bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An ex vivo porcine model of the anterior glottoplasty for voice feminization surgery
Authors: Rohlfing Matthew L. , Kuperstock Jacob E. , Friedman Daniel , Spiegel Jeffrey H.
Published: July 2019

Objective

Perceived gender identity is correctly assigned when a combination of physical and vocal attributes become congruent. Several voice feminization procedures have gained popularity, but current evidence of their impact on vocal feminization is limited to case series. This study establishes an ex vivo porcine phonatory model to evaluate the ideal extent of anterior glottic web formation in relation to frequency elevation and airway patency.

Methods

Six fresh porcine larynges were obtained and fitted with arytenoid adduction sutures. Compressed air was passed through the larynges, and the vocal folds were adducted to induce phonation. Vocal fold length, posterior glottic width, fundamental frequency, and sound pressure intensity were measured as the vocal folds were progressively shortened as per the anterior glottic web surgical technique.

Results

The average fundamental frequency prior to web formation was 109.7 Hz. The maximum frequency achieved after web formation was 403.7 Hz, and the web proportions varied from 11.8% to 61.0% of the length of the membranous vocal folds. The glottic cross‐sectional area showed an expected inverse linear relationship to the length of the glottic web. Creation of an anterior glottic web caused consistent elevation of pitch, but there was a gradual plateau of effect with increased length of the web.

Conclusion

The ex vivo porcine larynx is demonstrated as an effective, available, and low‐cost model for further study of vocal pitch elevation surgical techniques. We demonstrate that in addition to progressively reducing the cross‐sectional area of the airway, additional benefit from increased web length is limited.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 130:E206–E212, 2020
Genetics of recurrent pregnancy loss among Iranian population
Authors: Moghbeli Meysam
Published: July 2019

Background

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is one of the most common reproductive disorders which is defined as the occurrence of recurrent miscarriage before 24 weeks of gestation and is observed among 1%–5% of women.

Methods

Various factors are associated with RPL such as immunological disorders, maternal age, obesity, alcohol, chromosomal abnormality, endocrine disorders, and uterine abnormalities. About half of the RPL cases are related with chromosomal abnormalities. Therefore, RPL genetic tests are mainly limited to karyotyping. However, there is a significant proportion of RPL cases without any chromosomal abnormalities that can be related to the single‐gene aberrations. Therefore, it is required to prepare a diagnostic panel of genetic markers besides karyotyping.

Results

In the present review, we have summarized all the significant reported genes until now which are associated with RPL among Iranian women. We categorized all the reported genes based on their cellular and molecular functions in order to determine the molecular bases of RPL in this population.

Conclusion

This review paves the way of introducing a population‐based diagnostic panel of genetic markers for the first time among Iranian RPL cases. Moreover, this review clarifies the genetic and molecular bases of RPL in this population.
Mass production of industrial tunnel oxide passivated contacts (i‐TOPCon) silicon solar cells with average efficiency over 23% and modules over 345 W
Authors: Chen Yifeng , Chen Daming , Liu Chengfa , Wang Zigang , Zou Yang , He Yu , Wang Yao , Yuan Ling , Gong Jian , Lin Wenjie , Zhang Xueling , Yang Yang , Shen Hui , Feng Zhiqiang , Altermatt Pietro P. , Verlinden Pierre J.
Published: July 2019

We present an industrial tunnel oxide passivated contacts (i‐TOPCon) bifacial crystalline silicon (c‐Si) solar cell based on large‐area n‐type substrate. The interfacial thin SiO2 is thermally growth and in situ capped by an intrinsic poly‐Si layer deposited by low‐pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD). The intrinsic poly‐Si layer is doped in an industrial POCl3 diffusion furnace to form the n+ poly‐Si at the rear, which shows an excellent surface passivation characteristics with J0 = 2.6 fA/cm2 when passivated by a SiNx:H layer deposited by plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). With an industrial fabrication process, the cells are manufactured with screen‐printed front and rear metallization, using large‐area 6‐in. n‐type Czochralski (Cz) Si wafers. We demonstrate an average front‐side efficiency greater than 23% and an open‐circuit voltage Voc greater than 700 mV. These results are based on more than 20 000 pieces of cells from mass production on a single day, in an old conventional multicrystalline silicon (mc‐Si) Al‐back surface field (BSF) cell workshop, which has been upgraded to i‐TOPCon process. The best cell efficiency reaches 23.57%, as independently confirmed by Fraunhofer CalLab. A median module power greater than 345 W and a best module power greater than 355 W are demonstrated with double‐glass bifacial i‐TOPCon modules consisting of 120 pieces of half‐cut 161.7 mm pseudosquare i‐TOPCon cells with nine busbars.
Safeguarding Public Interests in the Platform Economy
Authors: Frenken Koen , van Waes Arnoud , Pelzer Peter , Smink Magda , van Est Rinie
Published: July 2019

This article examines the main public interests at stake with the rise of online platforms in the sharing economy and the gig economy. We do so by analyzing platforms in five sectors in the Netherlands: domestic cleaning (Helpling), taxi rides (UberPop), home restaurants (AirDnD), home sharing (Airbnb), and car sharing (SnappCar). The most salient public interests are a level playing field between platforms and industry incumbents, tax compliance, consumer protection, labor protection, and privacy protection. We develop four policy options (enforce, new regulation, deregulation, and toleration), and discuss the rationales for each option in safeguarding each public interest. We further stress that arguments supporting a particular policy option should take into account the sectoral context. We finally highlight the tension between the subsidiarity principle, which would call for local regulations as platforms mostly concern local transactions and innovation policies that aim to support innovation and a single digital market.
Thermochemical investigation of Zr doping in LiNi8/12Co2/12Mn2/12O2 based on phase equilibria simulation
Authors: Kim Yongseon
Published: July 2019

The doping behavior of Zr in LiNi8/12Co2/12Mn2/12O2 (LNCM) is investigated by a simulation of the phase equilibria for the Li‐(M*,Zr)‐O system (M* = Ni, Co, Mn) based on first‐principles calculations followed by a thermochemical post‐analysis of the resultant phase diagrams. The results indicate that the stable state at the synthetically stoichiometric composition of LNCM with Zr is a mixture of undoped LNCM with a Li2ZrO3 secondary phase; doping of Zr in the LNCM crystal is not thermodynamically favored. The energies of various states comprising LNCM supercells with defects, secondary phases, and Zr doping are examined, and the equilibrium doping concentration of Zr is calculated by considering the entire LNCM:Zr crystal as a statistical combination of these states. The doping concentration of Zr in the LNCM crystal is calculated to be very low, which enables balanced control between doping and coating, as recently reported through experimentation. The dopability of Zr is expected to increase with the depletion of O2 supply during the heating of a system with a precisely controlled Li to M* ratio, but this behavior is affected by the formation of defects, especially by M* substitution for Li.
Comparing mass, retention time and tandem mass spectra as criteria for the automated screening of small molecules in aqueous environmental samples analyzed by liquid chromatography/quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Jewell Kevin S. , Kunkel Uwe , Ehlig Björn , Thron Franziska , Schlüsener Michael , Dietrich Christian , Wick Arne , Ternes Thomas A.
Published: July 2019

Rationale

The adoption of database screening using high‐resolution liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry data is promising as a river water monitoring and surveillance tool but depends on the ability to perform reliable data processing on a large number of samples in a unified workflow. Strategies to minimize errors have been proposed but automated procedures are rare.

Methods

High‐resolution LC/ESI‐QTOFMS/MS in data‐dependent MS2 acquisition mode was performed for the analysis of surface water samples by direct injection. Data processing was achieved with software tools written in R. A database containing MS2 spectra of 693 compounds formed the basis of the workflow. Standard mixes and a time series of 361 samples of river water were analyzed and processed with the optimized workflow.

Results

Using the database and a mix of 70 standards for testing, it was found that an identification strategy including (i) mass, (ii) retention time, and (iii) MS2 spectral matching achieved a two‐ to three‐fold improvement in the fraction of false positives compared with using only two criteria, while the number of false negatives remained low. The optimized workflow was applied to the sample series of river water. In total, 135 compounds were identified by a library match.

Conclusions

The developed automated database screening approach minimizes the proportion of false positives, while still allowing for the screening of hundreds of water samples for hundreds of compounds in a single run.
Collaboration and informal hierarchy in innovation teams: Product introductions in entrepreneurial ventures
Authors: Lahiri Amrita , Pahnke Emily C. , Howard Michael D. , Boeker Warren
Published: July 2019

Research Summary

Although stars may be particularly innovative, building teams to collaborate with them can be difficult. Coordinating efforts between stars and non‐stars may be especially complex in new venture, which rely on informal hierarchy to manage organizational tasks. We investigate how a venture's success at introducing new products may be influenced by the extent to which company founders and star performers are involved in co‐developing new technologies. By analyzing innovation teams within a sector of the medical device industry from 1986 to 2007, we find that combining both star inventors and founder‐inventors on a venture's innovation team may limit product introductions. Our results highlight the importance of organizational design in managing coordination and resource allocation in a venture setting and suggest important boundary conditions when stars may impede, rather than benefit, innovation.

Managerial Summary

Designing an innovation team can be challenging for new ventures. While the presence of a technologically proficient founder or highly accomplished inventor can significantly bolster a new venture's innovation efforts, our results indicate that these roles must be carefully managed to prevent conflicts between them. Our findings suggest that founders who hire star inventors should establish a clear hierarchy of decision‐making within innovation teams, while also offering greater autonomy to the star inventor in matters concerning innovation leadership and product development. We also suggest that it may be advantageous for founders to hire star inventors with prior experience working in new ventures as opposed to older, established organizations. Overall, our study indicates that new ventures need to exercise caution in hiring and managing star employees.
Necessity entrepreneurship and industry choice in new firm creation
Authors: Nikiforou Argyro (Iro) , Dencker John C. , Gruber Marc
Published: July 2019

Research Summary

Research on necessity entrepreneurship has generated important insights, yet it views necessity entrepreneurs in developed countries as one encompassing group of unemployed individuals—ignoring that the level of need is not uniform but instead increases with time spent in unemployment. We begin to unpack the role of unemployment duration in necessity entrepreneurship by asking how it affects one of the most fundamental decisions in start‐ups: “what business should I be in?” Analyzing primary data on 576 necessity entrepreneurs combined with three secondary data sets, we find that unemployment duration affects whether ventures are launched in “home” or in external industries, and moderates the extent to which founders' industry experience and the attractiveness of external opportunities relative to those in the “home” industry shape industry choice.

Managerial Summary

Necessity entrepreneurs—individuals who create new firms because they have no other options for work—represent a substantial proportion of world‐wide entrepreneurial activity, and, in developed countries, often come from the ranks of the unemployed. We analyze these entrepreneurs by answering the question “what business should I be in?,” a fundamental strategic decision that founders make. Our findings reveal that duration in unemployment is a key, hitherto unexamined factor that systematically affects the industry‐choice decision in startups. Moreover, we find that duration of unemployment moderates the founder's industry experience and the attractiveness of external opportunities relative to those in the “home” industry, with a markedly different picture for the long‐term unemployed—suggesting the need for customized government policies for formerly unemployed entrepreneurs.
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Morbidity: Lessons from Endoscopic via Bilateral Areola and Open Thyroidectomy Technique
Authors: Zhang Daqi , Zhang Jiao , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Li Fang , Wang Tie , Li Hongbo , Liang Nan , Sun Hui
Published: July 2019

Background and aim

Elucidating the mechanism of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injuries through intraoperative electromyographic (EMG) and laryngeal examination approaches may deepen our knowledge regarding its prevention strategies. To date, no studies have been reported on the mechanism of RLN injury caused by endoscopic thyroidectomy via bilateral areola approach (ETBAA).

Methods

Both intraoperative EMG profiles and postoperative laryngeal examination were used to investigate the mechanisms of RLN injury and compare the safety aspects between ETBAA and open thyroidectomy approach (OTA).

Results

This study examined 1420 nerves at risk. The mean follow‐up period was 17 ± 4 (range 6–48) months. The incidence of vocal cord paralysis was 4.1% (59/1420). The number of cases with decreased EMG signals and vocal cord palsy was higher in ETBAA group than in OTA group (P < 0.05). The left RLNs in ETBAA group were at higher risk compared to the right nerves.

Conclusions

The results of the current study indicate that ETBAA exhibits higher risk of RLN injury. The topic includes a video.
Buddhism and Monotheism
Authors: Harvey Peter
Published: July 2019

Buddhism is a religion lacking the idea of a unique creator God. It is a kind of trans-polytheism that accepts many long-lived gods, but sees ultimate reality, Nirvana, as beyond these. It does, though, see Dhamma/Dharma as a Basic Pattern encompassing everything, with karma as a law-like principle ensuring that good and bad actions have appropriate natural results. This Element explores these ideas, along with overlaps in Buddhist and monotheist ideas and practices, the development of more theist-like ideas in Mahāyāna Buddhism, Buddhist critiques of the idea of a creator God, and some contemporary Buddhist views and appreciations of monotheisms.
Impact of space weather on climate and habitability of terrestrial-type exoplanets
Authors: Airapetian V. S. , Barnes R. , Cohen O. , Collinson G. A. , Danchi W. C. , Dong C. F. , Del Genio A. D. , France K. , Garcia-Sage K. , Glocer A. , Gopalswamy N. , Grenfell J. L. , Gronoff G. , Güdel M. , Herbst K. , Henning W. G. , Jackman C. H. , Jin M. , Johnstone C. P. , Kaltenegger L. , Kay C. D. , Kobayashi K. , Kuang W. , Li G. , Lynch B. J. , Lüftinger T. , Luhmann J. G. , Maehara H. , Mlynczak M. G. , Notsu Y. , Osten R. A. , Ramirez R. M. , Rugheimer S. , Scheucher M. , Schlieder J. E. , Shibata K. , Sousa-Silva C. , Stamenković V. , Strangeway R. J. , Usmanov A. V. , Vergados P. , Verkhoglyadova O. P. , Vidotto A. A. , Voytek M. , Way M. J. , Zank G. P. , Yamashiki Y.
Published: July 2019

The search for life in the Universe is a fundamental problem of astrobiology and modern science. The current progress in the detection of terrestrial-type exoplanets has opened a new avenue in the characterization of exoplanetary atmospheres and in the search for biosignatures of life with the upcoming ground-based and space missions. To specify the conditions favourable for the origin, development and sustainment of life as we know it in other worlds, we need to understand the nature of global (astrospheric), and local (atmospheric and surface) environments of exoplanets in the habitable zones (HZs) around G-K-M dwarf stars including our young Sun. Global environment is formed by propagated disturbances from the planet-hosting stars in the form of stellar flares, coronal mass ejections, energetic particles and winds collectively known as astrospheric space weather. Its characterization will help in understanding how an exoplanetary ecosystem interacts with its host star, as well as in the specification of the physical, chemical and biochemical conditions that can create favourable and/or detrimental conditions for planetary climate and habitability along with evolution of planetary internal dynamics over geological timescales. A key linkage of (astro)physical, chemical and geological processes can only be understood in the framework of interdisciplinary studies with the incorporation of progress in heliophysics, astrophysics, planetary and Earth sciences. The assessment of the impacts of host stars on the climate and habitability of terrestrial (exo)planets will significantly expand the current definition of the HZ to the biogenic zone and provide new observational strategies for searching for signatures of life. The major goal of this paper is to describe and discuss the current status and recent progress in this interdisciplinary field in light of presentations and discussions during the NASA Nexus for Exoplanetary System Science funded workshop ‘Exoplanetary Space Weather, Climate and Habitability’ and to provide a new roadmap for the future development of the emerging field of exoplanetary science and astrobiology.
Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and somatisation in recently arrived refugees in Germany: an epidemiological study
Authors: Nesterko Y. , Jäckle D. , Friedrich M. , Holzapfel L. , Glaesmer H.
Published: July 2019

Aims

Despite recent worldwide migratory movements, there are only a few studies available that report robust epidemiological data on the mental health in recent refugee populations. In the present study, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and somatisation were assessed using an epidemiological approach in refugees who have recently arrived in Germany from different countries.

Methods

The study was conducted in a reception facility for asylum-seekers in Leipzig, Germany. A total of 1316 adult individuals arrived at the facility during the survey period (May 2017–June 2018), 569 of whom took part in the study (N = 67 pilot study and N = 502 study sample; response rate 43.2%). The questionnaire (11 different languages) included sociodemographic and flight-related questions as well as standardised instruments for assessing PTSD (PCL-5), depression (PHQ-9) and somatisation (SSS-8). Unweighted and weighted prevalence rates of PTSD, depression and somatisation were presented stratified by sex and age groups.

Results

According to established cut-off scores, 49.7% of the respondents screened positive for at least one of the mental disorders investigated, with 31% suffering from somatisation, 21.7% from depression and 34.9% from PTSD; prevalence rates of major depression, other depressive syndromes and PTSD were calculated according to the DSM-5, which indicated rates of 10.3, 17.6 and 28.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

The findings underline the dramatic mental health burden present among refugees and provide important information for health care planning. They also provide important information for health care systems and political authorities in receiving countries and strongly indicate the necessity of establishing early psychosocial support for refugees suffering from psychological distress.
Thermochemical Heterogeneity and Density of Continental and Oceanic Upper Mantle in the European‐North Atlantic Region
Authors: Shulgin Alexey , Artemieva Irina M.
Published: July 2019

We present a new model, EUNA‐rho, for the density structure of the continental and oceanic upper mantle based on 3‐D tesseroid gravity modeling. On continent, there is no clear difference in lithospheric mantle (LM) density between the cratonic and Phanerozoic Europe, yet an ~300‐km‐wide zone of a high‐density LM along the Trans‐European Suture Zone may image a paleosubduction. Kimberlite provinces of the Baltica and Greenland cratons have a low‐density (3.32 g/cm3) mantle where all non‐damondiferous kimberlites tend to a higher‐density (3.34 g/cm3) anomalies. LM density correlates with the depth of sedimentary basins implying that mantle densification plays an important role in basin subsidence. A very dense (3.40–3.45 g/cm3) mantle beneath the superdeep platform basins and the East Barents shelf requires the presence of 10–20% of eclogite, while the West Barents Basin has LM density of 3.35 g/cm3 similar to the Variscan massifs of western Europe. In the North Atlantics, south of the Charlie Gibbs fracture zone (CGFZ) mantle density follows half‐space cooling model with significant deviations at volcanic provinces. North of the CGFZ, the entire North Atlantics is anomalous. Strong low‐density LM anomalies (< −3%) beneath the Azores and north of the CGFZ correlate with geochemical anomalies and indicate the presence of continental fragments and heterogeneous melting sources. Thermal anomalies in the upper mantle averaged down to the transition zone are 100–150 °C at the Azores and can be detected seismically, while a <50 °C anomaly around Iceland is at the limit of seismic resolution.
The Influence of Viscoelastic Crustal Rheologies on Volcanic Ground Deformation: Insights From Models of Pressure and Volume Change
Authors: Head Matthew , Hickey James , Gottsmann Joachim , Fournier Nicolas
Published: July 2019

Inelastic rheological behavior, such as viscoelasticity, is increasingly utilized in the modeling of volcanic ground deformation, as elevated thermal regimes induced by magmatic systems may necessitate the use of a mechanical model containing a component of time‐dependent viscous behavior. For the modeling of a given amplitude and footprint of ground deformation, incorporating a viscoelastic regime has been shown to reduce the magma reservoir overpressure requirements suggested by elastic models. This phenomenon, however, is restricted to pressure‐based analyses and the associated creep behavior. Viscoelastic materials exhibit additional constitutive time‐dependent behaviors, determined by the stress and strain states, that are yet to be analyzed in the context of volcanic ground deformation. By utilizing a mechanically homogeneous model space and distinct reservoir evolutions, we provide a comparison of three viscoelastic rheological models, including the commonly implemented Maxwell and Standard Linear Solid configurations, and their time‐dependent behaviors from a fundamental perspective. We also investigate the differences between deformation time series resulting from a pressurization or volume change, two contrasting approaches that are assumed to be equivalent through elastic modeling. Our results illustrate that the perceived influence of viscoelasticity is dependent on the mode of deformation, with stress‐based pressurization models imparting enhanced deformation relative to the elastic models, thus reducing pressure requirements. Strain‐based volumetric models, however, exhibit reduced levels of deformation and may produce episodes of apparent ground subsidence induced by source inflation or vice versa, due to the relaxation of crustal stresses, dependent on whether the reservoir is modeled to be expanding or contracting, respectively.
Self-seeding circulating tumor cells promote the proliferation and metastasis of human osteosarcoma by upregulating interleukin-8
Authors: Liu Tao , Ma Qiong , Zhang Yinglong , Wang Xin , Xu Kui , Yan Kang , Dong Wengang , Fan Qingyu , Zhang Yingqi , Qiu Xiuchun
Published: July 2019

Most circulating tumor cells (CTCs) die during the process of metastasis, but self-seeding CTCs can invade the primary tumor or form clinically meaningful metastases. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of self-seeding CTCs to promote osteosarcoma growth and lung metastasis and to clarify the specific role of interleukin (IL)-8 in CTC self-seeding. We successfully isolated and cultured self-seeding CTCs through a self-seeding nude mouse model established using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled F5M2 cells and found that self-seeding CTCs exhibit increased cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, increased tumor growth and lung metastasis in mice, and increased IL-8 expression. Furthermore, suppressing IL-8 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis and reduced CTC seeding in primary tumors in vitro and in vivo. In osteosarcoma patients, IL-8 levels significantly correlated with the Enneking stage and metastasis. These findings demonstrate that self-seeding osteosarcoma CTCs can promote tumor growth and lung metastasis through IL-8. Their increased metastatic potential and elevated IL-8 expression suggest a novel strategy for future therapeutic interventions to prevent osteosarcoma progression and metastasis.
Revisiting enteric methane emissions from domestic ruminants and their δ13CCH4 source signature
Authors: Chang Jinfeng , Peng Shushi , Ciais Philippe , Saunois Marielle , Dangal Shree R. S. , Herrero Mario , Havlík Petr , Tian Hanqin , Bousquet Philippe
Published: July 2019

Accurate knowledge of13C isotopic signature (δ13C) of methane from each source is crucial for separating biogenic, fossil fuel and pyrogenic emissions in bottom-up and top-down methane budget. Livestock production is the largest anthropogenic source in the global methane budget, mostly from enteric fermentation of domestic ruminants. However, the global average, geographical distribution and temporal variations of the δ13C of enteric emissions are not well understood yet. Here, we provide a new estimation of C3-C4 diet composition of domestic ruminants (cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep), a revised estimation of yearly enteric CH4emissions, and a new estimation for the evolution of its δ13C during the period 1961–2012. Compared to previous estimates, our results suggest a larger contribution of ruminants’ enteric emissions to the increasing trend in global methane emissions between 2000 and 2012, and also a larger contribution to the observed decrease in the δ13C of atmospheric methane.
Neutrophils-related host factors associated with severe disease and fatality in patients with influenza infection
Authors: Tang Benjamin M. , Shojaei Maryam , Teoh Sally , Meyers Adrienne , Ho John , Ball T. Blake , Keynan Yoav , Pisipati Amarnath , Kumar Aseem , Eisen Damon P. , Lai Kevin , Gillett Mark , Santram Rahul , Geffers Robert , Schreiber Jens , Mozhui Khyobeni , Huang Stephen , Parnell Grant P. , Nalos Marek , Holubova Monika , Chew Tracy , Booth David , Kumar Anand , McLean Anthony , Schughart Klaus
Published: July 2019

Severe influenza infection has no effective treatment available. One of the key barriers to developing host-directed therapy is a lack of reliable prognostic factors needed to guide such therapy. Here, we use a network analysis approach to identify host factors associated with severe influenza and fatal outcome. In influenza patients with moderate-to-severe diseases, we uncover a complex landscape of immunological pathways, with the main changes occurring in pathways related to circulating neutrophils. Patients with severe disease display excessive neutrophil extracellular traps formation, neutrophil-inflammation and delayed apoptosis, all of which have been associated with fatal outcome in animal models. Excessive neutrophil activation correlates with worsening oxygenation impairment and predicted fatal outcome (AUROC 0.817–0.898). These findings provide new evidence that neutrophil-dominated host response is associated with poor outcomes. Measuring neutrophil-related changes may improve risk stratification and patient selection, a critical first step in developing host-directed immune therapy.
The LipoGlo reporter system for sensitive and specific monitoring of atherogenic lipoproteins
Authors: Thierer James H. , Ekker Stephen C. , Farber Steven A.
Published: July 2019

Apolipoprotein-B (ApoB) is the structural component of atherogenic lipoproteins, lipid-rich particles that drive atherosclerosis by accumulating in the vascular wall. As atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, there is an urgent need to develop new strategies to prevent lipoproteins from causing vascular damage. Here we report the LipoGlo system, which uses a luciferase enzyme (NanoLuc) fused to ApoB to monitor several key determinants of lipoprotein atherogenicity including particle abundance, size, and localization. Using LipoGlo, we comprehensively characterize the lipoprotein profile of individual larval zebrafish and collect images of atherogenic lipoprotein localization in an intact organism. We report multiple extravascular lipoprotein localization patterns, as well as identify Pla2g12b as a potent regulator of lipoprotein size. ApoB-fusion proteins thus represent a sensitive and specific approach to study atherogenic lipoproteins and their genetic and small molecule modifiers.
Sulcal organization in the medial frontal cortex provides insights into primate brain evolution
Authors: Amiez Céline , Sallet Jérôme , Hopkins William D. , Meguerditchian Adrien , Hadj-Bouziane Fadila , Ben Hamed Suliann , Wilson Charles R. E. , Procyk Emmanuel , Petrides Michael
Published: July 2019

Although the relative expansion of the frontal cortex in primate evolution is generally accepted, the nature of the human uniqueness, if any, and between-species anatomo-functional comparisons of the frontal areas remain controversial. To provide a novel interpretation of the evolution of primate brains, sulcal morphological variability of the medial frontal cortex was assessed in Old World monkeys (macaque/baboon) and Hominoidea (chimpanzee/human). We show that both Hominoidea possess a paracingulate sulcus, which was previously thought to be unique to the human brain and linked to higher cognitive functions, such as mentalizing. Also, we show systematic sulcal morphological organization of the medial frontal cortex that can be traced from Old World monkeys to Hominoidea species, demonstrating an evolutionarily conserved organizational principle. These data provide a new framework to compare sulcal morphology, cytoarchitectonic areal distribution, connectivity, and function across the primate order, leading to clear predictions about how other primate brains might be anatomo-functionally organized.
Oscillatory surface rheotaxis of swimming E. coli bacteria
Authors: Mathijssen Arnold J. T. M. , Figueroa-Morales Nuris , Junot Gaspard , Clément Éric , Lindner Anke , Zöttl Andreas
Published: July 2019

Bacterial contamination of biological channels, catheters or water resources is a major threat to public health, which can be amplified by the ability of bacteria to swim upstream. The mechanisms of this ‘rheotaxis’, the reorientation with respect to flow gradients, are still poorly understood. Here, we follow individual E. coli bacteria swimming at surfaces under shear flow using 3D Lagrangian tracking and fluorescent flagellar labelling. Three transitions are identified with increasing shear rate: Above a first critical shear rate, bacteria shift to swimming upstream. After a second threshold, we report the discovery of an oscillatory rheotaxis. Beyond a third transition, we further observe coexistence of rheotaxis along the positive and negative vorticity directions. A theoretical analysis explains these rheotaxis regimes and predicts the corresponding critical shear rates. Our results shed light on bacterial transport and reveal strategies for contamination prevention, rheotactic cell sorting, and microswimmer navigation in complex flow environments.
A one-gate elevator mechanism for the human neutral amino acid transporter ASCT2
Authors: Garaeva Alisa A. , Guskov Albert , Slotboom Dirk J. , Paulino Cristina
Published: July 2019

The human Alanine Serine Cysteine Transporter 2 (ASCT2) is a neutral amino acid exchanger that belongs to the solute carrier family 1 (SLC1A). SLC1A structures have revealed an elevator-type mechanism, in which the substrate is translocated across the cell membrane by a large displacement of the transport domain, whereas a small movement of hairpin 2 (HP2) gates the extracellular access to the substrate-binding site. However, it has remained unclear how substrate binding and release is gated on the cytoplasmic side. Here, we present an inward-open structure of the human ASCT2, revealing a hitherto elusive SLC1A conformation. Strikingly, the same structural element (HP2) serves as a gate in the inward-facing as in the outward-facing state. The structures reveal that SLC1A transporters work as one-gate elevators. Unassigned densities near the gate and surrounding the scaffold domain, may represent potential allosteric binding sites, which could guide the design of lipidic-inhibitors for anticancer therapy.
Publisher Correction: IAPP toxicity activates HIF1α/PFKFB3 signaling delaying β-cell loss at the expense of β-cell function
Authors: Montemurro Chiara , Nomoto Hiroshi , Pei Lina , Parekh Vishal S. , Vongbunyong Kenny E. , Vadrevu Suryakiran , Gurlo Tatyana , Butler Alexandra E. , Subramaniam Rohan , Ritou Eleni , Shirihai Orian S. , Satin Leslie S. , Butler Peter C. , Tudzarova Slavica
Published: July 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Author Correction: Hydrology and the future of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Flowers Gwenn E.
Published: July 2019

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Optimized communication strategies with binary coherent states over phase noise channels
Authors: DiMario M. T. , Kunz L. , Banaszek K. , Becerra F. E.
Published: July 2019

The achievable rate of information transfer in optical communications is determined by the physical properties of the communication channel, such as the intrinsic channel noise. Bosonic phase noise channels, a class of non-Gaussian channels, have emerged as a relevant noise model in quantum information and optical communication. However, while the fundamental limits for communication over Gaussian channels have been extensively studied, the properties of communication over Bosonic phase noise channels are not well understood. Here we propose and demonstrate experimentally the concept of optimized communication strategies for communication over phase noise channels to enhance information transfer beyond what is possible with conventional methods of modulation and detection. Two key ingredients are generalized constellations of coherent states that interpolate between standard on-off keying and binary phase-shift keying formats, and non-Gaussian measurements based on photon number resolving detection of the coherently displaced signal. For a given power constraint and channel noise strength, these novel strategies rely on joint optimization of the input alphabet and the measurement to provide enhanced communication capability over a non-Gaussian channel characterized in terms of the error rate as well as mutual information.
A new global gridded anthropogenic heat flux dataset with high spatial resolution and long-term time series
Authors: Jin Kai , Wang Fei , Chen Deliang , Liu Huanhuan , Ding Wenbin , Shi Shangyu
Published: July 2019

Exploring global anthropogenic heat and its effects on climate change is necessary and meaningful to gain a better understanding of human–environment interactions caused by growing energy consumption. However, the variation in regional energy consumption and limited data availability make estimating long-term global anthropogenic heat flux (AHF) challenging. Thus, using high-resolution population density data (30 arc-second) and a top-down inventory-based approach, this study developed a new global gridded AHF dataset covering 1970–2050 based historically on energy consumption data from the British Petroleum (BP); future projections were built on estimated future energy demands. The globally averaged terrestrial AHFs were estimated at 0.05, 0.13, and 0.16 W/m2 in 1970, 2015, and 2050, respectively, but varied greatly among countries and regions. Multiple validation results indicate that the past and future global gridded AHF (PF-AHF) dataset has reasonable accuracy in reflecting AHF at various scales. The PF-AHF dataset has longer time series and finer spatial resolution than previous data and provides powerful support for studying long-term climate change at various scales.
Impact of management on foliage-dwelling arthropods and dynamics within permanent pastures
Authors: Rosa García Rocío , Fraser Mariecia D.
Published: July 2019

The restoration of biodiversity within previously improved grasslands is an important objective worldwide. In some areas farmers receive remuneration for using specific strategies but the environmental responses to them are still uncertain. This study explored the short and long-term impacts of sheep grazing and/or hay cutting on arthropod foliage communities and flora within Welsh upland permanent pastures (UK). We measured arthropod abundance and diversity plus sward surface height, flower numbers and percentage of forbs and grasses. Data were collected during summer; twice before hay cutting and once shortly after. Total arthropod abundance was higher in grazed plots (due to Symphypleona flourishing) and family richness in hay cut plots, but taxa-specific responses occurred. Short-term effects reflected phenological changes (e.g. in Symphypleona or Cantharidae) and arthropod reductions after hay cut, when mostly Diptera remained. Arthropod communities were more abundant and diverse in flower-rich and forb-dominated plots managed by hay cutting and by hay cutting with aftermath grazing, although certain groups flourished in grazed only grass-dominated plots. The two managements based on a hay cut provided more heterogeneous environmental conditions than other management treatments, and these supported more diverse arthropod communities. The results make a valuable addition to the evidence base on which to base future land use policy at a time when trade-offs between agricultural production and nature conservation are under scrutiny across Europe.
N2O formation by nitrite-induced (chemo)denitrification in coastal marine sediment
Authors: Otte Julia M. , Blackwell Nia , Ruser Reiner , Kappler Andreas , Kleindienst Sara , Schmidt Caroline
Published: July 2019

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas that also contributes to stratospheric ozone depletion. Besides microbial denitrification, abiotic nitrite reduction by Fe(II) (chemodenitrification) has the potential to be an important source of N2O. Here, using microcosms, we quantified N2O formation in coastal marine sediments under typical summer temperatures. Comparison between gamma-radiated and microbially-active microcosm experiments revealed that at least 15–25% of total N2O formation was caused by chemodenitrification, whereas 75–85% of total N2O was potentially produced by microbial N-transformation processes. An increase in (chemo)denitrification-based N2O formation and associated Fe(II) oxidation caused an upregulation of N2O reductase (typicalnosZ) genes and a distinct community shift to potential Fe(III)-reducers (Arcobacter), Fe(II)-oxidizers (Sulfurimonas), and nitrate/nitrite-reducing microorganisms (Marinobacter). Our study suggests that chemodenitrification contributes substantially to N2O formation from marine sediments and significantly influences the N- and Fe-cycling microbial community.
Dysbiosis associated with acute helminth infections in herbivorous youngstock – observations and implications
Authors: Peachey Laura E. , Castro Cecilia , Molena Rebecca A. , Jenkins Timothy P. , Griffin Julian L. , Cantacessi Cinzia
Published: July 2019

A plethora of data points towards a role of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota of neonatal and young vertebrates in supporting the development and regulation of the host immune system. However, knowledge of the impact that infections by GI helminths exert on the developing microbiota of juvenile hosts is, thus far, limited. This study investigates, for the first time, the associations between acute infections by GI helminths and the faecal microbial and metabolic profiles of a cohort of equine youngstock, prior to and following treatment with parasiticides (ivermectin). We observed that high versus low parasite burdens (measured via parasite egg counts in faecal samples) were associated with specific compositional alterations of the developing microbiome; in particular, the faecal microbiota of animals with heavy worm infection burdens was characterised by lower microbial richness, and alterations to the relative abundances of bacterial taxa with immune-modulatory functions. Amino acids and glucose were increased in faecal samples from the same cohort, which indicated the likely occurrence of intestinal malabsorption. These data support the hypothesis that GI helminth infections in young livestock are associated with significant alterations to the GI microbiota, which may impact on both metabolism and development of acquired immunity. This knowledge will direct future studies aimed to identify the long-term impact of infection-induced alterations of the GI microbiota in young livestock.
Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery Affects the Discriminative Capacity of Iris Pattern Recognition
Authors: Nigam Ishan , Keshari Rohit , Vatsa Mayank , Singh Richa , Bowyer Kevin
Published: July 2019

Cataract is a common ophthalmic disorder and the leading cause of blindness worldwide. While cataract is cured via surgical procedures, its impact on iris based biometric recognition has not been effectively studied. The key objective of this research is to assess the effect of cataract surgery on the iris texture pattern as a means of personal authentication. We prepare and release the IIITD Cataract Surgery Database (CaSD) captured from 132 cataract patients using three commercial iris sensors. A non-comparative non-randomized cohort study is performed on the iris texture patterns in CaSD and authentication performance is studied using three biometric recognition systems. Performance is lower when matching pre-operative images to post-operative images (74.69 ± 9.77%) as compared to matching pre-operative images to pre-operative images (93.42 ± 1.76%). 100% recognition performance is observed on a control-group of healthy irises from 68 subjects. Authentication performance improves if cataract affected subjects are re-enrolled in the system, though re-enrollment does not ensure performance at par with pre-operative scenarios (86.67 ± 5.64%). The results indicate that cataract surgery affects the discriminative nature of the iris texture pattern. This finding raises concerns about the reliability of iris-based biometric recognition systems in the context of subjects undergoing cataract surgery.
Daphnia stressor database: Taking advantage of a decade of Daphnia ‘-omics’ data for gene annotation
Authors: Ravindran Suda Parimala , Lüneburg Jennifer , Gottschlich Lisa , Tams Verena , Cordellier Mathilde
Published: July 2019

Gene expression patterns help to measure and characterize the effect of environmental perturbations at the cellular and organism-level. Complicating interpretation is the presence of uncharacterized or “hypothetical” gene functions for a large percentage of genomes. This is particularly evident inDaphniagenomes, which contains many regions coding for “hypothetical proteins” and are significantly divergent from many of the available arthropod model species, but might be ecologically important. In the present study, we developed a gene expression database, theDaphniastressor database (http://www.daphnia-stressordb.uni-hamburg.de/dsdbstart.php), built from 90 published studies onDaphniagene expression. Using a comparative genomics approach, we used the database to annotateD.galeatatranscripts. The extensive body of literature available forDaphniaspecies allowed to associate stressors with gene expression patterns. We believe that our stressor based annotation strategy allows for better understanding and interpretation of the functional role of the understudied hypothetical or uncharacterizedDaphniagenes, thereby increasing our understanding ofDaphnia’s genetic and phenotypic variability.
Sugar alcohol provides imaging contrast in cancer detection
Authors: Bagga Puneet , Wilson Neil , Rich Laurie , Marincola Francesco M. , Schnall Mitchell D. , Hariharan Hari , Haris Mohammad , Reddy Ravinder
Published: July 2019

Clinical imaging is widely used to detect, characterize and stage cancers in addition to monitoring the therapeutic progress. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) aided by contrast agents utilizes the differential relaxivity property of water to distinguish between tumorous and normal tissue. Here, we describe an MRI contrast method for the detection of cancer using a sugar alcohol, maltitol, a common low caloric sugar substitute that exploits the chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) property of the labile hydroxyl group protons on maltitol (malCEST). In vitro studies pointed toward concentration and pH-dependent CEST effect peaking at 1 ppm downfield to the water resonance. Studies with control rats showed that intravenously injected maltitol does not cross the intact blood-brain barrier (BBB). In glioma carrying rats, administration of maltitol resulted in the elevation of CEST contrast in the tumor region only owing to permeable BBB. These preliminary results show that this method may lead to the development of maltitol and other sugar alcohol derivatives as MRI contrast agents for a variety of preclinical imaging applications.
A Fiber-Coupled Stimulated Emission Depletion Microscope for Bend-Insensitive Through-Fiber Imaging
Authors: Heffernan Brendan M. , Meyer Stephanie A. , Restrepo Diego , Siemens Mark E. , Gibson Emily A. , Gopinath Juliet T.
Published: July 2019

We present results for a new type of fiber-coupled stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscope which uses a single fiber to transport STED and excitation light, as well as collect the fluorescence signal. Our method utilizes two higher-order eigenmodes of polarization maintaining (PM) fiber to generate the doughnut-shaped STED beam. The modes are excited with separate beams that share no temporal coherence, yielding output that is independent of fiber bending. We measured the resolution using 45 nm fluorescent beads and found a median bead image size of 116 nm. This resolution does not change as function of fiber bending radius, demonstrating robust operation. We report, for the first time, STED images of fixed biological samples collected in the epi-direction through fiber. Our microscope design shows promise for future use in super-resolution micro-endoscopes and in vivo neural imaging in awake and freely-behaving animals.