bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lesão de ombro relacionada à administração de vacina: Série de casos
Authors: Cagle Paul J. , White Christopher A. , Patel Akshar V.
Published: July 2022

Objetivo A dor no ombro é um quadro comum na atenção primária e há cada vez mais relatos acerca de sua ocorrência após a vacinação. Este estudo buscou entender como um protocolo de tratamento padronizado ajudaria pacientes com lesão no ombro relacionada à administração de vacina (SIRVA).

Métodos Os pacientes com SIRVA foram recrutados de forma retrospectiva entre fevereiro de 2017 e fevereiro de 2021. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à fisioterapia e receberam uma prescrição de cortisona injetável. A amplitude de movimento pós-tratamento (ou seja, elevação anterior, rotação externa, rotação interna) e os desfechos relatados pelo paciente foram analisados a partir das pontuações da escala visual análoga (EVA), da American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), do teste simples do ombro (SST) e da avaliação numérica única (SANE).

Resultados No total, 9 pacientes foram examinados de maneira retrospectiva. Entre eles, 6 pacientes foram atendidos no primeiro mês após a vacinação e os outros três, depois de 67, 87 e 120 dias. Ademais, 8 dos pacientes fizeram todo o tratamento fisioterápico e 6 receberam uma injeção de cortisona. O período médio de acompanhamento foi de 8 meses. À última consulta, a rotação externa média foi de 61° (desvio padrão, DP ± 3°) e a elevação anterior média foi de 179° (DP ± 45°). A rotação interna variou entre L3 e T10. As pontuações de dor à EVA foram de 3,5/10,0 (DP ± 2,4) e o escore médio ASES foi de 63,5/100,0 (DP ± 26,3); as pontuações de SST foram 8,5/12,0 (DP ± 3,9). Por fim, os escores de SANE foram de 75,7/100,0 (DP ± 24,7) e 95,7/100,0 (DP ± 6,1) nos ombros lesionados e contralaterais, respectivamente.

Conclusão A dor no ombro após a vacinação tratada com fisioterapia e injeção de cortisona melhorou a amplitude de movimento e os escores funcionais.

Nível de Evidência IV.
Endovascular Embolisation Using N-Butyl-2-Cyanoacrylate: An Effective Treatment Option for Uterine Artery Pseudoaneurysm in Postpartum Hemorrhage
Authors: Pothula Venkatesh , Dhanasekaran Jagadeesan , Nekkala Jyothsna , Sekar Sabarish , Joseph Santhosh
Published: July 2022

In this case series, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of uterine artery embolization (UAE) using N-butyl- 2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA)/glue for the treatment of uterine artery pseudoaneurysm (UAP). Here, we report 8 patients with uterine artery pseudoaneurysm, who underwent UAE using NBCA/glue. Angiograms and medical records were retrospectively analyzed to determine the technical success, clinical success, complications, average procedure time, the average duration of hospital stay after UAE. All patients were presented with secondary postpartum hemorrhage with hemodynamic instability. The technical and clinical success rates were 100%, respectively. The average procedure time was 21minutes and the average duration of hospital stay was 2.2 days. We did not encounter any major complications. Two patients following UAE were naturally conceived and delivered by repeat LSCS. UAE using NBCA/glue is a safe and effective treatment option for UAP in both hemodynamically stable and unstable patients.
Comparative Study of 150 vs. 200 Units of Botulinum Toxin as Treatment for Vaginismus
Authors: Helmi Zeena R.
Published: July 2022

Objective To comparatively evaluate the outcome of treatment with 150 versus 200 units (U) of botulinum toxin in achieving pain-free intercourse and relieving muscle contraction in order to allow gynecological examination.

Methods In this comparative prospective observational study, 99 patients with vaginismus were treated with botulinum toxin injections from September 2016 to August 2021. Diagnosis and grading of vaginismus severity were assessed using a Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Under local or general anesthesia, botulinum toxin diluted with preservative-free saline (150 U and 200 U) was injected into, above, and below the right and left bulbospongiosus muscle and the lateral submucosal areas of the introitus and perineal body using an insulin syringe. Patients were recalled after 2 weeks, and the postoperative outcome was recorded using a similar preoperative questionnaire.

Results Overall, the mean age of patients was 30.2 years. The baseline and clinical characteristics were comparable between the 2 groups (p > 0.05). Significant improvements were seen in the pain and anxiety scores of finger penetration, dilator use, intercourse, and cotton swab in individual groups. The intergroup comparisons between 150 U and 200 U of Botox were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion Low-dose Botox (150 U) is equally effective as high dose Botox injections (200 U) in vaginismus patients. Therefore, Botox-150 U can be used to treat vaginismus as an alternative to high doses of the same substance.
Neurasthenia and autonomic imbalance as minor diagnoses: comparison, concept and implications
Authors: Chen Jia-shin
Published: July 2022

A new term, autonomic imbalance (自律神經失調 or AI), which refers to a wide variety of physical and mental symptoms that are medically unexplained, has recently emerged in Taiwan. Many people compared this condition to neurasthenia, a now obsolete diagnosis. Whether neurasthenia and AI are medically the same or merely similar is a debate that is better left to clinicians; however, this article endeavours to explore the significance of the comparability in terms of socio-cultural theory of health. With Deleuze and Guattari’s notion of minor literature as reference, the objectives of this paper are as follows: to address how and why neurasthenia and AI should be treated as ‘minor diagnoses’ and consequently expose the limitations of current clinical medicine; to provide and discuss reasons why AI can be seen as a reincarnated form of neurasthenia; and to further elaborate how this approach may elevate inquiries on the varieties of medically unexplained symptoms to highlight the bodies that suffer without a legitimate name.
Adsorption of extracellular DNA to biochar derived from Chinese herbal medicine residues and impact on DNA degradation by DNase I
Authors: Wang Zhaoyue , Xiao Jiahui , Hu Fengjie , Yu Qiao , Zhang Taiping , Zhou Shaoqi
Published: July 2022

The relationship between biochar physicochemical characteristics and the adsorption and the degradation of extracellular DNA (eDNA) was studied to assess controls on the fate and transport of eDNA in the environment. Biochar samples were generated by pyrolysis of Chinese herbal medicine residues of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua L.) at 500, 600, and 700 °C. Selected physicochemical properties of the biochar were characterized. Adsorption dynamics (adsorption capacity and kinetics) of eDNA to biochar were quantified using several adsorption kinetic and isotherm models. Furthermore, gel electrophoresis was used to detect the impact of biochar on the degradation of eDNA by DNase I. Characterization results indicated that biochar generated from Chinese herbal medicine residues was dominantly aromatic, stable, and polar. Adsorption data showed that the biochar–eDNA interactions were dominated by an electrostatic interaction mechanism. Based on eDNA adsorption capacity and gel electrophoresis of eDNA fragments, we demonstrated that larger eDNA fragments were adsorbed to the biochar and protected from degradation by DNase I. The Chinese herbal medicine residues generated a superior biochar product to adsorb eDNA and protect it from degradation by DNase I. The results of this study provide a mechanistic understanding of factors controlling the fate and transport of eDNA in the environment.
Quasi-optical mode converter for a high power TE8,3-mode gyrotron
Authors: Huang Qili , Hu Linlin , Ma Guowu , Zhuo Tingting , Sun Dimin , Zhang Luqi , Guo Jun , Hu Peng , Jiang Yi , Chen Hongbin , Jin Xiao
Published: July 2022

We successfully developed a Gyrotron HS-III (28-GHz/400-kW/5-s) for electron cyclotron resonance heating in a spherical tokamak EXL-50, which operated in the TE8,3 mode. An internal quasi-optical-mode converter was designed to separate the spent electron beam from the outgoing power and convert the operating mode to a fundamental Gaussian wave beam. The particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to reduce diffraction loss from the launcher in such a low-frequency band. This enabled us to optimize the perturbation distribution of the launcher and beam waist of the target function to obtain the largest possible scalar correlation coefficient. The launcher was followed by three mirrors: one quasi-parabolic mirror and two phase-correcting mirrors. These were also optimized based on the scalar diffraction theory and Katsenelenbaum–Semenov algorithm to allow us to change the beam direction and increase the purity of the Gaussian output beam. Simulation results revealed a transmission efficiency of 96% and vector Gaussian mode purity of 99.8% at the window plane.
Home ranges of rusa deer (
Authors: Amos Matt , Pople Anthony , Brennan Michael , Sheil Darren , Kimber Mark , Cathcart Anthony
Published: July 2022

Wild rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) are increasing in numbers and distribution in peri-urban eastern Australia. To effectively manage rusa deer, land managers need to know the extent of their movements to determine the appropriate scale of control through trapping and shooting. We found that in a subtropical peri-urban environment in South East Queensland, four rusa deer (three male, one female) with GPS collars annually ranged over areas of <400 ha with core areas of ~100 ha over a period of 10–17 months. Our limited data indicated their relatively small home ranges varied little in size and location from season-to-season, suggesting that these deer can be effectively managed at the local level.
Partial cholecalciferol replacement with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol glycoside in diets for piglets
Authors: Trautenmüller Heloíse , Genova Jansller Luiz , Santos Liliana Bury de Azevedo dos , Leal Isabela Ferreira , Santos Gleicianny de Brito , Rupolo Paulo Evaristo , Nunes Ricardo Vianna , Oliveira Eduardo Raele de , Carvalho Paulo Levi de Oliveira
Published: July 2022

Context Vitamin D supplementation plays a key role because its actions positively affect the animal’s overall health for optimal performance. Aims To assess partial cholecalciferol replacement with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol glycoside for piglets on nutrient digestibility and daily balance of calcium and phosphorus, growth performance and blood metabolites. Methods To test digestibility, a total of 36 whole male piglets (18.79 ± 3.37 kg BW) were assigned in a randomised complete block design, with four treatments: (1) D3 (100% of the vitamin D supplemented with 1969 IU of cholecalciferol), (2) no supplemental sources of vitamin D (control), (3) D3 (50% of requirement + 0.375 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycoside) or (4) 100% supplemented with 0.750 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycoside. Nine replicates were performed, with one animal per experimental unit. For growth performance (Experiment II), a total of 128 whole male piglets (6.82 ± 0.38 kg BW) were distributed in a randomised complete block design, with four treatments: (1) 100% D3 (2707 IU in the pre-starter phase I, 2405 IU in the pre-starter phase II and 1969 IU in the starter phase), (2) 50% D3 + 0.25 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycoside, (3) 25% D3 + 0.375 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycoside or (4) 100% supplemented with 0.50 μg of 1,25(OH)2D3 glycoside. Eight replicates were conducted, with and four animals per experimental unit. Key results The apparent digestibility of nutrients and mineral balance were not influenced (P > 0.1). The results of Experiment II indicate effects (P < 0.1) of vitamin D supplementation on the growth performance evaluated during the nursery phase. Plasma calcium concentrations in the pre-starter II phase showed (P < 0.1) the highest concentration in the 50/50 treatment. Alkaline phosphatase showed (P < 0.001) a difference between treatments in the starter phase, with treatment 25/75 promoting the lowest plasma value. Conclusions Cholecalciferol or 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol glycoside resulted in similar digestibility and balance of calcium and phosphorus, even though the combination increased plasma calcium and alkaline phosphatase concentration in piglets. In addition, the partial replacement reduced the voluntary feed intake of piglets during nursery phase. Implications This investigation provided new information on partial cholecalciferol replacement with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol glycoside in piglet starter as an alternative in post-weaning nutrition.
Capture predicates corticosterone responses and a low recapture likelihood in a varanid lizard
Authors: Jessop Tim S.
Published: July 2022

Context Understanding both the short- and long-term consequences of live animal capture is desirable to limit potential data biases or compromise animal welfare. The short-term elevation of glucocorticoid hormones in animals is an expected short-term stress consequence of trapping and restraint experiences. However, because these hormones also influence behaviour and memory, they may provide a physiological basis through which individuals vary in their recapture responses to subsequent trapping episodes. Aims This objective of this study was to evaluate the interplay among trapping method, corticosterone responsiveness and recapture likelihood in a lizard, the lace monitor (Varanus varius). The first aim compared how different capture methods and associated restraint durations influenced plasma corticosterone of lace monitors. The second aim evaluated the relationship between capture methodology, corticosterone response and annual recapture frequency. The third aim measured yearly estimates for the probability of lace monitor recapture. Methods Lace monitors were cage-trapped or noose-captured at 76 sampling sites across three annual sampling periods to measure capture experience, obtain blood samples and estimate recapture probabilities. Results As expected, an increased restraint time and exposure to different capture methods significantly influenced corticosterone concentrations in lace monitors. Lace monitor recapture rates were meagre, suggesting that irrespective of the capture method, restraint duration and corticosterone levels, any form of initial capture experience typically leads to long-lasting aversive behaviour. Conclusions Although plasma corticosterone concentrations may be tell-tale of a lace monitor’s duration to short-term capture and restraint, they were not associated with the recapture likelihood in subsequent trapping events. Implications Rapid and seemingly long-lasting trap aversion has apparent implications for the design of population monitoring programs used to study lace monitor population ecology.
Poyang and Dongting Lakes, Yangtze River: tributary lakes blocked by main-stem aggradation
Authors: An Chenge , Fang Hongwei , Zhang Li , Su Xinyue , Fu Xudong , Huang He Qing , Parker Gary , Hassan Marwan A. , Meghani Nooreen A. , Anders Alison M. , Wang Guangqian
Published: July 2022

During its 6,300-km course from the Tibetan Plateau to the ocean, the Yangtze River is joined by two large lakes: Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake. We explain why these lakes exist. Deglaciation forced the ocean adjacent to the Yangtze mouth to rise ∼120 m. This forced a wave of rising water surface elevation and concomitant bed aggradation upstream. While aggradation attenuated upstream, the low bed slope of the Middle-Lower Yangtze River (∼2 × 10−5near Wuhan) made it susceptible to sea level rise. The main stem, sourced at 5,054 m above sea level, had a substantial sediment load to “fight” against water surface level rise by means of bed aggradation. The tributaries of the Middle-Lower Yangtze have reliefs of approximately hundreds of meters, and did not have enough sediment supply to fill the tributary accommodation space created by main-stem aggradation. We show that the resulting tributary blockage likely gave rise to the lakes. We justify this using field data and numerical modeling, and derive a dimensionless number capturing the critical rate of water surface rise for blockage versus nonblockage.
Middle Jurassic fossils document an early stage in salamander evolution
Authors: Jones Marc E. H. , Benson Roger B. J. , Skutschas Pavel , Hill Lucy , Panciroli Elsa , Schmitt Armin D. , Walsh Stig A. , Evans Susan E.
Published: July 2022

Salamanders are an important group of living amphibians and model organisms for understanding locomotion, development, regeneration, feeding, and toxicity in tetrapods. However, their origin and early radiation remain poorly understood, with early fossil stem-salamanders so far represented by larval or incompletely known taxa. This poor record also limits understanding of the origin of Lissamphibia (i.e., frogs, salamanders, and caecilians). We report fossils from the Middle Jurassic of Scotland representing almost the entire skeleton of the enigmatic stem-salamanderMarmorerpeton. We use computed tomography to visualize high-resolution three-dimensional anatomy, describing morphologies that were poorly characterized in early salamanders, including the braincase, scapulocoracoid, and lower jaw. We use these data in the context of a phylogenetic analysis intended to resolve the relationships of early and stem-salamanders, including representation of important outgroups alongside data from high-resolution imaging of extant species.Marmorerpetonis united withKaraurus,Kokartus, and others from the Middle Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous of Asia, providing evidence for an early radiation of robustly built neotenous stem-salamanders. These taxa display morphological specializations similar to the extant cryptobranchid “giant” salamanders. Our analysis also demonstrates stem-group affinities for a larger sample of Jurassic species than previously recognized, highlighting an unappreciated diversity of stem-salamanders and cautioning against the use of single species (e.g., Karaurus) as exemplars for stem-salamander anatomy. These phylogenetic findings, combined with knowledge of the near-complete skeletal anatomy ofMamorerpeton,advance our understanding of evolutionary changes on the salamander stem-lineage and provide important data on early salamanders and the origins of Batrachia and Lissamphibia.
A micromagnetic theory of skyrmion lifetime in ultrathin ferromagnetic films
Authors: Bernand-Mantel Anne , Muratov Cyrill B. , Slastikov Valeriy V.
Published: July 2022

We use the continuum micromagnetic framework to derive the formulas for compact skyrmion lifetime due to thermal noise in ultrathin ferromagnetic films with relatively weak interfacial Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction. In the absence of a saddle point connecting the skyrmion solution to the ferromagnetic state, we interpret the skyrmion collapse event as “capture by an absorber” at microscale. This yields an explicit Arrhenius collapse rate with both the barrier height and the prefactor as functions of all the material parameters, as well as the dynamical paths to collapse.
Self-construction of actin networks through phase separation–induced abLIM1 condensates
Authors: Yang Sen , Liu Chunxia , Guo Yuting , Li Guoqing , Li Dong , Yan Xiumin , Zhu Xueliang
Published: July 2022

The abLIM1 is a nonerythroid actin-binding protein critical for stable plasma membrane–cortex interactions under mechanical tension. Its depletion by RNA interference results in sparse, poorly interconnected cortical actin networks and severe blebbing of migrating cells. Its isoforms, abLIM-L, abLIM-M, and abLIM-S, contain, respectively four, three, and no LIM domains, followed by a C terminus entirely homologous to erythroid cortex protein dematin. How abLIM1 functions, however, remains unclear. Here we show that abLIM1 is a liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS)-dependent self-organizer of actin networks. Phase-separated condensates of abLIM-S-mimicking ΔLIM or the major isoform abLIM-M nucleated, flew along, and cross-linked together actin filaments (F-actin) to produce unique aster-like radial arrays and interconnected webs of F-actin bundles. Interestingly, ΔLIM condensates facilitated actin nucleation and network formation even in the absence of Mg2+. Our results suggest that abLIM1 functions as an LLPS-dependent actin nucleator and cross-linker and provide insights into how LLPS-induced condensates could self-construct intracellular architectures of high connectivity and plasticity.
Genetic and structural basis of the human anti-α-galactosyl antibody response
Authors: Langley David B. , Schofield Peter , Nevoltris Damien , Jackson Jennifer , Jackson Katherine J. L. , Peters Tim J. , Burk Melanie , Matthews Jacqueline M. , Basten Antony , Goodnow Christopher C. , van Nunen Sheryl , Reed Joanne H. , Christ Daniel
Published: July 2022

Humans lack the capacity to produce the Galα1–3Galβ1–4GlcNAc (α-gal) glycan, and produce anti-α-gal antibodies upon exposure to the carbohydrate on a diverse set of immunogens, including commensal gut bacteria, malaria parasites, cetuximab, and tick proteins. Here we use X-ray crystallographic analysis of antibodies from α-gal knockout mice and humans in complex with the glycan to reveal a common binding motif, centered on a germline-encoded tryptophan residue at Kabat position 33 (W33) of the complementarity-determining region of the variable heavy chain (CDRH1). Immunoglobulin sequencing of anti-α-gal B cells in healthy humans and tick-induced mammalian meat anaphylaxis patients revealed preferential use of heavy chain germline IGHV3-7, encoding W33, among an otherwise highly polyclonal antibody response. Antigen binding was critically dependent on the presence of the germline-encoded W33 residue for all of the analyzed antibodies; moreover, introduction of the W33 motif into naive IGHV3-23 antibody phage libraries enabled the rapid selection of α-gal binders. Our results outline structural and genetic factors that shape the human anti-α-galactosyl antibody response, and provide a framework for future therapeutics development.
Apoptotic caspases suppress an MDA5-driven IFN response during productive replication of human papillomavirus type 31
Authors: Huang Ning , Groover Des’ree , Damania Blossom , Moody Cary
Published: July 2022

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) infect the basal proliferating cells of the stratified epithelium, but the productive phase of the life cycle (consisting of viral genome amplification, late gene expression, and virion assembly) is restricted to the highly differentiated suprabasal cells. While much is known regarding the mechanisms that HPVs use to block activation of an innate immune response in undifferentiated cells, little is known concerning how HPV prevents an interferon (IFN) response upon differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that high-risk HPVs hijack a natural function of apoptotic caspases to suppress an IFN response in differentiating epithelial cells. We show that caspase inhibition results in the secretion of type I and type III IFNs that can act in a paracrine manner to induce expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and block productive replication of HPV31. Importantly, we demonstrate that the expression of IFNs is triggered by the melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 (MDA5)–mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS)–TBK1 (TANK-binding kinase 1) pathway, signifying a response to double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Additionally, we identify a role for MDA5 and MAVS in restricting productive viral replication during the normal HPV life cycle. This study identifies a mechanism by which HPV reprograms the cellular environment of differentiating cells through caspase activation, co-opting a nondeath function of proteins normally involved in apoptosis to block antiviral signaling and promote viral replication.
Viral evasion of PKR restriction by reprogramming cellular stress granules
Authors: Gao Peng , Liu Yuanyuan , Wang Hua , Chai Yue , Weng Wenlian , Zhang Yongning , Zhou Lei , Ge Xinna , Guo Xin , Han Jun , Yang Hanchun
Published: July 2022

Protein kinase R (PKR) is a critical host restriction factor against invading viral pathogens. However, this molecule is inactivated in the cells infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), an economically devastating pathogen to the world swine industry. Here, we report that this event is to suppress cellular inflammation and is mediated by the viral replicase protein nsp1β. We show that nsp1β is a stress-responsive protein, enters virus-induced stress granules (SGs) during infection, and repurposes SGs into a proviral platform, where it co-opts the SG core component G3BP1 to interact with PKR in a regulated manner. RNA interference silencing of G3BP1 or mutation of specific nsp1β residues (VS19GG) can abolish the antagonization of PKR activation. The viral mutant carrying the corresponding mutations induces elevated level of PKR phosphorylation and pronounced production of inflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-8), whereas small-interfering RNA knockdown of PKR or treatment with C16, a PKR inhibitor, blocks this effect. Thus, PRRSV has evolved a unique strategy to evade PKR restriction to suppress host inflammatory responses.
Sustained stoichiometric imbalance and its ecological consequences in a large oligotrophic lake
Authors: Elser James J. , Devlin Shawn P. , Yu Jinlei , Baumann Adam , Church Matthew J. , Dore John E. , Hall Robert O. , Hollar Melody , Johnson Tyler , Vick-Majors Trista , White Cassidy
Published: July 2022

Considerable attention is given to absolute nutrient levels in lakes, rivers, and oceans, but less is paid to their relative concentrations, their nitrogen:phosphorus (N:P) stoichiometry, and the consequences of imbalanced stoichiometry. Here, we report 38 y of nutrient dynamics in Flathead Lake, a large oligotrophic lake in Montana, and its inflows. While nutrient levels were low, the lake had sustained high total N: total P ratios (TN:TP: 60 to 90:1 molar) throughout the observation period. N and P loading to the lake as well as loading N:P ratios varied considerably among years but showed no systematic long-term trend. Surprisingly, TN:TP ratios in river inflows were consistently lower than in the lake, suggesting that forms of P in riverine loading are removed preferentially to N. In-lake processes, such as differential sedimentation of P relative to N or accumulation of fixed N in excess of denitrification, likely also operate to maintain the lake’s high TN:TP ratios. Regardless of causes, the lake’s stoichiometric imbalance is manifested in P limitation of phytoplankton growth during early and midsummer, resulting in high C:P and N:P ratios in suspended particulate matter that propagate P limitation to zooplankton. Finally, the lake’s imbalanced N:P stoichiometry appears to raise the potential for aerobic methane production via metabolism of phosphonate compounds by P-limited microbes. These data highlight the importance of not only absolute N and P levels in aquatic ecosystems, but also their stoichiometric balance, and they call attention to potential management implications of high N:P ratios.
High geomagnetic field intensity recorded by anorthosite xenoliths requires a strongly powered late Mesoproterozoic geodynamo
Authors: Zhang Yiming , Swanson-Hysell Nicholas L. , Avery Margaret S. , Fu Roger R.
Published: July 2022

Obtaining estimates of Earth’s magnetic field strength in deep time is complicated by nonideal rock magnetic behavior in many igneous rocks. In this study, we target anorthosite xenoliths that cooled and acquired their magnetization within ca. 1,092 Ma shallowly emplaced diabase intrusions of the North American Midcontinent Rift. In contrast to the diabase which fails to provide reliable paleointensity estimates, the anorthosite xenoliths are unusually high-fidelity recorders yielding high-quality, single-slope paleointensity results that are consistent at specimen and site levels. An average value of ∼83 ZAm2for the virtual dipole moment from the anorthosite xenoliths, with the highest site-level values up to ∼129 ZAm2, is higher than that of the dipole component of Earth’s magnetic field today and rivals the highest values in the paleointensity database. Such high intensities recorded by the anorthosite xenoliths require the existence of a strongly powered geodynamo at the time. Together with previous paleointensity data from other Midcontinent Rift rocks, these results indicate that a dynamo with strong power sources persisted for more than 14 My ca. 1.1 Ga. These data are inconsistent with there being a progressive monotonic decay of Earth’s dynamo strength through the Proterozoic Eon and could challenge the hypothesis of a young inner core. The multiple observed paleointensity transitions from weak to strong in the Paleozoic and the Proterozoic present challenges in identifying the onset of inner core nucleation based on paleointensity records alone.
Two distinct evolutionary conserved neural degeneration pathways characterized in a colonial chordate
Authors: Anselmi Chiara , Kowarsky Mark , Gasparini Fabio , Caicci Federico , Ishizuka Katherine J. , Palmeri Karla J. , Raveh Tal , Sinha Rahul , Neff Norma , Quake Stephen R. , Weissman Irving L. , Voskoboynik Ayelet , Manni Lucia
Published: July 2022

Colonial tunicates are marine organisms that possess multiple brains simultaneously during their colonial phase. While the cyclical processes of neurogenesis and neurodegeneration characterizing their life cycle have been documented previously, the cellular and molecular changes associated with such processes and their relationship with variation in brain morphology and individual (zooid) behavior throughout adult life remains unknown. Here, we introduce
Botryllus schlosseri
as an invertebrate model for neurogenesis, neural degeneration, and evolutionary neuroscience. Our analysis reveals that during the weekly colony budding (i.e., asexual reproduction), prior to programmed cell death and removal by phagocytes, decreases in the number of neurons in the adult brain are associated with reduced behavioral response and significant change in the expression of 73 mammalian homologous genes associated with neurodegenerative disease. Similarly, when comparing young colonies (1 to 2 y of age) to those reared in a laboratory for ∼20 y, we found that older colonies contained significantly fewer neurons and exhibited reduced behavioral response alongside changes in the expression of 148 such genes (35 of which were differentially expressed across both timescales). The existence of two distinct yet apparently related neurodegenerative pathways represents a novel platform to study the gene products governing the relationship between aging, neural regeneration and degeneration, and loss of nervous system function. Indeed, as a member of an evolutionary clade considered to be a sister group of vertebrates, this organism may be a fundamental resource in understanding how evolution has shaped these processes across phylogeny and obtaining mechanistic insight.
Magnetohydrodynamic levitation for high-performance flexible pumps
Authors: Matia Yoav , An Hyeon Seok , Shepherd Robert F. , Lazarus Nathan
Published: July 2022

We use magnetohydrodynamic levitation as a means to create a soft, elastomeric, solenoid-driven pump (ESP). We present a theoretical framework and fabrication of a pump designed to address the unique challenges of soft robotics, maintaining pumping performance under deformation. Using a permanent magnet as a piston and ferrofluid as a liquid seal, we model and construct a deformable displacement pump. The magnet is driven back and forth along the length of a flexible core tube by a series of solenoids made of thin conductive wire. The magnet piston is kept concentric within the tube by Maxwell stresses within the ferrofluid and magnetohydrodynamic levitation, as viscous lift pressure is created due to its forward velocity. The centering of the magnet reduces shear stresses during pumping and improves efficiency. We provide a predictive model and capture the transient nonlinear dynamics of the magnet during operation, leading to a parametric performance curve characterizing the ESP, enabling goal-driven design. In our experimental validation, we report a shut-off pressure of 2 to 8 kPa and run-out flow rate of 50 to 320 mL⋅min−1, while subject to deformation of its own length scale, drawing a total of 0.17 W. This performance leads to the highest reported duty point (i.e., pressure and flow rate provided under load) for a pump that operates under deformation of its own length scale. We then integrate the pump into an elastomeric chassis and squeeze it through a tortuous pathway while providing continuous fluid pressure and flow rate; the vehicle then emerges at the other end and propels itself swimming.
The biological carbon pump in CMIP6 models: 21st century trends and uncertainties
Authors: Wilson Jamie D. , Andrews Oliver , Katavouta Anna , de Melo Viríssimo Francisco , Death Ros M. , Adloff Markus , Baker Chelsey A. , Blackledge Benedict , Goldsworth Fraser W. , Kennedy-Asser Alan T. , Liu Qian , Sieradzan Katie R. , Vosper Emily , Ying Rui
Published: July 2022

The biological carbon pump (BCP) stores ∼1,700 Pg C from the atmosphere in the ocean interior, but the magnitude and direction of future changes in carbon sequestration by the BCP are uncertain. We quantify global trends in export production, sinking organic carbon fluxes, and sequestered carbon in the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) future projections, finding a consistent 19 to 48 Pg C increase in carbon sequestration over the 21st century for the SSP3-7.0 scenario, equivalent to 5 to 17% of the total increase of carbon in the ocean by 2100. This is in contrast to a global decrease in export production of –0.15 to –1.44 Pg C y
–1
. However, there is significant uncertainty in the modeled future fluxes of organic carbon to the deep ocean associated with a range of different processes resolved across models. We demonstrate that organic carbon fluxes at 1,000 m are a good predictor of long-term carbon sequestration and suggest this is an important metric of the BCP that should be prioritized in future model studies.
Epithelial chemerin–CMKLR1 signaling restricts microbiota-driven colonic neutrophilia and tumorigenesis by up-regulating lactoperoxidase
Authors: Lin Yuli , Cai Qian , Luo Yaxin , Li Bingji , Chen Yu , Yang Xuguang , Xuan Yan , Yang Huifan , He Rui
Published: July 2022

Intestinal barrier immunity is essential for controlling gut microbiota without eliciting harmful immune responses, while its defect contributes to the breakdown of intestinal homeostasis and colitis development. Chemerin, which is abundantly expressed in barrier tissues, has been demonstrated to regulate tissue inflammation via CMKLR1, its functional receptor. Several studies have reported the association between increased expression of chemerin–CMKLR1 and disease severity and immunotherapy resistance in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, the pathophysiological role of endogenous chemerin–CMKLR1 signaling in intestinal homeostasis remains elusive. We herein demonstrated that deficiency of chemerin or intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-specific CMKLR1 conferred high susceptibility to microbiota-driven neutrophilic colon inflammation and subsequent tumorigenesis in mice following epithelial injury. Unexpectedly, we found that lack of chemerin–CMKLR1 signaling specifically reduced expression of lactoperoxidase (LPO), a peroxidase that is predominantly expressed in colonic ECs and utilizes H
2
O
2
to oxidize thiocyanates to the antibiotic compound, thereby leading to the outgrowth and mucosal invasion of gram-negative bacteria and dysregulated CXCL1/2-mediated neutrophilia. Importantly, decreased LPO expression was causally linked to aggravated microbiota-driven colitis and associated tumorigenesis, as LPO supplementation could completely rescue such phenotypes in mice deficient in epithelial chemerin–CMKLR1 signaling. Moreover, epithelial chemerin–CMKLR1 signaling is necessary for early host defense against bacterial infection in an LPO-dependent manner. Collectively, our study reveals that the chemerin–CMKLR1/LPO axis represents an unrecognized immune mechanism that potentiates epithelial antimicrobial defense and restricts harmful colonic neutrophilia and suggests that LPO supplementation may be beneficial for microbiota dysbiosis in IBD patients with a defective innate antimicrobial mechanism.
Ultrahigh efficient emulsification with drag-reducing liquid gating interfacial behavior
Authors: Yu Shijie , Jing Yuan , Fan Yi , Xiong Linghu , Wang Huimeng , Lei Jinmei , Zhang Yunmao , Liu Jing , Wang Shuli , Chen Xinyu , Sun Hao , Hou Xu
Published: July 2022

Emulsification is a crucial technique for mixing immiscible liquids into droplets in numerous areas ranging from food to medicine to chemical synthesis. Commercial emulsification methods are promising for high production, but suffer from high energy input. Here, we report a very simple and scalable emulsification method that employs the drag-reducing liquid gating structure to create a smooth liquid–liquid interface for the reduction of resistance and tunable generation of droplets with good uniformity. Theoretical modeling and experimental results demonstrate that our method exhibits ultrahigh efficiency, which can reach up to more than 4 orders of magnitude greater energy-saving compared to commercial methods. For temperature-sensitive biological components, such as enzymes, proteins, and bacteria, it can offer a comfortable environment to avoid exposure to high temperatures during emulsifying, and the interface also enables the suppression of fouling. This unique drag-reducing liquid gating interfacial emulsification mechanism promotes the efficiency of droplet generation and provides fresh insight into the innovation of emulsifications that can be applied in many fields, including the food industry, the daily chemical industry, biomedicine, material fabrication, the petrochemical industry, and beyond.
Structural and magnetic properties in the Heusler compounds Co3−x
Fe
x
Al thin films
Authors: Wang Ruifeng , Gao Qinwu , Liu Ruobai , Zhao Yafei , Ning Jiai , Yan Pengfei , Sun Yizhe , Wang Jin , Zeng Qianjin , Du Jun , Xu Yongbing , He Liang
Published: July 2022

The structural and magnetic properties are important parameters for spintronic applications of Heusler compounds. The Co2FeAl and CoFe2Al alloys are considered as the representatives of the regular and inverse Heusler structure, respectively. Here, we present a systematic study of the structural and magnetic properties of Co3−x
Fe
x
Al (x = 1 ∼ 2) Heusler thin films grown on MgO (001) substrates. The lattice parameters and magnetic properties, such as magnetic coercivity, saturated moment and four-fold magnetic anisotropy constant, display different change trends in the Co-rich and Fe-rich regions, which suggest that magnetic properties have relevance to the Heusler structures. Our findings give a better understanding of the Heusler structures and magnetic properties, which is helpful for developing spintronic applications.
X-ray photoemission and absorption study of the pyrochlore iridates (Eu

1−x

Bi
x
)2Ir2O7, 0

⩽

x

⩽

1
Authors: Telang Prachi , Bandyopadhyay Abhisek , Mishra Kshiti , Rout Dibyata , Bag Rabindranath , Gloskovskii A , Matveyev Yu , Singh Surjeet
Published: July 2022

The pyrochlore iridates (Eu

1
−
x

Bi
x
)2Ir2O7 (0

⩽

x

⩽

1) undergo an anomalous negative lattice expansion for small Bi-doping (

x
⩽
0.035

) (region I) and a normal lattice expansion for

x
⩾
0.1

(region II); this is accompanied by a transition from an insulating (and magnetically ordered) to a metallic (and with no magnetic ordering) ground state. Here, we investigate (Eu

1
−
x

Bi
x
)2Ir2O7 (0

⩽

x

⩽

1) using hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy and x-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy. By analyzing the Eu-L
3, Ir-L
3 and Bi-L
2 & L
3 edges x-ray absorption near edge structure spectra and Eu-3d core-level XPS spectra, we show that the metal cations retain their nominal valence, namely, Ir4+, Bi3+ and Eu3+, respectively, throughout the series. The Ir-4f and Bi-4f core-level XPS spectra consist of screened and unscreened doublets. The unscreened component is dominant In the insulating range (

x
⩽
0.035
)

, and in the metallic region (

x
⩾
0.1

), the screened component dominates the spectra. The Eu-3d core-level spectra remain invariant under Bi doping. The extended XAFS data show that the coordination around the Ir remains well preserved throughout the series. The evolution of the valence band spectra near the Fermi energy with increasing Bi doping indicates the presence of strong Ir(5d)–Bi(6p) hybridization which drives the metal-to-insulator transition.
Feasibility study of clinical target volume definition for soft-tissue sarcoma using muscle fiber orientations derived from diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Shusharina Nadya , Liu Xiaofeng , Coll-Font Jaume , Foster Anna , El Fakhri Georges , Woo Jonghye , Bortfeld Thomas , Nguyen Christopher
Published: July 2022

Objective. Soft-tissue sarcoma spreads preferentially along muscle fibers. We explore the utility of deriving muscle fiber orientations from diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI) for defining the boundary of the clinical target volume (CTV) in muscle tissue. Approach. We recruited eight healthy volunteers to acquire MR images of the left and right thigh. The imaging session consisted of (a) two MRI spin-echo-based scans, T1- and T2-weighted; (b) a diffusion weighted (DW) spin-echo-based scan using an echo planar acquisition with fat suppression. The thigh muscles were auto-segmented using the convolutional neural network. DT-MRI data were used as a geometry encoding input to solve the anisotropic Eikonal equation with the Hamiltonian Fast-Marching method. The isosurfaces of the solution modeled the CTV boundary. Main results. The auto-segmented muscles of the thigh agreed with manually delineated with the Dice score ranging from 0.8 to 0.94 for different muscles. To validate our method of deriving muscle fiber orientations, we compared anisotropy of the isosurfaces across muscles with different anatomical orientations within a thigh, between muscles in the left and right thighs of each subject, and between different subjects. The fiber orientations were identified reproducibly across all comparisons. We identified two controlling parameters, the distance from the gross tumor volume to the isosurface and the eigenvalues ratio, to tailor the proposed CTV to the satisfaction of the clinician. Significance. Our feasibility study with healthy volunteers shows the promise of using muscle fiber orientations derived from DW MRI data for automated generation of anisotropic CTV boundary in soft tissue sarcoma. Our contribution is significant as it serves as a proof of principle for combining DT-MRI information with tumor spread modeling, in contrast to using moderately informative 2D CT planes for the CTV delineation. Such improvements will positively impact the cancer centers with a small volume of sarcoma patients.
Plasma parameters profiles from Langmuir probe measurements in low-density, low-temperature plasmas in an axial magnetic field
Authors: Causa F , Gittini G , Minelli D , Mellera V , Uccello A , Nardone A , Ripamonti F
Published: July 2022

Determining plasma parameters in low-density, low-temperature, weakly ionized, magnetised plasmas can be challenging, especially when using in-house-built Langmuir probes that may perturb the plasma. Radial profiles along the plasma column in such conditions present further challenges, not only because the densities evanesce at the edges, but also because of the presence of magnetic fields that may significantly affect the measurements. The analysis is presented here of radial profiles in pure argon and pure helium plasmas obtained using in-house-built Langmuir probes. The study was done in detail not only to obtain plasma parameter profiles, but also to gain an insight into the relevant physical mechanisms in the operating conditions of interest. Results from a plasma model were used to complement the analysis together with qualitative observations from resulting electron energy distribution functions. The main conclusions are: profiles obtained with the plasma model closely represent those obtained from Langmuir probe data, with irregularities qualitatively explained using electron density profiles obtained with Druyvesteyn and first derivative methods; plasma densities and electron currents are sufficiently small that no diamagnetic effects are evident; the strong magnetisation of the electrons is evident from the resulting characteristic Bessel-type density profiles.
Multi-hop quantum operation teleportation via different high-level partially entangled channels
Authors: Wu Fan , Tang Liang , Mo Zhi-wen , Bai Ming-qiang
Published: July 2022

To implement remote control operations in quantum networks, two schemes for the multi-hop quantum operation teleportation are proposed by using different partially entangled states. One is to adopt high-level partially Bell states as quantum channels, the other is to use high-level partially GHZ-Bell states. By comparing the two schemes, it is found that although both schemes have the same communication delay, the latter has less classical information cost and higher success probability of the communication.
Particle production during inflation:
a Bayesian analysis with
CMB data from Planck 2018
Authors: Naik Suvedha Suresh , Furuuchi Kazuyuki , Chingangbam Pravabati
Published: July 2022

A class of inflationary models that involve
rapid bursts of particle productions predict
observational signatures, such as bump-like
features in the primordial scalar power spectrum.
In this work, we analyze such models by
comparing their predictions with the latest CMB data
from Planck 2018.
We consider two scenarios of particle production.
The first one is a simple scenario consisting of a single burst
of particle production during observable inflation.
The second one consists of multiple bursts of particle production
that lead to a series of bump-like features in the primordial power spectrum.
We find that the second scenario of the multi-bump model
gives better fit to the CMB data
compared to the concordance ΛCDM model.
We carried out model comparisons using Bayesian evidences.
From the observational constraints on the amplitude of primordial features of the multi-bump model, we find that the dimensionless coupling parameter g responsible for particle production is bound to be g < 0.05.
Two-Higgs-doublet models in light of current experiments: a brief review
Authors: Wang Lei , Yang Jin Min , Zhang Yang
Published: July 2022

We briefly survey several typical CP-conserving two-Higgs-doublet models (2HDMs) in light of current experiments. First we derive the masses and couplings of the mass eigenstates from the Lagrangians. Then we analyze the constraints from theory and oblique electroweak parameters. Finally, we delineate the status of 2HDM in light of the LHC searches, the dark matter detections and the muong− 2 measurement.