bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Observation of intra- and intermolecular vibrational coherences of the aqueous tryptophan radical induced by photodetachment
Authors: Bin Mohd Yusof Muhammad Shafiq , Debnath Tushar , Loh Zhi-Heng
Published: October 2021

The study of the photodetachment of amino acids in aqueous solution is pertinent to the understanding of elementary processes that follow the interaction of ionizing radiation with biological matter. In the case of tryptophan, the tryptophan radical that is produced by electron ejection also plays an important role in numerous redox reactions in biology, although studies of its ultrafast molecular dynamics are limited. Here, we employ femtosecond optical pump–probe spectroscopy to elucidate the ultrafast structural rearrangement dynamics that accompany the photodetachment of the aqueous tryptophan anion by intense, ∼5-fs laser pulses. The observed vibrational wave packet dynamics, in conjunction with density functional theory calculations, identify the vibrational modes of the tryptophan radical, which participate in structural rearrangement upon photodetachment. Aside from intramolecular vibrational modes, our results also point to the involvement of intermolecular modes that drive solvent reorganization about the N–H moiety of the indole sidechain. Our study offers new insight into the ultrafast molecular dynamics of ionized biomolecules and suggests that the present experimental approach can be extended to investigate the photoionization- or photodetachment-induced structural dynamics of larger biomolecules.
Investigation of carrier transport and collection characteristics for GaAs-based betavoltaic batteries
Authors: Zheng Renzhou , Wang Yu , Lu Jingbin , Li Xiaoyi , Chen Ziyi , Zhang Xue , Zhang Yuehui , Zeng Yugang , Liang Lei , Qin Li , Chen Yongyi , Liu Yumin
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a simulation model to predict the performance of GaAs-based betavoltaic batteries with a p–n junction structure, in which the carrier transport and collection characteristics were studied. First, the electron–hole pair generation rate in the GaAs material under the irradiation of a 63Ni source was calculated using the Monte Carlo codes. Furthermore, by simulating the energy band structure, electric field distribution, and current density distribution in batteries with the finite element analysis software COMSOL Multiphysics, we analyzed the effects of structure parameters on the output performance. Our simulation results showed that the short-circuit current density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc), maximum output power density (Pm), and energy conversion efficiency (η) of the batteries are significantly affected by the thicknesses and doping concentrations of the p-region and n-region (Hp-GaAs, Hn-GaAs, Na, and Nd). The optimized GaAs-based battery with an Hp-GaAs value of 0.1 μm, an Hn-GaAs value of 9.9 μm, an Na value of 3.98 × 1016 cm−3, and an Nd value of 1 × 1015 cm−3 can achieve a Pm value of 0.080 μW/cm2. The related Jsc, Voc, and η values are 0.234 μA/cm2, 0.49 V, and 1.55%, respectively. When the top and bottom heavily doped layers are introduced, the Pm value of the battery is enhanced by 7.5% compared to that of the battery without heavily doped layers due to the formed drift fields.
Some coordinate transformations relevant to refractive indices
Authors: Weng Zi-Hua
Published: October 2021

This paper focuses on applying the algebra of octonions to study some coordinate transformations in octonion spaces, exploring the contribution of partial field potential on the speed of light. Maxwell was the first to introduce the quaternions to describe the physical properties of electromagnetic fields. Nowadays, the octonions can be applied to study simultaneously the physical quantities of electromagnetic and gravitational fields, including the transformation between two coordinate systems. In the octonion space, the radius vector can be combined with the integrating function of field potential to become one composite radius vector. The latter is considered as the radius vector in an octonion composite space, which belongs to the function spaces. In the octonion composite space, when there is a relative motion between two coordinate systems, it is capable of deducing the Galilean-like transformation and Lorentz-like transformation. From the two transformations, one can achieve not only the influence of relative speed on the speed of light (or Sagnac effect) but also the impact of partial electromagnetic potential on the speed of light. The study states that the partial electromagnetic potential has a direct influence on the speed of light in the optical waveguides, revealing several influencing factors of refractive indices in the optical waveguides.
Structural and mechanistic insights into the complexes formed by
Wolbachia
cytoplasmic incompatibility factors
Authors: Xiao Yunjie , Chen Hongli , Wang Haofeng , Zhang Mengwen , Chen Xia , Berk Jason M. , Zhang Lilin , Wei Yi , Li Wenling , Cui Wen , Wang Fenghua , Wang Qianfan , Cui Can , Li Ting , Chen Cheng , Ye Sheng , Zhang Lei , Ji Xiaoyun , Huang Jinhai , Wang Wei , Wang Zefang , Hochstrasser Mark , Yang Haitao
Published: October 2021

Significance

Mosquito-borne diseases cause more than 700,000 deaths annually.
Wolbachia pipientis
, an intracellular bacterium infecting many insect species, can manipulate host reproduction through cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and is being used in several promising strategies for controlling mosquito populations and reducing the spread of mosquito-vectored viruses. Although the key factors involved in CI (called CI factors or Cifs) have been identified, the molecular mechanisms of CI induction and rescue remain elusive. We present comprehensive structural, biochemical, and functional studies on two major types of CI systems and demonstrate the importance of Cif complex formation for rescuing CI. Our findings lay the foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms of CI and the engineering of Cifs to control agricultural pests and arthropod-borne human pathogens.
Integrated spatial multiomics reveals fibroblast fate during tissue repair
Authors: Foster Deshka S. , Januszyk Michael , Yost Kathryn E. , Chinta Malini S. , Gulati Gunsagar S. , Nguyen Alan T. , Burcham Austin R. , Salhotra Ankit , Ransom R. Chase , Henn Dominic , Chen Kellen , Mascharak Shamik , Tolentino Karen , Titan Ashley L. , Jones R. Ellen , da Silva Oscar , Leavitt W. Tripp , Marshall Clement D. , des Jardins-Park Heather E. , Hu Michael S. , Wan Derrick C. , Wernig Gerlinde , Wagh Dhananjay , Coller John , Norton Jeffrey A. , Gurtner Geoffrey C. , Newman Aaron M. , Chang Howard Y. , Longaker Michael T.
Published: October 2021

Significance

In the skin, tissue injury results in fibrosis in the form of a scar composed of dense extracellular matrix deposited by fibroblasts. Therapies that promote tissue regeneration rather than fibrosis remain elusive because principles of fibroblast programming and response to injury remain incompletely understood. Here, we present a multimodal -omics platform for the study of cell populations in complex tissue, which has allowed us to characterize wound healing fibroblasts across both time and space. We identify functionally distinct fibroblast subpopulations and track cell fate during the response to wounding. We demonstrate that populations of fibroblasts migrate, proliferate, and differentiate in an adaptive response to disruption of their environment. These results illustrate fundamental principles underlying the cellular response to tissue injury.
Research on fabrication method for floating structures using general photolithography with high versatility
Authors: Horade M , Yamada K , Yamawaki T , Yashima M
Published: October 2021

This research reports a micro-fabrication method for plastic microscale structures. Although a stepped shape, such as a cantilever, can be fabricated by micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) deep etching technology, its disadvantages include the complicated fabrication process and its limited utilization with silicon only. Therefore, in this study, with an aim to address the aforementioned problems, we have realized the fabrication of a multi-stage structure using just a general photolithography process with high versatility. Specifically, it can be manufactured using only SU-8 resist and AZ resist, which are often used in the MEMS process. The AZ resist has the advantage of dissolving in the developer of the SU-8 resist, whether exposed or non-exposed. Thus, the sacrificial layer of AZ resist can be implemented with the SU-8 developer, thereby eliminating the need for dangerous chemicals such as hydrofluoric acid, which is used to etch silicon oxide. Herein, we have derived the optimum conditions by considering in advance the thickness of the AZ resist, the time taken to be etched in SU-8, and the desired features. Based on these optimum processing conditions, the structure could be suspended only in the region where the hole array was patterned. Although methods of using AZ resist as a sacrificial layer and floating SU-8 have been reported, in this study, both floating and fixed structures could be simultaneously fabricated by photolithography only. Accordingly, we successfully manufactured a gear structure and a MEMS sensor, both of which have floating and fixed structures. The above structures are made of highly transparent SU-8 on a glass substrate; hence, they are easily observable with a microscope. The reason for the widespread use of polydimethylsiloxane micro-channels is that they are transparent materials that can be observed under a microscope and fabricated by simple photolithography of the SU-8 resist, enabling non-microfabrication specialists to enter this field. These findings have the potential to form the foundation for developing new biochemical tests, such as actuators and sensors driven under a microscope.
A strategic review of recent progress, prospects and challenges of MoS2-based photodetectors
Authors: Wadhwa Riya , Agrawal Abhay V , Kumar Mukesh
Published: October 2021

Two-dimensional layered materials have emerged prominently in the past decade, largely being investigated fundamentally and practically. Their unique layered structure and atomic-scale thickness make them attractive with exclusive electrical and optical properties compared to their bulk counterparts. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is the most widely studied material in the family of transition metal dichalcogenides. The direct and variable bandgap, high carrier mobility, thermal and chemical stability makes it an attractive choice for next-generation photodetector applications. MoS2heterojunction-based photodetectors offer ultrafast charge transfer and broadband photoresponse, adding more functionality beyond their individual counterparts. Enormous efforts have been devoted to adopting a new strategy that can improve photodetector performance in terms of responsivity and response time. This review briefly discusses the photo-induced current mechanism and performance parameters along with some important aspects to realize better device performance. Here, we critically review the current status and progress made towards MoS2-based photodetectors, followed by a discussion on open challenges and opportunities in their future application.
A review of the multiscale mechanics of silicon electrodes in high-capacity lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Wang Haoran , Lu Shao-Hao , Wang Xueju , Xia Shuman , Beng Chew Huck
Published: October 2021

Over the past decade, there has been a significant advancement in understanding the mechanics of silicon (Si) electrodes in lithium (Li)-ion batteries. Much of this interest in Si electrodes as ideal anode materials for high-capacity Li-ion batteries stems from its theoretical specific capacity of 4200 mAh g−1, which is an order-of-magnitude higher than that of conventional graphite electrodes (372 mAh g−1). However, the high capacity of Li ions is also accompanied by a ∼300% volume expansion of the Si electrode during Li intercalation, which results in massive cracking of the electrode and capacity fade. In this review article, we summarize recent progress in elucidating the underlying fracture and failure mechanics of Si electrodes using multiscale computations and experiments, spanning the quantum, atomistic, microscopic, and macroscopic length scales. We focus on four fundamental mechanics issues: (i) the mechanical properties and fracture behavior of lithiated Si electrodes; (ii) the interfacial mechanics between Si thin-film electrodes and current collectors; (iii) the deformation and failure mechanics of the solid electrolyte interphase; and (iv) the design of Si electrodes for improved mechanical performance. Current challenges and possible future directions for the field of mechanics of materials in pursuit of high-capacity rechargeable batteries are also discussed.
Can an amorphous alloy crystallize into a high entropy alloy?
Authors: Rai Nikhil , Das Priyabrata , Gollapudi Srikant
Published: October 2021

On the premise that amorphous-high entropy alloy composites could demonstrate high toughness and resistance to embrittlement akin to the glassy-solid solution composites, we develop a thermodynamics based approach to identify chemical compositions supporting the amorphous to high entropy alloy transformation. Using this thermodynamic approach, we introduce two new parameters called phase selection value and molar volume dispersity and propose seven multi-component compositions which could undergo the amorphous to high entropy alloy transformation. The analysis reveals that bulk metallic glasses may not be supportive of this transformation.
First principles study of Janus WSeTe monolayer and its application in photocatalytic water splitting
Authors: Jamdagni Pooja , Pandey Ravindra , Tankeshwar K
Published: October 2021

By employing the state-of-the-art density functional theory method, we demonstrate that Janus WSeTe monolayer exhibits promising photocatalytic properties for solar water splitting. The results show that the monolayer possesses thermodynamic stability, suitable bandgap (∼1.89 eV), low excitons binding energy (∼0.19 eV) together with high hole mobility (∼103 cm2 V−1 s−1). Notably, the results suggest that the oxygen evolution reaction can undergo spontaneously without any sacrificial reagents. In contrast, the overpotential of hydrogen evolution reaction can partially be overcome by the external potential under solar light irradiation. Furthermore, the intrinsic electric field induced by the symmetry breaking along the perpendicular direction of Janus WSeTe monolayer not only suppresses the electron–hole recombination but also contributes to the solar-to-hydrogen efficiency, which is calculated to be ∼19%. These characteristics make the Janus WSeTe monolayer to be a promising candidate for solar water splitting.
Photoinduced-reset and multilevel storage transistor memories based on antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles floating gate
Authors: Jin Risheng , Shi Keli , Qiu Beibei , Huang Shihua
Published: October 2021

Recently, antimony-doped tin oxide nanoparticles (ATO NPs) have been widely used in the fields of electronics, photonics, photovoltaics, sensing, and other fields because of their good conductivity, easy synthesis, excellent chemical stability, high mechanical strength, good dispersion and low cost. Herein, for the first time, a novel nonvolatile transistor memory device is fabricated using ATO NPs as charge trapping sites to enhance the memory performance. The resulting organic nano-floating gate memory (NFGM) device exhibits outstanding memory properties, including tremendous memory window (∼85 V), superhigh memory on/off ratio (∼109), long data retention (over 10 years) and eminent multilevel storage behavior, which are among the optimal performances in NFGM devices based on organic field effect transistors. Additionally, the device displays photoinduced-reset characteristic with low energy consumption erasing operation. This study provides novel avenues for the manufacture of simple and low-cost data storage devices with outstanding memory performance, multilevel storage behavior and suitability as platforms for integrated circuits.
A novel solder joints inspection method using curvature and geometry features in high-density flexible IC substrates surface mount technology
Authors: Zeng Yong , Hu Yueming , Zhang Xiaohan , Luo Zhongliang , Wei Xiaohui
Published: October 2021

The automatic optical inspection based defective diagnosis systems in the surface-mounted device is fairly important to the optimization of electronic manufacturing. The gist of this paper is that presents a novel inspection system for the distinction of defective solder joints on the high-density flexible IC substrates. Initially, an ultra-high precision 3D information acquirement system is elaborated. Then, several critical sub-regions are divided and pivotal features are extracted from them, in which the differential geometry based estimation scheme to obtain discrete curvatures directly and the crest line representation based shape characterization method are proposed. Finally, each type of the solder joints is described with different and ordered feature sequences, and the practical classification process is formulated as the pattern recognition and classification problem, which is also implemented by the set of predefined diagnosis rules of thumb and the introduced logical operations. By classifying seven categories of industrial solder joints and exhaustively comparing with other state-of-the-art methods, the performances of the proposed diagnosis system is validated. Experimental results verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the developed system from three aspects, i.e. inspection speed, total correct rate, and detectable types.
One-dimensional Monte Carlo dynamics at zero temperature
Authors: Chepelianskii Alexei D , Majumdar Satya N , Schawe Hendrik , Trizac Emmanuel
Published: October 2021

We investigate, both analytically and with numerical simulations, a Monte Carlo dynamics at zero temperature, where a random walker evolving in continuous space and discrete time seeks to minimize its potential energy, by decreasing this quantity at each jump. The resulting dynamics is universal in the sense that it does not depend on the underlying potential energy landscape, as long as it admits a unique minimum; furthermore, the long time regime does not depend on the details of the jump distribution, but only on its behavior for small jumps. We work out the scaling properties of this dynamics, as embodied by the walker probability density. Our analytical predictions are in excellent agreement with direct Monte Carlo simulations.
Dimension of finite free complexes over commutative Noetherian rings
Authors: Christensen Lars , Iyengar Srikanth
Published: October 2021

Foxby defined the (Krull) dimension of a complex of modules over a commutative Noetherian ring in terms of the dimension of its homology modules. In this note it is proved that the dimension of a bounded complex of free modules of finite rank can be computed directly from the matrices representing the differentials of the complex.
ℎ-local Rings
Authors: Klingler L. , Omairi A.
Published: October 2021

In the 1960’s, Matlis defined an

h
h

-local domain to be a (commutative) integral domain in which each nonzero element is contained in only finitely many maximal ideals and each nonzero prime ideal is contained in a unique maximal ideal. For rings with zero-divisors, by changing “nonzero” to “regular,” one obtains the definition of an

h
h

-local ring. Nearly two dozen equivalent characterizations of

h
h

-local domain have appeared in the literature. We show that most of these remain equivalent to

h
h

-local ring if one also replaces “localization” by “regular localization” and assumes that the ring is a Marot ring (i.e., every regular ideal is generated by its regular elements).
The Role of the Natural Course in Causal Analysis
Authors: Rudolph Jacqueline E , Cartus Abigail , Bodnar Lisa M , Schisterman Enrique F , Naimi Ashley I
Published: October 2021

The average causal effect compares counterfactual outcomes if everyone had been exposed versus if everyone had been unexposed, which can be an unrealistic contrast. Alternatively, we can target effects that compare counterfactual outcomes against the factual outcomes observed in the sample (i.e., we can compare against the natural course). Here, we demonstrate how the natural course can be estimated and used in causal analyses for model validation and effect estimation. Our example is an analysis assessing the impact of taking aspirin on pregnancy, 26 weeks after randomization, in the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction trial (United States, 2006–2012). To validate our models, we estimated the natural course using g-computation and then compared that against the observed incidence of pregnancy. We observed good agreement between the observed and model-based natural courses. We then estimated an effect that compared the natural course against the scenario in which participants assigned to aspirin always complied. If participants had always complied, there would have been 5.0 (95% confidence interval: 2.2, 7.8) more pregnancies per 100 women than was observed. It is good practice to estimate the natural course for model validation when using parametric models, but whether one should estimate a natural course contrast depends on the underlying research questions.
Applied Linguists Cultivating Relationships for Justice: An Aspirational Call to Action
Authors: Avineri Netta , Martinez Danny C
Published: October 2021

This special issue features applied linguistics scholarship that cultivates relationships for justice. The collection of papers in this special issue challenges the field of applied linguistics to move beyond an acknowledgement of social inequities (through observation, analysis, and critique) toward cultivating relationships for justice (CRJ) - in order to undo past harms and collectively imagine more just futures. The authors/collaborators demonstrate how building systemic social change involves decentering the individual researcher’s interests and instead foregrounding processes of collective solidarity (Martinez et al. 2021), demonstrating how justice is relational and aspirational. In this editorial, we discuss the particular contributions of each paper, alongside thematic connection points across the articles. Our intention in including an editorial, commentaries, and a range of papers is to create space for multi-vocality and diverse genres as part of CRJ. We conclude with an aspirational call to action for members of our applied linguistics academic community.
Validation of the Taiwanese Version of ACE-III (T-ACE-III) to Detect Dementia in a Memory Clinic
Authors: Yu Ruan-Ching , Mukadam Naaheed , Kapur Narinder , Stott Joshua , Hu Chaur-Jong , Hong Chien-Tai , Yang Cheng-Chang , Chan Lung , Huang Li-Kai , Livingston Gill
Published: October 2021

Objective

The Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE-III) is a 100-points cognitive test used in detecting dementia in many countries. There has been no validation study of the ACE-III in patients with suspected dementia in a Taiwanese population, where the language is traditional Chinese. We aimed to culturally adapt and validate the ACE-III as a cognitive assessment tool for differentiating between people with and without dementia presenting to healthcare professionals in Taiwan with possible dementia.

Methods

We culturally adapted the ACE-III for Taiwan (T-ACE-III) and tested it with consenting patients with suspected dementia in northern Taiwan who had been through the diagnostic process. We calculated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to test the ability of the T-ACE-III to differentiate between dementia and non-dementia cases using clinician diagnosis as the gold standard. We generated the Youden Index to determine the best cut-off score.

Results

We recruited 90 Taiwanese individuals aged 49–93 years: 24 males and 33 females had dementia and 12 males and 21 females did not. The area under the ROC curve was 0.99 for distinguishing dementia from non-dementia. The T-ACE-III had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 78.8% when the cut-off score was 86/87. With a cut-off value of 73/74, the specificity was 100.0%, and sensitivity 89.5%. The highest Youden Index was 0.895, indicating the best overall cut-off point to be 73/74.

Conclusions

The T-ACE-III is an acceptable cognitive test with excellent psychometric properties for discriminating dementia from non-dementia in Taiwanese populations in memory clinic settings.
Treatment and Prevention of Periprosthetic Capsular Contracture in Breast Surgery With Prosthesis Using Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Pașca Andrei , Bonci Eduard-Alexandru , Chiuzan Codruța , Jiboc Nicoleta Monica , Gâta Vlad Alexandru , Muntean Maximilian Vlad , Matei Ileana Rodica , Achimaș-Cadariu Patriciu Andrei
Published: October 2021

Background

Capsular contracture (CC) is the most common long-term complication of breast surgery with prosthesis. Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LRAs) have been tested as a potential treatment; however, mixed results have been observed.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to undertake a meta-analysis to clarify the treatment and prophylactic capabilities of LRAs in the management of CC.

Methods

A systematic literature search of the most popular English-language databases was performed to identify relevant primary publications. We included all studies that used the Baker scale to evaluate the treatment and preventive capabilities of LRAs.

Results

Six eligible studies were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, totalling 2276 breasts, of which 775 did not receive LRAs and 1501 did. Final pooled results showed that LRAs could help manage CC with a risk difference (RD) of –0.38 with a corresponding 95% CI of –0.69 to –0.08, showing statistical significance at a Z value of 2.48, P = 0.01. Subgroup analysis based on the type of drug showed that only montelukast yielded statistical significance (RD = –0.27, 95% CI = –0.51 to –0.03, Z = 2.20, P = 0.03). Zafirlukast did not seem to influence CC. Further subgroup analysis based on treatment timing showed that prophylaxis was ineffective and only treatment for ongoing CC yielded statistically significant improvements.

Conclusions

The current meta-analysis proved that LRAs could be used in the management of CC. Only treatment for ongoing CC showed statistically significant improvements. Montelukast seemed to be more efficient with a safer profile for adverse effects, whereas zafirlukast yielded no statistically significant results.

Level of Evidence: 4
Preparation of hypoallergenic ovalbumin by high-temperature water treatment
Authors: Okon Kazunobu , Yoshida Tadashi , Hattori Makoto , Matsuda Hiroshi , Osada Mitsumasa
Published: October 2021

The high-temperature water treatment is one of the methods used to reduce the molecular weight of proteins. In this study, in order to establish a practical method for preparing hypoallergenic materials using the high-temperature water treatment, we investigated the effects of processing temperature on the antigenicity and allergenicity of a food allergen. Additionally, the foaming ability of the samples was also evaluated as a function desired in the food industry. We used ovalbumin as a model allergen. As a result, although there was no significant difference among the samples treated with different processing temperatures, all the antigens treated with high-temperature water showed a decrease in antigenicity and allergenicity. In addition, when ovalbumin was treated at a temperature of 130 °C or higher, there was a significant improvement in foaming properties. These findings indicate that high-temperature water treatment is a potential strategy for preparing practical hypoallergenic materials.
SMILE: mutual information learning for integration of single-cell omics data
Authors: Xu Yang , Das Priyojit , McCord Rachel Patton
Published: October 2021

Motivation

Deep learning approaches have empowered single-cell omics data analysis in many ways and generated new insights from complex cellular systems. As there is an increasing need for single-cell omics data to be integrated across sources, types and features of data, the challenges of integrating single-cell omics data are rising. Here, we present an unsupervised deep learning algorithm that learns discriminative representations for single-cell data via maximizing mutual information, SMILE (Single-cell Mutual Information Learning).

Results

Using a unique cell-pairing design, SMILE successfully integrates multisource single-cell transcriptome data, removing batch effects and projecting similar cell types, even from different tissues, into the shared space. SMILE can also integrate data from two or more modalities, such as joint-profiling technologies using single-cell ATAC-seq, RNA-seq, DNA methylation, Hi-C and ChIP data. When paired cells are known, SMILE can integrate data with unmatched feature, such as genes for RNA-seq and genome-wide peaks for ATAC-seq. Integrated representations learned from joint-profiling technologies can then be used as a framework for comparing independent single source data.

Availability and implementation

The source code of SMILE including analyses of key results in the study can be found at: https://github.com/rpmccordlab/SMILE, implemented in Python.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
‘Someone to Talk to’: A Short-Term Tele-Therapy Intervention with Older People during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Eliezer Kopel , Knei-Paz Cigal , Zvi Lilach , Schnall Itiya , Gitlitz Tamar , Gavriel-Fried Belle
Published: October 2021

The Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and its concomitant social isolation have affected older citizens more than any other sector of the population. This article describes the theoretical and practical principles of a short-term tele-therapy intervention model developed and implemented as a pilot project during the Coronavirus pandemic to support older residents of the community, who faced a variety of needs stemming from the lockdowns and social isolation. The intervention was developed and directed in collaboration with faculty members from a university school of social work and social workers from the municipal social services in Israel, and was conducted by first year social work students as part of their first field experience. This intervention combined Perlman’s model of problem solving, a telephone crisis intervention model and a strengths-based approach. Participants and students indicated that they benefitted from the programme and felt that the therapeutic relationships were meaningful. These outcomes and reports suggest that this type of intervention is successful and can be applied to older people during other crises or in other populations, communities and countries as part of the field experience of social work students.
Normative brain mapping of interictal intracranial EEG to localize epileptogenic tissue
Authors: Taylor Peter N , Papasavvas Christoforos A , Owen Thomas W , Schroeder Gabrielle M , Hutchings Frances E , Chowdhury Fahmida A , Diehl Beate , Duncan John S , McEvoy Andrew W , Miserocchi Anna , de Tisi Jane , Vos Sjoerd B , Walker Matthew C , Wang Yujiang
Published: October 2021

The identification of abnormal electrographic activity is important in a wide range of neurological disorders, including epilepsy for localizing epileptogenic tissue. However, this identification may be challenging during non-seizure (interictal) periods, especially if abnormalities are subtle compared to the repertoire of possible healthy brain dynamics. Here, we investigate if such interictal abnormalities become more salient by quantitatively accounting for the range of healthy brain dynamics in a location-specific manner.

To this end, we constructed a normative map of brain dynamics, in terms of relative band power, from interictal intracranial recordings from 234 participants (21 598 electrode contacts). We then compared interictal recordings from 62 patients with epilepsy to the normative map to identify abnormal regions. We proposed that if the most abnormal regions were spared by surgery, then patients would be more likely to experience continued seizures postoperatively.

We first confirmed that the spatial variations of band power in the normative map across brain regions were consistent with healthy variations reported in the literature. Second, when accounting for the normative variations, regions that were spared by surgery were more abnormal than those resected only in patients with persistent postoperative seizures (t = −3.6, P = 0.0003), confirming our hypothesis. Third, we found that this effect discriminated patient outcomes (area under curve 0.75 P = 0.0003).

Normative mapping is a well-established practice in neuroscientific research. Our study suggests that this approach is feasible to detect interictal abnormalities in intracranial EEG, and of potential clinical value to identify pathological tissue in epilepsy. Finally, we make our normative intracranial map publicly available to facilitate future investigations in epilepsy and beyond.
Guidance for Systematic Integration of Undernutrition in Attributing Cause of Death in Children
Authors: Paganelli Christina R , Kassebaum Nicholas , Strong Kathleen , Suchdev Parminder S , Voskuijl Wieger , Bassat Quique , Blau Dianna M , Denno Donna M
Published: October 2021

Minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) is increasingly being used to better understand causes of death in low-resource settings. Undernutrition (eg, wasting, stunting) is prevalent among children globally and yet not consistently coded or uniformly included on death certificates in MITS studies when present. Consistent and accurate attribution of undernutrition is fundamental to understanding its contribution to child deaths. In May 2020, members of the MITS Alliance Cause of Death Technical Working Group convened a panel of experts in public health, child health, nutrition, infectious diseases, and MITS to develop guidance for systematic integration of undernutrition, as assessed by anthropometry, in cause of death coding, including as part of the causal chain or as a contributing condition, in children <5 years of age. The guidance presented here will support MITS and other researchers, public health practitioners, and clinicians with a systematic approach to assigning and interpreting undernutrition in death certification.
https://botryosphaeriales.org/, an online platform for up-to-date classification and account of taxa of Botryosphaeriales
Authors: Wu N a , Dissanayake Asha J , Manawasinghe Ishara S , Rathnayaka Achala R , Liu Jian-Kui , Phillips Alan j.l , Promputtha Itthayakorn , Hyde Kevin D
Published: October 2021

Fungi are eukaryotes that inhabit various ecosystems worldwide and have a decomposing effect that other organisms cannot replace. Fungi are divided into two main groups depending on how their sexual spores are formed, viz. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The members of Botryosphaeriales (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota) are ubiquitous. They are pathogenic on a wide range of hosts, causing diverse diseases including dieback, canker, leaf spots and root rots and are also reported as saprobes and endophytes worldwide. As an important fungal group, of which most are plant pathogens, it is necessary to organize data and information on Botryosphaeriales so that scientific literature can be used effectively. For this purpose, a new website, https://botryosphaeriales.org is established to gather all published data together with updates on the present taxonomy of Botryosphaeriales. The website consists of an easy-to-operate searching system and provides an up-to-date classification together with accounts of Botryosphaeriales taxa, including colour illustrations, descriptions, notes and numbers of species in each genus, as well as their classification. Thus, readers will be able to obtain information on botryosphaerialean taxa through this platform.

Database URL: https://botryosphaeriales.org/
Effects of Provision Type and Pesticide Exposure on the Larval Development ofOsmia lignaria(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Kopit Andi M , Klinger Ellen , Cox-Foster Diana L , Ramirez Ricardo A , Pitts-Singer Theresa L
Published: October 2021

Wild and managed bee populations are in decline, and one of many environmental causes is the impact of pesticides on developing bees. For solitary bees, delayed larval development could lead to asynchronous adult emergence, unhealthy and inefficient adult pollinators, and decreased brood production and survival. We examined a methodology for testing Osmia lignaria Say (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) larval responses to pesticide exposure using a laboratory bioassay. We created two provision types: a homogenized blend of O. lignaria provisions from an apple orchard and homogenized almond pollen pellets collected by honey bees plus sugar water. Pesticides were administered to the provisions to compare toxic effects. We recorded larval developmental durations for second–fifth instar and for fifth instar to cocoon initiation for larvae fed provisions treated with water (control) or doses of three pesticides and a representative spray-tank mixture (acetamiprid, boscalid/pyraclostrobin, dimethoate, and acetamiprid plus boscalid/pyraclostrobin). All larvae survived to cocoon initiation when only water was added to provisions. Impacts of pesticide treatments significantly differed between the apple and almond homogenates. The greatest treatment effects occurred when the homogenized almond provision was mixed with acetamiprid alone and when combined with boscalid/pyraclostrobin. Optimizing bioassays through the use of appropriate larval food for exposing solitary bee larvae to agrochemicals is crucial for assessing risks for pollinators.
Welfare Effects of Housing Transaction Taxes: A Quantitative Analysis with an Assignment Model
Authors: Määttänen Niku , Terviö Marko
Published: October 2021

We evaluate the welfare cost of housing transaction taxes with a new assignment model-based framework, where welfare effects are driven by distortions in the matching of houses and households. We calibrate the model with data from the Helsinki metropolitan region to assess the impact of a reform where an ad valorem transaction tax is replaced with a revenue-equivalent property tax. The aggregate welfare gain from this reform increases rapidly with the initial transaction tax rate, with the Laffer curve peaking at about 10%. The proportion of households that lose out from the reform is nevertheless increasing in the tax rate. We compare our model-based counterfactual aggregate welfare results with welfare calculations based on reduced-form estimates from previous policy evaluation studies; they are broadly in line, despite the latter using data from different housing markets at various levels and changes of the tax rate.
Profiling the Quito basin (Ecuador) using seismic ambient noise
Authors: Pacheco D , Mercerat E D , Courboulex F , Bonilla L F , Laurendeau A , Alvarado A
Published: October 2021

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, with more than 2.5 M inhabitants, is exposed to a high seismic hazard due to its proximity to the Pacific subduction zone and active crustal faults, both capable of generating significant earthquakes. Furthermore, the city is located in an intermontane piggy-back basin prone to seismic wave amplification. To understand the basin’s seismic response and characterize its geological structure, 20 broad and medium frequency band seismic stations were deployed in Quito’s urban area between May 2016 and July 2018 that continuously recorded ambient seismic noise. We first compute horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios to determine the resonant frequency distribution in the entire basin. Secondly, we cross-correlate seismic stations operating simultaneously to retrieve interstations surface-wave Green’s functions in the frequency range of 0.1–2 Hz. We find that Love waves travelling in the basin’s longitudinal direction (NNE–SSW) show much clearer correlograms than those from Rayleigh waves. We then compute Love wave phase-velocity dispersion curves and invert them in conjunction with the HVSR curves to obtain shear-wave velocity profiles throughout the city. The inversions highlight a clear difference in the basin’s structure between its northern and southern parts. In the centre and northern areas, the estimated basin depth and mean shear-wave velocity are about 200 m and 1800 ms−1, respectively, showing resonance frequency values between 0.6 and 0.7 Hz. On the contrary, the basement’s depth and shear-wave velocity in the southern part are about 900 m and 2500 ms−1, having a low resonance frequency value of around 0.3 Hz. This difference in structure between the centre-north and the south of the basin explains the spatial distribution of low-frequency seismic amplifications observed during the Mw 7.8 Pedernales earthquake in April 2016 in Quito.
Joint inversion of gravity and magnetic data using correspondence maps with application to geothermal fields
Authors: Carrillo Jonathan , Perez-Flores Marco A , Gallardo Luis A , Schill Eva
Published: October 2021

Current geophysical joint inversion methods can be roughly divided into structurally or property driven. While structural coupling plays a key role in fully heterogeneous environments, it is blind to the actual physical properties, which limit its application. On the other hand, approaches based on direct property-correlations promise strong coupled models using petrophysical linkages derived from rock physics or through the search for cross-property relationships in the objective function directly, for example, fuzzy-clusters or correspondence maps. We apply a correspondence maps (CM) methodology to the joint estimation of density and magnetization in 3-D environments using gravity and magnetic data. CM joint inversion has yet to be applied to the specific combination of gravity and magnetic data, nor compared to other approaches like cross-gradient coupling or fuzzy-clustering. The CM searches for cross-property functional relationships; it has the potential to allow a gradual property variation that is not restricted to a predetermined number of homogeneous zones. We tested the algorithm using two illustrative synthetic examples to analyse the compositional and geometrical improvements and thoroughly investigate its capacity to recover a study model based on potential features in a geothermal scenario using polynomials. We investigated the case of using lower and higher polynomials than required for recovering the second synthetic model. The nature of the inversion suggested instability when high-grade polynomials were used, which was successfully overcome by gradually increasing the number of coefficients. The strategy was satisfactorily implemented to the field data.

We applied the algorithm over the Los Humeros geothermal field in Mexico and fit a quadratic relationship between density and magnetization that exhibits two main zones consistent with previous works. The first one contains relatively low density and high magnetization. The second zone contains low density and low magnetization values. In this last zone, we emphasize that an observed link between low density, low magnetization, and major fault zones with high relevance to geothermal exploration is resulting from joint inversion, only. We achieved an enhanced petrophysical and structural integrated subsurface imaging in synthetic and field cases at the expense of slightly increased RMS misfit value.
Crystal structure and conformational stability of a galectin-1 tandem-repeat mutant with a short linker
Authors: Nonaka Yasuhiro , Ogawa Takashi , Shoji Hiroki , Nishi Nozomu , Kamitori Shigehiro , Nakamura Takanori
Published: October 2021

Modification of the domain architecture of galectins has been attempted to analyze their biological functions and to develop medical applications. Several types of galectin-1 repeat mutants were previously reported but, however, it was not clear whether the native structure of the wild type was retained. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of a galectin-1 tandem-repeat mutant with a short linker peptide, and compared the unfolding profiles of the wild type and mutant by chemical denaturation. The structure of the mutant was consistent with that of the dimer of the wild type, and both carbohydrate-binding sites were retained. The unfolding curve of the wild type with lactose suggested that the dimer dissociation and the tertiary structure unfolding was concomitant at micromolar protein concentrations. The midpoint denaturant concentration of the wild type was dependent on the protein concentration and lower than that of the mutant. Linking the two subunits significantly stabilized the tertiary structure. The mutant exhibited higher T-cell growth-inhibition activity and comparable hemagglutinating activity. Structural stabilization may prevent the oxidation of the internal cysteine residue.
Comparative law at the heart of immigration law: Criminal inadmissibility and conjugal immigration in Canada and the United States
Authors: Szigeti Péter D
Published: October 2021

Immigration law is necessarily a comparative legal practice in at least three aspects: (i) comparing a would-be immigrant’s criminal history to the destination state’s criminal laws; (ii) comparing an immigrant’s diplomas and education to the destination state’s educational system; and (iii) comparing immigrants’ marriages and intimate relationships to domestic family law regimes. For all of these questions, the methodological dilemmas of comparative law are repeated within immigration law. This article is an overview of all the comparative methods used in North American immigration laws since the 1880s, for evaluating criminal records and intimate partnerships. The methods range from plain translations to complex systemic comparisons. Over the last 130 years, almost all methods had some, either good faith or strategic use; with the biggest transformations happening in the comparison of marriages. Effectively, private international law has been replaced by a separate “immigration marriage law,” which has globalized at astonishing speed.
Distinct Role of Dopamine in the PFC and NAc During Exposure to Cocaine-Associated Cues
Authors: Kawahara Yukie , Ohnishi Yoshinori N , Ohnishi Yoko H , Kawahara Hiroshi , Nishi Akinori
Published: October 2021

Background

Dopamine neurotransmission plays a critical role in reward in drug abuse and drug addiction. However, the role of dopamine in the recognition of drug-associated environmental stimuli, retrieval of drug-associated memory, and drug-seeking behaviors is not fully understood.

Methods

Roles of dopamine neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc) in the cocaine-conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm were evaluated using in vivo microdialysis.

Results

In mice that had acquired cocaine CPP, dopamine levels in the PFC, but not in the NAc, increased in response to cocaine-associated cues when mice were placed in the cocaine chamber of an apparatus with 2 separated chambers. The induction of the dopamine response and the development of cocaine CPP were mediated through activation of glutamate NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate)/AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptor signaling in the PFC during conditioning. Activation of dopamine D1 or D2 receptor signaling in the PFC was required for cocaine-induced locomotion, but not for the induction of the dopamine response or the development of cocaine CPP. Interestingly, dopamine levels in the NAc increased in response to cocaine-associated cues when mice were placed at the center of an apparatus with 2 connected chambers, which requires motivated exploration associated with cocaine reward.

Conclusions

Dopamine neurotransmission in the PFC is activated by the exposure to the cocaine-associated cues, whereas dopamine neurotransmission in the NAc is activated in a process of motivated exploration of cues associated with cocaine reward. Furthermore, the glutamate signaling cascade in the PFC is suggested to be a potential therapeutic target to prevent the progression of drug addiction.