bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seismic Diffraction Imaging to Characterize Mass‐Transport Complexes: Examples From the Gulf of Cadiz, South West Iberian Margin
Authors: Ford Jonathan , Urgeles Roger , Camerlenghi Angelo , Gràcia Eulàlia
Published: January 2021

Mass‐transport complexes (MTCs) are often characterized by small‐scale discontinuous internal structure, such as slide blocks, rough interfaces, faults, and truncated strata. Seismic images may not properly resolve such structure because seismic reflections are fundamentally limited in lateral resolution by the source bandwidth. The relatively weak seismic diffractions, instead, encode information on subwavelength‐scale structure, with superior illumination. In this paper, we compare diffraction imaging to conventional, full‐wavefield seismic imaging to characterize MTCs. We apply a seismic diffraction imaging workflow based on plane‐wave destruction filters to two 2D marine multichannel seismic profiles from the Gulf of Cadiz. We observe that MTCs generate a large amount of diffracted energy relative to the unfailed confining sediments. The diffraction images show that some of this energy is localized along existing discontinuities imaged by the full‐wavefield images. We demonstrate that, in combination with full‐wavefield images, diffraction images can be utilized to better discriminate the lateral extent of MTCs, particularly for thin bodies. We suggest that diffraction images may be a more physically correct alternative to commonly used seismic discontinuity attributes derived from full‐wavefield images. Finally, we outline an approach to utilize the out‐of‐plane diffractions generated by the 3D structure of MTCs, normally considered a nuisance in 2D seismic processing. We use a controlled synthetic test and a real‐data example to show that under certain conditions these out‐of‐plane diffractions might be used to constrain the minimum width of MTCs from single 2D seismic profiles.
Evolution of Dry and Wet Spells Under Climate Change Over North‐Eastern North America
Authors: Vaittinada Ayar Pradeebane , Mailhot Alain
Published: January 2021

Risks associated to extreme hydrological conditions, such as floods and droughts, are expected to increase in future climate because of projected changes in precipitation and temperature. Assessing how wet and dry persisting conditions (or spells) will evolve in future climate is a crucial step in the study of extreme hydrological events. Projected changes over the north‐eastern part of North America in the annual number of wet days, wet, and dry spells characteristics (number, duration), and wet spells intensities are analyzed. Two regional climate model ensembles are considered: the multimember ensemble from the Canadian RCM v5 (CRCM5‐LE), and 16 simulations from the NA‐CORDEX multimodel ensemble both using the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (RCP8.5) scenario. Comparison of observed and simulated wet and dry spells characteristics is first performed in present climate (1971–2000). Regional Climate Model (RCM)s tend to generate too many wet days and wet or dry spells resulting in shorter dry spells and slightly longer wet spells. Modeling uncertainties are accounted for a bigger contribution to the bias than internal variability since the multimodel ensemble dispersion is the largest. Throughout the 21st century, both ensembles project significant trends in winter at higher latitudes resulting in increasing wet day frequency, increasing number of wet spell, longer wet spells and shorter dry spells. For other seasons, internal variability of the CRCM5‐LE and differences among the various NA‐CORDEX simulations seems to overwhelm the climate change signal. Wet spell intensities increases are projected for all seasons over almost the entire domain. Globally, wetter climate with potential significant hydrological impacts are expected in many regions.
Widespread Exposures of Extensive Clean Shallow Ice in the Midlatitudes of Mars
Authors: Dundas Colin M. , Mellon Michael T. , Conway Susan J. , Daubar Ingrid J. , Williams Kaj E. , Ojha Lujendra , Wray James J. , Bramson Ali M. , Byrne Shane , McEwen Alfred S. , Posiolova Liliya V. , Speth Gunnar , Viola Donna , Landis Margaret E. , Morgan Gareth A. , Pathare Asmin V.
Published: January 2021

Although ice in the Martian midlatitudes is typically covered by a layer of dust or regolith, it is exposed in some locations by fresh impact craters or in erosional scarps. In both cases, the exposed ice is massive or excess ice with a low lithic content. We find that erosional scarps occur between 50° and 61° north and south latitude and that they are concentrated in and near Milankovič crater in the northern hemisphere and southeast of the Hellas basin in the southern hemisphere. These may represent locations of particularly thick or clean bodies of ice. Pits created by retreat of the scarps represent sublimation‐thermokarst landforms that evolve in a manner distinct from other ice‐loss landforms on Mars. New impact craters reveal that clean subsurface ice is widespread at middle‐ and high‐latitudes in both hemispheres at depths less than 1 m. Both the depth to ice and the ice content appear to exhibit significant variability over tens to hundreds of meters. The lowest‐latitude exposed ice is near 39°N and is at the edge of a region where impact exposures between 40° and 50°N are common, consistent with other indications of a high ice content. This lowest‐latitude ice may be currently unstable and subliming. Impact craters on lineated valley fill excavate ice blocks that may represent the top of debris‐covered glacial ice. Together, these landforms indicate widespread, clean subsurface ice at middle‐latitudes on Mars. The distribution and properties of this ice could provide information about past climate conditions.
Unmixing Mineral Abundance and Mg# With Radiative Transfer Theory: Modeling and Applications
Authors: Sun Lingzhi , Lucey Paul G.
Published: January 2021

Mineral abundance and Mg# (100× molar Mg/(Mg + Fe)) are significant in understanding the crustal composition and thermal history of the Moon. In this study, we derive a new set of optical constants for olivine, orthopyroxene, and clinopyroxene using radiative transfer equations that include soil porosity and the opposition effect. Based on the new optical constants, we develop a mineral abundance and Mg# unmixing model, and build a spectral library composed of mineral mixtures of plagioclase, olivine, low‐Ca pyroxene (LCP) and high‐Ca pyroxene (HCP), and Mg# ranging within 40–90. The accuracy of this model in estimating mineral abundance and chemistry is better than 3 vol% for olivine, LCP and HCP, better than 6 vol% for plagioclase, and better than 10 for Mg#. This model is validated using forward and inverse modeling. For the forward modeling, we reproduce the spectra of powdered pure minerals and Lunar Sample Characterization Consortium (LSCC) lunar soils, and the modeled spectra are consistent with those measured in the laboratory. For the inverse modeling, we determined mineral abundances and Mg# of 19 LSCC soil spectra by searching the best match to the spectral library. The modeled mineral abundances of LSCC soils are consistent with those measured by X‐ray digital imaging. We derived a global Mg# map using our model and Moon Mineralogy Mapper images, and our Mg# map shows a peak concentration at 70, consistent with that measured by the Lunar Prospector gamma‐ray spectrometer.
The Use of Rain Gauge Measurements and Radar Data for the Model‐Based Prediction of Runoff‐Generated Debris‐Flow Occurrence in Early Warning Systems
Authors: Bernard Martino , Gregoretti Carlo
Published: January 2021

High‐intensity and short‐duration rainfalls can generate sudden and abundant runoff at the base of rocky cliffs that, entraining sediments, may originate debris flows. Two gauge networks have been set up in headwater sites of Dolomites (Northeastern Italian Alps) to monitor rainfall corresponding to the debris‐flow activity occurring there. The rain gauges are positioned both upstream and downstream the initiation areas of debris flows. Other five rain gauges sparse in the area integrate the two networks. In the years 2009–2020, rain gauges recorded rainfalls that triggered 41 debris flows. In most cases, rainfalls show a higher spatial variability along with both distance and altitude. Precipitation data are then compared with rainfalls estimated through a weather radar far about 70 km from there, to verify the possible interchangeability of the two measurement systems for the prediction of debris‐flow occurrence through suitable modeling of triggering discharges. The following results are obtained: (1) raw‐radar images mostly tend to underestimate precipitations recorded by rain gauges; (2) such underestimation entails, on average, a larger one on the simulated discharges and the prediction of debris‐flow occurrences (missed in 65% of the cases). Some methods for the correction on ground truth of raw‐radar images are applied to assess their use for evaluating the triggering discharges. Results show that once corrected using rain gauge data, radar‐derived rainfall estimates produce debris‐flow initiation predictions that more frequently match observations. Therefore, the presence of rain gauges close to the watershed centroids results essential for early warning systems based on triggering discharge modeling.
Influence of Bioturbation on Hyporheic Exchange in Streams: Conceptual Model and Insights From Laboratory Experiments
Authors: Shrivastava S. , Stewardson M. J. , Arora M.
Published: January 2021

Bioturbation occurs in streambeds by the action of a range of faunal species, but little is known about how it could modify the hyporheic exchange in streams. Previous experimental work investigating the effects of sediment‐biota interaction on exchange across the sediment‐water interface has been largely conducted in small mesocosms or infiltration columns that do not represent the lotic environment adequately. Therefore, the experimental findings from these studies may not be transferable to flowing water environments (e.g., streams). In this work, we first present a conceptual model demonstrating the causal pathways through which the sediment reworking and burrow ventilation processes (together referred to as bioturbation) could potentially modify the hyporheic flow regime. Next, to study the role of activities of faunal organisms in lotic environments and test some of the arguments presented in the model, laboratory experiments are conducted in re‐circulating flumes. The experiments involved investigating the modification of dune‐induced hyporheic flow due to the activities of a model bioturbating organism, Lumbriculus variegatus, following a control (without organisms) and treatment (with organisms) based experimental design. The sediment reworking activities such as surficial deposition of fecal pellets and burrowing by L. variegatus caused significantly higher hyporheic flux, longer mean residence times, and deeper solute penetration in the treatment flumes relative to the control flumes. We advocate that more intensive laboratory experiments and field investigations must be conducted to test the propositions put forward in the conceptual model and advance our understanding of the role of bioturbation process in fluvial ecosystems.
Phospho-ablation of cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 mitigates susceptibility to atrial fibrillation and improves glucose homeostasis under conditions of diet-induced obesity
Authors: Dewal Revati S. , Greer-Short Amara , Lane Cemantha , Nirengi Shinsuke , Manzano Pedro Acosta , Hernández-Saavedra Diego , Wright Katherine R. , Nassal Drew , Baer Lisa A. , Mohler Peter J. , Hund Thomas J. , Stanford Kristin I.
Published: January 2021

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, with growing evidence identifying obesity as an important risk factor for the development of AF. Although defective atrial myocyte excitability due to stress-induced remodeling of ion channels is commonly observed in the setting of AF, little is known about the mechanistic link between obesity and AF. Recent studies have identified increased cardiac late sodium current (INa,L) downstream of calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) activation as an important driver of AF susceptibility.

Methods

Here, we investigated a possible role for CaMKII-dependent INa,L in obesity-induced AF using wild-type (WT) and whole-body knock-in mice that ablates phosphorylation of the Nav1.5 sodium channel and prevents augmentation of the late sodium current (S571A; SA mice).

Results

A high-fat diet (HFD) increased susceptibility to arrhythmias in WT mice, while SA mice were protected from this effect. Unexpectedly, SA mice had improved glucose homeostasis and decreased body weight compared to WT mice. However, SA mice also had reduced food consumption compared to WT mice. Controlling for food consumption through pair feeding of WT and SA mice abrogated differences in weight gain and AF inducibility, but not atrial fibrosis, premature atrial contractions or metabolic capacity.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate a novel role for CaMKII-dependent regulation of Nav1.5 in mediating susceptibility to arrhythmias and whole-body metabolism under conditions of diet-induced obesity.
Strong internal resonance in a nonlinear, asymmetric microbeam resonator
Authors: Asadi Keivan , Yeom Junghoon , Cho Hanna
Published: January 2021

Exploiting nonlinear characteristics in micro/nanosystems has been a subject of increasing interest in the last decade. Among others, vigorous intermodal coupling through internal resonance (IR) has drawn much attention because it can suggest new strategies to steer energy within a micro/nanomechanical resonator. However, a challenge in utilizing IR in practical applications is imposing the required frequency commensurability between vibrational modes of a nonlinear micro/nanoresonator. Here, we experimentally and analytically investigate the 1:2 and 2:1 IR in a clamped–clamped beam resonator to provide insights into the detailed mechanism of IR. It is demonstrated that the intermodal coupling between the second and third flexural modes in an asymmetric structure (e.g., nonprismatic beam) provides an optimal condition to easily implement a strong IR with high energy transfer to the internally resonated mode. In this case, the quadratic coupling between these flexural modes, originating from the stretching effect, is the dominant nonlinear mechanism over other types of geometric nonlinearity. The design strategies proposed in this paper can be integrated into a typical micro/nanoelectromechanical system (M/NEMS) via a simple modification of the geometric parameters of resonators, and thus, we expect this study to stimulate further research and boost paradigm-shifting applications exploring the various benefits of IR in micro/nanosystems.
Replicable association between human cytomegalovirus infection and reduced white matter fractional anisotropy in major depressive disorder
Authors: Zheng Haixia , Bergamino Maurizio , Ford Bart N. , Kuplicki Rayus , Yeh Fang-Cheng , Bodurka Jerzy , Burrows Kaiping ,   Tulsa 1000 Investigators, Aupperle Robin , Bodurka Jerzy , Feinstein Justin , Khalsa Sahib S. , Paulus Martin P. , Savitz Jonathan , Victor Teresa A. , Hunt Peter W. , Teague T. Kent , Irwin Michael R. , Yolken Robert H. , Paulus Martin P. , Savitz Jonathan
Published: January 2021

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with reductions in white matter microstructural integrity as measured by fractional anisotropy (FA), an index derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The neurotropic herpesvirus, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), is a major cause of white matter pathology in immunosuppressed populations but its relationship with FA has never been tested in MDD despite the presence of inflammation and weakened antiviral immunity in a subset of depressed patients. We tested the relationship between FA and HCMV infection in two independent samples consisting of 176 individuals with MDD and 44 healthy controls (HC) (Discovery sample) and 88 participants with MDD and 48 HCs (Replication sample). Equal numbers of HCMV positive (HCMV+) and HCMV negative (HCMV−) groups within each sample were balanced on ten different clinical/demographic variables using propensity score matching. Anti-HCMV IgG antibodies were measured using a solid-phase ELISA. In the Discovery sample, significantly lower FA was observed in the right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF) in HCMV+ participants with MDD compared to HCMV− participants with MDD (cluster size 1316 mm3;pFWE < 0.05,d = −0.58). This association was confirmed in the replication sample by extracting the mean FA from this exact cluster and applying the identical statistical model (p < 0.05,d = −0.45). There was no significant effect of diagnosis or interaction between diagnosis and HCMV in either sample. The effect of chronic HCMV infection on white matter integrity may—in at-risk individuals—contribute to the psychopathology of depression. These findings may provide a novel target of intervention for a subgroup of patients with MDD.
Correction: Defining COMMD4 as an anti-cancer therapeutic target and prognostic factor in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Suraweera Amila , Duff Alex , Adams Mark N. , Jekimovs Christian , Duijf Pascal H. G. , Liu Cheng , McTaggart Matthew , Beard Sam , O’Byrne Kenneth J. , Richard Derek J.
Published: January 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41416-020-01242-4.
MKL1-induced lncRNA SNHG18 drives the growth and metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer via the miR-211-5p/BRD4 axis
Authors: Fan Huijie , Yuan Jing , Li Yaqing , Jia Yongxu , Li Jing , Wang Xiaofeng , Li Xingya
Published: January 2021

Megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1) is a key transcription factor involved in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth and metastasis. Yet, its downstream target genes, especially long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) targets, are poorly investigated. In this study, we employed lncRNA array technology to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs in NSCLC cells with or without overexpression of MKL1. Candidate lncRNAs were further explored for their clinical significance and function in NSCLC. The results showed that MKL1 promoted the expression of lncRNA SNHG18 in NSCLC cells. SNHG18 upregulation in NSCLC specimens correlated with lymph node metastasis and reduced overall survival of NSCLC patients. SNHG18 expression served as an independent prognostic factor for NSCLC. Knockdown of SNHG18 blocked MKL1-induced growth and invasion of NSCLC cells in vitro. Animal studies validated the requirement for SNHG18 in NSCLC growth and metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of SNHG18 promoted NSCLC cell proliferation and invasion. Mechanically, SNHG18 exerted its prometastatic effects on NSCLC cells through repression of miR-211-5p and induction of BRD4. Clinical evidence indicated that SNHG18 expression was negatively correlated with miR-211-5p expression in NSCLC tissues. Altogether, SNHG18 acts as a lncRNA mediator of MKL1 in NSCLC. SNHG18 facilitates NSCLC growth and metastasis by modulating the miR-211-5p/BRD4 axis. Therefore, SNHG18 may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of NSCLC.
The Bloom syndrome complex senses RPA-coated single-stranded DNA to restart stalled replication forks
Authors: Shorrocks Ann-Marie K. , Jones Samuel E. , Tsukada Kaima , Morrow Carl A. , Belblidia Zoulikha , Shen Johanna , Vendrell Iolanda , Fischer Roman , Kessler Benedikt M. , Blackford Andrew N.
Published: January 2021

The Bloom syndrome helicase BLM interacts with topoisomerase IIIα (TOP3A), RMI1 and RMI2 to form the BTR complex, which dissolves double Holliday junctions to produce non-crossover homologous recombination (HR) products. BLM also promotes DNA-end resection, restart of stalled replication forks, and processing of ultra-fine DNA bridges in mitosis. How these activities of the BTR complex are regulated in cells is still unclear. Here, we identify multiple conserved motifs within the BTR complex that interact cooperatively with the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein RPA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that RPA-binding is required for stable BLM recruitment to sites of DNA replication stress and for fork restart, but not for its roles in HR or mitosis. Our findings suggest a model in which the BTR complex contains the intrinsic ability to sense levels of RPA-ssDNA at replication forks, which controls BLM recruitment and activation in response to replication stress.
A new vector-based global river network dataset accounting for variable drainage density
Authors: Lin Peirong , Pan Ming , Wood Eric F. , Yamazaki Dai , Allen George H.
Published: January 2021

Spatial variability of river network drainage density (Dd) is a key feature of river systems, yet few existing global hydrography datasets have properly accounted for it. Here, we present a new vector-based global hydrography that reasonably estimates the spatial variability ofDdworldwide. It is built by delineating channels from the latest 90-m Multi-Error-Removed Improved Terrain (MERIT) digital elevation model and flow direction/accumulation. A machine learning approach is developed to estimateDdbased on the global watershed-level climatic, topographic, hydrologic, and geologic conditions, where relationships between hydroclimate factors andDdare trained using the high-quality National Hydrography Dataset Plus (NHDPlusV2) data. By benchmarking our dataset against HydroSHEDS and several regional hydrography datasets, we show the new river flowlines are in much better agreement with Landsat-derived centerlines, and improvedDdpatterns of river networks (totaling ~75 million kilometers in length) are obtained. Basins and estimates of intermittent stream fraction are also delineated to support water resources management. This new dataset (MERIT Hydro–Vector) should enable full global modeling of river system processes at fine spatial resolutions.
Sensitivity to food and cocaine cues are independent traits in a large sample of heterogeneous stock rats
Authors: King Christopher P. , Tripi Jordan A. , Hughson Alesa R. , Horvath Aidan P. , Lamparelli Alexander C. , Holl Katie L. , Chitre Apurva S. , Polesskaya Oksana , Ishiwari Keita , Solberg Woods Leah C. , Palmer Abraham A. , Robinson Terry E. , Flagel Shelly B. , Meyer Paul J.
Published: January 2021

Sensitivity to cocaine and its associated stimuli (“cues”) are important factors in the development and maintenance of addiction. Rodent studies suggest that this sensitivity is related, in part, to the propensity to attribute incentive salience to food cues, which, in turn, contributes to the maintenance of cocaine self-administration, and cue-induced relapse of drug-seeking. Whereas each of these traits has established links to drug use, the relatedness between the individual traits themselves has not been well characterized in preclinical models. To this end, the propensity to attribute incentive salience to a food cue was first assessed in two distinct cohorts of 2716 outbred heterogeneous stock rats (HS; formerly N:NIH). We then determined whether each cohort was associated with performance in one of two paradigms (cocaine conditioned cue preference and cocaine contextual conditioning). These measure the unconditioned locomotor effects of cocaine, as well as conditioned approach and the locomotor response to a cocaine-paired floor or context. There was large individual variability and sex differences among all traits, but they were largely independent of one another in both males and females. These findings suggest that these traits may contribute to drug-use via independent underlying neuropsychological processes.
Author Correction: Passive water ascent in a tall, scalable synthetic tree
Authors: Shi Weiwei , Dalrymple Richard M. , McKenny Collin J. , Morrow David S. , Rashed Ziad T. , Surinach Daniel A. , Boreyko Jonathan B.
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Measurement of hindered diffusion in complex geometries for high-speed studies of single-molecule forces
Authors: Bartsch Tobias F. , Villasante Camila M. , Hengel Felicitas E. , Touré Ahmed , Firester Daniel M. , Oswald Aaron , Hudspeth A. J.
Published: January 2021

In a high-speed single-molecule experiment with a force probe, a protein is tethered between two substrates that are manipulated to exert force on the system. To avoid nonspecific interactions between the protein and nearby substrates, the protein is usually attached to the substrates through long, flexible linkers. This approach precludes measurements of mechanical properties with high spatial and temporal resolution, for rapidly exerted forces are dissipated into the linkers. Because mammalian hearing operates at frequencies reaching tens to hundreds of kilohertz, the mechanical processes that occur during transduction are of very short duration. Single-molecule experiments on the relevant proteins therefore cannot involve long tethers. We previously characterized the mechanical properties of protocadherin 15 (PCDH15), a protein essential for human hearing, by tethering an individual monomer through very short linkers between a probe bead held in an optical trap and a pedestal bead immobilized on a glass coverslip. Because the two confining surfaces were separated by only the length of the tethered protein, hydrodynamic coupling between those surfaces complicated the interpretation of the data. To facilitate our experiments, we characterize here the anisotropic and position-dependent diffusion coefficient of a probe in the presence of an effectively infinite wall, the coverslip, and of the immobile pedestal.
Metal artefact reduction of different alloys with dual energy computed tomography (DECT)
Authors: Vellarackal Anand John , Kaim Achim Hermann
Published: January 2021

To evaluate the influence of dual-energy CT (DECT) and Virtual monochromatic spectral (VMS) imaging on: (1) the artefact size of geometrically identical orthopaedic implants consisting of three different compositions and (2) the image quality of the surrounding bone, three similar phantoms—each featuring one femoral stem composed of either titanium, chrome-cobalt or stainless steel surrounded by five calcium pellets (200 mg hydroxyapatite/calcium carbonate) to simulate bony tissue and one reference pellet located away from the femoral stem—were built. DECT with two sequential scans (80 kVp and 140 kVp; scan-to-scan technique) was performed, and VMS images were calculated between 40 and 190 keV. The artefact sizes were measured volumetrically by semiautomatic selection of regions of interest (ROIs), considering the VMS energies and the polychromatic spectres. Moreover, density and image noise within the pellets were measured. All three phantoms exhibit artefact size reduction as energy increases from 40 to 190 keV. Titanium exhibited a stronger reduction than chrome-cobalt and stainless steel. The artefacts were dependent on the diameter of the stem. Image quality increases with higher energies on VMS with a better depiction of surrounding structures. Monoenergetic energies 70 keV and 140 keV demonstrate superior image quality to those produced by spectral energies 80 kVp and 140 kVp.
Array of stacked leaky-wave antennas in groove gap waveguide technology
Authors: Memeletzoglou Nafsika , Rajo-Iglesias Eva
Published: January 2021

The design of an array of stacked leaky-wave antennas in groove gap waveguide technology is presented in this work. The proposed array is formed by simply stacking a number of leaky-wave antennas one on top of the other and feeding all of them with uniform amplitude and phase. The inter-element distance is studied in order to avoid grating lobes and to maximize the directivity. A feeding network based on vertical coupling is designed, where the input port feeds the bottom element, and then the energy is equally coupled to the other elements. To obtain maximum directivity the phase is corrected at each element separately. The central frequency of the proposed design is 28 GHz. With this technique of stacking the elements a pencil beam is achieved, i.e. the radiated energy is focalized in the two main planes. The designed array with four elements achieves an enhancement of + 5 dB, reaching 24.5 dBi of directivity in comparison to 19.6 dBi of directivity of the single leaky-wave antenna made in this technology. A prototype is manufactured and measured and its results are presented and compared with the simulations.
Nanoscale ordering of planar octupolar molecules for nonlinear optics at higher temperatures
Authors: Jarema Michał , Mituś Antoni C. , Zyss Joseph
Published: January 2021

We develop scenarios for orientational ordering of an in-plane system of small flat octupolar molecules at the low-concentration limit, aiming towards nonlinear-optical (NLO) applications at room temperatures. The octupoles interact with external electric poling fields and intermolecular interactions are neglected. Simple statistical-mechanics models are used to analyze the orientational order in the very weak poling limit, sufficient for retrieving the NLO signals owing to the high sensitivity of NLO detectors and measurement chains. Two scenarios are discussed. Firstly, the octupolar poling field is imparted by a system of point charges; the setup is subject to cell-related constraints imposed by mechanical strength and dielectric breakdown limit. The very weak octupolar order of benchmarking TATB molecules is shown to emerge at Helium temperatures. The second scenario addresses the dipoling of octupolar molecules with a small admixture of electric dipolar component. It requires a strong field regime to become effective at Nitrogen temperature range. An estimation of the nonlinear susceptibility coefficient matrix for both scenarios is done in the high-temperature (weak interaction) limit formalism. We argue that moderate modifications of the system like, e.g., an increase of the size of the octupole, accompanied by dipole-assisted octupoling, can increase the poling temperature above Nitrogen temperatures.
Recycling silver nanoparticle debris from laser ablation of silver nanowire in liquid media toward minimum material waste
Authors: Hwang June Sik , Park Jong-Eun , Kim Gun Woo , Nam Hyeono , Yu Sangseok , Jeon Jessie S. , Kim Sanha , Lee Huseung , Yang Minyang
Published: January 2021

As silver nanowires (Ag NWs) are usually manufactured by chemical synthesis, a patterning process is needed to use them as functional devices. Pulsed laser ablation is a promising Ag NW patterning process because it is a simple and inexpensive procedure. However, this process has a disadvantage in that target materials are wasted owing to the subtractive nature of the process involving the removal of unnecessary materials, and large quantities of raw materials are required. In this study, we report a minimum-waste laser patterning process utilizing silver nanoparticle (Ag NP) debris obtained through laser ablation of Ag NWs in liquid media. Since the generated Ag NPs can be used for several applications, wastage of Ag NWs, which is inevitable in conventional laser patterning processes, is dramatically reduced. In addition, electrophoretic deposition of the recycled Ag NPs onto non-ablated Ag NWs allows easy fabrication of junction-enhanced Ag NWs from the deposited Ag NPs. The unique advantage of this method lies in using recycled Ag NPs as building materials, eliminating the additional cost of junction welding Ag NWs. These fabricated Ag NW substrates could be utilized as transparent heaters and stretchable TCEs, thereby validating the effectiveness of the proposed process.
Alexithymia traits outweigh autism traits in the explanation of depression in adults with autism
Authors: Bloch Carola , Burghof Lana , Lehnhardt Fritz-Georg , Vogeley Kai , Falter-Wagner Christine
Published: January 2021

When contemplating the alarming depression rates in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is a need to find factors explaining heightened symptoms of depression. Beyond the impact of autism traits, markedly increased levels of alexithymia traits should be considered as a candidate for explaining why individuals with ASD report higher levels of depressive symptoms. Here, we aim to identify the extent to which autism or alexithymia traits indicate depressive symptoms in ASD and whether the pattern of association are specific to ASD. Data of a large (N = 400) representative clinical population of adults referred to autism diagnostics have been investigated and split by cases with a confirmed ASD diagnosis (N = 281) and cases with a ruled out ASD diagnosis (N = 119). Dominance analysis revealed the alexithymia factor,difficulties in identifying feelings,as the strongest predictor for depressive symptomatology in ASD, outweighing autism traits and other alexithymia factors. This pattern of prediction was not specific to ASD and was shared by clinical controls from the referral population with a ruled out ASD diagnosis. Thus, the association of alexithymia traits with depression is not unique to ASD and may constitute a general psychopathological mechanism in clinical samples.
Assessing the functional impact of PfRh5 genetic diversity on ex vivo erythrocyte invasion inhibition
Authors: Moore Adam J. , Mangou Khadidiatou , Diallo Fatoumata , Sene Seynabou D. , Pouye Mariama N. , Sadio Bacary D. , Faye Ousmane , Mbengue Alassane , Bei Amy K.
Published: January 2021

The PfRh5-Basigin ligand–receptor interaction is an essential step in the merozoite invasion process and represents an attractive vaccine target. To reveal genotype–phenotype associations between naturally occurring allelic variants of PfRh5 and invasion inhibition, we performed ex vivo invasion inhibition assays with monoclonal antibodies targeting basigin coupled with PfRh5 next-generation amplicon sequencing. We found dose-dependent inhibition of invasion across all isolates tested, and no statistically significant difference in invasion inhibition for any single nucleotide polymorphisms. This study demonstrates that PfRh5 remains highly conserved and functionally essential, even in a highly endemic setting, supporting continued development as a strain-transcendent malaria vaccine target.
CD8+ T cells predicted the conversion of common covid-19 to severe
Authors: Liu Li , Chen Zhiyong , Du Yingrong , Gao Jianpeng , Li Junyi , Deng Tiqin , Chen Chen , Wang Lin , Yang Yongrui , Liu Chunyun
Published: January 2021

To evaluate the predictive effect of T-lymphoid subsets on the conversion of common covid-19 to severe. The laboratory data were collected retrospectively from common covid-19 patients in the First People's Hospital of Zaoyang, Hubei Province, China and the Third People's Hospital of Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, between January 20, 2020 and March 15, 2020 and divided into training set and validation set. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate the risk factors for the conversion of common covid-19 to severe in the training set, the prediction model was established and verified externally in the validation set. 60 (14.71%) of 408 patients with common covid-19 became severe in 6–10 days after diagnosis. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that lactate (P = 0.042, OR = 1097.983, 95% CI 1.303, 924,798.262) and CD8+ T cells (P = 0.010, OR = 0.903, 95% CI 0.835, 0.975) were independent risk factors for general type patients to turn to severe type. The area under ROC curve of lactate and CD8+ T cells was 0.754 (0.581, 0.928) and 0.842 (0.713, 0.970), respectively. The actual observation value was highly consistent with the prediction model value in curve fitting. The established prediction model was verified in 78 COVID-19 patients in the verification set, the area under the ROC curve was 0.906 (0.861, 0.981), and the calibration curve was consistent. CD8+ T cells, as an independent risk factor, could predict the transition from common covid-19 to severe.
A review on imaging techniques and quantitative measurements for dynamic imaging of cerebral aneurysm pulsations
Authors: Stam L. B. , Aquarius R. , de Jong G. A. , Slump C. H. , Meijer F. J. A. , Boogaarts H. D.
Published: January 2021

Measurement of intracranial aneurysm wall motion may refine the current rupture risk estimation. A golden standard for measuring aneurysm pulsation is lacking. The aim is to evaluate magnitudes of aneurysm pulsation as published in current literature. Embase and PubMed were searched for publications containing quantitative measures of cardiac-cycle related cerebral aneurysm pulsation (no date or language restrictions). Eleven studies were included, covering 197 unruptured and untreated cerebral aneurysms. Quantitative pulsation measurements were extracted from the studies. Characteristics of the study population and aneurysms were taken into account, as well as the imaging modality, scanning technique and data processing methods used. A meta-analysis was performed of studies with similar methodologies and individual IA measures and locations. The magnitude of the absolute volume pulsations varied between 14 ± 9 mm3 and 106 ± 123 mm3 and the mean relative volume change varied between 5 and 36%. The meta-analysis revealed a positive correlation between size and absolute volume change. The relative volume change in Basilar artery aneurysms seems smaller. No authors were contacted for original study data and articles only describing visual pulsations were excluded. The variation in methodologies impedes an accurate estimation of the magnitude of IA pulsations. Validation of aneurysm pulsation measurement is crucial prior to clinical studies evaluating IA pulsatility in relation to IA rupture risk. Prerequisite is a reliable and robust imaging method with high spatial and temporal resolution and standardization of the image analysis methods.
Liraglutide, 7,8-DHF and their co-treatment prevents loss of vision and cognitive decline in a Wolfram syndrome rat model
Authors: Seppa Kadri , Jagomäe Toomas , Kukker Kaia Grete , Reimets Riin , Pastak Marko , Vasar Eero , Terasmaa Anton , Plaas Mario
Published: January 2021

Wolfram syndrome (WS) is a monogenic progressive neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by various neurological symptoms, such as optic nerve atrophy, loss of vision, cognitive decline, memory impairment, and learning difficulties. GLP1 receptor agonist liraglutide and BDNF mimetic 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) have had protective effect to visual pathway and to learning and memory in different rat models of neurodegenerative disorders. Although synergistic co-treatment effect has not been reported before and therefore the aim of the current study was to investigate liraglutide, 7,8-DHF and most importantly for the first time their co-treatment effect on degenerative processes in WS rat model. We took 9 months old WS rats and their wild-type (WT) control animals and treated them daily with liraglutide, 7,8-DHF or with the combination of liraglutide and 7,8-DHF up to the age of 12.5 months (n = 47, 5–8 per group). We found that liraglutide, 7,8-DHF and their co-treatment all prevented lateral ventricle enlargement, improved learning in Morris Water maze, reduced neuronal inflammation, delayed the progression of optic nerve atrophy, had remyelinating effect on optic nerve and thereby improved visual acuity in WS rats compared to WT controls. Thus, the use of the liraglutide, 7,8-DHF and their co-treatment could potentially be used as a therapeutic intervention to induce neuroprotection or even neuronal regeneration.
Pre- and postmenopausal women have different core urinary microbiota
Authors: Ammitzbøll Nadia , Bau Benedikt Paul Josef , Bundgaard-Nielsen Caspar , Villadsen Annemarie Brusen , Jensen Ann-Maria , Leutscher Peter Derek Christian , Glavind Karin , Hagstrøm Søren , Arenholt Louise Thomsen Schmidt , Sørensen Suzette
Published: January 2021

Recent studies suggest that alterations in the female urinary microbiota is associated to development of bladder disease. However, the normal microbiota composition and variation in healthy women are poorly described. Moreover, the effects of hormonal changes on microbiota during menopause is not well understood. The aim of our study was to investigate the urinary microbiota in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women without urinary tract symptoms. Microbiota composition in catheterized urine samples was mapped using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. In total, 41 premenopausal and 42 postmenopausal women were initially included. Samples with first PCR amplification concentration below level of the negative control were excluded, resulting in 34 premenopausal and 20 postmenopausal women included in data analysis. Urine from postmenopausal women showed significantly higher alpha diversity compared to premenopausal women.Lactobacilluswas the most abundant bacteria in both groups, however the relative abundance ofLactobacillusaccounted for 77.8% in premenopausal versus 42.0% in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, urine from premenopausal mostly presented withLactobacillusdominated urotypes,whereas urine from postmenopausal women presented a more diverse urinary microbiota with higher abundance of the generaGardnerellaandPrevotella. The clinical and pathophysiological implications of this difference remain to be elucidated.
Interannual and seasonal asymmetries in Gulf Stream Ring Formations from 1980 to 2019
Authors: Silver Adrienne , Gangopadhyay Avijit , Gawarkiewicz Glen , Silva E. Nishchitha S. , Clark Jenifer
Published: January 2021

As the Gulf Stream separates from the coast, it sheds both Warm and Cold Core Rings between $$75^\circ$$

75
∘

and $$55^\circ \,\hbox {W}$$

55
∘

W

. We present evidence that this ring formation behavior has been asymmetric over both interannual and seasonal time-scales. After a previously reported regime-shift in 2000, 15 more Warm Core Rings have been forming yearly compared to 1980–1999. In contrast, there have been no changes in the annual formation rate of the Cold Core Rings. This increase in Warm Core Ring production leads to an excess heat transfer of 0.10 PW to the Slope Sea, amounting to 7.7–12.4% of the total Gulf Stream heat transport, or 5.4–7.3% of the global oceanic heat budget at $$30^\circ \,\hbox {N}$$

30
∘

N

. Seasonally, more Cold Core Rings are produced in the winter and spring and more Warm Core Rings are produced in the summer and fall leading to more summertime heat transfer to the north of the Stream. The seasonal cycle of relative ring formation numbers is strongly correlated (r = 0.82) with that of the difference in upper layer temperatures between the Sargasso and Slope seas. This quantification motivates future efforts to understand the recent increasing influence of the Gulf Stream on the circulation and ecosystem in the western North Atlantic.
Abnormal promoter DNA hypermethylation of the integrin, nidogen, and dystroglycan genes in breast cancer
Authors: Strelnikov Vladimir V. , Kuznetsova Ekaterina B. , Tanas Alexander S. , Rudenko Viktoria V. , Kalinkin Alexey I. , Poddubskaya Elena V. , Kekeeva Tatiana V. , Chesnokova Galina G. , Trotsenko Ivan D. , Larin Sergey S. , Kutsev Sergey I. , Zaletaev Dmitry V. , Nemtsova Marina V. , Simonova Olga A.
Published: January 2021

Cell transmembrane receptors and extracellular matrix components play a pivotal role in regulating cell activity and providing for the concerted integration of cells in the tissue structures. We have assessed DNA methylation in the promoter regions of eight integrin genes, two nidogen genes, and the dystroglycan gene in normal breast tissues and breast carcinomas (BC). The protein products of these genes interact with the basement membrane proteins LAMA1, LAMA2, and LAMB1; abnormal hypermethylation of the LAMA1, LAMA2, and LAMB1 promoters in BC has been described in our previous publications. In the present study, the frequencies of abnormal promoter hypermethylation in BC were 13% for ITGA1, 31% for ITGA4, 4% for ITGA7, 39% for ITGA9, 38% for NID1, and 41% for NID2. ITGA2, ITGA3, ITGA6, ITGB1, and DAG1 promoters were nonmethylated in normal and BC samples. ITGA4, ITGA9, and NID1 promoter hypermethylation was associated with the HER2 positive tumors, and promoter hypermethylation of ITGA1, ITGA9, NID1 and NID2 was associated with a genome-wide CpG island hypermethylated BC subtype. Given that ITGA4 is not expressed in normal breast, one might suggest that its abnormal promoter hypermethylation in cancer is non-functional and is thus merely a passenger epimutation. Yet, this assumption is not supported by our finding that it is not associated with a hypermethylated BC subtype. ITGA4 acquires expression in a subset of breast carcinomas, and methylation of its promoter may be preventive against expression in some tumors. Strong association of abnormal ITGA4 hypermethylation with the HER2 positive tumors (p = 0.0025) suggests that simultaneous presence of both HER2 and integrin α4 receptors is not beneficial for tumor cells. This may imply HER2 and integrin α4 signaling pathways interactions that are yet to be discovered.
Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) brought into captivity exhibit up-regulation of genes involved in stress and energy metabolism
Authors: Roznere Ieva , Sinn Brandon T. , Daly Marymegan , Watters G. Thomas
Published: January 2021

Approximately two thirds of freshwater mussel species in the United States and Canada are imperiled, and populations are declining rapidly. Translocation and captive management are commonly used to mitigate losses of freshwater mussel biodiversity, but these conservation tools may result in decreased growth and increased mortality. This study uses RNA-Seq to determine how translocation into captivity affects gene expression inAmblema plicata. Mussels were collected from the Muskingum River in Ohio, USA and brought into a captive holding facility. RNA was extracted from gill tissue 11 months post translocation from mussels in captivity and the Muskingum River on the same day. RNA was sequenced on an Illumina HiSeq 2500, and differential expression analysis was performed on de novo assembled transcripts. More than 1200 transcripts were up-regulated in captive mussels, and 246 were assigned functional annotations. Many up-regulated transcripts were involved in energy metabolism and the stress response, such as heat shock proteins and antioxidants. More than 500 transcripts were down-regulated in captive mussels, and 41 were assigned functional annotations. We observed an over-representation of down-regulated transcripts associated with immune response. Our work suggests thatA. plicataexperienced moderate levels of stress and altered energy metabolism and immune response for at least 11 months post translocation into captivity.
Author Correction: Whole-genome sequencing provides new insights into genetic mechanisms of tropical adaptation in Nellore (Bos primigenius indicus)
Authors: Fernandes Júnior Gerardo Alves , de Oliveira Henrique Nunes , Carvalheiro Roberto , Cardoso Diercles Francisco , Fonseca Larissa Fernanda Simielli , Ventura Ricardo Vieira , de Albuquerque Lucia Galvão
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.