bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examination of developmental pathways from preschool temperament to early adolescent ADHD symptoms through initial responsiveness to reward
Authors: Bunford Nóra , Kujawa Autumn , Dyson Margaret , Olino Thomas , Klein Daniel N.
Published: March 2021

To identify sources of phenotypic heterogeneity in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) accounting for diversity in developmental/ pathogenic pathways, we examined, in a large sample of youth (N = 354), (a) associations between observed temperamental emotionality at age 3, an electrocortical index (i.e., reward positivity [RewP]) of initial responsiveness to reward at age 9, and ADHD symptoms at age 12, and (b) whether the association between emotionality and ADHD symptoms is mediated by initial responsiveness to reward. Bivariate analyses indicated greater positive emotionality (PE) was associated with enhanced RewP, lower age-9ADHD and lower age-12 inattention (IA). Negative emotionality (NE) was not associated with RewP or ADHD. Mediation analyses revealed the association between PE and hyperactivity/impulsivity (H/I) was mediated by RewP; enhanced RewP was associated with greater H/I. Greater PE was associated with enhanced RewP at a trend level. These effects held accounting for age-9 ADHD, age-12 IA and age-12 oppositional defiant and conduct disorder symptoms. As such, preschool emotionality is associated with adolescent ADHD-H/I symptoms through late childhood initial responsiveness to reward. These relations indicate that individual differences in emotionality and reward responsiveness may be informative for personalizing ADHD interventions.
The Intersectional Dynamics of Descriptive Representation
Authors: Montoya Celeste M. , Bejarano Christina , Brown Nadia E. , Gershon Sarah Allen
Published: March 2021

Research on political representation demonstrates that the presence of historically underrepresented groups in political office (descriptiverepresentation) can have not only asubstantiveimpact on policies and procedures but also asymbolicimpact that changes the attitudes and even behavior of those groups. The dynamics of group identity and its significance for representation, however, are complicated. Individuals often hold multiple identities, and the meanings attached to those identities may vary in relation to each other and to the particular political context. In this article, we provide an intersectional analysis of two minoritized ethno-racial groups, African Americans and Latinos/as. Using data from the 2016 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey, we explore the extent to which shared identity matters for perceptions of representation. Our findings demonstrate that while shared identity does influence perceptions of representation, the impact varies in complicated ways that are simultaneously raced and gendered.
Fixed Intelligence Mindset Prospectively Predicts Students’ Self-Esteem
Authors: Gál Éva , Szamosközi István
Published: March 2021

Abstract. Dweck’s theory posits that intelligence mindsets have significant implications in individuals’ self-esteem and previous studies have also demonstrated a consistent link between these two constructs ( Conigrave et al., 2019 ; King, 2012 ; Zhao et al., 2019 ). However, little is known about their relationship across time. Does a fixed intelligence mindset contribute to lower levels of self-esteem or the opposite is true, viewing one’s abilities as something that is incapable of improvement is merely a symptom of low self-esteem? The present study sought to answer these questions by investigating the association between fixed intelligence mindset and self-esteem across a two-year period. The final sample of the study consisted of 103 freshmen college students aged between 18 and 36 years and participants were predominantly female ( N = 91) psychology students (56%). Cross-lagged hierarchical regression analysis indicated that the relationship between fixed intelligence mindset and self-esteem might be unidirectional since Time 1 fixed intelligence mindset predicted lower levels of self-esteem at Time 2 even when initial self-esteem and self-efficacy were accounted for. In contrast, Time 1 self-esteem showed no significant associations with Time 2 fixed intelligence mindset. Although the present study offers new insight about the prospective effects of fixed intelligence mindset, results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size.
Mapping of Active Frazil for Antarctic Coastal Polynyas, With an Estimation of Sea‐Ice Production
Authors: Nakata K. , Ohshima K. I. , Nihashi S.
Published: March 2021

The importance of the area of active frazil and associated high sea‐ice production in Antarctic coastal polynyas has been increasingly recognized in recent in situ and high‐resolution satellite observations. However, the occurrence and spatial distribution of active‐frazil area are not well understood. We present the first mapping of active‐frazil area for Antarctic coastal polynyas, based on the thin ice algorithm of AMSR‐E that discriminates active‐frazil area. Mapping of sea‐ice production is presented by taking account of active‐frazil area. Active‐frazil area is predominant along East Antarctica, particularly very close to the coast, locally leading to very high ice‐production rates exceeding 20 m/yr. For frazil‐dominant polynyas, estimated ice production is ∼20%–50% higher compared with previous studies. Analyses of all the major polynyas suggest that active‐frazil extent depends on offshore wind and air temperature, while ice production is determined by offshore wind only.
New Observational Constraints on Warm Rain Processes and Their Climate Implications
Authors: Dong Xiquan , Wu Peng , Wang Yuan , Xi Baike , Huang Yiyi
Published: March 2021

Low stratiform clouds have profound impacts on the hydrological cycle and the Earth’s radiation budget. However, realistic simulation of low clouds in climate models presents a major challenge. Here we employ the newly retrieved cloud and drizzle microphysical properties to improve the autoconversion and accretion parameterizations in a microphysical scheme. We find that the new autoconversion (accretion) rate contributes 14% lower (greater) to total drizzle water content than the original scheme near the cloud top. Compared to satellite results, the simulated cloud liquid water path (LWP) and shortwave cloud radiative effect using the original scheme in a climate model agree well on global average but with large regional differences. Simulations using the updated scheme show a 7.3% decrease in the light rain frequency, and a 10% increase in LWP. The updated microphysics scheme alleviates the long‐lasting problem in most climate models, that is “too frequent and too light precipitation.”
Near‐Surface Warming Reduces Dew Frequency in China
Authors: Dou Youjun , Quan Jiannong , Jia Xingcan , Wang Qianqian , Liu Yangang
Published: March 2021

Long‐term (1961–2010) observations of dew data collected at 597 stations over China show that dew frequency decreased by 5.2 days per decade due primarily to near‐surface warming and associated decreases in relative humidity (RH). Moreover, the percentage decreasing rate of dew frequency in arid regions (precipitation PR <400 mm yr−1) are larger than that in humid regions (PR ≥800 mm yr−1). Compared with the 1960s, the mean dew frequency in the 2000s decreased by 28%, 40%, 50% in humid, semihumid (400 ≤ PR < 800 mm yr−1), and arid regions, respectively. Surface warming is larger in arid regions in northwestern China than its humid and semihumid regions during recent global warming, which leads to larger decreases in surface RH and makes dew events less likely. Since dew contributes significantly to surface water balance in arid regions, the large decreases in dew frequency may contribute to “the drier getting drier” response to global warming over arid regions.
Human‐Induced Rainfall Reduction in Drought‐Prone Northern Central Asia
Authors: Jiang Jie , Zhou Tianjun
Published: March 2021

The reduction of summer rainfall since the 1950s has resulted in severe drought and the degradation of vegetation over northern Central Asia (NCA). However, whether the decline trend of summer rainfall is anthropogenic or natural remains unknown. Here, we show evidences that the drying trend is dominated by anthropogenic change of the subtropical westerly jet (SWJ; referring exclusively to the active center located over Central Asia). Using 10 global climate models participating in the Detection and Attribution Model Intercomparison Project (DAMIP) under different forcings, we find that the observed changes in the SWJ are attributable to the combined contributions of greenhouse gases and anthropogenic aerosols. Enhanced emissions of greenhouse gases favor an equatorial shift of the SWJ, while increased Asian pollution and reduced European aerosol emissions weaken the SWJ. Both of these factors strengthen the descending motion and decrease the precipitation over NCA.
Investigation on Spectral Characteristics of Gravity Waves in the MLT Using Lidar Observations at Andes
Authors: Huang Kai Ming , Liu Hang , Liu Alan Z. , Zhang Shao Dong , Huang Chun Ming , Gong Yun , Ning Wu Han
Published: March 2021

Based on observations from lidar at Andes, we study the features of gravity wave activities and their spectra in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT). Case analysis shows that a quasi‐monochromatic inertia–gravity wave (IGW) dominates the perturbation fields, with clearly downward phase progression in the wind and temperature fields. Statistical investigation shows that the dominant waves in the MLT over Andes have the typical temporal and spatial scales of IGWs and show the preferential propagation in the meridional direction relative to in the zonal direction. The preferential propagation direction causes larger spectral peak and steeper spectral slope in the meridional wind as compared to the zonal counterpart. The 27‐night observations indicate that the frequency (vertical wavenumber) spectrum has the slopes of about −1.4 (−1.5), −1.7 (−2.0), and −2.3 (−2.6) in the zonal wind, meridional wind, and relative temperature perturbations, more or less deviated from the universal spectral index of −5/3 (−3), respectively. The vertical wind has a steeper spectral tail in both the frequency and wavenumber spectra, which is different from the other three components. In the saturated spectrum region, the frequency and vertical wavenumber spectra have the slopes of −0.4 and −1.1 in the vertical wind, which are much shallower than those in the zonal and meridional winds, respectively. In the spectral tail region, the frequency and wavenumber spectrum slopes of −2.2 and −3.5 are far steeper relative to their saturated spectrum slopes. This suggests that the vertical wind should obey the different spectral laws from the horizontal winds.
Synchronous Marine and Terrestrial Carbon Cycle Perturbation in the High Arctic During the PETM
Authors: Cui Ying , Diefendorf Aaron F. , Kump Lee R. , Jiang Shijun , Freeman Katherine H.
Published: March 2021

The Paleocene‐Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; 56 Ma) is considered to be one of the best analogs for future climate change. The carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of n‐alkanes derived from leaf waxes of terrestrial plants and marine algae can provide important insights into the carbon cycle perturbation during the PETM. Here, we present new organic geochemical data and compound‐specific δ13C data from sediments recovered from an early Cenozoic basin‐margin succession from Spitsbergen. These samples represent one of the most expanded PETM sites and provide new insights into the high Arctic response to the PETM. Our results reveal a synchronous ∼−6.5‰ carbon isotope excursion (CIE) in short‐chain n‐alkanes (nC19; marine algae/bacteria) with a ∼−5‰ CIE in long‐chain n‐alkanes (nC29 and nC31; plant waxes) during the peak of the PETM. Although δ13Cn‐alkanes values were potentially affected via a modest thermal effect (1‰–2‰), the relative changes in the δ13Cn‐alkanes remain robust. A simple carbon cycle modeling suggests peak carbon emission rate could be ∼3 times faster than previously suggested using δ13CTOC records. The CIE magnitude of both δ13C n‐C19 and δ13Cn‐C29 can be explained by the elevated influence of 13C‐depleted respired CO2 in the water column and increased water availability on land, elevated pCO2 in the atmosphere, and changes in vegetation type during the PETM. The synchronous decline in δ13C of both leaf waxes and marine algae/bacteria argues against a significant contribution to the sedimentary organic carbon pool from the weathering delivery of fossil n‐alkanes in the Arctic region.
Biomaterial-based strategies for maxillofacial tumour therapy and bone defect regeneration
Authors: Tan Bowen , Tang Quan , Zhong Yongjin , Wei Yali , He Linfeng , Wu Yanting , Wu Jiabao , Liao Jinfeng
Published: March 2021

Issues caused by maxillofacial tumours involve not only dealing with tumours but also repairing jaw bone defects. In traditional tumour therapy, the systemic toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs, invasive surgical resection, intractable tumour recurrence, and metastasis are major threats to the patients’ lives in the clinic. Fortunately, biomaterial-based intervention can improve the efficiency of tumour treatment and decrease the possibility of recurrence and metastasis, suggesting new promising antitumour therapies. In addition, maxillofacial bone tissue defects caused by tumours and their treatment can negatively affect the physiological and psychological health of patients, and investment in treatment can result in a multitude of burdens to society. Biomaterials are promising options because they have good biocompatibility and bioactive properties for stimulation of bone regeneration. More interestingly, an integrated material regimen that combines tumour therapy with bone repair is a promising treatment option. Herein, we summarized traditional and biomaterial-mediated maxillofacial tumour treatments and analysed biomaterials for bone defect repair. Furthermore, we proposed a promising and superior design of dual-functional biomaterials for simultaneous tumour therapy and bone regeneration to provide a new strategy for managing maxillofacial tumours and improve the quality of life of patients in the future.
Meta-analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies of the biological effects of low-level millimetre waves
Authors: Wood Andrew , Mate Rohan , Karipidis Ken
Published: March 2021

Background

With the roll-out of new technologies such as 5G, there has been renewed community concern regarding the adequacy of research on possible health effects from associated radiofrequency radiation, mainly in the millimetre wave (MMW) band.

Objective

We conducted a meta-analysis of in vitro and in vivo studies investigating bioeffects of MMWs at low exposure levels.

Methods

We identified 107 in vitro and in vivo studies investigating MMWs and biological effects in which the power density employed has been below 100 W/m2, which is below the current standards for occupational local exposures. Where possible, we estimated the magnitude of the principal effect reported or set this magnitude to zero in studies reporting no significant effects. We also estimated the quality of the studies, based on a methodology used in previous analyses.

Results

We show a negative correlation between effect size and both power density and specific absorption rate. There was also a significant negative correlation between effect size and quality score. A multivariate analysis revealed that there is an increase in the effect size for certain biological systems being investigated and laboratories in which the work was carried out whilst the quality score for some of these tends to be low. We note that many of the studies were motivated by a desire to elucidate the possible mechanisms in therapeutic devices rather than assessing the safety of telecommunications systems. Finally, it appears that the presence or absence of modulation does not influence the reported effect size.

Significance

Many of the findings of this meta-analysis have not been reported before and have important implications for overall interpretation of in vitro and in vivo data. Overall, the results of this study do not confirm an association between low-level MMWs and biological effects.
Review of a new bone tumor therapy strategy based on bifunctional biomaterials
Authors: Liao Jinfeng , Han Ruxia , Wu Yongzhi , Qian Zhiyong
Published: March 2021

Bone tumors, especially those in osteosarcoma, usually occur in adolescents. The standard clinical treatment includes chemotherapy, surgical therapy, and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, surgical resection often fails to completely remove the tumor, which is the main cause of postoperative recurrence and metastasis, resulting in a high mortality rate. Moreover, bone tumors often invade large areas of bone, which cannot repair itself, and causes a serious effect on the quality of life of patients. Thus, bone tumor therapy and bone regeneration are challenging in the clinic. Herein, this review presents the recent developments in bifunctional biomaterials to achieve a new strategy for bone tumor therapy. The selected bifunctional materials include 3D-printed scaffolds, nano/microparticle-containing scaffolds, hydrogels, and bone-targeting nanomaterials. Numerous related studies on bifunctional biomaterials combining tumor photothermal therapy with enhanced bone regeneration were reviewed. Finally, a perspective on the future development of biomaterials for tumor therapy and bone tissue engineering is discussed. This review will provide a useful reference for bone tumor-related disease and the field of complex diseases to combine tumor therapy and tissue engineering.
A plant-by-plant strategy for high-ambition coal power phaseout in China
Authors: Cui Ryna Yiyun , Hultman Nathan , Cui Diyang , McJeon Haewon , Yu Sha , Edwards Morgan R. , Sen Arijit , Song Kaihui , Bowman Christina , Clarke Leon , Kang Junjie , Lou Jiehong , Yang Fuqiang , Yuan Jiahai , Zhang Weirong , Zhu Mengye
Published: March 2021

More than half of current coal power capacity is in China. A key strategy for meeting China’s 2060 carbon neutrality goal and the global 1.5 °C climate goal is to rapidly shift away from unabated coal use. Here we detail how to structure a high-ambition coal phaseout in China while balancing multiple national needs. We evaluate the 1037 currently operating coal plants based on comprehensive technical, economic and environmental criteria and develop a metric for prioritizing plants for early retirement. We find that 18% of plants consistently score poorly across all three criteria and are thus low-hanging fruits for rapid retirement. We develop plant-by-plant phaseout strategies for each province by combining our retirement algorithm with an integrated assessment model. With rapid retirement of the low-hanging fruits, other existing plants can operate with a 20- or 30-year minimum lifetime and gradually reduced utilization to achieve the 1.5 °C or well-below 2 °C climate goals, respectively, with complete phaseout by 2045 and 2055.
Predicting wavelength-dependent photochemical reactivity and selectivity
Authors: Menzel Jan P. , Noble Benjamin B. , Blinco James P. , Barner-Kowollik Christopher
Published: March 2021

Predicting the conversion and selectivity of a photochemical experiment is a conceptually different challenge compared to thermally induced reactivity. Photochemical transformations do not currently have the same level of generalized analytical treatment due to the nature of light interaction with a photoreactive substrate. Herein, we bridge this critical gap by introducing a framework for the quantitative prediction of the time-dependent progress of photoreactions via common LEDs. A wavelength and concentration dependent reaction quantum yield map of a model photoligation, i.e., the reaction of thioether o-methylbenzaldehydes via o-quinodimethanes with N-ethylmaleimide, is initially determined with a tunable laser system. Combined with experimental parameters, the data are employed to predict LED-light induced conversion through a wavelength-resolved numerical simulation. The model is validated with experiments at varied wavelengths. Importantly, a second algorithm allows the assessment of competing photoreactions and enables the facile design of λ-orthogonal ligation systems based on substituted o-methylbenzaldehydes.
Quantitative interpretation explains machine learning models for chemical reaction prediction and uncovers bias
Authors: Kovács Dávid Péter , McCorkindale William , Lee Alpha A.
Published: March 2021

Organic synthesis remains a major challenge in drug discovery. Although a plethora of machine learning models have been proposed as solutions in the literature, they suffer from being opaque black-boxes. It is neither clear if the models are making correct predictions because they inferred the salient chemistry, nor is it clear which training data they are relying on to reach a prediction. This opaqueness hinders both model developers and users. In this paper, we quantitatively interpret the Molecular Transformer, the state-of-the-art model for reaction prediction. We develop a framework to attribute predicted reaction outcomes both to specific parts of reactants, and to reactions in the training set. Furthermore, we demonstrate how to retrieve evidence for predicted reaction outcomes, and understand counterintuitive predictions by scrutinising the data. Additionally, we identify Clever Hans predictions where the correct prediction is reached for the wrong reason due to dataset bias. We present a new debiased dataset that provides a more realistic assessment of model performance, which we propose as the new standard benchmark for comparing reaction prediction models.
Rational strain engineering of single-atom ruthenium on nanoporous MoS2 for highly efficient hydrogen evolution
Authors: Jiang Kang , Luo Min , Liu Zhixiao , Peng Ming , Chen Dechao , Lu Ying-Rui , Chan Ting-Shan , de Groot Frank M. F. , Tan Yongwen
Published: March 2021

Maximizing the catalytic activity of single-atom catalysts is vital for the application of single-atom catalysts in industrial water-alkali electrolyzers, yet the modulation of the catalytic properties of single-atom catalysts remains challenging. Here, we construct strain-tunable sulphur vacancies around single-atom Ru sites for accelerating the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction of single-atom Ru sites based on a nanoporous MoS2-based Ru single-atom catalyst. By altering the strain of this system, the synergistic effect between sulphur vacancies and Ru sites is amplified, thus changing the catalytic behavior of active sites, namely, the increased reactant density in strained sulphur vacancies and the accelerated hydrogen evolution reaction process on Ru sites. The resulting catalyst delivers an overpotential of 30 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm−2, a Tafel slope of 31 mV dec−1, and a long catalytic lifetime. This work provides an effective strategy to improve the activities of single-atom modified transition metal dichalcogenides catalysts by precise strain engineering.
Seasonal overturn and stratification changes drive deep-water warming in one of Earth’s largest lakes
Authors: Anderson Eric J. , Stow Craig A. , Gronewold Andrew D. , Mason Lacey A. , McCormick Michael J. , Qian Song S. , Ruberg Steven A. , Beadle Kyle , Constant Stephen A. , Hawley Nathan
Published: March 2021

Most of Earth’s fresh surface water is consolidated in just a few of its largest lakes, and because of their unique response to environmental conditions, lakes have been identified as climate change sentinels. While the response of lake surface water temperatures to climate change is well documented from satellite and summer in situ measurements, our understanding of how water temperatures in large lakes are responding at depth is limited, as few large lakes have detailed long-term subsurface observations. We present an analysis of three decades of high frequency (3-hourly and hourly) subsurface water temperature data from Lake Michigan. This unique data set reveals that deep water temperatures are rising in the winter and provides precise measurements of the timing of fall overturn, the point of minimum temperature, and the duration of the winter cooling period. Relationships from the data show a shortened winter season results in higher subsurface temperatures and earlier onset of summer stratification. Shifts in the thermal regimes of large lakes will have profound impacts on the ecosystems of the world’s surface freshwater.
Author Correction: Bacterial variability in the mammalian gut captured by a single-cell synthetic oscillator
Authors: Riglar David T. , Richmond David L. , Potvin-Trottier Laurent , Verdegaal Andrew A. , Naydich Alexander D. , Bakshi Somenath , Leoncini Emanuele , Lyon Lorena G. , Paulsson Johan , Silver Pamela A.
Published: March 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22149-5
A new ankylosaurid skeleton from the Upper Cretaceous Baruungoyot Formation of Mongolia: its implications for ankylosaurid postcranial evolution
Authors: Park Jin-Young , Lee Yuong-Nam , Currie Philip J. , Ryan Michael J. , Bell Phil , Sissons Robin , Koppelhus Eva B. , Barsbold Rinchen , Lee Sungjin , Kim Su-Hwan
Published: March 2021

A new articulated postcranial specimen of an indeterminate ankylosaurid dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous (middle-upper Campanian) Baruungoyot Formation from Hermiin Tsav, southern Gobi Desert, Mongolia includes twelve dorsal vertebrae, ribs, pectoral girdles, forelimbs, pelvic girdles, hind limbs, and free osteoderms. The new specimen shows that Asian ankylosaurids evolved rigid bodies with a decreased number of pedal phalanges. It also implies that there were at least two forms of flank armor within Ankylosauridae, one with spine-like osteoderms and the other with keeled rhomboidal osteoderms. Unique anatomical features related to digging are present in Ankylosauridae, such as dorsoventrally flattened and fusiform body shapes, extensively fused series of vertebrae, anteroposteriorly broadened dorsal ribs, a robust humerus with a well-developed deltopectoral crest, a short robust ulna with a well-developed olecranon process, a trowel-like manus, and decreased numbers of pedal phalanges. Although not fossorial, ankylosaurids were likely able to dig the substrate, taking advantage of it for self-defence and survival.
Specific detection of Staphylococcus aureus infection and marker for Alzheimer disease by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy using silver and gold nanoparticle-coated magnetic polystyrene beads
Authors: Prucek Robert , Panáček Aleš , Gajdová Žaneta , Večeřová Renata , Kvítek Libor , Gallo Jiří , Kolář Milan
Published: March 2021

Targeted and effective therapy of diseases demands utilization of rapid methods of identification of the given markers. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in conjunction with streptavidin–biotin complex is a promising alternative to culture or PCR based methods used for such purposes. Many biotinylated antibodies are available on the market and so this system offers a powerful tool for many analytical applications. Here, we present a very fast and easy-to-use procedure for preparation of streptavidin coated magnetic polystyrene–Au (or Ag) nanocomposite particles as efficient substrate for surface SERS purposes. As a precursor for the preparation of SERS active and magnetically separable composite, commercially available streptavidin coated polystyrene (PS) microparticles with a magnetic core were utilized. These composites of PS particles with silver or gold nanoparticles were prepared by reducing Au(III) or Ag(I) ions using ascorbic acid or dopamine. The choice of the reducing agent influences the morphology and the size of the prepared Ag or Au particles (15–100 nm). The prepare composites were also characterized by HR-TEM images, mapping of elements and also magnetization measurements. The content of Au and Ag was determined by AAS analysis. The synthesized composites have a significantly lower density against magnetic composites based on iron oxides, which considerably decreases the tendency to sedimentation. The polystyrene shell on a magnetic iron oxide core also pronouncedly reduces the inclination to particle aggregation. Moreover, the preparation and purification of this SERS substrate takes only a few minutes. The PS composite with thorny Au particles with the size of approximately 100 nm prepared was utilized for specific and selective detection ofStaphylococcus aureusinfection in joint knee fluid (PJI) and tau protein (marker for Alzheimer disease).
PHACTR1 genetic variability is not critical in small vessel ischemic disease patients and PcomA recruitment in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Messerschmidt Clemens , Foddis Marco , Blumenau Sonja , Müller Susanne , Bentele Kajetan , Holtgrewe Manuel , Kun-Rodrigues Celia , Alonso Isabel , do Carmo Macario Maria , Morgadinho Ana Sofia , Velon Ana Graça , Santo Gustavo , Santana Isabel , Mönkäre Saana , Kuuluvainen Liina , Schleutker Johanna , Pöyhönen Minna , Myllykangas Liisa , Senatore Assunta , Berchtold Daniel , Winek Katarzyna , Meisel Andreas , Pavlovic Aleksandra , Kostic Vladimir , Dobricic Valerija , Lohmann Ebba , Hanagasi Hasmet , Guven Gamze , Bilgic Basar , Bras Jose , Guerreiro Rita , Beule Dieter , Dirnagl Ulrich , Sassi Celeste
Published: March 2021

Recently, several genome-wide association studies identified PHACTR1 as key locus for five diverse vascular disorders: coronary artery disease, migraine, fibromuscular dysplasia, cervical artery dissection and hypertension. Although these represent significant risk factors or comorbidities for ischemic stroke, PHACTR1 role in brain small vessel ischemic disease and ischemic stroke most important survival mechanism, such as the recruitment of brain collateral arteries like posterior communicating arteries (PcomAs), remains unknown. Therefore, we applied exome and genome sequencing in a multi-ethnic cohort of 180 early-onset independent familial and apparently sporadic brain small vessel ischemic disease and CADASIL-like Caucasian patients from US, Portugal, Finland, Serbia and Turkey and in 2 C57BL/6J stroke mouse models (bilateral common carotid artery stenosis [BCCAS] and middle cerebral artery occlusion [MCAO]), characterized by different degrees of PcomAs patency. We report 3 very rare coding variants in the small vessel ischemic disease-CADASIL-like cohort (p.Glu198Gln, p.Arg204Gly, p.Val251Leu) and a stop-gain mutation (p.Gln273*) in one MCAO mouse. These coding variants do not cluster in PHACTR1 known pathogenic domains and are not likely to play a critical role in small vessel ischemic disease or brain collateral circulation. We also exclude the possibility that copy number variants (CNVs) or a variant enrichment in Phactr1 may be associated with PcomA recruitment in BCCAS mice or linked to diverse vascular traits (cerebral blood flow pre-surgery, PcomA size, leptomeningeal microcollateral length and junction density during brain hypoperfusion) in C57BL/6J mice, respectively. Genetic variability in PHACTR1 is not likely to be a common susceptibility factor influencing small vessel ischemic disease in patients and PcomA recruitment in C57BL/6J mice. Nonetheless, rare variants in PHACTR1 RPEL domains may influence the stroke outcome and are worth investigating in a larger cohort of small vessel ischemic disease patients, different ischemic stroke subtypes and with functional studies.
Expression profile of the matricellular protein periostin in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Coelho Tracy , Sonnenberg-Riethmacher Eva , Gao Yifang , Mossotto Enrico , Khojanazarov Alisher , Griffin Annie , Mukanova Saida , Ashimkhanova Aiymkul , Haggarty Rachel , Borissenko Anton , Ashton James J. , Stafford Imogen S. , Batra Akshay , Afzal Nadeem A. , Stanton Michael P. , Vadgama Bhumita , Adrisova Kapura , Beattie Robert M. , Williams Anthony P. , Ennis Sarah , Riethmacher Dieter
Published: March 2021

The precise role of periostin, an extra-cellular matrix protein, in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unclear. Here, we investigated periostin in paediatric IBD including its relationship with disease activity, clinical outcomes, genomic variation and expression in the colonic tissue. Plasma periostin was analysed using ELISA in 144 paediatric patients and 38 controls. Plasma levels were assessed against validated disease activity indices in IBD and clinical outcomes. An immuno-fluorescence for periostin and detailed isoform-expression analysis in the colonic tissue was performed in 23 individuals. We integrated a whole-gene based burden metric ‘GenePy’ to assess the impact of variation in POSTN and 23 other genes functionally connected to periostin. We found that plasma periostin levels were significantly increased during remission compared to active Crohn’s disease. The immuno-fluorescence analysis demonstrated enhanced peri-cryptal ring patterns in patients compared to controls, present throughout inflamed, as well as macroscopically non-inflamed colonic tissue. Interestingly, the pattern of isoforms remained unchanged during bowel inflammation compared to healthy controls. In addition to its role during the inflammatory processes in IBD, periostin may have an additional prominent role in mucosal repair. Additional studies will be necessary to understand its role in the pathogenesis, repair and fibrosis in IBD.
The flavonoid 7,8-DHF fosters prenatal brain proliferation potency in a mouse model of Down syndrome
Authors: Stagni Fiorenza , Uguagliati Beatrice , Emili Marco , Giacomini Andrea , Bartesaghi Renata , Guidi Sandra
Published: March 2021

Neurogenesis impairment is a key determinant of intellectual disability in Down syndrome (DS), a genetic pathology due to triplication of chromosome 21. Since neurogenesis ceases after birth, apart in the hippocampus and olfactory bulb, the only means to tackle the problem of neurogenesis impairment in DS at its root is to intervene during gestation. A few studies in DS mouse models show that this is possible, although the drugs used may raise caveats in terms of safety. We previously found that neonatal treatment with 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a flavonoid present in plants, restores hippocampal neurogenesis in the Ts65Dn model of DS. The goal of the current study was to establish whether prenatal treatment with 7,8-DHF improves/restores overall brain proliferation potency. Pregnant Ts65Dn females received 7,8-DHF from embryonic day 10 until delivery. On postnatal day 2 (P2) the pups were injected with BrdU and were killed after either 2 h or 52–60 days (P52–60). Evaluation of the number of proliferating (BrdU+) cells in various forebrain neurogenic niches of P2 mice showed that in treated Ts65Dn mice proliferation potency was improved or even restored in most of the examined regions, including the hippocampus. Quantification of the surviving BrdU+ cells in the dentate gyrus of P52–60 mice showed no difference between treated and untreated Ts65Dn mice. At P52–60, however, treated Ts65Dn mice exhibited a larger number of granule cells in comparison with their untreated counterparts, although their number did not reach that of euploid mice. Results show that 7,8-DHF has a widespread impact on prenatal proliferation potency in Ts65Dn mice and exerts mild long-term effects. It remains to be established whether treatment extending into the neonatal period can lead to an improvement in brain development that is retained in adulthood.
Renormalization group theory of molecular dynamics
Authors: Ichishima Daiji , Matsumura Yuya
Published: March 2021

Large scale computation by molecular dynamics (MD) method is often challenging or even impractical due to its computational cost, in spite of its wide applications in a variety of fields. Although the recent advancement in parallel computing and introduction of coarse-graining methods have enabled large scale calculations, macroscopic analyses are still not realizable. Here, we present renormalized molecular dynamics (RMD), a renormalization group of MD in thermal equilibrium derived by using the Migdal–Kadanoff approximation. The RMD method improves the computational efficiency drastically while retaining the advantage of MD. The computational efficiency is improved by a factor of $$2^{n(D+1)}$$

2

n
(
D
+
1
)

over conventional MD where D is the spatial dimension and n is the number of applied renormalization transforms. We verify RMD by conducting two simulations; melting of an aluminum slab and collision of aluminum spheres. Both problems show that the expectation values of physical quantities are in good agreement after the renormalization, whereas the consumption time is reduced as expected. To observe behavior of RMD near the critical point, the critical exponent of the Lennard-Jones potential is extracted by calculating specific heat on the mesoscale. The critical exponent is obtained as $$\nu =0.63\pm 0.01$$

ν
=
0.63
±
0.01

. In addition, the renormalization group of dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) is derived. Renormalized DPD is equivalent to RMD in isothermal systems under the condition such that Deborah number $$De\ll 1$$

D
e
≪
1

.
Efficient organic mulch thickness for soil and water conservation in urban areas
Authors: Wang Bing , Niu Jianzhi , Berndtsson Ronny , Zhang Linus , Chen Xiongwen , Li Xiang , Zhu Zhijun
Published: March 2021

The use of organic mulch is important for urban green applications. For urban areas in arid and semiarid regions receiving short high-intensive rainfall, rainfall characteristics, and soil slope play an important role for mulch functioning. These properties of mulch were studied. For this purpose, rainfall simulation experiments using organic mulching were conducted in Jiufeng National Forestry Park to analyze the influence of organic mulch under different slope and heavy rainfall events. The results showed that soil water content displayed a decreasing tendency with increasing mulch application. Compared to bare soil, a mulch application of 0.25 kg/m2and 0.50 kg/m2led to maximum soil water content and maximum runoff decrease occurred for 0.50 kg/m2mulch. Higher application rate of mulch displayed less soil water content and greater runoff. The runoff amount and runoff generation rate decreased by 28–83% and 21–83%, respectively, as compared to bare soil. With a mulch application of 0.25–1.00 kg/m2, soil drainage accounted for 56–60% of total rainfall. Overall, an efficient mulch application was found to be 0.25–0.50 kg/m2. The results of this study are relevant for arid and semiarid urban regions that experience heavy rainfall.
Effect of upper respiratory infection on anaesthesia induced atelectasis in paediatric patients
Authors: Lee Hye-Mi , Byon Hyo-Jin , Kim Namo , Gleich Stephen J. , Flick Randall P. , Lee Jeong-Rim
Published: March 2021

Upper respiratory tract infection (URI) symptoms are known to increase perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs) in children undergoing general anaesthesia. General anaesthesia per se also induces atelectasis, which may worsen with URIs and yield detrimental outcomes. However, the influence of URI symptoms on anaesthesia-induced atelectasis in children has not been investigated. This study aimed to demonstrate whether current URI symptoms induce aggravation of perioperative atelectasis in children. Overall, 270 children aged 6 months to 6 years undergoing surgery were prospectively recruited. URI severity was scored using a questionnaire and the degree of atelectasis was defined by sonographic findings showing juxtapleural consolidation and B-lines. The correlation between severity of URI and degree of atelectasis was analysed by multiple linear regression. Overall, 256 children were finally analysed. Most children had only one or two mild symptoms of URI, which were not associated with the atelectasis score across the entire cohort. However, PRAE occurrences showed significant correspondence with the URI severity (odds ratio 1.36, 95% confidence interval 1.10–1.67, p = 0.004). In conclusion, mild URI symptoms did not exacerbate anaesthesia-induced atelectasis, though the presence and severity of URI were correlated with PRAEs in children.

Trial registration:Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03355547).
Comorbidity index for predicting mortality at 6 months after reperfusion therapy
Authors: Nam Hyo Suk , Kim Young Dae , Yoo Joonsang , Park Hyungjong , Kim Byung Moon , Bang Oh Young , Kim Hyeon Chang , Han Euna , Kim Dong Joon , Heo Joonyung , Kim Minyoung , Choi Jin Kyo , Lee Kyung-Yul , Lee Hye Sun , Shin Dong Hoon , Choi Hye-Yeon , Sohn Sung-Il , Hong Jeong-Ho , Lee Jong Yun , Baek Jang-Hyun , Kim Gyu Sik , Seo Woo-Keun , Chung Jong-Won , Kim Seo Hyun , Song Tae-Jin , Han Sang Won , Park Joong Hyun , Kim Jinkwon , Jung Yo Han , Cho Han-Jin , Ahn Seong Hwan , Lee Sung Ik , Seo Kwon-Duk , Heo Ji Hoe
Published: March 2021

The eligibility of reperfusion therapy has been expanded to increase the number of patients. However, it remains unclear the reperfusion therapy will be beneficial in stroke patients with various comorbidities. We developed a reperfusion comorbidity index for predicting 6-month mortality in patients with acute stroke receiving reperfusion therapy. The 19 comorbidities included in the Charlson comorbidity index were adopted and modified. We developed a statistical model and it was validated using data from a prospective cohort. Among 1026 patients in the retrospective nationwide reperfusion therapy registry, 845 (82.3%) had at least one comorbidity. As the number of comorbidities increased, the likelihood of mortality within 6 months also increased (p < 0.001). Six out of the 19 comorbidities were included for developing the reperfusion comorbidity index on the basis of the odds ratios in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. This index showed good prediction of 6-month mortality in the retrospective cohort (area under the curve [AUC], 0.747; 95% CI, 0.704–0.790) and in 333 patients in the prospective cohort (AUC, 0.784; 95% CI, 0.709–0.859). Consideration of comorbidities might be helpful for the prediction of the 6-month mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke who receive reperfusion therapy.
Unimanual and bimanual motor performance in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) provide evidence for underlying motor control deficits
Authors: Grohs Melody N. , Hawe Rachel L. , Dukelow Sean P. , Dewey Deborah
Published: March 2021

Much of our understanding of motor control deficits in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) comes from upper limb assessments focusing on the dominant limb. Here, using two robotic behavioural tasks, we investigated motor control in both the dominant and non-dominant limbs of children with DCD. Twenty-six children with diagnosed DCD (20 males; mean age 10.6 years ± 1.3 years) and 155 controls were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a visually guided reaching task with their dominant and non-dominant limbs and a bimanual object hitting task. Motor performance was quantified across nine parameters. We determined the number of children with DCD who fell outside of the typical performance range of the controls on these parameters and compared the DCD and control groups using ANCOVAs, accounting for age. Children with DCD demonstrated impairments in six out of nine parameters; deficits were more commonly noted in the non-dominant limb. Interestingly, when looking at individual performance, several children with DCD performed in the range of controls. These findings indicate that children with DCD display deficits in motor control in both the dominant and non-dominant limb and highlight the importance of including detailed assessments of both limbs when investigating children with DCD. They also demonstrate the variability in motor control performance evidenced by children with DCD.
Simultaneous synthesis of graphite-like and amorphous carbon materials via solution plasma and their evaluation as additive materials for cathode in Li–O2 battery
Authors: Chokradjaroen Chayanaphat , Watanabe Hiroko , Ishii Takahiro , Ishizaki Takahiro
Published: March 2021

Cathode materials are essential for enhancing electrocatalytic activity in energy-conversion devices. Carbon is one of the most suitable cathodic materials for Li–O2 batteries owing to its chemical and thermal stability. Carbon materials synthesized from tributyl borate (TBB) using a nonthermal solution plasma method were characterized using x‐ray diffraction, Raman, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and were evaluated as additive materials for cathodes in a Li–O2 battery. Two separate carbon materials were formed at the same time, a carbon dispersed in solution and a carbon precipitate at the bottom of the reactor, which had amorphous and graphite-like structures, respectively. The amorphous carbon contained boron and tungsten carbide, and the graphite-like carbon had more defects and electronic conductivity. The crystallinity and density of defects in the graphite-like carbon could be tuned by changing the SP operating frequency. The Li–O2 battery with the amorphous carbon containing boron and tungsten carbide was found to have a high capacity, while the one with the graphite-like carbon showed an affinity for the formation of Li2O2, which is the desired discharge product, and exhibited high cycling performance.
Clinical consequences of head and neck free-flap reconstructions in the DM population
Authors: Chiu Ting-Han , Tsao Chung-Kan , Chang Sheng-Nan , Lin Jou-Wei , Hwang Juey-Jen
Published: March 2021

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common comorbidity and risk factor for postoperative complications in head and neck (H&N) microsurgical reconstructions. Our study focused on the association between DM and individual complications regarding both surgical and medical aspects. A meta-analysis of English-language articles comparing a series of complications between DM and non-DM H&N free-flap recipients was performed by comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA). Twenty-seven articles presented 14,233 H&N free-flap reconstructions, and a subset of 2329 analyses including diabetic cases was included for final analysis. Total postoperative (RR = 1.194, p < 0.001; OR = 1.506, p = 0.030) and surgical (RR = 1.550, p = 0.001; OR = 3.362, p < 0.001) complications were increased in DM subjects. Free-flap failure/necrosis (RR = 1.577, p = 0.001; OR = 1.999, p = 0.001) and surgical site infections (OR = 2.414, p < 0.001) were also increased in diabetic recipients. However, return to the operating room, dehiscence, fistulas, plate exposures, readmissions, and mortalities were not increased in DM patients. DM increased various complications in H&N free-flap reconstructions. Surgical indications should be cautiously evaluated, and aggressive treatments should be implemented for high-risk recipients.
1.3 µm dissipative soliton resonance generation in Bismuth doped fiber laser
Authors: Ahmad H. , Aidit S. N. , Ooi S. I. , Samion M. Z. , Wang S. , Wang Y. , Sahu J. K. , Zamzuri A. K.
Published: March 2021

In this work, a Figure-9 (F9) bismuth-doped fiber laser (BiDFL) operating in the dissipative soliton resonance (DSR) regime is presented. The 1338 nm laser used a BiDF as the active gain medium, while a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror (NALM) in an F9 configuration was employed to obtain high energy mode-locked pulses. The wave breaking-free rectangular pulse widened significantly in the time domain with the increase of the pump power while maintaining an almost constant peak power of 0.6 W. At the maximum pump power, the mode-locked laser delivered a rectangular-shaped pulse with a duration of 48 ns, repetition rate of 362 kHz and a radio-frequency signal-to-noise ratio of more than 60 dB. The maximum output power was recorded at around 11 mW with a corresponding pulse energy of 30 nJ. This is, to the best of the author’s knowledge, the highest mode-locked pulse energy obtained at 1.3 μm as well as the demonstration of an NALM BiDFL in a F9 configuration.