bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photometry and model of near-Earth asteroid 2021 DW1 from one apparition
Authors: Kwiatkowski T. , Koleńczuk P. , Kryszczyńska A. , Oszkiewicz D. , Kamiński K. , Kamińska M. K. , Troianskyi V. , Skiff B. , Moskowitz N. , Kashuba V. , Kim M.-J. , Kim T. , Mottola S. , Santana-Ros T. , Kluwak T. , Buzzi L. , Bacci P. , Birtwhistle P. , Miles R. , Chatelain J.
Published: October 2021

Aims. Very small asteroids (VSAs, objects with diameters smaller than about 150 m) can be spun up by the YORP effect to rotation periods as short as tens of seconds. This effect has been observed for many of them. It is also hypothesised, that in the same process their spin axes are asymptotically drawn to the position perpendicular to the orbital plane. So far this effect has been observed only for one VSA and needs further verification. For that, spin axes of several other VSAs should be determined by observing their brightness variations at many different positions on the sky.

Methods. On 4 March 2021 at 9 UTC a 30-m in diameter near-Earth asteroid 2021 DW1 passed the Earth at a distance of 570 000 km, reaching the maximum brightness of V = 14.6 mag. We observed it photometrically from 2 March, when it was visible at V = 16.5 mag, until 7 March (V = 18.2 mag). During that time 2021 DW1 swept a 170° long arc in the northern sky, spanning solar phase angles in the range from 36° to 86°. This made it an excellent target for physical characterisation, including spin axis and shape derivation.

Results. Convex inversion of the asteroid lightcurves gives a sidereal period of rotation Psid = 0.013760 ± 0.000001 h, and two solutions for the spin axis ecliptic coordinates: (A) λ1 = 57° ± 10°, β1 = 29° ± 10° and (B) λ2 = 67° ± 10°, β2 = −40° ± 10°. The magnitude-phase curve can be fitted with a standard H, G function with H = 24.8 ± 0.5 mag and an assumed G = 0.24. The asteroid colour indices are g − i = 0.79 ± 0.01 mag, and i − z = 0.01 ± 0.02 mag which indicates an S taxonomic class, with an average geometric albedo pV = 0.23 ± 0.02. The asteroid effective diameter, derived from H and pV, is Deff = 30 ± 10 m.

Conclusions. It was found that the inclination of the spin axis of 2021 DW1 is not perpendicular to the orbital plane (obliquity ϵ = 54° ± 10° or ϵ = 123° ± 10°). More spin axes of VSAs should be determined to check, if 2021 DW1 is an exception or a typical case.
Fatalities Due to Poisoning with Aluminum Phosphide (Rice Pill) and
Methadone
Authors: Astaraki Peyman , Ahadi Maryam , Salehinejad Foroutan , Honardoost Vahideh
Published: October 2021

Acute poisoning is commonly seen with pharmaceutical substance or pesticides.
Understanding pattern of acute poisoning due to different agents can enable
better emergency management. The aim of this study is to present and evaluate
the fatality-related data of acute poisoning due to aluminum phosphide (rice
pills) and methadone. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on
patients Shahid Rahimi Hospital due to poisoning with rice tablets (aluminum
phosphide) and methadone from 2015–2020. The data collection tool was a
questionnaire using with demographic data, type and dose of poison and clinical
presentation, duration of hospitalization was obtained and statistically
analyzed. Out of 19 238 patients with poisoning referred to this center, 412
people referred to the hospital due to rice pill poisoning, of which 56
(13.59%) died and among 2157 patients due to methadone poisoning, 22 of
them (1.09%) died. In both the groups, rice pill and methadone, there
were more male patients 53.57 and 81.81%, respectively. In aluminum
phosphide poisoning, the greatest population was in the age group
(15–35). However, no specific age group was seen in methadone poisoning.
The duration of hospitalization and the time of referral to the emergency
department to the death of the patient was significantly correlated with
mortality in both the groups. The prevalence of intentional rice kill poising
was greatest, effecting young population, we recommend that health care
awareness program and training should be provided in this regard. Furthermore,
psychiatric care should be made easily available in the region.
Better models could improve liver cancer treatment
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: October 2021

Understanding the microenvironment of tumors and using in vitro models that properly reflect it will improve the development of immunotherapies for liver cancer.
Experimental investigation on cathode layer of surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma by surface potential measurement
Authors: Li Ting , Yan Huijie , Yu Siqi , Li Jiaqi , Song Jian , Zhang Quanzhi
Published: October 2021

The cathode layer of surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma is investigated experimentally by using the surface potential measurement under different bias voltages. Positive charge accumulation is found near the edge of the exposed electrode (x = 0 mm) under negative DC bias voltage. In addition, the plasma electromotive force (EMF) distribution curve near the edge of the exposed electrode diverges with the negative DC bias voltage. These phenomena are in good agreement with the conclusion that the cathode layer shows positive potential in time average. Five actuators with different exposed electrode widths are designed to study the relationship between the cathode layer and the mechanical properties of the actuator. With the widening of the exposed electrode, the positive charges in the cathode layer increase, and the plasma EMF divergence is more pronounced. However, the thrust force decreases. Moreover, the variation of thrust force with DC bias voltage is consistent with the change of the plasma EMF. The experimental results show that the narrow-exposed electrode actuator for the cathode layer with a small size and low number of positive ions has better mechanical properties. By analysis, this is mainly due to the lower number of positive ions of the cathode layer, producing less shielding from the applied voltage. More electrons are emitted from the cathode layer. This paper provides a method for the detection and study of the cathode layer. In addition, it can provide insight into how the cathode layer affects the development of thrust force.
Metal–organic frameworks for the generation of reactive oxygen species
Authors: Bicalho Hudson A. , Quezada-Novoa Victor , Howarth Ashlee J.
Published: October 2021

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules derived from oxygen, which are naturally generated and play essential roles in biological processes. At the same time, ROS are the basis of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), which can be used for multiple applications of industrial interest, including water treatment and organic synthesis. Additionally, anti-cancer therapies that involve the targeted production of ROS in cancerous cells have shown promising results in vitro and in vivo by promoting oxidative stress and, hence, cell death. However, up to this day, the development of catalysts and systems that are, at the same time, easily synthesized, low-cost, nontoxic, and highly effective remains a challenge. With that in mind, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), a relatively new class of coordination polymers, may display all these characteristics and many others, including tunable structure, extensive porosity, and high surface areas. Because of that, the design and synthesis of MOFs and MOF-based materials for the generation of ROS has garnered attention in recent years. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the development and use of MOFs or MOF-based materials as catalysts in AOPs and biological systems through the generation of ROS, shining light on promising results and future research directions.
Three-dimensional free vibration analysis of thick laminated combination shell using a meshfree approach
Authors: Kwak Songhun , Kim Kwanghun
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a novel meshfree approach is proposed for the three-dimensional free vibration analysis of laminated composite combination shells. The three-dimensional theory of elasticity is applied to the formulation for free vibration analysis of thick laminated elliptical–cylindrical and conical–cylindrical combination shells, and the field functions are approximated by a novel meshfree Tchebychev-point interpolation method shape function using Tchebychev polynomials as the basis. The governing equation and boundary conditions for the individual layers of the substructures of the laminated combination shell are derived, and the equations of the whole system are obtained by combining them using a continuous condition. The boundary and continuous conditions are generalized by the introduction of an artificial spring technique, and the type of boundary conditions is selected according to the spring stiffness. The accuracy and reliability of the proposed method are verified by comparing the results of the proposed method with those of literature and finite element program ABAQUS. The free vibration characteristics including natural frequencies and mode shapes of thick combination shells with various geometries and boundary conditions are presented through numerical examples.
Near-field imaging of plasmonic nanopatch antennas with integrated semiconductor quantum dots
Authors: Iyer Vasudevan , Phang Yoong Sheng , Butler Andrew , Chen Jiyang , Lerner Brian , Argyropoulos Christos , Hoang Thang , Lawrie Benjamin
Published: October 2021

Plasmonic nanopatch antennas that incorporate dielectric gaps hundreds of picometers to several nanometers thick have drawn increasing attention over the past decade because they confine electromagnetic fields to grossly sub-diffraction-limited volumes. Substantial control over the optical properties of excitons and color centers confined within these plasmonic cavities has already been demonstrated with far-field optical spectroscopies, but near-field optical spectroscopies are essential for an improved understanding of the plasmon–emitter interaction at the nanoscale. Here, we characterize the intensity and phase-resolved plasmonic response of isolated nanopatch antennas by cathodoluminescence microscopy. Furthermore, we explore the distinction between optical and electron beam spectroscopies of coupled plasmon–exciton heterostructures to identify constraints and opportunities for future nanoscale characterization and control of hybrid nanophotonic structures. While we observe substantial Purcell enhancement in time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopies, negligible Purcell enhancement is observed in cathodoluminescence spectroscopies of hybrid nanophotonic structures. The substantial differences in measured Purcell enhancement for electron beam and laser excitation can be understood as a result of the different selection rules for these complementary experiments. These results provide a fundamentally new understanding of near-field plasmon–exciton interactions in nanopatch antennas, which is essential for myriad emerging quantum photonic devices.
Investigation of an improved low-impedance meander pulse forming line based on glass ceramics
Authors: Cai Hao , Li Song , Zeng Fanzheng , Zhang Qingmeng , Wang Junting , Yang Hanwu
Published: October 2021

The meander pulse forming line (PFL) is a kind of prospective solid dielectric device for compact, reliable pulsed power systems. In this paper, the electrode structure of a PFL based on glass ceramics was designed with a Ω-shaped structure, which can improve the voltage strength of the PFL and increase the output pulse width. The electric field distribution and output waveform were obtained numerically. Experimental results illustrate that the improved PFL, with dimensions of 260 × 140 × 7 mm3, when used as a simple PFL could generate a well-shaped quasi-square pulse, with the output pulse duration of 85 ns, which is in agreement with the simulation within 14%. Under the conditions of 30 kV charging voltage, 50 Hz repetition frequency, and 4 Ω matching impedance, the lifetime of the solid dielectric PFL based on glass ceramics could be more than 1 × 106. Experiments show reasonable agreement with numerical analysis.
Analyzing of the diffusion constant on the nano-scale systems by using artificial neural networks
Authors: Isik Esme
Published: October 2021

The study concerning nano-scale systems is considered to highly contribute to the developments in the field of nano-technology where many models have been proposed in the literature. The information is carried by molecules in the diffusion medium of the models. Channel parameters such as the diffusion constant are very important for communication of the molecules between the transmitter and the receiver. The physical properties of the carriers and the density of the medium are also very important for the transfer of information. In this study, the number of received molecules is analyzed with respect to the environmental parameters of the channel such as viscosity and the diffusion constant. First, the diffusion constant is obtained analytically by using the Stokes–Einstein equation, and then a new model was developed in Matlab and analyzed in terms of performance of the system concerning channel parameters such as the diffusion constant. Second, the diffusion constant of the medium was predicted by using an artificial neural network and compared with the simulation results. The different diffusion constant values have been used in the environment contrary to the literature to obtain the number of received molecules. The predicted values of the number of received molecules for D = 75 µm2/s and D = 150 µm2/s were also obtained for mobile and fixed system models. The difference between predicted and simulation values is obtained as ±0.5 by using residual analysis.
Smart Energy Management in Renewable Energy Systems
Authors: Tomar Anuradha , Pattnaik Amruta
Published: October 2021

A smart energy management system (SEMS) enables the effective utilization of available energy resources and thus results in energy-efficient operation of a smart grid. A SEMS can be applied for the integration of renewable energy resources to a smart grid to balance energy sustainability as well as controllability. Therefore, it is important to understand the various existing SEMS methods present in the literature, and to explore their applicability and functionality. In this chapter, existing energy management techniques are reviewed in brief, and a case study is presented considering a model predictive controller (MPC). The aim of the presented case study is to demonstrate the application of an MPC for a standalone photovoltaic-based (PV-based) microgrid equipped with battery energy storage as a secondary source of energy. Further, a multi-input single-output type DC–DC converter configuration is adopted to reduce the mismatching losses and ensure maximum power point tracking of PVs. The performance of the proposed smart energy management system is validated through a MATLAB/Simulink environment.
Sperm storage in the oviduct of the Chinese pond turtle
Authors: Cai Wenlong , Chen Wei , Wang Yajie , Bu Xingjiang , Xia Xingquan , Nie Liuwang
Published: October 2021

The long-term storage of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract is limited by the innate immune system. Oestrogen plays a role in regulating the innate immune system. Thus, exploring the expression of genes in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2/4 pathway and oestrogen receptors in the oviduct of Mauremys reevesii could contribute to our understanding of the mechanism of sperm storage. In this study, three parts of the oviduct (isthmus, uterus and vagina) in three mated and unmated female turtles were used to perform immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Immunohistochemistry revealed that the TLR2/4 protein was mainly distributed in epithelial tissues and glandular cell membranes, and that TLR2/4 levels in the oviduct were significantly decreased in mated compared with unmated turtles. Real-time qPCR indicated that TLR2/4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), interleukin 1 receptor associated kinase 4 (IRAK4), TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6), interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and interleukin 6 (IL6) mRNA expression was significantly higher in the oviduct of unmated than mated turtles, whereas the opposite was true for the expression of oestrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) and progesterone receptor (PGR). These results indicate that when spermatozoa are stored in the oviduct, an increase in oestrogen suppresses the immune response induced by the TLR2/4 pathway so that spermatozoa are not removed as a foreign substance, but stored until fertilisation. The findings of this study are relevant to our understanding of the relationship between sperm storage and the innate immune system in the oviduct of reptiles.
Soil properties sensitive to degradation caused by increasing intensity of conventional tillage
Authors: Estevam Rodrigo Fernandes Herrera , Peixoto Devison Souza , Melo Filho José Fernandes de , Amorim Helen Carla Santana , Moreira Fatima Maria de Souza , Silva Aline Oliveira
Published: October 2021

Increased conventional tillage intensity causes soil degradation in agrosystems. In this field experiment, we evaluate the sensitivity of soil physical, chemical, and biological properties under varying soil tillage intensities. The treatments were: TI0 (tillage intensity zero); TI2 (tillage intensity two); TI4 (tillage intensity four); TI6 (tillage intensity six); and TI8 (tillage intensity eight). These treatments corresponded to two tillage seasons (dry and rainy conditions) with four tillage intensities of conventional tillage (ploughing + harrowing) performed monthly. The restorative role of crop growth and rotations in soil properties was not considered in this study, and the interval between soil tillage was short. After the second tillage season, we determined 31 soil physical, chemical and biological properties. Biological properties were more affected by conventional tillage intensity than physical and chemical properties. The most sensitive soil properties to the increasing tillage intensities were aggregate weighted mean diameter (WMD), percentage of aggregates (PA), bulk density (Bd), total porosity (TP), macroporosity (Mac), microporosity (Mic), soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic matter (SOM), total microbial activity (FDA), arylsulfatase (Ary), acid phosphatase (Phos), and xylanase activity (Xyl). A minimum data set including WMD, Mac, SOM, and Xyl was suggested. The highest intensity of conventional tillage reduced WMD, Xyl and Mac by 28%, 51%, and 63%, respectively, and increased SOM by 14% relative to the control. This work may guide managers on the best soil properties for monitoring the impacts of soil tillage on soil quality in agricultural areas that routinely use conventional tillage as a management practice.
Context-specific regulation of lysosomal lipolysis through network-level diverting of transcription factor interactions
Authors: Mony Vinod K. , Drangowska-Way Anna , Albert Reka , Harrison Emma , Ghaddar Abbas , Horak Mary Kate , Ke Wenfan , O’Rourke Eyleen J.
Published: October 2021

Significance

Genes often encode for proteins with specialized functions (e.g., lipase). However, the function of the protein, and hence the gene, may be critical for survival in diverse contexts (e.g., fasting and oxidative stress). Hence, how are common survival genes activated in multiple contexts? Based on genetics and mathematical modeling, we describe two modes of transcriptional activation: 1) convergent—a single transcriptional regulator activates the survival gene in multiple contexts—and 2) contextual—the activity/interaction of members of a network of transcriptional regulators is fine-tuned to activate the survival gene through molecular paths that are specific to a context. The results underscore the limitations of across-context molecular inferences and suggest an economic tactic to biological resilience.
Governing global policy: what IPE can learn from public policy?
Authors: Legrand Tim , Stone Diane
Published: October 2021

As the state has become more susceptible to global pathologies, public policy scholars have found increasingly common ground with their IPE cousins. The development of these relatively young fields of study – increasingly they are sub-disciplines – has been commensurate but rarely intersecting. Yet contemporary maelstroms of global politics, economics, health, and security, span borders with ease, and increasingly force us to recognise, reconsider, and reconceptualise the overlapping realms of the national and international. In so doing, we must overcome the disciplinary distinctions. In this article, we traverse the prominent in-built disciplinary imperatives and methodologies that have kept these two disciplines from concerted inter-operability or, at least, interchange of theories and concepts. To do so, we begin by presenting a brief overview of the conceptual pedigrees and trajectories of these disciplines, before drawing attention to the prominent prevailing overlaps, ‘trespasses’ and tensions as they specifically relate to policy convergence and diffusion, and policy transfer. We proceed to specify a reconciliation of these tensions through, in the third section, a brief study of the growth of global administrations, administrators, and administrative spaces. This, we contend, stands as a paradigm case of how reconciled IPE/public policy concepts can produce enhanced theoretical and substantive insights into the transnationalising political world.
Deterrence and the Adjustment of Sentences During Imprisonment
Authors: Polinsky A Mitchell , Shavell Steven
Published: October 2021

The prison time actually served by a convicted criminal depends to a significant degree on decisions made by the state during the course of imprisonment—notably, on whether to grant parole. We study a model of the adjustment of sentences assuming that the state’s objective is the optimal deterrence of crime. In the model, the state can lower or raise a criminal’s initial sentence on the basis of deterrence-relevant information obtained during imprisonment. Our focus on sentence adjustment as a means of promoting deterrence stands in contrast to the usual emphasis in sentence adjustment policy on avoiding recidivism.
Parental ecological history can differentially modulate parental age effects on offspring physiological traits inDrosophila
Authors: Morimoto Juliano
Published: October 2021

Parents adjust their reproductive investment over their lifespan based on their condition, age, and social environment, creating the potential for inter-generational effects to differentially affect offspring physiology. To date, however, little is known about how social environments experienced by parents throughout development and adulthood influence the effect of parental age on the expression of life-history traits in the offspring. Here, I collected data on Drosophila melanogaster offspring traits (i.e., body weight, water content, and lipid reserves) from populations where either mothers, fathers both, or neither parents experienced different social environments during development (larval crowding) and adulthood. Parental treatment modulated parental age effects on offspring lipid reserves but did not influence parental age effects on offspring water content. Importantly, parents in social environments where all individuals were raised in uncrowded larval densities produced daughters and sons lighter than parental treatments which produced the heaviest offspring. The peak in offspring body weight was delayed relative to the peak in parental reproductive success, but more strongly so for daughters from parental treatments where some or all males in the parental social environments were raised in crowded larval densities (irrespective of their social context), suggesting a potential father-to-daughter effect. Overall, the findings of this study reveal that parental ecological history (here, developmental and adult social environments) can modulate the effects of parental age at reproduction on the expression of offspring traits.
Atmospheric Warming-Associated Phenological Earliness Does Not Increase the Length of Growing Season in Himalayan Trees
Authors: Negi G C S , Singh Pradeep , Singh S P
Published: October 2021

We present phenological data for two time periods (1985–1987 and 2014–2016) on major tree species (Shorea robusta, Pinus roxburghii, Myrica esculenta, Quercus leucotrichophora, Rhododendron arboreum, Quercus floribunda, and Machilus duthiei) occurring along an altitudinal gradient of 300–2,200 m asl of Himalayan forests (a data-deficient region identified by the IPCC, 2007), and show that bud break and leafing in trees has advanced at 0.20 days/year, which is associated with a significant (P < 0.001) increase in atmospheric temperature (0.038°C/year) over the years in the study area. Also, the leaf drop period has advanced correspondingly (0.40 days/year); hence, the length of season (LOS) did not increase in these trees. This finding is contrary to the report of increase in LOS due to climatic warming from temperate latitudes of the world and satellite-based studies in Himalayan region. Arguably, phenomena such as bud break and leafing may not be captured by remote sensing, which is critical for determining the impact of climate change on the forest vegetation of the eco-sensitive Himalayan region. We suggest that this phenological earliness may alter forest structure and functioning and associated ecosystem services of these forests in the long run.
Expression of human HIPKs inDrosophilademonstrates their shared and unique functions in a developmental model
Authors: Kinsey Stephen D , Vinluan Justin P , Shipman Gerald A , Verheyen Esther M
Published: October 2021

Homeodomain-interacting protein kinases (HIPKs) are a family of four conserved proteins essential for vertebrate development, as demonstrated by defects in the eye, brain, and skeleton that culminate in embryonic lethality when multiple HIPKs are lost in mice. While HIPKs are essential for development, functional redundancy between the four vertebrate HIPK paralogues has made it difficult to compare their respective functions. Because understanding the unique and shared functions of these essential proteins could directly benefit the fields of biology and medicine, we addressed the gap in knowledge of the four vertebrate HIPK paralogues by studying them in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, where reduced genetic redundancy simplifies our functional assessment. The single hipk present in the fly allowed us to perform rescue experiments with human HIPK genes that provide new insight into their individual functions not easily assessed in vertebrate models. Furthermore, the abundance of genetic tools and established methods for monitoring specific developmental pathways and gross morphological changes in the fly allowed for functional comparisons in endogenous contexts. We first performed rescue experiments to demonstrate the extent to which each of the human HIPKs can functionally replace Drosophila Hipk for survival and morphological development. We then showed the ability of each human HIPK to modulate Armadillo/β-catenin levels, JAK/STAT activity, proliferation, growth, and death, each of which have previously been described for Hipks, but never all together in comparable tissue contexts. Finally, we characterized novel developmental phenotypes induced by human HIPKs to gain insight to their unique functions. Together, these experiments provide the first direct comparison of all four vertebrate HIPKs to determine their roles in a developmental context.
Sex Differences in the Association Between Metabolic Dysregulation and Cognitive Aging: The Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Chanti-Ketterl Marianne , Stebbins Rebecca C , Obhi Hardeep K , Belsky Daniel W , Plassman Brenda L , Yang Yang Claire
Published: October 2021

Background

Dysregulation of some metabolic factors increases the risk of dementia. It remains unclear if overall metabolic dysregulation, or only certain components, contribute to cognitive aging and if these associations are sex specific.

Methods

Data from the 2006–2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) was used to analyze 7 103 participants aged 65 and older at baseline (58% women). We created a metabolic-dysregulation risk score (MDRS) composed of blood pressure/hypertension status, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c)/diabetes status, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and waist circumference, and assessed cognitive trajectories from repeated measures of the HRS-Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (HRS-TICS) over 10 years of follow-up. Linear mixed-effects models estimated associations between MDRS or individual metabolic factors (biomarkers) with mean and change in HRS-TICS scores and assessed sex-modification of these associations.

Results

Participants with higher MDRSs had lower mean HRS-TICS scores, but there were no statistically significant differences in rate of decline. Sex stratification showed this association was present for women only. MDRS biomarkers revealed heterogeneity in the strength and direction of associations with HRS-TICS. Lower HRS-TICS levels were associated with hypertension, higher HbA1c/diabetes, and lower HDL-C and TC, whereas faster rate of cognitive decline was associated with hypertension, higher HbA1c/diabetes, and higher TC. Participants with higher HbA1c/diabetes presented worse cognitive trajectories. Sex differences indicated that women with higher HbA1c/diabetes to have lower HRS-TICS levels, whereas hypertensive males presented better cognitive trajectory.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that metabolic dysregulation is more strongly associated with cognition in women compared with men, though sex differences vary by individual biomarker.
Cognitive Reserve Moderates the Efficiency of Prefrontal Cortex Activation Patterns of Gait in Older Adults
Authors: Holtzer Roee , Ross Daliah , O’Brien Catherine , Izzetoglu Meltem , Wagshul Mark E
Published: October 2021

Background

Cognitive reserve (CR) protects against cognitive decline, but whether CR influences the efficiency of cortical control of gait has not been reported. The current study addressed this important gap in the literature. Specifically, we determined the role of CR in moderating the efficiency of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)-derived oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) assessed during active walking. We hypothesized that higher CR would be associated with more efficient brain activation patterns.

Methods

Participants were 55 (mean age = 74.84; %female = 49.1) older adults who underwent the combined walking/fNIRS protocol and had magnetic resonance imaging data. We used an established dual-task walking paradigm that consisted of 3 task conditions: single-task walk (STW), single-task alpha (STA, cognitive task), and dual-task walk (DTW). Using the residual approach, CR was derived from a word-reading test score by removing variance accounted for by sociodemographic variables, tests of current cognitive functions, and a measure of structural brain integrity.

Results

CR moderated the change in fNIRS-derived HbO2 in the PFC across tasks. Higher CR was associated with smaller increases in fNIRS-derived HbO2 from the single tasks to dual-task walking (CR × DTW compared with STW: estimate = 0.183; p < .001; CR × DTW compared with STA: estimate = 0.257; p < .001). The moderation effect of CR remained significant when adjusting for multiple covariates and concurrent moderation effects of measures of gait performance, current cognitive functions, and structural integrity of the brain.

Conclusion

The current study provided first evidence that higher CR was associated with better neural efficiency of walking in older adults.
Physical Activity in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Narrative Review
Authors: Raman Maitreyi , Rajagopalan Vidya , Kaur Sandeep , Reimer Raylene A , Ma Christopher , Ghosh Subrata , Vallance Jeff
Published: October 2021

Background

Despite advancement in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), induction and maintenance of remission remain challenging to achieve in many patients and a significant proportion of patients with IBD experience mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and fatigue, which impair their quality of life (QoL). We aim to describe the available evidence regarding the effects of physical activity (PA) on the onset of IBD, its disease course, and important patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), such as QoL, fatigue, and mental health.

Methods

A literature search was performed using electronic databases to identify original articles that assessed the effects of PA in patients with IBD using PROMs.

Results

Prospective cohort and case-control studies demonstrate inverse relationships between PA and new-onset IBD in Crohn’s disease but not in ulcerative colitis; however, they have small sample sizes and caution must be taken in considering associations versus causation. Small randomized controlled trials suggest promise for PA and beneficial outcomes, such as maintenance of clinical remission and improvement in QoL, fatigue, depression, and anxiety. However, these studies were small and underpowered, and limited by outcome measurements and durations of follow-up.

Conclusions

Physicians may consider discussing PA interventions with their patients on an individual basis, especially if they report impaired QoL, fatigue, depression, or anxiety, until disease-specific guidelines are available. Including PA as part of a primary prevention strategy in high-risk patients could be considered.
Behaviour of solutions to the 1D focusing stochastic L2-critical and supercritical nonlinear Schrödinger equation with space-time white noise
Authors: Millet Annie , Roudenko Svetlana , Yang Kai
Published: October 2021

We study the focusing stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger equation in 1D in the $L^2$-critical and supercritical cases with an additive or multiplicative perturbation driven by space-time white noise. Unlike the deterministic case, the Hamiltonian (or energy) is not conserved in the stochastic setting nor is the mass (or the $L^2$-norm) conserved in the additive case. Therefore, we investigate the time evolution of these quantities. After that, we study the influence of noise on the global behaviour of solutions. In particular, we show that the noise may induce blow up, thus ceasing the global existence of the solution, which otherwise would be global in the deterministic setting. Furthermore, we study the effect of the noise on the blow-up dynamics in both multiplicative and additive noise settings and obtain profiles and rates of the blow-up solutions. Our findings conclude that the blow-up parameters (rate and profile) are insensitive to the type or strength of the noise: if blow up happens, it has the same dynamics as in the deterministic setting; however, there is a (random) shift of the blow-up centre, which can be described as a random variable normally distributed.
Genome-Wide Investigation of the Multiple Origins Hypothesis for Deep-Spawning Kokanee Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) across its Pan-Pacific Distribution
Authors: Samad-zada Farida , Nakayama Kouji , Russello Michael A
Published: October 2021

Salmonids have emerged as important study systems for investigating molecular processes underlying parallel evolution given their tremendous life history variation. Kokanee, the resident form of anadromous sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), have evolved multiple times across the species’ pan-Pacific distribution, exhibiting multiple reproductive ecotypes including those that spawn in streams, on lake-shores, and at lake depths >50 m. The latter has only been detected in 5 locations in Japan and British Columbia, Canada. Here, we investigated the multiple origins hypothesis for deep-spawning kokanee, using 9721 single nucleotide polymorphisms distributed across the genome analyzed for the vast majority of known populations in Japan (Saiko Lake) and Canada (Anderson, Seton, East Barrière Lakes) relative to stream-spawning populations in both regions. We detected 397 outlier loci, none of which were robustly identified in paired-ecotype comparisons in Japan and Canada independently. Bayesian clustering and principal components analyses based on neutral loci revealed 6 distinct clusters, largely associated with geography or translocation history, rather than ecotype. Moreover, a high level of divergence between Canadian and Japanese populations, and between deep- and stream-spawning populations regionally, suggests the deep-spawning ecotype independently evolved on the 2 continents. On a finer level, Japanese kokanee populations exhibited low estimates of heterozygosity, significant levels of inbreeding, and reduced effective population sizes relative to Canadian populations, likely associated with transplantation history. Along with preliminary evidence for hybridization between deep- and stream-spawning ecotypes in Saiko Lake, these findings should be considered within the context of on-going kokanee fisheries management in Japan.
Connecting Forestry Learning Objectives to Urban Forest Types
Authors: Coupland Kathleen , Magalhães Juliana , Griess Verena C
Published: October 2021

Applied educational opportunities in forestry undergraduate curricula are essential for a complete postsecondary degree program. Walking distance to local urban forests present a way to teach forestry students in applied settings, while reducing the time, cost, and travel logistics. A case study at a Canadian university (University of British Columbia) was used to connect urban forest canopy cover to forestry learning objectives and walking time to the main teaching building. Individual tree canopies were identified with light detection and ranging data and aggregated to 0.05 ha grid sections. Using canopy cover and forest arrangement, the urban forest was classified into closed, open, small, sparse, or non- forest classifications. Forestry learning objectives were matched with each forest classification in conjunction with walkability to identify critical local location for forestry education. Results identified key areas suitable for teaching forestry and for linking forestry educational values with easily accessible high value locations.
Occurrence of a forest-dwelling bat, northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), within Canada’s largest conurbation
Authors: Thorne Toby J , Matczak Eryk , Donnelly Melissa , Franke Maria C , Kerr Kevin C R
Published: October 2021

While some species thrive in urban areas, many are absent from such environments. Those that are successful often have high behavioural flexibility that allows them to exploit new niches in a human-modified landscape. Northern myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) is an endangered bat species rarely identified in urban areas, though it is unclear whether this is due to absence or difficulties in surveying. We investigated the ecology of a population of northern myotis within Canada’s largest conurbation, including reproductive status, roosting preference, and movements. Using capture surveys, we confirmed the presence of reproductive females and healthy juveniles over two seasons. Using radio telemetry and acoustic surveys, we identified a cluster of tree roosts in the centre of the forest, and foraging areas concentrated around waterways within the bounds of the forest. These observations suggest the roosting and movement ecology of this population is similar to that observed for this species in rural environments, despite the urban surroundings. Our results suggest that northern myotis is not a synurbic species but can occur within urbanized environments when suitable habitat is available. We suggest that large forest patches with mature, interior forest cover are likely to be an important resource for northern myotis, and they will be vulnerable to the loss or fragmentation of these features in rapidly urbanizing landscapes. These findings are highly relevant to the ecology and preservation of northern myotis and present a case for greater consideration of this species in urban forests.
The Cost-effectiveness of Cefazolin Compared With Antistaphylococcal Penicillins for the Treatment of Methicillin-SensitiveStaphylococcus aureusBacteremia
Authors: Pliakos Elina Eleftheria , Ziakas Panayiotis D , Mylonakis Eleftherios
Published: October 2021

Background

Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) bacteremia is associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and hospitalization costs. Cefazolin and antistaphylococcal penicillins (ASPs), such as nafcillin, are the preferred treatments for MSSA bacteremia. The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of each approach.

Methods

We constructed a decision-analytic model comparing the use of cefazolin with ASPs for the treatment of MSSA bacteremia. Cost-effectiveness was determined by calculating deaths averted and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs). Uncertainty was addressed by plotting cost-effectiveness planes and acceptability curves for various willingness-to-pay thresholds.

Results

In the base-case analysis, the cost associated with the cefazolin strategy was $38 863.1, and the associated probability of survival was 0.91. For the ASP strategy, the cost was $48 578.8, and the probability of survival was 0.81. The incremental difference in cost between the 2 strategies was $9715.7, with hospital length of stay being the main driver of cost, and the incremental difference in effectiveness was 0.10. Overall, cefazolin results in savings of $97 156.8 per death averted (ICER, $–97 156.8/death averted). In the probabilistic analysis, at a willingness-to-pay of $50 000, cefazolin had a 68% chance of being cost-effective compared with ASPs. In cost-effectiveness acceptability curves, the cefazolin strategy was cost-effective in 73.5%–81.8% of simulations compared with ASP for a willingness-to-pay ranging up to $50 000.

Conclusions

The use of cefazolin is a cost-effective strategy for the treatment of MSSA bacteremia and, when clinically appropriate, this strategy results in considerable health care cost-savings.
Symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea are associated with less frequent exercise and worse subjective cognitive function across adulthood
Authors: Chappel-Farley Miranda G , Mander Bryce A , Neikrug Ariel B , Stehli Annamarie , Nan Bin , Grill Joshua D , Yassa Michael A , Benca Ruth M
Published: October 2021

Study Objectives

To determine whether subjective measures of exercise and sleep are associated with cognitive complaints and whether exercise effects are mediated by sleep.

Methods

This study analyzed questionnaire data from adults (18–89) enrolled in a recruitment registry. The Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI) assessed cognitive complaints. Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale (MOS-SS) subscales and factor scores assessed sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, nighttime disturbance, and insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)-like symptoms. Exercise frequency was defined as the weekly number of exercise sessions. Exercise frequency, MOS-SS subscales, and factor scores were examined as predictors of CFI score, adjusting for age, body mass index, education, sex, cancer diagnosis, antidepressant usage, psychiatric conditions, and medical comorbidities. Analyses of covariance examined the relationship between sleep duration groups (short, mid-range, and long) and CFI score, adjusting for covariates. Mediation by sleep in the exercise-CFI score relationship was tested.

Results

Data from 2106 adults were analyzed. Exercise and MOS-SS subscales and factor scores were associated with CFI score. Higher Sleep Adequacy scores were associated with fewer cognitive complaints, whereas higher Sleep Somnolence, Sleep Disturbance, Sleep Problems Index I, Sleep Problems Index II, and factor scores were associated with more cognitive complaints. MOS-SS subscales and factor scores, except Sleep Disturbance and the insomnia factor score, mediated the association between exercise and cognitive complaints.

Conclusions

The relationship between exercise frequency and subjective cognitive performance is mediated by sleep. In particular, the mediation effect appears to be driven by symptoms possibly suggestive of OSA which are negatively associated with exercise engagement, sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and subjective cognitive performance.
Resection of esophageal duplication cyst in a 6-month child: a surgical challenge by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery VATS
Authors: Essa Rawand A. , Ahmed Sirwan K. , Bapir Dunya H. , Rasul Shero A. , Abubakr Chawan P. , Khdir Awat A. , Mina Sherko B. , M-Amin Peshawa K.
Published: October 2021

Introduction and importance:

Esophageal duplication cysts (EDCs) are rare congenital entities, with an incidence of 1:100,00. The majority of patients are asymptomatic and lesions are usually found incidentally on imaging. However, these cysts were removed via open surgery. Nowadays, video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery (VATS) is an alternative safe method to remove ECDs.

Case presentation:

Here we present a 6-month-child male complaining of shortness of breath, stridor associated with cough, repeated vomiting, and fever. Furthermore, laboratory test results are within normal limits. Chest x-ray showed well-defined soft tissue density on the right upper and middle lobe with normal lung field, and computed tomography scan revealed that cystic lesion measuring 7×3 cm extended from the thyroid cartilage downward to the posterior mediastinum and toward the right side of the chest causing compression of the trachea, esophagus, and right mainstem bronchus. Finally, the patient was diagnosed with an EDC by histopathologic examination. The patient underwent surgery under general anesthesia by uni-portal VATS through the right fourth intercostal space was performed. The cyst was resected, and an esophageal tear occurred because of the wall of the esophagus as part of the cyst. The patient was discharged on day 11 postoperative.

Conclusion:

EDC is an exceedingly rare entity. VATS is a less invasive procedure, effective, safe, and has a good clinical outcome compared with open surgical resection. We conclude that EDC should be maintained in the differential diagnosis of unexplained stridor, wheeze, and recurrent chest infection in children.
Composite Anterolateral Thigh and Fascia Lata Free Flap for Abdominal and Groin Reconstruction in a Pediatric Patient
Authors: Pflibsen Lacey R. , Teven Chad M. , Lundberg Jaclyn N. , Mabee Melinda K. , Garvey Erin M. , Davenport Katherine P. , Hammond Jacob B. , Schaub Timothy A.
Published: October 2021

Large abdominal wall and groin defects present complex reconstructive challenges. These defects typically require free flap reconstruction to bring in healthy vascularized tissue and recreate the complex full-thickness defect. A 6-year-old previously healthy girl presented to our trauma center after sustaining a close-range shotgun injury resulting in a full-thickness defect to the inferior hemi-abdomen and groin. A composite anterolateral thigh flap with fascia lata free flap was performed to reconstruct the myofascial, skin, and subcutaneous tissue of the abdomen and groin. We present the first composite anterolateral thigh flap with fascia lata for full-thickness abdominal wall and groin reconstruction in a pediatric patient.
Pharmacological and philosophical considerations for the around-the-clock use of scheduled melatonin to promote sedation and reduce aggression in individuals with serious mental illness: a case report
Authors: Starr Kaitlyn E. , Burns Kimberly , Demler Tammie Lee
Published: October 2021

Melatonin, the endogenous hormone that helps maintain circadian rhythm, has been used exogenously for both primary and secondary sleep disorders. While the effects of melatonin given prior to planned sleep and to restore normal circadian sleep phases have been well studied, there is little information on the use of melatonin as a pharmacotherapeutic intervention for around-the-clock sedation to prevent agitation and aggressive patient behaviors. This is the first case report to our knowledge of melatonin used throughout the day, as a scheduled dose for prolonged treatment duration, to reduce aggression in a patient with severe mental illness.