bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reducing air pollution increases the local diurnal temperature range: A case study of Lanzhou, China
Authors: Cheng Xueyan , Lan Tianhan , Mao Rui , Gong Dao‐Yi , Han Hui , Liu Xiaohong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLanzhou is one of the largest heavy industry cities in northwestern China. The city has carried out massive air pollution‐control programmes since 2012. As a result, the concentrations of air pollutants in Lanzhou have decreased. In order to examine the effects of air pollution‐control programmes on air temperature, the differences in air temperatures between Lanzhou and Yuzhong (a small county adjacent to Lanzhou) and their change between 2009–2011 (P1) and 2013–2015 (P2) were calculated. The results showed that the maximum (minimum) temperature difference significantly increased (decreased) by 0.32°C (0.40°C) in winter (summer) between P1 and P2, indicating an increase (decrease) of the maximum (minimum) temperature in winter (summer) in Lanzhou caused by the reduction in air pollution. Therefore, the diurnal temperature range in Lanzhou increased by 0.50°C in summer and 0.22°C in winter during P2 compared with P1. The increase in the maximum temperature in winter and the decrease in the minimum temperature in summer are supported by a decrease in mean air temperature at night and by an increase of mean air temperature in daytime in winter and summer during P2 compared with P1. The increase in temperature in daytime may be ascribed to more absorption of solar radiation at the surface. The decrease in temperature at night in summer is caused by increasing light rainfall. The decrease in temperature at night during winter may be related to more loss of surface heat through long wave radiation.
Two novel KCNA1 variants identified in two unrelated Chinese families affected by episodic ataxia type 1 and neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Yuan Haiming , Yuan Huihua , Wang Qingming , Ye Wanhua , Yao Ruixia , Xu Wanfang , Liu Yanhui 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundPathogenic KCNA1 variants have been linked to episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1), a rare neurological syndrome characterized by continuous myokymia and attacks of generalized ataxia that can be triggered by fever, abrupt movements, emotional stress, and fatigue. Currently, over 40 KCNA1 variants have been identified in individuals with EA1.MethodsA male patient displayed partial seizures in addition to EA1 symptoms, often triggered by fever. A sibling presented with typical EA1 symptoms, seizures, and learning difficulties. In addition, the older brother displayed cognitive impairment, developmental delay, and slurred speech, which were absent in his younger sister. Whole‐exome sequencing was performed for the patients.ResultsA novel de novo missense variant in KCNA1 (p.Ala261Thr) was identified in the male patient, which is located in a base of the 3rd transmembrane domain (S3). The other novel KCNA1 variant (p.Gly376Ser) was identified in the sibling and was inherited from an unaffected father with low‐level mosaicism. The variant was located in the S5–S6 extracellular linker of the voltage sensor domain of the Kv channel. Next, we systematically reviewed the available clinical phenotypes of individuals with EA1 and observed that individuals with KCNA1 variants at the C‐terminus were more likely to suffer from seizures and neurodevelopmental disorders than those with variants at the N‐terminus.ConclusionOur study expands the mutation spectrum of KCNA1 and improves our understanding of the genotype–phenotype correlations of KCNA1. Definitive genetic diagnosis is beneficial for the genetic counseling and clinical management of individuals with EA1.
Increased hydrophobicity of CRYGD p.(Ala159ProfsTer9): Suspected cause of congenital cataracts in a large Chinese family
Authors: Lin Meina , Jin Ying , Chen Xinren , Sui Yu , Li Yan , Li Huan , Ni Xiang , Zhao Ning , Lu Yongping , Jiang Miao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to identify the disease‐causing mutation of congenital cataract disease in a large northeastern Chinese family.Materials and MethodsThe subjects’ peripheral blood was collected, their genomic DNA was extracted, mutation screening of candidate genes was performed using polymerase chain reaction, and the amplified products were sequenced. Recombinant C‐terminal enhanced green fluorescent protein‐tagged wild‐type or mutant CRYGD was expressed in HEK293T cells, and the expression pattern was observed under a fluorescence microscope. The CRYGD protein mutation was analyzed via bioinformatics analysis.Resultsc.475delG, a novel frameshift mutation in CRYGD, was identified in the affected family members. This mutation causes premature termination of the polypeptide, resulting in truncated p.(Ala159ProfsTer9). According to the bioinformatics analysis results, compared with wild‐type CRYGD, p.(Ala159ProfsTer9) exhibits significantly decreased hydrophilicity. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that p.(Ala159ProfsTer9) aggregates in the cell in the form of granular deposits.ConclusionIn this study, the novel frameshift mutation c.475delG, p.(Ala159ProfsTer9) in CRYGD was identified to cause congenital cataracts in a large Chinese family; increased hydrophobicity of p.(Ala159ProfsTer9) protein may be the underlying mechanism.
Ultra‐high spatial resolution BOLD fMRI in humans using combined segmented‐accelerated VFA‐FLEET with a recursive RF pulse design
Authors: Berman Avery J. L. , Grissom William A. , Witzel Thomas , Nasr Shahin , Park Daniel J. , Setsompop Kawin , Polimeni Jonathan R. 
Published: July 2020

PurposeTo alleviate the spatial encoding limitations of single‐shot echo‐planar imaging (EPI) by developing multi‐shot segmented EPI for ultra‐high‐resolution functional MRI (fMRI) with reduced ghosting artifacts from subject motion and respiration.Theory and MethodsSegmented EPI can reduce readout duration and reduce acceleration factors, however, the time elapsed between segment acquisitions (on the order of seconds) can result in intermittent ghosting, limiting its use for fMRI. Here, “FLEET” segment ordering, where segments are looped over before slices, was combined with a variable flip angle progression (VFA‐FLEET) to improve inter‐segment fidelity and maximize signal for fMRI. Scaling a sinc pulse’s flip angle for each segment (VFA‐FLEET‐Sinc) produced inconsistent slice profiles and ghosting, therefore, a recursive Shinnar‐Le Roux (SLR) radiofrequency (RF) pulse design was developed (VFA‐FLEET‐SLR) to generate unique pulses for every segment that together produce consistent slice profiles and signals.ResultsThe temporal stability of VFA‐FLEET‐SLR was compared against conventional‐segmented EPI and VFA‐FLEET‐Sinc at 3T and 7T. VFA‐FLEET‐SLR showed reductions in both intermittent and stable ghosting compared to conventional‐segmented and VFA‐FLEET‐Sinc, resulting in improved image quality with a minor trade‐off in temporal SNR. Combining VFA‐FLEET‐SLR with acceleration, we achieved a 0.6‐mm isotropic acquisition at 7T, without zoomed imaging or partial Fourier, demonstrating reliable detection of blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) responses to a visual stimulus. To counteract the increased repetition time from segmentation, simultaneous multi‐slice VFA‐FLEET‐SLR was demonstrated using RF‐encoded controlled aliasing.ConclusionsVFA‐FLEET with a recursive RF pulse design supports acquisitions with low levels of artifact and spatial blur, enabling fMRI at previously inaccessible spatial resolutions with a “full‐brain” field of view.
Does sexual functioning improve with migraine improvements and/or weight loss?—A post hoc analysis in the Women's Health and Migraine (WHAM) trial
Authors: Schumacher Leah , Wing Rena , Thomas J. Graham , Pavlovic Jelena , Digre Kathleen , Farris Samantha , Steffen Kristine , Sarwer David , Bond Dale S. 
Published: July 2020

SummaryBackgroundDespite plausibility of migraine headaches contributing to impaired sexual function among women, data are inconsistent and point to obesity as a potential confounder. Prospective studies that assess the relative importance of migraine improvements and weight loss in relation to sexual function could help elucidate associations among migraine, obesity and female sexual dysfunction (FSD).ObjectiveTo evaluate sexual function changes and predictors of improvement after behavioural weight loss (BWL) intervention for migraine or migraine education (ME).MethodsWomen with migraine and overweight/obesity were randomized to 16 weeks of BWL (n = 54) or ME (n = 56). Participants completed a 4‐week smartphone headache diary and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at pre‐ and post‐treatment. A validated FSFI total cut‐off score defined FSD. We compared changes in FSFI scores and FSD rates between conditions and evaluated migraine improvements and weight loss as predictors of sexual functioning in the full sample.ResultsAmong treatment completers (n = 85), 56 (65.9%) participants who reported sexual activity at pre‐ and post‐treatment were analysed. Migraine improvements were similar between conditions, whereas BWL had greater weight losses compared with ME. FSD rates did not change overall (48.2% to 44.6%, p = .66) or by condition (BWL: 56.0% to 40.0% vs. ME: 41.9% to 48.4%, p = .17). Similar patterns were observed for changes in FSFI total and subscale scores. Across conditions, larger weight losses predicted greater improvements in FSFI total and arousal subscale scores, whereas larger migraine headache frequency reductions predicted greater improvements in FSFI satisfaction subscale scores.ConclusionSexual functioning did not improve with either BWL or ME despite migraine headache improvements in both conditions and weight loss after BWL. However, weight loss related to improvements in physiological components of the sexual response (i.e., arousal) and overall sexual functioning, whereas reduced headache frequency related to improved sexual satisfaction. Additional research with larger samples is needed.
N6‐methyladenosine and RNA secondary structure affect transcript stability and protein abundance during systemic salt stress in Arabidopsis
Authors: Kramer Marianne C. , Janssen Kevin A. , Palos Kyle , Nelson Andrew D. L. , Vandivier Lee E. , Garcia Benjamin A. , Lyons Eric , Beilstein Mark A. , Gregory Brian D. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAfter transcription, a messenger RNA (mRNA) is further post‐transcriptionally regulated by several features including RNA secondary structure and covalent RNA modifications (specifically N6‐methyladenosine, m6A). Both RNA secondary structure and m6A have been demonstrated to regulate mRNA stability and translation and have been independently linked to plant responses to soil salinity levels. However, the effect of m6A on regulating RNA secondary structure and the combinatorial interplay between these two RNA features during salt stress response has yet to be studied. Here, we globally identify RNA‐protein interactions and RNA secondary structure during systemic salt stress. This analysis reveals that RNA secondary structure changes significantly during salt stress, and that it is independent of global changes in RNA‐protein interactions. Conversely, we find that m6A is anti‐correlated with RNA secondary structure in a condition‐dependent manner, with salt‐specific m6A correlated with a decrease in mRNA secondary structure during salt stress. Taken together, we suggest that salt‐specific m6A deposition and the associated loss of RNA secondary structure results in increases in mRNA stability for transcripts encoding abiotic stress response proteins and ultimately increases in protein levels from these stabilized transcripts. In total, our comprehensive analyses reveal important post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in plant long‐term salt stress response and adaptation.
Description of Baetao‐Manteiga 41 and ‘Yunguilla’ superior Andean common beans for Tanzanian production environments
Authors: Nchimbi Msolla S. , Miklas P. , Fourie D. , Kilango M. , Porch T. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAn international effort was initiated with the evaluation of a diverse set of large‐seeded Andean common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the Andean Diversity Panel, in sub‐Saharan Africa. Several entries in the panel have been selected for extensive characterization on the basis of high performance across multiple location × year trials in Tanzania—conducted both on station and on farm. Baetao‐Manteiga 41, tested as ADP‐190, has a commercial Kablanketi (light purple speckled) seed type, and ‘Yunguilla’, tested as ADP‐447, has a commercial Calima (red mottled) seed type. Both lines exhibited yield stability, vigorous growth under low fertility conditions, angular leaf spot resistance, and moderate common bacterial blight resistance; Yunguilla also possessed rust resistance. These two lines were tested, selected, and characterized cooperatively by Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), the Tanzanian Agricultural Research Institute (TARI), the USDA‐ARS, and the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) of South Africa, and in collaboration with local farmers in Tanzania.
Coevolution as an engine of biodiversity and a cornucopia of ecosystem services
Authors: Raguso Robert A. 
Published: July 2020

Societal Impact StatementCoevolutionary processes, which have governed interactions between organisms throughout the history of life, also serve as an engine of ecosystem services for humans. The escalating arms races between plants and herbivores, flowers and pollinators, have generated a cornucopia of foods, raw materials, perfumes, spices, ornamentals, medicines, and drugs. Human history is replete with aesthetic as well as economic inspiration drawn from such plants. Our future may depend on similar inspiration, as we confront novel health, agricultural, and environmental challenges in the face of global change.
Summary
“Coevolution” was coined to conceptualize escalating arms races between plants and herbivores in evolutionary time, often mediated by natural products. Our current view embraces broader coevolutionary relationships between obligate mutualists, symbionts, parasites, and enemies, which frequently increase rates of diversification in coevolving lineages. Because humans benefit from the foods, materials, and drugs produced by plants in response to reciprocal selective pressures, coevolutionary “escape and radiate” diversification may amplify ecosystem services along with species richness, with humans as beneficiaries. For example, coevolutionary escalation of defenses between Burseraceae and their herbivores resulted in hundreds of resinous tree species, anchoring the trade of copal, frankincense, and myrrh across the ancient world. Examination of three diverse angiosperm orders (Asparagales, Malpighiales, and Gentianales), reveals ecosystem services in the form of alkaloids and hallucinogens, perfumes, spices, coffee, and rubber. Pollinator‐mediated selection by hawk moths and bats gave rise to heavily perfumed “moonflowers” (gardenias and jasmines) with aesthetic appeal to humans, and to immense blooming displays by agave plants, co‐opted by humans as a source of tequila and mezcal. Even when pollinator‐mediated diversification does not arise through coevolution, the resulting biotic richness provides evolutionary insights as well as ecosystem services. The convergent evolution of “kettle‐trap” flowers in species‐rich plant lineages (Aristolochia and Ceropegia) reveals the surprising value of small flies as pollinators and the opportunity to develop biocontrol that leverages floral features attractive to agricultural pests and disease vectors. This article highlights coevolution as a source of ecosystem services and potential solutions to the emerging challenges of global change.
Donor Spins in Silicon for Quantum Technologies
Authors: Morello Andrea , Pla Jarryd J. , Bertet Patrice , Jamieson David N. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDopant atoms are ubiquitous in semiconductor technologies, providing the tailored electronic properties that underpin the modern digital information era. Harnessing the quantum nature of these atomic‐scale objects represents a new and exciting technological revolution. In this article, the use of ion‐implanted donor spins in silicon for quantum technologies is described. It is reviewed how to fabricate and operate single‐atom spin qubits in silicon, obtaining some of the most coherent solid‐state qubits, and pathways to scale up these qubits to build large quantum processors are discussed. Heavier group‐V donors with large nuclear spins display electric quadrupole couplings that enable nuclear electric resonance, quantum chaos, and strain sensing. Donor ensembles can be coupled to microwave cavities to develop hybrid quantum Turing machines. Counted, deterministic implantation of single donors, combined with novel methods for precision placement, will allow the integration of individual donor spins with industry‐standard silicon fabrication processes, making implanted donors a prime physical platform for the second quantum revolution.
Numeric Optimization for Configurable, Parallel, Error‐Robust Entangling Gates in Large Ion Registers
Authors: Bentley Christopher D. B. , Ball Harrison , Biercuk Michael J. , Carvalho Andre R. R. , Hush Michael R. , Slatyer Harry J. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA class of entangling gates for trapped atomic ions is studied and the use of numeric optimization techniques to create a wide range of fast, error‐robust gate constructions is demonstrated. A numeric optimization framework is introduced targeting maximally‐ and partially‐entangling operations on ion pairs, multi‐ion registers, multi‐ion subsets of large registers, and parallel operations within a single register. Ions are assumed to be individually addressed, permitting optimization over amplitude‐ and phase‐modulated controls. Calculations and simulations demonstrate that the inclusion of modulation of the difference phase for the bichromatic drive used in the Mølmer–Sørensen gate permits approximately time‐optimal control across a range of gate configurations, and when suitably combined with analytic constraints can also provide robustness against key experimental sources of error. The impact of experimental constraints such as bounds on coupling rates or modulation band‐limits on achievable performance is further demonstrated. Using a custom optimization engine based on TensorFlow, for optimizations on ion registers up to 20 ions, time‐to‐solution of order tens of minutes using a local‐instance laptop is also demonstrated, allowing computational access to system‐scales relevant to near‐term trapped‐ion devices.
Next‐generation global satellite system with mega‐constellations
Authors: Ravishankar Channasandra , Gopal Rajeev , BenAmmar Nassir , Zakaria Gaguk , Huang Xiaoling 
Published: July 2020

SummaryMega satellite constellations in low earth orbit (LEO) will provide complete global coverage; rapidly enhance overall capacity, even for unserved areas; and improve the quality of service (QoS) possible with lower signal propagation delays. Complemented by medium earth orbit (MEO) and geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites and terrestrial network components under a hybrid communications architecture, these constellations will enable universal 5G service across the world while supporting diverse 5G use cases. With an unobstructed line‐of‐sight visibility of approximately 3 min, a typical LEO satellite requires efficient user terminal (UT), satellite, gateway, and intersatellite link handovers. A comprehensive mobility design for mega‐constellations involves cost‐effective space and ground phased‐array antennas for responsive and seamless tracking. An end‐to‐end multilayer protocol architecture spanning space and terrestrial technologies can be used to analyze and ensure QoS and mobility. A scalable routing and traffic engineering design based on software‐defined networking adequately handles continuous variability in network topology, differentiated user demands, and traffic transport in both temporal and spatial dimensions. The space‐based networks involving mega‐constellations will be better integrated with their terrestrial counterparts by fully leveraging the multilayer 5G framework, which is the foundational feature of our hybrid architecture.
Provision of traffic grooming for distributed satellite cluster networks
Authors: Peng Cong , Zhao Shanghong , Li Jun , Li Yongjun , Wang Weilong , Gao Hanghang 
Published: July 2020

SummaryDistributed satellite cluster (DSC), which is usually used to construct backbone networks for space information networks, can be viewed as a single satellite carrying more payload with stronger ability. To implement traffic grooming in satellite optical backbone networks, the severe rate mismatch between wavelength and a single connection request must be considered due to the scarce characteristic of on‐board wavelength resources. In this paper, we adopt a typical DSC architecture in which the process of traffic grooming can be successfully partitioned into two independent parts, including intracluster traffic grooming and ring traffic grooming. For intracluster traffic grooming, we propose a multimode grooming method and design an improved ant colony algorithm (ACO) to obtain the optimum solutions. Simulation results show that the improved ACO yields better convergence performance than traditional ACO; in addition, the improved ACO has potentials in decreasing the number of wavelengths to be used. For ring traffic grooming, we develop a grooming circle (GC) construction algorithm based on bidirectional graph node partition. The simulation results indicate that the proposed algorithm outperforms greedy algorithm not only in the construction of full GCs but also in improving wavelength utilization efficiency.
Abutilon indicum Mediated CuO Nanoparticles: Eco‐Approach, Optimum Process of Congo Red Dye Degradation, and Mathematical Model for Multistage Operation
Authors: Devi Priya Duraipandi , Elango Ganesh , Mohana Roopan Selvaraj , Shanavas Shajahan , Acevedo Roberto , Golkonda Mokeshrayalu , Sridharan Makuteswaran 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCuO NPs were planned to synthesize using Abutilon indicum (A. indicum) leaf aqueous extract as an ecofriendly source without any harmful chemicals like other physio‐chemical methods. The ecofriendly synthesized shape controlled CuO NPs is further processed for several characterization tools to identify the morphology and its physical nature. Synthetic methodology was optimized using RSM technique. The characterization output results in crystalline rod shaped CuO NPs with 23±2 nm. Further, CuO NPs were screened for degradation study against harmful azo dye. The results indicates that the higher degradation rate in both the extract and synthesized CuO NPs, around 95.48 % degradation of dye using CuO NPs was identified using Pseudo first order reaction kinetics are being clearly stated in this manuscript. Furthermore, examination of CuO NPs in the direction of photocatalytic behaviour was optimized through taguchi methodology.