bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome Predictors in Civilian and Iatrogenic Arterial Trauma
Authors: Kakkos Stavros K. , Tyllianakis Minos , Panagopoulos Andreas , Kokkalis Zinon , Lianou Ioanna , Koletsis Efstratios , Tsolakis Ioannis , Papadoulas Spyros , Gliatis John , Maroulis Ioannis , Kitrou Panagiotis
Published: September 2020

Background

Our aim was to identify predictors of mortality and limb loss in iatrogenic and civilian arterial trauma.

Methods

Cases were identified by searching prospectively maintained registries. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent outcome predictors.

Results

During the study period, 285 patients with arterial trauma were managed with endovascular (n = 20) or open (n = 265) repair. Iatrogenic injuries increased in frequency during the course of the study, from 23.9% during the first decade to 35.9 and 55.7% during the second and third decade, respectively (p < 0.001). Endovascular management increased in frequency during the course of the study, from 0% during the first decade to 5.1 and 11.1% during the second and third decade, respectively (p = 0.005). Mortality was 9.8%, and limb loss (in cases with injury of the aorta or limb arteries, n = 259) was 6.2%. Independent predictors of mortality included increased age (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval [OR, 95% CI] 1.05 (1.02–1.07), p < 0.001), blunt trauma (OR [95% CI] 4.8 (1.9–12.2), p = 0.001) and the number of RBC units transfused intraoperatively (OR [95% CI] 1.25 (1.1–1.4), p = 0.001). Independent predictors of limb loss included the first half of the study period (OR [95% CI] 3.9 (1.1–14.1), p = 0.04), lower extremity arterial trauma (vs upper extremity, aortic, common or external iliac artery trauma, OR [95% CI] 8.3 (1.9–35.7), p = 0.004), bone fracture (OR [95% CI] 16.9 (4.7–62.5), p < 0.001) and the number of RBC units transfused intraoperatively (OR [95% CI] 1.16 (1.02–1.33), p = 0.024).

Conclusion

Increasingly iatrogenic in cause and managed by endovascular methods, arterial trauma remains a problem associated with significant mortality and limb loss. Identification of unfavourable outcome predictors may help clinicians involved with arterial trauma to escalate the level of care.
The Current Landscape of Staging and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in a Region of Ukraine: a Mixed Methods Study
Authors: Lu Pamela W. , Shabat Galyna , Semeniv Solomiia , Fedorkiv Maryana , Fields Adam C. , Lyu Heather G. , Beznosenko Andriy , Davids Jennifer S. , Melnitchouk Nelya
Published: September 2020

Background

In Ukraine, the 1‐year mortality for colorectal cancer is much higher than that seen in high‐income countries. We investigated practice patterns of colorectal cancer treatment in a region of Ukraine to account for high mortality rates.

Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used. Data from patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer in Ivano‐Frankivsk from 2011 to 2015 were collected via retrospective chart review, and descriptive statistics were calculated. Semi‐structured interviews were performed with local practicing surgeons and oncologists until thematic saturation was reached.

Results

A total of 960 patients who underwent surgery were identified in the Ivano‐Frankivsk region with colon (689) or rectal (271) cancer. 11.7% of patients underwent preoperative CT of the abdomen and pelvis, and only 1.7% underwent CT of the chest. 4.1% of patients underwent a complete preoperative colonoscopy, while 31.0% had incomplete colonoscopies. Postoperatively, 31.1% of patients with stage II colon cancer and 43.9% of patients with stage III colon cancer underwent adjuvant chemotherapy. For patients with stage II and III rectal cancers, 20.9% and 33.3% underwent chemotherapy, while 68.4% and 66.7% underwent radiation therapy, respectively. Fifteen physicians completed interviews. Two major themes emerged regarding physician perceptions on providing colorectal cancer care: lack of resources and systems level issues negatively impacting patient care.

Conclusion

In this region in Ukraine, staging practices for colorectal malignancies are inconsistent and inadequate, and adjuvant treatments are varied. This is likely attributable to the lack of resources facing providers and the prohibitively high cost of care to patients.
Magnetoreception in Hymenoptera: importance for navigation
Authors: Fleischmann Pauline N. , Grob Robin , Rössler Wolfgang
Published: September 2020

The use of information provided by the geomagnetic field (GMF) for navigation is widespread across the animal kingdom. At the same time, the magnetic sense is one of the least understood senses. Here, we review evidence for magnetoreception in Hymenoptera. We focus on experiments aiming to shed light on the role of the GMF for navigation. Both honeybees and desert ants are well-studied experimental models for navigation, and both use the GMF for specific navigational tasks under certain conditions. Cataglyphis desert ants use the GMF as a compass cue for path integration during their initial learning walks to align their gaze directions towards the nest entrance. This represents the first example for the use of the GMF in an insect species for a genuine navigational task under natural conditions and with all other navigational cues available. We argue that the recently described magnetic compass in Cataglyphis opens up a new integrative approach to understand the mechanisms underlying magnetoreception in Hymenoptera on different biological levels.
Clinical assessment of gait and functional mobility in Italian healthy and cognitively impaired older persons using wearable inertial sensors
Authors: Mulas Ilaria , Putzu Valeria , Asoni Gesuina , Viale Daniela , Mameli Irene , Pau Massimiliano
Published: September 2020

Aim

The main purpose of the present study was to verify the feasibility of wearable inertial sensors (IMUs) in a clinical setting to screen gait and functional mobility in Italian older persons. In particular, we intended to verify the capability of IMUs to discriminate individuals with and without cognitive impairments and assess the existence of significant correlations between mobility parameters extracted by processing trunk accelerations and cognitive status.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study performed on 213 adults aged over 65 years (mean age 77.0 ± 5.4; 62% female) who underwent cognitive assessment (through Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised, ACE-R) instrumental gait analysis and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test carried out using a wearable IMU located in the lower back.

Results

Individuals with cognitive impairments exhibit a peculiar gait pattern, characterized by significant reduction of speed (− 34% vs. healthy individuals), stride length (− 28%), cadence (− 9%), and increase in double support duration (+ 11%). Slight, but significant changes in stance and swing phase duration were also detected. Poorer performances in presence of cognitive impairment were observed in terms of functional mobility as overall and sub-phase TUG times resulted significantly higher with respect to healthy individuals (overall time, + 38%, sub-phases times ranging from + 22 to + 34%), although with some difference associated with age. The severity of mobility alterations was found moderately to strongly correlated with the ACE-R score (Spearman’s rho = 0.58 vs. gait speed, 0.54 vs. stride length, 0.66 vs. overall TUG time).

Conclusion

The findings obtained in the present study suggest that wearable IMUs appear to be an effective solution for the clinical assessment of mobility parameters of older persons screened for cognitive impairments within a clinical setting. They may represent a useful tool for the clinician in verifying the effectiveness of interventions to alleviate the impact of mobility limitations on daily life in cognitively impaired individuals.
The Biological Universe
Authors: Arthur Wallace
Published: September 2020

Are we alone in the universe, or are there other life forms 'out there'? This is one of the most scientifically and philosophically important questions that humanity can ask. Now, in the early 2020s, we are tantalizingly close to an answer. As this book shows, the answer will almost certainly be that life forms are to be found across the Milky Way and beyond. They will be thinly spread, to be sure. Yet the number of inhabited planets probably runs into the trillions. Some are close enough for us to detect evidence of life by analysing their atmospheres. This evidence may be found within a couple of decades. Its arrival will be momentous. But even before it arrives we can anticipate what life elsewhere will be like by examining the ecology and evolution of life on Earth. This book considers the current state of play in relation to these titanic issues.
Research on the design of smart morphing long-endurance UAVs
Authors: Ma T. , Liu Y. , Yang D. , Zhang Z. , Wang X. , Hao S.
Published: September 2020

To improve the endurance performance of long-endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), a smart morphing method to adjust the UAV and flight mode continuously during flight is proposed. Using this method as a starting point, a smart morphing long-endurance UAV design is conducted and the resulting improvement in the endurance performance studied. Firstly, the initial overall design of the smart morphing long-endurance UAV is carried out, then the morphing form is designed and various control parameters are selected. Secondly, based on multi-agent theory, an architecture for the smart morphing control system is built and the workflow of the smart morphing control system is planned. The morphing decision method is designed in detail based on the particle swarm optimisation algorithm. Finally, a simulation of the smart morphing approach in the climb and cruise stages is carried out to quantitatively verify the improvement in the endurance performance. The simulation results show that the smart morphing method can improve the cruise time by 4.1% with the same fuel consumption.
‘Mediterraneo baltico’: Italian Fascist propaganda in Finland (1933–9)
Authors: Ferrarini Fabio
Published: September 2020

This article focuses on Italian Fascist propaganda in Finland. Federico Finchelstein (2010) characterised fascism as a global-transnational doctrine with diverse reformulations, ramifications and permutations. Therefore, the Finnish case-study is useful in the analysis of Mussolini's twin struggle against Soviet Communism and the increasing Nazi threat in the Baltic in the 1930s and 1940s. This article will examine how Mussolini tried to keep in touch with Finnish fascists after Hitler's rise to power. Organisations and groups like the Lapua Movement and the Finnish Patriotic People's Movement were inspired by Italian Fascism and the success of the March on Rome encouraged their hope that they could take power in Finland. The ultimate failure of Finnish fascism has ensured the continued marginalisation of fascism as a research subject in the Finnish academic tradition. Yet, as Roger Griffin suggests, studies of peripheral and failed fascisms can also contribute important insights for understanding both the ‘centre’ of fascism, as well as modern nationalist extremist movements. Fascism as an international political phenomenon cannot be understood from rigidly national interpretative frameworks.
Coronary artery aneurysm and facial drooping in a infant with Kawasaki disease
Authors: Yuan Ye , Lu Na
Published: September 2020

Kawasaki disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in infants and young children. Kawasaki disease that manifests as facial nerve palsy is extremely rare, and the diagnosis is challenging. We report a 4-month-old girl with Kawasaki disease who presented with fever, redness and cracking in the lips and oral cavity, and a right facial nerve palsy. The infant received intravenous immunoglobulin, acetyl salicylic acid, and warfarin. The patient’s fever subsided on the following day, and the right-sided facial nerve palsy was relieved a month later.
Understanding team dynamics to promote team building in a radiotherapy department
Authors: Dawdy Krista , McGuffin Merrylee , Fegan Colette
Published: September 2020

Background:

Teamwork is a central framework in healthcare delivery. Team dynamics can impact the team as a whole and has been identified within the literature as a contributory factor to quality and safety, patient satisfaction, staff satisfaction and overall performance. Within radiation therapy (RT), teamwork is essential in the delivery of high-quality care, yet team building and team development is under-reported.

Aim:

The focus of this research is to form a better understanding of what plays an impact on teams in a large urban RT cancer centre and how to better engage staff to work together, improve team dynamics and promote team building.

Materials and Methods:

An electronic search of the literature was conducted to better inform debate and aid in the development of team-building sessions in a busy radiotherapy department. Abstracts were screened and relevant articles selected if they met the search criteria that included relevancy related to team building, contributory factors on team dynamics, team-based learning, team performance and implication of civility.

Results:

A total of 45 articles were included in the final analysis. The majority were from the disciplines of medicine (45%), business (22%) and nursing (18%). Only 3 of the 45 articles (7%) focused on the profession of RT. Most articles discussed more than 1 theme with team dynamics and team building being the most common themes discussed in 16 articles each (36%). Other common themes included teamwork (31%), respect and civility (20%), leadership and hierarchy (11%), medical errors (11%) and team training (11%). Only 3 of the 45 articles (7%) focused on RT.

Conclusion:

There is a lack of longitudinal evidence to support the impact of team building sessions to improve team dynamics and promote a positive, cohesive team environment. Specifically within RT, the impact team building has on team dynamics has been under investigation.

Highlights:

High-quality patient care can be linked to team collaboration and cohesiveness. Changing the culture within a team and engaging in civility and respect in everyday practice has the potential to improve team dynamics, patient safety, staff and patient satisfaction.
Applying Ion Energy Spectrograms to Search for Plumes at Europa
Authors: Arnold Hannes , Simon Sven , Liuzzo Lucas
Published: September 2020

We constrain the diagnostic potential of ion energy spectrograms to identify signatures of water vapor plumes in the thermal plasma environment of Jupiter's moon Europa. For this purpose, we apply a hybrid model of Europa's Alfvénic plasma interaction to calculate the perturbations of the flow and the electromagnetic fields near the moon for various plume locations on its surface, combined with different sets of magnetospheric upstream conditions (corresponding to different distances between Europa and the center of Jupiter's plasma sheet). The model output is used to generate synthetic time series for the count rates of the observable thermal ion population as a function of energy along several hypothetical spacecraft trajectories as well as for the Galileo E26 flyby. We demonstrate that the observability of characteristic plume signatures depends strongly on the viewing direction of the detector. Most surprisingly, for certain plume locations, a particle detector facing away from Europa captures more clearly discernible signatures of a plume passage than a detector looking into the direction of the moon. This puzzling result is caused by the deflection of magnetospheric and plume ions near Europa's Alfvén wings as well as a “contamination” of the spectrograms by cold plasma from the moon's global exosphere. The signature of the plume crossed during E26 is most clearly visible for a detector orientation that simultaneously captures the cold plume ions and a portion of the incident magnetospheric ion population. The results of this study will facilitate the planning of synergistic measurements during upcoming missions to Europa.
Dispersive Fast Magnetosonic Waves and Shock‐Driven Compressible Turbulence in the Inner Heliosheath
Authors: Zieger Bertalan , Opher Merav , Tóth Gábor , Florinski Vladimir
Published: September 2020

The solar wind in the inner heliosheath beyond the termination shock (TS) is a nonequilibrium collisionless plasma consisting of thermal solar wind ions, suprathermal pickup ions, and electrons. In such multi‐ion plasma, two fast magnetosonic wave modes exist, the low‐frequency fast mode and the high‐frequency fast mode. Both fast modes are dispersive on fluid and ion scales, which results in nonlinear dispersive shock waves. We present high‐resolution three‐fluid simulations of the TS and the inner heliosheath up to a few astronomical units (AU) downstream of the TS. We show that downstream propagating nonlinear fast magnetosonic waves grow until they steepen into shocklets, overturn, and start to propagate backward in the frame of the downstream propagating wave. The counterpropagating nonlinear waves result in 2‐D fast magnetosonic turbulence, which is driven by the ion‐ion hybrid resonance instability. Energy is transferred from small scales to large scales in the inverse cascade range, and enstrophy is transferred from large scales to small scales in the direct cascade range. We validate our three‐fluid simulations with in situ high‐resolution Voyager 2 magnetic field observations in the inner heliosheath. Our simulations reproduce the observed magnetic turbulence spectrum with a spectral slope of −5/3 in frequency domain. However, the fluid‐scale turbulence spectrum is not a Kolmogorov spectrum in wave number domain because Taylor's hypothesis breaks down in the inner heliosheath. The magnetic structure functions of the simulated and observed turbulence follow the Kolmogorov‐Kraichnan scaling, which implies self‐similarity.
The Seismic Moment and Seismic Efficiency of Small Impacts on Mars
Authors: Wójcicka N. , Collins G. S. , Bastow I. D. , Teanby N. A. , Miljković K. , Rajšić A. , Daubar I. , Lognonné P.
Published: September 2020

Since landing in late 2018, the InSight lander has been recording seismic signals on the surface of Mars. Despite nominal prelanding estimates of one to three meteorite impacts detected per Earth year, none have yet been identified seismically. To inform revised detectability estimates, we simulated numerically a suite of small impacts onto Martian regolith and characterized their seismic source properties. For the impactor size and velocity range most relevant for InSight, crater diameters are 1–30 m. We found that in this range scalar seismic moment is 106–1010 Nm and increases almost linearly with impact momentum. The ratio of horizontal to vertical seismic moment tensor components is ∼1, implying an almost isotropic P wave source, for vertical impacts. Seismic efficiencies are ∼10−6, dependent on the target crushing strength and impact velocity. Our predictions of relatively low seismic efficiency and seismic moment suggest that meteorite impact detectability on Mars is lower than previously assumed. Detection chances are best for impacts forming craters of diameter >10 m.
Dynamic Compressive Strength and Fragmentation in Felsic Crystalline Rocks
Authors: Rae Auriol S. P. , Kenkmann Thomas , Padmanabha Vivek , Poelchau Michael H. , Schäfer Frank
Published: September 2020

Brittle deformation in rocks depends upon loading rate; with increasing rates, typically greater than ~102 s−1, rocks become significantly stronger and undergo increasingly severe fragmentation. Dynamic conditions required for rate‐dependent brittle failure may be reached during impact events, seismogenic rupture, and landslides. Material characteristics and fragment characterization of specific geomaterials from dynamic loading are only approximately known. Here we determine the characteristic strain rate for dynamic behavior in felsic crystalline rocks, including anisotropy, and describe the resulting fragments. Regardless of the type of felsic crystalline rock or anisotropy, the characteristic strain rate is the same within uncertainties for all tested materials, with an average value of 229 ± 81 s−1. Despite the lack of variation of the critical strain rate with lithology, we find that the degree of fragmentation as a function of strain rate varies depending on material. Scaled or not, the fragmentation results are inconsistent with current theoretical models of fragmentation. Additionally, we demonstrate that conditions during impact cratering, where the impactor diameter is less than ~100 m, are analogous to the experiments carried out here and therefore that dynamic strengthening and compressive fragmentation should be considered as important processes during impact cratering.
Compound‐Specific Radiocarbon Analysis of (Sub‐)Antarctic Coastal Marine Sediments—Potential and Challenges for Chronologies
Authors: Berg S. , Jivcov S. , Kusch S. , Kuhn G. , Wacker L. , Rethemeyer J.
Published: September 2020

In Antarctic and Subantarctic environments, 14C‐based age determination is often challenging due to unknown reservoir effects, low organic carbon contents of sediments, and high contributions of petrogenic (14C‐free) carbon in ice marginal settings. In this study, we evaluate possible benefits and challenges of compound‐specific radiocarbon analysis (CSRA) as a tool for age determination of marine Antarctic and Subantarctic sediment sequences. We present a comprehensive data set of 14C ages obtained on bulk organic carbon, carbonates, and on fatty acids (FA) from three coastal marine sediment cores from Subantarctic South Georgia and East Antarctica. Low molecular weight (LMW) FA represent the least 14C‐depleted fraction, indicating that the phytoplankton‐derived compounds can be a means of dating sediments. In contrast, vascular plant‐derived high molecular weight FA are systematically depleted in 14C relative to the low molecular weight homologues, reflecting processes such as soil formation/erosion in the catchment. Comparative age‐depth models show significant differences, depending on the material used for the respective models. While the land plant‐derived FA may lead to an overestimation of the actual sediment age, LMW FA reveal complex aquatic reservoir effects. Bulk sedimentary organic carbon 14C ages likely provide appropriate age estimates in settings with low petrogenic carbon input in the Antarctic, whereas CSRA has the potential to produce improved age control in settings with high contributions of petrogenic carbon.
The Role of Low Dose Whole Body CT in the Detection of Progression of Patients with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Gavriatopoulou Maria , Βoultadaki Andriani , Koutoulidis Vassilis , Ntanasis-Stathopoulos Ioannis , Bourgioti Charis , Malandrakis Panagiotis , Fotiou Despina , Migkou Magdalini , Kanellias Nikolaos , Eleutherakis-Papaiakovou Evangelos , Kastritis Efstathios , Terpos Evangelos , Dimopoulos Meletios A. , Moulopoulos Lia-Angela
Published: September 2020

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy, characterized by plasma cell bone marrow infiltration and end-organ involvement. Smoldering MM (SMM) is an intermediate clinical entity between MGUS and MM, with a risk of progression to symptomatic disease 10% per year. Bone disease is the most frequent symptom of MM, with ~90% of patients developing bone lesions throughout their disease course. Therefore, imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosis and management. Whole-body low-dose CT (WBLDCT) is widely available and has been incorporated in the latest diagnostic criteria of the IMWG. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of WBLDCT in the early identification of lesions in patients with SMM who progress solely with bone disease. In total, 100 asymptomatic patients were consecutively assessed with WBLDCT from July 2013 until March 2020 at baseline, 1-year after diagnosis and every 1 year thereafter. Ten percent of patients were identified as progressors with this single imaging modality. This is the first study to evaluate prospectively patients with SMM at different time points to identify early bone lesions related to MM evolution. Serial WBLDCT studies can identify early myeloma evolution and optimize disease monitoring and therapeutic strategies.
The therapeutic effect of the BRD4-degrading PROTAC A1874 in human colon cancer cells
Authors: Qin An-cheng , Jin Hua , Song Yu , Gao Yun , Chen Yi-Fan , Zhou Li-na , Wang Shu-sheng , Lu Xing-sheng
Published: September 2020

A1874 is a novel BRD4-degrading proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC). In primary colon cancer cells and established HCT116 cells, A1874 potently inhibited cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle progression, as well as cell migration and invasion. The BRD4-degrading PROTAC was able to induce caspase and apoptosis activation in colon cancer cells. Furthermore, A1874-induced degradation of BRD4 protein and downregulated BRD-dependent genes (c-Myc, Bcl-2, and cyclin D1) in colon cancer cells. Significantly, A1874-induced anti-colon cancer cell activity was more potent than the known BRD4 inhibitors (JQ1, CPI203, and I-BET151). In BRD4-knockout colon cancer cells A1874 remained cytotoxic, indicating the existence of BRD4-independent mechanisms. In addition to BRD4 degradation, A1874 cytotoxicity in colon cancer cells was also associated with p53 protein stabilization and reactive oxygen species production. Importantly, the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine and the p53 inhibitor pifithrin-α attenuated A1874-induced cell death and apoptosis in colon cancer cells. In vivo, A1874 oral administration potently inhibited colon cancer xenograft growth in severe combined immuno-deficient mice. BRD4 degradation and p53 protein elevation, as well as apoptosis induction and oxidative stress were detected in A1874-treated colon cancer tissues. Together, A1874 inhibits colon cancer cell growth through both BRD4-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Engineering and application of a biosensor with focused ligand specificity
Authors: Della Corte Dennis , van Beek Hugo L. , Syberg Falk , Schallmey Marcus , Tobola Felix , Cormann Kai U. , Schlicker Christine , Baumann Philipp T. , Krumbach Karin , Sokolowsky Sascha , Morris Connor J. , Grünberger Alexander , Hofmann Eckhard , Schröder Gunnar F. , Marienhagen Jan
Published: September 2020

Cell factories converting bio-based precursors to chemicals present an attractive avenue to a sustainable economy, yet screening of genetically diverse strain libraries to identify the best-performing whole-cell biocatalysts is a low-throughput endeavor. For this reason, transcriptional biosensors attract attention as they allow the screening of vast libraries when used in combination with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). However, broad ligand specificity of transcriptional regulators (TRs) often prohibits the development of such ultra-high-throughput screens. Here, we solve the structure of the TR LysG ofCorynebacterium glutamicum, which detects all three basic amino acids. Based on this information, we follow a semi-rational engineering approach using a FACS-based screening/counterscreening strategy to generate anl-lysine insensitive LysG-based biosensor. This biosensor can be used to isolatel-histidine-producing strains by FACS, showing that TR engineering towards a more focused ligand spectrum can expand the scope of application of such metabolite sensors.
Thioglycoligase derived from fungal GH3 β-xylosidase is a multi-glycoligase with broad acceptor tolerance
Authors: Nieto-Domínguez Manuel , Fernández de Toro Beatriz , de Eugenio Laura I. , Santana Andrés G. , Bejarano-Muñoz Lara , Armstrong Zach , Méndez-Líter Juan Antonio , Asensio Juan Luis , Prieto Alicia , Withers Stephen G. , Cañada Francisco Javier , Martínez María Jesús
Published: September 2020

The synthesis of customized glycoconjugates constitutes a major goal for biocatalysis. To this end, engineered glycosidases have received great attention and, among them, thioglycoligases have proved useful to connect carbohydrates to non-sugar acceptors. However, hitherto the scope of these biocatalysts was considered limited to strong nucleophilic acceptors. Based on the particularities of the GH3 glycosidase family active site, we hypothesized that converting a suitable member into a thioglycoligase could boost the acceptor range. Herein we show the engineering of an acidophilic fungal β-xylosidase into a thioglycoligase with broad acceptor promiscuity. The mutant enzyme displays the ability to form O-, N-, S- and Se- glycosides together with sugar esters and phosphoesters with conversion yields from moderate to high. Analyses also indicate that the pKa of the target compound was the main factor to determine its suitability as glycosylation acceptor. These results expand on the glycoconjugate portfolio attainable through biocatalysis.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids and p38-MAPK link metabolic reprogramming to cytoprotective gene expression during dietary restriction
Authors: Chamoli Manish , Goyala Anita , Tabrez Syed Shamsh , Siddiqui Atif Ahmed , Singh Anupama , Antebi Adam , Lithgow Gordon J. , Watts Jennifer L. , Mukhopadhyay Arnab
Published: September 2020

The metabolic state of an organism instructs gene expression modalities, leading to changes in complex life history traits, such as longevity. Dietary restriction (DR), which positively affects health and life span across species, leads to metabolic reprogramming that enhances utilisation of fatty acids for energy generation. One direct consequence of this metabolic shift is the upregulation of cytoprotective (CyTP) genes categorized in the Gene Ontology (GO) term of “Xenobiotic Detoxification Program” (XDP). How an organism senses metabolic changes during nutritional stress to alter gene expression programs is less known. Here, using a genetic model of DR, we show that the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially linoleic acid (LA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), are increased following DR and these PUFAs are able to activate the CyTP genes. This activation of CyTP genes is mediated by the conserved p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) pathway. Consequently, genes of the PUFA biosynthesis and p38-MAPK pathway are required for multiple paradigms of DR-mediated longevity, suggesting conservation of mechanism. Thus, our study shows that PUFAs and p38-MAPK pathway function downstream of DR to help communicate the metabolic state of an organism to regulate expression of CyTP genes, ensuring extended life span.
Rapid assessment of structural and compositional changes during early stages of zirconium alloy oxidation
Authors: Kautz Elizabeth J. , Gwalani Bharat , Lambeets Sten V. M. , Kovarik Libor , Schreiber Daniel K. , Perea Daniel E. , Senor David , Liu Yi-Sheng , Battu Anil K. , Tseng Kuo-Pin , Thevuthasan Suntharampillai , Devaraj Arun
Published: September 2020

A multimodal chemical imaging approach has been developed and applied to detail the dynamic, atomic-scale changes associated with oxidation of a zirconium alloy (Zircaloy-4). Scanning transmission electron microscopy, a gas-phase reactor chamber attached to an atom probe tomography instrument, and synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy were employed to reveal morphology, composition, crystal, and electronic structure changes that occur during initial stages of oxidation at 300 °C. Oxidation was carried out in 10 mbar O2gas for short exposure times of 1 and 5 min. A multilayered oxide film with a cubic ZrO adjacent to the oxide/metal interface, a nanoscopic transition region with a graded composition of ZrO2−x(where 0 < x < 1), and tetragonal ZrO2in the outermost oxide were formed. Partitioning of the major alloying element (tin) to the oxide/metal interface and heterogeneously within the oxide accompanied the development of the layered oxide. Our work provides a rapid, high-throughput approach for detailed characterisation of initial stages of zirconium alloy oxidation at an accelerated time scale, with implications for several other alloy systems.
Giant shift upon strain on the fluorescence spectrum of VNNB color centers in h-BN
Authors: Li Song , Chou Jyh-Pin , Hu Alice , Plenio Martin B. , Udvarhelyi Péter , Thiering Gergő , Abdi Mehdi , Gali Adam
Published: September 2020

We study the effect of strain on the physical properties of the nitrogen antisite-vacancy pair in hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), a color center that may be employed as a quantum bit in a two-dimensional material. With group theory and ab initio analysis we show that strong electron–phonon coupling plays a key role in the optical activation of this color center. We find a giant shift on the zero-phonon-line (ZPL) emission of the nitrogen antisite-vacancy pair defect upon applying strain that is typical of h-BN samples. Our results provide a plausible explanation for the experimental observation of quantum emitters with similar optical properties but widely scattered ZPL wavelengths and the experimentally observed dependence of the ZPL on the strain.
Tuning magnetic confinement of spin-triplet superconductivity
Authors: Lin Wen-Chen , Campbell Daniel J. , Ran Sheng , Liu I-Lin , Kim Hyunsoo , Nevidomskyy Andriy H. , Graf David , Butch Nicholas P. , Paglione Johnpierre
Published: September 2020

Electrical magnetoresistance and tunnel diode oscillator measurements were performed under external magnetic fields up to 41 T applied along the crystallographic b axis (hard axis) of UTe2 as a function of temperature and applied pressures up to 18.8 kbar. In this work, we track the field-induced first-order transition between superconducting and magnetic field-polarized phases as a function of applied pressure, showing suppression of the transition with increasing pressure until the demise of superconductivity near 16 kbar and the appearance of a pressure-induced ferromagnetic-like ground state that is distinct from the field-polarized phase and stable at zero field. Together with evidence for the evolution of a second superconducting phase and its upper critical field with pressure, we examine the confinement of superconductivity by two orthogonal magnetic phases and the implications for understanding the boundaries of triplet superconductivity.
Using machine learning of computerized vocal expression to measure blunted vocal affect and alogia
Authors: Cohen Alex S. , Cox Christopher R. , Le Thanh P. , Cowan Tovah , Masucci Michael D. , Strauss Gregory P. , Kirkpatrick Brian
Published: September 2020

Negative symptoms are a transdiagnostic feature of serious mental illness (SMI) that can be potentially “digitally phenotyped” using objective vocal analysis. In prior studies, vocal measures show low convergence with clinical ratings, potentially because analysis has used small, constrained acoustic feature sets. We sought to evaluate (1) whether clinically rated blunted vocal affect (BvA)/alogia could be accurately modelled using machine learning (ML) with a large feature set from two separate tasks (i.e., a 20-s “picture” and a 60-s “free-recall” task), (2) whether “Predicted” BvA/alogia (computed from the ML model) are associated with demographics, diagnosis, psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive/social functioning, and (3) which key vocal features are central to BvA/Alogia ratings. Accuracy was high (>90%) and was improved when computed separately by speaking task. ML scores were associated with poor cognitive performance and social functioning and were higher in patients with schizophrenia versus depression or mania diagnoses. However, the features identified as most predictive of BvA/Alogia were generally not considered critical to their operational definitions. Implications for validating and implementing digital phenotyping to reduce SMI burden are discussed.
Arbitrarily high time bandwidth performance in a nonreciprocal optical resonator with broken time invariance
Authors: Cardea Ivan , Grassani Davide , Fabbri Simon J. , Upham Jeremy , Boyd Robert W. , Altug Hatice , Schulz Sebastian A. , Tsakmakidis Kosmas L. , Brès Camille-Sophie
Published: September 2020

Most present-day resonant systems, throughout physics and engineering, are characterized by a strict time-reversal symmetry between the rates of energy coupled in and out of the system, which leads to a trade-off between how long a wave can be stored in the system and the system’s bandwidth. Any attempt to reduce the losses of the resonant system, and hence store a (mechanical, acoustic, electronic, optical, or of any other nature) wave for more time, will inevitably also reduce the bandwidth of the system. Until recently, this time-bandwidth limit has been considered fundamental, arising from basic Fourier reciprocity. In this work, using a simple macroscopic, fiber-optic resonator where the nonreciprocity is induced by breaking its time-invariance, we report, in full agreement with accompanying numerical simulations, a time-bandwidth product (TBP) exceeding the ‘fundamental’ limit of ordinary resonant systems by a factor of 30. We show that, although in practice experimental constraints limit our scheme, the TBP can be arbitrarily large, simply dictated by the finesse of the cavity. Our results open the path for designing resonant systems, ubiquitous in physics and engineering, that can simultaneously be broadband and possessing long storage times, thereby offering a potential for new functionalities in wave-matter interactions.
Adolescents exhibit reduced Pavlovian biases on instrumental learning
Authors: Raab Hillary A. , Hartley Catherine A.
Published: September 2020

Multiple learning systems allow individuals to flexibly respond to opportunities and challenges present in the environment. An evolutionarily conserved “Pavlovian” learning mechanism couples valence and action, promoting a tendency to approach cues associated with reward and to inhibit action in the face of anticipated punishment. Although this default response system may be adaptive, these hard-wired reactions can hinder the ability to learn flexible “instrumental” actions in pursuit of a goal. Such constraints on behavioral flexibility have been studied extensively in adults. However, the extent to which these valence-specific response tendencies bias instrumental learning across development remains poorly characterized. Here, we show that while Pavlovian response biases constrain flexible action learning in children and adults, these biases are attenuated in adolescents. This adolescent-specific reduction in Pavlovian bias may promote unbiased exploration of approach and avoidance responses, facilitating the discovery of rewarding behavior in the many novel contexts that adolescents encounter.
Complex study on compression of ECG signals using novel single-cycle fractal-based algorithm and SPIHT
Authors: Nemcova Andrea , Vitek Martin , Novakova Marie
Published: September 2020

Compression of ECG signal is essential especially in the area of signal transmission in telemedicine. There exist many compression algorithms which are described in various details, tested on various datasets and their performance is expressed by different ways. There is a lack of standardization in this area. This study points out these drawbacks and presents new compression algorithm which is properly described, tested and objectively compared with other authors. This study serves as an example how the standardization should look like. Single-cycle fractal-based (SCyF) compression algorithm is introduced and tested on 4 different databases—CSE database, MIT-BIH arrhythmia database, High-frequency signal and Brno University of Technology ECG quality database (BUT QDB). SCyF algorithm is always compared with well-known algorithm based on wavelet transform and set partitioning in hierarchical trees in terms of efficiency (2 methods) and quality/distortion of the signal after compression (12 methods). Detail analysis of the results is provided. The results of SCyF compression algorithm reach up to avL = 0.4460 bps and PRDN = 2.8236%.
Contribution to the reproductive ecology of Notoscopelus resplendens (Richardson, 1845) (Myctophidae) in the Central-Eastern Atlantic
Authors: Sarmiento-Lezcano A. N. , Triay-Portella R. , Guerra-Marrero A. , Jiménez-Alvarado D. , Rubio-Rodríguez U. , Núñez-González` R. , Bordes F. , Castro J. J.
Published: September 2020

Notoscopelus resplendens is an abundant myctophid in the region of the Central-Eastern Atlantic. As with a majority of other myctophid species, this species performs vertical migration, playing a key role in the oceanic food web and in carbon sequestration. We examined the reproductive biology of N. resplendens based on 579 specimens caught between 1997 and 2002 off the Canary Islands. We found that the maximum standard length (SL) was lower than the size reported by other authors. The sex ratio was not different from 1:1. The average size at first maturity (L50) was higher in females (60.34 mm SL) than in males (56.61 mm SL). The gonadosomatic index (GSI) at 50% sexual maturity in females was higher than that in males. The reproductive activity was observed from January to April, while from May onwards, the majority of fish caught were in the process of maturation. The macroscopic scale of maturation was validated through the histological analysis of the ovarian development. The batch fecundity was related to the standard length, with an average of 1068.69 ± 369.84 eggs/spawn. These first data obtained for N. resplendens indicated that it is a batch spawner with asynchronous ovarian development.
Discrimination of dissociated lymphoma cells from leukocytes by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Iwasaki Yuko , Kawagishi Masahiko , Takase Hiroshi , Ohno-Matsui Kyoko
Published: September 2020

Diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma is difficult. Among the hurdles in the diagnosis are the variety of reactive inflammatory and ischemic changes among intraocular lymphoma patients. Thus, a novel diagnostic method is desired such that lymphoma cells can be distinguished by the signals intrinsic to the cells, not by those from the surrounding tissues with reactive changes. Raman spectroscopy is a technique that can detect intrinsic signals from each cell. Therefore, Raman spectroscopy is a good candidate for an intraocular evaluation technology that could contribute to improve the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma. In this study, we tested whether the intrinsic Raman signals from malignant lymphoma cells, in the absence of surrounding tissue, were sufficient for the discrimination of malignant lymphoma cells from leukocytes. We acquired spectra from dissociated lymphoma cells, along with spectra from normal B cells and other leukocytes involved in intraocular inflammatory diseases. We analysed the spectra using principal component analyses and quadratic discriminant analyses. We found that Raman spectra from dissociated cells without confounding tissues showed high discriminating ability, regardless of the variation due to day-to-day differences and donor differences. The present study demonstrates the possible effectiveness of Raman spectroscopy as a tool for intraocular evaluation.
The genomes of a monogenic fly: views of primitive sex chromosomes
Authors: Andere Anne A. , Pimsler Meaghan L. , Tarone Aaron M. , Picard Christine J.
Published: September 2020

The production of male and female offspring is often determined by the presence of specific sex chromosomes which control sex-specific expression, and sex chromosomes evolve through reduced recombination and specialized gene content. Here we present the genomes of Chrysomya rufifacies, a monogenic blow fly (females produce female or male offspring, exclusively) by separately sequencing and assembling each type of female and the male. The genomes (> 25X coverage) do not appear to have any sex-linked Muller F elements (typical for many Diptera) and exhibit little differentiation between groups supporting the morphological assessments of C. rufifacies homomorphic chromosomes. Males in this species are associated with a unimodal coverage distribution while females exhibit bimodal coverage distributions, suggesting a potential difference in genomic architecture. The presence of the individual-sex draft genomes herein provides new clues regarding the origination and evolution of the diverse sex-determining mechanisms observed within Diptera. Additional genomic analysis of sex chromosomes and sex-determining genes of other blow flies will allow a refined evolutionary understanding of how flies with a typical X/Y heterogametic amphogeny (male and female offspring in similar ratios) sex determination systems evolved into one with a dominant factor that results in single sex progeny in a chromosomally monomorphic system.
SERRS multiplexing with multivalent nanostructures for the identification and enumeration of epithelial and mesenchymal cells
Authors: Litti Lucio , Colusso Andrea , Pinto Marcella , Ruli Erlis , Scarsi Alessia , Ventura Laura , Toffoli Giuseppe , Colombatti Marco , Fracasso Giulio , Meneghetti Moreno
Published: September 2020

Liquid biopsy represents a new frontier of cancer diagnosis and prognosis, which allows the isolation of tumor cells released in the blood stream. The extremely low abundance of these cells needs appropriate methodologies for their identification and enumeration. Herein we present a new protocol based on surface enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) gold multivalent nanostructures to identify and enumerate tumor cells with epithelial and mesenchimal markers. The validation of the protocol is obtained with spiked samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Gold nanostructures are functionalized with SERRS labels and with antibodies to link the tumor cells. Three types of such nanosystems were simultaneously used and the protocol allows obtaining the identification of all individual tumor cells with the help of a Random Forest ensemble learning method.
Modulation of Rab7a-mediated growth factor receptor trafficking inhibits islet beta cell apoptosis and autophagy under conditions of metabolic stress
Authors: Hewawasam Nirun V. , Lhaf Fadel , Taylor Henry A. , Viloria Katrina , Austin Amazon , King Aileen , Jones Peter , Jones Lucy , Turner Mark D. , Hill Natasha J.
Published: September 2020

Regenerative medicine approaches to enhancing beta cell growth and survival represent potential treatments for diabetes. It is known that growth factors such as insulin, IGF-1 and HGF support beta cell growth and survival, but in people with type 2 diabetes the destructive effects of metabolic stress predominate and beta cell death or dysfunction occurs. In this study we explore the novel hypothesis that regulation of growth factor receptor trafficking can be used to promote islet beta cell survival. Growth factor signalling is dependent on the presence of cell surface receptors. Endosomal trafficking and subsequent recycling or degradation of these receptors is controlled by the Rab GTPase family of proteins. We show that Rab7a siRNA inhibition enhances IGF-1 and HGF signalling in beta cells and increases expression of the growth factor receptors IGF-1R and c-Met. Furthermore, Rab7a inhibition promotes beta cell growth and islet survival, and protects against activation of apoptosis and autophagy pathways under conditions of metabolic stress. This study therefore demonstrates that Rab7a-mediated trafficking of growth factor receptors controls beta cell survival. Pharmaceutical Rab7a inhibition may provide a means to promote beta cell survival in the context of metabolic stress and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.