bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A two-component protein condensate of the EGFR cytoplasmic tail and Grb2 regulates Ras activation by SOS at the membrane
Authors: Lin Chun-Wei , Nocka Laura M. , Stinger Brittany L. , DeGrandchamp Joseph B. , Lew L. J. Nugent , Alvarez Steven , Phan Henry T. , Kondo Yasushi , Kuriyan John , Groves Jay T.
Published: May 2022

Significance

Two-dimensional condensates of proteins on the membrane surface, driven by tyrosine phosphorylation, are beginning to emerge as important players in signal transduction. This work describes discovery of a protein condensation phase transition of EGFR and Grb2 on membrane surfaces, which is poised to have a significant impact on how we understand EGFR signaling and misregulation in disease. EGFR condensation is mediated through a Grb2-Grb2 crosslinking element, which itself is regulatable through a specific phosphotyrosine site on Grb2. Furthermore, the EGFR condensate exerts significant control over the ability of SOS to activate Ras, thus implicating the EGFR condensate as a regulator of signal propagation from EGFR to Ras and the MAPK pathway.
The distal C terminus of the dihydropyridine receptor β1asubunit is essential for tetrad formation in skeletal muscle
Authors: Dayal Anamika , Perni Stefano , Franzini-Armstrong Clara , Beam Kurt G. , Grabner Manfred
Published: May 2022

Significance

Vertebrate skeletal muscle excitation–contraction coupling (ECC) is based on Ca2+-influx–independent interchannel cross-talk between DHPR and RyR1. The skeletal muscle DHPR complex consists of the main, voltage-sensing, and pore-forming α1Ssubunit, the auxiliary β1a, α2δ-1, γ1subunits, and Stac3. The DHPRβ1asubunit plays an essential role in full triad targeting of DHPRα1S, voltage sensing, and tetrad formation (grouping of four DHPRs)—the three prerequisites for skeletal muscle ECC. Hence, a lack of DHPRβ1aresults in a lethal phenotype in both β1-null mice and zebrafish. Here, we identified the nonconserved, distal C terminus of DHPRβ1aas playing a pivotal role in the formation of DHPR tetrads, and thus allosteric DHPR–RyR1 coupling, essential for proper skeletal muscle ECC.
Micromagnetic manipulation and spin excitation of skyrmionic structures
Authors: Bo Lan , Hu Chenglong , Zhao Rongzhi , Zhang Xuefeng
Published: May 2022

Magnetic skyrmions have attracted signficant research interest across a wide range of fields, from condensed matter physics to material science, since the first observation in 2009. Abundant theoretical, computational, and experimental studies have contributed to this emerging interdiscipline: skyrmionics. In particular, great expectations have been placed on exploiting the physics and dynamics of magnetic skyrmions as potential information carriers. In this paper, we particularly focus on the computational studies of skyrmions during the last decade. After briefly introducing the mechanism of micromagnetic simulations, we review and discuss the manipulation of skyrmions, i.e. their creation, transformation, motion, and spin excitation, by both traditional and advanced methods, including electric currents, magnetic fields, spin waves, microwaves, etc. We take magnetic skyrmion as a typical example, while other skyrmion-related magnetic structures such as skyrmioniums and skyrmion tubes are also slightly involved. Through this review, we hope to give some insights into the further development of magnetic skyrmions in spintronics.
Motor imagery classification method based on long and short windows interception
Authors: Liu Xiaolin , Yan Peirong , Zhang Shuailei , Zheng Dezhi
Published: May 2022

Electroencephalogram (EEG) based motor imagery (MI) brain-computer interface (BCI) has emerged as a promising tool for communication and control. Most MI classification methods use fixed-length time windows to intercept signals and perform subsequent analyses. However, the fixed-length time window interception method can not achieve optimal performance due to significant differences in the multiple imagining tasks of the same subject. In this paper, we present a novel interception method using long and short windows (LSWs). This method takes advantage of the subject’s motor imaginary strength at different times of the task to select specific time windows corresponding to the most salient features. The features corresponding to the selected time windows are used for the final MI classification. We compare the proposed LSW interception method with the fixed-length time window method on a public EEG dataset (BCI competition IV dataset 1) and a self-collected dataset. The results show that the classification accuracies are improved with the LSW interception method on both datasets. When using the support vector machine (SVM) classifier, the classification accuracy of common spatial pattern with the LSW method achieves 2.57% and 1.12% improvement on two datasets, respectively, and the classification accuracy of filter bank common spatial pattern (FBCSP) with the LSW method achieves 0.93% and 1.48% improvement, respectively. Among them, the classification accuracy of the LSW method with FBCSP and SVM is the highest, which is 93.43% and 91.12%, respectively. Compared with the traditional methods, this method significantly increases the classification accuracy and provides a new idea for researching the MI classification method in BCI.
Fault diagnosis method of rotating bearing based on improved ensemble empirical mode decomposition and deep belief network
Authors: Zhong Cheng , Wang Jie-Sheng , Sun Wei-Zhen
Published: May 2022

Based on the analysis of the bearing rotating speed feature and the vibration analysis technique, a novel fault diagnosis method of rotating bearing by adopting improved ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and deep belief network (DBN) was proposed. Firstly, the EEMD method is adopted to decompose the collected vibration data into the combination of the several intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Then the spectrum of IMF components and the spectrum of original data are compared to eliminate the false components and interference signals. Because the redundant extreme points or pseudo-extreme points seriously affect the construction of the mean curve of EEMD algorithm, three methods are put forward to eliminate the pseudo extreme points and the redundancy extreme points so as to improve the algorithm performance. Finally, the remaining IMF components are entered into the DBN to extract the data features and realize the fault diagnosis. Simulation results on the rolling bearing data of the Bearing Data Center in Case Western Reserve University show the effective of the proposed method.
Synthesis and characterization of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles showing potential applications for sensing quaternary ammonium vapor at room temperature
Authors: Quispe Luis T , Mamani L G Luza , Baldárrago-Alcántara A A , Félix L León , Goya Gerardo F , Fuentes-García J A , Pacheco-Salazar D G , Coaquira J A H
Published: May 2022

P-type and n-type metal oxide semiconductors are widely used in the manufacture of gas sensing materials, due to their excellent electronic, electrical and electrocatalytic properties. Hematite (α-Fe2O3) compound has been reported as a promising material for sensing broad types of gases, due to its affordability, good stability and semiconducting properties. In the present work, the efficient and easy-to-implement sol-gel method has been used to synthesize α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs). The TGA-DSC characterizations of the precursor gel provided information about the phase transformation temperature and the mass percentage of the hematite NPs. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data analyses indicated the formation of two iron oxide phases (hematite and magnetite) when the NPs are subjected to thermal treatment at 400 °C. Meanwhile, only the hematite phase was determined for thermal annealing above 500 °C up to 800 °C. Besides, the crystallite size shows an increasing trend with the thermal annealing and no defined morphology. A clear reduction of surface defects, associated with oxygen vacancies was also evidenced when the annealing temperature was increased, resulting in changes on the electrical properties of hematite NPs. Resistive gas-sensing tests were carried out using hematite NPs + glycerin paste, to detect quaternary ammonium compounds. Room-temperature high sensitivity values (S
r ∼ 4) have been obtained during the detection of ∼1 mM quaternary ammonium compounds vapor. The dependence of the sensitivity on the particle size, the mass ratio of NPs with respect to the organic ligand, changes in the dielectric properties, and the electrical conduction mechanism of gas sensing was discussed.
Influence of ferromagnetic slice on the charging performance of a through-wall HTS flux pump employing a magnetic coupler
Authors: Li Jing , Sun Chenzhen , Zhou Pengbo , Li Songlin , Wang Ruichen , Ren Gang , Zhou Yanyu , Ma Guangtong
Published: May 2022

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets have been investigated widely for their higher upper critical magnetic field, larger engineering critical current density and simpler cryogenic system compared with low-temperature superconducting magnets. However, in order to keep the permanent-current mode of the HTS magnets, the external power supply is usually employed to charge the magnet via copper current leads, which is a considerable heat source to the cooling system. Thus, in order to avoid the heat disturbance brought by the current leads, a new ‘through-wall’ dynamo-type HTS flux pump using a pair of magnetic couplers is proposed, realizing the truly wireless power transfer, and exploring its possible application for the conduction cooled system. Based on the proposed structure, the heat conduction, which was calculated to be about 7.75 W, and heat convection could be minimized. In addition, to further improve the charging performance of the dynamo-type flux pump, a ferromagnetic (FM) slice was added at different positions of the system. The effect of the FM slice on charging performance is studied numerically and experimentally. According to the results of simulations and experiments, adding an FM slice under the HTS stator improves the saturated current and the charging speed of the dynamo-type flux pump by 20%–30%.
Nonadiabatic decay of metastable states on coupled linear potentials
Authors: Duspayev Alisher , Shah Ansh , Raithel Georg
Published: May 2022

Avoided crossings of level pairs with opposite slopes can form potential-energy minima for the external degree of freedom of quantum particles, giving rise to metastable states on the avoided crossings (MSACs). Nonadiabatic decay of MSACs is studied by solving the two-component Schrödinger equation in diabatic and adiabatic representations. Non-perturbative lifetime values are found by evaluating wave function flux and scattering phases of time-independent solutions, as well as wave-function decay of time-dependent solutions. The values from these methods generally agree well, validating the utilized approaches. As the adiabaticity parameter, V, of the system is increased by about a factor of ten across the mixed diabatic/adiabatic regime, the MSAC character transitions from marginally to highly stable, with the lifetimes increasing by about ten orders of magnitude. The dependence of MSAC lifetime on the vibrational quantum number, ν, is discussed for several regimes of V. Time-dependent perturbation theory yields lifetimes that deviate by ≲30% from non-perturbative results, over the range of V and ν studied, while a semi-classical model based on Landau–Zener tunneling is up to a factor of twenty off. The results are relevant to numerous atomic and molecular systems with metastable states on intersecting, coupled potential energy curves.
Sign freedom of non-abelian topological charges in phononic and photonic topological semimetals
Authors: Park Haedong , Oh Sang Soon
Published: May 2022

The topological nature of nodal lines in three-band systems can be described by non-abelian topological charges called quaternion numbers. Due to the gauge freedom of the eigenstates, the sign of quaternion numbers can be flipped by performing a gauge transformation, i.e., choosing a different basis of eigenstates. However, the sign flipping has not been explicitly shown in realistic systems such as phononic and photonic topological semimetals. Here, we elaborate on the sign freedom of non-abelian topological charges by visualizing numerically calculated topological charges in phononic and photonic topological semimetals. For this, we employ a common reference point method for multiple nodal lines and thus confirm that the sign flipping does not cause any inconsistency in building the quaternion group.
SI-traceable solar irradiance measurements for aerosol optical depth retrieval
Authors: Kouremeti Natalia , Nevas Saulius , Kazadzis Stelios , Gröbner Julian , Schneider Philipp , Schwind Kerstin Maria
Published: May 2022

The overall aim of this study is to enable the traceable to International System of Units (SI) determination of column-integrated aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieved from the passive remote sensing of the atmosphere using SI-traceable direct solar spectral irradiance measurements. A precision filter radiometer that measures direct solar spectral irradiance for the retrieval of AOD has been characterized and calibrated at the state-of-the-art calibration facilities of Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. The measured SI-traceable solar irradiances together with three state-of-the-art top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) solar spectra have been used for retrieving AODs, which were validated against the reference AOD instruments of the World Aerosol Optical Depth Calibration Centre of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Calibration factors agreed within ±0.57% (3σ) using all three TOA spectra except for 368 nm (−1.1%) and 862 nm (1.8%) channels for one out of the three TOA spectra. Application of these results to the AOD retrieval showed AOD differences with the current reference methods/instruments well within the recommended WMO limits. The work provides a first step to opening a new era of AOD measurements traceability, providing a link to the SI through a laboratory-based approach, with the main advantages being the low uncertainty, the possibility of enhancing global AOD homogenization efforts and the chance to avoid calibration activities based on instrument relocations.
Beam loss monitoring system for the SKIF synchrotron light source
Authors: Maltseva Yu.I. , Ivanenko S.V. , Khilchenko A.D. , Ma X.C. , Meshkov O.I. , Morsina A.A. , Puryga E.A.
Published: May 2022

The Siberian ring source of photons (SKIF) is a new 3 GeV
fourth-generation synchrotron light source being developed by the
Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (BINP). A beam loss monitoring
system is necessary to ensure its reliable commissioning and
operation. Two types of beam loss monitors will be installed in the
SKIF: 5 fiber-based Cherenkov beam loss monitors (CBLMs) for the
linac and transfer lines and 128 scintillator-based beam loss
monitors (SBLMs) for the storage ring. Sophisticated electronic
equipment is employed to use these monitors in different modes of
SKIF operation. The paper describes the design of the SKIF beam loss
monitoring system based on numerical simulations and experimental
studies.
Sustainable urban development observatory of Thessaloniki - lessons learnt from the first year of operation
Authors: Konstantia B , Evdokia M , Giorgos G , Konstantinos G , Anastasia I , Dimitris K , Chrisos M K , Konstantinos T
Published: May 2022

Sustainable Urban Development Observatory of Thessaloniki (SUDOTh) started operating in the first semester of 2020 with the objective to promote territorial evidence in policy making in urban governance. SUDOTh was developed as part of the Sustainable Urban Development Strategy 2016-2023 of Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area to address the need to obtain, observe and monitor how complex urban functions interact, at a territorial level, with product development (or lagging) effects. In the first year of operation, the Observatory had to set, test and evaluate the system of indicators and indexes it uses. Initially the system was formed in 4 basic sections: 1. Territorial Development and Urban renewal, 2. Urban Mobility, 3. Environmental Conditions and 4. Social Conditions. An extra set of indicators for Urban Governance was also developed. The process of data collection, test and evaluation of indicators was eventually coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. This situation influenced deeply several urban functions as well as the data collection methodology. The first results and conclusions from the first year of the operation of SUDOTh are presented and discussed further in this paper.
Influence analysis of regional loans on basic infrastructure establishment to recover economy during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Sikka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Authors: Gai A M , Sir M M , Maulida R R
Published: May 2022

The decline at economic activities in Sikka Regency, resulted in a decrease in the regional income. Consequently, the Government needed additional funds to meet basic infrastructure needs obtained from the Regional Loans Program. This study aimed to examine the effects of Regional Loans on the growth of other sectors as a trickle-down effect that can restore the economy in Sikka Regency. This research employed qualitative and quantitative approaches. The secondary data were obtained from the Sikka Government. there were four types of health infrastructure, six types of clean water infrastructure activities, and five types of road and bridge constructions to be built in Sikka Regency. Regarding the sectors that affect the basic infrastructure there was one type of essential sector impacted, namely the financial and banking sector. Meanwhile, in the critical sector, five types of sectors were influenced, namely logistics and transportation, cement, construction, basic utilities (electricity and water), and basic daily needs. In the critical sector, road infrastructure contributed the highest percentage of influence of 55%, followed by clean water infrastructure of 23%, and health infrastructure of 14%. the socio-economic effects in health factor 0,03%, clean water 0,9%, and road infrastructures 2,65% of households.
Typology of Manggarai slum area: the strategy of resilient city to fencing pandemic
Authors: Syafitri R A W D , Sukri M F , Hakim D N
Published: May 2022

The post-pandemic COVID-19 demands an increasingly massive planning transformation in adopting spatial principles. It is often found the configuration of urban space is often the driver of the distribution level of the number of cases. Several spatial variables, such as the irregularity of the building, building density, and the technical requirements of the building, are closely related to the assessment of the indicators of slum settlements. Manggarai Slum Area is one of the slum clusters that have the potential to become the epicentrum of COVID-19 in Jakarta. So, it is necessary to have a strategy for structuring slum areas without compromising the rules of adaptation to the pandemic. The phase is begins by classifying the typology of the level of slums. Followed by a SWOT analysis for identifying general strategic development and determining the strategy for each typology. Generally, residential areas are classified as priority 1 category A1 and A3 (heavy slums), only differing from the legality of the land. Buildings, facilities, utilities, and legal needs to be prioritized in this area. While in the priority 3 category C3 (low slum) classification in the form of a military housing area. The right strategy is the fulfillment of basic infrastructure
Tin dioxide nanoparticles for waste water treatment: facile synthesis and characterization
Authors: Ehsan Rimsha , Haq Sirajul , Shahzad Nadia , Ali Manel Ben , Abdallah Fethi Ben , Hassan Montasser M , Hedfi Amor , Din Salah Ud , Shahzad Muhammad Imran
Published: May 2022

Tin dioxide nanoparticles (SnO2 NPs) are synthesized by usingBuxus wallichiana(B. Wallichiana) leaf extract. To determine the surface area (138.2 m2g−1) and pore size of the SnO2 NPs, the nitrogen adsorption-desorption method used. The average crystallite size was determined to be 38 nm using x-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), were used to investigate the structural and optical properties of SnO2NPs with a band gap of 3.69 eV. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used for the chemical analysis. In this experiment, methyl orange (MO) was deteriorated in the presence of artificial sun light for 140 min, where 97.50 percent of the dye decolorized. A 15 ppm solution of MO with the pH 6, was treated in the presence of 20 mg of the catalyst, resulting in the highest photocatalytic activity.
Critical quantum metrology with fully-connected models: from Heisenberg to Kibble–Zurek scaling
Authors: Garbe Louis , Abah Obinna , Felicetti Simone , Puebla Ricardo
Published: May 2022

Phase transitions represent a compelling tool for classical and quantum sensing applications. It has been demonstrated that quantum sensors can in principle saturate the Heisenberg scaling, the ultimate precision bound allowed by quantum mechanics, in the limit of large probe number and long measurement time. Due to the critical slowing down, the protocol duration time is of utmost relevance in critical quantum metrology. However, how the long-time limit is reached remains in general an open question. So far, only two dichotomic approaches have been considered, based on either static or dynamical properties of critical quantum systems. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the scaling of the quantum Fisher information for different families of protocols that create a continuous connection between static and dynamical approaches. In particular, we consider fully-connected models, a broad class of quantum critical systems of high experimental relevance. Our analysis unveils the existence of universal precision-scaling regimes. These regimes remain valid even for finite-time protocols and finite-size systems. We also frame these results in a general theoretical perspective, by deriving a precision bound for arbitrary time-dependent quadratic Hamiltonians.
Electro- and photochemical studies of gold (III) bromide towards a novel laser-based method of gold patterning
Authors: Rosenbaum Cecily , Murphy Matthew , Lawrence Paul T , Sirkoch Curtis , Schneeberg Stella Rose , Zigner Kyle , Morris Sarah , Richman Ethan , Anyanwu Chibuzo , Will Eric , Wheeler Clare , Reed Eric , LaFratta Christopher N
Published: May 2022

In this report, we demonstrate a novel technique for the microscopic patterning of gold by combining the photoreduction of AuIIIBr4
− to AuIBr2
− and the electrochemical reduction of AuIBr2
− to elemental gold in a single step within solution. While mask-based methods have been the norm for electroplating, the adoption of direct laser writing for flexible, real-time patterning has not been widespread. Through irradiation using a 405 nm laser and applying a voltage corresponding to a selective potential window specific to AuIBr2
−, we have shown that we can locally deposit elemental gold at the focal point of the laser. In addition to demonstrating the feasibility of the technique, we have collected data on the kinetics of the photoreduction reaction in ethanol and have deduced its rate law. We have confirmed the selective deposition of AuIBr2
− within a potential window through controlled potential electrolysis experiments and through direct measurement on a quartz crystal microbalance. Finally, we have verified local deposition through scanning electron microscopy.
Lower bounds for eigenvalues of even ordered quasilinear differential equations
Authors: Dhar Sougata , Stewart Kelly Jessica
Published: May 2022

In this paper, we establish lower bounds for the eigenvalues of even ordered quasilinear eigenvalue problems with indefinite weights. We first consider the case when the weight function is identically one and later generalize the results to any weight function within the

p
p

-th Muckenhopt class. In the process, we obtain new Lyapunov-type inequalities for the corresponding problems and utilize them to obtain the lower bound of the

k
k

-th eigenvalues. In particular, we show that the first eigenvalue is bounded below in terms of the integral of the weight instead of the integral of its positive part. Our results provide a much sharper bound than existing results.
Exploring the kinase-inhibitor fragment interaction space facilitates the discovery of kinase inhibitor overcoming resistance by mutations
Authors: Wang Zhi-Zheng , Wang Ming-Shu , Wang Fan , Shi Xing-Xing , Huang Wei , Hao Ge-Fei , Yang Guang-Fu
Published: May 2022

Protein kinases play crucial roles in many cellular signaling processes, making them become important targets for drug discovery. But drug resistance mediated by mutation puts a barrier to the therapeutic effect of kinase inhibitors. Fragment-based drug discovery has been successfully applied to overcome such resistance. However, the complicate kinase-inhibitor fragment interaction and fragment-to-lead process seriously limit the efficiency of kinase inhibitor discovery against resistance caused by mutation. Here, we constructed a comprehensive web platform KinaFrag for the fragment-based kinase inhibitor discovery to overcome resistance. The kinase-inhibitor fragment space was investigated from 7783 crystal kinase-inhibitor fragment complexes, and the structural requirements of kinase subpockets were analyzed. The core fragment-based virtual screening workflow towards specific subpockets was developed to generate new kinase inhibitors. A series of tropomyosin receptor kinase (TRK) inhibitors were designed, and the most potent compound YT9 exhibits up to 70-fold activity improvement than marketed drugs larotrectinib and selitrectinib against G595R, G667C and F589L mutations of TRKA. YT9 shows promising antiproliferative against tumor cells in vitro and effectively inhibits tumor growth in vivo for wild type TRK and TRK mutants. Our results illustrate the great potential of KinaFrag in the kinase inhibitor discovery to combat resistance mediated by mutation. KinaFrag is freely available at http://chemyang.ccnu.edu.cn/ccb/database/KinaFrag/.
Seronegative autoimmune encephalitis: clinical characteristics and factors associated with outcomes
Authors: Lee Woo-Jin , Lee Han-Sang , Kim Do-Yong , Lee Hye-Sung , Moon Jangsup , Park Kyung-Il , Lee Sang Kun , Chu Kon , Lee Soon-Tae
Published: May 2022

Seronegative autoimmune encephalitis is autoimmune encephalitis without any identifiable pathogenic antibody. Although it is a major subtype of autoimmune encephalitis, many unmet clinical needs exist in terms of clinical characteristics, treatments and prognosis. In this institutional cohort study, patients diagnosed with seronegative autoimmune encephalitis with available 2-year outcomes were analysed for the disease course, 2-year outcome prediction system, effect of immunotherapy, necessity of further immunotherapy at 6 or 12 months and pattern of brain atrophy. Seronegative autoimmune encephalitis was subcategorized into antibody-negative probable autoimmune encephalitis, autoimmune limbic encephalitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Poor 2-year outcome was defined by modified Rankin scale scores 3–6, and the 2-year serial data of Clinical Assessment Scales in Autoimmune Encephalitis score was used for longitudinal data analyses. A total of 147 patients were included. The frequency of achieving a good 2-year outcome (modified Rankin scale 0–2) was 56.5%. The antibody-negative probable autoimmune encephalitis subtype exhibited the poorest outcomes, although the baseline severity was similar among the subtypes. The RAPID score, consisting of five early usable clinical factors, refractory status epilepticus, age of onset ≥60 years, probable autoimmune encephalitis (antibody-negative probable autoimmune encephalitis subtype), infratentorial involvement and delay of immunotherapy ≥1 month, was associated with poorer 2-year outcomes. Any immunotherapy was associated with clinical improvement in the patients with low risk for poor 2-year outcomes (RAPID scores 0–1), and the combination immunotherapy of steroid, immunoglobulin, rituximab and tocilizumab was associated with better outcomes in the patients with high risk for poor 2-year outcomes (RAPID scores 2–5). In patients with persistent disease at 6 months, continuing immunotherapy was associated with more improvement, while the effect of continuing immunotherapy for more than 12 months was unclear. In the longitudinal analysis of MRI, the development of cerebellar atrophy indicated poor outcomes, while the absence of diffuse cerebral atrophy or medial temporal atrophy indicated the possibility of a good outcome. This study provides information about the clinical characteristics and courses, the effect of immunotherapy and its duration, and prognostic factors in seronegative autoimmune encephalitis.
Female Genital Variation Far Exceeds That of Male Genitalia: A Review of Comparative Anatomy of Clitoris and the Female Lower Reproductive Tract in Theria
Authors: Pavlicev Mihaela , Herdina Anna Nele , Wagner Günter
Published: May 2022

Synopsis

A review of the literature on the anatomy of the lower female genital tract in therian mammals reveals, contrary to the general perception, a large amount of inter-specific variation. Variation in females is anatomically more radical than that in the male genitalia. It includes the absence of whole anatomical units, like the cervix in many Xenarthra, or the absence of the urogenital sinus (UGS), as well as the complete spatial separation of the external clitoral parts from the genital canal (either vagina or UGS). A preliminary phylogenetic analysis shows two patterns. Some morphs are unique to early branching clades, like the absence of the cervix, while others arose multiple times independently, like the flattening out or loss of the UGS, or the extreme elongation of the clitoris. Based on available information, the ancestral eutherian configuration of the external female genitalia included a cervix, a single vaginal segment, a tubular UGS, and an unperforated clitoris close to the entrance of the genital canal. The evidence for either bilobed or unitary glandes clitorides is ambivalent. Despite the wealth of information available, many gaps in knowledge remain and will require a community-wide effort to come to a more robust model of female genital evolutionary patterns.
First-order and second-order necessary optimality conditions for discrete-time stochastic systems with delay
Authors: Song Teng , Liu Bin
Published: May 2022

This paper is concerned with the first-order and second-order necessary optimality conditions for discrete-time stochastic systems with delay under weak assumptions. Based on a characteristic method and a discrete-time backward stochastic equation, we establish the linearized discrete-time stochastic maximum principle and Euler-type necessary optimality condition. Moreover, by a new discrete-time backward stochastic matrix equation, we also obtain the necessary optimality condition of quasi-singular control and the pointwise second-order optimality condition.
Impact of Respiratory Syncytial Virus on Child, Caregiver, and Family Quality of Life in the United States: Systematic Literature Review and Analysis
Authors: Glaser Elizabeth L , Hariharan Dhwani , Bowser Diana M , Gervasio Raíssa M , Rowlands Katharine R , Buckley Lauren , Nelson Christopher B , Shepard Donald S
Published: May 2022

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in US children, reduces quality of life (QOL) of children, their caregivers, and families.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review in PubMed, EconLit, and other databases in the United States of articles published since 2000, derived utility lost per RSV episode from cohort studies, and performed a systematic analysis.

Results

From 2262 unique citations, 35 received full-text review and 7 met the inclusion criteria (2 cohort studies, 4 modeling studies, and 1 synthesis). Pooled data from the 2 cohort studies (both containing only hospitalized premature infants) gave quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) losses per episode of 0.0173 at day 38. From the cohort study that also assessed caregivers' QOL, we calculated net QALYs lost directly attributable to RSV per nonfatal episode from onset to 60 days after onset for the child, caregiver, child-and-caregiver dyad of 0.0169 (167% over prematurity alone), 0.0031, and 0.0200, respectively.

Conclusion

Published data on QOL of children in the United States with RSV are scarce and consider only premature hospitalized infants, whereas most RSV episodes occur in children who were born at term and were otherwise healthy. QOL studies are needed beyond hospitalized premature infants.
Arabidopsis TWISTED DWARF1 regulates stamen elongation by differential activation of ABCB1,19-mediated auxin transport
Authors: Liu Jie , Ghelli Roberta , Cardarelli Maura , Geisler Markus
Published: May 2022

Despite clear evidence that a local accumulation of auxin is likewise critical for male fertility, much less is known about the components that regulate auxin-controlled stamen development. In this study, we analyzed physiological and morphological parameters in mutants of key players of ABCB-mediated auxin transport, and spatially and temporally dissected their expression on the protein level as well as auxin fluxes in the Arabidopsis stamens. Our analyses revealed that the FKBP42, TWISTED DWARF1 (TWD1), promotes stamen elongation and, to a lesser extent, anther dehiscence, as well as pollen maturation, and thus is required for seed development. Most of the described developmental defects in twd1 are shared with the abcb1 abcb19 mutant, which can be attributed to the fact that TWD1—as a described ABCB chaperone—is a positive regulator of ABCB1- and ABCB19-mediated auxin transport. However, reduced stamen number was dependent on TWD1 but not on investigated ABCBs, suggesting additional players downstream of TWD1. We predict an overall housekeeping function for ABCB1 during earlier stages, while ABCB19 seems to be responsible for the key event of rapid elongation at later stages of stamen development. Our data indicate that TWD1 controls stamen development by differential activation of ABCB1,19-mediated auxin transport in the stamen.
From fruit growth to ripening in plantain: a careful balance between carbohydrate synthesis and breakdown
Authors: Campos Nadia A , Colombié Sophie , Moing Annick , Cassan Cedric , Amah Delphine , Swennen Rony , Gibon Yves , Carpentier Sebastien C
Published: May 2022

In this study, we aimed to investigate for the first time different fruit development stages in plantain banana in order gain insights into the order of appearance and dominance of specific enzymes and fluxes. We examined fruit development in two plantain banana cultivars during the period between 2–12 weeks after bunch emergence using high-throughput proteomics, quantification of major metabolites, and analyses of metabolic fluxes. Starch synthesis and breakdown are processes that take place simultaneously. During the first 10 weeks fruits accumulated up to 48% of their dry weight as starch, and glucose 6-phosphate and fructose were important precursors. We found a unique amyloplast transporter and hypothesize that it facilitates the import of fructose. We identified an invertase originating from the Musa balbisiana genome that would enable carbon flow back to growth and starch synthesis and maintain a high starch content even during ripening. Enzymes associated with the initiation of ripening were involved in ethylene and auxin metabolism, starch breakdown, pulp softening, and ascorbate biosynthesis. The initiation of ripening was cultivar specific, with faster initiation being particularly linked to the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase and 4-alpha glucanotransferase disproportionating enzymes. Information of this kind is fundamental to determining the optimal time for picking the fruit in order to reduce post-harvest losses, and has potential applications for breeding to improve fruit quality.
NGC 5236’s stars as tracers of arms and arm widths in spiral galaxies
Authors: Silva-Villa E , Cano Gómez X
Published: May 2022

Generally, identifying the spiral arms of a spiral galaxy is not a hard task. However, defining the main characteristics, width, and length of those structure is not a common task. Previous studies have used different tracers: star clusters, massers, H α. It was until recently that individual stars were used as tracers of spiral structures. The basic method of measuring the width of spiral arms assumes a Gaussian distribution around the mean concentration, either of gas or other tracer. In this work, we use NGC 5236’s stars as tracers. We estimated the surface stellar density of arms and interarm regions to measure the width of the arms. As a test case, this work focused on NGC 5236 (M83). We find that field stellar populations can trace the (two) main spiral arms of NGC 5236. We find a correlation between the arm width and the Galactocentric radii, found using other tracers. The slope of the growth of the width of the arm correlates with the morphological types of spiral galaxies. A second finding of our study suggest the possible correlation between the width of the arms and the corotation radius, result that will be presented in a follow-up paper.
Unveiling the outer dust disc of TW Hya with deep ALMA observations
Authors: Ilee John D , Walsh Catherine , Jennings Jeff , Booth Richard A , Rosotti Giovanni P , Teague Richard , Tsukagoshi Takashi , Nomura Hideko
Published: May 2022

The radial extent of millimetre dust in protoplanetary discs is often far smaller than that of their gas, mostly due to processes such as dust growth and radial drift. However, it has been suggested that current millimetre continuum observations of discs do not trace their full extent due to limited sensitivity. In this letter, we present deep (19 $\mu$Jy beam−1) moderate resolution (0.37 arcsec) ALMA observations at 1 mm of the nearest protoplanetary disc, TW Hya. Using the visibility analysis tool frank, we reveal a structured millimetre intensity distribution out to 100 au, well beyond previous estimates of 60–70 au. Our analysis suggests the presence of a new millimetre continuum gap at 82 au, coincident with similar features seen in optical/near-infrared scattered light and millimetre molecular line observations. Examination of the fit residuals confirms the presence of the previously reported au-scale continuum excess at 52 au (P.A. = 242.5°). Our results demonstrate the utility of combining deep, moderate-resolution observations with super-resolution analysis techniques to probe the faintest regions of protoplanetary discs.
PRD-Class Homeobox Genes in Bovine Early Embryos: Function, Evolution, and Overlapping Roles
Authors: Lewin Thomas D. , Fouladi-Nashta Ali A. , Holland Peter W.H.
Published: May 2022

Eutherian Totipotent Cell Homeobox (ETCHbox) genes are mammalian-specific PRD-class homeobox genes with conserved expression in the preimplantation embryo but fast-evolving and highly divergent sequences. Here, we exploit an ectopic expression approach to examine the role of bovine ETCHbox genes and show that ARGFX and LEUTX homeodomain proteins upregulate genes normally expressed in the blastocyst; the identities of the regulated genes suggest that, in vivo, the ETCHbox genes play a role in coordinating the physical formation of the blastocyst structure. Both genes also downregulate genes expressed earlier during development and genes associated with an undifferentiated cell state, possibly via the JAK/STAT pathway. We find evidence that bovine ARGFX and LEUTX have overlapping functions, in contrast to their antagonistic roles in humans. Finally, we characterize a mutant bovine ARGFX allele which eliminates the homeodomain and show that homozygous mutants are viable. These data support the hypothesis of functional overlap between ETCHbox genes within a species, roles for ETCHbox genes in blastocyst formation and the change of their functions over evolutionary time.
Intravenous sodium thiosulphate for vascular calcification of hemodialysis patients—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wen Wen , Portales-Castillo Ignacio , Seethapathy Rituvanthikaa , Krinsky Scott , Kroshinsky Daniela , Kalim Sahir , Goverman Jeremy , Nazarian Rosalynn M , Chitalia Vipul , Malhotra Rajeev , Kramann Rafael , Malhotra Cindy K , Nigwekar Sagar U
Published: May 2022

Background

Vascular calcification (VC) is a common comorbidity among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), indicating major cardiovascular events. This study aimed to evaluate the effects and safety of intravenous sodium thiosulphate (STS) for VC in CKD patients.

Methods

Electronic databases were searched for clinical trials that provided data comparing outcomes among patients treated with and without STS. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. Efficacy was assessed using calcification scores and arterial stiffness. Safety was examined by analyzing adverse symptoms, electrolytes and bone mineral density (BMD). Random-effects models were performed. Meta-regression and sensitivity analysis were done. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tools.

Results

Among the 5601 publications, 6 studies involving 305 participants (mean age: 56 years, male: 56.6%) with all participants on maintenance hemodialysis met eligibility criteria. For efficacy, the progression in Agatston scores in the coronary arteries [107 patients, mean difference (MD): −241.27, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): −421.50 to −61.03] and iliac arteries (55 patients, MD: −382.00, 95% CI: −751.07 to −12.93) was lower in the STS treated group compared with controls. The increase in pulse wave velocity was lower in the STS group (104 patients, MD: −1.29 m/s, 95% CI: −2.24 to −0.34 m/s). No association was found between the change in calcification scores and STS regimen. For safety, gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g. nausea) and increased anion gap acidosis were noted. No reduction in BMD by STS was observed.

Conclusions

Intravenous STS may attenuate the progression of VC and arterial stiffness in hemodialysis patients. Large and well-designed randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Function of Rice High-Affinity Potassium Transporters in Pollen Development and Fertility
Authors: Li Weihong , Li Mengqi , Li Shen , Zhang Yanfan , Li Xin , Xu Guohua , Yu Ling
Published: May 2022

Plant High-affinity K+ transporters/K+ uptake permeases/K+ transporters (HAK/KUP/KT) transporters have been predicted as membrane H+-K+ symporters in facilitating K+ uptake and distribution, while their role in seed production remains to be elucidated. In this study, we report that OsHAK26 is preferentially expressed in anthers and seed husks and located in the Golgi apparatus. Knockout of either OsHAK26 or plasma membrane located H+-K+ symporter gene OsHAK1 or OsHAK5 in both Nipponbare and Dongjin cultivars caused distorted anthers, reduced number and germination rate of pollen grains. Seed-setting rate assay by reciprocal cross-pollination between the mutants of oshak26, oshak1, oshak5 and their wild types confirmed that each HAK transporter is foremost for pollen viability, seed-setting and grain yield. Intriguingly, the pollens of oshak26 showed much thinner wall and were more vulnerable to desiccation than those of oshak1 or oshak5. In vitro assay revealed that the pollen germination rate of oshak5 was dramatically affected by external K+ concentration. The results suggest that the role of OsHAK26 in maintaining pollen development and fertility may relate to its proper cargo sorting for construction of pollen walls, while the role of OsHAK1 and OsHAK5 in maintaining seed production likely relates to their transcellular K+ transport activity.
Preferred Self-Administered Questionnaires to Assess Resilience, Optimism, Pain Acceptance, and Social Support in People with Pain: A Modified Delphi Study
Authors: Schroeter Andrea C , MacDonald David A , Scholten-Peeters Gwendolyne G M , Goubert Liesbet , Kendall Elizabeth , Coppieters Michel W
Published: May 2022

Objectives

The plethora of self-administered questionnaires to assess positive psychosocial factors complicates questionnaire selection. This study aimed to identify and reach consensus on the most suitable self-administered questionnaires to assess resilience, optimism, pain acceptance and social support in people with pain.

Design

A three-round modified Delphi study.

Participants

Forty international experts.

Methods

In Round 1, the experts suggested questionnaires deemed appropriate to assess resilience, optimism, pain acceptance and/or social support. In Round 2, experts indicated whether they considered the suggested questionnaires to be suitable (Yes/No/Don’t know) to assess these psychosocial factors, taking into consideration content, feasibility, personal experience and the measurement properties which we provided for each questionnaire. Questionnaires that were considered suitable by the majority of experts (≥60%) were retained for Round 3. In Round 3, the suitability of each questionnaire was rated on a 0–10 Likert scale. Consensus was reached if ≥75% of experts rated the questionnaire ≥7.

Results

From the 67 questionnaires suggested in Round 1, one questionnaire could be recommended per domain. For resilience: Pain Resilience Scale; for optimism: Revised Version of the Life Orientation Test; for pain acceptance: 8-item and Revised Versions of the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire; for social support: Emotional Support Item Bank of the PROMIS tool. Consensus for these questionnaires was also reached in a sensitivity analysis which excluded the ratings of experts involved in the development, translation and/or validation of relevant questionnaires.

Conclusion

We advocate the use of these recommended questionnaires so data can be compared and pooled more easily.
Credit Union and Bank Subprime Lending in the Great Recession
Authors: Li Kangli , van Rijn Jordan
Published: May 2022

Firm structure affects incentives and performance. We document significant differences in subprime lending between banks and credit unions prior to and during the Great Recession. In 2006, 23.6% of mortgages from commercial banks were subprime versus only 3.6% of mortgages from credit unions. Moreover, banks were more likely to fail, and had higher delinquency and net charge-off ratios immediately following the financial crisis. Our empirical models control for important differences between credit unions and banks including firm-level characteristics, borrower-level characteristics, and state-level economic conditions. We argue that the remaining difference captures the effects of credit unions’ nonprofit and cooperative structure, which encourages them to internalize the utility of their customer-owners. Our findings explain why credit unions often appear more risk averse relative to commercial banks, a result with important research and policy implications. (JEL G12, G31)