bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants and clinical significance of negative scintigraphic findings in primary hyperparathyroidism: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Neuberger Michael , Dropmann Jan Axl , Kleespies Axel , Fuerst Heinrich
Published: August 2022

Aim In patients with recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) or preceding thyroid operation, scintigraphic localization of the pathological parathyroid gland is sometimes unsuccessful. Reason for diagnostic failure, and its clinical relevance is poorly understood.

Methods This retrospective observational study in patients suffering from a pHPT evaluated independent predictors of a negative preoperative scintigraphy (SC) result, and its relevance for intraoperative outcome using logistic regression analysis.

Results Among 86 pHPT patients scheduled for parathyroid operation, 63 (73%) had a history of a preceding thyroid or parathyroid operation. Preoperative SC could not identify an adenoma in 30 patients (34.9%), and in 12 patients (14.0%), the surgeon was subsequently unable to localize abnormal parathyroid tissue. Preoperative parathyroid hormone concentration was the only significant independent predictor of a negative SC finding (non-linear and indirect association). Independent from surgical history, an unsuccessful intraoperative focus localization was exclusively predicted by preoperative ultrasonographic (US) and SC findings (OR per diagnostic category 2.98; 95%-CI 1.03–8.58, p=0.043, and OR 2.26; 95%-CI: 1.10–4.63, p=0.027, respectively). Compared to exclusive US, however, the combination of SC and US significantly increased the sensitivity and predictive power to identify patients at a high risk for a complicated surgical procedure.

Conclusion In patients before parathyroidectomy, a low preoperative parathyroid hormone concentration is significantly associated with a high likelihood for a negative SC finding. Combining US with SC before operation significantly increases the chance to identify patients prone to negative intraoperative findings.
Multi-Component Sequential Synthesis of Dihydroorotic Acid-Based Amphiphilic Molecules
Authors: Volonterio Alessandro , Sani Monica , Bellucci Maria Cristina
Published: August 2022

An efficient multicomponent sequential process, which occurs in mild condition has been exploited for the synthesis of systematically modified amphiphilic molecules where the cationic head is tethered to a lipophilic tail through a dihydroorotic acid linker. The process is operatively simple, high yielding, and flexible. Such a strategy could impact combinatorial synthesis of wide libraries of amphiphilic molecules to be tested as transfection agents and/or as antimicrobials.
The Use of Arteriovenous Bundle Interposition Grafts in Microsurgical Reconstruction: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Kareh Aurora M. , Tadisina Kashyap Komarraju , Chun Magnus , Kaswan Sumesh , Xu Kyle Y.
Published: August 2022

Microvascular reconstruction frequently requires anastomosis outside of the zone of injury for successful reconstruction. Multiple options exist for pedicle lengthening including vein grafts, arteriovenous loops, and arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts. The authors performed a systematic review of arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts to elucidate indications and outcomes of arteriovenous grafts in microvascular reconstruction. A systematic review of the literature was performed using targeted keywords. Data extraction was performed by two independent authors, and descriptive statistics were used to analyze pooled data. Forty-four patients underwent pedicle lengthening with an arteriovenous graft from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Most common indications for flap reconstruction were malignancy (n = 12), trauma (n = 7), and diabetic ulceration (n = 4). The most commonly used free flap was the anterolateral thigh flap (n = 18). There were five complications, with one resulting in flap loss. Arteriovenous bundle interposition grafts are a viable option for pedicle lengthening when free flap distant anastomosis is required. The descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery may be used for a variety of defects and can be used in conjunction with fasciocutaneous, osteocutaneous, muscle, and chimeric free flaps.
Spinal Melorheostosis Associated with Intradural Fibrous Band and Extensive Lipomatosis Causing Thoracic Cord Tethering and Myelomalacia: A Unique Case Highlighting Importance of MRI in Management
Authors: Dhanokar Kanchan Vivek , Pushpa B.T. , Shetty Ajoy Prasad , Rajasekaran S.
Published: August 2022

Axial melorheostosis is rare with only few cases reported and even fewer with symptoms. While symptoms secondary to neural foramen or spinal canal stenosis caused by hyperostotic bone are common, only three symptomatic cases of spinal melorheostosis with associated intradural lipomatous lesions have been reported to date. In none of them the fibrous component of lipofibromatous lesion was identified preoperatively on magnetic resonance imaging. We report here a case of 18-year-old male who presented with thoracic myelopathy secondary to widespread spinal melorheostosis associated with extensive intradural lipomatosis and fibrous component in thoracic lipoma, causing tethering of thoracic spinal cord and myelomalacia. The patient was treated with T2 to T9 posterior instrumented stabilization followed by T3 to T8 laminectomy along with selective thoracic lipofibromatous tumor debulking. Detection of the fibromatous component in multilevel extensive intradural lipomatosis associated with melorheostosis is helpful in planning selection of the level of surgical excision and decompression.
Physicians' Perceptions and Expectations of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Clinical Decision Support System in Cancer Care in an Underserved Setting
Authors: Rizvi Rubina F. , Emani Srinivas , Rocha Hermano A. Lima , de Aquino Camila Machado , Garabedian Pamela M. , Rui Angela , Arruda Carlos André Moura , Sands-Lincoln Megan , Rozenblum Ronen , Felix Winnie , Jackson Gretchen P. , Juacaba Sérgio F. , Bates David W.
Published: August 2022

Objectives Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being increasingly incorporated into health care. However, few studies have evaluated users' expectations of such tools, prior to implementation, specifically in an underserved setting.

Methods We conducted a qualitative research study employing semistructured interviews of physicians at The Instituto do Câncer do Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil. The interview guide focused on anticipated, perceived benefits and challenges of using an AI-based clinical decision support system tool, Watson for Oncology. We recruited physician oncologists, working full or part-time, without prior experience with any AI-based tool. The interviews were taped and transcribed in Portuguese and then translated into English. Thematic analysis using the constant comparative approach was performed.

Results Eleven oncologists participated in the study. The following overarching themes and subthemes emerged from the analysis of interview transcripts: theme-1, “general context” including (1) current setting, workload, and patient population and (2) existing challenges in cancer treatment, and theme-2, “perceptions around the potential use of an AI-based tool,” including (1) perceived benefits and (2) perceived challenges. Physicians expected that the implementation of an AI-based tool would result in easy access to the latest clinical recommendations, facilitate standardized cancer care, and allow it to be delivered with greater confidence and efficiency. Participants had several concerns such as availability of innovative treatments in resource-poor settings, treatment acceptance, trust, physician autonomy, and workflow disruptions.

Conclusion This study provides physicians' anticipated perspectives, both benefits and challenges, about the use of an AI-based tool in cancer treatment in a resource-limited setting.
Adams-Oliver Syndrome: Vestigial Tail and Genetics Update
Authors: Zhu Victor Z. , Hansen-Kiss Emily , Hecht Jacqueline T. , Payne Phileemon E.
Published: August 2022

Adams-Oliver syndrome is a well-recognized autosomal dominant disorder for which mutations in six genes are etiologic, but account for only one-third of the cases. We report a patient with two genetic disorders; Adams-Oliver and Xp22.33 deletion syndromes, as well as a vestigial pseudotail. The presence of a pseudotail has not previously been reported in either of these genetic conditions. Absence of a molecular etiology underlying Adams-Oliver syndrome confirms that there are additional genetic causes to be identified.
Research–Practice–Collaborations in Engineering
Authors: Meilinger Stefanie
Published: August 2022

In her recent article, Bender discusses several aspects of research–practice–collaborations (RPCs). In this commentary, we apply Bender's arguments to experiences in engineering research and development (R&D). We investigate the influence of interaction with practice partners on relevance, credibility, and legitimacy in the special engineering field of product development and analyze which methodological approaches are already being pursued for dealing with diverging interests and asymmetries and which steps will be necessary to include interests of civil society beyond traditional customer relations.
Noise-induced stabilization of the FitzHugh–Nagumo neuron dynamics: Multistability and transient chaos
Authors: Manchein Cesar , Santana Luana , da Silva Rafael M. , Beims Marcus W.
Published: August 2022

The nonlinear dynamics of a FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) neuron driven by an oscillating current and perturbed by a Gaussian noise signal with different intensities D is investigated. In the noiseless case, stable periodic structures [Arnold tongues (ATS), cuspidal and shrimp-shaped] are identified in the parameter space. The periods of the ATSs obey specific generating and recurrence rules and are organized according to linear Diophantine equations responsible for bifurcation cascades. While for small values of D, noise starts to destroy elongations (“antennas”) of the cuspidals, for larger values of D, the periodic motion expands into chaotic regimes in the parameter space, stabilizing the chaotic motion, and a transient chaotic motion is observed at the periodic-chaotic borderline. Besides giving a detailed description of the neuronal dynamics, the intriguing novel effect observed for larger D values is the generation of a regular dynamics for the driven FHN neuron. This result has a fundamental importance if the complex local dynamics is considered to study the global behavior of the neural networks when parameters are simultaneously varied, and there is the necessity to deal the intrinsic stochastic signal merged into the time series obtained from real experiments. As the FHN model has crucial properties presented by usual neuron models, our results should be helpful in large-scale simulations using complex neuron networks and for applications.
Shock-driven dispersal of a corrugated finite-thickness particle layer
Authors: Ouellet Frederick , Rollin Bertrand , Durant Bradford , Koneru Rahul Babu , Balachandar S.
Published: August 2022

A research area emerging in the multiphase flow community is the study of shock-driven multiphase instability (SDMI), a gas–particle analog of the traditional fluid-fluid Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI). In this work, we study the interaction of planar air shocks with corrugated glass particle curtains through the use of numerical simulations with an Eulerian–Lagrangian approach. One objective of this study is to compare the simulated particle curtains to a comparable set of shock tube experiments performed to analyze traditional RMI of a gas curtain. The simulations are set to match the experimental shock Mach numbers and perturbation wavelengths (3.6 and 7.2 mm) while also matching the Atwood number of the experiments to the multiphase Atwood number of the simulations. Varying particle diameters are tested in the simulations to explore the impact of particle diameter on the evolution of the particle curtain. This simulation setup allows for a one-to-one comparison between RMI and SDMI under comparable conditions while also allowing for a separate study into the validity of the use of the multiphase Atwood number to compare the single-phase and multiphase instabilities. In particular, we show that the comparison depends on the diameter of the particles (thus, dependent on the Stokes number of the flow). A second objective of this study is to analyze the effect of the initial particle volume fraction on the evolution of the curtain and the behavior of the instability. This is done through analyzing the effect of the multiphase terms of the vorticity evolution equation on the vorticity deposition in SDMI. Also discussed is the effect of the particle diameter on the multiphase generation terms as well as in the baroclinic vorticity generation term in SDMI as the shock passes over the curtain.
Spontaneous and photo-induced decay processes of WF5− and HfF5− molecular anions in a cryogenic storage ring
Authors: Gnaser Hubert , Martschini Martin , Leimbach David , Karls Julia , Hanstorp Dag , Indrajith Suvasthika , Ji Mingchao , Martini Paul , Simonsson Ansgar , Zettergren Henning , Schmidt Henning T. , Golser Robin
Published: August 2022

Spontaneous and photo-induced decay processes of HfF5− and WF5− molecular anions were investigated in the Double ElectroStatic Ion Ring ExpEriment (DESIREE). The observation of these reactions over long time scales (several tens of ms) was possible due to the cryogenic temperatures (13 K) and the extremely low residual gas pressure (∼10−14 mbar) of DESIREE. For photo-induced reactions, laser wavelengths in the range 240 to 450 nm were employed. Both anion species were found to undergo spontaneous decay via electron detachment or fragmentation. After some ms, radiative cooling processes were observed to lower the probability for further decay through these processes. Photo-induced reactions indicate the existence of an energy threshold for WF5− anions at about 3.5 eV, above which the neutralization yield increases strongly. By contrast, HfF5− ions exhibit essentially no enhanced production of neutrals upon photon interaction, even for the highest photon energy used in this experiment (∼5.2 eV). This suppression will be highly beneficial for the efficient detection, in accelerator mass spectrometry, of the extremely rare isotope 182Hf using the 182HfF5− anion while effectively reducing the interfering stable isobar 182W in the analyte ion 182WF5−. The radionuclide 182Hf is of great relevance in astrophysical environments as it constitutes a potential candidate to study the events of nucleosynthesis that may have taken place in the vicinity of the solar system several million years ago.
Impact of compositional disorder on electron migration in lutetium–yttrium oxyorthosilicate scintillator
Authors: Talochka Y. , Vasil'ev A. , Korzhik M. , Tamulaitis G.
Published: August 2022

A general description of the dynamics of nonequilibrium carriers in multicomponent activated scintillation materials with a compositional disorder of the crystalline matrix is developed and applied for studying the excitation transfer and timing properties of lutetium–yttrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO). The energy structure, the density of states, and the effective potential of LSO and YSO crystals have been calculated by using the Quantum Espresso package. An analytical form of the potential fluctuations due to compositional disorder is suggested in the pseudopotential approximation. The spatial distribution of lutetium and yttrium cations in the LYSO crystal has been simulated by the Monte Carlo method using the thermodynamic approach for three qualitatively different cases of cation distribution: uniform, heterogeneous neighboring, and clustered. The impact of the compositional disorder on electron migration is found to be qualitatively different in four typical regions of electron energy. The density of localized states in LYSO calculated using the coherent potential approximation (CPA) and the quasiclassical approach is comparable to the density of secondary carriers expected in an ionization track and might have significant influence on the migration of thermalized carriers. The transport mean free path of nonlocalized electrons limited by elastic scattering on pseudopotential fluctuations is shown to be substantially longer than that due to longitudinal optical phonon emission in the low-energy region (calculated using CPA) and the high-energy region (calculated using the Born approximation). The scattering on pseudopotential fluctuations is important for intermediate-energy electrons due to a substantial influence of the core potential fluctuations on high-energy branches.
Velocity map imaging spectroscopy of C2H− and C2D−: A benchmark study of vibronic coupling interactions
Authors: Laws Benjamin A. , Levey Zachariah D. , Sanov Andrei , Stanton John F. , Schmidt Timothy W. , Gibson Stephen T.
Published: August 2022

High-resolution velocity-map imaged photoelectron spectra of the ethynyl anions C2H− and C2D− are measured at photon wavelengths between 355 and 266 nm to investigate the complex interactions between the closely lying X̃2Σ+ and Ã2Π electronic states. An indicative kinetic energy resolution of 0.4%, together with the full angular dependence of the fast electrons, provides a detailed description of the vibronically coupled structure. It is demonstrated that a modest quadratic vibronic coupling model, parameterized by the quasidiabatic ansatz, is sufficient to accurately recreate all the observed vibronic interactions. Simulated spectra are shown to be in excellent agreement with the experimental data, verifying the proposed model and providing a framework that may be used to accurately simulate spectra of larger C2nH monohydride carbon chains. New spectral assignments are supported by experimental electron anisotropy measurements and Dyson orbital calculations.
Symmetry breaking induced bandgap opening in epitaxial germanene on WSe2
Authors: Wu Qilong , Bagheri Tagani Meysam , Tian Qiwei , Izadi Vishkayi Sahar , Zhang Li , Yin Long-Jing , Tian Yuan , Zhang Lijie , Qin Zhihui
Published: August 2022

Germanene has attracted much attention because the material was predicted to host Dirac fermions. However, the synthesis of germanene is still in its infancy; moreover, the predicted tiny bandgap induced by the spin–orbit coupling is far from practical applications for nanoelectronic devices. Herein, quasi-freestanding germanene with linear dispersion relation of the band structure is well grown on a WSe2/Au(100) substrate. Band structure calculations reveal that the interaction of germanene with the substrate destroys the sublattice symmetry. The energy-dependent contribution of σ orbitals responsible for band crossing at the Fermi level around the Γ point induces asymmetric density of states at the Dirac point. Upon annealing in ultra-high vacuum, we observe a bandgap opening in germanene of about ∼0.17 eV, which is attributed to a sublattice symmetry breaking in germanene and the emergence of a net electric field. This work provides an effective method to tune or tailor the electronic properties of germanene, paving the way to germanene-based field-effect applications.
A star’s demise is connected to a neutrino outburst
Authors: Lopatka Alex
Published: August 2022

The most conclusive evidence to date demonstrates that high-energy neutrinos could be formed by tidal forces that rip apart a star near a supermassive black hole.
Clean hydrogen edges toward competitiveness
Authors: Kramer David
Published: August 2022

States and regions around the US are readying their bids to host centers for hydrogen production, distribution, and end uses.
Metasurfaces for quantum technologies
Authors: Wang Kai , Chekhova Maria , Kivshar Yuri
Published: August 2022

Subwavelength planar structures can generate, reshape, and entangle photons in a compact and stable device.
When fizzy water levitates
Authors: Bourrianne Philippe , McKinley Gareth H.
Published: August 2022

Carbonated droplets deposited on a superhydrophobic surface float on a self-generated cushion of gas.
New insights into defense responses against
Authors: Wu Min , Li Qiulin , Xia Guixian , Zhang Yongshan , Wang Fuxin
Published: August 2022

Verticillium wilt is a highly destructive fungal disease that attacks a broad range of plants, including many major crops. However, the mechanism underlying plant immunity toward Verticillium dahliae is very complex and requires further study. By combining bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation, we investigated plant defence responses against V. dahliae infection in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana L. A total of 301 increased and 214 decreased differentially abundant proteins (DAPs) between mock and infected wild type (WT) plants were acquired and bioinformatics analyses were then conducted and compared (increased vs decreased) in detail. In addition to the currently known mechanisms, several new clues about plant immunity against V. dahliae infection were found in this study: (1) exosome formation was dramatically induced by V. dahliae attack; (2) tryptophan-derived camalexin and cyanogenic biosynthesis were durably promoted in response to infection; and (3) various newly identified components were activated for hub immunity responses. These new clues provide valuable information that extends the current knowledge about the molecular basis of plant immunity against V. dahliae infection.
Accuracy and reliability of forensic handwriting comparisons
Authors: Hicklin R. Austin , Eisenhart Linda , Richetelli Nicole , Miller Meredith D. , Belcastro Peter , Burkes Ted M. , Parks Connie L. , Smith Michael A. , Buscaglia JoAnn , Peters Eugene M. , Perlman Rebecca Schwartz , Abonamah Jocelyn V. , Eckenrode Brian A.
Published: August 2022

Forensic handwriting examination involves the comparison of writing samples by forensic document examiners (FDEs) to determine whether or not they were written by the same person. Here we report the results of a large-scale study conducted to assess the accuracy and reliability of handwriting comparison conclusions. Eighty-six practicing FDEs each conducted up to 100 handwriting comparisons, resulting in 7,196 conclusions on 180 distinct comparison sets, using a five-level conclusion scale. Erroneous “written by” conclusions (false positives) were reached in 3.1% of the nonmated comparisons, while 1.1% of the mated comparisons yielded erroneous “not written by” conclusions (false negatives). False positive rates were markedly higher for nonmated samples written by twins (8.7%) compared to nontwins (2.5%). Notable associations between training and performance were observed: FDEs with less than 2 y of formal training generally had higher error rates, but they also had higher true positive and true negative rates because they tended to provide more definitive conclusions; FDEs with at least 2 y of formal training were less likely to make definitive conclusions, but those definitive conclusions they made were more likely to be correct (higher positive predictive and negative predictive values). We did not observe any association between writing style (cursive vs. printing) and rates of errors or incorrect conclusions. This report also provides details on the repeatability and reproducibility of conclusions, and reports how conclusions are affected by the quantity of writing and the similarity of content.
Functional modulation of PTH1R activation and signaling by RAMP2
Authors: Nemec Katarina , Schihada Hannes , Kleinau Gunnar , Zabel Ulrike , Grushevskyi Eugene O. , Scheerer Patrick , Lohse Martin J. , Maiellaro Isabella
Published: August 2022

Receptor-activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) are ubiquitously expressed membrane proteins that associate with different G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs), including the parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R), a class B GPCR and an important modulator of mineral ion homeostasis and bone metabolism. However, it is unknown whether and how RAMP proteins may affect PTH1R function. Using different optical biosensors to measure the activation of PTH1R and its downstream signaling, we describe here that RAMP2 acts as a specific allosteric modulator of PTH1R, shifting PTH1R to a unique preactivated state that permits faster activation in a ligand-specific manner. Moreover, RAMP2 modulates PTH1R downstream signaling in an agonist-dependent manner, most notably increasing the PTH-mediated Gi3 signaling sensitivity. Additionally, RAMP2 increases both PTH- and PTHrP-triggered β-arrestin2 recruitment to PTH1R. Employing homology modeling, we describe the putative structural molecular basis underlying our functional findings. These data uncover a critical role of RAMPs in the activation and signaling of a GPCR that may provide a new venue for highly specific modulation of GPCR function and advanced drug design.
A theory of resistance to multiplexed gene drive demonstrates the significant role of weakly deleterious natural genetic variation
Authors: Khatri Bhavin S. , Burt Austin
Published: August 2022

Evolution of resistance is a major barrier to successful deployment of gene-drive systems to suppress natural populations, which could greatly reduce the burden of many vector-borne diseases. Multiplexed guide RNAs (gRNAs) that require resistance mutations in all target cut sites are a promising antiresistance strategy since, in principle, resistance would only arise in unrealistically large populations. Using stochastic simulations that accurately model evolution at very large population sizes, we explore the probability of resistance due to three important mechanisms: 1) nonhomologous end-joining mutations, 2) single-nucleotide mutants arising de novo, or 3) single-nucleotide polymorphisms preexisting as standing variation. Our results explore the relative importance of these mechanisms and highlight a complexity of the mutation–selection–drift balance between haplotypes with complete resistance and those with an incomplete number of resistant alleles. We find that this leads to a phenomenon where weakly deleterious naturally occurring variants greatly amplify the probability of multisite resistance compared to de novo mutation. This key result provides design criterion for antiresistance multiplexed systems, which, in general, will need a larger number of gRNAs compared to de novo expectations. This theory may have wider application to the evolution of resistance or evolutionary rescue when multiple changes are required before selection can act.
Selective engram coreactivation in idling brain inspires implicit learning
Authors: Aly Mohamed H. , Abdou Kareem , Okubo-Suzuki Reiko , Nomoto Masanori , Inokuchi Kaoru
Published: August 2022

Passive priming of prior knowledge to assimilate ongoing experiences underlies advanced cognitive processing. However, the necessary neural dynamics of memory assimilation remains elusive. Uninstructed brain could also show boosted creativity, particularly after idling states, yet it remains unclear whether the idling brain can spontaneously spark relevant knowledge assimilations. We established a paradigm that links/separates context-dependent memories according to geometrical similarities. Mice exploring one of four contexts 1 d before undergoing contextual fear conditioning in a square context showed a gradual fear transfer to preexposed geometrically relevant contexts the next day, but not after 15 min. Anterior cingulate cortex neurons representing relevant, rather than distinct, memories were significantly coreactivated during postconditioning sleep only, before their selective integration the next day during testing. Disrupting sleep coreactivations prevented assimilation while preserving recent memory consolidation. Thus, assimilating pertinent memories during sleep through coreactivation of their respective engrams represents the neural underpinnings of sleep-triggered implicit cortical learning.
Flash drought early warning based on the trajectory of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence
Authors: Mohammadi Koushan , Jiang Yelin , Wang Guiling
Published: August 2022

Flash drought often leads to devastating effects in multiple sectors and presents a unique challenge for drought early warning due to its sudden onset and rapid intensification. Existing drought monitoring and early warning systems are based on various hydrometeorological variables reaching thresholds of unusually low water content. Here, we propose a flash drought early warning approach based on spaceborne measurements of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF), a proxy of photosynthesis that captures plant response to multiple environmental stressors. Instead of negative SIF anomalies, we focus on the subseasonal trajectory of SIF and consider slower-than-usual increase or faster-than-usual decrease of SIF as an early warning for flash drought onset. To quantify the deviation of SIF trajectory from the climatological norm, we adopt existing formulas for a rapid change index (RCI) and apply the RCI analysis to spatially downscaled 8-d SIF data from GOME-2 during 2007–2018. Using two well-known flash drought events identified by the operational US Drought Monitor (in 2012 and 2017), we show that SIF RCI can produce strong predictive signals of flash drought onset with a lead time of 2 wk to 2 mo and can also predict drought recovery with several weeks of lead time. While SIF RCI shows great early warning potential, its magnitude diminishes after drought onset and therefore cannot reflect the current drought intensity. With its long lead time and direct relevance for agriculture, SIF RCI can support a global early warning system for flash drought and is especially useful over regions with sparse hydrometeorological data.
Head-tail-head neural wiring underlies gut fat storage in
Caenorhabditis elegans
temperature acclimation
Authors: Motomura Haruka , Ioroi Makoto , Murakami Kazutoshi , Kuhara Atsushi , Ohta Akane
Published: August 2022

Animals maintain the ability to survive and reproduce by acclimating to environmental temperatures. We showed here that
Caenorhabditis elegans
exhibited temperature acclimation plasticity, which was regulated by a head-tail-head neural circuitry coupled with gut fat storage. After experiencing cold,
C. elegans
individuals memorized the experience and were prepared against subsequent cold stimuli. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) regulated temperature acclimation in the ASJ thermosensory neurons and RMG head interneurons, where it modulated ASJ thermosensitivity in response to past cultivation temperature. The PVQ tail interneurons mediated the communication between ASJ and RMG via glutamatergic signaling. Temperature acclimation occurred via gut fat storage regulation by the triglyceride lipase ATGL-1, which was activated by a neuropeptide, FLP-7, downstream of CREB. Thus, a head-tail-head neural circuit coordinated with gut fat influenced experience-dependent temperature acclimation.
Structure of propagating high-stress fronts in a shear-thickening suspension
Authors: Rathee Vikram , Miller Joia , Blair Daniel L. , Urbach Jeffrey S.
Published: August 2022

We report direct measurements of spatially resolved stress at the boundary of a shear-thickening cornstarch suspension revealing persistent regions of high local stress propagating in the flow direction at the speed of the top boundary. The persistence of these propagating fronts enables precise measurements of their structure, including the profile of boundary stress measured by boundary stress microscopy (BSM) and the nonaffine velocity of particles at the bottom boundary of the suspension measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV). In addition, we directly measure the relative flow between the particle phase and the suspending fluid (fluid migration) and find the migration is highly localized to the fronts and changes direction across the front, indicating that the fronts are composed of a localized region of high dilatant pressure and low particle concentration. The magnitude of the flow indicates that the pore pressure difference driving the fluid migration is comparable to the critical shear stress for the onset of shear thickening. The propagating fronts fully account for the increase in viscosity with applied stress reported by the rheometer and are consistent with the existence of a stable jammed region in contact with one boundary of the system that generates a propagating network of percolated frictional contacts spanning the gap between the rheometer plates and producing strong localized dilatant pressure.
Cell-penetrating peptides enhance peptide vaccine accumulation and persistence in lymph nodes to drive immunogenicity
Authors: Backlund Coralie M. , Holden Rebecca L. , Moynihan Kelly D. , Garafola Daniel , Farquhar Charlotte , Mehta Naveen K. , Maiorino Laura , Pham Sydney , Iorgulescu J. Bryan , Reardon David A. , Wu Catherine J. , Pentelute Bradley L. , Irvine Darrell J.
Published: August 2022

Peptide-based cancer vaccines are widely investigated in the clinic but exhibit modest immunogenicity. One approach that has been explored to enhance peptide vaccine potency is covalent conjugation of antigens with cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), linear cationic and amphiphilic peptide sequences designed to promote intracellular delivery of associated cargos. Antigen-CPPs have been reported to exhibit enhanced immunogenicity compared to free peptides, but their mechanisms of action in vivo are poorly understood. We tested eight previously described CPPs conjugated to antigens from multiple syngeneic murine tumor models and found that linkage to CPPs enhanced peptide vaccine potency in vivo by as much as 25-fold. Linkage of antigens to CPPs did not impact dendritic cell activation but did promote uptake of linked antigens by dendritic cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, T cell priming in vivo requiredBatf3-dependent dendritic cells, suggesting that antigens delivered by CPP peptides were predominantly presented via the process of cross-presentation and not through CPP-mediated cytosolic delivery of peptide to the classical MHC class I antigen processing pathway. Unexpectedly, we observed that many CPPs significantly enhanced antigen accumulation in draining lymph nodes. This effect was associated with the ability of CPPs to bind to lymph-trafficking lipoproteins and protection of CPP-antigens from proteolytic degradation in serum. These two effects resulted in prolonged presentation of CPP-peptides in draining lymph nodes, leading to robust T cell priming and expansion. Thus, CPPs can act through multiple unappreciated mechanisms to enhance T cell priming that can be exploited for cancer vaccines with enhanced potency.
Controlling the shape and topology of two-component colloidal membranes
Authors: Khanra Ayantika , Jia Leroy L. , Mitchell Noah P. , Balchunas Andrew , Pelcovits Robert A. , Powers Thomas R. , Dogic Zvonimir , Sharma Prerna
Published: August 2022

Changes in the geometry and topology of self-assembled membranes underlie diverse processes across cellular biology and engineering. Similar to lipid bilayers, monolayer colloidal membranes have in-plane fluid-like dynamics and out-of-plane bending elasticity. Their open edges and micrometer-length scale provide a tractable system to study the equilibrium energetics and dynamic pathways of membrane assembly and reconfiguration. Here, we find that doping colloidal membranes with short miscible rods transforms disk-shaped membranes into saddle-shaped surfaces with complex edge structures. The saddle-shaped membranes are well approximated by Enneper’s minimal surfaces. Theoretical modeling demonstrates that their formation is driven by increasing the positive Gaussian modulus, which in turn, is controlled by the fraction of short rods. Further coalescence of saddle-shaped surfaces leads to diverse topologically distinct structures, including shapes similar to catenoids, trinoids, four-noids, and higher-order structures. At long timescales, we observe the formation of a system-spanning, sponge-like phase. The unique features of colloidal membranes reveal the topological transformations that accompany coalescence pathways in real time. We enhance the functionality of these membranes by making their shape responsive to external stimuli. Our results demonstrate a pathway toward control of thin elastic sheets’ shape and topology—a pathway driven by the emergent elasticity induced by compositional heterogeneity.
Chemical inhibition of the auxin inactivation pathway uncovers the roles of metabolic turnover in auxin homeostasis
Authors: Fukui Kosuke , Arai Kazushi , Tanaka Yuka , Aoi Yuki , Kukshal Vandna , Jez Joseph M. , Kubes Martin F. , Napier Richard , Zhao Yunde , Kasahara Hiroyuki , Hayashi Ken-ichiro
Published: August 2022

The phytohormone auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), plays a prominent role in plant development. Auxin homeostasis is coordinately regulated by auxin synthesis, transport, and inactivation; however, the physiological contribution of auxin inactivation to auxin homeostasis has not been determined. The GH3 IAA–amino acid conjugating enzymes play a central role in auxin inactivation. Chemical inhibition of GH3 proteins
in planta
is challenging because the inhibition of these enzymes leads to IAA overaccumulation that rapidly induces
GH3
expression. Here, we report the characterization of a potent GH3 inhibitor, kakeimide, that selectively targets IAA-conjugating GH3 proteins. Chemical knockdown of the auxin inactivation pathway demonstrates that auxin turnover is very rapid (about 10 min) and indicates that both auxin biosynthesis and inactivation dynamically regulate auxin homeostasis.
Achieving high property medium-thick Ti/Al dissimilar joints by double side friction stir welding
Authors: Li Y. , Shi L. , Wu C. S. , Jiang Y. N.
Published: August 2022

Double side friction stir welding (DS-FSW) was used to join TC4 titanium alloy and 2024-T4 aluminium alloy having dissimilar medium-thick plates with a thickness of 8 mm. The microstructure and mechanical properties in medium-thick Ti/Al dissimilar DS-FSW joints were systematically studied. It revealed that the diffusion-type Ti/Al interface was mainly formed when the rotating speed is low. While intermetallic compounds layers were formed at the Ti/Al interface due to the high welding temperature and intense mechanical mixing at a relatively high rotating speed. The maximum tensile strength of medium-thick Ti/Al dissimilar DS-FSW joint is 265 MPa achieved at the rotation speed of 300 rev min–1, which is 58.9% of the base material of 2024-T4 aluminium alloy.
Influence of exercise intensity and hypoxic exposure on physiological, perceptual and biomechanical responses to treadmill running
Authors: Li Tee Chris Chow , Chong Mee Chee , Sundar Viswanath , Chok Chuen Leang , Md Razali Mohd Rizal , Yeo Wee Kian , Girard Olivier
Published: August 2022

Acute physiological, perceptual and biomechanical consequences of manipulating both exercise intensity and hypoxic exposure during treadmill running were determined. On separate days, eleven trained individuals ran for 45 s (separated by 135 s of rest) on an instrumented treadmill at seven running speeds (8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 km.h−1) in normoxia (NM, FiO2 = 20.9%), moderate hypoxia (MH, FiO2 = 16.1%), high hypoxia (HH, FiO2 = 14.1%) and severe hypoxia (SH, FiO2 = 13.0%). Running mechanics were collected over 20 consecutive steps (i.e. after running ∼25 s), with concurrent assessment of physiological (heart rate and arterial oxygen saturation) and perceptual (overall perceived discomfort, difficulty breathing and leg discomfort) responses. Two‐way repeated‐measures ANOVA (seven speeds × four conditions) were used. There was a speed × condition interaction for heart rate (p = 0.045, ηp2 = 0.22), with lower values in NM, MH and HH compared to SH at 8 km.h−1 (125 ± 12, 125 ± 11, 128 ± 12 vs 132 ± 10 b.min−1). Overall perceived discomfort (8 and 16 km.h−1; p = 0.019 and p = 0.007, ηp2  = 0.21, respectively) and perceived difficulty breathing (all speeds; p = 0.023, ηp2  = 0.37) were greater in SH compared to MH, whereas leg discomfort was not influenced by hypoxic exposure. Minimal difference was observed in the twelve kinetics/kinematics variables with hypoxia (p > 0.122; ηp2 = 0.19). Running at slower speeds in combination with severe hypoxia elevates physiological and perceptual responses without a corresponding increase in ground reaction forces.
Abnormal Elastic Changes for Cubic-Tetragonal Transition of Single-Crystal SrTiO3
Authors: Zhang Caizi , Li Fangfei , Wei Xinmiao , Guo Mengqi , Wei Yingzhan , Li Liang , Li Xinyang , Zhou Qiang
Published: August 2022

Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is a typical perovskite-type ceramic oxide and studying its high-pressure phases are critical to understand the ferroelastic phase transition. SrTiO3 also can be used as an important analog of davemaoite (CaSiO3) to understand the compositional and velocity structure of the Earth’s interior. However, the high-pressure studies on the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition pressure and elastic properties remain unclear for SrTiO3. Here, we investigate the phase transition and elasticity of single-crystal SrTiO3 by Raman and Brillouin scattering combined with diamond anvil cell. The acoustic velocities of single-crystal SrTiO3 and the independent elastic constants of cubic and tetragonal SrTiO3 are determined up to 27.5 GPa at room temperature. This study indicates that C
11, C
12, and C
44 exhibit abnormal changes at 10.3 GPa, which is related to the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition. Interestingly, a significant softening on shear modulus and a large anisotropy of shear wave splitting (

A
S

PO

) jump are observed at 10.3 GPa. Using obtained elastic constants, the coefficients of the Landau potential are calculated to understand the phase transition between cubic and tetragonal. The calculated coefficients of the Landau potential are, λ
2 = 3.12 × 10−2 GPa, λ
4 = –2.02 × 10−2 GPa, B* = 1.34 × 10−4 GPa and B = 1.66 × 10−4 GPa. The elastic results have profound implications in understanding the structure of the Earth’s interior and indicate that the presence of tetragonal Ti-bearing CaSiO3 helps to explain the large

A
S

PO

of the Earth’s mid-mantle.
The effect of parameters on the signal compensation performance in the modified non-negative Tikhonov regularization method within a Bayesian frame
Authors: Qin Feng , Gao Yuan , Wu Shuang
Published: August 2022

Recently, a modified non-negative Tikhonov regularization method within the Bayesian frame has been successfully proposed, and demonstrated to have excellent compensation performance towards the signal distortion induced by long-distance transmission in coaxial cable. However, how the parameters of this modified method affect compensation performance has not yet been investigated and analyzed, which may in turn bring some obstacles in the practical utilization of this modified method. Herein, we carried out a systematic study on the effect of parameters on the signal compensation performance of this modified method. The bias constant D has almost no influence on the compensation performance if the unknown input signal satisfies the non-negative constraint. When the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is less than 40 dB, the compensation performance is continuously improved as the SNR increases. Once the SNR attains ∼40 dB, the compensated signal is nearly identical to the input signal. Further increment of SNR does not give rise to an improved compensation performance and the relative error between the compensated signal and input signal remains nearly unchanged. The sampling frequency interval

Δ
f

of S21 should satisfy the restriction of

Δ
f
=

F
s

/

n

, with

F
s

and

n

representing the sampling frequency of the digital oscilloscope and number of points of the output signal, respectively. The compensation performance is excellent initially, whereas it rapidly deteriorates once

Δ
f

exceeds a certain value that is highly related to the length of the impulse response function. This study provides a beneficial reference for application of the modified signal compensation method.
Yolk-shell shaped Au-Bi2S3 heterostructure nanoparticles for controlled drug release and combined tumor therapy
Authors: Zhao Tingting , Zhang Qin , Cang Feng , Wu Shilong , Jiang Yu , Zhao Qiyao , Zhou Yifan , Qu Xiaomeng , Zhang Xuesong , Jin Yushen , Li Yanyan , Fu Yujie
Published: August 2022

To fabricate a novel stimuli-responsive system enabling controlled drug release and synergistic therapy, yolk-shell shaped bismuth sulfide modified with Au nanoparticles (Au-Bi2S3) was prepared. The Au-Bi2S3 nanomaterial with heterojunction structure exhibited excellent photothermal conversion efficiency and considerable free radicals yield under laser irradiation. The drug delivery capacity was confirmed by co-loading Berberine hydrochloride (BBR) and a phase change material 1-tetradecanol (PCM), which could be responsible for NIR light induced thermal controlled drug release. In vitro investigation demonstrated that Au-Bi2S3 has cell selectivity, and with the assistance of the properties of Au-Bi2S3, the loaded drug could give full play to their cancer cell inhibition ability. Our work highlights the great potential of this nanoplatform which could deliver and control Berberine hydrochloride release as well as realize the synergistic anti-tumor strategy of photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy for tumor therapy.
Simply prepared electrocatalyst of CoFe alloy and nitrogen-doped carbon with multi-dimensional structure and high performance for rechargeable zinc-air battery
Authors: He Yu , Xi Zhiwei , Xu Chunli
Published: August 2022

Simple and green preparation of highly-performed electrocatalysts for reaction both at cathode (oxygen reduction reaction (ORR)) and anode (oxygen evolution reaction (OER)) is crucial for boosting the application of meta-air battery. CoFe alloy and nitrogen doped carbon (CoFe-NC) material was prepared by a one-step carbonization procedure to construct a highly efficient electrocatalysis in this work. CoFe-NC displays a three-dimensional (3D) flower-like morphology composed of ordered stacked 2D nanosheets, which is entangled by 1D carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Its structure and electrocatalytic performance are compared with that of nitrogen doped carbon materials obtained from 2D zeolitic-imidazolate frameworks (ZIF) with no metal or single metal, as well as 3D ZIF with bimetal. Benefiting from the multi-dimensional structure of bimetal nanoparticles, 1D CNTs, 2D nanosheets, and 3D flowers, as well as the abundant active sites of Co/Fe–N
x
and pyridine nitrogen, CoFe-NC displays a high half-wave potential of 0.896 V for ORR and low overpotential of 370 mV at 10 mA cm−2 for OER. Furthermore, compared with the primary and rechargeable Zn-air batteries fabricated with commercial Pt/C-RuO2 catalysts, the CoFe-NC catalysts assembled Zn-air batteries show a higher specific capacity (812.2 mAh g−1), open circuit potential (1.59 V), power density (183.4 mW cm−2), and stability. Hence, a facile and environmental-friendly strategy is provided for rational design and synthesis of bifunctional electrocatalysts for zinc-air batteries.