bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Possible Origin of Some Periodicities Detected in Solar‐Terrestrial Studies: Earth's Orbital Movements
Authors: Cionco R. G. , Kudryavtsev S. M. , Soon W. W.‐H.
Published: July 2021

Periodicities matching planetary cycles have been argued to be detected in key geophysical time series. In general, these periodicities were indirectly attributed to a planetary influence on solar activity. This supposes that planetary gravity affects the internal functioning of the Sun's dynamo, that is, the planetary hypothesis (PH) of the solar cycles. The Earth's heliocentric dynamics already includes the planetary gravitational effects on the Sun. Taking into account this fact, these periodicities, ultimately attributed to possible planetary modulations of the solar activity, could have a more direct origin in cyclical changes in the relative Sun‐Earth geometry, but then, wrongly or partially explained invoking internal solar changes. We present an original decomposition analysis of the high‐precision ephemeris DE431 from NASA/JPL in order to obtain and classify the most important planetary/lunar purely periodic changes of the Earth's orbital movement at sub‐Milanković scales. A comprehensive list of cyclic changes of the Earth's orbital parameters involved in the relative Sun‐Earth position and the Earth's speed around the Sun is given. We show that these particular geophysical quasi‐periods are identifiable in the cyclic oscillations of these orbital parameters. Since the Earth's movement in space physically affects the manner in which the solar radiant flux reaches the planet, these oscillations provide, unlike the PH, a clear, causal, and testable link for their possible attribution.
Multi‐Stage Hydrothermal Veins in Layered Gabbro of the Oman Ophiolite: Implications for Focused Fluid Circulation in the Lower Oceanic Crust
Authors: Zhang Chao , Koepke Jürgen , Wolff Paul Eric , Horn Ingo , Garbe‐Schönberg Dieter , Berndt Jasper
Published: July 2021

An outcrop in the layered gabbro section from the Wadi Wariyah of the Oman ophiolite has been investigated to provide new insights into the hydrothermal activities that cover a large temperature range in the lower crust at fast‐spreading mid‐ocean ridges. Our observations reveal a complex veining system composed of gabbroic dikes, hydrous mineral (amphibole, epidote, and prehnite) veins and associated alteration, which strongly overprinted the layered gabbros shortly after the solidification of the gabbroic cumulates. The general strike of the veins is roughly perpendicular to the magmatic foliation of the layered gabbro. Mineral‐based geothermometry indicates a wide temperature range (ca. 1,000−250°C) of hydrothermal activities, spanning from hydrous suprasolidus stage (VHT) through amphibolite facies (HT) and epidote‐amphibolite facies (MT) down to the prehnite‐pumpellyite facies (LT), which induced significant differences in selective element depletion and enrichment as well as in exchange of Sr and O isotopes. A key observation is the omnipresence of relics from a previous temperature stage in a given hydrothermal paragenesis formed at lower temperatures, implying that the same pathways were used for hydrothermal veining in a broad temperature interval spanning about 750°C. Our observations support a model that focused fluid circulations, in the form of combined microcracking (grain boundary spacing) and macrocracking (veining), developed shortly subsequent to the complete solidification of the layered gabbros, which may have facilitated effective cooling for magma crystallization in the lower crust.
The Pacific Decadal Oscillation Modulates Tropical Cyclone Days on the Interannual Timescale in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Scoccimarro Enrico , Villarini Gabriele , Gualdi Silvio , Navarra Antonio
Published: July 2021

The North Pacific Ocean is the most active region on our planet in terms of tropical cyclone (TC) activity. These storms are responsible for numerous fatalities and economic damages, affecting the livelihood of those living in the impacted areas. Historically the examination of TCs in the North Pacific Ocean has been performed separately for its two main sub‐basins: the West North Pacific and the East North Pacific. Here, we consider the TC activity in the North Pacific as a single basin and examine the climate processes responsible for its number of TC days. We show that the Pacific Decadal Oscillation modulates the number of TC days in the North Pacific Ocean through its connection to the sea surface temperature. The insights from this work will advance the understanding of the climate processes responsible for these storms, and will provide valuable information toward our preparation and adaptation efforts on long timescales.
Molecular landscape and prognostic impact of FLT3-ITD insertion site in acute myeloid leukemia: RATIFY study results
Authors: Rücker Frank G. , Du Ling , Luck Tamara J. , Benner Axel , Krzykalla Julia , Gathmann Insa , Voso Maria Teresa , Amadori Sergio , Prior Thomas W. , Brandwein Joseph M. , Appelbaum Frederick R. , Medeiros Bruno C. , Tallman Martin S. , Savoie Lynn , Sierra Jorge , Pallaud Celine , Sanz Miguel A. , Jansen Joop H. , Niederwieser Dietger , Fischer Thomas , Ehninger Gerhard , Heuser Michael , Ganser Arnold , Bullinger Lars , Larson Richard A. , Bloomfield Clara D. , Stone Richard M. , Döhner Hartmut , Thiede Christian , Döhner Konstanze
Published: July 2021

In acute myeloid leukemia (AML) internal tandem duplications of theFLT3gene (FLT3-ITD) are associated with poor prognosis. Retrospectively, we investigated the prognostic and predictive impact ofFLT3-ITD insertion site (IS) in 452 patients randomized within the RATIFY trial, which evaluated midostaurin additionally to intensive chemotherapy. Next-generation sequencing identified 908 ITDs, with 643 IS in the juxtamembrane domain (JMD) and 265 IS in the tyrosine kinase domain-1 (TKD1). According to IS, patients were categorized as JMDsole (n = 251, 55%), JMD and TKD1 (JMD/TKD1;n = 117, 26%), and TKD1sole (n = 84, 19%). While clinical variables did not differ among the 3 groups,NPM1mutation was correlated with JMDsole (P = 0.028). Overall survival (OS) differed significantly, with estimated 4-year OS probabilities of 0.44, 0.50, and 0.30 for JMDsole, JMD/TKD1, and TKD1sole, respectively (P = 0.032). Multivariate (cause-specific) Cox models for OS and cumulative incidence of relapse using allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in first complete remission as a time-dependent variable identified TKD1sole as unfavorable and HCT as favorable factors. In addition, Midostaurin exerted a significant benefit only for JMDsole. Our results confirm the distinct molecular heterogeneity ofFLT3-ITD and the negative prognostic impact of TKD1 IS in AML that was not overcome by midostaurin.
High-order replica bands in monolayer FeSe/SrTiO3 revealed by polarization-dependent photoemission spectroscopy
Authors: Liu Chong , Day Ryan P. , Li Fengmiao , Roemer Ryan L. , Zhdanovich Sergey , Gorovikov Sergey , Pedersen Tor M. , Jiang Juan , Lee Sangjae , Schneider Michael , Wong Doug , Dosanjh Pinder , Walker Frederick J. , Ahn Charles H. , Levy Giorgio , Damascelli Andrea , Sawatzky George A. , Zou Ke
Published: July 2021

The mechanism of the enhanced superconductivity in monolayer FeSe/SrTiO3 has been enthusiastically studied and debated over the past decade. One specific observation has been taken to be of central importance: the replica bands in the photoemission spectrum. Although suggestive of electron-phonon interaction in the material, the essence of these spectroscopic features remains highly controversial. In this work, we conduct angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy measurements on monolayer FeSe/SrTiO3 using linearly polarized photons. This configuration enables unambiguous characterization of the valence electronic structure with a suppression of the spectral background. We consistently observe high-order replica bands derived from various Fe 3d bands, similar to those observed on bare SrTiO3. The intensity of the replica bands is unexpectedly high and different between dxy and dyz bands. Our results provide new insights on the electronic structure of this high-temperature superconductor and the physical origin of the photoemission replica bands.
A plug-and-play platform of ratiometric bioluminescent sensors for homogeneous immunoassays
Authors: Ni Yan , Rosier Bas J. H. M. , van Aalen Eva A. , Hanckmann Eva T. L. , Biewenga Lieuwe , Pistikou Anna-Maria Makri , Timmermans Bart , Vu Chris , Roos Sophie , Arts Remco , Li Wentao , de Greef Tom F. A. , van Borren Marcel M. G. J. , van Kuppeveld Frank J. M. , Bosch Berend-Jan , Merkx Maarten
Published: July 2021

Heterogeneous immunoassays such as ELISA have become indispensable in modern bioanalysis, yet translation into point-of-care assays is hindered by their dependence on external calibration and multiple washing and incubation steps. Here, we introduce RAPPID (Ratiometric Plug-and-Play Immunodiagnostics), a mix-and-measure homogeneous immunoassay platform that combines highly specific antibody-based detection with a ratiometric bioluminescent readout. The concept entails analyte-induced complementation of split NanoLuc luciferase fragments, photoconjugated to an antibody sandwich pair via protein G adapters. Introduction of a calibrator luciferase provides a robust ratiometric signal that allows direct in-sample calibration and quantitative measurements in complex media such as blood plasma. We developed RAPPID sensors that allow low-picomolar detection of several protein biomarkers, anti-drug antibodies, therapeutic antibodies, and both SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. With its easy-to-implement standardized workflow, RAPPID provides an attractive, fast, and low-cost alternative to traditional immunoassays, in an academic setting, in clinical laboratories, and for point-of-care applications.
Opposing effects of selectivity and invariance in peripheral vision
Authors: Ziemba Corey M. , Simoncelli Eero P.
Published: July 2021

Sensory processing necessitates discarding some information in service of preserving and reformatting more behaviorally relevant information. Sensory neurons seem to achieve this by responding selectively to particular combinations of features in their inputs, while averaging over or ignoring irrelevant combinations. Here, we expose the perceptual implications of this tradeoff between selectivity and invariance, using stimuli and tasks that explicitly reveal their opposing effects on discrimination performance. We generate texture stimuli with statistics derived from natural photographs, and ask observers to perform two different tasks: Discrimination between images drawn from families with different statistics, and discrimination between image samples with identical statistics. For both tasks, the performance of an ideal observer improves with stimulus size. In contrast, humans become better at family discrimination but worse at sample discrimination. We demonstrate through simulations that these behaviors arise naturally in an observer model that relies on a common set of physiologically plausible local statistical measurements for both tasks.
Synergy of ferroelectric polarization and oxygen vacancy to promote CO2 photoreduction
Authors: Yu Hongjian , Chen Fang , Li Xiaowei , Huang Hongwei , Zhang Qiuyu , Su Shaoqiang , Wang Keyang , Mao Enyang , Mei Bastian , Mul Guido , Ma Tianyi , Zhang Yihe
Published: July 2021

Solar-light driven CO2reduction into value-added chemicals and fuels emerges as a significant approach for CO2conversion. However, inefficient electron-hole separation and the complex multi-electrons transfer processes hamper the efficiency of CO2photoreduction. Herein, we prepare ferroelectric Bi3TiNbO9nanosheets and employ corona poling to strengthen their ferroelectric polarization to facilitate the bulk charge separation within Bi3TiNbO9nanosheets. Furthermore, surface oxygen vacancies are introduced to extend the photo-absorption of the synthesized materials and also to promote the adsorption and activation of CO2molecules on the catalysts’ surface. More importantly, the oxygen vacancies exert a pinning effect on ferroelectric domains that enables Bi3TiNbO9nanosheets to maintain superb ferroelectric polarization, tackling above-mentioned key challenges in photocatalytic CO2reduction. This work highlights the importance of ferroelectric properties and controlled surface defect engineering, and emphasizes the key roles of tuning bulk and surface properties in enhancing the CO2photoreduction performance.
Changes in expression of PD-L1 on peripheral T cells in patients with melanoma and lung cancer treated with PD-1 inhibitors
Authors: Dart Sarah J. , Cook Alistair M. , Millward Michael J. , McDonnell Alison M. , Chin Wee L. , Hakeem Muhammad U. , Meniawy Tarek M. , Bowyer Samantha E.
Published: July 2021

Advances in cancer immunology have increased the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in clinical practice, however not all patients respond, and treatment can have severe side-effects. Blood-based immunological biomarkers are an attractive method for predicting which patients will respond to therapy, however, reliable biomarkers for immune checkpoint blockade are lacking. This study aimed to identify patients before or early in treatment who would best respond to PD-1 inhibitors. We hypothesised that higher baseline PD-L1 and/or PD-1 on peripheral blood T cells could predict radiological response to PD-1 inhibitors. This pilot prospective cohort study assessed 26 patients with melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer, treated with pembrolizumab, nivolumab, or nivolumab/ipilimumab combined. Response was assessed by RECIST 1.1. Peripheral blood lymphocytes collected at baseline, after one cycle, 10 weeks and at discontinuation of therapy were analysed by flow cytometry. Patients with a higher proportion of PD-L1+ T cells at baseline had improved objective response to PD-1 inhibitor therapy, and patients with a lower proportion of regulatory T cells at baseline experienced more immune-related adverse events. These findings may prove useful to assist in clinical decision making. Further studies with larger cohorts are required to validate these findings.
Control system research in wave compensation based on particle swarm optimization
Authors: Tang Gang , Lu Peng , Hu Xiong , Men Shaoyang
Published: July 2021

For the offshore wave compensation control system, its controller setting will directly affect the platform's compensation effect. In order to study the wave compensation control system and optimization strategy, we build and simulate the wave compensation control model by using particle swarm optimization (PSO) to optimize the controller's control parameters and compare the results with other intelligent algorithms. Then we compare the response errors of the wave compensation platform under different PID controllers; and compare the particle swarm algorithm's response results and the genetic algorithm to the system controller optimization. The results show that the particle swarm algorithm is 63.94% lower than the genetic algorithm overshoot, and the peak time is 0.26 s lower, the adjustment time is 1.4 s lower than the genetic algorithm. It shows that the control effect of the wave compensation control system has a great relationship with the controller's parameter selection. Meanwhile, the particle swarm optimization algorithm's optimization can set the wave compensation PID control system, and it has the optimization effect of small overshoot and fast response time. This paper proposes the application of the particle swarm algorithm to the wave compensation system. It verifies the superiority of the method after application, and provides a new research reference for the subsequent research on the wave compensation control systems.
Feasibility and effectiveness of endoscopic irreversible electroporation for the upper gastrointestinal tract: an experimental animal study
Authors: Jeon Han Jo , Choi Hyuk Soon , Keum Bora , Bang Eun Joo , Lee Kang Won , Kim Sang Hyun , Yim Sun Young , Lee Jae Min , Kim Eun Sun , Seo Yeon Seok , Jeen Yoon Tae , Lee Hong Sik , Chun Hoon Jai , Kim Hong Bae , Kim Jong Hyuk
Published: July 2021

Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a local non-thermal ablative technique currently used to treat solid tumors. Here, we investigated the clinical potency and safety of IRE with an endoscope in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Pigs were electroporated with recently designed endoscopic IRE catheters in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. Two successive strategies were introduced to optimize the electrical energy for the digestive tract. First, each organ was electroporated and the energy upscaled to confirm the upper limit energy inducing improper tissue results, including bleeding and perforation. Excluding the unacceptable energy from the first step, consecutive electroporations were performed with stepwise reductions in energy to identify the energy that damaged each layer. Inceptive research into inappropriate electrical intensity contributed to extensive hemorrhage and bowel perforation for each tissue above a certain energy threshold. However, experiments performed below the precluded energy accompanying hematoxylin and eosin staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling assays showed that damaged mucosal area and depth significantly decreased with decreased energy. Relevant histopathology showed infiltration of inflammatory cells with pyknotic nuclei at the electroporated lesion. This investigation demonstrated the possibility of endoscopic IRE in mucosal dysplasia or early malignant tumors of the hollow viscus.
Age-related differences in strategic competition
Authors: Horn Sebastian S. , Avrahami Judith , Kareev Yaakov , Hertwig Ralph
Published: July 2021

Understanding how people of different ages decide in competition is a question of theoretical and practical importance. Using an experimental laboratory approach, this research investigates the ability of younger and older adults to think and act strategically with equal or unequal resources. In zero-sum games of resource allocation, younger adults (19–35 years) and older adults (65–81 years) made strategic decisions in competition against opponents of a similar age (Study 1; N = 120) or different age (Study 2; N = 120). The findings highlight people’s ability to make good interpersonal decisions in complex scenarios: Both younger and older adults were aware of their relative strength (in terms of material resources) and allocated their resources adaptively. When competing against opponents of a similar age, people’s gains were in line with game-theoretic predictions. However, younger adults made superior strategic allocations and won more frequently when competing against older adults. Measures of fluid cognitive and numerical abilities correlated with strategic behavior in interpersonal competition.
Process intensification of the ionoSolv pretreatment: effects of biomass loading, particle size and scale-up from 10 mL to 1 L
Authors: Chambon Clementine L. , Verdía Pedro , Fennell Paul S. , Hallett Jason P.
Published: July 2021

The ionoSolv process is one of the most promising technologies for biomass pretreatment in a biorefinery context. In order to evaluate the transition of the ionoSolv pretreatment of biomass from bench-scale experiments to commercial scale, there is a need to get better insight in process intensification. In this work, the effects of biomass loading, particle size, pulp washing protocols and 100-fold scale up for the pretreatment of the grassy biomassMiscanthus giganteuswith the IL triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate, [TEA][HSO4], are presented as a necessary step in that direction. At the bench scale, increasing biomass loading from 10 to 50 wt% reduced glucose yields from 68 to 23% due to re-precipitation of lignin onto the pulp surface. Omitting the pulp air-drying step maintained saccharification yields at 66% at 50 wt% loading due to reduced fiber hornification. 100-fold scale-up (from 10 mL to 1 L) improved the efficacy of ionoSolv pretreatment and increasing loadings from 10 to 20 wt% reduced lignin reprecipitation and led to higher glucose yields due to the improved heat and mass transfer caused by efficient slurry mixing in the reactor. Pretreatment of particle sizes of 1–3 mm was more effective than fine powders (0.18–0.85 mm) giving higher glucose yields due to reduced surface area available for lignin re-precipitation while reducing grinding energy needs. Stirred ionoSolv pretreatment showed great potential for industrialization and further process intensification after optimization of the pretreatment conditions (temperature, residence time, stirring speed), particle size and biomass loading. Pulp washing protocols need further improvement to reduce the incidence of lignin precipitation and the water requirements of lignin washing.
Tracking the rising extinction risk of sharks and rays in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Walls Rachel H. L. , Dulvy Nicholas K.
Published: July 2021

The loss of biodiversity is increasingly well understood on land, but trajectories of extinction risk remain largely unknown in the ocean. We present regional Red List Indices (RLIs) to track the extinction risk of 119 Northeast Atlantic and 72 Mediterranean shark and ray species primarily threatened by overfishing. We combine two IUCN workshop assessments from 2003/2005 and 2015 with a retrospective backcast assessment for 1980. We incorporate predicted categorisations for Data Deficient species from our previously published research. The percentage of threatened species rose from 1980 to 2015 from 29 to 41% (Northeast Atlantic) and 47 to 65% (Mediterranean Sea). There are as many threatened sharks and rays in Europe as there are threatened birds, but the threat level is nearly six times greater by percentage (41%, n = 56 of 136 vs. 7%, n = 56 of 792). The Northeast Atlantic RLI declined by 8% from 1980 to 2015, while the higher-risk Mediterranean RLI declined by 13%. Larger-bodied, shallow-distributed, slow-growing species and those with range boundaries within the region are more likely to have worsening status in the Northeast Atlantic. Conversely, long-established, severe threat levels obscure any potential relationships between species’ traits and the likelihood of worsening IUCN status in the Mediterranean Sea. These regional RLIs provide the first widespread evidence for increasing trends in regional shark and ray extinction risk and underscore that effective fisheries management is necessary to recover the ecosystem function of these predators.
Characterizing chloroplast genomes and inferring maternal divergence of the Triticum–Aegilops complex
Authors: Fu Yong-Bi
Published: July 2021

TheTriticum(wheat)–Aegilops(goatgrass) complex has been extensively studied, but the evolutionary history of polyploid wheats has not been fully elucidated. The chloroplast (cp) with maternal inheritance and homoplasy can simplify the sequence-based evolutionary inferences, but informative inferences would require a complete and accurate cp genome sequence. In this study, 16 cp genomes representing fiveAegilopsand 11Triticumspecies and subspecies were sequenced, assembled and annotated, yielding five novel circular cp genome sequences. Analyzing the assembled cp genomes revealed no marked differences in genome structure and gene arrangement across the assayed species. A polymorphism analysis of 72 published cp genome sequences representing 10Aegilopsand 15Triticumspecies and subspecies detected 1183 SNPs and 1881 SSRs. More than 80% SNPs detected resided on the downstream and upstream gene regions and only 2.78% or less SNPs were predicted to be deleterious. The largest nucleotide diversity was observed in the short single-copy genomic region. Relatively weak selection pressure on cp coding genes was detected. Different phylogenetic analyses confirmed that the maternal divergence of theTriticum–Aegilopscomplex had three deep lineages each representing a diploid species with nuclear A, B, or D genome. Dating the maternal divergence yielded age estimates of divergence that matched well with those reported previously. The divergence between emmer and bread wheats occurred at 8200–11,200 years ago. These findings are useful for further genomic studies, provide insight into cp genome evolvability and allow for better understanding of the maternal divergence of theTriticum–Aegilopscomplex.
A surrogate virus neutralization test to quantify antibody-mediated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 in finger stick dried blood spot samples
Authors: Sancilio Amelia E. , D’Aquila Richard T. , McNally Elizabeth M. , Velez Matthew P. , Ison Michael G. , Demonbreun Alexis R. , McDade Thomas W.
Published: July 2021

The spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 engages the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to enter host cells, and neutralizing antibodies are effective at blocking this interaction to prevent infection. Widespread application of this important marker of protective immunity is limited by logistical and technical challenges associated with live virus methods and venous blood collection. To address this gap, we validated an immunoassay-based method for quantifying neutralization of the spike-ACE2 interaction in a single drop of capillary whole blood, collected on filter paper as a dried blood spot (DBS) sample. Samples are eluted overnight and incubated in the presence of spike antigen and ACE2 in a 96-well solid phase plate. Competitive immunoassay with electrochemiluminescent label is used to quantify neutralizing activity. The following measures of assay performance were evaluated: dilution series of confirmed positive and negative samples, agreement with results from matched DBS-serum samples, analysis of results from DBS samples with known COVID-19 status, and precision (intra-assay percent coefficient of variation; %CV) and reliability (inter-assay; %CV). Dilution series produced the expected pattern of dose–response. Agreement between results from serum and DBS samples was high, with concordance correlation = 0.991. Analysis of three control samples across the measurement range indicated acceptable levels of precision and reliability. Median % surrogate neutralization was 46.9 for PCR confirmed convalescent COVID-19 samples and 0.1 for negative samples. Large-scale testing is important for quantifying neutralizing antibodies that can provide protection against COVID-19 in order to estimate the level of immunity in the general population. DBS provides a minimally-invasive, low cost alternative to venous blood collection, and this scalable immunoassay-based method for quantifying inhibition of the spike-ACE2 interaction can be used as a surrogate for virus-based assays to expand testing across a wide range of settings and populations.
Effects of prolonged use of virtual reality smartphone-based head-mounted display on visual parameters: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Yoon Hyeon Jeong , Moon Hyun Sik , Sung Mi Sun , Park Sang Woo , Heo Hwan
Published: July 2021

We investigated the effects of using a virtual reality smartphone-based head-mounted display (VR SHMD) device for 2 h on visual parameters. Fifty-eight healthy volunteers were recruited. The participants played games using VR SHMD or smartphones for 2 h on different days. Visual parameters including refraction, accommodation, convergence, stereopsis, and ocular alignment and measured choroidal thickness before and after the use of VR SHMD or smartphones were investigated. Subjective symptoms were assessed using questionnaires. We analyzed the differences in visual parameters before and after the use of VR SHMD or smartphones and correlations between baseline visual parameters and those after the use of the devices. Significant changes were observed in near-point convergence and accommodation, exophoric deviation, stereopsis, and accommodative lag after the use of VR SHMD but not after that of smartphones. The subjective discomfort associated with dry eye and neurologic symptoms were more severe in the VR group than in the smartphone group. There were no significant changes in refraction and choroidal thickness after the use of either of the two devices. The poorer the participants’ accommodation and convergence ability the greater the resistance to changes in these visual parameters, and participants with a large exophoria were more prone to worsening of exophoria than those with a small exophoria.
Reducing SAR in 7T brain fMRI by circumventing fat suppression while removing the lipid signal through a parallel acquisition approach
Authors: Seginer Amir , Furman-Haran Edna , Goldberg Ilan , Schmidt Rita
Published: July 2021

Ultra-high-field functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) offers a way to new insights while increasing the spatial and temporal resolution. However, a crucial concern in 7T human MRI is the increase in power deposition, supervised through the specific absorption rate (SAR). The SAR limitation can restrict the brain coverage or the minimal repetition time of fMRI experiments. In the majority of today’s studies fMRI relies on the well-known gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GRE-EPI) sequence, which offers ultrafast acquisition. Commonly, the GRE-EPI sequence comprises two pulses: fat suppression and excitation. This work provides the means for a significant reduction in the SAR by circumventing the fat-suppression pulse. Without this fat-suppression, however, lipid signal can result in artifacts due to the chemical shift between the lipid and water signals. Our approach exploits a reconstruction similar to the simultaneous-multi-slice method to separate the lipid and water images, thus avoiding undesired lipid artifacts in brain images. The lipid-water separation is based on the known spatial shift of the lipid signal, which can be detected by the multi-channel coils sensitivity profiles. Our study shows robust human imaging, offering greater flexibility to reduce the SAR, shorten the repetition time or increase the volume coverage with substantial benefit for brain functional studies.
Bifunctional catalytic effect of Mo2C/oxide interface on multi-layer graphene growth
Authors: Kizir Seda , van den Beld Wesley T. E. , Schurink Bart , van de Kruijs Robbert W. E. , Benschop Jos P. H. , Bijkerk Fred
Published: July 2021

The role of the Mo2C/oxide interface on multi-layer graphene (MLG) nucleation during a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process is investigated. During the CVD process, MLG growth is only observed in the presence of a Mo2C/SiO2 interface, indicating that the chemical reactions occurring at this interface trigger the nucleation of MLG. The chemical reaction pathway is explained in four steps as (1) creation of H radicals, (2) reduction of the oxide surface, (3) formation of C–C bonds at O–H sites, and (4) expansion of graphitic domains on the Mo2C catalyst. Different Mo2C/oxide interfaces are investigated, with varying affinity for reduction in a hydrogen environment. The results demonstrate a catalyst/oxide bifunctionality on MLG nucleation, comprising of CH4 dehydrogenation by Mo2C and initial C–C bond formation at the oxide interface.
First high resolution chronostratigraphy for the early North African Acheulean at Casablanca (Morocco)
Authors: Gallotti Rosalia , Muttoni Giovanni , Lefèvre David , Degeai Jean-Philippe , Geraads Denis , Zerboni Andrea , Andrieu-Ponel Valérie , Maron Matteo , Perini Serena , El Graoui Mohssine , Sanz-Laliberté Séverine , Daujeard Camille , Fernandes Paul , Rué Mathieu , Magoga Lionel , Mohib Abderrahim , Raynal Jean-Paul
Published: July 2021

The onset of the Acheulean, marked by the emergence of large cutting tools (LCTs), is considered a major technological advance in the Early Stone Age and a key turning point in human evolution. The Acheulean originated in East Africa at ~ 1.8–1.6 Ma and is reported in South Africa between ~ 1.6 and > 1.0 Ma. The timing of its appearance and development in North Africa have been poorly known due to the near-absence of well-dated sites in reliable contexts. The ~ 1 Ma stone artefacts of Tighennif (Algeria) and Thomas Quarry I-Unit L (ThI-L) at Casablanca (Morocco) are thus far regarded as documenting the oldest Acheulean in North Africa but whatever the precision of their stratigraphical position, both deserve a better chronology. Here we provide a chronology for ThI-L, based on new magnetostratigraphic and geochemical data. Added to the existing lithostratigraphy of the Casablanca sequence, these results provide the first robust chronostratigraphic framework for the early North African Acheulean and firmly establish its emergence in this part of the continent back at least to ~ 1.3 Ma.
DNA methylation of Vesicular Glutamate Transporters in the mesocorticolimbic brain following early-life stress and adult ethanol exposure—an explorative study
Authors: Vrettou Maria , Yan Liying , Nilsson Kent W. , Wallén-Mackenzie Åsa , Nylander Ingrid , Comasco Erika
Published: July 2021

DNA methylation and gene expression can be altered by early life stress (ELS) and/or ethanol consumption. The present study aimed to investigate whether DNA methylation of the Vesicular Glutamate Transporters (Vglut)1-3 is related to previously observed Vglut1-3 transcriptional differences in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (Acb), dorsal striatum (dStr) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult rats exposed to ELS, modelled by maternal separation, and voluntary ethanol consumption. Targeted next-generation bisulfite sequencing was performed to identify the methylation levels on 61 5′-cytosine-phosphate-guanosine-3′ sites (CpGs) in potential regulatory regions of Vglut1, 53 for Vglut2, and 51 for Vglut3. In the VTA, ELS in ethanol-drinking rats was associated with Vglut1-2 CpG-specific hypomethylation, whereas bidirectional Vglut2 methylation differences at single CpGs were associated with ELS alone. Exposure to both ELS and ethanol, in the Acb, was associated with lower promoter and higher intronic Vglut3 methylation; and in the dStr, with higher and lower methylation in 26% and 43% of the analyzed Vglut1 CpGs, respectively. In the mPFC, lower Vglut2 methylation was observed upon exposure to ELS or ethanol. The present findings suggest Vglut1-3 CpG-specific methylation signatures of ELS and ethanol drinking, underlying previously reported Vglut1-3 transcriptional differences in the mesocorticolimbic brain.
Expression of HO1 and PER2 can predict the incidence of delirium in trauma patients with concomitant brain injury
Authors: Steimer Matti , Kaiser Sandra , Ulbrich Felix , Kalbhenn Johannes , Bürkle Hartmut , Schallner Nils
Published: July 2021

Intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired delirium is associated with adverse outcome in trauma patients with concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI), but diagnosis remains challenging. Quantifying circadian disruption by analyzing expression of the circadian gene period circadian regulator 2 (PER2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO1), which determines heme turnover, may prove to be potential diagnostic tools. Expression of PER2 and HO1 was quantified using qPCR from blood samples 1 day and 7 days after trauma. Association analysis was performed comparing mRNA expression levels with parameters of trauma (ISS—injury severity score), delirium, acute kidney injury (AKI) and length of ICU stay. 48 polytraumatized patients were included (equal distribution of TBI versus non-TBI) corrected for ISS, age and gender using a matched pairs approach. Expression levels of PER2 and HO1 were independent of age (PER2: P = 0.935; HO1: P = 0.988), while expression levels were significantly correlated with trauma severity (PER2: P = 0.009; HO1: P < 0.001) and longer ICU length of stay (PER2: P = 0.018; HO1: P < 0.001). High expression levels increased the odds of delirium occurrence (PER2: OR = 4.32 [1.14–13.87]; HO1: OR = 4.50 [1.23–14.42]). Patients with TBI showed a trend towards elevated PER2 (OR = 3.00 [0.84–9.33], P = 0.125), but not towards delirium occurrence (P = 0.556). TBI patients were less likely to develop AKI compared to non-TBI (P = 0.022). Expression levels of PER2 and HO1 correlate with the incidence of delirium in an age-independent manner and may potentially improve diagnostic algorithms when used as delirium biomarkers.

Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register (Trial-ID DRKS00008981; Universal Trial Number U1111-1172-6077; Jan. 18, 2018).
Climatic suitability of the eastern paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, and its likely geographic distribution in the year 2050
Authors: Raghavan Ram K. , Koestel Z. , Ierardi R. , Peterson A. Townsend , Cobos Marlon E.
Published: July 2021

The eastern paralysis tick,Ixodes holocyclusis one of two ticks that cause potentially fatal tick paralysis in Australia, and yet information on the full extent of its present or potential future spatial distribution is not known. Occurrence data for this tick species collected over the past two decades, and gridded environmental variables at 1 km2resolution representing climate conditions, were used to derive correlative ecological niche models to predict the current and future potential distribution. Several hundreds of candidate models were constructed with varying combinations of model parameters, and the best-fitting model was chosen based on statistical significance, omission rate, and Akaike Information Criterion (AICc). The best-fitting model matches the currently known distribution but also extends through most of the coastal areas in the south, and up to the Kimbolton peninsula in Western Australia in the north. Highly suitable areas are present around south of Perth, extending towards Albany, Western Australia. Most areas in Tasmania, where the species is not currently present, are also highly suitable. Future spatial distribution of this tick in the year 2050 indicates moderate increase in climatic suitability from the present-day prediction but noticeably also moderate to low loss of climatically suitable areas elsewhere.
Simplifying functional network representation and interpretation through causality clustering
Authors: Zanin Massimiliano
Published: July 2021

Functional networks, i.e. networks representing the interactions between the elements of a complex system and reconstructed from the observed elements’ dynamics, are becoming a fundamental tool to unravel the structures created by the movement of information in systems like the human brain. They also present drawbacks, one of the most important being the inherent difficulty in representing and interpreting the resulting structures for large number of nodes and links. I here propose a causality clustering approach, based on grouping nodes into clusters according to their similarity in the overall information dynamics, the latter one being measured by a causality metric. The whole system can then arbitrarily be simplified, with nodes being grouped in e.g. sources, brokers and sinks of information. The advantages and limitations of the proposed approach are discussed using a set of synthetic and real-world data sets, the latter ones representing two neuroscience and technological problems.
Insula reactivity mediates subjective isolation stress in alexithymia
Authors: Morr Mitjan , Lieberz Jana , Dobbelstein Michael , Philipsen Alexandra , Hurlemann René , Scheele Dirk
Published: July 2021

The risk for developing stress-related disorders is elevated in individuals with high alexithymia, a personality trait characterized by impaired emotional awareness and interpersonal relating. However, it is still unclear how alexithymia alters perceived psychosocial stress and which neurobiological substrates are mechanistically involved. To address this question, we examined freshmen during transition to university, given that this period entails psychosocial stress and frequently initiates psychopathology. Specifically, we used a functional magnetic resonance imaging emotional face matching task to probe emotional processing in 54 participants (39 women) at the beginning of the first year at university and 6 months later. Furthermore, we assessed alexithymia and monitored perceived psychosocial stress and loneliness via questionnaires for six consecutive months. Perceived psychosocial stress significantly increased over time and initial alexithymia predicted subjective stress experiences via enhanced loneliness. On the neural level, alexithymia was associated with lowered amygdala responses to emotional faces, while loneliness correlated with diminished reactivity in the anterior insular and anterior cingulate cortex. Furthermore, insula activity mediated the association between alexithymia and loneliness that predicted perceived psychosocial stress. Our findings are consistent with the notion that alexithymia exacerbates subjective stress via blunted insula reactivity and increased perception of social isolation.
Genetic diversity and population structure of ridge gourd (Luffa acutangula) accessions in a Thailand collection using SNP markers
Authors: Perez Grimar Abdiel , Tongyoo Pumipat , Chunwongse Julapark , de Jong Hans , Wongpraneekul Anucha , Sinsathapornpong Waraporn , Chuenwarin Paweena
Published: July 2021

This study explored a germplasm collection consisting of 112 Luffa acutangula (ridge gourd) accessions, mainly from Thailand. A total of 2834 SNPs were used to establish population structure and underlying genetic diversity while exploring the fruit characteristics together with genetic information which would help in the selection of parental lines for a breeding program. The study found that the average polymorphism information content value of 0.288 which indicates a moderate genetic diversity for this L. acutangula germplasm. STRUCTURE analysis (ΔK at K = 6) allowed us to group the accessions into six subpopulations that corresponded well with the unrooted phylogenetic tree and principal coordinate analyses. When plotted, the STRUCTURE bars to the area of collection, we observed an admixed genotype from surrounding accessions and a geneflow confirmed by the value of FST = 0.137. AMOVA based on STRUCTURE clustering showed a low 12.83% variation between subpopulations that correspond well with the negative inbreeding coefficient value (FIS =  − 0.092) and low total fixation index (FIT = 0.057). There were distinguishing fruit shapes and length characteristics in specific accessions for each subpopulation. The genetic diversity and different fruit shapes in the L. acutangula germplasm could benefit the ridge gourd breeding programs to meet the demands and needs of consumers, farmers, and vegetable exporters such as increasing the yield of fruit by the fruit width but not by the fruit length to solve the problem of fruit breakage during exportation.
Trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus disease burden in European Union countries between 1990 and 2019
Authors: Goodall Richard , Alazawi Andrew , Hughes Will , Bravis Vassiliki , Salciccioli Justin D. , Marshall Dominic C. , Crowley Conor , Shalhoub Joseph
Published: July 2021

This observational study aimed to assess trends in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) disease burden in European Union countries for the years 1990–2019. Sex specific T2DM age-standardised prevalence (ASPRs), mortality (ASMRs) and disability-adjusted life-year rates (DALYs) per 100,000 population were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study online results tool for each EU country (inclusive of the United Kingdom), for the years 1990–2019. Trends were analysed using Joinpoint regression analysis. Between 1990 and 2019, increases in T2DM ASPRs were observed for all EU countries. The highest relative increases in ASPRs were observed in Luxembourg (males + 269.1%, females + 219.2%), Ireland (males + 191.9%, females + 165.7%) and the UK (males + 128.6%, females + 114.6%). Mortality trends were less uniform across EU countries, however a general trend towards reducing T2DM mortality was observed, with ASMRs decreasing over the 30-year period studied in 16/28 countries for males and in 24/28 countries for females. The UK observed the highest relative decrease in ASMRs for males (− 46.9%). For females, the largest relative decrease in ASMRs was in Cyprus (− 67.6%). DALYs increased in 25/28 countries for males and in 17/28 countries for females between 1990 and 2019. DALYs were higher in males than females in all EU countries in 2019. T2DM prevalence rates have increased across EU countries over the last 30 years. Mortality from T2DM has generally decreased in EU countries, however trends were more variable than those observed for prevalence. Primary prevention strategies should continue to be a focus for preventing T2DM in at risk groups in EU countries.
Performance assessment of a multi-epitope chimeric antigen for the serological diagnosis of acute Mayaro fever
Authors: Napoleão-Pêgo Paloma , Carneiro Flávia R. G. , Durans Andressa M. , Gomes Larissa R. , Morel Carlos M. , Provance David W. , De-Simone Salvatore G.
Published: July 2021

Mayaro virus (MAYV), which causes mayaro fever, is endemic to limited regions of South America that may expand due to the possible involvement of Aedes spp. mosquitoes in its transmission. Its effective control will require the accurate identification of infected individuals, which has been restricted to nucleic acid-based tests due to similarities with other emerging members of the Alphavirus genus of the Togaviridae family; both in structure and clinical symptoms. Serological tests have a more significant potential to expand testing at a reasonable cost, and their performance primarily reflects that of the antigen utilized to capture pathogen-specific antibodies. Here, we describe the assembly of a synthetic gene encoding multiple copies of antigenic determinants mapped from the nsP1, nsP2, E1, and E2 proteins of MAYV that readily expressed as a stable chimeric protein in bacteria. Its serological performance as the target in ELISAs revealed a high accuracy for detecting anti-MAYV IgM antibodies. No cross-reactivity was observed with serum from seropositive individuals for dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika, and other infectious diseases as well as healthy individuals. Our data suggest that this bioengineered antigen could be used to develop high-performance serological tests for MAYV infections.
Effective cesium removal from Cs-containing water using chemically activated opaline mudstone mainly composed of opal-cristobalite/tridymite (opal-CT)
Authors: Kwon Sunki , Kim Yumi , Roh Yul
Published: July 2021

Opaline mudstone (OM) composed of opal-CT (SiO2·nH2O) has high potential use as a cesium (Cs) adsorbent, due to its high specific surface area (SSA). The objective of this study was to investigate the Cs adsorption capacity of chemically activated OM and the adsorption mechanism based on its physico-chemical properties. We used acid- and base-activation methods for the surface modification of OM. Both acid- and base- activations highly increased the specific surface area (SSA) of OM, however, the base-activation decreased the zeta potential value more (− 16.67 mV), compared to the effects of acid-activation (− 6.60 mV) or non-activation method (− 6.66 mV). Base-activated OM showed higher Cs adsorption capacity (32.14 mg/g) than the others (acid: 12.22 mg/g, non: 15.47 mg/g). These results indicate that base-activation generates pH-dependent negative charge, which facilitates Cs adsorption via electrostatic attraction. In terms of the dynamic atomic behavior, Cs cation adsorbed on the OM mainly exist in the form of inner-sphere complexes (IS) containing minor amounts of water molecules. Consequently, the OM can be used as an effective Cs adsorbent via base-activation as an economical and simple modification method.