bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endpoints for geroscience clinical trials: health outcomes, biomarkers, and biologic age
Authors: Cummings Steven R. , Kritchevsky Stephen B.
Published: October 2022

Treatments that target fundamental processes of aging are expected to delay several aging-related conditions simultaneously. Testing the efficacy of these treatments for potential anti-aging benefits will require clinical trials with endpoints that reflect the potential benefits of slowing processes of aging. There are several potential types of endpoints to capture the benefits of slowing a process of aging, and a consensus is needed to standardize and compare the results of these trials and to guide the analysis of observational data to support trial planning. Using biomarkers instead of clinical outcomes would substantially reduce the size and the duration of clinical trials. This requires validation of surrogate markers showing that treatment induced change in the marker reliably predicts the magnitude of change in the clinical outcome. The surrogate marker must also reflect the biological mechanism for the effect of treatment on the clinical outcome. “Biological age” is a superficially attractive marker for such trials. However, it is essential to establish that treatment induced change in biological age reliably predict the magnitude of benefits in the clinical outcome. Reaching consensus on clinical outcomes for geroscience trials and then validating potential surrogate biomarkers requires time, effort, and coordination that will be worthwhile to develop surrogate outcomes that can be trusted to efficiently test the value of many anti-aging treatments under development.
The Role of Education in Native Dutch Adolescents’ Muslim Population Size Perceptions
Authors: Mulders Anne Maaike , van Tubergen Frank
Published: October 2022

This study investigates competing explanations for the effect of education on native adolescents’ Muslim population size perceptions. Drawing on theories about heuristic reasoning, we analyze to what extent the effect of education on size perceptions may be explained by differences in contact with and prejudice towards Muslims. The hypotheses are tested using longitudinal data on adolescents in the Netherlands (N = 1218). Overall, there is a tendency to overestimate the size of the national Muslim population. Furthermore, we find that higher educated adolescents tend to provide lower estimates of the Muslim population size. This relationship is partially mediated by earlier differences in school composition, as Muslims are concentrated to a greater extent in lower education. The relation between education and size perceptions cannot be attributed to differences in prejudice. Hence, we conclude that the effect of education on size perceptions is likely due to greater numeracy rather than negative evaluations of the outgroup.
Subsurface structural characterization as deduced from potential field data—West Beni Suef, Western Desert, Egypt
Authors: Khalil Ahmed , Hafeez Tharwat H. Abdel , kotb Ahmed El , Saleh Hassan S. , Mohamed Waheed H. , Takla Emad
Published: October 2022

The goal of present study is determining subsurface structural elements by analyzing geomagnetic data sets aiming to examine their impacts on geological surface structures characterizing the western region in Beni-Suef Governorate, Western Desert, Egypt. A land-magnetic survey is conducted by two exceedingly sensitive proton magnetometers to measure the total intensity of geomagnetic field at the region under investigation. The measurements of regional gradients and time variation were applied to get the required reduction of daily variation. The regional expansions of subsurface structural units were obtained after applying the reduction to north magnetic pole (RTP) method to the corrected magnetic data acquired from land-magnetic survey along with Bouguer maps (1:100,000 scale and 1-mGal contouring interval). Regional-residual technique was applied depending on the power spectrum analysis. Moreover, the edge detection approach is conducted to depict the structures and subsurface hidden anomalies. Different handling processes were applied for acquired land magnetic datasets such as Euler deconvolution and trend analysis. The results of current study revealed that four significant structural forces across the N-S, NW–SE, NE-SW, and E-W directions affected the region. Estimating the basement depth was accomplished using a number of spectral analysis techniques. The values of estimated depths are used for creating a basement relief map. Moreover, the achieved results show that depths to the basement at the region under study vary between 2.3 and 4.7 km.
Evaluation of an inflammation-based score for identification of appropriate patients for comprehensive genomic profiling
Authors: Hayashi Naomi , Fukada Ippei , Ohmoto Akihiro , Yamazaki Masumi , Wang Xiaofei , Hosonaga Mari , Takahashi Shunji
Published: October 2022

Performance status (PS) is widely used as an assessment of general condition in patients before performing comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP). However, PS scoring is dependent on each physician, and there is no objective and universal indicator to identify appropriate patients for CGP. Overall, 263 patients were scored using the modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) from 0 to 2 based on the combination of serum albumin and c-reactive protein (CRP): 0, albumin ≥ 3.5 g/dl and CRP ≤ 0.5 mg/dl; 1, albumin < 3.5 g/dl or CRP > 0.5 mg/dl; and 2, albumin < 3.5 g/dl and CRP > 0.5 mg/dl. Overall survival was compared between mGPS 0–1 and mGPS 2 groups. The prognosis of patients with PS 0–1 and mGPS 2 was also evaluated. Thirty-nine patients (14.8%) were mGPS 2. Patients with mGPS 2 had significant shorter survival (14.7 months vs 4.6 months, p < 0.01). Twenty-eight patients were PS 0–1 and mGPS 2, and their survival was also short (5.6 months). Evaluation of mGPS is a simple and useful method for identifying patients with adequate prognosis using CGP.
Development of a mathematical model to predict the health impact and duration of SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks on board cargo vessels
Authors: Ng Kok Yew , Codreanu Tudor A. , Gui Meei Mei , Biglarbeigi Pardis , Finlay Dewar , McLaughlin James
Published: October 2022

The Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has brought significant impact onto the maritime activities worldwide, including disruption to global trade and supply chains. The ability to predict the evolution and duration of a COVID-19 outbreak on cargo vessels would inform a more nuanced response to the event and provide a more precise return-to-trade date. This paper presents the SEIQ(H)R (Susceptibility–Exposed–Infected–Quarantine–(Hospitalisation)–Removed/Recovered) model, which is the first deterministic mathematical model developed and fit-tested to describe the transmission dynamics of COVID-19 on board cargo vessels of up to 60 crew members. Due to specific living and working circumstances on board cargo vessels, instead of utilising the reproduction number, we consider the highest fraction of crew members who share the same nationality to quantify the transmissibility of the disease. The performance of the model is verified using case studies based on data collected during COVID-19 outbreaks on three cargo vessels in Western Australia during 2020. The simulations show that the model can forecast the time taken for the transmission dynamics on each vessel to reach their equilibriums, providing informed predictions on the evolution of the outbreak, including hospitalisation rates and duration. The model demonstrates that (a) all crew members are susceptible to infection; (b) their roles on board are a determining factor in the evolution of the outbreak; and (c) an unmitigated outbreak could affect the entire crew and continue on for many weeks. The ability to model the evolution of an outbreak, in both duration and severity, is essential to predict outcomes and to plan for the best response strategy. At the same time, it offers a higher degree of certainty regarding the return to trade, which is of significant importance to multiple stakeholders.
Delay or postponement of medical care among older adults in the Netherlands at earlier and later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Mizee Marlou , Schaap Laura A. , Hoogendijk Emiel O. , van Schoor Natasja M.
Published: October 2022

Aims

The aim of the current study was to compare cancellations or postponement of medical care among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic between 2021 and 2020.

Methods

Data of respondents aged ≥ 62 years were used from the longitudinal aging study Amsterdam (LASA), collected in 2020 and 2021, directly after the main COVID-19 waves in the Netherlands. A questionnaire assessed cancellations of medical care and postponed help-seeking behavior. Descriptive analyses were performed.

Results

Overall, cancellations declined from 35% in 2020 (sample n = 1128) to 17% in 2021 (sample n = 1020). Healthcare-initiated cancellations declined from 29 to 8%. Respondent-initiated cancellations declined from 12 to 7%. Postponed help-seeking remained around 8%.

Conclusions

In 2021, less cancellations were reported compared to just after the first wave of the pandemic in 2020, while postponed help-seeking remained the same. It is important to investigate how cancellations and postponed help-seeking can be prevented in future pandemics.
Virtuality and Reality of Landscape: Theoretical and Methodological Problems in Their Capture and Representation
Authors: Leser Hartmut
Published: October 2022

The topic is approached both in a fundamental and an interdisciplinary way. Landscape ecology is the starting point. Landscape is both a construct of different disciplines, i.e., a “head birth”, as well as reality. Depending upon the way of thinking and the point of view of a discipline, this results in problems for the theoreticians of landscape ecology, the methodologists of landscape ecology and cartography, and for the practitioners (“technicians” or geomaticians) of cartography and visualization. The use of map representations and visualizations depends upon which “object landscape” is worked with in a cartographic project (or in a visualization process). This paper aims to offer guidance by weighting and systematizing terms.
TransDFL: Identification of Disordered Flexible Linkers in Proteins by Transfer Learning
Authors: Pang Yihe , Liu Bin
Published: October 2022

Disordered flexible linkers (DFLs) are the functional disordered regions in proteins, which are the sub-regions of intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) and play important roles in connecting domains and maintaining inter-domain interactions. Trained with the limited available DFLs, the existing DFL predictors based on the machine learning techniques tend to predict the ordered residues as DFLs, leading to a high falsepositive rate (FPR) and low prediction accuracy. Previous studies have shown that DFLs are extremely flexible disordered regions, which are usually predicted as disordered residues with high confidence [P(D) > 0.9] by an IDR predictor. Therefore, transferring an IDR predictor to an accurate DFL predictor is of great significance for understanding the functions of IDRs. In this study, we proposed a new predictor called TransDFL for identifying DFLs by transferring the RFPR-IDP predictor for IDR identification to the DFL prediction. The RFPR-IDP was pre-trained with IDR sequences to learn the general features between IDRs and DFLs, which is helpful to reduce the false positives in the ordered regions. RFPR-IDP was fine-tuned with the DFL sequences to capture the specific features of DFLs so as to be transferred into the TransDFL. Experimental results of two application scenarios (prediction of DFLs only in IDRs or prediction of DFLs in entire proteins) showed that TransDFL consistently outperformed other existing DFL predictors with higher accuracy. The corresponding web server of TransDFL can be freely accessed at http://bliulab.net/TransDFL/.
Curious to Know
Authors: Haziza Eliran
Published: October 2022

What is curiosity? An attractive option is that it is a desire to know. This analysis has been recently challenged by what I call interrogativism, the view that inquiring attitudes such as curiosity have questions rather than propositions as contents. In this paper, I defend the desire-to-know view, and make three contributions to the debate. First, I refine the view in a way that avoids the problems of its simplest version. Second, I present a new argument for the desire-to-know view that focuses on ascriptions of the form ‘S is curious to ϕ’, which, despite their prevalence, have been ignored in the literature. Third, I examine the central motivation for interrogativism – the argument from metacognition, according to which animals can be curious yet do not have the metacognitive capacities required by desires to know – and argue that it rests on questionable assumptions about desires and attitude ascriptions.
Observing non-uniform, non-Lüders yielding in a cold-rolled medium manganese steel with digital image correlation
Authors: Raadam Bo , Matlock David K.
Published: October 2022

Digital image correlation (DIC) techniques were used to evaluate strain distributions along tensile gage lengths immediately after yielding of a medium manganese steel (7 wt% Mn) in samples cold rolled in the range of 1–6 pct. With an increase in cold work, DIC confirmed that the yielding behavior transitioned from nucleation and propagation of a single localized deformation zone (Lüders band) to uniform deformation, that is, no evidence of strain localization. At intermediate amounts of cold work, a unique yielding behavior was evident where the initially-low positive strain hardening rate increased with tensile strain until conventional strain hardening (i.e., decrease in strain hardening rate with strain). The intermediate yielding behavior was associated with the development of multiple non‑propagating regions of strain localization, an observation not previously evident without the use of DIC.
Trends in food consumption according to the degree of food processing among the UK population over 11 years
Authors: Madruga Mariana , Martínez Steele Eurídice , Reynolds Christian , Levy Renata Bertazzi , Rauber Fernanda
Published: October 2022

Although ultra-processed foods represent more than half of the total energy consumed by the UK population, little is known about the trend in food consumption considering the degree of food processing. We evaluated the trends of the dietary share of foods categorised according to the NOVA classification in a historical series (2018–2019) among the UK population. Data were acquired from the NDNS, a survey that collects diet information through a 4-d food record. We used adjusted linear regression to estimate the dietary participation of NOVA groups and evaluated the linear trends over the years. From 2008 to 2019, we observed a significant increase in the energy share of culinary ingredients (from 3·7 to 4·9 % of the total energy consumed; P-trend = 0·001), especially for butter and oils; and reduction of processed foods (from 9·6 to 8·6 %; P-trend = 0·002), especially for beer and wine. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods (≅30 %, P-trend = 0·505) and ultra-processed foods (≅56 %, P-trend = 0·580) presented no significant change. However, changes in the consumption of some subgroups are noteworthy, such as the reduction in the energy share of red meat, sausages and other reconstituted meat products as well as the increase of fruits, ready meals, breakfast cereals, cookies, pastries, buns and cakes. Regarding the socio-demographic characteristics, no interaction was observed with the trend of the four NOVA groups. From 2008 to 2019 was observed a significant increase in culinary ingredients and a reduction in processed food. Furthermore, it sheds light on the high share of ultra-processed foods in the contemporary British diet.
Thiamine supplementation may be associated with improved prognosis in patients with sepsis
Authors: Zhang Luming , Zhang Feng , Li Shaojin , Xu Fengshuo , Zheng Xiaoyu , Huang Tao , Lyu Jun , Yin Haiyan
Published: October 2022

Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterised by a severe disorder of pathophysiology caused by infection of pathogenic micro-organisms. The addition of antioxidant micronutrient therapies such as thiamine to sepsis treatment remains controversial. This study explored the effect of thiamine on the prognosis of patients with sepsis. This study was a retrospective study involving patients with sepsis from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV. Patients were divided into two groups, the thiamine received group (TR) and the thiamine unreceived group (TUR), according to whether they were supplemented with thiamin via intravenous while in the intensive care unit (ICU). The primary outcome was ICU mortality. The association between thiamine and outcome was analysed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model, propensity score matching (PSM), generalised boosted model-based inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and doubly robust estimation. A total of 11 553 sepsis patients were enrolled in this study. After controlling for potential confounders using Cox regression models, the TR group had a statistically significantly lower ICU mortality risk than the TUR group. The hazard ratio of ICU mortality for the TR group was 0·80 (95 % CI 0·70, 0·93). We obtained the same results after using PSM, IPTW and doubly robust estimation. Supplementation with thiamine has a beneficial effect on the prognosis of patients with sepsis. More randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of thiamine supplementation in the treatment of sepsis.
Charisma's Birth from the Bottom Up: Lula, ABC's Metalworkers’ Strikes and the Social History of Brazilian Politics
Authors: French John D.
Published: October 2022

If David Bell in his book Men on Horseback (2020) focuses on what is political charisma, how it functions, and what it means ‘to write its history’, this article examines how Brazil's ex-President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva (‘Lula’) acquired charisma during the dramatic 1978–80 metalworkers’ strikes in the industrial ABC region of São Paulo, Brazil. While generating a vast literature, scholars of the ABC strikes have evaded the question of how Lula, the gifted organiser, emerged as a recognisably charismatic figure. This article explains where, when and why this happened and how a charismatic bond was forged as 100,000 stigmatised, fearful, self-doubting ‘peons’ came to constitute themselves as a locally articulated social actor, a group in fusion, whose boldness and creativity led to extraordinary feats of organisation and mobilisation. Arguing against conflating charisma and populism, it also establishes the utility of the theorisation of group-making advanced in the Critique of Dialectical Reason (1960) by Jean-Paul Sartre.
Moving toward precision PTSD treatment: predicting veterans' intensive PTSD treatment response using continuously updating machine learning models
Authors: Smith Dale L. , Held Philip
Published: October 2022

Background

Considerable heterogeneity exists in treatment response to first-line posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Relatively little is known about the timing of when during a course of care the treatment response becomes apparent. Novel machine learning methods, especially continuously updating prediction models, have the potential to address these gaps in our understanding of response and optimize PTSD treatment.

Methods

Using data from a 3-week (n = 362) CPT-based intensive PTSD treatment program (ITP), we explored three methods for generating continuously updating prediction models to predict endpoint PTSD severity. These included Mixed Effects Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (MixedBART), Mixed Effects Random Forest (MERF) machine learning models, and Linear Mixed Effects models (LMM). Models used baseline and self-reported PTSD symptom severity data collected every other day during treatment. We then validated our findings by examining model performances in a separate, equally established, 2-week CPT-based ITP (n = 108).

Results

Results across approaches were very similar and indicated modest prediction accuracy at baseline (R2 ~ 0.18), with increasing accuracy of predictions of final PTSD severity across program timepoints (e.g. mid-program R2 ~ 0.62). Similar findings were obtained when the models were applied to the 2-week ITP. Neither the MERF nor the MixedBART machine learning approach outperformed LMM prediction, though benefits of each may differ based on the application.

Conclusions

Utilizing continuously updating models in PTSD treatments may be beneficial for clinicians in determining whether an individual is responding, and when this determination can be made.
An Anglo-Saxon bishop, his book and two battles: Leofric of Exeter and liturgical performance as pastoral care
Authors: Upchurch Robert K.
Published: October 2022

Cambridge, Corpus Christi College 190 (CCCC 190) contains an Ash Wednesday entry into public penance and a Maundy Thursday reconciliation of penitents as well as two Old English sermons translated from them. The sermons were added to the manuscript at Exeter during Bishop Leofric’s tenure (1050–72), and the rites were recopied into one of his pontificals, London, British Library, Cotton Vitellius A. vii, where the Ash Wednesday service was also revised into a unique, previously unrecognized, standalone rite. This article examines the manuscript evidence for Leofric’s interest in these unique rites and sermons, and suggests that they might have been useful to him in the wake of the Norman Conquest. Because of their uniqueness and proposed historical relevance to post-Conquest Exeter, the article concludes with editions of the rites from Vitellius A. vii and the sermons from CCCC 190, which are printed together for the first time.
Symmetry actions and brackets for adjoint-symmetries. I: Main results and applications
Authors: Anco Stephen C.
Published: October 2022

Infinitesimal symmetries of a partial differential equation (PDE) can be defined algebraically as the solutions of the linearisation (Frechet derivative) equation holding on the space of solutions to the PDE, and they are well-known to comprise a linear space having the structure of a Lie algebra. Solutions of the adjoint linearisation equation holding on the space of solutions to the PDE are called adjoint-symmetries. Their algebraic structure for general PDE systems is studied herein. This is motivated by the correspondence between variational symmetries and conservation laws arising from Noether’s theorem, which has a modern generalisation to non-variational PDEs, where infinitesimal symmetries are replaced by adjoint-symmetries, and variational symmetries are replaced by multipliers (adjoint-symmetries satisfying a certain Euler-Lagrange condition). Several main results are obtained. Symmetries are shown to have three different linear actions on the linear space of adjoint-symmetries. These linear actions are used to construct bilinear adjoint-symmetry brackets, one of which is a pull-back of the symmetry commutator bracket and has the properties of a Lie bracket. The brackets do not use or require the existence of any local variational structure (Hamiltonian or Lagrangian) and thus apply to general PDE systems. One of the symmetry actions is shown to encode a pre-symplectic (Noether) operator, which leads to the construction of symplectic 2-form and Poisson bracket for evolution systems. The generalised KdV equation in potential form is used to illustrate all of the results.
The prognostic role of liver volumetry in Fontan patients
Authors: Najashi Khalid Al , Najashi Nejoud Al , Ahmed Taghreed , Abdelnaeem Rayan , Alolit Sultan , Zuaybir Amani Al , Atiyah Merna , Trout Andrew T. , Alsaied Tarek , Veldtman Gruschen R.
Published: October 2022

Background and hypotheses:

High venous pressures and associated hepatic congestion are important drivers for Fontan-associated liver disease. The prognostic significance of hepatomegaly as a marker of congestion however is not well defined and is further explored in this research study.

Methods:

Fontan patients who have had liver ultrasound scans were identified from the Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre Fontan Database and had their anatomic, surgical, clinical histories abstracted from the electronic medical records following institutional ethics approval. Liver volumes were determined retrospectively from reviewing individual US images, and these, divided into tertiles, were analysed in the context of the predefined endpoints of (i) Primary – death or heart or liver transplantation, or (ii) Secondary – combined endpoint of death, transplantation, arrhythmia, or protein-losing enteropathy.

Results:

Mean indexed liver volumes for the entire cohort (n = 199) were 1065.1 ± 312.1 ml/m2, range 387 to 2071 ml/m2. Patients with the largest liver volumes (highest tertile) were less likely to have a functioning fenestration compared to those in the lowest tertile 44% versus 56% p = 0.016 and experienced the highest burden of mortality and heart or heart–liver transplantation, p = 0.016, and were more likely to reach the composite endpoint of death, protein-losing enteropathy, arrhythmia, or transplantation, p = 0.010. Liver volumes had an overall predictive accuracy for the combined outcome of 61% (CI 53%, 67%, p = 0.009).

Conclusions:

Liver volumetry may serve as a potentially important congestion biomarker for adverse outcomes after the Fontan operation.
Early outcomes of the treatment of aortic coarctation with BeGraft aortic stent in children and young adults
Authors: Kavurt Ahmet V. , Gürsu Hazım A. , Kaş Gökçe , Özdemiroğlu Nevin , Bağrul Denizhan , Gül Ayşe E. K. , Ece İbrahim , Çetin İbrahim İ
Published: October 2022

We report our experience and early outcomes of using the BeGraft aortic stent in children, adolescents, and young adults. BeGraft aortic stent (Bentley InnoMed, Hechingen, Germany) requires a smaller long sheath compared to other covered stents, and it has a low profile and adequate radial power. With these features, it can overcome some limitations in the treatment of coarctation, especially in children. This is a single centre retrospective analysis of 11 implanted BeGraft aortic stents in coarctation of the aorta between July 2020 and November 2021. The eleven stents were successfully implanted in 11 patients (10 males). The median age of the patients was 13.7 years (interquartile range 12–16 years), and the median weight was 43 kg (interquartile range 35–62 kg). In five patients, after the stents were opened completely by the first balloon, they were exchanged with a Z-MED II™ balloon, 1–3 mm larger in diameter, and the stents were redilated. The median catheter-derived systolic peak-to-peak pressure gradient was 23 mm Hg (interquartile range 16–37 mmHg) before the procedure and 3 mm Hg (interquartile range 1–5 mm Hg) after the procedure. Except for the partial femoral artery thrombosis in two patients, no other procedural complications were observed in our study. The median follow-up duration was 5 months (interquartile range 2–12 months). During follow-up, only one patient (9%) had stent narrowing that required dilation. Our initial results and short-term follow-up showed that the BeGraft aortic stent implantation and redilation can be performed effectively, safely, and successfully in the treatment of coarctation of the aorta.
Effect of eTansiyon smartphone application on hypertension control
Authors: Yilmaz Emre , Uzuner Arzu , Bajgora Mensur , Dogan Buket , Altikardes Zehra A. , Kavakli Geris Burçin , Akdeniz Esra
Published: October 2022

Aim:

To investigate the effectiveness of eTansiyon smartphone application in blood pressure control in patients with hypertension.

Background:

Global prevalence of hypertension and the burden of chronic illness care, especially in primary care, are increasing in world. We have developed eTansiyon to ensure the continuity of patient-physician relationship, so it may help to improve the lifestyle of patients with hypertension, increase their adherence to treatment and achieve the target blood pressure.

Methods:

This study was a non-randomized controlled study. The sample was selected by random sampling method among the patients registered in 6 Family Health Units (FHUs). Randomization was performed at the FHU level; the units were randomized to 4 control group (CG) and 2 intervention group (IG), so that randomization in this study was 2:1. Both groups were followed up for at least four months. In addition to CG, IG were provided to use eTansiyon. Obtained data were analysed to evaluate differences between groups at the beginning and end of the study, intra-group changes after follow-up and interaction between groups and follow-up period.

Findings:

The study was performed with 124 patients in CG and 61 patients in IG. At the end of the study, the average systolic blood pressure/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) of office and home was significantly lower in IG compared to CG (P < 0.001, MD 9.5 mmHg; P = 0.007, MD 3.8 mmHg; P < 0.001, MD 10.6 mmHg; P < 0.001, MD 4.8 mmHg, respectively), and it was found that the proportion of people with target blood pressure in IG was significantly higher than CG (P < 0.001, 49.2%(n = 30) and 22.6%(n = 28), respectively). Repeated measures ANOVA and generalized estimating equations results showed that follow-up period and interaction between groups were significant in terms of office and home SBP/DBP and target blood pressure level during follow-up period (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.024, respectively).
Brief review about history of astrobiology
Authors: Nascimento-Dias Bruno Leonardo do , Martinez-Frias Jesús
Published: October 2022

The main idea of this work is to develop a chronological and descriptive historical review in a summarized form about content on astrobiology, which is a research area considered as an emerging science. This is exploratory research that was developed from document review from scientific articles and books, that related to the themes of astrobiology, exobiology and the search for life outside the Earth were used. Based on the research developed, it was possible to collect data related to the vision of other worlds beyond Earth from the ancient Greeks to the present day. Finally, it was possible to conclude that although astrobiology is a recent area of scientific research, the concept and search for life outside the Earth already existed long before the development of modern science.
Risk and uncertainty of plastic mulch adoption in raspberry production systems
Authors: Madrid B. , Goldberger J. R. , Miles C. A. , DeVetter L. W.
Published: October 2022

Agriculture plays a central role in providing food security and essential goods globally. Producers must consider and manage risk to ensure that the production system and its associated individuals are capable of enduring unexpected and disruptive events. Analyzing the different types of risk and accompanying uncertainties that growers experience can be essential to better reflect and understand the realities of their circumstances, but these concepts are not always accounted for in the adoption process. Drawing on the importance of risk and uncertainty, this study aims to assess the different types of risk and uncertainties involved in the risk decision-making process of the processed raspberry industry, where plastic mulch is a new production technique. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants involved in the use, research, outreach, manufacturing, and distribution of plastic mulch, specifically polyethylene (PE) mulch and soil-biodegradable mulch (BDM). Findings indicate that risk can be present in various forms including production, price, and hidden risks, with production and price risks being the most significant to all participants. When accounting for overall risk, PE mulch was considered riskier to industry representatives but less risky to growers and most research and outreach specialists. BDM was considered risky due to the uncertainties about durability, degradability, and the unknown impacts on the environment if BDM fragments do not degrade readily. The application of PE mulch and/or BDM can be beneficial for the raspberry production systems but will require time for additional research and effort to disseminate information to a wider agricultural audience.
Webcam-Based Online Coaching with Children and Adolescents with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders – A Single-Case Study
Authors: Adam Julia , Goletz Hildegard , Viefhaus Paula , Woitecki Katrin , Döpfner Manfred
Published: October 2022

Abstract. Objective: Although there is clear evidence-based knowledge regarding state-of-the-art treatment for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), two main issues remain in clinical practice: (1) Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is limited in terms of availability and accessibility or is not adequately provided, and (2) despite large effect sizes of exposure-based CBT, the achieved recovery rates of 50–60 % still show room for improvement. These issues have prompted an increasing focus on delivering exposure-based CBT in new and innovative ways. This study aims to evaluate an intensive therapist-administered online coaching program consisting of exposure with response prevention via video teleconferencing (VTC) as an add-on to weekly outpatient CBT (blended therapy). Method: The blended therapy is examined in n = 5 children and adolescents with OCD using an AB design and multi-informant ratings. Results: This single-case study shows promising results, indicating that a decrease in OCD severity and related functional impairment can be attributed to blended therapy. Moreover, satisfaction with online coaching was high. Conclusions: Despite some principal limitations, the results support the effectiveness and feasibility of blended therapy.
An Analysis of Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere Coupling That Is Independent of Inertial Reference Frame
Authors: Mannucci Anthony J. , McGranaghan Ryan , Meng Xing , Verkhoglyadova Olga P.
Published: October 2022

This paper analyses magnetosphere‐ionosphere (M‐I) coupling from a perspective that is independent of inertial reference frame, and delineates how physical theories of M‐I coupling are affected by the principle of relativity. For the first time in the context of M‐I coupling, we discuss the literature from the 1970s on how the low‐velocity limit of the theory of special relativity is applied to electrodynamics. In most M‐I coupling theories, a particular low‐velocity limit applies, known as the “magnetic limit.” Two important consequences of this literature are: (a) significant displacement currents in Maxwell's equations break the Galilean invariance of the equations and (b) magnetic fields are not generated by currents created by a net charge density in motion. We show how reference frame‐independent descriptions of M‐I coupling require that ion‐neutral relative velocities and ion‐neutral collisions are key drivers of the physics. Currents are independent of reference frame whereas electric fields depend on reference frame. Starting with the same momentum equations that are typically used to derive Ohm's law, it is possible to express the perpendicular ionospheric current as depending on collisions between ions and neutrals, and electrons and neutrals, without reference to electric fields. Ignoring the relative motion between ions and neutrals results in errors exceeding 100% for estimates of high latitude Joule heating during significant geomagnetic storms, when ion‐neutral velocity differences are largest near the initiation of large‐scale ion convection.
High‐Frequency Electrostatic Waves Modulated by Whistler Waves Behind Dipolarization Front
Authors: Chen Z. Z. , Yu J. , Wang J. , He Z. G. , Liu N. G. , Cui J. , Cao J. B.
Published: October 2022

Both the whistler waves and high‐frequency electrostatic waves (HFEWs), playing significant roles in energy conversion, have been widely studied behind dipolarization fronts (DFs). Nevertheless, interactions between them have been so far elusive. Utilizing high‐resolution MMS data, we present two cases that HFEWs were modulated by whistler waves behind a DF. The HFEWs with frequency at fce ∼ fpe, propagating along the ambient magnetic field, were detected near δE// minimum (maximum) of parallel‐propagating (antiparallel‐propagating) whistler waves. The amplitudes of the HFEWs are comparable to that of the whistler waves, while their energy densities are two orders of magnitude lower than that of the whistler waves. The analysis indicates that the whistler waves were locally excited by anisotropic electron distributions and the HFEWs were excited by electron beams produced by the whistler waves via Landau resonance. Our study advances the understanding of wave‐wave interactions and cross‐scale processes in space plasmas.
Imaging the Volcanic Structures Beneath Gran Canaria Island Using New Gravity Data
Authors: Montesinos F. G. , Arnoso J. , Gómez‐Ortiz D. , Benavent M. , Blanco‐Montenegro I. , Vélez E. , Martín‐Crespo T. , Gorbatikov A. V. , Stepanova M. Y.
Published: October 2022

From a new gravity data set that covers homogeneously the whole surface of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) and marine gravity data in the nearest offshore, we have obtained a Bouguer anomaly gravity map of the island which improves the previous ones. Using these gravity anomalies, we have applied a gravity inversion approach to investigate the structures beneath the surface of Gran Canaria Island and derive a 3D gravity sources model. The geometry of structures with anomalous density values is constrained up to a depth of approximately 20,000 m below the sea level. The interpretation of the density model identified structures related to the different volcanic stages of Gran Canaria. Several deep‐rooted high‐density structures represent the intrusive bodies emplaced in the early formation of Gran Canaria and the magma plumbing system of the Miocene volcanic edifices. A low‐density body in the center of the island may be associated with the syenitic core of the felsic central volcanic edifice (Tejeda Caldera). Shallow low‐density structures identified fractures which acted as feeder dikes of monogenetic volcanoes during the rejuvenated stage. Finally, the NW‐SE rift, which is the most important volcano‐tectonic structure of Gran Canaria, has a characteristic gravimetric signature and represents a long‐lived extensional fracture zone that has controlled the volcanic activity at least since the Miocene.
Nappe Imbrication Within the Phyllite‐Quartzite Unit of West Crete: Implications for Sustained High‐Pressure Metamorphism in the Hellenide Subduction Orogen, Greece
Authors: Ring Uwe , Fassoulas Charalampos , Uysal I. Tonguç , Bolhar Robert , Tong Kui , Todd Andrew
Published: October 2022

We report four K‐Ar fault‐gouge and eight U‐Pb calcite ages from the high‐pressure Phyllite‐Quartzite Unit (PQ) and the overlying, strongly thinned non‐high‐pressure Tripolitza and Pindos units of western Crete, Greece. We relate consistent 26–21 Ma fault‐gouge ages to a discrete top‐to‐the‐S, brittle‐ductile, contractional shear zone (Intra‐PQ Thrust) that formed during high‐pressure conditions within the Phyllite‐Quartzite Unit. The Intra‐PQ Thrust separates the Phyllite‐Quartzite Unit into an upper and a lower unit and is associated with gypsum deposits and high finite strain. Below the Intra‐PQ Thrust, U‐Pb calcite ages between about 16 and 13 Ma are also associated with top‐to‐the‐S kinematic indicators and, in part, developed during aragonite stability. The brittle‐ductile contact zone to the overlying Tripolitza and Pindos units yielded U‐Pb calcite ages of 13 to 12 Ma. Our data imply that the upper Phyllite‐Quartzite Unit underwent high‐pressure metamorphism at the commonly envisaged time of 24–21 Ma. However, the lower Phyllite‐Quartzite Unit started to be underthrust at 26–21 Ma and was high‐pressure metamorphosed at 16–13 Ma, as suggested by the U‐Pb calcite ages of aragonite‐bearing samples and published zircon fission track ages. We discuss a tectonic model of successive underthrusting, high‐pressure metamorphism and subsequent exhumation of both Phyllite‐Quartzite units in extrusion wedges until 12–11 Ma, after which Crete underwent crustal extension. Our work suggests that there might be more than one Cretan Detachment. It also has implications for sustained underthrusting and exhumation of continental crust in subduction zones.
Metabolic genes on conjugative plasmids are highly prevalent in Escherichia coli and can protect against antibiotic treatment
Authors: Palomino Alana , Gewurz Danya , DeVine Lela , Zajmi Ujana , Moralez Jenifer , Abu-Rumman Fatima , Smith Robert P , Lopatkin Allison J
Published: October 2022

Conjugative plasmids often encode antibiotic resistance genes that provide selective advantages to their bacterial hosts during antibiotic treatment. Previous studies have predominantly considered these established genes as the primary benefit of antibiotic-mediated plasmid dissemination. However, many genes involved in cellular metabolic processes may also protect against antibiotic treatment and provide selective advantages. Despite the diversity of such metabolic genes and their potential ecological impact, their plasmid-borne prevalence, co-occurrence with canonical antibiotic resistance genes, and phenotypic effects remain widely understudied. To address this gap, we focused on Escherichia coli, which can often act as a pathogen, and is known to spread antibiotic resistance genes via conjugation. We characterized the presence of metabolic genes on 1,775 transferrable plasmids and compared their distribution to that of known antibiotic resistance genes. We found high abundance of genes involved in cellular metabolism and stress response. Several of these genes demonstrated statistically significant associations or disassociations with known antibiotic resistance genes at the strain level, indicating that each gene type may impact the spread of the other across hosts. Indeed, in vitro characterization of 13 statistically relevant metabolic genes confirmed that their phenotypic impact on antibiotic susceptibility was largely consistent with in situ relationships. These results emphasize the ecological importance of metabolic genes on conjugal plasmids, and that selection dynamics of E. coli pathogens arises as a complex consequence of both canonical mechanisms and their interactions with metabolic pathways.
Insights into skeletal stem cells
Authors: Li Qiwen , Xu Ruoshi , Lei Kexin , Yuan Quan
Published: October 2022

The tissue-resident skeletal stem cells (SSCs), which are self-renewal and multipotent, continuously provide cells (including chondrocytes, bone cells, marrow adipocytes, and stromal cells) for the development and homeostasis of the skeletal system. In recent decade, utilizing fluorescence-activated cell sorting, lineage tracing, and single-cell sequencing, studies have identified various types of SSCs, plotted the lineage commitment trajectory, and partially revealed their properties under physiological and pathological conditions. In this review, we retrospect to SSCs identification and functional studies. We discuss the principles and approaches to identify bona fide SSCs, highlighting pioneering findings that plot the lineage atlas of SSCs. The roles of SSCs and progenitors in long bone, craniofacial tissues, and periosteum are systematically discussed. We further focus on disputes and challenges in SSC research.
The unfolded protein response reverses the effects of glucose on lifespan in chemically-sterilized C. elegans
Authors: Beaudoin-Chabot Caroline , Wang Lei , Celik Cenk , Abdul Khalid Aishah Tul-Firdaus , Thalappilly Subhash , Xu Shiyi , Koh Jhee Hong , Lim Venus Wen Xuan , Low Ann Don , Thibault Guillaume
Published: October 2022

Metabolic diseases often share common traits, including accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Upon ER stress, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated to limit cellular damage which weakens with age. Here, we show that Caenorhabditis elegans fed a bacterial diet supplemented high glucose at day 5 of adulthood (HGD-5) extends their lifespan, whereas exposed at day 1 (HGD-1) experience shortened longevity. We observed a metabolic shift only in HGD-1, while glucose and infertility synergistically prolonged the lifespan of HGD-5, independently of DAF-16. Notably, we identified that UPR stress sensors ATF-6 and PEK-1 contributed to the longevity of HGD-5 worms, while ire-1 ablation drastically increased HGD-1 lifespan. Together, we postulate that HGD activates the otherwise quiescent UPR in aged worms to overcome ageing-related stress and restore ER homeostasis. In contrast, young animals subjected to HGD provokes unresolved ER stress, conversely leading to a detrimental stress response.
Immature olfactory sensory neurons provide behaviourally relevant sensory input to the olfactory bulb
Authors: Huang Jane S. , Kunkhyen Tenzin , Rangel Alexander N. , Brechbill Taryn R. , Gregory Jordan D. , Winson-Bushby Emily D. , Liu Beichen , Avon Jonathan T. , Muggleton Ryan J. , Cheetham Claire E. J.
Published: October 2022

Postnatal neurogenesis provides an opportunity to understand how newborn neurons integrate into circuits to restore function. Newborn olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) wire into highly organized olfactory bulb (OB) circuits throughout life, enabling lifelong plasticity and regeneration. Immature OSNs form functional synapses capable of evoking firing in OB projection neurons but what contribution, if any, they make to odor processing is unknown. Here, we show that immature OSNs provide odor input to the mouse OB, where they form monosynaptic connections with excitatory neurons. Importantly, immature OSNs respond as selectively to odorants as mature OSNs and exhibit graded responses across a wider range of odorant concentrations than mature OSNs, suggesting that immature and mature OSNs provide distinct odor input streams. Furthermore, mice can successfully perform odor detection and discrimination tasks using sensory input from immature OSNs alone. Together, our findings suggest that immature OSNs play a previously unappreciated role in olfactory-guided behavior.
Retrospective real-life study on preoperative imaging for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy in primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Bijnens Jacqueline , Van den Bruel Annick , Vander Poorten Vincent , Goethals Ingeborg , Van Schandevyl Steven , Dick Catherine , De Geeter Frank
Published: October 2022

The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate preoperative imaging modalities for localization of parathyroid adenomas with a view to enable minimally invasive parathyroidectomy and in particular, to consider the contribution of 18F-fluorocholine-PET/CT. 104 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism, who underwent parathyroid surgery in a single centre during a 6-year period were included. Of these, 103 underwent ultrasound, 97 99mTc-Pertechnetate/SestaMIBI-SPECT, 20 MRI and 30 18F-fluorocholine-PET/CT. Based on surgical findings, sensitivities and specificities for correct lateralisation in orthotopic locations were: for ultrasound 0.75 (0.65–0.83) and 0.89 (0.81–0.94), for 99mTc-MIBI-SPECT 0.57 (0.46–0.67) and 0.97 (0.91–0.99), for MRI 0.60 (0.36–0.81) and 0.83 (0.59–0.96) and for 18F-fluorocholine-PET/CT 0.90 (0.73–0.98) and 0.90 (0.73–0.98). Correctly lateralized adenomas were significantly larger than those not found with ultrasound (p = 0.03) and SPECT (p = 0.002). Pre-operative PTH-levels were higher in single adenomas detected by scintigraphy than in those not (p = 0.02). 64 patients could be treated with a minimally invasive procedure. Cure after parathyroidectomy was obtained in 94% of patients. 18F-Fluorocholine-PET/CT could be shown to be a highly accurate modality to localize parathyroid adenomas preoperatively, obviating the need for total exploration in the majority of patients in whom ultrasound and scintigraphic results are discordant or both negative.