bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exceptional fossil assemblages confirm the existence of complex Early Triassic ecosystems during the early Spathian
Authors: Smith Christopher P. A. , Laville Thomas , Fara Emmanuel , Escarguel Gilles , Olivier Nicolas , Vennin Emmanuelle , Goudemand Nicolas , Bylund Kevin G. , Jenks James F. , Stephen Daniel A. , Hautmann Michael , Charbonnier Sylvain , Krumenacker L. J. , Brayard Arnaud
Published: October 2021

The mass extinction characterizing the Permian/Triassic boundary (PTB; ~ 252 Ma) corresponds to a major faunal shift between the Palaeozoic and the Modern evolutionary fauna. The temporal, spatial, environmental, and ecological dynamics of the associated biotic recovery remain highly debated, partly due to the scarce, or poorly-known, Early Triassic fossil record. Recently, an exceptionally complex ecosystem dated from immediately after the Smithian/Spathian boundary (~ 3 myr after the PTB) was reported: the Paris Biota (Idaho, USA). However, the spatiotemporal representativeness of this unique assemblage remained questionable as it was hitherto only reported from a single site. Here we describe three new exceptionally diverse assemblages of the same age as the Paris Biota, and a fourth younger one. They are located in Idaho and Nevada, and are taxonomic subsets of the Paris Biota. We show that the latter covered a region-wide area and persisted at least partially throughout the Spathian. The presence of a well-established marine fauna such as the Paris Biota, as soon as the early Spathian, indicates that the post-PTB biotic recovery and the installation of complex ecosystems probably took place earlier than often assumed, at least at a regional scale.
The variability of antennal sensilla in Naucoridae (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha)
Authors: Nowińska Agnieszka , Brożek Jolanta
Published: October 2021

The morphology and distribution of sensilla on the surface of the antennae of the naucorids’ species were studied via scanning electron microscopy. Eleven types of sensilla were identified regarding specific sensory modalities, based on their cuticular morphology. Cuticle morphology identifies five types of sensilla trichodea, four types of sensilla basiconica, one type of sensillum coeloconicum and sensillum ampullaceum. Three new types of mechanosensitive sensilla were found. Moreover, the morphological diversity between the antennae allowed the distinction of ten different antennal types that correspond to different sensillar sets. The sensilla found in Naucoridae share similarities with the sensilla of other nepomorphan taxa, as well as of terrestrial insects. However, no sensillar synapomorphy was found between Naucoridae and Aphelocheiridae.
An efficient and accurate distributed learning algorithm for modeling multi-site zero-inflated count outcomes
Authors: Edmondson Mackenzie J. , Luo Chongliang , Duan Rui , Maltenfort Mitchell , Chen Zhaoyi , Locke Kenneth , Shults Justine , Bian Jiang , Ryan Patrick B. , Forrest Christopher B. , Chen Yong
Published: October 2021

Clinical research networks (CRNs), made up of multiple healthcare systems each with patient data from several care sites, are beneficial for studying rare outcomes and increasing generalizability of results. While CRNs encourage sharing aggregate data across healthcare systems, individual systems within CRNs often cannot share patient-level data due to privacy regulations, prohibiting multi-site regression which requires an analyst to access all individual patient data pooled together. Meta-analysis is commonly used to model data stored at multiple institutions within a CRN but can result in biased estimation, most notably in rare-event contexts. We present a communication-efficient, privacy-preserving algorithm for modeling multi-site zero-inflated count outcomes within a CRN. Our method, a one-shot distributed algorithm for performing hurdle regression (ODAH), models zero-inflated count data stored in multiple sites without sharing patient-level data across sites, resulting in estimates closely approximating those that would be obtained in a pooled patient-level data analysis. We evaluate our method through extensive simulations and two real-world data applications using electronic health records: examining risk factors associated with pediatric avoidable hospitalization and modeling serious adverse event frequency associated with a colorectal cancer therapy. In simulations, ODAH produced bias less than 0.1% across all settings explored while meta-analysis estimates exhibited bias up to 12.7%, with meta-analysis performing worst in settings with high zero-inflation or low event rates. Across both applied analyses, ODAH estimates had less than 10% bias for 18 of 20 coefficients estimated, while meta-analysis estimates exhibited substantially higher bias. Relative to existing methods for distributed data analysis, ODAH offers a highly accurate, computationally efficient method for modeling multi-site zero-inflated count data.
Leu-to-Phe substitution at prM146 decreases the growth ability of Zika virus and partially reduces its pathogenicity in mice
Authors: Inagaki Takuya , Taniguchi Satoshi , Kawai Yasuhiro , Maeki Takahiro , Nakayama Eri , Tajima Shigeru , Takeyama Haruko , Lim Chang Kweng , Saijo Masayuki
Published: October 2021

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes febrile illness. The recent spread of ZIKV from Asia to the Americas via the Pacific region has revealed unprecedented features of ZIKV, including transplacental congenital infection causing microcephaly. Amino acid changes have been hypothesized to underlie the spread and novel features of American ZIKV strains; however, the relationship between genetic changes and the epidemic remains controversial. A comparison of the characteristics of a Southeast Asian strain (NIID123) and an American strain (PRVABC59) revealed that the latter had a higher replication ability in cultured cells and higher virulence in mice. In this study, we aimed to identify the genetic region of ZIKV responsible for these different characteristics using reverse genetics. A chimeric NIID123 strain in which the E protein was replaced with that of PRVABC59 showed a lower growth ability than the recombinant wild-type strain. Adaptation of the chimeric NIID123 to Vero cells induced a Phe-to-Leu amino acid substitution at position 146 of the prM protein; PRVABC59 also has Leu at this position. Leu at this position was found to be responsible for the viral replication ability and partially, for the pathogenicity in mouse testes.
Probabilistic threshold analysis by pairwise stochastic approximation for decision-making under uncertainty
Authors: Goda Takashi , Yamada Yuki
Published: October 2021

The concept of probabilistic parameter threshold analysis has recently been introduced as a way of probabilistic sensitivity analysis for decision-making under uncertainty, in particular, for health economic evaluations which compare two or more alternative treatments with consideration of uncertainty on outcomes and costs. In this paper we formulate the probabilistic threshold analysis as a root-finding problem involving the conditional expectations, and propose a pairwise stochastic approximation algorithm to search for the threshold value below and above which the choice of conditionally optimal decision options changes. Numerical experiments for both a simple synthetic testcase and a chemotherapy Markov model illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm, without any need for accurate estimation or approximation of conditional expectations which the existing approaches rely upon. Moreover we introduce a new measure called decision switching probability for probabilistic sensitivity analysis in this paper.
Anti-inflammatory role of Gpnmb in adipose tissue of mice
Authors: Nickl Bernadette , Qadri Fatimunnisa , Bader Michael
Published: October 2021

Obesity can cause a chronic, low-grade inflammation, which is a critical step in the development of type II diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Inflammation is associated with the expression of glycoprotein nonmetastatic melanoma protein b (Gpnmb), which is mainly expressed by macrophages and dendritic cells. We generated a Gpnmb-knockout mouse line using Crispr-Cas9 to assess the role of Gpnmb in a diet-induced obesity. The absence of Gpnmb did not affect body weight gain and blood lipid parameters. While wildtype animals became obese but remained otherwise metabolically healthy, Gpnmb-knockout animals developed, in addition to obesity, symptoms of metabolic syndrome such as adipose tissue inflammation, insulin resistance and liver fibrosis. We observed a strong Gpnmb expression in adipose tissue macrophages in wildtype animals and a decreased expression of most macrophage-related genes independent of their inflammatory function. This was corroborated by in vitro data showing that Gpnmb was mostly expressed by reparative macrophages while only pro-inflammatory stimuli induced shedding of Gpnmb. The data suggest that Gpnmb is ameliorating adipose tissue inflammation independent of the polarization of macrophages. Taken together, the data suggest an immune-balancing function of Gpnmb that could delay the metabolic damage caused by the induction of obesity.
Longitudinal urinary biomarkers of immunological activation in covid-19 patients without clinically apparent kidney disease versus acute and chronic failure
Authors: Laudanski Krzysztof , Okeke Tony , Hajj Jihane , Siddiq Kumal , Rader Daniel J. , Wu Junnan , Susztak Katalin
Published: October 2021

Kidney function is affected in COVID-19, while kidney itself modulates the immune response. Here, hypothesize if COVID-19 urine biomarkers level can assess immune activation vs. clinical trajectory. Considering the kidney’s critical role in modulating the immune response, we sought to analyze activation markers in patients with pre-existing dysfunction. This was a cross-sectional study of 68 patients. Blood and urine were collected within 48 h of hospital admission (H1), followed by 96 h (H2), seven days (H3), and up to 25 days (H4) from admission. Serum level ferritin, procalcitonin, IL-6 assessed immune activation overall, while the response to viral burden was gauged with serum level of spike protein and αspike IgM and IgG. 39 markers correlated highly between urine and blood. Age and race, and to a lesser extend gender, differentiated several urine markers. The burden of pre-existing conditions correlated with urine DCN, CAIX and PTN, but inversely with IL-5 or MCP-4. Higher urinary IL-12 and lower CAIX, CCL23, IL-15, IL-18, MCP-1, MCP-3, MUC-16, PD-L1, TNFRS12A, and TNFRS21 signified non-survivors. APACHE correlated with urine TNFRS12, PGF, CAIX, DCN, CXCL6, and EGF. Admission urine LAG-3 and IL-2 predicted death. Pre-existing kidney disease had a unique pattern of urinary inflammatory markers. Acute kidney injury was associated, and to a certain degree, predicted by IFNg, TWEAK, MMP7, and MUC-16. Remdesavir had a more profound effect on the urine biomarkers than steroids. Urinary biomarkers correlated with clinical status, kidney function, markers of the immune system activation, and probability of demise in COVID-19.
A T cell-intrinsic function for NF-κB RelB in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Lalle Guilhem , Lautraite Raphaëlle , Voisin Allison , Twardowski Julie , Stéphan Pierre , Perrin-Niquet Marlène , Igalouzene Ramdane , Soudja Saidi M. , Marie Julien C. , Vocanson Marc , De Silva Nilushi , Klein Ulf , Ghosh Sankar , Grinberg-Bleyer Yenkel
Published: October 2021

NF-kappaB (NF-κB) is a family of transcription factors with pleiotropic functions in immune responses. The alternative NF-κB pathway that leads to the activation of RelB and NF-κB2, was previously associated with the activation and function of T cells, though the exact contribution of these NF-κB subunits remains unclear. Here, using mice carrying conditional ablation of RelB in T cells, we evaluated its role in the development of conventional CD4+ T (Tconv) cells and their function in autoimmune diseases. RelB was largely dispensable for Tconv cell homeostasis, activation and proliferation, and for their polarization toward different flavors of Thelper cells in vitro. Moreover, ablation of RelB had no impact on the capacity of Tconv cells to induce autoimmune colitis. Conversely, clinical severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis (MS) was significantly reduced in mice with RelB-deficient T cells. This was associated with impaired expression of granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) specifically in the central nervous system. Our data reveal a discrete role for RelB in the pathogenic function of Tconv cells during EAE, and highlight this transcription factor as a putative therapeutic target in MS.
Distinct timescales for the neuronal encoding of vocal signals in a high-order auditory area
Authors: Cazala Aurore , Del Negro Catherine , Giret Nicolas
Published: October 2021

The ability of the auditory system to selectively recognize natural sound categories while maintaining a certain degree of tolerance towards variations within these categories, which may have functional roles, is thought to be crucial for vocal communication. To date, it is still largely unknown how the balance between tolerance and sensitivity to variations in acoustic signals is coded at a neuronal level. Here, we investigate whether neurons in a high-order auditory area in zebra finches, a songbird species, are sensitive to natural variations in vocal signals by recording their responses to repeated exposures to identical and variant sound sequences. We used the songs of male birds which tend to be highly repetitive with only subtle variations between renditions. When playing these songs to both anesthetized and awake birds, we found that variations between songs did not affect the neuron firing rate but the temporal reliability of responses. This suggests that auditory processing operates on a range of distinct timescales, namely a short one to detect variations in vocal signals, and longer ones that allow the birds to tolerate variations in vocal signal structure and to encode the global context.
Increased serum catalytic iron may mediate tissue injury and death in patients with COVID-19
Authors: Chakurkar Vipul , Rajapurkar Mohan , Lele Suhas , Mukhopadhyay Banibrata , Lobo Valentine , Injarapu Ramakrishna , Sheikh Muddassir , Dholu Bharatkumar , Ghosh Arpita , Jha Vivekanand
Published: October 2021

The pathophysiology and the factors determining disease severity in COVID-19 are not yet clear, with current data indicating a possible role of altered iron metabolism. Previous studies of iron parameters in COVID-19 are cross-sectional and have not studied catalytic iron, the biologically most active form of iron. The study was done to determine the role of catalytic iron in the adverse outcomes in COVID-19. We enrolled adult patients hospitalized with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19 and measured serum iron, transferrin saturation, ferritin, hepcidin and serum catalytic iron daily. Primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and kidney replacement therapy. Associations between longitudinal iron parameter measurements and time-to-event outcomes were examined using a joint model. We enrolled 120 patients (70 males) with median age 50 years. The primary composite outcome was observed in 25 (20.8%) patients—mechanical ventilation was needed in 21 (17.5%) patients and in-hospital mortality occurred in 21 (17.5%) patients. Baseline levels of ferritin and hepcidin were significantly associated with the primary composite outcome. The joint model analysis showed that ferritin levels were significantly associated with primary composite outcome [HR (95% CI) = 2.63 (1.62, 4.24) after adjusting for age and gender]. Both ferritin and serum catalytic iron levels were positively associated with in-hospital mortality [HR (95% CI) = 3.22 (2.05, 5.07) and 1.73 (1.21, 2.47), respectively], after adjusting for age and gender. The study shows an association of ferritin and catalytic iron with adverse outcomes in COVID-19. This suggests new pathophysiologic pathways in this disease, also raising the possibility of considering iron chelation therapy.
Comparison of the blood, bone marrow, and cerebrospinal fluid metabolomes in children with b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Schraw Jeremy M. , Woodhouse J. P. , Bernhardt Melanie B. , Taylor Olga A. , Horton Terzah M. , Scheurer Michael E. , Okcu M. Fatih , Rabin Karen R. , Lupo Philip J. , Brown Austin L.
Published: October 2021

Metabolomics may shed light on treatment response in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), however, most assessments have analyzed bone marrow or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which are not collected during all phases of therapy. Blood is collected frequently and with fewer risks, but it is unclear whether findings from marrow or CSF biomarker studies may translate. We profiled end-induction plasma, marrow, and CSF from N = 10 children with B-ALL using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We estimated correlations between plasma and marrow/CSF metabolite abundances detected in ≥ 3 patients using Spearman rank correlation coefficients (rs). Most marrow metabolites were detected in plasma (N = 661; 81%), and we observed moderate-to-strong correlations (median rs 0.62, interquartile range [IQR] 0.29–0.83). We detected 328 CSF metabolites in plasma (90%); plasma-CSF correlations were weaker (median rs 0.37, IQR 0.07–0.70). We observed plasma-marrow correlations for metabolites in pathways associated with end-induction residual disease (pyruvate, asparagine) and plasma-CSF correlations for a biomarker of fatigue (gamma-glutamylglutamine). There is considerable overlap between the plasma, marrow, and CSF metabolomes, and we observed strong correlations for biomarkers of clinically relevant phenotypes. Plasma may be suitable for biomarker studies in B-ALL.
Geomechanical simulation of energy storage in salt formations
Authors: Ramesh Kumar Kishan , Makhmutov Artur , Spiers Christopher J. , Hajibeygi Hadi
Published: October 2021

A promising option for storing large-scale quantities of green gases (e.g., hydrogen) is in subsurface rock salt caverns. The mechanical performance of salt caverns utilized for long-term subsurface energy storage plays a significant role in long-term stability and serviceability. However, rock salt undergoes non-linear creep deformation due to long-term loading caused by subsurface storage. Salt caverns have complex geometries and the geological domain surrounding salt caverns has a vast amount of material heterogeneity. To safely store gases in caverns, a thorough analysis of the geological domain becomes crucial. To date, few studies have attempted to analyze the influence of geometrical and material heterogeneity on the state of stress in salt caverns subjected to long-term loading. In this work, we present a rigorous and systematic modeling study to quantify the impact of heterogeneity on the deformation of salt caverns and quantify the state of stress around the caverns. A 2D finite element simulator was developed to consistently account for the non-linear creep deformation and also to model tertiary creep. The computational scheme was benchmarked with the already existing experimental study. The impact of cyclic loading on the cavern was studied considering maximum and minimum pressure that depends on lithostatic pressure. The influence of geometric heterogeneity such as irregularly-shaped caverns and material heterogeneity, which involves different elastic and creep properties of the different materials in the geological domain, is rigorously studied and quantified. Moreover, multi-cavern simulations are conducted to investigate the influence of a cavern on the adjacent caverns. An elaborate sensitivity analysis of parameters involved with creep and damage constitutive laws is performed to understand the influence of creep and damage on deformation and stress evolution around the salt cavern configurations. The simulator developed in this work is publicly available at https://gitlab.tudelft.nl/ADMIRE_Public/Salt_Cavern.
Silicon supplied via foliar application and root to attenuate potassium deficiency in common bean plants
Authors: dos Santos Sarah Marcilene Machado , de Mello Prado Renato , de Souza Júnior Jonas Pereira , Teixeira Gelza Carliane Marques , dos Santos Duarte João Carlos , de Medeiros Robson Luis Silva
Published: October 2021

Potassium (K) deficiency affects physiological performance and decreases vegetative growth in common bean plants. Although silicon (Si) supplied via nutrient solution or foliar application may alleviate nutritional stress, research on the bean crop is incipient. Thus, two experiments were carried out: initially, a test was performed to determine the best source and foliar concentration of silicon. Subsequently, the chosen Si source was supplied in nutrient solution via roots or foliar application to verify whether Si supply forms are efficient in alleviating the effects of K deficiency. For these purposes, a completely randomized 2 × 3 factorial design was used, with two levels of K: deficient (0.2 mmol L−1 of K) and sufficient (6 mmol L−1 of K); and Si: in nutrient solution via roots (2 mmol L−1 of Si) or foliar application (5.4 mmol L−1 of Si) and control (0 mmol L−1 of Si). Our findings revealed that Si supplied via foliar spraying using the source of sodium silicate and stabilized potassium at a concentration of 5.4 mmol L−1 was agronomically viable for the cultivation of bean plant. K deficiency, when not supplied with silicon, compromised plant growth. Moreover, root-and-foliar-applied Si attenuated the effects of K deficiency as it increased chlorophylls and carotenoids content, photosynthetic activity, water use efficiency and vegetative growth. For the first time, the role of Si to mitigate K deficiency in the bean crop was evidenced, with a view to further research on plants that do not accumulate this beneficial element.
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has a healing ability for periapical periodontitis
Authors: Naruse Haruna , Itoh Shousaku , Itoh Yuki , Kagioka Takumi , Abe Makoto , Hayashi Mikako
Published: October 2021

Various disease-related genes have recently been identified using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). This study identified disease-related genes by analyzing SNP using genomic DNA isolated from Japanese patients with periapical periodontitis. Results showed that the SNP in LRP5 demonstrated a significant genotypic association with periapical lesions (Fisher’s exact test, P < 0.05). We constructed an in vivo murine periapical periodontitis model to confirm the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway’s role in developing and healing periapical periodontitis. We observed that administration of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor enlarged the periapical lesion. Moreover, applying lithium chloride (LiCl) to root canals accelerated periapical periodontitis healing. Histological analysis demonstrated that the expression levels of Col1a1 and Runx2 increased in the LiCl application group compared to that in the control group. Furthermore, many CD45R-positive cells appeared in the periapical lesions in the LiCl application group. These results indicated that LiCl promoted the healing of periapical periodontitis by inducing bone formation and immune responses. Our findings suggest that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway regulates the development of periapical periodontitis. We propose a bioactive next-generation root canal treatment agent for this dental lesion.
CBF oscillations induced by trigeminal nerve stimulation protect the pericontusional penumbra in traumatic brain injury complicated by hemorrhagic shock
Authors: Li Chunyan , Shah Kevin A. , Powell Keren , Wu Yi-Chen , Chaung Wayne , Sonti Anup N. , White Timothy G. , Doobay Mohini , Yang Weng-Lang , Wang Ping , Becker Lance B. , Narayan Raj K.
Published: October 2021

Traumatic peri-contusional penumbra represents crucial targets for therapeutic interventions after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Current resuscitative approaches may not adequately alleviate impaired cerebral microcirculation and, hence, compromise oxygen delivery to peri-contusional areas. Low-frequency oscillations in cerebral blood flow (CBF) may improve cerebral oxygenation in the setting of oxygen deprivation. However, no method has been reported to induce controllable oscillations in CBF and it hasn’t been applied as a therapeutic strategy. Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve (TNS) plays a pivotal role in modulating cerebrovascular tone and cerebral perfusion. We hypothesized that TNS can modulate CBF at the targeted frequency band via the trigemino-cerebrovascular network, and TNS-induced CBF oscillations would improve cerebral oxygenation in peri-contusional areas. In a rat model of TBI complicated by hemorrhagic shock, TNS-induced CBF oscillations conferred significant preservation of peri-contusional tissues leading to reduced lesion volume, attenuated hypoxic injury and neuroinflammation, increased eNOS expression, improved neurological recovery and better 10-day survival rate, despite not significantly increasing CBF as compared with those in immediate and delayed resuscitation animals. Our findings indicate that low-frequency CBF oscillations enhance cerebral oxygenation in peri-contusional areas, and play a more significant protective role than improvements in non-oscillatory cerebral perfusion or volume expansion alone.
Validation of eyes-closed resting alpha amplitude predicting neurofeedback learning of upregulation alpha activity
Authors: Su Ken-Hsien , Hsueh Jen-Jui , Chen Tainsong , Shaw Fu-Zen
Published: October 2021

Neurofeedback training (NFT) enables users to learn self-control of EEG activity of interest and then to create many benefits on cognitive function. A considerable number of nonresponders who fail to achieve successful NFT have often been reported in the within-session prediction. This study aimed to investigate successful EEG NFT of upregulation alpha activity in terms of trainability, independence, and between-session predictability validation. Forty-six participants completed 12 training sessions. Spectrotemporal analysis revealed the upregulation success on brain activity of 8–12 Hz exclusively to demonstrate trainability and independence of alpha NFT. Three learning indices of between-session changes exhibited significant correlations with eyes-closed resting state (ECRS) alpha amplitude before the training exclusively. Through a stepwise linear discriminant analysis, the prediction model of ECRS’s alpha frequency band amplitude exhibited the best accuracy (89.1%) validation regarding the learning index of increased alpha amplitude on average. This study performed a systematic analysis on NFT success, the performance of the 3 between-session learning indices, and the validation of ECRS alpha activity for responder prediction. The findings would assist researchers in obtaining insight into the training efficacy of individuals and then attempting to adapt an efficient strategy in NFT success.
Severe vegetation degradation associated with different disturbance types in a poorly managed urban recreation destination in Iran
Authors: Erfanian Mohammad Bagher , Alatalo Juha M. , Ejtehadi Hamid
Published: October 2021

Recreational activities worldwide have major impacts on the environment. This study examined the impact of different kinds of recreational activities on plant communities in a highly visited park in Mashhad, Iran. Vegetation in the park was sampled along 41 random 10-m transects with different human disturbances (trails, dirt roads, campsites) and undisturbed communities. Life form spectrum, species composition, species and phylogenetic diversity were determined for all communities. Disturbance increased the frequency of therophytes, but decreased the frequency of chamaephytes and percentage vegetated area. Recreational-mediated disturbance had variable impact on species composition, but decreased species and phylogenetic diversity compared with undisturbed areas. Roads and campsites caused the greatest damage, while trails had the smallest negative impact on vegetation. This study showed that damage to (semi-)natural park vegetation differs with recreation activity. This finding can help prioritise management activities to minimise negative impacts of recreation activities on local vegetation. The current visitor load to the urban park studied here appears too high to be sustainable over time, so better monitoring and restrictions on visitor numbers may be needed to minimise the negative impacts on park vegetation. The camping impacts can be managed by creating clusters of designated campsites to spatially concentrate the impact area. Low-impact practices should be communicated to visitors.
Contribution of p53 in sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Jung Sangyong , Kim Dong Ha , Choi Yun Jung , Kim Seon Ye , Park Hyojeong , Lee Hyeonjeong , Choi Chang-Min , Sung Young Hoon , Lee Jae Cheol , Rho Jin Kyung
Published: October 2021

The emergence of resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating EGFR mutations is a major hindrance to treatment. We investigated the effects of p53 in primary sensitivity and acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC cells. Changes in sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs were determined using p53 overexpression or knockdown in cells with activating EGFR mutations. We investigated EMT-related molecules, morphologic changes, and AXL induction to elucidate mechanisms of acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs according to p53 status. Changes in p53 status affected primary sensitivity as well as acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs according to cell type. Firstly, p53 silencing did not affect primary and acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in PC-9 cells, but it led to primary resistance to EGFR-TKIs through AXL induction in HCC827 cells. Secondly, p53 silencing in H1975 cells enhanced the sensitivity to osimertinib through the emergence of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition, and the emergence of acquired resistance to osimertinib in p53 knockout cells was much slower than in H1975 cells. Furthermore, two cell lines (H1975 and H1975/p53KO) demonstrated the different mechanisms of acquired resistance to osimertinib. Lastly, the introduction of mutant p53-R273H induced the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and exerted resistance to EGFR-TKIs in cells with activating EGFR mutations. These findings indicate that p53 mutations can be associated with primary or acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Thus, the status or mutations of p53 may be considered as routes to improving the therapeutic effects of EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC.
Interaction of Male Specific Lethal complex and genomic imbalance on global gene expression in Drosophila
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Qi Haizhu , Huang Cheng , Yuan Lijia , Zhang Ludan , Wang Ruixue , Tian Yu , Sun Lin
Published: October 2021

The inverse dosage effect caused by chromosome number variations shows global consequences in genomic imbalance including sexual dimorphism and an X chromosome-specific response. To investigate the relationship of the MSL complex to genomic imbalance, we over-expressed MSL2 in autosomal and sex chromosomal aneuploids, and analyzed the different transcriptomes. Some candidate genes involved in regulatory mechanisms have also been tested during embryogenesis using TSA-FISH. Here we show that the de novo MSL complex assembled on the X chromosomes in females further reduced the global expression level on the basis of 2/3 down-regulation caused by the inverse dosage effect in trisomy through epigenetic modulations rather than induced dosage compensation. Plus, the sexual dimorphism effect in unbalanced genomes was further examined due to the pre-existing of the MSL complex in males. All these results demonstrate the dynamic functions of the MSL complex on global gene expression in different aneuploid genomes.
investigation of nacre nanostructure by analyzing its structural color pattern
Authors: Fan Nicole , Zhou Chunhui , Myagkaya Elina
Published: October 2021

Produced by light interacting with structures at micrometer or nanometer levels, structural color can be utilized to investigate details of material structures. In this article, we studied the pattern of interference color generated from repetitive aragonite–conchiolin double layers on colorless nacreous pearls. Based on qualitative wave analysis and quantitative electromagnetic computation, we theoretically concluded such patterns are mainly determined by aragonite layer thickness. We also demonstrated how to predict the aragonite layer thickness and estimate the conchiolin refractive index variation on a Tahitian pearl with near-colorless body color and strong iridescence. We believe this approach offers a new perspective to study nanostructures in biology and mineralogy.
Replicated, urban-driven exposure to metallic trace elements in two passerines
Authors: Chatelain Marion , Da Silva Arnaud , Celej Marta , Kurek Eliza , Bulska Ewa , Corsini Michela , Szulkin Marta
Published: October 2021

While there are increasing examples of phenotypic and genotypic differences between urban and non-urban populations of plants and animals, few studies identified the mechanisms explaining those dissimilarities. The characterization of the urban landscape, which can only be achieved by measuring variability in relevant environmental factors within and between cities, is a keystone prerequisite to understand the effects of urbanization on wildlife. Here, we measured variation in bird exposure to metal pollution within 8 replicated urbanization gradients and within 2 flagship bird species in urban evolutionary ecology: the blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) and the great tit (Parus major). We report on a highly significant, positive linear relationship between the magnitude of urbanization—inferred as either tree cover, impervious surface cover, or an urbanization score computed from several environmental variables, and copper, zinc and lead concentrations in bird feathers. The reverse relationship was measured in the case of mercury, while cadmium and arsenic did not vary in response to the urbanization level. This result, replicated across multiple cities and two passerine species, strongly suggests that copper, zinc, lead and mercury pollution is likely to trigger the emergence of parallel responses at the phenotypic and/or genotypic level between urban environments worldwide.
Precipitation-induced transport and phase partitioning of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in urban and rural watersheds
Authors: Awonaike Boluwatife , Lei Ying Duan , Wania Frank
Published: October 2021

Particle-bound OPEs were observed at fractions higher than expected based on predicted partitioning behaviour, i.e. organic carbon–water partitioning ratios (log ) calculated from field data were generally higher than predicted values.
Rational design of selective inhibitors of PARP4
Authors: Kirby Ilsa T. , Person Ashley , Cohen Michael
Published: October 2021

PARPs (PARP1-16 in humans) are a large family of ADP-ribosyltransferases (ARTs) that have diverse roles in cellular physiology and pathophysiology.
Excitation wavelength-dependent room-temperature phosphorescence: unusual properties of novel phosphinoamines
Authors: Khisamov R. M. , Ryadun A. A. , Sukhikh T. S. , Konchenko S. N.
Published: October 2021

Three novel phosphinoamines based on phenylbenzothiazole feature excitation-dependent room-temperature phosphorescence with a glowing color change from green through white to blue upon changing the excitation wavelength.
Silica particles with fluorescein-labelled cores for evaluating accessibility through fluorescence quenching by copper
Authors: Gallagher Samuel H. , Schlauri Paul , Cesari Emanuele , Durrer Julian , Brühwiler Dominik
Published: October 2021

Silica particles with a fluorescent core were used to evaluate the accessibility of the core in function of the shell architecture.
Rashba exciton in a 2D perovskite quantum dot
Authors: Swift Michael W. , Lyons John L. , Efros Alexander L. , Sercel Peter C.
Published: October 2021

“Rashba excitons” in 2D perovskites have dispersion minima at non-zero quasimomenta. Implications to bright and dark confined excitons are presented.
Synthesis of vinyl sulfides and thioethers via a hydrothiolation reaction of 4-hydroxydithiocoumarins and arylacetylenes/styrenes
Authors: Mondal Santa , Yashmin Sabina , Khan Abu Taleb
Published: October 2021

A highly regioselective hydrothiolation reaction is developed for the synthesis of vinyl sulfides and thioethers using copper(i) iodide from 4-hydroxydithiocoumarins and arylacetylenes/styrenes.
Constructing robust and freestanding MXene/Si@C core–shell nanofibers via coaxial electrospinning for high performance Li-ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Ruoqian , Yuan Haocheng , Wei Xianbin , Wang Haijun , Shin Hee-Jae , Lan Jinle , Yu Yunhua , Yang Xiaoping
Published: October 2021

A facile coaxial electrospinning method is adopted to fabricate a core–shell MXene/Si@C nanofiber, which has a number of unique structure advantages in improving the performance of Si particles.
Regulation of microglia polarization via mannose receptor-mediated delivery of siRNA by ligand-functionalized DoGo LNP
Authors: Xiao Hai , Han Shuqin , Baigude Huricha
Published: October 2021

Mannose functionalized DoGo lipid nanoparticles (denote M3) can effectively deliver siRNA to microglia via receptor-mediated internalization, knockdown target gene and induce neuroprotective M2 polarization.
Formation of cubic perovskite alloy containing the ammonium cation of 2D perovskite for high performance solar cells with improved stability
Authors: Jung Mi-Hee
Published: October 2021

We prepared (MA)1−x(FA)xPbI3 (CH3NH3 = MA, HC(NH2)2 = FA) perovskite alloys that contain ethylammonium (CH3CH2NH3+) and benzylammonium (C6H5CH2NH3+) cations with no new additional two-dimensional perovskite phases.
In situ microwave heating fabrication of copper nanoparticles inside cotton fiber using pressurization in immiscible liquids with raw material solutions
Authors: Miyakawa Masato , Shigaraki Chizuru , Nakamura Takashi , Nishioka Masateru
Published: October 2021

Copper nanoparticles were created inside of cotton fibers by pressuring immiscible liquids against raw material solutions and applying microwave heating.
Enhanced hydrogen storage kinetics and air stability of nanoconfined NaAlH4 in graphene oxide framework
Authors: Do Hyung Wan , Kim HyeonJi , Cho Eun Seon
Published: October 2021

NaAlH4 nanoconfined in a graphene oxide framework (NaAlH4@GOF) showed significantly enhanced hydrogen storage kinetics as well as improved oxidative stability under ambient conditions.
Off-line analysis in the manganese catalysed epoxidation of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) with hydrogen peroxide
Authors: de Roo C. Maurits , Kasper Johann B. , van Duin Martin , Mecozzi Francesco , Browne Wesley
Published: October 2021

Epoxidation of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), based on 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, to epoxidized EPDM (eEPDM) opens routes to cross-linking and reactive blending, with increased polarity aiding adhesion to polar materials such as silica.
Synthesis and electronic structure analysis of the actinide allenylidenes, [{(NR2)3}An(CCCPh2)]− (An = U, Th; R = SiMe3)
Authors: Kent Greggory T. , Yu Xiaojuan , Wu Guang , Autschbach Jochen , Hayton Trevor W.
Published: October 2021

The actinide allenylidenes [{(NR2)3}An(CCCPh2)]− (An = U, Th, R = SiMe3) feature significant ligand-to-metal donation bonding and partial AnC double bond character.
A cost-effective indium/carbon catalyst for highly efficient electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to HCOOH
Authors: Wu Hui , Li Zhongshui , Liu Ying , Zou Xiaohuan , Yin Longwei , Lin Shen
Published: October 2021

Different structure directing agents were used to tune the crystallinity of indium, and the content and crystallinity of In (0) in In/C catalysts obviously affect the electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to HCOOH.
Recent advances in the design of a high performance metal–nitrogen–carbon catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Ye Cheng-Wei , Xu Lan
Published: October 2021

Developing highly active, stable, and cost-effective cathode oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts is of great practical significance to promote the widespread applicability of fuel cells (FCs).
Optoelectronic property comparison for isostructural Cu2BaGeSe4 and Cu2BaSnS4 solar absorbers
Authors: Kim Yongshin , Hempel Hannes , Levcenco Sergiu , Euvrard Julie , Bergmann Eric , Gunawan Oki , Unold Thomas , Hill Ian G. , Mitzi David B.
Published: October 2021

This study identifies key underlying differences in electronic properties of vacuum-deposited Cu2BaGeSe4 and Cu2BaSnS4 thin films.
Perovskite crystal symmetry and oxygen-ion transport: a molecular-dynamics study of perovskite
Authors: Robens Elisabeth , Rauschen Robert , Kaub Johannes , Parras Jana P. , Kemp Dennis , Freeman Colin L. , De Souza Roger A.
Published: October 2021

Oxygen diffusion in CaTiO3 is revealed through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to have a smaller activation enthalpy in the high-symmetry phase.
Sorption-enhanced mixed-gas transport in amine functionalized polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs)
Authors: Mizrahi Rodriguez Katherine , Benedetti Francesco M. , Roy Naksha , Wu Albert X. , Smith Zachary P.
Published: October 2021

Pure-gas sorption and mixed-gas transport properties of six functionalized PIM-1 variants were systematically investigated to study the role of CO2affinity and polymer chemistry on competitive sorption.
Freestanding MXene-hydrogels prepared via critical density-controlled self-assembly: high-performance energy storage with ultrahigh capacitive vs. diffusion-limited contribution
Authors: Dutta Pronoy , Patra Amalika , Deb Sujit Kumar , Sikdar Anirban , Majumdar Abhisek , Karim Golam Masud , Maiti Uday Narayan
Published: October 2021

Critical density-controlled self-assembly of freestanding planer MXene hydrogels and their excellent performance in energy storage.
Membrane protein channels equipped with a cleavable linker for inducing catalysis inside nanocompartments
Authors: Zartner Luisa , Maffeis Viviana , Schoenenberger Cora-Ann , Dinu Ionel Adrian , Palivan Cornelia G.
Published: October 2021

Precisely timed initiation of catalysis and stability of the catalytic enzymes provided by stimuli-responsive compartments.
Permanent charged domain walls under tip-poling engineering
Authors: Geng Wenping , Qiao Xiaojun , He Jinlong , Mei Linyu , Bi Kaixi , Wang Xiangjian , Chou Xiujian
Published: October 2021

An effective method is proposed for the permanent formation of conductive domain walls by means of tip-induced electric fields. Also, the conductivity of the domain walls can be modulated deliberatelyviathe external voltage and temperature.
On the stability of calcium and cadmium based Ruddlesden–Popper and double perovskite structures
Authors: Marcondes Michel L. , Santos Samuel S. M. , Miranda Ivan P. , Rocha-Rodrigues Pedro , Assali Lucy V. C. , Lopes Armandina M. L. , Araújo João P. , Petrilli Helena M.
Published: October 2021

Ab initiostudy on stability properties and phase diagrams of Ca- and Cd-related hybrid improper ferroelectric materials with the Ruddlesden–Popper and double perovskite structures.
Remaining lifespan prediction of cross‐linked polyethylene material based on GM(1, N) grey models
Authors: Zhang Yi , Wu Zaijun , Xu Jiajie , Tan Xiao , Zhang Dongdong , Zeng Yuanjing , Liu Gang
Published: October 2021

Cross‐linked polyethylene (XLPE) cables are a critical component of power transmission systems. As operating conditions sometimes exceed the thresholds set in discipline, some cables fail to reach their designed lifespan, and consequently evaluating the aging degree of cables is particularly necessary. Here ten cables with an operating duration between 1 and 11 years from adjacent lines were sampled. Investigations were performed through various aging evaluation methods. Then typical lifespan prediction indices were concluded from test results and filtrated through correlation calculation. Meanwhile, a lifespan prediction method based on GM (1, N) model was proposed to establish the equivalent relationship between operating time and these indices. The research results indicated that, lifespan prediction indices obtained were all significantly correlated with operating time, which can be used to characterize aging degree of XLPE cables. Besides, due to the high prediction accuracy of experimental verification, the GM (1, N) model was proved to be applicable to evaluate the aging degree quantitatively and determine the remaining lifespan (relative to the designed lifespan) of XLPE cables. In future research, this method can be used to formulate a reasonable and economic withdrawal strategy for XLPE cables operating in conditions that exceed the thresholds set in the discipline.
New flexible deterministic compressive measurement matrix based on finite Galois field
Authors: Kazemi Vahdat , Shahzadi Ali , Khaleghi Bizaki Hossein
Published: October 2021

Nowadays, the deterministic construction of sensing matrices is a hot topic in compressed sensing. The coherence of the measurement matrix is an important research area in the design of deterministic compressed sensing. To solve this problem, this paper proposes a novel sparse deterministic measurement matrix, which basically accesses the optimal low coherence of the measurement matrix. Firstly, a class of sparse square matrix is constructed based on finite fields' arithmetic. Then, the Hadamard matrix, or (discrete Fourier transform) DFT matrix, is nestled into the square matrix to construct an asymptotically optimal deterministic measurement matrix. That is, the relevant column vectors have orthogonal characteristics. Using this feature, the measurement matrix can be further optimized to reduce its mutual coherence, almost achieving the lower bound of the coherence (Welch bound). The two types of deterministic measurement matrices proposed are sparse with low mutual coherence and flexible measurement sizes. So, the proposed deterministic measurement matrices require less memory and time for the recovery as well as reducing the complexity due to their sparse structure. The simulation results show that compared with the existing (several typical) random matrices, the proposed method can reduce the mutual coherence and computational complexity of the measurement matrix.