bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microenvironment characteristics and early regeneration after the 2018 Spring Creek Wildfire and post-fire logging in Colorado, USA
Authors: Wooten Jesse T. , Stevens-Rumann Camille S. , Schapira Zoe H. , Rocca Monique E.
Published: June 2022

Background

Wildfires are increasing in size and severity in forests of the western USA, driven by climate change and land management practices during the 20th century. Altered fire regimes have resulted in a greater need for knowledge on best practices for managing burned landscapes, especially in instances where a return to a previous forested ecosystem is desired. We examined a large wildfire from 2018 in southern Colorado to understand how fire severity and post-fire logging influenced stand structure, fuels, vegetation, and soil microsite conditions.

Results

Two years post-fire and 1 year post logging, there was no difference in understory vegetation response. Logged plots demonstrated lower daily average temperature and minimum soil moisture and higher fuel loading across most fuel size classes relative to unlogged plots, which also corresponded with a loss of dead standing wood and little to no canopy cover. Early post-fire conifer regeneration was low across all plots, but lower soil moisture and higher soil temperature negatively impacted the density of regeneration.

Conclusions

Successful tree regeneration is mediated by multiple factors from the microsite to landscape scale. Here, we demonstrate the importance of those microsite conditions such as soil moisture and temperature in predicting conifer tree establishment in the early post-fire period. Careful consideration of soil impacts and the associated changes to forest conditions should be taken when conducting post-fire logging to prevent detrimental effects on microsite conditions and forest recovery.
Sanitizer-associated systemic side effects in the era of COVID-19: a pharmacovigilance study
Authors: Osama Hasnaa , Abdelrahman Mona A.
Published: June 2022

Background

The practice of proper hand sanitization became of utmost importance and one of the best protective measures during the pandemic outbreak of COVID-19. However, misuse of disinfectants can be an overwhelming issue because of increasing demands, public panic, and unawareness, which can negatively affect human health and the environment. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether the outbreak was associated with increased reports of adverse events related to hand sanitizers through the data of adverse events reported to the pharmacovigilance database of the Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). FAERS database was analyzed for hand sanitizer reports including alcohol-based and alcohol-free formulations.

Results

Adverse events reports associated with hand sanitizers increased significantly by 2020 with variable severity degrees, noting that most serious cases were reported with alcohol-based sanitizers.

Conclusion

Based on data mining of the FAERS database, we claim that the increased reports associated with alcohol hand sanitizer use deserve attention. However, FAER’s database has some limitations, such as case duplication and lack of a control group. Hence, further monitoring with more robust sources of data sources is critically needed.
Authorship Distribution and Under-Representation of Sub-Saharan African Authors in Global Oncology Publications
Authors: Tuyishime Hubert , Hornstein Paula , Lasebikan Nwamaka , Rubagumya Fidel , Mutebi Miriam , Fadelu Temidayo
Published: June 2022

PURPOSE

Local researchers must be engaged in research conducted in their populations. However, local authors from low- and middle-income countries are often under-represented in global health journals. This report aims to assess and describe the representation of authors in the Journal of Clinical Oncology Global Oncology ( JCO GO).

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study describes data from JCO GO articles published between October 2015 and March 2020. Data were collected on studied countries, authorship position, classified as first, middle, or last, and country of authors' institutional affiliations. Countries were then categorized on the basis of their World Bank region and income classifications. We describe aggregate authorship distribution and distribution by region and income classification. Additionally, we explore the relationships between author's country and studied country.

RESULTS

Of the 608 articles identified, 420 (69.1%) studied a single country population. Although articles represented studies from all World Bank regions, the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region accounted for the highest number (n = 145; 34.5%). In all other regions except SSA, most of the first (66.7%-100%) and last authors (56.6%-95.2%) had primary institutional affiliations based in the same region as the studied country. However, among articles about SSA countries, SSA first authors (n = 65; 44.8%) and last authors (n = 59; 40.7%) were under-represented. In fact, there were more North American first (n = 74; 51.0%) and last authors (n = 72; 49.6%) than SSA authors. There was higher SSA representation among middle authors (n = 97; 68.8%) in studies from the region. A similar trend was also noted with the under-representation of authors from low-income compared with high-income countries.

CONCLUSION

SSA authors are under-represented in global oncology articles. Concerted strategies are needed to build local capacity, promote meaningful engagement, and foster equity.
North American Beef Breeding and the Modernization of the International Cattle Breeding Industries, 1950–2000
Authors: Derry Margaret E.
Published: June 2022

This article deals with transformations in beef cattle breeding practices in North America from 1950 to 2000, and the implication of these changes across the Western world. It was a period of profound adjustment for beef cattle breeders, involving battles over genetic defects, the importation of new breeds, changing standards in relation to husbandry, and the extension of quantitative genetic breeding practices. These innovations would be echoed across Europe in the production of beef cattle and would also interact with the way dairy cattle were bred. This article explains the upheaval in beef breeding between 1950 and 2000, as well as how that upheaval affected dairy cattle breeding. Changes in beef breeding, in effect, modified the functioning of the entire cattle breeding world.
Is Nothing Sacred?
Authors: Anderson Misty G.
Published: June 2022

If the twenty-first-century university is to repent of its racist past and present in order to become something other than an instrument of late capitalism, it will need conceptual space and language that break from the neoliberal and Enlightenment frameworks many faculty have internalized. The apocalyptic crises that came to a head in the United States in the summer of 2020 and built to January 2021 can help us make that break. Writing from the “red state” of Tennessee, which was “purple” in living memory, on a patch of university earth that is the ancestral home of the Cherokee, Yuchi, and Muscogee Creek Nations, the author claims the university as sacred space in order to name what is both radical and sustainable about the university. This frame organizes the university around the concepts of place, truth, and love to reorient the public understanding of higher education away from a process of fitting students for the existing economy and toward the work of mutual survival in a democratic society.
Growth drivers of monumental wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) out of its natural range in Kyiv, Ukraine
Authors: Prokopuk Yulia , Leshcheniuk Olena , Sukhomlyn Maryna , Matiashuk Raisa , Budzhak Vasyl , Netsvetov Maksym
Published: June 2022

Wild service tree (Sorbus torminalis) is a rare, endangered, relict species, that is protected by law in many European countries. Outside the species distribution range, the trees are usually planted in botanical gardens, parks, arboretums, and at the roadside. Such old introduced trees are an important source of knowledge about species’ acclimation process and current growth-limiting factors in the new environment. In Kyiv, the oldest live S. torminalis trees have been planted in botanical gardens and arboretums after the 1950s. In addition, some trees of this species are preserved in front of the historical building Liberman’s mansion, but the year of their planting remains unknown. Regarding dendroclimatological investigations of this species are scarce and have been provided only in Central European forests, a detailed analysis of the species growth-to-climate relationships should be performed not only the species’ natural range but also in its secondary ranges. In this article, we studied three S. torminalis trees in a historical place in Kyiv to determine their age and evaluate environmental conditions driving the growth of this rare species out of its natural range in Kyiv. To reach our goal we used the dendrochronological approaches, i.e. tree-ring dating, partial correlation analysis using stationary and moving time windows. Our results showed that S. torminalis trees were planted after the last building owner S. Liberman’s death (1917). The studied trees are the oldest of known alive S. torminalis trees in Kyiv. Dendroclimatological results revealed S. torminalis is sensitive to higher air temperature and moisture excess in the period of wood formation in Kyiv. S. torminalis trees at 2 Bankova Street are the oldest species examples in Kyiv and have important historical, cultural, and scientific values. S. torminalis species could be widely used in urban forestry, particularly in regions with projected soil moisture shortening.
The number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts in hypofunctional teeth during orthodontic tooth movement in rats
Authors: Maulani Adibah , Farmasyanti Cendrawasih Andusyana , Sutantyo Darmawan
Published: June 2022

Background: When moved orthodontically, hypofunctional teeth will have a decreased tooth movement rate compared to normal teeth. Hypofunctional teeth would have less VEGF expression and decreased heparan sulfate proteoglycan production during orthodontic tooth movement. This study aimed to determine the number of osteoblasts in the tension side and the number of osteoclasts in the pressure side of the hypofunctional teeth during orthodontic tooth movement. Method: 18 male Wistar rats were given a palatal coil spring application on the maxillary incisors. Rats were divided into two groups, the orthodontic group with normal occlusion (NO) and hypofunctional occlusion (HO). The number of osteoblasts on the tension side and osteoclasts on the pressure side on days zero (D0), five (D5), and 10 (D10) were tested with two-way ANOVA. Observations were made by hematoxylin eosin staining.

Result: The results showed that the number of osteoblasts on the tension side of the HO group was the same at the NO group (p> 0.05). The number of osteoblasts on the tension side in the NO and HO groups at D5 was the same at D10 (p = 0.99), but significantly higher (p = 0.002), than D0. The number of osteoclasts on the pressure side in the HO group was significantly lower than the NO group (p <0.05). The number of osteoclasts in the NO D5 group was significantly higher than the other groups (p <0.05).

Conclusions: The number of osteoblasts on the tension side was not affected by the hypofunctional state but decreased the number of osteoclasts on the pressure side during orthodontic tooth movement.
Game Semantics, Quantifiers and Logical Omniscience
Authors: Ramos Mendonça Bruno
Published: June 2022

Logical omniscience states that the knowledge set of ordinary rational agents is closed for its logical consequences. Although epistemic logicians in general judge this principle unrealistic, there is no consensus on how it should be restrained. The challenge is conceptual: we must find adequate criteria for separating obvious logical consequences (consequences for which epistemic closure certainly holds) from non-obvious ones. Non-classical game-theoretic semantics has been employed in this discussion with relative success. On the one hand, with urn semantics [15], an expressive fragment of classical game semantics that weakens the dependence relations between quantifiers occurring in a formula, we can formalize, for a broad array of examples, epistemic scenarios in which an individual ignores the validity of some first-order sentence. On the other hand, urn semantics offers a disproportionate restriction of logical omniscience. Therefore, an improvement of this system is needed to obtain a better solution of the problem. In this paper, I argue that our linguistic competence in using quantifiers requires a sort of basic hypothetical logical knowledge that can be formulated as follows: when inquiring after the truth-value of ∀xφ, an individual might be unaware of all substitutional instances this sentence accepts, but at least she must know that, if an element a is given, then ∀xφ holds only if φ(x/a) is true. This thesis accepts game-theoretic formalization in terms of a refinement of urn semantics. I maintain that the system so obtained (US+) affords an improved solution of the logical omniscience problem. To do this, I characterize first-order theoremhood in US+. As a consequence of this result, we will see that the ideal reasoner depicted by US+ only knows the validity of first-order formulas whose Herbrand witnesses can be trivially found, a fact that provides strong evidence that our refinement of urn semantics captures a relevant sense of logical obviousness.
Reviews
Authors: Celinska Angelica , Marycz Adam
Published: June 2022

A well-awaited book, Early Childhood Theories Today, and a truly timely book by Aisha Thomas, exploring representation and addressing how we can become anti-racist educators. The picture books will spark questions from children and enable reflections on past experiences.
Mathematical Reflective Thinking Process of Prospective Elementary Teachers Review from the Disposition in Numerical Literacy Problems
Authors: Setiyani Setiyani , Waluya S. B. , Sukestiyarno Y. L. , Cahyono Adi Nur
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this qualitative research is to analyze the reflective thinking process of prospective elementary teacher in numeracy problems in terms of their mathematical disposition. The subjects in this study were 26 prospective elementary school teachers who had attended elementary mathematics lectures. The focus in this research is the process of mathematical reflective thinking in solving story problems of a two-variable linear equation system in terms of the level of mathematical disposition. The research instrument consisted of a disposition questionnaire, a reflective thinking ability test and the researcher himself as the main instrument. Good mathematical reflective thinking skills are supported by disposition, by constantly monitoring one's own performance, reflecting on one's own performance, reasoning on one's own performance, considering the overall situation, the habit of analyzing the relationship between variables, being flexible in various alternative solutions to mathematical problems and trying to solve mathematical problems. From the results of this study, lecturers can develop learning media, scaffolding, or teaching materials that accommodate different dispositional abilities of prospective teachers that can be used to improve the reflective thinking process.
Abnormal spinopelvic mobility as a risk factor for acetabular placement error in total hip arthroplasty using optical computer-assisted surgical navigation system
Authors: Jang Seong J. , Vigdorchik Jonathan M. , Windsor Eric W. , Schwarzkopf Ran , Mayman David J. , Sculco Peter K.
Published: June 2022

Aims

Navigation devices are designed to improve a surgeon’s accuracy in positioning the acetabular and femoral components in total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to both evaluate the accuracy of an optical computer-assisted surgery (CAS) navigation system and determine whether preoperative spinopelvic mobility (categorized as hypermobile, normal, or stiff) increased the risk of acetabular component placement error.

Methods

A total of 356 patients undergoing primary THA were prospectively enrolled from November 2016 to March 2018. Clinically relevant error using the CAS system was defined as a difference of > 5° between CAS and 3D radiological reconstruction measurements for acetabular component inclination and anteversion. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine whether hypermobile ([Formula: see text]sacral slope(SS)stand-sit > 30°), or stiff ([Formula: see text]SSstand-sit < 10°) spinopelvic mobility contributed to increased error rates.

Results

The paired absolute difference between CAS and postoperative imaging measurements was 2.3° (standard deviation (SD) 2.6°) for inclination and 3.1° (SD 4.2°) for anteversion. Using a target zone of 40° (± 10°) (inclination) and 20° (± 10°) (anteversion), postoperative standing radiographs measured 96% of acetabular components within the target zone for both inclination and anteversion. Multiple logistic regression analysis controlling for BMI and sex revealed that hypermobile spinopelvic mobility significantly increased error rates for anteversion (odds ratio (OR) 2.48, p = 0.009) and inclination (OR 2.44, p = 0.016), whereas stiff spinopelvic mobility increased error rates for anteversion (OR 1.97, p = 0.028). There were no dislocations at a minimum three-year follow-up.

Conclusion

Despite high reliability in acetabular positioning for inclination in a large patient cohort using an optical CAS system, hypermobile and stiff spinopelvic mobility significantly increased the risk of clinically relevant errors. In patients with abnormal spinopelvic mobility, CAS systems should be adjusted for use to avoid acetabular component misalignment and subsequent risk for long-term dislocation. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(6):475–484.
Intraoperative visualization and quantitative assessment of tissue perfusion by imaging photoplethysmography: comparison with ICG fluorescence angiography
Authors: Kashchenko Victor A. , Zaytsev Valeriy V. , Ratnikov Vyacheslav A. , Kamshilin Alexei A.
Published: June 2022

Intraoperative monitoring of tissue perfusion is of great importance for optimizing surgery and reducing postoperative complications. To date, there is no standard procedure for assessing blood circulation in routine clinical practice. Over the past decade, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography is most commonly used for intraoperative perfusion evaluation. Imaging photoplethysmography (iPPG) potentially enables contactless assessment of the blood supply to organs. However, no strong evidence of this potential has been provided so far. Here we report results of a comparative assessment of tissue perfusion obtained using custom-made iPPG and commercial ICG-fluorescence systems during eight different gastrointestinal surgeries. Both systems allow mapping the blood-supply distribution over organs. It was demonstrated for the first time that the quantitative assessment of blood perfusion by iPPG is in good agreement with that obtained by ICG-fluorescence imaging in all surgical cases under study. iPPG can become an objective quantitative monitoring system for tissue perfusion in the operating room due to its simplicity, low cost and no need for any agent injections.
Design of a compact silicon photonic directional coupler introducing a hetero-cladding approach
Authors: Mishra Madhusudan , Das Nikhil Ranjan
Published: June 2022

The present work proposes a new, to the best of our knowledge, approach of hetero-cladding for silicon photonic waveguides and outlines its contribution towards realization of a compact directional coupler. The proposed hetero-cladding, comprising ferroelectric

B
a
T
i
O

3

and

S
i
O

2

, helps control the distribution of modes and evanescent modes in the structure. The results, using a straight waveguide configuration of the coupler, show very small and nearly identical coupling lengths for both TE and TM modes (7.18 µm for TE, 7.12 µm for TM) with reduced device cross section (

∼

3.1

µ

m

). Considering the bending arms at the ports in an optical design of the coupler, the coupling length is seen to be further reduced (5.2 µm). This promises a huge reduction in the footprint of both conventional and programmable photonic integrated circuits. This concept could also be utilized to design compact, low loss, and energy-efficient waveguides based other optical devices.
Atomic-motion-induced spectroscopic effects that are nonlinear in atomic density in a gas
Authors: Yudin V. I. , Taichenachev A. V. , Basalaev M. Yu. , Prudnikov O. N. , Bagayev S. N.
Published: June 2022

The interatomic dipole–dipole interaction is commonly thought to be the main physical reason for spectroscopic effects, which are nonlinear in atomic density. However, we have found that the free motion of atoms can lead to other effects that are nonlinear in atomic density

n

, using a previously unknown self-consistent solution of the Maxwell–Bloch equations in the mean-field approximation for a gas of two-level atoms with an optical transition at unperturbed frequency

ω
0

. These effects distort the Doppler lineshape (shift, asymmetry, broadening), but are not associated with an atom–atom interaction. In particular, in the case of

n

k
0

−
3

<
1

(where

k
0

=

ω
0

/

c

) and significant Doppler broadening (with respect to collisional broadening), atomic-motion-induced nonlinear effects significantly exceed the well-known influence of the dipole–dipole interatomic interaction (e.g., Lorentz–Lorenz shift) by more than one order of magnitude. Moreover, under some conditions, a frequency interval appears in which a non-trivial self-consistent solution of the Maxwell–Bloch equations is absent due to atomic motion effects. Thus, the existing physical picture of spectroscopic effects that are nonlinear in atomic density in a gas medium should be substantially revised.
Epicenter localization using forward-transmission laser interferometry
Authors: Zhang Bohan , Wang Guan , Pang Zhongwang , Wang Bo
Published: June 2022

Widely distributed optical fibers, together with phase-sensitive laser interferometry, can expand seismic detection methods and have great potential for epicenter localization. In this paper, we propose an integral response method based on a forward transmission scheme. It uses spectrum analysis and parameter fitting to localize the epicenter. With the given shape of the fiber ring, the integral phase changes of light propagating in the forward and reverse directions can be used to determine the direction, depth, distance of the epicenter, and seismic wave speed. For the noisy case with SNR = 20 dB, the simulation results show ultrahigh precision when epicenter distance is 200 km: the error of the orientation angle is ∼0.003°±0.002°, the error of the P-wave speed is ∼0.9 ± 1.2 m/s, the error of the epicenter depth is ∼9.5 ± 400 m, and the error of the epicenter distance is ∼200 ± 760 m.
Calibration for light field cameras based on fixed point constraint of spatial plane homography
Authors: Xuechun Wang , Liang Wang , Fuqing Duan
Published: June 2022

Light field cameras can record the spatial and angular information of light rays at the same time, which facilitate many vision tasks such as 3D reconstruction and digital refocusing. In this paper, we deduce a projection model from a 3D space point to each sub-aperture image according to the transmission of light rays in the light field camera, and the projection model of traditional cameras can be considered as a special case of it. We propose a camera calibration method using this model. Firstly, the homography from a space plane to each sub-aperture image is estimated, which implies the imaging parameters of the standard light field camera, and then the principal line on each sub-aperture image is derived from the constraint of the fixed point of the plane homography. The principal point of each sub-aperture image is robustly determined from the principal lines by using RANSAC. The other parameters can be determined from the homography constrains on them. Compared with the state of art methods, the proposed method can calibrate the light field images with a varying focal length and has higher accuracy. Moreover, it provides a unified framework for the calibration of standard light field cameras and traditional cameras. Experimental results validate the proposed method.
Deep learning-based method for non-uniform motion-induced error reduction in dynamic microscopic 3D shape measurement
Authors: Tan Ji , Su Wenqing , He Zhaoshui , Huang Naixing , Di Jianglei , Zhong Liyun , Bai Yulei , Dong Bo , Xie Shengli
Published: June 2022

The non-uniform motion-induced error reduction in dynamic fringe projection profilometry is complex and challenging. Recently, deep learning (DL) has been successfully applied to many complex optical problems with strong nonlinearity and exhibits excellent performance. Inspired by this, a deep learning-based method is developed for non-uniform motion-induced error reduction by taking advantage of the powerful ability of nonlinear fitting. First, a specially designed dataset of motion-induced error reduction is generated for network training by incorporating complex nonlinearity. Then, the corresponding DL-based architecture is proposed and it contains two parts: in the first part, a fringe compensation module is developed as network pre-processing to reduce the phase error caused by fringe discontinuity; in the second part, a deep neural network is employed to extract the high-level features of error distribution and establish a pixel-wise hidden nonlinear mapping between the phase with motion-induced error and the ideal one. Both simulations and real experiments demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method in dynamic macroscopic measurement.
Brilliant circularly polarized γ-ray sources via single-shot laser plasma interaction
Authors: Wang Yu , Ababekri Mamutjan , Wan Feng , Zhao Qian , Lv Chong , Ren Xue-Guang , Xu Zhong-Feng , Zhao Yong-Tao , Li Jian-Xing
Published: June 2022

Circularly polarized (CP) γ-ray sources are versatile for broad applications in nuclear physics, high-energy physics, and astrophysics. The laser-plasma based particle accelerators provide accessibility for much higher flux γ-ray sources than conventional approaches, in which, however, the circular polarization properties of the emitted γ-photons are usually neglected. In this Letter, we show that brilliant CP γ-ray beams can be generated via the combination of laser plasma wakefield acceleration and plasma mirror techniques. In a weakly nonlinear Compton scattering scheme with moderate laser intensities, the helicity of the driving laser can be transferred to the emitted γ-photons, and their average polarization degree can reach ∼61% (20%) with a peak brilliance of

≳

10

21

 

photons/(s · mm2 · mrad2 · 0.1% BW) around 1 MeV (100 MeV). Moreover, our proposed method is easily feasible and robust with respect to the laser and plasma parameters.
Remote preparation and manipulation of squeezed light
Authors: Han Dongmei , Wang Na , Wang Meihong , Qin Zhongzhong , Su Xiaolong
Published: June 2022

Remote state preparation enables one to create and manipulate a quantum state based on the shared entanglement between distant nodes. Here, we experimentally demonstrate remote preparation and manipulation of squeezed light. By performing a homodyne projective measurement on one mode of the continuous variable entangled state at Alice’s station, a squeezed state is created at Bob’s station. Moreover, rotation and displacement operations are applied on the prepared squeezed state by changing the projective parameters on Alice’s state. We also show that the remotely prepared squeezed state is robust against loss and N − 1 squeezed states can be remotely prepared based on an N-mode continuous variable Greenberger–Horne–Zeilinger-like state. Our results verify the entanglement-based model used in security analysis of quantum key distribution with continuous variables and have potential application in remote quantum information processing.
Repetition rate locked single-soliton microcomb generation via rapid frequency sweep and sideband thermal compensation
Authors: Miao Runlin , Zhang Chenxi , Zheng Xin , Cheng Xiang’ai , Yin Ke , Jiang Tian
Published: June 2022

Dissipative Kerr solitons (DKSs) with mode-locked pulse trains in high-

Q

optical microresonators possess low-noise and broadband parallelized comb lines, having already found plentiful cutting-edge applications. However, thermal bistability and thermal noise caused by the high microresonator power and large temperature exchange between microresonator and the environment would prevent soliton microcomb formation and deteriorate the phase and frequency noise. Here, a novel method that combines rapid frequency sweep with optical sideband thermal compensation is presented, providing a simple and reliable way to get into the single-soliton state. Meanwhile, it is shown that the phase and frequency noises of the generated soliton are greatly reduced. Moreover, by closing the locking loop, an in-loop repetition rate fractional instability of

5.5
×

10

−
15

at 1 s integration time and a triangular linear repetition rate sweep with 2.5 MHz could be realized. This demonstration provides a means for the generation, locking, and tuning of a soliton microcomb, paving the way for the application of single-soliton microcombs in low-phase-noise microwave generation and laser ranging.
Computational simulations and Ca2+ imaging reveal that slow synaptic depolarizations (slow EPSPs) inhibit fast EPSP evoked action potentials for most of their time course in enteric neurons
Authors: Zarei Eskikand Parvin , Koussoulas Katerina , Gwynne Rachel M. , Bornstein Joel C.
Published: June 2022

Transmission between neurons in the extensive enteric neural networks of the gut involves synaptic potentials with vastly different time courses and underlying conductances. Most enteric neurons exhibit fast excitatory post-synaptic potentials (EPSPs) lasting 20–50 ms, but many also exhibit slow EPSPs that last up to 100 s. When large enough, slow EPSPs excite action potentials at the start of the slow depolarization, but how they affect action potentials evoked by fast EPSPs is unknown. Furthermore, two other sources of synaptic depolarization probably occur in enteric circuits, activated via GABAA or GABAC receptors; how these interact with other synaptic depolarizations is also unclear. We built a compartmental model of enteric neurons incorporating realistic voltage-dependent ion channels, then simulated fast EPSPs, slow EPSPs and GABAA or GABAC ligand-gated Cl- channels to explore these interactions. Model predictions were tested by imaging Ca2+ transients in myenteric neurons ex vivo as an indicator of their activity during synaptic interactions. The model could mimic firing of myenteric neurons in mouse colon evoked by depolarizing current during intracellular recording and the fast and slow EPSPs in these neurons. Subthreshold fast EPSPs evoked spikes during the rising phase of a slow EPSP, but suprathreshold fast EPSPs could not evoke spikes later in a slow EPSP. This predicted inhibition was confirmed by Ca2+ imaging in which stimuli that evoke slow EPSPs suppressed activity evoked by fast EPSPs in many myenteric neurons. The model also predicted that synchronous activation of GABAA receptors and fast EPSPs potentiated firing evoked by the latter, while synchronous activation of GABAC receptors with fast EPSPs, potentiated firing and then suppressed it. The results reveal that so-called slow EPSPs have a biphasic effect being likely to suppress fast EPSP evoked firing over very long periods, perhaps accounting for prolonged quiescent periods seen in enteric motor patterns.
cytoNet: Spatiotemporal network analysis of cell communities
Authors: Mahadevan Arun S. , Long Byron L. , Hu Chenyue W. , Ryan David T. , Grandel Nicolas E. , Britton George L. , Bustos Marisol , Gonzalez Porras Maria A. , Stojkova Katerina , Ligeralde Andrew , Son Hyeonwi , Shannonhouse John , Robinson Jacob T. , Warmflash Aryeh , Brey Eric M. , Kim Yu Shin , Qutub Amina A.
Published: June 2022

We introduce cytoNet, a cloud-based tool to characterize cell populations from microscopy images. cytoNet quantifies spatial topology and functional relationships in cell communities using principles of network science. Capturing multicellular dynamics through graph features, cytoNet also evaluates the effect of cell-cell interactions on individual cell phenotypes. We demonstrate cytoNet’s capabilities in four case studies: 1) characterizing the temporal dynamics of neural progenitor cell communities during neural differentiation, 2) identifying communities of pain-sensing neurons in vivo, 3) capturing the effect of cell community on endothelial cell morphology, and 4) investigating the effect of laminin α4 on perivascular niches in adipose tissue. The analytical framework introduced here can be used to study the dynamics of complex cell communities in a quantitative manner, leading to a deeper understanding of environmental effects on cellular behavior. The versatile, cloud-based format of cytoNet makes the image analysis framework accessible to researchers across domains.
A novel interpretable machine learning system to generate clinical risk scores: An application for predicting early mortality or unplanned readmission in a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ning Yilin , Li Siqi , Ong Marcus Eng Hock , Xie Feng , Chakraborty Bibhas , Ting Daniel Shu Wei , Liu Nan
Published: June 2022

Risk scores are widely used for clinical decision making and commonly generated from logistic regression models. Machine-learning-based methods may work well for identifying important predictors to create parsimonious scores, but such ‘black box’ variable selection limits interpretability, and variable importance evaluated from a single model can be biased. We propose a robust and interpretable variable selection approach using the recently developed Shapley variable importance cloud (ShapleyVIC) that accounts for variability in variable importance across models. Our approach evaluates and visualizes overall variable contributions for in-depth inference and transparent variable selection, and filters out non-significant contributors to simplify model building steps. We derive an ensemble variable ranking from variable contributions across models, which is easily integrated with an automated and modularized risk score generator, AutoScore, for convenient implementation. In a study of early death or unplanned readmission after hospital discharge, ShapleyVIC selected 6 variables from 41 candidates to create a well-performing risk score, which had similar performance to a 16-variable model from machine-learning-based ranking. Our work contributes to the recent emphasis on interpretability of prediction models for high-stakes decision making, providing a disciplined solution to detailed assessment of variable importance and transparent development of parsimonious clinical risk scores.
Risk factors for infection with chikungunya and Zika viruses in southern Puerto Rico: A community-based cross-sectional seroprevalence survey
Authors: Adams Laura E. , Sánchez-González Liliana , Rodriguez Dania M. , Ryff Kyle , Major Chelsea , Lorenzi Olga , Delorey Mark , Medina Freddy A. , Muñoz-Jordán Jorge L. , Brown Grayson , Ortiz Marianyoly , Waterman Stephen H. , Rivera-Amill Vanessa , Paz-Bailey Gabriela
Published: June 2022

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) caused a large outbreak in Puerto Rico in 2014, followed by a Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak in 2016. Communities Organized for the Prevention of Arboviruses (COPA) is a cohort study in southern Puerto Rico, initiated in 2018 to measure arboviral disease risk and provide a platform to evaluate interventions. To identify risk factors for infection, we assessed prevalence of previous CHIKV infection and recent ZIKV and DENV infection in a cross-sectional study among COPA participants. Participants aged 1–50 years (y) were recruited from randomly selected households in study clusters. Each participant completed an interview and provided a blood specimen, which was tested by anti-CHIKV IgG ELISA assay and anti-ZIKV and anti-DENV IgM MAC-ELISA assays. We assessed individual, household, and community factors associated with a positive result for CHIKV or ZIKV after adjusting for confounders. During 2018–2019, 4,090 participants were enrolled; 61% were female and median age was 28y (interquartile range [IQR]: 16–41). Among 4,035 participants tested for CHIKV, 1,268 (31.4%) had evidence of previous infection. CHIKV infection prevalence was lower among children 1–10 years old compared to people 11 and older (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.30; 95% CI 1.71–3.08). Lower CHIKV infection prevalence was associated with home screens (aOR 0.51; 95% CI 0.42–0.61) and air conditioning (aOR 0.64; 95% CI 0.54–0.77). CHIKV infection prevalence also varied by study cluster of residence and insurance type. Few participants (16; 0.4%) had evidence of recent DENV infection by IgM. Among 4,035 participants tested for ZIKV, 651 (16%) had evidence of recent infection. Infection prevalence increased with older age, from 7% among 1–10y olds up to 19% among 41–50y olds (aOR 3.23; 95% CI 2.16–4.84). Males had an increased risk of Zika infection prevalence compared with females (aOR 1.31; 95% CI 1.09–1.57). ZIKV infection prevalence also decreased with the presence of home screens (aOR 0.66; 95% CI 0.54–0.82) and air conditioning (aOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.57–0.84). Similar infection patterns were observed for recent ZIKV infection prevalence and previous CHIKV infection prevalence by age, and the presence of screens and air conditioners in the home decreased infection risk from both viruses by as much as 50%.
Risk factors for metabolic bone disease of prematurity: A meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Jie , Zhao Qian , Chen Baochang , Sun Jingfei , Huang Jiayu , Meng Jinfeng , Li Shangbin , Yan Weichen , Ren Changjun , Hao Ling
Published: June 2022

Objective

To investigate the risk factors for metabolic bone disease of prematurity (MBDP), and to provide a reference for the prevention of MBDP.

Methods

The databases including China Biomedical Literature Service System, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, and Weipu Periodical Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library and other databases were searched for studies on the risk factors for MBDP published up to June 18, 2021. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.1 software were used to perform a Meta analysis.

Results

A total of 15 articles were included, including 13 case-control studies, 1 current investigation, and 1 retrospective cohort study. There were 1,435 cases in the case group and 2,057 cases in the control group, with a total sample size of 3,492 cases. Meta analysis showed that risk factors for MBDP include birth weight <1000g (OR = 6.62, 95%CI: 2.28–19.25), gestational age <32 weeks (OR = 2.73, 95%CI: 1.07–6.95), septicemia (OR = 2.53, 95%CI: 1.69–3.79), parenteral nutrition time (OR = 4.04, 95%CI: 1.72–9.49), cholestasis (OR = 3.50, 95%CI: 1.49–8.23), intrauterine growth retardation (OR = 6.89, 95%CI: 3.81–12.44), while the birth weight(OR = 0.44, 95%CI: 0.21–0.90) and gestational age (OR = 0.57, 95%CI: 0.44–0.73)are the protective factors of MBDP.

Conclusion

Factors like birth weight <1000g, gestational age <32 weeks, septicemia, parenteral nutrition time, cholestasis, and intrauterine growth retardation may increase the risk of metabolic bone disease of prematurity.
Educational considerations for health professionals to effectively work with clients with complex regional pain syndrome
Authors: Johnston-Devin Colleen , Oprescu Florin , Wallis Marianne , Gray Marion
Published: June 2022

Introduction

People living with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a rare chronic pain disorder, must become experts in their own self-management. Listening to the voice of the patient is often advocated in the pain literature. However, the patient’s option is rarely asked for or considered by clinicians, even when they live with a condition that health professionals have rarely heard of.

Purpose

To explore what people living with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) think health professionals should know about their condition to provide appropriate care.

Design

A heuristic, hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted asking people about their experiences living with CRPS. This paper reports on the findings of an additional question asked of all participants.

Participants

Seventeen people living with complex regional pain syndrome were interviewed.

Findings

Overwhelmingly, participants felt that health professionals do not know enough about CRPS, or chronic pain and believe their health outcomes are affected by this lack of knowledge. Sub-themes identified were don’t touch unless I say it is okay; be patient with the patient/ it is important to develop a relationship; educate yourself and educate the patient; choose your words carefully and refer to others as needed. An additional theme, it is very hard to describe CRPS was also identified.

Conclusions

Including patients as a member of the healthcare team is recommended to help people take control and self-manage their pain. For true patient centered care to be achieved, health professionals must accept and respect patients’ descriptions of pain and their pain experience. This may require additional health professional education at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels in pain and communication to increase their bedside manner and therapeutic communication to deliver care in partnership with the patient.
Risk factors associated with self-medication among the indigenous communities of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh
Authors: Saha Ayan , Marma Kay Kay Shain , Rashid Afrah , Tarannum Nowshin , Das Srabanty , Chowdhury Tonmoy , Afrin Nusrat , Chakraborty Prashanta , Emran Md. , Mehedi H. M. Hamidullah , Hussain Mohammad Imdad , Barua Ashim , Mistry Sabuj Kanti
Published: June 2022

Background

In developing countries like Bangladesh, self-medication has become a predicament associated with health risks and clinical complications. To date, no studies have been conducted on the practice of self-medication among the indigenous population living in Chittagong Hill Tract (CHT).

Objectives

This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication and analyzing the factors associated with it among the indigenous population in CHT.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted from late October to early December 2020; among different indigenous group populations residing in the three districts of CHT aged 18 or more. A pre-tested and semi-structured questionnaire was developed to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, health status, frequency of self-medication, reasons for self-medication in last one year, as well as other variables. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to assess associated factors with self-medication.

Results

A total of 1350 people from different indigenous populations were interviewed, among whom 49.9% practiced self-medication. The rate of self-prescribed antibiotics usage (80.9%) was significantly higher compared to other drugs. Self-prescribed medications were mostly used for diarrhea and food poisoning (60.6%), cough, cold and fever (51.4%), and headache (51.4%). A common source of self-prescribed medicines was community or retail pharmacy and the most reported reason for self-prescribed medication was the long-distance of healthcare facilities from home.

Conclusion

The prevalence of self-medication is substantially high among indigenous people and the effect is alarming. Particular concern is the misuse of antibiotics and analgesic drugs. Increasing awareness among the population of the negative effect of self-medication and implementation of proper policies and actions are urgently needed to prevent self-medication among indigenous population in Bangladesh.
Multi-scale analysis of habitat fragmentation on small-mammal abundance and tick-borne pathogen infection prevalence in Essex County, MA
Authors: Mason Samuel D. , Sherratt Samuel C. R. , Kruguer Samantha M. , Muthersbaugh Michael , Harris Jonathan P. , Gatlin Wayne C. , Topp Justin D. , Keller Gregory S.
Published: June 2022

Habitat fragmentation and heterogeneity transform otherwise contiguous tracks of forest into smaller patches in the northeastern U.S. and likely impact abundances, movement patterns, and disease transmission pathways for small-mammal communities at multiple scales. We sought to determine the structure of a small-mammal community in terms of mammal abundance and infection prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti within a fragmented landscape in Essex County, Massachusetts, USA. We studied communities at multiple spatial scales, including vegetation, edge type, and landscape (including 200-m, 500-m, and 1000-m radii) scales. A total of 16 study sites were chosen to represent four edge types: interior forest, pasture edge, natural edge, and residential edge. At each site, we trapped small mammals and conducted vegetation surveys and GIS analysis. Upon capture, a tissue sample was collected to analyze for presence of pathogens. Northern short-tailed shrew (Blarina brevicauda) abundance did not differ based on edge type, whereas abundance of the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) was greatest at pasture edges, although the relationship was relatively weak. White-footed mouse abundance was negatively associated with amount of forested area within a 500-m radius, whereas northern short-tailed shrew abundance demonstrated a positive relationship with fragmentation indices at the 200-m radius. White-footed mice captured at interior-forest habitat were more likely be infected with B. burgdorferi (s.s.) than individuals from edge habitat. Greater prevalence of B. burgdorferi infection of white-footed mice in forest interiors compared to edge habitats counters previous studies. Reasons for this and implications are discussed.
Isolation and characterization of a mycosubtilin homologue antagonizing Verticillium dahliae produced by Bacillus subtilis strain Z15
Authors: Lin Rongrong , Zhang Qi , Yin Li , Zhang Yiwen , Yang Qilin , Liu Kai , Wang Yingdian , Han Shengcheng , Zhao Huixin , Zhao Heping
Published: June 2022

Bacillus subtilis strain Z15 (BS-Z15) was isolated from the cotton field of Xinjiang, China, and characterized as an effective biocontrol agent antagonizing plant pathogen Verticillium dahliae 991 (VD-991). However, the chemical substance produced by BS-Z15 for resistance to VD-991 remains elusive. Here, a serial purification methods including HCl precipitation, organic solvent extraction, and separation by semi-preparative High-Performance Liquid Chromatography were performed to obtain a single compound about 3.5 mg/L from the fermentation broth of BS-Z15, which has an antifungal activity against VD-991. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, and Tandem Mass Spectrometry analyses were carried out to finally confirm that the active compound from BS-Z15 is a mycosubtilin homologue with C17 fatty acid chain. Genomic sequence prediction and PCR verification further showed that the BS-Z15 genome contains the whole mycosubtilin operon comprising four ORFs: fenF, mycA, mycB, and mycC, and the expression levels of mycA-N, mycB-Y and mycC-N reached a peak at 32-h fermentation. Although mycosubtilin homologue at 1 μg/mL promoted the germination of cotton seed, that with high concentration at 10 μg/mL had no significant effect on seed germination, plant height and dry weight. Furthermore, mycosubtilin homologue sprayed at 10 μg/mL on two-week-old cotton leaves promotes the expression of pathogen-associated genes and gossypol accumulation, and greatly decreases VD-991 infection in cotton with disease index statistics. This study provides an efficient purification strategy for mycosubtilin homologue from BS-Z15, which can potentially be used as a biocontrol agent for controlling verticillium wilt in cotton.