bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Turbulence modulation in thermally expanding and contracting flows
Authors: Silvestri S. , Pecnik R.
Published: September 2021

We present direct numerical simulations of developing turbulent channel flows subjected to thermal expansion or contraction downstream of a heated or cooled wall. Using different constitutive relations for viscosity we analyse the response of variable property flows to streamwise acceleration/deceleration by separating the effect of streamwise acceleration/deceleration from the effect of wall-normal property variations. We demonstrate that, beyond a certain streamwise location, the flow can be considered in a state of ‘quasi-equilibrium’ regarding semilocally scaled variables. As such, we claim that the development of turbulent quantities due to streamwise acceleration/deceleration is localized to the region of impulsive heating/cooling, while changes in turbulence occurring farther downstream can be attributed solely to property variations. This finding allows us to study turbulence modulation in accelerating/decelerating flows using the semilocal scaling framework. By investigating the energy redistribution among the turbulent velocity fluctuations, we conclude that a change in bulk streamwise velocity has a non-local effect which originates from the change in mean shear and modifies the energy pathways through velocity-pressure-gradient correlations. On the other hand, the wall-normal property gradients have a local effect and act through the modification of the viscous dissipation. We show that it is possible to superimpose and compare the two different effects when using the semilocal scaling framework.
Coastal imbalance: generation of oceanic Kelvin waves by atmospheric perturbations
Authors: Vanneste Jacques
Published: September 2021

The response of a semi-infinite ocean to a slowly travelling atmospheric perturbation crossing the coast provides a simple example of the breakdown of nearly geostrophic balance induced by a boundary. We examine this response in the linear shallow-water model at small Rossby number$\varepsilon \ll 1$. Using matched asymptotics, we show that a long Kelvin wave, with$O(\varepsilon ^{-1})$length scale and$O(\varepsilon )$amplitude relative to quasi-geostrophic response, is generated as the perturbation crosses the coast. Accounting for this Kelvin wave restores the conservation of mass that is violated in the quasi-geostrophic approximation.
Hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype and associated factors in individuals with arterial hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus
Authors: Borges Luiza Delazari , Comini Luma de Oliveira , Oliveira Laura Camargo de , Dias Heloísa Helena , Ferreira Emily de Souza , Batistelli Clara Regina Santos , da Costa Glauce Dias , Moreira Tiago Ricardo , da Silva Rodrigo Gomes , Cotta Rosângela Minardi Mitre
Published: September 2021

Cardiovascular diseases are among the main causes of death in Brazil and worldwide. The literature indicates the hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype (HTWP) as an accessible alternative for the identification of cardiovascular and metabolic risk. The present study aimed to identify the prevalence and factors associated with HTWP in individuals diagnosed with arterial hypertension (AH) and/or diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). A cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals diagnosed with AH and/or DM2. The study data were collected through semi-structured interviews containing socio-demographic information, lifestyle, health care, in addition to anthropometric assessment, blood pressure measurement and biochemical blood tests. The prevalence of HTWP was estimated and bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with HTWP. Of the 788 individuals analysed, 21⋅5 % had the HTWP. In the adjusted model, the following variables remained associated with a greater chance of presenting HTWP: sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL). Being female increased the chance of HTWP by 7⋅7 times (OR 7⋅7; 95 % CI 3⋅9, 15⋅2). The one-year increase in age increased the chance of HTWP by 4 % (OR 1⋅04; 95 % CI 1⋅02, 1⋅06). The addition of 1 mg/dl of VLDL-c increased the chance of HTWP by 15 % (odds ratio (OR) 1⋅15; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1⋅12, 1⋅18), as well as the increase of 1 kg/m2 in the BMI increased the chance of this condition by 20 % (OR 1⋅20; 95 % CI 1⋅15, 1⋅27). The prevalence of HTWP was associated with females, older age, higher BMI, higher VLDL-c and risk waist/height ratio.
Knowledge Diffusion and Intellectual Change: When Chinese Literati Met European Jesuits
Authors: Ma Chicheng
Published: September 2021

From 1580, the Jesuits introduced European sciences to China―an autarkic civilization whose intelligentsia was dominated by Confucian literati. Drawing upon prefectural distributions of the Jesuits and Chinese scientific works, this paper demonstrates that the Jesuits stimulated Confucian literati to study science. On average, the literati’s scientific works increased four times in prefectures with Jesuit scientists after 1580. But this effect shrank after the Jesuits were expelled by the emperor of China in 1723. Since China’s scholar-official system remained unchanged, the literati’s scientific research aimed to serve the needs of statecraft rather than translating into economic progress.
Charged dust in the D-region incoherent scatter spectrum
Authors: Gunnarsdottir Tinna L. , Mann Ingrid
Published: September 2021

We investigate the influence of charged dust on the incoherent scatter from the D-region ionosphere. Incoherent scatter is observed with high-power, large aperture radars and results from electromagnetic waves scattering at electrons that are coupled to other charged components through plasma oscillations. The influence of charged dust can hence be considered an effect of dusty plasma. The D-region contains meteoric smoke particles that are of nanometre size and form from incoming ablating meteors. Detection of such charged dust in the incoherent scatter spectrum from the D-region has previously been proposed and studied to some degree. We here present model calculations to investigate the influence of the charged dust component with a size distribution, instead of the one size dust components assumed in other works. The developed code to calculate the incoherent scatter spectrum from the D-region including dust particles with different sizes and different positive and negative charge states is made available (https://doi.org/10.18710/GHZIIY). We investigate how sizes, number density and charge state of the dust influence the spectrum during different ionospheric conditions. We consider the ionospheric parameters for the location of the EISCAT VHF radar during a year and find that conditions are most suitable for dust detection in winter below 80 km at times with increased electron densities. The prospects to derive dust parameters increase, when the incoherent scatter observations are combined with those of other instruments to provide independent information on electron density, neutral density and temperature.
Doctrines, modalities and comonads
Authors: Dagnino Francesco , Rosolini Giuseppe
Published: September 2021

Doctrines are categorical structures very apt to study logics of different nature within a unified environment: the 2-categoryDtnof doctrines. Modal interior operators are characterised as particular adjoints in the 2-categoryDtn. We show that they can be constructed from comonads inDtnas well as from adjunctions in it, and we compare the two constructions. Finally we show the amount of information lost in the passage from a comonad, or from an adjunction, to the modal interior operator. The basis for the present work is provided by some seminal work of John Power.
Breastmilk or infant formula? Content analysis of infant feeding advice on breastmilk substitute manufacturer websites
Authors: Pomeranz Jennifer L , Chu Xiangying , Groza Oana , Cohodes Madeline , Harris Jennifer L
Published: September 2021

Objective:

To evaluate messages about infant feeding on breastmilk substitute (BMS) manufacturer websites directed at US caregivers and compare information and portrayals of breast-feeding/breastmilk with that of infant formula (IF) feeding.

Design:

We conducted a content analysis of US BMS companies’ websites. A codebook was created through an iterative process to identify messages and images about breast-feeding/breastmilk and IF feeding, including benefits or issues associated with each, and direct-to-consumer marketing practices that could discourage breast-feeding.

Setting:

Data were collected in 2019–2020 and analysed in 2020–2021 for US websites of five IF manufacturers.

Participants:

The websites of Similac, Enfamil and Gerber, which collectively represent approximately 98 % of the US IF market, and two US organic brands, Earth’s Best and Happy Baby.

Results:

Websites contained more messages about breast-feeding/breastmilk than IF but were significantly more likely to mention benefits to baby of IF (44 %) than breast-feeding/breastmilk (<26 %), including significantly more statements that IF provides brain, neural and gastrointestinal benefits; 40 % of breast-feeding/breastmilk content was dedicated to breast-feeding problems (e.g. sore nipples). Twice as many screenshots compared IF brands favourably to breastmilk than as superior to other brands. Certain companies displayed images indicating ease of IF feeding and difficulty of breast-feeding.

Conclusions:

Substantial messaging on BMS manufacturer websites encouraged IF feeding and discouraged breast-feeding. Health professionals should discourage their patients from visiting these websites and the US government should regulate misleading claims. Companies should refrain from providing breast-feeding advice and align their US marketing with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
Implementing Attachment-Based Family Therapy for Depressed and Suicidal Adolescents and Young Adults in LGBTQ+ Services
Authors: Russon Jody , Morrissey Judy , Dellinger Jamie , Jin Bora , Diamond Guy
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Background: Suicide is a serious public health problem for LGBTQ+ adolescents and young adults. Attachment-based family therapy (ABFT) is one of the few suicide treatment models that has been tested with this population. The challenge remains in how to implement ABFT into the ecology of LGBTQ+ service settings. Aims: In this study, we tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of ABFT in LGBTQ+ community settings. Method: Ten participants were enrolled in 16 weeks of ABFT across three LGBTQ+ organizations. Feasibility (treatment completion) and acceptability (Working Alliance Inventory [WAI]; opinions about treatment [OAT]) were measured for youth and caregivers. Depression and suicide outcomes were assessed for nine participants. Results: ABFT was demonstrated to be both feasible and acceptable. All participants completed treatment, and there were no dropouts. Adolescents/young adults and their caregivers reported high WAI and adequate OAT scores throughout treatment. There was a significant decrease in suicidal ideation (β = −12.16, t(10) = −3.14, p < .01). Decreases in depression, however, were not significant (β = −1.83, t(9.11) = −0.88, p = .40). Limitations: The small sample limits our ability to estimate treatment effectiveness. A larger effectiveness trial is warranted. Conclusion: ABFT is a promising treatment for LGBTQ+ service settings.
Machiavellian Leader Effectiveness
Authors: Genau Hanna A. , Blickle Gerhard , Schütte Nora , Meurs James A.
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Research on the effectiveness of Machiavellian leaders has found contradictory results. By linking socioanalytic and trait activation theory to the Machiavellianism and leadership literature, we argue that political skill may explain these findings by moderating the relation between Machiavellianism and leadership effectiveness. Using a multisource design and moderated mediation analyses with 153 leaders, 287 subordinates, and 153 superiors, we show that leaders who are both strongly politically skilled and high on Machiavellianism successfully enact transformational leadership, mediating improved leader effectiveness. However, when leader political skill is low, high Machiavellianism is negatively associated with (subordinate-rated) transformational leadership, resulting in lower leader effectiveness ratings by superiors. We discuss these results in light of current research on Machiavellianism in leadership and work contexts.
Explaining the Negative Consequences of Organizational Dehumanization
Authors: Lagios Constantin , Caesens Gaëtane , Nguyen Nathan , Stinglhamber Florence
Published: September 2021

Abstract. Organizational dehumanization (OD), defined as employees' perceptions of being treated as mere tools by their organization, has been shown to negatively affect employees and organizations. To explain such detrimental effects, scholars have argued that OD might thwart employees' fundamental psychological needs. Yet, evidence of this mechanism remains empirically nonexistent. Filling this gap, this research aims at investigating the mediating role of psychological need thwarting in the relationships between OD and employees' well-being and attitudes. Based on a cross-sectional study ( N = 340) and a two-wave study (3 months apart; N = 603), the results indicate that OD thwarts employees' psychological needs which are, in turn, negatively related to their well-being (psychological strains, absenteeism, and job satisfaction) and attitudes (turnover intentions and affective commitment).
Filling the Gaps in the SuperDARN Archive
Authors: Wheeling Kate
Published: September 2021

Researchers present a new pattern-finding technique to better estimate missing data on ionospheric plasma velocities.
A 15-user quantum secure direct communication network
Authors: Qi Zhantong , Li Yuanhua , Huang Yiwen , Feng Juan , Zheng Yuanlin , Chen Xianfeng
Published: September 2021

Quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) based on entanglement can directly transmit confidential information. However, the inability to simultaneously distinguish the four sets of encoded entangled states limits its practical application. Here, we explore a QSDC network based on time–energy entanglement and sum-frequency generation. In total,15 users are in a fully connected QSDC network, and the fidelity of the entangled state shared by any two users is >97%. The results show that when any two users are performing QSDC over 40 km of optical fiber, the fidelity of the entangled state shared by them is still >95%, and the rate of information transmission can be maintained above 1 Kbp/s. Our result demonstrates the feasibility of a proposed QSDC network and hence lays the foundation for the realization of satellite-based long-distance and global QSDC in the future.
Paternal weight prior to conception and infant birthweight: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Retnakaran Ravi , Wen Shi Wu , Tan Hongzhuan , Zhou Shujin , Ye Chang , Shen Minxue , Smith Graeme N. , Walker Mark C.
Published: September 2021

Background/Objective

Previous studies have consistently demonstrated that maternal weight status both before and during pregnancy is associated with infant birthweight. However, a fundamental limitation across this literature remains that previous studies have not evaluated the concomitant impact of paternal weight at conception, owing to the paucity of studies in which fathers were assessed prior to pregnancy. Thus, we established a cohort of preconception couples to prospectively evaluate the associations of maternal and paternal weight prior to pregnancy with infant birthweight at delivery.

Methods

In this prospective observational cohort study, 1292 newly-married women and their partners in Liuyang, China, were assessed at median of 23.3 weeks before a singleton pregnancy, thereby enabling concomitant assessment of preconception maternal and paternal body mass index (BMI) in relation to infant birthweight.

Results

Mean birthweight was 3294 ± 450 g with 147 neonates (11.4%) born large-for-gestational-age (LGA) and 94 (7.3%) small-for-gestational-age (SGA). After adjustment for maternal and paternal factors prior to conception (age, education, smoking, BMI, household income), length of gestation, total gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and infant sex, it was noted that infant birthweight increased by 42.2 g (95% CI 29.5–54.8; p < 0.0001) per unit increase in maternal pregravid BMI and 10.7 g (95% CI 0.5–20.9; p = 0.04) per unit increase in paternal pregravid BMI. Maternal pregravid BMI explained 6.2% of the variance in birthweight whereas paternal BMI explained only 0.7%. Independent predictors of LGA delivery were maternal pregravid BMI (aOR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.50–2.44), maternal age (aOR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.09–2.00), and gestational weight gain (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.40–2.30). Paternal pregravid BMI was not independently associated with LGA or SGA.

Conclusion

Paternal BMI prior to conception is associated with infant birthweight but only modestly so, in contrast to the dominant impact of maternal weight.
Therapeutic targeting of the inflammasome in myeloid malignancies
Authors: Chakraborty Samarpana , Shapiro Lauren C. , de Oliveira Sofia , Rivera-Pena Bianca , Verma Amit , Shastri Aditi
Published: September 2021

Even though genetic perturbations and mutations are important for the development of myeloid malignancies, the effects of an inflammatory microenvironment are a critical modulator of carcinogenesis. Activation of the innate immune system through various ligands and signaling pathways is an important driver of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The DAMPs, or alarmins, which activate the inflammasome pathway via the TLR4/NLR signaling cascade causes the lytic cell death of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), ineffective hematopoiesis, and β-catenin-induced proliferation of cancer cells, leading to the development of MDS/AML phenotype. It is also associated with other myeloid malignancies and involved in the pathogenesis of associated cytopenias. Ongoing research suggests the interplay of inflammasome mediators with immune modulators and transcription factors to have a significant role in the development of myeloid diseases, and possibly therapy resistance. This review discusses the role and importance of inflammasomes and immune pathways in myeloid malignancies, particularly MDS/AML, to better understand the disease pathophysiology and decipher the scope of therapeutic interventions.
Chimeric antigen receptor T cells self-neutralizing IL6 storm in patients with hematologic malignancy
Authors: Xue Lei , Yi Yan , Xu Qianwen , Wang Li , Yang Xiaohui , Zhang Yongjing , Hua Xuefei , Chai Xiaoshan , Yang Junjie , Chen Yaxin , Tao Guangshi , Hu Biliang , Wang Xingbing
Published: September 2021

IL6 is one of the most elevated cytokines during chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell cytokine release syndrome (CRS), and IL6R blockade by Tocilizumab has successfully relieved the most life-threatening aspects of CRS in patients. In addition, latest studies demonstrated the essential role of IL1 in driving CART induced neurotoxicity in mouse models. Here we present a clinical investigation (ChiCTR2000032124; ChiCTR2000031868) of anti-CD19 and anti-BCMA CART (41BBζ) secreting an anti-IL6 scFv and IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1RA) in treating patients with hematologic malignancy. Our results revealed that IL6 and IL1B were maintained at low levels without significant elevation during CRS, rendering Tocilizumab dispensable. Moreover, treated patients did not show neurotoxicity during CRS and exhibited mild to moderate CRS. Notably, we observed high rate of complete response (CR) and significant CART expansion during treatment. In sum, we conclude that CART-secreting anti-IL6 scFv and IL1RA could self-neutralize IL6 storm and maintain low levels of IL1B during CART therapy to minimize IL6- and IL1-associated cytokine toxicity and neurotoxicity without impairing therapeutic efficacy.
Quantifying the unknown impact of segmentation uncertainty on image-based simulations
Authors: Krygier Michael C. , LaBonte Tyler , Martinez Carianne , Norris Chance , Sharma Krish , Collins Lincoln N. , Mukherjee Partha P. , Roberts Scott A.
Published: September 2021

Image-based simulation, the use of 3D images to calculate physical quantities, relies on image segmentation for geometry creation. However, this process introduces image segmentation uncertainty because different segmentation tools (both manual and machine-learning-based) will each produce a unique and valid segmentation. First, we demonstrate that these variations propagate into the physics simulations, compromising the resulting physics quantities. Second, we propose a general framework for rapidly quantifying segmentation uncertainty. Through the creation and sampling of segmentation uncertainty probability maps, we systematically and objectively create uncertainty distributions of the physics quantities. We show that physics quantity uncertainty distributions can follow a Normal distribution, but, in more complicated physics simulations, the resulting uncertainty distribution can be surprisingly nontrivial. We establish that bounding segmentation uncertainty can fail in these nontrivial situations. While our work does not eliminate segmentation uncertainty, it improves simulation credibility by making visible the previously unrecognized segmentation uncertainty plaguing image-based simulation.
Allosteric modulators enhance agonist efficacy by increasing the residence time of a GPCR in the active state
Authors: Cao Anne-Marinette , Quast Robert B. , Fatemi Fataneh , Rondard Philippe , Pin Jean-Philippe , Margeat Emmanuel
Published: September 2021

Much hope in drug development comes from the discovery of positive allosteric modulators (PAM) that display target subtype selectivity and act by increasing agonist potency and efficacy. How such compounds can allosterically influence agonist action remains unclear. Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu) are G protein-coupled receptors that represent promising targets for brain diseases, and for which PAMs acting in the transmembrane domain have been developed. Here, we explore the effect of a PAM on the structural dynamics of mGlu2 in optimized detergent micelles using single molecule FRET at submillisecond timescales. We show that glutamate only partially stabilizes the extracellular domains in the active state. Full activation is only observed in the presence of a PAM or the Gi protein. Our results provide important insights on the role of allosteric modulators in mGlu activation, by stabilizing the active state of a receptor that is otherwise rapidly oscillating between active and inactive states.
Large scale enzyme based xenobiotic identification for exposomics
Authors: Liu Ken H. , Lee Choon M. , Singer Grant , Bais Preeti , Castellanos Francisco , Woodworth Michael H. , Ziegler Thomas R. , Kraft Colleen S. , Miller Gary W. , Li Shuzhao , Go Young-Mi , Morgan Edward T. , Jones Dean P.
Published: September 2021

Advances in genomics have revealed many of the genetic underpinnings of human disease, but exposomics methods are currently inadequate to obtain a similar level of understanding of environmental contributions to human disease. Exposomics methods are limited by low abundance of xenobiotic metabolites and lack of authentic standards, which precludes identification using solely mass spectrometry-based criteria. Here, we develop and validate a method for enzymatic generation of xenobiotic metabolites for use with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) for chemical identification. Generated xenobiotic metabolites were used to confirm identities of respective metabolites in mice and human samples based upon accurate mass, retention time and co-occurrence with related xenobiotic metabolites. The results establish a generally applicable enzyme-based identification (EBI) for mass spectrometry identification of xenobiotic metabolites and could complement existing criteria for chemical identification.
MAD2L2 dimerization and TRIP13 control shieldin activity in DNA repair
Authors: de Krijger Inge , Föhr Bastian , Pérez Santiago Hernández , Vincendeau Estelle , Serrat Judit , Thouin Alexander Marc , Susvirkar Vivek , Lescale Chloé , Paniagua Inés , Hoekman Liesbeth , Kaur Simranjeet , Altelaar Maarten , Deriano Ludovic , Faesen Alex C. , Jacobs Jacqueline J. L.
Published: September 2021

MAD2L2 (REV7) plays an important role in DNA double-strand break repair. As a member of the shieldin complex, consisting of MAD2L2, SHLD1, SHLD2 and SHLD3, it controls DNA repair pathway choice by counteracting DNA end-resection. Here we investigated the requirements for shieldin complex assembly and activity. Besides a dimerization-surface, HORMA-domain protein MAD2L2 has the extraordinary ability to wrap its C-terminus around SHLD3, likely creating a very stable complex. We show that appropriate function of MAD2L2 within shieldin requires its dimerization, mediated by SHLD2 and accelerating MAD2L2-SHLD3 interaction. Dimerization-defective MAD2L2 impairs shieldin assembly and fails to promote NHEJ. Moreover, MAD2L2 dimerization, along with the presence of SHLD3, allows shieldin to interact with the TRIP13 ATPase, known to drive topological switches in HORMA-domain proteins. We find that appropriate levels of TRIP13 are important for proper shieldin (dis)assembly and activity in DNA repair. Together our data provide important insights in the dependencies for shieldin activity.
Real-time dynamics and structures of supported subnanometer catalysts via multiscale simulations
Authors: Wang Yifan , Kalscheur Jake , Su Ya-Qiong , Hensen Emiel J. M. , Vlachos Dionisios G.
Published: September 2021

Understanding the performance of subnanometer catalysts and how catalyst treatment and exposure to spectroscopic probe molecules change the structure requires accurate structure determination under working conditions. Experiments lack simultaneous temporal and spatial resolution and could alter the structure, and similar challenges hinder first-principles calculations from answering these questions. Here, we introduce a multiscale modeling framework to follow the evolution of subnanometer clusters at experimentally relevant time scales. We demonstrate its feasibility on Pd adsorbed on CeO2(111) at various catalyst loadings, temperatures, and exposures to CO. We show that sintering occurs in seconds even at room temperature and is mainly driven by free energy reduction. It leads to a kinetically (far from equilibrium) frozen ensemble of quasi-two-dimensional structures that CO chemisorption and infrared experiments probe. CO adsorption makes structures flatter and smaller. High temperatures drive very rapid sintering toward larger, stable/metastable equilibrium structures, where CO induces secondary structure changes only.
Olivine-rich achondrites from Vesta and the missing mantle problem
Authors: Vaci Zoltan , Day James M. D. , Paquet Marine , Ziegler Karen , Yin Qing-Zhu , Dey Supratim , Miller Audrey , Agee Carl , Bartoschewitz Rainer , Pack Andreas
Published: September 2021

Mantles of rocky planets are dominantly composed of olivine and its high-pressure polymorphs, according to seismic data of Earth’s interior, the mineralogy of natural samples, and modelling results. The missing mantle problem represents the paucity of olivine-rich material among meteorite samples and remote observation of asteroids, given how common differentiated planetesimals were in the early Solar System. Here we report the discovery of new olivine-rich meteorites that have asteroidal origins and are related to V-type asteroids or vestoids. Northwest Africa 12217, 12319, and 12562 are dunites and lherzolite cumulates that have siderophile element abundances consistent with origins on highly differentiated asteroidal bodies that experienced core formation, and with trace element and oxygen and chromium isotopic compositions associated with the howardite-eucrite-diogenite meteorites. These meteorites represent a step towards the end of the shortage of olivine-rich material, allowing for full examination of differentiation processes acting on planetesimals in the earliest epoch of the Solar System.
Supervision of a self-driving vehicle unmasks latent sleepiness relative to manually controlled driving
Authors: Flynn-Evans Erin E. , Wong Lily R. , Kuriyagawa Yukiyo , Gowda Nikhil , Cravalho Patrick F. , Pradhan Sean , Feick Nathan H. , Bathurst Nicholas G. , Glaros Zachary L. , Wilaiprasitporn Theerawit , Bansal Kanika , Garcia Javier O. , Hilditch Cassie J.
Published: September 2021

Human error has been implicated as a causal factor in a large proportion of road accidents. Automated driving systems purport to mitigate this risk, but self-driving systems that allow a driver to entirely disengage from the driving task also require the driver to monitor the environment and take control when necessary. Given that sleep loss impairs monitoring performance and there is a high prevalence of sleep deficiency in modern society, we hypothesized that supervising a self-driving vehicle would unmask latent sleepiness compared to manually controlled driving among individuals following their typical sleep schedules. We found that participants felt sleepier, had more involuntary transitions to sleep, had slower reaction times and more attentional failures, and showed substantial modifications in brain synchronization during and following an autonomous drive compared to a manually controlled drive. Our findings suggest that the introduction of partial self-driving capabilities in vehicles has the potential to paradoxically increase accident risk.
Spatiotemporal beam self-cleaning for high-resolution nonlinear fluorescence imaging with multimode fiber
Authors: Moussa Nawell Ould , Mansuryan Tigran , Hage Charles-Henri , Fabert Marc , Krupa Katarzyna , Tonello Alessandro , Ferraro Mario , Leggio Luca , Zitelli Mario , Mangini Fabio , Niang Alioune , Millot Guy , Papi Massimiliano , Wabnitz Stefan , Couderc Vincent
Published: September 2021

Beam self-cleaning (BSC) in graded-index (GRIN) multimode fibers (MMFs) has been recently reported by different research groups. Driven by the interplay between Kerr effect and beam self-imaging, BSC counteracts random mode coupling, and forces laser beams to recover a quasi-single mode profile at the output of GRIN fibers. Here we show that the associated self-induced spatiotemporal reshaping allows for improving the performances of nonlinear fluorescence (NF) microscopy and endoscopy using multimode optical fibers. We experimentally demonstrate that the beam brightness increase, induced by self-cleaning, enables two and three-photon imaging of biological samples with high spatial resolution. Temporal pulse shortening accompanying spatial beam clean-up enhances the output peak power, hence the efficiency of nonlinear imaging. We also show that spatiotemporal supercontinuum (SC) generation is well-suited for large-band NF imaging in visible and infrared domains. We substantiated our findings by multiphoton fluorescence imaging in both microscopy and endoscopy configurations.
Community-driven tree planting greens the neighbouring landscape
Authors: Buxton Joshua , Powell Tom , Ambler John , Boulton Chris , Nicholson Arwen , Arthur Rudy , Lees Kirsten , Williams Hywel , Lenton Timothy M.
Published: September 2021

Nature-based solutions to climate change are growing policy priorities yet remain hard to quantify. Here we use remote sensing to quantify direct and indirect benefits from community-led agroforestry by The International Small group and Tree planting program (TIST) in Kenya. Since 2005, TIST-Kenya has incentivised smallholder farmers to plant trees for agricultural benefit and to sequester CO2. We use Landsat-7 satellite imagery to examine the effect on the historically deforested landscape around Mount Kenya. We identify positive greening trends in TIST groves during 2000–2019 relative to the wider landscape. These groves cover 27,198 ha, and a further 27,750 ha of neighbouring agricultural land is also positively influenced by TIST. This positive ‘spill-over’ impact of TIST activity occurs at up to 360 m distance. TIST also benefits local forests, e.g. through reducing fuelwood and fodder extraction. Our results show that community-led initiatives can lead to successful landscape-scale regreening on decadal timescales.
Longitudinal association of the anti-inflammatory serum marker GDF-15 with serum IgA and IgG in apparently healthy children
Authors: Carreras-Badosa Gemma , Gómez-Vilarrubla Ariadna , Mas-Parés Berta , Xargay-Torrent Silvia , Prats-Puig Anna , Puerto-Carranza Elsa , de Zegher Francis , Ibáñez Lourdes , Bassols Judit , López-Bermejo Abel
Published: September 2021

Both the innate and adaptive immune responses are deregulated in individuals with obesity and are key drivers of its associated metabolic alterations. Although the anti-inflammatory growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a candidate protein against obesity, its mechanisms regulating the immune responses are not fully cleared. We examined whether GDF-15 was related to serum immunoglobulins in a children’s cohort assessed longitudinally during childhood. Results showed that circulating GDF-15 positively associated with IgA (p < 0.002) and IgG (p < 0.001) levels and the IgA*IgG product (p < 0.001) in apparently healthy children at both baseline (age 9) and follow-up (age 13). The associations were readily observed in heavier children (those with BMI-SDS above the median) as well as in children with higher renal fat accumulation (those with renal fat-to-height ratio above the median) and remained significant after correcting for possible confounding variables. Serum GDF-15 levels accounted for up to 16% of the variance of follow-up IgG levels and up to 14% of the variance of follow-up IgA*IgG product. The longitudinal associations of the anti-inflammatory GDF-15 with IgA, IgG and the IgA*IgG product in children with higher BMI or higher renal fat accumulation suggest a role of GDF-15 in human obesity through the regulation of the immune adaptive system.
Football player dominant region determined by a novel model based on instantaneous kinematics variables
Authors: Caetano Fabio Giuliano , Barbon Junior Sylvio , Torres Ricardo da Silva , Cunha Sergio Augusto , Ruffino Paulo Régis Caron , Martins Luiz Eduardo Barreto , Moura Felipe Arruda
Published: September 2021

Dominant regions are defined as regions of the pitch where a player can reach before any other and are commonly determined without considering the free-spaces in the pitch. We presented an approach to football players’ dominant regions analysis, based on movement models created from players’ positions, displacement, velocity, and acceleration vectors. 109 Brazilian male professional football players were analysed during official matches, computing over 15 million positional data obtained by video-based tracking system. Movement models were created based on players’ instantaneous vectorial kinematics variables, then probabilities models and dominant regions were determined. Accuracy in determining dominant regions by the proposed model was tested for different time-lag windows. We calculated the areas of dominant, free-spaces, and Voronoi regions. Mean correct predictions of dominant region were 96.56%, 88.64%, and 72.31% for one, two, and three seconds, respectively. Dominant regions areas were lower than the ones computed by Voronoi, with median values of 73 and 171 m2, respectively. A median value of 5537 m2 was presented for free-space regions, representing a large part of the pitch. The proposed movement model proved to be more realistic, representing the match dynamics and can be a useful method to evaluate the players’ tactical behaviours during matches.
National interest may require distributing COVID-19 vaccines to other countries
Authors: Rotesi Tiziano , Pin Paolo , Cucciniello Maria , Malik Amyn A. , Paintsil Elliott E. , Bokemper Scott E. , Willebrand Kathryn , Huber Gregory A. , Melegaro Alessia , Omer Saad B.
Published: September 2021

As immunization campaigns are accelerating, understanding how to distribute the scarce doses of vaccines is of paramount importance and a quantitative analysis of the trade-offs involved in domestic-only versus cooperative distribution is still missing. In this study we use a network Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) model to show circumstances under which it is in a country’s self-interest to ensure other countries can obtain COVID-19 vaccines rather than focusing only on vaccination of their own residents. In particular, we focus our analysis on the United States and estimate the internal burden of COVID-19 disease under different scenarios about vaccine cooperation. We show that in scenarios in which the US has reached the threshold for domestic herd immunity, the US may find it optimal to donate doses to other countries with lower vaccination coverage, as this would allow for a sharp reduction in the inflow of infected individuals from abroad.
SARS-CoV-2 infection hospitalization, severity, criticality, and fatality rates in Qatar
Authors: Seedat Shaheen , Chemaitelly Hiam , Ayoub Houssein H. , Makhoul Monia , Mumtaz Ghina R. , Al Kanaani Zaina , Al Khal Abdullatif , Al Kuwari Einas , Butt Adeel A. , Coyle Peter , Jeremijenko Andrew , Kaleeckal Anvar Hassan , Latif Ali Nizar , Shaik Riyazuddin Mohammad , Yassine Hadi M. , Al Kuwari Mohamed G. , Al Romaihi Hamad Eid , Al-Thani Mohamed H. , Bertollini Roberto , Abu-Raddad Laith J.
Published: September 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic resulted in considerable morbidity and mortality as well as severe economic and societal disruptions. Despite scientific progress, true infection severity, factoring both diagnosed and undiagnosed infections,
remains poorly understood. This study aimed to estimate SARS-CoV-2 age-stratified and overall morbidity and mortality rates based on analysis of extensive epidemiological data for the pervasive epidemic in Qatar, a country where < 9% of the population are ≥ 50 years. We show that SARS-CoV-2 severity and fatality demonstrate a striking age dependence with low values for those aged < 50 years, but rapidly growing rates for those ≥ 50 years. Age dependence was particularly pronounced for infection criticality rate and infection fatality rate. With Qatar’s young population, overall SARS-CoV-2 severity and fatality were not high with < 4 infections in every 1000 being severe or critical and < 2 in every 10,000 being fatal. Only 13 infections in every 1000 received any hospitalization in acute-care-unit beds and < 2 in every 1000 were hospitalized in intensive-care-unit beds. However, we show that these rates would have been much higher if Qatar’s population had the demographic structure of Europe or the United States. Epidemic expansion in nations with young populations may lead to considerably lower disease burden than currently believed.
Analysis of weighted gene co-expression network of triterpenoid-related transcriptome characteristics from different strains of Wolfiporia cocos
Authors: Zeng Guiping , Li Zhong , Zhao Zhi
Published: September 2021

The fungus Wolfiporia cocos has wide-ranging and important medicinal value, and its dried sclerotia are used as a traditional Chinese medicine. Modern studies have shown that triterpenoid, the active ingredient of W. cocos, have a variety of pharmacological effects. The aim of our research was to determine the key genes related to triterpenoid biosynthesis, which may be useful for the genetic modification of cell-engineered bacteria for triterpenoid biosynthesis. In this study, two monospore strains, DZAC-WP-H-29 (high-yielding) and DZAC-WP-L-123 (low-yielding), were selected from the sexually propagated offspring of strain 5.78 of W. cocos, and the mycelia were cultured for 17, 34, and 51 days, respectively. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) method was used to analyze transcriptional expressions. The results show that eight core genes (ACAT1-b, hgsA, mvd1, SQLE, erg6, TAT, erg26, and erg11) are associated with the triterpenoid synthesis pathway, and Pm20d2 and norA outside the pathway may be important genes that influence the biosynthesis and accumulation of W. cocos triterpenoid. The biosynthesis of W. cocos triterpenoid is closely related to the expression of sterol metabolic pathway genes. The role of these genes in triterpenoid synthesis complements our knowledge on the biosynthesis and accumulation of W. cocos triterpenoid, and also provides a reference for the target gene modification of engineered bacteria for the fermentation production of triterpenoid.
Plant biodiversity assessment through pollen DNA metabarcoding in Natura 2000 habitats (Italian Alps)
Authors: Leontidou Kleopatra , Vokou Despoina , Sandionigi Anna , Bruno Antonia , Lazarina Maria , De Groeve Johannes , Li Mingai , Varotto Claudio , Girardi Matteo , Casiraghi Maurizio , Cristofori Antonella
Published: September 2021

Monitoring biodiversity is of increasing importance in natural ecosystems. Metabarcoding can be used as a powerful molecular tool to complement traditional biodiversity monitoring, as total environmental DNA can be analyzed from complex samples containing DNA of different origin. The aim of this research was to demonstrate the potential of pollen DNA metabarcoding using the chloroplast trnL partial gene sequencing to characterize plant biodiversity. Collecting airborne biological particles with gravimetric Tauber traps in four Natura 2000 habitats within the Natural Park of Paneveggio Pale di San Martino (Italian Alps), at three-time intervals in 1 year, metabarcoding identified 68 taxa belonging to 32 local plant families. Metabarcoding could identify with finer taxonomic resolution almost all non-rare families found by conventional light microscopy concurrently applied. However, compared to microscopy quantitative results, Poaceae, Betulaceae, and Oleaceae were found to contribute to a lesser extent to the plant biodiversity and Pinaceae were more represented. Temporal changes detected by metabarcoding matched the features of each pollen season, as defined by aerobiological studies running in parallel, and spatial heterogeneity was revealed between sites. Our results showcase that pollen metabarcoding is a promising approach in detecting plant species composition which could provide support to continuous monitoring required in Natura 2000 habitats for biodiversity conservation.
Evaluation of acute and subacute toxicity of ethanolic extract and fraction of alkaloids from bark of Aspidosperma nitidum in mice
Authors: Brígido Heliton Patrick Cordovil , Varela Everton Luiz Pompeu , Gomes Antônio Rafael Quadros , Bastos Mirian Letícia Carmo , de Oliveira Feitosa Andre , do Rosário Marinho Andrey Moacir , Carneiro Liliane Almeida , Coelho-Ferreira Márlia Regina , Dolabela Maria Fâni , Percário Sandro
Published: September 2021

This study investigated the acute and subacute toxicity of the ethanolic extract (EE) and alkaloid fraction (FA) from A. nitidum. The EE was obtained from trunk bark with ethanol, FA was obtained from the fractionation of EE. To test the acute toxicity, mice were divided into four groups, and the negative controls received water or aqueous solution of dimethyl sulfoxide, whereas the others received EE or FA (2000 mg/kg, orally, single dose). The same controls were used in the subacute trial. However, the animals were treated for 28 days, and the dose used was 1000 mg/kg per day of EE and FA. Daily clinical evaluations of the animals were performed. At the end of the experiment, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological assessments (liver, lung, heart, and kidney) were performed. In the acute and subacute toxicity studies, mice treated with EE and FA did not show any clinical changes, there were no changes in weight gain, hematological and biochemical parameters compared to the control groups (p > 0.05). In the histopathological examination, there was no abnormality in the organs of the treated animals. Therefore, EE and FA did not produce toxic effects in mice after acute and subacute treatment.
The expression and significance of AKR1B10 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jixuan , Ban Hongyan , Liu Yafang , Ni Jinsong
Published: September 2021

Aldosterone reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced coenzyme II)-dependent oxidoreductase, and its biological functions include carbonyl detoxification, hormone metabolism, osmotic adjustment, and lipid synthesis. Studies suggested that AKR1B10 is a new biomarker for cancer based on its overexpression in epithelial tumors, such as breast cancer, cervical cancer, and lung cancer. At present, studies on the expression of AKR1B10 in laryngeal cancer have not been reported. However, we found that AKR1B10 is upregulated in laryngeal carcinoma, and its expression was negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation. In addition, AKR1B10 expression was positively correlated with tumor size; lymph node metastasis; alcohol use; and Ki-67, mutant p53, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 expression. AKR1B10 was overexpressed in Hep-2 laryngeal carcinoma cells. Oleanolic acid inhibited AKR1B10 activity and expression in Hep-2 cells and suppressed Hep-2 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Therefore, AKR1B10 may be related to the development of laryngeal carcinoma, suggesting its use as a prognostic indicator for laryngeal cancer.
Novel cryo-EM structure of an ADP-bound GroEL–GroES complex
Authors: Kudryavtseva Sofia S. , Pichkur Evgeny B. , Yaroshevich Igor A. , Mamchur Aleksandra A. , Panina Irina S. , Moiseenko Andrei V. , Sokolova Olga S. , Muronetz Vladimir I. , Stanishneva-Konovalova Tatiana B.
Published: September 2021

The GroEL–GroES chaperonin complex is a bacterial protein folding system, functioning in an ATP-dependent manner. Upon ATP binding and hydrolysis, it undergoes multiple stages linked to substrate protein binding, folding and release. Structural methods helped to reveal several conformational states and provide more information about the chaperonin functional cycle. Here, using cryo-EM we resolved two nucleotide-bound structures of the bullet-shaped GroEL–GroES1 complex at 3.4 Å resolution. The main difference between them is the relative orientation of their apical domains. Both structures contain nucleotides in cis and trans GroEL rings; in contrast to previously reported bullet-shaped complexes where nucleotides were only present in the cis ring. Our results suggest that the bound nucleotides correspond to ADP, and that such a state appears at low ATP:ADP ratios.