in the difference between the two groups, which began 1 week after the probiotic intervention, pointed out to their prolonged effect. There were no significant dependent or independent effects of treatment and time on most of the 27 laboratory blood parameters tested.

Conclusions

Multistrain probiotic supplementation was found to be efficacious, safe and well tolerated in the elderly with functional constipation.
Coherent full polarization control based on bound states in the continuum
Authors: Kang Ming , Zhang Ziying , Wu Tong , Zhang Xueqian , Xu Quan , Krasnok Alex , Han Jiaguang , Alù Andrea
Published: August 2022

Bound states in the continuum (BICs) are resonant modes of open structures that do not suffer damping, despite being compatible with radiation in terms of their momentum. They have been raising significant attention for their intriguing topological features, and their opportunities in photonics to enhance light-matter interactions. In parallel, the coherent excitation of optical devices through the tailored interference of multiple beams has been explored as a way to enhance the degree of real-time control over their response. Here, we leverage the combination of these phenomena, and exploit the topological features of BICs in the presence of multiple input beams to enable full polarization control on the entire Poincaré sphere in a photonic crystal slab only supporting a symmetry-protected BIC, experimentally demonstrating highly efficient polarization conversion controlled in real time through the superposition of coherent excitations. Our findings open exciting opportunities for a variety of photonic and quantum optics applications, benefitting from extreme wave interactions and topological features around BICs combined with optical control through coherent interference of multiple excitations.
Synaptotagmin-13 orchestrates pancreatic endocrine cell egression and islet morphogenesis
Authors: Bakhti Mostafa , Bastidas-Ponce Aimée , Tritschler Sophie , Czarnecki Oliver , Tarquis-Medina Marta , Nedvedova Eva , Jaki Jessica , Willmann Stefanie J. , Scheibner Katharina , Cota Perla , Salinno Ciro , Boldt Karsten , Horn Nicola , Ueffing Marius , Burtscher Ingo , Theis Fabian J. , Coskun Ünal , Lickert Heiko
Published: August 2022

During pancreas development endocrine cells leave the ductal epithelium to form the islets of Langerhans, but the morphogenetic mechanisms are incompletely understood. Here, we identify the Ca2+-independent atypical Synaptotagmin-13 (Syt13) as a key regulator of endocrine cell egression and islet formation. We detect specific upregulation of theSyt13gene and encoded protein in endocrine precursors and the respective lineage during islet formation. The Syt13 protein is localized to the apical membrane of endocrine precursors and to the front domain of egressing endocrine cells, marking a previously unidentified apical-basal to front-rear repolarization during endocrine precursor cell egression. Knockout of Syt13 impairs endocrine cell egression and skews the α-to-β-cell ratio. Mechanistically, Syt13 is a vesicle trafficking protein, transported via the microtubule cytoskeleton, and interacts with phosphatidylinositol phospholipids for polarized localization. By internalizing a subset of plasma membrane proteins at the front domain, including α6β4 integrins, Syt13 modulates cell-matrix adhesion and allows efficient endocrine cell egression. Altogether, these findings uncover an unexpected role for Syt13 as a morphogenetic driver of endocrinogenesis and islet formation.
Structural and mechanistic analysis of a tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic TRAP transporter
Authors: Peter Martin F. , Ruland Jan A. , Depping Peer , Schneberger Niels , Severi Emmanuele , Moecking Jonas , Gatterdam Karl , Tindall Sarah , Durand Alexandre , Heinz Veronika , Siebrasse Jan Peter , Koenig Paul-Albert , Geyer Matthias , Ziegler Christine , Kubitscheck Ulrich , Thomas Gavin H. , Hagelueken Gregor
Published: August 2022

Tripartite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP) transporters are found widely in bacteria and archaea and consist of three structural domains, a soluble substrate-binding protein (P-domain), and two transmembrane domains (Q- and M-domains). HiSiaPQM and its homologs are TRAP transporters for sialic acid and are essential for host colonization by pathogenic bacteria. Here, we reconstitute HiSiaQM into lipid nanodiscs and use cryo-EM to reveal the structure of a TRAP transporter. It is composed of 16 transmembrane helices that are unexpectedly structurally related to multimeric elevator-type transporters. The idiosyncratic Q-domain of TRAP transporters enables the formation of a monomeric elevator architecture. A model of the tripartite PQM complex is experimentally validated and reveals the coupling of the substrate-binding protein to the transporter domains. We use single-molecule total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy in solid-supported lipid bilayers and surface plasmon resonance to study the formation of the tripartite complex and to investigate the impact of interface mutants. Furthermore, we characterize high-affinity single variable domains on heavy chain (VHH) antibodies that bind to the periplasmic side of HiSiaQM and inhibit sialic acid uptake, providing insight into how TRAP transporter function might be inhibited in vivo.
Generating experimentally unrelated target molecule-binding highly functionalized nucleic-acid polymers using machine learning
Authors: Chen Jonathan C. , Chen Jonathan P. , Shen Max W. , Wornow Michael , Bae Minwoo , Yeh Wei-Hsi , Hsu Alvin , Liu David R.
Published: August 2022

In vitro selection queries large combinatorial libraries for sequence-defined polymers with target binding and reaction catalysis activity. While the total sequence space of these libraries can extend beyond 1022 sequences, practical considerations limit starting sequences to ≤~1015 distinct molecules. Selection-induced sequence convergence and limited sequencing depth further constrain experimentally observable sequence space. To address these limitations, we integrate experimental and machine learning approaches to explore regions of sequence space unrelated to experimentally derived variants. We perform in vitro selections to discover highly side-chain-functionalized nucleic acid polymers (HFNAPs) with potent affinities for a target small molecule (daunomycin KD = 5–65 nM). We then use the selection data to train a conditional variational autoencoder (CVAE) machine learning model to generate diverse and unique HFNAP sequences with high daunomycin affinities (KD = 9–26 nM), even though they are unrelated in sequence to experimental polymers. Coupling in vitro selection with a machine learning model thus enables direct generation of active variants, demonstrating a new approach to the discovery of functional biopolymers.
Unjamming and emergent nonreciprocity in active ploughing through a compressible viscoelastic fluid
Authors: Banerjee Jyoti Prasad , Mandal Rituparno , Banerjee Deb Sankar , Thutupalli Shashi , Rao Madan
Published: August 2022

A dilute suspension of active Brownian particles in a dense compressible viscoelastic fluid, forms a natural setting to study the emergence of nonreciprocity during a dynamical phase transition. At these densities, the transport of active particles is strongly influenced by the passive medium and shows a dynamical jamming transition as a function of activity and medium density. In the process, the compressible medium is actively churned up – for low activity, the active particle gets self-trapped in a cavity of its own making, while for large activity, the active particle ploughs through the medium, either accompanied by a moving anisotropic wake, or leaving a porous trail. A hydrodynamic approach makes it evident that the active particle generates a long-range density wake which breaks fore-aft symmetry, consistent with the simulations. Accounting for the back-reaction of the compressible medium leads to (i) dynamical jamming of the active particle, and (ii) a dynamical non-reciprocal attraction between two active particles moving along the same direction, with the trailing particle catching up with the leading one in finite time. We emphasize that these nonreciprocal effects appear only when the active particles are moving and so manifest in the vicinity of the jamming-unjamming transition.
An electronic nematic liquid in BaNi2As2
Authors: Yao Yi , Willa Roland , Lacmann Tom , Souliou Sofia-Michaela , Frachet Mehdi , Willa Kristin , Merz Michael , Weber Frank , Meingast Christoph , Heid Rolf , Haghighirad Amir-Abbas , Schmalian Jörg , Le Tacon Matthieu
Published: August 2022

Understanding the organizing principles of interacting electrons and the emergence of novel electronic phases is a central endeavor of condensed matter physics. Electronic nematicity, in which the discrete rotational symmetry in the electron fluid is broken while the translational one remains unaffected, is a prominent example of such a phase. It has proven ubiquitous in correlated electron systems, and is of prime importance to understand Fe-based superconductors. Here, we find that fluctuations of such broken symmetry are exceptionally strong over an extended temperature range above phase transitions in$${{{{{\rm{Ba}}}}}}{{{{{{\rm{Ni}}}}}}}_{2}{({{{{{{\rm{As}}}}}}}_{1-x}{{{{{{\rm{P}}}}}}}_{x})}_{2}$$BaNi2(As1−xPx)2, the nickel homologue to the Fe-based systems. This lends support to a type of electronic nematicity, dynamical in nature, which exhibits a particularly strong coupling to the underlying crystal lattice. Fluctuations between degenerate nematic configurations cause splitting of phonon lines, without lifting degeneracies nor breaking symmetries, akin to spin liquids in magnetic systems.
Cingulate-motor circuits update rule representations for sequential choice decisions
Authors: Takeuchi Daigo , Roy Dheeraj , Muralidhar Shruti , Kawai Takashi , Bari Andrea , Lovett Chanel , Sullivan Heather A. , Wickersham Ian R. , Tonegawa Susumu
Published: August 2022

Anterior cingulate cortex mediates the flexible updating of an animal’s choice responses upon rule changes in the environment. However, how anterior cingulate cortex entrains motor cortex to reorganize rule representations and generate required motor outputs remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that chemogenetic silencing of the terminal projections of cingulate cortical neurons in secondary motor cortex in the rat disrupts choice performance in trials immediately following rule switches, suggesting that these inputs are necessary to update rule representations for choice decisions stored in the motor cortex. Indeed, the silencing of cingulate cortex decreases rule selectivity of secondary motor cortical neurons. Furthermore, optogenetic silencing of cingulate cortical neurons that is temporally targeted to error trials immediately after rule switches exacerbates errors in the following trials. These results suggest that cingulate cortex monitors behavioral errors and updates rule representations in motor cortex, revealing a critical role for cingulate-motor circuits in adaptive choice behaviors.
Poly(ADP) ribose polymerase promotes DNA polymerase theta-mediated end joining by activation of end resection
Authors: Luedeman Megan E. , Stroik Susanna , Feng Wanjuan , Luthman Adam J. , Gupta Gaorav P. , Ramsden Dale A.
Published: August 2022

The DNA polymerase theta (Polθ)-mediated end joining (TMEJ) pathway for repair of chromosomal double strand breaks (DSBs) is essential in cells deficient in other DSB repair pathways, including hereditary breast cancers defective in homologous recombination. Strand-break activated poly(ADP) ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1) has been implicated in TMEJ, but the modest specificity of existing TMEJ assays means the extent of effect and the mechanism behind it remain unclear. We describe here a series of TMEJ assays with improved specificity and show ablation of PARP activity reduces TMEJ activity 2-4-fold. The reduction in TMEJ is attributable to a reduction in the 5’ to 3’ resection of DSB ends that is essential for engagement of this pathway and is compensated by increased repair by the nonhomologous-end joining pathway. This limited role for PARP activity in TMEJ helps better rationalize the combined employment of inhibitors of PARP and Polθ in cancer therapy.
A public antibody class recognizes an S2 epitope exposed on open conformations of SARS-CoV-2 spike
Authors: Claireaux Mathieu , Caniels Tom G. , de Gast Marlon , Han Julianna , Guerra Denise , Kerster Gius , van Schaik Barbera D. C. , Jongejan Aldo , Schriek Angela I. , Grobben Marloes , Brouwer Philip J. M. , van der Straten Karlijn , Aldon Yoann , Capella-Pujol Joan , Snitselaar Jonne L. , Olijhoek Wouter , Aartse Aafke , Brinkkemper Mitch , Bontjer Ilja , Burger Judith A. , Poniman Meliawati , Bijl Tom P. L. , Torres Jonathan L. , Copps Jeffrey , Martin Isabel Cuella , de Taeye Steven W. , de Bree Godelieve J. , Ward Andrew B. , Sliepen Kwinten , van Kampen Antoine H. C. , Moerland Perry D. , Sanders Rogier W. , van Gils Marit J.
Published: August 2022

Delineating the origins and properties of antibodies elicited by SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination is critical for understanding their benefits and potential shortcomings. Therefore, we investigate the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-reactive B cell repertoire in unexposed individuals by flow cytometry and single-cell sequencing. We show that ∼82% of SARS-CoV-2 S-reactive B cells harbor a naive phenotype, which represents an unusually high fraction of total human naive B cells (∼0.1%). Approximately 10% of these naive S-reactive B cells share an IGHV1-69/IGKV3-11 B cell receptor pairing, an enrichment of 18-fold compared to the complete naive repertoire. Following SARS-CoV-2 infection, we report an average 37-fold enrichment of IGHV1-69/IGKV3-11 B cell receptor pairing in the S-reactive memory B cells compared to the unselected memory repertoire. This class of B cells targets a previously undefined non-neutralizing epitope on the S2 subunit that becomes exposed on S proteins used in approved vaccines when they transition away from the native pre-fusion state because of instability. These findings can help guide the improvement of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.
Nesting of multiple polyhedral plasmonic nanoframes into a single entity
Authors: Yoo Sungjae , Lee Jaewon , Hilal Hajir , Jung Insub , Park Woongkyu , Lee Joong Wook , Choi Soobong , Park Sungho
Published: August 2022

The development of plasmonic nanostructures with intricate nanoframe morphologies has attracted considerable interest for improving catalytic and optical properties. However, arranging multiple nanoframes in one nanostructure especially, in a solution phase remains a great challenge. Herein, we show complex nanoparticles by embedding various shapes of three-dimensional polyhedral nanoframes within a single entity through rationally designed synthetic pathways. This synthetic strategy is based on the selective deposition of platinum atoms on high surface energy facets and subsequent growth into solid platonic nanoparticles, followed by the etching of inner Au domains, leaving complex nanoframes. Our synthetic routes are rationally designed and executable on-demand with a high structural controllability. Diverse Au solid nanostructures (octahedra, truncated octahedra, cuboctahedra, and cubes) evolved into complex multi-layered nanoframes with different numbers/shapes/sizes of internal nanoframes. After coating the surface of the nanoframes with plasmonically active metal (like Ag), the materials exhibited highly enhanced electromagnetic near-field focusing embedded within the internal complicated rim architecture.
The association between adiposity and anti-proliferative response to neoadjuvant endocrine therapy with letrozole in post-menopausal patients with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer
Authors: Isnaldi Edoardo , Richard François , De Schepper Maxim , Leduc Sophia , Maetens Marion , Geukens Tatjana , Van Baelen Karen , Nguyen Ha-Linh , Rouas Ghizlane , Zoppoli Gabriele , Cardoso Fatima , Sotiriou Christos , Larsimont Denis , Floris Giuseppe , Biganzoli Elia , Desmedt Christine
Published: August 2022

The impact of adiposity on the efficacy of endocrine treatment in patients with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer is poorly investigated. Here, we retrospectively investigated in a cohort of 56 patients whether body mass index and/or mammary adiposity are associated with anti-proliferative response in the neoadjuvant setting. Anti-proliferative response was defined as high Ki67 at baseline (Ki67bl) and low Ki67 at surgery (Ki67srg), using the 14% cut-off. Mammary adipocyte size was assessed on hematoxylin and eosin slides from the surgical samples using digital pathology. A higher proportion of tumors with an anti-proliferative response was observed in patients with obesity (54.5%) as compared to patients with normal weight (9.0%) and patients with overweight (40.0%) (p = 0.031), confirmed by multivariable regression analysis adjusted for baseline Ki67 (OR, obese vs normal weight: 13.76, 95%CI: 1.49–207.63, p = 0.020). Larger adipocyte diameter was identified as predictor of anti-proliferative response (OR per increase in diameter of 5 μm for adipocytes distant from the tumor: 2.24, 95%CI: 1.01–14.32, p = 0.046). This study suggests that anti-proliferative response to neoadjuvant letrozole might be more frequent in patients with increased systemic or mammary adiposity.
Transcriptomic effects of propranolol and primidone converge on molecular pathways relevant to essential tremor
Authors: Castonguay Charles-Etienne , Liao Calwing , Khayachi Anouar , Liu Yumin , Medeiros Miranda , Houle Gabrielle , Ross Jay P. , Dion Patrick A. , Rouleau Guy A.
Published: August 2022

Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common movement disorders, affecting nearly 5% of individuals over 65 years old. Despite this, few genetic risk loci for ET have been identified. Recent advances in pharmacogenomics have previously been useful to identify disease related molecular targets. Notably, gene expression has proven to be quite successful for the inference of drug response in cell models. We sought to leverage this approach in the context of ET where many patients are responsive to two drugs: propranolol and primidone. In this study, cerebellar DAOY and neural progenitor cells were treated for 5 days with clinical concentrations of propranolol and primidone, after which RNA-sequencing was used to identify convergent differentially expressed genes across treatments. Propranolol was found to affect the expression of genes previously associated with ET and other movement disorders such as TRAPPC11. Pathway enrichment analysis of these convergent drug-targeted genes identified multiple terms related to calcium signaling, endosomal sorting, axon guidance, and neuronal morphology. Furthermore, genes targeted by ET drugs were enriched within cell types having high expression of ET-related genes in both cortical and cerebellar tissues. Altogether, our results highlight potential cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with tremor reduction and identify relevant genetic biomarkers for drug-responsiveness in ET.
Passive limitation of surface contamination by perFluoroDecylTrichloroSilane coatings in the ISS during the MATISS experiments
Authors: Lemelle Laurence , Rouquette Sébastien , Mottin Eléonore , Le Tourneau Denis , Marcoux Pierre R. , Thévenot Cécile , Maillet Alain , Nonglaton Guillaume , Place Christophe
Published: August 2022

Future long-duration human spaceflight will require developments to limit biocontamination of surface habitats. The MATISS (Microbial Aerosol Tethering on Innovative Surfaces in the international Space Station) experiments allowed for exposing surface treatments in the ISS (International Space Station) using a sample-holder developed to this end. Three campaigns of FDTS (perFluoroDecylTrichloroSilane) surface exposures were performed over monthly durations during distinct periods. Tile scanning optical microscopy (×3 and ×30 magnifications) showed a relatively clean environment with a few particles on the surface (0.8 to 7 particles per mm2). The varied densities and shapes in the coarse area fraction (50–1500 µm2) indicated different sources of contamination in the long term, while the bacteriomorph shapes of the fine area fraction (0.5–15 µm2) were consistent with microbial contamination. The surface contamination rates correlate to astronauts’ occupancy rates on board. Asymmetric particles density profiles formed throughout time along the air-flow. The higher density values were located near the flow entry for the coarse particles, while the opposite was the case for the fine particles, probably indicating the hydrophobic interaction of particles with the FDTS surface.
Global patterns and rates of habitat transitions across the eukaryotic tree of life
Authors: Jamy Mahwash , Biwer Charlie , Vaulot Daniel , Obiol Aleix , Jing Hongmei , Peura Sari , Massana Ramon , Burki Fabien
Published: August 2022

The successful colonization of new habitats has played a fundamental role during the evolution of life. Salinity is one of the strongest barriers for organisms to cross, which has resulted in the evolution of distinct marine and non-marine (including both freshwater and soil) communities. Although microbes represent by far the vast majority of eukaryote diversity, the role of the salt barrier in shaping the diversity across the eukaryotic tree is poorly known. Traditional views suggest rare and ancient marine/non-marine transitions but this view is being challenged by the discovery of several recently transitioned lineages. Here, we investigate habitat evolution across the tree of eukaryotes using a unique set of taxon-rich phylogenies inferred from a combination of long-read and short-read environmental metabarcoding data spanning the ribosomal DNA operon. Our results show that, overall, marine and non-marine microbial communities are phylogenetically distinct but transitions have occurred in both directions in almost all major eukaryotic lineages, with hundreds of transition events detected. Some groups have experienced relatively high rates of transitions, most notably fungi for which crossing the salt barrier has probably been an important aspect of their successful diversification. At the deepest phylogenetic levels, ancestral habitat reconstruction analyses suggest that eukaryotes may have first evolved in non-marine habitats and that the two largest known eukaryotic assemblages (TSAR and Amorphea) arose in different habitats. Overall, our findings indicate that the salt barrier has played an important role during eukaryote evolution and provide a global perspective on habitat transitions in this domain of life.
Male fathead minnow transcriptomes and associated chemical analytes in the Milwaukee estuary system
Authors: Garcia-Reyero Natàlia , Arick Mark A. , Woolard E. Alice , Wilbanks Mitchell , Mylroie John E. , Jensen Kathleen , Kahl Michael , Feifarek David , Poole Shane , Randolph Eric , Cavallin Jenna , Blackwell Brett R. , Villeneuve Daniel , Ankley Gerald T. , Perkins Edward J.
Published: August 2022

Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) can be measured in waters across the United States, including the tributaries of the Great Lakes. The extent to which these contaminants affect gene expression in aquatic wildlife is unclear. This dataset presents the full hepatic transcriptomes of laboratory-reared fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) caged at multiple sites within the Milwaukee Estuary Area of Concern and control sites. Following 4 days of in situ exposure, liver tissue was removed from males at each site for RNA extraction and sequencing, yielding a total of 116 samples from which libraries were prepared, pooled, and sequenced. For each exposure site, 179 chemical analytes were also assessed. These data were created with the intention of inviting research on possible transcriptomic changes observed in aquatic species exposed to CECs. Access to both full sequencing reads of animal samples as well as water contaminant data across multiple Great Lakes sites will allow others to explore the health of these ecosystems in support of the aims of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
SeEn: Sequential enriched datasets for sequence-aware recommendations
Authors: Barros Marcia , Moitinho André , Couto Francisco M.
Published: August 2022

The recommendation of items based on the sequential past users’ preferences has evolved in the last few years, mostly due to deep learning approaches, such as BERT4Rec. However, in scientific fields, recommender systems for recommending the next best item are not widely used. The main goal of this work is to improve the results for the recommendation of the next best item in scientific domains using sequence aware datasets and algorithms. In the first part of this work, we present the adaptation of a previous method (LIBRETTI) for creating sequential recommendation datasets for scientific fields. The results were assessed in Astronomy and Chemistry. In the second part of this work, we propose a new approach to improve the datasets, not the algorithms, to obtain better recommendations. The new hybrid approach is called sequential enrichment (SeEn), which consists of adding to a sequence of items the n most similar items after each original item. The results show that the enriched sequences obtained better results than the original ones. The Chemistry dataset improved by approximately seven percentage points and the Astronomy dataset by 16 percentage points for Hit Ratio and Normalized Discounted Cumulative Gain.
Driving singing behaviour in songbirds using a multi-modal, multi-agent virtual environment
Authors: Larsen Leon Bonde , Adam Iris , Berman Gordon J. , Hallam John , Elemans Coen P. H.
Published: August 2022

Interactive biorobotics provides unique experimental potential to study the mechanisms underlying social communication but is limited by our ability to build expressive robots that exhibit the complex behaviours of birds and small mammals. An alternative to physical robots is to use virtual environments. Here, we designed and built a modular, audio-visual 2D virtual environment that allows multi-modal, multi-agent interaction to study mechanisms underlying social communication. The strength of the system is an implementation based on event processing that allows for complex computation. We tested this system in songbirds, which provide an exceptionally powerful and tractable model system to study social communication. We show that pair-bonded zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) communicating through the virtual environment exhibit normal call timing behaviour, males sing female directed song and both males and females display high-intensity courtship behaviours to their mates. These results suggest that the environment provided is sufficiently natural to elicit these behavioral responses. Furthermore, as an example of complex behavioral annotation, we developed a fully unsupervised song motif detector and used it to manipulate the virtual social environment of male zebra finches based on the number of motifs sung. Our virtual environment represents a first step in real-time automatic behaviour annotation and animal–computer interaction using higher level behaviours such as song. Our unsupervised acoustic analysis eliminates the need for annotated training data thus reducing labour investment and experimenter bias.
Climate change did not alter the effects of Bt maize on soil Collembola in northeast China
Authors: Wang Baifeng , Yin Junqi , Wu Fengci , Wang Daming , Jiang Zhilei , Song Xinyuan
Published: August 2022

Bt maize is being increasingly cultivated worldwide as the effects of climate change are increasing globally. Bt maize IE09S034 and its near-isogenic non-Bt maize Zong 31 were used to investigate whether climate change alters the effects of Bt maize on soil Collembola. Warming and drought conditions were simulated using open-top chambers (OTC), and their effects on soil Collembola were evaluated. We found that the maize type had no significant effect on Collembola; however, the abundance and diversity of Collembola were significantly higher in the OTC than outside at the seedling stage; they were significantly lower in the OTC at the heading and mature stages. The interactions of the maize type with the OTC had no effect on these parameters. Therefore, Bt maize had no significant effect on soil Collembola, and the effects of climate warming and drought on soil Collembola depended on the ambient climatic conditions. When the temperature was low, collembolan abundance and diversity were promoted by warming; however, when the temperature was high and the humidity was low, collembolan abundance and diversity were inhibited by warming and drought. The climate changes simulated by the OTC did not alter the effects of Bt maize on soil Collembola.
Design optimization of a magnesium-based metal hydride hydrogen energy storage system
Authors: Larpruenrudee Puchanee , Bennett Nick S. , Gu YuanTong , Fitch Robert , Islam Mohammad S.
Published: August 2022

Metal hydrides (MH) are known as one of the most suitable material groups for hydrogen energy storage because of their large hydrogen storage capacity, low operating pressure, and high safety. However, their slow hydrogen absorption kinetics significantly decreases storage performance. Faster heat removal from MH storage can play an essential role to enhance its hydrogen absorption rate, resulting in better storage performance. In this regard, the present study aims to improve heat transfer performance to positively impact the hydrogen absorption rate of MH storage systems. A novel semi-cylindrical coil is first designed and optimized for hydrogen storage and embedded as an internal heat exchanger with air as the heat transfer fluid (HTF). The effect of novel heat exchanger configurations is analyzed and compared with normal helical coil geometry, based on various pitch sizes. Furthermore, the operating parameters of MH storage and HTF are numerically investigated to obtain optimal values. ANSYS Fluent 2020 R2 is utilized for the numerical simulations. Results from this study demonstrate that MH storage performance is significantly improved by using a semi-cylindrical coil heat exchanger (SCHE). The hydrogen absorption duration reduces by 59% compared to a normal helical coil heat exchanger. The lowest coil pitch from SCHE leads to a 61% reduction of the absorption time. In terms of operating parameters for the MH storage with SCHE, all selected parameters provide a major improvement in the hydrogen absorption process, especially the inlet temperature of the HTF.
Forecasting of energy consumption by G20 countries using an adjacent accumulation grey model
Authors: Raheem Ijlal , Mubarak Nabisab Mujawar , Karri Rama Rao , Manoj T. , Ibrahim Sobhy M. , Mazari Shaukat Ali , Nizamuddin Sabzoi
Published: August 2022

This paper studies an adjacent accumulation discrete grey model to improve the prediction of the grey model and enhance the utilization of new data. The impact of COVID-19 on the global economy is also discussed. Two cases are discussed to prove the stability of the adjacent accumulation discrete grey model, which helped the studied model attain higher forecasting accuracy. Using the adjacent accumulation discrete grey model, non-renewable energy consumption in G20 countries from 2022 to 2026 is predicted based on their consumption data from 2011 to 2021. It is proven that the adjacent accumulation exhibits sufficient accuracy and precision. Forecasting results obtained in this paper show that energy consumption of all the non-renewable sources other than coal has an increasing trend during the forecasting period, with the USA, Russia, and China being the biggest consumers. Natural gas is the most consumed non-renewable energy source between 2022 and 2026, whereas hydroelectricity is the least consumed. The USA is the biggest consumer of Nuclear energy among the G20 countries, whereas Argentina consumed only 0.1 Exajoules of nuclear energy, placing it at the end of nuclear energy consumers.
The impact of incorporating Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteriocin with inulin and FOS on yogurt quality
Authors: Hussien Heba , Abd-Rabou Hagar S. , Saad Marwa A.
Published: August 2022

The current study aimed to figure out the effect of using a combination of 2% inulin, and 2% Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) with Lactobacillus acidophilus and their bacteriocin on some yogurt properties such as coagulation time, extending the shelf life of set yogurt and its microbiological quality, also the acceptance by consumers. The results indicated that coagulation time increased by 22.75% in yogurts prepared with Lactobacillus acidophilus and their bacteriocins compared to the control, and titratable acidity increased gradually in all treatments during storage. Hence control acidity (%) increased from 0.84 ± 0.02A at zero time to 1.23 ± 0.03A after 14 days of cold storage, while treatment (T4) was 0.72 ± 0.01C at zero time and reached 1.20 ± 0.5A after 39 days at the same conditions. The sensory properties showed the superiority of inulin, FOS, and Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteriocin groups. Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophiles, and Lactobacillus acidophilus count increased in the treatments compared to the control group, with an extended shelf life to 39 days of storage in the medicines containing lactobacillus acidophilus bacteriocin. Coliforms, Moulds, and yeasts did not detect in the treatments comprising 2% inulin, 2% FOS, and lactobacillus acidophilus bacteriocin for 39 days of refrigerated storage. This study proved that 2% inulin, 2% FOS, and Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteriocin fortification extended the shelf life by more than 5 weeks.
Predicting real world spatial disorientation in Alzheimer’s disease patients using virtual reality navigation tests
Authors: Puthusseryppady Vaisakh , Morrissey Sol , Spiers Hugo , Patel Martyn , Hornberger Michael
Published: August 2022

Spatial navigation impairments in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have been suggested to underlie patients experiencing spatial disorientation. Though many studies have highlighted navigation impairments for AD patients in virtual reality (VR) environments, the extent to which these impairments predict a patient’s risk for spatial disorientation in the real world is still poorly understood. The aims of this study were to (a) investigate the spatial navigation abilities of AD patients in VR environments as well as in a real world community setting and (b) explore whether we could predict patients at a high risk for spatial disorientation in the community based on their VR navigation. Sixteen community-dwelling AD patients and 21 age/gender matched controls were assessed on their egocentric and allocentric navigation abilities in VR environments using the Virtual Supermarket Test (VST) and Sea Hero Quest (SHQ) as well as in the community using the Detour Navigation Test (DNT). When compared to controls, AD patients exhibited impairments on the VST, SHQ, and DNT. For patients, only SHQ wayfinding distance and wayfinding duration significantly predicted composite disorientation score on the DNT (β = 0.422, p = 0.034, R2 = 0.299 and β = 0.357, p = 0.046, R2 = 0.27 respectively). However, these same VR measures could not reliably predict which patients were at highest risk of spatial disorientation in the community (p > 0.1). Future studies should focus on developing VR-based tests which can predict AD patients at high risk of getting spatially disorientated in the real world.