bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of growth temperature on nitrogen incorporation into GaAsN during liquid-phase epitaxy
Authors: Milanova M , Donchev V , Georgiev S , Kirilov K , Terziyska P
Published: April 2022

We studied the growth temperature effect on nitrogen incorporation into GaAsN layers grown by liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE). The growth of dilute nitrides at nearly equilibrium conditions during LPE presents several major challenges: low solubility of nitrogen in Ga-melt, small incorporation efficiency in the solid and high volatility of nitrogen. GaAsN layers are grown from three different initial epitaxy temperatures: 580 °C, 680 °C and 780° C using GaN powder in the melt as a source of nitrogen. The N content in GaAsN is estimated from X-ray diffraction curves applying Vegard’s law. The local microstructure and surface morphology of the grown layers are studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy measurements, respectively. The absorption edge and the composition dependence of the effective band gap are determined by employing optical transmission and surface photovoltage spectroscopies.
Progress report on the online processing upgrade at the NA62 experiment
Authors: Ammendola R. , Biagioni A. , Ciardiello A. , Cretaro P. , Frezza O. , Lamanna G. , Lo Cicero F. , Lonardo A. , Martinelli M. , Piandani R. , Pontisso L. , Raggi M. , Simula F. , Soldi D. , Turisini M. , Vicini P.
Published: April 2022

A new FPGA-based low-level trigger processor has been installed at the NA62 experiment. It is intended to extend the features of its predecessor due to a faster interconnection technology and additional logic resources available on the new platform. With the aim of improving trigger selectivity and exploring new architectures for complex trigger computation, a GPU system has been developed and a neural network on FPGA is in progress. They both process data streams from the ring imaging Cherenkov detector of the experiment to extract in real time high level features for the trigger logic. Description of the systems, latest developments and design flows are reported in this paper.
Evaluating Shielding Materials for High Energy Space Radiation
Authors: Gohel Ankit , Makwana Rajnikant , Soni Bhargav
Published: April 2022

Space radiation is very hazardously harmful to human health and physically damaging to electronics equipment. The major radiation sources are Solar Particle Events (SPE) and Galactic Cosmic Rays/Radiation (GCR). GCR composed of high energy protons, alpha particles and electrons travelling from outside solar system are especially difficult to shield. Previous study has been shown that aluminum and higher atomic number structural alloys, provide fairly little shielding which may increase secondary radiation. In this work, we evaluate the range of materials for GCR shielding. Materials are aluminum, for its low atomic number, Liquid Hydrogen, Polyethylene,Water, Polybenzoxazine, Lithium hydride, Liquid Methane and Hydrogenated Graphite Nano fiber (HGNF) materials which containing high proportions of hydrogen which effectively slowing secondary neutrons and GCR radiation. Boron nitride storing hydrogen absorbs the secondary neutrons, GCR, and SPE effectively. Liquid Methane performance is also noticeable. The dose equivalent for each shielding materials are calculated using On-line Tool for the Assessment of Radiation In Space (OLTARIS) and High Charge and Energy TRaNsport (HZETRN) and compared for 2010 Solar minimum GCR. The results show that Liquid hydrogen is the good space radiation shielding material for a given thickness, followed by Lithium Hydride, Liquid Methane, Boron nitride storing hydrogen, Polyethylene, Polybenzoxazine, HGNF, and then aluminum. In addition, we plotted dose equivalent for Liquid hydrogen and Polyethylene at different densities.
Effect of the hole concentration on the polaronic mobility for the strongly interacting electrons
Authors: Debnath Debika , Chatterjee Ashok
Published: April 2022

The effective hopping of the polaron has been studied for different hole concentrations. Holstein-Hubbard model is used for the half-filled and less than half-filled cases. A series of canonical transformations are imposed on the generic Hamiltonian and considering the strongly interacting electrons, the transformed Hamiltonian has been reconstructed to an effective t-J model. Using the mean-filled Hartree-Fock approximation the electronic Hamiltonian has been solved with the Zuberev’s Green function technique. The effective polaronic transport is found to be strongly dependent on the electron and hole concentration of the system.
Magnetic and magneto caloric properties of melt-spun rare earth intermetallic compound DyAl2
Authors: Prusty Mitali Madhusmita , Arout Chelvane J. , Morozkin A. V. , Nirmala R.
Published: April 2022

Laves phase rare earth intermetallic compound DyAl2 has been prepared by melt-spinning under argon atmosphere. The melt-spun DyAl2 sample is crystalline (cubic structure, space group Fd-3m) and is nanostructured. The crystallite size of melt-spun DyAl2 calculated from the room temperature powder X-ray diffraction data is about 23 nm. Transmission electron microscopy image reveals particles of average size, 14 nm. The melt-spun DyAl2 undergoes a paramagnetic to ferromagnetic transition at ∼29 K (TC). This value is about 32 K lower than the ferromagnetic transition temperature of DyAl2 sample prepared by conventional arc-melting technique. Magnetization of the melt-spun DyAl2 does not saturate at 2 K in field of 70 kOe. Magnetic entropy change near TC has been calculated using the field dependent magnetization data. The maximum value of isothermal magnetic entropy change (ΔSm) of melt-spun DyAl2 is ∼ -10.5 Jkg−1K-1 at 30 K for a field change of 70 kOe. The ΔSmvalue is as large as -24 Jkg−1K-1 at 63 K for the arc-melted DyAl2 compound for the same field change. The formation of nanograins upon melt-spinning has led to the reduction of TC as well as the magnetocaloric effect around TC.
The green and chemical synthesis, and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles by aqueous leaf extract of aloe vera
Authors: Kavya Prakash K M , Vinodkumar T , Prakash V
Published: April 2022

The exact physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles depend on the way in which they are synthesized. The common techniques are hypothermal methods, electrochemical deposition, sol-gel method, chemical vapour deposition, co-precipitation method etc. In the present study, zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized by botanical extract and chemical reducing agents with major objective to compare the nature and average particle size of the nanoparticles synthesized by these two methods. An attempt is also made to understand the influence of molarity on the chemically synthesized NPs by varying the molar concentration of precursor. The structure and morphology of synthesized NPs have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. For chemically synthesized NPs the major peak was observed at 36.147 for both the precursor at 0.2M and 0.3M. The average crystalline size was found to be 13.09 nm and 11.09 nm for precursor at 0.2M and 0.3M respectively. The major peak for green method was observed at 36.147 with an average crystalline size of 9.2 nm. The study clearly indicates that, green method is particularly suitable for the synthesis of smaller sized NPs.In chemical method, the molarity of the precursor influences the particle size, as the molarity decreases particle size also decreases.
Photophysical Properties of Rhodamine Dyes in Aqueous Organic Solvents: Evaluation of Ground and Excited State Dipole moments
Authors: Pujari Vikram , Patil Mallikarjun K. , Tilakraj T.S. , Bhat Vighneshwar S. , Inamdar Sanjeev R.
Published: April 2022

In this present work, we have determined the ground and excited state dipole moments of two Rhodamine dyes with similar molecular skeleton and having different functional groups, namely Rhodamine 560 chloride (R560) and Rhodamine 610 Chloride (R610). Absorption and emission spectra of R560 and R610 were recorded in binary mixtures of DMSO-Water and 2 Propanol-Water at varying compositions. The two probes exhibit hypochromic / bathochromic shift in absorption and fluorescence spectra for different compositions of aqueous organic solvents. This shift arises mainly because of polarity of the solvent. By employing solvatochromic shift method we have determined the ground and excited state dipole moments. The experimentally obtained results suggest that the excited state dipole moments of two probes are much higher than their ground state dipole moments.
Dielectric And Relaxation Studies in Multi Oxides Doped Borotellurite Glasses
Authors: Malge Amarkumar , Sankarappa T. , Devidas G.B. , Ashwajeet J.S. , Devidas Ashwini , Heerasingh Mohansingh
Published: April 2022

Melt quenching technique has been adopted to synthesize a set of borotellurite glasses consisting of ZnO, Li2O, WO3 and Dy2O3, with a varied content of WO3. After confirming their amorphous nature by XRD, they were investigated for dielectric properties over a wide range of freqency and temperature. Observed variations in dielectric parameters with frequency, temperarure and composition suggests the presence of mobility of charge carriers, increase of loss due to ionic migration and involvement of dc conductivity. Single phase and conducting nature of the samples have been obtained by sketching cole-cole plots. DC conductivity estimated from impedance spectra indicated semiconducting nature and its activation energy increased with increase of WO3 concentration. Dielectric relaxation time and its thermal activation energy were determined independently from modulus and impedance and found that the former decreased with increase of temperature and the later increased with WO3 content. Master curves drawn for electric moduli revealed that relaxation mechanism in these glasses is temperature independent.
Study of stagnation layer of laterally colliding laser produced aluminium plasmas
Authors: S. Shilpa , Gopinath Pramod
Published: April 2022

When two dense laser produced plasmas collide, a layer of plasma stagnates at the collision front exhibiting special properties, is called stagnation layer. The characteristics of stagnation layer formed due to the collision of two laser produced aluminium plasmas were studied using spectroscopic and the fast imaging techniques. Time gated Intensified Charge Coupled Device (ICCD) imaging was used to study the temporal evolution of stagnation region and time resolved spectroscopy was used to obtain information about the distribution of neutral as well as the ionic species in collision process of laterally colliding aluminum plasmas. Electron density and temperature of the stagnation layer were also calculated from the emission spectra. The overall experiment results clearly depict the peculiar properties of stagnation layer which is more advantageous than the conventional laser produced plasma.
Pharmacological screening of heartwood of Tectona grandis Linn.for antibacterial activity by Agar-Well Diffusion method
Authors: Singh R
Published: April 2022

Medicinal plants has always been a subject of interest for human being from ancient times due to health benefits. Researchers found that, people in different regions of the world used the same or similar plants for health benefits. Medicinal plant research includes many fields like drug discovery, ethnobotany, traditional and indigenous medicines. During corona pandemic we realised that there are no effective therapies available for new and remerging infectious diseases. Public health badly affected due to drug resistant microorganism and appearance of new disease causing microbes. Due to increasing side effects of synthetic drugs and uncontrolled infectious diseases researchers have taken interest in natural sources of medicines and have screened a large number of plants for new bioactive compounds. Natural products have been a well-known source of various molecules in the process of drug discovery and many bioactive natural product derivatives. Stereo chemical and structural properties of natural products are characteristics which are responsible for exploring novel molecular diversity. One of the successful strategies for the investigation of new medicinal agents from plants includes screening of plant extract, fractions followed by the purification of the constituents. Several plants and their products have been evaluated for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. In present study, the ethanolic extract of the heartwood of Tectona grandis Linn. was screened for antibacterial activity.
The effect of co-dopants (Cu3+, Sm3+-ions) on the optical properties of Sodium-Zinc-Borate glasses
Authors: Hemalatha S. , Nagaraja M. , A. Madhu , K Vinayak Pattar , Suresh K. , N Srinatha
Published: April 2022

In this article, we describe the synthesis and optical characteristics of (Cu2+, Sm3+-ions) doped sodium zinc borate glasses made using the conventional melt quenching technique. The produced glasses were investigated using XRD, UV-Visible-NIR, and Photoluminescence spectroscopy. XRD analysis reveals the amorphous nature of produced glass samples. The presence of both Cu2+ and Sm3+ ions may be seen in UV-Visible-NIR absorption spectra in the 200-2000 nm range. Refractive index, density, and energy band gaps were all examined as physical and optical variables.In addition, photoluminescence emission spectra for two excitation wavelengths, 290 nm and 400 nm, were obtained to confirm Cu2+ and Sm3+-ions-induced photoluminescence in sodium zinc borate glasses, respectively. When using a 290 nm excitation, the spectra exhibited one wide emission peak about 460 nm, however when using a 400 nm excitation, the spectra revealed three separate peaks in the visible region.The spectral properties of all of the samples were identical. The drop in PL intensity with Sm3+ concentration might be attributed to energy transfer between copper and samarium ions with 400 nm excitation. Surprisingly, the glass sample with 1 mol% Sm3+ exhibits the highest visible PL intensity / emission. The investigation’s findings show that the produced samples are viable candidates for photonic and LED applications.
Impact of electron-phonon interactions on Wigner crystallization in an electron quantum wire
Authors: Puttar Devi , Verma Vishal , Garg Vinayak , Moudgil R. K.
Published: April 2022

In this paper, we explore the impact of electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling on the Wigner crystallization occurring due to strong electron-electron (e-e) interactions in a semiconductor-based electron quantum wire. The e-ph coupling is represented by the Fröhlich interaction potential and electron correlations are included within the dynamic version of self-consistent mean-field approximation of Hasegawa and Shimizu. Numerical results are reported for the static structure factor and pair-correlation function for fixed wire width and some selected values of electron number density parameter rs
. A strong peak in the static structure factor and pronounced periodic oscillations in pair-correlation function indicate the formation of Wigner crystal in the quantum wire at a critical electron number density rs
c
. We find that the inclusion of e-ph interactions in addition to the usual e-e interactions significantly enhance rs
c
, at a fixed wire width.
Influence of lanthanum doping on the structural and optical properties of cerium tungstate nanocrystals
Authors: Jose Anjaly , H Hitha , Kuriakose Soumya , John Mathew , varghese Thomas
Published: April 2022

In this study, the effect of lanthanum (La) doping on the structural and optical properties of cerium tungstate nanocrystals synthesized by the chemical precipitation method is investigated. The X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the crystalline phase formation and observed no phase change with doping. It is interesting to note that the crystallite size is decreased with La doping. The characteristic vibrational peaks of W-O bonds are confirmed from the FTIR and Raman spectroscopic studies and found no appreciable changes in the spectral positions with doping. The optical properties are studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The characteristic broad blue PL emission from the tetrahedral tungstate group is observed for the pure and doped samples, and the appreciable variation in PL intensity can be associated with the formation of defects that occurred while doping.
Highly Efficient Degradation of Organic Compounds via β-Bi2O3Semiconductor Under Visible Illumination
Authors: Alkanad Khaled , Ali Othman , G. C. Sujay Shekar , Hezam Abdo , Abdullah Bajiri Mohammed , N. K. Lokanath
Published: April 2022

β-Bi2O3semiconductor nanoparticles synthesized by solution combustion method. The as-synthesized sample was systematically characterized by several techniques, including PXRD, DLS, Raman spectrometry, SEM, and DRS-UV-vis spectroscopy. PXRD and Raman analyses confirmed high crystallinity and phase purity of the prepared β-Bi2O3. SEM and DLS showed the morphology and the agglomeration of β-Bi2O3nanoparticles.DRS-UV-Vis showed the enhanced visible light absorption toward the visible light range with bandgap 2.43 eV. Significantly, β-Bi2O3 nanoparticles demonstrated outstanding visible-light photocatalytic properties, revealed enhanced methylene blue (MB) dye degradation. 91% of the dye content was degraded by 30 minutes under 50W visible LED light irradiation, which could be attributed to enhanced visible light absorption and the smaller size of the synthesized nanoparticles.
Structure assigned optical transitions from single walled carbon nanotube based high absorber composite thin film coatings
Authors: Saini Sonia , Reshmi S , Gouda Girish M , Bhattacharjee Kuntala
Published: April 2022

Single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) exhibit unique electronic and optical properties owing to their one-dimensional (1D) structures that are described by a set of chiral indices (n, m), diameter (d) and chiral angle (θ). Absorption and optical spectroscopies are powerful techniques to determine the structure and diameter distribution of the SWCNTs through bulk measurements. In this work, we correlate structure assigned absorption features with the corresponding optical transitions observed from the SWCNT based high absorber composite thin film coatings. Various optical signatures demonstrated here are direct manifestation of electronic transitions happening within the sharp van Hove (vH) states of valence band, v2
to conduction band, c2
from SWCNTs of particular chiral indices and diameter. These transitions arising within the vH singularities due to unique 1D structures of SWCNTs, correspond to the energy band E22. The presentwork based on empirical calculations according to tight binding model (TB) approximation, represents unique way of correlating structure assigned absorption features with the optical transitions that can have direct impact in tuning the bandgap of SWCNTs of specific diameter and chirality for nanoelectronics and nanophotonic applications.
Study of dry wear behavior of Novel ferrous samples prepared by powder metallurgy method
Authors: Singh Baljeet , Grewal Jasmaninder Singh
Published: April 2022

The sliding wear behavior of newly developed ferrous powder metallurgy samples was investigated under dry sliding conditions. Wear tests were conducted by varying the normal loads of 30 N, 40 N, and 50 N at a constant velocity of 1 m s−1 and then at a constant load of 30 N by varying the sliding velocities by 0.5 m s−1, 1 m s−1, and 2 m s−1 at room temperature. Furthermore, the variations in the wear rate and coefficient of friction at a constant sliding distance of 5400 m were studied at different normal loads keeping sliding velocity constant at 1 m s−1 as well as at different sliding velocities and maintaining normal load at 30 N. The wear characteristics were evaluated using weight loss measurements. The mechanism of wear was observed using a scanning electron microscope and compositional analysis using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). It was found that increased normal load had a dominant effect on the wear loss in comparison to increased sliding speed during the tribological testing of the powder metallurgy samples.
Atomic precision manufacturing of carbon nanotube—a perspective
Authors: Xiang Rong
Published: April 2022

Carbon nanotube (CNT), particularly single-walled CNT, possesses exceptional properties, and can be utilized in many high-end applications including high-performance electronics. However, the atomic arrangement of a CNT determines its band structure, making the atomic-precision fabrication one of most important topics for the development of this material. In this perspective, the author gives a personal summary on the history, current status of the atomic-precision fabrication of CNT and outlines the remaining challenges as well as the possible paths that may lead the production of atomically precise CNTs from ‘fabrication’ to ‘manufacturing’.
Development of an innovative partnership between a health-system department of pharmacy and external community pharmacies
Authors: Vest Mary-Haston , Weber Tim , Savage Scott , Lovince Judith , McKnight Lauren , Zachary Debbie , Rush Jordan
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Our organization implemented a health-system pharmacy/community pharmacy transitions of care (TOC) program, developing a scalable model to improve care transitions from the health system to the community setting for shared patients.

In this report, we describe our organization’s experiences in taking a purposeful approach to building and pilot testing a partnership between our department of pharmacy and 14 community pharmacies within a larger statewide network to improve TOC across care settings. We have been successful in partnering with our electronic health record (EHR) vendor to enhance access capabilities to allow for documentation by community pharmacists (external to the organization) to be included in the patient record as a note. The goal of the partnership with community pharmacies is to elevate TOC for patients, identify and resolve medication therapy problems that may occur post discharge and lead to poor outcomes, and improve continuity of care across practice settings.

Conclusion

Our department of pharmacy has led a successful initiative to promote collaboration with local external community pharmacies. This program has led to innovative advancements in EHR capabilities, promoting transparency in the documentation of pharmacy services and making this documentation visible to all care team members.
Biallelic ADAM22 pathogenic variants cause progressive encephalopathy and infantile-onset refractory epilepsy
Authors: van der Knoop Marieke M , Maroofian Reza , Fukata Yuko , van Ierland Yvette , Karimiani Ehsan G , Lehesjoki Anna Elina , Muona Mikko , Paetau Anders , Miyazaki Yuri , Hirano Yoko , Selim Laila , de França Marina , Fock Rodrigo Ambrosio , Beetz Christian , Ruivenkamp Claudia A L , Eaton Alison J , Morneau-Jacob Francois D , Sagi-Dain Lena , Shemer-Meiri Lilach , Peleg Amir , Haddad-Halloun Jumana , Kamphuis Daan J , Peeters-Scholte Cacha M P C D , Kurul Semra Hiz , Horvath Rita , Lochmüller Hanns , Murphy David , Waldmüller Stephan , Spranger Stephanie , Overberg David , Muir Alison M , Rad Aboulfazl , Vona Barbara , Abdulwahad Firdous , Maddirevula Sateesh , Povolotskaya Inna S , Voinova Victoria Y , Gowda Vykuntaraju K , Srinivasan Varunvenkat M , Alkuraya Fowzan S , Mefford Heather C , Alfadhel Majid , Haack Tobias B , Striano Pasquale , Severino Mariasavina , Fukata Masaki , Hilhorst-Hofstee Yvonne , Houlden Henry
Published: April 2022

Pathogenic variants in A Disintegrin And Metalloproteinase (ADAM) 22, the postsynaptic cell membrane receptor for the glycoprotein leucine-rich repeat glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1), have been recently associated with recessive developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. However, so far, only two affected individuals have been described and many features of this disorder are unknown.

We refine the phenotype and report 19 additional individuals harbouring compound heterozygous or homozygous inactivating ADAM22 variants, of whom 18 had clinical data available. Additionally, we provide follow-up data from two previously reported cases. All affected individuals exhibited infantile-onset, treatment-resistant epilepsy. Additional clinical features included moderate to profound global developmental delay/intellectual disability (20/20), hypotonia (12/20) and delayed motor development (19/20). Brain MRI findings included cerebral atrophy (13/20), supported by post-mortem histological examination in patient-derived brain tissue, cerebellar vermis atrophy (5/20), and callosal hypoplasia (4/20). Functional studies in transfected cell lines confirmed the deleteriousness of all identified variants and indicated at least three distinct pathological mechanisms: (i) defective cell membrane expression; (ii) impaired LGI1-binding; and/or (iii) impaired interaction with the postsynaptic density protein PSD-95.

We reveal novel clinical and molecular hallmarks of ADAM22 deficiency and provide knowledge that might inform clinical management and early diagnostics.
Post-acute blood biomarkers and disease progression in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Newcombe Virginia F J , Ashton Nicholas J , Posti Jussi P , Glocker Ben , Manktelow Anne , Chatfield Doris A , Winzeck Stefan , Needham Edward , Correia Marta M , Williams Guy B , Simrén Joel , Takala Riikka S K , Katila Ari J , Maanpää Henna Riikka , Tallus Jussi , Frantzén Janek , Blennow Kaj , Tenovuo Olli , Zetterberg Henrik , Menon David K
Published: April 2022

There is substantial interest in the potential for traumatic brain injury to result in progressive neurological deterioration. While blood biomarkers such as glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light have been widely explored in characterizing acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), their use in the chronic phase is limited. Given increasing evidence that these proteins may be markers of ongoing neurodegeneration in a range of diseases, we examined their relationship to imaging changes and functional outcome in the months to years following TBI.

Two-hundred and three patients were recruited in two separate cohorts; 6 months post-injury (n = 165); and >5 years post-injury (n = 38; 12 of whom also provided data ∼8 months post-TBI). Subjects underwent blood biomarker sampling (n = 199) and MRI (n = 172; including diffusion tensor imaging). Data from patient cohorts were compared to 59 healthy volunteers and 21 non-brain injury trauma controls. Mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy were calculated in cortical grey matter, deep grey matter and whole brain white matter. Accelerated brain ageing was calculated at a whole brain level as the predicted age difference defined using T1-weighted images, and at a voxel-based level as the annualized Jacobian determinants in white matter and grey matter, referenced to a population of 652 healthy control subjects.

Serum neurofilament light concentrations were elevated in the early chronic phase. While GFAP values were within the normal range at ∼8 months, many patients showed a secondary and temporally distinct elevations up to >5 years after injury. Biomarker elevation at 6 months was significantly related to metrics of microstructural injury on diffusion tensor imaging. Biomarker levels at ∼8 months predicted white matter volume loss at >5 years, and annualized brain volume loss between ∼8 months and 5 years. Patients who worsened functionally between ∼8 months and >5 years showed higher than predicted brain age and elevated neurofilament light levels.

GFAP and neurofilament light levels can remain elevated months to years after TBI, and show distinct temporal profiles. These elevations correlate closely with microstructural injury in both grey and white matter on contemporaneous quantitative diffusion tensor imaging. Neurofilament light elevations at ∼8 months may predict ongoing white matter and brain volume loss over >5 years of follow-up. If confirmed, these findings suggest that blood biomarker levels at late time points could be used to identify TBI survivors who are at high risk of progressive neurological damage.
Ubiquitin ligases and a processive proteasome facilitate protein clearance during the oocyte-to-embryo transition inCaenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Spike Caroline A , Tsukamoto Tatsuya , Greenstein David
Published: April 2022

The ubiquitin-mediated degradation of oocyte translational regulatory proteins is a conserved feature of the oocyte-to-embryo transition. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, multiple translational regulatory proteins, including the TRIM-NHL RNA-binding protein LIN-41/Trim71 and the Pumilio-family RNA-binding proteins PUF-3 and PUF-11, are degraded during the oocyte-to-embryo transition. Degradation of each protein requires activation of the M-phase cyclin-dependent kinase CDK-1, is largely complete by the end of the first meiotic division and does not require the anaphase-promoting complex. However, only LIN-41 degradation requires the F-box protein SEL-10/FBW7/Cdc4p, the substrate recognition subunit of an SCF-type E3 ubiquitin ligase. This finding suggests that PUF-3 and PUF-11, which localize to LIN-41-containing ribonucleoprotein particles, are independently degraded through the action of other factors and that the oocyte ribonucleoprotein particles are disassembled in a concerted fashion during the oocyte-to-embryo transition. We develop and test the hypothesis that PUF-3 and PUF-11 are targeted for degradation by the proteasome-associated HECT-type ubiquitin ligase ETC-1/UBE3C/Hul5, which is broadly expressed in C. elegans. We find that several GFP-tagged fusion proteins that are degraded during the oocyte-to-embryo transition, including fusions with PUF-3, PUF-11, LIN-41, IFY-1/Securin, and CYB-1/Cyclin B, are incompletely degraded when ETC-1 function is compromised. However, it is the fused GFP moiety that appears to be the critical determinant of this proteolysis defect. These findings are consistent with a conserved role for ETC-1 in promoting proteasome processivity and suggest that proteasomal processivity is an important element of the oocyte-to-embryo transition during which many key oocyte regulatory proteins are rapidly targeted for degradation.
Chromosome-level genome of the globe skimmer dragonfly (Pantala flavescens)
Authors: Liu Hangwei , Jiang Fan , Wang Sen , Wang Hengchao , Wang Anqi , Zhao Hanbo , Xu Dong , Yang Boyuan , Fan Wei
Published: April 2022

Background

The globe skimmer dragonfly (Pantala flavescens) is a notable Odonata insect distributed in nature fields and farmlands worldwide, and it is commonly recognized as a natural enemy because it preys on agricultural pests and health pests. As one of the sister groups of winged insects, odonatan species are key to understanding the evolution of insect wings.

Findings

We present a high-quality reference genome of P. flavescens, which is the first chromosome-level genome in the Palaeoptera (Odonata and Ephemeroptera). The assembled genome size was 662 Mb, with a contig N50 of 16.2 Mb. Via Hi-C scaffolding, 648 Mb (97.9%) of contig sequences were clustered, ordered, and assembled into 12 large scaffolds, each corresponding to a natural chromosome. The X chromosome was identified by sequence coverage depth. The repetitive sequences and gene density of the X chromosome are similar to those of autosomal sequences, but the X chromosome shows a much lower degree of heterozygosity. Our analysis shows that the effective population size experienced 3 declining events, which may have been caused by climate change and environmental pollution.

Conclusions

The genome of P. flavescens provides more information on the biology and evolution of insects and will help for the use of this species in pest control.
The Futility of Futility Analyses in Adjuvant Trials in Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Lohmann Ana Elisa , Ennis Marguerite , Parulekar Wendy R , Chen Bingshu E , Tomlinson George , Goodwin Pamela J
Published: April 2022

An interim analysis is commonly used in phase III superiority trials to compare treatment arms, with the goal of terminating exposure of patients to ineffective or unsafe drugs or to identify highly effective therapies for earlier public disclosure. Traditionally, interim analyses have been designed to identify early evidence of extremely large benefit of the experimental approach, potentially leading to early dissemination of effective treatments. Increasingly, interim analysis has also involved analysis of futility, which may lead to early termination of a trial that will not yield additional useful information. This presents an important challenge in early stage hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, where recurrence often occurs late, with a steady annual event rate up to 20 years. Early analysis of events may miss late treatment effects that can be observed only with longer follow-up. We discuss approaches to futility analysis in adjuvant clinical trials in hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, the role of the Data Safety Monitoring Committee in such analyses, considerations of the potential harms vs benefits of treatment, and the risks of continuing vs early termination of a trial.
Toni Morrison’sTheir Eyes Were Watching God
Authors: Pollak Alec
Published: April 2022

I argue that Toni Morrison’s Tar Baby (1981) is a deliberate rewriting of Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God (1937) and was, at the time of its publication, a critical intervention into heated scholarly debates over Janie Crawford’s suitability as a representative of what Jennifer Jordan terms “modern black feminism.” Morrison recasts the early twentieth-century Janie Crawford as the contemporary Jadine Childs and, availing herself of the descriptive and explanatory resources of her post-civil rights moment, renders Jadine’s capacity for self-determination undeniable, thus calling into question contemporaneous critiques of Janie as Hurston’s failed attempt to write, in Hortense J. Spillers’s words, “new” and self-determined “female being.” The novels, read together, reject the foundational paradigm of Black women’s literary succession—built as it has been around models of accretive, intergenerational possibility, wherein each successive generation of Black women characters attains new heights of self-determination—which posits Hurston and her characters as the necessary precursors of but regressive foils to Morrison and her characters’ political and literary self-actualization. Given Janie’s and Jadine’s shared experiences, reactions, and choices across drastically differing sociohistorical contexts, this polarization, Tar Baby suggests, is more a consequence of critics’ entrenched presuppositions than any tangible failings on Janie’s part. As a pair, Tar Baby and Their Eyes Were Watching God exhort readers to forgo the quest for what Jordan calls an “ideologically correct literature” on narrowly contemporary terms and, instead, to pursue recognition of Black women’s agency and truth-telling on malleable terms, even (and especially) amid the historical constraints placed upon these characters’ voices and upon representations thereof.
Phase I/randomized phase II trial of TRC105 plus bevacizumab versus bevacizumab in recurrent glioblastoma: North Central Cancer Treatment Group N1174 (Alliance)
Authors: Galanis Evanthia , Anderson S Keith , Twohy Erin , Butowski Nicholas A , Hormigo Adilia , Schiff David , Omuro Antonio , Jaeckle Kurt A , Kumar Shaji , Kaufmann Timothy J , Geyer Susan , Kumthekar Priya U , Campian Jian , Giannini Caterina , Buckner Jan C , Wen Patrick Y
Published: April 2022

Background

Patients with glioblastoma (GBM) have a poor prognosis and limited effective treatment options. Bevacizumab has been approved for treatment of recurrent GBM, but there is questionable survival benefit. Based on preclinical and early clinical data indicating that CD105 upregulation may represent a mechanism of resistance to bevacizumab, we hypothesized that combining bevacizumab with the anti-CD105 antibody TRC105 may improve efficacy in recurrent GBM.

Methods

Phase I dose-escalation/comparative randomized phase II trial in patients with GBM. During phase I, the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of TRC105 in combination with bevacizumab was determined. In phase II, patients were randomized 1:1 to TRC105 and bevacizumab or bevacizumab monotherapy. Patients received TRC105 (10 mg/kg) weekly and bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) every 2 weeks. Efficacy, as assessed by progression-free survival (PFS), was the primary endpoint; safety, quality of life, and correlative outcomes were also evaluated.

Results

In total, 15 patients were enrolled in phase I and 101 in phase II; 52 patients were randomized to TRC105 with bevacizumab and 49 to bevacizumab monotherapy. The MTD was determined to be 10 mg/kg TRC105 weekly plus bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. An increased occurrence of grade ≥3 adverse events was seen in the combination arm, including higher incidences of anemia. Median PFS was similar in both treatment arms: 2.9 months for combination versus 3.2 months for bevacizumab monotherapy (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.75–1.78, P = .51). Quality of life scores were similar for both treatment arms.

Conclusions

TRC105 in combination with bevacizumab was well tolerated in patients with recurrent GBM, but no difference in efficacy was observed compared to bevacizumab monotherapy.
The interplay of auxin and brassinosteroid signaling tunes root growth under low and different nitrogen forms
Authors: Devi Loitongbam Lorinda , Pandey Anshika , Gupta Shreya , Singh Amar Pal
Published: April 2022

The coordinated signaling activity of auxin and brassinosteroids (BRs) is critical for optimal plant growth and development. Nutrient-derived signals regulate root growth by modulating the levels and spatial distribution of growth hormones to optimize nutrient uptake and assimilation. However, the effect of the interaction of these two hormones and their signaling on root plasticity during low and differential availability of nitrogen (N) forms (NH4+/NO3-) remains elusive. We demonstrate that root elongation under low N (LN) is an outcome of the interdependent activity of auxin and BR signaling pathways in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). LN promotes root elongation by increasing BR-induced auxin transport activity in the roots. Increased nuclear auxin signaling and its transport efficiency have a distinct impact on root elongation under LN conditions. High auxin levels reversibly inhibit BR signaling via BRI1 KINASE INHIBITOR1. Using the tissue-specific approach, we show that BR signaling from root vasculature (stele) tissues is sufficient to promote cell elongation and, hence, root growth under LN condition. Further, we show that N form-defined root growth attenuation or enhancement depends on the fine balance of BR and auxin signaling activity. NH4+ as a sole N source represses BR signaling and response, which in turn inhibits auxin response and transport, whereas NO3- promotes root elongation in a BR signaling-dependent manner. In this study, we demonstrate the interplay of auxin and BR-derived signals, which are critical for root growth in a heterogeneous N environment and appear essential for root N foraging response and adaptation.
Liquidation Cascade and Anticipatory Trading: Evidence from the Structured Equity Product Market
Authors: Auh Jun Kyung , Cho Wonho
Published: April 2022

We show that structured equity derivatives can cause significant price pressure of the underlying stock upon an event of dramatic payoff change. Moreover, one event causes another: the event cascade amplifies the magnitude of the impact. We find that a single event accounts for a −6.4% return on the event day, and it increases the probability of a subsequent event by 21.3%. Given the negative price impact, traders try to liquidate ahead of each other, exacerbating the degree of price pressure. Our results uncover the chain-reaction and (mis)coordination mechanism in complex derivatives markets that can provoke substantial price shocks. (JEL G12, G14, G24).
Pre-defined gene co-expression modules in rheumatoid arthritis transition towards molecular health following anti-TNF therapy
Authors: Sutcliffe Megan , Nair Nisha , Oliver James , Morgan Ann W , Isaacs John D , Wilson Anthony G , Verstappen Suzanne M M , Viatte Sebastien , Hyrich Kimme L , Morris Andrew P , Barton Anne , Plant Darren
Published: April 2022

Background

No reliable biomarkers to predict response to TNF inhibitors (TNFi) in RA patients currently exist. The aims of this study were to replicate changes in gene co-expression modules that were previously reported in response to TNFi therapy in RA; to test if changes in module expression are specific to TNFi therapy; and to determine whether module expression transitions towards a disease-free state in responding patients.

Method

Published transcriptomic data from the whole blood of disease-free controls (n = 10) and RA patients, treated with the TNFi adalimumab (n = 70) or methotrexate (n = 85), were studied. Treatment response was assessed using the EULAR response criteria following 3 or 6 months of treatment. Change in transcript expression between pre- and post-treatment was recorded for previously defined modules. Linear mixed models tested whether modular expression after treatment transitioned towards a disease-free state.

Results

For 25 of the 27 modules, change in expression between pre- and post-treatment in the adalimumab cohort replicated published findings. Of these 25 modules, six transitioned towards a disease-free state by 3 months (P < 0.05), irrespective of clinical response. One module (M3.2), related to inflammation and TNF biology, significantly correlated with response to adalimumab. Similar patterns of modular expression, with reduced magnitude, were observed in the methotrexate cohort.

Conclusion

This study provides independent validation of changes in module expression in response to therapy in RA. However, these effects are not specific to TNFi. Further studies are required to determine whether specific modules could assist molecular classification of therapeutic response.
Humoral response to coronavirus disease-19 vaccines is dependent on dosage and timing of rituximab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: van der Togt Céleste J T , Ten Cate David F , den Broeder Nathan , Rahamat-Langendoen Janette , van den Bemt Bart J F , den Broeder Alfons A
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Humoral response to vaccines in RA patients treated with rituximab (RTX) in standard dosages (≥1000 mg) is decreased. Ultra-low dosages (500 or 200 mg) may have better response. Also, timing after latest RTX infusion may be an important variable. We aimed to investigate the influence of RTX dosage and timing on response to COVID-19 vaccination in RA patients.

Methods

A single-centre observational study (n = 196) investigated the humoral response, measured by total Ig anti-COVID-19 assay (positive response ≥1.1), 2–6 weeks after complete COVID-19 vaccination. A multivariable logistic regression model was built to study the effect of RTX dosage and time between latest rituximab and vaccination on response, adjusting for age and methotrexate use.

Results

After two-dose vaccination, the response rate was significantly better for patients receiving 200 mg (n = 31, 45%) rituximab compared with 1000 mg (n = 98, 26%; odds ratio 3.07, 95% CI 1.14–8.27) and for each additional month between latest rituximab and vaccination (OR 1.67, 1.39–2.01).

Conclusion

Both increased time between latest rituximab infusion and complete vaccination, and 200 mg as latest dose were associated with a better response to COVID-19 vaccination and should be considered when trying to increase vaccine response after rituximab in RA patients.

Trial registration

Netherlands Trial Register, https://www.trialregister.nl/, NL9342.
The impact of disease severity measures on survival in U.S. veterans with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease
Authors: Brooks Rebecca , Baker Joshua F , Yang Yangyuna , Roul Punyasha , Kerr Gail S , Reimold Andreas M , Kunkel Gary , Wysham Katherine D , Singh Namrata , Lazaro Deana , Monach Paul A , Poole Jill A , Ascherman Dana P , Mikuls Ted R , England Bryant R
Published: April 2022

Objectives

To determine whether RA and interstitial lung disease (ILD) severity measures are associated with survival in patients with RA-ILD.

Methods

We studied US veterans with RA-ILD participating in a multicentre, prospective RA cohort study. RA disease activity (28-joint DAS [DAS28-ESR]) and functional status (multidimensional HAQ [MDHAQ]) were collected longitudinally while pulmonary function tests (forced vital capacity [FVC], diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide) were obtained from medical records. Vital status and cause of death were determined from the National Death Index and administrative data. Predictors of death were assessed using multivariable Cox regression models adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, ILD duration, comorbidity burden and medications.

Results

We followed 227 RA-ILD participants (93% male and mean age of 69 years) over 1073 person-years. Median survival after RA-ILD diagnosis was 8.5 years. Respiratory diseases (28%) were the leading cause of death, with ILD accounting for 58% of respiratory deaths. Time-varying DAS28-ESR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.21; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.41) and MDHAQ (aHR 1.85; 95% CI: 1.29, 2.65) were separately associated with mortality independent of FVC and other confounders. Modelled together, the presence of either uncontrolled disease activity (moderate/high DAS28-ESR) or FVC impairment (<80% predicted) was significantly associated with mortality risk. Those with a combination of moderate/high disease activity and FVC <80% predicted had the highest risk of death (aHR 4.43; 95% CI: 1.70, 11.55).

Conclusion

Both RA and ILD disease severity measures are independent predictors of survival in RA-ILD. These findings demonstrate the prognostic value of monitoring the systemic features of RA-ILD.
Human land use impacts viral diversity and abundance in a New Zealand river
Authors: French Rebecca , Charon Justine , Lay Callum Le , Muller Chris , Holmes Edward C
Published: April 2022

Although water-borne viruses have important implications for the health of humans and other animals, little is known about the impact of human land use on viral diversity and evolution in water systems such as rivers. We used metatranscriptomic sequencing to compare the diversity and abundance of viruses at sampling sites along a single river in New Zealand that differed in human land-use impacts, ranging from pristine to urban. From this, we identified 504 putative virus species, of which 97 per cent were novel. Many of the novel viruses were highly divergent and likely included a new subfamily within the Parvoviridae. We identified at least sixty-three virus species that may infect vertebrates—most likely fish and water birds—from the Astroviridae, Birnaviridae, Parvoviridae, and Picornaviridae. No putative human viruses were detected. Importantly, we observed differences in the composition of viral communities at sites impacted by human land use (farming and urban) compared to native forest sites (pristine). At the viral species level, the urban sites had higher diversity (327 virus species) than the farming (n = 150) and pristine sites (n = 119), and more viruses were shared between the urban and farming sites (n = 76) than between the pristine and farming or urban sites (n = 24). The two farming sites had a lower viral abundance across all host types, while the pristine sites had a higher abundance of viruses associated with animals, plants, and fungi. We also identified viruses linked to agriculture and human impact at the river sampling sites in farming and urban areas that were not present at the native forest sites. Although based on a small sample size, our study suggests that human land use can impact viral communities in rivers, such that further work is needed to reduce the impact of intensive farming and urbanisation on water systems.