bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe Convective Wind Environments and Future Projected Changes in Australia
Authors: Brown Andrew , Dowdy Andrew
Published: August 2021

Thunderstorms can produce severe convective winds (SCWs) that damage buildings and other infrastructure such as electricity transmission towers. Understanding the climatology of SCWs is therefore important for planning and risk management. An archive of observed SCWs is used to examine a diverse set of diagnostics for indicating SCW environments based on reanalysis data. These diagnostics are then applied to climate model data to examine projections of future climate change for Australia. A diagnostic based on logistic regression is found to provide a better representation of observed SCW occurrences than other diagnostics. Projections for the future based on that diagnostic indicate increases and decreases between −16% and 34% in the occurrence frequency of regionally averaged SCW environments, based on the 10th and 90th percentile estimates of annual mean changes from a 12‐member ensemble of global climate models. Projections based on other severe weather diagnostics indicate a wider range of future changes, including increases and decreases of up to 50% in magnitude, with regional and seasonal variations through Australia. Changes in the frequency of SCW environments appears to be largely driven by increased low level moisture concentrations which can lead to increased convective available potential energy, countered in some cases by a stabilization of the mid‐troposphere temperature lapse rate. These results represent the most comprehensive estimate to date for constraining the range of uncertainty in projected future changes in convective environments for Australia, including severe thunderstorms and associated SCWs, noting that this has significant implications for risk management and climate adaptation purposes.
Tracking Downstream Variability in Large Grain‐Size Distributions in the South‐Central Andes
Authors: Purinton Benjamin , Bookhagen Bodo
Published: August 2021

Mixed sand‐ and gravel‐bed rivers record erosion, transport, and fining signals in their bedload size distributions. Thus, grain‐size data are imperative for studying these processes. However, collecting hundreds to thousands of pebble measurements in steep and dynamic high‐mountain river settings remains challenging. Using the recently published digital grain‐sizing algorithm PebbleCounts, we were able to survey seven large ( 1,000 ) channel cross‐sections and measure thousands to tens‐of‐thousands of grains per survey along a 100‐km stretch of the trunk stream of the Toro Basin in Northwest Argentina. The study region traverses a steep topographic and environmental gradient on the eastern margin of the Central Andean Plateau. Careful counting and validation allows us to identify measurement errors and constrain percentile uncertainties using large sample sizes. In the coarse 2.5 cm fraction of bedload, only the uppermost size percentiles (95th) vary significantly downstream, whereas the 50th and 84th percentiles show less variability. We note a relation between increases in these upper percentiles and along‐channel junctions with large, steep tributaries. This signal is strongly influenced by lithology and geologic structures, and mixed with local hillslope input. In steep catchments like the Toro Basin, we suggest nonlinear relationships between geomorphic metrics and grain size, whereby the steepest parts of the landscape exert primary control on the upper grain‐size percentiles. Thus, average or median metrics that do not apply weights or thresholds to steeper topography may be less predictive of grain‐size distributions in such settings.
Limitations of the Q10 Coefficient for Quantifying Temperature Sensitivity of Anaerobic Organic Matter Decomposition: A Modeling Based Assessment
Authors: Wu Qiong , Ye Rongzhong , Bridgham Scott D. , Jin Qusheng
Published: August 2021

The Q10 coefficient is the ratio of reaction rates at two temperatures 10°C apart, and has been widely applied to quantify the temperature sensitivity of organic matter decomposition. However, biogeochemists and ecologists have long recognized that a constant Q10 coefficient does not describe the temperature sensitivity of organic matter decomposition accurately. To examine the consequences of the constant Q10 assumption, we built a biogeochemical reaction model to simulate anaerobic organic matter decomposition in peatlands in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA, and compared the simulation results to the predictions with Q10 coefficients. By accounting for the reactions of extracellular enzymes, mesophilic fermenting and methanogenic microbes, and their temperature responses, the biogeochemical reaction model reproduces the observations of previous laboratory incubation experiments, including the temporal variations in the concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, acetate, dihydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane, and confirms that fermentation limits the progress of anaerobic organic matter decomposition. The modeling results illustrate the oversimplification inherent in the constant Q10 assumption and how the assumption undermines the kinetic prediction of anaerobic organic matter decomposition. In particular, the model predicts that between 5°C and 30°C, the decomposition rate increases almost linearly with increasing temperature, which stands in sharp contrast to the exponential relationship given by the Q10 coefficient. As a result, the constant Q10 approach tends to underestimate the rates of organic matter decomposition within the temperature ranges where Q10 values are determined, and overestimate the rates outside the temperature ranges. The results also show how biogeochemical reaction modeling, combined with laboratory experiments, can help uncover the temperature sensitivity of organic matter decomposition arising from underlying catalytic mechanisms.
Modeled Surface‐Atmosphere Fluxes From Paired Sites in the Upper Great Lakes Region Using Neural Networks
Authors: Reed David E. , Poe Jeralyn , Abraha Michael , Dahlin Kyla M. , Chen Jiquan
Published: August 2021

The eddy covariance (EC) method is one of the most widely used approaches to quantify surface‐atmosphere fluxes. However, scaling up from a single EC tower to the landscape remains an open challenge. To address this, we used 63 site years of data to examine simulated annual and growing season sums of carbon fluxes from three paired land‐cover type sites of corn, restored‐prairie, and switchgrass ecosystems. This was also done across the landscape by modeling fluxes using different land‐cover type input data. An artificial neural network (ANN) approach was used to model net ecosystem exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration (Reco), and gross primary production (GPP) at one paired site using environmental observations from the second site only. With a mean spatial separation of 11 km between paired sites, we were able to model annual sums of NEE, Reco, and GPP with uncertainties of 20%, 22%, and 8%, respectively, relative to observation sums. When considering the growing season only, model uncertainties were 17%, 22%, and 9%, respectively for the three flux terms. We also show that ANN models can estimate sums of Reco and GPP fluxes without needing the constraint of similar land‐cover‐type, with annual uncertainties of 12% and 10%. These results provide new insights to scaling up observations from one EC site beyond the footprint of the EC tower to multiple land‐cover types across the landscape.
A Type‐Curve Approach for Evaluating Aquifer Properties by Interpreting Shallow Strain Measured During Well Tests
Authors: Murdoch Lawrence C. , Germanovich Leonid N. , Roudini Soheil , DeWolf Scott J. , Hua Liwei , Moak Robert W.
Published: August 2021

Strains occur at shallow depths in response to pressure changes during well tests in an underlying aquifer, and recent developments in instrumentation have made it feasible to measure essentially the full strain tensor. Simulations using poroelastic analyses indicate that shallow normal strains are approximately proportional to the logarithm of time when a well is injecting into or pumping from a deep aquifer or reservoir. The drawdown is also a linear function of log time, as shown by the classic Cooper‐Jacob type‐curve analysis. The time when the semilog straight line intercepts the zero‐strain axis is similar to the time determined from the Cooper‐Jacob pressure analysis, and it can be used to estimate hydraulic diffusivity, suggesting that horizontal strain data can be used directly to estimate aquifer properties. This approach was validated using measurements from shallow (30‐m deep) borehole strainmeters during an injection test at a 530‐m‐deep sandstone aquifer/reservoir in Oklahoma. The results show intercept times for the shallow normal strain data are essentially the same as for deep pressure data from an equivalent radial distance. The slopes of the semilog plots of the pressure and the strain increase at the same time, suggesting that they both respond to a lateral aquifer boundary. Significantly, though, strain was measured at shallow depths while the pressure data were measured at 530‐m depth. This suggests that strain data from shallow depths could be an effective way to improve the characterization of an underlying aquifer.
Low level of plasminogen increases risk for mortality in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Della-Morte David , Pacifici Francesca , Ricordi Camillo , Massoud Renato , Rovella Valentina , Proietti Stefania , Iozzo Mariannina , Lauro Davide , Bernardini Sergio , Bonassi Stefano , Di Daniele Nicola
Published: August 2021

The pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and especially of its complications is still not fully understood. In fact, a very high number of patients with COVID-19 die because of thromboembolic causes. A role of plasminogen, as precursor of fibrinolysis, has been hypothesized. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between plasminogen levels and COVID-19-related outcomes in a population of 55 infected Caucasian patients (mean age: 69.8 ± 14.3, 41.8% female). Low levels of plasminogen were significantly associated with inflammatory markers (CRP, PCT, and IL-6), markers of coagulation (D-dimer, INR, and APTT), and markers of organ dysfunctions (high fasting blood glucose and decrease in the glomerular filtration rate). A multidimensional analysis model, including the correlation of the expression of coagulation with inflammatory parameters, indicated that plasminogen tended to cluster together with IL-6, hence suggesting a common pathway of activation during disease’s complication. Moreover, low levels of plasminogen strongly correlated with mortality in COVID-19 patients even after multiple adjustments for presence of confounding. These data suggest that plasminogen may play a pivotal role in controlling the complex mechanisms beyond the COVID-19 complications, and may be useful both as biomarker for prognosis and for therapeutic target against this extremely aggressive infection.
Haplotype-resolved genome assembly and allele-specific gene expression in cultivated ginger
Authors: Cheng Shi-Ping , Jia Kai-Hua , Liu Hui , Zhang Ren-Gang , Li Zhi-Chao , Zhou Shan-Shan , Shi Tian-Le , Ma Ai-Chu , Yu Cong-Wen , Gao Chan , Cao Guang-Lei , Zhao Wei , Nie Shuai , Guo Jing-Fang , Jiao Si-Qian , Tian Xue-Chan , Yan Xue-Mei , Bao Yu-Tao , Yun Quan-Zheng , Wang Xin-Zhu , Porth Ilga , El-Kassaby Yousry A , Wang Xiao-Ru , Li Zhen , Van de Peer Yves , Mao Jian-Feng
Published: August 2021

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the most valued spice plants worldwide; it is prized for its culinary and folk medicinal applications and is therefore of high economic and cultural importance. Here, we present a haplotype-resolved, chromosome-scale assembly for diploid ginger anchored to 11 pseudochromosome pairs with a total length of 3.1 Gb. Remarkable structural variation was identified between haplotypes, and two inversions larger than 15 Mb on chromosome 4 may be associated with ginger infertility. We performed a comprehensive, spatiotemporal, genome-wide analysis of allelic expression patterns, revealing that most alleles are coordinately expressed. The alleles that exhibited the largest differences in expression showed closer proximity to transposable elements, greater coding sequence divergence, more relaxed selection pressure, and more transcription factor binding site differences. We also predicted the transcription factors potentially regulating 6-gingerol biosynthesis. Our allele-aware assembly provides a powerful platform for future functional genomics, molecular breeding, and genome editing in ginger.
Disrupting the LINC complex by AAV mediated gene transduction prevents progression of Lamin induced cardiomyopathy
Authors: Chai Ruth Jinfen , Werner Hendrikje , Li Peter Yiqing , Lee Yin Loon , Nyein Khaing Thet , Solovei Irina , Luu Tuan Danh Anh , Sharma Bhavya , Navasankari Raju , Maric Martina , Sim Lois Yu En , Loh Ying Jie , Aliwarga Edita , Cheong Jason Wen Long , Chojnowski Alexandre , Autio Matias Ilmari , Haiyang Yu , Boon Tan Kenneth Kian , Keng Choong Tat , Ng Shi Ling , Chew Wei Leong , Ferenczi Michael , Burke Brian , Foo Roger Sik Yin , Stewart Colin L.
Published: August 2021

Mutations in the LaminA gene are a common cause of monogenic dilated cardiomyopathy. Here we show that mice with a cardiomyocyte-specific Lmna deletion develop cardiac failure and die within 3–4 weeks after inducing the mutation. When the same Lmna mutations are induced in mice genetically deficient in the LINC complex protein SUN1, life is extended to more than one year. Disruption of SUN1’s function is also accomplished by transducing and expressing a dominant-negative SUN1 miniprotein in Lmna deficient cardiomyocytes, using the cardiotrophic Adeno Associated Viral Vector 9. The SUN1 miniprotein disrupts binding between the endogenous LINC complex SUN and KASH domains, displacing the cardiomyocyte KASH complexes from the nuclear periphery, resulting in at least a fivefold extension in lifespan. Cardiomyocyte-specific expression of the SUN1 miniprotein prevents cardiomyopathy progression, potentially avoiding the necessity of developing a specific therapeutic tailored to treating each different LMNA cardiomyopathy-inducing mutation of which there are more than 450.
The middle lipin domain adopts a membrane-binding dimeric protein fold
Authors: Gu Weijing , Gao Shujuan , Wang Huan , Fleming Kaelin D. , Hoffmann Reece M. , Yang Jong Won , Patel Nimi M. , Choi Yong Mi , Burke John E. , Reue Karen , Airola Michael V.
Published: August 2021

Phospholipid synthesis and fat storage as triglycerides are regulated by lipin phosphatidic acid phosphatases (PAPs), whose enzymatic PAP function requires association with cellular membranes. Using hydrogen deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, we find mouse lipin 1 binds membranes through an N-terminal amphipathic helix, the Ig-like domain and HAD phosphatase catalytic core, and a middle lipin (M-Lip) domain that is conserved in mammalian and mammalian-like lipins. Crystal structures of the M-Lip domain reveal a previously unrecognized protein fold that dimerizes. The isolated M-Lip domain binds membranes both in vitro and in cells through conserved basic and hydrophobic residues. Deletion of the M-Lip domain in lipin 1 reduces PAP activity, membrane association, and oligomerization, alters subcellular localization, diminishes acceleration of adipocyte differentiation, but does not affect transcriptional co-activation. This establishes the M-Lip domain as a dimeric protein fold that binds membranes and is critical for full functionality of mammalian lipins.
A self-healing ferroelectric liquid crystal electro-optic shutter based on vertical surface-relief grating alignment
Authors: Wyatt Peter J. M. , Bailey James , Nagaraj Mamatha , Jones J. Cliff
Published: August 2021

Ferroelectric liquid crystals remain of interest for display and spatial light modulators because they exhibit significantly faster optical response times than nematics. However, smectic layers are sensitive to shock-induced flow and are usually permanently displaced once a well-aligned sample is disrupted, rendering such devices inoperable. We introduce a vertical alignment geometry combined with a surface-relief grating to control both the smectic layer and director orientations. This mode undergoes “self-healing” of the smectic layers after disruption by shock-induced flow. Sub-millisecond switching between optically distinct states is demonstrated using in-plane electric fields. Self-healing occurs within a second after being disrupted by shock, wherein both the layer and director realign without additional external stimulus. The route to material improvements for optimised devices is discussed, promising faster spatial light modulators for high-speed adaptive optics, micro-displays for virtual/augmented reality and telecommunications with inherent shock stability.
Microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge to treat noncompressible hemorrhages and facilitate wound healing
Authors: Du Xinchen , Wu Le , Yan Hongyu , Jiang Zhuyan , Li Shilin , Li Wen , Bai Yanli , Wang Hongjun , Cheng Zhaojun , Kong Deling , Wang Lianyong , Zhu Meifeng
Published: August 2021

Developing an anti-infective shape-memory hemostatic sponge able to guide in situ tissue regeneration for noncompressible hemorrhages in civilian and battlefield settings remains a challenge. Here we engineer hemostatic chitosan sponges with highly interconnective microchannels by combining 3D printed microfiber leaching, freeze-drying, and superficial active modification. We demonstrate that the microchannelled alkylated chitosan sponge (MACS) exhibits the capacity for water and blood absorption, as well as rapid shape recovery. We show that compared to clinically used gauze, gelatin sponge, CELOX™, and CELOX™-gauze, the MACS provides higher pro-coagulant and hemostatic capacities in lethally normal and heparinized rat and pig liver perforation wound models. We demonstrate its anti-infective activity against S. aureus and E. coli and its promotion of liver parenchymal cell infiltration, vascularization, and tissue integration in a rat liver defect model. Overall, the MACS demonstrates promising clinical translational potential in treating lethal noncompressible hemorrhage and facilitating wound healing.
Nearest centroid classification on a trapped ion quantum computer
Authors: Johri Sonika , Debnath Shantanu , Mocherla Avinash , SINGK Alexandros , Prakash Anupam , Kim Jungsang , Kerenidis Iordanis
Published: August 2021

Quantum machine learning has seen considerable theoretical and practical developments in recent years and has become a promising area for finding real world applications of quantum computers. In pursuit of this goal, here we combine state-of-the-art algorithms and quantum hardware to provide an experimental demonstration of a quantum machine learning application with provable guarantees for its performance and efficiency. In particular, we design a quantum Nearest Centroid classifier, using techniques for efficiently loading classical data into quantum states and performing distance estimations, and experimentally demonstrate it on a 11-qubit trapped-ion quantum machine, matching the accuracy of classical nearest centroid classifiers for the MNIST handwritten digits dataset and achieving up to 100% accuracy for 8-dimensional synthetic data.
Long-range supercurrents through a chiral non-collinear antiferromagnet in lateral Josephson junctions
Authors: Jeon Kun-Rok , Hazra Binoy Krishna , Cho Kyungjune , Chakraborty Anirban , Jeon Jae-Chun , Han Hyeon , Meyerheim Holger L. , Kontos Takis , Parkin Stuart S. P.
Published: August 2021

The proximity-coupling of a chiral non-collinear antiferromagnet (AFM)1–5 with a singlet superconductor allows spin-unpolarized singlet Cooper pairs to be converted into spin-polarized triplet pairs6–8, thereby enabling non-dissipative, long-range spin correlations9–14. The mechanism of this conversion derives from fictitious magnetic fields that are created by a non-zero Berry phase15 in AFMs with non-collinear atomic-scale spin arrangements1–5. Here we report long-ranged lateral Josephson supercurrents through an epitaxial thin film of the triangular chiral AFM Mn3Ge (refs. 3–5). The Josephson supercurrents in this chiral AFM decay by approximately one to two orders of magnitude slower than would be expected for singlet pair correlations9–14 and their response to an external magnetic field reflects a clear spatial quantum interference. Given the long-range supercurrents present in both single- and mixed-phase Mn3Ge, but absent in a collinear AFM IrMn16, our results pave a way for the topological generation of spin-polarized triplet pairs6–8 via Berry phase engineering15 of the chiral AFMs.
Quantum chemical calculations of lithium-ion battery electrolyte and interphase species
Authors: Spotte-Smith Evan Walter Clark , Blau Samuel M. , Xie Xiaowei , Patel Hetal D. , Wen Mingjian , Wood Brandon , Dwaraknath Shyam , Persson Kristin Aslaug
Published: August 2021

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) represent the state of the art in high-density energy storage. To further advance LIB technology, a fundamental understanding of the underlying chemical processes is required. In particular, the decomposition of electrolyte species and associated formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is critical for LIB performance. However, SEI formation is poorly understood, in part due to insufficient exploration of the vast reactive space. The Lithium-Ion Battery Electrolyte (LIBE) dataset reported here aims to provide accurate first-principles data to improve the understanding of SEI species and associated reactions. The dataset was generated by fragmenting a set of principal molecules, including solvents, salts, and SEI products, and then selectively recombining a subset of the fragments. All candidate molecules were analyzed at the ωB97X-V/def2-TZVPPD/SMD level of theory at various charges and spin multiplicities. In total, LIBE contains structural, thermodynamic, and vibrational information on over 17,000 unique species. In addition to studies of reactivity in LIBs, this dataset may prove useful for machine learning of molecular and reaction properties.
Associations between the thyroid panel and serum protein concentrations across pregnancy
Authors: Lisowska-Myjak Barbara , Strawa Agnieszka , Zborowska Hanna , Jakimiuk Artur , Skarżyńska Ewa
Published: August 2021

Establishing any characteristic associations between the serum parameters of thyroid function and serum proteins in pregnancy may aid in elucidating the role of the thyroid gland in the regulation of pregnancy-specific metabolic processes and in selecting candidate biomarkers for use in their clinical assessment. Concentrations of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free tri-iodothyronine (fT3) and free thyroxine (fT4), six electrophoretically separated protein fractions (albumin, alpha-1-, alpha2-, beta-1-, beta-2- and gamma-globulins), representative proteins—albumin (ALB), transferrin (TRF), alpha-2-macroglobulin (AMG) and ceruloplasmin (CER) were measured in 136 serum samples from 65 women in their consecutive trimesters of pregnancy. The concentrations of TSH, fT4 and fT3 were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the concentrations of the albumin, alpha-2- and beta-1 globulin fractions. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) which were positive between fT4 and ALB and negative between fT4 and TRF were established throughout pregnancy. Significant negative correlations (p < 0.05) were demonstrated for fT3 with alpha-2-globulin, AMG and CER. Changes in the serum concentrations of thyroid hormones seen between the trimesters were found to correlate with the concentrations of high-abundance serum proteins. Opposite directions of correlations between fT4 and ALB and fT4 and TRF observed throughout pregnancy may indicate the shared biological role of these parameters in maintaining maternal homeostasis and they suggest their potential use in the clinic as a simple biomarker panel. A negative correlation of fT3 with CER in the second trimester possibly reflects their involvement in the active regulation of metabolic processes.
Assessment and modeling using machine learning of resistance to scald (Rhynchosporium commune) in two specific barley genetic resources subsets
Authors: Hiddar Houda , Rehman Sajid , Lakew Berhane , Verma Ramesh Pal Singh , Al-Jaboobi Muamar , Moulakat Adil , Kehel Zakaria , Filali-Maltouf Abdelkarim , Baum Michael , Amri Ahmed
Published: August 2021

Barley production worldwide is limited by several abiotic and biotic stresses and breeding of highly productive and adapted varieties is key to overcome these challenges. Leaf scald, caused byRhynchosporium communeis a major disease of barley that requires the identification of novel sources of resistance. In this study two subsets of genebank accessions were used: one extracted from the Reference set developed within the Generation Challenge Program (GCP) with 191 accessions, and the other with 101 accessions selected using the filtering approach of the Focused Identification of Germplasm Strategy (FIGS). These subsets were evaluated for resistance to scald at the seedling stage under controlled conditions using two Moroccan isolates, and at the adult plant stage in Ethiopia and Morocco. The results showed that both GCP and FIGS subsets were able to identify sources of resistance to leaf scald at both plant growth stages. In addition, the test of independence and goodness of fit showed that FIGS filtering approach was able to capture higher percentages of resistant accessions compared to GCP subset at the seedling stage against two Moroccan scald isolates, and at the adult plant stage against four field populations of Morocco and Ethiopia, with the exception of Holetta nursery 2017. Furthermore, four machine learning models were tuned on training sets to predict scald reactions on the test sets based on diverse metrics (accuracy, specificity, and Kappa). All models efficiently identified resistant accessions with specificities higher than 0.88 but showed different performances between isolates at the seedling and to field populations at the adult plant stage. The findings of our study will help in fine-tuning FIGS approach using machine learning for the selection of best-bet subsets for resistance to scald disease from the large number of genebank accessions.
Modeling photosynthetic resource allocation connects physiology with evolutionary environments
Authors: Sundermann Esther M. , Lercher Martin J. , Heckmann David
Published: August 2021

The regulation of resource allocation in biological systems observed today is the cumulative result of natural selection in ancestral and recent environments. To what extent are observed resource allocation patterns in different photosynthetic types optimally adapted to current conditions, and to what extent do they reflect ancestral environments? Here, we explore these questions for C3, C4, and C3–C4 intermediate plants of the model genus Flaveria. We developed a detailed mathematical model of carbon fixation, which accounts for various environmental parameters and for energy and nitrogen partitioning across photosynthetic components. This allows us to assess environment-dependent plant physiology and performance as a function of resource allocation patterns. Models of C4 plants optimized for conditions experienced by evolutionary ancestors perform better than models accounting for experimental growth conditions, indicating low phenotypic plasticity. Supporting this interpretation, the model predicts that C4 species need to re-allocate more nitrogen between photosynthetic components than C3 species to adapt to new environments. We thus hypothesize that observed resource distribution patterns in C4 plants still reflect optimality in ancestral environments, allowing the quantitative inference of these environments from today’s plants. Our work allows us to quantify environmental effects on photosynthetic resource allocation and performance in the light of evolutionary history.
In vivo imaging of mGlu5 receptor expression in humans with Fragile X Syndrome towards development of a potential biomarker
Authors: Mody Maria , Petibon Yoann , Han Paul , Kuruppu Darshini , Ma Chao , Yokell Daniel , Neelamegam Ramesh , Normandin Marc D. , Fakhri Georges El , Brownell Anna-Liisa
Published: August 2021

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by silencing of the Fragile X Mental Retardation (FMR1) gene. The resulting loss of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) leads to excessive glutamate signaling via metabotropic glutamate subtype 5 receptors (mGluR5) which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of the disorder. In the present study we used the radioligand 3-[18F]fluoro-5-(2-pyridinylethynyl)benzonitrile ([18F]FPEB) in simultaneous PET-MR imaging of males with FXS and age- and gender-matched controls to assess the availability of mGlu5 receptors in relevant brain areas. Patients with FXS showed lower [18F]FPEB binding potential (p <  0.01), reflecting reduced mGluR5 availability, than the healthy controls throughout the brain, with significant group differences in insula, anterior cingulate, parahippocampal, inferior temporal and olfactory cortices, regions associated with deficits in inhibition, memory, and visuospatial processes characteristic of the disorder. The results are among the first to provide in vivo evidence of decreased availability of mGluR5 in the brain in individuals with FXS than in healthy controls. The consistent results across the subjects, despite the tremendous challenges with neuroimaging this population, highlight the robustness of the protocol and support for its use in drug occupancy studies; extending our radiotracer development and application efforts from mice to humans.
The relationship between the characteristics of burst suppression pattern and different etiologies in epilepsy
Authors: Yang Haipo , Gong Pan , Jiao Xianru , Zhou Qiujun , Zhang Yuehua , Jiang Yuwu , Yang Zhixian
Published: August 2021

To analyze the relationship between the characteristics of burst suppression (BS) pattern and different etiologies in epilepsy. Patients with a BS pattern who were younger than 6 months old were screened from our electroencephalogram (EEG) database. The synchronized and symmetric BS patterns under different etiologies in epilepsy were analyzed. A total of 32 patients had a BS pattern on EEG. The etiologies included genetic disorders (37.5%), cortical malformations (28.1%), inborn errors of metabolism (12.5%), and unknown (21.9%). Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with Ohtahara syndrome, one as early myoclonic encephalopathy, and one as epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizure. Five cases could not be classified into any epileptic syndrome. Asynchronous BS pattern was identified in 18 cases, of which 13 (72%) patients had genetic and/or metabolic etiologies. Synchronous BS pattern was identified in 14 cases, of which 8 (57%) patients had structural etiologies. Twenty-three patients had symmetric BS patterns, of which 15 (65%) patients had genetic etiologies. Nine patients had asymmetric BS patterns, of which 8 (89%) patients had structural etiologies. Patients with genetic epilepsies tended to have asynchronous and symmetric BS patterns, whereas those with structural epilepsies were more likely to have synchronous and asymmetric BS patterns.
Abnormal [18F]FDG PET/MRI findings in paraspinal structures of patients with suspected cerebrospinal fluid leak
Authors: Yoon Daehyun , Cipriano Peter William , Penticuff Ryan , Castillo Jessa Ballesteros , Xu Yingding , Carroll Ian Richard , Biswal Sandip
Published: August 2021

A combination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and radionuclide cisternography are typically used to locate a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. However, the site of leakage cannot be determined, making treatment more difficult. Therefore, more sensitive imaging tools are needed. A whole-body [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/MRI was conducted on six patients with suspected CSF leak and the resulting images were reviewed in comparison with those from six healthy controls. Paraspinal regions of focally increased uptake of [18F]FDG were quantified using maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) and compared to the SUVmax of corresponding regions in the healthy controls. All six patients with suspected CSF leak showed paraspinal regions of significantly greater [18F]FDG uptake compared to the corresponding areas in controls (P < 0.05). Two patients treated with local injections (epidural blood patches and/or epidural fibrin patches) on the site of abnormal PET/MRI findings reported temporary but significant improvement in symptoms. Our results suggest [18F]FDG PET/MRI is sensitive to abnormalities potentially due to suspected CSF leak, which are not necessarily visible on conventional MRI alone or by the standard-of-care imaging methods.
Yippee like 4 (Ypel4) is essential for normal mouse red blood cell membrane integrity
Authors: Mattebo Alexander , Sen Taha , Jassinskaja Maria , Pimková Kristýna , Prieto González-Albo Isabel , Alattar Abdul Ghani , Ramakrishnan Ramprasad , Lang Stefan , Järås Marcus , Hansson Jenny , Soneji Shamit , Singbrant Sofie , van den Akker Emile , Flygare Johan
Published: August 2021

The YPEL family genes are highly conserved across a diverse range of eukaryotic organisms and thus potentially involved in essential cellular processes. Ypel4, one of five YPEL family gene orthologs in mouse and human, is highly and specifically expressed in late terminal erythroid differentiation (TED). In this study, we investigated the role of Ypel4 in murine erythropoiesis, providing for the first time an in-depth description of a Ypel4-null phenotype in vivo. We demonstrated that the Ypel4-null mice displayed a secondary polycythemia with macro- and reticulocytosis. While lack of Ypel4 did not affect steady-state TED in the bone marrow or spleen, the anemia-recovering capacity of Ypel4-null cells was diminished. Furthermore, Ypel4-null red blood cells (RBC) were cleared from the circulation at an increased rate, demonstrating an intrinsic defect of RBCs. Scanning electron micrographs revealed an ovalocytic morphology of Ypel4-null RBCs and functional testing confirmed reduced deformability. Even though Band 3 protein levels were shown to be reduced in Ypel4-null RBC membranes, we could not find support for a physical interaction between YPEL4 and the Band 3 protein. In conclusion, our findings provide crucial insights into the role of Ypel4 in preserving normal red cell membrane integrity.
Epidemiology of childhood tuberculosis after ceasing universal Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccination
Authors: Kobayashi Sayori , Yoshiyama Takashi , Uchimura Kazuhiro , Hamaguchi Yuko , Kato Seiya
Published: August 2021

Universal Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination is recommended in countries with high tuberculosis (TB) burden. Nevertheless, several countries have ceased universal BCG vaccination over the past 40 years, with scarce comparative epidemiological analyses regarding childhood TB after the policy change. We analysed data on childhood TB in countries that ceased universal BCG vaccination. Data sources included national/international databases, published papers, annual TB reports, and public health authority websites. Childhood TB notification rate increased in one of seven countries with available data. Pulmonary TB and TB lymphadenitis were the main causes of increasing childhood cases, while changes in severe forms of TB cases were minor. Maintaining high vaccine coverage for the target group was a common challenge after shifting selective vaccination. In some countries showing no increase in childhood TB after a BCG policy change, the majority of childhood TB cases were patients from abroad or those with overseas parents; these countries had changed immigration policies during the same period. Heterogeneity in childhood TB epidemiology was observed after ceasing universal BCG vaccination; several factors might obscure the influence of vaccination policy change. Lessons learned from these countries may aid in the development of better BCG vaccination strategies.
Bacterial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors among bloodstream infection suspected patients attending Arba Minch General Hospital, Ethiopia
Authors: Birru Melkam , Woldemariam Melat , Manilal Aseer , Aklilu Addis , Tsalla Tsegaye , Mitiku Asaye , Gezmu Tigist
Published: August 2021

Bacterial bloodstream infections are of great concern globally. Of late, the emergence of drug resistant bacteria worsen the related morbidity and mortality. This study was aimed to determine the bacterial profile, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors among the blood stream infection (BSI) suspected patients attending the Arba Minch General Hospital (AMGH), southern Ethiopia, from 01 June through 31st August, 2020. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 225 BSI suspected patients. Systematic random sampling method was used to select patients. Blood culture was done to isolate bacterial pathogens. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed by employing the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analysis were done by Statistical Package for Social Service (SPSS) version 22. The rate of prevalence of bacteriologically confirmed cases was 22/225 (9.8%). Majority of BSI were caused by Gram-positive cocci, 13/22 (59.1%), particularly the isolates of S. aureus, 7/22 (31.8%) followed by Enterococci species, 4/22 (18.2%) and coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS), 2/22 (9.1%). Among the Gram-negative bacteria 9/22 (41.1%), Klebsiella species 4/22 (18.2%) was the prominent one followed by Escherichia coli 2/22 (9.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 2/22 (9.1%), and Enterobacter species 1/22 (4.5%). All the isolates of Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to meropenem whereas 69.2% of the isolates of Gram-positive counterparts were susceptible to erythromycin. Slightly above two third (68.2%) of the total isolates were multidrug resistant. Insertion of a peripheral intravenous line was significantly associated with BSI [p = 0.03; Adjusted Odds Ratio = 4.82; (Confidence Interval: 1.08–21.46)]. Overall results revealed that eventhough the prevalence of BSI in Arba Minch is comparatively lower (9.8%), multidrug resistance is alarmingly on the rise, which is to be addressed through effective surveillance and control strategies.
Evaluation of femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy system as an offline coal analyzer
Authors: Sheta Sahar , Hou Zongyu , Wang Yun , Wang Zhe
Published: August 2021

Developments in femtosecond laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (fs-LIBS) applications during the last two decades have further centered on innovative métier tie-in to the advantageous properties of femtosecond laser ablation (fs-LA) introduced into LIBS. Yet, for industrially-oriented application like coal analysis, no research has exposed to view the analytical capabilities of fs-LA in enhancing the physical processes of coal ablation and the impact into quantitative correlation of spectra and data modeling. In a huge coal market, fast and accurate analysis of coal property is eminently important for coal pricing, combustion optimization, and pollution reduction. Moreover, there is a thirst need of precision standardization for coal analyzers in use. In this letter, the analytical performance of a one-box femtosecond laser system is evaluated relative to an industrially applied coal analyzer based on five objectives/measures: spectral correlation, relative sensitivity factors, craters topology, plasma parameters, and repeatability. Despite high-threshold operation parameters of the fs system, competitive results are achieved compared to the optimized analytical conditions of the ns-coal analyzer. Studies targeting the in-field optimization of fs-LIBS systems for coal analysis can potentially provide insights into fs-plasma hydrodynamics under harsh conditions, instrumental customization, and pave the way for a competitive next-generation of coal analyzers.
Mortality during tuberculosis treatment in South Africa using an 8-year analysis of the national tuberculosis treatment register
Authors: Osman Muhammad , van Schalkwyk Cari , Naidoo Pren , Seddon James A. , Dunbar Rory , Dlamini Sicelo S. , Welte Alex , Hesseling Anneke C. , Claassens Mareli M.
Published: August 2021

In 2011, the South African HIV treatment eligibility criteria were expanded to allow all tuberculosis (TB) patients lifelong ART. The impact of this change on TB mortality in South Africa is not known. We evaluated mortality in all adults (≥ 15 years old) treated for drug-susceptible TB in South Africa between 2009 and 2016. Using a Cox regression model, we quantified risk factors for mortality during TB treatment and present standardised mortality ratios (SMR) stratified by year, age, sex, and HIV status. During the study period, 8.6% (219,618/2,551,058) of adults on TB treatment died. Older age, male sex, previous TB treatment and HIV infection (with or without the use of ART) were associated with increased hazard of mortality. There was a 19% reduction in hazard of mortality amongst all TB patients between 2009 and 2016 (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.81 95%CI 0.80–0.83). The highest SMR was in 15–24-year-old women, more than double that of men (42.3 in 2016). Between 2009 and 2016, the SMR for HIV-positive TB patients increased, from 9.0 to 19.6 in women, and 7.0 to 10.6 in men. In South Africa, case fatality during TB treatment is decreasing and further interventions to address specific risk factors for TB mortality are required. Young women (15–24-year-olds) with TB experience a disproportionate burden of mortality and interventions targeting this age-group are needed.
Coomassie brilliant blue G 250 modified carbon paste electrode sensor for the voltammetric detection of dihydroxybenzene isomers
Authors: Chetankumar K. , Kumara Swamy B. E. , Sharma S. C. , Adarsha H.
Published: August 2021

In this present study, coomassie brilliant blue G-250 (CBBG) modified electrode was fabricated for the specific and simultaneous detection of three dihydroxybenzene isomers such as resorcinol (RS), catechol (CC) and hydroquinone (HQ). The fabrication of the modified electrode was carried out by electrochemical polymerization of CBBG on the surface of unmodified electrode. The surface structures of bare and fabricated electrode were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The established electrode portrays the very fine interface with these isomers and displayed the sufficient sensitivity and selectivity. The specific parameters of pH solution, scan rate and varying the concentration of analytes were optimized at the modified electrode. The sensor process was originated to be adsorption-controlled activity and the low limit of detection (LOD) for RS and CC was attained at 0.24 and 0.21 µM respectively. In the simultaneous study, designed sensor clearly implies the three well separated anodic peaks for RS, HQ and CC nevertheless in unmodified electrode it failed. Also, the constructed electrode was applied for the real sample analysis in tap water and obtained results are agreeable and it consistent in-between 92.80–99.48%.
Land cover matters to human well-being
Authors: Li Chao , Managi Shunsuke
Published: August 2021

People migrate from rural to urban areas. In the meantime, the benefits of staying in greener areas are also known. People’s preferences might be different by area that is composed of several land types. If so, the effect of particular land cover on human well-being is different spatially. The spatial analysis is required to formulate effective land-use policies. Here we show that urban land, water, and grassland are positively related to human well-being, whereas bare land is negatively associated in Japan. A 1 $${\mathrm{m}}^{2}$$

m

2

increase in the area of urban land per capita in a city is equivalent to an about 346 USD increase in the individual annual income of all the people in the city. Additionally, monetary values of areas of water, crops, and bare land per capita are 102, − 30, and − 268 $$\mathrm{USD}/\mathrm{Capita }{\mathrm{m}}^{2}$$

USD
/
Capita

m

2

. Furthermore, the spatial context matters to the relationship between land cover and human well-being. This paper investigates the monetary values of several land types and their spatial variability, which provides insights to make better usage for land cover.
Interaction between CETP polymorphism and dietary insulin index and load in relation to cardiovascular risk factors in diabetic adults
Authors: Abaj Faezeh , Rafiee Masoumeh , Koohdani Fariba
Published: August 2021

Gene–diet interactions may play an important role in the inter individual diversity observed in on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Therefore, in the current study, we examined the interaction of CETP TaqB1 polymorphism with dietary insulin index and load (DII and DIL), in altering on CVD risk factors among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were collected from 220 type 2 diabetic patients (134 females and 86 male) with a mean age of 52.24 years in Tehran, Iran. DIL and DII were obtained via validated food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Taq1B polymorphism was genotyped by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Biochemical markers including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG), superoxide dismutase (SOD), C-reactive protein (CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), pentraxin-3 (PTX3), isoprostaneF2α (PGF2α). interleukin 18 (IL18), leptin and ghrelin were measured by standard protocol. Patients with B1B1 genotype had lower lipid profiles include LDL/HDL (P < 0.001) and TG (P = 0.04) when they consumed diets higher on the DIL and DII index. Moreover, carriers of B2B2 genotype who were in the last tertile of DIL had higher antioxidant and inflammatory markers include SOD (P = 0.01), PGF2α (P = 0.04) and CRP (P = 0.02). Further, a significant interaction between CETP TaqB1 and DII was shown in terms of WC (P = 0.01), where the highest WC were observed in B2B2 genotype carriers following a DII score. However, the highest inflammatory and antioxidant markers include CRP (P = 0.04), TAC (P = 0.01), SOD (P = 0.02), and PGF2α (P = 0.02) were observed in B2B2 genotype carriers when they consumed diets higher on the DII index. Based on the current study, it could be proposed that CETP polymorphism may be associated with CVD risk factors in T2DM patients with high following insulin indices, including DII and DIL. It seems that CETP Taq1B polymorphism can invert the result produced by insulin. This conclusion illustrates that the CETP Taq1B B1 allele could counteract the CVD risk induced by high DII and DIL.