bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jamming a terahertz wireless link
Authors: Shrestha Rabi , Guerboukha Hichem , Fang Zhaoji , Knightly Edward , Mittleman Daniel M.
Published: June 2022

As the demand for bandwidth in wireless communication increases, carrier frequencies will reach the terahertz (THz) regime. One of the common preconceived notions is that, at these high frequencies, signals can radiate with high directivity which inherently provides more secure channels. Here, we describe the first study of the vulnerability of these directional links to jamming, in which we identify several features that are distinct from the usual considerations of jamming at low frequencies. We show that the receiver’s use of an envelope detector provides the jammer with the ability to thwart active attempts to adapt to their attack. In addition, a jammer can exploit the broadband nature of typical receivers to implement a beat jamming attack, which allows them to optimize the efficacy of the interference even if their broadcast is detuned from the frequency of the intended link. Our work quantifies the increasing susceptibility of broadband receivers to jamming, revealing previously unidentified vulnerabilities which must be considered in the development of future wireless systems operating above 100 GHz.
Induction of synapse formation by de novo neurotransmitter synthesis
Authors: Burlingham Scott R. , Wong Nicole F. , Peterkin Lindsay , Lubow Lily , Dos Santos Passos Carolina , Benner Orion , Ghebrial Michael , Cast Thomas P. , Xu-Friedman Matthew A. , Südhof Thomas C. , Chanda Soham
Published: June 2022

A vital question in neuroscience is how neurons align their postsynaptic structures with presynaptic release sites. Although synaptic adhesion proteins are known to contribute in this process, the role of neurotransmitters remains unclear. Here we inquire whether de novo biosynthesis and vesicular release of a noncanonical transmitter can facilitate the assembly of its corresponding postsynapses. We demonstrate that, in both stem cell-derived human neurons as well as in vivo mouse neurons of purely glutamatergic identity, ectopic expression of GABA-synthesis enzymes and vesicular transporters is sufficient to both produce GABA from ambient glutamate and transmit it from presynaptic terminals. This enables efficient accumulation and consistent activation of postsynaptic GABAA receptors, and generates fully functional GABAergic synapses that operate in parallel but independently of their glutamatergic counterparts. These findings suggest that presynaptic release of a neurotransmitter itself can signal the organization of relevant postsynaptic apparatus, which could be directly modified to reprogram the synapse identity of neurons.
Robust derivation of transplantable dopamine neurons from human pluripotent stem cells by timed retinoic acid delivery
Authors: Alekseenko Zhanna , Dias José M. , Adler Andrew F. , Kozhevnikova Mariya , van Lunteren Josina Anna , Nolbrant Sara , Jeggari Ashwini , Vasylovska Svitlana , Yoshitake Takashi , Kehr Jan , Carlén Marie , Alexeyenko Andrey , Parmar Malin , Ericson Johan
Published: June 2022

Stem cell therapies for Parkinson’s disease (PD) have entered first-in-human clinical trials using a set of technically related methods to produce mesencephalic dopamine (mDA) neurons from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). Here, we outline an approach for high-yield derivation of mDA neurons that principally differs from alternative technologies by utilizing retinoic acid (RA) signaling, instead of WNT and FGF8 signaling, to specify mesencephalic fate. Unlike most morphogen signals, where precise concentration determines cell fate, it is the duration of RA exposure that is the key-parameter for mesencephalic specification. This concentration-insensitive patterning approach provides robustness and reduces the need for protocol-adjustments between hPSC-lines. RA-specified progenitors promptly differentiate into functional mDA neurons in vitro, and successfully engraft and relieve motor deficits after transplantation in a rat PD model. Our study provides a potential alternative route for cell therapy and disease modelling that due to its robustness could be particularly expedient when use of autologous- or immunologically matched cells is considered.
Cloning of the broadly effective wheat leaf rust resistance gene Lr42 transferred from Aegilops tauschii
Authors: Lin Guifang , Chen Hui , Tian Bin , Sehgal Sunish K. , Singh Lovepreet , Xie Jingzhong , Rawat Nidhi , Juliana Philomin , Singh Narinder , Shrestha Sandesh , Wilson Duane L. , Shult Hannah , Lee Hyeonju , Schoen Adam William , Tiwari Vijay K. , Singh Ravi P. , Guttieri Mary J. , Trick Harold N. , Poland Jesse , Bowden Robert L. , Bai Guihua , Gill Bikram , Liu Sanzhen
Published: June 2022

The wheat wild relative Aegilops tauschii was previously used to transfer the Lr42 leaf rust resistance gene into bread wheat. Lr42 confers resistance at both seedling and adult stages, and it is broadly effective against all leaf rust races tested to date. Lr42 has been used extensively in the CIMMYT international wheat breeding program with resulting cultivars deployed in several countries. Here, using a bulked segregant RNA-Seq (BSR-Seq) mapping strategy, we identify three candidate genes for Lr42. Overexpression of a nucleotide-binding site leucine-rich repeat (NLR) gene AET1Gv20040300 induces strong resistance to leaf rust in wheat and a mutation of the gene disrupted the resistance. The Lr42 resistance allele is rare in Ae. tauschii and likely arose from ectopic recombination. Cloning of Lr42 provides diagnostic markers and over 1000 CIMMYT wheat lines carrying Lr42 have been developed documenting its widespread use and impact in crop improvement.
Cryo-EM structures of Gid12-bound GID E3 reveal steric blockade as a mechanism inhibiting substrate ubiquitylation
Authors: Qiao Shuai , Lee Chia-Wei , Sherpa Dawafuti , Chrustowicz Jakub , Cheng Jingdong , Duennebacke Maximilian , Steigenberger Barbara , Karayel Ozge , Vu Duc Tung , von Gronau Susanne , Mann Matthias , Wilfling Florian , Schulman Brenda A.
Published: June 2022

Protein degradation, a major eukaryotic response to cellular signals, is subject to numerous layers of regulation. In yeast, the evolutionarily conserved GID E3 ligase mediates glucose-induced degradation of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Fbp1), malate dehydrogenase (Mdh2), and other gluconeogenic enzymes. “GID” is a collection of E3 ligase complexes; a core scaffold, RING-type catalytic core, and a supramolecular assembly module together with interchangeable substrate receptors select targets for ubiquitylation. However, knowledge of additional cellular factors directly regulating GID-type E3s remains rudimentary. Here, we structurally and biochemically characterize Gid12 as a modulator of the GID E3 ligase complex. Our collection of cryo-EM reconstructions shows that Gid12 forms an extensive interface sealing the substrate receptor Gid4 onto the scaffold, and remodeling the degron binding site. Gid12 also sterically blocks a recruited Fbp1 or Mdh2 from the ubiquitylation active sites. Our analysis of the role of Gid12 establishes principles that may more generally underlie E3 ligase regulation.
Short chain fatty acids-producing and mucin-degrading intestinal bacteria predict the progression of early Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Nishiwaki Hiroshi , Ito Mikako , Hamaguchi Tomonari , Maeda Tetsuya , Kashihara Kenichi , Tsuboi Yoshio , Ueyama Jun , Yoshida Takumi , Hanada Hiroyuki , Takeuchi Ichiro , Katsuno Masahisa , Hirayama Masaaki , Ohno Kinji
Published: June 2022

To elucidate the relevance of gut dysbiosis in Parkinson’s disease (PD) in disease progression, we made random forest models to predict the progression of PD in two years by gut microbiota in 165 PD patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) of gut microbiota-based models for Hoehn & Yahr (HY) stages 1 and 2 were 0.799 and 0.705, respectively. Similarly, gut microbiota predicted the progression of Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) III scores in an early stage of PD with AUROC = 0.728. Decreases of short-chain fatty acid-producing genera, Fusicatenibacter, Faecalibacterium, and Blautia, as well as an increase of mucin-degrading genus Akkermansia, predicted accelerated disease progression. The four genera remained unchanged in two years in PD, indicating that the taxonomic changes were not the consequences of disease progression. PD patients with marked gut dysbiosis may thus be destined to progress faster than those without gut dysbiosis.
An oxygen-sensing mechanism for angiosperm adaptation to altitude
Authors: Abbas Mohamad , Sharma Gunjan , Dambire Charlene , Marquez Julietta , Alonso-Blanco Carlos , Proaño Karina , Holdsworth Michael J.
Published: June 2022

Flowering plants (angiosperms) can grow at extreme altitudes, and have been observed growing as high as 6,400 metres above sea level1,2; however, the molecular mechanisms that enable plant adaptation specifically to altitude are unknown. One distinguishing feature of increasing altitude is a reduction in the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2). Here we investigated the relationship between altitude and oxygen sensing in relation to chlorophyll biosynthesis—which requires molecular oxygen3—and hypoxia-related gene expression. We show that in etiolated seedlings of angiosperm species, steady-state levels of the phototoxic chlorophyll precursor protochlorophyllide are influenced by sensing of atmospheric oxygen concentration. InArabidopsis thaliana, this is mediated by the PLANT CYSTEINE OXIDASE (PCO) N-degron pathway substrates GROUP VII ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR transcription factors (ERFVIIs). ERFVIIs positively regulate expression ofFLUORESCENT IN BLUE LIGHT(FLU), which represses the first committed step of chlorophyll biosynthesis, forming an inactivation complex with tetrapyrrole synthesis enzymes that are negatively regulated by ERFVIIs, thereby suppressing protochlorophyllide. In natural populations representing diverse angiosperm clades, we find oxygen-dependent altitudinal clines for steady-state levels of protochlorophyllide, expression of inactivation complex components and hypoxia-related genes. Finally,A. thalianaaccessions from contrasting altitudes display altitude-dependent ERFVII activity and accumulation. We thus identify a mechanism for genetic adaptation to absolute altitude through alteration of the sensitivity of the oxygen-sensing system.
Clonal dynamics of haematopoiesis across the human lifespan
Authors: Mitchell Emily , Spencer Chapman Michael , Williams Nicholas , Dawson Kevin J. , Mende Nicole , Calderbank Emily F. , Jung Hyunchul , Mitchell Thomas , Coorens Tim H. H. , Spencer David H. , Machado Heather , Lee-Six Henry , Davies Megan , Hayler Daniel , Fabre Margarete A. , Mahbubani Krishnaa , Abascal Federico , Cagan Alex , Vassiliou George S. , Baxter Joanna , Martincorena Inigo , Stratton Michael R. , Kent David G. , Chatterjee Krishna , Parsy Kourosh Saeb , Green Anthony R. , Nangalia Jyoti , Laurenti Elisa , Campbell Peter J.
Published: June 2022

Age-related change in human haematopoiesis causes reduced regenerative capacity1, cytopenias2, immune dysfunction3 and increased risk of blood cancer4–6, but the reason for such abrupt functional decline after 70 years of age remains unclear. Here we sequenced 3,579 genomes from single cell-derived colonies of haematopoietic cells across 10 human subjects from 0 to 81 years of age. Haematopoietic stem cells or multipotent progenitors (HSC/MPPs) accumulated a mean of 17 mutations per year after birth and lost 30 base pairs per year of telomere length. Haematopoiesis in adults less than 65 years of age was massively polyclonal, with high clonal diversity and a stable population of 20,000–200,000 HSC/MPPs contributing evenly to blood production. By contrast, haematopoiesis in individuals aged over 75 showed profoundly decreased clonal diversity. In each of the older subjects, 30–60% of haematopoiesis was accounted for by 12–18 independent clones, each contributing 1–34% of blood production. Most clones had begun their expansion before the subject was 40 years old, but only 22% had known driver mutations. Genome-wide selection analysis estimated that between 1 in 34 and 1 in 12 non-synonymous mutations were drivers, accruing at constant rates throughout life, affecting more genes than identified in blood cancers. Loss of the Y chromosome conferred selective benefits in males. Simulations of haematopoiesis, with constant stem cell population size and constant acquisition of driver mutations conferring moderate fitness benefits, entirely explained the abrupt change in clonal structure in the elderly. Rapidly decreasing clonal diversity is a universal feature of haematopoiesis in aged humans, underpinned by pervasive positive selection acting on many more genes than currently identified.
A multimodal sensor dataset for continuous stress detection of nurses in a hospital
Authors: Hosseini Seyedmajid , Gottumukkala Raju , Katragadda Satya , Bhupatiraju Ravi Teja , Ashkar Ziad , Borst Christoph W. , Cochran Kenneth
Published: June 2022

Advances in wearable technologies provide the opportunity to monitor many physiological variables continuously. Stress detection has gained increased attention in recent years, mainly because early stress detection can help individuals better manage health to minimize the negative impacts of long-term stress exposure. This paper provides a unique stress detection dataset created in a natural working environment in a hospital. This dataset is a collection of biometric data of nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak. Studying stress in a work environment is complex due to many social, cultural, and psychological factors in dealing with stressful conditions. Therefore, we captured both the physiological data and associated context pertaining to the stress events. We monitored specific physiological variables such as electrodermal activity, Heart Rate, and skin temperature of the nurse subjects. A periodic smartphone-administered survey also captured the contributing factors for the detected stress events. A database containing the signals, stress events, and survey responses is publicly available on Dryad.
Lifetime distribution of clusters in binary mixtures involving hydrogen bonding liquids
Authors: Jukić Ivo , Požar Martina , Lovrinčević Bernarda , Perera Aurélien
Published: June 2022

Hydrogen bonded liquids are associated liquids and tend to exhibit local inhomogeneity in the form of clusters and segregated sub-nano domains. It is an open question as to whether Hbonded clusters in pure water have common features with the water segregated pockets observed in various aqueous binary mixtures, such as water–alcohol mixtures, for example. In the present study, we demonstrate through classical molecular dynamics studies of the lifetime distributions of the hydrogen bonds in different types of binary mixtures, that these lifetimes exhibit the same universal features in the case of the pure liquids, independently of the species concentrations. The same types of three distinct lifetimes are observed, all of them in the sub picosecond regime. The primary lifetime concerns that of Hbonded dimers, and strongly depends on Hbonding criteria such as the bonding distance. The two others are independent of bonding criteria and appear as universal accross many liquids and mixtures. The secondary lifetime ($$\tau _1 \approx 20$$

τ
1

≈
20

fs) concerns Hbonded cluster lifetimes, while the tertiary lifetime ($$\tau _2 \approx 50$$

τ
2

≈
50

fs) concerns the topology of these clusters, such as chains or globules, for example. This surprizing separation in three distinct lifetimes suggests the existence of associated three distinct kinetic mechanisms in the very short sub-picosecond time scales, with, in addition, an appealing connection to the concepts of local energy and entropy.
Ploidy dynamics in aphid host cells harboring bacterial symbionts
Authors: Nozaki Tomonari , Shigenobu Shuji
Published: June 2022

Aphids have evolved bacteriocytes or symbiotic host cells that harbor the obligate mutualistic bacterium Buchnera aphidicola. Because of the large cell size (approximately 100 μm in diameter) of bacteriocytes and their pivotal role in nutritional symbiosis, researchers have considered that these cells are highly polyploid and assumed that bacteriocyte polyploidy may be essential for the symbiotic relationship between the aphid and the bacterium. However, little is known about the ploidy levels and dynamics of aphid bacteriocytes. Here, we quantitatively analyzed the ploidy levels in the bacteriocytes of the pea-aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. Image-based fluorometry revealed the hyper polyploidy of the bacteriocytes ranging from 16- to 256-ploidy throughout the lifecycle. Bacteriocytes of adult parthenogenetic viviparous females were ranged between 64 and 128C DNA levels, while those of sexual morphs (oviparous females and males) were comprised of 64C, and 32–64C cells, respectively. During post-embryonic development of viviparous females, the ploidy level of bacteriocytes increased substantially, from 16 to 32C at birth to 128–256C in actively reproducing adults. These results suggest that the ploidy levels are dynamically regulated among phenotypes and during development. Our comprehensive and quantitative data provides a foundation for future studies to understand the functional roles and biological significance of the polyploidy of insect bacteriocytes.
Double-diffusive convection in Jeffery–Hamel flow
Authors: Noureen  , Marwat Dil Nawaz Khan
Published: June 2022

In this paper, double-diffusive convection in flow of viscous fluid is investigated inside a horizontal channel. It has heated, inclined and rectangular plane walls. The upper wall has non-uniform temperature and variable species concentration. Note that the Jeffery–Hamel flow depends upon the radial component of velocity, whereas, the peripheral velocity is taken zero. However, the current simulation has been accomplished in view of new procedures and we dealt with two non-zero components of velocity. The problem has been described in a set of four PDEs and the relevant BCs, whereas, the whole set of BVP is taken in Cartesian Coordinates. A set of proper transformation is formed, which reduces the system of PDEs into a new system of ODEs. The system of ODEs is solved with the help of several methods in order to check the validity of the solution. An approximate analytical solution is provided for small values of inclination parameter. An accurate numerical solution of the modelled equations is also given. Moreover, skin friction, rate of the two diffusions are investigated for all different cases of assisting (opposing) and converging (diverging) flows. Thus, the current modelled problem perfectly describes the physical problems of real world in such special circumstances.
Below ground efficiency of a parasitic wasp for Drosophila suzukii biocontrol in different soil types
Authors: Häussling Benedikt J. M. , Mautner Melinda , Stökl Johannes
Published: June 2022

The parasitoid wasp Trichopria drosophilae is promising as a biocontrol agent for controlling the ubiquitous pest Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). Crucial for the successful implementation of any biocontrol agent is a high parasitisation rate by the parasitoid. Most studies investigating the parasitisation rate of D. suzukii pupae have focused on parasitisation in the fruit or in a petri dish. However, the predominant pupation site of D. suzukii in the field is the soil. Unfortunately, little is known on how well parasitoid wasps can detect and parasitise pupae of D. suzukii buried in the soil. Therefore, we conducted soil parasitisation experiments of T. drosophilae on D. suzukii pupae using two pupation depths in three different soil types (loamy sand, loam, and clay). In all three soil types, we found generally low D. suzukii pupae parasitisation rate by T. drosophilae, independent of the pupation depth. The pupation behaviour of D. suzukii and the parasitisation behaviour of T. drosophilae are discussed in detail. For pest control in most soil types, our results mean that the number of D. suzukii larvae pupating in the soil should be reduced, e.g., by adding a layer of sandy soil or covering the soil with plastic mulch. This might increase the probability of success when using T. drosophilae as a biocontrol agent.
High-order harmonics generation in the laser-induced lead-free perovskites-containing plasmas
Authors: Kim Vyacheslav V. , Ganeev Rashid A. , Konda Srinivasa Rao , Boltaev Ganjaboy S. , Sapaev Ibrohim B. , Yu Weili , Li Wei
Published: June 2022

High-order harmonics generation in the laser-induced plasmas produced on the surfaces of lead-free perovskites is studied. We analyze the harmonics generation in (CH3NH3)2CuCl4 and (CH3NH3)2CuBr4 plasmas during their ablation by the femtosecond, picosecond, and nanosecond pulses. The modifications of the high-order harmonics spectra are studied using the -color pump scheme (800 nm and 400 nm, 40 fs pulses). The influence of the variations of laser chirp and pulse duration on the dynamics of high-order harmonics generation is examined. The spectral shift, chirp-related harmonic cutoff scaling, and the role of the pulse duration of converting and heating laser radiation are examined at different conditions of plasma formation and harmonic generation. The dependencies of the pulse duration and the fluence of heating pulses on the harmonic’s blue shift are found. The effect of harmonics broadening and splitting on the two red- and blue-shifted components is demonstrated.
Anabolic–androgenic steroid use is associated with psychopathy, risk-taking, anger, and physical problems
Authors: Nelson Bryan S. , Hildebrandt Tom , Wallisch Pascal
Published: June 2022

Previous research has uncovered medical and psychological effects of anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) use, but the specific relationship between AAS use and risk-taking behaviors as well as between AAS use and psychopathic tendencies remains understudied. To explore these potential relationships, we anonymously recruited 492 biologically male, self-identified bodybuilders (median age 22; range 18–47 years) from online bodybuilding fora to complete an online survey on Appearance and Performance Enhancing Drug (APED) use, psychological traits, lifestyle choices, and health behaviors. We computed odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using logistic regression, adjusting for age, race, education, exercise frequency, caloric intake, and lean BMI. Bodybuilders with a prior history of AAS use exhibited heightened odds of psychopathic traits, sexual and substance use risk-taking behaviors, anger problems, and physical problems compared to those with no prior history of AAS use. This study is among the first to directly assess psychopathy within AAS users. Our results on risk-taking, anger problems, and physical problems are consistent with prior AAS research as well as with existing frameworks of AAS use as a risk behavior. Future research should focus on ascertaining causality, specifically whether psychopathy is a risk associated with or a result of AAS use.
Numerical investigation of a squeezing flow between concentric cylinders under the variable magnetic field of intensity
Authors: Shabnam  , Mei Sun , Khan Muhammad Sohail , Mahmoud Omar , Galal Ahmed M.
Published: June 2022

The ongoing research aims to examine the mass and heat transmission phenomena of squeezing flow between two concentric cylinders under the effect of heat sources and magnetic fields. The impacts of the Lorentz force on the behavior of the liquid flow are elucidated via a magnetic field incorporated in the momentum equation. Furthermore, within concentric cylinders, the expression $$Q = \frac{Q_0}{1-\beta t}$$

Q
=

Q
0

1
-
β
t

has been employed as a source/sink. The proposed model of PDEs formulates the physical phenomena of time-dependent incompressible two-dimensional squeezing flow via modified Navier-Stokes equation, energy equation, and mass transfer equation, and variable magnetic field. The proposed model involved a highly nonlinear system of PDEs, which has been reduced into a system of ODEs via Lie group of similarity transformation and subsequently solved numerically in MATLAB by Parametric Continuation Method. The direct impact of the squeezing parameter on the profile of temperature and concentration has been observed. The results shown that an increment in the heat source indicates a decline in the liquid temperature profile, that an increment in the heat source indicates a decline in the liquid temperature profile. An increment in the heat source indicates a decline in the liquid temperature prof. At the same time, an inverse relationship is observed for the concentration profile. Therefore, we have witnessed a significant increase in the velocity profiles of the flow, mainly as a result of the heat absorption coefficient. In addition, the declining effect of the Soret number on the concentration profile is noticed. It has been found that it enhanced the entropy generation rate for Pr, $$\Omega$$
Ω
, and Ec, while an opposite impact has been noticed at the Bejan number. The numerical outcomes of the proposed model that explain fluid flow characteristics and fluid flow characteristics are quantitatively elucidated by tables and displayed graphically. The comparison of two numerical results in the cases are found to be in good agreement, as shown in Tables.
Laser-ablative aqueous synthesis and characterization of elemental boron nanoparticles for biomedical applications
Authors: Pastukhov Andrei I. , Belyaev Iaroslav B. , Bulmahn Julia C. , Zelepukin Ivan V. , Popov Anton A. , Zavestovskaya Irina N. , Klimentov Sergei M. , Deyev Sergey M. , Prasad Paras N. , Kabashin Andrei V.
Published: June 2022

Boron-based nano-formulations look very promising for biomedical applications, including photo- and boron neutron capture therapies, but the fabrication of non-toxic water-dispersible boron nanoparticles (NPs), which contain the highest boron atom concentration, is difficult using currently available chemical and plasma synthesis methods. Here, we demonstrate purely aqueous synthesis of clean boron NPs by methods of femtosecond laser ablation from a solid boron target in water, thus free of any toxic organic solvents, and characterize their properties. We show that despite highly oxidizing water ambience, the laser-ablative synthesis process follows an unusual scenario leading to the formation of boron NPs together with boric acid (H3BO3) as an oxidation by-product coating the nanoparticles, which acts to stabilize the elemental boron NPs dispersion. We then demonstrate the purification of boron NPs from residual boric acid in deionized water, followed by their coating with polyethylene glycol to improve colloidal stability and biocompatibility. It was found that the formed NPs have a spherical shape with averaged size of about 37 nm, and are composed of elemental boron in mostly amorphous phase with the presence of certain crystalline fraction. The synthesized NPs demonstrate low toxicity and exhibit strong absorption in the NIR window of relative tissue transparency, promising their use in photoacoustic imaging and phototherapy, in addition to their promise for neutron capture therapy. This combined potential ability of generating imaging and therapy functionalities makes laser-synthesized B NPs a very promising multifunctional agent for biomedical applications.
Vaginal microbiota signatures in healthy and purulent vulvar discharge sows
Authors: Poor André P. , Moreno Luisa Z. , Monteiro Matheus S. , Matajira Carlos E. C. , Dutra Maurício C. , Leal Diego F. , Silva Ana Paula S. , Gomes Vasco T. M. , Barbosa Mikaela R. F. , Sato Maria Inês Z. , Moreno Andrea M.
Published: June 2022

Purulent vulvar discharges, primarily caused by genito-urinary tract infections, are an important source of economic loss for swine producers due to sow culling and mortality. However, the agents that compose the vaginal microbiota of sows and their changes during infections are not well understood. The first goal of this study was to characterize and compare the vaginal bacterial content of healthy (HE, n = 40) and purulent vulvar discharge sows (VD, n = 270) by a culture-dependent method and MALDI-TOF MS identification. Secondly, we performed 16S rRNA targeted metagenomic approach (n = 72) to compare the vaginal microbiota between these groups. We found a wide variety of bacteria, with Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota being the most abundant phyla in both groups, as well as Escherichia-Shigella, Streptococcus, and Bacteroides at the genus level. Most agents identified in the sequencing method also grew in the culture-dependent method, showing the viability of these bacteria. Alpha diversity did not differ between HE and VD sows, regarding sample richness and diversity, but a beta-diversity index showed a different microbiota composition between these groups in two tested herds. ANCOM analysis revealed that Bacteroides pyogenes were more abundant in VD females and can be a marker for this group. Other agents also require attention, such as the Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Staphylococcus hyicus found in remarkably greater relative abundance in VD sows. Network analysis revealed important positive correlations between some potentially pathogenic genera, such as between Escherichia-Shigella, Trueperella, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, and Prevotella, which did not occur in healthy sows. We conclude that the alteration of the vaginal microbiota between healthy and purulent vulvar discharge sows, although not extreme, could be due to the increase in the relative abundance of specific agents and to associations between potentially pathogenic bacteria.
Influence of spatial characteristics of green spaces on microclimate in Suzhou Industrial Park of China
Authors: Xiao Xiangdong , Zhang Lulu , Xiong Yimei , Jiang Jiayi , Xu Anqi
Published: June 2022

Continuous urban development leads to urban heat island effects. Research suggests that urban green spaces can help effectively reduce urban heat island effects in the summer. Previous studies have mainly focused on the influence of different underlying surfaces on air cooling and humidification. There is a lack of in-depth research on the relationship between park structure and microclimatic effects. Here, we examined the main landscape parameters of green spaces in 15 parks located in Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) with a subtropical maritime monsoon climate zone during the summer to analyze their influence on the microclimate. We adopted a multiple regression method to perform a quantitative analysis of the correlation between the factors and the cooling and humidifying effects. We used one-way ANOVA (analysis of variance) and multiple linear regression statistical analysis methods to study the influence of woodland density and water bodies on the microclimatic effect of the green areas. The result shows that the average cooling and humidifying effect of medium-size green spaces was most significant during high-temperature hours in the daytime. Also, the result shows that the shape and size of water areas within a green space have a significant influence on local cooling and humidification.
Faunal communities mediate the effects of plant richness, drought, and invasion on ecosystem multifunctional stability
Authors: Jing Zhongwang , Wang Jiang , Bai Yi , Ge Yuan
Published: June 2022

Understanding the stability of ecosystem multifunctionality is imperative for maintaining ecosystem health and sustainability under augmented global change. However it remains unknown whether and how biological communities mediate multifunctional stability in response to biodiversity loss and disturbances. Here, we conducted a 3-year experiment by exposing 270 plant communities of four plant richness levels, i.e., 1, 2, 4, or 8 species, to drought and exotic plant invasion disturbances. Then, the direct effects of plant richness, drought and invasion, and their indirect effects mediated by the stability of plant, litter-faunal, and soil-faunal communities on multifunctional stability were disentangled. We found that plant richness increased, while drought and invasion decreased ecosystem multifunctional stability, which were mediated by plant or faunal community stability. By incorporating the stability of communities into the complex ecological mechanisms, the completeness and goodness of ecological models for explaining and maintaining the stability of ecosystem multifunctionality will be improved.
Physiological and pathophysiological functions of NLRP6: pro- and anti-inflammatory roles
Authors: Angosto-Bazarra Diego , Molina-López Cristina , Pelegrín Pablo
Published: June 2022

The nucleotide-binding oligomerization and leucine-rich repeat receptor (NLR) protein family consists of important immune sensors that form inflammasomes, a cytosolic multi-protein platform that induces caspase-1 activation and is involved in different inflammatory pathologies. The NLR family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) is a receptor that can signal by forming inflammasomes, but which can also play an important role without forming inflammasomes. NLRP6 regulates intestinal homeostasis and inflammation, but also is involved in cancer, the nervous system or liver diseases, with both protective and deleterious consequences. In the present article, we review the different roles of NLRP6 in these processes and offer new insights into NLRP6 activation.
Artificial intelligence-assisted cryoEM structure of Bfr2-Lcp5 complex observed in the yeast small subunit processome
Authors: Zhao Yu , Rai Jay , Xu Chong , He Huan , Li Hong
Published: June 2022

Eukaryotic ribosome is maturated through an elaborate process that includes modification, processing and folding of pre-ribosomal RNA (pre-rRNAs) by a series of ribosome assembly intermediates. More than 70 factors participate in the dynamic assembly and disassembly of the small subunit processome (90S) inside nucleolus, leading to the early maturation of small subunit. The 5’ domain of the 18S rRNA is the last to be incorporated into the stable 90S prior to the cleavage of pre-rRNA at the A1 site. This step is facilitated by the Kre33-Enp2-Bfr2-Lcp5 protein module with the participation of the DEAD-box protein Dbp4. Though structures of Kre33 and Enp2 have been modeled in previously observed 90S structures, that of Bfr2-Lcp5 complex remains unavailable. Here, we report an AlphaFold-assisted structure determination of the Bfr2-Lcp5 complex captured in a 3.99 Å − 7.24 Å cryoEM structure of 90S isolated from yeast cells depleted of Pih1, a chaperone protein of the 90S core assembly. The structure model is consistent with the protein-protein interaction results and the secondary structures of recombinant Bfr2 and Bfr2-Lcp5 complex obtained by Circular Dichroism. The Bfr2-Lcp5 complex interaction mimics that of exosome factors Rrp6-Rrp47 and acts to regulate 90S transitions.
Evaluation of 3′-phosphate as a transient protecting group for controlled enzymatic synthesis of DNA and XNA oligonucleotides
Authors: Flamme Marie , Hanlon Steven , Marzuoli Irene , Püntener Kurt , Sladojevich Filippo , Hollenstein Marcel
Published: June 2022

Chemically modified oligonucleotides have advanced as important therapeutic tools as reflected by the recent advent of mRNA vaccines and the FDA-approval of various siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides. These sequences are typically accessed by solid-phase synthesis which despite numerous advantages is restricted to short sequences and displays a limited tolerance to functional groups. Controlled enzymatic synthesis is an emerging alternative synthetic methodology that circumvents the limitations of traditional solid-phase synthesis. So far, most approaches strived to improve controlled enzymatic synthesis of canonical DNA and no potential routes to access xenonucleic acids (XNAs) have been reported. In this context, we have investigated the possibility of using phosphate as a transient protecting group for controlled enzymatic synthesis of DNA and locked nucleic acid (LNA) oligonucleotides. Phosphate is ubiquitously employed in natural systems and we demonstrate that this group displays most characteristics required for controlled enzymatic synthesis. We have devised robust synthetic pathways leading to these challenging compounds and we have discovered a hitherto unknown phosphatase activity of various DNA polymerases. These findings open up directions for the design of protected DNA and XNA nucleoside triphosphates for controlled enzymatic synthesis of chemically modified nucleic acids.
The physics of turbulence localised to the tokamak divertor volume
Authors: Walkden Nicholas , Riva Fabio , Harrison James , Militello Fulvio , Farley Thomas , Omotani John , Lipschultz Bruce
Published: June 2022

Fusion power plant designs based on magnetic confinement, such as the tokamak design, offer a promising route to sustainable fusion power but require robust exhaust solutions capable of tolerating intense heat and particle fluxes from the plasma at the core of the device. Turbulent plasma transport in the region where the interface between the plasma and the materials of the device is handled - called the divertor volume - is poorly understood, yet impacts several key factors ultimately affecting device performance. In this article a comprehensive study of the underlying physics of turbulence in the divertor volume is conducted using data collected in the final experimental campaign of the Mega Ampere Spherical Tokamak device, compared to high fidelity nonlinear simulations. The physics of the turbulence is shown to be strongly dependant on the geometry of the divertor volume - a potentially important result as the community looks to advanced divertor designs with complex geometry for future fusion power plants. These results lay the foundations of a first-principles physics basis for turbulent transport in the tokamak divertor, providing a critical step towards a predictive understanding of tokamak divertor plasma solutions.
Universal constraint on nonlinear population dynamics
Authors: Adachi Kyosuke , Iritani Ryosuke , Hamazaki Ryusuke
Published: June 2022

Ecological and evolutionary processes show various population dynamics depending on internal interactions and environmental changes. While crucial in predicting biological processes, discovering general relations for such nonlinear dynamics has remained a challenge. Here, we derive a universal information-theoretical constraint on a broad class of nonlinear dynamical systems represented as population dynamics. The constraint is interpreted as a generalization of Fisher’s fundamental theorem of natural selection. Furthermore, the constraint indicates nontrivial bounds for the speed of critical relaxation around bifurcation points, which we argue are universally determined only by the type of bifurcation. Our theory is verified for an evolutionary model and an epidemiological model, which exhibit the transcritical bifurcation, as well as for an ecological model, which undergoes limit-cycle oscillation. This work paves a way to predict biological dynamics in light of information theory, by providing fundamental relations in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics of nonlinear systems.
Antibiotic-resistant organisms establish reservoirs in new hospital built environments and are related to patient blood infection isolates
Authors: Sukhum Kimberley V. , Newcomer Erin P. , Cass Candice , Wallace Meghan A. , Johnson Caitlin , Fine Jeremy , Sax Steven , Barlet Margaret H. , Burnham Carey-Ann D. , Dantas Gautam , Kwon Jennie H.
Published: June 2022

Background

Healthcare-associated infections due to antibiotic-resistant organisms pose an acute and rising threat to critically ill and immunocompromised patients. To evaluate reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant organisms as a source of transmission to patients, we interrogated isolates from environmental surfaces, patient feces, and patient blood infections from an established and a newly built intensive care unit.

Methods

We used selective culture to recover 829 antibiotic-resistant organisms from 1594 environmental and 72 patient fecal samples, in addition to 81 isolates from blood cultures. We conducted antibiotic susceptibility testing and short- and long-read whole genome sequencing on recovered isolates.

Results

Antibiotic-resistant organism burden is highest in sink drains compared to other surfaces. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequently cultured organism from surfaces in both intensive care units. From whole genome sequencing, different lineages of P. aeruginosa dominate in each unit; one P. aeruginosa lineage of ST1894 is found in multiple sink drains in the new intensive care unit and 3.7% of blood isolates analyzed, suggesting movement of this clone between the environment and patients.

Conclusions

These results highlight antibiotic-resistant organism reservoirs in hospital built environments as an important target for infection prevention in hospitalized patients.
Machine learning based suicide prediction and development of suicide vulnerability index for US counties
Authors: Kumar Vishnu , Sznajder Kristin K. , Kumara Soundar
Published: June 2022

Suicide is a growing public health concern in the United States. A detailed understanding and prediction of suicide patterns can significantly boost targeted suicide control and prevention efforts. In this article we look at the suicide trends and geographical distribution of suicides and then develop a machine learning based US county-level suicide prediction model, using publicly available data for the 10-year period from 2010–2019. Analysis of the trends and geographical distribution of suicides revealed that nearly 25% of the total counties experienced at least a 10% increase in suicides from 2010 to 2019, with about 12% of total counties exhibiting an increase of at least 50%. An eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) based machine learning model was used with 17 unique features for each of the 3140 counties in the US to predict suicides with an R2 value of 0.98. Using the SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values, the importance of all the 17 features used in the prediction model training set were identified. County level features, namely Total Population, % African American Population, % White Population, Median Age and % Female Population were found to be the top 5 important features that significantly affected prediction results. The top five important features based on SHAP values were then used to create a Suicide Vulnerability Index (SVI) for US Counties. This newly developed SVI has the potential to detect US counties vulnerable to high suicide rates and can aid targeted suicide control and prevention efforts, thereby making it a valuable tool in an informed decision-making process.
Mathematical Models for the Evaporation of Sessile Droplets
Authors: Wilson Stephen K. , Duffy Brian R.
Published: June 2022

Despite its intrinsic complexity and multidisciplinary nature, considerable insight can be gained into many aspects of the evaporation of sessile droplets by using relatively simple mathematical models. In this chapter we describe some of these models and some of the insights they bring to our understanding of this fascinating problem, focusing almost entirely on models that can be solved analytically either fully or, in some cases, up to quadrature of known functions.
Deposition Control of Inkjet-printed Drops
Authors: Sun Y.
Published: June 2022

This chapter describes the transport processes in evaporation-driven self-assembly of micro/nanoparticles in inkjet-printed colloidal drops for materials printing applications. Capillary-driven, non-uniform particle deposition challenges the quality of printable electronics that often require uniform patterns to achieve high performance. Several approaches have been introduced to suppress the coffee-ring effect, by enhancing the capillary interactions among asymmetrically shaped particles, by controlling the particle size, wettability, and concentration, by balancing the carrier liquid removal rate, and among others. Using in situ high-speed imaging techniques, the CL dynamics and particle deposition morphology transitions during the colloidal drop deposition processes are revealed.
Drying of Complex Dairy Fluids
Authors: Lanotte L. , Le Floch-Fouéré C. , Jeantet R.
Published: June 2022

Drying is a powerful process for the dairy industry in conceiving innovative products with longer shelf life, that are adapted to the varied customer demands and easier to store and transport. Nowadays, dairy powders, and notably infant milk formulas (IMFs), represent an increasing share of the global market due to several economic and social factors, such as globalization and population growth. However, the drying of dairy products has still considerable limitations despite this growing interest, mainly related to the lack of knowledge concerning the physics of the phenomena taking place in industrial facilities. In particular, a full understanding of the mechanisms leading to the interfacial sol–gel transition in droplets of dairy mixes is far from being achieved. To address this scientific shortcoming, two main approaches have been adopted, i.e. the design of innovative model spray dryers, and investigation at the laboratory scale combining different techniques for the study of suspensions/emulsions. These strategies have allowed exploring of the paradigm linking the physico-chemical properties of milk components to the development of the drying-induced droplet skin that affects the final functional powder properties, as highlighted in this chapter.
Drying Processes in the Formation of Bloodstains at Crime Scenes
Authors: Jermy M. , Knock C. , Michielsen S. , Smith F. , Rough R. , de Castro T. , Dicken L. , Brutin D.
Published: June 2022

Dried blood stains are of value in reconstructing the sequence of events at crime scenes. Valuable information is contained in the size, shape and pattern of stains. This chapter describes the spreading, splashing and drying process in small stains and large pools. Drying proceeds through multiple stages as the red blood cells and other non-volatile constituents concentrate. Clotting and/or serum separation can occur. Drying on nonporous surfaces proceeds through well-understood stages featuring red blood cell motion on internal currents, gelation, further desiccation and sometimes cracking of the solidified stains. Drying on porous surfaces is less well understood. Fabrics are particularly important forensically. Recent work to understand the relationship between fabric structure and the shape and size of dried stains is described.
Nanofluid Droplets Drying on Structured Surfaces and Evaporative Self-assembly
Authors: Kubyshkina Veronika , Orejon Daniel , Sefiane Khellil
Published: June 2022

Driven by growing applications involving drop interactions with solids and undergoing phase change, the topic of wetting and evaporation/drying of drops on textured surfaces has been subject to extensive recent research. In this chapter we present the results combining the evaporation of sessile droplets laden with nanoparticles and on textured surfaces. The results demonstrate that the size, shape and spacing of textures dictate the initial shape of both pure and nanoparticle-laden low surface tension fluid drops. Circular, square, rectangular as well octagonal shapes are observed respectively. The drying of nanofluid drops on these textured surfaces has been studied to elucidate the deposition of nanoparticles and how they are affected by the textures and initial shape. Particle deposition following dryout is found to be enhanced near the corners where curvature is greatest. Furthermore, at a high nanofluid concentration we observe self-assembly of particles into highly ordered intricate structures deposited at the centre of the droplet.