bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitivity of Snow Simulations to Different Atmospheric Forcing Data Sets in the Land Surface Model CAS‐LSM
Authors: Wang Yan , Xie Zhenghui , Jia Binghao , Wang Longhuan , Li Ruichao , Liu Bin , Chen Si , Xie Jinbo , Qin Peihua
Published: May 2020

The quality of snow simulations in land surface models (LSMs) largely depends on the accuracy of the atmospheric forcing data, especially precipitation and air temperature. To investigate the sensitivities of snow simulations to atmosphere forcing, historical simulations from 1981–2010 were conducted using the Chinese Academy of Sciences land surface model (CAS‐LSM) with four atmospheric forcing data sets: third Global Soil Wetness Projects (GSWP3), the Water and Global Change (WATCH) Forcing Data (WFD/WFDEI), the Climate Research Unit ‐ National Centers for Environmental Prediction (CRU‐NCEP), and Princeton. A sensitivity index (Ψ) is utilized to quantify the sensitivity of the simulated snow cover fraction (SCF), snow water equivalent (SWE), and snow depth (SDP) to the uncertainties in forcing data. By comparing the simulated results with satellite‐based products and in situ observations, we find that CAS‐LSM generally captured the spatial and seasonal variations of the SCF, SWE, and SDP. The simulation based on GSWP3 produced more reasonable estimates than the other three simulations, particularly for the SCF and SDP. The sensitivity analysis suggested that the SWE and SDP suffered the most from the uncertainties in the atmospheric forcing data sets. The sensitivities of the SCF, SWE, and SDP to precipitation uncertainties had various seasonal cycles depending on the climate regime. The highest sensitivity in boreal climates appeared during January–March, while in warm temperate climates the highest sensitivity existed during April–June. On average, the strongest precipitation sensitivity was found for temperate climates with cold, dry winters. The sensitivities to uncertainties in air temperature showed similar patterns; however, air temperature sensitivity was generally dominant over precipitation sensitivity in boreal climates, while in warm temperate climates both of them were high.
Some Taxes Are Better Than Others: An Economic Experiment Analyzing Groundwater Management in a Spatially Explicit Aquifer
Authors: Duke Joshua M. , Liu Zhongyuan , Suter Jordan F. , Messer Kent D. , Michael Holly A.
Published: May 2020

This paper develops a coupled hydrologic‐economic model that estimates the effects of six tax institutions that theory predicts will lead to equal amounts of aquifer withdrawal. That said, the distributive effects of the tax institutions are expected to differ because each involves different combinations of tax thresholds and side payments (returned tax revenue). The tax policies can lead to groundwater users being worse off than they would be using an unmanaged aquifer. This study explores whether the distributive impacts of specific policies that have equal marginal incentives lead to differences in the behavior of participants in an experiment involving a common pool groundwater resource. The results reveal that each of the tax policies results in approximately the same reduction in resource use but affects participants' earnings and opinions regarding the policies differently. A tax imposed on groundwater use above a threshold and without a side payment is most effective in increasing the net social benefit associated with using the aquifer; participant earnings under that scheme are almost equal to earnings from an unmanaged aquifer (1.04% less), and overall social efficiency is greater (4.34%). Unfortunately, participants tend to prefer an unmanaged aquifer and tax policies with high side‐payments—treatments that led to lower overall social efficiency. The evidence suggests that aquifer management may require a two‐fold approach: (1) a carefully selected threshold that can make water users financially indifferent between a managed and unmanaged aquifer and (2) education to increase the political acceptability of the managed aquifer policy.
Prolonged Periodicity and Eastward Shift of the January North Pacific Oscillation Since the Mid‐1990s and Its Linkage With Sea Ice Anomalies in the Barents Sea
Authors: Xu Zhiqing , Fan Ke
Published: May 2020

The present study mainly investigates changes in the periodicity and location of the January North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) and the underlying mechanisms during 1980–2018. The periodicity of the January NPO prolongs from 2–3 years to 5–8 years around the mid‐1990s. Corresponding to the prolonged periodicity, both the southern and northern lobes of the January NPO shift eastward, and their meridional movement is relatively weak. As a result, the impacts of the January NPO on surface air temperature in North America are enhanced. The changes in the periodicity and location of the January NPO differ from those of the NPO of other winter months. Further study shows that the changes in the January NPO are closely related to the sea ice anomalies in the Barents Sea in the preceding November‐December and January. The sea ice anomalies also display a periodicity of 5–8 years after the mid‐1990s, and their impacts on the January NPO are enhanced. The January NPO is significantly and negatively correlated with the sea ice anomalies after the mid‐1990s. The sea ice anomalies contribute to the prolonged periodicity and eastward shift of the January NPO by exciting a quasi‐stationary Rossby wave propagating eastward along the coast of northern Eurasia and resultant atmospheric dynamic processes. The physical mechanism is reasonably reproduced by the numerical experiment with observed sea ice anomalies in the Barents Sea prescribed. In addition, possible reasons for the enhanced impacts of the sea ice anomalies on the January NPO are discussed.
Light-Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy with Scanning Non-diffracting Beams
Authors: Kafian Hosein , Lalenejad Meelad , Moradi-Mehr Sahar , Birgani Shiva Akbari , Abdollahpour Daryoush
Published: May 2020

Light-sheet fluorescence microscopy (LSFM) has now become a unique tool in different fields ranging from three-dimensional (3D) tissue imaging to real-time functional imaging of neuronal activities. Nevertheless, obtaining high-quality artifact-free images from large, dense and inhomogeneous samples is the main challenge of the method that still needs to be adequately addressed. Here, we demonstrate significant enhancement of LSFM image qualities by using scanning non-diffracting illuminating beams, both through experimental and numerical investigations. The effect of static and scanning illumination with several beams are analyzed and compared, and it is shown that scanning 2D Airy light-sheet is minimally affected by the inhomogeneities in the samples, and provides higher contrasts and uniform resolution over a wide field-of-view, due to its reduced spatial coherence, self-healing feature and longer penetration depth. Further, the capabilities of the illumination scheme is utilized for both single-and double-wavelength 3D imaging of large and dense mammospheres of cancer tumor cells as complex inhomogeneous biological samples.
SNHG7 is a lncRNA oncogene controlled by Insulin-like Growth Factor signaling through a negative feedback loop to tightly regulate proliferation
Authors: Boone David N. , Warburton Andrew , Som Sreeroopa , Lee Adrian V.
Published: May 2020

Evidence suggests Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling is involved in the initiation and progression of a subset of breast cancers by inducing cell proliferation and survival. Although the signaling cascade following IGF1 receptor activation is well-studied, the key elements of the transcriptional response governing IGF1’s actions are not well understood. Recent studies reveal that the majority of the genome is transcribed and that there are more long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) than protein coding genes, several of which are dysregulated in human cancer. However, studies on the regulation and mechanism of action of these lncRNAs are in their infancy. Here we show that IGF1 alters the expression levels of a subset of lncRNAs. SNHG7, a member of the small nucleolar host gene family, is a highly-expressed lncRNA that is consistently and significantly down-regulated by IGF1 signaling by a post-transcriptional mechanism through the MAPK pathway. SNHG7 regulates proliferation of breast cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner, and silencing SNHG7 expression causes cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. Intriguingly, SNHG7 alters the expression of many IGF1 signaling intermediates and IGF1-regulated genes suggesting a feedback mechanism to tightly regulate the IGF1 response. Finally, we show in clinical data that SNHG7 is overexpressed in tumors of a subset of breast cancer patients and that these patients have lower disease-free survival than patients without elevated SNHG7 expression. We propose that SNHG7 is a lncRNA oncogene that is controlled by growth factor signaling in a feedback mechanism to prevent hyperproliferation, and that this regulation can be lost in the development or progression of breast cancer.
Annealing effect on the structural and optical behavior of ZnO:Eu3+ thin film grown using RF magnetron sputtering technique and application to dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Otieno Francis , Airo Mildred , Erasmus Rudolph M. , Quandt Alexander , Billing David G. , Wamwangi Daniel
Published: May 2020

Eu-doped ZnO (ZnO:Eu3+) thin films deposited by RF magnetron sputtering have been investigated to establish the effect of annealing on the red photoluminescence. PL spectra analysis reveal a correlation between the characteristics of the red photoluminescence and the annealing temperature, suggesting efficient energy transfer from the ZnO host to the Eu3+ ions as enhanced by the intrinsic defects levels. Five peaks corresponding to 5D0–7FJ transitions were observed and attributed to Eu3+ occupancy in the lattice sites of ZnO thin films. As a proof of concept a dye sensitized solar cell with ZnO:Eu3+ thin films of high optical transparency was fabricated and tested yielding a PCE of 1.33% compared to 1.19% obtained from dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) with pristine ZnO without Eu produced indicating 11.1% efficiency enhancement which could be attributed to spectral conversion by the ZnO:Eu3+.
Humanin Promotes Tumor Progression in Experimental Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Moreno Ayala Mariela A. , Gottardo María Florencia , Zuccato Camila Florencia , Pidre Matías Luis , Nicola Candia Alejandro Javier , Asad Antonela Sofia , Imsen Mercedes , Romanowski Víctor , Creton Aldo , Isla Larrain Marina , Seilicovich Adriana , Candolfi Marianela
Published: May 2020

Humanin (HN) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide with cytoprotective effect in many tissues. Administration of HN analogs has been proposed as therapeutic approach for degenerative diseases. Although HN has been shown to protect normal tissues from chemotherapy, its role in tumor pathogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we evaluated the effect of HN on the progression of experimental triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). The meta-analysis of transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas indicated that HN and its receptors are expressed in breast cancer specimens. By immunohistochemistry we observed up-regulation of HN in TNBC biopsies when compared to mammary gland sections from healthy donors. Addition of exogenous HN protected TNBC cells from apoptotic stimuli whereas shRNA-mediated HN silencing reduced their viability and enhanced their chemo-sensitivity. Systemic administration of HN in TNBC-bearing mice reduced tumor apoptotic rate, impaired the antitumor and anti-metastatic effect of chemotherapy and stimulated tumor progression, accelerating tumor growth and development of spontaneous lung metastases. These findings suggest that HN may exert pro-tumoral effects and thus, caution should be taken when using exogenous HN to treat degenerative diseases. In addition, our study suggests that HN blockade could constitute a therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy of chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Assessing and Modelling the Efficacy of Lemna paucicostata for the Phytoremediation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Crude Oil-Contaminated Wetlands
Authors: Ekperusi Abraham Ogheneruemu , Nwachukwu Eunice Oluchi , Sikoki Francis David
Published: May 2020

The potentials of the invasive duckweed species, Lemna paucicostata to remove pollutants from aquatic environment was tested in a constructed wetlands as an ecological based system for the phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in crude oil-contaminated waters within 120 days. Total petroleum hydrocarbons in wetlands and tissues of duckweed were analyzed using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector following established methods while the experimental data were subjected to the first-order kinetic rate model to understand the remediation rate of duckweed in wetlands. L. paucicostata effected a significant (F = 253.405, P < 0.05) removal of hydrocarbons from wetlands reaching 97.91% after 120 days. Assessment on the transport and fate of hydrocarbons in duckweed indicated that L. paucicostata bioaccumulated less than 1% and significantly biodegraded 97.74% of hydrocarbons in wetlands at the end of the study. The experimental data reasonably fitted (r2 = 0.938) into the first-order kinetic rate model. From the result of the study, it is reasonable to infer that L. paucicostata is an effective aquatic macrophyte for the removal of petroleum hydrocarbons in moderately polluted waters.
Relationship between headaches and tinnitus in a Swedish study
Authors: Lugo Alessandra , Edvall Niklas K. , Lazar Andra , Mehraei Golbarg , Lopez-Escamez Jose-Antonio , Bulla Jan , Uhlen Inger , Canlon Barbara , Gallus Silvano , Cederroth Christopher R.
Published: May 2020

The heterogeneity of tinnitus is likely accounting for the lack of effective treatment approaches. Headaches have been related to tinnitus, yet little is known on how headaches impact tinnitus. We use cross-sectional data from the Swedish Tinnitus Outreach Project to i) evaluate the association between headaches and tinnitus (n = 1,984 cases and 1,661 controls) and ii) investigate the phenotypic characteristics of tinnitus subjects with tinnitus (n = 660) or without (n = 1,879) headaches. In a multivariable logistic regression model, headache was significantly associated with any tinnitus (odds ratio, OR = 2.61) and more so with tinnitus as a big problem (as measured by the tinnitus functional index, TFI ≥ 48; OR = 5.63) or severe tinnitus (using the tinnitus handicap inventory, THI ≥ 58; OR = 4.99). When focusing on subjects with tinnitus, the prevalence of headaches was 26% and reached 40% in subjects with severe tinnitus. A large number of socioeconomic, phenotypic and psychological characteristics differed between headache and non-headache subjects with any tinnitus. With increasing tinnitus severity, fewer differences were found, the major ones being vertigo, neck pain and other pain syndromes, as well as stress and anxiety. Our study suggests that headaches could contribute to tinnitus distress and potentially its severity.
Midlife Chronological and Endocrinological Transitions in Brain Metabolism: System Biology Basis for Increased Alzheimer’s Risk in Female Brain
Authors: Wang Yiwei , Shang Yuan , Mishra Aarti , Bacon Eliza , Yin Fei , Brinton Roberta
Published: May 2020

Decline in brain glucose metabolism is a hallmark of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). Comprehensive understanding of the dynamic metabolic aging process in brain can provide insights into windows of opportunities to promote healthy brain aging. Chronological and endocrinological aging are associated with brain glucose hypometabolism and mitochondrial adaptations in female brain. Using a rat model recapitulating fundamental features of the human menopausal transition, results of transcriptomic analysis revealed stage-specific shifts in bioenergetic systems of biology that were paralleled by bioenergetic dysregulation in midlife aging female brain. Transcriptomic profiles were predictive of outcomes from unbiased, discovery-based metabolomic and lipidomic analyses, which revealed a dynamic adaptation of the aging female brain from glucose centric to utilization of auxiliary fuel sources that included amino acids, fatty acids, lipids, and ketone bodies. Coupling between brain and peripheral metabolic systems was dynamic and shifted from uncoupled to coupled under metabolic stress. Collectively, these data provide a detailed profile across transcriptomic and metabolomic systems underlying bioenergetic function in brain and its relationship to peripheral metabolic responses. Mechanistically, these data provide insights into the complex dynamics of chronological and endocrinological bioenergetic aging in female brain. Translationally, these findings are predictive of initiation of the prodromal / preclinical phase of LOAD for women in midlife and highlight therapeutic windows of opportunity to reduce the risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Nuclear Parkin Activates the ERRα Transcriptional Program and Drives Widespread Changes in Gene Expression Following Hypoxia
Authors: Shires Sarah E. , Quiles Justin M. , Najor Rita H. , Leon Leonardo J. , Cortez Melissa Q. , Lampert Mark A. , Mark Adam , Gustafsson Åsa B.
Published: May 2020

Parkin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase well-known for facilitating clearance of damaged mitochondria by ubiquitinating proteins on the outer mitochondrial membrane. However, knowledge of Parkin’s functions beyond mitophagy is still limited. Here, we demonstrate that Parkin has functions in the nucleus and that Parkinson’s disease-associated Parkin mutants, ParkinR42P and ParkinG430D, are selectively excluded from the nucleus. Further, Parkin translocates to the nucleus in response to hypoxia which correlates with increased ubiquitination of nuclear proteins. The serine-threonine kinase PINK1 is responsible for recruiting Parkin to mitochondria, but translocation of Parkin to the nucleus occurs independently of PINK1. Transcriptomic analyses of HeLa cells overexpressing wild type or a nuclear-targeted Parkin revealed that during hypoxia, Parkin contributes to both increased and decreased transcription of genes involved in regulating multiple metabolic pathways. Furthermore, a proteomics screen comparing ubiquitinated proteins in hearts from Parkin−/− and Parkin transgenic mice identified the transcription factor estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) as a potential Parkin target. Co-immunoprecipitation confirmed that nuclear-targeted Parkin interacts with and ubiquitinates ERRα. Further analysis uncovered that nuclear Parkin increases the transcriptional activity of ERRα. Overall, our study supports diverse roles for Parkin and demonstrates that nuclear Parkin regulates transcription of genes involved in multiple metabolic pathways.
Binary meta-hologram for a reconfigurable holographic metamaterial antenna
Authors: Hwang Ruey-Bing
Published: May 2020

This research reports a design method for synthesizing the binary meta-hologram pattern implemented in a leaky waveguide that can radiate the feeding signal toward a prescribed direction. In fact, the obtained pattern is not always a uniform array; it is an almost-periodic one. Statistical analysis of the radiation pattern for imperfect array is then conducted to demonstrate that radiating main-beam angle (ensemble average) is dominated by the average period of a non-uniform array subject to a small perturbation. Additionally,the leaky wave of higher-order space harmonic in a periodic structure is employed to accurately predict the directional radiation including main beam as well as grating lobes.
Identification of prognostic signature of non–small cell lung cancer based on TCGA methylation data
Authors: Wang Yifan , Wang Ying , Wang Ying , Zhang Yongjun
Published: May 2020

Non–small lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common malignant disease with very poor outcome. Accurate prediction of prognosis can better guide patient risk stratification and treatment decision making, and could optimize the outcome. Utilizing clinical and methylation/expression data in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we conducted comprehensive evaluation of early-stage NSCLC to identify a methylation signature for survival prediction. 349 qualified cases of NSCLC with curative surgery were included and further grouped into the training and validation cohorts. We identified 4000 methylation loci with prognostic influence on univariate and multivariate regression analysis in the training cohort. KEGG pathway analysis was conducted to identify the key pathway. Hierarchical clustering and WGCNA co-expression analysis was performed to classify the sample phenotype and molecular subtypes. Hub 5′-C-phosphate-G-3′ (CpG) loci were identified by network analysis and then further applied for the construction of the prognostic signature. The predictive power of the prognostic model was further validated in the validation cohort. Based on clustering analysis, we identified 6 clinical molecular subtypes, which were associated with different clinical characteristics and overall survival; clusters 4 and 6 demonstrated the best and worst outcomes. We identified 17 hub CpG loci, and their weighted combination was used for the establishment of a prognostic model (RiskScore). The RiskScore significantly correlated with post-surgical outcome; patients with a higher RiskScore have worse overall survival in both the training and validation cohorts (P < 0.01). We developed a novel methylation signature that can reliably predict prognosis for patients with NSCLC.
Macular impairment in mitochondrial diseases: a potential biomarker of disease severity
Authors: Primiano Guido , Abed Edoardo , Corbo Giovanni , Minnella Angelo Maria , Servidei Serenella , Vollono Catello , Savastano Maria Cristina , Falsini Benedetto
Published: May 2020

The high-energy demands of the retina are thought to contribute to its particular vulnerability to mitochondrial dysfunction. Photoreceptors are the cells with the higher oxygen consumption within the retina, and among these, the cones contain more mitochondria and have a higher energy demand than rods. A cohort of twenty-two patients with genetically-defined mitochondrial diseases (MDs) were enrolled to determine if the macula is functionally and anatomically impaired in these metabolic disorders. Visual acuity and fERG amplitude of patients with primary mitochondrial dysfunction were reduced compared to controls. Furthermore, SD-OCT layer segmentation showed a reduction of retinal and outer nuclear layer (ONL) volume in the macula of the patients. fERG amplitude showed a positive correlation with both ONL volume and thickness. A negative relationship was noted between fERG amplitude and disease severity assessed with Newcastle Mitochondrial Disease Adult Scale. In conclusion, MDs are associated with functional and anatomical alteration of macular cone system, characterized by its strong correlation with clinical disease severity suggesting a role as a potential biomarker of primary mitochondrial disorders.
Pathological risk-propensity typifies Mafia members’ cognitive profile
Authors: Salvato Gerardo , Fiorina Maria Laura , De Maio Gabriele , Francescon Elisa , Ovadia Daniela , Bernardinelli Luisa , Santosuosso Amedeo , Paulesu Eraldo , Bottini Gabriella
Published: May 2020

Since the recruitment process, Italian Mafias impose on their members a strict code of conduct. These rigid rules regulate their private and public behavior, implying a total adhesion to the group’s values. Such juridical and social aspects substantially distinguish organized crime (OC) from ordinary crime. It is still unknown whether these two categories of offenders also show distinctive cognitive traits. Here we investigated the frontal lobe cognitive functions of 50 OC prisoners from the Mafia and 50 non-OC prisoners based on the performance of 50 non-prisoner controls. We found that OC members were more likely to show pathological risk-propensity than non-OC prisoners. We interpret this finding as the result of the internal dynamics of Mafia groups. OC is a worldwide threat, and the identification of cognitive traits behind criminal behavior will help in devising focused prevention policies.
The impact of cervical cytobrush sampling on cervico-vaginal immune parameters and microbiota relevant to HIV susceptibility
Authors: Mohammadi A. , Bagherichimeh S. , Perry M. C. , Fazel A. , Tevlin E. , Huibner S. , Tharao W. , Coburn B. , Kaul R.
Published: May 2020

The immunology and microbiota of the female genital tract (FGT) are key determinants of HIV susceptibility. Cervical cytobrush sampling is a relatively non-invasive method permitting the longitudinal assessment of endocervical immune cells, but effects on FGT immunology are unknown. Blood, cervico-vaginal secretions and cervical cytobrushes were collected from sexually transmitted infection (STI)-free women at baseline and after either 6 hours or 48 hours. Endocervical immune cell subsets were assessed by flow cytometry, and pro-inflammatory cytokines by multiplex ELISA. The density of Lactobacillus species and key bacterial vaginosis-associated bacterial taxa were determined by qPCR. Paired changes were assessed before and after cytobrush sampling. After 6 hours there were significant increases in CD4 + T cell, antigen presenting cell (APC) and neutrophil numbers; APC elevations persisted at 48 hours, while neutrophil and CD4 + T cell numbers returned to baseline. In addition, pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were increased at 6 hours and returned to baseline by 48 hours. No significant changes were observed in the absolute abundance of Lactobacillus species or BV-associated bacteria at either time point. Overall, cytobrush sampling altered genital immune parameters at 6 hours, but only APC number increases persisted at 48 hours. This should be considered in longitudinal analyses of FGT immunology.
Solid-electrolyte interphase nucleation and growth on carbonaceous negative electrodes for Li-ion batteries visualized with in situ atomic force microscopy
Authors: Luchkin Sergey Yu. , Lipovskikh Svetlana A. , Katorova Natalia S. , Savina Aleksandra A. , Abakumov Artem M. , Stevenson Keith J.
Published: May 2020

Li-ion battery performance and life cycle strongly depend on a passivation layer called solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI). Its structure and composition are studied in great details, while its formation process remains elusive due to difficulty of in situ measurements of battery electrodes. Here we provide a facile methodology for in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements of SEI formation on cross-sectioned composite battery electrodes allowing for direct observations of SEI formation on various types of carbonaceous negative electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. Using this approach, we observed SEI nucleation and growth on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG), MesoCarbon MicroBeads (MCMB) graphite, and non-graphitizable amorphous carbon (hard carbon). Besides the details of the formation mechanism, the electrical and mechanical properties of the SEI layers were assessed. The comparative observations revealed that the electrode potentials for SEI formation differ depending on the nature of the electrode material, whereas the adhesion of SEI to the electrode surface clearly correlates with the surface roughness of the electrode. Finally, the same approach applied to a positive LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 electrode did not reveal any signature of cathodic SEI thus demonstrating fundamental differences in the stabilization mechanisms of the negative and positive electrodes in Li-ion batteries.
In vitro human colonic microbiota utilises D-β-hydroxybutyrate to increase butyrogenesis
Authors: Sasaki Kengo , Sasaki Daisuke , Hannya Asuka , Tsubota Jun , Kondo Akihiko
Published: May 2020

The ketone body D-β-hydroxybutyrate (DBHB) has gained attention owing to its cellular signalling function; however, its effect on the human colonic microbiota remains unclear. Here, DBHB dynamics in the human colon were investigated using an in vitro colonic microbiota model, which maintained most of the operational taxonomic units detected in the original faeces. Over 54% of 0.41% (w/v) DBHB was metabolised by microbiota models originating from seven faecal samples after 30 h of fermentation (regarded as DBHB utilisers); however, <19% of DBHB was metabolised by microbiota models from five faecal samples (regarded as non-utilisers of DBHB). In utilisers, DBHB administration increased the relative abundance of the genus Coprococcus, correlated with increased butyrogenesis. Increased butyrogenesis was not observed in DBHB non-utilisers. Based on PICRUSt analysis, the relative abundance of β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase was maintained in microbiota models from DBHB utilisers following DBHB administration; however, it decreased in microbiota models from non-utilisers. After 21 h of fermentation, the intracellular glutamate concentration, which is indicative of growth, showed a positive correlation with DBHB utilisation (R2 = 0.70). Human colonic microbiotas with high growth activity demonstrate efficient utilisation of DBHB for increased butyrate production, which affords health benefits.
Automated screening of sickle cells using a smartphone-based microscope and deep learning
Authors: de Haan Kevin , Ceylan Koydemir Hatice , Rivenson Yair , Tseng Derek , Van Dyne Elizabeth , Bakic Lissette , Karinca Doruk , Liang Kyle , Ilango Megha , Gumustekin Esin , Ozcan Aydogan
Published: May 2020

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major public health priority throughout much of the world, affecting millions of people. In many regions, particularly those in resource-limited settings, SCD is not consistently diagnosed. In Africa, where the majority of SCD patients reside, more than 50% of the 0.2–0.3 million children born with SCD each year will die from it; many of these deaths are in fact preventable with correct diagnosis and treatment. Here, we present a deep learning framework which can perform automatic screening of sickle cells in blood smears using a smartphone microscope. This framework uses two distinct, complementary deep neural networks. The first neural network enhances and standardizes the blood smear images captured by the smartphone microscope, spatially and spectrally matching the image quality of a laboratory-grade benchtop microscope. The second network acts on the output of the first image enhancement neural network and is used to perform the semantic segmentation between healthy and sickle cells within a blood smear. These segmented images are then used to rapidly determine the SCD diagnosis per patient. We blindly tested this mobile sickle cell detection method using blood smears from 96 unique patients (including 32 SCD patients) that were imaged by our smartphone microscope, and achieved ~98% accuracy, with an area-under-the-curve of 0.998. With its high accuracy, this mobile and cost-effective method has the potential to be used as a screening tool for SCD and other blood cell disorders in resource-limited settings.
Viral control of biomass and diversity of bacterioplankton in the deep sea
Authors: Zhang Rui , Li Yanxia , Yan Wei , Wang Yu , Cai Lanlan , Luo Tingwei , Li Huifang , Weinbauer Markus G. , Jiao Nianzhi
Published: May 2020

Viral abundance in deep-sea environments is high. However, the biological, ecological and biogeochemical roles of viruses in the deep sea are under debate. In the present study, microcosm incubations of deep-sea bacterioplankton (2,000 m deep) with normal and reduced pressure of viral lysis were conducted in the western Pacific Ocean. We observed a negative effect of viruses on prokaryotic abundance, indicating the top-down control of bacterioplankton by virioplankton in the deep-sea. The decreased bacterial diversity and a different bacterial community structure with diluted viruses indicate that viruses are sustaining a diverse microbial community in deep-sea environments. Network analysis showed that relieving viral pressure decreased the complexity and clustering coefficients but increased the proportion of positive correlations for the potentially active bacterial community, which suggests that viruses impact deep-sea bacterioplankton interactions. Our study provides experimental evidences of the crucial role of viruses in microbial ecology and biogeochemistry in deep-sea ecosystems.
IDO1+ Paneth cells promote immune escape of colorectal cancer
Authors: Pflügler Sandra , Svinka Jasmin , Scharf Irene , Crncec Ilija , Filipits Martin , Charoentong Pornpimol , Tschurtschenthaler Markus , Kenner Lukas , Awad Monira , Stift Judith , Schernthanner Marina , Bischl Romana , Herndler-Brandstetter Dietmar , Glitzner Elisabeth , Moll Herwig P. , Casanova Emilio , Timelthaler Gerald , Sibilia Maria , Gnant Michael , Lax Sigurd , Thaler Josef , Müller Mathias , Strobl Birgit , Mohr Thomas , Kaser Arthur , Trajanoski Zlatko , Heller Gerwin , Eferl Robert
Published: May 2020

Tumors have evolved mechanisms to escape anti-tumor immunosurveillance. They limit humoral and cellular immune activities in the stroma and render tumors resistant to immunotherapy. Sensitizing tumor cells to immune attack is an important strategy to revert immunosuppression. However, the underlying mechanisms of immune escape are still poorly understood. Here we discover Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1)+ Paneth cells in the stem cell niche of intestinal crypts and tumors, which promoted immune escape of colorectal cancer (CRC). Ido1 expression in Paneth cells was strictly Stat1 dependent. Loss of IDO1+ Paneth cells in murine intestinal adenomas with tumor cell-specific Stat1 deletion had profound effects on the intratumoral immune cell composition. Patient samples and TCGA expression data suggested corresponding cells in human colorectal tumors. Thus, our data uncovered an immune escape mechanism of CRC and identify IDO1+ Paneth cells as a target for immunotherapy.
Publisher Correction: Perovskites fabricated on textured silicon surfaces for tandem solar cells
Authors: Lee Sang-Won , Bae Soohyun , Hwang Jae-Keun , Lee Wonkyu , Lee Solhee , Hyun Ji Yeon , Cho Kyungjin , Kim Seongtak , Heinz Friedemann D. , Bin Choi Sung , Choi Dongjin , Kang Dongkyun , Yang Jeewoong , Jeong Sujeong , Park Se Jin , Schubert Martin C. , Glunz Stefan , Kim Won Mok , Kang Yoonmook , Lee Hae-Seok , Kim Donghwan
Published: May 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
High efficiency ultrafast water-window harmonic generation for single-shot soft X-ray spectroscopy
Authors: Fu Yuxi , Nishimura Kotaro , Shao Renzhi , Suda Akira , Midorikawa Katsumi , Lan Pengfei , Takahashi Eiji J.
Published: May 2020

Fully coherent, soft X-ray attosecond pulses are now available through high-order harmonic generation (HHG); however, the output energy is insufficient for various applications, such as attosecond-scale soft X-ray nonlinear experiments, the seeding of soft X-ray free-electron lasers, attosecond-pump-attosecond-probe spectroscopies, and single-shot imaging. In this paper, we combine a newly developed TW class mid-infrared femtosecond laser and a loose focusing geometry for HHG. A soft X-ray harmonic beam up to the water window region is demonstrated, which is more than 100 times intense compared to previous works. We achieve a high conversion efficiency, low beam divergence and a significantly reduced medium gas pressure. As the first application, we demonstrate near edge X-ray absorption fine structure experiments with clear fine absorption spectra near the K- and L-edges observed. The robust energy scaling method on HHG opens the door for demonstrating single-shot absorption spectrum and live-cell imaging with a femtosecond time resolution.
Development of Ni-based alloy catalysts to improve the sulfur poisoning resistance of Ni/YSZ anodes in SOFCs
Authors: Cho Ara , Hwang Bohyun , Han Jeong Woo
Published: May 2020

Alloying Au into Ni surfaces provides a way to alleviate sulfur poisoning in the anode of solid oxide fuel cells.
Recent progress toward the asymmetric synthesis of carbon-substituted piperazine pharmacophores and oxidative related heterocycles
Authors: Magriotis Plato A.
Published: May 2020

The piperazine drugs are mostly N-substituted compared to only a few C-substituted drugs. To explore this unknown chemical space, asymmetric syntheses of C-substituted piperazines is the subject of this review.
Multispectral tunability in single Eu2+-doped (Ba,Sr)5(PO4)3Br phosphor
Authors: Li Ruiling , Zhang Jing , Qiu Zhongxian , Han Jin , Zhang Jilin , Zhou Wenli , Yu Liping , Lian Shixun
Published: May 2020

The dual emission centers of Eu2+ and oxygen vacancy defects endow the Ba2Sr3(PO4)3Br:xEu2+ phosphors with multicolor tunability and irradiation dependent dynamic chromaticity.
Palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of alkenyl aluminums with 2-bromobenzo[b]furans
Authors: Wen Chang , Jiang Xin , Wu Kun , Luo Ruiqiang , Li Qinghan
Published: May 2020

PdCl2 (3 mol%)/XantPhos (6 mol%) complexes was found to be a highly efficient catalyst for the synthesis of 2-alkenylbenzo[b]furans from 2-bromobenzo[b]furans and alkenylaluminums. The reaction was also found to be effective in gram-scale synthesis.
Entropy‐based dispatching: academic insights and perspectives through bibliometric analysis
Authors: Li Shiyun , Zhong Sheng , Du Rui , Pei Zhi , Chen Yong , Wang Cheng , Yi Wenchao , Wu Guanghua , Lv Ruifeng
Published: May 2020

Entropy‐based dispatching has attracted more and more attention from professional scholars and engineers. The quantity and quality of publications related to this topic are increasing rapidly. To accurately measure this growth, we use bibliometric tools to evaluate publications in the field from 1985 to 2019, based on the Science Citation Index Expanded database. They compare and analyse the relationship between dispatching problems and entropy theory in different research fields, and provide detailed overviews and discussions on hot topics and potential research value based on keywords, citations, H‐index, journals, institutions, countries and authors. The analysis shows that the application of information entropy to the quantification of dynamic information in flexible manufacturing systems, noise processing in power systems and channel rate prediction has potential research value. The result reveals that universities in mainland China have made the greatest contribution, which renders the number of publications from China in the lead, followed by the US and the UK. ‘International Journal of Production Research’ and ‘European Journal of Operational Research’ are two of the most noteworthy archives for researchers in this field. For interested readers, integrating entropy theory with economic scheduling, power scheduling, and job‐shop scheduling will be the future trend of this field.
Serially concatenated scheme of polar codes and the improved belief propagation decoding algorithm
Authors: Mao Yinyou , Yang Dong , Liu Xingcheng , Xie Yi
Published: May 2020

In this study, a serially concatenated scheme of polar codes with convolutional codes is proposed to improve the error correction performance. The novel belief propagation (BP) decoding algorithm addresses two issues that are present in the currently available BP decoding algorithms. The first issue is the poor performance of the BP decoding algorithms, in particular the introduction of an error floor. The second is the component codes can only use systematic codes in the traditional concatenated scheme of polar codes with convolutional codes, which inhibits the effective update of the prior information of the redundant check bits. The proposed BP decoding algorithm is based on right‐directed message processing, which effectively improves the decoding performance. In addition, the proposed concatenated scheme extends the selection of component codes from the systematic polar codes to the non‐systematic polar codes. Hence, the areas of applications and the prior information of information bits for polar codes are expanded and more effectively updated, respectively. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme is much better than the traditional concatenated scheme, and the error floor is no longer introduced in terms of the block error rate, while the storage and computational complexities have not increased obviously.
Facet dependent electro‐optical properties of liquid crystals doped with Au nanocrystals
Authors: Wang Meng , Wei Dequan , Zong Mingji , Gao Shan
Published: May 2020

Doping nanoparticles into liquid crystal (LC) systems can effectively improve the electro‐optical (E‐O) properties of LCs. The authors introduced three types of (cubic, octahedral, and rhombic dodecahedral) Au nanocrystals (NCs) into a nematic LC 4‐cyano‐4′‐n‐pentylbiphenyl (5CB) and investigated the facet‐dependent Au NCs in improving the E‐O properties of 5CB. The surface energies of Au facets decreased in the order {110}>{100}>{111}. The improvement in the E‐O properties of LC is related to the interaction between LC and different exposed crystal planes of dopants. Dodecahedral Au NCs, exposing {110} facets, are the most effective in improving the E‐O properties because of their highest surface energy, resulting in a 30.15% reduction of the threshold voltage (Vth) and a 29.08% of the saturation voltage (Vsat) at a doping concentration of 0.4 wt%. The Au NCs trapped impurity particles. The screening effect could be suppressed, and the electric field could be strengthened, resulting in outstanding E‐O properties. This work provides a novel way to enhance the E‐O properties of LC molecules by doping with noble metal nanomaterials, thus improving their potential applications in energy‐saving LC displays.
Photocatalytic potentiality of a two‐dimensional Fe‐doped C2N material in visible light
Authors: Gu Wei , Peng ZhangE
Published: May 2020

In this study, the phenotype of Fe‐doped Nano‐C2N monolayer (C2N monolayer) was analysed based on the Perdew‐Burke‐Ernzerh‐solids (PBEsol) functional of First‐principles. The results indicate that the length of Fe‐C bonds is significantly higher than the C‐N bond. For Fe atom doped, the band gap of C2N monolayer system is reduced from 1.811 to 0.384 ev, which increases the activity of electron hopping. Moreover, at Fe‐doped C2N positions, the partial density of states (PDOS) of the C2N monolayer is well overlapped. That indicates that there has a strong interaction between the Fe atom and the C2N monolayer. Furthermore, after doping with Fe atom, C2N monolayer shows better light absorption ability in the ultraviolet and infrared regions. The corresponding conduction band minima (CBM) values in the Fe‐doped C2N monolayer system are lower than that of the pristine C2N monolayer system. In particular, it was lower than the O2/O2•− redox potential, which show that the electrons located in the conduction band have the potential to convert the oxygen molecules into superoxide radicals. Our findings suggest that Fe‐doped C2N monolayer can be a promising material for the novel photocatalytic degradation materials.
Propagation of longitudinal waves in a single‐walled carbon nanotube under thermoelastic damping
Authors: Selim Mahmoud Mohamed
Published: May 2020

The propagation of the longitudinal waves in a single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) considering the effects of thermoelastic damping is investigated in this Letter. The cylindrical shell is considered and the Donnell–Mushtari–Vlasov approach is utilised. The thermoelasticity governing equations are derived based on thin shell theory. Analytical expressions for the quality factor (Q‐factor) of thermoelastic damping are presented for plane stress and strain conditions. The numerical results are presented to investigate the influence of some parameters on Q‐factor of thermoelastic damping, such as the length of a nanotube, nanotube thickness and the ambient temperature. In addition, the dispersion curve of the longitudinal waves propagation in the SWCNT under the effects of thermoelastic damping is plotted. It can be seen that the Q‐factor is proportional to the length and thickness of the SWCNT. It means that the increase in both length and radial thickness of the nanotube makes the Q‐factor increase. For the final observation, it should be noted that the ambient temperature has an inverse effect on the Q‐factor for the SWCNT. It means that the increase in ambient temperature makes the Q‐factor decrease. These results can be helpful in the design of resonators and nanodevices.
A new study of the spectroscopic binary 7 Vul with a Be star primary
Authors: Harmanec P. , Lipták J. , Koubský P. , Božić H. , Labadie-Bartz J. , Šlechta M. , Yang S. , Harmanec A.
Published: May 2020

We confirmed the binary nature of the Be star 7 Vul, derived a more accurate spectroscopic orbit with an orbital period of 69.d4212±0.d0034, and improved the knowledge of the basic physical elements of the system. Analyzing available photometry and the strength of the Hα emission, we also document the long-term spectral variations of the Be primary. In addition, we confirmed rapid light changes with a period of 0.d5592, which is comparable to the expected rotational period of the Be primary, but note that its amplitude and possibly its period vary with time. We were able to disentangle only the He I 6678 Å line of the secondary, which could support our tentative conclusion that the secondary appears to be a hot subdwarf. A search for this object in high-dispersion far-UV spectra could provide confirmation. Probable masses of the binary components are (6 ± 1) 𝓜⊙N and (0.6 ± 0.1) 𝓜⊙N. If the presence of a hot subdwarf is firmly confirmed, 7 Vul might be identified as a rare object with a B4-B5 primary; all Be + hot subdwarf systems found so far contain B0-B3 primaries.
“Not Above, Not Below: Right in the Middle!”—Novel Filler Technique for Temporal Augmentation and Rejuvenation
Authors: Cohn Jason E. , Pion Tyler , Greco Timothy M.
Published: May 2020

The temporal region is challenging to treat due to its thin skin, which has the propensity toward showing irregularities. The literature on temporal hollowing augmentation suggests placing the filler either into the subcutaneous space or within the temporalis muscle. However, these techniques have been based upon opinion rather than supporting anatomical and clinical data. We introduce a novel injection technique to avoid complications and achieve lasting results. This novel technique was confirmed with a cadaver model, in vivo model, and application to a human subject. The anatomical layers of the temporal region were highlighted: the skin, subcutaneous tissue, temporoparietal fascia (superficial temporal fascia), deep temporal fascia, superficial temporal fat pad, and temporalis muscle. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery to avoid vascular complications. We believe the potential space between the temporoparietal fascia and the deep temporalis fascia is the safest, most efficacious plane to inject the temporal region with a 27-gauge cannula. Our future goal is to recruit and present a larger series of patients receiving this injection.
Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration as a Rescue Therapy for Severe Acetaminophen Toxicity in a Toddler
Authors: Awasthi Puspraj , Jindal Ankush , Sharma Yogish , Williams Vijai , Ravikumar Namita , Nallasamy Karthi , Angurana Suresh Kumar
Published: May 2020

Acetaminophen poisoning is one of the common accidental poisoning in children. Accidental administration of mismatched doses of drops for syrups can lead to life-threatening overdose. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is the specific antidote; however, extracorporeal therapy such as continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) can be used as a rescue measure when there is no improvement despite adequate NAC therapy and can be lifesaving. We reported an 18-month-old male infant patient who presented with acetaminophen poisoning following accidental ingestion of acetaminophen drops in place of syrup and developed fulminant hepatic failure. Treatment with NAC did not lead to improvement and CVVH was used as a rescue therapy for 24 hours which led to dramatic clinical and biochemical improvement with intact neurological outcome.