bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of synthesis temperature effect on β-NaGdF4: Yb3+, Er3+ upconversion luminescence efficiency and decay time using maximum entropy method
Authors: Pominova Daria , Romanishkin Igor , Proydakova Vera , Kuznetsov Sergei , Grachev Pavel , Ryabova Anastasia , Tabachkova Natalya , Fedorov Pavel , Loschenov Victor
Published: March 2022

Upconversion materials have several advantages for many applications due to their great potential in converting infrared light to visible. For practical use, it is necessary to achieve high intensity of UC luminescence, so the studies of the optimal synthesis parameters for upconversion nanoparticles are still going on. In the present work, we analyzed the synthesis temperature effect on the efficiency and luminescence decay of β-NaGd0.78Yb0.20Er0.02F4 (15–25 nm) upconversion nanoparticles with hexagonal crystal structure synthesized by anhydrous solvothermal technique. The synthesis temperature was varied in the 290 °C–320 °C range. The synthesis temperature was shown to have a significant influence on the upconversion luminescence efficiency and decay time. The coherent scattering domain linearly depended on the synthesis temperature and was in the range 13.1–22.3 nm, while the efficiency of the upconversion luminescence increases exponentially from 0.02 to 0.10% under 1 W cm−2 excitation. For a fundamental analysis of the reasons for the upconversion luminescence intensity dependence on the synthesis temperature, it was proposed to use the maximum entropy method for luminescence decay kinetics processing. This method does not require a preliminary setting of the number of exponents and, due to this, makes it possible to estimate additional components in the luminescence decay kinetics, which are attributed to different populations of rare-earth ions in different conditions. Two components in the green luminescence and one component in the red luminescence decay kinetics were revealed for nanoparticles prepared at 290 °C–300 °C. An intense short and a weak long component in green luminescence decay kinetics could be associated with two different populations of ions in the surface quenching layer and the crystal core volume. With an increase in the synthesis temperature, the second component disappears, and the decay time increases due to an increase in the number of ions in the crystal core volume and a more uniform distribution of dopants.
Axial effect analysis of relativistic electron beam propagation in vacuum
Authors: WANG Xi , HAO Jianhong , ZHANG Fang , ZHAO Qiang , FAN Jieqing , XUE Bixi , GAO Lei , CHAI Chenrui , DONG Zhiwei
Published: March 2022

In geostationary orbits and other quasi-vacuum environments, relativistic electron beams are affected by the initial emittance and space charge effects during the propagation process, resulting in beam quality degradation. Furthermore, axial energy distribution change in the beam and the axial transient electromagnetic effect caused by current changes in the head and tail regions of the beam also cause the beam to expand and affect its quality. In this study, the particle-in-cell method was used to construct a long-range propagation model of a relativistic electron beam in a vacuum environment. By calculating and simulating the axial energy distribution of the beam and the changes in the transient electromagnetic field, the axial effect during the propagation process was analyzed, and the parameter change law of the effective propagation of the beam was explored. This provided a theoretical reference for a more accurate assessment of the beam quality during propagation.
The application of a helicon plasma source in reactive sputter deposition of tungsten nitride thin films
Authors: YANG Yan , JI Peiyu , LI Maoyang , YU Yaowei , HUANG Jianjun , YU Bin , WU Xuemei , HUANG Tianyuan
Published: March 2022

A reactive helicon wave plasma (HWP) sputtering method is used for the deposition of tungsten nitride (WN
x
) thin films. N2 is introduced downstream in the diffusion chamber. The impacts of N2 on the Ar-HWP parameters, such as ion energy distribution functions (IEDFs), electron energy probability functions (EEPFs), electron temperature (T
e) and density (n
e), are investigated. With the addition of N2, a decrease in electron density is observed due to the dissociative recombination of electrons with

N

2

+

.

The similar IEDF curves of Ar+ and N2
+ indicate that the majority of

N

2

+

stems from the charge transfer in the collision between Ar+ and N2. Moreover, due to the collisions between electrons and N2 ions, EEPFs show a relatively lower T
e with a depletion in the high-energy tail. With increasing negative bias from 50 to 200 V, a phase transition from hexagonal WN to fcc-WN0.5 is observed, together with an increase in the deposition rate and roughness.
On finite time blow-up for a 3D Davey-Stewartson system
Authors: Forcella Luigi
Published: March 2022

We consider the elliptic-elliptic Davey-Stewartson system in the three-dimensional Euclidean space, and we give sufficient conditions for the existence of finite time blow-up solutions in non-isotropic spaces. The proof is based on some general results on distributions defined via homogeneous symbols, in conjunction with a convexity argument.
Minimizing roots of maps between spheres and projective spaces in codimension one
Authors: Fenille Marcio , Gonçalves Daciberg , Prado Gustavo
Published: March 2022

We determine a lower bound for the dimension of the Čech cohomology of the root sets of maps from the sphere

S

2
n
+
1

S^{2n+1}

and from the real projective space

R

P

2
n
+
1

{\mathbb {R}\mathrm {P}}^{2n+1}

into the complex projective space

C

P

n

{\mathbb {C}\mathrm {P}}^n

, for

n
≥
1

n\geq 1

. For each such a map, we construct a representative of its homotopy class which realize the lower bound and whose root set is minimal in the class. We prove that the circle is a minimal root set for any non-trivial homotopy class. We present analogous results for maps from both

S

4
n
+
3

S^{4n+3}

and

R

P

4
n
+
3

{\mathbb {R}\mathrm {P}}^{4n+3}

into the orbit space

C

P

2
n
+
1

/

τ

{\mathbb {C}\mathrm {P}}^{2n+1}\!/\tau

, for

n
≥
0

n\geq 0

, where

τ
\tau

is a free involution on

C

P

2
n
+
1

{\mathbb {C}\mathrm {P}}^{2n+1}

. In this setting, we prove that the disjoint union of two circles is a minimal root set for any non-trivial homotopy class.
Predictive Value of Isolated Symptoms for Diagnosis of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection in Children Tested During Peak Circulation of the Delta Variant
Authors: Westbrook Adrianna L , Benedit Laura C , Frediani Jennifer K , Griffiths Mark A , Khan Nabeel Y , Levy Joshua M , Morris Claudia R , Rostad Christina A , Stone Cheryl L , Sullivan Julie , Vos Miriam B , Welsh Jean , Wood Anna , Martin Greg S , Lam Wilbur , Pollock Nira R
Published: March 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing policies for symptomatic children attending US schools or daycare vary, and whether isolated symptoms should prompt testing is unclear. We evaluated children presenting for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing to determine if the likelihood of having a positive SARS-CoV-2 test differed between participants with 1 symptom vs ≥2 symptoms, and to examine the predictive capability of isolated symptoms.

Methods

Participants aged <18 years presenting for clinical SARS-CoV-2 molecular testing in 6 sites in urban/suburban/rural Georgia (July–October, 2021; Delta variant predominant) were queried about individual symptoms. Participants were classified into 3 groups: asymptomatic, 1 symptom only, or ≥2 symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 test results and clinical characteristics of the 3 groups were compared. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPVs), and negative predictive values (NPVs) for isolated symptoms were calculated by fitting a saturated Poisson model.

Results

Of 602 participants, 21.8% tested positive and 48.7% had a known or suspected close contact. Children reporting 1 symptom (n = 82; odds ratio [OR], 6.00 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.70–13.33]) and children reporting ≥2 symptoms (n = 365; OR, 5.25 [95% CI, 2.66–10.38]) were significantly more likely to have a positive COVID-19 test than asymptomatic children (n = 155), but they were not significantly different from each other (OR, 0.88 [95% CI, .52–1.49]). Sensitivity and PPV were highest for isolated fever (33% and 57%, respectively), cough (25% and 32%), and sore throat (21% and 45%); headache had low sensitivity (8%) but higher PPV (33%). Sensitivity and PPV of isolated congestion/rhinorrhea were 8% and 9%, respectively.

Conclusions

With high Delta variant prevalence, children with isolated symptoms were as likely as those with multiple symptoms to test positive for COVID-19. Isolated fever, cough, sore throat, or headache, but not congestion/rhinorrhea, offered the highest predictive value.
Seroprevalence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 After the Second Wave in South Africa in Human Immunodeficiency Virus–Infected and Uninfected Persons: A Cross-Sectional Household Survey
Authors: Wolter Nicole , Tempia Stefano , von Gottberg Anne , Bhiman Jinal N , Walaza Sibongile , Kleynhans Jackie , Moyes Jocelyn , Buys Amelia , McMorrow Meredith L , Aitken Sue , Magni Sarah , Yun Jessica , Fellows Tamika , Maakamedi Tetelo , Weiner Renay , Cawood Cherie , Martinson Neil , Lebina Limakatso , Jassat Waasila , Brauer Marieke , Cohen Cheryl
Published: March 2022

Background

Seroprevalence studies are important for quantifying the burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in resource-constrained countries.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional household survey spanning the second pandemic wave (November 2020 to April 2021) in 3 communities. Blood was collected for SARS-CoV-2 antibody (2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays targeting spike and nucleocapsid) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing. An individual was considered seropositive if testing positive on ≥1 assay. Factors associated with infection, and the age-standardized infection case detection rate, infection hospitalization rate, and infection fatality rate were calculated.

Results

Overall, 7959 participants were enrolled, with a median age of 34 years and an HIV prevalence of 22.7%. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 45.2% (95% confidence interval 43.7%–46.7%) and increased from 26.9% among individuals enrolled in December 2020 to 47.1% among those enrolled in April 2021. On multivariable analysis, seropositivity was associated with age, sex, race, being overweight/obese, having respiratory symptoms, and low socioeconomic status. Persons living with HIV with high viral load were less likely to be seropositive than HIV-uninfected individuals. The site-specific infection case detection rate, infection hospitalization rate, and infection fatality rate ranged across sites from 4.4% to 8.2%, 1.2% to 2.5%, and 0.3% to 0.6%, respectively.

Conclusions

South Africa has experienced a large burden of SARS-CoV-2 infections, with <10% of infections diagnosed. Lower seroprevalence among persons living with HIV who are not virally suppressed, likely as a result of inadequate antibody production, highlights the need to prioritize this group for intervention.
Machine learning-based identification of risk-factor signatures for undiagnosed atrial fibrillation in primary prevention and post-stroke in clinical practice
Authors: Schnabel Renate B , Witt Henning , Walker Jochen , Ludwig Marion , Geelhoed Bastian , Kossack Nils , Schild Marie , Miller Robert , Kirchhof Paulus
Published: March 2022

Aims

Atrial fibrillation (AF) carries a substantial risk of ischemic stroke and other complications, and estimates suggest that over a third of cases remain undiagnosed. AF detection is particularly pressing in stroke survivors. To tailor AF screening efforts, we explored German health claims data for routinely available predictors of incident AF in primary care and post-stroke using machine learning methods.

Methods and results

We combined AF predictors in patients over 45 years of age using claims data in the InGef database (n = 1 476 391) for (i) incident AF and (ii) AF post-stroke, using machine learning techniques. Between 2013–2016, new-onset AF was diagnosed in 98 958 patients (6.7%). Published risk factors for AF including male sex, hypertension, heart failure, valvular heart disease, and chronic kidney disease were confirmed. Component-wise gradient boosting identified additional predictors for AF from ICD-codes available in ambulatory care. The area under the curve (AUC) of the final, condensed model consisting of 13 predictors, was 0.829 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.826–0.833) in the internal validation, and 0.755 (95% CI 0.603–0.890) in a prospective validation cohort (n = 661). The AUC for post-stroke AF was of 0.67 (95% CI 0.651–0.689) in the internal validation data set, and 0.766 (95% CI 0.731–0.800) in the prospective clinical cohort.

Conclusion

ICD-coded clinical variables selected by machine learning can improve the identification of patients at risk of newly diagnosed AF. Using this readily available, automatically coded information can target AF screening efforts to identify high-risk populations in primary care and stroke survivors.
Interplays between drugs and the gut microbiome
Authors: Wan Yating , Zuo Tao
Published: March 2022

The gut microbiota is considered a key ‘metabolic organ’. Its metabolic activities play essential roles complementary to the host metabolic functions. The interplays between gut microbes and commonly used non-antibiotic drugs have garnered substantial attention over the years. Drugs can reshape the gut microorganism communities and, vice versa, the diverse gut microbes can affect drug efficacy by altering the bioavailability and bioactivity of drugs. The metabolism of drugs by gut microbial action or by microbiota–host cometabolism can transform the drugs into various metabolites. Secondary metabolites produced from the gut microbial metabolism of drugs contribute to both the therapeutic benefits and the side effects. In view of the significant effect of the gut microbiota on drug efficiency and clinical outcomes, it is pivotal to explore the interactions between drugs and gut microbiota underlying medical treatments. In this review, we describe and summarize the complex bidirectional interplays between gut microbes and drugs. We also illustrate the gut-microbiota profile altered by non-antibiotic drugs, the impacts and consequences of microbial alteration, and the biochemical mechanism of microbes impacting drug effectiveness. Understanding how the gut microbes interact with drugs and influence the therapeutic efficacy will help in discovering diverse novel avenues of regulating the gut microbes to improve the therapeutic effects and clinical outcomes of a drug in precision.
Assessing the potential of wearable health monitors for health system strengthening in low- and middle-income countries: a prospective study of technology adoption in Cambodia
Authors: Liverani Marco , Ir Por , Perel Pablo , Khan Mishal , Balabanova Dina , Wiseman Virginia
Published: March 2022

Wearable health monitors are a rapidly evolving technology that may offer new opportunities for strengthening health system responses to cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In light of this, we explored opportunities for, and potential challenges to, technology adoption in Cambodia, considering the complexity of contextual factors that may influence product uptake and sustainable health system integration. Data collection for this study involved in-depth interviews with national and international stakeholders and a literature review. The analytical approach was guided by concepts and categories derived from the non-adoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread, and sustainability (NASSS) framework—an evidence-based framework that was developed for studying health technology adoption and the challenges to scale-up, spread and sustainability of such technologies in health service organizations. Three potential applications of health wearables for the prevention and control of NCDs in Cambodia were identified: health promotion, follow-up and monitoring of patients and surveys of NCD risk factors. However, several challenges to technology adoption emerged across the research domains, associated with the intended adopters, the organization of the national health system, the wider infrastructure, the regulatory environment and the technology itself. Our findings indicate that, currently, wearables could be best used to conduct surveys of NCD risk factors in Cambodia and in other LMICs with similar health system profiles. In the future, a more integrated use of wearables to strengthen monitoring and management of patients could be envisaged, although this would require careful consideration of feasibility and organizational issues.
Surviving Art from Terezín: The Satirical Drawings of Pavel Fantl
Authors: Stańczyk Ewa
Published: March 2022

This article examines the art of Pavel Fantl (1903–1945), a Czech Jewish doctor whom the Nazis murdered shortly before the end of the Second World War. Fantl left behind approximately eighty drawings. Despite being created under difficult conditions in the Terezín Ghetto, his art stands out for its use of humor and satire. This article argues that Fantl’s work not only testified to the suffering and persecution of Jews, but also reflected the wider visual conventions of the time, in particular the satirical cartoon and comic strip of the 1920s and 1930s. In addition, by tracing the material practices surrounding Fantl’s art, this paper shows how the creation and survival of drawings from the ghettos hinged on strong interpersonal bonds with non-Jews beyond the ghetto walls.
Universal Quadratic Forms, Small Norms, and Traces in Families of Number Fields
Authors: Kala Vítězslav , Tinková Magdaléna
Published: March 2022

We obtain good estimates on the ranks of universal quadratic forms over Shanks’ family of the simplest cubic fields and several other families of totally real number fields. As the main tool, we characterize all the indecomposable integers in these fields and the elements of the codifferent of small trace. We also determine the asymptotics of the number of principal ideals of norm less than the square root of the discriminant.
Codesigning a community-based participatory research project to assess tribal perspectives on privacy and health data sharing: A report from the Strong Heart Study
Authors: Triplett Cynthia , Fletcher Burgundy J , Taitingfong Riley I , Zhang Ying , Ali Tauqeer , Ohno-Machado Lucila , Bloss Cinnamon S
Published: March 2022

Broad health data sharing raises myriad ethical issues related to data protection and privacy. These issues are of particular relevance to Native Americans, who reserve distinct individual and collective rights to control data about their communities. We sought to gather input from tribal community leaders on how best to understand health data privacy and sharing preferences in this population. We conducted a workshop with 14 tribal leaders connected to the Strong Heart Study to codesign a research study to assess preferences concerning health data privacy for biomedical research. Workshop participants provided specific recommendations regarding who should be consulted, what questions should be posed, and what methods should be used, underscoring the importance of relationship-building between researchers and tribal communities. Biomedical researchers and informaticians who collect and analyze health information from Native communities have a unique responsibility to safeguard these data in ways that align to the preferences of specific communities.
Effects of feeding high oleic soybean oil to growing-finishing pigs on growth performance and carcass characteristics
Authors: Gaffield Katelyn N , Boler Dustin D , Dilger Ryan N , Dilger Anna C , Harsh Bailey N
Published: March 2022

Feeding growing-finishing pigs supplemental fat is a common practice in the swine industry and can result in improved feed efficiency and reduced feed intake; however, dietary lipids also play a key role in determining pork composition. The objectives of the current study were to evaluate the effects of feeding graded levels of high oleic soybean oil (HOSO) on growth performance and carcass characteristics. A total of 288 pigs raised in two separate blocks (144 pigs each) were assigned to one of four diets containing either 25% dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS), 2% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO2), 4% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO4), or 6% high oleic soybean oil (HOSO6). Pigs were housed 4 per pen and fed for 98 d using a 3-phase feeding system. Pigs were individually weighed and feed intake was recorded throughout the trial to calculate average daily feed intake (ADFI) and gain to feed ratio (G:F). A total of 144 pigs were transported to the University of Illinois Meat Science Laboratory and fabricated into primal and subprimal cuts to calculate carcass cutting yields. Differences in growth performance were observed, with pigs fed the DDGS treatment exhibiting greater (P ≤ 0.01) overall ADFI consuming 0.21, 0.18, and 0.28 kg/d more than HOSO2, HOSO4, and HOSO6 diets, respectively. Pigs fed the HOSO6 diet had greater (P ≤ 0.03) overall G:F than pigs fed DDGS and HOSO2 diets but did not differ (P = 0.12) from pigs fed HOSO4. Furthermore, differences in carcass traits were observed. Hot carcass weight was increased (P ≤ 0.03) in pigs fed the HOSO6 diet compared with pigs fed the DDGS and HOSO2 diets, while pigs fed HOSO4 did not differ (P > 0.05) from either extreme. Additionally, pigs fed HOSO4 and HOSO6 produced fatter (P ≤ 0.01) carcasses with reduced (P ≤ 0.01) standardized fat-free lean. Minimal differences were observed in primal weights expressed as a percentage of chilled side including bone-in Boston butt, trimmed loin, and trimmed ham with primal weights decreasing with increasing inclusion of dietary HOSO. Overall, pigs fed HOSO2 had reduced ADFI with similar backfat thickness and standardized fat-free lean compared with pigs fed the DDGS treatment. However, pigs fed HOSO 4% and 6% not only had improvements in ADFI and G:F but also had increased backfat thickness, which resulted in reductions in standardized fat-free lean and primal weights expressed as a percentage of chilled side weight.
Multi-disciplinary Leadership to Mitigate COVID-19 in an Austere West African Military Environment
Authors: Mitchell Stephanie L , Mitchell Thomas A , Horwitz-Willis Nathaniel , Alptunaer Timur N , Gipson Jeffrey A , Shackelford Stacy A
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic created challenges for forward-deployed military units to Western Africa. Austere military environments afford multiple avenues to transmit COVID-19 amongst service members.

Materials and Methods

A COVID-19 outbreak on a military base in Western Africa spanning over 100 days is statistically analyzed using a Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Furthermore, a COVID-19 reproductive number (R0) is evaluated to examine the relationship between specific command-directed policies to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.

Results

The multidisciplinary partnership of military command, medical, and public health leadership implemented evidence-based and epidemiologically informed COVID-19 preventive base-wide policies, including appropriate isolation/quarantine policies. The R0 for the outbreak was 0.03 and remained <1 for the outbreak duration. This base remained COVID-19 free for multiple weeks after policy implementation.

Conclusions

The implementation of practical mitigating base-wide policies through seamless communication between military command/medical/public health leadership resolved the COVID-19 outbreak while maintaining mission readiness. Weekly COVID-19 testing epidemiological data may be utilized by commanders to direct further decision-making on tightening/loosening base-wide policy restrictions for continued mission-essential operations, e.g., security, food service, or airfield operations.
Comparison of the Parkes and FAST FRB DM distribution
Authors: Arcus W R , James C W , Ekers R D , Wayth R B
Published: March 2022

We model the fast radio burst (FRB) dispersion measure (DM) distribution for the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST) and compare this with the four FRBs published in the literature to date. We compare the DM distribution of Parkes and FAST, taking advantage of the similarity between their multibeam receivers. Notwithstanding the limited sample size, we observe a paucity of events at low DM for all evolutionary models considered, resulting in a sharp rise in the observed cumulative distribution function in the region of 1000 pc cm−3 ≲ DM ≲ 2000 pc cm−3. These traits could be due to statistical fluctuations (0.12 ≤ p ≤ 0.22), a complicated energy distribution or break in an energy distribution power law, spatial clustering, observational bias, or outliers in the sample (e.g. an excessive DMHost as recently found for FRB 20190520B). The energy distribution in this regime is unlikely to be adequately constrained until further events are detected. Modelling suggests that FAST may be well placed to discriminate between redshift evolutionary models and to probe the helium ionization signal of the intergalactic medium.
Black hole weather forecasting with deep learning: a pilot study
Authors: Duarte Roberta , Nemmen Rodrigo , Navarro João Paulo
Published: March 2022

In this pilot study, we investigate the use of a deep learning (DL) model to temporally evolve the dynamics of gas accreting on to a black hole in the form of a radiatively inefficient accretion flow (RIAF). We have trained a convolutional neural network (CNN) on a data set that consists of numerical solutions of the hydrodynamical equations for a range of initial conditions. We find that deep neural networks trained on one simulation seem to learn reasonably well the spatiotemporal distribution of densities and mass continuity of a black hole accretion flow over a duration of 8 × 104GM/c3, comparable to the viscous time-scale at r = 400GM/c2; after that duration, the model drifts from the ground truth suffering from excessive artificial mass injection. Models trained on simulations with different initial conditions show some promise of generalizing to configurations not present in the training set, but also suffer from mass continuity issues. We discuss the caveats behind this method and the potential benefits that DL models offer. For instance, once trained the model evolves an RIAF on a single GPU four orders of magnitude faster than usual fluid dynamics integrators running in parallel on 200 CPU cores. We speculate that a data-driven machine learning approach should be very promising for accelerating simulations of accreting black holes.
Gene Regulatory Networks of Epidermal and Neural Fate Choice in a Chordate
Authors: Leon Anthony , Subirana Lucie , Magre Kevin , Cases Ildefonso , Tena Juan J. , Irimia Manuel , Gomez-Skarmeta Jose Luis , Escriva Hector , Bertrand Stéphanie
Published: March 2022

Neurons are a highly specialized cell type only found in metazoans. They can be scattered throughout the body or grouped together, forming ganglia or nerve cords. During embryogenesis, centralized nervous systems develop from the ectoderm, which also forms the epidermis. How pluripotent ectodermal cells are directed toward neural or epidermal fates, and to which extent this process is shared among different animal lineages, are still open questions. Here, by using micromere explants, we were able to define in silico the putative gene regulatory networks (GRNs) underlying the first steps of the epidermis and the central nervous system formation in the cephalochordate amphioxus. We propose that although the signal triggering neural induction in amphioxus (i.e., Nodal) is different from vertebrates, the main transcription factors implicated in this process are conserved. Moreover, our data reveal that transcription factors of the neural program seem to not only activate neural genes but also to potentially have direct inputs into the epidermal GRN, suggesting that the Nodal signal might also contribute to neural fate commitment by repressing the epidermal program. Our functional data on whole embryos support this result and highlight the complex interactions among the transcription factors activated by the signaling pathways that drive ectodermal cell fate choice in chordates.
Polycarcin V induces DNA-damage response and enables the profiling of DNA-binding proteins
Authors: Yue Zongwei , Wu Fan , Guo Fusheng , Park Jiyeong , Wang Jin , Zhang Liyun , Liao Daohong , Li Wenyang , Schärer Orlando D , Lei Xiaoguang
Published: March 2022

To maintain genomic integrity and avoid diseases, the DNA-damage response (DDR) not only detects and repairs DNA lesions, but also contributes to the resistance to DNA-damaging chemotherapeutics. Targeting the DDR plays a significant role in drug discovery using the principle of synthetic lethality. The incomplete current knowledge of the DDR encouraged us to develop new strategies to identify and study its components and pathways. Polycarcin V, belonging to the C-aryl glycoside natural products, is a light-activatable DNA-intercalating agent that causes DNA damage by forming a covalent [2+2] cycloadduct with thymine residue under 365–450 nm of light irradiation in a DNA-sequence-independent manner. Taking advantage of the light-activatable feature and temporal control of DDR, we designed and synthesized polycarcin V-based bifunctional chemical probes, including one that cross-links DNA to DNA-binding protein to explore the DDR induced by polycarcin V and uncover novel DNA–protein interactions. Utilizing this chemical probe and activity-based protein profiling-stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture, we identified 311 DNA-binding protein candidates, including known DDR factors and additional proteins that may be of interest in discovering new biology. We validated our approach by showing that our probe could specifically cross-link proteins involved in nucleotide excision repair (NER) that repair bulky DNA adducts. Our studies showed that the [2+2] cycloadduct formed by polycarcin V could indeed be repaired by NER in vivo. As a DNA-damaging agent, polycarcin V or its drug-like derivative plus blue light showed promising properties for psoriasis treatment, suggesting that it may itself hold promise for clinic applications.
An orthogonal dual-regulation strategy for sensitive biosensing applications
Authors: Yang Xian , Wang Jinhua , Gao Zhongfeng , Zhang Weiqi , Zhu Hai , Song Yongjun , Wang Quan , Liu Mingjie , Jiang Lei , Huang Yu , Xia Fan
Published: March 2022

Biosensing systems based on controllable motion behaviors of droplets have attracted extensive attention, but still face challenges of insufficient sensitivity and uncontrollable dynamic range due to imprecise manipulation of droplet motion on the surfaces. Here, we report an orthogonal dual-regulation strategy for precise motion control of droplets and we demonstrate its utility as a sensitive sensing system with controllable dynamic ranges of sensing for adenosine triphosphate, miRNA, thrombin and kanamycin, as well as discrimination of five kinds of DNA. We endowed a DNA-contained bio-droplet sliding on a lubricant-infused structural surface with micro-grooves to separately adjust the resistance from liquid phase and solid phase. The resistance from liquid phase mainly depended on hydrophobic interaction between DNA and lubricant, which can be finely tuned by different DNA’s average chain length. Meanwhile, the resistance from solid surface was determined by the energy barrier from the periodic micro-grooves, which can be adjusted by varying the droplet's sliding direction on the surface. The hydrophobic interaction is conformed to be orthogonal to the micro-grooves’ anisotropic resistance by three different methods. This orthogonal dual-regulation strategy thus demonstrated its ability to precisely control bio-droplets’ motion behaviors and sensitive detection with adjustable dynamic ranges for various bio-targets. The dual-regulation strategy will provide significant insights for super-wettable biosensors, visual inspection and beyond.
The Impact of Cigarette Relighting on Nicotine Dependence and Smoking Cessation Treatment Outcome Measures Among Adults With Mood Disorders
Authors: Minami Haruka , Selva Kumar Danusha , Nahvi Shadi
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) is a component of commonly used nicotine dependence measures and often used as a smoking cessation treatment outcome. Yet relighting (ie, smoking used cigarette butts) is not usually considered when CPD is assessed, which may underestimate nicotine dependence and result in an inaccurate picture of smoking behaviors.

Aims and Methods

Data from a randomized controlled trial of a smoking cessation intervention were used. Fagerström Test for Cigarette Dependence (FTCD), CPD, and the frequency of smoking (number of smoking episodes/day) assessed at baseline and 3-month follow-up were used.

Results

Participants were 49 adults with mood disorders who smoke daily receiving outpatient psychiatric treatment. At baseline, 27 (55.1%) participants reported relighting cigarettes, and 6 (27.3%) of those who did not report relighting at baseline reported relighting at 3-month follow-up. Replacing CPD with the frequency of smoking to recalculate the total FTCD score increased the score for 21 participants (43%). The mean FTCD scores increased from 4.61 to 5.16, from a classification of low to medium dependence, and 16 participants (33%) moved up in the dependence classification. Of the 31 participants who reported a >=50% reduction in CPD at 3-month follow-up, 5 (16%) did not achieve the outcome of >=50% reduction in the frequency of smoking per day.

Conclusions

In this sample of adults with mood disorders who smoke, over half reported relighting cigarettes. Results underscore the importance of incorporating the frequency of smoking/relighting when assessing nicotine dependence and patterns of smoking behaviors in high-risk populations.

Implications

This is the first study to investigate the patterns of relighting behavior and its impact on nicotine dependence and smoking cessation treatment outcome measures among treatment-seeking adults with mood disorders who smoke. The majority were relighting, and over a quarter of those who did not report relighting at baseline subsequently reported relighting in the context of a quit attempt. The findings demonstrate that overlooking relighting may underestimate nicotine dependence and overestimate the rates of those who have made meaningful changes in smoking behavior. Incorporating the frequency of smoking/relighting may help to more accurately capture nicotine dependence and patterns of smoking behavior among high-risk populations.
Evaluation of an Infectious Diseases Elective for Early Clinical Medical Students on Their Internal Medicine Clerkship
Authors: Sigler Rachel , Roberts Erin , Welford Elliott , Keehner Jocelyn , Wooten Darcy
Published: March 2022

Background

Early medical subspecialty training is an emerging trend in medical education. These electives are still rare for Early Clinical Medical Students (ECMS). We describe the introduction of an Infectious Disease (ID) inpatient consult rotation elective for ECMS.

Methods

In addition to seeing patients and rounding with the inpatient ID consult team, we created a supplemental curriculum to provide added support for ECMS that included a checklist of clinical skills learning objectives, self-directed, publicly available mini-lectures on ID topics, and an ID Coach who provided directed and personalized tutoring for students. We surveyed ECMS, ID fellows and attendings on service, and ID Coaches to evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of this rotation and curriculum.

Results

The majority of ECMS reported that the rotation was a useful educational experience and that the ID Coach was one of the most valuable aspects of the rotation. The majority of ID fellows and attendings reported that working with ECMS improved their job satisfaction and well-being.

Conclusions

This multifaceted approach to early medical subspecialty training was valuable for ECMS, ID fellows, and faculty. Ongoing improvements in this curriculum will provide a useful tool for medical education.
Radially excited (n = 3) charm mesons in heavy quark effective theory
Authors: Garg Ritu , Kumar Kundan , Upadhyay A
Published: March 2022

By exploring heavy quark effective theory we use theoretical available data for bottom mesons to analyze the masses and decays for n = 3 charm mesons. From the predicted masses, we study ground state strong decay modes in terms of couplings. Comparing the decays with available total decay widths, we provide upper bounds on the associated couplings. We also plot Regge trajectories for our predicted data in the (J, M2) and (nr, M2) planes, and estimate higher masses (n = 4) by fixing Regge slopes and intercepts. These Regge trajectories and study of branching ratios are used to clarify the $D_2^{*}(3000)$ state’s JP as the 13F2 state. The results presented may be further confirmed through upcoming experimental information.
Genetically engineered FGF1-sericin hydrogel material treats intrauterine adhesion and restores fertility in rat
Authors: Guan Chun-Yi , Wang Feng , Zhang Lu , Sun Xue-Cheng , Zhang Dan , Wang Hu , Xia Hong-Fei , Xia Qing-You , Ma Xu
Published: March 2022

Endometrial injury can cause intrauterine adhesions (IUA) and induce the formation of endometrial fibrosis, leading to infertility and miscarriage. At present, there is no effective treatment method for severe IUA and uterine basal injury with adhesion area larger than one-third of the uterus. In this study, we prepared FGF1 silk sericin hydrogel material (FGF1-SS hydrogel) to treat endometrial injury and prevent endometrial fibrosis. Compared with the silk sericin hydrogel material (WT-SS hydrogel), FGF1-SS hydrogel significantly promotes the cell migration and infiltration ability of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). More importantly, FGF1-SS hydrogel can release FGF1 stably for a long time and inhibit the ESCs injury model forms fibrosis through the TGF-β/Smad pathway. In the IUA rat model, FGF1-SS hydrogel treatment effectively restored the number of uterine glands and uterine wall thickness in rats, with a fertility rate of 65.1% ± 6.4%. The results show that FGF1-SS hydrogel is expected to be a candidate to prevent IUA.
Reimagining the Transition to Residency: A Trainee Call to Accelerated Action
Authors: Lin Grant L. , Guerra Sylvia , Patel Juhee , Burk-Rafel Jesse
Published: March 2022

The transition from medical student to resident is a pivotal step in the medical education continuum. For applicants, successfully obtaining a residency position is the actualization of a dream after years of training and has life-changing professional and financial implications. These high stakes contribute to a residency application and Match process in the United States that is increasingly complex and dysfunctional, and that does not effectively serve applicants, residency programs, or the public good. In July 2020, the Coalition for Physician Accountability (Coalition) formed the Undergraduate Medical Education-Graduate Medical Education Review Committee (UGRC) to critically assess the overall transition to residency and offer recommendations to solve the growing challenges in the system.

In this Invited Commentary, the authors reflect on their experience as the trainee representatives on the UGRC. They emphasize the importance of trainee advocacy in medical education change efforts; reflect on opportunities, concerns, and tensions with the final UGRC recommendations (released in August 2021); discuss factors that may constrain implementation; and call for the medical education community—and the Coalition member organizations in particular—to accelerate fully implementing the UGRC recommendations. By seizing the momentum created by the UGRC, the medical education community can create a reimagined transition to residency that reshapes its approach to training a more diverse, competent, and growth-oriented physician workforce.
Genital Scabies with Granulomatous Dermatitis: A Case Report
Authors: Akolawole Michael , Ayosanmi Oluwasola Stephen , Akafa Andes , Njoku Chigozie , Adewuyi Adeyemi , Alaga Adeyemi
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Scabies is a contagious infection of the skin that is commonly found in the extremities. Scabies may be difficult to diagnose when its location is clinically unconventional. Previous reports on granulomatous scabies excluded a genital manifestation.

Case presentation:

The current report focuses on a genital manifestation of scabietic lesions in a young adult. The case involved a 27-year-old man managed in our dermatology clinic with a 3-week history of itchy rash located on the groin, penile shaft, and scrotum.

Discussion:

The rash was suspected to be scabies based on the physical examination, and the diagnosis was confirmed by microscopy. Histologic examination revealed a non-necrotizing granulomatous lesion. The patient was treated with oral ivermectin at 24 mg (400 mcg/kg) three times weekly for 6 weeks and fully recovered.

Conclusion:

This case highlights the importance of considering scabies as a differential diagnosis of genital rash.
Relationship Analysis of Injured Workers’ Average Weekly Wages and Workers’ Compensation Indemnity Claims in Maine, US: 1998 to 2017
Authors: Pieretti Luis F. , Stanley Rodney , Siegfried Karl V.
Published: March 2022

Objective:

Explore the relationship between injured workers’ average weekly wages (AWW) and their workers’ compensation (WC) claims outcomes in Maine, US.

Methods:

A total of 29,668 indemnity (lost-time) claims categorized into three wage-based percentile groups from a 20-year period (5-year intervals) were analyzed. WC outcomes included medical costs, number of indemnity checks, claim's duration, and claim settlements.

Results:

Generally, claims within the lower percentile group were less likely to have high medical costs, but were more likely to have an elevated number of indemnity checks when compared to those in the middle percentile group. An inverse relationship was observed for those claims within the higher percentile group.

Conclusions:

Generalizations about low wage earners’ claims being longer-lasting and more expensive or early return to work always reducing the medical cost of claims should be avoided.
Quality and Safety in Health Care, Part XCV
Authors: Harolds Jay A.
Published: March 2022

Many times in high reliability organizations, there is uncertainty about the meaning of various happenings or circumstances. Unfortunately, in an emergency, there is often no time to fully investigate events or what is going on in the environment before action must be taken to avoid unfortunate results or disaster. In groups, sensemaking refers to the process of interrelating with others so that a shared understanding may be reached, taking advantage of the differing observations, expertise, and opinions of the people involved, and then taking appropriate action.
Confirmation of Ectopic Pancreatic Tissue
Authors: Keller Eric J. , de Castro Carlos Manuel , Ghanouni Pejman , Shah Jagruti
Published: March 2022

This case features a 21-year-old woman with a history of ulcerative colitis who was incidentally found to have a para-jejunal mass when she presented with an ulcerative colitis flare. The mass was further characterized on MR enterography as most likely representing ectopic pancreatic tissue. Given the normal intense pancreatic uptake of 18F-fluciclovine, PET/CT was subsequently used to confirm that the mass represented ectopic pancreatic tissue.
Indications, Techniques, and Postoperative Outcomes of Temporalis Fascia Grafting in Rhinoplasty
Authors: Alqabbani Almaha A. , Assiri Hassan , Mulafikh Dhaifallah S. , Hudise Jibril , Aldhabaan Saud , Nassar Raad , Alarfaj Ahmed
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

To investigate the indication, site, techniques, and complications at the donor and recipient sites of temporalis fascia grafting in rhinoplasty, and patients' satisfaction with the surgical outcomes.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study was performed at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Saudi Arabia, between January 2015 and January 2020. The predictor variable was the temporalis fascia in different forms. Reported variables comprised individuals' satisfaction, dorsal nasal irregularities, and contour definitions. Moreover, further variables were considered, including age, gender, the reason behind surgery, surgical type, and graft size and site. A rhinoplasty doctor, other than a surgeon, has assessed the dorsal augmentation findings by inspecting and palpating the dorsum. Data analyses were achieved through SPSS.

Results:

A total of 69 patients were enrolled in this study; 44.9% of them underwent rhinoplasty with the temporalis fascia in cartilage wrapped by the temporalis fascia form, 43.5% in a blanket form, and 11.6% in a ball form. The average subject satisfaction outcome score was 10.44 preoperatively and 19.72 postoperatively (P = 0.001).

No dorsal irregularities were detected by inspection in all forms of the temporalis fascia, whereas 3 patients with the blanket and 2 patients with the cartilage wrapped by the temporalis fascia had irregularities, which were detected on palpation.

Conclusions:

In rhinoplasty, the temporalis fascia is a favorable choice for nasal reconstruction since it is simple in harvesting and can be made in different forms and shapes for many purposes.
Energy conservation characterizes sleep in sharks
Authors: Kelly Michael L. , Collins Selwyn P. , Lesku John A. , Hemmi Jan M. , Collin Shaun P. , Radford Craig A.
Published: March 2022

Sharks represent the earliest group of jawed vertebrates and as such, they may provide original insight for understanding the evolution of sleep in more derived animals. Unfortunately, beyond a single behavioural investigation, very little is known about sleep in these ancient predators. As such, recordings of physiological indicators of sleep in sharks have never been reported. Reduced energy expenditure arising from sustained restfulness and lowered metabolic rate during sleep have given rise to the hypothesis that sleep plays an important role for energy conservation. To determine whether this idea applies also to sharks, we compared metabolic rates of draughtsboard sharks (
Cephaloscyllium isabellum
) during periods ostensibly thought to be sleep, along with restful and actively swimming sharks across a 24 h period. We also investigated behaviours that often characterize sleep in other animals, including eye closure and postural recumbency, to establish relationships between physiology and behaviour. Overall, lower metabolic rate and a flat body posture reflect sleep in draughtsboard sharks, whereas eye closure is a poorer indication of sleep. Our results support the idea for the conservation of energy as a function of sleep in these basal vertebrates.