bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing consensus-based clinical competencies to guide stroke clinicians in the implementation of psychological care in aphasia rehabilitation
Authors: Baker Caroline , Ryan Brooke , Rose Miranda L. , Kneebone Ian , Thomas Shirley , Wong Dana , Wallace Sarah J.
Published: February 2024

Background People with aphasia experience depression and anxiety associated with negative outcomes across a range of time post-stroke. Stroke clinicians are well-positioned to facilitate low-intensity psychotherapeutic interventions after aphasia (e.g. mood screening, behavioural activation, problem-solving therapy, relaxation therapy); however, they self-report a lack of knowledge, skills and confidence to do so. The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) provides a lens through which to view and target clinician behaviours and training needs in this area of practice. The aim of this study was to develop and gain consensus on items for a rating scale of clinical competencies in facilitating individual-based, low-intensity psychotherapeutic interventions for people with aphasia. Methods An e-Delphi methodology using focus groups and survey rounds was used to gain consensus on clinical competencies considered important. Results Eight stroke clinicians (speech pathologists and psychologists), two people with aphasia and three family members participated in one of four focus groups. Four themes were derived from the data: (1) Communication support, (2) Assessment and therapy structure, (3) Interpersonal skills, and (4) Needs of the significant other (family or friend). Themes informed an initial list of 23 self-rated and observer-rated competency items. Following two rounds of e-Delphi surveys, 11 stroke clinicians (six speech pathologists and five psychologists) reached consensus (80–100%) for 19 competencies. Conclusions The Psychological Care in Aphasia Rehabilitation Competency scale offers a preliminary list of items to guide and train clinicians to implement low-intensity psychotherapeutic interventions for people with aphasia.
Sunlight can have a stronger influence than air temperature on soil solarisation: observational evidence from Australia
Authors: McQuillan Maximilian , Smernik Ronald J. , Ryba Ren
Published: February 2024

Soil solarisation is a method for pest and weed control pioneered in agriculture, and it is increasingly being adopted by restoration practitioners. Solarisation works by covering moist soil during hot periods with a sheet of clear plastic. The success of soil solarisation depends in large part on increasing the temperature of the topsoil. Topsoil temperature depends on several physical variables, including soil moisture content, ambient temperature, and sunlight intensity. In restoration scenarios, solarisation can be used to reduce weed and pathogen loads prior to planting target plants. It is rarely possible to have tight control over all the variables that are important for solarisation; however, practitioners can time interventions to maximise seasonal temperature and sunlight intensity. In this study, we investigated how these two key physical variables – temperature and sunlight – contributed to the success of soil solarisation. We found that while both ambient temperature and sunlight contributed to soil temperature, the data suggests that sunlight was the more influential driver of soil temperature. These results show that, when planning for soil solarisation during ecological restoration, land managers can benefit by considering sunlight as well as air temperature. The result that sunlight may be the more influential driver of soil temperature empowers land managers to better plan solarisation using sunlight projections, even when temperature is not optimal or is unpredictable.
Claudin-2 upregulation enhances intestinal permeability, immune activation, dysbiosis, and mortality in sepsis
Authors: Oami Takehiko , Abtahi Shabnam , Shimazui Takashi , Chen Ching-Wen , Sweat Yan Y. , Liang Zhe , Burd Eileen M. , Farris Alton B. , Roland Joe T. , Tsukita Sachiko , Ford Mandy L. , Turner Jerrold R. , Coopersmith Craig M.
Published: February 2024

Intestinal epithelial expression of the tight junction protein claudin-2, which forms paracellular cation and water channels, is precisely regulated during development and in disease. Here, we show that small intestinal epithelial claudin-2 expression is selectively upregulated in septic patients. Similar changes occurred in septic mice, where claudin-2 upregulation coincided with increased flux across the paracellular pore pathway. In order to define the significance of these changes, sepsis was induced in claudin-2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Sepsis-induced increases in pore pathway permeability were prevented by claudin-2 KO. Moreover, claudin-2 deletion reduced interleukin-17 production and T cell activation and limited intestinal damage. These effects were associated with reduced numbers of neutrophils, macrophages, dendritic cells, and bacteria within the peritoneal fluid of septic claudin-2 KO mice. Most strikingly, claudin-2 deletion dramatically enhanced survival in sepsis. Finally, the microbial changes induced by sepsis were less pathogenic in claudin-2 KO mice as survival of healthy WT mice injected with cecal slurry collected from WT mice 24 h after sepsis was far worse than that of healthy WT mice injected with cecal slurry collected from claudin-2 KO mice 24 h after sepsis. Claudin-2 upregulation and increased pore pathway permeability are, therefore, key intermediates that contribute to development of dysbiosis, intestinal damage, inflammation, ineffective pathogen control, and increased mortality in sepsis. The striking impact of claudin-2 deletion on progression of the lethal cascade activated during sepsis suggests that claudin-2 may be an attractive therapeutic target in septic patients.
Magnetochiral tunneling in paramagnetic Co
1/3
NbS
2
Authors: Lim Seongjoon , Singh Sobhit , Huang Fei-Ting , Pan Shangke , Wang Kefeng , Kim Jaewook , Kim Jinwoong , Vanderbilt David , Cheong Sang-Wook
Published: February 2024

Electric currents have the intriguing ability to induce magnetization in nonmagnetic crystals with sufficiently low crystallographic symmetry. Some associated phenomena include the non-linear anomalous Hall effect in polar crystals and the nonreciprocal directional dichroism in chiral crystals when magnetic fields are applied. In this work, we demonstrate that the same underlying physics is also manifested in the electronic tunneling process between the surface of a nonmagnetic chiral material and a magnetized scanning probe. In the paramagnetic but chiral metallic compound Co
1/3
NbS
2
, the magnetization induced by the tunneling current is shown to become detectable by its coupling to the magnetization of the tip itself. This results in a contrast across different chiral domains, achieving atomic-scale spatial resolution of structural chirality. To support the proposed mechanism, we used first-principles theory to compute the chirality-dependent current-induced magnetization and Berry curvature in the bulk of the material. Our demonstration of this magnetochiral tunneling effect opens up an avenue for investigating atomic-scale variations in the local crystallographic symmetry and electronic structure across the structural domain boundaries of low-symmetry nonmagnetic crystals.
Three-atom-wide gold quantum rods with periodic elongation and strongly polarized excitons
Authors: Luo Lianshun , Liu Zhongyu , Kong Jie , Gianopoulos Christopher G. , Coburn Isabelle , Kirschbaum Kristin , Zhou Meng , Jin Rongchao
Published: February 2024

Atomically precise control over anisotropic nanoclusters constitutes a grand challenge in nanoscience. In this work, we report our success in achieving a periodic series of atomically precise gold quantum rods (abbrev. Au QRs) with unusual excitonic properties. These QRs possess hexagonal close-packed kernels with a constant three-atom diameter but increasing aspect ratios (ARs) from 6.3 to 18.7, all being protected by the same thiolate (SR) ligand. The kernels of the QRs are in a Au
1
–(Au
3
)

n

–Au
1
configuration (where
n
is the number of Au
3
layers) and follow a periodic elongation with a uniform Au
18
(SR)
12
increment consisting of four Au
3
layers. These Au QRs possess distinct HOMO–LUMO gaps (
E
g
= 0.6 to 1.3 eV) and exhibit strongly polarized excitonic transition along the longitudinal direction, resulting in very intense absorption in the near-infrared (800 to 1,700 nm). While excitons in gapped systems and plasmons in gapless systems are distinctly different types of excitations, the strongly polarized excitons in Au QRs surprisingly exhibit plasmon-like behaviors manifested in the shape-induced polarization, very intense absorption (~10
6
M
−1
cm
−1
), and linear scaling relations with the AR, all of which resemble the behaviors of conventional metallic-state Au nanorods (i.e., gapless systems), but the QRs possess distinct gaps and very long excited-state lifetimes (10 to 2,122 ns), which hold promise in applications such as near-infrared solar energy utilization, hot carrier generation and transfer. The observation of plasmon-like behaviors from single-electron transitions in Au QRs elegantly bridges the distinct realms of single-electron and collective-electron excitations and may stimulate more research on excitonics and plasmonics.
Framework for in vivo T cell screens
Authors: Milling Lauren E. , Markson Samuel C. , Tjokrosurjo Qin , Derosia Nicole M. , Streeter Ivy S.L. , Hickok Grant H. , Lemmen Ashlyn M. , Nguyen Thao H. , Prathima Priyamvada , Fithian William , Schwartz Marc A. , Hacohen Nir , Doench John G. , LaFleur Martin W. , Sharpe Arlene H.
Published: February 2024

In vivo T cell screens are a powerful tool for elucidating complex mechanisms of immunity, yet there is a lack of consensus on the screen design parameters required for robust in vivo screens: gene library size, cell transfer quantity, and number of mice. Here, we describe the Framework for In vivo T cell Screens (FITS) to provide experimental and analytical guidelines to determine optimal parameters for diverse in vivo contexts. As a proof-of-concept, we used FITS to optimize the parameters for a CD8+ T cell screen in the B16-OVA tumor model. We also included unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) in our screens to (1) improve statistical power and (2) track T cell clonal dynamics for distinct gene knockouts (KOs) across multiple tissues. These findings provide an experimental and analytical framework for performing in vivo screens in immune cells and illustrate a case study for in vivo T cell screens with UMIs.
Absorption spectrum of magnetically structured emulsions in the centimeter range
Authors: Turkin Sergey , Zakinyan Arthur , Bozhenko Sofya
Published: February 2024

The high degree of absorption of microwave radiation by composite materials with developed morphology can be significantly improved by directly changing the geometrical parameters of the subwavelength structure, which is difficult in the case of solid-state materials. In this work, a new composite liquid material with controlled absorption properties, a magnetodielectric emulsion, is investigated. The control of microgeometry parameters is accomplished through exposure to a magnetic field. The experimental studies have shown that the formation of chain structures from spherical water droplets in the composite leads to a significant change in the absorption coefficient. Thus, for an emulsion with 10% water content, exposure to a magnetic field of 25 kA m−1 increases the absorption coefficient by 400% at a radiation frequency of 10 GHz. It is noteworthy that the efficiency of the absorption properties control depends on the volume concentration of droplets in the sample and has a non-monotonic character. To interpret the obtained results, numerical modeling of the studied system in the effective medium approximation was carried out.
On some structural phase transitions in coupled quantum wires at finite temperature
Authors: Rani Preeti , Kaur Kulveer , Garg Vinayak , Moudgil R K
Published: February 2024

In this paper, we explore some structural phase transitions in GaAs-based coupled electron-electron (e-e) and electron-hole (e-h) quantum wires at finite temperature. To this endeavour, the intra- and inter-wire static-structure factors, pair-correlation functions and static (charge) density susceptibilities are calculated over a wide range of temperature T, particle number density parameter r

se
and some selected values of inter-wire spacing d. The particle exchange-correlations (xc) are included using the dynamic version of self-consistent mean-field theory of Singwi et al (the qSTLS theory), and the results have been compared with the static STLS model. It has been found that in the e-h system, the inclusion of dynamic nature of xc leads to the formation of Wigner crystal (WC) state in the close proximity of two wires at wave-vector q ∼ 3.5k

Fe
. However, a charge-density-wave (CDW) instability is observed at q ∼ 2k

Fe
when the xc are treated statically (k

Fe
being the electron’s Fermi wave vector). On the other hand, the e-e system shows comparatively small signatures of the WC phase when wires are kept sufficiently far apart, but, a long-wavelength instability is encountered in close vicinity of the wires. Interestingly, the CDW phase is completely missing in the e-e system at the investigated parameters. Expectedly, the quantum phase transitions are predicted to occur in the strongly correlated regime i.e. at sufficiently small T and high r

se
.
Nonclassical correlations in two-dimensional graphene lattices
Authors: Wang Hao
Published: February 2024

We investigate nonclassical correlations via negativity, local quantum uncertainty (LQU) and local quantum Fisher information (LQFI) for two-dimensional graphene lattices. The explicitly analytical expressions for negativity, LQU and LQFI are given. The close forms of LQU and LQFI confirm the inequality between the quantum Fisher information and skew information, where the LQFI is always greater than or equal to the LQU, and both show very similar behavior with different amplitudes. Moreover, the effects of the different system parameters on the quantified quantum correlation are analyzed. The LQFI reveals more nonclassical correlations than LQU in a two-dimensional graphene lattice system.
A calculable pistonphone for the absolute calibration of hydrophones in the frequency range from 0.5 Hz to 250 Hz
Authors: Malcher Freya , Ford Ben , Barham Richard , Robinson Stephen , Ward Jake , Wang Lian , Bridges Angus , Yacoot Andrew , Cheong Sei-Him , Rodrigues Dominique , Barrera-Figueroa Salvador
Published: February 2024

The demand for traceable hydrophone calibrations at low frequencies in support of ocean monitoring applications requires primary standard methods that are able to realise the acoustic pascal. In this paper, a new method for primary calibration of hydrophones is described based on the use of a calculable pistonphone to cover frequencies from 0.5 Hz to 250 Hz. The design consists of a pre-stressed piezoelectric stack driving a piston to create a varying pressure in an air-filled enclosed cavity, the displacement (and so the volume velocity) of the piston being measured by a laser interferometer. The dimensions of the front cavity were designed to allow the calibration of reference hydrophones, but it may also be used to calibrate microphones. Examples of calibration results for several sensors are presented alongside an uncertainty budget for hydrophone calibration with expanded uncertainties ranging from 0.45 dB at 0.5 Hz to 0.30 dB at 20 Hz, and to 0.35 at 250 Hz (expressed for a coverage factor of k = 2). The metrological performance is demonstrated by comparisons with results for other calibration methods and an independent implementation of primary calibration methods at other institutes.
Thermodynamic precision of a chain of motors: the difference between phase and noise correlation
Authors: Costantini G , Puglisi A
Published: February 2024

Inspired by recent experiments on fluctuations of flagellar beating in sperm and C. reinhardtii, we investigate the precision of phase fluctuations in a system of nearest-neighbor-coupled molecular motors. We model the system as a Kuramoto chain of oscillators with a coupling constant k and noisy driving. The precision p is a Fano-factor-like observable, which obeys the thermodynamic uncertainty relation (TUR), which is an upper bound related to dissipation. We first consider independent motor noises with diffusivity D: in this case, the precision goes as

k

/

D

, coherently with the behavior of spatial order. The minimum observed precision is that of the uncoupled oscillator

p

u
n
c

; the maximum observed precision is

N

p

u
n
c

, saturating the TUR bound. Then we consider driving noises which are spatially correlated, as may happen in the presence of some direct coupling between adjacent motors. Such a spatial correlation in the noise does not evidently reduce the degree of spatial correlation in the chain, but sensibly reduces the maximum attainable precision p, coherently with experimental observations. The limiting behavior of the precision, in the two opposite cases of negligible interaction and strong interaction, is well reproduced by the precision of the single chain site

p

u
n
c

and the precision of the center of mass of the chain

N

e
f
f

p

u
n
c

with

N

e
f
f

<
N

: both do not depend on the degree of interaction in the chain, but

N

e
f
f

decreases with the correlation length of the motor noises.
A design of a household output water temperature control system based on the PID controller and feedforward control
Authors: Liu Hainan
Published: February 2024

Household bathroom products are facing the problems of input water temperature fluctuation and effluent temperature control delay, which brings trouble to consumers. This essay will propose a solution that controls the water temperature at the effluent end by adding a water tank and an electrical heater. The author establishes a mathematical model of the water tank and calculates the transfer functions of different parts of the control system. He also chooses a PID controller as the core of the closed-loop system. A feedforward control system is built into the design to reduce the effect of the disturbance. Simulink software is used to conduct the simulation experiment. The result of the simulation shows that the change in heat provided by the heater has the ability to control the temperature of the output water. Additionally, the feedforward control system can reduce the influence of the input water temperature effectively.
Energy consumption forecasting with deep learning
Authors: Li Yunfan
Published: February 2024

This research endeavors to create an advanced machine learning model designed for the prediction of household electricity consumption. It leverages a multidimensional time-series dataset encompassing energy consumption profiles, customer characteristics, and meteorological information. A comprehensive exploration of diverse deep learning architectures is conducted, encompassing variations of recurrent neural networks (RNNs), temporal convolutional networks (TCNs), and traditional autoregressive moving average models (ARIMA) for reference purposes. The empirical findings underscore the substantial enhancement in forecasting accuracy attributed to the inclusion of meteorological data, with the most favorable outcomes being attained through the application of time-series convolutional networks. Additionally, an in-depth investigation is conducted into the impact of input duration and prediction steps on model performance, emphasizing the pivotal role of selecting an optimal duration and number of steps to augment predictive precision. In summation, this investigation underscores the latent potential of deep learning in the domain of electricity consumption forecasting, presenting pragmatic methodologies and recommendations for household electricity consumption prediction.
Comparative analysis of various models for image classification on Cifar-100 dataset
Authors: Zheng YuYu , Huang HaoXuan , Chen JunMing
Published: February 2024

Nowadays, people developed various convolutional neural network (CNN) based models for computer vision. Some famous models, such as GoogLeNet, Residual Network (ResNet), Visual Geometry Group (VGG), and You Only Look Once (YOLO), have different architecture and performances. Determining which model to use may be a troublesome problem for those just starting to study image classification. To solve this problem, we introduce the GoogLeNet, ResNet-18, and VGG-16 models, comparing their architecture, features, and performance. Then we give our suggestions based on the test results to help beginners choose a suitable model. We conducted experiments to train and test GoogLeNet, ResNet-18, and VGG-16 on the Cifar-100 datasets with the same hyperparameters. Based on the test results (test accuracy, average test loss, training loss), we analyze the figures for trends, key points, increase rate, and other features. Then we combine the architecture of each model to make our conclusions. The experimental results show that ResNet-18 can be a good choice when training the model with the Cifar-100 datasets because it performs well after training and has a low time complexity. ResNet-18 also has the fastest convergence speed. GoogLeNet would be the second choice because it functions similarly to ResNet-18 and is even better. However, training GoogLeNet is a time-consuming task. VGG is not recommended in this experiment because it has the worst performance and similar training complexity compared with ResNet-18.
Highly immersive imaging: Depth of field effect implemented through ray tracing with multiple samples
Authors: Zhong Zhenkai
Published: February 2024

This paper explores the implementation of depth of field effects through ray tracing with multiple samples. We focus on simulating the imaging process of the human eye, giving more consideration to the factors influencing the depth of field effect. Building upon ray tracing shading computations, we have employed a multi-sampling technique for rendering. This approach complements spatial information in the two-dimensional image, providing accurate depth of field effects. Moreover, as this process closely resembles the way the human eye naturally captures images, it results in a more immersive visual experience. Additionally, based on the advantageous features of parallel computing in distributed ray tracing, we explore an implementation scheme for parallel computing acceleration with multiple buffers. As the number of sampling points increases, rendering quality improves significantly, accompanied by substantial acceleration. Finally, we discuss the limitations of our method and potential directions for improvement, as well as future application scenarios in the fields of computer graphics and mixed reality.
SWGO: a wide-field of view gamma-ray observatory in the southern hemisphere
Authors: Chiavassa A. ,   the SWGO collaboration
Published: February 2024

The recent LHAASO and HAWC results opened the way to the search of gamma ray sources emitting at energies above 100 TeV. Both detectors are in the northern hemisphere; the need for such an observatory in the southern hemisphere is therefore clear. The goal of the SWGO collaboration is the construction of a wide field of view, high duty cycle observatory to explore the Southern hemisphere sky searching for gamma ray sources at energies above 100 GeV. Such an array will detect extensive air showers particles and must be able to select the photon originated showers from the background of the hadronic ones. The experiment must be located in a site at latitude between 10° and 30° degrees south and at an altitude above 4400 m a.s.l. The baseline detection technique chosen by the collaboration is Water Cherenkov Detectors. The array will have a central region with high fill factor (>60%) and a large (about 1 km2) outer region with a much lower fill factor (around 4–5%).
Reconstruction of neutrino interactions in SAND
with an innovative liquid Argon imaging detector
Authors: Pia V. ,   the DUNE collaboration
Published: February 2024

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment will be a next-generation neutrino oscillation
long-baseline accelerator experiment with the aim of determining the still unknown neutrino
oscillation parameters, observing proton decay and detecting supernova neutrinos exploiting a
Liquid Argon Time Projection Chambers (LArTPC) of unprecedented size. However, despite their
successful application in neutrino and DM experiments, the performances of LArTPCs are limited in
high intensity environments, such as in near-site detectors on neutrino beams, due to the long
drift time needed to collect the ionisation charge. The design of SAND at the DUNE Near Detector
complex includes a 1-ton LAr target -GRAIN (Granular Argon for Interaction of Neutrinos)- designed
to overcome such limitation by imaging the scintillation light produced in neutrino
interactions. By capturing “pictures” of the LAr (or LXe), GRAIN will allow to reconstruct the
event topologies and energy deposition. Using this information, and that provided by the SAND
electromagnetic calorimeter and target tracker system, SAND will allow on-axis beam monitoring,
the control of systematics uncertainties for the oscillation analysis, precision measurements of
neutrino cross-sections, and beyond Standard Model searches.
The trigger system for the HIRFL-CSR external-target experiment
Authors: Guo Dong , Xu Haoqian , Qi DongDong , Wang Hexiang , Huang Shiya , Zhang Lei , Sun Zhengyang , Qin Zhi , Wang Botan , Zhou Yingjie , Wang Zekun , Yang Yuansheng , Qin Yuhao , Wei Xianglun , Yang Herun , Qin Jiajun , Yu Yuhong , Zhao Lei , Xiao Zhigang
Published: February 2024

A trigger system has been designed and implemented for the
external-target experiment (CEE), which is under construction at the
heavy ion facility in Lanzhou, cooling storage ring (HIRFL-CSR). The
experiment aims at studying high-density nuclear matter properties
with heavy ion collisions in the GeV energy regime. The trigger
system adopts a master-slave structure and a serial data
transmission mode using optical fiber to deal with multi
subdetectors and long-distance signal flow. The trigger logic, based
on the field programmable gate array (FPGA) technologies, can be
accessed by means of command register and remotely reconfigured
online according to the experimental settings. The trigger system
has been tested in a test beam experiment involving the subdetector
prototypes. It is demonstrated that the trigger system functions
correctly and meets physical requirements of the experiment.
Wilde in the American Imagination
Authors: Hext Kate
Published: February 2024

This chapter tells the story of Oscar Wilde’s place in American culture from his lecture tour in 1882 up to the first Nickelodeon shorts and early short movies adapting his works. It argues that Wilde’s image in America was as an entertainer, illustrating how this was defined between 1900 and 1930 in newspaper offices and onstage, both in New York and beyond in provincial theatres. In these decades, Wilde and The Picture of Dorian Gray, Salome, Lady Windermere’s Fan, and The Importance of Being Earnest were conceived as modern, bohemian, and saucy. It was inevitable that they would be adapted to the screen—but how? The chapter ends with a discussion of Robert Ross’s ill-fated attempts to get Wilde’s works adapted in America, drawing on archival evidence of the fallout between Wilde’s Estate and Daniel Frohman, movie producer and the owner of Wilde’s American performance rights.
Salome on Sunset Boulevard
Authors: Hext Kate
Published: February 2024

This chapter focuses on Alla Nazimova’s avant-garde adaptation of Wilde’s play Salome (1922). It locates Nazimova’s film as the epitome of Hollywood in the early 1920s: a booming industry that was developing new cinema techniques at speed, while poised between popular entertainment and experimental art; created by an émigré community, and full of possibility but with increasing concerns about the morality of its subjects. It traces how Nazimova’s vision of Wilde was defined in Moscow, with the film coming about after her attempt to adapt Pierre Louӱs’s Aphrodite. It analyses how the set and costume designs by Natacha Rambova, that drew on Aubrey Beardsley’s illustrations, encoded a homoerotic vision of Salome, at odds with ‘American values’. It ends with a discussion of how Nazimova, Wilde, and Salome influenced Sunset Boulevard (1950).
Using instrumental variables to address unmeasured confounding in causal mediation analysis
Authors: Rudolph Kara E , Williams Nicholas , Díaz Iván
Published: February 2024

Mediation analysis is a strategy for understanding the mechanisms by which interventions affect later outcomes. However, unobserved confounding concerns may be compounded in mediation analyses, as there may be unobserved exposure-outcome, exposure-mediator, and mediator-outcome confounders. Instrumental variables (IVs) are a popular identification strategy in the presence of unobserved confounding. However, in contrast to the rich literature on the use of IV methods to identify and estimate a total effect of a non-randomized exposure, there has been almost no research into using IV as an identification strategy to identify mediational indirect effects. In response, we define and nonparametrically identify novel estimands—double complier interventional direct and indirect effects—when 2, possibly related, IVs are available, one for the exposure and another for the mediator. We propose nonparametric, robust, efficient estimators for these effects and apply them to a housing voucher experiment.
Elevated plasma triglycerides increase the risk of psoriasis: a cohort and Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Greve Anders M , Wulff Anders B , Bojesen Stig E , Nordestgaard Børge G
Published: February 2024

Background

It is increasingly clear that triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are proinflammatory and cause low-grade systemic inflammation. However, it is currently unknown whether elevated plasma triglycerides are causally related to the development of psoriasis, a skin disorder driven by chronic inflammation.

Objectives

To determine if elevated plasma triglycerides are associated with increased risk of psoriasis in observational and Mendelian randomization analysis.

Methods

Consecutive individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study were included. We used plasma triglycerides (n = 108 043) and a weighted triglyceride allele score (n = 92 579) on nine known triglyceride-altering genetic variants. Genetic results were replicated in 337 159 individuals from the UK Biobank. Psoriasis was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, version 10 (ICD-10) code for hospital contact in the main analyses, and prescription of topical antipsoriatics for mild psoriasis in the sensitivity analysis.

Results

During a follow-up of median (range) 9.3 (0.1–15.1) years from 2003 to 2015 through 2018, 855 (1%) individuals were diagnosed with psoriasis by ICD-10 in the observational analysis and 772 (1%) in the Mendelian randomization analysis. In the observational analysis, the multivariable adjusted hazard ratio for psoriasis by ICD-10 was 1.26 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.15–1.39] per doubling in plasma triglycerides with a corresponding causal odds ratio of incident psoriasis of 2.10 (95% CI 1.30–3.38). Causality was confirmed from data from the UK Biobank. Results were similar but slightly attenuated when we used topical antipsoriatic prescriptions for mild psoriasis.

Conclusions

Elevated plasma triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of psoriasis in observational and Mendelian randomization analysis.
Prevalence and clinical significance of electrocardiographic complete right bundle branch block in young individuals
Authors: MacLachlan Hamish , Antonakaki Dimitra , Bhatia Raghav , Fyyaz Saad , Chatrath Nikhil , Androulakis Emmanouil , Marwaha Sarandeep , Basu Joyee , Miles Chris , Dhutia Harshil , Zaidi Abbas , Chandra Navin , Sheikh Nabeel , Gati Sabiha , Malhotra Aneil , Finocchiaro Gherardo , Sharma Sanjay , Papadakis Michael
Published: February 2024

Aims

There is limited information on the clinical significance of complete right bundle branch block (CRBBB) in young individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and significance of CRBBB in a large cohort of young individuals aged 14–35 years old.

Methods and results

From 2008 to 2018, 104,369 consecutive individuals underwent cardiovascular assessment with a health questionnaire, electrocardiogram, clinical consultation, and selective echocardiography. Follow-up was obtained via direct telephone consultations. Mean follow-up was 7.3 ± 2.7 years. CRBBB was identified in 154 (0.1%) individuals and was more prevalent in males compared with females (0.20 vs. 0.06%; P < 0.05) and in athletes compared with non-athletes (0.25 vs. 0.14%; P < 0.05). CRBBB-related cardiac conditions were identified in seven (5%) individuals (four with atrial septal defect, one with Brugada syndrome, one with progressive cardiac conduction disease, and one with atrial fibrillation). Pathology was more frequently identified in individuals with non-isolated CRBBB compared with individuals with isolated CRBBB (14 vs. 1%; P < 0.05) and in individuals with a QRS duration of ≥130 ms compared with individuals with a QRS of <130 ms (10 vs. 1%; P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The prevalence of CRBBB in young individuals was 0.1% and was more prevalent in males and in athletes. CRBBB-related conditions were identified in 5% of individuals and were more common in individuals with non-isolated CRBBB and more pronounced intraventricular conduction delay (QRS duration of ≥130 ms). Secondary evaluation should be considered for young individuals with CRBBB with symptoms, concerning family history, additional electrocardiographic anomalies, or significant QRS prolongation (≥130 ms).
Pediatric post COVID-19 condition: an umbrella review of the most common symptoms and associated factors
Authors: Heidar Alizadeh Aurora , Nurchis Mario Cesare , Garlasco Jacopo , Mara Alessandro , Pascucci Domenico , Damiani Gianfranco , Gianino Maria Michela
Published: February 2024

Background

Although the long-term consequences of the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are yet to be fully comprehended, a syndrome symptomatically akin to the COVID-19 disease has been defined, for children and adolescents, in February 2023 by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘post COVID-19 condition’ (PCC). Potential consequences of COVID-19 that affect developmental milestones in children and adolescents should be comprehended in their magnitude and duration. The aim is to investigate the most common symptoms and predictors or risk factors for pediatric PCC.

Methods

In this umbrella review, the population of interest was defined as children and adolescents from 0 to 19 years old presenting PCC symptoms as defined by the WHO in the International Classification of Diseases. The intervention considered was general follow-up activity to monitor the patients’ recovery status. No comparator was chosen, and the outcomes were symptoms of PCC and predictors or risk factors of developing PCC. Methodological quality, risk of bias and the level of overlap between studies were assessed. A random-effects meta-analytic synthesis of respective estimates with inverse variance study weighting was carried out, for the primary studies included by the reviews retrieved, regarding predictors or risk factors reported.

Results

We identified six eligible systematic reviews, five with meta-analyses, from three databases. The most common symptoms reported were fatigue and respiratory difficulties; female sex and older age were the most reported factors associated with the development of pediatric PCC.

Conclusions

A deeper understanding of pediatric PCC requires well-designed and clearly defined prospective studies, symptom differentiation, and adequate follow-up.
Ribonucleotide reductase inhibition improves the symptoms of a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Brokate-Llanos Ana M , Sanchez-Ibañez Mireya , Pérez-Jiménez Mercedes M , Monje-Moreno José M , Gómez-Marín Carlos , Caro Carlos , Vivar-Rios Carlos , Moreno-Mateos Miguel A , García-Martín María L , Muñoz Manuel J , Royo José L
Published: February 2024

Alzheimer's disease is the main cause of aging-associated dementia, for which there is no effective treatment. In this work, we reanalyze the information of a previous genome wide association study, using a new pipeline design to identify novel potential drugs. With this approach, ribonucleoside-diphosphate reductase gene (RRM2B) emerged as a candidate target and its inhibitor, 2′, 2′-difluoro 2′deoxycytidine (gemcitabine), as a potential pharmaceutical drug against Alzheimer's disease. We functionally verified the effect of inhibiting the RRM2B homolog, rnr-2, in an Alzheimer's model of Caenorhabditis elegans, which accumulates human Aβ1-42 peptide to an irreversible paralysis. RNA interference against rnr-2 and also treatment with 200 ng/ml of gemcitabine, showed an improvement of the phenotype. Gemcitabine treatment increased the intracellular ATP level 3.03 times, which may point to its mechanism of action. Gemcitabine has been extensively used in humans for cancer treatment but at higher concentrations. The 200 ng/ml concentration did not exert a significant effect over cell cycle, or affected cell viability when assayed in the microglia N13 cell line. Thus, the inhibitory drug of the RRM2B activity could be of potential use to treat Alzheimer's disease and particularly gemcitabine might be considered as a promising candidate to be repurposed for its treatment.
Ancient and Modern Genomes Reveal Microsatellites Maintain a Dynamic Equilibrium Through Deep Time
Authors: McComish Bennet J , Charleston Michael A , Parks Matthew , Baroni Carlo , Salvatore Maria Cristina , Li Ruiqiang , Zhang Guojie , Millar Craig D , Holland Barbara R , Lambert David M
Published: February 2024

Microsatellites are widely used in population genetics, but their evolutionary dynamics remain poorly understood. It is unclear whether microsatellite loci drift in length over time. This is important because the mutation processes that underlie these important genetic markers are central to the evolutionary models that employ microsatellites. We identify more than 27 million microsatellites using a novel and unique dataset of modern and ancient Adélie penguin genomes along with data from 63 published chordate genomes. We investigate microsatellite evolutionary dynamics over 2 timescales: one based on Adélie penguin samples dating to ∼46.5 ka and the other dating to the diversification of chordates aged more than 500 Ma. We show that the process of microsatellite allele length evolution is at dynamic equilibrium; while there is length polymorphism among individuals, the length distribution for a given locus remains stable. Many microsatellites persist over very long timescales, particularly in exons and regulatory sequences. These often retain length variability, suggesting that they may play a role in maintaining phenotypic variation within populations.
LncRNA Gm15232 Promotes Lipogenesis in Aging Mice Through the miR-192-3p/GCR Pathway
Authors: Hu Yaqi , Zhang Yifan , Wang Shuwen , Wang Rui , Yuan Qi , Wu Wei , Gui Yibei , Zhao Jiale , Li Xueqing , He Yumin , Yuan Chengfu
Published: February 2024

Recent scientific studies have highlighted the importance of long-chain noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in a variety of metabolic diseases, but the specific functions and mechanisms of lncRNAs in aberrant lipid synthesis associated with aging are unknown. In this work, we inspected the effects of lncRNAs on the lipid metabolism in aging mice, as substantial evidence suggests that aging disturbs lipid metabolism. The results revealed that the expression of lncRNA Gm15232 was significantly elevated in the epididymal white adipose tissue of aging mice compared to adult mice. This upregulation of Gm15232 functioned as a competitive endogenous RNA by inhibiting the expression of miR-192-3p, and the ensuing downregulation of miR-192-3p increased the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor gene, which ultimately stimulated fat synthesis. The upregulation of Gm15232 thus increased lipogenesis through this mechanism. This study reveals a potential target for the treatment of age-related abnormalities of lipid metabolism.
Walking and Social Reminiscence in Gentrifying Neighborhoods: Feasibility and Impact on Cognitive, Physical, and Mental Health Among Older Black Adults in the SHARP Study
Authors: Croff Raina , Aron Sophia , Wachana Anne , Fuller Patrice , Mattek Nora , Towns Juell , Kaye Jeffrey
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives

Two exploratory 6-month pilots of triadic walking with culturally celebratory social reminiscence in gentrifying neighborhoods tested feasibility and health impact among normal and mildly cognitively impaired (MCI) older Black adults.

Research Design and Methods

Fourteen triads walked 1-mile 3×/week, using a navigational application with image-based reminiscence prompts. Focus groups evaluated perceived health impact and experience. Primary outcome measures were program evaluations (feasibility), pre–post self-report health, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, blood pressure, and weight. Analysis used mean rank scores for program evaluations, pre–post paired t-tests for health outcomes, and thematic coding for 30 focus groups.

Results

Feasibility: Retention was 74% and 86% for pilots, and 100% and 92%, respectively, were “extremely likely” to recommend to friends/family. Mean rank scores indicated appropriate pace and dose, effective conversational prompts, and program readiness with minor changes. Health impact: Self-rated health, mood, activity levels, and energy improved, days feeling downhearted decreased, and days feeling calm/peaceful were maintained or improved. Among Cohort 2, cognitive assessment scores were maintained or improved for 67%; for MCI, 76% had mean improvement of 2.4 (p = .045). Blood pressure and weight decreased for 78% and 44%, respectively. Focus groups: Perceived impact of triadic walking included increased physical and social activity outside the program, increased awareness of cognitive decline risk and personal agency, and deep-seated sense of community connection.

Discussion and Implications

Triadic walking provides structure, accountability, connection, and purpose, motivating sustained engagement. Walking programs that center socialization, particularly within culturally meaningful contexts, may be more effective among older Black adults.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

NCT05906654; NCT05906667
A comprehensive review of the new FIGO classification of ovulatory disorders
Authors: Balen Adam H , Tamblyn Jennifer , Skorupskaite Karolina , Munro Malcolm G
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization (WHO) system for the classification of disorders of ovulation was produced 50 years ago and, by international consensus, has been updated by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO).

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

This review outlines in detail each component of the FIGO HyPO-P (hypothalamic, pituitary, ovarian, PCOS) classification with a concise description of each cause, and thereby provides a systematic method for diagnosis and management.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the published articles in the PubMed database in the English-language literature until October 2022, containing the keywords ovulatory disorders; ovulatory dysfunction; anovulation, and each subheading in the FIGO HyPO-P classification. We did not include abstracts or conference proceedings because the data are usually difficult to assess.

OUTCOMES

We present the most comprehensive review of all disorders of ovulation, published systematically according to the logical FIGO classification.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

Improving the diagnosis of an individual’s ovulatory dysfunction will significantly impact clinical practice by enabling healthcare practitioners to make a precise diagnosis and plan appropriate management.
Controversies associated with the identification of the true origins of human neutrophils
Authors: Silvestre-Roig Carlos , Brandau Sven
Published: February 2024

Discussion on the lineage commitment of early human neutrophil progenitors.
Home range in genus Capra: from polygons to Brownian bridges of scabietic and healthy Iberian ibexes (Capra pyrenaica)
Authors: Valldeperes Marta , Pascual-Rico Roberto , Fandos Paulino , Soriguer Escofet Ramón C , Pérez Jesús M , Cano-Manuel León Francisco J , Prieto Yerro Paloma , López-Olvera Jorge Ramón , Granados José Enrique
Published: February 2024

Home range and home range overlap can be used to describe use of space and movement of wildlife. During the last years, advancements in technology have greatly improved our understanding of animal movement, especially among large herbivores. Wild ungulate abundance and distribution have increased in temperate areas. Moreover, their diseases—including sarcoptic mange in the Iberian Ibex (Capra pyrenaica)—have become a cause of concern for livestock, public health, and wildlife conservation. In this study, we first reviewed existing literature on the home range of species in the genus Capra. We then analyzed data from 52 GPS-GSM-collared Iberian ibexes, of which 33 were healthy and 19 were affected by sarcoptic mange from 3 different populations in the southeastern Iberian Peninsula to analyze: (1) differences in size and characteristics of home ranges obtained by the 3 most commonly used methodologies—minimum convex polygon, kernel density estimation, and Brownian bridges movement models (BBMMs); and (2) the impact of endemic sarcoptic mange on Iberian Ibex home range. The literature review revealed that available information on spatial behavior of Capra spp. was based only on 3 species, including the Iberian Ibex, estimated through a diversity of methods which made it difficult to compare results. We found positive correlations among the different home range estimation methods in the Iberian Ibex, with BBMMs proving to be the most accurate. This study is the first to use BBMMs for estimating home range in this species, and it revealed a marked seasonal behavior in spatial use, although sarcoptic mange smoothed such seasonal pattern. The seasonal overlaps obtained suggest that core areas of the Iberian Ibex change within wider home range areas, which are ecological parameters relevant to identifying key areas for species management and conservation.
Management of a severely atrophic maxilla using concentrated platelet-rich fibrin block. A case report
Authors: Saleh Raghad N , Ashhab Celine , Kharoufeh Meral Voltaire , Lahham Cezar Edward
Published: February 2024

Tooth loss often leads to significant alveolar bone resorption, presenting a challenge for dental implant placement. This case report presents the effectiveness of concentrated platelet-rich fibrin (C-PRF) in combination with bone allograft for horizontal bone augmentation in a severely atrophic maxilla. A 33-year-old female patient with extensive bone loss in the upper anterior maxilla was treated in two stages. The initial stage involved horizontal bone augmentation using a mixture of C-PRF and bone allograft. This was followed, 5 months later, by dental implant placement. The preparation of C-PRF, surgical procedure, and postoperative care are thoroughly described. Post-treatment Cone Beam Computed Tomography showed an increase in alveolar bone thickness from 2.4–3.4 mm pre-operatively to 6.3–7.3 mm, demonstrating the procedure’s effectiveness in achieving adequate bone volume for implant placement. The use of C-PRF with allograft in horizontal bone augmentation shows promise in enhancing bone regeneration, especially in a severely atrophic maxilla.