bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Near-infrared non-degenerate two-photon absorption coefficients of bulk GaAs and Si
Authors: Krauss-Kodytek Laura , Ruppert Claudia , Betz Markus
Published: September 2021

We investigate the non-degenerate two-photon absorption coefficient β(ω1, ω2) as a function of the non-degeneracy parameter ω1/ω2 for bulk GaAs and Si at a constant transition energy

ℏ

ω
1

+
ℏ

ω
2

=
1.57

eV. In both materials, the two-photon absorption strength increases with increasing ω1/ω2 regardless of the direct and indirect character of the bandgap. The GaAs measurement data agrees well with corresponding theoretical predictions for direct semiconductors. The Si data reveals similar trends albeit with smaller overall absorption strength. In addition, different crystallographic orientations and polarization configurations are analyzed.
Low power threshold, ultrathin optical limiter based on a nonlinear zone plate
Authors: Zhao Yuqi , Chalabi Hamidreza , Waks Edo
Published: September 2021

Ultrathin optical limiters are needed to protect light sensitive components in miniaturized optical systems. However, it has proven challenging to achieve a sufficiently low optical limiting threshold. In this work, we theoretically show that an ultrathin optical limiter with low threshold intensity can be realized using a nonlinear zone plate. The zone plate is embedded with nonlinear saturable absorbing materials that allow the device to focus low intensity light, while high intensity light is transmitted as a plane wave without a focal spot. Based on this proposed mechanism, we use the finite-difference time-domain method to computationally design a zone plate embedded with InAs quantum dots as the saturable absorbing material. The device has a thickness of just 0.5 μm and exhibits good optical limiting behavior with a threshold intensity as low as 0.45 kW/cm2, which is several orders of magnitude lower than bulk limiter counterparts based on a similar mechanism, and also performs favorably compared to current ultrathin flat-optics-based optical limiters. This design can be optimized for different operating wavelengths and threshold intensities by using different saturable absorbing materials. Additionally, the diameter and focal length of the nonlinear zone plate can be easily adjusted to fit different systems and applications. Due to its flexible design, low power threshold, and ultrathin thickness, this optical limiting concept may be promising for application in miniaturized optical systems.
Carbon nanotubes for polarization sensitive terahertz plasmonic interferometry
Authors: Matyushkin Y. , Danilov S. , Moskotin M. , Fedorov G. , Bochin A. , Gorbenko I. , Kachorovskii V. , Ganichev S.
Published: September 2021

We report on helicity sensitive photovoltaic terahertz radiation response of a carbon nanotube made in a configuration of a field-effect transistor. We find that the magnitude of the rectified voltage is different for clockwise and anticlockwise circularly polarized radiation. We demonstrate that this effect is a fingerprint of the plasma waves interference in the transistor channel. We also find that the presence of the helicity- and phase-sensitive interference part of the photovoltaic response is a universal phenomenon which is obtained in the systems of different dimensionality with different single-particle spectrum. Its magnitude is a characteristic of the plasma wave decay length. This opens up a wide avenue for applications in the area of plasmonic interferometry.
Measure the arbitrary topological charge of perfect optical vortex beams by using the dynamic angular double slits
Authors: Zhao Yuanyuan , Huang Xiaoting , Chang Zehong , Wang Xiaoli , Zhang Pei
Published: September 2021

Perfect optical vortex beams (POV) have attracted considerable attention in many novel applications because they have the advantage of a radial profile that is independent of the topological charge (TC). Nowadays, there are few effective methods to measure both the integer and the fractional TCs of the POV. In this paper, we achieve the precise measurement of arbitrary TCs through the approach of dynamic angular double slits (ADS), which performs the transformation from the POV to the interference intensity patterns at the angular bisector direction of the ADS. The information of the TC can be obtained from the periodically changing interference pattern. The deviation is less than 2% by comparing the theoretical values with the fitting results, therefore the detection method is effective and reasonable.
Broadband thin-film and metamaterial absorbers using refractory vanadium nitride and their thermal stability
Authors: Wang Wenhao , Wang Hanbin , Yu Peng , Sun Kai , Tong Xin , Lin Feng , Wu Cuo , You Yimin , Xie Wuze , Li Yunpeng , Yuan Chenzhi , Govorov Alexander O. , Muskens Otto L. , Xu Hongxing , Sun Song , Wang Zhiming
Published: September 2021

Strong absorption of the full spectrum of sunlight at high temperatures is desired for photothermal devices and thermophotovoltaics. Here, we experimentally demonstrate a thin-film broadband absorber consisting of a vanadium nitride (VN) film and a SiO2 anti-reflective layer. Owing to the intrinsic high loss of VN, the fabricated absorber exhibits high absorption over 90% in the wide range of 400-1360 nm. To further enhance the near-infrared absorption, we also propose a metamaterial absorber by depositing patterned VN square patches on the thin-film absorber. An average absorption of 90.4% over the range of 400-2500 nm is achieved due to the excitation of broad electric dipole resonance. Both thin-film and metamaterial absorbers are demonstrated to possess excellent incident angle tolerances (up to 60°) and superior thermal stability at 800 ℃. The proposed refractory VN absorbers may be potentially used for solar energy harvesting, thermal emission, and photodetection.
Aliasing-free dual-comb ranging system based on free-running fiber lasers
Authors: Jiang Ruilin , Zhou Siyu , Wu Guanhao
Published: September 2021

A dual-comb ranging (DCR) system without spectral aliasing based on free-running fiber lasers was proposed. By monitoring the repetition frequency over time, we compensate for the instability of the optical pulse train from the free-running fiber lasers. We demonstrated a double-channel filtering structure that eliminates the aliasing between multiheterodyne beats in radio frequency interferograms. Without any frequency locking, the DCR system implements stable running for at least 60 min. The system realizes a 6-µm repetition precision without averaging and shows good consistency with a commercial interferometer.
Development and characterization of a disposable submillimeter fiber optic Raman needle probe for enhancing real-time in vivo deep tissue and biofluids Raman measurements
Authors: Shu Chi , Zheng Wei , Wang Zhuo , Yu Changyuan , Huang Zhiwei
Published: September 2021

We report on the development and characterization of disposable submillimeter fiber optic Raman needle probe for enhancing real-time in vivo tissue and biofluids Raman measurements. The submillimeter Raman probe is designed and fabricated using an aluminum-coated multimode fiber tapered with a semispherical lens, resulting in the coaxial laser excitation/Raman collection configuration for maximizing tissue and biofluid Raman measurements. We demonstrate that, with the use of the Raman needle probe associated with the structured background subtraction algorithms developed, high quality tissue Raman spectra covering both the fingerprint (FP) (

800

−

1800

c
m

−
1

) and high-wavenumber (HW) (

2800

−

3300

c
m

−
1

) regions can be acquired within subseconds from different tissue types (e.g., skin, muscle, fat, cartilage, liver, and brain) and biofluids (e.g., blood, urine). By advancing the Raman needle probe into the murine brain tissue model, high quality depth-resolved deep tissue Raman spectra can also be acquired rapidly. This work shows that the submillimeter fiberoptic Raman needle probe is capable of achieving real-time collection of deep tissue and biofluids FP/HW Raman spectra with high signal to noise ratios. This opens a new avenue with dual functioning of Raman optical biopsy and fine needle aspiration biopsy for enhancing in vivo deep tissue and biofluids diagnosis and characterization in different organs.
Asymmetric constellation transmission for a coherent free-space optical system with spatial diversity
Authors: Pan Xuanmin , Liu Yejun , Guo Lei
Published: September 2021

Spatial diversity is widely recognized as an effective technique for free-space optical (FSO) communication to combat channel fading. Most existing works on spatial diversity in FSO systems focus on intensity modulation and direct detection, while fewer mention coherent optical detection, which excels in optical receiver responsivity. Spatial diversity enables the FSO coherent system to demodulate the signal components of in-phase (

I

) and quadrature (

Q

) separately and thus simplify the coherent detector. More importantly, due to the differential channel conditions between

I

and

Q

components, we are offered a chance to realize an asymmetric quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellation that can utilize the channel capacity of both

I

and

Q

components more sufficiently. Performance results demonstrate that the simplified structure and improved spectrum efficiency can be realized in the asymmetric QAM transmission system with an acceptable bit-error-rate loss.
Quantum well interband semiconductor lasers highly tolerant to dislocations
Authors: Cerutti Laurent , Díaz Thomas Daniel A. , Rodriguez Jean-Baptiste , Rio Calvo Marta , Patriarche Gilles , Baranov Alexei N. , Tournié Eric
Published: September 2021

III-V semiconductor lasers integrated on Si-based photonic platforms are eagerly awaited by the industry for mass-scale applications, from interconnect to on-chip sensing. The current understanding is that only quantum dot lasers can reasonably operate at the high dislocation densities generated by the III-V-on-Si heteroepitaxy, which induces high non-radiative carrier recombination rates. Here we propose a strategy based on a type-II band alignment to fabricate quantum well lasers highly tolerant to dislocations. A mid-IR GaInSb/InAs interband cascade laser grown on Si exhibits performances similar to those of its counterpart grown on the native GaSb substrate, in spite of a dislocation density in the

10

8

c
m

−
2

range. Over 3800 h of continuous-wave operation data have been collected, giving an extrapolated mean time to failure exceeding 312,000 h. This validates the proposed strategy and opens the way to new integrated laser development.
Interplay between the EMT transcription factors ZEB1 and ZEB2 regulates hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell differentiation and hematopoietic lineage fidelity
Authors: Wang Jueqiong , Farkas Carlos , Benyoucef Aissa , Carmichael Catherine , Haigh Katharina , Wong Nick , Huylebroeck Danny , Stemmler Marc P. , Brabletz Simone , Brabletz Thomas , Nefzger Christian M. , Goossens Steven , Berx Geert , Polo Jose M. , Haigh Jody J.
Published: September 2021

The ZEB2 transcription factor has been demonstrated to play important roles in hematopoiesis and leukemic transformation. ZEB1 is a close family member of ZEB2 but has remained more enigmatic concerning its roles in hematopoiesis. Here, we show using conditional loss-of-function approaches and bone marrow (BM) reconstitution experiments that ZEB1 plays a cell-autonomous role in hematopoietic lineage differentiation, particularly as a positive regulator of monocyte development in addition to its previously reported important role in T-cell differentiation. Analysis of existing single-cell (sc) RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data of early hematopoiesis has revealed distinctive expression differences betweenZeb1andZeb2in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) differentiation, withZeb2being more highly and broadly expressed thanZeb1except at a key transition point (short-term HSC [ST-HSC]➔MPP1), wherebyZeb1appears to be the dominantly expressed family member. Inducible genetic inactivation of bothZeb1andZeb2using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre-mediated approach leads to acute BM failure at this transition point with increased long-term and short-term hematopoietic stem cell numbers and an accompanying decrease in all hematopoietic lineage differentiation. Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-seq data has revealed that ZEB2 acts predominantly as a transcriptional repressor involved in restraining mature hematopoietic lineage gene expression programs from being expressed too early in HSPCs. ZEB1 appears to fine-tune this repressive role during hematopoiesis to ensure hematopoietic lineage fidelity. Analysis of Rosa26 locus–based transgenic models has revealed thatZeb1as well asZeb2cDNA-based overexpression within the hematopoietic system can drive extramedullary hematopoiesis/splenomegaly and enhance monocyte development. Finally, inactivation ofZeb2alone orZeb1/2together was found to enhance survival in secondary MLL-AF9 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) models attesting to the oncogenic role of ZEB1/2 in AML.
Incorporating metadata in HIV transmission network reconstruction: A machine learning feasibility assessment
Authors: Mazrouee Sepideh , Little Susan J. , Wertheim Joel O.
Published: September 2021

HIV molecular epidemiology estimates the transmission patterns from clustering genetically similar viruses. The process involves connecting genetically similar genotyped viral sequences in the network implying epidemiological transmissions. This technique relies on genotype data which is collected only from HIV diagnosed and in-care populations and leaves many persons with HIV (PWH) who have no access to consistent care out of the tracking process. We use machine learning algorithms to learn the non-linear correlation patterns between patient metadata and transmissions between HIV-positive cases. This enables us to expand the transmission network reconstruction beyond the molecular network. We employed multiple commonly used supervised classification algorithms to analyze the San Diego Primary Infection Resource Consortium (PIRC) cohort dataset, consisting of genotypes and nearly 80 additional non-genetic features. First, we trained classification models to determine genetically unrelated individuals from related ones. Our results show that random forest and decision tree achieved over 80% in accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score by only using a subset of meta-features including age, birth sex, sexual orientation, race, transmission category, estimated date of infection, and first viral load date besides genetic data. Additionally, both algorithms achieved approximately 80% sensitivity and specificity. The Area Under Curve (AUC) is reported 97% and 94% for random forest and decision tree classifiers respectively. Next, we extended the models to identify clusters of similar viral sequences. Support vector machine demonstrated one order of magnitude improvement in accuracy of assigning the sequences to the correct cluster compared to dummy uniform random classifier. These results confirm that metadata carries important information about the dynamics of HIV transmission as embedded in transmission clusters. Hence, novel computational approaches are needed to apply the non-trivial knowledge collected from inter-individual genetic information to metadata from PWH in order to expand the estimated transmissions. We note that feature extraction alone will not be effective in identifying patterns of transmission and will result in random clustering of the data, but its utilization in conjunction with genetic data and the right algorithm can contribute to the expansion of the reconstructed network beyond individuals with genetic data.
Partitioning variability in animal behavioral videos using semi-supervised variational autoencoders
Authors: Whiteway Matthew R. , Biderman Dan , Friedman Yoni , Dipoppa Mario , Buchanan E. Kelly , Wu Anqi , Zhou John , Bonacchi Niccolò , Miska Nathaniel J. , Noel Jean-Paul , Rodriguez Erica , Schartner Michael , Socha Karolina , Urai Anne E. , Salzman C. Daniel ,   The International Brain Laboratory, Cunningham John P. , Paninski Liam
Published: September 2021

Recent neuroscience studies demonstrate that a deeper understanding of brain function requires a deeper understanding of behavior. Detailed behavioral measurements are now often collected using video cameras, resulting in an increased need for computer vision algorithms that extract useful information from video data. Here we introduce a new video analysis tool that combines the output of supervised pose estimation algorithms (e.g. DeepLabCut) with unsupervised dimensionality reduction methods to produce interpretable, low-dimensional representations of behavioral videos that extract more information than pose estimates alone. We demonstrate this tool by extracting interpretable behavioral features from videos of three different head-fixed mouse preparations, as well as a freely moving mouse in an open field arena, and show how these interpretable features can facilitate downstream behavioral and neural analyses. We also show how the behavioral features produced by our model improve the precision and interpretation of these downstream analyses compared to using the outputs of either fully supervised or fully unsupervised methods alone.
The effect of encoding task on the forgetting of object gist and details
Authors: Hu Zhongyu , Zhou Wenxi , Yang Jiongjiong
Published: September 2021

One important feature of episodic memory is that it contains fine-grained and vividly recollected details. How to improve and maintain detailed information over time has been one of the central issues in memory research. Previous studies have inconsistent findings on whether detailed memory is forgotten more rapidly than gist memory. In this study, we investigated to what extent different encoding tasks modulated forgetting of gist and detailed information. In three experiments, participants were presented pictures of common objects and were asked to name them (Experiment 1), describe the details about them (Experiment 2) or imagine scenes associated with them (Experiment 3). After intervals of 10 minutes, one day, one week and one month, gist and detailed memories of the pictures were tested and assessed using a remember/know/guess judgement. The results showed that after the naming task, gist and detailed memories were forgotten at a similar rate, but after the description and the imagination tasks, detailed memory was forgotten at a slower rate than gist memory. The forgetting rate of gist memory was the slowest after the naming task, while that of detailed memory was the slowest after the description task. In addition, when three experiments were compared, the naming task enhanced the contributions of recollection and familiarity for gist memory, while the description task enhanced the contribution of familiarity for detailed memory. These results reveal the importance of the encoding task in the forgetting of gist and detailed information, and suggest a possible way to maintain perceptual details of objects at longer intervals.
Can “Googling” correct misbelief? Cognitive and affective consequences of online search
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsuro , Taka Fumiaki , Suzuki Takahisa
Published: September 2021

With increasing concern over online misinformation in perspective, this study experimentally examined the cognitive as well as the affective consequences of online search. Results of the two experiments using widely shared, prejudiced misinformation about an ethnic minority in Japan indicated that (a) online search reduces on average the likelihood of believing the misinformation, (b) the magnitude of the effect is larger among those who are predisposed to believe the misinformation, (c) cognitive correction is observed whether searchers are motivated to achieve a directional goal or an accuracy goal, and (d) online search deteriorates affective feeling toward the target groups of the misinformation. Theoretical implications are discussed in relation to the robustness of confirmation bias in online search and the “belief echo” in which exposure to negative misinformation continues to shape attitudes even after the misinformation has been effectively discredited.
National and subnational size estimation of female sex workers in Ghana 2020: Comparing 3-source capture-recapture with other approaches
Authors: Guure Chris , Dery Samuel , Afagbedzi Seth , Tun Waimar , Weir Sharon Stucker , Quaye Silas , Ankomah Augustine , Torpey Kwasi
Published: September 2021

Background

Key Population size estimation (PSE) is instrumental for HIV/STI preventive, treatment and care services planning, implementation and delivery. The objective was to estimate the overall population of female sex workers (FSW) in all the 16 regions of Ghana using different PSE methods.

Method

Mapping of venues and complete enumeration of seaters was conducted at the formative stage prior to the bio-behavioral survey (BBS). Three PSE methods were used to derive the size estimates of FSW in the 16 regions. These include: Capture-recapture (CRC), service multiplier and three-source capture recapture (3SCRC) methods. The final choice of the estimation method used to estimate the roamer population was 3SCRC. This method was chosen because of its perfect record-linkage–hierarchic combination of three names that minimizes overmatching as well as the addition of an interaction term in the model which corrects for the dependencies in CRC.

Results

The total population size estimate of the female sex workers in the country obtained for roamers using capture re-capture was 41,746 (95% CI: 41,488–41,932). Using the service multiplier, the total population for both the roamers and seaters was 41,153 (95% CI: 37,242–45,984). The 3-source capture re-capture yielded 55,686 roamers FSW (95% CI: 47,686–63,686). The seater population was 4,363 FSW based on census/complete enumeration. The total population size estimate of FSW (seaters and roamers) in Ghana was 60,049 when 3SCRC and census were added. This represents about 0.76% of all estimated adult females aged 15-49yrs in Ghana.

Conclusion

We report population size estimates (PSE) for FSW in Ghana. These estimates are the results of 3SCRC. These findings provide a valid and reliable source of information that should be referenced by government officials and policymakers to plan, implement and provide HIV/STI preventive, treatment, and care services for FSW in Ghana.
Domain-specific life satisfaction among older adults with and without children: The role of intergenerational contact
Authors: Doerwald Friederike , Albrecht Birte Marie , Stalling Imke , Bammann Karin
Published: September 2021

Background

Life satisfaction is associated with many important health outcomes among older adults and is an indicator of successful ageing. The present study aims to replicate earlier findings regarding relationships between satisfaction with various life domains and life satisfaction in older adults. The study furthermore explores how parental status is associated with satisfaction with different life domains and how two types of intergenerational contact (contact with own children; post-retirement work in childcare) relate to life satisfaction.

Methods

Participants were 1978 older adults, aged 65–75 year (51.7% female), who live in Bremen and took part in the OUTDOOR ACTIVE study. 82.6% of the participants had one or more children. All participants completed a questionnaire, which among others comprised items assessing life satisfaction as well as satisfaction with six different life domains (satisfaction with living situation, financial situation, leisure time, health, family, neighbors and friends).

Results

LS is significantly related to all of the investigated life domains, independent of sex and age. For the participants with children, life satisfaction had the highest association with satisfaction with family (β: 0.202; 95%CI: 0.170–0.235), followed by satisfaction with neighbors and friends (β: 0.151; 95%CI: 0.111–0.191), and health satisfaction (β: 0.148; 95%CI: 0.120–0.176). In comparison to that, participants without children had the highest association between life satisfaction and satisfaction with health (β: 0.193; 95%CI: 0.135–0.252), followed by satisfaction with family (β: 0.175; 95%CI: 0.114–0.236) and satisfaction with neighbors and friends (β: 0.154; 95%CI: 0.077–0.232). In participants with children, there was a non-significant negative association between life satisfaction and work in childcare (β: -0.031; 95%CI: -0.178–0.116), while life satisfaction was statistically significantly positively associated to work in childcare in participants without own children (β: 0.681; 95%CI: 0.075–1.288).

Conclusions

The results suggest that the domain-specific approach to life satisfaction can elucidate differences in the correlates of life satisfaction and well-being between older adults with and without children. They further suggest that the benefits of working with children for life satisfaction may be more pronounced in older adults without children than older adults with children.
LTA4H rs2660845 association with montelukast response in early and late-onset asthma
Authors: Maroteau Cyrielle , Espuela-Ortiz Antonio , Herrera-Luis Esther , Srinivasan Sundararajan , Carr Fiona , Tavendale Roger , Wilson Karen , Hernandez-Pacheco Natalia , Chalmers James D. , Turner Steve , Mukhopadhyay Somnath , Maitland-van der Zee Anke-Hilse , Burchard Esteban G. , Pino-Yanes Maria , Young Simon , Lassi Glenda , Platt Adam , Palmer Colin N. A. ,   on behalf of the PiCA Consortium
Published: September 2021

Leukotrienes play a central pathophysiological role in both paediatric and adult asthma. However, 35% to 78% of asthmatics do not respond to leukotriene inhibitors. In this study we tested the role of theLTA4Hregulatory variant rs2660845 and age of asthma onset in response to montelukast in ethnically diverse populations. We identified and genotyped 3,594 asthma patients treated with montelukast (2,514 late-onset and 1,080 early-onset) from seven cohorts (UKBiobank, GoSHARE, BREATHE, Tayside RCT, PAGES, GALA II and SAGE). Individuals under montelukast treatment experiencing at least one exacerbation in a 12-month period were compared against individuals with no exacerbation, using logistic regression for each cohort and meta-analysis. While no significant association was found with European late-onset subjects, a meta-analysis of 523 early-onset individuals from European ancestry demonstrated the odds of experiencing asthma exacerbations by carriers of at least one G allele, despite montelukast treatment, were increased (odds-ratio = 2.92, 95%confidence interval (CI): 1.04–8.18, I2 = 62%, p = 0.0412) compared to those in the AA group. When meta-analysing with other ethnic groups, no significant increased risk of asthma exacerbations was found (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 0.61–4.19, I2 = 85%, p = 0.342). Our study demonstrates that genetic variation inLTA4H, together with timing of asthma onset, may contribute to variability in montelukast response. European individuals with early-onset (≤18y) carrying at least one copy of rs2660845 have increased odd of exacerbation under montelukast treatment, presumably due to the up-regulation ofLTA4Hactivity. These findings support a precision medicine approach for the treatment of asthma with montelukast.
In silico analysis enabling informed design for genome editing in medicinal cannabis; gene families and variant characterisation
Authors: Matchett-Oates L. , Braich S. , Spangenberg G. C. , Rochfort S. , Cogan N. O. I.
Published: September 2021

Background

Cannabis has been used worldwide for centuries for industrial, recreational and medicinal use, however, to date no successful attempts at editing genes involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis have been reported. This study proposes and develops anin silicobest practices approach for the design and implementation of genome editing technologies in cannabis to target all genes involved in cannabinoid biosynthesis.

Results

A large dataset of reference genomes was accessed and mined to determine copy number variation and associated SNP variants for optimum target edit sites for genotype independent editing. Copy number variance and highly polymorphic gene sequences exist in the genome making genome editing using CRISPR, Zinc Fingers and TALENs technically difficult. Evaluation of allele or additional gene copies was determined through nucleotide and amino acid alignments with comparative sequence analysis performed. From determined gene copy number and presence of SNPs, multiple online CRISPR design tools were used to design sgRNA targeting every gene, accompanying allele and homologs throughout all involved pathways to create knockouts for further investigation. Universal sgRNA were designed for highly homologous sequences using MultiTargeter and visualised using Sequencher, creating unique sgRNA avoiding SNP and shared nucleotide locations targeting optimal edit sites.

Conclusions

Using this framework, the approach has wider applications to all plant species regardless of ploidy number or highly homologous gene sequences.

Significance statement

Using this framework, a best-practice approach to genome editing is possible in all plant species, including cannabis, delivering a comprehensivein silicoevaluation of the cannabinoid pathway diversity from a large set of whole genome sequences. Identification of SNP variants across all genes could improve genome editing potentially leading to novel applications across multiple disciplines, including agriculture and medicine.
Degradation efficiencies of 2,4,6-TCP by Fe0-based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) with common peroxides
Authors: Ai Luoyan , Ren Tiancheng , Yan Qin , Wan Mengdan , Peng Yajuan , Xu Xiaoyun , Liu Xinxin
Published: September 2021

Degradation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) by zero-valent iron (ZVI) activating three common peroxides (peroxymonosulfate (PMS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and peroxydisulfate (PS)) was investigated. The effects of ZVI dosage, peroxides concentration, initial pH, and Cl- concentration were examined. The 2,4,6-TCP degradation efficiencies by Fe0/peroxides (PMS, H2O2, PS) were compared. Results showed that the order for degradation efficiency was H2O2≥PMS>PS. The degradation efficiency of 2,4,6-TCP in ZVI/peroxides systems were optimal at c(Ox) = 1 mmol•L-1; c(Fe0) = 0.1 g/L; initial pH = 3.2. Additionally, pH had a vital effect on 2,4,6-TCP degradation. At pH<3.2, ferrous play a vital role in all reaction, and accelerate the reaction rate rapidly. The existence of NaCl showed different results in the four systems. Chloride had little effect on 2,4,6-TCP degradation when chloride concentration at 5 mM, whereas the presence of 300 mM chloride significantly accelerated the degradation of 2,4,6-TCP from 72.7% to 95.2% in ZVI-PMS system. Notably, the other three systems showed opposite results. In contrast, the AOX (Absorbable Organic Halogen) values were highest in ZVI-PMS-Cl- system, due to the formation of lots of refractory chlorinated phenols as identified by GC-MS. These findings are good for choosing the most suitable technology for chlorophenol wastewater treatment.
Adverse maternal outcomes of adolescent pregnancy in Northwest Ethiopia: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Kassa Getachew Mullu , Arowojolu Ayodele O. , Odukogbe Akin Tunde A. , Yalew Alemayehu Worku
Published: September 2021

Background

Adolescent pregnancy is considered a major contributor to maternal and child morbidity and mortality, the greatest concern of developing countries and an important public health issue globally. Adolescents are responsible for eleven percent of births worldwide and they face several pregnancy and childbirth related complications. However, in low-income countries like Ethiopia, there are limited researches conducted to investigate outcomes of adolescent pregnancy. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the adverse maternal outcomes of adolescent pregnancy in Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in 12 health facilities from seven districts in East Gojjam zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A total of 418 adolescents (15–19 years old) and 836 adult women (20–34 years old) who attended randomly selected health facilities in East Gojjam zone were included. Data were collected starting from admission to the maternity ward for labor and delivery, and postnatal depression was measured at six weeks’ postpartum period using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) was used to account for the within subject correlation and assess the effect of different known factors that could influence the outcome of this study.

Results

A lower percentage of adolescent (58.4%) than adult (71.2%) women had their first antenatal care booking before 16 weeks of gestation. After adjusting for different confounding factors, the adverse outcome that was significantly associated with adolescent pregnancy was postpartum depression (AOR: 2.29; 95% CI, 1.42, 3.7,p-value = 0.001). Assisted vaginal delivery (AOR: 0.44; 95% CI, 0.23, 0.86,p-value 0.016)and cesarean section (AOR: 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19, 0.97,p-value = 0.042)were significantly lower among adolescent women.

Conclusions

Adolescent pregnancy is associated with higher odds of postpartum depression, and lower odds to undergo cesarean section and assisted vaginal delivery than adult women. Perinatal care services should be more adolescent-friendly to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of postpartum depression. School and community-based awareness programs regarding use of contraception to prevent unwanted adolescent pregnancy, early antenatal care booking and adverse pregnancy outcomes of adolescent pregnancy and provision of psychosocial support are recommended.
Effect of stimulus orientation and intensity on short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and facilitation (SICF): A multi-channel transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Authors: Tugin Sergei , Souza Victor H. , Nazarova Maria A. , Novikov Pavel A. , Tervo Aino E. , Nieminen Jaakko O. , Lioumis Pantelis , Ziemann Ulf , Nikulin Vadim V. , Ilmoniemi Risto J.
Published: September 2021

Besides stimulus intensities and interstimulus intervals (ISI), the electric field (E-field) orientation is known to affect both short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and facilitation (SICF) in paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). However, it has yet to be established how distinct orientations of the conditioning (CS) and test stimuli (TS) affect the SICI and SICF generation. With the use of a multi-channel TMS transducer that provides electronic control of the stimulus orientation and intensity, we aimed to investigate how changes in the CS and TS orientation affect the strength of SICI and SICF. We hypothesized that the CS orientation would play a major role for SICF than for SICI, whereas the CS intensity would be more critical for SICI than for SICF. In eight healthy subjects, we tested two ISIs (1.5 and 2.7 ms), two CS and TS orientations (anteromedial (AM) and posteromedial (PM)), and four CS intensities (50, 70, 90, and 110% of the resting motor threshold (RMT)). The TS intensity was fixed at 110% RMT. The intensities were adjusted to the corresponding RMT in the AM and PM orientations. SICI and SICF were observed in all tested CS and TS orientations. SICI depended on the CS intensity in a U-shaped manner in any combination of the CS and TS orientations. With 70% and 90% RMT CS intensities, stronger PM-oriented CS induced stronger inhibition than weaker AM-oriented CS. Similar SICF was observed for any CS orientation. Neither SICI nor SICF depended on the TS orientation. We demonstrated that SICI and SICF could be elicited by the CS perpendicular to the TS, which indicates that these stimuli affected either overlapping or strongly connected neuronal populations. We concluded that SICI is primarily sensitive to the CS intensity and that CS intensity adjustment resulted in similar SICF for different CS orientations.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha utilizes MAPK/NFκB pathways to induce cholesterol-25 hydroxylase for amplifying pro-inflammatory response via 25-hydroxycholesterol-integrin-FAK pathway
Authors: Pokharel Swechha M. , Chiok Kim , Shil Niraj K. , Mohanty Indira , Bose Santanu
Published: September 2021

Exaggerated inflammatory response results in pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF) is a multi-functional pro-inflammatory cytokine regulating a wide spectrum of physiological, biological, and cellular processes. TNF induces Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) for various activities including induction of pro-inflammatory response. The mechanism of FAK activation by TNF is unknown and the involvement of cell surface integrins in modulating TNF response has not been determined. In the current study, we have identified an oxysterol 25-hydroxycholesterol (25HC) as a soluble extracellular lipid amplifying TNF mediated innate immune pro-inflammatory response. Our results demonstrated that 25HC-integrin-FAK pathway amplifies and optimizes TNF-mediated pro-inflammatory response. 25HC generating enzyme cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (C25H) was induced by TNF via NFκB and MAPK pathways. Specifically, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay identified binding of AP-1 (Activator Protein-1) transcription factor ATF2 (Activating Transcription Factor 2) to theC25Hpromoter following TNF stimulation. Furthermore, loss of C25H, FAK and α5 integrin expression and inhibition of FAK and α5β1 integrin with inhibitor and blocking antibody, respectively, led to diminished TNF-mediated pro-inflammatory response. Thus, our studies show extracellular 25HC linking TNF pathway with integrin-FAK signaling for optimal pro-inflammatory activity and MAPK/NFκB-C25H-25HC-integrin-FAK signaling network playing an essential role to amplify TNF dependent pro-inflammatory response. Thus, we have identified 25HC as the key factor involved in FAK activation during TNF mediated response and further demonstrated a role of cell surface integrins in positively regulating TNF dependent pro-inflammatory response.
The influences of electric field intensity and driving force on the slip behaviour of water flow in a nanochannel
Authors: Liu Qiwei , Wang Dezheng , Yu Miao , Cong Biao , Yu Xiaopeng
Published: September 2021

In the present work, non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to investigate the flow of liquid water between two metallic solid atomistic smooth walls. The present work focuses on the combined effect of external electric field and driving force on the slip behaviour and structure of liquid water at the solid-water interface. The upper wall of the set model is positively charged, and the lower wall of the model is negatively charged. The simulation results show that as the driving force increases, the slip length also increases. At a given driving force, no matter how the electric field intensity changes, there is almost no change in the slip length, so the slip length is independent of the electric field strength. In addition, the results found that there is a linear relationship between the slip length and the normalised main peak of the static structure factor under different driving forces.
Pore-throat structure characterization of carbon fiber reinforced resin matrix composites: Employing Micro-CT and Avizo technique
Authors: Li Yong , Chi Yanmeng , Han Shanling , Zhao Chaojie , Miao Yanan
Published: September 2021

Micro-CT technique poses significant applications in characterizing the microstructure of materials. Based on the CT three-dimensional(3D) reconstruction technology and “Avizo” 3D visualization software, the microscopic pore-throat structure of porous media can be quantitatively characterized. This paper takes the carbon fiber reinforced resin matrix composites as an example to introduce the operation process of “Avizo” in details, which mainly covers the following modules: Volume Edit, Interactive Thresholding, Fill Holes, Mask, Separate Objects and Generate Pore Network Model, then further discuss the difficult problems when the “Avizo” is employed to analyze. The microstructures of carbon fiber reinforced resin matrix composites illustrate that pores in the upper part of sample are dramatically dispersed, and mainly concentrated in the lower part of sample. The porosity of adopted cuboid is 3.6%, accordingly the numbers of pores and throats reach 268 and 7, respectively. The equivalent radius of pores seems mainly distributed in the range of 0.7–0.8μm, accounting for 28.73% of the total pore number. The surface area of pore ranges from 5 to 10μm2, accounting for 14.16% of the total pore number. The pore volume concentrates in the range of 1–20μm3, accounting for 57.46% of the total pore number. In addition, the equivalent radius of throat mainly concentrates in the range of 1–5μm, the overall length of throat is distributed in the range of 37–60μm, and the equivalent area of throat is distributed non-uniformly in the range of 5–75μm2. This work provides a basis for the further investigation of fluid migration mechanism and law in the composite materials by the numerical simulation methodology.
Sharing the load: How a personally coloured calculator for grapheme-colour synaesthetes can reduce processing costs
Authors: Berger Joshua J. , Harris Irina M. , Whittingham Karen M. , Terpening Zoe , Watson John D. G.
Published: September 2021

Synaesthesia refers to a diverse group of perceptions. These unusual perceptions are defined by the experience of concurrents; these are conscious experiences that are catalysed by attention to some normally unrelated stimulus, the inducer. In grapheme-colour synaesthesia numbers, letters, and words can all cause colour concurrents, and these are independent of the actual colour with which the graphemes are displayed. For example, when seeing the numeral ‘3’ a person with synaesthesia might experience green as the concurrent irrespective of whether the numeral is printed in blue, black, or red. As a trait, synaesthesia has the potential to cause both positive and negative effects. However, regardless of the end effect, synaesthesia incurs an initial cost when compared with its equivalent example from normal perception; this is the additional processing cost needed to generate the information on the concurrent. We contend that this cost can be reduced by mirroring the concurrent in the environment. We designed the Digital-Colour Calculator (DCC) app, allowing each user to personalise and select the colours with which it displays its digits; it is the first reported example of a device/approach that leverages the concurrent. In this article we report on the reactions to the DCC for a sample of fifty-three synaesthetes and thirty-five non-synaesthetes. The synaesthetes showed a strong preference for the DCC over its normal counterpart. The non-synaesthetes showed no obvious preference. When using the DCC a subsample of the synaesthete group showed consistent improvement in task speed (around 8%) whereas no synaesthete showed a decrement in their speed.
Control of SARS-CoV-2 infection after Spike DNA or Spike DNA+Protein co-immunization in rhesus macaques
Authors: Rosati Margherita , Agarwal Mahesh , Hu Xintao , Devasundaram Santhi , Stellas Dimitris , Chowdhury Bhabadeb , Bear Jenifer , Burns Robert , Donohue Duncan , Pessaint Laurent , Andersen Hanne , Lewis Mark G. , Terpos Evangelos , Dimopoulos Meletios Athanasios , Wlodawer Alexander , Mullins James I. , Venzon David J. , Pavlakis George N. , Felber Barbara K.
Published: September 2021

The speed of development, versatility and efficacy of mRNA-based vaccines have been amply demonstrated in the case of SARS-CoV-2. DNA vaccines represent an important alternative since they induce both humoral and cellular immune responses in animal models and in human trials. We tested the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DNA-based vaccine regimens expressing different prefusion-stabilized Wuhan-Hu-1 SARS-CoV-2 Spike antigens upon intramuscular injection followed by electroporation in rhesus macaques. Different Spike DNA vaccine regimens induced antibodies that potently neutralized SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and elicited robust T cell responses. The antibodies recognized and potently neutralized a panel of different Spike variants including Alpha, Delta, Epsilon, Eta and A.23.1, but to a lesser extent Beta and Gamma. The DNA-only vaccine regimens were compared to a regimen that included co-immunization of Spike DNA and protein in the same anatomical site, the latter of which showed significant higher antibody responses. All vaccine regimens led to control of SARS-CoV-2 intranasal/intratracheal challenge and absence of virus dissemination to the lower respiratory tract. Vaccine-induced binding and neutralizing antibody titers and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis inversely correlated with transient virus levels in the nasal mucosa. Importantly, the Spike DNA+Protein co-immunization regimen induced the highest binding and neutralizing antibodies and showed the strongest control against SARS-CoV-2 challenge in rhesus macaques.
RNAi silencing of the Arabidopsis thaliana ULCS1 gene results in pleiotropic phenotypes during plant growth and development
Authors: Beris Despoina , Podia Varvara , Dervisi Irene , Kapolas Georgios , Isaioglou Ioannis , Tsamadou Vasiliki , Pikoula Lambrini , Rovoli Mantalena , Vallianou Alexandra , Roussis Andreas , Milioni Dimitra , Giannoutsou Helen , Haralampidis Kosmas
Published: September 2021

WD40-repeat-containing proteins (WDRs) are highly abundant in all eukaryotes. Several have been implicated as subunits of multi-protein CRL E3 ligase complexes that regulate ubiquitination mediated protein degradation and thus various cellular and developmental processes. Impairment of the WDR protein ULCS1 from Arabidopsis causes pleiotropic phenotypes during plant development, including reduced lignification, anther indehiscence, and sterility. Here we show that RNAi-mediated downregulation of ULCS1 results in a fast-growing phenotype during vegetative development. Due to accelerated growth, ulcs1i mutants reach their vegetative to reproductive transition point earlier than WT plants. However, their comparable germination rate and their similar number of secondary branches and rosette leaves at bolting indicate that ulcs1i is not an early flowering time mutant. GUS staining of progeny, obtained from crosses between
ulcs1i and CYCB1::GUS plants, revealed an increased number of mitotic cell divisions in the root meristems of ulcs1i compared to WT. Immunolabeling of homogalacturonans (HGAs) epitopes showed significant fluorescent signal differences at the cell walls and the mucilage of the seeds between ulcs1i and WT. Furthermore, we demonstrate that ULCS1 interacts with the UBA-like protein in a yeast two-hybrid assay, suggesting a direct or indirect physical coupling of these proteins in Arabidopsis.
Exosomes and the extracellular matrix: a dynamic interplay in cancer progression
Authors: Karampoga Asimina , Tzaferi Kyriaki , Koutsakis Christos , Kyriakopoulou Konstantina , Karamanos Nikos K.
Published: September 2021

Exosomes are a subtype of extracellular vesicles (EVs) composed of a lipid bilayer, which carry various cargoes such as nucleic acids, proteins, and bioactive lipids. Cancer cells release exosomes to promote cell communication and interaction with the extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM regulates the secretion and uptake of exosomes. Moreover, the cargo of exosomes can control ECM remodeling, thus affecting cancer progression. Aside from the rearrangement of ECM, exosomal cargo also modulates different signaling pathways that maintain homeostasis and play a major role in tumor growth and immune evasion in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Exosomes are now widely recognized as circulating biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. Their role in cancer initiation, progression, and chemoresistance is becoming increasingly clear from preclinical and clinical investigations, thereby gaining interest for their potential use as cancer diagnostics tools, but also for the development of future innovative cancer therapeutics. In this mini review we outline and discuss the correlation between exosomes, TME and cancer progression, while focusing on the potential role of exosomes as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic vehicles for drug delivery.