bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Emotional Attentional Blink as a Measure of Patriotism
Authors: Aznar-Casanova José Antonio , Gavilán José M. , Moreno Sánchez Manuel , Haro Juan
Published: August 2020

This study aims to explore whether the implicit processing of emotional symbols related to patriotic feeling may exert some effects on attention. Here, we have conducted an experiment using two interrelated tasks. First, we use flags with different meanings to participants for measuring the strength of the emotional attentional blink (EAB) within a rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP) paradigm. Then, we use a “congruency judgments” subjective test, where we confront participants to judge the affinity between pairs of politician leaders and flags of different sign for community participants, while recording two physiological measures (Heart Rate Variance and Galvanic Skin Response) to evaluate the variations elicited by that confrontation. Results on the EAB task show a significant emotion induced blindness for emotional stimuli representing Catalan and Spanish patriotism (α = .05), while the effect does not appear for the stimulus representing neutral patriotism. The interaction “Flags x Patriotism” was significant, F(1, 51) = 4.62; p = .036; ηp2 = .083. Results on the second task show that measures derived from electrophysiological records are sensitive to patriotic feeling, both being complementary. In addition, by using measures of congruence, the “Leaders x Flags” interaction was significant, F(3.682, 125.204) = 53.55; p < .001; ηp2 = .612. Finally, a multiple linear regression model for each emotional inductor was verified for the Catalan case, using the EAB effect as criteria, R2Adjusted = .79; p < .001. Some theoretical and methodological aspects derived of this exploratory study are discussed.
Assessment and Integration of Bulk and Component‐Specific Methods for Identifying Mineral Magnetic Assemblages in Environmental Magnetism
Authors: Qian Yao , Roberts Andrew P. , Liu Yan , Hu Pengxiang , Zhao Xiang , Heslop David , Grant Katharine M. , Rohling Eelco J. , Hennekam Rick , Li Jinhua
Published: August 2020

Magnetic parameters are used extensively to interpret magnetic mineral assemblage variations in environmental studies. Conventional room temperature measurements of bulk magnetic parameters, like the anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and the ratio of the susceptibility of ARM to magnetic susceptibility (χ), can reflect, respectively, magnetic mineral concentration and/or particle size variations in sediments, although they are not necessarily well suited for identifying magnetic components within individual magnetic mineral assemblages. More advanced techniques, such as first‐order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams and low‐temperature (LT) magnetic measurements, can enable detailed discrimination of magnetic assemblages. Here, we integrate conventional bulk magnetic measurements alongside FORC diagrams, LT measurements, and X‐ray fluorescence core‐scan data, transmission electron microscope observations, and principal component analysis of FORC diagrams to identify and quantify magnetic mineral assemblages in eastern Mediterranean sediments. The studied sediments were selected because they contain complexly varying mixtures of detrital, biogenic, and diagenetically altered magnetic mineral assemblages that were deposited under varying oxic (organic‐poor marls) to anoxic (organic‐rich sapropels) conditions. Conventional bulk magnetic parameters provide continuous records of environmental magnetic variations, while more time‐consuming LT and FORC measurements on selected samples provide direct ground‐truthing of mineral magnetic assemblages that enables calculation of magnetization contributions of different end members. Thus, a combination of conventional bulk parameters and advanced magnetic techniques can provide detailed records from which the meaning of environmental magnetic signals can be unlocked.
A Novel Method to Simulate the High‐Altitude Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse Under the Asymmetrical Situation
Authors: Zhang Jin , Zhang Ye‐Rong
Published: August 2020

The zero‐order integral equation method (IEM) and the second‐order IEM were introduced to simulate the high‐altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) in our former reports, where the planar gamma radiation model and the point gamma radiation model were utilized, respectively. Herein, the equation of the IEM is analyzed and simplified, after which the fifth‐order method is introduced. Several asymmetric gamma radiation patterns are employed to simulate the asymmetric environments. The results show that the fifth‐order method can well describe the tendency of the variation of the electric current source in the deposition region and that the HEMP radiating onto the ground not only depends on the electric current source along the line of sight (LOS) but also depends on the distribution of the electric current source around the LOS.
Evidence for an Active, Transcrustal Magma System in the Last 60 ka and Eruptive Degassing Budget (H2O, CO2, S, F, Cl, Br): The Case of Dominica
Authors: d'Augustin T. , Balcone‐Boissard H. , Boudon G. , Martel C. , Deloule E. , Bürckel P.
Published: August 2020

The Morne Trois Pitons‐Micotrin volcanic complex on the island of Dominica (Lesser Antilles) emitted a series of plinian eruptions between 18 and 9 ka BP. We studied it to constrain magma storage conditions and volatile degassing balances, by comparison with the three previous ignimbrites (~60–24 ka BP). Volatile concentrations in glass inclusions and mineral‐melt thermobarometry indicate storage at ≤200 MPa (~6–8 km) and 860–880°C. The magmas feeding these plinian eruptions were stored at a shallower depth than those that older ignimbrites from the same volcanic complex and stored at ~16 km. Close magma composition and similar halogen ratios, however, suggest a common source for the magmas feeding both the plinian eruptions and the ignimbrites. The large eruptive fluxes of F, Cl, and Br to the atmosphere (up to 1.4–2.8 × 10−1 Mt/km3, 1.5–4.0 Mt/km3, and 2–4 × 10−2 Mt/km3, respectively), estimated by the petrological method, support the potentially important role of volcanic halogens in modifying the chemistry of the atmosphere, though Cl is underestimated here because of buffering in a fluid phase. The behavior of S, potentially partitioned in the same fluid phase, prevents here the calculation of an eruptive outgassing budget.
Asthenospheric Flow of Plume Material Beneath Arabia Inferred From S Wave Traveltime Tomography
Authors: Lim Jung‐A , Chang Sung‐Joon , Mai P. Martin , Zahran Hani
Published: August 2020

Widespread Cenozoic volcanism in the Arabian Peninsula has been attributed to mantle plume activity and/or lithospheric thinning due to rift‐related extension. However, there is discrepancy between geochemical and geophysical studies about which mechanism is dominant over the other for post‐12 Ma volcanism. Plume signals in some volcanic fields in the Arabian shield are not evident in isotope analyses, but low‐velocity anomalies connected to Afar are found beneath the Arabian shield in tomographic studies and interpreted as asthenospheric flow from the Afar plume. To resolve this contradiction, we investigate the upper mantle beneath the Arabian Peninsula and northeastern Africa by inverting relative S and SKS wave arrival times recorded at dense seismic networks to derive a high‐resolution S wave velocity model. Our results clearly show a narrow, elongated low‐velocity anomaly along the Makkah‐Madinah‐Nafud (MMN) volcanic line beneath the Arabian shield at 100–300 km depth which extends northward to Harrat Ithnayn and Harrat Lunayyir, but most likely not further north. The limited extent of the low‐velocity anomaly and variations in lithospheric thickness of the Arabian shield may explain why geochemical studies did not find plume signals in some harrats. Therefore, the timing and plume signals of volcanism in western Arabia may not be age progressive from Afar. We also find a possible connection between the low‐velocity anomalies beneath Harrat Lunayyir and the MMN line, suggesting that the 2007–2009 seismic swarm may be associated with northward asthenospheric flow of plume material from Afar.
Pathways and Water Mass Transformation Along and Across the Mohn‐Knipovich Ridge in the Nordic Seas
Authors: Ypma S. L. , Georgiou S. , Dugstad J. S. , Pietrzak J. D. , Katsman C. A.
Published: August 2020

Atlantic Water takes various pathways through the Nordic Seas, and its transformation to denser waters forms a crucial connection to the lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Circulation maps often schematize two distinct pathways of Atlantic Water: one following the Norwegian Atlantic Slope Current along the continental slope of Norway and one following the Norwegian Atlantic Front Current along the Mohn and Knipovich Ridges. In this paper, the connectivity between the northward flow along these ridges is investigated. Analyzing trajectories of surface drifters and ARGO floats, we find that only 8% of the floats that travel near the mid‐ocean ridges take the frontal pathway to the north. Indeed, by tracing numerical particles in a realistic numerical simulation, part of the water mass traveling along the Mohn Ridge follows the 2,500 m isobath eastward and joins the slope current, instead of flowing north along the Knipovich Ridge. Furthermore, north of 74°N, frequent exchange between the slope current and the front current is observed. Therefore, the slope current and front current are less isolated than often schematized. Additionally, the observational data set reveals substantial cross‐ridge exchange; 31% of the floats that travel within 60 km from the mid‐ocean ridges cross it. Results from numerical simulations indicate that the cross‐ridge exchange leads to cooling and freshening of the Atlantic Water along the front. Deployments of floats near the mid‐ocean ridges are needed to investigate the pathway of Atlantic Water and its exchange across the ridge in more detail.
GLM and ABI Characteristics of Severe and Convective Storms
Authors: Thiel Kevin C. , Calhoun Kristin M. , Reinhart Anthony E. , MacGorman Donald R.
Published: August 2020

The recent deployment of the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) on board GOES‐16 and GOES‐17 provides a new perspective of total lightning production for the severe convective storms research and operational communities. While the GLM has met its performance targets, further understanding flash characteristics and the physical limitations of the GLM are required to increase the applicability of the data. Derived cloud‐top height and infrared (IR) brightness temperature products from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) are used to assess data quality and characteristics from gridded GLM imagery across 7 weeks of active severe weather: 13 April through 31 May 2019. Areas with cloud tops colder than 240 K typically produced lightning, though this becomes less certain near the edge of the field of view due to algorithm limitations. Increasing flash rates were observed to correlate with decreasing flash areas, increasing cloud‐top heights, and colder cloud‐top temperatures. However, flash rates and size were more strongly tied to convective intensity and proximity to convective hazards at the surface due to the ability to delineate between convective and stratiform precipitation. Results show that merging ABI and GLM data sets could add value to both machine learning and statistical‐based algorithms and also forecast applications with each providing unique details, although parameters such as GOES‐16 viewing angle should be considered. Lastly, two case studies (24 and 27 May 2019) are used to help interpret the results from the 7‐week sampling period and identify GLM and ABI trends related to thunderstorm evolution.
Sensitivity of Analytical Flux Footprint Models in Diverse Source‐Receptor Configurations: A Field Experimental Study
Authors: Kumari Shweta , Kambhammettu B. V. N. P. , Niyogi Dev
Published: August 2020

Flux footprint models simulate the source area of scalar fluxes from a measurement site but are hindered by the assumptions that are rarely satisfied in real field conditions. We conducted artificial tracer (CO2) experiments in unstable conditions over an open field, to evaluate three analytical footprint models (Kormann and Meixner‐KM, Hsieh‐HS, and Schuepp‐SP) under variable source‐receptor settings. Experimental configurations include (i) source length (point to semi‐infinite), (ii) emission height (below and above zero‐plane displacement), (iii) measurement height (1.5 and 2.8 m above ground level), and (iv) offset from the principal wind direction (±60°). Eddy covariance (EC) fluxes were measured using one source‐multiple sampling system approach. Results indicate that KM model is in good agreement with the EC measurements under ideal conditions (R2 = 0.81, root‐mean‐square error (RMSE) = 0.008 m−1) compared to HS (R2 = 0.60, RMSE = 0.014 m−1) and SP (R2 = 0.72, RMSE = 0.009 m−1) models. The KM model captured both footprint maximum and its location. Uncertainties in the model estimates were ascertained by considering random ensembles of wind speed, friction velocity, and Obukhov length. The KM model has resulted in the least uncertainty band containing all the flux observations. Error propagation into model simulations resulting from a progressive deviation of the underlying assumptions was assessed. Model‐to‐measurement discrepancies were positive (flux overestimation) for offset deviations up to ±30° and negative beyond. Modeled fluxes were sensitive to source length and emission height in comparison to the offset deviation. Overall, the KM model showed the least error (9.6 ± 8.12%) for different source‐receptor deviations. Study findings can help in evaluating and improving the analytical models for use under nonideal source‐receptor configurations and scaling measurements for different applications.
Analysis of the human breast milk microbiome and bacterial extracellular vesicles in healthy mothers
Authors: Kim Su Yeong , Yi Dae Yong
Published: August 2020

The microbiota of human breast milk (HBM) contribute to infant gut colonization; however, whether bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) are present in HBM or might contribute to this process remains unknown. In this study, we characterized the HBM microbiota of healthy Korean mothers and measured the key bacteria likely affecting infant gut colonization by analyzing both the microbiota and bacterial EVs. A total of 22 HBM samples were collected from lactating mothers. The DNA of bacteria and bacteria-derived EVs was extracted from each sample. In alpha-diversity analyses, bacterial samples showed higher richness and evenness than bacterial EV samples, and beta-diversity analyses showed significant differences between bacteria and bacterial EVs within identical individual samples. Firmicutes accounted for the largest proportion among the phyla, followed by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria, in both bacteria and bacterial EV samples. At the genus level,Streptococcus(25.1%) andStaphylococcus(10.7%) were predominant in bacterial samples, whereasBacteroides(9.1%),Acinetobacter(6.9%), andLactobacillaceae(f)(5.5%) were prevalent in bacterial EV samples. Several genera, includingBifidobacterium, were significantly positively correlated between the two samples. This study revealed the diverse bacterial communities in the HBM of healthy lactating mothers, and found that gut-associated genera accounted for a high proportion in bacterial EV samples. Our findings suggest the existence of key bacteria with metabolic activity that are independent of the major bacterial populations that inhabit HBM, and the possibility that EVs derived from these bacteria are involved in the vertical transfer of gut microbiota.
Volumetric changes in subcortical structures following repeated ketamine treatment in patients with major depressive disorder: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Zhou Yan-Ling , Wu Feng-Chun , Liu Wei-Jian , Zheng Wei , Wang Cheng-Yu , Zhan Yan-Ni , Lan Xiao-Feng , Ning Yu-Ping
Published: August 2020

Abnormal subcortical structures have been associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) and could be reversed by antidepressant treatment. To date no study has examined the relationship between subcortical volumes and repeated ketamine treatment. The current study investigated volume changes in specific subcortical structures and hippocampal subfields after six ketamine infusions. Forty-four patients with MDD received six subanesthetic dose infusions of ketamine. Depressive symptoms were assessed and magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed before and after six ketamine infusions. FreeSurfer software was used to process the T1 images and analyze the volumes of the subcortical regions and hippocampal subfields. After six ketamine infusions, increases were observed in the volumes of the left amygdala; the right hippocampus; the cornu ammonis 4 body, granule cell and molecular layer of the dentate gyrus body in the left hippocampus; and the cornu ammonis 4 head and molecular layer head in the right hippocampus. Positive correlations were found between symptom improvement and the pretreatment volumes of the right thalamus (r = 0.501; P = 0.001) and left subiculum head of the hippocampus (r = 0.471; P = 0.002), and changes in the volumes of the left amygdala (r = −0.452; P = 0.003) and the left cornu ammonis 4 body (r = −0.537; P < 0.001). Our findings provided evidence for critical roles of the amygdala and specific hippocampal subfields in the antidepressant effect of repeated ketamine treatment. Relatively larger volumes in right thalamus and left subiculum head in the hippocampus can predict a superior clinical outcome of ketamine treatment in MDD patients.
Neuroinflammation in dementia with Lewy bodies: a human post-mortem study
Authors: Amin Jay , Holmes Clive , Dorey Robert B. , Tommasino Emanuele , Casal Yuri R. , Williams Daisy M. , Dupuy Charles , Nicoll James A. R. , Boche Delphine
Published: August 2020

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common neurodegenerative cause of dementia, behind Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is now established that cerebral inflammation has a key role in the aetiology and progression of AD, but this has yet to be confirmed in DLB. We aimed to determine the neuroinflammatory profile in the cerebral cortex of a large cohort of DLB cases. Thirty post-mortem confirmed DLB cases and twenty-nine matched controls were immunolabelled (Brodmann area 21) and quantified for: neuropathology—αSYN, Aβ, P-tau; microglial phenotype—Iba1, HLA-DR, CD68, FcƴR (CD64, CD32a, CD32b, CD16); presence of T lymphocytes—CD3; and anti-inflammatory markers—IL4R, CHI3L1. Status spongiosis, as a marker of neuropil degeneration, was quantified using Haematoxylin and Eosin staining. We found no significant difference between groups in protein load for Iba1, HLA-DR, CD68, CD64, CD32b, IL4R, or CHI3L1, despite increased neuropathology in DLB. CD32a load was significantly lower, and CD16 load higher, in DLB compared with controls. There was no difference in status spongiosis between groups. Significantly more DLB cases than controls showed T-lymphocyte recruitment. Overall, we conclude that microglial activation is not a prominent feature of DLB, and that this may be associated with the relatively modest neuropil degeneration observed in DLB. Our findings, based on the largest post-mortem cohort to date exploring neuroinflammation in DLB, demonstrate a dissociation between protein deposition, neurodegeneration and microglial activation. The relative preservation of cortical structures in DLB suggests the dementia could be more amenable to potential therapies.
Preclinical support for the therapeutic potential of zolmitriptan as a treatment for cocaine use disorders
Authors: Garcia Raul , Le Tien , Scott Samantha N. , Charmchi Delaram , Sprout Jamie M.L. , Pentkowski Nathan S. , Neisewander Janet L.
Published: August 2020

Serotonin 1B receptor (5-HT1BR) agonists enhance cocaine intake in rats during daily self-administration but attenuate cocaine intake after prolonged abstinence. Here we investigated whether the less selective but clinically available 5-HT1D/1BR agonist, zolmitriptan, produces similar effects. Male and free-cycling female Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to lever press for cocaine (0.75 mg/kg, i.v.) or sucrose (45 mg pellet) reinforcement until performance rates stabilized. Rats then received zolmitriptan (3.0, 5.6, and 10 mg/kg, s.c.) prior to testing for its effects on response and reinforcement rates. Under cocaine testing conditions, rats had access to the training dose for the first hour followed by a lower cocaine dose (0.075 mg/kg, i.v.) for the second hour. Zolmitriptan decreased cocaine intake at both cocaine doses and in both sexes even without a period of abstinence and without altering sucrose intake. A separate group of rats underwent identical training procedures and were tested for effects of the selective 5-HT1Band 5-HT1Dreceptor antagonists, SB224289 (3.2, 5.6, and 10 mg/kg, s.c.) and BRL15572 (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg, i.p.), respectively, alone or in combination with zolmitriptan (5.6 mg/kg, s.c.) under identical cocaine testing procedures as above. The zolmitriptan-induced decrease in cocaine intake was reversed by SB224289 and to a lesser extent by BRL15572, suggesting that the effects of zolmitriptan involve both 5-HT1Band 5-HT1Dreceptors. Neither zolmitriptan, SB224289, or BRL15572 altered locomotor activity at the doses effective for modulating cocaine intake. These findings suggest that zolmitriptan has potential for repurposing as a treatment for cocaine use disorders.
PSGL-1 inhibits HIV-1 infection by restricting actin dynamics and sequestering HIV envelope proteins
Authors: Liu Ying , Song Yutong , Zhang Siyu , Diao Min , Huang Shanjin , Li Sai , Tan Xu
Published: August 2020

PSGL-1 has recently been identified as an HIV restriction factor that inhibits HIV DNA synthesis and more potently, virion infectivity. But the underlying mechanisms of these inhibitions are unknown. Here we show that PSGL-1 directly binds to cellular actin filaments (F-actin) to restrict actin dynamics, which leads to inhibition of HIV DNA synthesis. PSGL-1 is incorporated into nascent virions and restricts actin dynamics in the virions, which partially accounts for the inhibition of virion infectivity. More potently, PSGL-1 inhibits incorporation of Env proteins into nascent virions, causing a loss of envelope spikes on the virions as shown by Cryo-electron microscopy and super-resolution imaging. This loss is associated with a profound defect in viral entry. Mechanistically, PSGL-1 binds gp41 and sequesters gp41 at the plasma membrane, explaining the inhibition of Env incorporation in nascent virions. PSGL-1’s dual anti-HIV mechanisms represent novel strategies of human cells to defend against HIV infection.
An optimal posttreatment surveillance strategy for cancer survivors based on an individualized risk-based approach
Authors: Zhou Guan-Qun , Wu Chen-Fei , Deng Bin , Gao Tian-Sheng , Lv Jia-Wei , Lin Li , Chen Fo-ping , Kou Jia , Zhang Zhao-Xi , Huang Xiao-Dan , Zheng Zi-Qi , Ma Jun , Liang Jin-Hui , Sun Ying
Published: August 2020

The optimal post-treatment surveillance strategy that can detect early recurrence of a cancer within limited visits remains unexplored. Here we adopt nasopharyngeal carcinoma as the study model to establish an approach to surveillance that balances the effectiveness of disease detection versus costs. A total of 7,043 newly-diagnosed patients are grouped according to a clinic-molecular risk grouping system. We use a random survival forest model to simulate the monthly probability of disease recurrence, and thereby establish risk-based surveillance arrangements that can maximize the efficacy of recurrence detection per visit. Markov decision-analytic models further validate that the risk-based surveillance outperforms the control strategies and is the most cost-effective. These results are confirmed in an external validation cohort. Finally, we recommend the risk-based surveillance arrangement which requires 10, 11, 13 and 14 visits for group I to IV. Our surveillance strategies might pave the way for individualized and economic surveillance for cancer survivors.
A systematic comparison of pharmacogene star allele calling bioinformatics algorithms: a focus on CYP2D6 genotyping
Authors: Twesigomwe David , Wright Galen E. B. , Drögemöller Britt I. , da Rocha Jorge , Lombard Zané , Hazelhurst Scott
Published: August 2020

Genetic variation in genes encoding cytochrome P450 enzymes has important clinical implications for drug metabolism. Bioinformatics algorithms for genotyping these highly polymorphic genes using high-throughput sequence data and automating phenotype prediction have recently been developed. The CYP2D6 gene is often used as a model during the validation of these algorithms due to its clinical importance, high polymorphism, and structural variations. However, the validation process is often limited to common star alleles due to scarcity of reference datasets. In addition, there has been no comprehensive benchmark of these algorithms to date. We performed a systematic comparison of three star allele calling algorithms using 4618 simulations as well as 75 whole-genome sequence samples from the GeT-RM project. Overall, we found that Aldy and Astrolabe are better suited to call both common and rare diplotypes compared to Stargazer, which is affected by population structure. Aldy was the best performing algorithm in calling CYP2D6 structural variants followed by Stargazer, whereas Astrolabe had limitations especially in calling hybrid rearrangements. We found that ensemble genotyping, characterised by taking a consensus of genotypes called by all three algorithms, has higher haplotype concordance but it is prone to ambiguities whenever complete discrepancies between the tools arise. Further, we evaluated the effects of sequencing coverage and indel misalignment on genotyping accuracy. Our account of the strengths and limitations of these algorithms is extremely important to clinicians and researchers in the pharmacogenomics and precision medicine communities looking to haplotype CYP2D6 and other pharmacogenes using high-throughput sequencing data.
Diversity of interneurons in the lateral and basal amygdala
Authors: Polepalli Jai S. , Gooch Helen , Sah Pankaj
Published: August 2020

The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a temporal lobe structure that contributes to a host of behaviors. In particular, it is a central player in learning about aversive events and thus assigning emotional valence to sensory events. It is a cortical-like structure and contains glutamatergic pyramidal neurons and GABAergic interneurons. It is divided into the lateral (LA) and basal (BA) nuclei that have distinct cell types and connections. Interneurons in the BLA are a heterogenous population, some of which have been implicated in specific functional roles. Here we use optogenetics and slice electrophysiology to investigate the innervation, postsynaptic receptor stoichiometry, and plasticity of excitatory inputs onto interneurons within the BLA. Interneurons were divided into six groups based on their discharge properties, each of which received input from the auditory thalamus (AT) and auditory cortex (AC). Auditory innervation was concentrated in the LA, and optogenetic stimulation evoked robust synaptic responses in nearly all interneurons, drove many cells to threshold, and evoked disynaptic inhibition in most interneurons. Auditory input to the BA was sparse, innervated fewer interneurons, and evoked smaller synaptic responses. Biophysically, the subunit composition and distribution of AMPAR and NMDAR also differed between the two nuclei, with fewer BA IN expressing calcium permeable AMPAR, and a higher proportion expressing GluN2B-containing NMDAR. Finally, unlike LA interneurons, LTP could not be induced in the BA. These findings show that interneurons in the LA and BA are physiologically distinct populations and suggest they may have differing roles during associative learning.
Author Correction: Surveillance of Enterococcus spp. reveals distinct species and antimicrobial resistance diversity across a One-Health continuum
Authors: Zaheer Rahat , Cook Shaun R. , Barbieri Ruth , Goji Noriko , Cameron Andrew , Petkau Aaron , Polo Rodrigo Ortega , Tymensen Lisa , Stamm Courtney , Song Jiming , Hannon Sherry , Jones Tineke , Church Deirdre , Booker Calvin W. , Amoako Kingsley , Van Domselaar Gary , Read Ron R. , McAllister Tim A.
Published: August 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Genome-scale reconstruction of Paenarthrobacter aurescens TC1 metabolic model towards the study of atrazine bioremediation
Authors: Ofaim Shany , Zarecki Raphy , Porob Seema , Gat Daniella , Lahav Tamar , Kashi Yechezkel , Aly Radi , Eizenberg Hanan , Ronen Zeev , Freilich Shiri
Published: August 2020

Atrazine is an herbicide and a pollutant of great environmental concern that is naturally biodegraded by microbial communities. Paenarthrobacter aurescens TC1 is one of the most studied degraders of this herbicide. Here, we developed a genome scale metabolic model for P. aurescens TC1, iRZ1179, to study the atrazine degradation process at organism level. Constraint based flux balance analysis and time dependent simulations were used to explore the organism’s phenotypic landscape. Simulations aimed at designing media optimized for supporting growth and enhancing degradation, by passing the need in strain design via genetic modifications. Growth and degradation simulations were carried with more than 100 compounds consumed by P. aurescens TC1. In vitro validation confirmed the predicted classification of different compounds as efficient, moderate or poor stimulators of growth. Simulations successfully captured previous reports on the use of glucose and phosphate as bio-stimulators of atrazine degradation, supported by in vitro validation. Model predictions can go beyond supplementing the medium with a single compound and can predict the growth outcomes for higher complexity combinations. Hence, the analysis demonstrates that the exhaustive power of the genome scale metabolic reconstruction allows capturing complexities that are beyond common biochemical expertise and knowledge and further support the importance of computational platforms for the educated design of complex media. The model presented here can potentially serve as a predictive tool towards achieving optimal biodegradation efficiencies and for the development of ecologically friendly solutions for pollutant degradation.
Extracting band edge profiles at semiconductor heterostructures from hard-x-ray core-level photoelectron spectra
Authors: Sushko Peter V. , Chambers Scott A.
Published: August 2020

Internal electric fields that underpin functioning of multi-component materials systems and devices are coupled to structural and compositional inhomogeneities associated with interfaces in these systems. Hard-x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy is a valuable source of information on band-edge profiles, governed by the distribution of internal fields, deep inside semiconductor thin films and heterojunctions. However, extracting this information requires robust and physically meaningful decomposition of spectra into contributions from individual atomic planes. We present an approach that utilizes the physical requirements of a monotonic dependence of the built-in electrostatic potential on depth and continuity of the potential function and its derivatives. These constraints enable efficient extraction of band-edge profiles and allow one to capture details of the electronic structure, including determination of the signs and magnitudes of the band bending as well as the valence band offsets. The utility of this approach to generate quantitative insight into the electronic structure of complex materials is illustrated for epitaxial $$\hbox {SrTiO}_3$$SrTiO3 on intrinsic Si(001).
Solvothermal synthesis of facet-dependent BiVO4 photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutant: assessment of toxicity by zebrafish embryo
Authors: Kamble Ganesh S. , Ling Yong-Chien
Published: August 2020

The BiVO4 photocatalyst plays a very important role in photocatalytic reactions attributed to its unique crystalline structure, size, morphology and surface area. Herein, we report a facet-dependent monoclinic scheelite BiVO4 (m-BiVO4) photocatalyst with uniform truncated square (18 sided) hexagonal bipyramidal shape synthesized by a template-free and surfactant-free solvothermal method using ethylene glycol solvent under cost-effective and mild reactions. The structural, morphological and optical properties of the m-BiVO4 photocatalyst are widely characterized. The photocatalytic activity of the m-BiVO4 photocatalyst is tested towards 20 ppm methylene blue (MB) dye aqueous solution as a pollutant model under visible light irradiation. Enhanced visible-light driven photoactivity with dye degradation efficiency of approx. 91% at a rate of 0.388 × 10−2 min−1 is obtained, presumably due to the presence of high-active (040) facets. Zebrafish embryo toxicity test of treated MB dye solution reveals the degradation and toxicity reduction of the MB dye. Moreover, the recycling experiment validates that the m-BiVO4 photocatalyst has a great structural stability with reliable performance. This work may provide a lucid and expedient strategy to synthesize highly crystalline (040) facet-dependent semiconductor photocatalyst toward dye degradation and obviously industrial wastewater remediation.
Computational discrimination between natural images based on gaze during mental imagery
Authors: Wang Xi , Ley Andreas , Koch Sebastian , Hays James , Holmqvist Kenneth , Alexa Marc
Published: August 2020

When retrieving image from memory, humans usually move their eyes spontaneously as if the image were in front of them. Such eye movements correlate strongly with the spatial layout of the recalled image content and function as memory cues facilitating the retrieval procedure. However, how close the correlation is between imagery eye movements and the eye movements while looking at the original image is unclear so far. In this work we first quantify the similarity of eye movements between recalling an image and encoding the same image, followed by the investigation on whether comparing such pairs of eye movements can be used for computational image retrieval. Our results show that computational image retrieval based on eye movements during spontaneous imagery is feasible. Furthermore, we show that such a retrieval approach can be generalized to unseen images.
Author Correction: Alterations in seminal plasma proteomic profile in men with primary and secondary infertility
Authors: Martins Ana D. , Panner Selvam Manesh Kumar , Agarwal Ashok , Alves Marco G. , Baskaran Saradha
Published: August 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide evolutionary analyses identify novel candidate genes associated with infrared perception in pit vipers
Authors: Tu Na , Liang Dan , Zhang Peng
Published: August 2020

Pit vipers possess a unique thermal sensory system consisting of facial pits that allow them to detect minute temperature fluctuations within their environments. Biologists have long attempted to elucidate the genetic basis underlying the infrared perception of pit vipers. Early studies have shown that theTRPA1gene is the thermal sensor associated with infrared detection in pit vipers. However, whether genes other thanTRPA1are also involved in the infrared perception of pit vipers remains unknown. Here, we sequenced the whole exomes of ten snake species and performed genome-wide evolutionary analyses to search for novel candidate genes that might be involved in the infrared perception of pit vipers. We applied both branch-length-comparison and selection-pressure-alteration analyses to identify genes that specifically underwent accelerated evolution in the ancestral lineage of pit vipers. A total of 47 genes were identified. These genes were significantly enriched in the ion transmembrane transporter, stabilization of membrane potential, and temperature gating activity functional categories. The expression levels of these candidate genes in relevant nerve tissues (trigeminal ganglion, dorsal root ganglion, midbrain, and cerebrum) were also investigated in this study. We further chose one of our candidate genes, the potassium channel geneKCNK4, as an example to discuss its possible role in the infrared perception of pit vipers. Our study provides the first genome-wide survey of infrared perception-related genes in pit vipers via comparative evolutionary analyses and reveals valuable candidate genes for future functional studies.
Deep learning on the 2-dimensional Ising model to extract the crossover region with a variational autoencoder
Authors: Walker Nicholas , Tam Ka-Ming , Jarrell Mark
Published: August 2020

The 2-dimensional Ising model on a square lattice is investigated with a variational autoencoder in the non-vanishing field case for the purpose of extracting the crossover region between the ferromagnetic and paramagnetic phases. The encoded latent variable space is found to provide suitable metrics for tracking the order and disorder in the Ising configurations that extends to the extraction of a crossover region in a way that is consistent with expectations. The extracted results achieve an exceptional prediction for the critical point as well as agreement with previously published results on the configurational magnetizations of the model. The performance of this method provides encouragement for the use of machine learning to extract meaningful structural information from complex physical systems where little a priori data is available.
Innovative problem-solving in wild hyenas is reliable across time and contexts
Authors: Johnson-Ulrich Lily , Holekamp Kay E. , Hambrick David Z.
Published: August 2020

Individual differences in behavior are the raw material upon which natural selection acts, but despite increasing recognition of the value of considering individual differences in the behavior of wild animals to test evolutionary hypotheses, this approach has only recently become popular for testing cognitive abilities. In order for the intraspecific approach with wild animals to be useful for testing evolutionary hypotheses about cognition, researchers must provide evidence that measures of cognitive ability obtained from wild subjects reflect stable, general traits. Here, we used a multi-access box paradigm to investigate the intra-individual reliability of innovative problem-solving ability across time and contexts in wild spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta). We also asked whether estimates of reliability were affected by factors such as age-sex class, the length of the interval between tests, or the number of times subjects were tested. We found significant contextual and temporal reliability for problem-solving. However, problem-solving was not reliable for adult subjects, when trials were separated by more than 17 days, or when fewer than seven trials were conducted per subject. In general, the estimates of reliability for problem-solving were comparable to estimates from the literature for other animal behaviors, which suggests that problem-solving is a stable, general trait in wild spotted hyenas.
Cytokine production in patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis: analysis of tonsil samples and blood
Authors: Geißler Katharina , Weigel Cynthia , Schubert Katja , Rubio Ignacio , Guntinas-Lichius Orlando
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to examine T cell function in tonsils of patients with recurrent acute tonsillitis (RAT) or peritonsillar abscess (PTA) by analyzing the cytokine production following T cell receptor (TCR) and co-receptor stimulation with a combination of anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies. The release of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-17A from isolated, stimulated T cells of 27 palatine tonsils (10 RAT, 7 PTA, 10 tonsils without inflammation) was measured via a bead-based flow cytometric analysis. The results were compared with the cytokine release of isolated peripheral T cells in a subset of the same patients (6 PTA, 4 patients without signs of inflammation in the blood). TCR stimulation increased the concentration of released cytokines in tonsil and blood as well as in different forms of inflammation and tissue with no inflammation. Stimulation increased the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 more than the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-10 in tonsil and blood samples in RAT, PTA, and samples without inflammation. Blood of patients with PTA showed a higher pro-inflammatory cytokine level compared to the samples of patients without inflammation. T cells in tonsils are fully responsive and competent for antigen-induced cytokine production in RAT and PTA. One should be aware that tonsillectomy, if indicated, might remove a functioning immune organ. Tonsillotomy might be an alternative even in adults to maintain immunological function.
Mannheimia haemolytica and lipopolysaccharide induce airway epithelial inflammatory responses in an extensively developed ex vivo calf model
Authors: Cai Yang , Varasteh Soheil , van Putten Jos P. M. , Folkerts Gert , Braber Saskia
Published: August 2020

Pulmonary infection is associated with inflammation and damage to the bronchial epithelium characterized by an increase in the release of inflammatory factors and a decrease in airway barrier function. Our objective is to optimize a method for the isolation and culture of primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) and to provide an ex vivo model to study mechanisms of epithelial airway inflammation. PBECs were isolated and cultured from the airways of calves in a submerged cell culture and liquid–liquid interface system. A higher yield and cell viability were obtained after stripping the epithelium from the bronchial section compared to cutting the bronchial section in smaller pieces prior to digestion. Mannheimia haemolytica and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as stimulants increased inflammatory responses (IL-8, IL-6 and TNF-α release), possibly, by the activation of "TLR-mediated MAPKs and NF-κB" signaling. Furthermore, M. haemolytica and LPS disrupted the bronchial epithelial layer as observed by a decreased transepithelial electrical resistance and zonula occludens-1 and E-cadherin expression. An optimized isolation and culture method for calf PBECs was developed, which cooperated with animal use Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3R's) principle, and can also contribute to the increased knowledge and development of effective therapies for other animal and humans (childhood) respiratory diseases.
AlN formation by an Al/GaN substitution reaction
Authors: Noorprajuda Marsetio , Ohtsuka Makoto , Adachi Masayoshi , Fukuyama Hiroyuki
Published: August 2020

Aluminium nitride (AlN) is a promising semiconductor material for use as a substrate in high-power, high-frequency electronic and deep-ultraviolet optoelectronic devices. We study the feasibility of a novel AlN fabrication technique by using the Al/GaN substitution reaction method. The substitution method we propose here consists of an Al deposition process on a GaN substrate by a sputtering technique and heat treatment process. The substitution reaction (Al + GaN = AlN + Ga) is proceeded by heat treatment of the Al/GaN sample, which provides a low temperature, simple and easy process. C-axis-oriented AlN layers are formed at the Al/GaN interface after heat treatment of the Al/GaN samples at some conditions of 1473–1573 K for 0–3 h. A longer holding time leads to an increase in the thickness of the AlN layer. The growth rate of the AlN layer is controlled by the interdiffusion in the AlN layer.
From Persian Gulf to Indonesia: interrelated phylogeographic distance and chemistry within the genus Peronia (Onchidiidae, Gastropoda, Mollusca)
Authors: Maniei Fatemeh , Amiri Moghaddam Jamshid , Crüsemann Max , Beemelmanns Christine , König Gabriele M. , Wägele Heike
Published: August 2020

The knowledge of relationships between taxa is essential to understand and explain the chemical diversity of the respective groups. Here, twelve individuals of the panpulmonate slug Peronia persiae from two localities in Persian Gulf, and one animal of P. verruculata from Bangka Island, Indonesia, were analyzed in a phylogenetic and chemotaxonomic framework. Based on the ABGD test and haplotype networking using COI gene sequences of Peronia specimens, nine well-supported clades were found. Haplotype network analysis highlighted a considerable distance between the specimens of P. persiae and other clades. Metabolomic analysis of both species using tandem mass spectrometry-based GNPS molecular networking revealed a large chemical diversity within Peronia of different clades and localities. While P. persiae from different localities showed a highly similar metabolome, only few identical chemical features were found across the clades. The main common metabolites in both Peronia species were assigned as polypropionate esters of onchitriols and ilikonapyrones, and osmoprotectant amino acid-betaine compounds. On the other hand, the isoflavonoids genistein and daidzein were exclusively detected in P. persiae, while cholesterol and conjugated chenodeoxycholic acids were only found in P. verruculata. Flavonoids, bile acids, and amino acid-betaine compounds were not reported before from Onchidiidae, some are even new for panpulmonates. Our chemical analyses indicate a close chemotaxonomic relation between phylogeographically distant Peronia species.
Tricortical iliac crest allograft with anterolateral single rod screw instrumentation in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis
Authors: Zeng Yanping , Fan Yong , Luo Fei , Hou Tianyong , Dai Fei , Xu Jianzhong , Zhang Zehua
Published: August 2020

To assess the effectiveness of tricortical iliac crest allografts with anterolateral instrumentation after single-stage surgery for thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis (TB). Fifty-six patients with thoracic and lumbar spinal TB underwent single-stage anterior radical debridement, interbody fusion with tricortical iliac crest allografts and anterolateral single rod instrumentation. All patients were given 18 months of antituberculosis chemotherapy. The patients were followed up regularly, and their clinical manifestations, roentgenogram results, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and liver function test were the results to be concerned. Radiographs were analysed before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the final follow-up examination. Mean follow-up period was 37.5 months in 52 patients, and 4 patients were lost to follow-up. No patients had superficial wound infections, and all the incisions healed within 2 weeks. No graft fracture, collapse, or sliding was observed. The average bony fusion time was 10.6 months. Bony fusion was observed in all 52 patients within 18 months. The average degrees of kyphotic correction loss for thoracic and lumbar spine were 6.71° and 2.78° respectively. Although it took a long time to achieve solid fusion, tricortical iliac crest allografts were found to be convenient and safe to be used in spinal TB surgery. They may be effective options for interbody fusion, deformity correction and correction maintenance with anterolateral single rod instrumentation.