bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
London's ULEZ: Where Next for Curbing Emissions?
Authors: Mabbett Deborah
Published: August 2023

If opposition to ULEZ really did tip the Uxbridge by‐election result, we should be surprised. Most voters drive compliant vehicles and might benefit from cleaner air. But the adversely‐affected minority had loud voices, and opposition was mobilised against the very principle of road pricing, with substantial input from home counties Conservatives outside Greater London. It didn't help that the scientific case for ULEZ is not straightforward, although it certainly exists. Especially when a lot of people are giving ‘don't know’ responses to pollsters, public opinion may be swayed by noisy dissent.
Pension benchmarks: empirical estimation and results for the United States and Germany
Authors: Dudel Christian , Schmied Julian
Published: August 2023

Benchmark replacement rates are a key parameter for retirement plans. Often, a pension level of around 70 per cent of net income during working life is considered as an adequate choice. However, this heuristic value is left unjustified, and data‐based benchmarks are limited. In this paper, we propose to estimate a pension‐level benchmark based on keeping the living standard achieved during working life constant after retirement. Applying parametric, semi‐parametric and non‐parametric estimation methods to data from the United States and Germany, we find that a net pension income of around 100 per cent of the last net working‐life income, plus or minus 10 percentage points, is required to keep the living standard constant. However, we also find that the outcome of the exercise can depend on how ‘living standards’ are measured.
Critical, active, and well adapted: Antecedents and consequences of adolescents' critical consciousness profiles
Authors: Schwarzenthal Miriam , Baysu Gülseli , Diemer Matthew , Juang Linda P. , Schachner Maja K.
Published: August 2023

This preregistered study aimed to identify antecedents and consequences of adolescents' critical consciousness (CC) profiles with person‐centered approaches based on data from 663 ethnically diverse German adolescents collected from 2017 to 2019 (Mage = 12.91, 50% male, 50% female). Latent profile analyses of adolescents' critical reflection and interpersonal and structural critical action intentions yielded three profiles: “uncritical,” “armchair activists,” and “actionists.” Discrimination experiences, but not CC classroom climate, predicted a higher likelihood of being in the armchair activist or actionist profiles. The actionist profile showed better, but the armchair activist profile worse socioemotional and academic adaptation cross‐sectionally and over time (vs. the other profiles). The results highlight the potential of person‐centered approaches and of fostering developmentally appropriate forms of critical action among adolescents in novel contexts.
Humanitarian ignorance: towards a new paradigm of non‐knowledge in digital humanitarianism
Authors: Fejerskov Adam Moe , Clausen Maria‐Louise , Seddig Sarah
Published: August 2023

This paper introduces the notion of ‘humanitarian ignorance’ to address growing concern regarding non‐knowledge, as datafication becomes a central instrument and ambition of the humanitarian sector. With the turn to digital humanitarianism, contemporary humanitarian action increasingly relies on technology‐driven quantification to expand the ability to collect, analyse, and present information. Utilising datafication processes, humanitarian organisations seek to assess ‘risk’ and mitigate ‘uncertainty’ more efficiently. Although central to their knowledge management and decision‐making in low information circumstances, the conceptual notions of ‘risk’ and ‘uncertainty’ are inadequate to capture the full spectrum of non‐knowledge in a time of digital humanitarianism. We introduce ‘humanitarian ignorance’ here to challenge the assumption that datafication allows humanitarian organisations to make fully informed, delimited, and thus ‘better’ decisions. Ultimately, we accentuate the paradox that while datafication is thought to reduce risk and uncertainty in humanitarian affairs by suggesting higher levels of control, insight, and certainty, these efforts in fact open new expanses of ignorance and unknowns.
Understanding indirect meaning: A close replication
Authors: Knight Laetitia , Edmonds Amanda
Published: August 2023

Pragmatic competence covers a range of skills, including the ability to interpret indirect meaning (i.e., any instance where there is a mismatch between literal and intended meaning). Past research has suggested that indirect meaning poses comprehension challenges for learners of a second language (L2). This result has been explained with reference to the influence of proficiency and the linguistic/discourse‐level conventionality of indirect meaning types. To verify and potentially extend these results, we conducted a close replication of a 2016 study of indirect meaning comprehension in L2 Spanish by Taguchi and colleagues, for which we used a group of L2 French learners. Results confirmed most of the study's findings. In our interpretation, we suggest that our results are consistent with the idea that difficulties with indirect meaning comprehension largely stem from lacunae in general oral comprehension, thus calling into question the idea that indirect meaning may be globally more difficult to interpret.
Hyperlipidemia impairs bone regeneration of closed bone defects and tooth extraction wounds in mice
Authors: Liu Wenchuan , Yang Jing , Li Shanshan , Ye Xin , Yang Pishan , Zhang Jin
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of hyperlipidemia on the healing of bone defects.

Materials and Methods

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE)‐deficient mice and wild‐type (WT) C57BL/6J mice were fed with an atherogenic high‐fat diet (HFD) or a standard chow diet (as control) for 6 weeks. Blood samples were collected to evaluate serum lipid levels. Closed bone defects and open tooth extraction wounds were then created in the mandibles of these animals. One or two weeks after surgery, animals were euthanized. Micro‐CT analysis and histomorphometric analysis were conducted to evaluate the healing of bone defects and the alveolar ridge resorption.

Results

Bone regeneration of closed bone defects was considerably delayed in the hyperlipidemic Apoe−/− mice and WT mice. No obvious difference was detected in the new bone formation of the tooth extraction wounds. The HFD‐fed mice showed more prominent reduction in the lingual alveolar ridge height of the tooth extraction wounds when compared with the control group.

Conclusions

Hyperlipidemia results in delayed bone regeneration in large closed bone defects. Although tooth extraction wounds are small and normally regenerated in a hyperlipidemic microenvironment, the prominent reduction in the alveolar ridge height is also a challenge for future restoration of the dentition.
Transitioning from professional to interprofessional identity
Authors: Ganotice Fraide A.
Published: August 2023

The author highlights reasons why a more comprehensive research agenda is needed to extend theories and methodologies investigating interprofessional identity within the context of interprofessional education.
Adpositions and gapping
Authors: Kalinin Aleksandr
Published: August 2023

The ungrammaticality of prepositional gapping has remained a challenge to the theory of ellipsis since the inception of gapping studies. Given that Russian ambivalent adpositions can be deleted under gapping, the issue becomes even more complicated. In this article, I propose a solution to these issues by analyzing adpositional gapping as head sharing, derived by Parallel Merge. I argue that only heads hosting unvalued uninterpretable features and edge features can be shared. Using this hypothesis, I correctly predict the properties of adpositional gapping.
Meta‐analysis of bacterial growth characteristics in platelet components: Refining the inputs of a simulation analysis comparing the relative safety of testing strategies
Authors: Walker Brandon S. , Schmidt Robert L. , White Sandra K. , Metcalf Ryan A.
Published: August 2023

Background

The relative safety of bacterial risk control strategies for platelets that include culture with or without rapid testing has been compared using simulation analysis. A wide range of bacterial lag and doubling times were included. However, published data on growth rates are available and these data have not been synthesized. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to estimate growth rates and used these estimates to refine a comparative safety analysis of bacterial risk control strategies in the FDA guidance

Study Design and Methods

Data were extracted from published studies on bacterial growth rates in platelet components during storage. These data were used to estimate the practical range of growth rates. This refined the inputs for a simulation model comparing the safety of the testing strategies.

Results

In total, 108 growth curves for 11 different aerobic organisms were obtained. Doubling times ranged from 0.8 to 12 h, but the lower 90% range was approximately 1–5 h. The revised comparative safety simulation using the narrower 1–5‐h range showed similar rankings to the prior simulation, with 48‐h large‐volume delayed sampling with 7‐day expiration (48C‐7) demonstrating the lowest‐ranking relative performance at the 103 and 105 colony forming unit (CFU)/mL exposure thresholds.

Discussion

This was a two‐step study. First, meta‐analysis of published data on aerobic bacterial growth rates in stored platelets showed the vast majority of doubling times were 1–5 h. Next, an updated comparative safety simulation yielded similar results to a prior study, with 48C‐7 showing the least favorable relative safety performance.
Incidence of acute haemolytic transfusion reaction among ABO‐incompatible recipients transfused with A3 blood: A case series
Authors: Latour Catherine , Gaussen Amaury , Beaudoin Julie , Leiva‐Torres Gabriel André , Rochette Samuel , Robitaille Nancy
Published: August 2023

Background and Objectives

ABO antigens are among the most immunogenic, but the haemolytic risks of ABO incompatibilities involving a donor with a weak ABO phenotype are little documented.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective case series assessed the incidence of acute haemolytic transfusion reaction (AHTR) among ABO‐incompatible recipients of A3 blood in Québec (Canada). Transfusion safety officers reported laboratory AHTR indicators measured ≤24 h pre‐ and post‐transfusion. Because the AHTR case definition of Québec's Hemovigilance System (QHS) leaves significant room for clinical judgement, a two‐step approach was used to assess potential cases: Step 1 consisted in a highly sensitive—but unspecific—initial screen that identified all candidate cases per QHS case definition, and Step 2 consisted in a detailed review of candidate cases by two haematologists.

Results

Nine donors initially typed as Group B (N = 1) or O (N = 8) were subsequently found to display an A3B or A3O phenotype. Eighty‐one recipients received ABO‐incompatible blood, including 53 (65.4%) with interpretable data. Of these, 29 (54.7%) were classified as candidate cases after Step 1. Following Step 2, no conclusive evidence of AHTR was found: Abnormal pre‐ versus post‐transfusion changes appeared modest, within normal range, insufficient to ascertain AHTR, or were consistent with a pre‐existing condition unrelated to AHTR. Two candidate cases had a QHS‐reported transfusion reaction; both were unrelated to AHTR.

Conclusion

In this case series, no conclusive evidence of serious AHTR was found among ABO‐incompatible recipients who were inadvertently transfused with A3 blood.
On the topological size of the class of Leray solutions with algebraic decay
Authors: Brandolese Lorenzo , Perusato Cilon F. , Zingano Paulo R.
Published: August 2023

In 1987, Michael Wiegner in his seminal paper (J. Lond. Math. Soc. (2), 35 (1987) 303–313) provided an important result regarding the energy decay of Leray solutions to the incompressible Navier–Stokes in : if the associated Stokes flows had their norms bounded by for some , then the same would be true of . The converse also holds, as shown by Skalák (J. Math. Fluid Mech. 16 (2014) 431–446) and by our analysis below, which uses a more straightforward argument. As an application of these results, we discuss the genericity problem of algebraic decay estimates for Leray solutions of the unforced Navier–Stokes equations. In particular, we prove that Leray solutions with algebraic decay generically satisfy two‐sided bounds of the form .
Steering Control Improvement of Active Surgical Needle Using Mosquito Proboscis-Inspired Cannula
Authors: Acharya Sharad Raj , Kim Doyoung , Hutapea Parsaoran
Published: August 2023

Active needles have demonstrated superior tip deflection and improved accuracy compared to passive needles enhancing the efficacy of percutaneous needle insertion procedures. Successful navigation of these needles through tissues to reach targets relies on factors such as the actuation mechanism, tip shape, and surface geometry. In this study, we investigated the advantages of modifying the surface geometry of the active needle shaft, focusing on two improving crucial aspects: (a) needle tip deflection and (b) trajectory tracking during tissue insertion. Prior research had shown that modifying the surface geometry of passive needles reduced friction force, tissue displacement, and tissue damage. Building on this knowledge and being motivated by the surface geometry of mosquito proboscis, our study proposed a bio-inspired design modification on the active needle cannula. The active needle with the mosquito proboscis-inspired cannula was tested to measure the changes in insertion force, tip deflection, and trajectory tracking during polyvinyl chloride (PVC) phantom tissue insertions. Results showed that passive bevel-tip needles reduced insertion force by up to 10.67%. In active needles, tip deflection increased by 12.91% at 150 mm insertion depth when the cannula was modified. The bio-inspired cannula improved trajectory tracking error in the active needle by 39.00% while utilizing up to 17.65% lower control duty cycle. The enhancement of tip deflection and tracking control is expected to improve percutaneous procedures by achieving better patient outcomes and significantly mitigating the risk of complications.
Variations of Middle Cerebral Artery Hemodynamics Due to Aneurysm Clipping Surgery
Authors: Davidson Haleigh , Scardino Brooke , Gamage Peshala Thibbotuwawa , Taebi Amirtahà
Published: August 2023

Cerebral aneurysms are potentially life-threatening cerebrovascular conditions where a weakened blood vessel in the brain bulges or protrudes over time. The most common way to treat aneurysms is surgical clipping, an approach where blood flow to the aneurysm is blocked by a permanently placed clip on the artery. However, not all aneurysms are identical; thus, there has been a need for patient-specific treatment options, where each aneurysm is treated based on its individual characteristics. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling can offer insights to predict how different treatment procedures will affect cerebral hemodynamics. In that regard, the goal of this pilot study was to investigate the flow characteristics and hemodynamic parameters in cerebral arteries before and after neurosurgical clipping. For this purpose, two patient-specific cerebral artery geometries with at least one aneurysm at the middle cerebral artery bifurcation were selected from an online dataset. A companion postclipping model was created for each geometry by removing the aneurysm from the original geometry. Tetrahedral mesh elements were then generated and CFD simulations were conducted to compare the blood velocity profile, secondary flow, flow streamline, and wall shear stress in the computational models with and without aneurysm. Results showed that the clipping treatment led to changes in the velocity profiles, secondary flow structures, and wall shear stress in the middle cerebral artery. In conclusion, our results suggest that CFD modeling can assist in predicting hemodynamic parameters prior to treatment, thus facilitating more tailored planning for each patient’s treatment.
Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Surfaces Using Inverted Glancing Angle Deposition (I-GLAD)
Authors: Qu Chuang , McNamara Shamus , Walsh Kevin
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a novel approach for fabricating superhydrophobic surfaces using inverted glancing angle deposition (I-GLAD). GLAD is an advanced physical vapor deposition technique that utilizes substrate tilt and rotation to create three-dimensional nanofeature arrays. Unlike conventional top-down nanofabrication methods, GLAD offers unique advantages in generating various nanofeatures such as pillars, springs, chevrons, ribbons, and nanoporous membranes. Superhydrophobicity, inspired by natural examples like lotus leaves and cicada wings, relies on highly porous micro/nanostructures that reduce surface energy and impart water-repellent properties. GLAD’s capability to produce hierarchical and porous nanostructures makes it an ideal candidate for superhydrophobic surface fabrication. Previous researches have proposed GLAD processes for superhydrophobic surfaces; however, these approaches suffer from flaws such as being time-consuming or requiring challenging template assistance. In this paper, we introduce a new I-GLAD approach for creating superhydrophobic surfaces that eliminates the need for a seeding layer and an additional coating, simplifying the fabrication process. The fabrication process of I-GLAD includes natural seeding, growing, capping, and inverting. The resulting superhydrophobic surfaces exhibit a high water contact angle of over 155 deg. We further explore additional GLAD recipes to create surfaces with different water contact angles, enabling a comprehensive analysis of superhydrophobic properties. Potential applications for superhydrophobic surfaces include anti-icing coatings, self-cleaning surfaces, and antimicrobial surfaces.
High energy x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) Cr Kα measurement of bulk gold
Authors: Zborowski C. , Vanleenhove A. , Hoflijk I. , Vaesen I. , Artyushkova K. , Conard T.
Published: August 2023

Bulk gold was analyzed using high-resolution high energy x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES). The HAXPES spectra of gold obtained using monochromatic Cr Kα radiation at 5414.8 eV include survey scan and high-resolution spectra of Au 5p, Au 5s, Au 4f, Au 4d, Au 4p3/2, Au 4s, Au 3d5/2, and Au 3p3/2.
Exploring Basic Needs, Motivation, and Retention Among Female Sport Officials
Authors: Sunde Janna K. , Tharle-Oluk Robin , Theriault Alice A. , Hancock David J.
Published: August 2023

Sport officials in general, and female sport officials specifically, are underrepresented in the research. More work is required to better understand what attracts female sport officials to the role, along with what facilitates their retention. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between female sport officials’ motivations, basic needs, and intentions to remain as officials. Through an online survey, 186 female sport officials responded to (a) the Basic Needs Satisfaction in Sport Scale (BNSSS), (b) the Referee Retention Scale (RRS), and (c) questions assessing Reasons for Becoming Officials. Pearson correlation tests established relationships among various subscales, and regression tests were conducted to determine whether any variables predicted RRS scores. All five BNSSS subscales significantly correlated with most RRS subscales and one Reasons for Becoming Officials subscale. Further, regression analysis revealed that increased scores on the BNSSS—specifically feelings of competence, choice, volition, and relatedness—predicted intentions to remain as officials, as measured by the RRS. Since the BNSSS predicts retention, sporting organizations should implement retention strategies that focus on building competence, volition, and relatedness among female sport officials.
Design of stimulus-responsive two-state hinge proteins
Authors: Praetorius Florian , Leung Philip J. Y. , Tessmer Maxx H. , Broerman Adam , Demakis Cullen , Dishman Acacia F. , Pillai Arvind , Idris Abbas , Juergens David , Dauparas Justas , Li Xinting , Levine Paul M. , Lamb Mila , Ballard Ryanne K. , Gerben Stacey R. , Nguyen Hannah , Kang Alex , Sankaran Banumathi , Bera Asim K. , Volkman Brian F. , Nivala Jeff , Stoll Stefan , Baker David
Published: August 2023

In nature, proteins that switch between two conformations in response to environmental stimuli structurally transduce biochemical information in a manner analogous to how transistors control information flow in computing devices. Designing proteins with two distinct but fully structured conformations is a challenge for protein design as it requires sculpting an energy landscape with two distinct minima. Here we describe the design of “hinge” proteins that populate one designed state in the absence of ligand and a second designed state in the presence of ligand. X-ray crystallography, electron microscopy, double electron-electron resonance spectroscopy, and binding measurements demonstrate that despite the significant structural differences the two states are designed with atomic level accuracy and that the conformational and binding equilibria are closely coupled.
DNSN-1 recruits GINS for CMG helicase assembly during DNA replication initiation in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Xia Yisui , Sonneville Remi , Jenkyn-Bedford Michael , Ji Liqin , Alabert Constance , Hong Ye , Yeeles Joseph T. P. , Labib Karim P. M.
Published: August 2023

Assembly of the CMG (CDC-45–MCM-2-7–GINS) helicase is the key regulated step during eukaryotic DNA replication initiation. Until now, it was unclear whether metazoa require additional factors that are not present in yeast. In this work, we show that
Caenorhabditis elegans
DNSN-1, the ortholog of human DONSON, functions during helicase assembly in a complex with MUS-101/TOPBP1. DNSN-1 is required to recruit the GINS complex to chromatin, and a cryo–electron microscopy structure indicates that DNSN-1 positions GINS on the MCM-2-7 helicase motor (comprising the six MCM-2 to MCM-7 proteins), by direct binding of DNSN-1 to GINS and MCM-3, using interfaces that we show are important for initiation and essential for viability. These findings identify DNSN-1 as a missing link in our understanding of DNA replication initiation, suggesting that initiation defects underlie the human disease syndrome that results from DONSON mutations.
Ergodicity breaking in rapidly rotating C
60
fullerenes
Authors: Liu Lee R. , Rosenberg Dina , Changala P. Bryan , Crowley Philip J. D. , Nesbitt David J. , Yao Norman Y. , Tscherbul Timur V. , Ye Jun
Published: August 2023

Ergodicity, the central tenet of statistical mechanics, requires an isolated system to explore all available phase space constrained by energy and symmetry. Mechanisms for violating ergodicity are of interest for probing nonequilibrium matter and protecting quantum coherence in complex systems. Polyatomic molecules have long served as a platform for probing ergodicity breaking in vibrational energy transport. Here, we report the observation of rotational ergodicity breaking in an unprecedentedly large molecule,
12
C
60
, determined from its icosahedral rovibrational fine structure. The ergodicity breaking occurs well below the vibrational ergodicity threshold and exhibits multiple transitions between ergodic and nonergodic regimes with increasing angular momentum. These peculiar dynamics result from the molecule’s distinctive combination of symmetry, size, and rigidity, highlighting its relevance to emergent phenomena in mesoscopic quantum systems.
Public health versus personalized medicine
Tyranny of the Gene
James Tabery
Knopf, 2023. 336 pp.
Authors: Greely Henry T.
Published: August 2023

Environmental health research is being undermined by genomic medicine, argues a philosopher
Intracellular replication of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
in epithelial cells requires suppression of the caspase-4 inflammasome
Authors: Kroken Abby R. , Klein Keith A. , Mitchell Patrick S. , Nieto Vincent , Jedel Eric J. , Evans David J. , Fleiszig Suzanne M. J.
Published: August 2023

Pathogenesis of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections can include bacterial survival inside epithelial cells. Previously, we showed that this involves multiple roles played by the type three secretion system (T3SS), and specifically the effector ExoS. This includes ExoS-dependent inhibition of a lytic host cell response that subsequently enables intracellular replication. Here, we studied the underlying cell death response to intracellular
P. aeruginosa
, comparing wild-type to T3SS mutants varying in capacity to induce cell death and that localize to different intracellular compartments. Results showed that corneal epithelial cell death induced by intracellular
P. aeruginosa
lacking the T3SS, which remains in vacuoles, correlated with the activation of nuclear factor-κB as measured by p65 relocalization and tumor necrosis factor alpha transcription and secretion. Deletion of caspase-4 through CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis delayed cell death caused by these intracellular T3SS mutants. Caspase-4 deletion also countered more rapid cell death caused by T3SS effector-null mutants still expressing the T3SS apparatus that traffic to the host cell cytoplasm, and in doing so rescued intracellular replication normally dependent on ExoS. While HeLa cells lacked a lytic death response to T3SS mutants, it was found to be enabled by interferon gamma treatment. Together, these results show that epithelial cells can activate the noncanonical inflammasome pathway to limit proliferation of intracellular
P. aeruginosa
, not fully dependent on bacterially driven vacuole escape. Since ExoS inhibits the lytic response, the data implicate targeting of caspase-4, an intracellular pattern recognition receptor, as another contributor to the role of ExoS in the intracellular lifestyle of
P. aeruginosa
.

IMPORTANCE

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
can exhibit an intracellular lifestyle within epithelial cells
in vivo
and
in vitro
. The type three secretion system (T3SS) effector ExoS contributes via multiple mechanisms, including extending the life of invaded host cells. Here, we aimed to understand the underlying cell death inhibited by ExoS when
P. aeruginosa
is intracellular. Results showed that intracellular
P. aeruginosa
lacking T3SS effectors could elicit rapid cell lysis via the noncanonical inflammasome pathway. Caspase-4 contributed to cell lysis even when the intracellular bacteria lacked the entire T33S and were consequently unable to escape vacuoles, representing a naturally occurring subpopulation during wild-type infection. Together, the data show the caspase-4 inflammasome as an epithelial cell defense against intracellular
P. aeruginosa
, and implicate its targeting as another mechanism by which ExoS preserves the host cell replicative niche.
Vanished evaporites, halokinetic structure, and Zn-Pb mineralization in the world-class Angouran deposit, northwestern Iran
Authors: Zhuang Liangliang , Song Yucai , Leach David , Liu Yingchao , Hou Zengqian , Fard Mahmood
Published: August 2023

The Angouran deposit (19.3 Mt at 23.4% Zn and 4% Pb) is the second-largest Zn-Pb deposit in Iran. The deposit is hosted in a Neoproterozoic−Cambrian marble-schist sequence within a breccia pipe in a domal structure, with sulfide mineralization under low-temperature hydrothermal conditions (<200 ºC). The features of the ore-hosting breccias are similar to known halokinetic diapir breccias in the world but evaporite minerals are subtle. The common types of breccia clasts in the Angouran breccia pipe include a matrix-supported angular clast (float breccia) with highly variable sizes and orientations and exotic volcanic clasts. The volcanic clasts were derived from the underlying Miocene volcanic rocks, evidenced by the consistent petrography and zircon U-Pb ages dated at 20−19 Ma. Abundant smithsonite pseudomorphs after anhydrite and anhydrite inclusions within sphalerite and pre-ore marcasite in the breccia matrix indicate that the breccia pipe contains abundant anhydrite prior to the Zn-Pb mineralization. The enrichment of evaporite is also supported by the occurrence of considerable double-terminated quartz crystals that contain spherical and tabular carbonate inclusions and anomalously high Li, Na, and K concentrations, relatively high B concentration, and high δ18O values (up to 28.3‰). These observations suggest the Angouran deposit formed in a former halokinetic diapir breccia pipe. The halokinetic diapirism was possibly triggered by thrust loading of the marble-schist sequence over the Miocene evaporite beds during the Arabia-Eurasia continental collision. Halokinetic structures elsewhere in the Angouran region warrant this consideration. Most of the evaporite minerals in the breccia pipe were dissolved and replaced before and/or during subsequent Zn-Pb sulfide and smithsonite mineralization events. This study provides a good example for the identification of vanished evaporites, halokinetic structure, and associated Mississippi Valley-type mineralization.
Large Si isotope fractionation reveals formation mechanism of quartz in silicon-poor carbonatite
Authors: Huang Yong-Shu , Liu Qi , Liu Fei-Xiang , Li Xiao-Chun , Liu Yu , Tang Guo-Qiang , Fan Hong-Rui , Li Xian-Hua , Li Qiu-Li
Published: August 2023

Carbonatites, the most silica-poor igneous rocks, have a close relationship with rare earth element (REE) ore deposits, where low SiO2 activity is considered to contribute to economic REE mineralization. However, a paradox is raised by quartz, commonly regarded as a Si-saturation proxy, which occurs in some giant carbonatites or carbonatite-related REE deposits such as those at Bayan Obo, China, and Mountain Pass, California, USA. A unique perception for the origin of quartz in carbonatites is provided here using Si isotope analysis. Quartz grains from the Bayan Obo carbonatite and REE ores commonly occur as inclusions in fluorite, or they coexist with fluorite, thus implicating the importance of fluorine in their hydrothermal origin. The quartz grains have remarkably large variations in δ30Si values, ranging from −4.55‰ to 1.71‰ in secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses, which have not been documented elsewhere in high- to medium-temperature magmatic-hydrothermal processes. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that such large Si isotopic fractionation can be generated during the formation and breakdown of Si-O and Si-F bonds due to their difference in bond strength. These results imply the presence of silicon fluoride species in the fluid and highlight the role of fluorine in quartz formation in silicon-poor carbonatite. The exsolved fluids from carbonatite magmas containing silicon fluoride species may decrease silica activity, which has the potential to impede incorporation of REEs into magmatic apatite, and thus facilitate late-stage hydrothermal REE enrichment and formation of REE orebodies.
Offshore-onshore record of Last Glacial Maximum–to–present grounding line retreat at Pine Island Glacier, Antarctica
Authors: Nichols Keir A. , Rood Dylan H. , Venturelli Ryan A. , Balco Greg , Adams Jonathan R. , Guillaume Louise , Campbell Seth , Goehring Brent M. , Hall Brenda L. , Wilcken Klaus , Woodward John , Johnson Joanne S.
Published: August 2023

Pine Island Glacier, West Antarctica, is the largest Antarctic contributor to global sea-level rise and is vulnerable to rapid retreat, yet our knowledge of its deglacial history since the Last Glacial Maximum is based largely on marine sediments that record a retreat history ending in the early Holocene. Using a suite of 10Be exposure ages from onshore glacial deposits directly adjacent to Pine Island Glacier, we show that this major glacier thinned rapidly in the early to mid-Holocene. Our results indicate that Pine Island Glacier was at least 690 m thicker than present prior to ca. 8 ka. We infer that the rapid thinning detected at the site farthest downstream records the arrival and stabilization of the retreating grounding line at that site by 8–6 ka. By combining our exposure ages and the marine record, we extend knowledge of Pine Island Glacier retreat both spatially and temporally: to 50 km from the modern grounding line and to the mid-Holocene, providing a data set that is important for future numerical ice-sheet model validation.
Role of volatiles in intrusion emplacement and sulfide deposition in the supergiant Norilsk-Talnakh Ni-Cu-PGE ore deposits
Authors: Barnes Stephen J. , Yudovskaya Marina A. , Iacono-Marziano Giada , Vaillant Margaux Le , Schoneveld Louise E. , Cruden Alexander R.
Published: August 2023

The Norilsk-Talnakh orebodies in Siberia are some of the largest examples on Earth of magmatic Ni–Cu–platinum group element (PGE) deposits, formed by segregation of immiscible sulfide melts from silicate magmas. They show distinctive features attributable to degassing of a magmatic vapor phase during ore formation, including: vesiculation of the host intrusions, widespread intrusion breccias, and extensive hydrofracturing, skarns, and metasomatic replacement in the country rocks. Much of the magmatic sulfide was generated by assimilation of anhydrite and carbonaceous material, leading to injection of a suspension of fine sulfide droplets attached to gas bubbles into propagating tube-like host sills (“chonoliths”). Catastrophic vapor phase exsolution associated with a drop in magma overpressure at the transition from vertical to horizontal magma flow enabled explosive propagation of chonoliths, rapid “harvesting” and gravity deposition of the characteristic coarse sulfide globules that form much of the ore, and extensive magmatic fluid interaction with country rocks.
Hybrid Implants Based on Calcium-Magnesium Silicate Ceramic Diopside as a Carrier of Recombinant BMP-2 and Demineralized Bone Matrix as a Scaffold: Ectopic Osteogenesis in Intramuscular Implantation in Mice
Authors: Karyagina Anna S. , Orlova Polina A. , Zhulina Anna V. , Krivozubov Mikhail S. , Grunina Tatyana M. , Strukova Natalia V. , Nikitin Kirill E. , Manskikh Vasily N. , Senatov Fedor S. , Gromov Alexander V.
Published: August 2023

High efficiency of hybrid implants based on calcium-magnesium silicate ceramic, diopside, as a carrier of recombinant BMP-2 and xenogenic demineralized bone matrix (DBM) as a scaffold for bone tissue regeneration was demonstrated previously using the model of critical size cranial defects in mice. In order to investigate the possibility of using these implants for growing autologous bone tissue using in vivo bioreactor principle in the patient’s own body, effectiveness of ectopic osteogenesis induced by them in intramuscular implantation in mice was studied. At the dose of 7 μg of BMP-2 per implant, dense agglomeration of cells, probably skeletal muscle satellite precursor cells, was observed one week after implantation with areas of intense chondrogenesis, initial stage of indirect osteogenesis, around the implants. After 12 weeks, a dense bone capsule of trabecular structure was formed covered with periosteum and mature bone marrow located in the spaces between the trabeculae. The capsule volume was about 8-10 times the volume of the original implant. There were practically no signs of inflammation and foreign body reaction. Microcomputed tomography data showed significant increase of the relative bone volume, number of trabeculae, and bone tissue density in the group of mice with BMP-2-containing implant in comparison with the group without BMP-2. Considering that DBM can be obtained in practically unlimited quantities with required size and shape, and that BMP-2 is obtained by synthesis in E. coli cells and is relatively inexpensive, further development of the in vivo bioreactor model based on the hybrid implants constructed from BMP-2, diopside, and xenogenic DBM seems promising.
Effect of a smartphone intervention as a secondary prevention for use among university students with unhealthy alcohol use: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Bertholet Nicolas , Schmutz Elodie , Studer Joseph , Adam Angéline , Gmel Gerhard , Cunningham John A , McNeely Jennifer , Daeppen Jean-Bernard
Published: August 2023

Objective

To estimate the effects of providing access to an alcohol intervention based on a smartphone.

Design

Randomised controlled trial..

Setting

Four higher education institutions in Switzerland.

Participants

1770 students (≥18 years) who screened positive for unhealthy alcohol use (ie, a score on the alcohol use disorders identification test-consumption (AUDIT-C) of ≥4 for men and ≥3 for women) were randomly assigned by 1:1 allocation ratio in blocks of 10.

Intervention

Providing access to a brief, smartphone based alcohol intervention.

Outcome measures

The primary outcome studied was number of standard drinks per week at six months and the secondary outcome was number of heavy drinking days (past 30 days). Additional outcomes were maximum number of drinks consumed on one occasion, alcohol related consequences, and academic performance. Follow-up assessments occurred at months three, six, and 12. Data were analysed by intention to treat and by using generalised linear mixed models with random intercepts for the recruitment site and participants nested within the recruitment site, and with intervention (
v
control), time (three months
v
six months; 12 months
v
six months), and baseline outcome values as fixed effects.

Results

Between 26 April 26 2021 and 30 May 2022, 1770 participants (intervention group (n=884); control group (n=886)) were included. Mean age was 22.4 years (standard deviation 3.07); 958 (54.1%) were women; and 1169 (66.0%) were undergraduate students, 533 (30.1%) were studying for a master’s degree, 43 (2.4%) were studying for a doctorate, and 25 (1.4%) were students of other higher education programme. The baseline mean number of standard drinks per week was 8.59 (standard deviation 8.18); the baseline number of heavy drinking days was 3.53 (4.02). Of 1770 participants, follow-up rates were 1706 (96.4%) at three months, 1697 (95.9%) at six months, and 1660 (93.8%) at 12 months. Of 884 students randomly assigned to the intervention group, 738 (83.5%) downloaded the smartphone application. The intervention had a significant overall effect on the number of standard drinks per week (incidence rate ratio 0.90 (95% confidence interval 0.85 to 0.96)), heavy drinking days (0.89 (0.83 to 0.96)), and the maximum number of drinks consumed on one occasion (0.96 (0.93 to 1.00), P=0.029), indicating significantly lower drinking outcomes in the intervention group than in the control group during the follow-up period. The intervention did not affect alcohol related consequences or academic performance.

Conclusions

Providing access to the smartphone application throughout the 12 month follow-up was effective at limiting the average drinking volume of university students who had self-reported unhealthy alcohol use at baseline.

Trial registration

ISRCTN 10007691.
Adolescent sleep health in Africa: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Olorunmoteni Oluwatosin Eunice , Gómez-Olivé F Xavier , Popoola Biliamin O , Fatusi Adesegun Olayiwola , Scheuermaier Karine
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Problematic sleep is a major threat to health and quality of life among adolescents. Hence, to provide directions for research and interventions, there is a need to examine the literature on adolescent sleep health in Africa. However, available studies on adolescent sleep health in Africa have not been properly mapped. Thus, this scoping review aims to investigate the extent and type of available evidence concerning sleep health among adolescents in Africa and to highlight the relationship of adolescent sleep health with adverse mental health outcomes and cardiometabolic risk factors. The review will further highlight areas of agreement and controversies on adolescent sleep health, and identify evidence gaps that require research attention across the continent.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will be conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s six-step procedure. Thus, we have prepared this protocol according to the framework for scoping reviews developed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. To identify eligible studies, we will search MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO, AJOL, JSTOR, HINARI and Google Scholar. The review will include all published articles in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian languages on adolescent sleep health in Africa from the inception of the databases, while relevant information will be extracted from included studies using an adapted data extraction tool. The results will be presented using tables and charts as appropriate.

Ethics and dissemination

The scoping review does not require ethical approval because the publications to be used for the review are publicly available and the study does not involve contact with humans or other animals as research participants. Furthermore, clinical records will not be used for the study. Upon completion, findings from the study will be disseminated through presentations at scientific meetings and publication in a relevant peer-reviewed journal.

Scoping review registration

Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/5sjwq/).
Developing an ethical framework-guided instrument for assessing bias in EHR-based Big Data studies: a research protocol
Authors: Qiao Shan , Khushf George , Li Xiaoming , Zhang Jiajia , Olatosi Bankole
Published: August 2023

Introduction

The emergence of Big Data health research has exponentially advanced the fields of medicine and public health but has also faced many ethical challenges. One of most worrying but still under-researched aspects of the ethical issues is the risk of potential biases in data sets (eg, electronic health records (EHR) data) as well as in the data curation and acquisition cycles. This study aims to develop, refine and pilot test an ethical framework-guided instrument for assessing bias in Big Data research using EHR data sets.

Methods and analysis

Ethical analysis and instrument development (ie, the EHR bias assessment guideline) will be implemented through an iterative process composed of literature/policy review, content analysis and interdisciplinary dialogues and discussion. The ethical framework and EHR bias assessment guideline will be iteratively refined and integrated with preliminary summaries of results in a way that informs subsequent research. We will engage data curators, end-user researchers, healthcare workers and patient representatives throughout all iterative cycles using various formats including in-depth interviews of key stakeholders, panel discussions and charrette workshops. The developed EHR bias assessment guideline will be pilot tested in an existing National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded Big Data HIV project (R01AI164947).

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by Institutional Review Boards at the University of South Carolina (Pro00122501). Informed consent will be provided by the participants in the in-depth interviews. Study findings will be disseminated with key stakeholders, presented at relevant workshops and academic conferences, and published in peer-reviewed journals.
Live birth after letrozole-stimulated cycles versus hormone replacement treatment cycles for the first frozen embryo transfer in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wang Xiaojuan , Li Yuan , Zhang Cuilian , Feng Yu Rong , Deng Bo , Zhang Shaodi , Ma Yun , Wu Yuerong , Lin Ge , Gong Fei
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Hormone replacement treatment (HRT) is the most commonly used endometrial preparation protocol for frozen embryo transfer (FET) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, studies have found that HRT may increase the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and some obstetric complications. Letrozole is a new first-line ovulation induction drug for PCOS and can effectively induce spontaneous ovulation by reducing oestrogen levels. However, letrozole is still rarely used in FET and has only been reported in a few studies in Asian populations. High-quality, well-powered randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HRT and letrozole-stimulated protocols are lacking. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy and safety of two protocols in patients with PCOS.

Methods and analysis

This is a multicentre, open-label RCT in four reproductive medical centres in China. In total, 1078 women with PCOS will be randomised (1:1) to the letrozole-stimulated or HRT group in their first FET cycle and their pregnancy and perinatal outcomes during this cycle will be followed up and analysed. The primary outcome is live birth. Secondary outcomes are cycle cancellation rate, biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, obstetric and perinatal complications, neonatal complications and birth weight.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-XIANGYA (LL-SC-2022-001). Written informed consent will be obtained from each participant. The findings will be disseminated through conference presentations and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT05227391.
Call for the application of a biopsychosocial and interdisciplinary approach to the return-to-sport framework of snow sports athletes
Authors: Müller Philippe O , Taylor Jim , Jordan Matthew J , Scherr Johannes , Verhagen Evert , Collins Dave , Spörri Jörg
Published: August 2023

Snow sports such as alpine skiing or snowboarding are associated with a high risk of injury and reinjury and are subject to a very special environment with specific rehabilitation challenges that must be addressed. Due to geographic decentralisation, seasonal climatic limitations, alternation of training in off-snow and on-snow settings and unique loading patterns of practising these sports, special rehabilitation structures and processes are required compared with other sports. In addition, returning to preinjury performance requires a high level of confidence and a resumption of risk-taking in demanding situations such as high-speed skiing and high-amplitude jumps. A biopsychosocial and interdisciplinary approach can be viewed as a holistic, athlete-centred approach that promotes interprofessional communication and collaboration. This is particularly central for managing the physical/biological, psychological and social demands of injury management for snow sports. It can help ensure that rehabilitation content is well coordinated and tailored to individual needs. This is because transitions between different rehabilitation phases and caring professionals are well aligned, and rehabilitation is understood not only as purely ‘physical recovery’ but also as ‘psychological recovery’ considering the snow sports-specific setting with specific social norms. Ultimately, this may improve the rehabilitation success of snow sports athletes.