bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The great margin call: The role of leverage in the 1929 Wall Street crash
Authors: Borowiecki Karol Jan , Dzieliński Michał , Tepper Alexander
Published: October 2022

The reasons for the 1929 Wall Street crash and why it occurred at the particular time that it did are still debated among economic historians. We contribute to this debate by building on a new model, which provides a measure of the financial system's potential for financial crises. The evidence suggests that a tightening of margin requirements in the first nine months of 1929 combined with price declines in September and early October caused enough investors to become constrained that the market was tipped into instability, triggering the sudden crash of October and November.
Leaf habit affects the distribution of drought sensitivity but not water transport efficiency in the tropics
Authors: Vargas G. German , Kunert Norbert , Hammond William M. , Berry Z. Carter , Werden Leland K. , Smith‐Martin Chris M. , Wolfe Brett T. , Toro Laura , Mondragón‐Botero Ariadna , Pinto‐Ledezma Jesús N. , Schwartz Naomi B. , Uriarte María , Sack Lawren , Anderson‐Teixeira Kristina J. , Powers Jennifer S.
Published: October 2022

Considering the global intensification of aridity in tropical biomes due to climate change, we need to understand what shapes the distribution of drought sensitivity in tropical plants. We conducted a pantropical data synthesis representing 1117 species to test whether xylem‐specific hydraulic conductivity (KS), water potential at leaf turgor loss (ΨTLP) and water potential at 50% loss of KS(ΨP50) varied along climate gradients. The ΨTLPand ΨP50increased with climatic moisture only for evergreen species, but KSdid not. Species with high ΨTLPand ΨP50values were associated with both dry and wet environments. However, drought‐deciduous species showed high ΨTLPand ΨP50values regardless of water availability, whereas evergreen species only in wet environments. All three traits showed a weak phylogenetic signal and a short half‐life. These results suggest strong environmental controls on trait variance, which in turn is modulated by leaf habit along climatic moisture gradients in the tropics.
Coloniality and contagion: COVID‐19 and the disposability of women of color in feminized labor sectors
Authors: Flores Sanchez José M. , Kai Jade
Published: October 2022

Grounded in the historical conditions of epidemics intertwined with state power, we examine the factors that contribute to women of color's high proximity to contagion. We build on significant contributions to scholarship on the racial and sexual politics of work and the colonial history of contagion to argue that colonialism is key in the state's weaponization of illness against entire populations. This is crucial to decipher how women of color in feminized labor sectors, in our case, cleaning services and nursing, confront death during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This transforms readers' understanding of governmentality within public health crizes and the roles of colonial state institutions in administering death in raced, gendered, and classed ways. We conclude that future studies focused on pandemics, labor, race, and gender must account for the ways in which colonialism positions feminized workers as fungible in structures of response to mass crizes.
Analysis of volatile compounds contributing to distinctive odour of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) surimi
Authors: Geng Haiyong , Chen Lihua , Wang Shufen , Wu Yi , Gao Pei , Jiang Qixing , Yang Fang , Xia Wenshui
Published: October 2022

Although the characterisation of volatile compounds in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) have been studied, their respective contribution to specific odour feeling was unclear. Therefore, an investigation was made in this study by big data mining, solid phase microextraction‐gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME‐GC–MS), odour activity values (OAVs), odour recombination in surimi models and omission experiment. The results demonstrated that 91 volatile compounds were obtained by data mining and 62 volatile compounds were identified by instrumental analysis. Among them, twenty‐one volatile compounds were initially selected for the construction of the surimi model. The odour recombination and omission experiment confirmed that characteristic odour of silver carp surimi were hexanal (fishy, grassy), octanal (grassy, fatty), (E)‐2‐octenal (fishy), nonanal (grassy, fatty), (E)‐2‐nonanal (fatty, grass), (E,E)‐2,4‐heptadienal (fishy), 1‐hexanol (grassy) and 1‐octen‐3‐ol (mushroom). This study specified distinct silver carp surimi odour with definite compounds.
Study on drying characteristics and moisture content prediction model of Panax notoginseng taproot by using segmented drying of microwave vacuum combined with hot air
Authors: Zhang Fujie , Shi Lei , Xin Lidong , Li Lixia , Tian Liquan , Cui Xiuming , Gao Yongping
Published: October 2022

In order to explore the drying characteristics of Panax notoginseng taproot (PNT) and realize the dynamic monitoring of moisture content in the segmented drying process of microwave vacuum combined with hot air, the PNT was conducted the experimental study under different convert moisture contents of wet basis (20, 30, 40 g•g−1), upper‐temperature limits (45, 50, 55°C), power densities (0.50, 0.75, 1.00, 1.50 W•g−1) and chamber pressures (1, 3, 5, 10 kPa). The dynamic changes in moisture ratio and drying rate under different drying conditions were studied, and a snake optimizer‐support vector regression (SO‐SVR) model was proposed to predict moisture content during the drying process. The results showed that the drying process mainly consisted of decreasing rate and constant rate, and the stage of constant rate occurred when the moisture content of the dry basis decreased from 1 to 0.5 g•g−1. In the stage of microwave vacuum, decreasing chamber pressure, increasing upper‐temperature limit and power density could increase the drying rate. In order to verify the prediction ability of SO‐SVR, this study carried out a comparative analysis between SO‐SVR and two famous prediction models (genetic algorithm‐support vector regression and particle swarm optimization‐support vector regression) through three evaluation indexes (coefficient of determination (R2), mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean square error (RMSE). The results showed that the prediction accuracy of the SO‐SVR model was the highest, and the R2, MAE, and RMSE of the prediction set were 0.9850, 0.0140, and 0.0173, respectively. Therefore, the SO‐SVR model is a feasible method to predict the moisture content of PNT during the segmented drying process of microwave vacuum combined with hot air.

Practical Application

In the condition of segmented drying of microwave vacuum combined with hot air, the drying technology and characteristics of PNT were explored and proposed a SO‐SVR model to dynamically monitor the moisture content. This method has important theoretical significance and practical value to improve the processing efficiency and quality in the process of Panax notoginseng production.
Parent‐adolescent conflict processes and their measurement: A systematic review
Authors: Marshall Sheila K. , Tilton‐Weaver Lauree , Shankar Sneha , Johnston Andrea
Published: October 2022

Conflicts are frequently incorporated into research on parent‐adolescent relationships. However, empirical research has inconsistently used “parent‐adolescent conflict” as a broad and often singular term rather than processes involving a range of constructs. To understand the balance of attention to the constructs involved in parent‐adolescent conflicts, we conducted a systematic review of measures that were reported in peer‐reviewed journal articles between January 1, 1970 and January 31, 2021, across several disciplines. The initial search identified 17,036 references; after removing duplicates, excluding studies based on stated criteria, and adding 22 articles from reference lists, 467 articles were retained, and 568 measures were extracted from articles. Two types of content analysis (directed and conventional) were used to organize measures into categories. Findings reveal that conflict frequency, intensity, and quality of interactions are most often used while initiation and duration tend to be overlooked. Uneven coverage may generate biases in understanding parent‐adolescent conflict processes.
Safe, supportive neighborhoods: Are they associated with childhood oral health?
Authors: Crouch Elizabeth , Nelson Joni , Radcliff Elizabeth , Merrell Melinda A. , Martin Amy
Published: October 2022

Objective

There has been limited examination of how community‐level supports may influence oral health metrics among children. The purpose of our study is to examine the association between two types of community‐level positive childhood experiences and oral healthcare and oral health outcomes among children ages 6 to 17 years of age.

Methods

This study uses a cross‐sectional data set from the 2018–2019 National Survey of Children's Health. Two oral health metrics were used: preventive dental care, measured as one or more preventive dental visits in the past 12 months, and tooth decay, measured as tooth decay or cavities in the last 12 months. To quantify living in safe, stable, equitable environments, questions on residing in a safe and supportive neighborhood were used. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were used to calculate frequencies, proportions, and unadjusted associations for each variable (n = 40,290). Multivariable logistic regression models were used.

Results

In an adjusted analysis, children who lived in a supportive neighborhood had a higher likelihood of receiving a preventive dental visit than children who did not live in a supportive neighborhood (aOR 1.41; 95% CI 1.21–1.65). Children who lived in a safe neighborhood were less likely to have tooth decay than children who did not live in a safe neighborhood (aOR 0.75; 95% CI 0.65–0.86).

Conclusions

The findings from this study highlight the role of social structures in tightening the safety net for oral healthcare in children.
Mechanistic modeling reveals the importance of turgor‐driven apoplastic water transport in wheat stem parenchyma during carbohydrate mobilization
Authors: Verbeke Sarah , Padilla‐Díaz Carmen María , Martínez‐Arias Clara , Goossens Willem , Haesaert Geert , Steppe Kathy
Published: October 2022

During stem elongation, wheat (Triticum aestivum) increases its stem carbohydrate content before anthesis as a reserve for grain filling. Hydraulic functioning during this mobilization process is not well understood, and contradictory results exist on the direct effect of drought on carbohydrate mobilization.

In a dedicated experiment, wheat plants were subjected to drought stress during carbohydrate mobilization. Measurements, important to better understand stem physiology, showed some unexpected patterns that could not be explained by our current knowledge on water transport. Traditional water flow and storage models failed to properly describe the drought response in wheat stems during carbohydrate mobilization. To explain the measured patterns, hypotheses were formulated and integrated in a dedicated model for wheat.

The new mechanistic model simulates two hypothetical water storage compartments: one where water is quickly exchanged with the xylem and one that contains the carbohydrate storage. Water exchange between these compartments is turgor‐driven. The model was able to simulate the measured increase in stored carbohydrate concentrations with a decrease in water content and stem diameter.

Calibration of the model showed the importance of turgor‐driven apoplastic water flow during carbohydrate mobilization. This resulted in an increase in stem hydraulic capacitance, which became more important under drought stress.
Demographic differences in understanding and utilization of ranked choice voting
Authors: Donovan Todd , Tolbert Caroline , Harper Samuel
Published: October 2022

Objectives

New York City is the largest U.S. jurisdiction to use ranked choice voting (RCV). We examine New York and other U.S. cities using RCV to assess if there were different levels of understanding and utilization of RCV across demographic groups.

Methods

We placed items on a survey conducted during the 2021 New York City RCV election that had been included in two previous surveys of different U.S. cities using RCV.

Results

We find higher levels of reported understanding and rates of ranking multiple candidates in NYC than in other jurisdictions. We find no systematic differences by race/ethnicity in terms of reported understanding of RCV in NYC or the other samples. We also find no systematic association between age and reported understanding of RCV. Respondents with more education were more likely to report understanding RCV in each sample. People of color were less likely to report ranking multiple mayoral candidates in NYC and California, and respondents with more education were more likely to report ranking in two samples.

Conclusions

Apart from these important differences in utilization, our search for race/ethnic differences largely produced null results, suggesting RCV may not produce bias in who engages with it.
Geographic information system data considerations in the context of the enhanced bathtub model for coastal inundation
Authors: Williams Lauren Lyn , Lück‐Vogel Melanie
Published: October 2022

This study determines input data appropriateness for geographic information system‐based enhanced bathtub model (eBTM) modeling of coastal inundation in an urban setting. Various tests were conducted concerning digital surface models (DSMs) to determine: (a) the highest appropriate resolution achievable from available LiDAR data and consider variations between derived sub‐meter DSMs; (b) optimal DSM horizontal resolution for coastal inundation modeling based on “out‐the‐box” solutions; and (c) mechanisms to address the challenge presented by DSMs regarding overhanging structures for a study site in False Bay, South Africa. Results showed that while sub‐meter DSMs are achievable, low point cloud densities may result in the misrepresentation of structures, which affects the inundation extents. High horizontal resolution DSMs are required for inundation modeling in an urban setting to account for narrow thoroughfares. Challenges posed by first return LiDAR depicting bridges as solid structures could be circumvented by modifying the input water source for the eBTM processing.
Two-dimensional demixing within multilayered nanoemulsion films
Authors: Seo Hye Min , Kim Seulwoo , Kwon Sangwoo , Kim YongJoo , Sung Minchul , Yang Jongryeol , Lee Boryeong , Sung Jongbaek , Kang Min-Ho , Park Jungwon , Shin Kyounghee , Lee Won Bo , Kim Jin Woong
Published: October 2022

Benefiting from the demixing of substances in the two-phase region, a smart polymer laminate film system that exhibits direction-controlled phase separation behavior was developed in this study. Here, nanoemulsion films (NEFs) in which liquid nanodrops were uniformly confined in a polymer laminate film through the layer-by-layer deposition of oppositely charged emulsion nanodrops and polyelectrolytes were fabricated. Upon reaching a critical temperature, the NEFs exhibited a micropore-guided demixing phenomenon. A simulation study based on coarse-grained molecular dynamics revealed that the perpendicular diffusion of oil droplets through the micropores generated in the polyelectrolyte layer is crucial for determining the coarsening kinetics and phase separation level, which is consistent with the experimental results. Considering the substantial advantages of this unique and tunable two-dimensional demixing behavior, the viability of using the as-proposed NEF system for providing an efficient route for the development of smart drug delivery patches was demonstrated.
Optical manipulation of matter waves
Authors: Akbari Kamran , Di Giulio Valerio , García de Abajo F. Javier
Published: October 2022

Light is used to steer the motion of atoms in free space, enabling cooling and trapping of matter waves through ponderomotive forces and Doppler-mediated photon scattering. Likewise, light interaction with free electrons has recently emerged as a versatile approach to modulate the electron wave function for applications in ultrafast electron microscopy. Here, we combine these two worlds, theoretically demonstrating that matter waves can be optically manipulated via inelastic interactions with optical fields. This allows us to modulate the translational part of the wave function and produce temporally and spatially compressed atomic beam pulses. We realize such modulation through stimulated photon absorption and emission by atoms traversing phase-matching evanescent optical fields generated upon light scattering by a nanostructure and via stimulated Compton scattering in free space without any assistance from material media. Our results support optical manipulation of matter waves as a powerful tool for microscopy, spectroscopy, and exploration of fundamental phenomena associated with light-atom interactions.
Modulation of Achilles tendon force with load carriage and exosuit assistance
Authors: Schmitz Dylan G. , Nuckols Richard W. , Lee Sangjun , Akbas Tunc , Swaminathan Krithika , Walsh Conor J. , Thelen Darryl G.
Published: October 2022

Exosuits have the potential to assist locomotion in both healthy and pathological populations, but the effect of exosuit assistance on the underlying muscle-tendon tissue loading is not yet understood. In this study, we used shear wave tensiometers to characterize the modulation of Achilles tendon force with load carriage and exosuit assistance at the ankle. When walking (1.25 m/s) unassisted on a treadmill with load carriage weights of 15 and 30% of body weight, peak Achilles tendon force increased by 11 and 23%, respectively. Ankle exosuit assistance significantly reduced peak Achilles tendon force relative to unassisted, although the magnitude of change was variable across participants. Peak Achilles tendon force was significantly correlated with peak ankle torque for unassisted walking across load carriage conditions. However, when ankle plantarflexor assistance was applied, the relationship between peak tendon force and peak biological ankle torque was no longer significant. An outdoor pilot study was conducted in which a wearable shear wave tensiometer was used to measure Achilles tendon wave speed and compare across an array of assistance loading profiles. Reductions in tendon loading varied depending on the profile, highlighting the importance of in vivo measurements of muscle and tendon forces when studying and optimizing exoskeletons and exosuits.
An ex vivo platform to guide drug combination treatment in relapsed/refractory lymphoma
Authors: Goh Jasmine , De Mel Sanjay , Hoppe Michal M. , Mohd Abdul Rashid Masturah Bte , Zhang Xi Yun , Jaynes Patrick , Ka Yan Ng Esther , Rahmat Nur’Atiqa Diana Binti , Jayalakshmi  , Liu Clementine Xin , Poon Limei , Chan Esther , Lee Joanne , Chee Yen Lin , Koh Liang Piu , Tan Lip Kun , Soh Teck Guan , Yuen Yi Ching , Loi Hoi-Yin , Ng Siok-Bian , Goh Xueying , Eu Donovan , Loh Stanley , Ng Sheldon , Tan Daryl , Cheah Daryl Ming Zhe , Pang Wan Lu , Huang Dachuan , Ong Shin Yeu , Nagarajan Chandramouli , Chan Jason Yongsheng , Ha Jeslin Chian Hung , Khoo Lay Poh , Somasundaram Nagavalli , Tang Tiffany , Ong Choon Kiat , Chng Wee-Joo , Lim Soon Thye , Chow Edward K. , Jeyasekharan Anand D.
Published: October 2022

Although combination therapy is the standard of care for relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (RR-NHL), combination treatment chosen for an individual patient is empirical, and response rates remain poor in individuals with chemotherapy-resistant disease. Here, we evaluate an experimental-analytic method, quadratic phenotypic optimization platform (QPOP), for prediction of patient-specific drug combination efficacy from a limited quantity of biopsied tumor samples. In this prospective study, we enrolled 71 patients with RR-NHL (39 B cell NHL and 32 NK/T cell NHL) with a median of two prior lines of treatment, at two academic hospitals in Singapore from November 2017 to August 2021. Fresh biopsies underwent ex vivo testing using a panel of 12 drugs with known efficacy against NHL to identify effective single and combination treatments. Individualized QPOP reports were generated for 67 of 75 patient samples, with a median turnaround time of 6 days from sample collection to report generation. Doublet drug combinations containing copanlisib or romidepsin were most effective against B cell NHL and NK/T cell NHL samples, respectively. Off-label QPOP-guided therapy offered at physician discretion in the absence of standard options (
n
 = 17) resulted in five complete responses. Among patients with more than two prior lines of therapy, the rates of progressive disease were lower with QPOP-guided treatments than with conventional chemotherapy. Overall, this study shows that the identification of patient-specific drug combinations through ex vivo analysis was achievable for RR-NHL in a clinically applicable time frame. These data provide the basis for a prospective clinical trial evaluating ex vivo–guided combination therapy in RR-NHL.
Primary mucinous cell adenocarcinoma of female urethra
Authors: Banthia Ravi , Singh Uday Pratap , Danish Nayab , Lal Hira
Published: October 2022

Primary adenocarcinoma of the female urethra is a rare entity. Its incidence increases with age with the highest rate in women aged more than 65 years. Adenocarcinoma of the urethra is more common among women than men and is associated with a relatively poor prognosis. We report a case of primary adenocarcinoma of the urethra and review the literature with emphasis on the diagnosis, management and outcome of this rare tumour.
Spontaneous intraperitoneal haemorrhage of the gastric vessels
Authors: Wagner Benjamin A , Harris Dwight D , Shalvoy Matthew R , Bulman Julie C
Published: October 2022

A male in his 70s presented to the emergency department with sudden-onset abdominal pain and syncope. While in the emergency department, he developed worsening hypotension and anaemia. A CT angiogram was suggestive of abdominal apoplexy (spontaneous intraperitoneal haemorrhage), which was treated successfully with embolisation of the bleeding vessels. Spontaneous bleeding was thought to be related to his initiation of apixaban 1 week previously. The patient made an excellent recovery and was transitioned back to oral anticoagulation.
Acute compartment syndrome of the contralateral thigh following reconstructive shoulder surgery done for multidirectional shoulder instability in lateral decubitus position
Authors: Cronin John T , Skedros John G
Published: October 2022

A man in his early 40s had revision reconstructive surgery on his left shoulder while in a right lateral decubitus position. The prolonged surgery (7 hours) caused acute compartment syndrome (ACS) in the contralateral (right) thigh. Moderate pain and swelling of the contralateral thigh (‘well limb’) was first noted in the recovery room. After progression to severe swelling and numbness in his right toes, fasciotomies of the right thigh were performed, confirming ACS. Thirteen months later he returned to his prior work without lower extremity discomfort or limitations, and he reported a good result from the revision shoulder surgery. Non-traumatic ACS of a well limb is a rare complication of surgery performed in the lateral decubitus position. We suggest that moving the patient temporarily, or to a new position (eg, beach chair), should be considered when the duration of surgery approaches 4.5 hours.
Association between socioeconomic status and mucosal healing in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kitahata Shogo , Furukawa Shinya , Miyake Teruki , Shiraishi Kana , Tange Kazuhiro , Hashimoto Yu , Yagi Sen , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Suzuki Seiyuu , Shibata Naozumi , Murakami Hidehiro , Ohashi Katsuhisa , Tomida Hideomi , Yamamoto Yasunori , Takeshita Eiji , Ikeda Yoshio , Hiasa Yoichi
Published: October 2022

Objective

Socioeconomic status is a risk factor for worse outcomes in many diseases. However, evidence on the association between socioeconomic status and clinical outcome in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited. In the clinical setting, the therapeutic goal for UC is to achieve mucosal healing (MH). Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the association between socioeconomic status and MH in patients with UC.

Methods

The study population consisted of 298 patients with UC. Education status and household income were divided into three groups based on a self-administered questionnaire. MH and complete MH were defined as a Mayo endoscopic subscore of 0–1 and 0, respectively. The association of socioeconomic status with MH and complete MH was assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Patients with UC were divided into a younger group (<51 years old) and an older group (≥51 years old) based on median age.

Results

The percentage of MH and complete MH was 62.4% and 25.2%, respectively. In all patients, socioeconomic status was not associated with MH and complete MH, respectively. In the older group, education but not household income was independently positively associated with MH and complete MH. In contrast, in the younger group, no association between socioeconomic status and MH and complete MH was found.

Conclusion

In older Japanese patients with UC, education status but not household income was independently positively associated with MH and complete MH.
Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors:   Global Health Research Group on Children’s Non-Communicable Diseases Collaborative
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality.

Methods

Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months.

Results

All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3–11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality.

Conclusions

Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer.
Cortisol, cognition and Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers among memory clinic patients
Authors: Holleman Jasper , Adagunodo Sofia , Kåreholt Ingemar , Hagman Göran , Aspö Malin , Udeh-Momoh Chinedu T , Solomon Alina , Kivipelto Miia , Sindi Shireen
Published: October 2022

Objective

This study aims to investigate the relationship between diurnal cortisol patterns, cognition and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers in memory clinic patients.

Method

Memory clinic patients were recruited from Karolinska University Hospital in Sweden (n=155). Diurnal cortisol patterns were assessed using five measures: awakening levels, cortisol awakening response, bedtime levels, the ratio of awakening to bedtime levels (AM/PM ratio) and total daily output. Cognition was measured in five domains: memory, working memory, processing speed, perceptual reasoning and overall cognition. AD biomarkers Aβ42, total tau and phosphorylated tau were assessed from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Cognition was measured at follow-up (average 32 months) in a subsample of participants (n=57).

Results

In assessing the associations between cortisol and cognition, higher awakening cortisol levels were associated with greater processing speed at baseline. No relationship was found between diurnal cortisol patterns and change in cognition over time or CSF AD biomarkers in the total sample. After stratification by CSF Aβ42levels, higher awakening cortisol levels were associated with worse memory performance in amyloid-positive participants. In amyloid-negative participants, higher bedtime cortisol levels and a lower AM/PM ratio were associated with lower overall cognition, greater awakening cortisol levels were associated with better processing speed, and a higher AM/PM ratio was associated with better perceptual reasoning. Additionally, higher awakening cortisol levels were associated with lower CSF Aβ42levels in amyloid-positive participants, while higher bedtime cortisol levels and a lower AM/PM ratio were associated with higher CSF total tau in amyloid-negative participants.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that diurnal cortisol patterns are associated with cognitive function and provide new insights into the association between diurnal cortisol patterns and AD-related CSF biomarkers. Further research is needed to examine the complex relationship between cortisol, cognition and brain pathology.
Addressing childcare as a barrier to healthcare access through community partnerships in a large public health system
Authors: Alvarez Kristin S , Bhavan Kavita , Mathew Sheryl , Johnson Courtney , McCarthy Amy , Garcia Blanca , Callies Marilyn , Stovall Kelly , Harms Michael , Kho Kimberly A
Published: October 2022

Objective

In our public health system, a survey of reproductive-aged women identified lack of childcare as the most common reason for missing or delaying healthcare. Community-based organisations (CBOs) in our county identified a similar need, so we partnered to develop a hospital-based childcare centre for patients to use during appointments.

Methods

In a large academic public health system, a partnership with a non-profit childcare CBO was formed to address lack of childcare as a barrier to accessing healthcare. Pilot clinics where no-cost childcare would be offered included obstetrics, gynaecology and medical oncology. Transparent communication from the CBO within the electronic medical record was built to minimally impact clinic workflows. Visual and electronic outreach, including patient portal questionnaires, were created to introduce patients to the services. Personalised clinic staff in-services were performed to introduce the service to clinics and leadership. Continual assessments of workflow were conducted and adjusted based on patient and staff feedback and quality checks. At 12 months, overall utilisation of the service was collected.

Results

In the first 12 months that no-cost childcare was offered, 175 patients enrolled 271 children into the programme. Ninety-seven percent were women, primarily Hispanic (87/175 (50%)) or black (64/175 (37%)), with an average age of 31.8 years. Of the enrollees, 142/175 (81%) patients made 637 childcare appointments and 119/175 (68%) patients used at least one reservation for 191 children. Most patients were verbally referred by clinic staff for childcare or self-referred for childcare from clinic signage or paperwork. Childcare was requested most frequently for obstetrics and gynaecology appointments.
Intradermal vaccination of HPV-16 E6 synthetic peptides conjugated to an optimized Toll-like receptor 2 ligand shows safety and potent T cell immunogenicity in patients with HPV-16 positive (pre-)malignant lesions
Authors: Speetjens Frank M , Welters Marij J P , Slingerland Marije , van Poelgeest Mariette I E , de Vos van Steenwijk Peggy J , Roozen Inge , Boekestijn Sanne , Loof Nikki M , Zom Gijs G , Valentijn A Rob P M , Krebber Willem-Jan , Meeuwenoord Nico J , Janssen Catharina A H , Melief Cornelis J M , van der Marel Gijs A , Filippov Dmitri V , van der Burg Sjoerd H , Gelderblom Hans , Ossendorp Ferry
Published: October 2022

Background

Amplivant is a molecularly optimized Toll-like receptor 2 ligand that can be covalently conjugated to tumor peptide antigens. In preclinical models, amplivant-adjuvanted synthetic long peptides (SLPs) strongly enhanced antigen presentation by dendritic cells, T cell priming and induction of effective antitumor responses. The current study is a first-in-human trial to investigate safety and immunogenicity of amplivant conjugated to human papillomavirus (HPV) 16-SLP.

Methods

A dose escalation phase I vaccination trial was performed in 25 patients treated for HPV16 positive (pre-)malignant lesions. Amplivant was conjugated to two SLPs derived from the two most immunodominant regions of the HPV16 E6 oncoprotein. The vaccine, containing a mix of these two conjugates in watery solution without any other formulation, was injected intradermally three times with a 3-week interval in four dose groups (1, 5, 20 or 50 µg per conjugated peptide). Safety data were collected during the study. Peptide-specific T cell immune responses were determined in blood samples taken before, during and after vaccination using complementary immunological assays.

Results

Toxicity after three amplivant-conjugated HPV16-SLP vaccinations was limited to grade 1 or 2, observed as predominantly mild skin inflammation at the vaccination site and sometimes mild flu-like symptoms. Adverse events varied from none in the lowest dose group to mild/moderate vaccine-related inflammation in all patients and flu-like symptoms in three out of seven patients in the highest dose group, after at least one injection. In the lowest dose group, vaccine-induced T cell responses were observed in the blood of three out of six vaccinated persons. In the highest dose group, all patients displayed a strong HPV16-specific T cell response after vaccination. These HPV16-specific T cell responses lasted until the end of the trial.

Conclusions

Amplivant-conjugated SLPs can safely be used as an intradermal therapeutic vaccine to induce robust HPV16-specific T cell immunity in patients previously treated for HPV16 positive (pre-) malignancies. Increased vaccine dose was associated with a higher number of mild adverse events and with stronger systemic T cell immunity.

Trial registration numbers

NCT02821494and 2014-000658-12.
Comparing bupivacaine alone to liposomal bupivacaine plus bupivacaine in interscalene blocks for total shoulder arthroplasty: a randomized, non-inferiority trial
Authors: Elmer Donald A , Coleman John R , Renwick Christian M , Amato Peter E , Werner Brian C , Brockmeier Stephen F , Slee April E , Hanson Neil A
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Interscalene brachial plexus blocks are a commonly performed procedure to reduce pain following total shoulder arthroplasty. Liposomal bupivacaine has been purported to prolong the duration of brachial plexus blocks for up to 72 hours; however, there has been controversy surrounding the analgesic benefits of this drug. Our hypothesis was that an interscalene block performed with bupivacaine alone would be non-inferior to a combination of liposomal bupivacaine and bupivacaine with respect to opioid consumption following total shoulder arthroplasty.

Methods

Subjects presenting for primary total shoulder arthroplasty were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an ultrasound-guided, single-injection interscalene block with either a combination of liposomal bupivacaine and bupivacaine (LB group) or bupivacaine without additive (Bupi group). The primary outcome of this study was 72-hour postoperative cumulative opioid consumption (in oral morphine equivalents) with a non-inferiority margin of 22.5 mg. Secondary outcomes included pain scores, patient satisfaction with analgesia and patient reported duration of sensory block.

Results

Seventy-six subjects, 38 from the Bupi group and 38 from the LB group, completed the study. Analysis of the primary outcome showed a 72-hour cumulative geometric mean oral morphine equivalent consumption difference of 11.9 mg (95% CI −6.9 to 30.8) between groups (calculated on the log scale). This difference constitutes approximately 1.5 tablets of oxycodone over 3 days. No secondary outcomes showed meaningful differences between groups.

Discussion

Interscalene brachial plexus blocks performed with bupivacaine alone did not demonstrate non-inferiority compared to a mixture of liposomal bupivacaine plus bupivacaine with regards to 72-hour cumulative opioid consumption following total shoulder arthroplasty. However, the difference between groups did not appear to be clinically meaningful.
A one-dimensional three-state run-and-tumble model with a ‘cell cycle’
Authors: Breoni Davide , Schwarzendahl Fabian Jan , Blossey Ralf , Löwen Hartmut
Published: October 2022

We study a one-dimensional three-state run-and-tumble model motivated by the bacterium Caulobacter crescentus which displays a cell cycle between two non-proliferating mobile phases and a proliferating sedentary phase. Our model implements kinetic transitions between the two mobile and one sedentary states described in terms of their number densities, where mobility is allowed with different running speeds in forward and backward direction. We start by analyzing the stationary states of the system and compute the mean and squared-displacements for the distribution of all cells, as well as for the number density of settled cells. The latter displays a surprising super-ballistic scaling $$\sim t^3$$

∼

t
3

at early times. Including repulsive and attractive interactions between the mobile cell populations and the settled cells, we explore the stability of the system and employ numerical methods to study structure formation in the fully nonlinear system. We find traveling waves of bacteria, whose occurrence is quantified in a non-equilibrium state diagram.

Grapical abstract
Transformation and interactions among solitons in metamaterials with quadratic-cubic nonlinearity and inter-model dispersion
Authors: Rizvi Syed T. R. , Seadawy Aly R. , Farah Nighat , Ahmed Sarfaraz
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we investigate multiple soliton interactions and other solitary wave solutions (SWS) for a perturbed nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) with negative index material having quadratic-cubic nonlinearity (NLSE-QCN). Due to its high order dispersion term, this model yields sub-picosecond impulses useful in mode-locked ring lasers. Hirota bilinear method (HBM) will be used to study soliton interaction. By controlling the parameters, we will obtain [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], parabolic and anti-parabolic, butterfly, bright and dark shaped solitons. On the other hand, we will obtain some other solitary wave solutions with the help of Sine-Gordon expansion (SGE) scheme.
EFFECTIVENESS OF SLIDER AND TENSIONER NEURODYNAMIC MOBILIZATION TECHNIQUES COMPARED TO STRETCHING EXERCISES ON PAIN, FUNCTION, AND RANGE OF MOTION IN PATIENT WITH CHRONIC DISCOGENIC SCIATICA
Authors: Morsi Haytham Ibrahim , El Nahass Bassem Galal Eldein , Ibrahim Mona Mohamed
Published: October 2022

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of the slider, tensioner neurodynamic mobilization techniques and stretching exercises on pain, range of motion (ROM), and functional disability in patients with chronic discogenic sciatica.

Design: A pre-test post-test multi arm parallel RCT.

Setting: Outpatient clinics, faculty of physical therapy, Kafrelsheikh University.

Participants: Thirty-six patients with unilateral chronic discogenic sciatica were randomly allocated into three equal groups: Group (A) slider neurodynamic mobilization, Group (B) tensioner neurodynamic mobilization, and Group (C) stretching exercises of back extensors, hamstrings, and gastrocnemius muscles. Treatment was given three sessions per week for two weeks.

Outcome measures: All patients were examined by visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain intensity, Modified-Modified Schober test (MMST) for lumbar flexion ROM, goniometer for hip flexion and knee extension ROM, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for functional assessment.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences between groups at baseline ([Formula: see text] 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the slider and tensioner groups compared to the stretching group for all variables. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found in the slider technique as compared to the tensioner technique regarding ROM of lumbar flexion ([Formula: see text] = 0.03), hip flexion ([Formula: see text] = 0.004), and knee extension ([Formula: see text] = 0.005).

Conclusion: Slider and tensioner neurodynamic mobilization techniques are more effective than stretching exercises in terms of reducing pain, increasing ROM, and improving function. Slider technique is more effective in ROM improvement.
Application of optogenetics in the study of gastrointestinal motility: A mini review
Authors: Zhao Song , Zhang Ting , Tong Weidong
Published: October 2022

Disorders of gastrointestinal (GI) motility are associated with various symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation. However, the underlying causes of impaired GI motility remain unclear, which has led to variation in the efficacy of therapies to treat GI dysfunction. Optogenetics is a novel approach through which target cells can be precisely controlled by light and has shown great potential in GI motility research. Here, we summarized recent studies of GI motility patterns utilizing optogenetic devices and focused on the ability of opsins, which are genetically expressed in different types of cells in the gut, to regulate the excitability of target cells. We hope that our review of recent findings regarding optogenetic control of GI cells broadens the scope of application for optogenetics in GI motility studies.
Transparent Registration-Based Encryption through Blockchain
Authors: Wang Qin , Li Rujia , Wang Qi , Galindo David , Chen Shiping , Xiang Yang
Published: October 2022

Garg et al. (TCC 2018) defined the notion of registration-based encryption (RBE) where the private key generator (PKG) is decoupled from key management and replaced by a key curator (KC). KC does not possess any cryptographic secrets and only plays the role of aggregating the public keys of all the registered users and updating the public parameters whenever a new user joins the system, which solves the
key escrow
issue. Notwithstanding, RBE still places a significant amount of trust in KC, whose actions are not accountable, e.g., it could secretly register multiple keys for already registered users. In this article, we propose a blockchain-based RBE framework, which provides total transparency and decentralization of KC by leveraging smart contracts. Our framework transfers the right of key management from KC to individual participants and keeps publicly upgradable parameters on-chain. We provide a basic construction that calculates the public parameter on-chain and an extended construction with better efficiency, which merely calculates the roots of trees on-chain. Our basic version is theoretically feasible, while the extended version is practically feasible. In particular, the enhanced scheme reduces computing complexity to a constant level. Our prototype implementation and evaluation results demonstrate that our extended construction is satisfactorily efficient.
Electrochemistry Isolates Elemental Phosphorus from Mg3(PO4)2
Authors: Zhong Yuxiang , Chen Zhong , Yang Xiao
Published: October 2022

Phosphorus (P) is an essential raw material for many value-added chemicals in modern industry, yet the natural minerals to extract P are depleting. As an alternative, municipal wastewater is a promising secondary source of P. Recovery of P from wastewater by chemically induced precipitation as insoluble metal phosphates is a typical practice. Mg3(PO4)2 is a commonly found phosphate in sewage sludge or incinerated sewage sludge ash. Here we try to extract elemental P from Mg3(PO4)2 by electrochemistry. By using molten CaCl2 as the solvent, PO4
3− in the Mg3(PO4)2 crystal can be quickly leached into the melt as free ions. The presence of Mg2+ in the melt boosts the solubility and dissolution rate of PO4
3− significantly. High-purity elemental P can be isolated from free PO4
3− in the melt by electrolysis. This work demonstrates that Mg3(PO4)2 is a possible precursor to prepare elemental P by electrochemistry, though the negative influence of Mg2+ of forming solid MgO on the electrode surface during electrolysis needs to be addressed.
Surface Characterization Techniques: A Systematic Review of their Principles, Applications, and Perspectives in Corrosion Studies
Authors: Fanijo Ebenezer O. , Thomas Joseph G. , Zhu Yizheng , Cai Wenjun , Brand Alexander S.
Published: October 2022

The nanoscale quantification of the electrochemical behavior in metals is critical to understanding the microstructure-corrosion relationship and subsequently controlling it. In this article, the application of advanced surface characterization techniques—atomic force microscopy (AFM), vertical scanning interferometry (VSI), digital holography microscopy (DHM), and other quantitative phase microscopy (QPM) techniques—for surface corrosion monitoring in metals at the micro- and nanoscale are systematically reviewed and discussed in detail. Interestingly in situ, real-time nanoscale topography evolution that enables measurement of time-dependent local dissolution rate as often tracked from numerical construction of QPM is also presented. This study demonstrates the considerable attributes of correlative advanced techniques for identifying nanoscale corrosion mechanisms, enabling the informed development of next-generation inhibition technologies, and improving corrosion predictive models.
Nucleation and Growth of Dendritic Islands during Platinum Oxidation-Reduction Cycling
Authors: Valls Mascaró Francesc , McCrum Ian T. , Koper Marc T. M. , Rost Marcel J.
Published: October 2022

Platinum is the model catalyst in fuel cells because of its high activity toward oxygen reduction and hydrogen oxidation. However, its applicability is limited due to the degradation of the catalyst under operating conditions. This degradation process has been extensively studied by repeatedly oxidizing and reducing the electrode, which leads to the roughening of the surface due to the nucleation and growth of platinum nano-islands. Although the general picture of this surface roughening is well known, the atomic details concerning the nucleation and early growth of the islands are still under debate. In this work, we use Density Functional Theory (DFT) to calculate formation energies and diffusion barriers of an adatom, in both the unoxidized and the oxidized state, with the aim to provide further insight into the nucleation phenomena. Moreover, we analyze from STM images obtained experimentally the shape of the nano-islands during the first stages of growth. Our results show not only that the islands form during the reduction of the surface, but also that they grow with a dendritic island shape, similarly to the platinum islands formed in vacuum by Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE).