bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dramatic improvement of aerosol pollution status over the East Asian ocean: from the establishment of Japanese environmental quality standard for PM2.5 in 2009 to its achievement in 2021
Authors: Itahashi Syuichi , Uno Itsushi
Published: March 2024

The severe aerosol pollution in East Asia has been a focus of much research. In Japan, the environmental quality standard (EQS) for PM2.5 was established in 2009 (daily average, 35 μg m−3; annual average, 15 μg m−3), and its achievement rate was below 50% during the early 2010s. Then, the PM2.5 concentration gradually decreased, the achievement rate improved, and the EQS for PM2.5 was finally achieved (100%) in fiscal year (FY) 2021. Because transboundary aerosol pollution is an important factor in Japanese air quality, here we analysed the long-term dataset of the satellite-measured fine-mode aerosol optical depth (AODf) over the East Asian ocean to reveal the changes in the transboundary aerosol over East Asia. Overall, a decrease in AODf was seen over the entire East Asian ocean during the period analysed. A gradual declining trend in AODf was measured (−4% to −5%/year over the adjacent ocean around Japan) and corresponded well to the trend in PM2.5 concentration observed in Japan (−5.3%/year) during FY2010–FY2021. Due to the domestic contribution in Japan, the negative trend was slightly greater for Japanese PM2.5 concentration than for AODf over the adjacent ocean around Japan, and we concluded that the main reason for the dramatic air quality improvement in PM2.5 in Japan was driven by the improvement of transboundary aerosol pollution over East Asia. In addition, the 12 year analysis period (FY2010 to FY2021) was divided into three parts: stagnation (FY2010 to FY2014), in which PM2.5 and AODf remained the same as they were in FY2010; improvement (FY2015 to FY2018), in which PM2.5 and AODf declined dramatically; and achievement (FY2019 to FY2021), in which PM2.5 and AODf declined further.
Disaster risk assessment based on the community’s vulnerability, capacity, and responses in facing an earthquake in the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Hanjarwati A , Wardhana I W , Komalawati
Published: March 2024

Bantul is one of the regencies in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) that are prone to earthquakes. In 2006, Yogyakarta was hit by a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 on the Richter scale, resulting in a death toll of 6,234 people, with 1,754 severely injured (e.g., spinal injuries) and in need of paraplegia rehabilitation. The high number of casualties indicates a high disaster risk, which means high disaster vulnerability and low disaster management capacity. The research aims to assess disaster risks based on the community’s vulnerability and capacity in facing the 2006 earthquake disaster in DIY. This study uses a mixed method, consisting of a survey with 44 disaster victims suffering from injuries that result in disabilities (paraplegia) and in-depth interviews with ten family members of the victims. The results show that disaster vulnerability will likely result in a physical risk, i.e., disaster injuries that leave the victims with paraplegia. Such vulnerability is caused by the community’s low capacity and poor response to disasters, including the 2006 earthquake. Another physical risk is the collapsing houses, which lead to economic risk as the community suffers losses of between 30 and 91 million rupiah. Meanwhile, the social risk is a change in the status of the victims from people without disabilities to people with disabilities. That said, social relations increase because the disaster victims with paraplegia have become active members of an organization.
A reduced complexity rate-matching and channel interleaver/de-interleaver for 5G NR
Authors: J L Lakshmi , Jayakumari J
Published: March 2024

Rate matching and channel interleavers play a pivotal role in code rate adaptation and minimizing burst errors in communication systems. The data and control channels in the Fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) employs distinct channel interleavers/de-interleavers for reducing bit error rate. However, the independent implementation results in a substantial increase in silicon cost. To address this challenge, hardware sharing is pivotal for optimizing resource utilization and improving overall system performance. This study introduces a rate-matching architecture and a simple algorithm for the creation of a new Shared-Resource Channel interleaver/De-interleaver (SRC) architecture. The proposed work ensures low complexity tailored for both data and control channels within the 5G NR framework by incorporating the hardware sharing technique. The proposed SRC architecture, synthesized on the Virtex-7 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), showcases noteworthy advancements over existing 5G NR interleaver architecture, achieving a notable 23% reduction in resource utilization. Through implementation using the Qflow Compiler in 45 nm CMOS technology, the ASIC synthesis of the proposed design demonstrates a substantial decrease in hardware complexity and area by 44.6% and 43%, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed architecture exhibits a 19.2% reduction in power consumption compared to its existing counterpart in 5G NR. The proposed integrated design demonstrates a remarkable resource efficiency by occupying nearly half the resources compared to individual implementations.
Generalization of graph-based active learning relaxation strategies across materials
Authors: Wang Xiaoxiao , Musielewicz Joseph , Tran Richard , Kumar Ethirajan Sudheesh , Fu Xiaoyan , Mera Hilda , Kitchin John R , Kurchin Rachel C , Ulissi Zachary W
Published: March 2024

Although density functional theory (DFT) has aided in accelerating the discovery of new materials, such calculations are computationally expensive, especially for high-throughput efforts. This has prompted an explosion in exploration of machine learning (ML) assisted techniques to improve the computational efficiency of DFT. In this study, we present a comprehensive investigation of the broader application of Finetuna, an active learning framework to accelerate structural relaxation in DFT with prior information from Open Catalyst Project pretrained graph neural networks. We explore the challenges associated with out-of-domain systems: alcohol (

C

>
2

) on metal surfaces as larger adsorbates, metal oxides with spin polarization, and three-dimensional (3D) structures like zeolites and metal organic frameworks. By pre-training ML models on large datasets and fine-tuning the model along the simulation, we demonstrate the framework’s ability to conduct relaxations with fewer DFT calculations. Depending on the similarity of the test systems to the training systems, a more conservative querying strategy is applied. Our best-performing Finetuna strategy reduces the number of DFT single-point calculations by 80% for alcohols and 3D structures, and 42% for oxide systems.
Fatigue and Mood in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Patients: Results of a Momentary Assessment Protocol Examining Fatigue and Mood Levels and Diurnal Patterns
Authors: Stone Arthur A. , Broderick Joan E. , Porter Laura S. , Krupp Laurie , Gnys Maryann , Paty Jean A. , Shiffman Saul
Published: March 2024

Examined the overall levels and the diurnal patterns of fatigue, mood, and activities in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) patients using computer-prompted assessments at random points throughout many days. We hypothesized that levels of fatigue and mood would be different in the groups and that diurnal patterns would also differ by group. Momentary assessment methods avoid many potential biases inherent in retrospective recall techniques. Eight CFS patients and 21 community-dwelling control subjects were randomly prompted between five and six times per day and responded to questions about fatigue, positive affect, negative affect, and the activities they were engaged in at the moment of the prompt. CFS patients participated for 26 days and control subjects participated for 15 days. Compared to the control group, levels of fatigue were higher in the CFS group, yet there were no differences in overall level of positive or negative affect. Strong diurnal patterns of affect were observed for fatigue measures indicating that it was higher in the morning and evening. Diurnal patterns were also observed for mood: Positive affect increased over the day and negative affect decreased. There was very modest support for differential diurnal patterns by group; the effect was only evident for one of the positive affect adjectives. Finally, these results were not diminished when the activities subjects were engaged in at the time of the assessments were controlled.
Theoretical Models for Predicting and Improving Compliance with Breast Cancer Screening
Authors: Curry Susan J. , Emmons Karen M.
Published: March 2024

Theoretical models for predicting and improving compliance with breast cancer screening are important both for taking stock of the existing literature and for designing new efforts to understand and improve compliance with breast cancer screening recommendations. In the past decade, the majority of research studies on compliance with breast cancer screening based neither their research design nor the interpretation of their findings on an articulated conceptual framework. The limited pool of theory-based research has focused primarily on predicting compliance with breast cancer screening. This article describes the application of the Health Belief Model, Theory of Reasoned Action, Transtheoretical Model, and Prospect Theory to breast cancer screening. Although each model provides insights to factors that are necessary to predict and improve participation in breast cancer screening, no one theoretical model is sufficient. Heuristic frameworks that facilitate integration of constructs from different theoretical models are also presented. Methodological issues to be addressed by the field include development of standardized, well-validated measures to evaluate key theoretical constructs and expanding research into samples of women that represent a broader segment of the population, particularly older women who do not have ready access to the health care system. At the conceptual level, fewer main effect and more studies that examine interactions among constructs from different theoretical models are needed.
Parenteral nutrition in the hospital setting/short-term parenteral nutrition
Authors: Cogle Sarah V , Ayers Phil , Berger Mette M , Berlana David , Wischmeyer Paul E , Ybarra Joe , Zeraschi Sarah , De Cloet Joeri
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This article is based on presentations and discussions held at the International Safety and Quality of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Summit concerning the acute care setting. Some European practices presented in this article do not conform with USP general chapter <797> requirements. Nevertheless, the purpose is to cover the challenges experienced in delivering high-quality PN within hospitals in the United States and Europe, in order to share best practices and experiences more widely.

Core issues regarding the PN process within an acute care setting are largely the same everywhere: There are ongoing pressures for greater efficiency, optimization, and also concurrent commitments to make PN safer for patients. Within Europe, in recent years, the use of market-authorized multi-chamber bags (MCBs) has increased greatly, mainly for safety, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency purposes. However, in the US, hospitals with low PN volumes may face particular challenges, as automated compounding equipment is often unaffordable in this setting and the variety of available MCBs is limited. This can result in the need to operate several PN systems in parallel, adding to the complexity of the PN use process. Ongoing PN quality and safety initiatives from US institutions with various PN volumes are presented. In the future, the availability of a greater selection of MCBs in the US may increase, leading to a reduction in dependence on compounded PN, as has been seen in many European countries.

Conclusion

The examples presented may encourage improvements in the safety and quality of PN within the acute care setting worldwide.
The crude extract obtained from Cinnamomum macrostemon Hayata regulates oxidative stress and mitophagy in keratinocytes
Authors: Su Yung-Shun , Cheng Ming-Jen , Kwan Aij-Lie , Huang Shu-Ping , Tyan Yu-Chang , Chai Chee-Yin , Huang Bin
Published: March 2024

Four ethanol fractionated crude extracts (EFCEs [A-D]) purified from the leaves of Cinnamomum macrostemon Hayata were screened for antioxidative effects and mitochondrial function in HaCaT cells. The higher cell viability indicated that EFCE C was mildly toxic. Under the treatment of 50 ng/mL EFCE C, the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytosolic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels were reduced as well as the H2O2-impaired cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), ATP production, and mitochondrial mass. The conversion of globular mitochondria to tubular mitochondria is coincident with EFCE C-restored mitochondrial function. The mitophagy activator rapamycin showed similar effects to EFCE C in recovering the H2O2-impaired cell viability, MMP, ATP production, mitochondrial mass, and also mitophagic proteins such as PINK1, Parkin, LC3 II, and biogenesis protein PGC-1α. We thereby propose the application of EFCE C in the prevention of oxidative stress in skin cells.
Connecting dementia risk loci to the CSF proteome identifies pathophysiological leads for dementia
Authors: Reus Lianne M , Jansen Iris E , Tijms Betty M , Visser Pieter Jelle , Tesi Niccoló , van der Lee Sven J , Vermunt Lisa , Peeters Carel F W , De Groot Lisa A , Hok-A-Hin Yanaika S , Chen-Plotkin Alice , Irwin David J , Hu William T , Meeter Lieke H , van Swieten John C , Holstege Henne , Hulsman Marc , Lemstra Afina W , Pijnenburg Yolande A L , van der Flier Wiesje M , Teunissen Charlotte E , del Campo Milan Marta
Published: March 2024

Genome-wide association studies have successfully identified many genetic risk loci for dementia, but exact biological mechanisms through which genetic risk factors contribute to dementia remains unclear. Integrating CSF proteomic data with dementia risk loci could reveal intermediate molecular pathways connecting genetic variance to the development of dementia.

We tested to what extent effects of known dementia risk loci can be observed in CSF levels of 665 proteins [proximity extension-based (PEA) immunoassays] in a deeply-phenotyped mixed memory clinic cohort [n = 502, mean age (standard deviation, SD) = 64.1 (8.7) years, 181 female (35.4%)], including patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD, n = 213), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB, n = 50) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD, n = 93), and controls (n = 146). Validation was assessed in independent cohorts (n = 99 PEA platform, n = 198, mass reaction monitoring-targeted mass spectroscopy and multiplex assay). We performed additional analyses stratified according to diagnostic status (AD, DLB, FTD and controls separately), to explore whether associations between CSF proteins and genetic variants were specific to disease or not.

We identified four AD risk loci as protein quantitative trait loci (pQTL): CR1-CR2 (rs3818361, P = 1.65 × 10−8), ZCWPW1-PILRB (rs1476679, P = 2.73 × 10−32), CTSH-CTSH (rs3784539, P = 2.88 × 10−24) and HESX1-RETN (rs186108507, P = 8.39 × 10−8), of which the first three pQTLs showed direct replication in the independent cohorts. We identified one AD-specific association between a rare genetic variant of TREM2 and CSF IL6 levels (rs75932628, P = 3.90 × 10−7). DLB risk locus GBA showed positive trans effects on seven inter-related CSF levels in DLB patients only. No pQTLs were identified for FTD loci, either for the total sample as for analyses performed within FTD only.

Protein QTL variants were involved in the immune system, highlighting the importance of this system in the pathophysiology of dementia. We further identified pQTLs in stratified analyses for AD and DLB, hinting at disease-specific pQTLs in dementia. Dissecting the contribution of risk loci to neurobiological processes aids in understanding disease mechanisms underlying dementia.
RTN2 deficiency results in an autosomal recessive distal motor neuropathy with lower limb spasticity
Authors: Maroofian Reza , Sarraf Payam , O’Brien Thomas J , Kamel Mona , Cakar Arman , Elkhateeb Nour , Lau Tracy , Patil Siddaramappa Jagdish , Record Christopher J , Horga Alejandro , Essid Miriam , Selim Laila , Benrhouma Hanene , Ben Younes Thouraya , Zifarelli Giovanni , Pagnamenta Alistair T , Bauer Peter , Khundadze Mukhran , Mirecki Andrea , Kamel Sara Mahmoud , Elmonem Mohamed A , Ghayoor Karimiani Ehsan , Jamshidi Yalda , Offiah Amaka C , Rossor Alexander M , Youssef-Turki Ilhem Ben , Hübner Christian A , Munot Pinki , Reilly Mary M , Brown André E X , Nagy Sara , Houlden Henry
Published: March 2024

Heterozygous RTN2 variants have been previously identified in a limited cohort of families affected by autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia (SPG12-OMIM:604805) with a variable age of onset. Nevertheless, the definitive validity of SPG12 remains to be confidently confirmed due to the scarcity of supporting evidence.

In this study, we identified and validated seven novel or ultra-rare homozygous loss-of-function RTN2 variants in 14 individuals from seven consanguineous families with distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN) using exome, genome and Sanger sequencing coupled with deep-phenotyping.

All affected individuals (seven males and seven females, aged 9–50 years) exhibited weakness in the distal upper and lower limbs, lower limb spasticity and hyperreflexia, with onset in the first decade of life. Nerve conduction studies revealed axonal motor neuropathy with neurogenic changes in the electromyography. Despite a slowly progressive disease course, all patients remained ambulatory over a mean disease duration of 19.71 ± 13.70 years. Characterization of Caenorhabditis elegans RTN2 homologous loss-of-function variants demonstrated morphological and behavioural differences compared with the parental strain. Treatment of the mutant with an endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ reuptake inhibitor (2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone) rescued key phenotypic differences, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit for RTN2-disorder. Despite RTN2 being an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident membrane shaping protein, our analysis of patient fibroblast cells did not find significant alterations in ER structure or the response to ER stress.

Our findings delineate a distinct form of autosomal recessive dHMN with pyramidal features associated with RTN2 deficiency. This phenotype shares similarities with SIGMAR1-related dHMN and Silver-like syndromes, providing valuable insights into the clinical spectrum and potential therapeutic strategies for RTN2-related dHMN.
ESKtides: a comprehensive database and mining method for ESKAPE phage-derived antimicrobial peptides
Authors: Wu Hongfang , Chen Rongxian , Li Xuejian , Zhang Yue , Zhang Jianwei , Yang Yanbo , Wan Jun , Zhou Yang , Chen Huanchun , Li Jinquan , Li Runze , Zou Geng
Published: March 2024

‘Superbugs’ have received increasing attention from researchers, such as ESKAPE bacteria (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.), which directly led to about 1 270 000 death cases in 2019. Recently, phage peptidoglycan hydrolases (PGHs)–derived antimicrobial peptides were proposed as new antibacterial agents against multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, there is still a lack of methods for mining antimicrobial peptides based on phages or phage PGHs. Here, by using a collection of 6809 genomes of ESKAPE isolates and corresponding phages in public databases, based on a unified annotation process of all the genomes, PGHs were systematically identified, from which peptides were mined. As a result, a total of 12 067 248 peptides with high antibacterial activities were respectively determined. A user-friendly tool was developed to predict the phage PGHs–derived antimicrobial peptides from customized genomes, which also allows the calculation of peptide phylogeny, physicochemical properties, and secondary structure. Finally, a user-friendly and intuitive database, ESKtides ( http://www.phageonehealth.cn:9000/ESKtides), was designed for data browsing, searching and downloading, which provides a rich peptide library based on ESKAPE prophages and phages.

Database URL:  10.1093/database/baae022
Pan-enteric Capsule Endoscopy to Characterize Crohn’s Disease Phenotypes and Predict Clinical Outcomes in Children and Adults: The Bomiro Study
Authors: Oliva Salvatore , Veraldi Silvio , Russo Giusy , Aloi Marina , Rizzello Fernando , Gionchetti Paolo , Alvisi Patrizia , Labriola Flavio , Vecchi Maurizio , Eidler Pini , Elli Luca , Dussias Nikolas , Tontini Gian Eugenio , Calabrese Carlo
Published: March 2024

Background

Pan-enteric capsule endoscopy (PCE) provides useful information for the management of Crohn’s disease (CD), especially in children. No study has evaluated the ability of PCE to characterize CD phenotypes and outcomes in children and adults.

Methods

In a prospective multicenter observational study, we recruited patients with CD >6 years from 4 centers in Italy. Patients underwent clinical, biomarker assessment and PCE. Lesions were graded using the PCE system. For each segment, the most common lesion (MCL), the most severe lesion (MSL), and the extent of involvement were defined. Disease severity, extent, and clinical outcomes were compared between children and adults. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors for negative outcomes in both age groups.

Results

One hundred ninety-four consecutive patients (adults/children: 144/50) were evaluated for a total of 249 procedures. Children were more likely to have extensive disease, particularly in the colon. Higher MCL scores were independently associated with treatment escalation (odds ratio [OR], 4.09; 95% CI, 1.80-9.25; P = .001), while >30% disease extent was more indicative of clinical and endoscopic relapse (OR, 2.98; 1.26-7.08; P = .013). Disease extent was the only factor associated with endoscopic recurrence in children (OR, 4.50; 95% CI, 1.47-13.77; P = .008), while severe lesions in adults provided a better predictor of treatment escalation (OR, 4.31; 95% CI, 1.52-12.1; P = .006). Postexamination, PCE contributed to a change of therapy in 196/249 (79%) of the procedures.

Conclusions

PCE allowed the characterization of CD phenotypes in children and adults by assessing disease severity and extent, which are of different importance in predicting clinical outcomes in these age groups.
Rilpivirine and cabotegravir trough concentrations in people with HIV on long-term treatment with long-acting injectable antiretrovirals
Authors: Cossu Maria Vittoria , Cattaneo Dario , Moschese Davide , Giacomelli Andrea , Soloperto Sara , D’Avolio Antonio , Antinori Spinello , Gori Andrea , Rizzardini Giuliano , Gervasoni Cristina
Published: March 2024

Objective

Large inter-individual variability in the pharmacokinetics of rilpivirine and cabotegravir has been reported in the first weeks after starting long-acting injectable (LAI) therapy. Here, we assessed the distribution of rilpivirine and cabotegravir trough concentrations in people with HIV (PWH) on long-term LAI treatment.

Methods

Adult PWH treated with LAI for at least 32 weeks with an assessment of drug plasma trough concentrations were considered. The proportion of rilpivirine and cabotegravir plasma trough concentrations below four-times the protein-adjusted concentrations required for 90% inhibition of viral replication (4×PA-IC90) was estimated.

Results

Sixty-seven PWH were identified. LAI treatment duration was 216 ± 80 weeks (range 32–320 weeks). Cabotegravir concentrations were associated with lower inter-individual variability compared with rilpivirine (45% versus 84%; P < 0.05). No differences were found in rilpivirine (160 ± 118 versus 189 ± 81 ng/mL; P = 0.430) and cabotegravir (1758 ± 807 versus 1969 ± 802 ng/mL; P = 0.416) trough concentrations in males (n = 55) versus females (n = 12). A non-significant trend for lower cabotegravir concentrations was found in PWH with a body mass index >30 kg/m2 (n = 9) versus non-obese participants (1916 ± 905 versus 1606 ± 576 ng/mL; P = 0.131). Three out of the 67 PWH had at least one drug concentration <4×PA-IC90: 100% of PWH had undetectable HIV viral load.

Conclusions

At steady state, optimal systemic exposure of cabotegravir and rilpivirine was found in most PWH; cabotegravir trough concentrations were associated with lower inter-individual variability compared with rilpivirine. The study was not powered to assess the contribution of sex and/or body weight on LAI exposure due to the small number of females and obese PWH included.
Age-Related Differences in Neutralizing Antibody Responses against SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron Variants in 151 SARS-CoV-2-Naïve Metropolitan Residents Boosted with BNT162b2
Authors: Lee Beomki , Bae Go Eun , Jeong In Hwa , Kim Jong-Hun , Kwon Min-Jung , Kim Jayoung , Kim Byoungguk , Lee June-Woo , Nam Jeong-Hyun , Huh Hee Jin , Kang Eun-Suk
Published: March 2024

Background

Although age negatively correlates with vaccine-induced immune responses, whether the vaccine-induced neutralizing effect against variants of concern (VOCs) substantially differs across age remains relatively poorly explored. In addition, the utility of commercial binding assays developed with the wild-type SARS-CoV-2 for predicting the neutralizing effect against VOCs should be revalidated.

Methods

We analyzed 151 triple-vaccinated SARS-CoV-2-naïve individuals boosted with BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech). The study population was divided into young adults (age < 30), middle-aged adults (30 ≤ age < 60), and older adults (age ≥ 60). The plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT) titers against Delta (B.1.617.2) and Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants were compared across age. Antibody titers measured with commercial binding assays were compared with PRNT titers.

Results

Age-related decline in neutralizing titers was observed for both Delta and Omicron variants. Neutralizing titers for Omicron were lower than those against Delta in all ages. The multiple linear regression model demonstrated that duration from third dose to sample collection and vaccine types were also significant factors affecting vaccine-induced immunity along with age. The correlation between commercial binding assays and PRNT was acceptable for all age groups with the Delta variant, but relatively poor for middle-aged and older adults with the Omicron variant due to low titers.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into the age-related dynamics of vaccine-induced immunity against SARS-CoV-2 VOCs, corroborating the need for age-specific vaccination strategies in the endemic era where new variants continue to evolve. Moreover, commercial binding assays should be used cautiously when estimating neutralizing titers against VOCs, particularly Omicron.
A Stochastic Production Frontier Analysis of Factors That Affect Productivity and Efficiency of Logging Businesses in Virginia
Authors: Sartori Pedro J , Schons Stella Z , Barrett Scott
Published: March 2024

Understanding the effect of the relationship between timber harvesting attributes on loggers’ productivity and efficiency is crucial for the feasibility and expansion of sustainable forest management and logging. We applied a stochastic production frontier model to firm-level operational data collected from 202 loggers in Virginia, United States, in 2019. Logging equipment value, physiographic region, tract area, number of workers and crews in the woods, college education level, and harvest type statistically increase harvesting productivity. Harvesting productivity in the Coastal Plain was the greatest of all physiographic regions, and pine clearcut productivity was statistically greater than that of hardwood thinning. On the other hand, manual felling reduces harvesting productivity. We found an average efficiency rate of 67% among firms in our sample, which is similar to that found in the literature. The estimated values can show factors that improve forest harvest productivity through better planning and investments while improving the sustainable use of inputs and resources.

Study Implications: We empirically analyzed factors affecting logging productivity and efficiency in the southern US state of Virginia. Increased productivity was associated with working in the Coastal Plain physiographic region, investing in logging equipment, increasing the number of workers and crews in the woods, increasing pine clearcut as opposed to hardwood thinning, choosing optimal harvesting tract size, and having a college education as opposed to no high school degree. Manual felling reduces harvesting productivity, and average BMP implementation time does not affect harvesting productivity. Our results can be used as a guide in planning future decisions to increase logging productivity.
Effects and driving factors of domestic sewage from different sources on nitrous oxide emissions in a bog
Authors: Li Yue , Chen Zhongbing , Wang Xue , Jiang Haibo , He Chunguang , Shi Yao , Sheng Lianxi
Published: March 2024

Direct sewage discharge may enhance soil nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, worsening the greenhouse effect. However, the effects of sewage discharge into bogs on N2O flux, drivers and influencing mechanisms remain unclear. Additionally, investigating the impact of reclaimed water on N2O flux is important for bog replenishment and water shortage alleviation. This study simulated sewage from different sources into a bog and analyzed N2O fluxes, soil (organic carbon, total nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total phosphorus, available phosphorus, pH and electrical conductivity), plant (species richness and biomass) and microorganisms (ammonia-oxidizing archaea, napA, nirS, nirK and nosZ genes). Results showed that the reclaimed water did not significantly change N2O flux, while 50% tap water mixed with 50% domestic sewage and domestic sewage significantly increased the N2O flux. Among soil factors, available nitrogen and pH were key in influencing N2O flux. Among plant parameters, species richness was the primary factor affecting N2O flux. Nitrogen transformation functional genes contributed the most to the increase in the N2O fluxes, with an increase in domestic sewage input leading to a higher abundance of these genes and subsequent N2O emissions. Therefore, domestic sewage should be considered, as it significantly increases N2O emissions by affecting the soil, plants and microorganisms, thereby increasing the global warming potential. This study’s findings suggest that using treated reclaimed water for bog replenishment could be an environmentally friendly approach to wetland management.
Effects of the conversion of natural tropical rainforest to monoculture rubber plantations on soil hydrological processes
Authors: Chen Qiaoyan , Fu Ruiyu , Cheng Siyuan , Qiao Dong , Hu Zhongmin , Zhang Zijia , Dai Licong
Published: March 2024

Rubber plantations have increased significantly under unprecedented economic growth in tropical areas, which leads to soil degradation and thereby alters soil hydrological processes. However, our understanding of how forest conversion affects soil hydrological processes remains unclear. Here, we collected soil samples from secondary forests (SF) and rubber plantations (RP) to determine the soil hydrological characteristics. We found the topsoil (0–20 cm) water retention in SF was higher than that of RP but displayed the contrast pattern in a deeper soil layer (20–60 cm). Meanwhile, the soil infiltration rates among the two vegetation types decreased significantly with infiltration time, with higher stable soil infiltration rates in SF than those in RP. Moreover, soil properties were also impacted by the forest conversion, such as the topsoil capillary porosity (CP) and total porosity (TP) in SF were higher than those of RP but contrasted in a deep soil layer. In comparison, the topsoil bulk density (BD) in SF was lower than that of RP, but contrasted in the deep soil layer and reached a significant level in the 0–10 and 40–50 cm (P < 0.05). Overall, the soil water retention was mainly determined by the CP, which could explain 31.56% of the total variance in soil water retention, followed by TP (26.57%) and soil BD (26.47%), whereas soil texture exerts a weak effect on soil water retention. Therefore, we can conclude that the conversion of tropical rainforest into rubber plantations may accelerate soil erosion owing to its lower topsoil water retention and soil infiltration rates.
Combination of EGFR-TKI and Chemotherapy Versus EGFR-TKI Monotherapy as Neoadjuvant Treatment of Stage III-N2 EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Xu Yingqi , Ji Hao , Zhang Yidan , Xiong Liwen , Han Baohui , Zhong Hua , Xu Jianlin , Zhong Runbo
Published: March 2024

Background

The efficacy of neoadjuvant treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) monotherapy in patients with stage III-N2 EGFR-mutant remains unsatisfactory. This study explored the potential benefits of combining first-generation EGFR-TKI with chemotherapy as a neoadjuvant treatment for patients with stage III-N2 EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods

The medical records of patients with III-N2 EGFR-mutant NSCLC who received neoadjuvant therapy with EGFR-TKI at Shanghai Chest Hospital from October 2011 to October 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with stage III-N2 EGFR-mutant NSCLC who received first-generation TKI combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment were included in the combination group, and those who received EGFR-TKI monotherapy were included in the monotherapy group. The study assessed the objective response rate (ORR) according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), downstaging rates of pathologic lymph nodes (from stage N2 to N1 or N0), major pathologic response (MPR) rate, pathological complete response (PCR) rate, and safety.

Results

A total of 74 631 patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC were screened, and 60 patients were included, 7 of whom did not undergo surgery after neoadjuvant targeted therapy. Of the remaining 53 patients, 15 received first-generation EGFR-TKI combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant treatment, and 38 received EGFR-TKI monotherapy. The median follow-up time was 44.12 months. The ORR was 50.0% (9/18) in the combination group and 40.5% (17/42) in the monotherapy group (P = .495). The MPR rate was 20.0% (3/15) and 10.5% (4/38) in the combination and monotherapy groups, respectively (P = .359). No patients achieved PCR in the combination group, while 3 (7.89%) attained PCR in the monotherapy group. The 2 groups did not differ in N2 downstaging rate (P = .459). The median DFS was not reached in the combination group, while it was 23.6 months (95% CI: 8.16-39.02) in the monotherapy group (P = .832). Adverse events observed were consistent with those commonly associated with the 2 treatments.

Conclusion

Combination therapy with first-generation EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy could be considered a neoadjuvant treatment option for patients with stage III-N2 EGFR-mutant NSCLC, exhibiting acceptable toxicity. However, regarding short-term efficacy, combination therapy did not demonstrate superiority over EGFR-TKI monotherapy. Long-term follow-up is warranted for a more accurate assessment of the DFS and OS.
Architected materials for artificial reefs to increase storm energy dissipation
Authors: Ronglan Edvard , Rubio Alfonso Parra , da Silva Alexis Oliveira , Fan Dixia , Gair Jeffrey L , Stathatou Patritsia Maria , Bastidas Carolina , Strand Erik , Ferrandis Jose del Aguila , Gershenfeld Neil , Triantafyllou Michael S
Published: March 2024

Increasing extreme weather events require a corresponding increase in coastal protection. We show that architected materials, which have macroscopic properties that differ from those of their constituent components, can increase wave energy dissipation by more than an order of magnitude over both natural and existing artificial reefs, while providing a biocompatible environment. We present a search that optimized their design through proper hydrodynamic modeling and experimental testing, validated their performance, and characterized sustainable materials for their construction.
Effects of interleukin-6 signal inhibition on Treg subpopulations and association of Tregs with clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yoshida Hiroto , Magi Mayu , Tamai Hiroya , Kikuchi Jun , Yoshimoto Keiko , Otomo Kotaro , Matsumoto Yoshihiro , Noguchi-Sasaki Mariko , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Kaneko Yuko
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies are clinically efficacious in the management of RA with an associated increase in Tregs; however, the role of functional Treg subsets has yet to be clarified. This study aimed to evaluate how functional Treg subsets are altered by IL-6 receptor blockade and to analyse the relationship between these Treg subsets and the clinical outcome of RA.

Methods

We collected frozen peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 40 patients with RA who started tocilizumab (TCZ) with or without MTX and 11 healthy controls (HCs). We fractionated Tregs with flow cytometry based on markers of phenotype and function and measured the proportions of detailed Treg subsets sequentially from baseline to week 52.

Results

The proportions of resting Tregs (rTregs) and rTregs+activated Tregs (aTregs) were significantly lower in RA patients at baseline than in HCs. The proportions of all those CD127low Tregs, rTregs, aTregs and rTregs+aTregs were significantly increased with TCZ treatment. In patients treated with TCZ without MTX, rTreg were increased. Patients with an increase in the proportion of rTregs at week 12 had significantly less arthritis flares during the observation period.

Conclusions

Blocking the IL-6 receptor with TCZ increased the proportion of rTregs, a functional Treg subpopulation. Patients with an early increase in rTregs showed a favourable treatment course and this increase in rTregs may reflect molecular remission induced by IL-6 signal inhibition.
Heart rate variability analysis in obstructive sleep apnea patients with daytime sleepiness
Authors: Ucak Seren , Dissanayake Hasthi U , de Chazal Philip , Bin Yu Sun , Sutherland Kate , Setionago Bianca , Tong Benjamin , Yee Brendon J , Kairaitis Kristina , Wheatley John R , Piper Amanda J , Cistulli Peter A ,   Sydney Sleep Biobank Investigators, Cistulli Peter , de Chazal Philip , Sutherland Kate , Sarkissian Nina , Moi Chow Chin , Chan Andrew , Lowth Aimee , Graham Jacob , Wood William , Cohen Gary , Bennett Callum , Ahmadi Mohammad , Wheatley John , Kairaitis Kristina , Lambert Stephen , Ginn Rita , Burns Tracey , Yee Brendon , Piper Amanda , Wong Keith , Melehan Kerri , Chan Margaret , Wang David , Gauthier Gislaine
Published: March 2024

Study Objectives

Recent studies suggest that sleepy patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are at higher risk for incident cardiovascular disease. This study assessed cardiac autonomic function in sleepy versus non-sleepy patients with OSA using heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. We hypothesized that HRV profiles of sleepy patients would indicate higher cardiovascular risk.

Methods

Electrocardiograms (ECG) derived from polysomnograms (PSG) collected by the Sydney Sleep Biobank were used to study HRV in groups of sleepy (ESS ≥ 10) and non-sleepy OSA patients (ESS < 10). HRV parameters were averaged across available ECG signals during N2 sleep.

Results

A total of 421 patients were evaluated, with a mean age of 54 (14) years, body mass index of 33 (9) kg/m2, apnea–hypopnea index of 21 (28) events/h, and 66% male. The sleepy group consisted of 119 patients and the non-sleepy group 302 patients. Sleepy patients exhibited lower HRV values for: root mean square successive difference (RMSSD, p = 0.028), total power (TP, p = 0.031), absolute low frequency (LF, p = 0.045), and high-frequency (HF, p = 0.010) power compared to non-sleepy patients. Sleepy patients with moderate-to-severe OSA exhibited lower HRV values for: (RMSSD, p = 0.045; TP, p = 0.052), absolute LF (p = 0.051), and HF power (p = 0.025). There were no differences in other time and frequency domain HRV markers.

Conclusions

This study shows a trend toward parasympathetic withdrawal in sleepy OSA patients, particularly in moderate-to-severe cases, lending mechanistic support to the link between the sleepy phenotype and CVD risk in OSA.
Family Composition, Race, and Teachers’ Perceptions of Parent-Teacher Alliance
Authors: Romell Emma
Published: March 2024

Both family composition and teachers’ perceptions of parents are important for student success. However, we know little about whether teachers’ perceptions of parents vary by family composition. Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, I show that teachers perceive single mothers with multipartner fertility and, to a lesser extent, repartnered mothers with multipartner fertility as less aligned with their school’s goals than parents who have nuclear families. Socioeconomic status, children’s behavior, and parents’ involvement do not explain this association. I also show that white teachers’ perceptions—of both white and black parents—drive this relationship. Further, I show that white teachers perceive black parents as less aligned with their school’s goals than white parents with the same family type. By focusing on mesolevel interactions between the family and school settings, this study expands research on the implications of family composition for students’ and parents’ experiences at school.
Genetic impact of external Targhee sires at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station: a case study of introgression
Authors: Wilson Carrie S , Taylor J Bret , Lewis Ronald M , Notter David R
Published: March 2024

Sheep breeders requested that the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station (USSES) to participate in national genetic evaluation through the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). The reasons included the need for (1) a comparison of the productivity of industry and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) lines, (2) transparency of USDA flocks, (3) genetic ties for NSIP by sampling of industry flocks, and (4) development of premium genetic lines for public release. In response, USSES began to incorporate external sires from NSIP participating flocks into the USSES Targhee flock. Our objective, based on a pedigree analysis, was to test if introgression of external genetics into the flock was achieved. The pedigree included 13,189 animals with mean maximum generations, mean complete generations, and mean equivalent complete generations of 4.2, 1.8, and 2.6, respectively. The mean generation interval was 3.1 yr. The reference population was defined as lambs born from 2021 to 2023 (n = 792). Two additional populations were defined as the current mature ewe flock (n = 123) and the current mature rams (n = 14). The Genetic Conservation Index averaged 7.7 for the full population and 25.7 for the reference population. Overall inbreeding was 0.003 for the full population and 0.006 for the reference population. The rate of inbreeding was 0.0003 per generation. Average relatedness was 0.015 for the full population and 0.018 for the reference population. The effective number of founders, effective number of ancestors, and founder genome equivalents contributing to the reference population were 60, 39, and 19.1, respectively. The ratio of the effective number of founders to the effective number of ancestors was 1.5, indicating the presence of genetic bottlenecks. Measures of effective population size ranged from 102 to 547. Of the 704 offspring produced by external sires, 17 ram lambs and 132 ewe lambs were retained for breeding. The USSES sires produced 299 offspring with 2 ram lambs and 51 ewe lambs retained. Incorporating external sires resulted in a cumulative percentage of genetic variance of 48.8, 49.1, and 44.2 of external genetics for the reference population, current mature ewe flock, and current mature rams, respectively. Stakeholder needs were addressed by introgression of external sires and participation in NSIP, but future selection practices need to be modified to maintain a minimum of 50% USSES core genetics in the flock.
Sensitivity of the Causal Agent of Northern Leaf Blight of Corn, Exserohilum turcicum, to the Demethylase-Inhibiting Fungicide Flutriafol
Authors: Anderson Nolan R. , McCoy Austin G. , Castellano Cristina , Chilvers Martin I. , Alinger Eric , Allen Tom W. , Bissonnette Kaitlyn , Copeland Drake , Hustedde Nick , Jackson-Ziems Tamra A. , Kleczewski Nathan , Leon Christopher , Mueller John , Price Paul , Raid Richard , Robertson Alison E. , Sikora Edward J. , Telenko Darcy E. P. , Wiggins Matthew , Wise Kiersten A.
Published: March 2024

Fungicides including active ingredients in the demethylation inhibitor group (Fungicide Resistance Action Committee Group 3) are used to manage corn diseases such as northern corn leaf blight, caused by Exserohilum turcicum. This study assessed the level of sensitivity to the demethylation-inhibiting fungicide flutriafol on a population of 81 E. turcicum isolates collected from across the United States in 2020. Sensitivity to flutriafol for E. turcicum was assessed using fungicide-amended media to determine the effective concentration needed to limit hyphal growth by 50%. The mean absolute EC50 values of the overall population calculated using the four-parameter log-logistic and Weibull2 four-parameter models were 2.1881 and 3.2643 µg/ml, respectively. The growth of most isolates ( n = 70, 86.4%) was completely inhibited by 1 µg/ml of flutriafol. However, the growth of seven isolates (8.6%) was only completely inhibited at 10 or 100 µg/ml, and complete inhibition was not observed at 100 µg/ml for four isolates (4.9%). These results suggest that there may be isolates of E. turcicum in the United States that are resistant to flutriafol. Additional fungicide sensitivity screening is critical to monitor the development of fungicide resistance in U.S. populations of E. turcicum.
PAs in India
Authors: Muraleedharan Manesh , Chandak Alaka Omprakash , Chatterjee Somu , Shivakumar R. , Swapna Nalla
Published: March 2024

Background:

This report is based on a 2023 nationwide survey and literature review of physician associates/assistants (PAs) in India. The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, which is being implemented in India, included guidelines for PA licensing, creating a unified national curriculum, and preventing malpractice.

Methods:

Using a purposive sampling strategy, we surveyed 536 PAs in India between February 10 and April 30, 2023. The survey collected data on demographics, academic qualifications, specialties, salaries, job satisfaction, and future outlooks through an online questionnaire.

Results:

The survey showed that most PAs are below age 30 years, and most graduated PAs were involved in clinical practice in 2023. PAs work in almost all clinical specialties; most practice in private hospitals. States in southern India continued to dominate educating and employing PAs, with a nationwide representation of more than 14 states. More than 80% of practicing PAs are satisfied with their profession; however, the majority are unsatisfied with their wages.

Conclusions:

This first formal survey on India's PAs illustrates the challenges of PA professional practice and standardization of education and licensure in the Indian healthcare system.