bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Species-specific gamete recognition initiates fusion-driving trimer formation by conserved fusogen HAP2
Authors: Zhang Jun , Pinello Jennifer F. , Fernández Ignacio , Baquero Eduard , Fedry Juliette , Rey Félix A. , Snell William J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractRecognition and fusion between gametes during fertilization is an ancient process. Protein HAP2, recognized as the primordial eukaryotic gamete fusogen, is a structural homolog of viral class II fusion proteins. The mechanisms that regulate HAP2 function, and whether virus-fusion-like conformational changes are involved, however, have not been investigated. We report here that fusion between plus and minus gametes of the green alga Chlamydomonas indeed requires an obligate conformational rearrangement of HAP2 on minus gametes from a labile, prefusion form into the stable homotrimers observed in structural studies. Activation of HAP2 to undergo its fusogenic conformational change occurs only upon species-specific adhesion between the two gamete membranes. Following a molecular mechanism akin to fusion of enveloped viruses, the membrane insertion capacity of the fusion loop is required to couple formation of trimers to gamete fusion. Thus, species-specific membrane attachment is the gateway to fusion-driving HAP2 rearrangement into stable trimers.
Combating mosquito-borne diseases using genetic control technologies
Authors: Wang Guan-Hong , Gamez Stephanie , Raban Robyn R. , Marshall John M. , Alphey Luke , Li Ming , Rasgon Jason L. , Akbari Omar S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractMosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, pose significant global health burdens. Unfortunately, current control methods based on insecticides and environmental maintenance have fallen short of eliminating the disease burden. Scalable, deployable, genetic-based solutions are sought to reduce the transmission risk of these diseases. Pathogen-blocking Wolbachia bacteria, or genome engineering-based mosquito control strategies including gene drives have been developed to address these problems, both requiring the release of modified mosquitoes into the environment. Here, we review the latest developments, notable similarities, and critical distinctions between these promising technologies and discuss their future applications for mosquito-borne disease control.
The role of nano-sized intergranular phases on nickel alloy 725 brittle failure
Authors: Hazarabedian Maria Sofia , Iannuzzi Mariano 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlthough precipitation-hardened nickel alloys, such as Alloy 725, are extensively used in the most aggressive oil and gas production conditions given their a priori superior environmentally assisted cracking resistance, recent failures associated with hydrogen embrittlement (HE) cast doubts about their performance in H-bearing environments. These high-profile incidents have led to extensive research to elucidate the failure mechanism and develop methods to reduce risks. However, the microstructural features that made only specific heats of Alloy 725 susceptible to HE have yet to be agreed upon by the scientific community. Herein, our results showed that the abundant precipitation of F phase, i.e., a recently discovered nano-sized and embrittling phase, at grain boundaries increased cracking susceptibility. A continuous F phase network offered a low-energy path for crack opening by matrix-precipitate interfacial decohesion. Additionally, we correlated Alloy 725 microstructure with HE resistance, which is essential for thermomechanical processing optimization and the design of alternative qualification tests to obtain embrittlement-resistant nickel alloys.
Connecting Fano interference and the Jaynes-Cummings model in cavity magnonics
Authors: Gollwitzer Jakob , Bocklage Lars , Röhlsberger Ralf , Meier Guido 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe show that Fano interference can be realized in a macroscopic microwave cavity coupled to a spin ensemble at room temperature. Via a formalism developed from the linearized Jaynes-Cummings model of cavity electromagnonics, we show that generalized Fano interference emerges from the photon–magnon interaction at low cooperativity. In this regime, the reflectivity approximates the scattering cross-section derived from the Fano-Anderson model. Although asymmetric lineshapes in this system are often associated with the Fano formalism, we show that whilst Fano interference is actually present, an exact Fano form cannot be achieved from the linear Jaynes-Cummings model. In the Fano model an additional contribution arises, which is attributed to decoherence in other systems, and in this case is due to the resonant nature of the photonic mode. The formalism is experimentally verified and accounts for the asymmetric lineshapes arising from the interaction between magnon and photon channels. As the magnon–photon coupling strength is increased, these channels merge into hybridized magnon–photon modes and the generalized Fano interference picture breaks down. Our results are universally applicable to systems underlying the linearized Jaynes-Cummings Hamiltonian at low cooperativity and connect the microscopic parameters of the quantum optical model to generalized Fano lineshapes.
Growth mindset and academic outcomes: a comparison of US and Chinese students
Authors: Sun Xin , Nancekivell Shaylene , Gelman Susan A. , Shah Priti 
Published: July 2021

AbstractChinese students are more likely than US students to hold a malleable view of success in school, yet are more likely to hold fixed mindsets about intelligence. We demonstrate that this apparently contradictory pattern of cross-cultural differences holds true across multiple samples and is related to how students conceptualize intelligence and its relationship with academic achievement. Study 1 (N > 15,000) confirmed that US students endorsed more growth mindsets than Chinese students. Importantly, US students’ mathematics grades were positively related to growth mindsets with a medium-to-large effect, but for Chinese students, this association was slightly negative. Study 2 conceptually replicated Study 1 findings with US and Chinese college samples, and further discovered that cross-cultural differences in intelligence mindset beliefs corresponded to how students defined intelligence. Together, these studies demonstrated systematic cross-cultural differences in intelligence mindset and suggest that intelligence mindsets are not necessarily associated with academic motivation or success in the same way across cultures.
Influence of exposure conditions on helium transport and bubble growth in tungsten
Authors: Delaporte-Mathurin Rémi , Ialovega Mykola , Hodille Etienne A. , Mougenot Jonathan , Charles Yann , Bernard Elodie , Martin Céline , Grisolia Christian 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHelium diffusion, clustering and bubble nucleation and growth is modelled using the finite element method. The existing model from Faney et al. (Model Simul Mater Sci Eng 22:065010, 2018; Nucl Fusion 55:013014, 2015) is implemented with FEniCS and simplified in order to greatly reduce the number of equations. A parametric study is performed to investigate the influence of exposure conditions on helium inventory, bubbles density and size. Temperature is varied from 120 K to 1200 K and the implanted flux of 100 eV He is varied from $$10^{17}\,{\text{m}^{-2}\, \text{s}^{-1}}$$

10
17

m

-
2

s

-
1

to $$5 \times 10^{21}\, {\text{m}^{-2}\, \text{s}^{-1}}$$

5
×

10
21

m

-
2

s

-
1

. Bubble mean size increases as a power law of time whereas the bubble density reaches a maximum. The maximum He content in bubbles was approximately $$4 \times 10^{8}$$

4
×

10
8

He at $$5 \times 10^{21}\,{\text{m}^{-2}\, \text{s}^{-1}}$$

5
×

10
21

m

-
2

s

-
1

. After 1 h of exposure, the helium inventory varies from $$5 \times 10^{16} \,{\text{m}^{-2}}$$

5
×

10
16

m

-
2

at low flux and high temperature to $$10^{25} \,{\text{m}^{-2}}$$

10
25

m

-
2

at high flux and low temperature. The bubbles inventory varies from $$5 \times 10^{12}$$

5
×

10
12

bubbles m$$^{-2}$$

-
2

to $$2 \times 10^{19}$$

2
×

10
19

bubbles m$$^{-2}$$

-
2

. Comparison with experimental measurements is performed. The bubble density simulated by the model is in quantitative agreement with experiments.
Whole-genome optical mapping of bone-marrow myeloma cells reveals association of extramedullary multiple myeloma with chromosome 1 abnormalities
Authors: Kriegova Eva , Fillerova Regina , Minarik Jiri , Savara Jakub , Manakova Jirina , Petrackova Anna , Dihel Martin , Balcarkova Jana , Krhovska Petra , Pika Tomas , Gajdos Petr , Behalek Marek , Vasinek Michal , Papajik Tomas 
Published: July 2021

AbstractExtramedullary disease (EMM) represents a rare, aggressive and mostly resistant phenotype of multiple myeloma (MM). EMM is frequently associated with high-risk cytogenetics, but their complex genomic architecture is largely unexplored. We used whole-genome optical mapping (Saphyr, Bionano Genomics) to analyse the genomic architecture of CD138+ cells isolated from bone-marrow aspirates from an unselected cohort of newly diagnosed patients with EMM (n = 4) and intramedullary MM (n = 7). Large intrachromosomal rearrangements (> 5 Mbp) within chromosome 1 were detected in all EMM samples. These rearrangements, predominantly deletions with/without inversions, encompassed hundreds of genes and led to changes in the gene copy number on large regions of chromosome 1. Compared with intramedullary MM, EMM was characterised by more deletions (size range of 500 bp–50 kbp) and fewer interchromosomal translocations, and two EMM samples had copy number loss in the 17p13 region. Widespread genomic heterogeneity and novel aberrations in the high-risk IGH/IGK/IGL, 8q24 and 13q14 regions were detected in individual patients but were not specific to EMM/MM. Our pilot study revealed an association of chromosome 1 abnormalities in bone marrow myeloma cells with extramedullary progression. Optical mapping showed the potential for refining the complex genomic architecture in MM and its phenotypes.
Stepwise neuronal network pattern formation in agarose gel during cultivation using non-destructive microneedle photothermal microfabrication
Authors: Tanaka Yuhei , Watanabe Haruki , Shimoda Kenji , Sakamoto Kazufumi , Hondo Yoshitsune , Sentoku Mitsuru , Sekine Rikuto , Kikuchi Takahito , Yasuda Kenji 
Published: July 2021

AbstractConventional neuronal network pattern formation techniques cannot control the arrangement of axons and dendrites because network structures must be fixed before neurite differentiation. To overcome this limitation, we developed a non-destructive stepwise microfabrication technique that can be used to alter microchannels within agarose to guide neurites during elongation. Micropatterns were formed in thin agarose layer coating of a cultivation dish using the tip of a 0.7 $$\upmu \mathrm{m}$$

μ
m

-diameter platinum-coated glass microneedle heated by a focused 1064-nm wavelength infrared laser, which has no absorbance of water. As the size of the heat source was 0.7 $$\upmu \mathrm{m}$$

μ
m

, which is smaller than the laser wavelength, the temperature fell to 45 $$^\circ \hbox {C}$$

∘

C

within a distance of 7.0 $$\upmu \mathrm{m}$$

μ
m

from the edge of the etched agarose microchannel. We exploited the fast temperature decay property to guide cell-to-cell connection during neuronal network cultivation. The first neurite of a hippocampal cell from a microchamber was guided to a microchannel leading to the target neuron with stepwise etching of the micrometer resolution microchannel in the agarose layer, and the elongated neurites were not damaged by the heat of etching. The results indicate the potential of this new technique for fully direction-controlled on-chip neuronal network studies.
Metagenomic identification of a new sarbecovirus from horseshoe bats in Europe
Authors: Crook Jack M. , Murphy Ivana , Carter Daniel P. , Pullan Steven T. , Carroll Miles , Vipond Richard , Cunningham Andrew A. , Bell Diana 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe source of the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown, but the natural host of the progenitor sarbecovirus is thought to be Asian horseshoe (rhinolophid) bats. We identified and sequenced a novel sarbecovirus (RhGB01) from a British horseshoe bat, at the western extreme of the rhinolophid range. Our results extend both the geographic and species ranges of sarbecoviruses and suggest their presence throughout the horseshoe bat distribution. Within the spike protein receptor binding domain, but excluding the receptor binding motif, RhGB01 has a 77% (SARS-CoV-2) and 81% (SARS-CoV) amino acid homology. While apparently lacking hACE2 binding ability, and hence unlikely to be zoonotic without mutation, RhGB01 presents opportunity for SARS-CoV-2 and other sarbecovirus homologous recombination. Our findings highlight that the natural distribution of sarbecoviruses and opportunities for recombination through intermediate host co-infection are underestimated. Preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to bats is critical with the current global mass vaccination campaign against this virus.
Dynamic flow priming programs allow tuning up the cell layers properties for engineered vascular graft
Authors: Baba Kazutomo , Mikhailov Andrey , Sankai Yoshiyuki 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTissue engineered vascular grafts (TEVG) are potentially clear from ethical and epidemiological concerns sources for reconstructive surgery for small diameter blood vessels replacement. Here, we proposed a novel method to create three-layered TEVG on biocompatible glass fiber scaffolds starting from flat sheet state into tubular shape and to train the resulting tissue by our developed bioreactor system. Constructed tubular tissues were matured and trained under 3 types of individual flow programs, and their mechanical and biological properties were analyzed. Training in the bioreactor significantly increased the tissue burst pressure resistance (up to 18 kPa) comparing to untrained tissue. Fluorescent imaging and histological examination of trained vascular tissue revealed that each cell layer has its own individual response to training flow rates. Histological analysis suggested reverse relationship between tissue thickness and shear stress, and the thickness variation profiles were individual between all three types of cell layers. Concluding: a three-layered tissue structure similar to physiological can be assembled by seeding different cell types in succession; the following training of the formed tissue with increasing flow in a bioreactor is effective for promoting cell survival, improving pressure resistance, and cell layer formation of desired properties.
Utility and limitations of Hepascore and transient elastography to detect advanced hepatic fibrosis in HFE hemochromatosis
Authors: Ong Sim Yee , Khoo Tiffany , Nicoll Amanda J. , Gurrin Lyle , Worland Thomas , Pateria Puraskar , Ramm Louise E. , Testro Adam , Anderson Gregory J. , Skoien Richard , Powell Lawrie W. , Ramm Grant A. , Olynyk John K. , Delatycki Martin B. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and Fibrosis-4 Index (Fib4) have been validated against liver biopsy for detecting advanced hepatic fibrosis in HFE hemochromatosis. We determined the diagnostic utility for advanced hepatic fibrosis of Hepascore and transient elastography compared with APRI and Fib4 in 134 newly diagnosed HFE hemochromatosis subjects with serum ferritin levels > 300 µg/L using area under the receiver operator characteristic curve (AUROC) analysis and APRI- (> 0.44) or Fib4- (> 1.1) cut-offs for AHF, or a combination of both. Compared with APRI, Hepascore demonstrated an AUROC for advanced fibrosis of 0.69 (95% CI 0.56–0.83; sensitivity = 69%, specificity = 65%; P = 0.01) at a cut-off of 0.22. Using a combination of APRI and Fib4, the AUROC for Hepascore for advanced fibrosis was 0.70 (95% CI 0.54–0.86, P = 0.02). Hepascore was not diagnostic for detection of advanced fibrosis using the Fib4 cut-off. Elastography was not diagnostic using either APRI or Fib4 cut-offs. Hepascore and elastography detected significantly fewer true positive or true negative cases of advanced fibrosis compared with APRI and Fib4, except in subjects with serum ferritin levels > 1000 µg/L. In comparison with APRI or Fib4, Hepascore or elastography may underdiagnose advanced fibrosis in HFE Hemochromatosis, except in individuals with serum ferritin levels > 1000 µg/L.
Glomerular function in relation to fine airborne particulate matter in a representative population sample
Authors: Feng Ying-Mei , Thijs Lutgarde , Zhang Zhen-Yu , Bijnens Esmée M. , Yang Wen-Yi , Wei Fang-Fei , Janssen Bram G. , Nawrot Tim S. , Staessen Jan A. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFrom 1990 until 2017, global air-pollution related mortality increased by 40%. Few studies addressed the renal responses to ultrafine particulate [≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5)], including black carbon (BC), which penetrate into the blood stream. In a Flemish population study, glomerular filtration estimated from serum creatinine (eGFR) and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio were measured in 2005–2009 in 820 participants (women, 50.7%; age, 51.1 years) with follow-up of 523 after 4.7 years (median). Serum creatinine, eGFR, chronic kidney disease (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and microalbuminuria (> 3.5/> 2.5 mg per mmol creatinine in women/men) were correlated in individual participants via their residential address with PM2.5 [median 13.1 (range 0.3–2.9) μg/m3] and BC [1.1 (0.3–18) μg/m3], using mixed models accounting for address clusters. Cross-sectional and longitudinally, no renal outcome was associated with PM2.5 or BC in models adjusted for sex and baseline or time varying covariables, including age, blood pressure, heart rate, body mass index, plasma glucose, the total-to-HDL serum cholesterol ratio, alcohol intake, smoking, physical activity, socioeconomic class, and antihypertensive treatment. The subject-level geocorrelations of eGFR change with to BC and PM2.5 were 0.13 and 0.02, respectively (P ≥ 0.68). In conclusion, in a population with moderate exposure, renal function was unrelated to ultrafine particulate.
Targeted metabolomics identifies high performing diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for COVID-19
Authors: López-Hernández Yamilé , Monárrez-Espino Joel , Oostdam Ana-Sofía Herrera-van , Delgado Julio Enrique Castañeda , Zhang Lun , Zheng Jiamin , Valdez Juan José Oropeza , Mandal Rupasri , González Fátima de Lourdes Ochoa , Moreno Juan Carlos Borrego , Trejo-Medinilla Flor M. , López Jesús Adrián , Moreno José Antonio Enciso , Wishart David S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractResearch exploring the development and outcome of COVID-19 infections has led to the need to find better diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This cross-sectional study used targeted metabolomics to identify potential COVID-19 biomarkers that predicted the course of the illness by assessing 110 endogenous plasma metabolites from individuals admitted to a local hospital for diagnosis/treatment. Patients were classified into four groups (≈ 40 each) according to standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) COVID-19 testing and disease course: PCR−/controls (i.e., non-COVID controls), PCR+/not-hospitalized, PCR+/hospitalized, and PCR+/intubated. Blood samples were collected within 2 days of admission/PCR testing. Metabolite concentration data, demographic data and clinical data were used to propose biomarkers and develop optimal regression models for the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC; 95% CI) was used to assess each models’ predictive value. A panel that included the kynurenine: tryptophan ratio, lysoPC a C26:0, and pyruvic acid discriminated non-COVID controls from PCR+/not-hospitalized (AUC = 0.947; 95% CI 0.931–0.962). A second panel consisting of C10:2, butyric acid, and pyruvic acid distinguished PCR+/not-hospitalized from PCR+/hospitalized and PCR+/intubated (AUC = 0.975; 95% CI 0.968–0.983). Only lysoPC a C28:0 differentiated PCR+/hospitalized from PCR+/intubated patients (AUC = 0.770; 95% CI 0.736–0.803). If additional studies with targeted metabolomics confirm the diagnostic value of these plasma biomarkers, such panels could eventually be of clinical use in medical practice.
Unraveling the ecological processes modulating the population structure of Escherichia coli in a highly polluted urban stream network
Authors: Saraceno Martín , Gómez Lugo Sebastián , Ortiz Nicolás , Gómez Bárbara M. , Sabio y García Carmen A. , Frankel Nicolás , Graziano Martín 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEscherichia coli dynamics in urban watersheds are affected by a complex balance among external inputs, niche modulation and genetic variability. To explore the ecological processes influencing E. coli spatial patterns, we analyzed its abundance and phylogenetic structure in water samples from a stream network with heterogeneous urban infrastructure and environmental conditions. Our results showed that environmental and infrastructure variables, such as macrophyte coverage, DIN and sewerage density, mostly explained E. coli abundance. Moreover, main generalist phylogroups A and B1 were found in high proportion, which, together with an observed negative relationship between E. coli abundance and phylogroup diversity, suggests that their dominance might be due to competitive exclusion. Lower frequency phylogroups were associated with sites of higher ecological disturbance, mainly involving simplified habitats, higher drainage infrastructure and septic tank density. In addition to the strong negative relationship between phylogroup diversity and dominance, the occurrence of these phylogroups would be associated with increased facilitated dispersal. Nutrients also contributed to explaining phylogroup distribution. Our study proposes the differential contribution of distinct ecological processes to the patterns of E. coli in an urban watershed, which is useful for the monitoring and management of fecal pollution.
Assessment of the risk of death of Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus pulse-exposed to selected agricultural pesticides
Authors: Kanu Kingsley Chukwuemeka , Otitoloju Adebayo Akeem , Amaeze Nnamdi Henry 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAquatic organisms are often exposed briefly to high pesticide concentration. Survival time model was used to study risk of death in C. gariepinus and O. niloticus fingerlings exposed to 24 mg/L atrazine, 42 mg/l mancozeb, 1 mg/L chlorpyrifos and 0.75 µg/L lambda cyhalothrin for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes and continuously for 96 hours. Mortality, time-to-death, weight, length, and condition factor of the fingerlings were recorded. Results obtained showed tilapia was more susceptible than catfish to continuous exposure but not pulse exposure. The survival probability of both species was similar when exposed for 15, 30 and 45 minutes (p > 0.05) but differed after 60 minutes (p < 0.05). Risk of death of catfish exposed briefly to atrazine, mancozeb and chlorpyrifos for 60 minutes was similar to 96 hours continuous exposure, same for tilapia exposed to 1 mg/L chlorpyrifos (p > 0.05). Survival probability of tilapia exposed to chlorpyrifos for 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes was similar (p > 0.05) and was not influenced by pulse length. Pesticide hazard and risk of death decreased as fish size (weight, length, and condition factor) increased. Pulse toxicity assessment using survival models could make pesticides exposure assessment more realistic by studying factors that can influence the toxicity of pesticides.