bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A fast automatic identification method for seismic belts based on Delaunay triangulation
Authors: Yan Wei , Wen Xueze , He Changrong , Liu Guiping , Li Zirui
Published: November 2020

Earthquake prediction practice and a large number of earthquake cases show that there may be abnormal images of small earthquake belts near the epicenter before strong earthquakes occur. For a static small earthquakes spatial distribution, due to the complexity of exhaustive algorithm, the fast automatic identification method of seismic belts has not yet been realized. Visual identification is still the main method of seismic belt discrimination. Based on the Delaunay triangulation, this paper presents a fast automatic identification method of seismic belts. The effectiveness of this method is proved by a 1000 random points test and an actual example of the 4-magnitude belts before the 2005 Jiujiang M5.7 Earthquake. The results show that: (1) Using Delaunay triangulation method, we can fast get the spatial relationship between two neighboring points; (2) using the two neighboring relationships, it can automatically extend to cluster, which carries the key information of seismic belt; (3) using the technology of minimum enclosing rectangle (MER) for the identified cluster, we can get the shape and structural information of the MER, which can be called the “suspect seismic belt”; (4) after using the other restrictions to sort and filter the suspect seismic belt, we complete the identification of seismic belt; (5) the random and actual earthquakes trial calculation shows that the Delaunay triangulation method can realize a fast automatic identification of seismic belts; and (6) this automatic identification method may provide a research basis for earthquake prediction.
Clinical profile & management of children with seizures presenting to pediatric emergency department: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Abbasi Ayesha , Kazi Ghazala , Siddiqui Saman , Siddiqi Yumna
Published: November 2020

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Seizures are one of the most common presentation in children requiring urgent care in Emergency Departments. This study was conducted to determine the clinical profile, management and spectrum of patients presenting to Emergency department in a low middle income country.

Methods:

This was an observational cross-sectional study carried out in tertiary care hospital. Data was collected on a predesigned questionnaire from June 2018–May 2019. Qualitative variables like gender and type of seizure were expressed as percentages and frequencies. Quantitative variables like age, levels of sodium, potassium and calcium were expressed as median, interquartile ranges and Wilcoxon Rank Sum test was used.

Results:

The prevalence of seizures amongst children presenting to pediatric emergency room was found to be 9.36 per 1000 children. A total of 186 patients presented to pediatric emergency department with seizures. There were 58.1% boys and 41.9% females. The median age of children presented with seizure was 26 months. The most common type of seizure noticed by eye witness were grandmal 95 (51.1%), simple partial 6 (3.3%), complex 1 (0.5%). Hyponatremia was the most commonly reported abnormality 54.2%. Febrile Convulsion were reported in 46.8%, 24.7% were known epileptic, 9.1% had an infective source, 5.4% metabolic & 2.7% had afebrile seizures.

Conclusion:

Seizure was one of the commonest neurological condition occurring predominantly in males. Febrile seizures usually do not require hospitalization. Emergency Department care was needed in majority of children and 45.7% were discharged directly from Emergency Room.

Highlights:
Source-bordering aeolian dune formation along the Scheldt River (southern Netherlands – northern Belgium) was caused by Younger Dryas cooling, high river gradient and southwesterly summer winds
Authors: Kasse Cornelis , Woolderink Hessel A.G. , Kloos Marjan E. , Hoek Wim Z.
Published: November 2020

The Younger Dryas cold period caused major changes in vegetation and depositional environments. This study focuses on the aeolian river-connected dunes along the former, Weichselian Late Glacial, course of the Scheldt River in the southern Netherlands. Aeolian dunes along the Scheldt have received little attention, as they are partly covered by Holocene peat and marine deposits. The spatial distribution of the dunes is reconstructed by digital elevation model analysis and coring transects. Dunes are present on the high eastern bank of the Scheldt and in the subsurface of the polder area west of the Brabantse Wal escarpment. A reach-specific higher channel gradient probably caused a channel pattern change from meandering to braiding during the Younger Dryas. This enabled deflation from the braid plain and accumulation in source-bordering river dunes east of the incised and terraced, subsurface Late Pleistocene Scheldt valley. The age of the dune formation is established by pollen analysis and radiocarbon dating of underlying and overlying peat beds. The peat layer below the dune at Zomerbaan is attributed to the Allerød and early Younger Dryas periods. Dune formation occurred predominantly during the second part of the Younger Dryas stadial, both on and in front (west) of the Brabantse Wal escarpment. Wind direction was reconstructed by geomorphic analysis and sedimentary structures on lacquer peels. A southwesterly wind direction is demonstrated by the parabolic dune morphology. For the first time, Younger Dryas wind direction is reconstructed based on adhesion ripple cross-laminated sets on lacquer peels. Sand-transporting south-southwesterly winds were dominant during the Younger Dryas, most likely during summer.
Inequality: Do Not Disperse
Authors: O'Brien David
Published: November 2020

Many egalitarians incorporate a concern for interpersonal welfare inequality as part of their favored axiology – that is, they take it to be a bad-making feature of outcomes. It is natural to think that, if inequality is in this sense a bad, it is an impersonal bad (one that makes an outcome worse, while not in itself being worse for any person). This natural thought has been challenged. Some writers claim that egalitarian judgments can be accommodated by adopting an expanded view of a person's good, according to which being worse off than others is one of the factors that, in itself, makes one's life go worse. The putatively impersonal bad of inequality is thereby “dispersed” among individuals. I argue that this dispersion strategy fails. In a slogan: if you care about inequality, do not disperse it.
CME: Seltene Klinik bei bakterieller Meningitis
Authors: Halip Georgiana , Martakis Solon , Portocarerro Bettina , Haller Alois
Published: November 2020

Zusammenfassung. Wir berichten über die Diagnose und den klinischen Verlauf bei einer 59-jährigen Patientin mit seit drei Tagen bestehender wässeriger Rhinorrhö, leichtem Husten und neu aufgetretenen Kopfschmerzen. Die notfallmässigen Abklärungen ergaben die Diagnose einer akuten bakteriellen Meningitis, worauf eine empirische Behandlung gestartet wurde. Bei Vigilanzstörung und Zunahme der Rhinorrhö konnte laboranalytisch mittels Beta-Trace-Test eine Rhinoliquorrhö nachgewiesen werden. Nach initialer Stabilisierung der Patientin erfolgte eine chirurgische Schädelbasisexploration, in welcher beidseitige Liquorlecks verschlossen werden konnten.
Evolution of Late Paleozoic Magmatic Arc in the Yili Block, NW China: Implications for Oroclinal Bending in the Western Central Asian Orogenic Belt
Authors: Wang Xiangsong , Cai Keda , Sun Min , Zhao Guochun , Xiao Wenjiao , Xia Xiaoping
Published: November 2020

Subduction transformation (advancing vs. retreating) may be manifested by compositional variations of arc magmas and may result in oroclinal bending. Identifying relevant chemical and physical processes is crucial for understanding accretionary orogenesis and continental crustal evolution. The Northern Yili Block (NYB) was situated on an active margin associated with subduction of the Junggar Ocean (part of the Paleo‐Asian Ocean) and underwent perplexing accretionary orogenesis in late Paleozoic. Two episodes of subduction‐related granitoid magmatism have been identified, the first in the Late Devonian (374–369 Ma) and the second in the Late Carboniferous (ca. 304 Ma). These two episodes of granitoid magmatism exhibit contrasting features; for example, the first episode shows low εNd(t) (−6 to −2) and εHf(t) (−12 to +3) values, while the second episode displays relatively higher values (−2 to +7 and 0 to +20, respectively), suggesting increase contribution of juvenile components in the magma sources. The calculated zircon saturation temperatures are mostly <800°C for the first episode but increased to >800°C for the second episode. The (La/Yb)N ratios of the two‐episode granitoids vary from 2–17 to 1–9, indicative of the NYB crustal thinning in the Late Carboniferous. In addition, the migrations of the magmatic arc and trench in the NYB took place coevally in the Late Carboniferous and were accompanied by development of an accretionary complex and an immature back‐arc basin. We interpret that the arc magmatic variations and migrations reflect geodynamic transition from the Late Devonian advancing subduction to the Late Carboniferous retreating subduction. The retreating subduction of the Junggar oceanic plate possibly resulted in prominent oroclinal bending of the southern Kazakhstan collage system in the Late Carboniferous.
Bringing Clarity to Magnetic Reconnection
Authors: Benningfield Damond
Published: November 2020

A particle-level process appears to play a key role in planet-sized events throughout the universe.
Cancer prevention through weight control—where are we in 2020?
Authors: Anderson Annie S. , Renehan Andrew G. , Saxton John M. , Bell Joshua , Cade Janet , Cross Amanda J. , King Angela , Riboli Elio , Sniehotta Falko , Treweek Shaun , Martin Richard M. ,   On behalf of the UK NIHR Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration (Population Health Stream), Anderson Annie , Beeken Rebecca , Cade Janet , Cross Amanda , King Angela , Martin Richard , Mitrou Giota , Riboli Elio , Saxton John , Renehan Andrew
Published: November 2020

Growing data from epidemiological studies highlight the association between excess body fat and cancer incidence, but good indicative evidence demonstrates that intentional weight loss, as well as increasing physical activity, offers much promise as a cost-effective approach for reducing the cancer burden. However, clear gaps remain in our understanding of how changes in body fat or levels of physical activity are mechanistically linked to cancer, and the magnitude of their impact on cancer risk. It is important to investigate the causal link between programmes that successfully achieve short-term modest weight loss followed by weight-loss maintenance and cancer incidence. The longer-term impact of weight loss and duration of overweight and obesity on risk reduction also need to be fully considered in trial design. These gaps in knowledge need to be urgently addressed to expedite the development and implementation of future cancer-control strategies. Comprehensive approaches to trial design, Mendelian randomisation studies and data-linkage opportunities offer real possibilities to tackle current research gaps. In this paper, we set out the case for why non-pharmacological weight-management trials are urgently needed to support cancer-risk reduction and help control the growing global burden of cancer.
Cancer survivorship, excess body fatness and weight-loss intervention—where are we in 2020?
Authors: Anderson Annie S. , Martin Richard M. , Renehan Andrew G. , Cade Janet , Copson Ellen R. , Cross Amanda J. , Grimmett Chloe , Keaver Laura , King Angela , Riboli Elio , Shaw Clare , Saxton John M. ,   On behalf of the UK NIHR Cancer and Nutrition Collaboration (Population Health Stream), Anderson Annie , Beeken Rebecca , Cade Janet , Cross Amanda , King Angela , Martin Richard , Mitrou Giota , Riboli Elio , Saxton John , Renehan Andrew
Published: November 2020

Earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments mean that the estimated number of cancer survivors in the United Kingdom is expected to reach 4 million by 2030. However, there is an increasing realisation that excess body fatness (EBF) is likely to influence the quality of cancer survivorship and disease-free survival. For decades, the discussion of weight management in patients with cancer has been dominated by concerns about unintentional weight loss, low body weight and interventions to increase weight, often re-enforced by the existence of the obesity paradox, which indicates that high body weight is associated with survival benefits for some types of cancer. However, observational evidence provides strong grounds for testing the hypothesis that interventions for promoting intentional loss of body fat and maintaining skeletal muscle in overweight and obese cancer survivors would bring important health benefits in terms of survival outcomes and long-term impact on treatment-related side effects. In this paper, we outline the need for studies to improve our understanding of the health benefits of weight-loss interventions, such as hypocaloric healthy-eating plans combined with physical activity. In particular, complex intervention trials that are pragmatically designed are urgently needed to develop effective, clinically practical, evidence-based strategies for reducing EBF and optimising body composition in people living with and beyond common cancers.
A unique hormonal recognition feature of the human glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor
Authors: Sun Wen , Chen Li-Nan , Zhou Qingtong , Zhao Li-Hua , Yang Dehua , Zhang Huibing , Cong Zhaotong , Shen Dan-Dan , Zhao Fenghui , Zhou Fulai , Cai Xiaoqing , Chen Yan , Zhou Yan , Gadgaard Sarina , van der Velden Wijnand J. C. , Zhao Suwen , Jiang Yi , Rosenkilde Mette M. , Xu H. Eric , Zhang Yan , Wang Ming-Wei
Published: November 2020

Glucagon-like peptides (GLP-1 and GLP-2) are two proglucagon-derived intestinal hormones that mediate distinct physiological functions through two related receptors (GLP-1R and GLP-2R) which are important drug targets for metabolic disorders and Crohn’s disease, respectively. Despite great progress in GLP-1R structure determination, our understanding on the differences of peptide binding and signal transduction between these two receptors remains elusive. Here we report the electron microscopy structure of the human GLP-2R in complex with GLP-2 and a Gs heterotrimer. To accommodate GLP-2 rather than GLP-1, GLP-2R fine-tunes the conformations of the extracellular parts of transmembrane helices (TMs) 1, 5, 7 and extracellular loop 1 (ECL1). In contrast to GLP-1, the N-terminal histidine of GLP-2 penetrates into the receptor core with a unique orientation. The middle region of GLP-2 engages with TM1 and TM7 more extensively than with ECL2, and the GLP-2 C-terminus closely attaches to ECL1, which is the most protruded among 9 class B G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Functional studies revealed that the above three segments of GLP-2 are essential for GLP-2 recognition and receptor activation, especially the middle region. These results provide new insights into the molecular basis of ligand specificity in class B GPCRs and may facilitate the development of more specific therapeutics.
Single-cell profiling reveals the trajectories of natural killer cell differentiation in bone marrow and a stress signature induced by acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Crinier Adeline , Dumas Pierre-Yves , Escalière Bertrand , Piperoglou Christelle , Gil Laurine , Villacreces Arnaud , Vély Frédéric , Ivanovic Zoran , Milpied Pierre , Narni-Mancinelli Émilie , Vivier Éric
Published: November 2020

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate cytotoxic lymphoid cells (ILCs) involved in the killing of infected and tumor cells. Among human and mouse NK cells from the spleen and blood, we previously identified by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) two similar major subsets, NK1 and NK2. Using the same technology, we report here the identification, by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), of three NK cell subpopulations in human bone marrow. Pseudotime analysis identified a subset of resident CD56brightNK cells, NK0 cells, as the precursor of both circulating CD56dimNK1-like NK cells and CD56brightNK2-like NK cells in human bone marrow and spleen under physiological conditions. Transcriptomic profiles of bone marrow NK cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) exhibited stress-induced repression of NK cell effector functions, highlighting the profound impact of this disease on NK cell heterogeneity. Bone marrow NK cells from AML patients exhibited reduced levels of CD160, but the CD160highgroup had a significantly higher survival rate.
Wisp1 is a circulating factor that stimulates proliferation of adult mouse and human beta cells
Authors: Fernandez-Ruiz Rebeca , García-Alamán Ainhoa , Esteban Yaiza , Mir-Coll Joan , Serra-Navarro Berta , Fontcuberta-PiSunyer Marta , Broca Christophe , Armanet Mathieu , Wojtusciszyn Anne , Kram Vardit , Young Marian F. , Vidal Josep , Gomis Ramon , Gasa Rosa
Published: November 2020

Expanding the mass of pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells through re-activation of beta cell replication has been proposed as a therapy to prevent or delay the appearance of diabetes. Pancreatic beta cells exhibit an age-dependent decrease in their proliferative activity, partly related to changes in the systemic environment. Here we report the identification of CCN4/Wisp1 as a circulating factor more abundant in pre-weaning than in adult mice. We show that Wisp1 promotes endogenous and transplanted adult beta cell proliferation in vivo. We validate these findings using isolated mouse and human islets and find that the beta cell trophic effect of Wisp1 is dependent on Akt signaling. In summary, our study reveals the role of Wisp1 as an inducer of beta cell replication, supporting the idea that the use of young blood factors may be a useful strategy to expand adult beta cell mass.
Prevention of CaCl2-induced aortic inflammation and subsequent aneurysm formation by the CCL3–CCR5 axis
Authors: Ishida Yuko , Kuninaka Yumi , Nosaka Mizuho , Kimura Akihiko , Taruya Akira , Furuta Machi , Mukaida Naofumi , Kondo Toshikazu
Published: November 2020

Inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and chemokines are crucially involved in the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Here we report that CaCl2 application into abdominal aorta induces AAA with intra-aortic infiltration of macrophages as well as enhanced expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 3 (CCL3) and MMP-9. Moreover, infiltrating macrophages express C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5, a specific receptor for CCL3) and MMP-9. Both Ccl3−/− mice and Ccr5−/− but not Ccr1−/− mice exhibit exaggerated CaCl2-inducced AAA with augmented macrophage infiltration and MMP-9 expression. Similar observations are also obtained on an angiotensin II-induced AAA model. Immunoneutralization of CCL3 mimics the phenotypes observed in CaCl2-treated Ccl3−/− mice. On the contrary, CCL3 treatment attenuates CaCl2-induced AAA in both wild-type and Ccl3−/− mice. Consistently, we find that the CCL3–CCR5 axis suppresses PMA-induced enhancement of MMP-9 expression in macrophages. Thus, CCL3 can be effective to prevent the development of CaCl2-induced AAA by suppressing MMP-9 expression.
Cellular and gene signatures of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells and natural-killer cells predict prognosis of neuroblastoma
Authors: Melaiu Ombretta , Chierici Marco , Lucarini Valeria , Jurman Giuseppe , Conti Libenzio Adrian , De Vito Rita , Boldrini Renata , Cifaldi Loredana , Castellano Aurora , Furlanello Cesare , Barnaba Vincenzo , Locatelli Franco , Fruci Doriana
Published: November 2020

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes play an essential role in improving clinical outcome of neuroblastoma (NB) patients, but their relationship with other tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the T cell-inflamed tumors remains poorly investigated. Here we show that dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells are positively correlated with T-cell infiltration in human NB, both at transcriptional and protein levels, and associate with a favorable prognosis. Multiplex imaging displays DC/NK/T cell conjugates in the tumor microenvironment of low-risk NB. Remarkably, this connection is further strengthened by the identification of gene signatures related to DCs and NK cells able to predict survival of NB patients and strongly correlate with the expression of PD-1 and PD-L1. In summary, our findings unveil a key prognostic role of DCs and NK cells and indicate their related gene signatures as promising tools for the identification of clinical biomarkers to better define risk stratification and survival of NB patients.
No evidence for increased transmissibility from recurrent mutations in SARS-CoV-2
Authors: van Dorp Lucy , Richard Damien , Tan Cedric C. S. , Shaw Liam P. , Acman Mislav , Balloux François
Published: November 2020

COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which jumped into the human population in late 2019 from a currently uncharacterised animal reservoir. Due to this recent association with humans, SARS-CoV-2 may not yet be fully adapted to its human host. This has led to speculations that SARS-CoV-2 may be evolving towards higher transmissibility. The most plausible mutations under putative natural selection are those which have emerged repeatedly and independently (homoplasies). Here, we formally test whether any homoplasies observed in SARS-CoV-2 to date are significantly associated with increased viral transmission. To do so, we develop a phylogenetic index to quantify the relative number of descendants in sister clades with and without a specific allele. We apply this index to a curated set of recurrent mutations identified within a dataset of 46,723 SARS-CoV-2 genomes isolated from patients worldwide. We do not identify a single recurrent mutation in this set convincingly associated with increased viral transmission. Instead, recurrent mutations currently in circulation appear to be evolutionary neutral and primarily induced by the human immune system via RNA editing, rather than being signatures of adaptation. At this stage we find no evidence for significantly more transmissible lineages of SARS-CoV-2 due to recurrent mutations.
Photosynthetic hydrogen production by droplet-based microbial micro-reactors under aerobic conditions
Authors: Xu Zhijun , Wang Shengliang , Zhao Chunyu , Li Shangsong , Liu Xiaoman , Wang Lei , Li Mei , Huang Xin , Mann Stephen
Published: November 2020

The spontaneous self-assembly of multicellular ensembles into living materials with synergistic structure and function remains a considerable challenge in biotechnology and synthetic biology. Here, we exploit the aqueous two-phase separation of dextran-in-PEG emulsion micro-droplets for the capture, spatial organization and immobilization of algal cells or algal/bacterial cell communities to produce discrete multicellular spheroids capable of both aerobic (oxygen producing) and hypoxic (hydrogen producing) photosynthesis in daylight under air. We show that localized oxygen depletion results in hydrogen production from the core of the algal microscale reactor, and demonstrate that enhanced levels of hydrogen evolution can be achieved synergistically by spontaneously enclosing the photosynthetic cells within a shell of bacterial cells undergoing aerobic respiration. Our results highlight a promising droplet-based environmentally benign approach to dispersible photosynthetic microbial micro-reactors comprising segregated cellular micro-niches with dual functionality, and provide a step towards photobiological hydrogen production under aerobic conditions.
Spatial proteomics defines the content of trafficking vesicles captured by golgin tethers
Authors: Shin John J. H. , Crook Oliver M. , Borgeaud Alicia C. , Cattin-Ortolá Jérôme , Peak-Chew Sew Y. , Breckels Lisa M. , Gillingham Alison K. , Chadwick Jessica , Lilley Kathryn S. , Munro Sean
Published: November 2020

Intracellular traffic between compartments of the secretory and endocytic pathways is mediated by vesicle-based carriers. The proteomes of carriers destined for many organelles are ill-defined because the vesicular intermediates are transient, low-abundance and difficult to purify. Here, we combine vesicle relocalisation with organelle proteomics and Bayesian analysis to define the content of different endosome-derived vesicles destined for the trans-Golgi network (TGN). The golgin coiled-coil proteins golgin-97 and GCC88, shown previously to capture endosome-derived vesicles at the TGN, were individually relocalised to mitochondria and the content of the subsequently re-routed vesicles was determined by organelle proteomics. Our findings reveal 45 integral and 51 peripheral membrane proteins re-routed by golgin-97, evidence for a distinct class of vesicles shared by golgin-97 and GCC88, and various cargoes specific to individual golgins. These results illustrate a general strategy for analysing intracellular sub-proteomes by combining acute cellular re-wiring with high-resolution spatial proteomics.
Multiple wheat genomes reveal global variation in modern breeding
Authors: Walkowiak Sean , Gao Liangliang , Monat Cecile , Haberer Georg , Kassa Mulualem T. , Brinton Jemima , Ramirez-Gonzalez Ricardo H. , Kolodziej Markus C. , Delorean Emily , Thambugala Dinushika , Klymiuk Valentyna , Byrns Brook , Gundlach Heidrun , Bandi Venkat , Siri Jorge Nunez , Nilsen Kirby , Aquino Catharine , Himmelbach Axel , Copetti Dario , Ban Tomohiro , Venturini Luca , Bevan Michael , Clavijo Bernardo , Koo Dal-Hoe , Ens Jennifer , Wiebe Krystalee , N’Diaye Amidou , Fritz Allen K. , Gutwin Carl , Fiebig Anne , Fosker Christine , Fu Bin Xiao , Accinelli Gonzalo Garcia , Gardner Keith A. , Fradgley Nick , Gutierrez-Gonzalez Juan , Halstead-Nussloch Gwyneth , Hatakeyama Masaomi , Koh Chu Shin , Deek Jasline , Costamagna Alejandro C. , Fobert Pierre , Heavens Darren , Kanamori Hiroyuki , Kawaura Kanako , Kobayashi Fuminori , Krasileva Ksenia , Kuo Tony , McKenzie Neil , Murata Kazuki , Nabeka Yusuke , Paape Timothy , Padmarasu Sudharsan , Percival-Alwyn Lawrence , Kagale Sateesh , Scholz Uwe , Sese Jun , Juliana Philomin , Singh Ravi , Shimizu-Inatsugi Rie , Swarbreck David , Cockram James , Budak Hikmet , Tameshige Toshiaki , Tanaka Tsuyoshi , Tsuji Hiroyuki , Wright Jonathan , Wu Jianzhong , Steuernagel Burkhard , Small Ian , Cloutier Sylvie , Keeble-Gagnère Gabriel , Muehlbauer Gary , Tibbets Josquin , Nasuda Shuhei , Melonek Joanna , Hucl Pierre J. , Sharpe Andrew G. , Clark Matthew , Legg Erik , Bharti Arvind , Langridge Peter , Hall Anthony , Uauy Cristobal , Mascher Martin , Krattinger Simon G. , Handa Hirokazu , Shimizu Kentaro K. , Distelfeld Assaf , Chalmers Ken , Keller Beat , Mayer Klaus F. X. , Poland Jesse , Stein Nils , McCartney Curt A. , Spannagl Manuel , Wicker Thomas , Pozniak Curtis J.
Published: November 2020

Advances in genomics have expedited the improvement of several agriculturally important crops but similar efforts in wheat (Triticumspp.) have been more challenging. This is largely owing to the size and complexity of the wheat genome1, and the lack of genome-assembly data for multiple wheat lines2,3. Here we generated ten chromosome pseudomolecule and five scaffold assemblies of hexaploid wheat to explore the genomic diversity among wheat lines from global breeding programs. Comparative analysis revealed extensive structural rearrangements, introgressions from wild relatives and differences in gene content resulting from complex breeding histories aimed at improving adaptation to diverse environments, grain yield and quality, and resistance to stresses4,5. We provide examples outlining the utility of these genomes, including a detailed multi-genome-derived nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein repertoire involved in disease resistance and the characterization ofSm16, a gene associated with insect resistance. These genome assemblies will provide a basis for functional gene discovery and breeding to deliver the next generation of modern wheat cultivars.
The symptoms of autism including social communication deficits and repetitive and restricted behaviors are associated with different emotional and behavioral problems
Authors: Tsai Ching-Hong , Chen Kuan-Lin , Li Hsing-Jung , Chen Kuan-Hsu , Hsu Chao-Wei , Lu Chun-Hsiung , Hsieh Kuan-Ying , Huang Chien-Yu
Published: November 2020

The aim of the study was to investigate the associations between symptoms of autism and emotional and behavioral problems in children with autism spectrum disorder from both caregivers’ and clinicians’ perspectives. Three main findings were found in our study. First, the association patterns were similar in the preschool and school-aged children. Second, different association patterns were found from caregivers’ and professionals’ perspectives. From the professionals’ perspective, only repetitive behaviors were associated with behavioral problems, while from the caregivers’ perspective, all symptoms of autism were associated with emotional and behavioral problems. Third, different types of symptoms of autism were associated with different types of emotional and behavioral problems. For example, from the professionals’ perspective, restricted and repetitive behaviors were only associated with hyperactivity and inattention. From the caregivers’ perspective, social emotion was associated with emotional symptoms, and other symptoms of autism were associated with hyperactivity and inattention, as well as with peer problems. The results of our study provided deeper understanding of the relationships between symptoms of autism and emotional and behavioral problems, and the findings could serve as a reference for intervention planning when clinicians approach children with autism spectrum disorder.
Deeper waters are changing less consistently than surface waters in a global analysis of 102 lakes
Authors: Pilla Rachel M. , Williamson Craig E. , Adamovich Boris V. , Adrian Rita , Anneville Orlane , Chandra Sudeep , Colom-Montero William , Devlin Shawn P. , Dix Margaret A. , Dokulil Martin T. , Gaiser Evelyn E. , Girdner Scott F. , Hambright K. David , Hamilton David P. , Havens Karl , Hessen Dag O. , Higgins Scott N. , Huttula Timo H. , Huuskonen Hannu , Isles Peter D. F. , Joehnk Klaus D. , Jones Ian D. , Keller Wendel Bill , Knoll Lesley B. , Korhonen Johanna , Kraemer Benjamin M. , Leavitt Peter R. , Lepori Fabio , Luger Martin S. , Maberly Stephen C. , Melack John M. , Melles Stephanie J. , Müller-Navarra Dörthe C. , Pierson Don C. , Pislegina Helen V. , Plisnier Pierre-Denis , Richardson David C. , Rimmer Alon , Rogora Michela , Rusak James A. , Sadro Steven , Salmaso Nico , Saros Jasmine E. , Saulnier-Talbot Émilie , Schindler Daniel E. , Schmid Martin , Shimaraeva Svetlana V. , Silow Eugene A. , Sitoki Lewis M. , Sommaruga Ruben , Straile Dietmar , Strock Kristin E. , Thiery Wim , Timofeyev Maxim A. , Verburg Piet , Vinebrooke Rolf D. , Weyhenmeyer Gesa A. , Zadereev Egor
Published: November 2020

Globally, lake surface water temperatures have warmed rapidly relative to air temperatures, but changes in deepwater temperatures and vertical thermal structure are still largely unknown. We have compiled the most comprehensive data set to date of long-term (1970–2009) summertime vertical temperature profiles in lakes across the world to examine trends and drivers of whole-lake vertical thermal structure. We found significant increases in surface water temperatures across lakes at an average rate of + 0.37 °C decade−1, comparable to changes reported previously for other lakes, and similarly consistent trends of increasing water column stability (+ 0.08 kg m−3decade−1). In contrast, however, deepwater temperature trends showed little change on average (+ 0.06 °C decade−1), but had high variability across lakes, with trends in individual lakes ranging from − 0.68 °C decade−1to + 0.65 °C decade−1. The variability in deepwater temperature trends was not explained by trends in either surface water temperatures or thermal stability within lakes, and only 8.4% was explained by lake thermal region or local lake characteristics in a random forest analysis. These findings suggest that external drivers beyond our tested lake characteristics are important in explaining long-term trends in thermal structure, such as local to regional climate patterns or additional external anthropogenic influences.
The cochlear ear horn: geometric origin of tonotopic variations in auditory signal processing
Authors: Altoè Alessandro , Shera Christopher A.
Published: November 2020

While separating sounds into frequency components and subsequently converting them into patterns of neural firing, the mammalian cochlea processes signal components in ways that depend strongly on frequency. Indeed, both the temporal structure of the response to transient stimuli and the sharpness of frequency tuning differ dramatically between the apical and basal (i.e., the low- and high-frequency) regions of the cochlea. Although the mechanisms that give rise to these pronounced differences remain incompletely understood, they are generally attributed to tonotopic variations in the constituent hair cells or cytoarchitecture of the organ of Corti. As counterpoint to this view, we present a general acoustic treatment of the horn-like geometry of the cochlea, accompanied by a simple 3-D model to elucidate the theoretical predictions. We show that the main apical/basal functional differences can be accounted for by the known spatial gradients of cochlear dimensions, without the need to invoke mechanical specializations of the sensory tissue. Furthermore, our analysis demonstrates that through its functional resemblance to an ear horn (aka ear trumpet), the geometry of the cochlear duct manifests tapering symmetry, a felicitous design principle that may have evolved not only to aid the analysis of natural sounds but to enhance the sensitivity of hearing.
Parity predicts biological age acceleration in post-menopausal, but not pre-menopausal, women
Authors: Shirazi Talia N. , Hastings Waylon J. , Rosinger Asher Y. , Ryan Calen P.
Published: November 2020

Understanding factors contributing to variation in ‘biological age’ is essential to understanding variation in susceptibility to disease and functional decline. One factor that could accelerate biological aging in women is reproduction. Pregnancy is characterized by extensive, energetically-costly changes across numerous physiological systems. These ‘costs of reproduction’ may accumulate with each pregnancy, accelerating biological aging. Despite evidence for costs of reproduction using molecular and demographic measures, it is unknown whether parity is linked to commonly-used clinical measures of biological aging. We use data collected between 1999 and 2010 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n = 4418) to test whether parity (number of live births) predicted four previously-validated composite measures of biological age and system integrity: Levine Method, homeostatic dysregulation, Klemera–Doubal method biological age, and allostatic load. Parity exhibited a U-shaped relationship with accelerated biological aging when controlling for chronological age, lifestyle, health-related, and demographic factors in post-menopausal, but not pre-menopausal, women, with biological age acceleration being lowest among post-menopausal women reporting between three and four live births. Our findings suggest a link between reproductive function and physiological dysregulation, and allude to possible compensatory mechanisms that buffer the effects of reproductive function on physiological dysregulation during a woman’s reproductive lifespan. Future work should continue to investigate links between parity, menopausal status, and biological age using targeted physiological measures and longitudinal studies.
Synaptic activity and strength are reflected by changes in the post-synaptic secretory pathway
Authors: Gürth Clara-Marie , Dankovich Tal M. , Rizzoli Silvio O. , D’Este Elisa
Published: November 2020

Neurons are highly asymmetric cells that span long distances and need to react promptly to local demands. Consequently, neuronal secretory pathway elements are distributed throughout neurites, specifically in post-synaptic compartments, to enable local protein synthesis and delivery. Whether and how changes in local synaptic activity correlate to post-synaptic secretory elements is still unclear. To assess this, we used STED nanoscopy and automated quantitative image analysis of post-synaptic markers of the endoplasmic reticulum, ER-Golgi intermediate compartment, trans-Golgi network, and spine apparatus. We found that the distribution of these proteins was dependent on pre-synaptic activity, measured as the amount of recycling vesicles. Moreover, their abundance correlated to both pre- and post-synaptic markers of synaptic strength. Overall, the results suggest that in small, low-activity synapses the secretory pathway components are tightly clustered in the synaptic area, presumably to enable rapid local responses, while bigger synapses utilise secretory machinery components from larger, more diffuse areas.
Arousal influences olfactory abilities in adults with different degree of food neophobia
Authors: Menghi Leonardo , Khomenko Iuliia , Pedrotti Michele , Cliceri Danny , Aprea Eugenio , Endrizzi Isabella , Cavazzana Annachiara , Biasioli Franco , Giacalone Davide , Gasperi Flavia
Published: November 2020

Food neophobia, i.e., the aversion to novel foods, and olfaction are both factors strongly affecting food choices. Mounting evidence suggests a higher arousal towards food as a key factor underlying the reluctance to eat what is unfamiliar to us. As the role of olfaction behind this phenomenon is poorly understood, we explored the associations between food neophobia and trait anxiety, olfactory functions (odor threshold, discrimination and identification) and retronasal aroma release from a reference food in a healthy cohort of 83 adult volunteers. We grouped participants in Low-Neophobics or neophilics (n = 35), Medium-Neophobics (n = 32) and High-Neophobics (n = 16) according to the widely recognized Food Neophobia Scale. Participants with higher neophobic tendencies were found to have marginally higher trait anxiety levels than neophilics (p = 0.10). A lower global olfactory functioning and odor discrimination abilities characterized High-Neophobics, while Medium-Neophobics showed a higher odor sensitiveness than Low-Neophobics. Lastly, High-Neophobics showed a lower extent of retronasal aroma release, likely due to a shorter duration of oral processing and higher anxiety-related physiological responses (such as breathing rate). In summary, this study supports the assumption that the conflicting relationship that neophobics have with food may be led by higher levels of arousal toward foods, rather than different chemosensory functions.
Automated measurement of long-term bower behaviors in Lake Malawi cichlids using depth sensing and action recognition
Authors: Johnson Zachary V. , Arrojwala Manu Tej Sharma , Aljapur Vineeth , Lee Tyrone , Lancaster Tucker J. , Lowder Mark C. , Gu Karen , Stockert Joseph I. , Lecesne Rachel L. , Moorman Jean M. , Streelman Jeffrey T. , McGrath Patrick T.
Published: November 2020

In the wild, behaviors are often expressed over long time periods in complex and dynamic environments, and many behaviors include direct interaction with the environment itself. However, measuring behavior in naturalistic settings is difficult, and this has limited progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying many naturally evolved behaviors that are critical for survival and reproduction. Here we describe an automated system for measuring long-term bower construction behaviors in Lake Malawi cichlid fishes, in which males use their mouths to sculpt sand into large species-specific structures for courtship and mating. We integrate two orthogonal methods, depth sensing and action recognition, to simultaneously track the developing bower structure and the thousands of individual sand manipulation behaviors performed throughout construction. By registering these two data streams, we show that behaviors can be topographically mapped onto a dynamic 3D sand surface through time. The system runs reliably in multiple species, across many aquariums simultaneously, and for up to weeks at a time. Using this system, we show strong differences in construction behavior and bower form that reflect species differences in nature, and we gain new insights into spatial, temporal, social dimensions of bower construction, feeding, and quivering behaviors. Taken together, our work highlights how low-cost tools can automatically quantify behavior in naturalistic and social environments over long timescales in the lab.
Depositional patterns constrained by slope topography changes on seamounts
Authors: Du Dewen , Yan Shijuan , Yang Gang , Shi Fengdeng , Zhu Zhiwei , Song Qinglei , Yang Fengli , Cui Yingchun , Shi Xuefa
Published: November 2020

Slope topography is known to control the spatial distribution of deposits on intraplate seamounts; however, relatively little is known about how slope topography changes constrain those depositional patterns. In this study, we analyse data on four lithotypes found on seamount slopes, including colloidal chemical deposits comprising mainly cobalt-rich crusts, and examine the relationships between the spatial distribution of these lithotypes and current slope topography. We use these relationships to discuss depositional patterns constrained by slope topography changes. Some depositional units in drill core samples are interpreted to have resulted from past topographic changes that created the current slope topography. Two or more types of deposits that accumulated at the same location implies that the slope topography changed over time and that the depositional patterns on seamount slopes are constrained by changes in slope topography.
Genomic selection for white spot syndrome virus resistance in whiteleg shrimp boosts survival under an experimental challenge test
Authors: Lillehammer Marie , Bangera Rama , Salazar Marcela , Vela Sergio , Erazo Edna C. , Suarez Andres , Cock James , Rye Morten , Robinson Nicholas Andrew
Published: November 2020

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) causes major worldwide losses in shrimp aquaculture. The development of resistant shrimp populations is an attractive option for management of the disease. However, heritability for WSSV resistance is generally low and genetic improvement by conventional selection has been slow. This study was designed to determine the power and accuracy of genomic selection to improve WSSV resistance in Litopenaeus vannamei. Shrimp were experimentally challenged with WSSV and resistance was evaluated as dead or alive (DOA) 23 days after infestation. All shrimp in the challenge test were genotyped for 18,643 single nucleotide polymorphisms. Breeding candidates (G0) were ranked on genomic breeding values for WSSV resistance. Two G1 populations were produced, one from G0 breeders with high and the other with low estimated breeding values. A third population was produced from “random” mating of parent stock. The average survival was 25% in the low, 38% in the random and 51% in the high-genomic breeding value groups. Genomic heritability for DOA (0.41 in G1) was high for this type of trait. The realised genetic gain and high heritability clearly demonstrates large potential for further genetic improvement of WSSV resistance in the evaluated L. vannamei population using genomic selection.
Functional characterisation of the transcriptome from leaf tissue of the fluoroacetate-producing plant, Dichapetalum cymosum, in response to mechanical wounding
Authors: Sooklal Selisha A. , Mpangase Phelelani T. , Tomescu Mihai-Silviu , Aron Shaun , Hazelhurst Scott , Archer Robert H. , Rumbold Karl
Published: November 2020

Dichapetalum cymosum produces the toxic fluorinated metabolite, fluoroacetate, presumably as a defence mechanism. Given the rarity of fluorinated metabolites in nature, the biosynthetic origin and function of fluoroacetate have been of particular interest. However, the mechanism for fluorination in D. cymosum was never elucidated. More importantly, there is a severe lack in knowledge on a genetic level for fluorometabolite-producing plants, impeding research on the subject. Here, we report on the first transcriptome for D. cymosum and investigate the wound response for insights into fluorometabolite production. Mechanical wounding studies were performed and libraries of the unwounded (control) and wounded (30 and 60 min post wounding) plant were sequenced using the Illumina HiSeq platform. A combined reference assembly generated 77,845 transcripts. Using the SwissProt, TrEMBL, GO, eggNOG, KEGG, Pfam, EC and PlantTFDB databases, a 69% annotation rate was achieved. Differential expression analysis revealed the regulation of 364 genes in response to wounding. The wound responses in D. cymosum included key mechanisms relating to signalling cascades, phytohormone regulation, transcription factors and defence-related secondary metabolites. However, the role of fluoroacetate in inducible wound responses remains unclear. Bacterial fluorinases were searched against the D. cymosum transcriptome but transcripts with homology were not detected suggesting the presence of a potentially different fluorinating enzyme in plants. Nevertheless, the transcriptome produced in this study significantly increases genetic resources available for D. cymosum and will assist with future research into fluorometabolite-producing plants.
c-Fos expression following context conditioning and deep brain stimulation in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in rats
Authors: Luyck Kelly , Scheyltjens Isabelle , Nuttin Bart , Arckens Lutgarde , Luyten Laura
Published: November 2020

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), a region implicated in the expression of anxiety, shows promise in psychiatric patients, but its effects throughout the limbic system are largely unknown. In male Wistar rats, we first evaluated the neural signature of contextual fear (N = 16) and next, of the anxiolytic effects of high-frequency electrical stimulation in the BST (N = 31), by means of c-Fos protein expression. In non-operated animals, we found that the left medial anterior BST displayed increased c-Fos expression in anxious (i.e., context-conditioned) versus control subjects. Moreover, control rats showed asymmetric expression in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) (i.e., higher intensities in the right hemisphere), which was absent in anxious animals. The predominant finding in rats receiving bilateral BST stimulation was a striking increase in c-Fos expression throughout much of the left hemisphere, which was not confined to the predefined regions of interest. To conclude, we found evidence for lateralized c-Fos expression during the expression of contextual fear and anxiolytic high-frequency electrical stimulation of the BST, particularly in the medial anterior BST and BLA. In addition, we observed an extensive and unexpected left-sided c-Fos spread following bilateral stimulation in the BST.