bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Late Neogene Uk′37 and TEX86 Paleotemperature Records From the Eastern Equatorial Pacific at Orbital Resolution
Authors: Lawrence K. T. , Pearson A. , Castañeda I. S. , Ladlow C. , Peterson L. C. , Lawrence C. E.
Published: May 2020

Key features of late Neogene climate remain uncertain due to conflicting records derived from different sea surface temperature (SST) proxies. To understand scenarios in which proxy‐derived temperature estimates can be used interchangeably or are instead measuring different aspects of the same system, it is necessary to explore both the consistencies and differences between specific paleothermometers. Here, we report orbital‐scale climate records from ODP Site 846 in the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP) for the interval from ~5–6 Ma using alkenone and archaeal lipid paleothermometers. Results from both proxies are similar in their secular trends and magnitude of long‐term temperature change, and spectral analysis demonstrates that the records are coherent and in‐phase in both the obliquity and precession bands. However, we find that the temperatures reconstructed by TEX86 are consistently offset toward colder values by ~2 °C relative to Uk′37‐derived temperatures in global calibrations, or by ~0.8 °C in Bayesian‐based calibrations. All combinations of calibrations also yield approximately twice the amplitude of orbital‐scale variation in TEX86 relative to Uk′37‐derived temperature fluctuations. Both temperature proxies are negatively correlated with sedimentary alkenone concentrations, which we use as an indicator of increased export productivity. Removing this productivity contribution from TEX86 results in an adjusted TEX86 record with temperature sensitivity identical to Uk′37. In future applications, this signal may be decoupled using additional sedimentary indicators of paleoproductivity, which likely will be most important for upwelling zone environments. There remain other nonexplained factors that contribute to differences between TEX86 and Uk′37 that warrant additional investigation.
Enabling materials informatics for 29Si solid-state NMR of crystalline materials
Authors: Sun He , Dwaraknath Shyam , Ling Handong , Qu Xiaohui , Huck Patrick , Persson Kristin A. , Hayes Sophia E.
Published: May 2020

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for obtaining precise information about the local bonding of materials, but difficult to interpret without a well-vetted dataset of reference spectra. The ability to predict NMR parameters and connect them to three-dimensional local environments is critical for understanding more complex, long-range interactions. New computational methods have revealed structural information available from 29Si solid-state NMR by generating computed reference spectra for solids. Such predictions are useful for the identification of new silicon-containing compounds, and serve as a starting point for determination of the local environments present in amorphous structures. In this study, we have used 42 silicon sites as a benchmarking set to compare experimentally reported 29Si solid-state NMR spectra with those computed by CASTEP-NMR and Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Program (VASP). Data-driven approaches enable us to identify the source of discrepancies across a range of experimental and computational results. The information from NMR (in the form of an NMR tensor) has been validated, and in some cases corrected, in an effort to catalog these for the local spectroscopy database infrastructure (LSDI), where over 10,000 29Si NMR tensors for crystalline materials have been computed. Knowledge of specific tensor values can serve as the basis for executing NMR experiments with precision, optimizing conditions to capture the elements accurately. The ability to predict and compare experimental observables from a wide range of structures can aid researchers in their chemical assignments and structure determination, since the computed values enables the extension beyond tables of typical chemical shift (or shielding) ranges.
Neural responses to intention and benefit appraisal are critical in distinguishing gratitude and joy
Authors: Liu Guanmin , Cui Zaixu , Yu Hongbo , Rotshtein Pia , Zhao Fangyun , Wang Haixu , Peng Kaiping , Sui Jie
Published: May 2020

Gratitude and joy are critical for promoting well-being. However, the differences between the two emotions and corresponding neural correlates are not understood. Here we addressed these issues by eliciting the two emotions using the same stimuli in an fMRI task. In this help reception task, participants imagined them in a situation where they need financial aid. Critically, we manipulated the benefactor’s intention to provide help and the value of the benefit. Behaviorally, gratitude was stronger than joy when the benefactor-intention was strong and the benefit-value was low compared to other conditions. In parallel, gratitude activated mentalizing-related (e.g. precuneus) and reward-related regions (e.g. putamen) more strongly than joy in corresponding conditions compared to others. Moreover, gratitude was more negatively (or less positively) encoded in the region associated with mentalizing (i.e. the left superior temporal gyrus) than joy. Multivariate pattern analysis further demonstrated that the modulation patterns of benefactor-intention and benefit-value in mentalizing-related (e.g. precuneus, temporo-parietal junction) and reward-related regions (e.g. putamen, perigenual anterior cingulate/ventromedial prefrontal cortex) could distinguish the two emotions. The findings suggest that benefactor-intention and benefit-value appraisal and their neural correlates are critical in distinguishing gratitude and joy. Direct implications for gratitude interventions were discussed.
Discrete interactions between a few interlayer excitons trapped at a MoSe2–WSe2 heterointerface
Authors: Kremser Malte , Brotons-Gisbert Mauro , Knörzer Johannes , Gückelhorn Janine , Meyer Moritz , Barbone Matteo , Stier Andreas V. , Gerardot Brian D. , Müller Kai , Finley Jonathan J.
Published: May 2020

Inter-layer excitons (IXs) in hetero-bilayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) represent an exciting emergent class of long-lived dipolar composite bosons in an atomically thin, near-ideal two-dimensional (2D) system. The long-range interactions that arise from the spatial separation of electrons and holes can give rise to novel quantum, as well as classical multi-particle correlation effects. Indeed, first indications of exciton condensation have been reported recently. In order to acquire a detailed understanding of the possible many-body effects, the fundamental interactions between individual IXs have to be studied. Here, we trap a tunable number of dipolar IXs (NIX ~ 1–5) within a nanoscale confinement potential induced by placing a MoSe2–WSe2 hetero-bilayer (HBL) onto an array of SiO2 nanopillars. We control the mean occupation of the IX trap via the optical excitation level and observe discrete sharp-line emission from different configurations of interacting IXs. The intensities of these features exhibit characteristic near linear, quadratic, cubic, quartic and quintic power dependencies, which allows us to identify them as different multiparticle configurations with NIX ~ 1–5. We directly measure the hierarchy of dipolar and exchange interactions as NIX increases. The interlayer biexciton (NIX = 2) is found to be an emission doublet that is blue-shifted from the single exciton by ΔE = (8.4 ± 0.6) meV and split by 2J = (1.2 ± 0.5) meV. The blueshift is even more pronounced for triexcitons ((12.4 ± 0.4) meV), quadexcitons ((15.5 ± 0.6) meV) and quintexcitons ((18.2 ± 0.8) meV). These values are shown to be mutually consistent with numerical modelling of dipolar excitons confined to a harmonic trapping potential having a confinement lengthscale in the range $$\ell \approx 3$$

ℓ
≈
3

nm. Our results contribute to the understanding of interactions between IXs in TMD hetero-bilayers at the discrete limit of only a few excitations and represent a key step towards exploring quantum correlations between IXs in TMD hetero-bilayers.
Safe resource recovery from faecal sludge: evidence from an innovative treatment system in rural Tanzania
Authors: Mrimi Emmanuel C. , Matwewe Fatuma J. , Kellner Christopher C. , Thomas Jacqueline M.
Published: May 2020

A novel treatment system for pit latrine faecal sludge; solar-dried sludge with captured leachate heat-treated in agriculture using waste-fired rocket stove.
Exclusive enhancement of catalytic activity in Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3nanostructures: new insights into the design of efficient piezocatalysts and piezo-photocatalysts
Authors: Zhao Zhicheng , Wei Liyu , Li Shun , Zhu Lifeng , Su Yiping , Liu Yong , Bu Yibin , Lin Yuanhua , Liu Weishu , Zhang Zuotai
Published: May 2020

Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3nanospheres show superior piezo-photocatalytic activity in water splitting, Cr(vi) reduction and degradation of organic pollutants.
Use of nanosphere self-assembly to pattern nanoporous membranes for the study of extracellular vesicles
Authors: Mireles Marcela , Soule Cody W. , Dehghani Mehdi , Gaborski Thomas R.
Published: May 2020

Nanospheres, similar in size and shape to extracellular vesicles, were used to pattern nanopores in an ultrathin membrane through a self-assembly process.
3D multiphoton lithography using biocompatible polymers with specific mechanical properties
Authors: Buchroithner Boris , Hartmann Delara , Mayr Sandra , Oh Yoo Jin , Sivun Dmitry , Karner Andreas , Buchegger Bianca , Griesser Thomas , Hinterdorfer Peter , Klar Thomas A. , Jacak Jaroslaw
Published: May 2020

Two new biocompatible polymers were designed, which can be 3D structured via multiphoton lithography. Their mechanical properties and biocompatibility were determined.
Contact criterion for suspensions of smooth and rough colloids
Authors: Pradeep Shravan , Hsiao Lilian C.
Published: May 2020

We report a procedure to obtain the search distance used to determine the particle-particle contact in dense suspensions of smooth and rough colloids.
Fixed‐time observer based adaptive neural network time‐varying formation tracking control for multi‐agent systems via minimal learning parameter approach
Authors: Xiong Tianyi , Pu Zhiqiang , Yi Jianqiang , Tao Xinlong
Published: May 2020

This study proposes a novel control scheme to investigate the time‐varying formation tracking control problem for multi‐agent systems with model uncertainties and the absence of leader's velocity measurements. For each agent, a novel fixed‐time cascaded leader state observer (CLSO) without velocity measurements is first designed to reconstruct the states of the leader. Radial basis function neural networks (RBFNNs) are adopted to deal with the model uncertainties online. Taking the square of the norm of the NN weight vector as a newly developed adaptive parameter, a novel RBFNN‐based adaptive control scheme with minimal learning‐parameter approach and fixed‐time CLSO is then constructed to tackle the time‐varying formation tracking problem. The uniform ultimate boundedness property of the formation tracking error is guaranteed through Lyapunov stability analysis. Finally, two simulation scenario results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed formation tracking control scheme.
Evidence for magnetic activity at starbirth: a powerful X-ray flare from the Class 0 protostar HOPS 383
Authors: Grosso Nicolas , Hamaguchi Kenji , Principe David A. , Kastner Joel H.
Published: May 2020

Context.Class 0 protostars represent the earliest evolutionary stage of solar-type stars, during which the majority of the system mass resides in an infalling envelope of gas and dust and is not yet in the central, nascent star. Although X-rays are a key signature of magnetic activity in more evolved protostars and young stars, whether such magnetic activity is present at the Class 0 stage is still debated.

Aims.We aim to detect a bona fide Class 0 protostar in X-rays.

Methods.We observed HOPS 383 in 2017 December in X-rays with theChandraX-ray Observatory (∼84 ks) and in near-infrared imaging with the Southern Astrophysical Research telescope.

Results.HOPS 383 was detected in X-rays during a powerful flare. This hard (E >  2 keV) X-ray counterpart was spatially coincident with the northwest 4 cm component of HOPS 383, which would be the base of the radio thermal jet launched by HOPS 383. The flare duration was ∼3.3 h; at the peak, the X-ray luminosity reached ∼4 × 1031erg s−1in the 2−8 keV energy band, a level at least an order of magnitude larger than that of the undetected quiescent emission from HOPS 383. The X-ray flare spectrum is highly absorbed (NH ∼ 7 × 1023cm−2), and it displays a 6.4 keV emission line with an equivalent width of ∼1.1 keV, arising from neutral or low-ionization iron.

Conclusions.The detection of a powerful X-ray flare from HOPS 383 constitutes direct proof that magnetic activity can be present at the earliest formative stages of solar-type stars.
Environment Sound Classification System Based on Hybrid Feature and Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Ke , Su Yu , Wang Jingyu , Wang Sanyu , Zhang Yanhua
Published: May 2020

At present, the environment sound recognition system mainly identifies environment sounds with deep neural networks and a wide variety of auditory features. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze which auditory features are more suitable for deep neural networks based ESCR systems. In this paper, we chose three sound features which based on two widely used filters:the Mel and Gammatone filter banks. Subsequently, the hybrid feature MGCC is presented. Finally, a deep convolutional neural network is proposed to verify which features are more suitable for environment sound classification and recognition tasks. The experimental results show that the signal processing features are better than the spectrogram features in the deep neural network based environmental sound recognition system. Among all the acoustic features, the MGCC feature achieves the best performance than other features. Finally, the MGCC-CNN model proposed in this paper is compared with the state-of-the-art environmental sound classification models on the UrbanSound 8K dataset. The results show that the proposed model has the best classification accuracy.
Erbauen, Aufbauen, Umbauen: Das LMU Klinikum in München
Authors: Hardinghaus Christian
Published: May 2020

Mit 700 forschenden Professoren an 18 Fakultäten und mit aktuell über 50 000 eingeschriebenen Studenten ist die Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU) Deutschlands größte Präsenzuni. Ein Herzstück ist natürlich die 1472, im Gründungsjahr der Uni, eingerichtete medizinische Fakultät und das zugehörige, sich selbst verwaltende LMU Klinikum, das nach der Berliner Charité das zweitgrößte deutsche Krankenhaus mit Maximalversorgung ist. Jährlich versorgen über 1800 Ärzte an den 2 Klinikstandorten in der Münchner Innenstadt und in Großhadern rund 530 000 Patienten. In seiner langen Geschichte kann das Klinikum auf gleich 13 Nobelpreisträger zurückblicken und beheimatete dutzende berühmte Ärzte wie zum Beispiel Erich Lexer, Ferdinand Sauerbruch oder Gustav von Bergmann.
Role of percutaneous nonvascular Interventional Radiology treatments in musculoskeletal lesions
Authors: Srivastava Deep Narayan
Published: May 2020

Many new, minimally invasive interventional radiology procedures are now viable alternatives to traditional invasive therapy. These interventional radiological procedures can be performed in the outpatient setting and the overall cost to the patient may be less in the long run. Radiofrequency and Laser ablation techniques are now widely used and rapidly expanding technologies in the interventional radiology used in the treatment of tumours, varicose vein and lumbar disc treatment. Similarly percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is used in the treatment of spinal lesions and osteoporotic vertebral collapse. The knowledge of these procedures is vital as medicine moves into minimally invasive procedures with targeted treatments as these procedures offer less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to various surgical procedures.

In this presentation I would like to present my work related to percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in spinal lesions, percutaneous Laser disc decompression (PLDD) in the treatment of chronic discogenic low back pain and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in musculoskeletal lesions. The technique, results and long term outcomes of these newer procedures will be discussed.
Neurocysticercosis - A Journey from Pre-independence to Modern India
Authors: Singh Gagandeep , Singla Singla
Published: May 2020

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is infestation of the human brain by the larva of worm, Taenia solium and is the most prevalent central nervous system (CNS) helminthiasis. The disease is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including the Indian subcontinent, China, Sub-Saharan Africa, Central and South America and contributes substantially to the burden of epilepsy in these areas(1) . CNS involvement is seen in 60-90% of systemic cysticercosis. About 2.5 million people worldwide are infected with T. solium, and antibodies to T. solium are seen in up to 25% of people in endemic areas(1-3) . A higher prevalence of epilepsy and seizures in endemic countries is partly because of a high prevalence of cysticercosis in these regions. Seizures are thought to be caused by NCC in as many as 30% of adult patients and in 51% of children in population based endemic regions (2) . About 12% of admissions to neurological services in endemic regions are attributed to NCC and nearly half a million deaths occurring annually worldwide can be attributed directly or indirectly to NCC (Bern et al.). Punctate calcific foci on CT scan are a very common finding in asymptomatic people residing in endemic areas, found in 14-20 % of CT scans. Both seizures and positive cysticercus serology are associated with the detection of cysticerci on CT scans. Seroprevalence using a recently developed CDC- based enzyme-linked immunotransfer blot (EITB) assay is estimated at 8-12% in Latin America and 4.9-24% in Africa and South-East Asia. It is estimated that 20 million people harbour neurocysticercosis worldwide(1).
Japanese encephalitis virus: Uniqueness of immune response, vaccine development and future challenges
Authors: Gore Milind M.
Published: May 2020

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a major seasonal health problem in many rural areas in India and other parts of Asia. Transmission of virus is through mosquito vectors biting followed by peripheral multiplication site and exposed to host immune response before it succeeds in invasion of CNS. Thus protection from viral infection is a complex interplay of fight for superiority by virus and the host.

Cell mediated immune response using transferred to non-immune 14 day mice and lethally challenged to study the protection. Results indicated that dominant immune response of T helper (Th) 2 type. Th and neutralizing antibody inducing epitopes on JEV were identified by combination of immunological and Bioinformatics platforms. Chimeric peptides incorporating both Th and B cell epitopes could protect mice. These epitopes were further incorporated in polytope DNA construct with four chimeric peptides and induce protective immunity in mice. In addition, overcome the anergy development by traditional DNA vaccine plasmid than of CMV promoter using antigen specific cell promoter rather was also studied.

NIV carried out extensive studies on JE inactivated vaccines over the years. Studies were carried out mainly using CEC and Vero cells. Isolated of JEV from Kolar (821564) was extensively studied and thermostable mutant (821564 –XY) was selected and characterized genetically as well as antigenically. A commercial successfully produced purified, inactivated vaccine JENVAC is licensed is being successfully. Future challenges in terms of single dose vaccine with long lasting immunity, pig immunization vaccine as well newer related flavivirus are also important.
Spinal Affections in Rheumatological Diseases
Authors: Dave Pradeep Kumar
Published: May 2020

A brief resume of management of rheumatoid arthritis in India is highlighted causes of deformity its radiological features and the goals of its management are discussed. Management included medical drug treatment, physical therapy and surgical treatment including synovectomy, osteotomies and joint replacement. Brief description of involvement of cervical spine in rheumatoid arthritis is also made.

The evolution of treatment of scoliosis starting from conservative to all stages of surgical treatment is also described. Surgical correction involved posterior instrumentation and fusion anterior release with or without instrumentation and fusion. Treatment of congenital and paralytic scoliosis is also discussed. Newer surgical modalities in treatment of paediatric scoliosis was also highlighted.
An Innovative 3 Dimensional Model of Middle Ear
Authors: Dixit Shilpi Gupta , Dixit Abhinav , Potaliya Pushpa , Ghatak Surajit
Published: May 2020

Background:

Physical models are particularly useful in demonstrating complex topics in anatomy or those ones that are difficult to access when seen in the textbook or cadaver. One such topic is middle ear. Aim of the present study was to introduce a multicolored cardboard model of middle ear to provide ease in understanding of its anatomical structure.

Methods:

The participants were 2nd semester medical undergraduate class of students. They were exposed to a cuboidal multicolored model (made from cardboard box) with 6 walls that could be opened to see the details of structures related to them. Student feedback was taken through a structured Questionnaire based on Likert Scale (5 to 1).

Results:

More than 80% of students felt that this model was a good tool for visualizing complex anatomy of middle ear in small groups and it reduced the time needed for self-study. This model provided multifaceted feedback with active participation from students. A low fidelity middle ear model proved to be a practical low cost tool for use in both didactic and small group teaching.

Conclusion:

Low fidelity models continue to have a place in anatomy and can be integrated in the current curriculum.
Circulating Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Status in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and its Relation with Glycemic Control
Authors: Chawla Himika , Kar Parmita , Saha Soma , Singh Urvashi B. , Tandon Nikhil , Goswami R.
Published: May 2020

Antimicrobial-peptides are important molecules of constitutive innate immunity. Though patients with diabetes mellitus are generally prone to infections, there is limited information on their antimicrobialpeptide status. We assessed the circulating LL-37 antimicrobial peptide (also referred as cathelicidin) levels in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its relation with their glycemic status. The LL-37 mRNA expression was assessed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by quantitative RT-PCR usingβ-actin and cytochrome-C1 as the reference genes in 154 subjects (Type 1 diabetes, n=111 and healthy subjects, n=43). Serum LL-37 was quantified using sandwich-ELISA. Average HbA1c over last 2 years and current HbA1c were used to determine long-term and short-term glycemic status. LL-37 mRNA expression and serum LL-37 levels were correlated with the glycemic status. The LL-37 mRNA copies were comparable between type 1 diabetes and healthy subjects [median (IQR) = 6.7 (1.8–15.28) vs. 7.2 (2.23–21.86), respectively, P = 0.42]. There was no significant difference in serum LL-37 levels between the two groups [median (IQR) = 3.9 (2.88–7.52) vs. 5.0 (3.19–9.05) ng/ml, respectively, P = 0.52]. The LL-37 mRNA and its protein concentration showed no significant correlation with the average or current HbA1c values. The constitutive circulating antimicrobial peptide LL-37 status is not significantly altered in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and also not affected by their glycemic status.
Need Assessment of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry amongst the Clinical Faculty
Authors: Chadda Rakesh K , Koushik Sinha Deb , Prakash Sathya , Sood Mamta
Published: May 2020

Nearly 20-40% of patients with medico-surgical illnesses in general hospitals have a co morbid psychiatric illness or psychosocial issues, which interfere in improvement of the primary illness. It is important to assess the attitudes and awareness of non-psychiatrist clinicians about the co-existing psychiatric morbidity in their patients and their felt needs, which can help in mitigating this morbidity. The present study attempts to gauge the non-psychiatrist clinician's perception, felt needs and barriers to referral/ intervention in a tertiary care teaching hospital. A cross-sectional, descriptive, online questionnaire-based method was used. Of the 239 clinical faculty members, only 45 responded. Responses indicated that clinicians were aware of the existence and significance of psychological problems in their patients, but could do with further increased levels of awareness and more specific training in evaluation and intervention. Stigma, lack of awareness of available services, and lack of detailed understanding regarding psychological problems were the important barriers to referral/ intervention. Better teamwork, training and more manpower were the specific suggestions for improvement in the future.
Mechanisms of Action of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Repair Regeneration and their Implications
Authors: Singh Manisha , Gupta Suchi , Rawat Sonali , Midha Swati , Jain Krishan Gopal , Dalela Manu , Mohanty Sujata
Published: May 2020

Cell replacement therapy holds a promising future in the treatment of degenerative diseases related to neuronal, cardiac and bone tissues. In such kind of diseases, there is a progressive loss of specific types of cells. Currently the most upcoming and trusted cell candidate is Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) as these cells are easy to isolate from the tissue, easy to maintain and expand and no ethical concerns are linked. MSCs can be obtained from a number of sources like bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord, dental pulp, adipose tissues, etc. MSCs help in tissue repair and regeneration by various mechanisms of action like cell differentiation, immunomodulation, paracrine effect, etc. The future of regenerative medicine lies in tissue engineering and exploiting various properties to yield maximum output. In the current review article, we have targeted the repair and regeneration mechanisms of MSCs in neurodegenerative diseases, cardiac diseases and those related to bones. Yet there is a lot to understand, discover and then understand again about the molecular mechanisms of MSCs and then applying this knowledge in developing the therapy to get maximum repair and regeneration of concerned tissue and in turn the recovery of the patient.
Evolving Ethical Issues in Health and Mental Health
Authors: Sharma Shridhar
Published: May 2020

Ethics is the Science of morals in human conduct. However, ethics and morals are not same. The ethics is based on certain principles, which include 'Respect for Person and Justice'. This principle is not in total conformity with Hippocratic tradition, where Physician is given a 'Position of Paternalism'. The basic idea of 'justice' is that all human beings are equally valuable. Similarly, the principle of liberty is the right to self determination but what is the use of this right that can not be fulﬁlled. These basic principles are evolving and are constantly posing problems in every health care institution and are a challenge to every Physician.
Service Development for Behavioural Addictions: AIIMS Experience
Authors: Singh Balhara Yatan Pal , Bhargava Rachna , Chadda Rakesh K.
Published: May 2020

The concept of behavioural addiction is relatively new. The growing recognition of the behavioural addictions globally and increasing clinical queries catalysed the ongoing deliberations on setting up services for addressing behavioural addictions at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. This led to establishment of what is arguably the first Behavioural Addictions Clinic (BAC) in the country. The clinic is an initiative of the Department of Psychiatry and National Drug Dependence Treatment Center (NDDTC), AIIMS, New Delhi. The current article offers an overview of the BAC, AIIMS, New Delhi.
A Curious Case of Flower Phobia: Anthophobia
Authors: Saimbi Desiree , Sarmah Shabdita R. , Kumar Atmesh , Shivalkar Rupali P. , Prasad Sanjeeta
Published: May 2020

Fears, anxieties and specific phobias are classified as internalizing behavior problems. The development of specific phobias may result from the pairing of a specific object or situation with the emotion of fear. Flowers are usually perceived as pleasant stimulus, producing a relaxing effect on our mind and body, but here we present a rare case, wherein flowers are perceived as a malevolent stimulus and producing phobic anxiety in an eleven-year old boy, leading to avoidance behaviors and much interference in normal functioning. He was diagnosed to have Specific Phobia of natural environment type with Somnambulism and treated with SSRI (escitalopram) and Behavior Therapy (systematic desensitization). Over a period of eight months his symptoms remitted completely and he maintained the remission for now one year with no further intervention.
Phagocytes and the Leishmania Parasite: A Marriage of Convenience
Authors: Chatterjee Mitali
Published: May 2020

The current drive by the Government of India to eliminate Leishmaniasis has pinpointed post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) as the strongest contender for the disease reservoir. This emphasizes the necessity to consider the eradication of PKDL as top priority, and hinges on its early diagnosis and management. We undertook this challenge and have provided insights into Leishmania biology, by focusing our efforts in (i) delineating the immunopathogenesis of PKDL, a disease unique to South Asia (ii) developing diagnostic/prognostic tools for monitoring antileishmanial treatment in patients with visceral leishmaniasis and PKDL. In order to delineate the immunopathogenesis of PKDL, it was established that the parasite adopts multiple approaches to deviously manipulate host monocytes/macrophages, and thus facilitate parasite survival and disease progression. The parasite adopts a multipronged approach that includes attenuation of the oxidative burst within phagocytes, polarization of monocytes/ macrophages towards alternate activation, enhancement of CD8 T-cell exhaustion and a decreased presence of Langerhans cells. Identification of these immunological changes have allowed for development of biomarkers that have been exploited to develop diagnostic and prognostic markers for monitoring the disease progression, either in terms of antibody based markers, or quantification of the parasite load, the latter being the most definitive approach. Measurement of parasite load has proved to be an effective tool for monitoring the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Taken together, the identification of biomarkers and new chemotherapeutic modalities has helped in improved management and potential elimination of leishmaniasis.
Predictors of Poor Response to Salvage Chemotherapy in Relapsed/ Refractory Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma- A Retrospective Analysis from Tertiary Cancer Centre in India
Authors: Bhethanabhotla Sainath , Vishnubhatla Sreenivas , Sameer Bakhshi
Published: May 2020

Background:

Previous studies identified prognostic factors for survival in relapsed pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) who received salvage chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). However, data regarding predictors of poor response to salvage chemotherapy is limited.

Methods:

We conducted retrospective study in all relapsed HL treated from January 2003 to December 2013. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify predictors of response to salvage chemotherapy. Cox regression analysis was done to identify prognostic factors for Freedom from treatment failure (FFTF) and overall survival (OS).

Results:

Forty six patients had relapsed HL. Among 45 patients who received salvage chemotherapy only 34 (73.4%) underwent ASCT. Stage 4 disease (p=0.02) and bulky disease at relapse (p=0.03) were predictors of poor response to salvage chemotherapy. FFTF and OS at 5 yr for entire cohort were 50.1% and 63.3%, respectively, while the same for patients who underwent ASCT were 66.3% and 80.7%, respectively. Among ASCT patients, those who had primary refractory /early relapse [HR-4.7, (95% CI-1,22); p=0.05] had significant impact on 5 yr FFTF whereas disease status at transplant (CR vs. No CR) had significant impact on 5 yr OS [HR-4.6, (95% CI-1.03, 20.5); p=0.04].

Conclusions:

Identification of predictors of poor response to salvage chemotherapy is an unmet need in the management of pediatric HL since complete response (CR) before transplant is independent predictor of survival. Stage 4 and bulky disease at relapse are high risk factors to predict incomplete response. Future trials should explore newer agents for effective salvage for these patients to attain complete response before ASCT.
Objective and efficient terahertz signal denoising by transfer function reconstruction
Authors: Chen Xuequan , Sun Qiushuo , Stantchev Rayko I. , Pickwell-MacPherson Emma
Published: May 2020

As an essential processing step in many disciplines, signal denoising efficiently improves data quality without extra cost. However, it is relatively under-utilized for terahertz spectroscopy. The major technique reported uses wavelet denoising in the time-domain, which has a fuzzy physical meaning and limited performance in low-frequency and water-vapor regions. Here, we work from a new perspective by reconstructing the transfer function to remove noise-induced oscillations. The method is fully objective without a need for defining a threshold. Both reflection imaging and transmission imaging were conducted. The experimental results show that both low- and high-frequency noise and the water-vapor influence were efficiently removed. The spectrum accuracy was also improved, and the image contrast was significantly enhanced. The signal-to-noise ratio of the leaf image was increased up to 10 dB, with the 6 dB bandwidth being extended by over 0.5 THz.
Mapping QTLs associated with grain yield and yield-related traits under aluminum stress in bread wheat
Authors: Farokhzadeh Sara , Fakheri Barat Ali , Nezhad Nafiseh Mahdi , Tahmasebi Sirous , Mirsoleimani Abbas , Heidari Bahram
Published: May 2020

Aluminum (Al) toxicity is one of the major environmental constraints to crop production in acidic soils. The objective of this study was to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) of yield-related traits associated with tolerance to Al in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). A recombinant inbred line population of wheat was evaluated under conditions of 800 µm aluminum chloride hexahydrate (AlCL3.6H2O) at tillering, stem-elongation and flowering stages. Single-locus analysis showed that 22 of 79 QTLs identified were putative. These QTLs explained 4.38–12.24% of the total variation of traits in two growing seasons. Based on two-locus analysis, 71 additive and 11 epistatic QTLs were identified, of which 34 additive and three epistatic QTLs had significant interaction with environmental effects. The greatest number of stable QTLs was related to the A genome. Stable QTLs associated with days to heading and grain yield, with no additive × environment interactions, were co-located with Al concentration (on the 2D linkage group) and 1000-grain weight (on the 6B linkage group). The markers linked to major and stable QTLs identified in the present study can be further assessed in other genetic backgrounds and environmental conditions in order to improve marker-assisted selection and Al tolerance in wheat.
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) cell quotas variations arising from sea ice shifts of salinity and temperature in the Prymnesiophyceae Phaeocystis antarctica
Authors: Wittek Boris , Carnat Gauthier , Delille Bruno , Tison Jean-Louis , Gypens Nathalie
Published: May 2020

Environmental contextDimethylsulfoniopropionate and dimethylsulfoxide could have a climatic influence especially in the polar areas. We investigate the effect of sea ice salinity and temperature on the production of these two sulfur metabolites by a polar microalga, and suggest their potential roles of osmoregulator and cryoprotectant. These results bring new information about the sulfur cycle in sea ice that is useful for climate models.
AbstractThe Southern Ocean, which includes the seasonal ice zone (SIZ), is a source of large sea-air fluxes of dimethylsulfide (DMS), a climate active gas involved in Earth cooling processes. In this area, the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis antarctica (P. antarctica) is one of the main producers of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), two metabolites that are precursors of DMS. These algae are also present in sea ice and contribute substantially to the high DMSP and DMSO concentrations observed in this habitat. DMSP and DMSO production in sea ice by P. antarctica is proposed to be promoted by its ability to live in extreme environmental conditions. We designed cell culture experiments to test that hypothesis, focusing on the impact of shifts of temperature and salinity on the DMSP and DMSO cell quotas. Our experiments show an increase in DMSP and DMSO cell quotas following shifts in salinity (34 to 75, at 4°C), which suggests a potential osmoregulator function for both DMSP and DMSO. Stronger salinity shifts (up to 100) directly impact cell growth and induce a crash of the cultures. Combining the salinity (34 to 75) and temperature (4°C to –2.3°C) shifts induces higher increases of DMSP and DMSO cell quotas that also suggests an implication of both metabolites in a cryoprotectant system. Experimental cell quotas (including diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus quotas from a previous study) are then used to reconstruct DMSP and DMSO profiles in sea ice based on the biomass and taxonomy. Finally, the complexity of the transposition of rates obtained in the experimental domain to the real world is discussed.
A bioinspired stretchable membrane-based compliance sensor
Authors: Beker Levent , Matsuhisa Naoji , You Insang , Ruth Sarah Rachel Arussy , Niu Simiao , Foudeh Amir , Tok Jeffrey B.-H. , Chen Xiaodong , Bao Zhenan
Published: May 2020

Significance

The human skin is capable of identifying compliance of touched materials using pressure and strain-sensing mechanoreceptors. This multitude of sensation requirement has been a grand challenge preventing the development of compact devices capable of compliance sensing. The compliance sensor presented here is developed by integrating a strain and a pressure sensor with a unique design. The thin form factor of the proposed method, along with easy fabrication, enables integration to robotics in high spatial resolution. Thus, the compliance sensor presented here is expected to enable humanlike compliance sensation to robots and machines.
A massively parallel barcoded sequencing pipeline enables generation of the first ORFeome and interactome map for rice
Authors: Wierbowski Shayne D. , Vo Tommy V. , Falter-Braun Pascal , Jobe Timothy O. , Kruse Lars H. , Wei Xiaomu , Liang Jin , Meyer Michael J. , Akturk Nurten , Rivera-Erick Christen A. , Cordero Nicolas A. , Paramo Mauricio I. , Shayhidin Elnur E. , Bertolotti Marta , Tippens Nathaniel D. , Akther Kazi , Sharma Rita , Katayose Yuichi , Salehi-Ashtiani Kourosh , Hao Tong , Ronald Pamela C. , Ecker Joseph R. , Schweitzer Peter A. , Kikuchi Shoshi , Mizuno Hiroshi , Hill David E. , Vidal Marc , Moghe Gaurav D. , McCouch Susan R. , Yu Haiyuan
Published: May 2020

Significance

Although recent advances in next-generation sequencing have facilitated the construction of whole genomes from hundreds of organisms, considerable barriers still restrict the functional understanding of the genes that they contain. An initial prerequisite for such an understanding is the availability of high-quality gene libraries (ORFeomes) amenable to high-throughput functional experiments. Here we develop a massively parallel next-generation sequencing method, PLATE-seq, and leverage the method to construct an ORFeome for rice, providing a toolkit for systematic functional study in an agricultural species. To demonstrate the utility of these resources, we present a map of rice protein–protein interactions.
Ring currents modulate optoelectronic properties of aromatic chromophores at 25 T
Authors: Kudisch Bryan , Maiuri Margherita , Moretti Luca , Oviedo Maria B. , Wang Leon , Oblinsky Daniel G. , Prud’homme Robert K. , Wong Bryan M. , McGill Stephen A. , Scholes Gregory D.
Published: May 2020

Significance

Applying magnetic fields is a powerful strategy to study the electronic properties of inorganic materials and paramagnetic organic systems due to their straightforward Zeeman interactions. We demonstrate with magnetic fields almost 1 million times stronger than that of Earth (up to 25 T) that we can perturb the optoelectronic properties of model “nonmagnetic” organic chromophores. These perturbations arise from the induction of ring currents in these aromatic molecules, which explains the increased relative magnetic sensitivity of the molecular aggregates in comparison to molecules in solution, in analogy to a molecular solenoid. Our results hint that magnetic fields may provide a new handle to control the optoelectronic properties of molecular systems to make new multifunctional and magnetosensitive organic devices.
Photo-printing of faceted DNA patchy particles
Authors: Diaz A. Jairo A. , Oh Joon Suk , Yi Gi-Ra , Pine David J.
Published: May 2020

Significance

Powerful new approaches to assemble colloidal particles have emerged over the past decade, including the introduction of shape complementarity and heterogeneous patchy colloid surfaces. While proteins use both approaches simultaneously, achieving this for colloids has proven difficult. Here, we introduce a scalable method to synthesize solid colloids with localized faceted DNA patches with different symmetries. Our synthetic approach starts with liquid droplets coated with DNA, which is then organized and localized on the droplets, producing facets, and then finally is photopolymerized to produce the desired solid faceted patchy particles. We show that these can self-assemble into a variety of new structures. This method adds a significant element to colloidal self-assembly which should find wide use.
Collateral fitness effects of mutations
Authors: Mehlhoff Jacob D. , Stearns Frank W. , Rohm Dahlia , Wang Buheng , Tsou Erh-Yeh , Dutta Nisita , Hsiao Meng-Hsuan , Gonzalez Courtney E. , Rubin Alan F. , Ostermeier Marc
Published: May 2020

The distribution of fitness effects of mutation plays a central role in constraining protein evolution. The underlying mechanisms by which mutations lead to fitness effects are typically attributed to changes in protein specific activity or abundance. Here, we reveal the importance of a mutation’s collateral fitness effects, which we define as effects that do not derive from changes in the protein’s ability to perform its physiological function. We comprehensively measured the collateral fitness effects of missense mutations in the
Escherichia coli TEM-1
β-lactamase antibiotic resistance gene using growth competition experiments in the absence of antibiotic. At least 42% of missense mutations in
TEM-1
were deleterious, indicating that for some proteins collateral fitness effects occur as frequently as effects on protein activity and abundance. Deleterious mutations caused improper posttranslational processing, incorrect disulfide-bond formation, protein aggregation, changes in gene expression, and pleiotropic effects on cell phenotype. Deleterious collateral fitness effects occurred more frequently in
TEM-1
than deleterious effects on antibiotic resistance in environments with low concentrations of the antibiotic. The surprising prevalence of deleterious collateral fitness effects suggests they may play a role in constraining protein evolution, particularly for highly expressed proteins, for proteins under intermittent selection for their physiological function, and for proteins whose contribution to fitness is buffered against deleterious effects on protein activity and protein abundance.
Collagen microarchitecture mechanically controls myofibroblast differentiation
Authors: Seo Bo Ri , Chen Xingyu , Ling Lu , Song Young Hye , Shimpi Adrian A. , Choi Siyoung , Gonzalez Jacqueline , Sapudom Jiranuwat , Wang Karin , Andresen Eguiluz Roberto Carlos , Gourdon Delphine , Shenoy Vivek B. , Fischbach Claudia
Published: May 2020

Significance

Pathologic fibrosis is associated with altered collagen microarchitecture, but the functional impact of these changes on myofibroblast differentiation remains poorly understood. We experimentally and computationally analyzed the effect of collagen microstructure on matrix mechanics and determined its functional consequences on adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), a cell type contributing to obesity- and cancer-associated fibrosis. Our findings highlight that collagen networks with thicker fibers and larger pores exhibit higher shear moduli than their similarly concentrated counterparts with thinner fibers and smaller pores. These differences promoted ASC mechanosignaling and consequential differentiation into α-smooth muscle actin-positive, contractile, and proangiogenic myofibroblasts. Insights from this work will advance the design of biomaterials for tissue engineering applications as well as antifibrotic therapies.
ZBED2 is an antagonist of interferon regulatory factor 1 and modifies cell identity in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Somerville Tim D. D. , Xu Yali , Wu Xiaoli S. , Maia-Silva Diogo , Hur Stella K. , de Almeida Larissa M. N. , Preall Jonathan B. , Koo Peter K. , Vakoc Christopher R.
Published: May 2020

Lineage plasticity is a prominent feature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells, which can occur via deregulation of lineage-specifying transcription factors. Here, we show that the zinc finger protein ZBED2 is aberrantly expressed in PDA and alters tumor cell identity in this disease. Unexpectedly, our epigenomic experiments reveal that ZBED2 is a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor of IFN-stimulated genes, which occurs through antagonism of IFN regulatory factor 1 (IRF1)-mediated transcriptional activation at cooccupied promoter elements. Consequently, ZBED2 attenuates the transcriptional output and growth arrest phenotypes downstream of IFN signaling in multiple PDA cell line models. We also found that ZBED2 is preferentially expressed in the squamous molecular subtype of human PDA, in association with inferior patient survival outcomes. Consistent with this observation, we show that ZBED2 can repress the pancreatic progenitor transcriptional program, enhance motility, and promote invasion in PDA cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that high ZBED2 expression is acquired during PDA progression to suppress the IFN response pathway and to promote lineage plasticity in this disease.