bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein H Genotypes in Different Samples from Chinese Children
Authors: Li Wei , Chen Lu-Yan , Tao Ran , Shang Shi-Qiang
Published: August 2021

Objective This study aimed to investigate characteristics of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein H (gH) genotypes in urine, throat swab, and serum from children and breast milk from children's mothers.

Methods Fresh urine samples, throat swabs, or serum samples from children and breast milk samples from children's mothers were collected for HCMV DNA detection. The positive samples of HCMV DNA were further detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with gH typing.

Results Of 1,703 HCMV DNA-positive samples, the highest proportion (83.3%, 85/102) of children aged between 21 days and 3 months was detected positive in breast milk samples (p = 0.002), and the highest proportion (70.5%, 110/156) of children aged above 3 months was detected positive in throat swab samples (p = 0.002). HCMV in throat swab specimens is mainly high copy (p < 0.0001), and low-copy HCMV is prevalent in breast specimens (p < 0.0001). Among them, 1,059 samples were identified as gH1 genotype, 530 samples were gH2, and 114 samples were coinfection (gH1/2). There had the highest gH2 rates (32.3%) and lowest gH1 (61.0%) rates in urine samples (p = 0.041), whereas the highest gH1 rates (71.6%) and lowest gH2 rates (19.6%) were found in breast milk samples (p = 0.032). Concerning age groups, patients aged between 21 days and 3 months had the highest gH1 proportion (p = 0.017), while patients aged above 3 months had the highest gH1 and gH2 HCMV coinfection proportion (p = 0.002). Among 43 pairs of maternal and child samples corresponding to positive samples, gH genotype of 35 pairs of samples was consistent with a rate of 81.4%.

Conclusion gH1 is the predominant genotype of HCMV in each kind of sample in China. However, the distribution of the HCMV gH genotype is different among different samples.
Postoperative Complications Associated with the Choice of Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer: An Outcome Analysis of 4,712 Patients from the ACS-NSQIP Database
Authors: Katsnelson Jacob Y. , Tyrell Richard , Karadsheh Murad J. , Manstein Ely , Egleston Brian , Deng Mengying , Baltodano Pablo A. , Shafqat M. Shuja , Patel Sameer A.
Published: August 2021

Background Microsurgical free flaps have largely supplanted pedicled flaps as the gold standard for head and neck cancer reconstruction. However, incidence of postoperative complications after accounting for patient comorbidities based on choice of reconstruction has not been well-defined in the literature in recent years.

Methods Patients undergoing head and neck reconstruction were identified in the 2011–2016 ACS-NSQIP (American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program) database and stratified into groups by free flap, myocutaneous pedicled flap, and other reconstruction. Demographics were analyzed and covariates balanced using overlap propensity score-based weighting. Logistic regression was used for binary outcomes and Gamma generalized linear model was used for length of stay.

Results A total of 4,712 patients met inclusion criteria out of which 1,297 patients (28%) underwent free flap, 208 patients (4%) pedicled flap, and 3,207 patients (68%) had other, or no reconstruction performed. After adjusting for patient and disease-specific factors, pedicled flap reconstruction was associated with a higher risk of deep vein thrombosis (odds ratio [OR] = 2.64, confidence interval [CI] 1.02–6.85, p = 0.045), sepsis (OR = 2.95, CI 1.52–5.71, p = 0.001), and infection (OR = 2.03, CI 1.39–2.96, p <0.001) compared with free flap reconstruction. Free flaps had the longest mean operative time compared with the other two groups (unadjusted 578 vs. 440 vs. 326, p <0.001). Pedicled flaps had a lower incidence of bleeding requiring transfusion (adjusted OR = 0.65, CI 0.50–0.85, p = 0.002), and lower incidence of prolonged mechanical ventilation (adjusted OR = 0.33, CI 0.12–0.92, p = 0.034) compared with free flaps. There was no difference in rates of reoperation, hospital readmission, or hospital length-of-stay between pedicled and free flaps.

Conclusion Myocutaneous pedicled flaps are associated with higher overall short-term postoperative complications compared with free flaps in head and neck reconstruction, which demonstrate a more favorable morbidity profile without significantly impacting hospital readmission, reoperation, or length-of-stay.
Atypical Case of Early-Onset Shapiro Syndrome: Diagnostic Approach and Therapeutic Challenges
Authors: Monjaras-Romo Alejandro , Villarreal Enrique G. , Diaz-Arizpe Oscar , Vazquez-Mena Jesus , Lozano-Lee Francisco , Tambasco Nicola
Published: August 2021

Shapiro syndrome (SS) is a rare disorder characterized by a triad of spontaneous periodic hypothermia, hyperhidrosis, and corpus callosum agenesis (CCA). Less than 80 cases have been reported so far. Its etiology and pathophysiology, however, are still unclear. In his original publication, Shapiro et al attributed these signs to dysregulation of encephalic pathways secondary to CCA. Nevertheless, since the syndrome was originally described, 19 patients have been reported with an intact corpus callosum, considering it a variant of the condition. In this article, we report the clinical outcome of a 20-month-old girl with SS without evidence of CCA, presenting an atypical onset in which sleep abnormalities were the most prominent complaints, with the classical episodic manifestations appearing afterward; the patient exhibited an optimal response to management with oxcarbazepine. To our understanding, this is fourth-youngest case ever reported of this SS variant, and the first to present sleep disturbances as the most prominent complaint.
Chloride Reduction Therapy with Furosemide: Short-Term Effects in Children with Acute Respiratory Failure
Authors: Nozawa Hisataka , Tsuboi Norihiko , Oi Tadashi , Takezawa Yoshiki , Osawa Ichiro , Nishimura Nao , Nakagawa Satoshi
Published: August 2021

From the perspective of the Stewart approach, it is known that expansion of the sodium chloride ion difference (SCD) induces alkalosis. We investigated the role of SCD expansion by furosemide-induced chloride reduction in pediatric patients with acute respiratory failure. We included patients admitted to our pediatric intensive care unit intubated for acute respiratory failure without underlying diseases, and excluded patients receiving extracorporeal circulation therapy (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and/or renal replacement therapy). We classified eligible patients into the following two groups: case—those intubated who received furosemide within 24 hours, and control—those intubated who did not receive furosemide within 48 hours. Primary outcomes included SCD, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), and pH results from arterial blood gas samples obtained over 48 hours following intubation. Multiple regression analysis was also performed to evaluate the effects of SCD and PaCO2 changes on pH. Twenty-six patients were included of which 13 patients were assigned to each of the two groups. A total of 215 gas samples were analyzed. SCD (median [mEq/L] [interquartile range]) 48 hours after intubation significantly increased in the case group compared with the control group (37 [33–38] vs. 31 [30–34]; p = 0.005). Although hypercapnia persisted in the case group, the pH (median [interquartile range]) remained unchanged in both groups (7.454 [7.420–7.467] vs. 7.425 [7.421–7.436]; p = 0.089). SCD and PaCO2 were independently associated with pH (p < 0.001 for each regression coefficient). As a result, we provide evidence that SCD expansion with furosemide may be useful in maintaining pH within the normal range in pediatric patients with acute respiratory failure complicated by concurrent metabolic acidosis.
School-Age Outcome of Fetuses with Isolated Complete Septum Pellucidum Agenesis at Prenatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Righini Andrea , Izzo Giana , Doneda Chiara , Scelsa Barbara , Parazzini Cecilia
Published: August 2021

Objective To the best of our knowledge, there have not been studies to address the issue of long-term follow-up of patients with prenatal diagnosis of isolated complete septum pellucidum agenesis (SPA). The aim of this study was to acquire information about the school-age outcome of such patients as a resource for counseling parents receiving this prenatal finding.

Methods From a large fetal magnetic resonance (MR) database, we selected only those cases with isolated complete SPA as confirmed by two senior pediatric neuroradiologists in consensus; we then gathered information from the parents of those children who had reached the school age.

Results None among the 12 cases (mean age at follow-up: 8.7 years, range: 6–13 year) of the resulting final cohort presented visual or stature deficits; only one required special teaching assistance in school. All other 11 children resulted without any notable academic issue.

Conclusion Our report may provide information of practical value about the school-age outcome of fetuses detected by prenatal MR imaging to carry isolated complete SPA.
Circular law for random block band matrices with genuinely sublinear bandwidth
Authors: Jain Vishesh , Jana Indrajit , Luh Kyle , O’Rourke Sean
Published: August 2021

We prove the circular law for a class of non-Hermitian random block band matrices with genuinely sublinear bandwidth. Namely, we show that there exists τ ∈ (0, 1) so that if the bandwidth of the matrix X is at least n1−τ and the nonzero entries are iid random variables with mean zero and slightly more than four finite moments, then the limiting empirical eigenvalue distribution of X, when properly normalized, converges in probability to the uniform distribution on the unit disk in the complex plane. The key technical result is a least singular value bound for shifted random band block matrices with genuinely sublinear bandwidth, which improves on a result of Cook [Ann. Probab. 46, 3442 (2018)] in the band matrix setting.
Graphene probe to explore the surface polarization in SrTiO3 without damage
Authors: Yue Heng , Hu Anqi , Liu Qiaoli , Guo Xia
Published: August 2021

Graphene is utilized as a sensitive probe to explore the surface polarization phenomenon in SrTiO3 in this work. A ferroelectric-like hysteresis effect induced by the external electric field stimuli as well as a pyroelectric effect caused by the light stimuli is observed and discussed through the quasi-static/transient evolution of graphene current at a constant bias voltage. The existence of electric dipoles at the surface of SrTiO3 is confirmed. Dipoles are dependent on the external electric field, and there is an electric field induced remanent polarization after high electric field treatment. The pyroelectric phenomenon caused by the light illumination indicates that the electric dipoles naturally exist at the SrTiO3 surface even though there is no external electric field.
Spectral control of high order harmonics through non-linear propagation effects
Authors: Hussain M. , Kaassamani S. , Auguste T. , Boutu W. , Gauthier D. , Kholodtsova M. , Gomes J.-T. , Lavoute L. , Gaponov D. , Ducros N. , Fevrier S. , Nicolas R. , Imran T. , Zeitoun P. , Williams G. O. , Fajardo M. , Merdji H.
Published: August 2021

High harmonic generation (HHG) in crystals has revealed a wealth of perspectives such as all-optical mapping of the electronic band structure, ultrafast quantum information, and the creation of all-solid-state attosecond sources. Significant efforts have been made to understand the microscopic aspects of HHG in crystals, whereas the macroscopic effects, such as non-linear propagation of the driving pulse and its impact on the HHG process, are often overlooked. In this work, we study macroscopic effects by comparing two materials with distinct optical properties, silicon (Si) and zinc oxide (ZnO). By scanning the focal position of 85 fs duration and 2.123 μm wavelength pulses inside the crystals, (Z-scan) we reveal spectral shifts in the generated harmonics. We interpret the overall blueshift of the emitted harmonic spectrum as an imprint of the spectral modulation of the driving field on the high harmonics. This process is supported with numerical simulations. This study demonstrates that through manipulation of the fundamental driving field through non-linear propagation effects, precise control of the emitted HHG spectrum in solids can be realized. This method could offer a robust way to tailor HHG spectra for a range of applications.
Effect of metamaterial engineering on the superconductive properties of ultrathin layers of NbTiN
Authors: Smolyaninova Vera N. , Korzi William , Yong Grace , Valente-Feliciano Anne-Marie , Beverstock David R. , Prestigiacomo Joseph C. , Osofsky Michael S. , Smolyaninov Igor I.
Published: August 2021

The electronic transport and optical properties of high quality multilayers of NbTiN/AlN with ultrathin NbTiN layers were characterized. The anisotropy of the dielectric function of the multilayers confirmed their hyperbolic metamaterial properties. The superconductive transition temperature, Tc, of these engineered superconductors was enhanced up to 32% compared to the Tc of a single ultrathin NbTiN layer while the resistivity per NbTiN layer remained unchanged. We have demonstrated that this Tc increase can be attributed to enhanced electron–electron interaction in superconducting hyperbolic metamaterials. The measured critical fields are high and have an anomalous temperature dependence on the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. These results demonstrate that the metamaterial engineering approach can be used to enhance Hc2.
A microwell array-based approach for studying single nanoparticle catalysis with high turnover frequency
Authors: Gao Jia , Su Hua , Wang Wei
Published: August 2021

Measuring the catalytical activities of single catalysts in the case of high turnover frequency (TOF, realistic conditions) is highly desirable to accurately evaluate the functional heterogeneities among individuals and to understand the catalytic mechanism. Herein, we report a microwell array-based method to in operando measure the photocatalytic kinetics of single CdS nanoparticles (NPs) with high TOF. This was realized by sealing individual CdS NPs into separated micrometer-sized polydimethylsiloxane wells, thus eliminating the diffusion of products among individuals in the case of high concentration of reactants. This method allowed us to monitor the activities of single catalysts with an average TOF up to 2.1 × 105 s−1. Interestingly, two types of catalytical behaviors were revealed during single CdS photocatalysis: a rapid decline in activity for most CdS NPs and an initial increase in activity followed by a decrease for a minor population of individuals. The developed method will facilitate the investigation of catalytic activities of single particles under realistic conditions and hold great potential in the fields of photo/electro-catalysts, enzymes, functional bacteria, and so on.
Chiral propulsion: The method of effective boundary conditions
Authors: Korneev Leonid A. , Kharzeev Dmitri E. , Abanov Alexandre G.
Published: August 2021

We propose to apply an “effective boundary condition” method to the problem of chiral propulsion. For the case of a rotating helix moving through a fluid at a low Reynolds number, the method amounts to replacing the original helix (in the limit of small pitch) by a cylinder, but with a special kind of partial slip boundary conditions replacing the non-slip boundary conditions on the original helix. These boundary conditions are constructed to reproduce far-field velocities of the original problem and are defined by a few parameters (slipping lengths) that can be extracted from a problem in planar rather than cylindrical geometry. We derive the chiral propulsion coefficients for spirals, helicoids, helically modulated cylinders and some of their generalizations using the introduced method. In the case of spirals, we compare our results with the ones derived by Lighthill and find a very good agreement. The proposed method is general and can be applied to any helical shape in the limit of a small pitch. We have established that for a broad class of helical surfaces the dependence of the chiral propulsion on the helical angle θ is universal, χ∼ cos θ sin 2θ with the maximal propulsion achieved at the universal angle θm=tan−1(1/2)≈35.26°.
Structural and short-time vibrational properties of colloidal glasses and supercooled liquids in the vicinity of the re-entrant glass transition
Authors: Ma Xiaoguang , Mishra Chandan K. , Habdas P. , Yodh A. G.
Published: August 2021

We investigate the short-time vibrational properties and structure of two-dimensional, bidisperse, colloidal glasses and supercooled liquids in the vicinity of the re-entrant glass transition, as a function of interparticle depletion attraction strength. The long-time spatiotemporal dynamics of the samples are measured to be non-monotonic, confirming that the suspensions evolve from repulsive glass to supercooled liquid to attractive glass with increasing depletion attraction. Here, we search for vibrational signatures of the re-entrant behavior in the short-time spatiotemporal dynamics, i.e., dynamics associated with particle motion inside its nearest-neighbor cage. Interestingly, we observe that the anharmonicity of these in-cage vibrations varies non-monotonically with increasing attraction strength, consistent with the non-monotonic long-time structural relaxation dynamics of the re-entrant glass. We also extract effective spring constants between neighboring particles; we find that spring stiffness involving small particles also varies non-monotonically with increasing attraction strength, while stiffness between large particles increases monotonically. Last, from study of depletion-dependent local structure and vibration participation fractions, we gain microscopic insight into the particle-size-dependent contributions to short-time vibrational modes in the glass and supercooled liquid states.
Irreversibilities in natural convection inside a right-angled trapezoidal cavity with sinusoidal wall temperature
Authors: Khan Zafar Hayat , Khan Waqar Ahmad , Sheremet M. A. , Hamid Muhammad , Du Min
Published: August 2021

Analysis on natural convective heat transfer in different engineering systems allows optimization of the technical apparatus. For this purpose, numerical simulation of the fluid flow and heat transport within the system is combined with study of entropy generation. The latter is very important considering the Gouy–Stodola theorem of thermodynamics. The present research deals with the mathematical modeling of thermal convection and entropy generation in a right-angled trapezoidal cavity under the influence of sinusoidal vertical wall temperature distribution. Control Oberbeck–Galerkin finite element technique has solved Boussinesq equations formulated using the non-dimensional primitive variables. Analyses of flow structures, thermal and entropy generation patterns for different values of the Rayleigh number, and parameters of non-uniform wall temperature were performed. It was found that a rise in the sinusoidal wall temperature amplitude increases the average Nusselt and Bejan numbers and average entropy generation. Moreover, growth in the non-uniform wall temperature wave number decreases the energy transport strength and Bejan number.
Analytic solutions of the variable force effect in lattice Boltzmann methods for Poiseuille flows
Authors: Chang Hung-Wen , Garg Anshul , Lin Chao-An
Published: August 2021

Various external forcing formulations of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) are analyzed by deriving the analytic solutions of the fully developed Poiseuille flows with and without the porous wall. For uniform driving force, all the forcing formulations recover the second-order accurate discretized Navier–Stokes equation. However, the analytic solutions show that extra force gradients arise due to variable force, and this form differs from the analysis using Chapman–Enskog expansion. It is possible to remove these extra terms of single relaxation time (SRT) LBM using specific relaxation time depending on the force formulation adopted. However, this limits the broader applicability of the SRT LBM. Moreover, the multiple-relaxation-time LBM may provide an option to remove the variable-force gradient term benefiting from separating relaxation parameters for each moment.
A new Indo-Malayan family of Grassatores (Arachnida : Opiliones : Laniatores)
Authors: Kury Adriano B. , Pérez-González Abel , Proud Daniel N.
Published: August 2021

The laniatorean family Phalangodidae has been largely reduced to a core of Holarctic species; however, many taxa were never formally transferred to other families. We examined a group of harvestmen related to Beloniscus Thorell, 1891, from South-east Asia and determined the nature of the relationships of the ‘Beloniscus-like harvestmen’, herein described as the new family Beloniscidae, fam. nov., in the broad context of Laniatores. Based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of a broad representative laniatorean Sanger-sequences dataset we found support for our taxonomic hypotheses that (1) inclusion of Beloniscidae, fam. nov. in Phalangodidae would render the family non-monophyletic, and (2) Beloniscidae, fam. nov. represents a lineage that is morphologically and genetically distinct from all other known laniatorean families. The new family Beloniscidae is endemic to South-east Asia and comprises 37 species in two new subfamilies: Beloniscinae, subfam. nov. and Buparinae, subfam. nov. Beloniscinae includes the genera Beloniscellus Roewer, 1931, Beloniscops Roewer, 1949, Belonisculus Roewer, 1923, Beloniscus (type genus) and Kendengus Roewer, 1949. Buparinae includes the genera Buparellus Roewer, 1949, Bupares Thorell, 1889 (type genus) and Buparomma Roewer, 1949. Members of Beloniscidae are relatively homogeneous in their external morphology, but are recognised by well marked genitalic features. Male genitalia are described for exemplar species, and the morphology is compared with that of Epedanidae. Names are given to two new genitalic structures: sella curulis and pseudocalyx. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:540BCE49-6F2E-4372-BFD4-D3C6068F045D http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:FE8B011B-AA6D-4E6C-A321-123542A0563F http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:E4A559CD-170A-40F2-924A-541C22974344
Sex, drugs and rock iguanas: testicular dynamics and plasma testosterone concentrations could predict optimal semen collection times in
Authors: Perry Sean M. , Park Ty , Mitchell Mark A.
Published: August 2021

Iguanas are the most endangered family of reptiles, with 77% categorised as threatened or near threatened. Further, Cyclura is the most endangered reptile genus, with all 12 species considered threatened. Therefore, it is vital that we develop assisted reproductive technologies for Cyclura spp. to enhance their conservation efforts. The goals of this study were to collect semen, and to measure testicle size and testosterone concentrations in Grand Cayman rock iguana hybrids (Cyclura lewisi × nubila (CLN)) and rhinoceros rock iguanas (Cyclura cornuta (CC)). A prospective longitudinal study was performed in 9.0 CLN and 9.0 CC during their reproductive season in southern Florida (February–July). Serial testicle ultrasound measurements and plasma testosterone concentrations were collected monthly. Testicle measurements (length (L), width (W), height (H)) were collected and testicle volume (V) was estimated using the equation V = 0.52(LW2). There were significant differences in testicle L, W, H and V for both species. Testicle size peaked for CLN and CC in April and May respectively. Plasma testosterone concentrations increased from baseline during February, March and April in CLN and in March, April and May in CC. Ultrasound testicle measurements could be used to predict when to collect semen in these seasonally monocyclic iguanas.
Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Chinese international students studying abroad (in Australia, the UK and the US): a scoping review
Authors: Mundie Arabella , Lazarou Mattea , Mullens Amy B. , Gu Zhihong , Dean Judith A.
Published: August 2021

International students within Australia are disproportionately affected by adverse sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes. Chinese international students represent the majority of international students in Australia, and a large proportion of students in other high-income countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, making them an important priority group. However, the SRH issues of this priority group have received little attention from international researchers. This review provides an overview of global studies surrounding the SRH knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Chinese international students studying abroad. Ten articles were deemed relevant and findings from both the qualitative and quantitative data synthesis were categorised into six codes: (1) knowledge; (2) sources of information; (3) attitudes; (4) behaviours; (5) barriers; and (6) recommendations. The findings provide valuable understanding to inform the development of targeted, culturally sensitive and inclusive health promotion initiatives and policies. It is recommended that further research is conducted in this field to reduce evident health disparities.
Intensity of the Earth's magnetic field: Evidence for a Mid-Paleozoic dipole low
Authors: Hawkins Louise M. A. , Grappone J. Michael , Sprain Courtney J. , Saengduean Patipan , Sage Edward J. , Thomas-Cunningham Sheikerra , Kugabalan Banusha , Biggin Andrew J.
Published: August 2021

Significance

Variations in past geomagnetic field strength are important indicators of variation in deep Earth processes over hundreds of millions of years. Most other geophysical methods only provide a snapshot of the Earth’s recent interior, and deep Earth materials are poorly represented in the geological record. Recent measurements from Scotland (Northern United Kingdom), in addition to the existing datasets, show the field was relatively weak (less than half the strength of the long-term average field) for tens of millions of years between 332 and 416 Ma. The similarities between this and a later period of low field strength provide further evidence for a ∼200-My cycle linked to deep Earth processes.
Parallel hippocampal-parietal circuits for self- and goal-oriented processing
Authors: Zheng Annie , Montez David F. , Marek Scott , Gilmore Adrian W. , Newbold Dillan J. , Laumann Timothy O. , Kay Benjamin P. , Seider Nicole A. , Van Andrew N. , Hampton Jacqueline M. , Alexopoulos Dimitrios , Schlaggar Bradley L. , Sylvester Chad M. , Greene Deanna J. , Shimony Joshua S. , Nelson Steven M. , Wig Gagan S. , Gratton Caterina , McDermott Kathleen B. , Raichle Marcus E. , Gordon Evan M. , Dosenbach Nico U. F.
Published: August 2021

Significance

The finding that human hippocampal-cortical functional connectivity is nonunitary, separated along functional network borders (default mode network [DMN], self-oriented; parietal memory network [PMN], goal-oriented) in the anterior–posterior axis, raises various possibilities as to why this organization might be beneficial and could inform updates to current models of human hippocampal function, memory, and the self.
Engineering genetic devices for in vivo control of therapeutic T cell activity triggered by the dietary molecule resveratrol
Authors: Yang Linfeng , Yin Jianli , Wu Jiali , Qiao Longliang , Zhao Evan M. , Cai Fengfeng , Ye Haifeng
Published: August 2021

Significance

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)–engineered T cell therapies have shown tremendous success in the clinic, but excessive cytotoxic activity and poor control over engineered T cells limit the application of CAR-T therapies. Here we have developed resveratrol (RES)–triggered regulation devices (on/off) that could be installed into CAR-T cells, which allow precise control over T cell activity through adjustment of RES dosage. We further demonstrated RES-inducible/repressible CAR expression and reversible control over T cell activation via a RES-titratable mechanism. Our results reveal that RES
ind
-CAR T cells can be dose-dependently activated by RES with strong anticancer cytotoxicity. Our RES-controlled systems establish proof of concept for strategies to control cancer immunotherapies based on the RES-regulated repression/induction of therapeutic immune cells.
Poor data stewardship will hinder global genetic diversity surveillance
Authors: Toczydlowski Rachel H. , Liggins Libby , Gaither Michelle R. , Anderson Tanner J. , Barton Randi L. , Berg Justin T. , Beskid Sofia G. , Davis Beth , Delgado Alonso , Farrell Emily , Ghoojaei Maryam , Himmelsbach Nan , Holmes Ann E. , Queeno Samantha R. , Trinh Thienthanh , Weyand Courtney A. , Bradburd Gideon S. , Riginos Cynthia , Toonen Robert J. , Crandall Eric D.
Published: August 2021

Genomic data are being produced and archived at a prodigious rate, and current studies could become historical baselines for future global genetic diversity analyses and monitoring programs. However, when we evaluated the potential utility of genomic data from wild and domesticated eukaryote species in the world’s largest genomic data repository, we found that most archived genomic datasets (87%) lacked the spatiotemporal metadata necessary for genetic biodiversity surveillance. Labor-intensive scouring of a subset of published papers yielded geospatial coordinates and collection years for only 39% (51% if place names were considered) of these genomic datasets. Streamlined data input processes, updated metadata deposition policies, and enhanced scientific community awareness are urgently needed to preserve these irreplaceable records of today’s genetic biodiversity and to plug the growing metadata gap.
Salience and shift in salience as means of creating discourse coherence
Authors: Hannß Katja
Published: August 2021

The Chipaya language, an endangered isolate of the Bolivian highlands, has a set of three enclitics, =l, =mand =ʐ, which are coreferential with the subject of a clause but are not necessarily attached to it and are not obligatory. In this paper, I investigate the pragmatic function of these forms. The salience-marking enclitics (henceforth SMEs) occur at paratactic and hypotactic discourse transitions, where they indicate a shift in salience, thereby contributing to creating discourse coherence. Discourse transitions without a shift in salience are not accompanied by the enclitics. Those enclitics that occur at paratactic transitions have scope over at least the segment whose beginning and/or end they occur in, whereas SMEs at hypotactic transitions have scope over the clause they appear in. Use of the SMEs is genre-specific.
(Dis-)Empowerment in context: a proto-evaluative perspective on welfare reform agendas and their impact, North-West and South
Authors: Bode Ingo , Moro Giuseppe
Published: August 2021

This article, inspired by the epistemology of critical realism and its approach to assessing social and institutional change, elaborates on the impact of past welfare reform agendas in Europe, taking Italy and Germany as examples. Reading welfare state change through the lens of the concept of empowerment, it argues that such agendas should be studied by considering the nexus of different (coinciding) policies, the transformation of organisational settlements, and the reforms’ fit with encultured social expectations. Illustrating how a reform agenda containing a potential to enhance self-determination in the area of work and family life may simultaneously contribute to disempowerment, the article shows how a multidimensional ‘proto-evaluative’ endeavour may help develop a more holistic understanding of past welfare state change up to the outbreak of the Corona19 pandemic.
Membrane-bound SCF and VCAM-1 synergistically regulate the morphology of hematopoietic stem cells
Authors: Hao Jia , Zhou Hao , Nemes Kristen , Yen Daniel , Zhao Winfield , Bramlett Charles , Wang Bowen , Lu Rong , Shen Keyue
Published: August 2021

Membrane-bound factors expressed by niche stromal cells constitute a unique class of localized cues and regulate the long-term functions of adult stem cells, yet little is known about the underlying mechanisms. Here, we used a supported lipid bilayer (SLB) to recapitulate the membrane-bound interactions between hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and niche stromal cells. HSCs cluster membrane-bound stem cell factor (mSCF) at the HSC-SLB interface. They further form a polarized morphology with aggregated mSCF under a large protrusion through a synergy with VCAM-1 on the bilayer, which drastically enhances HSC adhesion. These features are unique to mSCF and HSCs among the factors and hematopoietic populations we examined. The mSCF–VCAM-1 synergy and the polarized HSC morphology require PI3K signaling and cytoskeletal reorganization. The synergy also enhances nuclear retention of FOXO3a, a crucial factor for HSC maintenance, and minimizes its loss induced by soluble SCF. Our work thus reveals a unique role and signaling mechanism of membrane-bound factors in regulating stem cell morphology and function.
The germinal center reaction depends on RNA methylation and divergent functions of specific methyl readers
Authors: Grenov Amalie C. , Moss Lihee , Edelheit Sarit , Cordiner Ross , Schmiedel Dominik , Biram Adi , Hanna Jacob H. , Jensen Torben Heick , Schwartz Schraga , Shulman Ziv
Published: August 2021

Long-lasting immunity depends on the generation of protective antibodies through the germinal center (GC) reaction. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of mRNAs by METTL3 activity modulates transcript lifetime primarily through the function of m6A readers; however, the physiological role of this molecular machinery in the GC remains unknown. Here, we show that m6A modifications by METTL3 are required for GC maintenance through the differential functions of m6A readers. Mettl3-deficient GC B cells exhibited reduced cell-cycle progression and decreased expression of proliferation- and oxidative phosphorylation–related genes. The m6A binder, IGF2BP3, was required for stabilization of Myc mRNA and expression of its target genes, whereas the m6A reader, YTHDF2, indirectly regulated the expression of the oxidative phosphorylation gene program. Our findings demonstrate how two independent gene networks that support critical GC functions are modulated by m6A through distinct mRNA binders.
A pendulum with a broken cylindrical symmetry: normal modes and beats
Authors: Dolfo Gilles , Vigué Jacques
Published: August 2021

A pendulum, which has the cylindrical symmetry around its suspension wire, has two degenerate normal modes. We break this symmetry by putting a small magnet in the pendulum body and by running the pendulum in the presence of an inhomogeneous magnetic field. The force due to the magnetic field gradient modifies the equilibrium position and the spatial derivatives of this force define the normal modes of the pendulum with two different oscillation frequencies. We describe this system theoretically and we test these results by a series of experiments. This system provides a classical analogue of the degenerate perturbation theory in quantum mechanics.
Superconducting properties of commercial REBCO-coated conductors with artificial pinning centers
Authors: Tsuchiya Kiyosumi , Wang Xudong , Fujita Shinji , Ichinose Ataru , Yamada Kyohei , Terashima Akio , Kikuchi Akihiro
Published: August 2021

Over the last 20 years, technologies for manufacturing rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO)-coated conductors have undergone a steady development. Currently, the properties of these conductors are reasonably stable owing to the intensive efforts of the manufacturers. However, for high-field magnet applications, such as the magnets used in nuclear magnetic resonance instruments, accelerators, and fusion reactors, further enhancements in the current-carrying capabilities and/or the current densities of the conductors under a high magnetic field are necessary. Recently, several conductors doped with artificial pinning centers (APCs) have become commercially available, primarily from four manufacturers: Fujikura, Shanghai ST, SuperOx, and SuperPower. In this study, we characterized these relatively new conductors from the viewpoint of a magnet designer. We measured the critical currents (I
c) of full-size 4 mm wide conductors in a wide field range at 4.2 K and 77 K; we also measured the critical temperatures. The measurement results showed that the I
c values at 4.2 K under perpendicular fields for these conductors are significantly greater than those of non-APC conductors; for the 4 mm wide conductors, the I
c values are in the range of 300–740 A and 450–1000 A at 18 T and 12 T, respectively. Furthermore, we clarified that the non-Cu current density (J
c) at 4.2 K for some of the investigated conductors is more than twice the J
c of the recent Nb3Sn conductors in fields exceeding 15 T. In the investigated commercial REBCO-APC conductors, the highest layer J
c of ∼60 kA mm−2 (at 18 T and 4.2 K) was noted. We also investigated the I
c–B relationship at 4.2 K for the recent REBCO-APC conductors.
Bifurcation and dynamics in double-delayed Chua circuits with periodic perturbation
Authors: Yang Wenjie
Published: August 2021

Rank-1 attractors play a vital role in biological systems and the circuit systems. In this paper, we consider a periodically kicked Chua model with two delays in a circuit system. We first analyze the local stability of the equilibria of the Chua system and obtain the existence conditions of supercritical Hopf bifurcations. Then, we derive some explicit formulas about Hopf bifurcation, which could help us find the form of Hopf bifurcation and the stability of bifurcating period solutions through the Hassards method. Also, we show that rank-1 chaos occurs when the Chua model with two delays undergoes a supercritical Hopf bifurcation and encounters a periodic kick, which shows the effect of two delays on the circuit system. Finally, we illustrate the theoretical analysis by simulations and try to explain the mechanism of delay in our system.
Mode characteristics of nested eccentric waveguides constructed by two cylindrical nanowires coated with graphene
Authors: Liu Ji , Yu Lixia , Xue Wenrui
Published: August 2021

A kind of nested eccentric waveguide constructed with two cylindrical nanowires coated with graphene was designed. The mode characteristics of this waveguide were studied using the multipole method. It was found that the three lowest modes (mode 0, mode 1 and mode 2) can be combined by the zero-order mode or/and the first-order modes of two single nanowires. Mode 0 has a higher figure of merit and the best performance among these modes within the parameter range of interest. The mode characteristics can be adjusted by changing the parameters of the waveguide. For example, the propagation length will be increased when the operating wavelength, the minimum spacing between the inner and outer cylinders, the inner cylinder radius and the Fermi energy are increased. However, when the outer cylinder radius, the dielectric constants of region I, or the dielectric constants of region III are increased, the opposite effect can be seen. These results are consistent with the results obtained using the finite element method (FEM). The waveguide structure designed in this paper is easy to fabricate and can be applied to the field of micro/nano sensing.
Solid-liquid transition induced by the anisotropic diffusion of colloidal particles
Authors: Lin Fu-Jun , Liao Jing-Jing , Wu Jian-Chun , Ai Bao-Quan
Published: August 2021

We numerically study the phase behaviors of colloids with anisotropic diffusion in two dimensions. It is found that the diffusion anisotropy of colloidal particles plays an important role in the phase transitions. A strong diffusion anisotropy induces the large vibration of particles, subsequently, the system goes into a disordered state. In the presence of the strong-coupling, particles with weak diffusion anisotropy can freeze into hexagonal crystals. Thus, there exists a solid-liquid transition. With the degree of diffusion anisotropy increasing, the transition points are shifted to the stronger-coupled region. A competition between the degree of diffusion anisotropy and coupling strength widens the transition region where the heterogeneous structures coexist, which results in a broad-peak probability distribution curve for the local order parameter. Our study may be helpful for the experiments related to the phase behavior in statistical physics, materials science and biophysical systems.
A low-cost invasive microwave ablation antenna with a directional heating pattern
Authors: Wen Zhang , Lin Xian-Qi , Li Chen-Nan , Fan Yu-Lu
Published: August 2021

Microwave ablation (MWA) is a cancer treatment method. The tumor tissue absorbs electromagnetic energy, which heats and kills it. A microwave ablation antenna plays a critical role in this process. Its radiation field must completely cover the tumor but not the healthy tissue. At present, the radiation pattern of most invasive ablation antennas is spherical. However, in the clinic, the shape of some tumors may be asymmetrical or the antenna cannot be inserted into the center of the tumor for some other reason. In order to solve these problems, a directional heating antenna for microwave ablation is proposed in this paper. The proposed antenna, operating at 2.45 GHz, consists of a monopole and a reflector. The feed is given by a substrate integrated coaxial line (SICL) and coplanar waveguide (CPW). The omnidirectional radiation field of the monopole is reflected by a reflector that is extended from the outer conductors of the SICL to form a directional radiation field. The impedance matching network is designed on SICL to match the antenna to 50 Ω. The antenna is fabricated using a mature printed circuit board (PCB). The reflection coefficient of the antenna in porcine liver tissue measured by a vector network analyzer shows good agreement with the simulations. Then, an ablation experiment in porcine liver is conducted with power of 10 W for 10 min, and the experimental results confirm the validity of the design.
Optical wavelet-fractional squeezing combinatorial transform
Authors: Lv Cui-Hong , Cai Ying , Jin Nan , Huang Nan
Published: August 2021

By virtue of the method of integration within ordered product (IWOP) of operators we find the normally ordered form of the optical wavelet-fractional squeezing combinatorial transform (WFrST) operator. The way we successfully combine them to realize the integration transform kernel of WFrST is making full use of the completeness relation of Diracʼs ket–bra representation. The WFrST can play role in analyzing and recognizing quantum states, for instance, we apply this new transform to identify the vacuum state, the single-particle state, and their superposition state.
Embedding any desired number of coexisting attractors in memristive system*
Authors: Li Chunbiao , Wang Ran , Ma Xu , Jiang Yicheng , Liu Zuohua
Published: August 2021

A simple variable-boostable system is selected as the structure for hosting an arbitrarily defined memristor for chaos producing. The derived three-dimensional (3-D) memristive chaotic system shows its distinct property of offset, amplitude and frequency control. Owing its merits any desired number of coexisting attractors are embedded by means of attractor doubling and self-reproducing based on function-oriented offset boosting. In this circumstance two classes of control gates are found: one determines the number of coexisting attractors resorting to the independent offset controller whil the other is the initial condition selecting any one of them. Circuit simulation gives a consistent output with theoretically predicted embedded attractors.
Atomic and electronic structures of p-type dopants in 4H-SiC
Authors: Lu Lingyan , Zhang Han , Wu Xiaowei , Shi Jing , Sun Yi-Yang
Published: August 2021

Using hybrid density functional calculation, we study the atomic and electronic structures of p-type dopants, B, Al and Ga, in 4H-SiC. For B, depending on the growth condition, it can occupy both Si and C sites. In contrast, Al and Ga on the C sites exhibit too high formation energy to exist in a significant amount. In 4H-SiC, there exist two types of Si sites in wurtzite-like and zincblende-like local coordination, respectively. Our calculations suggest that the dopant atoms have negligible preference occupying the two sites. In neutral charge state, all the dopants exhibit significant distortions from the structure in the negatively charged state. For most cases, our calculations yield three distorted structures, in which the most stable one has the dopant atom displaced along its bond with one of the surrounding equatorial Si or C atoms, lowering the C
3v
symmetry to Cs
symmetry (i.e., a mirror symmetry only). Among the three dopant elements, Al on Si sites exhibits overall the lowest formation energy and the shallowest acceptor level. Nevertheless, it is not a hydrogenic dopant with the acceptor level 0.12 eV above the valence band maximum based on calculation using a 400-atom supercell. Its corresponding defect state exhibits apparent localization along the [0001] direction, but it is relatively delocalized in the (0001) plane.
Carbon-based neural electrodes: promises and challenges
Authors: Devi Mamta , Vomero Maria , Fuhrer Erwin , Castagnola Elisa , Gueli Calogero , Nimbalkar Surabhi , Hirabayashi Mieko , Kassegne Sam , Stieglitz Thomas , Sharma Swati
Published: August 2021

Neural electrodes are primary functional elements of neuroelectronic devices designed to record neural activity based on electrochemical signals. These electrodes may also be utilized for electrically stimulating the neural cells, such that their response can be simultaneously recorded. In addition to being medically safe, the electrode material should be electrically conductive and electrochemically stable under harsh biological environments. Mechanical flexibility and conformability, resistance to crack formation and compatibility with common microfabrication techniques are equally desirable properties. Traditionally, (noble) metals have been the preferred for neural electrode applications due to their proven biosafety and a relatively high electrical conductivity. Carbon is a recent addition to this list, which is far superior in terms of its electrochemical stability and corrosion resistance. Carbon has also enabled 3D electrode fabrication as opposed to the thin-film based 2D structures. One of carbon’s peculiar aspects is its availability in a wide range of allotropes with specialized properties that render it highly versatile. These variations, however, also make it difficult to understand carbon itself as a unique material, and thus, each allotrope is often regarded independently. Some carbon types have already shown promising results in bioelectronic medicine, while many others remain potential candidates. In this topical review, we first provide a broad overview of the neuroelectronic devices and the basic requirements of an electrode material. We subsequently discuss the carbon family of materials and their properties that are useful in neural applications. Examples of devices fabricated using bulk and nano carbon materials are reviewed and critically compared. We then summarize the challenges, future prospects and next-generation carbon technology that can be helpful in the field of neural sciences. The article aims at providing a common platform to neuroscientists, electrochemists, biologists, microsystems engineers and carbon scientists to enable active and comprehensive efforts directed towards carbon-based neuroelectronic device fabrication.