bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Attenuated Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption via Downregulation of Aquaporin-4 Expression in EAE Mice
Authors: Liu Yanqun , Ma Yuanyuan , Du Bingying , Wang Yongting , Yang Guo-Yuan , Bi Xiaoying
Published: July 2020

Blood-brain barrier disruption is one of the hallmarks of multiple sclerosis. Mesenchymal stem cells showed great potential for the multiple sclerosis therapy. However, the effect of mesenchymal stem cells on blood-brain barrier in multiple sclerosis remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether mesenchymal stem cells transplantation protected blood-brain barrier integrity and further explored possible underlying mechanisms. Adult female C57BL/6 mice were immunized with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide33-55 (MOG33-55) to induce experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Mesenchymal stem cells (5 × 105) were transplanted via tail vein at disease onset. In the cell culture, we examined lipopolysaccharide-induced AQP4 upregulation in astrocytes. Results indicated that mesenchymal stem cells therapy improved neurobehavioral outcomes in EAE mice, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, IgG protein leakage, and demyelination in spinal cord. Mesenchymal stem cells therapy also increased tight junction protein expression. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells downregulated AQP4 and A2B adenosine receptor (A2BAR) expression in EAE mice in spinal cord. We found that MSCs-conditioned medium (MCM) reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines, AQP4 and A2BAR in lipopolysaccharide-activated astrocytes. BAY-60-6583 (a selective A2BAR agonist) reversed the MCM-induced AQP4 downregulation and increased p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Furthermore, the upregulation effects of A2BAR agonist were eliminated when treated with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Thus, we concluded that mesenchymal stem cells alleviated blood-brain barrier disruption by downregulating AQP4 in multiple sclerosis, possibly through inhibiting the A2BAR/p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Our work suggests that mesenchymal stem cells exert beneficial effect through maintaining blood-brain barrier integrity in EAE mice.
Juxtapositions in Jakarta: How Flood Interventions Reinforce and Challenge Urban Divides
Authors: van Voorst Roanne
Published: July 2020

This paper traces the interplay of spatially, socially and legally juxtaposed differences between different groups of Indonesia’s residents: (1) a group of riverbank settlers in Jakarta, (2) political decision-makers and urban planners that evict this particular riverbank settlement and (3) a group of Jakartan academics, architects and journalists that got involved in these interventions. The dynamics between and within these groups are examined through a case study in a riverbank settlement, where inhabitants are not only at risk of regular flooding but also of evictions. The analysis combines the notion of juxtapositions with a ‘revelatory approach’ towards disaster. The notion of juxtapositions makes clear how urban divides are shaped, and how they, in turn, produce ideas and practices of citizenship in Jakarta. The revelatory approach to disasters helps to show that floods can function as an accelerator to both reinforce and challenge these juxtapositions, thus also changing citizenship ideas and practices. The analysis reveals on the one hand that floods and interventions deepen socio-economic inequalities in an already highly unequal city. However, on the other hand, they also trigger collective mobilisation of evictees as well as unprecedented cooperation between this particular group of riverbank settlers and more resourceful members of Jakarta’s wider society. This eventually results in successful contestation of evictions through court and other claims to citizenship.
A preform deformation and resin flow coupled model including the cure kinetics and chemo-rheology for the VARTM process
Authors: Wu Da , Larsson Ragnar , Blinzler Brina
Published: July 2020

The present paper deals with preform deformation and resin flow coupled to cure kinetics and chemo-rheology for the VARTM process. By monitoring the coupled resin infusion and curing steps through temperature control, our primary aim is to reduce the cycle time of the process. The analysis is based on the two-phase porous media flow and the preform deformation extended with cure kinetics and heat transfer. A novel feature is the consideration of temperature and preform deformation coupled to resin viscosity and permeability in the VARTM process. To tackle this problem, we extend the porous media framework with the heat transfer and chemical reaction, involving additional convection terms to describe the proper interactions with the resin flow. Shell kinematics is applied to thin-walled preforms, which significantly reduces the problem size. The proposed finite element discretized system of coupled models is solved in a staggered way to handle the partially saturated flow front under non-isothermal conditions efficiently. From the numerical example, we conclude that the cycle time of the VARTM infusion process can be shortened over 68% with the proper temperature control. Moreover, the proposed framework can be applied to optimize the processing parameters and check the compatibility of a resin system for a given infusion task.
Error control scheme for malicious and natural faults in cryptographic modules
Authors: Gay Mael , Karp Batya , Keren Osnat , Polian Ilia
Published: July 2020

Today’s electronic systems must simultaneously fulfill strict requirements on security and reliability. In particular, their cryptographic modules are exposed to faults, which can be due to natural failures (e.g., radiation or electromagnetic noise) or malicious fault-injection attacks. We present an architecture based on a new class of error-detecting codes that combine robustness properties with a minimal distance. The new architecture guarantees (with some probability) the detection of faults injected by an intelligent and strategic adversary who can precisely control the disturbance. At the same time it supports automatic correction of low-multiplicity faults. To this end, we discuss an efficient technique to correct single nibble/byte errors while avoiding full syndrome analysis. We also examine a Compact Protection Code (CPC)-based system level fault manager that considers this code an inner code (and the CPC as its outer code). We report experimental results obtained by physical fault injection on the SAKURA-G FPGA board. The experimental results reconfirm the assumption that faults may cause an arbitrary number of bit flips. They indicate that a combined inner–outer coding scheme can significantly reduce the number of fault events that go undetected due to erroneous corrections of the inner code.
The Association between Prosocialness, Relational-Interdependent Self-construal and Gender in Relation to Burnout among Swedish Clergy
Authors: Buratti Sandra , Geisler Martin , Allwood Carl Martin
Published: July 2020

Serving as a clergyperson is a highly variable profession and in recent decades, the role has evolved and expanded even further. Consequently, the demands have increased and with it the risk for stress-related ill-health and absenteeism. The aim of the current study was to evaluate, in a larger sample of Swedish clergy (N = 871), two possible antecedents of burnout, namely prosocialness and relational-interdependent self-construal. A further aim was to explore potential gender differences in the investigated associations. The direct and indirect relationships of prosocialness and relational-interdependent self-construal to two dimensions of burnout, exhaustion, and disengagement were investigated in a structural equation-modelling framework. The results showed that clergy who reported higher prosocialness experienced more stress in their work, in terms of both quantitative and emotional demands, which in turn was associated with higher levels of exhaustion and disengagement. But prosocialness was also found to be directly associated with lower levels of disengagement, as well as indirectly associated with higher levels of role clarity. However, no direct or indirect associations were found between relational-interdependent self-construal and any dimension of burnout. Regarding gender differences, female clergy reported higher levels of prosocialness and job demands, less role clarity, and in turn more exhaustion compared to male clergy. This indicated a more stressful situation for female clergy. Our study contributes new insights into the role that personality plays in different dimensions of burnout in clergy, as well as insights into an understanding of gender differences in burnout among clergy.
Strongly Anchoring Polysulfides by Hierarchical Fe3O4/C3N4 Nanostructures for Advanced Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Kim Soochan , Shirvani-Arani Simindokht , Choi Sungsik , Cho Misuk , Lee Youngkwan
Published: July 2020

Li–S batteries have attracted considerable interest as next-generation energy storage devices owing to high energy density and the natural abundance of sulfur. However, the practical applications of Li–S batteries are hampered by the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LPS), which results in low cycle stability. Herein, a functional interlayer has been developed to efficiently regulate the LPS and enhance the sulfur utilization using hierarchical nanostructure of C3N4 (t-C3N4) embedded with Fe3O4 nanospheres. t-C3N4 exhibits high surface area and strong anchoring of LPS, and the Fe3O4/t-C3N4 accelerates the anchoring of LPS and improves the electronic pathways. The combination of these materials leads to remarkable battery performance with 400% improvement in a specific capacity and a low capacity decay per cycle of 0.02% at 2 C over 1000 cycles, and stable cycling at 6.4 mg cm−2 for high-sulfur-loading cathode.
Highly Thermo-Conductive Three-Dimensional Graphene Aqueous Medium
Authors: Bo Zheng , Ying Chongyan , Yang Huachao , Wu Shenghao , Yang Jinyuan , Kong Jing , Yang Shiling , Zhou Yanguang , Yan Jianhua , Cen Kefa
Published: July 2020

Highly thermo-conductive aqueous medium is a crucial premise to demonstrate high-performance thermal-related applications. Graphene has the diamond comparable thermal conductivity, while the intrinsic two-dimensional reality will result in strong anisotropic thermal conductivity and wrinkles or even crumples that significantly sacrifices its inherent properties in practical applications. One strategy to overcome this is to use three-dimensional (3D) architecture of graphene. Herein, 3D graphene structure with covalent-bonding nanofins (3D-GS-CBF) is proposed, which is then used as the filler to demonstrate effective aqueous medium. The thermal conductivity and thermal conductivity enhancement efficiency of 3D-GS-CBF (0.26 vol%) aqueous medium can be as high as 2.61 W m−1 K−1 and 1300%, respectively, around six times larger than highest value of the existed aqueous mediums. Meanwhile, 3D-GS-CBF can be stable in the solution even after 6 months, addressing the instability issues of conventional graphene networks.
A multiscale modeling including non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and heat conduction model is applied to interpret experimental results. 3D-GS-CBF aqueous medium can largely improve the solar vapor evaporation rate (by 1.5 times) that are even comparable to the interfacial heating system; meanwhile, its cooling performance is also superior to commercial coolant in thermal management applications.
Towards Bedmap Himalayas: development of an airborne ice-sounding radar for glacier thickness surveys in High-Mountain Asia
Authors: Pritchard H. D. , King E. C. , Goodger D. J. , McCarthy M. , Mayer C. , Kayastha R.
Published: July 2020

The thickness of glaciers in High-Mountain Asia (HMA) is critical in determining when the ice reserve will be lost as these glaciers thin but is remarkably poorly known because very few measurements have been made. Through a series of ground-based and airborne field tests, we have adapted a low-frequency ice-penetrating radar developed originally for Antarctic over-snow surveys, for deployment as a helicopter-borne system to increase the number of measurements. The manoeuvrability provided by helicopters and the ability of our system to detect glacier beds through thick, dirty, temperate ice makes it well suited to increase greatly the sample of measurements available for calibrating ice thickness models on the regional and global scale. The Bedmap Himalayas radar-survey system can reduce the uncertainty in present-day ice volumes and therefore in projections of when HMA's river catchments will lose this hydrological buffer against drought.
Examining unique and prospective relationships among self-injurious thoughts and behaviors and posttraumatic stress disorder: a network analysis in two trauma-exposed samples
Authors: Spitzer Elizabeth G. , Benfer Natasha , Zuromski Kelly L. , Marx Brian P. , Witte Tracy K.
Published: July 2020

Background

As self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB) remain a pressing public health concern, research continues to focus on risk factors, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Network analysis provides a novel approach to examining the PTSD-SITB relationship. This study utilized the network approach to elucidate how individual PTSD symptoms may drive and maintain SITB.

Methods

We estimated cross-sectional networks in two samples of trauma-exposed adults (Sample 1: N = 349 adults; Sample 2: N = 1307 Veterans) to identify PTSD symptoms that may act as bridges to SITB. Additionally, we conducted a cross-lagged panel network in Sample 2 to further clarify the temporal relationship between PTSD symptoms and SITB during a 2-year follow-up. Finally, in both samples, we conducted logistic regressions to examine the utility of PTSD symptoms in prospectively predicting SITB, over a 15-day period (Sample 1) and over a 2-year period (Sample 2), allowing us to examine both short- and long-term prediction.

Results

Two PTSD symptoms (i.e. negative beliefs and risky behaviors) emerged as highly influential on SITB in both cross-sectional networks. In the cross-lagged panel network, distorted blame emerged as highly influential on SITB over time. Finally, risky behaviors, unwanted memories, and psychological distress served as the strongest predictors of SITB across the two samples.

Conclusions

Overall, our results suggest that treatments targeting negative beliefs and risky behaviors may prevent SITB in community and Veteran populations, whereas treatments targeting distorted blame and unwanted memories may help reduce SITB for individuals with a history of combat trauma.
Risk factors for surgical site infections in abdominal surgeries in Ghana: emphasis on the impact of operating rooms door openings
Authors: Bediako-Bowan A. A. A. , Mølbak K. , Kurtzhals J. A. L. , Owusu E. , Debrah S. , Newman M. J.
Published: July 2020

Major surgery carried out in low- and middle-income countries is associated with a high risk of surgical site infections (SSI), but knowledge is limited regarding contributory factors to such infections. This study explores factors related to patients developing an SSI in a teaching hospital in Ghana. A prospective cohort study of patients undergoing abdominal surgical procedures was conducted at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital. Patient characteristics, procedures and environmental characteristics were recorded. A 30-day daily surveillance was used to diagnose SSI, and Poisson regression analysis was used to test for association of SSI and risk factors; survival was determined by proportional hazard regression methods. We included 358 patients of which 58 (16.2%; 95% CI 12.7–20.4%) developed an SSI. The median number of door openings during an operation was 79, with 81% being unnecessary. Door openings greater than 100 during an operation (P = 0.028) significantly increased a patient's risk of developing an SSI. Such patients tended to have an elevated mortality risk (hazard ratio 2.67; 95% CI 0.75–9.45, P = 0.128). We conclude that changing behaviour and practices in operating rooms is a key strategy to reduce SSI risk.
Solving parametric PDE problems with artificial neural networks
Authors: KHOO YUEHAW , LU JIANFENG , YING LEXING
Published: July 2020

The curse of dimensionality is commonly encountered in numerical partial differential equations (PDE), especially when uncertainties have to be modelled into the equations as random coefficients. However, very often the variability of physical quantities derived from PDE can be captured by a few features on the space of the coefficient fields. Based on such observation, we propose using neural network to parameterise the physical quantity of interest as a function of input coefficients. The representability of such quantity using a neural network can be justified by viewing the neural network as performing time evolution to find the solutions to the PDE. We further demonstrate the simplicity and accuracy of the approach through notable examples of PDEs in engineering and physics.
Carbon Dioxide and Methane Emissions From A Temperate Salt Marsh Tidal Creek
Authors: Trifunovic Branimir , Vázquez‐Lule Alma , Capooci Margaret , Seyfferth Angelia L. , Moffat Carlos , Vargas Rodrigo
Published: July 2020

Coastal salt marshes store large amounts of carbon but the magnitude and patterns of greenhouse gas (GHG; i.e., carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)) fluxes are unclear. Information about GHG fluxes from these ecosystems comes from studies of sediments or at the ecosystem‐scale (eddy covariance) but fluxes from tidal creeks are unknown. We measured GHG concentrations in water, water quality, meteorological parameters, sediment CO2 efflux, ecosystem‐scale GHG fluxes, and plant phenology; all at half‐hour intervals over 1 year. Manual creek GHG flux measurements were used to calculate gas transfer velocity (k) and parameterize a model of water‐to‐atmosphere GHG fluxes. The creek was a source of GHGs to the atmosphere where tidal patterns controlled diel variability. Dissolved oxygen and wind speed were negatively correlated with creek CH4 efflux. Despite lacking a seasonal pattern, creek CO2 efflux was correlated with drivers such as turbidity across phenological phases. Overall, nighttime creek CO2 efflux (3.6 ± 0.63 μmol/m2/s) was at least 2 times higher than nighttime marsh sediment CO2 efflux (1.5 ± 1.23 μmol/m2/s). Creek CH4 efflux (17.5 ± 6.9 nmol/m2/s) was 4 times lower than ecosystem‐scale CH4 fluxes (68.1 ± 52.3 nmol/m2/s) across the year. These results suggest that tidal creeks are potential hotspots for CO2 emissions and could contribute to lateral transport of CH4 to the coastal ocean due to supersaturation of CH4 (>6,000 μmol/mol) in water. This study provides insights for modeling GHG efflux from tidal creeks and suggests that changes in tide stage overshadow water temperature in determining magnitudes of fluxes.
The Rise of Zombie Fires
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: July 2020

Wildfires can smolder underground through Arctic winters, reigniting at the surface when conditions are right.
The Meteoric Ni Layer in the Upper Atmosphere
Authors: Daly Shane M. , Feng Wuhu , Mangan Thomas P. , Gerding Michael , Plane John M. C.
Published: July 2020

The first global atmospheric model of Ni (WACCM‐Ni) has been developed to understand recent observations of the mesospheric Ni layer by ground‐based resonance lidars. The three components of the model are: the Whole Atmospheric Community Climate Model (WACCM6); a meteoric input function derived by coupling an astronomical model of dust sources in the solar system with a chemical meteoric ablation model; and a comprehensive set of neutral, ion‐molecule, and photochemical reactions pertinent to the chemistry of Ni in the upper atmosphere. In order to achieve closure on the chemistry, the reaction kinetics of three important reactions were first studied using a fast flow tube with pulsed laser ablation of a Ni target, yielding k(NiO + O) = (4.6 ± 1.4) × 10−11, k(NiO + CO) = (3.0 ± 0.5) × 10−11, and k(NiO2 + O) = (2.5 ± 1.2) × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 294 K. The photodissociation rate of NiOH was computed to be J(NiOH) = 0.02 s−1. WACCM‐Ni simulates satisfactorily the observed neutral Ni layer peak height and width, and Ni+ measurements from rocket‐borne mass spectrometry. The Ni layer is predicted to have a similar seasonal and latitudinal variation as the Fe layer, and its unusually broad bottom‐side compared with Fe is caused by the relatively fast NiO + CO reaction. The quantum yield for photon emission from the Ni + O3 reaction, observed in the nightglow, is estimated to be between 6% and 40%.
Lower‐Crustal Seismicity on the Eastern Border Faults of the Main Ethiopian Rift
Authors: Lapins Sacha , Kendall J. Michael , Ayele Atalay , Wilks Matthew , Nowacki Andy , Cashman Katharine V.
Published: July 2020

Lower‐crustal seismicity is commonly observed in continental rift zones despite the crust at such depths being ductile enough to prohibit brittle failure. The source of such deep seismicity across the East African Rift remains an outstanding question. Here we present analysis of an isolated cluster of lower‐crustal earthquakes located on the eastern border faults of the Main Ethiopian Rift, near the Corbetti caldera. Lower‐crustal earthquakes have not previously been observed in this area. Phase arrival times were determined using an automated picking approach based on continuous wavelet transform and statistical changepoint detection methods. We overcome misinterpretations from large hypocenter depth errors by considering mixture distributions for all events and their associated uncertainties. These mixture distributions represent probability density functions of any event occurring at a given depth. The mixture distribution mode for a variety of different velocity models and error parameters remained stable at a depth of 28–32 km, with the vast majority of maximum likelihood estimates for individual hypocenters located at depths of 25–35 km. Most events occur over a 2 month period, with 90% of cumulative seismic moment occurring during March and April 2012. The ephemeral and localized nature of this seismicity, combined with low event magnitudes and regional hydrothermal/magmatic activity, suggests that these lower‐crustal events are likely related to fluid or magmatic processes. Plausible mechanisms include the movement of magma and/or exsolution of volatiles at depth causing transient high strain rates and pore fluid pressures that induce seismicity.
Magnetostratigraphy and Authigenic 10Be/9Be Dating of Plio‐Pleistocene Abyssal Surficial Sediments on the Southern Slope of Mariana Trench and Sedimentary Processes During the Mid‐Pleistocene Transition
Authors: Yi Liang , Xu Dong , Jiang Xingyu , Ma Xiaolin , Ge Qian , Deng Xiguang , Wang Haifeng , Deng Chenglong
Published: July 2020

The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of Earth's surface, with a maximum depth of close to 11,000 m in the Challenger Deep. Great progress has been made in studying the trench in the past years; however, several basic issues regarding the sedimentology and geochronology of the abyssal surficial sediments in the trench remain unclear. In this study, two gravity cores of Plio‐Pleistocene sediments were retrieved from the southern slope of the Mariana Trench. They were used for an integrated investigation of magnetostratigraphy, authigenic 10Be/9Be dating, and element manganese content. The principal results are as follows. (1) Ten magnetozones are recognized for Core A25, which can be correlated to the geomagnetic polarity time scale from Chrons C1n to C3r. (2) The paleomagnetic and 10Be/9Be‐based ages agree well for both of the two cores, yielding a continuous depositional hiatus since the middle Pleistocene (0.63–0.74 Ma). (3) The sediment accumulation rates prior to ~1.3 Ma are 35–83 cm/Myr and then increased substantially to 167–200 cm/Myr. Based on these results, a sedimentary transition at ~1.3–1.2 Ma is confirmed, which can be potentially correlated to climatic, oceanic, and tectonic changes in the Mid‐Pleistocene transition. In addition, an elemental Mn proxy is derived to reflect changes in bottom‐water ventilation, which is consistent with Lower Circumpolar Deep Water and North Atlantic Deep Water on glacial‐interglacial time scales. We conclude that the sedimentary record of the Mariana Trench provides a unique window for investigating the integrated effects of long‐term climatic, oceanic, and tectonic processes.
Black phosphorus-based van der Waals heterostructures for mid-infrared light-emission applications
Authors: Zong Xinrong , Hu Huamin , Ouyang Gang , Wang Jingwei , Shi Run , Zhang Le , Zeng Qingsheng , Zhu Chao , Chen Shouheng , Cheng Chun , Wang Bing , Zhang Han , Liu Zheng , Huang Wei , Wang Taihong , Wang Lin , Chen Xiaolong
Published: July 2020

Mid-infrared (MIR) light-emitting devices play a key role in optical communications, thermal imaging, and material analysis applications. Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer a promising direction for next-generation MIR devices owing to their exotic optical properties, as well as the ultimate thickness limit. More importantly, van der Waals heterostructures—combining the best of various 2D materials at an artificial atomic level—provide many new possibilities for constructing MIR light-emitting devices of large tuneability and high integration. Here, we introduce a simple but novel van der Waals heterostructure for MIR light-emission applications built from thin-film BP and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), in which BP acts as an MIR light-emission layer. For BP–WSe2 heterostructures, an enhancement of ~200% in the photoluminescence intensities in the MIR region is observed, demonstrating highly efficient energy transfer in this heterostructure with type-I band alignment. For BP–MoS2 heterostructures, a room temperature MIR light-emitting diode (LED) is enabled through the formation of a vertical PN heterojunction at the interface. Our work reveals that the BP–TMDC heterostructure with efficient light emission in the MIR range, either optically or electrically activated, provides a promising platform for infrared light property studies and applications.
Dual role of phosphatidylserine and its receptors in osteoclastogenesis
Authors: Kang Jee-Hae , Ko Hyun-Mi , Han Geum-Dong , Lee Su-Young , Moon Jung-Sun , Kim Min-Seok , Koh Jeong-Tae , Kim Sun-Hun
Published: July 2020

Fusion and apoptosis share a breakdown of the membrane phospholipids asymmetry, modes of which are largely unknown in osteoclastogenesis. Here, we investigated the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and its receptors, and their biological functions in osteoclastogenesis. Strong immunoreactivities in vivo for the PS receptors TIM4, BAI1, and STAB2 were observed in the TRAP-positive multinucleated cells in the alveolar bone that was being remodeled around the developing dental follicles in rats. These receptors were significantly upregulated during M-CSF/RANKL-induced in vitro osteoclastogenesis using mouse bone marrow-derived cells. PS externalization in preosteoclasts was increased by the M-CSF/RANKL treatment. Multinucleation of preosteoclasts was markedly inhibited by antibodies against PS and its receptors. Among the investigated lipid transporter proteins, floppases (Abcb4, Abcc5, and Abcg1) were upregulated, whereas flippases (Atp11c and Atp8a1) downregulated during osteoclastogenesis. Preosteoclast fusion was markedly blocked by the ATPase inhibitor Na3VO4 and siRNAs against Abcc5 and Abcg1, revealing the importance of these lipid transporters in PS externalization. Further, the levels of Cd47 and Cd31, don’t-eat-me signal inducers, were increased or sustained in the early phase of osteoclastogenesis, whereas those of AnnexinI and Mfg-e8, eat-me signals inducers, were increased in the late apoptotic phase. In addition, Z-VAD-FMK, a pan caspase inhibitor, had no effect on preosteoclast fusion in the early phase of osteoclastogenesis, whereas Abs against PS, TIM4, and BAI1 decreased osteoclast apoptosis during the late phase. These results suggest that PS externalization is essential for the whole process of osteoclastogenesis and share PS receptors and transporters in the early stage fusion and late stage apoptosis. Therefore, modulation of PS and its receptors could be a useful strategy to develop anti-bone resorptive agents.
Unsupervised Quantum Gate Control for Gate-Model Quantum Computers
Authors: Gyongyosi Laszlo
Published: July 2020

In near-term quantum computers, the operations are realized by unitary quantum gates. The precise and stable working mechanism of quantum gates is essential for the implementation of any complex quantum computations. Here, we define a method for the unsupervised control of quantum gates in near-term quantum computers. We model a scenario in which a tensor product structure of non-stable quantum gates is not controllable in terms of control theory. We prove that the non-stable quantum gate becomes controllable via a machine learning method if the quantum gates formulate an entangled gate structure.
Input dependent modulation of olfactory bulb activity by HDB GABAergic projections
Authors: Böhm Erik , Brunert Daniela , Rothermel Markus
Published: July 2020

Basal forebrain modulation of central circuits is associated with active sensation, attention, and learning. While cholinergic modulations have been studied extensively the effect of non-cholinergic basal forebrain subpopulations on sensory processing remains largely unclear. Here, we directly compare optogenetic manipulation effects of two major basal forebrain subpopulations on principal neuron activity in an early sensory processing area, i.e. mitral/tufted cells (MTCs) in the olfactory bulb. In contrast to cholinergic projections, which consistently increased MTC firing, activation of GABAergic fibers from basal forebrain to the olfactory bulb leads to differential modulation effects: while spontaneous MTC activity is mainly inhibited, odor-evoked firing is predominantly enhanced. Moreover, sniff-triggered averages revealed an enhancement of maximal sniff evoked firing amplitude and an inhibition of firing rates outside the maximal sniff phase. These findings demonstrate that GABAergic neuromodulation affects MTC firing in a bimodal, sensory-input dependent way, suggesting that GABAergic basal forebrain modulation could be an important factor in attention mediated filtering of sensory information to the brain.
Heat stress reduces sexual development and affects pathogenesis of Eimeria maxima in meat-type chickens
Authors: Schneiders Gustavo H. , Foutz James C. , Milfort Marie C. , Ghareeb Ahmed F. A. , Fuller Alberta L. , Rekaya Romdhane , Williams Susan M. , Aggrey Samuel E.
Published: July 2020

Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria spp. presents a self-limiting intestinal infection of poultry. Intestinal replication of the parasite causes severe morphological alterations to the host gastrointestinal tract, marked, among others, by the disruption of the intestinal barrier. We have previously reported a significant reduction in merozoite replication and oocyst shedding in E. tenella in vitro and in vivo. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of E. maxima infection in broiler chickens under heat stress (HS) and mRNA expression of host cytokines that might affect the curtailed development of the parasite. We herein demonstrate that there is a significant detrimental effect of HS on the pathogenesis of E. maxima infection in broilers. There was a restricted replication of the parasite in HS chickens evidenced by significantly reduced oocyst shedding and disruption of the intestinal blood barrier. Gene expression of parasite genes demonstrated curtailed sexual reproduction of E. maxima in HS chickens. There was downregulation of Eimeria spp. genes related to gamete fusion, oocyst shedding, mitosis and spermiogenesis. Host gene expression indicates alterations in the cytokine expression that could be related to reduced parasite development in vivo.
Oxidative stress evaluation of skeletal muscle in ischemia–reperfusion injury using enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Kuroda Yoshinori , Togashi Hitoshi , Uchida Tetsuro , Haga Kazuyuki , Yamashita Atsushi , Sadahiro Mitsuaki
Published: July 2020

Acute extremity arterial occlusion requires prompt revascularization. Delayed revascularization induces ischemia–reperfusion injury in the skeletal muscle. Organ injury-induced oxidative stress is widely reported, and oxidative stress is heavily involved in ischemia–reperfusion injury. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress in ischemia–reperfusion rat models using 3-carbamoyl PROXYL enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (3-CP enhanced MRI). Ischemia–reperfusion injury was induced through clamping the right femoral artery in rats, with a 4-h ischemia time in all experiments. 3-CP enhanced MRI was performed to evaluate oxidative stress, and the rats were divided into 3 reperfusion time groups: 0.5, 2, and 24 h. Signal intensity was evaluated using 3-CP enhanced MRI and compared in the ischemia–reperfusion and intact limbs in the same rat. Furthermore, the effect of edaravone (radical scavenger) was evaluated in the 4-h ischemia—24-h reperfusion injury rat model. The signal intensity of the ischemia–reperfusion limb was significantly stronger than that of the intact limb, suggesting that oxidative stress was induced in the ischemia–reperfusion muscle. Edaravone administration reduced the oxidative stress in the ischemia–reperfusion limb. The signal intensity of the ischemia–reperfusion limb was stronger than that of the intact limb, presumably reflecting the oxidative stress in the former. 3-CP MRI examination shows promise for effective assessment of oxidative stress and may facilitate early diagnosis of ischemia–reperfusion injury.
Genome-wide patterns of differentiation over space and time in the Queensland fruit fly
Authors: Popa-Báez Ángel-David , Catullo Renee , Lee Siu Fai , Yeap Heng Lin , Mourant Roslyn G. , Frommer Marianne , Sved John A. , Cameron Emily C. , Edwards Owain R. , Taylor Phillip W. , Oakeshott John G.
Published: July 2020

The Queensland fruit fly,Bactrocera tryoni, is a major pest of Australian horticulture which has expanded its range in association with the spread of horticulture over the last ~ 150 years. Its distribution in northern Australia overlaps that of another fruit fly pest to which some authors accord full species status,Bactrocera aquilonis. We have used reduced representation genome-wide sequencing to genotype 359 individuals taken from 35 populations from across the current range of the two taxa, plus a further 73 individuals from six of those populations collected 15–22 years earlier. We find significant population differentiation along an east–west transect across northern Australia which likely reflects limited but bidirectional gene flow between the two taxa. The southward expansion ofB. tryonihas led to relatively little genetic differentiation, and most of it is associated with a move into previously marginal inland habitats. Two disjunct populations elsewhere in Australia and three on Melanesian islands are each clearly differentiated from all others, with data strongly supporting establishment from relatively few founders and significant isolation subsequently. Resequencing of historical samples from one of the disjunct Australian populations shows that its genetic profile has changed little over a 15-year period, while the Melanesian data suggest a succession of‘island hopping’events with progressive reductions in genetic diversity. We discuss our results in relation to the control ofB. tryoniand as a model for understanding the genetics of invasion and hybridisation processes.
A novel approach to Fabry–Pérot-resonance-based lens and demonstrating deep-subwavelength imaging
Authors: Anzan-Uz-Zaman Md. , Song Kyungjun , Lee Duck-Gyu , Hur Shin
Published: July 2020

During our research, we explored a novel way to represent subwavelength imaging and derived a transmission equation to explicate the FP (Fabry–Pérot) resonance phenomena. Subsequently, using analysis and observation, we performed deep-subwavelength imaging. Both numerically and experimentally, imaging with super-resolution was achieved at deep subwavelength scale of λ/56.53 with a lens thickness 212 mm. Our results also showed that by increasing lens thickness, higher resolution can be achieved. Moreover, via a single source study, we showed the full width at half maximum range and predicted the size of smallest detectable object. We also observed that with a greater lens thickness, finer features could be detected. These findings may open a new route in near-field imaging for practical applications such as biometric sensors, ultrasonic medical equipment, and non-destructive testing.
A Congo Basin ethnographic analogue of pre-Columbian Amazonian raised fields shows the ephemeral legacy of organic matter management
Authors: Rodrigues Leonor , Sprafke Tobias , Bokatola Moyikola Carine , Barthès Bernard G. , Bertrand Isabelle , Comptour Marion , Rostain Stéphen , Yoka Joseph , McKey Doyle
Published: July 2020

The functioning and productivity of pre-Columbian raised fields (RFs) and their role in the development of complex societies in Amazonian savannas remain debated. RF agriculture is conducted today in the Congo Basin, offering an instructive analogue to pre-Columbian RFs in Amazonia. Our study of construction of present-day RFs documents periodic addition of organic matter (OM) during repeated field/fallow cycles. Field investigations of RF profiles supported by spectrophotometry reveal a characteristic stratigraphy. Soil geochemistry indicates that the management of Congo RFs improves soil fertility for a limited time when they are under cultivation, but nutrient availability in fallow RFs differs little from that in uncultivated reference topsoils. Furthermore, examination of soil micromorphology shows that within less than 40 years, bioturbation almost completely removes stratigraphic evidence of repeated OM amendments. If Amazonian RFs were similarly managed, their vestiges would thus be unlikely to show traces of such management centuries after abandonment. These results call into question the hypothesis that the sole purpose of constructing RFs in pre-Columbian Amazonia was drainage.
Nitrative DNA damage in lung epithelial cells exposed to indium nanoparticles and indium ions
Authors: Ahmed Sharif , Kobayashi Hatasu , Afroz Tahmina , Ma Ning , Oikawa Shinji , Kawanishi Shosuke , Murata Mariko , Hiraku Yusuke
Published: July 2020

Indium compounds have been widely used in manufacturing displays of mobile phones, computers and televisions. However, inhalation exposure to indium compounds causes interstitial pneumonia in exposed workers and lung cancer in experimental animals. 8-Nitroguanine (8-nitroG) is a mutagenic DNA lesion formed under inflammatory conditions and may participate in indium-induced carcinogenesis. In this study, we examined 8-nitroG formation in A549 cultured human lung epithelial cells treated with indium compounds, including nanoparticles of indium oxide (In2O3) and indium-tin oxide (ITO), and indium chloride (InCl3). We performed fluorescent immunocytochemistry to examine 8-nitroG formation in indium-exposed A549 cells. All indium compounds significantly increased 8-nitroG formation in A549 cells at 5 ng/ml after 4 h incubation. 8-NitroG formation was largely reduced by 1400 W, methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MBCD) and monodansylcadaverine (MDC), suggesting the involvement of nitric oxide synthase and endocytosis. 8-NitroG formation in A549 cells was also largely suppressed by small interfering RNA (siRNA) for high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), receptor for advanced glycation and end products (AGER, RAGE) and Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9). These results suggest that indium compounds induce inflammation-mediated DNA damage in lung epithelial cells via the HMGB1-RAGE-TLR9 pathway. This mechanism may contribute to indium-induced genotoxicity in the respiratory system.
Spittlebug damage on tropical grass and its impact in pasture-based beef production systems
Authors: Congio Guilhermo Francklin Souza , de Almeida Pedro Castro , Barreto Tadeu Ruzza , Tinazo Vitor Afonso , da Silva Tiago Alves Corrêa Carvalho , Costa Diogo Fleury Azevedo , Corsi Moacyr
Published: July 2020

Spittlebugs are the main pest of tropical pastures and Marandu palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu) is the most representative cultivated pasture in the tropics. Our objective was to characterize Marandu palisade grass responses subjected to Mahanarva (Hemiptera: Cercopidae) attack and to estimate the losses in terms of beef production from pasture-based systems. A set of five experiments were carried out. Three consecutive years of monitoring showed that Mahanarva spittlebugs increased their abundance after first rains with three to four peaks throughout the wet season. A decrease of 66% on herbage yield was observed in the greenhouse trial, with an average decrease of 61% on pools of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, crude protein, neutral-detergent fiber and in vitro digestible dry matter of Marandu palisade grass. Results from field experiments corroborated with greenhouse trial showing decreases on herbage yield varying from 31 to 43% depending on level of fertilization and grazing severity of Marandu palisade grass. Finally, an unprecedented 154-ha field experiment indicated that Mahanarva decreases 74% the beef productivity (i.e. kg body weight ha−1) of Nellore heifers grazing Marandu palisade grass.
Disorganization of chondrocyte columns in the growth plate does not aggravate experimental osteoarthritis in mice
Authors: Lamuedra Ana , Gratal Paula , Calatrava Lucía , Ruiz-Perez Víctor Luis , Largo Raquel , Herrero-Beaumont Gabriel
Published: July 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial joint disease mainly affecting articular cartilage (AC) with a relevant biomechanical component. During endochondral ossification growth plate (GP) chondrocytes arrange in columns. GPs do not ossify in skeletally mature rodents. In neonatal mice, an altered joint loading induces GP chondrocyte disorganization. We aimed to study whether experimental OA involves GP disorganization in adult mice and to assess if it may have additional detrimental effects on AC damage. Knee OA was induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in wild-type (WT) adult mice, and in Tamoxifen-inducible Ellis-van-Creveld syndrome protein (Evc) knockouts (EvccKO), used as a model of GP disorganization due to Hedgehog signalling disruption. Chondrocyte column arrangement was assessed in the tibial GP and expressed as Column Index (CI). Both DMM-operated WT mice and non-operated-EvccKO showed a decreased CI, indicating GP chondrocyte column disarrangement, although in the latter, it was not associated to AC damage. The most severe GP chondrocyte disorganization occurred in DMM-EvccKO mice, in comparison to the other groups. However, this altered GP structure in DMM-EvccKO mice did not exacerbate AC damage. Further studies are needed to confirm the lack of interference of GP alterations on the analysis of AC employing OA mice.
The metasomatic enrichment of Li in psammopelitic units at San José-Valdeflórez, Central Iberian Zone, Spain: a new type of lithium deposit
Authors: Pesquera Alfonso , Roda-Robles Encarnación , Gil-Crespo Pedro P. , Valls David , Ruiz José Torres
Published: July 2020

A new type of Li mineralisation in hard rock has been found to occur in the Valdeflórez area (Cáceres, Spain), where there is 111.3 Mt of resources and a mean value of 0.61 wt% of Li2O. Lithium is mainly held by very fine-grained micas, important constituents of Ordovician psammopelitic rocks belonging to the Palaeozoic metasedimentary sequence of the Cáceres syncline. The mineralised zone has an elliptical surface shape with a dimension of ~ 700 × 500 m. Lithium-bearing rocks show a characteristic layered appearance, in which light grey quartz-micaceous laminae < 1 mm to some centimetres in thickness, with a variable ratio of quartz to mica, alternate with fine to very fine-grained, dark grey to black tourmalinite laminae parallel to the regional foliation. Subvertical quartz + (montebrasite)-veins that cut the regional foliation at an extremely high angle are also common in this area. Mineralisation and the associated veins are likely to be linked to the intrusion of the nearby Cabeza de Araya pluton. The infiltration of granite-derived Li-, F-, B- and P-rich aqueous fluids into the host rocks through fractures related to shearing processes is considered to be the cause of the formation of Li-rich micas and intense tourmalinisation at the expense of pre-existing phyllosilicates.
Lysophosphatidic acid modulates ovarian cancer multicellular aggregate assembly and metastatic dissemination
Authors: Klymenko Yuliya , Bos Brandi , Campbell Leigh , Loughran Elizabeth , Liu Yueying , Yang Jing , Kim Oleg , Stack M. Sharon
Published: July 2020

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) metastasis occurs by exfoliation of cells and multicellular aggregates (MCAs) from the tumor into the peritoneal cavity, adhesion to and retraction of peritoneal mesothelial cells and subsequent anchoring. Elevated levels of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) have been linked to aberrant cell proliferation, oncogenesis, and metastasis. LPA disrupts junctional integrity and epithelial cohesion in vitro however, the fate of free-floating cells/MCAs and the response of host peritoneal tissues to LPA remain unclear. EOC MCAs displayed significant LPA-induced changes in surface ultrastructure with the loss of cell surface protrusions and poor aggregation, resulting in increased dissemination of small clusters compared to untreated control MCAs. LPA also diminished the adhesive capacity of EOC single cells and MCAs to murine peritoneal explants and impaired MCA survival and mesothelial clearance competence. Peritoneal tissues from healthy mice injected with LPA exhibited enhanced mesothelial surface microvilli. Ultrastructural alterations were associated with restricted peritoneal susceptibility to metastatic colonization by single cells as well as epithelial-type MCAs. The functional consequence is an LPA-induced dissemination of small mesenchymal-type clusters, promoting a miliary mode of peritoneal seeding that complicates surgical removal and is associated with worse prognosis.