bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Pain in Patients with Noninvasive Fungal Sinusitis
Authors: Oki Yamato , Kuwahara Tatsu , Hukui Kenta , Kijima Natsumi , Yamada Masahiro , Ninomiya Hiroaki , Matsumoto Yu , Sato Kaname , Isono Yasuhiro , Niwa Kazutomo , Hatakeyama Hiromitsu , Oridate Nobuhiko
Published: December 2022

The number of cases of noninvasive fungal sinusitis among asymptomatic and older patients has recently increased. Older adults are more commonly predisposed to comorbidities than younger people, and it is often difficult to determine a treatment plan for such patients, particularly for asymptomatic patients. Notably, surgery is the first-choice treatment for such patients; however, to date, no clear guidelines have been established for the same. In this study, we investigated the predictive factors of pain among patients with noninvasive fungal sinusitis. Out of 554 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery between April 2010 and March 2020 at the Yokohama City University Medical Center, 59 were diagnosed with fungal sinusitis based on the identification of fungi in resected surgical specimens. Of these, 19 patients with preoperative symptoms, such as headache and facial pain, were included in the pain group, whereas the remaining 40 patients were included in the control group. Overall, 18 items were analyzed, including patient background factors, preoperative computed tomography scan results, blood test results, the location of the fungal mass, and information on the identified fungal species. Univariate analysis revealed significant differences in age, alcohol consumption, frequency of occurrence of ethmoid and frontal sinus lesions, Lund–Mackay scores, and white blood cell counts between the pain and control groups. However, based on multivariate analyses, only the Lund–Mackay score and white blood cell counts were identified as independent predictors of pain. In the receiver operator characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve for the Lund–Mackay score was 0.76, and sensitivity and specificity were at a maximum cutoff score of 5. Among patients with noninvasive fungal sinusitis, those with high Lund–Mackay scores or white blood cell counts should be considered candidates for surgery.
The Risk of Neonatal Morbidity in Umbilical Artery Hypercarbia and Respiratory Acidosis
Authors: Hensel Drew , Zahedi-Spung Leilah , Carter Ebony B. , Cahill Alison G. , Raghuraman Nandini , Rosenbloom Joshua I.
Published: December 2022

Objective To test the hypothesis that elevated umbilical artery (UA) partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) is associated with neonatal morbidity and to compare the risk of neonatal morbidity with different patterns of UA acidosis.

Study Design This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of term, singleton, nonanomalous deliveries with universal cord gas collection. The primary outcome was composite neonatal morbidity. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the relative risk (RR) for neonatal morbidity in patients with and without UA hypercarbia. A receiver operating characteristic curve determined the predictive value of pCO2 for neonatal morbidity. An additional multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the risk of neonatal morbidity in different patterns of UA acidosis.

Results UA hypercarbia was associated with an increased risk of neonatal morbidity (RR: 2.56, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [2.07, 3.17]). After adjusting for UA acidemia, this association remained significant (adjusted RR: 1.39, 95% CI: [1.05, 1.83]). UA pCO2 was less predictive of neonatal morbidity than UA pH (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.65, 95% CI: [0.62, 0.68] vs. AUC: 0.72, 95% CI: [0.69, 0.75], p < 0.01). The odds ratios for neonatal morbidity for respiratory, mixed, and metabolic acidosis compared with normal cord gases were 1.48 (95% CI: [0.88, 2.49]), 6.41 (95% CI: [3.68, 11.17]), and 7.49 (95% CI: [5.76, 9.72]), respectively, p-trend < 0.01.

Conclusion UA hypercarbia is an independent predictor of neonatal morbidity, even in the setting of concomitant UA acidemia. UA mixed and metabolic acidosis carry significantly greater risk of neonatal morbidity compared with respiratory acidosis.

Key Points
Fractal characteristics of surface roughness and their effects on laser shock waves
Authors: Zhu Qingyong , Zheng Jinkun , Sun Junjun
Published: December 2022

The Weierstrass–Mandelbrot function model was used to simulate the rough topography of a target surface, and the fractal theory was used to study the fractal characteristics of the target surface topography, which is the self-similarity of surface topography. The 3D fluid dynamics governing equations of the laser-supported detonation plasma flow field in Cartesian coordinates are given and discretized by a high-order difference scheme. The equation of state of plasma under different conditions is considered, and a new method of flux splitting is introduced to carry out numerical simulations. The numerical results of plasma pressure, density, temperature, and velocity at different times and different surface roughnesses are obtained, which show the evolvement of the ablative plasma. The simulated results show that a rough surface can obviously affect the propagation velocity of the detonation wave near the wall. In addition, the waveform is also destroyed, forming a broken waveform.
A comprehensive benchmark ab initio survey of the stationary points and products of the OH· + CH3OH system
Authors: Győri Tibor , Czakó Gábor
Published: December 2022

Reactions between methanol and the hydroxyl radical are of significant interest for combustion-, atmospheric-, and astrochemistry. While the two primary product channels (the formation of H2O with either CH3O· or ·CH2OH) have been the subject of numerous studies, the possibility of other products has seen little attention. Here, we present a comprehensive thermochemical survey of the stationary points and plausible products of the reaction, featuring 29 geometries optimized at the UCCSD(T)-F12b/aug-cc-pVTZ level, followed by accurate composite ab initio computations for all stationary points (including ·CH2OH dissociation and isomerization) and five product channels, with a detailed evaluation of basis set convergence and efficiency. The computations reveal that the formation of methanediol and the hydroxymethoxy radical is thermodynamically favorable and the endothermicity of formaldehyde formation is low enough to be a plausible product channel. We also observe unexpectedly large energy deviations between the partially-spin-adapted ROHF-RCCSD(T) method and ROHF-UCCSD(T) as well as between UHF-UCCSDT(Q) and ROHF-UCCSDT(Q) results.
First records of Myxomycetes associated with members of the Cactaceae in Australia
Authors: Stephenson Steven L. , Elliott Todd F.
Published: December 2022

Context Cacti are endemic to North and South America, but numerous species have been spread all over the world after Europeans visited the Americas. Their global spread has impacted various aspects of terrestrial ecosystems, including the distributions of succulenticolous myxomycetes. Aims In this study, we examine the association of myxomycetes (also known as plasmodial slime moulds or myxogastrids) with three introduced species of cacti in Australia. Methods Using the moist chamber culturing technique we prepared 33 cultures from dead portions of three species of cacti collected in New South Wales and Queensland. Key results Eighty-eight percent of moist chamber cultures yielded evidence of myxomycetes (either plasmodia or fruiting bodies). A total of 12 species representing six genera were recorded. Physarum compressum was the most abundant species (appearing in 20 of the 33 cultures), with species such as Perichaena depressa also relatively common. We also report the first records of Perichaena luteola in Australia. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the assemblages of myxomycetes associated with members of the Cactaceae in Australia, and we highlight the occurrence of succulenticolous myxomycetes on the continent. Implications This study leads to a better understanding of the biogeography, distribution and ecology of succulenticolous myxomycetes. We also add a new species record for Australia.
Co-opting small-scale fishers’ knowledge with scientific data to improve understanding of fish community structures in the Lower Komati River, South Africa
Authors: Dlamini Vuyisile , Samson Melanie , Curtis Chris , O’Brien Gordon
Published: December 2022

Context In developing countries, fish data might be lacking and expensive to collect. Fisher’s local ecological knowledge (LEK) has been identified as important to complement scientific data gaps. However, consensus and divergences between both methods have not been extensively studied. Aims This paper compares local fishers’ LEK and scientifically sampled data on fish species composition, ecological preferences, and wellbeing in the Lower Komati River, South Africa. Methods Key informant interviews (n = 6), field tracking (n = 5) and participatory mapping (n = 22) were undertaken to capture fishers’ LEK and produce maps showing fishing points. Two science-led fish surveys in six sites were also undertaken between August 2019 and December 2019 by using an electrofishing method. Key results The fishers’ LEK and survey data showed similar patterns of occurrence of Micralestes acutidens, Coptodon rendalli, Oreochromis mossambicus and Labeo cylindricus. Comparing fishers’ catch estimates and survey catch showed that there is no significant difference (P > 0.05) in abundance on the two most sampled species by using ANOVA. Conclusion Differences between the two methods were observed in assessing the river and fish’s wellbeing. Implication The similarities and differences were identified as opportunities for small-scale fisheries and scientists to co-identify ecosystem management strategies that are congruent to the local environment.
Donkey behaviour – an overview of defensive aggression during handling
Authors: Prescott Kayna , McCafferty Corinne , Hart Ben
Published: December 2022

Donkeys have significant behaviour variations in comparison with horses, due to each species evolving in different environments. Donkeys have a reduced flight response compared with horses, but an increased tendency to display fight or freeze behaviours. Unlike horses, they can display territorial, defensive behaviour and show a wide range of sexual behaviours that require consideration during management. Donkeys can bond strongly to other donkeys or animals and separating bonded companions can cause stress severe enough to induce the potentially fatal condition hyperlipaemia. Donkeys show stoic body language in response to pain. Awareness of subtle behavioural indicators of fear and pain can improve donkey welfare and improve handler safety.
The role of agriculture in human infectious disease outbreaks
Authors: Morand Serge
Published: December 2022

This study uses the available data to explore the temporal and geographical patterns of infectious diseases and their links between human demography, human-induced land-use change, livestock and poultry expansion, and biodiversity loss. Over the last decades, the number of outbreaks of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases increased mostly in the intertropical zone. The increase in cropland, grassland, tree plantation, livestock, poultry, biodiversity at threat (using the Red List index) mostly occurred in the intertropical zone. Using structural equation modeling, significant relationships were observed between disease outbreaks, human demography, livestock (cattle and pigs), poultry (chickens), tree plantation and artificial land expansion as well as with increasing biodiversity at threat. While agricultural expansion is seen as a driver of biodiversity loss and potentially emerging infectious diseases, here we show that cropland and grassland expansion does not appear to enhance disease outbreaks directly, but indirectly and only for cropland on biodiversity loss. The links observed between infectious disease outbreaks, human demography, agriculture, livestock, urbanization and biodiversity should help rethink the global food system in ways that minimize the risk of infectious diseases while preserving biodiversity and contributing to Sustainable Goals.
A novel intelligent diagnosis method of rolling bearing and rotor composite faults based on vibration signal-to-image mapping and CNN-SVM
Authors: Hongwei Fan , Ceyi Xue , Jiateng Ma , Xiangang Cao , Xuhui Zhang
Published: December 2022

The rolling bearing is a key element of rotating machine and its fault diagnosis is a research focus. When a single fault of a rolling bearing fails to be addressed in time, it will cause progressive composite faults between the bearing and other elements. In this paper, the different composite fault cases of bearing and rotor are considered. First, an information fusion-empirical mode decomposition-angle adaptive distribution of polar coordinates image method is proposed, which has an adaptive image expression ability for the tested vibration signal, and can provide high-quality vibration image samples for diagnosis model training. Second, an intelligent diagnosis model combining a convolutional neural network and a support vector machine is proposed, which has an excellent generalization ability to recognize the different composite faults. Third, the different composite faults between rolling bearing and rotor are fabricated, tested and then diagnosed. The results show the test accuracy of the proposed method is higher than the conventional method and simple in the image mapping, which proves that this work is effective for the composite fault diagnosis of a rolling bearing and rotor.
Transition frequencies between 2S and 2P states of lithium-like ions
Authors: Wang Liming , Liu Tongtong , Yang Weiqing , Yan Zong-Chao
Published: December 2022

The Schrödinger equation for the 2S and 2P states of the lithium-like ions Z = 5–7, 9–10 is solved by using the Rayleigh-Ritz variational method in Hylleraas coordinates. The leading-order relativistic and QED corrections are calculated perturbatively and higher-order corrections are estimated. The transition frequencies between the 2S1/2 and 2P
J
(J = 1/2, 3/2) states are determined and compared with experimental and other theoretical results. Specifically, isotope shifts are also calculated for B2+.
Elliptically polarized high-order harmonic generation in nitrogen molecules with cross-linearly polarized two-color laser fields
Authors: Zhai Chunyang , Wu Yinmeng , Qin Lingling , Li Xiang , Shi Luke , Zhang Ke , Kang Shuaijie , Li Zhengfa , Li Yingbin , Tang Qingbin , Yu Benhai
Published: December 2022

Circularly and elliptically polarized high-order harmonics have unique advantages when used in studying the chiral and magnetic features of matter. Here, we studied the polarization properties of high-order harmonics generated from alignment nitrogen molecules driven by cross-linearly polarized two-color laser fields. Through adjusting various laser parameters and targets, such as the relative phase, the crossing angle, the intensity ratio of the driving fields, and the molecular alignment angle, we obtained highly elliptically polarized high-order harmonics with the same helicity in a wide spectral range. This provides a possible effective way to generate elliptically polarized attosecond pulses. Finally, we showed the probability of controlling the spectral range of elliptically polarized harmonics.
Performance test of different silicon photomultipliers for the 6LiF:ZnS(Ag) based neutron detectors of CSNS
Authors: Huang C. , Tang B. , Yu Q. , Yao Z. , Sun Z.J. , Tang M.J. , Jiang J.J. , Cai X.J. , Yue X.P. , Zhou S.H. , Chen S.J. , Wang X.K. , Xu H. , Wang Y.F. , Liu Y.T. , Teng H.Y.
Published: December 2022

The China Spallation Neutron Source (CSNS) is a large
scientific facility whose main aim is to support multidisciplinary
research on material characterization using neutron
scattering. Twenty neutron spectrometers will be built as
multidisciplinary platforms for scientific research by national
institutions, universities, and industry. Scintillator neutron
detectors for the spectrometers under construction have recently
been developed using silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) for the
readout. This paper studies the characteristics of three candidate
SiPMs, including the breakdown voltage, gain, temperature
coefficient, dark count rate, and radiation tolerance. Two
measurement platforms were built to evaluate each SiPM. We summarize
the results from our analysis of laboratory tests and beam test data
to characterize the performance of the SiPMs. The MicroFJ-30035-TSV
SiPM manufactured by the SensL Corporation is chosen as the best
SiPM for the scintillator detectors at CSNS.
The warming winter accelerated methane emissions during subsequent rice growing season from paddy fields
Authors: Wu Xian , Wu Lei , Luo Yue , Sun Zheng , Su Ronglin , Hu Jinli , Li Huabin , Zhao Jingsong , Wu Jinshui , Hu Ronggui
Published: December 2022

Global temperature is projected to increase, which impacts the ecological process in northern mid- and high-latitude ecosystems, but the winter temperature change in ecosystems is among the least understood. Rice paddy represents a significant contributor to global anthropogenic CH4 emissions and has a strong climate forcing feedback; however, the legacy effects of warming winter on CH4 emissions in the subsequent growing season remain uncertain. Here, we conducted field and incubation experiments to determine the effects of winter soil temperature changes on CH4 emissions in the subsequent growing season. First, in the 3 year field experiment, we continuously measured CH4 emissions from the rice cropping system. The winter soil temperature and its variation showed significant differences over the 3 years. In the warming-winter year, the rice paddy accumulated less NH4
+–N and more dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the soil during winter, resulting in high CH4 emissions. Second, we incubated the paddy soils without flooding at three temperatures (5 °C, 15 °C, and 25 °C) for 4 weeks to simulate warming winter, and subsequently incubated at same temperature (25 °C) under submerged conditions for 4 weeks to simulate growing season. The result was consistent with field experiment, increased soil temperature significantly increased soil DOC content and decreased NH4
+–N content in ‘winter season’. The CH4 emissions in the subsequent ‘growing season’ increased by 190% and 468% when previous incubation temperature increased 10 °C and 20 °C. We showed strong and clear links between warming winter and CH4 emissions in the subsequent growing season for the first time, suggesting that CH4 related processes respond not only to warming during the growing season but also in the previous winter. Our findings indicate that nonuniform global warming causes a disproportionate increase in climate forcing feedback to emit more CH4.
Human exhaled air diagnostic markers for respiratory tract infections in subjects receiving mechanical ventilation
Authors: Chen Dapeng , Mirski Marek A , Chen Shuo , Devin Alese P , Haddaway Caroline R , Caton Emily R , Bryden Wayne A , McLoughlin Michael
Published: December 2022

Diagnosing respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in critical care settings is essential for appropriate antibiotic treatment and lowering mortality. The current diagnostic method, which primarily relies on clinical symptoms, lacks sensitivity and specificity, resulting in incorrect or delayed diagnoses, putting patients at a heightened risk. In this study we developed a noninvasive diagnosis method based on collecting non-volatile compounds in human exhaled air. We hypothesized that non-volatile compound profiles could be effectively used for bacterial RTI diagnosis. Exhaled air samples were collected from subjects receiving mechanical ventilation diagnosed with or without bacterial RTI in intensive care units at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Truncated proteoforms, a class of non-volatile compounds, were characterized by top-down proteomics, and significant features associated with RTI were identified using feature selection algorithms. The results showed that three truncated proteoforms, collagen type VI alpha three chain protein, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and putative homeodomain transcription factor II were independently associated with RTI with the p-values of 2.0 × 10−5, 1.1 × 10−4, and 1.7 × 10−3, respectively, using multiple logistic regression. Furthermore, a score system named ‘TrunScore’ was constructed by combining the three truncated proteoforms, and the diagnostic accuracy was significantly improved compared to that of individual truncated proteoforms, with an area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of 96.9%. This study supports the ability of this noninvasive breath analysis method to provide an accurate diagnosis for RTIs in subjects receiving mechanical ventilation. The results of this study open the doors to be able to potentially diagnose a broad range of diseases using this non-volatile breath analysis technique.
A short proof for Hopf bifurcation in Gurtin-MacCamy’s population dynamics model
Authors: Ducrot Arnaud , Kang Hao , Magal Pierre
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we provide a short proof for the Hopf bifurcation theorem in the Gurtin-MacCamy’s population dynamics model. Here we use the Crandall and Rabinowitz’s approach, based on the implicit function theorem. Compared with previous methods, here we require the age-specific birth rate to be slightly smoother (roughly of bounded variation), but we have a huge gain for the length of the proof.
A generalization of Bang’s lemma
Authors: Ambrus Gergely
Published: December 2022

We prove a common extension of Bang’s and Kadets’ lemmas for contact pairs, in the spirit of the Colourful Carathéodory Theorem. We also formulate a generalized version of the affine plank problem and prove it under special assumptions. In particular, we obtain a generalization of Kadets’ theorem. Finally, we give applications to problems regarding translative and homothetic coverings.
Kähler surfaces with six-positive curvature operator of the second kind
Authors: Li Xiaolong
Published: December 2022

The purpose of this article is to initiate the investigation of the curvature operator of the second kind on Kähler manifolds. The main result asserts that a closed Kähler surface with six-positive curvature operator of the second kind is biholomorphic to

C
P

2

\mathbb {CP}^2

. It is also shown that a closed non-flat Kähler surface with six-nonnegative curvature operator of the second kind is either biholomorphic to

C
P

2

\mathbb {CP}^2

or isometric to

S

2

×

S

2

\mathbb {S}^2 \times \mathbb {S}^2

.
Isomorphism problems and groups of automorphisms for Ore extensions 𝐾[𝑥][𝑦;𝛿] (zero characteristic)
Authors: Bavula V.
Published: December 2022

Let

Λ
(
f
)
=
K
[
x
]
[
y
;
f

d

d
x

]

\Lambda (f) = K[x][y; f\frac {d}{dx} ]

be an Ore extension of a polynomial algebra

K
[
x
]

K[x]

over a field

K
K

of characteristic zero where

f
∈
K
[
x
]

f\in K[x]

. For a given polynomial

f
f

, the automorphism group of the algebra

Λ
(
f
)

\Lambda (f)

is explicitly described. The polynomial case

Λ
(
0
)
=
K
[
x
,
y
]

\Lambda (0) = K[x,y]

and the case of the Weyl algebra

A
1

=
K
[
x
]
[
y
;

d

d
x

]

A_1= K[x][y; \frac {d}{dx} ]

were done by Jung [J. Reine Angew. Math. 184 (1942), pp. 161–174] and van der Kulk [Nieuw Arch. Wisk. (3) 1 (1953), pp. 33–41], and Dixmier [Bul. Soc. Math. France 96 (1968), pp. 209–242], respectively. Alev and Dumas [Comm. Algebra 25 (1997), pp. 1655–1672] proved that the algebras

Λ
(
f
)

\Lambda (f)

and

Λ
(
g
)

\Lambda (g)

are isomorphic iff

g
(
x
)
=
λ
f
(
α
x
+
β
)

g(x) = \lambda f(\alpha x+\beta )

for some

λ
,
α
∈
K
∖
{
0
}

\lambda , \alpha \in K\backslash \{ 0\}

and

β
∈
K

\beta \in K

. Benkart, Lopes and Ondrus [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 367 (2015), pp. 1993–2021] gave a complete description of the set of automorphism groups of algebras

Λ
(
f
)

\Lambda (f)

. In this paper we complete the picture, i.e. given the polynomial

f
f

we have the explicit description of the automorphism group of

Λ
(
f
)

\Lambda (f)

.

The key concepts in finding the automorphism groups are the eigenform, the eigenroot and the eigengroup of a polynomial (introduced in the paper; they are of independent interest).
Ras-mediated activation of mTORC2 promotes breast epithelial cell migration and invasion
Authors: Collins Shannon E. , Wiegand Mollie E. , Werner Alyssa N. , Brown Isabella N. , Mundo Mary I. , Swango Douglas J. , Mouneimne Ghassan , Charest Pascale G.
Published: December 2022

Ras regulation of mTORC2 in breast epithelial and cancer cells promotes their migration, and mTORC2 mediates the invasion but not the proliferation of breast epithelial cells transformed with oncogenic Ras.
An approach for quantitative mapping of synaptic periactive zone architecture and organization
Authors: Del Signore Steven J. , Mitzner Margalit G. , Silveira Anne M. , Fai Thomas G. , Rodal Avital A.
Published: December 2022

At neuronal synapses, endocytic proteins concentrate near sites of vesicle release in a membrane domain called the periactive zone. A new method and conceptual framework were devised to quantify periactive zone architecture, and it was found that endocytic protein localization is surprisingly complex and correlates with markers of synaptic exocytic probability.
Role of intraflagellar transport in transcriptional control during flagellar regeneration in Chlamydomonas
Authors: Perlaza Karina , Zamora Ivan , Marshall Wallace F.
Published: December 2022

When flagella assemble, genes encoding flagellar proteins are up-regulated. A combination of modeling and analysis of expression in mutants affecting flagellar assembly suggests a mechanism for controlling gene expression based on sequestration of a repressor inside the flagellum by intraflagellar transport -mediated import.
India: a late opening to the notion of international public policy?
Authors: Vidyarthi Abhisar , Hyaat Khan Sikander
Published: December 2022

The New York Convention does not define the term public policy, and confers discretion on the member states to develop and apply their own notions of public policy. The development and evolution of public policy, at both national and international levels, have given rise to domestic and international interpretations of public policy. International public policy reflects only those notions of morality and justice that are relevant in the international context. It is widely recognized that domestic public policy should apply only to domestic awards, and states should endeavour to apply international public policy when dealing with the enforcement of foreign awards. While Indian courts do not make an explicit distinction between domestic and international public policy, they have traditionally been infamous for refusing enforcement to foreign awards based upon a broad public policy scrutiny. That said, in recent times, there has been a strong push to rectify India’s image by narrowly interpreting the scope of public policy applicable to foreign awards. This article examines whether the recent favourable changes in the judicial and legislative outlook towards public policy have opened the doors for the application of international public policy to the enforcement of foreign awards in India.
Proteomic clusters underlie heterogeneity in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease progression
Authors: Wisch Julie K , Butt Omar H , Gordon Brian A , Schindler Suzanne E , Fagan Anne M , Henson Rachel L , Yang Chengran , Boerwinkle Anna H , Benzinger Tammie L S , Holtzman David M , Morris John C , Cruchaga Carlos , Ances Beau M
Published: December 2022

Heterogeneity in progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses challenges for both clinical prognosis and clinical trial implementation. Multiple AD-related subtypes have previously been identified, suggesting differences in receptivity to drug interventions. We identified early differences in preclinical AD biomarkers, assessed patterns for developing preclinical AD across the amyloid-tau-(neurodegeneration) [AT(N)] framework, and considered potential sources of difference by analysing the CSF proteome.

Participants (n = 10) enrolled in longitudinal studies at the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center completed four or more lumbar punctures. These individuals were cognitively normal at baseline. Cerebrospinal fluid measures of amyloid-β (Aβ)42, phosphorylated tau (pTau181), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) as well as proteomics values were evaluated. Imaging biomarkers, including PET amyloid and tau, and structural MRI, were repeatedly obtained when available. Individuals were staged according to the amyloid-tau-(neurodegeneration) framework.

Growth mixture modelling, an unsupervised clustering technique, identified three patterns of biomarker progression as measured by CSF pTau181 and Aβ42. Two groups (AD Biomarker Positive and Intermediate AD Biomarker) showed distinct progression from normal biomarker status to having biomarkers consistent with preclinical AD. A third group (AD Biomarker Negative) did not develop abnormal AD biomarkers over time. Participants grouped by CSF trajectories were re-classified using only proteomic profiles (AUCAD Biomarker Positive versus AD Biomarker Negative = 0.857, AUCAD Biomarker Positive versus Intermediate AD Biomarkers = 0.525, AUCIntermediate AD Biomarkers versus AD Biomarker Negative = 0.952).

We highlight heterogeneity in the development of AD biomarkers in cognitively normal individuals. We identified some individuals who became amyloid positive before the age of 50 years. A second group, Intermediate AD Biomarkers, developed elevated CSF ptau181 significantly before becoming amyloid positive. A third group were AD Biomarker Negative over repeated testing. Our results could influence the selection of participants for specific treatments (e.g. amyloid-reducing versus other agents) in clinical trials. CSF proteome analysis highlighted additional non-AT(N) biomarkers for potential therapies, including blood–brain barrier-, vascular-, immune-, and neuroinflammatory-related targets.
What the Hel: recent advances in understanding rifampicin resistance in bacteria
Authors: Sudzinová Petra , Šanderová Hana , Koval' Tomáš , Skálová Tereza , Borah Nabajyoti , Hnilicová Jarmila , Kouba Tomáš , Dohnálek Jan , Krásný Libor
Published: December 2022

Rifampicin is a clinically important antibiotic that binds to, and blocks the DNA/RNA channel of bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP). Stalled, nonfunctional RNAPs can be removed from DNA by HelD proteins; this is important for maintenance of genome integrity. Recently, it was reported that HelD proteins from high G+C Actinobacteria, called HelR, are able to dissociate rifampicin-stalled RNAPs from DNA and provide rifampicin resistance. This is achieved by the ability of HelR proteins to dissociate rifampicin from RNAP. The HelR-mediated mechanism of rifampicin resistance is discussed here, and the roles of HelD/HelR in the transcriptional cycle are outlined. Moreover, the possibility that the structurally similar HelD proteins from low G+C Firmicutes may be also involved in rifampicin resistance is explored. Finally, the discovery of the involvement of HelR in rifampicin resistance provides a blueprint for analogous studies to reveal novel mechanisms of bacterial antibiotic resistance.
INFORMAL STUDENT CAREGIVERS: BALANCING CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACHIEVING ACADEMIC SUCCESS
Authors: Tucker Gretchen , Bradley Dana , Millar Roberto , Thorne Claudia , Diehl Christin
Published: December 2022

According to the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP), there are five million student caregivers in the United States. Seven out of ten student caregivers say their caregiving roles affect their academic achievements. An informal (unpaid) student caregiver may provide care for a spouse, family member (excluding child care), friend, or neighbor. Student caregivers often encounter obstacles in balancing their caregiving responsibilities while trying to achieve academic success. The goal of this mixed method study is to understand the experiences of informal (unpaid) student caregivers. The aim of this study was to expand on a pilot study to increase our understanding of what challenges students face while being a caregiver and what resources are most helpful to reach their academic goals. The study was a mixed methods study consisting of a survey, which was sent to both undergraduate and graduate students, followed by one-on-one interviews with students who wanted to provide additional information about their experiences. Data was collected from two universities in the Baltimore metropolitan area, one of which is a designated historically black university and the other a minority serving university. We present findings from this research with a focus on identifying challenges and opportunities for universities to serve informal student caregivers from diverse backgrounds. More broadly, this research will contribute to the universities’ understanding of student caregivers and help identify new resources to assist students in achieving their academic goals while being a caregiver.
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NURSING HOME DIRECT CARE PROFESSIONALS’ TURNOVER INTENT DURING COVID-19
Authors: Cimarolli Verena , Bryant Natasha , Falzarano Francesca , Stone Robyn
Published: December 2022

The negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of direct care professionals (DCPs; nursing assistants and aides) in nursing homes (NHs) has led to high rates of DCPs’ turnover and staff shortages - both issues that were already prevalent before the pandemic. More optimal staffing levels and less turnover are essential for optimal NH quality of care, but little is known about factors associated with turnover in DCPs in NHs during the pandemic. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the mediating roles of 1) quality of employer communication related to COVID-19; 2) DCPs’ perceived preparedness to care for residents with COVID-19; and 3) DCPs’ job satisfaction in the relationship between overall COVID-19-related work stress and intent to remain in one’s job (an indicator of turnover). Path analyses (N=809) demonstrate a significant, indirect effect between COVID-19-related stress and intent to remain in one’s position through the variables of communication, preparedness, and job satisfaction. Higher levels of COVID-19 related stress were associated with poorer communication quality, lower levels of preparedness, and lower job satisfaction, which was subsequently associated with a reduced likelihood of intent to remain in one’s job. However, direct effects show that better communication quality was associated with better preparedness correlating with higher job satisfaction which increased the likelihood of intent to remain in one’s job. Findings underscore the importance of employer supports in DCPs’ job satisfaction and turnover in NHs and, thus have implications for how to improve quality of care in NHs.
Palliative care education in an Australian undergraduate pharmacy curriculum: an exploratory descriptive study
Authors: Ong Jennifer A , Rego Joanna , Ung Tina , Kumar Shweta , Ash Kylie , Saini Bandana , Yates Patsy
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To examine the self-perceived knowledge, confidence and preparedness of undergraduate pharmacy students to provide palliative care.

Methods

A descriptive exploratory analysis was conducted in 2021 at an Australian university involving final-year pharmacy students (n = 200) who were provided with the opportunity to complete a survey on self-perceived knowledge, confidence and preparedness overall and with respect to a range of graduate capabilities which are essential to provide care in palliative care settings. Key capability areas include: communication, showing empathy, making clinical judgements and self-reflection. This was measured using the Palliative Care Curriculum for Undergraduates Questionnaire which was distributed electronically. Descriptive statistics were undertaken and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to explore any differences in outcomes with respect to factors related to demographics, personal experience and education. Thematic analysis was utilised for qualitative data.

Key findings

Forty-five percent of the student cohort (n = 89) responded, 70% of whom were female, and the median age for students was 22 years. Median scores (interquartile range) were modest for overall self-perceived knowledge: 5.0 (3.0–5.0), confidence: 4.0 (3.0–5.0) and preparedness: 4.0 (2.5–5.0). Students who had participated in learning about palliative care through clinical placements (n = 25, 28%), self-directed learning activities (n = 18, 20%) or case-/problem-based learning (n = 14, 16%) demonstrated a statistically significant increase in overall preparedness (P = 0.017), confidence with specific capabilities including evidence-based practice (P = 0.013), responding to medication queries (P < 0.05) and managing symptoms other than pain (P = 0.018).

Conclusions

Findings suggest students were confident to manage symptoms and medication-related issues but less confident to address distress or discuss sensitive matters with patients and their families. There may be a need for greater exposure and practical experience in palliative care settings.
A deep learning approach to identify missingis-arelations in SNOMED CT
Authors: Abeysinghe Rashmie , Zheng Fengbo , Bernstam Elmer V , Shi Jay , Bodenreider Olivier , Cui Licong
Published: December 2022

Objective

SNOMED CT is the largest clinical terminology worldwide. Quality assurance of SNOMED CT is of utmost importance to ensure that it provides accurate domain knowledge to various SNOMED CT-based applications. In this work, we introduce a deep learning-based approach to uncover missing is-a relations in SNOMED CT.

Materials and Methods

Our focus is to identify missing is-a relations between concept-pairs exhibiting a containment pattern (ie, the set of words of one concept being a proper subset of that of the other concept). We use hierarchically related containment concept-pairs as positive instances and hierarchically unrelated containment concept-pairs as negative instances to train a model predicting whether an is-a relation exists between 2 concepts with containment pattern. The model is a binary classifier leveraging concept name features, hierarchical features, enriched lexical attribute features, and logical definition features. We introduce a cross-validation inspired approach to identify missing is-a relations among all hierarchically unrelated containment concept-pairs.

Results

We trained and applied our model on the Clinical finding subhierarchy of SNOMED CT (September 2019 US edition). Our model (based on the validation sets) achieved a precision of 0.8164, recall of 0.8397, and F1 score of 0.8279. Applying the model to predict actual missing is-a relations, we obtained a total of 1661 potential candidates. Domain experts performed evaluation on randomly selected 230 samples and verified that 192 (83.48%) are valid.

Conclusions

The results showed that our deep learning approach is effective in uncovering missing is-a relations between containment concept-pairs in SNOMED CT.
Identification and characterization of bioactive metabolites of 12-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid, a ligand for leukotriene B4 receptor 2
Authors: Yasukawa Ken , Okuno Toshiaki , Ogawa Narihito , Kobayashi Yuichi , Yokomizo Takehiko
Published: December 2022

12(S)-hydroxyheptadecatrienoic acid (12-HHT) is a bioactive fatty acid synthesized from arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase pathway and serves as an endogenous ligand for the low-affinity leukotriene B4 receptor 2 (BLT2). Although the 12-HHT/BLT2 axis contributes to the maintenance of epithelial homeostasis, 12-HHT metabolism under physiological conditions is unclear. In this study, 12-keto-heptadecatrienoic acid (12-KHT) and 10,11-dihydro-12-KHT (10,11dh-12-KHT) were detected as 12-HHT metabolites in the human megakaryocytic cell line MEG01s. We found that 12-KHT and 10,11dh-12-KHT are produced from 12-HHT by 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) and prostaglandin reductase 1 (PTGR1), key enzymes in the degradation of prostaglandins, respectively. The 15-PGDH inhibitor SW033291 completely suppressed the production of 12-KHT and 10,11dh-12-KHT in MEG01s cells, resulting in a 9-fold accumulation of 12-HHT. 12-KHT and 10,11dh-12-KHT were produced in mouse skin wounds, and the levels were significantly suppressed by SW033291. Surprisingly, the agonistic activities of 12-KHT and 10,11dh-12-KHT on BLT2 were comparable to that of 12-HHT. Taken together, 12-HHT is metabolized into 12-KHT by 15-PGDH, and then 10,11dh-12-KHT by PTGR1 without losing the agonistic activity.
The picture collection of the Lords Kinnaird at Rossie Priory
Authors: Cassidy Brendan
Published: December 2022

The paintings acquired by the 7th and 8th Barons Kinnaird in the period c.1795–1828 included some of the finest Old Masters on the market, including works by Titian, Rembrandt and Rubens, and works from the Orléans collection. Mounting debts, however, meant that several were soon sold. Those that remained would eventually be displayed (from c.1825) in the newly built family home, Rossie Priory in Perthshire. There they attracted the attention of Gustav Friedrich Waagen, Wilhelm von Bode, Cornelis Hofstede de Groot and Bernard Berenson. The collection, however, was larger than the reports of these scholars suggested and contained important works they failed to mention. Two sources of information presented here provide fuller knowledge of the pictures in the Priory: a group of early photographs made in the 1850s and 1860s (accessible at https://collections.st-andrews.ac.uk/collection/the-rossie-priory-glass-plate-negative-collection/503453) and an inventory of the contents of the house made in 1878 and reproduced in annotated form in an online Appendix to this article. Between them they document the collection before its dispersal, principally at a London sale in 1946.
Battle for control of anthocyanin biosynthesis in twoBrassicaceaespecies infected with turnip mosaic virus
Authors: Inukai Tsuyoshi , Kim Hangil , Matsunaga Wataru , Masuta Chikara
Published: December 2022

It has previously been found that turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) greatly suppresses anthocyanin accumulation (AA) in Brassica rapa leaves, and that such leaves become infected whilst anthocyanin-enriched leaves on the same plants are rarely infected. To clarify whether AA is a defense against TuMV, in this study we examined tissue-level patterns of spontaneous AA in relation to the cellular localization of a TuMV strain that expresses a yellow fluorescent protein. We found that TuMV infection was significantly blocked by AA, suggesting that it functions as a chemical barrier against TuMV. We next analysed changes in expression of genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis in TuMV-infected leaves of Arabidopsis. TuMV also suppressed AA that is induced by high light in Arabidopsis, and this this suppression was mainly due to inhibited expression of anthocyanin late-biosynthesis genes (LBGs). Most positive transcription factors of LBGs were also down-regulated, while the negative regulator SPL15 was highly up-regulated. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) also moderately suppressed AA in Arabidopsis, but in a different manner. Since it appeared that anthocyanin-enriched leaves of Arabidopsis were resistant to TuMV but not CMV, our results suggested that the anthocyanin-associated resistance that we observed was specific to TuMV.
Identity in Historical Political Economy
Authors: Suryanarayan Pavithra , White Steven
Published: December 2022

Identity politics—how identities emerge, how they persist, and the ways in which they shape politics—have been topics of enduring interest to social scientists. This chapter showcases recent work in historical political economy to show how identity shaped the development of the state, the ways elites used propaganda to activate identity cleavages, and the recent methodological and theoretical innovations in where and why historical identities persist and continue to shape politics. We conclude with challenges for the field, including how our assumptions about identity and preferences complicate our understanding of institutional development. Studies of identity have typically focused on individual studies of preferences or structural studies of group contestation. Our survey of new HPE research also suggests that we should take more seriously a meso-level unit of analysis: the role of identity in institutional development, particularly state capacity.
Theoretical Schemas to Guide Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Chronic Low Back Pain Clinical Research
Authors: Chau Anthony , Steib Sharis , Whitaker Evans , Kohns David , Quinter Alexander , Craig Anita , Chiodo Anthony , Chandran SriKrishan , Laidlaw Ann , Schott Zachary , Farlow Nathan , Yarjanian John , Omwanghe Ashley , Wasserman Ronald , O’Neill Conor , Clauw Dan , Bowden Anton , Marras William , Carey Tim , Mehling Wolf , Hunt C Anthony , Lotz Jeffrey
Published: December 2022

Background

Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is a complex with a heterogenous clinical presentation. A better understanding of the factors that contribute to cLBP is needed for accurate diagnosis, optimal treatment, and identification of mechanistic targets for new therapies. The Back Pain Consortium (BACPAC) Research Program provides a unique opportunity in this regard, as it will generate large clinical datasets, including a diverse set of harmonized measurements. The Theoretical Model Working Group was established to guide BACPAC research and to organize new knowledge within a mechanistic framework. This article summarizes the initial work of the Theoretical Model Working Group. It includes a three-stage integration of expert opinion and an umbrella literature review of factors that affect cLBP severity and chronicity.

Methods

During Stage 1, experts from across BACPAC established a taxonomy for risk and prognostic factors (RPFs) and preliminary graphical depictions. During Stage 2, a separate team conducted a literature review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to establish working definitions, associated data elements, and overall strength of evidence for identified RPFs. These were subsequently integrated with expert opinion during Stage 3.

Results

The majority (∼80%) of RPFs had little strength-of-evidence confidence, whereas seven factors had substantial confidence for either a positive association with cLBP (pain-related anxiety, serum C-reactive protein, diabetes, and anticipatory/compensatory postural adjustments) or no association with cLBP (serum interleukin 1-beta / interleukin 6, transversus muscle morphology/activity, and quantitative sensory testing).

Conclusion

This theoretical perspective will evolve over time as BACPAC investigators link empirical results to theory, challenge current ideas of the biopsychosocial model, and use a systems approach to develop tools and algorithms that disentangle the dynamic interactions among cLBP factors.
Precision μ+μ+ and μ+e− elastic scatterings
Authors: Hamada Yu , Kitano Ryuichiro , Matsudo Ryutaro , Takaura Hiromasa
Published: December 2022

The expected measurement precisions of elastic scattering cross sections are estimated for μ+μ+ and μ+e− colliders, which have recently been proposed as future realistic possibilities (μTRISTAN). Compared with contributions from possible new physics represented by higher-dimensional operators, we find that the measurements at a TeV energy μ+μ+ collider can probe the scale of new physics up to O(100) TeV. A μ+e− collider for the Higgs boson factory can also improve the electroweak precision test. For those studies, we assume the expected integrated luminosity at μTRISTAN, Lint = 120 fb−1 (μ+μ+) and 1 ab−1 (μ+e−).