bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neural substrates of verbal memory impairment in schizophrenia: A multimodal connectomics study
Authors: Tranfa Mario , Iasevoli Felice , Cocozza Sirio , Ciccarelli Mariateresa , Barone Annarita , Brunetti Arturo , de Bartolomeis Andrea , Pontillo Giuseppe
Published: March 2023

While verbal memory is among the most compromised cognitive domains in schizophrenia (SZ), its neural substrates remain elusive. Here, we explored the structural and functional brain network correlates of verbal memory impairment in SZ. We acquired diffusion and resting‐state functional MRI data of 49 SZ patients, classified as having preserved (VMP, n = 22) or impaired (VMI, n = 26) verbal memory based on the List Learning task, and 55 healthy controls (HC). Structural and functional connectivity matrices were obtained and analyzed to assess associations with disease status (SZ vs. HC) and verbal memory impairment (VMI vs. VMP) using two complementary data‐driven approaches: threshold‐free network‐based statistics (TFNBS) and hybrid connectivity independent component analysis (connICA). TFNBS showed altered connectivity in SZ patients compared with HC (p < .05, FWER‐corrected), with distributed structural changes and functional reorganization centered around sensorimotor areas. Specifically, functional connectivity was reduced within the visual and somatomotor networks and increased between visual areas and associative and subcortical regions. Only a tiny cluster of increased functional connectivity between visual and bilateral parietal attention‐related areas correlated with verbal memory dysfunction. Hybrid connICA identified four robust traits, representing fundamental patterns of joint structural‐functional connectivity. One of these, mainly capturing the functional connectivity profile of the visual network, was significantly associated with SZ (HC vs. SZ: Cohen's d = .828, p < .0001) and verbal memory impairment (VMP vs. VMI: Cohen's d = −.805, p = .01). We suggest that aberrant connectivity of sensorimotor networks may be a key connectomic signature of SZ and a putative biomarker of SZ‐related verbal memory impairment, in consistency with bottom‐up models of cognitive disruption.
A meta‐analysis of the neural substrates of monetary reward anticipation and outcome in alcohol use disorder
Authors: Zeng Jianguang , You Lantao , Yang Fan , Luo Ya , Yu Shuxian , Yan Jiangnan , Liu Mengqi , Yang Xun
Published: March 2023

The capacity to anticipate and detect rewarding outcomes is fundamental for the development of adaptive decision‐making and goal‐oriented behavior. Delineating the neural correlates of different stages of reward processing is imperative for understanding the neurobiological mechanism underlying alcohol use disorder (AUD). To examine the neural correlates of monetary anticipation and outcome in AUD patients, we performed two separate voxel‐wise meta‐analyses of functional neuroimaging studies, including 12 studies investigating reward anticipation and 7 studies investigating reward outcome using the monetary incentive delay task. During the anticipation stage, AUD patients displayed decreased activation in response to monetary cues in mesocortical‐limbic circuits and sensory areas, including the ventral striatum (VS), insula, hippocampus, inferior occipital gyrus, supramarginal gyrus, lingual gyrus and fusiform gyrus. During the outcome stage, AUD patients exhibited reduced activation in the dorsal striatum, VS and insula, and increased activation in the orbital frontal cortex and medial temporal area. Our findings suggest that different activation patterns are associated with nondrug rewards during different reward processing stages, potentially reflecting a changed sensitivity to monetary reward in AUD.
Theta‐gamma phase‐amplitude coupling in auditory cortex is modulated by language proficiency
Authors: Lizarazu Mikel , Carreiras Manuel , Molinaro Nicola
Published: March 2023

The coordination between the theta phase (3–7 Hz) and gamma power (25–35 Hz) oscillations (namely theta‐gamma phase‐amplitude coupling, PAC) in the auditory cortex has been proposed as an essential neural mechanism involved in speech processing. However, it has not been established how this mechanism is related to the efficiency with which a listener processes speech. Speech processing in a non‐native language offers a useful opportunity to evaluate if theta‐gamma PAC is modulated by the challenges imposed by the reception of speech input in a non‐native language. The present study investigates how auditory theta‐gamma PAC (recorded with magnetoencephalography) is modulated in both native and non‐native speech reception. Participants were Spanish native (L1) speakers studying Basque (L2) at three different levels: beginner (Grade 1), intermediate (Grade 2), and advanced (Grade 3). We found that during L2 speech processing (i) theta‐gamma PAC was more highly coordinated for intelligible compared to unintelligible speech; (ii) this coupling was modulated by proficiency in Basque being lower for beginners, higher for intermediate, and highest for advanced speakers (no difference observed in Spanish); (iii) gamma power did not differ between languages and groups. These findings highlight how the coordinated theta‐gamma oscillatory activity is tightly related to speech comprehension: the stronger this coordination is, the more the comprehension system will proficiently parse the incoming speech input.
Dysconnection and cognition in schizophrenia: A spectral dynamic causal modeling study
Authors: Zarghami Tahereh S. , Zeidman Peter , Razi Adeel , Bahrami Fariba , Hossein‐Zadeh Gholam‐Ali
Published: March 2023

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe mental disorder characterized by failure of functional integration (aka dysconnection) across the brain. Recent functional connectivity (FC) studies have adopted functional parcellations to define subnetworks of large‐scale networks, and to characterize the (dys)connection between them, in normal and clinical populations. While FC examines statistical dependencies between observations, model‐based effective connectivity (EC) can disclose the causal influences that underwrite the observed dependencies. In this study, we investigated resting state EC within seven large‐scale networks, in 66 SZ and 74 healthy subjects from a public dataset. The results showed that a remarkable 33% of the effective connections (among subnetworks) of the cognitive control network had been pathologically modulated in SZ. Further dysconnection was identified within the visual, default mode and sensorimotor networks of SZ subjects, with 24%, 20%, and 11% aberrant couplings. Overall, the proportion of discriminative connections was remarkably larger in EC (24%) than FC (1%) analysis. Subsequently, to study the neural correlates of impaired cognition in SZ, we conducted a canonical correlation analysis between the EC parameters and the cognitive scores of the patients. As such, the self‐inhibitions of supplementary motor area and paracentral lobule (in the sensorimotor network) and the excitatory connection from parahippocampal gyrus to inferior temporal gyrus (in the cognitive control network) were significantly correlated with the social cognition, reasoning/problem solving and working memory capabilities of the patients. Future research can investigate the potential of whole‐brain EC as a biomarker for diagnosis of brain disorders and for neuroimaging‐based cognitive assessment.
Right hemispheric structural connectivity and poststroke language recovery
Authors: Sihvonen Aleksi J. , Vadinova Veronika , Garden Kimberley L. , Meinzer Marcus , Roxbury Tracy , O'Brien Kate , Copland David , McMahon Katie L. , Brownsett Sonia L. E.
Published: March 2023

Poststroke aphasia typically results from brain damage to the left‐lateralized language network. The contribution of the right‐lateralized homologues in aphasia recovery remains equivocal. In this longitudinal observational study, we specifically investigated the role of right hemisphere structural connectome in aphasia recovery. Twenty‐two patients with aphasia after a left hemispheric stroke underwent comprehensive language assessment at the early subacute and chronic stages. A novel structural connectometry approach, using multi‐shell diffusion‐weighted MRI data collected at the early subacute stage, was used to evaluate the relationship between right hemisphere white matter connectome and language production and comprehension abilities at early subacute stage. Moreover, we evaluated the relationship between early subacute right hemisphere white matter connectome and longitudinal change in language production and comprehension abilities. All results were corrected for multiple comparisons. Connectometry analyses revealed negative associations between early subacute stage right hemisphere structural connectivity and language production, both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally (pFDR < .0125). In turn, only positive associations between right hemisphere structural connectivity and language comprehension were observed, both cross‐sectionally and longitudinally (pFDR < .0125). Interhemispheric connectivity was highly associated with comprehension scores. Our results shed light on the discordant interpretations of previous findings, by providing evidence that while some right hemisphere white matter pathways may make a maladaptive contribution to the recovery of language, other pathways support the recovery of language, especially comprehension abilities.
Neural bases of the bodily self as revealed by electrical brain stimulation: A systematic review
Authors: Dary Zoé , Lenggenhager Bigna , Lagarde Stanislas , Medina Villalon Samuel , Bartolomei Fabrice , Lopez Christophe
Published: March 2023

An increasing amount of recent research has focused on the multisensory and neural bases of the bodily self. This pre‐reflective form of self is considered as multifaceted, incorporating phenomenal components, such as self location, body ownership, first‐person perspective, agency, and the perceptual body image. Direct electrical brain stimulation (EBS) during presurgical evaluation of epilepsy and brain tumor resection is a unique method to causally relate specific brain areas to the various phenomenal components of the bodily self. We conducted a systematic review of the literature describing altered phenomenal experience of the bodily self evoked by EBS. We included 42 articles and analyzed self reports from 221 patients. Three‐dimensional density maps of EBS revealed that stimulation in the middle cingulum, inferior parietal lobule, supplementary motor area, posterior insula, hippocampal complex/amygdala, and precuneus most consistently altered one or several components of the bodily self. In addition, we found that only EBS in the parietal cortex induced disturbances of all five components of the bodily self considered in this review article. These findings inform current neuroscientific models of the bodily self.
A “bottom up” Health in All Policies program: Supporting local government wellbeing approaches
Authors: Lauzon Chantal , Stevenson Anna , Peel Kirsty , Brinsdon Sandy
Published: March 2023

Issue Addressed

A wellbeing economy requires multiple inputs to enable the wholistic vision of a sustainable healthy population and planet. A Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach is a useful way to support policy makers and planners to implement the activities required to support a wellbeing economy.

Outline of the Project

Aotearoa New Zealand's Government has explicitly set a path towards a wellbeing economy. Here, we report the utility of a HiAP approach in Greater Christchurch, the largest urban area in the South Island of New Zealand, to achieving the shared societal goals of a sustainable healthy population and environment. We use the World Health Organisation draft Four Pillars for HiAP implementation as a framework for discussion.

So What?

The paper adds to the growing number of examples of city and regions supporting a wellbeing agenda, specifically focused on some of the successes and challenges for local HiAP practitioners working within a public health unit in influencing this work.
Evaluating an online module for sexual violence prevention in a tertiary educational setting: An exploratory study
Authors: Heard Emma , Evans Cezara , Buckley Lisa , Hatchman Kate , Masser Barbara
Published: March 2023

Issue Addressed

Sexual violence is an important public health issue affecting significant numbers of university students across Australia and internationally. In response, online modules have been widely implemented and there is an urgent need to better understand their effectiveness. The aim of this study was to evaluate an online sexual violence prevention and response education module designed for and implemented in one Australian university.

Methods

We used a mixed‐methods approach that included pre/post module completion surveys of key measures relating to sexual consent, being a bystander, and response to disclosures as well as knowledge of resources and support services. We conducted post module completion semi‐structured interviews.

Results

Results indicated potential effectiveness of the module on beliefs about sexual consent, confidence intervening when witnessing potentially harmful situations, willingness to report incidents, confidence supporting a peer who discloses an incident, and knowledge of support services. Qualitative results indicated support for the online module as an accessible, private and self‐paced tool for sexual violence education. Interactive, relevant and engaging content that can be applied in real‐life contexts was noted as key for effectiveness.

Conclusions

This exploratory study suggests there may be potential for online modules to be effective, as one aspect of universities' sexual violence prevention and response strategies—particularly modules aimed at addressing primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Further rigorous research is required to strengthen best practice in the development and implementation of online modules as part of whole‐of‐campus strategies.

So What?

Universities across Australia and internationally are grappling with sexual violence response and prevention in light of high prevalence rates among students. Online modules may be one effective tool when implemented as part of a wider strategy.
How do hydrologists perceive watersheds? A survey and analysis of perceptual model figures for experimental watersheds
Authors: McMillan Hilary , Araki Ryoko , Gnann Sebastian , Woods Ross , Wagener Thorsten
Published: March 2023

To describe process knowledge at the watershed scale, hydrologists commonly refer to a ‘perceptual model’, an expert summary of the watershed and its runoff processes often supported by field observations. Perceptual models are often presented as a schematic figure, although such a figure will necessarily simplify the hydrologist's complex mental model. In this paper, our aim was to understand what constitutes a visual expert summary of watershed process knowledge, and to evaluate how perceptual models could be used to share hydrological process information at larger scales. To do so, we conducted a systematic review of the literature and found 63 perceptual model figures. We counted and categorized the stores and fluxes in each figure using a taxonomic classification and quantified a variety of figure attributes including spatial or temporal zonation, inclusion of vegetation, soils, topographical and geological data and consideration of uncertainty. Our analysis showed that a typical figure has 1 surface flux, 4 subsurface fluxes, 3–4 subsurface stores and 0–1 channel stores; 28 out of 63 figures use sub‐figures to show temporal dynamics (e.g., wet/dry conditions), and 12 out of 63 show spatial zones. Perceptual model figures, therefore, provide a concise summary of watershed processes with a complexity comparable to that of many conceptual hydrological models. However, only four figures showed any information on uncertainty or knowledge gaps. We recommend that perceptual figure value could be easily increased by consistent captioning of figures to assist automated search, and wider use of standard figure annotations such as legends and scale markings to ensure that information is fully conveyed to the user. If perceptual figures are proposed as a primary method for sharing process information, the hydrological community should consider how to link more detailed text descriptions to figures, and how to represent process uncertainty.
Resistance of river ice covers to mobilization and implications for breakup progression in Peace River, Canada
Authors: Beltaos Spyros
Published: March 2023

Prediction and modelling of ice breakup initiation and progress over extended river reaches is largely unattainable at present, despite the ecological and socio‐economic significance of the breakup event and associated ice jams that form in many rivers of Asia, Europe and North America. A key question is how to quantify the driving and resisting forces that are applied on the winter ice cover, which control the timing of its dislodgment, mobilization and subsequent jamming locations. Using a physics‐based onset criterion, explicit expressions for these forces are formulated. The more complex of the two is the resistance, which comprises components related to ice strength and thickness, channel curvature, thermal degradation of the ice cover during the pre‐breakup period, and freezeup level (defined as peak 7‐day running average water level during late fall and early winter). This insight is then used in a case study of recent dynamic breakups in a major Canadian river, explaining apparently random differences in the rate of advance of the breakup front among three different years. It is shown further that contradictory results are obtained when the effect of the freezeup level is ignored.
Research progress in clinical trials of stem cell therapy for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Yan Shan‐Shan , Campos de Souza Senio , Xie Zhen‐Dong , Bao Yong‐Xin
Published: March 2023

The incidence of stroke and neurodegenerative diseases is gradually increasing in modern society, but there is still no treatment that is effective enough. Stem cells are cells that can reproduce (self‐renew) and differentiate into the body, which have shown significance in basic research, while doctors have also taken them into clinical trials to determine their efficacy and safety. Existing clinical trials mainly include middle‐aged and elderly patients with stroke or Parkinson's disease (mostly 40–80 years old), mainly involving injection of mesenchymal stem cells and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through the veins and the putamen, with a dosage of mostly 106–108 cells. The neural and motor functions of the patients were restored after stem cell therapy, and the safety was found to be good during the follow‐up period of 3 months to 5 years. Here, we review all clinical trials and the latest advances in stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease, with the hope that stem cell therapy will be used in the clinic in the future to achieve effective treatment rates and benefit patients.
Chemoproteomic Approaches for Unraveling Prokaryotic Biology
Authors: Malarney Kien P. , Chang Pamela V.
Published: March 2023

Bacteria are ubiquitous lifeforms with important roles in the environment, biotechnology, and human health. Many of the functions that bacteria perform are mediated by proteins and enzymes, which catalyze metabolic transformations of small molecules and modifications of proteins. To better understand these biological processes, chemical proteomic approaches, including activity‐based protein profiling, have been developed to interrogate protein function and enzymatic activity in physiologically relevant contexts. Here, chemoproteomic strategies and technological advances for studying bacterial physiology, pathogenesis, and metabolism are discussed. The development of chemoproteomic approaches for characterizing protein function and enzymatic activity within bacteria remains an active area of research, and continued innovations are expected to provide breakthroughs in understanding bacterial biology.
How to Break the Law: trans‐Hydroboration and gem‐Hydroboration of Alkynes
Authors: Fürstner Alois
Published: March 2023

Classical hydroboration is the textbook example of an organometallic reaction under rigorous frontier orbital control: a synergetic bonding mode between substrate and reagent evolves into a four‐membered transition state that enforces syn/suprafacial delivery of H−BR2 to the π‐system. This strict stereochemical “law” remained valid for decades, even after the advent of metal‐catalyzed hydroboration. During the last decade, however, numerous possibilities emerged that allow this paradigm to be challenged. Thus, direct trans‐hydroboration of terminal as well as internal alkynes was achieved through radical, ionic, organocatalytic, and metal‐catalyzed manifolds, which are summarized in this review. Among them, pathways involving either metal vinylidenes (Rh, Ir, Ru, Fe) derived from terminal alkynes or metallacyclopropenes (η2‐vinylmetal complexes) derived from an internal triple bond and a [CpXRu]‐based catalyst represent the currently most widely applicable solutions. The latter type of intermediates is also accountable for the equally perplexing gem‐hydroboration of alkynes: geminal delivery of a borane to a triple bond has no precedent in the classical canon. The only forerunner was gem‐hydrogenation, which represents an unconventional yet highly useful entry into discrete ruthenium carbene complexes. The close mechanistic ties between these transformations are outlined, and brief reference is also made to remotely related reactions such as trans‐diboration and trans‐carboboration.
Associations between trajectories of adolescent conduct problems and psychological well‐being in young women
Authors: O'Brien Christopher T. , Bell Melissa , Hipwell Alison E. , Stepp Stephanie D.
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Despite the clinical relevance, little is known about variability in positive adult outcomes (i.e., flourishing, life satisfaction) of female adolescent conduct problems (CP), or interpersonal factors that promote these types of well‐being. We hypothesized differential associations between adolescent CP trajectories and indicators of adult well‐being due to level of positive relationships with caregivers during ages 12−17.

Method

Data were drawn from participants (N = 1965) of the Pittsburgh Girls Study, a longitudinal study of girls' development. Caregiver reported CP, adolescent reports of parental trust and positive parenting, and adolescent‐reported peer delinquency were assessed annually between ages 12−17. Well‐being in young adulthood was measured using self‐reported flourishing and life satisfaction between ages 18−22.

Results

Latent class growth analysis of adolescent CP revealed four trajectories characterized as low stable (20.0%), moderate stable (63.9%), adolescent‐onset (8.1%), and high quadratic (8.0%). Main effects of trust and positive relationships with caregivers during adolescence on well‐being in early adulthood were found. Positive parenting was found to moderate the association between CP trajectory and flourishing. The magnitude of the negative association between the high quadratic trajectory group and life satisfaction decreased as positive parenting increased.

Conclusion

These results support the importance of intervention in adolescence to focus on increasing trusting and positive relationships with caregivers for all females, as this may increase well‐being in adulthood regardless of adolescent CP history.
Wnt1 Boosts Fracture Healing by Enhancing Bone Formation in the Fracture Callus
Authors: Haffner-Luntzer Melanie , Ragipoglu Deniz , Ahmad Mubashir , Schoppa Astrid , Steppe Lena , Fischer Verena , Luther Julia , Yorgan Timur , Bockamp Ernesto , Amling Michael , Schinke Thorsten , Ignatius Anita
Published: March 2023

Despite considerable improvement in fracture care, 5%–10% of all fractures still heal poorly or result in nonunion formation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new molecules that can be used to improve bone fracture healing. One activator of the Wnt-signaling cascade, Wnt1, has recently gained attention for its intense osteoanabolic effect on the intact skeleton. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether Wnt1 might be a promising molecule to accelerate fracture healing both in skeletally healthy and osteoporotic mice that display a diminished healing capacity. Transgenic mice for a temporary induction of Wnt1 specifically in osteoblasts (Wnt1-tg) were subjected to femur osteotomy. Non-ovariectomized and ovariectomized Wnt1-tg mice displayed significantly accelerated fracture healing based on a strong increase in bone formation in the fracture callus. Transcriptome profiling revealed that Hippo/yes1-associated transcriptional regulator (YAP)-signaling and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathways were highly enriched in the fracture callus of Wnt1-tg animals. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed increased activation of YAP1 and expression of BMP2 in osteoblasts in the fracture callus. Therefore, our data indicate that Wnt1 boosts bone formation during fracture healing via YAP/BMP signaling both under healthy and osteoporotic conditions. To further test a potential translational application of Wnt1, we applied recombinant Wnt1 embedded into a collagen gel during critical-size bone-defect repair. Mice treated with Wnt1 displayed increased bone regeneration compared to control mice accompanied by increased YAP1/BMP2 expression in the defect area. These findings are of high clinical relevance because they indicate that Wnt1 could be used as a new therapeutic agent to treat orthopedic complications in the clinic. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
The effect of accounting for high performing employee services as a right of use asset on the balance sheet on nonprofessional investors judgments
Authors: Ampofo Akwasi , Barkhi Reza , Nketia Joseph
Published: March 2023

We examine whether accounting for high performing employee services as a right of use (ROU) asset and related liability on the balance sheet provide decision‐useful financial statement information to nonprofessional investors (NPIs). We compare accounting for the right to use employees services as an asset on‐balance‐sheet (ONBS) and off‐balance‐sheet (OFFBS) to examine the extent to which a ROU asset and related liability provides NPIs with decision‐useful information in assessing investment opportunity and likelihood to invest in a company's stock. We analyze one hundred and fifty‐five usable responses of which 84 are in OFFBS control condition and 71 are in ONBS treatment condition. We find that accounting for high performing employees services as a ROU asset ONBS or OFFBS provides decision‐useful information to NPIs that is not statistically different. Further analysis indicates that accounting for high performing employees as a ROU intangible asset presented ONBS, measured at fair value, or amortized cost with enhanced disaggregation and roll forward disclosures provide decision‐useful information to NPIs. The likelihood to invest in a company's stock significantly increases if the ROU asset is measured at fair value with changes recorded in net income. Results have economic and practical implications for investors, standard‐setters, and researchers.
Obesity‐mediated upregulation of the YAP/IL33 signaling axis promotes aggressiveness and induces an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment in breast cancer
Authors: Dai Jia‐Zih , Yang Ching‐Chieh , Shueng Pei‐Wei , Wang Yen‐Ju , Huang Chen‐Shiuan , Chao Yi‐Chun , Chen Cheng‐Hsun , Lin Cheng‐Wei
Published: March 2023

Obesity is a well‐known risk factor for breast cancer formation and is associated with elevated mortality and a poor prognosis. An obesity‐mediated inflammatory microenvironment is conducive to the malignant progression of tumors. However, the detailed molecular mechanism is still needed to be clarified. Herein, we identified that breast cancer cells from mice with diet‐induced obesity exhibited increased growth, invasiveness, and stemness capacities. A transcriptome analysis revealed that expressions of interleukin 33 (IL33) signaling pathway‐related genes were elevated in obesity‐associated breast cancer cells. Importantly, IL33 expression was significantly associated with the yes‐associated protein (YAP) signature, and IL33 was transcriptionally regulated by YAP. Suppression of IL33 reduced tumor migration and invasion, while the addition of IL33 activated nuclear factor (NF)‐κB signaling and revived tumor mobility in YAP‐silenced cells. Furthermore, suppression of YAP attenuated IL33 expression which was accompanied by relief of obesity‐mediated immunosuppression. Clinical analyses showed that IL33 expression was markedly associated with macrophage and regulatory T cell infiltration. These findings reveal a crucial role of the YAP/IL33 axis in promoting aggressiveness and immunosuppression of obesity‐associated breast cancer progression.
A laboratory model of canine search vigilance decrement, I
Authors: Aviles‐Rosa Edgar O. , DeChant Mallory T. , Prada‐Tiedemann Paola A. , Hall Nathaniel J.
Published: March 2023

Previous studies have found that infrequent targets can reduce dogs' vigilance. The purpose of this study was to develop a laboratory model to evaluate the effects of infrequent targets on dogs' search behavior and performance. Dogs (n = 18) were trained to detect smokeless powder in an automated olfactometer in two distinct rooms (“operational” and “training”). During baseline, the dogs received five daily sessions at a high target odor frequency (90%) in both rooms. Subsequently, the frequency of the target odor was decreased to 10% only in the “operational” room but remained at 90% in the training room. Last, the odor prevalence was returned to 90% in both rooms. All dogs showed a significant decrement in detection performance in the operational room when the target odor frequency was decreased but simultaneusly mantained high performance in the training room. This decrement was largely due to decreases in adequate search behavior. All dogs recovered performance when the odor frequency was increased again to 90%. Trial accuracy was associated with tail position, search score, latency, and duration of environmentally directed behaviors. The data show that low target odor prevalence significantly reduced search behavior and performance and that there are behaviors that can be used by handlers to assess their dog's search state.
MaxCut on permutation graphs is NP‐complete
Authors: de Figueiredo Celina M. H. , de Melo Alexsander A. , Oliveira Fabiano S. , Silva Ana
Published: March 2023

The decision problem MaxC
ut is known to be NP‐complete since the seventies, but only recently its restriction to interval graphs has been announced to be hard by Adhikary, Bose, Mukherjee, and Roy. Building on their proof, in this paper we prove that the M
axC
ut problem is NP‐complete on permutation graphs. This settles a long‐standing open problem that appeared in the 1985 column of the Ongoing Guide to NP‐completeness by David S. Johnson, and is the first NP‐hardness entry for permutation graphs in such column.
‘Money is what makes you to be called a man.’: The interaction of resource access and gender norms in shaping intimate partner violence in urban slums
Authors: Barnett Jessica Penwell , Maticka‐Tyndale Eleanor
Published: March 2023

Rates of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) are higher in urban slums than in other types of human settlements. Although the mitigation of both urban slums and IPVAW fall under the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, there is a paucity of work addressing the interconnection between the two. Using survey and interview data, this study examined how the environment in a Nairobi slum catalyzes IPVAW, elucidating how the slum environment, economic deprivation, cultural norms and women's economic role intersect to exacerbate IPVAW. Evidence indicates the desirability of addressing these connections in development initiatives to address both the slum‐environment and IPVAW.
Assessment of scatter radiation dose received by comforters and carers during digital breast tomosynthesis mammography
Authors: Kostidis Michelle , Varcoe Joshua G , Barnes Peter
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Mammographic imaging can cause considerable stress and anxiety for some patients and may require someone to remain in the room during the procedure to provide both physical and emotional support. As such, these comforters and carers (C&C) are exposed to ionising radiation. Limited evidence is available stating the radiation dose received during a digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) examination. This research aims to determine the optimal standing position for a C&C in the mammography room during a DBT mammogram that results in the lowest radiation dose, whilst providing high‐quality imaging, care and comfort to the patient.

Methods

A scatter detector was used to measure the dose at different standing positions of the carer relative to the patient during an examination. A polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom was also used to model the patient's breast and torso for further scatter dose measurements.

Results

The median air kerma for craniocaudal views posterior to the patient is 0.75 μGy compared with 10.1 μGy to either side. The median air kerma for mediolateral oblique views for posterolateral position is 0.41 μGy compared with 2.6 μGy anterolateral. No significant effect from breast density is noted from the dataset.

Conclusion

The optimal position for the C&C to stand is directly behind the patient in the craniocaudal position, and as far as possible posterolateral to the breast being imaged in the mediolateral oblique position. These two positions will result in the least radiation dose to the C&C.
Effectiveness of mRNA and viral‐vector vaccines in epidemic period led by different SARS‐CoV‐2 variants: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Jun , Yang Wenxing , Huang Feijun , Zhang Kui
Published: March 2023

We assessed the effectiveness of mRNA and viral‐vector vaccines in epidemic period led by different SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. Systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) databases without language restriction for studies published before September 19, 2022. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022335430) and reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Forty studies met the inclusion criteria for this study, with 62 954 861 participants. The overall vaccine effectiveness (VE) to prevent COVID‐19 infection was 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.73–0.78), symptomatic infection was 0.87 (95% CI 0.83–0.91), hospital admissions was 0.82 (95% CI 0.75–0.87), and mortality was 0.76 (95% CI 0.48–0.89). Subgroup analysis were performed to characterize the effectiveness of different vaccines. When SARS‐CoV‐2 variants are taking account, the VE decreased along with the variation of the virus by clinical outcomes and vaccine types. The findings of this systematic review provide the best available evidence that BNT162b2, mRNA‐1273, ChAdOx1, and Ad26. COV2.S seems to be approximately effective from predelta to omicron, but only modestly effective in participants aged 65 or older. When SARS‐CoV‐2 variants are taking account, VE decreased along with the variation of the virus for all mRNA and viral‐vector vaccines.
Effect of a parenteral fish‐oil‐containing lipid emulsion on liver lipid perioxidation and antioxidative defenses in Lewis rats
Authors: Oliveira‐Filho Ronaldo Sousa , Torrinhas Raquel Susana , Tesser Alweyd , Sampaio Geni R. , Torres Elizabeth , Garla Priscila Casarin , Waitzberg Dan Linetzky
Published: March 2023

Background

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), naturally abundant in fish oil (FO), are known for their anti‐inflammatory and potential antioxidant properties. The aim in this article is to evaluate the effect of the infusion of a parenteral FO‐containing lipid emulsion on markers of liver lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in rats undergoing central venous catheterization (CVC).

Methods

After 5‐day acclimatization, adult Lewis rats (n = 42) receiving a 20‐g/day AIN‐93M oral diet were randomly subdivided into four groups: (1) basal control (BC) (n = 6), without CVC or LE infusion; (2) SHAM (n = 12), with CVC but without LE infusion; (3) soybean oil (SO)/medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT) (n = 12), with CVC and receiving LE without FO (4.3 g/kg fat); and (4) SO/MCT/FO (n = 12), with CVC and receiving LE containing 10% FO (4.3 g/kg fat). Animals from the BC group were euthanized immediately after acclimatization. The remaining groups of animals were euthanized after 48 or 72 h of surgical follow‐up to assess profiles of liver and plasma fatty acids by gas chromatography, liver gene transcription factor Nrf2, F2‐isoprostane lipid peroxidation biomarker, and the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. R program (version 3.2.2) was utilized for data analysis.

Results

Compared with the other groups, liver EPA and DHA levels were higher in the SO/MCT/FO group, which also showed the highest liver Nrf2, GPx, SOD, and CAT levels and lower liver F2‐isoprostane (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Experimental delivery of FO via EPA and DHA sources in a parenteral LE was associated with a liver antioxidant effect.
Characteristics and outcomes of patients with gastroparesis using enteral and/or exclusive parenteral nutrition
Authors: Parkman Henry P. , Blackford Amanda L. , Murray Helen Burton , Yates Katherine P. , Grover Madhusudan , Malik Zubair , Schey Ron , Bulat Robert S. , Koch Kenneth L. , Sarosiek Irene , Kuo Braden , Shulman Robert J. , Chumpitazi Bruno P. , Farrugia Gianrico , Miriel Laura , Tonascia James , Hamilton Frank , Pasricha Pankaj J. , McCallum Richard W. , Abell Thomas L. ,   NIDDK Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium
Published: March 2023

Background

Patients with gastroparesis (Gp) may need enteral nutrition (EN) or exclusive parenteral nutrition (PN). Among patients with Gp, we aimed to (1) identify the frequency of EN and exclusive PN use and (2) explore characteristics of patients using EN and/or exclusive PN compared with those using oral nutrition (ON), including changes over 48 weeks.

Methods

Patients with Gp underwent history and physical examination, gastric emptying scintigraphy, water load satiety testing (WLST), and questionnaires assessing gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life (QOL). Patients were observed 48 weeks.

Results

Of 971 patients with Gp (idiopathic, 579; diabetic, 336; post–Nissen fundoplication, 51), 939 (96.7%) were using ON only, 14 (1.4%) using exclusive PN, and 18 (1.9%) using EN. Compared with patients receiving ON, patients receiving exclusive PN and/or EN were younger, had lower body mass index, and had greater symptom severity. Patients receiving exclusive PN and/or EN had lower physical QOL but not mental QOL or Gp‐related QOL scores. Patients receiving exclusive PN and/or EN ingested less water during WLST but did not have worse gastric emptying. Of those who had been receiving exclusive PN and/or EN, 50% and 25%, respectively, resumed ON at 48‐week follow‐up.

Conclusions

This study describes patients with Gp requiring exclusive PN and/or EN for nutrition support, who represent a small (3.3%) but important subset of patients with Gp. Unique clinical and physiological parameters are associated with this subset and provide insight into the use of nutrition support in Gp.
Synthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid‐enriched medium‐ and long‐chain triglyceride by lipase‐catalyzed transesterification: a novel strategy for clinical nutrition intervention
Authors: Wang Yandan , Wei Wei , Liu Ruijie , Chang Ming , Jin Qingzhe , Wang Xingguo
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has been recognized as a promising nutrient to improve therapeutic efficacy for cancer patients. Nevertheless, there are certain limitations to the application of EPA due to its structural characteristics. To maximize the nutritive value of EPA, a type of medium‐ and long‐chain triacylglycerol (MLCT) enriched with EPA was designed and synthesized using the lipase‐catalyzed transesterification of medium‐chain triglyceride (MCT) and EPA‐enriched fish oil (FO).

RESULTS

The optimum synthesis conditions for EPA‐enriched MLCT used Lipozyme RM as catalyst, and had a substrate mass ratio (MCT/EPA‐enriched FO) of 3:1, lipase loading of 80 g kg−1, a reaction temperature of 60 °C, and a reaction time of 6 h. The MLCT content was as high as 80.79% after the transesterification reaction and the purification, and the content of MLCT containing EPA accounted for 70.21%. The distribution of EPA at the sn‐2 position showed a significant increase in MLCT compared with the original substrate, from 18.89% to 26.93%. The in vitro digestion results demonstrated that MLCT had a significantly higher EPA bioaccessibility than the original substrate.

CONCLUSION

Eicosapentaenoic acid‐enriched MLCT was developed. This may provide a novel strategy for clinical nutritional intervention. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Identification and quantification of nine compounds in Fangwen Jiuwei decoction by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhu Jing , Yang Yang , Xin Ling‐Yi , Wan Shi‐Yu , He Na , Wang Hang‐Tian , Chen Xi‐Yu , Mei Quan‐Xi , Feng Guang‐Jun , Chen Qin‐Hua , Yang Guang‐Yi
Published: March 2023

Fangwen Jiuwei Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine preparation for the treatment of pneumonia developed by Shenzhen Bao'an Chinese Medicine Hospital, which shows remarkable clinical responses. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the main active compounds are crucial for the quality control of traditional Chinese medicine prescription in clinical application. In this study, we identified nine active compounds essential for the pharmacological effects of Fangwen Jiuwei Decoction based on the analysis of the Network Pharmacology and relevant literature. Moreover, these compounds can interact with several crucial drug targets in pneumonia based on molecular docking. We applied high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was established these nine active ingredients’ qualitative and quantitative detections. The possible cleavage pathways of nine active components were determined based on secondary ions mass spectrometry. The results of high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry were further validated, which show a satisfactory correlation coefficient (r > 0.99), recovery rate (≥93.31%), repeatability rate (≤5.62%), stability (≤7.95%), intra‐day precision (≤6.68%), and inter‐day precision (≤9.78%). The limit of detection was as low as 0.01 ng/ml. In this study, we established a high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the chemical components in the Fangwen Jiuwei Decoction extract.
Tautomerization reactions of thiobarbituric acid: A detailed kinetic study using combined canonical variational transition state theory and QTAIM approach
Authors: Fatahiyan Leila , Taghva Manesh Afshin , Masnabadi Nasrin
Published: March 2023

The kinetics of tautomerization reactions of thiobarbituric acid were thoroughly investigated at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(3df,2p) level of theory and elevated temperatures from 260 to 1000 K. The kinetic parameters were determined by employing canonical variational transition state theory (CVT). The quantum tunneling effect was included by centrifugal‐dominant small‐curvature semiclassical adiabatic ground‐state approximation method. Intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) analysis was performed to certify a unique connection from an obtained transition state configuration to optimized structures of reactant and products. The reaction forces and reaction force constants were computed across the IRC of each reaction. Then, using extremums of reaction forces, each reaction was partitioned into three stages containing reactant, transition state, and product stages. The extent of reactions was followed along with three reaction stages. The dependence of kinetic parameters and curvature of Arrhenius plots on temperature were investigated and discussed in the framework of CVT. To further unveil the mechanism of the reactions, the quantum theory of atoms in molecules was employed. To do this aim, QTAIM descriptors on the bond critical point (BCP) of involved bonds including the density of electrons, Laplacian of the density of electrons, Lagrangian kinetic energy, potential energy, and energy density were computed and surveyed along with reaction extent through IRC.
Effects of sodium persulfate and hydrogen peroxide on imidazolium ionic liquid degradation by simulated solar light in aqueous ZnO suspension
Authors: Boutiti Ameur , Zouaghi Razika , Guittonneau Sylvie , Sehili Tahar
Published: March 2023

The degradation of an ionic liquid: hexyl methyl imidazolium chloride (HMImCl) in the systems of simulated solar light/ZnO and simulated solar light/ZnO/oxidant (i.e., H2O2 and S2O82−) were investigated in aqueous solution. The influences of different variables such as catalyst concentration, hydrogen peroxide, and persulfate dosage on HMImCl photocatalytic degradation were determined. It was found that the adsorption of HMImCl on the catalyst surface was insignificant. The photocatalytic degradation of HMImCl followed pseudo first‐order kinetics, and the rate constant at natural pH (pH 7.2) was 11.8 × 10−2 min−1. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to the process not only does not enhance the degradation rate of HMImCl but also decreases kapp significantly with [HMImCl] = 3×10−5 mol L−1, oxidant concentration (in the range of 5 × 10−5–10−1 mol L−1), and catalyst concentration of 1 g L−1. The results elucidated that the use of Na2S2O8 (in the range of 10−4–10−2 mol L−1) strongly enhances the degradation rate of HMImCl compared with photocatalytic process of the catalyst.
Ultrahigh Quality Microlasers from Controlled Self‐Assembly of Ultrathin Colloidal Semiconductor Quantum Wells
Authors: Thung Yi Tian , Duan Rui , Durmusoglu Emek G. , He Yichen , Xiao Lian , Lee Calvin Xiu Xian , Lew Wen Siang , Zhang Lin , Demir Hilmi Volkan , Sun Handong
Published: March 2023

Colloidal quantum wells (CQWs) have emerged as a promising class of gain material in various optical feedback configurations. This is due to their unique excitonic features arising from their 1D quantum confinement. However, existing methods for integrating CQW onto microresonators will cause low laser quality due to uneven CQW coating. To overcome this, the use of liquid‐interface kinetically driven self‐assembly is proposed to coat ultrathin, close‐packed layers of colloidal CdSe/Cd1−xZnxS core/shell CQWs between 7 and 14 nm onto the surface of silica microsphere cavities. The fabricated CQW‐whispering‐gallery‐mode microlasers possess a commendable high quality (Q) factor of 13 000 at room temperature. Stable single‐mode lasing output is demonstrated through evanescent field coupling between a CQW‐coated microsphere and a thin uncoated microfiber in a 2D‐3D microcavity configuration. These promising results highlight the suitability of the liquid‐interface kinetically driven self‐assembly method for realizing ultrathin CQW‐coated microlasers and its high compatibility for integrating colloidal nanocrystals onto complex 3D microstructures for future miniaturized colloidal optoelectronic and photonic applications.