bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measurement of a radial flow profile with eddy current flow meters and deep neural networks
*
Authors: Gall Grayson , Lau Cornwall , Varma Venu , Cetiner Sacit , Ottinger Dustin
Published: December 2022

Eddy current flow meters (ECFMs) measure flows of conductive fluids. Recent interest in ECFMs has increased due to applications in advanced nuclear reactors. ECFMs are well suited for such applications, as they can provide non-invasive measurements of flow in fluids that are often difficult to measure. Traditionally, ECFMs are operated using an alternating current at a single frequency, limiting ECFMs to measure average fluid velocities, blockages, or voids. We expand the capabilities of ECFMs by measuring the fluid radial velocity profile of liquid mercury. To accomplish this, we made several ECFM sensitivity measurements at a range of frequencies. Different frequencies vary the electromagnetic skin depth of the device. By adjusting frequencies, we probed the fluid velocity at various radial locations and constructed a flow-velocity profile. The relationship between the ECFM measurements and velocity profile is nonlinear and requires solving an inverse problem. Using electromagnetic finite-element simulations to train a deep neural network (DNN), we created a model that provides a stable general relationship between the sensitivity measurements of an ECFM and the fluid velocity profile. Using ECFM measurements of liquid mercury, our DNN model calculates a flow profile that agrees well with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. This technique has potential to improve flow monitoring for optimization, safe operation of conductive fluid loops, and/or validating complex CFD models.
2D mapping of radiation dose and clonogenic survival for accurate assessment of in vitro X-ray GRID irradiation effects
Authors: Arous Delmon , Lie Jacob Larsen , Håland Bjørg Vårli , Børsting Magnus , Edin Nina Frederike Jeppesen , Malinen Eirik
Published: December 2022

Spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT or GRID) is an approach to deliver high local radiation doses in an ‘on-off’ pattern. To better appraise the radiobiological effects from GRID, a framework to link local radiation dose to clonogenic survival needs to be developed. A549 lung cancer cells were irradiated in T25 cm2 flasks using 220 kV x-rays with an open field or through a tungsten GRID collimator with periodical 5 mm openings and 10 mm blockings. Delivered nominal doses were 2, 5, and 10 Gy. A novel approach for image segmentation was used to locate the centroid of surviving colonies in scanned images of the cell flasks. GafchromicTM film dosimetry (GFD) and FLUKA Monte Carlo (MC) simulations were employed to map the dose at each surviving colony centroid. Fitting the linear-quadratic (LQ) function to clonogenic survival data for open field irradiation, the expected survival level at a given dose level was calculated. The expected survival levels were then mapped together with the observed levels in the GRID-irradiated flasks. GFD and FLUKA MC gave similar dose distributions, with a mean peak-to-valley dose ratio of about 5. LQ-parameters for open field irradiation gave

α
=
0.24
±
0.02

Gy−1 and

β
=
0.019
±
0.002

Gy−2. The mean relative percentage deviation between observed and predicted survival in the (peak; valley) dose regions was (4.6; 3.1) %, (26.6; −1.0) %, and (129.8; −2.3) % for 2, 5 and 10 Gy, respectively. In conclusion, a framework for mapping of surviving colonies following GRID irradiation together with predicted survival levels from homogeneous irradiation was presented. For the given cell line, our findings indicate that GRID irradiation causes reduced survival in the peak regions compared to an open field configuration.
Comparison of automated full-body bone metastases delineation methods and their corresponding prognostic power
Authors: Schott Brayden , Weisman Amy J , Perk Timothy G , Roth Alison R , Liu Glenn , Jeraj Robert
Published: December 2022

Objective. Manual disease delineation in full-body imaging of patients with multiple metastases is often impractical due to high disease burden. However, this is a clinically relevant task as quantitative image techniques assessing individual metastases, while limited, have been shown to be predictive of treatment outcome. The goal of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of deep learning-based methods for full-body delineation of skeletal metastases and to compare their performance to existing methods in terms of disease delineation accuracy and prognostic power. Approach. 1833 suspicious lesions on 37 18F-NaF PET/CT scans of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) were contoured and classified as malignant, equivocal, or benign by a nuclear medicine physician. Two convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures (DeepMedic and nnUNet) were trained to delineate malignant disease regions with and without three-model ensembling. Malignant disease contours using previously established methods were obtained. The performance of each method was assessed in terms of four different tasks: (1) detection, (2) segmentation, (3) PET SUV metric correlations with physician-based data, and (4) prognostic power of progression-free survival. Main Results. The nnUnet three-model ensemble achieved superior detection performance with a mean (+/- standard deviation) sensitivity of 82.9

±

ccc 0.1% at the selected operating point. The nnUnet single and three-model ensemble achieved comparable segmentation performance with a mean Dice coefficient of 0.80

±
0
.

12 and 0.79

±
0
.

12, respectively, both outperforming other methods. The nnUNet ensemble achieved comparable or superior SUV metric correlation performance to gold-standard data. Despite superior disease delineation performance, the nnUNet methods did not display superior prognostic power over other methods. Significance. This work showed that CNN-based (nnUNet) methods are superior to the non-CNN methods for mCRPC disease delineation in full-body 18F-NaF PET/CT. The CNN-based methods, however, do not hold greater prognostic power for predicting clinical outcome. This merits more investigation on the optimal selection of delineation methods for specific clinical tasks.
Probabilistic resumable quantum teleportation for an arbitrary two-qubit entangled state with different quantum channels
Authors: Meng Zuan , Zhang Shi-Feng , Cheng Liu-Yong , Wang Hong-Fu
Published: December 2022

We propose two probabilistic resumable quantum teleportation schemes for an arbitrary two-qubit entangled state with different quantum channels. The characteristic of our schemes is that the initial state in the sender’s hand can be recovered instead of being destroyed when teleportation fails, so we can improve the success probabilities by repeating the teleportation process more times. The analysis results show that the number of repetitions required for successful teleportation depends on the entanglement strength of the quantum channels, and even weak entanglement enables a high probability of success.
Tracer particle in a confined correlated medium: an adiabatic elimination method
Authors: Venturelli Davide , Gross Markus
Published: December 2022

We present a simple and systematic procedure to determine the effective dynamics of a Brownian particle coupled to a rapidly fluctuating correlated medium, modeled as a scalar Gaussian field, under spatial confinement. The method allows us, in particular, to address the case in which the fluctuations of the medium are suppressed in the vicinity of the particle, as described by a quadratic coupling in the underlying Hamiltonian. As a consequence of the confinement of the correlated medium, the resulting effective Fokker–Planck equation features spatially dependent drift and diffusion coefficients. We apply our method to simplified fluid models of binary mixtures and microemulsions near criticality containing a colloidal particle, and we analyze the corrections to the stationary distribution of the particle position and the diffusion coefficient.
Where to leave fossil fuels underground? A multi-criteria analysis to identify unburnable carbon areas in the Ecuadorian Amazon region
Authors: Codato Daniele , Pappalardo Salvatore E , Facchinelli Francesco , Murmis Maria R , Larrea Carlos , Marchi Massimo De
Published: December 2022

Despite the ongoing impacts of climate change around the world, fossil fuels continue to drive the global economy. The socio-environmental impacts of oil development at the local level are widely recognized, especially in high biocultural diversity areas, highlighting the need to develop and implement effective policies that protect both biodiversity and human rights. In consideration of the estimated remaining carbon budget to limit global warming at 1.5 °C, as well as Ecuador’s past attempts at limiting carbon extraction through the Yasuni-ITT Initiative, we adopt a new framework to identify ‘unburnable carbon areas’ with the goal of eventually phasing out fossil fuels. In the Ecuadorian Amazon—one of Earth’s high-biodiversity wilderness areas and home to uncontacted indigenous populations—50 years of widespread oil production is jeopardizing tropical ecosystems. Using the Ecuadorian Amazon as a paradigmatic case study, our research explores the feasibility of implementing energy transition paths based on unburnable carbon areas through spatial multicriteria decision analysis that is based on different approaches to territory management. We modeled interactions between oil development and areas with high biocultural sensitivities using environmental, socio-cultural, and oil-related geospatial information. We found that, for all simulations, concessions that should remain unburnable are mainly located in the south-central sector of Ecuadorian Amazon, surrounding the Yasuní National Park and the intangible zone for uncontacted indigenous people, where no reserves have been identified and oil infrastructure (wells, pipelines, etc) has not been deployed. In the Northern sector, particularly along the ‘Auca’ oil road system, the eventual continuation of fossil production requires best practices to minimize environmental impacts and respect human rights. Our spatial multicriteria approach based on geographical criteria can be replicated in different place contexts to explore different scenarios for effective climate mitigation policies.
Urban vegetation cooling potential during heatwaves depends on background climate
Authors: Zhao Jiacheng , Meili Naika , Zhao Xiang , Fatichi Simone
Published: December 2022

The capacity of vegetation to mitigate excessive urban heat has been well documented. However, the cooling potential provided by urban vegetation during heatwaves is less known even though heatwaves have been projected to be more severe with climate change. Across 24 global metropolises, we combine 30 m resolution satellite observations with a theoretical leaf energy balance model to quantify the change of the leaf-to-air temperature difference and stomatal conductance during heatwaves from 2000 to 2020. We found the responses of urban vegetation to heatwaves differ significantly across cities and they are mediated by climate forcing and human management. During heatwaves, vegetation in Mediterranean and midlatitude-humid cities shows a significant decrease in cooling potential in most cases due to large stomatal closures, while vegetation in arid cities shows a cooling enhancement with an unmodified stomatal opening likely in response to intense irrigation. In comparison, the cooling potential of vegetation in high-latitude humid cities does not show significant changes. These responses have implications for future urban vegetation management strategies and urban planning.
Windthrow characteristics and their regional association with rainfall, soil, and surface elevation in the Amazon
Authors: Negron-Juarez Robinson , Magnabosco-Marra Daniel , Feng Yanlei , Urquiza-Muñoz Jose David , Riley William J , Chambers Jeffrey Q
Published: December 2022

Windthrows (trees uprooted and broken by winds) are common across the Amazon. They range in size from single trees to large gaps that lead to changes in forest dynamics, composition, structure, and carbon balance. Yet, the current understanding of the spatial variability of windthrows is limited. By integrating remote sensing data and geospatial analysis, we present the first study to examine the occurrence, area, and direction of windthrows and the control that environmental variables exert on them across the whole Amazon. Windthrows are more frequent and larger in the northwestern Amazon (Peru and Colombia), with the central Amazon (Brazil) being another hot spot of windthrows. The predominant direction of windthrows is westward. Rainfall, surface elevation, and soil characteristics explain the variability (20%–50%) of windthrows but their effects vary regionally. A better understanding of the spatial dynamics of windthrows will improve understanding of the functioning of Amazon forests.
Influence of neutral gas supply position on wall erosion of Hall thruster studied by particle-in-cell simulation
Authors: CAO Xifeng , XIA Guojun , LIU Hui , CHEN Juhui , YU Daren
Published: December 2022

In this work, we have carried out a simulation study on the discharge process of Hall thrusters under the conditions of different neutral gas radial supply positions based on the particle-in-cell (PIC) and Monte Carlo collision (MCC) methods. This paper compares the two-dimensional (2D) distributions of neutral gas, plasma and wall erosion-related parameters under different neutral gas supply positions. The comparison results show that the change of the neutral gas supply position affects the radial distribution uniformity of the neutral gas and plasma in the channel. From the comparison of the density peaks, it can be found that the neutral gas density and the plasma density peak under the upper gas supply condition are relatively low, and the plasma density peak is 22.49% lower than the density peak under the middle gas supply condition. Meanwhile, as the radial position of the gas supply moves from the lower gas supply to the upper gas supply, the position of the ionization zone also gradually moves toward the anode. The results of erosion-related parameter distribution comparison show that the change of gas supply location has an obvious influence on erosion rate and erosion range. In terms of erosion rate, the wall erosion rate is relatively low under the upper gas supply condition, and the peak erosion rates of the inner and outer walls are 33.3% and 29.9% lower than those under the other two conditions. In terms of erosion range, as the gas supply position moves from the lower gas supply position to the upper gas supply position, the erosion range gradually increases from 5 to 7.5 mm.
Continua of steadily rotating stars
Authors: Strauss Walter
Published: December 2022

This article is a brief survey of mathematical work, joint with Yilun Wu and Juhi Jang, on models of stars and galaxies. It is a sequel to the survey article by Yilun Wu [Quart. Appl. Math. 78 (2020), pp. 147–159]. The models consider rotating stars (or galaxies or gaseous planets) as composed of particles subject to gravity. Under appropriate conditions, global families of isentropic steadily rotating stars are shown to exist. Local families are also shown to exist even in the presence of variable entropy and arbitrary axisymmetric angular velocity.
Mood and physical activity are associated with appetite in hospitalised older men and women
Authors: Cox Natalie J , Howson Fiona , Ibrahim Kinda , Morrison Leanne , Sayer Avan A , Roberts Helen C , Robinson Sian M
Published: December 2022

Background

The anorexia of ageing is important in the development of malnutrition, frailty and sarcopenia amongst the older population and is a particular problem for hospital inpatients. This study assessed appetite-related factors in a group of hospitalised older adults, to identify potential preventive strategies.

Design

Cross sectional observational study.

Setting

Eleven wards in one large hospital in England.

Subjects

Older inpatients aged ≥70 years, admitted non-electively.

Methods

Appetite was assessed using the four-item Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ). Associations between SNAQ score and appetite-related factors present in the dataset were assessed in continuous analyses, including habitual physical activity, mood, medication, cognition and living circumstances.

Results

200 participants, mean age of 80.7 years (SD 6.9); 40% were women. Prevalence of poor appetite was 43%. In univariate analyses, lower medication count, higher habitual physical activity and better mood were associated with higher SNAQ scores during admission. In a multivariate analysis, independent associations of higher habitual physical activity and better mood with higher SNAQ scores during hospital admission remained.

Conclusion

In this group of older adults, better mood and higher habitual physical activity were independently associated with better appetite during hospital admission. These are potentially modifiable factors and could be targets for future research into interventions for the anorexia of ageing in the hospitalised older population.
Effects of a 12-week Vivifrail exercise program on intrinsic capacity among frail cognitively impaired community-dwelling older adults: secondary analysis of a multicentre randomised clinical trial
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Juan Luis , de Souto Barreto Philipe , Antón-Rodrigo Iván , Ramón-Espinoza Fernanda , Marín-Epelde Itxaso , Sánchez-Latorre Marina , Moral-Cuesta Débora , Casas-Herrero Álvaro
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The World Health Organisation recently defined the construct of intrinsic capacity (IC), a function-based marker of older adult’s health encompassing all mental and physical capacities of the individual. Multicomponent physical exercise (MCE) is a potential intervention capable to maintain/increase IC at older age; however, evidence is scarce on the effects of MCE on IC in cognitively impaired pre-frail/frail older adults.

Methods

Secondary analyses of a randomised clinical trial. One hundred and eighty-eight older outpatients (age = 84.06 ± 4.77, 70.2% women) presenting with pre-frailty/frailty (according to Fried Criteria) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/mild dementia were recruited in the Geriatric clinics of three tertiary hospitals in Spain. Subjects were randomised to participate in the 12-week home-based individualised Vivifrail MCE or usual care. An IC index was created based on the z-score of the locomotion (Short Physical Performance Battery), cognitive (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), psychology (15-item Geriatric Depression Scale Yesavage) and vitality (handgrip strength) domains.

Results

After the 3-month intervention, linear mixed models showed significant between-group differences in the evolution of the IC composite score (β=0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.24, 0.74; P < 0.001), IC Locomotion (β = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.10, 0.74; P < 0.001), IC Cognition (β = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.03, 0.87; P < 0.05) and IC Vitality domains (β = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.25, 0.74 at 3-month) favouring the MCE group.

Conclusions

The 12-week Vivifrail multicomponent exercise program is an effective strategy to enhance IC, especially in terms of locomotion, cognition and vitality IC domains in community-dwelling older adults with pre-frailty/frailty and MCI/mild dementia, compared to usual care.
Cooperation of structural motifs controls drug selectivity in cyclin-dependent kinases: an advanced theoretical analysis
Authors: Wang Lingling , Xu Lei , Wang Zhe , Hou Tingjun , Hao Haiping , Sun Huiyong
Published: December 2022

Understanding drug selectivity mechanism is a long-standing issue for helping design drugs with high specificity. Designing drugs targeting cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) with high selectivity is challenging because of their highly conserved binding pockets. To reveal the underlying general selectivity mechanism, we carried out comprehensive analyses from both the thermodynamics and kinetics points of view on a representative CDK12 inhibitor. To fully capture the binding features of the drug-target recognition process, we proposed to use kinetic residue energy analysis (KREA) in conjunction with the community network analysis (CNA) to reveal the underlying cooperation effect between individual residues/protein motifs to the binding/dissociating process of the ligand. The general mechanism of drug selectivity in CDKs can be summarized as that the difference of structural cooperation between the ligand and the protein motifs leads to the difference of the energetic contribution of the key residues to the ligand. The proposed mechanisms may be prevalent in drug selectivity issues, and the insights may help design new strategies to overcome/attenuate the drug selectivity associated problems.
Long-term post-traumatic growth after natural disasters: A scoping review of contextual influences
Authors: Nguyen Hanh , Pope David , Harms Louise
Published: December 2022

Social work is invested in supporting positive change for individuals and communities grappling with natural disasters within a changing climate. This scoping review investigated the extent, range and nature of longitudinal research examining contextual influences on experiences of post-traumatic growth (PTG) following a natural disaster. Literature searches of four databases were conducted from December 2021 to April 2022 to identify thirty-two longitudinal studies. Thematic analysis identified themes relating to the impacts of contextual factors on experiences of individual growth, across relational, social, structural and time dimensions. The quality and quantity of relational and social support were found to be significant in facilitating growth; these findings have important implications for social work practice in disaster recovery, which utilises a person-in-environment lens to strengthen the contextual resources that support positive changes. Other contextual factors that may influence PTG, including structural, cultural and time factors, remain understudied. In advocating for a critical person-in-environment approach, social work is uniquely positioned to move beyond existing individualistic conceptualisations and contribute a more holistic understanding of growth to enhance future disaster recovery interventions.
Macrophage polarization in diabetic wound healing
Authors: Wu Xingqian , He Wenjie , Mu Xingrui , Liu Ye , Deng Junyu , Liu Yiqiu , Nie Xuqiang
Published: December 2022

Impaired wound healing is one of the severe complications of diabetes. Macrophages have been shown to play a vital role in wound healing. In different wound environments, macrophages are classified into two phenotypes: classically activated macrophages and alternatively activated macrophages. Dysregulation of macrophage phenotypes leads to severely impaired wound healing in diabetes. Particularly, uncontrolled inflammation and abnormal macrophage phenotype are important reasons hindering the closure of diabetic wounds. This article reviews the functions of macrophages at various stages of wound healing, the relationship between macrophage phenotypic dysregulation and diabetic wound healing and the mechanism of macrophage polarization in diabetic wound healing. New therapeutic drugs targeting phagocyte polarization to promote the healing of diabetic wounds might provide a new strategy for treating chronic diabetic wound healing.
“White at heart”: making race in Marine Corps recruitment advertising
Authors: Favara Jeremiah , Brinson Clark
Published: December 2022

Focusing on interviews with advertising professionals, this article identifies racialized logics at work in the cultural production of United States Marine Corps recruitment advertisements and reads them as crucial contributors to the late-stage war on terror as a racial project. Characterized by the emergence of post-racial discourses, an ongoing commitment to warfare, and an embrace of diversity and inclusion within the U.S. military as hallmarks of American exceptionalism, the late-stage war on terror was represented in recruiting ads as a war fought by a racially representative Marine Corps dedicated to benevolence. Identifying primary themes through which race was constructed and contested in Corps recruitment advertising between 2012 and 2016, this article makes visible the processes through which racial ideologies manifest in cultural production. Though seemingly guided by a commitment to inclusion, the production of recruitment materials consolidated Whiteness while making limited space for the representation of a racially diverse military.
Beyond badhombres,mamacitas, and borders: rethinking representation ofMexicanidadin 2017 animationCoco
Authors: Dosch Emily A , Khrebtan-Hörhager Julia
Published: December 2022

The release of Coco in 2017 came as a cultural reaffirmation for many Mexicans who have previously seen themselves represented in animation as heavily-accented maids or comedic sidekicks included to forward the narrative of the White hero. Coco brought to screen the first animated Disney feature film with a Mexican protagonist. If previous animated Latinx representation has consistently relied on the same repeated archetypes (bandidos, bad hombres, machos, the constantly pregnant Latina, etc.), Coco took a different approach: celebrating mestizaje and contradictions of Mexican identities, and embracing a culturally nuanced portrayal of Mexicanidad. We explore how exactly those contradictions and paradoxes happen, and what they mean for the affected community. We argue that Coco subverts negative, narrow stereotypes by highlighting the complexities of Mexicanidad, while simultaneously paving the way for improved Latinx representation in children’s animation.
Metabolomics-Based Identification of Metabolic Dysfunction in Frailty
Authors: Westbrook Reyhan , Zhang Cissy , Yang Huanle , Tian Jing , Guo Shenghao , Xue Qian-Li , Walston Jeremy , Le Anne , Abadir Peter M
Published: December 2022

Dysregulation of energy producing metabolic pathways has been observed in older adults with frailty. In this study, we used liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry technology to identify aging- and frailty-related differences in metabolites involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic (TCA) cycle, and other energy metabolism-related pathways in the serum of a cohort of community-dwelling adults aged 20–97 (n = 146). We also examined the relationship between serum levels of metabolites and functional measures, physical frailty, and risk status for adverse health outcomes. We observed elevated levels of TCA cycle and glycolytic intermediates in frail subjects; however, the differences in the levels of ATP and other energy metabolites between young, nonfrail, and frail adults were not significant. Instead, we found that serum levels of neurotransmitters N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate, glutamate, and γ-aminobutyric acid were significantly elevated in older adults with frailty. These elevations of glycolytic and TCA cycle intermediates, and neurotransmitters may be part of the biological signature of frailty.
SlMYB72 affects pollen development by regulating autophagy in tomato
Authors: Wu Mengbo , Zhang Qiongdan , Wu Guanle , Zhang Lu , Xu Xin , Hu Xiaowei , Gong Zehao , Chen Yulin , Li Zhengguo , Li Honghai , Deng Wei
Published: December 2022

The formation and development of pollen are among the most critical processes for reproduction and genetic diversity in the life cycle of flowering plants. The present study found that SlMYB72 was highly expressed in the pollen and tapetum of tomato flowers. Downregulation of SlMYB72 led to a decrease in the amounts of seeds due to abnormal pollen development compared with wild-type plants. Downregulation of SlMYB72 delayed tapetum degradation and inhibited autophagy in tomato anther. Overexpression of SlMYB72 led to abnormal pollen development and delayed tapetum degradation. Expression levels of some autophagy-related genes (ATGs) were decreased in SlMYB72 downregulated plants and increased in overexpression plants. SlMYB72 was directly bound to ACCAAC/ACCAAA motif of the SlATG7 promoter and activated its expression. Downregulation of SlATG7 inhibited the autophagy process and tapetum degradation, resulting in abnormal pollen development in tomatoes. These results indicated SlMYB72 affects the tapetum degradation and pollen development by transcriptional activation of SlATG7 and autophagy in tomato anther. The study expands the understanding of the regulation of autophagy by SlMYB72, uncovers the critical role that autophagy plays in pollen development, and provides potential candidate genes for the production of male-sterility in plants.
Effectiveness of Vitamin D Supplementation on Disease Course in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Authors: Valvano Marco , Magistroni Marco , Cesaro Nicola , Carlino Giorgio , Monaco Sabrina , Fabiani Stefano , Vinci Antonio , Vernia Filippo , Viscido Angelo , Latella Giovanni
Published: December 2022

Background

The vitamin D role in bone metabolism is well known; however, recent evidence suggests the impact of vitamin D in immune modulation and its implications in immune-mediated diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Method

We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis by a specific protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42022311184; March 2022, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=311184). Randomized clinical trials involving IBD patients treated with vitamin D supplementation, compared with placebo, that evaluated the risk of clinical relapse and disease activity were included. Literature search was performed using Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane CENTRAL through January 2022.

Results

Out of 1448 articles, 12 (11 full-texts and 1 abstract) were included. Seven randomized clinical trials reported data on the clinical relapse as dichotomous outcome, while 7 studies reported data on disease activity expressed as continuous variables. The pooled risk ratio of clinical relapse was 0.64 (95% confidence interval, 0.46-0.89; I2 = 25%) among 458 IBD patients. However, this seems to be solid only in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. In fact, only 2 studies, involving 67 patients with ulcerative colitis, were included in the analysis. CD patients in clinical remission had a strong significant risk reduction in clinical relapse (risk ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.82; I2 = 0%), suggesting that it could be a specific subgroup with maximum clinical benefit of vitamin D supplementation.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis shows that vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk of clinical relapse in IBD patients, especially in CD patients in clinical remission. In a subgroup analysis, it was not significant (due to small number of studies and low number of patients), and well-powered studies are needed, in particular for ulcerative colitis patients.
Turtles, TEDs, tuna, dolphins, and diffusion of innovations: key drivers of adoption of bycatch reduction devices
Authors: Jenkins Lekelia D
Published: December 2022

Fisheries extension programmes frequently fail to secure mandatory or voluntary adoption of bycatch reduction devices and techniques. Approaches for improving the outcomes of extension programmes are often based on ad hoc assessments and do not consider human behaviour or change theories. This paper offers an in-depth analysis of extension activities that led to various adoption outcomes in two prominent bycatch case studies in the United States: turtle excluder devices in shrimp trawl fisheries and dolphin bycatch in the tuna purse seine fishery. Using a grounded theory approach to text analysis of interviews and documents, I examine five periods of voluntary or mandatory adoption efforts. I explain the outcomes through the lens of diffusion of innovation theory. The most effective extension programme involved informative and persuasive efforts, enforced regulations, and commercially practical bycatch reduction devices. Voluntary adoption occurred under exceptional circumstances of public and political pressure and a device that offered substantial benefits to the adopter. The two periods of successful adoption applied the most core principles of diffusion theory. This paper concludes with recommendations for how change agents can apply diffusion theory to future fisheries extension programmes to improve the adoption of bycatch reduction devices.
Manufacture and Characterization of Good Manufacturing Practice-Compliant SARS-COV-2 Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Authors: Chu Yaya , Milner Jordan , Lamb Margaret , Maryamchik Elena , Rigot Olivia , Ayello Janet , Harrison Lauren , Shaw Rosemarie , Behbehani Gregory K , Mardis Elaine R , Miller Katherine , Prakruthi Rao Venkata Lakshmi , Chang Hsiaochi , Lee Dean , Rosenthal Elana , Kadauke Stephan , Bunin Nancy , Talano Julie-An , Johnson Bryon , Wang Yongping , Cairo Mitchell S
Published: December 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2 virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell lymphocytes (vCTLs) could provide a promising modality in COVID-19 treatment. We aimed to screen, manufacture, and characterize SARS-CoV-2–vCTLs generated from convalescent COVID-19 donors using the CliniMACS Cytokine Capture System (CCS).

Methods

Donor screening was done by stimulation of convalescent COVID-19 donor peripheral blood mononuclear cells with viral peptides and identification of interferonγ (IFN-γ)+ CD4 and CD8 T cells using flow cytometry. Clinical-grade SARS-CoV-2–vCTLs were manufactured using the CliniMACS CCS. The enriched SARS-CoV-2–vCTLs were characterized by T-cell receptor sequencing, mass cytometry, and transcriptome analysis.

Results

Of the convalescent donor blood samples, 93% passed the screening criteria for clinical manufacture. Three validation runs resulted in enriched T cells that were 79% (standard error of the mean 21%) IFN-γ+ T cells. SARS-CoV-2–vCTLs displayed a highly diverse T-cell receptor repertoire with enhancement of both memory CD8 and CD4 T cells, especially in CD8 TEM, CD4 TCM, and CD4 TEMRA cell subsets. SARS-CoV-2–vCTLs were polyfunctional with increased gene expression in T-cell function, interleukin, pathogen defense, and tumor necrosis factor superfamily pathways.

Conclusions

Highly functional SARS-CoV-2–vCTLs can be rapidly generated by direct cytokine enrichment (12 hours) from convalescent donors.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT04896606.
An Interactive Design Framework for Children’s Apps for Enhancing Emotional Experience
Authors: Chen Kaiqing
Published: December 2022

Young children’s user experiences of educational applications (apps) can potentially support their cognitive development and improve the quality of parent–child relationships. However, to realize such potential, app designers must consider children’s emotional needs. Through a comprehensive review of the relevant literature, this paper develops an interactive design framework that can trigger three positive emotions, which is then used as a scale to conduct a design analysis of 72 apps available on the Australian and Chinese Apple App Store. We found that the interactive design scale based on emotional design is feasible; and an interactive design method that focuses on emotions affects the emotional benefits of parent–child users from apps and obtaining higher user ratings. It is thus demonstrated that paying attention to these design criteria will affect the emotional benefits young children receive from apps, thereby increasing users’ interest and support for the product. Lastly, we discuss the implications of improving the methods emotional experience and encourage future designers to bridge the gap between research and practice.
Active social media use and its impact on well-being — an experimental study on the effects of posting pictures on Instagram
Authors: Krause Hannes-Vincent , große Deters Fenne , Baumann Annika , Krasnova Hanna
Published: December 2022

Active use of social networking sites (SNSs) has long been assumed to benefit users’ well-being. However, this established hypothesis is increasingly being challenged, with scholars criticizing its lack of empirical support and the imprecise conceptualization of active use. Nevertheless, with considerable heterogeneity among existing studies on the hypothesis and causal evidence still limited, a final verdict on its robustness is still pending. To contribute to this ongoing debate, we conducted a week-long randomized control trial with N = 381 adult Instagram users recruited via Prolific. Specifically, we tested how active SNS use, operationalized as picture postings on Instagram, affects different dimensions of well-being. The results depicted a positive effect on users’ positive affect but null findings for other well-being outcomes. The findings broadly align with the recent criticism against the active use hypothesis and support the call for a more nuanced view on the impact of SNSs.
Whose media freedom is being defended? Norm contestation in international media freedom campaigns
Authors: Scott Martin , Bunce Mel , Myers Mary , Fernandez Maria Carmen
Published: December 2022

This article analyses how international advocacy campaigns approach and define media freedom, and what influences this process. It does this through a two-year case study of the Media Freedom Coalition—an intergovernmental partnership of over 50 countries—that included 55 interviews with key stakeholders, observations, and document analysis. This revelatory case sheds light on how norms of media freedom are constructed and contested on the international stage, and their implications for journalists, media freedom and geo-politics. We show that the Coalition adopted a state-centric, accountability-focused, and negative understanding of media freedom. This discourse legitimized a narrow, reactive, and “resource-light” approach to supporting media freedom, focused on “other” countries. We argue that critical norm research provides a helpful prism for understanding this Coalition’s operations, and the global politics of media freedom more generally. These findings have important implications for understandings of “norm entrepreneurship,” “media imperialism,” and “media freedom” itself.
Extended salvage surgery after high-dose chemoradiation therapy for tumors in the cervico-thoracic junction with invasion of the chest wall and the spine: a case series
Authors: Wiendieck Kurt , Dörfler Arnd , Sommer Björn
Published: December 2022

The treatment of malignant tumors localized in the upper thoracic cavity and involving the spine at the cervico-thoracic junction (CTJ) is challenging. We report on three patients with malignant tumors invading the thoracic inlet and the spine at the CTJ. All three patients underwent radical tumor resection and 360° spine fusion following the posterior pedicle screw instrumentation and anterior vertebrectomy combined with implantation of an expandable titanium cage. Postoperatively, a mild paresis with hypesthesia of the ipsilateral arm occurred in one patient because of brachial plexus involvement. Two patients were still alive at last follow-up after 83 and 143 months, the third patient succumbed to tumor progression 13 months after extended salvage surgery. We display the possibilities of extended ‘salvage’ therapy in well-selected patients that were deemed hopeless regarding neurological function, biomechanical stability and tumor control after multiple courses of combined radio-chemotherapy.
Bilateral ureteroinguinal hernia into the scrotum repaired in a staged fashion
Authors: Beckermann Jason , Giese Drake , Rentzepis Michael , Johnson Christopher , Wildenberg Joseph
Published: December 2022

Bilateral ureteroinguinal hernia is a rare presentation with only five cases previously presented in the literature. We describe a 60-year-old male who was diagnosed with large bilateral hernias extending into the scrotum containing redundant ureters. Both hernias were repaired in staged fashion with retrograde temporary ureteral stent placement and modified Lichtenstein technique. Follow-up computerized tomography imaging with >5 years follow-up revealed intact repairs with no evidence of urinary obstruction.
High-Quality Genomes of Pangolins: Insights into the Molecular Basis of Scale Formation and Adaption to Myrmecophagous Diet
Authors: Yan Dingyu , Luo Xier , Tang Jiabin , Xu Shanghua , Huang Kongwei , Wang Xiaobo , Feng Tong , Que Tengcheng , Jia Miaomiao , Guo Xiaobing , Rehman Saif ur , Li Zhipeng , Yang Yufeng , Li Kaixiang , Cui Kuiqing , Ruan Jue , Liu Qingyou
Published: December 2022

Pangolins are one of nature's most fascinating species being scales covered and myrmecophagous diet, yet relatively little is known about the molecular basis. Here, we combine the multi-omics, evolution, and fundamental proteins feature analysis of both Chinese and Malayan pangolins, highlighting the molecular mechanism of both myrmecophagous diet and scale formation, representing a fascinating evolutionary strategy to occupy the unique ecological niches. In contrast to conserved organization of epidermal differentiation complex, pangolin has undergone large scale variation and gene loss events causing expression pattern and function conversion that contribute to cornified epithelium structures on stomach to adapt myrmecophagous diet. Our assemblies also enable us to discover large copies number of high glycine-tyrosine keratin–associated proteins (HGT-KRTAPs). In addition, highly homogenized tandem array, amino content, and the specific expression pattern further validate the strong connection between the molecular mechanism of scale hardness and HGT-KRTAPs.
Independent Evolution of Sex Chromosomes and Male Pregnancy–Related Genes in Two Seahorse Species
Authors: Long Xin , Charlesworth Deborah , Qi Jianfei , Wu Ruiqiong , Chen Meiling , Wang Zongji , Xu Luohao , Fu Honggao , Zhang Xueping , Chen Xinxin , He Libin , Zheng Leyun , Huang Zhen , Zhou Qi
Published: December 2022

Unlike birds and mammals, many teleosts have homomorphic sex chromosomes, and changes in the chromosome carrying the sex-determining locus, termed “turnovers”, are common. Recent turnovers allow studies of several interesting questions. One question is whether the new sex-determining regions evolve to become completely non-recombining, and if so, how and why. Another is whether (as predicted) evolutionary changes that benefit one sex accumulate in the newly sex-linked region. To study these questions, we analyzed the genome sequences of two seahorse species of the Syngnathidae, a fish group in which many species evolved a unique structure, the male brood pouch. We find that both seahorse species have XY sex chromosome systems, but their sex chromosome pairs are not homologs, implying that at least one turnover event has occurred. The Y-linked regions occupy 63.9% and 95.1% of the entire sex chromosome of the two species and do not exhibit extensive sequence divergence with their X-linked homologs. We find evidence for occasional recombination between the extant sex chromosomes that may account for their homomorphism. We argue that these Y-linked regions did not evolve by recombination suppression after the turnover, but by the ancestral nature of the low crossover rates in these chromosome regions. With such an ancestral crossover landscape, a turnover can instantly create an extensive Y-linked region. Finally, we test for adaptive evolution of male pouch–related genes after they became Y-linked in the seahorse.
Music Therapists’ Experiences of Therapeutic Relationships with Clients with Marginalized Gender Identities and Sexual Orientations
Authors: Biedka Sarah
Published: December 2022

This phenomenological inquiry investigated the ways in which music therapists perceive and discuss their music therapy relationships (MTRs) with people with marginalized gender identities and sexual orientations. Five participants completed semi-structured interviews that were transcribed and analyzed with reflexive emphasis on member checking and data triangulation. First-level analysis utilized values coding and second-level analysis refined values themes to distill individual participant essences (Saldaña, 2016). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. SAGE). Subsequent horizontalization across participants was then used to discern collective participant essences (Saldaña, 2016). The coding manual for qualitative researchers. SAGE). Critical feminist, queer, disability, anti-oppressive, and humanist theory lenses shaped the foundation and perception of the project with particular attention to intersectionality, intersubjectivity, and power dynamics in relationships. Findings included commentary on MT/client identities and balance in relationships; contextual influences on MT processes; necessity of cultural humility (CH) and cultural sustainability (CS) and respect for identity complexity; and the role of implicit/explicit communication in MTRs. Crucially, participants and the researcher endorse a non-clinical view of people with marginalized gender identities and sexual orientations, and the researcher urges introspection regarding identity, supervision, and the space that MTs and clients occupy within the MTR construct. Discussion, recommendations for future research and applications to MT theory, research, and practice are provided.
Trends in US E-cigarette Sales and Prices by Nicotine Strength, Overall and by Product and Flavor Type, 2017–2022
Authors: Ali Fatma Romeh M , Seaman Elizabeth L , Crane Elisha , Schillo Barbara , King Brian A
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The e-cigarette market has expanded considerably in recent years, resulting in changes in availability and use of e-cigarettes with varying characteristics.

Aims and Methods

This study assessed trends in sales and prices of e-cigarettes by nicotine strength level, including by product type and flavor, during January 2017–March 2022. US e-cigarette retail sales data were licensed from IRI company. Nicotine strength was categorized as: <1%; 1% to <2%; 2% to <3%; 3% to <4%; 4% to <5%; ≥5%. E-cigarette flavors were categorized as tobacco, menthol, mint, or other flavors. Product type was categorized as prefilled cartridge devices, disposable devices, or e-liquid bottles. Trend analyses were performed using Joinpoint Regression.

Results

During January 2017–March 2022, the unit share of products containing ≥5% nicotine strength increased by 1486.3%, while the dollar share increased by 1345.5%. By March 2022, 80.9% of total unit sales were composed of products containing ≥5% nicotine strength. By flavor, the percentage of units sold with ≥5% nicotine strength was 61.3% of tobacco-flavor sales, 79.3% of menthol sales, 87.4% of mint sales, and 96.1% of other flavor sales. By product type, the percentage of units sold with ≥5% nicotine strength was 90.6% of disposable e-cigarette sales and 74.2% of prefilled cartridge sales. During January 2017–March 2022, the price of low-nicotine strength e-cigarettes increased, while the price of high-nicotine products either decreased or did not change.

Conclusions

Sales of high nicotine-strength e-cigarettes have dominated the US e-cigarette market. Limiting the nicotine strength of e-cigarettes could be considered as part of a comprehensive tobacco control strategy to reduce youth access to and use of these products.

Implications

The findings from this study indicate that previously reported increases in e-cigarette nicotine strength during 2013–2018 have continued through 2022. The US e-cigarette market sales continue to be dominated by relatively high-nicotine products. Strategies to address factors that make these products, particularly appealing to youth, including flavors and product innovations, are critical. Such strategies are important—as part of a comprehensive approach alongside other evidence-based population-level actions—to address youth e-cigarette use. Importantly, actions to reduce e-cigarette use among youth are not mutually exclusive from actions to maximize the potential benefits of e-cigarettes for increasing smoking cessation among adults.