bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Call for Consistency in the Official Naming of the Disease Caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Non-English Languages
Authors: Dong Lu , Li Zhe , Fung Isaac Chun Hai
Published: May 2020

We investigated the adoption of World Health Organization (WHO) naming of COVID-19 into the respective languages among the Group of Twenty (G20) countries, and the variation of COVID-19 naming in the Chinese language across different health authorities. On May 7, 2020, we identified the websites of the national health authorities of the G20 countries to identify naming of COVID-19 in their respective languages, and the websites of the health authorities in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Singapore and identify their Chinese name for COVID-19. Among the G20 nations, Argentina, China, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Turkey do not use the literal translation of COVID-19 in their official language(s) to refer to COVID-19, as they retain “novel” in the naming of this disease. China is the only G20 nation that names COVID-19 a pneumonia. Among Chinese-speaking jurisdictions, Hong Kong and Singapore governments follow the WHO’s recommendation and adopt the literal translation of COVID-19 in Chinese. In contrast, mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan refer to COVID-19 as a type of pneumonia in Chinese. We urge health authorities worldwide to adopt naming in their native languages that are consistent with WHO’s naming of COVID-19.
The influence of minisett size and time of planting on the yield of seed yam (Dioscorea Rotundata)
Authors: Aighewi Beatrice , Maroya Norbert , Mignouna Djana , Aihebhoria Daniel , Balogun Morufat , Asiedu Robert
Published: May 2020

In traditional yam (Dioscorea spp.) production systems in West Africa, finding sole seed yam producers is rare and up to 30% of harvested tubers from the ware tuber crop is reserved to plant an equivalent area of the harvested crop during the next season. Many farmers typically must make a trade-off between food and seed in the use of available tubers. A study was carried out using a factorial experiment in a randomised complete block design to investigate the influence of planting different minisett sizes at different planting periods on the yield of seed yam with the aim of improving the availability of this expensive input and saving more ware tubers for food or sale. Results showed that by doubling or tripling the minisett size from 30 to 60 or 90  g, yields of seed yam increased by 61.1 and 103.3%, respectively. The 90 g minisetts had the highest values for all traits studied but had the least sett multiplication ratio. The early planted crop yielded 137% more than the late-planted crop. Significant interactions between minisett size, planting period and season were found. In 2016, although the highest yield of seed tubers was from early planted 90  g minisetts (35.6 t ha−1), the yield of early planted 30 g minisetts (23.8 t ha−1) was similar to those of 60 g planted mid-season (28.7 t ha−1) and 90 g planted late (20.0 t ha−1). To produce a high proportion of seed size tubers with less planting material, early planting of 30  g minisetts is recommended. Such practice will enhance seed tuber availability and food security by saving 1–2 t ha−1 of tubers that would have been used as seed instead of food.
Pre-treatment allostatic load and metabolic dysregulation predict SSRI response in major depressive disorder: a preliminary report
Authors: Hough Christina M. , Bersani F. Saverio , Mellon Synthia H. , Morford Alexandra E. , Lindqvist Daniel , Reus Victor I. , Epel Elissa S. , Wolkowitz Owen M.
Published: May 2020

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with increased allostatic load (AL; a measure of physiological costs of repeated/chronic stress-responding) and metabolic dysregulation (MetD; a measure of metabolic health and precursor to many medical illnesses). Though AL and MetD are associated with poor somatic health outcomes, little is known regarding their relationship with antidepressant-treatment outcomes.

Methods

We determined pre-treatment AL and MetD in 67 healthy controls and 34 unmedicated, medically healthy MDD subjects. Following this, MDD subjects completed 8-weeks of open-label selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant treatment and were categorized as ‘Responders’ (⩾50% improvement in depression severity ratings) or ‘Non-responders’ (<50% improvement). Logistic and linear regressions were performed to determine if pre-treatment AL or MetD scores predicted SSRI-response. Secondary analyses examined cross-sectional differences between MDD and control groups.

Results

Pre-treatment AL and MetD scores significantly predicted continuous antidepressant response (i.e. absolute decreases in depression severity ratings) (p= 0.012 and 0.014, respectively), as well as post-treatment status as a Responder or Non-responder (p= 0.022 and 0.040, respectively), such that higher pre-treatment AL and MetD were associated with poorer SSRI-treatment outcomes. Pre-treatment AL and MetD of Responders were similar to Controls, while those of Non-responders were significantly higher than both Responders (p= 0.025 and 0.033, respectively) and Controls (p= 0.039 and 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

These preliminary findings suggest that indices of metabolic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis dysregulation are associated with poorer SSRI-treatment response. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that these markers of medical disease risk also predict poorer antidepressant outcomes.
Robust association between autistic traits and psychotic-like experiences in the adult general population: epidemiological study from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey and replication with the 2014 APMS
Authors: Martinez Anton P. , Wickham Sophie , Rowse Georgina , Milne Elizabeth , Bentall Richard P.
Published: May 2020

Background

Studies have shown that there are overlapping traits and symptoms between autism and psychosis but no study to date has addressed this association from an epidemiological approach in the adult general population. Furthermore, it is not clear whether autistic traits are associated with specific symptoms of psychosis or with psychosis in general. We assess these associations for the first time by using the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (APMS) 2007 and the APMS 2014, predicting an association between autistic traits and probable psychosis, and specific associations between autistic traits and paranoia and strange experiences.

Methods

Participants (N = 7353 in 2007 and 7500 in 2014) completed the Psychosis Screening Questionnaire (PSQ) and a 20-item version of the Autism Quotient (AQ-20). Binomial logistic regressions were performed using AQ-20 as the independent variable and probable psychosis and specific symptoms as dependent variables.

Results

In the APMS 2007 dataset, significant associations were found between autism traits and probable psychosis, paranoia, thought insertion, and strange experiences. These results were replicated in APMS 2014 but with the additional significant association between autistic traits and hallucinations. Participants in the highest quartile of the AQ-20, compared with the lowest quartile, had an increased risk of probable psychosis of odds ratio (OR) = 15.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 4.57–52.6] in APMS 2007 and OR = 22.5 (95% CI 7.64–66.3) in APMS 2014.

Conclusions

Autistic traits are strongly associated with probable psychosis and psychotic experiences with the exception of mania. Limitations such as the cross-sectional nature of the study are discussed.
ASYMPTOTICS OF THE TIME-DISCRETIZED LOG-NORMAL SABR MODEL: THE IMPLIED VOLATILITY SURFACE
Authors: Pirjol Dan , Zhu Lingjiong
Published: May 2020

We propose a novel time discretization for the log-normal SABR model which is a popular stochastic volatility model that is widely used in financial practice. Our time discretization is a variant of the Euler–Maruyama scheme. We study its asymptotic properties in the limit of a large number of time steps under a certain asymptotic regime which includes the case of finite maturity, small vol-of-vol and large initial volatility with fixed product of vol-of-vol and initial volatility. We derive an almost sure limit and a large deviations result for the log-asset price in the limit of a large number of time steps. We derive an exact representation of the implied volatility surface for arbitrary maturity and strike in this regime. Using this representation, we obtain analytical expansions of the implied volatility for small maturity and extreme strikes, which reproduce at leading order known asymptotic results for the continuous time model.
What Is the Point of the Harshness Objection?
Authors: Albertsen Andreas , Nielsen Lasse
Published: May 2020

According to luck egalitarianism, it is unjust if some are worse off than others through no fault or choice of their own. The most common criticism of luck egalitarianism is the ‘harshness objection’, which states that luck egalitarianism allows for too harsh consequences, as it fails to provide justification for why those responsible for their bad fate can be entitled to society's assistance. It has largely gone unnoticed that the harshness objection is open to a number of very different interpretations. We present four different interpretations of the harshness objection in which the problem pertains to counterintuitive implications, badness of outcome, disproportionality, or inconsistency, respectively. We analyse and discuss appropriate luck egalitarian replies. Disentangling these different versions clarifies what is at the heart of this dispute and reveals the point of the harshness objection. We conclude that only the inconsistency version involves a durable problem for luck egalitarianism.
Acute vasodilator testing following Fontan palliation: an opportunity to guide precision care?
Authors: Day Ronald W.
Published: May 2020

Background:

Pulmonary vasodilators improve the functional capacity of some patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. However, pulmonary vasodilators frequently fail to improve unequivocal endpoints of efficacy in patients with lower pulmonary arterial pressures who have been palliated with a Fontan procedure.

Objective:

Haemodynamic measurements and the results of acute vasodilator testing in a subset of patients were reviewed to determine whether some patients acutely respond more favourably to sildenafil and might be candidates for precision care with a phosphodiesterase V inhibitor long term.

Materials and Methods:

Heart catheterisation was performed in 11 patients with a Fontan procedure. Haemodynamic measurements were performed before and after treatment with intravenous sildenafil (mean 0.14, range 0.05–0.20 mg/kg). Results (mean ± standard deviation) were compared by paired and unpaired t-tests to identify statistically significant changes.

Results:

Sildenafil was acutely associated with changes in mean pulmonary arterial pressure, transpulmonary gradient, indexed blood flow, and indexed vascular resistance. Changes in mean pulmonary arterial pressure were greater for patients with a mean pulmonary arterial pressure greater than 14 mmHg compared to patients with a lower mean pulmonary arterial pressure. Changes in transpulmonary gradient were greater for patients with a transpulmonary gradient greater than 5 mmHg compared to patients with a lower transpulmonary gradient.

Conclusion:

Sildenafil acutely decreases mean pulmonary arterial pressure and transpulmonary gradient and causes greater acute changes in patients with higher mean pulmonary arterial pressures and transpulmonary gradients. Haemodynamic measurements and vasodilator testing might help to guide precision care following Fontan palliation.
Engaging armed non-State actors on the prohibition of recruiting and using children in hostilities: Some reflections from Geneva Call's experience
Authors: Bongard Pascal , Heffes Ezequiel
Published: May 2020

Despite the existence of a comprehensive international legal framework protecting children in armed conflict, ensuring its respect by armed non-State actors (ANSAs) still remains an important challenge. This can be linked to several circumstances, such as their lack of knowledge of the law, the absence of an incentive to abide by the applicable rules, their fragmented structure and their lack of capacity to implement the applicable framework. Certain practical cases, however, show that ANSAs’ behaviours may vary throughout armed conflicts. While certain groups have, at a given moment, breached some of their international obligations, others have shown some degree of commitment to respecting children's safeguards. When addressing the prohibition of recruiting and using children in hostilities, the reasons behind these variations have remained insufficiently explored. This article reviews some of the lessons learned from Geneva Call's experience when engaging ANSAs towards their compliance with child protection norms.
Living through war: Mental health of children and youth in conflict-affected areas
Authors: Frounfelker Rochelle L. , Islam Nargis , Falcone Joseph , Farrar Jordan , Ra Chekufa , Antonaccio Cara M. , Enelamah Ngozi , Betancourt Theresa S.
Published: May 2020

Children in armed conflict are frequently deprived of basic needs, psychologically supportive environments, educational and vocational opportunities, and other resources that promote positive psychosocial development and mental health. This article describes the mental health challenges faced by conflict-affected children and youth, the interventions designed to prevent or ameliorate the psychosocial impact of conflict-related experiences, and a case example of the challenges and opportunities related to addressing the mental health needs of Rohingya children and youth.
Retroactive Liability in China's Soil Pollution Law: Lessons from Theoretical and Comparative Analysis
Authors: Wang Huanhuan
Published: May 2020

Whether companies and shareholders should be held liable for land contamination that occurred prior to the passage of the law imposing liability for such contamination is a complex issue. After a theoretical analysis of the legitimacy of retroactivity in land contamination law, our comparative study shows that most countries have adopted, or tacitly approve of, retroactive liability for land contamination. However, the liability schemes implemented in the countries investigated vary as to the types of obligation, the timing of conduct for which liability is imposed, and the standard of liability, among other factors. The retroactive imposition of liability in China's recently enacted Law on the Prevention and Control of Soil Pollution is examined, as well as the roadblocks that still remain, and further improvement based on the theoretical and comparative analysis are considered.
Recollections of Nick Martin: 1983–1986
Authors: Kendler Kenneth
Published: May 2020

This short essay recounts the author’s interactions with Nick Martin in the years they both worked with Lindon Eaves at Virginia Commonwealth University. Although coming from very different academic traditions, they became close colleagues building their young careers together. Nick generously shared his statistical genetics expertise and the author taught Nick a thing or two about psychiatric illness.
Cannabis Research
Authors: Derks Eske , Verweij Karin , Gillespie Nathan
Published: May 2020

The International Cannabis Consortium (ICC) was founded in 2013 by Jacqueline Vink, Nathan Gillespie, Karin Verweij and Eske Derks. The largest contribution to the first meta-analysis was made by Prof. Nick Martin. The ICC has published two primary publications, in Translational Psychiatry and Nature Neuroscience, and many secondary publications. The study’s principal investigators will always be grateful for Nick’s contribution to science as they would not have been able to do any of this work without the contributions of Nick and others who collected samples. Nick has made unique contributions to the careers of many junior researchers by supporting their development and growth into senior positions.
Data Assimilation‐Based Early Forecasting of Long‐Period Ground Motions for Large Earthquakes Along the Nankai Trough
Authors: Oba Atsuki , Furumura Takashi , Maeda Takuto
Published: May 2020

Long‐period (LP) ground motions with periods of ~2–10 s caused by large earthquakes are strongly amplified in sedimentary basins, posing serious threats to modern cities to cause resonance and damage to skyscrapers, oil storage tanks, long‐span bridges, and other structures with long natural periods. Since the LP ground motions are composed of surface waves traveling for longer distances with much slower speeds than body waves, an alert could be issued by detecting the spread of strong ground motion near the source and before large ground motions occur in distant basins. In this study, an early forecasting of LP ground motions is proposed based on data assimilation of observed ground motions obtained by high‐density, nationwide seismic networks and a computer simulation of the seismic wave propagation using a high‐resolution subsurface structure model. The shaking of the LP ground motions in the distant basins is immediately forecasted by high‐speed supercomputers from current data‐assimilated wavefield. In addition, the forecasting speed is significantly improved by using Green's functions, representing the wave propagation response from the data assimilation stations to a forecast target site. The effectiveness of this data assimilation‐based forecasting of LP ground motions in conjunction with using Green's functions is demonstrated by numerical tests using the observed strong motion records from the 2004 Off Kii Peninsula earthquake in Japan (Mw 7.4) together with synthetic seismograms of anticipated large earthquake scenarios in the Nankai Trough.
Large‐Eddy Simulation Model for the Effect of Gas Bubble Dissolution on the Dynamics of Hydrocarbon Plume from Deep‐Water Blowout
Authors: Peng Chen , Xiao Shuolin , Yang Di
Published: May 2020

During a deep‐water wellhead blowout incident, the dynamics of the released hydrocarbon plume is strongly affected by the gas dissolution process that weakens the bubble‐induced buoyancy for driving the plume. In this study, a new modeling strategy is developed to efficiently incorporate the gas dissolution effect into a fast Eulerian‐Eulerian large‐eddy simulation (LES) model. By simultaneously simulating the evolutions of the bubble mass concentration and number density functions, the average bubble size in each LES computational cell can be calculated locally. Based on the cell‐averaged bubble diameter, the local gas dissolution rate and bubble rise velocity are parameterized, which are then used in the gas transport equations to model the evolution of the gas bubble field due to turbulent transport and gas dissolution. This LES model is applied to simulate several blowout scenarios with different initial bubble sizes. The results show that the plumes that have smaller initial bubble size exhibit faster relative bubble dissolution rate compared to the plumes with larger initial bubble size. As a result, the plumes with smaller bubbles also have lower peel and trap heights than those with larger bubbles. For comparison, a second set of LES runs with identical conditions but without including the gas dissolution effect are also performed. The data analysis shows that the omission of gas dissolution can cause overestimations of the plume peel and trap heights for up to 151% and 127%, respectively, suggesting the importance of including the gas dissolution effect for accurately modeling the near‐field hydrocarbon plumes.
Sensitivity of Streamflow Metrics to Infiltration‐Based Stormwater Management Networks
Authors: Avellaneda P. M. , Jefferson A. J.
Published: May 2020

As stormwater control measures (SCMs) capture surface runoff from impervious areas, a shift in the water balance and flow regime components may emerge in urban watersheds, but the amount of SCM treatment needed to detectably shift these components may vary. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrologic model to assess the sensitivity of 16 hydrologic metrics as an increasingly dense rain garden SCM network was applied across the West Creek watershed, near Cleveland, Ohio (USA). As the area treated by SCMs increased, annual baseflow increases matched decreases in surface runoff, while water yield and evapotranspiration changes remained small. The stream's peak response to rainfall decreased with SCM implementation across storm sizes, ranging from the threshold rainfall depth (4.8 mm) to values higher than the design storm of a single rain garden (19 mm). SCM networks draining >20% of directly connected impervious area (DCIA) significantly decreased the magnitude of discharges with a return period of less than 1 year, the percentage of time above mean flow, and flashiness. Recession slopes and annual 1‐ and 7‐day low flows exhibited a slight response that fell within uncertainty limits of the model. Water balance and rainfall response metrics exhibited the greatest sensitivity to different intensities of stormwater management, while infrequent high and low flows were resistant to detectable change even at high levels of SCM treatment when model uncertainty was included.
As the Planet Warms, Intense Storms Become More Common
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: May 2020

Thirty-nine years of satellite data reveal that the prevalence of intense hurricanes, cyclones, and typhoons—category 3 and above on the Saffir-Simpson scale—is increasing.
Earlier parasite arrival reduces the repeatability of host adaptive radiation
Authors: Tan Jiaqi , Yang Xian , He Qixin , Hua Xia , Jiang Lin
Published: May 2020

Although parasites are known to have various effects on their hosts, we know little about their role in the assembly of diversifying host populations. Using an experimental bacterium (Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25)-bacteriophage (ϕ2) system, we show that earlier parasite arrival significantly reduced the repeatability of host diversification. Earlier parasite arrival amplified the priority effects associated with the stochastic emergence of novel SBW25 phenotypes, translating into greater historical contingency in SBW25 diversification. Our results highlight the important role of parasite-host interactions in driving host adaptive radiation.
Extreme active matter at high densities
Authors: Mandal Rituparno , Bhuyan Pranab Jyoti , Chaudhuri Pinaki , Dasgupta Chandan , Rao Madan
Published: May 2020

We study the remarkable behaviour of dense active matter comprising self-propelled particles at large Péclet numbers, over a range of persistence times, from τp → 0, when the active fluid undergoes a slowing down of density relaxations leading to a glass transition as the active propulsion force f reduces, to τp → ∞, when as f reduces, the fluid jams at a critical point, with stresses along force-chains. For intermediate τp, a decrease in f drives the fluid through an intermittent phase before dynamical arrest at low f. This intermittency is a consequence of periods of jamming followed by bursts of plastic yielding associated with Eshelby deformations. On the other hand, an increase in f leads to an increase in the burst frequency; the correlated plastic events result in large scale vorticity and turbulence. Dense extreme active matter brings together the physics of glass, jamming, plasticity and turbulence, in a new state of driven classical matter.
High-throughput functional evaluation of BRCA2 variants of unknown significance
Authors: Ikegami Masachika , Kohsaka Shinji , Ueno Toshihide , Momozawa Yukihide , Inoue Satoshi , Tamura Kenji , Shimomura Akihiko , Hosoya Noriko , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Tanaka Sakae , Mano Hiroyuki
Published: May 2020

Numerous nontruncating missense variants of theBRCA2gene have been identified, but there is a lack of convincing evidence, such as familial data, demonstrating their clinical relevance and they thus remain unactionable. To assess the pathogenicity of variants of unknown significance (VUSs) withinBRCA2, here we develop a method, the MANO-B method, for high-throughput functional evaluation utilizingBRCA2-deficient cells and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. The estimated sensitivity and specificity of this assay compared to those of the International Agency for Research on Cancer classification system is 95% and 95% (95% confidence intervals: 77–100% and 82–99%), respectively. We classify the functional impact of 186BRCA2VUSs with our computational pipeline, resulting in the classification of 126 variants as normal/likely normal, 23 as intermediate, and 37 as abnormal/likely abnormal. We further describe a simplified, on-demand annotation system that could be used as a companion diagnostic for PARP inhibitors in patients with unknownBRCA2VUSs.
Near-field transmission matrix microscopy for mapping high-order eigenmodes of subwavelength nanostructures
Authors: Seo Eunsung , Jin Young-Ho , Choi Wonjun , Jo Yonghyeon , Lee Suyeon , Song Kyung-Deok , Ahn Joonmo , Park Q.-Han , Kim Myung-Ki , Choi Wonshik
Published: May 2020

As nanoscale photonic devices are densely integrated, multiple near-field optical eigenmodes take part in their functionalization. Inevitably, these eigenmodes are highly multiplexed in their spectra and superposed in their spatial distributions, making it extremely difficult for conventional near-field scanning optical microscopy (NSOM) to address individual eigenmodes. Here, we develop a near-field transmission matrix microscopy for mapping the high-order eigenmodes of nanostructures, which are invisible with conventional NSOM. At an excitation wavelength where multiple modes are superposed, we measure the near-field amplitude and phase maps for various far-field illumination angles, from which we construct a fully phase-referenced far- to near-field transmission matrix. By performing the singular value decomposition, we extract orthogonal near-field eigenmodes such as anti-symmetric mode and quadruple mode of multiple nano-slits whose gap size (50 nm) is smaller than the probe aperture (150 nm). Analytic model and numerical mode analysis validated the experimentally observed modes.
Fracture toughness of a metal–organic framework glass
Authors: To Theany , Sørensen Søren S. , Stepniewska Malwina , Qiao Ang , Jensen Lars R. , Bauchy Mathieu , Yue Yuanzheng , Smedskjaer Morten M.
Published: May 2020

Metal-organic framework glasses feature unique thermal, structural, and chemical properties compared to traditional metallic, organic, and oxide glasses. So far, there is a lack of knowledge of their mechanical properties, especially toughness and strength, owing to the challenge in preparing large bulk glass samples for mechanical testing. However, a recently developed melting method enables fabrication of large bulk glass samples (>25 mm3) from zeolitic imidazolate frameworks. Here, fracture toughness (KIc) of a representative glass, namely ZIF-62 glass (Zn(C3H3N2)1.75(C7H5N2)0.25), is measured using single-edge precracked beam method and simulated using reactive molecular dynamics. KIc is determined to be ~0.1 MPa m0.5, which is even lower than that of brittle oxide glasses due to the preferential breakage of the weak coordinative bonds (Zn-N). The glass is found to exhibit an anomalous brittle-to-ductile transition behavior, considering its low fracture surface energy despite similar Poisson’s ratio to that of many ductile metallic and organic glasses.
Transcript isoform sequencing reveals widespread promoter-proximal transcriptional termination in Arabidopsis
Authors: Thomas Quentin Angelo , Ard Ryan , Liu Jinghan , Li Bingnan , Wang Jingwen , Pelechano Vicent , Marquardt Sebastian
Published: May 2020

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription converts the DNA sequence of a single gene into multiple transcript isoforms that may carry alternative functions. Gene isoforms result from variable transcription start sites (TSSs) at the beginning and polyadenylation sites (PASs) at the end of transcripts. How alternative TSSs relate to variable PASs is poorly understood. Here, we identify both ends of RNA molecules in Arabidopsis thaliana by transcription isoform sequencing (TIF-seq) and report four transcript isoforms per expressed gene. While intragenic initiation represents a large source of regulated isoform diversity, we observe that ~14% of expressed genes generate relatively unstable short promoter-proximal RNAs (sppRNAs) from nascent transcript cleavage and polyadenylation shortly after initiation. The location of sppRNAs correlates with the position of promoter-proximal RNAPII stalling, indicating that large pools of promoter-stalled RNAPII may engage in transcriptional termination. We propose that promoter-proximal RNAPII stalling-linked to premature transcriptional termination may represent a checkpoint that governs plant gene expression.
Probing multiphoton light-induced molecular potentials
Authors: Kübel M. , Spanner M. , Dube Z. , Naumov A. Yu. , Chelkowski S. , Bandrauk A. D. , Vrakking M. J. J. , Corkum P. B. , Villeneuve D. M. , Staudte A.
Published: May 2020

The strong coupling between intense laser fields and valence electrons in molecules causes distortions of the potential energy hypersurfaces which determine the motion of the nuclei and influence possible reaction pathways. The coupling strength varies with the angle between the light electric field and valence orbital, and thereby adds another dimension to the effective molecular potential energy surface, leading to the emergence of light-induced conical intersections. Here, we demonstrate that multiphoton couplings can give rise to complex light-induced potential energy surfaces that govern molecular behavior. In the laser-induced dissociation of H2+, the simplest of molecules, we measure a strongly modulated angular distribution of protons which has escaped prior observation. Using two-color Floquet theory, we show that the modulations result from ultrafast dynamics on light-induced molecular potentials. These potentials are shaped by the amplitude, duration and phase of the dressing fields, allowing for manipulating the dissociation dynamics of small molecules.
Chemical multi-fingerprinting of exogenous ultrafine particles in human serum and pleural effusion
Authors: Lu Dawei , Luo Qian , Chen Rui , Zhuansun Yongxun , Jiang Jie , Wang Weichao , Yang Xuezhi , Zhang Luyao , Liu Xiaolei , Li Fang , Liu Qian , Jiang Guibin
Published: May 2020

Ambient particulate matter pollution is one of the leading causes of global disease burden. Epidemiological studies have revealed the connections between particulate exposure and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. However, until now, the real species of ambient ultrafine particles (UFPs) in humans are still scarcely known. Here we report the discovery and characterization of exogenous nanoparticles (NPs) in human serum and pleural effusion (PE) samples collected from non-occupational subjects in a typical polluted region. We show the wide presence of NPs in human serum and PE samples with extreme diversity in chemical species, concentration, and morphology. Through chemical multi-fingerprinting (including elemental fingerprints, high-resolution structural fingerprints, and stable iron isotopic fingerprints) of NPs, we identify the sources of the NPs to be abiogenic, particularly, combustion-derived particulate emission. Our results provide evidence for the translocation of ambient UFPs into the human circulatory system, and also provide information for understanding their systemic health effects.
Intestinal fungi are causally implicated in microbiome assembly and immune development in mice
Authors: van Tilburg Bernardes Erik , Pettersen Veronika Kuchařová , Gutierrez Mackenzie W. , Laforest-Lapointe Isabelle , Jendzjowsky Nicholas G. , Cavin Jean-Baptiste , Vicentini Fernando A. , Keenan Catherine M. , Ramay Hena R. , Samara Jumana , MacNaughton Wallace K. , Wilson Richard J. A. , Kelly Margaret M. , McCoy Kathy D. , Sharkey Keith A. , Arrieta Marie-Claire
Published: May 2020

The gut microbiome consists of a multi-kingdom microbial community. Whilst the role of bacteria as causal contributors governing host physiological development is well established, the role of fungi remains to be determined. Here, we use germ-free mice colonized with defined species of bacteria, fungi, or both to differentiate the causal role of fungi on microbiome assembly, immune development, susceptibility to colitis, and airway inflammation. Fungal colonization promotes major shifts in bacterial microbiome ecology, and has an independent effect on innate and adaptive immune development in young mice. While exclusive fungal colonization is insufficient to elicit overt dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, bacterial and fungal co-colonization increase colonic inflammation. Ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation reveals that bacterial, but not fungal colonization is necessary to decrease airway inflammation, yet fungi selectively promotes macrophage infiltration in the airway. Together, our findings demonstrate a causal role for fungi in microbial ecology and host immune functionality, and therefore prompt the inclusion of fungi in therapeutic approaches aimed at modulating early life microbiomes.
Guessing probability in quantum key distribution
Authors: Wang Xiang-Bin , Wang Jing-Tao , Qin Ji-Qian , Jiang Cong , Yu Zong-Wen
Published: May 2020

On the basis of the existing trace distance result, we present a simple and efficient method to tighten the upper bound of the guessing probability. The guessing probability of the final key k can be upper bounded by the guessing probability of another key $${\bf{k}}^{\prime}$$

k

′

, if $${\bf{k}}^{\prime}$$

k

′

can be mapped from the final key k. Compared with the known methods, our result is more tightened by thousands of orders of magnitude. For example, given a 10−9-secure key from the sifted key, the upper bound of the guessing probability obtained using our method is 2 × 10−3277. This value is smaller than the existing result 10−9 by more than 3000 orders of magnitude. Our result shows that from the perspective of guessing probability, the performance of the existing trace distance security is actually much better than what was assumed in the past.
Complete sleep and local field potential analysis regarding estrus cycle, pregnancy, postpartum and post-weaning periods and homeostatic sleep regulation in female rats
Authors: Tóth Attila , Pethő Máté , Keserű Dóra , Simon Dorina , Hajnik Tünde , Détári László , Dobolyi Árpád
Published: May 2020

Sleep and local field potential (LFP) characteristics were addressed during the reproductive cycle in female rats using long-term (60–70 days) recordings. Changes in homeostatic sleep regulation was tested by sleep deprivation (SDep). The effect of mother-pup separation on sleep was also investigated during the postpartum (PP) period. First half of the pregnancy and early PP period showed increased wakefulness (W) and higher arousal indicated by elevated beta and gamma activity. Slow wave sleep (SWS) recovery was suppressed while REM sleep replacement was complete after SDep in the PP period. Pup separation decreased maternal W during early-, but increased during middle PP while did not affect during late PP. More W, less SWS, higher light phase beta activity but lower gamma activity was seen during the post-weaning estrus cycle compared to the virgin one. Maternal sleep can be governed by the fetuses/pups needs and their presence, which elevate W of mothers. Complete REM sleep- and incomplete SWS replacement after SDep in the PP period may reflect the necessity of maternal REM sleep for the offspring while SWS increase may compete with W essential for maternal care. Maternal experience may cause sleep and LFP changes in the post-weaning estrus cycle.
Characterization of radioresistant epithelial stem cell heterogeneity in the damaged mouse intestine
Authors: Sato Taku , Sase Miwako , Ishikawa Shun , Kajita Mihoko , Asano Jumpei , Sato Toshiro , Mori Yoshiyuki , Ohteki Toshiaki
Published: May 2020

The small intestine has a robust regenerative capacity, and various cell types serve as “cells-of-origin” in the epithelial regeneration process after injury. However, how much each population contributes to regeneration remains unclear. Using lineage tracing, we found that Lgr5-expressing cell derivatives contained radioresistant intestinal stem cells (ISCs) crucial for epithelial regeneration in the damaged intestine after irradiation. Single-cell qRT-PCR analysis showed that surviving Lgr5-expressing cell derivatives in the damaged intestine are remarkably heterogeneous, and that the expression levels of a YAP-target gene Sca1 were inversely correlated with their “stemness”, suggesting that the YAP/Wnt signal balance in surviving crypt epithelial cells determines the cellular contribution to epithelial regeneration. Single-cell RNA sequencing of Sca1–Lgr5-derivatives revealed that expression of a tetraspanin family member CD81 correlated well with the expression of ISC- and proliferation-related genes. Consistent with these findings, organoid-forming ability was confined to the CD81hiSca1– fraction within the damaged crypt epithelial cells. Characterization of radioresistant epithelial stem cell heterogeneity in the damaged intestine may contribute to therapeutic strategies for gastrointestinal diseases.
Inhibition of urease activity by different compounds provides insight into the modulation and association of bacterial nickel import and ureolysis
Authors: Svane Simon , Sigurdarson Jens Jakob , Finkenwirth Friedrich , Eitinger Thomas , Karring Henrik
Published: May 2020

The nickel-dependent urease enzyme is responsible for the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and carbon dioxide. A number of bacteria produce urease (ureolytic bacteria) and are associated with various infectious diseases and ammonia emissions from agriculture. We report the first comprehensive comparison of the inhibition of urease activity by compounds analysed under the same conditions. Thus, 71 commercially available compounds were screened for their anti-ureolytic properties against both the ureolytic bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae and purified jack bean urease. Of the tested compounds, 30 showed more than 25% inhibition of the ureolytic activity of Klebsiella pneumoniae or jack bean urease, and among these, carbon disulfide, N-phenylmaleimide, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, sodium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, tannic acid, and gallic acid have not previously been reported to possess anti-ureolytic properties. The diverse effects of metal ion chelators on ureolysis were investigated using a cellular nickel uptake assay. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and dimethylglyoxime (DMG) clearly reduced the nickel import and ureolytic activity of cells, oxalic acid stimulated nickel import but reduced the ureolytic activity of cells, 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid strongly stimulated nickel import and slightly increased the ureolytic activity of cells, while L-cysteine had no effect on nickel import but efficiently reduced the ureolytic activity of cells.
A Cell-based Screen in Actinomyces oris to Identify Sortase Inhibitors
Authors: Gosschalk Jason E. , Chang Chungyu , Sue Christopher K. , Siegel Sara D. , Wu Chenggang , Kattke Michele D. , Yi Sung Wook , Damoiseaux Robert , Jung Michael E. , Ton-That Hung , Clubb Robert T.
Published: May 2020

Sortase enzymes are attractive antivirulence drug targets that attach virulence factors to the surface ofStaphylococcus aureusand other medically significant bacterial pathogens. Prior efforts to discover a useful sortase inhibitor have relied upon anin vitroactivity assay in which the enzyme is removed from its native site on the bacterial surface and truncated to improve solubility. To discover inhibitors that are effective in inactivating sortasesin vivo, we developed and implemented a novel cell-based screen usingActinomyces oris, a key colonizer in the development of oral biofilms.A.orisis unique because it exhibits sortase-dependent growth in cell culture, providing a robust phenotype for high throughput screening (HTS). Three molecules representing two unique scaffolds were discovered by HTS and disrupt surface protein display in intact cells and inhibit enzyme activityin vitro. This represents the first HTS for sortase inhibitors that relies on the simple metric of cellular growth and suggests thatA.orismay be a useful platform for discovery efforts targeting sortase.
The biomarker HE4 (WFDC2) promotes a pro-angiogenic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via regulation of STAT3 target genes
Authors: James Nicole E. , Emerson Jenna B. , Borgstadt Ashley D. , Beffa Lindsey , Oliver Matthew T. , Hovanesian Virginia , Urh Anze , Singh Rakesh K. , Rowswell-Turner Rachael , DiSilvestro Paul A. , Ou Joyce , Moore Richard G. , Ribeiro Jennifer R.
Published: May 2020

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a highly lethal gynecologic malignancy arising from the fallopian tubes that has a high rate of chemoresistant recurrence and low five-year survival rate. The ovarian cancer biomarker HE4 is known to promote proliferation, metastasis, chemoresistance, and suppression of cytotoxic lymphocytes. In this study, we sought to examine the effects of HE4 on signaling within diverse cell types that compose the tumor microenvironment. HE4 was found to activate STAT3 signaling and promote upregulation of the pro-angiogenic STAT3 target genes IL8 and HIF1A in immune cells, ovarian cancer cells, and endothelial cells. Moreover, HE4 promoted increases in tube formation in an in vitro model of angiogenesis, which was also dependent upon STAT3 signaling. Clinically, HE4 and IL8 levels positively correlated in ovarian cancer patient tissue. Furthermore, HE4 serum levels correlated with microvascular density in EOC tissue and inversely correlated with cytotoxic T cell infiltration, suggesting that HE4 may cause deregulated blood vessel formation and suppress proper T cell trafficking in tumors. Collectively, this study shows for the first time that HE4 has the ability to affect signaling events and gene expression in multiple cell types of the tumor microenvironment, which could contribute to angiogenesis and altered immunogenic responses in ovarian cancer.
Influences of ventilation parameters on flow field and dust migration in an underground coal mine heading
Authors: Wei Jianping , Xu Xiangyu , Jiang Wan
Published: May 2020

In order to effectively improve the efficiency of ventilation and dust removal, the flow field and dust migration characteristics under different ventilation parameters are deeply studied and analyzed by using the method of similar experiment and numerical simulation. Research results show that the change of the height of the ventilation duct affects the shape of the jet fluid, wind velocity distribution, the vortex distribution and the degree of disturbance of the airflow in the recirculation zone. When the height of the ventilation duct is h = 0.625 H (H is the height of the roadway), it shows a good ventilation and dust removal efficiency in roadway. The closer the ventilation duct is to the working face, the greater the eddy current intensity in the roadway and the more serious the dust accumulation. If the ventilation duct is 2 m away from the head, the dust concentration in roadway is relatively low. It shows a better ventilation and dedusting effect when the air velocity of ventilation duct v = 30 m/s, but it has a weak influence on the flow field structure in the roadway. The research results provide theoretical guidance for the selection, design and parameter optimization of the roadway ventilation and dust removal process.
Of Mice and Monkeys: Neuroprotective Efficacy of the p38 Inhibitor BIRB 796 Depends on Model Duration in Experimental Glaucoma
Authors: Lambert Wendi S. , Pasini Silvia , Collyer John W. , Formichella Cathryn R. , Ghose Purnima , Carlson Brian J. , Calkins David J.
Published: May 2020

Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies associated with aging and sensitivity to intraocular pressure (IOP). Early progression involves retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axon dysfunction that precedes frank degeneration. Previously we demonstrated that p38 MAPK inhibition abates axonal dysfunction and slows degeneration in the inducible microbead occlusion model of glaucoma in rat. Here, we assessed the neuroprotective effect of topical eye delivery of the p38 MAPK inhibitor BIRB 796 in three models of glaucoma (microbead occlusion in rat and squirrel monkey and the genetic DBA/2 J mouse model) with distinct durations of IOP elevation. While BIRB 796 did not influence IOP, treatment over four weeks in rats prevented degradation of anterograde axonal transport to the superior colliculus and degeneration in the optic nerve. Treatment over months in the chronic DBA/2 J model and in the squirrel monkey model reduced expression and activation of p38 downstream targets in the retina and brain but did not rescue RGC axon transport or degeneration, suggesting the efficacy of BIRB 796 in preventing associated degeneration of the RGC projection depends on the duration of the experimental model. These results emphasize the importance of evaluating potential therapeutic compounds for neuroprotection in multiple models using elongated treatment paradigms for an accurate assessment of efficacy.
Pore-scale mechanisms of CO2 storage in oilfields
Authors: Alhosani Abdulla , Scanziani Alessio , Lin Qingyang , Raeini Ali Q. , Bijeljic Branko , Blunt Martin J.
Published: May 2020

Rapid implementation of global scale carbon capture and storage is required to limit temperature rises to 1.5 °C this century. Depleted oilfields provide an immediate option for storage, since injection infrastructure is in place and there is an economic benefit from enhanced oil recovery. To design secure storage, we need to understand how the fluids are configured in the microscopic pore spaces of the reservoir rock. We use high-resolution X-ray imaging to study the flow of oil, water and CO2 in an oil-wet rock at subsurface conditions of high temperature and pressure. We show that contrary to conventional understanding, CO2 does not reside in the largest pores, which would facilitate its escape, but instead occupies smaller pores or is present in layers in the corners of the pore space. The CO2 flow is restricted by a factor of ten, compared to if it occupied the larger pores. This shows that CO2 injection in oilfields provides secure storage with limited recycling of gas; the injection of large amounts of water to capillary trap the CO2 is unnecessary.
Potential bacterial biomarkers for insect colonization in forensic cases: preliminary quantitative data on Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica and Ignatzschineria indica dynamics
Authors: Iancu Lavinia , Necula-Petrareanu Georgiana , Purcarea Cristina
Published: May 2020

For the last decades, forensic microbiology became an emerging complementary tool in criminalistics. Although the insect-microbe interactions regarding pathogen transmission were extensively studied, only scarce information is available on bacterial transfer from necrophagous insects to host tissues. Our data provides the first report on the occurrence of Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica and Ignatzschineria indica in Lucilia illustris Meigen, 1826 (Diptera: Calliphoridae), and the quantitative dynamics of the two bacterial species along the insect life-stages and transfer to beef and pork host tissues using qPCR gyrase b specific primers. The content of both bacterial species increased along the insect life stages. W. chitiniclastica was detected in all developmental stages independent of the feeding substrate. I. indica was measurable with 102 gene copies ng−1 DNA threshold starting from the third instar larvae when feeding on beef, and from the egg stage with a 102× higher representation when using the pork substrate. The transfer of bacterial species to both tissues occurred after 3 colonization days except for I. indica that was visible in beef liver only during day 5. Considering the utilization of pork tissues as human analogues, these quantitative microbial dynamics data provides first insect-specific bacterial candidates as potential colonization biomarkers in forensic investigations.