bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymptotic tracking position control with active oscillation damping of a multibody Mars vehicle using two artificial augmentation approaches
Authors: Bodmer Daniel , Krenmayr Michael , Holzapfel Florian
Published: May 2021

The Valles Marineris Explorer Cooperative Swarm navigation, Mission and Control research project aims to explore the Valles Marineris canyon system on Mars with, among others, multibody rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) comprising of a hexrotor system and a helium-filled balloon being attached to it by means of a rope. In this paper, we develop a high-fidelity closed-loop control system in MATLAB® and Simulink™ to present the application of an adequate flight controller guaranteeing (1) asymptotic tracking position control of the multibody flight system, (2) suppression of the balloon’s swinging motion in forward flight case, and (3) stabilization of the rope angle around its equilibrium for steady-state conditions. Applying feedback linearization for the outer loop and analytical backstepping for the inner loop of a nonlinear cascaded control design model of the hexrotor system, we propose an extension of the baseline flight controller by two artificial augmentation approaches to cope with the balloon dynamics. Basically, by utilizing oscillation damping feedbacks of the uncertain plant which are applied as additional commands to either the inner or the outer loop’s reference model. Simulation results are presented for an eight-shaped flight maneuver at the bottom of Valles Marineris proving that the augmentation units increase the flight controller capabilities to suppress modeling errors artificially—without changing the baseline control laws. The augmentation units actively damp the balloon motion in the forward flight case for non-steady-state conditions to counteract the rope oscillations and finally stabilize the rope angle around its equilibrium, so that the Mars vehicle is able to reach a steady-state in position when its extraterrestrial mission profile is successfully completed.
Megaspore Biharisporites Potonié from the Triassic of Nidpur, Madhya Pradesh, India: A New Report
Authors: Das Neelam , Bhowmik Nupur , Parveen Shabnam
Published: May 2021

The article reports a dispersed megaspore morphotaxon, Biharisporites Potonié for the first time from the Nidpur beds, Madhya Pradesh, India. The megaspores are structurally preserved compressions and reveal the presence of lycopsids in the parent flora, though macrofossil evidence of such plants is almost lacking. The diagnosis of Biharisporites is emended, to include all externally similar cavate spore types, irrespective of whether their inner sac/ nexine/inner body/mesosporium/inner exospore, is pitted/cushioned or unpitted. The megaspores assigned to the genus are represented by two new species, viz., Biharisporites gopalii sp. nov. and B. bosei sp. nov. They are rare, non-lageniculate, trilete megaspores having spinae or coni on both proximal and distal surfaces. Though the early Triassic has traditionally been interpreted as semi-arid, the recovery of carbonaceous debris from the non-coal bearing Nidpur beds suggests a favourable climate for vegetation in the middle Triassic (Anisian-Ladinian) at the time of deposition of plant debris.
Integrated Hydrologic Study of the Arid and Semi-arid Regions using RST and GIS in the Riyadh Metropolitan Area, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Radwan Farid , Alazba A. A.
Published: May 2021

Water is extremely critical for human survival. It is therefore important to efficiently manage integrated water resources, which includes basins, watersheds, and wadies. In this study, the freely available data was used, which included a digital elevation model, soil and geological maps, satellite imageries, and daily precipitation records. Furthermore, remote sensing techniques and geographic information system were also integrated in this study. The linear and areal aspects, along with the longitudinal profile were also included, and the hydrologic soil groups (HSGs), land use/land cover (LULC), and curve number (CN) were identified for the main basin of the Riyadh capital. The morphometric analysis indicated that the total area of the main basin was 8500 km2, with 40 watersheds and the highest stream order as eighth. The drainage density of the main basin was 1.57 km/km2. Impermeable surface constituted most of the basin area, as group D was the most prevalently found HSG, constituting 71% of the total basin area. Additionally, the main basin had a highly steep slope, with varying elevations. Furthermore, four types of LULC were identified in the basin namely urban-based, barren land, cultivated land, and ways. The CN for every cell of the main basin ranged from 64 to 98, and the basin weighted CN was found to be 92. The potential direct runoff ranged from 10 to 59 mm. More than 70% of the total area was found to be vulnerable to high and very high runoffs (> 35 mm). These values confirmed the occurrence of flood events, particularly in urban areas and cultivated lands.
The inchworm episode: Reconstituting the phenomenon of kinesin motility
Authors: Bollhagen Andrew
Published: May 2021

New Mechanist philosophical models of "phenomenon reconstitution" understand the process to be driven by explanatory considerations. Here I discuss an episode of phenomenon reconstitution that occurred entirely within an experimental program dedicated to characterizing (rather than explaining) the phenomenon of kinesin motility. Rather than being driven by explanatory considerations, as standard mechanist views maintain, I argue that the phenomenon of kinesin motility was reconstituted to enhance researchers’ primary experimental tool—the single molecule motility assay.
Freshwater systems and ecosystem services: Challenges and chances for cross-fertilization of disciplines
Authors: Vári Ágnes , Podschun Simone A. , Erős Tibor , Hein Thomas , Pataki Beáta , Iojă Ioan-Cristian , Adamescu Cristian Mihai , Gerhardt Almut , Gruber Tamás , Dedić Anita , Ćirić Miloš , Gavrilović Bojan , Báldi András
Published: May 2021

Freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened in the world, while providing numerous essential ecosystem services (ES) to humans. Despite their importance, research on freshwater ecosystem services is limited. Here, we examine how freshwater studies could help to advance ES research and vice versa. We summarize major knowledge gaps and suggest solutions focusing on science and policy in Europe. We found several features that are unique to freshwater ecosystems, but often disregarded in ES assessments. Insufficient transfer of knowledge towards stakeholders is also problematic. Knowledge transfer and implementation seems to be less effective towards South-east Europe. Focusing on the strengths of freshwater research regarding connectivity, across borders, involving multiple actors can help to improve ES research towards a more dynamic, landscape-level approach, which we believe can boost the implementation of the ES concept in freshwater policies. Bridging these gaps can contribute to achieve the ambitious targets of the EU’s Green Deal.
New Hermite–Hadamard and Jensen inequalities for log-$$s$$-convex fuzzy-interval-valued functions in the second sense
Authors: Liu Peide , Khan Muhammad Bilal , Noor Muhammad Aslam , Noor Khalida Inayat
Published: May 2021

In this paper, our aim is to consider the new class of log-convex fuzzy-interval-valued function known as log-s-convex fuzzy-interval-valued functions (log-s-convex fuzzy-IVFs). By this concept, we have introduced Hermite–Hadamard inequalities (HH-inequalities) by means of fuzzy order relation. This fuzzy order relation is defined level-wise through Kulisch–Miranker order relation defined on interval space. Moreover, some new Hermite–Hadamard–Fejér inequalities (HH–Fejér-inequalities) and Jensen’s inequalities via log-s-convex fuzzy-IVFs are also established and verified with the support of useful examples. Some special cases are also discussed which can be viewed as applications of fuzzy-interval HH-inequalities. The concepts and approaches of this paper may be the starting point for further research in this area.
Hydrogen atom transfer in the photochemical isomerization of hydrazones of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives
Authors: D’Auria Maurizio
Published: May 2021

DFT calculations on the photoisomerization of hydrazones of 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives to 1,2,5-triazoles have been performed showing that the reaction occurred through the first excited singlet state. The Z isomer gave the reaction through a hydrogen atom transfer of the hydrazonic nitrogen atom to the nitrogen atom in four position on the oxadiazole ring. In this case, the isomerization was a concerted reaction. The E isomer could undergo the same reaction. However, it could not be a concerted reaction but required the presence of a ring opening intermediate.
Reconsidering REDD+
Authors: Dehm Julia
Published: May 2021

In Reconsidering REDD+: Authority, Power and Law in the Green Economy, Julia Dehm provides a critical analysis of how the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) scheme operates to reorganise social relations and to establish new forms of global authority over forests in the Global South, in ways that benefit the interests of some actors while further marginalising others. In accessible prose that draws on interdisciplinary insights, Dehm demonstrates how, through the creation of new legal relations, including property rights and contractual obligations, new forms of transnational authority over forested areas in the Global South are being constituted. This important work should be read by anyone interested in a critical analysis of international climate law and policy that offers insights into questions of political economy, power, and unequal authority.
The Strix-Witch
Authors: Ogden Daniel
Published: May 2021

The strix was a persistent feature of the folklore of the Roman world and subsequently that of the Latin West and the Greek East. She was a woman that flew by night, either in an owl-like form or in the form of a projected soul, in order to penetrate homes by surreptitious means and thereby devour, blight or steal the new-born babies within them. The motif-set of the ideal narrative of a strix attack - the 'strix-paradigm' - is reconstructed from Ovid, Petronius, John Damascene and other sources, and the paradigm's impact is traced upon the typically gruesome representation of witches in Latin literature. The concept of the strix is contextualised against the longue-durée notion of the child-killing demon, which is found already in the ancient Near East, and shown to retain a currency still as informing the projection of the vampire in Victorian fiction.
Shari‘a, Inshallah
Authors: Massoud Mark Fathi
Published: May 2021

Western analysts have long denigrated Islamic states as antagonistic, even antithetical, to the rule of law. Mark Fathi Massoud tells a different story: for nearly 150 years, the Somali people have embraced shari'a, commonly translated as Islamic law, in the struggle for national identity and human rights. Lawyers, community leaders, and activists throughout the Horn of Africa have invoked God to oppose colonialism, resist dictators, expel warlords, and to fight for gender equality - all critical steps on the path to the rule of law. Shari'a, Inshallah traces the most dramatic moments of legal change, political collapse, and reconstruction in Somalia and Somaliland. Massoud upends the conventional account of secular legal progress and demonstrates instead how faith in a higher power guides people toward the rule of law.
The hidden impacts of the ICC: An innovative assessment using Google data
Authors: Dancy Geoffrey Thomas
Published: May 2021

Commentators now regularly declare that the International Criminal court (ICC) – and international criminal law as a whole – is in crisis. It is certainly the case that the ICC faces a number of operational challenges, and that these challenges worry its defenders. However, one unexamined rationalist assumption is that the Court’s inability to deliver consistent outputs will mean waning influence. This article explores an alternative constructivist theory that the ICC produces diffuse social impacts that are not necessarily tied to its operating effectively. This theory is tested statistically using Google Trends data. Specifically, the article examines whether ICC intervention in a country is associated with more internet search for ‘human rights’. Taking this to be a measure of changing discourse in countries, the article finds that some types of ICC involvement are associated with a far higher interest in human rights, and that this interest only increases as ICC involvement extends in time. In short, despite its disappointments, evidence suggests that the ICC still serves a socio-pedagogical function. Though it does not fit well within a rational evaluation framework, this kind of information should be considered in ICC performance reviews.
Surgical management of congenital lobar emphysema associated with CHD
Authors: Kubo Shingo , Tanaka Toshikatsu , Oshima Yoshihiro
Published: May 2021

Congenital lobar emphysema is often associated with CHD in early infancy; however, the surgical strategy for this condition is still controversial. We report three successful cases of emphysematous lung lobectomy before the surgical repair of associated CHD. Aggressive lobectomy preceding cardiac interventions is advised when the management of congenital lobar emphysema is difficult.
A room with a view: a special issue with a special perspective
Authors: Borghesi Simone
Published: May 2021

The present article describes the main insights deriving from the papers collected in this special issue which jointly provide a ‘room with a view’ on some of the most relevant issues in climate policy such as: the role of uncertainty, the distributional implications of climate change, the drivers and applications of decarbonizing innovation, the role of emissions trading and its interactions with companion policies. While looking at different issues and from different angles, all papers share a similar attention to policy aspects and implications, especially in developing countries. This is particularly important to evaluate whether and to what extent the climate policies adopted thus far in developed countries can be replicated in emerging economies.
The Who, What, When, Where, and Why of the Polar Vortex
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: May 2021

Here’s a rundown of what this atmospheric phenomenon really is and why it matters.
Forecasters Navigate a Highway to Success Around Lake Victoria
Authors: Makoni Munyaradzi
Published: May 2021

An early-warning system establishes international networks to help communities manage severe weather on Africa’s largest lake.
Auroral E‐Region as a Source Region for Ionospheric Scintillation
Authors: Makarevich R. A. , Crowley G. , Azeem I. , Ngwira C. , Forsythe V. V.
Published: May 2021

Altitudinal source regions and generation mechanisms of ionospheric scintillation are investigated by employing the incoherent scatter radar (ISR) at Poker Flat, Alaska (PFISR) and nearby global positioning system (GPS) receivers. Analysis of PFISR and GPS observations during the September 2017 geomagnetic disturbances reveals that phase scintillation is seen during auroral disturbances, and can occur at any storm phase. Statistical comparisons of the rate of change of the total electron content (TEC) index (ROTI) with the amplitude (S4) and phase (σϕ) scintillation in July‐December 2017 show a significant increase with geomagnetic activity and considerable correlations between ROTI and σϕ, whereas S4 showed no noticeable increase or correlations. The PFISR‐GPS comparisons show that scintillation occurs when the electron density is enhanced in the auroral E‐region and is stronger for larger E‐region peak density and/or lower E‐region peak altitude. This implies that scintillation is stronger for more intense and/or deeper auroral particle precipitation. A detailed analysis of an event with a well‐defined and propagating E‐region density enhancement imaged by PFISR reveals that scintillation is stronger on the trailing edge of the density enhancement. This feature is discussed in the context of the gradient‐drift instability as a potential mechanism for generation of plasma density waves that scatter GPS radio signals and lead to scintillation. The results of this study add to the growing body of evidence that ROTI can be used as a proxy for phase scintillation and that the ionospheric E‐region is an important source region for ionospheric scintillation at auroral latitudes.
Modeling colorectal cancer evolution
Authors: Niida Atsushi , Mimori Koshi , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Miyano Satoru
Published: May 2021

Understanding cancer evolution provides a clue to tackle therapeutic difficulties in colorectal cancer. In this review, together with related works, we will introduce a series of our studies, in which we constructed an evolutionary model of colorectal cancer by combining genomic analysis and mathematical modeling. In our model, multiple subclones were generated by driver mutation acquisition and subsequent clonal expansion in early-stage tumors. Among the subclones, the one obtaining driver copy number alterations is endowed with malignant potentials to constitute a late-stage tumor in which extensive intratumor heterogeneity is generated by the accumulation of neutral mutations. We will also discuss how to translate our understanding of cancer evolution to a solution to the problem related to therapeutic resistance: mathematical modeling suggests that relapse caused by acquired resistance could be suppressed by utilizing clonal competition between sensitive and resistant clones. Considering the current rate of technological development, modeling cancer evolution by combining genomic analysis and mathematical modeling will be an increasingly important approach for understanding and overcoming cancer.
Interfering with hyaluronic acid metabolism suppresses glioma cell proliferation by regulating autophagy
Authors: Yan Tao , Chen Xin , Zhan Hua , Yao Penglei , Wang Ning , Yang He , Zhang Cheng , Wang Kaikai , Hu Hong , Li Jiafeng , Sun Jingxian , Dong Yu , Lu Enzhou , Zheng Zhixing , Zhang Ruotian , Wang Xiaoxiong , Ma Jichao , Gao Ming , Ye Junyi , Wang Xinzhuang , Teng Lei , Liu Huailei , Zhao Shiguang
Published: May 2021

The tumor microenvironment plays an important role in tumor progression. Hyaluronic acid (HA), an important component of the extracellular matrix in the tumor microenvironment, abnormally accumulates in a variety of tumors. However, the role of abnormal HA accumulation in glioma remains unclear. The present study indicated that HA, hyaluronic acid synthase 3 (HAS3), and a receptor of HA named CD44 were expressed at high levels in human glioma tissues and negatively correlated with the prognosis of patients with glioma. Silencing HAS3 expression or blocking CD44 inhibited glioma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The underlying mechanism was attributed to the inhibition of autophagy flux and maintaining glioma cell cycle arrest in G1 phase. More importantly, 4-methylumbelliferone (4-MU), a small competitive inhibitor of Uridine diphosphate (UDP) with the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB), also inhibited glioma cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Thus, approaches that interfere with HA metabolism by altering the expression of HAS3 and CD44 and the administration of 4-MU potentially represent effective strategies for glioma treatment.
RNA m6A reader YTHDF2 facilitates lung adenocarcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis by targeting the AXIN1/Wnt/β-catenin signaling
Authors: Li Yin , Sheng Hao , Ma Feng , Wu Qiang , Huang Jianfang , Chen Qiang , Sheng Lianghe , Zhu Xinghai , Zhu Xiaoxi , Xu Meng
Published: May 2021

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. YTHDF2 is a reader of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) on RNA and plays a critical role in the initiation and propagation of myeloid leukemia; however, whether YTHDF2 controls the development of LUAD remains to be explored. Here, we found that YTHDF2 was significantly upregulated in LUAD compared with paracancerous normal tissues, and YTHDF2 knockdown drastically inhibited, while its overexpression promoted, cell growth, colony formation and migration of LUAD cells in vitro. In addition, YTHDF2 knockdown significantly inhibited tumorigenesis in a murine tumor xenograft model. Through the integrative analysis of RNA-seq, m6A-seq, CLIP-seq, and RIP-seq datasets, we identified a set of potential direct targets of YTHDF2 in LUAD, among which we confirmed AXIN1, which encodes a negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as a direct target of YTHDF2. YTHDF2 promoted AXIN1 mRNA decay and subsequently activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Knockout of AXIN1 sufficiently rescued the inhibitory effect of YTHDF2 depletion on lung cancer cell proliferation, colony-formation, and migration. These results revealed YTHDF2 to be a contributor of LUAD development acting through the upregulation of the AXIN1/Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which can be a potential therapeutic target for LUAD.
Prevention of D-GalN/LPS-induced ALI by 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid through PXR-mediated inhibition of autophagy degradation
Authors: Wu Shouyan , Lu Henglei , Wang Wenjie , Song Luyao , Liu Meng , Cao Yuhan , Qi Xinming , Sun Jianhua , Gong Likun
Published: May 2021

Acute liver injury (ALI) has multiple causes and results in liver dysfunction. Severe or persistent liver injury eventually leads to liver failure and even death. Pregnane X receptor (PXR)-null mice present more severe liver damage and lower rates of autophagy. 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) has been proposed as a promising hepatoprotective agent. We hypothesized that GA significantly alleivates D-GalN/LPS-induced ALI, which involved in PXR-mediated autophagy and lysosome biogenesis. We found that GA can significantly decrease hepatocyte apoptosis and increase the hepatic autophagy marker LC3-B. Ad-mCherry-GFP-LC3 tandem fluorescence, RNA-seq and real-time PCR indicated that GA may stabilize autophagosomes and lysosomes and inhibit autophagosome–lysosome fusion. Simultaneously, GA markedly activates PXR, even reversing the D-GalN/LPS-induced reduction of PXR and its downstream genes. In contrast, GA has a weak protective effect in pharmacological inhibition of PXR and PXR-null mice, which significantly affected apoptosis- and autophagy-related genes. PXR knockout interferes with the stability of autophagosomes and lysosomes, preventing GA reducing the expression of lysosomal genes such as Cst B and TPP1, and suppressing autophagy flow. Therefore, we believe that GA increases autophagy by inhibiting autophagosome–lysosome fusion and blocked autophagy flux via activation of PXR. In conclusion, our results show that GA activates PXR to regulate autophagy and lysosome biogenesis, represented by inhibiting autophagosome–lysosome fusion and stabilization of lysosome. These results identify a new mechanism by which GA-dependent PXR activation reduces D-GalN/LPS-induced acute liver injury.
Balancing scientific interests and the rights of participants in designing a recall by genotype study
Authors: Mascalzoni Deborah , Biasiotto Roberta , Borsche Max , Brüggemann Norbert , De Grandi Alessandro , Goegele Martin , Frygner-Holm Sara , Klein Christine , Kösters Maria , Staunton Ciara , Pramstaller Peter P. , Krawczak Michael , Hicks Andrew A.
Published: May 2021

Recall by genotype (RbG) studies aim to better understand the phenotypes that correspond to genetic variants of interest, by recruiting carriers of such variants for further phenotyping. RbG approaches pose major ethical and legal challenges related to the disclosure of possibly unwanted genetic information. The Cooperative Health Research in South Tyrol (CHRIS) study is a longitudinal cohort study based in South Tyrol, Italy. Demand has grown for CHRIS study participants to be enrolled in RbG studies, thus making the design of a suitable ethical framework a pressing need. We here report upon the design of a pilot RbG study conducted with CHRIS study participants. By reviewing the literature and by consulting relevant stakeholders (CHRIS participants, clinical geneticists, ethics board, GPs), we identified key ethical issues in RbG approaches (e.g. complexity of the context, communication of genetic results, measures to further protect participants). The design of the pilot was based on a feasibility assessment, the selection of a suitable test case within the ProtectMove Research Unit on reduced penetrance of hereditary movement disorders, and the development of appropriate recruitment and communication strategies. An empirical study was embedded in the pilot study with the aim of understanding participants’ views on RbG. Our experience with the pilot study in CHRIS allowed us to contribute to the development of best practices and policies for RbG studies by drawing recommendations: addressing the possibility of RbG in the original consent, implementing tailored communication strategies, engaging stakeholders, designing embedded empirical studies, and sharing research experiences and methodology.
Rational construction of a reversible arylazo-based NIR probe for cycling hypoxia imaging in vivo
Authors: Zhang Yuming , Zhao Wenxuan , Chen Yuncong , Yuan Hao , Fang Hongbao , Yao Shankun , Zhang Changli , Xu Hongxia , Li Nan , Liu Zhipeng , Guo Zijian , Zhao Qingshun , Liang Yong , He Weijiang
Published: May 2021

Reversible NIR luminescent probes with negligible photocytotoxicity are required for long-term tracking of cycling hypoxia in vivo. However, almost all of the reported organic fluorescent hypoxia probes reported until now were irreversible. Here we report a reversible arylazo-conjugated fluorescent probe (HDSF) for cycling hypoxia imaging. HDSF displays an off-on fluorescence switch at 705 nm in normoxia-hypoxia cycles. Mass spectroscopic and theoretical studies confirm that the reversible sensing behavior is attributed to the two electron-withdrawing trifluoromethyl groups, which stabilizes the reduction intermediate phenylhydrazine and blocks the further reductive decomposition. Cycling hypoxia monitoring in cells and zebrafish embryos is realized by HDSF using confocal imaging. Moreover, hypoxic solid tumors are visualized and the ischemia-reperfusion process in mice is monitored in real-time. This work provides an effective strategy to construct organic fluorescent probes for cycling hypoxia imaging and paves the way for the study of cycling hypoxia biology.
Crystallization of nanoparticles induced by precipitation of trace polymeric additives
Authors: Qian Yiwen , da Silva Alessandra , Yu Emmy , Anderson Christopher L. , Liu Yi , Theis Wolfgang , Ercius Peter , Xu Ting
Published: May 2021

Orthogonal to guided growth of nanoparticle (NP) crystals using DNA or supramolecules, a trace amount of polymeric impurities (<0.1 wt.%) leads to reproducible, rapid growth of 3D NP crystals in solution and on patterned substrates with high yield. When polymers preferentially precipitate on the NP surfaces, small NP clusters form and serve as nuclei for NP crystal growth in dilute solutions. This precipitation-induced NP crystallization process is applicable for a range of polymers, and the resultant 3-D NP crystals are tunable by varying polymeric additives loading, solvent evaporation rate, and NP size. The present study elucidates how to balance cohesive energy density and NP diffusivity to simultaneously favor nuclei formation energetically and kinetic growth in dilute solutions to rapidly crystalize NPs over multiple length scales. Furthermore, the amount of impurities needed to grow NP crystals (<0.1%) reminds us the importance of fine details to interpret experimental observations in nanoscience.
A hierarchical 3D-motion learning framework for animal spontaneous behavior mapping
Authors: Huang Kang , Han Yaning , Chen Ke , Pan Hongli , Zhao Gaoyang , Yi Wenling , Li Xiaoxi , Liu Siyuan , Wei Pengfei , Wang Liping
Published: May 2021

Animal behavior usually has a hierarchical structure and dynamics. Therefore, to understand how the neural system coordinates with behaviors, neuroscientists need a quantitative description of the hierarchical dynamics of different behaviors. However, the recent end-to-end machine-learning-based methods for behavior analysis mostly focus on recognizing behavioral identities on a static timescale or based on limited observations. These approaches usually lose rich dynamic information on cross-scale behaviors. Here, inspired by the natural structure of animal behaviors, we address this challenge by proposing a parallel and multi-layered framework to learn the hierarchical dynamics and generate an objective metric to map the behavior into the feature space. In addition, we characterize the animal 3D kinematics with our low-cost and efficient multi-view 3D animal motion-capture system. Finally, we demonstrate that this framework can monitor spontaneous behavior and automatically identify the behavioral phenotypes of the transgenic animal disease model. The extensive experiment results suggest that our framework has a wide range of applications, including animal disease model phenotyping and the relationships modeling between the neural circuits and behavior.
Enantioselective access to chiral aliphatic amines and alcohols via Ni-catalyzed hydroalkylations
Authors: Wang Shan , Zhang Jian-Xin , Zhang Tian-Yi , Meng Huan , Chen Bi-Hong , Shu Wei
Published: May 2021

Chiral aliphatic amine and alcohol derivatives are ubiquitous in pharmaceuticals, pesticides, natural products and fine chemicals, yet difficult to access due to the challenge to differentiate between the spatially and electronically similar alkyl groups. Herein, we report a nickel-catalyzed enantioselective hydroalkylation of acyl enamines and enol esters with alkyl halides to afford enantioenriched α-branched aliphatic acyl amines and esters in good yields with excellent levels of enantioselectivity. The operationally simple protocol provides a straightforward access to chiral secondary alkyl-substituted amine and secondary alkyl-substituted alcohol derivatives from simple starting materials with great functional group tolerance.
Oxidative cyclo-rearrangement of helicenes into chiral nanographenes
Authors: Shen Chengshuo , Zhang Guoli , Ding Yongle , Yang Na , Gan Fuwei , Crassous Jeanne , Qiu Huibin
Published: May 2021

Nanographenes are emerging as a distinctive class of functional materials for electronic and optical devices. It is of remarkable significance to enrich the precise synthetic chemistry for these molecules. Herein, we develop a facile strategy to recompose helicenes into chiral nanographenes through a unique oxidative cyclo-rearrangement reaction. Helicenes with 7~9 ortho-fused aromatic rings are firstly oxidized and cyclized, and subsequently rearranged into nanographenes with an unsymmetrical helicoid shape through sequential 1,2-migrations. Such skeletal reconstruction is virtually driven by the gradual release of the strain of the highly distorted helicene skeleton. Importantly, the chirality of the helicene precursor can be integrally inherited by the resulting nanographene. Thus, a series of chiral nanographenes are prepared from a variety of carbohelicenes and heterohelicenes. Moreover, such cyclo-rearrangement reaction can be sequentially or simultaneously associated with conventional oxidative cyclization reactions to ulteriorly enrich the geometry diversity of nanographenes, aiming at innovative properties.
Antigen-driven EGR2 expression is required for exhausted CD8+ T cell stability and maintenance
Authors: Wagle Mayura V. , Vervoort Stephin J. , Kelly Madison J. , Van Der Byl Willem , Peters Timothy J. , Martin Ben P. , Martelotto Luciano G. , Nüssing Simone , Ramsbottom Kelly M. , Torpy James R. , Knight Deborah , Reading Sinead , Thia Kevin , Miosge Lisa A. , Howard Debbie R. , Gloury Renee , Gabriel Sarah S. , Utzschneider Daniel T. , Oliaro Jane , Powell Jonathan D. , Luciani Fabio , Trapani Joseph A. , Johnstone Ricky W. , Kallies Axel , Goodnow Christopher C. , Parish Ian A.
Published: May 2021

Chronic stimulation of CD8+T cells triggers exhaustion, a distinct differentiation state with diminished effector function. Exhausted cells exist in multiple differentiation states, from stem-like progenitors that are the key mediators of the response to checkpoint blockade, through to terminally exhausted cells. Due to its clinical relevance, there is substantial interest in defining the pathways that control differentiation and maintenance of these subsets. Here, we show that chronic antigen induces the anergy-associated transcription factor EGR2 selectively within progenitor exhausted cells in both chronic LCMV and tumours. EGR2 enables terminal exhaustion and stabilizes the exhausted transcriptional state by both direct EGR2-dependent control of key exhaustion-associated genes, and indirect maintenance of the exhausted epigenetic state. We show that EGR2 is a regulator of exhaustion that epigenetically and transcriptionally maintains the differentiation competency of progenitor exhausted cells.
Human ribonuclease 1 serves as a secretory ligand of ephrin A4 receptor and induces breast tumor initiation
Authors: Lee Heng-Huan , Wang Ying-Nai , Yang Wen-Hao , Xia Weiya , Wei Yongkun , Chan Li-Chuan , Wang Yu-Han , Jiang Zhou , Xu Shouping , Yao Jun , Qiu Yufan , Hsu Yi-Hsin , Hwang Wei-Lun , Yan Meisi , Cha Jong-Ho , Hsu Jennifer L. , Shen Jia , Ye Yuanqing , Wu Xifeng , Hou Ming-Feng , Tseng Lin-Ming , Wang Shao-Chun , Pan Mei-Ren , Yang Chin-Hua , Wang Yuan-Liang , Yamaguchi Hirohito , Pang Da , Hortobagyi Gabriel N. , Yu Dihua , Hung Mien-Chie
Published: May 2021

Human ribonuclease 1 (hRNase 1) is critical to extracellular RNA clearance and innate immunity to achieve homeostasis and host defense; however, whether it plays a role in cancer remains elusive. Here, we demonstrate that hRNase 1, independently of its ribonucleolytic activity, enriches the stem-like cell population and enhances the tumor-initiating ability of breast cancer cells. Specifically, secretory hRNase 1 binds to and activates the tyrosine kinase receptor ephrin A4 (EphA4) signaling to promote breast tumor initiation in an autocrine/paracrine manner, which is distinct from the classical EphA4-ephrin juxtacrine signaling through contact-dependent cell-cell communication. In addition, analysis of human breast tumor tissue microarrays reveals a positive correlation between hRNase 1, EphA4 activation, and stem cell marker CD133. Notably, high hRNase 1 level in plasma samples is positively associated with EphA4 activation in tumor tissues from breast cancer patients, highlighting the pathological relevance of the hRNase 1-EphA4 axis in breast cancer. The discovery of hRNase 1 as a secretory ligand of EphA4 that enhances breast cancer stemness suggests a potential treatment strategy by inactivating the hRNase 1-EphA4 axis.
Molecular characterization of a new highly divergent Mobala related arenavirus isolated from Praomys sp. rodents
Authors: Simo Tchetgna Huguette , Descorps-Declère Stephane , Selekon Benjamin , Kwasiborski Aurelia , Vandenbogaert Mathias , Manuguerra Jean-Claude , Gessain Antoine , Caro Valérie , Nakouné Emmanuel , Berthet Nicolas
Published: May 2021

Arenaviruses represent a family of viruses that are naturally present in rodents belonging to subfamily Murinae, Neotominae or Sigmodontinae. Except for Lassa virus, little information is available on other Old-World arenaviruses. Here, we describe strain AnRB3214, a virus isolated from a presumed Praomys sp. rodent in the Central African Republic in 1981 and assigned to Ippy virus based on antigenic similarity. The strain was simultaneously sequenced on Illumina NovaSeq 6000 and MinION Mk1B devices and analysed with various bioinformatics tools. We show that the best genome coverage and depth were obtained with the Kaiju and Minimap2 classification and identification tools, on either the MinION or the Illumina reads. The genetic analysis of AnRB3214 fragments showed 68% to 79% similarity with the Mobala and Gairo mammarenaviruses at the nucleic acid level. Strain AnRB3214 had a truncated nucleoprotein smaller than that of other Old World arenaviruses. Molecular clock analysis suggests that this strain diverged from Mobala virus at least 400 years ago. Finally, this study illustrates the importance of genomics in the identification of archived viruses and expands on the diversity of African arenaviruses, because strain AnRB3214 is either a variant or a close relative of Mobala virus, and not Ippy virus.
Earliest evidence of marine habitat use by mammals
Authors: Wroblewski Anton F.-J. , Gulas-Wroblewski Bonnie E.
Published: May 2021

Evidence for the earliest invasion of the marine realm by mammals was previously restricted to Eocene (48.6–37.8 Ma) skeletal remains. We report incontrovertible ichnofossil evidence for brackish-water habitat use by at least two mammalian species in southern Wyoming during the late Paleocene (58 Ma). These are the first Paleocene mammal trackways recorded in the United States and only the fourth documented in the world. Multiple tracks preserved in restricted marine deposits represent animals repeatedly walking across submerged to partially emergent tidal flats. Hundreds of tracks are preserved in planform and cross-sectional exposure within five horizons along a 1032 m tracksite. Four prints exhibit five clear toe imprints, while two others distinctly display four toes. Some tracks penetrate beds populated by dwelling traces of marine bivalves and polychaetes in the upper layers and sea anemones at the base. Candidates for the five-toed tracemakers are pantodonts such asTitanoides,Barylambda, andCoryphodon, which have been recovered from late Paleocene strata throughout western North America. The four-toed tracks provide the earliest evidence of previously-undescribed large artiodactyls and/or tapiroids, mutually supporting recent molecular phylogenetic studies that place the origin of Cetartiodactyla near the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (~ 67.7 Ma). Collectively, these trackways irrefutably demonstrate the utility of ichnological data in reconstructing the evolutionary history and adaptive behaviors of extinct taxa beyond the evidence provided by body fossils alone.
Handgrip and sex-specific cardiometabolic risk factors in Hispanic/Latino migrant farmworkers
Authors: Raed Anas , Bilz Jessica , Cortez-Cooper Miriam , Young Lufei , Chen Li , Cromer Pamela , Zhu Haidong , Mazzoli Andrew , Parikh Samip , Bhagatwala Jigar , Dong Yutong , Sun Zhuo , Layman Debbie , Dong Yanbin
Published: May 2021

Studies have suggested that handgrip strength might be a marker for cardiometabolic risk (CMR), but it has not been studied in Hispanic/Latino farmworker population. This study aimed to characterize absolute and relative handgrip strength in Hispanic/Latino farmworkers, and investigate the sex-specific association between handgrip strength and CMR factors. CMR factors and seated isometric absolute (the sum of both hands) and relative (absolute handgrip strength divided by body mass index) handgrip strengths were collected in 173 Hispanic/Latino farmworkers (mean age 35.1 ± 0.7 years; 49% female). The absolute and the relative handgrip strengths were 89.2 ± 1.8 kg, 3.3 ± 0.1 kg among males, and 56.5 ± 1.9 kg, 1.9 ± 0.1 kg among females, respectively. Age was correlated with absolute (r = − 0.17, p = 0.03) and relative handgrip strengths (r = − 0.28, p < 0.01). In males, absolute handgrip was related to triglycerides (r = − 0.25, p < 0.05), whereas relative handgrip was related to waist circumference (r = − 0.32, p < 0.01), waist/hip circumference ratio (r = − 0.36, p < 0.01), high-density lipoprotein (r = 0.24, p < 0.05), and triglycerides (r = − 0.35, p < 0.01). In females, absolute handgrip was related to fasting plasma glucose (r = − 0.28, p = 0.03), whereas relative handgrip was related to waist circumference (r = − 0.38, p < 0.01) and fasting plasma glucose (r = − 0.22, p < 0.05). Males had lower absolute handgrip strength when their triglycerides levels were at risk (p = 0.021), and lower relative handgrip strength when their plasma glucose (p = 0.034) and triglycerides (p = 0.002) levels were at risk. Females had lower relative handgrip strength when their plasma glucose (p = 0.001) and blood pressure (p = 0.004) were at risk. This study suggests that handgrip strength may be associated with sex-specific CMR factors in a Hispanic/Latino farmworker population.
Elevated transaminases and hypoalbuminemia in Covid-19 are prognostic factors for disease severity
Authors: Wagner Jason , Garcia-Rodriguez Victor , Yu Abraham , Dutra Barbara , Larson Scott , Cash Brooks , DuPont Andrew , Farooq Ahmad
Published: May 2021

Prognostic markers are needed to understand the disease course and severity in patients with Covid-19. There is evidence that Covid-19 causes gastrointestinal symptoms and abnormalities in liver enzymes. We aimed to determine if hepatobiliary laboratory data could predict disease severity in patients with Covid-19. In this retrospective, single institution, cohort study that analyzed patients admitted to a community academic hospital with the diagnosis of Covid-19, we found that elevations of Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (AP) at any time during hospital admission increased the odds of ICU admission by 5.12 (95% CI: 1.55–16.89; p = 0.007), 4.71 (95% CI: 1.51–14.69; p = 0.01) and 4.12 (95% CI: 1.21–14.06, p = 0.02), respectively. Hypoalbuminemia found at the time of admission to the hospital was associated with increased mortality (p = 0.02), hypotension (p = 0.03), and need for vasopressors (p = 0.02), intubation (p = 0.01) and hemodialysis (p = 0.002). Additionally, there was evidence of liver injury: AST was significantly elevated above baseline in patients admitted to the ICU (54.2 ± 15.70 U/L) relative to those who were not (9.2 ± 4.89 U/L; p = 0.01). Taken together, this study found that hypoalbuminemia and abnormalities in hepatobiliary laboratory data may be prognostic factors for disease severity in patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19.
A robust polyfunctional Pd(II)-based magnetic amphiphilic nanocatalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction
Authors: Aghahosseini Hamideh , Saadati Mohammad Reza , Rezaei Seyed Jamal Tabatabaei , Ramazani Ali , Asadi Narges , Yahiro Hidenori , Mori Masami , Shajari Nahid , Kazemizadeh Ali Reza
Published: May 2021

Herein, a robust Pd(II)-based polyfunctional magnetic amphiphilic artificial metalloenzyme was prepared by anchoring a Pd(2,2′-dipyridylamine)Cl2bearing hydrophilic monomethyl ether poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) chains on the surface of amino-functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The 2,2′-dipyridylamine (dpa) has shown excellent complexation properties for Pd(II) and it could be easily anchored onto functionalized magnetic support by the bridging nitrogen atom. Moreover, the bridging nitrogen atom at the proximity of Pd(II) catalytic center could play an important role in dynamic suppramolecular interactions with substrates. The leaching, air and moisture resistant [Pd(dpa)Cl2] complex endow the dynamic and robust structure to the designed artificial enzyme. Moreover, the water dispersibility of designed artificial metalloenzyme raised from mPEG chains and the magnetic nanoparticles core which could function as protein mimics endow it other necessary characters of artificial enzymes. The prepared artificial metalloenzyme displayed remarkable activity in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction employing low-palladium loading under mild conditions, with the exceptionally high turnover frequency, clean reaction profile, easy work-up procedure, good to excellent products yields and short reaction times. The designed air- and moisture-stable artificial metalloenzyme could recycle more than fifteen times with easy separation procedure in aqueous solution under aerobic conditions without any noticeable loss in activity.
Salt tolerance of selected halophytes at the two initial growth stages for future management options
Authors: Alhaddad Fedae A. , Abu-Dieyeh Mohammed H. , ElAzazi El-Sayed Mohamed , Ahmed Talaat A.
Published: May 2021

Scarcity of water and the small area of the agricultural land are considered as the crucial environmental issues challenged the Arabian Gulf countries. In this study, experiments were conducted to identify the salt tolerance during the germination and the seedling stages of some native halophytes in the State of Qatar. Seeds of eight native species (Salsola setifera, Halopeplis perfoliata, Caroxylon imbricatum, Suaeda aegyptiaca, Acacia tortilis, Limonium axillare, Tetraena qatarensis and Aeluropus lagopoides) were investigated. Except for Tetraena qatarensis, Acacia tortilis and Suaeda aegyptiaca, all achieved ≥ 30% of seed germination at a concentration of 200 mM NaCl. Around 30% of Salsola setifera seeds were able to germinate in a salt concentration of 400 mM. Germination recovery of seeds that have been treated with 800 mM NaCl for 3 weeks was the greatest for Halopeplis perfoliata (94%) and the lowest for Aeluropus lagopoides (22%). Five halophytes were investigated for seedling growth under saline irrigation ranged from 0 to 600 mM NaCl. No significant differences obtained in growth biomass of seedlings of each of Caroxylon imbricatum, Suaeda aegyptiaca and Tetraena qatarensis between saline and non-saline treatments.
Entropic measure unveils country competitiveness and product specialization in the World trade web
Authors: Teza Gianluca , Caraglio Michele , Stella Attilio L.
Published: May 2021

We show how the Shannon entropy function can be used as a basis to set up complexity measures weighting the economic efficiency of countries and the specialization of products beyond bare diversification. This entropy function guarantees the existence of a fixed point which is rapidly reached by an iterative scheme converging to our self-consistent measures. Our approach naturally allows to decompose into inter-sectorial and intra-sectorial contributions the country competitivity measure if products are partitioned into larger categories. Besides outlining the technical features and advantages of the method, we describe a wide range of results arising from the analysis of the obtained rankings and we benchmark these observations against those established with other economical parameters. These comparisons allow to partition countries and products into various main typologies, with well-revealed characterizing features. Our methods have wide applicability to general problems of ranking in bipartite networks.
Applicability of a nationwide flood forecasting system for Typhoon Hagibis 2019
Authors: Ma Wenchao , Ishitsuka Yuta , Takeshima Akira , Hibino Kenshi , Yamazaki Dai , Yamamoto Kosuke , Kachi Misako , Oki Riko , Oki Taikan , Yoshimura Kei
Published: May 2021

Floods can be devastating in densely populated regions along rivers, so attaining a longer forecast lead time with high accuracy is essential for protecting people and property. Although many techniques are used to forecast floods, sufficient validation of the use of a forecast system for operational alert purposes is lacking. In this study, we validated the flooding locations and times of dike breaking that had occurred during Typhoon Hagibis, which caused severe flooding in Japan in 2019. To achieve the goal of the study, we combined a hydrodynamic model with statistical analysis under forcing by a 39-h prediction of the Japan Meteorological Agency's Meso-scale model Grid Point Value (MSM-GPV) and obtained dike-break times for all flooded locations for validation. The results showed that this method was accurate in predicting floods at 130 locations, approximately 91.6% of the total of 142 flooded locations, with a lead time of approximately 32.75 h. In terms of precision, these successfully predicted locations accounted for 24.0% of the total of 542 locations under a flood warning, and on average, the predicted flood time was approximately 8.53 h earlier than a given dike-break time. More warnings were issued for major rivers with severe flooding, indicating that the system is sensitive to extreme flood events and can issue warnings for rivers subject to high risk of flooding.