bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Truthful ownership transfer with expert advice
Authors: Caragiannis Ioannis , Filos-Ratsikas Aris , Nath Swaprava , Voudouris Alexandros A.
Published: June 2022

When a company undergoes a merger or transfers its ownership, the existing governing body has an opinion on which buyer should take over as the new owner. Similar situations occur while assigning the host of big sports tournaments, like the World Cup or the Olympics. In all these settings, the values of the external bidders are as important as the opinions of the internal experts. Motivated by such scenarios, we consider a social welfare maximizing approach to design and analyze truthful mechanisms inhybrid social choicesettings, where payments can be imposed to the bidders, but not to the experts. Since this problem is a combination of mechanism design with and without monetary transfers, classical solutions like VCG cannot be applied, making this a novel mechanism design problem. We consider the simple but fundamental scenario with one expert and two bidders, and provide tight approximation guarantees of the optimal social welfare. We distinguish between mechanisms that use ordinal and cardinal information, as well as between mechanisms that base their decisions on one of the two sides (either the bidders or the expert) or both. Our analysis shows that the cardinal setting is quite rich and admits several non-trivial randomized truthful mechanisms, and also allows for closer-to-optimal welfare guarantees.
Box–Behnken Design-Based Development and Validation of a Reverse-Phase HPLC Analytical Method for the Estimation of Paclitaxel in Cationic Liposomes
Authors: Kumar Gautam , Mullick Prashansha , Nandakumar Krishnadas , Mutalik Srinivas , Rao Chamallamudi Mallikarjuna
Published: June 2022

Stability-indicating reverse-phase HPLC analytical method for the quantification of Paclitaxel (PTX) in the bulk and cationic liposomes was developed. The optimized method was validated according to the ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines by following a 2-level–4-factor interaction Box–Behnken design using Design-Expert® software. The responses measured at 228 nm were retention time (Rt), peak area, tailing factor (Tf10%), and the number of theoretical plates (NTP). PTX was eluted best using the Luna® C18 LC Column along with a mobile phase of methanol and 25 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 6) 75:25 v/v mixture at 25 ± 2 °C temperature. The currently developed method was linear in the 2.5–100 µg/mL range with a detection limit of 0.062 µg/mL and a quantification limit of 0.188 µg/mL. The optimized method was utilized to evaluate the stability of PTX in different stress conditions by performing forced degradation studies. The results from the degradation study stipulated that on exposure to various stressors, namely acid, alkali, oxidative, thermal, and UV light, the PTX did not show considerable degradation except alkali exposure. Further, the method was successfully used for the quantification of PTX in cationic liposomes. The particle size, zeta potential, and polydispersity index of the PTX-loaded liposomes were 219.25 ± 7.566 nm, 57.15 ± 12.374 mV, and 0.807 ± 0.1958 respectively. The percent of drug entrapped was quantified and was found to be 59 ± 1.414%.
Does the age of packed red blood cells, donor sex or sex mismatch affect the sublingual microcirculation in critically ill intensive care unit patients? A secondary interpretation of a retrospective analysis
Authors: Knobel Demian , Scheuzger Jonas , Buser Andreas , Hollinger Alexa , Gebhard Caroline E. , Achermann Rita , Zaiser Anna , Bovey Yann , Nuciforo Chiara , Netzer Julie Noëmie , Räber Aline , Singh Jasprit , Siegemund Martin
Published: June 2022

In vitro studies have thoroughly documented age-dependent impact of storage lesions in packed red blood cells (pRBC) on erythrocyte oxygen carrying capacity. While studies have examined the effect of pRBC age on patient outcome only few data exist on the microcirculation as their primary site of action. In this secondary analysis we examined the relationship between age of pRBC and changes of microcirculatory flow (MCF) in 54 patients based on data from the Basel Bedside assessment Microcirculation Transfusion Limit study (Ba2MiTraL) on effects of pRBC on sublingual MCF. Mean change from pre- to post-transfusion proportion of perfused vessels (∆PPV) was + 8.8% (IQR − 0.5 to 22.5), 5.5% (IQR 0.1 to 10.1), and + 4.7% (IQR − 2.1 to 6.5) after transfusion of fresh (≤ 14 days old), medium (15 to 34 days old), and old (≥ 35 days old) pRBC, respectively. Values for the microcirculatory flow index (MFI) were + 0.22 (IQR − 0.1 to 0.6), + 0.22 (IQR 0.0 to 0.3), and + 0.06 (IQR − 0.1 to 0.3) for the fresh, medium, and old pRBC age groups, respectively. Lower ∆PPV and transfusion of older blood correlated with a higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score of patients upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) (p = 0.01). However, regression models showed no overall significant correlation between pRBC age and ∆PPV (p = 0.2). Donor or recipient sex had no influence. We detected no significant effect of pRBC on microcirculation. Patients with a higher SOFA score upon ICU admission might experience a negative effect on the ∆PPV after transfusion of older blood.
The application of fluorescein sodium for the resection of medulloblastoma
Authors: Chen Zheng-he , Zhang Xiang-heng , Lin Fu-hua , Li Chang , Jin Jie-tian , Zhou Zhi-huan , Zhu Si-han , Cheng Zhu-qing , Zhong Sheng , He Zhen-qiang , Duan Hao , Wen Xia , Wang Jian , Mou Yong-gao
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Surgical resection of medulloblastoma (MB) remains a challenge. At present, a variety of tracers have been used for intraoperative tumor visualization. However, there are few reports on the intraoperative visualization of MB. Hence, we reported our experience of applying fluorescein sodium (FS) in MB surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical information of patients with MB confirmed by surgery and pathology from January 2016 to December 2020 from Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. A total of 62 patients were enrolled, of which 27 received intraoperative FS and 35 did not. The intraoperative dose of FS was 3 mg/kg.

Results

Among the 62 patients, 42 were males, and twenty were females. The age of onset in the FS group was 9.588 ± 7.322, which in the non-fluorescein sodium group was 13.469 ± 10.968, p = 0.198. We did not find significant differences in tumor location, tumor size, tumor resection, tumor histology, and preoperative symptoms (hydrocephalus, headache, vomit, balance disorder) between the groups. There was no significant difference in the postoperative symptoms (hydrocephalus, headache, vomiting, balance disorder, and cerebellar mutism). However, patients in the FS group had a relatively low incidence of balance disorder and cerebellar mutism. There was definite fluorescence of tumor in all cases of the FS group, and even the tiny metastatic lesion was visible. No case had side effects related to the use of FS.

Conclusions

FS is safe and effective in MB surgery. Whether the application of FS for surgery can reduce complications remains to be studied in the future.
Improving the remote estimation of soil organic carbon in complex ecosystems with Sentinel-2 and GIS using Gaussian processes regression
Authors: Ayala Izurieta Johanna Elizabeth , Jara Santillán Carlos Arturo , Márquez Carmen Omaira , García Víctor Julio , Rivera-Caicedo Juan Pablo , Van Wittenberghe Shari , Delegido Jesús , Verrelst Jochem
Published: June 2022

Background and aims

The quantitative retrieval of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, particularly for soils with a large potential for carbon sequestration, is of global interest due to its link with the carbon cycle and the mitigation of climate change. However, complex ecosystems with good soil qualities for SOC storage are poorly studied.

Methods

The interrelation between SOC and various vegetation remote sensing drivers is understood to demonstrate the link between the carbon stored in the vegetation layer and SOC of the top soil layers. Based on the mapping of SOC in two horizons (0–30 cm and 30–60 cm) we predict SOC with high accuracy in the complex and mountainous heterogeneous páramo system in Ecuador. A large SOC database (in weight % and in Mg/ha) of 493 and 494 SOC sampling data points from 0–30 cm and 30–60 cm soil profiles, respectively, were used to calibrate GPR models using Sentinel-2 and GIS predictors (i.e., Temperature, Elevation, Soil Taxonomy, Geological Unit, Slope Length and Steepness (LS Factor), Orientation and Precipitation).

Results

In the 0–30 cm soil profile, the models achieved a R2 of 0.85 (SOC%) and a R2 of 0.79 (SOC Mg/ha). In the 30–60 cm soil profile, models achieved a R2 of 0.86 (SOC%), and a R2 of 0.79 (SOC Mg/ha).

Conclusions

The used Sentinel-2 variables (FVC, CWC, LCC/Cab, band 5 (705 nm) and SeLI index) were able to improve the estimation accuracy between 3–21% compared to previous results of the same study area. CWC emerged as the most relevant biophysical variable for SOC prediction.
Education for Sustainability Meets Confucianism in Science Education
Authors: Li Baoyu , Sjöström Jesper , Ding Bangping , Eilks Ingo
Published: June 2022

Confucianism provides a specific view on the world held by many people living in several Asian societies. It offers views on humans and nature that generally differ from other traditional or Western modern views. The paper presents a systematic analysis of the literature in education with a focus on science education about the connection of Confucianism with education for sustainability. It suggests a framework for how education for sustainability can be operated in the foreground of Confucian societies taking concepts from the international literature into consideration. This critical review provides justification for a stronger reflection about how to include ideas from Confucianism into education for sustainability in the teaching and learning of science. It suggests that Confucian thinking offers a rich and authentic context for science learning in Confucian societies and and also provides a chance to reflect on views of humans, nature, and science in science education in other societies, potentially contributing to the development of more balanced and holistic worldviews.
Creating the Distribution Map of Groundwater for Drinking Uses Using Physio-Chemical Variables; Case Study: Al-Hilla City, Iraq
Authors: Chabuk Ali , Jahad Udai A. , Majdi Ali , Isam Mubeen , Al-Ansari Nadhir , SH. Majdi Hasan , Laue Jan , Abed Salwan Ali
Published: June 2022

Surface water and groundwater are significant for population and other activities due to the decreasing surface water flow toward Iraq. Therefore, there is a need to analyze groundwater’s quality and classification and its applicability as an alternative in various human activities in the study area. This study utilized the groundwater quality index model for drinking uses (GW.Q.I.) and entered the resulting values in the GIS environment. This model was applied to 56 wells in Al-Hillah city by measuring twelve variables in each well. The measured variables were calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), sulfate (SO4), bicarbonate (HCO3), total hardness (TH), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate (NO3), and electric conductivity (EC). The prediction map of GW.Q.I. was produced in the GIS. Then, the distributing map was divided into six categories based on the suitability of groundwater for drinking uses. The areas’ values of six categories with their ratings were about 5 km2 (excellent), 122 km2 (good), 610 km2 (poor), 63 km2 (very poor), 36 km2 (contaminated), and 24 km2 (very contaminated). For the entire study area, the average value of the GW.Q.I. was 177, classified as poor for drinking uses.
Development of blend PEG-PES/NMP-DMF mixed matrix membrane for CO2/N2 separation
Authors: Mahenthiran Ashvin Viknesh , Jawad Zeinab Abbas , Chin Bridgid Lai Fui
Published: June 2022

The carbon dioxide (CO2) separation technology has become a focus recently, and a developed example is the membrane technology. It is an alternative form of enhanced gas separation performance above the Robeson upper bound line resulting in the idea of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). With attention given to membrane technologies, the MMMs were fabricated to have the most desirable gas separation performance. In this work, blend MMMs were synthesised by using two polymers, namely, poly(ether sulfone) (PES) and poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG). These polymers were dissolved in blend N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethylformamide (DMF) solvents with the functionalised multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-F) fillers by using the mixing solution method. The embedding of the pristine MWCNTs and MWCNTs-F within the new synthesised MMM was then studied towards CO2/N2 separation. In addition, the optimisation of the loading of MWCNTs-F for blend MMM for CO2/N2 separation was also studied. The experimental results showed that the functionalised MWCNTs (MWCNTs-F) were a better choice at enhancing gas separation compared to the pristine MWCNTs (MWCNTs-P). Additionally, the effects of MWCNTs-F at loadings 0.01 to 0.05% were studied along with the polymer compositions for PES:PEG of 10:20, 20:20 and 30:10. Both these parameters of study affect the manner of gas separation performance in the blend MMMs. Overall, the best performing membrane showed a selectivity value of 1.01 + 0.05 for a blend MMM (MMM-0.03F) fabricated with 20 wt% of PES, 20 wt% of PEG and 0.03 wt% of MWCNTs-F. The MMM-0.03F was able to withstand a pressure of 2 bar, illustrating its mechanical strength and ability to be used in the post combustion carbon capture application industries where the flue gas pressure is at 1.01 bar.
Episodic Ataxia Type 1: Natural History and Effect on Quality of Life
Authors: Graves Tracey D. , Griggs Robert C. , Bundy Brian N. , Jen Joanna C. , Baloh Robert W. , Hanna Michael G. ,   the CINCH Investigators, Jen Joanna J. , Amato Anthony A. , Barohn Richard J. , Hahn Angelika F. , Hart Kimberly , Herr Barbara , Wang Yunxia , Salajegheh Mohammad , Puwanant Araya , Rajakalendran Sanjeev , Cha Yoon-Hee , Krischer Jeffrey , Herbelin Laura , Roe Kristen , Gomes Joseph , Ruhlig Holly , Patterson Bonnie , Cuthbertson David , Richesson Rachel , Lloyd Jennifer
Published: June 2022

Episodic ataxia type 1 (EA1) is a rare autosomal potassium channelopathy, due to mutations in KCNA1. Patients have childhood onset of intermittent attacks of ataxia, dizziness or imbalance. In order to quantify the natural history of EA1, its effect on quality of life and in preparation for future clinical trials, we set up an international multi-centre study of EA1. We recruited thirty-three participants with EA1: twenty-three completed 1-year follow-up and eighteen completed 2-year follow-up. There was very little accumulation of disability or impairment over the course of the 2 years of the study. The outcome measures of ataxia (SARA and functional rating of ataxia) and the activities of daily living scale were largely stable over time. Self-reported health-related quality of life (SF-36) scores were lower across all domains than controls, in keeping with a chronic condition. Physical subdomain scores appeared to deteriorate over time, which seems to be driven by the female participants in the study. This is an interesting finding and warrants further study. Attacks of EA1 reported by participants in real time via an interactive voice response system showed that symptoms were not stereotyped; however, attack duration and frequency was stable between individuals. This large prospective study is the first ever completed in subjects with EA1. We document the natural history of the disorder over 2 years. These data will enable the development of outcome measures for clinical trials of treatment.
Improvement of drilling quality using precision directional drilling technology
Authors: Xu Yanpeng , Wang Liguo , Chen Xiangjun , Fan Yangyang
Published: June 2022

The problem of boreholes deflection in coal mines is common, especially in soft and hard composite coal seams. As a result, the distribution of boreholes is uneven and forms a blank zone in the drainage area, which fails to achieve the regional pre-draining, causing gas explosion or coal and gas outburst accidents. Aiming at the above problems, this paper developed the technology of anti-inclination for drilling based on the causes of borehole deflection in detail. The anti-inclination advice integrates straight keeping, slag removal and smooth back drilling with reasonable technical parameters. Full hole drilling was adopted to realize straight drilling. Three spiral grooving, vertical grooving and three-edge short-circuit were adopted for collaborative slag removal. Three alloy pieces were welded at the rear end of anti-inclination device to act as reverse drill bit, realizing smooth drilling withdrawal. For sticking problems, we improved the anti-inclination device. Three 20 mm millimeters wide vertical grooves were milled in each 120° direction around the device. After using the improved anti-inclination device, the average deviation of dip and azimuth was only 4.8 and 4.5 degrees, respectively, which were reduced by 51 and 44%. The borehole offset was reduced from 9.9 m to 2.9 m, a decrease of 71%, which improved the gas drainage effect and ensured the safe production of the mine.
Gravity displacement gas kick law in fractured carbonate formation
Authors: Tang Ming , Yao Genghua , He Shiming , Huajun Li , Liu Sen , Lu Junan
Published: June 2022

The gravity displacement gas kick often occurs due to the fractures developed in fractured carbonate formation. The improper control of the gravity displacement gas kick is prone to blowout accidents. In this study, the gravity displacement gas–liquid two-phase flow law was simulated by CFD software, and the variation of fracture gravity displacement rate under two boundary conditions was obtained. Besides, the simplified gravity displacement models were established for fractures with two boundaries based on the gas–liquid two-phase flow theory. The analysis results of the influence factors related to the gravity displacement gas kick revealed that the gravity replacement rate of a fracture with an inclination angle of 90° was almost three times that with an inclination angle of 30°. When the wellhead backpressure was not applied, the gravity replacement rate was 0.35 m3/h; while, after the wellhead backpressure of 12 MPa was applied, the gravity replacement rate decreased to 0.22 m3/h. When the consistency coefficient was larger than 1.0 Pa sn, the fluidity index was larger than 0.6. In conclusion, the gravity displacement gas kick will inevitably occur under large inclination closure fractures. The larger the inclination and opening of the fracture, the smaller the wellhead backpressure, and the more serious the gravity displacement gas kick. During field operations, the gravity displacement overflow can be alleviated under low density and high viscosity drilling fluid by applying wellhead backpressure.
Exploring Associations between Stressors and Burnout in Trainee Doctors During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the UK
Authors: Zhou Anli Yue , Hann Mark , Panagioti Maria , Patel Mumtaz , Agius Raymond , Van Tongeren Martie , Esmail Aneez , Bower Peter
Published: June 2022

Objective

The authors examined associations between stressors and burnout in trainee doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

An anonymous online questionnaire including 42 questions on general and pandemic-specific stressors, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Health Services Survey (MBI-HSS), was sent to 1000 randomly selected trainee doctors in North-West England. Main outcomes were burnout scores that were stratified into Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalisation (DP), and reduced Personal Accomplishment (PA) and associations between stressors and burnout using stepwise regression analysis.

Results

A total of 362 complete responses were received giving a response rate of 37%. Mean scores for EE, DP, and PA derived from the MBI-HSS were 27.7, 9.8, and 34.3 respectively. Twenty-three stressors were found to be associated with burnout dimensions. “Increase in workload and hours due to COVID-19,” “Poor leadership and management in the National Health Service,” and “Not feeling valued” were found to have strong associations with burnout dimensions. Only “Not confident in own abilities” was found to be associated with all burnout dimensions.

Conclusions

Associations with burnout were found to be identified in a range of work, pandemic, and non-work-related stressors, supporting the need for multi-level interventions to mitigate burnout.
A Clinician's Brief Guide to the Mental Health Act
Authors: Zigmond Tony , Brindle Nick
Published: June 2022

A 'how to' book guiding clinicians through the mental health legislation that they need to understand and use in their daily practice, covering the Mental Health Act 1983 and subsequent amendments. This revised and updated edition incorporates new acts, such as the Policing and Crime Act 2017 and Mental Capacity (Amendment) Act 2019. It also covers the findings and implications from Professor Sir Simon Wessely's 2018 review of the Mental Health Act in a new chapter. Written by two leading psychiatrists with many years of experience in using the mental health legislation and in running mental health law courses, this book outlines how changes to statutes and case law have a direct bearing on day-to-day psychiatric practice and why it is important that clinicians of all disciplines have access to and understand the legislation. This is the go-to guide for all clinicians, doctors and nurses working in mental health services.
The first fossil record of the genus Phycosoma (Araneae, Theridiidae) from the lower Miocene Mexican amber, with the description of a new species
Authors: García-Villafuerte Miguel Ángel , Carbot-Chanona Gerardo , Rivera-Velázquez Gustavo , Pineda-Diez de Bonilla Esteban , Matamoros Wilfredo A.
Published: June 2022

Theridiidae is a family of spiders with the fourth highest richness of extant species worldwide. Fossil Theridiidae is also the family of spiders with the largest number of Cretaceous, Eocene, and Miocene representatives. Phycosoma Pickard-Cambridge, 1880 is a theridiid genus without a fossil representative. In this study, we describe a new fossil species of Phycosoma, P. icti† n. sp., from an adult male specimen found in a piece of amber from the lower Miocene (ca. 23 Ma), from the Montecristo mines near Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas, Mexico. Phycosoma icti† n. sp. can be distinguished from all other Phycosoma males except P. corrugum by the long embolus partly covered by the conductor. In addition, it can be distinguished from P. corrugum by the oblique and constricted median apophysis; the narrow and pointed conductor; the long, curved, and bent theridiid tegular apophysis in its distal portion; and the prosoma ringed in the middle and along the ventral margin. Phycosoma icti† n. sp. represents the oldest recovered record of the genus. Extant Phycosoma species are still present in Chiapas, suggesting an extended evolutionary history of the genus in the region despite major geological changes over this time span in North America.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/28d74f14-0f80-405d-a165-f24749e15d05
FRACTIONAL TYPE MARCINKIEWICZ INTEGRAL AND ITS COMMUTATOR ON NONHOMOGENEOUS SPACES
Authors: LU GUANGHUI
Published: June 2022

The aim of this paper is to establish the boundedness of fractional type Marcinkiewicz integral
$\mathcal {M}_{\iota ,\rho ,m}$
and its commutator
$\mathcal {M}_{\iota ,\rho ,m,b}$
on generalized Morrey spaces and on Morrey spaces over nonhomogeneous metric measure spaces which satisfy the upper doubling and geometrically doubling conditions. Under the assumption that the dominating function
$\lambda $
satisfies
$\epsilon $
-weak reverse doubling condition, the author proves that
$\mathcal {M}_{\iota ,\rho ,m}$
is bounded on generalized Morrey space
$L^{p,\phi }(\mu )$
and on Morrey space
$M^{p}_{q}(\mu )$
. Furthermore, the boundedness of the commutator
$\mathcal {M}_{\iota ,\rho ,m,b}$
generated by
$\mathcal {M}_{\iota ,\rho ,m}$
and regularized
$\mathrm {BMO}$
space with discrete coefficient (=
$\widetilde {\mathrm {RBMO}}(\mu )$
) on space
$L^{p,\phi }(\mu )$
and on space
$M^{p}_{q}(\mu )$
is also obtained.
PHILO OR PHILIO OF LARISSA?
Authors: Fleischer Kilian
Published: June 2022

The article argues that the genuine first name of Philo of Larissa was in fact ‘Philio’. This claim is based on two new readings ‘Philio’ in our earliest (certain) source for the name, Philodemus’ Index Academicorum, which put other early evidence into perspective. Three other essentially independent and reliable witnesses have the reading ‘Philio’ too. Furthermore, several Cicero manuscripts preserve various examples of the alternative reading ‘Philio’. The reading ‘Philo’ in some other sources might be a mistake or a kind of nickname.
Taxing the Disposition Effect: The Impact of Tax Awareness on Investor Behavior
Authors: Bazley William J. , Moore Jordan , Murren Vosse Melina
Published: June 2022

Standard portfolio choice models predict that investors consider the tax implications of trading. However, individuals are disposed toward realizing gains and holding losing investments, behaviors that worsen their performance. We show, in an experimental market, that increasing tax salience reduces the disposition effect between 22% and 47%, leading to higher portfolio balances without increasing total trading activity. Using field data, we find that investors’ disposition is sensitive to taxes around tax rate changes when taxes are likely salient. Our analysis demonstrates that increasing tax awareness can affect households’ portfolio choices, which suggests policy implications for improving financial decision-making.
Aggressively non-D-linked construction and ellipsis: A Direct Interpretation approach
Authors: KIM JUNGSOO , KIM JONG-BOK
Published: June 2022

The so-called aggressively non-D-linked construction (ANDC) involvingwh-the-hellphrases likewhat the hellis of empirical and theoretical interest due to its complex morphosyntactic and semantic/pragmatic properties. This paper focuses on the construction in general as well as in ellipsis phenomena. We first explore its grammatical properties on the basis of attested corpus data and show that the construction can occur more widely in elliptical constructions than suggested by previous literature. We then suggest that the licensing conditions of the ANDC in ellipsis are not solely syntax-based but due to tight interactions among a variety of grammatical components such as morphosyntax, semantics, and discourse/pragmatics. We also argue that the authentic uses of the construction favor a Direct Interpretation (DI) approach that can account for its uses in a variety of environments.
Do antidepressants prevent transition to psychosis in individuals at clinical high-risk (CHR-P)? Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Raballo Andrea , Poletti Michele , Preti Antonio
Published: June 2022

Background

Emerging meta-analytical evidence indicates that baseline exposure to antipsychotics in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) is associated with a higher risk of an imminent transition to psychosis. Despite their tolerability profile and potential beneficial effects, baseline exposure to antidepressants (AD) in CHR-P has surprisingly received far less attention as a potential risk modulator for transition to psychosis. The current systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to fix such a knowledge gap.

Methods

Systematic scrutiny of Medline and Cochrane library, performed up to 1 August 2021, searching for English-language studies on CHR-P reporting numeric data about the sample, the transition outcome at a predefined follow-up time and raw data on AD baseline exposure in relation to such outcome.

Results

Of 1942 identified records, 16 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. 26% of the participants were already exposed to AD at baseline; at the end of the follow-up 13.5% (95% CI 10.2–17.1%) of them (n = 448) transitioned to psychosis against 21.0% (18.9 to 23.3%) of non-AD exposed CHR-P (n = 1371). CHR-P participants who were already under AD treatment at baseline had a lower risk of transition than non-AD exposed CHR-P. The RR was 0.71 (95% CI 0.56–0.90) in the fixed-effects model (z = −2.79; p = 0.005), and 0.78 (0.58–1.05) in the random-effects model (z = −1.77; p = 0.096; tau-squared = 0.059). There was no relevant heterogeneity (Cochran's Q = 18.45; df = 15; p = 0.239; I2 = 18.7%).

Conclusions

Ongoing AD exposure at inception in CHR-P is associated to a reduced risk of transition to psychosis at follow up.
Differences in Suicide-Related Twitter Content According to User Influence
Authors: Sinyor Mark , Hartman Maya , Zaheer Rabia , Williams Marissa , Pirkis Jane , Heisel Marnin J. , Schaffer Ayal , Redelmeier Donald A. , Cheung Amy H. , Kiss Alex , Niederkrotenthaler Thomas
Published: June 2022

Abstract. Background: The content of suicide-specific social media posts may impact suicide rates, and putatively harmful and/or protective content may vary by the author’s influence. Aims: This study sought to characterize how suicide-related Twitter content differs according to user influence. Method: Suicide-related tweets from July 1, 2015, to June 1, 2016, geolocated to Toronto, Canada, were collected and randomly selected for coding (n = 2,250) across low, medium, or high user influence levels (based on the number of followers, tweets, retweets, and posting frequency). Logistic regression was used to identify differences by user influence for various content variables. Results: Low- and medium-influence users typically tweeted about personal experiences with suicide and associations with mental health and shared morbid humor/flippant tweets. High-influence users tended to tweet about suicide clusters, suicide in youth, older adults, indigenous people, suicide attempts, and specific methods. Tweets across influence levels predominantly focused on suicide deaths, and few described suicidal ideation or included helpful content. Limitations: Social media data were from a single location and epoch. Conclusion: This study demonstrated more problematic content vis-à-vis safe suicide messaging in tweets by high-influence users and a paucity of protective content across all users. These results highlight the need for further research and potential intervention.
Coexistence of Two Dune Growth Mechanisms in a Landscape‐Scale Experiment
Authors: Lü Ping , Narteau Clément , Dong Zhibao , Claudin Philippe , Rodriguez Sébastien , An Zhishan , Gadal Cyril , Courrech du Pont Sylvain
Published: June 2022

In landscape‐scale experiments at the edge of the Gobi desert, we show that various dune types develop simultaneously under natural wind conditions. Using 4 years of high‐resolution topographic data, we demonstrate that, depending on sand availability, the same wind regime can lead to two different dune orientations, which reflect two independent dune growth mechanisms. As periodic oblique dunes emerge from a sand bed and develop to 2 m in height, we analyze defect dynamics that drive the non‐linear phase of pattern coarsening. Starting from conical sand heaps deposited on gravels, we observe the transition from dome to barchan and asymmetric barchan shapes. We identify a minimum size for arm elongation and evaluate the contribution of wind reversals to its longitudinal alignment. These experimental field observations support existing theoretical models of dune dynamics boosting confidence in their applicability for quantitative predictions of dune evolution under various wind regimes and bed conditions.
Active Ground Patterns Near Mars' Equator in the Glen Torridon Region of Gale Crater
Authors: Hallet Bernard , Sletten Ronald S. , Malin Michael , Mangold Nicolas , Sullivan Robert J. , Fairén Alberto G. , Martínez Germán , Baker Mariah , Schieber Juergen , Martin‐Torres Javier , Zorzano Maria‐Paz
Published: June 2022

On Mars, near the equator, much of the terrain in Gale Crater consists of bedrock outcrops separated by relatively smooth, uniform regolith surfaces. In scattered sites, however, distinct patterns—in the form and texture of the ground surface—contrast sharply with the typical terrain and with eolian bedforms. This paper focuses on these diverse, intriguing ground patterns. They include ∼1 to >10 m‐long linear disruptions of uniform regolith surfaces, alignments, and other arrangements of similar‐sized rock fragments and shallow, ∼0.1 m‐wide sandy troughs 1–10 m in length. Similar features were recognized early in the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, but they received only limited attention until Curiosity, the MSL rover, encountered striking examples in the Glen Torridon region. Herein, the ground patterns are illustrated with rover images. Potential mechanisms are briefly discussed in the context of the bedrock composition and atmospheric conditions documented by Curiosity. The evidence suggests that the patterns are active forms of spontaneous granular organization. It leads to the hypothesis that the patterns arise and develop from miniscule, inferred cyclic expansion and contraction of the bedrock and regolith, likely driven by oscillating transfers of energy and moisture between the atmosphere and the terrain. The hypothesis has significant implications for studies of contemporary processes on Mars on both sides of the atmosphere‐lithosphere interface. The ground patterns, as well as ripples and dunes formed by the wind, constitute remarkable extra‐terrestrial examples of granular self‐organization, complex phenomena well known in diverse systems on Earth.
Exploring the Dynamics of an Arctic Sea Ice Melt Event Using a Coupled Atmosphere‐Ocean Single‐Column Model (AOSCM)
Authors: Hartung Kerstin , Svensson Gunilla , Holt Jareth , Lewinschal Anna , Tjernström Michael
Published: June 2022

The Arctic climate system is host to many processes which interact vertically over the tightly coupled atmosphere, sea ice and ocean. The coupled Atmosphere‐Ocean Single‐Column Model (AOSCM) allows to decouple local small‐scale and large‐scale processes to investigate the model performance in an idealized setting. Here, an observed Arctic warm air intrusion event is used to show how to identify model deficiencies using the AOSCM. The AOSCM allows us to effectively produce a large number of perturbation simulations, around 1,000, to map sensitivities of the model results due to changes in physical and model properties as well as to the large‐scale tendencies. The analysis of the summary diagnostics, that is, aggregated results from sensitivity experiments evaluated against modeled physical properties, such as surface energy budget and mean sea ice thickness, reveals sensitivities to the chosen parameters. Further, we discuss how the conclusions can be used to understand the behavior of the global host model. The simulations confirm that the horizontal advection of heat and moisture plays an important role for maintaining a low‐level cloud cover, as in earlier studies. The combined cloud layers increase the energy input to the surface, which in turn enhances the ongoing melt. The clouds present an additional sensitivity in terms of how they are represented but also their interaction with the large‐scale advection and the model time step. The methodology can be used for a variety of other regions, where the coupling to the ocean is important.
Crowdsourced Weather Projects Boost Climate Science Research
Authors: Schmidt Jennifer
Published: June 2022

Historic observations, manually transcribed from handwritten records, are giving scientists a fresh glimpse into Victorian era climate.
The immuno-behavioural covariation associated with the treatment response to bumetanide in young children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Li Qingyang , Zhang Lingli , Shan Haidi , Yu Juehua , Dai Yuan , He Hua , Li Wei-Guang , Langley Christelle , Sahakian Barbara J. , Yao Yin , Luo Qiang , Li Fei
Published: June 2022

Bumetanide, a drug being studied in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may act to restore gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) function, which may be modulated by the immune system. However, the interaction between bumetanide and the immune system remains unclear. Seventy-nine children with ASD were analysed from a longitudinal sample for a 3-month treatment of bumetanide. The covariation between symptom improvements and cytokine changes was calculated and validated by sparse canonical correlation analysis. Response patterns to bumetanide were revealed by clustering analysis. Five classifiers were used to test whether including the baseline information of cytokines could improve the prediction of the response patterns using an independent test sample. An immuno-behavioural covariation was identified between symptom improvements in the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the cytokine changes among interferon (IFN)-γ, monokine induced by gamma interferon and IFN-α2. Using this covariation, three groups with distinct response patterns to bumetanide were detected, including the best (21.5%, n = 17; Hedge’s g of improvement in CARS = 2.16), the least (22.8%, n = 18; g = 1.02) and the medium (55.7%, n = 44; g = 1.42) responding groups. Including the cytokine levels significantly improved the prediction of the best responding group before treatment (the best area under the curve, AUC = 0.832) compared with the model without the cytokine levels (95% confidence interval of the improvement in AUC was [0.287, 0.319]). Cytokine measurements can help in identifying possible responders to bumetanide in ASD children, suggesting that immune responses may interact with the mechanism of action of bumetanide to enhance the GABA function in ASD.
Unraveling function and diversity of bacterial lectins in the human microbiome
Authors: Cohen Louis J. , Han Sun M. , Lau Pearson , Guisado Daniela , Liang Yupu , Nakashige Toshiki G. , Ali Thamina , Chiang David , Rahman Adeeb , Brady Sean F.
Published: June 2022

The mechanisms by which commensal organisms affect human physiology remain poorly understood. Lectins are non-enzymatic carbohydrate binding proteins that all organisms employ as part of establishing a niche, evading host-defenses and protecting against pathogens. Although lectins have been extensively studied in plants, bacterial pathogens and human immune cells for their role in disease pathophysiology and as therapeutics, the role of bacterial lectins in the human microbiome is largely unexplored. Here we report on the characterization of a lectin produced by a common human associated bacterium that interacts with myeloid cells in the blood and intestine. In mouse and cell-based models, we demonstrate that this lectin induces distinct immunologic responses in peripheral and intestinal leukocytes and that these responses are specific to monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. Our analysis of human microbiota sequencing data reveal thousands of unique sequences that are predicted to encode lectins, many of which are highly prevalent in the human microbiome yet completely uncharacterized. Based on the varied domain architectures of these lectins we predict they will have diverse effects on the human host. The systematic investigation of lectins in the human microbiome should improve our understanding of human health and provide new therapeutic opportunities.
The influence of Holliday junction sequence and dynamics on DNA crystal self-assembly
Authors: Simmons Chad R. , MacCulloch Tara , Krepl Miroslav , Matthies Michael , Buchberger Alex , Crawford Ilyssa , Šponer Jiří , Šulc Petr , Stephanopoulos Nicholas , Yan Hao
Published: June 2022

The programmable synthesis of rationally engineered crystal architectures for the precise arrangement of molecular species is a foundational goal in nanotechnology, and DNA has become one of the most prominent molecules for the construction of these materials. In particular, branched DNA junctions have been used as the central building block for the assembly of 3D lattices. Here, crystallography is used to probe the effect of all 36 immobile Holliday junction sequences on self-assembling DNA crystals. Contrary to the established paradigm in the field, most junctions yield crystals, with some enhancing the resolution or resulting in unique crystal symmetries. Unexpectedly, even the sequence adjacent to the junction has a significant effect on the crystal assemblies. Six of the immobile junction sequences are completely resistant to crystallization and thus deemed “fatal,” and molecular dynamics simulations reveal that these junctions invariably lack two discrete ion binding sites that are pivotal for crystal formation. The structures and dynamics detailed here could be used to inform future designs of both crystals and DNA nanostructures more broadly, and have potential implications for the molecular engineering of applied nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, and catalysis within the crystalline context.
Intercalation-driven ferroelectric-to-ferroelastic conversion in a layered hybrid perovskite crystal
Authors: Wu Zhenyue , Li Shunning , Yousry Yasmin Mohamed , Wong Walter P. D. , Wang Xinyun , Ma Teng , Chen Zhefeng , Shao Yan , Liew Weng Heng , Yao Kui , Pan Feng , Loh Kian Ping
Published: June 2022

Two-dimensional (2D) organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites have attracted intense interests due to their quantum well structure and tunable excitonic properties. As an alternative to the well-studied divalent metal hybrid perovskite based on Pb2+, Sn2+ and Cu2+, the trivalent metal-based (eg. Sb3+ with ns2 outer-shell electronic configuration) hybrid perovskite with the A3M2X9 formula (A = monovalent cations, M = trivalent metal, X = halide) offer intriguing possibilities for engineering ferroic properties. Here, we synthesized 2D ferroelectric hybrid perovskite (TMA)3Sb2Cl9 with measurable in-plane and out-of-plane polarization. Interestingly, (TMA)3Sb2Cl9 can be intercalated with FeCl4 ions to form a ferroelastic and piezoelectric single crystal, (TMA)4-Fe(iii)Cl4-Sb2Cl9. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to investigate the unusual mechanism of ferroelectric-ferroelastic crossover in these crystals.
Untangling the changing impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccination on European COVID-19 trajectories
Authors: Ge Yong , Zhang Wen-Bin , Wu Xilin , Ruktanonchai Corrine W. , Liu Haiyan , Wang Jianghao , Song Yongze , Liu Mengxiao , Yan Wei , Yang Juan , Cleary Eimear , Qader Sarchil H. , Atuhaire Fatumah , Ruktanonchai Nick W. , Tatem Andrew J. , Lai Shengjie
Published: June 2022

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccination are two fundamental approaches for mitigating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the real-world impact of NPIs versus vaccination, or a combination of both, on COVID-19 remains uncertain. To address this, we built a Bayesian inference model to assess the changing effect of NPIs and vaccination on reducing COVID-19 transmission, based on a large-scale dataset including epidemiological parameters, virus variants, vaccines, and climate factors in Europe from August 2020 to October 2021. We found that (1) the combined effect of NPIs and vaccination resulted in a 53% (95% confidence interval: 42–62%) reduction in reproduction number by October 2021, whereas NPIs and vaccination reduced the transmission by 35% and 38%, respectively; (2) compared with vaccination, the change of NPI effect was less sensitive to emerging variants; (3) the relative effect of NPIs declined 12% from May 2021 due to a lower stringency and the introduction of vaccination strategies. Our results demonstrate that NPIs were complementary to vaccination in an effort to reduce COVID-19 transmission, and the relaxation of NPIs might depend on vaccination rates, control targets, and vaccine effectiveness concerning extant and emerging variants.
Testing 3D printed biological platform for advancing simulated microgravity and space mechanobiology research
Authors: Silvani Giulia , Bradbury Peta , Basirun Carin , Mehner Christine , Zalli Detina , Poole Kate , Chou Joshua
Published: June 2022

The advancement of microgravity simulators is helping many researchers better understanding the impact of the mechanically unloaded space environment on cellular function and disfunction. However, performing microgravity experiments on Earth, using simulators such as the Random Positioning Machine, introduces some unique practical challenges, including air bubble formation and leakage of growth medium from tissue culture flask and plates, all of which limit research progress. Here, we developed an easy-to-use hybrid biological platform designed with the precision of 3D printing technologies combined with PDMS microfluidic fabrication processes to facilitate reliable and reproducible microgravity cellular experiments. The system has been characterized for applications in the contest of brain cancer research by exposing glioblastoma and endothelial cells to 24 h of simulated microgravity condition to investigate the triggered mechanosensing pathways involved in cellular adaptation to the new environment. The platform demonstrated compatibility with different biological assays, i.e., proliferation, viability, morphology, protein expression and imaging of molecular structures, showing advantages over the conventional usage of culture flask. Our results indicated that both cell types are susceptible when the gravitational vector is disrupted, confirming the impact that microgravity has on both cancer and healthy cells functionality. In particular, we observed deactivation of Yap-1 molecule in glioblastoma cells and the remodeling of VE-Cadherin junctional protein in endothelial cells. The study provides support for the application of the proposed biological platform for advancing space mechanobiology research, also highlighting perspectives and strategies for developing next generation of brain cancer molecular therapies, including targeted drug delivery strategies.
A database of physical therapy exercises with variability of execution collected by wearable sensors
Authors: García-de-Villa Sara , Jiménez-Martín Ana , García-Domínguez Juan Jesús
Published: June 2022

This document introduces the PHYTMO database, which contains data from physical therapies recorded with inertial sensors, including information from an optical reference system. PHYTMO includes the recording of 30 volunteers, aged between 20 and 70 years old. A total amount of 6 exercises and 3 gait variations were recorded. The volunteers performed two series with a minimum of 8 repetitions in each one. PHYTMO includes magneto-inertial data, together with a highly accurate location and orientation in the 3D space provided by the optical system. The files were stored in CSV format to ensure its usability. The aim of this dataset is the availability of data for two main purposes: the analysis of techniques for the identification and evaluation of exercises using inertial sensors and the validation of inertial sensor-based algorithms for human motion monitoring. Furthermore, the database stores enough data to apply Machine Learning-based algorithms. The participants’ age range is large enough to establish age-based metrics for the exercises evaluation or the study of differences in motions between different groups.