bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AFRL Additive Manufacturing Modeling Series: Challenge 4, 3D Reconstruction of an IN625 High-Energy Diffraction Microscopy Sample Using Multi-modal Serial Sectioning
Authors: Chapman Michael G. , Shah Megna N. , Donegan Sean P. , Scott J. Michael , Shade Paul A. , Menasche David , Uchic Michael D.
Published: June 2021

High-energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) in-situ mechanical testing experiments offer unique insight into the evolving deformation state within polycrystalline materials. These experiments rely on a sophisticated analysis of the diffraction data to instantiate a 3D reconstruction of grains and other microstructural features associated with the test volume. For microstructures of engineering alloys that are highly twinned and contain numerous features around the estimated spatial resolution of HEDM reconstructions, the accuracy of the reconstructed microstructure is not known. In this study, we address this uncertainty by characterizing the same HEDM sample volume using destructive serial sectioning (SS) that has higher spatial resolution. The SS experiment was performed on an Inconel 625 alloy sample that had undergone HEDM in-situ mechanical testing to a small amount of plastic strain (~ 0.7%), which was part of the Air Force Research Laboratory Additive Manufacturing (AM) Modeling Series. A custom-built automated multi-modal SS system was used to characterize the entire test volume, with a spatial resolution of approximately 1 µm. Epi-illumination optical microscopy images, backscattered electron images, and electron backscattered diffraction maps were collected on every section. All three data modes were utilized and custom data fusion protocols were developed for 3D reconstruction of the test volume. The grain data were homogenized and downsampled to 2 µm as input for Challenge 4 of the AM Modeling Series, which is available at the Materials Data Facility repository.
Mechanical, Thermal and Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness of MWCN-ABS Films
Authors: Jagadeesh Chandra R. B. , Shivamurthy B. , Sathish Kumar M. , Thimmappa B. H. S.
Published: June 2021

The multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and the poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) (ABS) granulates are dispersed in acetone separately using a magnetic stirrer followed by ultrasonication. Further, both the solutions were mixed with magnetic stirring followed by ultrasonication. Neat-ABS film, 0.25 wt%, 0.5 wt% and 1 wt% of MWCNT-ABS nanocomposite films of the average thickness of 140 µm are fabricated by the solution molding using a petri dish, followed by room temperature curing and further hot compression to maintain uniform thickness. The tensile properties, thermal stability, electrical conductivity, and EMSE of all films are investigated. The results indicate that the addition of MWCNTs to ABS enhanced the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity, thermal stability, and EMSE. The 0.25 wt% MWCNT-ABS nanocomposite films show attractive mechanical, electrical, thermal, and EMSE as compared to neat-ABS films. More than 0.25 wt% MWCNTs in the ABS matrix deteriorates the tensile strength. However, 0.5 wt% MWCNT-ABS nanocomposites exhibit better tensile strength, Young’s modulus, electrical conductivity, and EMSE than neat-ABS. In this research, we used a low quantity of MWCNTs and followed a one-time heating process in the entire fabrication, and produced MWCNT-ABS nanocomposite films with reasonable properties. Hence, this may be one of the options to produce nanocomposites suitable for EMS materials. We recommend that these films may be used as interlayers to develop an X-band range electromagnetic wave shielding material.
The consumer goods sector and the sustainability agenda in Ghana: a review of sustainability commitments
Authors: Abubakari Mohammed , Thuranira Bessy
Published: June 2021

Corporate entities are expected to show a great commitment to the sustainability agenda in response to the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-12—‘Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns’ by 2030. This study, therefore, analyses the sustainability commitments of two major consumer goods companies in Ghana; Unilever Ghana Limited, and PZ Cussons Ghana Limited. It uses the traditional qualitative literature review approach to identify and evaluate the varying commitments of the two entities through an analytic lens of the Sustainable Business Model (SBM) archetypes. The findings indicate that of the eight archetypes, Unilever Ghana Limited is committed to four of the archetypes—1, 3, 6, and 8—whereas PZ Cussons Ghana Limited’s commitments align with five of the archetypes—1, 2, 5, 6, and 8. This indicates a defining step in their sustainability commitments moving forward, however, the translation of the commitments of the two companies into actualities calls for a concerted effort involving the State, civil society, the academic community, and the entities themselves.
Derrida, la cécité et les arts du visible
Authors: Chottin Marion , Noûs Camille
Published: June 2021

L’objectif de cet article est de déterminer ce qu’une approche philosophique, celle que Jacques Derrida met en œuvre à propos de la cécité dans ses Mémoires d’aveugle, peut apporter aux études culturelles sur le handicap. À partir de quelques-unes des peintures et des dessins reproduits dans cet ouvrage de 1990, la présente étude entend d’abord montrer que, pour Derrida, c’est une manière particulière de considérer le mutisme des œuvres d’art visuel qui conduit à voir ou à imaginer, dans celles qui montrent des aveugles, des représentations de la cécité qui ont en commun de faire d’elle une impuissance. Cet article analyse ensuite comment, pour le philosophe, ces mêmes œuvres peuvent être abordées en vertu d’une seconde manière d’envisager leur mutisme, et ainsi lues comme donnant à penser une cécité tout à fait autre, entendue cette fois comme puissance hautement résistante aux récits qui, dans l’Histoire, ont fait d’elle une impuissance. Il propose pour finir de compléter cette manière de lire les images picturales de la cécité au moyen du “schème du retournement” théorisé par Stiker et du “néo-historicisme” appliqué par Snyder et Mitchell aux représentations artistiques du handicap.
Is There an Association Between Hypothyroidism and Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Cumulative Analysis
Authors: Shen Maolei , Li Xin , Wu Weizhou , Dou Ruiling , Mei Xiangkun , Xu Wanxian , Lv Minhui , Chen Jiani , Zhao Shankun
Published: June 2021

Introduction

Many investigators have found a detrimental effect on sexual functioning developed by hypothyroidism in both sexes, but a cumulative analysis has not been conducted.

Aim

This study aims to summarize and quantify the association between overt or subclinical hypothyroidism and the risk of sexual dysfunction (SD) through a meta-analysis.

Methods

4 electronic databases were systematically searched. The quality of evidence was rated by the GRADE approach. This meta-analysis was registered on the PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020186967).

Main Outcome Measure

The strength of the relationship between overt/subclinical hypothyroidism and SD was quantified by presenting the relative risk (RR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

7 studies involving 460 patients with hypothyroidism and 2,143 healthy controls were included in this meta-analysis. Among the 7 included studies, 2 studies were provided the data of both overt and subclinical hypothyroidism. Pooled results from 4 included studies investigating overt hypothyroidism indicated that overt hypothyroidism led to significant SD in both sexes (RR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.42 to 3.62, P = 0.001), while synthetic RR of 5 eligible studies reporting subclinical hypothyroidism failed to find a positive association between subclinical hypothyroidism and SD (RR = 1.3, 95% CI: 0.85 to 1.99, P = 0.229), irrespective of gender (all P > 0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that women with overt hypothyroidism rather than men with overt hypothyroidism were correlated with a significant higher risk of SD. The quality of evidence in the study of overt hypothyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism was considered low and moderate, respectively.

Conclusion

SD is a devastating problem in female patients with clinical hypothyroidism but insusceptible in either women or men with subclinical hypothyroidism. Clinicians should be aware of these phenomena and manage the sufferers accordingly in clinical practice. More rigorous studies are still needed to validate this evidence.
Revisiting Trust and Privacy Concern in Consumers’ Perceptions of Marketing Information Management Practices: Replication and Extension
Authors: Swani Kunal , Milne George R. , Slepchuk Alec N.
Published: June 2021

The marketing literature has continued to examine trust and consumer privacy concern. A 1999 study that examined 17 industries found that improving trust and reducing privacy concern are two distinct approaches to managing consumer information, with the former being a more effective strategy than the latter (Milne & Boza, 1999). However, considering the shifting levels of consumer vulnerability due to technologies, managerial actions, and legal environment in the past two decades, a re-evaluation and extension of their findings is warranted. The current study uses a new and expanded dataset as well as new analytical techniques to re-examine the role of trust and privacy concern in managing consumer information. The new analysis shows that building trust still has a greater effect than reducing privacy concern on consumers’ willingness to participate in information markets. Although trust and privacy concern have a negative relationship with each other, we find that privacy concern, paradoxically, is not negatively but positively related to direct marketing usage. This study also assesses the impact of trust and privacy concern across a typology for four quadrants of industries, the relationship of trust and concern with the managerial levels of transparency and control, and the moderating influence of age and sex.
Is the Buzz on? – A Buzz Detection System for Viral Posts in Social Media
Authors: Jansen Nora , Hinz Oliver , Deusser Clemens , Strufe Thorsten
Published: June 2021

Today, online social networks (OSNs) constitute a major part of our lives and have, to a large extent, replaced traditional media for direct communication, as well as information dissemination and gathering. In the vast amount of posts that get published in OSNs each day, some posts do not draw any attention while others catch on, become viral, and develop as so-called buzzes. Buzzes are defined through their characteristics of immediacy, unexpectedness, and intensity. The early detection of buzzes is of vital importance for companies, public figures, institutions, or political parties—e.g., for the pricing of profitable advertising placement or the development of an appropriate social media strategy. While previous researchers developed systems for detecting trending topics, mainly characterized by their intensity, this is the first study to implement a buzz detection system (BDS). Based on almost 120,000 manually classified Facebook posts, we estimated and trained models for the BDS by applying various classification techniques. Our results highlight that, among other predictors, the number of previously passive users who then engage in the buzz post, as well as the number of likes given to the comments, are important. Evaluating the BDS over a five-month evaluation period, we found that these two classifiers perform best and detected over 97% of the buzzes.
Drought, Flood, Fire
Authors: Funk Chris C.
Published: June 2021

Every year, droughts, floods, and fires impact hundreds of millions of people and cause massive economic losses. Climate change is making these catastrophes more dangerous. Now. Not in the future: NOW. This book describes how and why climate change is already fomenting dire consequences, and will certainly make climate disasters worse in the near future. Chris C. Funk combines the latest science with compelling stories, providing a timely, accessible, and beautifully-written synopsis of this critical topic. The book describes our unique and fragile Earth system, and the negative impacts humans are having on our support systems. It then examines recent disasters, including heat waves, extreme precipitation, hurricanes, fires, El Niños and La Niñas, and their human consequences. By clearly describing the dangerous impacts that are already occurring, Funk provides a clarion call for social change, yet also conveys the beauty and wonder of our planet, and hope for our collective future.
Re-conceiving territory in Eastern Crimea: the impact of the Italian community on Kerch's urban and rural transformation
Authors: Gomez Heloisa Rojas
Published: June 2021

This article deals with the impact that Italian migrants, both individually and as a community, had on the rural and urban environment of Kerch, in Eastern Crimea (Russian Empire), during the1820s and 1920s. Occupying a strategic position in the Black Sea for Russia's geopolitics and for the whole European commercial system, this territory's transformation was activated by Russia's imperial re-visioning of the Crimea and by spontaneous foreign immigration. Within this context, the Italian community's contribution to the transformation of the local environment had an important economic impact, relevant also on a wider scale. Some of these changes would have a long-lasting effect but none of them would ever be officially recognised. The aim of this article is to shed light on these processes.
Defying “Death at the Wheel”
Authors: Nathans Heather S.
Published: June 2021

Some obsessions stay with you for a reason. On its surface,Bertha, the Sewing Machine Girl; or, Death at the Wheel, a ludicrously named melodrama peopled with exaggerated heroines and villains, offers an example of the noncanonical, everyday fare that audiences consumed in playhouses throughout the 19th century. But the deeper I dug, the more questions I uncovered.
Quangang Hokkien Opera
Authors: Chen Shixiong , Dong Guochen
Published: June 2021

More than 80% of Chinese opera performances today are presented by privately run professional folk troupes, mostly in rural areas—Chinese theatre’s best kept secret. These performances are rarely noticed by Chinese theatre scholars. There are more than 30 such troupes in Quangang District, Fujian province, which has a population of 300,000.
Drama Etudes
Authors: Shen Liang
Published: June 2021

Teaching theatre and drama in primary and secondary schools is a very difficult task worldwide. In China, there is a huge demand for drama teachers who also know practical theatre. Taking on this mission, the Shanghai Theatre Academy started a program of “drama etudes.” This pedagogical experiment stimulated debate about opposing concepts in theatre education: imitation vs. improvisation.
The role of nonzero conjectural variation in pollution abatement and output in the design of emission taxes
Authors: Gautier Luis
Published: June 2021

The presence of nonzero conjectural variations in pollution abatement and output make emission taxes less effective with respect to reducing emissions. This has implications for the characterization of the optimal emission tax, particularly in an international context where there are large asymmetries in pollution intensities. A higher degree of collusion in output between polluting firms results in higher emissions taxes in the non-cooperative equilibrium. In contrast, a higher degree of collusion in abatement between polluting firms results in lower emissions taxes in the non-cooperative equilibrium. These results rely on the presence of nonzero conjectural variations and large asymmetries in pollution intensities across countries. The analysis is relevant to the design of international environmental policy, including cases where countries face increasing global competition and damages from rising global emissions.
Voice and Balancing in US Congressional Elections
Authors: Weber Till
Published: June 2021

If the median voter wrote the Constitution, every Tuesday would be Election Day. Consider the case of the United States: Halfway into a presidential term, congressional elections allow the people to adjust the course of federal policy. Two complementary mechanisms describe how this opportunity is embraced by centrists: a direct mechanism, which strengthens the out-party in Congress to “balance” the president’s policy impact, and an indirect mechanism, by which midterm voting serves to “voice” dissatisfaction as a signal to the president. A model of repeated elections unites the two mechanisms: whereas midterm balancing reacts to the preceding presidential election, midterm voice anticipates the following one. Using micro and macro data for all House elections from 1956 through 2018, I show that balancing and voice work hand in hand: it is those voters with both policy incentives who contribute most to the notorious “midterm loss,” and particularly so under circumstances that make balancing more necessary and voice more promising. Yet although policy-oriented behavior typically restrains dominant parties, it may also cushion the fall of unpopular administrations. Centrists can be creative.
Les industries diverses
Authors: Van Criekinge Henry
Published: June 2021

En dehors de l’industrie électrique et des industries verrières, la plupart des branches d’activité qui sont passées en revue dans cette chronique sont des industries transformatrices ou appartenant à l’industrie dite « moyenne », où les liens qui unissent, dans les entreprises même, le travail — de direction au moins — et le capital, sont personnels et étroits. En tout cas les quelques exceptions qu’on rencontre à cette règle, datent de la période d’après-guerre ou tout au plus du début du siècle.

Un autre phénomène caractérise ce genre d’industrie; les entreprises y pratiquent l’ancienne forme d’expansion (le réinvestissement partiel des bénéfices) et exceptionnellement seulement l’appel au marché financier pour des capitaux nouveaux.

La sensibilité de ces industries à la conjoncture ne peut être synchronique et uniforme, puisque le groupe comprend toute la gamme depuis des industries de luxe, comme l’industrie diamantaire, et une industrie de base, telle l’industrie électrique, jusqu’aux industries alimentaires dont la résistance à la crise a été maintes fois soulignée par les publicistes.
L’industrie textile belge en 1933
Authors: Martens F.
Published: June 2021

La dépression qui sévit dans l’industrie textile depuis la fin de 1928 et qui s’est accentuée en 1931 au moment de la chute de la livre anglaise et de l’application des droits Runciman, s’est fortement aggravée en 1932.

Au cours de l’année 1933, l’abandon de l’étalon-or par les Etats-Unis au mois de mars, l’instabilité de la livre anglaise, le renforcement de la protection, sous forme de contingentements, dans la plupart des pays, le moratoire des créances privées en Allemagne, le blocage des devises en Argentine et l’âpre concurrence du Japon ont réagi défavorablement sur l’industrie textile, qui n’a pu améliorer sensiblement le niveau particulièrement bas atteint l’année précedente.
Railroad Integration and Uneven Development on the European Periphery, 1870–1910
Authors: Alvarez-Palau Eduard J. , Díez-Minguela Alfonso , Martí-Henneberg Jordi
Published: June 2021

This study explores the relationship between railroad integration and regional development on the European periphery between 1870 and 1910, based on a regional data set including 291 spatial units. Railroad integration is proxied by railroad density, while per capita GDP is used as an indicator of economic development. The period under study is of particular relevance as it has been associated with the second wave of railroad construction in Europe and also coincides with the industrialization of most of the continent. Overall, we found that railroads had a significant and positive impact on the growth of per capita GDP across Europe. The magnitude of this relationship appears to be relatively modest, but the results obtained are robust with respect to a number of different specifications. From a geographical perspective, we found that railroads had a significantly greater influence on regions located in countries on the northern periphery of Europe than in other outlying areas. They also helped the economies of these areas to begin the process of catching up with the continent’s industrialized core. In contrast, the regions on the southern periphery showed lower levels of economic growth, with this exacerbating the preexisting divergence in economic development. The expansion of the railroad network in them was unable to homogenize the diffusion of economic development and tended to further benefit the regions that were already industrialized. In most of the cases, the capital effect was magnified, and this contributed to the consolidation of newly created nation-states.
The Material Politics of Infrastructure NetworksInfrastructure Design and Territorial Transformation in Belgium, 1830–40s
Authors: De Block Greet
Published: June 2021

This article delves into the processes of territorial transformation by foregrounding the material dimension of infrastructure. The entry of the research is infrastructure network design and planning. We will trace the concepts of territorial transformation inscribed into the material layout of large technical systems by analyzing the discourse of engineers and policy makers involved in the conception of infrastructure networks. In so doing, the material politics of infrastructure networks will be studied: How did engineers and policy makers design infrastructure to generate a specific territorial transformation? Moreover, how did technological plans hold the idea that one could influence modernization processes by means of a territorial transformation instigated by infrastructure? The neutral status of technology is thus fundamentally challenged by showing that engineers, in association with policy makers, were essential actors in the planned transformation of the territory as they organized infrastructure networks according to specific ideas relating spatial and societal transformation. The article focuses on two decades after the independence of Belgium (1831), when engineers conceived comprehensive networks of rails, waterways, and roads. The material politics of two major public works initiatives will be analyzed: (1) the centrally positioned railway network that connected all industrial centers within the territory as well as with the markets of neighboring countries, positioning Belgium into Europe as international turntable, and (2) a network of roads and canals in peripheral, so-called unproductive, regions that had to integrate these regions within national borders, and indeed extend these borders, as well as buffer and govern the side-effects and risks generated by the accelerating industrialization in the central parts of the nation.
Validation of a German and English Version of the Revised	Art-of-Living Inventory
Authors: Schmitz Bernhard , Schumacher Bettina , Schwarz Mira , Feldmann Franziska
Published: June 2021

Abstract. It is an important goal for many people to achieve happiness or well-being. Research has shown the effects of various stand-alone strategies to increase well-being. However, it is unclear whether multiple strategies can enhance happiness. Art-of-living is defined as a combination of the most important strategies that lead to well-being. Based on philosophical theory and empirical studies, 11 strategy components have been identified. A basic questionnaire, the Art-of-Living Inventory (AOLI), which aims to measure these strategies, was validated in a German-speaking sample ( n = 1,302) and an English-speaking sample ( n = 2,166). Results confirmed the hypothesized factor structure which comprised 11 dimensions and at least weak measurement invariance. Further analyses demonstrated good internal consistency, retest reliability and convergent, and discriminant validity with respect to different indicators of well-being and the validation measures. Multiple regressions indicated that a combination of multiple components was significantly better at predicting well-being than even the best single component. Moreover, when compared to personality, art-of-living was demonstrated to have additional and distinct effects on well-being. In sum, the AOLI has promising measurement characteristics and may be applied in research studies to better understand well-being and in intervention studies aimed at enhancing well-being.
Geosynchronous Magnetopause Crossings and Their Relationships With Magnetic Storms and Substorms
Authors: Samsonov A. A. , Bogdanova Y. V. , Branduardi‐Raymont G. , Xu L. , Zhang J. , Sormakov D. , Troshichev O. A. , Forsyth C.
Published: June 2021

The paper investigates the strengthening of magnetospheric activity related to geosynchronous magnetopause crossings (GMCs). We make a list of GMC events using the empirical magnetopause model (Lin et al., 2010, https://doi.org/10.1029/2009ja014235) and hourly averaged OMNI data and find which solar wind and magnetospheric conditions accompany and follow the GMCs. The GMCs are mostly caused by the impact of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) and/or interplanetary shocks often with a strong increase in the density and a moderate increase in velocity. The average solar wind density during the first GMC hour is higher than 20 cm−3 in 70% cases, while the velocity is higher than 500 km/s in 56% cases. The hourly interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) BZ is negative in 87% cases. The average over all events SMU (SML), Kp, and PC indices reach maxima (minima) in 1 h after the GMC beginning, while the delay of the minimum of the Dst index is usually 3–8 h. These average time delays do not depend on the strength of the storms and substorms. The SML (Dst) minimum is less than −500 nT (−30 nT) in the next 24 h in 95% (99%) cases, that is, the GMC events are mostly followed by magnetic storms and substorms. We compare solar wind and magnetospheric conditions for GMCs connected with ICMEs and stream interaction regions (SIRs). Our study confirms that the ICME‐related events are characterized by stronger ring current and auroral activity than the SIR‐related events. The difference might be explained by the different behavior of the solar wind velocity.
Magnetopause Reconnection and Indents Induced by Foreshock Turbulence
Authors: Chen Li‐Jen , Ng Jonathan , Omelchenko Yuri , Wang Shan
Published: June 2021

Based on global hybrid simulation results, we predict that foreshock turbulence can reach the magnetopause and lead to reconnection as well as Earth‐sized indents. Both the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and solar wind are constant in our simulation, and hence, all dynamics are generated by foreshock instabilities. The IMF in the simulation is mostly Sun‐Earth aligned with a weak northward and zero dawn‐dusk component, such that subsolar magnetopause reconnection is not expected without foreshock turbulence modifying the magnetosheath fields. We show a reconnection example to illustrate that the turbulence can create large magnetic shear angles across the magnetopause to induce local bursty reconnection. Magnetopause reconnection and indents developed from the impact of foreshock turbulence can potentially contribute to dayside loss of planetary plasmas.
Light People: Professor Chennupati Jagadish
Authors: Wang Hui
Published: June 2021

Editorial

In 2018, the Indian film “Starting Line” focused the public’s attention on the issue of education in India. It depicted the length some Indian parents were willing to go to secure educational resources for their children, as well as the difficulties faced by those disadvantaged in society in their fight for equal educational opportunities. In reality, many brilliant young Indian talents have been able to study in Australia through a fund set up by Prof. Chennupati Jagadish, a Distinguished Professor of the Australian National University. Prof. Jagadish is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. In 2018 he was awarded a UNESCO Prize for his contribution to the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology. He holds many positions, and has won numerous awards. What started Prof. Jagadish on his scientific research career? How did he become the respected scientist he is today? What was his intention in setting up the educational fund for students from developing countries? What advice does he have for young researchers? Here are the answers from Prof. Jagadish.
A thin-film temperature sensor based on a flexible electrode and substrate
Authors: Liu Zhaojun , Tian Bian , Zhang Bingfei , Liu Jiangjiang , Zhang Zhongkai , Wang Song , Luo Yunyun , Zhao Libo , Shi Peng , Lin Qijing , Jiang Zhuangde
Published: June 2021

Accurate temperature measurements can efficiently solve numerous critical problems and provide key information. Herein, a flexible micro-three-dimensional sensor, with a combination of platinum and indium oxide to form thermocouples, is designed and fabricated by a microfabrication process to achieve in situ real-time temperature measurements. The stability and reliability of the sensor are greatly improved by optimizing the process parameters, structural design, and preparation methods. A novel micro-three-dimensional structure with better malleability is designed, which also takes advantage of the fast response of a two-dimensional thin film. The as-obtained flexible temperature sensor with excellent stability and reliability is expected to greatly contribute to the development of essential components in various emerging research fields, including bio-robot and healthcare systems. The model of the application sensor in a mask is further proposed and designed to realize the collection of health information, reducing the number of deaths caused by the lack of timely detection and treatment of patients.
A MT-TL1 variant identified by whole exome sequencing in an individual with intellectual disability, epilepsy, and spastic tetraparesis
Authors: de Boer Elke , Ockeloen Charlotte W. , Matalonga Leslie , Horvath Rita ,   Solve-RD SNV-indel working group, Cohen Enzo , Cuesta Isabel , Danis Daniel , Denommé-Pichon Anne-Sophie , Duffourd Yannis , Gilissen Christian , Johari Mridul , Laurie Steven , Li Shuang , Matalonga Leslie , Nelson Isabelle , Peters Sophia , Paramonov Ida , Prasanth Sivakumar , Robinson Peter , Sablauskas Karolis , Savarese Marco , Steyaert Wouter , Töpf Ana , van der Velde Joeri K. , Vitobello Antonio , Rodenburg Richard J. , Coenen Marieke J. H. , Janssen Mirian , Henssen Dylan , Gilissen Christian , Steyaert Wouter , Paramonov Ida ,   Solve-RD-DITF-ITHACA, Banka Siddharth , Benetti Elisa , Casari Giorgio , Ciolfi Andrea , Clayton-Smith Jill , Dallapiccola Bruno , de Boer Elke , Ellwanger Kornelia , Faivre Laurence , Graessner Holm , Haack Tobias B. , Hammarsjö Anna , Havlovicova Marketa , Hoischen Alexander , Hugon Anne , Jackson Adam , Kleefstra Tjitske , Lindstrand Anna , López-Martín Estrella , Macek Milan , Morleo Manuela , Nigro Vicenzo , Nordgren Ann , Pettersson Maria , Pinelli Michele , Pizzi Simone , Posada Manuel , Radio Francesca Clementina , Renieri Alessandra , Rooryck Caroline , Ryba Lukas , Schwarz Martin , Tartaglia Marco , Thauvin Christel , Torella Annalaura , Verloes Alain , Vissers Lisenka , Votypka Pavel , Vyshka Klea , Zurek Birte , Trimouille Aurélien , Kleefstra Tjitske , Verloes Alain , Vissers Lisenka E. L. M.
Published: June 2021

The genetic etiology of intellectual disability remains elusive in almost half of all affected individuals. Within the Solve-RD consortium, systematic re-analysis of whole exome sequencing (WES) data from unresolved cases with (syndromic) intellectual disability (n = 1,472 probands) was performed. This re-analysis included variant calling of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants, although mtDNA is not specifically targeted in WES. We identified a functionally relevant mtDNA variant in MT-TL1 (NC_012920.1:m.3291T > C; NC_012920.1:n.62T > C), at a heteroplasmy level of 22% in whole blood, in a 23-year-old male with severe intellectual disability, epilepsy, episodic headaches with emesis, spastic tetraparesis, brain abnormalities, and feeding difficulties. Targeted validation in blood and urine supported pathogenicity, with heteroplasmy levels of 23% and 58% in index, and 4% and 17% in mother, respectively. Interestingly, not all phenotypic features observed in the index have been previously linked to this MT-TL1 variant, suggesting either broadening of the m.3291T > C-associated phenotype, or presence of a co-occurring disorder. Hence, our case highlights the importance of underappreciated mtDNA variants identifiable from WES data, especially for cases with atypical mitochondrial phenotypes and their relatives in the maternal line.
A critical role of PvFtsH2 in the degradation of photodamaged D1 protein in common bean
Authors: Xu Kun , Zhu Jinlong , Zhai Hong , Wu Hongyan , Gao Yi , Li Yuzhuo , Zhu Xiaobin , Xia Zhengjun
Published: June 2021

Light is required for initiating chloroplast biogenesis and photosynthesis; however, the photosystem II reaction center (PSII RC) can be photodamaged. In this study, we characterizedpvsl1, a seedling-lethal mutant ofPhaseolus vulgaris. This mutant showed lethality when exposed to sunlight irradiation and a yellow-green leaf phenotype when grown in a growth chamber under low-light conditions. We developed 124 insertion/deletion (INDEL) markers based on resequencing data of Dalong1 and PI60234, two local Chinese common bean cultivars, for genetic mapping. We identifiedPhvul.002G190900, which encodes the PvFtsH2 protein, as the candidate gene for thispvsl1mutation through fine-mapping and functional analysis. A single-base deletion occurred in the coding region ofPhvul.002G190900in thepvsl1mutant, resulting in a frameshift mutation and a truncated protein lacking the Zn2+metalloprotease domain. Suppressed expression ofPhvul.002G190900at the transcriptional level was detected, while no change in the subcellular localization signal was observed. The seedlings ofpvsl1exhibited hypersensitivity to photoinhibition stress. In thepvsl1mutant, abnormal accumulation of the D1 protein indicated a failure to rapidly degrade damaged D1 protein in the PSII RC. The results of this study demonstrated that PvFtsH2 is critically required for survival and maintaining photosynthetic activity by degrading photodamaged PSII RC D1 protein in common bean.
Melatonin-induced DNA demethylation of metal transporters and antioxidant genes alleviates lead stress in radish plants
Authors: Tang Mingjia , Xu Liang , Wang Yan , Dong Junhui , Zhang Xiaoli , Wang Kai , Ying Jiali , Li Cui , Liu Liwang
Published: June 2021

Melatonin (MT) is a tryptophan-derived natural product that plays a vital role in plant response to abiotic stresses, including heavy metals (HMs). However, it remains elusive how exogenous MT mediates lead (Pb) accumulation and detoxification at the methylation and transcriptional levels in radish. In this study, decreased Pb accumulation and increased antioxidant enzyme activity were detected under MT treatment in radish. Single-base resolution maps of DNA methylation under Pb stress (Pb200) and Pb plus MT treatment (Pb_50MT) were first generated. The genome-wide methylation level was increased under Pb stress, while an overall loss of DNA methylation was observed under MT treatment. The differentially methylated region (DMR)-associated genes between Pb_50MT and Pb200 were uniquely enriched in ion binding terms, including cation binding, iron ion binding, and transition metal ion binding. Hyper-DMRs between Pb200 and Control exhibited a decreasing trend of methylation under Pb_50MT treatment. A few critical upregulated antioxidant genes (e.g., RsAPX2, RsPOD52 and RsGST) exhibited decreased methylation levels under MT treatment, which enabled the radish plants to scavenge lead-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and decrease oxidative stress. Notably, several MT-induced HM transporter genes with low methylation (e.g., RsABCF5, RsYSL7 and RsHMT) and transcription factors (e.g., RsWRKY41 and RsMYB2) were involved in reducing Pb accumulation in radish roots. These findings could facilitate comprehensive elucidation of the molecular mechanism underlying MT-mediated Pb accumulation and detoxification in radish and other root vegetable crops.
SlRCM1, which encodes tomato Lutescent1, is required for chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast development in fruits
Authors: Liu Genzhong , Yu Huiyang , Yuan Lei , Li Changxing , Ye Jie , Chen Weifang , Wang Ying , Ge Pingfei , Zhang Junhong , Ye Zhibiao , Zhang Yuyang
Published: June 2021

In plants, chloroplasts are the sites at which photosynthesis occurs, and an increased abundance of chloroplasts increases the nutritional quality of plants and the resultant color of fruits. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying chlorophyll synthesis and chloroplast development in tomato fruits remain unknown. In this study, we isolated a chlorophyll-deficient mutant, reduced chlorophyll mutant 1 (rcm1), by ethylmethanesulfonate mutagenesis; this mutant produced yellowish fruits with altered chloroplast development. MutMap revealed that Solyc08g005010 is the causal gene underlying the rcm1 mutant phenotype. A single-nucleotide base substitution in the second exon of SlRCM1 results in premature termination of its translated protein. SlRCM1 encodes a chloroplast-targeted metalloendopeptidase that is orthologous to the BCM1 protein of Arabidopsis and the stay-green G protein of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.). Notably, the yellowish phenotype of the lutescent1 mutant can be restored with the allele of SlRCM1 from wild-type tomato. In contrast, knockout of SlRCM1 by the CRISPR/Cas9 system in Alisa Craig yielded yellowish fruits at the mature green stage, as was the case for lutescent1. Amino acid sequence alignment and functional complementation assays showed that SlRCM1 is indeed Lutescent1. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of chloroplast development in tomato fruits.
Mutation of SlARC6 leads to tissue-specific defects in chloroplast development in tomato
Authors: Chang Jiang , Zhang Fanyu , Qin Haiyang , Liu Peng , Wang Jianfeng , Wu Shuang
Published: June 2021

The proliferation and development of chloroplasts are important for maintaining the normal chloroplast population in plant tissues. Most studies have focused on chloroplast maintenance in leaves. In this study, we identified a spontaneous mutation in a tomato mutant named suffulta (su), in which the stems appeared albinic while the leaves remained normal. Map-based cloning showed that Su encodes a DnaJ heat shock protein that is a homolog of the Arabidopsis gene AtARC6, which is involved in chloroplast division. Knockdown and knockout of SlARC6 in wild-type tomato inhibit chloroplast division, indicating the conserved function of SlARC6. In su mutants, most mesophyll cells contain only one or two giant chloroplasts, while no chloroplasts are visible in 60% of stem cells, resulting in the albinic phenotype. Compared with mature tissues, the meristem of su mutants suggested that chloroplasts could partially divide in meristematic cells, suggesting the existence of an alternative mechanism in those dividing cells. Interestingly, the adaxial petiole cells of su mutants contain more chloroplasts than the abaxial cells. In addition, prolonged lighting can partially rescue the albinic phenotypes in su mutants, implying that light may promote SlACR6-independent chloroplast development. Our results verify the role of SlACR6 in chloroplast division in tomato and uncover the tissue-specific regulation of chloroplast development.
Combination of genetic analysis and ancient literature survey reveals the divergence of traditional Brassica rapa varieties from Kyoto, Japan
Authors: Kawakatsu Yaichi , Sakamoto Tomoaki , Nakayama Hokuto , Kaminoyama Kaori , Igarashi Kaori , Yasugi Masaki , Kudoh Hiroshi , Nagano Atsushi J. , Yano Kentaro , Kubo Nakao , Notaguchi Michitaka , Kimura Seisuke
Published: June 2021

Since ancient times, humans have bred several plants that we rely on today. However, little is known about the divergence of most of these plants. In the present study, we investigated the divergence of Mibuna (Brassica rapa L. subsp. nipposinica L. H. Bailey), a traditional leafy vegetable in Kyoto (Japan), by combining genetic analysis and a survey of ancient literature. Mibuna is considered to have been bred 200 years ago from Mizuna, another traditional leafy vegetable in Kyoto. Mibuna has simple spatulate leaves, whereas Mizuna has characteristic serrated leaves. The quantitative trait loci (QTL) and gene expression analyses suggested that the downregulation of BrTCP15 expression contributed to the change in the leaf shape from serrated to simple spatulate. Interestingly, the SNP analysis indicated that the genomic region containing the BrTCP15 locus was transferred to Mibuna by introgression. Furthermore, we conducted a survey of ancient literature to reveal the divergence of Mibuna and found that hybridization between Mizuna and a simple-leaved turnip might have occurred in the past. Indeed, the genomic analysis of multiple turnip cultivars showed that one of the cultivars, Murasakihime, has almost the same sequence in the BrTCP15 region as Mibuna. These results suggest that the hybridization between Mizuna and turnip has resulted in the establishment of Mibuna.
Locally commensurate charge-density wave with three-unit-cell periodicity in YBa2Cu3Oy
Authors: Vinograd Igor , Zhou Rui , Hirata Michihiro , Wu Tao , Mayaffre Hadrien , Krämer Steffen , Liang Ruixing , Hardy W. N. , Bonn D. A. , Julien Marc-Henri
Published: June 2021

In order to identify the mechanism responsible for the formation of charge-density waves (CDW) in cuprate superconductors, it is important to understand which aspects of the CDW’s microscopic structure are generic and which are material-dependent. Here, we show that, at the local scale probed by NMR, long-range CDW order in YBa2Cu3Oy is unidirectional with a commensurate period of three unit cells (λ = 3b), implying that the incommensurability found in X-ray scattering is ensured by phase slips (discommensurations). Furthermore, NMR spectra reveal a predominant oxygen character of the CDW with an out-of-phase relationship between certain lattice sites but no specific signature of a secondary CDW with λ = 6b associated with a putative pair-density wave. These results shed light on universal aspects of the cuprate CDW. In particular, its spatial profile appears to generically result from the interplay between an incommensurate tendency at long length scales, possibly related to properties of the Fermi surface, and local commensuration effects, due to electron-electron interactions or lock-in to the lattice.
Incentive-driven transition to high ride-sharing adoption
Authors: Storch David-Maximilian , Timme Marc , Schröder Malte
Published: June 2021

Ride-sharing—the combination of multiple trips into one—may substantially contribute towards sustainable urban mobility. It is most efficient at high demand locations with many similar trip requests. However, here we reveal that people’s willingness to share rides does not follow this trend. Modeling the fundamental incentives underlying individual ride-sharing decisions, we find two opposing adoption regimes, one with constant and another one with decreasing adoption as demand increases. In the high demand limit, the transition between these regimes becomes discontinuous, switching abruptly from low to high ride-sharing adoption. Analyzing over 360 million ride requests in New York City and Chicago illustrates that both regimes coexist across the cities, consistent with our model predictions. These results suggest that even a moderate increase in the financial incentives may have a disproportionately large effect on the ride-sharing adoption of individual user groups.
Acoustic cavities in 2D heterostructures
Authors: Zalalutdinov Maxim K. , Robinson Jeremy T. , Fonseca Jose J. , LaGasse Samuel W. , Pandey Tribhuwan , Lindsay Lucas R. , Reinecke Thomas L. , Photiadis Douglas M. , Culbertson James C. , Cress Cory D. , Houston Brian H.
Published: June 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer unique opportunities in engineering the ultrafast spatiotemporal response of composite nanomechanical structures. In this work, we report on high frequency, high quality factor (Q) 2D acoustic cavities operating in the 50–600 GHz frequency (f) range with f × Q up to 1 × 1014. Monolayer steps and material interfaces expand cavity functionality, as demonstrated by building adjacent cavities that are isolated or strongly-coupled, as well as a frequency comb generator in MoS2/h-BN systems. Energy dissipation measurements in 2D cavities are compared with attenuation derived from phonon-phonon scattering rates calculated using a fully microscopic ab initio approach. Phonon lifetime calculations extended to low frequencies (<1 THz) and combined with sound propagation analysis in ultrathin plates provide a framework for designing acoustic cavities that approach their fundamental performance limit. These results provide a pathway for developing platforms employing phonon-based signal processing and for exploring the quantum nature of phonons.
Designing temporal networks that synchronize under resource constraints
Authors: Zhang Yuanzhao , Strogatz Steven H.
Published: June 2021

Being fundamentally a non-equilibrium process, synchronization comes with unavoidable energy costs and has to be maintained under the constraint of limited resources. Such resource constraints are often reflected as a finite coupling budget available in a network to facilitate interaction and communication. Here, we show that introducing temporal variation in the network structure can lead to efficient synchronization even when stable synchrony is impossible in any static network under the given budget, thereby demonstrating a fundamental advantage of temporal networks. The temporal networks generated by our open-loop design are versatile in the sense of promoting synchronization for systems with vastly different dynamics, including periodic and chaotic dynamics in both discrete-time and continuous-time models. Furthermore, we link the dynamic stabilization effect of the changing topology to the curvature of the master stability function, which provides analytical insights into synchronization on temporal networks in general. In particular, our results shed light on the effect of network switching rate and explain why certain temporal networks synchronize only for intermediate switching rate.
Implementation of quantum imaginary-time evolution method on NISQ devices by introducing nonlocal approximation
Authors: Nishi Hirofumi , Kosugi Taichi , Matsushita Yu-ichiro
Published: June 2021

The imaginary-time evolution method is a well-known approach used for obtaining the ground state in quantum many-body problems on a classical computer. A recently proposed quantum imaginary-time evolution method (QITE) faces problems of deep circuit depth and difficulty in the implementation on noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices. In this study, a nonlocal approximation is developed to tackle this difficulty. We found that by removing the locality condition or local approximation (LA), which was imposed when the imaginary-time evolution operator is converted to a unitary operator, the quantum circuit depth is significantly reduced. We propose two-step approximation methods based on a nonlocality condition: extended LA (eLA) and nonlocal approximation (NLA). To confirm the validity of eLA and NLA, we apply them to the max-cut problem of an unweighted 3-regular graph and a weighted fully connected graph; we comparatively evaluate the performances of LA, eLA, and NLA. The eLA and NLA methods require far fewer circuit depths than LA to maintain the same level of computational accuracy. Further, we developed a “compression” method of the quantum circuit for the imaginary-time steps to further reduce the circuit depth in the QITE method. The eLA, NLA, and compression methods introduced in this study allow us to reduce the circuit depth and the accumulation of error caused by the gate operation significantly and pave the way for implementing the QITE method on NISQ devices.