bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘The body seems to have no life’: The experiences and perceptions of fatigue among patients after COVID‐19
Authors: Bilgin Aylin , Kesik Gulsah , Ozdemir Leyla
Published: November 2021

Aims and Objectives

This study aimed at determining the perception of fatigue among patients with a history of the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19).

Background

Fatigue is a long‐lasting distressing symptom. It is a multidimensional symptom consisting of several factors, including physiological, psychological, social and environmental. It is vital to examine and understand the perception of fatigue among post‐COVID‐19 participants.

Design

A descriptive phenomenological design.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 14 post‐COVID‐19 participants that were recruited using criterion sampling. The fatigue levels of the participants were determined using the Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS), and those with a fatigue score above 12 were interviewed. All the interviews were conducted with a smartphone due to the COVID‐19. The COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research (COREQ) checklist was used.

Results

The age of the participants varied from 24 to 67 years, with the majority of the participants being female (n = 8). The COVID‐19 duration ranged from one to 11 months, and the CFS scores varied between 14 and 33. Four themes emerged following the qualitative data analysis: a new symptom beyond fatigue, fatigue increases dependency in daily life, fatigue impedes sociability and a way to hold on to life's regular rhythms.

Conclusions

This study concluded that fatigue in post‐COVID‐19 participants is a new experience that is difficult to define and manage and overwhelmingly affects the physical and social aspects of life. Participants look for new ways to live with fatigue and turn to traditional methods and psychosocial strategies.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study revealed the miscellaneous aspects of fatigue in post‐COVID‐19 participants. Nurses should evaluate fatigue with a holistic approach that includes its physical, social, emotional and spiritual aspects. Nurses can play an active role in the management of fatigue, which is a very common symptom in the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Pharmacokinetic profiles of clarithromycin in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis)
Authors: Poapolathep Saranya , Giorgi Mario , Klangkaew Narumol , Khidkhan Kraisiri , Chaiyabutr Narongsak , Wongwaipairoj Tara , Poapolathep Amnart
Published: November 2021

Clarithromycin (CLA) is a new β‐lactamase‐resistant macrolide antibiotic with potent activity against gram‐positive and some gram‐negative bacteria. To the authors’ best knowledge, limited pharmacokinetic information to establish suitable therapeutic plans is available for freshwater crocodiles. To assess the prudent use of antibiotic in reptiles, this study was conducted to explore the pharmacokinetic characteristics of CLA in the freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus siamensis, following either single intravenous (i.v.) or intramuscular (i.m.) administration at a dosage of 2.5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at assigned times up to 168 h. CLA plasma samples were cleaned up using liquid–liquid extraction, and analysed by a validated liquid chromatography tandem–mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). CLA was quantifiable from 5 min to 72 h after i.v. administration, whereas it was detectable for 168 after i.m. administration at an identical dose rate. A non‐compartmental model was used to fit the plasma concentration of CLA versus time curve for each crocodile. The t1/2λz value, similar for both routes (20 h), indicated that the overall rate of elimination of CLA in crocodiles is relatively slow. The average i.m. F% was complete. The protein plasma bound was found to be about 30%. CLA is a time‐dependent antibiotic, and the T > MIC is the best PK/PD predictor for its efficacy. The CLA dosage of 2.5 mg/kg appeared to produce an appropriate value of the PK‐PD surrogate that predicts antibacterial success for disease caused by susceptible bacteria.
Chronic liver disease in homeless individuals and performance of non‐invasive liver fibrosis and injury markers: VALID study
Authors: Hashim Ahmed. , Bremner Stephen , Grove Jane I. , Astbury Stuart , Mengozzi Manuela , O’Sullivan Margaret , Macken Lucia , Worthley Tim , Katarey Dev , Aithal Guruprasad P. , Verma Sumita
Published: November 2021

Background/aims

Community‐based assessment and management of chronic liver disease (CLD) in people who are homeless (PWAH) remain poorly described. We aimed to determine prevalence/predictors of CLD in PWAH and assess the performance of non‐invasive liver fibrosis and injury markers.

Methods

The Vulnerable Adult LIver Disease (VALID) study provided a “one‐stop” liver service based at homeless hostels. Our primary outcome was the prevalence of clinically significant hepatic fibrosis (CSHF; liver stiffness measurement (LSM) ≥8 kPa).

Results

Total individuals recruited were 127, mean ± SD age 47 ± 9.4 years, 50% (95% CI 41%‐59%) and 39% (95% CI 31%‐48%) having alcohol dependence and a positive HCV RNA respectively. CSHF was detected in 26% (95% CI 17%‐35%), independent predictors being total alcohol unit/week (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00‐1.02, P = .002) and HCV RNA positivity (OR 2.93, 95% CI 1.12‐7.66, P = .029). There was moderate agreement between LSM and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score (kappa 0.536, P < .001) for CSHF as assessed by LSM ≥8 kPa. Those with CSHF had significantly higher levels of IFN‐γ (P = .002), IL‐6 (P = .001), MMP‐2 (P = .006), ccCK‐18 (P < .001) and ELF biomarkers (P < .001), compared to those without CSHF. Service uptake was ≥95%. Direct acting antiviral (DAA) treatment completion was 93% (95% CI 77%‐99%), sustained virological response (SVR) being 83% (95% CI 64%‐94%).

Conclusion

There is a significant liver disease burden from HCV and alcohol in PWAH. Non‐invasive liver fibrosis and injury markers can help in identifying such individuals in the community. Despite a challenging cohort, excellent service uptake and high DAA‐based SVRs can be achieved.
Cost‐effectiveness analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) point‐of‐care assay for HCV screening
Authors: Koo Vanessa , Tian Feng , Wong William W. L.
Published: November 2021

Background & Aims

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) continues to pose significant public health concerns with approximately 44% of chronically infected Canadians undiagnosed. The current HCV screening in Canada is a two‐step diagnosis pathway consisting of anti‐HCV testing and HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) testing. The introduction of HCV point‐of‐care assays, such as the Xpert HCV viral load finger‐stick assay, can facilitate HCV RNA diagnosis during a single visit and provide quick linkage to care. We evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of HCV point‐of‐care testing compared with current HCV screening strategies for injection drug users (IDUs) from a Canadian provincial Ministry of Health perspective.

Methods

A state‐transition model based on published literature was developed to compare HCV point‐of‐care assay with the standard‐of‐care blood screening for a one‐time HCV screening and treatment program. It adopted a lifetime time horizon and included health states related to treatment, fibrosis stages, and advanced liver disease clinical states. Outcomes were expressed in costs, quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the model.

Results

HCV point‐of‐care assay generated an additional 0.035 QALYs/person at a cost reduction of $21.15 compared with the standard‐of‐care screening. The results were the most sensitive to the specificity of HCV point‐of‐care assay.

Conclusions

The implementation of HCV point‐of‐care screening in Canada is likely to be cost‐saving for IDUs. Early detection and treatment of undiagnosed individuals can prolong people's life span and save healthcare costs associated with HCV‐related complications.
Ancient hybridization patterns between bighorn and thinhorn sheep
Authors: Santos Sarah H. D. , Peery Rhiannon M. , Miller Joshua M. , Dao Anh , Lyu Feng‐Hua , Li Xin , Li Meng‐Hua , Coltman David W.
Published: November 2021

Whole‐genome sequencing has advanced the study of species evolution, including the detection of genealogical discordant events such as ancient hybridization and incomplete lineage sorting (ILS). The evolutionary history of bighorn (Ovis canadensis) and thinhorn (Ovis dalli) sheep present an ideal system to investigate evolutionary discordance due to their recent and rapid radiation and putative secondary contact between bighorn and thinhorn sheep subspecies, specifically the dark pelage Stone sheep (O. dalli stonei) and predominately white Dall sheep (O. dalli dalli), during the last ice age. Here, we used multiple genomes of bighorn and thinhorn sheep, together with snow (O. nivicola) and the domestic sheep (O. aries) as outgroups, to assess their phylogenomic history, potential introgression patterns and their adaptive consequences. Among the Pachyceriforms (snow, bighorn and thinhorn sheep) a consistent monophyletic species tree was retrieved; however, many genealogical discordance patterns were observed. Alternative phylogenies frequently placed Stone and bighorn as sister clades. This relationship occurred more often and was less divergent than that between Dall and bighorn. We also observed many blocks containing introgression signal between Stone and bighorn genomes in which coat colour genes were present. Introgression signals observed between Dall and bighorn were more random and less frequent, and therefore probably due to ILS or intermediary secondary contact. These results strongly suggest that Stone sheep originated from a complex series of events, characterized by multiple, ancient periods of secondary contact with bighorn sheep.
Complex adaptive architecture underlies adaptation to quantitative host resistance in a fungal plant pathogen
Authors: Dumartinet Thomas , Ravel Sébastien , Roussel Véronique , Perez‐Vicente Luis , Aguayo Jaime , Abadie Catherine , Carlier Jean
Published: November 2021

Plant pathogens often adapt to plant genetic resistance so characterization of the architecture underlying such an adaptation is required to understand the adaptive potential of pathogen populations. Erosion of banana quantitative resistance to a major leaf disease caused by polygenic adaptation of the causal agent, the fungusPseudocercospora fijiensis, was recently identified in the northern Caribbean region. Genome scan and quantitative genetics approaches were combined to investigate the adaptive architecture underlying this adaptation. Thirty‐two genomic regions showing host selection footprints were identified by pool sequencing of isolates collected from seven plantation pairs of two cultivars with different levels of quantitative resistance. Individual sequencing and phenotyping of isolates from one pair revealed significant and variable levels of correlation between haplotypes in 17 of these regions with a quantitative trait of pathogenicity (the diseased leaf area). The multilocus pattern of haplotypes detected in the 17 regions was found to be highly variable across all the population pairs studied. These results suggest complex adaptive architecture underlying plant pathogen adaptation to quantitative resistance with a polygenic basis, redundancy, and a low level of parallel evolution between pathogen populations. Candidate genes involved in quantitative pathogenicity and host adaptation ofP. fijiensiswere identified in genomic regions by combining annotation analysis with available biological data.
Decreased spatial variation and deterministic processes of bacterial community assembly in the rhizosphere of Phragmites australis across the Middle–Lower Yangtze plain
Authors: He Rujia , Zeng Jin , Zhao Dayong , Wang Shuren , Wu Qinglong L.
Published: November 2021

Comparison of the spatial distribution and assembly processes between bulk and rhizosphere bacterial communities at multiple spatial scales is vital for understanding the generation and maintenance of microbial diversity under the influence of plants. However, biogeographical patterns and the underlying mechanisms of microbial communities in bulk and rhizosphere sediments of aquatic ecosystems remain unclear. Here, we collected 140 bulk and rhizosphere sediment samples of Phragmites australis from 14 lakeshore zones across a 510‐km transect in the Middle–Lower Yangtze plain. We performed high‐throughput sequencing to investigate the bacterial diversity, composition, spatial distribution and assembly processes of these samples. Bacterial communities in the rhizosphere sediment exhibited higher alpha diversity but lower beta diversity than those in the bulk sediment. Both bulk and rhizosphere sediment bacterial communities had significant distance–decay relationships, but spatial turnover of the rhizosphere sediment bacterial community was strikingly lower than that of bulk sediment. Despite variable selection dominating the assembly processes of bacterial communities in bulk sediment, the rhizosphere of P. australis enhanced the role of dispersal limitation in governing bacterial communities. The relative importance of different ecological processes in determining bacterial assembly presented distinct patterns of increasing or decreasing linearly with an increase of scale. This investigation highlights the convergent selection of the aquatic plant rhizosphere for surrounding bacterial communities and emphasizes the importance of different ecological processes on bacterial community assembly in sediment environments over different scales. Furthermore, we provide a preliminary framework for exploring the scale dependence of microbial community assembly in aquatic ecosystems.
An evolutionarily ancient fatty acid desaturase is required for the synthesis of hexadecatrienoic acid, which is the main source of the bioactive jasmonate in Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Soriano Gonzalo , Kneeshaw Sophie , Jimenez‐Aleman Guillermo , Zamarreño Ángel M. , Franco‐Zorrilla José Manuel , Rey‐Stolle Mª Fernanda , Barbas Coral , García‐Mina Jose M. , Solano Roberto
Published: November 2021

Jasmonates are fatty acid‐derived hormones that regulate multiple aspects of plant development, growth and stress responses. Bioactive jasmonates, defined as the ligands of the conserved COI1 receptor, differ between vascular plants and bryophytes (jasmonoyl‐l‐isoleucine (JA‐Ile) and dinor‐12‐oxo‐10,15(Z)‐phytodienoic acid (dn‐OPDA), respectively). The biosynthetic pathways of JA‐Ile in the model vascular plant Arabidopsis thaliana have been elucidated. However, the details of dn‐OPDA biosynthesis in bryophytes are still unclear.

Here, we identify an orthologue of Arabidopsis fatty‐acid‐desaturase 5 (AtFAD5) in the model liverwort Marchantia polymorpha and show that FAD5 function is ancient and conserved between species separated by more than 450 million years (Myr) of independent evolution. Similar to AtFAD5, MpFAD5 is required for the synthesis of 7Z‐hexadecenoic acid. Consequently, in Mpfad5 mutants, the hexadecanoid pathway is blocked, dn‐OPDA concentrations are almost completely depleted and normal chloroplast development is impaired.

Our results demonstrate that the main source of wounding‐induced dn‐OPDA in Marchantia is the hexadecanoid pathway and the contribution of the octadecanoid pathway (i.e. from OPDA) is minimal.

Remarkably, despite extremely low concentrations of dn‐OPDA, MpCOI1‐mediated responses to wounding and insect feeding can still be activated in Mpfad5, suggesting that dn‐OPDA may not be the only bioactive jasmonate and COI1 ligand in Marchantia.
Older people and responses to COVID‐19: A cross‐sectional study of prevention practices and vaccination intention
Authors: Wong Li Ping , Alias Haridah , Tan Yi Ru , Tan Kit Mun
Published: November 2021

Background

COVID‐19 is a threat to everyone's health and can be especially devastating to older individuals.

Aim

This study examined the behavioural prevention practices against SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and the intention to vaccinate among older people when the COVID‐19 vaccine is on the verge of becoming available.

Method

A cross‐sectional, online survey was conducted between 14th July and 8th October 2020 among the older people in Malaysia. A questionnaire was designed to assess the practice towards measures preventing SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, and COVID‐19 vaccination attitudes and intention. Socio‐demographic characteristics, constructs of a health belief model (HBM), the 6‐item state version of the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI‐6) were correlates of the main outcomes.

Findings

The mean score of total preventive measures scores was 13.4 ± 1.7 out of a maximum score of 15, indicating very good prevention practices. By demographics, females, having a tertiary education exhibited higher prevention practices in the univariable analyses. Components of the HBM and being female remain significant correlates of higher prevention practices in multivariable logistic regression analysis (MLRA). A total of 657 (87.1%) participants responded and intend to receive the COVID‐19 vaccination. Provider recommendations may improve vaccination uptake (91.6%). MLRA revealed that having a positive vaccination attitude was 16 times more likely to accept the COVID‐19 vaccination (OR = 16.10; 95% CI 8.97–28.91). Hearing of someone they know who has COVID‐19 serves as a cue to action and significantly influences vaccination (OR = 4.25; 95% CI 1.80–10.03). Participants below 70 years old expressed higher vaccination intention (OR = 2.07; 95% CI 1.19–3.58).

Conclusion

The results provide the first evidence for public authorities to target older people vulnerable to compliance with recommended preventive measures against SARS‐CoV‐2 infections.
Outcome valence and stimulus frequency affect neural responses to rewards and punishments
Authors: Glazer James , Nusslock Robin
Published: November 2021

The Reward‐Positivity (RewP) is a frontocentral event‐related potential elicited following reward and punishment feedback. Reinforcement learning theories propose the RewP reflects a reward prediction error that increases following more favorable (vs. unfavorable) outcomes. An alternative perspective, however, proposes this component indexes a salience‐prediction error that increases following more salient outcomes. Evidence from prior studies that included both reward and punishment conditions is mixed, supporting both accounts. However, these studies often varied how feedback stimuli were repeated across reward and punishment conditions. Differences in the frequency of feedback stimuli may drive inconsistencies by introducing salience effects for infrequent stimuli regardless of whether they are associated with rewards or punishments. To test this hypothesis, the current study examined the effect of outcome valence and stimulus frequency on the RewP and neighboring P2 and P3 components in reward, punishment, and neutral contexts across two separate experiments that varied how often feedback stimuli were repeated between conditions. Experiment 1 revealed infrequent feedback stimuli generated overlapping positivity across all three components. However, controlling for stimulus frequency, experiment 2 revealed favorable outcomes that increased RewP and P3 positivity. Together, these results suggest the RewP reflects some combination of reward‐ and salience‐prediction error encoding. Results also indicate infrequent feedback stimuli elicited strong salience effects across all three components that may inflate, eliminate, or reverse outcome valence effects for the RewP and P3. These results resolve several inconsistencies in the literature and have important implications for electrocortical investigations of reward and punishment feedback processing.
Delays in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis and treatment: Time for change
Authors: Jee Adelle S. , Chua Felix
Published: November 2021

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Disruption ofBrachypodiumlichenase alters metabolism of mixed‐linkage glucan and starch
Authors: Fan Mingzhu , Jensen Jacob K. , Zemelis‐Durfee Starla , Kim Sang‐Jin , Chan Jia‐Yi , Beaudry Claudia M. , Brandizzi Federica , Wilkerson Curtis G.
Published: November 2021

Mixed‐linkage glucan, which is widely distributed in grasses, is a polysaccharide highly abundant in cell walls of grass endosperm and young vegetative tissues. Lichenases are enzymes that hydrolyze mixed‐linkage glucan first identified in mixed‐linkage glucan‐rich lichens. In this study, we identify a gene encoding a lichenase we nameBrachypodium distachyon LICHENASE 1(BdLCH1), which is highly expressed in the endosperm of germinating seeds and coleoptiles and at lower amounts in mature shoots. RNAin situhybridization showed thatBdLCH1is primarily expressed in chlorenchyma cells of mature leaves and internodes. Disruption of BdLCH1 resulted in an eight‐fold increase in mixed‐linkage glucan content in senesced leaves. Consistent with thein situhybridization data, immunolocalization results showed that mixed‐linkage glucan was not removed in chlorenchyma cells oflch1mutants as it was in wild type and implicate the BdLCH1 enzyme in removing mixed‐linkage glucan in chlorenchyma cells in mature vegetative tissues. We also show that mixed‐linkage glucan accumulation inlch1mutants was resistant to dark‐induced degradation, and 8‐week‐oldlch1plants showed a faster rate of starch breakdown than wild type in darkness. Our results suggest a role for BdLCH1 in modifying the cell wall to support highly metabolically active cells.
Origin, evolution and diversification of plant ARGONAUTE proteins
Authors: Li Zancong , Li Wenqi , Guo Mingxi , Liu Simu , Liu Lin , Yu Yu , Mo Beixin , Chen Xuemei , Gao Lei
Published: November 2021

Argonaute (AGO) proteins are central players in RNA interference in eukaryotes. They associate with small RNAs (sRNA) and lead to transcriptional or posttranscriptional silencing of targets, thereby regulating diverse biological processes. The molecular and biological functions of AGO proteins have been extensively characterized, particularly in a few angiosperm species, leading to the recognition that the AGO family has expanded to accommodate diverse sRNAs thereby performing diverse biological functions. However, understanding of the expansion of AGO proteins in plants is still limited, due to a dearth of knowledge of AGO proteins in green algal groups. Here, we identified more than 2900 AGO proteins from 244 plant species, including green algae, and performed a large‐scale phylogenetic analysis. The phylogeny shows that the plant AGO family gave rise to four clades after the emergence of hydrobiontic algae and prior to the emergence of land plants. Subsequent parallel expansion in ferns and angiosperms resulted in eight main clades in angiosperms: AGO2, AGO7, AGO6, AGO4, AGO1, AGO10a, AGO10b and AGO5. On the basis of this phylogeny, we identified two novel AGO4 orthologs that Arabidopsis does not have, and redefined AGO10, which is composed of AGO10a and AGO10b. Finally, we propose a hypothetical evolutionary model of AGO proteins in plants. Our studies provide a deeper understanding of the phylogenetic relationships of AGO family members in the green lineage, which would help to further reveal their roles as RNAi effectors.
SHAPE OPTIMIZATION OF ROCKFILL DAM WITH RUBIK CUBE REPRODUCTION BASED MULTI-OBJECTIVE PARTICLE SWARM ALGORITHM
Authors: Mahmoud Ali , Yuan Xiaohui
Published: November 2021

A rockfill dam's quality and its economic aspects are inextricably interwoven with each other. Approaching the optimal design of a rockfill dam paves the path to achieve the best quality with the fewest expenses. Choosing the Sardasht rockfill dam as a case study, two semi-empirical models are presented for seepage and safety factor. These two models, together with construction costs, were employed as three objective functions for the Sardasht rockfill dam's shape optimization. Optimization was handled using a robust multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm (RCR-MOPSO). A new reproducing method inspired by a Rubik's cube shape (RCR) and NSGA-III are building blocks of RCR-MOPSO. Three benchmark problems and two real-world problems were solved using RCR-MOPSO and compared with NSGA-III and MOPSO to ensure the performance of RCR-MOPSO. The solution quality and performance of RCR-MOPSO are significantly better than the original MOPSO and close to NSGA-III. Nevertheless, RCR-MOPSO recorded a 38% shorter runtime than NSGA-III. RCR-MOPSO presented a set of non-dominated solutions as final results for the Sardasht rockfill dam shape optimization. Due to the defined constraints, all solutions dominate the original design. Regarding the final results, compared with Sardasht dam's original design, the construction price was reduced by 31.12% on average, while seepage and safety factor improved by 15.84% and 27.78% on average, respectively.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE THICKNESS OF REPLACEMENT LAYER ON MEDIUM CLAY
Authors: Abd Elhamid Manar , Abdelaziz Tarek , Bassioni Hesham
Published: November 2021

Soil replacement is a common technique that can be used to increase the soil bearing capacity and reduce the expected settlement. The thickness of replacement layer depends on many factors such as: the applied stress, original soil properties, material of replacement layer and the cost of foundation works. However, until now the practical thickness of replacement is usually selected based on soil experts’ experience. This study proposed an optimization model to assist geotechnical engineers in predicting the optimum thickness and material type of replacement layer that satisfy the main design requirements, i.e. bearing capacity, consolidation settlement and cost considerations at the same time. The Evolutionary solving method that uses a variety of genetic algorithm and local search methods was used to solve the research problem. Furthermore, the effect of the thickness and properties of clay layer and the depth of ground water table on determining optimum type and thickness of replacement soil were investigated. The study evaluated the relationship between the replacement layer thickness and the total direct cost of foundation works and found that, the notion of increasing replacement thickness to decrease cost limitlessly was not viable and an optimal thickness was usually achieved.
LAB-SCALE EXPERIMENTS FOR SOIL CEMENTING THROUGH BIO-CHEMICAL PROCESS
Authors: Tri Huynh Nguyen Ngoc , Tu Tran Anh , Huong Huyen Nguyen Pham , Khanh Son Nguyen
Published: November 2021

Ureolytic bacteria strains of Bacillus show its ability of calcium carbonate precipitation through metabolic activity. Different studies related to self-healing concrete material were reported associated with the generated calcium carbonate of Bacillus subtilis HU58 metabolism in recent communications. In this paper, recent findings of soil cementing with a combination of such precipitated products were presented. The experiments relied on the lab-scale studies with the use of sand-clay mixture as the controlled soil specimens. Bacillus bacteria and nutrients were mixed to introduce in the sand matrix and then curing in high moisture condition. The composition and morphology of soil specimens were characterized after solidifying by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. Water percolation and mechanical stability for the physicomechanical properties were also tested with the unconventional method. Discussing the relevant results can help to figure out the next experiments in the field of geotechnical engineering. From the perspective of this study, the sustainability factor should be considered to apply this promising technique for soil stabilization and improvement and/or for the formulation of bio-brick as an alternative to sintered clay-based brick. From the perspective of this study, this technique for soil stabilization and improvement and/or for the formulation of bio-brick can be considered a promising sustainable alternative to sintered clay-based brick.
Epitaxial oxide thin films for oxygen electrocatalysis: A tutorial review
Authors: Adiga Prajwal , Stoerzinger Kelsey A.
Published: November 2021

Epitaxial thin films can offer unprecedented definition of an electrocatalyst surface, defining the crystallographic orientation, interaction with a current collector, and providing an atomically flat surface for quantitative spectroscopy yielding mechanistic insights. This review introduces experts in thin films to the important parameters of electrochemical setups, techniques, and methods for quantifying electrocatalytic activity and comparing it across the literature. Examples are drawn from the literature measuring oxygen electrocatalysis on epitaxial oxide thin films. We share best practices in the robust measurement of intrinsic activity of thin films, including methods of electrical contact and assessment of charge transport in situ. We conclude by highlighting recent insights from epitaxial films in understanding oxygen electrocatalysis.
Betavoltaic cell based on Ni/β-Ga2O3 and 63Ni source
Authors: Yakimov Eugene B. , Polyakov Alexander Y. , Pearton Stephen J.
Published: November 2021

The parameters of betavoltaic cells based on a Ni/β-Ga2O3 Schottky barrier diode and beta-particle source containing 63Ni are evaluated. Monte Carlo simulation is used to calculate the depth-dependent generation rate of excess carriers produced by beta-radiation from 63Ni source. It is shown that the dependence can be described by the exponential function exp(−z/z0) with z0 equal to 1.3 μm. The short circuit current, open circuit voltage, and maximum power are calculated for the Schottky barrier with parameters obtained from the electron beam induced current studies of Ni Schottky barriers formed on n-type β-Ga2O3.
Toll-Like Receptor (TLR) Signaling Enables Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase (cGAS) Sensing of HIV-1 Infection in Macrophages
Authors: Siddiqui Mohammad Adnan , Yamashita Masahiro
Published: November 2021

Innate immune activation is a hallmark of HIV-1 pathogenesis. Thus, it is critical to understand how HIV-1 infection elicits innate immune responses.
Broad Dissemination of Plasmids across Groundwater-Fed Rapid Sand Filter Microbiomes
Authors: Pinilla-Redondo Rafael , Olesen Asmus Kalckar , Russel Jakob , de Vries Lisbeth Elvira , Christensen Lisbeth Damkjær , Musovic Sanin , Nesme Joseph , Sørensen Søren Johannes
Published: November 2021

The supply of clean water for human consumption is being challenged by the appearance of anthropogenic pollutants in groundwater ecosystems. Because many plasmids can transfer horizontally between members of bacterial communities, they comprise promising vectors for the dissemination of pollutant-degrading genetic determinants within water purification plants.
Acinetobacter baumannii Can Survive with an Outer Membrane Lacking Lipooligosaccharide Due to Structural Support from Elongasome Peptidoglycan Synthesis
Authors: Simpson Brent W. , Nieckarz Marta , Pinedo Victor , McLean Amanda B. , Cava Felipe , Trent M. Stephen
Published: November 2021

Gram-negative bacteria have a multilayered cell envelope with a layer of cross-linked polymers (peptidoglycan) sandwiched between two membranes. Peptidoglycan was long thought to exclusively provide rigidity to the cell providing mechanical strength.
Collateral Sensitivity Interactions between Antibiotics Depend on Local Abiotic Conditions
Authors: Allen Richard C. , Pfrunder-Cardozo Katia R. , Hall Alex R.
Published: November 2021

When bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic, the genetic changes involved sometimes increase (cross-resistance) or decrease (collateral sensitivity) their resistance to other antibiotics. Antibiotic combinations showing repeatable collateral sensitivity could be used in treatment to slow resistance evolution.
Art about ancient life as a chronicle for the human condition
Authors: Rosenberg* Gary D. , Burke* Patricia Coorough
Published: November 2021

Art about ancient life chronicles the human condition, less evidently but potentially as significantly, as it depicts life through geologic time. Selected examples surveyed here reveal human aspirations, values, conceits, sensibilities, and foibles and suggest that further in-depth study would be warranted. Greek bronzes embellished with griffins (625–575 B.C.E.) may represent ceratopsian fossils mythologized and commodified for their proximity to gold deposits. Encelius’ anthropomorphized drawing (1557) of a fossil bivalve exemplifies a conservative deference to outdated paradigms about nature; inversely, Nicolaus Steno prized geometry—then offering a new perspective on nature—and realized in 1667 that a drawing of “tongue stones” depicted not, as commonly held, simulacra of snake tongues molded by vital forces within the Earth but fossilized teeth of a once living shark; Beringer’s “lying stones” (1726) show how human conceit can bias the interpretation of “fossils.” Artworks since the mid-twentieth century record a growing recognition that ancient life and its habitats evolved together and therefore that art about ancient life has lessons for contemporary environmentalism: Rudolph Zallinger’s diachronous murals (mid-1940s) and the Milwaukee Public Museum’s diachronous dioramas (installed in 2001) display progressions of ancient and contemporary habitats; Alexis Rockman’s dystopian landscapes use ancient and extant life to critique human responsibility for degrading environments and endangering species. We conclude that studies of art about ancient life can deepen our understanding of the human condition and the cultural context in which it is created.
Climate Change in the Hydrometeorological Parameters of the Black and Azov Seas (1980–2020)
Authors: Ginzburg A. I. , Kostianoy A. G. , Serykh I. V. , Lebedev S. A.
Published: November 2021

To study the nature of climate change in the hydrometeorological parameters of the Black and Azov Seas—surface air temperature (SAT), sea surface temperature (SST), ice cover, and sea level—under conditions of ongoing global warming, we used reanalyses and remote sensing data, as well as information from known publications of recent years. It was found that against an increase in SAT over the Black–Azov Sea region (+0.053°C/year in 1980–2020) and SST of the Black Sea (+0.052°C/year in 1982–2020), the values of these parameters in the 2000s differ significantly from those in the 1980s–1990s: the maximum average monthly summer and minimum average monthly winter temperatures have increased, as well as the number of mild winters. The average annual SST of the Black Sea, which practically did not exceed 15°C in the 1980s–early 1990s, has exceeded 16°C in most cases since 2010 (maximum 16.71°C in 2018). In the 2010s, the average monthly winter minima, with the exception of the winters of 2011/2012 and 2016/2017, did not fall below 8°С. A consequence of the increase in winter temperatures was a decrease in the ice concentration in the Sea of Azov (the trend of the mean monthly concentration is –1.2%/10 years). From about 2004–2010 in the Black Sea and since 2004 in the Sea of Azov, the tendency towards increase in their levels (on average) has been replaced by a slight decrease, so that the average positive trends for the period 1993–2020 (+0.32 ± 0.16 cm/year in the Black Sea and +0.21 ± 0.05 cm/year in the Sea of Azov) were approximately 2.5 times less than in 1993–2012. The reason for this decrease in levels (on average) in the last 10–15 years was apparently a decrease in the incoming part of the freshwater balance of both seas, which is indirectly confirmed by the observed increase in salinity of their waters.
Features of Seasonal Sea Level Oscillations in the Russian Arctic Seas
Authors: Medvedev I. P.
Published: November 2021

Based on the analysis of long series of monthly mean sea level values from the database of the PSMSL and ESIMO portals, we obtained estimates of the mean and extreme amplitudes of seasonal oscillations. The mean amplitude of annual sea level oscillations in the White Sea is 7 cm, in the Barents Sea is 9–10 cm, in the Kara Sea, is 8–9 cm, in the Laptev Sea, is 10–11 cm, in the East Siberian and Chukchi seas is 13–14 cm. In the estuarine areas of seas, the amplitude of annual oscillations increases, and the semiannual, third-annual, and quarter-annual components appear in the sea level spectra. They are formed due to the asymmetry of the seasonal sea level variation with a sharp maximum during the flood period in June. Interannual changes in the amplitude of seasonal oscillations were identified and estimates of their extreme values were obtained. In some years, the amplitude of seasonal oscillations reaches 50 cm in the Yenisei Gulf and Gulf of Ob, 60 cm near the mouth of the Lena River, and 75 cm at the mouth of the Olenek River.
Idiopathic subglottic stenosis and the consequences in cardiopulmonary exercise testing
Authors: Verjans Rick , van Berkel Sietske , Brandon Tom , Grotjohan Hans
Published: November 2021

A 15-year-old male patient with progressive dyspnoea and exercise-related wheezing was analysed with spirometry, ECG and a cardiopulmonary exercise test with blood gas analysis. Earlier analysis by a paediatrician concluded no abnormalities. However, the previously performed spirometry test may have clarified the diagnosis in an earlier stage.

Severe hypoventilation was seen during the exercise test with hypercapnia and hypoxaemia while hearing a stridor during exercise. Eventually, a circular subglottic stenosis was seen on a CT scan of the chest. No malignancy or granulomatosis with polyangiitis was seen in biopsy and pathologic examination. There was no history of trauma, intubation or infection. Therefore, the diagnosis idiopathic subglottic stenosis was established. Bronchoscopic balloon dilation followed several times, leading to full recovery.
Adult-onset adrenoleukodystrophy presenting with status epilepticus and psychosis
Authors: Mehta Ami Mehul , Prabhu Mukhyaprana , Krishnan Gokul
Published: November 2021

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an X linked recessive genetic disorder caused by an abnormality in theABCD1gene on the X chromosome, that affects 1 in 20 000 people. In X linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD), a defect in lignoceroyl-coenzyme A ligase causes pathognomonic tissue accumulation of very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA) in the adrenal cortex and nervous system. The phenotypic variability ranges from cerebral inflammatory demyelination of childhood onset, leading to death within 5 years, to adults remaining presymptomatic through more than five decades. Our case is that of a man who was previously diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder presented with dystonic posturing. During transit, he had an episode of generalised convulsive status epilepticus. He presented with spasticity and exaggerated reflexes. Three important signs of adrenal insufficiency were observed: hypotension, hyperpigmentation and comatose state. The diagnosis of X-ALD should be considered in young men presenting with gradually progressive unexplained cognitive and behavioural problems, a strong family history, adrenal insufficiency, bilateral upper motor signs with absent ankle reflexes.
Third-degree full-thickness burns as a complication of cervical radiofrequency ablation
Authors: Tieppo Francio Vinicius , Barndt Brandon , Eubanks James , Smith McCasey
Published: November 2021

A 46-year-old woman underwent a cervical radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for chronic neck pain. Following the procedure, two areas surrounding the grounding pad in the lumbar region developed full thickness third-degree burns. Burn injuries following cervical RFA are rarely reported and are most often associated with cardiac and solid tumour RFA. Only one other case has been reported in literature with a similar outcome following a thoracic facet RFA. In our case, the lesion was directly from the ground pad and not from the radiofrequency electrode, which is more often the culprit. This is the first case reported in the literature of a full-thickness skin burn from a cervical RFA. Physicians should be aware of the potential for severe burns around the RF probe and ground pad as sequelae of RFA, and we caution the use of sedation during the procedure, as patients will unlikely be able to report any unusual sensation.
Management of a large intraluminal thrombus in an aneurysmal coronary segment with normal coronary flow
Authors: Herrera Alejandro , Matute Martinez Carlos Felipe , Toledo Martinez Juan Fernando , Beall Allan
Published: November 2021

A coronary artery aneurysm (CAA) is an uncommon clinical finding with an incidence of <5% in adults. The presence of a large intracoronary thrombus within an aneurysmal coronary artery and normal coronary flow is usually a very challenging case scenario. Here, we present a case of a patient presenting with typical chest pain symptoms, high-risk findings on a pharmacological nuclear stress test and coronary angiogram showing severe multivessel coronary artery disease, including a large aneurysmal segment within the proximal left anterior descending artery with a large thrombus that did not affect intracoronary flow. Today, there are no published guidelines for the management of CAA with a normal intracoronary flow. The approach used in this case was initial antithrombotic therapy followed by a successful staged percutaneous coronary intervention. Here, we present a case supporting the use of combined intravenous anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy for 48 hours, followed by successful percutaneous intervention guided by intravascular ultrasound.
Effects of ivabradine on the prevention of intradialytic hypotension in a dialytic patient with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Nakano Yusuke , Ando Hirohiko , Suzuki Wataru , Amano Tetsuya
Published: November 2021

A 65-year-old man with a history of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and renal failure was admitted due to difficulty in fluid volume control during haemodialysis. He had frequent episodes of intradialytic hypotension (IDH) with presyncope during haemodialysis despite using a vasopressor agent. Before haemodialysis, his blood pressure was 130–150/60–70 mm Hg, and his heart rate was 80–100 beats/min. There were no specific causes of IDH. For refractory IDH, he was treated with oral ivabradine (2.5 mg two times per day), which resulted in reduced heart rate and decreased occurrence of IDH. This is the first report to describe a dialysis case with HFrEF presenting with an elevated heart rate and impaired fluid management as manifested by recurring IDH, which improved after ivabradine treatment. Ivabradine therapy may assist in increasing stroke volume by lowering the sinus heart rate, thus resulting in the prevention of IDH.
Rapid spontaneous resolution of corneal hydrops in post-CXL keratitis
Authors: Varshney Toshit , Goel Siddhi , Bafna Rahul Kumar , Sharma Namrata
Published: November 2021

An 11-year-old boy presented with right eye post-Corneal Collagen Cross-Linking (CXL) keratitis, which was complicated by acute corneal hydrops (CH). Keratitis was managed by topical antibiotics, and CH was managed conservatively. Cornea was monitored with serial anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) scans. Spontaneous resolution of CH usually takes 8–12 weeks, but in this case it completely resolved in 3 weeks. Rapid resolution of CH after post-CXL keratitis could be attributed to a thinner cornea, increased interlamellar cohesive strength between collagen fibrils of corneal stroma coupled with normal functioning endothelial pump.
Cohort profile: Actionable Register of Geneva Outpatients and inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 (ARGOS)
Authors: Genecand Camille , Mongin Denis , Koegler Flora , Lebowitz Dan , Regard Simon , Falcone Jean-Luc , Nehme Mayssam , Braillard Olivia , Grira Marwène , Joubert Dominique , Chopard Pierre , Delaporte Elisabeth , Stirnemann Jérôme , Guessous Idris , Tardin Aglaé , Courvoisier Delphine S
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The Actionable Register of Geneva Outpatients and inpatients with SARS-CoV-2 (ARGOS) is an ongoing prospective cohort created by the Geneva Directorate of Health. It consists of an operational database compiling all SARS-CoV-2 test results recorded in the Geneva area since late February 2020. This article aims at presenting this comprehensive cohort, in light of some of the varying public health measures in Geneva, Switzerland, since March 2020.

Participants

As of 1 June 2021, the database included 360 525 patients, among which 65 475 had at least one positive test result for SARS-CoV-2. Among all positive patients, 37.6% were contacted only once, 10.6% had one follow-up call, 8.5% had two and 27.7% had three or more follow-up calls. Participation rate among positive patients is 94%. Data collection is ongoing.

Findings to date

ARGOS data illustrates the magnitude of COVID-19 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland, and details a variety of population factors and outcomes. The content of the cohort includes demographic data, comorbidities and risk factors for poor clinical outcome, self-reported COVID-19 symptoms, environmental and socioeconomic factors, prospective and retrospective contact tracing data, travel quarantine data and deaths. The registry has already been used in several publications focusing on symptoms and long COVID-19, infection fatality rate and re-infection.

Future plans

The data of this large real-world registry provides a valuable resource for various types of research, such as clinical research, epidemiological research or policy assessment as it illustrates the impact of public health policies and overall disease burden of COVID-19.
Association between multimorbidity and socioeconomic deprivation on short-term mortality among patients with diffuse large B-cell or follicular lymphoma in England: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Smith Matthew James , Njagi Edmund Njeru , Belot Aurelien , Leyrat Clémence , Bonaventure Audrey , Benitez Majano Sara , Rachet Bernard , Luque Fernandez Miguel Angel
Published: November 2021

Objectives

We aimed to assess the association between multimorbidity and deprivation on short-term mortality among patients with diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) in England.

Setting

The association of multimorbidity and socioeconomic deprivation on survival among patients diagnosed with DLBCL and FL in England between 2005 and 2013. We linked the English population-based cancer registry with electronic health records databases and estimated adjusted mortality rate ratios by multimorbidity and deprivation status. Using flexible hazard-based regression models, we computed DLBCL and FL standardised mortality risk by deprivation and multimorbidity at 1 year.

Results

Overall, 41 422 patients aged 45–99 years were diagnosed with DLBCL or FL in England during 2005–2015. Most deprived patients with FL with multimorbidities had three times higher hazard of 1-year mortality (HR: 3.3, CI 2.48 to 4.28, p<0.001) than least deprived patients without comorbidity; among DLBCL, there was approximately twice the hazard (HR: 1.9, CI 1.70 to 2.07, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Multimorbidity, deprivation and their combination are strong and independent predictors of an increased short-term mortality risk among patients with DLBCL and FL in England. Public health measures targeting the reduction of multimorbidity among most deprived patients with DLBCL and FL are needed to reduce the short-term mortality gap.