bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wait, There’s Torture in Zootopia? Examining the Prevalence of Torture in Popular Movies
Authors: Delehanty Casey , Kearns Erin M.
Published: March 2020

Roughly half of the U.S. public thinks that torture can be acceptable in counterterrorism. According to recent research, dramatic depictions of torture increase public support for the practice. Yet we do not know how frequently—and in what context—torture is depicted across popular media. What messages about the acceptability and effectiveness of torture do Americans receive when they watch popular films? To address this question, we coded each incident of torture in the twenty top-grossing films each year from 2008 to 2017 to analyze how torture is portrayed in terms of its frequency, efficacy, and social acceptability. Results show that the majority of popular films—including films aimed toward children—have at least one torture scene. Across films, the messages sent about torture are fairly consistent. As expected, movies tend to depict torture as effective. Further, how movies portray torture is also a function of who is perpetrating it. Specifically, protagonists are more likely to torture for instrumental reasons or in response to threats and are more likely to do so effectively. In contrast, antagonists are more likely to use torture as punishment and to torture women. The frequency and nature of torture’s depiction in popular films may help explain why many in the public support torture in counterterrorism.
Systematic observations on Galactic Interstellar isotope ratios
Authors: Zhang J. S. , Yan Y. T. , Liu W. , Yu H. Z. , Chen J. L. , Henkel C.
Published: March 2020

We are performing systematic observation studies on the Galactic interstellar isotopic ratios, including 18O/17O, 12C/13C, 14N/15N and 32S/34S. Our strategy focuses on combination of multi-transition observation data toward large samples with different Galactocentric distances. Our preliminary results show positive Galactic radial gradients of 18O/17O and 12C/13C. In both cases, the ratio increases with the Galactocentric distance, which agrees with the inside-out scenario of our Galaxy. Observations of other isotopes such as 14N/15N and 32S/34S are on-going.
First TSI results and status report of the CLARA/NorSat-1 solar absolute radiometer
Authors: Walter Benjamin , Andersen Bo , Beattie Alexander , Finsterle Wolfgang , Kopp Greg , Pfiffner Daniel , Schmutz Werner
Published: March 2020

The Compact Lightweight Absolute Radiometer (CLARA) is orbiting Earth on-board the Norwegian NorSat-1 micro-satellite since 14th of July 2017. The first light total solar irradiance (TSI) measurement result of CLARA is 1360.18 W m−2 for the so far single reliable Channel B. Channel A and C measured significantly lower (higher) TSI values and were found being sensitive to satellite pointing instabilities. These channels most likely suffer from electrical interference between satellite components and CLARA, an effect that is currently under investigation. Problems with the satellite attitude control currently inhibit stable pointing of CLARA to the Sun.
Considering the Astro-tourism Potential in Indonesia using GCIS-MCDA
Authors: Yuna Dwi Y. , Premadi Premana W.
Published: March 2020

We developed a method to identify potential astro-tourism sites by considering parameters characteristically relevant to astronomical observation such as air quality, dark sky quality, annual average cloud coverage, as well as terrain feature. Applying this method on Indonesia by perusing data from Geographic Information System and applying Multi Criteria Decision Analysis we identify a number of potential astro-tourism sites. We cross correlate this with Indonesia Tourist Destination to produce a list of recommended sites. Fulfilling the astrotourism criteria is one sure way towards sustainable tourism.
Identifying Hydrogeochemical Conditions for Fault Self‐Sealing in Geological Storage
Authors: Patil Vivek V. , McPherson Brian J.
Published: March 2020

Injection of anthropogenic
into a subsurface reservoir will significantly impact the geochemistry, porosity, and permeability of the reservoir. If a fault or fracture penetrates the reservoir,
‐enriched brine may migrate into that fault, eventually sealing it via precipitation or opening it up via dissolution. The goal of this study was to identify and quantify such conditions of fault self‐sealing or self‐enhancing. We found the Damköhler number (
) provides a meaningful framework for characterizing the propensity of (fault) systems to seal or open up. We tailored a spatiotemporally varying
framework and applied it to simplified fault models with eight conditions derived from four geologic compositions and two reservoir conditions. The four geologic compositions were chosen such that three of them were representative of distinct geologic end‐members (sandstone, mudstone, and dolomitic limestone) and one was a mixed composition based on an average of three end‐member compositions. The two sets of
‐
conditions chosen included one for
in a gaseous phase (“shallow conditions”) and the other for supercritical phase
(“deep conditions”). Simulation results suggest that fault sealing via carbonate precipitation was a possibility for shallow conditions within limestone and mixed composition settings. The concentration of cations in the water was found to be an important control on the carbonate precipitation. A key conclusion suggested by the results of this study is that carbonate precipitation in the near‐surface (top 50–100 m) depths of a fault is the most likely mechanism of “self‐sealing” for most geological settings.
Control of Fault Weakening on the Structural Styles of Underthrusting‐Dominated Non‐Cohesive Accretionary Wedges
Authors: Bauville Arthur , Furuichi Mikito , Gerbault Muriel
Published: March 2020

Underthrusting is a typical process at compressive margins responsible for nappe stacking and sediment subduction. In nature, underthrusting is often associated with weak basal faults, although static mechanical analysis (critical taper theory) suggests that weak basal faults promote accretion while strong basal faults promote underthrusting. We perform mathematical analyses and numerical simulations to determine whether permanent fault weakening promotes or inhibits underthrusting. We investigate the control of permanent fault weakening on the dynamics of a strong‐based (
) non‐cohesive wedge (
and
are internal and basal friction, respectively). We control the wedge material strength by a spatially constant fluid overpressure factor (
), and fault strength by a plastic strain weakening factor (
). First, we use the critical taper theory to determine a mechanical mode diagram that predicts structural styles. Then, we perform numerical simulations of accretionary wedge formation to establish their dynamical structural characteristics. We determine a continuum of structural styles between three end‐members which correspond to the theoretical mechanical mode transitions. Style 1 is characterized by thin tectonic slices and little to no underthrusting. Style 2 shows thick slices, nappe stacking, and shallow gravity‐driven tectonics. Style 3 displays the complete underthrusting of the incoming sediments, that are exhumed when they reach the backstop. We conclude that in the condition of an initially strong wedge base, permanent fault weakening promotes underthrusting. Thus, this contribution enlightens the control of the dynamic evolution of material properties on the formation of subduction channels, slope instabilities, and antiformal nappe stacks.
The Influence of ENSO on the Structure of Internal Tides in the Xisha Area
Authors: Zhai Rong‐Wei , Chen Gui‐Ying , Liang Chang‐Rong , Shang Xiao‐Dong , Xie Jie‐Shuo
Published: March 2020

Based on mooring data in the Xisha area of the South China Sea from August 2007 to December 2016, we found that the diurnal internal tides (ITs) had a tendency to weaken from 2008 to 2016, while the semidiurnal ITs were enhanced from 2011 to 2015. The diurnal and semidiurnal ITs in the Xisha area were negatively and positively correlated with the Niño 3.4 Index, respectively. It was also found that the large‐scale El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) can influence ITs. The link between ENSO and ITs is stratification. The upper‐ocean stratification of the Xisha area in El Niño years was stronger than that in La Niña years. Under the effects of stratification, the structures of diurnal and semidiurnal ITs showed different patterns during El Niño and La Niña years; both were dominated by low modes in La Niña years but displayed more signals of high modes in El Niño years.
Resolution of Lava Tubes With Ground Penetrating Radar: The TubeX Project
Authors: Esmaeili S. , Kruse S. , Jazayeri S. , Whelley P. , Bell E. , Richardson J. , Garry W. B. , Young K.
Published: March 2020

Remote sensing surveys of the Moon and Mars show evidence of lava tubes, which are potential safe havens for human crews and their equipment. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) can be used to map tubes because the void/rock interface at tube ceilings and floors strongly reflects radar pulses. We have tested the capacity of GPR to sense lava tube geometry at Lava Beds National Monument in California, USA. GPR and detailed light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data are presented for two tubes: Skull Cave, with a few meters of overburden, diameter ~10–20 m, and a rubbly floor; and Valentine Cave, with similarly thin overburden, diameter ~1–3 m, and a flatter smoother floor. On both caves GPR clearly resolves the ceiling and permits good estimates of the cave width as validated with LiDAR data. Where GPR fails, the primary cause is inferred to be strong out‐of‐plane effects due to complex 3‐D geometries. Recovery of the floor position requires migrating the GPR data with a 2‐D velocity model, as signal velocity is faster in void space. We find that floor position is recoverable in caves whose voids are taller than the radar wavelength (~3 m in this study). Forward modeling assuming planetary parameters suggests that GPR should be similarly successful on the Moon or Mars.
Timing of Syenite‐Charnockite Magmatism and Ruby and Sapphire Metamorphism in the Mogok Valley Region, Myanmar
Authors: Searle M. P. , Garber J. M. , Hacker B. R. , Htun Kyi , Gardiner N. J. , Waters D. J. , Robb L. J.
Published: March 2020

The Mogok metamorphic belt (MMB) extends for over 1,000 km along central Burma from the Andaman Sea to the East Himalayan syntaxis and represents exhumed lower and middle crustal metamorphic rocks of the Sibumasu plate. In the Mogok valley region, the MMB consists of regional high‐grade marbles containing calcite + phlogopite + spinel + apatite ± diopside ± olivine and hosts world class ruby and sapphire gemstones. The coarse‐grained marbles have been intruded by orthopyroxene‐ and clinopyroxene‐bearing charnockite‐syenite sheet‐like intrusions that have skarns around the margins. Syenites range from hornblende‐ to quartz‐bearing and frequently show layering that could be a primary igneous texture or a later metamorphic overprint. Calc‐silicate skarns contain both rubies and blue sapphires with large biotites. Rubies occur in marbles with scapolite, phlogopite, graphite, occasional diopside, and blue apatite. Both marbles and syenites have been intruded by the Miocene Kabaing garnet‐muscovite‐biotite peraluminous leucogranite. New mapping and structural observations combined with U‐Th‐Pb zircon, monazite, and titanite geochronology from syenites, charnockites, leucogranites, meta‐rhyolite‐tuffs, and skarns have revealed a complex multiphase igneous and metamorphic history for the MMB. U‐Pb zircon ages of the charnockite‐syenites fall into three categories, Jurassic (170–168 Ma), latest Cretaceous to early Paleocene (~68‐63 Ma), and late Eocene–Oligocene (44–21 Ma). New ages from five samples suggest that metamorphism in the presence of garnet and melt occurred between ~45 and 24 Ma. U‐Pb titanite ages from the ruby marbles and meta‐skarns at Le Oo mine in the Mogok valley are 21 Ma, similar to titanite ages from an adjacent syenite (22 Ma). U‐Th‐Pb dating shows that all the metamorphic ages are Late Cretaceous–early Miocene and related to the India‐Sibumasu collision.
Debates: Does Information Theory Provide a New Paradigm for Earth Science? Emerging Concepts and Pathways of Information Physics
Authors: Perdigão Rui A.P. , Ehret Uwe , Knuth Kevin H. , Wang Jingfeng
Published: March 2020

Entropy and Information are key concepts not only in Information Theory but also in Physics: historically in the fields of Thermodynamics, Statistical and Analytical Mechanics, and, more recently, in the field of Information Physics. In this paper we argue that Information Physics reconciles and generalizes statistical, geometric, and mechanistic views on information. We start by demonstrating how the use and interpretation of Entropy and Information coincide in Information Theory, Statistical Thermodynamics, and Analytical Mechanics, and how this can be taken advantage of when addressing Earth Science problems in general and hydrological problems in particular. In the second part we discuss how Information Physics provides ways to quantify Information and Entropy from fundamental physical principles. This extends their use to cases where the preconditions to calculate Entropy in the classical manner as an aggregate statistical measure are not met. Indeed, these preconditions are rarely met in the Earth Sciences due either to limited observations or the far‐from‐equilibrium nature of evolving systems. Information Physics therefore offers new opportunities for improving the treatment of Earth Science problems.
Optogenetic manipulation of calcium signals in single T cells in vivo
Authors: Bohineust Armelle , Garcia Zacarias , Corre Béatrice , Lemaître Fabrice , Bousso Philippe
Published: March 2020

By offering the possibility to manipulate cellular functions with spatiotemporal control, optogenetics represents an attractive tool for dissecting immune responses. However, applying these approaches to single cells in vivo remains particularly challenging for immune cells that are typically located in scattering tissues. Here, we introduce an improved calcium actuator with sensitivity allowing for two-photon photoactivation. Furthermore, we identify an actuator/reporter combination that permits the simultaneous manipulation and visualization of calcium signals in individual T cells in vivo. With this strategy, we document the consequences of defined patterns of calcium signals on T cell migration, adhesion, and chemokine release. Manipulation of individual immune cells in vivo should open new avenues for establishing the functional contribution of single immune cells engaged in complex reactions.
Nanobody-enabled monitoring of kappa opioid receptor states
Authors: Che Tao , English Justin , Krumm Brian E. , Kim Kuglae , Pardon Els , Olsen Reid H. J. , Wang Sheng , Zhang Shicheng , Diberto Jeffrey F. , Sciaky Noah , Carroll F. Ivy , Steyaert Jan , Wacker Daniel , Roth Bryan L.
Published: March 2020

Recent studies show that GPCRs rapidly interconvert between multiple states although our ability to interrogate, monitor and visualize them is limited by a relative lack of suitable tools. We previously reported two nanobodies (Nb39 and Nb6) that stabilize distinct ligand- and efficacy-delimited conformations of the kappa opioid receptor. Here, we demonstrate via X-ray crystallography a nanobody-targeted allosteric binding site by which Nb6 stabilizes a ligand-dependent inactive state. As Nb39 stabilizes an active-like state, we show how these two state-dependent nanobodies can provide real-time reporting of ligand stabilized states in cells in situ. Significantly, we demonstrate that chimeric GPCRs can be created with engineered nanobody binding sites to report ligand-stabilized states. Our results provide both insights regarding potential mechanisms for allosterically modulating KOR with nanobodies and a tool for reporting the real-time, in situ dynamic range of GPCR activity.
Serial femtosecond crystallography on in vivo-grown crystals drives elucidation of mosquitocidal Cyt1Aa bioactivation cascade
Authors: Tetreau Guillaume , Banneville Anne-Sophie , Andreeva Elena A. , Brewster Aaron S. , Hunter Mark S. , Sierra Raymond G. , Teulon Jean-Marie , Young Iris D. , Burke Niamh , Grünewald Tilman A. , Beaudouin Joël , Snigireva Irina , Fernandez-Luna Maria Teresa , Burt Alister , Park Hyun-Woo , Signor Luca , Bafna Jayesh A. , Sadir Rabia , Fenel Daphna , Boeri-Erba Elisabetta , Bacia Maria , Zala Ninon , Laporte Frédéric , Després Laurence , Weik Martin , Boutet Sébastien , Rosenthal Martin , Coquelle Nicolas , Burghammer Manfred , Cascio Duilio , Sawaya Michael R. , Winterhalter Mathias , Gratton Enrico , Gutsche Irina , Federici Brian , Pellequer Jean-Luc , Sauter Nicholas K. , Colletier Jacques-Philippe
Published: March 2020

Cyt1Aa is the one of four crystalline protoxins produced by mosquitocidal bacteriumBacillus thuringiensis israelensis(Bti) that has been shown to delay the evolution of insect resistance in the field. Limiting our understanding ofBtiefficacy and the path to improved toxicity and spectrum has been ignorance of how Cyt1Aa crystallizes in vivo and of its mechanism of toxicity. Here, we use serial femtosecond crystallography to determine the Cyt1Aa protoxin structure from sub-micron-sized crystals produced inBti. Structures determined under various pH/redox conditions illuminate the role played by previously uncharacterized disulfide-bridge and domain-swapped interfaces from crystal formation inBtito dissolution in the larval mosquito midgut. Biochemical, toxicological and biophysical methods enable the deconvolution of key steps in the Cyt1Aa bioactivation cascade. We additionally show that the size, shape, production yield, pH sensitivity and toxicity of Cyt1Aa crystals grown inBtican be controlled by single atom substitution.
DNA metabarcoding and spatial modelling link diet diversification with distribution homogeneity in European bats
Authors: Alberdi Antton , Razgour Orly , Aizpurua Ostaizka , Novella-Fernandez Roberto , Aihartza Joxerra , Budinski Ivana , Garin Inazio , Ibáñez Carlos , Izagirre Eñaut , Rebelo Hugo , Russo Danilo , Vlaschenko Anton , Zhelyazkova Violeta , Zrnčić Vida , Gilbert M. Thomas P.
Published: March 2020

Inferences of the interactions between species’ ecological niches and spatial distribution have been historically based on simple metrics such as low-resolution dietary breadth and range size, which might have impeded the identification of meaningful links between niche features and spatial patterns. We analysed the relationship between dietary niche breadth and spatial distribution features of European bats, by combining continent-wide DNA metabarcoding of faecal samples with species distribution modelling. Our results show that while range size is not correlated with dietary features of bats, the homogeneity of the spatial distribution of species exhibits a strong correlation with dietary breadth. We also found that dietary breadth is correlated with bats’ hunting flexibility. However, these two patterns only stand when the phylogenetic relations between prey are accounted for when measuring dietary breadth. Our results suggest that the capacity to exploit different prey types enables species to thrive in more distinct environments and therefore exhibit more homogeneous distributions within their ranges.
Van der Waals thin films of WTe2 for natural hyperbolic plasmonic surfaces
Authors: Wang Chong , Huang Shenyang , Xing Qiaoxia , Xie Yuangang , Song Chaoyu , Wang Fanjie , Yan Hugen
Published: March 2020

A hyperbolic plasmonic surface supports highly directional propagating polaritons with extremely large density of states. Such plasmon polaritons have been realized in artificially structured metasurfaces. However, the upper bound of the achievable plasmon wave vector is limited by the structure size, which calls for a natural hyperbolic surface without any structuring. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a natural hyperbolic plasmonic surface based on thin films of WTe2 in the light wavelength range of 16 to 23 microns by far infrared absorption spectroscopy. The topological transition from the elliptic to the hyperbolic regime is further manifested by mapping the isofrequency contours of the plasmon. Moreover, the anisotropy character and plasmon frequency exhibit prominent temperature dependence. Our study demonstrates the first natural platform to host 2D hyperbolic plasmons, which opens exotic avenues for the manipulation of plasmon propagation, light-matter interaction and light emission in planar photonics.
Fermi-arc supercurrent oscillations in Dirac semimetal Josephson junctions
Authors: Li Cai-Zhen , Wang An-Qi , Li Chuan , Zheng Wen-Zhuang , Brinkman Alexander , Yu Da-Peng , Liao Zhi-Min
Published: March 2020

One prominent hallmark of topological semimetals is the existence of unusual topological surface states known as Fermi arcs. Nevertheless, the Fermi-arc superconductivity remains elusive. Here, we report the critical current oscillations from surface Fermi arcs in Nb-Dirac semimetal Cd3As2-Nb Josephson junctions. The supercurrent from bulk states are suppressed under an in-plane magnetic field ~0.1 T, while the supercurrent from the topological surface states survives up to 0.5 T. Contrary to the minimum normal-state conductance, the Fermi-arc carried supercurrent shows a maximum critical value near the Dirac point, which is consistent with the fact that the Fermi arcs have maximum density of state at the Dirac point. Moreover, the critical current exhibits periodic oscillations with a parallel magnetic field, which is well understood by considering the in-plane orbital effect from the surface states. Our results suggest the Dirac semimetal combined with superconductivity should be promising for topological quantum devices.
The motor vertical in the absence of gravicentric cues
Authors: Bock Otmar , Bury Nils
Published: March 2020

When participants are asked to flip an omnidirectional switch “down”, the direction of their responses depends mainly on gravicentric, less so on egocentric and least on visual cues about the vertical (Lackner and DiZio, Exp. Brain Res. 130:2−26, 2000). Here we evaluate response direction when gravicentric cues are not available. Participants flipped an omnidirectional switch “down” when gravito-inertial force acted orthogonally to the response plane on earth (session E), and when it was near zero during parabolic flights (session P). We found that the relative weight of visual cues was similar in both sessions, and it was similar to that in an earlier study where participants stood upright. Across all three data sets, the weight of visual cues averaged 0.09. The relative weight of egocentric cues was also similar in both sessions, averaging 0.87; however, it was significantly lower in the earlier study with upright participants, where it averaged 0.43. We further found that informative and noninformative tactile stimulation had no substantial effects on response direction, which suggests that the earlier reported anchoring effect of tactile signals for the perceived vertical may not extend to the motor vertical. We conclude that the absence of gravicentric cues is compensated by a higher weight of egocentric cues, but not by a higher weight of visual cues. As a consequence, astronauts, divers and persons who work on ground in a horizontal body posture may mishandle equipment because of their strong reliance on egocentric cues.
Motor representations underlie the reading of unfamiliar letter combinations
Authors: Taitz Alan , Assaneo M. Florencia , Shalom Diego E. , Trevisan Marcos A.
Published: March 2020

Silent reading is a cognitive operation that produces verbal content with no vocal output. One relevant question is the extent to which this verbal content is processed as overt speech in the brain. To address this, we acquired sound, eye trajectories and lips’ dynamics during the reading of consonant-consonant-vowel (CCV) combinations which are infrequent in the language. We found that the duration of the first fixations on the CCVs during silent reading correlate with the duration of the transitions between consonants when the CCVs are actually uttered. With the aid of an articulatory model of the vocal system, we show that transitions measure the articulatory effort required to produce the CCVs. This means that first fixations during silent reading are lengthened when the CCVs require a greater laryngeal and/or articulatory effort to be pronounced. Our results support that a speech motor code is used for the recognition of infrequent text strings during silent reading.
Azlocillin can be the potential drug candidate against drug-tolerant Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto JLB31
Authors: Pothineni Venkata Raveendra , Potula Hari-Hara S. K. , Ambati Aditya , Mallajosyula Venkata Vamsee Aditya , Sridharan Brindha , Inayathullah Mohammed , Ahmed Mohamed Sohail , Rajadas Jayakumar
Published: March 2020

Lyme disease is one of most common vector-borne diseases, reporting more than 300,000 cases annually in the United States. Treating Lyme disease during its initial stages with traditional tetracycline antibiotics is effective. However, 10–20% of patients treated with antibiotic therapy still shows prolonged symptoms of fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, and perceived cognitive impairment. When these symptoms persists for more than 6 months to years after completing conventional antibiotics treatment are called post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Though the exact reason for the prolongation of post treatment symptoms are not known, the growing evidence from recent studies suggests it might be due to the existence of drug-tolerant persisters. In order to identify effective drug molecules that kill drug-tolerant borrelia we have tested two antibiotics, azlocillin and cefotaxime that were identified by us earlier. The in vitro efficacy studies of azlocillin and cefotaxime on drug-tolerant persisters were done by semisolid plating method. The results obtained were compared with one of the currently prescribed antibiotic doxycycline. We found that azlocillin completely kills late log phase and 7–10 days old stationary phase B. burgdorferi. Our results also demonstrate that azlocillin and cefotaxime can effectively kill in vitro doxycycline-tolerant B. burgdorferi. Moreover, the combination drug treatment of azlocillin and cefotaxime effectively killed doxycycline-tolerant B. burgdorferi. Furthermore, when tested in vivo, azlocillin has shown good efficacy against B. burgdorferi in mice model. These seminal findings strongly suggests that azlocillin can be effective in treating B. burgdorferi sensu stricto JLB31 infection and furthermore in depth research is necessary to evaluate its potential use for Lyme disease therapy.
Rolling away: a novel context-dependent escape behaviour discovered in ants
Authors: Grasso Donato A. , Giannetti Daniele , Castracani Cristina , Spotti Fiorenza A. , Mori Alessandra
Published: March 2020

For animals facing dangers, the best option to optimize costs and benefits of defence sometimes may be avoidance. Here we report the discovery of a peculiar strategy adopted byMyrmecina graminicola, a cryptic ant living in forest floor. Experiments showed that when disturbed these ants respond with immobility. However, upon perceiving disturbance but under specific inclinations of the substrate, they shift to an active escaping strategy: rolling away. This is a context-dependent behaviour adopted only in appropriate circumstances. During rolling, the ants assume a ball-like shape using antennae and hind legs to obtain an active movement along a stable trajectory. Finally, we assessed the adaptive value of this strategy measuring its effectiveness in defence against enemies. This is the first example of locomotion by rolling discovered in ants and one of the very few among animals, offering opportunities for multidisciplinary research on the adaptations and biomechanics underlying it.
Nutrients, minerals, antioxidant pigments and phytochemicals, and antioxidant capacity of the leaves of stem amaranth
Authors: Sarker Umakanta , Oba Shinya , Daramy Moses Ahmed
Published: March 2020

We evaluated 17 genotypes of stem amaranth (Amaranthus lividus) in terms of dietary fiber, moisture, carbohydrates, fat, ash, gross energy, protein, minerals, phytopigments, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitamins, total flavonoids (TFC), total polyphenols (TPC) and their variations. Stem amaranth leaves have abundant dietary fiber, moisture, carbohydrates, and protein. We found significant amount of potassium, calcium, magnesium (9.61, 24.40, and 29.77 mg g−1 DW), iron, manganese, copper, zinc, (1131.98, 269.89, 25.03, and 1006.53 µg g−1 DW), phytopigments such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll ab chlorophyll b, (27.76, 42.06, and 14.30 mg 100 g−1 FW), betalain, betaxanthin, betacyanin (62.92, 31.81, 31.12 µg 100 g−1 FW), total carotenoids, beta-carotene (1675.38, 1289.26 µg g−1 FW), vitamin C (1355.46 µg g−1 FW), TPC, TFC (228.63 GAE and 157.42 RE µg g−1 DW), and TAC (DPPH, ABTS+) (26.61, 51.73 TEAC µg g−1 DW) in the leaves of stem amaranth. Genotypes exhibited a wide range of variations. Three genotypes DS40, DS30, and DS26 could be used as an antioxidant profile enriched stem amaranth. Phenolics, phytopigments, flavonoids, and vitamins of stem amaranth leaves exhibited strong antioxidant activity. Stem amaranth could be a potential source of dietary fiber, moisture, carbohydrates, protein, minerals, phenolics, phytopigments, flavonoids, and vitamins in our daily diet for attaining nutritional and antioxidant sufficiency.
Multivariate climate departures have outpaced univariate changes across global lands
Authors: Abatzoglou John T. , Dobrowski Solomon Z. , Parks Sean A.
Published: March 2020

Changes in individual climate variables have been widely documented over the past century. However, assessments that consider changes in the collective interaction amongst multiple climate variables are relevant for understanding climate impacts on ecological and human systems yet are less well documented than univariate changes. We calculate annual multivariate climate departures during 1958–2017 relative to a baseline 1958–1987 period that account for covariance among four variables important to Earth’s biota and associated systems: annual climatic water deficit, annual evapotranspiration, average minimum temperature of the coldest month, and average maximum temperature of the warmest month. Results show positive trends in multivariate climate departures that were nearly three times that of univariate climate departures across global lands. Annual multivariate climate departures exceeded two standard deviations over the past decade for approximately 30% of global lands. Positive trends in climate departures over the last six decades were found to be primarily the result of changes in mean climate conditions consistent with the modeled effects of anthropogenic climate change rather than changes in variability. These results highlight the increasing novelty of annual climatic conditions viewed through a multivariate lens and suggest that changes in multivariate climate departures have generally outpaced univariate departures in recent decades.
Novel gastrointestinal disease in common marmosets characterised by duodenal dilation: a clinical and pathological study
Authors: Mineshige Takayuki , Inoue Takashi , Yasuda Masahiko , Yurimoto Terumi , Kawai Kenji , Sasaki Erika
Published: March 2020

Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) are frequently used for biomedical research but gastrointestinal diseases have been major health problems to maintain captive marmosets. We have diagnosed a novel gastrointestinal disease in marmosets, as which we propose to call ‘marmoset duodenal dilation syndrome’; this disease is characterised by proximal duodenal obstruction and dilation. This study aimed to reveal the clinical and pathological findings of this syndrome and establish appropriate diagnostic imaging methods. Animals with the syndrome comprised 21.9% of the necropsy cases at the Central Institute for Experimental Animals in Kawasaki, Japan. The syndrome is characterised by clinical signs included vomiting, bloating, and weight loss. Grossly, all diseased animals exhibited significant dilation of the descending part of the duodenum, which contained a mixture of gas and fluid. The duodenal dilations were definitively diagnosed by contrast radiography. Moreover, a combination of plain radiography and ultrasonography was found to be a viable screening method for diagnosing duodenal dilation. The animals with duodenal dilation characteristically showed adhesions between the descending duodenum and ascending colon with chronic peritonitis. The cause of marmoset duodenal dilation syndrome remains unknown, but was likely multifactorial, including peritoneal adhesion, chronic ulcer, and feeding conditions in this study.
Functions of post-conflict bystander affiliations toward aggressors and victims in bottlenose dolphins
Authors: Yamamoto Chisato , Ishibashi Toshiaki , Kashiwagi Nobuyuki , Amano Masao
Published: March 2020

Post-conflict affiliations initiated by bystanders (bystander affiliation) toward aggressors or victims have been suggested to represent the function of conflict management in some social living species. However, the function of bystander affiliations toward aggressors and victims has not been examined in marine mammals. In the present study, we investigated the function of bystander affiliations to aggressors and victims in bottlenose dolphins: self-protection, the substitute of reconciliation, social facilitation and tension relief of opponents. These bystander affiliations did not reduce post-conflict attacks by former opponents against group members. Bystander affiliation to aggressors tended to be performed by a bystander who had an affiliative relationship with the aggressor but not with the victim. Bystander affiliation to victims also tended to be initiated by a bystander who had an affiliative relationship with the victim but not the aggressor and was close to former opponents at the end of aggressions. Affiliation among group members who stayed near former opponents during aggressions did not increase after aggressions compared to that under control conditions. Renewed aggressions between former opponents decreased after bystander affiliations in our previous study. Bystanders who showed social closeness to former opponents may initiate bystander affiliation toward their affiliative former opponents because they may feel emotion, such as anxiety and excitement, of former opponents. Bystander affiliation toward aggressors and victims may function as tension relief between former opponents. Bystanders of bottlenose dolphins, who may have a relaxed dominant style, might initiate post-conflict affiliation to affiliative individuals unaffected by the dominance relationships among them, unlike despotic species.
Structural Alterations in Large-scale Brain Networks and Their Relationship with Sleep Disturbances in the Adolescent Population
Authors: Sung Dajung , Park Bumhee , Kim Shin-Young , Kim Bung-Nyun , Park Subin , Jung Kyu-In , Kim Jungjin , Park Min-Hyeon
Published: March 2020

Although sleep disturbances are highly prevalent in adolescents, neuroimaging evidence on the effects of sleep disturbances on their developing brains remains limited. Therefore, we explored gray matter volumes (GMVs) at the whole-brain level and investigated their relationship to sleep disturbances in a sample of Korean adolescents in the general population. We recruited participants from one middle school and high school. All participants and their legal guardians gave informed consent before participating in our study. We used component 5 of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to measure sleep disturbances and conducted a voxel-based morphometry-DARTEL procedure to measure GMVs. We performed partial correlation analyses to examine whether the GMVs were associated with sleep disturbances. A total of 56 adolescents participated in this study. Our results revealed that GMVs in multiple global regions were negatively correlated with sleep disturbances. Moreover, most of these identified regions belong to large-scale brain networks categorized by functional neuroimaging studies. We found an association between regional GMVs in multiple global regions involved in large-scale networks and the severity of sleep disturbances in the adolescent population. Based on this evidence and previous neuroimaging evidence, we suggest that structural alterations in the networks may be linked to sleep disturbances.
Evaluation of the efficiency of dried blood spot-based measurement of hepatitis B and hepatitis C virus seromarkers
Authors: Yamamoto Chikako , Nagashima Shintaro , Isomura Mitsuo , Ko Ko , Chuon Channarena , Akita Tomoyuki , Katayama Keiko , Woodring Joseph , Hossain Md. Shafiqul , Takahashi Kazuaki , Tanaka Junko
Published: March 2020

Although hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) virus infections are still global health issues, measuring sero-markers by standard venipuncture is challenging in areas limited with the adequate human resources and basic infrastructure. This study aimed to inform the usefulness of dried blood spot (DBS) sampling technique for epidemiological study of HBV and HCV in the resources limited areas. We compared specimen recovery rate expressed as analytical sensitivity ratio of HBsAg, HBcAb and anti-HCV between serum specimens and DBS samples (HemaSpot vs Whatman903). Sensitivity ratio was calculated as the ratio of the measured value from DBS to the measured value from serum. Then both the qualitative and quantitative comparisons of HBsAg detection by DBS were done using Cambodian samples. HBsAg, HBcAb and anti-HCV sensitivity ratios for the highest sample dilution (8-fold) were 31.2:1, 38.9:1 and 32.0:1 for Whatman903 card and 17.6:1, 23.5:1 and 26.3:1 for HemaSpot respectively. Detection efficacy of HemaSpot (80%) was not inferior to Whatman903 (60%) after 1 month storage, and no significant difference in any hepatitis virus sero-markers was observed in HemaSpot-spotted patient samples stored for 2 weeks at −25 °C and 29 °C. All reference HemaSpot -spotted 400 HBsAg sero-negative samples showed negative. Sensitivity and specificity of HBsAg in HemaSpot were 92.3% and 100%. The recovery expressed as analytical sensitivity ratio of HBsAg, HBcAb and anti-HCV of HemaSpot specimen were not inferior to Whatman903. Therefore, DBS with its usefulness proved as an acceptable tool for large epidemiological study of HBV and HCV in resources limited remote area.
Deep Evolutionary History of the Phox and Bem1 (PB1) Domain Across Eukaryotes
Authors: Mutte Sumanth Kumar , Weijers Dolf
Published: March 2020

Protein oligomerization is a fundamental process to build complex functional modules. Domains that facilitate the oligomerization process are diverse and widespread in nature across all kingdoms of life. One such domain is the Phox and Bem1 (PB1) domain, which is functionally well-studied in the animal kingdom. However, beyond animals, neither the origin nor the evolutionary patterns of PB1-containing proteins are understood. While PB1 domain proteins have been found in other kingdoms including plants, it is unclear how these relate to animal PB1 proteins. To address this question, we utilized large transcriptome datasets along with the proteomes of a broad range of species. We discovered eight PB1 domain-containing protein families in plants, along with four each in Protozoa and Fungi and three families in Chromista. Studying the deep evolutionary history of PB1 domains throughout eukaryotes revealed the presence of at least two, but likely three, ancestral PB1 copies in the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA). These three ancestral copies gave rise to multiple orthologues later in evolution. Analyzing the sequence and secondary structure properties of plant PB1 domains from all the eight families showed their common ubiquitin β-grasp fold, despite poor sequence identity. Tertiary structural models of these plant PB1 families, combined with Random Forest based classification, indicated family-specific differences attributed to the length of PB1 domain and the proportion of β-sheets. Thus, this study not only identifies novel PB1 families, but also provides an evolutionary basis to understand their diverse functional interactions.
L-HetNetAligner: A novel algorithm for Local Alignment of Heterogeneous Biological Networks
Authors: Milano Marianna , Milenković Tijana , Cannataro Mario , Guzzi Pietro Hiram
Published: March 2020

Networks are largely used for modelling and analysing a wide range of biological data. As a consequence, many different research efforts have resulted in the introduction of a large number of algorithms for analysis and comparison of networks. Many of these algorithms can deal with networks with a single class of nodes and edges, also referred to as homogeneous networks. Recently, many different approaches tried to integrate into a single model the interplay of different molecules. A possible formalism to model such a scenario comes from node/edge coloured networks (also known as heterogeneous networks) implemented as node/ edge-coloured graphs. Therefore, the need for the introduction of algorithms able to compare heterogeneous networks arises. We here focus on the local comparison of heterogeneous networks, and we formulate it as a network alignment problem. To the best of our knowledge, the local alignment of heterogeneous networks has not been explored in the past. We here propose L-HetNetAligner a novel algorithm that receives as input two heterogeneous networks (node-coloured graphs) and builds a local alignment of them. We also implemented and tested our algorithm. Our results confirm that our method builds high-quality alignments. The following website *contains Supplementary File 1 material and the code.
Effects of the Heterointerface on the Growth Characteristics of a Brownmillerite SrFeO2.5 Thin Film Grown on SrRuO3 and SrTiO3 Perovskites
Authors: Jo Janghyun , Nallagatlla Venkata Raveendra , Acharya Susant Kumar , Kang Youngho , Kim Yoonkoo , Yoon Sangmoon , Lee Sangmin , Baik Hionsuck , Han Seungwu , Kim Miyoung , Jung Chang Uk
Published: March 2020

Manipulation of the heterointerfacial structure and/or chemistry of transition metal oxides is of great interest for the development of novel properties. However, few studies have focused on heterointerfacial effects on the growth characteristics of oxide thin films, although such interfacial engineering is crucial to determine the growth dynamics and physical properties of oxide heterostructures. Herein, we show that heterointerfacial effects play key roles in determining the growth process of oxide thin films by overcoming the simple epitaxial strain energy. Brownmillerite (SrFeO2.5; BM-SFO) thin films are epitaxially grown along the b-axis on both SrTiO3(001) and SrRuO3/SrTiO3(001) substrates, whereas growth along the a-axis is expected from conventional epitaxial strain effects originating from lattice mismatch with the substrates. Scanning transmission electron microscopy measurements and first principles calculations reveal that these peculiar growth characteristics of BM-SFO thin films originate from the heterointerfacial effects governed by their distinct interfacial structures. These include octahedral connectivity between dissimilar oxides containing different chemical species and a peculiar transition layer for BM-SFO/SrRuO3/SrTiO3(001) and BM-SFO/SrTiO3(001) heterostructures, respectively. These effects enable subtle control of the growth process of oxide thin films and could facilitate the fabrication of novel functional devices.
Virulence assessment of six major pathogenic Candida species in the mouse model of invasive candidiasis caused by fungal translocation
Authors: Hirayama Tatsuro , Miyazaki Taiga , Ito Yuya , Wakayama Megumi , Shibuya Kazutoshi , Yamashita Kohei , Takazono Takahiro , Saijo Tomomi , Shimamura Shintaro , Yamamoto Kazuko , Imamura Yoshifumi , Izumikawa Koichi , Yanagihara Katsunori , Kohno Shigeru , Mukae Hiroshi
Published: March 2020

Gastrointestinal colonization has been considered as the primary source of candidaemia; however, few established mouse models are available that mimic this infection route. We therefore developed a reproducible mouse model of invasive candidiasis initiated by fungal translocation and compared the virulence of six major pathogenic Candida species. The mice were fed a low-protein diet and then inoculated intragastrically with Candida cells. Oral antibiotics and cyclophosphamide were then administered to facilitate colonization and subsequent dissemination of Candida cells. Mice infected with Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis exhibited higher mortality than mice infected with the other four species. Among the less virulent species, stool titres of Candida glabrata and Candida parapsilosis were higher than those of Candida krusei and Candida guilliermondii. The fungal burdens of C. parapsilosis and C. krusei in the livers and kidneys were significantly greater than those of C. guilliermondii. Histopathologically, C. albicans demonstrated the highest pathogenicity to invade into gut mucosa and liver tissues causing marked necrosis. Overall, this model allowed analysis of the virulence traits of Candida strains in individual mice including colonization in the gut, penetration into intestinal mucosa, invasion into blood vessels, and the subsequent dissemination leading to lethal infections.
Biomechanical insights into the role of foot pads during locomotion in camelid species
Authors: Clemente Christofer J. , Dick Taylor J. M. , Glen Christopher L. , Panagiotopoulou Olga
Published: March 2020

From the camel’s toes to the horse’s hooves, the diversity in foot morphology among mammals is striking. One distinguishing feature is the presence of fat pads, which may play a role in reducing foot pressures, or may be related to habitat specialization. The camelid family provides a useful paradigm to explore this as within this phylogenetically constrained group we see prominent (camels) and greatly reduced (alpacas) fat pads. We found similar scaling of vertical ground reaction force with body mass, but camels had larger foot contact areas, which increased with velocity, unlike alpacas, meaning camels had relatively lower foot pressures. Further, variation between specific regions under the foot was greater in alpacas than camels. Together, these results provide strong evidence for the role of fat pads in reducing relative peak locomotor foot pressures, suggesting that the fat pad role in habitat specialization remains difficult to disentangle.
Association between Fatty Liver Index and Periodontitis: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Kim Ji-Youn , Lee Gyu-Na , Song Hyun Chul , Park Yong-Moon , Ahn Yu-Bae , Han Kyungdo , Ko Seung-Hyun
Published: March 2020

It has been suggested that periodontitis is associated with metabolic abnormalities including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The fatty liver index (FLI) is a non-invasive surrogate marker and predictor of NAFLD. We aimed to determine whether FLI itself would be associated with periodontitis through a secondary analysis of previously reported nationally representative probability sample data of the Korean population. FLI was calculated from a previously developed algorithm which combines measures of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, triglyceride, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Periodontitis was diagnosed based on the Community Periodontal Index (CPI) developed by the World Health Organization. Of 4,272 participants, 26.1% were diagnosed with periodontitis. Higher FLI was associated with a higher prevalence of periodontitis (Odds ratio (OR) highest vs. lowest quartile of FLI,1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23–2.16; P = 0.001 for trend) adjusting for confounding factors. In the highest FLI quartile, prevalence of periodontitis was higher in individuals with diabetes (OR highest vs. lowest quartile of FLI, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.01–8.27 for diabetic subgroup; OR highest vs. lowest quartile of FLI, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.07–1.96 for non-diabetic subgroup). In summary, FLI was associated with prevalent periodontitis.