bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐Term Morphodynamics of a Coupled Shelf‐Shoreline System Forced by Waves and Tides, a Model Approach
Authors: Nnafie A. , de Swart H. E. , Falqués A. , Calvete D.
Published: December 2021

Sand ridges, with length scales of several km, are prominent features of the seafloor landscape of many sandy continental shelves. Knowledge about the extent to which these ridges influence the large‐scale (i.e., decadal and kilometer scales) morphodynamic evolution of the adjacent shoreline and vice versa (shelf‐shoreline morphodynamic coupling) is limited. The present work aims at quantifying this coupling by using a coupled nonlinear shelf‐shoreline model forced by tides and different wave conditions. Model results show that the presence of sand ridges on the shelf creates longshore non‐uniform wave patterns, which act as a forcing template for the morphodynamic development of the shoreline. The shelf‐shoreline coupling primarily works one way, meaning that the morphodynamic evolution of the shelf affects the evolution of the shoreline. When wave propagation is predominantly aligned with the long axis of the shelf ridges, the forced shoreline undulations are so prominent, that they affect the shelf morphology (significant two‐way coupling). Moreover, for those waves, the longshore spacing of the ridges is strongly imprinted on the shoreline morphology. Weaker shoreline undulations develop for waves that propagate more across the ridges and the weakest for time‐varying wave conditions with large variability in their angles of propagation. Model results compare fairly well with observations. Physical mechanisms underlying the different morphodynamic responses of the coupled shelf‐shoreline system to different wave conditions are also given.
Bcl-3 promotes TNF-induced hepatocyte apoptosis by regulating the deubiquitination of RIP1
Authors: Hu Yiming , Zhang Haohao , Xie Ningxia , Liu Dandan , Jiang Yuhang , Liu Zhi , Ye Deji , Liu Sanhong , Chen Xi , Li Cuifeng , Wang Qi , Huang Xingxu , Liu Yongzhong , Shi Yufang , Zhang Xiaoren
Published: December 2021

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) is described as a main regulator of cell survival and apoptosis in multiple types of cells, including hepatocytes. Dysregulation in TNF-induced apoptosis is associated with many autoimmune diseases and various liver diseases. Here, we demonstrated a crucial role of Bcl-3, an IκB family member, in regulating TNF-induced hepatic cell death. Specifically, we found that the presence of Bcl-3 promoted TNF-induced cell death in the liver, while Bcl-3 deficiency protected mice against TNF/D-GalN induced hepatoxicity and lethality. Consistently, Bcl-3-depleted hepatic cells exhibited decreased sensitivity to TNF-induced apoptosis when stimulated with TNF/CHX. Mechanistically, the in vitro results showed that Bcl-3 interacted with the deubiquitinase CYLD to synergistically switch the ubiquitination status of RIP1 and facilitate the formation of death-inducing Complex II. This complex further resulted in activation of the caspase cascade to induce apoptosis. By revealing this novel role of Bcl-3 in regulating TNF-induced hepatic cell death, this study provides a potential therapeutic target for liver diseases caused by TNF-related apoptosis.
Production of reactive oxygen species by PuRBOHF is critical for stone cell development in pear fruit
Authors: Wang Xiaoqian , Liu Siqi , Sun Huili , Liu Chunyan , Li Xinyue , Liu Yang , Deguo Lyu  , Du Guodong
Published: December 2021

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase, which is also referred to as respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH), affects several processes in plants. However, the role of RBOHs in cell wall lignification is not well understood. In this study, we show thatPuRBOHF, an RBOH isoform, plays an important role in secondary wall formation in pear stone cells. ROS were closely associated with lignin deposition and stone cell formation according to microscopy data. In addition, according to the results of an in situ hybridization analysis, the stage-specific expression ofPuRBOHFwas higher in stone cells than in cells of other flesh tissues. Inhibitors of RBOH activity suppressed ROS accumulation and stone cell lignification in pear fruit. Moreover, transient overexpression ofPuRBOHFcaused significant changes in the amount of ROS and lignin that accumulated in pear fruit and flesh calli. We further showed that PuMYB169 regulatesPuRBOHFexpression, whilePuRBOHF-derived ROS induces the transcription ofPuPOD2andPuLAC2. The findings of this study indicate thatPuRBOHF-mediated ROS production, which is regulated by a lignin-related transcriptional network, is essential for monolignol polymerization and stone cell formation in pear fruit.
Transcriptional regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in Artemisia annua by AaYABBY5
Authors: Kayani Sadaf-Ilyas , Shen Qian , Rahman Saeed-ur , Fu Xueqing , Li Yongpeng , Wang Chen , Hassani Danial , Tang Kexuan
Published: December 2021

Artemisia annua is a medicinal plant rich in terpenes and flavonoids with useful biological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, and antimalarial activities. The transcriptional regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in A. annua has not been well-studied. In this study, we identified a YABBY family transcription factor, AaYABBY5, as a positive regulator of anthocyanin and total flavonoid contents in A. annua. AaYABBY5 was selected based on its similar expression pattern to the phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase (CHS), chalcone isomerase (CHI), and flavonol synthase (FLS) genes. A transient dual-luciferase assay in Nicotiana bethamiana with the AaYABBY5 effector showed a significant increase in the activity of the downstream LUC gene, with reporters AaPAL, AaCHS, AaCHI, and AaUFGT. The yeast one-hybrid system further confirmed the direct activation of these promoters by AaYABBY5. Gene expression analysis of stably transformed AaYABBY5 overexpression, AaYABBY5 antisense, and control plants revealed a significant increase in the expression of AaPAL, AaCHS, AaCHI, AaFLS, AaFSII, AaLDOX, and AaUFGT in AaYABBY5 overexpression plants. Moreover, their total flavonoid content and anthocyanin content were also found to increase. AaYABBY5 antisense plants showed a significant decrease in the expression of flavonoid biosynthetic genes, as well as a decrease in anthocyanin and total flavonoid contents. In addition, phenotypic analysis revealed deep purple-pigmented stems, an increase in the leaf lamina size, and higher trichome densities in AaYABBY5 overexpression plants. Together, these data proved that AaYABBY5 is a positive regulator of flavonoid biosynthesis in A. annua. Our study provides candidate transcription factors for the improvement of flavonoid concentrations in A. annua and can be further extended to elucidate its mechanism of regulating trichome development.
Trellis for efficient data and task management in the VA Million Veteran Program
Authors: Ross Paul Billing , Song Jina , Tsao Philip S. , Pan Cuiping
Published: December 2021

Biomedical studies have become larger in size and yielded large quantities of data, yet efficient data processing remains a challenge. Here we present Trellis, a cloud-based data and task management framework that completely automates the process from data ingestion to result presentation, while tracking data lineage, facilitating information query, and supporting fault-tolerance and scalability. Using a graph database to coordinate the state of the data processing workflows and a scalable microservice architecture to perform bioinformatics tasks, Trellis has enabled efficient variant calling on 100,000 human genomes collected in the VA Million Veteran Program.
Identifying occult bladder outlet obstruction in women with detrusor-underactivity-like urodynamic profiles
Authors: Chow Po-Ming , Hsiao Sheng-Mou , Kuo Hann-Chorng
Published: December 2021

Voiding dysfunction can result from detrusor underactivity (DU), bladder outlet obstruction (BOO), or both. Conceptually, women with high-pressure low-flow urodynamic profiles are diagnosed with BOO without DU. However, the possibility of BOO is often neglected in women with DU-like (low-pressure low-flow) urodynamic (UDS) profiles. By reviewing the videourodynamic studies (VUDS) of 1678 women, our study identified the key factors suggesting urodynamic BOO (determined by radiographic evidence of obstruction) in women with DU-like UDS profiles (Pdet.Qmax < 20 cmH2O and Qmax < 15 mL/s). In 355 women with DU-like UDS profiles, there were 70 (19.7%) with BOO and 285 (80.3%) without BOO. The BOO group had predominantly obstructive symptoms. The BOO group showed significantly decreased bladder sensation, lower detrusor pressure (Pdet.Qmax), lower flow rate (Qmax), smaller voided volume, and larger post-voiding residual (PVR) compared to the non-BOO group. In multivariate analysis, volume at first sensation, Qmax, PVR, and detrusor overactivity (DO) remained independent factors for BOO. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) areas for the parameters were largest for PVR (area = 0.786) and Qmax (area = 0.742). The best cut-off points were 220 mL for PVR and 4 mL/s for Qmax. Our findings provide simple indicators for BOO in women with DU.
Performance and usefulness of a novel automated immunoassay HISCL SARS-CoV-2 Antigen assay kit for the diagnosis of COVID-19
Authors: Saito Kaori , Ai Tomohiko , Kawai Akinori , Matsui Jun , Fukushima Yoshiyuki , Kikukawa Norihiro , Kyoutou Takuya , Chonan Masayoshi , Kawakami Takeaki , Hosaka Yoshie , Misawa Shigeki , Takagi Haruhi , Matsushita Yasushi , Hiki Makoto , Okuzawa Atsushi , Hori Satoshi , Naito Toshio , Miida Takashi , Takahashi Kazuhisa , Tabe Yoko
Published: December 2021

Here, we aimed to evaluate the clinical performance of a novel automated immunoassay HISCL SARS-CoV-2 Antigen assay kit designed to detect the nucleocapsid (N) protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This kit comprises automated chemiluminescence detection systems. Western blot analysis confirmed that anti-SARS-CoV antibodies detected SARS-CoV-2N proteins. The best cut-off index was determined, and clinical performance was tested using 115 nasopharyngeal swab samples obtained from 46 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and 69 individuals who tested negative for COVID-19 through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The HISCL Antigen assay kit showed a sensitivity of 95.4% and 16.6% in samples with copy numbers > 100 and < 99, respectively. The kit did not cross-react with human coronaviruses causing seasonal common cold and influenza, and none of the 69 individuals without COVID-19 were diagnosed with positive results. Importantly, 81.8% of the samples with low virus load (< 50 copy numbers) were diagnosed as negative. Thus, using HISCL antigen assay kits may reduce overdiagnosis compared with RT-qPCR tests. The rapid and high-throughput HISCL SARS-CoV-2 Antigen assay kit developed here proved suitable for screening infectious COVID-19 and may help control the pandemic.
Therapeutic potential of TRPM8 antagonists in prostate cancer
Authors: Di Donato Marzia , Ostacolo Carmine , Giovannelli Pia , Di Sarno Veronica , Monterrey Isabel M. Gomez , Campiglia Pietro , Migliaccio Antimo , Bertamino Alessia , Castoria Gabriella
Published: December 2021

Transient receptor potential melastatin-8 (TRPM8) represents an emerging target in prostate cancer, although its mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we have characterized and investigated the effects of TRPM8 modulators in prostate cancer aggressiveness disclosing the molecular mechanism underlying their biological activity. Patch-clamp and calcium fluorometric assays were used to characterize the synthesized compounds. Androgen-stimulated prostate cancer-derived cells were challenged with the compounds and the DNA synthesis was investigated in a preliminary screening. The most effective compounds were then employed to inhibit the pro-metastatic behavior of in various PC-derived cells, at different degree of malignancy. The effect of the compounds was then assayed in prostate cancer cell-derived 3D model and the molecular targets of selected compounds were lastly identified using transcriptional and non-transcriptional reporter assays. TRPM8 antagonists inhibit the androgen-dependent prostate cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness. They are highly effective in reverting the androgen-induced increase in prostate cancer cell spheroid size. The compounds also revert the proliferation of castrate-resistant prostate cancer cells, provided they express the androgen receptor. In contrast, no effects were recorded in prostate cancer cells devoid of the receptor. Selected antagonists interfere in non-genomic androgen action and abolish the androgen-induced androgen receptor/TRPM8 complex assembly as well as the increase in intracellular calcium levels in prostate cancer cells. Our results shed light in the processes controlling prostate cancer progression and make the transient receptor potential melastatin-8 as a ‘druggable’ target in the androgen receptor-expressing prostate cancers.
Influence of surgical stabilization of clavicle fractures in multiply-injured patients with thoracic trauma
Authors: Eberbach Helge , Lefering Rolf , Hager Sven , Schumm Klaus , Bode Lisa , Jaeger Martin , Maier Dirk , Kalbhenn Johannes , Hammer Thorsten , Schmal Hagen , Bayer Jörg
Published: December 2021

Thoracic trauma has decisive influence on the outcome of multiply-injured patients and is often associated with clavicle fractures. The affected patients are prone to lung dysfunction and multiple organ failure. A multi-center, retrospective analysis of patient records documented in the TraumaRegister DGU was performed to assess the influence of surgical stabilization of clavicle fractures in patients with thoracic trauma. A total of 3,209 patients were included in the analysis. In 1362 patients (42%) the clavicle fracture was treated operatively after 7.1 ± 5.3 days. Surgically treated patients had a significant reduction in lung failure (p = 0.013, OR = 0.74), multiple organ failure (p = 0.001, OR = 0.64), intubation time (p = 0.004; −1.81 days) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.014; −1.51 days) compared to non-operative treatment. Moreover, surgical fixation of the clavicle within five days following hospital admission significantly reduced the rates of lung failure (p = 0.01, OR = 0.62), multiple organ failure (p = 0.01, OR = 0.59) and length of hospital stay (p = 0.01; −2.1 days). Based on our results, multiply-injured patients with thoracic trauma and concomitant clavicle fracture may benefit significantly from surgical stabilization of a clavicle fracture, especially when surgery is performed within the first five days after hospital admission.
Fluorescence-based immunochromatographic test strip for the detection of hyoscyamine
Authors: Xu Xinxin , Ge Wenliang , Suryoprabowo Steven , Guo Xin , Zhu Jianping , Liu Liqiang , Xu Chuanlai , Kuang Hua
Published: December 2021

A fluorescent microsphere based immunochromatographic assay was developed for hyoscyamine. In comparison with a AuNP immunochromatographic assay, the developed method offered a higher coupling rate and lower amounts of antibodies.
Catalytic enantioselective oxysulfenylation of o-vinylanilides
Authors: Kesavan Arunachalam , Anbarasan Pazhamalai
Published: December 2021

Tf2NH-assisted BINAM-derived thiophosphoramide catalysis has been accomplished for the enantioselective oxysulfenylation of o-vinylanilides with N-(aryl/alkylthio)imides.
Electrochemiluminescence detection of oxygen vacancies in layered double hydroxides
Authors: Zou Rui , Xie Ruyu , Wang Liren , Lin Yanjun , Lu Chao
Published: December 2021

A novel electrochemiluminescence (ECL) platform was established to screen oxygen vacancies in layered double hydroxides (LDHs) by fabricating graphitic carbon nitride/LDH nanocomposites.
Polymer-directed crystallization of HMX to construct nano-/microstructured aggregates with tunable polymorph and microstructure
Authors: Zhou Xin , Ren Yan , Li Hongzhen , Zhou Xiaoqing , Hao Shilong , Xu Rong , Zhang Qi
Published: December 2021

Multi-scale structural control of the high explosive HMX was achieved by a polymer-directed crystallization strategy. For the first time, HMX spherulites that exhibited a “Maltese cross” extinction pattern under crossed polarizers were obtained.
Exploring the Ruddlesden–Popper layered organic–inorganic hybrid semiconducting perovskite for visible-blind ultraviolet photodetection
Authors: Wang Yuyin , Su Bin , Lin Guoming , Lou Huiru , Wang Shouxin , Yue Cheng-Yang , Lei Xiaowu
Published: December 2021

An R–P type two-dimensional hybrid perovskite (C8H11FN)2PbBr4, which exhibits spectral selective photoresponse for UV light.
A sustainable chemical process to recycle end-of-life silicon solar cells
Authors: Deng Rong , Dias Pablo Ribeiro , Lunardi Marina Monteiro , Ji Jingjia
Published: December 2021

We developed a sustainable process for a fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly recovery of high purity silver and silicon from waste solar cells.
Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing with cascade index modulation
Authors: Hu Zeng , Yang Jing , Guo Pengfei , Li Qiang
Published: December 2021

As an emerging technique, index modulation (IM) can improve the system bit error rate (BER) performance due to the robustness of index bits over conventional modulated symbol bits. The existing IM aided orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) schemes only employ one index modulator at the transmitter, which transmits a small amount of index bits in each transmission. In this paper, a novel IM technique, called cascade IM (CIM), is proposed to increase the proportion of the index bits in the transmission by combining the conventional IM with the multiple‐mode IM together. Subcarrier‐wise and subblock‐wise CIM schemes are proposed to achieve different spectral efficiency and diversity order for diverse scenarios in the next generation wireless communication networks. The optimal subcarrier‐wise maximum likelihood detector is proposed for OFDM‐CIM. To reduce the demodulation complexity, a novel tree search based and an iterative log‐likelihood ratio based detectors, which can avoid illegal index patterns in the search process, are developed for OFDM‐CIM. Monte Carlo simulations show that the proposed scheme achieves better BER performance than OFDM‐IM and appears as a competitive candidate of multi‐carrier transmission techniques for next generation wireless communication networks.
Deep reinforcement learning for shared control of mobile robots
Authors: Tian Chong , Shaik Shahil , Wang Yue
Published: December 2021

Shared control of mobile robots integrates manual input with auxiliary autonomous controllers to improve the overall system performance. However, prior work that seeks to find the optimal shared control ratio needs an accurate human model, which is usually challenging to obtain. In this study, the authors develop an extended Twin Delayed Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient (DDPG) (TD3X)‐based shared control framework that learns to assist a human operator in teleoperating mobile robots optimally. The robot's states, shared control ratio in the previous time step, and human's control input is used as inputs to the reinforcement learning (RL) agent, which then outputs the optimal shared control ratio between human input and autonomous controllers without knowing the human model. Noisy softmax policies are developed to make the TD3X algorithm feasible under the constraint of a shared control ratio. Furthermore, to accelerate the training process and protect the robot, a navigation demonstration policy and a safety guard are developed. A neural network (NN) structure is developed to maintain the correlation of sensor readings among heterogeneous input data and improve the learning speed. In addition, an extended DAGGER (DAGGERX) human agent is developed for training the RL agent to reduce human workload. Robot simulations and experiments with humans in the loop are conducted. The results show that the DAGGERX human agent can simulate real human inputs in the worst‐case scenarios with a mean square error of 0.0039. Compared to the original TD3 agent, the TD3X‐based shared control system decreased the average collision number from 387.3 to 44.4 in a simplistic environment and 394.2 to 171.2 in a more complex environment. The maximum average return increased from 1043 to 1187 with a faster converge speed in the simplistic environment, while the performance is equally good in the complex environment because of the use of an advanced human agent. In the human subject tests, participants' average perceived workload was significantly lower in shared control than that in exclusively manual control (26.90 vs. 40.07, p = 0.013).
Energy‐efficient control of a train considering multi‐trains power flow
Authors: Rao Yu , Feng Xiaoyun , Wang Qingyuan , Sun Pengfei , Xiao Zhuang , Chen Honghui
Published: December 2021

For a selected train journey with multiple trains in the same traction power system, the given driving strategies of other trains can be abstracted as available external power flow. Aims at reducing the energy consumption of the multi‐train system, this paper presents an analytical solution for optimising the selected train trajectory to maximise the utilisation of the external power flow. Specifically, a spatial‐temporal area which combine the track grade along space and the external power over time is constructed and the problem is converted into the energy‐efficient control of a train travels in the spatial‐temporal area. Classical methods of constrained optimisation is used to show that the set of the optimal control modes and the optimal driving speed for the proposed problem are in a state of change. In order to obtain the optimal driving strategy, the spatial‐temporal area is divided into grids, and the evolution of a key adjoint variable when the external power changes is discussed. The authors illustrate our results by finding optimal control sequences and associated speed profile for the freight train in some elementary but realistic examples.
Effect of second harmonic and second‐order intermodulation on third‐order passive intermodulation
Authors: Jin Qiuyan , Feng Quanyuan
Published: December 2021

Third‐order intermodulation (IM3) is considered as a typical metric to evaluate passive intermodulation (PIM) in electrical connectors, which may be affected by the second‐order effect in the circuit with cascaded non‐linearities. In this study, the effects of second harmonics and second‐order intermodulation on the IM3 powers were theoretically modelled and experimentally verified. Combined with mathematical modelling, an equivalent circuit model of a passive non‐linear source was presented to investigate the effect of second‐order signals on the IM3 powers. A modified non‐linear transfer function was developed by considering multiple non‐linear superpositions in cascaded non‐linearities. Based on the designed two‐tone test, a mathematical expression was provided with the determination of correlation model coefficients. Numerical simulations were performed by using the proposed model, demonstrating the effect of signals induced by the second‐order non‐linearity on the IM3 powers in series passive components. The IM3 powers resulting from cascaded connectors associated with different signal frequencies were predicted. Coaxial connector samples were designed as cascaded PIM sources in circuits, which were experimentally measured in a GSM 900 MHz frequency band. Good agreement was obtained between the predictions and measurements with error of 0.76 dB in average.
Design of a liquid crystal beam‐steerable antenna with characteristic mode analysis
Authors: Shu Jun , Zhang Yueping
Published: December 2021

A novel liquid crystal beam‐steerable antenna is presented. It is a conventional liquid crystal microstrip patch antenna with a bending slot in the middle of the H‐plane. Owing to the introduction of the bending slot, this antenna can work at even mode and odd mode within a frequency band. To obtain the resonant frequencies and radiation characteristics of the two modes, the method of characteristic mode analysis is utilised. It indicates that the resonant frequency of even mode is lower than that of odd mode. Therefore, by choosing liquid crystal as its substrate, this antenna can alter its operating modes by varying the permittivity of liquid crystal. Furthermore, beam steering can be realised since the radiation patterns of the two modes are divergent. An antenna prototype at Ka‐band has been designed, fabricated and measured. The measured results show that the maximum radiation direction can scan from −30° to −2° continuously at 26.5 GHz in the H‐plane.
Stability enhancement strategies for a 100% grid‐forming and grid‐following converter‐based Irish power system
Authors: Zhao Xianxian , Flynn Damian
Published: December 2021

With increasing shares of wind and/or solar power in many power systems, the possibility of a 100% power converter‐based system becomes more likely. Consequently, the dynamic response of the Irish transmission systems with 100% (grid‐following and grid‐forming) power converters under 3‐phase faults is investigated for 100% converter urban and remote scenarios. Time‐domain simulations show that when active or reactive current prioritisation current saturation controls are applied, grid‐forming converters can introduce large, high‐frequency LC resonance oscillations, but a scaling‐down current saturation approach can help to mitigate such problems as it generates smoother current references. Virtual impedance current limits are most effective at reducing oscillations, but the initial fault current can be transiently high. Furthermore, freezing the virtual angular speed for a grid‐forming converter under either current saturation or virtual impedance current limitation approaches can enhance transient stability during faults. Finally, with modified controls applied to the grid‐following converters, the grid‐forming requirement can be reduced from approximately 40% to less than 30%, with the Remote Irish grid remaining robust against bolted 3‐phase faults, and oscillations quickly damped out during and post fault.
Cultures 3D de cerveau
Authors: Froment Eliès , Erraiss Sarah
Published: December 2021

Le dossier que nous présentons a été rédigé par les étudiantes et étudiants de Master 1 de Biologie de l’École normale supérieure de Lyon à l’issue de l’UE Microbiologie moléculaire et structurale (2020-2021).

Le Master de biologie de l’ENS de Lyon accueille chaque année environ 40 étudiants en M1 et en M2 et propose une formation de haut niveau à la recherche en biosciences. Chaque étudiant y construit son parcours à la carte, en choisissant ses options parmi un large panel de modules, favorisant ainsi une approche pluridisciplinaire des sciences du vivant, et cela en relation étroite avec les laboratoires de recherche du tissu local, national et international.

En participant à diverses activités scientifiques liées aux UE de leur formation, les étudiants préparent également l’obtention du Diplôme de l’ENS de Lyon, qui valide leur scolarité à l’ENS. La rédaction du présent dossier, qui vise à transmettre de façon claire les messages issus d’une sélection d’articles scientifiques publiés récemment dans le domaine de la microbiologie, constitue l’une de ces activités connexes proposées aux étudiants.
Perception of Tinnitus: Direct and Indirect Effects of Resilience, Personality Traits, and Psychiatric Symptoms
Authors: Martins Mariana L. , Galdino Melyssa K.C. , Fernández-Calvo Bernardino , Branco-Barreiro Fátima C.A. , Fernandes Thiago P. , da Rosa Marine R.D.
Published: December 2021

Abstract Background Psychiatric conditions are common in individuals with tinnitus. Therefore, the ways individuals cope with such conditions and personality can influence the characteristics of tinnitus. Purpose The study aims to investigate
the direct and indirect effects of resilience, personality traits, and psychiatric symptoms on the tinnitus perception. Research Design This is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and observational study involving quantitative results. Study Sample Thirty-seven
individuals with chronic tinnitus (for more than 6 months) sought the tinnitus care service (mean age = 44.6 years; SD = 11.7 years). Data Collection and Analysis The specific anamnesis of tinnitus, adult self-report questionnaire, resilience scale,
big five inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (M = 45.0; SD = 24.1), and visual analog scale (M = 6.4; SD = 2.7) were used. Psychoacoustic measurements (loudness: M = 25.4; SD = 12.8) of tinnitus were performed
to characterize the condition in terms of pitch and loudness. The study analyzed the relationship between tinnitus (annoyance, severity, and loudness), psychiatric symptoms, personality, and resilience using multiple mediations. Results Resilience did not influence tinnitus
severity (BCa: -1.12 to 0.51), annoyance (BCa: -0.10 to 0.11), or loudness (BCa: -0.44 to 0.28) when mediated by anxiety and depression. Additionally, there was only a direct effect of resilience for annoyance (t = - 2.14, p = 0.03; BCa: -0.10
to 0.11). There was no direct influence of anxiety and depression on the tinnitus severity (b = 0.53, p > 0.05), annoyance (b = - 0.01, p > 0.05), or loudness (b = 0.11, p > 0.05). However,
there was an association of personality traits (neuroticism) with the tinnitus severity (b = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.15‐2.17; t = 2.53, p = 0.02) and annoyance (b = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.003‐0.24; t = 2.09,
p = 0.04). Conclusion Resilience and psychiatric symptoms did not have a direct or indirect influence on the tinnitus annoyance, severity, or loudness. However with a direct association of resilience and annoyance, and neuroticism trait with the tinnitus
annoyance and severity. Our results suggest that patients with chronic tinnitus and high neuroticism should receive personalized treatment.
Spinal Nerve Roots Abnormalities on MRI in a Child with SURF1 Mitochondrial Disease
Authors: Rubino Alfonso , Bruno Giorgia , Mazio Federica , de Leva Maria Fulvia , Ruggiero Lucia , Santorelli Filippo Maria , Varone Antonio
Published: December 2021

Variants in SURF1, encoding an assembly factor of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex IV, cause Leigh syndrome (LS) and Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 4K in children and young adolescents. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of enlarged nerve roots with postcontrastographic enhancement is a distinctive feature of hypertrophic neuropathy caused by onion-bulb formation and it has rarely been described in mitochondrial diseases (MDs). Spinal nerve roots abnormalities on MRI are novel findings in LS associated with variants in SURF1. Here we report detailed neuroradiological and neurophysiologic findings in a child with LS and demyelinating neuropathy SURF1-related. Our case underlines the potential contributive role of spinal neuroimaging together with neurophysiological examination to identify the full spectrum of patterns in MDs. It remains to elucidate if these observations remain peculiar of SURF1 variants or potentially detectable in other MDs with peripheral nervous system involvement.
Ring polymer molecular dynamics of the C(1D)+H2
reaction on the most recent potential energy surfaces
Authors: Cao Jianwei , Wu Yanan , Bian Wensheng
Published: December 2021

Ring polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD) calculations for the C(1D)+H2 reaction are performed on the Zhang-Ma-Bian ab initio potential energy surfaces (PESs) recently constructed by our group, which are unique in very good descriptions of the regions around conical intersections and of van der Waals (vdW) interactions. The calculated reaction thermal rate coefficients are in very good agreement with the latest experimental results. The rate coefficients obtained from the ground ã1A′ ZMB-a PES are much larger than those from the previous RKHS PES, which can be attributed to that the vdW saddles on our PESs have very different dynamical effects from the vdW wells on the previous PESs, indicating that the RPMD approach is able to include dynamical effects of the topological structures caused by vdW interactions. The importance of the excited b̃1A″ ZMB-b PES and quantum effects in the title reaction is also underscored.
Magnetic field effects on laser energy deposition and filamentation in magneto-inertial fusion relevant plasmas
Authors: Lewis S. M. , Weis M. R. , Speas C. S. , Kimmel M. , Bengtson R. D. , Breizman B. , Geissel M. , Gomez M. R. , Harvey-Thompson A. J. , Kellogg J. , Long J. , Looker Q. , Quevedo H. J. , Rambo P. , Riley N. R. , Schwarz J. , Shores J. , Stahoviak J. , Struve K. , Ampleford D. J. , Porter J. L. , Ditmire T.
Published: December 2021

We report on experimental measurements of how an externally imposed magnetic field affects plasma heating by kJ-class, nanosecond laser pulses. The experiments reported here took place in gas cells analogous to magnetized liner inertial fusion targets. We observed significant changes in laser propagation and energy deposition scale lengths when a 12T external magnetic field was imposed in the gas cell. We find evidence that the axial magnetic field reduces radial electron thermal transport, narrows the width of the heated plasma, and increases the axial plasma length. Reduced thermal conductivity increases radial thermal gradients. This enhances radial hydrodynamic expansion and subsequent thermal self-focusing. Our experiments and supporting 3D simulations in helium demonstrate that magnetization leads to higher thermal gradients, higher peak temperatures, more rapid blast wave development, and beam focusing with an applied field of 12T.
Kinetic mix at gas-shell interface in inverted corona fusion targets
Authors: Riedel W. M. , Meezan N. B. , Higginson D. P. , Hohenberger M. , Cappelli M. A.
Published: December 2021

Gas-filled, laser-driven “inverted corona” fusion targets have attracted interest as a low-convergence neutron source and platform for studying kinetic physics. At the fill pressures under investigation, ejected particles from the shell can penetrate deeply into the gas before colliding, leading to significant mixing across the gas–shell interface. Here, we use kinetic-ion, fluid-electron hybrid particle-in-cell simulations to explore the nature of that mix. Simulations of the system demonstrate characteristics of a weakly collisional electrostatic shock, whereby a strong electric field accelerates shell ions into the rarefied gas and reflects upstream gas ions. This interpenetration is mediated by collisional processes: At higher initial gas pressure, fewer shell particles pass into the mix region and reach the hotspot. This effect is detectable through neutron yield scaling vs gas pressure. Predictions of neutron yield scaling show excellent agreement with experimental data recorded at the OMEGA laser facility, suggesting that 1D kinetic mechanisms are sufficient to capture the mix process.
Broadband acoustic collimation and focusing using reduced aberration acoustic Luneburg lens
Authors: Zhao Liuxian , Horiuchi Timothy , Yu Miao
Published: December 2021

An acoustic Luneburg lens is a symmetric gradient-index lens with a refractive index decreasing radially from the center to the outer surface. It can be used to manipulate acoustic wave propagation allowing collimation and focusing capabilities. Previously studied acoustic Luneburg lenses based on the conventional Luneburg lens concept work only at audible frequencies ranging up to 15 kHz or at a single ultrasonic frequency of 40 kHz. In this paper, by tailoring the focal length to be different from the length radius, a reduced-aberration acoustic Luneburg lens (RAALL) is proposed for broadband and omnidirectional acoustic collimation and focusing. Based on the ray trajectories obtained with the ray-tracing technique, the RAALL can achieve better acoustic focusing in comparison to a modified acoustic Luneburg lens based on the modified optical Luneburg lens design. Following this analysis, two models of RAALL [two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) devices] are designed and fabricated by using the additive manufacturing technology. Collimation and focusing performance of the ultrasonic waves are analytically, numerically, and experimentally investigated for both 2D and 3D lenses, and their broadband and omnidirectional characteristics are demonstrated.
Flexible plasma multi-jet source operated in radial discharge configuration
Authors: Corbella Carles , Portal Sabine
Published: December 2021

Following up on a recent study describing a flexible plasma source operated in planar geometry, the performance of a cold atmospheric plasma jet (CAPJ) matrix emanating radially from a soft cylindrical surface in the open air is presented. The plasma device, which has a set of small outlets produced in its side surface, has a length of 12 cm and an outer diameter of 5.4 cm. The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) sustaining the plasma jets is generated in helium flowing between two coaxial electrodes, which are separated by both an insulating tape and a cylindrical wall made of polymer foam. Two operation modes are considered: four equidistant CAPJs at the same axial position (round brush mode) and three aligned CAPJs at constant azimuthal angle (comb mode). All discharges, excited by 15 kHz-AC voltages at 3.8 kV in amplitude, have resulted in uniform lengths and intensities of the jets. Consumed discharge powers of between 0.1 and 1.5 W have been estimated from current–voltage measurements. Optical emission spectroscopy has shown the preponderance of hydroxyl groups, nitrogen molecules, and helium atoms in the active DBD region and the jet afterglow zone. This new design of CAPJ anticipates promising applications for treating the inner surface of hollow and delicate components for activation or healing purposes.
On the spectral asymptotics for the buckling problem
Authors: Buoso Davide , Luzzini Paolo , Provenzano Luigi , Stubbe Joachim
Published: December 2021

We provide a direct proof of Weyl’s law for the buckling eigenvalues of the biharmonic operator on domains of Rd of finite measure. The proof relies on asymptotically sharp lower and upper bounds that we develop for the Riesz mean R2(z). Lower bounds are obtained by making use of the so-called “averaged variational principle.” Upper bounds are obtained in the spirit of Berezin–Li–Yau. Moreover, we state a conjecture for the second term in Weyl’s law and prove its correctness in two special cases: balls in Rd and bounded intervals in R.
Attenuation of vortex street by suction through the structured porous surface
Authors: Yu Haiyang , Xu Zhihan , Chen Wen-Li , Li Hui , Gao Donglai
Published: December 2021

We experimentally investigated the attenuation of the von Kármán vortex street behind a circular cylinder by the use of active suction through a structured porous surface in wind tunnel tests. The Reynolds number Re, based on the outer diameter of the cylinder D, is set to be 1.0×104. The structured porous surface of the test model is made of resin by the three-dimensional printing technique to obtain well-organized porous structures. The active suction control effectiveness is quantified by a non-dimensional suction coefficient CQ, which is determined by the suction flow rate Q, the porous structure of the cylinder's surface, and the free stream velocity U∞. A high-speed particle image velocimetry measurement system is utilized to acquire global and detailed wake flows behind the baseline and controlled cylinders. In addition to directly perceived time-averaged characteristics, flow analysis methods including proper orthogonal decomposition, spectral analysis, and linear stability analysis are employed to study the underlying nature of cylinder wakes with and without distributed suction control. Experimental results show that multi-scale coherent structures in the cylinder wake are homogenized and the near wake is regularized under the control of suction. With a proper CQ, the alternating vortex street behind the circular cylinder is found to be greatly attenuated and the vortex shedding mode completely switched.
The effect of opening window position on aerosol transmission in an enclosed bus under windless environment
Authors: Yao Feng , Liu Xiangdong
Published: December 2021

The potential risk of spreading a virus during bus transportation motivates us to understand the aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and seek effective ways to protect passengers in a bus. In this paper, a typical scenario in which the virus spreads in a bus under a windless environment is numerically studied for further understanding of the spreading characteristics of aerosol transmission in an enclosed space. The air flow in the bus and the spreading processes of droplets with different open windows configurations are obtained and analyzed. The variations of droplet concentration in the air with time are examined and analyzed. In addition, the transient droplet concentration deposited on the passengers is also counted to analyze the potential contact transmission. The results indicate that opening a window next to an infected person shows an unsatisfactory performance in limiting droplet spreading range and reducing droplet concentration, eventually leading to a high risk of infection by aerosol transmission following contact transmission. In addition, opening multiple windows also shows an unsatisfactory result for removing droplets in a bus since the turbulence flow accelerates the spreading speed and expands the spreading range. In contrast, the droplets are removed from the indoor space of the bus quickly if a window is opened in the row in front of the infected person, which is beneficial for reducing aerosol and contact transmission in the bus. Furthermore, it is strongly recommended to avoid sitting in the row in front of the infected person where the highest droplet concentration can be observed.
Fast and efficient germanium quantum dot photodetector with an ultrathin active layer
Authors: Shi S. , Pacifici D. , Zaslavsky A.
Published: December 2021

An ultrathin layer (13 nm) of germanium (Ge) quantum dots embedded in a SiO2 matrix was deposited on a Ge substrate for photodetection in both the visible and near-infrared (IR). Operated at T = 150 K, the device exhibits higher than 105% internal quantum efficiency (IQE) at a reverse bias of −1.3 V under low light conditions (<30 nW) at both λ= 640 and 1550 nm. The transient response of 640 nm pulses stays below 15 ns for both rise and fall times; the IR response is only slightly slower. Our work demonstrates a high-performance broadband photodetector with high IQE and fast response in a simple silicon technology-compatible device structure.
Self-adaptive near-field radiative thermal modulation using a thermally sensitive bimaterial structure
Authors: Chen Fangqi , Liu Xiaojie , Tian Yanpei , Liu Yang , Zheng Yi
Published: December 2021

The active control of the near-field radiative heat transfer has recently aroused significant attention. The common methods include utilizing phase-change materials, applying external electric or magnetic field and regulating the chemical potential. Herein, we propose a self-adaptive near-field radiative thermal modulation using a thermally sensitive bimaterial structure composed of gold and silicon nitride. Due to the huge differences between their Young's moduli and thermal expansion coefficients, the bimaterial structure has a bending tendency upon a sudden temperature change. The curved surface has a significant influence on the near-field radiative thermal transport, which largely depends on the separation gap between the two spaced objects. Two different bending scenarios are discussed, and the bimaterial structure can both spontaneously recover to its original planar state through self-adaptive thermal regulation. 24-fold and 4.4-fold variations in small-scale radiative heat transfer are demonstrated, respectively, for a 5 °C rise and 1 °C drop of the bimaterial. This work opens avenues for a dynamic and self-adaptive near-field radiative thermal modulation, and a large tuning range is worthy of expectation.
Ten billion years ago, galaxies were already running out of gas
Authors: Miller Johanna L.
Published: December 2021

A look into the distant reaches of the universe offers clues about when, why, and how star formation shuts off.
Israel has become a powerhouse in quantum technologies
Authors: Kramer David
Published: December 2021

A supportive government, available capital, and world-class academic institutions are some of the factors behind the nation’s quantum ascendance.
An ancient antimicrobial protein co-opted by a fungal plant pathogen for in planta mycobiome manipulation
Authors: Snelders Nick C. , Petti Gabriella C. , van den Berg Grardy C. M. , Seidl Michael F. , Thomma Bart P. H. J.
Published: December 2021

Significance

Microbes secrete a diversity of molecules into their environment to mediate niche colonization. During host ingress, plant pathogenic microbes secrete effector proteins that facilitate disease development, many of which deregulate host immune responses. We recently demonstrated that plant pathogens additionally exploit effectors with antibacterial activities to manipulate beneficial plant microbiota to promote host colonization. Here, we show that the fungal pathogen
Verticillium dahliae
has co-opted an ancient antimicrobial protein, which likely served in microbial competition in terrestrial environments before land plants existed, as effector for the manipulation of fungal competitors during host colonization. Thus, we demonstrate that pathogen effector repertoires comprise antifungal proteins and speculate that such effectors could be exploited for the development of antimycotics.
Tryptophan metabolism and bacterial commensals prevent fungal dysbiosis in
Arabidopsis
roots
Authors: Wolinska Katarzyna W. , Vannier Nathan , Thiergart Thorsten , Pickel Brigitte , Gremmen Sjoerd , Piasecka Anna , Piślewska-Bednarek Mariola , Nakano Ryohei Thomas , Belkhadir Youssef , Bednarek Paweł , Hacquard Stéphane
Published: December 2021

Significance

Understanding how host–microbe homeostasis is controlled and maintained in plant roots is key to enhance plant productivity. However, the factors that contribute to the maintenance of this equilibrium between plant roots and their multikingdom microbial communities remain largely unknown. Here, we observed a link between fungal load in roots and plant health, and we showed that modulation of fungal abundance is tightly controlled by a two-layer regulatory circuit involving the host innate immune system on one hand and bacterial root commensals on another hand. Our results shed a light into how host–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions act in concert to prevent dysbiosis in
Arabidopsis thaliana
roots, thereby promoting plant health and maintaining growth-promoting activities of multikingdom microbial commensals.
Sensory computations in the cuneate nucleus of macaques
Authors: Suresh Aneesha K. , Greenspon Charles M. , He Qinpu , Rosenow Joshua M. , Miller Lee E. , Bensmaia Sliman J.
Published: December 2021

Significance

Perception is the outcome of the sequential processing of sensory signals at multiple stages along the neuraxis. The conventional view is that tactile signals are processed predominantly in the cerebral cortex. We tested this view by investigating the response properties of neurons in the cuneate nucleus (CN), the first potential stage of processing along the primary touch neuraxis. We found that CN responses more closely resemble those of cortical neurons than they do those of nerve fibers: CN neurons have spatially complex receptive fields reflecting convergent input from multiple classes of nerve fibers and exhibit a selectivity for object features, absent in the nerve. We conclude that the CN plays a key, early role in the processing of tactile information.