bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stabilizing hidden room-temperature ferroelectricity via a metastable atomic distortion pattern
Authors: Kim Jeong Rae , Jang Jinhyuk , Go Kyoung-June , Park Se Young , Roh Chang Jae , Bonini John , Kim Jinkwon , Lee Han Gyeol , Rabe Karin M. , Lee Jong Seok , Choi Si-Young , Noh Tae Won , Lee Daesu
Published: October 2020

Nonequilibrium atomic structures can host exotic and technologically relevant properties in otherwise conventional materials. Oxygen octahedral rotation forms a fundamental atomic distortion in perovskite oxides, but only a few patterns are predominantly present at equilibrium. This has restricted the range of possible properties and functions of perovskite oxides, necessitating the utilization of nonequilibrium patterns of octahedral rotation. Here, we report that a designed metastable pattern of octahedral rotation leads to robust room-temperature ferroelectricity in CaTiO3, which is otherwise nonpolar down to 0 K. Guided by density-functional theory, we selectively stabilize the metastable pattern, distinct from the equilibrium pattern and cooperative with ferroelectricity, in heteroepitaxial films of CaTiO3. Atomic-scale imaging combined with deep neural network analysis confirms a close correlation between the metastable pattern and ferroelectricity. This work reveals a hidden but functional pattern of oxygen octahedral rotation and opens avenues for designing multifunctional materials.
Remote ischemic conditioning counteracts the intestinal damage of necrotizing enterocolitis by improving intestinal microcirculation
Authors: Koike Yuhki , Li Bo , Ganji Niloofar , Zhu Haitao , Miyake Hiromu , Chen Yong , Lee Carol , Janssen Lok Maarten , Zozaya Carlos , Lau Ethan , Lee Dorothy , Chusilp Sinobol , Zhang Zhen , Yamoto Masaya , Wu Richard Y. , Inoue Mikihiro , Uchida Keiichi , Kusunoki Masato , Delgado-Olguin Paul , Mertens Luc , Daneman Alan , Eaton Simon , Sherman Philip M. , Pierro Agostino
Published: October 2020

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating disease of premature infants with high mortality rate, indicating the need for precision treatment. NEC is characterized by intestinal inflammation and ischemia, as well derangements in intestinal microcirculation. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) has emerged as a promising tool in protecting distant organs against ischemia-induced damage. However, the effectiveness of RIC against NEC is unknown. To address this gap, we aimed to determine the efficacy and mechanism of action of RIC in experimental NEC. NEC was induced in mouse pups between postnatal day (P) 5 and 9. RIC was applied through intermittent occlusion of hind limb blood flow. RIC, when administered in the early stages of disease progression, decreases intestinal injury and prolongs survival. The mechanism of action of RIC involves increasing intestinal perfusion through vasodilation mediated by nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide. RIC is a viable and non-invasive treatment strategy for NEC.
Antibiotic export by MexB multidrug efflux transporter is allosterically controlled by a MexA-OprM chaperone-like complex
Authors: Glavier Marie , Puvanendran Dhenesh , Salvador Dimitri , Decossas Marion , Phan Gilles , Garnier Cyril , Frezza Elisa , Cece Quentin , Schoehn Guy , Picard Martin , Taveau Jean-Christophe , Daury Laetitia , Broutin Isabelle , Lambert Olivier
Published: October 2020

The tripartite multidrug efflux system MexAB-OprM is a major actor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa antibiotic resistance by exporting a large variety of antimicrobial compounds. Crystal structures of MexB and of its Escherichia coli homolog AcrB had revealed asymmetric trimers depicting a directional drug pathway by a conformational interconversion (from Loose and Tight binding pockets to Open gate (LTO) for drug exit). It remains unclear how MexB acquires its LTO form. Here by performing functional and cryo-EM structural investigations of MexB at various stages of the assembly process, we unveil that MexB inserted in lipid membrane is not set for active transport because it displays an inactive LTC form with a Closed exit gate. In the tripartite complex, OprM and MexA form a corset-like platform that converts MexB into the active form. Our findings shed new light on the resistance nodulation cell division (RND) cognate partners which act as allosteric factors eliciting the functional drug extrusion.
Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging use and oncologic outcomes in premenopausal breast cancer patients
Authors: Zeng Zexian , Amin Amanda , Roy Ankita , Pulliam Natalie E. , Karavites Lindsey C. , Espino Sasa , Helenowski Irene , Li Xiaoyu , Luo Yuan , Khan Seema A.
Published: October 2020

Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) delineates disease extent sensitively in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, but improved cancer outcomes are uncertain. Young women, for whom mammography is less sensitive, are expected to benefit from MRI-based resection. We identified 512 women aged ≤50 years, undergoing breast-conserving treatment (BCT: tumor-free resection margins and radiotherapy) during 2006–2013 through Northwestern Medicine database queries; 64.5% received preoperative MRI and 35.5% did not. Tumor and treatment parameters were similar between groups. We estimated the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for local and distant recurrences (LR and DR), using multivariable regression models, accounting for important therapeutic and prognostic parameters. LR rate with MRI use was 7.9 vs. 8.2% without MRI, aHR = 1.03 (95% CI 0.53–1.99). DR rate was 6.4 vs. 6.6%, aHR = 0.89 (95% CI 0.43–1.84). In 119 women aged ≤40, results were similar to LR aHR = 1.82 (95% CI 0.43–7.76) and DR aHR = 0.93 (95% CI 0.26–3.34). Sensitivity analyses showed similar results. The use of preoperative MRI in women aged ≤50 years should be reconsidered until there is proof of benefit.
A database for risk assessment and comparative genomic analysis of foodborne Vibrio parahaemolyticus in China
Authors: Pang Rui , Li Yanping , Chen Moutong , Zeng Haiyan , Lei Tao , Zhang Junhui , Ding Yu , Wang Juan , Wu Shi , Ye Qinghua , Zhang Jumei , Wu Qingping
Published: October 2020

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a major foodborne pathogen worldwide. The increasing number of cases of V. parahaemolyticus infections in China indicates an urgent need to evaluate the prevalence and genetic diversity of this pathogenic bacterium. In this paper, we introduce the Foodborne Vibrio parahaemolyticus genome database (FVPGD), the first scientific database of foodborne V. parahaemolyticus distribution and genomic data in China, based on our previous investigations of V. parahaemolyticus contamination in different kinds of food samples across China from 2011 to 2016. The dataset includes records of 2,499 food samples and 643 V. parahaemolyticus strains from supermarkets and marketplaces distributed over 39 cities in China; 268 whole-genome sequences have been deposited in this database. A spatial view on the risk situations of V. parahaemolyticus contamination in different food types is provided. Additionally, the database provides a functional interface of sequence BLAST, core genome multilocus sequence typing, and phylogenetic analysis. The database will become a powerful tool for risk assessment and outbreak investigations of foodborne pathogens in China.
Cu and Zn isotope ratio variations in plasma for survival prediction in hematological malignancy cases
Authors: Hastuti Agustina A. M. B. , Costas-Rodríguez Marta , Matsunaga Akihiro , Ichinose Takayuki , Hagiwara Shotaro , Shimura Mari , Vanhaecke Frank
Published: October 2020

We have examined potential changes in the isotopic compositions of Fe, Cu and Zn (using multi-collector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) and the corresponding concentrations (using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry) in plasma from hematological malignancy (HM) patients and assessed their prognostic capability. Together with clinical laboratory test values, data were examined in view of a 5-years survival prediction. Plasma Cu and Zn isotope ratios and their concentrations were significantly different in HM patients compared to matched controls (P < 0.05). Both δ65Cu and δ66Zn values showed significant mortality hazard ratios (HRs) in HM. The group of patients with decreased δ65Cu and increased δ66Zn values showed significantly poorer survival from the early phase (HR 3.9; P = 0.001), forming a unique cohort not identified based on laboratory test values. Well-known prognostic factors for HM, such as the creatinine level, and anemia-related values were highly correlated with the δ66Zn value (P < 0.05). Time-dependent ROC curves based on the δ65Cu or δ66Zn value were similar to that based on the creatinine concentration (a well-known prognostic factor in HM), indicating that δ65Cu or δ66Zn values are useful for prognosis of HM. Variations in stable isotope ratios of essential mineral elements have thus been shown to reflect alterations in their homeostasis due to physiological changes in malignancies with higher sensitivity than concentrations do.
Nutrient consumption-dependent association of a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor gene polymorphism with insulin secretion
Authors: Nishiya Yuki , Daimon Makoto , Mizushiri Satoru , Murakami Hiroshi , Tanabe Jutaro , Matsuhashi Yuki , Yanagimachi Miyuki , Tokuda Itoyo , Sawada Kaori , Ihara Kazushige
Published: October 2020

Since type 2 diabetes (DM) is a life-style related disease, life-style should be considered when association between genetic factors and DM are examined. However, most studies did not examine genetic associations in consideration with lifestyle. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor (GLP1R) mediates the insulinotropic action of GLP-1 in β-cells. We here examined the association while taking into consideration of interactions between the gene polymorphism and various nutrient factors. Participants from the population-based Iwaki study of Japanese subjects held in 2014–2017 with information on nutritional intake evaluated by self-administered dietary history questionnaire, and GLP1R genotype (rs3765467: A/G), were included (n = 1,560). Although not significant, insulin secretion indices assessed by homeostasis model assessment of β-cell function (HOMA-β) in subjects with the GG genotype tended to be lower than in those with the AA+AG genotypes in most groups stratified into tertiles based on daily nutrient consumptions (high, middle, and low). Stratification also showed that the GG genotype was a significant risk for decreased insulin secretion (HOMA-β ≤ 30) even after adjustment for multiple factors (age, body mass index, alcohol consumption), but only in the highest tertiles of energy, protein and carbohydrate consumption in men [odds ratios (95% confidence interval) 3.95 (1.03–15.1), 15.83 (1.58–158.9), and 4.23 (1.10–11.2), respectively]. A polymorphism of the GLP1R gene was associated with decreased insulin secretion in a nutrient consumption-dependent manner in Japanese men, indicating an interaction between GLP1R and nutritional factors in the pathophysiology of DM.
Simple analytical method for determining electrical resistivity and sheet resistance using the van der Pauw procedure
Authors: Oliveira F. S. , Cipriano R. B. , da Silva F. T. , Romão E. C. , dos Santos C. A. M.
Published: October 2020

This work reports an analytical method for determining electrical resistivity (ρ) and sheet resistance (RS) of isotropic conductors. The method is compared with previous numerical solutions and available experimental data showing a universal behavior for isotropic conductors. An approximated solution is also reported allowing one to easily determine ρ and RS for samples either with regular or arbitrary shapes.
Auditory local–global temporal processing: evidence for perceptual reorganization with musical expertise
Authors: Susini Patrick , Jiaouan Sarah Jibodh , Brunet Elena , Houix Olivier , Ponsot Emmanuel
Published: October 2020

The way the visual system processes different scales of spatial information has been widely studied, highlighting the dominant role of global over local processing. Recent studies addressing how the auditory system deals with local–global temporal information suggest a comparable processing scheme, but little is known about how this organization is modulated by long-term musical training, in particular regarding musical sequences. Here, we investigate how non-musicians and expert musicians detect local and global pitch changes in short hierarchical tone sequences structured across temporally-segregated triplets made of musical intervals (local scale) forming a melodic contour (global scale) varying either in one direction (monotonic) or both (non-monotonic). Our data reveal a clearly distinct organization between both groups. Non-musicians show global advantage (enhanced performance to detect global over local modifications) and global-to-local interference effects (interference of global over local processing) only for monotonic sequences, while musicians exhibit the reversed pattern for non-monotonic sequences. These results suggest that the local–global processing scheme depends on the complexity of the melodic contour, and that long-term musical training induces a prominent perceptual reorganization that reshapes its initial global dominance to favour local information processing. This latter result supports the theory of “analytic” processing acquisition in musicians.
Contrasting effects of linezolid on healthy and dysfunctional human neutrophils: reducing C5a-induced injury
Authors: Evans Stephen J. , Roberts Aled E. L. , Morris Andrew Conway , Simpson A. John , Harris Llinos G. , Mack Dietrich , Jenkins Rowena E. , Wilkinson Thomas S.
Published: October 2020

Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is an important cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Patients with VAP have poorly functioning neutrophils, related to increased levels of the complement fragment C5a. The antibiotic linezolid has been useful in controlling MRSA-related VAP infections; however clinical benefit does not always correlate with antimicrobial effect, suggesting the possibility of immunomodulatory properties. Here the effects of linezolid on healthy and dysfunctional neutrophils (modelled by C5a-induced injury) was investigated. Functional assays (killing, phagocytosis, transmigration, and respiratory burst) were used to assess the effects of pre-, co- and post-incubating linezolid (0.4–40 mg/L) with healthy neutrophils relative to those with C5a-induced injury. C5a decreased neutrophil killing, and phagocytosis of MRSA. Furthermore, C5a significantly decreased neutrophil transmigration to IL-8, but did not affect respiratory burst. Co-incubation of linezolid significantly improved killing of MRSA by dysfunctional neutrophils, which was supported by concomitant increases in phagocytosis. Conversely linezolid impaired killing responses in healthy neutrophils. Pre- or post-incubation of linezolid prior or following C5a induced injury had no effect on neutrophil function. This study suggests that linezolid has immunomodulatory properties that protect human neutrophils from injury and provides insight into its mode of action beyond a basic antibiotic.
Genome-wide association mapping for wheat blast resistance in CIMMYT’s international screening nurseries evaluated in Bolivia and Bangladesh
Authors: Juliana Philomin , He Xinyao , Kabir Muhammad R. , Roy Krishna K. , Anwar Md. Babul , Marza Felix , Poland Jesse , Shrestha Sandesh , Singh Ravi P. , Singh Pawan K.
Published: October 2020

Wheat blast caused by the fungus Magnaporthe oryzae pathotype Triticum (MoT) is an emerging threat to wheat production. To identify genomic regions associated with blast resistance against MoT isolates in Bolivia and Bangladesh, we performed a large genome-wide association mapping study using 8607 observations on 1106 lines from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre’s International Bread Wheat Screening Nurseries (IBWSNs) and Semi-Arid Wheat Screening Nurseries (SAWSNs). We identified 36 significant markers on chromosomes 2AS, 3BL, 4AL and 7BL with consistent effects across panels or site-years, including 20 markers that were significant in all the 49 datasets and tagged the 2NS translocation from Aegilops ventricosa. The mean blast index of lines with and without the 2NS translocation was 2.7 ± 4.5 and 53.3 ± 15.9, respectively, that substantiates its strong effect on blast resistance. Furthermore, we fingerprinted a large panel of 4143 lines for the 2NS translocation that provided excellent insights into its frequency over years and indicated its presence in 94.1 and 93.7% of lines in the 2019 IBWSN and SAWSN, respectively. Overall, this study reinforces the effectiveness of the 2NS translocation for blast resistance and emphasizes the urgent need to identify novel non-2NS sources of blast resistance.
Non-Mendelian inheritance during inbreeding of Cav3.2 and Cav2.3 deficient mice
Authors: Alpdogan Serdar , Clemens Renate , Hescheler Jürgen , Neumaier Felix , Schneider Toni
Published: October 2020

The mating of 77 heterozygous pairs (Cav3.2[+|−] x Cav3.2[+|−]) revealed a significant deviation of genotype distribution from Mendelian inheritance in weaned pups. The mating of 14 pairs (Cav3.2[−|−] female x Cav3.2[+|−] male) and 8 pairs (Cav3.2[+|−] female x Cav3.2[−|−] male) confirmed the significant reduction of deficient homozygous Cav3.2[−|−] pups, leading to the conclusion that prenatal lethality may occur, when one or both alleles, encoding the Cav3.2T-type Ca2+ channel, are missing. Also, the mating of 63 heterozygous pairs (Cav2.3[+|−] x Cav2.3[+|−]) revealed a significant deviation of genotype distribution from Mendelian inheritance in weaned pups, but only for heterozygous male mice, leading to the conclusion that compensation may only occur for Cav2.3[−|−] male mice lacking both alleles of the R-type Ca2+ channel. During the mating of heterozygous parents, the number of female mice within the weaned population does not deviate from the expected Mendelian inheritance. During prenatal development, both, T- and R-type Ca2+ currents are higher expressed in some tissues than postnatally. It will be discussed that the function of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels during prenatal development must be investigated in more detail, not least to understand devastative diseases like developmental epileptic encephalopathies (DEE).
Noise and charge discreteness as ultimate limit for the THz operation of ultra-small electronic devices
Authors: Colomés Enrique , Mateos Javier , González Tomás , Oriols Xavier
Published: October 2020

To manufacture faster electron devices, the industry has entered into the nanoscale dimensions and Terahertz (THz) working frequencies. The discrete nature of the few electrons present simultaneously in the active region of ultra-small devices generate unavoidable fluctuations of the current at THz frequencies. The consequences of this noise remain unnoticed in the scientific community because its accurate understanding requires dealing with consecutive multi-time quantum measurements. Here, a modeling of the quantum measurement of the current at THz frequencies is introduced in terms of quantum (Bohmian) trajectories. With this new understanding, we develop an analytic model for THz noise as a function of the electron transit time and the sampling integration time, which finally determine the maximum device working frequency for digital applications. The model is confirmed by either semi-classical or full- quantum time-dependent Monte Carlo simulations. All these results show that intrinsic THz noise increases unlimitedly when the volume of the active region decreases. All attempts to minimize the low signal-to-noise ratio of these ultra-small devices to get effective THz working frequencies are incompatible with the basic elements of the scaling strategy. One can develop THz electron devices, but they cannot have ultra-small dimensions. Or, one can fabricate ultra-small electron devices, but they cannot be used for THz working frequencies.
Unveiling water dynamics in fuel cells from time-resolved tomographic microscopy data
Authors: Bührer Minna , Xu Hong , Eller Jens , Sijbers Jan , Stampanoni Marco , Marone Federica
Published: October 2020

X-ray dynamic tomographic microscopy offers new opportunities in the volumetric investigation of dynamic processes. Due to data complexity and their sheer amount, extraction of comprehensive quantitative information remains challenging due to the intensive manual interaction required. Particularly for dynamic investigations, these intensive manual requirements significantly extend the total data post-processing time, limiting possible dynamic analysis realistically to a few samples and time steps, hindering full exploitation of the new capabilities offered at dedicated time-resolved X-ray tomographic stations. In this paper, a fully automatized iterative tomographic reconstruction pipeline (rSIRT-PWC-DIFF) designed to reconstruct and segment dynamic processes within a static matrix is presented. The proposed algorithm includes automatic dynamic feature separation through difference sinograms, a virtual sinogram step for interior tomography datasets, time-regularization extended to small sub-regions for increased robustness and an automatic stopping criterion. We demonstrate the advantages of our approach on dynamic fuel cell data, for which the current data post-processing pipeline heavily relies on manual labor. The proposed approach reduces the post-processing time by at least a factor of 4 on limited computational resources. Full independence from manual interaction additionally allows straightforward up-scaling to efficiently process larger data, extensively boosting the possibilities in future dynamic X-ray tomographic investigations.
Settlement of larvae from four families of corals in response to a crustose coralline alga and its biochemical morphogens
Authors: Whitman Taylor N. , Negri Andrew P. , Bourne David G. , Randall Carly J.
Published: October 2020

Healthy benthic substrates that induce coral larvae to settle are necessary for coral recovery. Yet, the biochemical cues required to induce coral settlement have not been identified for many taxa. Here we tested the ability of the crustose coralline alga (CCA) Porolithon onkodes to induce attachment and metamorphosis, collectively termed settlement, of larvae from 15 ecologically important coral species from the families Acroporidae, Merulinidae, Poritidae, and Diploastreidae. Live CCA fragments, ethanol extracts, and hot aqueous extracts of P. onkodes induced settlement (> 10%) for 11, 7, and 6 coral species, respectively. Live CCA fragments were the most effective inducer, achieving over 50% settlement for nine species. The strongest settlement responses were observed in Acropora spp.; the only non-acroporid species that settled over 50% were Diploastrea heliopora, Goniastrea retiformis, and Dipsastraea pallida. Larval settlement was reduced in treatments with chemical extracts compared with live CCA, although high settlement (> 50%) was reported for six acroporid species in response to ethanol extracts of CCA. All experimental treatments failed (< 10%) to induce settlement in Montipora aequituberculata, Mycedium elephantotus, and Porites cylindrica. Individual species responded heterogeneously to all treatments, suggesting that none of the cues represent a universal settlement inducer. These results challenge the commonly-held notion that CCA ubiquitously induces coral settlement, and emphasize the critical need to assess additional cues to identify natural settlement inducers for a broad range of coral taxa.
Analysis of the clinical characteristics of 77 COVID-19 deaths
Authors: Wang Kaige , Qiu Zhixin , Liu Jiasheng , Fan Tao , Liu Chunrong , Tian Panwen , Wang Ye , Ni Zhong , Zhang Shumin , Luo Jianfei , Liu Dan , Li Weimin
Published: October 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak is becoming a public health emergency. Data are limited on the clinical characteristics and causes of death. A retrospective analysis of COVID-19 deaths were performed for patients’ clinical characteristics, laboratory results, and causes of death. In total, 56 patients (72.7%) of the decedents (male–female ratio 51:26, mean age 71 ± 13, mean survival time 17.4 ± 8.4 days) had comorbidities. Acute respiratory failure (ARF) and sepsis were the main causes of death. Increases in C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), D-dimer and lactic acid and decreases in lymphocytes were common laboratory results. Intergroup analysis showed that (1) most female decedents had cough and diabetes. (2) The proportion of young- and middle-aged deaths was higher than elderly deaths for males, while elderly decedents were more prone to myocardial injury and elevated CRP. (3) CRP and LDH increased and cluster of differentiation (CD) 4+ and CD8+ cells decreased significantly in patients with hypertension. The majority of COVID-19 decedents are male, especially elderly people with comorbidities. The main causes of death are ARF and sepsis. Most female decedents have cough and diabetes. Myocardial injury is common in elderly decedents. Patients with hypertension are prone to an increased inflammatory index, tissue hypoxia and cellular immune injury.
Conventional pulse transit times as markers of blood pressure changes in humans
Authors: Block Robert C. , Yavarimanesh Mohammad , Natarajan Keerthana , Carek Andrew , Mousavi Azin , Chandrasekhar Anand , Kim Chang-Sei , Zhu Junxi , Schifitto Giovanni , Mestha Lalit K. , Inan Omer T. , Hahn Jin-Oh , Mukkamala Ramakrishna
Published: October 2020

Pulse transit time (PTT) represents a potential approach for cuff-less blood pressure (BP) monitoring. Conventionally, PTT is determined by (1) measuring (a) ECG and ear, finger, or toe PPG waveforms or (b) two of these PPG waveforms and (2) detecting the time delay between the waveforms. The conventional PTTs (cPTTs) were compared in terms of correlation with BP in humans. Thirty-two volunteers [50% female; 52 (17) (mean (SD)) years; 25% hypertensive] were studied. The four waveforms and manual cuff BP were recorded before and after slow breathing, mental arithmetic, cold pressor, and sublingual nitroglycerin. Six cPTTs were detected as the time delays between the ECG R-wave and ear PPG foot, R-wave and finger PPG foot [finger pulse arrival time (PAT)], R-wave and toe PPG foot (toe PAT), ear and finger PPG feet, ear and toe PPG feet, and finger and toe PPG feet. These time delays were also detected via PPG peaks. The best correlation by a substantial extent was between toe PAT via the PPG foot and systolic BP [− 0.63 ± 0.05 (mean ± SE); p < 0.001 via one-way ANOVA]. Toe PAT is superior to other cPTTs including the popular finger PAT as a marker of changes in BP and systolic BP in particular.
The Acute Effects of the Atypical Dissociative Hallucinogen Salvinorin A on Functional Connectivity in the Human Brain
Authors: Doss Manoj K. , May Darrick G. , Johnson Matthew W. , Clifton John M. , Hedrick Sidnee L. , Prisinzano Thomas E. , Griffiths Roland R. , Barrett Frederick S.
Published: October 2020

Salvinorin A (SA) is a κ-opioid receptor agonist and atypical dissociative hallucinogen found in Salvia divinorum. Despite the resurgence of hallucinogen studies, the effects of κ-opioid agonists on human brain function are not well-understood. This placebo-controlled, within-subject study used functional magnetic resonance imaging for the first time to explore the effects of inhaled SA on strength, variability, and entropy of functional connectivity (static, dynamic, and entropic functional connectivity, respectively, or sFC, dFC, and eFC). SA tended to decrease within-network sFC but increase between-network sFC, with the most prominent effect being attenuation of the default mode network (DMN) during the first half of a 20-min scan (i.e., during peak effects). SA reduced brainwide dFC but increased brainwide eFC, though only the former effect survived multiple comparison corrections. Finally, using connectome-based classification, most models trained on dFC network interactions could accurately classify the first half of SA scans. In contrast, few models trained on within- or between-network sFC and eFC performed above chance. Notably, models trained on within-DMN sFC and eFC performed better than models trained on other network interactions. This pattern of SA effects on human brain function is strikingly similar to that of other hallucinogens, necessitating studies of direct comparisons.
Maternal fibre and gluten intake during pregnancy and risk of childhood celiac disease: the MoBa study
Authors: Lund-Blix Nicolai A. , Tapia German , Mårild Karl , Brantsæter Anne Lise , Eggesbø Merete , Mandal Siddhartha , Stene Lars C. , Størdal Ketil
Published: October 2020

Maternal diet can influence the developing immune system of the offspring. We hypothesized that maternal fibre and gluten intake during pregnancy were associated with the risk of celiac disease in the child. In the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa, n = 85,898) higher maternal fibre intake (median 29.5 g/day) was associated with a lower risk of celiac disease in the offspring (adjusted relative risk 0.90, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.98 per 10 g/d increase). Gluten intake during pregnancy (median 13.0 g/d) was associated with a higher risk of childhood CD (adjusted relative risk = 1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.43 per 10 g/d increase). These results were largely unaffected by adjustment for the child’s gluten intake at 18 months. In an independent study of 149 mother/child dyads, maternal fibre intake did not predict concentrations of total or sub-types of short-chain fatty acids in repeated infant stool samples, or fecal microbiome diversity in the mother or child. Our results suggest that high fibre and low gluten intake during pregnancy could be protective factors for celiac disease, although the mechanism is unknown.
Picosecond multilevel resistive switching in tantalum oxide thin films
Authors: Böttger Ulrich , von Witzleben Moritz , Havel Viktor , Fleck Karsten , Rana Vikas , Waser Rainer , Menzel Stephan
Published: October 2020

The increasing demand for high-density data storage leads to an increasing interest in novel memory concepts with high scalability and the opportunity of storing multiple bits in one cell. A promising candidate is the redox-based resistive switch repositing the information in form of different resistance states. For reliable programming, the underlying physical parameters need to be understood. We reveal that the programmable resistance states are linked to internal series resistances and the fundamental nonlinear switching kinetics. The switching kinetics of $$\hbox {Ta}_2 \hbox {O}_5$$

Ta
2

O
5

-based cells was investigated in a wide range over 15 orders of magnitude from 10$$^5$$

5

 s to 250 ps. The capacitive charging time of our device limits the direct observation of the set time below 770 ps, however, we found indication for an intrinsic switching speed of 10 ps at a stimulus of 3 V. On all time scales, multi-bit data storage capabilities were demonstrated. The elucidated link between fundamental material properties and multi-bit data storage paves the way for designing resistive switches for memory and neuromorphic applications.
A design strategy to match the band gap of periodic and aperiodic metamaterials
Authors: D’Alessandro Luca , Krushynska Anastasiia O. , Ardito Raffaele , Pugno Nicola M. , Corigliano Alberto
Published: October 2020

The focus of this paper is on elastic metamaterials characterised by the presence of wide sub-wavelength band gap. In most cases, such mechanical property is strictly connected to the periodic repetition of the unit cell. Nonetheless, the strict periodicity requirement could represent a drawback. In this paper, we present a design strategy for aperiodic elastic metamaterials in order to achieve the same performances as for the periodic counterparts. This is done by exploiting the concept of separation of modes for different building blocks, arranged in aperiodic fashion. A theoretical explanation is provided, as well as numerical simulations; the concept is validated by means of a set of experimental tests on prototypes that are realized via additive manufacturing.
Al exposure increases proline levels by different pathways in an Al-sensitive and an Al-tolerant rye genotype
Authors: de Sousa Alexandra , AbdElgawad Hamada , Fidalgo Fernanda , Teixeira Jorge , Matos Manuela , Hamed Badreldin A. , Selim Samy , Hozzein Wael N. , Beemster Gerrit T. S. , Asard Han
Published: October 2020

Aluminium (Al) toxicity limits crop productivity, particularly at low soil pH. Proline (Pro) plays a role in protecting plants against various abiotic stresses. Using the relatively Al-tolerant cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), we evaluated Pro metabolism in roots and shoots of two genotypes differing in Al tolerance, var. RioDeva (sensitive) and var. Beira (tolerant). Most enzyme activities and metabolites of Pro biosynthesis were analysed. Al induced increases in Pro levels in each genotype, but the mechanisms were different and were also different between roots and shoots. The Al-tolerant genotype accumulated highest Pro levels and this stronger increase was ascribed to simultaneous activation of the ornithine (Orn)-biosynthetic pathway and decrease in Pro oxidation. The Orn pathway was particularly enhanced in roots. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity, N levels, and N/C ratios demonstrate that N-metabolism is less inhibited in the Al-tolerant line. The correlation between Pro changes and differences in Al-sensitivity between these two genotypes, supports a role for Pro in Al tolerance. Our results suggest that differential responses in Pro biosynthesis may be linked to N-availability. Understanding the role of Pro in differences between genotypes in stress responses, could be valuable in plant selection and breeding for Al resistance.
Pupil size changes signal hippocampus-related memory functions
Authors: Pajkossy Péter , Szőllősi Ágnes , Racsmány Mihály
Published: October 2020

A major task of episodic memory is to create unique, distinguishable representations of highly overlapping perceptual inputs. Several studies on this basic function have shown that it is based on the intact functioning of certain subregions of the hippocampus and is among the most sensitive behavioral indicators of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Here we assessed pupil dilation associated with performance in a widely used recognition paradigm that aims to uncover the intactness of fine-graded mnemonic discrimination. A sample of healthy undergraduate students was used. First, we showed that the correct discrimination between highly similar lure items and target items elicit larger pupil response than correct target identification. Second, we found that mnemonic discrimination is associated with larger pupil response in general as compared to target identification, regardless of whether the response was correct or not. These results suggest the pupil changes differentiate mnemonic discrimination and memory identification processes in recognition performance.
Use of artificial intelligence to recover mandibular morphology after disease
Authors: Liang Ye , Huan JingJing , Li Jia-Da , Jiang CanHua , Fang ChangYun , Liu YongGang
Published: October 2020

Mandibular tumors and radical oral cancer surgery often cause bone dysmorphia and defects. Most patients present with noticeable mandibular deformations, and doctors often have difficulty determining their exact mandibular morphology. In this study, a deep convolutional generative adversarial network (DCGAN) called CTGAN is proposed to complete 3D mandibular cone beam computed tomography data from CT data. After extensive training, CTGAN was tested on 6 mandibular tumor cases, resulting in 3D virtual mandibular completion. We found that CTGAN can generate mandibles with different levels and rich morphology, including positional and angular changes and local patterns. The completion results are shown as tomographic images combining generated and natural areas. The 3D generated mandibles have the anatomical morphology of the real mandibles and transition smoothly to the portions without disease, showing that CTGAN constructs mandibles with the expected patient characteristics and is suitable for mandibular morphological completion. The presented modeling principles can be applied to other areas for 3D morphological completion from medical images.

Clinical trial registration: This study is not a clinical trial. Patient data were only used for testing in a virtual environment. The use of the digital data used in this study was ethically approved.
The submerged footprint of Perito Moreno glacier
Authors: Lodolo Emanuele , Donda Federica , Lozano Jorge , Baradello Luca , Romeo Roberto , Bran Donaldo M. , Tassone Alejandro
Published: October 2020

Perito Moreno is the most famous calving glacier of the South Patagonia Icefield, the largest temperate glacier system of the Southern Hemisphere. Unlike most of the glaciers in the region that have strongly retreated in recent decades, the position of Perito Moreno glacier front remained relatively unchanged in the last century. However, earliest photographic documents show that, at the end of the nineteenth century, the front was ca. 800 m behind the current position. There is no reliable information about the positions of the Perito Moreno front in earlier times. Here we show evidence of two subaqueous moraine systems both in the Canal de Los Témpanos and in the Brazo Rico, the two arms of Lago Argentino along which Perito Moreno glacier has flowed over time. These moraines, identified for the first time in the Canal de Los Témpanos from bathymetric and high-resolution seismic profiles, mark the position of the largest glacier advance, tentatively correlated with the moraines of the “Herminita advance” identified and dated onland. We interpret these bedforms as the evidence of the most pronounced advance of Perito Moreno glacier during the mid-Holocene cooling event that characterized this sector of the Southern Hemisphere. This study highlights the importance of subaqueous glacial bedforms, representing decisive records of the glacial history and palaeoclimate, which could help unveiling the origin of the different behavior of glaciers like Perito Moreno that in a warming climate are relatively stable.
The macroevolutionary landscape of short-necked plesiosaurians
Authors: Fischer Valentin , MacLaren Jamie A. , Soul Laura C. , Bennion Rebecca F. , Druckenmiller Patrick S. , Benson Roger B. J.
Published: October 2020

Throughout their evolution, tetrapods have repeatedly colonised a series of ecological niches in marine ecosystems, producing textbook examples of convergent evolution. However, this evolutionary phenomenon has typically been assessed qualitatively and in broad-brush frameworks that imply simplistic macroevolutionary landscapes. We establish a protocol to visualize the density of trait space occupancy and thoroughly test for the existence of macroevolutionary landscapes. We apply this protocol to a new phenotypic dataset describing the morphology of short-necked plesiosaurians, a major component of the Mesozoic marine food webs (ca. 201 to 66 Mya). Plesiosaurians evolved this body plan multiple times during their 135-million-year history, making them an ideal test case for the existence of macroevolutionary landscapes. We find ample evidence for a bimodal craniodental macroevolutionary landscape separating latirostrines from longirostrine taxa, providing the first phylogenetically-explicit quantitative assessment of trophic diversity in extinct marine reptiles. This bimodal pattern was established as early as the Middle Jurassic and was maintained in evolutionary patterns of short-necked plesiosaurians until a Late Cretaceous (Turonian) collapse to a unimodal landscape comprising longirostrine forms with novel morphologies. This study highlights the potential of severe environmental perturbations to profoundly alter the macroevolutionary dynamics of animals occupying the top of food chains.
Co-detection of Bordetella pertussis and other respiratory organisms in children hospitalised with lower respiratory tract infection
Authors: Muloiwa Rudzani , Dube Felix S. , Nicol Mark P. , Hussey Gregory D. , Zar Heather J.
Published: October 2020

Multiple potential pathogens are frequently co-detected among children with lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI). Evidence indicates that Bordetella pertussis has an important role in the aetiology of LRTI. We aimed to study the association between B. pertussis and other respiratory pathogens in children hospitalised with severe LRTI, and to assess clinical relevance of co-detection. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs and induced sputa (IS) were tested with a B. pertussis specific PCR; additionally, IS was tested for other pathogens using a multiplex PCR. We included 454 children, median age 8 months (IQR 4–18), 31 (7%) of whom tested positive for B. pertussis. Children with B. pertussis had more bacterial pathogens detected (3 versus 2; P < 0.001). While B. pertussis showed no association with most pathogens, it was independently associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and parainfluenza viruses with adjusted risk ratios of 4.01 (1.03–15.64), 4.17 (1.42–12.27) and 2.13 (1.03–4.55), respectively. There was a consistent increased risk of severe disease with B. pertussis. Patterns indicated even higher risks when B. pertussis was co-detected with any of the three organisms although not statistically significant. Improving vaccine coverage against B. pertussis would impact not only the incidence of pertussis but also that of severe LRTI generally.
Time-scale dependence of solar wind-based regression models of ionospheric electrodynamics
Authors: Laundal Karl M. , Reistad Jone P. , Hatch Spencer M. , Moretto Therese , Ohma Anders , Østgaard Nikolai , Tenfjord Paul A. R. , Finlay Christopher C. , Kloss Clemens
Published: October 2020

The solar wind influence on geospace can be described as the sum of a directly driven component, or dayside reconnection, and an unloading component, associated with the release of magnetic energy via nightside reconnection. The two processes are poorly correlated on short time scales, but exactly equal when averaged over long time windows. Because of this peculiar property, regression models of ionospheric electrodynamics that are based on solar wind data are time scale specific: Models derived from 1 min resolution data will be different from models derived from hourly, daily, or monthly data. We explain and quantify this effect on simple linear regression models of various geomagnetic indices. We also derive a time scale-dependent correction factor that can be used with the Average Magnetic field and Polar current System model. Finally, we show how absolute estimates of the nightside reconnection rate can be calculated from solar wind measurements and geomagnetic indices.
Effect of protein on the thermogenesis performance of natural rubber matrix
Authors: Zhan Yue-Hua , Wei Yan-Chan , Tian Jing-jing , Gao Yuan-Yuan , Luo Ming-Chao , Liao Shuangquan
Published: October 2020

Under high-speed strain, the thermogenesis performance of natural rubber products is unstable, leading to aging and early failure of the material. The quality of rubber latex and eventually that of the final products depends among others on the protein content. We found that when the protein is almost removed, the heat generated by the vulcanized rubber increases rapidly. After adding soy protein isolate to the secondary purification rubber, the heat generation of the vulcanized rubber is reduced, and the heat generation is the lowest when the added amount is 2.5–3.0 phr, which on account of protein promotes the construction of a vulcanization network and increases the rigidity of the rubber chain, resulting in a decrease in the potential frictional behavior of the rubber chain during the curl up-extension process.
Spatial heterogeneity and factors influencing stunting and severe stunting among under-5 children in Ethiopia: spatial and multilevel analysis
Authors: Hailu Bayuh Asmamaw , Bogale Getahun Gebre , Beyene Joseph
Published: October 2020

Stunting remains a major public health concern in Ethiopia. Government needs to reshape and redesign new interventions to reduce stunting among under-five children. Hence, this study identified the problem according to location and risk factor. This study is a secondary data analysis of the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. A total of 9588 children aged 0–59 months were included in the study. The spatial and multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to explore spatial heterogeneity and identify individual- and household-level factors associated with stunting and severe stunting. Spatial heterogeneity of stunting and severe stunting was seen across the study setting. Male children (AOR = 1.51, CI 1.16, 1.96); multiple births (AOR = 27.6, CI 10.73, 71.18); older children (AOR = 1.04, CI 1.01, 1.05) and anemic children (AOR = 3.21, CI 2.3, 4.49) were severely stunted at individual-level factors. Children from educated and malnourished mothers (respectively, AOR = 0.18, CI 0.05, 0.71; AOR = 5.35, CI 3.45, 8.32), and from less wealthier mothers (AOR = 5.95, CI 2.58, 13.69) were severely stunted at household-level factors. Giving priority to the hotspot areas of stunting and older and anemic children, multiple births, and maternal undernutrition is important to reduce stunting. Studies are recommended to fill the gaps of this study.
Bio-heat response of skin tissue based on three-phase-lag model
Authors: Zhang Qiao , Sun Yuxin , Yang Jialing
Published: October 2020

In this article, the thermal response of skin tissue is investigated based on three-phase-lag (TPL) model of heat conduction. The governing equation of bio-heat conduction is established by introducing both the TPL model of heat conduction and a modified energy conservation equation. The analytical solution is obtained by adopting the method of separation of variables and a parametric study on temperature responses in TPL model is carried out. It is shown that the TPL model can predict both the diffusion and wave characteristics of bio-heat conduction. Increasing the phase-lag of thermal displacement gradient would result in the rise of thermal propagation speed and decrease the temperature in affected zone. The perfusion rate of arterial blood has no obvious effect on thermal propagation velocity and thermal propagation lagging. Increasing of the rate of blood perfusion contributes to decreasing the temperature of steady state.
Assessment of semi-permanent hair dyes in wash water from beauty salons by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-selected reaction monitoring (LC-MS/MS-SRM)
Authors: Franco Jefferson Honorio , da Silva Bianca F. , Zanoni Maria V. B.
Published: October 2020

Herein, we present an approach for the quantification of semi-permanent hair dyes in wash water samples released during washing of dyed hair employing a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-selected reaction monitoring (LC-MS/MS-SRM).
Correction: Exploration of flow reaction conditions using machine-learning for enantioselective organocatalyzed Rauhut–Currier and [3+2] annulation sequence
Authors: Kondo Masaru , Wathsala H. D. P. , Sako Makoto , Hanatani Yutaro , Ishikawa Kazunori , Hara Satoshi , Takaai Takayuki , Washio Takashi , Takizawa Shinobu , Sasai Hiroaki
Published: October 2020

Correction for ‘Exploration of flow reaction conditions using machine-learning for enantioselective organocatalyzed Rauhut–Currier and [3+2] annulation sequence’ by Masaru Kondo et al., Chem. Commun., 2020, 56, 1259–1262, DOI: 10.1039/C9CC08526B.
Structural analysis of metastable pharmaceutical loratadine form II, by 3D electron diffraction and DFT+D energy minimisation
Authors: Woollam Grahame R. , Das Partha P. , Mugnaioli Enrico , Andrusenko Iryna , Galanis Athanassios S. , van de Streek Jacco , Nicolopoulos Stavros , Gemmi Mauro , Wagner Trixie
Published: October 2020

Coupling 3D electron diffraction and density functional theory provided the metastable pharmaceutical crystal structure within nanometre range, under ambient conditions.