bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topical language generation using transformers
Authors: Zandie Rohola , Mahoor Mohammad H.
Published: February 2022

Large-scale transformer-based language models (LMs) demonstrate impressive capabilities in open-text generation. However, controlling the generated text’s properties such as the topic, style, and sentiment is challenging and often requires significant changes to the model architecture or retraining and fine-tuning the model on new supervised data. This paper presents a novel approach for topical language generation (TLG) by combining a pre-trained LM with topic modeling information. We cast the problem using Bayesian probability formulation with topic probabilities as a prior, LM probabilities as the likelihood, and TLG probability as the posterior. In learning the model, we derive the topic probability distribution from the user-provided document’s natural structure. Furthermore, we extend our model by introducing new parameters and functions to influence the quantity of the topical features presented in the generated text. This feature would allow us to easily control the topical properties of the generated text. Our experimental results demonstrate that our model outperforms the state-of-the-art results on coherency, diversity, and fluency while being faster in decoding.
Reconceptualising Youth Poverty through the Lens of Precarious Employment during the Pandemic: The Case of Creative Industry
Authors: Pun Ngai , Chen Peier , Jin Shuheng
Published: February 2022

Risks of youth poverty in relation to employment have largely been overlooked both internationally and locally, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Moving beyond the concepts of income, economic factors and in-work poverty as applied to the general population, we examine the multi-scalar employment risk confronting highly educated working youth (aged eighteen to twenty-nine) in Hong Kong by assessing the intersection of precarious employment and in-work poverty, which is crucial to understanding youth poverty. Drawing on in-depth interview research on creative workers, this study calls for the reconceptualisation of in-work poverty through the lens of precarious employment, which is not viewed as a separate economic entity, but as an organic whole encompassing a multi-scalar risk in economic, social, psychological and political terrains generating an existential problem shaping young people’s sense of future and work-life meaning. This article sheds light on the policy implications of high-educated youth suffering from in-work poverty in the creative industry.
Multidisciplinary Constraints on the Thermal‐Chemical Boundary Between Earth's Core and Mantle
Authors: Frost Daniel A. , Avery Margaret S. , Buffett Bruce A. , Chidester Bethany A. , Deng Jie , Dorfman Susannah M. , Li Zhi , Liu Lijun , Lv Mingda , Martin Joshua F.
Published: February 2022

Heat flux from the core to the mantle provides driving energy for mantle convection thus powering plate tectonics, and contributes a significant fraction of the geothermal heat budget. Indirect estimates of core‐mantle boundary heat flow are typically based on petrological evidence of mantle temperature, interpretations of temperatures indicated by seismic travel times, experimental measurements of mineral melting points, physical mantle convection models, or physical core convection models. However, previous estimates have not consistently integrated these lines of evidence. In this work, an interdisciplinary analysis is applied to co‐constrain core‐mantle boundary heat flow and test the thermal boundary layer (TBL) theory. The concurrence of TBL models, energy balance to support geomagnetism, seismology, and review of petrologic evidence for historic mantle temperatures supports QCMB ∼15 TW, with all except geomagnetism supporting as high as ∼20 TW. These values provide a tighter constraint on core heat flux relative to previous work. Our work describes the seismic properties consistent with a TBL, and supports a long‐lived basal mantle molten layer through much of Earth's history.
Assessing Two Approaches for Enhancing the Range of Simulated Scales in the E3SMv1 and the Impact on the Character of Hourly US Precipitation
Authors: Kooperman G. J. , Akinsanola A. A. , Hannah W. M. , Pendergrass A. G. , Reed K. A.
Published: February 2022

Improving the representation of precipitation in Earth system models is essential for understanding and projecting water cycle changes across scales. Progress has been hampered by persistent deficiencies in representing precipitation frequency, intensity, and timing in current models. Here, we analyze simulated US precipitation in the low‐resolution (LR) configuration of the Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SMv1) and assess the effect of two approaches to enhance the range of explicitly resolved scales: high‐resolution (HR) and multiscale modeling framework (MMF), which incur similar computational expense. Both E3SMv1‐MMF and E3SMv1‐HR capture more intense and less frequent precipitation on hourly and daily timescales relative to E3SMv1‐LR. E3SMv1‐HR improves the intensity over the Eastern and Northwestern US during winter, while E3SMv1‐MMF improves the intensity over the Eastern US and summer diurnal timing over the Central US. These results indicate that both methods may be needed to improve simulations of different storm types, seasons, and regions.
Changes in the Kuroshio Path, Surface Velocity and Transport During the Last 35,000 Years
Authors: Yang Haiyan , Guo Xinyu , Miyazawa Yasumasa , Varlamov Sergey M. , Abe‐Ouchi Ayako , Chan Wing‐Le
Published: February 2022

We consider the sea level, air–sea heat flux, and wind stresses and use an ocean model to investigate the evolution of the Kuroshio path and intensity during the last 35,000 years. Relative to the present, the Kuroshio during the last glacial period traveled the same path albeit with higher surface velocity in the East China Sea, while it migrated northward south of Japan and southward at the Kuroshio Extension (KE). The southward migrations of the KE axis were closely related to the positions of zero wind‐stress curl. To a certain extent, stronger glacial trade winds enhanced the North Equatorial Current. Consequently, Kuroshio transport increased in the southern and middle Okinawa Trough. Regarding Kuroshio strength, we suggest that the horizontal gradient of the subsurface temperature would be a better indicator than the upper‐ocean vertical thermal gradient, which is a commonly used index in paleoceanography.
A Statistical Study on Wide‐Amplitude Kinetic Alfvénic Pulse at 8–12RE in the Magnetotail by THEMIS Spacecraft From 2008 to 2010
Authors: Zhang L. Q. , Wang C. , Dai L. , Ren Y. , Lui A. T.
Published: February 2022

Using THEMIS spacecraft observations from 2008 to 2010, we perform statistical study on the wide‐amplitude kinetic Hall‐like Alfvénic wave (KAW) pulse in the near‐Earth tail region of 8–12 RE. The KAW pulse is identified by Ez‐By pulse with parallel‐predominantly Poynting flux (|P///PT| > 0.7) and large Ez/By ratio (|∆Ez/∆By | > VA, VA is Alfvénic velocity). Three typical events are presented. Therein, the KAW pulse on 24 March 2009 at the magnetic dipolarization is accompanied by the ion/electron dispersed structure (IDS/EDS; time of flight effect from reconnection source). Statistical study shows that the near‐Earth KAW pulse has a typical temporal scale of ∼15–25 s. The KAW pulses are mainly distributed in the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) and tail lobe regions of β < 0.1 (β is the ratio of thermal pressure to magnetic pressure). The KAW pule at the PSBL/lobe has a wide distribution in the dawn‐dusk direction (−10 RE < |Y| < 10 RE), with the maximum occurrence at the midnight (|Y| < 4 RE). The KAW pulses at the PSBL/lobe are predominantly earthward‐propagating. Only a small number of the KAW pulses are tailward‐propagating. The earthward‐propagating pulse has a higher Poynting flux (PT) than tailward‐propagating pulse. The KAW pulse occurs during quiet time (AE < 200 nT) as well as substorm interval (AE > 200 nT). The substorm‐interval pulse has a higher Poynting flux than the quiet‐time pulse. Finally, tail reconnection is likely the significant source of the near‐Earth KAW pulses at 8–12 RE.
Nitrogenous Altered Volcanic Glasses as Targets for Mars Sample Return: Examples From Antarctica and Iceland
Authors: Nikitczuk M. P. , Bebout G. E. , Ota T. , Kunihiro T. , Mustard J. F. , Flemming R. L. , Tanaka R. , Halldórsson S. A. , Nakamura E.
Published: February 2022

Mars exploration is focused on seeking evidence of habitable environments and microbial life. Terrestrial glassy basalts may be the closest Mars‐surface weathering analog and observations increasingly indicate their potential to preserve biogeochemical records. The textures, major and trace element geochemistry, and N concentrations and isotopic compositions of subaerial, subglacial and continental lacustrine hyaloclastites from Antarctica, Iceland, and Oregon, respectively, were studied using micro‐imaging and chemical methods, including gas‐source mass spectrometry. Alteration by meteoric‐sourced waters occurred in circum‐neutral, increasingly alkaline low‐temperature conditions of ∼60°C–100°C (Iceland) and ∼60°C–170°C (Antarctica). Incompatible large ion lithophile element (LILE) enrichments compared to mid‐ocean ridge basalt (MORB) are consistent with more advanced alteration in Antarctic breccias consisting of heulandite‐clinoptilolite, calcite, erionite, quartz, and fluorapophyllite. Granular and tubular alteration textures and radial apatite represent possible microbial traces. Most samples contain more N than fresh MORB or ocean island basalt reflecting enrichment beyond concentrations attributable to igneous processes. Antarctic samples contain 52–1,143 ppm N and have δ15Νair values of −20.8‰ to −7.1‰. Iceland‐Oregon basalts contain 1.6–172 ppm N with δ15Ν of −6.7‰ to +7.3‰. Correlations between alteration extents, N concentrations, and concentrations of K2O, other LILEs, and Li and B, reflect the siting of secondary N likely as NH4+ replacing K+ and potentially as N2 in phyllosilicates and zeolites. Although much of the N enrichment and isotope fractionation presented here is not definitively biogenic, given several unknown factors, we suggest that a combination of textures, major and trace element alteration and N and other isotope geochemical compositions could constitute a compelling biosignature in samples from Mars' surface/near‐surface.
Kinematics of Irrigation‐Induced Landslides in a Washington Desert: Impacts of Basal Geometry
Authors: Xu Yuankun , Lu Zhong , Leshchinsky Ben
Published: February 2022

Landslides are often considered to be a natural hazard that frequently occurs in mountainous, precipitation‐abundant regions worldwide; however, they can also occur in dry climates resulting from anthropogenic infuences, such as irrigation farming. Generally less affected by precipitation, landslides in arid regions are ideal for examining impacts of non‐precipitation controls on landslide motion, such as basal geometry. Here, we focused on 25 large, irrigation‐triggered, slow‐moving and catastrophic landslides that occurred in a desert valley near Hanford, Washington along the Columbia River. Optical images in submeter resolution from 1996 to 2020 and Sentinel‐1 interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) deformation measurements from 2016 to 2020 were utilized to map 12 catastrophic landslides and obtain time‐series deformation of 13 actively slow‐moving landslide complexes. Our results show that the catastrophic landslides usually completed their life cycle from initiation to final deposition within minutes to days, whereas the slow‐moving ones have lasted approximately 40 years, exhibiting rapid acceleration and a subsequent deceleration period that is almost 12 times longer. Though varying in rates, both types of landslides facilitate sediment transport into the Columbia River, which is of concern for aquatic habitats. Motion dynamics of the four riverside, slow‐moving landslides were strongly modulated by the Columbia River height subject to seasonal dam water release, whereas the eight river‐distant landslides primarily respond to the infiltrated irrigation water from the farmlands. We observed an apparent “early deceleration” phenomenon for the riverside Locke landslide, where the landslide starts to decelerate despite the threshold groundwater conditions being exceeded. We interpret that the early decelerations result from the forced water circulation near the basal‐surface asperities, because river bathymetry data suggest that basal surfaces of the Locke landslide (originally the Columbia River bed) are highly irregular. This interpretation was also supported by numerical simulations, which show that incorporating the forced water circulation may help accurately predict the InSAR‐observed maximum velocity and the timing of deceleration. Additionally, our analyses of basal profiles of 10 slow‐moving and catastrophic landslides in the study region reveal that basal geometry could impart a bifurcation between slow and catastrophic landslide movements. Gentle basal surfaces are more likely associated with large, slow‐moving landslides, whereas steep ones are often involved with relatively small, catastrophic landslides due to rapid kinetic energy gains while moving downslope. In general, the examined impacts of basal geometry in this study are widely applicable to natural landslides worldwide for their kinematics characterization and forecasting.
A New Physically Based Index to Quantify the Impact of Multiple Reservoirs on Flood Frequency at the Catchment Scale Based on the Concept of Equivalent Reservoir
Authors: Cipollini S. , Fiori A. , Volpi E.
Published: February 2022

The presence of multiple reservoirs in a catchment generally induces the attenuation of flood events, thus mitigating their impact in downstream flood‐prone areas. Such mitigation results from the superposition of several contributions, coming from the regulated (i.e., altered by reservoir) or unregulated subcatchments as determined by the reservoirs spatial distribution within the catchment. Understanding how multiple reservoirs affect the probability distribution of flood peak at the catchment scale is a difficult task, requiring a detailed and generally costly hydrologic/hydraulic simulation. We provide here a simple yet physically based mathematical framework to account for the effect of multiple reservoirs, located in series along the main channel, on peak flood quantile at the catchment scale. The framework allows to disentangle the role of the main relevant parameters controlling the system behavior, such as the number of reservoirs, their relative location and relative storage coefficient within the catchment, and a climatic parameter governing rainfall variability in time. The combined effect of the reservoirs in reducing the peak flow is represented by a global index , which is bounded between zero and unit and it is independent of the return period. The index is based on the concept of equivalent reservoir and is easily calculated by the analytical formulas provided in this study, as function of the above parameters.
Good News: Rocks Crack Under Pressure from Mineral CO2 Storage
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: February 2022

When carbon mineralizes in stone, each new fracture exposes more surfaces that can react with and trap CO2, enhancing a rock’s storage capacity.
Recurrent individual treatment assignment: a treatment policy approach to account for heterogeneous treatment effects
Authors: Cornelisz Ilja , van Klaveren Chris
Published: February 2022

Longitudinal randomized controlled trials generally assign individuals randomly to interventions at baseline and then evaluate how differential average treatment effects evolve over time. This study shows that longitudinal settings could benefit from Recurrent Individual Treatment Assignment (RITA) instead, particularly in the face of (dynamic) heterogeneous treatment effects. Focusing on the optimization of treatment assignment, rather than on estimating treatment effects, acknowledges the presence of unobserved heterogeneous treatment effects and improves overall intervention response when compared to intervention policies in longitudinal settings based on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)-derived average treatment effects. This study develops a RITA-algorithm and evaluates its performance in a multi-period simulation setting, considering two alternative interventions and varying the extent of unobserved heterogeneity in individual treatment response. The results show that RITA learns quickly, and adapts individual assignments effectively. If treatment heterogeneity exists, the inherent focus on both exploit and explore enables RITA to outperform a conventional assignment strategy that relies on RCT-derived average treatment effects.
A 24-hour population distribution dataset based on mobile phone data from Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland
Authors: Bergroth Claudia , Järv Olle , Tenkanen Henrikki , Manninen Matti , Toivonen Tuuli
Published: February 2022

In this article, we present temporally dynamic population distribution data from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland, at the level of 250 m by 250 m statistical grid cells. An hourly population distribution dataset is provided for regular workdays (Mon – Thu), Saturdays and Sundays. The data are based on aggregated mobile phone data collected by the biggest mobile network operator in Finland. Mobile phone data are assigned to statistical grid cells using an advanced dasymetric interpolation method based on ancillary data about land cover, buildings and a time use survey. The dataset is validated by comparing population register data from Statistics Finland for night hours and a daytime workplace registry. The resulting 24-hour population data can be used to reveal the temporal dynamics of the city, and examine population variations relevant to spatial accessibility analyses, crisis management, planning and beyond.
Federated learning and differential privacy for medical image analysis
Authors: Adnan Mohammed , Kalra Shivam , Cresswell Jesse C. , Taylor Graham W. , Tizhoosh Hamid R.
Published: February 2022

The artificial intelligence revolution has been spurred forward by the availability of large-scale datasets. In contrast, the paucity of large-scale medical datasets hinders the application of machine learning in healthcare. The lack of publicly available multi-centric and diverse datasets mainly stems from confidentiality and privacy concerns around sharing medical data. To demonstrate a feasible path forward in medical image imaging, we conduct a case study of applying a differentially private federated learning framework for analysis of histopathology images, the largest and perhaps most complex medical images. We study the effects of IID and non-IID distributions along with the number of healthcare providers, i.e., hospitals and clinics, and the individual dataset sizes, using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, a public repository, to simulate a distributed environment. We empirically compare the performance of private, distributed training to conventional training and demonstrate that distributed training can achieve similar performance with strong privacy guarantees. We also study the effect of different source domains for histopathology images by evaluating the performance using external validation. Our work indicates that differentially private federated learning is a viable and reliable framework for the collaborative development of machine learning models in medical image analysis.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between cyproterone acetate and intracranial meningiomas
Authors: Lee Keng Siang , Zhang John J. Y. , Kirollos Ramez , Santarius Thomas , Nga Vincent Diong Weng , Yeo Tseng Tsai
Published: February 2022

The influence of exposure to hormonal treatments, particularly cyproterone acetate (CPA), has been posited to contribute to the growth of meningiomas. Given the widespread use of CPA, this systematic review and meta-analysis attempted to assess real-world evidence of the association between CPA and the occurrence of intracranial meningiomas. Systematic searches of Ovid MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Controlled Register of Controlled Trials, were performed from database inception to 18th December 2021. Four retrospective observational studies reporting 8,132,348 patients were included in the meta-analysis. There was a total of 165,988 subjects with usage of CPA. The age of patients at meningioma diagnosis was generally above 45 years in all studies. The dosage of CPA taken by the exposed group (n = 165,988) was specified in three of the four included studies. All studies that analyzed high versus low dose CPA found a significant association between high dose CPA usage and increased risk of meningioma. When high and low dose patients were grouped together, there was no statistically significant increase in risk of meningioma associated with use of CPA (RR = 3.78 [95% CI 0.31–46.39], p = 0.190). Usage of CPA is associated with increased risk of meningioma at high doses but not when low doses are also included. Routine screening and meningioma surveillance by brain MRI offered to patients prescribed with CPA is likely a reasonable clinical consideration if given at high doses for long periods of time. Our findings highlight the need for further research on this topic.
The association between hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype and chronic kidney disease: a cohort study and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Dezhong , Sun Huimin , Lu Ciyong , Chen Weiqing , Guo Vivian Yawei
Published: February 2022

Evidence on the association between hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype (HTGW) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited and inconsistent. We aimed to explore such association among 7406 Chinese aged ≥ 45 years in a cohort setting, followed by a meta-analysis. Participants were categorized into four phenotypes: NTNW (normal triglycerides and normal waist circumference), NTGW (isolated enlarged waist circumference), HTNW (isolated high triglycerides), and HTGW (high triglycerides and enlarged waist circumference). We used multivariate logistic regression to determine the association between different phenotypes and risk of CKD in the cohort study. For meta-analysis, we searched relevant studies from Embase, Medline, PubMed, and Web of Science from dataset inception up to May 1, 2021. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled effect and I2 statistic was applied to evaluate heterogeneity. In the cohort study, compared to the NTNW phenotype, HTGW (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.32 to 2.51, p < 0.01) and NTGW (OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.94, p = 0.004) were significantly associated with CKD risk after 4 years follow-up, but not for the HTNW phenotype. The meta-analysis also showed a positive association between HTGW phenotype and CKD risk (pooled OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.31 to 1.79, I2 = 62.4%). Assessment of triglyceridemic-waist phenotypes might help to identify individuals with high-risk of developing CKD.
Cognitive profiles in children and adolescents with Down syndrome
Authors: Onnivello Sara , Pulina Francesca , Locatelli Chiara , Marcolin Chiara , Ramacieri Giuseppe , Antonaros Francesca , Vione Beatrice , Caracausi Maria , Lanfranchi Silvia
Published: February 2022

The Down syndrome (DS) phenotype is usually characterized by relative strengths in non-verbal skills and deficits in verbal processing, but high interindividual variability has been registered in the syndrome. The goal of this study was to explore the cognitive profile, considering verbal and non-verbal intelligence, of children and adolescents with DS, also taking into account interindividual variability. We particularly aimed to investigate whether this variability means that we should envisage more than one cognitive profile in this population. The correlation between cognitive profile and medical conditions, parents’ education levels and developmental milestones was also explored. Seventy-two children/adolescents with DS, aged 7–16 years, were assessed with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-III. Age-equivalent scores were adopted, and Verbal and Non-Verbal indices were obtained for each individual. The cognitive profile of the group as a whole was characterized by similar scores in the verbal and non-verbal domain. Cluster analysis revealed three different profiles, however: one group, with the lowest scores, had the typical profile associated with DS (with higher non-verbal than verbal intelligence); one, with intermediate scores, had greater verbal than non-verbal intelligence; and one, with the highest scores, fared equally well in the verbal and non-verbal domain. Three cognitive profiles emerged, suggesting that educational support for children and adolescents with DS may need to be more specific.
Involvement of neuronal and muscular Trk-fused gene (TFG) defects in the development of neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Yamamotoya Takeshi , Hasei Shun , Akasaka Yasuyuki , Ohata Yukino , Nakatsu Yusuke , Kanna Machi , Fujishiro Midori , Sakoda Hideyuki , Ono Hiraku , Kushiyama Akifumi , Misawa Hidemi , Asano Tomoichiro
Published: February 2022

Trk-fused gene (TFG) mutations have been identified in patients with several neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we attempted to clarify the effects of TFG deletions in motor neurons and in muscle fibers, using tissue-specific TFG knockout (vMNTFG KO and MUSTFG KO) mice. vMNTFG KO, generated by crossing TFG floxed with VAChT-Cre, showed deterioration of motor function and muscle atrophy especially in slow-twitch soleus muscle, in line with the predominant Cre expression in slow-twitch fatigue-resistant (S) and fast-twitch fatigue-resistant (FR) motor neurons. Consistently, denervation of the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) was apparent in the soleus, but not in the extensor digitorum longus, muscle. Muscle TFG expressions were significantly downregulated in vMNTFG KO, presumably due to decreased muscle IGF-1 concentrations. However, interestingly, MUSTFG KO mice showed no apparent impairment of muscle movements, though a denervation marker, AChRγ, was elevated and Agrin-induced AChR clustering in C2C12 myotubes was inhibited. Our results clarify that loss of motor neuron TFG is sufficient for the occurrence of NMJ degeneration and muscle atrophy, though lack of muscle TFG may exert an additional effect. Reduced muscle TFG, also observed in aged mice, might be involved in age-related NMJ degeneration, and this issue merits further study.
Pericardial fat, thoracic peri-aortic adipose tissue, and systemic inflammatory marker in nonalcoholic fatty liver and abdominal obesity phenotype
Authors: Yun Chun-Ho , Jhuang Jing-Rong , Tsou Meng-Ting
Published: February 2022

Researchers have conducted many studies about the relationships between peri-cardiovascular fat, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), waist circumference, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Nevertheless, the relationship between NAFLD and pericardial fat (PCF)/thoracic peri-aortic adipose tissue (TAT) phenotypes was still unknown. This study aimed to explore whether PCF/TAT was associated with NAFLD/abdominal obesity (AO) phenotypes in different high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. We consecutively studied 1655 individuals (mean age, 49.44 ± 9.76 years) who underwent a health-screening program. We showed a significant association between PCF/TAT and NAFLD/AO phenotypes in the cross-sectional study. We observed that the highest risk occurred in both abnormalities’ groups, and the second highest risk occurred in the AO-only group. Subjects with AO had a significantly increased risk of PCF or TAT compared to those with NAFLD. Notably, the magnitude of the associations between PCF/TAT and NAFLD/AO varied by the level of systemic inflammatory marker (hs-CRP level). We suggested that people with AO and NAFLD must be more careful about changes in PCF and TAT. Regular measurement of waist circumference (or AO) can be a more accessible way to monitor peri-cardiovascular fat (PCF and TAT), which may serve as a novel and rapid way to screen CVD in the future.
Dual RNA sequencing reveals dendritic cell reprogramming in response to typhoidal Salmonella invasion
Authors: Aulicino Anna , Antanaviciute Agne , Frost Joe , Sousa Geros Ana , Mellado Esther , Attar Moustafa , Jagielowicz Marta , Hublitz Philip , Sinz Julia , Preciado-Llanes Lorena , Napolitani Giorgio , Bowden Rory , Koohy Hashem , Drakesmith Hal , Simmons Alison
Published: February 2022

Salmonella entericarepresent a major disease burden worldwide.S. entericaserovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is responsible for potentially life-threatening Typhoid fever affecting 10.9 million people annually. While non-typhoidalSalmonella(NTS) serovars usually trigger self-limiting diarrhoea, invasive NTS bacteraemia is a growing public health challenge. Dendritic cells (DCs) are key professional antigen presenting cells of the human immune system. The ability of pathogenic bacteria to subvert DC functions and prevent T cell recognition contributes to their survival and dissemination within the host. Here, we adapted dual RNA-sequencing to define how differentSalmonellapathovariants remodel their gene expression in tandem with that of infected DCs. We find DCs harness iron handling pathways to defend against invadingSalmonellas, whichS. Typhi is able to circumvent by mounting a robust response to nitrosative stress. In parallel, we uncover the alternative strategies invasive NTS employ to impair DC functions.
The origin of enhanced $${{{{{{{{\rm{O}}}}}}}}}_{2}^{+}$$ production from photoionized CO2 clusters
Authors: Ganguly Smita , Barreiro-Lage Dario , Walsh Noelle , Oostenrijk Bart , Sorensen Stacey L. , Díaz-Tendero Sergio , Gisselbrecht Mathieu
Published: February 2022

CO2-rich planetary atmospheres are continuously exposed to ionising radiation driving major photochemical processes. In the Martian atmosphere, CO2 clusters are predicted to exist at high altitudes motivating a deeper understanding of their photochemistry. In this joint experimental-theoretical study, we investigate the photoreactions of CO2 clusters (≤2 nm) induced by soft X-ray ionisation. We observe dramatically enhanced production of $${{{{{{{{\rm{O}}}}}}}}}_{2}^{+}$$

O

2

+

from photoionized CO2 clusters compared to the case of the isolated molecule and identify two relevant reactions. Using quantum chemistry calculations and multi-coincidence mass spectrometry, we pinpoint the origin of this enhancement: A size-dependent structural transition of the clusters from a covalently bonded arrangement to a weakly bonded polyhedral geometry that activates an exothermic reaction producing $${{{{{{{{\rm{O}}}}}}}}}_{2}^{+}$$

O

2

+

. Our results unambiguously demonstrate that the photochemistry of small clusters/particles will likely have a strong influence on the ion balance in atmospheres.
Decoupling of static and dynamic criticality in a driven Mott insulator
Authors: de la Torre Alberto , Seyler Kyle L. , Buchhold Michael , Baum Yuval , Zhang Gufeng , Laurita Nicholas J. , Harter John W. , Zhao Liuyan , Phinney Isabelle , Chen Xiang , Wilson Stephen D. , Cao Gang , Averitt Richard D. , Refael Gil , Hsieh David
Published: February 2022

Strongly driven antiferromagnetic Mott insulators have the potential to exhibit exotic transient phenomena that are forbidden in thermal equilibrium. However, such far-from-equilibrium regimes, where conventional time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau descriptions fail, are experimentally challenging to prepare and to probe especially in solid state systems. Here we use a combination of time-resolved second harmonic optical polarimetry and coherent magnon spectroscopy to interrogate n-type photo-doping induced ultrafast magnetic order parameter dynamics in the antiferromagnetic Mott insulator Sr2IrO4. We find signatures of an unusual far-from-equilibrium critical regime in which the divergences of the magnetic correlation length and relaxation time are decoupled. This violation of conventional thermal critical behavior arises from the interplay of photo-doping and non-thermal magnon population induced demagnetization effects. Our findings, embodied in a non-equilibrium phase diagram, provide a blueprint for engineering the out-of-equilibrium properties of quantum matter, with potential applications to terahertz spintronics technologies.
A carrier free photodynamic oxidizer for enhanced tumor therapy by redox homeostasis disruption
Authors: Yang Ni , Zheng Rong-Rong , Chen Zi-Ying , Wang Rui-Xin , Zhao Lin-Ping , Chen Xia-Yun , Chen Lei , Xu Lin , Li Shi-Ying , Chen A-Li
Published: February 2022

In this work, we developed a carrier free photodynamic oxidizer to decrease intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels and disrupt the redox homeostasis for enhanced photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficacy on tumor inhibition.
Simple and selective method for simultaneous removal of mercury(ii) and recovery of silver(i) from aqueous media by organic ligand 4,4′-azo-1,2,4-triazole
Authors: Peng Panpan , Zhao Chaofeng , Ji Jie , Chen Weixing , Ding Ning , Li Shenghua , Pang Siping
Published: February 2022

Based on coordination chemistry, the removal of Hg2+ and the recovery of Ag+ are achieved simultaneously by selecting the 4,4′-azo-1,2,4-triazole (Atrz) as an organic ligand only through simple mixing, agitation and filtration.
A microfluidic approach for synthesis and kinetic profiling of branched gold nanostructures
Authors: Cai Qi , Castagnola Valentina , Boselli Luca , Moura Alirio , Lopez Hender , Zhang Wei , de Araújo João M. , Dawson Kenneth A.
Published: February 2022

Automatized approaches for nanoparticle synthesis and characterization represent a great asset to their applicability in the biomedical field by improving reproducibility and standardization, which will help meet the regulatory authorities' criteria.
Thermally-driven formation method for growing (quantum) dots on sidewalls of self-catalysed thin nanowires
Authors: Zhang Yunyan , Fonseka H. Aruni , Yang Hui , Yu Xuezhe , Jurczak Pamela , Huo Suguo , Sanchez Ana M. , Liu Huiyun
Published: February 2022

This work developed a technique to grow quantum dots onto the nanowire (NW) sidewalls, using a thermally-driven mechanism. It has no restrictions on the NW diameter or the participation of elastic strain, which opens a new avenue to NW QD growth.
The Mössbauer effect using 57Fe-ferrabisdicarbollide ([o-57FESAN]−): a glance into the potential of a low-dose approach for glioblastoma radiotherapy
Authors: Buades Ana B. , Pereira Laura C. J. , Vieira Bruno J. C. , Cerdeira Ana C. , Waerenborgh João C. , Pinheiro Teresa , Matos António P. A. , Pinto Catarina G. , Guerreiro Joana F. , Mendes Filipa , Valic Srecko , Teixidor Francesc , Viñas Clara , Marques Fernanda
Published: February 2022

Na[o-57FESAN] with potential for glioblastoma treatment by Mössbauer effect. Mössbauer spectrum and 2D Fe distribution maps indicate that [o-57FESAN]− is present inside U87 cells, a desired target for selective Mössbauer absorption energy deposition.
Mutual modulationviacharge transfer and unpaired electrons of catalytic sites for the superior intrinsic activity of N2reduction: from high-throughput computation assisted with a machine learning perspective
Authors: Shu Zheng , Yan Hejin , Chen Hongfei , Cai Yongqing
Published: February 2022

DFT combined with machine learning methods are explored for the rational design of nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) single-atom catalysts of supported by molybdenum disulfide MoS2.
Ca-ion modified vanadium oxide nanoribbons with enhanced Zn-ion storage capability
Authors: Zheng Dezhou , Pei Xiaokang , Lin Hai , Tang Hongwei , Song Yin , Feng Qi , Wang Guangxia , Xu Wei , Wang Fuxin , Lu Xihong
Published: February 2022

A nanoribbon-like Ca2+-modified vanadium oxide cathode with improved electrochemical properties for aqueous Zn ion batteries is easily obtained by a facile hydrothermal synthesis.
Developing a far-red fluorogenic beta-galactosidase probe for senescent cell imaging and photoablation
Authors: Lee Seung Koo , Shen Zhenhua , Han Myung Shin , Tung Ching-Hsuan
Published: February 2022

A methylene blue (MB)-based beta-galactosidase (β-gal) activatable molecule, Gal-MB, was developed for senescence imaging and light-triggered senolysis.
Robust and durable poly(aryl-co-aryl piperidinium) reinforced membranes for alkaline membrane fuel cells
Authors: Hu Chuan , Park Jong Hyeong , Kim Hae Min , Wang Ho Hyun , Bae Joon Yong , Liu Mei-Ling , Kang Na Yoon , Yoon Kyoung-seok , Park Chang-dae , Chen Nanjun , Lee Young Moo
Published: February 2022

Polyethylene reinforced poly(aryl-co-aryl piperidinium) based membranes possess outstanding mechanical properties (tensile strength: 114 MPa, elongation at break: 159%) along with a fuel cell performance of 1.75 W cm−2 at 80 °C.
The Hippo pathway in cancer: YAP/TAZ and TEAD as therapeutic targets in cancer
Authors: Cunningham Richard , Hansen Carsten Gram
Published: February 2022

Tumorigenesis is a highly complex process, involving many interrelated and cross-acting signalling pathways. One such pathway that has garnered much attention in the field of cancer research over the last decade is the Hippo signalling pathway. Consisting of two antagonistic modules, the pathway plays an integral role in both tumour suppressive and oncogenic processes, generally via regulation of a diverse set of genes involved in a range of biological functions. This review discusses the history of the pathway within the context of cancer and explores some of the most recent discoveries as to how this critical transducer of cellular signalling can influence cancer progression. A special focus is on the various recent efforts to therapeutically target the key effectors of the pathway in both preclinical and clinical settings.
Coral–microbe interactions: their importance to reef function and survival
Authors: Tran Cawa
Published: February 2022

Many different microorganisms associate with the coral host in a single entity known as the holobiont, and their interactions with the host contribute to coral health, thereby making them a fundamental part of reef function, survival, and conservation. As corals continue to be susceptible to bleaching due to environmental stress, coral-associated bacteria may have a potential role in alleviating bleaching. This review provides a synthesis of the various roles bacteria have in coral physiology and development, and explores the possibility that changes in the microbiome with environmental stress could have major implications in how corals acclimatize and survive. Recent studies on the interactions between the coral's algal and bacterial symbionts elucidate how bacteria may stabilize algal health and, therefore, mitigate bleaching. A summary of the innovative tools and experiments to examine host–microbe interactions in other cnidarians (a temperate coral, a jellyfish, two anemones, and a freshwater hydroid) is offered in this review to delineate our current knowledge of mechanisms underlying microbial establishment and maintenance in the animal host. A better understanding of these mechanisms may enhance the success of maintaining probiotics long-term in corals as a conservation strategy.
Optimal third harmonic injection based nearest level control of large‐scale solar photovoltaic multilevel converter
Authors: Yadav Shivam Kumar , Mishra Nidhi , Singh Bhim
Published: February 2022

This paper presents a new control approach with an optimal third harmonic injection‐based nearest level modulation (OTHI‐NLM) technique for a large‐scale solar photovoltaic (SPV) system. This system uses a single‐source multilevel converter to feed solar power into the grid. The merits of the optimal third harmonic injection (OTHI) and nearest level modulation (NLM) are considered for switching the SPV converter. A unique analysis to have an adaptive optimal injection with varying solar irradiance is conducted and compared with the well‐known carrier‐based high‐frequency switching technique. The variations of harmonics for OTHI‐NLM, an optimal third harmonic pulse width modulation (OTHI‐PWM), and a constant third harmonic injection method are analysed at different irradiance levels. This optimal injection provides benefits such as enhanced DC bus utilization (DBU), better harmonics performance at different solar irradiance levels. The detailed methodology of the OTHI algorithm, nearest level modulation (NLM) technique with an optimal quotient calculation, and an instantaneous optimal third harmonic injection (THI) in closed‐loop are presented. The comparative analysis shows the effectiveness of the SPV grid‐tied structure over well‐known ones. The power quality of the renewable energy system is investigated in dynamic solar irradiations. Moreover, simulation results are presented and validated in a real‐time test bench.
Grammage of cosmic rays in the proximity of supernova remnants embedded in a partially ionized medium
Authors: Recchia S. , Galli D. , Nava L. , Padovani M. , Gabici S. , Marcowith A. , Ptuskin V. , Morlino G.
Published: February 2022

Aims. We investigate the damping of Alfvén waves generated by the cosmic-ray resonant streaming instability in the context of cosmic-ray escape and propagation in the proximity of supernova remnants. We study in particular whether the self-confinement of cosmic rays in the vicinity of sources can appreciably affect the grammage.

Methods. We considered ion-neutral damping, turbulent damping, and nonlinear Landau damping in the warm ionized and warm neutral phases of the interstellar medium. For the ion-neutral damping, the most recent damping coefficients were used.

Results. We show that ion-neutral damping and turbulent damping effectively limit the residence time of cosmic rays in the proximity of the source, so that the grammage that is accumulated near sources is found to be negligible. In contrast to previous results, this also occurs in the most extreme scenario in which ion-neutral damping is less effective, namely in a medium consisting only of neutral helium and fully ionized hydrogen. The standard picture, in which cosmic-ray secondaries are produced during the whole time that cosmic rays spend in the Galactic disk therefore do not need to be revised substantially.
A search for ionised gas outflows in an Hα imaging atlas of nearby LINERs
Authors: Hermosa Muñoz L. , Márquez I. , Cazzoli S. , Masegosa J. , Agís-González B.
Published: February 2022

Context. Outflows play a major role in the evolution of galaxies. However, we do not yet have a complete picture of their properties (extension, geometry, orientation, and clumpiness). For low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGNs), in particular low-ionisation nuclear emission line regions (LINERs), the rate of outflows and their properties are largely unknown.

Aims. The main goal of this work is to create the largest up-to-date atlas of ionised gas outflow candidates in a sample of 70 nearby LINERs. We aim to use narrowband imaging data to analyse the morphological properties of the ionised gas nuclear emission of these galaxies and to identify signatures of extended emission with distinctive outflow morphologies.

Methods. We obtained new imaging data from Alhambra Faint Object Spectrograph and Camera (ALFOSC)/Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) for a total of 32 LINERs, and complemented it with Hubble Space Telescope archival data (HST) for six objects. We extracted the Hα emission of the galaxies and used it to morphologically classify the circumnuclear emission. We combined our results with those from the literature for additional 32 targets. We additionally obtained soft X-ray data from Chandra archive to compare this emission with the ionised gas.

Results. The distribution of the ionised gas in these LINER indicates that ∼32% show Bubble emission, ∼28% show Core-halo unresolved emission, and ∼21% of the sample have a Disky distribution. Dust lanes prevent any detailed classification for ∼11% of the sample, which we call Dusty. The soft X-ray emission is in most cases (∼60%) co-spatial with the ionised gas. If we account for the kinematical information which is available for a total of 60 galaxies, we end up with a total of 48% of the LINERs with detected outflows or inflows in the emission lines (50% considering only kinematical information based on Integral Field Spectroscopic data).

Conclusions. Our results suggest that the incidence of outflows in LINERs may vary from 41% to 56%, based on both the Hα morphology and the kinematical information from the literature. The ionised gas seems to be correlated with the soft X-ray emission, so that they may have a common origin. We discuss the use of Hα imaging for the pre-selection of candidates likely hosting ionised gas outflows.
Composition of Kashkaval cheese manufactured from different levels of somatic cell counts in sheep milk
Authors: Balabanova Tatyana , Ivanova Mihaela , Dimitrova-Dicheva Milena , Ivanova Ivelina
Published: February 2022

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of somatic cell count (SCC) on the composition of Kashkaval cheese. Kashkaval cheese samples were produced from three different batches of sheep milk with low (610 000 cells/ml), medium (770 000 cells/ml), and high (1 310 000 cells/ml) SCC, respectively. The main chemical parameters, such as pH, titratable acidity, moisture content, fat content in the dry matter, protein content, sodium chloride content, and microbiological parameters (lactic acid bacteria count, pathogenic microorganisms, coliforms, psychrotrophic, yeasts and molds) were studied during the ripening and storage periods. No statistically significant (P<0.05) changes were found in the values of the chemical parameters during the ripening period. At the beginning of ripening, the total lactic acid bacteria count for all cheese samples was about 4.1 log cfu/g, then increased to 6.2 log cfu/g (at 60 days of ripening) for test samples. The data collected in this study showed a slight decrease in pH values and a gradual increase in the titratable acidity, which was an indication for retarded fermentation during storage at low temperature. The lactic acid bacteria showed good survival, but higher sensitivity was observed inLactobacillusspp. in comparison withStreptococcusspp.
Technological and morphological characteristics of acoustically assisted frozen “foie gras” (fattened duck liver)
Authors: Vlahova-Vangelova Desislava , Balev Desislav , Kolev Nikolay , Dinkova Rada , Dragoev Stefan
Published: February 2022

The aim of this work was to explore the changes in morphology, pH and color characteristics (L*, a*, b*) in AEF (Acoustic Extra Freezing) frozen fatty duck liver “foie gras” (LA) after 18 months of frozen storage (-18°C). The cooled fattened duck liver (0 -4°C) was processed with acoustic assisted pre-massage step for 20 min, followed by AEF freezing at -25°C until reaching -18°C in the center of the product. The conventionally air frozen “foie gras” (air temperature -35°C) were used as control (LK). The type of freezing did not affect significantly on the pH of the tested samples (p ≥ 0.05). The changes in the instrumentally measured color characteristics (L*, a*, b*) in AEF frozen “foie gras” were found lower (p ≤ 0.05) compared to LK. The light microscopy of LK frozen “foie gras” showed large ice crystals formation and significant destructive changes in muscles. After AEF freezing, the cell structure was better preserved, and histologically similar to fresh “foie gras”.