bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Authorship Gender Disparities in the Ophthalmology Literature
Authors: Kalavar Meghana , Watane Arjun , Iyer Prashanth , Cavuoto Kara M. , Haller Julia A. , Sridhar Jayanth
Published: January 2023

Background Studies in several fields of medicine have found that women published less during the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially due to an increase in domestic responsibilities. This study examines whether a similar pattern exists for female authorship in ophthalmology.

Purpose To compare the proportions of female authorship published in high-impact ophthalmology journals before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods A cross-sectional study analyzing authorship gender of articles published during the COVID-19 pandemic (between July and September 2020) compared with matched articles published in the same journals before the COVID-19 pandemic (between July and September 2019). Gender of the first and last authors was analyzed using an online gender determination tool.

Results A total of 577 articles and 1,113 authors were analyzed. There was no significant difference in the average number of publications by male and female authors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a significant increase in the percentage of female first authorship from the prepandemic period (32%) to during the COVID-19 pandemic (40%; p = 0.01), but no significant increase in the last authorship (p > 0.05). When analyzing only research articles, a similar increase in female first authorship was noted when comparing the publications before (31%) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (43%; p = 0.02). No significant differences were noted when analyzing the editorials (p > 0.05).

Conclusion While disparities continue to exist between male and female authorship, an increase in female first authorship was noted during the COVID-19 pandemic for overall articles as well as research articles.

Precis During the COVID-19 pandemic, female authorship as first and last authors of peer-reviewed articles in high-impact ophthalmology journals was below 50%. However, while the overall rates of female authorship were unchanged, female first authorship significantly increased during the pandemic. These results differ from studies published in other medical fields that demonstrated a decrease in female authorship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global patterns of migration of scholars with economic development
Authors: Sanliturk Ebru , Zagheni Emilio , Dańko Maciej J. , Theile Tom , Akbaritabar Aliakbar
Published: January 2023

We leverage metadata on over 36 million journal articles and reviews indexed by Scopus in order to estimate migration of scholars based on information on changes in their institutional affiliations over time. We produce a database of yearly international migration flows of scholars, for all countries from 1998 to 2017. We use the open-access database to provide descriptive evidence on the relationship between economic development and the emigration propensity of scholars. Statistical analysis using generalized additive mixed models reveals that emigration rates initially decrease as GDP per capita increases. Then, starting from around 25,000 dollars (2017 constant international dollars at purchasing power parity), the trend reverses and emigration propensity increases as countries get richer. This U-shaped pattern contrasts with what has been found in the literature for emigration rates for the general population and calls for theoretical frameworks to understand the heterogeneous responses of migration to development.
On the rise of a marker of disaffiliation from Others’ discourse
Authors: Traugott Elizabeth Closs
Published: January 2023

The discourse marker combination Oh, by the way is typically used to signal “digressive” discourse management and topic-shift from discourse 1 to content in discourse 2. I discuss how the combination came to be conventionalized as a hedge on a potentially face-threatening utterance (OBTW1), as attested in COHA from the 1840s. From the 1920s it could be used as a marker that signals the speaker’s strong disalignment with and mockery of something said by a third person “Other” (OBTW2). This study contributes to work on reported speech enactment. Links to pejorative expressives and echoic mockery are suggested. It is proposed that OBTW1 and OBTW2 are coming to be constructionalized as a new construction with variants. This construction is independent of its source in a discourse marker combination.
Engaging an Interdisciplinary Team to Map the Current and Future Distribution of the Asian Longhorned Tick (
Haemaphysalis longicornis
) in North America: A One Health Approach to Risk Mapping and the Added Value of Citizen Science
Authors: Cork Susan , Namgyal Jamyang , Couloigner Isabelle , Checkley Sylvia , Envik Akaysha , Lysyk Tim , Dergousoff Shaun , Ko Elton
Published: January 2023

The Asian longhorned tick (ALHT) (
Haemaphysalis longicornis
Neumann, 1901) is a vector for many pathogenic micro-organisms of veterinary and public health importance. The ALHT is native to east Asia but was accidentally introduced into New Zealand and Australia in the early 1990s/late 1880s, respectively. It is now well established in these countries and it is a competent vector for
Theileria orientalis
Ikeda, which can cause significant livestock morbidity and mortality. Recently, this tick was introduced into North America. It was first formally detected on sheep in New Jersey in 2017, although it is now thought that it may have been present in the USA since 2010 but was initially misidentified as the morphologically similar rabbit tick
H. leporispalustris
(Packard, 1869). As of August 2022, this tick has been reported in 17 US eastern states. In this case study, we illustrate how we engaged an interdisciplinary team to examine the habitat suitability for the ALHT across North America under current and future climatic conditions. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we also considered potential routes of entry into Canada from the north-eastern states of the USA. Using published and current surveillance data, we generated habitat suitability models to predict the most likely areas in North America for the geographic expansion of the ALHT. Following discussions with climate change experts and entomologists, models were also developed to examine future habitat suitability under selected climate change scenarios. Interviews with experts and government colleagues suggest that likely routes of entry into Canada include cross-border movement of infested terrestrial wildlife and livestock, dog importations and the movement of migratory birds. Enhanced tick surveillance, including the use of citizen science, is required to gain a better understanding of how this tick might spread in the future.

The logo of T C C dash 3 W. A map is depicted and the bottom-left part of the map is highlighted.

The logo of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

The logo of the Canadian Animal Health Surveillance System or C A H S S.
Systems Thinking Methodology Application to One Health Enabling Factors Analysis: Case Study from Kazakhstan
Authors: Spatayev Yerbol , Belot Guillaume
Published: January 2023

Systems thinking methodologies are instrumental for analysing complex systems that consist of many components (actors and concepts) linked through various relationships. Systems thinking application in public health helps in understanding general tendencies and identifying potential leverages or actions needed to change the situation.

Practical implementation of the One Health approach often struggles due to conflicting priorities and interests among sectors and stakeholders, inability to build trust and shared strategic vision at the human-animal-environment interface. This makes systems thinking a valuable tool to model the One Health environment.

Kazakhstan has made several important steps towards sustaining the One Health approach; nonetheless, the country is at the early stage of actual implementation. An analysis of enablers and disablers, driving forces and incentives – presented in a form of a causal loop diagram – might play a crucial role in the strategic planning of further actions at the national level. It also could be used as an example for other countries starting their journey towards better multisectoral collaboration.

Information

© The Authors 2023
Sara Suliman: Science is better when it’s shared
Authors: Van Emmenis Lucie
Published: January 2023

Sara Suliman is an assistant professor in the Department of Experimental Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Her lab uses multiple approaches to identify candidate tuberculosis (TB) risk pathways and to determine their role in TB progression. I caught up with Sara to talk about how she got interested in science, what she’s currently working on, and what she thinks about the future of academic science.
Conductive path and local oxygen-vacancy dynamics: Case study of crosshatched oxides
Authors: Liang Z W , Wu P , Wang L C , Shen B G , Wang Zhi-Hong
Published: January 2023

By employing scanning probe microscopy, conductive path and local oxygen-vacancy dynamics have been investigated in crosshatched La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 thin films grown onto flat and vicinal LaAlO3(001) single crystal substrates. Consistent with prior studies, the crosshatch topography was observed first by dynamical force microscopy as the epi-stain started to release with increasing film thickness. Second, by using conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM), conductive crosshatch and dots (locally aligned or random) were unravelled, however, not all of which necessarily coincided with that shown in the in situ atomic force microscopy. Furthermore, the current–voltage responses were probed by CAFM, revealing the occurrence of threshold and/or memristive switchings. Our results demonstrate that the resistive switching relies on the evolution of the local profile and concentration of oxygen vacancies, which, in the crosshatched films, are modulated by both the misfit and threading dislocations.
Influence of natural aging on the chemical composition of hemp mortars
Authors: Kosiachevskyi D , Abahri K , Daubresse A , Prat E , Chaouche M
Published: January 2023

In recent years, bio-based building materials have become increasingly popular in the field of low-carbon construction. Different bio-based solutions are being adopted because of their advantageous hygrothermal properties and low economic and environmental costs. One such bio-based solution is hemp mortar, which is used in France and other countries for various construction purposes, such as thermal or acoustic insulation for interior and exterior walls. However, the use of hemp mortars is hampered by insufficient data on their durability and risk of degradation due to natural environmental conditions. Indeed, hemp mortar is hygroscopic, heterogeneous and anisotropic, which makes it difficult to study its behaviour. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to investigate the effect of natural aging on the chemical composition of hemp mortar exposed outside in specially designed metal cage for two years. Experimentally, XRD and thermogravimetric analyses of hemp mortar samples were performed. All experimental results were compared with the results of reference samples treated under laboratory conditions. The effects of two different compositions and sample depths were also investigated. In general, the results showed a higher degree of degradation of the mineral matrix of hemp mortar during natural aging due to carbonation and hygrothermal stresses.
Production Technology of Ecological High Performance Fibre Composite Construction Materials
Authors: Sahmenko Genadijs , Sinka Maris , Paurins Ugis , Bajare Diana
Published: January 2023

Eco materials derived from natural plant fibres and mineral binders are an alternative solution for modern ecological construction. This research is devoted to developing production technology for ecological high-performance fibre composite materials based on hemp shives and magnesium binder. The proposed composite wall structures consist of outer envelope layers made from dense hemp composite and middle insulation layer made from a lightweight hemp composite. The article describes the process of manufacturing a hemp composite boadr and the process of creating a three-layer structure of the outer wall. Used mix compositions are based on previously elaborated mix compositions based on magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) binder and hemp shives. This study presents the case study of testing samples from hemp composite boards produced in actual industrial conditions. During an experiment, 20% magnesium oxide was replaced as an alternative binder, such as metakaolin and fly ash. The purpose of modifying the compositions of the composite is to increase the water resistance of the material and improvement of the hydraulic properties of the material, as it was previously found that this material is hygroscopic concerning the high humidity of the ambient air.
PUFJ (PolyUrethane Flexible Joints) as an innovative polyurethane system for structural and non-structural bonding of timber elements
Authors: Śliwa-Wieczorek Klaudia , Zając Bogusław
Published: January 2023

PolyUrethane Flexible Joints (PUFJ) as an innovative adhesive system has been developed by a team of researchers from the Cracow University of Technology (CUT) for several years. Initially, the research focused mainly on joining masonry and reinforced concrete elements. Due to environmental concerns and climate changes, further advancement of the PUFJ system was focused on the technology development based on connecting natural materials such as wood and wood-based materials. In 2019, the cooperation of the CUT with a private company resulted in the implementation of the PUFJ system for the construction of innovative connections in a prefabricated timber frame construction of a family house near Cracow. Currently, further research are carried out focused on the complex understanding of behaviour of adhesive bond used in structural and non-structural timber bonding, taking into account different species of wood (pine, spruce, beech, douglas fir) and a different thickness of the flexible adhesive layer (from 1 mm to 30 mm). The article contains the properties of the PUFJ system, describes variants of the available applications (wet application in form of liquid substance curing in time or dry application as a prefabricated bonding layers glued to the elements with a thin adhesive layer). Examples of double-lap shear connections and laminated beams made of douglas fir wood of C24 class and Sika®PS polyurethane flexible layer are presented. All specimens were constructed with three various flexible adhesive thicknesses of 1, 2 and 4 mm. The influence of elevated temperature on the load capacity of the connection and on the final deflection was tested. The tests were conducted at four temperature levels (20, 40, 60 and 80°C).
Lightweight porous geopolymers from waste red brick precursor and synthetic foaming admixture
Authors: Bumanis G , Vaičiukynienė D
Published: January 2023

Geopolymers are associated with a high potential to replace traditional Portland cement. Up to now, research has been ongoing on alternative precursors with wide availability, low cost, and low environmental impact. Attention is paid to ashes, industrial by-products, and construction and demolition waste. Sophisticated materials with high porosity and improved physical or mechanical properties are developed to enhance the application of geopolymers. In this paper, the waste red brick is used as a precursor to produce highly porous geopolymers. Here, porous geopolymers on waste brick precursor and synthetic foaming agent were developed for the first time. Red waste brick was ground to powder particles and activated with NaOH solution. A porous structure was obtained by a pre-foaming technique where geopolymer slurry was mixed in the foams. Physical and mechanical properties were evaluated depending on mixture composition and foaming agent content. Porous geopolymers with densities from 240 to 1200 kg/m3 were obtained. The pore structure of obtained materials was characterized. Reduced density and characteristics of red clay precursor summarised in low compressive strength which was from 0.04 to 0.4 MPa.
3D concrete printing with wastes for building applications
Authors: Butkutė Karolina , Vaitkevičius Vitoldas
Published: January 2023

This study focuses on the benefits of deploying plastic waste as a promising alternative to main 3D concrete printing (3DCP) binders. 3D printing technology improvements display that this construction method holds a significant potential by not only finding a globally greener way to developing 3D printing composites but also in researching a more sustainable approach to reducing carbon footprint on the planet, and also becoming one of the possibilities in replacing industrial wastes to ordinary Portland cement. As an alternative to ordinary Portland cement this paper analyses secondary raw materials like burnt shale ashes (BSA), plastic waste (PW) granules and grinded foam rubber (FR). These chosen materials help to solve two environmentally relevant problems: elimination of industrial waste and CO2 level reduction in concrete production, meantime enhancing the sustainability of the potential 3D printing concrete mixes that had been modified by wastes. Further review presents respective differences between fresh concrete and hardened mix properties. These experimental studies proved that one of four different mixtures significantly enhanced the stability of the studied parameters.
Test of ITk 3D sensor pre-production modules with ITkPixV1.1 chip
Authors: Calderini G. , Crescioli F. , Dalla Betta G.-F. , Gariano G. , Gemme C. , Guescini F. , Hadzic S. , Heim T. , Lapertosa A. , Ravera S. , Rummler A. , Samy M.A.A. , Sultan D.M.S. , Vannoli L. , Ye H.
Published: January 2023

ITk detector, the new ATLAS tracking system at High Luminosity LHC, will be equipped with 3D pixel sensor modules in the innermost layer (L0). The pixel cell dimensions will be either 25 × 100 μm2 (barrel) or 50 × 50 μm2 (endcap), with one read-out electrode at the centre of a pixel and four bias electrodes at the corners. Sensors from pre-production wafers (50 × 50 μm2) produced by FBK have been bump bonded to ITkPixV1.1 chips at IZM. Bare modules have been assembled in Genoa on Single Chip Cards and characterized in laboratory and on beam.
How the geometry and mechanics of bighorn sheep horns mitigate the effects of impact and reduce the head injury criterion
Authors: Wheatley Benjamin B , Gilmore Emma C , Fuller Luca H , Drake Aaron M , Donahue Seth W
Published: January 2023

Male bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) participate in seasonal ramming bouts that can last for hours, yet they do not appear to suffer significant brain injury. Previous work has shown that the keratin-rich horn and boney horncore may play an important role in mitigating brain injury by reducing brain cavity accelerations through energy dissipating elastic mechanisms. However, the extent to which specific horn shapes (such as the tapered spiral of bighorn sheep) may reduce accelerations post-impact remains unclear. Thus, the goals of this work were to (a) quantify bighorn sheep horn shape, particularly the cross-sectional areal properties related to bending that largely dictate post-impact deformations, and (b) investigate the effects of different tapered horn shapes on reducing post-impact accelerations in an impact model with finite element analysis. Cross-sectional areal properties indicate bighorn sheep horns have a medial–lateral bending preference at the horn tip (p = 0.006), which is likely to dissipate energy through medial–lateral horn tip oscillations after impact. Finite element modeling showed bighorn sheep native horn geometry reduced the head injury criterion (HIC15) by 48% compared to horns with cross-sections rotated by 90° to have a cranial–caudal bending preference, and by 125% compared to a circular tapered spiral model. These results suggest that the tapered spiral horn shape of bighorn sheep is advantageous for dissipating energy through elastic mechanisms following an impact. These findings can be used to broadly inform the design of improved safety equipment and impact systems.
European energy partnership on sustainable energy potential
Authors: Koval V , Savina N , Sribna Ye , Filipishyna L , Zherlitsyn D , Saiapina T
Published: January 2023

The study analyses the energy development of Ukraine in terms of energy integration into the EU single energy market within the framework of the concept of sustainable development. For the Ukrainian energy industry, problems have been identified that prevent it from reaching the modern level of requirements for sustainable energy development. The dynamics of changes in indicators that characterize the level of development of modern energy in the EU-Ukraine relationship to ensure the guarantee of the level of energy security are analysed. The key factors in the development of the integration processes between Ukraine and the EU are noted, which relate to the political aspect, technical norms and requirements, as well as international economic activity. A mathematical calculation of the level of risks of energy integration processes between the EU and Ukraine during the period of military operations on the territory of Ukraine was carried out. It was noted that there is a high probability of the threat of termination of the existing integration processes due to the stochasticity of events of a military and political nature.
Changes in the energy supply strategy of the EU countries amid the full-scale Russian invasion
Authors: Kravchenko M. , Ilyash O. , Smoliar L. , Boiarynova К. , Trofymenko O.
Published: January 2023

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine could have a profound impact on short-term solutions to the energy crisis (due to the loss of long-term contracts for additional volumes of Russian gas). It could block a unified agenda because of diverging interests of European countries, reduce European negotiating power, and therefore, weaken Europe’s resistance to Russian energy coercion in the long term. The article confirms the hypothesis that the European energy crisis leads to a slowdown in production and is caused primarily by smaller gas reserves, higher prices and tighter global supplies. Based on the study of a specially developed index and the results of assessing the state of energy independence of the European Union since the beginning of the 21st century made it possible to carry out the task of researching changes in the energy supply system of the EU countries against a background of the Russian war. The demonstration of a map of the most relevant ways of importing pipelines to the EU indicates the need to change the directions of diversification of the energy imports structure. The goal-setting of the directions of implementing the «Fit For 55» programme regarding the reduction of gas consumption by 2030 was studied and the strategy of reducing the dependence of the European Union on Russian gas was analysed.
A new approach to the organization of mining personnel training - the direction of Geoengineering and Raw Materials Extraction at the Faculty of Mining, Safety Engineering and Industrial Automation
Authors: Wyganowska M , Bańka P
Published: January 2023

Dynamic technological, social and economic changes are forcing managers of mining enterprises to make decisions aimed at creating conditions for innovative transformation and development of these entities. Companies are beginning to use modern technologies that allow them to increase productivity and reduce production costs, and these activities are causing new expectations of employers in the mining industry in terms of the education and skills of engineering personnel, who, with their competence and motivation, are becoming one of the key groups that determine success. This, in turn, brings with it the need for changes in education and forces the adaptation of study programs to socio-economic needs. Hence the offer of a new course in Geoengineering and Raw Materials Extraction.
Horospherical two-orbit varieties as zero loci
Authors: Pasquier Boris , Manivel Laurent
Published: January 2023

We present geometric realizations of horospherical two-orbit varieties, by showing that their blow-up along the unique closed invariant orbit is the zero locus of a general section of a homogeneous vector bundle over some auxiliary variety. As an application, we compute the cohomology ring of the

G
2

G_2

-variety, including its quantum version. We also consider the

S
p
i

n
7

Spin_7

-variety, which deserves a different treatment.
Effectiveness of strong openness property in 𝐿^{𝑝}
Authors: Guan Qi’an , Yuan Zheng
Published: January 2023

In this article, we obtain an effectiveness result of strong openness property in

L
p

L^p

with some applications.
Frobenius-Perron theory for projective schemes
Authors: Chen J. , Gao Z. , Wicks E. , Zhang J. , Zhang X. H. , Zhu H.
Published: January 2023

The Frobenius-Perron theory of an endofunctor of a

k
\Bbbk

-linear category (recently introduced in Chen et al. [Algebra Number Theory 13 (2019), pp. 2005–2055]) provides new invariants for abelian and triangulated categories. Here we study Frobenius-Perron type invariants for derived categories of commutative and noncommutative projective schemes. In particular, we calculate the Frobenius-Perron dimension for domestic and tubular weighted projective lines, define Frobenius-Perron generalizations of Calabi-Yau and Kodaira dimensions, and provide examples. We apply this theory to the derived categories associated to certain Artin-Schelter regular and finite-dimensional algebras.
Rigidity properties for some isometric extensions of partially hyperbolic actions on the torus
Authors: Chen Qinbo , Damjanović Danijela
Published: January 2023

This paper studies local rigidity for some isometric toral extensions of partially hyperbolic

Z

k

\mathbb {Z}^k

(

k
⩾
2

k\geqslant 2

) actions on the torus. We prove a

C
∞

C^\infty

local rigidity result for such actions, provided that the smooth perturbations of the actions satisfy the intersection property. We also give a local rigidity result within a class of volume preserving actions. Our method mainly uses a generalization of the Kolmogorov-Arnold-Moser iterative scheme.
Interactions between TULP3 tubby domain and ARL13B amphipathic helix promote lipidated protein transport to cilia
Authors: Palicharla Vivek Reddy , Hwang Sun-Hee , Somatilaka Bandarigoda N. , Legué Emilie , Shimada Issei S. , Familiari Nicole E. , Tran Vanna M. , Woodruff Jeffrey B. , Liem Karel F. , Mukhopadhyay Saikat
Published: January 2023

Mechanisms of ciliary transport of ARL13B, a common ciliary protein, by TULP3 are described. An amphipathic helix preceding the ARL13B GTPase domain that couples with the TULP3 tubby domain for ciliary transport is identified. These findings implicate the tubby domain in capturing helical secondary structural motifs from cargoes.
High-dimensional analysis of variance in multivariate linear regression
Authors: Lou Zhipeng , Zhang Xianyang , Wu Wei Biao
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we develop a systematic theory for high-dimensional analysis of variance in multivariate linear regression, where the dimension and the number of coefficients can both grow with the sample size. We propose a new U-type statistic to test linear hypotheses and establish a high-dimensional Gaussian approximation result under fairly mild moment assumptions. Our general framework and theory can be used to deal with the classical one-way multivariate analysis of variance, and the nonparametric one-way multivariate analysis of variance in high dimensions. To implement the test procedure, we introduce a sample-splitting-based estimator of the second moment of the error covariance and discuss its properties. A simulation study shows that our proposed test outperforms some existing tests in various settings.
Ritlecitinib (PF-06651600), an oral JAK3/TEC inhibitor, shows efficacy in patients with active nonsegmental vitiligo and either a lighter or darker Fitzpatrick skin type: results from a phase 2b, randomized, dose-ranging study with an extension period
Authors: Peeva Elena , Yamaguchi Yuji , King Brett , Han George , Cox Lori Ann , Banerjee Anindita , Picardo Mauro , Bae Jung Min , Sloan Abigail , Sinclair Rodney , Ezzedine Khaled
Published: January 2023

Ritlecitinib, an oral JAK3/TEC inhibitor, inhibits cytokines IL-15 and IFN-γ that play a critical role in vitiligo pathogenesis. In a phase 2b trial, ritlecitinib demonstrated a significant improvement on the centrally read Facial Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (crF-VASI) at Week 24 in patients with active nonsegmental vitiligo (NSV) at 50 mg daily with or without a loading dose (100 or 200 mg daily for 4 weeks). Improvement on the crF-VASI was observed up to Week 48 in patients receiving ritlecitinib 50 mg daily with a 200 mg daily loading dose for 4 weeks in the 24-week extension period. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of ritlecitinib, an oral JAK3/TEC inhibitor, in patients with active NSV and lighter Fitzpatrick skin types (FST; I–III) or darker FST (IV–VI) from the Phase 2b study (NCT03715829). Patients with active NSV were randomized to placebo or ritlecitinib 50 mg daily with or without a loading dose (200 or 100 mg, 4-week) or low doses (30 or 10 mg) in a 24-week, dose-ranging period, followed by a 24-week extension wherein patients were allocated to 200/50 mg (200 mg, 4-week; 50 mg, 20-week). Percent change from baseline (%CFB) in F-VASI was evaluated. Safety endpoints included incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). A total of 253 patients (lighter FST, n = 170; darker FST, n = 83) completed the dose-ranging period. Placebo-adjusted mean %CFB in F-VASI at Week 24 among the 50 mg and low-dose groups, respectively, were −15·2 (P = 0·0043) and −5·5 (P = 0·1991) in lighter FST and −37·4 (P < 0·0001) and −15·7 (P = 0·0401) in darker FST. In the extension, 187 patients received 200/50 mg and 136 (lighter FST, n = 96; darker FST, n = 40) completed Week 48. Continuous re-pigmentation without plateau of effect was observed across FST through Week 48; mean %CFB in F-VASI at Week 48 in patients initially treated with 50 mg, low doses or placebo in the dose-ranging period, respectively, were −63·1, −51·0 and −51·3 for lighter FST and −66·8, −51·0 and −52·5 for darker FST. TEAE incidence in the dose-ranging period was similar between lighter and darker FST (range, 69·2–81·0%). Ritlecitinib was generally safe with similar efficacy in vitiligo patients with lighter or darker FST.
Vitiligo evidence-based expert consensus recommendations for paediatric and adolescent patients: part I—topical therapeutics
Authors: Renert-Yuval Yael , Ezzedine Khaled , Grimes Pearl , Rosmarin David , Eichenfield Lawrence , Castelo-Soccio Leslie , Huang Victor , Desai Seemal R , Walsh Samantha , Silverberg Jonathan I , Paller Amy S , Weingarten Mark , Narla Shanthi , Gardner Jackie , Siegel Michael , Silverberg Nanette B
Published: January 2023

No United States paradigm for the treatment of paediatric, adolescent and young adult vitiligo has been developed. To develop evidence and consensus-based expert opinion to promote therapeutic consistency for the diagnosis and treatment of vitiligo. An IRB-exempted process was developed to produce consensus recommendations based on literature review and SORT criteria. Research questions were reviewed on 9 May 2022 in a video-based conference. Forty-two recommendations were made on the diagnosis of vitiligo (5) and optimal topical therapeutics (37). Topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical corticosteroids and topical ruxolitinib 1·5% cream were all identified as potential first-line therapies in the management of paediatric and adolescent patients with specific guidance on age-based data, frequency of application, minimum length of the therapeutic trial and coordinated usage of ultraviolet light therapy. The literature on paediatric and adolescent vitiligo has a heterogeneous methodology and lack of patient-reported outcomes. Children with vitiligo may be effectively managed with a variety of topical agents as first- and second-line therapy. Evidence supports the utility of topical calcineurin inhibitors, topical corticosteroids and topical JAK inhibitors, with limitations based on factors such as location, body surface area and age.
Vitiligo is associated with mental health disorders, substance abuse, cardiovascular risk factors and events, and venous thromboembolism: analysis of the 2015–2019 nationwide emergency department sample
Authors: Rios-Duarte Jorge A , Silverberg Jonathan I
Published: January 2023

Vitiligo is a chronic inflammatory depigmenting skin disease that is associated with psychosocial burden and quality of life impact. Previous studies show that patients with vitiligo have an increased likelihood of autoimmune diseases, but they reveal conflicting results regarding mental health disorders, cardiovascular disease, venous thromboembolism and other comorbidities. We sought to investigate the association of vitiligo with a variety of comorbid health disorders. Data were analysed from 2015 to 2019 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), including a representative 20% sample of all emergency department visits in the United States. Vitiligo and comorbidities were identified by using the international classification of disease 10 codes. Associations of vitiligo with various comorbidities were tested using weighted multivariable logistic regression models. The most frequent comorbidities diagnosed in patients presenting to the emergency department with vitiligo were essential hypertension [weighted prevalence (95% confidence interval, CI): 37·0% (34·6–39·0%)], followed by hyperlipidaemia [30·0% (27·7–32·0%)], hypothyroidism [22·9% (20·7–25·0%)], gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis [19·2% (17·6–21·0%)], history of nicotine dependence [18·1% (16·5–20·0%)], acute kidney failure [16·1% (14·7–18·0%)], atherosclerotic heart disease without angina [14·8% (13·2–17·0%)] and type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications [14·0% (12·1–16·0%)]. In multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for sex, age and insurance status, vitiligo was associated with alcohol use disorder [adjusted odds ratio (95% CI): 1·88 (1·68–2·11)], anxiety spectrum disorders [1·80 (1·65–1·96)], asthma [1·82 (1·65–2·01)], atrial fibrillation [1·49 (1·35–1·65)], coronary artery disease [1·79 (1·63–1·96)], depressive disorders [2·18 (2·00–2·38)], diabetes mellitus [2·65 (2·42–2·91)], myocardial infarction [2·32 (1·98–2·72)], heart failure [2·09 (1·91–2·28)], hyperlipidaemia [2·66 (2·45–2·88)], hypertension [2·16 (1·96–2·39)], hyperthyroidism [12·59 (11·07–14·32)], hypothyroidism [5·46 (4·95–6·02)], peripheral artery disease [2·69 (2·05–3·53)], pneumonia [2·20 (2·00–2·43)], sleep apnoea [2·43 (2·16–2·74)], stroke [1·81 (1·57–2·08)], suicide ideation or attempt [1·67 (1·39–2·01)] and venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism [2·46 (2·12–2·85)]. These results show that patients with vitiligo have a significantly higher likelihood of comorbid mental health disorders, substance abuse, cardiovascular risk factors and events, and venous thromboembolism.
Association between BMI and vitiligo distribution: an observational cohort study
Authors: O’Hagan Ross , Kamat Samir , Wieder Shira , Perl Marcel , Silverberg Nanette
Published: January 2023

Vitiligo is an inflammatory skin condition affecting 0·5–2% of people. Previous studies have found that vitiligo does not appear to have an association with an increased body mass index (BMI) nor is BMI a risk factor for vitiligo. However, to the best of our knowledge, the relationship between a patient being over or underweight and the presentation of vitiligo has not been explored. Here, we aim to explore the relationship between BMI classifications and vitiligo distribution. A total of 1685 consecutive patients with vitiligo were recruited as part of an ongoing survey study. Patients self-identified their sex, age, race and regions of vitiligo distribution. Patients reported their height and weight, which was then used to generate BMI values, which were then grouped into classifications. The BMI classifications were underweight for patients with a BMI >18·5, normal for patients with a BMI equal to 18·5 or larger but <30 and overweight for patients with a BMI equal to or over 30. Analysis was performed with R (version 1·4). The cohort (n = 1685) had a median age of 42 years, was predominantly female (72%) and was predominantly white (64%). The patients were divided into three weight classes: 1270 normal weight, 344 overweight and 71 underweight. Vitiligo presentation was more likely for overweight individuals in the chest (P = 0·007), stomach (P < 0·001), underarms (P = 0·005), arms (P = 0·007), elbows (P = 0·031), wrists (P = 0·040), hands (P = 0·003), fingers (P = 0·004), buttocks (P = 0·002), ankles (P = 0·033), feet (P < 0·001) and toes (P = 0·022). Vitiligo presentation does not seem to have a relationship with one’s BMI classification in the distribution of the eyelids, lips, mouth, back, hips, genitals, legs and knees. Our preliminary analysis supports that there is a relationship between a patient’s body mass classification and the distribution of vitiligo. Vitiligo presentation seems to be more likely for overweight individuals in the chest, stomach, underarms, arms, elbows, wrists, hands, fingers, buttocks, ankles, feet and toes. Vitiligo presentation does not seem to have a relationship with one’s BMI classification in the distribution of the eyelids, lips, mouth, back, hips, genitals, legs and knees. The effect of weight-induced friction and metabolic syndrome on vitiligo disease progression needs to be explored further. Further studies are needed to explore the varying presentation of vitiligo in individuals of all BMI subtypes and whether weight can help reduce the spread of the disease.
Proprioceptors-enriched neuronal cultures from induced pluripotent stem cells from Friedreich ataxia patients show altered transcriptomic and proteomic profiles, abnormal neurite extension, and impaired electrophysiological properties
Authors: Dionisi Chiara , Chazalon Marine , Rai Myriam , Keime Céline , Imbault Virginie , Communi David , Puccio Hélène , Schiffmann Serge N , Pandolfo Massimo
Published: January 2023

Friedreich ataxia is an autosomal recessive multisystem disorder with prominent neurological manifestations and cardiac involvement. The disease is caused by large GAA expansions in the first intron of the FXN gene, encoding the mitochondrial protein frataxin, resulting in downregulation of gene expression and reduced synthesis of frataxin. The selective loss of proprioceptive neurons is a hallmark of Friedreich ataxia, but the cause of the specific vulnerability of these cells is still unknown. We herein perform an in vitro characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neuronal cultures highly enriched for primary proprioceptive neurons. We employ neurons differentiated from healthy donors, Friedreich ataxia patients and Friedreich ataxia sibling isogenic control lines. The analysis of the transcriptomic and proteomic profile suggests an impairment of cytoskeleton organization at the growth cone, neurite extension and, at later stages of maturation, synaptic plasticity. Alterations in the spiking profile of tonic neurons are also observed at the electrophysiological analysis of mature neurons. Despite the reversal of the repressive epigenetic state at the FXN locus and the restoration of FXN expression, isogenic control neurons retain many features of Friedreich ataxia neurons. Our study suggests the existence of abnormalities affecting proprioceptors in Friedreich ataxia, particularly their ability to extend towards their targets and transmit proper synaptic signals. It also highlights the need for further investigations to better understand the mechanistic link between FXN silencing and proprioceptive degeneration in Friedreich ataxia.
Shaking Legitimacy: The Impact of Earthquakes on Conflict in Historical China
Authors: Bai Ying
Published: January 2023

This paper examines the causal effect of political legitimacy on stability, using the historical case of Imperial China. Chinese rulers ascribed their legitimacy to a heavenly mandate. Calamities like earthquakes were considered to be a sign of weakened approval, making quakes a proxy for a negative legitimacy shock. I use quake-induced minor shaking (i.e., strong enough to be felt, but too weak to cause material damage) to demonstrate that legitimacy shocks cause more conflicts. I examine whether quakes serve as a coordination device to overcome collective action problems.
Employment status at time of acute myocardial infarction and risk of death and recurrent acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Petersen Jeppe K , Shams-Eldin Abdulrahman N , Fosbøl Emil L , Rørth Rasmus , Sørensen Rikke , Jabbari Reza , Engstrøm Thomas , Holmvang Lene , Pedersen Frants , Alhakak Amna , Krøll Johanna , Torp-Pedersen Christian , Køber Lars , Butt Jawad H
Published: January 2023

Background

Employment is important for physical and mental health and self-esteem and provides financial independence. However, little is known on the prognostic value of employment status prior to admission with acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods and results

Using Danish nationwide registries, all patients between 18 and 60 years with a first-time MI admission (2010–2018) and alive at discharge were included. Rates of all-cause mortality and recurrent MI according to workforce attachment at the time of the event was compared using multivariable Cox regression. Of the 16 060 patients included in the study, 3520 (21.9%) patients were not part of the workforce. Patients who were not part of the workforce were older (52 vs. 51 years), less often men (63% vs. 77%), less likely to have higher education, more often living alone (47% vs. 29%), and more often had comorbidities, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The absolute 5-year risk of death was 3.3% and 12.8% in the workforce and non-workforce group, respectively. The corresponding rates of recurrent MI were 7.5% and 10.9%, respectively. In adjusted analyses, not being part of the workforce was associated with a significantly higher rate of all-cause mortality [HR: 2.39 (95% CI: 2.01–2.83)] and recurrent MI [1.36 (1.18–1.57)].

Conclusion

Among patients of working age who were admitted with MI and alive at discharge, not being part of the workforce was associated with a higher long-term rate of all-cause mortality and recurrent MI.
A modERN resource: identification of Drosophila transcription factor candidate target genes using RNAi
Authors: Fisher William W , Hammonds Ann S , Weiszmann Richard , Booth Benjamin W , Gevirtzman Louis , Patton Jaeda E J , Kubo Connor A , Waterston Robert H , Celniker Susan E
Published: January 2023

Transcription factors (TFs) play a key role in development and in cellular responses to the environment by activating or repressing the transcription of target genes in precise spatial and temporal patterns. In order to develop a catalog of target genes of Drosophila melanogaster TFs, the modERN consortium systematically knocked down the expression of TFs using RNAi in whole embryos followed by RNA-seq. We generated data for 45 TFs which have 18 different DNA-binding domains and are expressed in 15 of the 16 organ systems. The range of inactivation of the targeted TFs by RNAi ranged from log2fold change −3.52 to +0.49. The TFs also showed remarkable heterogeneity in the numbers of candidate target genes identified, with some generating thousands of candidates and others only tens. We present detailed analysis from five experiments, including those for three TFs that have been the focus of previous functional studies (ERR, sens, and zfh2) and two previously uncharacterized TFs (sens-2 and CG32006), as well as short vignettes for selected additional experiments to illustrate the utility of this resource. The RNA-seq datasets are available through the ENCODE DCC (http://encodeproject.org) and the Sequence Read Archive (SRA). TF and target gene expression patterns can be found here: https://insitu.fruitfly.org. These studies provide data that facilitate scientific inquiries into the functions of individual TFs in key developmental, metabolic, defensive, and homeostatic regulatory pathways, as well as provide a broader perspective on how individual TFs work together in local networks during embryogenesis.
Machine learning and marsquakes: a tool to predict atmospheric-seismic noise for the NASA InSight mission
Authors: Stott A E , Garcia R F , Chédozeau A , Spiga A , Murdoch N , Pinot B , Mimoun D , Charalambous C , Horleston A , King S D , Kawamura T , Dahmen N , Barkaoui S , Lognonné P , Banerdt W B
Published: January 2023

The SEIS (seismic experiment for the interior structure of Mars) experiment on the NASA InSight mission has catalogued hundreds of marsquakes so far. However, the detectability of these events is controlled by the weather which generates noise on the seismometer. This affects the catalogue on both diurnal and seasonal scales. We propose to use machine learning methods to fit the wind, pressure and temperature data to the seismic energy recorded in the 0.4–1 and 2.2–2.6 Hz bandwidths to examine low- (LF) and high-frequency (HF) seismic event categories respectively. We implement Gaussian process regression and neural network models for this task. This approach provides the relationship between the atmospheric state and seismic energy. The obtained seismic energy estimate is used to calculate signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of marsquakes for multiple bandwidths. We can then demonstrate the presence of LF energy above the noise level during several events predominantly categorized as HF, suggesting a continuum in event spectra distribution across the marsquake types. We introduce an algorithm to detect marsquakes based on the subtraction of the predicted noise from the observed data. This algorithm finds 39 previously undetected marsquakes, with another 40 possible candidates. Furthermore, an analysis of the detection algorithm’s variable threshold provides an empirical estimate of marsquake detectivity. This suggests that events producing the largest signal on the seismometer would be seen almost all the time, the median size signal event 45–50 per cent of the time and smallest signal events 5−20 per cent of the time.