bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of National and International Intellectual Property Law and Policy in Reconceptualising the Definition of Investment
Authors: Upreti Pratyush Nath
Published: January 2021

This article analyses the role of national and international intellectual property (IP) law in assessing IP as a protected investment. It offers two approaches for controlling investment arbitration related to intellectual property rights (IPRs), followed by an examination of the implications and challenges of those approaches. Its main argument is that even if a dispute arises from an investment (IP as an investment), it does not necessarily fall under the jurisdictional requirements of investment arbitration. Rather, assessing IP as an investment must be done by referring to national laws. This is more relevant in the case of IPRs as they are territorial. This means that rights and obligations are derived from national IP legislation. Essentially, only those IPRs that are “protected” by national regimes should be treated as investments. This article also examines the language used in investment agreements and arbitral awards to analyse the role of national law, particularly in determining the validity and scope of IP investments. Then it examines three IP-related arbitral cases to discuss how arbitral tribunals have used national law. Finally, it suggests approaches for controlling investment arbitration by integrating the territoriality principle and the social objectives and bargains achieved through international IP treaties.
GTB-PPI: Predict Protein–Protein Interactions Based on L1-Regularized Logistic Regression and Gradient Tree Boosting
Authors: Yu Bin , Chen Cheng , Zhou Hongyan , Liu Bingqiang , Ma Qin
Published: January 2021

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are of great importance to understand genetic mechanisms, delineate disease pathogenesis, and guide drug design. With the increase of PPI data and development of machine learning technologies, prediction and identification of PPIs have become a research hotspot in proteomics. In this study, we propose a new prediction pipeline for PPIs based on gradient tree boosting (GTB). First, the initial feature vector is extracted by fusing pseudo amino acid composition (PseAAC), pseudo position-specific scoring matrix (PsePSSM), reduced sequence and index-vectors (RSIV), and autocorrelation descriptor (AD). Second, to remove redundancy and noise, we employ L1-regularized logistic regression (L1-RLR) to select an optimal feature subset. Finally, GTB-PPI model is constructed. Five-fold cross-validation showed that GTB-PPI achieved the accuracies of 95.15% and 90.47% on Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Helicobacter pylori datasets, respectively. In addition, GTB-PPI could be applied to predict the independent test datasets for Caenorhabditis elegans, Escherichia coli, Homo sapiens, and Mus musculus, the one-core PPI network for CD9, and the crossover PPI network for the Wnt-related signaling pathways. The results show that GTB-PPI can significantly improve accuracy of PPI prediction. The code and datasets of GTB-PPI can be downloaded from https://github.com/QUST-AIBBDRC/GTB-PPI/.
Systematic Review and Meta–Analysis of the Association Between Non–Steroidal Anti–Inflammatory Drugs and Operative Bleeding in the Perioperative Period
Authors: Bongiovanni Tasce , Lancaster Elizabeth , Ledesma Yeranuí , Whitaker Evans , Steinman Michael A. , Allen Isabel Elaine , Auerbach Andrew , Wick Elizabeth
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND:

It is increasingly recognized that non-opioid analgesia is an important analgesia in the perioperative period. Specifically, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have been touted as an adjunct, or even replacement, for opioids. However, uptake of NSAIDs has been slow due to concern for side effects, including bleeding. We sought to understand the risk of bleeding caused by NSAIDs in the perioperative period.

STUDY DESIGN:

A physician–librarian team performed a search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE), using search terms covering the targeted intervention (use of NSAIDs) and outcomes of interest (surgical complications, bleeding), limited to English language articles of any date. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the data.

RESULTS:

A total of 2,521 articles were screened, and 229 were selected on the basis of title and abstract for detailed assessment. Including reference searching, 74 manuscripts met inclusion criteria spanning years 1987–2019. These studies included 151,031 patients. Studies included 12 types of NSAIDs, the most common being ketorolac, diclofenac, and ibuprofen, over a wide–range of procedures, from otorhinolaryngology (ENT), breast, abdomen, plastics, and more. More than half were randomized control trials. The meta-analyses for hematoma, return to the operating room for bleeding, and blood transfusions showed no difference in risk in any of 3 categories studied between the NSAID vs non-NSAID groups (p = 0.49, p = 0.79, and p = 0.49, respectively). Quality scoring found a wide range of quality, with scores ranging from lowest quality of 12 to highest quality of 25, out of a total of 27 (average = 16).

CONCLUSIONS:

NSAIDs are unlikely to be the cause of postoperative bleeding complications. This literature covers a large number of patients and remains consistent across types of NSAIDs and operations.
Surrealism and the Occult
Authors: Bauduin Tessel
Published: January 2021

This book offers a new perspective on a long-debated issue: the role of the occult in surrealism, in particular under the leadership of French writer André Breton. Based on thorough source analysis, this study details how our understanding of occultism and esotericism, as well as of their function in Bretonian surrealism, changed significantly over time from the early 1920s to the late 1950s.
The state of the art and operational scenarios for urban air mobility with unmanned aircraft
Authors: Maia F. D. , Lourenço da Saúde J. M.
Published: January 2021

A state-of-the-art review of all the developments, standards and regulations associated with the use of major unmanned aircraft systems under development is presented. Requirements and constraints are identified by evaluating technologies specific to urban air mobility, considering equivalent levels of safety required by current and future civil aviation standards. Strategies, technologies and lessons learnt from remotely piloted aviation and novel unmanned traffic management systems are taken as the starting point to assess operational scenarios for autonomous urban air mobility.
EVIDENCE FOR SLINGSTONES AND RELATED PROJECTILE STONE USE BY THE ANCIENT MAYA OF THE USUMACINTA RIVER VALLEY REGION
Authors: Recinos Alejandra Roche , Firpi Omar Alcover , Rodas Ricardo
Published: January 2021

In this study, we present evidence for the use of slingstones and other projectile stones among the ancient Maya peoples of the Usumacinta River region. Rounded stones are frequently found across Maya archaeological sites and are given a range of interpretations, including objects for flintknapping, cooking, ritual, divination, and less often as weapons. Here we provide new evidence for the identification of rounded stones as weapons based on their morphology as well as their context of recovery. We employ data from the sites of Macabilero, Guatemala, and Budsilha, Mexico, which strongly suggest rounded stones at these sites were manufactured to be used as weapons. These findings have implications for how we understand warfare and hunting in ancient Mesoamerica and inform our interpretation of how the Maya prepared for such activities. As a class of weapon potentially accessible to most members of Maya society, the results presented here show the importance of more inclusive perspectives on Maya warfare and the necessity of contextualizing artifact analysis within the occupation history of the broader site and region.
Safe On-Boat Resuscitation by Lifeguards in COVID-19 Era: A Pilot Study Comparing Three Sets of Personal Protective Equipment
Authors: Barcala-Furelos Roberto , Abelairas-Gómez Cristian , Alonso-Calvete Alejandra , Cano-Noguera Francisco , Carballo-Fazanes Aida , Martínez-Isasi Santiago , Rodríguez-Núñez Antonio
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

On-boat resuscitation can be applied by lifeguards in an inflatable rescue boat (IRB). Due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) and recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), prehospital care procedures need to be re-evaluated. The objective of this study was to determine how the use of PPE influences the amount of preparation time needed before beginning actual resuscitation and the quality of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR; QCPR) on an IRB.

Methods:

Three CPR tests were performed by 14 lifeguards, in teams of two, wearing different PPE: (1) Basic PPE (B-PPE): gloves, a mask, and protective glasses; (2) Full PPE (F-PPE): B-PPE + a waterproof apron; and (3) Basic PPE + plastic blanket (B+PPE). On-boat resuscitation using a bag-valve-mask (BVM) and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter was performed sailing at 20km/hour.

Results:

Using B-PPE takes less time and is significantly faster than F-PPE (B-PPE 17 [SD = 2] seconds versus F-PPE 69 [SD = 17] seconds; P = .001), and the use of B+PPE is slightly higher (B-PPE 17 [SD = 2] seconds versus B+PPE 34 [SD = 6] seconds; P = .002). The QCPR remained similar in all three scenarios (P >.05), reaching values over 79%.

Conclusion:

The use of PPE during on-board resuscitation is feasible and does not interfere with quality when performed by trained lifeguards. The use of a plastic blanket could be a quick and easy alternative to offer extra protection to lifeguards during CPR on an IRB.
Global Venus‐Solar Wind Coupling and Oxygen Ion Escape
Authors: Persson M. , Futaana Y. , Ramstad R. , Schillings A. , Masunaga K. , Nilsson H. , Fedorov A. , Barabash S.
Published: January 2021

The present‐day Venusian atmosphere is dry, yet, in its earlier history a significant amount of water evidently existed. One important water loss process comes from the energy and momentum transfer from the solar wind to the atmospheric particles. Here, we used measurements from the Ion Mass Analyzer onboard Venus Express to derive a relation between the power in the upstream solar wind and the power leaving the atmosphere through oxygen ion escape in the Venusian magnetotail. We find that on average 0.01% of the available power is transferred, and that the percentage decreases as the available energy increases. For Mars the trend is similar, but the efficiency is higher. At Earth, the ion escape does not behave similarly, as the ion escape only increases after a threshold in the available energy is reached. These results indicate that the Venusian induced magnetosphere efficiently screens the atmosphere from the solar wind.
On the Nature of F‐Region Bottom‐Type Echoing Layer Over Gadanki
Authors: Pavan Chaitanya P. , Patra A. K.
Published: January 2021

Bottom‐type echoing layers observed from Gadanki are presented and analyzed. The analysis is based on observations made using a substantial database of the 30 MHz Gadanki Ionospheric Radar Interferometer (GIRI) during 2017–2019, collocated digisonde observations, and a few days of overlapping volume observations made using the GIRI and the 53 MHz Advanced Indian MST Radar (AIR) . The echoes commence well before the E‐ and F‐region sunsets and last as late as 23:00 Local Time. The echoing layers occur in the height range of 220–300 km with a thickness of 10–15 km and the Doppler spectra are narrow with spectral width confined to 10 m s−1. The echoing layers are very common during the entire observational period and do not show any noticeable seasonal dependence. The zonal velocities of the irregularities responsible for the radar echoes are close to zero irrespective of the height of the echoing region. The echoes are stronger at 30 MHz than at 53 MHz indicating strong Bragg scale dependence. The height of the echoing layer agrees very well with the height of the F‐region peak electron density (hmF2). Also, early commencement of the echoing layer is found to be associated with low hmF2 and corresponding high electron density (foF2). While the results indicate toward the wind‐driven interchange instability as their origin, the early onset of the echoing layer and its relationship with the background ionospheric parameters call for explanation. The results are discussed in the light of current understanding on the bottom‐type echoing layer.
Impact of the Ionosphere Disturbed by Rocket Plume on OTHR Radio Wave Propagation
Authors: Ma Xin , Fang Hanxian , Wang Sicheng , Chang Shujie
Published: January 2021

The main chemicals of rocket exhaust plume are released into the ionosphere, which cause three‐dimensional (3‐D) disturbances. By simulating the disturbance, we investigate the influence of ionospheric disturbance by the chemical release on the propagation of over‐the‐horizon radar (OTHR) waves. Based on the absorption simulation model, the absorption loss of OTHR waves caused by rocket plume was simulated. Using 3‐D digital ray tracing, we simulated the propagation path of radio waves in the “ionospheric hole” region. The simulation results show that the absorption loss of short waves decreases with an increase in the frequency and elevation angle of the ray. The absorption loss in the year of high solar activity is significantly higher than that in the year of low solar activity. The absorption value is largest at noon and smallest at night. In terms of seasonal variation, the absorption of radio waves is strongest in summer and weakest in winter. Additionally, the ionospheric hole area increases with the release time. The 6 MHz high‐frequency waves cannot reach the disturbance height and are completely reflected to the ground. Most of the 8 MHz radio waves are reflected to the ground, and some of them pass through the ionosphere. The radio waves at 10, 15, and 20 MHz can pass through the hole area of the ionosphere. Moreover, the ionospheric disturbance generated by the plume has a focusing effect on the propagation of OTHR shortwaves. With the increase in radio frequency, the focusing height gradually increases, and the focusing effect gradually weakens.
Bayesian Integration Using Resistivity and Lithology for Improving Estimation of Hydraulic Conductivity
Authors: Cheng Shih‐Yang , Hsu Kuo‐Chin
Published: January 2021

The characterization of spatially heterogeneous hydraulic conductivity (K) is important in groundwater resources management. We propose a Bayesian statistical method that integrates multiple secondary data (continuous and category data) with primary data (K) to improve regional K field characterization. Considering the disparity of the data scale, spatial scarcity of primary and secondary data, and need for regional‐scale site characterization, the aquifer thickness is used as the scale for data integration. We transform the high‐resolution secondary data to the scale of K and perform linear/nonlinear regression analyses for the transformed secondary data and primary data. A Bayesian approach using Metropolis‐within‐Gibbs sampling is developed for jointly integrating the primary and transformed secondary data without a limitation on the type of data attribute and the number of data set. A synthetic example is first presented to demonstrate the capability of the proposed method. Results show that the correlation strength, not the relation type, is the primary factor for improving the estimates. The Bayesian method is applied to Choushui River alluvial fan in Taiwan. Resistivity logs and a lithological description are first upscaled and then simultaneously integrated in the K estimation. Results indicate that the improvement of the K estimate obtained using resistivity data is higher in the proximal and mid fans but lower in the distal fan compared to that obtained using lithofacies data. Jointly integrating two‐attribute data outperforms using one or no secondary data set for K estimates. The proposed Bayesian integration method is thus versatile and suitable for large‐scale aquifer characterization.
Terrestrial Plants Flourished After the Cretaceous–Paleogene Extinction
Authors: Thomasy Hannah
Published: January 2021

Compounds in ancient plant leaves tell the story of how an extinction event shaped our planet’s ecosystems.
Probing the subcellular nanostructure of engineered human cardiomyocytes in 3D tissue
Authors: Javor Josh , Ewoldt Jourdan K. , Cloonan Paige E. , Chopra Anant , Luu Rebeccah J. , Freychet Guillaume , Zhernenkov Mikhail , Ludwig Karl , Seidman Jonathan G. , Seidman Christine E. , Chen Christopher S. , Bishop David J.
Published: January 2021

The structural and functional maturation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) is essential for pharmaceutical testing, disease modeling, and ultimately therapeutic use. Multicellular 3D-tissue platforms have improved the functional maturation of hiPSC-CMs, but probing cardiac contractile properties in a 3D environment remains challenging, especially at depth and in live tissues. Using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) imaging, we show that hiPSC-CMs matured and examined in a 3D environment exhibit a periodic spatial arrangement of the myofilament lattice, which has not been previously detected in hiPSC-CMs. The contractile force is found to correlate with both the scattering intensity (R2 = 0.44) and lattice spacing (R2 = 0.46). The scattering intensity also correlates with lattice spacing (R2 = 0.81), suggestive of lower noise in our structural measurement than in the functional measurement. Notably, we observed decreased myofilament ordering in tissues with a myofilament mutation known to lead to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Our results highlight the progress of human cardiac tissue engineering and enable unprecedented study of structural maturation in hiPSC-CMs.
Similarities and dissimilarities between psychiatric cluster disorders
Authors: Smail Marissa A. , Wu Xiaojun , Henkel Nicholas D. , Eby Hunter M. , Herman James P. , McCullumsmith Robert E. , Shukla Rammohan
Published: January 2021

The common molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders are not well understood. Prior attempts to assess the pathological mechanisms responsible for psychiatric disorders have been limited by biased selection of comparable disorders, datasets/cohort availability, and challenges with data normalization. Here, using DisGeNET, a gene-disease associations database, we sought to expand such investigations in terms of number and types of diseases. In a top-down manner, we analyzed an unbiased cluster of 36 psychiatric disorders and comorbid conditions at biological pathway, cell-type, drug-target, and chromosome levels and deployed density index, a novel metric to quantify similarities (close to 1) and dissimilarities (close to 0) between these disorders at each level. At pathway level, we show that cognition and neurotransmission drive the similarity and are involved across all disorders, whereas immune-system and signal-response coupling (cell surface receptors, signal transduction, gene expression, and metabolic process) drives the dissimilarity and are involved with specific disorders. The analysis at the drug-target level supports the involvement of neurotransmission-related changes across these disorders. At cell-type level, dendrite-targeting interneurons, across all layers, are most involved. Finally, by matching the clustering pattern at each level of analysis, we showed that the similarity between the disorders is influenced most at the chromosomal level and to some extent at the cellular level. Together, these findings provide first insights into distinct cellular and molecular pathologies, druggable mechanisms associated with several psychiatric disorders and comorbid conditions and demonstrate that similarities between these disorders originate at the chromosome level and disperse in a bottom-up manner at cellular and pathway levels.
Regulation of cardiomyocyte fate plasticity: a key strategy for cardiac regeneration
Authors: Gong Rui , Jiang Zuke , Zagidullin Naufal , Liu Tianyi , Cai Benzhi
Published: January 2021

With the high morbidity and mortality rates, cardiovascular diseases have become one of the most concerning diseases worldwide. The heart of adult mammals can hardly regenerate naturally after injury because adult cardiomyocytes have already exited the cell cycle, which subseqently triggers cardiac remodeling and heart failure. Although a series of pharmacological treatments and surgical methods have been utilized to improve heart functions, they cannot replenish the massive loss of beating cardiomyocytes after injury. Here, we summarize the latest research progress in cardiac regeneration and heart repair through altering cardiomyocyte fate plasticity, which is emerging as an effective strategy to compensate for the loss of functional cardiomyocytes and improve the impaired heart functions. First, residual cardiomyocytes in damaged hearts re-enter the cell cycle to acquire the proliferative capacity by the modifications of cell cycle-related genes or regulation of growth-related signals. Additionally, non-cardiomyocytes such as cardiac fibroblasts, were shown to be reprogrammed into cardiomyocytes and thus favor the repair of damaged hearts. Moreover, pluripotent stem cells have been shown to transform into cardiomyocytes to promote heart healing after myocardial infarction (MI). Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that environmental oxygen, energy metabolism, extracellular factors, nerves, non-coding RNAs, etc. play the key regulatory functions in cardiac regeneration. These findings provide the theoretical basis of targeting cellular fate plasticity to induce cardiomyocyte proliferation or formation, and also provide the clues for stimulating heart repair after injury.
Mercury methylation by metabolically versatile and cosmopolitan marine bacteria
Authors: Lin Heyu , Ascher David B , Myung Yoochan , Lamborg Carl H , Hallam Steven J , Gionfriddo Caitlin M , Holt Kathryn E , Moreau John W
Published: January 2021

Microbes transform aqueous mercury (Hg) into methylmercury (MeHg), a potent neurotoxin that accumulates in terrestrial and marine food webs, with potential impacts on human health. This process requires the gene pair hgcAB, which encodes for proteins that actuate Hg methylation, and has been well described for anoxic environments. However, recent studies report potential MeHg formation in suboxic seawater, although the microorganisms involved remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted large-scale multi-omic analyses to search for putative microbial Hg methylators along defined redox gradients in Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, a model natural ecosystem with previously measured Hg and MeHg concentration profiles. Analysis of gene expression profiles along the redoxcline identified several putative Hg methylating microbial groups, including Calditrichaeota, SAR324 and Marinimicrobia, with the last the most active based on hgc transcription levels. Marinimicrobia hgc genes were identified from multiple publicly available marine metagenomes, consistent with a potential key role in marine Hg methylation. Computational homology modelling predicts that Marinimicrobia HgcAB proteins contain the highly conserved amino acid sites and folding structures required for functional Hg methylation. Furthermore, a number of terminal oxidases from aerobic respiratory chains were associated with several putative novel Hg methylators. Our findings thus reveal potential novel marine Hg-methylating microorganisms with a greater oxygen tolerance and broader habitat range than previously recognized.
Feasibility of photon-counting spectral CT in dental applications—a comparative qualitative analysis
Authors: Vanden Broeke L. , Grillon M. , Yeung A. W. K. , Wu W. , Tanaka R. , Vardhanabhuti V.
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The goal of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of using photon-counting spectral CT for dental applications. This paper qualitatively analyzes the visibility of accessory canals (ACs) and metal artefacts from dental implants for cone-beam CT (CBCT), microtomography (microCT), and photon-counting spectral CT (PCSCT).

Materials and methods

All of the teeth in this study were extracted, and eight teeth in total were scanned on a CBCT scanner, a microCT scanner and on a PCSCT scanner. Six of the teeth that were scanned have accessory canals, one has a titanium rod attached to it, and one has a gutta-percha point inside it. Qualitative analysis was done to compare the different imaging modalities.

Results

The subjective image analysis demonstrated similar performance in AC detection and visualisation for PCSCT and CBCT (p value >0.05). Both PCSCT and microCT performed similarly for metal artefact reduction, and both were superior to CBCT (p value <0.05).

Conclusion

Although microCT provides detailed information about small anatomical structures, it is not suitable for in vivo use. However, the PCSCT scanner was able to detect small anatomical structures in teeth comparable to CBCT, as well as being superior in reducing metal artefacts from dental implants. This study showed that PCSCT is a promising modality for future dentistry applications.
The DNA-helicase HELLS drives ALK− ALCL proliferation by the transcriptional control of a cytokinesis-related program
Authors: Tameni Annalisa , Sauta Elisabetta , Mularoni Valentina , Torricelli Federica , Manzotti Gloria , Inghirami Giorgio , Bellazzi Riccardo , Fragliasso Valentina , Ciarrocchi Alessia
Published: January 2021

Deregulation of chromatin modifiers, including DNA helicases, is emerging as one of the mechanisms underlying the transformation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase negative (ALK−) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). We recently identified the DNA-helicase HELLS as central for proficient ALK−ALCL proliferation and progression. Here we assessed in detail its function by performing RNA-sequencing profiling coupled with bioinformatic prediction to identify HELLS targets and transcriptional cooperators. We demonstrated that HELLS, together with the transcription factor YY1, contributes to an appropriate cytokinesis via the transcriptional regulation of genes involved in cleavage furrow regulation. Binding target promoters, HELLS primes YY1 recruitment and transcriptional activation of cytoskeleton genes including the small GTPases RhoA and RhoU and their effector kinase Pak2. Single or multiple knockdowns of these genes reveal that RhoA and RhoU mediate HELLS effects on cell proliferation and cell division of ALK−ALCLs. Collectively, our work demonstrates the transcriptional role of HELLS in orchestrating a complex transcriptional program sustaining neoplastic features of ALK−ALCL.
Multiscale low-dimensional motor cortical state dynamics predict naturalistic reach-and-grasp behavior
Authors: Abbaspourazad Hamidreza , Choudhury Mahdi , Wong Yan T. , Pesaran Bijan , Shanechi Maryam M.
Published: January 2021

Motor function depends on neural dynamics spanning multiple spatiotemporal scales of population activity, from spiking of neurons to larger-scale local field potentials (LFP). How multiple scales of low-dimensional population dynamics are related in control of movements remains unknown. Multiscale neural dynamics are especially important to study in naturalistic reach-and-grasp movements, which are relatively under-explored. We learn novel multiscale dynamical models for spike-LFP network activity in monkeys performing naturalistic reach-and-grasps. We show low-dimensional dynamics of spiking and LFP activity exhibited several principal modes, each with a unique decay-frequency characteristic. One principal mode dominantly predicted movements. Despite distinct principal modes existing at the two scales, this predictive mode was multiscale and shared between scales, and was shared across sessions and monkeys, yet did not simply replicate behavioral modes. Further, this multiscale mode’s decay-frequency explained behavior. We propose that multiscale, low-dimensional motor cortical state dynamics reflect the neural control of naturalistic reach-and-grasp behaviors.
Nonpolarizing oxygen-redox capacity without O-O dimerization in Na2Mn3O7
Authors: Tsuchimoto Akihisa , Shi Xiang-Mei , Kawai Kosuke , Mortemard de Boisse Benoit , Kikkawa Jun , Asakura Daisuke , Okubo Masashi , Yamada Atsuo
Published: January 2021

Reversibility of an electrode reaction is important for energy-efficient rechargeable batteries with a long battery life. Additional oxygen-redox reactions have become an intensive area of research to achieve a larger specific capacity of the positive electrode materials. However, most oxygen-redox electrodes exhibit a large voltage hysteresis >0.5 V upon charge/discharge, and hence possess unacceptably poor energy efficiency. The hysteresis is thought to originate from the formation of peroxide-like O22− dimers during the oxygen-redox reaction. Therefore, avoiding O-O dimer formation is an essential challenge to overcome. Here, we focus on Na2-xMn3O7, which we recently identified to exhibit a large reversible oxygen-redox capacity with an extremely small polarization of 0.04 V. Using spectroscopic and magnetic measurements, the existence of stable O−• was identified in Na2-xMn3O7. Computations reveal that O−• is thermodynamically favorable over the peroxide-like O22− dimer as a result of hole stabilization through a (σ + π) multiorbital Mn-O bond.
Ancient proteins provide evidence of dairy consumption in eastern Africa
Authors: Bleasdale Madeleine , Richter Kristine K. , Janzen Anneke , Brown Samantha , Scott Ashley , Zech Jana , Wilkin Shevan , Wang Ke , Schiffels Stephan , Desideri Jocelyne , Besse Marie , Reinold Jacques , Saad Mohamed , Babiker Hiba , Power Robert C. , Ndiema Emmanuel , Ogola Christine , Manthi Fredrick K. , Zahir Muhammad , Petraglia Michael , Trachsel Christian , Nanni Paolo , Grossmann Jonas , Hendy Jessica , Crowther Alison , Roberts Patrick , Goldstein Steven T. , Boivin Nicole
Published: January 2021

Consuming the milk of other species is a unique adaptation ofHomo sapiens, with implications for health, birth spacing and evolution. Key questions nonetheless remain regarding the origins of dairying and its relationship to the genetically-determined ability to drink milk into adulthood through lactase persistence (LP). As a major centre of LP diversity, Africa is of significant interest to the evolution of dairying. Here we report proteomic evidence for milk consumption in ancient Africa. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) we identify dairy proteins in human dental calculus from northeastern Africa, directly demonstrating milk consumption at least six millennia ago. Our findings indicate that pastoralist groups were drinking milk as soon as herding spread into eastern Africa, at a time when the genetic adaptation for milk digestion was absent or rare. Our study links LP status in specific ancient individuals with direct evidence for their consumption of dairy products.
IDH1 mutations induce organelle defects via dysregulated phospholipids
Authors: Lita Adrian , Pliss Artem , Kuzmin Andrey , Yamasaki Tomohiro , Zhang Lumin , Dowdy Tyrone , Burks Christina , de Val Natalia , Celiku Orieta , Ruiz-Rodado Victor , Nicoli Elena-Raluca , Kruhlak Michael , Andresson Thorkell , Das Sudipto , Yang Chunzhang , Schmitt Rebecca , Herold-Mende Christel , Gilbert Mark R. , Prasad Paras N. , Larion Mioara
Published: January 2021

Infiltrating gliomas are devastating and incurable tumors. Amongst all gliomas, those harboring a mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation (IDH1mut) acquire a different tumor biology and clinical manifestation from those that are IDH1WT. Understanding the unique metabolic profile reprogrammed by IDH1 mutation has the potential to identify new molecular targets for glioma therapy. Herein, we uncover increased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and their phospholipids in endoplasmic reticulum (ER), generated by IDH1 mutation, that are responsible for Golgi and ER dilation. We demonstrate a direct link between the IDH1 mutation and this organelle morphology via D-2HG-induced stearyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) overexpression, the rate-limiting enzyme in MUFA biosynthesis. Inhibition of IDH1 mutation or SCD silencing restores ER and Golgi morphology, while D-2HG and oleic acid induces morphological defects in these organelles. Moreover, addition of oleic acid, which tilts the balance towards elevated levels of MUFA, produces IDH1mut-specific cellular apoptosis. Collectively, these results suggest that IDH1mut-induced SCD overexpression can rearrange the distribution of lipids in the organelles of glioma cells, providing new insight into the link between lipid metabolism and organelle morphology in these cells, with potential and unique therapeutic implications.
4D imaging reveals mechanisms of clay-carbon protection and release
Authors: Yang Judy Q. , Zhang Xinning , Bourg Ian C. , Stone Howard A.
Published: January 2021

Soil absorbs about 20% of anthropogenic carbon emissions annually, and clay is one of the key carbon-capture materials. Although sorption to clay is widely assumed to strongly retard the microbial decomposition of soil organic matter, enhanced degradation of clay-associated organic carbon has been observed under certain conditions. The conditions in which clay influences microbial decomposition remain uncertain because the mechanisms of clay-organic carbon interactions are not fully understood. Here we reveal the spatiotemporal dynamics of carbon sorption and release within model clay aggregates and the role of enzymatic decomposition by directly imaging a transparent smectite clay on a microfluidic chip. We demonstrate that clay-carbon protection is due to the quasi-irreversible sorption of high molecular-weight sugars within clay aggregates and the exclusion of bacteria from these aggregates. We show that this physically-protected carbon can be enzymatically broken down into fragments that are released into solution. Further, we suggest improvements relevant to soil carbon models.
Uncovering de novo gene birth in yeast using deep transcriptomics
Authors: Blevins William R. , Ruiz-Orera Jorge , Messeguer Xavier , Blasco-Moreno Bernat , Villanueva-Cañas José Luis , Espinar Lorena , Díez Juana , Carey Lucas B. , Albà M. Mar
Published: January 2021

De novo gene origination has been recently established as an important mechanism for the formation of new genes. In organisms with a large genome, intergenic and intronic regions provide plenty of raw material for new transcriptional events to occur, but little is know about how de novo transcripts originate in more densely-packed genomes. Here, we identify 213 de novo originated transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae using deep transcriptomics and genomic synteny information from multiple yeast species grown in two different conditions. We find that about half of the de novo transcripts are expressed from regions which already harbor other genes in the opposite orientation; these transcripts show similar expression changes in response to stress as their overlapping counterparts, and some appear to translate small proteins. Thus, a large fraction of de novo genes in yeast are likely to co-evolve with already existing genes.
Limitation by a shared mutualist promotes coexistence of multiple competing partners
Authors: Hammarlund Sarah P. , Gedeon Tomáš , Carlson Ross P. , Harcombe William R.
Published: January 2021

Although mutualisms are often studied as simple pairwise interactions, they typically involve complex networks of interacting species. How multiple mutualistic partners that provide the same service and compete for resources are maintained in mutualistic networks is an open question. We use a model bacterial community in which multiple ‘partner strains’ of Escherichia coli compete for a carbon source and exchange resources with a ‘shared mutualist’ strain of Salmonella enterica. In laboratory experiments, competing E. coli strains readily coexist in the presence of S. enterica, despite differences in their competitive abilities. We use ecological modeling to demonstrate that a shared mutualist can create temporary resource niche partitioning by limiting growth rates, even if yield is set by a resource external to a mutualism. This mechanism can extend to maintain multiple competing partner species. Our results improve our understanding of complex mutualistic communities and aid efforts to design stable microbial communities.
Tuning the electronic structure of Ag-Pd alloys to enhance performance for alkaline oxygen reduction
Authors: Zamora Zeledón José A. , Stevens Michaela Burke , Gunasooriya G. T. Kasun Kalhara , Gallo Alessandro , Landers Alan T. , Kreider Melissa E. , Hahn Christopher , Nørskov Jens K. , Jaramillo Thomas F.
Published: January 2021

Alloying is a powerful tool that can improve the electrocatalytic performance and viability of diverse electrochemical renewable energy technologies. Herein, we enhance the activity of Pd-based electrocatalysts via Ag-Pd alloying while simultaneously lowering precious metal content in a broad-range compositional study focusing on highly comparable Ag-Pd thin films synthesized systematically via electron-beam physical vapor co-deposition. Cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KOH shows enhancements across a wide range of alloys; even slight alloying with Ag (e.g. Ag0.1Pd0.9) leads to intrinsic activity enhancements up to 5-fold at 0.9 V vs. RHE compared to pure Pd. Based on density functional theory and x-ray absorption, we hypothesize that these enhancements arise mainly from ligand effects that optimize adsorbate–metal binding energies with enhanced Ag-Pd hybridization. This work shows the versatility of coupled experimental-theoretical methods in designing materials with specific and tunable properties and aids the development of highly active electrocatalysts with decreased precious-metal content.
2D material programming for 3D shaping
Authors: Nojoomi Amirali , Jeon Junha , Yum Kyungsuk
Published: January 2021

Two-dimensional (2D) growth-induced 3D shaping enables shape-morphing materials for diverse applications. However, quantitative design of 2D growth for arbitrary 3D shapes remains challenging. Here we show a 2D material programming approach for 3D shaping, which prints hydrogel sheets encoded with spatially controlled in-plane growth (contraction) and transforms them to programmed 3D structures. We design 2D growth for target 3D shapes via conformal flattening. We introduce the concept of cone singularities to increase the accessible space of 3D shapes. For active shape selection, we encode shape-guiding modules in growth that direct shape morphing toward target shapes among isometric configurations. Our flexible 2D printing process enables the formation of multimaterial 3D structures. We demonstrate the ability to create 3D structures with a variety of morphologies, including automobiles, batoid fish, and real human face.
Who put the film in biofilm? The migration of a term from wastewater engineering to medicine and beyond
Authors: Flemming Hans-Curt , Baveye Philippe , Neu Thomas R. , Stoodley Paul , Szewzyk Ulrich , Wingender Jost , Wuertz Stefan
Published: January 2021

Sessile microorganisms were described as early as the seventeenth century. However, the term biofilm arose only in the 1960s in wastewater treatment research and was adopted later in marine fouling and in medical and dental microbiology. The sessile mode of microbial life was gradually recognized to be predominant on Earth, and the term biofilm became established for the growth of microorganisms in aggregates, frequently associated with interfaces, although many, if not the majority, of them not being continuous “films” in the strict sense. In this sessile form of life, microorganisms live in close proximity in a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). They share emerging properties, clearly distinct from solitary free floating planktonic microbial cells. Common characteristics include the formation of synergistic microconsortia, using the EPS matrix as an external digestion system, the formation of gradients and high biodiversity over microscopically small distances, resource capture and retention, facilitated gene exchange as well as intercellular communication, and enhanced tolerance to antimicrobials. Thus, biofilms belong to the class of collective systems in biology, like forests, beehives, or coral reefs, although the term film addresses only one form of the various manifestations of microbial aggregates. The uncertainty of this term is discussed, and it is acknowledged that it will not likely be replaced soon, but it is recommended to understand these communities in the broader sense of microbial aggregates.
Effective routing design for remote entanglement generation on quantum networks
Authors: Li Changhao , Li Tianyi , Liu Yi-Xiang , Cappellaro Paola
Published: January 2021

Quantum network is a promising platform for many ground-breaking applications that lie beyond the capability of its classical counterparts. Efficient entanglement generation on quantum networks with relatively limited resources such as quantum memories is essential to fully realize the network’s capabilities, the solution to which calls for delicate network design and is currently at the primitive stage. In this study we propose an effective routing scheme to enable automatic responses for multiple requests of entanglement generation between source-terminal stations on a quantum lattice network with finite edge capacities. Multiple connection paths are exploited for each connection request while entanglement fidelity is ensured for each path by performing entanglement purification. The routing scheme is highly modularized with a flexible nature, embedding quantum operations within the algorithmic workflow, whose performance is evaluated from multiple perspectives. In particular, three algorithms are proposed and compared for the scheduling of capacity allocation on the edges of quantum network. Embodying the ideas of proportional share and progressive filling that have been well-studied in classical routing problems, we design another scheduling algorithm, the propagatory update method, which in certain aspects overrides the two algorithms based on classical heuristics in scheduling performances. The general solution scheme paves the road for effective design of efficient routing and flow control protocols on applicational quantum networks.
Potential discharge, attenuation and exposure risk of SARS-CoV-2 in natural water bodies receiving treated wastewater
Authors: Kumar Manish , Alamin Md. , Kuroda Keisuke , Dhangar Kiran , Hata Akihiko , Yamaguchi Hiromichi , Honda Ryo
Published: January 2021

Recently reported detection of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater around the world has led to emerging concerns on potential risk in water bodies receiving treated wastewater effluent. This review aims to provide an up-to-date state of key knowledge on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 in natural water bodies receiving treated wastewater. In this review, SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater, expected removal in WWTPs, and possible dilution and decay in water bodies are reviewed based on past studies on SARS-CoV-2 and related enveloped viruses. We suggest a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) framework to estimate the potential risk of SARS-CoV-2 in natural water bodies through various water activities. Dose–response model of SARS-CoV and Poisson’s distribution is employed to estimate possible viral ingestion and the annual chance of infection through several water activities in natural water bodies. Finally, future perspectives and research needs have been addressed to overcome the limitations and uncertainty in the risk assessment of SARS-CoV-2 in natural water bodies.
Macroeconomic changes and educational inequalities in traffic fatalities in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000–2015: a register-based study
Authors: Stickley Andrew , Baburin Aleksei , Jasilionis Domantas , Krumins Juris , Martikainen Pekka , Kondo Naoki , Leinsalu Mall
Published: January 2021

This study examined trends and inequalities in road traffic accident (RTA) mortality in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and Finland in relation to large-scale macroeconomic changes in the 2000s. Educational inequalities in RTA mortality in 2000–2003, 2004–2007, 2008–2011 and 2012–2015 among 30–74 year olds were examined using census-linked longitudinal mortality data and by estimating the relative and slope index of inequality. Overall RTA mortality decreased substantially between 2000–2003 and 2012–2015. From 2004–2007 to 2008–2011, the RTA mortality decline accelerated but was larger in the Baltic countries. Among men the RTA mortality decline was mostly driven by a larger fall among the high and middle educated. Among women, the changes in RTA mortality by educational level had no clear pattern. From 2000–2003 to 2012–2015 relative educational inequalities in RTA mortality increased among men, although more in the Baltic countries. Among women the pattern was mixed across countries. Absolute inequalities fell in all countries among both sexes. Educational inequalities in male RTA mortality may be growing because of increasingly less access to safer cars and a more hazardous driving culture among the lower educated.
Fluorescent thermal shift-based method for detection of NF-κB binding to double-stranded DNA
Authors: Leitner Peter D. , Vietor Ilja , Huber Lukas A. , Valovka Taras
Published: January 2021

The nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) family of dimeric transcription factors regulates a wide range of genes by binding to their specific DNA regulatory sequences. NF-κB is an important therapeutic target linked to a number of cancers as well as autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Therefore, effective high-throughput methods for the detection of NF-κB DNA binding are essential for studying its transcriptional activity and for inhibitory drug screening. We describe here a novel fluorescence-based assay for quantitative detection of κB consensus double-stranded (ds) DNA binding by measuring the thermal stability of the NF-κB proteins. Specifically, DNA binding proficient NF-κB probes, consisting of the N-terminal p65/RelA (aa 1–306) and p50 (aa 1–367) regions, were designed using bioinformatic analysis of protein hydrophobicity, folding and sequence similarities. By measuring the SYPRO Orange fluorescence during thermal denaturation of the probes, we detected and quantified a shift in the melting temperatures (ΔTm) of p65/RelA and p50 produced by the dsDNA binding. The increase in Tm was proportional to the concentration of dsDNA with apparent dissociation constants (KD) of 2.228 × 10–6 M and 0.794 × 10–6 M, respectively. The use of withaferin A (WFA), dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and p-xyleneselenocyanate (p-XSC)verified the suitability of this assay for measuring dose-dependent antagonistic effects on DNA binding. In addition, the assay can be used to analyse the direct binding of inhibitors and their effects on structural stability of the protein probe. This may facilitate the identification and rational design of new drug candidates interfering with NF-κB functions.