bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep sequencing shows that accumulation of potentially pathogenic mtDNA mutations rather than mtDNA copy numbers may be associated with early embryonic loss
Authors: Ji Licheng , Liao Tingting , Yang Juan , Su Houming , Song Jianyuan , Qian Kun
Published: July 2020

Purpose

To explore the relationship between mitochondrial DNA quantity and heteroplasmy and early embryonic loss.

Methods

A total of 150 villous samples from patients with spontaneous abortion (SA, n = 75) or induced abortion (IA, n = 75) were collected. qPCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used to test mitochondrial DNA quantity and heteroplasmy. Missense mutations with a CADD score > 15 and heteroplasmy ≥ 70% were defined as potentially pathogenic mutations.

Results

With respect to mitochondrial DNA copy numbers, there was no significant difference between the SA and IA groups (median (IQR), 566 (397–791) vs. 614 (457–739); P = 0.768) or between the euploid and aneuploid groups (median (IQR), 516 (345–730) vs. 599 (423–839); P = 0.107). mtDNA copy numbers were not associated with spontaneous abortion using logistic regression analysis (P = 0.196, 95% CI 1.000–1.001). In addition, more patients harbored possibly pathogenic mtDNA mutations in their chorionic villi in the SA group (70.7%, 53/75) compared with the IA group (54.7%, 41/75; P < 0.05). However, there was no statistical difference between the euploid (80%, 24/30) and aneuploid groups (64.4%, 29/45; p = 0.147).

Conclusion

Early embryonic loss and the formation of aneuploidy were not related to mtDNA copy number. Patients with spontaneous abortion were more likely to have possibly pathogenic mutations in their mtDNA, and this may assist in purifying pathogenic mtDNA. However, whether the accumulation of these potentially morbific mtDNA mutations caused early embryonic loss requires further investigation.
Measuring transverse relaxation in highly paramagnetic systems
Authors: Invernici Michele , Trindade Inês B. , Cantini Francesca , Louro Ricardo O. , Piccioli Mario
Published: July 2020

The enhancement of nuclear relaxation rates due to the interaction with a paramagnetic center (known as Paramagnetic Relaxation Enhancement) is a powerful source of structural and dynamics information, widely used in structural biology. However, many signals affected by the hyperfine interaction relax faster than the evolution periods of common NMR experiments and therefore they are broadened beyond detection. This gives rise to a so-called blind sphere around the paramagnetic center, which is a major limitation in the use of PREs. Reducing the blind sphere is extremely important in paramagnetic metalloproteins. The identification, characterization, and proper structural restraining of the first coordination sphere of the metal ion(s) and its immediate neighboring regions is key to understand their biological function. The novel HSQC scheme we propose here, that we termed R2-weighted, HSQC-AP, achieves this aim by detecting signals that escaped detection in a conventional HSQC experiment and provides fully reliable R2 values in the range of 1H R2 rates ca. 50–400 s−1. Independently on the type of paramagnetic center and on the size of the molecule, this experiment decreases the radius of the blind sphere and increases the number of detectable PREs. Here, we report the validation of this approach for the case of PioC, a small protein containing a high potential 4Fe-4S cluster in the reduced [Fe4S4]2+ form. The blind sphere was contracted to a minimal extent, enabling the measurement of R2 rates for the cluster coordinating residues.
Multidimensional material deprivation in Poland: a focus on changes in 2015–2017
Authors: Dudek Hanna , Szczesny Wiesław
Published: July 2020

The study applies the fuzzy approach to measuring material deprivation from a multidimensional perspective. By taking into account the intensity of deprivation this approach goes beyond the conventional research using the deprived/non-deprived dichotomy. The study is based on the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions data including a set of nine-item material deprivation indicators adopted by all European Union countries. In order to examine the effects of social reforms introduced by the Polish government in 2016, it focuses on the situation of Polish households in 2015 and 2017. The study aims to identify correlates of material deprivation in Poland using the zero-inflated beta regression model. This model enables to understand the mechanisms behind the risk and the intensity of material deprivation. Moreover, the study provides evidence that households with at least three children experienced meaningful improvement during the studied period. This is probably due to the introduction of the ‘Family 500+’ programme supporting mainly large families.
CPT correlations for thermal properties of soils
Authors: Vardon P. J. , Peuchen J.
Published: July 2020

Obtaining in situ thermal properties of soils is often difficult and time-consuming. Here, cone penetration test (CPT) correlations are proposed and validated for thermal properties of saturated ground, i.e. thermal conductivity and volumetric heat capacity, giving continuous profiles of the parameters, in a substantially reduced time. The proposed correlations utilise the characteristics of existing CPT correlations. The volumetric heat capacity correlations show good agreement with laboratory hot disc tests, and the thermal conductivity correlations proved successful for a range of soil types, including organic soils, clays and sands, although with a reasonable scatter. Empirical adjustment was required for the thermal conductivity of soils showing high (normalised) cone resistance. Utilising thermal CPT (T-CPT)-derived thermal conductivity point values in conjunction with the thermal conductivity correlations offers accurate and continuous site-specific profiles.
Dimension reduction for longitudinal multivariate data by optimizing class separation of projected latent Markov models
Authors: Farcomeni Alessio , Ranalli Monia , Viviani Sara
Published: July 2020

We present a method for dimension reduction of multivariate longitudinal data, where new variables are assumed to follow a latent Markov model. New variables are obtained as linear combinations of the multivariate outcome as usual. Weights of each linear combination maximize a measure of separation of the latent intercepts, subject to orthogonality constraints. We evaluate our proposal in a simulation study and illustrate it using an EU-level data set on income and living conditions, where dimension reduction leads to an optimal scoring system for material deprivation. An implementation of our approach can be downloaded from .
Perfectionism and aggression following unintentional, ambiguous, and intentional provocation
Authors: Stoeber Joachim , Hadjivassiliou Anna
Published: July 2020

The social disconnection model of perfectionism posits that perfectionism is positively related to various indicators of social disconnection including hostility and aggression. Recent findings, however, indicate that only other-oriented and socially-prescribed perfectionism are positively related to aggression, not self-oriented perfectionism. The present study (N = 271) further examined the perfectionism–aggression relationships using social vignettes differentiating aggression following unintentional, ambiguous, and intentional provocation. Results showed that – when the overlap between the perfectionism dimensions was controlled – only other-oriented perfectionism showed positive relationships with aggression across provocation situations. In contrast, socially prescribed perfectionism showed a positive relationship only with aggression following unintentional provocation, and self-oriented perfectionism showed a negative relationship. The findings suggest that, whereas people high in self-oriented perfectionism tend to be unaggressive, people high in other-oriented perfectionism have a general tendency toward aggression, and people high in socially prescribed perfectionism show a hostile attribution bias.
Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) and cellular immune response in HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis
Authors: Nozuma Satoshi , Kubota Ryuji , Jacobson Steven
Published: July 2020

Human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). HAM/TSP is an inflammatory disease of the spinal cord and clinically characterized by progressive spastic paraparesis, urinary incontinence, and mild sensory disturbance. The interaction between the host immune response and HTLV-1-infected cells regulates the development of HAM/TSP. HTLV-1 preferentially infects CD4+T cells and is maintained by proliferation of the infected T cells. HTLV-1-infected cells rarely express viral antigens in vivo; however, they easily express the antigens after short-term culture. Therefore, such virus-expressing cells may lead to activation and expansion of antigen-specific T cell responses. Infected T cells with HTLV-1 and HTLV-1-specific CD8+cytotoxic T lymphocytes invade the central nervous system and produce various proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, leading to neuronal damage and degeneration. Therefore, cellular immune responses to HTLV-1 have been considered to play important roles in disease development of HAM/TSP. Recent studies have clarified the viral strategy for persistence in the host through genetic and epigenetic changes by HTLV-1 and host immune responses including T cell function and differentiation. Newly developed animal models could provide the opportunity to uncover the precise pathogenesis and development of clinically effective treatment. Several molecular target drugs are undergoing clinical trials with promising efficacy. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the immunopathogenesis of HAM/TSP and discuss the perspectives of the research on this disease.
Exploring the Hidden Curriculum’s Impact on Medical Students: Professionalism, Identity Formation and the Need for Transparency
Authors: Brown Megan E.L. , Coker Oluwafemi , Heybourne Annabel , Finn Gabrielle M
Published: July 2020

The hidden curriculum within medical education has been a topic of recent debate. Consensus opinion regarding the continued relevance of this term, what constitutes the hidden curriculum, and the nature of its impact do not exist. Further research is required to contribute to this debate. This work sets out to investigate which factors beyond taught cognitive knowledge influence medical students in clinical and educational environments and examine how this occurs. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 39 students from one UK medical school. Fourteen faculty were interviewed individually to triangulate data. Data were analysed using constructivist thematic analysis, informed by grounded theory convention. The presence of the hidden curriculum was clearly demonstrated, acting through role modelling, organizational culture, stereotyping and professional dress. Mentioned frequently were the influences of the hidden curriculum on student professionalism and identity development. Professionalism was perceived as being negatively impacted by the hidden curriculum and seen as an imposition from senior faculty to control students. Students believe medical identity formation begins prior to medical school, in a process known as “anticipatory socialization”, a previously unstudied identity transition. Students felt covert institutional agendas negatively impacted their identity, pushing them further from the identity their institution was encouraging them to acquire. Key messages for educators include the need to explore the hidden curriculum through discussion with students. Improving transparency of organizational culture may allow students to interpret institutional agendas in the way institutions formally intend, reducing orthogonal interpretations of organizational culture and subsequent impact upon identity formation.
Pädagogische Arbeit an Schulen in sozial deprivierter Lage vor dem Hintergrund eigener biografischer Erfahrungen von Lehrkräften
Authors: Rutter Sabrina
Published: July 2020

Der Beitrag widmet sich der Bedeutung der sozialen Herkunft von Lehrkräften bei der Reproduktion sozialer Ungleichheit, die sich in Schulen in sozial deprivierter Lage zuspitzt. Hierzu wird der Frage nachgegangen, welche handlungsleitenden Orientierungen sich bezüglich der Unterstützung sozial benachteiligter SchülerInnen rekonstruieren lassen und inwiefern diese in Verbindung mit eigenen biografischen Erfahrungen stehen. Die Analysen zeigen, dass die pädagogische Arbeit der Lehrkräfte stark mit herkunftsspezifischen Logiken zusammenhängt. Hieraus ergeben sich wichtige Linien der zukünftigen Debatte über Bildungsungleichheit, vor allem in professionstheoretischer Hinsicht.
A novel plausible mechanism of NSAIDs-induced apoptosis in cancer cells: the implication of proline oxidase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
Authors: Kazberuk Adam , Zareba Ilona , Palka Jerzy , Surazynski Arkadiusz
Published: July 2020

Although pharmaco-epidemiological studies provided evidence for the anticancer potential of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the mechanism of their anti-cancer activity is not known. Several lines of evidence suggest that proline dehydrogenase/proline oxidase (PRODH/POX) may represent a target for NSAIDs-dependent anti-cancer activity. PRODH/POX catalyzes conversion of proline into Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate releasing ATP or reactive oxygen species for autophagy/apoptosis. Since NSAIDs are ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs) and PPARs are implicated in PRODH/POX-dependent apoptosis we provided a hypothesis on the mechanism of NSAIDs-induced apoptosis in cancer cells.
Eine religionspsychologische Perspektive auf Besessenheit: Die Studie von Traugott Konstantin Oesterreich (1921) und ihre heutige Relevanz
Authors: Demmrich Sarah
Published: July 2020

Der Psychologe Traugott Konstantin Oesterreich (1880–1949) gilt mit seinem Interesse an religiösen Erfahrungen als einer der Pioniere der Kultur- und Religionspsychologie. Neben Glossolalie (Zungenrede) und parapsychologischen Phänomenen (z. B. Geistererscheinungen) behandelte er ganz zentral Besessenheitszustände. In seinen früheren Werken geht er – in Anlehnung an französische Psychopathologen wie Pierre Janet – von einer Persönlichkeitsspaltung aus, die der Besessenheit zugrunde läge. Mit dieser bricht Oesterreich jedoch auf Basis seiner Einsichten zur Phänomenologie des Ich und belegt inDie Besessenheit(1921) anhand zahlreicher internationaler Dokumente seine These der Besessenheit als zwangs- und gefühlsmäßigen Imitationszustand, wobei dissoziative Zustände nicht nur Ursache (z. B. Depersonalisation, Derealisation), sondern auch Folge des Besessenheitsanfalls seien (z. B. Amnesie). Oesterreichs Studie zur Besessenheit bleibt gerade im Kontext einer erhöhten Nachfrage an Exorzismen in einigen europäischen Ländern hochrelevant. Heutige Studien zur Besessenheit betonen negative Auswirkungen von Exorzismen für die psychische Gesundheit von Menschen mit dissoziativen Störungen. Aus diesem Grund sollte es Anliegen zukünftiger Forschung sein, therapeutische Modelle weiterzuentwickeln, die stärker auf die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Psychotherapeuten und unterstützenden Seelsorgern abzielen.
No prognostic significance of normalized copy number of PML-RARA transcript at diagnosis in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Rasekh Eman O. , Elsayed Ghada M. , Fathy Sherouk
Published: July 2020

Background:

Acute promyelocytic leukemia is a peculiar disease with few studies that have investigated the prognostic significance of PML/RARA transcript level at diagnosis.

Patients and methods:

This retrospective study included all cases diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia over the period from June 2015 to March 2019. The normalized copy number (NCN) was tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction at diagnosis, and at the end of induction regimen.

Results:

Our study included 83 de novo APL patients, 53 (63.9%) were adults and 30 (36.1%) were children. The median (range) age of our patients was 28.0 (1.0–70.0) years. The pediatric group had a significantly higher prevalence in males (p = 0.02), higher incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (p = 0.014), and high-risk groups (p = 0.017). At diagnosis, the median NCN (%) of the entire group at 22.5 was set as the cut off value. There was no significant association between NCN at diagnosis and other prognostic variables except for bone marrow promyelocytes (p = 0.006). High-risk group APL patients as well as those presenting with hemorrhage had an inferior overall survival (OS) (p = 0.007; p < 0.001) respectively. PML-RARA NCN at diagnosis did not have an impact on the OS or increased risk of relapse of our patients (p = 0.434; p = 0.721).

Conclusion:

the initial PML/RARA tumor burden is not a prognostic factor for APL. The initial TLC at 10×109/L cut off is the most important predictive for OS. Early detection and close monitoring are required to decrease the high rate of early deaths in developing countries.
Coaching to Teach: Preservice Social Studies Teachers’ Experiences with a Hiring Contingency
Authors: Conner Caroline J. , Bohan Chara Haeussler
Published: July 2020

Social studies teachers are frequently athletic coaches who are often criticized for prioritizing coaching over teaching. The purpose of this study is to investigate the experiences of preservice social studies teachers regarding the relationship between coaching and teaching with respect to hiring in middle and secondary schools. The researchers employed phenomenological research methods to investigate the hiring experiences of social studies teacher candidates. Survey and interview data were collected from social studies teacher candidates at the three largest universities in a southeastern state. Results illuminate a pervasive coaching contingency that many social studies teacher candidates face. Social studies teacher candidates perceived that willingness to coach a sport is the most important factor, other than teaching, to be hired to teach—particularly at the high school level.
Avoiding the most common vulnerability-management pitfalls
Authors: Lim Mieng
Published: July 2020

Vulnerability management (VM) can seem unmanageable at times. But the key to successful VM is working smarter rather than harder. If you approach VM intelligently and prioritise appropriately, you can keep the number of resulting tasks from spiralling out of control.

Vulnerability management (VM) can seem unmanageable at times. But the key to successful VM is working smarter rather than harder.

Often the devil is in the details as well as the larger processes. That's why it's good practice to step back and evaluate your vulnerability-management programme from end to end. If you approach VM intelligently and prioritise appropriately, you can keep the number of resulting tasks from spiralling out of control, argues Mieng Lim of Digital Defense.
Open source and security: why transparency now equals strength
Authors: Murray Dale
Published: July 2020

Open source software is not a new phenomenon, having been around in some form for more than two decades. Open source (where the source code is released under a licence that grants users the right to study, change and distribute the software) is usually developed in a collaborative public manner. As there are no licence fees associated with it, the short-, medium- and long-term costs of ownership are almost always considerably less than those associated with proprietary software.
The ‘dark data’ conundrum
Authors: Hobart Mark
Published: July 2020

Unstructured ‘dark' data is both an opportunity and a threat to every business. How your organisation manages this unique category of data will potentially define its chances of success or failure over the years to come. This article explores the risk and opportunity inherent in dark data and suggests ways of enhancing your organisation's approach to managing this enigmatic data type.

Unstructured dark data is both an opportunity and a threat to every business. How your organisation manages this data will potentially define its chances of success or failure over the years to come.

Given the potential afforded by illuminating dark data, it is worth looking at the value of your own dark data and what you can do to reduce the long-term cost of hoarding data of no value, mitigate the risks of a data breach, drive efficiencies in business processing, prepare your organisation to exploit AI, increase your competitiveness and deliver tangible improvements in services, says Mark Hobart of Infoboss.
Latin UNUS and the discourse properties of unity cardinals
Authors: Schaden Gerhard
Published: July 2020

This article investigates the discourse behaviour of Latinunus(‘one’) in theVulgate, in order to better understand the starting point of the grammaticalization process ultimately leading to an indefinite article. To this end, I will study unity cardinals in general, focusing particularly on Englishone. Empirically, it will be shown thatunusbehaved like a unity cardinal in late Latin, without showing any clear sign of ongoing grammaticalization towards an indefinite article. I will try to explain the discursive behaviour of unity cardinals with reference toantipresuppositions, within the framework of thegame of same and different. Finally, I will sketch how the results fit within the general picture of the incipient grammaticalization of indefinite articles, by providing an account of so far unexplained scope phenomena.
Predictor: The First Home Pregnancy Test
Authors: Olszynko-Gryn Jesse
Published: July 2020

This essay uses Predictor, the first home pregnancy test, to reexamine the doctor-patient relationship in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s, a tumultuous period associated with permissiveness, women's liberation, and the erosion of medical authority. It shows how the rise of self-testing contributed to a realignment of the power dynamics among women, doctors, and pharmacists. It argues that the humble home pregnancy test kit merits a place—alongside the birth control pill and abortion law reform—in histories of health consumerism and reproductive choice in the twentieth century.
PRIME AND SEMIPRIME QUANTUM LINEAR SPACE SMASH PRODUCTS
Authors: GADDIS JASON
Published: July 2020

Bosonizations of quantum linear spaces are a large class of pointed Hopf algebras that include the Taft algebras and their generalizations. We give conditions for the smash product of an associative algebra with a bosonization of a quantum linear space to be (semi)prime. These are then used to determine (semi)primeness of certain smash products with quantum affine spaces. This extends Bergen’s work on Taft algebras.
Early environmental risk factors for neurodevelopmental disorders – a systematic review of twin and sibling studies
Authors: Carlsson Torkel , Molander Felix , Taylor Mark J. , Jonsson Ulf , Bölte Sven
Published: July 2020

While neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are highly heritable, several environmental risk factors have also been suggested. However, the role of familial confounding is unclear. To shed more light on this, we reviewed the evidence from twin and sibling studies. A systematic review was performed on case control and cohort studies including a twin or sibling within-pair comparison of neurodevelopmental outcomes, with environmental exposures until the sixth birthday. From 7,315 screened abstracts, 140 eligible articles were identified. After adjustment for familial confounding advanced paternal age, low birth weight, birth defects, and perinatal hypoxia and respiratory stress were associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and low birth weight, gestational age and family income were associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), categorically and dimensionally. Several previously suspected factors, including pregnancy-related factors, were deemed due to familial confounding. Most studies were conducted in North America and Scandinavia, pointing to a global research bias. Moreover, most studies focused on ASD and ADHD. This genetically informed review showed evidence for a range of environmental factors of potential casual significance in NDDs, but also points to a critical need of more genetically informed studies of good quality in the quest of the environmental causes of NDDs.
Different Routes, Same Effects
Authors: Allemand Mathias , Flückiger Christoph
Published: July 2020

Abstract. In the field of forgiveness interventions, little research has been done on the comparative effects of learning-oriented versus action-oriented routes in managing unresolved interpersonal transgressions. In this study, 73 older adults ( M = 68.8 years) were randomized to either a learning-oriented group intervention condition that emphasized learning factors by helping older adults to understand the transgression in a more adaptive way; or to an action-oriented group intervention condition that emphasized action factors by helping older adults to practice new behaviors and skills to manage the transgression. The findings indicated that both conditions resulted in decreases in revenge, transgression-related thoughts and feelings, negative affect, and psychological distress as well as increases in life satisfaction. We were able to demonstrate that both routes are equally effective in reducing negative states and producing positive states.
Development of a Daily Use Caregiver Sleep Survey (DUCSS)
Authors: Hughes Jennifer Christine , Romine William , Banerjee Tanvi , Goodman Garrett , Edwards Abby , Hughes John Gregory , Lawhorne Larry
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Dementia caregiving is associated with depression, stress, and sleep disturbance. A daily use caregiver sleep survey (DUCSS) was developed to evaluate caregiver sleep. The tool was distributed to 24 informal caregivers and validated using the Rasch model, which indicated that the 17-item survey produced sleep quality measures of sufficient reliability for both group-level and individual-level comparisons (reliability = .87). The sample size was sufficient to provide precise measures of the item’s position along the scale (item difficulty) (reliability = .85), so outcomes associated with sleep quality levels could be evaluated. We observed that the structure of the instrument is unidimensional, meaning the wording does not contain systematic biases peripheral to sleep quality. DUCSS is a useful tool for caregiver assessment and monitoring.
Gefahren psychiatrischer Behandlung von Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Schoßmaier Gerhard
Published: July 2020

Zusammenfassung. Bereits in den 1950er Jahren ergaben Untersuchungen, dass die Betreuung von Kindern in Krankenhäusern nicht den altersentsprechenden Bedürfnissen entspricht. Insbesondere die Trennung der Kinder von ihren Familien wirkt sich unterschiedlich stark auf die Entwicklung eines Kindes aus und kann schwerwiegende emotionale Störungen zur Folge haben. 1988 trafen sich zwölf Organisationen (Selbsthilfegruppen aus verschiedenen europäischen Ländern) zur ersten Europäischen Konferenz im niederländischen Leiden, wo auch die „Leiden Charta“ (heute EACH Charta) ausgearbeitet wurde. 1993 erfolgte die Gründung der European Association for Children in Hospital (EACH) als Dachverband gemeinnütziger Organisationen, die sich für das Wohl kranker Kinder und die Umsetzung der EACH Charta einsetzen. Dieser Artikel geht der Frage nach, welche Gefahren sich für Kinder und Jugendliche im Zusammenhang mit psychiatrischer, speziell stationärer, Behandlung und Pflege ergeben können. Ziel ist es, mögliche Gefährdungen zu identifizieren und diese zu verhindern.
Accessibility and Fieldwork in the Time of Coronavirus
Authors: Sima Richard
Published: July 2020

Fieldwork in the geosciences is increasingly relying on groundwork laid by accessibility advocates.
Calculation of the Atomic Oxygen Fluence on the Van Allen Probes
Authors: Schumm G. , Bonnell J. W. , Wygant J. R. , Mozer F. S.
Published: July 2020

The Van Allen Probes Mission consists of two identical spacecraft flying in highly elliptical orbits, with perigee altitudes originally near 600 km. During the low‐altitude periods of the orbits, the spacecrafts are immersed in a region of high‐density atomic oxygen. Atomic oxygen is known to change and degrade the properties of spacecraft surfaces (Banks et al., 2004), such as those of the Van Allen Probes Electric Field and Waves (EFW) instrument. The consistency of the sensor surfaces in EFW is important because the mechanisms used to ensure the collection of high‐quality electric field measurements requires that the photoemission properties of each sensor are uniform and stable. Oxidation or erosion of the sensor surfaces could limit the instrument's ability to balance the currents produced by both the plasma electrons and the controlled bias current applied to the sensors and thus to properly operate the device. We have modeled the atomic oxygen exposure to the spacecraft to help understand the potential impact it has had on the sensors. We have calculated the fluence (time‐integrated flux) of atomic oxygen particles that have collided with the spacecrafts over the entire course of the mission. We have also looked at the distribution of atomic oxygen flux over time to further analyze malfunctions in the sensor readings at different points along the course of the mission. Additionally, we have investigated how different surfaces of the spacecraft are affected differently due to their orientation with respect to the spacecraft's motion.
Development and Verification of a Three‐Dimensional Variably Saturated Flow Model for Assessment of Future Global Water Resources
Authors: Miura Yosuke , Yoshimura Kei
Published: July 2020

Global water resource assessment has been conducted primarily for surface water and shallow groundwater (unconfined aquifers). Groundwater is a major water resource worldwide. Nevertheless, future water resource assessment integrating surface water and groundwater has not been carried out at the global scale. Large grid sizes are used in global‐scale models due to computer resource constraints. Underground, the unsaturated zone that connects surface water and groundwater is expressed using a vertically one‐dimensional grid of fixed size. However, the thickness of the unsaturated zone varies greatly between dry and humid areas, and future unsaturated zone conditions may differ from those at present due to climate change. In addition, for mountainous areas with steep slopes, representing the unsaturated zone in one vertical dimension is a major limitation. We believe that such a representation causes difficulty in adequately expressing underground water flow and thus introduces uncertainties into future prediction results. In this study, we developed a code to represent variably saturated flow with groundwater storativity in three dimensions based on physical equations, which can be used as references for parameterization in the future. To confirm the accuracy of this code, we verified it using vertical one‐ and two‐dimensional infiltration problems, a three‐dimensional groundwater pumping problem, hillslope problem, and water balance. The code achieved reliable results for each problem.
Space Weather Monitor at the L5 Point: A Case Study of a CME Observed with STEREO B
Authors: Rodriguez L. , Scolini C. , Mierla M. , Zhukov A. N. , West M. J.
Published: July 2020

An important location for future space weather monitoring is the Lagrange point 5 (L5) of the Sun‐Earth system. We test the performance of L5 for space weather monitoring using STEREO B observations of an Earth‐directed coronal mass ejection (CME), seen as a partial halo by SOHO at L1. STEREO B (located close to L5) continuously tracked the CME. By using these data in combination with methods to calculate the CME arrival time at the Earth (extrapolation, drag‐based model, and a magnetohydrodynamic model), we demonstrate that the estimation of the CME arrival time can be drastically improved by adding L5 data. Based on the L1 data alone, one could predict that the CME would arrive at the Earth. Using only the L5 data, one would not expect an arrival, as the estimations of the CME 3‐D configuration is uncertain. The combination of L1 and L5 data leads to an ambiguous prediction of the CME arrival due to low CME brightness in L1 data. To obtain an unambiguous prediction, one needs its 3‐D configuration, from observing the CME material close to the plane of the sky from at least two viewpoints (in this case L5 and, coincidentally, L4). This event demonstrates that L1 observations may be better to determine CME arrival, but L5 observations are superior for constraining arrival time. In this work, the advantages and caveats of using data from a space weather monitor at L5 for predicting interplanetary propagation of CMEs are discussed and demonstrated in a direct case study.
Metabolic signaling in T cells
Authors: Shyer Justin A. , Flavell Richard A. , Bailis Will
Published: July 2020

The maintenance of organismal homeostasis requires partitioning and transport of biochemical molecules between organ systems, their composite cells, and subcellular organelles. Although transcriptional programming undeniably defines the functional state of cells and tissues, underlying biochemical networks are intricately intertwined with transcriptional, translational, and post-translational regulation. Studies of the metabolic regulation of immunity have elegantly illustrated this phenomenon. The cells of the immune system interface with a diverse set of environmental conditions. Circulating immune cells perfuse peripheral organs in the blood and lymph, patrolling for pathogen invasion. Resident immune cells remain in tissues and play more newly appreciated roles in tissue homeostasis and immunity. Each of these cell populations interacts with unique and dynamic tissue environments, which vary greatly in biochemical composition. Furthermore, the effector response of immune cells to a diverse set of activating cues requires unique cellular adaptations to supply the requisite biochemical landscape. In this review, we examine the role of spatial partitioning of metabolic processes in immune function. We focus on studies of lymphocyte metabolism, with reference to the greater immunometabolism literature when appropriate to illustrate this concept.
Subnanometer-resolution structure determination in situ by hybrid subtomogram averaging - single particle cryo-EM
Authors: Sanchez Ricardo M. , Zhang Yingyi , Chen Wenbo , Dietrich Lea , Kudryashev Mikhail
Published: July 2020

Cryo-electron tomography combined with subtomogram averaging (StA) has yielded high-resolution structures of macromolecules in their native context. However, high-resolution StA is not commonplace due to beam-induced sample drift, images with poor signal-to-noise ratios (SNR), challenges in CTF correction, and limited particle number. Here we address these issues by collecting tilt series with a higher electron dose at the zero-degree tilt. Particles of interest are then located within reconstructed tomograms, processed by conventional StA, and then re-extracted from the high-dose images in 2D. Single particle analysis tools are then applied to refine the 2D particle alignment and generate a reconstruction. Use of our hybrid StA (hStA) workflow improved the resolution for tobacco mosaic virus from 7.2 to 4.4 Å and for the ion channel RyR1 in crowded native membranes from 12.9 to 9.1 Å. These resolution gains make hStA a promising approach for other StA projects aimed at achieving subnanometer resolution.
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis in a mouse model deciphers cell transition states in the multistep development of esophageal cancer
Authors: Yao Jiacheng , Cui Qionghua , Fan Wenyi , Ma Yuling , Chen Yamei , Liu Tianyuan , Zhang Xiannian , Xi Yiyi , Wang Chengcheng , Peng Linna , Luo Yingying , Lin Ai , Guo Wenjia , Lin Lin , Lin Yuan , Tan Wen , Lin Dongxin , Wu Chen , Wang Jianbin
Published: July 2020

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is prevalent in some geographical regions of the world. ESCC development presents a multistep pathogenic process from inflammation to invasive cancer; however, what is critical in these processes and how they evolve is largely unknown, obstructing early diagnosis and effective treatment. Here, we create a mouse model mimicking human ESCC development and construct a single-cell ESCC developmental atlas. We identify a set of key transitional signatures associated with oncogenic evolution of epithelial cells and depict the landmark dynamic tumorigenic trajectories. An early downregulation of CD8+ response against the initial tissue damage accompanied by the transition of immune response from type 1 to type 3 results in accumulation and activation of macrophages and neutrophils, which may create a chronic inflammatory environment that promotes carcinogen-transformed epithelial cell survival and proliferation. These findings shed light on how ESCC is initiated and developed.
Quantum walks and Dirac cellular automata on a programmable trapped-ion quantum computer
Authors: Huerta Alderete C. , Singh Shivani , Nguyen Nhung H. , Zhu Daiwei , Balu Radhakrishnan , Monroe Christopher , Chandrashekar C. M. , Linke Norbert M.
Published: July 2020

The quantum walk formalism is a widely used and highly successful framework for modeling quantum systems, such as simulations of the Dirac equation, different dynamics in both the low and high energy regime, and for developing a wide range of quantum algorithms. Here we present the circuit-based implementation of a discrete-time quantum walk in position space on a five-qubit trapped-ion quantum processor. We encode the space of walker positions in particular multi-qubit states and program the system to operate with different quantum walk parameters, experimentally realizing a Dirac cellular automaton with tunable mass parameter. The quantum walk circuits and position state mapping scale favorably to a larger model and physical systems, allowing the implementation of any algorithm based on discrete-time quantum walks algorithm and the dynamics associated with the discretized version of the Dirac equation.
Mitochondrial dynamics quantitatively revealed by STED nanoscopy with an enhanced squaraine variant probe
Authors: Yang Xusan , Yang Zhigang , Wu Zhaoyang , He Ying , Shan Chunyan , Chai Peiyuan , Ma Chenshuo , Tian Mi , Teng Junlin , Jin Dayong , Yan Wei , Das Pintu , Qu Junle , Xi Peng
Published: July 2020

Mitochondria play a critical role in generating energy to support the entire lifecycle of biological cells, yet it is still unclear how their morphological structures evolve to regulate their functionality. Conventional fluorescence microscopy can only provide ~300 nm resolution, which is insufficient to visualize mitochondrial cristae. Here, we developed an enhanced squaraine variant dye (MitoESq-635) to study the dynamic structures of mitochondrial cristae in live cells with a superresolution technique. The low saturation intensity and high photostability of MitoESq-635 make it ideal for long-term, high-resolution (stimulated emission depletion) STED nanoscopy. We performed time-lapse imaging of the mitochondrial inner membrane over 50 min (3.9 s per frame, with 71.5 s dark recovery) in living HeLa cells with a resolution of 35.2 nm. The forms of the cristae during mitochondrial fusion and fission can be clearly observed. Our study demonstrates the emerging capability of optical STED nanoscopy to investigate intracellular physiological processes with nanoscale resolution for an extended period of time.
An artificial intelligence-aided virtual screening recipe for two-dimensional materials discovery
Authors: Sorkun Murat Cihan , Astruc Séverin , Koelman J. M. Vianney A. , Er Süleyman
Published: July 2020

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) methods have prominently proven their use in solving complex problems. Across science and engineering disciplines, the data-driven approach has become the fourth and newest paradigm. It is the burgeoning of findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) data generated by the first three paradigms of experiment, theory, and simulation that has enabled the application of AI methods for the scientific discovery and engineering of compounds and materials. Here, we introduce a recipe for a data-driven strategy to speed up the virtual screening of two-dimensional (2D) materials and to accelerate the discovery of new candidates with targeted physical and chemical properties. As a proof of concept, we generate new 2D candidate materials covering an extremely large compositional space, downselect 316,505 likely stable 2D materials, and predict the key physical properties of these new 2D candidates. Finally, we hone in on the most propitious candidates of functional 2D materials for energy conversion and storage.
Humoral immune response to tick-borne encephalitis vaccination in allogeneic blood and marrow graft recipients
Authors: Harrison Nicole , Grabmeier-Pfistershammer Katharina , Graf Alexandra , Schwarzinger Ilse , Aberle Judith H. , Stiasny Karin , Greinix Hildegard , Rabitsch Werner , Kalhs Peter , Ramharter Michael , Burgmann Heinz , Forstner Christina
Published: July 2020

The aim of this prospective study was to characterize the humoral immune response to TBE vaccination after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Nineteen adult patients 11–13 months after HSCT and 15 age-matched immunocompetent adults received up to three TBE vaccinations. Antibodies against TBE virus were measured by neutralization test (NT). As primary endpoint, the antibody response (NT titer of ≥10 and at least a twofold increase from baseline 4 weeks after second vaccination) was compared between patients and controls using Fisher exact test. Prior vaccination, 15 (79%) HSCT patients still had detectable neutralizing antibodies. At primary endpoint, the antibody response was significantly lower in patients than in controls (35% versus 93%; p < 0.001). The CD4+ cell count was a predictor for an antibody response in patients (p = 0.019). Interestingly, the majority of HSCT patients still had detectable antibodies prior vaccination. Following vaccination, antibody response in HSCT patients was associated with the CD4+ cell count.
Nitrogen-rich graphitic-carbon@graphene as a metal-free electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Begum Halima , Ahmed Mohammad Shamsuddin , Kim Young-Bae
Published: July 2020

The metal-free nitrogen-doped graphitic-carbon@graphene (Ng-C@G) is prepared from a composite of polyaniline and graphene by a facile polymerization following by pyrolysis for electrochemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Pyrolysis creates a sponge-like with ant-cave-architecture in the polyaniline derived nitrogenous graphitic-carbon on graphene. The nitrogenous carbon is highly graphitized and most of the nitrogen atoms are in graphitic and pyridinic forms with less oxygenated is found when pyrolyzed at 800 °C. The electrocatalytic activity of Ng-C@G-800 is even better than the benchmarked Pt/C catalyst resulting in the higher half-wave potential (8 mV) and limiting current density (0.74 mA cm−2) for ORR in alkaline medium. Higher catalytic performance is originated from the special porous structure at microscale level and the abundant graphitic- and pyridinic-N active sites at the nanoscale level on carbon-graphene matrix which are beneficial to the high O2-mass transportation to those accessible sites. Also, it possesses a higher cycle stability resulting in the negligible potential shift and slight oxidation of pyridinic-N with better tolerance to the methanol.
VEGF is an autocrine/paracrine neuroprotective factor for injured retinal ganglion neurons
Authors: Froger Nicolas , Matonti Frédéric , Roubeix Christophe , Forster Valérie , Ivkovic Ivana , Brunel Nadège , Baudouin Christophe , Sahel José-Alain , Picaud Serge
Published: July 2020

Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF) is the angiogenic factor promoting the pathological neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or diabetic macular edema (DME). Evidences have suggested a neurotrophic and neuroprotective role of VEGF, albeit in retina, cellular mechanisms underlying the VEGF neuroprotection remain elusive. Using purified adult retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in culture, we demonstrated here that VEGF is released by RGCs themselves to promote their own survival, while VEGF neutralization by specific antibodies or traps drastically reduced the RGC survival. These results indicate an autocrine VEGF neuroprotection on RGCs. In parallel, VEGF produced by mixed retinal cells or by mesenchymal stem cells exerted a paracrine neuroprotection on RGCs. Such neuroprotective effect was obtained using the recombinant VEGF-B, suggesting the involvement of VEGF-R1 pathway in VEGF-elicited RGC survival. Finally, glaucomatous patients injected with VEGF traps (ranibizumab or aflibercept) due to either AMD or DME comorbidity, showed a significant reduction of RGC axon fiber layer thickness, consistent with the plausible reduction of the VEGF autocrine stimulation of RGCs. Our results provide evidence of the autocrine neuroprotective function of VEGF on RGCs is crucially involved to preserve injured RGCs such as in glaucomatous patients.
Publisher Correction: The prospect of rising in rank is key to long-term stability in Tibetan macaque society
Authors: Sun Lixing , Xia Dong-Po , Sun Shine , Sheeran Lori K. , Li Jin-Hua
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Programmable electronic synapse and nonvolatile resistive switches using MoS2 quantum dots
Authors: Thomas Anna , Resmi A. N. , Ganguly Akash , Jinesh K. B.
Published: July 2020

Brain-inspired computation that mimics the coordinated functioning of neural networks through multitudes of synaptic connections is deemed to be the future of computation to overcome the classical von Neumann bottleneck. The future artificial intelligence circuits require scalable electronic synapse (e-synapses) with very high bit densities and operational speeds. In this respect, nanostructures of two-dimensional materials serve the purpose and offer the scalability of the devices in lateral and vertical dimensions. In this work, we report the nonvolatile bipolar resistive switching and neuromorphic behavior of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) quantum dots (QD) synthesized using liquid-phase exfoliation method. The ReRAM devices exhibit good resistive switching with an On–Off ratio of 104, with excellent endurance and data retention at a smaller read voltage as compared to the existing MoS2 based memory devices. Besides, we have demonstrated the e-synapse based on MoS2 QD. Similar to our biological synapse, Paired Pulse Facilitation / Depression of short-term memory has been observed in these MoS2 QD based e-synapse devices. This work suggests that MoS2 QD has potential applications in ultra-high-density storage as well as artificial intelligence circuitry in a cost-effective way.