bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amenable deaths among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Down syndrome: An Ontario population‐based cohort study
Authors: Lin Elizabeth , Lunsky Yona , Chung Hannah , Durbin Anna , Volpe Tiziana , Dobranowski Kristin , Benadict Mary Benisha , Balogh Robert
Published: November 2022

Background

Rates of death and avoidable deaths are reportedly higher among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This study contributes to our understanding of how mortality and intellectual and development disabilities are associated.

Method

General population and intellectual and developmental disabilities adult cohorts were defined using linked administrative data. All‐cause and amenable deaths between 2010 and 2015 were reported for these cohorts and subcohorts with and without Down syndrome. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the impact of potential contributors to amenable deaths.

Results

Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities had higher all‐cause (6.1 vs. 1.6%) and amenable death percentages (21.4 vs. 14.1%) than general population comparators. Within intellectual and developmental disabilities, those with Down syndrome had higher all‐cause (12.0 vs. 6.0%) but lower amenable death percentages (19.2 vs. 21.8%) than those without.

Conclusions

Results suggest that interventions to reduce amenable deaths target provider‐care‐recipient interactions and coordination across care and support sectors.
Rationale and design of the Lead Evaluation for Defibrillation and Reliability study: Safety and efficacy of a novel ICD lead design
Authors: Crossley George H. , Sanders Prashanthan , De Filippo Paolo , Tarakji Khaldoun G. , Hansky Bert , Shah Maully , Mason Pamela , Maus Baerbel , Holloman Keith
Published: November 2022

Background

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) are indicated for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac arrest. Despite enhancements in design and technologies, the ICD lead is the most vulnerable component of the ICD system and failure of ICD leads remains a significant clinical problem. A novel, small‐diameter, lumenless, catheter‐delivered, defibrillator lead was developed with the aim to improve long‐term reliability.

Methods and Results

The Lead Evaluation for Defibrillation and Reliability (LEADR) study is a multi‐center, single‐arm, Bayesian, adaptive design, pre‐market interventional pivotal clinical study. Up to 60 study sites from around the world will participate in the study. Patients indicated for a de novo ICD will undergo defibrillation testing at implantation and clinical assessments at baseline, implant, pre‐hospital discharge, 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months thereafter until official study closure. Patients may be participating for a minimum of 18 months to approximately 3 years. Fracture‐free survival will be evaluated using a Bayesian statistical method that incorporates both virtual patient data (combination of bench testing to failure with in‐vivo use condition data) with clinical patients. The clinical subject sample size will be determined using decision rules for number of subject enrollments and follow‐up time based upon the observed number of fractures at certain time points in the study. The adaptive study design will therefore result in a minimum of 500 and a maximum of 900 patients enrolled.

Conclusion

The LEADR Clinical Study was designed to efficiently provide evidence for short‐ and long‐term safety and efficacy of a novel lead design using Bayesian methods including a novel virtual patient approach.
Spesolimab, an anti‐interleukin‐36 receptor antibody, in patients with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: Results from a multicentre, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase IIa study
Authors: Bissonnette Robert , Abramovits William , Saint‐Cyr Proulx Étienne , Lee Patricia , Guttman‐Yassky Emma , Zovko Elizabeta , Sigmund Ralf , Willcox Joanne , Bieber Thomas
Published: November 2022

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease, and there is increasing evidence that the interleukin (IL)‐36 pathway may play a role in the pathogenesis of AD.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of spesolimab, a novel anti‐IL‐36 receptor antibody, in adult patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD.

Methods

In this phase IIa study, 51 eligible patients were randomized 2:1 to receive intravenous doses of spesolimab 600 mg or placebo every 4 weeks. The primary endpoint was the percentage change from baseline in Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) score at Week 16.

Results

The decrease in EASI score from baseline to Week 16 was –37.9% for spesolimab versus –12.3% for placebo (adjusted mean difference −25.6%, p = 0.149). A predefined sensitivity analysis, excluding data from patients who used restricted corticosteroids, resulted in an adjusted mean difference of −48.3% (nominal p = 0.024). Spesolimab was well tolerated, with no clinically relevant safety signals.

Conclusions

This is the first study to evaluate the IL‐36 pathway inhibition in AD. Although not statistically significant, numerical improvements were observed in the primary endpoint of change from baseline in the EASI score. Spesolimab had an acceptable safety profile, with no unexcepted safety concerns.
What to expect physiologically when you're expecting couples in therapy: A Changing Hearts and Minds in relationshiPS (CHAMPS) descriptive study
Authors: Bradford Angela B. , Johnson Lee N.
Published: November 2022

Recent efforts to improve marital therapy interventions have begun investigating psychophysiologic processes in therapy. These studies are novel and represent initial investigations into relevant phenomena associated with the therapy process. Grounded in Polyvagal Theory, this study introduces an on‐going multimethod couple therapy process research (CHAMPS) and highlights the importance of establishing norms among distressed couples in therapy, which can provide context for other studies' results and instigate further investigation of physiology in marital therapy. Using a sample of 24 married, heterosexual couples (N = 48), we examine trends in markers of sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) functioning; namely, electrodermal activity (SNS), cardiac impedence (SNS), and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (PNS) before and during therapy sessions and shifts in these measures over the course of four therapy sessions. We discuss clinical implications and provide recommendations for further investigations.
Tax competition, public input, and market power
Authors: Billon Steve
Published: November 2022

An increase in the number of local jurisdictions providing industrial public goods may lead to a rise in the equilibrium tax rate, in contrast to the case of residential public goods. When local jurisdictions are Leviathans, an increase in competition may expand tax revenues and thus fail to tame the Leviathan, contrary to the conventional wisdom.
The indications, complications and outcomes of dogs undergoing partial penile amputation: 10 cases (2014‐2021)
Authors: Ritson K. , Bird F. , Stefanidis G. , Brissot H.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To report the signalment, indications for surgery, postoperative complications and medium‐/long‐term outcomes in dogs undergoing partial penile amputation.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective case series. The electronic medical records of a single small animal referral hospital were searched between January 2014 and January 2021 for dogs that underwent a partial penile amputation. Data collected included signalment, presenting clinical signs, indication for partial penile amputation, surgical technique, postoperative complications and outcome.

Results

Ten dogs were included in the study. Indications for surgery were treatment of preputial neoplasia (n=5), penile neoplasia (n=1), idiopathic paraphimosis (n=3) and chronic urethritis (n=1). Five of five preputial tumours were cutaneous mast cell tumours, and the penile tumour was a squamous cell carcinoma. All dogs recovered uneventfully from surgery with a median postoperative hospitalisation time of 28.8 hours. Two of the three dogs treated for paraphimosis had major postoperative complications requiring further resection of the tip of the penis at 2 weeks and 24 months. Four dogs had minor complications managed without surgical intervention. The outcome was good to excellent in nine of nine dogs for which medium‐ or long‐term follow‐up data were available.

Clinical Significance

In this group of dogs, partial penile amputation, performed with or without concurrent resection of the prepuce, was a well‐tolerated surgical procedure with low intraoperative and postoperative complication rates and good functional outcomes. Partial penile amputation should be considered for conditions affecting the distal penis and prepuce.
Characterisation of brain microstructural alterations in children with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome using diffusion kurtosis imaging
Authors: Li Yanhua , Wen Hongwei , Li Hongbin , Peng Yun , Tai Jun , Bai Jie , Mei Lin , Ji Tingting , Li Xiaodan , Liu Yue , Ni Xin
Published: November 2022

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common chronic sleep‐related breathing disorder in children. Previous studies showed widespread alterations in white matter (WM) in children with OSA mainly by using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), while diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) extended DTI and exhibited improved sensitivity in detecting developmental and pathological changes in neural tissues. Therefore, we conducted whole‐brain DTI and DKI analyses and compared the differences in kurtosis and diffusion parameters within the skeleton between 41 children with OSA and 32 healthy children. Between‐group differences were evaluated by tract‐based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis (p < 0.05, TFCE corrected), and partial correlations between DKI metrics and sleep parameters were assessed considering age and gender as covariates. Compared with the controls, children with OSA showed significantly decreased kurtosis fractional anisotropy (KFA) mainly in white matter regions with a complex fibre arrangement including the posterior corona radiate (PCR), superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF), and inferior fronto‐occipital fasciculus (IFOF), while decreased FA in white matter regions with a coherent fibre arrangement including the posterior limb of internal capsule (PLIC), anterior thalamic radiation (ATR), and corpus callosum (CC). Notably, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated the KFA value in complex tissue regions significantly (p < 0.001) differentiated children with OSA from the controls. In addition, the KFA value in the left PCR, SLF, and IFOF showed significant partial correlations to the sleep parameters for children with OSA. Combining DKI derived kurtosis and diffusion parameters can provide complementary neuroimaging biomarkers for assessing white matter alterations, and reveal pathological changes and monitor disease progression in paediatric OSA.
Investigation of high gamma‐glutamyltransferase syndrome in California Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Peng Sichong , Magdesian K. Gary , Dowd Joseph , Blea Jeffrey , Carpenter Ryan , Ho Wayne , Finno Carrie J.
Published: November 2022

Background

Increases in serum gamma‐glutamyltransferase (GGT) activity have been reported in Thoroughbred (TB) racehorses and associated with maladaptation to training but the underlying etiology remains unknown.

Hypothesis/Objectives

Classify the etiology of high GGT syndrome in racing TBs by assessment of pancreatic enzymes, vitamin E concentrations, and both a candidate gene and whole genome association study. We hypothesized that a genetic variant resulting in antioxidant insufficiency or pancreatic dysfunction would be responsible for high GGT syndrome in TBs.

Animals

A total of 138 California racing TBs. Amylase: n = 31 affected (serum GGT activity ≥60 IU/L), n = 52 control (serum GGT activity <40 IU/L). Lipase: n = 19 affected, n = 35 control. Serum α‐tocopherol concentrations: n = 32 affected, n = 46 control. Genome‐wide association study (GWAS): 36 affected, 58 control. Whole genome sequencing: n = 5 affected, n = 5 control.

Methods

Biochemical and vitamin analytes were compared among cohorts. A GWAS was performed and a subset of TBs underwent whole genome sequencing to interrogate candidate genes and positional genetic regions.

Results

Serum lipase and amylase activity and α‐tocopherol concentrations did not differ between groups. No genetic variants were identified in 2 candidate genes (UGT1A1 and GGT1) that associated with the phenotype. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) approached a suggestive association with the phenotype (P = 2.15 × 10−5), defining a 100 kb region on chromosome 5 surrounding cluster of differentiation 1a (CD1A1), a transmembrane gene related to the major histocompatibility complex.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

An underlying genetic etiology may exist for high GGT syndrome in racing TBs, similar to genetic disorders in humans.
Corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor agonists decrease interstitial cells of Cajal in murine colon
Authors: Huang Xu , Ao Jun‐Ping , Fu Han‐Yue , Lu Hong‐Li , Xu Wen‐Xie
Published: November 2022

Background

Peripheral corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) has been reported to affect gastrointestinal motility through corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor located in enteric nervous system (ENS), but less is known about of the relationship between peripheral CRF and interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC).

Methods

Mice were intraperitoneally injected with CRF receptor agonists to determine their effects on colonic ICC. Chronic heterotypic stress (CHeS) was applied to mice to determine endogenous CRF‐CRF receptor signaling on colonic ICC.

Results

We found that stressin1, a selective CRF receptor 1 (CRF1) agonist, significantly increased the expression of CRF1 but had no effect on the expression of CRF2 in the smooth muscles of murine colon. The protein expression of c‐Kit, Anoctamin‐1 (ANO1), and stem cell factor (SCF) in the colonic smooth muscles was significantly decreased in stressin1‐treated mice. Accordingly, 2‐(4‐Chloro‐2‐methylphenoxy)‐N′‐(2‐methoxybenzylidene) acetohydrazide (Ani 9), a selective ANO1 blocker, had a less significant inhibitory effect on CMMC in stressin1‐treated mice compared to the saline‐treated ones. Similarly, we also found that ICC and ANO1 were reduced in the colonic smooth muscles of mice by treatment with sauvagine (ip), a CRF2 agonist. However, different with stressin1, sauvagine decreased the expression of CRF2 besides increasing CRF1 expression in the colonic smooth muscles. Similar results of CRF1 and c‐Kit expressions were also obtained from the colon of CHeS‐treated mice.

Conclusion

All these results suggest that CRF may be involved in the abnormality of colonic motility through peripheral CRF1 to decrease the number and function of ICC, which provides a potential target for treating stress‐induced gastrointestinal motility disorder.
Conflict and Child Mortality in Mali: A Synthetic Control Analysis
Authors: Masset Edoardo
Published: November 2022

Indirect effects of conflict on mortality of vulnerable groups are as important, or more important, than the direct effects. However, data limitations and methodological challenges hinder the estimation of excess deaths produced by conflict, and few studies explore the mechanisms by which conflict harms civilian populations. We estimate the impact of the Malian conflict on child mortality over the period 2012–2018 using Demographic Health Survey data. We use birth histories to build time series of child mortality, and we employ novel synthetic control methods to show that the Malian conflict significantly increased child mortality in northern Mali. We conduct a difference‐in‐difference analysis of the impact of conflict on key determinants of maternal and child health and conclude that a reduction in access to safe sanitation and to child vaccinations in conflict areas was among the most likely causes of the increase in mortality. Northern Mali is today one of the poorest and most neglected areas of the world where humanitarian assistance is urgently needed.
Clinical approach to mechanical circulatory support in the transplant patient from the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society
Authors: Bearl David W. , Jeewa Aamir , Auerbach Scott R. , Azeka Estela , Phelps Christina , Sacks Loren D. , Rosenthal David , Conway Jennifer
Published: November 2022

The use of mechanical circulatory support (MCS) for pediatric patients who have undergone heart transplant has grown rapidly in the past decade. This includes support in the immediate post‐transplant period and “rescue” therapy for patient later in their transplant course. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains a standard modality of support for intraoperative concerns and for acute decompensation in the immediate post‐transplant period. However, both pulsatile and continuous flow ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been used with increasing success in transplant patients for longer durations of support. Centers participating in the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society (PHTS) were queried to provide their internal protocols and rationale for mechanical circulatory support following heart transplant. These protocols coupled with evidence‐based literature were used to provide the following description of clinical approaches to MCS in the transplant patient highlighting areas of both broad consensus and significant practice variation.
Genome‐wide identification of heat shock transcription factor families in perennial ryegrass highlights the role of LpHSFC2b in heat stress response
Authors: Sun Tianxiao , Wang Weiliang , Hu Xianmei , Fang Zhengfu , Wang Yanping , Xiang Lin , Chan Zhulong
Published: November 2022

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is a cool‐season turf and forage grass. Heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) play an important role in regulating plant abiotic stress. However, HSFs in perennial ryegrass have rarely been characterized. Here, 25 LpHSFs were identified from the perennial ryegrass genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the LpHSFs could be classified into 12 subclasses. Gene structure analysis showed that 22 LpHSFs have only one intron. Cis‐acting elements analysis revealed that the promoter of 15 LpHSFs contained hormone‐responsive and abiotic stress‐responsive elements. Expression profile analysis indicated that 24 LpHSFs were differentially expressed under submerge, drought, heat, and cold stresses. In addition, a subclass C2 gene, LpHSFC2b, was significantly induced by abiotic stresses. The LpHSFC2b protein is localized to the nucleus, and heterologous expression of LpHSFC2b in Arabidopsis improves plant thermotolerance. This study provides insights useful for the breeding of stress tolerance in perennial ryegrass.
Beachrocks and lithified barriers in the Gulf of Lions (western Mediterranean Sea) as new markers of the last sea‐level rise
Authors: Giresse Pierre , Berné Serge , Certain Raphaël , Courp Thierry , Hebert Bertil , Raynal Olivier
Published: November 2022

The Gulf of Lions shelf (southern part of the French Mediterranean coast) displays several occurrences of beachrocks, thus offering an exceptional opportunity to determine the stages of the last marine transgression. These beachrocks crop out especially on the outer shelf and near the modern shoreline. In addition, several other exposures are located on the inner shelf between 10 m and 25 m. The absence of exposure on the middle shelf (water depths of 25 to 90 m) is probably related to a higher rate of sea‐level rise. Most of the beachrocks occur at the top of two or three parallel and contiguous barriers. The seaward barriers are generally less lithified than the inner barriers. Each barrier displays an asymmetrical profile, the seaward slope being more accentuated. This gently‐dipping landward slope forms part of the outer trough resulting from resuspension due to enhanced turbulence at the barrier toe. Almost all of these beachrocks are coarse quartz‐rich sandstones and conglomerates, whose large pore space has been first filled by magnesian calcite (ca 11 mol.% MgCO3), which predominantly fills the voids. Secondary sparites or microsparites, also composed of high‐magnesian calcite, may develop locally in the last remaining voids. Finally, more rarely and very locally (for example, Pierres de Sète), a late‐stage cementation of low‐magnesian calcite is observed which expresses a brief episode of influence from a nearby freshwater groundwater table. The δ18O and δ13C values reflect the relative geochemical homogeneity of these Gulf of Lions beachrocks. However, they are quite distinct from other marine cements and, in particular, those of the eastern Mediterranean, expressing lower temperatures and a lack of influence of dissolved carbon linked to terrigenous fluxes. Based on the radiocarbon ages of these calcitic cements, this study proposes new index points on sea‐level positions in the Gulf of Lions from −95 to 108 m to −0.3 m water depths, between ca 18 583 a cal bp and 633 a cal bp.
Working‐class Latina/o youth navigating stratification and inequality: A review of literature
Authors: Canizales Stephanie L. , Hondagneu‐Sotelo Pierrette
Published: November 2022

Reflecting broader systems of stratification and inequality, sociological research shows that working‐class Latina/o immigrant families experience multiple marginalizations that require their children and youth to transcend the bounds of normative childhood by prematurely taking on roles and responsibilities typically thought of as reserved for adults. Still, the work kids do is largely studied in isolation and treated as exceptional. This paper brings together empirical research on poor and working‐class immigrant Latina/o youth and families to show that, in the face of stratification and growing inequality, these youth's labor is commonplace, spanning across multiple spheres of society, and that it is so because these youth's labor is essential to their personal and familial stability in the short‐term and mobility in the long‐term. Through this review, we conclude that Latina/o immigrant youth's financial, legal, cultural, and emotional labor must be considered when assessing the social forces that determine youth's socioeconomic and socioemotional outcomes in adulthood. We offer this analysis to advance scholarship on Latina/o stratification, immigration, and children's and youth's role in their individual and familial life outcomes.
The transnational village in Timor‐Leste
Authors: Rose Michael
Published: November 2022

Migrants in 2020 stay connected with their homes in ways unimaginable just 10 years ago. In the case of the Australian Seasonal Worker Program (SWP) which facilitates the short term, repeat travel of Timorese to Australia to engage in harvest labour, this connectivity particularly pronounced and important. In this article, drawing on original ethnographic fieldwork in the household of a returned SWP worker in Oecussi, I argue that this connectivity is intense enough that it calls us to reassess what we mean by migration how we think about its impact on development. Rather than thinking of SWP participants as migrants, I argue, it may be more useful to think of them as ‘trans‐national villagers’ whose international labour encodes understandings of work and wealth that are essentially an extension of those prevailing in Timor and definitive in its impact.
Blood utilization in liver transplantation (BUILT): A multidisciplinary survey of transfusion practices
Authors: DeSimone Robert A. , Hess Aaron S. , Rajendran Pranesh , Tanaka Kenichi A. , Cushing Melissa M. , Eichbaum Quentin
Published: November 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to survey liver transplant centers in the United States to assess baseline practices in blood utilization and identify opportunities for standardization to optimize blood use in these complex cases.

Study Design and Methods

Two surveys, one for transfusion medicine physicians and the other for anesthesiologists, were distributed to high‐volume liver transplant centers.

Results

The response rate was 52% for both surveys. The majority of respondents (90%) indicated they issue a standardized number of blood products to start surgeries. The most common number of products issued before the start of cases were 10 red blood cells (RBC) and 10 plasma units with no platelets or cryoprecipitate. On average, fewer RBC (7.5) and plasma (7) units were transfused than issued. Decisions to transfuse RhD+ RBCs to RhD‐ patients and use antigen untested units in alloimmunized patients were mainly handled on a case‐by‐case basis. Many centers reported utilizing viscoelastic testing (97%) and cell salvage (97%). Most centers reported standardized, laboratory‐based intraoperative transfusion goals for RBCs (65%) and fibrinogen replacement (52%) but lacked a standardized approach for plasma (55%) and platelets (58%).

Discussion

More blood products are issued during surgery than are transfused. Responses from anesthesiology providers suggest a broad consensus on practice. Almost all respondents use viscoelastic testing in the management of intraoperative coagulopathy, either alone or in combination with classical coagulation tests. The majority of programs do not transfuse clotting factor concentrates, including fibrinogen concentrate, prothrombin complex concentrates, and recombinant activated FVII, and do not use antifibrinolytics prophylactically.
CT diagnosis of occipital condyle fracture in a dog presented for severe cervical hyperesthesia
Authors: Ledeganck Liesbet , Kromhout Kaatje , Chiers Koen , Van der Vekens Elke , Van Ham Luc , Bhatti Sofie F.M. , Cornelis Ine
Published: November 2022

A 9‐month‐old male entire Doberman Pinscher presented with acute onset of severe cervical hyperesthesia after a fall. Neurological examination revealed a normal gait with low head carriage and severe cervical hyperesthesia. A CT scan of the cervical vertebral column revealed the presence of a comminuted fracture at the dorsomedial aspect of the right occipital condyle and sclerosis of the underlying bone. Medical management was initiated consisting of an external bandage, strict rest, and pain medication. Due to the lack of clinical improvement, the dog was euthanized 2 months after diagnosis. Histopathology of the lesion was compatible with a healing fracture.
Involvement of CaV2.2 channels and α2δ‐1 in homeostatic synaptic plasticity in cultured hippocampal neurons
Authors: Pilch Kjara S. , Ramgoolam Krishma H. , Dolphin Annette C.
Published: November 2022

In the mammalian brain, presynaptic CaV2 channels play a pivotal role in synaptic transmission by mediating fast neurotransmitter exocytosis via influx of Ca2+ into the active zone of presynaptic terminals. However, the distribution and modulation of CaV2.2 channels at plastic hippocampal synapses remains to be elucidated. Here, we assess CaV2.2 channels during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, a compensatory form of homeostatic control preventing excessive or insufficient neuronal activity during which extensive active zone remodelling has been described. We show that chronic silencing of neuronal activity in mature hippocampal cultures resulted in elevated presynaptic Ca2+ transients, mediated by increased levels of CaV2.2 channels at the presynaptic site. This work focused further on the role of α2δ‐1 subunits, important regulators of synaptic transmission and CaV2.2 channel abundance at the presynaptic membrane. We found that α2δ‐1 overexpression reduces the contribution of CaV2.2 channels to total Ca2+ flux without altering the amplitude of the Ca2+ transients. Levels of endogenous α2δ‐1 decreased during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, whereas the overexpression of α2δ‐1 prevented homeostatic synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons. Together, this study reveals a key role for CaV2.2 channels and novel roles for α2δ‐1 during synaptic plastic adaptation.

image

Key points

The roles of CaV2.2 channels and α2δ‐1 in homeostatic synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons in culture were examined.

Chronic silencing of neuronal activity resulted in elevated presynaptic Ca2+ transients, mediated by increased levels of CaV2.2 channels at presynaptic sites.

The level of endogenous α2δ‐1 decreased during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, whereas overexpression of α2δ‐1 prevented homeostatic synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons.

Together, this study reveals a key role for CaV2.2 channels and novel roles for α2δ‐1 during synaptic plastic adaptation.
Toward Understanding Sources and Influences of Design Fixation: A Focus on Example Stimuli and Background of Novice Designers
Authors: Jia Miao , Jiang Shuo , Hu Jie , Qi Jin
Published: November 2022

Using examples to inspire designers to generate more innovative design solutions is a widely adopted methodology for design support, while inappropriate use of examples may simultaneously lead to design fixation. Once a designer falls into “design fixation” in the design process, the novelty of generated design solutions will not be satisfactory. Numerous prior studies have explored the usage of examples in the design process, while ignoring the importance of the background knowledge possessed by the designer. In this study, we performed a series of designer-involved experiments (N = 57) to explore the sources of design fixation and the factors that influence the level of fixation. From the experimental results, we found: (1) the shallow sources of design fixation are the example stimuli and the deeper sources are the previous design solutions that use the same design features. (2) Fixation-design features linkage diagrams could show the connection between design solutions. (3) For novice designers, using broad-type design features other than focused-type design features in the design processes can lead to better design performance. (4) Design-type knowledge contributes more to design innovation when no examples are provided, while engineering-type knowledge performs better when a model example is provided. These results not only show a strong link between design features and design fixation but also present the importance of professional background for design fixation. This study lays the foundation for proposing various targeted design methods to help designers mitigate fixation.
Field Development Optimization of Haynesville Shale Wells
Authors: Morsy Samiha , McClure Mark , Fowler Garrett , Ratcliff Dave
Published: November 2022

Field development relies on understanding geological changes across a shale asset, adopting a successful landing zone strategy, and optimizing completion designs specific to each landing zone. Different areas may require different landing zone strategies or completion designs as a function of lithological and geological changes across the asset. Depletion effects also impact optimal landing and completion designs among pads. Therefore, a comprehensive field development plan is needed to address uncertainties and challenges that are associated with shale well development.

In this study, a simulation model is calibrated against field data, and then used for field development optimization. The plan first screens a wide range of development scenarios that include different landing strategies, frac zippering order, fluid intensity, proppant loading, cluster spacing, stage length, well spacing, and depletion levels. The screening is helpful to narrow the list of the key effective parameters to optimize. Tornado charts reveal relative importance of all tested parameters. The results reveal that, within the constraints of this particular study, stage length has largest impact on estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). Well spacing, landing, and fluid loading have a moderate effect. Proppant loading has the least impact. The majority of EUR uplift is associated with higher fluid intensity, shorter stage length, and wider well spacing. Optimal stage length is shown to change as a function of landing depth and is related to geology, geomechanics, and stress shadowing.

All tested scenarios provide different EURs, with different economic outcomes. Opportunity charts are used to identify the most economic field development scenarios. The best opportunities provide similar or higher EUR as of the current base design, but at a lower cost and/or higher rate of return. The best economical cases were recommended for field trials.
Multiple material stack grayscale patterning using electron-beam lithography and a single plasma etching step
Authors: Dawant R. , Ecoffey S. , Drouin D.
Published: November 2022

In this paper, we present a novel method to perform grayscale electron-beam lithography on multilayer stacks where the pattern transfer is done in a single plasma etching step. Due to the differences in material etch rates in the stack, the shape of the resist after development vs the shape of the multilayer stack after etching is significantly different. To be able to reach the desired shape in the multilayer stack, the final resist dose is defined by an etching calibration curve that describes the relationship between the electron-beam dose and the remaining materials thickness after plasma etching. With this method, a resistive memory crossbar array is fabricated with a height resolution of 10 nm and nanoscale dimension devices.
Atomic layer deposition of MoNx thin films using a newly synthesized liquid Mo precursor
Authors: Kim Byunguk , Lee Sangmin , Kang Taesung , Kim Sunghoon , Koo Sangman , Jeon Hyeongtag
Published: November 2022

Molybdenum nitride thin films are deposited using a newly synthesized liquid Mo precursor [MoCl4(THD)(THF)] in an ALD super-cycle process. The new precursor is synthesized using MoCl5 and 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione, which is a bidentate ligand. The synthesized precursor exists in the liquid phase at room temperature and has a characteristic of evaporating 99% at 150–220 °C. Using this new precursor in an ALD super-cycle process results in a pure MoNx thin film with few impurities (C and O). In addition, such MoNx thin films have relatively low resistivity values due to excellent crystallinity and a low impurity concentration. The films' diffusion barrier characteristics confirm that they can perform the role of a barrier at over 600 °C.
Type II band alignment of NiO/α-Ga2O3 for annealing temperatures up to 600 °C
Authors: Xia Xinyi , Li Jian-Sian , Chiang Chao-Ching , Yoo Timothy Jinsoo , Hershkovitz Eitan , Ren Fan , Kim Honggyu , Kim Jihyun , Jeon Dae-Woo , Park Ji-Hyeon , Pearton S. J.
Published: November 2022

There is increasing interest in the alpha polytype of Ga2O3 because of its even larger bandgap than the more studied beta polytype, but in common with the latter, there is no viable p-type doping technology. One option is to use p-type oxides to realize heterojunctions and NiO is one of the candidate oxides. The band alignment of sputtered NiO on α-Ga2O3 remains type II, staggered gap for annealing temperatures up to 600 °C, showing that this is a viable approach for hole injection in power electronic devices based on the alpha polytype of Ga2O3. The magnitude of both the conduction and valence band offsets increases with temperature up to 500 °C, but then is stable to 600 °C. For the as-deposited NiO/α-Ga2O3 heterojunction, ΔEV = −2.8 and ΔEC = 1.6 eV, while after 600 °C annealing the corresponding values are ΔEV = −4.4 and ΔEC = 3.02 eV. These values are 1−2 eV larger than for the NiO/β-Ga2O3 heterojunction.
Evaluation of different Maritime rapid environmental assessment procedures with a focus on acoustic performance
Authors: Oddo Paolo , Falchetti Silvia , Viola Salvatore , Pennucci Giuliana , Storto Andrea , Borrione Ines , Giorli Giacomo , Cozzani Elisa , Russo Aniello , Tollefsen Cristina
Published: November 2022

Four different Marine Rapid Environmental Assessment (MREA) procedures are compared with a focus on underwater acoustic performance. Co-located oceanographic-acoustic data were collected during the summer of 2015 in the Northwestern Mediterranean in the framework of a sea trial led by the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation. The data were used to link MREA procedures and ocean-acoustic validation in a seamless framework. The MREA procedures consider Conductivity Temperature Depth (CTD) data, operational products from the Copernicus Marine Service, and two dynamical downscaling systems (with and without data assimilation). A portion of the oceanographic data are used for the assimilation procedure, and the remaining portion is withheld from the assimilation system for use as an independent verifying dataset. The accuracy of modelled acoustic properties is evaluated using the sound speed estimates from the different MREA methodologies as inputs to an acoustic model, and then comparing the modelled and observed acoustic arrival intensities and temporal structure. In 95% of the studied cases, the assimilative dynamical downscaling approach provides acoustic results equaling or exceeding in skill those modelled with the sound speed extracted from CTD casts. Acoustic assessment results indicate that our implementation of dynamical downscaling has skill at oceanographic scales of 4 km, about ten times larger than the ocean model horizontal resolution.
Phone duration modeling for speaker age estimation in children
Authors: Shivakumar Prashanth Gurunath , Bishop Somer , Lord Catherine , Narayanan Shrikanth
Published: November 2022

Automatic inference of paralinguistic information from speech, such as age, is an important area of research with many technological applications. Speaker age estimation can help with age-appropriate curation of information content and personalized interactive experiences. However, automatic speaker age estimation in children is challenging due to the paucity of speech data representing the developmental spectrum, and the large signal variability including within a given age group. Most prior approaches in child speaker age estimation adopt methods directly drawn from research on adult speech. In this paper, we propose a novel technique that exploits temporal variability present in children's speech for estimation of children's age. We focus on phone durations as biomarker of children's age. Phone duration distributions are derived by forced-aligning children's speech with transcripts. Regression models are trained to predict speaker age among children studying in kindergarten up to grade 10. Experiments on two children's speech datasets are used to demonstrate the robustness and portability of proposed features over multiple domains of varying signal conditions. Phonemes contributing most to estimation of children speaker age are analyzed and presented. Experimental results suggest phone durations contain important development-related information of children. The proposed features are also suited for application under low data scenarios.
A Validated Preharvest Sampling Simulation Shows that Sampling Plans with a Larger Number of Randomly Located Samples Perform Better than Typical Sampling Plans in Detecting Representative Point-Source and Widespread Hazards in Leafy Green Fields
Authors: Quintanilla Portillo Jorge , Cheng Xianbin , Belias Alexandra M. , Weller Daniel L. , Wiedmann Martin , Stasiewicz Matthew J.
Published: November 2022

This study addresses a need for improved preharvest sampling plans for pathogen detection in leafy green fields by developing and validating a preharvest sampling simulation model, avoiding the expensive task of physical sampling in many fields. Validated preharvest sampling simulations were used to develop guidance for preharvest sampling protocols.
Functional Characterization and Structural Modeling of a Novel Glycine Oxidase from Variovorax paradoxus Iso1
Authors: Lo Kai-Yin , Tsai Yi-Fang , Hsu Chun-Hua , Lee Chia-Yin
Published: November 2022

The Gram-negative bacteriumVariovorax paradoxushas numerous metabolic capabilities, including the association with important catabolic processes and the promotion of plant growth. We had previously identified and characterized anN-acyl-d-amino-acid amidohydrolase (N-d-AAase) gene from the strain ofV. paradoxusIso1.
Pathogenicity and Structural Basis of Zika Variants with Glycan Loop Deletions in the Envelope Protein
Authors: Cheng Meng-Li , Yang Yun-Xiang , Liu Zhong-Yu , Wen Dan , Yang Pan , Huang Xing-Yao , Dong Hao-Long , Xu Yan-Peng , Li Xiao-Feng , Deng Yong-Qiang , Ye Qing , Zhu Ling , Li Juan , Davidson Andrew D. , Zheng Ai-Hua , Shi Wei-Feng , Zhao Hui , Wang Xiang-Xi , Qin Cheng-Feng
Published: November 2022

Zika virus (ZIKV) has been identified as a cause of microcephaly and acquired evolutionary mutations since its discovery. Previously deletions in the E glycan loop were recorded in African ZIKV strains, which have re-emerged in the contemporary Asian lineages recently.
The Porcine Cyclic GMP-AMP Synthase-STING Pathway Exerts an Unusual Antiviral Function Independent of Interferon and Autophagy
Authors: Jiang Sen , Xia Nengwen , Luo Jia , Zhang Youwen , Cao Qi , Zhang Jiajia , Wang Yuening , Zhao Yuan , Zheng Wanglong , Chen Nanhua , Meurens François , Li Xiangdong , Zhu Jianzhong
Published: November 2022

The IFN-independent antiviral function of the cGAS-STING pathway has attracted great attention in recent years; however, the nature of this IFN-independent antiviral function is unknown, although STING-induced autophagy has been shown to mediate the STING antiviral activity. First, we analyzed the antiviral activity through the porcine cGAS-pSTING pathway and established that pSTING signaling exerts an IFN-independent antiviral function.
Extracellular Vesicles Contribute to Mixed-Fungal Species Competition during Biofilm Initiation
Authors: Zarnowski Robert , Massey Justin , Mitchell Aaron P. , Andes David
Published: November 2022

Candida
species commonly form mixed-species biofilms with other
Candida
species and bacteria. In the established biofilm state, vesicle cargo delivers public goods to support the mature community.
Genome Sequence of a Clinical Blood Isolate of Kodamaea ohmeri
Authors: Chew Ka Lip , Achik Rosemini , Osman Nurul Hudaa , Octavia Sophie , Teo Jeanette W. P.
Published: November 2022

Kodamaea ohmeri
is a rarely occurring yeast that can cause human infections. We describe the whole-genome sequence of a
K. ohmeri
clinical blood isolate.
Fusarium graminearumSte3 G-Protein Coupled Receptor: A Mediator of Hyphal Chemotropism and Pathogenesis
Authors: Sharma Tanya , Sridhar Pooja S. , Blackman Christopher , Foote Simon J. , Allingham John S. , Subramaniam Rajagopal , Loewen Michele C.
Published: November 2022

Fusariumhead blight of wheat, caused by the filamentous fungusFusarium graminearum, leads to devastating global food shortages and economic losses. Fungal hyphal chemotropism has been shown to be a major contributor to host-pathogen interactions. Here, the role of the opposite mating type GPCR, Ste3, is characterized with respect toF. graminearumchemotropism and pathogenicity. These findings contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying fungal chemotropism and pathogenesis.
Insights into Genomic Evolution and the Potential Genetic Basis of Klebsiella variicola subsp.
variicola
ZH07 Reveal Its Potential for Plant Growth Promotion and Autotoxin Degradation
Authors: Wang Dandan , Sun Li , Yin Zhiqiu , Cui Shiyu , Huang Weiwei , Xie Zhihong
Published: November 2022

Continuous cropping obstacles reduce the production and quality of agricultural products, and the application of rhizosphere beneficial microbes is an important strategy. Strain ZH07 showed autotoxin-degrading and plant growth-promoting capacities.
Emergence and Genomic Characterization of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates with High Levels of Ceftriaxone and Azithromycin Resistance in Guangdong, China, from 2016 to 2019
Authors: Lin Xiaomian , Chen Wentao , Yu Yuqi , Lan Yinyuan , Xie Qinghui , Liao Yiwen , Wu Xingzhong , Tang Sanmei , Qin Xiaolin , Zheng Heping
Published: November 2022

Here, we report five sporadic dual-resistant isolates, including FC428-related ceftriaxone-resistant clones with MICs of ≥0.5 mg/L and high-level azithromycin resistance with MICs of ≥1,024 mg/L. This study highlights that dual-resistant clones with the same evolutionary origin as FC428, A2735, and F89 have circulated in Guangdong, China, which suggests that the capacity for antibiotic resistance testing and genome analysis should be strengthened in daily epidemiological surveillance.
Selection of Ideal Reference Genes for Gene Expression Analysis in COVID-19 and Mucormycosis
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Ahmad Ayaan , Kushwaha Namrata , Shokeen Niti , Negi Sheetal , Gautam Kamini , Singh Anup , Tiwari Pavan , Garg Rakesh , Agarwal Richa , Mohan Anant , Trikha Anjan , Thakar Alok , Saini Vikram
Published: November 2022

Gene expression studies are critical to develop new diagnostics, therapeutics, and prognostic modalities. However, accurate determination of expression requires data normalization with a reference gene, whose expression does not vary across different disease stages.
Optimization of Low-Biomass Sample Collection and Quantitative PCR-Based Titration Impact 16S rRNA Microbiome Resolution
Authors: Clokie Benjamin Gregory James , Elsheshtawy Ahmed , Albalat Amaya , Nylund Are , Beveridge Allan , Payne Chris J. , MacKenzie Simon
Published: November 2022

The interaction between the fish gill and surrounding bacteria-rich water provides an intriguing model for examining the interaction between the fish, free-floating bacteria, and the bacterial microbiome on the gill surface. Samples that are inherently low in bacteria, or that have components that inhibit the ability to produce libraries that identify the components of microbial communities, present significant challenges.
Construction of an Ordered Transposon Library for Uropathogenic Proteus mirabilis HI4320
Authors: Pearson Melanie M. , Pahil Sapna , Forsyth Valerie S. , Shea Allyson E. , Mobley Harry L. T.
Published: November 2022

Ordered libraries facilitate large genetic screens by guaranteeing high genomic coverage with a minimal number of mutants, and they can save time and effort by reducing the need to construct targeted mutations. This resource is now available for
P. mirabilis
, a common and complicating agent of catheter-associated urinary tract infection.
Influence of Sodium Bicarbonate on Wall Teichoic Acid Synthesis and β-Lactam Sensitization in NaHCO
3
-Responsive and Nonresponsive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ersoy Selvi C. , Gonçalves Barbara , Cavaco Gonçalo , Manna Adhar C. , Sobral Rita G. , Nast Cynthia C. , Proctor Richard A. , Chambers Henry F. , Cheung Ambrose , Bayer Arnold S.
Published: November 2022

MRSA is generally viewed as resistant to standard β-lactam antibiotics. However, a NaHCO
3
-responsive phenotype is observed in a substantial proportion of clinical MRSA strains
in vitro
, i.e., isolates which demonstrate enhanced susceptibility to standard β-lactam antibiotics (e.g., oxacillin) in the presence of NaHCO
3
.