bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Emerging functions of branched ubiquitin chains
Authors: French Michael E. , Koehler Chad F. , Hunter Tony 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUbiquitylation is a critical post-translational modification that controls a wide variety of processes in eukaryotes. Ubiquitin chains of different topologies are specialized for different cellular functions and control the stability, activity, interaction properties, and localization of many different proteins. Recent work has highlighted a role for branched ubiquitin chains in the regulation of cell signaling and protein degradation pathways. Similar to their unbranched counterparts, branched ubiquitin chains are remarkably diverse in terms of their chemical linkages, structures, and the biological information they transmit. In this review, we discuss emerging themes related to the architecture, synthesis, and functions of branched ubiquitin chains. We also describe methodologies that have recently been developed to identify and decode the functions of these branched polymers.
Insights on forming N,O-coordinated Cu single-atom catalysts for electrochemical reduction CO2 to methane
Authors: Cai Yanming , Fu Jiaju , Zhou Yang , Chang Yu-Chung , Min Qianhao , Zhu Jun-Jie , Lin Yuehe , Zhu Wenlei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSingle-atom catalysts (SACs) are promising candidates to catalyze electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) due to maximized atomic utilization. However, products are usually limited to CO instead of hydrocarbons or oxygenates due to unfavorable high energy barrier for further electron transfer on synthesized single atom catalytic sites. Here we report a novel partial-carbonization strategy to modify the electronic structures of center atoms on SACs for lowering the overall endothermic energy of key intermediates. A carbon-dots-based SAC margined with unique CuN2O2 sites was synthesized for the first time. The introduction of oxygen ligands brings remarkably high Faradaic efficiency (78%) and selectivity (99% of ECR products) for electrochemical converting CO2 to CH4 with current density of 40 mA·cm-2 in aqueous electrolytes, surpassing most reported SACs which stop at two-electron reduction. Theoretical calculations further revealed that the high selectivity and activity on CuN2O2 active sites are due to the proper elevated CH4 and H2 energy barrier and fine-tuned electronic structure of Cu active sites.
Ultrafast electron cooling in an expanding ultracold plasma
Authors: Kroker Tobias , Großmann Mario , Sengstock Klaus , Drescher Markus , Wessels-Staarmann Philipp , Simonet Juliette 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPlasma dynamics critically depends on density and temperature, thus well-controlled experimental realizations are essential benchmarks for theoretical models. The formation of an ultracold plasma can be triggered by ionizing a tunable number of atoms in a micrometer-sized volume of a 87Rb Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) by a single femtosecond laser pulse. The large density combined with the low temperature of the BEC give rise to an initially strongly coupled plasma in a so far unexplored regime bridging ultracold neutral plasma and ionized nanoclusters. Here, we report on ultrafast cooling of electrons, trapped on orbital trajectories in the long-range Coulomb potential of the dense ionic core, with a cooling rate of 400 K ps−1. Furthermore, our experimental setup grants direct access to the electron temperature that relaxes from 5250 K to below 10 K in less than 500 ns.
A population-based controlled experiment assessing the epidemiological impact of digital contact tracing
Authors: Rodríguez Pablo , Graña Santiago , Alvarez-León Eva Elisa , Battaglini Manuela , Darias Francisco Javier , Hernán Miguel A. , López Raquel , Llaneza Paloma , Martín Maria Cristina ,   RadarCovidPilot Group, Ramirez-Rubio Oriana , Romaní Adriana , Suárez-Rodríguez Berta , Sánchez-Monedero Javier , Arenas Alex , Lacasa Lucas 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWhile Digital contact tracing (DCT) has been argued to be a valuable complement to manual tracing in the containment of COVID-19, no empirical evidence of its effectiveness is available to date. Here, we report the results of a 4-week population-based controlled experiment that took place in La Gomera (Canary Islands, Spain) between June and July 2020, where we assessed the epidemiological impact of the Spanish DCT app Radar Covid. After a substantial communication campaign, we estimate that at least 33% of the population adopted the technology and further showed relatively high adherence and compliance as well as a quick turnaround time. The app detects about 6.3 close-contacts per primary simulated infection, a significant percentage being contacts with strangers, although the spontaneous follow-up rate of these notified cases is low. Overall, these results provide experimental evidence of the potential usefulness of DCT during an epidemic outbreak in a real population.
van der Waals driven anharmonic melting of the 3D charge density wave in VSe2
Authors: Diego Josu , Said A. H. , Mahatha S. K. , Bianco Raffaello , Monacelli Lorenzo , Calandra Matteo , Mauri Francesco , Rossnagel K. , Errea Ion , Blanco-Canosa S. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUnderstanding of charge-density wave (CDW) phases is a main challenge in condensed matter due to their presence in high-Tc superconductors or transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Among TMDs, the origin of the CDW in VSe2 remains highly debated. Here, by means of inelastic x-ray scattering and first-principles calculations, we show that the CDW transition is driven by the collapse at 110 K of an acoustic mode at qCDW = (2.25 0 0.7) r.l.u. The softening starts below 225 K and expands over a wide region of the Brillouin zone, identifying the electron-phonon interaction as the driving force of the CDW. This is supported by our calculations that determine a large momentum-dependence of the electron-phonon matrix-elements that peak at the CDW wave vector. Our first-principles anharmonic calculations reproduce the temperature dependence of the soft mode and the TCDW onset only when considering the out-of-plane van der Waals interactions, which reveal crucial for the melting of the CDW phase.
Selective hydrogenation of 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural to 5-methylfurfural over single atomic metals anchored on Nb2O5
Authors: Li Shaopeng , Dong Minghua , Yang Junjuan , Cheng Xiaomeng , Shen Xiaojun , Liu Shulin , Wang Zhi-Qiang , Gong Xue-Qing , Liu Huizhen , Han Buxing 
Published: January 2021

Abstract5-Methylfurfural (MF) is a very useful chemical. Selective hydrogenation of biomass platform molecule 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) to MF using H2 as the reducing agent is very attractive, but challenging because hydrogenation of C=O bond in HMF is more favourable than C–OH both kinetically and thermodynamically, and this route has not been realized. In this work, we prepare isolated single atomic catalysts (SACs) Pt1/Nb2O5-Ov, Pd1/Nb2O5-Ov, and Au1/Nb2O5-Ov, in which single metal atoms are supported on oxygen defective Nb2O5 (Nb2O5-Ov). It is discovered that the SACs can efficiently catalyze the hydrogenation of HMF to MF using H2 as the reducing agent with MF selectivity of >99% at complete conversion, while the selectivities of the metal nanocatalysts supported on Nb2O5 are very poor. A combination of experimental and density function theory (DFT) studies show that the unique features of the SACs for the reaction result from the cooperation of the Nb and Pt sites near the interface in the Pt1/Nb2O5-Ov. The Pt atoms are responsible for the activation of H2 and the Nb sites activate C-OH in the reaction. This work opens the way for producing MF by direct hydrogenation of biomass-derived HMF using H2 as the reductant.
Using routinely collected primary care records to identify and investigate severe asthma: a scoping review
Authors: Stewart Jonathan , Kee Frank , Hart Nigel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractShielding during the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the potential of routinely collected primary care records to identify patients with ‘high-risk’ conditions, including severe asthma. We aimed to determine how previous studies have used primary care records to identify and investigate severe asthma and whether linkage to other data sources is required to fully investigate this ‘high-risk’ disease variant. A scoping review was conducted based on the Arksey and O’Malley framework. Twelve studies met all criteria for inclusion. We identified variation in how studies defined the background asthma cohort, asthma severity, control and clinical outcomes. Certain asthma outcomes could only be investigated through linkage to secondary care records. The ability of primary care records to represent the entire known asthma population is unique. However, a number of challenges need to be overcome if their full potential to accurately identify and investigate severe asthma is to be realised.
Proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of twin-field quantum key distribution over optical channels with asymmetric losses
Authors: Zhong Xiaoqing , Wang Wenyuan , Qian Li , Lo Hoi-Kwong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTwin-field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) is highly attractive because it can beat the fundamental limit of secret key rate for point-to-point QKD without quantum repeaters. Many theoretical and experimental studies have shown the superiority of TFQKD in long-distance communication. All previous experimental implementations of TFQKD have been done over optical channels with symmetric losses. But in reality, especially in a network setting, the distances between users and the middle node could be very different. In this paper, we perform a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of TFQKD over optical channels with asymmetric losses. We compare two compensation strategies, that are (1) applying asymmetric signal intensities and (2) adding extra losses, and verify that strategy (1) provides much better key rate. Moreover, the higher the loss, the more key rate enhancement it can achieve. By applying asymmetric signal intensities, TFQKD with asymmetric channel losses not only surpasses the fundamental limit of key rate of point-to-point QKD for 50 dB overall loss, but also has key rate as high as 2.918 × 10−6 for 56 dB overall loss. Whereas no keys are obtained with strategy (2) for 56 dB loss. The increased key rate and enlarged distance coverage of TFQKD with asymmetric channel losses guarantee its superiority in long-distance quantum networks.
Community-curated and standardised metadata of published ancient metagenomic samples with AncientMetagenomeDir
Authors: Fellows Yates James A. , Andrades Valtueña Aida , Vågene Åshild J. , Cribdon Becky , Velsko Irina M. , Borry Maxime , Bravo-Lopez Miriam J. , Fernandez-Guerra Antonio , Green Eleanor J. , Ramachandran Shreya L. , Heintzman Peter D. , Spyrou Maria A. , Hübner Alexander , Gancz Abigail S. , Hider Jessica , Allshouse Aurora F. , Zaro Valentina , Warinner Christina 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAncient DNA and RNA are valuable data sources for a wide range of disciplines. Within the field of ancient metagenomics, the number of published genetic datasets has risen dramatically in recent years, and tracking this data for reuse is particularly important for large-scale ecological and evolutionary studies of individual taxa and communities of both microbes and eukaryotes. AncientMetagenomeDir (archived at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3980833) is a collection of annotated metagenomic sample lists derived from published studies that provide basic, standardised metadata and accession numbers to allow rapid data retrieval from online repositories. These tables are community-curated and span multiple sub-disciplines to ensure adequate breadth and consensus in metadata definitions, as well as longevity of the database. Internal guidelines and automated checks facilitate compatibility with established sequence-read archives and term-ontologies, and ensure consistency and interoperability for future meta-analyses. This collection will also assist in standardising metadata reporting for future ancient metagenomic studies.
A compilation of North American tree provenance trials and relevant historical climate data for seven species
Authors: Risk Clara , McKenney Daniel W. , Pedlar John , Lu Pengxin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTree provenance trials consist of a variety of seed sources (or provenances) planted at several test sites across the range of a species. The resulting plantations are typically measured periodically to investigate provenance performance in relation to abiotic conditions, particularly climate. These trials are expensive and time consuming to establish, but are an important resource for seed transfer systems, which aim to match planting sites with well-adapted (climatically suitable) seed sources. Provenance trial measurements may be underutilized because the data are scattered across publications, conference proceedings, and university theses. Here we document an effort to collect available provenance trial measurements and associated climate data for seven eastern North American tree species (Pinus strobus, Pinus banksiana, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Quercus rubra, Larix laricina, Betula alleghaniensis). The resulting datasets included a total of 773 provenances and 62 test sites, with 65 historical climate variables appended to each location. We hope this data will support forest managers in making seed transfer decisions, particularly in an era of rapid climate change.
Plasma acetylcholine and nicotinic acid are correlated with focused preference for photographed females in depressed males: an economic game study
Authors: Kubo Hiroaki , Setoyama Daiki , Watabe Motoki , Ohgidani Masahiro , Hayakawa Kohei , Kuwano Nobuki , Sato-Kasai Mina , Katsuki Ryoko , Kanba Shigenobu , Kang Dongchon , Kato Takahiro A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractInterpersonal difficulties are often observed in major depressive disorder (MDD), while the underlying psychological and biological mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. In the present case–control study, a PC-based trust game was conducted for 38 drug-free MDD patients and 38 healthy controls (HC). In the trust game, participants invested money in a partner (trusting behaviors), and also rated each partner’s attractiveness (preference for others). In addition, blood biomarkers including metabolites were measured. Both MDD and HC males exhibited more trusting behaviors compared to females. MDD males’ preference for ordinary-attractive partners (lay-person photographs) was lower than HC males, whereas their preference for high-attractive females (fashion-model photographs) was similar levels to HC males. This tendency in MDD males could reflect a “focused (narrowed) preference for females”. As for blood biomarker analysis, the levels of 37 metabolites including acetylcholine, AMP, GMP, nicotinic acid and tryptophan were significantly different between two groups. Interestingly, among male participants, acetylcholine and nicotinic acid were negatively correlated with the level of focused preference for photographed females. In sum, we have revealed some behavioral, psychological and biological traits of trusting behaviors and preference for others especially in MDD males. Larger studies should be conducted to validate our preliminary findings.
Proportion of people identified as transgender and non-binary gender in Brazil
Authors: Spizzirri Giancarlo , Eufrásio Raí , Lima Maria Cristina Pereira , de Carvalho Nunes Hélio Rubens , Kreukels Baudewijntje P. C. , Steensma Thomas D. , Abdo Carmita Helena Najjar 
Published: January 2021

AbstractStudies estimate that gender-diverse persons represent 0.1 to 2% of populations investigated, but no such assessment was performed in Latin America. In a representative sample of Brazil’s adult population (n = 6000), we investigated participants' sociodemographic characteristics and possible associations between these and current gender identity, categorized as cisgender, transgender or non-binary gender. We also investigated transgender individuals' distress associated with gender-related body characteristics. As main results, we found that transgender individuals represented 0.69% (CI95% = 0.48–0.90) of the sample, whereas non-binary persons were 1.19% (CI95% = 0.92–1.47). These percentages were not different among Brazil’s 5 geographic regions. Preliminary analyses showed that transgender individuals were on average younger (32.8 ± 14.2 years, CI95% = 28.5–37.1), compared to cisgender (42.2 ± 15.9, CI95% = 42.5–42.8) and non-binary (42.1 ± 16.5 years, CI95% = 38.3–46.5) groups. Non-binary persons are less likely to be in a relationship compared to cisgender individuals (OR = 0.57, CI95% = 0.35–0.93). In the transgender group, 85% of transgender men and 50% of transgender women reported distress due to gender-related body characteristics. Our main findings draw attention that gender-diverse Brazilian individuals represent around 2% of the country's adult population (almost 3 million people), and are homogeneously located throughout the country, reiterating the urgency of public health policies for these individuals in the five Brazilian sub-regions.
Clinical course of COVID-19 patients needing supplemental oxygen outside the intensive care unit
Authors: Daher Ayham , Balfanz Paul , Aetou Maria , Hartmann Bojan , Müller-Wieland Dirk , Müller Tobias , Marx Nikolaus , Dreher Michael , Cornelissen Christian G. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPatients suffering from CVOID-19 mostly experience a benign course of the disease. Approximately 14% of SARS-CoV2 infected patients are admitted to a hospital. Cohorts exhibiting severe lung failure in the form of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have been well characterized. Patients without ARDS but in need of supplementary oxygen have received much less attention. This study describes the diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 needing oxygen support during their stay on regular ward. All 133 patients admitted to the RWTH Aachen university hospital with the diagnosis of COVID-19 were included in an observational registry. Clinical data sets were extracted from the hospital information system. This analysis includes all 57 patients requiring supplemental oxygen not admitted to the ICU. 57 patients needing supplemental oxygen and being treated outside the ICU were analyzed. Patients exhibited the typical set of symptoms for COVID-19. Of note, hypoxic patients mostly did not suffer from clinically relevant dyspnea despite oxygen saturations below 92%. Patients had fever for 7 [2–11] days and needed supplemental oxygen for 8 [5–13] days resulting in an overall hospitalization time of 12 [7–20] days. In addition, patients had persisting systemic inflammation with CRP levels remaining elevated until discharge or death. This description of COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen therapy should be taken into account when planning treatment capacity. Patients on oxygen need long-term inpatient care.
Clinical implications of intrinsic molecular subtypes of breast cancer for sentinel node status
Authors: Rossing Maria , Pedersen Christina Bligaard , Tvedskov Tove , Vejborg Ilse , Talman Maj-Lis , Olsen Lars Rønn , Kroman Niels , Nielsen Finn Cilius , Jensen Maj-Britt , Ejlertsen Bent 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAxillary lymph node status is an important prognostic factor for breast cancer patients and sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is a less invasive surgical proxy. We examined if consecutively derived molecular subtypes from primary breast cancers provide additional predictive value for SLNB status. 1556 patients with a breast cancer > 10 mm underwent primary surgical procedure including SLNB and tumor specimens were assigned with a transcriptomics-based molecular subtype. 1020 patients had a negative sentinel node (SN) and 536 a positive. A significant association between tumor size and SN status (p < 0.0001) was found across all samples, but no association between size and SN status (p = 0.14) was found for BasL tumors. A BasL subtype was a predictor of an SN-negative status (p = 0.001, OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38;0.90) and among the BasL, postmenopausal status was a predictor for SN-negative status (p = 0.01). Overall survival was significantly lower (p = 0.02) in patients with BasL tumors and a positive SN. Interestingly, we identified a significant correlation between hormone receptor activity and SN status within the BasL subtype. Taken together, molecular subtypes and hormone receptor activity of breast cancers add predictive value for SLNB status.
Outcomes of 4819 cases of marine animals presented to a wildlife rehabilitation center in New Jersey, USA (1976–2016)
Authors: Gallini Stefan H. , Di Girolamo Nicola , Hann Elizabeth , Paluch Hubert , DiGeronimo Peter M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUnderstanding marine animal stranding patterns can aid rehabilitation efforts and evaluations of ecosystem health. The goal of this retrospective study was to identify factors associated with outcome of marine animals presented to a rehabilitation facility in Brigantine, New Jersey, USA. Records of 4819 phocids, cetaceans, and sea turtles were reviewed. Taxa, age, sex, season, and outcome (natural death, euthanasia, transfer to another facility, and successful release) were recorded for each case. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors associated with release, and a multivariate logistic regression model was developed to evaluate whether the association between taxa and chance of release persisted after adjustment for the other variables. Phocids were most likely to strand during winter. Phocids and sea turtles that stranded alive were more likely to be released than to die under care or be euthanized. Taxa, age, and season were all significantly associated with the probability of release. These results provide a reference for phocid, cetacean, and sea turtle stranding and rehabilitation in part of the mid-Atlantic region. Critical evaluation of wildlife rehabilitation is indicated to audit the success of efforts and to assess threats to free-ranging populations.
Faster juvenile growth promotes earlier sex change in a protandrous hermaphrodite (barramundi Lates calcarifer)
Authors: Roberts Brien H. , Morrongiello John R. , Morgan David L. , King Alison J. , Saunders Thor M. , Crook David A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe relationship between growth and sexual maturation is central to understanding the dynamics of animal populations which exhibit indeterminate growth. In sequential hermaphrodites, which undergo post-maturation sex change, the size and age at which sex change occurs directly affects reproductive output and hence population productivity. However, these traits are often labile, and may be strongly influenced by heterogenous growth and mortality rates. We analysed otolith microstructure of a protandrous (i.e., male-to-female) fish (barramundiLates calcarifer) to examine growth in relation to individual variation in the timing of sex change. Growth trajectories of individuals with contrasting life histories were examined to elucidate the direction and extent to which growth rate influences the size and age individuals change sex. Then, the relationships between growth rate, maturation schedules and asymptotic maximum size were explored to identify potential trade-offs between age at female maturity and growth potential. Rapid growth was strongly associated with decreased age at sex change, but this was not accompanied by a decrease in size at sex change. Individuals that were caught as large females grew faster than those caught as males, suggesting that fast-growing individuals ultimately obtain higher fitness and therefore make a disproportionate contribution to population fecundity. These results indicate that individual-level variation in maturation schedules is not reflective of trade-offs between growth and reproduction. Rather, we suggest that conditions experienced during the juvenile phase are likely to be a key determinant of post-maturation fitness. These findings highlight the vulnerability of sex-changing species to future environmental change and harvest.