bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the Seeding of Periodic Equatorial Plasma Bubbles by Gravity Waves Associated With Tropical Cyclone: A Case Study
Authors: Ajith K. K. , Li Guozhu , Tulasi Ram S. , Yamamoto M. , Hozumi K. , Abadi Prayitno , Xie Haiyong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the day‐to‐day variability of equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) irregularities has been a major challenge for many decades that makes the deterministic prediction of EPBs remain elusive. In the present study, we report a case of intense and periodic EPBs observed during 8 and 9 April 2013 by the 47‐MHz Equatorial Atmosphere Radar at Kototabang, Indonesia. The periodic EPBs separated by about 200–250 km were initiated before sunset. The presunset onset and development of these periodic EPBs were discussed in light of the gravity waves (GWs) excited in connection with the deep convection due to the tropical cyclone (TC) Victoria. The outgoing long‐wave radiation measurement by very high‐resolution radiometer (VHRR) onboard Indian meteorological satellite Kalpana‐1 shows the occurrence of deep convective activity during these days. The presence of upward propagating GWs from the deep convective region associated with TC Victoria was confirmed using the GPS radio occultation (GPS‐RO) observations in the troposphere and stratosphere. The GW signatures at ionospheric altitudes were also observed from the Ionosonde observations over magnetic equator, and medium‐scale (~300 km) GWs were observed from the GPS‐TEC (Total Electron Content) data near to the magnetic equator and cyclone center. From the GW parameters observed from GPS‐TEC and GPS‐RO, we surmise that the secondary GWs generated by the dissipation of primary GWs associated with TC Victoria could have served as a seeding source on the generation of periodic EPBs during these two consecutive days.
Increasingly Parallel Pressure Anisotropic Ballooning: Substorm Growth Phase Drift Orbits Resulting in a Locally Ballooning Unstable Geomagnetic Tail
Authors: Oberhagemann L. R. , Mann I. R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRecent work by Oberhagemann and Mann (2020, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL085271) has shown that ballooning instabilities in the transition region between dipolar and taillike fields associated with substorm onset may be triggered by an anisotropic pressure distribution that moves from an initially mild perpendicular anisotropy toward more parallel anisotropy. Here we examine the mechanism which can result in this transition toward more parallel pressure during growth phase tail stretching. We trace particles through a two‐dimensional model magnetic field to examine the evolution of particle distributions as they periodically drift through a tail which changes from a less stretched, quiet time to a more stretched late growth phase configuration. Our findings show that these particle pitch angle distributions become more parallel anisotropic through a combination of drift shell splitting and preferential de‐energization in the perpendicular direction. Drift shell splitting causes low pitch angle particles from a high‐pressure region to mix with high pitch angle particles from a low‐pressure region in a radially localized area in the tail transition region where high earthward pressure gradients exist. Preferential de‐energization occurs due to a transfer of particles from less stretched to more stretched field lines that reverses the usual balance between Fermi and betatron acceleration and causes particle pitch angle distributions to become more field aligned. Our model predicts onset characteristics and location in good agreement with observations, with the most unstable region consistent with the location of the auroral beads, which accompany the onset of the expansion phase of many substorms.
Advancing Diagnostic Model Evaluation to Better Understand Water Shortage Mechanisms in Institutionally Complex River Basins
Authors: Hadjimichael Antonia , Quinn Julianne , Reed Patrick 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWater resources systems models enable valuable inferences on consequential system stressors by representing both the geophysical processes determining the movement of water and the human elements distributing it to its various competing uses. This study contributes a diagnostic evaluation framework that pairs exploratory modeling with global sensitivity analysis to enhance our ability to make inferences on water scarcity vulnerabilities in institutionally complex river basins. Diagnostic evaluation of models representing institutionally complex river basins with many stakeholders poses significant challenges. First, it needs to exploit a large and diverse suite of simulations to capture important human‐natural system interactions as well as institutionally aware behavioral mechanisms. Second, it needs to have performance metrics that are consequential and draw on decision‐relevant model outputs that adequately capture the multisector concerns that emerge from diverse basin stakeholders. We demonstrate the proposed model diagnostic framework by evaluating how potential interactions between changing hydrologic conditions and human demands influence the frequencies and durations of water shortages of varying magnitudes experienced by hundreds of users in a subbasin of the Colorado River. We show that the dominant factors shaping these effects vary both across users and, for an individual user, across percentiles of shortage magnitude. These differences hold even for users sharing diversion locations, demand levels or water right seniority. Our findings underline the importance of detailed institutional representation for such basins, as institutions strongly shape how dominant factors of stakeholder vulnerabilities propagate through the complex network of users.
The potential application of probiotics and prebiotics for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Olaimat Amin N. , Aolymat Iman , Al-Holy Murad , Ayyash Mutamed , Abu Ghoush Mahmoud , Al-Nabulsi Anas A. , Osaili Tareq , Apostolopoulos Vasso , Liu Shao-Quan , Shah Nagendra P. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCOVID-19 is a pandemic disease caused by the novel coronavirus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This new viral infection was first identified in China in December 2019, and it has subsequently spread globally. The lack of a vaccine or curative treatment for COVID-19 necessitates a focus on other strategies to prevent and treat the infection. Probiotics consist of single or mixed cultures of live microorganisms that can beneficially affect the host by maintaining the intestinal or lung microbiota that play a major role in human health. At present, good scientific evidence exists to support the ability of probiotics to boost human immunity, thereby preventing colonization by pathogens and reducing the incidence and severity of infections. Herein, we present clinical studies of the use of probiotic supplementation to prevent or treat respiratory tract infections. These data lead to promising benefits of probiotics in reducing the risk of COVID-19. Further studies should be conducted to assess the ability of probiotics to combat COVID-19.
A genome resource for green millet Setaria viridis enables discovery of agronomically valuable loci
Authors: Mamidi Sujan , Healey Adam , Huang Pu , Grimwood Jane , Jenkins Jerry , Barry Kerrie , Sreedasyam Avinash , Shu Shengqiang , Lovell John T. , Feldman Maximilian , Wu Jinxia , Yu Yunqing , Chen Cindy , Johnson Jenifer , Sakakibara Hitoshi , Kiba Takatoshi , Sakurai Tetsuya , Tavares Rachel , Nusinow Dmitri A. , Baxter Ivan , Schmutz Jeremy , Brutnell Thomas P. , Kellogg Elizabeth A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWild and weedy relatives of domesticated crops harbor genetic variants that can advance agricultural biotechnology. Here we provide a genome resource for the wild plant green millet (Setaria viridis), a model species for studies of C4 grasses, and use the resource to probe domestication genes in the close crop relative foxtail millet (Setaria italica). We produced a platinum-quality genome assembly of S. viridis and de novo assemblies for 598 wild accessions and exploited these assemblies to identify loci underlying three traits: response to climate, a ‘loss of shattering’ trait that permits mechanical harvest and leaf angle, a predictor of yield in many grass crops. With CRISPR–Cas9 genome editing, we validated Less Shattering1 (SvLes1) as a gene whose product controls seed shattering. In S. italica, this gene was rendered nonfunctional by a retrotransposon insertion in the domesticated loss-of-shattering allele SiLes1-TE (transposable element). This resource will enhance the utility of S. viridis for dissection of complex traits and biotechnological improvement of panicoid crops.
Maternal human habituation enhances sons’ risk of human-caused mortality in a large carnivore, brown bears
Authors: Shimozuru Michito , Shirane Yuri , Yamanaka Masami , Nakanishi Masanao , Ishinazaka Tsuyoshi , Kasai Shinsuke , Nose Takane , Shirayanagi Masataka , Jimbo Mina , Tsuruga Hifumi , Mano Tsutomu , Tsubota Toshio 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHuman habituation of large carnivores is becoming a serious problem that generates human–wildlife conflict, which often results in the removal of animals as nuisances. Although never tested, human habituation potentially reduces the fitness of adult females by reducing their offspring’s survival as well as their own, due to an increased likelihood of human-caused mortality. Here, we tested this hypothesis in brown bears inhabiting Shiretoko National Park, Japan. We estimated the frequency of human-caused mortality of independent young (aged 1–4 years) born to mothers living in areas with different maternal levels of human habituation and different proximities to areas of human activity. The overall mortality rate was higher in males than in females, and in females living near a town than those in a remote area of park. Surprisingly, more than 70% of males born to highly habituated mothers living around a remote wildlife protection area were killed by humans; this proportion is greater than that for males born to less-habituated mothers living in almost the same area. The current study clarified that interactions among maternal human habituation, birthplace (proximity to town), age, and sex determine the likelihood of human-caused mortality of brown bears at an early stage of life.
Hyaluronan regulates synapse formation and function in developing neural networks
Authors: Wilson Emily , Knudson Warren , Newell-Litwa Karen 
Published: October 2020

AbstractNeurodevelopmental disorders present with synaptic alterations that disrupt the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling. For example, hyperexcitability of cortical neurons is associated with both epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders. However, the mechanisms that initially establish the balance between excitatory and inhibitory signaling in brain development are not well understood. Here, we sought to determine how the extracellular matrix directs synapse formation and regulates synaptic function in a model of human cortical brain development. The extracellular matrix, making up twenty percent of brain volume, is largely comprised of hyaluronan. Hyaluronan acts as both a scaffold of the extracellular matrix and a space-filling molecule. Hyaluronan is present from the onset of brain development, beginning with neural crest cell migration. Through acute perturbation of hyaluronan levels during synaptogenesis, we sought to determine how hyaluronan impacts the ratio of excitatory to inhibitory synapse formation and the resulting neural activity. We used 3-D cortical spheroids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells to replicate this neurodevelopmental window. Our results demonstrate that hyaluronan preferentially surrounds nascent excitatory synapses. Removal of hyaluronan increases the expression of excitatory synapse markers and results in a corresponding increase in the formation of excitatory synapses, while also decreasing inhibitory synapse formation. This increased excitatory synapse formation elevates network activity, as demonstrated by microelectrode array analysis. In contrast, the addition of purified hyaluronan suppresses excitatory synapse formation. These results establish that the hyaluronan extracellular matrix surrounds developing excitatory synapses, where it critically regulates synapse formation and the resulting balance between excitatory to inhibitory signaling.
Rapid detection of cytochrome cd1-containing nitrite reductase encoding gene nirS of denitrifying bacteria with loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay
Authors: Zhang Xuzhi , Yang Qianqian , Zhang Qingli , Jiang Xiaoyu , Wang Xiaochun , Li Yang , Zhao Jun , Qu Keming 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe cytochrome cd1-containing nitrite reductase, nirS, plays an important role in biological denitrification. Consequently, investigating the presence and abundance of nirS is a commonly used approach to understand the distribution and potential activity of denitrifying bacteria, in addition to denitrifier communities. Herein, a rapid method for detecting nirS gene with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was developed, using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 (P. aeruginosa PAO1) as model microorganism to optimize the assay. The LAMP assay relied on a set of four primers that were designed to recognize six target sequence sites, resulting in high target specificity. The limit of detection for the LAMP assay under optimized conditions was 1.87 pg/reaction of genomic DNA, which was an order of magnitude lower than that required by conventional PCR assays. Moreover, it was validated that P. aeruginosa PAO1 cells as well as genomic DNA could be directly used as template. Only 1 h was needed from the addition of bacterial cells to the reaction to the verification of amplification success. The nirS gene of P. aeruginosa PAO1 in spiked seawater samples could be detected with both DNA-template based LAMP assay and cell-template based LAMP assay, demonstrating the practicality of in-field use.
Deep learning segmentation of hyperautofluorescent fleck lesions in Stargardt disease
Authors: Charng Jason , Xiao Di , Mehdizadeh Maryam , Attia Mary S. , Arunachalam Sukanya , Lamey Tina M. , Thompson Jennifer A. , McLaren Terri L. , De Roach John N. , Mackey David A. , Frost Shaun , Chen Fred K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractStargardt disease is one of the most common forms of inherited retinal disease and leads to permanent vision loss. A diagnostic feature of the disease is retinal flecks, which appear hyperautofluorescent in fundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging. The size and number of these flecks increase with disease progression. Manual segmentation of flecks allows monitoring of disease, but is time-consuming. Herein, we have developed and validated a deep learning approach for segmenting these Stargardt flecks (1750 training and 100 validation FAF patches from 37 eyes with Stargardt disease). Testing was done in 10 separate Stargardt FAF images and we observed a good overall agreement between manual and deep learning in both fleck count and fleck area. Longitudinal data were available in both eyes from 6 patients (average total follow-up time 4.2 years), with both manual and deep learning segmentation performed on all (n = 82) images. Both methods detected a similar upward trend in fleck number and area over time. In conclusion, we demonstrated the feasibility of utilizing deep learning to segment and quantify FAF lesions, laying the foundation for future studies using fleck parameters as a trial endpoint.
High-sensitivity tunneling magneto-resistive micro-gyroscope with immunity to external magnetic interference
Authors: Jin Li , Qin Shi-Yang , Zhang Rui , Li Meng-Wei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMicro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes have numerous potential applications including guidance, robotics, tactical-grade navigation, and automotive applications fields. The methods with ability of the weak Coriolis force detection are critical for MEMS gyroscopes. In this paper, we presented a design of MEMS gyroscope based on the tunneling magneto-resistance effect with higher detection sensitivity. Of all these designed parameters, the structural, magnetic field, and magneto-resistance sensitivity values reach to 21.6 nm/°/s, 0.0023 Oe/nm, and 29.5 mV/Oe, thus, with total sensitivity of 1.47 mV/°/s. Multi-bridge circuit method is employed to suppress external magnetic interference and avoid the integration error of the TMR devices effectively. The proposed tunneling magneto-resistive micro-gyroscope shows a possibility to make an inertial grade MEMS gyroscope in the future.
Excess cerebral oxygen delivery follows return of spontaneous circulation in near-term asphyxiated lambs
Authors: Badurdeen Shiraz , Gill Andrew W. , Kluckow Martin , Roberts Calum T. , Galinsky Robert , Klink Sarah , Miller Suzanne L. , Davis Peter G. , Schmölzer Georg M. , Hooper Stuart B. , Polglase Graeme R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHypoxic-ischaemia renders the neonatal brain susceptible to early secondary injury from oxidative stress and impaired autoregulation. We aimed to describe cerebral oxygen kinetics and haemodynamics immediately following return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and evaluate non-invasive parameters to facilitate bedside monitoring. Near-term sheep fetuses [139 ± 2 (SD) days gestation, n = 16] were instrumented to measure carotid artery (CA) flow, pressure, right brachial arterial and jugular venous saturation (SaO2 and SvO2, respectively). Cerebral oxygenation (crSO2) was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Following induction of severe asphyxia, lambs received cardiopulmonary resuscitation using 100% oxygen until ROSC, with oxygen subsequently weaned according to saturation nomograms as per current guidelines. We found that oxygen consumption did not rise following ROSC, but oxygen delivery was markedly elevated until 15 min after ROSC. CrSO2 and heart rate each correlated with oxygen delivery. SaO2 remained > 90% and was less useful for identifying trends in oxygen delivery. CrSO2 correlated inversely with cerebral fractional oxygen extraction. In conclusion, ROSC from perinatal asphyxia is characterised by excess oxygen delivery that is driven by rapid increases in cerebrovascular pressure, flow, and oxygen saturation, and may be monitored non-invasively. Further work to describe and limit injury mediated by oxygen toxicity following ROSC is warranted.
Micro-rheological properties of lung homogenates correlate with infection severity in a mouse model of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection
Authors: Murgia Xabier , Kany Andreas M. , Herr Christian , Ho Duy-Khiet , De Rossi Chiara , Bals Robert , Lehr Claus-Michael , Hirsch Anna K. H. , Hartmann Rolf W. , Empting Martin , Röhrig Teresa 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLung infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa pose a serious threat to patients suffering from, among others, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or bronchiectasis, often leading to life-threatening complications. The establishment of a chronic infection is substantially related to communication between bacteria via quorum-sensing networks. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of quorum-sensing signaling molecules of the Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) and to investigate the viscoelastic properties of lung tissue homogenates of PA-infected mice in a prolonged acute murine infection model. Therefore, a murine infection model was successfully established via intra-tracheal infection with alginate-supplemented Pseudomonas aeruginosa NH57388A. Rheological properties of lung homogenates were analyzed with multiple particle tracking (MPT) and quorum-sensing molecules were quantified with LC–MS/MS. Statistical analysis of bacterial load and quorum-sensing molecules showed a strong correlation between these biomarkers in infected lungs. This was accompanied by noticeable changes in the consistency of lung homogenates with increasing infection severity. Furthermore, viscoelastic properties of the lung homogenates strongly correlated with bacterial load and quorum sensing molecules. Considering the strong correlation between the viscoelasticity of lung homogenates and the aforementioned biomarkers, the viscoelastic properties of infected lungs might serve as reliable new biomarker for the evaluation of the severity of P. aeruginosa infections in murine models.
High aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio on admission as risk factor for poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Qin Cheng , Wei Yingxin , Lyu Xiaoyu , Zhao Bangbo , Feng Yunlu , Li Tianhao , Cao Hongtao , Yang Xiaoying , Zhou Xingtong , Wang Weibin , You Lei , Wang Yujun 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to analyze aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio in COVID-19 patients. After exclusion, 567 inpatients were included in this study and separated into two groups according to their AST/ALT ratio on admission. Death was regarded as poor prognosis in this study. Of 567 patients, 200 (35.3%) had AST/ALT ≥ 1.38. Of the 200 patients, older age (median age 60 years), myalgia (64 [32%] cases), fatigue (91 [45.5%] cases), some comorbidities and outcomes were significantly different from patients with AST/ALT < 1.38. They also had worse chest computed tomography (CT) findings, laboratory results and severity scores. Levels of platelet count (OR 0.995, 95% CI [0.992–0.998]) and hemoglobin (OR 0.984, 95% CI [0.972–0.995]) were independently associated with AST/ALT ≥ 1.38 on admission. Furthermore, a high AST/ALT ratio on admission was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis (OR 99.9, 95% CI [2.1–4280.5]). In subsequent monitoring, both survivors and non-survivors showed decreased AST/ALT ratio during hospitalization. In conclusion, high AST/ALT ratio might be the indication of worse status and outcomes in COVID-19 patients.
Electronic structures of WS2 armchair nanoribbons doped with transition metals
Authors: Chen Yan-Hong , Lee Chi-Hsuan , Cheng Shun-Jen , Yang Chih-Kai 
Published: October 2020

AbstractArmchair WS2 nanoribbons are semiconductors with band gaps close to 0.5 eV. If some of the W atoms in the ribbon are replaced by transition metals, the impurity states can tremendously affect the overall electronic structure of the doped ribbon. By using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory, we investigated substitutional doping of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co at various positions on WS2 ribbons of different widths. We found that Fe-doped ribbons can have two-channel conduction in the middle segment of the ribbon and at the edges, carrying opposite spins separately. Many Co-doped ribbons are transformed into spin filters that exhibit 100% spin-polarized conduction. These results will be useful for spintronics and nanoelectronic circuit design.