bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Route to chaos in whispering gallery mode coupled opto-mechanical systems
Authors: Hua Zhi-Hao , Guo Qin , Fan Bi-Xuan , Xie Min ,   College of Physics and Communication Electronics, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, China
Published: May 2023

In opto-mechanical systems, the nonlinearity caused by radiation pressure can lead to various abundant dynamical phenomena such as chaos. Chaos is an important branch of nonlinear dynamics, and researchers focus on understanding the transitions from order to chaos in different systems. In this paper, we investigate the chaotic dynamics in a system consisting of two evanescently coupled identical cavity opto-mechanical subsystems, where the optical fields are in whispering gallery modes. To thoroughly analyze the transition from order to chaos in our system, we utilize the bifurcation diagrams, the Lyapunov exponents, and phase space trajectories to characterize the system properties. It is found that the coupling strength between the two opto-mechanical subsystems plays a crucial role in determining the systemic dynamic behaviors. There are two routes to chaos in our system i.e. the period-doubling transition and the quasiperiodic transition. These routes correspond to strong coupling and weak coupling between the two opto-mechanical subsystems, respectively. Furthermore, the results show that the synchronization between the oscillations in the two opto-mechanical subsystems can occur under strong coupling. In this situation, the dynamic behaviors of the two opto-mechanical subsystems are exactly identical and the manipulation of the coupling strength is equivalent to the tuning of the frequency detuning between the cavity fields and their corresponding driving fields. Consequently, the coupled system behaves as a single opto-mechanical system, enabling a period-doubling transition to chaos through increasing the coupling strength. In the case of weak coupling, the dynamics of the two opto-mechanical subsystems are no longer synchronized, and the coupled system dynamic behaviors unfold in an eight-dimensional phase space. The limit cycles experience the Hopf bifurcation, resulting in the emergence of a toric attractor. Within a certain range of parameters, i.e. appropriate frequency detunings, the two-dimensional torus becomes unstable as coupling strength increases, leading to a quasiperiodic transition into chaos in our coupled opto-mechanical system.
Response outcome gates the effect of spontaneous cortical state fluctuations on perceptual decisions
Authors: Reato Davide , Steinfeld Raphael , Tacão-Monteiro André , Renart Alfonso
Published: May 2023

Sensory responses of cortical neurons are more discriminable when evoked on a baseline of desynchronized spontaneous activity, but cortical desynchronization has not generally been associated with more accurate perceptual decisions. Here, we show that mice perform more accurate auditory judgments when activity in the auditory cortex is elevated and desynchronized before stimulus onset, but only if the previous trial was an error, and that this relationship is occluded if previous outcome is ignored. We confirmed that the outcome-dependent effect of brain state on performance is neither due to idiosyncratic associations between the slow components of either signal, nor to the existence of specific cortical states evident only after errors. Instead, errors appear to gate the effect of cortical state fluctuations on discrimination accuracy. Neither facial movements nor pupil size during the baseline were associated with accuracy, but they were predictive of measures of responsivity, such as the probability of not responding to the stimulus or of responding prematurely. These results suggest that the functional role of cortical state on behavior is dynamic and constantly regulated by performance monitoring systems.
Early-life experience reorganizes neuromodulatory regulation of stage-specific behavioral responses and individuality dimensions during development
Authors: Ali Nasser Reemy , Harel Yuval , Stern Shay
Published: May 2023

Early-life experiences may promote stereotyped behavioral alterations that are dynamic across development time, but also behavioral responses that are variable among individuals, even when initially exposed to the same stimulus. Here, by utilizing longitudinal monitoring of Caenorhabditis elegans individuals throughout development we show that behavioral effects of early-life starvation are exposed during early and late developmental stages and buffered during intermediate stages of development. We further found that both dopamine and serotonin shape the discontinuous behavioral responses by opposite and temporally segregated functions across development time. While dopamine buffers behavioral responses during intermediate developmental stages, serotonin promotes behavioral sensitivity to stress during early and late stages. Interestingly, unsupervised analysis of individual biases across development uncovered multiple individuality dimensions that coexist within stressed and unstressed populations and further identified experience-dependent effects on variation within specific individuality dimensions. These results provide insight into the complex temporal regulation of behavioral plasticity across developmental timescales, structuring shared and unique individual responses to early-life experiences.
Pynapple, a toolbox for data analysis in neuroscience
Authors: Viejo Guillaume , Levenstein Daniel , Skromne Carrasco Sofia , Mehrotra Dhruv , Mahallati Sara , Vite Gilberto R , Denny Henry , Sjulson Lucas , Battaglia Francesco P , Peyrache Adrien
Published: May 2023

Datasets collected in neuroscientific studies are of ever-growing complexity, often combining high-dimensional time series data from multiple data acquisition modalities. Handling and manipulating these various data streams in an adequate programming environment is crucial to ensure reliable analysis, and to facilitate sharing of reproducible analysis pipelines. Here, we present Pynapple, the PYthon Neural Analysis Package, a lightweight python package designed to process a broad range of time-resolved data in systems neuroscience. The core feature of this package is a small number of versatile objects that support the manipulation of any data streams and task parameters. The package includes a set of methods to read common data formats and allows users to easily write their own. The resulting code is easy to read and write, avoids low-level data processing and other error-prone steps, and is open source. Libraries for higher-level analyses are developed within the Pynapple framework but are contained within a collaborative repository of specialized and continuously updated analysis routines. This provides flexibility while ensuring long-term stability of the core package. In conclusion, Pynapple provides a common framework for data analysis in neuroscience.
Firing rate adaptation affords place cell theta sweeps, phase precession, and procession
Authors: Chu Tianhao , Ji Zilong , Zuo Junfeng , Mi Yuanyuan , Zhang Wen-hao , Huang Tiejun , Bush Daniel , Burgess Neil , Wu Si
Published: May 2023

Hippocampal place cells in freely moving rodents display both theta phase precession and procession, which is thought to play important roles in cognition, but the neural mechanism for producing theta phase shift remains largely unknown. Here, we show that firing rate adaptation within a continuous attractor neural network causes the neural activity bump to oscillate around the external input, resembling theta sweeps of decoded position during locomotion. These forward and backward sweeps naturally account for theta phase precession and procession of individual neurons, respectively. By tuning the adaptation strength, our model explains the difference between ‘bimodal cells’ showing interleaved phase precession and procession, and ‘unimodal cells’ in which phase precession predominates. Our model also explains the constant cycling of theta sweeps along different arms in a T-maze environment, the speed modulation of place cells’ firing frequency, and the continued phase shift after transient silencing of the hippocampus. We hope that this study will aid an understanding of the neural mechanism supporting theta phase coding in the brain.
Genetic and dietary modulators of the inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract of the BXD mouse genetic reference population
Authors: Li Xiaoxu , Morel Jean-David , Benegiamo Giorgia , Poisson Johanne , Bachmann Alexis , Rapin Alexis , Sulc Jonathan , Williams Evan , Perino Alessia , Schoonjans Kristina , Bou Sleiman Maroun , Auwerx Johan
Published: May 2023

Inflammatory gut disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can be impacted by dietary, environmental, and genetic factors. While the incidence of IBD is increasing worldwide, we still lack a complete understanding of the gene-by-environment interactions underlying inflammation and IBD. Here, we profiled the colon transcriptome of 52 BXD mouse strains fed with a chow or high-fat diet (HFD) and identified a subset of BXD strains that exhibit an IBD-like transcriptome signature on HFD, indicating that an interplay of genetics and diet can significantly affect intestinal inflammation. Using gene co-expression analyses, we identified modules that are enriched for IBD-dysregulated genes and found that these IBD-related modules share cis-regulatory elements that are responsive to the STAT2, SMAD3, and REL transcription factors. We used module quantitative trait locus analyses to identify genetic loci associated with the expression of these modules. Through a prioritization scheme involving systems genetics in the mouse and integration with external human datasets, we identified Muc4 and Epha6 as the top candidates mediating differences in HFD-driven intestinal inflammation. This work provides insights into the contribution of genetics and diet to IBD risk and identifies two candidate genes, MUC4 and EPHA6, that may mediate IBD susceptibility in humans.
Histone variants shape chromatin states in Arabidopsis
Authors: Jamge Bhagyshree , Lorković Zdravko J , Axelsson Elin , Osakabe Akihisa , Shukla Vikas , Yelagandula Ramesh , Akimcheva Svetlana , Kuehn Annika Luisa , Berger Frédéric
Published: May 2023

How different intrinsic sequence variations and regulatory modifications of histones combine in nucleosomes remain unclear. To test the importance of histone variants in the organization of chromatin we investigated how histone variants and histone modifications assemble in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome. We showed that a limited number of chromatin states divide euchromatin and heterochromatin into several subdomains. We found that histone variants are as significant as histone modifications in determining the composition of chromatin states. Particularly strong associations were observed between H2A variants and specific combinations of histone modifications. To study the role of H2A variants in organizing chromatin states we determined the role of the chromatin remodeler DECREASED IN DNA METHYLATION (DDM1) in the organization of chromatin states. We showed that the loss of DDM1 prevented the exchange of the histone variant H2A.Z to H2A.W in constitutive heterochromatin, resulting in significant effects on the definition and distribution of chromatin states in and outside of constitutive heterochromatin. We thus propose that dynamic exchanges of histone variants control the organization of histone modifications into chromatin states, acting as molecular landmarks.
Association of lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index with the risk of hypertension among oil workers in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Muheiyati Guliman , Mei Yujie , Tao Ning
Published: May 2023

Background

To explore the relationship between lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) and hypertension in oil workers and to evaluate the predictive value of hypertension by gender.

Methods

A sample of 2,312 workers aged 18–60 years old with more than one year of service were selected by a whole-group random sampling method in six oil field bases in Karamay City, Xinjiang. Logistic regression combined with restricted cubic spline model was used to analyze the risk of hypertension in different LAP and VAI. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) with different sex LAP and VAI predicting the risk of hypertension were drawn.

Results

(1) There were significant differences in age, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, BMI, WC, WHtR, SBP, DBP, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, FPG and Scr among different gender groups (P < 0.001).The prevalence of hypertension was 10.1%, with 13.9% in men and 3.6% in women. The prevalence of hypertension with different individual characteristics was statistically significant (P < 0.05). (2) Lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index were positively associated with hypertension (P < 0.001). The risk of hypertension may increase with the increase of lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, Scr, FPG and other factors, the risk of hypertension in the fourth quartile was (OR = 5.69, 95% CI [2.72–11.8]) and (OR = 3.56, 95% CI [2.03–6.23]) compared with the first quartile of lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index. (3) ROC results showed: AUC values of 0.658 (95% CI [0.619–0.696]), 0.614 (95% CI [0.574–0.654]), 0.661 (95% CI [0.620–0.703]) and critical values of 43.25, 1.58, 0.13 for LAP, VAI and combined indicators in men; the AUC values of LAP, VAI and combined indicators for women were 0.787 (95% CI [0.710–0.865]), 0.732 (95% CI [0.640–0.825]), 0.792 (95% CI [0.719–0.864]) and the critical values were 35.73, 1.76 and 0.03. Restricted cubic splines showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between LAP, VAI, and risk of hypertension prevalence (P < 0.01 for overall trend and P < 0.01 for nonlinearity).

Conclusions

Lipid accumulation product and visceral adiposity index may be risk factors for hypertension in oil workers. LAP and VAI have certain predictive value for hypertension.
A new miniMOS tool kit capable of visualizing single copy insertion in C. elegans
Authors: Li Jiangyun , Qin Yuang , Shen Chengchen , Zhang Jun , Tu Shasha , Yang Jingxuan , Wang Yu , Zhou Ruyun , Zhang Kui , Chen Jianping , Yang Wenxing
Published: May 2023

The miniMOS technique has been widely used in the C. elegans community to generate single copy insertions. A worm is considered as a potential insertion candidate if it is resistant to G418 antibiotics and does not express a co-injected fluorescence marker. If the expression of the extrachromosomal array is very low, it is possible for a worm to be mistakenly identified as a miniMOS candidate, as this low expression level can still confer resistance to G418 without producing a detectable fluorescence signal from the co-injection marker. This may increase the workload for identifying the insertion locus in the subsequent steps. In the present study, we modified the plasmid platform for miniMOS insertion by incorporating a myo-2 promoter-driven TagRFP or a ubiquitous H2B::GFP expression cassette into the targeting vector and introducing two loxP sites flanking the selection cassettes. Based on this new miniMOS tool kit, the removable fluorescence reporters can be used to visualize the single copy insertions, greatly reducing insertion locus identification efforts. In our experience, this new platform greatly facilitates the isolation of the miniMOS mutants.
A diferença de gênero e a sua influência na execução de práticas ilegais: uma análise a partir das prestações de contas de gestão julgadas pelo TCM-GO
Authors: Leite Roanny Nasareth Silva , Machado Michele Rílany Rodrigues , Machado Lúcio de Souza
Published: May 2023

O estudo verificou se a existência de gestores do gênero masculino impacta na probabilidade de prestação de contas de gestão ser ressalvada ou julgada como irregular pelo Tribunal de Contas dos Municípios do Estado de Goiás. Para testar a hipótese levantada foram utilizados dados referentes às contas de gestão dos 246 municípios de Goiás, de 2010 a 2018. Foi estimado o modelo de regressão logística multinomial para fins de mensuração da probabilidade de as contas de gestores do gênero masculino serem ressalvadas ou julgadas irregulares. Os resultados mostraram que gestores do gênero masculino influenciam positivamente na probabilidade de as contas de gestão serem julgadas regulares com ressalvas, com imputação de multas ou julgadas irregulares, deste modo, a hipótese da pesquisa não foi refutada. Diante deste quadro, é possível concluir que a prestação de contas cujo gestor seja do gênero feminino tem menor chance de conter irregularidades.
Influenciadores digitais: identificação dos critérios determinantes para influenciar jovens usuários de redes sociais
Authors: De Souza Bruna Raquel , Lima Lívia Raulino , Araújo Miguel Zaqueu Lourenço , Gomes Josemeire Alves
Published: May 2023

A revolução das redes sociais tornou os meios de propagação de produtos e serviços mais atrativos ao consumidor. Com isso, surgiu o marketing digital e os influenciadores digitais, que desempenham um papel fundamental na divulgação de conteúdo para vender experiências, produtos, serviços, dentre outros. O objetivo geral deste trabalho é identificar  os critérios determinantes para que jovens usuários de redes sociais sintam-se influenciados por um influenciador digital. Ele se caracteriza como uma pesquisa exploratória e descritiva, com abordagem quantitativa. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário com perguntas sobre o perfil socioeconômico e comportamental, aplicado a uma amostra de 90 estudantes de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior. Como resultados, tem-se que os respondentes consideram fundamental que os influenciadores realizem publicações de qualidade. Constatou-se também que para esse público, é importante que  os influenciadores tenham experiência com o produto/serviço que estão divulgando e sejam autênticos nas publicações de conteúdo.
Petrography and Geochemical Signatures of Pegmatites from the Southeastern Part Comoé Basin (South-East Côte d'Ivoire, North Alépé)
Authors: Adingra Martial Pohn Koffi , Ouattara Zié , Boya Tokpa Kakeu Lionel Dimitri , Yapo Augustin Junior , Brou Koffi Joseph , Kouassi Brice Roland
Published: May 2023

The pegmatitic rocks located in the south-east of Côte d'Ivoire between the Comoé basin and the Sefwi belt are the subject of this study. The geology of this region consists of gneisses, granites, microgranites, amphibolites, mylonites and metasediments. All these rocks are generally crosscut by quartz and pegmatite lodes. The petrographic studies allow us to discriminate four groups of pegmatites on the basis of mineralogy: (i) beryl-muscovite bearing pegmatite (Aboisso-Comoé), (ii) albite-tourmaline bearing pegmatite (Aboisso-Comoé), (iii) micas-tourmaline bearing pegmatite (Alosso) and (iv) muscovite-garnet bearing pegmatite (Songan forest). XRD analyzes on 4 samples revealed the presence of lepidolite (lithium ore) in the muscovite-garnet bearing pegmatite (Songan forest) and phengite in beryl-muscovite bearing pegmatite (Aboisso-Comoé). The pegmatite diffractograms of Aboisso-Comoé (beryl-muscovite bearing pegmatite) and Songan forest (muscovite-garnet bearing pegmatite) show almost same signatures and would suggest that those pegmatites come from the same source. Geochemical analyzes by portable XRF carried out on muscovite and feldspar minerals indicate that the samples from Aboisso-Comoé and Songan forest have the characteristics of Lithium-Cesium-Tantale type (LCT) pegmatites. The geochemical diagrams indicated the probable presence of beryl and spodumene type mineralization in the muscovite-garnet bearing pegmatite.
Radiometric and Heavy Metal Analysis of Leachates in Selected Open Dumpsites in Port Harcourt Region
Authors: Ajoku Bright Chika , Asonye Emmanuel O.
Published: May 2023

Leachates from selected open dumpsites in Port Harcourt region were analysed for radiometrics and for heavy metal parameters. For radiometrics, gamma ray spectroscope was used while Heavy metal parameters used spectrophotometer. These parameters were compared among the selected dumpsites of different study areas and established international standard FEPA and WHO/INIS were used. Dumpsites leachates show mean of potassium 40K(71.715± 0.3 Bq kgl-), Uranium 238U (11.129± 0.021 Bqkgl-), Thorium 232Th (1.813± 0.073 Bqkgl-) and Heavy metals show iron (20.966mgl-), Copper (25.787 mgl-), cadmium (3.592mgl-), nickel (1.557mgl-), zinc (129.855 mgl-), Magnesium (1.062mgl-), lead (1.269 mgl-) Chromium (1.966 mgl-). These recorded mean are above limits recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO). The radiometric and Heavy metals analyses revealed that the physical environment, the surface water and underground water quality are at risk. If the leachate containing the element of heavy metals and radioactive elements are not managed well by the concerned authorities, human and its environment would be subjected to danger. It is important that local, state, federal government and other stakeholders pay attention to dumpsite leachates to provide safe facilities to control the waste water and embark on daily orientation on the dangers associated with leachates. This will help minimize the spread of diseases through water and air within the dumpsite locations.
Assessment of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Survival and Cardiovascular Outcomes of Patients With Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Wei-Ting , Lin Hui-Wen , Chang Ting-Chia , Lin Sheng-Hsiang , Li Yi-Heng
Published: May 2023

Importance

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been recognized as the standard treatment for patients with non–small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) sequence variation. Although TKIs have been reported to cause cardiotoxicity, they are widely administered owing to the high prevalence of EGFR sequence variation in Taiwan.

Objective

To compare the outcomes of death and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events among patients with NSCLC who use and do not use TKIs in a national cohort.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Using data from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database and National Cancer Registry, patients treated for NSCLC from 2011 to 2018 were identified, and their outcomes were analyzed, including death and major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs; such as heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke) after adjusting for age, sex, cancer stage, comorbidities, anticancer therapies, and cardiovascular drugs. The median follow-up duration was 1.45 years. The analyses were performed from September 2022 to March 2023.

Exposures

TKIs.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate death and MACCEs in patients treated with and without TKIs. Given that death may reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events, the competing risk method was used to calculate the MACCE risk after adjustment for all potential confounders.

Results

Overall, 24 129 patients treated with TKIs were matched with 24 129 patients who did not receive TKIs (24 215 [50.18%] were female; and the mean [SD] age was 66.93 [12.37] years). Compared with those not receiving TKIs, the TKI group presented with a significantly lower hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause death (adjusted HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.75-0.78; P < .001), and the reason for death was primarily cancer. In contrast, the HR of MACCEs significantly increased (subdistribution HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.16-1.29; P < .001) in the TKI group. Furthermore, afatinib use was associated with a significantly reduced risk of death among patients receiving various TKIs (adjusted HR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.85-0.94; P < .001) compared with those receiving erlotinib and gefitinib, although the outcomes of MACCEs were similar between the 2 groups.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study of patients with NSCLC, TKI use was associated with reduced HRs of cancer-related death but increased HRs of MACCEs. These findings suggest the importance of close monitoring of cardiovascular problems in individuals receiving TKIs.
Associations Between Vascular Risk Factor Levels and Cognitive Decline Among Stroke Survivors
Authors: Levine Deborah A. , Chen Bingxin , Galecki Andrzej T. , Gross Alden L. , Briceño Emily M. , Whitney Rachael T. , Ploutz-Snyder Robert J. , Giordani Bruno J. , Sussman Jeremy B. , Burke James F. , Lazar Ronald M. , Howard Virginia J. , Aparicio Hugo J. , Beiser Alexa S. , Elkind Mitchell S. V. , Gottesman Rebecca F. , Koton Silvia , Pendlebury Sarah T. , Sharma Anu , Springer Mellanie V. , Seshadri Sudha , Romero Jose R. , Hayward Rodney A.
Published: May 2023

Importance

Incident stroke is associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Whether poststroke vascular risk factor levels are associated with faster cognitive decline is uncertain.

Objective

To evaluate associations of poststroke systolic blood pressure (SBP), glucose, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels with cognitive decline.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Individual participant data meta-analysis of 4 US cohort studies (conducted 1971-2019). Linear mixed-effects models estimated changes in cognition after incident stroke. Median (IQR) follow-up was 4.7 (2.6-7.9) years. Analysis began August 2021 and was completed March 2023.

Exposures

Time-dependent cumulative mean poststroke SBP, glucose, and LDL cholesterol levels.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was change in global cognition. Secondary outcomes were change in executive function and memory. Outcomes were standardized as t scores (mean [SD], 50 [10]); a 1-point difference represents a 0.1-SD difference in cognition.

Results

A total of 1120 eligible dementia-free individuals with incident stroke were identified; 982 (87.7%) had available covariate data and 138 (12.3%) were excluded for missing covariate data. Of the 982, 480 (48.9%) were female individuals, and 289 (29.4%) were Black individuals. The median age at incident stroke was 74.6 (IQR, 69.1-79.8; range, 44.1-96.4) years. Cumulative mean poststroke SBP and LDL cholesterol levels were not associated with any cognitive outcome. However, after accounting for cumulative mean poststroke SBP and LDL cholesterol levels, higher cumulative mean poststroke glucose level was associated with faster decline in global cognition (−0.04 points/y faster per each 10–mg/dL increase [95% CI, −0.08 to −0.001 points/y]; P = .046) but not executive function or memory. After restricting to 798 participants with apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) data and controlling for APOE4 and APOE4 × time, higher cumulative mean poststroke glucose level was associated with a faster decline in global cognition in models without and with adjustment for cumulative mean poststroke SBP and LDL cholesterol levels (−0.05 points/y faster per 10–mg/dL increase [95% CI, −0.09 to −0.01 points/y]; P = .01; −0.07 points/y faster per 10–mg/dL increase [95% CI, −0.11 to −0.03 points/y]; P = .002) but not executive function or memory declines.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, higher poststroke glucose levels were associated with faster global cognitive decline. We found no evidence that poststroke LDL cholesterol and SBP levels were associated with cognitive decline.
Receipt of Medications for Chronic Disease During the First 2 Years of the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Enrollees in Fee-for-Service Medicare
Authors: Morden Nancy E. , Zhou Weiping , Obermeyer Ziad , Skinner Jonathan
Published: May 2023

Importance

During the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, inpatient and ambulatory care declined dramatically. Little is known about prescription drug receipt during this period, particularly for populations with chronic illness and with high risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes and decreased access to care.

Objective

To investigate whether receipt of medications was maintained during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic among older people with chronic diseases, particularly Asian, Black, and Hispanic populations and people with dementia, who faced pandemic-related care disruptions.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used a 100% sample of US Medicare fee-for-service administrative data from 2019 to 2021 for community-dwelling beneficiaries aged 65 years or older. Population-based prescription fill rates were compared for 2020 and 2021 vs 2019. Data were analyzed from July 2022 to March 2023.

Exposure

The COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Age- and sex-adjusted monthly prescription fill rates were calculated for 5 groups of medications commonly prescribed for chronic disease : angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins), oral diabetes medications, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease medications, and antidepressants. Measurements were stratified by race and ethnicity group and dementia diagnosis. Secondary analyses measured changes in the proportion of prescriptions dispensed as a 90-day or greater supply.

Results

Overall, the mean monthly cohort included 18 113 000 beneficiaries (mean [SD] age, 74.5 [7.4] years; 10 520 000 females [58.1%]; 587 000 Asian [3.2%], 1 069 000 Black [5.9%], 905 000 Hispanic [5.0%], and 14 929 000 White [82.4%]); 1 970 000 individuals (10.9%) were diagnosed with dementia. Across 5 drug classifications, mean fill rates increased by 2.07% (95% CI, 2.01% to 2.12%) in 2020 and decreased by 2.61% (95% CI, −2.67% to −2.56%) in 2021 compared with 2019. Fill rates decreased by less than the mean overall decrease for Black enrollees (−1.42%; 95% CI, −1.64% to −1.20%) and Asian enrollees (−1.05%; 95% CI, −1.36% to −0.77%) and people diagnosed with dementia (−0.38%; 95% CI, −0.54% to −0.23%). The proportion of fills dispensed as 90-day or greater supplies increased during the pandemic for all groups, with an increase per 100 fills of 3.98 fills (95% CI, 3.94 to 4.03 fills) overall.

Conclusions and Relevance

This study found that, in contrast to in-person health services, receipt of medications for chronic conditions was relatively stable in the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic overall, across racial and ethnic groups, and for community-dwelling patients with dementia. This finding of stability may hold lessons for other outpatient services during the next pandemic.
Cis‐regulatory evolution underlying the changes in wingless expression pattern associated with wing pigmentation of Drosophila
Authors: Karasawa Takumi , Saito Namiho , Koshikawa Shigeyuki
Published: May 2023

The co‐option of regulatory genes has the potential to play an important role in the evolutionary gain of new traits. However, the changes at the sequence level that underlie such a co‐option event are still elusive. We identified the changes in the cis‐regulatory sequence of wingless that caused co‐option of wingless and led to its expression in new places in Drosophila guttifera, which has unique pigmentation patterns on its wings. The newly gained function of gene expression activation was acquired evolutionarily via a combination of pre‐existing sequences containing a putative binding site for SMAD transcription factors that exhibit an ancestral function in driving expression at crossveins, and a sequence that is specific to the lineage leading to D. guttifera.
The immunity‐related GTPase IRGC mediates interaction between lipid droplets and mitochondria to facilitate sperm motility
Authors: Li Jinyu , Xu Xiaohui , Liu Jiane , Zhang Sudan , Wang Tuanlao , Liu Yifei , Wang Zheng
Published: May 2023

The immunity‐related GTPases (IRGs) belong to the interferon‐inducible GTPase protein family, which mediates cell autonomous and innate immunity response to intracellular pathogens. Yet, the cellular and physiological function of IRGC, a member of the IRG subfamily, has not been elucidated. Here, we show that testis‐specific IRGC is specifically and highly expressed in mature spermatozoa and is required for sperm motility. IRGC induction results in the clustering of lipid droplets and initiation of their physical contact with mitochondria. When examining clinical semen samples, IRGC expression is significantly lower in asthenozoospermia patients relative to healthy individuals. These unique effects of IRGC identify it as an important player in sperm motility, and show the potential of lipid metabolism‐targeting therapeutic intervention aimed at controlling asthenozoospermia.
Extracellular LGALS3BP: a potential disease marker and actionable target for antibody–drug conjugate therapy in glioblastoma
Authors: Dufrusine Beatrice , Capone Emily , Ponziani Sara , Lattanzio Rossano , Lanuti Paola , Giansanti Francesco , De Laurenzi Vincenzo , Iacobelli Stefano , Ippoliti Rodolfo , Mangiola Annunziato , Trevisi Gianluca , Sala Gianluca
Published: May 2023

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a lethal disease characterized by an overall survival of about 1 year, making it one of the most aggressive tumours, with very limited therapeutic possibilities. Specific biomarkers for early diagnosis as well as innovative therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to improve the management of this deadly disease. In this work, we demonstrated that vesicular galectin‐3‐binding protein (LGALS3BP), a glycosylated protein overexpressed in a variety of human malignancies, is a potential GBM disease marker and can be efficiently targeted by a specific antibody–drug conjugate (ADC). Immunohistochemical analysis on patient tissues showed that LGALS3BP is highly expressed in GBM and, compared with healthy donors, the amount of vesicular but not total circulating protein is increased. Moreover, analysis of plasma‐derived extracellular vesicles from mice harbouring human GBM revealed that LGALS3BP can be used for liquid biopsy as a marker of disease. Finally, an ADC targeting LGALS3BP, named 1959‐sss/DM4, specifically accumulates in tumour tissue, producing a potent and dose‐dependent antitumor activity. In conclusion, our work provides evidence that vesicular LGALS3BP is a potential novel GBM diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target deserving further preclinical and clinical validation.
Dual‐Function Near‐Infrared Emitting Aerogel‐Based Device for Detection and Sunlight‐Driven Photodegradation of Antibiotics: Realizing the Processability of Silsesquioxane‐Based Fluorescent Porous Materials
Authors: Wang Qingzheng , Unno Masafumi , Liu Hongzhi
Published: May 2023

It is highly desirable to develop facile methods to improve the processability of porous materials for industrial applications. Herein, the preparation of a novel near‐infrared emitting hybrid aerogel (PCS‐CA) is reported by physically blending a porous material with chitosan. The applied porous material (PCS‐CZ‐O‐DCM) is obtained from a near‐infrared emission semiconductor compound (CZ‐O‐DCM) and octavinylsilsesquioxane (OVS). PCS‐CZ‐O‐DCM can detect tetracycline hydrochloride selectively and rapidly in various solution with an extremely low detection limit of 0.29 µm for fluorescence quenching. It also exhibits an outstanding sunlight‐driven photodegradation activity for antibiotics even in the absence of additional oxidation agents or pH control. PCS‐CA also performs better than PCS‐CZ‐O‐DCM powder. A PCS‐CA‐based glass device is further fabricated, which enables a larger amount of water purification of antibiotics by a continuous flow‐through system by light‐driven degradation. By blending with a soft polymer matrix, improved processability can be applied to insoluble porous materials. As a result, a novel functional devices can be realized which provides a new way to apply insoluble porous materials.
Injectable Antibacterial Hydrogel with Asiaticoside‐Loaded Liposomes and Ultrafine Silver Nanosilver Particles Promotes Healing of Burn‐Infected Wounds
Authors: Feng Longbao , Liu Yu , Chen Yini , Xiang Qi , Huang Yadong , Liu Zonghua , Xue Wei , Guo Rui
Published: May 2023

Post‐injury infection and wound healing are recurrent daily life problems. Therefore, the necessity of developing a biomaterial with antibacterial and wound‐healing properties is paramount. Based on the special porous structure of hydrogel, this work modifies recombinant collagen and quaternary ammonium chitosan and fused them with silver nanoparticles (Ag@mental‐organic framework (Ag@MOF)) with antibacterial properties, and asiaticoside‐loaded liposomes (Lip@AS) with anti‐inflammatory/vascularization effects to form the rColMA/QCSG/LIP@AS/Ag@MOF (RQLAg) hydrogel. The prepared hydrogel possesses good sustainable release capabilities of Ag+ and AS and exhibits concentration‐dependent swelling properties, pore size, and compressive strength. Cellular experiments show that the hydrogel exhibits good cell compatibility and promote cell migration, angiogenesis, and M1 macrophage polarization. Additionally, the hydrogels exhibit excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro. In vivo, Sprague Dawley rats burn‐wound infection model showed that the RQLAg hydrogel could efficiently promote wound healing and has stronger healing promoting abilities than those of Aquacel Ag. In summary, the RQLAg hydrogel is expected to be an excellent material for accelerating open wound healing and preventing bacterial infections.
Spectrally Stable Pure Red CsPbI3 Quantum Dots Light‐Emitting Diodes via Effective Low Temperature Gradient Centrifugation Separation and Surface Modification
Authors: Shen Wei , Su Zhan , Chen Shuo , Dai Yujun , Qiu Yue , Chen Yanfeng , Jiang Jiayu , Zhang Jianbin , Wang Yun , Cui Hao , He Yanxing , Cao Kun , Cai Bo , Liu Lihui , Chen Shufen
Published: May 2023

Development of high‐performance and stable pure red perovskite light‐emitting devices (LEDs) promotes commercialization of perovskite. Benefiting from the quantum confinement effect, pure red CsPbI3 quantum dots (QDs) can avoid the color drift issue for mixed halide systems. Herein, a facile temperature‐dependent hot‐injection method combined with low temperature gradient centrifugation is employed to prepare 5.60 ± 0.05 nm pure red QDs. The QDs exhibit 642 nm photoluminescence (PL) with 37 nm full width at half maximum, and their Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates located at (0.708, 0.292) match well with standard pure red for Rec. 2020. The PL half‐lifetime for pure red QDs solution is 210 days under ambient conditions, and both the X and Y coordinates of CIE only fluctuate within (0.002, 0.002). Finally, a simple NH4I post‐treatment to decrease ligand length further boosts the QDs conductivity, and the pure red LED exhibits 9.4% maximum external quantum efficiency. The electroluminescence spectra exhibits a sharp peak at 645 nm, and their CIE coordinates are located at (0.707, 0.290). Furthermore, the pure red LED exhibits both good working and color stability. Its half‐lifetime is 25.1 min and color drifts are only (0.002, 0.002) after 30.0 min of continuous working at 60 cd m−2 with a constant current density of 3.5 mA cm−2.
Gas‐Phase Anion Exchange for Multisegment Heterostructured CsPb(Br1−xClx)3 Perovskite Nanowires
Authors: Lamers Nils , Zhang Zhaojun , Scheblykin Ivan G. , Wallentin Jesper
Published: May 2023

Metal‐halide perovskites (MHPs) are promising as active optoelectronic materials for a diverse range of devices. Anion exchange is a post‐growth modification of MHP materials that allows tuning of the band gap and crystal structure by exposure to alternative halides, normally using solution methods. Here, low temperature gas‐phase anion exchange for the conversion of CsPbBr3 nanowires (NW) into CsPb(Br1−xClx) NWs using two media, fuming HCl and Cl2 gas, is systematically investigated. It is found that both methods can be used to tune the composition in the full range with excellent control. While fuming HCl is the simplest process, Cl2 gives similar results with no surface damage and better process control. Based on a simple solid diffusion model, an average diffusivity of 1.4 × 10−12 cm2s−1 is extracted for Cl‐anions inside CsPbBr3. By combining the Cl2 exchange process with electron‐beam lithography patterning, heterojunction NWs with varying halide compositions are produced, including complex barcode‐like NWs with segment lengths as short as 500 nm. Designed heterostructures provide an important basis for optoelectronic device applications of MHPs, and gas‐phase anion exchange should be suitable for any MHP morphology.
Fano Resonances in Plasmonic Ring‐Disc‐Pair Systems
Authors: Tao Wei , Hu Hao , Guillot Océane , Maurer Thomas , Fleischer Monika
Published: May 2023

Fano resonances in plasmonic nanostructures, generated by the spectral interference between a broad resonance or continuum and a narrow resonance, have attracted significant interest in recent literature. Herein, by introducing a nanodisc next to a nanoring via electron beam lithography, a set of Fano resonances for such a ring‐disc‐pair (RDP) hybrid is confirmed through coupling between the dipolar disc mode and different multipolar bonding ring modes. Furthermore, the influence of the RDP's geometric dimensions on the dark‐field scattering spectra is experimentally studied, indicating that the contrast ratio of Fano resonances can be improved by optimizing the ring/disc sizes and narrowing the gap in accordance with previous studies. The disc size can also control the spectral locations of these Fano peaks ranging from the visible to the near‐infrared regime. In addition, by comparing the Fano resonances among a series of ring/split‐ring/rod structures with varying curvatures coupled to a neighboring disc in simulations, it is demonstrated that the RDP presents stronger sensitivity for the same gap distance and shows high‐quality Fano resonances compared with more common disc‐inside‐ring cavities in literature.
Organocatalytic Remote Stereocontrolled Additions of In Situ Formed Electron‐Deficient Conjugate Systems
Authors: Yue Zhibin , Fang Fang , Xia Yan , Li Pengfei , Li Wenjun
Published: May 2023

Conjugate addition is one of the most powerful and practical methods for the formation of carbon‐carbon and carbon‐heteroatom bonds in organic synthesis. Owing to the rapid development of asymmetric catalysis, significant progress has been made in the field of asymmetric conjugate addition, such as 1,4‐addition and 1,6‐addition. However, formidable challenge of controlling chemo‐, regio‐ and stereoselectivity arises with the extended conjugated systems. Recently, with the aid of Brønsted acids catalysis, functionalized benzyl alcohols and indolylmethanols has been successfully developed as suitable precursors of electron‐deficient conjugate systems for organocatalytic remote stereocontrolled conjugate additions. This review investigates the advances in the field of organocatalytic enantioselective 1,8‐conjugate addition and 1,10‐conjugate addition of in situ formed electron‐deficient conjugate systems from functionalized alcohols, which is organized according to the substrates.
Radical Decyanations of Unactivated Carbon‐CN Bonds: Recent Achievements and Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Huang Jiapian , Chen Zhiyuan
Published: May 2023

Decyanation is an important process in the synthesis of aromatic molecules in the studies of pharmaceutical research, medical and materials sciences. In late‐stage modifications of privileged carbo/heterocyclic scaffolds, radical‐type decyanation techniques have been devised to date. As a result, the chemistry of cyano‐involved conversions, a hotly debated subject over the past few decades, has advanced significantly. The cyano group (CN), on the other hand, has rarely been acknowledged as a good reaction site due to its thermodynamic robustness. The most recent advancements in catalytic radical decyanation protocols that CN behaved as a leaving group has made are surveyed in this article. Following the introduction of a number of different reaction modes, the catalytic reactions that are used to activate the C−CN bonds are primarily categorized, and the text herein are divided into three groups: (1) photo‐catalyzed decyanation transformations, (2) electro‐catalyzed decyanation transformations, and (3) transition‐metal‐catalyzed or metal‐free decyanation transformations. With an emphasis on the catalytic systems and synthetic applications in C−CN bond activation, this review will provide the readers with an overview of decyanation chemistry in radical reactions.
High‐Voltage Stability of Small‐Size Single Crystal Ni‐Rich Layered Cathode for Sulfide‐Based All‐Solid‐State Lithium Battery at 4.5 V
Authors: Tian Rongzheng , Wang Zhenyu , Liao Jianguo , Zhang Hongzhou , Song Dawei , Zhu Lingyun , Zhang Lianqi
Published: May 2023

Mechanical damage of NCM811 (LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2), severe interfacial side reactions, and physical contact failure of cathode and solid electrolyte (SE) are the main obstacles for it to achieve high‐voltage stability in all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSLBs). The cathode morphology effects on the structural integrity are directly related to the electrochemical performance of ASSLBs. In this work, small‐size single crystal NCM811 (S‐SC) is synthesized for sulfide‐based ASSLBs to solve mechanical damage and contact failure issues. In addition, the interfacial stability is improved by a Li2O pre‐lithiation strategy. Cross section polisher‐scanning electron microscopy (CP‐SEM) is applied to reveal the mechanical structure evolution behavior of NCM811 cathodes with different morphology. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF‐SIMS), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) technologies are applied to characterize the interfacial stability among cycling. As a result, with a high mass loading of 35.67 mg cm−2 and high current density of 7.13 mA cm−2, the Li2O pre‐lithiated S‐SC (S‐SC‐PL) cathode delivers extraordinarily high‐voltage stability of 100% after 500 cycles at 2.72–4.4 V and 100% after 200 cycles at 2.72–4.5 V in ASSLBs. This work provides an effective cathode morphological design strategy to improve high‐voltage stability of Ni‐rich layered cathodes for sulfide‐based ASSLBs.
Differential effects of sleep on brain structure and metabolism at the preclinical stages of AD
Authors: Stankeviciute Laura , Falcon Carles , Operto Grégory , Garcia Marina , Shekari Mahnaz , Iranzo Álex , Niñerola‐Baizán Aida , Perissinotti Andrés , Minguillón Carolina , Fauria Karine , Molinuevo Jose Luis , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Suárez‐Calvet Marc , Cacciaglia Raffaele , Gispert Juan Domingo , Grau‐Rivera Oriol ,   and for the ALFA study
Published: May 2023

INTRODUCTION

Poor sleep quality is associated with cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We analyzed the associations between self‐reported sleep quality and brain structure and function in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals.

METHODS

CU adults (N = 339) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging, lumbar puncture, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. A subset (N = 295) performed [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans. Voxel‐wise associations with gray matter volumes (GMv) and cerebral glucose metabolism (CMRGlu) were performed including interactions with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers status.

RESULTS

Poorer sleep quality was associated with lower GMv and CMRGlu in the orbitofrontal and cingulate cortices independently of AD pathology. Self‐reported sleep quality interacted with altered core AD CSF biomarkers in brain areas known to be affected in preclinical AD stages.

DISCUSSION

Poor sleep quality may impact brain structure and function independently from AD pathology. Alternatively, AD‐related neurodegeneration in areas involved in sleep–wake regulation may induce or worsen sleep disturbances.

Highlights

Poor sleep impacts brain structure and function independent of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology.

Poor sleep exacerbates brain changes observed in preclinical AD.

Sleep is an appealing therapeutic strategy for preventing AD.