bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ex vivoconfocal microscopy detects basic patterns of acute and chronic lesions using fresh kidney samples
Authors: Villarreal Jesús Z , Pérez-Anker Javiera , Puig Susana , Xipell Marc , Espinosa Gerard , Barnadas Esther , Larque Ana B , Malvehy J , Cervera Ricard , Pereira Arturo , Martinez-Pozo Antonio , Quintana Luis F , García-Herrera Adriana
Published: January 2023

Background

Ex vivo confocal microscopy is a real-time technique that provides high-resolution images of fresh, non-fixed tissues, with an optical resolution comparable to conventional pathology. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using ex vivo confocal microscopy in fusion mode (FuCM) and the haematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-like digital staining that results for the analysis of basic patterns of lesion in nephropathology.

Methods

Forty-eight renal samples were scanned in a fourth-generation ex vivo confocal microscopy device. Samples were subjected to confocal microscopy imaging and were then processed using conventional pathology techniques. Concordance between the techniques was evaluated by means of the percentage of agreement and the κ index.

Results

Agreement between conventional microscopy and H&E-like digital staining was strong (κ = 0.88) in the evaluation of acute tubular damage and was substantial (κ = 0.79) in the evaluation of interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation, arterial and arteriolar lesions. H&E-like digital staining also allows rapid identification of extracapillary proliferation (κ = 0.88), necrosis and segmental sclerosis (κ = .88) in the glomerular compartment, but the results reported here are limited because of the small number of cases with these glomerular findings.

Conclusions

FuCM proved to be as effective as conventional techniques in evaluating the presence of acute tubular necrosis and interstitial fibrosis changes, but in fresh tissue. The ease of acquisition of ex vivo confocal microscopy images suggests that FuCM may be useful for rapid evaluation of kidney biopsies and to restructure the clinical workflow in renal histopathology.
The TANGO2 disease and the therapeutic challenge of acute arrhythmia management: a case report
Authors: Gomes Sílvia A , Laranjo Sérgio , Trigo Conceição , Pinto Fátima F
Published: January 2023

Background

TANGO2-related metabolic encephalopathy and arrhythmia are a rare, newly recognized, and likely under-diagnosed condition. First described in 2016, it is characterized by developmental delay and recurrent metabolic crisis. During these episodes, patients may present QTc prolongation and ventricular arrhythmias.

Case summary

A 13-year-old female, with developmental delay, presented with severe rhabdomyolysis and an initially normal electrocardiogram (ECG). Due to the worsening of rhabdomyolysis, QTc prolongation was identified (QTc 570 ms) and oral β-blocker therapy started. A non-sustained ventricular tachycardia developed, initially managed with magnesium and lidocaine. After a short period, an arrhythmic storm of polymorphic ventricular extrasystoles induced Torsade de Pointes (TdP) was triggered. A temporary percutaneous pacing lead was placed and esmolol infusion started. The electrical instability ran in parallel with the increasing severity of rhabdomyolysis and systolic ventricular function decline. Genetic testing identified a pathogenic variant in homozygosity in the TANGO2 gene. A stable sinus rhythm was achieved with metabolic and serum electrolytes optimization. ECG showed normalization of the QTc interval.

Discussion

The full TANGO2-related phenotype emerges over time and the prognosis is linked to the appearance of ECG abnormalities. QT interval prolongation can lead to life-threatening ventricular tachycardias. The arrhythmia mechanism seems to be secondary to metabolite build-up in cardiomyocytes, which can explain the cardiac phenotype during the crisis which subsides after their resolution. In these patients, avoiding bradycardia is fundamental, since long QT-related TdP seems to be triggered by bradycardia and short-long-short ventricular premature beats (VPB). During an acute metabolic crisis, the management of arrhythmias relies on metabolic control.
Simultaneous ST-elevation myocardial infarction in monozygotic twins: a case report of entangled twins
Authors: Kassab Kameel , Gupta Vishal
Published: January 2023

Background

The development of coronary artery disease (CAD) is strongly influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Monozygotic twins represent a unique population that provides insights into the interaction of genetic, environmental, and social factors and their effects on the development of CAD.

Case summary

Two 54-year-old identical twins presented to an outside hospital with acute chest pain. Twin B developed chest pain after witnessing Twin A in distress from an acute chest pain episode. Electrocardiogram performed on each of them was diagnostic of ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Upon arrival at the angioplasty centre, Twin A was taken for emergency coronary angiography yet his pain subsided on the way to the catheterization lab hence, Twin B was taken for angiography instead. Twin B angiography demonstrated acute occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. Twin A coronary angiogram demonstrated 60% ostial first diagonal branch stenosis with a normal distal flow. He was diagnosed with possible coronary vasospasm.

Conclusion

This is the first report of a simultaneous presentation of monozygotic twins with ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome. While genetic and environmental contributions to the development of CAD have been described, this case highlights the strong social bond that exists between monozygotic twins. Once CAD is diagnosed in one twin, aggressive risk factor modification and screening should be implemented in the other.
Management of patients with chronic kidney disease: a French medical centre database analysis
Authors: Ariza Matthieu , Martin Steven , Dusenne Mikaël , Darmon David , Schuers Matthieu
Published: January 2023

Objective(s)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an insidious disease that requires early nephroprotective measures to delay progression to end-stage kidney disease. The objective of this study was to describe the management of patients with CKD in primary care, including clinical and biological monitoring and prescribed treatments. A retrospective, single-centre study was conducted on adult patients who were treated in the Maison de Neufchâtel (France) between 2012 and 2017 at least once a year. The inclusion criteria were 2 estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measurements <60 mL/min more than 3 months apart. Two subgroups were constituted according to whether CKD was coded in the electronic medical records (EMRs).

Results

A total of 291 (6.7%, CI95% 5.9–7.4) patients with CKD were included. The mean eGFR was 51.0 ± 16.4 mL/min. Hypertension was the most frequent health problem reported (n = 93, 32%). Nephrotective agents were prescribed in 194 (66.7%) patients, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in 22 (8%) patients, and proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) in 147 (47%) patients. CKD coding in EMRs was associated with dosage of natraemia (n = 34, 100%, P < 0.01), albuminuria (n = 20, 58%, P < 0.01), vitamin D (n = 14, 41%, P < 0.001), and phosphorus (n = 11, 32%, P < 0.001). Eighty-one patients (31.5%) with low eGFR without an entered code for CKD were prescribed an albuminuria dosage. Clinical monitoring could not be analysed due to poor coding.

Conclusion

This pilot study reinforces the hypothesis that CKD is underscreened and undermanaged. More systematic coding of medical information in EMRs and further studies on medical centre databases should improve primary care practices.
Patient characteristics and factors contributing to recurrence of bacterial vaginosis presented in primary care
Authors: Delfstra Natasja S , Uijen Annemarie A , Vos M Caroline , Akkermans Reinier , Lagro-Janssen Antoine L , Teunissen Doreth A M
Published: January 2023

Background

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a common problem in primary care. BV symptoms often have a negative impact on patients’ quality of life and may predispose to gynaecological problems. Some patients experience recurring episodes of BV. This study’s objective is to identify possible factors that may be associated with BV recurrence and describe the characteristics of these patients and interventions performed by general practitioners.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we used data from a primary care registration network in the Netherlands in the period 2015–2020. We analysed differences between patients with recurrent BV and patients with a single episode of BV in terms of characteristics and interventions performed by general practitioners.

Results

We found that patients with recently prescribed antibiotics, and a medical history of sexually transmitted infections and/or Candidiasis significantly more often presented with recurrent BV. Patients with recurrent BV had more remote consultations and less in-person consultations than single-episode patients. The reason for encounter was more often a request for medication. Regarding GPs’ diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, microbiological tests were more frequently performed in recurrent BV patients. Moreover, most patients in both groups were prescribed oral metronidazole most frequently.

Conclusions

Our findings might help GPs to better recognise patients at risk of recurrence. GPs could re-evaluate their approach to the diagnosis and treatment of recurrent BV, opting for in-person consultation and using standardised diagnostic criteria and microbiological testing in patients with recurrent complaints. Antibiotic use for other conditions in these patients may lead to new BV episodes.
Diet modulation of the microbiome of the pest storage mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae
Authors: Hubert Jan , Nesvorna Marta , Sopko Bruno , Green Stefan J
Published: January 2023

Storage mites colonize a wide spectrum of food commodities and adaptations to diets have been suggested as mechanisms enabling successful colonization. We characterized the response of seven unique Tyrophagus putrescentiae cultures (5K, 5L, 5N, 5P, 5Pi, 5S and 5Tk) with different baseline microbiomes to different diets. The offered diets included a rearing diet, protein-enriched diet, oat flakes and sunflower seeds. Microbiome characterization was performed using 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicon sequencing and 16S rRNA gene quantitative PCR. The mite culture microbiomes were classified into four groups: (i) Sodalis-dominated (5Pi); (ii) Wolbachia-dominated (5N and 5P); (iii) Cardinium-dominated (5L and 5S); and (iv) Asymbiontic (5K and 5Tk) mites dominated by Bacillus and Bartonella. Mite growth rates were most strongly affected by nutrients in the diet, while respiration and microbial community profiles were largely influenced by mite culture. While growth rate was not directly explained by microbiome composition, microbiomes strongly influenced mite fitness as measured by respiration. While diet significantly influenced microbial profiles in all cultures, the effect of diet differed in impact between cultures (5Pi>5S>5N>5K>5Tk>5L>5P). Furthermore, no new bacterial taxa were acquired by mites after dietary changes. Bacteria from the taxa Bacillus, Bartonella-like, Solitalea-like, Kocuria and Sodalis-like contributed most strongly to differentiating mite-associated microbiomes.
Moho topography and crustal properties in the UAE and northern Oman mountain belt from teleseismic receiver functions
Authors: Ismaiel M , Ali M Y , Pilia S , Watts A B , Searle M P
Published: January 2023

The United Arab Emirates (UAE)-Oman mountain belt exposes a large intact ophiolite thrust sheet that was obducted onto a rifted continental margin during the Late Cretaceous. Crustal properties of the mountain belt and the foreland region are important to better understand the mechanism of crustal deformation during the obduction process. In this study, we analysed P-wave receiver functions across the UAE and northern Oman mountain belt to determine the Moho depths, crustal properties and velocity structure beneath 53 broad-band seismic stations. Crustal thickness varies from 30.0 km in the western UAE to 46.6 km in the UAE-Oman mountain belt. The deeper Moho depth beneath the UAE-Oman mountain belt is the outcome of crustal thickening and flexure of the lithosphere during the obduction process. The eastern flank of the UAE-Oman mountain belt has relatively high-Vp/Vs ratios of 1.76–1.89. On the contrary, comparatively low-Vp/Vs ratios (1.61–1.67) are estimated in the western flank. Moreover, relatively low-Vp/Vs ratios (1.61–1.70) are observed in the foreland basin and western UAE. The high-Vp/Vs ratios and thick crust are indication of a thick ophiolite thrust sheet, while low-Vp/Vs ratios suggest that the crust is more felsic/intermediate in nature. The Vs-depth profiles in the mountain belt reveal a low-Vs zone beneath a remarkably high-Vs top layer. There is no such high-Vs top layer in the foreland area and western UAE. The high-Vs layer is correlated to a ∼10–15-km thick sequence of Semail crust and mantle ophiolite. Common Conversion Point imaging across the UAE-Oman mountain belt imaged the Moho boundary, which agrees with H-k stacking results, and intra-crustal discontinuities.
Single- versus multi-port video-assisted thoracic surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma: a propensity-matched study
Authors: Jiang Cong , Ge Tao , Jiang Gening , Zhu Yuming , Zhang Peng
Published: January 2023

OBJECTIVES

The utilization of single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery for pulmonary aspergilloma (PA) has not been well studied. The study was performed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of it for PA compared with multi-port video thoracic-assisted surgery.

METHODS

From August 2007 to December 2019, consecutive PA patients receiving surgeries at Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital were enrolled retrospectively. Propensity score matching based on preoperative clinical variables was utilized to compare perioperative and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

In all 358 patients, a total of 63 patients underwent single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery, and 63 out of 145 patients for multi-port surgeries were paired with the single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery recipients. The median follow-up period was 40 months (range, 2–140 months). Patients receiving single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery showed a similar operation time, intraoperative blood loss, drainage duration and drainage volume to those of multi-port video-assisted thoracic surgery recipients (P > 0.05). Patients undergoing lobectomy by single-port approach experienced a shorter postoperative hospital stay {4.9 [standard deviation (SD): 2.0] vs 5.9 (SD: 2.3), P = 0.014}. The average postoperative pain scores [day 0: 2.6 (SD: 0.7) vs 3.1 (SD: 0.8), day 3: 4.0 (SD: 0.9) vs 4.8 (SD: 3.9), day 7: 2.2 (SD: 0.5) vs 3.1 (SD: 0.8), P < 0.001] and the number of days that patients required analgesic agents [3.0 (SD: 2.2) vs 4.8 (SD: 2.1), P < 0.001] were also decreased in the single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery group.

CONCLUSIONS

Single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery is a safe and feasible alternative to multi-port video-assisted thoracic surgery for simple PA and selected complex ones, with a potential advantage of reduced postoperative pain.
Development and performance evaluation of an intelligent air purifier/humidifier using fuzzy logic controller
Authors: Emenuvwe Omonigho Peter , Umar Umar Ali , Umaru Samaila , Oyedeji Ayodeji Nathaniel
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to develop and implement a fuzzy logic controlled-intelligent air purifier/humidifier. The concepts of passive purification and evaporative humidification were used to build this device, and engineering ideas and theories were used to guide the development of electrical and mechanical systems. Additionally, a fuzzy logic controller was designed, built and integrated into the air purifier/humidifier device to help with its operation. It does this by analysing input signals from all the sensors (dust, volatile organic compound gas, humidity and water level) and activating the actuators (suction and blow fan). On the Arduino IDE, a C/C++ programming code was developed and uploaded onto the Arduino Uno R3 board, which houses the ATmega328P microcontroller processor. In estimating the clean air delivery rate (CADR), noise level and moisture delivery rate, the performance of the developed air purifier/humidifier was assessed. Additionally, the electrical systems’ power consumption and the fuzzy logic controller’s ease of use were each assessed. In light of the room capacity taken into consideration, the findings obtained demonstrated that the proposed air purifier/humidifier device satisfies the minimum standard requirement of a CADR of 140m3/hr. The outcome also revealed that the designed device’s noise level is lower than the typical threshold for an air purifier, which is less than 40 db. Additionally, after 68 minutes, the device raised the humidity level in a controlled area from 21% to 40%.
Limits and consistency of nonlocal and graph approximations to the Eikonal equation
Authors: Fadili Jalal , Forcadel Nicolas , Tuyen Nguyen Thi , Zantout Rita
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we study a nonlocal approximation of the time-dependent (local) Eikonal equation with Dirichlet-type boundary conditions, where the kernel in the nonlocal problem is properly scaled. Based on the theory of viscosity solutions, we prove existence and uniqueness of the viscosity solutions of both the local and nonlocal problems, as well as regularity properties of these solutions in time and space. We then derive error bounds between the solution to the nonlocal problem and that of the local one, both in continuous time and forward Euler time discretization. We then turn to studying continuum limits of nonlocal problems defined on random weighted graphs with $n$ vertices. In particular, we establish that if the kernel scale parameter decreases at an appropriate rate as $n$ grows then, almost surely, the solution of the problem on graphs converges uniformly to the viscosity solution of the local problem as the time step vanishes and the number vertices $n$ grows large.
Mobility during the post-partum period and viraemia in women living with HIV in South Africa
Authors: Odayar Jasantha , Phillips Tamsin K , Kabanda Siti , Malaba Thokozile R , Mukonda Elton , Hsiao Nei-yuan , Lesosky Maia , Myer Landon
Published: January 2023

Background

We investigated the association between travel and viraemia in post-partum women with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Methods

Data are from a trial of post-partum ART delivery strategies. Women who initiated ART during pregnancy, were clinically stable with a viral load (VL) <400 copies/ml and were <10 weeks post-partum were enrolled at a primary care antenatal clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Study visits at 3, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months post-partum included questions about travel, defined as ≥1 night spent outside of the city, and VL testing. Generalised mixed effects models assessed the association between travel and subsequent VL ≥400 copies/ml.

Results

Among 402 women (mean age 29 y, 35% born in the Western Cape), 69% reported one or more travel events over 24 months. Being born beyond the Western Cape (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.03 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.49 to 2.77]), duration post-partum in months (aOR 1.03 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.05]) and living with the child (aOR 0.60 [95% CI 0.38 to 0.93]) were associated with travel. In multivariable analyses, a travel event was associated with a 92% increase in the odds of a VL ≥400 copies/ml (aOR 1.92 [95% CI 1.19 to 3.10]).

Conclusions

Interventions to support women on ART who travel are urgently required.
Above Reproach: Rawls, Cavell, and Emersonian Conversation as a New Model for Democratic Counter-Radicalisation Policy
Authors: Bentley Michelle , Woodford Clare
Published: January 2023

The UK Prevent strategy is strongly criticized: accused of racism, human rights violations, and demonization of the (Muslim) other. Outlining an original interpretation of these problems, the article draws on political theory to identify parallels between this controversy and Stanley Cavell's critique of John Rawls’ Theory of Justice. Although aiming to avoid violence, Rawls limited the “conversation of justice” in advance such that a democratic community could be deemed above reproach. Cavell claimed that this situation is detrimental in that it leaves the resentful other with no outlet to voice their grievance(s). The article argues that Prevent is problematic because it assumes the same premise as Rawls. Prevent restricts engagement between its participants through the requirement to adhere to “British values,” which excludes sectors of the UK population a priori and undermines the very democracy that Prevent purports to defend. The article rejects the Prevent strategy on these grounds. It then proposes an alternative model for counter-radicalization based on a Cavellian theorization of democracy as “Emersonian conversation”—comprising the virtues of listening, responsiveness, and a willingness to change on all sides. The article argues that Emersonian conversation provides a more effective basis for future UK counter-radicalization policy.
Paper Meets Plastic: The Perceived Environmental Friendliness of Product Packaging
Authors: Sokolova Tatiana , Krishna Aradhna , Döring Tim
Published: January 2023

Packaging waste makes up more than 10% of the landfilled waste in the United States. While consumers often want to make environmentally friendly product choices, we find that their perceptions of the environmental friendliness of product packaging may systematically deviate from its objective environmental friendliness. Eight studies (N = 4,103) document the perceived environmental friendliness (PEF) bias whereby consumers judge plastic packaging with additional paper to be more environmentally friendly than identical plastic packaging without the paper. The PEF bias is driven by consumers’ “paper = good, plastic = bad” beliefs and by proportional reasoning, wherein packaging with a greater paper-to-plastic proportion is judged as more environmentally friendly. We further show that the PEF bias impacts consumers’ willingness to pay and product choice. Importantly, this bias can be mitigated by a “minimal packaging sticker” intervention, which increases the environmental friendliness perceptions of plastic-only packaging, rendering plastic-packaged products to be preferable to their plastic-plus-paper-packaged counterparts. This research contributes to the packaging literature in marketing and to research on sustainability while offering practical implications for managers and public policy officials.
Fitness Costs Associated With Insecticide Resistance in Populations of Homalodisca vitripennis Germar (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: Brown Dylan J , Redak Richard A
Published: January 2023

The glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), is an important vector of bacterial Xyllela diseases throughout the southern and southwestern portions of the United States. Strong insect control measures, such that population densities of the insect vector are significantly reduced, are often necessary to limit the spread of Xylella fastidiosa. Glassy-winged sharpshooter populations within the Central Valley of California have developed a high resistance to imidacloprid (resistance ratio greater than 3,200) and tolerance to pyrethroids (ratio of less than 10) due to frequent applications of these materials. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential effects of insecticide resistance upon a variety of sharpshooter life history parameters associated with reproductive fitness. Our results indicate that individuals from susceptible populations of glassy-winged sharpshooters exhibited significantly higher fecundity and longer adult lifespans than those from the resistant populations. Additionally, resistant individuals were on average slightly larger than susceptible individuals. These results provide a strong indication that resistance to neonicotinoids imposes a reproductive fitness cost in an insecticide-free environment.
Why reason-based abortion bans are not a remedy against eugenics: an empirical study
Authors: Suter Sonia M
Published: January 2023

In Box v Planned Parenthood, Justice Thomas wrote an impassioned concurrence describing abortions based on sex, disability or race as a form of ‘modern-day eugenics’. He defended the challenged Indiana reason-based abortion (RBA) ban as a necessary antidote to these practices. Inspired by this concurrence, legislatures have increasingly enacted similar bills and statutes allegedly as a prophylactic to ‘eugenics’, its underlying discrimination, and the racial disparities eugenics caused. This article tests my hypothesis that this legislative focus on eugenics is largely performative, rather than evidence of true concern about the discrimination and disparities underlying eugenics. My research examined state laws in several areas that fall within narrow and broad understandings of eugenics to determine whether states with RBA bans have implemented policies to counteract eugenics more broadly. My analysis shows that they generally have not. Instead, the apparent motivation is to commandeer concerns about eugenics to restrict reproductive rights. This legislative mission is hypocritical, and it harms the very groups impacted by the eugenics movements—minorities, women, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and immigrants. Ultimately, it has led us to Dobbs, which makes everyone vulnerable to the eugenics policies Thomas condemns by undercutting previous constitutional protections against eugenics.
Agreement between individual and neighborhood income measures in patients with colorectal cancer in Canada
Authors: Davis Laura E , Mahar Alyson L , Strumpf Erin C
Published: January 2023

Introduction

With increasing interest in income-related differences in cancer outcomes, accurate measurement of income is imperative. Misclassification of income can result in wrong conclusions as to the presence of income inequalities. We determined misclassification between individual- and neighborhood-level income and their association with overall survival among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

Methods

The Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts were used to identify CRC patients diagnosed from 1992 to 2017. We used neighborhood income quintiles from Statistics Canada and created individual income quintiles from the same data sources to be as similar as possible. Agreement between individual and neighborhood income quintiles was measured using cross-tabulations and weighted kappa statistics. Cox proportional hazards and Lin semiparametric hazards models were used to determine the effects of individual and neighborhood income independently and jointly on survival. Analyses were also stratified by rural residence.

Results

A total of 103 530 CRC patients were included in the cohort. There was poor agreement between individual and neighborhood income with only 17% of respondents assigned to the same quintile (weighted kappa = 0.18). Individual income had a greater effect on relative and additive survival than neighborhood income when modeled separately. The interaction between individual and neighborhood income demonstrated that the most at risk for poor survival were those in the lowest individual and neighborhood income quintiles. Misclassification was more likely to occur for patients residing in rural areas.

Conclusion

Cancer researchers should avoid using neighborhood income as a proxy for individual income, especially among patients with cancers with demonstrated inequalities by income.
Associations of Parental Distress and Behavior with School Readiness in Children Born Very Preterm
Authors: Vrantsidis Daphne M , Benkart Rebekah A , Neel Mary Lauren , de Silva Aryanne , Maitre Nathalie L , Taylor H Gerry
Published: January 2023

Objective

Children born very preterm (VPT; gestational age [GA] <31 weeks) have robust school readiness difficulties relative to children born full-term (FT; GA ≥37 weeks). This study examined whether four aspects of parental well-being and behavior—distress, harshness, responsiveness and positive control, and cognitive stimulation—were linked to school readiness in a sample of children born VPT <31 weeks GA and whether these characteristics similarly impact VPT and FT children.

Methods

Parents of 4-year-olds born VPT (n = 55) and FT (n = 38) reported on parental distress, behavior, and cognitive stimulation. Children’s cognition, executive function, motor skills, preacademic abilities, and behavior were assessed via neuropsychological tests and parent-report questionnaires.

Results

For both groups of children, higher psychological distress and harshness were associated with more behavior problems, and more cognitive stimulation was associated with higher scores on tests of cognitive, motor, and preacademic abilities. More parental distress was associated with lower cognitive ability only for children born VPT and more harshness was associated with lower preacademic skills only for children born FT.

Conclusions

Identifying modifiable family factors associated with school readiness in children born VPT is essential for informing family-based interventions to improve school readiness in this population. Findings suggest that distress, harshness, and cognitive stimulation may be reasonable targets for interventions to improve school readiness in children born VPT.
BNT162b2 Against COVID-19-Associated Emergency Department and Urgent Care Visits Among Children 5–11 Years of Age: A Test Negative Design
Authors: Tartof Sara Y , Frankland Timothy B , Puzniak Laura , Slezak Jeff M , Hong Vennis , Takhar Harpreet , Ogun Oluwaseye A , Simmons Sarah , Xie Fagen , Zamparo Joann , Ackerson Bradley K , Jodar Luis , McLaughlin John M
Published: January 2023

In a 1:1 matched test-negative design among 5- to 11-year-olds in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California health system (n = 3984), BNT162b2 effectiveness against the omicron-related emergency department or urgent care encounters was 60% [95%CI: 47−69] <3 months post-dose-two and 28% [8−43] after ≥3 months. A booster improved protection to 77% [53−88].
A multivariate dynamic statistical model of the global carbon budget 1959–2020
Authors: Bennedsen Mikkel , Hillebrand Eric , Koopman Siem Jan
Published: January 2023

We propose a multivariate dynamic statistical model of the global carbon budget (GCB) as represented in the annual data set made available by the Global Carbon Project, covering the sample period 1959–2020. The model connects four main objects of interest: atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, anthropogenic CO2 emissions, the absorption of CO2 by the terrestrial biosphere (land sink), and by the ocean and marine biosphere (ocean sink). The model captures the GCB equation, which states that emissions not absorbed by either land or ocean sinks must remain in the atmosphere and constitute a flow to the stock of atmospheric concentrations. Emissions depend on global economic activity as measured by World Gross Domestic Product while sink activities depend on the level of atmospheric concentrations and the Southern Oscillation Index. We derive the time series properties of atmospheric concentrations from the model, showing that they contain one unit root and a near-second unit root. The statistical system allows for the estimation of key parameters of the global carbon cycle and for the assessment of estimation uncertainty. It also allows for the estimation and the uncertainty assessment of related variables such as the airborne fraction and the sink rate. We provide short-term forecasts of the components of the GCB.
Biased-sample empirical likelihood weighting for missing data problems: an alternative to inverse probability weighting
Authors: Liu Yukun , Fan Yan
Published: January 2023

Inverse probability weighting (IPW) is widely used in many areas when data are subject to unrepresentativeness, missingness, or selection bias. An inevitable challenge with the use of IPW is that the IPW estimator can be remarkably unstable if some probabilities are very close to zero. To overcome this problem, at least three remedies have been developed in the literature: stabilizing, thresholding, and trimming. However, the final estimators are still IPW-type estimators, and inevitably inherit certain weaknesses of the naive IPW estimator: they may still be unstable or biased. We propose a biased-sample empirical likelihood weighting (ELW) method to serve the same general purpose as IPW, while completely overcoming the instability of IPW-type estimators by circumventing the use of inverse probabilities. The ELW weights are always well defined and easy to implement. We show theoretically that the ELW estimator is asymptotically normal and more efficient than the IPW estimator and its stabilized version for missing data problems. Our simulation results and a real data analysis indicate that the ELW estimator is shift-equivariant, nearly unbiased, and usually outperforms the IPW-type estimators in terms of mean square error.
Characteristics, mortality, associated variables with death, and therapeutic response among HIV-positive, solid organ transplant (SOT), and non-HIV-positive/non-transplant (NHNT) patients with cryptococcosis: First multicenter cohort study in Brazil
Authors: Bridi Cavassin Francelise , Vidal Jose Ernesto , Baú-Carneiro João Luiz , Silva de Miranda Godoy Cássia , de Bastos Ascenço Soares Renata , Magri Marcello Mihailenko Chaves , Falci Diego Rodrigues , Sakuma De Oliveira Carla , Verena Almeida Mendes Ana , Breda Giovanni Luís , Rego Caroline Martins , Araujo Félix Maíra , Pacheco Katopodis Paula , da Silva do Ó Julia Raquel , Pereira Lima Abrão Mirela , Taborda Mariane , Teles Teixeira Pereira Talita , Queiroz-Telles Flávio
Published: January 2023

Cryptococcosis is traditionally associated with immunocompromised patients but is increasingly being identified in those without the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other immunocompetent individuals. We aim to describe the characteristics, mortality, and associated variables with death among hospitalized patients with cryptococcosis in Brazil. This is the first multicenter retrospective cohort study conducted in seven public tertiary Brazilian hospitals. A total of 384 patients were included; the median age was 39 years and 283 (73.7%) were men. In all, 304 HIV-positive were hosts (79.2%), 16 (4.2%) solid organ transplant (SOT), and 64 (16.7%) non-HIV-positive/non-transplant (NHNT). Central nervous system (CNS) cryptococcosis had a significantly higher number across disease categories, with 313 cases (81.5%). A total of 271 (70.6%) patients were discharged and 113 (29.4%) died during hospitalization. In-hospital mortality among HIV-positive, SOT, and NHNT was 30.3% (92/304), 12.5% (2/16), and 29.7% (19/64), respectively. Induction therapy with conventional amphotericin B (AMB) mainly in combination with fluconazole (234; 84.2%) was the most used. Only 80 (22.3%) patients received an AMB lipid formulation: liposomal (n = 35) and lipid complex (n = 45). Most patients who died belong to the CNS cryptococcosis category (83/113; 73.4%) when compared with the others (P = .017). Multivariate analysis showed that age and disseminated cryptococcosis had a higher risk of death (odds ratio [OR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.05; P = .008 and OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.01–3.53; P = .048, respectively). Understanding the epidemiology of cryptococcosis in our settings will help to recognize the burden and causes of mortality and identify strategies to improve this scenario.
Relaxed blue ellipticals: accretion-driven stellar growth is a key evolutionary channel for low mass elliptical galaxies
Authors: Lazar I , Kaviraj S , Martin G , Laigle C , Watkins A , Jackson R A
Published: January 2023

How elliptical galaxies form is a key question in observational cosmology. While the formation of massive ellipticals is strongly linked to mergers, the low mass (M⋆/M⊙ < 109.5) regime remains less well explored. In particular, studying elliptical populations when they are blue, and therefore rapidly building stellar mass, offers strong constraints on their formation. Here, we study 108 blue low-mass ellipticals (which have a median stellar mass of 108.7 M⊙) at z < 0.3 in the COSMOS field. Visual inspection of extremely deep optical HSC images indicates that less than 3 per cent of these systems have visible tidal features, a factor of 2 less than the incidence of tidal features in a control sample of galaxies with the same distribution of stellar mass and redshift. This suggests that the star formation activity in these objects is not driven by mergers or interactions but by secular gas accretion. We combine accurate physical parameters from the COSMOS2020 catalogue, with measurements of local density and the locations of galaxies in the cosmic web, to show that our blue ellipticals reside in low-density environments, further away from nodes and large-scale filaments than other galaxies. At similar stellar masses and environments, blue ellipticals outnumber their normal (red) counterparts by a factor of 2. Thus, these systems are likely progenitors of not only normal ellipticals at similar stellar mass but, given their high star formation rates, also of ellipticals at higher stellar masses. Secular gas accretion therefore likely plays a significant (and possibly dominant) role in the stellar assembly of elliptical galaxies in the low-mass regime.
Oxygen depletion in giant planets with different formation histories
Authors: Fonte S , Turrini D , Pacetti E , Schisano E , Molinari S , Polychroni D , Politi R , Changeat Q
Published: January 2023

The atmospheric C/O ratio of exoplanets is widely used to constrain their formation. To guarantee that the C/O ratio provides robust information, we need to accurately quantify the amount of C and O in exoplanetary atmospheres. In the case of O, water and carbon monoxide are generally studied as the two key carriers. However, oxygen is a very reactive element and does not bind only with carbon; depending on the temperature, it also binds to refractory elements. Estimating the amount of oxygen bound to refractory elements is therefore critical for unbiased estimates of the C/O ratio. In this work, we investigate the oxygen deficit due to refractory elements and its effects on the atmospheric C/O ratio of giant exoplanets as a function of their metallicity and equilibrium temperature. We model the composition of planetary atmospheres assuming chemical equilibrium and using as input physically justified elemental mixtures arising from detailed planet formation simulations. Our results show how the interplay between the atmospheric temperature and non-solar abundances of oxygen and refractory elements can sequester large fractions of oxygen, introducing significant biases in evaluating the C/O ratio when this effect is not accounted for. We apply our results to the case of Jupiter in the Solar system and show how the currently estimated water abundance points to a true oxygen abundance that is four times the solar one.
Stochastic processes for pulsar timing noise: fluctuations in the internal and external torques
Authors: Antonelli Marco , Basu Avishek , Haskell Brynmor
Published: January 2023

Young pulsars deviate from a perfectly regular spin-down by two non-deterministic phenomena: impulsive glitches and timing noise. Both phenomena are interesting per se and may provide insights into the superfluid properties of neutron stars, but they also act as a barrier to high-precision pulsar timing and gravitational wave experiments. We study a minimal stochastic model to describe the spin-down of a multicomponent neutron star, with fluctuations in both the internal and external torques. The power spectral density and timing noise strength of this kind of model can be obtained analytically and compared with known results from pulsar timing observational campaigns. In particular, the presence of flat regions of the power spectral density can be interpreted as a signature of the presence of internal superfluid components. We also derive the expected scaling of the timing noise strength with the pulsar’s rotational parameters (or characteristic age). Therefore, the present framework offers a theoretical guideline to interpret the observed features of timing noise in both single pulsars and across the pulsar population.
The vertical structure of the spiral galaxy NGC 3501: first stages of the formation of a thin metal-rich disc
Authors: Sattler Natascha , Pinna Francesca , Neumayer Nadine , Falcón-Barroso Jesus , Martig Marie , Gadotti Dimitri A , van de Ven Glenn , Minchev Ivan
Published: January 2023

We trace the evolution of the edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 3501, making use of its stellar populations extracted from deep integral-field spectroscopy MUSE observations. We present stellar kinematic and population maps, as well as the star formation history, of the south-western half of the galaxy. The derived maps of the stellar line-of-sight velocity and velocity dispersion are quite regular, show disc-like rotation, and no other structural component of the galaxy. However, maps of the stellar populations exhibit structures in the mass-weighted and light-weighted age, total metallicity, and [Mg/Fe] abundance. These maps indicate that NGC 3501 is a young galaxy, consisting mostly of stars with ages between 2 and 8 Gyr. Also, they show a thicker more extended structure that is metal-poor and α-rich, and another inner metal-rich and α-poor one with smaller radial extension. While previous studies revealed that NGC 3501 shows only one morphological disc component in its vertical structure, we divided the galaxy into two regions: an inner metal-rich mid-plane and a metal-poor thicker envelope. Comparing the star formation history of the inner thinner metal-rich disc and the thicker metal-poor disc, we see that the metal-rich component evolved more steadily, while the metal-poor one experienced several bursts of star formation. We propose this spiral galaxy is being observed in an early evolutionary phase, with a thicker disc already in place and an inner thin disc in an early formation stage. So we are probably witnessing the birth of a future massive thin disc, continuously growing embedded in a preexisting thicker disc.
Dust survival rates in clumps passing through the Cas A reverse shock – II. The impact of magnetic fields
Authors: Kirchschlager Florian , Schmidt Franziska D , Barlow M J , De Looze Ilse , Sartorio Nina S
Published: January 2023

Dust grains form in the clumpy ejecta of core-collapse supernovae where they are subject to the reverse shock, which is able to disrupt the clumps and destroy the grains. Important dust destruction processes include thermal and kinetic sputtering as well as fragmentation and grain vaporization. In the present study, we focus on the effect of magnetic fields on the destruction processes. We have performed magnetohydrodynamical simulations using AstroBEAR to model a shock wave interacting with an ejecta clump. The dust transport and destruction fractions are computed using our post-processing code Paperboats, in which the acceleration of grains due to the magnetic field and a procedure that allows partial grain vaporization have been newly implemented. For the oxygen-rich supernova remnant Cassiopeia A, we found a significantly lower dust survival rate when magnetic fields are aligned perpendicular to the shock direction compared to the non-magnetic case. For a parallel field alignment, the destruction is also enhanced but at a lower level. The survival fractions depend sensitively on the gas density contrast between the clump and the ambient medium and on the grain sizes. For a low-density contrast of 100, e.g. 5 nm silicate grains are completely destroyed while the survival fraction of $1\,\mu{\rm m}$ grains is 86 per cent. For a high-density contrast of 1000, 95 per cent of the 5 nm grains survive while the survival fraction of $1\,\mu{\rm m}$ grains is 26 per cent. Alternative clump sizes or dust materials (carbon) have non-negligible effects on the survival rate but have a lower impact compared to density contrast, magnetic field strength, and grain size.
Formation of asymmetric arms in barred galaxies
Authors: Sánchez-Martín P , García-Gómez C , Masdemont J J , Romero-Gómez M
Published: January 2023

We establish a dynamical mechanism to explain the origin of the asymmetry between the arms observed in some barred disc galaxies, where one of the two arms emanating from the bar ends is very well defined, while the second one displays a ragged structure, extending between its ridge and the bar. To this purpose, we study the invariant manifolds associated with the Lyapunov periodic orbits around the unstable equilibrium points at the ends of the bar. Matter from the galaxy centre is transported along these manifolds to the periphery, forming this way the spiral arms that emanate from the bar ends. If the mass distribution in the galaxy centre is not homogeneous, because of an asymmetric bar with one side stronger than the other, or because of a non-centred bulge, the dynamics about the two unstable Lagrange points at the ends of the bar will not be symmetric as well. One of their invariant manifolds becomes more extended than the other, enclosing a smaller section and the escaping orbits on it are fewer and dispersed in a wider region. The result is a weaker arm and more ragged than the one at the other end of the bar.
Disc-halo gas outflows driven by stellar clusters as seen in multiwavelength tracers
Authors: Vasiliev Evgenii O , Drozdov Sergey A , Nath Biman B , Dettmar Ralf-Jürgen , Shchekinov Yuri A
Published: January 2023

We consider the dynamics of and emission from growing superbubbles in a stratified interstellar gaseous disc driven by energy release from supernovae explosions in stellar clusters with masses Mcl = 105 − 1.6 × 106 M⊙. Supernovae are spread randomly within a sphere of rc = 60 pc, and inject energy episodically with a specific rate $1/130~\mathrm{M}_\odot ^{-1}$ proportional to the star formation rate (SFR) in the cluster. Models are run for several values of SFR in the range 0.01 to 0.1 M⊙ yr−1, with the corresponding average surface energy input rate ∼0.04–0.4 erg cm−2 s−1. We find that the discrete energy injection by isolated SNe are more efficient in blowing superbubbles: Asymptotically they reach heights of up to 3 to 16 kpc for Mcl = 105 − 1.6 × 105 M⊙, correspondingly, and stay filled with a hot and dilute plasma for at least 30 Myr. During this time, they emit X-ray, Hα and dust infrared emission. X-ray luminosities LX∝SFR3/5 that we derive here are consistent with observations in star-forming galaxies. Even though dust particles of small sizes a ≤ 0.03 μm are sputtered in the interior of bubbles, larger grains still contribute considerably ensuring the bubble luminosity $L_{\rm IR}/{\rm SFR}\sim 5\times 10^7 \, \mathrm{L}_\odot \, \mathrm{M}_\odot ^{-1} ~{\rm yr}$. It is shown that the origin of the North Polar Spur in the Milky Way can be connected with activity of a cluster with the stellar mass of ∼105 M⊙ and the SFR ∼ 0.1 M⊙ yr−1 some 25–30 Myr ago. Extended luminous haloes observed in edge-on galaxies (NGC 891 as an example) can be maintained by disc spread stellar clusters of smaller masses M* ≲ 105 M⊙.