bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Strain Partitioning and Exhumation in Oblique Taiwan Collision: Role of Rift Architecture and Plate Kinematics
Authors: Conand Clément , Mouthereau Frédéric , Ganne Jérome , Lin Andrew Tien‐Shun , Lahfid Abdeltif , Daudet Maxime , Mesalles Lucas , Giletycz Slawek , Bonzani Marta
Published: March 2020

Taiwan is an archetypal example of continental accretionary wedges. Yet the generally poor knowledge of three‐dimensional strain distribution over time and role of architecture of the rifted margin shed doubt on the cylindrical two‐dimensional kinematic models of Taiwan collision. Here we provide new field‐based constraints on strain distribution, new Raman Spectroscopy on Carbonaceous Materials temperatures and apply mica‐chlorite multiequilibrium approach to determine pressure‐temperature in the Central Range of Taiwan. We identify three distinct structural domains that define zones of orthogonal shortening in the western Backbone Range and left‐lateral ductile shearing overprinted by left‐lateral transtensional brittle deformation in eastern Central Range. Field surveys show the lack of nappe stacking in the Backbone Range. Combining new temperature estimates with existing thermochronological constraints we emphasize that western Taiwan mostly inherited preorogenic thermal history. We show that metamorphic peak conditions of 5–6 kbar and 330–400 °C in the eastern Backbone Range and HP rocks of the Yuli Belt exhumed along the P‐T paths related to transcurrent deformation. We propose a three‐dimensional kinematic model of Taiwan accounting for the oblique motion of the Philippine Sea Plate relative to the plate boundary and the reactivation of a NS striking transform fault in the South China Sea rifted margin. Recent and ongoing strain partitioning in the Taiwan accretionary wedge is reflected by the coexistence of brittle left‐lateral shear, oblique extension, and contraction. Our results have impact on orogen‐based plate kinematic reconstructions that consider two‐dimensional kinematic evolution of orogens.
The Impact of Dams on Design Floods in the Conterminous US
Authors: Zhao Gang , Bates Paul , Neal Jeffrey
Published: March 2020

We propose a method to describe the impact of dams on design floods for ungauged areas and validate the method over the conterminous US (CONUS). A Random Forest (RF) model was chosen to capture the relationship between the change in 100‐year return period flow up‐ and downstream of different dams and dam parameters available in the Global Reservoir and Dam (GRanD) database. The results showed that: (1) the RF model showed a greater accuracy in terms of Nash Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (0.92 in training and 0.88 in testing) than a benchmark Multiple Linear Regression model (0.68 in training and 0.61 in testing); (2) Dam inflow, upstream catchment area, and long‐term average discharge at reservoir location were the three most important factors for dam outflow; (3) flood attenuation effect indices (FAI) for >1400 dams over the CONUS were derived with the proposed method. To further validate the accuracy of the FAI, a new module considering flood attenuation effects was developed for the LISFLOOD‐FP hydrodynamic model and two dams in the CONUS were selected to compare simulated flooded area against Federal Emergency Management Agency flood hazard maps. The result showed that the overestimation in flood hazard maps caused by not taking dams into account can be significantly corrected using the FAI and the enhanced LISFLOOD‐FP model. We conclude that the proposed methodology is a valid approach to describe the impact of dams on design floods, thereby improving the accuracy of flood hazard maps, especially in ungauged areas.
A Perspective on the Future of Transient Storage Modeling: Let's Stop Chasing Our Tails
Authors: Knapp Julia L.A. , Kelleher Christa
Published: March 2020

Due to its simplicity, adaptability, and accessibility, the transient storage model has become one of the most widely used tools to investigate transport and exchange processes in streams. In spite of its ubiquitous use, a number of challenges remain, in particular with respect to model conceptualization and interpretation. Are parameters good approximations of physical processes and properties? What is the relevance of parameter interactions in increasingly complex conceptualizations of the transient storage model? How does novel data inform, improve, or falsify our models? In this commentary, we illuminate several open questions and provide an outlook on how we can use the transient storage model to improve our understanding of solute transport. We propose the incorporation of novel and different data, the comparison of multiple models as working hypotheses for stream reach exchange, and call for a synthesis of the data collected and analyzed over the past years.
Gravity Monitoring of Underground Flash Flood Events to Study Their Impact on Groundwater Recharge and the Distribution of Karst Voids
Authors: Watlet A. , Van Camp M. , Francis O. , Poulain A. , Rochez G. , Hallet V. , Quinif Y. , Kaufmann O.
Published: March 2020

Flash flood events are expected to become increasingly common with the global increases in weather extremes. They are a significant natural hazard that affects karst landscapes, which host large resources of drinking water worldwide. The role played by underground flood events in the karst aquifer recharge is complex due to the heterogeneity of the basement which remains poorly understood. We present the analysis of 20 incave flash flood events affecting the Rochefort karst system (Belgium) using continuous gravity measurements at one single station and water level sensors installed in caves. Underground flood events typically produce a peak in the gravity signal, due to an increase in the associated mass change. After the flood, the gravity values drop but remain slightly increased compared to before the flood event. Via forward gravity modeling, we demonstrate that this remaining anomaly can be reasonably explained by the infiltration of local rainfall within the karst system rather than by allogenic recharge of the aquifer. Flash floods are mainly restricted to connected voids. This allows us to utilize them as proxies to investigate the distribution of cavities in the karst system. Forward modeling of the gravitational attraction induced by the mapped caves being flooded yields a gravity signal much smaller than the observed one. We conclude that at least 50% more cavities than those previously mapped are required to match the measured anomalies. This presents opportunities for implementing similar approaches in other diverse porous media, using gravity monitoring of hydrological processes (e.g., infiltration fronts, hydrothermalism, or tide effects in coastal aquifers) as proxies to characterize underground properties.
Andrew Akala Receives 2019 Africa Award for Research Excellence in Space Science
Authors:   AGU
Published: March 2020

Andrew Akala was awarded the 2019 Africa Award for Research Excellence in Space Science at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held on 11 December 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given in recognition of “significant work that shows the focus and promise of making outstanding contributions to research in space science.”
Sediments May Support the Mediterranean Megaflood Hypothesis
Authors: Barbuzano Javier
Published: March 2020

Millions of years ago, the Mediterranean Sea may have evaporated. A newly identified body of sediments could have been deposited by the giant flood that refilled the basin.
How Death and Disaster Followed the Shale Gas Boom in Appalachia
Authors: Mukherjee Ritoban
Published: March 2020

In the past decade, fracking has contributed to the deaths of more than a thousand people and the emission of more than a thousand tons of carbon dioxide in the Appalachian Basin.
Climate Change Is Intensifying Arctic Ocean Currents
Authors: Thomasy Hannah
Published: March 2020

Melting ice means that strong Arctic winds create more energetic currents in the Beaufort Gyre.
This Week: Mars, Our Mini Moon, and Marina
Authors:   AGU
Published: March 2020

What Earth and space science stories are we recommending this week?
Precipitation Plays a Key Role in Glacial Erosion
Authors: Barbuzano Javier
Published: March 2020

After comparing the climatic conditions at dozens of glaciers worldwide, researchers find that precipitation, not temperature, is the leading environmental factor driving glacial erosion.
Interhemispheric Transport of the Ionospheric F Region Plasma During the 2009 Sudden Stratosphere Warming
Authors: Zhang Ruilong , Liu Libo , Liu Huixin , Le Huijun , Chen Yiding , Zhang Hui
Published: March 2020

The field‐aligned plasma drift in the equatorial ionosphere drives the interhemispheric transport of the ionospheric F region plasma between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. We use the Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System satellite measurements, for the first time, to present the responses of the equatorial field‐aligned drift during the 2009 sudden stratosphere warming (SSW). The observations show that the equatorial field‐aligned drift presents a southward disturbance in the morning sector and a large northward disturbance in the afternoon sector and gradually shifts to later local time during the SSW. Further, this new finding of semidiurnal disturbance in field‐aligned drift can well explain the hemispheric differences of the responses of the total electron content to the SSW. Based on the whole atmosphere model Ground‐to‐topside model of Atmosphere and Ionosphere for Aeronomy, it is suggested that the meridional wind can contribute to the disturbance field‐aligned drift. Our results give a new perspective for understanding the ionospheric perturbations during SSWs.
Short-term effects of carbohydrates differing in glycemic index (GI) consumed at lunch on children’s cognitive function in a randomized crossover study
Authors: Jansen Kathrin , Tempes Jana , Drozdowska Alina , Gutmann Maike , Falkenstein Michael , Buyken Anette E. , Libuda Lars , Rudolf Henrik , Lücke Thomas , Kersting Mathilde
Published: March 2020

Background

Intervention studies suggest an influence of breakfast dietary glycemic index (GI) on children’s cognition. The Cognition Intervention Study Dortmund-GI-I study examined whether lunch dietary GI might have short-term effects on selected cognitive parameters.

Methods

A randomized crossover study was performed at a comprehensive school on 2 test days. One hundred and eighty-nine participants (5th and 6th grade) were randomly assigned to one of the two sequences, medium-high GI (m-hGI) or high-medium GI (h-mGI), following block randomization. In the first period, one group received a dish containing hGI rice (GI: 86) ad libitum, the other mGI rice (GI: 62)—1 week later, in the second period, vice versa. Tonic alertness, task switching, and working memory updating were tested with a computerized test battery 45 min after beginning of lunch break. Treatment effects were estimated using the t test for normally distributed data or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for non-normally distributed data.

Results

The crossover approach revealed no effects of lunch dietary GI on the tested cognitive parameters in the early afternoon. However, we determined carryover effects for two parameters, and therefore analyzed only data of the first period. The reaction time of the two-back task (working memory updating) was faster (p = 0.001) and the count of commission errors in the alertness task was lower (p = 0.04) in the hGI group.

Conclusion

No evidence of short-term effects of lunch dietary GI on cognition of schoolchildren was found. Potential positive effects on single parameters of working memory updating and tonic alertness favoring hGI rice need to be verified.
Epitaxial nucleation and lateral growth of high-crystalline black phosphorus films on silicon
Authors: Xu Yijun , Shi Xinyao , Zhang Yushuang , Zhang Hongtao , Zhang Qinglin , Huang Zengli , Xu Xiangfan , Guo Jie , Zhang Han , Sun Litao , Zeng Zhongming , Pan Anlian , Zhang Kai
Published: March 2020

Black phosphorus (BP) is a promising two-dimensional layered semiconductor material for next-generation electronics and optoelectronics, with a thickness-dependent tunable direct bandgap and high carrier mobility. Though great research advantages have been achieved on BP, lateral synthesis of high quality BP films still remains a great challenge. Here, we report the direct growth of large-scale crystalline BP films on insulating silicon substrates by a gas-phase growth strategy with an epitaxial nucleation design and a further lateral growth control. The optimized lateral size of the achieved BP films can reach up to millimeters, with the ability to modulate thickness from a few to hundreds of nanometers. The as-grown BP films exhibit excellent electrical properties, with a field-effect and Hall mobility of over 1200 cm2V−1s−1 and 1400 cm2V−1s−1 at room temperature, respectively, comparable to those exfoliated from BP bulk crystals. Our work opens the door for broad applications with BP in scalable electronic and optoelectronic devices.
Ultra-efficient frequency comb generation in AlGaAs-on-insulator microresonators
Authors: Chang Lin , Xie Weiqiang , Shu Haowen , Yang Qi-Fan , Shen Boqiang , Boes Andreas , Peters Jon D. , Jin Warren , Xiang Chao , Liu Songtao , Moille Gregory , Yu Su-Peng , Wang Xingjun , Srinivasan Kartik , Papp Scott B. , Vahala Kerry , Bowers John E.
Published: March 2020

Recent advances in nonlinear optics have revolutionized integrated photonics, providing on-chip solutions to a wide range of new applications. Currently, state of the art integrated nonlinear photonic devices are mainly based on dielectric material platforms, such as Si3N4 and SiO2. While semiconductor materials feature much higher nonlinear coefficients and convenience in active integration, they have suffered from high waveguide losses that prevent the realization of efficient nonlinear processes on-chip. Here, we challenge this status quo and demonstrate a low loss AlGaAs-on-insulator platform with anomalous dispersion and quality (Q) factors beyond 1.5 × 106. Such a high quality factor, combined with high nonlinear coefficient and small mode volume, enabled us to demonstrate a Kerr frequency comb threshold of only ∼36 µW in a resonator with a 1 THz free spectral range, ∼100 times lower compared to that in previous semiconductor platforms. Moreover, combs with broad spans (>250 nm) have been generated with a pump power of ∼300 µW, which is lower than the threshold power of state-of the-art dielectric micro combs. A soliton-step transition has also been observed for the first time in an AlGaAs resonator.
Quantum dissipation driven by electron transfer within a single molecule investigated with atomic force microscopy
Authors: Berger Jan , Ondráček Martin , Stetsovych Oleksandr , Malý Pavel , Holý Petr , Rybáček Jiří , Švec Martin , Stará Irena G. , Mančal Tomáš , Starý Ivo , Jelínek Pavel
Published: March 2020

Intramolecular charge transfer processes play an important role in many biological, chemical and physical processes including photosynthesis, redox chemical reactions and electron transfer in molecular electronics. These charge transfer processes are frequently influenced by the dynamics of their molecular or atomic environments, and they are accompanied with energy dissipation into this environment. The detailed understanding of such processes is fundamental for their control and possible exploitation in future technological applications. Most of the experimental studies of the intramolecular charge transfer processes so far have been carried out using time-resolved optical spectroscopies on large molecular ensembles. This hampers detailed understanding of the charge transfer on the single molecular level. Here we build upon the recent progress in scanning probe microscopy, and demonstrate the control of mixed valence state. We report observation of single electron transfer between two ferrocene redox centers within a single molecule and the detection of energy dissipation associated with the single electron transfer.
Massive and massless charge carriers in an epitaxially strained alkali metal quantum well on graphene
Authors: Hell Martin , Ehlen Niels , Marini Giovanni , Falke Yannic , Senkovskiy Boris V. , Herbig Charlotte , Teichert Christian , Jolie Wouter , Michely Thomas , Avila Jose , Santo Giovanni Di , Torre Diego M. de la , Petaccia Luca , Profeta Gianni , Grüneis Alexander
Published: March 2020

We show that Cs intercalated bilayer graphene acts as a substrate for the growth of a strained Cs film hosting quantum well states with high electronic quality. The Cs film grows in an fcc phase with a substantially reduced lattice constant of 4.9 Å corresponding to a compressive strain of 11% compared to bulk Cs. We investigate its electronic structure using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and show the coexistence of massless Dirac and massive Schrödinger charge carriers in two dimensions. Analysis of the electronic self-energy of the massive charge carriers reveals the crystallographic direction in which a two-dimensional Fermi gas is realized. Our work introduces the growth of strained metal quantum wells on intercalated Dirac matter.
Earthquake nucleation in the lower crust by local stress amplification
Authors: Campbell L. R. , Menegon L. , Fagereng Å. , Pennacchioni G.
Published: March 2020

Deep intracontinental earthquakes are poorly understood, despite their potential to cause significant destruction. Although lower crustal strength is currently a topic of debate, dry lower continental crust may be strong under high-grade conditions. Such strength could enable earthquake slip at high differential stress within a predominantly viscous regime, but requires further documentation in nature. Here, we analyse geological observations of seismic structures in exhumed lower crustal rocks. A granulite facies shear zone network dissects an anorthosite intrusion in Lofoten, northern Norway, and separates relatively undeformed, microcracked blocks of anorthosite. In these blocks, pristine pseudotachylytes decorate fault sets that link adjacent or intersecting shear zones. These fossil seismogenic faults are rarely >15 m in length, yet record single-event displacements of tens of centimetres, a slip/length ratio that implies >1 GPa stress drops. These pseudotachylytes represent direct identification of earthquake nucleation as a transient consequence of ongoing, localised aseismic creep.
Digenic inheritance of mutations in EPHA2 and SLC26A4 in Pendred syndrome
Authors: Li Mengnan , Nishio Shin-ya , Naruse Chie , Riddell Meghan , Sapski Sabrina , Katsuno Tatsuya , Hikita Takao , Mizapourshafiyi Fatemeh , Smith Fiona M. , Cooper Leanne T. , Lee Min Goo , Asano Masahide , Boettger Thomas , Krueger Marcus , Wietelmann Astrid , Graumann Johannes , Day Bryan W. , Boyd Andrew W. , Offermanns Stefan , Kitajiri Shin-ichiro , Usami Shin-ichi , Nakayama Masanori
Published: March 2020

Enlarged vestibular aqueduct (EVA) is one of the most commonly identified inner ear malformations in hearing loss patients including Pendred syndrome. While biallelic mutations of the SLC26A4 gene, encoding pendrin, causes non-syndromic hearing loss with EVA or Pendred syndrome, a considerable number of patients appear to carry mono-allelic mutation. This suggests faulty pendrin regulatory machinery results in hearing loss. Here we identify EPHA2 as another causative gene of Pendred syndrome with SLC26A4. EphA2 forms a protein complex with pendrin controlling pendrin localization, which is disrupted in some pathogenic forms of pendrin. Moreover, point mutations leading to amino acid substitution in the EPHA2 gene are identified from patients bearing mono-allelic mutation of SLC26A4. Ephrin-B2 binds to EphA2 triggering internalization with pendrin inducing EphA2 autophosphorylation weakly. The identified EphA2 mutants attenuate ephrin-B2- but not ephrin-A1-induced EphA2 internalization with pendrin. Our results uncover an unexpected role of the Eph/ephrin system in epithelial function.
Direct solid-phase synthesis of molecular heterooligonuclear lanthanoid-complexes
Authors: Kreidt Elisabeth , Leis Wolfgang , Seitz Michael
Published: March 2020

Molecular lanthanoid complexes are highly valuable building blocks for a number of important technological applications, e.g. as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or as luminescent probes for bioassays. For the next generation of advanced applications based on molecular species, heterooligonuclear lanthanoid complexes with well-defined chemical and structural compositions are required. The great kinetic lability of trivalent lanthanoids so far prevents the realization of such molecular architectures with a universally applicable methodology. Here, we have developed functionalized molecular lanthanoid cryptates as monomeric building blocks which can be directly linked by standard solid-phase peptide synthesis to yield sequence-specific heterooligonuclear lanthanoid complexes. These molecular materials enable unique applications such as the generation of molecular codes with very convenient luminescence read-out.
Interlayer gap widened α-phase molybdenum trioxide as high-rate anodes for dual-ion-intercalation energy storage devices
Authors: Yu Minghao , Shao Hui , Wang Gang , Yang Fan , Liang Chaolun , Rozier Patrick , Wang Cai-Zhuang , Lu Xihong , Simon Patrice , Feng Xinliang
Published: March 2020

Employing high-rate ion-intercalation electrodes represents a feasible way to mitigate the inherent trade-off between energy density and power density for electrochemical energy storage devices, but efficient approaches to boost the charge-storage kinetics of electrodes are still needed. Here, we demonstrate a water-incorporation strategy to expand the interlayer gap of α-MoO3, in which water molecules take the place of lattice oxygen of α-MoO3. Accordingly, the modified α-MoO3 electrode exhibits theoretical-value-close specific capacity (963 C g−1 at 0.1 mV s−1), greatly improved rate capability (from 4.4% to 40.2% at 100 mV s−1) and boosted cycling stability (from 21 to 71% over 600 cycles). A fast-kinetics dual-ion-intercalation energy storage device is further assembled by combining the modified α-MoO3 anode with an anion-intercalation graphite cathode, operating well over a wide discharge rate range. Our study sheds light on a promising design strategy of layered materials for high-kinetics charge storage.
Ancient mtDNA from the extinct Indian cheetah supports unexpectedly deep divergence from African cheetahs
Authors: Rai Niraj , Verma Sunil Kumar , Gaur Ajay , Iliescu Florin Mircea , Thakur Mukesh , Golla Tirupathi Rao , Chandra Kailash , Prakash Satya , Tabasum Wajeeda , Ara Sreenivas , Singh Lalji , Thangaraj Kumarasamy , Jacobs Guy S.
Published: March 2020

The Indian cheetah was hunted to extinction by the mid-20th century. While analysis of 139 bp of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has confirmed that the Indian cheetah was part of the Asiatic subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), the detailed relationships between cheetah populations remains unclear due to limited genetic data. We clarify these relationships by studying larger fragments of cheetah mtDNA, both from an Indian cheetah museum specimen and two African cheetah, one modern and one historic, imported into India at different times. Our results suggest that the most recent common ancestor of cheetah mtDNA is approximately twice as ancient as currently recognised. The Indian and Southeast African (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus) cheetah mtDNA diverged approximately 72 kya, while the Southeast and Northeast African (Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii) cheetah mtDNA diverged around 139 kya. Additionally, the historic African cheetah sampled from India proved to have an A. j. jubatus haplotype, suggesting a hitherto unrecognised South African route of cheetah importation into India in the 19th century. Together, our results provide a deeper understanding of the relationships between cheetah subspecies, and have important implications for the conservation of A. j. venaticus and potential reintroduction of cheetahs into India.
Author Correction: Removal of deep-sea sponges by bottom trawling in the Flemish Cap area: conservation, ecology and economic assessment
Authors: Pham C. K. , Murillo F. J. , Lirette C. , Maldonado M. , Colaço A. , Ottaviani D. , Kenchington E.
Published: March 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
Manipulation of the Gut Microbiome Alters Acetaminophen Biodisposition in Mice
Authors: Malfatti Michael A. , Kuhn Edward A. , Murugesh Deepa K. , Mendez Melanie E. , Hum Nicholas , Thissen James B. , Jaing Crystal J. , Loots Gabriela G.
Published: March 2020

The gut microbiota is a vast and diverse microbial community that has co-evolved with its host to perform a variety of essential functions involved in the utilization of nutrients and the processing of xenobiotics. Shifts in the composition of gut microbiota can disturb the balance of organisms which can influence the biodisposition of orally administered drugs. To determine how changes in the gut microbiome can alter drug disposition, the pharmacokinetics (PK), and biodistribution of acetaminophen were assessed in C57Bl/6 mice after treatment with the antibiotics ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, or a cocktail of ampicillin/neomycin. Altered PK, and excretion profiles of acetaminophen were observed in antibiotic exposed animals. Plasma Cmax was significantly decreased in antibiotic treated animals suggesting decreased bioavailability. Urinary metabolite profiles revealed decreases in acetaminophen-sulfate metabolite levels in both the amoxicillin and ampicillin/neomycin treated animals. The ratio between urinary and fecal excretion was also altered in antibiotic treated animals. Analysis of gut microbe composition revealed that changes in microbe content in antibiotic treated animals was associated with changes in acetaminophen biodisposition. These results suggest that exposure to amoxicillin or ampicillin/neomycin can alter the biodisposition of acetaminophen and that these alterations could be due to changes in gut microbiome composition.
Observer variability in the assessment of renal 18F-FDG uptake in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Jadoul Alexandre , Lovinfosse Pierre , Bouquegneau Antoine , Weekers Laurent , Pottel Hans , Hustinx Roland , Jouret François
Published: March 2020

18F-FDG PET/CT imaging may help non-invasively disprove the diagnosis of acute kidney allograft rejection (AR) in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). The present study aims at evaluating the repeatability and reproducibility of the quantification of renal 18F-FDG uptake in KTR. We prospectively performed 18F-FDG PET/CT in 95 adult KTR who underwent surveillance transplant biopsy between 3 to 6 months post transplantation. Images were obtained 180 minutes after injecting 3 MBq 18F-FDG per kg body weight. Mean standard uptake value (SUVmean) of kidney cortex was independently measured by 2 experienced observers in 4 volumes of interest (VOI) distributed in the upper (n = 2) and lower (n = 2) poles. The first observer repeated SUV assessment in the uppermost VOI, blinded to the initial results. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland-Altman plots were calculated. An ICC of 0.96 with 95%CI of [0.94; 0.97] was calculated for the intra-observer measurements. The ICC for inter-observer reproducibility for each VOI was 0.87 [0.81–0.91], 0.87 [0.81–0.91], 0.85 [0.78–0.89] and 0.83 [0.76–0.88] for the upper to the lower renal poles, respectively. The repeatability and reproducibility of the quantification of kidney allograft 18F-FDG uptake are both consistent, which makes it transferrable to the clinical routine.
Diabetes Minimally Mediated the Association Between PM2.5 Air Pollution and Kidney Outcomes
Authors: Bowe Benjamin , Xie Yan , Yan Yan , Xian Hong , Al-Aly Ziyad
Published: March 2020

Epidemiologic observations suggest that exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes, a causal driver of CKD. We evaluated whether diabetes mediates the association between PM2.5 and CKD. A cohort of 2,444,157 United States veterans were followed over a median 8.5 years. Environmental Protection Agency data provided PM2.5 exposure levels. Regression models assessed associations and their proportion mediated. A 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 was associated with increased odds of having a diabetes diagnosis (odds ratio: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06–1.32), use of diabetes medication (1.22, 1.07–1.39), and increased risk of incident eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (hazard ratio:1.20, 95% CI: 1.13–1.29), incident CKD (1.28, 1.18–1.39), ≥30% decline in eGFR (1.23, 1.15–1.33), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or ≥50% decline in eGFR (1.17, 1.05–1.30). Diabetes mediated 4.7% (4.3–5.7%) of the association of PM2.5 with incident eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2, 4.8% (4.2–5.8%) with incident CKD, 5.8% (5.0–7.0%) with ≥30% decline in eGFR, and 17.0% (13.1–20.4%) with ESRD or ≥50% decline in eGFR. Diabetes minimally mediated the association between PM2.5 and kidney outcomes. The findings will help inform more accurate estimates of the burden of diabetes and burden of kidney disease attributable to PM2.5 pollution.
Inhibiting saccades to a social stimulus: a developmental study
Authors: Geringswald F. , Afyouni A. , Noblet C. , Grosbras M.-H.
Published: March 2020

Faces are an important source of social signal throughout the lifespan. In adults, they have a prioritized access to the orienting system. Here we investigate when this effect emerges during development. We tested 139 children, early adolescents, adolescents and adults in a mixed pro- and anti-saccades task with faces, cars or noise patterns as visual targets. We observed an improvement in performance until about 15 years of age, replicating studies that used only meaningless stimuli as targets. Also, as previously reported, we observed that adults made more direction errors to faces than abstract patterns and cars. The children showed this effect too with regards to noise patterns but it was not specific since performance for cars and faces did not differ. The adolescents, in contrast, made more errors for faces than for cars but as many errors for noise patterns and faces. In all groups latencies for pro-saccades were faster towards faces. We discuss these findings with regards to the development of executive control in childhood and adolescence and the influence of social stimuli at different ages.
Regulation of keratin network dynamics by the mechanical properties of the environment in migrating cells
Authors: Pora Anne , Yoon Sungjun , Dreissen Georg , Hoffmann Bernd , Merkel Rudolf , Windoffer Reinhard , Leube Rudolf E.
Published: March 2020

Keratin intermediate filaments provide mechanical resilience for epithelia. They are nevertheless highly dynamic and turn over continuously, even in sessile keratinocytes. The aim of this study was to characterize and understand how the dynamic behavior of the keratin cytoskeleton is integrated in migrating cells. By imaging human primary keratinocytes producing fluorescent reporters and by using standardized image analysis we detect inward-directed keratin flow with highest rates in the cell periphery. The keratin flow correlates with speed and trajectory of migration. Changes in fibronectin-coating density and substrate stiffness induces concordant changes in migration speed and keratin flow. When keratinocytes are pseudo-confined on stripes, migration speed and keratin flow are reduced affecting the latter disproportionately. The regulation of keratin flow is linked to the regulation of actin flow. Local speed and direction of keratin and actin flow are very similar in migrating keratinocytes with keratin flow lagging behind actin flow. Conversely, reduced actin flow in areas of high keratin density indicates an inhibitory function of keratins on actin dynamics. Together, we propose that keratins enhance persistence of migration by directing actin dynamics and that the interplay of keratin and actin dynamics is modulated by matrix adhesions.
Anomalous Perception of Biological Motion in Autism: A Conceptual Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Federici Alessandra , Parma Valentina , Vicovaro Michele , Radassao Luca , Casartelli Luca , Ronconi Luca
Published: March 2020

Despite its popularity, the construct of biological motion (BM) and its putative anomalies in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are not completely clarified. In this article, we present a meta-analysis investigating the putative anomalies of BM perception in ASD. Through a systematic literature search, we found 30 studies that investigated BM perception in both ASD and typical developing peers by using point-light display stimuli. A general meta-analysis including all these studies showed a moderate deficit of individuals with ASD in BM processing, but also a high heterogeneity. This heterogeneity was explored in different additional meta-analyses where studies were grouped according to levels of complexity of the BM task employed (first-order, direct and instrumental), and according to the manipulation of low-level perceptual features (spatial vs. temporal) of the control stimuli. Results suggest that the most severe deficit in ASD is evident when perception of BM is serving a secondary purpose (e.g., inferring intentionality/action/emotion) and, interestingly, that temporal dynamics of stimuli are an important factor in determining BM processing anomalies in ASD. Our results question the traditional understanding of BM anomalies in ASD as a monolithic deficit and suggest a paradigm shift that deconstructs BM into distinct levels of processing and specific spatio-temporal subcomponents.
Cloning and characterization of two chlorophyll A/B binding protein genes and analysis of their gene family in Camellia sinensis
Authors: Li Xian-Wen , Zhu Yu-Lin , Chen Chu-Yan , Geng Zhi-Juan , Li Xiang-Yong , Ye Ting-Ting , Mao Xiao-Nan , Du Fang
Published: March 2020

In this study, two chlorophyll A/B binding protein (CAB) genes (CsCP1 and CsCP2) in tea plant were cloned. The proteins encoded by these genes belong to the external or internal antenna proteins of PS II, respectively. They may be the targets of physiological regulation for tea leaf cell PS II because they all contain multiple functional domains and modifiable sites. The CAB gene family in the tea genome consists of 25 homologous genes. We measured the expression patterns of ten genes in the CsCP1 and CsCP2 subfamily under six different stresses. CsCP1 expression was inhibited in response to 6 kinds of stress; CsCP2 expression was slightly upregulated only after cold stress and ABA treatment. However, the expression levels of CSA016997 and CSA030476 were upregulated significantly in the six stresses. The results suggested that the 10 CAB genes may have different functions in tea leaves. Moreover, changes in the expression of the 10 genes under stress appear to be related to ABA- and MeJA-dependent signalling pathways, and their responses to MeJA treatment is faster than those to ABA. In addition, we introduced our experiences for cloning the genes in the context of complex genomes.
Learning to find spatially reversed sounds
Authors: Bermejo Fernando , Di Paolo Ezequiel A. , Gilberto L. Guillermo , Lunati Valentín , Barrios M. Virginia
Published: March 2020

Adaptation to systematic visual distortions is well-documented but there is little evidence of similar adaptation to radical changes in audition. We use a pseudophone to transpose the sound streams arriving at the left and right ears, evaluating the perceptual effects it provokes and the possibility of learning to locate sounds in the reversed condition. Blindfolded participants remain seated at the center of a semicircular arrangement of 7 speakers and are asked to orient their head towards a sound source. We postulate that a key factor underlying adaptation is the self-generated activity that allows participants to learn new sensorimotor schemes. We investigate passive listening conditions (very short duration stimulus not permitting active exploration) and dynamic conditions (continuous stimulus allowing participants time to freely move their heads or remain still). We analyze head movement kinematics, localization errors, and qualitative reports. Results show movement-induced perceptual disruptions in the dynamic condition with static sound sources displaying apparent movement. This effect is reduced after a short training period and participants learn to find sounds in a left-right reversed field for all but the extreme lateral positions where motor patterns are more restricted. Strategies become less exploratory and more direct with training. Results support the hypothesis that self-generated movements underlie adaptation to radical sensorimotor distortions.
Network Dynamics of a Financial Ecosystem
Authors: Somin Shahar , Altshuler Yaniv , Gordon Goren , Pentland Alex ’Sandy’ , Shmueli Erez
Published: March 2020

Global financial crises have led to the understanding that classical econometric models are limited in comprehending financial markets in extreme conditions, partially since they disregarded complex interactions within the system. Consequently, in recent years research efforts have been directed towards modeling the structure and dynamics of the underlying networks of financial ecosystems. However, difficulties in acquiring fine-grained empirical financial data, due to regulatory limitations, intellectual property and privacy control, still hinder the application of network analysis to financial markets. In this paper we study the trading of cryptocurrency tokens on top of the Ethereum Blockchain, which is the largest publicly available financial data source that has a granularity of individual trades and users, and which provides a rare opportunity to analyze and model financial behavior in an evolving market from its inception. This quickly developing economy is comprised of tens of thousands of different financial assets with an aggregated valuation of more than 500 Billion USD and typical daily volume of 30 Billion USD, and manifests highly volatile dynamics when viewed using classic market measures. However, by applying network theory methods we demonstrate clear structural properties and converging dynamics, indicating that this ecosystem functions as a single coherent financial market. These results suggest that a better understanding of traditional markets could become possible through the analysis of fine-grained, abundant and publicly available data of cryptomarkets.
Cholesterol-dependent enrichment of understudied erythrocytic stages of human Plasmodium parasites
Authors: Brown Audrey C. , Moore Christopher C. , Guler Jennifer L.
Published: March 2020

For intracellular pathogens, the host cell provides needed protection and nutrients. A major challenge of intracellular parasite research is collection of high parasite numbers separated from host contamination. This situation is exemplified by the malaria parasite, which spends a substantial part of its life cycle inside erythrocytes as rings, trophozoites, and schizonts, before egress and reinvasion. Erythrocytic Plasmodium parasite forms refractory to enrichment remain understudied due to high host contamination relative to low parasite numbers. Here, we present a method for separating all stages of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes through lysis and removal of uninfected erythrocytes. The Streptolysin O-Percoll (SLOPE) method is effective on previously inaccessible forms, including circulating rings from malaria-infected patients and artemisinin-induced quiescent parasites. SLOPE can be used on multiple parasite species, under multiple media formulations, and lacks measurable impacts on parasite viability. We demonstrate erythrocyte membrane cholesterol levels modulate the preferential lysis of uninfected host cells by SLO, and therefore modulate the effectiveness of SLOPE. Targeted metabolomics of SLOPE-enriched ring stage samples confirms parasite-derived metabolites are increased and contaminating host material is reduced compared to non-enriched samples. Due to consumption of cholesterol by other intracellular bacteria and protozoa, SLOPE holds potential for improving research on organisms beyond Plasmodium.
Bam complex-mediated assembly of bacterial outer membrane proteins synthesized in an in vitro translation system
Authors: Hussain Sunyia , Peterson Janine H. , Bernstein Harris D.
Published: March 2020

Bacterial outer membrane proteins (OMPs) contain a unique “β barrel” segment that is inserted into the membrane by the barrel assembly machinery (Bam) complex by an unknown mechanism. OMP assembly has been reconstituted in vitro, but assembly reactions have involved the use of urea-denatured protein purified from inclusion bodies. Here we show that the E. coli Bam complex catalyzes the efficient assembly of OMPs synthesized de novo in a coupled in vitro transcription/translation system. Interestingly, the in vitro translated forms of the OMPs we analyzed were assembled more rapidly and were effectively engaged by fewer periplasmic chaperones than their urea-denatured counterparts. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that the mode of production influences the conformational states sampled by OMPs and thereby affects their recognition by both chaperones and the Bam complex. Besides providing insights into OMP biogenesis, our work describes a novel, streamlined method to reconstitute OMP assembly in vitro.
Exogenous GDF11, but not GDF8, reduces body weight and improves glucose homeostasis in mice
Authors: Walker Ryan G. , Barrandon Ornella , Poggioli Tommaso , Dagdeviren Sezin , Carroll Shannon H. , Mills Melanie J. , Mendello Kourtney R. , Gomez Yanet , Loffredo Francesco S. , Pancoast James R. , Macias-Trevino Claudio , Marts Colin , LeClair Katherine B. , Noh Hye-Lim , Kim Taekyoon , Banks Alexander S. , Kim Jason K. , Cohen David E. , Wagers Amy J. , Melton Douglas A. , Lee Richard T.
Published: March 2020

Insulin resistance is associated with aging in mice and humans. We have previously shown that administration of recombinant GDF11 (rGDF11) to aged mice alters aging phenotypes in the brain, skeletal muscle, and heart. While the closely related protein GDF8 has a role in metabolism, limited data are available on the potential metabolic effects of GDF11 or GDF8 in aging. To determine the metabolic effects of these two ligands, we administered rGDF11 or rGDF8 protein to young or aged mice fed a standard chow diet, short-term high-fat diet (HFD), or long-term HFD. Under nearly all of these diet conditions, administration of exogenous rGDF11 reduced body weight by 3–17% and significantly improved glucose tolerance in aged mice fed a chow (~30% vs. saline) or HF (~50% vs. saline) diet and young mice fed a HFD (~30%). On the other hand, exogenous rGDF8 showed signifcantly lesser effect or no effect at all on glucose tolerance compared to rGDF11, consistent with data demonstrating that GFD11 is a more potent signaling ligand than GDF8. Collectively, our results show that administration of exogenous rGDF11, but not rGDF8, can reduce diet-induced weight gain and improve metabolic homeostasis.
A novel Asfarvirus-like virus identified as a potential cause of mass mortality of abalone
Authors: Matsuyama Tomomasa , Takano Tomokazu , Nishiki Issei , Fujiwara Atushi , Kiryu Ikunari , Inada Mari , Sakai Takamitsu , Terashima Sachiko , Matsuura Yuta , Isowa Kiyoshi , Nakayasu Chihaya
Published: March 2020

A novel Asfarvirus-like virus is proposed as the etiological agent responsible for mass mortality in abalone. The disease, called abalone amyotrophia, originally was recognized in the 1980s, but efforts to identify a causative agent were unsuccessful. We prepared a semi-purified fraction by nuclease treatment and ultracentrifugation of diseased abalone homogenate, and the existence of the etiological agent in the fraction was confirmed by a challenge test. Using next-generation sequencing and PCR-based epidemiological surveys, we obtained a partial sequence with similarity to a member of the family Asfarviridae. BLASTP analysis of the predicted proteins against a virus database resulted in 48 proteins encoded by the novel virus with top hits against proteins encoded by African swine fever virus (ASFV). Phylogenetic analyses of predicted proteins of the novel virus confirmed that ASFV represents the closest relative. Comparative genomic analysis revealed gene-order conservation between the novel virus and ASFV. In situ hybridization targeting the gene encoding the major capsid protein of the novel virus detected positive signals only in tissue from diseased abalone. The results of this study suggest that the putative causative agent should be considered a tentative new member of the family Asfarviridae, which we provisionally designate abalone asfa-like virus (AbALV).
Short sleep is associated with higher prevalence and increased predicted risk of cardiovascular diseases in an Iranian population: Fasa PERSIAN Cohort Study
Authors: Yazdanpanah Mohammad Hosein , Homayounfar Reza , Khademi Ali , Zarei Fariba , Shahidi Ali , Farjam Mojtaba
Published: March 2020

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. One common factor that may affect CVD risk factors is sleep disturbance. The factors influencing an individual’s sleep may vary among different cultures. The current study investigated sleep quality and quantity in the Fasa cohort population as an Iranian population. In a cross-sectional study using the Fasa PERSIAN cohort study data, 10,129 subjects aged 35–70 were entered. Self-reported sleep duration and cardiovascular events were recorded. The Framingham risk score (FRS) is used to predict cardiovascular events. Adjusted logistic regression showed significant odds ratios in subjects who sleep less than 6 hours for CVD (OR = 1.23; 95% CI:1.03–1.48), coronary heart disease (CHD) (OR = 1.21; 95% CI:1.009–1.46), and hypertension (HTN) (OR = 1.37; 95% CI:1.16–1.62). Higher risk profiles were also seen in the FRS for short sleepers. The highest significant odds ratios in FRS profiles in the intermediate high-risk group compared with the low-risk group were (1.44; 95% CI:1.18–1.75) in CVD and (1.48; 95% CI:1.16–1.88) in CHD risk score profiles. It can be suggested that participants with short durations of sleep had significantly higher CVD, HTN prevalence, and 10-year FRS. Participants with long sleep durations had no increase in CVD, CHD, myocardial infarction (MI), or HTN prevalence. MI prevalence was at the lowest level in subjects who got 8 to 8.9 hours of sleep.
Phenotypic and Transcriptomic Analysis of Two Pinellia ternata Varieties T2 line and T2Plus line
Authors: Lu Jun , Liu Jian Ning , Sarsaiya Surendra , Duns Gregory Joseph , Han Jing , Jin Leilei , Chen Jishuang
Published: March 2020

Pinellia(Pinellia ternata(Thunb.) Breit.), as important medicinal plant, has been used to treat various ailments for a long time. The sixteen ploid plant (2n = 16 * 13 = 208)PinelliaT2Plus line was obtained from an octoploid (2n = 8 * 13 = 104) T2 line by chromosome-doubling technique. Compared with T2 line, the content of various medicinal components (polysaccharide, guanosine, adenosine and ephedrine) was increased in T2Plus line. In this study, the transcriptome of T2 line and T2Plus line were characterized by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways enrichment analysis on differential expressed unigenes (DEGs) revealed that multiple metabolic pathway were enriched significantly, such as ‘Starch and sucrose metabolism’, ‘Purine metabolism’, ‘Photosynthesis’ and six transcription factors (MYB, WRKY, bHLH, lateral organ boundaries domain (LBD), homeodomain-zipper (HD-ZIP) and Ethylene-responsive factor (ERF)) play a key role in difference of transcriptome between T2 line and T2Plus line. These metabolic pathways and transcription factors may play an important role in the difference of medicinal components and epigenetic features between these twoPinelliacultivars. This conclusion provides a robust theoretical basis for the mechanism of the formation of medicinal ingredients inPinelliacultivars.