bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive review of p- and n-type transparent conducting materials
Authors: Johnson-Groh Mara
Published: August 2021

Summarizing the last two decades of work, a perspective on transparent conducting materials looks at their latest advances and future potentials.
Polarized optical properties of hollowed-out 2D-gold-nanosheets studied using FDTD simulations
Authors: Chen Yu , Xu Tao , Liu Min , Huang Han , Ouyang Fangping
Published: August 2021

Hollowed-out gold-nanosheets (HoGNSs) are one of the special two-dimensional single-crystals on which their bodies (the body of HoGNS, abbreviated as NS-body) contain one or more hollow defects. There are many shape combinations of the outside NS-body and inside hollow-cavity [e.g., Triangle–Triangle (T–T), Hexagon–Triangle (H–T), etc.]. HoGNSs, especially the large-scaled ones, were found to have potential applications in remote surface-enhanced Raman scattering. However, owing to the anisotropy of the hollowed-out structure, the optical properties of different HoGNSs are closely related to the polarization of the incident wave and also to the relative orientations of the paired outer-NS-body and inner-hollow-cavity. Thus, the polarized optical properties of HoGNSs have been studied using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations. The local electric field near the vertex of the hollow-cavity will be affected by the size, the relative orientation, and the number of sides of the outer-NS-body. There are two different kinds of mechanisms for surface plasmon resonance,-that is, the excitation by the evanescent wave mainly concentrated on the surface of the outer-NS-body and the total internal reflection of the trapped wave between every two adjacent sides of the inner-hollow-cavity. The results have shown that there are strong interactions between the outer-NS-body and inner-hollow-cavity (including their size-, structure-, and orientation-interactions), which suggested that the optical properties of 2D-GNSs were influenced by many parameters but the best and optimum could be derived from FDTD simulations.
Effects of Li adsorption on the physical properties of CrBr3 and CrCl3: From monolayer to multilayer
Authors: Qin Guojun , Li Shujing , Shao Xiaohong
Published: August 2021

Two-dimensional ferromagnetic materials have attracted much attention for their potential application in information technology. The ferromagnetic properties of ultrathin CrCl3 and CrBr3 are investigated based on first-principles calculations. We find that adsorption of Li atoms results in half-metallic properties of ultrathin CrCl3 and CrBr3 and enhances the ferromagnetism in which the enhancement is not affected by the number of layers and the concentration of the adsorbed Li atoms, and the calculated forming energy and the diffusion process indicate that all structures are achievable. The investigation of bilayer structures shows that the stacking mode can affect their ferromagnetic stability.
Small amplitude ion-acoustic solitons with regularized κ-distributed electrons
Authors: Lu F. F. , Liu S. Q.
Published: August 2021

A theoretical investigation of ion-acoustic solitons in an unmagnetized plasma consisting of cold ions and regularized κ-distributed electrons has been carried out. The properties of stationary solitary structures are briefly studied by the reductive perturbation method in the small amplitude limit. It is found that in the small κ region, the ion-acoustic solitary waves propagate more slowly in the case of regularized κ distribution than in the case of standard κ distribution. The regularized κ-distributed electrons affect the width and amplitude of the solitary waves. As the cutoff parameter α increases, the amplitudes of both the compressive and rarefactive solitary waves decrease, and their widths also decrease. In addition, for a given value of κ, positive potential solitons will appear at large α, while negative potential solitons will appear at small α. The results of this paper may be useful for understanding nonlinear electrostatic phenomena in space plasmas.
Virgins at age 26: who are they?
Authors: Meuwly Marion , Suris Joan-Carles , Auderset Diane , Stadelmann Sophie , Barrense-Dias Yara
Published: August 2021

Background Studies on virgins remain scarce. This study explores the characteristics of virgin young adults, the reasons for remaining virgin, and its potential social and health implications. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2017 Swiss study on sexual health and behaviour among young adults. A total of 5175 participants (mean age 26 years ± 0.01) were divided into virgins and non-virgins. Virginity was defined as never having had a sexual partner, defined as a person with whom the participant has had sexual contact with or without penetration. Results: A total of 275 (5.3% (95% CI: 4.7–6.0), 58% males) were virgins. Virgins had higher odds of being male (aOR: 2.27 (95% CI: 1.62–3.17)) and reporting poorer health (1.43 (1.07–1.92)). They had lower odds of living on their own (0.24 (0.18–0.32)), being satisfied with their social life (0.78 (0.72–0.85)), having experimented with substances (e.g. drunkenness, 0.27 (0.19–0.67)) and having used online dating (0.52 (0.26–1.12)) or pornography (0.67 (0.42–0.94)). The main reason for remaining virgin was ‘I have not found the right person’ for females, and ‘I have not had the occasion’ for males. Conclusions: Among young adults, 1 in 20 is a virgin. Virgins do not seem to have gone through the usual experimentations of adolescence, are less socially driven and reported more health challenges. The main reason for remaining a virgin reveals gender-stereotyped responses. Sexual inactivity among young adults should be considered by health professionals to ensure the absence of distress and open discussion for potential questions.
Gelatin methacryloyl is a slow degrading material allowing vascularization and long-term use in vivo
Authors: Heltmann-Meyer Stefanie , Steiner Dominik , Müller Claudia , Schneidereit Dominik , Friedrich Oliver , Salehi Sahar , Engel Felix B , Arkudas Andreas , Horch Raymund E
Published: August 2021

In situ tissue engineering is an emerging field aiming at the generation of ready-to-use three-dimensional tissues. One solution to supply a proper vascularization of larger tissues to provide oxygen and nutrients is the arteriovenous loop (AVL) model. However, for this model, suitable scaffold materials are needed that are biocompatible/non-immunogenic, slowly degradable, and allow vascularization. Here, we investigate the suitability of the known gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)-based hydrogel for in-situ tissue engineering utilizing the AVL model. Rat AVLs are embedded by two layers of GelMA hydrogel in an inert PTFE chamber and implanted in the groin. Constructs were explanted after 2 or 4 weeks and analyzed. For this purpose, gross morphological, histological, and multiphoton microscopic analysis were performed. Immune response was analyzed based on anti-CD68 and anti-CD163 staining of immune cells. The occurrence of matrix degradation was assayed by anti-MMP3 staining. Vascularization was analyzed by anti-α-smooth muscle actin staining, multiphoton microscopy, as well as expression analysis of 53 angiogenesis-related proteins utilizing a proteome profiler angiogenesis array kit. Here we show that GelMA hydrogels are stable for at least 4 weeks in the rat AVL model. Furthermore, our data indicate that GelMA hydrogels are biocompatible. Finally, we provide evidence that GelMA hydrogels in the AVL model allow connective tissue formation, as well as vascularization, introducing multiphoton microscopy as a new methodology to visualize neovessel formation originating from the AVL. GelMA is a suitable material for in situ and in vivo TE in the AVL model.
Effect of heat input on microstructure and mechanical properties of GH159 and GH4169 dissimilar joints by laser beam welding
Authors: Ran Qian , Xiang Song , Tan Yuanbiao , Hu Shuang
Published: August 2021

Co-based superalloy GH159 and Ni-based superalloy GH4169 have been successfully joined by laser beam welding and the effect of heat input on microstructure and properties of dissimilar joints were investigated systematically. The results showed that weld seams exhibited a nail shape and full penetration was attained at all dissimilar joints. Increasing grain size towards the fusion zone (FZ) were observed in the heat affected zone (HAZ) on the GH159 side while an increasing dissolution of γ′ and γ′ towards the FZ was attained at the HAZ on the GH4169 side. These resulted in decreasing microhardness towards FZ. Tensile failure was found in the FZ with the lowest microhardness. Meanwhile, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the dissimilar joints increased with the decreasing of heat input. The high UTS of dissimilar joint with low heat input can be ascribed to the lower volume fraction of the Laves phase and the smaller dendrite arm spacing.
A new formulation of gradient boosting
Authors: Wozniakowski Alex , Thompson Jayne , Gu Mile , Binder Felix C
Published: August 2021

In the setting of regression, the standard formulation of gradient boosting generates a sequence of improvements to a constant model. In this paper, we reformulate gradient boosting such that it is able to generate a sequence of improvements to a nonconstant model, which may contain prior knowledge or physical insight about the data generating process. Moreover, we introduce a simple variant of multi-target stacking that extends our approach to the setting of multi-target regression. An experiment on a real-world superconducting quantum device calibration dataset demonstrates that our approach outperforms the state-of-the-art calibration model even though it only receives a paucity of training examples. Further, it significantly outperforms a well-known gradient boosting algorithm, known as LightGBM, as well as an entirely data-driven reimplementation of the calibration model, which suggests the viability of our approach.
Dissection of the ATPase active site of McdA reveals the sequential steps essential for carboxysome distribution
Authors: Hakim Pusparanee , Hoang Y , Vecchiarelli Anthony G.
Published: August 2021

Carboxysomes are carbon-fixing bacterial organelles critical to the global carbon cycle. Carboxysomes are spatially organized in the cell by an ATPase called McdA that forms dynamic protein gradients in response to its stimulator protein McdB on carboxysomes. This study shows how the ATP cycle of McdA mediates the carboxysome positioning reaction.
Mixture Analysis of Associations between Occupational Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Sperm Oxidative DNA Damage
Authors: Anna Jeng Hueiwang , Sikdar Sinjini , Pan Chih-Hong , Chang-Chien Guo-Ping
Published: August 2021

Objective

This study aimed to determine (i) associations between levels of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) mixture with 16 targeted PAH compounds in the personal breathing zone area and sperm oxidative DNA damage, (ii) associations between levels of individual PAH compounds and sperm oxidative DNA damage, (iii) oxidative stress as the mode of action for the genotoxic effects on sperm, and (iv) any dose–response relationship between exposure to the PAH mixture and/or individual PAH compounds and sperm oxidative DNA damage.

Methods

Sixteen targeted PAH compounds in the personal breathing zone area of 38 coke-oven workers and 24 control subjects were quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Sperm oxidative damage and status were evaluated by measuring levels of sperm 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanie (8-oxodGuo), seminal malondialdehyde (MDA) and seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS). Bayesian kernel machine regression with hierarchical variable selection process was employed to determine associations of the PAH mixture and the biomarkers of sperm oxidative damage. A novel grouping approach needed for the hierarchical variable selection process was developed based on PAH bay region and molecular weight.

Results

The PAH mixture exhibited a positive trend with increased sperm 8-oxodGuo levels at their lower percentiles (25th–50th). The exposure of the PAH mixture was associated with increased MDA levels in sperm. Bay and bay-like regions of the PAH mixture were the most important group for estimating the associations between the PAH mixture and sperm oxidative stress status. Benzo[a]anthracene was the main individual PAH compound that was associated with increased MDA levels.

Conclusion

Sperm oxidative DNA damage induced by occupational exposure to the PAH mixture had a suggestive association with increased MDA levels in coke-oven workers. Finally, the study identified that the individual PAH compound, benzo[a]anthracene, was the primary driver for the suggestive association between the PAH mixture and sperm oxidative damage.
Multi-omics data integration by generative adversarial network
Authors: Ahmed Khandakar Tanvir , Sun Jiao , Cheng Sze , Yong Jeongsik , Zhang Wei
Published: August 2021

Motivation

Accurate disease phenotype prediction plays an important role in the treatment of heterogeneous diseases like cancer in the era of precision medicine. With the advent of high throughput technologies, more comprehensive multi-omics data is now available that can effectively link the genotype to phenotype. However, the interactive relation of multi-omics datasets makes it particularly challenging to incorporate different biological layers to discover the coherent biological signatures and predict phenotypic outcomes. In this study, we introduce omicsGAN, a generative adversarial network model to integrate two omics data and their interaction network. The model captures information from the interaction network as well as the two omics datasets and fuse them to generate synthetic data with better predictive signals.

Results

Large-scale experiments on The Cancer Genome Atlas breast cancer, lung cancer and ovarian cancer datasets validate that (i) the model can effectively integrate two omics data (e.g. mRNA and microRNA expression data) and their interaction network (e.g. microRNA-mRNA interaction network). The synthetic omics data generated by the proposed model has a better performance on cancer outcome classification and patients survival prediction compared to original omics datasets. (ii) The integrity of the interaction network plays a vital role in the generation of synthetic data with higher predictive quality. Using a random interaction network does not allow the framework to learn meaningful information from the omics datasets; therefore, results in synthetic data with weaker predictive signals.

Availability and implementation

Source code is available at: https://github.com/CompbioLabUCF/omicsGAN.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Immunoresponsive gene 1 modulates the severity of brain injury in cerebral ischaemia
Authors: Kuo Ping-Chang , Weng Wen-Tsan , Scofield Barbara A , Furnas Destin , Paraiso Hallel C , Yu I-Chen , Yen Jui-Hung
Published: August 2021

Inflammatory stimuli induce immunoresponsive gene 1 expression that in turn catalyses the production of itaconate through diverting cis-aconitate away from the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The immunoregulatory effect of the immunoresponsive gene 1/itaconate axis has been recently documented in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse and human macrophages. In addition, dimethyl itaconate, an itaconate derivative, was reported to ameliorate disease severity in the animal models of psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. Currently, whether immunoresponsive gene 1/itaconate axis exerts a modulatory effect in ischaemic stroke remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated whether immunoresponsive gene 1 plays a role in modulating ischaemic brain injury. In addition, the molecular mechanism underlying the protective effects of immunoresponsive gene 1 in ischaemic stroke was elucidated. Our results showed that immunoresponsive gene 1 was highly induced in the ischaemic brain following ischaemic injury. Interestingly, we found that IRG1−/− stroke animals exhibited exacerbated brain injury, displayed with enlarged cerebral infarct, compared to wild-type stroke controls. Furthermore, IRG1−/− stroke animals presented aggravated blood–brain barrier disruption, associated with augmented Evans blue leakage and increased immune cell infiltrates in the ischaemic brain. Moreover, IRG1−/− stroke animals displayed elevated microglia activation, demonstrated with increased CD68, CD86 and Iba1 expression. Further analysis revealed that immunoresponsive gene 1 was induced in microglia after ischaemic stroke, and deficiency in immunoresponsive gene 1 resulted in repressed microglial heme oxygenase-1 expression and exacerbated ischaemic brain injury. Notably, the administration of dimethyl itaconate to compensate for the deficiency of immunoresponsive gene 1/itaconate axis led to enhanced microglial heme oxygenase-1 expression, alleviated ischaemic brain injury, improved motor function and decreased mortality in IRG1−/− stroke animals. In summary, we demonstrate for the first time that the induction of immunoresponsive gene 1 in microglia following ischaemic stroke serves as an endogenous protective mechanism to restrain brain injury through heme oxygenase-1 up-regulation. Thus, our findings suggest that targeting immunoresponsive gene 1 may represent a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of ischaemic stroke.
Decoding China’s Perspectives on Cyber Warfare
Authors: Jiang Chaoyi
Published: August 2021

This article examines China’s concerns over the adequacy of existing jus ad bellum and jus in bello to address cyber warfare, particularly the rules on cyberattacks governed by the jus in bello, dual-use infrastructure and war-sustaining facilities, the proportionality of cyberattacks against key infrastructures and the targetability of certain categories of civilians. This article argues that China’s resistance to applying some rules of the jus in bello to cyberspace is in line with the “wait and see” approach of most States. But there are two distinctive objectives behind this generalized stance: one is to protect its domestic regulatory power over cyberspace from being bound by disfavoured emerging and existing law, and the other is to build up consensus for a treaty regulating uses of cyber force under the United Nations framework.
Exact and approximate role assignment for multi-layer networks
Authors: Petrov Tatjana , Tognazzi Stefano
Published: August 2021

The concept of role equivalence has been applied in social network analysis for decades. Early definitions recognized two social actors as role equivalent, if they have identical relationships to the same other actors. Although this rather strong equivalence requirement has been relaxed in different ways, it is often challenging to detect interesting, non-trivial role equivalences, especially for social networks derived from empirical data. Multi-layer networks (MLNs) are increasingly gaining popularity for modelling collective adaptive systems, for example, engineered cyber-physical systems or animal collectives. Multiplex networks, a special case of MLNs, transparently and compactly describe such complex interactions (social, biological, transportation), where nodes can be connected by links of different types. In this work, we first propose a novel notion of exact and approximate role equivalence for multiplex MLNs. Then, we implement and experimentally evaluate the algorithm on a suite of real-world case studies. Results demonstrate that our notion of approximate role assignment not only obtains non-trivial partitions over nodes and layers as well, but it provides a fine-grained hierarchy of role equivalences, which is impossible to obtain by (combining) the existing role detection techniques. We demonstrate the latter by interpreting in detail the case study of Florence families, a classical benchmark from literature.
Urofaecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations in African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) chick populations experiencing different levels of human disturbance
Authors: Scheun Juan , Miller Rebecca J , Ganswindt Andre , Waller Lauren J , Pichegru Lorien , Sherley Richard B , Maneveldt Gavin W
Published: August 2021

Despite the importance of ecotourism in species conservation, little is known about the industry’s effects on wildlife. In South Africa, some African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) colonies have become tourist attractions. The species is globally endangered, with population sizes decreasing over the past 40 years. As African penguin chicks are altricial and unable to move away from anthropogenic stressors, it is important to evaluate the effect of tourist activities on baseline glucocorticoid levels as a measure of potential disturbance. Chicks at three study sites within two breeding colonies (Robben Island, Stony Point), with varying levels of exposure to tourism (low/moderate/high) were monitored. Urofaecal samples were collected to determine urofaecal glucocorticoid metabolite (ufGCM) concentrations as an indication of baseline stress physiology. Morphometric measurements were taken to compare body condition between sites. Penguin chicks experiencing low, infrequent human presence had significantly higher mean (± standard deviation) ufGCM levels [1.34 ± 1.70 μg/g dry weight (DW)] compared to chicks experiencing both medium (0.50 ± 0.40 μg/g DW, P = 0.001) and high levels of human presence (0.57 ± 0.47 μg/g DW, P = 0.003). There was no difference in chick body condition across sites. These results suggest that exposure to frequent human activity may induce habituation/desensitization in African penguin chicks. Acute, infrequent human presence was likely an important driver for comparatively higher ufGCM levels in chicks, though several other environmental stressors may also play an important role in driving adrenocortical activity. Nevertheless, as unhabituated chicks experiencing infrequent anthropogenic presence showed significantly higher ufGCM levels, managers and legislation should attempt to minimize all forms of activity around important breeding colonies that are not already exposed to regular tourism. Although the results of this study are crucial for developing enhanced conservation and management protocols, additional research on the long-term effect of anthropogenic activities on African penguin physiology is required.
Optimal echocardiographic assessment of myocardial dysfunction for arrhythmic risk stratification in phospholamban mutation carriers
Authors: Taha Karim , Verstraelen Tom E , de Brouwer Remco , de Bruin-Bon Rianne H A C M , Cramer Maarten J , Te Rijdt Wouter P , Bouma Berto J , de Boer Rudolf A , Doevendans Pieter A , Asselbergs Folkert W , Wilde Arthur A M , van den Berg Maarten P , Teske Arco J
Published: August 2021

Aims 

Phospholamban (PLN) p.Arg14del mutation carriers are at risk of developing malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and/or heart failure. Currently, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) plays an important role in risk assessment for VA in these individuals. We aimed to study the incremental prognostic value of left ventricular mechanical dispersion (LVMD) by echocardiographic deformation imaging for prediction of sustained VA in PLN p.Arg14del mutation carriers.

Methods and results

We included 243 PLN p.Arg14del mutation carriers, which were classified into three groups according to the ‘45/45’ rule: (i) normal left ventricular (LV) function, defined as preserved LVEF ≥45% with normal LVMD ≤45 ms (n = 139), (ii) mechanical LV dysfunction, defined as preserved LVEF ≥45% with abnormal LVMD >45 ms (n = 63), and (iii) overt LV dysfunction, defined as reduced LVEF <45% (n = 41). During a median follow-up of 3.3 (interquartile range 1.8–6.0) years, sustained VA occurred in 35 individuals. The negative predictive value of having normal LV function at baseline was 99% [95% confidence interval (CI): 92–100%] for developing sustained VA. The positive predictive value of mechanical LV dysfunction was 20% (95% CI: 15–27%). Mechanical LV dysfunction was an independent predictor of sustained VA in multivariable analysis [hazard ratio adjusted for VA history: 20.48 (95% CI: 2.57–162.84)].

Conclusion 

LVMD has incremental prognostic value on top of LVEF in PLN p.Arg14del mutation carriers, particularly in those with preserved LVEF. The ‘45/45’ rule is a practical approach to echocardiographic risk stratification in this challenging group of patients. This approach may also have added value in other diseases where LVEF deterioration is a relative late marker of myocardial dysfunction.
Endovascular entry closure of a late type A aortic dissection after implantation of a self-expanding transcatheter heart valve (Evolut R): a case report
Authors: Brinkmann Christina , Koeppel Thomas , Schofer Joachim
Published: August 2021

Background

Late Stanford type A aortic dissections (TAADs) are a very rare complication after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Surgery is the treatment of choice, but perioperative mortality (25%) and neurological complications (18%) remain high.

Case summary

An 85-year-old male patient presented with acute chest pain 5 months after a transfemoral Evolut R 34 mm transcatheter heart valve (THV) implantation. On multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) a TAAD was found with a 7 mm primary entry at the supra-annular aortic edge of the THV expanding to the innominate artery without re-entry. Due to extensive comorbidities including two bypass operations in the history, the Heart Team declined surgery. Within 6 months of watchful waiting the maximal aortic diameter (MAD) increased from 57 to 62 mm. The decision was made to perform an endovascular closure of the inflow to the false lumen by implanting a 25 mm Amplatzer™ Cribriform Septal Occluder. MSCT 4 weeks after occlusion showed the false lumen almost completely filled with thrombus, MSCT 3 months later showed a MAD reduction to 55 mm with shrinkage of the false lumen.

Discussion

Presumably, the late TAAD was caused by the supra-annular edge of the Evolut-stent. Because of the extreme risk surgical repair was not an option and a stent graft would have occluded the vein grafts. This case shows that in absence of any other treatment options endovascular closure of the entry to the false lumen can be successfully performed in a TAAD after TAVI.
The relationship between coronary stenosis morphology and fractional flow reserve: a computational fluid dynamics modelling study
Authors: Newcombe Roberto T F , Gosling Rebecca C , Rammohan Vignesh , Lawford Patricia V , Hose D Rodney , Gunn Julian P , Morris Paul D
Published: August 2021

Aims

International guidelines mandate the use of fractional flow reserve (FFR) and/or non-hyperaemic pressure ratios to assess the physiological significance of moderate coronary artery lesions to guide revascularization decisions. However, they remain underused such that visual estimation of lesion severity continues to be the predominant decision-making tool. It would be pragmatic to have an improved understanding of the relationship between lesion morphology and haemodynamics. The aim of this study was to compute virtual FFR (vFFR) in idealized coronary artery geometries with a variety of stenosis and vessel characteristics.

Methods and results

Coronary artery geometries were modelled, based upon physiologically realistic branched arteries. Common stenosis characteristics were studied, including % narrowing, length, eccentricity, shape, number, position relative to branch, and distal (myocardial) resistance. Computational fluid dynamics modelling was used to calculate vFFRs using the VIRTUheart™ system. Percentage lesion severity had the greatest effect upon FFR. Any ≥80% diameter stenosis in two views (i.e. concentric) was physiologically significant (FFR ≤ 0.80), irrespective of length, shape, or vessel diameter. Almost all eccentric stenoses and all 50% concentric stenoses were physiologically non-significant, whilst 70% uniform concentric stenoses about 10 mm long straddled the ischaemic threshold (FFR 0.80). A low microvascular resistance (MVR) reduced FFR on average by 0.05, and a high MVR increased it by 0.03.

Conclusion

Using computational modelling, we have produced an analysis of vFFR that relates stenosis characteristics to haemodynamic significance. The strongest predictor of a positive vFFR was a concentric, ≥80% diameter stenosis. The importance of MVR was quantified. Other lesion characteristics have a limited impact.
Impact of Relative Muscle Power on Hospitalization and All-Cause Mortality in Older Adults
Authors: Losa-Reyna Jose , Alcazar Julian , Carnicero Jose , Alfaro-Acha Ana , Castillo-Gallego Carmen , Rosado-Artalejo Cristina , Rodríguez-Mañas Leocadio , Ara Ignacio , García-García Francisco José
Published: August 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of lower-limb muscle power with mortality and hospitalization.

Methods

A total of 1 928 participants from the Toledo Study for Healthy Aging were included. Muscle power was assessed with the 5-repetition sit-to-stand test and participants were classified into different groups of relative power (ie, normalized to body mass) according to sex-specific tertiles and their inability to perform the test. Mean follow-up periods for hospitalization and all-cause mortality were 3.3 and 6.3 years, respectively.

Results

Compared to the high relative muscle power group, men with low (HR [95% CI] = 2.1 [1.2–3.6]) and women with very low and low (HR [95% CI] = 4.7 [3.0–7.4] and 1.8 [1.2–2.7]) relative power had an increased age-adjusted risk of hospitalization. After adjusting for several covariates (age, physical activity, body mass index education, depression, comorbidities, disability, and handgrip strength), these effects were attenuated (men and women with very low relative power: HR [95% CI] = 1.6 [0.9–2.9] and 2.8 [1.6–4.9]). The very low relative muscle power group had also an increased all-cause mortality risk (age-adjusted) in both men and women (HR [95% CI] = 2.3 [1.4–3.9] and 2.9 [1.6–5.3]). After adjusting for all the covariates, a significantly increased mortality risk was observed only in men (HR [95% CI] = 2.1 [1.1–3.8]; women HR [95% CI] = 1.6 [0.8–3.2]), with very low levels of relative power.

Conclusions

Relative muscle power was independently and negatively associated with mortality and hospitalization in older adults. An augmented all-cause mortality risk was noted in the lowest group of relative muscle power.
Awareness of Age-Related Gains and Losses and Their Associations With Psychological Well-Being: A Longitudinal Examination
Authors: Wilton-Harding Bethany , Windsor Tim D
Published: August 2021

Objectives

How people experience their own aging is more strongly linked to well-being than chronological age. This study examined associations of awareness of age-related change (AARC) with between-person differences and longitudinal changes in psychological well-being (PWB). We expected that higher AARC gains would be associated with higher PWB and increases in PWB over time. Conversely, we expected higher AARC losses would be associated with lower PWB and a steeper decline in PWB over time. Furthermore, we tested the interaction of AARC gains and AARC losses to examine whether negative associations between AARC losses and PWB would be weaker among those reporting higher AARC gains.

Methods

Data were collected in 3 waves from a 12-month longitudinal study of 408 community-dwelling older adults (aged 60 and older). Multilevel growth models were used to analyze associations between AARC and a composite measure of PWB which included key components of PWB identified in self-determination theory (satisfaction and frustration of basic psychological needs), as well as vitality, and life engagement.

Results

At the between-person level, higher AARC gains and lower AARC losses was consistently associated with higher PWB. Furthermore, associations between AARC losses and lower PWB were weaker among those with higher AARC gains. There was no evidence to suggest the interplay of AARC gains and AARC losses had implications for change in PWB over time.

Discussion

Appreciation of age-related gains may buffer the impact of AARC losses on PWB. However, longitudinal studies conducted over varying macro- and micro-time scales are needed to better understand the developmental significance of AARC for later life.
0s and 1s in marine molecular research: a regional HPC perspective
Authors: Zafeiropoulos Haris , Gioti Anastasia , Ninidakis Stelios , Potirakis Antonis , Paragkamian Savvas , Angelova Nelina , Antoniou Aglaia , Danis Theodoros , Kaitetzidou Eliza , Kasapidis Panagiotis , Kristoffersen Jon Bent , Papadogiannis Vasileios , Pavloudi Christina , Ha Quoc Viet , Lagnel Jacques , Pattakos Nikos , Perantinos Giorgos , Sidirokastritis Dimitris , Vavilis Panagiotis , Kotoulas Georgios , Manousaki Tereza , Sarropoulou Elena , Tsigenopoulos Costas S , Arvanitidis Christos , Magoulas Antonios , Pafilis Evangelos
Published: August 2021

High-performance computing (HPC) systems have become indispensable for modern marine research, providing support to an increasing number and diversity of users. Pairing with the impetus offered by high-throughput methods to key areas such as non-model organism studies, their operation continuously evolves to meet the corresponding computational challenges. Here, we present a Tier 2 (regional) HPC facility, operating for over a decade at the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology, and Aquaculture of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research in Greece. Strategic choices made in design and upgrades aimed to strike a balance between depth (the need for a few high-memory nodes) and breadth (a number of slimmer nodes), as dictated by the idiosyncrasy of the supported research. Qualitative computational requirement analysis of the latter revealed the diversity of marine fields, methods, and approaches adopted to translate data into knowledge. In addition, hardware and software architectures, usage statistics, policy, and user management aspects of the facility are presented. Drawing upon the last decade’s experience from the different levels of operation of the Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology, and Aquaculture HPC facility, a number of lessons are presented; these have contributed to the facility’s future directions in light of emerging distribution technologies (e.g., containers) and Research Infrastructure evolution. In combination with detailed knowledge of the facility usage and its upcoming upgrade, future collaborations in marine research and beyond are envisioned.
Exploring the views of community pharmacists on patient feedback on their consultations
Authors: Al-Jabr Hiyam , Katangwe-Chigamba Thando , Green Juliana , Desborough James A
Published: August 2021

Objectives

To explore community pharmacists’ (CPs) views on patient feedback on their consultations.

Methods

The study was conducted at community pharmacies in the East of England. Pharmacists employed at a large multiple pharmacy were invited to a telephone/face-to-face interview. Interviews were audio-recorded and thematically analysed.

Key findings

Six pharmacists participated and interviews yielded four main themes. Pharmacists shared views on benefits of collecting feedback (e.g. improving their consultations), potential barriers (e.g. bias) and associated resolutions (e.g. using anonymous questionnaires). Peer feedback was also suggested.

Conclusions

Patient feedback is welcomed by CPs and perceived useful for improving their consultations.
Validation of QuEChERS Method for Estimation of Imidacloprid and its Metabolites in Cotton Flower, Pollen, Nectariferous Tissue, and Honey
Authors: Brar Pushpinder Kaur , Kang Balpreet Kaur , Rasool Rozy , Sahoo Sanjay Kumar
Published: August 2021

Background

Exposure of Apis mellifera to neonicotinoid insecticides is one of the factors attributed to the recent decline in A. mellifera populations resulting in economic and ecological losses due to loss of pollination services. Honeybees can get exposed to neonicotinoids like imidacloprid directly in the field at the time of application as well as during consumption of pollen and nectar from treated plants. In addition, some metabolites of imidacloprid are more toxic than the parent compound. So, the fate of imidacloprid and its metabolites in commodities to which honeybees get exposed needs to be overhauled.

Objective

To validate QuEChERS method for estimation of imidacloprid and its metabolites in cotton flower, pollen, nectariferous tissue, and honey using HPLC.

Methods

The QuEChERS method was validated in terms of selectivity, linearity, LOD, LOQ, matrix match, accuracy, and precision. The estimation of residues was done by HPLC.

Results

Recoveries of imidacloprid and its metabolites for cotton flowers, nectariferous tissue, pollen and honey samples were in the range of 80.42–99. 83%. LOQ for imidacloprid and its metabolites was 0.01 µg/g. Acceptable precision (RSD < 20%) was obtained.

Conclusion

The method allows simple and fast extraction of imidacloprid and its metabolites from cotton flower, pollen, nectariferous tissue, and honey.

Highlights

An accurate, simple, and sensitive analytical method was validated for imidacloprid and its metabolites. The method was validated according to the SANTE/12682/2019 guidelines.
Testing for Trenbolone, an Anabolic Steroid, in Biological Fluids and Head Hair in a Postmortem Case
Authors: Gheddar Laurie , Pélissier Anne-Laure , Desfeux Jacques , Niort Fabrice , Raul Jean-Sébastien , Kintz Pascal
Published: August 2021

A 60-year-old man was found dead at home by his wife. The man was known to be a regular trainer in a fitness center and was described as a long-term user of anabolic steroids. The autopsy revealed heart failure with cardiomegaly, visceral congestion, and pulmonary edema. The local prosecutor ordered toxicological analyses but no anatomic pathology test. Initial analyses by the liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry system (UPLC--q-TOF-MS) system indicated the presence in femoral blood of trenbolone, an anabolic steroid. Trenbolone was quantified with a liquid chromatography system coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer in various autopsy specimens, including hair. Concentrations of trenbolone were 3.9, 3.2, 231, and lower than 0.5 ng/mL in femoral blood, cardiac blood, bile, and vitreous humor, respectively. Moreover, in head hair, the concentration was 9 pg/mg. The presence of trenbolone in hair can be interpreted as repetitive exposures when compared to the limited literature data. Repetitive misuse of trenbolone can explain advanced heart failure. This paper highlights the importance of testing biological specimens for anabolic steroids in case of heart failure.
Patient-specific template and electromagnetic navigation assisted bilateral periacetabular osteotomy for staged correction of bilateral injury-induced hip dysplasia: a case report
Authors: Brumat Peter , Mihalič Rene , Benulič Črt , Kristan Anže , Trebše Rihard
Published: August 2021

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) for pelvic fracture sequelae presents a challenge in hip preservation surgery due to a combination of complex conditions involving post-traumatic altered anatomy and technically demanding procedure, with high surgical risk involved. To address these challenging conditions and evade potential devastating complications, a combination of patient-specific template (PST) and electromagnetic navigation (EMN) guidance can be used to increase the safety of the procedure and the accuracy of the acetabular reorientation. Herein we report our experience utilizing a combined PST- and EMN-assisted bilateral PAO for staged correction of bilateral severe, injury-induced hip dysplasia. The presented case report describes a unique method of successful surgical treatment of severe, bilateral injury-induced hip dysplasia with combined 3-D printing technology (PST) and intra-operative electromagnetic computer-assisted navigation (EMN) aided technically demanding surgical procedure (PAO), which emphasizes the benefits of PST and EMN use in hip preservation surgery in patients with complex pathoanatomic circumstances.
Stable Fly (Diptera: Muscidae)—Biology, Management, and Research Needs
Authors: Rochon K , Hogsette J A , Kaufman P E , Olafson P U , Swiger S L , Taylor D B
Published: August 2021

Stable flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) are global pests of livestock, companion animals, and humans. These flies inflict painful bites and cause significant economic losses to producers by reducing livestock production. In addition, they have been associated with the mechanical transmission of several pathogens causing disease in animals. Management of this species is difficult because: 1) their developmental habitats are often ephemeral accumulations of decomposing vegetation, 2) they can exploit cultural practices in many agricultural and urban environments, and 3) the adults are highly mobile. An integrated pest management (IPM) approach is required to effectively manage stable flies, including integration of cultural, mechanical, physical, biological, and chemical control options. The challenges of stable flies in different animal commodities are discussed, and current and novel technologies for control are presented. Lastly, need for additional research to improve stable fly management methods are discussed.
Computational evaluation of sparse coding on off-axis electron holograms: comparison between charge-coupled device and direct-detection device cameras
Authors: Anada Satoshi , Nomura Yuki , Hirayama Tsukasa , Yamamoto Kazuo
Published: August 2021

The effectiveness of sparse coding for image inpainting and denoising of off-axis electron holograms was examined computationally based on hologram simulations according to considerations of two types of electron detectors, namely charge-coupled device (CCD) and direct-detection device (DDD) cameras. In this simulation, we used a simple-phase object with a phase step such as a semiconductor p–n junction and assumed that the holograms recorded by the CCD camera include shot noise, dark-current noise and read-out noise, while those recorded by the DDD camera include only shot noise. Simulated holograms with various electron doses were sparsely coded. Even though interference fringes cannot be recognized in the simulated CCD and DDD holograms when subjected to electron doses (per pixel) equal to 1 and 0.01, respectively, both the corresponding sparse-coded holograms exhibit meaningful interference fringes. We demonstrate that a combination of the DDD camera and sparse coding reduces the requisite dose used to obtain holograms to values less than one-thousandth compared with the CCD camera without image postprocessing. This combination is expected to generate lower-dose and/or higher-speed electron holography.
Trapped in the Wrong Body? Transgender Identity Claims, Body-Self Dualism, and the False Promise of Gender Reassignment Therapy
Authors: Moschella Melissa
Published: August 2021

In this article, I explore difficult and sensitive questions regarding the nature of transgender identity claims and the appropriate medical treatment for those suffering from gender dysphoria. I first analyze conceptions of transgender identity, highlighting the prominence of the wrong-body narrative and its dualist presuppositions. I then briefly argue that dualism is false because our bodily identity (including our body’s biological organization for sexual reproduction as male or female) is essential and intrinsic to our overall personal identity and explain why a sound, nondualist anthropology implies that gender identity cannot be entirely divorced from sexual identity. Finally, I make the case that arguments in favor of hormonal and surgical treatments for gender dysphoria rest on this mistaken dualist anthropology, and that these treatments therefore give false hope to those suffering from gender dysphoria, while causing irreversible bodily harm and diverting attention from underlying psychological problems that often need to be addressed. I also briefly discuss how these philosophical claims relate to empirical studies on the outcomes of hormonal and surgical treatments for gender dysphoria and to testimonies of transgender individuals who regret having undergone these treatments.
Smoking Cessation After Lung Cancer Diagnosis and the Risk of Second Primary Lung Cancer: The Multiethnic Cohort Study
Authors: Luo Sophia J , Choi Eunji , Aredo Jacqueline V , Wilkens Lynne R , Tammemägi Martin C , Le Marchand Loïc , Cheng Iona , Wakelee Heather A , Han Summer S
Published: August 2021

Background

Smoking cessation reduces lung cancer mortality. However, little is known about whether diagnosis of lung cancer impacts changes in smoking behaviors. Furthermore, the effects of smoking cessation on the risk of second primary lung cancer (SPLC) have not been established yet. This study aims to examine smoking behavior changes after initial primary lung cancer (IPLC) diagnosis and estimate the effect of smoking cessation on SPLC risk following IPLC diagnosis.

Methods

The study cohort consisted of 986 participants in the Multiethnic Cohort Study who were free of lung cancer and active smokers at baseline (1993-1996), provided 10-year follow-up smoking data (2003-2008), and were diagnosed with IPLC in 1993-2017. The primary outcome was a change in smoking status from “current” at baseline to “former” at 10-year follow-up (ie, smoking cessation), analyzed using logistic regression. The second outcome was SPLC incidence after smoking cessation, estimated using cause-specific Cox regression. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

Among 986 current smokers at baseline, 51.1% reported smoking cessation at 10-year follow-up. The smoking cessation rate was statistically significantly higher (80.6%) for those diagnosed with IPLC between baseline and 10-year follow-up vs those without IPLC diagnosis (45.4%) during the 10-year period (adjusted odds ratio = 5.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.38 to 7.98; P < .001). Incidence of SPLC was statistically significantly lower among the 504 participants who reported smoking cessation at follow-up compared with those without smoking cessation (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.67; P = .003).

Conclusion

Lung cancer diagnosis has a statistically significant impact on smoking cessation. Quitting smoking after IPLC diagnosis may reduce the risk of developing a subsequent malignancy in the lungs.