bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypermutation of specific genomic loci of Pseudomonas putida for continuous evolution of target genes
Authors: Velázquez Elena , Álvarez Beatriz , Fernández Luis Ángel , de Lorenzo Víctor
Published: June 2022

The ability of T7 RNA polymerase (RNAPT7) fusions to cytosine deaminases (CdA) for entering C➔T changes in any DNA segment downstream of a T7 promoter was exploited for hyperdiversification of defined genomic portions of Pseudomonas putida KT2440. To this end, test strains were constructed in which the chromosomally encoded pyrF gene (the prokaryotic homologue of yeast URA3) was flanked by T7 transcription initiation and termination signals and also carried plasmids expressing constitutively either high‐activity (lamprey's) or low‐activity (rat's) CdA‐RNAPT7 fusions. The DNA segment‐specific mutagenic action of these fusions was then tested in strains lacking or not uracil‐DNA glycosylase (UDG), that is ∆ung/ung+ variants. The resulting diversification was measured by counting single nucleotide changes in clones resistant to 5‐fluoroorotic acid (5FOA), which otherwise is transformed by wild‐type PyrF into a toxic compound. Although the absence of UDG dramatically increased mutagenic rates with both CdA‐RNAPT7 fusions, the most active variant – pmCDA1 – caused extensive appearance of 5FOA‐resistant colonies in the wild‐type strain not limited to C➔T but including also a range of other changes. Furthermore, the presence/absence of UDG activity swapped cytosine deamination preference between DNA strands. These qualities provided the basis of a robust system for continuous evolution of preset genomic portions of P. putida and beyond.
Inflammation, new bone formation and aorta
Authors: Chen Jie , Gu Liyang , Zhou Yan , Li Ting , Ye Shuang
Published: June 2022

Objectives

This study describes the characteristics of vertebral osteophytes in different inflammatory and non‐inflammatory diseases aiming to reflect the aortic‐vertebrae interaction.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study including 4 group of patients, ankylosing spondylitis (AS, n = 52), Takayasu's arteritis (TKA, n = 31), diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH, n = 30), coronary artery disease (CAD, n = 10), 100 and also age‐matched healthy controls (HC, n = 143). All subjects underwent a chest computed tomography scan and images of the upper and lower border of 7 adjacent thoracic vertebrae (T5 to T12) were captured. An “aorta ipsilateral ratio” (AIR) of the osteophyte was calculated as the area across the midline toward the aorta side divided by the total osteophyte area.

Results

The frequency of subjects with osteophytes and osteophyte counts increased with age across the board. Frequencies of osteophytes in AS and TKA were much higher than age‐matched HCs. The AIRs were significantly elevated in AS, TKA and CAD compared with DISH or age‐matched HCs. In addition, the AIR of patients with higher C‐reactive protein levels (>8 mg/L) were greater than those with lower levels, both among AS and CAD patients.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that, in an inflammatory niche, regardless of the origin or the grade of the inflammation, ossification will be facilitated and screwed toward the aorta. There is a possible mechanistic connection between large vessel and new bone formation in the context of inflammation.
An Examination of Other‐than‐temporary Impairments: Evidence from FSP FAS 115‐2 and FAS 124‐2
Authors: Toksoz Tuba
Published: June 2022

This study investigates amendments to the other‐than‐temporary impairment (OTTI) measurement and recognition guidance for debt securities in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Staff Position FAS 115‐2 and FAS 124‐2 (‘the FSP’). The FSP permits the OTTI charge for debt securities to be split into the credit loss amount recognized in net income (NI) and the amount related to all other factors (noncredit loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) under certain instances. Thus, the FSP provides banks with additional discretion in recognizing the amount of unrealized losses in NI. Using quarterly accounting data on US bank holding companies from the first quarter of 2010 to the fourth quarter of 2016, I examine whether banks’ decisions regarding OTTI bifurcation are associated with financial reporting and regulatory capital incentives. First, I predict and find that proxies for regulatory capital management, income smoothing, and big bath behaviour impact the percentage of OTTI recognized in OCI. Further evidence suggests that banks with histories of income smoothing through loan loss provision and realized security gains and losses assign a greater share of OTTI to OCI. Then, I predict and find that banks manage OTTI recognized in NI downward to meet quarterly financial reporting benchmarks. Finally, I show that banks with a higher discretionary proportion of OTTI recognized in OCI increase their lending over the subsequent quarter.
Maternal binge alcohol consumption leads to distinctive acute perturbations in embryonic cardiac gene expression profiles
Authors: Abraham Shani , Lindo Chad , Peoples Jessica , Cox Amanda , Lytle Erika , Nguyen Vu , Mehta Meeti , Alvarez Jose D. , Yooseph Shibu , Pacher Pal , Ebert Steven N.
Published: June 2022

Background

Excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with high risk of congenital heart defects, but it is unclear how alcohol specifically affects heart development during the acute aftermath of a maternal binge drinking episode. We hypothesize that administration of a single maternal binge dose of alcohol to pregnant mice at embryonic day 9.5 (E9.5) causes perturbations in the expression patterns of specific genes in the developing heart in the acute period (1–3 days) following the binge episode. To test this hypothesis and identify strong candidate ethanol‐sensitive target genes of interest, we adapted a mouse binge alcohol model that is associated with a high incidence of congenital heart defects as described below.

Methods/Results

Pregnant mice were administered a single dose of alcohol (2.5 g/kg in saline) or control (saline alone) via oral gavage. To evaluate the impact of maternal binge alcohol on cardiac gene expression profiles, we isolated embryonic hearts from both groups (n = 5/group) at 24, 48, and 72 h post‐gavage for transcriptomic analyses. RNA was extracted and evaluated using quantitative RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐Seq) methods. To identify a cohort of binge‐altered cardiac genes, we set the threshold for change at >2.0‐fold difference with adjustedp < 0.05 versus control.  RNA‐Seq analysis of cardiac gene expression revealed that of the 17 genes that were altered within the first 48 h post‐binge, with the largest category consisting of transcription factors (Alx1, Alx4, HoxB7, HoxD8,andRunx2), followed by signaling molecules (Adamts18, Dkk2, Rtl1,andWnt7a). Furthermore, multiple comparative and pathway analyses suggested that several of the candidate genes identified through differential RNA‐Seq analysis may interact through certain common pathways. To investigate this further, we performed gene‐specific qPCR analyses for three representative candidate targets:Runx2,Wnt7a, andMlxipl. Notably, onlyWnt7ashowed significantly (p < 0.05) decreased expression in response to maternal binge alcohol in the qPCR assays.

Conclusions

These findings identifyWnt7aand a short list of potential other candidate genes and pathways for further study, which could provide mechanistic insights into how maternal binge alcohol consumption produces congenital cardiac malformations.
Experience of shocks, household wealth and expectation formation: Evidence from smallholder farmers in Kenya
Authors: Freudenreich Hanna , Kebede Sindu W.
Published: June 2022

When faced with uncertain events, decision‐makers form expectations about the events’ likelihood of occurrence. However, the drivers and moderators of such expectations are still poorly understood, especially for farm decision‐makers in developing countries whose incomes are very risky by nature. This article analyses the dynamic shock expectation formation process of farmers in Kenya with regard to a range of shock events using a unique panel dataset. The results suggest that farmers are more likely to update their expectation regarding a specific adverse shock when they have recently been affected by that shock or by more shocks in general. In case of price shocks, farmers are also more likely to update expectations when a larger proportion of fellow village members was affected. However, household wealth moderates the relationship between shock expectation and experience, such that wealthier households are less likely to update their expectations following a shock. A better understanding of the drivers of expectation formation can help in the design of better risk management instruments that increase farmers’ resilience.
Potential effects of changes in climate, population density and land use land cover on spatial distribution of Adansonia digitata suitable habitats in Africa
Authors: Chitungo Batsirai , Manyangadze Tawanda , Ndlela Shepard
Published: June 2022

The objective of the current study was to determine the potential effects of changes in climate, population density and land use land cover (LULC) on the spatial distribution of Adansonia digitata (baobab tree) suitable habitats in Africa using MaxEnt. Across its distribution, A. digitata is confined to Africa's mainland and isolated parts of the continent such as Madagascar. The geographical distribution of A. digitata will shrink gradually under climate change scenarios (RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5), population density and LULC‐development threat changes. Rainfall wettest quarter, soil type, elevation, rainfall seasonality and mean annual rainfall were the most important variables in terms of relative contribution to the occurrence of A. digitata. Population density was also important compared to LULC – development threat index. Only a small part of the current range of the baobab tree in Africa will retain suitable environmental conditions for viable baobab populations in future, high concentration will be in Malawi, Mozambique and parts of Benin, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania and Madagascar. Despite threats to the specie, there are areas currently not suitable although they will be suitable in future. There is an urgent need for conservation strategies aimed at preserving A. digitata to benefit local communities socially and economically.
An assessment of avian species sold in the South African pet trade
Authors: Shivambu Tinyiko C. , Shivambu Ndivhuwo , Downs Colleen T.
Published: June 2022

Non‐native species have been translocated from their native to new geographic ranges through the pet trade. Consequently, some become threatened with extinction, while some establish and become invasive. We surveyed 117 physical pet stores across South Africa between September 2018 and September 2019 to determine avian species composition, availability, price and IUCN status. We reviewed the literature to determine which avian species have established populations outside captivity, including their impacts and clutch sizes. We recorded 169 avian species from 26 families, of which 147 were non‐natives. Psittacidae (23%) and Estrildidae (20%) were the most available families. The budgerigar Melopsittacus undulatus, zebra finch Taeniopygia guttata, and Fischer's lovebird Agapornis fischeri were the most available species recorded in all the provinces. Most species were listed as least concern (78%) and sold at lower prices, while threatened species were rarely available and sold at higher prices. Only 14 avian species have established populations outside captivity, with most associated with agricultural impact. In addition, six of these 14 species were among the top 20 most traded and have been observed outside captivity in South Africa. Assessing the trade of avian species is essential for conservation and invasive species management. The results from this study may help improve early surveillance for detecting the establishment of potential invasive avian species.
Interdisciplinary model‐informed drug development for extending duration of elagolix treatment in patients with uterine fibroids
Authors: Beck Denise , Winzenborg Insa , Gao Wei , Mostafa Nael M. , Chiuve Stephanie E. , Owens Charlotte , Shebley Mohamad
Published: June 2022

Aim

Elagolix, a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptor antagonist, was recently approved for heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine fibroids (UF, Oriahnn) at a dose of 300 mg twice daily (BID) in combination with add‐back therapy (oestradiol 1 mg/norethindrone acetate 0.5 mg [E2/NETA] once daily) for 24 months use. The limited duration of treatment is related to elagolix dose‐ and duration‐dependent decrease in oestrogen that is mechanistically linked to changes in bone mineral density (BMD). The work herein supported the extended treatment duration of 24 months.

Methods

An integrated exposure‐response and epidemiological modelling framework of elagolix effects on femoral neck BMD (FN‐BMD), informed by real‐world data and phase 3 clinical trials data, was developed to predict the time course and magnitude of changes in BMD and its relation to risk of bone fracture in women with UF.

Results

Model results indicated that women treated with elagolix 300 mg BID + E2/NETA in the long term (ie, >24 months) may experience less than 1% loss in FN‐BMD per year, relative to placebo. The exposure‐response model simulations and clinical risk factors were used to estimate 10‐year risk of fractures using the clinically validated Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX). The impact of elagolix 300 mg BID + E2/NETA treatment on the 10‐year risk of hip or major osteoporotic fractures estimated from the FRAX model was minimal compared to that of placebo.

Conclusion

The elagolix integrated exposure‐BMD analysis and translation to fracture risk provided an interdisciplinary model‐informed drug development framework for clinical benefit‐risk evaluation and enabled approval of longer treatment duration to benefit the patient.
Roosting behavior and roost selection by Epomophorus gambianus (Pteropodidae) in a west African rural landscape
Authors: Amponsah‐Mensah Kofi , Cunningham Andrew A. , Wood James L. N. , Ntiamoa‐Baidu Yaa
Published: June 2022

Urbanization is driving many species to inhabit modified landscapes, but our understanding of how species respond to this remains limited. Bats are particularly vulnerable due to their life‐history traits but have received little attention. We describe the roosting behavior and roost site selection, including maternity roosts, for the Gambian epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus gambianus) within a modified forest‐savannah transition ecological zone in Ghana, West Africa. We compared characteristics of roost and non‐roost sites to test the hypotheses that roost site selection is non‐random and that maternity roost site selection differs from non‐maternity roosts. Male bats were more likely to switch roost (mean = 0.49 ± 0.23 bat days, N = 23) than females (mean = 0.33 ± 0.18 bat days, N = 7) while linear distances between roosts used by males (255 ± 254 m) were significantly longer than for females (102 ± 71 m) (t = 4.50, df = 86, p < .0001). Roost trees were more likely than non‐roost trees to be bigger, taller, occur closer to buildings, and be in relatively open and less mature plots; maintaining such trees in modified landscapes could benefit the species. Lactating bats selected a subset of roost trees but significantly, those that contained a greater number of bats, a strategy which may reflect predator avoidance, or other social co‐operation benefits. Although there was a preference for five tree species, other trees with preferred characteristics were also used. Our findings contribute to the understanding of how species utilize modified landscapes, which is important in the management of biodiversity in the Anthropocene.
Le déploiement de la surveillance épidémiologique automatisée du COVID‐19 : une analyse comparée de la Corée du Sud et du Canada
Authors: Boudreau Christian , Caron Daniel J.
Published: June 2022

Sommaire

Partout dans le monde, divers dispositifs de surveillance ont été déployés par les gouvernements pour freiner la pandémie du COVID‐19. À partir d'une recherche documentaire portant sur deux cas contrastés, la Corée du Sud et le Canada, la présente étude montre l'influence du contexte national sur le déploiement d'une surveillance épidémiologique automatisée du COVID‐19. En plus de faire ressortir des pistes de réflexion quant à la gestion gouvernementale d'une éventuelle autre crise sanitaire, l'étude indique que la société civile peut contribuer à éclairer le débat public en amenant les gouvernements à être transparents en matière de surveillance épidémiologique automatisée. L'étude conclut sur l'importance de débattre des enjeux de surveillance en dehors des périodes de crise sanitaire pour éviter de possibles dérives causées par l'urgence d'agir.
Analysing biosensor clinical pathogen information using mayfly optimized convolute neural network approach
Authors: Alblehai Fahad , Mahmoud Mohamed H. , Akhtar M. Shaheer , Shaker Ahmed , Mohamed Abdallah A.
Published: June 2022

Viral and bacterial infection diseases are the most common things caused by microbes. Infection diseases are serious issues because of the growth of COVID‐19. Because of the current living situation, clinical pathogens are difficult to identify. Therefore, biosensors have been widely utilized to sense the biomolecules relevant to viruses and bacteria. The biosensors observe the nanoparticles from the pathogens and help improve the infection analysis. The sensor information is processed using machine learning techniques because it consists of several learning patterns. However, the existing methods have multi‐objective optimization problems while analysing the changes in the nanoparticles. This work utilizes a mayfly optimized convoluted neural network (MOCNN) to overcome this research issue. The grid uses the fully convolution layer that processes the extracted biosensor features to determine the infections. The network performance is optimized by applying the exploitation and exploration properties of nuptial dance that help to escape from the local optima solutions. The effective utilization of the optimized training patterns improves the convergence speed and convergence rate compared to traditional methods. From the results, MOCNN ensures 98.97% accuracy, 0.388 error rate, and 0.322833 convergence rate on various iterations with different learning rates.
Modelling fatigue uncertainty by means of nonconstant variance neural networks
Authors: Nashed Mohamad Shadi , Renno Jamil , Mohamed M. Shadi
Published: June 2022

The modelling of fatigue using machine learning (ML) has been gaining traction in the engineering community. Among ML techniques, the use of probabilistic neural networks (PNNs) has recently emerged as a candidate for modelling fatigue applications. In this paper, we use PNNs with nonconstant variance to model fatigue. We present two case studies to demonstrate the developed approach. First, we model the fatigue life of cover‐plated beams under constant amplitude loading, and then we model the relationship between random vibration velocity and equivalent stress in process pipework. The two case studies demonstrate that PNNs with nonconstant variance can model the distribution of the data while also considering the variability of both distribution parameters (mean and standard deviation). This shows the potential of PNNs with nonconstant variance in modelling fatigue applications. All the data and code used in this paper are openly available.
Climate‐driven shifts in kelp forest composition reduce carbon sequestration potential
Authors: Wright Luka Seamus , Pessarrodona Albert , Foggo Andy
Published: June 2022

The potential contribution of kelp forests to blue carbon sinks is currently of great interest but interspecific variance has received no attention. In the temperate Northeast Atlantic, kelp forest composition is changing due to climate‐driven poleward range shifts of cold temperate Laminaria digitata and Laminaria hyperborea and warm temperate Laminaria ochroleuca. To understand how this might affect the carbon sequestration potential (CSP) of this ecosystem, we quantified interspecific differences in carbon export and decomposition alongside changes in detrital photosynthesis and biochemistry. We found that while warm temperate kelp exports up to 71% more carbon per plant, it decomposes up to 155% faster than its boreal congeners. Elemental stoichiometry and polyphenolic content cannot fully explain faster carbon turnover, which may be attributable to contrasting tissue toughness or unknown biochemical and structural defenses. Faster decomposition causes the detrital photosynthetic apparatus of L. ochroleuca to be overwhelmed 20 days after export and lose integrity after 36 days, while detritus of cold temperate species maintains carbon assimilation. Depending on the photoenvironment, detrital photosynthesis could further exacerbate interspecific differences in decomposition via a potential positive feedback loop. Through compositional change such as the predicted prevalence of L. ochroleuca, ocean warming may therefore reduce the CSP of such temperate marine forests.
Uncertain effectiveness of Miscanthus bioenergy expansion for climate change mitigation explored using land surface, agronomic and integrated assessment models
Authors: Littleton Emma W. , Shepherd Anita , Harper Anna B. , Hastings Astley F. S. , Vaughan Naomi E. , Doelman Jonathan , van Vuuren Detlef P. , Lenton Timothy M.
Published: June 2022

Large‐scale bioenergy plays a key role in climate change mitigation scenarios, but its efficacy is uncertain. This study aims to quantify that uncertainty by contrasting the results of three different types of models under the same mitigation scenario (RCP2.6‐SSP2), consistent with a 2°C temperature target. This analysis focuses on a single bioenergy feedstock, Miscanthus × giganteus, and contrasts projections for its yields and environmental effects from an integrated assessment model (IMAGE), a land surface and dynamic global vegetation model tailored to Miscanthus bioenergy (JULES) and a bioenergy crop model (MiscanFor). Under the present climate, JULES, IMAGE and MiscanFor capture the observed magnitude and variability in Miscanthus yields across Europe; yet in the tropics JULES and IMAGE predict high yields, whereas MiscanFor predicts widespread drought‐related diebacks. 2040–2049 projections show there is a rapid scale up of over 200 Mha bioenergy cropping area in the tropics. Resulting biomass yield ranges from 12 (MiscanFor) to 39 (JULES) Gt dry matter over that decade. Change in soil carbon ranges from +0.7 Pg C (MiscanFor) to −2.8 Pg C (JULES), depending on preceding land cover and soil carbon.2090–99 projections show large‐scale biomass energy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is projected in Europe. The models agree that <2°C global warming will increase yields in the higher latitudes, but drought stress in the Mediterranean region could produce low yields (MiscanFor), and significant losses of soil carbon (JULES and IMAGE). These results highlight the uncertainty in rapidly scaling‐up biomass energy supply, especially in dry tropical climates and in regions where future climate change could result in drier conditions. This has important policy implications—because prominently used scenarios to limit warming to ‘well below 2°C’ (including the one explored here) depend upon its effectiveness.
Origins of high fracture toughness and glass‐like thermal conductivity in Zr–Ta–O composites
Authors: Chen Lin , Li Baihui , Luo Keren , Xu Hao , Hu Mingyu , Li Hongxia , Wang Gang , Zhao Shixian , Feng Jing
Published: June 2022

Screening multifunctional thermal/environmental barrier coatings (T/EBCs) for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) and alloys contribute to developing highly efficient hypersonic vehicles and aeroengines. This work elucidates that Zr–Ta–O composites are T/EBCs for Al2O3 fiber‐reinforced Al2O3 (Al2O3f/Al2O3) CMCs and alloys. Zr–Ta–O composites have superiorities of glass‐like thermal conductivity (1.4 W m–1 K–1), thermal expansion coefficients (8.6–12.3 × 10–6 K–1) matching to Al2O3f/Al2O3 and alloys, and high toughness (3.4 MPa m1/2). The origins of high toughness are elucidated from crack‐propagation models and formation of micro‐cracks, which consume lots of crack fracture energy and relieve the stress concentration of indentation tips. The long‐range‐ordered and short‐range‐disordered arrangements of cations and the highly twisting lattices of Ta2Zr6O17 significantly contribute to their glass‐like thermal conductivity. This work motivates upcoming study and application of Zr–Ta–O composites as T/EBCs with working temperature reaching 1500°C.
Investigation of fungal contamination in medicinal and edible Lycii Fructus through DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Yu Jingsheng , Jiang Wenjun , Guo Mengyue , Dao Yujie , Pang Xiaohui
Published: June 2022

Aims

Lycii Fructus (LF) is considered as a ‘superfood’ due to its health benefits and delicious tastes, which has gained popularity worldwide. However, LF is also a proper host for fungal growth due to its abundant nutrients. Fungal contamination seriously affects the quality and safety of LF and poses threats to consumer health.

Methods and Results

In this study, a total of 15 LF samples were collected from five provinces in China, and were divided into five groups based on the collection areas. Fungal contamination in LF was investigated by targeting the internal transcribed spacer 2 region using Illumina Miseq PE300 platform, and the differences of fungal community in groups based on collection areas were compared. Results showed that the fungal contamination was detected in all the 15 LF samples. Ascomycota, Dothideomycetes, Pleosporales and Pleosporaceae were dominant at the phylum, class, order and family levels, respectively. At the genus level, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Fusarium were the three dominant genera. In all, 24 fungal species were identified. Among which, two species, namely Penicillium oxalicum and Trichothecium roseum, were potentially toxigenic.

Conclusions

All 15 LF samples were detected with fungal contamination. The differences of fungal community in LF samples collected from different areas were observed. DNA metabarcoding was demonstrated as an efficient method to monitor the fungal contamination in LF.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This work comprehensively reveals the fungal diversity and composition in LF and provides early warning for potential mycotoxin contamination.
Staged hybrid totally thoracoscopic maze and catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation
Authors: Churyla Andrei , Passman Rod , McCarthy Patrick M. , Kislitsina Olga N. , Kruse Jane , Cox James L.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing health problem and is associated with increased risk of stroke. The Cox‐Maze surgical procedure has offered the highest success rate, but utilization of this technique is low due to procedure invasiveness and complexity. Advances in catheter ablation and minimally invasive surgical techniques offer new options for AF treatment.

Methods

In this review, we describe current trends and outcomes of minimally invasive treatment of persistent and long‐standing persistent AF.

Results

Treatment of persistent and long‐standing persistent AF can be successfully treated using a team approach combining cardiac surgery and electrophysiology procedures. With this approach, the 1‐year freedom from AF off antiarrhythmic drugs was 85%.

Discussion

There are a variety of techniques and approaches used around the world as technology evolves to help develop new treatment strategies for AF. Our report will focus on a hybrid treatment approach using surgical and electrophysiology approaches providing enhanced treatment options by replicating Cox‐Maze IV lesions using skills from each specialty. Closure of the left atrial appendage as part of these procedures enhances protection from late stroke. A team approach provides a cohesive evaluation, treatment, and monitoring plan for patients. Development of successful, less invasive treatment options will help address the growing population of patients with AF.
Fever following Covid‐19 vaccination in subjects with Brugada syndrome: Incidence and management
Authors: Santoro Francesco , Crea Pasquale , Pellegrino Pier Luigi , Cetera Rosa , Gianfrancesco Domenico , Abumayyaleh Mohammad , Giuseppe Dattilo , Allegra Marta , Mancini Nastasia , D'Arienzo Girolamo , Mȕgge Andreas , Aweimer Assem , Bartolomucci Francesco , Akin Ibrahim , El‐Battrawy Ibrahim , Brunetti Natale Daniele
Published: June 2022

Background

Fever is a potential side effect of the Covid‐19 vaccination. Patients with Brugada syndrome (BrS) have an increased risk of life‐threatening arrhythmias when experiencing fever. Prompt treatment with antipyretic drugs is suggested in these patients.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the incidence and management of fever within 48 h from Covid‐19 vaccination among BrS patients.

Methods

One hundred sixty‐three consecutive patients were enrolled in a prospective registry involving five European hospitals with a dedicated inherited disease ambulatory.

Results

The mean age was 50 ± 14 years and 121 (75%) patients were male. Prevalence of Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern type‐1, ‐2, and ‐3 was 32%, 44%, and 24%, respectively. Twenty‐eight (17%) patients had an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD). Fever occurred in 32 (19%) BrS patients after 16 ± 10 h from vaccination, with a peak of body temperature of 37.9° ± 0.5°. Patients with fever were younger (39 ± 13 vs. 48 ± 13 years, p = .04). No additional differences in terms of sex and cardiovascular risk factors were found between patients with fever and not. Twenty‐seven (84%) out of 32 patients experienced mild fever and five (16%) moderate fever. Pharmacological treatment with antipyretic drugs was required in 18 (56%) out of 32 patients and was associated with the resolution of symptoms. No patient required hospital admission and no arrhythmic episode was recorded in patients with ICD within 48 h after vaccination. No induced type 1 BrS ECG pattern and new ECG features were found among patients with moderate fever.

Conclusion

Fever is a common side effect in BrS patients after the Covid‐19 vaccination. Careful evaluation of body temperature and prompt treatment with antipyretic drugs may be needed.
A history of collaboration between electrophysiologists and arrhythmia surgeons
Authors: Cox James L. , Churyla Andrei , Malaisrie S. Chris , Kruse Jane , Kislitsina Olga N. , McCarthy Patrick M.
Published: June 2022

Introduction: The notion that medically‐refractory arrhythmias might one day be amenable to interventional therapy slowly began to appear in the early 1960's. At that time, there were no “interventional electrophysiologists” or “arrhythmia surgeons” and there was little appreciation of the relationship between anatomy and electrophysiology outside the heart's specialized conduction system. Methods: In this review, we describe the evolution of collaboration between electrophysiologists and surgeons. Results: Although accessory atrio‐ventricular (AV) connections were first identified in 1893 and the Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome was described 37 years later (1930), it was another 37 years (1967) before those anatomic AV connections were proven to be responsible for the clinical syndrome. The success of the subsequent surgical procedures for the WPW syndrome, AV node reentry tachycardia, automatic atrial tachycardias, ischemic and non‐ischemic ventricular tachycardias and atrial fibrillation over the next two decades depended on a close, sometimes daily, collaboration between electrophysiologists and surgeons. In the past two decades, that tight collaboration was largely abandoned until the recent introduction of “hybrid procedures” for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Conclusions: A retrospective assessment of the 50 years of interventional therapy for arrhythmias clearly demonstrates the clinical benefits of a close collaboration between electrophysiologists and arrhythmia surgeons, regardless of which one is actually performing the intervention.
Line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography: a new tool for non‐invasive differential diagnosis of pustular skin disorders
Authors: Tognetti L. , Cinotti E. , Falcinelli F. , Miracco C. , Suppa M. , Perrot J.‐L. , Rubegni P.
Published: June 2022

Background

The spectrum of pustular skin disorders (PSD) is large and particularly challenging, including inflammatory, infectious and amicrobial diseases. Moreover, although pustules represent the unifying clinical feature, they can be absent or not fully developed in the early stage of the disease. The line‐field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC‐OCT) is a recently developed imaging technique able to perform a non‐invasive, in vivo, examination of the epidermis and upper dermis, reaching very high image resolution and virtual histology.

Objectives

We aimed to investigate the potentialities of LC‐OCT in the non‐invasive differential diagnosis of a series of 11 PSD with different aetiology, microscopic features, body location and incidence rates.

Materials and Methods

Complete LC‐OCT imaging (i.e. 2D/3D frames, videos) was performed on a total of 19 patients (10 females and 9 males) aged between 35 and 79 years. Images were blindly evaluated and compared with corresponding histopathologic findings.

Results

The LC‐OCT imaging was able to detect with high accuracy the pustule structure including shape, margins, morphology and cellular content, along with peculiar epidermal and adnexal alterations in each condition, including: Acute Generalized Exanthematous Pustulosis, Generalized pustular psoriasis, Generalized pustular figurate erythema, Subcorneal Pustular Dermatosis, Intraepidermal IgA pustulosis, Palmoplantar pustulosis, Palmoplantar pustular psoriasis. Herpetic whitlow, Acrodermatitis continua of Hallopeau, Vesicopustular Sweet syndrome and Vesicopustular Eosinophilic cellulitis, with pustular appearance, were also compared.

Conclusions

The new LC‐OCT can represent a rapid, non‐invasive and painless tool which can help differentiating among PSD of different aetiology and microscopic morphology in clinical mimickers in daily practice.
Parenting in context: A systematic review of the correlates of autonomy support
Authors: Distefano Rebecca , Meuwissen Alyssa S.
Published: June 2022

Research has shown that autonomy‐supportive parenting is associated with positive academic and socioemotional outcomes across childhood. Many studies have examined the correlates of parental autonomy support to understand who is most likely to be autonomy‐supportive and under what conditions. The current systematic review synthesized findings from 63 studies that explored how sociodemographic, familial, parental, and situational factors are related to autonomy‐supportive parenting. Results indicated that sociodemographic factors did not reliably predict autonomy support across studies. Parental factors, including socialization goals, need satisfaction, and mental health, were consistently linked with autonomy support. We propose a contextual model of autonomy support in which the associations between distal factors and autonomy‐supportive parenting are mediated by parental factors, with situational factors moderating the relation between parental factors and autonomy support. Suggestions for future research include reconciling discrepant findings across different measurement approaches and considering how developmental timing influences the factors associated with autonomy‐supportive parenting.
Eocene palaeoenvironments and palaeoceanography of areas adjacent to the Drake Passage: insights from dinoflagellate cyst analysis
Authors: Amenábar Cecilia R. , Guerstein G. Raquel , Alperin Marta I. , Palma Elbio D. , Casadío Silvio , Belgaburo Alexandra , Rodríguez Raising Martín
Published: June 2022

A proper understanding of the palaeoceanographic evolution of the Drake Passage during the Palaeogene is hampered by the lack of precise tools to date and correlate the sedimentary units of areas adjacent to the region. In this work, considering recently published radiometric U–Pb dates, we revised the age of a previous dinoflagellate zones for the middle to upper Eocene units of the Austral–Magallanes Basin. The quantitative analysis of middle to late Eocene dinoflagellate cyst assemblages from different localities close to the Drake Passage allowed us to reconstruct the palaeoenvironmental conditions and the possible surface ocean currents during this time in the area. Assemblages dated between 41.3 and 38.1 Ma represent relatively warm waters in inner shelf settings, while those ranged between 36 and 35 Ma reflect coastal areas with cool, nutrient‐rich surface waters. The proposed surface ocean circulation pattern, based on dinoflagellate cysts distribution between 41.3 and 38.1 Ma, agrees with the results of a palaeoclimatic numerical model simulation performed with a Drake Passage shallow opening of 100 m depth. At c. 36 Ma, several Antarctic gonyaulacacean taxa tolerant to relatively warmer waters were replaced by some Antarctic peridinacean species better adapted to colder conditions. This change could be linked to a progressive deepening of the Drake Passage that is estimated to have reached 1000 m depth promoting a cooling in the South Atlantic. Such passage depth would have enabled stronger flows from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean, which is reflected by the increase of cosmopolitan species.
Combining abilities and heterotic patterns for heat tolerant traits in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum)
Authors: Ayenan Mathieu Anatole Tele , Danquah Agyemang , Hanson Peter , Asante Isaac Kwadwo , Danquah Eric Yirenkyi
Published: June 2022

This present study was undertaken to (i) assess the performance of hybrids under heat stress, (ii) determine the combining abilities of parental lines and their crosses, and (iii) identify the most efficient heterotic grouping method to classify the lines. We evaluated two sets of hybrids generated using the NC II design and a partial diallel mating design. Most crosses outperformed their parents and the best commercial hybrids for fruit weight per plant (FWP), fruit set (FS), fruit weight (FW), and the number of fruits per plant (NFP) under heat stress. The specific (SCA) and the general (GCA) combining ability variances were significantly higher than zero. The crosses Fla.7171 × P005 and CLN2026D × ATS020 had positive SCA effects and high per se performance for FW and FWP. BJ01 was the best combiner for FWP, NFP, and FS. The SNP‐based heterotic grouping was 28% more efficient than the heterotic grouping based on the GCA of multiple traits method and classified the lines into three groups. These findings provide a foundation for speeding up heat‐tolerant hybrid in tomatoes.
Index‐based renewable energy insurance for Taiwan Solar Photovoltaic Power Plants
Authors: Liao Shih‐Chieh , Chang Shih‐Chieh , Cheng Tsung‐Chi
Published: June 2022

Solar energy is one of the fastest‐growing renewable energy resources globally, with solar photovoltaic (PV) technology being a promising application designed to add usable solar power to the national energy mix of several countries. The Taiwan government announced that the targeted amount of electricity generated from renewable sources shall increase to 20% of its total energy supply by 2025, in which 20 GW capacity is expected to be achieved by solar PV power. This study aims to design index‐based insurance to manage the volatility risk of solar radiation on energy production. We apply auto‐regressive integrated moving average models to predict monthly and annual energy production for a solar PV power plant in Taiwan and use the estimated results to calculate the pure premium rates for the designed insurance product. The daily data on solar irradiation are from NASA surface meteorology and solar energy, spanning 35 years from January 1984 to December 2018. The analyzed results reveal that the index‐based insurance approach can protect against the impact of insufficient solar radiation on solar PV energy production to strengthen investment security for solar PV projects.
Chlorophyll dephytylase 1 and chlorophyll synthase: a chlorophyll salvage pathway for the turnover of photosystems I and II
Authors: Lin Yao‐Pin , Shen Yu‐Yen , Shiu Yen‐Bin , Charng Yee‐yung , Grimm Bernhard
Published: June 2022

Chlorophyll (Chl) is made up of the tetrapyrrole chlorophyllide and phytol, a diterpenoid alcohol. The photosynthetic protein complexes utilize Chl for light harvesting to produce biochemical energy for plant development. However, excess light and adverse environmental conditions facilitate generation of reactive oxygen species, which damage photosystems I and II (PSI and PSII) and induce their turnover. During this process, Chl is released, and is thought to be recycled via dephytylation and rephytylation. We previously demonstrated that Chl recycling in Arabidopsis under heat stress is mediated by the enzymes chlorophyll dephytylase 1 (CLD1) and chlorophyll synthase (CHLG) using chlg and cld1 mutants. Here, we show that the mutants with high CLD1/CHLG ratio, by different combinations of chlg‐1 (a knock‐down mutant) and the hyperactive cld1‐1 alleles, develop necrotic leaves when grown under long‐ and short‐day, but not continuous light conditions, owing to the accumulation of chlorophyllide in the dark. Combination of chlg‐1 with cld1‐4 (a knock‐out mutant) leads to reduced chlorophyllide accumulation and necrosis. The operation of CLD1 and CHLG as a Chl salvage pathway was also explored in the context of Chl recycling during the turnover of Chl‐binding proteins of the two photosystems. CLD1 was found to interact with CHLG and the light‐harvesting complex‐like proteins OHP1 and LIL3, implying that auxiliary factors are required for this process.
A review of the circumstances and health‐seeking behaviours associated with bat exposures in high‐income countries
Authors: Wright Eryn , Anuradha Satyamurthy , Richards Russell , Reid Simon
Published: June 2022

Human–bat interactions are now the source of the majority of locally acquired human lyssavirus infections in many high‐income countries without hematophagous or ‘vampire’ bat species. This study aims to identify the most common types and circumstances of bat exposures occurring among members of the general public in high‐income countries with no hematophagous bats, and to describe the health‐seeking behaviours associated with exposures in these settings. We conducted a scoping review of relevant academic and grey literature on bat exposures and confirmed bat lyssavirus infections among members of the general public in Australia, Canada, the United States and high‐income European countries from 1996 to 2019. Case studies and population‐based studies were included for analysis, and findings were extracted and synthesized by the literature type and geographic region. A total of 63 publications were identified, including: 47 case studies and 16 population‐based studies. Overall, most exposures in Australia and Europe were intentionally initiated by humans and involved attempts to handle, touch or help a bat. In North America, however, household exposures were more common and predominantly involved a bat being found in a room or area where a person had slept. Studies also showed that a proportion of bat exposures in high‐income countries go unreported in the absence of a public health investigation and are therefore unlikely to receive prompt treatment. The results of this review suggest that the most effective strategies for preventing bat exposures vary between regions and that health‐seeking behaviours following bat exposures could be improved in high‐income settings.
Efficient Extraction of Mn2+ Ions From the Waste Produced in the Hummers Method for Application in Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Hou Hongying , Li Junkai , Lan Jian , Meng Kun , Huang Baoxiang , Li Hao
Published: June 2022

Graphene nanosheets are produced in mass by Hummers method, accompanied with the emission of waste acid effluent with Mn2+, which should be reasonably recycled. Herein, Mn2+ was extracted into Mn3O4 nanoparticles by oxidation precipitation. Desirably, Mn3O4 powders were the spinel crystal phase and the particle size was 100–150 nm. The reversible discharge capacities of Mn3O4 anode maintained 528 mA h/g at 0.5 A/g for 100 cycles and 423 mA h/g at 1.0 A/g for 300 cycles, with high capacity retention ratios of 93.4% and 91.1%, respectively. Obviously, this work may promote the development of the circular economy.
Developing Potential Energy Surfaces for Graphene-Based 2D–3D Interfaces From Modified High-Dimensional Neural Networks for Applications in Energy Storage
Authors: Sharma Vidushi , Datta Dibakar
Published: June 2022

Designing a new heterostructure electrode has many challenges associated with interface engineering. Demanding simulation resources and lack of heterostructure databases continue to be a barrier to understanding the chemistry and mechanics of complex interfaces using simulations. Mixed-dimensional heterostructures composed of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) materials are undisputed next-generation materials for engineered devices due to their changeable properties. The present work computationally investigates the interface between 2D graphene and 3D tin (Sn) systems with density functional theory (DFT) method. This computationally demanding simulation data is further used to develop machine learning (ML)-based potential energy surfaces (PES). The approach to developing PES for complex interface systems in the light of limited data and the transferability of such models has been discussed. To develop PES for graphene-tin interface systems, high-dimensional neural networks (HDNN) are used that rely on atom-centered symmetry function to represent structural information. HDNN are modified to train on the total energies of the interface system rather than atomic energies. The performance of modified HDNN trained on 5789 interface structures of graphene|Sn is tested on new interfaces of the same material pair with varying levels of structural deviations from the training dataset. Root-mean-squared error (RMSE) for test interfaces fall in the range of 0.01–0.45 eV/atom, depending on the structural deviations from the reference training dataset. By avoiding incorrect decomposition of total energy into atomic energies, modified HDNN model is shown to obtain higher accuracy and transferability despite a limited dataset. Improved accuracy in the ML-based modeling approach promises cost-effective means of designing interfaces in heterostructure energy storage systems with higher cycle life and stability.