bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electric-field control of the nucleation and motion of isolated three-fold polar vertices
Authors: Li Mingqiang , Yang Tiannan , Chen Pan , Wang Yongjun , Zhu Ruixue , Li Xiaomei , Shi Ruochen , Liu Heng-Jui , Huang Yen-Lin , Ma Xiumei , Zhang Jingmin , Bai Xuedong , Chen Long-Qing , Chu Ying-Hao , Gao Peng
Published: October 2022

Recently various topological polar structures have been discovered in oxide thin films. Despite the increasing evidence of their switchability under electrical and/or mechanical fields, the dynamic property of isolated ones, which is usually required for applications such as data storage, is still absent. Here, we show the controlled nucleation and motion of isolated three-fold vertices under an applied electric field. At the PbTiO3/SrRuO3interface, a two-unit-cell thick SrTiO3layer provides electrical boundary conditions for the formation of three-fold vertices. Utilizing the SrTiO3layer and in situ electrical testing system, we find that isolated three-fold vertices can move in a controllable and reversible manner with a velocity up to ~629 nm s−1. Microstructural evolution of the nucleation and propagation of isolated three-fold vertices is further revealed by phase-field simulations. This work demonstrates the ability to electrically manipulate isolated three-fold vertices, shedding light on the dynamic property of isolated topological polar structures.
Synthetic Pseudo-Spin-Hall effect in acoustic metamaterials
Authors: Weiner Matthew , Ni Xiang , Alù Andrea , Khanikaev Alexander B.
Published: October 2022

While vector fields naturally offer additional degrees of freedom for emulating spin, acoustic pressure field is scalar in nature, and it requires engineering of synthetic degrees of freedom by material design. Here we experimentally demonstrate the control of sound waves by using two types of engineered acoustic systems, where synthetic pseudo-spin emerges either as a consequence of the evanescent nature of the field or due to lattice symmetry. First, we show that evanescent sound waves in perforated films possess transverse angular momentum locked to their propagation direction which enables their directional excitation. Second, we demonstrate that lattice symmetries of an acoustic kagome lattice also enable a synthetic transverse pseudo-spin locked to the linear momentum, enabling control of the propagation of modes both in the bulk and along the edges. Our results open a new degree of control of radiation and propagation of acoustic waves thus offering new design approaches for acoustic devices.
Development of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity in response to recombinant and live-attenuated herpes zoster vaccines
Authors: Park Seong Yeon , Levin Myron J. , Canniff Jennifer , Johnson Michael , Schmid D. Scott , Weinberg Adriana
Published: October 2022

Zoster vaccines generate antibody responses against varicella-zoster virus (VZV). We compared antibody-dependent cell cytotoxicity (ADCC) elicited by zoster vaccine live (ZVL) and recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV). ADCC mediated by antibodies against VZV lysate (VZV-ADCC) and recombinant glycoprotein E (gE-ADCC) was measured using plasma from 20 RZV- and 20 ZVL-recipients, including half 50–60-years-old and half ≥70-years-old. Solid phase-bound anti-VZV antibodies stimulated TNFα in NK cells as measured by flow cytometry or ELISA. VZV-ADCC pre- and post-immunization was higher in younger vaccinees. ZVL did not appreciably increase VZV-ADCC, whereas RZV increased VZV-ADCC in older vaccinees. ELISA-measured gE-ADCC was similar across groups pre-immunization; significantly increased after ZVL; and RZV and was higher in younger RZV than ZVL recipients. IgG3 antibodies increased after RZV and ZVL, with greater anti-gE than anti-VZV responses. Moreover, gE-ADCC strongly correlated with anti-gE antibody avidity, but there were no appreciable correlations between VZV-ADCC and avidity. NK cells stimulated by anti-gE antibodies showed increased IFNγ and CD107a expression, which was not observed with anti-VZV antibodies. In conclusion, anti-gE antibodies generated more robust ADCC than anti-VZV antibodies. RZV induced higher ADCC antibodies than ZVL depending on the antigen and age of vaccinees. Older adults had lower ADCC antibodies before and after vaccination than younger adults.
Gene expression-based dissection of inter-histotypes, intra-histotype and intra-tumor heterogeneity in pediatric tumors
Authors: Ciceri Sara , Carenzo Andrea , Iannó Maria Federica , Bertolotti Alessia , Morosi Carlo , Luksch Roberto , Spreafico Filippo , Collini Paola , Radice Paolo , Massimino Maura , De Cecco Loris , Perotti Daniela
Published: October 2022

Intra-tumor heterogeneity (ITH) fosters tumor evolution, resistance to therapy, and relapse. Recently, many evidence have been accumulated on the occurrence of genetic ITH in pediatric cancers. With this study we aimed to address the downstream effects that genetic and epigenetic ITH, and tumor-microenvironment interactions may produce within a tumor mass. To this aim, we investigated by high-throughput gene expression multiple samples of 5 hepatoblastomas, 5 neuroblastomas, 5 rhabdomyosarcomas, and 5 Wilms tumors. Principal component analysis, single sample hallmark gene sets analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis were performed on gene expression data. We observed that the different tumors clustered by histotype, and then by case, and in addition, a variable degree of ITH was visible in all the investigated cases. The ITH highlighted in this study can represent a challenge in tumor treatment since we demonstrated that different druggable hallmarks and targets may be heterogeneously present within the same tumor mass, and this can potentially lead to therapeutic failure. Despite this heterogeneity, we could highlight some commonalities among the different histotypes investigated, supporting the feasibility to move in the clinic from a histotype-driven to a target-driven, sometimes agnostic, approach at least in some cases.
Omnidirectional flat bands in chiral magnonic crystals
Authors: Flores-Farías J. , Gallardo R. A. , Brevis F. , Roldán-Molina Alejandro , Cortés-Ortuño D. , Landeros P.
Published: October 2022

The magnonic band structure of two-dimensional chiral magnonic crystals is theoretically investigated. The proposed metamaterial involves a three-dimensional architecture, where a thin ferromagnetic layer is in contact with a two-dimensional periodic array of heavy-metal square islands. When these two materials are in contact, an anti-symmetric exchange coupling known as the Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction (DMI) arises, which generates nonreciprocal spin waves and chiral magnetic order. The Landau–Lifshitz equation and the plane-wave method are employed to study the dynamic magnetic behavior. A systematic variation of geometric parameters, the DMI constant, and the filling fraction allows the examination of spin-wave propagation features, such as the spatial profiles of the dynamic magnetization, the isofrequency contours, and group velocities. In this study, it is found that omnidirectional flat magnonic bands are induced by a sufficiently strong Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction underneath the heavy-metal islands, where the spin excitations are active. The theoretical results were substantiated by micromagnetic simulations. These findings are relevant for envisioning applications associated with spin-wave-based logic devices, where the nonreciprocity and channeling of the spin waves are of fundamental and practical scientific interest.
Natural and after colon washing fecal samples: the two sides of the coin for investigating the human gut microbiome
Authors: Piancone Elisabetta , Fosso Bruno , Marzano Marinella , De Robertis Mariangela , Notario Elisabetta , Oranger Annarita , Manzari Caterina , Bruno Silvia , Visci Grazia , Defazio Giuseppe , D’Erchia Anna Maria , Filomena Ermes , Maio Dominga , Minelli Martina , Vergallo Ilaria , Minelli Mauro , Pesole Graziano
Published: October 2022

To date several studies address the important role of gut microbiome and its interplay with the human host in the health and disease status. However, the selection of a universal sampling matrix representative of the microbial biodiversity associated with the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, is still challenging. Here we present a study in which, through a deep metabarcoding analysis of the 16S rRNA gene, we compared two sampling matrices, feces (F) and colon washing feces (CWF), in order to evaluate their relative effectiveness and accuracy in representing the complexity of the human gut microbiome. A cohort of 30 volunteers was recruited and paired F and CWF samples were collected from each subject. Alpha diversity analysis confirmed a slightly higher biodiversity of CWF compared to F matched samples. Likewise, beta diversity analysis proved that paired F and CWF microbiomes were quite similar in the same individual, but remarkable inter-individual variability occurred among the microbiomes of all participants. Taxonomic analysis in matched samples was carried out to investigate the intra and inter individual/s variability. Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota were the main phyla in both F and CWF samples. At genus level, Bacteirodetes was the most abundant in F and CWF samples, followed by Faecalibacterium, Blautia and Escherichia-Shigella. Our study highlights an inter-individual variability greater than intra-individual variability for paired F and CWF samples. Indeed, an overall higher similarity was observed across matched F and CWF samples, suggesting, as expected, a remarkable overlap between the microbiomes inferred using the matched F and CWF samples. Notably, absolute quantification of total 16S rDNA by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) revealed comparable overall microbial load between paired F and CWF samples. We report here the first comparative study on fecal and colon washing fecal samples for investigating the human gut microbiome and show that both types of samples may be used equally for the study of the gut microbiome. The presented results suggest that the combined use of both types of sampling matrices could represent a suitable choice to obtain a more complete overview of the human gut microbiota for addressing different biological and clinical questions.
Adhesive assisted TiB2 coating effects on friction stir welded joints
Authors: Kundu Amit Kumar , Gupta Manoj Kumar , Rajput Nitesh Singh , Rathore Rajesh
Published: October 2022

Friction stir welding is a novel technique for joining ferrous and non-ferrous materials in a solid state. The groove fill techniques are most popular and generally used by researchers to dope reinforcement in the FSWed zone to improve the properties of joints. The main drawback of this technique is that a few amounts of reinforcement material come out from the groove during the fabrication of the joint. In the present work, the adhesive-assisted reinforcement technique was used to overcome this problem for the fabrication of particulates reinforced friction stirred weld joint. In the present work, the aluminum alloy plate edges were coated with a thin layer of TiB2. The coated and non-coated edge plates were joined using friction stir welding at the rotational speed of 1400 and 2240 rpm, and welding speed of 32 mm/min using a taper threaded pin tool. The tensile strength of coated edge plate welded joints was found highest in comparison to non-coated joints which was 39.74% superior. The percentage elongation of coated edge joint was observed about 1.5 times lower than the non-coated edge plate joint. The flexure strength of TiB2 reinforced coated edge joint was found about 1.5 times higher. However, the impact strength of coated edge plate was found nearly three times lower than the uncoated edge joints. The TiB2 coated edge joints reveal 22.75% higher hardness than the non-coated edge plate joints welded at the rotational speed of 2240.
Task-dependent fractal patterns of information processing in working memory
Authors: Ochab Jeremi K. , Wątorek Marcin , Ceglarek Anna , Fafrowicz Magdalena , Lewandowska Koryna , Marek Tadeusz , Sikora-Wachowicz Barbara , Oświęcimka Paweł
Published: October 2022

We applied detrended fluctuation analysis, power spectral density, and eigenanalysis of detrended cross-correlations to investigate fMRI data representing a diurnal variation of working memory in four visual tasks: two verbal and two nonverbal. We show that the degree of fractal scaling is regionally dependent on the engagement in cognitive tasks. A particularly apparent difference was found between memorisation in verbal and nonverbal tasks. Furthermore, the detrended cross-correlations between brain areas were predominantly indicative of differences between resting state and other tasks, between memorisation and retrieval, and between verbal and nonverbal tasks. The fractal and spectral analyses presented in our study are consistent with previous research related to visuospatial and verbal information processing, working memory (encoding and retrieval), and executive functions, but they were found to be more sensitive than Pearson correlations and showed the potential to obtain other subtler results. We conclude that regionally dependent cognitive task engagement can be distinguished based on the fractal characteristics of BOLD signals and their detrended cross-correlation structure.
Tandem duplication of a genomic region encoding glutathione S-transferase epsilon-2 and -4 genes in DDT-resistant Anopheles stephensi strain from India
Authors: Dykes Cherry L. , Sharma Gunjan , Behera Abhisek K. , Kapoor Neera , Paine Mark J. I. , Donnelly Martin J. , Singh Om P.
Published: October 2022

The glutathione S-transferases (GST) genes are a multigene family of enzymes involved in the metabolism of endogenous and xenobiotic compounds by catalysing the conjugation of the reduced form of glutathione to the substrate. The epsilon class of GST (GSTe), unique to arthropods, is known to be involved in the detoxification process of several classes of insecticides, and GSTe2 in particular is known to have DDT dehydrochlorinase activity. This communication reports a tandem duplication of a genomic region encoding GSTe2 and GSTe4 genes in a laboratory-colonized DDT-resistant Anopheles stephensi. We identified duplication breakpoints and the organization of gene duplication through Sanger sequencing performed on long-PCR products. Manual annotation of sequences revealed a tandemly-arrayed duplication of a 3.62 kb segment of GST epsilon gene clusters comprised of five genes: a partial GSTe1, GSTe2, GSTe2-pseudogene, GSTe4 and partial GSTe5, interconnected by a conserved 2.42 kb DNA insert segment major part of which is homologous to a genomic region located on a different chromosome. The tandemly duplicated array contained a total of two GSTe2 and three GSTe4 functional paralog genes. Read-depth coverage and split-read analysis of Illumina-based whole-genome sequence reads confirmed the presence of duplication in the corresponding region of the genome. The increased gene dose in mosquitoes as a result of the GSTe gene-duplication may be an adaptive process to increase levels of detoxifying enzymes to counter insecticide pressure.
A patchy theoretical model for the transmission dynamics of SARS-Cov-2 with optimal control
Authors: Mhlanga A. , Mupedza T. V.
Published: October 2022

Short-term human movements play a major part in the transmission and control of COVID-19, within and between countries. Such movements are necessary to be included in mathematical models that aim to assist in understanding the transmission dynamics of COVID-19. A two-patch basic mathematical model for COVID-19 was developed and analyzed, incorporating short-term human mobility. Here, we modeled the human mobility that depended on its epidemiological status, by the Lagrangian approach. A sharp threshold for disease dynamics known as the reproduction number was computed. Particularly, we portrayed that when the disease threshold is less than unity, the disease dies out and the disease persists when the reproduction number is greater than unity. Optimal control theory was also applied to the proposed model, with the aim of investigating the cost-effectiveness strategy. The findings were further investigated through the usage of the results from the cost objective functional, the average cost-effectiveness ratio (ACER), and then the infection averted ratio (IAR).
Ramucirumab combination with sorafenib enhances the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on HepG2 cancer cells
Authors: Taha Amna Mohamed , Aboulwafa Mohammad Mabrouk , Zedan Hamdallah , Helmy Omneya Mohamed
Published: October 2022

Sorafenib, an oral multiple kinase inhibitor, is the standardized treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). One strategy to improve HCC therapy is to combine agents that target key signaling pathways. In this study we set out to investigate the effect of combining sorafenib with either bevacizumab (anti-VEGF), panitumumab (anti-EGFR) or ramucirumab (anti-VEGFR2) on HepG2 cancer cell line with the aim of improving efficacy and possibility of therapeutic dose reduction of sorafenib.: HepG2 cancer cell line was treated with sorafenib alone or in combination with either bevacizumab, panitumumab or ramucirumab. Cell proliferation; apoptosis and cell cycle distribution; gene expression of VEGFR2, EGFR, MMP-9 and CASPASE3; the protein levels of pVEGFR2 and pSTAT3 and the protein expression of CASPASE3, EGFR and VEGFR2 were determined. Combined treatments of sorafenib with ramucirumab or panitumumab resulted in a significant decrease in sorafenib IC50. Sorafenib combination with ramucirumab or bevacizumab resulted in a significant arrest in pre-G and G0/G1 cell cycle phases, significantly induced apoptosis and increased the relative expression of CASPASE3 and decreased the anti-proliferative and angiogenesis markers´ MMP-9 and pVEGFR2 or VEGFR2 in HepG2 cells. A significant decrease in the levels of pSTAT3 was only detected in case of sorafenib-ramucirumab combination. The combined treatment of sorafenib with panitumumab induced a significant arrest in pre-G and G2/M cell cycle phases and significantly decreased the relative expression of EGFR and MMP-9. Sorafenib-ramucirumab combination showed enhanced apoptosis, inhibited proliferation and angiogenesis in HepG2 cancer cells. Our findings suggest that ramucirumab can be a useful as an adjunct therapy for improvement of sorafenib efficacy in suppression of HCC.
Evidence for a stable single component sharp texture in high purity aluminum during tube high-pressure shearing at room temperature
Authors: Li Zheng , Li Luo Yi , Zhu Ye Bin , Lin Kui , Ren Zhi Tian , Yang Yang , Liu Ying , Wang Jing Tao , Langdon Terence G.
Published: October 2022

A stable {$$\stackrel{\mathrm{-}}{1}{\text{10}}$$

1
-

10

}  <110>  single component sharp texture was obtained during ambient temperature tube High-Pressure Shearing (t-HPS) of 99.999% purity aluminum. It is shown that the grain size and the grain aspect ratio saturate at ~ 8 μm and ~ 1.6, respectively, at an equivalent strain of ~ 30 and the high-angle grain boundary fraction continues to decrease after this saturation even to equivalent strains exceeding ~ 200. The {$$\stackrel{\mathrm{-}}{1}{\text{10}}$$

1
-

10

}  <110> texture emerges at an equivalent strain of ~ 6 to 9 with the completion of recrystallization and develops gradually as a sole component sharp texture with increasing intensity upon further processing. This component is a stable orientation in t-HPS processing although it was not previously observed experimentally as a shear texture. Thus, t-HPS processing provides a new and effective experimental tool for simple shear testing that is distinctly different from earlier shear strain methods such as torsional processing.
Temporal patterns of functional anti-dengue antibodies in dengue infected individuals with different disease outcome or infection history
Authors: Vo Hoa Thi My , Upasani Vinit , Auerswald Heidi , Lay Sokchea , Sann Sotheary , Vanderlinden Axelle , Ken Sreymom , Sorn Sopheak , Ly Sowath , Duong Veasna , Dussart Philippe , Cantaert Tineke
Published: October 2022

Heterotypic secondary dengue virus (DENV) infection is a risk factor for the development of severe disease. To assess the contribution of the developing polyclonal humoral immune response to the course of acute infection, we have determined anti-DENV IgG titers, neutralizing antibodies, percentages of antibodies binding to DENV-infected cells and antibody‑dependent enhancement (ADE) to the infecting serotype in DENV-infected Cambodian children (n = 58), ranging from asymptomatic dengue to severe disease. The results showed that ADE titers are highest against the infecting serotype during heterotypic secondary DENV-2 infection. Moreover, IgG titers, neutralizing antibodies and ADE titers against the infecting serotype peak at D10 and are maintained until D60 after laboratory-confirmed secondary DENV infection. Anti-DENV IgG titers and the magnitude of the functional antibody response were higher in secondary DENV-infected patients compared to primary infected patients. No differences in antibody titers, neutralizing or enhancing antibodies could be observed between asymptomatic or hospitalized patients between 6 and 8 days after laboratory-confirmed DENV-1 infection. However, at this time point, the level of IgG bound to DENV-infected cells was associated with disease severity in hospitalized patients. Taken together, our data offer insights for more comprehensive interpretation of antibody response profile to natural infection and its correlation to disease outcome.
Excessive dietary linoleic acid promotes plasma accumulation of pronociceptive fatty acyl lipid mediators
Authors: Birkic Nada , Azar Toni , Maddipati Krishna Rao , Minic Zeljka , Reynolds Christian A.
Published: October 2022

Various fatty acyl lipid mediators are derived from dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and modulate nociception. The modern diet is rich in linoleic acid, which is associated with nociceptive hypersensitivities and may present a risk factor for developing pain conditions. Although recommendations about fatty acid intake exist for some diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease), the role of dietary fatty acids in promoting pain disorders is not completely understood. To determine how dietary linoleic acid content influences the accumulation of pro- and anti-nociceptive fatty acyl lipid mediators, we created novel rodent diets using custom triglyceride blends rich in either linoleic acid or oleic acid. We quantified the fatty acyl lipidome in plasma of male and female rats fed these custom diets from the time of weaning through nine weeks of age. Dietary fatty acid composition determined circulating plasma fatty acyl lipidome content. Exposure to a diet rich in linoleic acid was associated with accumulation of linoleic and arachidonic acid-derived pro-nociceptive lipid mediators and reduction of anti-nociceptive lipid mediators derived from the omega-3 PUFAs. Our findings provide mechanistic insights into exaggerated nociceptive hypersensitivity associated with excessive dietary linoleic acid intake and highlight potential biomarkers for pain risk stratification.
Transplantation of human adipose-derived stem cells overexpressing LIF/IFN-β promotes recovery in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)
Authors: Yousefi Mahdieh , Nabipour Abolghasem , Ganjalikhani Hakemi Mazdak , Ashja-Arvan Mehnoosh , Amirpour Noushin , Salehi Hossein
Published: October 2022

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common demyelinating disease with inflammatory demyelination in the central nerve system. Besides the defect in the myelin repair process, the balance change in inflammatory and anti- inflammatory cytokines is one of the most significant factors in MS pathogenesis. This study aimed at evaluating the effects of co-overexpressing beta interferon (IFN-β) and Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) in human adipose-derived stem cells (IFN-β/LIF-hADSCs) on the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). 12 days after the induction of EAE on female mice C57Bl/6 with MOG35-55 and the emergence of primary clinical signs, the IFN-β/LIF-hADSCs were injected into the mice tail vein of the EAE mice. The mice were sacrificed after 32 days and the spinal cords of the experimental groups were dissected out for the histopathologic and real-time RT-PCR studies. Here, we showed that the clinical scores and infiltration of mononuclear cells of treated mice with IFN-β/LIF-hADSCs were decreased significantly. Demyelination and the number of Olig2+and MBP+cells were significantly increased in the test (IFN-β/LIF-hADSCs) group. The findings revealed that the pattern of inflammatory and anti- inflammatory cytokines gene expression in the IFN-β/LIF-hADSCs group was reversed compared to the control group. Overexpression of LIF as a neurotrophic and IFN-β as an anti-inflammatory cytokine in hADSCs increases the immunomodulatory effect of hADSCs reduces the extent of demyelination, improves the number of Olig2+cells, and also increases the amount of MBP protein which can increase the production of myelin in EAE model. This, besides hADSCs capacity for proliferation and differentiation, might enhance the treatment efficacy and provide a promising candidate for stem cell-based gene therapy of MS therapy in the future.
An efficient rAAV vector for protein expression in cortical parvalbumin expressing interneurons
Authors: Tkatch Tatiana , Rysevaite-Kyguoliene Kristina , Sabeckis Ignas , Sabeckiene Deimante , Pauza Dainius H. , Baranauskas Gytis
Published: October 2022

Recombinant adeno—associated viruses (rAAV) are extensively used in both research and clinical applications. Despite significant advances, there is a lack of short promoters able to drive the expression of virus delivered genes in specific classes of neurons. We designed an efficient rAAV vector suitable for the rAAV-mediated gene expression in cortical interneurons, mainly in the parvalbumin expressing cells. The vector includes a short parvalbumin promoter and a specialized poly(A) sequence. The degree of conservation of the parvalbumin gene adjoining non-coding regions was used in both the promoter design and the selection of the poly(A) sequence. The specificity was established by co-localizing the fluorescence of the virus delivered eGFP and the antibody for a neuronal marker. rAAV particles were injected in the visual cortex area V1/V2 of adult rats (2–4 months old). Neurons expressing the virus delivered eGFP were mainly positive for interneuronal markers: 66.5 ± 2.8% for parvalbumin, 14.6 ± 2.4% for somatostatin, 7.1 ± 1.2% for vasoactive intestinal peptide, 2.8 ± 0.6% for cholecystokinin. Meanwhile, only 2.1 ± 0.5% were positive for CaMKII, a marker for principal cells in the cortex. The efficiency of the construct was verified by optogenetic experiments: the expression of the virus delivered ChR2 channels was sufficient to evoke by blue light laser high frequency bursts of action potentials in putative fast spiking neurons. We conclude that our promoter allows highly specific expression of the rAAV delivered cDNAs in cortical interneurons with a strong preference for the parvalbumin positive cells.
Observing volcanoes with drones: studies of volcanic plume chemistry with ultralight sensor systems
Authors: Karbach Niklas , Bobrowski Nicole , Hoffmann Thorsten
Published: October 2022

The study of the chemical composition of volcanic emissions is an important method for obtaining information about volcanic systems and providing indirect and unique insights into magmatic processes. However, there is a non-negligible risk associated with sampling directly at volcanic craters or maintaining geochemical monitoring stations at such locations. Spectroscopic remote sensing methods, in turn, can measure only a few species. Here, drones offer the opportunity to bring measurement systems to the scene. Standard parameters that are commonly measured are SO2 and CO2 concentrations, as well as a number of meteorological parameters. The in-flight transmission of data by radio telemetry plays an important role, since visual localization of the volcanic plume from a distance of several kilometers is practically impossible. Until now, larger and quite cost-intensive drones have been used for this purpose, which must first be transported to the site of operation at great expense. Here, we present the development and successful deployment of a very small drone system (empty weight < 0.9 kg) for chemical characterization of volcanic plumes that can be easily transported on foot to difficult-to-access terrain and, moreover, requires only minimal flight and administrative preparations for operation as an aerial observation platform.
Low-cost adaptation options to support green growth in agriculture, water resources, and coastal zones
Authors: Salack Seyni , Sanfo Safiétou , Sidibe Moussa , Daku Elidaa K. , Camara Ibrahima , Dieng Mame Diarra Bousso , Hien Koufanou , Torou Bio Mohamadou , Ogunjobi Kehinde O. , Sangare Sheick Ahmed Khalil S. B. , Kouame Konan Raoul , Koffi Yao Bernard , Liersch Stefan , Savadogo Moumini , Giannini Alessandra
Published: October 2022

The regional climate as it is now and in the future will put pressure on investments in sub-Saharan Africa in water resource management, fisheries, and other crop and livestock production systems. Changes in oceanic characteristics across the Atlantic Ocean will result in remarkable vulnerability of coastal ecology, littorals, and mangroves in the middle of the twenty-first century and beyond. In line with the countries' objectives of creating a green economy that allows reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved resource efficiency, and prevention of biodiversity loss, we identify the most pressing needs for adaptation and the best adaptation choices that are also clean and affordable. According to empirical data from the field and customized model simulation designs, the cost of these adaptation measures will likely decrease and benefit sustainable green growth in agriculture, water resource management, and coastal ecosystems, as hydroclimatic hazards such as pluviometric and thermal extremes become more common in West Africa. Most of these adaptation options are local and need to be scaled up and operationalized for sustainable development. Governmental sovereign wealth funds, investments from the private sector, and funding from global climate funds can be used to operationalize these adaptation measures. Effective legislation, knowledge transfer, and pertinent collaborations are necessary for their success.
Direct modelling from GPS data reveals daily-activity-dependency of effective reproduction number in COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Ozaki Jun’ichi , Shida Yohei , Takayasu Hideki , Takayasu Misako
Published: October 2022

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments faced difficulties in implementing mobility restriction measures, as no clear quantitative relationship between human mobility and infection spread in large cities is known. We developed a model that enables quantitative estimations of the infection risk for individual places and activities by using smartphone GPS data for the Tokyo metropolitan area. The effective reproduction number is directly calculated from the number of infectious social contacts defined by the square of the population density at each location. The difference in the infection rate of daily activities is considered, where the ‘stay-out’ activity, staying at someplace neither home nor workplace, is more than 28 times larger than other activities. Also, the contribution to the infection strongly depends on location. We imply that the effective reproduction number is sufficiently suppressed if the highest-risk locations or activities are restricted. We also discuss the effects of the Delta variant and vaccination.
Induction of distinct plant cell death programs by secreted proteins from the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici
Authors: Welch Thomas , Bayon Carlos , Rudd Jason J. , Kanyuka Kostya , Kettles Graeme J.
Published: October 2022

Cell death processes in eukaryotes shape normal development and responses to the environment. For plant–microbe interactions, initiation of host cell death plays an important role in determining disease outcomes. Cell death pathways are frequently initiated following detection of pathogen-derived molecules which can lead to resistance or susceptibility to disease depending on pathogen lifestyle. We previously identified several small secreted proteins (SSPs) from the wheat-infecting fungus Zymoseptoria tritici that induce rapid cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana following Agrobacterium-mediated delivery and expression (agroinfiltration). Here we investigated whether the execution of host cells was mechanistically similar in response to different Z. tritici SSPs. Using RNA sequencing, we found that transient expression of four Z. tritici SSPs led to massive transcriptional reprogramming within 48 h of agroinfiltration. We observed that distinct host gene expression profiles were induced dependent on whether cell death occurs in a cell surface immune receptor-dependent or -independent manner. These gene expression profiles involved differential transcriptional networks mediated by WRKY, NAC and MYB transcription factors. In addition, differential expression of genes belonging to different classes of receptor-like proteins and receptor-like kinases was observed. These data suggest that different Z. tritici SSPs trigger differential transcriptional reprogramming in plant cells.
Cognitive penetrability of scene representations based on horizontal image disparities
Authors: Chen Yulan D. , Kaestner Milena , Norcia Anthony M.
Published: October 2022

The structure of natural scenes is signaled by many visual cues. Principal amongst them are the binocular disparities created by the laterally separated viewpoints of the two eyes. Disparity cues are believed to be processed hierarchically, first in terms of local measurements of absolute disparity and second in terms of more global measurements of relative disparity that allow extraction of the depth structure of a scene. Psychophysical and oculomotor studies have suggested that relative disparities are particularly relevant to perception, whilst absolute disparities are not. Here, we compare neural responses to stimuli that isolate the absolute disparity cue with stimuli that contain additional relative disparity cues, using the high temporal resolution of EEG to determine the temporal order of absolute and relative disparity processing. By varying the observers’ task, we assess the extent to which each cue is cognitively penetrable. We find that absolute disparity is extracted before relative disparity, and that task effects arise only at or after the extraction of relative disparity. Our results indicate a hierarchy of disparity processing stages leading to the formation of a proto-object representation upon which higher cognitive processes can act.
Top-down modulation impairs priming susceptibility in complex decision-making with social implications
Authors: Bernal Franco Agustín , Salgueiro Tomás Alves , Brzostowski Axel , Zapata Emilio Recart , Carames Ayelén , Pérez Juan Manuel , Furman Damián , Graziano Martín , Larrosa Pablo Nicolás Fernández
Published: October 2022

Could social context variables prime complex decisions? Could top-down processes impair this priming susceptibility? Complex decisions have been mainly studied from economic and moral perspectives, and Dual Process Theories provide evidence of how these processes could be affected. To address these issues from a political perspective, online experiments were conducted. Participants (n = 252) were asked to choose a face from 4 options, each associated with different frequencies (repetition priming) or with phrases with different emotional valence (emotional priming), for an unspecified task (UST group) or an important task (IMT group). The most repeated face was chosen most in the UST group, and was associated with lower response times. Positive faces were equally chosen by both groups. To compare results in a more ecological situation, a social study was conducted during the 2019 Argentine Presidential Election, including online surveys (n = 3673) and analysis of news media mentioning candidates. The familiarity and trust to each candidate explained the voting-probability for most of them, as well as correlated with their frequency of mentions in the news, their positive associations, and election results. Our results suggest complex decision-making is susceptible to priming, depending on top-down modulation.
Profile of Tabriz Older People Health Survey (TOPS-2019): a representative community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Araj-Khodaei Mostafa , Sanaie Sarvin , Nejadghaderi Seyed Aria , Sullman Mark J. M. , Samei-Sis Sirous , Taheri-Targhi Somaiyeh , Yousefi Zahra , Matlabi Hossein , Safiri Saeid , Azizi-Zeinalhajlou Akbar
Published: October 2022

Population aging and its consequences are a substantial global concern. The growth in the number of older people is one of the most important factors increasing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on society. The Tabriz Older People Health Survey aimed to understand the socio-demographics, health-related behaviors, and health profile of older adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 1362 community-dwelling older adults in Tabriz, the most populated city in northwest Iran. The study used probability proportionate to size sampling and the data collection was undertaken in each participants’ place of residence from July 2019 to January 2020. Trained interviewers administered the questionnaire, which measured each participant’s socio-demographics, health-related behaviors, and health profile. The sample of 1362 participants consisted of 56.4% women and 54.4% were young older people (60–69 years old). Almost half of the sample were completely illiterate. There was no daily walking in 13.3% of the sample, with women reporting a more sedentary lifestyle than men. Almost 10% of the participants (n = 135, 9.9%) were current smokers, which was higher among men (20.9% vs. 1.5%) and women made up over 88% of those living alone. In terms of sleep quality score (men: 4.63 ± 2.70, women: 5.97 ± 2.93), anxiety (men: 5.79 ± 4.70, women: 7.59 ± 5.51), depression (men: 9.54 ± 3.20, women: 10.63 ± 3.09), and social support (men: 23.65 ± 4.50, women: 22.69 ± 4.77), men were significantly better than women. There were also significant sex differences between women and men in the prevalence of diabetes (31.6% vs. 19.5%) and hypertension (86.5% vs. 73.4%). Furthermore, overall hypertension was the most common underlying disease (81.0%). Older women were significantly worse off than older men, in terms of social and disability-related, as well as having a higher burden from several NCDs. The results of this study might help regional health policymakers to identify targets for improving the health status among community-housed geriatrics.
A study of safety acceptance and behavioral interventions for autonomous driving technologies
Authors: Deng Mingyang , Guo Yingshi
Published: October 2022

Explaining the phenomenon of declining acceptance of automated driving technology (ADT) and predicting trends in acceptance has become an important area of research. To explore the reasons for the decline in acceptance of automated vehicles and how to improve user acceptance, we studied mechanisms of the influence process from the relationship between safety riskiness of ADT and user acceptance, and examined the mediating and moderating effects of the proposed intervention behaviors on the influence relationship between these two. First, an improved acceptance model incorporating safety risk factors was developed. Subsequently, the psychological change process of user acceptance was analyzed based on people’s response to accident information. Ultimately, the results show that safety cognition risk regarding ADT has a significant negative impact on user acceptance. Next, the mediating model where user experience was introduced as a moderating variable was designed. From the test results of this model, it is found that the proposed behavioral intervention strategy is effective in attenuating the degree of impact of the safety riskiness of ADT on acceptance. The risk-based acceptance explanation model and intervention method designed in this study provide a scientific basis and practical approach to develop the market for automated vehicles.
The synergy of β amyloid 1-42 and oxidative stress in the development of Alzheimer’s disease-like neurodegeneration of hippocampal cells
Authors: Karapetyan Gohar , Fereshetyan Katarine , Harutyunyan Hayk , Yenkoyan Konstantin
Published: October 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms eventually become severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Understanding the etiology and pathogenesis of AD is necessary for the development of strategies for AD prevention and/or treatment, and modeling of this pathology is an important step in achieving this goal. β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) injection is a widely used approach for modeling AD. Nevertheless, it has been reported that the model constructed by injection of Aβ in combination with a prooxidant cocktail (ferrous sulfate, Aβ, and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) (FAB)) best reflects the natural development of this disease. The relationship between oxidative stress and Aβ deposition and their respective roles in Aβ-induced pathology in different animal models of AD have been thoroughly investigated. In the current paper, we compared the effects of Aβ 1-42 alone with that of Aβ-associated oxidative stress induced by the FAB cocktail on the neurodegeneration of hippocampal cells in vitro. We constructed a FAB-induced AD model using rat primary hippocampal cells and analyzed the contribution of each compound. The study mainly focused on the prooxidant aspects of AD pathogenesis. Moreover, cellular bioenergetics was assessed and routine metabolic tests were performed to determine the usefulness of this model. The data clearly show that aggregated Aβ1-42 alone is significantly less toxic to hippocampal cells. Aggregated Aβ damages neurons, and glial cells proliferate to remove Aβ from the hippocampus. External prooxidant agents (Fe2+) or inhibition of internal antioxidant defense by BSO has more toxic effects on hippocampal cells than aggregated Aβ alone. Moreover, hippocampal cells fight against Aβ-induced damage more effectively than against oxidative damage. However, the combination of Aβ with external oxidative damage and inhibition of internal antioxidant defense is even more toxic, impairs cellular defense systems, and may mimic the late phase of AD-associated cell damage. Our findings strongly indicate a critical role for the combination of Aβ and oxidative stress in the development of neurodegeneration in vitro.
Prevalence of prediabetes, diabetes, diabetes awareness, treatment, and its socioeconomic inequality in west of Iran
Authors: Moradpour Farhad , Rezaei Satar , Piroozi Bakhtiar , Moradi Ghobad , Moradi Yousef , Piri Negar , Shokri Azad
Published: October 2022

We aim to estimate the prevalence of prediabetes, and diabetes mellitus (DM). We estimated awareness, treatment, plasma glucose control, and associated factors in diabetes, as well as, socioeconomic-related inequality in the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes. Data for adults aged 35–70 years were obtained from the baseline phase of the Dehgolan prospective cohort study (DehPCS). Diabetes status was determined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of ≥ 126 mg/dl and/or taking glucose lowering medication confirmed by a medical practitioner. Prediabetes was considered as 100 ≤ FPG ≤ 125 mg/dl. The relative concentration index (RCI) was used to exhibit socioeconomic inequality in the prevalence of prediabetes and DM. Prevalence of prediabetes and DM, diabetes awareness and treatment, and glycemic control of DM 18.22%, 10.00%, 78.50%, 68.91% and, 28.50%, respectively. Increasing age (p < 0.001), Increasing body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.05), ex-smoker (p < 0.01), family history of diabetes (FHD) (p < 0.001), and comorbidity (p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for DM. Age group of 46–60 (p < 0.05), ex-smoker (p < 0.05), FHD (p < 0.05) were increased chance of awareness. Current smokers (p < 0.05), and higher education increase the chance of glycemic control in DM. Both DM (RCI =  − 0.234) and prediabetes (RCI =  − 0.122) were concentrated significantly among less-educated participants. DM was concentrated significantly among poor (RCI =  − 0.094) people. A significant proportion of DM awareness and treatment can be due to the integration of diabetes into the primary health care system. The high prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes, which is affected by socioeconomic inequality and combined with low levels of glycemic control may place a greater burden on the health system. Therefore, awareness, receiving treatment, and glycemic control in people with diabetes, and the socioeconomic status of people have become increasingly important in the near future.
The role of incoming flow on crystallization of undercooled liquids with a two-phase layer
Authors: Alexandrov Dmitri V. , Toropova Liubov V.
Published: October 2022

Motivated by important applications of crystallization phenomena, we consider a directional solidification process for a binary melt with a two-phase (mushy) layer in the presence of weak melt flow. We consider the steady-state solidification scenario, so that the two-phase layer filled with solid and liquid material keeps its thickness. In addition, we consider that the melt flows onto the two-phase layer slowly in the opposite direction to directional crystallization and solidifies there. A complete analytical solution to non-linear two-phase layer equations is constructed in a parametric form, where the solid phase fraction represents a decision variable. The temperature and solute concentration distributions, mushy layer permeability and average interdendritic spacing as well as solidification velocity and mushy layer thickness are analytically determined. We show that incoming melt flow plays a decisive role on mushy layer parameters and internal structures. The solid phase fraction within the two-phase layer and its thickness essentially grow while the mushy layer permeability and average interdendritic spacing decrease with increasing intensity of incoming melt flow.
Attentional modulation of interhemispheric (a)symmetry in children with developmental language disorder
Authors: Hernández Doris , Kärkkäinen Salme , Tulonen Terhi , Helenius Päivi , Salmelin Riitta , Parviainen Tiina
Published: October 2022

The nature of auditory processing problems in children with developmental language disorder (DLD) is still poorly understood. Much research has been devoted to determining the extent to which DLD is associated with general auditory versus language-specific dysfunction. However, less emphasis has been given to the role of different task conditions in these dysfunctions. We explored whether children with DLD demonstrate atypical interhemispheric asymmetry during the auditory processing of speech and non-speech sounds and whether this interhemispheric balance is modulated by attention. Magnetoencephalography was used to record auditory evoked fields in 18 children (9 to 10 years old), 9 with DLD and 9 with language typical development, during active or passive listening to speech and non-speech sounds. A linear mixed model analysis revealed a bilateral effect of attention in both groups. Participants with DLD demonstrated atypical interhemispheric asymmetry, specifically in the later (185–600 ms) time window but only during the passive listening condition. During the active task, the DLD group did not differ from the typically developed children in terms of hemispheric balance of activation. Our results support the idea of an altered interhemispheric balance in passive auditory response properties in DLD. We further suggest that an active task condition, or top–down attention, can help to regain leftward lateralization, particularly in a later stage of activation. Our study highlights the highly dynamic and interhemispheric nature of auditory processing, which may contribute to the variability in reports of auditory language processing deficits in DLD.