bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reframing Chinese Business History
Authors: Frost Adam K.
Published: December 2021

Business history is expanding to include a greater plurality of contexts, with the study of Chinese business representing a key area of growth. However, despite efforts to bring China into the fold, much of Chinese business history remains stubbornly distal to the discipline. One reason is that business historians have not yet reconciled with the field's unique origins and intellectual tradition. This article develops a revisionist historiography of Chinese business history that retraces the field's development from its Cold War roots to the present day, showing how it has been shaped by the particular questions and concerns of “area studies.” It then goes on to explore five recent areas of novel inquiry, namely: the study of indigenous business institutions, business and semi-colonial context, business at the periphery of empire, business during socialist transition, and business under Chinese socialism. Through this mapping of past and present trajectories, the article aims to provide greater coherence to the burgeoning field and shows how, by taking Chinese business history seriously, we are afforded a unique opportunity to reimagine the future of business history as a whole.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns on the consumption of anxiolytics, hypnotics and antidepressants according to age groups: a French nationwide study
Authors: Levaillant M. , Wathelet M. , Lamer A. , Riquin E. , Gohier B. , Hamel-Broza J.-F.
Published: December 2021

Background

Previous studies have shown a negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated sanitary measures on mental health, especially among adolescents and young adults. Such a context may raise many concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic long-term psychological effects. An analysis of administrative databases could be an alternative and complementary approach to medical interview-based epidemiological surveys to monitor the mental health of the population. We conducted a nationwide study to describe the consumption of anxiolytics, antidepressants and hypnotics during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to the five previous years.

Methods

A historic cohort study was conducted by extracting and analysing data from the French health insurance database between 1 January 2015 and 28 February 2021. Individuals were classified into five age-based classes. Linear regression models were performed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic period on the number of drug consumers, in introducing an interaction term between time and COVID-19 period.

Results

Since March 2020, in all five age groups and all three drug categories studied, the number of patients reimbursed weekly has increased compared to the period from January 2015 to February 2020. The youngest the patients, the more pronounced the magnitude.

Conclusions

Monitoring the consumption of psychiatric medications could be of great interest as reliable indicators are essential for planning public health strategies. A post-crisis policy including reliable monitoring of mental health must be anticipated.
Reconsidering Group Interests
Authors: Carter Niambi , Wong Janelle , Guerrero Lisette Gallarzo
Published: December 2021

This paper aims to explore attitudes toward immigration among two non-White groups, Asian Americans and Black Americans. For more than a decade, individuals from Asia have comprised the majority of immigrants entering the United States each year. Today, the majority of the Asian American U.S. population remains foreign-born. Yet using data collected from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey and the 2016 National Asian American Survey—a time period marked by high levels of saliency with regard to immigration issues—we find that Black Americans, the majority of whom are U.S.-born, exhibit even more progressive attitudes towards immigration, both legal and undocumented, than mostly foreign-born Asian Americans. Our research challenges economic and material theories related to immigration attitudes and suggests that political connections to and “linked fate” with other minorities better explain why Black Americans exhibit more progressive attitudes toward immigration than Asian Americans.
The Role of Maternal Perceived Social Support on the Relation Between	Prenatal Depressive Symptoms and Labor Experience
Authors: Tani Franca , Ghinassi Simon , Ponti Lucia
Published: December 2021

Abstract. Background: Depression during pregnancy is a severe risk factor for negative outcomes in women and children. In particular, prenatal symptoms of depression are linked to a more complicated labor experience, characterized by more painful labor and more frequent recourse to epidural analgesia and/or oxytocin. Although this link is evident, less is known about possible mediators of this relationship. Aims: This study investigated the mediating role of perceived maternal social support on the relationship between prenatal maternal depression and labor experience. Methods: Participants were 152 Italian nulliparous women ( Mage = 31.68 years, SD = 4.94). Data were collected at two different times: T1 (at week 30–33 of gestation) women completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Maternal Social Support Scale; T2 (at childbirth) clinical data regarding labor was registered from hospital records (duration of labor in hours and administration of oxytocin and epidural analgesia in hours). Results: The Structural Equation Modeling showed that prenatal symptoms of depression are linked to a more complicated labor experience (β = .31, p < .001). However, the quality of the maternal social support can mediate this relationship (indirect effect: β = .17, p < .000). Limitations: The complexity of the proposed model, the characteristics of the sample, the variables investigated, and the questionnaires used are discussed. Conclusion: The perception of having a good social network is an important predictor of women’s health in the transition to motherhood, decreasing the negative effect of maternal prenatal depressive symptoms on the quality of women’s labor experience.
Ionospheric Current Variations by Empirical Orthogonal Function Analysis: Solar Activity Dependence and Longitudinal Differences
Authors: Owolabi Charles , Ruan Haibing , Yamazaki Y. , Kaka R. O. , Akinola O. O. , Yoshikawa Akimasa
Published: December 2021

The solar quiet (Sq) ionospheric current variations exhibit spatial and temporal patterns that can be identified by the prevailing eigenmodes based on the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis. In this study, the Sq current function over the American and European/African sectors are derived using ground magnetometer data from 2006 to 2019 based on the spherical harmonic analysis technique. Subsequently, we decomposed the Sq current function into eigenmodes by applying the EOF analysis, where the first three eigenmodes capture 96% of the overall Sq current variance. Additionally, these eigenmodes are utilized to model the Sq current function and compare its properties between the two longitudinal sectors. We observed that the EOF model could reconstruct the observed Sq current function with the first three eigenmodes in both longitudinal sectors. Moreover, the EOF model unveils a clear association of the Sq current function with several driven features, such as magnetic latitude, local time, season, and solar activity. Both longitudinal sectors had comparable Sq current patterns under varying solar activity, while their amplitudes varied. Besides, the newly developed model could reproduce a refined Sq current variability over the two longitudinal sectors as long as the observed Sq variations have sufficient duration. Our EOF model shows that the variations of the Sq current function with solar activity can be explained by the first three eigenmodes, which could be used as a basis for further numerical modeling of the Sq current variations.
Impacts of Auroral Precipitation on HF Propagation: A Hypothetical Over‐the‐Horizon Radar Case Study
Authors: Ruck Joshua J. , Themens David R.
Published: December 2021

Over‐the‐horizon radar (OTHR) systems operating in the high‐frequency (HF) band (3–30 MHz) are unique in their ability to detect targets at extreme ranges, offering cost‐effective large‐area surveillance. Due to their reliance on the reflective nature of the ionosphere in this band, OTHR systems are extremely sensitive to ionospheric conditions and can expect significant variations in operational performance. At high latitudes, the presence of auroral enhancements in the E‐Region electron density can substantially modify the coverage area and frequency management of OTHR systems. In this study, HF raytracing is utilized to investigate these impacts for a hypothetical radar under different auroral conditions simulated using the Empirical Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Model. Aurora were seen to increase maximum usable frequency from 8.5 to 26 MHz whilst also reducing median available range from 2,541 to 1,226 km and changing coverage area by −50.4% to 58.6%, for the greatest differences. Target interception showed large variations in path coverage of between 33%–115% and 0%–107% for two flight paths tested with precipitation toggled. Two distinct auroral propagation modes were observed, noted as the F‐E ducted and Auroral E‐modes. Long‐range coverage provided by the auroral F‐E ducted mode was of limited capacity with low solar activity due to reduced NmF2. F‐mode propagation transitioned to the dominating Auroral E‐mode between Auroral Electrojet index values of 50‐ and 200‐nT. The significant variations in both frequency and coverage observed within this study highlight some aspects of the importance of considering aurora in OTHR modeling and design.
Reactive Transport Modeling of Natural Gas Molecular and Isotopic Evolution During Diffusive Transport in the Subsurface
Authors: Loomer Diana B. , MacQuarrie Kerry T. B. , Al Tom A.
Published: December 2021

Reactive transport modeling was employed to investigate the relative importance of fractionations associated with gas solubility, sorption and diffusive transport on dissolved methane, ethane and propane concentrations and the isotopic composition of carbon in methane (δ13C1) in groundwater. Temperature, pressure and salinity dependencies for the hydrocarbon gases were incorporated. Gas molecular ratios, C1/(C2 + C3), increased with diffusive transport, transitioning from thermogenic values to values typically indicative of biogenic gas sources, >1,000, at the leading edge of the diffusive front. Diffusive isotopic fractionation had a large effect on δ13C1 values, with fractionations ranging from −36‰ to −107‰, the difference being a function of the diffusive fractionation factor (αD0). Larger fractionations resulted from αD0 determined at relatively low pressures, 5–50 atm, and temperatures, 20°C–25°C. Less fractionation occurred with αD0 measured at higher pressures and temperature, 30–89 atm and 90°C. The extremely depleted δ13C1 values indicated from the modeling, less than −110‰, have not been observed in shallow groundwater, suggesting that diffusive fractionation of δ13C1 is offset by other processes such as microbial oxidation. 2k factorial analysis was used to assess the model sensitivity to specific parameters: estimations of hydrocarbon travel distance are most sensitive to porosity and tortuosity, while the molecular ratio was most sensitive to the free‐water diffusion coefficient, and the isotopic fractionation was most sensitive to αD0. The magnitude of diffusive fractionation on the molecular and isotopic composition of transported hydrocarbon gas may be similar to fractionations from microbial oxidation and mixing between different sources.
New Modeling Framework for Describing the Pollutant Transport and Removal of Ditch‐Pond System in an Agricultural Catchment
Authors: Sun C. , Chen L. , Liu H. B. , Zhu H. , Lü M. Q. , Chen S. B. , Wang Y. W. , Shen Z. Y.
Published: December 2021

Ditch‐pond systems (DPSs) play a key role in hydrologic regulation and pollutant removal in agricultural regions, yet there is a lack of quantitative tools that describe their complex transport and removal processes across spatial scales. To fill this gap, a new modeling framework is proposed by implementing three improvements based on the typical watershed models: (a) the explicit rasterization of natural‐artificial drainage, (b) accurate spatial representations of ditches and ponds, and (c) the development of a pollutant‐removal module. This framework is exemplified for a DPS‐dominated catchment in the Three Gorges Reservoir Region, China. The results revealed that 55.36% of the drainage areas in this catchment were dominated by ditch networks, highlighting the significant impacts of artificial factors. The results simulated by the new framework also indicated the great impacts of specific pond distributions on pollutant removal. In this context, pollutant exports in DPSs were distinctly lower than that in natural situation modeling, about 25.14%–46.65% of pollutants are removed by DPSs. On this basis, the scenario analysis also explored the critical placements of ponds and ditches to optimize pollutant removal and to enhance agricultural management in DPSs. This new framework is available for other real DPS‐dominated catchments with potential applications in typical model augmentations and improvements.
Gsα deficiency facilitates cardiac remodeling via CREB/ Bmp10-mediated signaling
Authors: Yin Ping , Li Dan , Zhao Qi , Cai Mingming , Wu Zhenru , Shi Yujun , Su Li
Published: December 2021

The stimulatory G-protein alpha subunit (Gsα), a ubiquitously expressed protein, mediates G-protein receptor-stimulated signal transduction. To investigate the functions of Gsα in cardiomyocytes. We developed transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced heart failure mouse models and tamoxifen-inducible transgenic mice with cardiac-specific Gsα disruption. We detected alterations in Gsα expression in TAC-induced heart failure mice. Moreover, we examined cardiac function and structure in mice with genetic Gsα deletion and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms of Gsα function. We found that Gsα expression increased during the compensated cardiac hypertrophy period and decreased during the heart failure period. Moreover, cardiac-specific Gsα disruption deteriorated cardiac function and induced severe cardiac remodeling. Mechanistically, Gsα disruption decreased CREB1 expression and inhibited the Bmp10-mediated signaling pathway. In addition, we found that Gsα regulates Bmp10 expression through the binding of CREB1 to the Bmp10 promoter. Our results suggest that fluctuations in Gsα levels may play a vital role in the development of heart failure and that loss of Gsα function facilitates cardiac remodeling.
LncRNA RP11-295G20.2 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and autophagy by targeting PTEN to lysosomal degradation
Authors: Liang Linhui , Huan Lin , Wang Jiajia , Wu Yangjun , Huang Shenglin , He Xianghuo
Published: December 2021

PTEN is a crucial tumor suppressor and loss of PTEN protein is involved in various cancers. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of PTEN loss in cancers remain elusive, especially the involvement of lncRNAs. Here, lncRNA RP11-295G20.2 is found to be significantly upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and promotes the growth of liver cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, RP11-295G20.2 inhibits autophagy in liver cancer cells. Interestingly, RP11-295G20.2 directly binds to the PTEN protein and leads to its degradation. RP11-295G20.2 expression is inversely correlated with PTEN protein expression in 82 TCGA/TCPA-LIHC samples. Surprisingly, RP11-295G20.2-induced PTEN degradation occurs through the lysosomal pathway instead of the proteasome pathway. RP11-295G20.2 binds to the N terminus of PTEN and facilitates the interaction of p62 with PTEN. Thus, PTEN is translocated into lysosomes and degraded. RP11-295G20.2 also influences AKT phosphorylation and forkhead box O 3a (FOXO3a) translocation into the nucleus, in turn regulating the transcription of autophagy-related genes. Collectively, RP11-295G20.2 directly binds to PTEN and enables its lysosomal degradation. This newly identified RP11-295G20.2/PTEN axis reveals an unexplored molecular mechanism regarding PTEN loss in liver cancer and might provide new therapeutic benefits for liver cancer patients.
Ecological dependencies make remote reef fish communities most vulnerable to coral loss
Authors: Strona Giovanni , Beck Pieter S. A. , Cabeza Mar , Fattorini Simone , Guilhaumon François , Micheli Fiorenza , Montano Simone , Ovaskainen Otso , Planes Serge , Veech Joseph A. , Parravicini Valeriano
Published: December 2021

Ecosystems face both local hazards, such as over-exploitation, and global hazards, such as climate change. Since the impact of local hazards attenuates with distance from humans, local extinction risk should decrease with remoteness, making faraway areas safe havens for biodiversity. However, isolation and reduced anthropogenic disturbance may increase ecological specialization in remote communities, and hence their vulnerability to secondary effects of diversity loss propagating through networks of interacting species. We show this to be true for reef fish communities across the globe. An increase in fish-coral dependency with the distance of coral reefs from human settlements, paired with the far-reaching impacts of global hazards, increases the risk of fish species loss, counteracting the benefits of remoteness. Hotspots of fish risk from fish-coral dependency are distinct from those caused by direct human impacts, increasing the number of risk hotspots by ~30% globally. These findings might apply to other ecosystems on Earth and depict a world where no place, no matter how remote, is safe for biodiversity, calling for a reconsideration of global conservation priorities.
Ultra-broadband Kerr microcomb through soliton spectral translation
Authors: Moille Gregory , Perez Edgar F. , Stone Jordan R. , Rao Ashutosh , Lu Xiyuan , Rahman Tahmid Sami , Chembo Yanne K. , Srinivasan Kartik
Published: December 2021

Broadband and low-noise microresonator frequency combs (microcombs) are critical for deployable optical frequency measurements. Here we expand the bandwidth of a microcomb far beyond its anomalous dispersion region on both sides of its spectrum through spectral translation mediated by mixing of a dissipative Kerr soliton and a secondary pump. We introduce the concept of synthetic dispersion to qualitatively capture the system’s key physical behavior, in which the second pump enables spectral translation through four-wave mixing Bragg scattering. Experimentally, we pump a silicon nitride microring at 1063 nm and 1557 nm to enable soliton spectral translation, resulting in a total bandwidth of 1.6 octaves (137–407 THz). We examine the comb’s low-noise characteristics, through heterodyne beat note measurements across its spectrum, measurements of the comb tooth spacing in its primary and spectrally translated portions, and their relative noise. These ultra-broadband microcombs provide new opportunities for optical frequency synthesis, optical atomic clocks, and reaching previously unattainable wavelengths.
Convergent use of phosphatidic acid for hepatitis C virus and SARS-CoV-2 replication organelle formation
Authors: Tabata Keisuke , Prasad Vibhu , Paul David , Lee Ji-Young , Pham Minh-Tu , Twu Woan-Ing , Neufeldt Christopher J. , Cortese Mirko , Cerikan Berati , Stahl Yannick , Joecks Sebastian , Tran Cong Si , Lüchtenborg Christian , V’kovski Philip , Hörmann Katrin , Müller André C. , Zitzmann Carolin , Haselmann Uta , Beneke Jürgen , Kaderali Lars , Erfle Holger , Thiel Volker , Lohmann Volker , Superti-Furga Giulio , Brügger Britta , Bartenschlager Ralf
Published: December 2021

Double membrane vesicles (DMVs) serve as replication organelles of plus-strand RNA viruses such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and SARS-CoV-2. Viral DMVs are morphologically analogous to DMVs formed during autophagy, but lipids driving their biogenesis are largely unknown. Here we show that production of the lipid phosphatidic acid (PA) by acylglycerolphosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT) 1 and 2 in the ER is important for DMV biogenesis in viral replication and autophagy. Using DMVs in HCV-replicating cells as model, we found that AGPATs are recruited to and critically contribute to HCV and SARS-CoV-2 replication and proper DMV formation. An intracellular PA sensor accumulated at viral DMV formation sites, consistent with elevated levels of PA in fractions of purified DMVs analyzed by lipidomics. Apart from AGPATs, PA is generated by alternative pathways and their pharmacological inhibition also impaired HCV and SARS-CoV-2 replication as well as formation of autophagosome-like DMVs. These data identify PA as host cell lipid involved in proper replication organelle formation by HCV and SARS-CoV-2, two phylogenetically disparate viruses causing very different diseases, i.e. chronic liver disease and COVID-19, respectively. Host-targeting therapy aiming at PA synthesis pathways might be suitable to attenuate replication of these viruses.
Reversal of the magnetoelectric effect at a ferromagnetic metal/ferroelectric interface induced by metal oxidation
Authors: Chen Zhaojin , Yang Qiong , Tao Lingling , Tsymbal Evgeny Y.
Published: December 2021

Multiferroic materials composed of ferromagnetic and ferroelectric components are interesting for technological applications due to sizable magnetoelectric coupling allowing the control of magnetic properties by electric fields. Due to being compatible with the silicon-based technology, HfO2-based ferroelectrics could serve as a promising component in the composite multiferroics. Recently, a strong charge-mediated magnetoelectric coupling has been predicted for a Ni/HfO2 multiferroic heterostructure. Here, using density functional theory calculations, we systematically study the effects of the interfacial oxygen stoichiometry relevant to experiments on the magnetoelectric effect at the Ni/HfO2 interface. We demonstrate that the magnetoelectric effect is very sensitive to the interface stoichiometry and is reversed if an oxidized Ni monolayer is formed at the interface. The reversal of the magnetoelectric effect is driven by a strong Ni−O bonding producing exchange-split polarization-sensitive antibonding states at the Fermi energy. We argue that the predicted reversal of the magnetoelectric effect is typical for other 3d ferromagnetic metals, such as Co and Fe, where the metal-oxide antibonding states have an opposite spin polarization compared to that in the pristine ferromagnetic metals. Our results provide an important insight into the mechanism of the interfacial magnetoelectric coupling, which is essential for the physics and application of multiferroic heterostructures.
Probing the current-phase relation in Josephson point-contact junctions between $$\hbox {Pb}_{0.6}$$In$$_{0.4}$$ and $$\hbox {Ba}_{0.6}$$K$$_{0.4}$$(FeAs)$$_2$$ superconductors
Authors: Stepanov Valeriy A. , Lin Chengtian , Gonnelli Renato S. , Tortello Mauro
Published: December 2021

The Josephson effect in point contacts between an “ordinary” superconductor $$\hbox {Pb}_{0.6}$$

Pb

0.6

In$$_{0.4}$$

0.4

($$T_c \approx 6.6 \, {\mathrm {K}}$$

T
c

≈
6.6

K

) and single crystals of the Fe-based superconductor Ba$$_{0.6}$$

0.6

K$$_{0.4}$$

0.4

(FeAs)$$_2$$

2

($$T_c \approx 38.5 \, {\mathrm {K}}$$

T
c

≈
38.5

K

), was investigated. In order to shed light on the order parameter symmetry of Ba$$_{0.6}$$

0.6

K$$_{0.4}$$

0.4

(FeAs)$$_2$$

2

, the dependence of the Josephson supercurrent $$I_s$$

I
s

on the temperature and on $$\sin (d\varphi )$$

sin
(
d
φ
)

with $$d = 1, 2$$

d
=
1
,
2

was studied. The dependencies of the critical current on temperature $$I_c (T)$$

I
c

(
T
)

and of the amplitudes of the first current steps of the current–voltage characteristic $$i_n^{exp} (\sqrt{P})$$

i
n

exp

(

P

)

$$(n = 0, 1, 2)$$

(
n
=
0
,
1
,
2
)

on the power of microwave radiation with frequency $$f = (1.5 \div 8)\, {\mathrm {GHz}}$$

f
=
(
1.5
÷
8
)

GHz

were measured. It is shown that the dependencies $$I_c (T)$$

I
c

(
T
)

are close to the well-known Ambegaokar–Baratoff (AB) dependence for tunnel contacts between “ordinary” superconductors and to the dependence calculated by Burmistrova et al. (Phys Rev B 91, 214501 (2015)) for microshorts between an “ordinary” superconductor and a two-band superconductor with $$s \pm$$

s
±

order parameter symmetry at certain values of the transparency of boundaries and thickness of the transition layer. It is found that the dependencies $$i_n^{exp} (\sqrt{P})$$

i
n

exp

(

P

)

cannot be approximated within the resistively shunted model using the normalized microwave frequencies $$\Omega = 2 \pi f / (2eV_c / \hbar )$$

Ω
=
2
π
f
/
(
2
e

V
c

/
ħ
)

with characteristic voltages $$V_c = I_c R_N$$

V
c

=

I
c

R
N

, $$(R_N$$

(

R
N

—normal resistance of the contact) found from the low-voltage parts of the current–voltage characteristics. The reasons for this failure are discussed and a method is proposed for accurately determining the value of $$\Omega$$
Ω
, which takes into account all the features of the point contact affecting the period of the dependence $$i_n^{exp} (\sqrt{P})$$

i
n

exp

(

P

)

. An analysis of the $$I_c (T)$$

I
c

(
T
)

and $$i_n^{exp} (\sqrt{P})$$

i
n

exp

(

P

)

dependencies shows that the superconducting current of the Josephson contacts under investigation is proportional to the $$\sin$$
sin
of the phase difference $$\varphi$$
φ
, $$I_s = I_c sin(\varphi )$$

I
s

=

I
c

s
i
n

(
φ
)

. The implications of these results on the symmetry of the order parameter are also discussed.
Comparison between rigid and soft poly-articulated prosthetic hands in non-expert myo-electric users shows advantages of soft robotics
Authors: Capsi-Morales Patricia , Piazza Cristina , Catalano Manuel G. , Grioli Giorgio , Schiavon Lisa , Fiaschi Elena , Bicchi Antonio
Published: December 2021

Notwithstanding the advancement of modern bionic hands and the large variety of prosthetic hands in the market, commercial devices still present limited acceptance and percentage of daily use. While commercial prostheses present rigid mechanical structures, emerging trends in the design of robotic hands are moving towards soft technologies. Although this approach is inspired by nature and could be promising for prosthetic applications, there is scant literature concerning its benefits for end-users and in real-life scenarios. In this work, we evaluate and assess the role and the benefits of soft robotic technologies in the field of prosthetics. We propose a thorough comparison between rigid and soft characteristics of two poly-articulated hands in 5 non-expert myo-electric prosthesis users in pre- and post-therapeutic training conditions. The protocol includes two standard functional assessments, three surveys for user-perception, and three customized tests to evaluate the sense of embodiment. Results highlight that rigid hands provide a more precise grasp, while soft properties show higher functionalities thanks to their adaptability to different requirements, intuitive use and more natural execution of activities of daily living. This comprehensive evaluation suggests that softness could also promote a quick integration of the system in non-expert users.
Mild hyperthermia induced by gold nanorods acts as a dual-edge blade in the fate of SH-SY5Y cells via autophagy
Authors: Ghafarkhani Maryam , Avci Cigir Biray , Rahbarghazi Reza , Karimi Abbas , Sadeghizadeh Majid , Zarebkohan Amir , Bani Farhad
Published: December 2021

Unraveling unwanted side effects of nanotechnology-based therapies like photothermal therapy (PTT) is vital in translational nanomedicine. Herein, we monitored the relationship between autophagic response at the transcriptional level by using a PCR array and tumor formation ability by colony formation assay in the human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y, 48 h after being exposed to two different mild hyperthermia (43 and 48 °C) induced by PTT. In this regard, the promotion of apoptosis and autophagy were evaluated using immunofluorescence imaging and flow cytometry analyses. Protein levels of Ki-67, P62, and LC3 were measured using ELISA. Our results showed that of 86 genes associated with autophagy, the expression of 54 genes was changed in response to PTT. Also, we showed that chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) and macroautophagy are stimulated in PTT. Importantly, the results of this study also showed significant changes in genes related to the crosstalk between autophagy, dormancy, and metastatic activity of treated cells. Our findings illustrated that PTT enhances the aggressiveness of cancer cells at 43 °C, in contrast to 48 °C by the regulation of autophagy-dependent manner.
An infant burial from Arma Veirana in northwestern Italy provides insights into funerary practices and female personhood in early Mesolithic Europe
Authors: Hodgkins Jamie , Orr Caley M. , Gravel-Miguel Claudine , Riel-Salvatore Julien , Miller Christopher E. , Bondioli Luca , Nava Alessia , Lugli Federico , Talamo Sahra , Hajdinjak Mateja , Cristiani Emanuela , Romandini Matteo , Meyer Dominique , Drohobytsky Danylo , Kuester Falko , Pothier-Bouchard Geneviève , Buckley Michael , Mancini Lucia , Baruffaldi Fabio , Silvestrini Sara , Arrighi Simona , Keller Hannah M. , Griggs Rocío Belén , Peresani Marco , Strait David S. , Benazzi Stefano , Negrino Fabio
Published: December 2021

The evolution and development of human mortuary behaviors is of enormous cultural significance. Here we report a richly-decorated young infant burial (AVH-1) from Arma Veirana (Liguria, northwestern Italy) that is directly dated to 10,211–9910 cal BP (95.4% probability), placing it within the early Holocene and therefore attributable to the early Mesolithic, a cultural period from which well-documented burials are exceedingly rare. Virtual dental histology, proteomics, and aDNA indicate that the infant was a 40–50 days old female. Associated artifacts indicate significant material and emotional investment in the child’s interment. The detailed biological profile of AVH-1 establishes the child as the earliest European near-neonate documented to be female. The Arma Veirana burial thus provides insight into sex/gender-based social status, funerary treatment, and the attribution of personhood to the youngest individuals among prehistoric hunter-gatherer groups and adds substantially to the scant data on mortuary practices from an important period in prehistory shortly following the end of the last Ice Age.
A novel Bacillus ligniniphilus catechol 2,3-dioxygenase shows unique substrate preference and metal requirement
Authors: Adewale Peter , Lang Alice , Huang Fang , Zhu Daochen , Sun Jianzhong , Ngadi Michael , Yang Trent Chunzhong
Published: December 2021

Identification of novel enzymes from lignin degrading microorganisms will help to develop biotechnologies for biomass valorization and aromatic hydrocarbons degradation. Bacillus ligniniphilus L1 grows with alkaline lignin as the single carbon source and is a great candidate for ligninolytic enzyme identification. The first dioxygenase from strain L1 was heterologously expressed, purified, and characterized with an optimal temperature and pH of 32.5 °C and 7.4, respectively. It showed the highest activity with 3-ethylcatechol and significant activities with other substrates in the decreasing order of 3-ethylcatechol > 3-methylcatechol > 3-isopropyl catechol > 2, 3-dihydroxybiphenyl > 4-methylcatechol > catechol. It did not show activities against other tested substrates with similar structures. Most reported catechol 2,3-dioxygenases (C23Os) are Fe2+-dependent whereas Bacillus ligniniphilus catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (BLC23O) is more Mn2+- dependent. At 1 mM, Mn2+ led to 230-fold activity increase and Fe2+ led to 22-fold increase. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analyses suggested that BL23O is different from other Mn-dependent enzymes and uniquely grouped with an uncharacterized vicinal oxygen chelate (VOC) family protein from Paenibacillus apiaries. Gel filtration analysis showed that BLC23O is a monomer under native condition. This is the first report of a C23O from Bacillus ligniniphilus L1 with unique substrate preference, metal-dependency, and monomeric structure.
A synthesis and future research directions for tropical mountain ecosystem restoration
Authors: Christmann Tina , Menor Imma Oliveras
Published: December 2021

Many tropical mountain ecosystems (TME) are severely disturbed, requiring ecological restoration to recover biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, the extent of restoration efforts across TMEs is not known due to the lack of syntheses on ecological restoration research. Here, based on a systematic review, we identify geographical and thematic research gaps, compare restoration interventions, and consolidate enabling factors and barriers of restoration success. We find that restoration research outside Latin-America, in non-forested ecosystems, and on socio-ecological questions is scarce. For most restoration interventions success is mixed and generally limited by dispersal and microhabitat conditions. Finally, we propose five directions for future research on tropical mountain restoration in the UN decade of restoration, ranging from scaling up restoration across mountain ranges, investigating restoration in mountain grasslands, to incorporating socio-economic and technological dimensions.
Attachment of zebra and quagga mussel adhesive plaques to diverse substrates
Authors: James Bryan D. , Kimmins Kenneth M. , Nguyen Minh-Tam , Lausch Alexander J. , Sone Eli D.
Published: December 2021

Like marine mussels, freshwater zebra and quagga mussels adhere via the byssus, a proteinaceous attachment apparatus. Attachment to various surfaces allows these invasive mussels to rapidly spread, however the adhesion mechanism is not fully understood. While marine mussel adhesion mechanics has been studied at the individual byssal-strand level, freshwater mussel adhesion has only been characterized through whole-mussel detachment, without direct interspecies comparisons on different substrates. Here, adhesive strength of individual quagga and zebra mussel byssal plaques were measured on smooth substrates with varying hydrophobicity—glass, PVC, and PDMS. With increased hydrophobicity of substrates, adhesive failures occurred more frequently, and mussel adhesion strength decreased. A new failure mode termed 'footprint failure' was identified, where failure appeared to be adhesive macroscopically, but a microscopic residue remained on the surface. Zebra mussels adhered stronger and more frequently on PDMS than quagga mussels. While their adhesion strengths were similar on PVC, there were differences in the failure mode and the plaque-substrate interface ultrastructure. Comparisons with previous marine mussel studies demonstrated that freshwater mussels adhere with comparable strength despite known differences in protein composition. An improved understanding of freshwater mussel adhesion mechanics may help explain spreading dynamics and will be important in developing effective antifouling surfaces.
Broad attention uncovers benefits of stimulus uniformity in visual crowding
Authors: Rummens Koen , Sayim Bilge
Published: December 2021

Crowding is the interference by surrounding objects (flankers) with target perception. Low target-flanker similarity usually yields weaker crowding than high similarity (‘similarity rule’) with less interference, e.g., by opposite- than same-contrast polarity flankers. The advantage of low target-flanker similarity has typically been shown with attentional selection of a single target object. Here, we investigated the validity of the similarity rule when broadening attention to multiple objects. In three experiments, we measured identification for crowded letters (Experiment 1), tumbling Ts (Experiment 2), and tilted lines (Experiment 3). Stimuli consisted of three items that were uniform or alternating in contrast polarity and were briefly presented at ten degrees eccentricity. Observers reported all items (full report) or only the left, central, or right item (single-item report). In Experiments 1 and 2, consistent with the similarity rule, single central item performance was superior with opposite- compared to same-contrast polarity flankers. With full report, the similarity rule was inverted: performance was better for uniform compared to alternating stimuli. In Experiment 3, contrast polarity did not affect performance. We demonstrated a reversal of the similarity rule under broadened attention, suggesting that stimulus uniformity benefits crowded object recognition when intentionally directing attention towards all stimulus elements. We propose that key properties of crowding have only limited validity as they may require a-priori differentiation of target and context.
Increased motor cortex inhibition as a marker of compensation to chronic pain in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Simis Marcel , Imamura Marta , de Melo Paulo S. , Marduy Anna , Pacheco-Barrios Kevin , Teixeira Paulo E. P. , Battistella Linamara , Fregni Felipe
Published: December 2021

This study aims to investigate the associative and multivariate relationship between different sociodemographic and clinical variables with cortical excitability as indexed by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) markers in subjects with chronic pain caused by knee osteoarthritis (OA). This was a cross-sectional study. Sociodemographic and clinical data were extracted from 107 knee OA subjects. To identify associated factors, we performed independent univariate and multivariate regression models per TMS markers: motor threshold (MT), motor evoked potential (MEP), short intracortical inhibition (SICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), and cortical silent period (CSP). In our multivariate models, the two markers of intracortical inhibition, SICI and CSP, had a similar signature. SICI was associated with age (β: 0.01), WOMAC pain (β: 0.023), OA severity (as indexed by Kellgren–Lawrence Classification) (β: − 0.07), and anxiety (β: − 0.015). Similarly, CSP was associated with age (β: − 0.929), OA severity (β: 6.755), and cognition (as indexed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) (β: − 2.106). ICF and MT showed distinct signatures from SICI and CSP. ICF was associated with pain measured through the Visual Analogue Scale (β: − 0.094) and WOMAC (β: 0.062), and anxiety (β: − 0.039). Likewise, MT was associated with WOMAC (β: 1.029) and VAS (β: − 2.003) pain scales, anxiety (β: − 0.813), and age (β: − 0.306). These associations showed the fundamental role of intracortical inhibition as a marker of adaptation to chronic pain. Subjects with higher intracortical inhibition (likely subjects with more compensation) are younger, have greater cartilage degeneration (as seen by radiographic severity), and have less pain in WOMAC scale. While it does seem that ICF and MT may indicate a more acute marker of adaptation, such as that higher ICF and MT in the motor cortex is associated with lesser pain and anxiety.
A compilation and characterisation of lithics in kimberlite and common maar-diatremes and tephra ring deposits
Authors: Fitzgerald M. K. , White J. D. L.
Published: December 2021

Maar-diatreme volcanoes are the second-most common type on land, occurring in volcanic fields within all major tectonic environments. Their deposits typically contain an abundance of lithic fragments quarried from the substrate, and many contain large, deep-sourced lithic fragments that were erupted to the surface. Primary volcaniclastic deposits fill the diatreme structure formed during eruption. There is negligible inelastic deformation of diatreme-adjacent country rock, indicating that country rock is removed to create the diatreme structures, either by being shifting downward below observable levels, ejected upward to contribute to surficial deposits, or dissolved and hidden in magma erupted or intruded at depth. No previous study has systematically reviewed and analysed the reported lithic fragments of maar-diatreme systems. We present a comprehensive compilation from published work of lithic characteristics in maar ejecta rings and in diatreme deposits of both common and kimberlite maar-diatremes. For maar-diatremes and their tephra ring deposits, we find no correlations among lithic clast sizes, shapes, depositional sites, and excavation depths. This is difficult to reconcile with models involving systematic diatreme deepening coupled with tephra-ring growth, but consistent with those involving chaotic explosions and mixing. Larger amounts of data are needed to further examine how these types of volcanoes operate.
Identification of transcriptional regulatory network associated with response of host epithelial cells to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Su Chen , Rousseau Simon , Emad Amin
Published: December 2021

Identification of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and signaling networks involved in the response of host cells to infection by SARS-CoV-2 is a powerful approach that provides a systems biology view of gene expression programs involved in COVID-19 and may enable the identification of novel therapeutic targets and strategies to mitigate the impact of this disease. In this study, our goal was to identify a transcriptional regulatory network that is associated with gene expression changes between samples infected by SARS-CoV-2 and those that are infected by other respiratory viruses to narrow the results on those enriched or specific to SARS-CoV-2. We combined a series of recently developed computational tools to identify transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in the response of epithelial cells to infection by SARS-CoV-2, and particularly regulatory mechanisms that are specific to this virus when compared to other viruses. In addition, using network-guided analyses, we identified kinases associated with this network. The results identified pathways associated with regulation of inflammation (MAPK14) and immunity (BTK, MBX) that may contribute to exacerbate organ damage linked with complications of COVID-19. The regulatory network identified herein reflects a combination of known hits and novel candidate pathways supporting the novel computational pipeline presented herein to quickly narrow down promising avenues of investigation when facing an emerging and novel disease such as COVID-19.
Modulation of oxidative and nitrosative stress attenuates microvascular hyperpermeability in ovine model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa sepsis
Authors: Fukuda Satoshi , Niimi Yosuke , Hirasawa Yasutaka , Manyeza Ennert R. , Garner C. Edwin , Southan Garry , Salzman Andrew L. , Prough Donald S. , Enkhbaatar Perenlei
Published: December 2021

In sepsis, microvascular hyperpermeability caused by oxidative/nitrosative stress (O&NS) plays an important role in tissue edema leading to multi-organ dysfunctions and increased mortality. We hypothesized that a novel compound R-107, a modulator of O&NS, effectively ameliorates the severity of microvascular hyperpermeability and preserves multi-organ function in ovine sepsis model. Sepsis was induced in twenty-two adult female Merino sheep by intravenous infusion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) (1 × 1010 CFUs). The animals were allocated into: 1) Control (n = 13): intramuscular injection (IM) of saline; and 2) Treatment (n = 9): IM of 50 mg/kg R-107. The treatment was given after the PA injection, and monitored for 24-h. R-107 treatment significantly reduced fluid requirement (15–24 h, P < 0.05), net fluid balance (9–24 h, P < 0.05), and water content in lung/heart/kidney (P = 0.02/0.04/0.01) compared to control. R-107 treatment significantly decreased lung injury score/modified sheep SOFA score at 24-h (P = 0.01/0.04), significantly lowered arterial lactate (21–24 h, P < 0.05), shed syndecan-1 (3–6 h, P < 0.05), interleukin-6 (6–12 h, P < 0.05) levels in plasma, and significantly attenuated lung tissue 3-nitrotyrosine and vascular endothelial growth factor-A expressions (P = 0.03/0.002) compared to control. There was no adverse effect in R-107 treatment. In conclusion, modulation of O&NS by R-107 reduced hyperpermeability markers and improved multi-organ function.
Modulation of MagR magnetic properties via iron–sulfur cluster binding
Authors: Guo Zhen , Xu Shuai , Chen Xue , Wang Changhao , Yang Peilin , Qin Siying , Zhao Cuiping , Fei Fan , Zhao Xianglong , Tan Ping-Heng , Wang Junfeng , Xie Can
Published: December 2021

Iron–sulfur clusters are essential cofactors found in all kingdoms of life and play essential roles in fundamental processes, including but not limited to respiration, photosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation. The chemistry of iron–sulfur clusters makes them ideal for sensing various redox environmental signals, while the physics of iron–sulfur clusters and its host proteins have been long overlooked. One such protein, MagR, has been proposed as a putative animal magnetoreceptor. It forms a rod-like complex with cryptochromes (Cry) and possesses intrinsic magnetic moment. However, the magnetism modulation of MagR remains unknown. Here in this study, iron–sulfur cluster binding in MagR has been characterized. Three conserved cysteines of MagR play different roles in iron–sulfur cluster binding. Two forms of iron–sulfur clusters binding have been identified in pigeon MagR and showed different magnetic properties: [3Fe–4S]-MagR appears to be superparamagnetic and has saturation magnetization at 5 K but [2Fe–2S]-MagR is paramagnetic. While at 300 K, [2Fe–2S]-MagR is diamagnetic but [3Fe–4S]-MagR is paramagnetic. Together, the different types of iron–sulfur cluster binding in MagR attribute distinguished magnetic properties, which may provide a fascinating mechanism for animals to modulate the sensitivity in magnetic sensing.
Neutrosophic statistical analysis of resistance depending on the temperature variance of conducting material
Authors: Afzal Usama , Alrweili Hleil , Ahamd Naveed , Aslam Muhammad
Published: December 2021

In this work, we have proposed a neutrosophic statistical approach for the analysis of resistance of conducting material depending on the temperature variance. We have developed a neutrosophic formula and applied it to the resistance data. We also use the classical statistical approach for making a comparison between both approaches. As a result, it is observed that the neutrosophic statistical approach is more flexible and informative. Also, this work suggests that the neutrosophic statistical approach analyzes the resistance of conducting material for big data.
Predicting the side effects of drugs using matrix factorization on spontaneous reporting database
Authors: Fukuto Kohei , Takagi Tatsuya , Tian Yu-Shi
Published: December 2021

The severe side effects of some drugs can threaten the lives of patients and financially jeopardize pharmaceutical companies. Computational methods utilizing chemical, biological, and phenotypic features have been used to address this problem by predicting the side effects. Among these methods, the matrix factorization method, which utilizes the side-effect history of different drugs, has yielded promising results. However, approaches that encapsulate all the characteristics of side-effect prediction have not been investigated to date. To address this gap, we applied the logistic matrix factorization algorithm to a database of spontaneous reports to construct a prediction with higher accuracy. We expressed the distinction in the importance of drug-side effect pairs by a weighting strategy and addressed the cold-start problem via an attribute-to-feature mapping method. Consequently, our proposed model improved the prediction accuracy by 2.5% and efficiently handled the cold-start problem. The proposed methodology is expected to benefit applications such as warning systems in clinical settings.