bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multimodal coordination of vocal and gaze behavior in mother–infant dyads across the first year of life
Authors: Northrup Jessie B. , Iverson Jana M.
Published: October 2020

Research examining mother–infant interactions indicates a close connection between vocal and gaze behavior. The present longitudinal study examined the development of both intraindividual and dyadic coordination of vocal and gaze behavior in mother–infant dyads at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Mother and infant vocalization and gaze behavior during in‐home toy play interactions were coded on a moment‐by‐moment basis and coordinations (i.e., co‐occurrences and sequences of behavior) were compared to randomized baselines in order to determine whether coordinate exceeded chance levels. Infants timed their own vocalizations with gaze to partner's face and inhibited vocalizations during gaze to objects at greater than chance levels across the first year. Mother's displayed above‐chance intraindividual coordination of vocalizations and gaze to partner's face and objects. Mothers and infants demonstrated dyadic coordination of vocalizations and gaze at above‐chance levels, but developmental change and leading‐following dynamics varied based on gaze location (i.e., face vs. object). Results emphasize the importance of examining coordination across communication modalities and of considering bidirectional influences on mother and infant vocal and gaze behavior.
Rheology and microstructure of galactomannan–xanthan gum systems at different pH values
Authors: Hayta Mehmet , Dogan Mahmut , Aslan Türker Duygu
Published: October 2020

pH is a significant parameter influencing the performance of biopolymer solution fluids. The rheological properties, structural strength, viscoelastic properties of xanthan gum–galactomannan solutions were largely depended on the pH values. The present research aims to determine the effect of pH on galactomannan–xanthan gum blends. For the sample solutions, an apparent viscosity‐increasing effect was explicitly observed over the pH range from 2.0 to 6.0, and the consistency coefficient values gradually decreased at pH 2.0. The G′ values of the samples which contained the same ratio of hydrocolloid with different pH values were 1.03, 3.43, 13.98 Pa and G″ values were 1.15, 1.29, and 2.99 Pa, respectively. Optimization results represented that the best galactomannan type is tara gum prepared at pH 2.0, tara gum and LBG at pH 4.0. For the solutions prepared at pH 6.0, the optimum results were obtained with the LBG compared with the three studied galactomannan–xanthan gum solution. By optical microscopy, the particle morphology of solutions was different from each other at optimum concentrations and pH. These findings indicate that conditions for providing certain viscoelastic attributes of xanthan–galactomannan dispersions for the purpose of particular applications by careful control of pH.

Practical Applications

Xanthan gum and galactomannan combinations found many applications in various food products such as ready‐to‐use dessert soups and salad dressing. There was a research gap to find the optimum xanthan gum and galactomannan combinations along with different pH. The present study investigated the effect of pH on steady and dynamic rheological properties of xanthan gum–galactomannan mixtures. Optimization study was conducted and compared with different pH. Obtained results of current study highlighted the importance of determining the pH for food formulation because they can be used to alter the rheology of food matrices and to get a deeper knowledge on the effects of the pH on the morphology of the system. The present study makes several noteworthy contributions to the rheological characteristics of galactomannan containing food products. These findings indicate that conditions for providing certain viscoelastic attributes of xanthan–galactomannan dispersions for the purpose of particular applications by careful control of pH.
Detection for lead pollution level of lettuce leaves based on deep belief network combined with hyperspectral image technology
Authors: Sun Jun , Cao Yan , Zhou Xin , Wu Minmin , Sun Yidan , Hu Yinghui
Published: October 2020

Fast detection for heavy metal in vegetables is one of the most important steps to ensure the food safety. A novel method to identify lead pollution levels of lettuce based on hyperspectral image technology was proposed in this study. Firstly, hyperspectral images of lettuce samples cultivated under four lead stress levels (0 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L) were collected using hyperspectral image system. Then, a total of 240 spectra were calculated from region of interest (ROI) in the range of 478–978 nm covering 399 bands. Besides, chemical test showed that the excessive level of lead residues content in lettuce leaves were none, slight, moderate and severe. Moreover, conventional models and deep belief network (DBN) were established to determine the best identification model. The discriminant DBN model reached the highest accuracy with the training set of 100% and test set of 96.67%. Finally, t‐distribution stochastic neighbor embedding (t‐SNE) was successful to visualize the feature values in DBN's last hidden layer. This study indicates that it is viable to detect the lead pollution levels of lettuce leaves based on hyperspectral image technology coupled with DBN discriminant model.
Understanding attitudes, concerns, and health behaviors of patients with inflammatory bowel disease during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic
Authors: Goodsall Thomas M , Han Sangwoo , Bryant Robert V
Published: October 2020

Background and Aim

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has led to a rapid shift in care delivery models for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, little is known about patient perceptions during this period. We aimed to prospectively evaluate the attitudes, concerns, and health behavior of IBD patients during COVID‐19.

Methods

An online survey was sent to patients from a tertiary IBD Service. The survey included demographic information and questions about the impact of COVID‐19, levels of concern caused by COVID‐19, perceived risk of IBD medications, medication cessation, and care delivery preferences.

Results

Of 97 respondents (39%), 95 (98%) reported concern about the impact of COVID‐19 on their health, and 43% felt their risk of contracting COVID‐19 was above average; 62% reported concern about medication‐induced COVID‐19 risk, and 11% stopped medications because of COVID‐19. Patients considered all medications to increase the risk of COVID‐19 susceptibility and severity; 45% preferred telehealth while 16% preferred face‐to‐face clinic reviews. Preference for IBD monitoring tools in decreasing order was blood testing, stool collection, gastrointestinal ultrasound, magnetic resonance enterography, and then colonoscopy.

Conclusions

Patients with IBD are demonstrated to experience concern related to their diagnosis and medications. The insights provided by the survey are informative for a possible “second‐wave” of COVID‐19 and routine care, including acceptance of telemedicine, preference for non‐invasive investigations, and a need for dissemination of information and education.
Assessment of serum synuclein‐γ and squamous cell carcinoma antigen as diagnostic biomarkers in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders
Authors: Chen Leiyu , Luo Ting , Yang Jie , Wang Keying , Liu Shiyu , Wei Yi , Liu Han , Xu Jiang , Zheng Jun , Zeng Yan
Published: October 2020

Background

Clinical diagnosis and monitoring are crucial to reduce the mortality from oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). It has been demonstrated that synuclein‐γ (SNCG) and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) are highly expressed in patients with OSCC and perhaps participate in OSCC progression. This study analyzed the levels of serum SNCG and SCCAg in OSCC, OPMD, and control patients, and evaluated the diagnostic and clinical value of single and combined detection of serum SNCG and SCCAg in OSCC and OPMDs.

Patients and methods

Serum samples were collected from 197 patients including 87 patients with OSCC, 30 patients with OPMDs, and 80 healthy volunteers as controls. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and statistical analysis were utilized to determine SNCG and SCCAg levels in serum.

Results

The levels of SNCG and SCCAg in serum were significantly higher in OSCC compared with OPMDs and controls. There was a correlation between SNCG level and ethnicity, and SCCAg was correlated with differentiation. Furthermore, the area under the curves, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of combined detection of SNCG and SCCAg were better than any single detection.

Conclusion

The combined detection of SNCG and SCCAg in serum could become a new standard method to distinguish between OSCC and OPMDs and improve diagnostic performance for OSCC.
Current fluid and blood product availability in veterinary setting: a survey of UK small animal practices
Authors: Beeston D. , Charnock J. , Cook S.
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To investigate and discuss current fluid and blood products stocked in small animal practices in the UK.

Methods

An online survey was circulated to small animal veterinary practices across the UK. The survey included questions regarding the level of hospital care provided, the type of fluid and blood component products stocked, the most frequently restocked products, and the available options in the event that blood products were required but not stocked.

Results

There were 423 responses including 27 duplicates. The remaining 396 respondents represented a spectrum of practices including 19 referral practices. Crystalloids were stocked in all practices. Lactated Ringer's solution was the most frequently re‐stocked product in 355 of 396 (90%) of practices. Where synthetic colloids were stocked, gelatin‐based colloids (155/178 [87%]) were stocked in preference to hydroxyethyl starches (23/178 [13%]). Blood products were stocked by 81 of 396 (20%) of practices. If a blood product was required but not stocked, 31% of practices would use a pet blood banking service, 28% would use their own blood donors, and 21% would refer.

Clinical Significance

This study provides an insight into the fluid and blood products stocked and used by a selection of veterinary practices within the UK and serves as a baseline for ongoing research and decision‐making in both veterinary practice and industry.
Phylogenomics of the hyperdiverse daisy tribes: Anthemideae, Astereae, Calenduleae, Gnaphalieae, and Senecioneae
Authors: Watson Linda E. , Siniscalchi Carolina M. , Mandel Jennifer
Published: October 2020

Asteraceae account for 10% of all flowering plant species, and 35%–40% of these are in five closely related tribes that total over 10 000 species. These tribes include Anthemideae, Astereae, Calenduleae, Gnaphalieae, and Senecioneae, which form one of two enormous clades within Subfamily Asteroideae. We took a phylogenomics approach to resolve evolutionary relationships among these five tribes. We sampled the nuclear and plastid genomes via HybSeq target enrichment and genome skimming, and recovered 74 plastid genes and nearly 1000 nuclear loci, known as Conserved Orthologous Sequences. We tested for conflicting support in both data sets and used network analyses to assess patterns of reticulation to explain the early evolutionary history of this lineage, which has experienced whole‐genome duplications and rapid radiations. We found concordance and conflicting support in both data sets and documented four ancient hybridization events. Due to the timing of the early radiation of this five‐tribe lineage, shortly before the Eocene–Oligocene extinction event (34 MYA), early lineages were likely lost, obscuring some details of their early evolutionary history.
Using environmental DNA and occupancy modelling to estimate rangewide metapopulation dynamics
Authors: Martel Chad M. , Sutter Michael , Dorazio Robert M. , Kinziger Andrew P.
Published: October 2020

We demonstrate the power of combining two emergent tools for resolving rangewide metapopulation dynamics. First, we employed environmental DNA (eDNA) surveys to efficiently generate multiseason rangewide site occupancy histories. Second, we developed a novel dynamic, spatial multiscale occupancy model to estimate metapopulation dynamics. The model incorporates spatial relationships, explicitly accounts for non‐detection bias and allows direct evaluation of the drivers of extinction and colonization. We applied these tools to examine metapopulation dynamics of endangered tidewater goby, a species endemic to California estuarine habitats. We analysed rangewide eDNA data from 190 geographically isolated sites (813 total water samples) surveyed from 2 years (2016 and 2017). Rangewide estimates of the proportion of sites that were occupied varied little between 2016 (0.52) and 2017 (0.51). However, there was evidence of extinction and colonization dynamics. The probability of extinction of an occupied site (0.106) and probability of colonization of an unoccupied site (0.085) were nearly equal. Stability in site occupancy proportions combined with nearly equal rates of extinction and colonization suggests a dynamic equilibrium between the 2 years surveyed. Assessment of covariate effects revealed that colonization probability increased as the number of occupied neighbouring sites increased and as distance between occupied sites decreased. We show that eDNA surveys can rapidly provide a snapshot of a species distribution over a broad geographic range and, when these surveys are paired with occupancy modelling, can uncover metapopulation dynamics and their drivers.
Real‐time regional seismic damage assessment framework based on long short‐term memory neural network
Authors: Xu Yongjia , Lu Xinzheng , Cetiner Barbaros , Taciroglu Ertugrul
Published: October 2020

Effective post‐earthquake response requires a prompt and accurate assessment of earthquake‐induced damage. However, existing damage assessment methods cannot simultaneously meet these requirements. This study proposes a framework for real‐time regional seismic damage assessment that is based on a Long Short‐Term Memory (LSTM) neural network architecture. The proposed framework is not specially designed for individual structural types, but offers rapid estimates at regional scale. The framework is built around a workflow that establishes high‐performance mapping rules between ground motions and structural damage via region‐specific models. This workflow comprises three main parts—namely, region‐specific database generation, LSTM model training and verification, and model utilization for damage prediction. The influence of various LSTM architectures, hyperparameter selection, and dataset resampling procedures are systematically analyzed. As a testbed for the established framework, a case study is performed on the Tsinghua University campus buildings. The results demonstrate that the developed LSTM framework can perform damage assessment in real time at regional scale with high prediction accuracy and acceptable variance.
Lived experience of patients inICUafter cardiac surgery: A phenomenological study
Authors: Albanesi Beatrice , Nania Tiziana , Barello Serena , Villa Giulia , Rosa Debora , Caruso Rosario , Udugampolage Nathasha Samali , Casole Lorenzo , Dellafiore Federica
Published: October 2020

Background

Cardiac surgery (CS) patients spend a significant amount of time in the intensive care unit (ICU). This event can be very overwhelming, with an intense emotional impact, causing vulnerability and a sense of helplessness in patients. Currently, the in‐depth description of the ICU stay experience from a patient's own perspective is little studied, especially in the CS setting and using a qualitative approach in Italy.

Aims

This study aimed to describe CS patients' lived experiences.

Methods

A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted between October 2018 and December 2019 using the interpretative phenomenological analysis approach.

Results

Eleven patients were interviewed during the months after discharge from the ICU. Four main themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: (a) will not wake up anymore; (b) endless time in ICU; (c) something keeps me from breathing; and (d) “anchor in the storm.” Results confirm the negative experience of patients in the ICU, mainly because of the extubating procedure. Nurses were found to play a key role in decisions, supporting and protecting patients from the psychological stress related to the ICU stay.

Conclusion

This is the first study capturing ICU patients' lived experiences after a CS intervention with the use of interpretative phenomenology in Italy. Further investigations are warranted to systematically identify which approaches or strategies are essential to support these patients in the Italian context.

Relevance to clinical practice

Our study's results could be useful for tailored care delivery to meet the real needs of Italian patients in the ICU after CS and, consequently, improve the quality of nursing care and patients' outcomes.
Analysis of parental decisions to use orthokeratology for myopia control in successful wearers
Authors: Wang Xingyu , Yang Bi , Liu Longqian , Cho Pauline
Published: October 2020

Purpose

To investigate factors that influence parental decisions to use orthokeratology (ortho‐k) as a myopia control method for their children, and parents’ perspectives during children’s ortho‐k treatment in a hospital setting.

Methods

Parents/guardians of children wearing ortho‐k lenses for at least six months were required to complete a face‐to‐face survey to investigate the reasons for choosing ortho‐k and their experience of the treatment.

Results

Parents/guardians of 128 ortho‐k wearers were recruited from the West China Hospital, Sichuan, China. The majority of the participants (74%) were mothers. Wearers' mean age at the time of the survey was 12.0 ± 2.0 years, with a mean history of ortho‐k lens wear of 20.3 ± 8.0 months. Most participants had learned about ortho‐k through word of mouth (56%) or from ophthalmologists (40%); in China, only ophthalmologists may prescribe ortho‐k. The highest ranked motivation was the rapid progression of their children’s myopia (54%), followed by ophthalmologists’ advice (17%) or participants’ who felt they had obtained enough knowledge (17%) of ortho‐k (Kruskal‐Wallis test, p = 0.002). ‘Effectiveness' was the most common reason that participants decided to use ortho‐k (81%), and potential injury was their major concern (75%). Itchy/sore eye was the most common initial adverse effect experienced with lens wear (22%), while a lost or broken ortho‐k lens was the most frequently reported problem (34%). Parents of older lens wearers were significantly less involved in all procedures (Spearman rank correlation test, all p < 0.001). Most wearers, according to either the participants or the wearers themselves, were willing to wear ortho‐k lenses at treatment commencement (80%), and the most common reason was ‘to avoid having to wear spectacles in the daytime’.

Conclusions

The most powerful motivation for parents to enrol their children in ortho‐k treatment was the rapid progression of myopia. The main reason why participants chose ortho‐k, which most participants learned of by word of mouth, was the effectiveness of the treatment. During use, the most common symptom reported was itchy or sore eyes, but only initially. Children’s willingness to participate is very important for successful ortho‐k treatment; however, their motivation can be quite different from that of their parents. Ortho‐k is a well‐accepted option for myopia control in children.
Evaluating dialysis adequacy: Origins, evolution, and future directions
Authors: Momciu Bogdan , Chan Christopher T.
Published: October 2020

The expansion and transformation over time of dialysis therapies have been inexorably linked to the concept of adequacy. While initially the goal of dialysis was simple survival of patients until their next treatment, this changed with the publication of the National Cooperative Dialysis Study. It brought about a focus on defining adequate dialysis through measurements of the removal of small solutes, in particular urea. This spurred significant improvements in patient outcomes by standardizing therapy and providing benchmarks for each center to achieve. Over time, however, further research has found this narrow definition of adequacy to be insufficient to encompass the complexities of dialysis therapies. Factors such as residual kidney function (RKF), nutritional and volume status, and cardiovascular control all contribute to the outcomes for dialysis patients. We propose that an optimal definition of adequacy should not only focus on one factor but rather the interconnection and contribution to our patient's individual specific goals and their overall quality of life.
Soil quality assessments in integrated crop–livestock–forest systems: A review
Authors: Valani Gustavo Pereira , Martíni Aline Fachin , da Silva Laura Fernanda Simões , Bovi Renata Cristina , Cooper Miguel
Published: October 2020

Integrated crop–livestock–forest is a promising strategy to improve soil quality. It comprises four different integrated farming systems: crop–livestock, crop–forest, forest–livestock and crop–livestock–forest. This work systematically reviewed studies about integrated crop–livestock–forest systems and soil quality. A total of 92 papers were retrieved from the Web of Science—Clarivate Analytics platform, and the following information was analysed: publication year, institution, region of the studied site, type of integrated system, soil type, tillage system, maximum soil depth and the soil quality indicators assessed. Most studies were published in the second half of the 2010s. Brazil is a prominent focus of research about soil quality and integrated crop–livestock–forest systems, with significant contribution from its central and southern regions. The Embrapa was the main publishing institution, present in over one‐third of the studies. Crop–livestock was the most common integrated system, Ferralsols was the most common soil group, and most of the studied soils were clayey. No tillage was the main tillage system. Most studies focused on the topsoil, assessing physical and/or chemical soil quality indicators. More emphasis on biological indicators of soil quality is required, as well as assessments integrating biological, physical and chemical indicators of soil quality. Future works should compare different integrated systems, including assessments deeper in the soil profile, especially in systems with the forest component, and also in sandy and silty soils. Soil quality indicators that have been rarely used should be further tested. Novel indicators should be added to better understand the promotion of soil quality by integrated crop–livestock–forest systems.
Improvement in Lung Insufflation in Spontaneously Breathing Tracheostomized Patients by Using a New Pulmonary Expansion Device: A Pilot Study
Authors: Quintero Oscar I. , Chavarro Paola A. , Martínez William , García Carlos , Castro Andrés M. , Manzano-Nunez Ramiro , Ospina Gustavo A.
Published: October 2020

Lung expansion techniques (LETs) are a key component of pulmonary rehabilitation. Nevertheless, these can be limited in tracheostomized patients because of the infraglottic position of tracheostomy cannulas. We propose a novel pulmonary expansion device (PED) that allows deep inspiration with a postinspiratory pause for a few seconds by means of a unidirectional valve and an occlusion/flow release cap. It is equipped with a relief valve that opens at 60 cm H2O in cases in which this threshold is attained. We aimed to evaluate the impact on lung volume and pressure in spontaneously breathing tracheostomized patients subjected to LETs. A single-arm pilot interventional study was conducted in an adult intensive care unit (ICU), including spontaneously breathing tracheostomized patients. 80 treatments were performed on 10 patients with tracheostomies with PED over a period of 3 months. The maximal inspiratory volume (MIV) was significantly increased by using PED (MIV-PED) at both day 1 (725 (600–820) mL versus 1550 (1250–1700) mL, P < 0.001) and day 3 (870 (750–950) mL versus 1662 (1550–1900) mL, P < 0.001). Inspiratory pause pressure (PIP-PED) did not significantly change from day 1 to day 3 (18 (14–20) cm H2O versus 14 (12–22) cm H2O, P = 0.36). The use of the PED in tracheostomy patients acted as an artificial glottis by performing a novel pulmonary re-expansion maneuver, and increased volumes and intrapulmonary pressure with prolongation of maximum inspiration were achieved.
Glow discharge-optical emission spectroscopy for in situ analysis of surfaces in plasmas
Authors: Arora Priyanka , Cho Junghyun , Cervantes Rafael , Donnelly Vincent M.
Published: October 2020

In situ, real-time characterization of surfaces exposed to plasmas is of great interest. Common chemical analysis methods such as x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy cannot be used. Here, we discuss the use of glow discharge-optical emission spectroscopy for this purpose. A small coupon piece (aluminum coated with yttria in this study) was mounted on an rf-biased electrode and inserted into an opening in the reactor wall. Silicon or SiO2 substrates on a separately rf-biased electrode were etched in an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) of Cl2/Ar/O2 or C4F8/O2, respectively. Pulsed bias was applied to sputter the surface of the coupon piece in the wall at the edge of the ICP, either after etching in an Ar ICP or during etching in the Cl2/Ar/O2 ICP. Optical emission from the region above the coupon surface was collected and spectrally resolved. The difference in intensity between the coupon bias on and off conditions was used to determine what species were present on the surface. A quantification method for converting emission intensities into atomic composition depth profiles is presented.
Bias-voltage-dependent measurement of apparent barrier height on low-work-function thin film
Authors: Nagaoka Katsumi , Ohmi Shun-ichiro
Published: October 2020

Using a scanning tunneling microscope, we have examined the effect of the bias voltage on the apparent barrier height. The sample used in this study was a nitrogen-doped lanthanum hexaboride film. We experimentally proved that a linear relationship exists between the apparent barrier height and the sample bias voltage. As a consequence, we estimated the work function of the film to be 2.35 eV by theoretical fitting. This value is in good agreement with that obtained by photoemission spectroscopy in a previous study. Our results demonstrate that the work function calculated through apparent barrier height measurements is guaranteed to be highly reliable in spite of the simple one-dimensional model. We anticipate that the sensitivity of the barrier height to the sample work function can be utilized for elemental identification on surfaces with characteristic work functions.
Climate controls on erosion in tectonically active landscapes
Authors: Adams B. A. , Whipple K. X. , Forte A. M. , Heimsath A. M. , Hodges K. V.
Published: October 2020

Rainfall rates set the scaling of relief and river incision in tectonically active landscapes.
Viscosity-enhanced droplet motion in sealed superhydrophobic capillaries
Authors: Vuckovac Maja , Backholm Matilda , Timonen Jaakko V. I. , Ras Robin H. A.
Published: October 2020

The general rule that viscosity slows droplet motion fails for a droplet in a superhydrophobic tube closed in one or both ends.
Reliable tumor detection by whole-genome methylation sequencing of cell-free DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric medulloblastoma
Authors: Li Jia , Zhao Sibo , Lee Minjung , Yin Yue , Li Jin , Zhou Yubin , Ballester Leomar Y. , Esquenazi Yoshua , Dashwood Roderick H. , Davies Peter J. A. , Parsons D. Williams , Li Xiao-Nan , Huang Yun , Sun Deqiang
Published: October 2020

A reliable pipeline to identify DNA methylation signatures in CSF ctDNA could serve as potential biomarkers for MB patients.
Remobilization of dormant carbon from Siberian-Arctic permafrost during three past warming events
Authors: Martens Jannik , Wild Birgit , Muschitiello Francesco , O’Regan Matt , Jakobsson Martin , Semiletov Igor , Dudarev Oleg V. , Gustafsson Örjan
Published: October 2020

Arctic Ocean sediments reveal permafrost thaw and carbon release during three large warming events of the past 27,000 years.
Large losses of ammonium-nitrogen from a rice ecosystem under elevated CO
2
Authors: Xu Chenchao , Zhang Kaihang , Zhu Wanying , Xiao Jing , Zhu Chen , Zhang Naifang , Yu Fangjian , Li Shuyao , Zhu Chunwu , Tu Qichao , Chen Xin , Zhu Jianguo , Hu Shuijin , Koide Roger T. , Firestone Mary K. , Cheng Lei
Published: October 2020

Carbon dioxide enrichment facilitates nitrogen loss through anaerobic oxidation of ammonium coupled to the reduction of iron.
The healthy exocrine pancreas contains preproinsulin-specific CD8 T cells that attack islets in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bender Christine , Rodriguez-Calvo Teresa , Amirian Natalie , Coppieters Ken T. , von Herrath Matthias G.
Published: October 2020

Preproinsulin-specific CD8
+
T cells residing in the exocrine pancreas become attracted to islets in type 1 diabetes.
Atrophy associated with tau pathology precedes overt cell death in a mouse model of progressive tauopathy
Authors: Fung Christine W. , Guo Jia , Fu Hongjun , Figueroa Helen Y. , Konofagou Elisa E. , Duff Karen E.
Published: October 2020

Spread of tau pathology in a mouse model of AD assessed by MRI is associated with reduced brain tissue volume but not neuron loss.
Context-dependent plasticity of adult-born neurons regulated by cortical feedback
Authors: Wu An , Yu Bin , Chen Qiyu , Matthews Gillian A. , Lu Chen , Campbell Evan , Tye Kay M. , Komiyama Takaki
Published: October 2020

Long-range feedback connections in the brain mediate the incorporation of specific adult-born neurons during learning.
Modulating lung immune cells by pulmonary delivery of antigen-specific nanoparticles to treat autoimmune disease
Authors: Saito Eiji , Gurczynski Stephen J. , Kramer Kevin R. , Wilke Carol A. , Miller Stephen D. , Moore Bethany B. , Shea Lonnie D.
Published: October 2020

Noninvasive pulmonary delivery of antigen-specific nanoparticles can modulate lung immune responses to treat autoimmune diseases.
Activity profiling and crystal structures of inhibitor-bound SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease: A framework for anti–COVID-19 drug design
Authors: Rut Wioletta , Lv Zongyang , Zmudzinski Mikolaj , Patchett Stephanie , Nayak Digant , Snipas Scott J. , El Oualid Farid , Huang Tony T. , Bekes Miklos , Drag Marcin , Olsen Shaun K.
Published: October 2020

A multidisciplinary approach yields novel inhibitors and reveals substrate specificity, structure, and mechanisms of CoV-2 PLpro.
Ridding paradise of palms
Authors: Weiss Kenneth R.
Published: October 2020

On Pacific islands, coconut palms are an aggressive invader. Biologists are trying to eradicate millions of palms from one atoll.
Coupling of NMDA receptors and TRPM4 guides discovery of unconventional neuroprotectants
Authors: Yan Jing , Bengtson C. Peter , Buchthal Bettina , Hagenston Anna M. , Bading Hilmar
Published: October 2020

Interface targeting skirts excitotoxicity

Nearly all attempts to use traditional
N
-methyl-
d
-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists to treat neurodegenerative diseases have failed. This is because NMDARs are not only promoters of neuronal death but also have essential physiological roles in synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions such as learning and memory. Yan
et al.
explored the structural basis of NMDAR coupling to neuronal cell death (see the Perspective by Jones). The death-promoting activity, but not the essential physiological function, was mediated by the physical interaction of NMDARs with TRPM4, a calcium-impermeable ion channel activated by intracellular calcium, depolarization, and temperature. A subsequent structure-based computational drug screen led to the discovery of neuroprotective small molecules that block the NMDAR-TRPM4 interaction interface but spare the critical healthy NMDAR function.

Science
, this issue p.
eaay3302
; see also p.
168
Super-durable ultralong carbon nanotubes
Authors: Bai Yunxiang , Yue Hongjie , Wang Jin , Shen Boyuan , Sun Silei , Wang Shijun , Wang Haidong , Li Xide , Xu Zhiping , Zhang Rufan , Wei Fei
Published: October 2020

Finding the source of their durability

Many high-strength materials can fail after repeated exposure to subcritical loading; therefore, understanding the causes of fatigue is key to extending the longevity of the material in use. Bai
et al.
used chemical vapor deposition to produce centimeter-long carbon nanotubes. They then decorated these nanotubes with titanium dioxide nanoparticles for optical visualization and studied them using noncontact acoustic resonance tests. The authors determined that fatigue lifetime is dependent on the formation of the first defects on straining and is higher at lower temperatures.

Science
, this issue p.
1104
The mole genome reveals regulatory rearrangements associated with adaptive intersexuality
Authors: M. Real Francisca , Haas Stefan A. , Franchini Paolo , Xiong Peiwen , Simakov Oleg , Kuhl Heiner , Schöpflin Robert , Heller David , Moeinzadeh M-Hossein , Heinrich Verena , Krannich Thomas , Bressin Annkatrin , Hartmann Michaela F. , Wudy Stefan A. , Dechmann Dina K. N. , Hurtado Alicia , Barrionuevo Francisco J. , Schindler Magdalena , Harabula Izabela , Osterwalder Marco , Hiller Michael , Wittler Lars , Visel Axel , Timmermann Bernd , Meyer Axel , Vingron Martin , Jiménez Rafael , Mundlos Stefan , Lupiáñez Darío G.
Published: October 2020

Intersexuality in female moles

Female moles are intersexual and develop masculinizing ovotestes, a distinctive trait among mammals. Real
et al.
investigated the origin of this trait by sequencing the Iberian mole genome and applying comparative strategies that integrate transcriptomic, epigenetic, and chromatin interaction data. They identified mole-specific genomic rearrangements that alter the three-dimensional regulatory landscape of the androgen-converting gene
CYP17A1
and the pro-testicular factor gene
FGF9
, both of which show distinct expression patterns in mole gonads. The use of transgenic mice confirms the capability of these factors to increase circulating testosterone levels and to induce gonadal masculinization. This study highlights how integrative approaches can reveal the phenotypic impact of genomic variation.

Science
, this issue p.
208
Diverse enzymatic activities mediate antiviral immunity in prokaryotes
Authors: Gao Linyi , Altae-Tran Han , Böhning Francisca , Makarova Kira S. , Segel Michael , Schmid-Burgk Jonathan L. , Koob Jeremy , Wolf Yuri I. , Koonin Eugene V. , Zhang Feng
Published: October 2020

Prokaryotic enzymes for viral defense

The arms race between prokaryotes and viruses provides a strong evolutionary force to create diverse enzymatic activities that mediate antiviral immune responses. These immune components often cluster together in the host genomes, leading to expanded defense systems. Taking advantage of the evolutionary modularity of defense systems, Gao
et al.
bioinformatically predicted defense genes in most available bacterial and archaeal genomes. In addition, they reconstituted the newly identified systems in Escherichia coli and verified their defense functions against specific bacteriophages. In particular, they characterized defense functions for several predicted nucleoside triphosphatases.

Science
, this issue p.
1077
Earth’s water may have been inherited from material similar to enstatite chondrite meteorites
Authors: Piani Laurette , Marrocchi Yves , Rigaudier Thomas , Vacher Lionel G. , Thomassin Dorian , Marty Bernard
Published: October 2020

An unexpected source of Earth's water

The abundances of Earth's chemical elements and their isotopic ratios can indicate which materials formed Earth. Enstatite chondrite (EC) meteorites provide a good isotopic match for many elements but are expected to contain no water because they formed in the hot inner Solar System. This would require Earth's water to be from a different source, such as comets. Piani
et al.
measured hydrogen contents and deuterium/hydrogen ratios (D/H) in 13 EC meteorites (see the Perspective by Peslier). They found far more hydrogen than is commonly assumed, with D/H close to that of Earth's mantle. Combining these data with cosmochemical models, they show that most of Earth's water could have formed from hydrogen delivered by EC meteorites.

Science
, this issue p.
1110
; see also p.
1058
Recent advances in solid oxide cell technology for electrolysis
Authors: Hauch A. , Küngas R. , Blennow P. , Hansen A. B. , Hansen J. B. , Mathiesen B. V. , Mogensen M. B.
Published: October 2020

Electrolysis feels the heat

Electricity infrastructure powered by sunlight and wind requires flexible storage capacity to compensate for the intermittency of these sources. In this context, Hauch
et al.
review progress in solid oxide electrolyzer technology to split water and/or carbon dioxide into chemical fuels. These devices, which rely on oxide conduction between cathode and anode, use nonprecious metals as catalysts and operate above 600°C, thereby benefiting from thermodynamic and kinetic efficiencies. The authors highlight recent optimizations of cell components as well as systems-level architecture.

Science
, this issue p.
eaba6118
Electro-inductive effect: Electrodes as functional groups with tunable electronic properties
Authors: Heo Joon , Ahn Hojin , Won Joonghee , Son Jin Gyeong , Shon Hyun Kyong , Lee Tae Geol , Han Sang Woo , Baik Mu-Hyun
Published: October 2020

A potential method to tune reactivity

In organic chemistry, reaction rates are often sensitive to substituents that either donate or withdraw electron density from a reactive carbon center. Heo
et al.
now report that when reactants are tethered to an electrode, the polarization effect of an applied potential can exert an analogous influence, essentially acting as a tunable functional group. The authors demonstrate rate modulations in ester hydrolysis and arene cross-coupling, as well as a two-step acid-to-amide conversion that benefits from inversion of the polarization midway through the reaction.

Science
, this issue p.
214
Hartree-Fock on a superconducting qubit quantum computer
Authors:   Google AI Quantum and Collaborators, Arute Frank , Arya Kunal , Babbush Ryan , Bacon Dave , Bardin Joseph C. , Barends Rami , Boixo Sergio , Broughton Michael , Buckley Bob B. , Buell David A. , Burkett Brian , Bushnell Nicholas , Chen Yu , Chen Zijun , Chiaro Benjamin , Collins Roberto , Courtney William , Demura Sean , Dunsworth Andrew , Farhi Edward , Fowler Austin , Foxen Brooks , Gidney Craig , Giustina Marissa , Graff Rob , Habegger Steve , Harrigan Matthew P. , Ho Alan , Hong Sabrina , Huang Trent , Huggins William J. , Ioffe Lev , Isakov Sergei V. , Jeffrey Evan , Jiang Zhang , Jones Cody , Kafri Dvir , Kechedzhi Kostyantyn , Kelly Julian , Kim Seon , Klimov Paul V. , Korotkov Alexander , Kostritsa Fedor , Landhuis David , Laptev Pavel , Lindmark Mike , Lucero Erik , Martin Orion , Martinis John M. , McClean Jarrod R. , McEwen Matt , Megrant Anthony , Mi Xiao , Mohseni Masoud , Mruczkiewicz Wojciech , Mutus Josh , Naaman Ofer , Neeley Matthew , Neill Charles , Neven Hartmut , Niu Murphy Yuezhen , O’Brien Thomas E. , Ostby Eric , Petukhov Andre , Putterman Harald , Quintana Chris , Roushan Pedram , Rubin Nicholas C. , Sank Daniel , Satzinger Kevin J. , Smelyanskiy Vadim , Strain Doug , Sung Kevin J. , Szalay Marco , Takeshita Tyler Y. , Vainsencher Amit , White Theodore , Wiebe Nathan , Yao Z. Jamie , Yeh Ping , Zalcman Adam
Published: October 2020

Twelve-qubit quantum computing for chemistry

Accurate electronic structure calculations are considered one of the most anticipated applications of quantum computing that will revolutionize theoretical chemistry and other related fields. Using the Google Sycamore quantum processor, Google AI Quantum and collaborators performed a variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) simulation of two intermediate-scale chemistry problems: the binding energy of hydrogen chains (as large as H12) and the isomerization mechanism of diazene (see the Perspective by Yuan). The simulations were performed on up to 12 qubits, involving up to 72 two-qubit gates, and show that it is possible to achieve chemical accuracy when VQE is combined with error mitigation strategies. The key building blocks of the proposed VQE algorithm are potentially scalable to larger systems that cannot be simulated classically.

Science, this issue p.1084; see also p.1054
Reconstitution and visualization of HIV-1 capsid-dependent replication and integration in vitro
Authors: Christensen Devin E. , Ganser-Pornillos Barbie K. , Johnson Jarrod S. , Pornillos Owen , Sundquist Wesley I.
Published: October 2020

HIV-1 replication and integration in vitro

To infect a host cell, HIV-1 must reverse transcribe its single-stranded RNA genome into a double-stranded DNA copy and integrate that copy into a host chromosome. Reverse transcription and integration have been characterized separately but have not been reconstituted together outside of the cell. Christensen
et al.
now report that viral core particles can complete full reverse transcription and integration in a cell-free system. The external capsid shell of the core is required for efficient reverse transcription, and the replicating DNA can loop out of capsid openings. Integration requires cell extract, and this cell-free system should be useful for analyzing how host factors contribute to the first half of the HIV life cycle.

Science
, this issue p.
eabc8420
Response to Comment on “Female toads engaging in adaptive hybridization prefer high-quality heterospecifics as mates”
Authors: Chen Catherine , Pfennig Karin S.
Published: October 2020

Braun
et al
. contend that we did not account for survival, but we did. Differential survival does not alter our conclusions, which were also robust to removing anomalous families. They ignore the study system’s natural history justifying our fitness measures, while failing to account for our behavioral data. We stand by our conclusion that females adaptively choose among heterospecific males.
Isavuconazole Therapeutic Drug Monitoring during Long-Term Treatment for Chronic Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Authors: Kosmidis Chris , Otu Akan , Moore Caroline B. , Richardson Malcolm D. , Rautemaa-Richardson Riina
Published: October 2020

Isavuconazole is the newest triazole antifungal, and it displays a favorable pharmacokinetic and safety profile. Less is known about its long-term use in immunocompetent hosts. We performed a retrospective service evaluation of isavuconazole therapeutic drug monitoring in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Adverse events (AEs) and dose adjustments made during routine clinical practice were recorded, and AEs were classified based on Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0.
Multispecies Diesel Fuel Biodegradation and Niche Formation Are Ignited by Pioneer Hydrocarbon-Utilizing Proteobacteria in a Soil Bacterial Consortium
Authors: Mori Jiro F. , Kanaly Robert A.
Published: October 2020

There are few metagenome studies that have explored soil consortia maintained on a complex hydrocarbon substrate after the community interrelationships were formed. A soil bacterial consortium maintained on diesel fuel was utilized as a practical model to investigate bacterial community relationships through metagenomics analyses, consortium member isolation, growth assays, and metabolite identification, which supported the linkage of genomic data and functionality. Two pioneering genera were responsible for the biodegradation of aromatics and alkanes by initiating biotransformation and thereby created specialized niches that were populated by other members. A model that represents these relationships was constructed, which contributes to our understanding of the complex ecological relationships that evolve during prokaryotic hydrocarbon pollutant biodegradation.
The Arg753Gln Polymorphism of Toll-Like Receptor 2 Has a Lower Occurrence in Patients with Syphilis, Suggesting Its Protective Effect in Czech and Slovak Individuals
Authors: Grillová Linda , Musilová Jana , Janečková Klára , Pospíšilová Petra , Kuklová Ivana , Woznicová Vladana , Zákoucká Hana , Šmajs David
Published: October 2020

Syphilis is a bacterial infection caused byTreponema pallidumsubsp.pallidum. Infection withT. pallidumsubsp.pallidumand its dissemination lead to the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines triggered by the interaction of bacterial lipoproteins with Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). TLR2 contains several nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms that may impact the activation of its signaling cascade and alter the responsiveness to, or the course of, various infectious diseases, including those caused by pathogenic spirochetes.
Corrected fortification approach improves the protein and energy content of preterm human milk compared with standard fixed-dose fortification
Authors: Pillai Anish , Albersheim Susan Gail , Berris Kaitlin , Albert Arianne Y , Osiovich Horacio , Elango Rajavel
Published: October 2020

Objective

To evaluate whether a pragmatic corrected fortification (CF) model achieves recommended target protein and calorie content of human milk (HM) for preterm infants when compared with standard fixed-dose fortification (SF).

Design

In this prospective non-interventional study, we enrolled mothers of infants with birth weight ≤1500 g fed exclusive HM. Infants with chromosomal or intestinal disorders were excluded. A total of 405 HM samples from 29 mothers and 45 donor milk samples were analysed for macronutrient content using a real-time HM analyser. A stepwise CF model was derived based on published data on HM calorie and protein content corrected for lactation stage and milk type. We applied both models to the measured protein and calorie content for all HM samples and compared the proportion of samples achieving target nutrient requirement in each group.

Results

Target protein and calorie content of feed was achieved in 68% of HM samples with CF, compared with 5% samples with SF model (p<0.0001). For mother’s own milk, none of the samples met the target macronutrient range with SF fortification during later lactation periods (≥week 5). With SF, over 40% of infants had poor growth (decline in weight z-score ≥0.8 SD) by 8 weeks. The final feed osmolality was acceptable for all fortification steps of the CF model.

Conclusion

The proposed CF model significantly improved the final protein and calorie content of HM with acceptable osmolality. It provides a proactive option to improve nutrient intake in premature infants.