bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deposition of inverse opal-like TiO2 thin film with enhanced photoelectrochemical activity by a spin-coating combined with a dip-coating method
Authors: Rustembekkyzy Kuralay , Molkenova Anara , Kaikanov Marat , Atabaev Timur Sh
Published: April 2023

TiO2 thin films with an inverse opal-like structure have attracted considerable attention recently owing to their high potential for a range of applications. In this study, we demonstrated the possibility to deposit TiO2 thin films with an inverse opal-like structure from TiO2 nanoparticle-based slurry paste using a conventional spin-coating process. In addition, we also showed that the photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of as-fabricated inverse opal-like TiO2 films can be further improved by the dip-coating process. In particular, dip-coated and untreated inverse opal-like TiO2 films exhibit photocurrent densities of ∼66.5 μA cm−2 and ∼40.9 μA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus RHE, respectively. A detailed physicochemical analysis revealed that photocurrent density enhancement (∼38.5%) in dip-coated inverse opal-like films can be attributed to a variety of factors including improved interconnection between TiO2 nanoparticles, higher crystallinity, decreased light reflection, and reduced charge carriers recombination. We strongly believe that these findings will be useful in the development of highly efficient third-generation solar cells, photocatalytic systems, electrochromic devices, and gas sensors.
My Parent, Myself, or My Child: Whose Education Matters Most for Trajectories of Cognitive Aging in Middle Age?
Authors: Gutierrez Sirena , Meza Erika , Glymour M Maria , Torres Jacqueline M
Published: April 2023

The growing body of evidence linking intergenerational education and late-life cognitive decline is almost exclusively from high-income countries, despite rapid intergenerational changes in education in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We used data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (n = 8,822), a cohort study of Mexican adults aged ≥50 years (2001–2018), to evaluate whether parental education (none vs. any formal schooling), one’s own education (less than primary school vs. completion of primary school), or an adult child’s education (less than high school vs. completion of high school) was associated with verbal memory z scores. We used linear mixed models with inverse probability of attrition weights. Educational attainment in all 3 generations was associated with baseline verbal memory scores, independent of the prior generation’s education. Lower parental (β = −0.005, 95% confidence interval: −0.009, −0.002) and respondent (β = −0.013, 95% confidence interval: −0.017, −0.010) educational level were associated with faster decline in delayed (but not immediate) verbal memory z scores. Associations between adult child’s education and respondent’s verbal memory decline varied by exposure specification. The educational attainment of parents and adult children may influence the cognitive aging of middle-aged and older adults in LMICs. These results have important implications given recent structural shifts in educational attainment in many LMICs.
Nutritional Blood Concentration Biomarkers in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos: Measurement Characteristics and Power
Authors: Boe Lillian A , Mossavar-Rahmani Yasmin , Sotres-Alvarez Daniela , Daviglus Martha L , Durazo-Arvizu Ramon A , Thyagarajan Bharat , Kaplan Robert C , Shaw Pamela A
Published: April 2023

Measurement error is a major issue in self-reported diet that can distort diet-disease relationships. Use of blood concentration biomarkers has the potential to mitigate the subjective bias inherent in self-reporting. As part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL) baseline visit (2008–2011), self-reported information on diet was collected from all participants (n = 16,415). The HCHS/SOL also included annual telephone follow-up, as well as a second (2014–2017) and third (2020–2023) clinic visit. Blood concentration biomarkers for carotenoids, tocopherols, retinol, vitamin B12, and folate were measured in a subset of participants (n = 476) as part of the Study of Latinos: Nutrition and Physical Activity Assessment Study (SOLNAS) (2010–2012). We examined the relationships among biomarker levels, self-reported intake, Hispanic/Latino background (Central American, Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, or South American), and other participant characteristics in this diverse cohort. We built regression calibration–based prediction equations for 10 nutritional biomarkers and used a simulation to study the power of detecting a diet-disease association in a multivariable Cox model using a predicted concentration level. Good statistical power was observed for some nutrients with high prediction model R2 values, but further research is needed to understand how best to realize the potential of these dietary biomarkers. This study provides a comprehensive examination of several nutritional biomarkers within the HCHS/SOL, characterizing their associations with subject characteristics and the influence of the measurement characteristics on the power to detect associations with health outcomes.
Conditional indirect genetic effects of caregivers on brood in the clonal raider ant
Authors: Piekarski Patrick K , Valdés-Rodríguez Stephany , Kronauer Daniel J C
Published: April 2023

Caregivers shape the rearing environment of their young. Consequently, offspring traits are influenced by the genes of their caregivers via indirect genetic effects (IGEs). However, the extent to which IGEs are modulated by environmental factors, other than the genotype of social partners (i.e., intergenomic epistasis), remains an open question. Here we investigate how brood are influenced by the genotype of their caregivers in the clonal raider ant, Ooceraea biroi, a species in which the genotype, age and number of both caregivers and brood can be experimentally controlled. First, we used four clonal lines to establish colonies that differed only in the genotype of caregivers and measured effects on foraging activity, as well as IGEs on brood phenotypes. In a second experiment, we tested whether these IGEs are conditional on the age and number of caregivers. We found that caregiver genotype affected the feeding and foraging activity of colonies, and influenced the rate of development, survival, body size, and caste fate of brood. Caregiver genotype interacted with other factors to influence the rate of development and survival of brood, demonstrating that IGEs can be conditional. Thus, we provide an empirical example of phenotypes being influenced by IGE-by-environment interactions beyond intergenomic epistasis, highlighting that IGEs of caregivers/parents are alterable by factors other than their brood’s/offspring’s genotype.
Attention-based GCN integrates multi-omics data for breast cancer subtype classification and patient-specific gene marker identification
Authors: Guo Hui , Lv Xiang , Li Yizhou , Li Menglong
Published: April 2023

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and can be divided into several subtypes with unique prognostic and molecular characteristics. The classification of breast cancer subtypes plays an important role in the precision treatment and prognosis of breast cancer. Benefitting from the relation-aware ability of a graph convolution network (GCN), we present a multi-omics integrative method, the attention-based GCN (AGCN), for breast cancer molecular subtype classification using messenger RNA expression, copy number variation and deoxyribonucleic acid methylation multi-omics data. In the extensive comparative studies, our AGCN models outperform state-of-the-art methods under different experimental conditions and both attention mechanisms and the graph convolution subnetwork play an important role in accurate cancer subtype classification. The layer-wise relevance propagation (LRP) algorithm is used for the interpretation of model decision, which can identify patient-specific important biomarkers that are reported to be related to the occurrence and development of breast cancer. Our results highlighted the effectiveness of the GCN and attention mechanisms in multi-omics integrative analysis and the implement of the LRP algorithm can provide biologically reasonable insights into model decision.
Neural reinstatement of context memory in adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Justus Sidni A , Mirjalili Soroush , Powell Patrick S , Duarte Audrey
Published: April 2023

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with episodic memory impairment. However, episodic memories include a variety of contextual details, and it is difficult to solely rely on behavioral data to assess how specifically (i.e. event-specific reinstatement) an event is remembered. We applied encoding-retrieval representational similarity (ERS) analysis to EEG data to assess event-specific ERS for object-context associations in a sample of 34 adults (17 with, 17 without ASD). Participants studied objects presented alongside 2 contextual features: scene/color, and attention was directed toward one object-context relationship. At retrieval, memory was assessed for the object and both contexts. Behavioral results revealed no group differences in item or context memory performance. ERS results revealed group temporal differences in reinstatement. Results may indicate differences in both encoding (i.e. fewer perceptual details) and retrieval (i.e. ineffectively skipping through memory fragments) in ASD and should be further investigated in studies modulating the perceptual detail required for memory decisions. Results highlight the utility of ERS as a methodology used to evaluate episodic reinstatement even in the absence of behavioral differences in memory performance.
MBS: a genome browser annotation track for high-confident microRNA binding sites in whole human transcriptome
Authors: Arancio Walter , Sciaraffa Nicolina , Coronnello Claudia
Published: April 2023

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) that play a role in many regulatory pathways in eukaryotes. They usually exert their functions by binding mature messenger RNAs. The prediction of the binding targets of the endogenous miRNAs is crucial to unravel the processes they are involved in. In this work, we performed an extensive miRNA binding sites (MBS) prediction over all the annotated transcript sequences and made them available through an UCSC track. MBS annotation track allows to study and visualize the human miRNA binding sites transcriptome-wide in a genome browser, together with any other available information the user is interested in. In the creation of the database that underlies the MBS track, three consolidated algorithms of miRNA binding prediction have been used: PITA, miRanda and TargetScan, and information about the binding sites predicted by all of them has been collected. MBS track displays high-confident miRNA binding sites for the whole length of each human transcript, both coding and non-coding ones. Each annotation can redirect to a web page with the details of the miRNA binding and the involved transcripts. MBS can be easily applied to retrieve specific information such as the effects of alternative splicing on miRNA binding or when a specific miRNA binds an exon–exon junction in the mature RNA. Overall, MBS will be of great help for studying and visualizing, in a user-friendly mode, the predicted miRNA binding sites on all the transcripts arising from a gene or a region of interest.

Database URL https://datasharingada.fondazionerimed.com:8080/MBS
Popular politics, heritage and memories of Chartism in England and Wales, 1918–2020
Authors: Roberts Matthew
Published: April 2023

Chartism has enjoyed a remarkably enduring posthumous life. This article focuses on the politics of remembering the movement via three case studies: the interwar political left, the attempts by the political and cultural establishment to co-opt Chartism since the 1980s, and the role of Chartism in the contemporary and ongoing campaigns for democratic renewal promoted by a range of heritage organizations and groups. By drawing on critical heritage studies, as well as a range of material – from press reports to ephemera and the built environment – this article shows how forms of remembrance and the practices of commemoration surrounding Chartism were (and are) far from static and repetitive but evolving, dynamic and contested.
The endophytobiome of wild Rubiaceae as a source of antagonistic fungi against the American Leaf Spot of coffee (Mycena citricolor)
Authors: Escudero-Leyva Efraín , Granados-Montero María del Milagro , Orozco-Ortiz Cristofer , Araya-Valverde Emmanuel , Alvarado-Picado Eduardo , Chaves-Fallas José Miguel , Aldrich-Wolfe Laura , Chaverri Priscila
Published: April 2023

Aims

The American leaf spot, caused by Mycena citricolor, is an important disease of coffee (Coffea arabica), mostly in Central America. Currently, there are limited pathogen control alternatives that are environment friendly and economically accessible. The use of fungi isolated from the plant endomycobiota in their native habitats is on the rise because studies show their great potential for biological control. To begin to generate a green alternative to control M. citricolor, the objectives of the present study were to (i) collect, identify, screen (in vitro and in planta), and select endophytic fungi from wild Rubiaceae collected in old-growth forests of Costa Rica; (ii) confirm endophytic colonization in coffee plantlets; (iii) evaluate the effects of the endophytes on plantlet development; and (iv) corroborate the antagonistic ability in planta.

Methods and results

Through in vitro and in planta antagonism assays, we found that out of the selected isolates (i.e. Daldinia eschscholzii GU11N, Nectria pseudotrichia GUHN1, Purpureocillium aff. lilacinum CT24, Sarocladium aff. kiliense CT25, Trichoderma rifaii CT5, T. aff. crassum G1C, T. aff. atroviride G7T, T. aff. strigosellum GU12, and Xylaria multiplex GU14T), Trichoderma spp. produced the highest growth inhibition percentages in vitro. Trichoderma isolates CT5 and G1C were then tested in planta using Coffea arabica cv. caturra plantlets. Endophytic colonization was verified, followed by in planta growth promotion and antagonism assays.

Conclusions

Results show that Trichoderma isolates CT5 and G1C have potential for plant growth promotion and antagonism against Mycena citricolor, reducing incidence and severity, and preventing plant mortality.
In Memoriam: Fred M. Utter, a founder of fisheries genetics
Authors: Allendorf Fred W , Ryman Nils , Waples Robin S
Published: April 2023

Fred Utter died in his sleep during the night of 5 March 2023 at the age of 91. In this paper, 3 friends and colleagues of Fred describe the important role that his genetics research has played in the management and conservation of fish populations.
Visibility or Impact? International Efforts to Defend LGBTQI+ Rights in Africa
Authors: Brown Stephen
Published: April 2023

Most struggles for LGBTQI+ rights play out at the national level. However, the question of sexual and gender minorities’ rights periodically appears as a point of friction in international relations as well. This article analyses the question of international efforts to defend LGBTQI+ rights in countries of the Global South, with a particular focus on Western countries’ endeavours in Africa. Combining policy analysis, critique and recommendations, it asks how and when international actors should and should not intervene. It recognizes that motives for intervening can be problematic and the means often counterproductive, especially when exhibiting neo-imperialist tendencies and constituting ad hoc reactions to events in the media. Countering essentialist arguments about ‘authentic’ African culture and values, influenced by religious beliefs, is also a significant challenge. I argue that more fruitful efforts should instead be centred on local rights defenders’ perspectives and supporting their priorities and initiatives, based on concerted, long-term, principled strategies. International actors, however, are reluctant to adopt such approaches because of a desire for short-term visible action, even if less effective or not effective at all. This conundrum is a fundamental problem in the area of foreign aid writ large, as greater impact often requires less visibility on the part of international actors, but donor countries want domestic and international recognition of their efforts. The article distils key lessons learnt and principles for action that have emerged over the past 15 to 20 years, brought together in one place for the first time. It aims to stimulate discussions among practitioners and academics. It should be of particular interest to human rights practitioners, especially those who are involved or contemplating getting involved in defending the rights of sexual and gender minorities internationally.
Emergency contraception – pharmacists’ knowledge and attitude on emergency contraceptives’ dispensing practices
Authors: Akande-Sholabi Wuraola , Dehinde-Joseph Valerie , Showande Segun Johnson
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Emergency contraceptives have the potential to reduce health complications in women with unintended/unwanted pregnancies. Access to availability and use of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) is influenced by pharmacist knowledge and attitudes, and there are limited data in Nigeria on pharmacists’ ECPs dispensing practices. This study assessed pharmacists’ knowledge, attitude and practice towards the use of emergency contraceptives.

Methods

A cross-sectional study conducted among 100 community pharmacists in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria with the use of a self-administered structured questionnaire. The questionnaire contained Likert-type 17-item knowledge, 9-item attitude and 15-item practice scales. The scales utilised 5–7 graded responses. The scaled score was graded as good and poor knowledge, positive and negative attitude and high, moderate or low-level practice of emergency contraception. The ability to predict the level of practice of emergency contraception, based on the pharmacist’s knowledge and attitude towards the use of ECP, was determined with hierarchical multiple regression as P < 0.05.

Key findings

Good knowledge of emergency contraceptives was displayed by 51.5% of the pharmacists, and 51.9% had a positive attitude towards the use of ECPs. The level of ECP dispensing practices was high among 43.4% of pharmacists and low among 30.1% of pharmacists. More than 30% of the pharmacists offer a high level of educational services practice for ECPs. Pharmacists’ knowledge (β = 0.348, P = 0.002) and attitude (β = −0.302, P = 0.007) were predictive of the dispensing practice of ECPs.

Conclusion

The community pharmacists have good knowledge of emergency contraceptive use and showed a positive attitude towards the dispensing of emergency contraceptive pills.
Adverse childhood experiences and sexual dysfunction in midlife women: Is there a link?
Authors: Saadedine Mariam , Faubion Stephanie , Kingsberg Sheryl , Enders Felicity , Kuhle Carol , Kling Juliana M , Mara Kristin , Kapoor Ekta
Published: April 2023

Background

One in 3 children has had at least 1 adverse childhood experience (ACE), and ACEs have been associated with multiple medical and psychiatric morbidities in women later in life, including greater menopause symptom burden.

Aim

To evaluate the association between ACEs and female sexual dysfunction (FSD) in midlife women.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis from DREAMS—the Data Registry on Experiences of Aging, Menopause, and Sexuality—was conducted with questionnaires completed by women aged 40 to 65 years who presented to a women’s health clinic at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, from May 2015 to December 2016. History of ACEs was obtained with the validated ACE questionnaire. FSD was assessed by the Female Sexual Function Index and the Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised.

Outcomes

The association between ACEs and FSD (defined as Female Sexual Function Index score ≤26.55 and Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised score ≥11) was evaluated via a multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for age, menopause status, hormone therapy use, anxiety, depression, relationship satisfaction, hot flash severity, and history of abuse in the past year.

Results

Women (N = 1572) had a mean age of 53.2 years. Overall 59% reported having at least 1 ACE. When compared with no ACEs, a history of ≥4 ACEs significantly increased the odds of not being sexually active (odds ratio, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.30-2.57; P < .001). Among sexually active women, the proportion of women with FSD increased sequentially as the number of ACEs increased. In the univariate analysis, a history of ≥4 ACEs significantly increased the odds of FSD as compared with no ACEs (odds ratio, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.50-2.99; P < .001). The association remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis after adjusting for confounders (odds ratio, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.15-2.68; P = .009).

Clinical Implications

The findings highlight an opportunity for clinicians to screen for ACEs in women with sexual dysfunction and offer appropriate treatment and counseling as indicated.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths of the study include the large cohort, the use of validated tools for assessment of ACEs and FSD, and the adjustment for multiple potential confounding factors. Limitations include the cross-sectional study design, recall bias in reporting ACEs and recent abuse, and the low representation of racially and ethnically diverse women in the cohort.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates an increased risk of sexual inactivity and sexual dysfunction in midlife women who experienced childhood adversity. The sexual dysfunction in women with ACEs seems to be independent of other factors that potentially affect female sexual function in midlife.
Plant species with larger extrafloral nectaries produce better quality nectar when needed and interact with the best ant partners
Authors: Alencar Cícero Luanderson da Silva , Nogueira Anselmo , Vicente Ricardo Eduardo , Coutinho Ítalo Antônio Cotta
Published: April 2023

Few studies have explored the phenotypic plasticity of nectar production on plant attractiveness to ants. Here, we investigate the role of extrafloral nectary (EFN) size on the productivity of extrafloral nectar in three sympatric legume species. We hypothesized that plant species with larger EFNs (i) have higher induced nectar secretion after herbivory events, and (ii) are more likely to interact with more protective (i.e. dominant) ant partners. We target 90 plants of three Chamaecrista species in the field. We estimated EFN size and conducted field experiments to evaluate any differences in nectar traits before and after leaf damage to investigate the phenotypic plasticity of nectar production across species. We conducted multiple censuses of ant species feeding on EFNs over time. Plant species increased nectar descriptors after leaf damage, but in different ways. Supporting our hypothesis, C. duckeana, with the largest EFN size, increased all nectar descriptors, with most intense post-herbivory-induced response, taking its place as the most attractive to ants, including dominant species. EFN size variation was an excellent indicator of nectar productivity across species. The higher control over reward production in plants with larger sized EFNs reflects an induction mechanism under damage that reduces costs and increases the potential benefits of indirect biotic defences.
“I would I had that corporal soundness”: Pervez Rizvi's Analysis of the Word Adjacency Network Method of Authorship Attribution
Authors: Egan Gabriel , Eisen Mark , Ribeiro Alejandro , Segarra Santiago
Published: April 2023

In his two-part article ‘An Analysis of the Word Adjacency Network Method—Part 1—The evidence of its unsoundness’ and ‘Part 2—A true understanding of the method’ Digital Scholarship in the Humanities, 38: 347-78 (2022), Pervez Rizvi attempts to replicate the Word Adjacency Network (WAN) method for authorship attribution and show that it does not produce the new knowledge that we, its inventors, claim for it. In the present essay, we will show that Rizvi misrepresents fundamental aspects of the WAN method, that his attempted replication fails not because the method is flawed but because he erred in replicating it, and that Rizvi misunderstands key aspects of the mathematics of Information Theory that the method uses.
Massive core/star formation triggered by cloud–cloud collision – II. High-speed collisions of magnetized clouds
Authors: Sakre Nirmit , Habe Asao , Pettitt Alex R , Okamoto Takashi , Enokiya Rei , Fukui Yasuo , Hosokawa Takashi
Published: April 2023

We present a study of the effects of magnetic fields on the formation of massive, self-gravitationally bound cores (MBCs) in high-speed cloud–cloud collisions (CCCs). Extending our previous work, we perform magnetohydrodynamic simulations of the high-speed (20–40 km s−1) collisions between two magnetized (initial 4 $\mu\!$ G), turbulent clouds of different sizes in the range of 7–20 pc. We show that a magnetic field hinders the growth of cores, particularly in the case of short-duration collisions where cores are not seen to reach a highly bound state. In such cases, a shocked region created by the collision rapidly expands into the ambient medium owing to the enhanced magnetic pressure, resulting in the destruction of the highly unbound cores and suppression of gas accretion. This negative effect on the formation of MBCs has not been reported in previous hydrodynamic simulations of CCCs. Together with our previous work, we conclude that magnetic fields provide two competing effects on the MBC formation in CCCs; while they promote the mass accumulation onto cores during a collision, they operate to destroy cores or hinder the core growth after the collision. The duration of such collisions determines which effect prevails, resulting in a maximum collision speed for the MBC formation within given colliding clouds. Our results agree with the observed trend among CCC samples in the column density range probed in the simulations presented here; CCCs with higher relative velocities require higher column densities for the formation of massive stars.
Galaxy quenching time-scales from a forensic reconstruction of their colour evolution
Authors: Bravo Matías , Robotham Aaron S G , Lagos Claudia del P , Davies Luke J M , Bellstedt Sabine , Thorne Jessica E
Published: April 2023

The time-scales on which galaxies move out of the blue cloud to the red sequence ($\tau ^{}_\mathrm{Q}$ ) provide insight into the mechanisms driving quenching. Here, we build upon previous work, where we showcased a method to reconstruct the colour evolution of observed low-redshift galaxies from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey based on spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting with ProSpect, together with a statistically driven definition for the blue and red populations. We also use the predicted colour evolution from the shark semi-analytic model, combined with SED fits of our simulated galaxy sample, to study the accuracy of the measured $\tau ^{}_\mathrm{Q}$ and gain physical insight into the colour evolution of galaxies. In this work, we measure $\tau ^{}_\mathrm{Q}$ in a consistent approach for both observations and simulations. After accounting for selection bias, we find evidence for an increase in $\tau ^{}_\mathrm{Q}$ in GAMA as a function of cosmic time (from $\tau ^{}_\mathrm{Q}$ ∼ 1 Gyr to $\tau ^{}_\mathrm{Q}$ ∼ 2 Gyr in the lapse of ∼4 Gyr), but not in shark ($\tau ^{}_\mathrm{Q}$ ≲ 1 Gyr). Our observations and simulations disagree on the effect of stellar mass, with GAMA showing massive galaxies transitioning faster, but is the opposite in shark. We find that environment only impacts galaxies below ∼1010 M⊙ in GAMA, with satellites having shorter $\tau ^{}_\mathrm{Q}$ than centrals by ∼0.4 Gyr, with shark only in qualitative agreement. Finally, we compare to previous literature, finding consistency with time-scales in the order of couple Gyr, but with several differences that we discuss.
A radio-emitting outflow produced by the tidal disruption event AT2020vwl
Authors: Goodwin A J , Alexander K D , Miller-Jones J C A , Bietenholz M F , van Velzen S , Anderson G E , Berger E , Cendes Y , Chornock R , Coppejans D L , Eftekhari T , Gezari S , Laskar T , Ramirez-Ruiz E , Saxton R
Published: April 2023

A tidal disruption event (TDE) occurs when a star is destroyed by a supermassive black hole. Broad-band radio spectral observations of TDEs trace the emission from any outflows or jets that are ejected from the vicinity of the supermassive black hole. However, radio detections of TDEs are rare, with <20 published to date, and only 11 with multi-epoch broad-band coverage. Here we present the radio detection of the TDE AT2020vwl and our subsequent radio monitoring campaign of the outflow that was produced, spanning 1.5 yr post-optical flare. We tracked the outflow evolution as it expanded between 1016 and 1017 cm from the supermassive black hole, deducing it was non-relativistic and launched quasi-simultaneously with the initial optical detection through modelling the evolving synchrotron spectra of the event. We deduce that the outflow is likely to have been launched by material ejected from stream-stream collisions (more likely), the unbound debris stream, or an accretion-induced wind or jet from the supermassive black hole (less likely). AT2020vwl joins a growing number of TDEs with well-characterized prompt radio emission, with future timely radio observations of TDEs required to fully understand the mechanism that produces this type of radio emission in TDEs.
The effect of stellar encounters on the dark matter annihilation signal from prompt cusps
Authors: Stücker Jens , Ogiya Go , White Simon D M , Angulo Raul E
Published: April 2023

Prompt cusps are the densest quasi-equilibrium dark matter objects; one forms at the instant of collapse within every isolated peak of the initial cosmological density field. They have power-law density profiles, ρ ∝ r−1.5 with central phase-space density set by the primordial velocity dispersion of the dark matter. At late times, they account for $\sim 1~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the dark matter mass but for $\gt 90~{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of its annihilation luminosity in all but the densest regions, where they are tidally disrupted. Here we demonstrate that individual stellar encounters rather than the mean galactic tide are the dominant disruptors of prompt cusps within galaxies. Their cumulative effect is fully (though stochastically) characterized by an impulsive shock strength $B_* = 2\pi G\int \rho _*({\bf x}(t))\, \mathrm{d}t$ where ρ*, the total mass density in stars, is integrated over a cusp’s entire post-formation trajectory. Stellar encounters and mean tides have only a small effect on the halo annihilation luminosity seen by distant observers, but this is not true for the Galactic halo because of the Sun’s position. For a 100 GeV WIMP, Earth-mass prompt cusps are predicted, and stellar encounters suppress their mean annihilation luminosity by a factor of two already at 20 kpc, so that their annihilation emission is predicted to appear almost uniform over the sky. The Galactic centre γ-ray excess is thus unaffected by cusps. If it is indeed dark matter annihilation radiation, then prompt cusps in the outer Galactic halo and beyond must account for 20–80 per cent of the observed isotropic γ-ray background in the 1–10 GeV range.
From methodological limitations to the function of metallothioneins - a guide to approaches for determining weak, moderate, and tight affinity zinc sites
Authors: Pomorski Adam , Drozd Agnieszka , Kocyła Anna , Krężel Artur
Published: April 2023

Mammalian metallothioneins (MTs) are small cysteine-rich proteins whose primary role is participation in zinc and copper homeostasis. Ever since their discovery, MTs have been investigated in terms of metal-binding affinity. The initial concept of seven Zn(II) ions (Zn7MT) bound with the same, undifferentiated low-picomolar affinity in the α and β domains prevailed for many years and derived from spectroscopic studies. The application of fluorescent zinc probes has changed the perception of MTs, showing that they function in nanomolar to subnanomolar free zinc concentrations due to the presence of tight, moderate, and weak binding sites. The discovery of Zn(II)-depleted MTs in many tissues and determination of cellular free Zn(II) concentrations with differentiated zinc affinity sites revealed the critical importance of partially saturated Zn4–6MTs species in cellular zinc buffering in a wide picomolar to nanomolar range of free Zn(II) concentrations. Until today, there was no clear agreement on the presence of differentiated or only tight zinc sites. Here, we present a series of spectroscopic, mass spectrometry-based, and enzymatic competition experiments that reveal how weak, moderate, or high-affinity ligands interact with human MT2, with special attention to the determination of Zn(II) affinities. The results show that the simplification of the stability model is the major reason for determining significantly different stability data that obscured the actual MTs function. Therefore, we emphasize that different metal affinities are the single most important reason for their presumed function, which changed over the years from tight binding and, thus, storage to one that is highly dynamic.
Led-Seq: ligation-enhanced double-end sequence-based structure analysis of RNA
Authors: Kolberg Tim , von Löhneysen Sarah , Ozerova Iuliia , Wellner Karolin , Hartmann Roland K , Stadler Peter F , Mörl Mario
Published: April 2023

Structural analysis of RNA is an important and versatile tool to investigate the function of this type of molecules in the cell as well as in vitro. Several robust and reliable procedures are available, relying on chemical modification inducing RT stops or nucleotide misincorporations during reverse transcription. Others are based on cleavage reactions and RT stop signals. However, these methods address only one side of the RT stop or misincorporation position. Here, we describe Led-Seq, a new approach based on lead-induced cleavage of unpaired RNA positions, where both resulting cleavage products are investigated. The RNA fragments carrying 2′, 3′-cyclic phosphate or 5′-OH ends are selectively ligated to oligonucleotide adapters by specific RNA ligases. In a deep sequencing analysis, the cleavage sites are identified as ligation positions, avoiding possible false positive signals based on premature RT stops. With a benchmark set of transcripts in Escherichia coli, we show that Led-Seq is an improved and reliable approach based on metal ion-induced phosphodiester hydrolysis to investigate RNA structures in vivo.
A modified Child-Turcotte-Pugh score based on plasma ammonia predicts survival for patients with decompensated cirrhosis
Authors: Wang X , Zhang M , Xiao J , Zhang W , Wang Y , Zhang S , Zou X , Wang L , Zhuge Y , Zhang F
Published: April 2023

Background

Plasma ammonia has been shown to be an independent prognostic factor for patients with liver cirrhosis.

Aim

We aimed to investigate the discrimination and calibration of a new prognostic model (aCTP) based on plasma ammonia (Amm) replacing hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score.

Design

Diagnostic test, paired design.

Methods

Baseline Amm levels were corrected to the upper limit of normal (Amm-ULN). We designed the new model based on the cut-off value of Amm-ULN in the observational cohort of 554 clinically stable cirrhotic patients from January 2012 to July 2019. External validation was carried out using prospective data from 185 patients with liver cirrhosis.

Results

Our analysis showed that each 1-point increase in Amm-ULN was associated with a 2-fold increase in the likelihood of mortality [hazard ratio (HR), 2.06; 95% CI: 1.81–2.36, P < 0.001]. In the aCTP score, Amm-ULN < 1.0 was defined as a score of 1, 1.0 ≤ Amm-ULN < 1.4 as 2 and ≥1.4 as 3. The survival curves among three aCTP grades were significantly different (P < 0.0001). The aCTP score showed the better agreements between predicted and observed events in the validating cohorts than the CTP score (C-statistics: 0.75 and 0.69, P < 0.001). The aCTP score showed inspiring power to predict acute decompensation (C-statistics: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.71–0.81) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (C-statistics: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.77–0.86).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility and the potential for plasma Amm replacing HE (aCTP) to enhance the prognostication of transplant-free survival provided by the CTP score for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
Diagnosing and managing dysphagia in inclusion body myositis: a systematic review
Authors: Ambrocio Kevin Renz , Garand Kendrea L (Focht) , Roy Bhaskar , Bhutada Ankita M , Malandraki Georgia A
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Dysphagia is a common debilitating clinical feature of IBM. However, the impact of dysphagia in IBM has been historically overlooked. This study aimed to identify, evaluate and summarize the evidence regarding the assessment and management of dysphagia in persons with IBM undergoing treatment.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using a multiengine search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies had to employ an intervention for persons with IBM, report a swallowing outcome and be published in English. Quality assessments of the eligible studies were performed.

Results

Of 239 studies found, 19 met the inclusion criteria. One study was rated as ‘fair’ and the rest as ‘poor’ quality, particularly due to the lack of published and validated swallowing assessment procedures and outcome measures. Cricopharyngeal (CP) dysfunction (12/19) was the most commonly reported swallowing abnormality. Interventions for disease management included pharmacological agents (10/19), followed by surgical (3/19), behavioral (1/19) and combined approaches (5/19). Interventions with immunosuppressants, botulinum toxin injection, balloon dilation and/or CP myotomy led to mixed and transient benefits. Few studies examining statins or behavioral therapies (primarily focused on respiratory function) showed no effects for dysphagia.

Conclusion

Various interventions have been reported to temporarily improve dysphagia in persons with IBM. However, these findings are based on limited and overall low-quality evidence. This study cautions against the generalization of these findings and emphasizes the need for further systematic research to improve the diagnosis and management of dysphagia in IBM.
Engaging non-mathematics students in mathematics learning through collaborative teaching
Authors: Mathias Jinhua , Saville Christopher , Leech Steve
Published: April 2023

Mathematics is a common component of many science and social science degrees, but frequently not considered a prerequisite for their study. This can lead to some students studying mathematics components at undergraduate level with little or no previous mathematical learning and varying levels of motivation, or desire, to study mathematics. This situation has consequences for student experience and teaching practice, including the potential for lower levels of student engagement, higher levels of student anxiety and lack of student motivation for studying a subject that is not what they chose as their degree subject. This paper details an intervention designed to address issues experienced in the teaching of mathematics to undergraduate students, with varying motivation for the study of mathematics and high levels of mathematics anxiety, in their first year of study in a department of Earth Sciences at a UK university. The intervention provided a bespoke mathematics module, designed and taught collaboratively by a teaching specialist in mathematics and a subject specialist in Earth Sciences. The mathematics specialist was able to provide extensive experience in teaching students from widening participation backgrounds and those with mathematics anxiety, making the content more accessible to the students, particularly those with mathematics anxiety. The Earth Sciences specialist was able to contextualize the mathematics content, showing students how the content was applicable to the rest of the degree and helping locate the mathematical content within the broader scope of the discipline. Previous approaches to this module were taught either solely by an Earth Sciences specialist or solely by a mathematics specialist. Compared with those approaches the collaborative teaching intervention improved student attainment by 10% in the average module mark and moved the module from having the lowest student satisfaction scores in the department to the highest. This innovation also benefited both teachers with respect to professional development, which is discussed in the paper.
Molecular mechanisms of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: López‐Gálvez Raquel , Rivera‐Caravaca José Miguel , Mandaglio‐Collados Darío , Orenes‐Piñero Esteban , Lahoz Álvaro , Hernández‐Romero Diana , Martínez Carlos M. , Carpes Marina , Arribas José María , Cánovas Sergio , Lip Gregory Y. H. , Marín Francisco
Published: April 2023

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) promotes atrial remodeling and fibrosis, providing a substrate for atrial fibrillation (AF). Herein, we investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms of AF in association with OSA in a cohort of cardiac surgery patients. A prospective study including patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Biomarkers reflective of AF pathophysiology (interleukin [IL‐6], C‐reactive protein [CRP], von Willebrand factor [vWF], N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide [NT‐proBNP], high‐sensitivity Troponin T [hs‐TnT], and Galectin‐3 [Gal‐3]) was assessed by functional or immunological assays. miRNAs involved in AF were analyzed by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Using atrial tissue samples, fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome. Connexin 40 and 43 (Cx40; Cx43) were evaluated by immunolabeling. Fifty‐six patients (15 with OSA and 41 non‐OSA) were included in this hypothesis‐generating pilot study. OSA group had a higher incidence of postoperative AF (POAF) (46.7% vs. 19.5%; p = .042), presented an increased risk of POAF (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.01–12.92), and had significantly higher baseline levels of NT‐proBNP (p = .044), vWF (p = .049), Gal‐3 (p = .009), IL‐6 (p = .002), and CRP (p = .003). This group presented lower levels of miR‐21 and miR‐208 (both p < .05). Also, lower Cx40 levels in POAF and/or OSA patients (50.0% vs. 81.8%, p = .033) were found. The presence of interstitial fibrosis (according to myocardial collagen by Masson's trichrome) was raised in OSA patients (86.7% vs. 53.7%, p = .024). Several biomarkers and miRNAs involved in inflammation and fibrosis were dysregulated in OSA patients, which together with a higher degree of interstitial fibrosis, altered miRNA, and Cxs expression predisposes to the development of a substrate that increases the AF risk.
Surgical Stress: The Muscle and Cognitive Demands of Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery
Authors: Shugaba Abdul , Subar Daren A. , Slade Kate , Willett Mark , Abdel-Aty Mohammed , Campbell Iain , Heywood Nick , Vitone Louis , Sheikh Adnan , Gill Mike , Zelhof Bachar , Nuttall Helen E. , Bampouras Theodoros M. , Gaffney Christopher J.
Published: April 2023

Introduction:

Surgeons are among the most at-risk professionals for work-related musculoskeletal decline and experience high mental demands. This study examined the electromyographic (EMG) and electroencephalographic (EEG) activities of surgeons during surgery.

Methods:

Surgeons who performed live laparoscopic (LS) and robotic (RS) surgeries underwent EMG and EEG measurements. Wireless EMG was used to measure muscle activation in 4 muscle groups bilaterally (biceps brachii, deltoid, upper trapezius, and latissimus dorsi), and an 8-channel wireless EEG device was used to measure cognitive demand. EMG and EEG recordings were completed simultaneously during (1) noncritical bowel dissection, (2) critical vessel dissection, and (3) dissection after vessel control. Robust ANOVA was used to compare the %MVCRMS and alpha power between LS and RS.

Results:

Thirteen male surgeons performed 26 LS and 28 RS. Muscle activation was significantly higher in the right deltoid (P = 0.006), upper trapezius (left, P = 0.041; right, P = 0.032), and latissimus dorsi (left, P = 0.003; right, P = 0.014) muscles in the LS group. There was greater muscle activation in the right biceps than in the left biceps in both surgical modalities (both P = 0.0001). There was a significant effect of the time of surgery on the EEG activity (P < 0.0001). A significantly greater cognitive demand was observed in the RS than in the LS with alpha, beta, theta, delta, and gamma (P = 0.002 – P <0.0001).

Conclusions:

These data suggest greater muscle demands in laparoscopic surgery, but greater cognitive demands in RS. This trial was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04477746).
ICU Bereaved Surrogates’ Transition Through States of Co-Occurring Prolonged Grief Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Depression Symptoms*
Authors: Wen Fur-Hsing , Prigerson Holly G. , Chou Wen-Chi , Huang Chung-Chi , Hu Tsung-Hui , Chiang Ming Chu , Chuang Li-Pang , Tang Siew Tzuh
Published: April 2023

OBJECTIVES:

Grief-related psychological distress often co-occurs to conjointly impair function during bereavement. Knowledge of comorbid grief-related psychological distress is limited: no longitudinal study has examined dynamic patterns of co-occurring prolonged grief disorder (PGD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression, and previous assessment time frames have been variable and potentially inadequate given the duration criterion for PGD. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the transition of distinct symptom states based on the co-occurrence of PGD, PTSD, and depression symptoms for ICU bereaved surrogates over their first two bereavement years.

DESIGN:

Prospective, longitudinal, observational study.

SETTING:

Medical ICUs at two academically affiliated medical centers in Taiwan.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS:

Three hundred three family surrogates responsible for decision-making for critically ill patients at high risk of death (Acute Physiology and Chronic Evaluation II scores > 20) from a disease.

INTERVENTION:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Participants were assessed by 11 items of the Prolonged Grief Disorder (PG-13) scale, the Impact of Event Scale—Revised, and the depression subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale at 6, 13, 18, and 24 months postloss. PGD-PTSD-depression-symptom states and their evolution were examined by latent transition analysis. The following four distinct PGD-PTSD-depression-symptom states (prevalence) were initially identified: resilient (62.3%), subthreshold depression-dominant (19.9%), PGD-dominant (12.9%), and PGD-PTSD-depression comorbid (4.9%) states. These PGD-PTSD-depression-symptom states remained highly stable during the first two bereavement years, with transitions predominantly toward resilience. Prevalence for each state at 24 months postloss was 82.1%, 11.4%, 4.0%, and 2.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Four highly stable PGD-PTSD-depression-symptom states were identified, highlighting the importance of screening for subgroups of ICU bereaved surrogates with increased PGD or comorbid PGD, PTSD, and depression symptoms during early bereavement.