bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical Simulations of Internal Solitary Wave Evolution Beneath an Ice Keel
Authors: Zhang Peiwen , Xu Zhenhua , Li Qun , You Jia , Yin Baoshu , Robertson Robin , Zheng Quanan
Published: January 2022

The deformation and evolution of internal solitary waves (ISWs) beneath an ice keel can enable potential diapycnal mixing and facilitate upper ocean heat transport, despite a poor understanding of the underlying physics and energetics of ISWs in Polar environments. This study aims to understand the dynamic processes and mixing properties during the evolution of ISWs beneath ice keels in the Arctic Ocean using high‐resolution, non‐hydrostatic simulations. Ice keels can destabilize ISWs through overturning events. Consequently, the initial ISW disintegrates and transfers its energy into secondary smaller‐scale waves. During the ISW‐ice interaction, ISW‐induced turbulent mixing can reach O(10−3) W/kg with a magnitude of resultant heat flux of O(10)W/m. Sensitivity experiments demonstrated that the ISW‐ice interaction weakened as the ice keel depth decreased, and consequently, the resultant turbulent mixing and upward heat transfer also decreased. The ice keel depth was critical to the evolution and disintegration of an ISW beneath the ice keel, while the approximate ice keel shape had little effect. Our results provide an important but previously overlooked energy source for upper ocean heat transport in the Arctic Ocean.
Detection and Attribution of Norwegian Annual Precipitation Variability Related to Teleconnections
Authors: Zhou Yanlai , Ruan Gusong , Xu Chong‐Yu , Xiong Lihua , Jain Sharad K. , Li Lu
Published: January 2022

Detection and attribution of precipitation variability are fundamentally challenging, especially in the presence of complex nonlinear relationships between precipitation variability and large‐scale teleconnections. The aim of this study is twofold. First, we identify abrupt changes and the trend and periodicity characteristics of long‐term (1950–2019) annual precipitation series over the Norway mainland by using the Multiple Comparison Procedures, the Mann‐Kendall test, and the Wavelet Analysis. Second, we interpret the variability characteristics found over five regions of Norway by exploring their relationships with teleconnections through the Maximal Information Coefficient. The results indicate that significant abrupt changes appeared in the mean (variance) value of annual precipitation series at 117 (49) out of 159 rainfall stations of five regions in Norway at a significance level of 0.05. The occurrences of change points varied from 1979 to 1984 in five regions of Norway. The mean and variance of the annual precipitation series increased by 32% and 16% at most, respectively, compared with those values before the change points. The first periodicity (spanning four to five decades) was the dominant periodic component and could be used to best characterize the Norwegian precipitation variability. Because the subtropical Azores High (subpolar Icelandic Low) moves toward (away from) Europe, the relationship between the annual precipitation series and the Scandinavian pattern (Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation) series tended to be of an upward (downward) hook structure. The association of precipitation variability and teleconnections found in this study can pave the way for new possibilities with regard to detection and attribution of precipitation variability.
Abiotic Nitrous Oxide Production From Sediments and Brine of Don Juan Pond, Wright Valley Antarctica, at Mars Analog Temperatures (−40°C)
Authors: Schutte Charles A. , Samarkin Vladimir A. , Bowles Marshall W. , Peters Brian , Casciotti Karen L. , Madigan Michael T. , Joye Samantha B.
Published: January 2022

The presence of biogenic gases such as oxygen, methane, and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the atmospheres of extraterrestrial bodies has been postulated as a biosignature of life. Abiotic N2O production was documented recently in Don Juan Pond (DJP), Antarctica, a cold, hypersaline Mars analog environment. Here we quantify the temperature‐driven kinetics of abiotic N2O production and combine this with stable isotope labeling to demonstrate that N2O is produced from DJP sediment and brine at Mars‐analog temperatures down to at least −40°C. Further, we show that at any given temperature, N2O production is controlled by the availability of reduced Fe‐bearing minerals rather than nitrate. We conclude that abiotic N2O production is possible on Mars and on other extraterrestrial bodies and exoplanets. Thus, the presence of atmospheric N2O on these bodies should not be taken by itself as an indicator of microbial life.
The First Evidence for the Detection of CIDs Masked by Equatorial Plasma Bubbles From GPS‐TEC Data
Authors: Rajesh R. , Catherine J. K.
Published: January 2022

The strong influence of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) appears to mask co‐seismic ionospheric disturbances (CIDs) for the earthquakes occurring in the equatorial low‐latitudes during the post‐sunset time. Based on GPS‐TEC data, we attempted to unveil the CIDs for the two great seismic events that are the 2005 M 8.6 Nias and 2017 M 8.2 Mexico earthquakes. In the case of the Nias earthquake, the CIDs have been identified in the bandpass filtered vertical total electron content data obtained from selective GPS satellite‐receiver pairs. For the Mexico earthquake, the EPB anomalies are dominant, making the appearance of CIDs hazy. However, the N‐shaped vertical total electron content anomalies masked by the plasma bubble anomalies in the bandpass filtered data are clear after applying the frequency domain singular spectrum analysis (SSA). Furthermore, the frequency domain SSA indicates the acoustic and surface waves of CIDs for both earthquakes. It also shows the signature of propagating gravity waves for the Mexico earthquake that has generated a moderate tsunami. Thus, the present study illustrates that the CIDs concealed by the non‐stationary EPB anomalies for earthquakes occurring in low latitude equatorial regions during post‐sunset become visible.
Development of a Discontinuous Galerkin Ionosphere‐Plasmasphere Model
Authors: Wang Houjun
Published: January 2022

The objective of this study is to explore the application of high‐order numerical methods in ionosphere‐plasmasphere modeling. Specifically, the nodal discontinuous Galerkin method is chosen to solve the multifluid dynamical equations along the magnetic field lines. A general curvilinear magnetic field‐line‐following coordinate system is also used in the model. Numerical simulations with different combinations of number of elements (K) and polynomial orders (N) show the converging results, indicating the robustness of the algorithms and implementation. The model also captures the dawn terminator effect very well in the He+ field.
A Fragment of Argoland From East Gondwana in the NE Himalaya
Authors: Zhang Ji'en , Xiao Wenjiao , Wakabayashi John , Windley Brian F. , Han Chunming
Published: January 2022

Previous studies concluded that a Trans‐Tethyan oceanic subduction zone existed prior to Paleogene India‐Eurasia collision, when the ocean lacked intervening continental slivers. In this paper, we present the first report of Early Cretaceous shortening and 152.8 Ma alkali magmatism in the continental sliver Longzi block, a ca. 750 km E‐W by ca. 130 km N‐S tract of the NE Himalaya within the Himalaya orogen. The Longzi block contains overturned south‐vergent folds in Triassic‐Lower Cretaceous strata intruded by 136–123 Ma mafic‐dioritic‐dacite dikes, which constrain the time of Early Cretaceous shortening. Triassic strata with NW Australian affinity and Late Jurassic conglomerates derived from northern India record the pre‐rift history. Evidence for the rifting includes 152.8–145 Ma alkali intrusive rocks, a Late Jurassic unconformity, rapid changes in sediment thickness, and the water depth during deposition of Upper Jurassic strata. The rifting event was coeval with the formation of 152–155 Ma oceanic crust in the NE Indian Ocean and of a Late Jurassic submarine escarpment with 1,200 m of sediments offshore of NW Australia. These data show that the Longzi block was part of westernmost Argoland, a continental sliver that rifted from East Gondwana. The Longzi block subsequently collided with a N‐dipping Trans‐Tethyan intra‐oceanic subduction zone in the Early Cretaceous to generate the relevant shortening, long before the Paleocene continent‐continent collision along the Yarlung‐Tsangpo suture zone. This rift‐collision in the Himalayan region reflects the Mesozoic archipelagic paleogeography in eastern Neotethys, which was preceded by ocean closure, and the two‐stage collision of India‐Eurasia in the Cenozoic.
Observed Ocean Surface Winds and Mixed Layer Currents Under Tropical Cyclones: Asymmetric Characteristics
Authors: Fan Shengren , Zhang Biao , Perrie William , Mouche Alexis , Liu Guoqiang , Li Huimin , Wang Chen , He Yijun
Published: January 2022

Tropical cyclones (TC) transfer kinetic energy to the upper ocean and thus accelerate the ocean mixed layer (OML) currents. However, the quantitative link between near‐surface currents and high wind speeds, under extreme weather conditions, remains poorly understood. In this study, we use multi‐mission satellites and drifting‐buoy observations to investigate the connections between TC surface winds and currents, including their spatial distribution characteristics. Observed ageostrophic current speeds in the OML increase linearly with wind speeds (for the range 20–50 m/s). The ratios of the ageostrophic current speeds to the wind speeds are found to vary with TC quadrants. In particular, the mean ratio is around 2% in the left‐front and left‐rear quadrants with relatively small variability, compared to between 2% and 4% in the right‐front and right‐rear quadrants, with much higher variations. Surface winds and currents both exhibit strong asymmetric features, with the largest wind speeds and currents on the TC right side. In the eyewall region of Hurricane Igor, high winds (e.g., about 47 m/s) induce strong currents (about 2 m/s). The directional rotations of surface winds and currents are resonant and dependent on the location within the storm. Wind directions are approximately aligned with current directions in the right‐front quadrant; a difference of about 90° occurs in the left‐front and left‐rear quadrants. The directional discrepancy between winds and currents in the right‐rear quadrant is smaller. Reliable observations of the wind‐current relation, including asymmetric features, support published theories developed in idealized numerical experiments to explain the upper ocean response to TCs.
Downscaling Hourly Air Temperature of WRF Simulations Over Complex Topography: A Case Study of Chongli District in Hebei Province, China
Authors: Zhang Guangxing , Zhu Shanyou , Zhang Nan , Zhang Guixin , Xu Yongming
Published: January 2022

Accurate and high‐resolution air temperature prediction is important in many different applications. Hourly air temperature forecasting in mountainous areas is necessary and important because mountainous areas are becoming increasingly important areas of human activities. At present, scientists successfully employ numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, such as the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, to achieve reliable forecasts. However, air temperature forecasting and modeling over complex geographical zones are still difficult tasks. The WRF model is a mesoscale model and does not adequately account for the influence of terrain on the air temperature. It is important to downscale larger‐scale models to a much finer scale. In this paper, a statistical temperature downscaling method based on geographically weighted regression (GWR) and diurnal temperature cycle (DTC) models is proposed. A statistical downscaling scheme of WRF simulation data is designed to forecast the hourly air temperature from 1‐km spatial resolution to 30 m, up to 24 hr in advance. The combined downscaling model's root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) decreased by 0.87°C at the automatic weather station (AWS) level and 0.62°C over the domain when compared to WRF simulations, and the mean absolute error (MAE) decreased by 0.71°C and 0.51°C, respectively, at these two levels. The results reveal that the combined downscaling model performs very well in correcting and downscaling the air temperature in WRF simulations in the study areas.
Spatial and Temporal Trends in Mineral Dust Provenance in the South Pacific—Evidence From Mixing Models
Authors: Longman Jack , Struve Torben , Pahnke Katharina
Published: January 2022

Mineral dust is an important component of the Earth system due to its role in oceanic nutrient supply, cloud formation and its radiative properties. Changes in transport pathways and fluxes of mineral dust have attracted increased attention using radiogenic isotope analysis for detailed investigation of changing dust sources through time. However, multi‐isotope studies provide complex datasets of dust provenance, often without exact quantification of source contributions. Here we use Bayesian mixing models and existing radiogenic isotope data to quantify changes in South Pacific dust provenance for the Holocene and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ∼18–24 ka BP). Testing different model configurations showed grouping small source regions to single continental scale end members prior to modeling can lead to biased results, and so we group model outputs post‐modeling. During the LGM, a higher proportion (mean 53%) of dust entering the South Pacific was South American in origin, compared to a Holocene mean of 31%. In contrast, Australian dust contributions were lower during the LGM (mean 38%) than Holocene (mean 55%), with significant spatial gradients for both time slices. In the subpolar South Pacific, the high representation of South American dust during the LGM (up to ∼75%) coincides with larger dust particles; together indicating that far‐traveled dust transport was facilitated by long atmospheric residence times and an accelerated westerly wind circulation during this time. Our study shows how Bayesian mixing models provide valuable constraints for dust source contributions, an approach which may help in the calibration of atmospheric models, using complex isotopic datasets.
The 2-Year Countdown to Deep-Sea Mining
Authors: Duncombe Jenessa
Published: January 2022

A small island nation is forcing the hand of international regulators to finalize rules for deep-sea mining, but scientists say the environmental consequences are not yet clear.
Tie1 contributes to the development of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome under the regulation of EGR1 in granulosa cells
Authors: Sun Lihua , Tian Hui , Xue Songguo , Ye Hongjuan , Xue Xue , Wang Rongxiang , Liu Yu , Zhang Caixia , Chen Qiuju , Gao Shaorong
Published: January 2022

The expression of tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and epidermal growth factor-like domains 1 (Tie1), a transmembrane protein expressed almost exclusively by endothelial cells, has been reported in granulosa cells. However, its significance in ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can occur after the injection of gonadotropins in infertile women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation, is unknown. Here, we report significantly increased Tie1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in cultured granulosa cells from OHSS patients, as well as ovaries from rats with experimentally established OHSS, compared to controls, with the levels of both proteins also increasing in granulosa and SVOG cells (a nontumorigenic human granulosa-lutein cell line) treated with an acute dose of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Tie1 silencing abolished the hCG-induced VEGF level in SVOG cells and attenuated the progression of OHSS in rats, as determined by histological analysis. Further studies in SVOG cells revealed that the hCG-induced upregulation of Tie1 expression involved the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. We also report that early growth response protein 1 (EGR1), whose expression was also upregulated by hCG, bound directly to the Tie1 promoter and activated its transcription. Taken together, our results indicate that Tie1 may be a therapeutic target in cases of moderate-to-severe OHSS. Further studies are needed to address its clinical relevance.
Disruption of actin dynamics induces autophagy of the eukaryotic chaperonin TRiC/CCT
Authors: Date Yuki , Matsuura Akira , Itakura Eisuke
Published: January 2022

Autophagy plays important role in the intracellular protein quality control system by degrading abnormal organelles and proteins, including large protein complexes such as ribosomes. The eukaryotic chaperonin tailless complex polypeptide 1 (TCP1) ring complex (TRiC), also called chaperonin-containing TCP1 (CCT), is a 1-MDa hetero-oligomer complex comprising 16 subunits that facilitates the folding of ~10% of the cellular proteome that contains actin. However, the quality control mechanism of TRiC remains unclear. To monitor the autophagic degradation of TRiC, we generated TCP1α-RFP-GFP knock-in HeLa cells using a CRISPR/Cas9-knock-in system with an RFP-GFP donor vector. We analyzed the autophagic degradation of TRiC under several stress conditions and found that treatment with actin (de)polymerization inhibitors increased the lysosomal degradation of TRiC, which was localized in lysosomes and suppressed by deficiency of autophagy-related genes. Furthermore, we found that treatment with actin (de)polymerization inhibitors increased the association between TRiC and unfolded actin, suggesting that TRiC was inactivated. Moreover, unfolded actin mutants were degraded by autophagy. Taken together, our results indicate that autophagy eliminates inactivated TRiC, serving as a quality control system.
Antisense oligonucleotides as a potential treatment for brain deficits observed in myotonic dystrophy type 1
Authors: Ait Benichou Siham , Jauvin Dominic , De Serres-Bérard Thiéry , Pierre Marion , Ling Karen K. , Bennett C. Frank , Rigo Frank , Gourdon Genevieve , Chahine Mohamed , Puymirat Jack
Published: January 2022

Myotonic dystrophy, or dystrophia myotonica type 1 (DM1), is a multi-systemic disorder and is the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy. It affects not only muscles but also many organs, including the brain. Cerebral impairments include cognitive deficits, daytime sleepiness, and loss of visuospatial and memory functions. The expression of mutated transcripts with CUG repeats results in a gain of toxic mRNA function. The antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) strategy to treat DM1 brain deficits is limited by the fact that ASOs do not cross the blood–brain barrier after systemic administration, indicating that other methods of delivery should be considered. ASO technology has emerged as a powerful tool for developing potential new therapies for a wide variety of human diseases, and its potential has been proven in a recent clinical trial. Targeting DMPK mRNA in neural cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells obtained from a DM1 patient with the IONIS 486178 ASO abolished CUG-expanded foci, enabled nuclear redistribution of MBNL1/2, and corrected aberrant splicing. Intracerebroventricular injection of the IONIS 486178 ASO in DMSXL mice decreased the levels of mutant DMPK mRNAs by up to 70% throughout different brain regions. It also reversed behavioral abnormalities following neonatal administration. The present study indicated that the IONIS 486178 ASO targets mutant DMPK mRNAs in the brain and strongly supports the feasibility of a therapy for DM1 patients based on the intrathecal injection of an ASO.
Interaction data are identifiable even across long periods of time
Authors: Creţu Ana-Maria , Monti Federico , Marrone Stefano , Dong Xiaowen , Bronstein Michael , de Montjoye Yves-Alexandre
Published: January 2022

Fine-grained records of people’s interactions, both offline and online, are collected at large scale. These data contain sensitive information about whom we meet, talk to, and when. We demonstrate here how people’s interaction behavior is stable over long periods of time and can be used to identify individuals in anonymous datasets. Our attack learns the profile of an individual using geometric deep learning and triplet loss optimization. In a mobile phone metadata dataset of more than 40k people, it correctly identifies 52% of individuals based on their 2-hop interaction graph. We further show that the profiles learned by our method are stable over time and that 24% of people are still identifiable after 20 weeks. Our results suggest that people with well-balanced interaction graphs are more identifiable. Applying our attack to Bluetooth close-proximity networks, we show that even 1-hop interaction graphs are enough to identify people more than 26% of the time. Our results provide strong evidence that disconnected and even re-pseudonymized interaction data can be linked together making them personal data under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation.
Immunoglobulin signature predicts risk of post-acute COVID-19 syndrome
Authors: Cervia Carlo , Zurbuchen Yves , Taeschler Patrick , Ballouz Tala , Menges Dominik , Hasler Sara , Adamo Sarah , Raeber Miro E. , Bächli Esther , Rudiger Alain , Stüssi-Helbling Melina , Huber Lars C. , Nilsson Jakob , Held Ulrike , Puhan Milo A. , Boyman Onur
Published: January 2022

Following acute infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a significant proportion of individuals develop prolonged symptoms, a serious condition termed post-acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) syndrome (PACS) or long COVID. Predictors of PACS are needed. In a prospective multicentric cohort study of 215 individuals, we study COVID-19 patients during primary infection and up to one year later, compared to healthy subjects. We discover an immunoglobulin (Ig) signature, based on total IgM and IgG3 levels, which – combined with age, history of asthma bronchiale, and five symptoms during primary infection – is able to predict the risk of PACS independently of timepoint of blood sampling. We validate the score in an independent cohort of 395 individuals with COVID-19. Our results highlight the benefit of measuring Igs for the early identification of patients at high risk for PACS, which facilitates the study of targeted treatment and pathomechanisms of PACS.
The evolution of mechanisms to produce phenotypic heterogeneity in microorganisms
Authors: Cooper Guy Alexander , Liu Ming , Peña Jorge , West Stuart Andrew
Published: January 2022

In bacteria and other microorganisms, the cells within a population often show extreme phenotypic variation. Different species use different mechanisms to determine how distinct phenotypes are allocated between individuals, including coordinated, random, and genetic determination. However, it is not clear if this diversity in mechanisms is adaptive—arising because different mechanisms are favoured in different environments—or is merely the result of non-adaptive artifacts of evolution. We use theoretical models to analyse the relative advantages of the two dominant mechanisms to divide labour between reproductives and helpers in microorganisms. We show that coordinated specialisation is more likely to evolve over random specialisation in well-mixed groups when: (i) social groups are small; (ii) helping is more “essential”; and (iii) there is a low metabolic cost to coordination. We find analogous results when we allow for spatial structure with a more detailed model of cellular filaments. More generally, this work shows how diversity in the mechanisms to produce phenotypic heterogeneity could have arisen as adaptations to different environments.
Heterotrimeric Gq proteins act as a switch for GRK5/6 selectivity underlying β-arrestin transducer bias
Authors: Kawakami Kouki , Yanagawa Masataka , Hiratsuka Suzune , Yoshida Misaki , Ono Yuki , Hiroshima Michio , Ueda Masahiro , Aoki Junken , Sako Yasushi , Inoue Asuka
Published: January 2022

Signaling-biased ligands acting on G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) differentially activate heterotrimeric G proteins and β-arrestins. Although a wealth of structural knowledge about signaling bias at the GPCR level exists (preferential engagement of a specific transducer), little is known about the bias at the transducer level (different functions mediated by a single transducer), partly due to a poor understanding of GPCR kinase (GRK)-mediated GPCR phosphorylation. Here, we reveal a unique role of the Gq heterotrimer as a determinant for GRK-subtype selectivity that regulates subsequent β-arrestin conformation and function. Using the angiotensin II (Ang II) type-1 receptor (AT1R), we show that β-arrestin recruitment depends on both GRK2/3 and GRK5/6 upon binding of Ang II, but solely on GRK5/6 upon binding of the β-arrestin-biased ligand TRV027. With pharmacological inhibition or genetic loss of Gq, GRK-subtype selectivity and β-arrestin functionality by Ang II is shifted to those of TRV027. Single-molecule imaging identifies relocation of AT1R and GRK5, but not GRK2, to an immobile phase under the Gq-inactive, AT1R-stimulated conditions. These findings uncover a previously unappreciated Gq-regulated mechanism that encodes GRK-subtype selectivity and imparts distinct phosphorylation-barcodes directing downstream β-arrestin functions.
Coding and regulatory variants are associated with serum protein levels and disease
Authors: Emilsson Valur , Gudmundsdottir Valborg , Gudjonsson Alexander , Jonmundsson Thorarinn , Jonsson Brynjolfur G. , Karim Mohd A. , Ilkov Marjan , Staley James R. , Gudmundsson Elias F. , Launer Lenore J. , Lindeman Jan H. , Morton Nicholas M. , Aspelund Thor , Lamb John R. , Jennings Lori L. , Gudnason Vilmundur
Published: January 2022

Circulating proteins can be used to diagnose and predict disease-related outcomes. A deep serum proteome survey recently revealed close associations between serum protein networks and common disease. In the current study, 54,469 low-frequency and common exome-array variants were compared to 4782 protein measurements in the serum of 5343 individuals from the AGES Reykjavik cohort. This analysis identifies a large number of serum proteins with genetic signatures overlapping those of many diseases. More specifically, using a study-wide significance threshold, we find that 2021 independent exome array variants are associated with serum levels of 1942 proteins. These variants reside in genetic loci shared by hundreds of complex disease traits, highlighting serum proteins’ emerging role as biomarkers and potential causative agents of a wide range of diseases.
A non-catalytic herpesviral protein reconfigures ERK-RSK signaling by targeting kinase docking systems in the host
Authors: Alexa Anita , Sok Péter , Gross Fridolin , Albert Krisztián , Kobori Evan , Póti Ádám L. , Gógl Gergő , Bento Isabel , Kuang Ersheng , Taylor Susan S. , Zhu Fanxiu , Ciliberto Andrea , Reményi Attila
Published: January 2022

The Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpesvirus protein ORF45 binds the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the p90 Ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK). ORF45 was shown to be a kinase activator in cells but a kinase inhibitor in vitro, and its effects on the ERK-RSK complex are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that ORF45 binds ERK and RSK using optimized linear binding motifs. The crystal structure of the ORF45-ERK2 complex shows how kinase docking motifs recognize the activated form of ERK. The crystal structure of the ORF45-RSK2 complex reveals an AGC kinase docking system, for which we provide evidence that it is functional in the host. We find that ORF45 manipulates ERK-RSK signaling by favoring the formation of a complex, in which activated kinases are better protected from phosphatases and docking motif-independent RSK substrate phosphorylation is selectively up-regulated. As such, our data suggest that ORF45 interferes with the natural design of kinase docking systems in the host.
Regional excess mortality during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in five European countries
Authors: Konstantinoudis Garyfallos , Cameletti Michela , Gómez-Rubio Virgilio , Gómez Inmaculada León , Pirani Monica , Baio Gianluca , Larrauri Amparo , Riou Julien , Egger Matthias , Vineis Paolo , Blangiardo Marta
Published: January 2022

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on excess mortality from all causes in 2020 varied across and within European countries. Using data for 2015–2019, we applied Bayesian spatio-temporal models to quantify the expected weekly deaths at the regional level had the pandemic not occurred in England, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland. With around 30%, Madrid, Castile-La Mancha, Castile-Leon (Spain) and Lombardia (Italy) were the regions with the highest excess mortality. In England, Greece and Switzerland, the regions most affected were Outer London and the West Midlands (England), Eastern, Western and Central Macedonia (Greece), and Ticino (Switzerland), with 15–20% excess mortality in 2020. Our study highlights the importance of the large transportation hubs for establishing community transmission in the first stages of the pandemic. Here, we show that acting promptly to limit transmission around these hubs is essential to prevent spread to other regions and countries.
Selective transport of water molecules through interlayer spaces in graphite
Authors: Saini Lalita , Nemala Siva Sankar , Rathi Aparna , Kaushik Suvigya , Kalon Gopinadhan
Published: January 2022

Interlayer space in graphite is impermeable to ions and molecules, including protons. Its controlled expansion would find several applications in desalination, gas purification, high-density batteries, etc. In the past, metal intercalation has been used to modify graphitic interlayer spaces; however, resultant intercalation compounds are unstable in water. Here, we successfully expanded graphite interlayer spaces by intercalating aqueous KCl ions electrochemically. Our spectroscopy studies provide clear evidence for cation-π interactions explaining the stability of the devices, though weak anion-π interactions were also detectable. The water conductivity shows several orders of enhancement when compared to unintercalated graphite. Water evaporation experiments further confirm the high permeation rate. There is weak ion permeation through interlayer spaces, up to the highest chloride concentration of 1 M, an indication of sterically limited transport. In these very few transported ions, we observe hydration energy-dependent selectivity between salt ions. These strongly suggest a soft ball model of steric exclusion, which is rarely reported. These findings improve our understanding of molecular and ionic transport at the atomic scale.
General synthesis of ultrafine metal oxide/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for ultrahigh-flux nanofiltration membrane
Authors: Zhang Wanyu , Xu Hai , Xie Fei , Ma Xiaohua , Niu Bo , Chen Mingqi , Zhang Hongyu , Zhang Yayun , Long Donghui
Published: January 2022

Graphene-based membranes have great potential to revolutionize nanofiltration technology, but achieving high solute rejections at high water flux remains extremely challenging. Herein, a family of ultrafine metal oxide/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites are synthesized through a heterogenous nucleation and diffusion-controlled growth process for dye nanofiltration. The synthesis is based on the utilization of oxygen functional groups on GO surface as preferential active sites for heterogeneous nucleation, leading to the formation of sub-3 nm size, monodispersing as well as high-density loading of metal oxide nanoparticles. The anchored ultrafine nanoparticles could inhibit the wrinkling of the rGO nanosheet, forming highly stable colloidal solutions for the solution processing fabrication of nanofiltration membranes. By functioning as pillars, the nanoparticles remarkably increase both vertical interlayer spacing and lateral tortuous paths of the rGO membranes, offering a water permeability of 225 L m−2h−1bar−1and selectivity up to 98% in the size-exclusion separation of methyl blue.
Machine learning of superconducting critical temperature from Eliashberg theory
Authors: Xie S. R. , Quan Y. , Hire A. C. , Deng B. , DeStefano J. M. , Salinas I. , Shah U. S. , Fanfarillo L. , Lim J. , Kim J. , Stewart G. R. , Hamlin J. J. , Hirschfeld P. J. , Hennig R. G.
Published: January 2022

The Eliashberg theory of superconductivity accounts for the fundamental physics of conventional superconductors, including the retardation of the interaction and the Coulomb pseudopotential, to predict the critical temperature Tc. McMillan, Allen, and Dynes derived approximate closed-form expressions for the critical temperature within this theory, which depends on the electron–phonon spectral function α2F(ω). Here we show that modern machine-learning techniques can substantially improve these formulae, accounting for more general shapes of the α2F function. Using symbolic regression and the SISSO framework, together with a database of artificially generated α2F functions and numerical solutions of the Eliashberg equations, we derive a formula for Tc that performs as well as Allen–Dynes for low-Tc superconductors and substantially better for higher-Tc ones. This corrects the systematic underestimation of Tc while reproducing the physical constraints originally outlined by Allen and Dynes. This equation should replace the Allen–Dynes formula for the prediction of higher-temperature superconductors.
A capillary electrophoresis-based multiplex PCR assay for expanded carrier screening in the eastern Han Chinese population
Authors: Hu Ping , Tan Jianxin , Yu Feng , Shao Binbin , Zhang Fang , Zhang Jingjing , Lin Yingchun , Tao Tao , Jiang Lili , Jiang Zhengwen , Xu Zhengfeng
Published: January 2022

Expanded carrier screening, a type of reproductive genetic testing for couples, has gained tremendous popularity for assessing the risk of passing on certain genetic conditions to offspring. Here, a carrier screening assay for 448 pathogenic variants was developed using capillary electrophoresis-based multiplex PCR technology. The capillary electrophoresis-based multiplex PCR assay achieved a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 97.4%, 100%, and 99.6%, respectively, in detecting the specific variants. Among the 1915 couples (3830 individuals), 708 individuals (18.5%) were identified as carriers for at least one condition. Of the 708 carriers, 633 (89.4%) were heterozygous for one condition, 71 (10.0%) for two disorders, 3 (0.4%) for three disorders, and 1 (0.1%) for four disorders. Meanwhile, 30 (1.57%) couples were identified as at‐risk couples. This study describes an inexpensive and effective method for expanded carrier screening. The simplicity and accuracy of this approach will facilitate the clinical implementation of expanded carrier screening.
Marine Vibrio spp. protect carbon steel against corrosion through secreting extracellular polymeric substances
Authors: Gao Yu , Zhang Mingxing , Fan Yongqiang , Li Zhong , Cristiani Pierangela , Chen Xiaobo , Xu Dake , Wang Fuhui , Gu Tingyue
Published: January 2022

The protection of marine materials against corrosion using marine bacterial biofilms is a promising strategy. However, little is known about the mechanisms of this attractive corrosion prevention method. In this work, the corrosion behaviors of X80 carbon steel (CS) in the presence of three different marine Vibrio species were studied. The results demonstrated that all the three Vibrio spp. displayed significant corrosion protection with a weight loss reduction of up to 68%. Moreover, their corrosion prevention performance was tightly related to their abilities to form biofilms, which was in the order of Vibrio sp. EF187016 > Vibrio alginolyticus > Vibrio parahaemolyticus. To further investigate the corrosion prevention mechanism caused by marine biofilms, the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of Vibrio sp. EF187016 was extracted and added to 3.5 wt% NaCl for abiotic corrosion testing. The results suggested that the EPS inhibited corrosion, which means EPS can play a significant role in corrosion protection by biofilm.
Non-linear rheology reveals the importance of elasticity in meat and meat analogues
Authors: Schreuders Floor K. G. , Sagis Leonard M. C. , Bodnár Igor , Boom Remko M. , van der Goot Atze Jan
Published: January 2022

The interest in plant-based meat analogues as an alternative to meat is currently growing. Rheological benchmarking is used to reveal how closely meat analogues resemble the original meat products. Texture maps and dissipation colour schemes were used to reveal similarities in and differences between rheological responses of meat and meat analogues (especially chicken analogues). Under heating, meat analogues differ in terms of their lower elasticity compared with heated meat. The changes caused by heating meat and meat analogues were different as well. Heating of meat resulted in a tougher and more elastic material, while heating has a minor effect on meat analogues. Future developments should therefore focus on routes to create more elasticity and possibly allow heating effects on texture to mimic meat characteristics even better.
A novel analysis of heat transfer in the nanofluid composed by nanodimaond and silver nanomaterials: numerical investigation
Authors: Adnan  , Khan Umar , Ahmed Naveed , Mohyud-Din Syed Tauseef , Alsulami M. D. , Khan Ilyas
Published: January 2022

The investigation of thermal performance in the nanofluids for unsteady boundary layer flow by considering the impacts of suction/injection is a significant research area in the field of fluid dynamics. This flow situation is broadly used in aerodynamics and space sciences as well. The model is formulated for ND-H2O and Ag-H2O nanofluids and then tackled numerically and captured the dynamics of the nanofluids under the multiple flow parameters. From the results, it is investigated that both ND-H2O and Ag-H2O have high thermal performance characteristics. However, higher heat transfer performance is observed for Ag based nanofluid. Further, a graphical and tabular comparison under certain assumptions is provided to authenticate the analysis.
Vaccination of mice with hybrid protein containing Exotoxin S and PcrV with adjuvants alum and MPL protects Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
Authors: Asadi Karam Mohammad Reza , Badmasti Farzad , Ahmadi Khadijeh , Habibi Mehri
Published: January 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a common pathogen causing urinary tract infections (UTIs) has been resistant to different antibiotics and developing an effective vaccine can be an alternative strategy. In the present study, the immunogenicity and protection efficacy of formulations composed of a hybrid protein composed of P. aeruginosa V-antigen (PcrV) and exoenzyme S (ExoS) with alum and MPL were evaluated. The hybrid protein could increase the specific systemic and mucosal immune responses, as well as cellular responses as compared with control groups. Combining of alum or MPL adjuvant with the hybrid protein significantly improved the levels of IgG1, serum IgA, mucosal IgG, and IL-17 as compared to the ExoS.PcrV alone. After bladder challenge with a P. aeruginosa strain, the bacterial loads of bladder and kidneys were significantly decreased in mice received ExoS.PcrV admixed with alum and ExoS.PcrV admixed with MPL than controls. The present study indicated that immunization of mice with a hybrid protein composed of ExoS and PcrV could induce multifactorial immune responses and opsonize the bacteria and decrease the viable bacterial cells. Because P. aeruginosa have caused therapeutic challenges worldwide, our study proposed ExoS.PcrV + alum and ExoS.PcrV + MPL as promising candidates for the prevention of infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
Aptamer based point of care diagnostic for the detection of food allergens
Authors: Stidham Sarah , Villareal Valerie , Chellappa Vasant , Yoder Lucas , Alley Olivia , Shreffler Wayne , Spergel Jonathan , Fleischer David , Sampson Hugh , Gilboa-Geffen Adi
Published: January 2022

Aptamers, due to their small size, strong target affinity, and ease of chemical modification, are ideally suited for molecular detection technologies. Here, we describe successful use of aptamer technology in a consumer device for the detection of peanut antigen in food. The novel aptamer-based protein detection method is robust across a wide variety of food matrices and sensitive to peanut protein at concentrations as low as 12.5 ppm (37.5 µg peanut protein in the sample). Integration of the assay into a sensitive, stable, and consumer friendly portable device will empower users to easily and quickly assess the presence of peanut allergens in foods before eating. With many food reactions occurring outside the home, the type of technology described here has significant potential to improve lives for children and families.
Etiopathogenic features of severe epistaxis in histological samples from individuals with or without arterial hypertension
Authors: Rezende Gustavo Lara , Oliveira Leonel Alves , Soares Renata Oliveira , Carneiro Fabiana Pirani , Nakanishi Marcio , Baó Sônia Nair , Sampaio André Luiz Lopes , Kückelhaus Selma Aparecida Souza
Published: January 2022

There is a consensus that arterial hypertension (AH) is associated with stroke. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the histology of the microvasculature associated with the mucosa of the posterior nasal cavity to identify possible factors related to vascular weakening and rupture. Histological sections were obtained from hypertensive and normotensive individuals, regardless of epistaxis. Our results showed that the group with AH had: (a) smaller median diameter of the lumen of arteries and arterioles; (b) increased thickness of the intimal arteries and arterioles, slight inflammatory infiltrate, and rupture of internal elastic lamina; (c) greater thickness of the middle tunica in arterioles; (d) lower percentage of histological sections with non-injured intimal layers in capillaries, arterioles, and small arteries; (e) lower percentage of histological sections with intact media tunic and/or myocytes juxtaposed in arteries and arterioles; (f) no difference between the diameters of small arteries or arterioles. The intima was thicker in individuals with severe epistaxis than in the normotensive group, but it did not differ from the AH group. Thus, hypertension may cause structural lesions in the vascular layers, and in the absence of tissue repair and the persistence of AH, these lesions may favour vascular rupture, especially during hypertensive peaks.
Cold shock induces a terminal investment reproductive response in C. elegans
Authors: Gulyas Leah , Powell Jennifer R.
Published: January 2022

Challenges from environmental stressors have a profound impact on many life-history traits of an organism, including reproductive strategy. Examples across multiple taxa have demonstrated that maternal reproductive investment resulting from stress can improve offspring survival; a form of matricidal provisioning when death appears imminent is known as terminal investment. Here we report a reproductive response in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans upon exposure to acute cold shock at 2 °C, whereby vitellogenic lipid movement from the soma to the germline appears to be massively upregulated at the expense of parental survival. This response is dependent on functional TAX-2; TAX-4 cGMP-gated channels that are part of canonical thermosensory mechanisms in worms and can be prevented in the presence of activated SKN-1/Nrf2, the master stress regulator. Increased maternal provisioning promotes improved embryonic cold shock survival, which is notably suppressed in animals with impaired vitellogenesis. These findings suggest that cold shock in C. elegans triggers terminal investment to promote progeny fitness at the expense of parental survival and may serve as a tractable model for future studies of stress-induced progeny plasticity.
Similar experimental study on retaining waterproof coal pillar in composite strata mining
Authors: Wang Y. Q. , Wang X. , Zhang J. S. , Yang B. S. , Zhu W. J. , Wang Z. P.
Published: January 2022

Numerous field examples of coal seam mining show that when coal seams under confined water are mined close to faults, water inrush effects on complex mining surfaces occur. Obeying similarity rules, physical similarity models consisting of sand, lime, and plaster were used to investigate the water conducting process, along with stress and displacement measured by a combination of mechanical senor, total station, and video camera-. Comparing the physical model tests with the calculation results of elastoplastic limit equilibrium theory, the rationality of the model has been verified. Besides, a safe width of the waterproof coal pillar has been obtained. It can be demonstrated from the model observations that the coal seam in front of the mining can be divided into three areas with different characteristics of stress and displacement, namely, which are the fault-affected area, the elastic area, and the plastic yield crack area. A closed-loop water inlet and outlet pipeline composed of a water control platform that can provide stable water pressure, and water bags pre-buried in the fault was used to simulate the water conduction in the fracture zone. Integrate the development law of stress, displacement, and water conduction coming from the upper and lower walls of the fault to further determine the reasonable width of the waterproof coal pillar.
Prognostic impact of miR-34b/c DNA methylation, gene expression, and promoter polymorphism in HPV-negative oral squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Supic Gordana , Stefik Debora , Ivkovic Nemanja , Sami Ahmad , Zeljic Katarina , Jovic Sasa , Kozomara Ruzica , Vojvodic Danilo , Stosic Srboljub
Published: January 2022

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) have a key role in gene expression regulation in cancer. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the prognostic value of miR-34b/c promoter hypermethylation, gene expression, and polymorphism in HPV-negative oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). MiR-34b/c promoter hypermethylation and pre-miR-34b/c polymorphism rs4938723 were evaluated in tumor tissues of 148 patients, and miR-34b expression in 123 HPV-negative OSCC. For risk assessment, the control group was comprised of 175 healthy individuals. MiR-34b/c promoter hypermethylation was determined by methylation-specific PCR. Gene expression, genotyping and HPV screening was assessed by Q-PCR. The data from our hospital cohort indicated that miR-34b/c DNA methylation was associated with nodal status (p = 0.048), and predicted the shorter overall survival of HPV-negative OSCC patients (p = 0.008). Down-regulated miR-34b/c expression was associated with smoking (p = 0.047), alcohol use (p = 0.009), stage (p = 0.025), recurrences (p = 0.000), and a poor survival (p = 0.00029). Median values of miR-34b expression were significantly lower in advanced stages III/IV as opposed to stage I/II, p = 0.006, and in nodal positive vs negative patients (p = 0.045). TCGA data also indicated that tumors with stage I–III expressed significantly higher levels of miR-34b, compared to tumors with stage IV (p = 0.035), Low miR-34b/c expression was associated with poor survival in smokers (p = 0.001) and patients with tongue carcinomas (p = 0.00003), and TCGA analysis confirmed these findings although miR-34b expression and miR-34b/c methylation were not associated with survival outcome in the whole TCGA cohort. A significant negative miR-34b/c expression–methylation correlation was observed in our hospital cohort (p = 0.017) and in TCGA cohort. Pre-miR-34b/c polymorphism was not associated with oral cancer risk. Our findings indicate that miR-34b/c hypermethylation and low miR-34b expression could promote the progression and predict the poor prognosis for HPV-negative OSCC, which suggests miR-34b/c as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for OSCC in the future.