bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Irreversible evolutionary loss of chitin‐degrading ability in the chitinase‐like protein Ym1 under positive selection in rodents
Authors: Okawa Kazuaki , Tabata Eri , Kida Yuta , Uno Kyohei , Suzuki Hidetoshi , Kamaya Minori , Bauer Peter O. , Oyama Fumitaka
Published: March 2023

Ym1 (chitinase‐like 3, Chil3) expressed in mice is a nonenzymatic chitinase‐like protein, which shows 67% identity with mouse acidic chitinase (Chia). Similar to Chia, Ym1 is overexpressed in asthma and parasitic infections in mouse lungs. Due to the lack of chitin‐degrading activity, the biomedical role of Ym1 under these pathophysiological conditions remains to be determined. In this study, we investigated what region and amino acid changes in Ym1 resulted in the loss of enzymatic activity. Replacing two amino acids at the catalytic motif to obtain a Chia‐like sequence (N136D and Q140E; MT‐Ym1) did not activate the protein. We conducted a comparative study of Ym1 and Chia. We found that three protein segments—(i) the catalytic motif residues, (ii) exons 6 and 7, and (iii) exon 10—are responsible for chitinase activity loss in Ym1. We show that replacing each of these three segments in Chia that are also involved in substrate recognition and binding by the Ym1 sequence can fully abolish the enzymatic activity. In addition, we show that there have been extensive gene duplication events at the Ym1 locus specific to the rodent lineages. Consistent with this result, Ym1 orthologs from the rodent genome were under positive selection when analyzed through the CODEML program. These data suggest that numerous amino acid substitutions in the regions involved in the chitin recognition, binding, and degradation ability of the ancestor Ym1 molecule lead to the irreversible inactivation of the protein.
Covariate handling approaches in combination with dynamic borrowing for hybrid control studies
Authors: Fu Chenqi , Pang Herbert , Zhou Shouhao , Zhu Jiawen
Published: March 2023

Borrowing data from external control has been an appealing strategy for evidence synthesis when conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Often named hybrid control trials, they leverage existing control data from clinical trials or potentially real‐world data (RWD), enable trial designs to allocate more patients to the novel intervention arm, and improve the efficiency or lower the cost of the primary RCT. Several methods have been established and developed to borrow external control data, among which the propensity score methods and Bayesian dynamic borrowing framework play essential roles. Noticing the unique strengths of propensity score methods and Bayesian hierarchical models, we utilize both methods in a complementary manner to analyze hybrid control studies. In this article, we review methods including covariate adjustments, propensity score matching and weighting in combination with dynamic borrowing and compare the performance of these methods through comprehensive simulations. Different degrees of covariate imbalance and confounding are examined. Our findings suggested that the conventional covariate adjustment in combination with the Bayesian commensurate prior model provides the highest power with good type I error control under the investigated settings. It has desired performance especially under scenarios of different degrees of confounding. To estimate efficacy signals in the exploratory setting, the covariate adjustment method in combination with the Bayesian commensurate prior is recommended.
Hordenine improves Parkinsonian‐like motor deficits in mice and nematodes by activating dopamine D2 receptor‐mediated signaling
Authors: Li Hongli , Gao Min , Chen Ziyu , Zhou Zhenyu , Li Wei , Zhang Xiaoyang , Jiang Xi , Luo Lingling , Li Fei , Wang Gaorui , Zhang Yu , Huang Xingxu , Zhu Jingning , Fan Shengjie , Wu Xiaojun , Huang Cheng
Published: March 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the striatum, leading to dopamine (DA) deficiency in the striatum and typical motor symptoms. A small molecule as a dietary supplement for PD would be ideal for practical reasons. Hordenine (HOR) is a phenolic phytochemical marketed as a dietary supplement found in cereals and germinated barley, as well as in beer, a widely consumed beverage. This study was aimed to identify HOR as a dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) agonist in living cells, and investigate the alleviative effect and mechanism of HOR on PD‐like motor deficits in mice and nematodes. Our results firstly showed that HOR is an agonist of DRD2, but not DRD1, in living cells. Moreover, HOR could improve the locomotor dysfunction, gait, and postural imbalance in MPTP‐ or 6‐OHDA‐induced mice or Caenorhabditis elegans, and prevent α‐synuclein accumulation via the DRD2 pathway in C. elegans. Our results suggested that HOR could activate DRD2 to attenuate the PD‐like motor deficits, and provide scientific evidence for the safety and reliability of HOR as a dietary supplement.
Astragaloside IV attenuates myocardial dysfunction in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats through downregulation of CD36‐mediated ferroptosis
Authors: Li Xin , Li Ziwei , Dong Xin , Wu Yu , Li Baohua , Kuang Bin , Chen Gangyi , Zhang Liangyou
Published: March 2023

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), one of the major complications of type 2 diabetes, is a leading cause of heart failure and death in advanced diabetes. Although there is an association between DCM and ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes, the internal mechanism of ferroptosis leading to DCM development remains unknown. CD36 is a key molecule in lipid metabolism that mediates ferroptosis. Astragaloside IV (AS‐IV) confers various pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and immunomodulatory. In this study, we demonstrated that AS‐IV was able to recover the dysfunction of DCM. In vivo experiments showed that AS‐IV ameliorated myocardial injury and improved contractile function, attenuated lipid deposition, and decreased the expression level of CD36 and ferroptosis‐related factors in DCM rats. In vitro experiments showed that AS‐IV decreased CD36 expression and inhibited lipid accumulation and ferroptosis in PA‐induced cardiomyocytes. The results demonstrated that AS‐IV decreased cardiomyocyte injury and myocardial dysfunction by inhibiting ferroptosis mediated by CD36 in DCM rats. Therefore, AS‐IV regulated the lipid metabolism of cardiomyocytes and inhibited cellular ferroptosis, which may have potential clinical value in DCM treatment.
Morphology and Reading Skills in Arabic‐Speaking Syrian Refugee Children
Authors: Al‐Janaideh Redab , Tibi Sana , Gottardo Alexandra , Paradis Johanne , Chen Xi
Published: March 2023

Limited research has been conducted on the literacy skills of Arabic‐speaking refugee children. This study investigated the concurrent and longitudinal roles of morphological awareness in Arabic word reading and reading comprehension. A total of 75 Syrian refugee children aged 6–13 years resettled in Canada were administered measures of nonverbal reasoning, vocabulary, phonological awareness, morphological awareness, word reading accuracy, and reading comprehension at two points in time separated by 1 year. Hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for age, nonverbal and verbal cognitive abilities, and phonological awareness indicated that morphological awareness was related to word reading and reading comprehension concurrently and longitudinally. Results are interpreted in the context of the targeted refugee population and the linguistic and orthographic features of Arabic. Implications for future research, assessment, and instruction are discussed.
Do Spelling and Vocabulary Improve Classification Accuracy of Children's Reading Difficulties Over and Above Word Reading?
Authors: Kim Young‐Suk Grace , Petscher Yaacov
Published: March 2023

It is widely recognized that individuals with dyslexia have difficulties with word reading and spelling, and individuals with reading comprehension difficulties have low vocabulary knowledge. However, little is known about the extent to which spelling and vocabulary are informative of reading difficulties. In the present study, we investigated whether information on students' spelling and vocabulary in kindergarten increases the precision of identifying students with reading difficulties, using longitudinal data from kindergarten to Grade 2. The sample was composed of 247 kindergartners (55% boys; 56% White children, 35% African American children, and 5% mixed‐race children; 72% from low SES) who were followed to Grade 2. Spelling improved the accuracy of identifying students who experienced word reading difficulties in kindergarten and Grade 1. In contrast, vocabulary did not improve the accuracy of identifying students with reading difficulties over and above word reading and spelling. These results indicate the importance and utility of including spelling, in addition to word reading, as an integral part of accurately identifying children with reading difficulties as early as kindergarten. In addition, although vocabulary did not contribute additional predictive power, it is likely to exert its influence at a later phase of reading development.
Sustainable development policies of renewable energy and technological innovation toward climate and sustainable development goals
Authors: Xing Licong , Udemba Edmund Ntom , Tosun Merve , Abdallah Ibrahim , Boukhris Imed
Published: March 2023

This study seeks to investigate the possibility of achieving Chinese climate and sustainable development goals (SDGs) with technological innovations and renewable energy policies. Currently, China is ranked first in global emissions. Hence, we utilized Chinese data of 1996Q1 2018Q4 to investigate the policy implication of technological innovation and renewal energy towards its climate goals. Economic development, technology, energy and environmental policies are incorporated in our study for clear insight on the impact of technology and renewable energy on China's climate goals. We adopt different scientific approaches (structural break, bound method of co‐integration, autoregressive dynamic lag‐ARDL dynamics and granger causality test) for both quantitative and theoretical analyses. Our discussions and policy inference are based on the findings from ARDL and granger causality analyses. Findings from ARDL tests debunk the inverted U‐shape EKC hypothesis for China. Technological innovations and renewable energies are found impacting favorably on Chinese environment by reducing carbon emissions. Output derived from Causality supports the results from ARDL with nexus established amongst the selected instruments. From the findings, we conclude by advocating for policy to be framed on renewable energy sector through investment and technological boosting towards a SDG for China.
Comparisons of statistical methods for handling attrition in a follow‐up visit with complex survey sampling
Authors: Cai Jianwen , Zeng Donglin , Li Haolin , Butera Nicole M. , Baldoni Pedro L. , Maitra Poulami , Dong Li
Published: March 2023

Design‐based analysis, which accounts for the design features of the study, is commonly used to conduct data analysis in studies with complex survey sampling, such as the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). In this type of longitudinal study, attrition has often been a problem. Although there have been various statistical approaches proposed to handle attrition, such as inverse probability weighting (IPW), non‐response cell weighting (NRCW), multiple imputation (MI), and full information maximum likelihood (FIML) approach, there has not been a systematic assessment of these methods to compare their performance in design‐based analyses. In this article, we perform extensive simulation studies and compare the performance of different missing data methods in linear and generalized linear population models, and under different missing data mechanism. We find that the design‐based analysis is able to produce valid estimation and statistical inference when the missing data are handled appropriately using IPW, NRCW, MI, or FIML approach under missing‐completely‐at‐random or missing‐at‐random missing mechanism and when the missingness model is correctly specified or over‐specified. We also illustrate the use of these methods using data from HCHS/SOL.
A two‐level copula joint model for joint analysis of longitudinal and competing risks data
Authors: Lu Xiaoming , Chekouo Thierry , Shen Hua , de Leon Alexander R.
Published: March 2023

In this article, we propose a two‐level copula joint model to analyze clinical data with multiple disparate continuous longitudinal outcomes and multiple event‐times in the presence of competing risks. At the first level, we use a copula to model the dependence between competing latent event‐times, in the process constructing the submodel for the observed event‐time, and employ the Gaussian copula to construct the submodel for the longitudinal outcomes that accounts for their conditional dependence; these submodels are glued together at the second level via the Gaussian copula to construct a joint model that incorporates conditional dependence between the observed event‐time and the longitudinal outcomes. To have the flexibility to accommodate skewed data and examine possibly different covariate effects on quantiles of a non‐Gaussian outcome, we propose linear quantile mixed models for the continuous longitudinal data. We adopt a Bayesian framework for model estimation and inference via Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling. We examine the performance of the copula joint model through a simulation study and show that our proposed method outperforms the conventional approach assuming conditional independence with smaller biases and better coverage probabilities of the Bayesian credible intervals. Finally, we carry out an analysis of clinical data on renal transplantation for illustration.
Secreted S100A4 causes asthmatic airway epithelial barrier dysfunction induced by house dust mite extracts via activating VEGFA/VEGFR2 pathway
Authors: Huang Chaowen , Zheng Dongyan , Fu Chunlai , Cai Ziwei , Zhang He , Xie Zhefan , Luo Lishan , Li Huifang , Huang Yanming , Chen Jialong
Published: March 2023

The airway epithelial barrier dysfunction plays a crucial role in pathogenesis of asthma and causes the amplification of downstream inflammatory signal pathway. S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4), which promotes metastasis, have recently been discovered as an effective inflammatory factor and elevated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in asthmatic mice. Vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGFA), is considered as vital regulator in vascular physiological activities. Here, we explored the probably function of S100A4 and VEGFA in asthma model dealt with house dust mite (HDM) extracts. Our results showed that secreted S100A4 caused epithelial barrier dysfunction, airway inflammation and the release of T‐helper 2 cytokines through the activation of VEGFA/VEGFR2 signaling pathway, which could be partial reversed by S100A4 polyclonal antibody, niclosamide and S100A4 knockdown, representing a potential therapeutic target for airway epithelial barrier dysfunction in asthma.
Assessment of ultrasound features of placenta accreta spectrum in women at high risk: association with outcome and interobserver concordance
Authors: Bhide A. , Hussein A. M. , Elbarmelgy R. M. , Elbarmelgy R. A. , Thabet M. M. , Jauniaux E.
Published: March 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the prenatal ultrasound features associated with operative complications and to assess the interobserver agreement of prenatal ultrasound assessment with histopathologic confirmation of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in a cohort of high‐risk patients with detailed intraoperative and histopathologic data.

Methods

This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study of patients at high risk of PAS referred for specialist perinatal care and management between January 2019 and May 2022. Deidentified ultrasound images were reviewed independently by two experienced operators blinded to clinical details, intraoperative features, outcome and histopathologic findings. The diagnosis of PAS was confirmed by failure of detachment of one or more placental cotyledons from the uterine wall at delivery, and the absence of decidua with distortion of the uteroplacental interface by fibrinoid deposition on histologic examination of the accretic areas obtained by guided sampling of partial myometrial resection or hysterectomy specimens. Patients were categorized as having a low or high likelihood of PAS at birth. Interobserver agreement of prenatal ultrasound assessment with histopathologic confirmation of PAS was assessed using the kappa statistic. Primary outcome was major operative morbidity (blood loss ≥ 2000 mL, unintentional injury to the viscera, admission to intensive care unit or death).

Results

A total of 102 women at high risk of PAS were referred, of whom 66 had evidence of PAS at birth and 36 did not. When blinded to other clinical details, the examiners agreed on the low or high probability of PAS, according to ultrasound features, in 75/102 cases (73.5%). The kappa statistic was 0.47 (95% CI, 0.28–0.66), showing moderate agreement. Morbidity was twice as common with concordant prenatal diagnosis of PAS vs concordant diagnosis of not PAS. Concordant assessment of high probability of PAS was associated with the highest morbidity (66.6%) and a very high (97.6%) likelihood of histopathologic confirmation.

Conclusions

The probability of histopathologic confirmation is very high with concordant prenatal assessment suggestive of PAS. The interobserver agreement for preoperative assessment with histopathologic confirmation of PAS is only moderate. Morbidity is associated with both histopathologic diagnosis and concordant antenatal assessment of PAS. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Local Optimisation of Nyström Samples Through Stochastic Gradient Descent
Authors: Hutchings Matthew , Gauthier Bertrand
Published: March 2023

We study a relaxed version of the column-sampling problem for the Nyström approximation of kernel matrices, where approximations are defined from multisets of landmark points in the ambient space; such multisets are referred to as Nyström samples. We consider an unweighted variation of the radial squared-kernel discrepancy (SKD) criterion as a surrogate for the classical criteria used to assess the Nyström approximation accuracy; in this setting, we discuss how Nyström samples can be efficiently optimised through stochastic gradient descent. We perform numerical experiments which demonstrate that the local minimisation of the radial SKD yields Nyström samples with improved Nyström approximation accuracy in terms of trace, Frobenius and spectral norms.
Phenomenological and cosmological implications of a scotogenic three-loop neutrino mass model
Authors: Abada Asmaa , Bernal Nicolás , Cárcamo Hernández Antonio E. , Kovalenko Sergey , de Melo Téssio B. , Toma Takashi
Published: March 2023

Abstract

We propose a scotogenic model for generating neutrino masses through a three-loop seesaw. It is a minimally extended inert doublet model with a spontaneously broken global symmetry U(1)′ and a preserved ℤ2symmetry. The three-loop suppression allows the new particles to have masses at the TeV scale without fine-tuning the Yukawa couplings. The model leads to a rich phenomenology while satisfying all the current constraints imposed by neutrinoless double-beta decay, charged-lepton flavor violation, and electroweak precision observables. The relatively large Yukawa couplings lead to sizable rates for charged lepton flavor violation processes, well within future experimental reach. The model could also successfully explain theWmass anomaly and provides viable fermionic or scalar dark matter candidates.
Novel correlated $$ {D}^0{\overline{D}}^0 $$ systems for c/b physics and tests of T/CPT
Authors: Naik Paras
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Decays of charmonia(-like) particles with definite JPC (e.g. χc1(3872)) to a $$ {D}^0{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

D
¯

0

system and any combination of C-definite decay particles, are sources of quantum-correlated $$ {D}^0{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

D
¯

0

systems with C = P = ±1. Several b-hadron decays also produce quantum-correlated $$ {D}^0{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

D
¯

0

systems. Advantages of isolating these systems in their C = +1 components for amplitude analyses and studies of lineshapes are discussed. Methods to separate the C = ±1 $$ {D}^0{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

D
¯

0

components from χc1(3872) decay samples are presented. Studies of T and CPT conservation in C = +1 $$ {D}^0{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

D
¯

0

systems can be performed with more easily reconstructible final states, when compared to C = −1 $$ {D}^0{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

D
¯

0

systems. Experimental mechanisms that can produce C = ±1 $$ {D}^0{\overline{D}}^0 $$

D
0

D
¯

0

systems are described in an appendix.
Information-rich quality controls prediction model based on non-destructive analysis for porosity determination of AISI H13 produced by electron beam melting
Authors: Ghibaudo Cristian , Maculotti Giacomo , Gobber Federico , Saboori Abdollah , Galetto Maurizio , Biamino Sara , Ugues Daniele
Published: March 2023

The number of materials processed via additive manufacturing (AM) technologies has rapidly increased over the past decade. As of these emerging technologies, electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) process is becoming an enabling technology to manufacture complex-shaped components made of thermal-cracking sensitive materials, such as AISI H13 hot-work tool steel. In this process, a proper combination of process parameters should be employed to produce dense parts. Therefore, one of the first steps in the EB-PBF part production is to perform the process parameter optimization procedure. However, the conventional procedure that includes the image analysis of the cross-section of several as-built samples is time-consuming and costly. Hence, a new model is introduced in this work to find the best combination of EB-PBF process parameters concisely and cost-effectively. A correlation between the surface topography, the internal porosity, and the process parameters is established. The correlation between the internal porosity and the melting process parameters has been described by a high robust model (R2adj = 0.91) as well as the correlation of topography parameters and melting process parameters (R2adj = 0.77–0.96). Finally, a robust and information-rich prediction model for evaluating the internal porosity is proposed (R2adj = 0.95) based on in situ surface topography characterization and process parameters. The information-rich prediction model allows obtaining more robust and representative model, yielding an improvement of about 4% with respect to the process parameter-based model. The model is experimentally validated showing adequate performances, with a RMSE of 2% on the predicted porosity. This result can support process and quality control designers in optimizing resource usage towards zero-defect manufacturing by reducing scraps and waste from destructive quality controls and reworks.
A new control parameter to predict micro-warping-induced job failure in LPBF of TI6AL4V titanium alloy
Authors: Buffa Gianluca , Costa Antonio , Palmeri Dina , Pollara Gaetano , Barcellona Antonio , Fratini Livan
Published: March 2023

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) includes a few printing techniques widely used, in recent years, concerning the additive manufacturing of Ti6Al4V alloys. These produced parts, typically utilized in sectors such as aerospace and biomedical, are characterized by very high added value. It is therefore fundamental to identify the influence of process parameters typical of LPBF technology on the occurrence of warping leading to process failure. This study deals with the characterization of single-track and “micro-scale” level warping phenomena which may lead to protrusion of material over the powder bed and process failure before normal termination. This phenomenon was investigated as a function of process parameters, referring also to the strength and ductility characteristics of the manufactured samples. With this purpose, several samples were printed using variable process parameters both in terms of line energy density (LED) values and in terms of laser power and speed combinations such as to guarantee constant LED values. For the samples that did not show significant micro-warping phenomena, in addition to the transversal and longitudinal geometric characterization of the single track, tensile tests were performed to determine both the resistance of the material and the ductility characteristics. The single tracks, for given process parameters, were printed on a homogeneous material substrate. For every single track, a microstructural and morphological transverse and longitudinal characterization has been carried out and the measured geometrical features were correlated to the process parameters. The obtained results allowed the identification of a new threshold parameter, indicating the limit operating conditions beyond which significant warping phenomena and process failure occur.
Modified Intestinal Derotation Procedure with Reversed Kocherization to Facilitate Mesopancreas Excision During Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Watanabe Genki , Satou Shouichi , Tanaka Motomu , Momiyama Masashi , Nakajima Kentaro , Nagao Atsuki , Satodate Hitoshi , Noie Tamaki
Published: March 2023

Background

Although intestinal derotation procedure has advantages of facilitating mesopancreas excision during pancreaticoduodenectomy, the wide mobilization takes time and risks injuring other organs. This article describes a modified intestinal derotation procedure in pancreaticoduodenectomy and its clinical impact on short‐term outcomes.

Methods

The modified procedure comprised the pinpoint mobilization of the proximal jejunum following reversed Kocherization. Among 99 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2016 and 2022, the short‐term outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy with the modified procedure were compared with those of conventional pancreaticoduodenectomy. The feasibility of the modified procedure was investigated based on the vascular anatomy of the mesopancreas.

Results

Compared with conventional pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 55), the modified procedure (n = 44) involved less blood loss and shorter operation time (p < 0.001 and 0.017, respectively). Severe morbidity, clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula, and prolonged hospitalization occurred less often with the modified procedure compared with conventional pancreaticoduodenectomy (p = 0.003, 0.008, and < 0.001, respectively). According to preoperative image findings, most (72%) patients had a single inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery sharing a common trunk with the first jejunal artery. The inferior pancreaticoduodenal vein drained into the jejunal vein in 71% of the patients. The first jejunal vein ran behind the superior mesenteric artery in 77% of the patients.

Conclusions

By combining our modified intestinal derotation procedure with preoperative recognition of the vascular anatomy of mesopancreas, mesopancreas excision during pancreaticoduodenectomy can be performed safely and accurately.
Effect of 3D-bioprinted droplet impact dynamics on a pre-printed soft hydrogel matrix
Authors: Chen Xinxing , O’Mahony Aidan P. , Barber Tracie J.
Published: March 2023

3D droplet-based bioprinting technology is an innovative and time-saving method to precisely generate cell laden 3D structures for multiple clinical and research applications. It is important that the printed droplet must impact so as to leave a single isolated drop, for high printing resolution and accuracy. Therefore, understanding the criteria that control spreading behaviour and prevent droplet splashing is of great importance in optimizing the printing performance. In this experimental work, the physics of the impact of bioink droplets on a pre-printed soft hydrogel matrix was investigated. The droplet size, velocity, and input cell density were varied to generate a range of droplet impact behaviours. It has been shown that the soft substrate inhibited the droplet spreading after impact. The deposition/splashing boundary on the dry/wet flat surface (Nunclon $$^{\text{TM}}$$

TM

Delta surface-treated plastic) was defined by $$K = {\text{We}}^{0.5} {\text{Re}} ^{0.25} = 86.19$$

K
=

We

0.5

Re

0.25

=
86.19

. The splashing threshold on the soft hydrogel matrix was defined by $$K = 44.78$$

K
=
44.78

and $$L = {\text{We}} {\text{Re}}^{-0.4} = 13.85$$

L
=

WeRe

-
0.4

=
13.85

for both blank and cell-laden inks on dry/wet soft substrates. Beyond this threshold, the printed droplet volume will be much lower than the expected volume due to splashing, leading to poor printing performance. The absolute splashing threshold on the dry/wet soft hydrogel matrix was defined by $$K = 73.41$$

K
=
73.41

and $$L = 27.36$$

L
=
27.36

. The printed 3D cell-laden structures were also presented to illustrate how the impact behaviours influence the possible printing fidelity and structure integrity.
Contemporary oceanic radiocarbon response to ocean circulation changes
Authors: Pookkandy Byju , Graven Heather , Martin Adrian
Published: March 2023

Radiocarbon (14C) is a valuable tracer of ocean circulation, owing to its natural decay over thousands of years and to its perturbation by nuclear weapons testing in the 1950s and 1960s. Previous studies have used 14C to evaluate models or to investigate past climate change. However, the relationship between ocean 14C and ocean circulation changes over the past few decades has not been explored. Here we use an Ocean-Sea-ice model (NEMO) forced with transient or fixed atmospheric reanalysis (JRA-55-do) and atmospheric 14C and CO2 boundary conditions to investigate the effect of ocean circulation trends and variability on 14C. We find that 14C/C (∆14C) variability is generally anti-correlated with potential density variability. The areas where the largest variability occurs varies by depth: in upwelling regions at the surface, at the edges of the subtropical gyres at 300 m depth, and in Antarctic Intermediate Water and North Atlantic Deep Water at 1000 m depth. We find that trends in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation may influence trends in ∆14C in the North Atlantic. In the high-variability regions the simulated variations are larger than typical ocean ∆14C measurement uncertainty of 2–5‰ suggesting that ∆14C data could provide a useful tracer of circulation changes.
Unusually high SO2 emissions and plume height from Piton de la Fournaise volcano during the April 2020 eruption
Authors: Hayer C. , Burton M. , Ferrazzini V. , Esse B. , Di Muro A.
Published: March 2023

Piton de la Fournaise volcano, La Réunion, France, erupted between the 2 and 6 April 2020, one of a series of eruptive phases which occur typically two or three times per year. Here, we use back trajectory analysis of satellite data from the TROPOMI instrument to determine that gas emissions during the June 2020 eruption were of unusually high intensity and altitude, producing 34.9 ± 17.4 kt of SO2 and plume heights up to 5 km a.s.l. The early stages of the eruption (2–4 April 2020) were characterised by relatively low SO2 emission rates despite strong low frequency tremor (LFT); the latter phase followed an increase in intensity and explosivity in the early hours of 5 April 2020. This period included lava fountaining, significantly increased SO2 emission rates, increased high frequency tremor (HFT) and decreased LFT. Using the PlumeTraj back trajectory analysis toolkit, we found the peak SO2 emission rate was 284 ± 130 kg/s on the 6 April. The plume altitude peaked at ~ 5 km a.s.l. on 5 April, in the hours following a sudden increase in explosivity, producing one of the tallest eruption columns recorded at Piton de la Fournaise. PlumeTraj allowed us to discriminate each day’s SO2, which otherwise would have led to a mass overestimate due to the plumes remaining visible for more than 24 h. The eruption exhibited a remarkable decoupling and anti-correlation between the intensity of the LFT signal and that of the magma and gas emission rates. LFT intensity peaked during the first phase with low magma and SO2 emissions, but quickly decreased during the second phase, replaced by unusually strong HFT. We conclude that the observation of strong HFT is associated with higher intensity of eruption, degassing, and greater height of neutral buoyancy of the plume, which may provide an alert to the presence of greater hazards produced by higher intensity eruptive activity. This might be particularly useful when direct visual observation is prevented by meteorological conditions. This eruption shows the importance of combining multiple data sets when monitoring volcanoes. Combining gas and seismic data sets allowed for a much more accurate assessment of the eruption than either could have done alone.
Linear Orthosets and Orthogeometries
Authors: Paseka Jan , Vetterlein Thomas
Published: March 2023

Anisotropic Hermitian spaces can be characterised as anisotropic orthogeometries, that is, as projective spaces that are additionally endowed with a suitable orthogonality relation. But linear dependence is uniquely determined by the orthogonality relation and hence it makes sense to investigate solely the latter. It turns out that by means of orthosets, which are structures based on a symmetric, irreflexive binary relation, we can achieve a quite compact description of the inner-product spaces under consideration. In particular, Pasch’s axiom, or any of its variants, is no longer needed. Having established the correspondence between anisotropic Hermitian spaces on the one hand and so-called linear orthosets on the other hand, we moreover consider the respective symmetries. We present a version of Wigner’s Theorem adapted to the present context.
Feasibility of a virtual reality intervention targeting distress and anxiety symptoms in patients with primary brain tumors: Interim analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial
Authors: King Amanda L. , Roche Kayla N. , Leeper Heather E. , Vera Elizabeth , Mendoza Tito , Mentges Kelly , Acquaye-Mallory Alvina A. , Adegbesan Kendra A. , Boris Lisa , Burton Eric , Choi Anna , Grajkowska Ewa , Kunst Tricia , Levine Jason , Lollo Nicole , Miller Hope , Panzer Marissa , Penas-Prado Marta , Pillai Valentina , Polskin Lily , Reyes Jennifer , Sahebjam Solmaz , Stockdill Macy L. , Theeler Brett J. , Wu Jing , Gilbert Mark R. , Armstrong Terri S.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Cancer patients experience distress and anxiety when undergoing imaging studies to monitor disease status, yet these symptoms are not always appropriately identified or well-managed. This interim analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial explored feasibility and acceptability of a virtual reality relaxation (VR) intervention for primary brain tumor (PBT) patients at the time of clinical evaluation.

Methods

English speaking, adult PBT patients with previous reports of distress and upcoming neuroimaging were recruited between March of 2021 and March 2022. A brief VR session was done within 2 weeks prior to neuroimaging with patient-reported outcomes (PROs) collected before and immediately post-intervention. Self-directed VR use over the next 1 month was encouraged with additional PROs assessments at 1 and 4 weeks. Feasibility metrics included enrollment, eligibility, attrition, and device-related adverse effects with satisfaction measured with qualitative phone interviews.

Results

Fifty-five patients were approached via email, 40 (73%) responded and 20 (50%) enrolled (9 declines, 11 screen fails). 65% of participants were ≤ 50 years, 50% were male, 90% were White/non-Hispanic, 85% had good KPS (≥ 90), and most were on active treatment. All patients completed the VR intervention, PROs questionnaires, weekly check-ins, and qualitative interview. Most (90%) reported frequent VR use and high satisfaction and only 7 mild AEs were recorded (headache, dizziness, nausea, neck pain).

Conclusion

This interim analysis supports feasibility and acceptability of a novel VR intervention to target psychological symptoms for PBT patients. Trial enrollment will continue to assess for intervention efficacy.

Trial Registration

NCT04301089 registered on 3/9/2020.
Speciated and Total Urinary Arsenic Levels in Belo Horizonte, the Largest Brazilian City within the Mineral-Rich Region “Iron Quadrangle”
Authors: Campolina Délio , Ciminelli Virginia S. T. , Ng Jack C. , Campolina Thiago A. M. , Caldeira Cláudia L. , Gutiérrez-Aviña Ximena , Islam Md N.
Published: March 2023

The “Quadrilátero Ferrífero” (Iron Quadrangle) is a mineral-rich province in Brazil, where arsenic anomalies are associated with gold mining and tailings dam failures. Urine samples were randomly collected from residents of Belo Horizonte (BH) city (N = 506 total/138 speciation) and the metropolitan area (N = 35 total/10 speciation), with stratifications in age, female-male and geopolitical regions. Creatinine, acid-digested total arsenic (TAs), and five inorganic and organic arsenic species were measured: arsenobetaine (AsB); arsenous (AsIII) and arsenic (AsV) acids and their dissociation products; monomethylarsonic acid (MMA); and dimethylarsinic acid DMA). Overall, the TAs GM (μg/g creat) of all stratification groups indicated no statistical difference. The TAs geometric mean (GM) of BH was 9.68 [9.17–10.2] μg/g creat, being AsB (43.8%) and DMA (20.7%) the major components. The toxic arsenic (ToxAs) fraction (i.e., AsIII + AsV + MMA + DMA) was 5.23 [4.45–6.15] μg/L. These TAs and ToxAs values are lower than international benchmarks and the Brazilian legislated standard of 35 μg/L for ToxAs. The TAs GM (μg/L) and creatinine were 36% higher for males than for females (p < 0.0001), making TAs GMs comparable, after creatinine correction. Similarly, though the 10–19 age group showed significantly higher ToxAs GM (12.7 [6.49–24.8] μg/L) (p = 0.048) and creatinine (p < 0.001), the ToxAs GM (7.22 [2.92–17.9] μg/g creat), was not statistically different than those from the other age groups. The study, the first one in Brazil, identifies the relative contribution of inorganic and organic arsenic and provides a baseline level for clinical reference and bio-monitoring studies, particularly applicable to both occupational and non-occupational populations in a mineral-rich region.

Graphical abstract
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 alleviates hyperandrogen-induced ferroptosis in KGN cells
Authors: Jiang Yijie , Yang Jianshu , Du Ke , Luo Kaiming , Yuan Xin , Hua Fei
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Hyperandrogenism, one of the most frequent causes of anovulation in women, increases the risk of metabolic disorders in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Ferroptosis, characterized by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, has provided new insight into the progression of PCOS. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) may play a role in reproduction because its receptor, VDR, which contributes to the inhibition of oxidative stress, is primarily located in the nuclei of granulosa cells. This study has therefore investigated whether 1,25D3 and hyperandrogenism affect granulosa-like tumor cells (KGN cells) through ferroptosis.

Methods

KGN cells were treated with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) or pretreated with 1,25D3. Cell viability was evaluated with the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The mRNA and protein expression levels of ferroptosis-related molecules, including glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), solute carrier family 7 member (SLC7A11), and long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4 (ACSL4), were assessed via qRT–PCR and western blot. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured by ELISA. The rates of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and lipid peroxidation were assessed via photometric methods.

Results

Decreased cell viability, suppression of GPX4 and SLC7A11 expression, increased expression of ACSL4, elevated levels of MDA, accumulation of ROS, and increased lipid peroxidation, which are changes representative of ferroptosis, were observed in KGN cells after treatment with DHEA. Pretreatment with 1,25D3 in KGN cells significantly prevented these changes.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that 1,25D3 attenuates hyperandrogen-induced ferroptosis of KGN cells. This finding might lead to new insights into the pathophysiology and therapy of PCOS and provides new evidence for the treatment of PCOS with 1,25D3.
Observability for Schrödinger equations with quadratic Hamiltonians
Authors: Waters Alden
Published: March 2023

We consider time dependent harmonic oscillators and construct a parametrix to the corresponding Schrödinger equation using Gaussian wavepackets. This parametrix of Gaussian wavepackets is precise and tractable. Using this parametrix we prove $$L^2$$

L
2

and $$L^2-L^{\infty }$$

L
2

-

L
∞

observability estimates on unbounded domains $$\omega $$
ω
for a restricted class of initial data. This data includes a class of compactly supported piecewise $$C^1$$

C
1

functions which have been extended from characteristic functions. Initial data of this form which has the bulk of its mass away from $$\omega ^c=\Omega $$

ω
c

=
Ω

, a connected bounded domain, is observable, but data centered over $$\Omega $$
Ω
must be very nearly a single Gaussian to be observable. We also give counterexamples to established principles for the simple harmonic oscillator in the case of certain time dependent harmonic oscillators.
An ergodic theorem for asymptotically periodic time-inhomogeneous Markov processes, with application to quasi-stationarity with moving boundaries
Authors: Oçafrain William
Published: March 2023

This paper deals with ergodic theorems for particular time-inhomogeneous Markov processes, whose time-inhomogeneity is asymptotically periodic. Under a Lyapunov/minorization condition, it is shown that, for any measurable bounded function f, the time average
$\frac{1}{t} \int_0^t f(X_s)ds$
converges in
$\mathbb{L}^2$
towards a limiting distribution, starting from any initial distribution for the process
$(X_t)_{t \geq 0}$
. This convergence can be improved to an almost sure convergence under an additional assumption on the initial measure. This result is then applied to show the existence of a quasi-ergodic distribution for processes absorbed by an asymptotically periodic moving boundary, satisfying a conditional Doeblin condition.
Sandwiched SDEs with unbounded drift driven by Hölder noises
Authors: Di Nunno Giulia , Mishura Yuliya , Yurchenko-Tytarenko Anton
Published: March 2023

We study a stochastic differential equation with an unbounded drift and general Hölder continuous noise of order
$\lambda \in (0,1)$
. The corresponding equation turns out to have a unique solution that, depending on a particular shape of the drift, either stays above some continuous function or has continuous upper and lower bounds. Under some mild assumptions on the noise, we prove that the solution has moments of all orders. In addition, we provide its connection to the solution of some Skorokhod reflection problem. As an illustration of our results and motivation for applications, we also suggest two stochastic volatility models which we regard as generalizations of the CIR and CEV processes. We complete the study by providing a numerical scheme for the solution.
Analysis of infections among patients with historical culture positive for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae: Is ESBL-targeted therapy always needed?
Authors: Stone Tyler J. , DeWitt Michael , Johnson James W. , Beardsley James R. , Munawar Iqra , Palavecino Elizabeth , Luther Vera P. , Ohl Christopher A. , Williamson John C.
Published: March 2023

Objective:

Among patients with a history of ESBL infection, uncertainty remains regarding whether all of these patients require ESBL-targeted therapy when presenting with a subsequent infection. We sought to determine the risks associated with a subsequent ESBL infection to help inform empiric antibiotic decisions.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study of adult patients with positive index culture for Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae (EC/KP) receiving medical care during 2017 was conducted. Risk assessments were performed to identify factors associated with subsequent infection caused by ESBL-producing EC/KP.

Results:

In total, 200 patients were included in the cohort, 100 with ESBL-producing EC/KP and 100 with ESBL-negative EC/KP. Of 100 patients (50%) who developed a subsequent infection, 22 infections were ESBL-producing EC/KP, 43 were other bacteria, and 35 had no or negative cultures. Subsequent infection caused by ESBL-producing EC/KP only occurred when the index culture was also ESBL-producing (22 vs 0). Among those with ESBL-producing index culture, the incidences of subsequent infection caused by ESBL-producing EC/KP versus other bacterial subsequent infection were similar (22 vs 18; P = .428). Factors associated with subsequent infection caused by ESBL-producing EC/KP include history of ESBL-producing index culture, time ≤180 days between index culture and subsequent infection, male sex, and Charlson comorbidity index score >3.

Conclusions:

History of ESBL-producing EC/KP culture is associated with subsequent infection caused by ESBL-producing EC/KP, particularly within 180 days after the historical culture. Among patients presenting with infection and a history of ESBL-producing EC/KP, other factors should be considered in making empiric antibiotic decisions, and ESBL-targeted therapy may not always be warranted.
Team FIRST framework: Identifying core teamwork competencies critical to interprofessional healthcare curricula
Authors: Greilich Philip E. , Kilcullen Molly , Paquette Shannon , Lazzara Elizabeth H. , Scielzo Shannon , Hernandez Jessica , Preble Richard , Michael Meghan , Sadighi Mozhdeh , Tannenbaum Scott , Phelps Eleanor , Krumwiede Kimberly Hoggatt , Sendelbach Dorothy , Rege Robert , Salas Eduardo
Published: March 2023

Interprofessional healthcare team function is critical to the effective delivery of patient care. Team members must possess teamwork competencies, as team function impacts patient, staff, team, and healthcare organizational outcomes. There is evidence that team training is beneficial; however, consensus on the optimal training content, methods, and evaluation is lacking. This manuscript will focus on training content. Team science and training research indicates that an effective team training program must be founded upon teamwork competencies. The Team FIRST framework asserts there are 10 teamwork competencies essential for healthcare providers: recognizing criticality of teamwork, creating a psychologically safe environment, structured communication, closed-loop communication, asking clarifying questions, sharing unique information, optimizing team mental models, mutual trust, mutual performance monitoring, and reflection/debriefing. The Team FIRST framework was conceptualized to instill these evidence-based teamwork competencies in healthcare professionals to improve interprofessional collaboration. This framework is founded in validated team science research and serves future efforts to develop and pilot educational strategies that educate healthcare workers on these competencies.