bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural and thermoelectric properties of Pb4In2.6Bi3.4Se13
Authors: Wong-Ng W. , Guo J. , Yan Y. , Kaduk J. A.
Published: July 2021

Quaternary selenide, Pb4In2.6Bi3.4Se13 (x = 2.4 member of the Pb4(InxBi6-xSe13 solid solution), was synthesized by a solid-state technique, and its structure was determined using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Pb4In2.6Bi3.4Se13 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbam (No. 55) with Z = 4. Lattice parameters and calculated density were determined to be a = 22.152(5) Å, b = 27.454(5) Å, and c = 4.1354(6) Å, V = 2515.0(11) Å3, and Dx = 7.490 g cm−3. The structure consists of Z-shaped ribbon units and corner-shared infinite one-dimensional [InSe4]∞ chains running parallel to the c-axis. The chains and ribbons are further connected by Pb atoms to form a three-dimensional network. Pb atoms are situated in the center of bicapped trigonal prisms. The compound exhibits a semiconductor feature. The Seebeck coefficient of Pb4In2.6Bi3.4Se13 was found to be −180 μV K−1 at 295 K and −380 μV K−1 at 600 K. Combining the values of Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity yield a figure of merit, ZT, of about 0.175 at 700 K. The powder XRD pattern of Pb4In2.6Bi3.4Se13 was also determined.
Factors preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission during unintentional exposure in a GP practice: a cohort study of patient contacts; Germany, 2020
Authors: Boender T. Sonia , Bender Jennifer K. , Krüger Angelika , Michaelis Kai , Buchholz Udo
Published: July 2021

Two general practitioners (GPs) with SARS-CoV-2 infection provided in-person patient care to patients of their joint medical practice before and after symptom onset, up until SARS-CoV-2 laboratory confirmation. Through active contact tracing, the local public health authorities recruited the cohort of patients that had contact with either GP in their putative infectious period. In this cohort of patient contacts, we assess the frequency and determinants of SARS-CoV-2-transmission from GPs to patients. We calculated incidence rate ratios (IRR) to explore the type of contact as an explanatory variable for COVID-19 cases. Among the cohort of 83 patient contacts, we identified 22 (27%) COVID-19 cases including 17 (21%) possible, three (4%) probable and two (2%) confirmed cases. All 22 cases had contact with a GP when the GP did not wear a mask, and/or when contact was ≥10 min. Importantly, patients who had contact <10 min with a GP wearing a facemask were at reduced risk (IRR 0.21; 95% CI 0.01–0.99) of COVID-19. This outbreak investigation adds to the body of evidence in supporting current guidelines on measures at preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in an outpatient setting.
Estimation of delay-adjusted all-cause excess mortality in the USA: March–December 2020
Authors: Akhmetzhanov Andrei R.
Published: July 2021

We estimate the delay-adjusted all-cause excess deaths across 53 US jurisdictions. Using provisional data collected from September through December 2020, we first identify a common mean reporting delay of 2.8 weeks, whereas four jurisdictions have prolonged reporting delays compared to the others: Connecticut (mean 5.8 weeks), North Carolina (mean 10.4 weeks), Puerto Rico (mean 4.7 weeks) and West Virginia (mean 5.5 weeks). After adjusting for reporting delays, we estimate the percent change in all-cause excess mortality from March to December 2020 with range from 0.2 to 3.6 in Hawaii to 58.4 to 62.4 in New York City. Comparing the March–December with September–December 2020 periods, the highest increases in excess mortality are observed in South Dakota (36.9–54.0), North Dakota (33.9–50.7) and Missouri (27.8–33.9). Our findings indicate that analysis of provisional data requires caution in interpreting the death counts in recent weeks, while one needs also to account for heterogeneity in reporting delays of excess deaths among US jurisdictions.
The frequency and efficacy of genetic testing in individuals with scimitar syndrome
Authors: Fick Tyler A. , Scott Daryl A. , Lupo Philip J. , Weigand Justin , Morris Shaine A.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Scimitar syndrome is a rare CHD composed of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection from the right lung, via a scimitar vein, to the inferior vena cava rather than the left atrium. Genetic conditions associated with scimitar syndrome have not been well investigated at present.

Methods:

Our study included patients with scimitar syndrome diagnosed at Texas Children’s Hospital from January 1987 to July 2020. Medical records were evaluated to determine if genetic testing was performed, including chromosomal microarray analysis or whole-exome sequencing. Copy number variants identified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic and variants of unknown significance were collected. Analyses of cardiac and extracardiac findings were performed via chart review.

Results:

Ninety-eight patients were identified with scimitar syndrome, 89 of which met inclusion criteria. A chromosome analysis or chromosomal microarray analysis was performed in 18 patients (20%). Whole-exome sequencing was performed in six patients following negative chromosomal microarray analysis testing. A molecular genetic diagnosis was made in 7 of 18 cases (39% of those tested). Ninety-six per cent of the cohort had some type of extracardiac finding, with 43% having asthma and 20% having a gastrointestinal pathology. Of the seven patients with positive genetic testing, all had extracardiac anomalies with all but one having gastrointestinal findings and 30% having congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Conclusions:

Genetic testing revealed an underlying diagnosis in roughly 40% of those tested. Given the relatively high prevalence of pathogenic variants, we recommend chromosomal microarray analysis and whole-exome sequencing for patients with scimitar syndrome and extracardiac defects.
A CORRECTNESS PROOF FOR AL-BARAKĀT’S LOGICAL DIAGRAMS
Authors: HODGES WILFRID
Published: July 2021

In Baghdad in the mid twelfth century Abū al-Barakāt proposes a radical new procedure for finding the conclusions of premise-pairs in syllogistic logic, and for identifying those premise-pairs that have no conclusions. The procedure makes no use of features of the standard Aristotelian apparatus, such as conversions or syllogistic figures. In place of these al-Barakāt writes out pages of diagrams consisting of labelled horizontal lines. He gives no instructions and no proof that the procedure will yield correct results. So the reader has to work out what his procedure is and whether it is correct. The procedure turns out to be insightful and entirely correct, but this paper may be the first study to give a full description of the procedure and a rigorous proof of its correctness.
Electrical Resistivity Anomalies Offshore a Carbonate Coastline: Evidence for Freshened Groundwater?
Authors: Haroon Amir , Micallef Aaron , Jegen Marion , Schwalenberg Katrin , Karstens Jens , Berndt Christian , Garcia Xavier , Kühn Michel , Rizzo Enzo , Fusi Nicoletta Chiara , Ahaneku Chibuzo Valeria , Petronio Lorenzo , Faghih Zahra , Weymer Bradley A. , De Biase Michele , Chidichimo Francesco
Published: July 2021

Carbonate lithologies host considerable quantities of the Earth's freshwater resources and partially supply a quarter of the global population with drinkable water. In addition, carbonates constitute substantial amounts of the global coastlines, yet it is not known if and how they can sustain freshened groundwater offshore. Here, we use controlled‐source electromagnetic, seismic reflection, and core sample data to derive a lithological model for the eastern margin of the Maltese Islands and identify four distinct resistivity anomalies within the Upper Coralline and Globigerina Limestone formations. The anomalies hosted in the former are likely associated with low porosities, whereas the anomaly within the latter is indicative of pore fluid freshening. Hydrogeological modeling suggests that freshened pore fluids, emplaced during sea‐level lowstands and preserved in low permeability units, are potentially still found within carbonate shelves. However, resource potential is low due to its relict nature and low permeability host environment.
Uganda Advances Toward Launching Its First Satellite
Authors: Mafaranga Hope
Published: July 2021

A new ground station and an expanded education network will lead to the launch of a security and Earth observation satellite in 2022.
Lithosphere Weakening During Arctic Ocean Opening: Evidence From Effective Elastic Thickness
Authors: Lu Yu , Lu Zhezhe , Li Chun‐Feng , Zhu Shuang , Audet Pascal
Published: July 2021

Evolution of the Arctic Ocean lithosphere has involved multiple stages of opening with crustal stretching and thinning prior to lithospheric breakup. Mapping lateral variations in lithospheric rheology can help unravel the detailed tectonic history of the Arctic. Here we perform a wavelet analysis of gravity and bathymetry data to map the effective elastic thickness () of the lithosphere in the Arctic. The low overall suggests that large shear stresses and serpentinization weakened the lithosphere at Arctic passive margins during a multistage opening process. Moderately low values along the Gakkel Ridge imply a relatively cold ultraslow‐spreading center compared to typical mid‐ocean ridges.
India‐Tarim Lithospheric Mantle Collision Beneath Western Tibet Controls the Cenozoic Building of Tian Shan
Authors: Huangfu Pengpeng , Li Zhong‐Hai , Zhang Kai‐Jun , Fan Weiming , Zhao Junmeng , Shi Yaolin
Published: July 2021

The ongoing India‐Asia collision principally regulates the Cenozoic tectonic deformation of the Asian interior, and builds a far‐away but active spectacular intraplate orogen—Tian Shan. However, the deep processes and dynamics of far‐field deformation propagation and the resultant Tian Shan building remain ambiguous. Here, we construct systematic numerical models with variable thermo‐rheological properties of the orogen‐featured blocks and convergence rates, which reveal that the far‐field effect of India‐Asia collision on the Tian Shan building is strongly controlled by the direct collision of Indian lithospheric mantle with the rigid Tarim block beneath western Tibet. The model results, together with the well‐established geological and geophysical constraints, not only reconcile the first‐order crustal and lithospheric structures of the western Tibetan plateau and Tian Shan, but also confirm a >30 Myr time lag between the initial India‐Asia collision and the far‐field Tian Shan building.
Sex biased expression of hormone related genes at early stage of sex differentiation in papaya flowers
Authors: Liu Juan , Chen Li-Yu , Zhou Ping , Liao Zhenyang , Lin Hai , Yu Qingyi , Ming Ray
Published: July 2021

Sex types of papaya are controlled by a pair of nascent sex chromosomes, but molecular genetic mechanisms of sex determination and sex differentiation in papaya are still unclear. We performed comparative analysis of transcriptomic profiles of male and female floral buds at the early development stage before the initiation of reproductive organ primordia at which there is no morphological difference between male and female flowers. A total of 1734 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, of which 923 showed female-biased expression and 811 showed male-biased expression. Functional annotation revealed that genes related to plant hormone biosynthesis and signaling pathways, especially in abscisic acid and auxin pathways, were overrepresented in the DEGs. Transcription factor binding motifs, such as MYB2, GAMYB, and AP2/EREBP, were enriched in the promoters of the hormone-related DEGs, and transcription factors with those motifs also exhibited differential expression between sex types. Among these DEGs, we also identified 11 genes in the non-recombining region of the papaya sex chromosomes and 9 genes involved in stamen and carpel development. Our results suggested that sex differentiation in papaya may be regulated by multiple layers of regulation and coordination and involved transcriptional, epigenetic, and phytohormone regulation. Hormones, especially ABA and auxin, transcription factors, and genes in the non-recombination region of the sex chromosome could be involved in this process. Our findings may facilitate the elucidation of signal transduction and gene interaction in sex differentiation of unisexual flowers in papaya.
The R2R3-type MYB transcription factor MdMYB90-like is responsible for the enhanced skin color of an apple bud sport mutant
Authors: Sun Chao , Wang Chunming , Zhang Wang , Liu Shuai , Wang Weiyao , Yu Xinyi , Song Tao , Yu Maxwell , Yu Weichang , Qu Shenchun
Published: July 2021

The anthocyanin content in apple skin determines its red coloration, as seen in a Fuji apple mutant. Comparative RNA-seq analysis was performed to determine differentially expressed genes at different fruit development stages between the wild-type and the skin color mutant. A novel R2R3-MYB transcription factor, MdMYB90-like, was uncovered as the key regulatory gene for enhanced coloration in the mutant. The expression of MdMYB90-like was 21.3 times higher in the mutant. MdMYB90-like regulates anthocyanin biosynthesis directly through the activation of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes and indirectly through the activation of other transcription factors that activate anthocyanin biosynthesis. MdMYB90-like bound to the promoters of both structural genes (MdCHS and MdUFGT) and other transcription factor genes (MdMYB1 and MdbHLH3) in the yeast one-hybrid system, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and dual-luciferase assay. Transgenic analysis showed that MdMYB90-like was localized in the nucleus, and its overexpression induced the expression of other anthocyanin-related genes, including MdCHS, MdCHI, MdANS, MdUFGT, MdbHLH3, and MdMYB1. The mutant had reduced levels of DNA methylation in two regions (−1183 to −988 and −2018 to −1778) of the MdMYB90-like gene promoter, which might explain the enhanced expression of the gene and the increased anthocyanin content in the mutant apple skin.
Chloroplast and mitochondrial DNA editing in plants
Authors: Kang Beum-Chang , Bae Su-Ji , Lee Seonghyun , Lee Jeong Sun , Kim Annie , Lee Hyunji , Baek Gayoung , Seo Huiyun , Kim Jihun , Kim Jin-Soo
Published: July 2021

Plant organelles including mitochondria and chloroplasts contain their own genomes, which encode many genes essential for respiration and photosynthesis, respectively. Gene editing in plant organelles, an unmet need for plant genetics and biotechnology, has been hampered by the lack of appropriate tools for targeting DNA in these organelles. In this study, we developed a Golden Gate cloning system1, composed of 16 expression plasmids (8 for the delivery of the resulting protein to mitochondria and the other 8 for delivery to chloroplasts) and 424 transcription activator-like effector subarray plasmids, to assemble DddA-derived cytosine base editor (DdCBE)2 plasmids and used the resulting DdCBEs to efficiently promote point mutagenesis in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Our DdCBEs induced base editing in lettuce or rapeseed calli at frequencies of up to 25% (mitochondria) and 38% (chloroplasts). We also showed DNA-free base editing in chloroplasts by delivering DdCBE mRNA to lettuce protoplasts to avoid off-target mutations caused by DdCBE-encoding plasmids. Furthermore, we generated lettuce calli and plantlets with edit frequencies of up to 99%, which were resistant to streptomycin or spectinomycin, by introducing a point mutation in the chloroplast 16S rRNA gene.
Targeted base editing in the plastid genome of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Nakazato Issei , Okuno Miki , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Tamura Yoshiko , Itoh Takehiko , Shikanai Toshiharu , Takanashi Hideki , Tsutsumi Nobuhiro , Arimura Shin-ichi
Published: July 2021

Bacterial cytidine deaminase fused to the DNA binding domains of transcription activator-like effector nucleases was recently reported to transiently substitute a targeted C to a T in mitochondrial DNA of mammalian cultured cells1. We applied this system to targeted base editing in the Arabidopsis thaliana plastid genome. The targeted Cs were homoplasmically substituted to Ts in some plantlets of the T1 generation and the mutations were inherited by their offspring independently of their nuclear-introduced vectors.
Two separate, large cohorts reveal potential modifiers of age-associated variation in visual reaction time performance
Authors: Talboom J. S. , De Both M. D. , Naymik M. A. , Schmidt A. M. , Lewis C. R. , Jepsen W. M. , Håberg A. K. , Rundek T. , Levin B. E. , Hoscheidt S. , Bolla Y. , Brinton R. D. , Schork N. J. , Hay M. , Barnes C. A. , Glisky E. , Ryan L. , Huentelman M. J.
Published: July 2021

To identify potential factors influencing age-related cognitive decline and disease, we created MindCrowd. MindCrowd is a cross-sectional web-based assessment of simple visual (sv) reaction time (RT) and paired-associate learning (PAL). svRT and PAL results were combined with 22 survey questions. Analysis of svRT revealed education and stroke as potential modifiers of changes in processing speed and memory from younger to older ages (ntotal = 75,666, nwomen = 47,700, nmen = 27,966; ages 18–85 years old, mean (M)Age = 46.54, standard deviation (SD)Age = 18.40). To complement this work, we evaluated complex visual recognition reaction time (cvrRT) in the UK Biobank (ntotal = 158,249 nwomen = 89,333 nmen = 68,916; ages 40–70 years old, MAge = 55.81, SDAge = 7.72). Similarities between the UK Biobank and MindCrowd were assessed using a subset of MindCrowd (UKBb MindCrowd) selected to mirror the UK Biobank demographics (ntotal = 39,795, nwomen = 29,640, nmen = 10,155; ages 40–70 years old, MAge = 56.59, SDAge = 8.16). An identical linear model (LM) was used to assess both cohorts. Analyses revealed similarities between MindCrowd and the UK Biobank across most results. Divergent findings from the UK Biobank included (1) a first-degree family history of Alzheimer’s disease (FHAD) was associated with longer cvrRT. (2) Men with the least education were associated with longer cvrRTs comparable to women across all educational attainment levels. Divergent findings from UKBb MindCrowd included more education being associated with shorter svRTs and a history of smoking with longer svRTs from younger to older ages.
Spatial distribution of B cells and lymphocyte clusters as a predictor of triple-negative breast cancer outcome
Authors: Wortman Juliana C. , He Ting-Fang , Solomon Shawn , Zhang Robert Z. , Rosario Anthony , Wang Roger , Tu Travis Y. , Schmolze Daniel , Yuan Yuan , Yost Susan E. , Li Xuefei , Levine Herbert , Atwal Gurinder , Lee Peter P. , Yu Clare C.
Published: July 2021

While tumor infiltration by CD8+ T cells is now widely accepted to predict outcomes, the clinical significance of intratumoral B cells is less clear. We hypothesized that spatial distribution rather than density of B cells within tumors may provide prognostic significance. We developed statistical techniques (fractal dimension differences and a box-counting method ‘occupancy’) to analyze the spatial distribution of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Our results indicate that B cells in good outcome tumors (no recurrence within 5 years) are spatially dispersed, while B cells in poor outcome tumors (recurrence within 3 years) are more confined. While most TILs are located within the stroma, increased numbers of spatially dispersed lymphocytes within cancer cell islands are associated with a good prognosis. B cells and T cells often form lymphocyte clusters (LCs) identified via density-based clustering. LCs consist either of T cells only or heterotypic mixtures of B and T cells. Pure B cell LCs were negligible in number. Compared to tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), LCs have fewer lymphocytes at lower densities. Both types of LCs are more abundant and more spatially dispersed in good outcomes compared to poor outcome tumors. Heterotypic LCs in good outcome tumors are smaller and more numerous compared to poor outcome. Heterotypic LCs are also closer to cancer islands in a good outcome, with LC size decreasing as they get closer to cancer cell islands. These results illuminate the significance of the spatial distribution of B cells and LCs within tumors.
TBK1 and TNFRSF13B mutations and an autoinflammatory disease in a child with lethal COVID-19
Authors: Schmidt Axel , Peters Sophia , Knaus Alexej , Sabir Hemmen , Hamsen Frauke , Maj Carlo , Fazaal Julia , Sivalingam Sugirthan , Savchenko Oleksandr , Mantri Aakash , Holzinger Dirk , Neudorf Ulrich , Müller Andreas , Ludwig Kerstin U. , Krawitz Peter M. , Engels Hartmut , Nöthen Markus M. , Bagci Soyhan
Published: July 2021

Among children, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections are typically mild. Here, we describe the case of a 3.5-year-old girl with an unusually severe presentation of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The child had an autoinflammatory disorder of unknown etiology, which had been treated using prednisolone and methotrexate, and her parents were half cousins of Turkish descent. After 5 days of nonspecific viral infection symptoms, tonic-clonic seizures occurred followed by acute cardiac insufficiency, multi-organ insufficiency, and ultimate death. Trio exome sequencing identified a homozygous splice-variant in the gene TBK1, and a homozygous missense variant in the gene TNFRSF13B. Heterozygous deleterious variants in the TBK1 gene have been associated with severe COVID-19, and the variant in the TNFRSF13B gene has been associated with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). We suggest that the identified variants, the autoinflammatory disorder and its treatment, or a combination of these factors probably predisposed to lethal COVID-19 in the present case.
Reconstructing single-cell karyotype alterations in colorectal cancer identifies punctuated and gradual diversification patterns
Authors: Bollen Yannik , Stelloo Ellen , van Leenen Petra , van den Bos Myrna , Ponsioen Bas , Lu Bingxin , van Roosmalen Markus J. , Bolhaqueiro Ana C. F. , Kimberley Christopher , Mossner Maximilian , Cross William C. H. , Besselink Nicolle J. M. , van der Roest Bastiaan , Boymans Sander , Oost Koen C. , de Vries Sippe G. , Rehmann Holger , Cuppen Edwin , Lens Susanne M. A. , Kops Geert J. P. L. , Kloosterman Wigard P. , Terstappen Leon W. M. M. , Barnes Chris P. , Sottoriva Andrea , Graham Trevor A. , Snippert Hugo J. G.
Published: July 2021

Central to tumor evolution is the generation of genetic diversity. However, the extent and patterns by which de novo karyotype alterations emerge and propagate within human tumors are not well understood, especially at single-cell resolution. Here, we present 3D Live-Seq—a protocol that integrates live-cell imaging of tumor organoid outgrowth and whole-genome sequencing of each imaged cell to reconstruct evolving tumor cell karyotypes across consecutive cell generations. Using patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids and fresh tumor biopsies, we demonstrate that karyotype alterations of varying complexity are prevalent and can arise within a few cell generations. Sub-chromosomal acentric fragments were prone to replication and collective missegregation across consecutive cell divisions. In contrast, gross genome-wide karyotype alterations were generated in a single erroneous cell division, providing support that aneuploid tumor genomes can evolve via punctuated evolution. Mapping the temporal dynamics and patterns of karyotype diversification in cancer enables reconstructions of evolutionary paths to malignant fitness.
Charge and discharge profiles of repurposed LiFePO4 batteries based on the UL 1974 standard
Authors: Chung Hsien-Ching
Published: July 2021

Owing to the popularization of electric vehicles worldwide and the development of renewable energy supply, Li-ion batteries are widely used from small-scale personal mobile products to large-scale energy storage systems. Recently, the number of retired power batteries has largely increased, causing environmental protection threats and waste of resources. Since most of the retired power batteries still possess about 80% of their initial capacity, their second use becomes a possible route to solve the emergent problem. Safety and performance are important when using these second-use repurposed batteries. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global safety certification company, published the standard for evaluating the safety and performance of repurposed batteries, i.e., UL 1974. In this work, the test procedures are designed according to UL 1974, and the charge and discharge profile datasets of the LiFePO4 repurposed batteries are provided. Researchers and engineers can use the characteristic curves to evaluate the quality of the repurposed batteries. Furthermore, the profile datasets can be applied in the model-based engineering of repurposed batteries, e.g., fitting the variables of an empirical model or validating the results of a theoretical model.
Mobility restrictions were associated with reductions in COVID-19 incidence early in the pandemic: evidence from a real-time evaluation in 34 countries
Authors: Oh Juhwan , Lee Hwa-Young , Khuong Quynh Long , Markuns Jeffrey F. , Bullen Chris , Barrios Osvaldo Enrique Artaza , Hwang Seung-sik , Suh Young Sahng , McCool Judith , Kachur S. Patrick , Chan Chang-Chuan , Kwon Soonman , Kondo Naoki , Hoang Van Minh , Moon J. Robin , Rostila Mikael , Norheim Ole F. , You Myoungsoon , Withers Mellissa , Li Mu , Lee Eun-Jeung , Benski Caroline , Park Sookyung , Nam Eun-Woo , Gottschalk Katie , Kavanagh Matthew M. , Tran Thi Giang Huong , Lee Jong-Koo , Subramanian S. V. , McKee Martin , Gostin Lawrence O.
Published: July 2021

Most countries have implemented restrictions on mobility to prevent the spread of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), entailing considerable societal costs but, at least initially, based on limited evidence of effectiveness. We asked whether mobility restrictions were associated with changes in the occurrence of COVID-19 in 34 OECD countries plus Singapore and Taiwan. Our data sources were the Google Global Mobility Data Source, which reports different types of mobility, and COVID-19 cases retrieved from the dataset curated by Our World in Data. Beginning at each country’s 100th case, and incorporating a 14-day lag to account for the delay between exposure and illness, we examined the association between changes in mobility (with January 3 to February 6, 2020 as baseline) and the ratio of the number of newly confirmed cases on a given day to the total number of cases over the past 14 days from the index day (the potentially infective ‘pool’ in that population), per million population, using LOESS regression and logit regression. In two-thirds of examined countries, reductions of up to 40% in commuting mobility (to workplaces, transit stations, retailers, and recreation) were associated with decreased cases, especially early in the pandemic. Once both mobility and incidence had been brought down, further restrictions provided little additional benefit. These findings point to the importance of acting early and decisively in a pandemic.
Prevalence of primary open angle glaucoma in the last 20 years: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Zhang Nan , Wang Jiaxing , Li Ying , Jiang Bing
Published: July 2021

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world and is influenced by various sociodemographic factors. This meta-analysis aims to determine the worldwide prevalence of POAG in the adult general population for the last 20 years, and explore variation in prevalence by age, gender and geographical location. An electronic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Population-based cross-sectional or cohort studies published in the last 20 years (2000–2020) that reported prevalence of POAG were recruited. Relevant studies meeting defined eligibility criteria were selected and reviewed systematically by meta-analysis. The prevalence of POAG was analyzed according to various risk factors. A random effect model was used for the meta-analysis. Fifty publications with a total of 198,259 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The worldwide overall prevalence of POAG was 2.4% (95% CI 2.0 ~ 2.8%). The prevalence increases with age. Men are found to be more susceptible to POAG than women (RR 1.28, p < 0.01). Africa is found to have the highest prevalence of POAG (4.0%) among all continents. The current estimated global population of POAG is 68.56 million (95% CI 59.99 ~ 79.98). POAG is a worldwide vision threatening disease with high prevalence for the last 20 years. The population-based prevalence of POAG varies widely across individual studies, due to variations in risk factors of age, gender, and population geographic location.
Nodes with the highest control power play an important role at the final level of cooperation in directed networks
Authors: Ebrahimi Ali , Yousefi Marzieh , Shahbazi Farhad , Sheikh Beig Goharrizi Mohammad Ali , Masoudi-Nejad Ali
Published: July 2021

Controllability of complex networks aims to seek the lowest number of nodes (the driver nodes) that can control all the nodes by receiving the input signals. The concept of control centrality is used to determine the power of each node to control the network. The more a node controls the nodes through connections in the network, the more it has the power to control. Although the cooperative and free-rider strategies and the final level of cooperation in a population are considered and studied in the public goods game. However, it is yet to determine a solution to indicate the effectiveness of each member in changing the strategies of the other members. In a network, the choice of nodes effective in changing the other nodes’ strategies, as free-riders, will lead to lower cooperation and vice versa. This paper uses simulated and real networks to investigate that the nodes with the highest control power are more effective than the hubs, local, and random nodes in changing the strategies of the other nodes and the final level of cooperation. Results indicate that the nodes with the highest control power as free-riders, compared to the other sets being under consideration, can lead to a lower level of cooperation and are, therefore, more effective in changing the strategies of the other nodes. The obtained results can be considered in the treatment of cancer. So that, destroying the tumoral cells with the highest control power should be a priority as these cells have a higher capability to change the strategies of the other cells from cooperators to free-riders (healthy to tumoral).
Cord blood and amniotic membrane extract eye drop preparations display immune-suppressive and regenerative properties
Authors: Samarkanova Dinara , Cox Steven , Hernandez Diana , Rodriguez Luciano , Pérez Maria Luisa , Madrigal Alejandro , Vilarrodona Anna , Querol Sergio , Casaroli-Marano Ricardo P.
Published: July 2021

Diseases and injuries that compromise the ocular surface cause considerable patient distress and have long term consequences for their quality of life. Treatment modalities that can address the delicate balance of tissue regeneration, inflammation and maintenance of corneal transparency are therefore needed. We have recently formulated two novel eye drops from placental tissues: cord blood platelet lysate (CBED) and amniotic membrane extract eye drops (AMED), which can be used to treat severe ocular disorders. Here we characterise these two preparations by measuring: (a) growth factors (GF) and cytokines composition, (b) promotion of human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) growth and (c) effects on immune cells in a lymphocyte culture assay. Finally, their bioavailability was assayed in an ex vivo porcine corneal model. We show that both preparations contain GF and cytokines that were able to promote the in vitro growth of HCEC and support repair in an in vitro scratch test. When assessed in a lymphocyte culture, both favoured immune suppression reducing the cellular expression of NKG2D and CD107a as well as the production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in natural killer, NKT and T cells. Regarding bioavailability, CBED active molecules were found mainly in the pre-corneal fraction with some penetration into the corneal fraction, in an ex vivo model. In summary, both placental-derived allogeneic preparations, CBED and AMED, display regenerative and immunomodulatory capabilities. These results will help define mechanisms of action and the best indications and doses of each product for use in a particular patient and support the development of off-the-shelf therapies for ocular surface pathologies in which wound healing defects and inflammatory events are contributing factors.
MYCO-TB: the first IVD kit suitable for the digestion and decontamination of extra-pulmonary specimens to detect Mycobacteria
Authors: Bisognin Francesco , Lombardi Giulia , Felici Silvia , Monte Paola Dal
Published: July 2021

Extra-pulmonary mycobacterial infections are characterized by a paucibacillary nature and extra-pulmonary samples consist of different matrices; the processing of these samples requires a high level of manual skills and non-standardized procedures. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of MYCO-TB with MycoPrep on extra-pulmonary samples in terms of Mycobacteria detection, culture contamination and suitability for molecular assay. This prospective study was conducted on 201 extra-pulmonary samples from suspected cases of mycobacterial infection. Specimens were divided into two equal aliquots; one was decontaminated with MYCO-TB the other with MycoPrep. The contamination rate of liquid cultures was significantly different: 2.5% (5/201) for MYCO-TB and 7.5% (15/201) for MycoPrep (p = 0.036). At least 1 Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBc) positive culture was detected in 6 specimens treated with MYCO-TB and 8with MycoPrep, without significant differences in times to positivity (TTP) in liquid culture. No Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra invalid results were obtained with samples decontaminated with MYCO-TB. The MYCO-TB kit had greater activity than MycoPrep in the digestion and decontamination of extra-pulmonary specimens for the detection of Mycobacteria, supporting the use of MYCO-TB in this type of sample. Ready-to use reagents, rapid protocol and single-sample formulation of MYCO-TB reduced the level of manual skills required as well as the risk of sample contamination.
The effect of botulinum toxin injection dose on the appearance of surgical scar
Authors: Chen Zhiyou , Chen Zong , Pang Ran , Wei Zhiru , Zhang Han , Liu Wenhui , Li Guangshuai
Published: July 2021

Early postoperative injection of botulinum toxin type A (BTxA) can reduce surgical scar hypertrophy. BTxA injection at different time points is associated with different levels of efficacy, but the efficacy of different doses of BTxA for scar management has not investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different doses of BTxA administered early after surgery on scar improvement through a split-scar experiment. The study included 22 patients who underwent surgery between September 2019 and October 2020. High- and low-dose BTxA was randomly administered into each half of the surgical wound closure immediately after surgery. One half of the incision was injected with a low dose (4 U) of BTxA, and the other half was injected with a high dose (8 U). The scars were then evaluated at postoperative 6 months using the modified Stony Brook Scar Evaluation Scale (mSBSES), and patient satisfaction was evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The occurrence of complications or adverse events was also recorded. Twenty patients completed the study and were analyzed. Compared with the low-dose sides, the high-dose sides had significantly better mSBSES scores and significantly higher VAS scores (p < 0.01, respectively). No serious adverse reactions or post-injection complications were observed. Immediately after the operation, high-dose BTxA (that is within the therapeutic range) injection improved the appearance of postoperative scar more than low-dose injection.
Iron polypyridyl complex adsorbed on carbon surfaces for hydrogen generation
Authors: Margonis Caroline M. , Ho Marissa , Travis Benjamin D. , Brennessel William W. , McNamara William R.
Published: July 2021

A napthelene-terminated iron polypyridyl monophenolate catalyst was absorbed onto glassy carbon surfaces for electrocatalytic hydrogen generation.
Pros and cons of the time-dependent hybrid density functional approach for calculating the optical spectra of solids: a case study of CeO2
Authors: Sun Huai-Yang , Li Shuo-Xue , Jiang Hong
Published: July 2021

The calculated absorption peaks of CeO2 show that TDDFT optical spectra are insensitive to the hybrid functionals used.
Gas-phase preparation and the stability of superatomic Nb11O15−
Authors: Lei Xin , Zhang Hanyu , Jia Yuhan , Luo Zhixun
Published: July 2021

Concentration-dependent reactions of pure metal clusters Nbn− with dioxygen give rise to the production of highly stable Nb11O15− with a D5h Nb@Nb10 core fully protected by 15 bridge-oxygen atoms.
Probing reaction processes and reversibility in Earth-abundant Na3FeF6 for Na-ion batteries
Authors: Foley Emily E. , Wong Anthony , Vincent Rebecca C. , Manche Alexis , Zaveri Aryan , Gonzalez-Correa Eliovardo , Ménard Gabriel , Clément Raphaële J.
Published: July 2021

By correlating the observed capacity with the amount NaF identified through 23Na NMR, we have unambiguously shown that Na3FeF6 undergoes conversion to NaF and Fe, despite the metastability of the newly formed Fe nanoparticles.
Temperature sensitivity modulation through changing the vanadium concentration in a La2MgTiO6:V5+,Cr3+double perovskite optical thermometer
Authors: Stefańska Dagmara , Bondzior Bartosz , Vu Thi Hong Quan , Grodzicki Miłosz , Dereń Przemysław J.
Published: July 2021

To fulfil the requirements of operating at low temperature in a harsh environment, the investigation on optical thermometers plays an increasingly important role.
Maximizing metal utilization by coupling cross-linked PtRu multi-atom on an atomically dispersed ZnFeNC support
Authors: Zhou Qiuqun , Li Jia , Yue Mufei , Wang Meng , Guo Lin , Li Yan , Chen Siguo , Wei Zidong
Published: July 2021

Here, we realized the full utilization of Pt and Ru atoms by anchoring the cross-linked PtRu multi-atom on the surface of atomically dispersed Zn, Fe and N tri-doped carbon nanomaterials through Pt–N and Ru–N bonds.
Inducing AC-electroosmotic flow using electric field manipulation with insulators
Authors: Tiflidis C. , Westerbeek Eiko Y. , Jorissen Koen F. A. , Olthuis Wouter , Eijkel Jan C. T. , De Malsche Wim
Published: July 2021

We demonstrate a new method to induce vortices with AC-EOF by shaping insulator materials near parallel electrodes, giving control of vortex organization. Interestingly, non-orthogonality of insulator walls is a requirement to induce AC-EOF.
Seagrass-inspired design of soft photocatalytic sheets based on hydrogel-integrated free-standing 2D nanoassemblies of multifunctional nanohexagons
Authors: Yong Zijun , Yap Lim Wei , Fu Runfang , Shi Qianqian , Guo Zhirui , Cheng Wenlong
Published: July 2021

A novel soft artificial seagrass-like 2D photocatalytic system is demonstrated by designing hydrogel-integrated Au–Pd–CdS multifunctional nanohexagon assemblies for flexible omnidirectional solar-to-chemical conversion.
Integration with MoO3 microrods as precursors for hierarchical polyaniline microtubes and composites for anionic dye removal in water treatment
Authors: Weng Yaoyao , Zheng Jing , Zhang Min
Published: July 2021

PANI microtubes were well constructed with MoO3 microrods as a sacrificing template, and exhibited excellent performance for dye removal. Moreover, the PANI microtubes can be a good support to synthesize multifunctional PANI-based composites.
Miharadienes A–D with unique cyclic skeletons from a marine-derived Streptomyces miharaensis
Authors: Choi Byeoung-Kyu , Cho Duk-Yeon , Choi Dong-Kug , Shin Hee Jae
Published: July 2021

A new type of natural products, miharadienes A–D (1–4), was isolated from the marine-derived Streptomyces miharaensis 151KO-143.
Identifying SARS-CoV-2 antiviral compounds by screening for small molecule inhibitors of nsp15 endoribonuclease
Authors: Canal Berta , Fujisawa Ryo , McClure Allison W. , Deegan Tom D. , Wu Mary , Ulferts Rachel , Weissmann Florian , Drury Lucy S. , Bertolin Agustina P. , Zeng Jingkun , Beale Rupert , Howell Michael , Labib Karim , Diffley John F.X.
Published: July 2021

SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for COVID-19, a human disease that has caused over 2 million deaths, stretched health systems to near-breaking point and endangered economies of countries and families around the world. Antiviral treatments to combat COVID-19 are currently lacking. Remdesivir, the only antiviral drug approved for the treatment of COVID-19, can affect disease severity, but better treatments are needed. SARS-CoV-2 encodes 16 non-structural proteins (nsp) that possess different enzymatic activities with important roles in viral genome replication, transcription and host immune evasion. One key aspect of host immune evasion is performed by the uridine-directed endoribonuclease activity of nsp15. Here we describe the expression and purification of nsp15 recombinant protein. We have developed biochemical assays to follow its activity, and we have found evidence for allosteric behaviour. We screened a custom chemical library of over 5000 compounds to identify nsp15 endoribonuclease inhibitors, and we identified and validated NSC95397 as an inhibitor of nsp15 endoribonuclease in vitro. Although NSC95397 did not inhibit SARS-CoV-2 growth in VERO E6 cells, further studies will be required to determine the effect of nsp15 inhibition on host immune evasion.
Identifying SARS-CoV-2 antiviral compounds by screening for small molecule inhibitors of nsp13 helicase
Authors: Zeng Jingkun , Weissmann Florian , Bertolin Agustina P. , Posse Viktor , Canal Berta , Ulferts Rachel , Wu Mary , Harvey Ruth , Hussain Saira , Milligan Jennifer C. , Roustan Chloe , Borg Annabel , McCoy Laura , Drury Lucy S. , Kjaer Svend , McCauley John , Howell Michael , Beale Rupert , Diffley John F.X.
Published: July 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a global public health challenge. While the efficacy of vaccines against emerging and future virus variants remains unclear, there is a need for therapeutics. Repurposing existing drugs represents a promising and potentially rapid opportunity to find novel antivirals against SARS-CoV-2. The virus encodes at least nine enzymatic activities that are potential drug targets. Here, we have expressed, purified and developed enzymatic assays for SARS-CoV-2 nsp13 helicase, a viral replication protein that is essential for the coronavirus life cycle. We screened a custom chemical library of over 5000 previously characterized pharmaceuticals for nsp13 inhibitors using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based high-throughput screening approach. From this, we have identified FPA-124 and several suramin-related compounds as novel inhibitors of nsp13 helicase activity in vitro. We describe the efficacy of these drugs using assays we developed to monitor SARS-CoV-2 growth in Vero E6 cells.
Structural and calorimetric studies reveal specific determinants for the binding of a high-affinity NLS to mammalian importin-alpha
Authors: de Oliveira Hamine C. , da Silva Tainá D. , Salvador Guilherme H. M. , Moraes Ivan R. , Fukuda Cíntia A. , de Barros Andrea C. , Fontes Marcos R. M.
Published: July 2021

The classical nuclear import pathway is mediated by importin (Impα and Impβ), which recognizes the cargo protein by its nuclear localization sequence (NLS). NLSs have been extensively studied resulting in different proposed consensus; however, recent studies showed that exceptions may occur. This mechanism may be also dependent on specific characteristics of different Impα. Aiming to better understand the importance of specific residues from consensus and adjacent regions of NLSs, we studied different mutations of a high-affinity NLS complexed to Impα by crystallography and calorimetry. We showed that although the consensus sequence allows Lys or Arg residues at the second residue of a monopartite sequence, the presence of Arg is very important to its binding in major and minor sites of Impα. Mutations in the N or C-terminus (position P1 or P6) of the NLS drastically reduces their affinity to the receptor, which is corroborated by the loss of hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. Surprisingly, a mutation in the far N-terminus of the NLS led to an increase in the affinity for both binding sites, corroborated by the structure with an additional hydrogen bond. The binding of NLSs to the human variant Impα1 revealed that these are similar to those found in structures presented here. For human variant Impα3, the bindings are only relevant for the major site. This study increases understanding of specific issues sparsely addressed in previous studies that are important to the task of predicting NLSs, which will be relevant in the eventual design of synthetic NLSs.
Author's overview: identifying SARS-CoV-2 antiviral compounds
Authors: Diffley John F.X.
Published: July 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we began a project in March 2020 to identify small molecule inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 enzymes from a library of chemical compounds containing many established pharmaceuticals. Our hope was that inhibitors we found might slow the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in cells and ultimately be useful in the treatment of COVID-19. The seven accompanying manuscripts describe the results of these chemical screens. This overview summarises the main highlights from these screens and discusses the implications of our results and how our results might be exploited in future.
Improved MBOC modulations based on periodic offset subcarrier
Authors: Zhao Xin , Huang Xinming , Liu Zhe , Xiao Zhibin , Sun Guangfu
Published: July 2021

With the development of global navigation satellite systems, the modernization of global navigation satellite systems has arrived, which takes the binary offset carrier modulation and related evolution as the typical feature. Moreover, the performance of multiplexed binary offset carrier modulation is related to global navigation satellite systems service. In the paper, an improved multiplexed binary offset carrier modulation based on period offset subcarrier was proposed, called MBOC‐POS, where the subcarrier periodic shifting binary offset carrier modulation is used as the lower‐order component instead of sine‐binary offset carrier modulations. Meanwhile, the different implementations of MBOC‐POS modulations are analysed and compared with traditional multiplexed binary offset carrier multiplexed binary offset carrier signals in multipath mitigation, tracking accuracy, anti‐interference and compatibility. By simulation and analysis, the performance of reconstructed MBOC‐POS modulation has been improved. Especially, for the mismatch reception, the Gabor bandwidth increases by 29.5% and the multipath error envelope is reduced by 35% with the filter bandwidth of 10 MHz. Therefore, the multiplexed binary offset carrier MBOC‐POS modulation proposed in the paper can be used as a new option for MBOC modulations and next‐generation signal design.