bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating aircraft cockpit emotion through a neural network approach
Authors: Chen Yanhao , Yu Suihuai , Chu Jianjie , Chen Dengkai , Yu Mingjiu
Published: November 2020

Studies show that there are shortcomings in applying conventional methods for the emotional evaluation of the aircraft cockpit. In order to resolve this problem, a more efficient cockpit emotion evaluation system is established in the present study to simply and quickly obtain the cockpit emotion evaluation value. To this end, the neural network is applied to construct an emotional model to evaluate the emotional prediction of the interior design of the aircraft cockpit. Moreover, several technologies and the Kansei engineering method are applied to acquire the cockpit interior emotional evaluation data for typical aircraft models. In this regard, the radical basis function neural network (RBFNN), Elman neural network (ENN), and the general regression neural network (GRNN) are applied to construct the sentimental prediction evaluation model. Then, the three models are comprehensively compared through factors such as the model evaluation criteria, network structure, and network parameters. Obtained experimental results indicate that the GRNN not only has the highest classification accuracy but also has the highest stability in comparison to the other two neural networks, so that it is a more appropriate method for the emotional evaluation of the aircraft cockpit. Results of the present study provide decision supports for the emotional evaluation of the cockpit interior space.
Networks and financial war: the brothers Warburg in the first age of globalization
Authors: James Harold
Published: November 2020

This article examines the geo-economic consequences of the financial panic of October 1907. The vulnerability of the United States, but also of Germany, contrasted with the absence of a crisis in Great Britain. The experience showed the fast-growing industrial powers the desirability of mobilizing financial power, and the article examines the contributions of two influential brothers, Max and Paul Warburg, on different sides of the Atlantic. The discussion led to the establishment of a central bank in the United States and institutional improvements in German central banking: in both cases security as well as economic considerations played a substantial role.
Rapid response of a cardiac rhabdomyoma causing severe right ventricular outflow obstruction to Sirolimus in an infant with negative genetics for Tuberous sclerosis
Authors: Nir-David Yifat , Brosilow Sharon , Khoury Asaad
Published: November 2020

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors was found recently to be an effective treatment for manifestations of Tuberous sclerosis complex, including cardiac rhabdomyomas. Most cases with Cardiac rhabdomyoma treated with mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors to date were diagnosed with Tuberous sclerosis. We report a case of cardiac rhabdomyoma and severe right ventricular outflow obstruction in a baby with negative genetics for Tuberous sclerosis that responded rapidly to Sirolimus.
The deforestation-income relationship: evidence of deforestation convergence across developing countries
Authors: Assa Boka Stéphane Kévin
Published: November 2020

The importance of forest conservation in the fight against emissions from deforestation and forest degradation has led to reexamination of the deforestation and economic development relationship. For this purpose, we use the recent method of long-term growth rate developed by Stern et al. (2017) on 85 tropical developing countries over the period 1990–2010. Results show that the EKC is not significant. However, we find a beta convergence across developing countries in terms of deforestation per capita. In other words, these countries converge in terms of policies that prevent deforestation and forest degradation. This implies that, just as with growth effects, beta convergence effects are also important in explaining changes in forest cover in tropical developing countries. The convergence effect in forest cover change may be consistent with the forest transition hypothesis.
Francis Hutcheson on Liberty
Authors: Boeker Ruth
Published: November 2020

This paper aims to reconstruct Francis Hutcheson's thinking about liberty. Since he does not offer a detailed treatment of philosophical questions concerning liberty in his mature philosophical writings I turn to a textbook on metaphysics. We can assume that he prepared the textbook during the 1720s in Dublin. This textbook deserves more attention. First, it sheds light on Hutcheson's role as a teacher in Ireland and Scotland. Second, Hutcheson's contributions to metaphysical disputes are more original than sometimes assumed. To appreciate his independent thinking, I argue, it is helpful to take the intellectual debates in Ireland into consideration, including William King's defence of free will and discussions of Shaftesbury's views in Robert Molesworth's intellectual circle. Rather than taking a stance on the philosophical disputes about liberty, I argue that Hutcheson aims to shift the focus of the debates towards practical questions concerning control of desire, cultivation of habits, and character development.
‘Plainly of Considerable Moment in Human Society’: Francis Hutcheson and Polite Laughter in Eighteenth-Century Britain and Ireland
Authors: Davison Kate
Published: November 2020

This article focuses on Francis Hutcheson'sReflections Upon Laughter, which was originally published in 1725 as a series of three letters toThe Dublin Journalduring his time in the city. Although rarely considered a significant example of Hutcheson's published work,Reflections Upon Laughterhas long been recognised in the philosophy of laughter as a foundational contribution to the ‘incongruity theory’ – one of the ‘big three’ theories of laughter, and that which is still considered the most credible by modern theorists. The article gives an account of Hutcheson's text but, rather than evaluating it solely as an explanation of laughter, the approach taken is an historical one: it emphasises the need to reconnect the theory to the cultural and intellectual contexts in which it was published and to identify the significance of Hutcheson's arguments in time and place. Through this, the article argues that Hutcheson's theory of laughter is indicative of the perceived significance of human risibility in early eighteenth-century Britain and Ireland and, more broadly, that it contributed both to moral philosophical debate and polite conduct guidance.
What the Women of Dublin Did with John Locke
Authors: Gerrard Christine
Published: November 2020

William Molyneux's friendship with John Locke helped make Locke's ideas well known in early eighteenth-century Dublin. TheEssay Concerning Human Understandingwas placed on the curriculum of Trinity College in 1692, soon after its publication. Yet there has been very little discussion of whether Irish women from this period read or knew Locke's work, or engaged more generally in contemporary philosophical debate. This essay focuses on the work of Laetitia Pilkington (1709–1750) and Mary Barber (1685–1755), two of the Dublin women writers of the so-called ‘Triumfeminate’, a literary and intellectual circle connected to Jonathan Swift which met and discussed ideas at the home of Patrick Delaney. Pilkington and Barber were particularly influenced by Locke's ideas on obstetrics and childhood in hisSome Thoughts Concerning Educationand especially by his discussion of memory in theEssay Concerning Human Understanding. Both authors engage playfully and imaginatively with Locke's theories, especially in a domestic context. Not all philosophical debates took place in the public male spaces of school, coffee house and university. This essay attempts to recreate the contexts in which intellectually curious women of the ‘middling sort’ encountered and engaged with philosophical ideas, especially those of Locke, and how these shaped their writing.
From Serena to Hypatia: John Toland's Women
Authors: Leask Ian
Published: November 2020

This paper focusses on John Toland's influentialHypatia(1720), an account of the neo-Platonist philosopher and mathematician murdered in ancient Alexandria; it also considers segments of hisLetters to Serena(1704), and suggests various conjunctions between the two texts which confirm Toland's genuine and sustained feminist commitment. As I try to establish, Toland's concern is as much about contemporaneous events as it is about ‘disinterested’ history: by promoting Hypatia as the representative of philosophy in its perennial struggle with superstition and priestcraft, Toland is able to underscore the wider case for an inclusive and capacious conception of ‘enlightenment’.
Spanish Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Parent Version of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ-P) in a Non-Clinical Sample of Young School-Aged Children
Authors: Fernández-Martínez Iván , Morales Alexandra , Méndez Francisco Xavier , Espada José Pedro , Orgilés Mireia
Published: November 2020

The parent version of the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ-P) is a brief 13-item tool for the screening of depression in children from the age of 6 years. Despite the wide use of the SMFQ-P, its psychometric properties and factor structure remain understudied, with few data available for young school-aged children. The objective of this study was to examine for the first time the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the SMFQ-P in a non-clinical sample of Spanish-speaking children aged 6–8 years. Participants were 181 children whose parents completed the Spanish-adapted version of the SMFQ-P along with the parent version of other measures of anxiety and general difficulties and positive attributes. The SMFQ-P demonstrated adequate internal consistency (α = .83) and test-retest reliability over an eight-week period (ICC = .80), and good convergent and divergent validity. Factor analysis confirmed the original 13-item model, thus supporting the unidimensionality of the measure in the Spanish sample. Overall, this study provides initial empirical evidence for the utility of the SMFQ-P with Spanish-speaking children from early school ages, and extends the international support of the measure.
The Pathways of Aggression – Differential Indirect Associations Between Anxiety Sensitivity Cognitive Concerns and Suicidality
Authors: Martin Rachel L. , Smith Nicole S. , Caulfield Nicole M. , Capron Daniel W.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Background: Suicide prevention efforts have focused on risk factors that help identify people with an increased risk for suicide. One risk factor related to suicide risk is anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns (ASCC), which is the "fear of going crazy." The association between ASCC and suicidal ideation is hypothesized to result from the depression–distress amplification model, which postulates that ASCC exacerbates feelings of depression and concurrent distress. Furthermore, there is evidence for associations between ASCC/dysregulated anger and dysregulated anger/suicidal ideation. We hypothesized that aggression may provide pathways from ASCC to suicidality. The current study examined how facets of aggression (described as elevated agitation) meditated the association between ASCC and suicidality. Aims: The current study aimed to extend prior research by examining how different facets of aggression mediate the association between ASCC and suicidality. Method: Participants were 440 adults recruited online, 32.7% of whom endorsed experiencing lifetime suicidal ideation. Results: Our hypotheses were partially supported with two significant indirect effects. Results indicated that physical aggression and hostility provided significant indirect effects; however, verbal aggression and anger did not. Limitations: The study was cross-sectional in nature, limiting causal interpretations about the indirect effects. The sample included primarily White participants. Conclusion: Specific facets of aggression provide pathways through which ASCC is associated with suicidality. Aggression may be a catalyst for individuals to progress to suicidality. The current study provides foundational research for continued examination of physical aggression as a catalyst for suicide attempts.
Future Risks of Unprecedented Compound Heat Waves Over Three Vast Urban Agglomerations in China
Authors: Wang Jun , Feng Jinming , Yan Zhongwei , Chen Yang
Published: November 2020

Key Points

Unprecedented compound heat waves will occur on a regular basis in three urban agglomerations in China since mid‐21st century under RCP8.5

The likelihood of unprecedented compound heat waves in a 1.5°C warmer world will halve compared to 2°C warming scenario

Population exposures to future unprecedented compound heat waves will increase by nearly 70, 90, and 60 million by the end of this century
Brine Migration and Impact‐Induced Cryovolcanism on Europa
Authors: Steinbrügge G. , Voigt J. R. C. , Wolfenbarger N. S. , Hamilton C. W. , Soderlund K. M. , Young D. A. , Blankenship D. D. , Vance S. D. , Schroeder D. M.
Published: November 2020

Despite evidence for plumes on Jupiter's moon Europa, no surface features have been definitively identified as the source of the plumes to date. Furthermore, it remains unknown whether the activity originates from near‐surface water reservoirs within the ice shell or if it is sourced from the underlying global ocean. Here we investigate brine pocket migration, studied previously in the context of sea ice on Earth, as a process for transporting brine along thermal gradients. We show that the fracture system located in the center of Europa's Manannán crater is consistent with the formation of a subsurface brine reservoir. After the initial impact, residual aqueous melt concentrated via brine pocket migration as the target material cooled. Freezing and overpressurization then resulted in a cryovolcanic eruption. The volume of the emptied reservoir and the critical composition at the end of migration provide further constraints on the average salinity of Europa's ice shell.
Wave Generation Across a Continuum of Landslide Conditions From the Collapse of Partially Submerged to Fully Submerged Granular Columns
Authors: Cabrera Miguel A. , Pinzon Gustavo , Take W. Andy , Mulligan Ryan P.
Published: November 2020

Landslide generated tsunamis are a primary natural hazard to coastal communities and infrastructure, but the present state of knowledge is limited to the specific details of momentum transfer from the landslide to the water body for either subaerial or fully submerged conditions. Here we report a series of novel experiments and an analytical model that bridges this gap, by exploring the collapse of a granular column for a wide range of water depths. We show that the maximum seaward wave amplitude is governed by a single dimensionless ratio, the relative depth of submergence. Based on the experimental observations, we propose a continuous function that quantifies the maximum wave amplitude by considering the momentum flux from the initially vertical granular column to the initially still fluid. Predictions made using the momentum function are in good agreement with observations of the present study and with other experimental studies of granular column collapse at larger scales. The analytical model allows the prediction of maximum wave amplitude over the full range of submergence conditions from subaerial to partially submerged and fully submerged collapses, with potential applications for tsunami hazard assessment.
Effect of Cold Front‐Induced Waves Along Wetlands Boundaries
Authors: Kim Jin‐Young , Kaihatu James , Chang Kuang‐An , Sun Shih‐Heng , Huff Thomas P. , Feagin Rusty A.
Published: November 2020

Along wetland shorelines, the energetic wave environment generated by cold fronts occurs more frequently than for major storms, yet their impact on wetland evolution processes has not been fully identified. To capture the changes in wave climate during the passage of cold fronts, a wave gauge was installed near a salt marsh edge in Galveston Bay, Texas, USA. A coupled wave‐hydrodynamic model, validated with the data, was used to assess the dominant processes of cold front induced surge and waves. During the measurement period, wind gusts and abrupt direction shifts during cold fronts produced high‐energy wave events that propagated toward the wetland edge. Before a cold front passed our study area, there was an initial increase in the water level inside the bay. As soon as the cold front passed and the wind direction shifted, large waves were created by strong winds. Over the first few hours, the relatively high water level reduced the depth limitations on these waves, allowing them to be quite large. However, as the waves struck the wetland edge at these higher water levels, vegetation intercepted and dampened the erosive force. Over the next few days, the water level dropped well below the mean tide, allowing plunging waves to impinge directly on the edge with a high‐energy flux. From the calculated wave power during the entire measurement period, it was found that cold front‐induced waves, despite their brief duration, had a high erosive impact on the evolution of the wetland edge.
A Probabilistic Approach to Determination of Ceres' Average Surface Composition From Dawn Visible‐Infrared Mapping Spectrometer and Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector Data
Authors: Kurokawa H. , Ehlmann B. L. , De Sanctis M. C. , Lapôtre M. G. A. , Usui T. , Stein N. T. , Prettyman T. H. , Raponi A. , Ciarniello M.
Published: November 2020

The Visible‐Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIR) on board the Dawn spacecraft revealed that aqueous secondary minerals—Mg‐phyllosilicates, NH4‐bearing phases, and Mg/Ca carbonates—are ubiquitous on Ceres. Ceres' low reflectance requires dark phases, which were assumed to be amorphous carbon and/or magnetite (∼80 wt.%). In contrast, the Gamma Ray and Neutron Detector (GRaND) constrained the abundances of C (8–14 wt.%) and Fe (15–17 wt.%). Here, we reconcile the VIR‐derived mineral composition with the GRaND‐derived elemental composition. First, we model mineral abundances from VIR data, including either meteorite‐derived insoluble organic matter (IOM), amorphous carbon, magnetite, or combination as the darkening agent and provide statistically rigorous error bars from a Bayesian algorithm combined with a radiative‐transfer model. Elemental abundances of C and Fe are much higher than is suggested by the GRaND observations for all models satisfying VIR data. We then show that radiative transfer modeling predicts higher reflectance from a carbonaceous chondrite of known composition than its measured reflectance. Consequently, our second models use multiple carbonaceous chondrite endmembers, allowing for the possibility that their specific textures or minerals other than carbon or magnetite act as darkening agents, including sulfides and tochilinite. Unmixing models with carbonaceous chondrites eliminate the discrepancy in elemental abundances of C and Fe. Ceres' average reflectance spectrum and elemental abundances are best reproduced by carbonaceous‐chondrite‐like materials (40–70 wt.%), IOM or amorphous carbon (10 wt.%), magnetite (3–8 wt.%), serpentine (10–25 wt.%), carbonates (4–12 wt.%), and NH4‐bearing phyllosilicates (1–11 wt.%).
GDC-0349 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell growth
Authors: Yang Han , Zhao Jun , Zhao Mengjing , Zhao Lihao , Zhou Li-na , Duan Yuxia , Li Gang
Published: November 2020

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related human mortality with a clear need for new therapeutic intervention. GDC-0349 is a potent and selective ATP-competitive mTOR inhibitor. In A549 cells and primary human NSCLC cells, GDC-0349 inhibited cell growth, proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion, while inducing significant apoptosis activation. Although GDC-0349 blocked Akt-mTORC1/2 activation in NSCLC cells, it also exerted cytotoxicity in Akt1-knockout A549 cells. Furthermore, restoring Akt-mTOR activation by a constitutively-active Akt1 only partially attenuated GDC-0349-induced A549 cell apoptosis, indicating the existence of Akt-mTOR-independent mechanisms. In NSCLC cells GDC-0349 induced sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) inhibition, ceramide accumulation, JNK activation and oxidative injury. Conversely, N-acetylcysteine, the JNK inhibitor and sphingosine 1-phosphate alleviated GDC-0349-induced NSCLC cell apoptosis. In vivo, daily oral administration of GDC-0349 potently inhibited NSCLC xenograft growth in mice. Akt-mTOR in-activation, SphK1 inhibition, JNK activation and oxidative stress were detected in NSCLC xenograft tissues with GDC-0349 administration. In summary, GDC-0349 inhibits NSCLC cell growth via Akt-mTOR-dependent and Akt-mTOR-independent mechanisms.
Engineering microrobots for targeted cancer therapies from a medical perspective
Authors: Schmidt Christine K. , Medina-Sánchez Mariana , Edmondson Richard J. , Schmidt Oliver G.
Published: November 2020

Systemic chemotherapy remains the backbone of many cancer treatments. Due to its untargeted nature and the severe side effects it can cause, numerous nanomedicine approaches have been developed to overcome these issues. However, targeted delivery of therapeutics remains challenging. Engineering microrobots is increasingly receiving attention in this regard. Their functionalities, particularly their motility, allow microrobots to penetrate tissues and reach cancers more efficiently. Here, we highlight how different microrobots, ranging from tailor-made motile bacteria and tiny bubble-propelled microengines to hybrid spermbots, can be engineered to integrate sophisticated features optimised for precision-targeting of a wide range of cancers. Towards this, we highlight the importance of integrating clinicians, the public and cancer patients early on in the development of these novel technologies.
Cumulative learning enables convolutional neural network representations for small mass spectrometry data classification
Authors: Seddiki Khawla , Saudemont Philippe , Precioso Frédéric , Ogrinc Nina , Wisztorski Maxence , Salzet Michel , Fournier Isabelle , Droit Arnaud
Published: November 2020

Rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis remains challenging. A component of diagnosis tool development is the design of effective classification models with Mass spectrometry (MS) data. Some Machine Learning approaches have been investigated but these models require time-consuming preprocessing steps to remove artifacts, making them unsuitable for rapid analysis. Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) have been found to perform well under such circumstances since they can learn representations from raw data. However, their effectiveness decreases when the number of available training samples is small, which is a common situation in medicine. In this work, we investigate transfer learning on 1D-CNNs, then we develop a cumulative learning method when transfer learning is not powerful enough. We propose to train the same model through several classification tasks over various small datasets to accumulate knowledge in the resulting representation. By using rat brain as the initial training dataset, a cumulative learning approach can have a classification accuracy exceeding 98% for 1D clinical MS-data. We show the use of cumulative learning using datasets generated in different biological contexts, on different organisms, and acquired by different instruments. Here we show a promising strategy for improving MS data classification accuracy when only small numbers of samples are available.
Alpha-ketoglutarate ameliorates age-related osteoporosis via regulating histone methylations
Authors: Wang Yuan , Deng Peng , Liu Yuting , Wu Yunshu , Chen Yaqian , Guo Yuchen , Zhang Shiwen , Zheng Xiaofei , Zhou Liyan , Liu Weiqing , Li Qiwen , Lin Weimin , Qi Xingying , Ou Guomin , Wang Cunyu , Yuan Quan
Published: November 2020

Age-related osteoporosis is characterized by the deterioration in bone volume and strength, partly due to the dysfunction of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) during aging. Alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) is an essential intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Studies have revealed that αKG extends the lifespan of worms and maintains the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here, we show that the administration of αKG increases the bone mass of aged mice, attenuates age-related bone loss, and accelerates bone regeneration of aged rodents. αKG ameliorates the senescence-associated (SA) phenotypes of bone marrow MSCs derived from aged mice, as well as promoting their proliferation, colony formation, migration, and osteogenic potential. Mechanistically, αKG decreases the accumulations of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3, and subsequently upregulates BMP signaling and Nanog expression. Collectively, our findings illuminate the role of αKG in rejuvenating MSCs and ameliorating age-related osteoporosis, with a promising therapeutic potential in age-related diseases.
Genome-wide meta-analysis of brain volume identifies genomic loci and genes shared with intelligence
Authors: Jansen Philip R. , Nagel Mats , Watanabe Kyoko , Wei Yongbin , Savage Jeanne E. , de Leeuw Christiaan A. , van den Heuvel Martijn P. , van der Sluis Sophie , Posthuma Danielle
Published: November 2020

The phenotypic correlation between human intelligence and brain volume (BV) is considerable (r ≈ 0.40), and has been shown to be due to shared genetic factors. To further examine specific genetic factors driving this correlation, we present genomic analyses of the genetic overlap between intelligence and BV using genome-wide association study (GWAS) results. First, we conduct a large BV GWAS meta-analysis (N = 47,316 individuals), followed by functional annotation and gene-mapping. We identify 18 genomic loci (14 not previously associated), implicating 343 genes (270 not previously associated) and 18 biological pathways for BV. Second, we use an existing GWAS for intelligence (N = 269,867 individuals), and estimate the genetic correlation (rg) between BV and intelligence to be 0.24. We show that the rg is partly attributable to physical overlap of GWAS hits in 5 genomic loci. We identify 92 shared genes between BV and intelligence, which are mainly involved in signaling pathways regulating cell growth. Out of these 92, we prioritize 32 that are most likely to have functional impact. These results provide information on the genetics of BV and provide biological insight into BV’s shared genetic etiology with intelligence.
A universal dual mechanism immunotherapy for the treatment of influenza virus infections
Authors: Liu Xin , Zhang Boning , Wang Yingcai , Haymour Hanan S. , Zhang Fenghua , Xu Le-cun , Srinivasarao Madduri , Low Philip S.
Published: November 2020

Seasonal influenza epidemics lead to 3–5 million severe infections and 290,000–650,000 annual global deaths. With deaths from the 1918 influenza pandemic estimated at >50,000,000 and future pandemics anticipated, the need for a potent influenza treatment is critical. In this study, we design and synthesize a bifunctional small molecule by conjugating the neuraminidase inhibitor, zanamivir, with the highly immunogenic hapten, dinitrophenyl (DNP), which specifically targets the surface of free virus and viral-infected cells. We show that this leads to simultaneous inhibition of virus release, and immune-mediated elimination of both free virus and virus-infected cells. Intranasal or intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of drug to mice infected with 100x MLD50 virus is shown to eradicate advanced infections from representative strains of both influenza A and B viruses. Since treatments of severe infections remain effective up to three days post lethal inoculation, our approach may successfully treat infections refractory to current therapies.
Biomimetic α-selective ribosylation enables two-step modular synthesis of biologically important ADP-ribosylated peptides
Authors: Zhu Anlian , Li Xin , Bai Lili , Zhu Gongming , Guo Yuanyang , Lin Jianwei , Cui Yiwen , Tian Gaofei , Zhang Lihe , Wang Jianji , Li Xiang David , Li Lingjun
Published: November 2020

The α-type ADP-ribosylated peptides represent a class of important molecular tools in the field of protein ADP-ribosylation, however, they are difficult to access because of their inherent complicated structures and the lack of effective synthetic tools. In this paper, we present a biomimetic α-selective ribosylation reaction to synthesize a key intermediate, α-ADP-ribosyl azide, directly from native β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in a clean ionic liquid system. This reaction in tandem with click chemistry then offers a two-step modular synthesis of α-ADP-ribosylated peptides. These syntheses can be performed open air in eppendorf tubes, without the need for specialized instruments or training. Importantly, we demonstrate that the synthesized α-ADP-ribosylated peptides show high binding affinity and desirable stability for enriching protein partners, and reactivity in post-stage poly ADP-ribosylations. Owing to their simple chemistry and multidimensional bio-applications, the presented methods may provide a powerful platform to produce general molecular tools for the study of protein ADP-ribosylation.
Direct measurements of interfacial adhesion in 2D materials and van der Waals heterostructures in ambient air
Authors: Rokni Hossein , Lu Wei
Published: November 2020

Interfacial adhesion energy is a fundamental property of two-dimensional (2D) layered materials and van der Waals heterostructures due to their intrinsic ultrahigh surface to volume ratio, making adhesion forces very strong in many processes related to fabrication, integration and performance of devices incorporating 2D crystals. However, direct quantitative characterization of adhesion behavior of fresh and aged homo/heterointerfaces at nanoscale has remained elusive. Here, we use an atomic force microscopy technique to report precise adhesion measurements in ambient air through well-defined interactions of tip-attached 2D crystal nanomesas with 2D crystal and SiOx substrates. We quantify how different levels of short-range dispersive and long-range electrostatic interactions respond to airborne contaminants and humidity upon thermal annealing. We show that a simple but very effective precooling treatment can protect 2D crystal substrates against the airborne contaminants and thus boost the adhesion level at the interface of similar and dissimilar van der Waals heterostructures. Our combined experimental and computational analysis also reveals a distinctive interfacial behavior in transition metal dichalcogenides and graphite/SiOx heterostructures beyond the widely accepted van der Waals interaction.
Snapshot multidimensional photography through active optical mapping
Authors: Park Jongchan , Feng Xiaohua , Liang Rongguang , Gao Liang
Published: November 2020

Multidimensional photography can capture optical fields beyond the capability of conventional image sensors that measure only two-dimensional (2D) spatial distribution of light. By mapping a high-dimensional datacube of incident light onto a 2D image sensor, multidimensional photography resolves the scene along with other information dimensions, such as wavelength and time. However, the application of current multidimensional imagers is fundamentally restricted by their static optical architectures and measurement schemes—the mapping relation between the light datacube voxels and image sensor pixels is fixed. To overcome this limitation, we propose tunable multidimensional photography through active optical mapping. A high-resolution spatial light modulator, referred to as an active optical mapper, permutes and maps the light datacube voxels onto sensor pixels in an arbitrary and programmed manner. The resultant system can readily adapt the acquisition scheme to the scene, thereby maximising the measurement flexibility. Through active optical mapping, we demonstrate our approach in two niche implementations: hyperspectral imaging and ultrafast imaging.
Ultralong lifetime and efficient room temperature phosphorescent carbon dots through multi-confinement structure design
Authors: Sun Yuqiong , Liu Shuting , Sun Luyi , Wu Shuangshuang , Hu Guangqi , Pang Xiaoliang , Smith Andrew T. , Hu Chaofan , Zeng Songshan , Wang Weixing , Liu Yingliang , Zheng Mingtao
Published: November 2020

Room temperature phosphorescence materials have inspired extensive attention owing to their great potential in optical applications. However, it is hard to achieve a room temperature phosphorescence material with simultaneous long lifetime and high phosphorescence quantum efficiency. Herein, multi-confined carbon dots were designed and fabricated, enabling room temperature phosphorescence material with simultaneous ultralong lifetime, high phosphorescence quantum efficiency, and excellent stability. The multi-confinement by a highly rigid network, stable covalent bonding, and 3D spatial restriction efficiently rigidified the triplet excited states of carbon dots from non-radiative deactivation. The as-designed multi-confined carbon dots exhibit ultralong lifetime of 5.72 s, phosphorescence quantum efficiency of 26.36%, and exceptional stability against strong oxidants, acids and bases, as well as polar solvents. This work provides design principles and a universal strategy to construct metal-free room temperature phosphorescence materials with ultralong lifetime, high phosphorescence quantum efficiency, and high stability for promising applications, especially under harsh conditions.
A wearable motion capture device able to detect dynamic motion of human limbs
Authors: Liu Shiqiang , Zhang Junchang , Zhang Yuzhong , Zhu Rong
Published: November 2020

Limb motion capture is essential in human motion-recognition, motor-function assessment and dexterous human-robot interaction for assistive robots. Due to highly dynamic nature of limb activities, conventional inertial methods of limb motion capture suffer from serious drift and instability problems. Here, a motion capture method with integral-free velocity detection is proposed and a wearable device is developed by incorporating micro tri-axis flow sensors with micro tri-axis inertial sensors. The device allows accurate measurement of three-dimensional motion velocity, acceleration, and attitude angle of human limbs in daily activities, strenuous, and prolonged exercises. Additionally, we verify an intra-limb coordination relationship exists between thigh and shank in human walking and running, and establish a neural network model for it. Using the intra-limb coordination model, dynamic motion capture of human lower limbs including thigh and shank is tactfully implemented by a single shank-worn device, which simplifies the capture device and reduces cost. Experiments in strenuous activities and long-time running validate excellent performance and robustness of the wearable device in dynamic motion recognition and reconstruction of human limbs.
Defective minor spliceosomes induce SMA-associated phenotypes through sensitive intron-containing neural genes in Drosophila
Authors: Li Liang , Ding Zhan , Pang Ting-Lin , Zhang Bei , Li Chen-Hui , Liang An-Min , Wang Yu-Ru , Zhou Yu , Fan Yu-Jie , Xu Yong-Zhen
Published: November 2020

The minor spliceosome is evolutionarily conserved in higher eukaryotes, but its biological significance remains poorly understood. Here, by precise CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of the U12 and U6atac snRNAs, we report that a defective minor spliceosome is responsible for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) associated phenotypes in Drosophila. Using a newly developed bioinformatic approach, we identified a large set of minor spliceosome-sensitive splicing events and demonstrate that three sensitive intron-containing neural genes, Pcyt2, Zmynd10, and Fas3, directly contribute to disease development as evidenced by the ability of their cDNAs to rescue the SMA-associated phenotypes in muscle development, neuromuscular junctions, and locomotion. Interestingly, many splice sites in sensitive introns are recognizable by both minor and major spliceosomes, suggesting a new mechanism of splicing regulation through competition between minor and major spliceosomes. These findings reveal a vital contribution of the minor spliceosome to SMA and to regulated splicing in animals.
N-acetylcysteine prevents olanzapine-induced oxidative stress in mHypoA-59 hypothalamic neurons
Authors: Boz Zehra , Hu Minmin , Yu Yinghua , Huang Xu-Feng
Published: November 2020

Olanzapine is a second-generation antipsychotic (AP) drug commonly prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia. Recently, olanzapine has been found to cause brain tissue volume loss in rodent and primate studies; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Abnormal autophagy and oxidative stress have been implicated to have a role in AP-induced neurodegeneration, while N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a potent antioxidant, shown to be beneficial in the treatment of schizophrenia. Here, we investigate the role of olanzapine and NAC on cell viability, oxidative stress, mitochondrial mass and mitophagy in hypothalamic cells. Firstly, cell viability was assessed in mHypoA-59 and mHypoA NPY/GFP cells using an MTS assay and flow cytometric analyses. Olanzapine treated mHypoA-59 cells were then assessed for mitophagy markers and oxidative stress; including quantification of lysosomes, autophagosomes, LC3B-II, p62, superoxide anion (O2–) and mitochondrial mass. NAC (10 mM) was used to reverse the effects of olanzapine (100 µM) on O2−, mitochondrial mass and LC3B-II. We found that olanzapine significantly impacted cell viability in mHypoA-59 hypothalamic cells in a dose and time-dependent manner. Olanzapine inhibited mitophagy, instigated oxidative stress and prompted mitochondrial abnormalities. NAC was able to mitigate olanzapine-induced effects. These findings suggest that high doses of olanzapine may cause neurotoxicity of hypothalamic neurons via increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial damage and mitophagy inhibition. This could in part explain data suggesting that APs may reduce brain volume.
Simplification of networks by conserving path diversity and minimisation of the search information
Authors: Yin H. , Clegg R. G. , Mondragón R. J.
Published: November 2020

Alternative paths in a network play an important role in its functionality as they can maintain the information flow under node/link failures. In this paper we explore the navigation of a network taking into account the alternative paths and in particular how can we describe this navigation in a concise way. Our approach is to simplify the network by aggregating into groups the nodes that do not contribute to alternative paths. We refer to these groups as super-nodes, and describe the post-aggregation network with super-nodes as the skeleton network. We present a method to describe with the least amount of information the paths in the super-nodes and skeleton network. Applying our method to several real networks we observed that there is scaling behaviour between the information required to describe all the paths in a network and the minimal information to describe the paths of its skeleton. We show how from this scaling we can evaluate the information of the paths for large networks with less computational cost.
Global assessment of arteriolar, venular and capillary changes in normal tension glaucoma
Authors: Lin Timothy P. H. , Wang Yu Meng , Ho Kevin , Wong Cherie Y. K. , Chan Poemen P. , Wong Mandy O. M. , Chan Noel C. Y. , Tang Fangyao , Lam Alexander , Leung Dexter Y. L. , Wong Tien Yin , Cheng Ching-Yu , Cheung Carol Y. , Tham Clement C.
Published: November 2020

Microcirculatory insufficiency has been hypothesized in glaucoma pathogenesis. There is a scarcity of data to comprehensively examine the changes in retinal microvasculature and its role in normal tension glaucoma (NTG). We conducted a cross-sectional case–control study and included 168 eyes from 100 NTG patients and 68 healthy subjects. Quantitative retinal arteriolar and venular metrics were measured from retinal photographs using a computer-assisted program. Radial peripapillary capillary network was imaged with OCT-A and quantitative capillary metrics (circumpapillary vessel density (cpVD) and circumpapillary fractal dimension (cpFD)) were measured with a customized MATLAB program. We found that NTG was associated with decreased arteriolar and venular tortuosity, arteriolar branching angle, cpVD and cpFD. Decreased venular caliber, arteriolar and venular branching angles, cpVD and cpFD were associated with thinner average RNFL thickness. Decreased arteriolar and venular branching angles, cpVD and cpFD were also associated with worse standard automated perimetry measurements (mean deviation and visual field index). Compared with retinal arteriolar and venular metrics, regression models based on OCT-A capillary metrics consistently showed stronger associations with NTG and structural and functional measurements in NTG. We concluded that NTG eyes showed generalized microvascular attenuations, in which OCT-A capillary metrics attenuations were more prominent and strongly associated with NTG.
Radiocesium levels in contaminated forests has remained stable, even after heavy rains due to typhoons and localized downpours
Authors: Taira Yasuyuki , Matsuo Masahiko , Yamaguchi Takumi , Yamada Yumiko , Orita Makiko , Takamura Noboru
Published: November 2020

In recent years, Japan has suffered serious damage due to natural disasters such as earthquakes, heavy rains due to tropical storms (typhoons) and localized downpours. To assess the chronological changes in the attenuation of external exposure doses and environmental radiation contamination due to the rainfall associated with typhoons and heavy rains during October to December 2019 in Fukushima, we measured environmental radiation levels in forest areas along the Mt Okura hiking trail in Tomioka Town, Fukushima Prefecture, near the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. We confirmed that (1) current ambient dose rates of 0.38–0.95 μSv/h in most forest areas were 79.9–84.7% higher than in residential areas; (2) the number of sites along the hiking trail where 137Cs was detected was limited (1.1–4.7%); and (3) individual dose rates of 0.21–0.34 μSv/h were lower than ambient dose rates. These findings suggest that radiocesium has remained stable in natural forests that have not been decontaminated even though current levels are low, despite the occurrence of heavy rainfall associated with Super Typhoon Hagibis in 2019 and localized downpours. Hiking while managing exposure to environmental contamination using a personal dosimeter may be the safest model for spending time of leisure activities.
Non-invasive neuromodulation effects on painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zeng Huiyan , Pacheco-Barrios Kevin , Cao Ying , Li Ying , Zhang Jinming , Yang Caifeng , Fregni Felipe
Published: November 2020

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) typically is accompanied by painful symptoms. Several therapeutic agents have been tried for symptomatic relief, but with varying results. The use of non-invasive neuromodulation (NINM) is a potential treatment option for DPN. The objective of our study is to evaluate NINM effects on pain rating and nerve conduction velocity in DPN patients. The search was carried out in seven databases until Aug 30th, 2019. Finally, twenty studies met the inclusion criteria. We found a significant reduction of pain scores by central NINMs (effect size [ES] =  − 0.75, 95% CI =  − 1.35 to − 0.14), but not by the overall peripheral techniques (electrical and electromagnetic) (ES =  − 0.58, 95% CI =  − 1.23 to 0.07). However, the subgroup of peripheral electrical NINMs reported a significant higher effect (ES =  − 0.84, 95% CI =  − 1.57 to − 0.11) compared to electromagnetic techniques (ES = 0.21; 95% CI =  − 1.00 to 1.42, I2 = 95.3%) . Other subgroup analysis results show that NINMs effects are higher with intensive protocols and in populations with resistant symptoms or intolerance to analgesic medications. Besides, NINMs can increase motor nerves velocity (ES = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.47 to 2.17), and there were no effects on sensory nerves velocity (ES = 0.01, 95% CI =  − 0.79 to 0.80). The results suggest that central and peripheral electrical NINMs could reduce neuropathic pain among DPN patients, without reported adverse events. Well-powered studies are needed to confirm that NINM techniques as an alternative effective and safe treatment option.
Impact of concurrent diabetes on periodontal health in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Jain Akanksha , Gupta Shipra , Bhansali Anil , Gupta Mili , Jain Ashish , Bhaskar Nandini , Kaur Rose Kanwaljeet
Published: November 2020

Previous studies have suggested excess GH/IGF1 secretion in patients with acromegaly is protective for periodontal health. Diabetes is prevalent comorbidity in patients of acromegaly and is associated with worsening of periodontal disease. The present study evaluates the periodontal health and cytokines status in treatment-naive active acromegaly patients with and without diabetes. Eleven patients, each of acromegaly with and without diabetes and 20 healthy controls were enrolled. Periodontal parameters were assessed. GCF and blood samples for IL-6, TGF-β1, and PDGF were obtained. Serum GH, IGF1, HbA1c, pituitary hormones and MRI sella were performed in patients with acromegaly. There was no significant difference in periodontal status of patients with acromegaly and healthy controls. However, a significant increase in serum IL-6 (p = 0.019) and TGF-β1 (p = 0.025) levels in patients with acromegaly was observed and all patients had concurrent hypogonadism. Nevertheless, the patients with acromegaly having diabetes had modestly higher CAL and PD and serum IL-6 levels (p = 0.051), but it could not exert adverse effects on periodontal health in presence of GH/IGF1 excess. GH/IGF1 excess did not exert a protective effect on periodontal status in acromegaly, possibly due to concurrent hypogonadism and opposing cytokines; however, it could mask the ill-effects of diabetes on periodontal health.
Probing natural variation of IRE1 expression and endoplasmic reticulum stress responses in Arabidopsis accessions
Authors: Afrin Taiaba , Seok Minye , Terry Brenna C. , Pajerowska-Mukhtar Karolina M.
Published: November 2020

The environmental effects shape genetic changes in the individuals within plant populations, which in turn contribute to the enhanced genetic diversity of the population as a whole. Thus, individuals within the same species can acquire and accumulate genetic differences in their genomes depending on their local environment and evolutionary history. IRE1 is a universal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress sensor that activates an evolutionarily conserved signalling cascade in response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Here, we selected nine different Arabidopsis accessions along with the reference ecotype Columbia-0, based on their geographical origins and differential endogenous IRE1 expression under steady-state conditions to investigate the natural variation of ER stress responses. We cloned and analysed selected upstream regulatory regions of IRE1a and IRE1b, which revealed differential levels of their inducibility. We also subjected these accessions to an array of biotic and abiotic stresses including heat, ER stress-inducing chemical tunicamycin, phytohormone salicylic acid, and pathogen infection. We measured IRE1-mediated splicing of its evolutionarily conserved downstream client as well as transcript accumulation of ER-resident chaperones and co-chaperones. Collectively, our results illustrate the expression polymorphism of a major plant stress receptor and its relationship with molecular and physiological ER stress sensitivity.