bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A long-term unit commitment problem with hydrothermal coordination for economic and emission control in large-scale electricity systems
Authors: Franz Alexander , Rieck Julia , Zimmermann Jürgen
Published: February 2020

The paper describes a long-term scheduling problem for thermal power plants and energy storages. In addition, renewable energy sources are integrated by considering the residual demand. Besides the classical minimization of the production costs, emission-related costs are taken into account. Thereby, emission costs are determined by market prices for $$\hbox {CO}_2$$CO2 emission certificates (i.e., using the EU emissions trading system). For the proposed unit commitment problem with hydrothermal coordination for economic and emission control, an enhanced mixed-integer linear programming model is presented. Moreover, a new heuristic approach is developed, which consists of two solution stages. The heuristic first performs an isolated dispatching of thermal plants. Then, a re-optimization stage is included in order to embed activities of energy storages into the final solution schedule. The considered approach is able to find outstanding schedules for benchmark instances with a planning horizon of up to one year. Furthermore, promising results are also obtained for large-scale real-world electricity systems. For the German electricity market, the relationship of $$\hbox {CO}_2$$CO2 certificate prices and the optimal thermal dispatch is illustrated by a comprehensive sensitivity analysis.
Regulation of the abundance of Y-family polymerases in the cell cycle of budding yeast in response to DNA damage
Authors: Sobolewska Aleksandra , Halas Agnieszka , Plachta Michal , McIntyre Justyna , Sledziewska-Gojska Ewa
Published: February 2020

Y-family DNA polymerases mediate DNA damage tolerance via translesion synthesis (TLS). Because of the intrinsically error-prone nature of these enzymes, their activities are regulated at several levels. Here, we demonstrate the common regulation of the cellular abundance of Y-family polymerases, polymerase eta (Pol eta), and Rev1, in response to DNA damage at various stages of the cell cycle. UV radiation influenced polymerase abundance more when cells were exposed in S-phase than in G1- or G2-phases. We noticed two opposing effects of UV radiation in S-phase. On one hand, exposure to increasing doses of UV radiation at the beginning of this phase increasingly delayed S-phase progression. As a result, the accumulation of Pol eta and Rev1, which in nonirradiated yeast is initiated at the S/G2-phase boundary, was gradually shifted into the prolonged S-phase. On the other hand, the extent of polymerase accumulation was inversely proportional to the dose of irradiation, such that the accumulation was significantly lower after exposure to 80 J/m2 in S-phase than after exposure to 50 J/m2 or 10 J/m2. The limitation of polymerase accumulation in S-phase-arrested cells in response to high UV dose was suppressed upon RAD9 (but not MRC1) deletion. Additionally, hydroxyurea, which activates mainly the Mrc1-dependent checkpoint, did not limit Pol eta or Rev1 accumulation in S-phase-arrested cells. The results show that the accumulation of Y-family TLS polymerases is limited in S-phase-arrested cells due to high levels of DNA damage and suggest a role of the Rad9 checkpoint protein in this process.
Sentinel node tumor burden in prediction of prognosis in melanoma patients
Authors: Palve Johanna , Ylitalo Leea , Luukkaala Tiina , Jernman Juha , Korhonen Niina
Published: February 2020

Recent data have demonstrated no survival benefit to immediate completion lymph node dissection (CLND) for positive sentinel node (SN) disease in melanoma. It is important to identify parameters in positive SNs, which predict prognosis in melanoma patients. These might provide prognostic value in staging systems and risk models by guiding high-risk patients’ adjuvant therapy in clinical practice. In this retrospective study of university hospital melanoma database we analyzed tumor burden and prognosis in patients with positive SNs. Patients were stratified by the diameter of tumor deposit, distribution of metastatic focus in SN, ulceration and number of metastatic SNs. These were incorporated in Cox proportional hazard regression models. Predictive ability was assessed using Akaike information criterion and Harrell’s concordance index. A total of 110 patients had positive SN and 104 underwent CLND. Twenty-two (21%) patients had non-SN metastatic disease on CLND. The 5-year melanoma specific survival for CLND-negative patients was 5.00 years (IQR 3.23–5.00, range 0.72–5.00) compared to 3.69 (IQR 2.28–4.72, range 1.01–5.00) years in CLND-positive patients (HR 2.82 (95% CI 1.17–6.76, p = 0.020).The models incorporating distribution of metastatic focus and the largest tumor deposit in SN had highest predictive ability. According to Cox proportional hazard regression models, information criterions and c-index, the diameter of tumor deposit > 4 mm with multifocal location in SN despite of number of metastatic SN were the most important parameters. According to the diameter of tumor deposit and distribution of metastatic focus in SN, adequate stratification of positive SN patients was possible and risk classes for patients were identified.
The recent deposition of laminated sediments in highly eutrophic Lake Kierskie, western Poland: 1 year pilot study of limnological monitoring and sediment traps
Authors: Apolinarska Karina , Pleskot Krzysztof , Pełechata Aleksandra , Migdałek Michał , Siepak Marcin , Pełechaty Mariusz
Published: February 2020

Accurate lake sediment-derived palaeoenvironmental reconstructions require in-depth knowledge on sediment record formation processes. In order to understand formation of laminated sediments in the eutrophic Lake Kierskie (western Poland) we conducted a year-round (November 2015–October 2016), monthly sediment trap study along with physico-chemical water properties, water transparency, hardness, alkalinity, nutrients and solute content, trophic state indices, and the phytoplankton assemblage monitoring. Sedimentation in Lake Kierskie primarily resulted from the activity of photosynthetic organisms. The maxima of biogenic silica accumulation were synchronous with the bloom of centric diatoms observed in March and April. These were followed by the most intensive precipitation of CaCO3 noted between mid-April and mid-June, that corroborated with the domination of Stephanodiscus hantzschii and small flagellate forms acting as nucleation sites for crystal formation. At the same time shift from the diatom-dominated assemblages to the communities composed of chlorophytes, cryptophytes, and dinoflagellates, the groups with cellulose external covering, resulted in decreased proportion between SiO2 and organic matter. CaCO3 precipitation continued in the summer months, however its amount decreased simultaneously with a drop in S. hantzschii biomass. The significant overall flux of biogenically mediated materials from epilimnion was promoted by eutrophic towards hypertrophic conditions in Lake Kierskie revealed by the trophic state indices. Mixing of the water column in autumn triggered resuspension and redeposition of the previously deposited sediments resulting in the second, after the early spring, maximum sediment flux. Minima of sediment accumulation were observed during the winter water stratification when the smallest particles sedimented from suspension. The sediment flux to the lake bottom recorded by us in a 1-year, monthly sediment trap study matches a sequence of pale, whitish lamina deposited during spring and summer, followed by dark, grayish or black lamina deposited in the autumn and winter, observed in the macroscopic investigation of the short (0.5 m) core from Lake Kierskie. Preservation of distinct laminations in the dimictic Lake Kierskie is supported by anoxic hypolimnion developed under the high supply of organic matter from epilimnion of this highly eutrophic lake.
Efficient oil/saltwater separation using a highly permeable and fouling-resistant all-inorganic nanocomposite membrane
Authors: Elshorafa Rand , Saththasivam Jayaprakash , Liu Zhaoyang , Ahzi Said
Published: February 2020

Although it is still a great challenge, developing oil-/water-separating membranes that combine the advantages of high separation efficiency, salty environments tolerance, and fouling resistance are highly demanded for marine oil spill cleanups and oil-/gas-produced water treatment. Here, we report a new type of all-inorganic nanostructured membrane, which is composed of titanate nanofibers and SiO2particulate gel for efficient and stable oil/saltwater separation. The nanoporous and interconnected network structure constructed with titanate nanofibers is the key to ensure the high separation efficiency and high water flux of the new membrane. The SiO2gel is used as a binder to offer mechanical flexibility and integrity for this type of all-inorganic membrane. The new membrane displays a high oil/water separation efficiency of above 99.5% with oil content in treated effluent lower than US environmental discharge standards (42 ppm) and high water permeation flux of 1600 LMH/bar under low operation pressure. The new membrane also demonstrates outstanding durability in the environment of different salinities, and it has a good resistance for oil fouling due to its excellent underwater superoleophobicity with an oil contact angle above 150 °. Most importantly, the underwater superoleophobic properties can be well maintained after being repeatedly reused. The excellent environmental durability, oil-fouling resistance, high separation efficiency, and facile fabrication process for this new type of membrane render great potential for industrial application in treating produced water.
Silicon mediated improvement in agronomic traits, physiological parameters and fiber content in Oryza sativa
Authors: Dorairaj Deivaseeno , Ismail Mohd Razi , Sinniah Uma Rani , Tan Kar Ban
Published: February 2020

Silicon, a quasi-essential element that is often associated with rigidity and hardiness is an alleviator of biotic and abiotic stresses. Lodging affects the ability of plants especially cereal plants such as rice, Oryza sativa to grow upright, thus reducing yield and increasing harvesting costs. Bending or lodging resistance could be increased by strengthening the rice culm. Here, we tested stage and method of silicon application, each with three levels of treatments to find the right combination to enhance yield and lodging resistance in MR219, a popular rice variety in Malaysia. Application of silicon at the onset of reproductive stage via topdressing improved agronomic and physiological parameters. Plants applied with Si at the reproductive stage by means of topdressing showed a significantly higher leaf area. Number of tillers, weight per panicle and weight of 100 grains were significantly higher when silicon was applied as topdressing at the reproductive stage. Number of spikelets per panicle was significantly higher when silicon was supplied as topdressing or soil incorporation. Percentage of filled spikelets was significantly higher when silicon supplementation was done as topdressing at either reproductive or maturity stages. Mode of application which favoured the increase in soluble lignin and neutral detergent fiber was topdressing and soil incorporation. Meanwhile, cellulose and acid detergent lignin was highest when silicon was applied at the reproductive and maturity stages. Application of silicon at the reproductive stage by means of topdressing was effective in improving growth, yield and stem strength of the rice plant since the method has higher retention time and has residual effect. Foliar application was deemed unsuitable as it can only be applied in minimal amount while showing a temporary effect.
Implementation of artificial intelligence and non-contact infrared thermography for prediction and personalized automatic identification of different stages of cellulite
Authors: Bauer Joanna , Hoq Md Nazmul , Mulcahy John , Tofail Syed A. M. , Gulshan Fahmida , Silien Christophe , Podbielska Halina , Akbar Md. Mostofa
Published: February 2020

Background

Cellulite is a common physiological condition of dermis, epidermis, and subcutaneous tissues experienced by 85 to 98% of the post-pubertal females in developed countries. Infrared (IR) thermography combined with artificial intelligence (AI)-based automated image processing can detect both early and advanced cellulite stages and open up the possibility of reliable diagnosis. Although the cellulite lesions may have various levels of severity, the quality of life of every woman, both in the physical and emotional sphere, is always an individual concern and therefore requires patient-oriented approach.

Objectives

The purpose of this work was to elaborate an objective, fast, and cost-effective method for automatic identification of different stages of cellulite based on IR imaging that may be used for prescreening and personalization of the therapy.

Materials and methods

In this study, we use custom-developed image preprocessing algorithms to automatically select cellulite regions and combine a total of 9 feature extraction methods with 9 different classification algorithms to determine the efficacy of cellulite stage recognition based on thermographic images taken from 212 female volunteers aged between 19 and 22.

Results

A combination of histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) and artificial neural network (ANN) enables determination of all stages of cellulite with an average accuracy higher than 80%. For primary stages of cellulite, the average accuracy achieved was more than 90%.

Conclusions

The implementation of computer-aided, automatic identification of cellulite severity using infrared imaging is feasible for reliable diagnosis. Such a combination can be used for early diagnosis, as well as monitoring of cellulite progress or therapeutic outcomes in an objective way. IR thermography coupled to AI sets the vision towards their use as an effective tool for complex assessment of cellulite pathogenesis and stratification, which are critical in the implementation of IR thermographic imaging in predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM).
Migration and Household Adaptation in Climate-Sensitive Hotspots in South Asia
Authors: Maharjan Amina , de Campos Ricardo Safra , Singh Chandni , Das Shouvik , Srinivas Arjun , Bhuiyan Mohammad Rashed Alam , Ishaq Sultan , Umar Muhammad Awais , Dilshad Tanzina , Shrestha Krity , Bhadwal Suruchi , Ghosh Tuhin , Suckall Natalie , Vincent Katharine
Published: February 2020

Purpose of Review

South Asia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, owing to the high dependency on climate-sensitive livelihoods and recurrent extreme events. Consequently, an increasing number of households are adopting labour migration as a livelihood strategy to diversify incomes, spread risks, and meet aspirations. Under the Collaborative Adaptation Research Initiative in Africa and Asia (CARIAA) initiative, four research consortia have investigated migration patterns and their inherent linkages to adaptation to climate change in climate hotspots. This article synthesizes key findings in regional context of South Asia.

Recent Findings

The synthesis suggests that in climate-sensitive hotspots, migration is an important livelihood diversification strategy and a response to various risks, including climate change. Typically, one or more household members, often young men, migrated internally or internationally to work in predominantly informal sectors. Remittances helped spatially diversify household income, spread risks, and insure against external stressors. The outcomes of migration are often influenced by who moves, where to, and what capacities they possess.

Migration was found to help improve household adaptive capacity, albeit in a limited capacity. Migration was mainly used as a response to risk and uncertainty, but with potential to have positive adaptation co-benefits.
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) – ein Marker in der Diagnostik der Sarkoidose
Authors: Zulauf N. , Passek K. , Wanke E. , Oremek G. M.
Published: February 2020

Die Bestimmung von ACE im Serum oder Heparinplasma stellt einen wesentlichen Bestandteil der Diagnostik, Verlaufskontrolle und Therapieüberwachung von benignen Lungenerkrankungen dar. ACE ist ein Marker, der bei Sarkoidose wertvolle Aussagen zur Diagnosefindung ermöglicht. Hier zeichnet er sich durch hohe Sensitivität und Spezifität aus.
Responsible Innovation and Climate Engineering. A Step Back to Technology Assessment
Authors: Stelzer Harald
Published: February 2020

Much in Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is part of a participatory turn within the Technology Assessment (TA) and Science and Technology Studies (STS) community. This has an influence also on the evaluation of Climate Engineering (CE) options, as it will be shown by reference to the SPICE project. The SPICE example and the call for democratisation of science and innovation raise some interesting concerns for the normative evaluation of CE options that will be addressed in the paper. It is by far not clear, or so it will be argued, how much of the innovation process of CE technologies should be put in the hands of social actors and the wider public. This is due not only to special features about CE technologies but also to some more principle concerns against some features of participatory RRI approaches. Still, this does by no way mean that ethical and societal issues in the context of CE technologies should be ignored. Rather, the paper will argue that one can take a step back to expert TA linked to the evolution of approaches of ethical impact analysis in this area. This does not only lead to reconsider the emphasis on participation and democratisation of research and innovation, but also opens up for an alternative evaluative framework for CE technologies developed in the last part of the paper.
Human foodborne listeriosis in England and Wales, 1981 to 2015
Authors: McLauchlin J. , Grant K. A. , Amar C. F. L.
Published: February 2020

Almost all cases of human listeriosis are foodborne, however the proportion where specific exposures are identified is small. Between 1981 and 2015, 5252 human listeriosis cases were reported in England and Wales. The purpose of this study was to summarise data where consumption of specific foods was identified with transmission and these comprised 11 sporadic cases and 17 outbreaks. There was a single outbreak in the community of 378 cases (7% of the total) which was associated with pâté consumption and 112 cases (2% of the total) attributed to specific foods in all the other incidents. The proportion of food-attributed cases increased during this study with improvements in typing methods for Listeria monocytogenes. Ten incidents (one sporadic case and nine outbreaks of 2–9 cases over 4 days to 32 months) occurred in hospitals: all were associated with the consumption of pre-prepared sandwiches. The 18 community incidents comprised eight outbreaks (seven of between 3 and 17 cases) and 10 sporadic cases: food of animal origin was implicated in 16 of the incidents (sliced or potted meats, pork pies, pâté, liver, chicken, crab-meat, butter and soft cheese) and food of non-animal origin in the remaining two (olives and vegetable rennet).
Estimated dates of detectable infection (EDDIs) as an improvement upon Fiebig staging for HIV infection dating
Authors: Facente S. N. , Grebe E. , Pilcher C. D. , Busch M. P. , Murphy G. , Welte A.
Published: February 2020

Accurate methods for determining the duration of HIV infection at the individual level are valuable in many settings, including many critical research studies and in clinical practice (especially for acute infection). Since first published in 2003, the ‘Fiebig staging system’ has been used as the primary way of classifying early HIV infection into five sequential stages based on HIV test result patterns in newly diagnosed individuals. However, Fiebig stages can only be assigned to individuals who produce both a negative and a positive test result on the same day, on specific pairs of tests of varying ‘sensitivity’. Further, in the past 16 years HIV-testing technology has evolved substantially, and three of the five key assays used to define Fiebig stages are no longer widely used. To address these limitations, we developed an improved and more general framework for estimating the duration of HIV infection by interpreting any combination of diagnostic test results, whether obtained on single or multiple days, into an estimated date of detectable infection, or EDDI. A key advantage of the EDDI method over Fiebig staging is that it allows for the generation of a point estimate, as well as an associated credibility interval for the date of first detectable infection, for any person who has at least one positive and one negative HIV test of any kind. The tests do not have to be run on the same day; they do not have to be run during the acute phase of infection and the method does not rely on any special pairing of tests to define ‘stages’ of infection. The size of the interval surrounding the EDDI (and therefore the precision of the estimate itself) depends largely on the length of time between negative and positive tests. The EDDI approach is also flexible, seamlessly incorporating any assay for which there is a reasonable diagnostic delay estimate. An open-source, free online tool includes a user-updatable curated database of published diagnostic delays. HIV diagnostics have evolved tremendously since that original publication more than 15 years ago, and it is time to similarly evolve the methods used to estimate timing of infection. The EDDI method is a flexible and rigorous way to estimate the timing of HIV infection in a continuously evolving diagnostic landscape.
Applications of SAR Interferometric Coherence Time Series: Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Geomorphic Transitions in the South‐Central Andes
Authors: Olen Stephanie , Bookhagen Bodo
Published: February 2020

Sediment transport domains in mountain landscapes are characterized by fundamentally different processes and rates depending on several factors, including geology, climate, and biota. Accurately identifying where transitions between transport domains occur is an important step to quantify the past, present, and future contribution of varying erosion and sedimentation processes and enhance our predictive capabilities. We propose a new methodology based on time series of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometric coherence images to map sediment transport regimes across arid and semiarid landscapes. Using 4 years of Sentinel‐1 data, we analyze sediment transport regimes for the south‐central Andes in northwestern Argentina characterized by steep topographic and climatic gradients. We observe seasonally low coherence during the regional wet season, particularly on hillslopes and in alluvial channels. The spatial distribution of coherence is compared to drainage areas extracted from digital topography to identify two distinct transitions within watersheds: (a) a hillslope‐to‐fluvial and (b) a fluvial‐to‐alluvial transition. While transitions within a given basin can be well‐constrained, the relative role of each sediment transport domain varies widely over the climatic and topographic gradients. In semiarid regions, we observe larger relative contributions from hillslopes compared to arid regions. Across regional gradients, the range of coherence within basins positively correlates to previously published millennial catchment‐wide erosion rates and to topographic metrics used to indicate long‐term uplift. Our study suggests that a dense time series of interferometric coherence can be used as a proxy for surface sediment movement and landscape stability in vegetation‐free settings at event to decadal timescales.
Effects of oral, smoked, and vaporized cannabis on endocrine pathways related to appetite and metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, human laboratory study
Authors: Farokhnia Mehdi , McDiarmid Gray R. , Newmeyer Matthew N. , Munjal Vikas , Abulseoud Osama A. , Huestis Marilyn A. , Leggio Lorenzo
Published: February 2020

As perspectives on cannabis continue to shift, understanding the physiological and behavioral effects of cannabis use is of paramount importance. Previous data suggest that cannabis use influences food intake, appetite, and metabolism, yet human research in this regard remains scant. The present study investigated the effects of cannabis administration, via different routes, on peripheral concentrations of appetitive and metabolic hormones in a sample of cannabis users. This was a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty participants underwent four experimental sessions during which oral cannabis, smoked cannabis, vaporized cannabis, or placebo was administered. Active compounds contained 6.9 ± 0.95% (~50.6 mg) ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Repeated blood samples were obtained, and the following endocrine markers were measured: total ghrelin, acyl-ghrelin, leptin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and insulin. Results showed a significant drug main effect (p = 0.001), as well as a significant drug × time-point interaction effect (p = 0.01) on insulin. The spike in blood insulin concentrations observed under the placebo condition (probably due to the intake of brownie) was blunted by cannabis administration. A significant drug main effect (p = 0.001), as well as a trend-level drug × time-point interaction effect (p = 0.08) was also detected for GLP-1, suggesting that GLP-1 concentrations were lower under cannabis, compared to the placebo condition. Finally, a significant drug main effect (p = 0.01) was found for total ghrelin, suggesting that total ghrelin concentrations during the oral cannabis session were higher than the smoked and vaporized cannabis sessions. In conclusion, cannabis administration in this study modulated blood concentrations of some appetitive and metabolic hormones, chiefly insulin, in cannabis users. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning these effects may provide additional information on the cross-talk between cannabinoids and physiological pathways related to appetite and metabolism.
HHLA2 is expressed in pancreatic and ampullary cancers and increased expression is associated with better post-surgical prognosis
Authors: Boor Patrick P. C. , Sideras Kostandinos , Biermann Katharina , Hosein Aziz M. , Levink Iris J. M. , Mancham Shanta , Erler Nicole S. , Tang Xudong , van Eijck Casper H. , Bruno Marco J. , Sprengers Dave , Zang Xingxing , Kwekkeboom Jaap
Published: February 2020

Background

HHLA2 is a recently discovered member of the B7-family of immune checkpoint molecules with limited expression in normal tissues but overexpression in several types of cancer. The aim was to determine the expression, prevalence and biological relevance of HHLA2 protein expression in two closely related human cancer types, namely pancreatic cancer and ampullary cancer.

Methods

HHLA2 expression levels were retrospectively determined by immunohistochemistry in tissue micro-arrays of surgically resected tumours of 122 pancreatic cancer patients and 72 patients with ampullary cancer of the pancreato-biliary subtype.

Results

HHLA2 was expressed at variable levels by tumour cells in 67% of pancreatic tumours and 93% of ampullary tumours. In the combined cohort high tumoural HHLA2 expression levels were significantly associated with delayed cancer recurrence and improved post-operative cancer-specific survival. The association of HHLA2 expression with cancer-specific survival and recurrence was statistically significant for the pancreatic cancer subgroup while a similar trend was found for the ampullary cancer subgroup. In multivariable analysis together with clinicopathologic characteristics, higher HHLA2 expression was an independent predictor of cancer-specific survival.

Conclusion

The wide expression of HHLA2 in tumour cells and its association with cancer recurrence and patient survival suggest that HHLA2 represents a relevant immune checkpoint molecule in pancreatic and ampullary cancers.
Inhibition of keratinocyte necroptosis mediated by RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL provides a protective effect against psoriatic inflammation
Authors: Duan Xiaoru , Liu Xinxin , Liu Nian , Huang Yuqiong , Jin Zilin , Zhang Song , Ming Zhangyin , Chen Hongxiang
Published: February 2020

Psoriasis is a common autoimmune and chronic inflammatory skin disorder globally affecting 0.51–11.43% of adults. Inflammation-associated cell death in keratinocytes plays a key role in the process of integrate inflammatory cascade in psoriasis. Necroptosis is a regulated necrotic cell death mediated by receptor interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3, and mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase (MLKL), which participates in many human inflammatory diseases. However, the mechanism and function of programmed necrosis in psoriasis is not well-illustrated. In the current study, we provide evidence for the involvement of necroptosis in psoriasis. RIPK1 and MLKL were significantly upregulated and localized in all layers of the epidermis in human psoriatic lesions, while RIPK3 and phosphorylated MLKL were mainly expressed in keratinocytes, which located in the upper layers. Increased tendency of necroptosis was also found in IMQ-induced psoriasiform skin of mice. Further, we discovered that both the inhibitor of RIPK1 R-7-Cl-O-Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1s) and MLKL-inhibitor necrosulfonamide (NSA) suppressed necroptosis in HaCaT cells and IMQ mouse models, powerfully blocked IMQ-induced inflammatory responses in vivo, and significantly downregulated the production of inflammatory factors like IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23a, CXCL1, and CCL20. These findings promote the development of new therapies for the treatment of necroptosis-activated pathologies for psoriasis.
A molecular gradient along the longitudinal axis of the human hippocampus informs large-scale behavioral systems
Authors: Vogel Jacob W. , La Joie Renaud , Grothe Michel J. , Diaz-Papkovich Alexandr , Doyle Andrew , Vachon-Presseau Etienne , Lepage Claude , Vos de Wael Reinder , Thomas Rhalena A. , Iturria-Medina Yasser , Bernhardt Boris , Rabinovici Gil D. , Evans Alan C.
Published: February 2020

The functional organization of the hippocampus is distributed as a gradient along its longitudinal axis that explains its differential interaction with diverse brain systems. We show that the location of human tissue samples extracted along the longitudinal axis of the adult human hippocampus can be predicted within 2mm using the expression pattern of less than 100 genes. Futhermore, this model generalizes to an external set of tissue samples from prenatal human hippocampi. We examine variation in this specific gene expression pattern across the whole brain, finding a distinct anterioventral-posteriodorsal gradient. We find frontal and anterior temporal regions involved in social and motivational behaviors, and more functionally connected to the anterior hippocampus, to be clearly differentiated from posterior parieto-occipital regions involved in visuospatial cognition and more functionally connected to the posterior hippocampus. These findings place the human hippocampus at the interface of two major brain systems defined by a single molecular gradient.
Global resource potential of seasonal pumped hydropower storage for energy and water storage
Authors: Hunt Julian D. , Byers Edward , Wada Yoshihide , Parkinson Simon , Gernaat David E. H. J. , Langan Simon , van Vuuren Detlef P. , Riahi Keywan
Published: February 2020

Seasonal mismatches between electricity supply and demand is increasing due to expanded use of wind, solar and hydropower resources, which in turn raises the interest on low-cost seasonal energy storage options. Seasonal pumped hydropower storage (SPHS) can provide long-term energy storage at a relatively low-cost and co-benefits in the form of freshwater storage capacity. We present the first estimate of the global assessment of SPHS potential, using a novel plant-siting methodology based on high-resolution topographical and hydrological data. Here we show that SPHS costs vary from 0.007 to 0.2 US$ m−1 of water stored, 1.8 to 50 US$ MWh−1 of energy stored and 370 to 600 US$ kW−1 of installed power generation. This potential is unevenly distributed with mountainous regions demonstrating significantly more potential. The estimated world energy storage capacity below a cost of 50 US$ MWh−1 is 17.3 PWh, approximately 79% of the world electricity consumption in 2017.
Cellular deconvolution of GTEx tissues powers discovery of disease and cell-type associated regulatory variants
Authors: Donovan Margaret K. R. , D’Antonio-Chronowska Agnieszka , D’Antonio Matteo , Frazer Kelly A.
Published: February 2020

The Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) resource has provided insights into the regulatory impact of genetic variation on gene expression across human tissues; however, thus far has not considered how variation acts at the resolution of the different cell types. Here, using gene expression signatures obtained from mouse cell types, we deconvolute bulk RNA-seq samples from 28 GTEx tissues to quantify cellular composition, which reveals striking heterogeneity across these samples. Conducting eQTL analyses for GTEx liver and skin samples using cell composition estimates as interaction terms, we identify thousands of genetic associations that are cell-type-associated. The skin cell-type associated eQTLs colocalize with skin diseases, indicating that variants which influence gene expression in distinct skin cell types play important roles in traits and disease. Our study provides a framework to estimate the cellular composition of GTEx tissues enabling the functional characterization of human genetic variation that impacts gene expression in cell-type-specific manners.
Intrinsic neuronal properties represent song and error in zebra finch vocal learning
Authors: Daou Arij , Margoliash Daniel
Published: February 2020

Neurons regulate their intrinsic physiological properties, which could influence network properties and contribute to behavioral plasticity. Recording from adult zebra finch brain slices we show that within each bird basal ganglia Area X–projecting (HVCX) neurons share similar spike waveform morphology and timing of spike trains, with modeling indicating similar magnitudes of five principal ion currents. These properties vary among birds in lawful relation to acoustic similarity of the birds’ songs, with adult sibling pairs (same songs) sharing similar waveforms and spiking characteristics. The properties are maintained dynamically: HVCX within juveniles learning to sing show variable properties, whereas the uniformity rapidly degrades within hours in adults singing while exposed to abnormal (delayed) auditory feedback. Thus, within individual birds the population of current magnitudes covary over the arc of development, while rapidly responding to changes in feedback (in adults). This identifies network interactions with intrinsic properties that affect information storage and processing of learned vocalizations.
Author Correction: Macrophage Mannose Receptor CD206 Predicts Prognosis in Community-acquired Pneumonia
Authors: Tsuchiya Kazuo , Suzuki Yuzo , Yoshimura Katsuhiro , Yasui Hideki , Karayama Masato , Hozumi Hironao , Furuhashi Kazuki , Enomoto Noriyuki , Fujisawa Tomoyuki , Nakamura Yutaro , Inui Naoki , Yokomura Koushi , Suda Takafumi
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Publisher Correction: Data-driven acceleration of photonic simulations
Authors: Trivedi Rahul , Su Logan , Lu Jesse , Schubert Martin F. , Vuckovic Jelena
Published: February 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Anomalous Fano Resonance in Double Quantum Dot System Coupled to Superconductor
Authors: Barański Jan , Zienkiewicz Tomasz , Barańska Magdalena , Kapcia Konrad Jerzy
Published: February 2020

We analyze the influence of a local pairing on the quantum interference in nanoscopic systems. As a model system we choose the double quantum dot coupled to one metallic and one superconducting electrode in the T-shape geometry. The analysis is particularly valuable for systems containing coupled objects with considerably different broadening of energy levels. In such systems, the scattering of itinerant electrons on a discrete (or narrow) energy level gives rise to the Fano-type interference. Systems with induced superconducting order, along well understood Fano resonances, exhibit also another features on the opposite side of the Fermi level. The lineshape of these resonances differs significantly from their reflection on the opposite side of the Fermi level, and their origin was not fully understood. Here, considering the spin-polarized tunneling model, we explain a microscopic mechanism of a formation of these resonances and discuss the nature of their uncommon lineshapes. We show that the anomalous Fano profiles originate solely from the pairing of nonscattered electrons with scattered ones. We investigate also the interplay of each type of resonances with the Kondo physics and discuss the resonant features in differential conductivity.
Mammalian cell-free protein expression promotes the functional characterization of the tripartite non-hemolytic enterotoxin from Bacillus cereus
Authors: Ramm Franziska , Dondapati Srujan Kumar , Thoring Lena , Zemella Anne , Wüstenhagen Doreen Anja , Frentzel Hendrik , Stech Marlitt , Kubick Stefan
Published: February 2020

Bacillus cereus is increasingly recognized as an opportunistic pathogen causing local and systemic infections. The causative strains typically produce three pore-forming enterotoxins. This study focusses on the tripartite non-hemolytic enterotoxin (Nhe). Until today, studies have tried to elucidate the structure, complex formation and cell binding mechanisms of the tripartite Nhe toxin. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of the functional tripartite Nhe toxin using eukaryotic cell-free systems. Single subunits, combinations of two Nhe subunits as well as the complete tripartite toxin were tested. Functional activity was determined by hemolytic activity on sheep blood agar plates, planar lipid bilayer measurements as well as cell viability assessment using the MTT assay. Our results demonstrate that cell-free protein synthesis based on translationally active eukaryotic lysates is a platform technology for the fast and efficient synthesis of functionally active, multicomponent toxins.
Impact of water deficit stress in maize: Phenology and yield components
Authors: Sah R. P. , Chakraborty M. , Prasad K. , Pandit M. , Tudu V. K. , Chakravarty M. K. , Narayan S. C. , Rana M. , Moharana D.
Published: February 2020

Fifteen million farmers in India engaged in Maize cultivation. India would require 45 MMT of Maize by 2022. But, only 15% of cultivated area of maize is under irrigation and water shortage has been a challenge for sustainability of maize production. Water deficit stress (WDS) during pre-flowering and grain filling stages massively affects the plant performance due to imprecise traits function. Thus, the effect of WDS on non-drought tolerant (NDT) and drought tolerant (DT) maize lines were investigated. WDS increased the flowering days, days to maturity, anthesis silk interval, decreased the leaf number, abnormal expression of secondary stress responsive traits, loss of normal root architecture which overall lead to a reduction in GY/ha. WDS at flowering and grain filling stage leads to significant yield penalty especially in NDT lines than DT lines. The yield penalty was ranged from 34.28 to 66.15% in NDT and 38.48 to 55.95% in DT lines due to WDS. Using multiple statistics, traits which improve WDS tolerance in maize were identified viz; number of leaves, number of stomata on lower surface of leaf, leaf angle at ear forming node internodal length between 3rd and 4th leaf from top, flag leaf length, flag leaf width, ear per plants, leaf senescence, pollen stainability, root fresh weight and root length. These traits would help in trait specific breeding in maize for WDS tolerance.
A High Throughput Approach to Reconstruct Partial-Body and Neutron Radiation Exposures on an Individual Basis
Authors: Shuryak Igor , Turner Helen C. , Perrier Jay R. , Cunha Lydia , Canadell Monica Pujol , Durrani Mohammad H. , Harken Andrew , Bertucci Antonella , Taveras Maria , Garty Guy , Brenner David J.
Published: February 2020

Biodosimetry-based individualized reconstruction of complex irradiation scenarios (partial-body shielding and/or neutron + photon mixtures) can improve treatment decisions after mass-casualty radiation-related incidents. We used a high-throughput micronucleus assay with automated scanning and imaging software on ex-vivo irradiated human lymphocytes to: a) reconstruct partial-body and/or neutron exposure, and b) estimate separately the photon and neutron doses in a mixed exposure. The mechanistic background is that, compared with total-body photon irradiations, neutrons produce more heavily-damaged lymphocytes with multiple micronuclei/binucleated cell, whereas partial-body exposures produce fewer such lymphocytes. To utilize these differences for biodosimetry, we developed metrics that describe micronuclei distributions in binucleated cells and serve as predictors in machine learning or parametric analyses of the following scenarios: (A) Homogeneous gamma-irradiation, mimicking total-body exposures, vs. mixtures of irradiated blood with unirradiated blood, mimicking partial-body exposures. (B) X rays vs. various neutron + photon mixtures. The results showed high accuracies of scenario and dose reconstructions. Specifically, receiver operating characteristic curve areas (AUC) for sample classification by exposure type reached 0.931 and 0.916 in scenarios A and B, respectively. R2 for actual vs. reconstructed doses in these scenarios reached 0.87 and 0.77, respectively. These encouraging findings demonstrate a proof-of-principle for the proposed approach of high-throughput reconstruction of clinically-relevant complex radiation exposure scenarios.
Controllability analysis of molecular pathways points to proteins that control the entire interaction network
Authors: Devkota Prajwal , Wuchty Stefan
Published: February 2020

Inputs to molecular pathways that are the backbone of cellular activity drive the cell to certain outcomes and phenotypes. Here, we investigated proteins that topologically controlled different human pathways represented as independent molecular interaction networks, suggesting that a minority of proteins control a high number of pathways and vice versa. Transcending different topological levels, proteins that controlled a large number of pathways also controlled a network of interactions when all pathways were combined. Furthermore, control proteins that were robust when interactions were rewired or inverted also increasingly controlled an increasing number of pathways. As for functional characteristics, such control proteins were enriched with regulatory and signaling genes, disease genes and drug targets. Focusing on evolutionary characteristics, proteins that controlled different pathways had a penchant to be evolutionarily conserved as equal counterparts in other organisms, indicating the fundamental role that control analysis of pathways plays for our understanding of regulation, disease and evolution.
Responsiveness of various reservoir species to oral rabies vaccination correlates with differences in vaccine uptake of mucosa associated lymphoid tissues
Authors: te Kamp Verena , Freuling Conrad M. , Vos Ad , Schuster Peter , Kaiser Christian , Ortmann Steffen , Kretzschmar Antje , Nemitz Sabine , Eggerbauer Elisa , Ulrich Reiner , Schinköthe Jan , Nolden Tobias , Müller Thomas , Finke Stefan
Published: February 2020

Oral rabies vaccination (ORV) is highly effective in foxes and raccoon dogs, whereas for unknown reasons the efficacy of ORV in other reservoir species is less pronounced. To investigate possible variations in species-specific cell tropism and local replication of vaccine virus, different reservoir species including foxes, raccoon dogs, raccoons, mongooses, dogs and skunks were orally immunised with a highly attenuated, high-titred GFP-expressing rabies virus (RABV). Immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR screenings revealed clear differences among species suggesting host specific limitations to ORV. While for responsive species the palatine tonsils (tonsilla palatina) were identified as a main site of virus replication, less virus dissemination was observed in the tonsils of rather refractory species. While our comparison of vaccine virus tropism emphasizes the important role that the tonsilla palatina plays in eliciting an immune response to ORV, our data also indicate that other lymphoid tissues may have a more important role than originally anticipated. Overall, these data support a model in which the susceptibility to oral live RABV vaccine infection of lymphatic tissue is a major determinant in vaccination efficacy. The present results may help to direct future research for improving vaccine uptake and efficacy of oral rabies vaccines under field conditions.
Combining transcatheter arterial embolization with iodized oil containing Apatinib inhibits HCC growth and metastasis
Authors: Zhou Chen , Yao Qi , Zhang Hongsen , Guo Xiaopeng , Liu Jiacheng , Shi Qin , Huang Songjiang , Xiong Bin
Published: February 2020

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) plays an important role in clinical liver tumor therapy. However, hypoxia after TAE limit the medium-long term efficacy of TAE. Thus, in our study, we explored the treatment effect and mechanism of combining transcatheter arterial embolization with adopted iodized oil containing Apatinib on suppressing tumor growth and metastasis. We simulated the changing of tumor microenvironment before and after TAE both in vitro and in vivo models. The anti-angiogenic effect of Apatinib was explored by bioassays in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), including cell migration, invasion and apoptosis, tube formation, and wound healing. Further experiments showed that Apatinib inhibited tumor microangiogenesis to achieve the aims of inhibiting tumor growth and recurrence by means of down-regulating the phosphorylation of the RAF-mek-erk, PI3K-akt and P38MAPK pathways. The antitumor growth and anti-angiogenic effect of Apatinib was further validated by the animal experiment. Taken together, we concluded that Apatinib inhibits the angiogenesis and growth of liver cancer by down-regulating the PI3K-akt, RAF-mek-erk and P38MAPK pathways, and has a stronger inhibitory effect in hypoxic environments. Combining TAE with adopted iodized oil containing Apatinib has a stronger inhibitory effect in VX2 liver tumor growth and metastasis, which suggesting such combinations may provide a new target and strategy for interventional therapy of liver cancer.