bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust electronic and tunable magnetic states in Sm2 NiMnO6 ferromagnetic insulator
Authors: Majumder Supriyo , Tripathi Malvika , Píš I , Nappini S , Rajput P , Jha S N , Choudhary R J , Phase D M
Published: March 2022

Ferromagnetic insulators (FM-Is) are the materials of interest for the new generation quantum electronic applications. Here, we have investigated the physical observables depicting FM-I ground states in epitaxial Sm2NiMnO6 (SNMO) double perovskite thin films fabricated under different conditions to realize the different level of Ni/Mn anti-site disorders (ASDs). The presence of ASDs immensely influence the characteristic magnetic and anisotropy behaviors in SNMO system by introducing short scale antiferromagnetic interactions in predominant long range FM ordered host matrix. Charge disproportion between cation sites, in the form of Ni2+ + Mn4+ → Ni3+ + Mn3+, causes mixed valency in both Ni and Mn species, which is found insensitive to ASD concentrations. Temperature dependent photo emission, photo absorption measurements duly combined with cluster model configuration interaction simulations, suggest that the eigenstates of Ni and Mn cations can be satisfactorily described as a linear combination of the unscreened d

n
and screened

d

n
+
1

L

̲

(

L

̲

: O 2p hole) states. The electronic structure across the Fermi level (E
F) exhibits closely spaced Ni 3d, Mn 3d and O 2p states. From occupied and unoccupied bands, estimated values of the Coulomb repulsion energy (U) and ligand to metal charge transfer energy (Δ), indicate charge transfer insulating nature, where remarkable modification in Ni/Mn 3d—O 2p hybridization takes place across the FM transition temperature. Existence of ASD broadens the Ni, Mn 3d spectral features, whereas the spectral positions are found to be unaltered. Hereby, present work demonstrates SNMO thin film as a FM-I system, where the FM state can be tuned by manipulating ASD in the crystal structure, while the I state remains intact.
Category guided attention network for brain tumor segmentation in MRI
Authors: Li Jiangyun , Yu Hong , Chen Chen , Ding Meng , Zha Sen
Published: March 2022

Objective. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been widely used for the analysis and diagnosis of brain diseases. Accurate and automatic brain tumor segmentation is of paramount importance for radiation treatment. However, low tissue contrast in tumor regions makes it a challenging task. Approach. We propose a novel segmentation network named Category Guided Attention U-Net (CGA U-Net). In this model, we design a Supervised Attention Module (SAM) based on the attention mechanism, which can capture more accurate and stable long-range dependency in feature maps without introducing much computational cost. Moreover, we propose an intra-class update approach to reconstruct feature maps by aggregating pixels of the same category. Main results. Experimental results on the BraTS 2019 datasets show that the proposed method outperformers the state-of-the-art algorithms in both segmentation performance and computational complexity. Significance. The CGA U-Net can effectively capture the global semantic information in the MRI image by using the SAM module, while significantly reducing the computational cost. Code is available at https://github.com/delugewalker/CGA-U-Net.
Core transport barriers induced by fast ions in global gyrokinetic GENE simulations
Authors: Di Siena A , Bilato R , Görler T , Poli E , Bañón Navarro A , Jarema D , Jenko F
Published: March 2022

A novel type of internal transport barrier called F-ATB (fast ion-induced anomalous transport barrier) has been recently observed in state-of-the-art global gyrokinetic simulations on a properly optimized ASDEX Upgrade experiment and presented in Di Siena et al (2021 Phys. Rev. Lett.
127 025002). Unlike the transport barriers previously reported in the literature, the trigger mechanism for the F-ATB has been shown to be a wave-particle resonant interaction between supra-thermal particles—generated via ion cyclotron resonance heating—and ion scale plasma turbulence. This resonant mechanism strongly depends on the particular shape of the fast ion temperature and density profiles. Therefore, to further improve our theoretical understanding of this transport barrier, we present results exploring the parameter space and physical conditions for the F-ATB generation by performing a systematic study with global GENE simulations. Particular emphasis is given to the transport barrier width and its localization by scanning over different energetic particle temperature profiles. The latter are varied in amplitude, half-width, and radial localization of an ad-hoc Gaussian-like energetic particle logarithmic temperature gradient profile. For the reference parameters at hand, a threshold in the ratio between the fast ion and electron temperature and the amplitude of the fast ion logarithmic temperature gradient is identified to trigger the transport barrier effectively. The role of q = 1 rational surface to the transport barrier formation is investigated as well by retaining electromagnetic effects and its impact found to be negligible for this particular barrier formation mechanism.
Vacuum energy and renormalization of the field-independent term
Authors: Márián I.G. , Jentschura U.D. , Defenu N. , Trombettoni A. , Nándori I.
Published: March 2022

Due to its construction, the nonperturbative renormalization
group (RG) evolution of the constant, field-independent term (which is constant
with respect to field variations but depends on the RG scale k) requires
special care within the Functional Renormalization Group (FRG) approach.
In several instances, the constant term of the potential has no
physical meaning. However, there are special cases where it receives important
applications. In low dimensions (d = 1), in a quantum mechanical model, this
term is associated with the ground-state energy of the anharmonic oscillator.
In higher dimensions (d = 4), it is identical to the Λ term

of the Einstein equations
and it plays a role in cosmic inflation. Thus, in
statistical field theory, in flat space, the constant term could be associated
with the free energy, while in curved space, it could be naturally associated
with the cosmological constant. It is known that one has to use a subtraction
method for the quantum anharmonic oscillator in d = 1 to remove the k
2

term that appears in the RG
flow in its high-energy (UV) limit in order to recover the
correct results for the ground-state energy. The subtraction is needed because
the Gaussian fixed point is missing in the RG flow once the constant term is
included. However, if the Gaussian fixed point is there, no further
subtraction is required. Here, we propose a subtraction method for k
4 and
k
2 terms of the UV scaling of the RG equations for d = 4 dimensions if the
Gaussian fixed point is missing in the RG flow with the constant term. Finally,
comments on the application of our results to cosmological models are provided.
Yoga Dark Energy: natural relaxation and other dark implications of a supersymmetric gravity sector
Authors: Burgess C.P. , Dineen Danielle , Quevedo F.
Published: March 2022

We construct a class of 4D 'yoga' (naturally relaxed) models for which the gravitational response of heavy-particle vacuum energies is strongly suppressed. The models contain three ingredients: (i) a relaxation mechanism driven by a scalar field (the 'relaxon'), (ii) a very supersymmetric gravity sector coupled to the Standard Model in which supersymmetry is non-linearly realised, and (iii) an accidental approximate scale invariance expressed through the presence of a low-energy dilaton supermultiplet. All three are common in higher-dimensional and string constructions and although none suffices on its own, taken together they can dramatically suppress the net vacuum-energy density. The dilaton's vev τ determines the weak scale M
W ∼ M
p/√τ. We compute the potential for τ and find it can be stabilized in a local de Sitter minimum at sufficiently large field values to explain the size of the electroweak hierarchy, doing so using input parameters no larger than O(60) because the relevant part of the scalar potential arises as a rational function of lnτ. The de Sitter vacuum energy at the minimum is order c M
8
W α 1/τ
4, with a coefficient c ≪ 𝒪(M
W
-4). We discuss ways to achieve c ∼ 1/M
p
4 as required by observations. Scale invariance implies the dilaton couples to matter like a Brans-Dicke scalar with coupling large enough to be naively ruled out by solar-system tests of gravity. Yet because it comes paired with an axion it can evade fifth-force bounds through the novel screening mechanism described in arXiv:2110.10352. Cosmological axio-dilaton evolution predicts a natural quintessence model for Dark Energy, whose evolution might realize recent proposals to resolve the Hubble tension, and whose axion contributes to Dark Matter. We summarize inflationary implications and some remaining challenges, including the unusual supersymmetry breaking regime used and the potential for UV completions of our approach.
Modeling of deuterium and carbon radiation transport in MAST-U tokamak advanced divertors
Authors: Soukhanovskii V.A. , Khrabry A.I. , Scott H.A. , Rognlien T.D. , Moulton D. , Harrison J.R.
Published: March 2022

Modest effects of deuterium and carbon radiation opacity in the Super-X and snowflake divertor plasmas are predicted for MAST Upgrade tokamak with core plasma input power 2.5–5 MW and plasma current 1 MA. The radiation transport modeling is based on the SOLPS-EIRENE and UEDGE code divertor plasma predictions. Two radiation transport models are used: one is based on a full radiation transport equation implemented in the radiation transport and collisional-radiative code CRETIN (without feedback on the background plasma), and another is an internal self-consistent UEDGE model with ionization, recombination, and heating rates corrected for Ly
α
line trapping based on the escape probability model implemented in CRETIN. In MAST-U, the Super-X and snowflake divertor plasmas are predicted to reach detached regimes at lower upstream densities than the standard divertor, and the conclusion still holds with radiation transport effects included. At neutral densities

⩽
1

0

20

m−3, modest Ly
α
deuterium line trapping with optical depths 10–15 is predicted in the Super-X divertor. Divertor plasmas are optically thin to other Lyman and Balmer lines, as well as to strong C III and C IV lines that are responsible for most of divertor radiated power. Insignificant changes (within a few percent) to divertor deuterium ionization and recombination rates are found. Radiation fluxes on outer divertor target are modified within a factor of 2–3 when the radiation transport is accounted for, and a similar variation is found due to the line shape models that define the absorption and emission line profiles in the radiation transport modeling. The predicted Lyman and Balmer spectral intensities are significantly modified due to radiation trapping. A measurement of divertor radiation transport effects is discussed using the Ly
β
/Ba
α
line ratio. In the snowflake divertor configuration, divertor plasmas are found to be optically thin to Lyman series lines within a large range of parameter variations that include upstream density, divertor transport coefficients, and magnetic configurations. Modest radiation transport effects are only found in a few cases with strongest divertor transport and magnetic configurations closest to the ideal snowflake configuration, however, the plasma background models that were used are yet to be validated with an experiment.
Shifting chain maps in quandle homology and cocycle invariants
Authors: Hashimoto Yu , Tanaka Kokoro
Published: March 2022

Quandle homology theory has been developed and cocycles have been used to define invariants of oriented classical or surface links. We introduce a shifting chain map

σ
\sigma

on each quandle chain complex that lowers the dimensions by one. By using its pull-back

σ
♯

\sigma ^\sharp

, each

2
2

-cocycle

ϕ
\phi

gives us the

3
3

-cocycle

σ
♯

ϕ

\sigma ^\sharp \phi

. For oriented classical links in the

3
3

-space, we explore relation between their quandle

2
2

-cocycle invariants associated with

ϕ
\phi

and their shadow

3
3

-cocycle invariants associated with

σ
♯

ϕ

\sigma ^\sharp \phi

. For oriented surface links in the

4
4

-space, we explore how powerful their quandle

3
3

-cocycle invariants associated with

σ
♯

ϕ

\sigma ^\sharp \phi

are. Algebraic behavior of the shifting maps for low-dimensional (co)homology groups is also discussed.
Cell Painting predicts impact of lung cancer variants
Authors: Caicedo Juan C. , Arevalo John , Piccioni Federica , Bray Mark-Anthony , Hartland Cathy L. , Wu Xiaoyun , Brooks Angela N. , Berger Alice H. , Boehm Jesse S. , Carpenter Anne E. , Singh Shantanu
Published: March 2022

Clinical sequencing uncovers many variants of unknown significance, especially in cancer, leaving doctors stuck. We show that cell morphology-specifically, images of cells stained for various organelles through the Cell Painting assay-contains sufficient information to determine the impact of many variants on diverse genes and functions.
Cardiometabolic Pregnancy Complications in Association With Autism-Related Traits as Measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale in ECHO
Authors: Lyall Kristen , Ning Xuejuan , Aschner Judy L , Avalos Lyndsay A , Bennett Deborah H , Bilder Deborah A , Bush Nicole R , Carroll Kecia N , Chu Su H , Croen Lisa A , Dabelea Dana , Daniels Julie L , Duarte Christiane , Elliott Amy J , Fallin M Daniele , Ferrara Assiamira , Hertz-Picciotto Irva , Hipwell Alison E , Jensen Elizabeth T , Johnson Susan L , Joseph Robert M , Karagas Margaret , Kelly Rachel S , Lester Barry M , Margolis Amy , McEvoy Cindy T , Messinger Daniel , Neiderhiser Jenae M , O’Connor Thomas G , Oken Emily , Sathyanarayana Sheela , Schmidt Rebecca J , Sheinkopf Stephen J , Talge Nicole M , Turi Kedir N , Wright Rosalind J , Zhao Qi , Newschaffer Craig , Volk Heather E , Ladd-Acosta Christine , Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes on behalf of program collaborators for
Published: March 2022

Prior work has examined associations between cardiometabolic pregnancy complications and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) but not how these complications may relate to social communication traits more broadly. We addressed this question within the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes program, with 6,778 participants from 40 cohorts conducted from 1998–2021 with information on ASD-related traits via the Social Responsiveness Scale. Four metabolic pregnancy complications were examined individually, and combined, in association with Social Responsiveness Scale scores, using crude and adjusted linear regression as well as quantile regression analyses. We also examined associations stratified by ASD diagnosis, and potential mediation by preterm birth and low birth weight, and modification by child sex and enriched risk of ASD. Increases in ASD-related traits were associated with obesity (β = 4.64, 95% confidence interval: 3.27, 6.01) and gestational diabetes (β = 5.21, 95% confidence interval: 2.41, 8.02), specifically, but not with hypertension or preeclampsia. Results among children without ASD were similar to main analyses, but weaker among ASD cases. There was not strong evidence for mediation or modification. Results suggest that common cardiometabolic pregnancy complications may influence child ASD-related traits, not only above a diagnostic threshold relevant to ASD but also across the population.
Evaluating bat boxes: design and placement alter bioenergetic costs and overheating risk
Authors: Crawford Reed D , Dodd Luke E , Tillman Francis E , O’Keefe Joy M
Published: March 2022

Bat box microclimates vary spatially and temporally in temperature suitability. This heterogeneity subjects roosting bats to a variety of thermoregulatory challenges (e.g. heat and cold stress). Understanding how different bat box designs, landscape placements, weather and bat use affect temperature suitability and energy expenditure is critical to promote safe and beneficial artificial roosting habitat for species of conservation concern. From April to September 2019, we systematically deployed 480 temperature dataloggers among 40 rocket box style bat boxes of 5 designs and regularly monitored bat abundance. We used bioenergetic models to assess energy costs for endothermic and heterothermic bats and modelled the overheating risk for each box as a function of design, placement, bat abundance and weather. For endothermic bats, predicted daily energy expenditure was lower for solar-exposed placements, large group sizes and a box design with enhanced thermal mass. For heterothermic bats, shaded landscape placements were the most energetically beneficial and bat box design was not important, because all designs generally offered microclimates suitable for torpor use at some position within the box. Overheating risk was highest for solar-exposed landscape placements and for designs lacking modifications to buffer temperature, and with increasing bat abundance, increasing ambient temperature and slower wind speeds. The external water jacket design, with the greatest thermal mass, concomitantly decreased overheating risk and endothermic energy expenditure. By assessing bat box suitability from two physiological perspectives, we provide a robust method to assess the conservation value of bat box design and placement strategies. We recommend future studies examine how changing thermal mass and conductance can be used to diminish overheating risk while also enhancing the effects of social thermoregulation for bat box users.
Right atrial strain and cardiovascular outcome in arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy
Authors: Anwer Shehab , Guastafierro Francesca , Erhart Ladina , Costa Sarah , Akdis Deniz , Schuermann Manuel , Hosseini Sara , Winkler Neria E , Kuzo Nazar , Gasperetti Alessio , Brunckhorst Corinna , Duru Firat , Saguner Ardan M , Tanner Felix C
Published: March 2022

Aims

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is characterized by progressive fibro-fatty infiltration of the myocardium and associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) events. This study aims to examine right atrial (RA) deformation in ARVC and understand its association with CV outcomes.

Methods and results

RA strain was determined in 50 patients with definite ARVC, compared with a matched control group of 50 healthy individuals, and analysed for outcome association over a median follow-up duration of 5 years. A subgroup of 30 ARVC patients with normal RA volume (ARVC-N group) was compared with 30 matched controls (Control-N), and the outcome was analysed separately. RA reservoir, conduit, and pump strain were significantly impaired in ARVC vs. control. Similar observations were made in the N-ARVC subgroup. Reservoir strain was associated with an increased risk of atrial arrhythmia (AA) [hazard ratio (HR) 0.88, P < 0.01] and CV events (HR 0.92, P < 0.01). Conduit strain also predicted AA (HR 1.02, P < 0.01), while pump strain predicted CV events (HR 1.09, P = 0.02). Reservoir strain improved the fitness of bivariable models for the association of RV end-diastolic area index, RV fractional area change, and RV global longitudinal strain with CV events.

Conclusion

ARVC patients display impaired RA strain even when RA volume is normal. Reservoir and pump strain are associated with an increased risk of CV events. Reservoir strain improved model fitness for the association of RVGLS and other echocardiographic parameters with CV events.
Allometric Relationships for Predicting Aboveground Biomass, Sapwood, and Leaf Area of Two-Needle Piñon Pine (Pinus edulis) Amid Open-Grown Conditions in Central New Mexico
Authors: McIntire Cameron D , Cunliffe Andrew M , Boschetti Fabio , Litvak Marcy E
Published: March 2022

Pinus edulis Engelm. is a short-stature, drought-tolerant tree species that is abundant in piñon-juniper woodlands throughout semiarid ecosystems of the American Southwest. P. edulis is a model species among ecophysiological disciplines, with considerable research focus given to hydraulic functioning and carbon partitioning relating to mechanisms of tree mortality. Many ecological studies require robust estimates of tree structural traits such as biomass, active sapwood area, and leaf area. We harvested twenty trees from Central New Mexico ranging in size from 1.3 to 22.7 cm root crown diameter (RCD) to derive allometric relationships from measurements of RCD, maximum height, canopy area (CA), aboveground biomass (AGB), sapwood area (AS), and leaf area (AL). Total foliar mass was measured from a subset of individuals and scaled to AL from estimates of leaf mass per area. We report a strong nonlinear relationship to AGB as a function of both RCD and height, whereas CA scaled linearly. Total AS expressed a power relationship with RCD. Both AS and CA exhibited strong linear relationships with AL (R2 = 0.99), whereas RCD increased nonlinearly with AL. We improve on current models by expanding the size range of sampled trees and supplement the existing literature for this species.

Study Implications: Land managers need to better understand carbon and water dynamics in changing ecosystems to understand how those ecosystems can be sustainably used now and in the future. This study of two-needle pinon (Pinus edulis Engelm.) trees in New Mexico, USA, uses observations from unoccupied aerial vehicles, field measurements, and harvesting followed by laboratory analysis to develop allometric models for this widespread species. These models can be used to understand plant traits such biomass partitioning and sap flow, which in turn will help scientists and land managers better understand the ecosystem services provided by pinon pine across North America.
The trial of Thomas Frogbrook: bestiality and the law in an early sixteenth-century English rural community
Authors: Wingard Tess
Published: March 2022

This article examines the gap between legal theory and practice regarding bestiality in late medieval England. It focuses on a microhistorical analysis of a 1520 trial heard in Chichester consistory court, integrating other archival documents, legislation and legal commentaries to illustrate local and national contexts. I argue first that personal enmity rather than a moralizing agenda was the primary motivating factor in this case, and second that this trial illustrates the broader limitations of English church courts and the system of canon law in affecting popular attitudes to ‘unnatural’ intercourse and in the suppression of such acts.
Assessments of Digital Client Representations: How Frontline Workers Reconstruct Client Narratives from Fragmented Information
Authors: Løberg Ida Bring
Published: March 2022

Street-level bureaucrats assess increasing amounts of digital, often text-based, client representations. These representations have been criticized for oversimplification. However, frontline workers have also been known to develop simplified perceptions, or “shortcuts,” in their work. This study explores frontline workers’ assessments of digital client representations using observations of 15 needs assessments and 7 follow-up interviews from the Norwegian Labor and Welfare Administration (NAV). Based on simple information garnered from an online registration, workers decide how much assistance clients need from NAV to find work. Findings show that the online registration deconstructs client narratives into separate pieces of information, which the workers attempt to reconstruct back into coherent narratives. Using a street-level perspective, this article argues that the reconstructions are coping responses to fragmented information. Unlike traditional simplification responses, the workers complicate their perceptions of clients in the assessments. That is, street-level bureaucrats take “detours” to provide responsive services and manage the limitations of electronic government. Thus, this article provides an empirical contribution that also forms the basis for abductive theorization and suggests that the conceptual boundaries of coping strategies should be expanded to include “complication responses.” In contrast to the emphasis on face-to-face meetings in street-level literature, this article highlights the importance of texts.
Aortic injury repair in a patient with situs inversus totalis and dextrocardia
Authors: Ishimine Tohru , Ishigami Takahiro , Chida Kohei , Taniguchi Naoki , Tengan Toshiho , Mototake Hidemitsu
Published: March 2022

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) with dextrocardia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. We herein describe a blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) in a patient with SIT and dextrocardia. An 18-year-old girl who was injured by a fall presented to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a traumatic pseudoaneurysm at the aortic isthmus. Open aortic repair was performed through a right thoracotomy. No abnormal findings were observed on CT 1 year after the surgery. Open aortic repair of BTAI can be safely performed through a right thoracotomy in patients with SIT and dextrocardia.
Phosphorylated MED1 links transcription recycling and cancer growth
Authors: Chen Zhong , Ye Zhenqing , Soccio Raymond E , Nakadai Tomoyoshi , Hankey William , Zhao Yue , Huang Furong , Yuan Fuwen , Wang Hongyan , Cui Zhifen , Sunkel Benjamin , Wu Dayong , Dzeng Richard K , Thomas-Ahner Jennifer M , Huang Tim H M , Clinton Steven K , Huang Jiaoti , Lazar Mitchell A , Jin Victor X , Roeder Robert G , Wang Qianben
Published: March 2022

Mediator activates RNA polymerase II (Pol II) function during transcription, but it remains unclear whether Mediator is able to travel with Pol II and regulate Pol II transcription beyond the initiation and early elongation steps. By using in vitro and in vivo transcription recycling assays, we find that human Mediator 1 (MED1), when phosphorylated at the mammal-specific threonine 1032 by cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), dynamically moves along with Pol II throughout the transcribed genes to drive Pol II recycling after the initial round of transcription. Mechanistically, MED31 mediates the recycling of phosphorylated MED1 and Pol II, enhancing mRNA output during the transcription recycling process. Importantly, MED1 phosphorylation increases during prostate cancer progression to the lethal phase, and pharmacological inhibition of CDK9 decreases prostate tumor growth by decreasing MED1 phosphorylation and Pol II recycling. Our results reveal a novel role of MED1 in Pol II transcription and identify phosphorylated MED1 as a targetable driver of dysregulated Pol II recycling in cancer.
Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 is required for nitroglycerin- and calcitonin gene-related peptide–induced migraine-like pain behaviors in mice
Authors: Wei Chao , Kim Brian , McKemy David D.
Published: March 2022

Migraine is a complex neurovascular disorder that is one of the leading causes of disability and a reduced quality of life. Even with such a high societal impact, our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to migraine headaches is limited. To address this complex disorder, several groups have performed genome-wide association studies to elucidate migraine susceptibility genes, with many identifying transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8), a cold-sensitive cation channel expressed in peripheral afferents innervating the trigeminovascular system, and the principal mediator of cold and cold pain associated with injury and disease. Interestingly, these migraine-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms reside in noncoding regions of TRPM8, with those correlated with reduced migraine risk exhibiting lower TRPM8 expression and decreased cold sensitivity. Nonetheless, as a role for TRPM8 in migraine has yet to be defined, we sought to address this gap in our knowledge using mouse genetics and TRPM8 antagonism to determine whether TRPM8 channels or neurons are required for migraine-like pain (mechanical allodynia and facial grimace) in inducible migraine models. Our results show that both evoked and spontaneous pain behaviors are dependent on both TRPM8 channels and neurons, as well as required in both acute and chronic migraine models. Moreover, inhibition of TRPM8 channels prevented acute but not established chronic migraine-like pain. These results are consistent with its association with migraine in genetic analyses and establish that TRPM8 channels are a component of the underlying mechanisms of migraine.
Safety and efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in pediatric chronic myeloid leukemia: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ata Fateen , Ghasoub Rola S. , Nashwan Abdulqadir J. , Mushtaq Kamran , Aldapt Mahmood B. , Kassem Nancy A. , Chandra Prem , Omar Nabil E. , Yassin Mohamed A.
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Current evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the pediatrics with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is limited. The safety of TKI beyond 15years of use has not been studied even in the adult population. This systematic review and meta-analysis’s main objectives are (a) to combine the existing knowledge of efficacy and safety profile of TKI in pediatric CML and (b) to compare the side effects of long-term TKI therapy in the pediatric population versus stem cell transplantation.

Methods:

A systematic review with meta-analysis will be performed. Multiple online databases will be explored via pre-decided searching strategy to find eligible studies. All studies reporting on the efficacy and safety of TKI in pediatrics. We will include case reports and series, retrospective and prospective observational studies, studies with experimental designs and gray literature including abstracts from various hematology conferences. The quality of articles will be analyzed by 2 independent reviewers following Reporting Guidelines for Meta-analyses of Observational Studies and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. CMA and STATA will be utilized to perform the meta-analysis.

Discussion:

This study will be among the initial ones to explore and combine the evidence available on the safety and efficacy of TKI in pediatric CML patients in the form of systematic review and meta-analysis. By acquiring and summarizing data about the use of TKI therapy in pediatric CML patients, the results from this study will give insights for future prospective studies and will provide a better understanding of the efficacy and safety of TKI in pediatric CML.

PROSPERO Registration:

(CRD42020154435).
Neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and the risk of 30-day mortality in patients with overt hepatic encephalopathy
Authors: Shi Ke , Huang Yunyi , Zhang Qun , Li Yuxin , Wang Xianbo
Published: March 2022

Aim

Patients with overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) have an increased risk of adverse outcomes. However, the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the 30-day risk of death in patients with OHE has not been well evaluated.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 1301 patients with OHE at Beijing Ditan Hospital between August 2008 and December 2018. After adjustment for major risk factors, Cox regression analysis and restricted cubic splines were used to analyze the relation between NLR and 30-day mortality. The 30-day survival was calculated by Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

All patients were divided into four subgroups on the basis of the quartiles of the baseline NLR distribution (< 2.5, 2.5–4.3, 4.3–7.5, >7.5). The 30-day mortality rates were 7.8%, 12.7%, 19.5% and 34.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). Compared with the lowest quartile, the increase in the NLR was associated with an increase risk of 30-day mortality after multivariable adjustment (NLR 2.5–4.3: adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.70–1.95); NLR 4.3–7.5: AHR, 1.58 (95% CI, 1.01–2.47); NLR > 7.5: AHR, 2.32 (95% CI, 1.50–3.57). A nonlinear association between NLR and the adjusted probability of 30-day mortality was observed. Elevated NLR was correlated with increased 30-day mortality in patients with OHE across different subgroups (HR >1.0).

Conclusion

An elevated NLR is independently associated with a higher risk of 30-day mortality in patients with OHE.
Emergency Medical Services Provider Acceptance of and Attitudes About Pediatric SimBox Simulations
Authors: Cicero Mark Xavier , Baird Janette , Adelgais Kathleen , Brown Linda , Auerbach Marc
Published: March 2022

Objective

SimBox simulations allow for high-frequency open-access health care education, overcoming cost and resource barriers. Prehospital paramedics and emergency medical technician (EMT) care for children infrequently. In this study, prehospital providers evaluated pediatric SimBox simulations.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study of EMS professionals participating in a series of simulations conducted in a larger project assessing improvement of the quality of pediatric care in the prehospital setting. Participants were teams of two, which comprised a paramedic/paramedic, paramedic/EMT, or 2 EMTs. The simulations used facilitator resources, debriefing prompts, video depictions of patients and vital signs, and a low-fidelity manikin. Pediatric emergency care coordinators, EMS training officers, and/or emergency physicians facilitated simulations of seizure, sepsis with respiratory failure, and child abuse, followed by debriefings. Participants completed an online survey after the simulation and rated it in 4 domains: prebriefing, scenario content, debriefing, and overall. Ratings were trifold: “strongly agree,” “somewhat agree,” or “do not agree.” Data were analyzed by case type, participant type, location, participant reaction to simulation elements, and the debriefing. Net Promoter Scores were calculated to assess participant endorsement of SimBox.

Results

There were 121 participants: 103 (87%) were paramedics, and 18 (13%) were EMTs. Participant agreement of simulation benefit for clinical practice was high, for example, “I am more confident in my ability to prioritize care and interventions” (98.4% strongly or somewhat agree), and 99.2% of participants agreed the postsimulation debriefing with facilitators “provided opportunities to self-reflect on my performance during simulation.” Overall, 97.5% strongly or somewhat agreed that the simulations “improved my comfort in pediatric acute care.” Net Promoter Score showed 65.3% were promoters of and 24% were passive about SimBox.

Conclusion

SimBox simulations are associated with improved self-efficacy of prehospital care providers for care of acutely ill or injured children. The majority promotes SimBox as a learning tool.
FDG PET/MRI in Synchronous Uterine Adenocarcinoma and Leiomyosarcoma
Authors: Yokoo Shiho , Zeng Feibi , Nogami Munenobu , Ueno Yoshiko R. , Murakami Takamichi
Published: March 2022

A 52-year-old woman with a rapidly growing uterine tumor suspected of uterine sarcoma underwent 18F-FDG PET/MRI, revealing a myometrial mass and an endometrial lesion, suggesting dual primary neoplasms. Based on the PET/MRI findings, we changed the intraoperative procedure to determine the necessity of pelvic lymphadenectomy. PET/MRI was useful in diagnosing and differentiating between 2 malignant neoplasms in the uterus compared with PET/CT, due to MRI's high contrast resolution and precise fusion due to the simultaneous acquisition.
A Peculiar 18F-FDG Spinal Uptake Helps Diagnosis and Effective Treatment of Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Authors: Lanzafame Helena , Zanoni Lucia , Allegri Vincenzo , Mulè Rita , Fanti Stefano
Published: March 2022

Polymyalgia rheumatica is the most common inflammatory rheumatic disease in elderly people, usually develops in patients older than 50 years, more frequently in females. An emerging imaging tool in the diagnostic workup of this condition is whole-body PET/CT, which allows an overall assessment of the articular and extra-articular structures involved.
Detection and estimation of
Mastigimas anjosi
(Hemiptera: Calophyidae) populations on
Cedrela fissilis
trees
Authors: Prado Marcelle C. do N. , Giuliani Graziella K. F. , Ghiotto Thais C. , do Carmo Janaina B. , Guerreiro Júlio C. , Prado Evandro P. , Pogetto Mario H. F. do A. D. , Masson Marcus V. , Tavares Wagner de S. , Wilcken Carlos F. , Zanuncio José C. , Ferreira-Filho Pedro J.
Published: March 2022

Mastigimas anjosi
is an important pest of
Cedrela fissilis
in the southeastern and southern regions of Brazil. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of the temperature, relative humidity, rainfall and natural enemies on the flight activity of adults and the movement of
M. anjosi
nymphs, with two sampling methods, yellow sticky traps and direct collections on the leaves of
C. fissilis
trees. The sex ratio of this pest was also assessed. The number of
M. anjosi
individuals was negatively correlated with the minimum and maximum temperatures, with a population peak in late May and early June 2017. The numbers of individuals of this psyllid was positively correlated with the relative humidity and rainfall. Larvae and adults of
Cycloneda sanguinea
,
Hippodamia convergens
adults and
Atopozelus opsimus
nymphs and adults preyed upon
M. anjosi
adults and nymphs on
C. fissilis
leaves in the field.
Mastigimas anjosi
sex ratio was 0.46. Information about sampling methods of
M. anjosi
and its natural enemies is presented and can contribute to the integrated management of this pest in the field.
Effects of reduced mobility on trabecular bone density in captive big cats
Authors: Chirchir Habiba , Ruff Christopher , Helgen Kristofer M. , Potts Richard
Published: March 2022

Bone responds to elevated mechanical loading by increasing in mass and density. Therefore, wild animals should exhibit greater skeletal mass and density than captive conspecifics. This expectation is pertinent to testing bone functional adaptation theories and to comparative studies, which commonly use skeletal remains that combine zoo and wild-caught specimens. Conservationists are also interested in the effects of captivity on bone morphology as it may influence rewilding success. We compared trabecular bone volume fraction (BVF) between wild and captive mountain lions, cheetahs, leopards and jaguars. We found significantly greater BVF in wild than in captive felids. Effects of captivity were more marked in the humerus than in the femur. A ratio of humeral/femoral BVF was also lower in captive animals and showed a positive relationship to home range size in wild animals. Results are consistent with greater forelimb than hindlimb loading during terrestrial travel, and possibly reduced loading of the forelimb associated with lack of predatory behaviour in captive animals. Thus, captivity among felids has general effects on BVF in the postcranial skeleton and location-specific effects related to limb use. Caution should be exercised when identifying skeletal specimens for use in comparative studies and when rearing animals for conservation purposes.
Facile synthesis of Cu
2
O nanorods in the presence of NaCl by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method and its characterizations
Authors: Hossain Md Alauddin , Farhad Syed Farid Uddin , Tanvir Nazmul Islam , Chang Jang Hyo , Rahman Mohammad Atiqur , Tanaka Tooru , Guo Qixin , Uddin Jamal , Majed Patwary Md Abdul
Published: March 2022

Cuprous oxide (Cu
2
O) nanorods have been deposited on soda-lime glass substrates by the modified successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction technique by varying the concentration of NaCl electrolyte into the precursor complex solution. The structural, electrical and optical properties of synthesized Cu
2
O nanorod films have been studied by a variety of characterization tools. Structural analyses by X-ray diffraction confirmed the polycrystalline Cu
2
O phase with (111) preferential growth. Raman scattering spectroscopic measurements conducted at room temperature also showed characteristic peaks of the pure Cu
2
O phase. The surface resistivity of the Cu
2
O nanorod films decreased from 15 142 to 685 Ω.cm with the addition of NaCl from 0 to 4 mmol and then exhibited an opposite trend with further addition of NaCl. The optical bandgap of the synthesized Cu
2
O nanorod films was observed as 1.88–2.36 eV, while the temperature-dependent activation energies of the Cu
2
O films were measured as about 0.14–0.21 eV. Scanning electron microscope morphologies demonstrated Cu
2
O nanorods as well as closely packed spherical grains with the alteration of NaCl concentration. The Cu
2
O phase of nanorods was found stable up to 230°C corroborating the optical bandgap results of the same. The film fabricated in presence of 4 mmol of NaCl showed the lowest resistivity and activation energy as well as comparatively uniform nanorod morphology. Our studies demonstrate that the nominal presence of NaCl electrolytes in the precursor solutions has a significant impact on the physical properties of Cu
2
O nanorod films which could be beneficial in optoelectronic research.
Acinetobacter baumannii sampled from cattle and pigs represent novel clones
Authors: Mateo-Estrada Valeria , Vali Leila , Hamouda Ahmed , Evans Benjamin A. , Castillo-Ramírez Santiago
Published: March 2022

Acinetobacter baumannii is a very important human pathogen. Nonetheless, we know very little about non-human isolates of A. baumannii. Here we determine the genomic identity of 15 cattle and pig isolates, as well their antibiotic and virulence genetic determinants, and compare them to the main human clinical international clones.
Characterization of the growth and morphology of a BSL-2 Coccidioides posadasii strain that persists in the parasitic life cycle at ambient CO2
Authors: Garcia Javier A. , Vu Kiem , Thompson George R. , Gelli Angie
Published: March 2022

Coccidioides is a dimorphic fungus responsible for Valley Fever and is the cause of severe morbidity and mortality in the infected population. Although there is some insight into the genes, pathways, and growth media involved in the parasitic to saprophytic growth transition, the exact determinants that govern this switch are largely unknown. In this work, we examined the growth and morphology of a novel Coccidioides posadasii strain (C. posadasii S/E) that efficiently produces spherules and endospores and persists in the parasitic life cycle at ambient CO2. We demonstrated that C. posadasii S/E remains virulent in an insect infection model. Surprisingly, under spherule-inducing conditions, C. posadasii S/E culture was found to be completely hyphal. Differential interference contrast (DIC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed unexpected cellular changes in this strain including cell wall remodeling and formation of septal pores with Woronin bodies. Our study suggests that the C. posadasii S/E strain is a useful BSL-2 model for studying the molecular factors that are active during the parasitic life cycle and the mechanisms underlying the parasitic to saprophytic growth transition – a morphological switch that can impact the pathogenicity of the organism in the host.
Accounting for cis-regulatory constraint prioritizes genes likely to affect species-specific traits
Authors: Starr Alexander L. , Gokhman David , Fraser Hunter B.
Published: March 2022

Measuring allele-specific expression in interspecies hybrids is a powerful way to detect cis-regulatory changes underlying adaptation. However, it remains difficult to identify genes most likely to explain species-specific traits. Here, we outline a simple strategy that leverages population-scale allele-specific RNA-seq data to identify genes that have constrained cis- regulation within species yet show divergence between species. Applying this strategy to data from human-chimpanzee hybrid cortical spheroids, we identify signatures of lineage-specific selection on genes related to cellular proliferation, speech, and glucose metabolism. We also highlight cis-regulatory divergence in CUX1 and EDNRB that may shape the unique trajectory of human brain development.
GC content, but not nucleosome positioning, directly contributes to intron splicing efficiency in Paramecium
Authors: Gnan Stefano , Matelot Mélody , Weiman Marion , Arnaiz Olivier , Guérin Frédéric , Sperling Linda , Bétermier Mireille , Thermes Claude , Chen Chun-Long , Duharcourt Sandra
Published: March 2022

Eukaryotic genes are interrupted by introns that must be accurately spliced from mRNA precursors. With an average length of 25 nt, the more than 90,000 introns of Paramecium tetraurelia stand among the shortest introns reported in eukaryotes. The mechanisms specifying the correct recognition of these tiny introns remain poorly understood. Splicing can occur cotranscriptionally, and it has been proposed that chromatin structure might influence splice site recognition. To investigate the roles of nucleosome positioning in intron recognition, we determined the nucleosome occupancy along the P. tetraurelia genome. We show that P. tetraurelia displays a regular nucleosome array with a nucleosome repeat length of ∼151 bp, among the smallest periodicities reported. Our analysis has revealed that introns are frequently associated with inter-nucleosomal DNA, pointing to an evolutionary constraint favoring introns at the AT-rich nucleosome edge sequences. Using accurate splicing efficiency data from cells depleted for nonsense-mediated decay effectors, we show that introns located at the edge of nucleosomes display higher splicing efficiency than those at the center. However, multiple regression analysis indicates that the low GC content of introns, rather than nucleosome positioning, is associated with high splicing efficiency. Our data reveal a complex link between GC content, nucleosome positioning, and intron evolution in Paramecium.
Optogenetic and thermogenetic manipulation of defined neural circuits and behaviors in Drosophila
Authors: Honda Takato
Published: March 2022

Neural network dynamics underlying flexible animal behaviors remain elusive. The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is considered an excellent model in behavioral neuroscience because of its simple neuroanatomical architecture and the availability of various genetic methods. Moreover, Drosophila larvae's transparent body allows investigators to use optical methods on freely moving animals, broadening research directions. Activating or inhibiting well-defined events in excitable cells with a fine temporal resolution using optogenetics and thermogenetics led to the association of functions of defined neural populations with specific behavioral outputs such as the induction of associative memory. Furthermore, combining optogenetics and thermogenetics with state-of-the-art approaches, including connectome mapping and machine learning-based behavioral quantification, might provide a complete view of the experience- and time-dependent variations of behavioral responses. These methodologies allow further understanding of the functional connections between neural circuits and behaviors such as chemosensory, motivational, courtship, and feeding behaviors and sleep, learning, and memory.