| 1. |
- Namkoong, H, et al.
(författare)
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DOCK2 is involved in the host genetics and biology of severe COVID-19
- 2022
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-4687 .- 0028-0836. ; 609:7928, s. 754-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Identifying the host genetic factors underlying severe COVID-19 is an emerging challenge1–5. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 2,393 cases of COVID-19 in a cohort of Japanese individuals collected during the initial waves of the pandemic, with 3,289 unaffected controls. We identified a variant on chromosome 5 at 5q35 (rs60200309-A), close to the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 gene (DOCK2), which was associated with severe COVID-19 in patients less than 65 years of age. This risk allele was prevalent in East Asian individuals but rare in Europeans, highlighting the value of genome-wide association studies in non-European populations. RNA-sequencing analysis of 473 bulk peripheral blood samples identified decreased expression of DOCK2 associated with the risk allele in these younger patients. DOCK2 expression was suppressed in patients with severe cases of COVID-19. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis (n = 61 individuals) identified cell-type-specific downregulation of DOCK2 and a COVID-19-specific decreasing effect of the risk allele on DOCK2 expression in non-classical monocytes. Immunohistochemistry of lung specimens from patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia showed suppressed DOCK2 expression. Moreover, inhibition of DOCK2 function with CPYPP increased the severity of pneumonia in a Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by weight loss, lung oedema, enhanced viral loads, impaired macrophage recruitment and dysregulated type I interferon responses. We conclude that DOCK2 has an important role in the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe COVID-19, and could be further explored as a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic target.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Wang, QBS, et al.
(författare)
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The whole blood transcriptional regulation landscape in 465 COVID-19 infected samples from Japan COVID-19 Task Force
- 2022
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Ingår i: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1, s. 4830-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a recently-emerged infectious disease that has caused millions of deaths, where comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms is still unestablished. In particular, studies of gene expression dynamics and regulation landscape in COVID-19 infected individuals are limited. Here, we report on a thorough analysis of whole blood RNA-seq data from 465 genotyped samples from the Japan COVID-19 Task Force, including 359 severe and 106 non-severe COVID-19 cases. We discover 1169 putative causal expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) including 34 possible colocalizations with biobank fine-mapping results of hematopoietic traits in a Japanese population, 1549 putative causal splice QTLs (sQTLs; e.g. two independent sQTLs at TOR1AIP1), as well as biologically interpretable trans-eQTL examples (e.g., REST and STING1), all fine-mapped at single variant resolution. We perform differential gene expression analysis to elucidate 198 genes with increased expression in severe COVID-19 cases and enriched for innate immune-related functions. Finally, we evaluate the limited but non-zero effect of COVID-19 phenotype on eQTL discovery, and highlight the presence of COVID-19 severity-interaction eQTLs (ieQTLs; e.g., CLEC4C and MYBL2). Our study provides a comprehensive catalog of whole blood regulatory variants in Japanese, as well as a reference for transcriptional landscapes in response to COVID-19 infection.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Sakatani, N., et al.
(författare)
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Anomalously porous boulders on (162173) Ryugu as primordial materials from its parent body
- 2021
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Ingår i: Nature Astronomy. - : Springer Nature. - 2397-3366. ; 5:8, s. 766-774
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Planetesimals—the initial stage of the planetary formation process—are considered to be initially very porous aggregates of dusts1,2, and subsequent thermal and compaction processes reduce their porosity3. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft found that boulders on the surface of asteroid (162173) Ryugu have an average porosity of 30–50% (refs. 4,5,6), higher than meteorites but lower than cometary nuclei7, which are considered to be remnants of the original planetesimals8. Here, using high-resolution thermal and optical imaging of Ryugu’s surface, we discovered, on the floor of fresh small craters (<20 m in diameter), boulders with reflectance (~0.015) lower than the Ryugu average6 and porosity >70%, which is as high as in cometary bodies. The artificial crater formed by Hayabusa2’s impact experiment9 is similar to these craters in size but does not have such high-porosity boulders. Thus, we argue that the observed high porosity is intrinsic and not created by subsequent impact comminution and/or cracking. We propose that these boulders are the least processed material on Ryugu and represent remnants of porous planetesimals that did not undergo a high degree of heating and compaction3. Our multi-instrumental analysis suggests that fragments of the highly porous boulders are mixed within the surface regolith globally, implying that they might be captured within collected samples by touch-down operations10,11.
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| 9. |
- Yin, Y. Y., et al.
(författare)
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Quantifying Water Scarcity in Northern China Within the Context of Climatic and Societal Changes and South-to-North Water Diversion
- 2020
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Ingår i: Earths Future. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 2328-4277. ; 8:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- With the increasing pressure from population growth and economic development, northern China (NC) faces a grand challenge of water scarcity, which can be further exacerbated by climatic and societal changes. The South-to-North Water Diversion (SNWD) project is designed to mitigate the water scarcity in NC. However, few studies have quantified the impact of the SNWD on water scarcity within the context of climatic and societal changes and its potential effects on economic and agricultural food in the region. We used water supply stress index (WaSSI) to quantify water scarcity within the context of environmental change in NC and developed a method to estimate the economic and agricultural impacts of the SNWD. Focuses were put on alleviating the water supply shortage and economic and agricultural benefits for the water-receiving NC. We find that societal changes, especially economic growth, are the major contributors to water scarcity in NC during 2009-2099. To completely mitigate the water scarcity of NC, at least an additional water supply of 13 billion m(3)/year (comparable to the annual diversion water by SNWD Central Route) will be necessary. Although SNWD alone cannot provide the full solution to NC's water shortage in next few decades, it can significantly alleviate the water supply stress in NC (particularly Beijing), considerably increasing the agricultural production (more than 115 Tcal/year) and bringing economic benefits (more than 51 billion RMB/year) through supplying industrial and domestic water use. Additionally, the transfer project could have impacts on the ecological environment in the exporting regions.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Mukai, M., et al.
(författare)
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In-gas-cell laser resonance ionization spectroscopy of Ir-196,Ir-197,Ir-198
- 2020
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Ingår i: Physical Review C. - : American Physical Society. - 2469-9985 .- 2469-9993. ; 102:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hyperfine structure (HFS) measurements of neutron-rich iridium isotopes Ir-196,Ir-197,Ir-198 (Z = 77, N = 119-121) were performed via in-gas-cell laser resonance ionization spectroscopy at the KEK Isotope Separation System. Magnetic dipole moments mu and isotope shifts were determined from the HFS spectra. The variation of mean-square charge radii and quadrupole deformation parameters of these isotopes were evaluated from the isotope shifts. The mu value of (197)h, agreed with a theoretical value based on the strong coupling model, and the Ir nucleus was interpreted as prolately deformed by the theoretical calculations. The mu values of Ir-196,Ir-198 were also compared with semiempirical values calculated based on the strong coupling model. From the comparison, we can suggest the possible spin values of I-pi = 1,2(-) for Ir-196 and I-pi = 1(-) for Ir-198.
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| 14. |
- Aalto, Susanne, 1964, et al.
(författare)
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ALMA resolves the remarkable molecular jet and rotating wind in the extremely radio-quiet galaxy NGC 1377
- 2020
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Ingår i: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 640
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Submillimetre and millimetre line and continuum observations are important in probing the morphology, column density, and dynamics of the molecular gas and dust around obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and their mechanical feedback. With very high-resolution (0.'' 02x0.'' 03 (2x3 pc)) ALMA 345 GHz observations of CO 3-2, HCO+ 4-3, vibrationally excited HCN 4-3 nu (2)=1f, and continuum we have studied the remarkable, extremely radio-quiet, molecular jet and wind of the lenticular galaxy NGC 1377. The outflow structure is resolved, revealing a 150 pc long, clumpy, high-velocity (similar to 600 km s(-1)), collimated molecular jet where the molecular emission is emerging from the spine of the jet with an average diameter of 3-7 pc. The jet widens to 10-15 pc about 25 pc from the centre, which is possibly due to jet-wind interactions. A narrow-angle (50 degrees -70 degrees), misaligned and rotating molecular wind surrounds the jet, and both are enveloped by a larger-scale CO-emitting structure at near-systemic velocity. The jet and narrow wind have steep radial gas excitation gradients and appear turbulent with high gas dispersion (sigma> 40 km s(-1)). The jet shows velocity reversals that we propose are caused by precession, or more episodic directional changes. We discuss the mechanisms powering the outflow, and we find that an important process for the molecular jet and narrow wind is likely magneto-centrifugal driving. In contrast, the large-scale CO-envelope may be a slow wind, or cocoon that stems from jet-wind interactions. An asymmetric, nuclear r similar to 2 pc dust structure with a high inferred molecular column density N(H-2) similar or equal to 1.8x10(24) cm(-2) is detected in continuum and also shows compact emission from vibrationally excited HCN. The nuclear dust emission is hot (T-d> 180 K) and its luminosity is likely powered by a buried AGN. The lopsided structure appears to be a warped disk, which is responsible for a significant part of the nuclear obscuration and possibly formed as a result of uneven gas inflows. The dynamical mass inside r=1.4 pc is estimated to 9(-3)(+2) x 10(6)M(circle dot) 9 - 3 + 2 x 10 6 M circle dot , implying that the supermassive black hole (SMBH) has a high mass with respect to the stellar velocity dispersion of NGC 1377. We suggest that the SMBH of NGC 1377 is currently in a state of moderate growth, at the end of a more intense phase of accretion and also evolving from a state of more extreme nuclear obscuration. The nuclear growth may be fuelled by low-angular momentum gas inflowing from the gas ejected in the molecular jet and wind. Such a feedback-loop of cyclic outflows and central accretion could explain why there is still a significant reservoir of molecular gas in this ageing, lenticular galaxy. A feedback-loop would be an effective process in growing the nuclear SMBH and thus would constitute an important phase in the evolution of NGC 1377. This also invites new questions as to SMBH growth processes in obscured, dusty galaxies.
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| 15. |
- Eriksson, Tobias A., et al.
(författare)
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Digital self-coherent continuous variable quantum key distribution system
- 2020
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Ingår i: Optics InfoBase Conference Papers. - : Optica Publishing Group.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigate a continuous variable quantum key distribution system with digital tracking of both polarization and phase. Stable operation over 25km for 36 hours with secret key rates between 1.9 and 2.8 Mbit/s is demonstrated.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Puttnam, B. J., et al.
(författare)
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High Data-Rate and Long Distance MCF Transmission with 19-Core C+L band Cladding-Pumped EDFA
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Lightwave Technology. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. - 0733-8724 .- 1558-2213. ; 38:1, s. 123-130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We describe a series of optical transmission experiments based around single-mode, multi-core fiber (MCF) amplified with 19-core, C+L band erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). The cladding-pumped amplifier uses two multi-mode pumps in each of C and L band to provide gain bandwidth over more than 75 nm. For recirculating transmission of PDM-16QAM signals on 345 wavelength carriers between 1530.52 nm and 1605.52 nm, we measure 0.715 Pb/s transmission over a distance of 2009 km (64 recirculations), equivalent to a throughput-distance product of 1.44 exabit/s x km. Next, using PDM-QPSK modulation, we investigate trans-oceanic transmission distances, measuring throughputs of 18.6 Tb/s and 14.5 Tb/s in 2 cores after 255 recirculations, a distance of 8007 km. Further, we evaluate the combined EDFA and fiber crosstalk penalties showing a core and wavelength dependence in agreement with previous MCF crosstalk measurements. These results demonstrate the potential of high core-count EDFAs to combine both high capacity transmission over transoceanic distances with benefits of SDM integration.
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| 18. |
- Rademacher, G., et al.
(författare)
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10.66 Peta-Bit/s Transmission over a 38-Core-Three-Mode Fiber
- 2020
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Ingår i: 2020 Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition, OFC 2020 - Proceedings. - : Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- We demonstrate transmission of 368-WDM-38-core-3-mode × 24.5-GBaud 64- and 256-QAM signals over 13 km. Record data-rate and spectral-efficiency of 1158.7 b/s/Hz were enabled by a low DMD 38-core-3-mode fiber with high uniformity amongst cores.
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| 19. |
- Yao, T. D., et al.
(författare)
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The imbalance of the Asian water tower
- 2022
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Ingår i: Nature Reviews Earth & Environment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2662-138X.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan system, named the Third Pole because it is the largest global store of frozen water after the polar regions, provides a reliable water supply to almost 2 billion people. Marked atmospheric warming has changed the balance of this so-called Asian water tower and altered water resources in downstream countries. In this Review, we synthesize observational evidence and model projections that describe an imbalance in the Asian water tower caused by accelerated transformation of ice and snow into liquid water. This phase change is associated with a south-north disparity due to the spatio-temporal interaction between the westerlies and the Indian monsoon. A corresponding spatial imbalance is exhibited by alterations in freshwater resources in endorheic or exorheic basins. Global warming is expected to amplify this imbalance, alleviating water scarcity in the Yellow and Yangtze River basins and increasing scarcity in the Indus and Amu Darya River basins. However, the future of the Asian water tower remains highly uncertain. Accurate predictions of future water supply require the establishment of comprehensive monitoring stations in data-scarce regions and the development of advanced coupled atmosphere-cryosphere-hydrology models. Such models are needed to inform the development of actionable policies for sustainable water resource management. Atmospheric warming has imbalanced the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan system (the Asian water tower (AWT)). Yao et al. review observed changes in atmospheric water and freshwater AWT constituents, focusing on their future consequences for freshwater resources and vulnerable societies across downstream basins.
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