bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nosocomial transmission dynamics, a retrospective cohort study of two healthcare-associated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clusters in a district hospital in England during March and April 2020
Authors: Leeman David S. , Ma Thomas S.-G. , Pathiraja Melanie M. , Taylor Jennifer A. , Adnan Tahira Z. , Baltas Ioannis , Ioannou Adam , Iyengar Srikanth R. S. , Mearkle Rachel A. , Stockdale Thomas J. , Van Den Abbeele Koenraad , Balasegaram Sooria
Published: November 2021

Objective:

To understand the transmission dynamics of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a hospital outbreak to inform infection control actions.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

General medical and elderly inpatient wards in a hospital in England.

Methods:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients were classified as community or healthcare associated by time from admission to onset or positivity using European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control definitions. COVID-19 symptoms were classified as asymptomatic, nonrespiratory, or respiratory. Infectiousness was calculated from 2 days prior to 14 days after symptom onset or positive test. Cases were defined as healthcare-associated COVID-19 when infection was acquired from the wards under investigation. COVID-19 exposures were calculated based on symptoms and bed proximity to an infectious patient. Risk ratios and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated from univariable and multivariable logistic regression.

Results:

Of 153 patients, 65 were COVID-19 patients and 45 of these were healthcare-associated cases. Exposure to a COVID-19 patient with respiratory symptoms was associated with healthcare-associated infection irrespective of proximity (aOR, 3.81; 95% CI, 1.6.3–8.87). Nonrespiratory exposure was only significant within 2.5 m (aOR, 5.21; 95% CI, 1.15–23.48). A small increase in risk ratio was observed for exposure to a respiratory patient for >1 day compared to 1 day from 2.04 (95% CI, 0.99–4.22) to 2.36 (95% CI, 1.44–3.88).

Conclusions:

Respiratory exposure anywhere within a 4-bed bay was a risk, whereas nonrespiratory exposure required bed distance ≤2.5 m. Standard infection control measures required beds to be >2 m apart. Our findings suggest that this may be insufficient to stop SARS-CoV-2 transmission. We recommend improving cohorting and further studies into bed distance and transmission factors.
Large-deviation asymptotics of condition numbers of random matrices
Authors: Singull Martin , Uwamariya Denise , Yang Xiangfeng
Published: November 2021

Let
$\mathbf{X}$
be a
$p\times n$
random matrix whose entries are independent and identically distributed real random variables with zero mean and unit variance. We study the limiting behaviors of the 2-normal condition number k(p,n) of
$\mathbf{X}$
in terms of large deviations for large n, with p being fixed or
$p=p(n)\rightarrow\infty$
with
$p(n)=o(n)$
. We propose two main ingredients: (i) to relate the large-deviation probabilities of k(p,n) to those involving n independent and identically distributed random variables, which enables us to consider a quite general distribution of the entries (namely the sub-Gaussian distribution), and (ii) to control, for standard normal entries, the upper tail of k(p,n) using the upper tails of ratios of two independent
$\chi^2$
random variables, which enables us to establish an application in statistical inference.
Effects of prior deployments and perceived resilience on anger trajectories of combat-deployed soldiers
Authors: Campbell-Sills Laura , Kautz Jason D. , Choi Karmel W. , Naifeh James A. , Aliaga Pablo A. , Jain Sonia , Sun Xiaoying , Kessler Ronald C. , Stein Murray B. , Ursano Robert J. , Bliese Paul D.
Published: November 2021

Background

Problematic anger is frequently reported by soldiers who have deployed to combat zones. However, evidence is lacking with respect to how anger changes over a deployment cycle, and which factors prospectively influence change in anger among combat-deployed soldiers.

Methods

Reports of problematic anger were obtained from 7298 US Army soldiers who deployed to Afghanistan in 2012. A series of mixed-effects growth models estimated linear trajectories of anger over a period of 1–2 months before deployment to 9 months post-deployment, and evaluated the effects of pre-deployment factors (prior deployments and perceived resilience) on average levels and growth of problematic anger.

Results

A model with random intercepts and slopes provided the best fit, indicating heterogeneity in soldiers' levels and trajectories of anger. First-time deployers reported the lowest anger overall, but the most growth in anger over time. Soldiers with multiple prior deployments displayed the highest anger overall, which remained relatively stable over time. Higher pre-deployment resilience was associated with lower reports of anger, but its protective effect diminished over time. First- and second-time deployers reporting low resilience displayed different anger trajectories (stable v. decreasing, respectively).

Conclusions

Change in anger from pre- to post-deployment varies based on pre-deployment factors. The observed differences in anger trajectories suggest that efforts to detect and reduce problematic anger should be tailored for first-time v. repeat deployers. Ongoing screening is needed even for soldiers reporting high resilience before deployment, as the protective effect of pre-deployment resilience on anger erodes over time.
Working Group 4: Structure of Atomic Spectra
Authors: Martin W.C.
Published: November 2021

The ongoing program of the Atomic Energy Levels Data Center (National Bureau of Standards) to produce new compilations of critically evaluated energy level data is at present focused on the first thirty elements. The most recently completed compilations in this series give energy levels for all the spectra of Mn (Mn I-XXV) (1), Cr (Cr I-XXIV) (2), V (V I-XXIII) (3), Ti (Ti I-XXII) (4),Ca (Ca I-XX) (5), and Al (Al I-XIII) (6), and work is underway on the spectra of K and Mg. C.E. Moore’s “Selected Tables of Atomic Spectra” now include 0 1 (7), 0 VI, O VII, and O VIII (8), work on the tables for the remaining oxygen spectra is in progress. A finding list for lines of the multiplets in Sections 1-7 of Moore’s NSRDS-NBS 3 series has been compiled by Adelman et al. (9). A recent publication of the AEL Data Center, “Atomic Energy Levels - The Rare-Earth Elements” (10), gives energy-level data for 66 spectra of the 15 elements La through Lu (Z=57-71), including a number of astronomically important spectra. A review of rare-earth spectral data by Blaise et al. (11) gives partial tables of energy levels and wavelengths and includes data on hyperfine-structure and isotope shifts. The first version of a much needed new compilation of “Line Spectra of the Elements” has recently been published (12). These tables contain some 42,000 lines, including the stronger lines of the first and second spectra of 98 elements and lines of the third, fourth, and fifth spectra for about half the elements from the vacuum ultraviolet to the far infrared. Outred (13) has compiled 8885 selected lines of 57 elements in the infrared region 1-4 pm, with energy-level classifications being given where available. Energy-level and Grotrian diagrams for the atoms and positive ions of the elements H through P (Z=l-15) have been prepared by Bashkin and Stoner (14), and further publications for the heavier elements are planned. The AEL Data Center (NBS) expects to publish in 1979 a “Bibliography on Atomic Energy Levels and Spectra” for the period July 1975 through December 1978 (15). Edlen’s 1976 review of term analysis of atomic spectra has references for spectra of the elements He through Ni (16), and Adelman et al. (17) have compiled an astronomically oriented bibliography on atomic autoionization. A bibliography on experimental isotope shifts in atomic spectra by Heilig (18) gives 666 references.
Adaptive management plans rooted in quantitative ecological predictions of ecosystem processes: putting monitoring data to practical use
Authors: Damgaard Christian
Published: November 2021

The adoption of adaptive management plans has been advocated in order to ensure the most effective management of natural habitats. Here, it is demonstrated how a hierarchical structural equation model that is fitted to temporal ecological monitoring data from a number of sites may be used to generate quantitative local ecological predictions and how these predictions may form the basis of adaptive management plans. Local ecological predictions will be made for the cover of the dwarf shrub cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) on Danish wet heathlands, which is an indicator of the conservation status of wet heathlands under different management scenarios. Based on a realistic example, the model predictions conclude that grazing by livestock on wet heathlands with a relatively low cover of cross-leaved heath cannot be recommended as the only management practice. Generally, ecological monitoring data may be used to generate quantitative and credible local adaptive management plans where uncertainty is taken into account.
Short of Suspension: How Suspension Warnings Can Reduce Hate Speech on Twitter
Authors: Yildirim Mustafa Mikdat , Nagler Jonathan , Bonneau Richard , Tucker Joshua A.
Published: November 2021

Debates around the effectiveness of high-profile Twitter account suspensions and similar bans on abusive users across social media platforms abound. Yet we know little about the effectiveness of warning a user about the possibility of suspending their account as opposed to outright suspensions in reducing hate speech. With a pre-registered experiment, we provide causal evidence that a warning message can reduce the use of hateful language on Twitter, at least in the short term. We design our messages based on the literature on deterrence, and test versions that emphasize the legitimacy of the sender, the credibility of the message, and the costliness of being suspended. We find that the act of warning a user of the potential consequences of their behavior can significantly reduce their hateful language for one week. We also find that warning messages that aim to appear legitimate in the eyes of the target user seem to be the most effective. In light of these findings, we consider the policy implications of platforms adopting a more aggressive approach to warning users that their accounts may be suspended as a tool for reducing hateful speech online.
Paying Gratitude Forward at Work
Authors: Kersten Amber , van Woerkom Marianne , Kooij Dorien T. A. M. , Bauwens Robin
Published: November 2021

Abstract. Since workers are increasingly suffering from burnout, there is a need for insights into how burnout can be decreased to improve subjective well-being. The broaden-and-build theory proposes that gratitude increases well-being through an upward spiral. Few studies have examined whether gratitude decreases burnout and what mediating behaviors explain this relationship. Using an international sample of employees ( N = 353), this study examines whether work-specific gratitude negatively relates to exhaustion and disengagement. Additionally, since gratitude stimulates helping through upstream reciprocity, this study investigates whether interpersonal helping behavior (IHB) mediates these relationships. Our study showed a negative effect of work-specific gratitude on disengagement and exhaustion and a negative relationship between work-specific gratitude and disengagement, mediated by IHB, suggesting that gratitude stimulates IHB, thereby alleviating disengagement.
Measurements of the Net Charge Density of Space Plasmas
Authors: Shen Chao , Zhou Yufei , Gao Lai , Wang Xiaogang , Pu Zuyin , Escoubet C. Philippe , Burch J. L.
Published: November 2021

Space plasmas are composed of charged particles that play a key role in electromagnetic dynamics. However, to date, there has been no direct measurement of the distribution of such charges in space. In this study, three schemes for measuring charge densities in space are presented. The first scheme is based on electric field measurements by multiple spacecraft. This method is applied to deduce the charge density distribution within Earth's magnetopause boundary layer using Magnetospheric MultiScale constellation (MMS) four‐point measurements, and indicates the existence of a charge separation there. The second and third schemes proposed are both based on electric potential measurements from multiple electric probes. The second scheme, which requires 10 or more electric potential probes, can yield the net charge density to first‐order accuracy, while the third scheme, which makes use of seven to eight specifically distributed probes, can give the net charge density with second‐order accuracy. The feasibility, reliability, and accuracy of these three schemes are successfully verified for a charged‐ball model. These charge density measurement schemes could potentially be applied in both space exploration and ground‐based laboratory experiments.
Optimization of Real‐Time Control With Green and Gray Infrastructure Design for a Cost‐Effective Mitigation of Combined Sewer Overflows
Authors: Jean Marie‐Ève , Morin Camille , Duchesne Sophie , Pelletier Geneviève , Pleau Martin
Published: November 2021

An innovative optimization‐simulation framework is applied to a case study of the Province of Quebec, Canada, to optimize the spatial distribution of green infrastructure (GI), the capacity and location of gray infrastructure, and the parameters specific to real‐time control (RTC) operating rules of a sewer system for reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) frequency and volume. GI, gray infrastructure, and RTC are applied either individually or in integration through eight optimization scenarios which are simulated over a nine‐year period of historical rainfall data. Among all scenarios, spatial optimization of GI with RTC leads to maximal CSO volume reduction (98%) and is the most cost‐effective option analyzed (70$/m3 of seasonal average CSO reduction compared to 140$/m3 for the scenario involving gray infrastructure alone). However, it requires a high GI implementation level and the CSO frequency under this scenario is sensitive to varying GI design parameters. The findings suggest that the best alternative for CSO control is the integration of the optimization of green and gray infrastructures with RTC as it still provides high CSO volume reduction (95%) and remains a cost‐effective solution (90$/m3 of CSO reduction), while providing robustness under cost and design uncertainties.
CircMYOF triggers progression and facilitates glycolysis via the VEGFA/PI3K/AKT axis by absorbing miR-4739 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zheng Dandan , Huang Xianxian , Peng Juanfei , Zhuang Yanyan , Li Yuanhua , Qu Junchi , Zhang Shineng , Huang Fengting
Published: November 2021

Emerging evidence has demonstrated that circular RNAs (circRNAs) take part in the initiation and development of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA), a deadly neoplasm with an extremely low 5-year survival rate. Reprogrammed glucose metabolism is a key feature of tumour development, including PDA. In this research, we evaluated the role of circRNAs in reprogrammed glucose metabolism in PDA. RNA sequencing under various glucose incubation circumstances was performed. A new circMYOF was identified. Sanger sequencing and RNase R treatment confirmed its circular RNA characteristics. Real-time PCR indicated that it was highly expressed in PDA clinical specimens and cell lines. Gain-of- and loss-of-function assays showed that circMYOF induced progression in PDA. Mechanistically, RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter experiments elucidated that circMYOF, as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-4739, facilitated glycolysis via the VEGFA/PI3K/AKT pathway. Taken together, our findings indicate that circMYOF may work as a desirable biomarker and therapeutic target for PDA patients.
In-plane quasi-single-domain BaTiO3 via interfacial symmetry engineering
Authors: Lee J. W. , Eom K. , Paudel T. R. , Wang B. , Lu H. , Huyan H. X. , Lindemann S. , Ryu S. , Lee H. , Kim T. H. , Yuan Y. , Zorn J. A. , Lei S. , Gao W. P. , Tybell T. , Gopalan V. , Pan X. Q. , Gruverman A. , Chen L. Q. , Tsymbal E. Y. , Eom C. B.
Published: November 2021

The control of the in-plane domain evolution in ferroelectric thin films is not only critical to understanding ferroelectric phenomena but also to enabling functional device fabrication. However, in-plane polarized ferroelectric thin films typically exhibit complicated multi-domain states, not desirable for optoelectronic device performance. Here we report a strategy combining interfacial symmetry engineering and anisotropic strain to design single-domain, in-plane polarized ferroelectric BaTiO3 thin films. Theoretical calculations predict the key role of the BaTiO3/PrScO3$${({{{{{\boldsymbol{110}}}}}})}_{{{{{{\bf{O}}}}}}}$$

(

110

)

O

substrate interfacial environment, where anisotropic strain, monoclinic distortions, and interfacial electrostatic potential stabilize a single-variant spontaneous polarization. A combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy, piezoresponse force microscopy, ferroelectric hysteresis loop measurements, and second harmonic generation measurements directly reveals the stabilization of the in-plane quasi-single-domain polarization state. This work offers design principles for engineering in-plane domains of ferroelectric oxide thin films, which is a prerequisite for high performance optoelectronic devices.
A novel mechanism for the loss of mRNA activity in lipid nanoparticle delivery systems
Authors: Packer Meredith , Gyawali Dipendra , Yerabolu Ravikiran , Schariter Joseph , White Phil
Published: November 2021

Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated mRNA vaccines were rapidly developed and deployed in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Due to the labile nature of mRNA, identifying impurities that could affect product stability and efficacy is crucial to the long-term use of nucleic-acid based medicines. Herein, reversed-phase ion pair high performance liquid chromatography (RP-IP HPLC) was used to identify a class of impurity formed through lipid:mRNA reactions; such reactions are typically undetectable by traditional mRNA purity analytical techniques. The identified modifications render the mRNA untranslatable, leading to loss of protein expression. Specifically, electrophilic impurities derived from the ionizable cationic lipid component are shown to be responsible. Mechanisms implicated in the formation of reactive species include oxidation and subsequent hydrolysis of the tertiary amine. It thus remains critical to ensure robust analytical methods and stringent manufacturing control to ensure mRNA stability and high activity in LNP delivery systems.
Nanometric flow and earthquake instability
Authors: Sun Hongyu , Pec Matej
Published: November 2021

Fault zones accommodate relative motion between tectonic blocks and control earthquake nucleation. Nanocrystalline fault rocks are ubiquitous in “principal slip zones” indicating that these materials are determining fault stability. However, the rheology of nanocrystalline fault rocks remains poorly constrained. Here, we show that such fault rocks are an order of magnitude weaker than their microcrystalline counterparts when deformed at identical experimental conditions. Weakening of the fault rocks is hence intrinsic, it occurs once nanocrystalline layers form. However, it is difficult to produce “rate weakening” behavior due to the low measured stress exponent, n, of 1.3 ± 0.4 and the low activation energy, Q, of 16,000 ± 14,000 J/mol implying that the material will be strongly “rate strengthening” with a weak temperature sensitivity. Failure of the fault zone nevertheless occurs once these weak layers coalesce in a kinematically favored network. This type of instability is distinct from the frictional instability used to describe crustal earthquakes.
Design of modular autoproteolytic gene switches responsive to anti-coronavirus drug candidates
Authors: Franko Nik , Teixeira Ana Palma , Xue Shuai , Charpin-El Hamri Ghislaine , Fussenegger Martin
Published: November 2021

The main (Mpro) and papain-like (PLpro) proteases encoded by SARS-CoV-2 are essential to process viral polyproteins into functional units, thus representing key targets for anti-viral drug development. There is a need for an efficient inhibitor screening system that can identify drug candidates in a cellular context. Here we describe modular, tunable autoproteolytic gene switches (TAGS) relying on synthetic transcription factors that self-inactivate, unless in the presence of coronavirus protease inhibitors, consequently activating transgene expression. TAGS rapidly report the impact of drug candidates on Mpro and PLpro activities with a high signal-to-noise response and a sensitivity matching concentration ranges inhibiting viral replication. The modularity of the TAGS enabled the study of other Coronaviridae proteases, characterization of mutations and multiplexing of gene switches in human cells. Mice implanted with Mpro or PLpro TAGS-engineered cells enabled analysis of the activity and bioavailability of protease inhibitors in vivo in a virus-free setting.
A unified drug–target interaction prediction framework based on knowledge graph and recommendation system
Authors: Ye Qing , Hsieh Chang-Yu , Yang Ziyi , Kang Yu , Chen Jiming , Cao Dongsheng , He Shibo , Hou Tingjun
Published: November 2021

Prediction of drug-target interactions (DTI) plays a vital role in drug development in various areas, such as virtual screening, drug repurposing and identification of potential drug side effects. Despite extensive efforts have been invested in perfecting DTI prediction, existing methods still suffer from the high sparsity of DTI datasets and the cold start problem. Here, we develop KGE_NFM, a unified framework for DTI prediction by combining knowledge graph (KG) and recommendation system. This framework firstly learns a low-dimensional representation for various entities in the KG, and then integrates the multimodal information via neural factorization machine (NFM). KGE_NFM is evaluated under three realistic scenarios, and achieves accurate and robust predictions on four benchmark datasets, especially in the scenario of the cold start for proteins. Our results indicate that KGE_NFM provides valuable insight to integrate KG and recommendation system-based techniques into a unified framework for novel DTI discovery.
The effect of weekly interactive text-messaging on early infant HIV testing in Kenya: a randomised controlled trial (WelTel PMTCT)
Authors: Nordberg Björn , Mwangi Winfred , van der Kop Mia Liisa , Were Edwin , Kaguiri Eunice , Kågesten Anna E. , Gabriel Erin E. , Lester Richard T. , Mwangi Jonathan , Ekström Anna Mia , Rautiainen Susanne
Published: November 2021

Mother-to-child transmission of HIV remains a significant concern in Africa despite earlier progress. Early infant diagnosis (EID) of HIV is crucial to reduce mortality among infected infants through early treatment initiation. However, a large proportion of HIV-exposed infants are still not tested in Kenya. Our objective was to investigate whether weekly interactive text-messages improved prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV care outcomes including EID HIV testing. This multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, open-label trial included six antenatal care clinics across western Kenya. Pregnant women living with HIV, aged 18 years or older, with mobile phone access, were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to weekly text messages that continued until 24 months postpartum, asking “How are you?” (“Mambo?”) to which they were asked to respond within 48 h, or a control group. Healthcare workers contacted participants reporting problems and non-responders by phone. Participants in both groups received routine PMTCT care. The prespecified secondary outcome reported in this paper is EID HIV testing by eight weeks of age (blinded outcome assessment). Final 24-months trial results will be published separately. We estimated risk ratios using Poisson regression with robust standard errors. Between June 2015–July 2016, we screened 735 pregnant women, of whom 600 were enrolled: 299 were allocated to the intervention and 301 to the control group. By eight weeks of age, the uptake of EID HIV testing out of recorded live births was 85.5% in the intervention and 84.7% in the control group (71.2% vs. 71.8% of participants randomised, including miscarriages, stillbirths, etc.). The intention-to-treat risk ratio was 0.99; 95% CI: 0.90–1.10; p = 0.89. The proportion of infants diagnosed with HIV was 0.8% in the intervention and 1.2% in the control group. No adverse events were reported. We found no evidence to support that the WelTel intervention improved EID HIV testing. A higher uptake of EID testing than expected in both groups may be a result of lower barriers to EID testing and improved PMTCT care in western Kenya, including the broader standard use of mobile phone communication between healthcare workers and patients. (ISRCTN No. 98818734. Funded by the European-Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership and others).
Genome sequencing of the multicellular alga Astrephomene provides insights into convergent evolution of germ-soma differentiation
Authors: Yamashita Shota , Yamamoto Kayoko , Matsuzaki Ryo , Suzuki Shigekatsu , Yamaguchi Haruyo , Hirooka Shunsuke , Minakuchi Yohei , Miyagishima Shin-ya , Kawachi Masanobu , Toyoda Atsushi , Nozaki Hisayoshi
Published: November 2021

Germ-soma differentiation evolved independently in many eukaryotic lineages and contributed to complex multicellular organizations. However, the molecular genetic bases of such convergent evolution remain unresolved. Two multicellular volvocine green algae,VolvoxandAstrephomene, exhibit convergent evolution of germ-soma differentiation. The complete genome sequence is now available forVolvox, while genome information is scarce forAstrephomene. Here, we generated the de novo whole genome sequence ofAstrephomene gubernaculiferaand conducted RNA-seq analysis of isolated somatic and reproductive cells. InVolvox, tandem duplication and neofunctionalization of the ancestral transcription factor gene (RLS1/rlsD) might have led to the evolution ofregA, the master regulator forVolvoxgerm-soma differentiation. However, our genome data demonstrated thatAstrephomenehas not undergone tandem duplication of theRLS1/rlsDhomolog or acquisition of aregA-like gene. Our RNA-seq analysis revealed the downregulation of photosynthetic and anabolic gene expression inAstrephomenesomatic cells, as inVolvox. Among genes with high expression in somatic cells ofAstrephomene, we identified three genes encoding putative transcription factors, which may regulate somatic cell differentiation. Thus, the convergent evolution of germ-soma differentiation in the volvocine algae may have occurred by the acquisition of different regulatory circuits that generate a similar division of labor.
Biocompatible N-acetyl-nanoconstruct alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in vivo
Authors: Kim Seongchan , Kim Shin Young , Rho Seung Joon , Kim Seung Hoon , Song So Hyang , Kim Chi Hong , Lee Hyojin , Kim Sung Kyoung
Published: November 2021

Oxidative stress plays important roles in inflammatory responses during acute lung injury (ALI). Recently, nanoconstruct (Nano)-based drug-delivery systems have shown promise in many models of inflammation. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) loaded in a biocompatible Nano using a rat model of ALI. We synthesized a Nano with a good NAC-releasing capacity using porous silica Nano, which was used to produce Nano/NAC complexes. For in vivo experiments, Sprague–Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administered NAC or Nano/NAC 30 min after intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide. After 6 h, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung tissues were collected. The anti-oxidative effect of the Nano/NAC complex was confirmed by demonstrating reduced levels of reactive oxygen species after treatment with the Nano/NAC in vitro. In vivo experiments also showed that the Nano/NAC treatment may protect against LPS‐induced ALI thorough anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory effects, which may be attributed to the inactivation of the NF‐κB and MAPK pathways. In addition, the effects of Nano/NAC treatment were shown to be superior to those of NAC alone. We suggest the therapeutic potential of Nano/NAC treatment as an anti‐inflammatory agent against ALI. Furthermore, our study can provide basic data for developing nanotechnology-based pharmacotherapeutics for ALI.
The evolutionary conserved TLDc domain defines a new class of (H+)V-ATPase interacting proteins
Authors: Eaton A. F. , Brown D. , Merkulova M.
Published: November 2021

We recently found that nuclear receptor coactivator 7 (Ncoa7) and Oxr1 interact with the proton-pumping V-ATPase. Ncoa7 and Oxr1 belong to a group of proteins playing a role in the oxidative stress response, that contain the conserved “TLDc” domain. Here we asked if the three other proteins in this family, i.e., Tbc1d24, Tldc1 and Tldc2 also interact with the V-ATPase and if the TLDc domains are involved in all these interactions. By co-immunoprecipitation, endogenous kidney Tbc1d24 (and Ncoa7 and Oxr1) and overexpressed Tldc1 and Tldc2, all interacted with the V-ATPase. In addition, purified TLDc domains of Ncoa7, Oxr1 and Tldc2 (but not Tbc1d24 or Tldc1) interacted with V-ATPase in GST pull-downs. At the amino acid level, point mutations G815A, G845A and G896A in conserved regions of the Ncoa7 TLDc domain abolished interaction with the V-ATPase, and S817A, L926A and E938A mutations resulted in decreased interaction. Furthermore, poly-E motifs upstream of the TLDc domain in Ncoa7 and Tldc2 show a (nonsignificant) trend towards enhancing the interaction with V-ATPase. Our principal finding is that all five members of the TLDc family of proteins interact with the V-ATPase. We conclude that the TLDc motif defines a new class of V-ATPase interacting regulatory proteins.
Advancement of pharmacokinetic models of iohexol in patients aged 70 years or older with impaired kidney function
Authors: Taubert Max , Schaeffner Elke , Martus Peter , van der Giet Markus , Fuhr Uwe , Lösment Amina , Ebert Natalie
Published: November 2021

Plasma clearance of iohexol is a pivotal metric to quantify glomerular filtration rate (GFR), but the optimal timing and frequency of plasma sampling remain to be assessed. In this study, we evaluated the impact of a Bayesian estimation procedure on iohexol clearance estimates, and we identified an optimal sampling strategy based on data in individuals aged 70+. Assuming a varying number of random effects, we re-estimated previously developed population pharmacokinetic two- and three-compartment models in a model development group comprising 546 patients with iohexol concentration data up to 300 min post injection. Model performance and optimal sampling times were assessed in an evaluation group comprising 104 patients with reduced GFR and concentration data up to 1440 min post injection. Two- and three-compartment models with random effects for all parameters overestimated clearance values (bias 5.07 and 4.40 mL/min, respectively) and underpredicted 24-h concentrations (bias − 14.5 and − 12.0 µg/ml, respectively). Clearance estimates improved distinctly when limiting random effects of the three-compartment model to clearance and central volume of distribution. Two blood samples, one early and one 300 min post injection, were sufficient to estimate iohexol clearance. A simplified three-compartment model is optimal to estimate iohexol clearance in elderly patients with reduced GFR.
The new SUMPOT to predict postoperative complications using an Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Chelazzi Cosimo , Villa Gianluca , Manno Andrea , Ranfagni Viola , Gemmi Eleonora , Romagnoli Stefano
Published: November 2021

An accurate assessment of preoperative risk may improve use of hospital resources and reduce morbidity and mortality in high-risk surgical patients. This study aims at implementing an automated surgical risk calculator based on Artificial Neural Network technology to identify patients at risk for postoperative complications. We developed the new SUMPOT based on risk factors previously used in other scoring systems and tested it in a cohort of 560 surgical patients undergoing elective or emergency procedures and subsequently admitted to intensive care units, high-dependency units or standard wards. The whole dataset was divided into a training set, to train the predictive model, and a testing set, to assess generalization performance. The effectiveness of the Artificial Neural Network is a measure of the accuracy in detecting those patients who will develop postoperative complications. A total of 560 surgical patients entered the analysis. Among them, 77 patients (13.7%) suffered from one or more postoperative complications (PoCs), while 483 patients (86.3%) did not. The trained Artificial Neural Network returned an average classification accuracy of 90% in the testing set. Specifically, classification accuracy was 90.2% in the control group (46 patients out of 51 were correctly classified) and 88.9% in the PoC group (8 patients out of 9 were correctly classified). The Artificial Neural Network showed good performance in predicting presence/absence of postoperative complications, suggesting its potential value for perioperative management of surgical patients. Further clinical studies are required to confirm its applicability in routine clinical practice.
Effects of soil texture and nitrogen fertilisation on soil bacterial community structure and nitrogen uptake in flue-cured tobacco
Authors: Zheng Meiying , Zhu Pei , Zheng Jiayu , Xue Lin , Zhu Qifa , Cai Xianjie , Cheng Sen , Zhang Zhongfeng , Kong Fanyu , Zhang Jiguang
Published: November 2021

We tested the hypothesis that soil texture and nitrogen (N) fertilisation are the primary factors regulating the N cycle and soil bacterial community structure. The response of soil bacterial communities to N fertilisation in different textured soils might help in identifying the specific underlying mechanism and hence management of N fertiliser application in fields. We examined how N fertiliser accumulates in flue-cured tobacco and influences soil bacterial community structure in different textured soils. We conducted plot and micro-plot experimental measurements of N content in soil and tobacco samples using the KNO315N isotope technique. Soil bacterial community structure was determined using high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA. Nitrogen absorption and utilisation by tobacco plants were highest in sandy loam soils, followed by loam soil and clay loam. The ability of clay loam to supply N was weak during the plant growth period. Absence of fertilisation could reduce bacterial abundance in soils to various degrees. Bacterial diversity was higher in sandy loam soil than in loam soil and clay loam. Soil texture and N fertilisation significantly affected soil bacterial community structure and diversity. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi were the dominant bacterial phyla, while Bacillus, Nitrobacter, Nitrosospira, Nitrospira, and Rhizobium were the primary N transformation bacteria at the genus level in all treatments. However, relative abundances differed with N fertiliser application, which could lead to differential N availability and N use efficiency of tobacco among soil types. We conclude that both soil texture and N fertilisation influence N accumulation and distribution in flue-cured tobacco and thus regulate soil bacterial communities. N fertiliser application in sandy loam soil should be strictly controlled for its higher N use efficiency, soil bacterial abundance, and diversity.
Spectral Power Density analysis of the resting-state as a marker of the central effects of opioid use in fibromyalgia
Authors: Zortea Maxciel , Beltran Gerardo , Alves Rael Lopes , Vicuña Paul , Torres Iraci L. S. , Fregni Felipe , Caumo Wolnei
Published: November 2021

Spectral power density (SPD) indexed by electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings has recently gained attention in elucidating neural mechanisms of chronic pain syndromes and medication use. We compared SPD variations between 15 fibromyalgia (FM) women in use of opioid in the last three months (73.33% used tramadol) with 32 non-users. EEG data were obtained with Eyes Open (EO) and Eyes Closed (EC) resting state. SPD peak amplitudes between EO-EC were smaller in opioid users in central theta, central beta, and parietal beta, and at parietal delta. However, these variations were positive for opioid users. Multivariate analyses of variance (ANOVAs) revealed that EO-EC variations in parietal delta were negatively correlated with the disability due to pain, and central and parietal beta activity variations were positively correlated with worse sleep quality. These clinical variables explained from 12.5 to 17.2% of SPD variance. In addition, central beta showed 67% sensitivity / 72% specificity and parietal beta showed 73% sensitivity/62% specificity in discriminating opioid users from non-users. These findings suggest oscillations in EEG might be a sensitive surrogate marker to screen FM opioid users and a promising tool to understand the effects of opioid use and how these effects relate to functional and sleep-related symptoms.
Unequal burden of equal risk factors of diabetes between different gender in India: a cross-sectional analysis
Authors: Sujata  , Thakur Ramna
Published: November 2021

Many studies have supported that the burden of diabetes is shared differently by different genders due to various factors associated with it. This study aims at capturing whether women and men with a similar background, dietary and smoking habits, and biological conditions (blood pressure and body mass index (BMI)) are being affected equally or differently by diabetes. We have used cross-sectional data of NFHS-4 by covering the age group 15–49 years. Association between socio-economic background, dietary habits, biological conditions, and diabetes has been estimated using two separate multivariate logistic regression models. Results show that the overall prevalence of diabetes is higher among men (2.63%) than women (2.35%). Whereas, women belonging to urban areas (3.53%), Christian category (3.92%), richer section (3.22%), women with no schooling (2.51%), those reported never to consume pulses (2.66%) and green vegetables (2.40%) and daily consuming eggs (3.66%) and chicken or meat (3.54%) are more affected by diabetes than their men counterparts. Whereas men residing in rural areas (2.30%), belonging to the general category (3.12%), SCs (2.37%) and STs (1.72%) are more affected than their women counterparts. Results have also shown a higher prevalence of diabetes among obese men (11.46%), non-vegetarian (2.71%) and those who watch television almost every day (3.03%) as compared to their women counterparts. Regression analyses show that the richest, hypertensive, and obese women and men are significantly more likely to suffer from diabetes. This study concludes that women and men with similar socio-economic status, biological conditions, dietary and smoking habits are being affected differently by diabetes. Thus, there is a need for gender dimension in research to understand and validate the differences in the needed interventions for diabetes control in India.
The impact of lockdown stress and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among university students in Germany
Authors: Werner Antonia M. , Tibubos Ana N. , Mülder Lina M. , Reichel Jennifer L. , Schäfer Markus , Heller Sebastian , Pfirrmann Daniel , Edelmann Dennis , Dietz Pavel , Rigotti Thomas , Beutel Manfred E.
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a shutdown of universities in Germany. In a longitudinal design, we compared mental health (depression, anxiety, somatic complaints) of university students in Germany before (June to August 2019) and in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic (June 2020) and determined the impact of pandemic-related stress and loneliness on students’ mental health in self-report online surveys. We investigated 443 participants (mean age 22.8 years), among them 77% female, and 10.4% medical students. A small increase of depression mean scores was observed (F(1,420) = 5.21; p = .023), anxiety and somatic complaints have not significantly changed. There was a medium increase in loneliness from pre-pandemic scores to the pandemic situation (F(1,423) = 30.56; p < .001). Analyzed with regression analyses, current loneliness and pre-pandemic distress represented the strongest associations with mental health during the pandemic. Additionally, health-related concerns during the pandemic were associated with symptoms of depression [b = 0.21; 95%CI(0.08; 0.34); t = 3.12; p = .002], anxiety [b = 0.07; 95%CI(0.01; 0.12); t = 2.50; p = .013], somatic complaints [b = 0.33; 95%CI(0.18; 0.47); t = 4.49; p < .001], and loneliness [b = 0.10; 95%CI(0.03; 0.17); t = 2.74; p = .006]. Social stress due to the pandemic situation was associated with loneliness [b = 0.38; 95%CI(0.32; 0.45); t = 11.75; p < .001]. The results imply that university students represent a risk group for psychosocial long-term ramifications of the pandemic.
Effectiveness of mental simulations on the early mobilization of patients after cesarean section: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Prokopowicz Anna , Byrka Katarzyna
Published: November 2021

We aimed to investigate whether psychological intervention (single mental simulation) among women after cesarean surgery (CC) can affect their willingness to verticalize, actual verticalization, and the duration of the first mobilization. In this prospective randomised, controlled study, 150 women after CC were divided into 3 groups: experimental group with process-simulation with elements of relaxation, experimental group with outcome-simulation with elements of relaxation and control group with elements of relaxation only. After a 5-h stay in the post-operative room, women listened to a recording with a stimulation. Pain and anxiety of verticalization were measured before and after listening to the recording and after verticalization. Almost 12% more patients verticalized in the process-simulation group than in the control group. Percentages of mobilized patients were: 39.4% the process-simulation group; 32.8% in the outcome-simulation group; 27.7% controls (p = 0.073). Mobilization was 5 min longer in the process-simulation group then in control (p < 0.01). Anxiety after the simulation was a significant covariate of the willingness to verticalize, actual verticalization and time spent in mobilization. We conclude that a single mental simulation can effectively motivate patients for their first verticalization after CC. Perceived anxiety before verticalization may affect the effectiveness of interventions, so we recommend to check it at the postoperative care.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04829266.
Effect of short-term peripheral myopic defocus on ocular biometrics using Fresnel “press-on” lenses in humans
Authors: Kubota Ryo , Joshi Nabin R. , Samandarova Inna , Oliva Maksud , Selenow Arkady , Gupta Amitava , Ali Steven R.
Published: November 2021

This study assessed axial length and choroidal thickness changes following short-term peripheral myopic defocus in normal adult subjects. Twenty subjects underwent defocus sessions by viewing a full-field projected movie 4 m away for 4 h in the morning, while wearing spectacle lenses, corrected for distance vision in both eyes. The right eye, serving as the test eye, was peripherally defocused using a Fresnel lens overlay of + 3.50 D with a central clear aperture of 11.5 mm (correlating to a clear central visual field of approximately 23°), while the left eye served as the control (with no Fresnel lens overlay). A subset of 10 subjects from the same cohort also underwent additional defocus sessions with + 5.00 D of peripheral defocus. Axial length was measured and radial sub-foveal choroidal scans were obtained before and after the defocus sessions. The increase in axial length of the test eyes were significantly less than the control eyes under both peripheral defocus conditions (p < 0.05). The difference in mean change for choroidal thickness between test and control eyes was not significant for either dioptric condition. Our results demonstrated that short-term peripheral myopic defocus significantly inhibited axial elongation in adult humans, without significant changes in choroidal thickness.
High temporal-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy using sparse-serpentine scan pathways
Authors: Ortega Eduardo , Nicholls Daniel , Browning Nigel D. , de Jonge Niels
Published: November 2021

Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) provides structural analysis with sub-angstrom resolution. But the pixel-by-pixel scanning process is a limiting factor in acquiring high-speed data. Different strategies have been implemented to increase scanning speeds while at the same time minimizing beam damage via optimizing the scanning strategy. Here, we achieve the highest possible scanning speed by eliminating the image acquisition dead time induced by the beam flyback time combined with reducing the amount of scanning pixels via sparse imaging. A calibration procedure was developed to compensate for the hysteresis of the magnetic scan coils. A combination of sparse and serpentine scanning routines was tested for a crystalline thin film, gold nanoparticles, and in an in-situ liquid phase STEM experiment. Frame rates of 92, 23 and 5.8 s-1were achieved for images of a width of 128, 256, and 512 pixels, respectively. The methods described here can be applied to single-particle tracking and analysis of radiation sensitive materials.
Deep learning approach for an interface structure analysis with a large statistical noise in neutron reflectometry
Authors: Aoki Hiroyuki , Liu Yuwei , Yamashita Takashi
Published: November 2021

Neutron reflectometry (NR) allows us to probe into the structure of the surfaces and interfaces of various materials such as soft matters and magnetic thin films with a contrast mechanism dependent on isotopic and magnetic states. The neutron beam flux is relatively low compared to that of other sources such as synchrotron radiation; therefore, there has been a strong limitation in the time-resolved measurement and further advanced experiments such as surface imaging. This study aims at the development of a methodology to enable the structural analysis by the NR data with a large statistical error acquired in a short measurement time. The neural network-based method predicts the true NR profile from the data with a 20-fold lower signal compared to that obtained under the conventional measurement condition. This indicates that the acquisition time in the NR measurement can be reduced by more than one order of magnitude. The current method will help achieve remarkable improvement in temporally and spatially resolved NR methods to gain further insight into the surface and interfaces of materials.