bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sexual Health Studies in Gay and Lesbian People: A Critical Review of the Literature
Authors: Mijas Magdalena , Grabski Bartosz , Blukacz Mateusz , Davies Dominic
Published: May 2021

Background

The subject of gay and lesbian sexual health seems to be highly understudied, at least partially due to general limitations inherent in the studies of sexuality as well as heteronormative bias and difficulties in reaching out to these populations.

Aim

To critically review the studies on gay and lesbian sexual health in order to identify the existing gaps and biases in the scope and general construction of the published research.

Methods

The dataset comprised 556 peer-reviewed articles identified through Medline search. Key studies characteristics were extracted according to the codebook developed for this study and analyzed descriptively.

Outcomes

The outcomes included: research methodology, study design, sampling, research topic and diversity inclusion in studied populations.

RESULTS

The majority of the studies were quantitative (70.5%), cross-sectional (83.6%) and used convenience sampling (83.2%). Most papers focused on HIV/STI risk behaviors, vulnerabilities and risk navigation (26.3%). The least often found topic captured the sexual function of gay and lesbian participants in older age (0.5%). Over 68% of papers relied on male samples and studies on female-only samples comprised less than 13%. Most studies did not recruit a specific age group (77.7%) and included information about ethnicity of study participants (62%). Information about education (58.7%) or other indicators of socioeconomic status (52.8%) was less often reported.

Clinical Translation

The methodological limitations of prevailing study designs, sampling procedures and the composition of samples, as well as extensive areas of omission confine the clinical utility of existing research.

Strengths & Limitations

This study offers critical insights into the most significant challenges associated with studies on gay and lesbian sexual health. Medline-only database search, the inclusion of English-written papers exclusively and limited scope (gay and lesbian sexuality only) of the review constitute the most significant limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

Gay and lesbian sexual health is an understudied field characterized by primary focus on HIV/STI and paucity of higher quality research including diverse subpopulations.
A fused mixed-methods approach to thematic analysis of personal networks: Two case studies of caregiver support networks
Authors: Yousefi Nooraie Reza , Thompson Bronwyn , D’Silva Chelsea , Zenlea Ian , Tabatabaee Maryam , Mohammad Aghaei Ardavan
Published: May 2021

Thematic analysis of personal networks involves identifying regularities in network structure and content, and grouping networks into types/clusters, to allow for a holistic understanding of social complexities. We propose an inductive approach to network thematic analysis, applying the learnings from qualitative coding, fused mixed-methods analysis, and typology development. It involves framing (changing focus by magnifying, aggregating, and graphical configuration), pattern detection (identification of underlying dimensions, sorting, and clustering), labeling, and triangulating (confirmation and fine-tuning using quantitative and qualitative approaches); applied repeatedly and emergently. We describe this approach utilized in two cases of studying support networks of caregivers.
The Taxation of Families: How Gendered (De)Familialization Tax Policies Modify Horizontal Income Inequality
Authors: SCHECHTL MANUEL
Published: May 2021

A welfare state’s tax system does not solely redistribute from rich to poor (vertical) but also between family types (horizontal). Different types of families are treated differently due to gendered (de)familialization policies in the tax code, such as joint filing for spouses or single-parent relief. In this study I aim to examine the tax system’s modification of horizontal income inequality between the six most prevalent family types of non-retiree households. To answer my research aim I draw on harmonized data from 30 countries provided by the Luxembourg Income Study (LIS). I estimate pre- and post-fiscal income inequality measured as between-family-type Theil indices. Using multivariate linear regression, I examine the association of the percentage change in inequality and the prevalence of family type-related tax characteristics. The results show that welfare states with familialization tax policies reduce less horizontal income inequality compared to welfare states without familialization tax policies. As familialization tax policies provide additional benefits for breadwinners with dependents, they discourage labour market participation of secondary earners and might exacerbate gender inequalities.
Analysis and multi-objective optimal design of a planar differentially driven cable parallel robot
Authors: Wang Ruobing , Li Yangmin
Published: May 2021

In this work, a planar cable parallel robot (CPR) driven by four cable-and-pulley differentials is proposed and analyzed. A new cable-and-pulley differential is designed by adding an extra pulley to eliminate the modeling inaccuracies due to the pulley radius and obviate the need of solving the complex model which considers the pulley kinematics. The design parameters of the proposed CPR are determined through multi-objective optimal design for the largest total orientation wrench closure workspace (TOWCW) and the highest global stiffness magnitude index. The proposed differentially driven CPR is evaluated by comparing various performance indices with a fully actuated CPR.
A DEFENSE OF MILL’S ARGUMENT FOR THE “PRACTICAL INSEPARABILITY” OF THE LIBERTIES OF CONSCIENCE (AND THE ABSOLUTISM IT ENTAILS)
Authors: Jacobson Daniel
Published: May 2021

Mill advocated an unqualified defense of the liberty of conscience in the most comprehensive sense, which he understood to include not just the freedom to hold but also to express any opinion or sentiment. Yet considerable dispute persists about the nature of Mill’s argument for freedom of expression and whether his premises can support so strong a conclusion. Two prominent interpretations of Mill that threaten to undermine his uncompromising defense of free speech are considered and refuted. A better interpretation can be founded on Mill’s claim that the liberties of conscience are inseparable in practice. This claim can be defended with modern psychological insight about the nature of cognitive bias, and epistemological insight about why justification of creedal beliefs requires the universal toleration of opinion, insights which are largely anticipated by Mill. This argument is especially vital because it highlights the divide between classical liberalism and progressivism that has become a flashpoint in the current political debate over free speech.
FREE SPEECH, PRIVACY, AND AUTONOMY
Authors: Moore Adam D.
Published: May 2021

While autonomy arguments provide a compelling foundation for free speech, they also support individual privacy rights. Considering how speech and privacy may be justified, I will argue that the speech necessary for self-government does not need to include details that would violate privacy rights. Additionally, I will argue that if viewed as a kind of intangible property right, informational privacy should limit speech and expression in a range of cases. In a world where we have an overabundance of content to consume, much of which could be called “information pollution,” and where there are numerous platforms to broadcast one’s expressions, it is increasingly difficult to maintain that speech should trump privacy.
HARMS OF SILENCE: FROM PIERRE BAYLE TO DE-PLATFORMING
Authors: Cohen Andrew Jason
Published: May 2021

Early in the history of liberalism, its most important proponents were concerned with freedom of religion. As polities and individuals now accept a dizzying array of religions, this has receded to the background for most theorists. It nonetheless remains a concern. Freedom of speech is a similar concern and very much in the foreground for theorists looking at the current state of academia. In this essay, I argue that inappropriate limits to freedom of religion and inappropriate limits to freedom of speech—especially in the form of de-platforming on college campuses—both have, as one of their effects, what I call harms of silence. This means we ought not have those limits, so should seek to change them where they exist.
Postlaunch evidence-generation studies for medical devices in Spain: the RedETS approach to integrate real-world evidence into decision making
Authors: Serrano-Aguilar Pedro , Gutierrez-Ibarluzea Iñaki , Díaz Pilar , Imaz-Iglesia Iñaki , González-Enríquez Jesús , Castro José Luis , Espallargues Mireia , García-Armesto Sandra , Arriola-Bolado Paloma , Rivero-Santana Amado , Perestelo-Pérez Lilisbeth , González-Pacheco Himar , Álvarez-Pérez Yolanda , Faraldo-Vallés María José , Puñal-Riobóo Janet , Ramallo-Fariña Yolanda , Sánchez-Gómez Luis María , Asua-Batarrita José , Reviriego-Rodrigo Eva , Moreno-Rodríguez Anai , Juárez-Rojo Celia , Vicente-Saiz Marisa , Orejas-Pérez Eugenia , Knabe-Guerra Jutta , Prieto-Yerro Isabel , González del Yerro-Valdés Cristina
Published: May 2021

The Monitoring Studies (MS) program, the approach developed by RedETS to generate postlaunch real-world evidence (RWE), is intended to complement and enhance the conventional health technology assessment process to support health policy decision making in Spain, besides informing other interested stakeholders, including clinicians and patients. The MS program is focused on specific uncertainties about the real effect, safety, costs, and routine use of new and insufficiently assessed relevant medical devices carefully selected to ensure the value of the additional research needed, by means of structured, controlled, participative, and transparent procedures. However, despite a clear political commitment and economic support from national and regional health authorities, several difficulties were identified along the development and implementation of the first wave of MS, delaying its execution and final reporting. Resolution of these difficulties at the regional and national levels and a greater collaborative impulse in the European Union, given the availability of an appropriate methodological framework already provided by EUnetHTA, might provide a faster and more efficient comparative RWE of improved quality and reliability at the national and international levels.
Seafarers’ awareness-based domain modelling in restricted areas
Authors: Lee Hee-Jin , Furukawa Yoshitaka , Park Deuk-Jin
Published: May 2021

Applying the existing domain model in ship domain research in a restricted area can be difficult owing to multiple factors that must be considered. This study presents a new domain model that can be applied in such environments. According to Endsley's theory of situation awareness, people have their own criteria in decision making based on factors such as individual and environmental factors. To investigate these factors, 125 seafarers were interviewed and threshold values based on their awareness were examined. The factors were evaluated as the closest points of approach. Domain modelling was performed based on these seafarer awareness values; then, the existing and awareness domains were compared, revealing that the awareness-based domain of seafarers is more affected by ship manoeuvrability than by ship size and speed, unlike the findings of existing domain research. Therefore, this study presents a new domain model that is both realistic and practical in a confined area, including various factors considered by seafarers based on the awareness values formed.
Effects of prolonged interruption of rehabilitation routines in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients
Authors: Gonçalves Filipe , Magalhães Bruno
Published: May 2021

Objective

Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) experienced prolonged interruption of their rehabilitation palliative care routines due to restrictive COVID-19 pandemic public health measures. This study assesses the effects of before and after the lockdown on functionality rates and quality of life (QoL) in patients with ALS.

Methods

A longitudinal observational study was conducted. Participants were assessed three times — early January (T0), before mandatory lockdown (T1), and during lockdown (T2) — using the ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and the ALS-Specific Quality of Life-Short Form (ALSSQOL-SF). The paired-sample t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used.

Results

Thirty-two patients were included with a mean age of 56.9 (SD 14.2) years and mean symptoms onset of 27.1 (SD 14.3) months. ALSFRS-R mean scores decayed significantly over time when comparing T0–T1 (0.26 ± 0.38) and T1–T2 (1.36 ± 1.43) slopes (p < 0.001). Significant differences were observed between T1 and T2 for ALSSQOL-SF scores (115.31 ± 17.06 vs. 104.31 ± 20.65), especially in four specific domains, and FSS scores (34.06 ± 16.84 vs. 40.09 ± 17.63). Negative correlations between negative emotions and physical symptoms assessed by ALSSQOL-SF and FSS were found.

Significance of the results

Rehabilitation treatment routines in palliative care, such as physiotherapy and speech therapy, appear to mitigate the ALSFRS-R slope. Prolonged interruption of rehabilitation during the lockdown may have accelerated the functional decline in ALS patients’ motor skills with as measured after 2 months by the ALSFRS-R in the limb and bulbar subscores, but not respiratory subscore. Other short-term effects, increased fatigue and negative impact on QoL, were also verified.
Singing “Past, Present and Future”: Music in Early American Commemoration
Authors: LOHMAN LAURA
Published: May 2021

Constantly fearful about the fragility of the young republic in the decades following the Revolutionary War, Americans assiduously organized commemorative rituals. While historians have examined these commemorations, music's place in them has yet to be fully understood. By highlighting key themes in cross-regional, cross-racial discourse on commemoration and drawing on rich records preserved from Bennington, Vermont, this article exposes the varied purposes for which Americans used music in commemorations from the 1780s to the 1810s. In early postwar commemorations, Benningtonians used music to emphasize gratitude and virtue and educate local youth about proper behavior. As political rifts developed in the 1790s, community members also used music to articulate contemporary politics in terms of the revolutionary past and exhort their neighbors to take political action. To sustain these practices as new generations matured without firsthand experience of the war, locals used music to cultivate stronger ties to the battle. As Bennington illustrates, music provided a powerful means of shaping Americans’ perceptions of the past to urge them to action in the present for outcomes envisioned in the future, compellingly anchored in terms of gratitude, virtue, and memory.
Association between maternal prepregnancy body mass index with offspring cardiometabolic risk factors: analysis of three Brazilian birth cohorts
Authors: Dias Mariane da Silva , Matijasevich Alicia , Menezes Ana Maria B. , Barros Fernando C. , Wehrmeister Fernando C. , Gonçalves Helen , Santos Iná S. , Horta Bernardo Lessa
Published: May 2021

Evidence suggests that maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) is associated with offspring cardiometabolic risk factors. This study was aimed at assessing the association of maternal prepregnancy BMI with offspring cardiometabolic risk factors in adolescence and adulthood. We also evaluated whether offspring BMI was a mediator in this association. The study included mother–offspring pairs from three Pelotas birth cohorts. Offspring cardiometabolic risk factors were collected in the last follow-up of each cohort [mean age (in years) 30.2, 22.6, 10.9]. Blood pressure was measured using an automatic device, cholesterol by using an enzymatic colorimetric method, and glucose from fingertip blood, using a portable glucose meter. In a pooled analysis of the cohorts, multiple linear regression was used to control for confounding. Mediation analysis was conducted using G-computation formula. In the adjusted model, mean systolic blood pressure of offspring from overweight and obese mothers was on average 1.25 (95% CI: 0.45; 2.05) and 2.13 (95% CI: 0.66; 3.59) mmHg higher than that of offspring from normal-weight mothers; for diastolic blood pressure, the means were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.26; 1.34) and 2.60 (95% CI: 1.62; 3.59) mmHg higher, respectively. Non-HDL cholesterol was positively associated with maternal BMI, whereas blood glucose was not associated. Mediation analyses showed that offspring BMI explained completely the association of maternal prepregnancy BMI with offspring systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and non-HDL cholesterol. Our findings suggest that maternal prepregnancy BMI is positively associated with offspring blood pressure, and blood lipids, and this association is explained by offspring BMI.
Low levels of sulfur and cobalt during the pre- and periconceptional periods affect the oocyte yield of donors and the DNA methylome of preimplantation bovine embryos
Authors: Nochi Allice R. Ferreira , Vargas Luna N. , Sartori Roberto , Júnior Roberto G. , Araújo Davi B. , Figueiredo Ricardo A. , Togawa Roberto C. , Costa Marcos M. C. , Grynberg Priscila , Mendonça Anelise S. , Kussano Nayara R. , Pivato Ivo , Silva Bianca D. M. , Spricigo José Felipe W. , Leme Ligiane O. , da Silva Joseane P. , Caetano Alexandre R. , Dode Margot A. N. , Franco Maurício M.
Published: May 2021

Maternal nutrition is critical in mammalian development, influencing the epigenetic reprogramming of gametes, embryos, and fetal programming. We evaluated the effects of different levels of sulfur (S) and cobalt (Co) in the maternal diet throughout the pre- and periconceptional periods on the biochemical and reproductive parameters of the donors and the DNA methylome of the progeny inBos indicuscattle. The low-S/Co group differed from the control with respect to homocysteine, folic acid, B12, insulin growth factor 1, and glucose. The oocyte yield was lower in heifers from the low S/Co group than that in the control heifers. Embryos from the low-S/Co group exhibited 2320 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) across the genome compared with the control embryos. We also characterized candidate DMRs linked to theDNMT1andDNMT3Bgenes in the blood and sperm cells of the adult progeny. A DMR located inDNMT1that was identified in embryos remained differentially methylated in the sperm of the progeny from the low-S/Co group. Therefore, we associated changes in specific compounds in the maternal diet with DNA methylation modifications in the progeny. Our results help to elucidate the impact of maternal nutrition on epigenetic reprogramming in livestock, opening new avenues of research to study the effect of disturbed epigenetic patterns in early life on health and fertility in adulthood. Considering that cattle are physiologically similar to humans with respect to gestational length, our study may serve as a model for studies related to the developmental origin of health and disease in humans.
Large‐Scale Dune Aurora Event Investigation Combining Citizen Scientists' Photographs and Spacecraft Observations
Authors: Grandin Maxime , Palmroth Minna , Whipps Graeme , Kalliokoski Milla , Ferrier Mark , Paxton Larry J. , Mlynczak Martin G. , Hilska Jukka , Holmseth Knut , Vinorum Kjetil , Whenman Barry
Published: May 2021

Recently, citizen scientist photographs led to the discovery of a new auroral form called “the dune aurora” which exhibits parallel stripes of brighter emission in the green diffuse aurora at about 100 km altitude. This discovery raised several questions, such as (i) whether the dunes are associated with particle precipitation, (ii) whether their structure arises from spatial inhomogeneities in the precipitating fluxes or in the underlying neutral atmosphere, and (iii) whether they are the auroral manifestation of an atmospheric wave called a mesospheric bore. This study investigates a large‐scale dune aurora event on 20 January 2016 above Northern Europe. The dunes were observed from Finland to Scotland, spanning over 1,500 km for at least 4 h. Spacecraft observations indicate that the dunes are associated with particle precipitation and reveal the presence of a temperature inversion layer below the mesopause during the event, creating suitable conditions for mesospheric bore formation. The analysis of a time lapse of pictures by a citizen scientist from Scotland leads to the estimate that, during this event, the dunes propagate toward the west‐southwest direction at about 200 m s−1, presumably indicating strong horizontal winds near the mesopause. These results show that citizen science and dune aurora studies can fill observational gaps and be powerful tools to investigate the least‐known region of near‐Earth space at altitudes near 100 km.
Comparing the Radiative Forcings of the Anthropogenic Aerosol Emissions From Chile and Mexico
Authors: Miinalainen Tuuli , Kokkola Harri , Lehtinen Kari E. J. , Kühn Thomas
Published: May 2021

There has been growing interest in the potential of short‐lived climate forcer (SLCF) mitigation to reduce near‐term global warming. Black carbon (BC), organic carbon (OC), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are SLCFs which change the Earth's radiative balance directly by affecting radiation, and indirectly by altering cloud properties. We used the ECHAM‐HAMMOZ aerosol‐climate model to study the radiative forcings due to mitigating the anthropogenic emissions of BC, OC, and SO2 from Chile and Mexico. Limiting our analysis to areas where these emissions had notable effects on both aerosol and clouds, we found that the total radiative forcings of anthropogenic aerosol emissions are different for Chile and Mexico. This was explained by differences in aerosol emissions, orography, and meteorology in these two countries. Especially the radiative forcing for Chilean emissions was influenced by the persistent stratocumulus cloud deck west of Chile. To reduce the uncertainty of our radiative forcing calculations, we nudged the wind and surface pressure toward pre‐generated fields. As nudging affects the calculated effective radiative forcing (ERF), we here used the identifier ERFNDG. Our results indicate that the removal of OC and SO2 emissions caused a positive ERFNDG while the removal of BC emissions caused a positive ERFNDG for Chile, but a negative ERFNDG for Mexico. When accounting for co‐emission of other aerosol compounds, reducing BC emissions led to positive ERFNDG in both countries. Compared to China, the removal of anthropogenic SO2 emissions in Chile and Mexico caused a much larger global average ERFNDG per emitted unit mass of SO2.
Multifault Opposing‐Dip Strike‐Slip and Normal‐Fault Rupture During the 2020 Mw 6.5 Stanley, Idaho Earthquake
Authors: Yang Jidong , Zhu Hejun , Lay Thorne , Niu Yufeng , Ye Lingling , Lu Zhong , Luo Bingxu , Kanamori Hiroo , Huang Jianping , Li Zhenchun
Published: May 2021

On March 31, 2020, an Mw 6.5 earthquake struck near Stanley, Idaho. More than 35% nondouble‐couple component in long‐period point‐source solutions indicate a more complex source than slip on a planar fault. Using an integrative analysis of seismological and geodetic data, we find that the Stanley earthquake ruptured a pair of opposing‐dip faults offset by a 10‐km‐wide step, including an unmapped northern subfault with predominantly strike‐slip faulting and a southern subfault subparallel to the Sawtooth fault with predominantly normal faulting. This converging fault geometry allowed the rupture to traverse a surficial 10‐km‐wide step, which is greater than the limiting dimension (3–4 km) that commonly ceases earthquake ruptures. This study reveals that a composite rupture process with strike‐slip and normal faulting is typical for earthquakes located near the northern boundary of the Centennial Tectonic Belt (CTB), which is distinct from the predominantly normal faulting in the central CTB.
High-resolution view of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase initiation complexes and inhibition by NNRTI drugs
Authors: Ha Betty , Larsen Kevin P. , Zhang Jingji , Fu Ziao , Montabana Elizabeth , Jackson Lynnette N. , Chen Dong-Hua , Puglisi Elisabetta Viani
Published: May 2021

Reverse transcription of the HIV-1 viral RNA genome (vRNA) is an integral step in virus replication. Upon viral entry, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) initiates from a host tRNALys3 primer bound to the vRNA genome and is the target of key antivirals, such as non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs). Initiation proceeds slowly with discrete pausing events along the vRNA template. Despite prior medium-resolution structural characterization of reverse transcriptase initiation complexes (RTICs), higher-resolution structures of the RTIC are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms that underlie initiation. Here we report cryo-EM structures of the core RTIC, RTIC–nevirapine, and RTIC–efavirenz complexes at 2.8, 3.1, and 2.9 Å, respectively. In combination with biochemical studies, these data suggest a basis for rapid dissociation kinetics of RT from the vRNA–tRNALys3 initiation complex and reveal a specific structural mechanism of nucleic acid conformational stabilization during initiation. Finally, our results show that NNRTIs inhibit the RTIC and exacerbate discrete pausing during early reverse transcription.
Local field potentials in the parietal reach region reveal mechanisms of bimanual coordination
Authors: Mooshagian Eric , Holmes Charles D. , Snyder Lawrence H.
Published: May 2021

Primates use their arms in complex ways that frequently require coordination between the two arms. Yet the planning of bimanual movements has not been well-studied. We recorded spikes and local field potentials (LFP) from the parietal reach region (PRR) in both hemispheres simultaneously while monkeys planned and executed unimanual and bimanual reaches. From analyses of interhemispheric LFP-LFP and spike-LFP coherence, we found that task-specific information is shared across hemispheres in a frequency-specific manner. This shared information could arise from common input or from direct communication. The population average unit activity in PRR, representing PRR output, encodes only planned contralateral arm movements while beta-band LFP power, a putative PRR input, reflects the pattern of planned bimanual movement. A parsimonious interpretation of these data is that PRR integrates information about the movement of the left and right limbs, perhaps in service of bimanual coordination.
Temporal analysis of T-cell receptor-imposed forces via quantitative single molecule FRET measurements
Authors: Göhring Janett , Kellner Florian , Schrangl Lukas , Platzer René , Klotzsch Enrico , Stockinger Hannes , Huppa Johannes B. , Schütz Gerhard J.
Published: May 2021

Mechanical forces acting on ligand-engaged T-cell receptors (TCRs) have previously been implicated in T-cell antigen recognition, yet their magnitude, spread, and temporal behavior are still poorly defined. We here report a FRET-based sensor equipped either with a TCR-reactive single chain antibody fragment or peptide-loaded MHC, the physiological TCR-ligand. The sensor was tethered to planar glass-supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) and informed most directly on the magnitude and kinetics of TCR-imposed forces at the single molecule level. When confronting T-cells with gel-phase SLBs we observed both prior and upon T-cell activation a single, well-resolvable force-peak of approximately 5 pN and force loading rates on the TCR of 1.5 pN per second. When facing fluid-phase SLBs instead, T-cells still exerted tensile forces yet of threefold reduced magnitude and only prior to but not upon activation.
Impact of age on the circadian visual system and the sleep-wake cycle in mus musculus
Authors: Shuboni-Mulligan Dorela D. , Young Demarrius L. , De La Cruz Minyety Julianie , Vera Elizabeth , Munasinghe Jeeva , Gall Andrew J. , Gilbert Mark R. , Armstrong Terri S. , Smart DeeDee K.
Published: May 2021

Age plays a critical role in disease development and tolerance to cancer treatment, often leading to an increased risk of developing negative symptoms including sleep disturbances. Circadian rhythms and sleep become disrupted as organisms age. In this study, we explored the behavioral alterations in sleep, circadian rhythms, and masking using a novel video system and interrogate the long-term impact of age-based changes in the non-image forming visual pathway on brain anatomy. We demonstrated the feasibility and utility of the novel system and establish that older mice have disruptions in sleep, circadian rhythms, and masking behaviors that were associated with major negative volume alterations in the non-imaging forming visual system, critical for the induction and rhythmic expression of sleep. These results provide important insights into a mechanism, showing brain atrophy is linked to age in distinct non-image forming visual regions, which may predispose older individuals to developing circadian and sleep dysfunction when further challenged by disease or treatment.
Genetic factors affect the susceptibility to bacterial infections in diabetes
Authors: Simonsen Johan R. , Käräjämäki Annemari , Antikainen Anni A. , Toppila Iiro , Ahlqvist Emma , Prasad Rashmi , Mansour-Aly Dina , Harjutsalo Valma , Järvinen Asko , Tuomi Tiinamaija , Groop Leif , Forsblom Carol , Groop Per-Henrik , Sandholm Niina , Lehto Markku
Published: May 2021

Diabetes increases the risk of bacterial infections. We investigated whether common genetic variants associate with infection susceptibility in Finnish diabetic individuals. We performed genome-wide association studies and pathway analysis for bacterial infection frequency in Finnish adult diabetic individuals (FinnDiane Study; N = 5092, Diabetes Registry Vaasa; N = 4247) using national register data on antibiotic prescription purchases. Replication analyses were performed in a Swedish diabetic population (ANDIS; N = 9602) and in a Finnish non-diabetic population (FinnGen; N = 159,166). Genome-wide data indicated moderate but significant narrow-sense heritability for infection susceptibility (h2 = 16%, P = 0.02). Variants on chromosome 2 were associated with reduced infection susceptibility (rs62192851, P = 2.23 × 10–7). Homozygotic carriers of the rs62192851 effect allele (N = 44) had a 37% lower median annual antibiotic purchase rate, compared to homozygotic carriers of the reference allele (N = 4231): 0.38 [IQR 0.22–0.90] and 0.60 [0.30–1.20] respectively, P = 0.01). Variants rs6727834 and rs10188087, in linkage disequilibrium with rs62192851, replicated in the FinnGen-cohort (P < 0.05), but no variants replicated in the ANDIS-cohort. Pathway analysis suggested the IRAK1 mediated NF-κB activation through IKK complex recruitment-pathway to be a mediator of the phenotype. Common genetic variants on chromosome 2 may associate with reduced risk of bacterial infections in Finnish individuals with diabetes.
Single molecule tracking and analysis framework including theory-predicted parameter settings
Authors: Kuhn Timo , Hettich Johannes , Davtyan Rubina , Gebhardt J. Christof M.
Published: May 2021

Imaging, tracking and analyzing individual biomolecules in living systems is a powerful technology to obtain quantitative kinetic and spatial information such as reaction rates, diffusion coefficients and localization maps. Common tracking tools often operate on single movies and require additional manual steps to analyze whole data sets or to compare different experimental conditions. We report a fast and comprehensive single molecule tracking and analysis framework (TrackIt) to simultaneously process several multi-movie data sets. A user-friendly GUI offers convenient tracking visualization, multiple state-of-the-art analysis procedures, display of results, and data im- and export at different levels to utilize external software tools. We applied our framework to quantify dissociation rates of a transcription factor in the nucleus and found that tracking errors, similar to fluorophore photobleaching, have to be considered for reliable analysis. Accordingly, we developed an algorithm, which accounts for both tracking losses and suggests optimized tracking parameters when evaluating reaction rates. Our versatile and extensible framework facilitates quantitative analysis of single molecule experiments at different experimental conditions.
Metastasis is altered through multiple processes regulated by the E2F1 transcription factor
Authors: Swiatnicki Matthew R. , Andrechek Eran R.
Published: May 2021

The E2F family of transcription factors is important for many cellular processes, from their canonical role in cell cycle regulation to other roles in angiogenesis and metastasis. Alteration of the Rb/E2F pathway occurs in various forms of cancer, including breast cancer. E2F1 ablation has been shown to decrease metastasis in MMTV-Neu and MMTV-PyMT transgenic mouse models of breast cancer. Here we take a bioinformatic approach to determine the E2F1 regulated genomic alterations involved in the metastatic cascade, in both Neu and PyMT models. Through gene expression analysis, we reveal few transcriptome changes in non-metastatic E2F1−/− tumors relative to transgenic tumor controls. However investigation of these models through whole genome sequencing found numerous differences between the models, including differences in the proposed tumor etiology between E2F1−/− and E2F1+/+ tumors induced by Neu or PyMT. For example, loss of E2F1 within the Neu model led to an increased contribution of the inefficient double stranded break repair signature to the proposed etiology of the tumors. While the SNV mutation burden was higher in PyMT mouse tumors than Neu mouse tumors, there was no statistically significant differences between E2F WT and E2F1 KO mice. Investigating mutated genes through gene set analysis also found a significant number of genes mutated in the cell adhesion pathway in E2F1−/− tumors, indicating this may be a route for disruption of metastasis in E2F1−/− tumors. Overall, these findings illustrate the complicated nature of uncovering drivers of the metastatic process.
Clinical outcomes of simultaneous phototherapeutic keratectomy and photoastigmatic keratectomy
Authors: Kamiya Kazutaka , Yazaki Kana , Ando Wakako , Takahashi Masahide , Shoji Nobuyuki
Published: May 2021

This study was aimed to assess the outcomes of simultaneous phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) and photoastigmatic keratectomy (PAK), with special attention to astigmatic correction. We comprised 70 eyes of 70 patients who underwent simultaneous PTK and PAK in patients having granular corneal dystrophy and band keratopathy with refractive astigmatism of 1 diopter (D) or more. Preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively, we assessed corrected uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest spherical equivalent, refractive astigmatism, corneal astigmatism, and higher-order aberrations (HOAs). LogMAR CDVA significantly improved, from 0.27 ± 0.27 preoperatively, to 0.13 ± 0.21 postoperatively (Paired t test, p < 0.001). LogMAR UDVA also significantly improved, from 0.70 ± 0.32 preoperatively, to 0.57 ± 0.41 postoperatively (p = 0.043). Refractive astigmatism significantly decreased, from 2.12 ± 0.95 D preoperatively, to 0.89 ± 0.81 D postoperatively (p < 0.001). Corneal astigmatism also significantly decreased, from 2.17 ± 0.90 D preoperatively, to 1.08 ± 0.71 D postoperatively (p < 0.001). Corneal HOAs did not significantly change, from 0.54 ± 0.30 µm preoperatively, to 0.48 ± 0.20 µm postoperatively (p = 0.140). No significant complications occurred in any eye. Simultaneous PTK and PAK treatment is effective not only for improving visual acuity, but also for reducing astigmatism.
Trichovariability in rhizosphere soil samples and their biocontrol potential against downy mildew pathogen in pearl millet
Authors: Nandini Boregowda , Puttaswamy Hariprasad , Saini Ramesh Kumar , Prakash Harischandra Sripathy , Geetha Nagaraja
Published: May 2021

The present work is aimed to examine the genetic variability and the distribution pattern of beneficial Trichoderma spp. isolated from rhizosphere samples and their mode of action in improving the plant health. A total of 131 suspected fungi were isolated from the rhizospheric soil and 91 isolates were confirmed as Trichoderma spp. T. asperellum and T. harzianum were found high in the frequency of occurrence. Genetic diversity analysis using RAPD and ISSR revealed the diverse distribution pattern of Trichoderma spp. indicating their capability to adapt to broad agroclimatic conditions. Analysis of genetic diversity using molecular markers revealed intra-species diversity of isolated Trichoderma spp. The frequency of pearl millet (PM) root colonization by Trichoderma spp. was found to be 100%. However, they showed varied results for indole acetic acid, siderophore, phosphate solubilization, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase, cellulase, lipase, and protease activity. Downy mildew disease protection studies revealed a strong involvement of Trichoderma spp. in direct suppression of the pathogen (mean 37.41) in the rhizosphere followed by inducing systemic resistance. Our findings highlights the probable distribution and diversity profile of Trichoderma spp. as well as narrate the possible utilization of Trichoderma spp. as microbial fungicides in PM cultivation across different agroclimatic zones of India.
Matrine treatment reduces retinal ganglion cell apoptosis in experimental optic neuritis
Authors: Kang Jian , Liu Shuqing , Song Yifan , Chu Yaojuan , Wang Mengru , Shi Yamin , Zhang Fengyan , Zhu Lin
Published: May 2021

Inflammatory demyelination and axonal injury of the optic nerve are hallmarks of optic neuritis (ON), which often occurs in multiple sclerosis and is a major cause of visual disturbance in young adults. Although a high dose of corticosteroids can promote visual recovery, it cannot prevent permanent neuronal damage. Novel and effective therapies are thus required. Given the recently defined capacity of matrine (MAT), a quinolizidine alkaloid derived from the herb Radix Sophorae flavescens, in immunomodulation and neuroprotection, we tested in this study the effect of matrine on rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. MAT administration, started at disease onset, significantly suppressed optic nerve infiltration and demyelination, with reduced numbers of Iba1+ macrophages/microglia and CD4+ T cells, compared to those from vehicle-treated rats. Increased expression of neurofilaments, an axon marker, reduced numbers of apoptosis in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Moreover, MAT treatment promoted Akt phosphorylation and shifted the Bcl-2/Bax ratio back towards an antiapoptotic one, which could be a mechanism for its therapeutic effect in the ON model. Taken as a whole, our results demonstrate that MAT attenuated inflammation, demyelination and axonal loss in the optic nerve, and protected RGCs from inflammation-induced cell death. MAT may therefore have potential as a novel treatment for this disease that may result in blindness.
Mannose modified zwitterionic polyester-conjugated second near-infrared organic fluorophore for targeted photothermal therapy
Authors: Li Jiaxu , Zheng Liuchun , Li Chuncheng , Xiao Yaonan , Liu Jiajian , Wu Shaohua , Zhang Bo
Published: May 2021

Synthesis and self-assembly of nanoparticles and their photothermal therapy against drug-resistant cancer cell.
Solid-state integrated micro-supercapacitor array construction with low-cost porous biochar
Authors: Liang Yuan , Wang Shuyi , Wang Yinzhong , He Shiman , Liu Zhiwei , Fu Yulei , Sun Ze , Li Mingye , Wu Zhong-Shuai , Yu Haijun
Published: May 2021

Solid-state micro-supercapacitor arrays made from porous biochar are integrated on flexible substrates by screen printing and writing, providing new insights into exploring low cost, eco-friendly, large scale integrated micro energy storage devices.
Supplemental state observer‐based sliding mode control for a dynamic system
Authors: Chen Kun‐Yung
Published: May 2021

A supplemental state observer‐based sliding mode control (SSOBSMC) for a dynamic system is proposed in this paper. First, a supplemental state vector is formulated including system output and supplemental output. A supplemental state observer (SSOB) is proposed to estimate the unavailable states. Furthermore, the SSOBSMC consisting of SSOB and sliding mode control (SMC) is proposed to perform state estimation and robust tracking control for the dynamic system with some unavailable states. To demonstrate the application of the proposed methods, a mass‐spring‐damper (MSD) system is used as an application example to perform numerically. From the simulation results, the SSOB shows a good ability for state estimation, while the SSOBSMC simultaneously demonstrates accuracy in state estimation ability as well as a robust tracking control performance for the non‐linear MSD system. The major contributions of this paper are the proposed SSOB that can accurately estimate the unavailable states for the non‐linear dynamic system with time‐varying disturbances; and the SSOBSMC, which simultaneously displays accuracy in state estimation ability and robust tracking control performance.
Bayesian active learning for multi‐objective feasible region identification in microwave devices
Authors: Garbuglia Federico , Qing Jixiang , Knudde Nicolas , Spina Domenico , Couckuyt Ivo , Deschrijver Dirk , Dhaene Tom
Published: May 2021

In microwave device and circuit design, many simulations are often needed to find a set of designs that satisfy one or multiple specifications chosen by the designer upfront: the feasible region. A novel Bayesian active learning framework is presented to accurately identify the feasible region with a low number of simulations. The technique leverages on a stochastic model to obtain an efficient and automated procedure. A suitable application example validates the proposed technique and shows its effectiveness to rapidly obtain many suitable designs.
Research on graphene/silicon pressure sensor array based on backpropagation neural network
Authors: Li Fangqing , Fang Shuxing , Shen Yu , Wang Debo
Published: May 2021

In order to improve the recognition accuracy of graphene pressure sensors, a graphene/silicon pressure sensor array is studied based on backpropagation (BP) neural network. The principle of the pressure sensor array and the workflow of BP neural network are introduced. The 100 groups of training samples ranging from 0 to 1000 kPa are studied based on levenberg‐marquardt (L‐M) optimisation algorithm, and a multiple BP (M‐BP) neural network is designed to improve the recognition accuracy of the pressure sensor array. The training recognition accuracy and test recognition accuracy of M‐BP neural network are about 99.9%. This work plays an important role in the application of graphene pressure sensors in more fields, especially in the solutions for weak pressure detection in artificial intelligence and human‐computer interaction.
Novel 1064 nm DBR lasers combining active layer removal and surface gratings
Authors: Brox O. , Wenzel H. , Fricke J. , Della Casa P. , Maaßdorf A. , Matalla M. , Wenzel S. , Wicht A. , Knigge A.
Published: May 2021

The fabrication and characterisation details of novel distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) diode lasers emitting around 1064 nm are presented here. The AlGaAs epitaxial layer stack used here allows the removal of the active quantum wells in passive sections where no current is injected. The DBR lasers fabricated with a two‐step epitaxial approach without an active layer in the grating sections show improved performance in terms of power, efficiency, and linewidth in comparison to its all‐active DBR counterparts.
Robust active contours based on local threshold preprocessing fitting energies for fast segmentation of inhomogenous images
Authors: Guo Baojun , Cui Jinlong , Gao Beibei
Published: May 2021

This letter presents a robust active contour model driven by the local threshold preprocessing fitting energies to actualize fast segmentation of inhomogenous images. First, the local threshold preprocessing is carried out to compute two local intensity means. Second, these two means are sorted and serve as the local area fitting centres, which makes the contour move along the internal or external target boundaries. Finally, the above local area fitting centres are used to build the model's energy functional based on the symmetric cross entropy. Experimental results of the real inhomogenous images confirm that the presented model can segment inhomogenous images much faster and is robust to the setting up of the original contour.
Modified load‐modulation network with two π‐type high‐pass equivalent λ/4 lines for wideband compact GaN MMIC Doherty power amplifier design
Authors: Liu Rui‐Jia , Zhu Xiao‐Wei , Xia Jing , Jiang Yi‐Fan , Chen Peng , Yu Chao , Ge Chuan
Published: May 2021

A modified load‐modulation network to design a fully integrated wideband Doherty power amplifier (DPA) from 4.6 to 5.5 GHz is presented in this letter. The modified load‐modulation network uses only two π‐type high‐pass equivalent quarter wavelength transmission lines (QWTLs). Unlike the existing methods, the bandwidth of the load‐modulation network composed of two merged π‐type equivalent QWTLs is broadened. Furthermore, a drain bypass capacitor compensation method is proposed to reduce the leakage of RF power after the drain supply inductors are merged. For verification, a wideband monolithic microwave integrated circuit DPA was designed and fabricated using a 0.25‐μm gallium nitride based high‐electron‐mobility transistor process. Measurement results show that a saturated power of 41.6–42.4 dBm, a saturated drain efficiency (DE) of 65.3–72%, and a 6‐dB back‐off DE of 45–55.4% are achieved from 4.6 to 5.5 GHz. Using a 160‐MHz orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing signal with a peak‐to‐average power ratio of 6.2 dB, the high average efficiency of 49% with an adjacent channel leakage ratio of –47.2 dBc after linearisation was obtained at an average output power of 35 dBm at 4.9 GHz.
Spot electricity market design for a power system characterized by high penetration of renewable energy generation
Authors: Yang Jiajia , Dong Zhao Yang , Wen Fushuan , Chen Qixin , Liang Bomiao
Published: May 2021

The continuous growth of renewable generation in power systems brings serious challenges to electricity markets due to their characteristics different from conventional generation technologies. These challenges come from two dimensions, including short‐term (energy and ancillary service markets) and long‐term (long‐term bilateral and capacity markets) aspects. Under this background, the design of energy and ancillary service markets is studied for power systems with a high penetration level of variable renewable generation. In the proposed spot market mechanism, energy and frequency regulation service (FRS) bids are jointly cleared, where renewable generators are motivated to proactively manage the intermittency and uncertainty of their power outputs. The proposed market mechanism can also ensure the adequacy of FRS capacity for compensating variability of renewables. Besides, in order to ensure the execution of spot market clearing outcomes, this paper established a penalty scheme for mitigating the real‐time fluctuations of renewable generation outputs in the spot market. Differences between real‐time generation outputs and market clearing outcomes are managed within a certain limit by imposing the designed penalty prices on deviations. Finally, the feasibility and efficiency of the developed market mechanism and algorithms are manifested in the case studies.