bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Backgammon and cosmology at the Sasanian court
Authors: Gardner Iain
Published: March 2020

The Middle Persian text The Explanation of Chess and the Invention of Backgammon (WČ) is dated to the reign of Xusrō I. It describes a contest between the Persian and Indian kings represented by their leading wise men. The famous sage Wuzurgmihr defeats his Indian counterpart at chess and invents the game of backgammon, the board being given cosmological significance with the turning of the counters and roll of the die corresponding to fate. This article presents a new textual source where many of the same themes are evident: the courtly context, the competition between rival sages from Persia and India, the interpretation in terms of cosmology and fate. However, this new source is from the fourth century ce or earlier and the personages involved are different, raising vital questions about the history of the topic and its development in Persian and other late antique literatures.
The Strange, Sad Case of the “Bosnian Christian Girl”: Slavery, Conversion, and Jurisdiction on the Habsburg-Ottoman Border
Authors: Frank Johnson Alison
Published: March 2020

This article examines the case of a Bosnian brother and sister at the center of a diplomatic dispute between Austria and the Ottoman Empire in 1852. Mara Illić had to cross the border into Austria in order to board a ship that would take her to Anatolia with the household of a paşa who had been banished. Milan called upon Austrian authorities to “liberate” Mara, whom he claimed had been enslaved when she was “forced” to convert to Islam as a young child. Austria's defense of its seizure of the girl and the Ottomans' insistence that she be returned reflect tension over sovereignty, jurisdiction, and personhood. The border brings into stark relief the conflict between different ways of conceptualizing categories like freedom and slavery, contract and coercion, confession and nationality.
Children's epistemic inferences through modal verbs and prosody
Authors: ARMSTRONG Meghan
Published: March 2020

This study explores how young children infer nuances in epistemic modality through prosody. A forced-choice task was used, testing children's (ages three to seven) comprehension of themight/willdistinction (modal condition) as well their ability to modulate the strength ofmightthrough two prosodic tunes (prosody condition). Positive and negative valence conditions were included. Younger children were shown to start off performing above chance for the modal condition, and at around chance for the prosody condition, but after age four performance on the prosody condition quickly improved. For both modal verbs and prosody, children performed significantly better when valence was positive. By age seven, children performed at ceiling for all conditions. Qualitative analysis of children's justifications for prosody responses showed metalinguistic awareness of prosodic meaning as early as age four, with the ability to relate prosody to epistemic modal meaning becoming quite common by age seven.
A shape grammar for the building-type definition of the ancient Greek and Roman library and the evaluation of library plans
Authors: Mamoli Myrsini
Published: March 2020

This paper presents in detail a parametric shape grammar for the generation of ancient Greek and Roman library plans. Ancient Libraries showcase a significant variability of scale, monumentality, and design with the use of different architectural components, and researchers cannot identify them as easily as other building types. The grammar is in 2D and captures all the variability of libraries from the simpler forms of the Hellenistic period to the more monumental of the Roman period, creating a vast range of designs. The paper presents the grammar-generated plans of the known libraries based on the evidence in the archaeological record. A frequency analysis of the occurrence of the rules in the derivations ranks the different characteristics of libraries and the architectural forms with which they occur in the corpus, to determine the probability of specific rules and to interpret them as mandatory or optional. The contribution of this work is that the shape grammar summarizes the design principles of ancient libraries visually and helps establish the building type of the ancient library. The frequency analysis assists tremendously in the reconstruction of fragmentarily preserved ancient libraries by providing a system in the reconstruction of the missing parts, when ambiguity is involved.
Nationalism and the Pan-historical Perspective in Early Middle Age Archaeology
Authors: Bálint Csanád
Published: March 2020

To the memory of Jurij Voronov archaeologist, Vice-Premier of Abkhazia murdered on 11 September 1995

Nationalism is a most general and worldwide phenomenon, known at least since European antiquity. It is also present in archaeological research, more intensively indeed in Central and Eastern Europe than in its Western counterpart. It is mostly connected with national prehistory, and its basic questions concern ‘ancientness’, ‘previousness’ and a high(er) culture, which are always the issues put forth in a comparison with others. Its emergence becomes more direct when manipulating constructed histories. Yet a decrease of its overall influence may be expected in the long run. Panhistorism in archaeology partly stems from the overestimation of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century archaeological finds and was the view generally adopted by Soviet-type Marxism. Its aim is to render history useful for political manipulation. Its followers and advocates, however, are generally ill-informed about the methodological issues of research developed in the second half of twentieth century. We may, therefore, be somewhat more optimistic as to its impending disappearance.
Violence in the Gilded Ages, Then and Now
Authors: Hobbs Allyson
Published: March 2020

In 1840, Joseph Mallord William Turner, the English painter, created Slave Ship: Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying—Typhoon Coming On. The painting has many of Turner's signature elements: sensual imagery, brilliant sunsets, and dramatic landscapes ablaze with color. A closer look haunts the viewer. The scattering of a severed leg, shackles, and chains floating in bloody waters capture the monstrous decision of the captain and crew of the slave ship the Zong (originally named Zorg, which means, ironically, “Care” in Dutch) to throw 132 enslaved men, women, and children overboard, one by one, through cabin windows.
Urbanization in an Underdeveloped City—Nanning, China and its Impact on a Heavy Rainfall Event in July
Authors: Xiao Zhixiang , Wang Ziqian , Huang Mingce , Luo Xiaoli , Liang Yiling , Lin Zhenmin
Published: March 2020

A rapid urbanization process is undergoing in China, exerting significant impacts on local weather and climate. However, rare study pays attention to the underdeveloped regions. An underdeveloped city of Nanning, in southwestern China, is experiencing considerable urbanization. The present urban area of Nanning is 2.8 times larger than that in 1980. Using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with an urban canopy model, two experiments with different urban land use are designed to investigate impacts of Nanning urbanization on a rainstorm occurred in July 2009. Results show simulated precipitation can be significantly improved by the experiment with urbanization effects included. Urbanization leads to a warmer and drier surface, which is favored for the formation of near‐surface low pressure and wind convergence over the city. But the warm‐dry air near urban surface cannot lead to deep convective activity, resulting in urban‐enhanced precipitation is dominated by the large‐scale precipitation. Such enhanced large‐scale precipitation has a positive contribution to atmospheric latent heat release, inducing a heating source in middle troposphere over the urban area. Then the cyclonic circulation around Nanning is intensified according to thermal adaption theory. The enhanced cyclonic circulation is beneficial for stronger moisture convergence and warm‐moist southwesterly flow transports into Guangxi from tropical oceans. Vertical motion is amplified by the coastal orographic uplift effect, and wind convergence over the Nanning downstream is also enhanced. Therefore, the convective precipitation dominantly enhances over the coastal and city's downstream regions, which is different from the urban‐increased large‐scale precipitation in the Nanning City area.
A Generic Pushbroom Sensor Model for Planetary Photogrammetry
Authors: Geng Xun , Xu Qing , Xing Shuai , Lan Chaozhen
Published: March 2020

Different imaging instruments are designed in the planetary exploration missions, which require respective photogrammetric software modules to support the geometric processing of planetary remote sensing images. To decrease the cost of software development and maintenance, this paper presents a generic pushbroom sensor model for planetary photogrammetry. Thus, various coordinate transformations can be conducted in a unified and efficient way, without considering the specific camera and the optical distortion equations. In terms of implementation, the camera file and orientation data file designed for the airborne linear array camera ADS40 are used to manage the interior orientation and exterior orientation parameters of planetary images. The generic pushbroom sensor model supports the summing mode, varying exposure times within an image and image distortions, which are typical problems in need of a solution in planetary mapping. Furthermore, an alternative photogrammetric process based on extracting tie points on approximate orthophotos is developed. The geometric accuracy and computational efficiency of the generic pushbroom sensor model were compared with the popular planetary cartographic software—Integrated System for Imagers and Spectrometers (ISIS). The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed generic pushbroom sensor model can (1) deliver the same geometric accuracy as the ISIS pushbroom sensor model, (2) greatly improve the computational efficiency of orthophotos generation and tie points extraction, and (3) support various types of planetary remote sensing images. Moreover, the proposed generic pushbroom sensor model reduces the cost of software development because different types of planetary images share the same code base.
Stochastic Modeling as a Method of Arriving at Higher Frequencies: An Application to κ Estimation
Authors: Pikoulis Erion‐Vasilis , Ktenidou Olga‐Joan , Psarakis Emmanouil Z. , Abrahamson Norman A.
Published: March 2020

We present a framework for stochastically modeling the Fourier spectrum of the noisy seismic recording based on the fundamental assumption that the latter constitutes a random rather than a deterministic quantity. First we demonstrate (mathematically and through simulations) that, under the stochastic‐signal assumption, the periodogram ordinates of the noisy recording can be considered independent exponential random variables with a frequency‐dependent mean. Using this finding, the estimation of seismological parameters is translated into a well‐defined maximum likelihood (ML) problem, allowing a fast, accurate, and robust solution. Although the proposed ML methodology constitutes a general estimation framework that we believe can improve any spectral analysis, here we specifically apply it to the high‐frequency attenuation parameter (κ), crucial for understanding rock ground motion. Other seismological parameters could be estimated by appropriately adapting the theoretical model and frequency band used. The greatest advantage of the proposed method is its ability to account for the presence of noise rather than simply try to avoid it, as is the case with all conventional κ approaches and many other spectral analysis approaches. This means that the proposed technique achieves acceptable results even for very low signal‐to‐noise ratios (SNR), thus pushing the boundary of what can be considered usable recording quality. The technique's superior performance in estimation is demonstrated through a series of experiments involving both synthetic and real seismic recordings. Our results also indicate that, compared to this new “noise‐modeling” approach, conventional “noise‐avoiding” approaches are likely to systematically underestimate the “true” kappa value in recordings of moderate‐to‐low SNR.
Squirt Flow in Cracks with Rough Walls
Authors: Lissa Simón , Barbosa Nicolás D. , Caspari Eva , Alkhimenkov Yury , Quintal Beatriz
Published: March 2020

We explore the impact of roughness in crack walls on the P wave modulus dispersion and attenuation caused by squirt flow. For that, we numerically simulate oscillatory relaxation tests on models having interconnected cracks with both simple and intricate aperture distributions. Their viscoelastic responses are compared with those of models containing planar cracks but having the same hydraulic aperture as the rough wall cracks. In the absence of contact areas between crack walls, we found that three apertures affect the P wave modulus dispersion and attenuation: the arithmetic mean, minimum aperture, and hydraulic aperture. We show that the arithmetic mean of the crack apertures controls the effective P wave modulus at the low‐ and high‐frequency limits, thus representing the mechanical aperture. The minimum aperture of the cracks tends to dominate the energy dissipation process and, consequently, the characteristic frequency. An increase in the confining pressure is emulated by uniformly reducing the crack apertures, which allows for the occurrence of contact areas. The contact area density and distribution play a dominant role in the stiffness of the model, and in this scenario, the arithmetic mean is not representative of the mechanical aperture. On the other hand, for a low percentage of minimum aperture or in the presence of contact areas, the hydraulic aperture tends to control the characteristic frequency. Analyzing the local energy dissipation, we can more specifically visualize that a different aperture controls the energy dissipation process at each frequency, which means that a frequency‐dependent hydraulic aperture might describe the squirt flow process in cracks with rough walls.
Adherence to a Mediterranean-style eating pattern and risk of diabetes in a U.S. prospective cohort study
Authors: O’Connor Lauren E. , Hu Emily A. , Steffen Lyn M. , Selvin Elizabeth , Rebholz Casey M.
Published: March 2020

Background

A Mediterranean-style eating pattern is consistently associated with a decreased diabetes risk in Mediterranean and European populations. However, results in U.S. populations are inconsistent. The objective of this study was to assess whether a Mediterranean-style eating pattern would be associated with diabetes risk in a large, nationally representative U.S. cohort of black and white men and women.

Methods

Participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study prospective cohort without diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer at baseline (visit 1, 1987–1989; n = 11,991) were included (mean age 54 years, 56% female, 75% white). Alternate Mediterranean Diet scores (aMed) were calculated using the mean dietary intake self-reported at visit 1 and visit 3 (1993–1995) or visit 1 only for participants censored before visit 3. Participants were followed from visit 1 through 31 December 2016 for incident diabetes. We used Cox regression models to characterize associations of aMed (quintiles as well as per 1-point higher) with incident diabetes adjusted for energy intake, age, sex, race and study center, and education (Model 1) for all participants then stratified by race and body mass index (BMI). Model 2 included potential mediating behavioral and clinical measures associated with diabetes. Results are presented as hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Over a median follow-up of 22 years, there were 4024 incident cases of diabetes. Higher aMed scores were associated with lower diabetes risk [Model 1: 0.83 (0.73–0.94) for Q5 vs Q1 (p-trend < 0.001) and 0.96 (0.95–0.98) for 1-point higher]. Associations were stronger for black vs white participants (interaction p < 0.001) and weaker for obese vs normal BMI (interaction p < 0.01). Associations were attenuated but statistically significant in Model 2.

Conclusions

An eating pattern high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish, and moderate in alcohol was associated with a lower risk of diabetes in a community-based U.S. population.
The intronic BRCA1 c.5407-25T>A variant causing partly skipping of exon 23—a likely pathogenic variant with reduced penetrance?
Authors: Høberg-Vetti Hildegunn , Ognedal Elisabet , Buisson Adrien , Vamre Tone Bøe Aaman , Ariansen Sarah , Hoover Jacqueline M. , Eide Geir Egil , Houge Gunnar , Fiskerstrand Torunn , Haukanes Bjørn Ivar , Bjorvatn Cathrine , Knappskog Per Morten
Published: March 2020

Rare sequence variants in the non-coding part of the BRCA genes are often reported as variants of uncertain significance (VUS), which leave patients and doctors in a challenging position. The aim of this study was to determine the pathogenicity of the BRCA1 c.5407-25T>A variant found in 20 families from Norway, France and United States with suspected hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. This was done by combining clinical and family information with allele frequency data, and assessment of the variant’s effect on mRNA splicing. Mean age at breast (n = 12) and ovarian (n = 11) cancer diagnosis in female carriers was 49.9 and 60.4 years, respectively. The mean Manchester score in the 20 families was 16.4. The allele frequency of BRCA1 c.5407-25T>A was 1/64,566 in non-Finnish Europeans (gnomAD database v2.1.1). We found the variant in 1/400 anonymous Norwegian blood donors and 0/784 in-house exomes. Sequencing of patient-derived cDNA from blood, normal breast and ovarian tissue showed that BRCA1 c.5407-25T>A leads to skipping of exon 23, resulting in frameshift and protein truncation: p.(Gly1803GlnfsTer11). Western blot analysis of transiently expressed BRCA1 proteins in HeLa cells showed a reduced amount of the truncated protein compared with wild type. Noteworthily, we found that a small amount of full-length transcript was also generated from the c.5407-25T>A allele, potentially explaining the intermediate cancer burden in families carrying this variant. In summary, our results show that BRCA1 c.5407-25T>A leads to partial skipping of exon 23, and could represent a likely pathogenic variant with reduced penetrance.
Dissecting the role of PfAP2-G in malaria gametocytogenesis
Authors: Josling Gabrielle A. , Russell Timothy J. , Venezia Jarrett , Orchard Lindsey , van Biljon Riëtte , Painter Heather J. , Llinás Manuel
Published: March 2020

In the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, the switch from asexual multiplication to sexual differentiation into gametocytes is essential for transmission to mosquitos. The transcription factor PfAP2-G is a key determinant of sexual commitment that orchestrates this crucial cell fate decision. Here we identify the direct targets of PfAP2-G and demonstrate that it dynamically binds hundreds of sites across the genome. We find that PfAP2-G is a transcriptional activator of early gametocyte genes, and identify differences in PfAP2-G occupancy between gametocytes derived via next-cycle and same-cycle conversion. Our data implicate PfAP2-G not only as a transcriptional activator of gametocyte genes, but also as a potential regulator of genes important for red blood cell invasion. We also find that regulation by PfAP2-G requires interaction with a second transcription factor, PfAP2-I. These results clarify the functional role of PfAP2-G during sexual commitment and early gametocytogenesis.
2,6-Diaminopurine as a highly potent corrector of UGA nonsense mutations
Authors: Trzaska Carole , Amand Séverine , Bailly Christine , Leroy Catherine , Marchand Virginie , Duvernois-Berthet Evelyne , Saliou Jean-Michel , Benhabiles Hana , Werkmeister Elisabeth , Chassat Thierry , Guilbert Romain , Hannebique David , Mouray Anthony , Copin Marie-Christine , Moreau Pierre-Arthur , Adriaenssens Eric , Kulozik Andreas , Westhof Eric , Tulasne David , Motorin Yuri , Rebuffat Sylvie , Lejeune Fabrice
Published: March 2020

Nonsense mutations cause about 10% of genetic disease cases, and no treatments are available. Nonsense mutations can be corrected by molecules with nonsense mutation readthrough activity. An extract of the mushroom Lepista inversa has recently shown high-efficiency correction of UGA and UAA nonsense mutations. One active constituent of this extract is 2,6-diaminopurine (DAP). In Calu-6 cancer cells, in which TP53 gene has a UGA nonsense mutation, DAP treatment increases p53 level. It also decreases the growth of tumors arising from Calu-6 cells injected into immunodeficient nude mice. DAP acts by interfering with the activity of a tRNA-specific 2′-O-methyltransferase (FTSJ1) responsible for cytosine 34 modification in tRNATrp. Low-toxicity and high-efficiency UGA nonsense mutation correction make DAP a good candidate for the development of treatments for genetic diseases caused by nonsense mutations.
Single-molecule live-cell imaging visualizes parallel pathways of prokaryotic nucleotide excision repair
Authors: Ghodke Harshad , Ho Han Ngoc , van Oijen Antoine M.
Published: March 2020

In the model organism Escherichia coli, helix distorting lesions are recognized by the UvrAB damage surveillance complex in the global genomic nucleotide excision repair pathway (GGR). Alternately, during transcription-coupled repair (TCR), UvrA is recruited to Mfd at sites of RNA polymerases stalled by lesions. Ultimately, damage recognition is mediated by UvrA, followed by verification by UvrB. Here we characterize the differences in the kinetics of interactions of UvrA with Mfd and UvrB by following functional, fluorescently tagged UvrA molecules in live TCR-deficient or wild-type cells. The lifetimes of UvrA in Mfd-dependent or Mfd-independent interactions in the absence of exogenous DNA damage are comparable in live cells, and are governed by UvrB. Upon UV irradiation, the lifetimes of UvrA strongly depended on, and matched those of Mfd. Overall, we illustrate a non-perturbative, imaging-based approach to quantify the kinetic signatures of damage recognition enzymes participating in multiple pathways in cells.
NELL2-Robo3 complex structure reveals mechanisms of receptor activation for axon guidance
Authors: Pak Joseph S. , DeLoughery Zachary J. , Wang Jing , Acharya Nischal , Park Yeonwoo , Jaworski Alexander , Özkan Engin
Published: March 2020

Axon pathfinding is critical for nervous system development, and it is orchestrated by molecular cues that activate receptors on the axonal growth cone. Robo family receptors bind Slit guidance cues to mediate axon repulsion. In mammals, the divergent family member Robo3 does not bind Slits, but instead signals axon repulsion from its own ligand, NELL2. Conversely, canonical Robos do not mediate NELL2 signaling. Here, we present the structures of NELL-Robo3 complexes, identifying a mode of ligand engagement for Robos that is orthogonal to Slit binding. We elucidate the structural basis for differential binding between NELL and Robo family members and show that NELL2 repulsive activity is a function of its Robo3 affinity and is enhanced by ligand trimerization. Our results reveal a mechanism of oligomerization-induced Robo activation for axon guidance and shed light on Robo family member ligand binding specificity, conformational variability, divergent modes of signaling, and evolution.
Low-temperature paddlewheel effect in glassy solid electrolytes
Authors: Smith Jeffrey G. , Siegel Donald J.
Published: March 2020

Glasses are promising electrolytes for use in solid-state batteries. Nevertheless, due to their amorphous structure, the mechanisms that underlie their ionic conductivity remain poorly understood. Here, ab initio molecular dynamics is used to characterize migration processes in the prototype glass, 75Li2S–25P2S5. Lithium migration occurs via a mechanism that combines concerted motion of lithium ions with large, quasi-permanent reorientations of PS43−anions. This latter effect, known as the ‘paddlewheel’ mechanism, is typically observed in high-temperature crystalline polymorphs. In contrast to the behavior of crystalline materials, in the glass paddlewheel dynamics contribute to Lithium-ion mobility at room temperature. Paddlewheel contributions are confirmed by characterizing spatial, temporal, vibrational, and energetic correlations with Lithium motion. Furthermore, the dynamics in the glass differ from those in the stable crystalline analogue, γ-Li3PS4, where anion reorientations are negligible and ion mobility is reduced. These data imply that glasses containing complex anions, and in which covalent network formation is minimized, may exhibit paddlewheel dynamics at low temperature. Consequently, these systems may be fertile ground in the search for new solid electrolytes.
Optical spin-orbit torque in heavy metal-ferromagnet heterostructures
Authors: Choi Gyung-Min , Oh Jung Hyun , Lee Dong-Kyu , Lee Seo-Won , Kim Kun Woo , Lim Mijin , Min Byoung-Chul , Lee Kyung-Jin , Lee Hyun-Woo
Published: March 2020

Spin current generation through the spin-orbit interaction in non-magnetic materials lies at the heart of spintronics. When the generated spin current is injected to a ferromagnet, it produces spin-orbit torque and manipulates magnetization efficiently. Optically generated spin currents are expected to be superior to their electrical counterparts in terms of the manipulation speed. Here we report optical spin-orbit torques in heavy metal/ferromagnet heterostructures. The strong spin-orbit coupling of heavy metals induces photo-excited carriers to be spin-polarized, and their transport from heavy metals to ferromagnets induces a torque on magnetization. Our results demonstrate that heavy metals can generate spin-orbit torque not only electrically but also optically.
Shotgun ion mobility mass spectrometry sequencing of heparan sulfate saccharides
Authors: Miller Rebecca L. , Guimond Scott E. , Schwörer Ralf , Zubkova Olga V. , Tyler Peter C. , Xu Yongmei , Liu Jian , Chopra Pradeep , Boons Geert-Jan , Grabarics Márkó , Manz Christian , Hofmann Johanna , Karlsson Niclas G. , Turnbull Jeremy E. , Struwe Weston B. , Pagel Kevin
Published: March 2020

Despite evident regulatory roles of heparan sulfate (HS) saccharides in numerous biological processes, definitive information on the bioactive sequences of these polymers is lacking, with only a handful of natural structures sequenced to date. Here, we develop a “Shotgun” Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry Sequencing (SIMMS2) method in which intact HS saccharides are dissociated in an ion mobility mass spectrometer and collision cross section values of fragments measured. Matching of data for intact and fragment ions against known values for 36 fully defined HS saccharide structures (from di- to decasaccharides) permits unambiguous sequence determination of validated standards and unknown natural saccharides, notably including variants with 3O-sulfate groups. SIMMS2 analysis of two fibroblast growth factor-inhibiting hexasaccharides identified from a HS oligosaccharide library screen demonstrates that the approach allows elucidation of structure-activity relationships. SIMMS2 thus overcomes the bottleneck for decoding the informational content of functional HS motifs which is crucial for their future biomedical exploitation.
Exfoliated near infrared fluorescent silicate nanosheets for (bio)photonics
Authors: Selvaggio Gabriele , Chizhik Alexey , Nißler Robert , Kuhlemann llyas , Meyer Daniel , Vuong Loan , Preiß Helen , Herrmann Niklas , Mann Florian A. , Lv Zhiyi , Oswald Tabea A. , Spreinat Alexander , Erpenbeck Luise , Großhans Jörg , Karius Volker , Janshoff Andreas , Pablo Giraldo Juan , Kruss Sebastian
Published: March 2020

Imaging of complex (biological) samples in the near-infrared (NIR) is beneficial due to reduced light scattering, absorption, phototoxicity, and autofluorescence. However, there are few NIR fluorescent materials known and suitable for biomedical applications. Here we exfoliate the layered pigment CaCuSi4O10 (Egyptian Blue, EB) via ball milling and facile tip sonication into NIR fluorescent nanosheets (EB-NS). The size of EB-NS can be tailored to diameters <20 nm and heights down to 1 nm. EB-NS fluoresce at 910 nm and the fluorescence intensity correlates with the number of Cu2+ ions. Furthermore, EB-NS display no bleaching and high brightness compared with other NIR fluorophores. The versatility of EB-NS is demonstrated by in-vivo single-particle tracking and microrheology measurements in Drosophila melanogaster embryos. EB-NS can be uptaken by plants and remotely detected in a low-cost stand-off detection setup. In summary, EB-NS have the potential for a wide range of bioimaging applications.
Electricity-powered artificial root nodule
Authors: Lu Shengtao , Guan Xun , Liu Chong
Published: March 2020

Root nodules are agricultural-important symbiotic plant-microbe composites in which microorganisms receive energy from plants and reduce dinitrogen (N2) into fertilizers. Mimicking root nodules using artificial devices can enable renewable energy-driven fertilizer production. This task is challenging due to the necessity of a microscopic dioxygen (O2) concentration gradient, which reconciles anaerobic N2 fixation with O2-rich atmosphere. Here we report our designed electricity-powered biological|inorganic hybrid system that possesses the function of root nodules. We construct silicon-based microwire array electrodes and replicate the O2 gradient of root nodules in the array. The wire array compatibly accommodates N2-fixing symbiotic bacteria, which receive energy and reducing equivalents from inorganic catalysts on microwires, and fix N2 in the air into biomass and free ammonia. A N2 reduction rate up to 6.5 mg N2 per gram dry biomass per hour is observed in the device, about two orders of magnitude higher than the natural counterparts.
Increased male susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is associated with smaller B cell follicles in the lungs
Authors: Hertz David , Dibbern Jannike , Eggers Lars , von Borstel Linda , Schneider Bianca E.
Published: March 2020

Tuberculosis prevalence is significantly higher among men than women. We have previously revealed an increased susceptibility of male C57BL/6 mice towards Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) H37Rv. In the current study, we confirm the male bias for infection with the Beijing strain HN878. Males succumbed to HN878 infection significantly earlier than females. In both models, premature death of males was associated with smaller B cell follicles in the lungs. Analysis of homeostatic chemokines and their receptors revealed differences between H37Rv and HN878 infected animals, indicating different immune requirements for follicle formation in both models. However, expression of IL-23, which is involved in long-term containment of Mtb and lymphoid follicle formation, was reduced in male compared to female lungs in both models. Our study reveals sex differences in the formation of B cell follicles in the Mtb infected lung and we propose that impaired follicle formation is responsible for accelerated disease progression in males.
Therapeutic effects of the PKR inhibitor C16 suppressing tumor proliferation and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Watanabe Takao , Ninomiya Hiroko , Saitou Takashi , Takanezawa Sota , Yamamoto Shin , Imai Yusuke , Yoshida Osamu , Kawakami Ryosuke , Hirooka Masashi , Abe Masanori , Imamura Takeshi , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: March 2020

The therapeutic effects of C16, which is an inhibitor of RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR), on growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and tumor progression in vitro and in vivo were evaluated. Huh7 cells, a human HCC cell line, were used. The effects of C16 on cell viability were evaluated with the MTT assay, and real-time RT-PCR was performed. Huh7 cells were grafted into immunodeficient mice, and the in vivo effects of C16 on tumorigenesis were examined. C16 suppressed proliferation of HCC cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Mouse models with xenograft transplantation showed that the inhibitor suppressed the growth of HCC cells in vivo. Moreover, C16 decreased angiogenesis in HCC tissue in the xenograft model. Consistent with these results in mice, transcript levels of vascular endothelial growth factor-A and factor-B, platelet-derived growth factor-A and factor-B, fibroblast growth factor-2, epidermal growth factor, and hepatocyte growth factor, which are angiogenesis-related growth factors, were significantly decreased by C16 in vitro. In conclusion, the PKR inhibitor C16 blocked tumor cell growth and angiogenesis via a decrease in mRNA levels of several growth factors. C16 may be useful in the treatment of HCC.
Effects of exergames on heart rate variability of women with fibromyalgia: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Villafaina Santos , Collado-Mateo Daniel , Domínguez-Muñoz Francisco J. , Gusi Narcis , Fuentes-Garcia Juan P.
Published: March 2020

The objective of the present manuscript was to evaluate the effects of 24-weeks exergame intervention on the heart rate variability (HRV) of women with fibromyalgia. First, 56 women with fibromyalgia were assessed for eligibility. A total of 55 women fulfilled the inclusion criteria and participated in this single-blinded, randomized controlled trial. A 24-weeks of exergames were completed by the exercise group in the university facilities. It was focused on the mobility, postural control, upper and lower limbs coordination, aerobic fitness and strength. A total of 120 min per week, divided into two sessions of 60 min, was completed. A short-term 5 min record at rest was used to assess the HRV. Time (SDNN and RMSSD) and non-linear indexes (Higuchi´s Fractal Dimension, SD1, SD2, ln stress score, and SD1/SD2) of HRV were extracted. Fifty participants (achieving an 89.28% of adherence), recruited from the local fibromyalgia association completed the study. They were randomly divided into an exercise (age = 54.04[8.45]) and a control group (52.72[9.98]). Significant interaction (group*time) effects in SDNN, ln stress score, SD2, and SD1/SD2 ratio were found. The EG showed an increase of SDNN and a decreased ln stress score and SD2. The CG showed an increased ln stress score, SD1/SD2. In conclusion, 24-weeks of exergame intervention based on the tool VirtualEx-FM improved the autonomic control in patients with fibromyalgia. However, significant effects on Higuchi´s fractal dimension were not found. This is the first study using exergame as a therapy in women with fibromyalgia which has led to an improvement the autonomic balance in these patients.
First African thylacocephalans from the Famennian of Morocco and their role in Late Devonian food webs
Authors: Jobbins Melina , Haug Carolin , Klug Christian
Published: March 2020

Thylacocephalans are enigmatic arthropods with an erratic Palaeozoic and Mesozoic fossil record. In many of the few localities where they occur, they are quite abundant. This also holds true for the Famennian Thylacocephalan Layer in the Maider (eastern Anti-Atlas of Morocco), a small epicontinental basin hosting some strata with taphonomic properties of a conservation deposit yielding exceptionally preserved gnathostomes and non-vertebrates. In a thin argillaceous interval in the earliest middle Famennian, thylacocephalans occur in such great numbers that they became eponyms of this unit. Therein, we discovered a new taxon of thylacocephalans, Concavicaris submarinus sp. nov., which represent the oldest records of thylacocephalans from Africa. In the CT-imagery, the holotype of Concavicaris submarinus sp. nov. revealed anatomical details including its eyes, appendages and other soft parts. Sedimentary facies and faunal composition of the Thylacocephalan Layer suggest that these animals populated the water column above the low-oxygen sea floor. Thus, thylacocephalans likely represented an important component of the diet of chondrichthyans and placoderms, which are quite common as well. The abundance of thylacocephalans in other conservation deposits like the Cleveland Shale (USA) and the Gogo Formation (Australia) underline their pivotal role in Late Devonian pelagic food webs.
Interplay of negative electronic compressibility and capacitance enhancement in lightly-doped metal oxide Bi0.95La0.05FeO3 by quantum capacitance model
Authors: Nathabumroong S. , Eknapakul T. , Jaiban P. , Yotburut B. , Siriroj S. , Saisopa T. , Mo S.-K. , Supruangnet R. , Nakajima H. , Yimnirun R. , Maensiri S. , Meevasana W.
Published: March 2020

Light-sensitive capacitance variation of Bi0.95La0.05FeO3 (BLFO) ceramics has been studied under violet to UV irradiation. The reversible capacitance enhancement up to 21% under 405 nm violet laser irradiation has been observed, suggesting a possible degree of freedom to dynamically control this in high dielectric materials for light-sensitive capacitance applications. By using ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS), we show here that exposure of BLFO surfaces to UV light induces a counterintuitive shift of the O2p valence state to lower binding energy of up to 243 meV which is a direct signature of negative electronic compressibility (NEC). A decrease of BLFO electrical resistance agrees strongly with the UPS data suggesting the creation of a thin conductive layer on its insulating bulk under light irradiation. By exploiting the quantum capacitance model, we find that the negative quantum capacitance due to this NEC effect plays an important role in this capacitance enhancement
A critical evaluation of methods to interpret drug combinations
Authors: Twarog Nathaniel R. , Connelly Michele , Shelat Anang A.
Published: March 2020

Combination therapy is increasingly central to modern medicine. Yet reliable analysis of combination studies remains an open challenge. Previous work suggests that common methods of combination analysis are too susceptible to noise to support robust scientific conclusions. In this paper, we use simulated and real-world combination datasets to demonstrate that traditional index methods are unstable and biased by pharmacological and experimental conditions, whereas response-surface approaches such as the BRAID method are more consistent and unbiased. Using a publicly-available data set, we show that BRAID more accurately captures variations in compound mechanism of action, and is therefore better able to discriminate between synergistic, antagonistic, and additive interactions. Finally, we applied BRAID analysis to identify a clear pattern of consistently enhanced AKT sensitivity in a subset of cancer cell lines, and a far richer array of PARP inhibitor combination therapies for BRCA1-deficient cancers than would be identified by traditional synergy analysis.
Rat volatiles as an attractant source for the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus
Authors: Díaz-Santiz Edvin , Rojas Julio C. , Casas-Martínez Mauricio , Cruz-López Leopoldo , Malo Edi A.
Published: March 2020

Aedes albopictus is a vector of dengue, chikungunya, and dirofilariasis. Volatile compounds are crucial for mosquitoes to locate their hosts. This knowledge has allowed the identification of attractants derived from human odours for highly anthropophilic mosquito species. In this study, we used rats as a experimental model to identify potential attractants for host-seeking Ae. albopictus females. Porapak Q extracts from immature female rats were more attractive to Ae. albopictus females than those from mature and pregnant females, and males. Phenol, 4-methylphenol, 4-ethylphenol, and indole were identified compounds in male, immature, mature, and pregnant female extracts. There were quantitative differences in these compounds among the extracts that likely explain the discrepancy in their attractiveness. Ae. albopictus females were not attracted to the single compounds when was compared with the four-component blend. However, the binary blend of 4-methylphenol  + 4-ethylphenol and the tertiary blend of 4-methylphenol + 4-ethylphenol + indole were as attractive as the four-component blend. In the field trials, BGS traps baited with the tertiary or quaternary blends caught more Ae. albopictus females and males than BGS traps without lures. This is the first laboratory and field study to identify compounds that mediate the attraction of Ae. albopictus to one of its hosts.
Establishing reference values for macro- and microvascular measurements in 4-to-5 year-old children of the ENVIRONAGE prospective birth cohort
Authors: Madhloum Narjes , Luyten Leen J. , Provost Eline B. , De Boever Patrick , Dockx Yinthe , Sleurs Hanne , Plusquin Michelle , Roodt Jos op’t , Vrijens Karen , Nawrot Tim S.
Published: March 2020

Cardiovascular risk factors are usually better tolerated, and can therefore be perceived as less harmful, at a young age. However, over time the effects of these adverse factors may persist or accumulate and lead to excess morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases later in life. Until now, reference values for the basic cardiovascular health characteristics of 4-to-6 year-old children are lacking. Within a follow-up study of the ENVIRONAGE (ENVIRonmental influence ON early AGE) birth cohort we assessed various cardiovascular measurements in 288 children aged 4–5 years. For the macrovasculature, we measured their blood pressure and examined the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery (CIMT), the arterial elasticity (including the pulse-wave velocity (PWV), carotid distensibility (DC) and compliance (CC) coefficients), the carotid β stiffness index (SIβ) and Young’s Elastic Modulus (YEM). Retinal microvascular traits included the Central Retinal Arteriolar Equivalent (CRAE) and Central Retinal Venular Equivalent (CRVE). Age of the study population averaged (±SD) 4.2 (±0.4 years. Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 97.9 (±8.1) mmHg and 54.7(±7.6) mmHg, respectively. CIMT for the total population averaged 487.1 (±68.1) µm. The average stiffness values for DC, CC, SIβ, and PWV were 78.7 (±34.2) 10−³/kPa, 1.61 (±0.59) mm2/kPa and 4.4 (±2.4), and 3.7 m/s (±0.9) respectively. The mean determined for YEM was 163.2 kPa (±79.9). Concerning the microvasculature, the average CRAE was 180.9 (±14.2) µm and the corresponding value for CRVE was 251.0 (±19.7) µm. In contrast to the macrovasculature, a significant gender-related difference existed for the microvasculature: in boys, both the CRAE (178.8 µm vs 182.6 µm; p = 0.03) and CRVE (247.9 µm vs 254.0 µm; p = 0.01) were narrower than in girls. We have provided reference values for young children to understand changes in the early cardiovascular health trajectory. Establishing these reference values of cardiovascular phenotypes at this young age is necessary to develop targeted health promotion strategies as well as for better understanding of the life course changes of both small and large blood vessels.
Machine Learning and Feature Selection Applied to SEER Data to Reliably Assess Thyroid Cancer Prognosis
Authors: Mourad Moustafa , Moubayed Sami , Dezube Aaron , Mourad Youssef , Park Kyle , Torreblanca-Zanca Albertina , Torrecilla José S. , Cancilla John C. , Wang Jiwu
Published: March 2020

Utilizing historical clinical datasets to guide future treatment choices is beneficial for patients and physicians. Machine learning and feature selection algorithms (namely, Fisher’s discriminant ratio, Kruskal-Wallis’ analysis, and Relief-F) have been combined in this research to analyse a SEER database containing clinical features from de-identified thyroid cancer patients. The data covered 34 unique clinical variables such as patients’ age at diagnosis or information regarding lymph nodes, which were employed to build various novel classifiers to distinguish patients that lived for over 10 years since diagnosis, from those who did not survive at least five years. By properly optimizing supervised neural networks, specifically multilayer perceptrons, using data from large groups of thyroid cancer patients (between 6,756 and 20,344 for different models), we demonstrate that unspecialized and existing medical recording can be reliably turned into power of prediction to help doctors make informed and optimized treatment decisions, as distinguishing patients in terms of prognosis has been achieved with 94.5% accuracy. We also envisage the potential of applying our machine learning strategy to other diseases and purposes such as in designing clinical trials for unmasking the maximum benefits and minimizing risks associated with new drug candidates on given populations.
A novel hot exciton blue fluorophores and white organic light-emitting diodes with simplified configuration
Authors: Jayabharathi Jayaraman , Panimozhi Sekar , Thanikachalam Venugopal
Published: March 2020

The two efficient non-doped blue emitters with hybridized local and charge transfer state namely, NDBNPIN and DBTPIN have been synthesised and characterised. These materials are employed as a host for green and red phosphorescent OLEDs. The white device based on DBTPIN:Ir(MDQ)2(acac) (4%) exhibit maximum external quantum efficiency (ηex) −24.8%; current efficiency (ηc) −57.1 cdA−1; power efficiency (ηp) −64.8 lmW−1 with Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE:0.49, 0.40) than NDBNPIN:Ir(MDQ)2acac (4%) device [ηex − 23.1%; ηc −54.6 cd A−1; ηp− 60.0 lm W−1 with CIE (0.47, 0.42)].
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Effect of intranasal instillation of Escherichia coli on apoptosis of spleen cells in diet-induced-obese mice
Authors: Ren Zhihua , Gu Xuchu , Fang Jing , Cai Dongjie , Zuo Zhicai , Liang Shuang , Cui Hengmin , Deng Junliang , Ma Xiaoping , Geng Yi , Zhang Ming , Xie Yue , Ye Gang , Gou Liping , Hu Yanchun
Published: March 2020

Splenic immune function was enhanced in diet-induced-obese (DIO) mice caused by Escherichia coli. The changes in spleen function on apoptosis were still unknown. Two hundred mice in groups Lean-E. coli and DIO-E. coli were intranasal instillation of E. coli. And another two hundred mice in groups Lean-PBS and DIO-PBS were given phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Subsequently, spleen histology was analyzed. Then the rates of spleen cell (SC) apoptosis, and expression of the genes and proteins of Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were quantified in each group at 0 h (uninfected), 12 h, 24 h, and 72 h postinfection. The SC apoptosis rates of the DIO-E. coli groups were lower than those of the DIO-PBS groups at 12, 24 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression gene and protein of the DIO-E. coli groups were higher than those of the DIO-PBS groups (p < 0.05). Gene expressions of pro-apoptotic Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 of the DIO-E. coli groups were lower than those of DIO-PBS groups at 12, 24 and 72 h (p < 0.05). The SC apoptosis rates of the Lean-E. coli groups were higher than those of the Lean- PBS groups at 12 h and 24 h (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the SC apoptosis rates in the DIO-E. coli groups were lower than those of the Lean-E. coli groups at 12 h (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggested that the DIO mice presented stronger anti-apoptotic abilities than Lean mice in non-fatal acute pneumonia induced by E. coli infection, which is more conducive to protecting the spleen and improving the immune defense ability of the body.