bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precision Methylome and in Vivo Methylation Kinetics Characterization of Klebsiella Pneumoniae
Authors: Fu Jing , Zhang Ju , Yang Li , Ding Nan , Yue Liya , Zhang Xiangli , Lu Dandan , Jia Xinmiao , Li Cuidan , Guo Chongye , Yin Zhe , Jiang Xiaoyuan , Zhao Yongliang , Chen Fei , Zhou Dongsheng
Published: June 2021

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an important pathogen that can cause severe hospital- and community-acquired infections. To systematically investigate its methylation features, we determined the whole-genome sequences of 14 K. pneumoniae strains covering varying serotypes, multilocus sequence types, clonal groups, viscosity/virulence, and drug resistance. Their methylomes were further characterized using Pacific Biosciences single-molecule real-time and bisulfite technologies. We identified 15 methylation motifs [13 N6-methyladenine (6  mA) and two 5-methylcytosine (5mC) motifs], among which eight were novel. Their corresponding DNA methyltransferases were also validated. Additionally, we analyzed the genomic distribution of GATC and CCWGG methylation motifs shared by all strains, and identified differential distribution patterns of some hemi-/un-methylated GATC motifs, which tend to be located within intergenic regions (IGRs). Specifically, we characterized the in vivo methylation kinetics at single-base resolution on a genome-wide scale by simulating the dynamic processes of replication-mediated passive demethylation and MTase-catalyzed re-methylation. The slow methylation of the GATC motifs in the replication origin (oriC) regions and IGRs implicates the epigenetic regulation of replication initiation and transcription. Our findings illustrate the first comprehensive dynamic methylome map of K. pneumoniae at single-base resolution, and provide a useful reference to better understand epigenetic regulation in this and other bacterial species.
Urinary tract infection stewardship: A urinary antibiogram and electronic medical record alert nudging narrower-spectrum antibiotics for urinary tract infections
Authors: Laguio-Vila Maryrose , Staicu Mary L. , Brundige Mary Lourdes , Alcantara Jose , Yang Hongmei , Lautenbach Ebbing , Dumyati Ghinwa
Published: June 2021

An antimicrobial stewardship intervention consisting of a urinary antibiogram and an electronic health record best-practice advisory promoted narrower-spectrum antibiotics for uncomplicated urinary tract infections in hospitalized patients. Over 20 months, the intervention significantly reduced ceftriaxone orders by 48% (P < .001) and increased cefazolin use 19 times from baseline (P < .001).
Engaging Social Justice Methods to Create Palliative Care Programs That Reflect the Cultural Values of African American Patients with Serious Illness and Their Families: A Path Towards Health Equity
Authors: Elk Ronit , Gazaway Shena
Published: June 2021

Cultural values influence how people understand illness and dying, and impact their responses to diagnosis and treatment, yet end-of-life care is rooted in white, middle class values. Faith, hope, and belief in God’s healing power are central to most African Americans, yet life-preserving care is considered “aggressive” by the healthcare system, and families are pressured to cease it.
Strengthening Human Rights in Global Health Law: Lessons from the COVID-19 Response
Authors: de Mesquita Judith Bueno , Kapilashrami Anuj , Meier Benjamin Mason
Published: June 2021

While human rights law has evolved to provide guidance to governments in realizing human rights in public health emergencies, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the foundations of human rights in global health governance. Public health responses to the pandemic have undermined international human rights obligations to realize (1) the rights to health and life, (2) human rights that underlie public health, and (3) international assistance and cooperation. As governments prepare for revisions of global health law, new opportunities are presented to harmonize global health law and human rights law, strengthening rights-based governance to respond to future threats.
Slavery and Its Transformations: Prolegomena for a Global and Comparative Research Agenda
Authors: van Rossum Matthias
Published: June 2021

This article argues that we need to move beyond the “Atlantic” and “formal” bias in our understanding of the history of slavery. It explores ways forward toward developing a better understanding of the long-term global transformations of slavery. Firstly, it claims we should revisit the historical and contemporary development of slavery by adopting a wider scope that accounts for the adaptable and persistent character of different forms of slavery. Secondly, it stresses the importance of substantially expanding the body of empirical observations on trajectories of slavery regimes, especially outside the Atlantic, and most notable in the Indian Ocean and Indonesian Archipelago worlds, where different slavery regimes existed and developed in interaction. Thirdly, it proposes an integrated analytical framework that will overcome the current fragmentation of research perspectives and allow for a more comparative analysis of the trajectories of slavery regimes in their highly diverse formal and especially informal manifestations. Fourth, the article shows how an integrated framework will enable a collaborative research agenda that focuses not only on comparisons, but also on connections and interactions. It calls for a closer integration of the histories of informal slavery regimes into the wider body of existing scholarship on slavery and its transformations in the Atlantic and other more intensely studied formal slavery regimes. In this way, we can renew and extend our understandings of slavery's long-term, global transformations.
Variation awaiting bias: Substantively biased learning of vowel harmony variation
Authors: DO Youngah , MOONEY Shannon
Published: June 2021

This article examines whether children alter a variable phonological pattern in an artificial language towards a phonetically-natural form. We address acquisition of a variable rounding harmony pattern through the use of two artificial languages; one with dominant harmony pattern, and another with dominant non-harmony pattern. Overall, children favor harmony pattern in their production of the languages. In the language where harmony is non-dominant, children's subsequent production entirely reverses the pattern so that harmony predominates. This differs starkly from adults. Our results compare to the regularization found in child learning of morphosyntactic variation, suggesting a role for naturalness in variable phonological learning.
Triangle-free subgraphs with large fractional chromatic number
Authors: Mohar Bojan , Wu Hehui
Published: June 2021

It is well known that for any integers k and g, there is a graph with chromatic number at least k and girth at least g. In 1960s, Erdös and Hajnal conjectured that for any k and g, there exists a number h(k,g), such that every graph with chromatic number at least h(k,g) contains a subgraph with chromatic number at least k and girth at least g. In 1977, Rödl proved the case when
$g=4$
, for arbitrary k. We prove the fractional chromatic number version of Rödl’s result.
Melody valve insertion for relief of “Tricuspid” stenosis in an unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect
Authors: Menahem Samuel , Roberts Philip A. , Tanous David
Published: June 2021

A Melody valve was successfully placed across a very stenotic right-sided component of a common atrioventricular valve because of ongoing troublesome arrhythmias in a young woman with an unbalanced atrioventricular septal defect, a very dilated right atrium and a hypoplastic right ventricle. Four years later, she remains well.
ELLEN RICHARDS’S HOME ECONOMICS MOVEMENT AND THE BIRTH OF THE ECONOMICS OF CONSUMPTION
Authors: Philippy David
Published: June 2021

In 1899, MIT chemist Ellen H. Richards (1842–1911) instigated a series of annual “Lake Placid Conferences” (1899–1908) that became known as the foundation of the home economics movement. Richards’s first interest was in improving the household’s well-being by using sanitary and nutrition sciences, an objective that was passed on to the movement. However, by the 1920s, home economists rather identified their field of expertise as the “science of consumption,” emphasizing the idea of “rational consumption.” My aim in this article is to give an account of how this shift in focus came about, by telling the story of the home economics movement founded by Richards. I examine how the movement problematized consumption by highlighting its relationship, and perception of itself, regarding economics. I argue that the concept of consumption was central to the structuring of the movement from its beginning and allowed home economists to claim it as their field of expertise because, as they believed, economists were not addressing the issue.
Countrywide survey on utilization of medical devices by GPs in Hungary: advantages of the cluster-practice model
Authors: Dózsa Katalin , Mezei Fruzsina , Tóth Tamás , Perjés Ábel , Pollner Péter
Published: June 2021

Background:

Expectations towards general practitioners (GPs) are continuously increasing to provide a more systematic preventive- and definitive-based care, a wider range of multidisciplinary team-based services and to integrate state-of-the-art digital solutions into daily practice. Aided by development programmes, Hungarian primary care is facing the challenge to fulfil its role as the provider of comprehensive, high quality, patient-centred, preventive care, answering the challenges caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Aim:

The article aims to provide an insight into the utilization of simple, digital, medical devices. We show the relationship between the primary health care (PHC) practice models and the used types of devices. We point at further development directions of GP practices regarding the utilization of evidence-based medical technologies and how such devices support the screening and chronic care of patients with NCDs in everyday practice.

Methods:

Data were collected using an online self-assessment questionnaire from 1800 Hungarian GPs registered in Hungary. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon’s test andχ2test were applied to analyze the ownership and utilization of 32 types of medical devices, characteristics of the GP practices and to highlight the differences between traditional and cluster-based operating model.

Findings:

Based on the responses from 27.7% of all Hungarian GPs, the medical device infrastructure was found to be limited especially in single GP-practices. Those involved in development projects of GP’s clusters in the last decade reported a wider range and significantly more intensive utilization of evidence-based technologies (average number of devices: 5.42 versus 7.56,P<.001), but even these GPs are not using some of their devices (e.g., various point of care testing devices) due to the lack of financing. In addition, GPs involved in GPs-cluster development model programmes showed significantly greater willingness for sharing relatively expensive, extra workforce-demanding technologies (χ2= 24.5,P<.001).
Culturally sensitive palliative care in humanitarian action: Lessons from a critical interpretive synthesis of culture in palliative care literature
Authors: Schuster-Wallace C.J. , Nouvet E. , Rigby I. , Krishnaraj G. , de Laat S. , Schwartz L. , Hunt M.
Published: June 2021

Objective

There is growing recognition of the importance of increasing preparedness for and the provision of palliative care in humanitarian crises. The primary objective of this review is to interpret the existing literature on culture and palliative care to query the recommendation that humanitarian healthcare providers, teams, and organizations integrate palliative care into their practice in ways that are attentive to and respectful of cultural differences.

Methods

A critical interpretive synthesis was applied to a systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA framework. Analysis was based on directed data extraction and was team based, to ensure rigor and consistency.

Results

In total, 112 articles covering 51 countries and 9 major worldviews met inclusion criteria. This literature describes culture as it influences perspectives on death and dying, expectations of palliative care, and challenges to providing culturally sensitive care. A key pattern highlighted in articles with respect to the culture and palliative care literature is that culture is invoked in this literature as a sort of catch-all for non-white, non-Christian, indigenous practices, and preferences for palliative care. It is important that humanitarian healthcare providers and organizations aiming to enact their commitment of respect for all persons through attention to potential culturally specific approaches to pain management, suffering, and dying in specific crisis settings do so without reproducing Othering and reductionistic understandings of what culturally sensitive care in humanitarian crises settings involves.

Significance of results

This paper clarifies and unpacks the diverse influences of culture in palliative care with the goal of supporting the preparedness and capacity of humanitarian healthcare providers to provide palliative care. In doing so, it aids in thinking through what constitutes culturally sensitive practice when it comes to palliative care needs in humanitarian crises. Providing such care is particularly challenging but also tremendously important given that healthcare providers from diverse cultures are brought together under high stress conditions.
Integrated statistical and hydro-geochemical approach to identify the origin and process of saline contamination of Remila plain groundwater (Khenchela, Algeria)
Authors: AOUIDANE Laiche , BELHAMRA Mohamed , KHEDDOUMA Asma
Published: June 2021

Groundwater is widely used in the semi-arid region of Remila plain (Khenchela, Algeria) for urban and agricultural supplies. An integrated statistical and hydro-geochemical approach was performed with 70 water samples in order to identify the main processes and the origin of water salinisation. The results have suggested the dominance of three chemical facies: Sulphato cloruro calcic (SO4–Cl–Ca) in the northeastern part, Sulphato cloruro calci magnisian (SO–4Cl–Ca–Mg) in most of the waters andalkali-earth bicarbonate (HCO3–Ca–Mg) in the southeastern part. Although based on principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis, the statistical approach identified three water groups: (1) saline water (17 %; total dissolved solids >1000 mg l−1 with the dominance of Sulphate (SO42−)); (2) moderately saline water (17 %) with a dominance of bicarbonate (HCO3−); and (3) moderately saline water (66 %) with mixed facies. The binary diagrams confirmed the predominance of three processes: evaporite dissolution and/or precipitation, combined by ionic exchange. In the northeastern part of the area, however, another process was detected – the saline intrusion of Sabkha water, favoured by extensive groundwater use.
Homophobia and mental health: a scourge of modern era
Authors: Ventriglio Antonio , Castaldelli-Maia João Mauricio , Torales Julio , De Berardis Domenico , Bhugra Dinesh
Published: June 2021

Homophobia is still a scourge in the modern era. Despite a greater acceptance of sexual variations and same-sex marriage in many countries, homophobia is widely sustained by religious, political and cultural values and beliefs at individual and social level. Most of homophobic attitudes are based on the principle of heteronormativity according to which heterosexuality is the standard for legitimating social and sexual relationships and homosexuality is considered as an abnormal variant. Homophobia may be also recognised at institutional level (state-sponsored homophobia, social homophobia) and supported by laws or religious beliefs. Moreover, internalised homophobia (IH) is defined as the inward direction of societal homophobic behaviours at individual level and refers to the subjective psychological impact of these negative attitudes. In fact, IH is significantly associated with a high prevalence of internalising mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress/trauma-related disorders, etc. We believe that a set of immediate actions are needed in order to contrast homophobia and its impact on mental health, in particular political initiatives, educational trainings and scientific research should be promoted with a specific focus on mental health needs of people target of homophobia.
Pade Approximant ELF VED Fields in the Earth‐Ionosphere Cavity
Authors: Liang PengFei , Di QingYun , Fu Changmin , Wang Ruo , Fan Jianbao , Gao Ya
Published: June 2021

Electromagnetic (EM) fields in the extremely low‐frequency (ELF) domain that can be excited by the vertical electric dipole (VED) and propagated in the Earth‐ionosphere spherical cavity have received tremendous attention owing to their exploitation in many fields such as communication, earthquake prediction, and geophysical investigations. Some researchers use the planar model and curvature correction terms to simulate EM fields in a spherical cavity, while others directly solve the differential functions and estimate the excited EM fields represented by spherical Bessel and associated Legendre functions. Regarding the divergence problem of a series when simulating EM fields, several numerical methods are available such as Watson transformation method, W. K. B. J method, and speeding algorithm. In this study, Pade approximant is utilized to estimate EM fields propagating in the Earth‐ionosphere spherical cavity, where new asymptotic expansions of spherical Bessel functions are introduced for estimating their products for high orders. These EM fields are then interpreted as a sum of the dominant incident fields and the increase of multiple scattering fields. The convergence of series expressions of EM fields estimated by Pade approximant is theoretically guaranteed, with its computational complexity lower than that of the speeding algorithm. The EM fields are further verified by numerical tests. The effects of the height and conductivity of the ionosphere, the conductivity of air, the VED height, and the frequencies of the resonance phenomenon are also highlighted. The proposed method is helpful to capture the true nature of the field distribution within a spherical cavity.
Characterization and Calibration of High‐Energy Electron Instruments Onboard the Arase Satellite
Authors: Park I. , Miyoshi Y. , Mitani T. , Hori T. , Takashima T. , Kurita S. , Shinohara I. , Kasahara S. , Yokota S. , Keika K. , Claudepierre S. G. , Looper M. D.
Published: June 2021

This study investigates the characterization and calibration of the high‐energy electron experiments (HEP) instrument onboard the exploration of energization and radiation in geospace (ERG). Two detector modules, HEP‐L and HEP‐H, which employ stacks of multichannel silicon strip detectors, detect electrons in the energy ranges of 70 keV–1 MeV and 700 keV–2 MeV, respectively. The detector response to electron irradiation needs to be assessed to obtain accurate electron fluxes from these detectors. In this study, we perform Monte Carlo simulations using the Geant4 particle simulation tool to reconstruct incident electron fluxes from detected count rates. Based on the simulation results, we investigate the response characteristics of the detectors when electrons with a certain range of energy are irradiated onto them. A response function is constructed by combining the simulation results for different incident energies. A response matrix is calculated by binning the response function according to the energy channels of the detector, and an inverse matrix derived from the response matrix is used to calibrate the observational data. Compared with the data obtained from another electron instrument onboard the Arase satellite (MEP‐e), whose energy range overlaps with that of the HEP, the differential flux data for the overlapping energy range (85–95 keV) are consistent with each other. The basic characteristics of the HEP detectors are thus confirmed to provide well‐calibrated data.
Preclinical evidence to support repurposing everolimus for craving reduction during protracted drug withdrawal
Authors: Chiu Alvin S. , Kang Matthew C. , Huerta Sanchez Laura L. , Fabella Anne M. , Holder Kalysta N. , Barger Brooke D. , Elias Kristina N. , Shin Christina B. , Jimenez Chavez C. Leonardo , Kippin Tod E. , Szumlinski Karen K.
Published: June 2021

Cue-elicited drug-craving is a cardinal feature of addiction that intensifies (incubates) during protracted withdrawal. In a rat model, these addiction-related behavioral pathologies are mediated, respectively, by time-dependent increases in PI3K/Akt1 signaling and reduced Group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGlu) expression, within the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC). Herein, we examined the capacity of single oral dosing with everolimus, an FDA-approved inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt effector mTOR, to reduce incubated cocaine-craving and reverse incubation-associated changes in vmPFC kinase activity and mGlu expression. Rats were trained to lever-press for intravenous infusions of cocaine or delivery of sucrose pellets and then subjected to tests for cue-reinforced responding during early (3 days) or late (30–46 days) withdrawal. Rats were gavage-infused with everolimus (0–1.0 mg/kg), either prior to testing to examine for effects upon reinforcer-seeking behavior, or immediately following testing to probe effects upon the consolidation of extinction learning. Single oral dosing with everolimus dose-dependently blocked cocaine-seeking during late withdrawal and the effect lasted at least 24 h. No everolimus effects were observed for cue-elicited sucrose-seeking or cocaine-seeking in early withdrawal. In addition, everolimus treatment, following initial cue-testing, reduced subsequent cue hyper-responsivity exhibited observed during late withdrawal, arguing a facilitation of extinction memory consolidation. everolimus’ “anti-incubation” effect was associated with a reversal of withdrawal-induced changes in indices of PI3K/Akt1/mTOR activity, as well as Homer protein and mGlu1/5 expression, within the prelimbic (PL) subregion of the prefrontal cortex. Our results indicate mTOR inhibition as a viable strategy for interrupting heightened cocaine-craving and facilitating addiction recovery during protracted withdrawal.
Dynamic causal brain circuits during working memory and their functional controllability
Authors: Cai Weidong , Ryali Srikanth , Pasumarthy Ramkrishna , Talasila Viswanath , Menon Vinod
Published: June 2021

Control processes associated with working memory play a central role in human cognition, but their underlying dynamic brain circuit mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we use system identification, network science, stability analysis, and control theory to probe functional circuit dynamics during working memory task performance. Our results show that dynamic signaling between distributed brain areas encompassing the salience (SN), fronto-parietal (FPN), and default mode networks can distinguish between working memory load and predict performance. Network analysis of directed causal influences suggests the anterior insula node of the SN and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex node of the FPN are causal outflow and inflow hubs, respectively. Network controllability decreases with working memory load and SN nodes show the highest functional controllability. Our findings reveal dissociable roles of the SN and FPN in systems control and provide novel insights into dynamic circuit mechanisms by which cognitive control circuits operate asymmetrically during cognition.
Non-invasive plasma glycomic and metabolic biomarkers of post-treatment control of HIV
Authors: Giron Leila B. , Palmer Clovis S. , Liu Qin , Yin Xiangfan , Papasavvas Emmanouil , Sharaf Radwa , Etemad Behzad , Damra Mohammad , Goldman Aaron R. , Tang Hsin-Yao , Johnston Rowena , Mounzer Karam , Kostman Jay R. , Tebas Pablo , Landay Alan , Montaner Luis J. , Jacobson Jeffrey M. , Li Jonathan Z. , Abdel-Mohsen Mohamed
Published: June 2021

Non-invasive biomarkers that predict HIV remission after antiretroviral therapy (ART) interruption are urgently needed. Such biomarkers can improve the safety of analytic treatment interruption (ATI) and provide mechanistic insights into the host pathways involved in post-ART HIV control. Here we report plasma glycomic and metabolic signatures of time-to-viral-rebound and probability-of-viral-remission using samples from two independent cohorts. These samples include a large number of post-treatment controllers, a rare population demonstrating sustained virologic suppression after ART-cessation. These signatures remain significant after adjusting for key demographic and clinical confounders. We also report mechanistic links between some of these biomarkers and HIV latency reactivation and/or myeloid inflammation in vitro. Finally, machine learning algorithms, based on selected sets of these biomarkers, predict time-to-viral-rebound with 74% capacity and probability-of-viral-remission with 97.5% capacity. In summary, we report non-invasive plasma biomarkers, with potential functional significance, that predict both the duration and probability of HIV remission after treatment interruption.
Terminal uridyltransferase 7 regulates TLR4-triggered inflammation by controlling Regnase-1 mRNA uridylation and degradation
Authors: Lin Chia-Ching , Shen Yi-Ru , Chang Chi-Chih , Guo Xiang-Yi , Young Yun-Yun , Lai Ting-Yu , Yu I-Shing , Lee Chih-Yuan , Chuang Tsung-Hsien , Tsai Hsin-Yue , Hsu Li-Chung
Published: June 2021

Different levels of regulatory mechanisms, including posttranscriptional regulation, are needed to elaborately regulate inflammatory responses to prevent harmful effects. Terminal uridyltransferase 7 (TUT7) controls RNA stability by adding uridines to its 3′ ends, but its function in innate immune response remains obscure. Here we reveal that TLR4 activation induces TUT7, which in turn selectively regulates the production of a subset of cytokines, including Interleukin 6 (IL-6). TUT7 regulates IL-6 expression by controlling ribonuclease Regnase-1 mRNA (encoded by Zc3h12a gene) stability. Mechanistically, TLR4 activation causes TUT7 to bind directly to the stem-loop structure on Zc3h12a 3′-UTR, thereby promotes Zc3h12a uridylation and degradation. Zc3h12a from LPS-treated TUT7-sufficient macrophages possesses increased oligo-uridylated ends with shorter poly(A) tails, whereas oligo-uridylated Zc3h12a is significantly reduced in Tut7-/- cells after TLR4 activation. Together, our findings reveal the functional role of TUT7 in sculpting TLR4-driven responses by modulating mRNA stability of a selected set of inflammatory mediators.
Spontaneous symmetry breaking of dissipative optical solitons in a two-component Kerr resonator
Authors: Xu Gang , Nielsen Alexander U. , Garbin Bruno , Hill Lewis , Oppo Gian-Luca , Fatome Julien , Murdoch Stuart G. , Coen Stéphane , Erkintalo Miro
Published: June 2021

Dissipative solitons are self-localized structures that can persist indefinitely in open systems driven out of equilibrium. They play a key role in photonics, underpinning technologies from mode-locked lasers to microresonator optical frequency combs. Here we report on experimental observations of spontaneous symmetry breaking of dissipative optical solitons. Our experiments are performed in a nonlinear optical ring resonator, where dissipative solitons arise in the form of persisting pulses of light known as Kerr cavity solitons. We engineer symmetry between two orthogonal polarization modes of the resonator and show that the solitons of the system can spontaneously break this symmetry, giving rise to two distinct but co-existing vectorial solitons with mirror-like, asymmetric polarization states. We also show that judiciously applied perturbations allow for deterministic switching between the two symmetry-broken dissipative soliton states. Our work delivers fundamental insights at the intersection of multi-mode nonlinear optical resonators, dissipative structures, and spontaneous symmetry breaking, and expands upon our understanding of dissipative solitons in coherently driven Kerr resonators.
Crystal structure of an archaeal CorB magnesium transporter
Authors: Chen Yu Seby , Kozlov Guennadi , Moeller Brandon E. , Rohaim Ahmed , Fakih Rayan , Roux Benoît , Burke John E. , Gehring Kalle
Published: June 2021

CNNM/CorB proteins are a broadly conserved family of integral membrane proteins with close to 90,000 protein sequences known. They are associated with Mg2+transport but it is not known if they mediate transport themselves or regulate other transporters. Here, we determine the crystal structure of an archaeal CorB protein in two conformations (apo and Mg2+-ATP bound). The transmembrane DUF21 domain exists in an inward-facing conformation with a Mg2+ion coordinated by a conserved π-helix. In the absence of Mg2+-ATP, the CBS-pair domain adopts an elongated dimeric configuration with previously unobserved domain-domain contacts. Hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, analytical ultracentrifugation, and molecular dynamics experiments support a role of the structural rearrangements in mediating Mg2+-ATP sensing. Lastly, we use an in vitro, liposome-based assay to demonstrate direct Mg2+transport by CorB proteins. These structural and functional insights provide a framework for understanding function of CNNMs in Mg2+transport and associated diseases.
Pangenomics reveals alternative environmental lifestyles among chlamydiae
Authors: Köstlbacher Stephan , Collingro Astrid , Halter Tamara , Schulz Frederik , Jungbluth Sean P. , Horn Matthias
Published: June 2021

Chlamydiae are highly successful strictly intracellular bacteria associated with diverse eukaryotic hosts. Here we analyzed metagenome-assembled genomes of the “Genomes from Earth’s Microbiomes” initiative from diverse environmental samples, which almost double the known phylogenetic diversity of the phylum and facilitate a highly resolved view at the chlamydial pangenome. Chlamydiae are defined by a relatively large core genome indicative of an intracellular lifestyle, and a highly dynamic accessory genome of environmental lineages. We observe chlamydial lineages that encode enzymes of the reductive tricarboxylic acid cycle and for light-driven ATP synthesis. We show a widespread potential for anaerobic energy generation through pyruvate fermentation or the arginine deiminase pathway, and we add lineages capable of molecular hydrogen production. Genome-informed analysis of environmental distribution revealed lineage-specific niches and a high abundance of chlamydiae in some habitats. Together, our data provide an extended perspective of the variability of chlamydial biology and the ecology of this phylum of intracellular microbes.
The evolution of disgust for pathogen detection and avoidance
Authors: Hlay Jessica K. , Albert Graham , Batres Carlota , Richardson George , Placek Caitlyn , Arnocky Steven , Lieberman Debra , Hodges-Simeon Carolyn R.
Published: June 2021

The behavioral immune system posits that disgust functions to protect animals from pathogen exposure. Therefore, cues of pathogen risk should be a primary driver influencing variation in disgust. Yet, to our knowledge, neither the relationship between current pathogen risk and disgust, nor the correlation between objective and perceived pathogen risk have been addressed using ecologically valid measures in a global sample. The current article reports two studies addressing these gaps. In Study 1, we include a global sample (n = 361) and tested the influence of both perceived pathogen exposure and an objective measure of pathogen risk—local communicable infectious disease mortality rates—on individual differences in pathogen and sexual disgust sensitivities. In Study 2, we first replicate Study 1’s analyses in another large sample (n = 821), targeting four countries (US, Italy, Brazil, and India); we then replaced objective and perceived pathogen risk with variables specific to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In Study 1, both local infection mortality rates and perceived infection exposure predicted unique variance in pathogen and sexual disgust. In Study 2, we found that perceived infection exposure positively predicted sexual disgust, as predicted. When substituting perceived and objective SARS-CoV-2 risk in our models, perceived risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 positively predicted pathogen and sexual disgust, and state case rates negatively predicted pathogen disgust. Further, in both studies, objective measures of risk (i.e., local infection mortality and SARS-CoV-2 rates) positively correlated with subjective measures of risk (i.e., perceived infection exposure and perceived SARS-CoV-2 risk). Ultimately, these results provide two pieces of foundational evidence for the behavioral immune system: 1) perceptions of pathogen risk accurately assay local, objective mortality risk across countries, and 2) both perceived and objective pathogen risk explain variance in disgust levels.
Discovery of proton hill in the phase space during interactions between ions and electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves
Authors: Shoji Masafumi , Miyoshi Yoshizumi , Kistler Lynn M. , Asamura Kazushi , Matsuoka Ayako , Kasaba Yasumasa , Matsuda Shoya , Kasahara Yoshiya , Shinohara Iku
Published: June 2021

A study using Arase data gives the first observational evidence that the frequency drift of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves is caused by cyclotron trapping. EMIC emissions play an important role in planetary magnetospheres, causing scattering loss of radiation belt relativistic electrons and energetic protons. EMIC waves frequently show nonlinear signatures that include frequency drift and amplitude enhancements. While nonlinear growth theory has suggested that the frequency change is caused by nonlinear resonant currents owing to cyclotron trapping of the particles, observational evidence for this has been elusive. We survey the wave data observed by Arase from March, 2017 to September 2019, and find the best falling tone emission event, one detected on 11th November, 2017, for the wave particle interaction analysis. Here, we show for the first time direct evidence of the formation of a proton hill in phase space indicating cyclotron trapping. The associated resonance currents and the wave growth of a falling tone EMIC wave are observed coincident with the hill, as theoretically predicted.
An increasing role of pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles funestus in malaria transmission in the Lake Zone, Tanzania
Authors: Matowo Nancy S. , Martin Jackline , Kulkarni Manisha A. , Mosha Jacklin F. , Lukole Eliud , Isaya Gladness , Shirima Boniface , Kaaya Robert , Moyes Catherine , Hancock Penelope A. , Rowland Mark , Manjurano Alphaxard , Mosha Franklin W. , Protopopoff Natacha , Messenger Louisa A.
Published: June 2021

Anopheles funestus is playing an increasing role in malaria transmission in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, where An. gambiae s.s. has been effectively controlled by long-lasting insecticidal nets. We investigated vector population bionomics, insecticide resistance and malaria transmission dynamics in 86 study clusters in North-West Tanzania. An. funestus s.l. represented 94.5% (4740/5016) of all vectors and was responsible for the majority of malaria transmission (96.5%), with a sporozoite rate of 3.4% and average monthly entomological inoculation rate (EIR) of 4.57 per house. Micro-geographical heterogeneity in species composition, abundance and transmission was observed across the study district in relation to key ecological differences between northern and southern clusters, with significantly higher densities, proportions and EIR of An. funestus s.l. collected from the South. An. gambiae s.l. (5.5%) density, principally An. arabiensis (81.1%) and An. gambiae s.s. (18.9%), was much lower and closely correlated with seasonal rainfall. Both An. funestus s.l. and An. gambiae s.l. were similarly resistant to alpha-cypermethrin and permethrin. Overexpression of CYP9K1, CYP6P3, CYP6P4 and CYP6M2 and high L1014S-kdr mutation frequency were detected in An. gambiae s.s. populations. Study findings highlight the urgent need for novel vector control tools to tackle persistent malaria transmission in the Lake Region of Tanzania.
Swarm shedding in networks of self-propelled agents
Authors: Hindes Jason , Edwards Victoria , Kasraie Klimka Szwaykowska , Stantchev George , Schwartz Ira B.
Published: June 2021

Understanding swarm pattern formation is of great interest because it occurs naturally in many physical and biological systems, and has artificial applications in robotics. In both natural and engineered swarms, agent communication is typically local and sparse. This is because, over a limited sensing or communication range, the number of interactions an agent has is much smaller than the total possible number. A central question for self-organizing swarms interacting through sparse networks is whether or not collective motion states can emerge where all agents have coherent and stable dynamics. In this work we introduce the phenomenon of swarm shedding in which weakly-connected agents are ejected from stable milling patterns in self-propelled swarming networks with finite-range interactions. We show that swarm shedding can be localized around a few agents, or delocalized, and entail a simultaneous ejection of all agents in a network. Despite the complexity of milling motion in complex networks, we successfully build mean-field theory that accurately predicts both milling state dynamics and shedding transitions. The latter are described in terms of saddle-node bifurcations that depend on the range of communication, the inter-agent interaction strength, and the network topology.
One-way routes complicate cooperation in migrant crises
Authors: Del Ponte Alessandro , DeScioli Peter , Masiliunas Aidas , Lim Noah
Published: June 2021

How can countries cooperate to shelter migrants? We use experimental economics to study the distinct challenges of cooperation in migrant crises. We designed an economic game, pass the buck, where participants are leaders of countries who decide whether to shelter migrants or pass them to the next country. We examine the difficulties posed by one-way migration and differences in wealth. We find that leaders sheltered migrants less often when they received them first on a one-way route, compared to when everyone received migrants at the same time. Moreover, the first leader became more likely to shelter migrants when the last country could return them to the first. When one country was wealthier, the wealthy leader sheltered more and the other leaders passed more. We discuss the implications for international cooperation in migrant crises.
Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma using grafts from uncontrolled circulatory death donation
Authors: Nutu Anisa , Justo Iago , Marcacuzco Alberto , Caso Óscar , Manrique Alejandro , Calvo Jorge , García-Sesma Álvaro , García-Conde María , Gallego María Santos , Jiménez-Romero Carlos
Published: June 2021

Controversy exists regarding whether the rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) differs when using livers from donation after controlled circulatory death (DCD) versus livers from donation after brain death (DBD). The aim of this cohort study was to analyze rates of HCC recurrence, patient survival, and graft survival after OLT for HCC, comparing recipients of DBD livers (n = 103) with recipients of uncontrolled DCD livers (uDCD; n = 41). No significant differences in tumor size, tumor number, serum alpha-fetoprotein, proportion of patients within Milan criteria, or pre-OLT bridging therapies were identified between groups, although the waitlist period was significantly shorter in the uDCD group (p = 0.040). HCC recurrence was similar between groups. Patient survival was similar between groups, but graft survival was lower in the uDCD group. Multivariate analysis identified recipient age (p = 0.031), pre-OLT bridging therapy (p = 0.024), and HCC recurrence (p = 0.048) as independent risk factors for patient survival and pre-OLT transarterial chemoembolization (p = 0.045) as the single risk factor for HCC recurrence. In conclusion, similar patient survival and lower graft survival were observed in the uDCD group. However, the use of uDCD livers appears to be justified due to a shorter waitlist time, and lower waitlist dropout and HCC recurrence rates.
Comparative evaluation of tractography-based direct targeting and atlas-based indirect targeting of the ventral intermediate (Vim) nucleus in MRgFUS thalamotomy
Authors: Bruno Federico , Catalucci Alessia , Varrassi Marco , Arrigoni Francesco , Sucapane Patrizia , Cerone Davide , Pistoia Francesca , Torlone Silvia , Tommasino Emanuele , De Santis Luca , Barile Antonio , Ricci Alessandro , Marini Carmine , Splendiani Alessandra , Masciocchi Carlo
Published: June 2021

To analyze and compare direct and indirect targeting of the Vim for MRgFUS thalamotomy. We retrospectively evaluated 21 patients who underwent unilateral MRgFUS Vim ablation and required targeting repositioning during the procedures. For each patient, in the three spatial coordinates, we recorded: (i) indirect coordinates; (ii) the coordinates where we clinically observed tremor reduction during the verification stage sonications; (iii) direct coordinates, measured on the dentatorubrothalamic tract (DRTT) at the after postprocessing of DTI data. The agreement between direct and indirect coordinates compared to clinically effective coordinates was evaluated through the Bland–Altman test and intraclass correlation coefficient. The median absolute percentage error was also calculated. Compared to indirect targeting, direct targeting showed inferior error values on the RL and AP coordinates (0.019 vs. 0.079 and 0.207 vs. 0.221, respectively) and higher error values on the SI coordinates (0.263 vs. 0.021). The agreement between measurements was higher for tractography along the AP and SI planes and lower along the RL planes. Indirect atlas-based targeting represents a valid approach for MRgFUS thalamotomy. The direct tractography approach is a valuable aid in assessing the possible deviation of the error in cases where no immediate clinical response is achieved.
Distinct impact of glycation towards the aggregation and toxicity of murine and human amyloid-β
Authors: Nam Eunju , Han Jiyeon , Choi Sunhee , Lim Mi Hee
Published: June 2021

Modifications of mAβ and hAβ by glycation can differentiate their aggregation and cytotoxicity profiles.
Cholinergic drugs bind at the minor groove and reverse induced oxidative stress of calf thymus DNA: a new perspective towards an unexplored therapeutic efficacy
Authors: Baruah Prayasee , Phanrang Pynskhemborlang Tep , Konthoujam Ibemhanbi , Aguan Kripamoy , Mitra Sivaprasad
Published: June 2021

Four FDA approved cholinesterase inhibitors reverse the hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative damage of ct-DNA.
Improved ionic diffusion and interfacial charge/mass transfer of ZIF-67-derived Ni–Co-LDH electrodes with bare ZIF-residual for enhanced supercapacitor performance
Authors: Shang Xiaosen , Mei Hao , Li Ziyi , Dong Changyin , Wang Zengbao , Xu Ben
Published: June 2021

The crystallization of Ni–Co-LDH and the morphology of the hierarchical structure can be simply optimized to achieve improved ionic diffusion and reduce reaction resistance of charge/mass transfer between the electrode/electrolyte interfaces.
Two-dimensional halide perovskites: synthesis, optoelectronic properties, stability, and applications
Authors: Ghimire Sushant , Klinke Christian
Published: June 2021

2D halide perovskites show interesting properties such as electronic confinement, energy funneling, exciton dissociation at crystal edges, and broad-band emission which make them promising for light-harvesting and light-emitting applications.
Targeted Re-Instruction for Hearing Aid Use and Care Skills
Authors: Alicea Carly C. M. , Doherty Karen A.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine if re-instructing a hearing aid (HA) user on the specific skill(s) they could not successfully perform on the Practical Hearing Aid Skills Test–Revised (PHAST-R) resulted in better HA use and care skills than a traditional fitting method. This is referred to as “targeted re-instruction.” Also, factors that might affect HA use and care skills, including memory function, hearing handicap, and hearing aid–related attitudes, were assessed.

Method

This study was a randomized control trial. Twenty-six new HA users (13 experimental; 13 control) were fit with HAs and provided a standard HA orientation. HA use and care skills were measured immediately following the HA fitting and then again at 4 weeks post-HA fitting. The experimental group was administered the PHAST-R twice during the trial period to identify the HA use and care skills that participants needed re-instruction on.

Results

Participants in the experimental group maintained their HA use and care skills over the 4-week HA trial period, whereas participants in the control group showed a significant decline. Working memory, hearing handicap, and HA-related attitudes were not found to be correlated with HA use and care skills.

Conclusions

Participants who did not receive targeted re-instruction showed a decline in their HA use and care skills after only 4 weeks of HA use, whereas targeted re-instruction prevented a decline in HA use and care skills. It took an average of less than 10 min to administer the PHAST-R and provide targeted re-instruction, indicating that it would be appropriate to use in a clinical setting.
Management of Excess Mined-Out Space of Quarry Fields of Coal Open Pit Mines
Authors: Selyukov Alexei , Gvozdkova Tatiana , Spearing A.J.S. (Sam)
Published: June 2021

Regardless of the applied technology of coal mining, a technogenic resource of the open pit is formed – excess mined-out space. Excessive mined-out space should be understood as a part of the internal space of a pit that is not used for placing overburden in dumps. The excess mined-out space in the plan is limited by the following: on the flanks of the quarry field and along the uprising by the limiting contour of the quarry, along the inclination – by the possible position of the slope of the dump layer, as close as possible to the working area. The lower boundary corresponds to the position of the formed dumps, the upper one – to the marks of the dominant relief. The article presents a method for reducing the excess mined-out space by means of the patterns of spatial development of objects “quarry field – dump of overburden”.
The essence of thermovision research in the prevention of fires in underground workings
Authors: Stempniak Marta
Published: June 2021

Underground fires are phenomena that pose a possibly fatal threat to human life, and they are particulary dangerous in the environment of underground workings where the amount of space and number possible escape routes are limited. Therefore, it is important to carefully control changes in temperature and the condition of machinery and equipment used in mine in order to avoid critical situations. The most common cause of fires are defects in mechanical and electrical devices, in order to conduct an analysis of their condition thermal imaging is perfectly suitable. In this article approximed a problem of underground fires, thermal imaging diagnostic method, temperature measurements taken in the KWK ROW Ruch Chwałowice in Rybnik, made an analysis of publicly available data from the KGHM mines and methods of combating the factors leading to the fire emergency been proposed.