bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bivalve body-size distribution through the Late Triassic mass extinction event
Authors: Opazo L. Felipe , Twitchett Richard J.
Published: January 2022

The synergic relationship between physiology, ecology, and evolutionary process makes the body-size distribution (BSD) an essential component of the community ecology. Body size is highly susceptible to environmental change, and extreme upheavals, such as during a mass extinction event, could exert drastic changes on a taxon's BSD. It has been hypothesized that the Late Triassic mass extinction event (LTE) was triggered by intense global warming, linked to massive volcanic activity associated with the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province. We test the effects of the LTE on the BSD of fossil bivalve assemblages from three study sites spanning the Triassic/Jurassic boundary in the United Kingdom. Our results show that the effects of the LTE were rapid and synchronous across sites, and the BSDs of the bivalves record drastic changes associated with species turnover. No phylogenetic signal of size selectivity was recorded, although semi-infaunal species were apparently most susceptible to change. Each size class had the same likelihood of extinction during the LTE, which resulted in a platykurtic BSD with negative skew. The immediate postextinction assemblage exhibits a leptokurtic BSD, although with negative skew, wherein surviving species and newly appearing small-sized colonizers exhibit body sizes near the modal size. Recovery was relatively rapid (~100 kyr), and larger bivalves began to appear during the pre-Planorbis Zone, despite recurrent dysoxic/anoxic conditions. This study demonstrates how a mass extinction acts across the size spectrum in bivalves and shows how BSDs emerge from evolutionary and ecological processes.
Massive high-redshift quiescent galaxies with JWST
Authors: Nanayakkara Themiya , Esdaile James , Glazebrook Karl , Espejo Salcedo Juan M. , Durre Mark , Jacobs Colin
Published: January 2022

Recent ground-based deep observations of the Universe have discovered large populations of massive quiescent galaxies at$z\sim3\!-\!5$. With the launch of theJames Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the on-board Near-Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) instrument will provide continuous$0.6\!-\!5.3\,\unicode{x03BC}\,\mathrm{m}$spectroscopic coverage of these galaxies. Here we show that NIRSpec/CLEAR spectroscopy is ideal to probe the completeness of photometrically selected massive quiescent galaxies such as the ones presented by Schreiber et al. (2018b, A&A, 618, A85). Using a subset of the Schreiber et al. (2018b, A&A, 618, A85) sample with deep Keck/MOSFIRE spectroscopy presented by Esdaile J., et al. (2021b, ApJ, 908, L35), we perform a suite of mock JWST/NIRSpec observations to determine optimal observing strategies to efficiently recover the star formation histories (SFHs), element abundances, and kinematics of these massive quiescent galaxies. We find that at$z\sim3$, medium resolution G235M/FL170LP NIRSpec observations could recover element abundances at an accuracy of${\sim}15\%$, which is comparable to local globular clusters. Mimicking ZFOURGE COSMOS photometry, we perform mock spectrophotometric fitting withProspectorto show that the overall shape of the SFHs of our mock galaxies can be recovered well, albeit with a dependency on the number of non-parametric SFH bins. We show that deep high-resolution G235H/FL170LP integral field spectroscopy with a$S/N\sim7$per spaxel is required to constrain the rotational properties of our sample at$>\!2\sigma$confidence. Thus, through optimal grism/filter choices, JWST/NIRSpec slit and integral field spectroscopy observations would provide tight constraints to galaxy evolution in the early Universe.
Horsepower: Animals, Automobiles, and an Ethic of (Car) Care in Early US Road Narratives
Authors: BOWMAN DANIEL
Published: January 2022

From the mid-1890s to the present day, cars have been fetishized as animal in US automotive culture. This began with automotive periodical Horseless Age, which, in positing the car as a substitute for the horse, decried the material limitations of the “outdated” animal whilst at the same time seeking to coopt its symbolic value. In the first US road trip novels of the 1910s automobiles are described figuratively as animals, simultaneously evoking the horse while symbolically killing it. Examining the intertwined material and symbolic relations between humans, animals, and machines at the dawn of the motor age elucidates the necropolitical position of animals in automotive culture – of the horse in horsepower.
Propagation characteristics of parallel propagating waves in a relativistic magnetized electron plasma
Authors: Khan Waseem , Ali M , Kanwal Ayesha , Bilal Huzaifa , Khokhar Tajammal H. , Habib Yousaf
Published: January 2022

Propagation characteristics (propagation regions and cutoffs) of parallel propagating modes (Langmuir, right- and left-handed circularly polarized waves) are studied for relativistic, weakly relativistic and non-relativistic magnetized electron plasma using the kinetic model. The dispersion relation for parallel propagating modes in relativistic electron plasma is investigated by employing the Maxwell–Boltzmann–J üttner distribution function and the final dispersion relation obtained is more general since no approximation is used. As the integrals in the relativistic dispersion relation cannot be done analytically so these integrals have been solved with the numerical quadrature approach. For

$\eta \leq 1$

(ratio of rest mass energy to thermal energy), the increase in the effective mass of electrons will result in a change in the mass-dependent quantities (plasma frequency, electron cyclotron frequency, electron sound velocity, etc.) which in turn significantly affect the propagation characteristics of parallel propagating modes. It is observed that the propagation region for these parallel propagating modes decreases and cutoff points are shifted to lower values when we consider a relativistic plasma environment. Moreover, a low-density and high-temperature plasma is more transparent as compared with a high-density and low-temperature plasma for these modes.
Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) interference and seed production in dry edible bean
Authors: Miranda Joshua W. A. , Jhala Amit J. , Bradshaw Jeffrey , Lawrence Nevin C.
Published: January 2022

Although Palmer amaranth is currently not widespread in most dry edible bean−producing states in the United States, it is widespread in western Nebraska, a major dry edible bean−producing region. There is currently a lack of research on management and biology of Palmer amaranth within dry edible bean production. The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of season-long Palmer amaranth interference on yield of dry edible bean and seed production of Palmer amaranth. A field study was conducted in Scottsbluff, NE, in 2020 and 2021. Palmer amaranth interference at densities of 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1, and 2 plants m−1row of dry edible bean was evaluated. Palmer amaranth interference reduced dry edible bean yield by 77% at a weed density of 2 plants m−1row compared to the weed-free control, and a 5% yield reduction threshold was estimated to occur at a Palmer amaranth density of 0.02 plants m−1row. Yield reduction occurred primarily through a reduction in the number of pods per plant as Palmer amaranth density increased. Palmer amaranth plants produced 91,000 to 376,000 seeds per plant depending on densities, and as many as 140,000 seeds m−2. Study results will help farmers and other stakeholders estimate Palmer amaranth interference within their fields, and may help justify the economic cost of incorporating additional Palmer amaranth management practices.
Cotton cultivar response to glufosinate plus S-metolachlor applied postemergence using two nozzle types
Authors: Greene Wykle C. , Tredaway Joyce A. , Price Andrew J. , Monks Dale
Published: January 2022

Field studies were conducted in Alabama in 2016 and 2017 to determine the effect of postemergence applications of glufosinate alone and glufosinate applied with S-metolachlor, using two different nozzle types, on LibertyLink®, XtendFlex®, and WideStrike® cotton growth and yield. Two applications of glufosinate at 0.6 kg ha−1, and glufosinate with S-metolachlor at 1.39 kg ha−1 were applied to each cotton cultivar at the four-leaf and eight-leaf growth stages using a flatfan and Turbo TeeJet Induction® nozzle. Visual estimates of cotton injury were evaluated after each application, as well as yield. No differences in yield within each cotton cultivar were observed for either year. Visible injury was higher for WideStrike cotton than LibertyLink or XtendFlex cultivars. On average, glufosinate applied with S-metolachlor resulted in greater injury than glufosinate applied alone. In LibertyLink cotton, applications made with TTI nozzles resulted in greater injury than flatfan nozzles. However, cotton injury was transient and did not affect cotton yields. These data indicate that applications of glufosinate and glufosinate applied with S-metolachlor, at 0.6 kg ha−1 and 1.39 kg ha−1, respectively, with either a flatfan or TTI nozzle, can have no detrimental effect on cotton growth or yield.
Dose–response screening of industrial hemp to herbicides commonly used in corn and soybean
Authors: Ortmeier-Clarke Haleigh J. , Oliveira Maxwel C. , Arneson Nicholas J. , Conley Shawn P. , Werle Rodrigo
Published: January 2022

Recent legalization of industrial hemp in the United States has led to increased interest among stakeholders to produce hemp for grain and fiber. However, owing to the lack of herbicides registered for use in hemp, producers are left with limited weed management strategies. Moreover, much of the agricultural land that could be used to cultivate industrial hemp may be prone to carryover of previously applied residual herbicides or physical drift from herbicides sprayed nearby. Industrial hemp sensitivity to herbicides is not well documented. Dose–response studies were conducted under controlled conditions in Madison, WI, screening two industrial hemp grain cultivars for tolerance to 44 preemergence and postemergence herbicides commonly used in corn and soybean. Treatments consisted of herbicides applied at 0×, 0.125×, 0.25×, 0.50×, 0.75×, 1×, 2×, and 4× the recommended maximum labeled rates based on soil type. Preemergence applications were delivered immediately after planting, whereas postemergence applications took place when hemp plants reached 5 to 10 cm in height. Nontreated plants served as the control and were used to estimate percent biomass reduction; dose–response curves were generated. Biomass reduction was >50% for rates under the suggested label rate for 23 preemergence and 21 postemergence herbicides tested. All herbicides tested resulted in >25% biomass reduction at the 0.125× rate, except for clopyralid applied preemergence and postemergence and saflufenacil applied preemergence. This is concerning, as the label rates are determined for effective weed control and the mitigation of herbicide resistance. Overall, these results indicate that industrial hemp is very sensitive to most herbicides tested. Growers should consider herbicide use history and surrounding crops when determining industrial hemp field selection to prevent significant plant injury due to herbicide carryover and drift. Further research into alternative methods of weed control will be vital to establishing hemp as a dominant crop once again.
Annual bluegrass weevil (Listronotus maculicollis) and paclobutrazol control annual bluegrass (Poa annua) in creeping bentgrass fairways
Authors: Diehl Katherine H. , Elmore Matthew T. , Koppenhöfer Albrecht M. , Murphy James A. , Kostromytska Olga S.
Published: January 2022

The annual bluegrass weevil (ABW) is a pest of fine turfgrass, but recent research has found that withholding insecticides for ABW control can reduce annual bluegrass cover. The objective of this research was to evaluate threshold-based insecticide and paclobutrazol programs for annual bluegrass control. The effect of three insecticide programs (preventive, threshold, and no insecticide) and four rates of paclobutrazol (0, 70, 105, or 210 g ha−1 applied monthly) were evaluated. Replicate experiments were conducted from April to November in both 2018 and 2019 on a mixed creeping bentgrass and annual bluegrass fairway in North Brunswick, NJ. By the conclusion of both experiments, all paclobutrazol programs exhibited reduced annual bluegrass cover compared with the nontreated plots. In threshold and no-insecticide programs, reduction in annual bluegrass cover was enhanced by paclobutrazol applied at 105 g ha−1 in both years, and at 70 g ha−1 in the 2019 experiment. Paclobutrazol at 210 g ha−1 resulted in annual bluegrass cover of <20% regardless of insecticide program. In 2019, threshold-based ABW control without paclobutrazol provided similar annual bluegrass control as monthly applications of paclobutrazol at 70 and 105 g ha−1 with the preventive insecticide program. A reduction in turfgrass quality from threshold-based insecticide programs persisted for a shorter duration than the no-insecticide program, regardless of paclobutrazol treatment. Threshold-based ABW insecticide programs that allow ABW feeding damage to occur can result in reduced annual bluegrass cover. These reductions were further enhanced by paclobutrazol applications. The combination of threshold-level insecticide with moderate rates of paclobutrazol (70 to 105 g ha−1) provided reductions in annual bluegrass cover that were similar to the highest rate of paclobutrazol (210 g ha−1) without ABW damage. Turfgrass managers who integrate the threshold-level insecticide approach and monthly paclobutrazol applications may achieve greater annual bluegrass control than either strategy alone if temporary reductions in turf quality can be tolerated.
A Post‐Phaseout Retrospective Reassessment of the Global Methyl Bromide Budget
Authors: Saltzman E. S. , Nicewonger M. R. , Montzka S. A. , Yvon‐Lewis S. A.
Published: January 2022

Methyl bromide is a stratospheric ozone‐depleting substance with both natural and anthropogenic sources. The global budget of methyl bromide has never been fully understood as evidenced by the significant budget gap between the bottom‐up source estimates and calculated atmospheric losses. Atmospheric methyl bromide levels have declined significantly since Phase‐out under the Montreal Protocol began in 1999, and the atmosphere appears to have reached a new steady state during the past five years. Here, we reassess the global methyl bromide budget utilizing the 25‐year record of atmospheric methyl bromide measurements from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Global Monitoring Laboratory global flask network and a zonal 6‐box coupled global ocean/atmosphere model. Model inversions were used to estimate the total emissions required to account for the observed atmospheric methyl bromide levels. From 1995 to 2019, global land‐based emissions (natural and anthropogenic) declined from about 120 to 85 Gg y−1 and net ocean emissions increased from −5 to +5 Gg y−1. There remains an imbalance between the bottom‐up estimates of terrestrial sources and the inversion result. Based on the timing, magnitude, and spatial distribution of the imbalance we partition it into (a) a persistent or time invariant source located primarily in the tropics, and (b) a smaller time‐varying component that scales with the anthropogenic source during phase‐out. We hypothesize that the persistent source is likely natural and the time variant component is an artifact resulting from a slight underestimation of anthropogenic emissions.
Natural Orthogonal Component Analysis of Daily Magnetic Variations at the Martian Surface: InSight Observations
Authors: Luo H. , Du A. M. , Ge Y. S. , Johnson C. L. , Mittelholz A. , Zhang Y. , Sun S. Q. , Zhao L. , Yu Y. , Tian L. , Li S. Y. , Xu W. Y.
Published: January 2022

Distinguishing different sources of magnetic field variations at InSight is important to understand dynamic processes in the Martian ionosphere as well as the coupling between the solar wind and the Martian induced magnetosphere. Recent studies based on magnetic field measurements from InSight have suggested that the daily and seasonal variations in the magnetic field at the Martian surface are at least partially the result of neutral wind‐driven ionospheric dynamo currents and their seasonal variations. However, the sources of the daily variations with different time scales need be further investigated. In this paper, magnetic field variations in a sol as well as during nearly a whole Martian year from InSight observations were decomposed into their natural orthogonal components. We found that the first eigenmode shows the previously identified early to midmorning peak, and varies with season. This corresponds to the solar quiet variations. The second and higher eigenmodes manifest the quasi‐Carrington and sub‐Carrington rotation periodicity represent disturbed components that may be stimulated by variations in the draped interplanetary magnetic field and/or the Martian ionospheric electron density. Different from their counterparts at the Earth, the amplitude of the first eigenmode is comparable with the sum of second to fifth ones, showing that the quiet and disturbed diurnal variations contribute similarly to the total diurnal variation. Decomposition of Martian surface magnetic field variations could provide monitoring of the Martian ionospheric current system as well as the solar wind conditions in the near‐Mars space, which will be greatly enhanced when combined with Zhurong Martian surface field measurements in the future.
The Role of Magma in the Birth of the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Lee Jack
Published: January 2022

High-resolution seismic models of the Nova Scotia margin reveal a role for magmatism in continental breakup, even at magma-poor sections of the eastern North American margin.
Impact of limited residential address on health effect analysis of predicted air pollution in a simulation study
Authors: Jun Yoon-Bae , Song Insang , Kim Ok-Jin , Kim Sun-Young
Published: January 2022

Background

Recent epidemiological studies of air pollution have adopted spatially-resolved prediction models to estimate air pollution concentrations at people’s homes. However, the benefit of these models was limited in many studies that used existing health data relying on incomplete addresses resulting from confidentiality concerns or lack of interest when designed.

Objective

This simulation study aimed to understand the impact of incomplete addresses on health effect estimation based on the association between particulate matter with diameter ≤10 µm (PM10) and low birth weight (LBW).

Methods

We generated true annual average concentrations of PM10at 46,007 mothers’ homes and their LBW status, using the parameters obtained from our data analysis and a previous study in Seoul, Korea. Then, we hypothesized that mothers’ address information is limited to the district and compared the properties of their health effect estimates of PM10with those using complete addresses. We performed this comparison across eight environmental scenarios that represent various spatial distributions of PM10and nine exposure prediction methods that provide different sets of predicted PM10concentrations of mothers.

Results

We observed increased bias and root mean square error consistently across all environmental scenarios and prediction methods using incomplete addresses compared to complete addresses. However, the bias related to incomplete addresses decreased when we used population-representative exposures averaged to the district from predicted PM10at census tract centroids.

Significance

Our simulation study suggested that individual exposure estimated by prediction approaches and averaged across population-representative points can provide improved accuracy in health effect estimates when complete address data are unavailable.

Impact statement

Our simulation study focused on a common and practical challenge of limited address information in air pollution epidemiology, and investigated its impact on health effect analysis. Cohort studies of air pollution have developed advanced exposure prediction model to allow the estimation of individual-level long-term air pollution concentrations at people’s addresses. However, it is common that address information of existing health data is available at the coarse spatial scale such as city, district, and zip code area. Our findings can help understand the possible consequences of limited address information and provide practical guidance in achieving the accuracy in health effect analysis.
7T ultra-high-field neuroimaging for mental health: an emerging tool for precision psychiatry?
Authors: Neuner Irene , Veselinović Tanja , Ramkiran Shukti , Rajkumar Ravichandran , Schnellbaecher Gereon Johannes , Shah N. Jon
Published: January 2022

Given the huge symptom diversity and complexity of mental disorders, an individual approach is the most promising avenue for clinical transfer and the establishment of personalized psychiatry. However, due to technical limitations, knowledge about the neurobiological basis of mental illnesses has, to date, mainly been based on findings resulting from evaluations of average data from certain diagnostic groups. We postulate that this could change substantially through the use of the emerging ultra-high-field MRI (UHF-MRI) technology. The main advantages of UHF-MRI include high signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in higher spatial resolution and contrast and enabling individual examinations of single subjects. Thus, we used this technology to assess changes in the properties of resting-state networks over the course of therapy in a naturalistic study of two depressed patients. Significant changes in several network property measures were found in regions corresponding to prior knowledge from group-level studies. Moreover, relevant parameters were already significantly divergent in both patients at baseline. In summary, we demonstrate the feasibility of UHF-MRI for capturing individual neurobiological correlates of mental diseases. These could serve as a tool for therapy monitoring and pave the way for a truly individualized and predictive clinical approach in psychiatric care.
Immune marker levels in severe mental disorders: associations with polygenic risk scores of related mental phenotypes and psoriasis
Authors: Werner Maren Caroline Frogner , Wirgenes Katrine Verena , Shadrin Alexey , Lunding Synve Hoffart , Rødevand Linn , Hjell Gabriela , Ormerod Monica Bettina Elkjær Greenwood , Haram Marit , Agartz Ingrid , Djurovic Srdjan , Melle Ingrid , Aukrust Pål , Ueland Thor , Andreassen Ole Andreas , Steen Nils Eiel
Published: January 2022

Several lines of evidence implicate immune abnormalities in the pathophysiology of severe mental disorders (SMD) and comorbid mental disorders. Here, we use the data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of autoimmune diseases and mental phenotypes associated with SMD to disentangle genetic susceptibilities of immune abnormalities in SMD. We included 1004 patients with SMD and 947 healthy controls (HC) and measured plasma levels of IL-1Ra, sIL-2R, gp130, sTNFR-1, IL-18, APRIL, and ICAM-1. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) of six autoimmune disorders, CRP, and 10 SMD-related mental phenotypes were calculated from GWAS. General linear models were applied to assess the association of PRS with immune marker abnormalities. We found negative associations between PRS of educational attainment and IL-1Ra (P = 0.01) and IL-18 (P = 0.01). There were nominal positive associations between PRS of psoriasis and sgp130 (P = 0.02) and PRS of anxiety and IL-18 (P = 0.03), and nominal negative associations between PRS of anxiety and sIL-2R (P = 0.02) and PRS of educational attainment and sIL-2R (P = 0.03). Associations explained minor amounts of the immune marker plasma-level difference between SMD and HC. Different PRS and immune marker associations in the SMD group compared to HC were shown for PRS of extraversion and IL-1Ra ([interaction effect (IE), P = 0.002), and nominally for PRS of openness and IL-1Ra (IE, P = 0.02) and sTNFR-1 (IE, P = 0.04). Our findings indicate polygenic susceptibilities to immune abnormalities in SMD involving genetic overlap with SMD-related mental phenotypes and psoriasis. Associations might suggest immune genetic factors of SMD subgroups characterized by autoimmune or specific mental features.
JAK2 inhibitor persistence in MPN: uncovering a central role of ERK activation
Authors: Pandey Garima , Kuykendall Andrew T. , Reuther Gary W.
Published: January 2022

The Philadelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasms, including polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, and myelofibrosis, are driven by hyper activation of the JAK2 tyrosine kinase, the result of mutations in three MPN driving genes: JAK2, MPL, and CALR. While the anti-inflammatory effects of JAK2 inhibitors can provide improved quality of life for many MPN patients, the upfront and persistent survival of disease-driving cells in MPN patients undergoing JAK2 inhibitor therapy thwarts potential for remission. Early studies indicated JAK2 inhibitor therapy induces heterodimeric complex formation of JAK2 with other JAK family members leading to sustained JAK2-dependent signaling. Recent work has described novel cell intrinsic details as well as cell extrinsic mechanisms that may contribute to why JAK2 inhibition may be ineffective at targeting MPN driving cells. Diverse experimental strategies aimed at uncovering mechanistic details that contribute to JAK2 inhibitor persistence have each highlighted the role of MEK/ERK activation. These approaches include, among others, phosphoproteomic analyses of JAK2 signaling as well as detailed assessment of JAK2 inhibition in mouse models of MPN. In this focused review, we highlight these and other studies that collectively suggest targeting MEK/ERK in combination with JAK2 inhibition has the potential to improve the efficacy of JAK2 inhibitors in MPN patients. As MPN patients patiently wait for improved therapies, such studies should further strengthen optimism that pre-clinical research is continuing to uncover mechanistic insights regarding the ineffectiveness of JAK2 inhibitors, which may lead to development of improved therapeutic strategies.
The EMT-induced lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 positively modulates NR2F1 expression and drives gastric cancer via miR-29a-3p/VAMP7 axis
Authors: Li Dandan , Xu Mengjie , Wang Zidi , Huang Pan , Huang Congcong , Chen Zhen , Tang Gaijuan , Zhu Xingji , Cai Mengyu , Qin Shanshan
Published: January 2022

Deregulated lncRNAs play critical roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. NR2F1-AS1 is an antisense lncRNA of NR2F1. However, the biological function of NR2F1-AS1 in gastric cancer (GC) remains largely unclear. In this study, we revealed that NR2F1-AS1 and NR2F1 were both positively correlated with the degree of malignancy and predicted poor prognosis in two independent GC cohorts. Besides, NR2F1-AS1 and NR2F1 can respond to Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling in GC, since their expression was increased by TGF-beta treatment and decreased after stable overexpression of OVOL2 in GC cell lines. NR2F1-AS1 and NR2F1 were highly co-expressed in pan-tissues and pan-cancers. Depletion of NR2F1-AS1 compromised the expression level of NR2F1 in GC cells. Furthermore, NR2F1-AS1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration, invasion and G1/S transition of GC cells. More importantly, transcriptome sequencing revealed a novel ceRNA network composed of NR2F1-AS1, miR-29a-3p, and VAMP7 in GC. The overexpression of VAMP7 predicted poor prognosis in GC. Rescue assay confirmed that NR2F1-AS1 promotes GC progression through miR-29a-3p/VAMP7 axis. Our finding highlights that the aberrant expression of NR2F1-AS1 is probably due to the abnormal EMT signaling in GC. LncRNA NR2F1-AS1 plays crucial roles in GC progression by modulating miR-29a-3p/VAMP7 axis, suggesting that NR2F1-AS1 may serve as a potential therapeutic target in GC.
Microskeletal stiffness promotes aortic aneurysm by sustaining pathological vascular smooth muscle cell mechanosensation via Piezo1
Authors: Qian Weiyi , Hadi Tarik , Silvestro Michele , Ma Xiao , Rivera Cristobal F. , Bajpai Apratim , Li Rui , Zhang Zijing , Qu Hengdong , Tellaoui Rayan Sleiman , Corsica Annanina , Zias Ariadne L. , Garg Karan , Maldonado Thomas , Ramkhelawon Bhama , Chen Weiqiang
Published: January 2022

Mechanical overload of the vascular wall is a pathological hallmark of life-threatening abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). However, how this mechanical stress resonates at the unicellular level of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) is undefined. Here we show defective mechano-phenotype signatures of VSMC in AAA measured with ultrasound tweezers-based micromechanical system and single-cell RNA sequencing technique. Theoretical modelling predicts that cytoskeleton alterations fuel cell membrane tension of VSMC, thereby modulating their mechanoallostatic responses which are validated by live micromechanical measurements. Mechanistically, VSMC gradually adopt a mechanically solid-like state by upregulating cytoskeleton crosslinker, α-actinin2, in the presence of AAA-promoting signal, Netrin-1, thereby directly powering the activity of mechanosensory ion channel Piezo1. Inhibition of Piezo1 prevents mice from developing AAA by alleviating pathological vascular remodeling. Our findings demonstrate that deviations of mechanosensation behaviors of VSMC is detrimental for AAA and identifies Piezo1 as a novel culprit of mechanically fatigued aorta in AAA.
Engineering the stambomycin modular polyketide synthase yields 37-membered mini-stambomycins
Authors: Su Li , Hôtel Laurence , Paris Cédric , Chepkirui Clara , Brachmann Alexander O. , Piel Jörn , Jacob Christophe , Aigle Bertrand , Weissman Kira J.
Published: January 2022

The modular organization of the type I polyketide synthases (PKSs) would seem propitious for rational engineering of desirable analogous. However, despite decades of efforts, such experiments remain largely inefficient. Here, we combine multiple, state-of-the-art approaches to reprogram the stambomycin PKS by deleting seven internal modules. One system produces the target 37-membered mini-stambomycin metabolites − a reduction in chain length of 14 carbons relative to the 51-membered parental compounds − but also substantial quantities of shunt metabolites. Our data also support an unprecedented off-loading mechanism of such stalled intermediates involving the C-terminal thioesterase domain of the PKS. The mini-stambomycin yields are reduced relative to wild type, likely reflecting the poor tolerance of the modules downstream of the modified interfaces to the non-native substrates. Overall, we identify factors contributing to the productivity of engineered whole assembly lines, but our findings also highlight the need for further research to increase production titers.
On-surface synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-substituted undecacenes
Authors: Eimre Kristjan , Urgel José I. , Hayashi Hironobu , Di Giovannantonio Marco , Ruffieux Pascal , Sato Shizuka , Otomo Satoru , Chan Yee Seng , Aratani Naoki , Passerone Daniele , Gröning Oliver , Yamada Hiroko , Fasel Roman , Pignedoli Carlo A.
Published: January 2022

Heteroatom substitution in acenes allows tailoring of their remarkable electronic properties, expected to include spin-polarization and magnetism for larger members of the acene family. Here, we present a strategy for the on-surface synthesis of three undecacene analogs substituted with four nitrogen atoms on an Au(111) substrate, by employing specifically designed diethano-bridged precursors. A similarly designed precursor is used to synthesize the pristine undecacene molecule. By comparing experimental features of scanning probe microscopy with ab initio simulations, we demonstrate that the ground state of the synthesized tetraazaundecacene has considerable open-shell character on Au(111). Additionally, we demonstrate that the electronegative nitrogen atoms induce a considerable shift in energy level alignment compared to the pristine undecacene, and that the introduction of hydro-aza groups causes local anti-aromaticity in the synthesized compounds. Our work provides access to the precise fabrication of nitrogen-substituted acenes and their analogs, potential building-blocks of organic electronics and spintronics, and a rich playground to explore π-electron correlation.
Competition for water induced by transnational land acquisitions for agriculture
Authors: Chiarelli Davide Danilo , D’Odorico Paolo , Müller Marc F. , Mueller Nathaniel D. , Davis Kyle Frankel , Dell’Angelo Jampel , Penny Gopal , Rulli Maria Cristina
Published: January 2022

The ongoing agrarian transition from smallholder farming to large-scale commercial agriculture promoted by transnational large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) often aims to increase crop yields through the expansion of irrigation. LSLAs are playing an increasingly prominent role in this transition. Yet it remains unknown whether foreign LSLAs by agribusinesses target areas based on specific hydrological conditions and whether these investments compete with the water needs of existing local users. Here we combine process-based crop and hydrological modelling, agricultural statistics, and georeferenced information on individual transnational LSLAs to evaluate emergence of water scarcity associated with LSLAs. While conditions of blue water scarcity already existed prior to land acquisitions, these deals substantially exacerbate blue water scarcity through both the adoption of water-intensive crops and the expansion of irrigated cultivation. These effects lead to new rival water uses in 105 of the 160 studied LSLAs (67% of the acquired land). Combined with our findings that investors target land with preferential access to surface and groundwater resources to support irrigation, this suggests that LSLAs often appropriate water resources to the detriment of local users.
Mapping brain structural differences and neuroreceptor correlates in Parkinson’s disease visual hallucinations
Authors: Vignando Miriam , ffytche Dominic , Lewis Simon J. G. , Lee Phil Hyu , Chung Seok Jong , Weil Rimona S. , Hu Michele T. , Mackay Clare E. , Griffanti Ludovica , Pins Delphine , Dujardin Kathy , Jardri Renaud , Taylor John-Paul , Firbank Michael , McAlonan Grainne , Mak Henry K. F. , Ho Shu Leong , Mehta Mitul A.
Published: January 2022

Parkinson’s psychosis (PDP) describes a spectrum of symptoms that may arise in Parkinson’s disease (PD) including visual hallucinations (VH). Imaging studies investigating the neural correlates of PDP have been inconsistent in their findings, due to differences in study design and limitations of scale. Here we use empirical Bayes harmonisation to pool together structural imaging data from multiple research groups into a large-scale mega-analysis, allowing us to identify cortical regions and networks involved in VH and their relation to receptor binding. Differences of morphometrics analysed show a wider cortical involvement underlying VH than previously recognised, including primary visual cortex and surrounding regions, and the hippocampus, independent of its role in cognitive decline. Structural covariance analyses point to the involvement of the attentional control networks in PD-VH, while associations with receptor density maps suggest neurotransmitter loss may be linked to the cortical changes.
The MuvB complex binds and stabilizes nucleosomes downstream of the transcription start site of cell-cycle dependent genes
Authors: Asthana Anushweta , Ramanan Parameshwaran , Hirschi Alexander , Guiley Keelan Z. , Wijeratne Tilini U. , Shelansky Robert , Doody Michael J. , Narasimhan Haritha , Boeger Hinrich , Tripathi Sarvind , Müller Gerd A. , Rubin Seth M.
Published: January 2022

The chromatin architecture in promoters is thought to regulate gene expression, but it remains uncertain how most transcription factors (TFs) impact nucleosome position. The MuvB TF complex regulates cell-cycle dependent gene-expression and is critical for differentiation and proliferation during development and cancer. MuvB can both positively and negatively regulate expression, but the structure of MuvB and its biochemical function are poorly understood. Here we determine the overall architecture of MuvB assembly and the crystal structure of a subcomplex critical for MuvB function in gene repression. We find that the MuvB subunits LIN9 and LIN37 function as scaffolding proteins that arrange the other subunits LIN52, LIN54 and RBAP48 for TF, DNA, and histone binding, respectively. Biochemical and structural data demonstrate that MuvB binds nucleosomes through an interface that is distinct from LIN54-DNA consensus site recognition and that MuvB increases nucleosome occupancy in a reconstituted promoter. We find in arrested cells that MuvB primarily associates with a tightly positioned +1 nucleosome near the transcription start site (TSS) of MuvB-regulated genes. These results support a model that MuvB binds and stabilizes nucleosomes just downstream of the TSS on its target promoters to repress gene expression.
Defective humoral immunity disrupts bile acid homeostasis which promotes inflammatory disease of the small bowel
Authors: Mohammed Ahmed Dawood , Mohammed Zahraa , Roland Mary M. , Chatzistamou Ioulia , Jolly Amy , Schoettmer Lillian M. , Arroyo Mireya , Kakar Khadija , Tian Yuan , Patterson Andrew , Nagarkatti Mitzi , Nagarkatti Prakash , Kubinak Jason L.
Published: January 2022

Mucosal antibodies maintain gut homeostasis by promoting spatial segregation between host tissues and luminal microbes. Whether and how mucosal antibody responses influence gut health through modulation of microbiota composition is unclear. Here, we use a CD19−/− mouse model of antibody-deficiency to demonstrate that a relationship exists between dysbiosis, defects in bile acid homeostasis, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy of the small intestine. The gluten-sensitive small intestine enteropathy that develops in CD19−/− mice is associated with alterations to luminal bile acid composition in the SI, marked by significant reductions in the abundance of conjugated bile acids. Manipulation of bile acid availability, adoptive transfer of functional B cells, and ablation of bacterial bile salt hydrolase activity all influence the severity of small intestine enteropathy in CD19−/− mice. Collectively, results from our experiments support a model whereby mucosal humoral immune responses limit inflammatory disease of the small bowel by regulating bacterial BA metabolism.
The pollen virome of wild plants and its association with variation in floral traits and land use
Authors: Fetters Andrea M. , Cantalupo Paul G. , Wei Na , Robles Maria Teresa Sáenz , Stanley Aiden M. , Stephens Jessica D. , Pipas James M. , Ashman Tia-Lynn
Published: January 2022

Pollen is a unique vehicle for viral spread. Pollen-associated viruses hitchhike on or within pollen grains and are transported to other plants by pollinators. They are deposited on flowers and have a direct pathway into the plant and next generation via seeds. To discover the diversity of pollen-associated viruses and identify contributing landscape and floral features, we perform a species-level metagenomic survey of pollen from wild, visually asymptomatic plants, located in one of four regions in the United States of America varying in land use. We identify many known and novel pollen-associated viruses, half belonging to the Bromoviridae, Partitiviridae, and Secoviridae viral families, but many families are represented. Across the regions, species harbor more viruses when surrounded by less natural and more human-modified environments than the reverse, but we note that other region-level differences may also covary with this. When examining the novel connection between virus richness and floral traits, we find that species with multiple, bilaterally symmetric flowers and smaller, spikier pollen harbored more viruses than those with opposite traits. The association of viral diversity with floral traits highlights the need to incorporate plant-pollinator interactions as a driver of pollen-associated virus transport into the study of plant-viral interactions.
Amino acid gas phase circular dichroism and implications for the origin of biomolecular asymmetry
Authors: Meinert Cornelia , Garcia Adrien D. , Topin Jérémie , Jones Nykola C. , Diekmann Mira , Berger Robert , Nahon Laurent , Hoffmann Søren V. , Meierhenrich Uwe J.
Published: January 2022

Life on Earth employs chiral amino acids in stereochemical l-form, but the cause of molecular symmetry breaking remains unknown. Chiroptical properties of amino acids – expressed in circular dichroism (CD) – have been previously investigated in solid and solution phase. However, both environments distort the intrinsic charge distribution associated with CD transitions. Here we report on CD and anisotropy spectra of amino acids recorded in the gas phase, where any asymmetry is solely determined by the genuine electromagnetic transition moments. Using a pressure- and temperature-controlled gas cell coupled to a synchrotron radiation CD spectropolarimeter, we found CD active transitions and anisotropies in the 130–280 nm range, which are rationalized by ab initio calculation. As gas phase glycine was found in a cometary coma, our data may provide insights into gas phase asymmetric photochemical reactions in the life cycle of interstellar gas and dust, at the origin of the enantiomeric selection of life’s l-amino acids.
An improved density peaks clustering algorithm based on grid screening and mutual neighborhood degree for network anomaly detection
Authors: Chen Liangchen , Gao Shu , Liu Baoxu
Published: January 2022

With the rapid development of network technologies and the increasing amount of network abnormal traffic, network anomaly detection presents challenges. Existing supervised methods cannot detect unknown attack, and unsupervised methods have low anomaly detection accuracy. Here, we propose a clustering-based network anomaly detection model, and then a novel density peaks clustering algorithm DPC-GS-MND based on grid screening and mutual neighborhood degree for network anomaly detection. The DPC-GS-MND algorithm utilizes grid screening to effectively reduce the computational complexity, improves the clustering accuracy through mutual neighborhood degree, and also defines a cluster center decision value for automatically selecting cluster centers. We implement complete experiments on two real-world datasets KDDCup99 and CIC-IDS-2017, and the experimental results demonstrated that the proposed DPC-GS-MND can detect network anomaly traffic with higher accuracy and efficiency. Together, it has a good application prospect in the network anomaly detection system in complex network environments.
Differential impact of government lockdown policies on reducing air pollution levels and related mortality in Europe
Authors: Schneider Rochelle , Masselot Pierre , Vicedo-Cabrera Ana M. , Sera Francesco , Blangiardo Marta , Forlani Chiara , Douros John , Jorba Oriol , Adani Mario , Kouznetsov Rostislav , Couvidat Florian , Arteta Joaquim , Raux Blandine , Guevara Marc , Colette Augustin , Barré Jérôme , Peuch Vincent-Henri , Gasparrini Antonio
Published: January 2022

Previous studies have reported a decrease in air pollution levels following the enforcement of lockdown measures during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, these investigations were mostly based on simple pre-post comparisons using past years as a reference and did not assess the role of different policy interventions. This study contributes to knowledge by quantifying the association between specific lockdown measures and the decrease in NO2, O3, PM2.5, and PM10 levels across 47 European cities. It also estimated the number of avoided deaths during the period. This paper used new modelled data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) to define business-as-usual and lockdown scenarios of daily air pollution trends. This study applies a spatio-temporal Bayesian non-linear mixed effect model to quantify the changes in pollutant concentrations associated with the stringency indices of individual policy measures. The results indicated non-linear associations with a stronger decrease in NO2 compared to PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations at very strict policy levels. Differences across interventions were also identified, specifically the strong effects of actions linked to school/workplace closure, limitations on gatherings, and stay-at-home requirements. Finally, the observed decrease in pollution potentially resulted in hundreds of avoided deaths across Europe.
Risk of Plasmodium falciparum infection in south-west Burkina Faso: potential impact of expanding eligibility for seasonal malaria chemoprevention
Authors: Yaro Jean Baptiste , Tiono Alfred B. , Ouedraogo Alphonse , Lambert Ben , Ouedraogo Z. Amidou , Diarra Amidou , Traore Adama , Lankouande Malik , Soulama Issiaka , Sanou Antoine , Worrall Eve , Agboraw Efundem , Sagnon N’Fale , Ranson Hilary , Churcher Thomas S. , Lindsay Steve W. , Wilson Anne L.
Published: January 2022

Burkina Faso has one of the highest malaria burdens in sub-Saharan Africa despite the mass deployment of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and use of seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in children aged up to 5 years. Identification of risk factors for Plasmodium falciparum infection in rural Burkina Faso could help to identify and target malaria control measures. A cross-sectional survey of 1,199 children and adults was conducted during the peak malaria transmission season in the Cascades Region of south-west Burkina Faso in 2017. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for microscopically confirmed P. falciparum infection. A malaria transmission dynamic model was used to determine the impact on malaria cases averted of administering SMC to children aged 5–15 year old. P. falciparum prevalence was 32.8% in the study population. Children aged 5 to < 10 years old were at 3.74 times the odds (95% CI = 2.68–5.22, P < 0.001) and children aged 10 to 15 years old at 3.14 times the odds (95% CI = 1.20–8.21, P = 0.02) of P. falciparum infection compared to children aged less than 5 years old. Administration of SMC to children aged up to 10 years is predicted to avert an additional 57 malaria cases per 1000 population per year (9.4% reduction) and administration to children aged up to 15 years would avert an additional 89 malaria cases per 1000 population per year (14.6% reduction) in the Cascades Region, assuming current coverage of pyrethroid-piperonyl butoxide ITNs. Malaria infections were high in all age strata, although highest in children aged 5 to 15 years, despite roll out of core malaria control interventions. Given the burden of infection in school-age children, extension of the eligibility criteria for SMC could help reduce the burden of malaria in Burkina Faso and other countries in the region.