bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consistent effects of pesticides on community structure and ecosystem function in freshwater systems
Authors: Rumschlag Samantha L. , Mahon Michael B. , Hoverman Jason T. , Raffel Thomas R. , Carrick Hunter J. , Hudson Peter J. , Rohr Jason R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPredicting ecological effects of contaminants remains challenging because of the sheer number of chemicals and their ambiguous role in biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships. We evaluate responses of experimental pond ecosystems to standardized concentrations of 12 pesticides, nested in four pesticide classes and two pesticide types. We show consistent effects of herbicides and insecticides on ecosystem function, and slightly less consistent effects on community composition. Effects of pesticides on ecosystem function are mediated by alterations in the abundance and community composition of functional groups. Through bottom-up effects, herbicides reduce respiration and primary productivity by decreasing the abundance of phytoplankton. The effects of insecticides on respiration and primary productivity of phytoplankton are driven by top-down effects on zooplankton composition and abundance, but not richness. By demonstrating consistent effects of pesticides on communities and ecosystem functions and linking pesticide-induced changes in functional groups of organisms to ecosystem functions, the study suggests that ecological risk assessment of registered chemicals could be simplified to synthetic chemical classes or types and groups of organisms with similar functions and chemical toxicities.
Laser reprogramming magnetic anisotropy in soft composites for reconfigurable 3D shaping
Authors: Deng Heng , Sattari Kianoosh , Xie Yunchao , Liao Ping , Yan Zheng , Lin Jian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractResponsive soft materials capable of exhibiting various three-dimensional (3D) shapes under the same stimulus are desirable for promising applications including adaptive and reconfigurable soft robots. Here, we report a laser rewritable magnetic composite film, whose responsive shape-morphing behaviors induced by a magnetic field can be digitally and repeatedly reprogrammed by a facile method of direct laser writing. The composite film is made from an elastomer and magnetic particles encapsulated by a phase change polymer. Once the phase change polymer is temporarily melted by transient laser heating, the orientation of the magnetic particles can be re-aligned upon change of a programming magnetic field. By the digital laser writing on selective areas, magnetic anisotropies can be encoded in the composite film and then reprogrammed by repeating the same procedure, thus leading to multimodal 3D shaping under the same actuation magnetic field. Furthermore, we demonstrated their functional applications in assembling multistate 3D structures driven by the magnetic force-induced buckling, fabricating multistate electrical switches for electronics, and constructing reconfigurable magnetic soft robots with locomotion modes of peristalsis, crawling, and rolling.
Experimental protection of quantum coherence by using a phase-tunable image drive
Authors: Bertaina S. , Vezin H. , De Raedt H. , Chiorescu I. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe protection of quantum coherence is essential for building a practical quantum computer able to manipulate, store and read quantum information with a high degree of fidelity. Recently, it has been proposed to increase the operation time of a qubit by means of strong pulses to achieve a dynamical decoupling of the qubit from its environment. We propose and demonstrate a simple and highly efficient alternative route based on Floquet modes, which increases the Rabi decay time ($$T_R$$

T
R

) in a number of materials with different spin Hamiltonians and environments. We demonstrate the regime $$T_R \approx T_1$$

T
R

≈

T
1

with $$T_1$$

T
1

the relaxation time, thus providing a route for spin qubits and spin ensembles to be used in quantum information processing and storage.
A longitudinal analysis of loneliness, social isolation and falls amongst older people in England
Authors: Bu Feifei , Abell Jessica , Zaninotto Paola , Fancourt Daisy 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLoneliness and social isolation have been identified as important predictors of various health outcomes, but little research has investigated their influence on falls. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between loneliness, social isolation and falls amongst older adults in England, looking at both self-reported falls and falls that require hospital admissions. This study drew on large scale, nationally representative data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing linked with Hospital Episode Statistics. Data were analysed using survival analysis, with self-reported falls (total sample = 4013) and falls require hospital admission being modelled separately (total sample = 9285). There was a 5% increase in the hazard of self-reported falls relative to one point increase in loneliness independent of socio-demographic factors (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08), but the association was explained away by individual differences in health and life-style measures (HR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00–1.07). Both living alone (HR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07–1.32) and low social contact (HR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.01–1.07) were associated with a greater hazard of self-reported falls even after controlling for socio-demographic, health and life-style differences. Similar results were also found for hospital admissions following a fall. Our findings were robust to a variety of model specifications.
Pragmatic spatial sampling for wearable MEG arrays
Authors: Tierney Tim M. , Mellor Stephanie , O’Neill George C. , Holmes Niall , Boto Elena , Roberts Gillian , Hill Ryan M. , Leggett James , Bowtell Richard , Brookes Matthew J. , Barnes Gareth R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSeveral new technologies have emerged promising new Magnetoencephalography (MEG) systems in which the sensors can be placed close to the scalp. One such technology, Optically Pumped MEG (OP-MEG) allows for a scalp mounted system that provides measurements within millimetres of the scalp surface. A question that arises in developing on-scalp systems is: how many sensors are necessary to achieve adequate performance/spatial discrimination? There are many factors to consider in answering this question such as the signal to noise ratio (SNR), the locations and depths of the sources, density of spatial sampling, sensor gain errors (due to interference, subject movement, cross-talk, etc.) and, of course, the desired spatial discrimination. In this paper, we provide simulations which show the impact these factors have on designing sensor arrays for wearable MEG. While OP-MEG has the potential to provide high information content at dense spatial samplings, we find that adequate spatial discrimination of sources (< 1 cm) can be achieved with relatively few sensors (< 100) at coarse spatial samplings (~ 30 mm) at high SNR. After this point approximately 50 more sensors are required for every 1 mm improvement in spatial discrimination. Comparable discrimination for traditional cryogenic systems require more channels by these same metrics. We also show that sensor gain errors have the greatest impact on discrimination between deep sources at high SNR. Finally, we also examine the limitation that aliasing due to undersampling has on the effective SNR of on-scalp sensors.
Dynamic changes in cell size and corresponding cell fate after optic nerve injury
Authors: Davis Benjamin M. , Guo Li , Ravindran Nivedita , Shamsher Ehtesham , Baekelandt Veerle , Mitchell Hannah , Bharath Anil A. , De Groef Lies , Cordeiro M. Francesca 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIdentifying disease-specific patterns of retinal cell loss in pathological conditions has been highlighted by the emergence of techniques such as Detection of Apoptotic Retinal Cells and Adaptive Optics confocal Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy which have enabled single-cell visualisation in vivo. Cell size has previously been used to stratify Retinal Ganglion Cell (RGC) populations in histological samples of optic neuropathies, and early work in this field suggested that larger RGCs are more susceptible to early loss than smaller RGCs. More recently, however, it has been proposed that RGC soma and axon size may be dynamic and change in response to injury. To address this unresolved controversy, we applied recent advances in maximising information extraction from RGC populations in retinal whole mounts to evaluate the changes in RGC size distribution over time, using three well-established rodent models of optic nerve injury. In contrast to previous studies based on sampling approaches, we examined the whole Brn3a-positive RGC population at multiple time points over the natural history of these models. The morphology of over 4 million RGCs was thus assessed to glean novel insights from this dataset. RGC subpopulations were found to both increase and decrease in size over time, supporting the notion that RGC cell size is dynamic in response to injury. However, this study presents compelling evidence that smaller RGCs are lost more rapidly than larger RGCs despite the dynamism. Finally, using a bootstrap approach, the data strongly suggests that disease-associated changes in RGC spatial distribution and morphology could have potential as novel diagnostic indicators.
Cathepsin S provokes interleukin-6 (IL-6) trans-signaling through cleavage of the IL-6 receptor in vitro
Authors: Flynn Charlotte M. , Garbers Yvonne , Düsterhöft Stefan , Wichert Rielana , Lokau Juliane , Lehmann Christian H. K. , Dudziak Diana , Schröder Bernd , Becker-Pauly Christoph , Rose-John Stefan , Aparicio-Siegmund Samadhi , Garbers Christoph 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) fulfills its pleiotropic functions via different modes of signaling. Regenerative and anti-inflammatory activities are mediated via classic signaling, in which IL-6 binds to the membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (IL-6R). For IL-6 trans-signaling, which accounts for the pro-inflammatory properties of the cytokine, IL-6 activates its target cells via soluble forms of the IL-6R (sIL-6R). We have previously shown that the majority of sIL-6R in human serum originates from proteolytic cleavage and mapped the cleavage site of the IL-6R. The cleavage occurs between Pro-355 and Val-356, which is the same cleavage site that the metalloprotease ADAM17 uses in vitro. However, sIL-6R serum levels are unchanged in hypomorphic ADAM17ex/exmice, making the involvement of ADAM17 questionable. In order to identify other proteases that could be relevant for sIL-6R generation in vivo, we perform a screening approach based on the known cleavage site. We identify several candidate proteases and characterize the cysteine protease cathepsin S (CTSS) in detail. We show that CTSS is able to cleave the IL-6R in vitro and that the released sIL-6R is biologically active and can induce IL-6 trans-signaling. However, CTSS does not use the Pro-355/Val-356 cleavage site, and sIL-6R serum levels are not altered inCtss−/−mice. In conclusion, we identify a novel protease of the IL-6R that can induce IL-6 trans-signaling, but does not contribute to steady-state sIL-6R serum levels.
Effects of solid oxygen fertilizers and biochars on nitrous oxide production from agricultural soils in Florida
Authors: Bera Tanumoy , Inglett Kanika S. , Liu Guodong D. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractElevated levels of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are a matter of concern in agricultural soils especially when flooding (hypoxic conditions) results from over irrigation or frequent rains. This study is the first to report the use of two solid oxygen fertilizers (SOFs, calcium peroxide and magnesium peroxide) to reduce N2O production in mineral and organic soils amended with N fertilizer in a short-term laboratory incubation besides two biochars. In general, organic soil had greater N2O production than mineral soil. Soils amended with nitrogen fertilizer exhibited increased N2O production, by 74 times in mineral soil and 2 times in organic soil. Both solid oxygen fertilizers in mineral soil (98–99%) and calcium peroxide in organic soil (25%) successfully reduced N2O production than corresponding N fertilized treatments. Additionally, a greater level of available nitrate–N (52–57 and 225 mg kg−1 in mineral and organic soil, respectively) was recorded with the solid oxygen fertilizers. Corn residue biochar with N fertilizer increased N2O production in mineral soil but decreased in organic soil, while pine bark biochar with N did not affect the N2O production in either soil. Depending on soil, appropriate SOFs applied were able to reduce N2O production and maintain greater nitrate–N levels in flooded soil. Thus, solid oxygen fertilizers can potentially be used as an effective way to reduce N2O emission from hypoxic soil in agricultural production systems.
Atoms in separated resonators can jointly absorb a single photon
Authors: Garziano Luigi , Ridolfo Alessandro , Miranowicz Adam , Falci Giuseppe , Savasta Salvatore , Nori Franco 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe coherent nonlinear process where a single photon simultaneously excites two or more two-level systems (qubits) in a single-mode resonator has recently been theoretically predicted. Here we explore the case where the two qubits are placed in different resonators in an array of two or three weakly coupled resonators. Investigating different setups and excitation schemes, we show that this process can still occur with a probability approaching one under specific conditions. The obtained results provide interesting insights into subtle causality issues underlying the simultaneous excitation processes of qubits placed in different resonators.
Anti-oxidant copper layer by remote mode N2 plasma for low temperature copper–copper bonding
Authors: Park Haesung , Seo Hankyeol , Kim Sarah Eunkyung 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAn anti-oxidant Cu layer was achieved by remote mode N2 plasma. Remote mode plasma treatment offers the advantages of having no defect formation, such as pinholes, by energetic ions. In this study, an activated Cu surface by Ar plasma chemically reacted with N free radicals to evenly form Cu nitride passivation over the entire Cu surface. According to chemical state analysis using XPS, Cu oxidation was effectively prevented in air, and the thickness of the Cu nitride passivation was within 3 nm. Based on statistical analysis using the DOE technique with N2 plasma variables, namely, RF power, working pressure, and plasma treatment time, we experimentally demonstrated that a lower RF power is the most effective for forming uniform Cu nitride passivation because of a lower plasma density. When the N2 plasma density reached approximately 109 cm−3 in which the remote mode was generated, high energy electrons in the plasma were significantly reduced and the amount of oxygen detected on the Cu surface was minimized. Finally, low temperature (300 °C) Cu–Cu bonding was performed with a pair of the anti-oxidant Cu layers formed by the remote mode N2 plasma. Cu atomic diffusion with new grains was observed across the bonded interface indicating significantly improved bonding quality over bare Cu–Cu bonding.
Mammary epithelial morphogenesis in 3D combinatorial microenvironments
Authors: Luisier Raphaelle , Girgin Mehmet , Lutolf Matthias P. , Ranga Adrian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHuman mammary epithelial cells can proliferate and reorganize into polarized multi-cellular constructs in-vitro, thereby functioning as an important model system in recapitulating key steps of in-vivo morphogenesis. Current approaches to constructing such three-dimensional mimics of the in-vivo microenvironment have involved the use of complex and ill-defined naturally derived matrices, whose properties are difficult to manipulate independently, and which have therefore limited our ability to understand the extrinsic regulation of morphogenesis. Here, we employ an automated, high-throughput approach to array modular building blocks of synthetic components, and develop a systematic approach to analyze colonies resulting from these varied microenvironmental combinations. This methodology allows us to systematically map the relationship between microenvironmental properties and ensuing morphogenetic phenotypes. Our analysis reveals that apico-basal polarity of mammary epithelial cells occurs within a narrow range of matrix stiffness, and that phenotypic homogeneity is favored in matrices which are insensitive to MMP-mediated degradation. Furthermore, combinations of extracellular proteins in the matrix finely tune the morphology of the mammary colonies, suggesting that subtle disregulations of the microenvironment may play a significant role in pathological disease states. This approach, which leverages the combinatorial possibilities of modular synthetic artificial extracellular matrices with an automated technology platform, demonstrates how morphogenesis can be assessed systematically in 3D, and provides new insights into mammary epithelial multicellularity.
A novel nerve transection and repair method in mice: histomorphometric analysis of nerves, blood vessels, and muscles with functional recovery
Authors: Lee Jung Il , Gurjar Anagha A. , Talukder M. A. Hassan , Rodenhouse Andrew , Manto Kristen , O’Brien Mary , Govindappa Prem Kumar , Elfar John C. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPeripheral nerve transection is associated with permanent functional deficit even after advanced microsurgical repair. While it is difficult to investigate the reasons of poor functional outcomes of microsurgical repairs in humans, we developed a novel pre-clinical nerve transection method that allows reliable evaluation of nerve regeneration, neural angiogenesis, muscle atrophy, and functional recovery. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four different types of sciatic nerve transection: Simple Transection (ST), Simple Transection & Glue (TG), Stepwise Transection and Sutures (SU), and Stepwise Transection and Glue (STG). Mice were followed for 28 days for sciatic function index (SFI), and sciatic nerves and hind limb muscles were harvested for histomorphological and cellular analyses. Immunohistochemistry revealed more directional nerve fiber growth in SU and STG groups compared with ST and TG groups. Compared to ST and TG groups, optimal neural vessel density and branching index in SU and STG groups were associated with significantly decreased muscle atrophy, increased myofiber diameter, and improved SFI. In conclusion, our novel STG method represents an easily reproducible and reliable model with close resemblance to the pathophysiological characteristics of SU model, and this can be easily reproduced by any lab.
Death by SARS-CoV 2: a Romanian COVID-19 multi-centre comorbidity study
Authors: Pantea Stoian Anca , Pricop-Jeckstadt Mihaela , Pana Adrian , Ileanu Bogdan-Vasile , Schitea Ruxandra , Geanta Marius , Catrinoiu Doina , Suceveanu Andra Iulia , Serafinceanu Cristian , Pituru Silviu , Poiana Catalina , Timar Bogdan , Nitipir Cornelia , Parvu Simona , Arsene Andreea , Mazilu Laura , Toma Antonela , Hainarosie Razvan , Ceriello Antonio , Rizzo Manfredi , Jinga Viorel 
Published: December 2020

AbstractEvidence regarding the relation between SARS-CoV-2 mortality and the underlying medical condition is scarce. We conducted an observational, retrospective study based on Romanian official data about location, age, gender and comorbidities for COVID-19 fatalities. Our findings indicate that males, hypertension, diabetes, obesity and chronic kidney disease were most frequent in the COVID-19 fatalities, that the burden of disease was low, and that the prognosis for 1-year survival probability was high in the sample. Evidence shows that age-dependent pairs of comorbidities could be a negative prognosis factor for the severity of disease for the SARS-CoV 2 infection.
Impact of a recolonizing, cross-border carnivore population on ungulate harvest in Scandinavia
Authors: Wikenros Camilla , Sand Håkan , Månsson Johan , Maartmann Erling , Eriksen Ane , Wabakken Petter , Zimmermann Barbara 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPredation from large carnivores and human harvest are the two main mortality factors affecting the dynamics of many ungulate populations. We examined long-term moose (Alces alces) harvest data from two countries that share cross-border populations of wolves (Canis lupus) and their main prey moose. We tested how a spatial gradient of increasing wolf territory density affected moose harvest density and age and sex composition of the harvested animals (n = 549,310), along a latitudinal gradient during 1995–2017. In areas containing average-sized wolf territories, harvest density was on average 37% (Norway) and 51% (Sweden) lower than in areas without wolves. In Sweden, calves made up a higher proportion of the moose harvest than in Norway, and this proportion was reduced with increased wolf territory density, while it increased in Norway. The proportion of females in the adult harvest was more strongly reduced in Sweden than in Norway as a response to increased wolf territory density. Moose management in both countries performed actions aimed to increase productivity in the moose population, in order to compensate for the increased mortality caused by wolves. These management actions are empirical examples of an adaptive management in response to the return of large carnivores.
Serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor affects cell–matrix adhesion and the formation and maintenance of stress fibers in HEK293 cells
Authors: John Jayakumar Joe Anand Kumar , Panicker Mitradas. M. , Basu Basudha 
Published: December 2020

Abstract5-HT2A, a G-protein coupled receptor, is widely expressed in the human body, including in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets and the nervous system. It mediates various functions, for e.g. learning, memory, mood regulation, platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction, but its involvement in cell-adhesion remains largely unknown. Here we report a novel role for 5-HT2A in cell–matrix adhesion.In HEK293 cells, which are loosely adherent, expression and stimulation of human or rat 5-HT2A receptor by agonists such as serotonin or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) led to a significant increase in adhesion, while inhibition of 5-HT2A by antipsychotics, such as risperidone, olanzapine or chlorpromazine prevented it. 5-HT2A activation gave rise to stress fibers in these cells and was also required for their maintenance. Mechanistically, the 5-HT2A-mediated adhesion was mediated by downstream PKC and Rho signaling. Since 5-HT2A is associated with many disorders such as dementia, depression and schizophrenia, its role in cell–matrix adhesion could have implications for neural circuits.