bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrohydrodynamic Direct‐Writing Fabrication of Microstructure‐Enhanced Microelectrode Arrays for Customized and Curved Physiological Electronics
Authors: Zou Wuhao , Yu Haibo , Lv Xiaofeng , Zhou Peilin , Guo Hongji , Zhong Ya , Liu Lianqing
Published: September 2022

Metal‐based patterned conductors have a key role in flexible and curved micro/nanodevices. However, the fabrication of micro/nanoscale metal‐based electrodes with excellent electrical conductivities and well‐organized flexible/curved polymeric substrates remains a major challenge associated with a posttreatment. In this study, a maskless and direct‐writing method of electrohydrodynamic jet (e‐jet) printing combined with the conventional wet etching process is developed for fabrication of microscale conductive features of microstructure‐enhanced patterned electrodes without high‐temperature treatment. Customized metal‐patterned electrodes and various metal‐patterned electrode arrays are fabricated on a flexible/curved polyethylene terephthalate substrate. In addition, ultraviolet‐curable hierarchical micro/nanostructures can be fabricated by stable cone‐jet and electrospray modes. The results of electrocardiography (ECG) and electromyography signal measurements show that the added microstructures can increase the contact between the metal microelectrodes and skin surface, which yield lower disturbance and baseline drift and enable a stable ECG signal acquisition. Overall, e‐jet printing is a promising mask‐free approach for fabrication of conductive metal patterns for flexible and stretchable devices.
Output and Negative‐Region Characteristics in Organic Anti‐Ambipolar Transistors
Authors: Zhu Junyi , Mori Takehiko
Published: September 2022

Characteristics of anti‐ambipolar transistors (AATs) are perfectly represented by a model of series transistors, and the transistor parameters are extracted from experimentally observed characteristics, where not only the transfer but also the output characteristics follow the square dependence derived from the saturated region. The consistency of the observed and calculated results demonstrates carriers are all recombined in the lateral p–n junction region. The transfer curve has a characteristic sharp peak, but when there is an overlapped region (Vthh > Vthe), the peak is rounded because both transistors are operated in the linear regions. In such a case, a nonzero current appears even at negative VD accompanied by a constant ID region at large negative VD. This study offers a quantitative analysis of organic AATs depending on the different operation regions.
Resistive Switching in Ag2Te Semiconductor Modulated by Ag+‐Ion Diffusion and Phase Transition
Authors: Guo Anan , Bai Hui , Liang Qi , Feng Liping , Su Xianli , Van Tendeloo Gustaaf , Wu Jinsong
Published: September 2022

Memristors are considered to be the fourth circuit element and have great potential in areas like logic operations, information storage, and neuromorphic computing. The functional material in a memristor, which has a nonlinear resistance, is the key component to be developed. Herein, resistive switching is demonstrated and the structural evolutions in Ag2Te are examined under an external electric field. It is shown that the electroresistance effect is originating from an electronically triggered phase transition together with directional Ag+‐ion diffusion. Using in situ transmission electron microscopy, the phase transition from the monoclinic α‐Ag2Te into the face‐centered cubic b‐Ag2Te, accompanied by a change in resistance, is directly observed. Diffusion of Ag+‐ions modulates the localized density of Ag+‐ion vacancies, leading to a change in electrical conductivity and influences the threshold voltage to trigger the phase transition. During the electric field‐driven phase transition, the spontaneous and localized multiple polarizations from the low‐symmetry α‐Ag2Te (referring to an antiferroelectric structure) are vanishing in the cubic b‐Ag2Te (referring to a paraelectric structure). The abrupt resistance change of thin Ag2Te caused by the phase transition and modulated by the applied electric field demonstrates its great potential as functional material in volatile memory and memristors with a low‐energy consumption.
Elasticities of substitution between marketing and farm inputs in a complete system of food commodities
Authors: Lee Youhong , Li Qingxiao , Çakır Metin
Published: September 2022

The elasticities of substitution between marketing and farm inputs are important for modeling the shape of derived demand and understanding the market structure in the food market. Wohlgenant develops a theoretical framework and finds significant substitution between marketing and farm inputs. The estimates in Wohlgenant have been widely used in economic studies on the US food market, and in this paper, we replicate the results, perform robustness checks, and update the estimates using recent data. Despite minor discrepancies, we are able to replicate most of the results in Wohlgenant and maintain robust estimates when we apply ridge regression. Using updated data, we calculate new estimates of the elasticities and find that marketing firms have become less competitive. We discuss important market trends in recent years and highlight potential venues for future research.
Counteracting dishonesty strategies: A field experiment in life insurance underwriting
Authors: Christodoulou Demetris , Samuell Doron , Slonim Robert , Tausch Franziska
Published: September 2022

Individuals often face financial incentives that challenge their desire to behave honestly. Strategically making excuses to justify dishonesty allows them to give in to the temptation of financial benefit and retain their moral self‐image. In the context of insurance underwriting, the stakes are high, as providing false information or redacting information allows customers to reduce premiums. This is particularly true for smoking disclosures that carry great weight in life insurance. We conduct a field study with a large insurance company with the aim of neutralizing justification strategies that individuals deploy for reducing the costs of dishonest smoking disclosures to insurers. First, we raise awareness of the negative consequences dishonesty could have on other policy holders to counteract that individuals could attenuate or ignore such adverse consequences. Second, we make salient the pro‐social efforts of the insurer to work against a potentially negative perception of the insurance industry that may feed the excuse of insurance companies being deserving of harm. The study presents field evidence that messages containing information about the social consequences of one's actions or the pro‐social behavior of a second party can influence normative behavior, particularly honesty.
The achievement gap: The impact of between‐class attainment grouping on pupil attainment and educational equity over time
Authors: Hodgen Jeremy , Taylor Becky , Francis Becky , Craig Nicole , Bretscher Nicola , Tereshchenko Antonina , Connolly Paul , Mazenod Anna
Published: September 2022

Despite extensive research on attainment grouping, the impact of attainment grouping on pupil attainment remains poorly understood and contested. This paper presents evidence from a study conducted with 2944 12–13 year olds, from 76 schools in England, who were allocated to between‐class attainment groups (‘setting’) in English and mathematics over the first 2 years of secondary schooling. After controlling for prior attainment, pupils in the top set performed significantly better than pupils in the middle and bottom sets in both English and mathematics. The findings indicate a widening gap in attainment, especially in the case of English. Findings, especially in the case of mathematics, provide more evidence of a relative benefit for pupils placed in top sets than a relative detriment for those in bottom sets.
Association of increased pain intensity, daytime sleepiness, poor sleep quality, and quality of life with mobile phone overuse in patients with migraine: A multicenter, cross‐sectional comparative study
Authors: Butt Mehwish , Chavarria Yeny , Ninmol Jesse , Arif Aabiya , Tebha Sameer Saleem , Daniyal Muhammad , Siddiqui Umesa Mazhar , Shams Syeda Samia , Sarfaraz Qubra , Haider Syeda Fatima , Essar Mohammad Yasir
Published: September 2022

Background: The number of regular smartphone users has increased dramatically worldwide. Headaches, followed by sleep difficulties, forgetfulness, dizziness, and other ailments, are among the most prevalent complaints among smartphone users during or after use. In addition, migraine is a debilitating disease and is the world's second leading cause of disability. Hence, we performed this study to determine how smartphone overuse influenced migraine patients' level of disability, pain intensity, sleep quality, and overall quality of life.

Methods: In this observational study, the patients were divided into two groups high mobile phone use group (HMPUG) and the low mobile phone user group (LMPUG) using the Mobile Phone Problematic Use Scale. We assessed, for each group, patients’ level of disability, pain intensity, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life through the Migraine Disability Assessment Scale, Visual Analogue Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and 24‐h Migraine Quality of Life Questionnaire, respectively.

Results: Our study showed that the respondents' average age was  27.59 (9.79) years. The average number of family members was 5.98 (2.3251). A total of 65.8% (n = 263) of the 400 participants were female, while 34.3 % (n = 137) were male. Greater pain intensity, poor sleep quality, and reduced medication effectivity were found in HMPUG compared to LMPUG (p < .05). However, increased duration of migraine and medication intake was reported in the LMPUG (p < .05).

Conclusion: We observed that smartphone overuse could worsen pain, sleep, and reduce treatment efficacy in individuals with migraine. Therefore, controlled smartphone use is recommended to avoid worsening symptoms.
Effects of the different periods and magnitude of COVID‐19 infection spread on cancer operations: Interrupted time series analysis of medical claims data
Authors: Kashiwagura Natsue , Motoi Fuyuhiko , Cooray Upul , Fukase Ryu , Katayama Yukiko , Osaka Ken , Murakami Masayasu , Ikeda Takaaki
Published: September 2022

Background

No clear evidence exists regarding the effects of the different periods and magnitude of spread of the COVID‐19 infection on cancer treatments. This study investigated the effects of the different periods and magnitude of COVID‐19 infection spread on in‐hospital cancer operations.

Methods

Medical claims data from 17 hospitals where in‐hospital operations for patients with malignant neoplasms were performed between 1 April 2017 and 31 March 2021 in Yamagata were extracted and analyzed. The critical time points as exposure used to evaluate the impact of different COVID‐19 infection spread periods on cancer operations were (1) April 2020 (emergency declaration introduced by the government) and (2) December 2020 (the second wave). From April to November 2020 and December 2020 to March 21, the number of confirmed COVID‐19 cases was 130 and 840, respectively. The 17 hospitals were classified into intervention or control groups based on whether in‐hospital treatments for patients with COVID‐19 were provided.

Results

The interrupted time series analysis reported that the difference in the trend of pre‐COVID‐19 and postsecond wave (March 2020 to December 2020) periods was statistically significant between groups, with 50.67 fewer operations (95% confidence interval [CI] = 12.19–89.15) performed per month in the intervention group compared with the control group. Moreover, the immediate change in the number of operations in April 2020 (beginning of the first wave) was statistically significant between groups, with 80.14 operations (95% CI = 39.62–120.67) less immediately after the first wave in the intervention group compared with the control group.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that a statement of emergency by the government and the COVID‐19 infection spread are both associated with the number of cancer operations performed in the Yamagata prefecture during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Patterns of homicide in Sfax, Tunisia: A 9‐year cohort study (2011–2019)
Authors: Wiem Ben Amar , Hela Siala , Malek Zribi , Narjes Karray , Zouhir Hammami , Samir Maatoug
Published: September 2022

Introduction

In Tunisia, since the January 2011 revolution, there has been considerable media interest in violence, particularly homicides. A popular perspective is, aside from any politically motivated killings, of a rise in homicides from year to year. In the absence of Tunisian national homicide statistics, a more accurate picture may be obtainable from area pathologist records.

Aims

To examine annual homicide rates from post‐mortem data for the second largest administrative area of Tunisia, Sfax, with a mixed urban‐rural population of about one million people.

Methods

All victims of common law homicide for the region are taken to the forensic department of one hospital in Sfax. We conducted a retrospective and descriptive study of all such cases of homicide for the 9 year period from the date of the fall of the Tunisian government in 14 January 2011 to 31 December 2019 and linked these data to those from earlier studies in the same department.

Results

One hundred and nine victims of unlawful homicide were identified during this nine year period, with an average of 12 cases per year and a peak of 17 cases in 2016, yielding a broadly consistent rate of 1.2 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants and no consistent pattern in fluctuations. Just over two‐thirds of the victims were men. Mean age of victims was 34.85 years (range 8–90 years). Just under half were married (45%); largest employment groups were of low‐paid casual workers (40%) or unemployed (28%). One third of the killings had taken place in a private residence, with interpersonal conflict given as the largest explanatory category; over one quarter were intra‐familial and 14% between intimate partners. There was some seasonal variation, with nearly two‐thirds of homicides occurring in the spring and summer months.

Conclusion

Contrary to press hype, we found no evidence of rising homicide rates in Southern Tunisia, although this does represent a different picture from that in the north of the country. The seasonal variation would merit further exploration as it raises questions around impact of fluctuations in mental health.
Self‐supporting Nickel Phosphide/ Hydroxides Hybrid Nanosheet Array as Superior Bifunctional Electrode for Urea‐Assisted Hydrogen Production
Authors: Li Kaixun , Tong Yun
Published: September 2022

Urea oxidation reaction (UOR) is an important strategy to synergistically realize energy‐saving hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and urea‐rich wastewater purification by replacing water oxidation in water electrolysis. However, the efficient realization of integral urea electrolysis remains challenging. Herein, a self‐supporting Ni2P−Ni(OH)2 hybrid nanosheet array on nickel foam (Ni2P@Ni(OH)2/NF) is designed by a simple hydrothermal accompanied by electrodeposition strategy, representing a new class of bifunctional electrodes for urea‐assisted water electrolysis. The Ni2P@Ni(OH)2/NF reaches the current density of 100 mA cm−2 at potentials of −0.16 V and 1.388 V, along with small Tafel slopes of 69 mV dec−1 and 33 mV dec−1 for HER/UOR, respectively. For the HER||UOR coupled system, the constructed electrolyzer only needs 1.38 V to realize the current density of 100 mA cm−2 under 80 °C. The superior bifunctional activity of the Ni2P@Ni(OH)2/NF electrode is ascribed to the combined merits of the Ni2P@Ni(OH)2 heterostructure, enriching the catalytic active sites and offering a faster charge transfer process for electrolysis. Our work provides important insights into the design of highly active bifunctional catalysts from the perspective of overall water electrolysis.
A PDE‐regularized smoothing method for space–time data over manifolds with application to medical data
Authors: Ponti Luca , Perotto Simona , Sangalli Laura M.
Published: September 2022

We propose an innovative statistical‐numerical method to model spatio‐temporal data, observed over a generic two‐dimensional Riemanian manifold. The proposed approach consists of a regression model completed with a regularizing term based on the heat equation. The model is discretized through a finite element scheme set on the manifold, and solved by resorting to a fixed point‐based iterative algorithm. This choice leads to a procedure which is highly efficient when compared with a monolithic approach, and which allows us to deal with massive datasets. After a preliminary assessment on simulation study cases, we investigate the performance of the new estimation tool in practical contexts, by dealing with neuroimaging and hemodynamic data.
Including visual representations within senior high school biology assessment: Considerations of grammatical complexity
Authors: Fenwick Lisl , Unsworth Len
Published: September 2022

This paper analyses the opportunities for presenting knowledge that are created when assessment allows senior high school biology students to draw on linguistic and visual resources when constructing meaning in response to short‐answer examination‐style questions requiring a sequential explanation. Students within one senior high school biology class were given the opportunity to respond to an examination‐style question through both written and visual representations. Analysis of the student responses for high and middle‐achieving students, from a systemic functional linguistics perspective, indicates that high‐achieving students use a broader range of grammatical forms more often than middle‐achieving students to present key understandings of classification and composition within both written and visual representations. Including opportunities within assessment for students to express knowledge through written and visual representations allows for students to elaborate within their short‐answer responses and to construct the broader range of representations that is valued within the discipline, but explicit guidance is required to support all students to make use of the complex grammatical patterns within written and visual representation. For senior high school biology students to be successful in the final stages of schooling, explicitness about the complex grammars of visual and written representations is required within curriculum and pedagogy.
Towards the scalability comparison of the Jool implementation of the 464XLAT and of the MAP‐T IPv4aaS technologies
Authors: Lencse Gábor , Nagy Norbert
Published: September 2022

464XLAT and MAP‐T are both IPv4‐as‐a‐Service technologies aiming to provide IPv4 service to the customers, while ISPs use only IPv6 in their access and core networks. The ISPs need to consider several different aspects, like scalability, compatibility with the applications, and efficiency of public IPv4 address sharing, when selecting the most appropriate IPv4aaS technology for their specific application scenario. The aim of our current effort is to make an initial step towards the comparison of the scalability of the 464XLAT and of the MAP‐T IPv4aaS technologies. We point out the gap between the most desirable measurement method and the available testing tools. We measure the scale‐up of the performance of the Jool implementation of 464XLAT and MAP‐T as a function of the number of active CPU cores up to 16 cores using an available testing tool called dns64perf++. We fully disclose our detailed measurement setup and our results, as well as the analysis of our results pointing out the bottleneck during the measurements. We also outline the directions of our future research
Difficult conversations — turning dread to joy!
Authors: Freebairn‐Smith Laura
Published: September 2022

In the last column, I wrote about clearing your plate for more purpose‐ driven work. I shared the “4 Ds” (do, delegate, delay, drop) and a few key questions to help manage workload coming in from other people.
Build a resilient team to help your office thrive
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: September 2022

Working together for about 10 years, Kris Anderson, Heather Pearson, and Heather Kretz experienced professional triumphs and failures. Within their team, there were also marriages, deaths, and many other events that impacted team members in positive and negative ways.
Non‐native grazers affect physiological and demographic responses of greater sage‐grouse
Authors: Behnke Tessa , Street Phillip , Davies Scott , Ouyang Jenny Q. , Sedinger James S.
Published: September 2022

Non‐native ungulate grazing has negatively impacted native species across the globe, leading to massive loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Despite their pervasiveness, interactions between non‐native grazers and native species are not fully understood. We often observe declines in demography or survival of these native species, but lack understanding about the mechanisms underlying these declines. Physiological stress represents one mechanism of (mal)adaptation, but data are sparse. We investigated glucocorticoid levels in a native avian herbivore exposed to different intensities of non‐native grazing in the cold desert Great Basin ecosystem, USA. We measured corticosterone, a glucocorticoid in feathers for a large sample (n = 280) of female greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from three study areas in Northern Nevada and Southern Oregon with different grazing regimes of livestock and feral horses. We found that greater feral horse density was associated with higher corticosterone levels, and this effect was exacerbated by drought conditions. Livestock grazing produced similar results; however, there was more model uncertainty about the livestock effect. Subsequent nesting success was lower with increased feather corticosterone, but corticosterone levels were not predictive of other vital rates. Our results indicate a physiological response by sage‐grouse to grazing pressure from non‐native grazers. We found substantial among‐individual variation in the strength of the response. These adverse effects were intensified during unfavorable weather events, highlighting the need to reevaluate management strategies in the face of climate change.
Feeding strategy and dietary preference shape the microbiome of epipelagic copepods in a warm nutrient‐impoverished ecosystem
Authors: Velasquez Ximena , Morov Arseniy R. , Belkin Natalia , Kurt Tuba Terbiyik , Rubin‐Blum Maxim , Tchernov Dan , Meron Dalit , Guy‐Haim Tamar
Published: September 2022

Copepods provide a rich organic microenvironment allowing the settlement and proliferation of microorganisms, forming dynamic microbial hotspots in the oceans. Such symbiotic associations in the plankton were previously hypothesized to be especially developed in warm oligotrophic seas, as they may serve as alternative sources of nutrients in biologically poor waters. Aiming to better understand how copepod microbiomes are shaped in an oligotrophic sea, we characterized microbiota associated with three dominant coastal epipelagic copepod species in the ultra‐oligotrophic Eastern Mediterranean Sea using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Our results show that copepod‐associated microbial communities were host‐specific rather than determined by seasonal environmental changes. In the filter‐feeding copepod with a tendency to herbivory, Temora stylifera, microbial diversity was low and relatively stable throughout the year. In contrast, omnivorous copepods, the ambush‐feeding Oithona nana, and the mixed‐feeding Centropages ponticus harbored more diverse microbiomes dominated by transient taxa. We suggest that filter‐feeding strategy and narrow food spectrum can limit copepod–microbe interactions, while the ambush and mixed feeding strategies combined with omnivory confer higher microbial diversity. Filter feeders may reduce the recruitment of opportunistic microbes by maintaining high fidelity associations, as indicated by the large number of core taxa in T. stylifera. We underline the importance of the copepod–microbe associations in nutrient‐impoverished ecosystems, based on predicted enrichment of nitrogen metabolism in the core microbiome, mostly during summer when the shallow coastal waters are nitrogen‐depleted.
Reverse cardiac remodelling and dysfunction in A97S transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis after tafamidis treatment
Authors: Wu Yuan‐Kun (Aden) , Tsai Cheng‐Hsuan , Su Mao‐Yuan , Chao Chi‐Chao , Cheng Mei‐Fang , Shun Chia‐Tung , Hsieh Sung‐Tsang , Lin Yen‐Hung
Published: September 2022

Transthyretin cardiomyopathy (ATTR‐CM) is an under‐recognized cause of heart failure, but it has received increasing attention due to the availability of treatment options. We present a case of hereditary transthyretin cardiomyopathy (A97S, an under‐represented variant in current clinical studies) who presented with heart failure. Timely diagnosis and intervention with tafamidis demonstrated reversed cardiac remodelling via multiple imaging techniques (echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and technetium‐99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy). The echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated improved global strain. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed decreased extracellular volume. The technetium‐99m pyrophosphate scintigraphy demonstrated decreased heart‐to‐contralateral ratio. This case highlights the potential reversible effect of tafamidis on A97S amyloidosis cardiomyopathy.
Optimization of Edge Quality in the Slot‐Die Coating Process of High‐Capacity Lithium‐Ion Battery Electrodes
Authors: Spiegel Sandro , Hoffmann Alexander , Klemens Julian , Scharfer Philip , Schabel Wilhelm
Published: September 2022

Understanding and reducing edge elevations at the lateral edges are crucial aspects to reduce reject rates during electrode production for lithium‐ion batteries (LIB). Herein, different process conditions to reduce edge elevations at the lateral edges of water‐based, shear‐thinning coatings in the production of LIB electrodes are presented. The reduction of edge elevations is transferred from state‐of‐the‐art electrodes to high‐capacity electrodes. The developed process configuration greatly reduces reject caused by cutting off the edge areas in the industrial roll‐to‐roll process for electrode production. Compared with state‐of‐the art electrodes, the reject rate for high‐capacity electrode production is significantly higher because the edge geometry in crossweb direction of the electrodes is wider. An optimization can be achieved by a combined adjustment of the coating gap and the slot‐die angle to the substrate (angle of attack) to affect the pressure field in the coating bead. Therefore, a systematic investigation and optimization of these process parameters are presented. In addition, the investigation of the process stability of the coating is required. Based on this optimization, a reduction of edge elevations for high‐capacity electrode coatings (5 mAh cm−2) of 69% and ultrathick high‐capacity electrode coatings (7 mAh cm−2) of 48% is possible.
Method to describe the distribution of wind velocity and its application in wind resource evaluation
Authors: Zhou Hai , Hu Siyu , Wu Ji , Qin Fang , Li Dengxuan , Wei Haikun
Published: September 2022

A convenient and effective method based on vector analysis was proposed in this paper to quantitatively describe the pattern of the wind speed distribution curve. This method can accurately describe the steepness of the single‐peak curve by using two parameters of concentration degree (CD) and concentration period (CP). Through the analysis of wind speed data in China over the past 40 years, this paper found that regional wind resources with larger CD were poorer, while regional wind resources with larger CP were richer. In addition, there were obvious cubic relationships between the CP and the average wind power density. These two parameters could reflect the richness of wind energy and realize the comparisons of wind resources across time and scales. In comparison with conventional approaches, this method is simpler and avoids fitting process, which has broad promotion prospects in the field of power grids.
Linking uplift, erosion, and sedimentation using landscape evolution models: Madagascar since the Late Cretaceous
Authors: Jiao Ruohong , Braun Jean , Delaunay Antoine , Robin Cécile , Guillocheau François
Published: September 2022

We present a study to estimate the large‐scale landscape history of a continental margin, by establishing a source‐to‐sink volume balance between the eroding onshore areas and the offshore basins. Assuming erosion as the primary process for sediment production, we strive to constrain a numerical model of landscape evolution that balances the volumes of eroded materials from the continent and that deposited in the corresponding basins, with a ratio imposed for loss of erosion products. We use this approach to investigate the landscape history of Madagascar since the Late Cretaceous. The uplift history prescribed in the model is inferred from elevations of planation surfaces formed at various ages. By fitting the volumes of terrigenous sediments in the Morondava Basin along the west coast and the current elevation of the island, the landscape evolution model is optimized by constraining the erosion law parameters and ratios of sediment loss. The results include a best‐fit landscape evolution model, which features two major periods of uplift and erosion during the Late Cretaceous and the middle to late Cenozoic. The model supports suggestions from previous studies that most of the high topography of the island was constructed since the middle to late Miocene, and on the central plateau the erosion has not reached an equilibrium with the high uplift rates in the late Cenozoic. Our models also indicate that over the geological time scale a significant portion of materials eroded from Madagascar was not archived in the offshore basin, possibly consumed by chemical weathering, the intensity of which might have varied with climate.
Two stage, hybrid endovascular and open surgical approach to treat difficult carotid body tumors
Authors: Fink‐Josephi Gustavo , Hurtado‐López Luis Mauricio , Hernández‐Valencia Aldo Francisco , Higuera‐Calleja Jesús Antonio , Guerrero‐Avendaño Guadalupe
Published: September 2022

Objective

Present the feasibility, applicability, clinical effectiveness, and results of complicated Shamblin II or III carotid body tumors treated with a two‐stage hybrid surgical approach.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective, observational, cross‐sectional, descriptive study of the successful treatment of 16 cases of difficult Shamblin II or III carotid body tumors, consisting of a two‐stage surgical approach. We conducted a retrospective, observational, cross‐sectional, descriptive study of a series of patients with complicated Shamblin II or III carotid body tumors, which we treated with a two‐stage hybrid surgical procedure, in which we first placed a carotid endoprosthesis and 45 days later performed surgical resection of the tumor, following our originally published technique. This study was conducted from February, 2007 to November, 2019, in a third level care centre.

Results

We treated 16 patients with a mean age of 50.5 years. All resided at more than 2000 meters above sea level. In all 16 a complete resection was performed. The average duration of surgery was 103.9 min, the average intraoperative bleeding was 69 ml. There were three cases of neuropraxia. The ansa cervicalis nerve had to be sectioned in three cases and there was permanent upper laryngeal nerve injury in two cases. There were no permanent cerebrovascular injuries from placement of the endoprostheses. One patient developed transient cerebral ischaemia (TIA) with no long‐term sequelae. There were two cases of asymptomatic late occlusion of the endoprostheses. The average initial volume of the tumors was 54.4 cc. The average tumor volume 35 days after implant of the endoprosthesis was 30.9 cc.

Symptoms

Presence of tumors in the neck in all cases and two cases of dysphagia.

Conclusion

This two‐stage hybrid technique allowed for the complete resection of difficult Shamblin II or III carotid body tumors, with one case of TIA and two with permanent upper laryngeal nerve injuries and without mortality.
Low postoperative lymphocyte count increases risk of progression in human papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Yin Linda X. , Routman David M. , Day Courtney N. , Harmsen William S. , Haller Travis , Bartemes Kathleen , Price Daniel L. , Moore Eric J. , Foote Robert L. , Neben‐Wittich Michelle , Chintakuntlawar Ashish V. , Ma Daniel J. , Price Katharine A. , Van Abel Kathryn M.
Published: September 2022

Background

We aim to explore the prognostic role of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) before, during, and after treatment on oncologic outcomes in human papillomavirus associated oropharyngeal cancer (HPV(+)OPSCC).

Methods

Retrospective cohort at a tertiary center, 2006–2018. Multivariable Cox regressions were used to determine the effect of ALC on risk of progression. Univariate linear regression was performed to determine clinical factors associated with lower ALC.

Results

All 197 patients underwent primary surgery. Mean (SD) ALC nadirs (×109 cells/L) were: baseline (N = 149): 1.69 (0.56); postoperative (N = 126): 1.58 (0.59); post‐RT (N = 141): 0.68 (0.35) and long‐term (N = 105): 0.88 (0.37). Lower baseline ALC nadir was associated with worse overall survival (HR 3.85, 95%CI: 1.03–14.29, p = 0.04). Lower postoperative ALC nadir was associated with higher risk of progression (HR 2.63, 95%CI: 1.04–6.67, p = 0.04).

Conclusions

Lower baseline ALC is associated with worse survival, whereas lower postoperative ALC is associated with increased risk of progression in surgically treated HPV(+)OPSCC.

Level of Evidence

3
From fears to recession? Time‐frequency risk contagion among stock and credit default swap markets during the COVID pandemic
Authors: Zhai Pengxiang , Wu Fei , Ji Qiang , Nguyen Duc Khuong
Published: September 2022

This study uses a high‐dimensional time‐frequency volatility spillover model to examine risk interactions across 32 global stock and credit default swap (CDS) markets during the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic. Our empirical results mainly show that cross‐market risk spillovers between these two types of markets are rare over the whole crisis period. Adding CDS assets to the stock portfolio would significantly decrease the overall risk spillovers in the mixed portfolio. Then, the time‐frequency spillover and rolling window analyses confirm this finding and provide further evidence of frequency heterogeneity of risk spillovers during the pandemic. The outbreak of the COVID pandemic only sharply increases short‐term risk spillovers between the stock and sovereign CDS market but exerts insignificant impacts on the medium and long‐term cross‐market risk spillovers. Moreover, our results show that developed countries are net transmitters in the stock markets. In contrast, the emerging markets account for the most risk spillovers in sovereign CDS markets over the sample period, emphasizing the heterogenous adverse impacts of the pandemic across various countries and markets. Finally, we find that bailouts implemented by the US and EU central banks, though with heterogeneous impacts across frequencies, gradually enhance the confidence and resilience of investors in these markets.
Dynamic growth changes in fetal growth restriction using serial ultrasonographic biometry and umbilical artery doppler: The multicenter PORTO study
Authors: Cody Fiona , Unterscheider Julia , Daly Sean , Geary Michael , Kennelly Mairead , McAuliffe Fionnuala , Morrison John , O'Donoghue Keelin , Hunter Alyson , Dicker Patrick , Tully Elizabeth , Fhearaigh Rachel , Malone Fergal ,   for the Perinatal Ireland Research Consortium
Published: September 2022

Objective

To describe the growth dynamics of fetuses with initial fetal growth restriction (FGR) later outgrowing the 10th centile for estimated fetal weight with respect to perinatal outcomes and maternal factors.

Methods

A multicenter prospective study recruited 1116 patients for ultrasound surveillance between 2010 and 2012. All pregnancies were growth‐restricted singleton gestations between 24 + 0 and 36 + 0 weeks. Biometry and Doppler analysis were carried out, and delivery and adverse perinatal outcomes were recorded.

Results

A total of 193 (17%) fetuses outgrew their diagnosis of initial FGR (surpassed the 10th centile) on their last sonogram before delivery. These fetuses were termed “growers,” to compare with the true FGR group. The mothers of “growers” were less likely to be smokers (14% vs 25%, P = 0.0001) or affected by hypertensive pregnancy complications (5.2% vs 15%, P = 0.001). Of the growers, 49 (25%) had an abnormal umbilical artery Doppler; however, in most cases (33/49, 67%), this was a single episode of raised umbilical artery pulsatility index, which subsequently normalized.

Conclusion

There were dynamic growth changes in FGR fetuses, with 17% outgrowing their original diagnosis. Positive growth spurts more commonly occurred in healthy mothers. Once a fetus had outgrown the 10th centile, antenatal surveillance could be decreased.
On closed‐shell interactions between heavy main‐group elements
Authors: Kloo Lars
Published: September 2022

A series of di‐ and polymetal complexes involving closed‐shell, heavy main‐group atoms and ions shows a selection of special physical properties. These involve short metal–metal contacts, low entropies of formation and, most interestingly, strong Raman bands at low wavenumbers. These results together with the constitution of the coordination compounds, where the majority of electrons are assembled on the highly polarizable metal atoms and ions, experimental results have been interpreted in terms of direct, partial covalent metal–metal bonding. Previous theoretical studies have challenged this view and instead attributed the obvious attractive forces involved to secondary‐type of interactions, such as dispersion. This study utilizes a multitude of theoretical tools, such as natural bond order (NBO) and natural energy decomposition analysis (NEDA), non‐covalent interaction (NCI) analysis, electron localization functions (ELFs), and atoms‐in‐molecules (AIM) to characterize the interactions in models comprising closed‐shell dimers, as well as experimentally studied ring and cage systems constituting the main reason for the hypotheses on metal–metal interactions. The results show that all experimental results can be attributed to the covalent interactions between the electron‐rich, metal centers and the bridging anions in ring and cage coordination compounds of high symmetry, where the experimentally observed effects can be traced to the combination of covalent interactions between the metal centers and the anions along the edges of the ring and cage systems in combination with the cooperative effects generated by the high symmetry of these ring and cage systems.
Ultrasound features and preoperative accuracy of the fine needle aspiration biopsy in detection of thyroid carcinomas
Authors: Makazlieva Tanja , Stoilovska Rizova Bojana , Stojanoski Sinisa , Manevska Nevena , Vaskova Olivija , Velikj Stefanovska Vesna , Miladinova Daniela
Published: September 2022

Objective

To analyze the ultrasound (US) characteristics and fine needle biopsy (FNAB) of thyroid carcinomas (TCs) prior to surgery and compare with postoperative histopathology and to determine FNAB sensitivity and specificity.

Material and Methods

Retrospective analysis of the US data during 1999–2015 was performed, as well as analysis of FNAB results and using histopathology report as “gold standard” the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of this method was evaluated.

Results

Data revealed that tumors >51 mm were declining by 50% in the period 2011–2015 compared to 2005–2010 or by 18% 2011–2015 compared to 1999–2004 and significant increase was detected in diagnosis of multicentric tumors. The analysis revealed that FNAB has sensitivity = 65.7% CI (0.59% ‐ 0.71%) and specificity = 50% CI (0.43%–0.56%), PPV = 56.9% and NPV = 59.2%.

Conclusion

We found increasing detection of smaller TCs, as well as more frequent detection of multicentricity of the neoplastic foci. FNAB results in our study revealed low sensitivity and specificity. Major limitation of the study was inability to exactly separate US guided from non US guided FNAB in evaluation of the sensitivity and specificity, due to retrospective nature of the analysis. Further studies evaluating only US guided FNAB should be performed.
Aversive memory reactivation: A possible role for delta oscillations in the hippocampus–amygdala circuit
Authors: Couto Pereira Natividade de Sá , Klippel Zanona Querusche , Pastore Bernardi Marcelo , Alves Joelma , Dalmaz Carla , Calcagnotto Maria Elisa
Published: September 2022

Memory labilization, the process by which memories become susceptible to update, is essential for memory reconsolidation and has been a target for novel therapies for traumatic memory‐associated disorders. Maternal separation (MS) in male rats produced memories resistant to labilization in adulthood. Based on previous results, we hypothesized that temporal desynchronization between the dorsal hippocampus (DHc) and the basolateral amygdala (BLA), during memory retrieval, could be responsible for this impairment. Our goal was to investigate possible differences in oscillatory activity and synchrony between the DHc and BLA during fear memory reactivation, between MS and non‐handled (NH) rats. We used male adult Wistar rats, NH or MS, with electrodes for local field potential (LFP) recordings implanted in the DHc and BLA. Animals were submitted to aversive memory reactivation by exposure to the conditioned context (Reat) or to pseudo‐reactivation in a neutral context (pReat), and LFP was recorded. Plasticity markers linked to reconsolidation were evaluated one hour after reactivation. The power of delta oscillations and DHc‐BLA synchrony in Reat animals was increased, during freezing. Besides, delta modulation of gamma oscillations amplitude in the BLA was associated with the increase in DHc Zif268 levels, an immediate early gene specifically associated with reconsolidation. Concerning early life stress, we found lower power of delta and strength of delta‐gamma oscillations coupling in MS rats, compared to NH, which could explain the low Zif268 levels in a subgroup of MS animals. These results suggest a role for delta oscillations in memory reactivation that should be further investigated.
Long‐term survival following fungal catheter‐related bloodstream infection for patients with intestinal failure receiving home parenteral support
Authors: Bond Ashley , Kopczynska Maja , Conley Thomas , Teubner Antje , Taylor Michael , Abraham Arun , Pironi Loris , Lal Simon
Published: September 2022

Background

A fungal‐related catheter‐related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) is less frequent than those induced by bacteria. In the past, a single episode of fungal CRBSI has been used as a marker of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) failure and thus a possible indication for intestinal transplantation.

Methods

Survival outcomes were assessed from a prospectively maintained database of patients initiated on HPN for underlying chronic intestinal failure between 1993 and 2018, with a censoring date of December 31, 2020. Cox regression was performed to assess predictors of mortality with univariable and multivariable analysis.

Results

A total of 1008 patients were included in the study, with a total of 1 364 595 catheter days. There were 513 CRBSI events recorded in 262 patients, equating to a CRBSI rate of 0.38/1000 catheter days. A total of 38/262 (14.5%) patients had at least one episode of fungal CRBSI, whereas 216/262 (82.4%) had at least one bacterial but no fungal CRBSI. The median time between HPN initiation and the first CRBSI episode was 20.6 months (95% confidence interval, 16.5–24.1). Episodes of fungal or bacterial CRBSI and the number of CRBSI episodes were not associated with increased mortality. Overall, 15 CRBSI‐related deaths were observed in the observation period (0.01 CRBSI deaths/1000 catheter days), two of these were fungal in origin.

Conclusion

The occurrence of a fungal CRBSI does not increase the risk of death compared with patients who have bacterial CRBSI or those without a CRBSI event.
Evolution and adoption of contributor role ontologies and taxonomies
Authors: Hosseini Mohammad , Colomb Julien , Holcombe Alex O. , Kern Barbara , Vasilevsky Nicole A. , Holmes Kristi L.
Published: September 2022

Contributor Role Ontologies and Taxonomies (CROTs) are standard vocabularies to describe individual contributions to a scholarly project or research output. Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT) is one of the most widely used CROTs, and has been adopted by numerous journals to describe author's contributions, and recently formalized as a ANSI/NISO standard. Despite these developments, there is still much work left to be done to improve how CROTs are used across different research domains, research output types, and scholarly workflows. In this paper, we describe how CROTs could be extended to include roles from various disciplines in an ethical and inclusive manner. We explore potential approaches to apply CROTs to diverse research objects and various disciplines; as well as envision their integration into various scholarly workflows, such as promotion and tenure in academic institutions. Lastly, we discuss potential mechanisms for wide adoption and use. While acknowledging that improving current systems of attribution is a slow and iterative process, we believe that engaging the community in the evolution of CROTs will ultimately enhance the ethical attribution of credit and responsibilities in scholarly publications.
Relative depths of the subsurface peaks of phytoplankton abundance conserved over ocean provinces
Authors: Sato Mitsuhide , Shiozaki Takuhei , Hashihama Fuminori , Kodama Taketoshi , Ogawa Hiroshi , Saito Hiroaki , Tsuda Atsushi , Takeda Shigenobu , Furuya Ken
Published: September 2022

Flow cytometric data collected from more than 250 stations in the Pacific and Indian Oceans were analyzed to determine the factors affecting the depth and magnitude of the subsurface abundance maximum of Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and small eukaryotes (< 6 μm). The peak depth of each phytoplankton population estimated by curve fitting was strongly correlated with the depth of the subsurface chlorophyll maximum (SCM). The slope of the regression line demonstrated that the peak depths of Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and small eukaryotes were 74% ± 1%, 88% ± 1%, and 104% ± 1% of the SCM depth (with confidence interval of 95%), respectively. This trend was largely conserved across the different ocean provinces of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The peaks of Synechococcus frequently appeared in the nitrate‐depleted layer of subtropical waters, suggesting their high affinity for regenerated and/or organic nutrients. The estimated daily irradiance received at the peak depths of Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus did not show a distinct latitudinal trend and fluctuated among neighboring stations, whereas that of small eukaryotes slightly increased toward the subarctic region. The present results show that the peak depths of Synechococcus, Prochlorococcus, and small eukaryotes relative to SCM were globally conserved on average, which is largely in line with the difference in their ability to acquire light and nutrients. However, the absolute light level and nutrient concentrations at the peak depths varied dramatically among neighboring stations, likely affected by physical movements.