bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Diurnal Cycle of Winter Season Temperature Errors in the Operational Global Forecast System (GFS)
Authors: Patel Ronak N. , Yuter Sandra E. , Miller Matthew A. , Rhodes Spencer R. , Bain Lily , Peele Toby W.
Published: October 2021

Forecasts from NOAA's Global Forecast System (GFS) and the High‐Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) weather models are matched to surface observations for the winter season of November 2019 to March 2020 at 210 airports across the United States. The 2‐m temperature errors, conditioned on observed weather conditions such as cloud cover amount and wind speed, are used to determine the nature of systematic model biases. We observe a strong diurnal cycle in 2‐m temperature errors in the GFS in conditions with 50% and 25% sky cover, with a 1°C warm bias at night and a 2°C cold bias during the day. The HRRR, which uses a different set of physical parameterizations, does not have a clear diurnal cycle in errors under the same conditions. These results highlight the utility of weather‐conditional comparisons across the diurnal cycle to diagnose sources of model weaknesses and to target model improvements.
A 3D MHD‐Particle Tracing Model of Na+ Energization on Mercury's Dayside
Authors: Glass Austin N. , Raines Jim M. , Jia Xianzhe , Tenishev Valeriy , Shou Yinsi , Aizawa Sae , Slavin James A.
Published: October 2021

Data collected by the Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer (FIPS) aboard the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft showed singly charged Na+‐group ions at energies of between 1 and 13 keV in Mercury's northern planetary cusp. Most of these ions are likely formed by either photoionization or charge exchange of exospheric Na atoms, with initial energies of approximately 1 eV or less. FIPS observations did not establish which acceleration mechanism most reasonably accounts for this energy gain. Using the Adaptive Mesh Particle Simulator (AMPS) model, we undertake kinetic simulations of 1 eV Na+ test particles through the electric and magnetic fields output from the Block Adaptive Tree Solar wind Roe‐type Upwind Scheme (BATSRUS) global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of Mercury's magnetosphere, in search of plausible explanations for the source of this energization. We find that Na+ with initial energy of 1 eV are readily picked up by the Dungey cycle return flow in the dayside magnetosphere. In some cases, this flow provides the energy for the ions to escape into the magnetosheath, and in other cases it energizes the ions to hundreds of eV before they pass immediately into the cusp. Those that escape can be rapidly picked up into the magnetosheath flow, where they are accelerated by pickup again up to tens of keV. These one‐ and two‐stage pickup processes on Mercury's dayside can account for the energies of many of the Na+ ions observed in Mercury's northern magnetospheric cusp by MESSENGER.
A Pseudo‐Lagrangian Transformation to Study a Chlorophyll‐a Patch in the Ría de Vigo (NW Iberian Peninsula)
Authors: Villamaña M. , Franks P. J. S. , Fernández Castro B. , Gilcoto M. , Marañón E. , Mouriño‐Carballido B.
Published: October 2021

Because of the difficulties in tracking a water mass over time and conducting synoptic surveys over large spatial scales, measurements of biological variables in the ocean are often restricted to isolated Eulerian observations. Here a proof‐of‐concept of a pseudo‐Lagrangian transformation was applied to a time series of chlorophyll‐a profiles acquired at a single fixed station to diagnose the shape of a phytoplankton patch, and its physical‐biological rates of transformation. During August 2013, a 27‐hr time series of observations of horizontal currents, hydrographic properties, turbulent mixing and chlorophyll‐a was acquired at a central station of the Ría de Vigo (NW Iberian Peninsula). A chlorophyll‐a patch, tilted upward toward the inner part of the Ría, was observed moving back and forth past the sampling station. Its shape and position during the sampling period were modulated by the semi‐diurnal (M2) tidal currents and the vertically sheared upwelling circulation. The pseudo‐Lagrangian transformation allowed estimation of chlorophyll‐a net rates of change. These rates were positive between 12 and 14 m depth, and negative elsewhere, with a mean value of −0.001 ± 0.449 days−1 within the patch maximum. After accounting for the effects of diffusion and sinking, the mean net biological production rate in the upper 15 m (0.53 ± 0.25 days−1) was comparable with in vitro estimates of the balance between phytoplankton growth and mortality obtained from dilution experiments carried out under similar conditions (0.2 ± 0.7 days−1). This pseudo‐Lagrangian transformation is complementary to traditional analyses for the quantification of ecological processes and biogeochemical budgets.
Inducible Prmt1 ablation in adult vascular smooth muscle leads to contractile dysfunction and aortic dissection
Authors: Pyun Jung-Hoon , Ahn Byeong-Yun , Vuong Tuan Anh , Kim Su Woo , Jo Yunju , Jeon Jaehyung , Baek Seung Ho , Kim Jaewon , Park Sungsu , Bae Gyu-Un , Choi Jun-Hyuk , Kim Jae-Ryong , Ryu Dongryeol , Lee Sang-Jin , Kang Jong-Sun
Published: October 2021

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) have remarkable plasticity in response to diverse environmental cues. Although these cells are versatile, chronic stress can trigger VSMC dysfunction, which ultimately leads to vascular diseases such as aortic aneurysm and atherosclerosis. Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (Prmt1) is a major enzyme catalyzing asymmetric arginine dimethylation of proteins that are sources of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Although a potential role of Prmt1 in vascular pathogenesis has been proposed, its role in vascular function has yet to be clarified. Here, we investigated the role and underlying mechanism of Prmt1 in vascular smooth muscle contractility and function. The expression of PRMT1 and contractile-related genes was significantly decreased in the aortas of elderly humans and patients with aortic aneurysms. Mice with VSMC-specific Prmt1 ablation (smKO) exhibited partial lethality, low blood pressure and aortic dilation. The Prmt1-ablated aortas showed aortic dissection with elastic fiber degeneration and cell death. Ex vivo and in vitro analyses indicated that Prmt1 ablation significantly decreased the contractility of the aorta and traction forces of VSMCs. Prmt1 ablation downregulated the expression of contractile genes such as myocardin while upregulating the expression of synthetic genes, thus causing the contractile to synthetic phenotypic switch of VSMCs. In addition, mechanistic studies demonstrated that Prmt1 directly regulates myocardin gene activation by modulating epigenetic histone modifications in the myocardin promoter region. Thus, our study demonstrates that VSMC Prmt1 is essential for vascular homeostasis and that its ablation causes aortic dilation/dissection through impaired myocardin expression.
Kleptoplast distribution, photosynthetic efficiency and sequestration mechanisms in intertidal benthic foraminifera
Authors: Jesus Bruno , Jauffrais Thierry , Trampe Erik C L , Goessling Johannes W , Lekieffre Charlotte , Meibom Anders , Kühl Michael , Geslin Emmanuelle
Published: October 2021

Foraminifera are ubiquitously distributed in marine habitats, playing a major role in marine sediment carbon sequestration and the nitrogen cycle. They exhibit a wide diversity of feeding and behavioural strategies (heterotrophy, autotrophy and mixotrophy), including species with the ability of sequestering intact functional chloroplasts from their microalgal food source (kleptoplastidy), resulting in a mixotrophic lifestyle. The mechanisms by which kleptoplasts are integrated and kept functional inside foraminiferal cytosol are poorly known. In our study, we investigated relationships between feeding strategies, kleptoplast spatial distribution and photosynthetic functionality in two shallow-water benthic foraminifera (Haynesina germanica and Elphidium williamsoni), both species feeding on benthic diatoms. We used a combination of observations of foraminiferal feeding behaviour, test morphology, cytological TEM-based observations and HPLC pigment analysis, with non-destructive, single-cell level imaging of kleptoplast spatial distribution and PSII quantum efficiency. The two species showed different feeding strategies, with H. germanica removing diatom content at the foraminifer’s apertural region and E. williamsoni on the dorsal site. All E. williamsoni parameters showed that this species has higher autotrophic capacity albeit both feeding on benthic diatoms. This might represent two different stages in the evolutionary process of establishing a permanent symbiotic relationship, or may reflect different trophic strategies.
Rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 using FT-IR ATR spectroscopy and machine learning
Authors: Nogueira Marcelo Saito , Leal Leonardo Barbosa , Marcarini Wena Dantas , Pimentel Raquel Lemos , Muller Matheus , Vassallo Paula Frizera , Campos Luciene Cristina Gastalho , dos Santos Leonardo , Luiz Wilson Barros , Mill José Geraldo , Barauna Valerio Garrone , de Carvalho Luis Felipe das Chagas e Silva
Published: October 2021

Early diagnosis of COVID-19 in suspected patients is essential for contagion control and damage reduction strategies. We investigated the applicability of attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy associated with machine learning in oropharyngeal swab suspension fluid to predict COVID-19 positive samples. The study included samples of 243 patients from two Brazilian States. Samples were transported by using different viral transport mediums (liquid 1 or 2). Clinical COVID-19 diagnosis was performed by the RT-PCR. We built a classification model based on partial least squares (PLS) associated with cosine k-nearest neighbours (KNN). Our analysis led to 84% and 87% sensitivity, 66% and 64% specificity, and 76.9% and 78.4% accuracy for samples of liquids 1 and 2, respectively. Based on this proof-of-concept study, we believe this method could offer a simple, label-free, cost-effective solution for high-throughput screening of suspect patients for COVID-19 in health care centres and emergency departments.
Synchronous imaging of pelvic geometry and muscle morphometry: a pilot study of pelvic retroversion using upright MRI
Authors: Shaikh Noor , Zhang Honglin , Brown Stephen H. M. , Lari Hamza , Lasry Oliver , Street John , Wilson David R. , Oxland Thomas
Published: October 2021

This study investigated feasibility of imaging lumbopelvic musculature and geometry in tandem using upright magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in asymptomatic adults, and explored the effect of pelvic retroversion on lumbopelvic musculature and geometry. Six asymptomatic volunteers were imaged (0.5 T upright MRI) in 4 postures: standing, standing pelvic retroversion, standing 30° flexion, and supine. Measures included muscle morphometry [cross-sectional area (CSA), circularity, radius, and angle] of the gluteus and iliopsoas, and pelvic geometry [pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), L3–S1 lumbar lordosis (LL)] L3-coccyx. With four volunteers repeating postures, and three raters assessing repeatability, there was generally good repeatability [ICC(3,1) 0.80–0.97]. Retroversion had level dependent effects on muscle measures, for example gluteus CSA and circularity increased (up to 22%). Retroversion increased PT, decreased SS, and decreased L3–S1 LL, but did not affect PI. Gluteus CSA and circularity also had level-specific correlations with PT, SS, and L3–S1 LL. Overall, upright MRI of the lumbopelvic musculature is feasible with good reproducibility, and the morphometry of the involved muscles significantly changes with posture. This finding has the potential to be used for clinical consideration in designing and performing future studies with greater number of healthy subjects and patients.
Assessing the cascading impacts of natural disasters in a multi-layer behavioral network framework
Authors: Naqvi Asjad , Monasterolo Irene
Published: October 2021

Natural disasters negatively impact regions and exacerbate socioeconomic vulnerabilities. While the direct impacts of natural disasters are well understood, the channels through which these shocks spread to non-affected regions, still represents an open research question. In this paper we propose modelling socioeconomic systems as spatially-explicit, multi-layer behavioral networks, where the interplay of supply-side production, and demand-side consumption decisions, can help us understand how climate shocks cascade. We apply this modelling framework to analyze the spatial-temporal evolution of vulnerability following a negative food-production shock in one part of an agriculture-dependent economy. Simulation results show that vulnerability is cyclical, and its distribution critically depends on the network density and distance from the epicenter of the shock. We also introduce a new multi-layer measure, the Vulnerability Rank (VRank), which synthesizes various location-level risks into a single index. This framework can help design policies, aimed to better understand, effectively respond, and build resilience to natural disasters. This is particularly important for poorer regions, where response time is critical and financial resources are limited.
Molecular testing and analysis of disease spreading during the emergence of COVID-19 in Macaé, the Brazilian National Capital of Oil
Authors: Feitosa Natália Martins , da Costa Rodrigues Bruno , Petry Ana Cristina , Nocchi Keity Jaqueline Chagas Vilela , de Moraes Brindeiro Rodrigo , Zilberberg Carla , Monteiro-de-Barros Cintia , Mury Flavia Borges , de Souza-Menezes Jackson , Nepomuceno-Silva José Luciano , da Silva Manuela Leal , de Medeiros Marcio José , de Souza Gestinari Raquel , da Silva de Alvarenga Alessandra , Pozzobon Allan Pierre Bonetti , Silva Carina Azevedo Oliveira , das Graças dos Santos Daniele , Silvestre Diego Henrique , de Sousa Graziele Fonseca , de Almeida Janimayri Forastieri , da Silva Jhenifer Nascimento , Brandão Layza Mendes , de Oliveira Drummond Leandro , Neto Lupis Ribeiro Gomes , de Mello Carpes Raphael , dos Santos Renata Coutinho , Portal Taynan Motta , Tanuri Amilcar , Nunes-da-Fonseca Rodrigo
Published: October 2021

The Brazilian strategy to overcome the spread of COVID-19 has been particularly criticized due to the lack of a national coordinating effort and an appropriate testing program. Here, a successful approach to control the spread of COVID-19 transmission is described by the engagement of public (university and governance) and private sectors (hospitals and oil companies) in Macaé, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a city known as the National Oil Capital. In 2020 between the 17th and 38th epidemiological week, over two percent of the 206,728 citizens were subjected to symptom analysis and RT-qPCR testing by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, with positive individuals being notified up to 48 h after swab collection. Geocodification and spatial cluster analysis were used to limit COVID-19 spreading in Macaé. Within the first semester after the outbreak of COVID-19 in Brazil, Macaé recorded 1.8% of fatalities associated with COVID-19 up to the 38th epidemiological week, which was at least five times lower than the state capital (10.6%). Overall, considering the successful experience of this joint effort of private and public engagement in Macaé, our data suggest that the development of a similar strategy countrywise could have contributed to a better control of the COVID-19 spread in Brazil. Quarantine decree by the local administration, comprehensive molecular testing coupled to scientific analysis of COVID-19 spreading, prevented the catastrophic consequences of the pandemic as seen in other populous cities within the state of Rio de Janeiro and elsewhere in Brazil.
The mitochondrial signaling peptide MOTS-c improves myocardial performance during exercise training in rats
Authors: Yuan Jinghan , Wang Manda , Pan Yanrong , Liang Min , Fu Yu , Duan Yimei , Tang Mi , Laher Ismail , Li Shunchang
Published: October 2021

Cardiac remodeling is a physiological adaptation to aerobic exercise and which is characterized by increases in ventricular volume and the number of cardiomyocytes. The mitochondrial derived peptide MOTS-c functions as an important regulator in physical capacity and performance. Exercise elevates levels of endogenous MOTS-c in circulation and in myocardium, while MOTS-c can significantly enhance exercise capacity. However, the effects of aerobic exercise combined with MOTS-c on cardiac structure and function are unclear. We used pressure–volume conductance catheter technique to examine cardiac function in exercised rats with and without treatment with MOTS-c. Surprisingly, MOTS-c improved myocardial mechanical efficiency, enhanced cardiac systolic function, and had a tendency to improve the diastolic function. The findings suggest that using exercise supplements could be used to modulate the cardiovascular benefits of athletic training.
Immunometabolic factors in adolescent chronic disease are associated with Th1 skewing of invariant Natural Killer T cells
Authors: Ververs Francesca A. , Engelen Suzanne E. , Nuboer Roos , Vastert Bas , van der Ent Cornelis K. , van’t Land Belinda , Garssen Johan , Monaco Claudia , Boes Marianne , Schipper Henk S.
Published: October 2021

Invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells respond to the ligation of lipid antigen-CD1d complexes via their T-cell receptor and are implicated in various immunometabolic diseases. We considered that immunometabolic factors might affect iNKT cell function. To this end, we investigated iNKT cell phenotype and function in a cohort of adolescents with chronic disease and immunometabolic abnormalities. We analyzed peripheral blood iNKT cells of adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF, n = 24), corrected coarctation of the aorta (CoA, n = 25), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA, n = 20), obesity (OB, n = 20), and corrected atrial septal defect (ASD, n = 25) as controls. To study transcriptional differences, we performed RNA sequencing on a subset of obese patients and controls. Finally, we performed standardized co-culture experiments using patient plasma, to investigate the effect of plasma factors on iNKT cell function. We found comparable iNKT cell numbers across patient groups, except for reduced iNKT cell numbers in JIA patients. Upon ex-vivo activation, we observed enhanced IFN-γ/IL-4 cytokine ratios in iNKT cells of obese adolescents versus controls. The Th1-skewed iNKT cell cytokine profile of obese adolescents was not explained by a distinct transcriptional profile of the iNKT cells. Co-culture experiments with patient plasma revealed that across all patient groups, obesity-associated plasma factors including LDL-cholesterol, leptin, and fatty-acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) coincided with higher IFN-γ production, whereas high HDL-cholesterol and insulin sensitivity (QUICKI) coincided with higher IL-4 production. LDL and HDL supplementation in co-culture studies confirmed the effects of lipoproteins on iNKT cell cytokine production. These results suggest that circulating immunometabolic factors such as lipoproteins may be involved in Th1 skewing of the iNKT cell cytokine response in immunometabolic disease.
Anthrahydroquinone-2-6-disulfonate is a novel, powerful antidote for paraquat poisoning
Authors: Qian Jin , Wu Chun-Yuan , Wu Dong-Ming , Li Li-Hua , Li Qi , Deng Tang , Huang Qi-Feng , Xu Shuang-Qin , Wang Hang-Fei , Wu Xin-Xin , Cheng Zi-Yi , Lv Chuan-Zhu , Liu Xiao-Ran
Published: October 2021

Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used fast-acting pyridine herbicide. Accidental ingestion or self-administration via various routes can cause severe organ damage. Currently, no effective antidote is available commercially, and the mortality rate of poisoned patients is exceptionally high. Here, the efficacy of anthrahydroquinone-2-6-disulfonate (AH2QDS) was observed in treating PQ poisoning by constructing in vivo and ex vivo models. We then explored the detoxification mechanism of AH2QDS. We demonstrated that, in a rat model, the PQ concentration in the PQ + AH2QDS group significantly decreased compared to the PQ only group. Additionally, AH2QDS protected the mitochondria of rats and A549 cells and decreased oxidative stress damage, thus improving animal survival and cell viability. Finally, the differentially expressed genes were analysed in the PQ + AH2QDS group and the PQ group by NextGen sequencing, and we verified that Nrf2’s expression in the PQ + AH2QDS group was significantly higher than that in the PQ group. Our work identified that AH2QDS can detoxify PQ by reducing PQ uptake and protecting mitochondria while enhancing the body's antioxidant activity.
Pharmacoethnicity of FOLFIRINOX versus gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in metastatic pancreatic cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Yoon Suk , Lee Jong-chan , Kim Jae-Hyeong , Kim Jaihwan , Hwang Jin-Hyeok
Published: October 2021

Treatment outcomes between FOLFIRINOX (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) and GNP (gemcitabine with albumin-bound paclitaxel) as first-line chemotherapy regimens for metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC) were assessed according to ethnic groups categorized as Western or Asian subgroups. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were searched. Thirteen studies were eligible in this meta-analysis. Overall survival was not significantly different between FOLFIRINOX and GNP (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.83–1.20, P = 0.990). However, the Western subgroup showed a higher survival benefit for FOLFIRINOX over GNP (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74–0.95, P = 0.006) whereas the Asian subgroup showed the survival benefit for GNP over FOLFIRINOX (HR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03–1.60, P = 0.030). Progression free survival was not significantly different between the two regimens in the Western subgroup (HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.84–1.20, P = 0.950) and the Asian subgroup (HR 1.13, 95% CI 0.97–1.33, P = 0.110). Occurrence of febrile neutropenia was significantly higher in FOLFIRINOX at both ethnic subgroups; however, that of peripheral neuropathy was significantly higher only in GNP of the Asian subgroup. Therefore, pharmacoethnicity might be a factor worth considering when deciding on a frontline chemotherapeutic regimen although the overall survival was not significantly different between FOLFIRINOX and GNP for metastatic PCs.
Species richness and β-diversity patterns of macrolichens along elevation gradients across the Himalayan Arc
Authors: Nanda Subzar Ahmad , Haq Manzoor-ul , Singh S. P. , Reshi Zafar A. , Rawal Ranbeer S. , Kumar Devendra , Bisht Kapil , Upadhyay Shashi , Upreti D. K. , Pandey Aseesh
Published: October 2021

Understanding the species richness and β-diversity patterns along elevation gradients can aid in formulating effective conservation strategies particularly in areas where local anthropogenic stresses and climate change are quite significant as in the Himalaya. Thus, we studied macrolichen richness and β-diversity along elevational gradients at three sites, namely Kashmir (2200 to 3800 m a.m.s.l), Uttarakhand (2000–3700 m a.m.s.l) and Sikkim (1700 to 4000 m a.m.s.l) which cover much of the Indian Himalayan Arc. In all, 245 macrolichen species belonging to 77 genera and 26 families were collected from the three sites. Only 11 species, 20 genera and 11 families were common among the three transects. Despite the differences in species composition, the dominant functional groups in the three sites were the same: foliose, fruticose and corticolous forms. The hump-shaped elevation pattern in species richness was exhibited by most of the lichen groups, though an inverse hump-shaped pattern was also observed in certain cases. β-diversity (βsor) based on all pairs of comparisons along an elevation gradient varied from 0.48 to 0.58 in Kashmir, 0.03 to 0.63 in Uttarakhand and 0.46 to 0.77 in Sikkim. The contribution of turnover to β-diversity was more than nestedness at all the three transects. Along elevation β-diversity and its components of turnover and nestedness varied significantly with elevation. While species turnover increased significantly along the elevation in all the three transects, nestedness decreased significantly in Kashmir and Sikkim transects but increased significantly in the Uttarakhand transect. Except for the Kashmir Himalayan elevation transect, stepwise β-diversity and its components of turnover and nestedness did not vary significantly with elevation. The present study, the first of its kind in the Himalayan region, clearly brings out that macrolichen species richness, β-diversity, and its components of turnover and nestedness vary along the elevation gradients across the Himalayan Arc. It also highlights that contribution of turnover to β-diversity is higher in comparison to nestedness at all the three transects. The variations in species richness and diversity along elevation gradients underpin the importance of considering elevational gradients in planning conservation strategies.
Reproductive trade-offs of the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis under different thermal and haline regimes
Authors: Souissi Anissa , Hwang Jiang-Shiou , Souissi Sami
Published: October 2021

Copepod females invest a quantity of resources in their reproduction. Depending on several biotic and abiotic factors and their evolutionary history a trade-off can be commonly observed between producing a large number of smaller offspring or a small number of larger offspring. In this study, a multi-generational approach was applied to determine whether a trade-off between clutch size and egg size existed in the copepod Eurytemora affinis under different controlled conditions of temperature and salinity. This protocol was based on the follow-up of reproductive (Clutch Size ‘CS’, Egg Diameter ‘ED’) and morphological (Prosome Length ‘PL’) traits during several generations. Copepods were acclimated to cold (7 °C) and warm (20 °C) temperatures, and then their reproductive output was tested at the higher temperature of 24 °C. CS and ED were positively correlated to PL, so as a first step linear regressions between each reproductive trait and female PL were performed. The residuals from the regression lines of CS and ED with PL were calculated to remove the effect of female size. When the normalized data (residuals) of CS and ED plotted together a negative relationship between egg size and egg number revealed the existence of a trade-off. Copepod populations initially acclimated to cold temperature are commonly characterized by relatively smaller CS and larger ED. Conversely, warm temperature adapted females produced relatively larger CS and smaller ED. After transfer to a temperature of 24 °C, the ED did not change but the CS showed high variability indicating stressful conditions and no trade-off was observed. These observations suggest that E. affinis is able to modulate its reproduction depending on the encountered temperature. It seems that this copepod species can shift between a K- and an r-strategy in response to colder or warmer conditions. In a late winter-early spring like cold temperature, copepod females seem to invest more on offspring quality by producing relatively larger eggs. This ecological strategy ensures a high recruitment of the spring generation that is responsible for the strength of the maximum population size usually observed in late spring-early summer (May–June). To the contrary, at summer-like temperature, where the population density decreases significantly in the Seine estuary, copepod females seem to switch from K to r strategy by favoring offspring number compared to offspring size. Finally, the use of a higher temperature of 24 °C seems to disrupt the observed reproductive trade-off even after several generations. These results suggest that a switching between K- or r-strategy of E. affinis depends highly on temperature effects. The effect of salinity increase during a summer-like temperature of 20 °C as well as after transfer to 24 °C decreased PL and CS but the ED did not change significantly.
HPA axis dysregulation is associated with differential methylation of CpG-sites in related genes
Authors: Chatzittofis Andreas , Boström Adrian Desai E. , Ciuculete Diana M. , Öberg Katarina Görts , Arver Stefan , Schiöth Helgi B. , Jokinen Jussi
Published: October 2021

DNA methylation shifts in Hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis related genes is reported in psychiatric disorders including hypersexual disorder. This study, comprising 20 dexamethasone suppression test (DST) non-suppressors and 73 controls, examined the association between the HPA axis dysregulation, shifts in DNA methylation of HPA axis related genes and importantly, gene expression. Individuals with cortisol level ≥ 138 nmol/l, after the low dose (0.5 mg) dexamethasone suppression test (DST) were classified as non-suppressors. Genome-wide methylation pattern, measured in whole blood using the EPIC BeadChip, investigated CpG sites located within 2000 bp of the transcriptional start site of key HPA axis genes, i.e.:CRH,CRHBP,CRHR-1,CRHR-2,FKBP5andNR3C1. Regression models including DNA methylation M-values and the binary outcome (DST non-suppression status) were performed. Gene transcripts with an abundance of differentially methylated CpG sites were identified with binomial tests. Pearson correlations and robust linear regressions were performed between CpG methylation and gene expression in two independent cohorts. Six of 76 CpG sites were significantly hypermethylated in DST non-suppressors (nominalP < 0.05), associated with genesCRH,CRHR1,CRHR2,FKBP5andNR3C1.NR3C1transcript AJ877169 showed statistically significant abundance of probes differentially methylated by DST non-suppression status and correlated with DST cortisol levels. Further, methylation levels of cg07733851 and cg27122725 were positively correlated with gene expression levels of the NR3C1 gene. Methylation levels of cg08636224 (FKBP5)correlated with baseline cortisol and gene expression. Our findings revealed that DNA methylation shifts are involved in the altered mechanism of the HPA axis suggesting that new epigenetic targets should be considered behind psychiatric disorders.
Risk factors for intraoperative endplate injury during minimally-invasive lateral lumbar interbody fusion
Authors: Kim Young-Hoon , Ha Kee-Yong , Kim Ki-Tack , Chang Dong-Gune , Park Hyung-Youl , Yoon Eun-Ji , Kim Sang-Il
Published: October 2021

During lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), unintended intraoperative endplate injury (IEPI) can occur and thereafter lead cage subsidence. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of IEPI during LLIF, and its predisposing factors. A retrospective review was conducted on consecutive patients (n = 186; mean age, 70.0 ± 7.6 years) who underwent LLIF at 372 levels. Patient’s demographic and surgical data were compared between patients with and without IEPI. Also, the radiographic data of each level were compared between intact and IEPI segments. IEPI was identified at 76 levels (20.4%) in 65 patients. The incidences of IEPI at every 100 consecutive segments were not different. When 372 segments were analyzed independently, sagittal disc angle (DA) in the extended position (4.3° ± 3.6° at IEPI segments vs. 6.4° ± 4.0° at intact segments), the difference between sagittal DA in the extended position and cage angle (− 2.2° ± 4.0° vs. 0.0° ± 3.9°), and the difference between preoperative disc height and cage height (− 5.4 mm ± 2.4 mm vs. − 4.7 mm ± 2.0 mm) were different significantly. Also, endplate sclerosis was more common at intact segments than IEPI segments (33.2% vs. 17.3%). Multivariate analysis showed that male sex (odds ratio [OR] 0.160; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.036–0.704), endplate sclerosis (OR 3.307; 95% CI 1.450–8.480), and sagittal DA in the extended position (OR 0.674; 95% CI 0.541–0.840) were significant associated factors for IEPI. IEPI was correlated not with surgeon’s experience, but with patient factors, such as sex, preoperative disc angle, and endplate sclerosis. Careful surgical procedures should be employed for patients with these predisposing factors.
Defining the kinetic effects of infection with influenza virus A/PR8/34 (H1N1) on sphingosine-1-phosphate signaling in mice by targeted LC/MS
Authors: Gowda Divyavani , Ohno Marumi , B. Gowda Siddabasave Gowda , Chiba Hitoshi , Shingai Masashi , Kida Hiroshi , Hui Shu-Ping
Published: October 2021

Influenza remains a world-wide health concern, causing 290,000–600,000 deaths and up to 5 million cases of severe illnesses annually. Noticing the host factors that control biological responses, such as inflammatory cytokine secretion, to influenza virus infection is important for the development of novel drugs. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive sphingolipid metabolite and has essential biological functions in inflammation. However, the kinetic effects of influenza virus infection on physiological S1P levels and their signaling in multiple tissues remain unknown. In this study, we utilized a mouse model intranasally infected with 50 or 500 plaque forming units (PFU) of A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1; PR8) virus to investigate how S1P levels and expression of its regulating factors are affected by influenza virus infection by the liquid-chromatography/mass spectrometry and real-time PCR, respectively. The S1P level was significantly high in the plasma of mice infected with 500 PFU of the virus than that in control mice at 6 day-post-infection (dpi). Elevated gene expression of sphingosine kinase-1 (Sphk1), an S1P synthase, was observed in the liver, lung, white adipose tissue, heart, and aorta of infected mice. This could be responsible for the increased plasma S1P levels as well as the decrease in the hepatic S1P lyase (Sgpl1) gene in the infected mice. These results indicate modulation of S1P-signaling by influenza virus infection. Since S1P regulates inflammation and leukocyte migration, it must be worth trying to target this signaling to control influenza-associated symptoms.
Reproductive behaviour in free-ranging crested porcupine Hystrix cristata L., 1758
Authors: Coppola Francesca , Felicioli Antonio
Published: October 2021

Previous data on crested porcupine reproduction biology were mostly collected in captivity or semi-captivity due to its elusive, burrowing and mainly nocturnal habits. Between 2017 and 2019 the reproductive behaviour (i.e., intrapair mounting and copulation, birth and parental care) of free-ranging crested porcupine was documented and described. Nightly rhythms of single and multiple mounting occurred throughout the year while only two copulation events were recorded. Three months after both copulation events, the birth of porcupettes (porcupine < 5 kg) was recorded. A stochastic phase characterized by an articulate courtship with distinct behavioural patterns always preceded each mounting event. After the stochastic phase, the presenting of the female evoked by Nose-Quill contact behaviour, occurred in 83.8% (n = 182) of mounting events, while in 16.1% (n = 35) a spontaneous presenting of the female occurred. The average duration of copulation lasted 24 s (SD = 7 s) with 17 thrusting (SD = 5.5 thrusting). Births of porcupettes occurred throughout the year from 1 to 3 times per pair per year and the litter size observed ranged from 1 to 2 porcupettes. The first emerging of porcupettes from burrow occurred at 10–15 days after birth. Parents and sub-adults of the family actively perform parental care and the permanence of sub-adults within the family (i.e., from birth to dispersal) resulted to be at least 1 year. This investigation provides new useful insights on porcupine reproductive behaviour in the wild. Such new knowledge may be useful to the management of porcupines in wild, semiwild and captive condition as well as to delineate the key habitat desiderata of this rodent.
Cell membrane-anchoring covalent organic framework nanosheets for single-laser-triggered synergistic tumor therapy
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Wu Tong , Liu Shujie , Pan Wei , Li Na , Tang Bo
Published: October 2021

The cell membrane anchoring covalent organic framework nanosheets (COF NSs) were designed and synthetized for synergistic PDT/PTT/chemotherapy and immune activation under single laser irradiation.
Enantioselective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction of α-ketoesters under bifunctional organocatalysis
Authors: del Río-Rodríguez Roberto , Laina-Martín Víctor , Fernández-Salas Jose A. , Alemán José
Published: October 2021

A highly enantioselective vinylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction to ketoesters catalysed by a hydrogen-bond-donor-based bifunctional organocatalyst is presented.
A recyclable self-supported nanoporous PdCu heterogeneous catalyst for aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling
Authors: Du Jialei , Xiang Daili , Chen Jie , Xia Hehuan , Wang Leichen , Liu Fushan , Zhao Yiwei , Zhang Yuanyuan , Xu Caixia , Wang Bin
Published: October 2021

A recyclable self-supported nanoporous PdCu alloy heterogeneous catalyst was developed for aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling. This catalyst could be easily separated from the product via centrifugation and reused several times.
PN-Doped tetraphenylnaphthalene: a straightforward synthetic strategy analogous to BN-annulation
Authors: Park Jupil , Kim So Jung , Kwon Hansol , Jin Eunji , Yoon Kihwan , Kim HyunHo , Shadman Sahar , Choe Wonyoung , Kim Joonghan , Park Young S.
Published: October 2021

Installation of a PN bond in π-systems.
Photoluminescence study of N-rich B-doped diamonds grown in NiMnCo solvent before and after annealing
Authors: Miao Xinyuan , Liu Gang , Ma Hongan , Zhang Zhuangfei , Zhou Lijuan , Jia Xiaopeng
Published: October 2021

Incorporation of boron substantially decreases the luminescence of centers (NV−, Ni–N, and Co–N) in nitrogen-rich boron-doped diamonds before and after HPHT annealing.
Purification of amoxicillin trihydrate in the presence of degradation products by different washing methods
Authors: Ergin M. F.
Published: October 2021

Repeated crystallization or the use of different chemicals to obtain a pure crystal can cause yield/purity issues.
On the size, shape and energetics of the hydration shell around alkanes
Authors: Lanza Giuseppe , Chiacchio Maria Assunta
Published: October 2021

DFT and MP2 calculations allow us to tailor the very first water shell for several alkanes. The encaging enthalpy follows the trend of solubility enthalpy measured at a low temperature (273.25 K).
Assembled triphenylamine bis-urea macrocycles: exploring photodriven electron transfer from host to guests
Authors: Islam Md Faizul , Sindt Ammon J. , Hossain Muhammad Saddam , Ayare Pooja J. , Smith Mark D. , Vannucci Aaron K. , Garashchuk Sophya , Shimizu Linda S.
Published: October 2021

Absorption of electron acceptors into assembled triphenylamine bis-urea macrocycles lowers the band gap and triggers host to guest electron transfer.
Investigation of the NO reduction by CO reaction over oxidized and reduced NiOx/CeO2 catalysts
Authors: Lee Kyung-Min , Kwon Gihan , Hwang Sooyeon , Boscoboinik Jorge Anibal , Kim Taejin
Published: October 2021

NO reduction by CO reaction was investigated by NiOx/CeO2 catalysts with different pretreatment conditions. Surface area, oxygen defect sites, and CeO2 crystallite size are closely related to the catalytic performance.
Deprotonated diaminocarbene platinum complexes for thermoresponsive luminescent silicone materials: both catalysts and luminophores
Authors: Dobrynin Mikhail V. , Kasatkina Svetlana O. , Baykov Sergey V. , Savko Polina Y. , Antonov Nikita S. , Mikherdov Alexander S. , Boyarskiy Vadim P. , Islamova Regina M.
Published: October 2021

Silicone rubbers obtained with the isoquinoline-containing Pt complex possess temperature-responsive luminescence: emission irreversibly changed when heating from 80–100 °C (green) to 120 °C and more (blue).
Second-sphere hydrogen-bonding enhances heterogeneous electrocatalytic CO2 to CO reduction by iron porphyrins in water
Authors: Zhang Chanjuan , Dragoe Diana , Brisset François , Boitrel Bernard , Lassalle-Kaiser Benedikt , Leibl Winfried , Halime Zakaria , Aukauloo Ally
Published: October 2021

The export of second coordination effects from homogeneous to heterogeneous catalysis through catalyst immobilization on the surface of an electrode greatly boosts the catalytic performances for CO2 electroreduction in water.
Biocatalysis in ionic liquids: state-of-the-union
Authors: Sheldon Roger Arthur
Published: October 2021

This perspective reviews the current status and prospects of biocatalysis in ionic liquids.
Increasing the sensitivity of micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy through an optimized adaptation of polycapillary lenses to a liquid metal jet source
Authors: Bauer Leona J. , Gnewkow Richard , Förste Frank , Grötzsch Daniel , Bjeoumikhova Semfira , Kanngießer Birgit , Mantouvalou Ioanna
Published: October 2021

The combination of optimally adapted polycapillary lenses and highly brilliant liquid metal jet sources leads to significant enhancement in the sensitivity for transition metals using laboratory μXRF.
Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of zinc and copper azasterol complexes against Sporothrix brasiliensis
Authors: S. Justo Rodrigo M. , Borba-Santos Luana Pereira , Sade Youssef Bacila , Ferreira Frederico Henrique C. , P. Rosa Nathália M. , Costa Luiz Antônio S. , Visbal Gonzalo , Rozental Sonia , Navarro Maribel
Published: October 2021

Characterized zinc– and copper–azasterol complexes acting as promising antifungal agents against Sporothrix brasiliensis. Metal–drug synergism was effectively applied.
Gold nanoparticles in situ generated on carbon dots grafted paper: application in enantioselective fluorescence sensing of d-alanine
Authors: Chen Siqi , Li Tingting , Deng Donglian , Zhang Xiaoyue , Ji Yibing , Li Ruijun
Published: October 2021

The proposed PCD/AuNPs possesses good biocompatibility and was applied to detect d-Ala in serum, simulated gastric fluid, and cancer cells.
A highly selective quinolizinium-based fluorescent probe for cysteine detection
Authors: O Wa-Yi , Chan Wing-Cheung , Xu Caifeng , Deng Jie-Ren , Ko Ben Chi-Bun , Wong Man-Kin
Published: October 2021

A novel fluorescent quinolizinium-based turn-off probe for selective detection of cysteine has been developed.
The radical scavenging activity of muriolide in physiological environments: mechanistic and kinetic insights into double processes
Authors: Hoa Nguyen Thi , Van Le Thi Ngoc , Vo Quan V.
Published: October 2021

Muriolide, which is a natural lactone that was isolated from Ranunculus muricatus, is a promising natural radical scavenger in the physiological environment.
Emulsion-templated porous polymers: drying condition-dependent properties
Authors: Lu Jintao , Gao Guohong , Liu Riping , Cheng Chen , Zhang Tao , Xu Zhiguang , Zhao Yan
Published: October 2021

Emulsion-templated macroporous polymers show drying condition-dependent wetting properties, densities, and compressive properties.
Inclusion of organic species in exfoliated montmorillonite nanolayers towards hierarchical functional inorganic–organic nanostructures
Authors: Chen Xi Xi , Liu Jia Hui , Kurniawan Alfin , Li Ke Jin , Zhou Chun Hui
Published: October 2021

The work deals with strategic exfoliation methods and inclusion chemistry to engineer montmorillonite nanolayers into a variety of hierarchical inorganic–organic nanostructures functioning as adsorbents, catalysts, medicines,sensors, and coatings.
Resolving buried optoelectronic features in metal halide perovskites via modulation spectroscopy studies
Authors: Amerling Eric , Hansen Kameron R. , Whittaker-Brooks Luisa
Published: October 2021

As research on both bulk and low dimensional metal halide perovskites (MHPs) continues to grow, the tools necessary to gain insights into their exotic and highly convoluted optoelectronic features must also expand.
A MnS/FeS2 heterostructure with a high degree of lattice matching anchored into carbon skeleton for ultra-stable sodium-ion storage
Authors: Yue Luchao , Wu Donghai , Wu Zhenguo , Zhao Wenxi , Wang Dong , Zhong Benhe , Liu Qian , Liu Yang , Gao Shuyan , Asiri Abdullah M. , Guo Xiaodong , Ma Dongwei , Sun Xuping
Published: October 2021

Taking their similarities in crystal structures and close lattice parameters into consideration, cubic pyrite FeS2 and MnS were used to construct a heterostructure for achieving synchronous improvements in specific capacity and rate performance.
Synthesis of a ruthenium–graphene quantum dot–graphene hybrid as a promising single-atom catalyst for electrochemical nitrogen reduction with ultrahigh yield rate and selectivity
Authors: Ruiyi Li , Keyang He , Pengwu Xu , Wendong Wang , Nana Li , Haiyan Zhu , Zaijun Li , Xiaohao Liu
Published: October 2021

We report synthesis of single-atom Ru–graphene quantum dot–graphene catalyst. Ru single atoms are fixed on graphene sheet with high Ru loading of 5.1%. NH3 yield rate reaches 225 μg mg−1 h−1 that is better than that with the reported catalysts.
Analysis of 2D nanomaterial BC3 for COVID-19 biomarker ethyl butyrate sensor
Authors: Xia Stephen , Luo Xuan
Published: October 2021

Computational analysis of BC3 for convenient COVID-19 screening.
Impacts of Diabetes, Aging, and Hearing Loss on Speech-on-Speech Masking and Spatial Release in a Large Veteran Cohort
Authors: Theodoroff Sarah M. , Gallun Frederick J. , McMillan Garnett P. , Molis Michelle , Srinivasan Nirmal , Gordon Jane , McDermott Daniel , Konrad-Martin Dawn
Published: October 2021

Purpose:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is associated with impaired hearing. However, the evidence is less clear if DM2 can lead to difficulty understanding speech in complex acoustic environments, independently of age and hearing loss effects. The purpose of this study was to estimate the magnitude of DM2-related effects on speech understanding in the presence of competing speech after adjusting for age and hearing.

Method:

A cross-sectional study design was used to investigate the relationship between DM2 and speech understanding in 190 Veterans (
M
age
= 47 years, range: 25–76). Participants were classified as having no diabetes (
n
= 74), prediabetes (
n
= 19), or DM2 that was well controlled (
n
= 24) or poorly controlled (
n
= 73). A test of spatial release from masking (SRM) was presented in a virtual acoustical simulation over insert earphones with multiple talkers using sentences from the coordinate response measure corpus to determine the target-to-masker ratio (TMR) required for 50% correct identification of target speech. A linear mixed model of the TMR results was used to estimate SRM and separate effects of diabetes group, age, and low-frequency pure-tone average (PTA-low) and high-frequency pure-tone average. A separate model estimated the effects of DM2 on PTA-low.

Results:

After adjusting for hearing and age, diabetes-related effects remained among those whose DM2 was well controlled, showing an SRM loss of approximately 0.5 dB. Results also showed effects of hearing loss and age, consistent with the literature on people without DM2. Low-frequency hearing loss was greater among those with DM2.

Conclusions:

In a large cohort of Veterans, low-frequency hearing loss and older age negatively impact speech understanding. Compared with nondiabetics, individuals with controlled DM2 have additional auditory deficits beyond those associated with hearing loss or aging. These results provide a potential explanation for why individuals who have diabetes and/or are older often report difficulty understanding speech in real-world listening environments.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16746475
Tagesmüdigkeit
Authors: Stern Apothekerin Cornelia , Peters Bianca , Houben Martina , Von Löwensprung Natalie Rosenhauer
Published: October 2021

Vier Experten stellen Unterstützungsmöglichkeiten bei Tagesmüdigkeit mithilfe von Spagyrik, Akupressur, Phytotherapie und Aromatherapie vor.
Was wissen Sie über … Ursachen von Müdigkeit?
Authors: Schmid Eva C.
Published: October 2021

In dieser Ausgabe beschäftigen sich alle Wissensquiz-Fragen mit Ursachen von Müdigkeit.