bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disrupted
Cacna1c
gene expression perturbs spontaneous Ca
2+
activity causing abnormal brain development and increased anxiety
Authors: Smedler Erik , Louhivuori Lauri , Romanov Roman A. , Masini Débora , Dehnisch Ellström Ivar , Wang Chungliang , Caramia Martino , West Zoe , Zhang Songbai , Rebellato Paola , Malmersjö Seth , Brusini Irene , Kanatani Shigeaki , Fisone Gilberto , Harkany Tibor , Uhlén Per
Published: February 2022

Significance

The gene
CACNA1C
encodes for a calcium channel that has been linked to various psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, through hitherto unknown cellular mechanisms. Here, we report that deletion of
Cacna1c
in neurons of the developing brain disrupts spontaneous calcium activity and causes abnormal brain development and anxiety. Our results indicate that marginally alterations in the expression level of
Cacna1c
have major effects on the intrinsic spontaneous calcium activity of neural progenitors that play a crucial role in brain development. Thus,
Cacna1c
acts as a molecular switch that can increase susceptibility to psychiatric disease.
N6-methyladenosine modification of the 5′ epsilon structure of the HBV pregenome RNA regulates its encapsidation by the viral core protein
Authors: Kim Geon-Woo , Moon Jae-Su , Siddiqui Aleem
Published: February 2022

Significance

HBV infections are the leading cause of chronic hepatitis and carry the risk of liver cirrhosis and cancer. The HBV life cycle is perpetuated by an RNA intermediate termed pregenomic RNA (pgRNA), which is encapsidated by the viral core protein. The pgRNA packaging process is an essential step in viral replication. Here, we investigated the role of N6-methyladenosine (m
6
A) modification in the recognition of pgRNA by the core protein during encapsidation. m
6
A modification of 5′ epsilon structural motifs serves as the recognition signal for the core protein interaction, as evidenced by the failure of 5′ epsilon m
6
A mutant to encapsidate pgRNA. This study identifies the structural role of m
6
A modification in pgRNA encapsidation and provides an avenue in RNA–protein complex interactions.
Heats of formation and stress–strain relationship of Fe–Cr solid solutions from a constructed Fe–Cr potential
Authors: Peng D K , Jiang Y C , Gong H R , Liang C P
Published: February 2022

A new Fe–Cr interatomic potential is constructed under the framework of the embedded-atom method and has better performances in predicting heats of formation and stress–strain relationship of Fe–Cr solid solutions than the Fe–Cr potentials already published in the literature. Based on the constructed Fe–Cr potential, molecular dynamics simulation reveals that the heats of formation of BCC Fe–Cr solid solutions at 1600 K are positive within the entire composition range, and the calculated values are in good agreement with corresponding experimental measurements in the literature. In addition, it is also found that the tensile strengths of BCC Fe–Cr solid solutions increase with the increase of the Cr composition, and that BCC Fe–Cr solid solutions are less ductile with smaller critical strains than both Fe and Cr. The simulated results are discussed and compared with the corresponding experimental and calculated evidence in the literature to validate the relevance of the newly constructed Fe–Cr potential.
Active quasi-BIC optical vortex generators for ultrafast switching
Authors: Wu Yuhao , Kang Lei , Werner Douglas H
Published: February 2022

The Pancharatnam–Berry phase induced by the winding topology of polarization around a vortex singularity at bound states in the continuum (BIC) provides a unique approach to optical vortex (OV) generation. The BIC-based OV generators have the potential to outperform their counterparts that rely on spatial variations in terms of design feasibility, fabrication complexity, and robustness. However, given the fact that this class of OV generators originates from the topological property of the photonic bands, their responses are generally fixed and cannot be dynamically altered, which limits their applications to photonic systems. Here, we numerically demonstrate that a silicon photonic crystal slab can be used to realize optically switchable OV generation by simultaneously exploiting the vortex topology in momentum space in conjunction with silicon’s nonlinear dynamics. Picosecond switching of OV beams at near-infrared wavelengths are observed. The demonstrated nontrivial topological nature of the active generators can significantly expand the application of BIC toward ultrafast vortex beam generation, high-capacity optical communication, and mode-division multiplexing.
Design of hexa-wheel sectored photonic crystal fiber for soybean biodiesel sensing
Authors: Asaduzzaman Sayed , Rehana Hasin , Aziz M D Tanzil , Ahmed Ashour M , Elsayed Hussein A , Mehaney Ahmed
Published: February 2022

In this research, a novel wheel-shaped hexa sectored photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with an elliptical hole at the center of the core has been proposed as a soybean biodiesel sensor. The finite element method (FEM) method and perfectly matched layer (PML) have been used for the analysis of the proposed sensor. The designed PCF is suitable to operate through a wide operating frequency from 0.5 to 2 THz. The mainstay of the numerical investigations is significantly based on the concentration of soybean biodiesel, the ellipticity of the core and the change of temperature as well. The proposed hexa-wheel PCF sensor shows a high relative sensitivity of 89.03%, lower confinement loss of 2.3 × 10−10, high birefringence of 3.5 × 10−4 (dB/m) and low material loss (EML) of 0.207 cm−1. The presented sensor is very simple and easy to fabricate. In this regard, the designed structure could be of a wide interest through the detection of different biodiesels and liquids as well.
Performance improvement of an ultra-thin amorphous silicon solar cell using multilayers chirped diffraction back gratings
Authors: Shahamat Mehran Abdolrahimi , Heidarzadeh Hamid , Bahador Hamid
Published: February 2022

In this paper, a systematic design of a novel back reflector using chirped grating structures is investigated for thin-film amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells. At first, a cell with an optimum ITO antireflecting layer is simulated and a photocurrent of 17.67 mA cm−2 is obtained. Then a conventional grating from SiO2 is evaluated and the maximum photocurrent of 18.97 mA cm−2 is calculated. Then a thin-film solar cell based on the chirped back grating is designed and the photocurrent is increased to 19.30 mA cm−2. Also, their integrated optical absorption is compared for better understanding. To give a numerical comparison of the cells with a different number of chirped grating layers, a short circuit current for different numbers of grating layers is analyzed. It is shown that maximum current density is obtained for 5 layers grating with the chirped coefficient length of near 20 nm. It is believed that chirped back grating can be used to design higher performance thin film a-Si solar cells and the results are helpful for photovoltaic applications.
Constraints from high-precision measurements of the cosmic microwave background: the case of disintegrating dark matter with Λ or dynamical dark energy
Authors: Liu Wenzhong , Anchordoqui Luis A. , Valentino Eleonora Di , Pan Supriya , Wu Yabo , Yang Weiqiang
Published: February 2022

In recent years discrepancies have emerged in measurements of the present-day rate of expansion of the universe H
0 and in estimates of the clustering of matter S
8. Using the most recent cosmological observations we reexamine a novel model proposed to address these tensions, in which cold dark matter disintegrates into dark radiation. The disintegration process is controlled by its rate Q = αℋρddm, where α is a (constant) dimensionless parameter quantifying the strength of the disintegration mechanism and ℋ is the conformal Hubble rate in the spatially flat Friedmann-Lemaître-Robertson-Walker universe and ρddm is the energy density of the disintegrating cold dark matter. We constrain this model with the latest 2018 Planck temperature and polarization data, showing that there is no evidence for α≠ 0 and that it cannot solve the H
0 tension below 3σ, clashing with the result obtained by analyzing the Planck 2015 temperature data. We also investigate two possible extensions of the model in which the dark energy equation-of-state parameter w ≠ -1. In this case it is possible to combine Planck data with the SH0ES measurement, and we demonstrate that in both these models the H
0 tension is resolved at the 1σ level, but the condition w ≠ -1 exacerbates the S
8 tension. We also demonstrate that the addition of intermediate-redshift data (from the Pantheon supernova type Ia dataset and baryon acoustic oscillations) weakens the effectiveness of all these models to address the H
0 and S
8 tensions.
Traceable dosimetry for MeV ion beams
Authors: Garty G. , Harken A.D. , Brenner D.J.
Published: February 2022

Standard dosimetry protocols exist for highly penetrating
photon and particle beams used in the clinic and in
research. However, these protocols cannot be directly applied to
shallow penetration MeV-range ion beams. The Radiological Research
Accelerator Facility has been using such beams for almost 50 years
to irradiate cell monolayers, using self-developed dosimetry, based
on tissue equivalent ionization chambers.

To better align with the internationally accepted standards, we
describe implementation of a commercial, NIST-traceable, air-filled
ionization chamber for measurement of absorbed dose to water from
low energy ions, using radiation quality correction factors
calculated using TRS-398 recommendations. The reported dose does not
depend on the ionization density in the range of
10–150 keV/μm.
On the effect of reference periods on trends in percentile-based extreme temperature indices
Authors: Dunn Robert J H , Morice Colin P
Published: February 2022

A number of studies have noted that the use of distinct reference periods when comparing indices measuring the frequency of days exceeding a particular temperature percentile threshold leads to apparently different behaviour. We show that these differences arise because of the interplay between the increasing temperatures and the choice of reference period. The time series of the indicators calculated using the different reference periods are offset, as expected, but also diverge. Linear trends calculated over the same period from the same underlying data but where different reference periods have been used are substantially different if a change in climatological conditions has occurred between the two reference periods. We show this not only occurs in our simple empirical approach, but also for the averages of gridded observational and reanalysis datasets and also at a station level. This has implications for data set comparisons using trends in temperature percentile indices that are based on different reference periods. It also has implications for updates to standard reference periods used to monitor the climate.
Community structure of dragonfly (insecta: Odonata) in pond habitat at Sumur Panguripan Cultural Reserve, Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Susanto M A D , Zulaikha S , Bahri S , Firdhausi N F , Tyastirin E
Published: February 2022

The Sumur Penguripan Cultural Reserve is an area of clean water wells in which there are two types of ponds, namely Canopied and Non-Canopied, with unspoiled environmental conditions. So, this area has potential as a natural habitat for the dragonfly community. The community of dragonflies at a location can be an environmental indicator, especially in waters, and also be used as a biological control for the terrestrial environment. This study aimed to report differences in the dragonfly’s structure community from the two types of canopy in the pond area of the Sumur Panguripan Cultural Reserve. This study uses the Visual Encounter Survey (VES) method was modified using the Belt Transect method. The results of a study conducted in this location found that there were 20 species from 4 families, with 294 individuals. The value of species diversity of dragonflies at non-canopied locations is H’= 2.26, highest than the value of species diversity of dragonflies at locations with canopied that is H’= 1.87. At the canopied pond location, there were eight species with 48 individuals from 3 families. Meanwhile, at the Non-canopied pond location, there were 18 species with 246 individuals from 3 families.
A termite attack on rubber plantation on peat soil: Level of damage and identification of pest species
Authors: Indrayani Y , Setyawati D , Maryani Y , Simangunsong B
Published: February 2022

A study was carried out to evaluate the incidence of a termite attack on a rubber plantation at Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, Indonesia. The peat plantation area was surveyed to determine the level of damage and diversity of termite species attacks on the rubber tree. A total of 816 rubber trees were inspected for evidence of a termite attack. The level of damage caused by termite attack was done by looking at physical changes in the tree, mainly the presence of termite’s gallery/mud on the trunk that covers half of the trunk diameter or the entire trunk. Each tree is observed, and the value of damage (Score) is based on the condition of the tree attacked by termites. For pest identification purposes, termite’s specimens were collected from the attacked-standing tree, fallen logs, and above ground. Seven species of termites were found from four sub-families: Termes laticornis, Schedorhinotermes sarawakensis, Schedorhinotermes malaccensis, Coptotermes curvignathus, Coptotermes havilandi, Lacessititermes laborator, and Prorhinotermes flavus. Approximately 13.97% of all rubber trees on the plantation at Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, were infested by termites.
Increases in pH of acid mine drainage with coal fly-ash application
Authors: Priatmadi B J , Septiana M , Mulyawan R , Saidy A R
Published: February 2022

Coal fly-ash (CFA), waste materials resulted from coal processing in power plants, contains oxides that have capability to neutralize hydrogen ions of acid mine drainage (AMD). A batch reactor experiment was conducted by adding different amounts of CFA (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 Mg ha−1) to reclaimed mining soils (RMS) to quantify the effect of CFA addition on changes in the pH of AMD. AMD was then flowed into the reactors following the incubation of the mixtures of RMS and CFA for 7 days, and the changes in pH of AMD in the reactors were monitored over 35 days. Results of the study showed pH and specific surface areas (SSA) of soils increased significantly with the addition of CFA. pH of AMD over 35 days also improved with CFA application, in which the degree of pH improvement was controlled by the amounts of added CFA. The addition of CFA <200 Mg ha−1 was not able to result in pH of AMD >6.0, and AMD pH of 6.0 was obtained when the amount of applied CFA reached to 200 Mg ha−1. Increasing pH of AMD is attributed to the CaO and MgO contained in the CFA neutralizing the H+ ions of AMD. Results of the study demonstrate the potential of CFA in remediation of AMD, in particularly in increasing pH of AMD.
Nutrients removal from integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) water using waste stabilization ponds (WSP)
Authors: Ajie G S , Prihatiningtyas E
Published: February 2022

Nutrients enrichment due to waste from Keramba Jaring Apung (KJA) aquaculture is one of the main causes of eutrophication in Indonesian Lakes and Reservoirs. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is one of environmentally friendly aquaculture that currently being developed at the Research Center (RC) for Limnology - National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). This aquaculture would re-use its water, along with fish waste and leftover fish pellets, to grow Duckweed (Lemna sp.) in its ponds system as additional feed. However, due to closed water recirculation in IMTA ponds system, the water quality would eventually deteriorate which would be marked with high turbidity of organic solid waste and low dissolved oxygen (DO). This study aims to improve water quality from aquacultures activity, especially in nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) reduction, using a constructed wetland (CW) system. This system consists of waste stabilization ponds (WSP) and compartments of CW and adsorbent. During this initial stage, IMTA water was treated in the WSP for then observed for its improvements in the nutrients and other water quality parameters. This research was conducted from July to September 2019 in the Prototype Laboratory of RC for Limnology-BRIN. Parameters of DO, conductivity, pH, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), and salinity were observed using a calibrated water quality checker (WQC) Horriba©, while nutrients parameters in the form of N-NH4, N-NO2, N-NO3, P-PO4, and dissolved organic matters (DOM) were measured in the laboratory referring to the standard method of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Results showed that average values of turbidity and electrical conductivity parameters were reduced from 102 to 76 NTU and 0.21 to 0.14 mS/cm, respectively. Average nutrients reductions were also found from N-NO2, N-NO3 and P-PO4 parameters of 85.5%, 44.3% and 37%, respectively. Significant changes were observed in parameters of DO and N-NH4. DO was increased from 4.63 mg/L to 7.44 mg/L, while N-NH4 were reduced for 81%. Even though the experiments were not conducted during low DO conditions of water from IMTA ponds, improvements from the vital water quality parameters after treatment in the WSP were observed.
Screening of Indonesian marine bacteria and their potential for D-tagatose production
Authors: Laksmi F A , Nuryana I , Agustriana E , Muhyiddin S , Yetti E , Wijaya H
Published: February 2022

A rare natural ketohexose, D-tagatose, has attracted an increasing interest as sucrose substitute due to its low caloric value and similar properties to sucrose. D-Tagatose is enzymatically produced by using L-aldose isomerase (LAI) as catalyst and D-galactose as substrate. Therefore, a continuous effort to obtain a new isolate with high LAI activity is needed. Therefore, our collection of marine bacteria was assayed by employing designed minimum culture media with 0.5% (w/v) D-galactose as the sole carbon source. D-Tagatose production ability of bacterial strains were investigated and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our investigation showed that from 23 Indonesian marine bacteria, a total 18 bacteria possessed the ability to grow in the designed media. This result was subsequently confirmed using HPLC and showed that a total of four isolates, namely isolates LBF 110, 138, 108, and 131, exhibited a D-tagatose yield. Isolates LBF 110 and 138 were identified in this study according to molecular identification 16S rRNA method as Bacillus xiamenensis, and Brevibacterium sediminis, respectively. The other two isolates, LBF 108 and 131, were already identified in previous study as Shewanella algae and Pseudomonas stutzeri, respectively. This result suggests the potential of these isolates as D-tagatose producing bacteria.
Effect of fixator on color performance of bark extract from three tropical wetland species for fabric dye
Authors: Saefudin  , Basri E
Published: February 2022

Fixation is a stage in dyeing fabric or batik fabric with natural dyes to obtain the desired color and bind the color so that it does not fade quickly due to sweat, washing, sunray, and rubbing. Three fixators used as color binders were alum (Al2[SO4]3), lime (CaCO3), and tunjung (FeSO4). Each material showed a different color on each extract. This activity aimed to observe the color performance of bark extracts from three wetland species applied to batik fabric with 1 or 2 combinations of fixators. The results showed the color performance of batik fabric depended on the bark of tree species and the kind of fixator. The performance of bark extract with fixators produced darker and sharper colors than without the use of fixators. The application of lime on Rhizophora apiculata Bl. bark extract produced dark moderate orange color, while the combination of lime and tunjung produced very dark orange (Brown tone). The combination of lime and tunjung on Acacia mangium Willd and the Terminalia catappa L. barks gave a dark moderate orange color with different intensities. In contrast, the combination of alum and tunjung on Terminalia catappa L. bark extract produced a very dark greyish orange color.
Allelopathic potential of root exudates from perennial herbaceous plants against Ganoderma boninense
Authors: Suwandi S , Rahmadhani T P , Suparman S , Irsan C , Muslim A.
Published: February 2022

Allelopathic potential of root exudates from edible perennial herbaceous (Canna indica, Maranta arundinacea, and Xanthosoma sagittifolium) against mycelium of Ganoderma boninense, basal stem rot pathogen of oil palm has been studied in vitro. Root exudates were extracted from 10-day old aseptically growing plants generated from surface-sterilized corm or rhizome on water agar. Allelopathic activity was tested based on inhibition of G. boninense mycelial growth on malt extract agar supplemented with 0.1 and 1.0 μL mL−1 ethyl acetate extract of root exudates. Root exudate from X. sagittifolium and C. indica was found to significantly inhibit the mycelial growth of G. boninense at 0.1 and 1.0 μL mL−1, respectively.
Influence of tool hardness on tool wear, surface roughness and acoustic emissions during turning of AISI 1050
Authors: Kuntoğlu Mustafa , Gupta Munish Kumar , Aslan Abdullah , Salur Emin , Garcia-Collado A
Published: February 2022

In this work, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coated carbide inserts with different hardness of P types entitled as hard, semi-hard and tough are utilized for turning of AISI 1050 steel. Flank wear, surface roughness, cutting force, acoustic emissions and chips morphology were considered under dry turning conditions for the comparison of the effect of cutting speed, feed rate and cutting tool hardness. The novelty of the study is to investigate comprehensively the effect of tool hardness along with cutting parameters on the the machinability characteristics. This approach provides to understand the underlying mechanism of tool wear and its influence on the surface properties of the workpiece which is useful in practice for upgraded machinability. The results indicated that the tool hardness affects flank wear dramatically followed by surface roughness and acoustic emissions values and ideal values of cutting conditions are attained with semi-hard tool. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrum (EDX) and mapping analysis also demonstrated the wear developments are distinctive with using different types of tool hardness values. The findings depicted that tool hardness has significant impact on machining characteristics which need to be dealed under particular cutting conditions. 65 HRC of cutting tool provides better machinability in terms of surface roughness, tool wear, acoustic emissions and cutting forces followed by 60 HRC and 70 HRC respectively.
Effect of surface texturing on rotary vane actuator under different lubrication regimes
Authors: Hu Teng , Xie Liangxi , Fan Zhoupeng , Lei Yuchen
Published: February 2022

In this study, surface texturing was considered to solve the problem of the frictional surface of the rotary vane actuator end seal having difficulty in generating hydrodynamic lubrication. However, the current studies mostly set the minimum oil film thickness as a constant value, which could not reflect the real situation. A lubrication model for textured surfaces under different lubrication regimes was first established in this study based on the mean Reynolds equation and boundary lubrication theory. The model just required assuming the initial value of the minimum oil film thickness, and then the value was automatically corrected by the program in the calculation until the result converged. The rationality of the model was verified by comparing the model results with the friction experimental results. Subsequently, the trend of the friction coefficients for circular and square textures at different speeds and area ratios was analysed to investigate the effects of texture shape, area ratio and speed on the friction of the textured interface under this model.
Preparation and adsorption properties of magnetic graphene oxide composites for the removal of methylene blue from water
Authors: Song Xiaosan , Zhou Jie , Fan Jishuo , Zhang Qianqian , Wang Sanfan
Published: February 2022

Using graphite powder, chitosan, and diatomite as raw materials, graphene oxide was first prepared by Hummer’s method and GO was carboxylated and modified into hydroxylated graphene oxide (GOH). It was then modified into GOH via carboxylation, and then diatomite (DE) and the prepared magnetic chitosan (MCS) were supported on GOH by blending to generate the magnetic graphene oxide composite GOH/DMCS. This novel composite was then studied to determine its methylene blue wastewater adsorption capability. Results showed that at 45 °C, a dosage of adsorbent of 1 g L−1, and a pH of 12, the adsorption of methylene blue dye by GOH/DMCS reached equilibrium after 120 min, and the maximum adsorption amount was 205.34 mg·g−1. The adsorbent was then cycled eight times to test its reusability, and the adsorption efficiency remained greater than 86%. The adsorption process of methylene blue by GOH/DMCS fit well to a pseudo second-order kinetic model. These results showed that the adsorption rate was more sensitive to the initial concentration of methylene blue dye, which implies a chemical adsorption process. The adsorption process conformed to the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model, indicating that the adsorption was monolayer surface adsorption.
Finite element analysis and experimental approaches of mono and hybrid nanocellulosic composites under tensile test
Authors: Webo Wilson , Masu Leonard M. , Nziu Patrick K.
Published: February 2022

Due to a technical error, this article was incorrectly made available as an accepted manuscript and has been temporarily removed. IOP Publishing apologise for the mistake.
First-principles calculations for transient absorption of laser-excited magnetic materials
Authors: Sato Shunsuke A
Published: February 2022

We investigate the modification in the optical properties of laser-excited bulk cobalt and nickel using the time-dependent density functional theory at a finite electron temperature. As a result of the first-principles simulation, a complex change in the photoabsorption of the magnetic materials is observed around the M
2,3 absorption edge. Based on the microscopic analysis, we clarify that this complex absorption change consists of the two following components: (i) the decrease in the photoabsorption in a narrow energy range around the M
2,3 edge, which reflects the blue shift of the absorption edge due to the light-induced demagnetization, and (ii) the increase in the photoabsorption in a wider range around the M
2,3 edge, which reflects the modification in the local-field effect due to the light-induced electron localization. The relation between the transient optical and magnetic properties may open a way to monitor ultrafast (de)magnetization and spin dynamics in magnetic materials via transient absorption spectroscopy.
Reciprocity, community detection, and link prediction in dynamic networks
Authors: Safdari Hadiseh , Contisciani Martina , De Bacco Caterina
Published: February 2022

Many complex systems change their structure over time, in these cases dynamic networks can provide a richer representation of such phenomena. As a consequence, many inference methods have been generalized to the dynamic case with the aim to model dynamic interactions. Particular interest has been devoted to extend the stochastic block model and its variant, to capture community structure as the network changes in time. While these models assume that edge formation depends only on the community memberships, recent work for static networks show the importance to include additional parameters capturing structural properties, as reciprocity for instance. Remarkably, these models are capable of generating more realistic network representations than those that only consider community membership. To this aim, we present a probabilistic generative model with hidden variables that integrates reciprocity and communities as structural information of networks that evolve in time. The model assumes a fundamental order in observing reciprocal data, that is an edge is observed, conditional on its reciprocated edge in the past. We deploy a Markovian approach to construct the network’s transition matrix between time steps and parameters’ inference is performed with an expectation-maximization algorithm that leads to high computational efficiency because it exploits the sparsity of the dataset. We test the performance of the model on synthetic dynamical networks, as well as on real networks of citations and email datasets. We show that our model captures the reciprocity of real networks better than standard models with only community structure, while performing well at link prediction tasks.
The Conway-Miyamoto correspondences for the Fischer 3-transposition groups
Authors: Lam Ching Hung , Yamauchi Hiroshi
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we present a general construction of 3-transposition groups as automorphism groups of vertex operator algebras. Applying to the moonshine vertex operator algebra, we establish the Conway-Miyamoto correspondences between Fischer 3-transposition groups

F
i

23

\mathrm {Fi}_{23}

and

F
i

22

\mathrm {Fi}_{22}

and

c
=
25

/

28

c=25/28

and

c
=
11

/

12

c=11/12

Virasoro vectors of subalgebras of the moonshine vertex operator algebra.
Home and ambulatory blood pressure levels below target range and clinical effort to detect this condition: a population-based study in older treated hypertensives
Authors: Sánchez-Martínez Mercedes , López-García Esther , Guallar-Castillón Pilar , Ortolá Rosario , García-Esquinas Esther , Cruz Juan , Gijón-Conde Teresa , Rodríguez-Artalejo Fernando , Townsend Raymond R , Banegas José R
Published: February 2022

Background

With implementation of stricter blood pressure (BP) treatment targets, potential for excessive BP lowering becomes an important issue, especially in older patients.

Objectives

Assess the magnitude, indicators and detection effort of BP levels below-target-range (BTR-BP) recommended by the European hypertension guidelines in older treated hypertensive patients (130–139/70–79 mmHg).

Design

Cross-sectional, retrospective study (Seniors-ENRICA-2 cohort).

Setting

General population.

Subjects

1,329 treated hypertensive patients aged ≥65, assessed with three home casual BP measurements and 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM).

Methods

Based on the European hypertension guidelines and the literature, BTR-BPs were defined as mean BP <130/70, <125/65, <130/70 and <110/55 mmHg, for casual BP, 24-hour BP, daytime BP and nighttime BP, respectively, and hypotension as <110/70, <105/65, <110/70 and <90/55 mmHg, respectively.

Results

Participants’ mean age was 72 ± 4.4 (50.3%, women). Based on casual BP, 7.2% of patients were in target range (130–139/70–79 mmHg), 44.3% in BTR-BP (<130/70) and 20.8% hypotensive (<110/70). Some 44.9, 54.9 and 22.0% of patients were in BTR-BP for 24-hour BP, daytime BP and nighttime BP, respectively, and 11.0, 21.1 and 5.6%, respectively, were hypotensive. The number of patients needed for ABPM to detect one case of 24-hour-, daytime-, and nighttime-BTR-BP was 3, 2 and 5, respectively, and 10, 5 and 18, respectively, for detecting one hypotensive case. Cardiovascular disease and female sex were associated with both BTR-BP and hypotension, and the number of antihypertensive drugs was only associated with hypotension.

Conclusions

BTR-BP levels were common in older treated patients at home and in everyday life, more frequent than many trials report, and daytime ABPM is highly size-efficient for detecting the low ambulatory BP conditions.
Frailty and stroke thrombectomy outcomes—an observational cohort study
Authors: Joyce Nevan , Atkinson Timothy , Mc Guire Karen , Wiggam M Ivan , Gordon Patricia L , Kerr Enda L , Patterson Cathy E , McILmoyle Jim , Roberts Gerallt E , Flynn Peter A , Burns Paul , Rennie Ian R , Taylor Rowan Martin , Quinn Terence J , Fearon Patricia
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) can improve outcomes following ischaemic stroke. Patient selection for MT is predominantly based on physiological and imaging parameters. We assessed whether people living with pre-stroke frailty had differing outcomes following MT.

Methods

We included consecutive patients undergoing MT at a UK comprehensive stroke centre. We calculated a cumulative deficits frailty index to identify pre-stroke frailty in those patients presenting directly to the centre. Frailty was defined as an index score ≥ 0.24. We assessed univariable and multivariable association between pre-stroke frailty and stroke outcomes. Our primary outcomes were modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and mortality at 90 days.

Results

Of 175 patients who underwent MT (2014–2018), we identified frailty in 49 (28%). Frail and non-frail patients had similar rates of thrombolysis administration, successful recanalization and onset to recanalization times. Those with pre-stroke frailty had higher 24 hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (12(IQR: 8–17) versus 3(IQR: 2–13); P = 0.001); were less likely to be independent (mRS 0–2: 18% versus 61%; P < 0.001) and more likely to die (47% versus 14%; P < 0.001) within 90 days. Adjusting for age, baseline NIHSS and thrombolysis, frailty remained a strong, independent predictor of poor clinical outcome at 90 days (Death OR: 3.12 (95% CI: 1.32–7.4); dependency OR: 3.04 (95%CI: 1.10–8.44). Age was no longer a predictor of outcome when adjusted for frailty.

Conclusion

Pre-stroke frailty is prevalent in real-world patients eligible for MT and is an important predictor of poor outcomes. Routine assessment of pre-stroke frailty could help decision-making around patient selection for MT.
Letter regarding article named ‘Is acupuncture effective in the treatment of COVID-19 related symptoms? Based on bioinformatics/network topology strategy’
Authors: Zheng Haizhen
Published: February 2022

I noticed a recently published paper named ‘Is acupuncture effective in the treatment of COVID-19 related symptoms? Based on bioinformatics/network topology strategy’ with great interest. I am inspired and also have some doubts, which are mainly about the active compounds of acupuncture treating COVID-19. The authors choose only two active compounds, which remains to be elucidated clearly with some criteria description. The 11 300 disease targets of COVID-19 were screened using the terms like the related symptoms, which might be other diseases’ manifestations. So the better legends of Figures and Tables should be the terms like COVID-19-related symptoms, instead of COVID-19.
Nordic Penal Exceptionalism: A Comparative, Empirical Analysis
Authors: Crewe Ben , Ievins Alice , Larmour Simon , Laursen Julie , Mjåland Kristian , Schliehe Anna
Published: February 2022

Based on a survey administered in 13 prisons in England & Wales and Norway, as part of a research programme with explicitly comparative aims, this article seeks to address both the relative and absolute dimensions of the Nordic penal exceptionalism thesis. It outlines the consistently more positive results in Norway compared to England & Wales, explaining them primarily with reference to the former’s much higher quality and use of open prisons. At the same time, it emphasizes that, even in an unusually humane prison system, prisoners report considerable pain and frustration. The article also makes the case that comparative analysis should strive to be systematic, but that such comparisons are always imperfect, making methodological transparency all the more essential.
Population structure and signals of local adaptation in Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae), a widely distributed species in the Atlantic Forest
Authors: Vetö Nicole Moreira , Postolache Dragos , Guzman Escudero Frank L , Vajana Elia , Burgo Braga Ricardo , Salgueiro Fabiano , Margis Rogério , Vendramin Giovanni G , Turchetto-Zolet Andreia C
Published: February 2022

Evolutionary diversity in species can arise in many ways, including local adaptation. Despite the global importance of tropical forest ecosystems, few studies have explored patterns of local adaptation in tropical tree species. We investigated population genetic structure and adaptive genetic diversity in Eugenia uniflora, a widely distributed tree species across the Atlantic Forest Domain (AFD). We sampled E. uniflora in distinct environments from the AFD and genotyped 523 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using a candidate gene approach. We studied neutral population structure and used two outlier methods based on population differentiation (Bayescan and LEA) and one gene-environment association analysis (LFMM) to detect putative SNPs under divergent selection. We detected spatial population structuring between the northern and southern range of the species distribution and higher genetic diversity in southern populations from the riparian forest. We found 18 candidate loci potentially involved in local adaptation, among which LEA and LFMM both detected seven loci. Overall, precipitation-related variables were more represented in statistically significant genotype-climate associations (c. 60%). Our study provides a first insight into the distribution of adaptive genetic variation in E. uniflora, highlighting how tropical tree species may adapt over time and across the AFD.
New spinocerebellar ataxia subtype caused bySAMD9Lmutation triggering mitochondrial dysregulation (SCA49)
Authors: Corral-Juan Marc , Casquero Pilar , Giraldo-Restrepo Natalia , Laurie Steve , Martinez-Piñeiro Alicia , Mateo-Montero Raidili Cristina , Ispierto Lourdes , Vilas Dolores , Tolosa Eduardo , Volpini Victor , Alvarez-Ramo Ramiro , Sánchez Ivelisse , Matilla-Dueñas Antoni
Published: February 2022

Spinocerebellar ataxias consist of a highly heterogeneous group of inherited movement disorders clinically characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia variably associated with additional distinctive clinical signs. The genetic heterogeneity is evidenced by the myriad of associated genes and underlying genetic defects identified. In this study, we describe a new spinocerebellar ataxia subtype in nine members of a Spanish five-generation family from Menorca with affected individuals variably presenting with ataxia, nystagmus, dysarthria, polyneuropathy, pyramidal signs, cerebellar atrophy and distinctive cerebral demyelination. Affected individuals presented with horizontal and vertical gaze-evoked nystagmus and hyperreflexia as initial clinical signs, and a variable age of onset ranging from 12 to 60 years. Neurophysiological studies showed moderate axonal sensory polyneuropathy with altered sympathetic skin response predominantly in the lower limbs. We identified the c.1877C > T (p.Ser626Leu) pathogenic variant within the SAMD9L gene as the disease causative genetic defect with a significant log-odds score (Zmax = 3.43; θ = 0.00; P < 3.53 × 10−5). We demonstrate the mitochondrial location of human SAMD9L protein, and its decreased levels in patients’ fibroblasts in addition to mitochondrial perturbations. Furthermore, mutant SAMD9L in zebrafish impaired mobility and vestibular/sensory functions. This study describes a novel spinocerebellar ataxia subtype caused by SAMD9L mutation, SCA49, which triggers mitochondrial alterations pointing to a role of SAMD9L in neurological motor and sensory functions.
LncRNA LINC02253 activates KRT18/MAPK/ERK pathway by mediating N6-methyladenosine modification of KRT18 mRNA in gastric cancer
Authors: Gao Zengzhan , Long Yanbin , Wu Yunhua , Pu Yansong , Xue Fei
Published: February 2022

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in gastric cancer (GC) progression. And understanding the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in tumorigenesis is an emerging field in cancer research. Here, we identified a novel oncogene, lncRNA LINC02253, in GC. LINC02253 expression was found to be significantly increased in GC. And LINC02253 expression was closely correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis and TNM stage of GC. Besides, GC patients with higher LINC02253 expression had worse 5-year overall survival. Additionally, LINC02253 promoted GC cell growth, migration and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, we determined that LINC02253 increased KRT18 expression through enhancing the stability of KRT18 mRNA. Furthermore, LINC02253 increased m6A modification of KRT18 mRNA to stabilize KRT18 mRNA by recruiting m6A writer METTL3. And, rescue experiments revealed that KRT18 mediated the effects of LINC02253 on growth, migration and invasion of GC cells through activating MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. In conclusion, we demonstrates that oncogenic lncRNA LINC02253 positively regulates GC growth and metastasis via increasing METTL3-mediated mRNA stability of KRT18, extending the understanding of GC pathogenesis regulated by lncRNAs.
Research on the risk-evaluation model of power transmission and transformation projects based on multilevel fuzzy-thought weighting for cloud-model improvement
Authors: Xiao Yanli , Gou Ruixin , Wang Zheng , Wan Ye
Published: February 2022

The risk evaluation of power transmission and transformation projects is a complex and comprehensive evaluation process influenced by many factors and involves many indicators. In order to solve the uncertainty and fuzziness problems in the process of the multilevel fuzzy risk evaluation of power transmission and transformation projects, this paper introduces the cloud theory, which is specialized in the study of uncertainty problems and constructs the multilevel fuzzy comprehensive risk-evaluation model of power transmission and transformation projects based on the improved multilevel fuzzy-thought weighting based on the cloud model. Finally, the risk of the Beijing 220-kV Tangyu power transmission and transformation project is evaluated and the feasibility of the evaluation model is verified. The results of the evaluation and the evaluation layer cloud model are combined with MATLAB simulation to show that the risk level of the project is between large risk and general risk.
A fronto-insular-parietal network for the sense of body ownership
Authors: Moro Valentina , Pacella Valentina , Scandola Michele , Besharati Sahba , Rossato Elena , Jenkinson Paul M , Fotopoulou Akaterini
Published: February 2022

Neuropsychological disturbances in the sense of limb ownership provide unique opportunities to study the neurocognitive basis of body ownership. Previous small sample studies that showed discrete cortical lesions cannot explain why multisensory, affective, and cognitive manipulations alter disownership symptoms. We tested the novel hypothesis that disturbances in the sense of limb ownership would be associated not only with discrete cortical lesions but also with disconnections of white-matter tracts supporting specific functional networks. We drew on an advanced lesion-analysis and Bayesian statistics approach in 49 right-hemisphere patients (23 with and 26 without limb disownership). Our results reveal that disturbances in the sense of ownership are associated with lesions in the supramarginal gyrus and disconnections of a fronto-insular-parietal network, involving the frontal-insular and frontal inferior longitudinal tracts, confirming previous disconnection hypotheses. Together with previous behavioral and neuroanatomical results, these findings lead us to propose that the sense of body ownership involves the convergence of bottom-up, multisensory integration, and top-down monitoring of sensory salience based on contextual demands.
Are microbes and metabolites influencing the parental consumption of nestlings’ feces in gray-backed shrikes?
Authors: Hu Jie , Zeng Jingyuan , Shi Yurou , Song Sen
Published: February 2022

The behavioral video recordings of the gray-backed shrike Lanius tephronotus revealed that parent birds eat the feces produced by their nestlings. “Parental nutrition hypothesis” attributes the origin of this behavior to nutrition-recovery and cost-saving, respectively. However, the presence of usable nutrients in the nestlings’ feces is unknown because of traditional technology. In this study, we analyzed all the metabolites and the variations in the diversity and content of microbes in the feces of gray-backed shrike nestlings. We aimed to report the changes in microbes and metabolites with the age of nestlings and point out that the parent birds that eat the feces may gain potential nutrition benefits. The results showed that the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidota, changed significantly when the nestlings were 6 days old. The relative abundances of 6 probiotics, which are involved in digestion, metabolism, and immunity-related physiological functions, decreased in the nestlings’ feces gradually with age; therefore, these probiotics may be obtained by parent birds upon ingestion of the feces of young nestlings. Among the metabolites that were detected, 20 were lipids and some had a role in anti-parasitic functions and wound healing; however, their relative contents decreased with age. These beneficial substances in the nestlings’ feces may stimulate the parents to swallow the feces. Moreover, there were many aromatic metabolites in the newly hatched nestlings’ feces, but the content of bitter metabolites increased as they grew up. Therefore, our results are in accordance with the nutritional hypothesis.
The best of both worlds: cicada males change costly signals to achieve mates while females choose a mate based on both calling and courtship songs
Authors: Hou Zehai , Wei Songshan , Wei Cong
Published: February 2022

Cicadas usually sing and mate in the higher parts of trees. Studies addressing the effects of different acoustic signals on mate choice in Cicadidae are very limited. We investigated the effects of both acoustical features and morphological traits on mate choice in an East Asian cicada Platypleura kaempferi. Males produce high-rate calling songs that attract females, then produce low-rate courtship songs to secure mating when a female is attracted. Higher calling song rate (CR), shorter single-pulse duration, and shorter pulse period of the calling song, together with lower courtship song rate and longer echeme period of the courtship song, are the most desirable traits used by females to choose a mate. These traits indicate that the more a male can raise the rate of song production, the higher the probability he is sexually selected by the female. No correlation was found between morphological traits and mating success. After mating, a minority of males started emitting calling songs again, but the CR was significantly lower than before mating and none of them attracted a new mate later. This promotes females mating with unmated males. We hypothesize that P. kaempferi may have the best of both worlds due to the unique song modulation and the mechanism of female mate choice: males change energetically, costly acoustic signals to achieve mates, while females choose a mate based on males’ acoustic properties. Our results contribute to better understanding the diversity of mating preference and enrich the mechanism of mate choice in acoustic insects.