bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The evolution of ancestral and species-specific adaptations in snowfinches at the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau
Authors: Qu Yanhua , Chen Chunhai , Chen Xiumin , Hao Yan , She Huishang , Wang Mengxia , Ericson Per G. P. , Lin Haiyan , Cai Tianlong , Song Gang , Jia Chenxi , Chen Chunyan , Zhang Hailin , Li Jiang , Liang Liping , Wu Tianyu , Zhao Jinyang , Gao Qiang , Zhang Guojie , Zhai Weiwei , Zhang Chi , Zhang Yong E. , Lei Fumin
Published: March 2021

Significance

Harsh conditions in high elevations present strong stresses for organisms. Previous studies targeting phylogenetically distinct species revealed cases of diversified adaptations, but it remains largely unknown how common ancestry contributes to evolution of similar adaptations. Our study based on a species complex (snowfinches) living on Qinghai–Tibet Plateau shows that ancestral snowfinches had phenotypically evolved larger body size and genetically an accelerated selection on genes related to development and signaling. From this ancestral state of adaptation three descendants have undergone independent adaptive processes in response to the differences in selective pressures acting on them. A striking example is a DNA repair gene,
DTL
, in which nonsynonymous substitutions evolving in ancestor and descendants have led to different DNA damage repair kinetics.
CMT2N-causing aminoacylation domain mutants enable Nrp1 interaction with AlaRS
Authors: Sun Litao , Wei Na , Kuhle Bernhard , Blocquel David , Novick Scott , Matuszek Zaneta , Zhou Huihao , He Weiwei , Zhang Jingjing , Weber Thomas , Horvath Rita , Latour Philippe , Pan Tao , Schimmel Paul , Griffin Patrick R. , Yang Xiang-Lei
Published: March 2021

Significance

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a devastating motor and sensory neuropathy with an estimated 100,000 afflicted individuals in the US. Unexpectedly, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are the largest disease-associated protein family. A natural explanation is that the disease is associated with weak translation or mistranslation (caused by editing defects). However, our results with six different disease-causing mutants in AlaRS ruled out defects in aminoacylation or editing as causal factors. Instead, specific mutant proteins gained a neuropilin 1 (Nrp1)-AlaRS interaction. Previously a gain of Nrp1 interaction with a different disease-causing tRNA synthetase was mechanistically linked to the pathology of CMT. Thus, our results raise the possibility that pathological engagement of Nrp1 is common to at least a subset of tRNA synthetase-associated cases of CMT.
A synthesis of health benefits of natural sounds and their distribution in national parks
Authors: Buxton Rachel T. , Pearson Amber L. , Allou Claudia , Fristrup Kurt , Wittemyer George
Published: March 2021

Significance

This study examines evidence of the health benefits of natural soundscapes and quantifies the prevalence of restorative acoustic environments in national parks across the United States. The results affirm that natural sounds improve health, increase positive affect, and lower stress and annoyance. Also, analyses reveal many national park sites with a high abundance of natural sound and low anthropogenic sound. Raising awareness of natural soundscapes at national parks provides opportunities to enhance visitor health outcomes. Despite more abundant anthropogenic sound, urban and frequently visited sites offered exposure to natural sounds associated with health benefits, making them a valuable target for soundscape mitigation. Our analysis can inform spatial planning that focuses on managing natural soundscapes to enhance human health and experiences.
Public data from three US states provide new insights into well integrity
Authors: Lackey Greg , Rajaram Harihar , Bolander James , Sherwood Owen A. , Ryan Joseph N. , Shih Chung Yan , Bromhal Grant S. , Dilmore Robert M.
Published: March 2021

Significance

There are over 900,000 active oil and gas wells in the United States. Estimates of the percentage of these wells that leak during their lifetime have been limited by data availability. We mined publicly available records from state regulatory databases and synthesized the results of various well testing methods into a uniform dataset that describes the integrity of 105,031 wells. Our analysis of the dataset provides insight into regional well leakage frequencies in three US states (Colorado, New Mexico, and Pennsylvania), spatial and temporal leakage trends among vertical and directional wells, and the characteristics of leaked fluids. Our findings demonstrate the value of statewide well testing programs and highlight the challenges of interpreting disparate interjurisdictional well testing data.
Invasiveness is linked to greater commercial success in the global pet trade
Authors: Gippet Jérôme M. W. , Bertelsmeier Cleo
Published: March 2021

Significance

The global pet trade may accelerate the spread of invasive species around the world, which threatens native biodiversity and impacts human economy and health. Here, using an extensive metaanalysis, we show that invasive species are strongly overrepresented across mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish traded as pets. Even in the emergent trade of ants as pets, which is too recent to be responsible for any invasions yet, we found an overrepresentation of invasive species. This indicates that the pet trade not only creates opportunities for invasions, but that it favors specifically invasive species. These findings call for the rapid implementation of strict international regulations of the trade in animals as pets.
CODY enables quantitatively spatiotemporal predictions on in vivo gut microbial variability induced by diet intervention
Authors: Geng Jun , Ji Boyang , Li Gang , López-Isunza Felipe , Nielsen Jens
Published: March 2021

Significance

Quantitatively understanding and predicting spatiotemporal dynamics of microbiota is imperative for development of tailored microbiome-directed therapeutics treatments. However, the complexity of microbial variations, due to interactions with the host, other microbes, and environmental factors, makes it challenging to identify how microbiota colonize in the human gut. Here, we describe a novel multiscale framework for COmputing the DYnamics of the gut microbiota (CODY), which enables the quantification of spatiotemporal-specific variations of gut microbiome abundance profiles, without a prior knowledge of microbiome interactions. Importantly, the predictive power of CODY is demonstrated using cross-sectional data from two longitudinal metagenomics studies—the microbiota development during early infancy and during short-term diet intervention of obese adults.
Free-energy changes of bacteriorhodopsin point mutants measured by single-molecule force spectroscopy
Authors: Jacobson David R. , Perkins Thomas T.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Membrane proteins are of great biological and biomedical interest; they constitute 30% of encoded proteins and are the targets of ∼50% of drugs. Measurements of membrane protein energetics by mutating individual amino acids provide information that cannot be obtained from structural studies alone. Traditional thermodynamic assays employ chemical denaturants and nonnative micelles that imperfectly reflect the biologically relevant conditions of the native lipid bilayer. Additionally, chemical denaturation is not thermodynamically reversible for many proteins, limiting its scope. Here, we present a different approach that is based on the mechanical unfolding of individual membrane proteins. Our method yields precise energetic characterization of membrane protein point mutants embedded in their native lipid bilayer without introducing confounding denaturant interactions or requiring global reversibility.
Functional monovalency amplifies the pathogenicity of anti-MuSK IgG4 in myasthenia gravis
Authors: Vergoossen Dana L. E. , Plomp Jaap J. , Gstöttner Christoph , Fillié-Grijpma Yvonne E. , Augustinus Roy , Verpalen Robyn , Wuhrer Manfred , Parren Paul W. H. I. , Dominguez-Vega Elena , van der Maarel Silvère M. , Verschuuren Jan J. , Huijbers Maartje G.
Published: March 2021

Significance

An expanding group of autoimmune diseases is now recognized to be hallmarked by pathogenic IgG4 autoantibodies. IgG4 has the unique ability to exchange Fab-arms, rendering it bispecific and functionally monovalent. Here we show that autoantibody functional monovalency significantly amplifies the pathogenicity of IgG4 autoantibodies using patient-derived monoclonal antibodies in an in vivo model of MuSK myasthenia gravis. Therefore, subclass switching to predominant IgG4 autoantibodies is a critical step in the development of MuSK myasthenia gravis. This new mechanism in autoimmunity is also potentially relevant to 29 other IgG4-mediated autoimmune diseases known to date, allergy and other disease settings where IgG4 antibodies contribute to pathology.
Paxbp1 controls a key checkpoint for cell growth and survival during early activation of quiescent muscle satellite cells
Authors: Zhou Shaopu , Han Lifang , Weng Mingxi , Zhu Han , Heng Youshan , Wang Gang , Shen Zeyu , Chen Xianwei , Fu Xinrong , Zhang Mingjie , Wu Zhenguo
Published: March 2021

Significance

This work investigated the in vivo role of Paxbp1, a poorly studied nuclear protein, in regulating adult mouse muscle stem cells (MuSCs). By deletingPaxbp1in adult mouse quiescent MuSCs, we found thatPaxbp1-null MuSCs were unable to reenter the cell cycle to proliferate upon muscle injury and subsequently underwent apoptosis, resulting in a total failure in injury-induced muscle regeneration. Mechanistically, we found that Paxbp1 controls a late cell-growth checkpoint by targeting mTORC1. Loss ofPaxbp1in MuSCs led to increased levels of reactive oxygen species that in turn triggered p53 activation and induction of multiple p53 target genes, some of which contributed to cell-cycle arrest (e.g.,Cdkn1a), apoptosis (e.g.,Apaf1), and impaired mTORC1 signaling (e.g.,Sesn2andDdit4).
Mitochondrial metabolism is essential for invariant natural killer T cell development and function
Authors: Weng Xiufang , Kumar Amrendra , Cao Liang , He Ying , Morgun Eva , Visvabharathy Lavanya , Zhao Jie , Sena Laura A. , Weinberg Sam E. , Chandel Navdeep S. , Wang Chyung-Ru
Published: March 2021

Significance

We show CD1d-restricted natural killer (NK)T cells have distinct metabolic profiles compared with CD4
+
conventional T cells. Mature NKT cells have poor fatty acid oxidation and exhibit reduced mitochondrial respiratory reserve in the steady state. In addition, NKT cell development is more sensitive to alterations in mitochondrial electron transport chain function than conventional T cells. Using T cell-specific mitochondrial complex III ablation in mice, we further demonstrate that mitochondrial metabolism plays a crucial role in NKT cell development and function by modulating T cell receptor/interleukin-15 signaling and NFAT activity. Collectively, our data provide evidence for a critical role of mitochondrial metabolism in NKT cell development and activation, opening a new avenue for NKT cell-based immunotherapy by manipulating NKT cell metabolism.
Supercell tornadoes are much stronger and wider than damage-based ratings indicate
Authors: Wurman Joshua , Kosiba Karen , White Trevor , Robinson Paul
Published: March 2021

Significance

This study documents the actual distribution of supercell-tornado wind intensities and sizes, revealing that most are much stronger than damage surveys indicate, with >20% of tornadoes potentially capable of causing catastrophic EF-4/EF-5 damage. Additionally, supercell tornadoes are shown to be much wider than damage surveys indicate. These results are significant for tornado science, tornado risk quantification and mitigation, and design for more resilient communities. We also present meaningful comparisons of the distribution of actually observed tornado intensities and sizes with theoretical predictions, which is significant for basic tornado science.
The CysLT
2
R receptor mediates leukotriene C
4
-driven acute and chronic itch
Authors: Voisin Tiphaine , Perner Caroline , Messou Marie-Angele , Shiers Stephanie , Ualiyeva Saltanat , Kanaoka Yoshihide , Price Theodore J. , Sokol Caroline L. , Bankova Lora G. , Austen K. Frank , Chiu Isaac M.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Interactions between the nervous system and immune system are central regulators of chronic itch, a key feature of pathologies like atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis. Cysteinyl leukotrienes (LTC
4
, LTD
4
, and LTE
4
) are eicosanoid lipids known for mediating inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and vascular leakage. We demonstrate here that CysLTs are potent itch inducers and that this effect depends on the specific coupling of LTC
4
with its receptor CysLT
2
R, which is expressed in a population of peripheral sensory neurons in the mouse and in human. We show that the LTC
4
/CysLT
2
R pathway contributes to a model of chronic itch, suggesting that CysLT
2
R could be a new therapeutic target for intractable chronic itch.
GFAP hyperpalmitoylation exacerbates astrogliosis and neurodegenerative pathology in PPT1-deficient mice
Authors: Yuan Wei , Lu Liaoxun , Rao Muding , Huang Yang , Liu Chun-e , Liu Shuang , Zhao Yue , Liu Huicong , Zhu Jiangli , Chao Tianzhu , Wu Can , Ren Junyan , Lv Luxian , Li Wenqiang , Qi Shiqian , Liang Yinming , Yue Shijing , Gao Jian , Zhang Zhongjian , Kong Eryan
Published: March 2021

Significance

This study reports that the intermediate filament protein GFAP is modified with protein palmitoylation. Increased GFAP expression and palmitoylation is involved in astrocyte proliferation and astrogliosis. We demonstrate that GFAP palmitoylation is regulated by PPT1, a palmitoylprotein thioesterase linked to a childhood neurodegenerative disorder, infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. A palmitoylation-defective mutant of GFAP attenuates astrogliosis and the concurrent pathology in a loss-of-function PPT1 mouse. We conclude that accumulation of palmitoylated GFAP contributes to the pathogenesis of astrogliosis and neurodegeneration, suggesting that targeting the modified cysteine in GFAP may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The rotational and divergent components of atmospheric circulation on tidally locked planets
Authors: Hammond Mark , Lewis Neil T.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Tidally locked exoplanets have a permanent day side and night side. Understanding the atmospheric circulation on these planets is crucial for interpreting telescope observations and assessing their habitability. We show that the main components of the circulation—a jet going around the planet, stationary atmospheric waves, and direct flow from the day side to the night side—can be separated using a simple mathematical decomposition. This decomposition will significantly aid future study of tidally locked atmospheres. As an illustration, we use it to quantify heat transport due to different components of the circulation. This analysis reveals that the direct day–night component can dominate heat transport from the day side to the night side, even when the jet is strong.
Nongenetic individuality, changeability, and inheritance in bacterial behavior
Authors: Pleška Maroš , Jordan David , Frentz Zak , Xue BingKan , Leibler Stanislas
Published: March 2021

Significance

Isogenic microbial populations in constant and homogeneous environments can display remarkable levels of phenotypic diversity. Quantitative understanding of how such diversity is generated and maintained in populations is, however, experimentally and theoretically challenging. We focus on the swimming behavior of
Escherichia coli
as a model system of phenotypic diversity and show that, despite temporal changes in behavior that each individual undergoes, significant differences between individuals persist throughout most of their lifetimes. While the behavior of even closely related bacteria can be remarkably different, the behavioral variations produced by nongenetic mechanisms are inherited across generations. The general experimental and theoretical framework developed here can be applied to study quantitative aspects of phenotypic diversity in many biological systems.
Evolved increases in hemoglobin-oxygen affinity and the Bohr effect coincided with the aquatic specialization of penguins
Authors: Signore Anthony V. , Tift Michael S. , Hoffmann Federico G. , Schmitt Todd. L. , Moriyama Hideaki , Storz Jay F.
Published: March 2021

Significance

In diving birds like penguins, physiologic considerations suggest that increased hemoglobin (Hb)-O
2
affinity may improve pulmonary O
2
extraction and enhance dive capacity. We integrated experimental tests on whole-blood and native Hbs of penguins with protein engineering experiments on reconstructed ancestral Hbs. The experiments involving ancestral protein resurrection enabled us to test for evolved changes in Hb function in the stem lineage of penguins after divergence from their closest nondiving relatives. We demonstrate that penguins evolved an increased Hb-O
2
affinity in conjunction with a greatly augmented Bohr effect (i.e., reduction in Hb-O
2
affinity at low pH) that should maximize pulmonary O
2
extraction without compromising O
2
delivery at systemic capillaries.
The structure of the native cardiac thin filament at systolic Ca
2+
levels
Authors: Risi Cristina M. , Pepper Ian , Belknap Betty , Landim-Vieira Maicon , White Howard D. , Dryden Kelly , Pinto Jose R. , Chase P. Bryant , Galkin Vitold E.
Published: March 2021

Significance

Heartbeats rely on cyclical interactions between myosin thick and actin thin filaments orchestrated by rising and falling Ca
2+
. During systole, Ca
2+
binds to the thin filament and allows its interaction with the thick filament to produce force required for contraction. The structure of the thin filament at physiological Ca
2+
levels is unknown, which limits our understanding of the thin filament regulation by Ca
2+
. Here, we directly observe thin filament structural states along individual filaments at systolic Ca
2+
levels to show that the thin filament is activated stochastically with short-range cooperativity evident only on one strand of the thin filament. We suggest how cardiac muscle can be regulated by a narrow range of Ca
2+
levels upon transition from diastole to systole.
Activated nanoscale actin-binding domain motion in the catenin–cadherin complex revealed by neutron spin echo spectroscopy
Authors: Farago Bela , Nicholl Iain D. , Wang Shen , Cheng Xiaolin , Callaway David J. E. , Bu Zimei
Published: March 2021

Significance

Mechanical force affects fundamental processes in biology like cell adhesion, tissue morphogenesis, and tumorigenesis. The molecular mechanisms by which cells utilize their protein machineries to sense and transduce mechanical forces remain to be elucidated. This study describes the application of neutron spin echo spectroscopy to reveal the activation of nanoscale motions of the actin-binding domain in the cadherin–catenin complex. The activated domain motion and an ensemble of domain configurations adopted by the mechanosensory actin-binding domain suggest the formation of an entropic trap in the cadherin–catenin complex. We hypothesize that mechanical tension facilitates the reduction in entropy of a mechanosensitive protein and thereby focuses the configuration space to specific conformations that are competent to bind the moving actin microfilament.
Isolation and characterization ofHelicobacter suisfrom human stomach
Authors: Rimbara Emiko , Suzuki Masato , Matsui Hidenori , Nakamura Masahiko , Morimoto Misako , Sasakawa Chihiro , Masuda Hiroki , Nomura Sachiyo , Osaki Takako , Nagata Noriyo , Shibayama Keigo , Tokunaga Kengo
Published: March 2021

Significance

This study directly demonstrates virulence-associated features ofHelicobacter suisinfection using isolates obtained from human stomachs.H. suisis the second-most-prevalentHelicobacterspecies in the human stomach, but diagnostic tests forHelicobacter pylorioften fail to diagnoseH. suis. H. suisdoes not have orthologs of either cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) or vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), two major virulence factors inH. pylori, suggesting that the molecular pathogenicity ofH. suisand clinical manifestations caused byH. suisinfection are different from those caused byH. pylori. This study paves the way for epidemiological research aimed at identifying the causal relationships betweenH. suisand gastric diseases and developing diagnostic methods.
Rich false memories of autobiographical events can be reversed
Authors: Oeberst Aileen , Wachendörfer Merle Madita , Imhoff Roland , Blank Hartmut
Published: March 2021

Significance

Human memory is fallible and malleable. In forensic settings in particular, this poses a challenge because people may falsely remember events with legal implications that never actually happened. Despite an urgent need for remedies, however, research on whether and how rich false autobiographical memories can be reversed under realistic conditions (i.e., using reversal strategies that can be applied in real-world settings) is virtually nonexistent. The present study therefore not only replicates and extends previous demonstrations of false memories but, crucially, documents their reversibility after the fact: Employing two ecologically valid strategies, we show that rich but false autobiographical memories can mostly be undone. Importantly, reversal was specific to false memories (i.e., did not occur for true memories).
Early volatile depletion on planetesimals inferred from C–S systematics of iron meteorite parent bodies
Authors: Hirschmann Marc M. , Bergin Edwin A. , Blake Geoff A. , Ciesla Fred J. , Li Jie
Published: March 2021

Significance

Habitable rocky worlds require a supply of essential volatile elements (C, H, N, and S). These are plentiful in early solar systems but depleted during processes leading to planet formation. Here, evidence for loss during differentiation of small precursor bodies (planetesimals) is derived from iron meteorites, which are samples of planetesimal cores. Reconstruction of the C and S contents of planetesimal cores indicates severe C depletions compared to inferred original planetesimal compositions. Modeling of depletion processes shows that preferential loss of C compared to S is transferred to cores during differentiation. Iron meteorites preserve evidence of a key devolatilization stage in the formation of habitable planets and suggest pervasive carbon loss is likely associated with the birth of terrestrial worlds.
Restriction of food intake by PPP1R17-expressing neurons in the DMH
Authors: Caglar Caner , Friedman Jeffrey
Published: March 2021

Significance

We set out to identify novel neuronal populations controlling feeding behaviors. Therefore, we focused on identifying novel neuronal populations modulating food intake and body weight. In this article, we report that DMH
Ppp1r17
neurons are activated by increased food intake and that activating them results in decreased food intake and body weight, while inhibiting them leads to increased body weight and food intake. These data suggest that DMH
Ppp1r17
neurons restrict binges of eating. In addition to its basic science importance, these findings could have therapeutic applications, as they suggest that pharmacologic activation of PPP1R17 neurons could potentially reduce weight in settings of obesity and binge-like eating.
TMEM70 and TMEM242 help to assemble the rotor ring of human ATP synthase and interact with assembly factors for complex I
Authors: Carroll Joe , He Jiuya , Ding Shujing , Fearnley Ian M. , Walker John E.
Published: March 2021

Significance

The oxidation of energy rich compounds generates a proton motive force, a chemical potential difference for protons, across the inner membranes of the mitochondria. The proton motive force drives the turning of the rotor in the membrane domain of the ATP synthase. This rotation provides the energy to synthesize the ATP required to sustain life. The assembly in the inner organellar membrane of human ATP synthase from 27 nuclear encoded proteins and 2 mitochondrially encoded subunits involves the formation of intermediate modules representing the F
1
-catalytic domain, the peripheral stalk, and the c
8
-ring in the membrane part of the rotor. The assembly of the c
8
-ring requires the participation of two membrane-associated proteins, TMEM70 and, as we demonstrate, TMEM242.
Selective cysteine-to-selenocysteine changes in a [NiFe]-hydrogenase confirm a special position for catalysis and oxygen tolerance
Authors: Evans Rhiannon M. , Krahn Natalie , Murphy Bonnie J. , Lee Harrison , Armstrong Fraser A. , Söll Dieter
Published: March 2021

Significance

Substitution of cysteine by selenocysteine is held responsible for the increased performance of many enzymes: The higher activity of [NiFeSe]-hydrogenases compared with their [NiFe] counterparts is often attributed to the Sec replacement of one active-site cysteine ligand. Replacing each of the four active-site cysteine residues in an O
2
-tolerant [NiFe]-hydrogenase by selenocysteine shows that this substitution alone does not overcome the inability to evolve H
2
that is a characteristic of the group 1d hydrogenases. A nonbridging cysteine lying on the direct path between the Ni and an adjacent proton-relaying glutamic acid emerges as being very special: Its substitution by selenocysteine confers extreme tolerance to O
2
but disrupts the proton transfer pathway, providing an example of where sulfur is superior to selenium.
Rapport management strategies among the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Omotunde Samuel Adebayo , Ogunrotimi Olumide
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates the rapport management strategies among the Yoruba people of Southwestern Nigeria using Spencer-Oatey’s rapport management model. The authors relied on participant observation and overheard conversations in writing the paper. They are effectively equipped to write the work because they were born and bred in Yorubaland, hence, they are able to watch all the rapport management strategies at all relevant levels. Our findings reveal that five major rapport strategies are in operation in Yorubaland which are: use of selected nominal address forms by housewives to address family members; acknowledging the sociality rights and obligations of elders in-council by the king/chief; paying homage to elders by younger interlocutors before rendering proverbs; using indirectness and statement of consideration when interacting with elders on some issues; and lastly, proper deployment of non-verbal communication.
Gender Differences among Criminal Justice-Involved Persons Living with HIV Interested in Extended-Release Naltrexone Treatment
Authors: Biondi Breanne E. , Frank Cynthia A. , Forray Ariadna , Springer Sandra A.
Published: March 2021

Background

Previous research has shown gender differences with respect to entry into medication treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs), yet few have examined gender differences among participants consented to be treated with extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX). Understanding gender differences is critical to developing interventions to overcome barriers to initiation of and retention on medication treatment for SUDs.

Methods

Data from two double-blind placebo-controlled trials of XR-NTX among persons with HIV and alcohol or opioid use disorders leaving the criminal justice system (CJS) were analyzed for gender differences among clinical characteristics, mental health, drug use severity, and other domains. The study that recruited persons with alcohol use disorder (AUD) was conducted from September 2010–February 2016 at two sites in Connecticut (CT), and the opioid use disorder (OUD) study was conducted from September 2010–March 2016 at three sites in CT and one site in Massachusetts.

Results

Baseline data were analyzed from 193 participants consented to be randomized to XR-NTX or placebo; 40 women and 153 men. Women were younger, had worse mental health severity, and were more likely to be diagnosed with cocaine use disorder. There were no statistical differences between men and women in the prescription of antiretroviral therapy (ART) or ART adherence.

Conclusions

Women had greater mental health severity and a higher prevalence of cocaine use as compared to men, both of which are known to be barriers to engagement and retention on medication treatment for alcohol and opioid use disorders. For women with CJS involvement and living with HIV and SUDs, understanding factors that may affect initiation and retention on medication treatment of SUDs are necessary to improve treatment outcomes in women.
An International Consultation on Case Reports in Addiction Medicine
Authors: Qurishi Rouhollah , Drenth Joost P. H. , Baldacchino Alexander , Broers Barbara , Buwalda Victor J. A. , De Jong Cornelis A. J.
Published: March 2021

Background

A Case Report (CR) is a scientific documentation of a single clinical observation which serves to inform but also to educate the reader. Case reports help to compliment clinical critical thinking in Addiction Medicine (AM) when there is limited evidence base. Aim: This study aims to analyze how international clinical and research leaders in Addiction Medicine view Case Reports and their relevance to bridge the gap between evidence and practice.

Methods

A semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted with 12 international Addiction Medicine scholars. Thematic content analysis was used to code the transcribed interview data.

Results

Interviewees showed a positive view toward publishing Case Reports in Addiction Medicine. They found that medical students and clinicians working in the field of Addiction Medicine should be encouraged to share and record cases of clinical interaction. To aid this process (1) formal supervised training in case reporting within an academic environment must be facilitated. And (2) journals should also offer a place to publish Case Reports.

Conclusion

The international scholars agree that Case Reports are important for the development of Addiction Medicine and that they can contribute to a better understanding of patients with substance use disorder.
The cell biology of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Panicker Nikhil , Ge Preston , Dawson Valina L. , Dawson Ted M.
Published: March 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder resulting from the death of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Our understanding of PD biology has been enriched by the identification of genes involved in its rare, inheritable forms, termed PARK genes. These genes encode proteins including α-syn, LRRK2, VPS35, parkin, PINK1, and DJ1, which can cause monogenetic PD when mutated. Investigating the cellular functions of these proteins has been instrumental in identifying signaling pathways that mediate pathology in PD and neuroprotective mechanisms active during homeostatic and pathological conditions. It is now evident that many PD-associated proteins perform multiple functions in PD-associated signaling pathways in neurons. Furthermore, several PARK proteins contribute to non–cell-autonomous mechanisms of neuron death, such as neuroinflammation. A comprehensive understanding of cell-autonomous and non–cell-autonomous pathways involved in PD is essential for developing therapeutics that may slow or halt its progression.
On a three-dimensional Compton scattering tomography system with fixed source
Authors: Cebeiro J , Tarpau C , Morvidone M A , Rubio D , Nguyen M K
Published: March 2021

Compton scattering tomography is an emerging scanning technique with attractive applications in several fields such as non-destructive testing and medical imaging. In this paper, we study a modality in three dimensions that employs a fixed source and a single detector moving on a spherical surface. We also study the Radon transform modeling the data that consists of integrals on toric surfaces. Using spherical harmonics we arrive to a generalized Abel’s type equation connecting the coefficients of the expansion of the data with those of the function. We show the uniqueness of its solution and so the invertibility of the toric Radon transform. We illustrate this through numerical reconstructions in three dimensions using a regularized approach.
Luminescence of ZnO nanocrystals in silica synthesized by dual (Zn, O) implantation and thermal annealing
Authors: Parkhomenko I , Vlasukova L , Komarov F , Makhavikou M , Milchanin O , Wendler E , Zapf M , Ronning C
Published: March 2021

Zinc blende ZnO nanocrystals (NCs) were synthesised in amorphous silica by high-fluence dual (Zn, O) ion implantation and subsequent thermal annealing in air. We observed the formation of core/shell nanoparticles at the depth of maximum Zn concentration as a result of an incomplete oxidation process. The silica matrix with ZnO NCs exhibits an intense white-greenish emission. Low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy revealed various radiative recombination mechanisms in the zinc blende ZnO NCs involving intrinsic defects that act as donors and acceptors.
Electrocaloric effect enhancement in compositionally graded ferroelectric thin films driven by a needle-to-vortex domain structure transition
Authors: Van Lich Le , Hou Xu , Phan Manh-Huong , Quoc Bui Tinh , Wang Jie , Shimada Takahiro , Kitamura Takayuki , Dinh Van-Hai
Published: March 2021

Obtaining large electrocaloric (EC) effects in ferroelectric materials is a prerequisite for incorporating them into advanced solid-state cooling devices. Based on phase-field simulations, we propose an effective approach for improving the EC effect near room temperature in compositionally graded ferroelectric (CGFE) thin films (e.g., Pb1 − x
Sr
x
TiO3) by controlling the compositional gradient along the direction of the thickness of the films. The simulation results reveal the formation of a stable needle-like domain structure in CGFE films with large composition gradients, while a periodic striped domain structure is found in small-composition-gradient CGFE films. The temperature dependence of polarization can be tailored by controlling the composition gradient in the films. With rising temperatures, a notable transition from a needle-like to a vortex domain structure is observed in CGFE films, which is distinguishable from that observed in homogeneous ferroelectric films. Our work demonstrates that the EC effect (the adiabatic temperature change, ΔT) can be greatly improved by the needle-to-vortex domain transition that occurs when the composition gradient is increased. When the composition gradient increases, a larger EC effect is achieved at lower temperatures. Large-composition-gradient films exhibit multiple peaks of ΔT. The local concentration of the total energy near the root of the needle domains is also found to drive the needle-to-vortex domain transition, giving rise to an enhancement of the EC effect in CGFE films. Our study provides a potential pathway for designing ferroelectric thin films with enhanced EC properties for energy-efficient solid-state refrigeration.
Origin of ferroelectricity in cubic phase of Hf substituted BaTiO3
Authors: Sati Aanchal , Pokhriyal Preeti , Kumar Anil , Anwar Shahid , Sagdeo Archna , Lalla N P , Sagdeo P R
Published: March 2021

The origin of ferroelectricity in the cubic phase of BaTi1−x
Hf
x
O3 has been investigated. The presence of well-defined ferroelectric polarization versus electric field (PE) hysteresis loop in the samples with global cubic symmetry suggests the presence of ‘local polar regions’, induced possibly due to the huge difference in the electronegativity and also difference in the ionic radii of Hf+4 and Ti+4 ions, which may lead to local structural disorder. The presence of polar regions is also supported through the appearance of A1(TO) polar mode in Raman spectra which in principle should be absent in the samples with cubic symmetry. The results are discussed in terms of disorder-induced local dipoles due to the electronegativity difference between Hf and Ti ions.
Perpendicular and in-plane hole asymmetry in a strained NiFe2O4 film
Authors: Knut R , Malik R S , Kons C , Shoup J E , Radu F , Luo C , Kvashnin Y O , Gupta A , Karis O , Arena D A
Published: March 2021

Strained materials can exhibit drastically modified physical properties in comparison to their fully relaxed analogues. We report on the x-ray absorption spectra (XAS) and magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) of a strained NiFe2O4 inverse spinel film grown on a symmetry matched single crystal MgGa2O4 substrate. The Ni XAS spectra exhibit a sizable difference in the white line intensity for measurements with the x-ray electric field parallel to the film plane (normal incidence) vs when the electric field is at an angle (off-normal). A considerable difference is also observed in the Fe L
2,3 XMCD spectrum. Modeling of the XAS and XMCD spectra indicate that the modified energy ordering of the cation 3d states in the strained film leads to a preferential filling of 3d states with out-of-plane character. In addition, the results point to the utility of x-ray spectroscopy in identifying orbital populations even with elliptically polarized x-rays.
On the flat galactic rotational curves in f(R) gravity
Authors: Usman Muhammad
Published: March 2021

A mysterious dark matter is supposed to exist in the galactic halos. In this contrast, we discuss the possibility of explaining the flat rotational velocity curves in f(R) gravity by solving field equations numerically in vacuum and for different matter distributions. For a spherically symmetric static space-time (as the galactic environment) we give metric for constant rotational velocity regions. For a constant rotational velocity region, we prove that all values of rotational velocities (most importantly observed rotational velocity 200–300 Km/s) do not lead to an analytic solution of the vacuum field equations. We then obtain numerical solutions of the field equations in vacuum and for three types of mass distributions named: (1) power law density profile, (2) simple model for galaxy with a core and, (3) Navarro, Frank and White (NFW) profile, for M31 and Milky way galaxy. The solutions suggest a slight modification from linear relations from R for vacuum whereas a significant deviation from R for the distributions can give flat rotational curves. Using Brans-Dicke theory, we also relate obtained modified gravity function with the equivalent scalar fields, the procedure gives us very interesting phenomena and behavior of dark matter in the galactic environment. We observe that the scalar dark matter, coming from different modified gravity functions of matter profiles, does not accumulate as the baryonic matter. These results then can be used to explain the spatial offset of the center of the total mass from the center of the baryonic mass peaks of the bullet cluster and Abell-520.
Monte Carlo simulation variance reduction techniques for photon transport in liquid xenon detectors
Authors: Bruenner S. , Colijn A.P. , Decowski M.P. , Kesber O.V.
Published: March 2021

Monte Carlo simulations are a crucial tool for the analysis and prediction of various background components in liquid xenon (LXe) detectors. With improving shielding in new experiments, the simulation of external backgrounds, such as induced by gamma rays from detector materials, gets more computationally expensive. We introduce and validate an accelerated Monte Carlo simulation technique for photon transport in liquid xenon detectors. The method simulates photon-induced interactions within a defined geometry and energy range with high statistics while interactions outside of the region of interest are not simulated directly but are taken into account by means of probability weights. For a simulation of gamma-induced backgrounds in an exemplary detector geometry we achieve a three orders of magnitude acceleration compared to a standard simulation of a current ton-scale LXe dark matter experiment.
Oscillatory stability of quantum droplets in



-symmetric optical lattice
Authors: Lao Jiehong , Zhou Zheng , Zhang Xili , Ye Fuqiu , Zhong Honghua
Published: March 2021

We study stability and collisions of quantum droplets (QDs) forming in a binary bosonic condensate trapped in parity-time (




)-symmetric optical lattices. It is found that the stability of QDs in the

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

-symmetric system depends strongly on the values of the imaginary part W
0 of the




-symmetric optical lattices, self-repulsion strength g, and the condensate norm N. As expected, the

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

-symmetric QDs are entirely unstable in the broken

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

-symmetric phase. However, the

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

-symmetric QDs exhibit oscillatory stability with the increase of N and g in the unbroken

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

-symmetric phase. Finally, collisions between

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

-symmetric QDs are considered. The collisions of droplets with unequal norms are completely different from that in free space. Besides, a stable

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

-symmetric QDs collides with an unstable ones tend to merge into breathers after the collision.
The Difference of The Enhancement of Students’ Mathematical Disposition as an Impact of ARCS-based Learning Model and Conventional Approach
Authors: Syahputra E , Surya E , Putra P D
Published: March 2021

This study aims to identify the enhancement of Students’ Mathematical Disposition as an impact of ARCS-Based Learning Model approach. The learning model based on Attention, Relevance, Confidence and Satisfaction (ARCS) theory. This study is a quasi experimental study. The study sample consisted of 76 students from 2 classes mathematics in the seventh semester in Universitas Negeri Medan. Instrument used in this study is mathematical disposition scale. Data were analyzed using Mann Withney, ttest, correlation analysis, one way and two way ANOVA followed by posthoc test. The result showed that the enhancement of students disposition of high initial ability group is significantly higher than middle and low initial ability group. This shows that ARCS-Based Learning Model provides the highest enhancement of students’mathematical disposition in the high initial ability group compared to the middle and low ones. Overall, based on students initial ability, ARCS-Based Learning Model approach is significantly able to enhance students’mathematical disposition.
The Effect of Guided Inquiry-based Learning with Creative Thingking Ability towards Students’ Scientific Process Skill in Analytical Chemistry Courses
Authors: Juniar Anna , Silalahi Albinus , Suyanti Retno Dwi
Published: March 2021

Indonesian National Qualification Framework requisite on students’ scientific process skill in analytical chemistry courses is difficult to be satisfied since the content is loaded with calculation and applicative discovery. Overcoming this challenge, investigative study of guided inquiry-based learning with creative thingking ability towards students’ scientific process skill in analytical chemistry courses was done. The implementation was done towards 56 pre-service chemistry teachers. As comparison, conventional learning model was done towards 26 pre-service chemistry teachers using th same courses. The effectivenes was measured using pre and post-test which consisted of fifteen valid and reliable essay items. For statistical analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used and resulted students’ scientific process skill which taught by using guided inquiry-based learning is better than conventional class, especially for upper group of creative thingking ability with average of postest in experimental class is 31.11 meanwhile control class is 18.08 from maximum score is 39. The interaction between learning model with creative thingking model and students’scientific process skill was significant with probability 0.04 lower than selected alpha 0.05. According to these results, innovation of guided inquiry-based learning with creative thingking ability is recommended to improve students’ scientific process skill especially for chemistry courses.
STEM-based Project for Everyday Life Created by Pre Service Students and Its Implication of Pedagogical Competence for Science Teacher
Authors: Djulia E , Simatupang H
Published: March 2021

STEM Education has become framework of lifelong, life-wide, and life-deep across the word in Science Education. Some research investigated about how student comprehend science concept and its related into technology, engineering and mathematics lead to science conception in more deep insight. Pre service science teacher has important role to build and disseminate STEM approaches into science teaching practices. This study aims to investigate how preservice science teacher create STEM- based project concerning on essential science concepts. About 72 pre service students of Science Education Study Program in STEM course involved in this study who work in group of four students each. During eight weeks they begin with group discussion, group presentation to share their project idea, supported with journal review, preparing project, designed first project, peer review, improving project until finalizing projects. About eight from eighteen titles of their projects have been selected to be deeply analyzed further because of similar based science concept referred to changes in electrical energy into motion in some various project they created. The title projects are: a) electric broom; b) simple mixer; c) mini vacuum cleaner; d) Air conditioner recharge; e) blender; f) earth rotation; g) locomotive; h) mini generator. Based on group discussion, group review, and interview there were found seven kinds of their understanding of STEM begin with lack explanation of scientific reason, theoretical explanation only, good explanation of scientific reason, ability to apply STEM in daily life, lack implementation of Reduce-reuse-recycle, and good implementation of reduce-reuse-recycle. Implication of STEM-based project into science teaching learning material have been discussed.
Numerical Solution of SEIR Model of The MERS-CoV Disease using Homotopy Analysis Method
Authors: Rangkuti YM. , Firmansyah  , Ginting E. , Landong A.
Published: March 2021

The spread of MERS-Cov disease which was modelled by Susceptible Exposed Infected Recovered (SEIR) model has been solved by a reliable method so-called Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM). The solution using HAM is done by constructing the zero order deformation equation of SEIR model into a high order equation and selecting the convergence control (ℏ). The closeness of HAM and Fourth order Runge Kutta (RK4) solutions and also the existence of residual error showa benchmark of the success of the HAM. The result shows that the minimum errors of the closeness of HAM and fourth order Runge Kutta (RK4) solutions are 10−17 while the minimum residual error of HAM solutions are 10−18. Therefore, HAM has successfully obtained solution of SEIR model approximately. Overall, HAM can be an alternative method for solving more complex models.
Writing a Literature Review: Activities on Research in Mathematics Education to Support Students in Conducting Research
Authors: Haris Denny , Chairunisah  , Armanto Dian
Published: March 2021

Literature review as a crucial requirement in planning a mathematics education research project has received attention in the lecturing of mathematics education research methods in higher education environments. However, the students’ ability to write literature reviews that require skills in managing and analyzing previous relevant research to students’ research requires special attention. This paper aims to represent the significant activities in supporting students’ ability to collect, structure, summarize research finding, and write literature reviews that are relevant to students’ research. Initial data of 15 students’ writing literature review ability was analyzed. Design research comprised the preliminary design, teaching experiment, and retrospective analysis was applied. The outcome of the research presents that students can produce scientific articles through the developed activities of writing literature reviews.