bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Advanced Quantitative Spine Imaging
Authors: Griffith James F.
Published: September 2020

Although advanced quantitative imaging may not be currently used to any degree in the routine reporting of spinal examinations, this situation will change in the not too distant future. Advanced quantitative imaging has already allowed us to understand a great deal more regarding spinal development, marrow physiology, and disease pathogenesis. Radiologists are ideally suited to drive this research forward. To speed up this process and optimize the impact of studies reporting spine quantitative data, we should work toward universal standards on the acquisition of spine data that will allow quantitative studies to be more easily compared, contrasted, and amalgamated.
Brainstem Bleed after Chronic Subdural Hematoma Drainage
Authors: Tyngkan Lamkordor , Malik Nayil
Published: September 2020

Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most frequent benign neurosurgical pathologies. Burr hole drainage is known to be safe, with low-morbidity and low-mortality rates. However, postoperative complications have been reported. We report the case of a 40-year-old lady who suffered a fatal brain stem hemorrhage after burr hole drainage for unilateral chronic SDH. Rapid decompression or sudden increase in cerebral blood flow were the probable factors for her brainstem bleed. Therefore, a slow rate of evacuation of CSDHs and maintenance of a correct blood pressure perioperatively are recommended to prevent serious complications.
Is there an Association between Vaginal Birth after Cesarean Prediction and Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury?
Authors: Brown Oluwateniola , Luchristt Douglas , Miller Emily S. , Pidaparti Mahati , Geynisman-Tan Julia , Kenton Kimberly , Lewicky-Gaupp Christina
Published: September 2020

Objective This study aimed to estimate whether there is an association between the predicted probability of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery (VBAC) and the occurrence of obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS).

Study Design This was a single-site retrospective cohort study of all women with a singleton vaginal birth after a previous cesarean section between January 2011 and December 2016. Women were divided into four ordinal groupings by the predicted probability of achieving vaginal birth after cesarean using the Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units Network VBAC calculator (less than 41%, 40.1–60%, 60.1–80%, and greater than 80%). The primary outcome was OASIS, defined as a 3rd or 4th degree perineal laceration. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were used to examine the association between predicted VBAC probability and OASIS.

Results In total, 1,411 women met inclusion criteria and 73 (5.2%) sustained OASIS. The median predicted probability of VBAC was lower in women with OASIS compared with those without OASIS (60% [interquartile range {IQR}: 48–70%] vs. 66% (IQR: 52–80%), p = 0.02]. On bivariable and multivariable logistic regression, predicted probability of VBAC was associated with increased odds of OASIS (less than 41% probability: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 3.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.90–11.21; 41–60% probability: aOR: 3.76, 95% CI: 1.34–10.57; 61–80% probability aOR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.25–9.69) relative to women with a predicted probability of VBAC of greater than 80%.

Conclusion Having a lower predicted probability of VBAC is associated with an increased risk of OASIS at the time of a VBAC relative to those with greater than 80% predicted probability. Incorporation of this aspect of maternal morbidity may inform risk-stratification at the time of trial of labor after cesarean, as well as the choice of performing an operative vaginal delivery.

Key Points
Flow Cytometry: An Important Diagnostic Tool in Critically Ill Preterm Neonates with Suspected Sepsis
Authors: Goswami Sneha , Gupta Richa , Ramji Siddarth
Published: September 2020

Objective Sepsis is a major cause of neonatal mortality. The gold standard for diagnosis is blood culture which suffers from low sensitivity and huge turn-around time. Flow cytometry has been extensively applied to malignant disorders and is an upcoming tool for diagnosis of nonmalignant disorders due to its rapidity and accuracy in detecting cells, cell products, and their functional states. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of flow cytometric expression of neutrophil CD64, monocyte human leukocyte antigen (HLA-DR) and CD16 in diagnosis in suspected preterm neonates.

Study Design In total, 100 preterm neonates with clinical signs of sepsis were enrolled in the study. Blood culture, C-reactive protein (CRP) and flow cytometry for nCD64, mHLA-DR, and mCD16 were performed. The neonates were divided into two groups: culture positive and culture negative and CRP and flow cytometric findings compared. ROC analysis was performed to determine the best cut-off for nCD64, mHLA-DR, and mCD16 values along with estimation of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values. Probability of <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results Out of the 100 enrolled neonates, 34 (34%) were culture positive. CRP was not found to be significantly different in the two groups. Expression of nCD64 (p = 0.03) was significantly upregulated in the blood culture positive cases with a cut-off mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) value = 4.72 and sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 52%. Expression of mCD16 (p = 0.02) was also upregulated in the blood culture positive cases with a cut-off MFI value = 4.9, with sensitivity of 41%, specificity of 83%.

Conclusion The study concluded that nCD64 and mCD16 can be potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis with a high sensitivity and specificity.

Key Points
Obstetric Hemorrhage Risk Associated with Novel COVID-19 Diagnosis from a Single-Institution Cohort in the United States
Authors: Wang Michelle J. , Schapero Melissa , Iverson Ronald , Yarrington Christina D.
Published: September 2020

Objective The study aimed to compare the quantitative blood loss (QBL) and hemorrhage-related outcomes of pregnant women with and without a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis.

Study Design This retrospective cohort study of all live deliveries at Boston Medical Center between April 1, 2020 and July 22, 2020 compares the outcomes of pregnant women with a laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 positive diagnosis and pregnant women without COVID-19. The primary outcomes are QBL and obstetric hemorrhage. The secondary outcomes analyzed were a maternal composite outcome that consisted of obstetric hemorrhage, telemetry-level (intermediate care unit) or intensive care unit, transfusion, length of stay greater than 5 days, or intraamniotic infection, and individual components of the maternal composite outcome. Groups were compared using Student's t-test, Chi-squared tests, or Fisher's exact. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding variables.

Results Of 813 women who delivered a live infant between April 1 and July 22, 2020, 53 women were diagnosed with COVID-19 on admission to the hospital. Women with a COVID-19 diagnosis at their time of delivery were significantly more likely to identify as a race other than white (p = 0.01), to deliver preterm (p = 0.05), to be diagnosed with preeclampsia with severe features (p < 0.01), and to require general anesthesia (p < 0.01). Women diagnosed with COVID-19 did not have a significantly higher QBL (p = 0.64). COVID-19 positive pregnant patients had no increased adjusted odds of obstetric hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17–1.04) and no increased adjusted odds of the maternal morbidity composite (aOR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.50–1.93) when compared with those without a diagnosis of COVID-19.

Conclusion Pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosis do not have increased risk for obstetric hemorrhage, increased QBL or risk of maternal morbidity compared with pregnant women without a COVID-19 diagnosis. Further research is needed to describe the impact of a COVID-19 diagnosis on maternal hematologic physiology and pregnancy outcomes.

Key Points
Biexciton initialization by two-photon excitation in site-controlled quantum dots: The complexity of the antibinding state case
Authors: Juska Gediminas , Ranjbar Jahromi Iman , Mattana Francesco , Varo Simone , Dimastrodonato Valeria , Pelucchi Emanuele
Published: September 2020

In this work, we present a biexciton state population in (111)B oriented site-controlled InGaAs quantum dots (QDs) by resonant two photon excitation. We show that the excited state recombines emitting highly pure single photon pairs entangled in polarization. The discussed cases herein are compelling due to the specific energetic structure of pyramidal InGaAs QDs—an antibinding biexciton—a state with a positive binding energy. We demonstrate that resonant two-photon excitation of QDs with antibinding biexcitons can lead to a complex excitation-recombination scenario. We systematically observed that the resonant biexciton state population is competing with an acoustic-phonon assisted population of an exciton state. These findings show that under typical two-photon resonant excitation conditions, deterministic biexciton state initialization can be compromised. This complication should be taken into account by the community members aiming to utilize similar epitaxial QDs with an antibinding biexciton.
Analytical model of low and high ablation regimes in carbon arcs
Authors: Khrabry A. , Kaganovich I. D. , Khodak A. , Vekselman V. , Huang T.
Published: September 2020

Graphite ablation by an electric arc or a laser/solar flux is widely used for the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials. Previously, it was observed in multiple arc experiments that the ablation rate is a strong nonlinear function of the arc current and it drastically increases at some threshold current. We developed an analytical model explaining this transition in the rate of ablation by an electric arc or a laser/solar flux. The model not only explains the observations but can also accurately predict the experimentally observed ablation rates. The model takes into account redeposition of carbon back to the ablated surface, which is the key process responsible for the observed effects.
Efficient evaluation of exact exchange for periodic systems via concentric atomic density fitting
Authors: Wang Xiao , Lewis Cannada A. , Valeev Edward F.
Published: September 2020

The evaluation of the exact [Hartree–Fock (HF)] exchange operator is a crucial ingredient for the accurate description of the electronic structure in periodic systems through ab initio and hybrid density functional approaches. An efficient formulation of periodic HF exchange in a linear combination of atomic orbitals representation presented here is based on the concentric atomic density fitting approximation, a domain-free local density fitting approach in which the product of two atomic orbitals is approximated using a linear combination of fitting basis functions centered at the same nuclei as the AOs in that product. A significant reduction in the computational cost of exact exchange is demonstrated relative to the conventional approach due to avoiding the need to evaluate four-center two-electron integrals, with sub-millihartree/atom errors in absolute HF energies and good cancellation of fitting errors in relative energies. The novel aspects of the evaluation of the Coulomb contribution to the Fock operator, such as the use of real two-center multipole expansions and spheropole-compensated unit cell densities, are also described.
Metal-insulator transition of SrVO3 ultrathin films embedded in SrVO3/SrTiO3 superlattices
Authors: Wang Jun , Gauquelin Nicolas , Huijben Mark , Verbeeck Jo , Rijnders Guus , Koster Gertjan
Published: September 2020

The metal-insulator transition (MIT) in strongly correlated oxides is a topic of great interest for its potential applications, such as Mott field effect transistors and sensors. We report that the MIT in high quality epitaxial SrVO3 (SVO) thin films is present as the film thickness is reduced, lowering the dimensionality of the system, and electron-electron correlations start to become the dominant interactions. The critical thickness of 3 u.c is achieved by avoiding effects due to off-stoichiometry using optimal growth conditions and excluding any surface effects by a STO capping layer. Compared to the single SVO thin films, conductivity enhancement in SVO/STO superlattices is observed. This can be explained by the interlayer coupling effect between SVO sublayers in the superlattices. Magnetoresistance and Hall measurements indicate that the dominant driving force of MIT is the electron–electron interaction.
Scalable manufacture of a disposable, storage-stable eight-channel microfluidic device for rapid testing of platelet, coagulation, and drug function under whole blood flow
Authors: Rossi Jason M. , Diamond Scott L.
Published: September 2020

Custom polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic devices allow for small-volume human blood research under hemodynamic conditions of bleeding and clotting. However, issues of PDMS molding/assembly, bio-coating, and sample preparation often limit their point-of-care use. We aim to develop a microfluidic device that has the same utility as previously established PDMS devices but which is more usable in point-of-care operation. We designed an injection-molded 1 × 3 in.2 device with eight flow paths crossing a bio-printed surface of a collagen/tissue factor. The device is rapidly primed and compatible with multi-channel pipetting (<0.5 ml blood) and operates under venous or arterial shear rates using constant flow rate or constant pressure modes. Platelet and fibrin deposition were monitored dynamically by the imaging of immunofluorescence. For whole blood clotting at a wall shear rate of 200 s−1, the intrachip CV at 400 s for platelet and fibrin deposition was 10% and the interdonor CV at 400 s was 30% for platelet and 22% for fibrin deposition (across 10 healthy donors). No significant difference was detected for samples tested on a new chip vs a chip stored for 6 months at 4 °C. Using the fibrin signal, dose–response testing of whole blood revealed IC50's of 120 nM for rivaroxaban and apixaban, and 60 nM for dabigatran. A complete reversal of apixaban inhibition was observed for an equimolar addition of Xa DOAC reversal agent Andexanet Alfa. We demonstrate the ability to manufacture single-use, storage-stable eight-channel chips. In clinical settings, such chips may help evaluate patient bleeding risk, therapy choice, drug activity, or reversal.
Cathodoluminescence nano-characterization of individual GaN/AlN quantum disks embedded in nanowires
Authors: Sheng Bowen , Bertram Frank , Schmidt Gordon , Veit Peter , Müller Marcus , Wang Ping , Sun Xiaoxiao , Qin Zhixin , Shen Bo , Wang Xinqiang , Christen Jürgen
Published: September 2020

AlN/GaN/AlN quantum disks (Q-disks) embedded in self-assembled hexagonally shaped GaN nanowires have been grown on the Si (111) substrate by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy. To correlate the structural and optical properties of individual Q-disks inside the nanowire, highly spatially resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope has been performed at 18 K. CL spectrum linescans along a single nanowire clearly identify the emission from the GaN base around 354 nm as well as two recombination channels at 347 nm and 330 nm directly correlated with the AlN/GaN/AlN Q-disk. A detailed characterization of these individual quantum objects is presented.
Effects of age, maturity stage, sex and seasonality on the feeding strategies of the diamond stingray (Hypanus dipterurus) in the southern Gulf of California
Authors: Restrepo-Gómez Diana C. , Cruz-Escalona Víctor H. , Peterson Mark S. , Mejía-Falla Paola A. , Navia Andrés F.
Published: September 2020

The diet of the diamond stingray (Hypanus dipterurus) was quantified based on individuals collected monthly from October 2013 to December 2015 on Espiritu Santo Island in the Bahía de La Paz, México. Of the 473 stomachs analysed, 211 (44.6%) contained food. Analysis of the prey-specific index of relative importance indicated that the diet of H. dipterurus was based on infaunal and epibenthic invertebrates, especially the bivalve Solemya spp. (42.2%) and the stomatopod Nannosquilla raymanningi (7.7%). Statistical analyses of the diet considering sex, age, maturity stage and interactions between sex, age and season indicated that older females consumed more polychaetes in the cold (November–April) season and that younger females consumed more stomatopods and bivalves in the warm (May–October) season. The feeding strategy of the species is specialised on three prey categories (bivalves, polychaetes and stomatopods), with low trophic niche breadth values. The calculated trophic level indicated that the diamond stingray is a secondary consumer and mesopredator. We conclude that the diamond stingray does not maintain a redundant trophic function with sympatric elasmobranchs in the study area, and is therefore likely a key prey density-regulator functioning to link energy derived from lower to upper trophic levels within the southern Gulf of California.
Compulsivity is linked to reduced adolescent development of goal-directed control and frontostriatal functional connectivity
Authors: Vaghi Matilde M. , Moutoussis Michael , Váša František , Kievit Rogier A. , Hauser Tobias U. , Vértes Petra E. , Shahar Nitzan , Romero-Garcia Rafael , Kitzbichler Manfred G. , Bullmore Edward T. ,   NSPN Consortium, Dolan Raymond J. , Bullmore Edward , Dolan Raymond , Goodyer Ian , Fonagy Peter , Jones Peter , Moutoussis Michael , Hauser Tobias , Neufeld Sharon , Romero-Garcia Rafael , St Clair Michelle , Vértes Petra , Whitaker Kirstie , Inkster Becky , Prabhu Gita , Ooi Cinly , Toseeb Umar , Widmer Barry , Bhatti Junaid , Villis Laura , Alrumaithi Ayesha , Birt Sarah , Bowler Aislinn , Cleridou Kalia , Dadabhoy Hina , Davies Emma , Firkins Ashlyn , Granville Sian , Harding Elizabeth , Hopkins Alexandra , Isaacs Daniel , King Janchai , Kokorikou Danae , Maurice Christina , McIntosh Cleo , Memarzia Jessica , Mills Harriet , O’Donnell Ciara , Pantaleone Sara , Scott Jenny , Reiter Andrea , Vanes Lucy
Published: September 2020

Significance

Goal-directed behavior is impaired in disorders of compulsivity. Here, we characterize the developmental trajectory of model-based control and show a progressive strengthening from adolescence to early adulthood. We found that the presence of compulsivity traits impacts on this trajectory as well as on the degree of remodeling in functional connectivity within frontostriatal circuits. These findings have implications for understanding the interplay between compulsivity, the developmental trajectory of model-based planning, and functional connectivity in frontostriatal circuits.
Maximizing the value of forest restoration for tropical mammals by detecting three-dimensional habitat associations
Authors: Deere Nicolas J. , Guillera-Arroita Gurutzeta , Swinfield Tom , Milodowski David T. , Coomes David A. , Bernard Henry , Reynolds Glen , Davies Zoe G. , Struebig Matthew J.
Published: September 2020

Significance

Forest restoration has become a global conservation priority, particularly in the tropics where a significant proportion of remaining forest ecosystems are degraded. To achieve ambitious restoration targets via limited conservation funds, areas that will deliver the greatest biodiversity value must be prioritized. Here, we combine airborne laser scanning with an extensive camera trap dataset to target conservation and restoration across a degraded logged forest gradient. We demonstrate the importance of accounting for three-dimensional habitat structure when defining forest suitability and restoration potential for mammals. Consequently, we provide a robust quantitative framework to prioritize degraded forest restoration based on biodiversity considerations.
Loss of UTX/KDM6A and the activation of FGFR3 converge to regulate differentiation gene-expression programs in bladder cancer
Authors: Barrows Douglas , Feng Lijuan , Carroll Thomas S. , Allis C. David
Published: September 2020

Significance

Chromatin regulators and receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling proteins are both frequently mutated in bladder cancer. In this study, we sought to understand whether oncogenic signaling activation in the cytoplasm functionally interacted with loss-of-function mutations in chromatin regulators within the nucleus. The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort of muscle invasive bladder tumors revealed that loss-of-function mutations for the histone demethylase UTX (also known as KDM6A) significantly cooccurred with activating mutations in the RTK FGFR3. Here, we report that UTX loss and FGFR3 activation cooperate in bladder cells to reduce the expression of luminal genes, promoting a more basal, de-differentiated cellular state. These insights could prove useful in expanding therapeutic strategies for these tumors, which currently have limited options for effective treatment.
Diffusioosmotic and convective flows induced by a nonelectrolyte concentration gradient
Authors: Williams Ian , Lee Sangyoon , Apriceno Azzurra , Sear Richard P. , Battaglia Giuseppe
Published: September 2020

Significance

Our bodies rely on molecular transport within a complex, nonequilibrium environment incorporating gradients of charged and neutral solutes. Concentration gradients near solid surfaces are known to induce material transport via diffusioosmotic fluid flow. These are well understood for charged molecules, but less so for neutral molecules such as glucose. Glucose is an important biological energy source and is often distributed in gradients across cell membranes, vasculature, tissues, and whole organs. We measure diffusioosmotic flow due to glucose gradients and find its speed depends only weakly on concentration. Our models can reproduce this behavior by accounting for strong interactions, concentration-dependent viscosity, and heterogeneous surfaces. Understanding these flows will allow us to harness them for improved transport of targeted nanomedicines.
CtIP-mediated DNA resection is dispensable for IgH class switch recombination by alternative end-joining
Authors: Wang Xiaobin S. , Zhao Junfei , Wu-Baer Foon , Shao Zhengping , Lee Brian J. , Cupo Olivia M. , Rabadan Raul , Gautier Jean , Baer Richard , Zha Shan
Published: September 2020

Significance

Ig CSR occurs through the nonhomologous end-joining pathway. In NHEJ-deficient cells, substantial CSR can be achieved through the Alt-EJ pathway. High-throughput analyses of IgH CSR junctions in NHEJ-deficient cells show that in contrast to endonuclease-generated breaks, Alt-EJ-mediated CSR can occur without CtIP-mediated DNA resection. The first temporal analyses of CSR junctions in NHEJ-proficient cells further showed that early Sμ internal deletion junctions are enriched for MH. Taken together, the results identified repetitive core IgH switch regions as favorable substrates for MH-mediated recombination independent of resection.
Unethical amnesia responds more to instrumental than to hedonic motives
Authors: Galeotti Fabio , Saucet Charlotte , Villeval Marie Claire
Published: September 2020

Significance

Using large-scale incentivized online experiments, we tested two possible origins of individuals’ forgetting about their past cheating behavior in a mind game. We found that purely hedonic considerations, such as the maintenance of a positive self-image, are not sufficient to motivate unethical amnesia, but the addition of an instrumental value to forgetting triggers such amnesia. Individuals forget their past lies more when amnesia can serve as an excuse not to engage in future morally responsible behavior. These findings shed light on the interplay between dishonesty and memory and suggest further investigations of the cost function of unethical amnesia. A policy implication is that improving ethics requires making unethical amnesia more difficult for individuals.
Cockayne syndrome B protein acts as an ATP-dependent processivity factor that helps RNA polymerase II overcome nucleosome barriers
Authors: Xu Jun , Wang Wei , Xu Liang , Chen Jia-Yu , Chong Jenny , Oh Juntaek , Leschziner Andres E. , Fu Xiang-Dong , Wang Dong
Published: September 2020

Significance

Cockayne syndrome group B (CSB) belongs to the SWI2/SNF2 family chromatin remodelers and plays critical roles in DNA damage response, repair, and gene expression. Despite its broad roles in gene expression, it has remained elusive whether and how CSB functions as a chromatin remodeler, a transcription elongation factor, or both, in regulating RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription on chromatin. Here, we reveal that Rad26, the yeast CSB ortholog, is recruited to the upstream of Pol II as an ATP-dependent processivity factor that assists Pol II in overcoming downstream nucleosome barriers during transcription. This paper provides mechanistic insights into the roles of CSB in different aspects of transcription and DNA repair on chromatin, including release of transcription pausing and elongation.
Universal motifs and the diversity of autocatalytic systems
Authors: Blokhuis Alex , Lacoste David , Nghe Philippe
Published: September 2020

Significance

Autocatalysis, the ability of chemical systems to make more of themselves, is a hallmark of living systems, as it underlies metabolism, reproduction, and evolution. Here, we present a unified theory of autocatalysis based on stoichiometry. This allows us to identify essential motifs of autocatalytic networks, namely, autocatalytic cores, which come in five categories. In these networks, internal catalytic cycles are found to favor growth. The stoichiometry approach furthermore reveals that diverse autocatalytic networks can be formed with multiple compartments. Overall, these findings suggest that autocatalysis is a richer and more abundant phenomenon than previously thought.
Histamine H2 receptor negatively regulates oligodendrocyte differentiation in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic white matter injury
Authors: Jiang Lei , Cheng Li , Chen Han , Dai Haibin , An Dadao , Ma Qianyi , Zheng Yanrong , Zhang Xiangnan , Hu Weiwei , Chen Zhong
Published: September 2020

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) with the pathological characteristic of white matter injury often leads to lifelong cognitive and neurobehavioral dysfunction, but relevant therapies to promote remyelination are still unavailable. We found that histamine H2 receptor (H2R) negatively regulated the oligodendrocyte differentiation rate without affecting the oligodendrocytes at the oligodendrocyte precursor cell stage or mature stage following oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro. Notably, selective deletion of the H2R gene (Hrh2) in differentiating oligodendrocytes (Hrh2fl/fl;CNPase-Cre) improved their differentiation, remyelination, and functional recovery following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia in mice. The regulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation by H2R is mediated by binding with Axin2, which leads to up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, H2R antagonists also promoted oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination and the recovery of cognition and motor functions following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia. Thus, histamine H2R in oligodendrocytes could serve as a novel and effective therapeutic target for the retard of oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia. The H2R antagonists may have potential therapeutic value for neonatal HIE.
An ace model for SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Major Jack , Wack Andreas
Published: September 2020

Developing effective in vivo models for SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for mechanistic studies of COVID-19 disease progression. In this issue ofJEM, Israelow et al. (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20201241) generate a model that supports SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice, which they use to characterize type I IFN–driven pulmonary inflammation.
Mechanical control of terahertz plasmon-induced transparency in single/double-layer stretchable metamaterial
Authors: Wang Jing , Tian Hao , Wang Guanchao , Li Shuai , Guo Wenpeng , Xing Juan , Wang Yu , Li Li , Zhou Zhongxiang
Published: September 2020

Active control of metamaterial properties in stretchable devices is crucial for advanced terahertz (THz) applications, involving large mechanical deformation or stretching. Single/double-layer mechanically tunable THz metamaterial devices based on the polymer polydimethylsiloxane are proposed and experimentally studied herein. The plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) effect is observed in the transmittance spectrum of the single-layer metamaterial, originating from the near-field coupling of two bright modes. Similarly, a bright-dark-coupled PIT system is obtained in the double-layer metamaterial. Furthermore, an external mechanical stretching could exert a switch effect on the sample. The PIT resonances of the single/double-layer metamaterials disappear when the stretching ratio is further increased, as the increased distance between the resonators blocks the coupling effect. The proposed design enriches the approaches to the modulation of the sensitive PIT effect and broadens the applications of stretchable THz equipment.
Engineering topological phase transition and Aharonov–Bohm caging in a flux-staggered lattice
Authors: Mukherjee Amrita , Nandy Atanu , Sil Shreekantha , Chakrabarti Arunava
Published: September 2020

A tight binding network of diamond shaped unit cells trapping a staggered magnetic flux distribution is shown to exhibit a topological phase transition under a controlled variation of the flux trapped in a cell. A simple real space decimation technique maps a binary flux staggered network into an equivalent Su–Shrieffer–Heeger (SSH) model. In this way, dealing with a subspace of the full degrees of freedom, we show that a topological phase transition can be initiated by tuning the applied magnetic field that eventually simulates an engineering of the numerical values of the overlap integrals in the paradigmatic SSH model. Thus one can use an external agent, rather than monitoring the intrinsic property of a lattice to control the topological properties. This is advantageous from an experimental point of view. We also provide an in-depth description and analysis of the topologically protected edge states, and discuss how, by tuning the flux from outside one can enhance the spatial extent of the Aharonov–Bohm caging of single particle states for any arbitrary period of staggering. This feature can be useful for the study of transport of quantum information. Our results are exact.
A novel three-dimensional Ag nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide microtubular field effect transistor sensor for NO2 detections
Authors: Yin Weijie , Sun Jingye , Zhang Yang , Zhang Ying , Li Shasha , Zhu Mingqiang , Hong Hao , Ba Yutao , Deng Tao
Published: September 2020

A novel three-dimensional (3D) microtubular NO2 field effect transistor (FET) sensor has been fabricated from 2D reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets decorated with Ag nanoparticles, by applying the self-roll-up technique. The electrical properties of 2D and 3D Ag NP/rGO FET sensors have been investigated and compared. Finally, the performance of the 3D sensors has been demonstrated, where the preliminary results show that our 3D Ag NP/rGO FET NO2 sensor exhibits a relatively fast response (response time of 116 s) to 20 parts per million NO2 with a response of 4.92% at room temperature at zero bias voltage and 2 V source–drain bias voltage. Moreover, characteristics of our 3D Ag NP/rGO FET sensors, e.g. response, response and recovery times, have been demonstrated to be tuned by adjusting the applied source–drain and gate biases. Compared to the 2D geometry, our 3D geometry occupies less device area, but with the same sensing area. This study provides a new way to optimize sensing device performance, and promotes its development for miniaturized and integrated gas-sensing applications for indoor health and safety detection, outdoor environmental monitoring, industrial pollution monitoring and beyond.
Monte Carlo 90Y PET/CT dosimetry of unexpected focal radiation-induced lung damage after hepatic radioembolisation
Authors: Auditore Lucrezia , Amato Ernesto , Boughdad Sarah , Meyer Marie , Testart Nathalie , Cicone Francesco , Beigelman-Aubry Catherine , Prior John O , Schaefer Niklaus , Gnesin Silvano
Published: September 2020

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with 90Y-loaded microspheres is an established therapeutic option for inoperable hepatic tumors. Increasing knowledge regarding TARE hepatic dose-response and dose-toxicity correlation is available but few studies have investigated dose-toxicity correlation in extra-hepatic tissues. We investigated absorbed dose levels for the appearance of focal lung damage in a case of off-target deposition of 90Y microspheres and compared them with the corresponding thresholds recommended to avoiding radiation induced lung injury following TARE. A 64-year-old male patient received 1.6 GBq of 90Y-labelled glass microspheres for an inoperable left lobe hepatocellular carcinoma. A focal off-target accumulation of radiolabeled microspheres was detected in the left lung upper lobe at the post-treatment 90Y-PET/CT, corresponding to a radiation-induced inflammatory lung lesion at the 3-months 18F-FDG PET/CT follow-up. 90Y-PET/CT data were used as input for Monte-Carlo based absorbed dose estimations. Dose-volume-histograms were computed to characterize the heterogeneity of absorbed dose distribution. The dose level associated with the appearance of lung tissue damage was estimated as the median absorbed dose measured at the edge of the inflammatory nodule. To account for respiratory movements and possible inaccuracy of image co-registration, three different methods were evaluated to define the irradiated off-target volume. Monte Carlo-derived absorbed dose distribution showed a highly heterogeneous absorbed dose pattern at the site of incidental microsphere deposition (volume = 2.13 ml) with a maximum dose of 630 Gy. Absorbed dose levels ranging from 119 Gy to 133 Gy, were estimated at the edge of the inflammatory nodule, depending on the procedure used to define the target volume. This report describes an original Monte Carlo based patient-specific dosimetry methodology for the study of the radiation-induced damage in a focal lung lesion after TARE. In our patient, radiation-induced focal lung damage occurred at significantly higher absorbed doses than those considered for single administration or cumulative lung dose delivered during TARE.
Design and performance of SIAT aPET: a uniform high-resolution small animal PET scanner using dual-ended readout detectors
Authors: Kuang Zhonghua , Wang Xiaohui , Ren Ning , Wu San , Gao Juan , Zeng Tianyi , Gao Dongfang , Zhang Chunhui , Sang Ziru , Hu Zhanli , Du Junwei , Liang Dong , Liu Xin , Zheng Hairong , Yang Yongfeng
Published: September 2020

In this work, a small animal PET scanner named SIAT aPET was developed using dual-ended readout depth encoding detectors to simultaneously achieve high spatial resolution and high sensitivity. The scanner consists of four detector rings with 12 detector modules per ring; the ring diameter is 111 mm and the axial field of view (FOV) is 105.6 mm. The images are reconstructed using an ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) algorithm. The spatial resolution of the scanner was measured by using a 22Na point source at the center axial FOV with different radial offsets. The sensitivity of the scanner was measured at center axis of the scanner with different axial positions. The count rate performance of the system was evaluated by scanning mouse-sized and rat-sized phantoms. An ultra-micro hot-rods phantom and two mice injected with 18F-NaF and 18F-FDG were scanned on the scanner. An average depth of interaction (DOI) resolution of 1.96 mm, energy resolution of 19.1% and timing resolution of 1.20 ns were obtained for the detector. Average spatial resolutions of 0.82 mm and 1.16 mm were obtained up to a distance of 30 mm radially from the center of the FOV when reconstructing a point source in 1% and 10% warm backgrounds, respectively, using OSEM reconstruction with 16 subsets and 10 iterations. Sensitivities of 16.0% and 11.9% were achieved at center of the scanner for energy windows of 250–750 keV and 350–750 keV respectively. Peak noise equivalent count rates (NECRs) of 324 kcps and 144 kcps were obtained at an activity of 26.4 MBq for the mouse-sized and rat-sized phantoms. Rods of 1.0 mm diameter can be visually resolved from the image of the ultra-micro hot-rods phantom. The capability of the scanner was demonstrated by high quality in-vivo mouse images.
Trap-assisted photomultiplication in a-IGZO/p-Si heterojunction ultraviolet photodiodes
Authors: Huang Chun-Ying , Li Wen-Yi , Hsiao Ya-Hsin , Gao Wei-Ning , Chen Chia-Jung
Published: September 2020

Many applications require a photodetector (PD) with a large gain to detect very low levels of ultraviolet (UV) light. However, a large gain is generally produced using an impact ionization process, which requires a very large applied voltage. This study demonstrates a photomultiplication (PM)-type UV PD with a simple structure that uses an a-IGZO/p-Si heterojunction. The device exhibits an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 2565% under 325 nm illumination at a reverse bias of −5 V. The oxygen vacancy (Vo) state in a-IGZO is relaxed to a deep bandgap but is fully occupied by two electrons. Vo with doubly charged Vo
2+ or singly charged Vo
+ can be excited by UV light. This produces free electrons. There is a high EQE at low reverse-bias because trapped electrons are emitted from the Vo. The IGZO/Si heterojunction also has a high response speed (∼1 ms) in the self-powered mode because the built-in potential separates electron–hole pairs immediately. This study shows that an a-IGZO/p-Si heterojunction not only acts as a PM-type PD with a low driving voltage but also as a high-speed self-powered PD to reduce power consumption.
Climate effects of China’s efforts to improve its air quality
Authors: Zheng Yixuan , Zhang Qiang , Tong Dan , Davis Steven J , Caldeira Ken
Published: September 2020

Facing severe air pollution issues, China has implemented a series of clean air policies aimed to improve the country’s air quality. These policies largely focused on reducing emissions of major air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) and primary aerosols. However, changes in such pollution also affect radiative forcing. To understand the climate consequences of these clean air actions in China, we evaluate the near-equilibrium climate response to sustained changes in aerosol (and precursors) emission rates equivalent to those that occurred in China between 2006 and 2017. During this period, China’s SO2 emissions declined by ∼70%, and black carbon emissions declined by ∼30%. Climate simulations that used a fully coupled ocean and atmosphere climate model indicate that China’s reductions in aerosol emission rates from 2006 to 2017 may exert a net increase in global radiative forcing of 0.09 ± 0.03 W m−2 and a mean warming of 0.12 ± 0.01 °C in the Northern Hemisphere; and may also affect the precipitation rates in East Asia and in more distant regions. The success of Chinese policies to further reduce aerosol emissions may bring additional net warming, and this ‘unmasked’ warming would in turn compound the challenge and urgency of international climate mitigation efforts.
Corrigendum: Quantifying the role of internal variability in the temperature we expect to observe in the coming decades (2020 Environ. Res. Lett. 15 054 014)
Authors: Maher Nicola , Lehner Flavio , Marotzke Jochem
Published: September 2020

There is an error in figures 1, 2, and 3 (corresponding to Figures 1, 4 and 5 of the original publication) and figures S2–S9 where the units were originally printed as oC but should be oC yr−1. The corrected figures and Supplementary material (stacks.iop.org/ERL/15/109502/mmedia) are reproduced below.
Knockout of Trpa1 Exacerbates Renal Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury With Classical Activation of Macrophages
Authors: Ma Shuangtao , Wang Donna H
Published: September 2020

BACKGROUND

Classically activated macrophages contribute to the development of renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). This study aimed to investigate the role of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (Trpa1), a regulator of macrophage activation, in IRI-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) by using the Trpa1 gene knockout (Trpa1−/−) mouse model.

METHODS

Male 8-week-old Trpa1−/− mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were subjected to renal ischemia for 35 minutes by clamping bilateral renal pedicles under isoflurane anesthesia, and blood and tissue samples were collected 24 hours after reperfusion and analyzed with histological and molecular measurements.

RESULTS

Following IRI, Trpa1−/− mice developed more deteriorated biochemical and morphological signs of AKI when comparing with WT mice. More classically activated M1 macrophages were found in the kidneys of Trpa1−/− mice comparing with WT mice after IRI, while the counts of alternatively activated M2 macrophages in the kidney were similar between the 2 strains after IRI. Furthermore, significantly higher expression levels of proinflammatory markers including interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha were detected in the kidney of Trpa1−/− mice compared with WT mice after IRI. The levels of TRPA1 protein in the kidney of WT mice were also decreased after IRI.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that ablation of Trpa1 exacerbates infiltration of classically activated macrophages, renal inflammation, and renal injury in mice after IRI. These findings suggest that activation of TRPA1 may protect against IRI-induced AKI via regulation of macrophage-mediated inflammatory pathway.
Habitat features and colony characteristics influencing ant personality and its fitness consequences
Authors: Maák István , Trigos-Peral Gema , Ślipiński Piotr , Grześ Irena M , Horváth Gergely , Witek Magdalena
Published: September 2020

Several factors can influence individual and group behavioral variation that can have important fitness consequences. In this study, we tested how two habitat types (seminatural meadows and meadows invaded by Solidago plants) and factors like colony and worker size and nest density influence behavioral (activity, meanderness, exploration, aggression, and nest displacement) variation on different levels of the social organization of Myrmica rubra ants and how these might affect the colony productivity. We assumed that the factors within the two habitat types exert different selective pressures on individual and colony behavioral variation that affects colony productivity. Our results showed individual-/colony-specific expression of both mean and residual behavioral variation of the studied behavioral traits. Although habitat type did not have any direct effect, habitat-dependent factors, like colony size and nest density influenced the individual mean and residual variation of several traits. We also found personality at the individual-level and at the colony level. Exploration positively influenced the total- and worker production in both habitats. Worker aggression influenced all the productivity parameters in seminatural meadows, whereas activity had a positive effect on the worker and total production in invaded meadows. Our results suggest that habitat type, through its environmental characteristics, can affect different behavioral traits both at the individual and colony level and that those with the strongest effect on colony productivity primarily shape the personality of individuals. Our results highlight the need for complex environmental manipulations to fully understand the effects shaping behavior and reproduction in colony-living species.
KNIndex: a comprehensive database of physicochemical properties fork-tuple nucleotides
Authors: Zhang Wen-Ya , Xu Junhai , Wang Jun , Zhou Yuan-Ke , Chen Wei , Du Pu-Feng
Published: September 2020

With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, the genomic sequences increased exponentially over the last decade. In order to decode these new genomic data, machine learning methods were introduced for genome annotation and analysis. Due to the requirement of most machines learning methods, the biological sequences must be represented as fixed-length digital vectors. In this representation procedure, the physicochemical properties of k-tuple nucleotides are important information. However, the values of the physicochemical properties of k-tuple nucleotides are scattered in different resources. To facilitate the studies on genomic sequences, we developed the first comprehensive database, namely KNIndex (https://knindex.pufengdu.org), for depositing and visualizing physicochemical properties of k-tuple nucleotides. Currently, the KNIndex database contains 182 properties including one for mononucleotide (DNA), 169 for dinucleotide (147 for DNA and 22 for RNA) and 12 for trinucleotide (DNA). KNIndex database also provides a user-friendly web-based interface for the users to browse, query, visualize and download the physicochemical properties of k-tuple nucleotides. With the built-in conversion and visualization functions, users are allowed to display DNA/RNA sequences as curves of multiple physicochemical properties. We wish that the KNIndex will facilitate the related studies in computational biology.
Abnormal bordering: control, punishment and deterrence in Mexico’s migrant detention centres
Authors: Campos-Delgado Amalia
Published: September 2020

Migrant detention in Mexico, as a cornerstone of the Mexican Transit Control Regime, is intrinsically related to US migration control. Drawing on Katja Franko Aas’s ‘border penality’ and ‘abnormal justice’ conceptualizations, this paper argues that Transit Control Regimes are an abnormal bordering and the outcome of two trends of the geographies of migration control: reverberation and distancing. To examine how this abnormal bordering is enforced, following the ‘bordering as a practice’ research agenda, this paper analyses the practices of control, punishment, and deterrence used in Mexico’s migrant detention centres drawing on state agents’ narratives. Particular emphasis is given to clerical control, material conditions and disciplinary rules. The analysis presented sheds light on the precarious conditions of the facilities, the discrepancy between regulations and practice, questionable practices of control and discipline and the reality of migrant detention as a de facto punishment for migrants.
Tribes and State Policy in India: Revisiting Governing Principles from a Decolonial Social Work Perspective
Authors: bodhi S R
Published: September 2020

Social work theorists have begun talking about a fundamental shift in social work education, marked as the rise of decoloniality and decolonial thinking. Within this context, distinct social work formulations that make a fundamental break from past paradigms are being posited in the form of decolonial social work. In India, decolonial social work is constituted primarily by two theories—Tribal Social Work and Dalit Social Work. The former arising directly out of British colonialism and the latter premised on an anti-caste social work perspective. Taking the case of tribal policy with specific reference to principles of governance vis., tribes an attempt is made to historicise the same from a decolonial social work lens. The article contextualises tribal policy in India, lays the framework of decolonial social work, historicise principles of governance from a decolonial lens, draws out the underlying political structure that embeds these principles and throws new light on key theoretical debates concerning policy practice.