bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Two Steps Forward, One Step Back: A Policy Analysis of the Swedish Guidelines for Trans-Specific Healthcare
Authors: Linander Ida , Lauri Marcus , Alm Erika , Goicolea Isabel
Published: May 2020

Introduction

Sweden has one of the world’s longest histories of providing subsidized gender-confirming medical procedures for people with trans experiences. However, until 2015, Swedish trans-specific healthcare lacked formal guidelines.

Methods

In this study, we analyse the Swedish guidelines for trans-specific healthcare from 2015 using Bacchi’s approach: “What’s the problem represented to be?” Following this approach, we analyse problem representations in the guidelines with special focus on evaluation, diagnosis of gender dysphoria and criteria for access to care.

Results

Three problem representations were identified in our analysis: “the problem of (non)linear gender”, “the mental health paradox” and “gender dysphoria as a psychiatric, psychological and psychosocial problem”. Together, these problem representations construct gender dysphoria as a psychopathology and allocate the decision-making power to mental health care providers. Hence, the guidelines reconstruct the gatekeeping function among care providers while undermining care seekers’ ability to attain self-determination. While the guidelines do allow for non-linear embodiment, they simultaneously reconstruct a linear relationship between gender identity and social gender role. Mental healthiness and, for migrants, having a residence permit seem to be favoured in the evaluation of gender dysphoria and for access to gender-confirming medical procedures, while aspects of gendereuphoriaare silenced.

Conclusions

We conclude that the guidelines resemble, and have similar effects to, the psychomedical understandings of gender dysphoria prevalent in medical research and practice. At the same time, the guidelines attempt to depathologize trans experiences and open up space for new subjectivities to be eligible for access to gender-confirming medical procedures.

Policy Implication

The knowledge from this study can be useful when constructing, revising or analysing guidelines for trans-specific healthcare in several contexts.
Making the Body Tangible: Elementary Geometry Learning through VR
Authors: Price Sara , Yiannoutsou Nikoleta , Vezzoli Yvonne
Published: May 2020

Given increasing evidence of the importance of sensorimotor experience and meaningful movement in geometry learning and spatial thinking, the potential of digital designs to foster specific movements in mathematical learning is promising. This article reports a study with elementary children engaging with a learning environment designed to support meaningful mathematical movement through the use of two shared, but alternative, representations around Cartesian co-ordinates: a 3D immersive virtual environment, where one child collects flowers from target co-ordinates selected by another child using a 2D visual representation of the virtual garden and person location in space. In this design, the body becomes a ‘tangible’ resource for thinking, learning and joint activity, through bodily experience, and where body movement, position and orientation are made visible to collaborators. A qualitative, multimodal analysis examining collaborative interaction among twenty-one children 8–9 years old shows ways in which the ‘body’ became an instrument for children’s thinking through, and reasoning about, finding positions in space and movement in relation to Cartesian co-ordinates. In particular, it shows how the use of different representations (tangible and visual 2D screen-based) situated the meaning-making process in a space where children, using their bodies, crafted connections between the different representations and used transcending objects to facilitate an integration of the different perspectives.
Durability and Compression Properties of High-Strength Concrete Reinforced with Steel Fibre and Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube
Authors: Yang Jianhui , Tang Xujun , Wang Hongju , Wang Qinting , Cosgrove Tom
Published: May 2020

High-strength concrete (HSC) reinforced with steel fibre (SF) and carbon nanotube (HSCRSC) is a new type of high-strength composite concrete with good fluidity, high strength, toughness, durability and other remarkable advantages. HSCRSC can be widely used in underground structures, such as wellbores. In this study, HSCs ranging from 70 to 100 MPa were designed, and the effects of fibre on the performance of the HSCs were compared and analysed through single-doped and double-mixed SF and multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Results showed that the fibre effectively improved the uniaxial and multiaxial compressive strengths and durability of HSCs and changed the failure mode from brittle to ductile, especially in the case of multiaxial compression failure. HSCs remained intact, but the plain concrete specimens had fractured forms, such as flakes, columns and layers. Moreover, the ultimate strength of the biaxial compression was between 1.10 and 1.39 times higher than that of the uniaxial compression, satisfying the Kufer–Gerstle criterion. The ultimate strength of the triaxial compression was between 1.24 and 2.55 times higher than that of the uniaxial compression, adhering to the Willam–Warnke meridian criterion. The modified B3 model met the prediction accuracy of shrinkage and creep for HSC and surpassed the biaxial and triaxial compression ultimate strength models provided in this study. The absolute value of the relative error was less than 6%, indicating that the model and test data were reliable. All test results showed that HSCRSC exhibited satisfactory comprehensive performance.
Transfer Metric Learning for Unseen Domains
Authors: Kumagai Atsutoshi , Iwata Tomoharu , Fujiwara Yasuhiro
Published: May 2020

We propose a transfer metric learning method to infer domain-specific data embeddings for unseen domains, from which no data are given in the training phase, by using knowledge transferred from related domains. When training and test distributions are different, the standard metric learning cannot infer appropriate data embeddings. The proposed method can infer appropriate data embeddings for the unseen domains by using latent domain vectors, which are latent representations of domains and control the property of data embeddings for each domain. This latent domain vector is inferred by using a neural network that takes the set of feature vectors in the domain as an input. The neural network is trained without the unseen domains.
The proposed method can instantly infer data embeddings for the unseen domains without (re)-training once the sets of feature vectors in the domains are given. To accumulate knowledge in advance, the proposed method uses labeled and unlabeled data in multiple source domains. Labeled data, i.e., data with label information such as class labels or pair (similar/dissimilar) constraints, are used for learning data embeddings in such a way that similar data points are close and dissimilar data points are separated in the embedding space. Although unlabeled data do not have labels, they have geometric information that characterizes domains. The proposed method incorporates this information in a natural way on the basis of a probabilistic framework.
The conditional distributions of the latent domain vectors, the embedded data, and the observed data are parameterized by neural networks and are optimized by maximizing the variational lower bound using stochastic gradient descent. The effectiveness of the proposed method was demonstrated through experiments using three clustering tasks.
Changes in Soil Cohesion Due to Water Vapor Exchange: A Proposed Dry‐Flow Trigger Mechanism for Recurring Slope Lineae on Mars
Authors: Gough R. V. , Nuding D. L. , Archer P. D. , Fernanders M. S. , Guzewich S. D. , Tolbert M. A. , Toigo A. D.
Published: May 2020

Recurring slope lineae (RSL) are seasonal flows on steep slopes on Mars. Their formation mechanism is unknown, but dry granular flows are a likely explanation. Any proposed trigger for these flows must be consistent with the observed temperature dependence of RSL: more active in warmer months or when sun‐facing. Here, we use atmospheric modeling and laboratory experiments to explore a potential mechanism that involves both wet and dry processes at Hale Crater, a known RSL location. We propose that dry flows are triggered by changes in soil cohesion due to the loss of water. When surface temperature and humidity were experimentally simulated, salts likely found in the soil only completely dehydrated during the active season for RSL. We propose that the loss of water from soil in warmer months (or when illuminated) lowers soil cohesion and maximum stability angle. Slope failure may occur, exposing darker underlying material and creating RSL.
Spring Hydroclimate Reconstruction on the South‐Central Tibetan Plateau Inferred From Juniperus Pingii Var. Wilsonii Shrub Rings Since 1605
Authors: Lu Xiaoming , Huang Ru , Wang Yafeng , Zhang Baoqing , Zhu Haifeng , Camarero J. Julio , Liang Eryuan
Published: May 2020

Alpine regions on the Tibetan Plateau are sensitive to climate change, however, little is known about their long‐term hydroclimate variability due to short and few instrumental records. Alpine shrub provides a rare opportunity to reconstruct past high‐resolution hydroclimate conditions. Here, we used living and dead juniper shrubs (Juniperus pingii var. wilsonii) to develop a 537‐year ring width chronology nearby the Nam Co Lake (4,725 m a.s.l.). The chronology explained 46% of variance in May–June Standardized Moisture Anomaly Index (SZI) in the period from 1970 to 2010. We reconstructed May–June SZI since 1605. The reconstructed SZI matched well with several tree‐ring based moisture or drought reconstructions for the Tibetan Plateau. In particular, two long dry May–June periods of 1637–1683 and 1708–1785 during the Little Ice Age (LIA) implied that long‐term cold temperature tends to slow down hydrological cycle in the margin areas of the Indian summer monsoon.
What Caused the Extreme Indian Ocean Dipole Event in 2019?
Authors: Lu Bo , Ren Hong‐Li
Published: May 2020

An extreme positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) event occurred in 2019 boreal autumn, which has induced severe climate impacts around the Indian Ocean basin. In this study, the cause for 2019 IOD event and the related mechanism are explored. We find that the remarkable strengthening of Australian high and weakening of sea level pressure over South China Sea/Philippine Sea have been evidently visible since May 2019. Such a record‐breaking interhemispheric pressure gradient (IHPG) induced northward cross‐equatorial flow over the western Maritime Continent, which triggered strong wind‐evaporation‐SST and thermocline feedbacks in 2019. In addition to 2019 case, historical IOD events are highly correlated with IHPG from boreal late spring to summer. We show that skillful IHPG prediction can be made in March by European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts seasonal forecast system, which makes it quite possible for the early warning of extreme IOD events by two to three seasons ahead.
Ten years of spasers and plasmonic nanolasers
Authors: Azzam Shaimaa I. , Kildishev Alexander V. , Ma Ren-Min , Ning Cun-Zheng , Oulton Rupert , Shalaev Vladimir M. , Stockman Mark I. , Xu Jia-Lu , Zhang Xiang
Published: May 2020

Ten years ago, three teams experimentally demonstrated the first spasers, or plasmonic nanolasers, after the spaser concept was first proposed theoretically in 2003. An overview of the significant progress achieved over the last 10 years is presented here, together with the original context of and motivations for this research. After a general introduction, we first summarize the fundamental properties of spasers and discuss the major motivations that led to the first demonstrations of spasers and nanolasers. This is followed by an overview of crucial technological progress, including lasing threshold reduction, dynamic modulation, room-temperature operation, electrical injection, the control and improvement of spasers, the array operation of spasers, and selected applications of single-particle spasers. Research prospects are presented in relation to several directions of development, including further miniaturization, the relationship with Bose–Einstein condensation, novel spaser-based interconnects, and other features of spasers and plasmonic lasers that have yet to be realized or challenges that are still to be overcome.
Symmetrically dispersed spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy
Authors: Song Ki-Hee , Zhang Yang , Brenner Benjamin , Sun Cheng , Zhang Hao F.
Published: May 2020

Spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy (sSMLM) was used to achieve simultaneous imaging and spectral analysis of single molecules for the first time. Current sSMLM fundamentally suffers from a reduced photon budget because the photons from individual stochastic emissions are divided into spatial and spectral channels. Therefore, both spatial localization and spectral analysis only use a portion of the total photons, leading to reduced precisions in both channels. To improve the spatial and spectral precisions, we present symmetrically dispersed sSMLM, or SDsSMLM, to fully utilize all photons from individual stochastic emissions in both spatial and spectral channels. SDsSMLM achieved 10-nm spatial and 0.8-nm spectral precisions at a total photon budget of 1000. Compared with the existing sSMLM using a 1:3 splitting ratio between spatial and spectral channels, SDsSMLM improved the spatial and spectral precisions by 42% and 10%, respectively, under the same photon budget. We also demonstrated multicolour imaging of fixed cells and three-dimensional single-particle tracking using SDsSMLM. SDsSMLM enables more precise spectroscopic single-molecule analysis in broader cell biology and material science applications.
Dopamine: from prediction error to psychotherapy
Authors: Papalini Silvia , Beckers Tom , Vervliet Bram
Published: May 2020

Dopamine, one of the main neurotransmitters in the mammalian brain, has been implicated in the coding of prediction errors that govern reward learning as well as fear extinction learning. Psychotherapy too can be viewed as a form of error-based learning, because it challenges erroneous beliefs and behavioral patterns in order to induce long-term changes in emotions, cognitions, and behaviors. Exposure therapy, for example, relies in part on fear extinction principles to violate erroneous expectancies of danger and induce novel safety learning that inhibits and therefore reduces fear in the long term. As most forms of psychotherapy, however, exposure therapy suffers from non-response, dropout, and relapse. This narrative review focuses on the role of midbrain and prefrontal dopamine in novel safety learning and investigates possible pathways through which dopamine-based interventions could be used as an adjunct to improve both the response and the long-term effects of the therapy. Convincing evidence exists for an involvement of the midbrain dopamine system in the acquisition of new, safe memories. Additionally, prefrontal dopamine is emerging as a key ingredient for the consolidation of fear extinction. We propose that applying a dopamine prediction error perspective to psychotherapy can inspire both pharmacological and non-pharmacological studies aimed at discovering innovative ways to enhance the acquisition of safety memories. Additionally, we call for further empirical investigations on dopamine-oriented drugs that might be able to maximize consolidation of successful fear extinction and its long-term retention after therapy, and we propose to also include investigations on non-pharmacological interventions with putative prefrontal dopaminergic effects, like working memory training.
Prognostic significance of pre- and post-operative tumour markers for patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Lin Jun-Peng , Lin Jian-Xian , Ma Yu-Bin , Xie Jian-Wei , Yan Su , Wang Jia-Bin , Lu Jun , Chen Qi-Yue , Ma Xin-Fu , Cao Long-Long , Lin Mi , Tu Ru-Hong , Zheng Chao-Hui , Li Ping , Huang Chang-Ming
Published: May 2020

Background

In clinical practice, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 are the most common markers measured before and after surgery for gastric cancer (GC). However, which pre- or post-operative combined tumour markers (CEA and CA19-9) have more prognostic value remains unclear.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing a resection for GC at the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were included as a discovery database between January 2011 and December 2014. The prognostic impact of pre- and post-operative tumour markers was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier log-rank survival analysis and multivariable Cox regression analysis. The results were then externally validated.

Results

A total of 735 and 400 patients were identified in the discovery cohort and in the validation cohort, respectively. Overall survival rates decreased in a stepwise manner in association with the number of pre- and post-operative positive tumour markers (both P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed that the number of pre-operative positive tumour markers was an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.05). For patients with abnormal pre-operative tumour markers, normalisation of tumour markers after surgery is an independent prognostic protective factor (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.618; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.414–0.921), and patients with both positive post-operative tumour markers had double the risk of overall death (HR = 2.338; 95% CI = 1.071–5.101). Similar results were observed in the internal validation and external validation cohorts.

Conclusion

Pre-operative tumour markers have a better discriminatory ability for post-operative survival in GC patients than post-operative tumour markers, and the normalisation of tumour markers after surgery was associated with better survival.
Ultrasensitive digital quantification of cytokines and bacteria predicts septic shock outcomes
Authors: Abasıyanık M. Fatih , Wolfe Krysta , Van Phan Hoang , Lin Jing , Laxman Bharathi , White Steven R. , Verhoef Philip A. , Mutlu Gökhan M. , Patel Bhakti , Tay Savaş
Published: May 2020

Quantification of pathogen and host biomarkers is essential for the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of infectious diseases. Here, we demonstrate sensitive and rapid quantification of bacterial load and cytokines from human biological samples to generate actionable hypotheses. Our digital assay measures IL-6 and TNF-α proteins, gram-negative (GN) and gram-positive (GP) bacterial DNA, and the antibiotic-resistance gene blaTEM with femtomolar sensitivity. We use our method to characterize bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from patients with asthma, and find elevated GN bacteria and IL-6 levels compared to healthy subjects. We then analyze plasma from patients with septic shock and find that increasing levels of IL-6 and blaTEM are associated with mortality, while decreasing IL-6 levels are associated with recovery. Surprisingly, lower GN bacteria levels are associated with higher probability of death. Applying decision-tree analysis to our measurements, we are able to predict mortality and rate of recovery from septic shock with over 90% accuracy.
Buoyant particulate strategy for few-to-single particle-based plasmonic enhanced nanosensors
Authors: Zhang Dongjie , Peng Leqin , Shang Xinglong , Zheng Wenxiu , You Hongjun , Xu Teng , Ma Bo , Ren Bin , Fang Jixiang
Published: May 2020

Detecting matter at a single-molecule level is the ultimate target in many branches of study. Nanosensors based on plasmonics have garnered significant interest owing to their ultrahigh sensitivity even at single-molecule level. However, currently, plasmonic-enhanced nanosensors have not achieved excellent performances in practical applications and their detection at femtomolar or attomolar concentrations remains highly challenging. Here we show a plasmonic sensing strategy, called buoyant plasmonic-particulate-based few-to-single particle-nanosensors. Large-sized floating particles combined with a slippery surface may prevent the coffee-ring effect and enhance the spatial enrichment capability of the analyte in plasmonic sensitive sites via the aggregation and lifting effect. Dimer and single particle-nanosensors demonstrate an enhanced surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and a high fluorescence sensitivity with an enrichment factor up to an order of ∼104 and the limit of detection of CV molecules down to femto- or attomolar levels. The current buoyant particulate strategy can be exploited in a wide range of plasmonic enhanced sensing applications for a cost-effective, simple, fast, flexible, and portable detection.
TGF-β signaling in Th17 cells promotes IL-22 production and colitis-associated colon cancer
Authors: Perez Laura Garcia , Kempski Jan , McGee Heather M. , Pelzcar Penelope , Agalioti Theodora , Giannou Anastasios , Konczalla Leonie , Brockmann Leonie , Wahib Ramez , Xu Hao , Vesely Maria Carolina Amezcua , Soukou Shiwa , Steglich Babett , Bedke Tanja , Manthey Carolin , Seiz Oliver , Diercks Björn-Philipp , Gnafakis Stylianos , Guse Andreas H. , Perez Daniel , Izbicki Jakob R. , Gagliani Nicola , Flavell Richard A. , Huber Samuel
Published: May 2020

IL-22 has dual functions during tumorigenesis. Short term IL-22 production protects against genotoxic stress, whereas uncontrolled IL-22 activity promotes tumor growth; therefore, tight regulation of IL-22 is essential. TGF-β1 promotes the differentiation of Th17 cells, which are known to be a major source of IL-22, but the effect of TGF-β signaling on the production of IL-22 in CD4+ T cells is controversial. Here we show an increased presence of IL-17+IL-22+ cells and TGF-β1 in colorectal cancer compared to normal adjacent tissue, whereas the frequency of IL-22 single producing cells is not changed. Accordingly, TGF-β signaling in CD4+ T cells (specifically Th17 cells) promotes the emergence of IL-22-producing Th17 cells and thereby tumorigenesis in mice. IL-22 single producing T cells, however, are not dependent on TGF-β signaling. We show that TGF-β, via AhR induction, and PI3K signaling promotes IL-22 production in Th17 cells.
Nucleoporin 153 links nuclear pore complex to chromatin architecture by mediating CTCF and cohesin binding
Authors: Kadota Shinichi , Ou Jianhong , Shi Yuming , Lee Jeannie T. , Sun Jiayu , Yildirim Eda
Published: May 2020

Nucleoporin proteins (Nups) have been proposed to mediate spatial and temporal chromatin organization during gene regulation. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms in mammalian cells are not well understood. Here, we report that Nucleoporin 153 (NUP153) interacts with the chromatin architectural proteins, CTCF and cohesin, and mediates their binding across cis-regulatory elements and TAD boundaries in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. NUP153 depletion results in altered CTCF and cohesin binding and differential gene expression — specifically at the bivalent developmental genes. To investigate the molecular mechanism, we utilize epidermal growth factor (EGF)-inducible immediate early genes (IEGs). We find that NUP153 controls CTCF and cohesin binding at the cis-regulatory elements and POL II pausing during the basal state. Furthermore, efficient IEG transcription relies on NUP153. We propose that NUP153 links the nuclear pore complex (NPC) to chromatin architecture allowing genes that are poised to respond rapidly to developmental cues to be properly modulated.
The BCL-2 pathway preserves mammalian genome integrity by eliminating recombination-defective oocytes
Authors: ElInati Elias , Zielinska Agata P. , McCarthy Afshan , Kubikova Nada , Maciulyte Valdone , Mahadevaiah Shantha , Sangrithi Mahesh N. , Ojarikre Obah , Wells Dagan , Niakan Kathy K. , Schuh Melina , Turner James M. A.
Published: May 2020

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are toxic to mammalian cells. However, during meiosis, more than 200 DSBs are generated deliberately, to ensure reciprocal recombination and orderly segregation of homologous chromosomes. If left unrepaired, meiotic DSBs can cause aneuploidy in gametes and compromise viability in offspring. Oocytes in which DSBs persist are therefore eliminated by the DNA-damage checkpoint. Here we show that the DNA-damage checkpoint eliminates oocytes via the pro-apoptotic BCL-2 pathway members Puma, Noxa and Bax. Deletion of these factors prevents oocyte elimination in recombination-repair mutants, even when the abundance of unresolved DSBs is high. Remarkably, surviving oocytes can extrude a polar body and be fertilised, despite chaotic chromosome segregation at the first meiotic division. Our findings raise the possibility that allelic variants of the BCL-2 pathway could influence the risk of embryonic aneuploidy.
Photoinduced monooxygenation involving NAD(P)H-FAD sequential single-electron transfer
Authors: Ernst Simon , Rovida Stefano , Mattevi Andrea , Fetzner Susanne , Drees Steffen L.
Published: May 2020

Light-dependent or light-stimulated catalysis provides a multitude of perspectives for implementation in technological or biomedical applications. Despite substantial progress made in the field of photobiocatalysis, the number of usable light-responsive enzymes is still very limited. Flavoproteins have exceptional potential for photocatalytic applications because the name-giving cofactor intrinsically features light-dependent reactivity, undergoing photoreduction with a variety of organic electron donors. However, in the vast majority of these enzymes, photoreactivity of the enzyme-bound flavin is limited or even suppressed. Here, we present a flavoprotein monooxygenase in which catalytic activity is controllable by blue light illumination. The reaction depends on the presence of nicotinamide nucleotide-type electron donors, which do not support the reaction in the absence of light. Employing various experimental approaches, we demonstrate that catalysis depends on a protein-mediated photoreduction of the flavin cofactor, which proceeds via a radical mechanism and a transient semiquinone intermediate.
Machine learning assisted design of γ′-strengthened Co-base superalloys with multi-performance optimization
Authors: Liu Pei , Huang Haiyou , Antonov Stoichko , Wen Cheng , Xue Dezhen , Chen Houwen , Li Longfei , Feng Qiang , Omori Toshihiro , Su Yanjing
Published: May 2020

Designing a material with multiple desired properties is a great challenge, especially in a complex material system. Here, we propose a material design strategy to simultaneously optimize multiple targeted properties of multi-component Co-base superalloys via machine learning. The microstructural stability, γ′ solvus temperature, γ′ volume fraction, density, processing window, freezing range, and oxidation resistance were simultaneously optimized. A series of novel Co-base superalloys were successfully selected and experimentally synthesized from >210,000 candidates. The best performer, Co-36Ni-12Al-2Ti-4Ta-1W-2Cr, possesses the highest γ′ solvus temperature of 1266.5 °C without the precipitation of any deleterious phases, a γ′ volume fraction of 74.5% after aging for 1000 h at 1000 °C, a density of 8.68 g cm−3 and good high-temperature oxidation resistance at 1000 °C due to the formation of a protective alumina layer. Our approach paves a new way to rapidly design multi-component materials with desired multi-performance functionality.
UAS-based tracking of the Santiaguito Lava Dome, Guatemala
Authors: Zorn Edgar U. , Walter Thomas R. , Johnson Jeffrey B. , Mania René
Published: May 2020

Imaging growing lava domes has remained a great challenge in volcanology due to their inaccessibility and the severe hazard of collapse or explosion. Changes in surface movement, temperature, or lava viscosity are considered crucial data for hazard assessments at active lava domes and thus valuable study targets. Here, we present results from a series of repeated survey flights with both optical and thermal cameras at the Caliente lava dome, part of the Santiaguito complex at Santa Maria volcano, Guatemala, using an Unoccupied Aircraft System (UAS) to create topography data and orthophotos of the lava dome. This enabled us to track pixel-offsets and delineate the 2D displacement field, strain components, extrusion rate, and apparent lava viscosity. We find that the lava dome displays motions on two separate timescales, (i) slow radial expansion and growth of the dome and (ii) a narrow and fast-moving lava extrusion. Both processes also produced distinctive fracture sets detectable with surface motion, and high strain zones associated with thermal anomalies. Our results highlight that motion patterns at lava domes control the structural and thermal architecture, and different timescales should be considered to better characterize surface motions during dome growth to improve the assessment of volcanic hazards.
A Method for Identification of the Methylation Level of CpG Islands From NGS Data
Authors: Uroshlev Leonid A. , Abdullaev Eldar T. , Umarova Iren R. , Il’icheva Irina A. , Panchenko Larisa A. , Polozov Robert V. , Kondrashov Fyodor A. , Nechipurenko Yury D. , Grokhovsky Sergei L.
Published: May 2020

In the course of sample preparation for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), DNA is fragmented by various methods. Fragmentation shows a persistent bias with regard to the cleavage rates of various dinucleotides. With the exception of CpG dinucleotides the previously described biases were consistent with results of the DNA cleavage in solution. Here we computed cleavage rates of all dinucleotides including the methylated CpG and unmethylated CpG dinucleotides using data of the Whole Genome Sequencing datasets of the 1000 Genomes project. We found that the cleavage rate of CpG is significantly higher for the methylated CpG dinucleotides. Using this information, we developed a classifier for distinguishing cancer and healthy tissues based on their CpG islands statuses of the fragmentation. A simple Support Vector Machine classifier based on this algorithm shows an accuracy of 84%. The proposed method allows the detection of epigenetic markers purely based on mechanochemical DNA fragmentation, which can be detected by a simple analysis of the NGS sequencing data.
SMRT sequencing revealed to be an effective method for ADTKD-MUC1 diagnosis through follow-up analysis of a Chinese family
Authors: Wang Guo-qin , Rui Hong-liang , Dong Hong-rui , Sun Li-jun , Yang Min , Wang Yan-yan , Ye Nan , Zhao Zhi-rui , Liu Xue-jiao , Xu Xiao-yi , Chen Yi-pu , Cheng Hong
Published: May 2020

We reported a large Chinese family diagnosed with autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease caused by MUC1 mutation (ADTKD-MUC1). Cytosine duplication within a string of 7 cytosines in the variable-number tandem repeats (VNTR) region of the MUC1 gene was detected by long-read single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing. MUC1 frameshift protein (MUC1fs) was found to be expressed in renal tubules and urinary exfoliated cells by pathological examination. The family, which consisted of 5 generations including 137 individuals, was followed for 5 years. Genetic testing was performed in thirty-four individuals, 17 of whom carried MUC1 mutations. The ADTKD-MUC1-affected individuals had an elevated incidence of hyperuricaemia without gout attack. Within five years, higher baseline levels of urinary α1-microglobulin were detected in affected individuals with rapidly progressing renal failure than in affected individuals with stable renal function, and the increases manifested even before increases in serum creatinine. This study demonstrates that SMRT sequencing is an effective method for the identification of MUC1 mutations. The pathological examination of MUC1fs expression in renal tissue and urinary exfoliated cells can contribute to early screening of family members suspected to be affected. It is suggested that affected individuals with elevated urinary α1-microglobulin levels should be closely monitored for renal function.
Follicular extracellular vesicles enhance meiotic resumption of domestic cat vitrified oocytes
Authors: de Almeida Monteiro Melo Ferraz Marcia , Fujihara Mayako , Nagashima Jennifer Beth , Noonan Michael James , Inoue-Murayama Miho , Songsasen Nucharin
Published: May 2020

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain multiple factors that regulate cell and tissue function. However, understanding of their influence on gametes, including communication with the oocyte, remains limited. In the present study, we characterized the proteome of domestic cat (Felis catus) follicular fluid EVs (ffEV). To determine the influence of follicular fluid EVs on gamete cryosurvival and the ability to undergo in vitro maturation, cat oocytes were vitrified using the Cryotop method in the presence or absence of ffEV. Vitrified oocytes were thawed with or without ffEVs, assessed for survival, in vitro cultured for 26 hours and then evaluated for viability and meiotic status. Cat ffEVs had an average size of 129.3 ± 61.7 nm (mean ± SD) and characteristic doughnut shaped circular vesicles in transmission electron microscopy. Proteomic analyses of the ffEVs identified a total of 674 protein groups out of 1,974 proteins, which were classified as being involved in regulation of oxidative phosphorylation, extracellular matrix formation, oocyte meiosis, cholesterol metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and MAPK, PI3K-AKT, HIPPO and calcium signaling pathways. Furthermore, several chaperone proteins associated with the responses to osmotic and thermal stresses were also identified. There were no differences in the oocyte survival among fresh and vitrified oocyte; however, the addition of ffEVs to vitrification and/or thawing media enhanced the ability of frozen-thawed oocytes to resume meiosis. In summary, this study is the first to characterize protein content of cat ffEVs and their potential roles in sustaining meiotic competence of cryopreserved oocytes.
Gender-Specific Association between Serum Uric Acid and Incident Fundus Arteriosclerosis in Chinese Population: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Liu Qianqian , Liu Chunxing , Gao Yonghui , Zhang Xinyan , Yi Nengjun , Cao Jianping , Wang Yamin , Jiang Yongbin , Tang Zaixiang
Published: May 2020

Elevated levels of serum uric acid (SUA) were considered to be risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it has been found to be associated with increased arteriosclerosis. The aim of this study was to explore the gender specific relationship between SUA and fundus arteriosclerosis in a healthy population. In a retrospective cross-sectional study, 23474 individuals without diabetes and hypertension were included in the present study. SUA levels were cut to four groups as Q1 to Q4, according to the quartiles. The odds ratio and 95% confidence interval of different SUA levels were estimated by a binomial logistic regression model. A restrictive cubic spline method was used to estimate the dose-response relationship between SUA and fundus arteriosclerosis. Subgroup analysis was performed to find the gender-specific association between SUA and incident fundus arteriosclerosis. In males, after adjusting for confounding factors, the highest SUA level was significantly associated with the risk of incident fundus arteriosclerosis. The OR with 95%CI for Q4 was 1.44(1.18, 1.76), Q1 as a reference. Specially, for females, SUA level was not associated with the incidence of fundus arteriosclerosis. In conclusion, elevated levels of SUA were associated with the incidence of fundus arteriosclerosis in males, but not in females.
The ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2K determines neurogenic potential through histone H3 in human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Fatima Azra , Irmak Dilber , Noormohammadi Alireza , Rinschen Markus M. , Das Aniruddha , Leidecker Orsolya , Schindler Christina , Sánchez-Gaya Víctor , Wagle Prerana , Pokrzywa Wojciech , Hoppe Thorsten , Rada-Iglesias Alvaro , Vilchez David
Published: May 2020

Histones modulate gene expression by chromatin compaction, regulating numerous processes such as differentiation. However, the mechanisms underlying histone degradation remain elusive. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have a unique chromatin architecture characterized by low levels of trimethylated histone H3 at lysine 9 (H3K9me3), a heterochromatin-associated modification. Here we assess the link between the intrinsic epigenetic landscape and ubiquitin-proteasome system of hESCs. We find that hESCs exhibit high expression of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBE2K. Loss of UBE2K upregulates the trimethyltransferase SETDB1, resulting in H3K9 trimethylation and repression of neurogenic genes during differentiation. Besides H3K9 trimethylation, UBE2K binds histone H3 to induce its polyubiquitination and degradation by the proteasome. Notably, ubc-20, the worm orthologue of UBE2K, also regulates histone H3 levels and H3K9 trimethylation in Caenorhabditis elegans germ cells. Thus, our results indicate that UBE2K crosses evolutionary boundaries to promote histone H3 degradation and reduce H3K9me3 repressive marks in immortal cells.
Asymmetric Fermi velocity induced chiral magnetotransport anisotropy in the type-II Dirac semi-metal PtSe2
Authors: Sun Jian , Deacon Russell S. , Luo Wenchen , Yuan Yahua , Liu Xiaochi , Xie Haipeng , Gao Yongli , Ishibashi Koji
Published: May 2020

PtSe2 is a recently discovered type-II Dirac semi-metal with heavily tilted Dirac cone in z-direction of the momentum. Negative magnetoresistance (MR) is expected as a signature of the chiral anomaly in the x–y plane where Lorentz invariance is maintained. Here we report the observation of negative MR in PtSe2 thin flakes with magnetic fields aligned parallel to the current path and crystal a-axis. Systematic measurements reveal that this phenomenon is field-vector and temperature sensitive, thereby confirming chiral anomaly as its origin. Furthermore, the chiral anomaly is tunable with an electric field. Interestingly, negative MR vanishes along the orientation a′ perpendicular to a-axis. This clear anisotropy is ascribed to the anisotropic distribution of the Fermi velocity. A weaker chiral anomaly is caused in a′ and therefore masked by the trivial background signal. Our results highlight the importance of even a small material anisotropy when studying the chiral magnetotransport of Weyl/Dirac semi-metals.
Remote detection and recording of atomic-scale spin dynamics
Authors: Elbertse R. J. G. , Coffey D. , Gobeil J. , Otte A. F.
Published: May 2020

Atomic spin structures assembled by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) provide valuable insight into the understanding of atomic-scale magnetism. Among the major challenges are the detection and subsequent read-out of ultrafast spin dynamics due to a dichotomy in travel speed of these dynamics and the probe tip. Here, we present a device composed of individual Fe atoms that allows for remote detection of spin dynamics. We have characterized the device and used it to detect the presence of spin waves originating from an excitation induced by the STM tip several nanometres away; this may be extended to much longer distances. The device contains a memory element that can be consulted seconds after detection, similar in functionality to e.g. a single photon detector. We performed statistical analysis of the responsiveness to remote spin excitations and corroborated the results using basic calculations of the free evolution of coupled quantum spins.
Platinum recycling through electroless dissolution under mild conditions using a surface activation assisted Pt-complexing approach
Authors: Sharma Raghunandan , Morgen Per , Andersen Shuang Ma
Published: May 2020

High industrial demand and limited global abundance of precious metals (PMs) make their recycling essential for industrial and societal sustainability.
A simple and sensitive LC-MS/MS method for determination and quantification of potential genotoxic impurities in the ceritinib active pharmaceutical ingredient
Authors: Antolčić Mia , Runje Mislav , Galić Nives
Published: May 2020

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was used for quantification of four potential genotoxic impurities (PGIs) in the ceritinib active pharmaceutical ingredient.
Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by green high-performance liquid chromatography for fluconazole determination in cerebrospinal fluid with the aid of chemometric tools
Authors: Moreira Bruna Juliana , Schiave Letícia Aparecida , Martinez Roberto , Dias Samuel Generoso , Masetto de Gaitani Cristiane
Published: May 2020

A new method, simple and fast, for fluconazole (FLU) quantification in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) and an eco-friendly mobile phase for HPLC-PDA was developed.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of a bioinspired, tissue-adhesive gellan gum-based hydrogel designed for minimally invasive delivery and retention of chondrogenic cells
Authors: Learmonth David A. , Costa Pedro M. , Veloso Tiago R. , Cunha Cristiana B. , Cautela Mafalda P. , Correia Cristina , Vallejo Mariana C. , Sousa Rui A.
Published: May 2020

STM-148B, a bioinspired gellan gum hydrogel designed for minimally invasive cell delivery and retention in the context of cartilage regeneration.
Enantioselective synthesis of indole derivatives by Rh/Pd relay catalysis and their anti-inflammatory evaluation
Authors: Li Sifeng , Wang Zihao , Xiao Haitao , Bian Zhaoxiang , Wang Jun (Joelle)
Published: May 2020

An efficient Rh/Pd relay catalyzed intermolecular and cascade intramolecular hydroamination for the synthesis of exclusivetrans1-indolyl dihydronaphthalenols (up to 88% yield, 99% ee) is described under mild conditions.
Nitrogen fixation on a single Mo atom embedded stanene monolayer: a computational study
Authors: Tan Yao , Xu Ying , Ao Zhimin
Published: May 2020

In this work, we explored the feasibility of transition metal atom embedded stanene as an effective catalyst for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) based on first-principles calculations.
Synergistic effect between gold nanoparticles and Fe-doped γ-MnO2toward enhanced aerobic selective oxidation of ethanol
Authors: Wang Panpan , Luo Huimin , Wang Jingwen , Han Bo , Mei Fuming , Liu Peng
Published: May 2020

Gold nanoparticles supported on Fe-doped γ-MnO2were found to show a strong synergistic effect in the aerobic selective oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde.
An acid-catalyzed 1,4-addition isocyanide-based multicomponent reaction in neat water
Authors: Lei Jie , Li Yong , Xu Jia , Tang Dian-Yong , Shao Jing-Wei , Li Hong-yu , Chen Zhong-Zhu , Xu Zhi-Gang
Published: May 2020

A 1,4-addition isocyanide-based three-component reaction was developed to synthesis chromanones derivatives with a green protocol, such as water solvent, simple operation, short reaction times, excellent yields and atom economy.
Key factors affecting Rayleigh instability of ultrathin 4H hexagonal gold nanoribbons
Authors: Li Peifeng , Liao Weibing , Yue Lijie , Fan Zhanxi , Rao Feng
Published: May 2020

The evolution processes and influencing factors of Rayleigh instability in ultrathin 4H Au NRBs were investigated by in situ TEM.
Effect of dispersed ZnO in Cu–Zn composite oxides on catalytic activity of anisole acetylation
Authors: Chen Yanqiu , Yang Yue , Zhou Zhou , Luo Wei , Liu Junhua , Wang Fang
Published: May 2020

Cu–Zn composite oxide catalysts were prepared by a co-precipitation method and used in the anisole acetylation reaction.
Hierarchical anti-reflective laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) on amorphous Si films for sensing applications
Authors: Dostovalov A. , Bronnikov K. , Korolkov V. , Babin S. , Mitsai E. , Mironenko A. , Tutov M. , Zhang D. , Sugioka K. , Maksimovic J. , Katkus T. , Juodkazis S. , Zhizhchenko A. , Kuchmizhak A.
Published: May 2020

Unique hierarchical laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) enable the detection of metal ions at sub-nM concentrations via surface-enhanced fluorescence.
Enantio- and diastereoselective diarylmethylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds
Authors: Li Xin , He Songtao , Song Qiuling
Published: May 2020

A Cu-catalyzed enantio- and diastereoselective diarylmethylation of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds is described. Two contiguous stereocenters including one all-carbon quaternary stereocenter are constructed with good stereoselectivity and atom economy.
A molecular-logic gate for COX-2 and NAT based on conformational and structural changes: visualizing the progression of liver disease
Authors: Chen Yuehua , Wang Yuzhu , Yang Yonggang , Li Yuhuan , Wang Yafu , Wang Ge , James Tony D. , Xuan Xiaopeng , Zhang Hua , Liu Yufang
Published: May 2020

Lighting up the relevant lesion boundaries during operations is vital for guiding the effective resection of hepatopathic tissue.
Approaching the voltage and energy density limits of potassium–selenium battery chemistry in a concentrated ether-based electrolyte
Authors: Liu Qin , Deng Wenzhuo , Pan Yilong , Sun Chuan-Fu
Published: May 2020

K–Se batteries follow distinctive reaction pathways in concentrated ether electrolytes, and deliver record-high discharge plateau voltage of 1.85 V on average and energy density of 998 W h kgSe−1, both approaching the theoretical limits.
Transformations of the cyclo-P4 ligand in [Cp′′′Co(η4-P4)]
Authors: Piesch Martin , Seidl Michael , Scheer Manfred
Published: May 2020

The reactivity of the cyclo-P4 ligand complex [Cp′′′Co(η4-P4)] (1) (Cp′′′ = 1,2,4-tri-tert-butyl-cyclopentadienyl) towards reduction and main group nucleophiles was investigated.
High performance cross-linked anion exchange membrane based on aryl-ether free polymer backbones for anion exchange membrane fuel cell application
Authors: Gao Xueqiang , Yu HongMei , Xie Feng , Hao Jinkai , Shao Zhigang
Published: May 2020

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) have attracted growing interest in recent years due to the favored electrochemical kinetics of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and potential low cost, and development of high performance AEMs is always an urgent issue.
First passage of an active particle in the presence of passive crowders
Authors: Biswas Animesh , Cruz J. M. , Parmananda P. , Das Dibyendu
Published: May 2020

We experimentally study the first passage transport of an active camphor boat under confinement, in the presence of passive crowders. The fluctuations of first passage times behave non-monotonically with the packing fraction of the crowders.
Structured randomness: jamming of soft discs and pins
Authors: Wentworth-Nice Prairie , Ridout Sean A. , Jenike Brian , Liloia Ari , Graves Amy L.
Published: May 2020

Simulations are used to study soft, bidisperse disks in the presence of a lattice of diminutive, fixed “pins” near the zero temperature jamming threshold, ϕj.
Dynamic dissipative solitons in nematics with positive anisotropies
Authors: Shen Yuan , Dierking Ingo
Published: May 2020

Dissipative solitons are realized in nematic liquid crystals with positive anisotropies due to a nonlinear coupling of the director field to isotropic flow induced by ions. Influences of chirality, ion concentration and anchoring are investigated.
A self-smoothing Li-metal anode enabled via a hybrid interface film
Authors: Wang Huirong , Liu Mingzhu , Wang Xianshu , Zhang Wenguang , Che Yanxie , Chen Ling , Wu Yuping , Li Weishan
Published: May 2020

A hybrid interface film was proposed to achieve ‘self-smoothing’ Li deposition behavior and excellent cycling stability of Li-metal batteries.
Epitaxial GaN using Ga(NMe2)3 and NH3 plasma by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Rouf Polla , O’Brien Nathan J. , Buttera Sydney C. , Martinovic Ivan , Bakhit Babak , Martinsson Erik , Palisaitis Justinas , Hsu Chih-Wei , Pedersen Henrik
Published: May 2020

GaN is grown epitaxially on 4H-SiC without buffer layer using ALD with Ga(NMe2)3 and NH3 plasma.